I really needed to write some Chris and Merri after watching the first two episodes of season three. :( Not happy with where the show is going but I'm sticking with it.

Title: Payback
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: see part one

Merri had always heard the eye of the storm was quiet. She prayed that what they were experiencing the last two days was not the eye but the end of the storm. However her instincts were screaming at her otherwise. After everything the Militia had already done to go after Pride they weren't giving up. They had't yet and their track record wasn't fooling anybody that this span of peace was anything more than an interlude.

Merri knew Chris felt that way too. Not only had they discussed it at length his hovering was obvious sign of his worry. Chris had barely let Merri out of his sight since she'd been rescued. To be fair Merri was just as overprotective towards Chris. Insisting that he follow the doctor's orders to the letter or she'd be the one checking him back into the hospital. At least there was good news there; Merri thought as she sat at home that afternoon catching up on reports. The doctor had said Chris was healing normally. That there hadn't been any damage done from his going awol and being involved in Merri's rescue. For that Merri was grateful she wouldn't have forgiven herself if Chris had been further hurt because he'd tried to help her.

Chris was on leave from NOPD and currently sitting on the living room sofa catching up on his own backlog of reports and emails. The laptop was on his lap and his feet propped up on the coffee table. Dwayne had stopped by that morning to check on them and give them an update. There had been no activity where the Milita were concerned. No threats, no movement, nothing on the internet. Merri was on leave too though she had insisted to Dwayne that she didn't need long to recover. All she had was a few bruises and cuts nothing she hadn't had before. Dwayne had been just as firm saying she needed to take the time while she could. All recovery wasn't physical. Merri had conceded his point; they had all endured a lot the last few weeks. Merri saved what she was working on and stood stretching. She walked over to where Chris sat and sat down next to him. He smiled and set the laptop on the coffee table drawing her into his arms.

"You feel up to going out for dinner?"Merri asked after several moments of silence.

"What do you have in mind?"Chris asked softly.

"Walk along the water for awhile and see what strikes our fancy?"Merri suggested as she stood tugging at Chris's right hand. "Sunshine and fresh air will do us good."

"You are good for me."Chris said softly as he kissed Merri briefly. "But I like your idea too. Let's go."

Merri smiled for the first time in a long time feeling some of the weight lift off her. It may not last forever but she'd take what she could get.

Half an hour later Merri and Chris sat at an outside table at a small cafe on New Orleans waterfront. Chris fought the urge to put his face to the sun like a flower and soak it all in. After weeks of stress it just felt so good to sit in the sun and be with the woman he loved. Chris had been afraid they wouldn't find her. Or if they did they wouldn't reach Merri in time.

Chris reached across the table and took Merri's right hand in his and interlaced them. She smiled and squeezed it in response. He only broke contact when the waitress returned to take their orders.

"This was a good idea."Chris commented as a street band of musicians began to play a block away. "Wish we could freeze time and stay right here."

"Wish we could too."Merri replied as she met his gaze. "How about some ground rules? For the next two hours no shop talk and nothing of the last week either. Deal?"

"Deal."Chris acknowledged as he took a sip of his beer. "You want to do dessert here or somewhere else?"

"Somewhere else."Merri replied. "I read about this old fashioned themed candy store and ice cream parlor that opened a few blocks from here."

"Anything the lady wishes."Chris stated with a wide smile.

"Anything, huh?"Merri teased.

Chris grinned back happy to see Merri smile and laugh. It'd been too many days of dark circles under her eyes and no light in them. Nothing but worry and sadness. Chris and Merri finished their meal and left the cafe hand in hand.

Merri was trying to act her age and not the sixteen year old that she felt. They had entered the candy store a few minutes before and Merri fell in love with the place. With her job Merri tried to stay fit and eat right but somethings she had a soft spot for. This place took her back to childhood summer vacations in Michigan. Her parents always working she and her sister would spend some of the summer with her Dad's parents on the shores of Lake Michigan. Where her grandparents lived was a summer town living off the tourist trade. It had a wonderful boardwalk and marina and quaint shops including the best ice cream parlor Merri had ever been to. The place she stood in now came pretty darn close. Merri sat at the counter with a two scoop hot fudge sundae. Chris in turn was attempting to eat a two scoop waffle cone before it melted. He had more ice cream on his face than a five year old. Merri couldn't help but laugh.

"What's so funny?"Chris asked through a mouthful.

"You're wearing more than you're eating."Merri said between giggles.

"I think it's a tie."Chris replied. "I'm not big on ice cream but this stuff is really good."

"Because they don't skimp on anything."Merri said motioning to a sign behind the main counter. "I think both of us earned a few extra calories."

Chris leaned forward and kissed Merri. He grinned impishly as she ended up with vanilla ice cream on her face. Merri only laughed and grabbed a napkin wiping them both clean. After a few moments of silence while they finished their ice cream Chris led them towards the front door. Merri lingered looking at various displays. Chris watched her.

"Where are you?"Chris asked. "You've been a million miles away since we walked in here."

"Sorry, memory lane."Merri apologized with a smile. "Did I ever tell you about going to my grandparents during the summer? They lived in a small town along Lake Michigan that depended on the tourist trade. It had a wonderful boardwalk with lots of shops and there was a parlor like this. Spent a lot of Saturday afternoons with my sister in those shops."

Chris reached over and brushed a stray brown bang away from Merri's face. She smiled up at him and saw concern in his eyes. Merri reached for the hand that had just touched her face and intertwined hers with it squeezing it.

"You alright?"Chris asked quietly.

"Yes these are good memories."Merri responded as she reached up to kiss him quickly. "Up for a walk along the water?"

In answer Chris leaned in and kissed her, Merri smiled and they left the store.