-- Disclaimer: Do I really need to repeat this every chapter? I own nothing but Crimson so please don't sue me. Thank you. --

-- Okay so this chapter is a pretty long time coming. I guess I kinda ran into a writers block but I finally got inspired at a meeting at work (Of all places) and jotted out this chapter so I hope you enjoy and thanks for reading!! Love you all!! --

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Chapter 4: Conflicts and Suprises

"Berkley, are you even listening to me?"

Diana Spacey flipped her long blonde hair back over her shoulders and settled a hand on each hip, glaring at the man before her.

"Berkley... Berkley!" She called and the other jumped slightly, looking at her as if she'd just appeared.

"Huh?" He asked, drawing a sigh from Diana.

"You weren't listening to a word I was saying, were you?"

Berkley stared for a moment longer then shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair.

"I'm sorry, Dee-Dee, I'm just... Distracted, I guess."

"You? Distracted from police work? Since when?" She shifted slightly, one hand falling across her stomach to link with the other still on her hip. "What's up with you today Berkie?"

He sighed softly and leaned back in his chair then stood up quickly and began walking around his office.

"I... There's just this guy who's kinda getting to me... It's nothing, really."

"What do you mean?" She asked, tilting her head slightly. "No one ever gets to you..."

Berkley stopped by a filing cabinet and placed one hand atop it, staring out at seemingly nothing.

"Berkie...?" Diana asked, her voice taking on a worried tone as she took a step closer to him. At the sound of the worry in her voice, Berkley turned back to her and forced a reassuring smile, trying to keep his own voice light.

"It's nothing Dee-Dee... I promise."

"Are you sure...?" She asked, crossing her arms over her chest and staring at him inquisitively. Berkley simply nodded, keeping the smile on his face.

"Yes, I'm sure. I guess I'm just a little stressed from work and such... You know how that goes, you're busy enough all day with your FBI cases..."

She stared him down with her infamous I think you're lieing glare but he broke it down with a gentle hug and a kiss to the cheek before backing away to stare into her eyes.

"I promise you... It's nothing."

She stared at him a moment longer then relented and smiled back. "Alright, alright. But if something comes up..."

"I'll call you." He finished, pulling a disbelieving look from her. "Come on Dee-Dee, I always call you when I've got problems with stuff."

A soft sigh escaped her but much to his relief, she relented and noticably relaxed a bit.

"Well if it -is- nothing, then can I finish talking to -you- and not the space cadet I was talking to before?"

He laughed softly then sat back down and leaned back in his chair.

"Sure."

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Almost an hour later, after he'd listened to her current issue and given her tidbits of advice, Berkley stood alone in his office, staring at the closed window from his chair. For the past week, after meeting with Crimson, he'd been cautious... Not afraid, mind you, just cautious... About even opening the blinds. As the days passed and he continued seeing the other man stalking around and following him everywhere, he'd slowly grown more nervous but because he didn't really know for sure what Crimson was capable of, he was reluctant to really do anything about it. He'd thought about bringing it up with Diana, especially while she'd been there that day, but once he'd thought about possible consequences that could very well occur, he'd decided he didn't want to get anyone else involved. Someone else's life was the last thing he needed on his hands, if he could help it.

A knock at his door jarred him from his thoughts and he cleared his throat before calling the person in. The door opened a crack and one of the many dispatchers stuck her head in, an apologetic look on her face.

"Sorry to interupt Commissioner Rose, but there's a man at the desk who wants to talk to you."

"Don't apologize Lucy, you're not interupting anything. As for the visitor, send him on in."

"Yes, sir." The dispatcher nodded before her head disappeared back through the door. Berkley got up slowly, working out his leg that had fallen asleep during his trainride of thought and therefore didn't see the man who came in, silent as the devil himself. The sharp click of the closing door made him snap back around with a gasp and he had to struggle to keep a straight face as he stared at the man before him, smiling as if he were in on a secret that Berkley had been kept out on.

"You..."

He stuttered out, mentally scolding himself for failing to mask the flash of panic from his voice for on the other side of the room, standing to the left of the door, stood Crimson, a dark contrast to the bright florescent lights in the office.

"Hello... Berkley..."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

-- Well I hope you like it The next chapter is written, it just has to be typed out and will be up tomorrow so R&R and be sure to tell me what you think of it and if you'd like me to continue. Thanks!! --