Shoutouts: Kelsey. Marie. Scott- I'm so glad that you can loose yourself in the stories. It shows a great imagination on your part and enough descriptive writing on mine. I love to just get lost in the stories I read or write and watch it play out in my head. Lol I'm glad that I helped to inspire you to like this couple. Dagmar Buse is my inspiration. After I read a few of her stories I fell in love with Jason and Kat together. I feel that they would have been a great couple, and had the writers put her with Jason instead of Tommy, she wouldn't be hated by so many Tommy/Kim fans... Anyway, I'm done rambling about that. Enjoy the next chapter!

brankel1- I'm glad that you liked their talk. I figured that it was good to show that Jason was slowly chipping away at Kat's walls and is slowly getting to see the side of her that she hides. Hope you like this chapter, it's some pretty cute moments. I'm getting back into the swing of writing fluffy scenes YAY! Lol Enjoy!

Jeremy Shane- Thanks for reviewing and sticking with this story. Here's another chapter.

Ghostwriter- Thanks for the review and adding my story to your favs. I'm that you like this story and I hope that I can continue to impress. I have to say that I love your stories too. You are one of the only writers that I read slash from Hope you enjoy the new chapter.

dOs- I'm glad that you liked this, I told ya it was different than what I usually write. And hopefully it will just keep getting better. YAY! Thanks for taking the time to leave me a note! Talk to ya later!

Chapter 9

Jason's arm was still wrapped around Kat as they rode the elevator up to the fifth floor. It was nearly two in the morning and Kat was completely wasted. No thanks to those shots she was doing with the group of men. Jason scowled as he thought of all the men crowded around her at that table.

"You're so cute when your jealous." Kat giggled. Jason looked at her with questioning eyes. "You're brows are knitted together and your jaw is set. You're thinking about my 'drinking buddies'."

"Sometimes I wonder if you aren't a mind reader." Jason chuckled. The elevator stopped and Jason helped the wobbly Katherine out into the hallway.

"If I was a mind reader, I'd know exactly what you thought of me." Kat replied with a slight shrug.

"What do you mean?"

"Sometimes I wonder if all you see when you look at me is 'Tommy's ex'."

"Kat..." Jason started as he forced her to stop in the middle of the hallway. He could feel the alcohol running though his system, and his mind felt hazy, but he had to say something to her. "When I look at you, I don't see the past, I don't see my best friends ex, I don't even see the Kat I knew in high school. I see before me a strong, compassionate, woman with a great sense of justice and dedication to her job. I see you, Katherine Lynn Hillard."

"Jason, about what Liz said..."

"Kat, don't worry about what Liz said." Jason shook his head as he gently stroked Kat's cheek.

"I do worry about it Jase." She argued. Jason slowly backed her up against the wall until she was pinned between him and the hard surface. He slowly drew closer to her until he was just inches from her lips.

"I said, don't worry. Liz has a temper and says things she doesn't always mean." He stared into her eyes. "Do you know how badly I want to kiss you right now?"

"About as much as I want you to kiss me." Kat slurred back. Jason took a step back as reality set in. Kat was drunk, as was he, and they were in the middle of the hallway. Kat sighed as the cool air rushed around her as Jason's warm body pulled away from her.

"Come on, let's get back to the room and get some coffee going." He wrapped an arm around her waist and started down the hall again. "Are you going to tell me where my wallet is?"

"Check your jacket pocket." Kat grinned. Jason reached into his jacket and grasped his wallet.

"When did you put it there?"

"My secret." Kat grinned devilishly at him.

"How come I can't feel you taking my wallet or putting it back?"

"I've got me some skilled hands." Jason sucked in a sharp breath as her comment created an very different image than what she was meaning. He was traveling down an oh so wrong path of thought, but yet it was oh so good all at once.

Jason silently let them into the room they shared and helped Katherine to sit on the edge of the bed. He went over to the counter where a coffee pot sat and started it. "You still like your coffee with sugar and cream?"

"Uh huh." Kat nodded as she looked around the room. "I don't feel so good."

"I can imagine that." Jason shook his head. "What were you drinking with those guys?"

"I... oh!" Kat stood up quickly and rushed to the waste basket next to the entertainment stand. Jason tried not to gag as he heard her throwing up. He sat on the floor next to her and gently rubbed her back as she heaved again.

"Slow deep breaths Kat." He soothed. She heaved once again and he felt her body tense as she gasped for air. "Slow and deep." He repeated. She took in a nice slow breath as she pulled away from the waste basket. Jason pulled her back against his chest and slowly stroked her hair. "Done?"

"I think so." she slowly nodded. Jason then stood up and picked Kat up. He carried her over to one of the beds and laid her down. He carefully removed her choker and hair pins, then gently untangled her soft tendrils. He disappeared from her side for a moment but returned with a cool wet cloth.

Jason softly wiped her face with the cloth, cleaning away all traces of her vomit and sweat. He went and rinsed out the cloth and then laid it across her forehead. Jason then removed Kat's shoes and tossed them toward her suitcase. He thought for a moment about helping her change out of her dress, but then thought better of it.

"You're going to have one heck of headache in the morning Kat." Jason said softly.

"I know." Kat groaned. "I feel horrible right now too."

"I'll run down to the hotel lobby and get some aspirin and powerade. That always helps me in the morning."

"Thank you Jason." Kat replied with a small smile.

"You're welcome Snowflake." Jason replied with his own warm smile. "I'll be right back." He left the room quietly and made his way down the the lobby store. He purchased the items he mentioned to Kat, and went back to the room. He noticed Kat breathing deep and even as he walked in the door.

Jason smiled to himself as he turned off the coffee pot and got ready for bed himself. Quietly as he could he slipped into the other bed and turned out the lights. I should have kissed her. Jason thought to himself as he drifted off to sleep.

"No! Please!" Jason heard the words, but in his sleepy mind he couldn't quite put a finger on who it was. "No!" The voice cried again. Jason finally sat straight up in bed.

"Lilly!" He called sleepily. He shook his head, casting the haziness out of his mind, and realized he was in the hotel room, which meant the person calling out was... "Kat!" Jason quickly got out of bed and flipped on the dim lamp on the nightstand. Kat was curled into a ball on her bed, her whole body shaking.

"No, please!" She cried again. Jason went over to her bed and sat on the edge.

"Kat?" He called quietly, she didn't respond other than a soft whimper. "Kat, it's Jason. Please wake up." Jason finally took her into his arms and pulled her against his chest. Her whole body stiffened as she tried to fight off his grip in her sleep. "It's okay Kat, I'm here." He slowly rubbed her back as she slowly relaxed into his arms and her thundering heartbeat slowed.

"Jason?" She whispered.

"I'm here Snowflake." He replied softly.

"I'm so sorry that I woke you."

"Don't worry about me, are you okay?"

"I'll be fine." she nodded against his chest.

"You had me scared for a little bit there." Jason gently brushed a strand of hair out of her face as she sat up to look at him. Her eyes were still glassy and Jason realized she was still heavily intoxicated. "It must have been an intense nightmare."

"I'm okay now. I'm sorry I woke you up."

"Kat..." Jason sighed. "Why do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Tell people you're fine when anyone can clearly see that something is bothering you."

"I don't..."

"Yes you do." Jason interrupted. "You've always done that. It's like you have no regard for your own feelings, or injuries, for that matter."

"Jason, I'm not going to burden you with my problems." Kat shook her head a little too fast and nearly tipped over on the bed. Jason caught her shoulder and held her up in time.

"If you don't tell me, you know I'll just sit up and worry that you'll have another nightmare." Jason pressed hoping that since she was still drunk she might just open up and talk to him. He felt guilty at taking advantage of that fact, but knew that without her talking to him, he had no way to help her.

Kat closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "It was years ago." She finally answered. "Did I ever tell you that before working in homicide that I was an undercover agent?"

"No." Jason said. Kat shifted on the bed and laid her back against his chest and he automatically wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I only did one job in that department. I botched it... badly."

"What happened?"

"I was supposed to be a corrupt DA assistant. I was taking 'bribes' to keep the DA's eyes off a corrupt businessman, Tony Freeman. It worked for five months, but one of his henchmen never trusted me. He followed me one night, and unfortunately for me, it was the night I met with my real boss. Greg told Tony I was a cop. The next day Tony and two of his men ambushed me and took me off to his house."

"What happened there?" Jason was almost scared to hear the rest of the story, unsure if he really wanted to know what happened to Kat.

"They beat the holy hell out of me." Kat said with a slight tremor in her voice. "They broke my left arm and three ribs, and gave me a concussion this side of death."

"Oh god, Kat! That's horrible." Jason hugged her a little tighter.

"Try living through it." Kat remarked dryly.

"I don't want to." Jason shook his head. "What happened next? How did you get away?"

"Tony told his goons to shoot me and dispose of my body. I managed to disarm one of the men with a spinning kick, then I picked up the gun..." Kat paused and took a deep breath. "I killed them Jason! All three of them!"

"Kat, they were going to kill you! That's self defense!" Jason argued.

"I know, I know." Kat nodded. "It's just... I had never killed anyone before. I've killed a few other suspects in the course of my career, but those three... those three still haunt me. You never forget your first kill."

"Didn't you talk to a councilor? Any time an officer shoots their gun at a suspect they're supposed to go through a councilor to make sure they don't carry around these emotional scars that you do."

"We have the same policy." Kat nodded slowly. "But they don't really help."

"If you would actually talk to them, they can." Jason sighed.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Did you actually tell the councilor how you felt about killing those men, or did you just say you were fine over and over again?"

"I... They..." Kat stammered. "I kept saying I was fine with it. I knew that if I hadn't killed them I would be dead. Eventually they must have believed that I was fine."

"You should have talked it out Kat."

"I have an enormous ability to compartmentalize things. I can always open that locked drawer and deal with things later."

"But now it's coming back to bite you in the ass." Jason replied. "How often do you have nightmares, Kat?"

"Just when I'm overly tired, or overly drunk." Kat shrugged.

"Basically whenever you don't have the ability to keep those mental drawers closed and locked." Kat could almost hear Jason's eyebrow raise, just by the recognizing the tone he used in his voice.

"Don't scrutinize me Jason." She shot back. "My way has worked for thirty-two years..."

"Kat, why is it so hard for you to talk to someone?"

"I won't burden anyone with my problems."

"So instead you bottle everything up, pretend everything is fine, and suffer alone in silence." Again she heard that 'raised eyebrow' tone.

"My problems don't need to be thrown onto other people's shoulders. It's bad enough I woke you up tonight..." Kat sat up and pulled away from Jason.

"Kat, talking about your problems doesn't burden down your friends, any one of your friends would sit and listen to you. As for me, don't worry about waking me up. I'm happy to sit here with you." Jason placed his fingers under her chin and gently forced Katherine to look at him as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear with his free hand. "Anytime you need an ear Kat, I'm here. Anytime for anything."

"Thank you Jason." Kat smiled at him as her eyes filled with tears. Jason had the urge to kiss her suddenly, but knew that he had already taken advantage of the fact she was drunk by forcing her to open up. He wouldn't add to that by kissing her.

Kat suddenly threw herself into his arms and buried her face into his chest, letting her tears fall. Jason hugged her close and slowly rocked her back and forth until her breathing evened and she drifted off to sleep again. Jason shifted his body enough that he was able to lay back against the pillows with Kat curled into his side and his arm draped over her back. Her head rested on his chest.

"Good night, Snowflake." Jason whispered before he gently placed a kiss on the top of her head. "I love you." He added knowing that she wouldn't actually hear him, but it felt good to admit it out loud. Only after his quiet confession did Jason let himself drift off to sleep with the girl of his dreams nestled in his arms.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Oh god, who had the hammer last night?" Kat groaned as she tried to roll over in bed, only to be stopped by something... make that someone. Kat peeked open her eyes to find she was practically draped over Jason. She slightly jerked away from him in surprise, but was still held in place by his arm. Oh god! Did we... No, we're both dressed... Why's he in my bed?

Jason stirred next to her, obviously she had disturbed his sleep with her startled reaction. "Morning Snowflake." He smiled at her. "How you feeling?"

"Like someone beat me with a hammer." Kat replied dryly. "Jason, did I... or did you..."

"No Kat, I didn't make a move on you last night." Jason cut in, knowing exactly what she was trying to ask. Even though I might have wanted to. "And you didn't come onto me either." He added upon seeing the uneasiness in her eyes.

"Then why... how..."

"Don't you remember anything from last night?" Jason asked.

"No." Kat shook her head. Jason sighed, unsure of how much to tell her.

"You had a nightmare last night and I was comforting you until you fell asleep again. Guess I must have fallen asleep too." Jason explained. Good job Jason, not a total lie.

"I'm so sorry I woke you." Kat apologized.

"Kat, you don't have anything to apologize for. You're human, and humans have nightmares. Quite frankly if you didn't have any I'd be worried about you."

"But I know better than get wasted like I did. It lets the nightmares in."

"Again, you don't have anything to be sorry for." Jason laughed. Kat stared at him for a while as if trying to decide what to say. "Why don't you use the shower first and I'll order some breakfast. Aisha and Billy should be on the way here and Trini said she wanted to go shopping for the baby today."

"Thanks Jason." Kat nodded. "I'm lucky to have a friend like you."

"You're welcome." Jason replied. Kat crawled off the bed and stood up, regretting it instantly. Her pulse thundered in her ears as the room seemed to tilt. It was only after she felt Jason's strong hands on her biceps, that she realized it wasn't the room titling, it was her.

Jason carefully guided Kat to the floor. He had seen her wobble slightly as she stood and had moved next to her just in time as she fell to the side. "I'd like to know what in the world you were drinking last night." Jason shook his head.

"I'll be fine." Kat argued as she lay on the floor, her hand over her eyes. "Just hand me some aspirin and a bottle of water, please."

Jason left her side for a moment and returned with the items she had requested. He carefully helped her to sit up and handed her two white pills and opened the bottle of water for her.

"You look like hell." Jason said after a few minutes.

"Well thank Jason. You're just a bottle of sunshine and roses today." Kat cracked a small smile. A sure sign that she was starting to feel a little better.

"You know me, I'm just so full of compliments." Jason grinned at her. "You ready to try that shower thing again?"

"Yeah." Kat nodded. Jason stood up and offered her a hand up. Slowly, he pulled her to her feet He didn't let go of her until he knew she was steady on her feet.

"What do you want for breakfast." He asked as she walked into the bathroom.

"Just some toast and some kind of fruit." Kat replied.

"That's all?" Jason chuckled.

"That's all I'm asking for, yes." Kat nodded before closing the door. A moment later Jason heard the shower running.

He called down to room service and ordered two full entree meals; Eggs, hash-browns, pancakes, sausage, bacon, toast, and a small bowl of fresh fruit. She'll eat more than just toast. Jason grinned to himself.

Once the coffee was brewing, Jason took out his suitcase and began selecting his clothes for the day. He chuckled to himself when he realized that Kat hadn't taken any clothes with her into the bathroom. She'll have to come running out here in nothing but a towel. Jason grinned. Those towels aren't very big either.

As if on cue he heard Kat on the other side of the door. "Um, Jase... could you... Could you close your eyes?"

"Sure thing Snowflake." Jason laughed as he sat down on the edge of the bed and closed his eyes. "Come on out, I won't look." Even though I really want to.

He heard the door open and Kat's light footfalls move quickly across the floor. She grabbed her suitcase and fled back across the room to the safety of the bathroom. Jason chuckled again as he stood from the bed.

The food arrived shortly and Jason set up the small table and got the food ready. He prepared a cup of coffee just the way Kat liked it and sat down to wait for her.

Kat finally emerged from the bathroom dressed in a pair of light colored boot cut jeans and a dark red, short sleeved, button down blouse, with bare feet. Her hair was still slightly damp and smelled of her shampoo. Jason's senses were assaulted by the scent of cherry blossoms as she walked by him. "Wow that's a lot of food." She gasped as she noticed the table.

"I know that you'll need to eat more than just toast for breakfast. You're going shopping with Aisha, you'll need your strength."

"Oh you're so thoughtful." Kat teased as she sat down at the small table. She suddenly looked at Jason with wide eyes. "I forgot to tell my team that I'm out of town!"

"You gave them all a few days off, does it really matter if you're not there?"

"What if a new development comes up while I'm here, they have to know how far away I am and how fast I can get back." Kat shook her head. "In all my years of being a lead agent I have never ever forgotten to check in with my second man. Russ is going to throw a real fit."

"You'd think you answer to him instead of the other way around." Jason laughed.

Kat rolled her eyes as she found her phone and dialed Russ' number. He answered on the third ring. "Hey Russ, it's Katherine. I forgot to call you yesterday... No, I don't need you guys to come into today. Actually I'm not even in town right now... No, LA. My friend had her baby yesterday and I came to see them... Yeah, they're great. I'll be back in a couple days... No, I didn't come alone. I'm with Jason... Yes, Russ. I'll be careful. I swear you act like my father some days or big brother at the least... I know, I have it with me. Don't worry about me... Enjoy your time off Russ. Call me if anything comes up."

"A bit overprotective, isn't he?" Jason chuckled.

"Just bit." Kat nodded.

"He's worried about you, that's... cute." Jason replied with just a hint of sarcasm in his voice. They ate their breakfast in a comfortable silence, just enjoying the good food and talking happily about old time and highlights of their careers.

"I had a witness in protective custody about three years ago, before this whole 'Angel Killer' thing... anyway, I had to go into hiding with him." Kat laughed. "On our fourth day he starting getting a little... fresh with me."

"What did he do?" Jason could feel his blood beginning to boil at the thought of someone violating Kat.

"Grabbed my ass and told me that he knew that I wanted him to 'pound the shit out of my tight body

." Kat began laughing as she tried to imitate the witness' deep voice.

"That's not funny, Kat. He could really have hurt you." Jason shook his head.

"No worse than anything I've been through already." Kat shrugged, Jason quickly recalled the story that Kat had told him last night in her drunken state. "He never had the chance to hurt me anyway. I clocked him so hard that it dislocated his jaw. Then I pulled out my gun and threatened to castrate him should he even think about me in that way again."

"Wow, remind me to never get fresh with you." Jason laughed. "What happened with your boss? You were supposed to be protecting the witness."

"I was supposed to be suspended for two weeks, without pay." Kat shrugged. "But after just one day my supervisor called me up and told me that since I am a salaried employee that the director would never actually know that I had come back. My HQ can't seem to function correctly without me there to keep everyone on task or break up fights."

"I know what you mean. It's the same with my station." Jason nodded. "I took a week long vacation a coupe years ago. When I got back the station was a mess. Three of my subordinates were suspended for a fist fight in the station, paperwork was backed up, and it seemed that my supervisor didn't notice. It took me three weeks to clean up a weeks worth of mess. So I haven't taken more than a couple days off here or there."

"Ah, the woes of being efficient." Kat laughed.

"Yes, it's just terrible." Jason smiled. "Well, you better finish getting ready."

"Yeah, your right. I don't want to make Aisha and Trini wait too long for me." Kat then slipped on her socks and black heeled boots. For the final touch, she fastened an ankle holster around her right leg and slipped her pistol into it.

"Do you ever go anywhere without that thing?" Jason laughed.

"No." Kat replied seriously. "I'm kind of under order to keep it on my person at all times."

"I was just joking Kat, I know what you're supposed to be doing." Jason shook his head just as his phone signaled he had a text message. "That's Trini, she and Aisha are waiting for you."

"What are you going to be doing today?"

"The guys and I have a surprise for Zack and Kimberly. So we'll be busy all morning." Jason shrugged. "We'll meet up with you gals for lunch though."

"Sounds good." Kat nodded. "See you for lunch."

"Yup, got your wallet?

"Yes, got yours?" Kat rolled her eyes.

"So long as you haven't taken it again, I do. Have fun shopping Snowflake." Jason called out as Kat left the room.

"Seriously, stop with the 'Snowflake' crap." Kat retorted. She wouldn't admit it, but she actually liked it the idea that Jason had a name just for her.

"I'll stop when you stop reacting to it." Jason grinned.

"Whatever, later Dragon Breath." Kat shouted back.

"Oh come on! You can do better than that!" Jason retorted before the door closed. Jason grinned to himself before going and jumping in the shower and getting ready for the day.

Later that day, around one, Jason pulled up at a small diner near Zack and Kimberly's condo. Billy and Adam were with him. They had spent the whole day setting up a new swingset in the backyard as well as a new grill for Zack.

"Come on Kat, that dress was killer. It would look so hot on you!" Aisha was arguing with the tall blonde as they approached the men.

"Aisha, it's impractical for me at this point. I'm not going on any dates, I'm technically working. Plus there would be no where to stash my gun if I wore that dress." Kat rolled her eyes.

"Do you really have to carry a gun everywhere?" Trini shook her head.

"She's carrying one right now." Jason laughed.

"You are?" Aisha circled around Kat, trying to locate where the gun was. Kat once again rolled her eyes.

"I bet you have an ankle holster." Billy said. Kat nodded as she lifted her pantleg up enough so the others could see the buckle of her holster.

"She doesn't have an option right now, she's under orders to be armed at all times." Jason explained before anyone could say anything else.

"Can we please go inside and eat, I'm starving." Adam said.

"You've been friends with Rocko for a little too long Adam." Aisha teased as she playfully punched her old friends arm.

"Did you see what your wife just did to me?" Adam turned to Billy.

"Nope." Billy grinned. "I didn't see a thing."

"That's the right answer honey!" Aisha giggled before she kissed his cheek.

The group went inside and was quickly seated. The playful, good mood continued through their meal. Kat, who was sitting right next to Jason, suddenly leaned over and whispered something in his ear. Jason lightly smirked as he caught her wrist and lifted her hand above the table.

"I'm two steps ahead of you today Snowflake." Jason chuckled. "Adam already has my wallet so you can't get your hands on it, and yours is already gone.

Kat's eyes narrowed at him as she snatched her hand back and quickly cheeked her purse. Her wallet was indeed gone. "You're learning quite well."

"What is with you two and taking each others wallets?" Adam asked as he handed Jason his wallet.

"They're fighting over who is going to pay for the other." Trini explained, she had caught on the night before at the club. "They steal the other one's wallet to prevent them from paying."

"That's cute." Aisha giggled.

"When did you take her wallet?" Billy asked Jason. "I didn't see you do that."

"When the food came and she was helping to pass out the plates." Jason grinned. "She was distracted and her purse was sitting right next to me."

"Can I have it back, please Jason." Kat asked as she looked at him with her big blue eyes.

"Sure you can." Jason smiled at her. "After I've paid for lunch."

Kat rolled her eyes, but didn't argue. Even she knew when it was a loosing battle. The group paid for their lunches and headed back to the vehicles. The girls took off to continue shopping while the guys headed off to find something to do.

"Hey guys, can I ask for your help?" Jason asked as he drove quietly.

"Sure Jase." Adam replied.

"What do you need?" Billy asked.

"I wanted to get something for Kat."

"Like what?" Adam questioned.

"Well I was thinking about something like a necklace or earrings." Jason said.

"Jewelry?" Billy exclaimed.

"The policeman's ball is in a couple weeks and since Kat's going to be here for a while I was going to ask her to go with me."

"Finally!" Adam cheered.

"Not on date or anything, mind you." Jason cut in as both Billy and Adam groaned. "Guys, you know that if I don't take someone my mom will set me up, again, or worse I'll end up with Liz like last year. So it's more of a 'be a good friend and save me' favor I'm going to ask of her."

"Then why get her a necklace?" Billy shook his head.

"Because I know Kat, if I give her a necklace she'll feel obligated to pay me back and won't say no." Jason replied. "That I know she'll need something to wear to the ball anyway... and... I really want to give her something too."

"Kat's been back for a little less than a month and you're already completely head over heels for her." Adam laughed.

"Am not." Jason retorted, even though he knew that Adam was right. Truthfully, he had always liked Kat. It was only recently that he learned just how deep that 'like' went, it had always been love.

"Are too, but don't worry your secret is safe with us." Adam grinned.

"So what exactly are you looking for?" Billy asked.

"I'm not exactly sure. That's why I asked for your help." Jason grinned to himself. She's going to be surprised!