As promised I am trying to keep up with uploading chapters. WARNING there is violence in this chapter. And for those of you who are fans of Rock, you may not want to read this. Since he is not painted in a very good light. This chapter may seem a bit out of place, but it is working for the build up of Marlin and Jill's relationship. Anyway as always thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing it.

Spring with all of it's beauty was slowly starting to make it's way to Forget Me Not. Snow was melting causing large puddles of mud to form around town. People were starting to feel and be more cheery. There was a general relaxed air around the valley. One resident, however, was not feeling the relaxation that the rest of the village seemed to exert. Jill was quite upset with herself that another season had gone by with such little progress on her case. She also found herself wanting to be around Marlin for reasons other than to progress with the case. It had been only a few days since the surprise visit from Marlin with the passionate kiss. She could still feel his lips against hers when she closed her eyes.

To her further consternation she had agreed to go on a date with the town's playboy. It had been a moment of weakness that had caused her to agree to such an idiotic thing. She once again chastised herself for allowing the news of her father's suspicions of her and Bob to throw her off balance.

"Always expect the unexpected. Never let anything shake you Jillian," her father had once advised. He would have been disappointed to know that Jill had allowed those revelations to affect her. Try as she might to ignore the emotional side of her, it was still there buried underneath all the cynicism and criticisms she'd received from her father.

Perhaps he had been right to put her on this assignment. Maybe she was not ready to go back to the hard cases after the incident with Larkin. Did she even want to be an agent at all anymore? Jill froze and stared at herself in the mirror. She had never questioned becoming an agent. She had never even considered whether or not it was something that she wanted. It had always been an assumption that FIA would be the career path that Jill would take. Did she want to be an agent? She studied herself in the mirror. It felt as if for the first time in a long time she was truly seeing herself. She was looking at Jill Barre - correction Jill Timmons. What did she want? What did the girl staring back at her really want with her life? Was this really enough for Jill? She looked away from the mirror. She could not entertain those thoughts right now, not in the middle of a case.

There was a light knock on her door. Jill took a deep breath and walked over to answer the door. She was greeted with a smooth easy smile.

"Are you ready for the night of your life?" Rock asked leaning casually against the door frame. Jill resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She was sure this evening would be full of moments where she would be resisting that urge. She grabbed her jacket and followed Rock out the door.

"So what is it exactly that we are going to be doing?" Jill asked.

"Don't you worry sweetheart, I'll make sure you enjoy yourself," Rock replied with easy confidence. She noticed that like most of the losers she had encountered on her job, he had no car. She followed him to the Inn where he lived. This was beginning to look a lot less promising. She was not quite sure what he was going for, but he was certainly in for a surprise if he thought anything more than just a casual date was going to happen.

The Inn was dark, no one seemed to be home. It was another bad sign. Jill had the fleeting idea to leave instantly.

"Where are your parents?" She asked.

"Out of town for the weekend. We've got the place to ourselves tonight." Rock smiled and placed his hand on the small of Jill's back. She suppressed a shudder. Surprisingly he led her into the kitchen instead of his bedroom. A small table with two candles lit was placed in the center of the kitchen, and an almost heavenly aroma filled the room. Jill's eyes widened in surprised. She was starting to see why Rock always had the company of the women on the island. Players always knew how to be romantic when they needed to be though. He guided her gently to one of the chairs.

"Wait right here my lovely maiden, I shall take care of the rest tonight."

Dinner was surprisingly pleasant. The conversation was not too strained. She had not expected for dinner to be as pleasant as it was. Rock was certainly showing a different side. He had dropped his playboy persona, and had actually had a real conversation with Jill. That was what surprised her the most. He talked of growing up on Flower Bud Island; his dreams of someday making it into the city. He wasn't sure what he wanted to be yet - perhaps a business man. Jill was amused by his casual air to everything. Rock Dayton would probably never make it off this island. He had too little ambition to make anything of himself on his own.

"I've got a little surprise," Rock said casually after dinner. He pulled out a joint from his pocket. Jill's eyes widened. It didn't really surprise her that someone like Rock would enjoy an occasional recreational drug, but she had not expected him to have one tonight.

"Where did you get that?" Jill asked.

"I have my ways," Rock replied. "So what do you say?"

"Rock where did you buy that?" Jill asked again.

"Why do you care?" Rock asked narrowing his eyes. Jill knew better than to push him further.

"Nothing. I don't. I am just not into that sort of thing," Jill answered.

"No sweat." Rock slid the joint back into his pocket. Then suddenly Rock was pushing her against the wall. His lips came down on hers. Jill felt a revulsion go through her body. It was nothing like the kiss Marlin had given her. It was sloppy, unrefined, and too eager. Rock started pawing at her chest making grunting noises.

"What are you..." Her words were cut off by another assault of kisses. She pushed against his chest to try to push him away. It only seemed to fuel his desire even more. His hands pushed up the fabric of her shirt.

"Oh baby you are so hot!" Rock murmured. Jill struggled against him. She pulled her face away from his.

"Stop!"

Rock ignored her and instead grabbed a handful of her hair with one hand to stop her from moving her head. His lips crushed against hers painfully. She could taste the coppery taste of blood in her mouth. His other hand gripped her arm tightly she felt a sharp pain in her arm. She struggled against him more pulling her mouth away.

"Rock, please stop!" She begged.

"Shut up!" Rock shouted. He brought his hand up and it connected hard with the side of her face. Her cheek stung. Jill could no longer hold back. Instincts kicked in and she swiftly brought her knee up to his groin impacting as hard as she could, as he bent over she twisted his left arm behind his back in a manner she knew would be painful.

"I believe I told you to stop," Jill replied angrily. Rock tried to struggle against her grip, but yelped as she twisted his arm even further.

"Bitch!" He spat out. Jill gave him a quick shove and he landed on the floor of the kitchen. He scrambled to his knees holding his left arm in his right hand. Jill looked at Rock disgusted. He started towards her again, grabbing for her legs. Jill quickly dodged his grasp and brought her knee to his forehead. This man was no match for her. He doubled over in pain grabbing his head. She took that moment to grab her coat and escape.

Marlin watched as Jill ran from the Inn. He had been on his way to the bar, cursing knowing that tonight was the night Jill was going on a date with Rock. Jill nearly collided into him. She let out a scream, but then looked up to see Marlin. Jill's tiny arms went around Marlin's neck. Marlin could easily see what had transpired. Jill's messy hair, and her look of panic.

"He tried to..." Jill started. He felt her shudder against him. Marlin's suspicions were further confirmed. Marlin untangled his arms away from Jill.

"Jill what happened?" Marlin asked. Jill wrapped her arms around her chest.

"He started kissing me and I told him to stop. Then he slapped me and..." Jill stopped. Rock had come out of the Inn looking angrier than ever. Hatred filled his eyes as he looked at Jill. He didn't even seem to notice Marlin standing next to her. All he saw was Jill.

"Stupid bitch!" Rock screamed again, his hands came forwards towards Jill. This time Marlin stopped him. He slammed Rock's small body against the wall of the Inn.

"You will leave her alone," Marlin said with dangerous calm.

"Yeah or what?" Rock spat out. Marlin in that moment lost what little control he had over his anger. He swung his arm and his fist connected with Rock's face. Rock dropped to the ground again.

"Leave her alone," Marlin repeated. His hand throbbed, it had been a while since Marlin had punched someone. Marlin turned to Jill who stood wide eyed with her hands over her mouth. Rock slowly got up and turned to go into the Inn.

"You don't know who you're messing with," Marlin heard him mutter. The small man retreated back into the safety of the Inn.

"Come on," Marlin said softly to Jill, putting his arm around her slim shoulders. "Let's get you home."