Chapter four

Three days later and Peyton was sat down in the autopsy room with her head against the small metal guerney. Her neighbour had occupied that table just half an hour ago. She hadn't told Mac yet, though she figured he'd probably know by now, what with the address.

"God damn him!" Peyton took all her temper out on the table and pushed it away with all she had.

Mac was stood outside the room and had been watching his lover for who knows how long. He watched her perform the autopsy on her friend. Watched as her anger bubbled and boiled as she kept everything to herself. As the guerney hit the coolers, Mac decided that now would be a good time to drag her away from work.

"Peyton?"

Peyton stayed quiet as she broke down. She slammed her fists against the coolers before turning 'round to Mac.

Seeing Peyton like this tore Mac's heart out. Mac walked straight up to his soul mate and pulled her into his arms.

"Mac, please, someone might – "

"I don't care about everyone else. Right now, you're the only one that I care about."

"I – I'm sorry."

"What for, honey?"

"I should have told you when he called me."

"Is this about the other morning?"

Peyton nodded as she couldn't find her voice.

"What do you want to tell me?"

"Not here. Your office?"

"Of course." Mac kept one arm laced around Peyton's waist as they headed up to his office.

******

Paul pulled his coat up around his eyes as he continued to watch Peyton's every move from the office's opposite the lab. He cursed aloud when he watched Peyton round the corner arm in arm with Detective Taylor.

From where Paul was sat, he could only see the back offices and small autopsy room. Mac Taylor's office was at the front of the building. He didn't have enough time to move his position to watch her. Read her lips. All he knew, was that she had been in the main autopsy room all day, with her neighbour, and when he returned from his second 'visit' of the day, she had started to break down and then Taylor came to her rescue.

He would just have to sit tight and see what was brewing in her empty little head.

******

Peyton sat down on the couch with Mac and pulled herself close.

"Where do you want me to start."

"Where ever you want, honey."

"Okay … It all started in England. I was just 16 and it was the summer before I went to sixth form to start my courses. Paul Jesup had this major crush on my all the way through my school life and as soon as I turned 16, he started sending my love notes, putting gifts on my locker or leaving them on my bedroom balcony. I didn't think much of it. I just went with the flow and smiled at him every time we passed in the street or corridor. I moved into my own place when I was 21, I'd just finished my university course and I was getting to move here to become a registered coroner. He moved into the apartment opposite mine. He ate at the same places, did his shopping at the same time and place as me. He did everything I did. I even caught him watching me through my bathroom window the one day when I was having a shower. That's when I decided that I'd move sooner than planned. But then, when I put up the 'For Sale' sign outside, the people I cared for started to disappear. My dad was found shot when he washed up on the shore of the Thames. My best friend was raped and beaten to death. And then there's my sister … she was raped, beaten, shot in the back and left for dead in my bedroom at my parent's house. She lived, but she's now in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. It's taken him almost eight years to find me, but now he has, he's already started killing everyone close to me. Jane was the first. Who knows who he's going to get next, I just hope to God that it isn't you or anyone else here." By the time Peyton had finished, she had broken down and Mac had scooped her up onto his lap and kissed away her tears as soon as she had finish talking.

"I have just one question, my love."

"Yes?"

"Do you know where he is now?"

"He sits at the table next to the window in the office café, opposite the morgue."

"The one in the blue suit?"

Peyton nodded and closed her eyes as she rested her head on Mac's shoulder.

"Just rest for now Peyton. We'll go home soon." 'I'll figure something out. I'm going to get this guy, not matter what it takes.'

A/N: Thanks to everyone who has continued to read along. All thoughts and suggestions are most welcome!
Anyone have any thoughts as to what might happen next?
Take care.