After the detectives left, it took Josh a few hours to get everything in his casita fixed the best he could. The less attention brought by their presence, so much the better for he didn't want to put the Rosemary Inn under the wrong kind of scrutiny. It already received enough when he retreated to his little casita after his shooting. The faintest whiff of trouble and people would be talking all over again, especially about his possible involvement behind the missing cocaine.

Maybe he really was as dirty as his partner, after all.

But Josh couldn't let his thoughts go there again, not when last night had been a major milestone for him. For the first time since the shooting, he didn't dream about the night he almost died. He didn't even wake up covered in sweat and fear. Instead, he did wake up, yes, but only to coax Olivia under the covers and make sure she was lying on his uninjured side so he could hold her all night. It was a milestone on so many levels he couldn't begin to even describe it.

But Josh also knew that he couldn't rely on Olivia to change everything about his life so far, even if he had to admit that they seemed to have made a good start. They finally got to bury the hatchet and were finally on the same page. The only thing he hadn't said to her yet was that he loved her. Nah, that would have seemed too desperate.

After seeing Olivia and Julie off for their morning group hike to identify the local flora, Josh set about to do as much as he could for the day. Report the break-in, check. Wait for the detectives and escort them to the casita without alarming the guests, check. Answer all their questions, especially the part about waiting until morning to report the break-in, check and double check. At least, he knew the detectives who came over. They usually kicked back at a local bar to shoot stories, although this time, they were here on official police business.

And then there was the need to set up security for the Rosemary Inn all over again. Sure, Ojai was a small town, but he didn't want a repeat of the break-in. He could handle an intruder with a crowbar (barring getting hurt), but it was the last thing to happen to a paying guest. He even called his physical therapist, Cassie, to let her know that he wasn't going to need her to come over until further notice. And then there was Dr. Ecklund, his psychologist, who wasn't happy about the new development.

We've come so far with our sessions for you to end this so soon, Josh, the older man had said over the phone. I hope you can still come in the next few days? Think of all the developments you've achieved since you started seeing me. You were telling me a bit more about your dreams, and finally you were able to start talking about Ray, your partner. Do you know how it's taken you to open up like you have in the past week? We can't let anything stop our progress now.

But Josh was adamant about returning back to the South Bay. He'd find another psychologist, if he had to. But for now, it was time to stop reliving that night again and again during therapy. Maybe Dr. Ecklund was simply old school where you talked about the "thing" until you broke through... or whatever it was you had to break through.

Still, Josh needed to return to the life he used to know, the one that existed outside of the shooting–the one that gave him every reason to live.

* * *

That evening, Josh made his way back to the South Bay two hours after Olivia and Julie checked out of the inn which gave them two hours lead time–an hour if they drove like him. He hated having to get back so late, about past nine, but he had to do a quick stop in Hermosa Beach first and speak to Bernie Trott, his former lieutenant. Although he left the force shortly after the shooting, he still kept in touch with most everyone he knew, especially Bernie although this would be the first time he'd actually hang out with the guy since shortly after leaving the hospital.

"Glad to see you moving again, kid," Bernie said after taking a swig of his beer. "I was wondering when you'd finally come back down. You had me scared there for awhile, not hearing from you for weeks at a time."

"It only took a break-in to show me I still got what it takes."

"Well, that was some major shit you went through, kid, but you gotta do what you gotta do. If you had to play hermit out there in Ojai, then so be it. If it means surfing and getting chicks, then go for it! I'm glad you made it through that night."

It was a mouthful, but Bernie always got talkative after a few beers. He needed a couple to take the edge off from work and coming to the South Bay helped with that. But Bernie lived in El Segundo, a few cities over so it wasn't a huge trek since he had to come home from the L.A. station some time. It was also the weekend and already, Josh found himself being the object of attention by a group of young women at the end of the bar, giggling as they engaged his gaze.

Before he'd been shot, he'd have walked over to them, introduced himself and taken one woman–or two–home with him. But things had changed. Not that he no longer had it in him to do just that, but life was too short for one-night stands and temporary hookups. The shooting reminded him of that.

"So where are you staying if your old house is rented?" Bernie asked. "You kicking your tenants out?"

He shook his head. "With friends."

Bernie peered at him for a few moments. "That move up to your parents' sure did you some good. You got some color to you."

"I'd have gotten color here, too, but what's the use of the damn ocean if I can't surf in it?"

"You'll get back to it, kid. I believe in ya." The older man took a final swig of his beer, setting it down on the counter. "So did you get a good look at him? The guy? Did you get yourself checked out?"

"No, I didn't. That's what I get for taking my sweet time going down that damn hill. Gave him time to kill the breaker and wait for me, but not before he tore the place apart. He even slashed the cushions, for crying out loud. But I'm fine, if you're worried about my wellbeing." Josh moved his shoulder, flexing it. "No problems there. Just a cut."

Bernie was thoughtful for a moment. "There was talk on the street that Ray stiffed some guy his share. About a million bucks or so. What if–"

"Then he's looking at the wrong place. I don't have it."

"But he doesn't know that," Bernie said. "Think about it, Josh. What if Ray really did stiff this guy his share? A million's a lot of money."

"What if I wasn't alone last night, Bern?"

"Then you weren't." Bernie shrugged. "Look, sorry to be so callous but one break-in doesn't mean you gotta stop living your life, alright? The last thing I want to see is you disappearing on the world like you did right after you left the hospital. You disappeared on us, man. Scared the living daylights out of me. It's my job to look after you, alright?"

"Yeah, alright," Josh said, chuckling as Bernie tossed a twenty on the counter. "Beer's on me."

"Thanks, man."

"We've got movement anyway, and that break-in won't be his last. Keep your eyes peeled and I've got your back, alright?" Bernie eased himself from the stool. "Gotta go or Marilyn will be grumbling I spend too much time working again."

By the time Josh left the bar ten minutes after Bernie left–and still ignoring the women at the end of the bar–it was almost nine. As soon as he parked his car two blocks away from Olivia's house and began walking, the feeling hit him–of being home again. Ojai was home, too, but this was different. This was where Olivia lived and right now, he imagined her having put Bella to bed hours ago and probably wondering where the hell he was. He could go straight to her house but he had to talk to Erik first.

There was something about hooking up with your best friend's sister that made the whole thing feel weird, even if the three of you grew up together. He didn't have to but Josh needed to let Erik know, even if his friend probably already knew what was up for years. Josh may not have openly said that he liked Olivia but all signs were there. 

So what if he was a serial dater? There was only one woman he always went back to even if on the outside there was nothing romantic to his gestures. But then, who was he kidding? Why would anyone go through the trouble of building a dining table for a woman? He even built her bed, for crying out loud... without power tools and by hand?

As Josh walked down the quiet walk street to Erik's house, he made a conscious effort to pick up his injured leg the way Cassie taught him in all their therapy sessions.

Let those hip muscles work, Josh, she used to say. Wake them up. I know that leg still hurts sometimes but you don't need the cane. And one day you never will.

* * *

Erik was waiting for him in the living room. The TV was on though Josh doubted that Erik was even paying attention to it. On the coffee table, his friend had spread out a few medical journals and Josh could see highlighted passages here and there.

"You're looking good, Josh," Erik said as Josh stood by the window to watch the fog collect up to the glass doors. It looked as if the house had been built in the clouds for everything beyond the windows was a gray film of fog. He could see the faint outline of the deck chairs outside, lit up by the patio light. But beyond that, there was nothing but darkness.

"Where's everyone?" Josh asked.

"In bed although Sam's in the studio, painting," Erik replied. "She would have wanted to say hello but she'd rather let us have our talk first."

Erik offered Josh something to drink but he shook his head. "How's everything going?"

"If you've spoken to Livvy, than you know that someone broke into my casita and attacked me last night," Josh replied.

"Do you think it has something to do with Ray?"

Josh shrugged. "I don't know, but I could also stay at a hotel–"

"Don't be stupid," Erik said. "You're family to me, and I'm not about to leave you out there alone all because someone broke into your little casita." Then Erik's face broke into a grin and he pulled Josh to him in a bear hug. "It's nice to have you back, man."

They stood by the window for a few moments, staring at the darkness beyond. Water droplets clung to the outside of the glass.

"I got your message, by the way," Josh said. "About Livvy."

"Have you spoken to her?"

"I left her a message and told her I'd come over here first. I would never have done anything without letting you know," He turned to face Erik, a tightness creeping to his shoulders. "So are we cool about all this?"

"Just make sure she doesn't get hurt."

"I'd rather die first than let anything happen to her, Erik," Josh said, feeling his shoulders relax. "Anyway, I should go. She must be worried sick. Or jealous that I came here first to talk to you. You two or insufferably competitive, you know that?" It was true. Olivia actually felt offended that Josh wanted to talk to her brother first, as if he needed permission. But he couldn't exactly explain why. It was a guy thing.

"She'll survive. Besides, I'm already taken," Erik said, grinning. "I always knew you liked her. You were too proud to admit it."

Josh chuckled. "She married someone else, Erik. What was I supposed to do?"

"Well, now you're here, and it's about time," Erik said, handing him a set of keys. "So better go over there before she storms in here demanding where the heck you are."

Josh walked toward the door that connected Erik and Olivia's houses by an indoor garden. Usually the golden retrievers, Thelma and Louise, would be slipping through the doggie doors that he now noticed were locked. "Where are the dogs?"

"They're staying with Liv from now on," Erik said. "I hope you don't mind."

"I never did," Josh said as he opened the door, about to step outside. But he stopped and turned toward Erik.

"Thanks, man," Josh said, stepping out into the garden and shutting the door behind him. A few seconds later, using one of the keys Erik gave him, Josh unlocked Olivia's side door and walked in, locking the door behind him. The dogs bounded down the stairs toward him, whining before he silenced them with a rub behind their ears.

He took in the sights and smells of Olivia's home, his senses picking up the faint scent of her perfume along with the flowers she'd arranged in a vase on the dining room table, even the roast lamb she had prepared for dinner. So this was how it felt to be home, Josh thought then.

Damn, but it felt good.