Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Trixie characters in this story. No profit is being made by the use of these characters.

Chapter Two

Jim left Wheeler Enterprises feeling much better than when he had entered. He was glad of the chance to work in his father's company. He knew the experience would be invaluable. The school was his life's dream, along with Trixie, and Jim had decided long ago to do whatever it would take to make both dreams come true.

As Jim blinked in the sunlight, two men in dark suits flanked him.

"James Frayne?" one of them asked.

Jim stopped on the sidewalk. "Just who is asking?"

Something felt wrong.

Both men flashed badges. "We're with Homeland Security. We need to talk to you alone."

Jim widened his eyes at their words. What have you done now, Trixie Belden? Jim's mind tried to recall anything that Trixie had said or did in the last few days.

"We have set up an office across the street," the older man told him.

Jim looked at the red headed man and nodded. He wondered what Trixie would say to him. Jim followed silently beside the men. He hoped there was no mystery to complicate their lives this summer.

"Please sit down, Mr. Frayne," the red head spoke again. "We have some very important matters to discuss with you."

"Would you mind telling me your names?" Jim was getting uncomfortable with all the secrecy.

"This is Agent Blackburn and I'm Agent Russell Davis."

In spite of himself, Jim grinned. "Let me guess, Rusty, for short."

"Yeah, you could say that, but what I'm going to say is no laughing matter."

"Frayne," Agent Blackburn spoke up. "We need to know what you remember about an old friend of yours, Marcus Johnson."

"I can't remember anyone by that name," Jim replied.

"Maybe you might remember him as Bug."

"The scrawny little kid that lived down the street from me?" Jim asked. "He was always getting into scrapes."

"It seems you were his only friend." Agent Davis stated.

"Were?" Jim questioned startled by Agent Davis' declaration.

"Oh no, Frayne, he's still very much alive and about to cause a mess of trouble."

Jim looked silently at them. Just what did they expect him to do? "I've haven't seen him in years. I really can't tell you anything about him."

"No, you can't but we can tell you quite a lot about him and just why we need your help." Agent Blackburn was serious.

Jim's head was spinning by the time he left their office. He kept replaying their words in his head. Could he do what they had asked him? What about Trixie? He knew she would have been excited, if she knew.

Trixie. His heart lurched. He couldn't tell her. They were afraid she would mess up the investigation, an investigation that could take as long as a year. How could he let her go again? And how could he not? Jim knew doing this would break Trixie's heart.

And then there were the rest of his friends and family. Jim clutched his stomach. This is where his family and friends worked and lived. If he did nothing how would he feel then?

Sunday, he would have to leave Sunday. The girls' graduation was Saturday. He would have to break it off with Trixie that night. This was going to be the worst week of his life.

When Jim met Trixie for a birthday dinner for just the two of them, he held her tightly. "Trix, I love you so much. Please don't ever forget that."

"Jim," she murmured as she placed her head on his shoulder. "I love you enough for the both of us, but I'm glad to know you love me."

"Just don't forget it, Trix," Jim pleaded. "Please just promise me this, okay?"

"I promise, Jim." Trixie looked at him with concern. Had something happened at Wheeler Enterprises that he wasn't telling her?

Jim held her tightly to him as they walked to their table. All evening long Trixie noticed he was much more attentive than usual.

"Jim, is there something you need to tell me?" Trixie asked softly.

Jim tried not to let his turmoil show but he knew she could always see right through him. "Trixie, let's just say when I get everything figured out you'll be the first to know."

Trixie place her hands on Jim's. Smiling, she looked into his eyes, "Sweetie, I know that whatever decision you make will be the right one. I know I can trust you with everything."

Jim pulled her close to him so she couldn't see his face. Right now holding her was all he could think about.

Graduation day came all too soon for Jim. All week long he had spent every extra minute he had with Trixie. His heart ached at what was to come. He was glad he was going to Manor House after graduation. It would be a long time before he would see his family and Trixie. What a way to end their graduation party. Jim went between wanting to throw up and wanting to cry. His girl. The one he had waited for all his life. Now he had to give her up and Jim knew he would never love anyone again.

Jim sat with his family and the rest of the Bob-White gang. As he looked around at their smiling faces, he prayed that Trixie would let them be there for her. They would love and support her with everything they had in them.

His best friend, Brian, grinned at Jim. "Cheer up, buddy. This just means you are closer to getting stuck with Trixie for the rest of your life."

Jim sighed inwardly. "That sounds like a dream come true for me." Jim turned to Brian. "Brian, I know you would do anything for Trixie."

"Well, she is my little sister, but she can be a handful so I was hoping to pass the protective mode on to you," Brian grinned broadly at Jim.

"If I weren't here, if something happened would you make sure Trixie was happy?"

"Just as much as you would for Honey, Jim."

Jim nodded and hoped Brian would remember this conversation later.

Trixie ran into Jim's arms after the ceremony had ended.

"Now I'm free from all that studying," she laughed and hugged him tightly.

Jim stroked her hair and said, "Shamus, I think you are going to miss that more than you realize. The real world is tough sometimes."

Trixie pulled back and looked at him. Whatever was bothering him hadn't gone away. "Let's not think about that now. We have a party to go to."

"Did I hear party?" her almost twin, Mart, exclaimed. "Where there is a party, there is food. And if I know the Wheelers, lots of it."

His girlfriend, Di, bopped him on the head. "Food is not the reason for the celebration, dear. Trixie, Honey, and I are the ones you should be thinking about."

Mart grinned at her. "Well, that too."

Dan winked at Di. "If you ever decide to get rid of this joker just let me know. If you want I can take care of him right now."

"Oh, no," Honey told him. "Mother would have a fit if something happened to destroy the party."

"That she would, little sis," Jim smiled, "that she would."

As the Bob-Whites traveled in the Wheeler's limo, Jim listened while the good-natured teasing continued all the way back to the Manor House. He concentrated on their words and faces, trying to make a permanent memory to take with him.

Trixie noticed his intensity and felt alarmed. Something was wrong and Jim wasn't sharing. He hadn't left her side so she felt their relationship wasn't what was bothering him. But even so, she was starting to get a bad feeling.

"Trix," Jim whispered in her ear as they danced, "Can we get out of here? I really want to be alone with you."

Blushing, Trixie smiled and took his hand.

Her brothers noticed that they were leaving and rolled their eyes at each other. It was still hard to imagine that Jim thought of Trixie in that way.

Honey jabbed Brian in the side and said sternly, "Don't even think about it. They are getting married in a few weeks and deserve a little alone time, don't you think? "

Brian gave Honey a half grin. "Okay, sweetie, give me something else to think about."

She laughed and grabbed his hand. "Dancing will keep you busy enough."

Outside, Jim pulled Trixie close and kissed her like he had never kissed her before.

"I like that, Jim," Trixie murmured softly. "What's got into you tonight?"

"I'm just trying to make sure I never forget how you feel in my arms."

"Jim, just what is going on? You're scaring me."

Jim pulled her close and kept silent for a moment. His heart was beating so fast with fear that he just knew Trixie could feel it.

"Jim?" Trixie's blue eyes were showing some fear as well.

"I love you, Trix," Jim told her hoarsely. "Remember not to forget that. If something were to happen just remember that. I will always love you."

Now Trixie was really scared and clung to Jim like he was saving her from drowning. "Please, Jim, what is bothering you?"

Jim cupped her cheeks with his hands. "Shamus, I love you. I will love you forever."