Innocent or criminal

I reached the hospital and I couldn't believe my eyes !

This stupid girl is sleeping over her broken arm ? May be for few moments or worse, all night ?

Oh my god.

She must be in severe pain.

She called a nurse to help her but hey, I am here now.

I helped her turning over and she said something unbelievable !

Her vitals turned unstable.

If not used the medical term, it means her heart started racing and her breath became high and I thought something was wrong.

But when she told me what was wrong, I couldn't believe my ears.

She said, I did that to her !

But she got embarassed about it and got that she didn't wanted me to know it.

So, I told her not to worry about it.

It was very weird.

I mean, I have been with many girls and many of them have said much more filtheir words to me, wispered much more sexier words in my ears.

But except for the goosebumps due to the air blown in my ears, I didn't felt anything at all for anyone.

It never made my heart race or melt or warm !

And this lill girl made me feel everything of it and that too all at once !

She is something different.

She has got all of us wrapped around her fingers !

Derek and Lauren are known as womanizers among us and so, they being around her like flies wasn't an unexpected thing.

The unexpected frame was, Jules being wrapped around her fingers !

Jules !

I mean, Jules ?

Like he ?

How is that even possible ?

He haven't been with any girl since a long time because he wants a serious relationship and girlfriend who he can get married to and start family with.

He is dancing like a puppet in her hand !

And oh, how can I forget about Cole ?

He doesn't visits her in the hospital but he always asks me about her.

He have never done that before.

Which clearly indicates that, he too got wrapped around her fingers.

In short, all of us are in the competition now and the most important thing here is, who does SHE likes ?

Anyone among us ?

Someone other than us ?

May be Jules ?

She keeps asking him for her rescue.

May be me ?

She just admitted that, I made her vitals go unstable !

Let it be.

I need to check up on her arm.

We got her x-ray and were waiting for the report. We got her back to her bed and I gave her the breakfast and some fruits and her medicine.

We were about to start our conversation when, Derek came.

He was looking different.

He came and didn't started flirting with her, like usual.

That was kinda unusual of him !

" Hey, Ashley.

How are feeling today ? "

Derek asked as formality.

" Oh, I definitely can't say better, because I slept all night over my broken arm and now it is very painful.

Doc got my x-ray check up and we are waiting for the report. "

Ashley told him.

" Did you slept over it knowingly ?

I mean... "

Derek said cocking his head questioning.

" Yes, ofcourse !

I have lost my mind to do so.

So, yes,I did it knowingly.

Ha ha ha. "

Ashley replied chucking.

" What's so funny in that ?

I have asked you something. "

Derek said seriously.

" Why would I do that knowingly ?

Wasn't my pain enough that, I'd increase it knowingly ?

Are you alright ?

Are you high ? "

Ashley said getting defensive.

" I don't do drugs while I am on duty !

If it was already hurting that much, then how come you didn't felt the pain at night when you slept ovwr it with all your weight ? "

Derek said raising his eyebrows.

" What's wrong with you, Derek ?

Why are you asking such silly questions to her ? "

I asked him unable to stop now for talking like this to her.

I mean, she is right why would she do that to herself ?

" I am a Detective on duty, Doctor.

You can't become the hurdle in my path of work. As your patient is fine now, not under the influence of Anesthesia nor sleepy, so let me do my job. "

He said to me.

" I need answers, so answer my question, Miss. Grayson, how come ? "

Derek asked her turning towards her.

" Because, on my demand, Dr. Allen gave me some drugs so that, I could sleep sound, as my injuries were aching bad. "

Ashley answered seriously and the hurt was clear on her face.

She was hurt that Derek was being so professional with her after making her comfortable around him.

" Mr. Cooper, how is any of these related to the case or to what you are investigating ? "

I asked him feeling bad for her.

" Yeah, I am sorry.

I can't play the Mr. Detective character for too long. "

He said chuckling.

" Hey, Ash how you doin ?

Does it hurt too much ? "

Derek asked her.

" Yup.

That's very bad.

Let's just wait for the reports and we'd all know how bad actually it is ! "

Ashley told him making a puppy face.

Derek tried to change the way he started talking to her, but he couldn't do it.

He is the worst among us when it comes to lying.

Something is off about him today.

He have something else in his mind.

He is saying something else and his face won't go with it.

And he isn't facing Ashley so that, she shouldn't see his face.

" Yeah we'll see.

Hope it's not too bad.

And oh, that reminds me what decision you made about our last night's discussion ? "

Derek asked suddenly changing the topic.

" Yeah, I mean if you guys can manage that, I am ok with it.

If you guys can protect me on your own and without the departmental security, so I guess I can do at least this much for my safety, right ?

So, I don't have any problem you guys being there with me and for me ! "

Ashley said shrugging.

" What ?

You don't have any problem ? "

Derek almost screamed in surprise.

" Why ?

Was I supposed to have any problem with it ?

I mean, were you kidding ?

Oh you... "

Ashley felt guilty for accepting our offer.

She thought we were kidding and she had a fool of herself by accepting it.

" No, no.

I wasn't kidding.

I was being very serious.

It's just that, you weren't ready to answer last night and now you are like this so...

You just caught me off guard, that's it.

It's a very good news.

Thanks for doing that. "

Derek said shaking her doubt away.

No, no, no, no, no !

I know this guy inside out.

There's something bothering him.

I need to ask him that.

" Um...

Ashley, I think you should rest until we get your report.

And um...

Derek, I am going on round, mind joining me ? "

I asked him to come with me.

And the face he made !

I know that expression,

' Uh-oh, I got caught ! '

And it's more than enough to know my doubt is correct.

I thought he'd deny but, he came with me.

I took him to the cafeteria and before leaving, I asked the nurse to inform me when her report would be ready.

" So, what's up ? "

I asked him.

" Um...

The sky ! "

Derek tried to avoid the answer.

" Ha ha very funny !

You got to be better than that.

You too know, what am I talking about.

So, just answer my fucking question. "

I said.

" So, you got it ? "

Derek said.

" I am with you since you were in diapers, what else do you expect ? "

I said exaggerating a bit.

" Oh, Mom !

I missed you so much... "

Derek said dramatically.

" Derek stop it !

Tell me, what is bugging you ?

You are never like that.

You never behave with any girl like that.

And most importantly, now that you already have accepted that you are ready for the competition, you shouldn't have been doing that.

What's wrong ? "

I said impatiently.

" Ahh !

Ok fine, I'll tell you.

But promise me, you won't tell this to anyone.

I wasn't even thinking about telling you too but, you caught me and you know I can't lie to you ! "

Derek said accepting it.

" You are making me worried Derek.

What's wrong ?

Is it something about her Mom ? "

I asked horrified at the thought.

" Ofcourse not !

And that's a major problem too that, we can't get any news about her Mom. "

Derek said disappointed.

" Now please, don't taste my patience and vomit it out ! "

I said eagerly.

" Ok, so here it goes... "

Derek said taking a deep breath.

And he told me about his different theories to doubt Ashley.

And various points that we seriously missed.

And I was against him in the beginning, but he gave me few things to think about and I too started doubting her; but then he didn't let me doubt her by saying,

" I had all these doubts about her because she hesitated last night to let us be with her; but just now she said, she don't have any problem with us being with her !

Now, my brain don't know what to do !

And neither my heart is telling me anything.

I mean, I want to trust her but, what if my doubts turns out to be true ?

We can't trust her blindly; unless she is proven innocent ! "

Derek said putting his face in his palms.

" Fuck ! "

I cursed.

" Yes, I know.

I couldn't sleep whole night.

I was up and trying to figure out something from that.

But my brain gave up, bro !

I am so sorry.

And that's why I didn't wanted to tell this to anyone of you so that, your sleep too shouldn't become your ex, giving you all nightmares !

Promise me Doc, you won't tell this to anyone. And please try to behave normally with her until I get her history !

She shouldn't get that we are doubting her. "

Derek said squeezing my hands.

" God, Derek.

You are asking for too much.

I mean... "

I said anxious.

" Listen to me, we don't have any proof against her at this moment.

So if, we tell the others about it and they all start behaving differently, she'd notice the difference and may change her plan or do something we know nothing about !

So, my friend for the sake of others, you must seal your mouth ! "

Derek said clutching my shoulders.

" I don't know if I can... "

I said getting nervous.

" No, no, no.

You must !

Stay normal infront of her.

Don't let her get all suscpecious about us.

If you can't be normal in front of her, hand her over to the nurse and treat her through the nurse.

Before I came here, Cole called and told me that, the blood reports would be at his table by 12 pm.

I am going to Ashley's Mom's apartment now, to search.

Don't you dare tell this to Cole.

If he'll be with me, I won't be able to search the way I want to, without telling him everything; which I don't want to just yet !

Once we get the reports we can then decide to give some direction to our investigation. Whatever it may be, I am gonna hand it over to Cole and I'd get behind her history.

If my search matches exactly what she told us, then no problem.

But, if it differs; then someone's life may be in danger.

Either Rachel's or Michael's or even Mr. Grayson's ! "

Derek said calmly.

" How could you be so chilled with this, Derek ? She could be a criminal and what if... "

I said getting panicked.

" Hey, hey !

Calm down love, calm down.

We don't have any proof of she being a criminal. It's just my doubt and doubts can be flase too !

So, relax.

I am gonna investigate this case personally.

And remember, everyone is innocent until proven guilty !

So, relax.

And be chill around her.

If your stupidity alerted her, she could change the plan or whatever it is and we won't be able to discover what it was; only if she IS the criminal ofcourse ! "

Derek said patting my shoulders.

" And if that happened; I swear I'll break your jaw as well as your ass !

So, keep your mouth shut. "

Derek said suddenly digging his fingers in my shoulder to warn me.

" Yes, ofcourse.

I won't go to her.

I'll ask the nurse to treat her and... "

I said trying to get myself together when,

" Excuse me, Dr. Allen ?

Miss. Grayson's reports are here.

Do you want to have a look at it over here or in the cabin ? "

Nurse said coming to me.

" Let me see.

Thanks, you may leave now."

I told her.

I opened the reports and oh god,

" Oh poor thing !

Her fracture have indeed gotten worse.

It must be very painful for that soul.

Derek I hope, she is innocent.

Because, if she turns out to be a criminal; my heart would break.

I have started genuinely liking her, bro ! "

I said confessing my liking for her.

" Yeah, I too want her to be innocent !

Because yes, I too have started liking her.

Tell me one thing, among us who is not liking her at this point ?

Everyone is literally head over heels for her.

And she has us all wrapped... "

" Around her fingers ! "

I finished his line.

" Yes, I was thinking just the same.

Infact...

Um"

I hesitated a bit.

" Infact ? "

Derek pressed for me to continue.

" Infact we are getting close to her as her friends... "

I said hiding my real intended words.

" Yes.

So true.

She is becoming our good friend. "

Derek accepted sadly.

Phew !

That was close.

I shouldn't tell him what did she said to me few moments ago.

We all are already in the competition to impress her.

And we don't know yet whom does she likes.

I shouldn't spoil our friendship just now for her. Especially when we don't know if she is an innocent or a criminal ?

I should wait for Derek to prove what is she ?

If, I tell him now and she turns out to be criminal, they all are going to kill me by teasing !

I should keep my mouth shut till then.

" I will take your leave now.

Be careful around her and don't let her be aware of us.

I don't care what you do.

Give her sleeping pills, hand her over to the nurse or do anything; just don't get her suscpecious about us. "

Derek said warning me again.

" Yes. I'll keep that in mind.

I'll get the nurse to take her care.

You be careful in your investigation, ok ? "

I said.

" Yup.

I am going to her Mom's apartment and then to Cole and then I'll begin my real investigation. Please pray Dominic that, she turns out as an innocent baby ! "

Derek said crossing his fingers.

" Oh, yes I definitely will.

Now get going or you'll be late. "

I said.

" Yeah, see you soon. "

Derek said leaving.

I hope she she isn't a criminal and she told us the truth.

She is the only girl I liked yet and I don't want her turn out to be a criminal !