It was late afternoon when Miranda finally woke up, and only because her phone was ringing. She answered it groggily. "Hey, Chief Johnson."
"Hey, Miranda, nice job on that whole bust. I am extremely proud of you young lady."
"Thanks, Chief."
"I want you home in the next day or two, okay?"
"Okay, I understand."
"Stratton told me he wants you to stay, but I don't want to give up my Captain Detective."
"Captain, sir?"
He chuckled. "Yes. You deserve it, young lady."
"Thanks, Chief. I'll let Stratton know I need to come home."
"I already told him. Want me to get you a flight?"
"Yes please, if you would. Two days from now?"
"I'll see what I can do," he said and hung up.
Her phone rang a few minutes later. "Chief?"
"Hey Miranda, look, the only flight out that the airline has is one in a few hours."
"What? Why?"
"Some convention going on in town in a few days, I'm sorry. Are you ready to come home?"
"Not really," she sighed, but I guess I have no choice. Will you call Joe and let him know?"
"I will, sorry about this Miranda."
"It can't be helped. I'll see you later Chief."
"Okay."
He hung up then and Miranda sighed again. She didn't want to leave so soon. She really wanted to see Cole first. She dialed Cole's number. It went straight to voicemail.
"Cole, it's me, Mandy. Look, my boss just called and I've got to fly home tonight. Call me if you can. I would like to see you before I go, and I want to stay in touch." She didn't know what else to say so she just said, "Bye Cole, take care." She then hung up the phone and began to pack. She then called Joe. "Where are you?"
"Just two doors down, why?"
"Boss wants us home already."
"Yeah, he just called and let me know. Are you ready to go home?"
"Not really, but work calls I suppose."
"I know. I'm ready whenever you are."
"Okay, see you in a bit."
She then hung up once more.
A knock sounded on her door then and she opened it to see Tyler and Chad.
Tyler walked in and sat down on Miranda's bed. "You don't want to come work with us do you?" he asked.
"No thanks Tyler, but if you are ever my way on a case I would love to work with you."
"Or if we are close by? We really liked working with you."
"Yes, I would be glad to help you whenever you need me."
"So, where are you headed?" Tyler asked, seeing her packed bags.
"Back home. My chief has a flight out for Joe and me in a few hours."
"Does Cole know?"
Miranda shook her head. "I left him a message. I was hoping to see him again before I left, but I don't know if that is going to happen."
"That's too bad," Chad said, hugging her. "We'll miss you cousin."
She smiled at the handsome man. "Yeah, same here you two."
She then walked to the safe and pulled out the money she had received from Bo. She handed it over to Tyler, along with the earrings he had loaned her. "Keep the earrings," he said, "but I will take the money."
"Thanks, Tyler. And I'll get you the account number for the money that Tyrone gave me so that can go into evidence also."
"Good. Tyrone will be going away for a very long time."
"Will you two be at his trial?" she asked them.
Tyler nodded. "Yes, I am sure we will be. I'll call and let you know when it is. I'm sure it will be soon. The courts will want him put away, and the sooner the better."
Another knock sounded on the door and Miranda, hoping it was Cole, opened the door with a smile. But it was only Joe.
"Hey, you ready?" he asked.
"Sure," she shrugged.
Joe nodded at Chad and Tyler. "Thanks for helping my partner."
"It was our pleasure," Tyler assured him.
"If you're ever in Colorado, let me know," Miranda told the men.
"We will," Chad assured her.
Miranda would be happy to get back home, but then again, not really. She had enjoyed her time in California, and she was going to miss everyone there.
Tyler and Chad both hugged her and wished her luck, and then she followed Joe out and to the front desk where they checked out of their rooms.
Joe had his rental car, and Miranda still had hers, so they drove their cars to the airport to turn them in and then both headed to the terminal for their flight. The Viper was now locked up for evidence, which was a bummer. She wouldn't have minded driving it back home.
"Now let's hope there aren't any hijackings this flight," Joe teased her as they headed to the metal detector.
"But why? That was so much fun," she said, shaking her head, as she showed her gun and badge to the TSA agent. He nodded her through, and then Joe.
"You just enjoy getting shot at, that's all there is to it," Joe told her as they headed to the waiting area until their flight was called.
"Love it, Joe, it is great," she told him. "You should try it sometime."
He looked at her to see if she was joking. She had a grin on her face. "I'm kidding Joe, it sucks getting shot, especially by the guy you like."
He chuckled. "I am sure it is. But then again, he didn't know it was you, right?"
"No, but that's beside the point."
"Whatever," he laughed.
It was only an hour later that their flight was called, and the two stood to get onto the plane. Miranda sighed as she boarded. She was almost hoping that Cole would have come running to her, telling her to stop, that he loved her and he didn't want her to leave. But he never came, and she boarded the plane without him.
Back at the precinct, Cole had been busy interrogating some of the guys and hadn't heard his phone ring. When he finally heard the voicemail, he hopped to his feet, and headed out the door, hoping he could catch Miranda before she left. He didn't want her to leave. He had fallen for the feisty detective, and he wanted her to be his.
It only took a few minutes to get to the hotel, and Cole ran up to Miranda's room. He knocked on her door. There was no answer. Tyler opened his door and saw Cole. "She's already gone Cole, she and Joe left an hour ago."
"What time was their flight?" he asked.
Tyler glanced at his watch. "It's leaving now."
Cole sighed heavily.
"Sorry," Tyler told him.
"Me too," he said and walked away.
Tyler watched him leave and shook his head. Cole really liked, no loved, Miranda, he could see it in his demeanor. He was sure that the two of them could work things out and hopefully have their happily ever afters.
Cole dialed Miranda's number as he headed back to his car.
"Hey detective, I was hoping to catch you before you left, but crime doesn't wait for anyone. I am sorry I missed you. I was hoping you would stay. Call me when you can. I miss you already." He then hung up, not sure what to say. He loved her, more than she could possibly know, but he wanted to tell her in person, and hopefully, he would be able too soon.