Ghost Peppers Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Later that night, Jackie helped ease Penny under the covers, her movements slow and gentle, watching her as the sedative took hold and softened her tension. She sat with her for a long moment, brushing a hand over Penny’s forehead, grateful to see her breathing leveling out. There was a knock on the door, soft but deliberate—Tony. She quietly slipped out of the room to meet him in the hallway.

Tony nodded, concern heavy in his expression as he looked past Jackie to the bedroom. “How’s she holding up?” he asked softly.

Jackie let out a tired sigh, folding her arms. “She’s resting now. It’s been…a lot,” she said, the weight of the day evident in her tone. “I’ve never seen her like this, Tony. That scene… it’s hitting her harder than I thought possible.”

Tony ran a hand over his face, nodding. “I can imagine. This case… it’s the worst we’ve seen, Jackie. And for it to happen here, to families we know… there’s no way to brace for that.”

Jackie looked down, struggling with her own feelings. She was so used to being the one to help others process their trauma, yet tonight, Penny’s pain felt raw and too close. She finally glanced back at Tony, grateful he was here to share the burden.

“Penny’s been thrown into the deep end,” Tony continued. “She’s got grit, no question. But no one expected anything like this to be her first big case.” He paused, the hint of a smile breaking through his weary demeanor. “I think she’ll get through it, though. She’s got a pretty good reason to.”

Jackie gave a soft smile at that, understanding the subtle nod he was giving to their relationship. “She’ll pull through. But it’s good to know we’re not alone in this,” she replied, sincerity in her tone.

Tony exhaled. “That’s why I came by. The sergeant insisted Penny take the weekend off. Just a little time to reset, get her feet under her again.” His voice softened, a mixture of authority and understanding. “She deserves that, Jackie. And I think you could use the time, too.”

Feeling a wave of appreciation for his help, Jackie nodded. "I'm grateful, Tony. I'll see to it that she accepts it. She is in dire need of it.

He patted her shoulder gently, a silent acknowledgment of the importance of her role in Penny’s life. “If anything comes up, you know where to reach me,” he said, his voice steady and reassuring. With a final glance down the hall, he added, “She’ll be all right, Jackie. She’s got you.”

Jackie nodded, giving him a small, grateful smile as he headed out. And as the door closed, she felt a renewed determination to help Penny through this, one step at a time.

Jackie stood by the bedroom door, a sly smile playing on her lips as Penny sat up groggily, blinking her eyes open. “Are you awake enough for a surprise?” Jackie asked, her voice warm, a hint of mischief glinting in her eyes.

Penny rubbed her face and looked at her, curiosity overriding her sleepiness. “A surprise?” She tilted her head, already intrigued by the sparkle in Jackie’s gaze.

Jackie pulled out two tickets from her pocket, waving them with a flourish. “Dinner and the Dueling Drag Divas show at Main St.,” she said, watching as a wide grin spread across Penny’s face.

“You didn’t!” Penny laughed, a burst of energy lighting her up. “You’re telling me we’re going to watch two queens belt it out and roast each other while we eat?”

Jackie grinned back, feeling Penny’s excitement like a rush of warmth. “Exactly. Figured a bit of glam, glitz, and diva attitude might help get everything else off your mind.”

Penny wrapped her arms around Jackie, giving her cheek a quick kiss. “You really know me, don’t you? This is exactly what I need.”

A few hours later, they found themselves seated at a small, candlelit table, the vibrant lights of the Main St. stage casting hues of pink and blue across the room. The place was buzzing with laughter, and the unmistakable sound of high heels clicking on the stage set the atmosphere.

When the performers made their grand entrance—two divas dressed in dazzling sequins with wigs that reached for the ceiling—Penny’s eyes went wide, her laughter contagious. “Oh my god, look at them!” she whispered, nudging Jackie as the pair started with a medley of show tunes, their voices soaring as they swapped witty barbs that had the crowd roaring.

Jackie watched Penny as much as she watched the show, taking in the way Penny’s cheeks flushed from laughter, her shoulders shaking with each punchline. Seeing Penny so carefree, so alive, reminded her of all the small ways she wanted to protect and love her.

After a particularly outrageous number, one of the queens sauntered over to their table, leaning down with a dramatic wink in Jackie’s direction. “Honey, if looks could kill,” she cooed to Jackie, “you’d be charged with first-degree.”

Jackie laughed, and Penny, seeing her blush, added with a smirk, “You’d better watch it, she’s a therapist, not a killer!”

The diva gasped in mock shock, placing a hand over her chest. “A therapist? Ooh, I’m spilling my secrets tonight!” She sashayed back toward the stage, and the crowd erupted in applause as the divas launched into another duet.

As the night wore on, Penny found herself leaning into Jackie, their hands entwined, the tension of the past weeks melting into the laughter, the music, and the sparkling lights of Main St. She turned to Jackie with a soft smile. “Thank you. For all of this. I feel… free again.”

Jackie gave her a long deep kiss. “That’s all I ever want for you.”