Sam stared at Eddie as if he'd grown two heads. She had just gotten her release papers and they were seated in her room. Eddie had kept her posted throughout the day. She'd also been interviewed by detectives from LAPD. She was exhausted physically and emotionally nnd just wanted to go home. Now Eddie's suggestion had made her head spin.

"No."Sam responded with a shake of her head.

"Sam, just hear..."Eddie protested as she stood.

"I appreciate everything you've done."Sam began as she placed a hand on Eddie's left arm. "But I'll find someone else to..."

"Sam!"Eddie interrupted.

"Do you really think we can be together twenty-four/seven?"Sam asked.

"I wouldn't have suggested it if I didn't think we could."Eddie responded. "Security wise my place makes more sense; you have too many windows."

"It's a beach house."Sam argued then sighed. "Eddie, you've become a condition of my probation. If we get on each other's nerves to the point where we can't work together..."

"We've made it this far."Eddie countered.

Sam studied her partner. He was right things had gotten better and Sam knew they hadmoved from business associates to friends. Still there were some days were their personalities clashed. Days where Sam knew if they couldn't retreat to their seperate spaces it'd have gotten into an ugly shouting match. Eddie was right they'd made it this far and yet Sam wasn't sure she wanted to risk the progress on this situation.

Then Sam remembered the fear she felt when she'd found the note. As she'd worked with Eddie and gotten to know him Sam knew how good he was at his job. What had happened three years ago had shaken him. Sam knew the tough gruff persona held a caring kind heart. She was seeing that heart now. Knew he genuinely wanted to protect her.

As much as Sam wanted to go with the safe choice and get someone else deep down she knew it was a bad idea. Right now she needed to feel safe because she could feel the unraveling starting. If Sam hired a stranger would she feel like they considered her more than a paycheck? This was her life on the line after all; the incident this morning proved how far this person would go.

Sam was struggling to be strong. She didn't want to show how scared she was. But being in the industry as long as she had Sam had heard horror stories of over zealous fans and stalkers. She knew the havoc they could cause. The memory of finding that threatening note kept replaying in Sam's mind as she considered her options. It was eating at her control; she knew she was seconds from losing it completely...and would that be a entirely bad thing?

"Okay."Sam finally agreed meeting Eddie's questioning gaze."If you think your place is better; than we go with your plan."

"Good."Eddie responded with a sigh of relief. "We'll stop by your place so you can pack a few things."

Even as she picked up her purse and walked to the door Sam felt the meltdown starting. This was another point in Eddie's favor because breaking down in front of a stranger hired to protect her wouldn't be good. Sam stopped a few inches from the door as she could no longer see it through the stream of tears. She felt her shoulders start to shake as the sobs hit in earnest.

"Oh Sam."Eddie said quietly.

Sam wasn't sure who moved but at that point she didn't care. Next thing she knew Eddie's arms were around her in a comforting embrace. Sam buried her head against his chest and didn't fight the meltdown. Finally when the tears subsided to a few hiccups she stepped back and met her partrner's concerned gaze.

"Why is this happening now?"Sam asked with a sniffle. "I've been out of the spotlight for months."

"Crazy doesn't have a timetable."Eddie responded quietly as he tucked a stray brown hair away from Sam's face. "This may have been a first oppurtunity or he wasn't able to get to you on Hot Suspect."

Sam nodded wiping away the tears. The meltdown had helped but now she was just exhausted. Plus she was feeling the pain in her arm and the other bruises. All she wanted to do was rest.

"Ready to go?"Eddie asked softly.

"Yes."Sam said.

Eddie opened the door and led the way. Within minutes they were outside and into Eddie's SUV.


After stopping by Sam's house so she could pack a bag they also made a brief grocery run. It was nearly eight pm when Eddie unlocked the door to his place and he was never so happy to be home. There was a brief argument when Sam realized she was taking his bedroom and he'd be camped on the sofa for awhile. When Eddie gently reminded Sam that she was injured and would need the most rest to recover fully she relented.

While Sam showered Eddie put away the groceries. He called Berto to update him on the situation. After making a few more phone calls Eddie realized the water had stopped. He walked to the bedroom to see if Sam wanted something to eat. The door was open a crack and as he raised his hand to knock Eddie saw Sam was curled up on the bed sound asleep. She was wearing gray sweats and a blue t-shirt and her hair was still damp from the shower. Quietly Eddie stepped farther into the room. He picked up the edge of the comforter and pulled it further over her.

Eddie remembered the fear in his partner's eyes as she showed him the stalker's note. That wasn't an act; neither had been the tears. She was scared and despite himself Eddie hated to see her that way. He found himself wanting to make her fear go away. He knew he was on a slippery slope, but seeing her physically injured had nearly undid him. Some bastard had been willing to take out a whole film crew to end her life. No matter what it took Eddie would find out who it was and put them away. He wasn't failing this time.

After a moment Eddie turned the light off and left softly closing the door behind him.