Parental Advisory Rating:

Break out those V-Chips, everyone!

Credits:

Created, Produced, Directed and Written:

XWPFanatic, TNovan and Tonya Muir

I watch as Gail delivers a stack of mail to Kels’ office. Kelsey is in a meeting in the conference room with the rest of ‘the Talent’ right now. While I know I probably shouldn’t do it, I get up and head over to her office. I want to make sure there weren’t any surprises delivered from her little admirer. Kels seems to feel that maybe he’s forgotten about her over the holidays, but I’m not so sure. It’s just a gut feeling, but I’m going with it. Better safe than sorry. Especially where she is concerned.

Gail looks me up and down when I meet her in the doorway of the office. I know I put on clean clothes and deodorant, so I don’t deserve the glare I’m receiving. "She’s in a meeting," the assistant says, trying to block my path.

"I know she’s in a meeting," I growl, pushing past her. "But she has a file I need. Do you mind? We are partners, you know."

In both the professional and sexual sense now, you nosey pain in my ass. Go away. Go very far away.

Gail mumbles something about Kels not liking it and stalks off.

"She likes it just fine, thank you very much," I say quietly. I take a seat behind Kels’ desk and thumb through her mail. Most of it seems pretty harmless. There are a couple of pieces that give me pause, though, and I lay them to the side. They both have LA postmarks but no return addresses. I am, of course, assuming that Dr. Susan Feel Good wouldn’t send her anything at the station. Hmmm, really need to find a way to get rid of her.

Kels’ phone rings and out of habit I pick it up. "Kelsey Stanton’s office."

"This is Dr. Susan Hamilton. Is Ms. Stanton available?"

Speak of the fucking devil. "Hi, Doc. It’s Harper Kingsley. I’m sorry, Kels isn’t available." To you, ever again in this lifetime, if I can help it. I lean back in the chair, trying not to sound as irritated as I feel. "She’s in a meeting. Can I take a message?"

"Just ask her to give me a call. She has my number."

Yeah, so do I. "No problem. I’ll tell her as soon as I see her." Now all I have to do is walk around with my eyes closed for the rest of the day.

Christ, Harper, get a grip. This is not junior high. Even though your hormones seem to think it is.

"Thanks. Have a good day, Ms. Kingsley."

"You too, Doc."

I manage to hang up the phone without slamming it down. Returning my attention to the mail, I am careful with the pieces that have caught my eye.

"It’s a federal offense," Kelsey offers quietly as she steps in her office and closes the door and the blinds, "to open up someone else’s mail."

"Kels, I …" I’m on my feet trying to find my tongue and a good excuse. Then I narrow in on her. "How did you know?"

"Gail came in and told me."

"Why that little shit!"

Kels raises her hand. "Now don’t be too upset. I got to throw a fit, threaten to come kill you, and make a hasty exit out of a meeting that was boring me senseless. And it was perfect because Jessica was rambling on about something unbelievably stupid. So it was extra special."

I watch as she locks her office door. "Kels, what are you doing?"

"You know what, Tabloid?" She crooks her finger at me, calling me to her. For some reason my legs obey her. Traitors.

"What?" I find myself waiting in front of her.

"They want me in the closet, so I want you to consider this a great big closet for a minute."

She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me. Immediately, I enfold her in my arms, pulling her tight against my body. God, I love the feel of her breasts against mine, the way our bodies seem to melt into one another. Her mouth is so soft and she tastes so sweet, like the honey she puts in her tea every morning.

I’m feeling more than a little breathless when we part, and hungry for more, but she takes a moment and wipes her lipstick from my lips. Guess I’m not getting any more right now. Damn. Why have such a nice couch in her office if we can’t put it to good use?

"So not your shade," she teases.

I step back, instantly feeling the loss. She unlocks her door but leaves the blinds closed. I guess to not seem too suspicious. She crosses over behind her desk.

"Now, why were you going through my mail?"

"I was looking for anything that might be from your little friend." I rest against the corner of her desk. I take a moment to enjoy the view, her blouse is open one button too many for prime time, and her skirt came up to mid-thigh when she sat down. She has wonderful legs. What I wouldn’t give for them to be -

"Find anything interesting?"

Oh yeah. Wait, she’s talking about the mail. "Couple of things I want to check out." Get your mind out of the gutter, Kingsley.

"Will you do me a favor and take them? I don’t want to deal with it. I don’t even want to know if they are from him, okay?"

I reach for the two pieces of mail. "No problem."

"And, please, consider yourself told off." She grins again.

"You, madam, can tell me off anytime." Oh yeah, I suppose I should tell her about the good doctor calling. "Kels," I trace my finger over a stack of files, "Susan called."

"Oh."

"She wants you to call her."

"Okay, if I get a chance, I will."

I’ll keep you busy forever if that’ll do the trick. Maybe in a year or two Susan will take the hint and go quietly into the sunset. And, I like that noncommittal response. Not overwhelmed with enthusiasm to call the good doctor. Unless she only said it for my benefit. I could ask, I suppose. But I won’t. She’d tell me if she wanted to. Right?

* * *

There is a piece of mail that concerns me in a great big old way. As soon as I read it, I call Bear and make arrangements to get it to him. It’s a list of everywhere Kels had been in the last couple of weeks. It has the times, dates, places and the people she was with. It wasn’t even lost on the guy that she spent a few nights at my place. He knows she left town, but it doesn’t seem to reflect that he knew where she was. Thank God for that. I don’t want my family involved in any way. It’s bad enough he’s after Kelsey.

I make sure Kels is indeed going to be tied up at the station all day before I leave to meet Bear for lunch at The Rio. I’m looking at the note and picking over a bacon cheeseburger and steak fries when he arrives.

"Harper, I’m glad to see you." He grabs a seat, motioning to the waitress to bring him the same thing I’m eating. "We need to talk."

"No kidding." I hand him the note. He takes it, exchanging a piece of paper with me. I read it through carefully. "Christ! Bear, are you absolutely sure?"

"Positive. The fibers found in the hair of one of the victims definitely match the fibers from the bear Kelsey got from her admirer. I just got the report back this morning. I was going to call you when I got your call."

"Then this means ..." Oh God, I just lost my ability to speak. And I might get sick right here and now.

"The guy killing the blondes is also Kelsey’s stalker."

"Fuck."

"I know, Harper. It scares the shit out of me, too." He lays a large, comforting hand on my shoulder. "But the good news is we’re going to have surveillance on Kelsey 24/7 from here on out."

"You’re staking her out like a sacrificial lamb," I accuse.

Bear shakes his head. "Nope. The sick fuck has done that himself. And she’s our best chance at getting him before he carves up some other woman."

I blow out a deep breath, trying to quiet my rebellious stomach. "They all look like her, don’t they?" I know the answer to my own question. My mind supplies me images of the previous victims, all young, all petite, all blonde, all green-eyed, all beautiful.

He nods. "He’s been trying to create them in her image, I think, although I ain’t the department shrink. Probably kills them when he realizes they aren’t her."

"I need to get back to the station."

"I figured. Look, my Captain and I will be by later to go over some safety protocol with you both. I’ll also want to talk to the general manager about what’s going on. I hear from a friend at the FBI that they are sending in another agent to help with the investigation. Most likely they’re going to bring in another profiler. They may want to talk to Kelsey."

"Yeah, fine." I can barely hear him over the pounding of my heart. I pull a ten dollar bill out of my pocket and lay it on the table to cover my lunch. "I gotta go, Bear."

I can’t hide this from her, as much as I might want to. She deserves to know what we’re up against. And to know she’s not alone.

* * *

Harper is standing in my doorway with a look that has me really confused. It’s somewhere between playful and very concerned.

"What’s up, Tabloid?"

"We need to talk."

Oh, I most definitely don’t like the sound of that. Is this where she tells me it’s been real and it’s been fun, but it hasn’t been real fun? Kels, you always manage to either run or scare everyone off. Poor Harper certainly isn’t the type to hide and I can’t blame her for that. Closets weren’t built for two.

"Okay." I lean back from my desk hoping I don’t lose it when I actually hear the words. How can it hurt so much after so short a time?

"First, I want to give you this." She steps in my office and closes my office door, locking it as she does so. In a few long strides, she crosses to me, turning my chair to face her. Harper drops to her knees and hands me a long, thin box. I take it in shaky hands. I’ve never been given anything from someone who was about to dump me. Is this some new dating custom I haven’t heard about? When I remove the lid, I find a toothbrush. I can’t stop the smile that breaks across my face. Lifting it out of the box, I find a key tied to the end.

"What’s this?"

"Everything you need to stay at my place. Something to keep your breath sweet." She leans forward and steals a brief kiss, her hands coming to rest on my legs. "And a key to get you in the front door."

"Okay, the toothbrush I can understand, but the key? That’s an awfully big step." And one I’d like for her to define for me, just so there are no misunderstandings here.

"There’s a big reason, Kels."

"What?"

And she tells me.

* * *

Blinking tired eyes into darkness, it takes me a few moments to realize the bed is empty beside me. I roll over slowly and see her outlined against the window. She’s in the wingback chair there, tucked under my Nonny’s handmade quilt. Trouble is curled up on her lap and I can hear the beast purring from here as she strokes him idly with the fingertips of one hand.

"Kels?"

She jumps at my voice and looks over to me, the moonlight coming in through the window glinting across her eyes makes them look silver.

"What time is it?" I ask.

"It’s only three. Go back to sleep," she says softly.

"Come to bed," I growl, extending an arm her way. "And we can do more than sleep."

She chuckles. "You’re insatiable."

"Me?" I respond with shock. I can barely keep up with her, so what if I’m younger? The good Lord knew I’d need stamina, that’s why he let me be born seven years later.

"Mmm," she responds positively, ignoring my shock. Sometimes I think she’s embarrassed by her own carnal desires. She has no reason to be ashamed, that’s for damn sure.

"What’s keeping you up? Not that Trouble doesn’t enjoy the company."

She pauses to scratch behind his ears and the damn cat seems about to implode with pleasure if his loud purring is any indication. "Couldn’t sleep."

I know why she can’t sleep and I need to distract her. "We don’t have to," I leer. I can’t help myself. She’s everything I’d imagined and more. I can’t keep my hands off of her and I know under that delicate quilt my grandmere made is perhaps the most beautiful body I’ve ever seen, and a very sensitive heart as well.

"Harper." Her tone is slightly chastising but gentle. She worries too much. I want her to forget things for awhile and concentrate instead on us and this room and the pleasures we bring each other.

"Don’t make me drag you back to bed," I warn teasingly. I almost have her, I can tell by the way her face is shifting in the moonlight. She shakes her head.

"All right. I warned ya." I toss the covers aside and prowl across the room. "Outta the way, Trouble."

The cat doesn’t need any more warning. He’s lived with me long enough to know when he’s not welcome in the bedroom. He moves his fat ass slowly, though, rubbing his head against Kelsey one last time before hopping down from her lap.

I replace him there, straddling Kelsey’s legs and capturing her mouth in a deep, searing kiss. She responds readily, her hands moving to my bare back and lingering there, sending chills up and down my body. God, I can’t get enough of her. Whenever I touch her, it’s like I’ve never had my hands on her before. Her skin is hot under my fingers as they travel beneath the quilt and down her chest.

"You worry too much," I murmur to her as I release her lips long enough to nibble at her ear.

"Shut the fuck up, Tabloid, and take me to bed."

That’s more like it.

* * *

From my office I can look across the newsroom and into hers. She’s chugging coffee, yelling at someone on the phone, her gestures large and imposing. It brings a smile to my lips.

I think the most amusing part about her self-appointed position as personal bodyguard is that she accompanies me to the gym in the mornings. She purchased a membership last week after she broke the horrific news to me about my "admirer", but so far hasn’t done anything more than sit at the juice bar and drink the coffee she’s brought with her.

Well, that and watch the women exercising.

That bothers me some but I realize I trust her. I know that Harper, for all her flaws, is the most loyal person I have ever met. And her attention is almost always on me, anyway.

However, being at the gym wreaks havoc on her libido and most mornings she insists we go back to her place to shower, change, and do something about releasing that pressure. This morning we didn’t have time. So on days like this, she’s an uncontrollable fury in the studio and it amuses me to no end since I’m the only one who knows why. The shit will hit the fan, though, if she sees my smug grin so I do my best to rein it in.

While I’m sipping my tea and watching the various televisions in my office, the phone rings. Grateful for the distraction, I mute each TV in turn and pick up the receiver.

"Kelsey Stanton."

"Hey, little girl." To my surprise, I recognize the voice immediately. It’s Henry Richardson. He and my grandfather used to work in the Department of Defense as medical engineers for many, many years. Their last position together was in a biomedical lab, refining vaccines against potential chemical warfare. Pa had enjoyed the work, saying it was challenging yet rewarding and he liked the idea of being able to protect the populace from unseen enemies. My grandfather was an excellent man and I miss him dearly.

"Henry," I say softly, shaken from my reverie. It’s hard because when I hear Henry’s voice I remember Pa’s as well. My first instinct is to get Henry off the phone and hide from those memories. I have too much going on right now with Harper and our growing relationship, and the stalker/serial killer mess, to get wrapped up in remembering a happier time with a jovial old man. The memories are still bittersweet; I’ve never said goodbye to Pa and have no desire to do so even now. He was solely responsible for nearly every happy moment in my childhood.

Luckily, it seems Henry isn’t calling to reminisce. "I was wondering if you had the time to help an old friend."

"Always, Henry," I say honestly, leaning back in my chair and picking up a pencil to chew. I’m a little surprised by his lack of subtlety. Henry was a man to beat around every bush in the damn forest before finding a point.

"Your Pa always told me what a great reporter you are and how you can get to the bottom of anything."

I laugh softly. "You and I both know what kinda bullshitter Pa was."

"Not about you, honey. You know that."

"I know." Please, Henry. I can’t do this. Not right now at least.

I listen with half an ear as Henry tells me about what he’s been doing since retiring to his horse ranch a few years ago. He thought he was out of the biochemical warfare game until last week. Seems Texas is one of a few states in the US where anthrax can occur in cattle. And he thinks that someone he knows is trying to isolate the microbe and grow the spores for some evil purpose.

It’s all just supposition and rumor, and a bit too outlandish to be believed. I can’t help but wonder if this is an excuse to get me back to Texas. I swore I’d never go home again.

* * *

"Texas? What the hell is in Texas?" I ask as Kels basically falls into my sofa. It’s all I can do to keep from getting up and going over there and trying my couch out. Stupid aerobics class ran late for her this morning. So, instead of sweating with me, Kels was sweating with a couple dozen women in tight little leotards … oh, Jesus, don’t go there Harper. You’re in enough pain as it is.

"Well," she sighs just a little, crossing her legs in a very "Basic Instinct" manner.

Keep it up, Kels, and we will be trying out the sofa. Right here. Right now. Blinds open and consequences be damned.

"If you must know," she continues, oblivious to my distress. "My family, on my Father’s side is from Texas."

I laugh as I lean forward on my elbows. "You’re not a complete Yankee?"

"Not completely. I was born and raised in New York, but some time was spent with my grandparents in Texas as a child." She smiles quizzically at me. I know she’s wondering why I asked. I’ll tell her later.

Oh, Mama will be thrilled at this news. Texas isn’t exactly the South, but at least it’s below the Mason-Dixon line.

"A friend of my grandfather’s called me this morning. He needs my help. Actually, he needs our help."

"Well, any friend of yours …" I want to say ‘is a pain in my ass’ (for example, Erik and Susan) but I hold back. "Can’t be all bad," I finish politely, rising to move to the front of my desk, leaning on the edge to obtain a better view down the front of her blouse. I cross my arms over my chest. "What’s the problem?"

She leans forward, enhancing my view. I smile; sneaky Kels, you play the flirt game pretty well. "Would you believe anthrax?"

* * *

Henry meets us at the San Antonio International Airport and he’s exactly as Kelsey has described him: grizzly and grinning. This is the Marlboro Man after a three pack a day habit all his life, too much time in the sun without sunscreen, and only a passing acquaintance with non-flannel apparel. I like him. He wraps my partner in a bear hug, squeezing her tight enough to get a grunt out of her, before backing away and shaking my hand.

"Kelsey, you look fabulous," he enthuses, returning his attention to her. "You’ve grown up so pretty."

I can’t argue that statement so I simply nod my agreement and get a gentle nudge in the ribs.

We introduce Olsen and Conrad, who are already working on equipment and hotel accommodations so they desert us quickly to handle those. We head toward baggage claim to take care of our end.

"Your Pa would be so proud, Kelsey," Henry says as we climb onto the escalator.

I’m intrigued by this discussion since Kelsey has told me very little about her grandfather. I only know how important he was to her and that he’s no longer with us. What kind of euphemism is that anyway? Why are people so damn scared about death? And why is it considered impolite to say someone is dead? Unless, despite all our protestations, we really do believe it is the end. That would be depressing if it were true. But I don’t believe it is. I may be a lapsed Catholic, but the concept of eternity is deep within me.

Any of my previous attempts to pry information out of Kelsey about her grandfather have been met with tight lips and watery eyes. Since I hate to see her cry, I drop the topic each time. Even now, seeing Henry, she’s getting maudlin. I rub her back warmly and get a surprised if grateful smile in response. Hey, I can do sensitive. No one seems to believe me, but I can.

"How are your parents?" Henry asks. Man, he knows how to hit all the buttons. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

Kelsey brushes him off. "Same as always. Tell me about Irene and your boys."

Her distraction is a complete success and we’re well into the heart of San Antonio before Henry stops talking about his three sons (I now know their ages, occupations, marital status, and college GPA’s), and begins discussing the reason we came here.

"So I thought we could meet everyone for lunch tomorrow, including Clayton Jackson, he’s the fella who owns the ranch I was telling you about. I told the family you’re in town to visit with some friends of your Pa’s, to remember him. They don’t know about my suspicions. I figured it was best that way. Don’t want people to get all panicky. This type of stuff scares the crap out of people. As it should."

Great. Apparently Henry is a Dick Tracy wannabe.

"That’s fine." Kelsey nods, turning in the front passenger seat of the Chevy Suburban to meet my gaze. I must appear amused because she gives me a warning glare and I school my expression, looking to my right and using Jimmy as a distraction. Jims, the orange hair still standing spiky on his head because he was dumb enough to dye it again, is busy examining the console next to him where he can adjust the volume and radio station. He turns on the AC.

Henry turns it off from up front. "Wastes gas, that air conditioning does. No one needs it. Besides, it’s December, for God’s sake."

Jimmy looks at me guiltily and I can’t help but laugh. How is it we end up in such bizarre situations?

* * *

I am about to leave the rest of the crew at the affiliate station to pick up a truck and check the equipment. I can’t, with good conscience, shake Henry who was a dear friend of my Pa’s, so I agree to dinner with him and Irene. He says he will take me back by the hotel later tonight.

I find myself wanting Harper’s company but can’t think of a good enough reason to have the my director/producer come along and no one else on the crew. So Harper pulls me aside and promises to check us into the hotel. At least I’ll get to sleep with her tonight. My little psycho gives us a ready excuse to room together. Wish it gave her a ready excuse to come to dinner. But I don’t want to get Henry all upset, and we don’t have any reason to believe that he followed us here. Besides, the gun rack in the back of the Suburban serves as a deterrent. I know it scares the hell out of me.

"You’ll be okay?" she asks in that dark, worried voice.

I nod, run a hand down the front of her shirt, smoothing the buttons. I find myself constantly fascinated with her buttons, I suppose it’s because I know what’s under there, but I try not to bite them off anymore. Unless I simply can’t help myself.

"I know this is hard for you," she whispers, "and, eventually, I’ll torture the details out of you. But, for now, please know that I care."

I’m stunned into silence when I look up to meet her blue eyes. They’re sincere and warm. There are so many facets to this woman I may never understand. "I know," I finally manage to say.

"You can tell me anything; you know that, right?"

I nod again.

"So go enjoy dinner. I’ll have my cell on if you need anything. Okay?"

"Yeah. Thank you, Harper." I feel a little awkward, wanting to hug her or kiss her or something. She’s turning into a better friend than I could have imagined. I know I’m not very good at returning that sentiment. This whole friendship thing is new to me, only Erik has ever been able to squeeze it out of me before.

She always seems to understand and smiles rakishly, running a hand down my arm. "I’ll think of ways for you to express your gratitude."

"I don’t doubt you will."

"Be careful."

"Always." It’s hard to watch them pile into the truck and drive away. Finally, Henry draws my attention away with yet another story about his oldest son, Ryan. I was supposed to marry him – in Henry’s mind – so I am relieved to hear that the position has been filled in my absence. I certainly don’t need any more complications in my life right now.

* * *

"So Henry thinks this Dale Sams guy is trying to grow anthrax? And he’s collecting samples from the sick cows over at the Jackson ranch?" Harper asks, while we linger over dessert and each other, settled on the hotel’s king sized bed.

"Yeah, he thinks that maybe the guy is planning something. He says the guy always has been a little off. But it was hard to know for sure since he’s an Aggie professor and those guys like the smell of manure to begin with."

She laughs at that statement. "Ah great, another nut flake to add to our list of known and unknown nut flakes? We do seem to manage to find them, don’t we? Doesn’t this all seem a wee bit melodramatic though?" Harper inquires, offering me a strawberry and then licking the juice from her fingers. It’s amazingly provocative and is serving to distract me from the conversation. "Is Henry just looking for some excitement in his retirement days?"

"I don’t think so, Henry was never the excitable type before, but it is possible. Bio-chemical warfare is a terrifying reality today, ever since the subway gassing in Tokyo a few years ago. Anthrax is the easiest to create, transport and deliver. Henry says just about anyone with a basic understanding of microbiology and a small lab could grow it."

"It also has a vaccine." She bites my shoulder through the cotton of my blouse. Then her fingers find the buttons, freeing each slowly.

"Which no one uses. We only started vaccinating our deployable military in the last decade. Other than millworkers, veterinarians and a few other people, the general populace isn’t vaccinated. That makes anthrax a very viable weapon."

Harper nods, but is quickly losing interest in the conversation. My shirt is now on the floor, her hand is in the waistband of my jeans, tugging me closer.

"This guy, the person Henry suspects, is cooking up the wicked brew," Harper begins, actually managing to still be coherent.

I gasp when she unfastens my jeans and pulls open the fly, allowing her long fingers clear access to my silk underwear. I went out and bought a whole new set of lingerie last week. She’s a bit inspiring in that regard.

"Go on," I husk, trying to do two things at once, being the good workaholic that I am.

She gives me a gentle push, then covers my body with hers, working me out of the remainder of my clothes. "Later," she whispers.

Thank God, I’ve completely lost interest in the conversation. Her fingers prove much more stimulating. Without further comment, I wrap my arms around her and concentrate instead on the matter at hand. So to speak.

* * *

Lying on my side, with Kels snuggled in close to me, I realize it’s the slight whimpers coming from her that have woken me. She trembling in my arms and I know she’s on the verge of another nightmare.

"Shhh, sweetheart," I whisper as I comb my fingers through her hair. "I’ve got you. You’re safe."

Pulling her closer and continuing to stroke her hair, I whisper to her. It calms her and she sleeps again before the nightmare can fully take hold of her. The trembling stops. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that the mere sound of my voice can comfort her.

I glance at the clock and see it’s four-thirty. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes to go back to sleep, but now my own mind is awake and demanding to take inventory of everything that has happened.

I turn slowly onto my back, eliciting another protest from my partner. "No," she squeaks as she grabs for me without waking.

"I’m right here, baby." I keep her close and she settles her body along my side, with her head resting on my shoulder.

As I stare at the ceiling, my mind tries to put things in order of importance.

Kelsey’s stalker really has her on edge since we discovered that he and the serial killer are one in the same. Quite reasonable, of course. I’m scared shitless for her, not that I let her know that. I have to be strong for both of us right now. Not to mention the fact she’s completely torn apart over the concept this man is killing these girls because they look like her. She blames herself, for no damn good reason. It’s not like she asked the sicko to do it. Or that she has ever encouraged his attentions. Still, she is carrying around a lot of guilt.

Bear and his buddy from the Threat Management Unit have really started putting some overtime in on this one. I can’t ever reach Bear at home anymore for progress reports. He’s either at his desk in the station, or he’s out following up leads. God only knows when or if he sleeps. I’ll never be able to repay him. No matter how many nights I let him win at poker.

Of course, our own relationship scares the hell out of us both, I think. We both want it, and we both need it, but Kels is still wound tighter than a ten-cent top sometimes. And to be honest the thought of a singular person in my life is terrifying. I have moved from person to person all my life, I don’t have the first clue as to how to be a half of a couple. I hope this is a learn-as-you-go kinda thing. And that I can get a lot of forgiveness for mistakes. I’m sure I’ll need it.

So now we’re in Texas looking into one of the most over-dramatic things I’ve ever heard in my life. Local nut flake collects anthrax spores from poor, sick cows to make biochemical weapon to use against the population. News at eleven. Yeah, right.

Okay, I’ve followed up dumber things that have led to great stories. We might get lucky. If one can consider potential biochemical devastation lucky. God how the news industry warps you.

To top it all off, to make this little jaunt even worse for Kels, it’s a trip home that is tearing her heart out. She was nearly in tears when she got back to me tonight. I think a little too much reminiscing went on about Pa at dinner.

So I distracted her with the only two things I knew would work. The story first and me second. She seemed to like the second a lot better. Perhaps her priorities are shifting a little. I smile as I place a soft kiss to the top of her head and she moves closer to me.

Could life get any more interesting? Looking down at the woman sleeping in my arms, I’m betting good money that the answer is ‘yes.’ I have the feeling that she’ll be able to keep my life interesting as long as she can put up with me.

* * *

I glance over at Harper who is sitting a table away from us with Jims and Conrad. I wish she were here with me. I take a sip of my tea and return my concentration to the table and the four men I’m having lunch with.

There’s Henry, of course, my Pa’s best friend and like a second grandfather to me. Then there’s Clayton Jackson, the rancher whose farm had the infected cows, all of which have now been put down, their carcasses burned. Next to him is Andy George, who worked with Pa and Henry when they were at the DoD and, finally, Travis McCall, one of my Pa’s friends from so long ago. These four men are all concerned about the possibility of the virus infecting their cattle. Henry told them I might do a story so that they might get some help from the government to prevent any other livestock from getting sick.

"So, Kels, you have no idea how proud we are of you," Travis offers, covering my hand with his callused one. "Your Pa would simply be busting all the buttons right off his vest."

"Thanks. I like to think he’d be pleased."

"Pleased isn’t the word for it, little girl." Henry raises his glass to me. "We never could get a word in edgewise when he got on the subject of his Little Filly."

Oh God, I’m so glad Harper wasn’t here to hear that. The last thing I need is for her to know one of my Pa’s old nicknames for me.

I smile at Henry and just shake my head. "Well, like I said, Pa always was one of the best bullshitters in the business."

"Oh, not when it came to you, sweetheart. How many time do I have to tell you that before you’ll believe me?"

"I believe you. Let’s just wait until you see me in action first, okay?" I’m not normally this humble, but these men remind me of where I came from. And how much I owe to my Pa. He believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I turn my attention to Clayton Jackson. "Mr. Jackson…."

He throws his hand up. "Clay."

I nod. "Clay. You think you’ll be able to arrange a meeting for me with Professor Sams?"

"Oh yeah, no doubt. He’s coming by my place tomorrow to have another look at my remaining herd."

"All right then. The first thing I’ll need is an interview with him as the local expert. Then we’ll shoot a few interviews with you gentlemen. Will you be available tomorrow?" They all agree, after a few protestations about their appearance on camera. It’s cute to see them so concerned about looking handsome for the lens.

So now we have to make contact with Professor Sams tomorrow and feel him out - so to speak - to see if Henry’s concerns are warranted.

One by one they say their good-byes, leaving Henry and I alone at the table. He takes a deep breath and I can tell he’s about to start beating the bushes.

"Out with it, Henry," I tease, sipping my iced tea.

He pulls a small box from his jacket pocket as he stands to go. "I thought you might want this. I saved it for you, hoping you’d come back for it, but you never returned home after your Pa died."

He lays the box in front of me, kissing the top of my head before turning to leave.

I look at the box. My hands tremble when I take the ribbon in my fingers and pull it apart. Lifting the lid, I can’t stop the gasp that leaves my chest before the tears begin to fall. I couldn’t stop these tears if I wanted to.

"Oh God!" I lift my Pa’s antique, gold pocket watch out of the box. Holding it gingerly in the palm of my hand, I run the tips of my fingers over the intricate carvings on the cover. I’m afraid if I touch it too much, it will disappear. I thought this was gone for good, sold by my parents along with everything else after Pa died. They "liquidated his assets" right after they buried his body.

I push the button at the top and the cover pops open revealing the face. It’s still running. My God, this watch must be close to a hundred and fifty years old and it still works. Time still goes on, despite the fact that Pa isn’t here anymore.

I notice movement out of the corner of my eye and turn to find Harper pulling up a seat next to me. Her hand comes to rest on my neck, massaging gently. "You okay, Little Roo?" Her voice is full of concern. I realize she must have heard me break down. I can’t speak right now so I just show her the watch.

"It’s beautiful."

I nod, sniffing and trying to find my voice. "It belonged to Pa. I used to play with it as a little girl. I thought my parents sold it. I didn’t know Henry had it." I wipe the tears away before I try to speak again. "There’s someplace I need to go before we leave."

"Anywhere you want."

* * *

After dropping Jims and Conrad at the station so they can prep for our interviews tomorrow, Harper and I head for my requested destination. She drives quietly. I continue to hold Pa’s watch and run my thumb over it, trying to connect with him once again. "Turn left up here."

She does so without a word. I look at her and realize how lucky I am. God, I hope I can hold onto her.

"Stop." I glance out over the tombstones and spot Ma and Pa’s right away. Turning back to Harper, she gives me a little smile. "Come with me?" I ask.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. They’re the only family I have to share with you."

She nods mutely and climbs out of the car.

As we walk across the manicured grass, I loop my arm through hers to get as close as I can. She interlaces her fingers with mine. When we get to Pa’s headstone, she tries to let go but I won’t let her. I need her strength. I kneel down, taking her with me.

"Hi, Pa," I begin, rearranging a few flowers that decorate the stone. I’ve always made sure that fresh flowers are delivered here every week. "I miss you so much. I’m sorry I haven’t been here before. I just couldn’t come before now." I take a deep breath, trying to calm my heart. "Henry gave me your watch today. I promise to take very good care of it. I know it’s been in the family a long time."

Harper settles down on the grass beside me, getting comfortable, willing to let me take as much time as I want here.

I glance over to my partner. "There’s someone I want you to meet. Pa, this is Harper." I settle down next to her, and she drapes her arm around my shoulders. "We work together."

I stop. While that’s true, it’s not the whole truth. "Pa, you never judged me, and you never hated me for the choices I’ve made in my life. God, I so needed that from you. I lived for your approval. And I think you’d approve of her," the words are out of my mouth before I can censor them.

I glance over to find a huge smile on her face. Okay, at least she’s not running away from me right now. That’s a good sign. Turning back to the stone, I whisper, "She knows how to tell the world to go to hell, too. Between the two of you, I’m hoping to learn a few things."

I tug a weed away. "The reason I came today was to tell you how much I love you. I always will. And how much I miss you. And to say good-bye, because I never did that. I don’t know if I’ll ever be back here, but please know I love you. I always carry you in my heart."

Leaning forward, I place a kiss on the stone, wishing it was my grandfather’s warm cheek, and let my hand drop down the white marble stone for the first and last time. After I get to my feet, Harper wraps her arms around me from behind allowing me a moment to contemplate in silence. "Ready?" I ask her as I glance up.

"One quick thing." She kneels down and places her hand on my Pa’s stone. She whispers a few words, which I can’t hear, and then kisses the stone as I did, crossing herself as she rises.

I wipe away a tear and take her proffered her hand. We start back for the car, walking slowly, close together.

"Thank you, Kels."

"For what?" I stutter. It’s not like I just showed her a great time or anything.

"For sharing him with me."

Oh. Family is important to her. I do know that. "No, thank you, for coming with me. Do you think he’d be proud of me?"

"Oh, I have no doubt of that."

* * *

Kels is tense tonight. I know it’s not the interview tomorrow. She could do it in her sleep. It’s this trip home. I rub my hands together warming them before I let them touch her bare skin.

I convinced her a hot shower and a massage would be exactly what she needed to relax. Now she’s lying on her stomach, totally nude, waiting for my touch. I can tell by the pink tint of her skin that it was indeed a hot shower. I begin with her shoulders, slowly and firmly, and am rewarded with a soft little moan.

"Good?"

"Umm-hmmm."

"You think there’s anything to this anthrax thing?"

"Yeah, I do. Henry and Andy are really concerned about it. They spent enough time with the Defense Department to know when to worry. This guy must really be spooky."

"Great. You be extra careful out there tomorrow," I tell her as I rub my way down her back.

"Don’t need to be," she mumbles, relaxing under my touch. "Have my own personal bodyguard."

"Right." I lean over to whisper in her ear. "Wouldn’t want anything to happen to Pa’s Little Filly."

The groan that escapes her is a long and frustrated one. The only problem is I’m laughing too hard that I don’t see the pillow coming until it’s too late.

<fade out>

<fade in>

"We're going to treat this particular nut flake with kid gloves, so I don't want him to see the mike on you." I nod as she opens my robe, revealing my bra and panties. "Or we could just forget the anthrax thing and go back to bed." She groans as she twists the transceiver and the mike in her hands.

<cut to>

"It's my Mother," Kels offers, tying off her robe.

"Your Mother!" Suddenly, I feel like I should be jumping into my clothes and looking for the nearest exit. Which, of course would be out the door she's knocking on.

"It's about time, Kelsey. Did you plan on keeping me waiting in the hall all day?"

I can feel my brows coming together as I watch this woman. She's so fucking self-absorbed she thinks doors open by themselves and she hasn't noticed me lying here in the bed yet.

<fade out>

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