A/N: Hey! Hey! I got 2 reviews! I'm so happy. (sniff. sniff) :'(... Well anyway this story is actually pretty good. I'm impressed at how it's turning out. I would like 2 thank my first 2 reviewers: neobabyluna and lighntingstrikes. I luv you both! You've given me the... (what's the word?) Oh yea... encouragement to write. Well enough chit chatting. On with the story. Hint Hint : it gets better in this chapter. Read closely. Also you'll get to find out a little more about Makoto. Sort of.

Disclaimer: See Prologue

FYI: - (italics) - thoughts, 'italics'-song, -italics- flashback

Silence...

Lights flashed on and off. Makoto slipped in and out of consciousness. The vision of the woman's face stained in her mind. (She's dead... Rhonda was murdered)

"Makoto? Makoto Brooks?"

Makoto's eyes fluttered open. A woman stood next to her with a frown on her face. Her short, curly, blue hair hung over her matching blue eyes. Makoto groaned as pain began to spread over her body. The doctor shined a light into her pupils.

"Dilation: normal. Reflexes-"

She tapped Makoto's knee with the reflex hammer.

"-Good."

She had Makoto sit up on the hospital bed as she put on the stethoscope.

"Take a deep breath for me. There we go. Wonderful. Well your vitals are normal Ms. Brooks."

Makoto spoke up for the first time since her arrival to the hospital.

"Who are you?"

The woman laughed out loud.

"My name is Dr. Amy Matthews. You passed out sometime ago. Your partner, Detective Rivera is here. You seem to be fine now, but I'll take a blood sample just in case. If everything is okay, you can go," she explained.

The door opened and Andrew walked in. Makoto looked away as she took off her jacket so Dr. Matthews could take a blood sample. When she was finished, she went to the lab to test it. Andrew leaned against the wall with his hands deep in his pockets. He had known his partner for a long time and she never looked this way before. They were as close as they could be. Their history was unspoken of as though they each shared a secret. She's not telling me something, he thought.

"You okay Brooks?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"I'm concerned, that's all," he whispered.

They both were quiet until Dr. Matthews came back.

"Well everything seems to be in order. You can go home now and take it easy for a few days. Better yet, call off a few days. Detective, I want you to make an appointment with me in two weeks to see how you are doing."

Makoto put back on her jacket and got out of the hospital bed.

"Alright. Thank you."

The women shook hands. Makoto and Andrew walked out the hospital and into his car. She got in and looked out the window. Andrew drove silently to her apartment. When they reached the front of the building, he turned off the ignition.

"Helix called me," he finally said.

Silence.

"He wants to talk to you tomorrow at the station."

"Honestly I just want to be alone right now. I need time to think and I need you to back off. I don't feel the need to explain myself either," she said flatly.

Andrew gripped the steering wheel tightly.

"WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?"

Makoto looked up in shock at Andrew. His bright hazel green eyes blazing angrily at her. He'd never raised his voice at her before.

"I have nothing to say to you."

"Did you suddenly get amnesia? Damn it Makoto! You passed out at a crime scene! Ever since you got back, you've shut everyone out, including me! Look, I care about you. You know I do. For the longest time I have. Just tell me," he pleaded.

A single tear fell down her cheek. She wiped it away quickly, but tears just kept coming down. Makoto grabbed Andrew and sobbed loudly into his shoulder. He held her tightly not wanting to let go of her.

"The victim," she cried.

"What about the victim?"

"The victim from this morning. Her name was Rhonda. She and I were best friends growing up," she whispered.

She looked up at Andrew. Her face tear stained and weak with sadness. He moved a strand of hair off her face and stared into her exotic bright green eyes. He took his thumb and wiped away her tears. She leaned in until their faces were an inch apart. They both closed their eyes as their lips crashed into each other. He put his hands on her waist and pulled her closer. She moaned softly and wrapped her arms around his neck. Then the kissed they shared became more passionate. Tongues dancing to an unknown song. Andrew began to put his hand under her shirt. Makoto gasped and pushed him away. He looked confused as she opened the car.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Makoto looked at him like he just lost his mind.

"We shouldn't be doing this. Do you realize what just happened? Rivera we're partners! This can't happen again!"

"Makoto-", he began.

"And tell Helix I'm not coming in for a few days. The funeral will be in a week. I spoke to her family."

She closed the door and walked into her apartment building.

"Makoto? Makoto!" Andrew yelled to her.

When she didn't respond, he punched the windshield, turned on his car, and drove off to the police station.

One week later...

The sunlight streamed into the dark bedroom waking Makoto from an uneasy sleep. She had spent the last few days locked away in her room. She let the voice mail pick up all her calls. She rubbed her eyes and stared off into space.

-Flashback-

"Makoto wait up," a voice called.

Makoto turned around and smiled. A petite teenager with ebony hair and blue-green eyes was running toward her. When she finally reached her, she was clutching her chest.

"You walk too fast."

"I can't help that my legs are longer than yours. Anyway, what's up?"

Rhonda finally caught her breathe.

"What are you doing tonight?"

"Why?"

"He wants us back," Rhonda answered quietly.

Makoto placed her hand against the wall to steady herself.

"No, Rhonda. No more! You hear me! Are you crazy? You promised we wouldn't do it ever again!"

"I know, but just this once and then we're done with him. I promise. Please Makoto I need the money and I know you do," she pleaded.

Makoto looked at her best friend and closed her eyes.

"Okay," she finally said.

Rhonda squealed and hugged her tightly.

"Thanks Koto. You're the best. I mean it."

-End of Flashback-

Makoto sighed and got out of bed. She took a black outfit from her closet and went to take a shower. After about ten minutes, she came out and dried off. Then she put on the outfit. She stared at herself in the mirror. She put on her sunglasses and locked the door behind her. As she walked into the lobby, Andrew ran up to her.

"Brooks, need a ride?"

She turned and stared at him.

"No, I'm okay."

"You sure?"

Makoto turned around once again.

"Rivera, we're partners. Okay? Nothing more except friends. I can't do this. So I'm going to pretend yesterday never happened. Now excuse me. I have to go bury my best friend."

She sat next to Rhonda's parents at the cemetery. Unfamiliar people stood around them with blank expressions. (I bet most of them don't even know her). Makoto stared at the closed coffin with her friend's body in it. Her parents requested for it to be closed because of the state her body was in. White lilies lay on top of it and next to the coffin was a portrait of Rhonda when she had graduated from university.

"She was always making everybody smile. Even when she herself was depressed, Rhonda would find ways to make someone's day better," the priest said.

Makoto kept a straight face. (I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to cry) Rhonda's parents weren't any better. They broke down crying before the song started. A woman Makoto didn't know got up and stood in front of the congressional. Another carried a violin and stood next to the singer. They began to play a song.

'Spend all your time waiting

For that second chance

for a break that would make it okay

there's always one reason

to feel not good enough

and it's hard at the end of the day

I need some distraction

oh beautiful release

memory seeps from my veins

let me empty

and weightless and maybe

I'll find some peace tonight'

Makoto felt the tears fall from her face and didn't bother to wipe them away.

'In the arms of an angel

fly away from here

from this cold hotel room

and the endlessness that you fear

you are pulled from the wreckage

of your silent reverie

you're in the arms of the angel...'

Makoto got up from her seat. (I can't do this) She walked away from the congressional and through the cemetery.

"Brooks!"

She turned around and wiped her eyes. A tall man was running to her. He had black hair and sharp stormy blue eyes. She put back on her sunglasses.

"Hello Helix," she greeted.

"I just saw what happened," he said.

"Forgive me for showing a little emotion. I just haven't been feeling like myself lately."

"Andrew had to tell me what happened. Makoto, why didn't you tell me?"

"Darien, I didn't feel I should have to tell you of my previous relationships with victims."

"Well, it would have been something wise to do. Did you think that I wasn't going to find out? You're lucky I don't suspend you without pay. This investigation is serious. You cannot let yourself get attached if I let you do it."

"Helix... I mean Darien as a friend and not a colleague. Please let me do this. I promise if I let anything get to me while on this case, I'm through."

Darien scratched his head thoughtfully.

"You only get one shot. I'm serious. I've got to get back now. I expect you to be back at work next week ready to work. We've got a lot to do."

He walked out the cemetery leaving Makoto in her thoughts. She listened closely as the song came to an end.

'in the arms of an angel

fly away from here from this dark cold hotel room

and the endlessness that you fear

you are pulled from the wreckage

of your silent reverie

you're in the arms of the angel

may you find some comfort there

you're in the arms of the angel

may you find some comfort here'

(Angel by Sarah McLachlan)

-WooWoo316