Norman was late for work. "Hey FBI wannabe a broad called the station looking for you? If you're gonna give your one night stands a fake number don't give them the stations number." Derek frowned his frown and walked off. Norman thought for a moment. *what gir- oh crap the red head!* Norman hustled his way through the crowd of people toward the apartment. He pressed the elevator button frantically but quickly decided to take the stairs thinking it'd be faster. He raced up the stairs battling his low stamina and the side effects of the ARI. "No...Not now!" Room 94 was at the 5th floor. Norman was only at the 3rd floor. The stairs flickered from mountains and back to stairs, slowly and painfully he made his way up as fast as he could. Bursting through the stairwell door and throwing his body against room 94. Norman attempted knocking on the door and succeeded within 4 knocks.

The door opened startling Norman and throwing him off balance. "Are you drunk?" Norman looked at Jessica, his vision became clear and he was finally coming to his senses. He shook his head and blinked his eyes staggering about.

Jessica was about to shut the door on him but she saw a weird expression in his face. *This is what I get for asking the white knight to help me.* She chose the hardy choice and helped him in. Slinging his arm around her shoulders and dragging him in only to flop him on her couch... as delicately as she could. *Well if he's drunk some caffeine will sober him up.* She bent down at eye level seeing if he was ok.

*Ok don't worry the symptoms are wearing off it'll be okay just stay calm.* Norman tried saying something to her but nothing came out.
She walked behind the couch and to the kitchen. Just then Norman's symptoms got worse. *Shit! No no no no! Why is it happening like this!*

Jessica walked back in with a cup of coffee only to see behind the couch a suited man convulsing with blood falling from his nose. "What the hell!?" She quickly put a pillow under his head not knowing what to do. "Mr. Jayden stay with me!" a cliché line she always hears medics say to an injured person. She knelt down on the floor and strongly grabbed Norman's jaw turning it towards her. Making sure his head is on one side so he won't choke on himself. "Mr. Jayden I need you to look at me." she tried directing his attention to the side so he'd keep his head there. *Holy shit what do I do! Do I call an ambulance!?*

Norman tried keeping his hands steady but it didn't work. "Mr. Jayden I really need you to look at me!" and so he did and he saw a panicked petit girl white as a ghost holding his jaw. His eyes met hers. Still in a panic she got out her cellphone stumbling with it. Norman began to relax and the world around him went back to normal, and Jessica, seeing Norman stop moving, paused in her actions before dialing 911. "I'm ok..." he grabbed her wrist pulling the phone away from her dialing finger. "Okay? Okay!? U just had a fucking seizer on my couch do not tell me you're ok!" her attitude and maybe her protective instincts kicked in. "I'm fine..." he lied. "FINE?! Bullshit your fine! What the hell was that anyway!? What are you on meth or some drug?!" Jessica's inferno began as her cheeks flustered red. Norman panicked about giving his darkest secret but she was his only lead and he couldn't let her think he was a crack head. "Well!?" she finalized herself. "I'm clean off a drug, Triptocane, it's been 2 years off it..."

He carried on telling her about the FBI, ARI and Triptocane. All his secrets just pouring out like a sliced water cooler.

"You're not bullshitting me right?" Jessica could not believe it. Norman wiped his nose and flashed her his blood. "I swear."
Jessica sat down on the floor. Her facial expressions still anger stricken. Awkwardly and dumbfounded Norman tried changing the subject. "So why did you need me here." rubbing her face with both her hands. "Uh oh... A red car was following me around when I got out of my university, so I thought you'd probably want to know about it." Jessica now rising from the floor to assist Norman to sit up. "Did you get a good look at the car?" He rubbed his eyes. "Does it matter? I got the plate numbers." she took a notepad out of her breast pocket. "Here." she ripped a page off and handed it to the exhausted man. "Good job." Norman actually surprised at her for her smarts. He looked the plate numbers over. "So what do you do to stop the ...uh... symptoms?" she brought the topic back thirsty for answers. Norman thought. "I-I don't really know..." he was honest. Jessica went silent then smirked. "Well... Here's MY number if you need my help." she purposely copied his line from yesterday and handed him another piece of paper. He realized what she did. *Cheeky little girl.* he smirked back and took the paper. They talked a little bit more about the killer then he left her apartment and headed to his own.

Norman was busy making his game plan for the next day. *I'll run the plate digits through the system and find the killers car and hopefully trace it to the killer's identity.* he shifted in bed ready to sleep. *Hopefully Jessica will be safe for that day.*

Norman quickly ran the plate numbers and came up with an address and a picture of the red car. Bolivars St. 273. Dressed neatly in his suit, like always, he made his way to the address. What he saw when he came there was a hog fest. Dozens and dozens of motorcycles, but few owners. About 5 big potbellied tattoo covered men stood together sipping out of red cups. Their attention now focused on Norman as he got out of the taxi. He walked up to them hoping to dear god they'd be civilized. "Hello I'm detective Norman Jayden can I speak with the owner of the house privately." Of course it had to be the biggest one that stepped forward. "Yea that'd be me." Norman stepped away from the bikers with the man. "Do you own this car?" he showed him the photo. The big bellied man stroked his beard. "Depends... Did it get a ticket?" "No sir I just need to know who the owner of this car is." he put the photo back in his pocket. "What's it to ya?" the burly man shifted his feet. "I'm investigating a chain murder of women, sir will you please answer my question." Normans feathers getting ruffled. "I sold that car... Long time'go... Man named Jerry or sumthin…" Norman nodded "Are you sure that's his name?" "Yup pretty sure and if not it don't matter it's just a couple of broads." the big man chuckled through his grey teeth. Norman flashed to an image of Jessica. *Just a couple of broads!?* "Sir, their human beings." Norman starting to raise his voice. The man ignored his statement. "You know whut... I bet yea they's was all skanks anyways..." Norman couldn't stop being defensive and did the most stupid thing. "Hey!" Norman threw his small fist into the biker's face. The biker stepped back a little, stunned, and then returned the favor back to the defenseless Norman.

"Ow!" he felt up the bruise on his cheek bone looking into the mirror. *God damnit… why the hell did I punch a 300 pound redneck!* He went to his bed and laid down mentally punishing himself for his actions. *He called them sluts... He doesn't even know them...* He pictured Jessica getting mad at him... He stopped immediately once he caught himself enjoying the thought of her feisty attitude. He felt his lip as it started to swell.

/So they get closer personally but only a bit :P. Next chapter: they get closer phsically. Get your head out of the gutter! Their not having sex! ...yet./