-- Disclaimer: Is the same as every other chapter so if you haven't gotten it by now, you never will --

-- Now that that's out of the way lol I don't think I'm going to even bother putting that in any more chapters cause it's just annoying and takes time out of the time you could be reading better things... Like new chapters! Yay! So I have up to chapter 12 written now, just have to get my lazy self in gear and type them all up lol Forgive my laziness, for I have been tired. -Sad face- But I'm working on them, I promise! And so, without further ado, I give you the next chapter!! Wooo!! --

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Chapter 10: Dread Of Realization

"Mmm... mn..."

Bright mid-morning sunlight flared from the sky outside, filtering in through a crack in the curtains just enough to cause Crimson discomfort in his waking sleep state. His hand rose slowly from its position on his leg up to his face, pulling the blanket up with it to shelter his eyes. The movement, however, stirred the rest of his muscles into realizing how cramped they were and Crimson cringed slightly, a soft sigh falling from his lips before stretching out slowly, pushing the blanket onto the floor in the process. After much stretching and groaning as he tried to un-knot his muscles, he tossed the blanket back on the chair and headed out into the main room where most of his members were gathered. Nods and good mornings were exchanged as he walked in and sat on a couch to lace up his boots, not bothering to change out of his clothes from the day before.

"What're the plans today, boss?" One of the others piped up with a mouthfull of food, pulling a sigh and shaked of the head out of Crimson.

"What did I tell you about talking to me with crap in your mouth, Gem?"

The man gulped down the food in his mouth and muttered an apology as the rest of them snickered at him.

"I wouldn't tease much... The rest of you aren't any better."

Crimsons voice spoke out, causing the snickers to turn into grumbles as they all went back to work on their breakfasts.

"Well, I'm heading out. You morons can do what you please. Just don't get caught again... I'm sick of bailing your sorry asses out of jail."

That said, he got up off the couch and pulled on his trenchcoat, instantly hiding the multiple weapons he carried with him daily. Then, with a nod of goodbye to Blade, he strode out into the dazzling sunlight and out onto the street towards the precinct.

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Meanwhile, inside said precinct, Dee and Diana were stationed in Dee and Ryo's office polishing off their doughnuts and coffee as they made plans on how to find Berkleys stalker.

"So what are we gonna do? Just sit and watch for some guy who seems to be watching Berkley?"

Dee asked, licking the remnants of his doughnut off his fingers. Diana nodded as she swallowed the last bite of her own, followed by a quick swig of coffee.

"Pretty much. I'll probably ask Berkley to go somewhere if no one really suspicious shows up here. You know... See if anyone in particular follows him instead of just grabbing some guy off the street."

"Yeah, it'd suck if we arrested some guy for admiring Berkley's hair or something."

Diana chuckled as she took another drink of coffee then sighed softly, glancing in the direction of Berkley's office.

"Worried?" Dee asked, though he knew it was obvious that they both were. Diana nodded a bit and sat in Ryo's empty chair. (Dee had convinced his partner to tag along with Drake and JJ for the day.) "We'll find this guy..." Dee said, attempting to comfort the agent through his own fears. "And in the meantime, don't stress so much over it. The last thing I need is you going bonkers on me too."

Diana managed a faint smile then swiveled the chair around to face out the window. Dee followed suit, slouching down a bit and loosening his tie from around his neck.

"I spy with my little eye... A person!" Dee exclaimed after a few minutes, sarcasm dripping from his voice.

"And I spy an idiot." Diana responded, trying to suppress a giggle.

"o0o0o where?!" Dee asked, his voice still laced in sarcasm, causing Diana to fake an eye roll.

"I'm lookin' at him."

Dee glanced outside then shook his head, fighting to keep a straight face as he spoke.

"Man, that guy out there isn't gonna be happy about some seahag calling him an idi... Ack!" He ducked quickly as a pen came flying towards his head, laughing as he came back up. "Aw, I'm getting the feeling you don't love me anymore." He said, lower lip sticking out exaggeratedly.

"Got that right." Diana responded simply and they both grinned at each other. "Now come on." She said, repositioning herself to a more comfortable position. "Let's get to watching or we'll end up missing this jerk."

"Yeah yeah..." Dee grumbled as he slouched down in his chair again, crossing his arms and ankles in front of himself with a sigh.

They watched for what seemed like hours as people passed by on the street and a few of their fellow officers made faces at them through the glass on their way out on patrol.

"Hey." Dee said suddenly, sitting up in his chair slowly as he stared out the window. "Check out that guy across the street... He's staring pretty intently in this direction."

Diana sat up as well and followed his gaze.

"And to top it all off he's wearing a trenchcoat in beautiful weather... Either suspicious or weird..."

"I'm going with a little of both." Dee proclaimed as he stood slowly out of his chair.

"Probably. Well, he's coming this way... Try to get a good look at him. See if you recognize him or anything."

Dee nodded as he moved casually over to the filing cabinet near the window, pretending to go through it while watching the man cross the street out of the corner of his eye.

"Aw shit..." He muttered softly when he realized who it was and closed the filing cabinet before going back to his chair and flopping back down in it. "I think this may be a bit harder then we thought..."

"Why? Who was it?" Diana asked, glancing out the window despite the fact that the stalker was now out of view. Dee started pacing a bit, hands in his pockets and eyes downcast as he spoke.

"Remember that guy everyone was talking about last week? Hell they're still talking about him... The gang leader we couldn't catch cause most of the guys here cherish their lives too much to go after him?"

Diana stared at him for a moment, letting the question sink in before a small gasp escaped her.

"Oh God, not him... Not him..." She muttered, placing her palm across her forehead as the beginnings of a headache started surfacing.

"Yeah..." Dee confirmed with a sigh, stopping his pacing long enough to stare out the window once more. "It's Crimson..."

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-- Once again, I apologize for the really, really long wait on the chapters. I'm gonna try to get the next two up as quickly as possible to make up for it and I hope you're all still wanting to read more. *Puppy eyes* Don't abandon me now, please? I love you all and thank you for reading and as always, please lemme know what you think. ^_^ --