CHAPTER 10:

Three Weeks Later

"James, you're sure you're clear to leave?" Jen asked, helping him out of bed.

"Yes, Jennifer, for the third time, the doctor said that my concussion was only minor and the scans showed that there was no internal bleeding of any kind. So yes, I am most definitely clear to go."

"Just double checking. Fiona told me she found something on our guy. She's crashing back at my apartment." Jen replied, grabbing her jacket off the bedside chair. James bent over to lace up his shoes. His eyes glanced over to Jen. She stared back down, and gave him a wink.

Later, after a short drive, James and Jennifer arrived back to her apartment.

"It's just us Fiona." Jen called out as she unlocked the door. Fiona was sitting in the kitchen at the island counter with her laptop. She looked up at the pair.

"All right, I've tracked down who your guy was. His name was Vladimir Labuzov. He was an ex-KGB agent turned freelance mercenary. Originally born twenty kilometres south of Moscow, he lived there for ten years then he moved to Canada for a while and then he returned to Russia. He's been in jail three times, twice for assault and once for manslaughter. Far as I know, he was hired by someone to assassinate you two."

"Wonderful." Jen said, filling a tea pot with water. She set it down over the stove and turned the burner on. The trio remained quiet for a moment until the kettle whistled. Jen poured herself a cup and stared down into the dark brown abyss of her tea. She became lost in her thoughts as she poured sugar and milk into it.

"So…to find out who hired him and why." James said, breaking the era of silence between them. He was sitting up straight in his chair. He was still a little stiff from his injuries but other than that he was fine.

"Oh, Jen, the postman was by, there's a letter for you." Fiona said.

"Who is it from?" Jennifer asked as she reached across the counter. Her arm brushed past James and their faces were mere inches apart. Fiona was still holding the letter up while reading off of her laptop. Jen took the envelope and she gave James a small, quiet kiss on the cheek. Jen sat back down with a grin on her face. She looked down at the letter: It had her name and address but no return address. Putting that aside she ripped it open and a piece of light blue paper fell out covered in a typed font.

I am a wheelman,

I live in my car,

I know where you are, it's not very far,

I know how bad of a driver you are,

And if you need me, just remember

316R

"Hmm, that's an interesting bit of fan mail." Jen set it down amongst her other parcels and had another cup of tea.

"What was it?" James had an inquisitive look on his face.

"A Fan poem I believe." Jen just brushed it aside as if it were nothing useful. James on the other hand thought it would be a serious thing but he felt he shouldn't bring it up to Jen.

A few hours had past, the three of them had done nothing all afternoon, and soon enough it was time for bed. James was not sure where he was supposed to sleep. Fiona had taken up the couch and he wasn't sure if Jen was comfortable sharing her bed with him. The last time they had to have shared accommodations was back in Korea and with there being only one bed, well, James had gotten the floor. As he approached Jen, she automatically answered his question by taking his hand and leading him into her room. She closed the door quietly, saying goodnight to Fiona on the way.

"So..." James stammered. Jen slowly closed the gap between them and James leaned down and kissed her. "So, I take it we can actually share a bed this time? I mean you have a nice hardwood floor but…" Jen stopped him mid-phrase by putting her finger over his mouth to shush him. James smiled and she turned and changed into pyjamas. James took off his t-shirt and dropped his jeans for his boxers. He slowly walked towards the bed which Jen had already gotten into. "This is…uh…"

"OH come on, just get your ass in here already!" Jen laughed.

"So that's how it is, is it?" James slid into the bed beside her. She immediately crawled up beside him, burying her head on his shoulder. He slid his arm around her shoulders and closed his eyes. James and Jennifer both fell asleep in each other's arms, both with smiles on their faces.