Despite the fact that it was only two days after christmas, and both of my parents were out of town I still had to work at Joe Juniors. Although I didn't find this out until after Rob dropped me off last night and Mikey told me that Mom had called. They were short of staff for tomorrow, but he had a date and Douglas had work, so it fell to me.

I know I didn't technically have anything planned, but after the advances Rob and I made yesterday I was rather keen on seein him again as soon as possible, but unfortunately no one answered his house phone.

The reason why was particially answered upon my reaching Joe's and being greeted by the shift manager, Mrs Wilkins. ''Morning Jessica.'' Needless to say I nearly choked on the piece of toast I'd picked up to munch on.

''Morning Mrs. Wilkins.'' I somehow managed to reply, because I hadn't that would have been totally impolite and not the best way to keep in the good books of my prospective future mother-in-law. Though I needn't of worried, Rob's mom gave me the best job in any resturant - cashier.

So while everyone else was rushing cooking and taking orders, all I had to do was type them into the till and ask for the money. Except for when I got Jill and Allen something to eat, to thank them for giving me a lift here. As they were the one's who were 'guarding' me today, from whatever lunatic was trying to kill me.

Their latest idea was that this was somehow all connected to the Annabelle Ainsley case, and that I wouldn't be safe until Annabelle was safe and her dirtbag kidnappers under arrest. Like I hadn't figured that out already. But on the plus side I hadn't had to walk to work, which with mom and dad both out of town and Douglas and Mikey busy I would've had to do, if I hadn't got a lift courtesy of the FBI, in order for them to brief me.

So there I was stood at the till waiting for the next customer to come along, and pay when who should my next customer be, but non other than Karen-Sue Hankey. ''Hello Jessica.'' she said snobbily, obviously disgruntled that Manstrianni's wasn't yet rebuilt, for as much as she loathed me, she loved looking posh and going to the fanciest place in town.

''Hello Karen-Sue.'' I said civily, as Rob's mom was right next to me with Karen-Sue's order.

''Not long now Jessica, I hope you've been practicing.'' I had absoloutly no clue was she was dithering on about and just raised my eyebrows at her. ''You know, our little play-off for third chair. You did remember that Mr. Vine said it would be straight after the Christmas break.''

Oh yeah that. We were supposed to play - what the fuck? - Greensleeves. Talk about easy, and Karen-Sue was playing the regular version whereas I would be playing a very old, very differcult and very beautiful version of it that I'd dug up out of the library ages ago.

''Oh yeah that, not problem.'' I just typed in her order, ''Anyhow, that's $17.95.'' happily, for me, Karen-Sue looked rather disgruntled at my completely careless dismissal of something she found very important.

Sticking her nose up in the air she threw a twenty-dollar bill down onto the counter, grabbed her order and walked off. I let it slide on account of she hadn't actually said anything to piss me off and she'd left an actual tip, which she never did.

''She seems a rather stuck-up young lady.'' commented Mrs. Wilkins. Causing me to stuff my fist into my mouth to prevented a howl of laughter escaping. Instead just nodded soberly. Then something occured to me.

''Mrs. Wilkins is Rob working today?'' distracted Mrs Wilkins merely said.

''At work? No, Gary's off to we're going for a meal tonight. After my shift actually.'' without even realising it, Mrs. W had given me the sweetest piece of information I could've asked for. One of the reasons that I'd been so peeved at working today is that I would've had the house to myself and I was going to invite Rob round.

Now instead Rob's house would be empty tonight and we wouldn't get walked in on by one of my brothers, which we possibly would have been at mine. Because call me horny, whatever, but Rob basically admitted he wants to make love and I was more than for that.

Though Jill and Allen had other plans it seemed. Since I'd started my shift they'd taken the two seats nearest the counter, however Jill suddenly disappeared outside her cellphone to her ear. I'd already told them both that I hadn't dreampt and further clues as to the whereabouts of Annabelle - a fact they'd been greatly disappointed about - but oddly Krantz hadn't called my and he seemed to find his daily call to me a number one priorty that he hadn't missed yet.

Pretending I hadn't noticed Jill's quick exit I told Mrs. Wilkins I was going on my break and sneaked out of the back-door to see what I could overhear.

''...nothing, yes sir.'' well that wasn't hard to interpret, but the next bit may as well have been in ancient greek or something. ''Yes, high and low, niet.'' for a second I thought maybe Jill knew I was listening, because that was just a very random sentance. And also Krantz had said my job was on a need-to-know basis. Which in my oppinion was not enough, so that's why I was eavesdropping. Not very honest true but hell I was risking my life in some cases, the least I deserved was to be kept informed.

''Cassandra, secure...but sir she..might not.'' Krantz, if it was him on the other end cut across Jill. ''Yes sir, right away.'' snapping her cellphone shut, Jill put it away and headed back inside, looking grim.

Using what was left of my break I went into the office at the back of Joe Juniors and used the phone there, and this time the phone was actually answered. ''Hello?'' came Rob's gorgeous deep voice, completely oblivious to the effect his voice in just one word had over me.

Which is why half and our later I ahd him pick me up from the local seven eleven where we headed from one of my personal favourite places, Chick's biker bar

''So let me get this straight,'' Rob began as we drank out cokes at Chick's. ''Your trying to find a senators missing kid, someone orders a hit on you, whcih you barely survive, then you give you FBI bodyguards the slip by telling my mother you have womens problems?''

''Pretty much,'' I said taking another sip as Rob shook his head.

''You are a real pice of work Manstriani. Do you have a death wish?''

''Rob, come on. All I get around them is would you like a nap now? Or a photograph? It's enough to drive anyone mad.'' Rob I could tell wanted to object and deliver me back to Jill and Allen's waiting grasp, far away form any attempted hits. Clearly however he remembered I very rarely submitted to being told what to do and if he tried to physically make me go I'd probably hit him, as I nearly did the last time he man-handled me in a similar instance.

''Fine, but we're going straight from mine from here and letting Krantz know where you are.'' Just what I wanted, and it gets better. ''But I'm not having them inside.'' If nearly gettign killed gets my boyfriend to be more intimate with me, I should try it everyday.