A/N: Thank you as always to all of you who have left reviews, PM'd and favoured this story. I am always very humbled by your kindness.

Thank you also to the wonderful Purdy's Pal and DaisyDay for their input and read through of this chapter

11

Sometime later Michael opened his eyes sleepily. Somewhere in the back of his consciousness he thought he had heard something. Lifting his head he looked around the room and towards the closed door before smiling at Fiona's sleeping face. Leaning down he kissed her parted lips and lingered close, rousing her from sleep. With a soft sigh she returned the kiss without opening her eyes, looping her arms around his neck in a loose embrace.

"Mmmm…" she murmured as she slowly opened her eyes. "Is it morning already?"

"Yeah," he sighed, kissing her once more before he untangled himself from her body to sit on the edge of the couch to stretch out his tender muscles. Every part of him ached, but at the same time he couldn't help the smile that formed on his lips when his mind transported him back to the passionate night he had just shared with the beautiful woman who was laying on the couch, watching him.

Turning slightly he ran the palm of his hand over her shoulder and met her eyes with a penetrating gaze. There was something about her that had always had some kind of magnetic pull and like a siren, he couldn't resist her. Her eyes drew him into her and he turned around fully to lean across her body placing his hands on either side of her arms, holding himself slightly above her.

"Hey," he whispered softly, smiling down at her as he leant in closer to kiss her lips before pulling back again.

"Hey," she smiled, lifting her hands to glide her fingers up his forearms until they reached his strong muscular shoulders. "Last night was…"

"It was," he sighed with contentment as he inclined his head to place a soft kiss onto her forehead before moving across her face to kiss her cheek.

"We really should get up…" she told him lazily when his lips hovered over hers. "But we could…stay here…"

Michael's face lit up with a bright smile as he leant forward to place a quick kiss onto her lips before pulling out of her embrace. Standing up he watched her eyes scanning his naked body when he pulled his suit pants up his thighs to fasten the button at his hips. His gaze met hers, burning into him with smouldering fire. Holding out a hand he reached for her fingers, lacing their digits together before pulling her up to stand before him.

Fiona's free hand slid up his torso reigniting the fire in his eyes. The sudden knock on the door caused them to spring apart and Fiona to scramble for Michael's discarded shirt. Slipping it over her, she hurriedly fastened the buttons together before ushering him into his bathroom.

"Just a second," she called as she looked down at herself to make sure her modesty was intact before she pulled open the door.

"It's eight in the morning," Sam groused. "Me and Maddie were beginning to think you two would never get up."

"We'll be out in a few minutes Sam," Fiona told him with a wide grin as she heard the shower start in the bathroom. "Second thoughts make it half hour…Michael takes forever to shower…"

Sam stepped away from the door and nodded knowingly. "I'll take Maddie to the store, should take an hour…that'll give you two enough time to…uh…"

"Get out of here Sam," she laughed happily when he started to retreat back down the hallway. Shaking her head with a smile she clicked the door closed and slid the lock in place before turning around to come face to face with Michael's bare chest.

Glancing up at him she was suddenly struck with shyness that she hadn't felt since the very first time she had met him. Swallowing hard she met his smouldering gaze and took a step towards him.

"Something you want Michael?" she asked him with an innocent smile.

His eyes never left hers as his fingers rose to the top button of the shirt, knowing full well what his nearness was doing to her. Leaning close to her ear his breath caused her to shiver against him as he whispered, "I need this."

His closeness was setting her body into overdrive as once again passion took over, propelling her towards him.

"So?" she asked seductively, all shyness gone. Her arms moved up his bare chest to encircle around his neck as she stood up on tiptoe to lift her lips up against his ear, causing some chaos of her own. He shivered against her when she placed a soft kiss against his neck before she whispered, "Why don't you take it?"

"I think…I…" he leaned into her body and began to kiss his way up her throat, caught up in the moment with her. "I might just do that."

Fiona's reply was lost on her lips as the shirt fell to the floor. Her last thought before he found her mouth with his was how they were ever going to be ready in half an hour…

000

Later that morning Madeline and Fiona sat in the charger keeping a vigil opposite the Carlito. Sitting back in her seat Fiona lifted the binoculars to her eyes and scanned the crowd for any signs of a woman with an obvious broken nose.

"What's the point of this meeting anyway?" Madeline sighed as she pulled another cigarette out of her pouch. "It's not like she's gonna show anyway."

"Sam thinks she will," Fiona told her patiently without taking her eyes from the teeming crowds on the opposite side of the road. "She's obsessed with him, and all she wants is his attention. What better way than for Sam to ask her how she broke her nose..."

"And Agent what's her face over there is going to help with that?"

With a heavy sigh Fiona lowered the binoculars and sat back in her seat. Turning to the older woman beside her she wound the window down further to let some fresh air into the charger, hoping to eradicate the smoke.

"Look, I'm not fond of her either but she did agree to help us with this." She closed her eyes briefly and moved her neck from side to side as she tried to ease the kinks out of her muscles. "Besides," she muttered under her breath, "Michael wanted her to help."

Madeline lowered her cigarette and fixed Fiona with an affectionate gaze before she reached across to squeeze the younger woman's arm.

"You don't have anything to worry about sweetheart."

"Excuse me?" Fiona's voice caught in her throat as she turned to look at Michael's mother with confusion.

"My son may not say much Fi, but I can tell you right now that he can't hide how much he loves you," she told her with a knowing smile. "And that woman over there," she screwed her face up in distaste as she pointed her lit cigarette in the general direction of Agent Pearce. "She has nothing on you."

Fiona felt the blush rising up her face as she looked down at the binoculars in her hands. Swallowing hard she lifted her eyes to the woman beside her and smiled thankfully before turning to face her.

"Thank you Madeline."

"Anytime honey," she nodded as she lifted her cigarette to her lips again to fall into silence.

Fiona felt warmth flood through her body when her mind drifted back to the passionate night she had shared with Michael. In all the years they had been together she couldn't ever remember a time when they had been so…connected, but if she had learned anything it was to never take what they had for granted. Michael wanted his job back regardless of her feelings and she knew if Agent Pearce called him tomorrow with the news that his burn notice had been lifted he would leave her and his family behind. Her only consolation was that the woman beside her would give him hell for it.

"And anyway," Madeline smirked behind her cigarette as she looked across the street at the dark haired detective. "I can't stand that woman!"

Fiona shook her head and tried to hide the smile as she lifted the binoculars back to her eyes. Scanning the crowd she was suddenly drawn to the woman who was taking a seat a few tables away from Sam and Agent Pearce.

"She's here," Fiona hissed as she lowered the lenses into her lap to grab her cell phone from her bag. Pressing in a familiar number she lifted the phone to her ear until she heard Michael's voice at the other end. "She's here Michael. Far left, third table in."

"I see her…good work Fi. I'll let Sam know he's being watched."

"Okay, we'll stay here, you know, just in case," she told him as her lips turned up into a smile. "If she tries anything I'll just shoot her!"

"Fi…" his voice warned but she could hear the humour in his voice.

"I'm just saying," she grinned. "Now go and save Sam from the mad woman!"

000

Sam shifted uncomfortably in his seat when Agent Pearce fiddled with the straw in her glass nervously.

"So, explain it to me again," she asked in a low whisper as she leant closer towards him. "Why is this woman obsessed with you exactly?"

"Uh…" Sam coughed a little and sat up a little straighter. "Well…obviously she see's something she likes…"

Pearce sat back in her seat and shook her head, not even trying to hide the smirk on her lips. "In you?"

"Yeah," Sam huffed. "I'll have you know sister that the ladies love me!"

"Yeah?" she mused, "Well not this one, and don't call me sister."

"Fiona doesn't seem to mind," he groused as he looked around until he spotted the charger some distance away and was oddly comforted by Fiona's presence.

"Hmm, well we all have our faults," she snapped quietly before lifting the glass of water to her lips.

"Uh…I wouldn't drink that if I were you," Sam offered before the dark haired woman could take a sip. "Fiona's drink was drugged."

"Fiona again," Pearce slammed her drink onto the table and sighed before sitting back in her seat to fold her arms over her chest. "The way you and Michael talk about her anyone would think she was a saint."

"Fi a saint?" Sam chuckled, shaking his head. "Nah she's no saint but she's a good friend to have…but get on her wrong side…she'll take you down, or blow you up depending on her mood!"

"Well, let's just hope she's in a better mood if Michael has to tell her he's leaving," Pearce told him coolly.

"What ya mean if he's leavin'?" Sam asked, shaking his head in disbelief. "I don't know what you're implyin' sister but there's no way he's gonna leave Fi, not now"

Reaching out a hand she tapped his arm briefly and indicated that Michael was approaching the table before looking back down at her glass. She cursed herself for saying too much. Nothing was set in stone but Michael Westen was certainly back in the CIA's good graces. It would be a major shame if he threw his talent away because of a woman.

Michael moved slowly towards their table to sit down in the empty chair beside Sam. He looked from one to the other curiously when Agent Pearce shifted in her seat. She cast him an apologetic look before she lowered her eyes back to her glass. Shaking his head he tried to ignore the worry eating away at him, and instead focused on the job at hand.

"Fi just spotted our stalker; she's watching everything from the third table on the left. You have to make this convincing," he told them in a hushed whisper. "I'm sure you can both do that."

"Oh I can do anything Mike," Sam told him with irritation. "It worked with Fi didn't it?"

Michael shot him a glare and reached into his pocket for his sunglasses and put them on as he stood up. Looking from one to the other he coughed a little and raised his voice enough for the woman watching them to hear. "I'll let you two get back to your date."

Sam nodded and reached across the table to grab hold of Agent Pearce's hand, holding on tightly to stop her from pulling out of his grasp.

"Hey, work with me here," he whispered.

"I don't like this," she hissed through a fake smile. "You owe me big time."

"Hey, I agreed to do your job so I say we're even…" glancing up quickly he could see the woman he'd met a few days before slowly leave her table to take a seat at one closer to them. Swallowing hard he looked at his beer longingly before taking a breath. "Don't say that pumpkin, you know you're the only woman for me."

Pearce caught the look in his eyes and sat up a little straighter in her seat before plastering fake hurt to her face. "You say that now Sam but what about Fiona? You told me it was over between you two."

"Oh it is now Kimmy, I promise you."

Pearce narrowed her eyes at his use of her name in such a way but she shook it off and lifted her other hand to wrap both of hers around his, squeezing her nails into his skin. When he didn't react she smiled sweetly before patting his hand. "As long as you promise to never see her again."

"Oh I do," he nodded enthusiastically, faking a grin as he caught sight of Pam Taylot out of the corner of his eye. Squeezing Agent Pearce's hand he nodded slightly indicating that their show was definitely on the road when the woman in question approached the table.

"Sammy?" she asked sweetly before fixing Agent Pearce with a hateful glare.

Lifting his eyes to hers he put on an act worthy of an Oscar as he feigned ignorance before she stepped closer towards him and touched his shoulder.

"Remember me from a few days ago? You were here with your girlfriend…Fiona was it?"

"Oh," Sam withdrew his hands from the woman opposite and pretended to be flustered. "Well…I was…uh…letting her down gently… you know how it is." Looking across the table at agent Pearce he cast her a pleading look. "It was only to say goodbye to her baby, that's all."

"I know honey," Pearce nodded, keeping up her pretence. "I told you I trusted you, and I do."

Smiling gratefully Sam turned to the woman standing beside him and looked up at her, faking concern. "What happened to you darlin'? That's two serious shiners you have there."

Pam's face flushed and she suddenly started to pat down her hair. He had just called her darling; he knew how she loved his soft endearments. Touching her nose gingerly she sighed heavily before looking at his eyes. "Oh this…I'm so clumsy, I wasn't looking where I was going and walked right into a door."

"You need to be more careful," he told her, keeping his voice gentle. "Don't you have anyone at home to take care of you?"

"Oh no," she giggled bashfully and bounced on her heels a little as she swooned. "No one but me, but I hope that will change soon."

"I'm sure it will darlin', you're a good looking gal."

"Oh…" she blushed again and grinned happily. "Stop it, I look a mess."

"No you don't," he told her with a smile. "Even Kimmy thinks so, don't ya pumpkin?"

Agent Pearce sat up a little straighter in her seat and smiled brightly when the woman beside their table cast her a frosty glare. "Oh yes, very pretty."

"This is Kim by the way," Sam held his free hand and waved it towards her. "My girlfriend."

"Your girlfriend…but…I…?" Pam stammered as she looked from the dark haired woman and back to the man she loved.

"O I know what you're thinking sweetie. Fiona was a nice girl and all, but it's always been Kimmy I love," he beamed a smile across the table at Agent Pearce who returned a loving smile of her own.

"Oh Sam," she sighed dreamily, smiling at him as she squeezed his hand. Looking down at her watch she pulled her hand away from his and reached down for her bag. "Honey, I've got to get to work…are you about ready to go?"

"Sure thing sweetcakes," he told her with a grateful smile. Pushing his chair back he stood up and regarded the dumbstruck woman beside him. "It was nice seeing you again. Watch out for those doors."

"Oh I will," she told him softly as she blinked back the wetness in her eyes. "Bye Sam."

"Later darlin'"

Pam Taylot watched their departure with anger boiling in her veins. All this time she thought it was that Fiona woman who was being unfaithful to her darling Sam but now she realised that it was him all along. Well, it wouldn't take long for her to chase this new woman out of his life and then she would show him just how he should treat a woman.

She watched them until they were out of sight before she turned and walked in the same direction they had, keeping her eyes trained on the retreating couple with anger pulsing in her heart. By the time she was finished with Sam Axe he'd never look at another woman again. If he did, well…he would pay the consequences.

Keeping in the shadows she watched in seething silence until she couldn't see them anymore before she finally gave up her pursuit for the time being. Her nose hurt and she had some more work in the nursery to finish before she brought Sam home for good. With a rueful smile she turned on her heel and walked away, her mind already planning a punishment for the new woman in his life.

Heading back towards the table where Sam and his new whore had been sitting, Pam looked at their untouched drinks and smiled to herself when she thought of all the ways she could teach her cheating boyfriend a lesson. Looking around her, she moved towards the back of the bar and into the office where all the receipts were kept from the paying customers within that morning. Searching through them she stopped when she came to the table number that Sam had been sitting and looked down at the scrawled signature.

"Kim Pearce," she snarled angrily before slipping the receipt back into the pile before she turned around to head out of the door, nodding to her co workers as she left.

000

When they were clear of Carlitos Sam pulled his new phone out of his pocket while keeping a hold of Agent Pearce's arm. He didn't want to look behind him and make it obvious that he knew Pam was some distance away, watching them.

"She's gone," Pearce growled at him, pulling out of his grasp with such a force that he took a step away. "Get off of me!"

"Hey, you think I liked our little show, sister?" he asked her sarcastically. "My girlfriend had to leave town because of this nut case. She drugged Fiona and bashed Maddie around the head—"

"What?" Pearce stopped walking and pulled him to a stop beside her. "She's physically hurt Michael's mother? Why didn't she call it in?"

"Why?" Sam almost laughed and shook his head with frustration. "Fiona was with her when it happened and it's lucky she was. I hate to think what that psycho would have done to her if she wasn't. "

"So, it wasn't called in because Michael's gun dealing girlfriend attacked the woman?"

"Hey, this psycho attacked her first, she almost killed Fi. So don't you—" His cell phone suddenly sprang to life in his hand, cutting him off mid sentence. Lifting it to his ear he was more than relieved to hear Fiona's voice at the other end.

"Hey Sam, you're both clear. She turned back a few minutes ago but make it quick just in case."

"Sure thing Fi, we'll head back to the loft and meet up in half hour," turning away from agent Pearce he lowered his voice and spoke softly into the phone. "Fi, has Mike mentioned anything to you about…you know what, it doesn't matter. Where is he?" Sam heard some movement over the phone and Michael's voice whispering something he couldn't quite make out until his voice came on the line loud and clear.

"Good show Sam, I think she brought it. Did Pearce write her full name on the receipt?"

"Yeah, it's all set brother. You owe me a beer," Sam groused as he ushered Agent Pearce towards Fiona's empty car. "We're gonna take Fi's car. Meet you at the loft, buddy…"

"Sounds good, Sam."

The line dipped into silence and Sam sighed restlessly when he returned his phone to his pocket. "Get in," he told Pearce quickly as he pulled the door open for her to climb inside. "We'll head to the loft, you can pick up your car and this little shindig will be over."

"Great," she growled as she begrudgingly sat in the passenger seat and pulled the door closed. Her eyes scanned the interior looking for any signs of the woman who shared Michael's life, but there were no obvious signs of its owner.

She was more than relieved when Sam started the engine. She couldn't wait to get this over with so she could go home to her empty apartment and the silence that waited for her there.

000

Fiona pushed the door to the loft open and ushered Madeline inside before she made her way back down the stairs to help Michael bring in their overnight bags.

He met her smile with a beaming one of his own when she reached for her purse that he was holding in his hand. Their eyes met and held as their fingers touched sparking a surge of love between them. Stepping closer, Fiona smiled up at him and reached up to place a soft kiss onto his lips before stepping back again.

"Thank you," she smiled as she turned away from him to make her way back up the stairs before she motioned for him to follow her.

Michael watched her retreating form and couldn't stop the smile that formed on his lips. She was a constant ball of fire that challenged his every move. She made him a better man just by being with him and he knew that every one of his father's cruel words was erased the longer she was by his side. Picking up their remaining overnight bag he slammed the trunk closed before he followed her up the stairs.

By the time Sam arrived with Agent Pearce, he was about ready to blow a gasket. Pushing the loft door open he held it for her to step through while muttering Ladies first under his breath.

She made a beeline for Michael, dragging him to one side and ignoring everyone else in the loft. Pushing him towards the open balcony doors she closed them enough to shield them from view before she started to rant about his friends and the mess they had roped her in to.

Fiona's eyes left the balcony doors to regard Sam with sympathy as she held out a cold beer towards him, thrusting it into his hands before he could even ask. His eyes met hers gratefully as he popped the lid and lifted it to his lips downing half of the bottle in one long gulp.

"That bad huh?" Madeline asked with a wide grin as she lifted a cigarette to her lips. "Poor Sam."

"Hey it's not funny Maddie," he groaned when he sat down heavily in the chair opposite her at the table. "That woman was sent to make my life a misery."

"Even more than me, Sam?" Fiona beamed before her eyes flittered back towards the balcony doors.

"Of course Fi," he told her as he lifted her beer and waved it in her direction. "I like you."

"Aww Sam," she smiled sweetly, masquerading how touched she was by his comment. She glanced back towards the balcony doors again and sighed. "She certainly knows how to make an entrance."

"So, what's the plan for tonight?" Sam asked quickly, trying desperately to take Fiona's mind off of Agent Pearce. "Are we all bedding down at Maddie's place or are we all going to be roomies here?"

Fiona opened her mouth to answer when the balcony doors opened as Agent Pearce strode through into the loft and nodded at Fiona before she walked towards the loft door and disappeared through it. Michael appeared a few seconds later looking dazed and shaking his head in confusion.

"Just what did you do to upset her so much Sam?" Michael asked him incredulously. "She's pissed."

"She's pissed?" Sam snapped. "I don't know how you work with the woman Mikey, she's a pain in the ass."

"A pain who is trying to help us," Michael told him with a sigh. "Look, I know things have been a little tense but hopefully this whole thing will be over real soon."

Fiona watched him silently from where she stood beside the refrigerator. Part of her seethed with the thought of him defending that woman, but she knew he was right. The sooner this was all over, the sooner they could all get back to normal.

"So, she's not coming back?" Fiona asked innocently. "She doesn't like the way we do things?"

Michael opened his mouth to speak when his mother coughed, bringing their attention back towards her.

"Well if you ask me the woman is rude," Madeline huffed as she took another cigarette out of her pouch. "No wonder she's so uptight."

"Mom—"

"Madeline," Fiona sighed as she moved around her boyfriend to sit in the seat beside Madeline. "We have to be nice to her…we don't have to like her."

"Well I don't," Madeline snapped. "She's rude and obnoxious."

"She's also Michael's agency contact. I don't like her either but I won't be the one to jeopardise his chances."

Sam looked over at Michael and met his gaze with a look of surprise. For so many years all he had heard from Fiona was how much she hated the thought of Michael working for the government again, and up until a few weeks ago she had been singing the same tune.

"You're supporting him?" Madeline asked in surprise.

Fiona shrugged her shoulders. "It's what he wants."

"What about what you want honey?" Madeline asked softly as she cast an accusing look towards her son who was looking just as confused as she was.

"What I want doesn't matter," Fiona sighed sadly as she refused to meet Michael's eyes. "I learned that a long time ago…"

"Fi—" Michael spoke her name so softly that she almost didn't hear him at first. Swallowing hard she slowly lifted her eyes to his; trying to hide the welling emotions he could see pooling there.

"Uh…Maddie and me are gonna go to the store…you're out of yoghurt…" Sam moved towards the older woman and pulled her up out of her chair.

"Sam…hold your horses, I'm coming," she whined as she gathered her cigarette pouch from the table and placed it into her bag. Before she left she turned towards her son who was watching his girlfriend with a mixture of worry and fear. Touching his arm, Madeline pulled him down so she could whisper in his ear. "If you hurt that girl one more time I'm gonna tan your hide."

Michael gulped and watched her walk away before he turned towards Fiona who was busy filling the kettle with water. When the loft door banged shut he moved towards her and took the kettle from her hands to place it on the stove.

"Fi, are you going to tell me what that was all about?" he asked softly when his fingers skimmed along her arms to come to rest on her shoulders. "What—"

"You're leaving," she told him quickly before he could finish. "I overheard you talking to Agent Pearce when you thought I was asleep."

Michael shook his head in confusion, "When? She hasn't been here except for…" his voice trailed away when he remembered the night she had banged on the loft door late one night after they had returned from a mission to give him his jacket. He'd kept her talking on the stairs outside because all he wanted to do was crawl into bed next to Fiona. She had told him how impressed her bosses were and to keep up the good work because he could be reinstated for real very soon. Shaking his head he rubbed his thumbs over Fiona's shoulders. It all made sense now. When she was drugged she told him she knew he was leaving and at the time he thought it was the drugs talking, but now…

"I won't stand in your way," she told him in a shaky voice as she tried to be strong for him. "If it's what you want."

"It is and it isn't Fi," he told her as he pulled her close to him. Her arms hung by her side when he kissed her ear and whispered, "I'm not leaving you…how could you think that…"

His words caused Fiona's flaccid arms to slowly move. Her hands slid up his back until she was pulling his body closer to hers. "I heard her tell you the words you wanted to hear," she sniffed as she held him.

Her words coursed through him spurring him to slowly pull away so that he could gaze down into her eyes. "Fiona…"

"No," she whispered as she focussed on his lips. "Don't say anything…please…"

Michael closed his eyes briefly when her breath fanned his face. So many times in the past they had stood like this holding each other, kissing each other, making love to each other. Opening his eyes again he slowly dipped his head, meeting her half way as their lips touched gently, lingering together for a few seconds before they pulled away to gaze into each other's eyes. Neither of them had been prepared for the overwhelming desire that shot through them both the second their lips touched. Fiona could feel the slight tremble in her knees as she smiled up at him reassuringly, before moving to claim his lips again in at kiss that left them both gasping for more.

"Fiona…" he whispered breathlessly when he tore his lips from hers. Her kisses were addictive, and he had to hold his forehead against hers just to stop himself from tumbling headlong into her. He couldn't stop whispering her name, over and over until his words were replaced with a trail of soft kisses that he adorned over her face. He loved the taste of her as he continued to kiss his way along the column of her throat, and then back up again until he came to hover over her lips once more. "My Fiona…"

"I'm yours," she told him softly, her voice breaking when she saw his eyes welling with tears. She had never felt so utterly adored before in her life. "Michael…"

Hearing his name on her lips sent shock waves throughout his body and he suddenly pulled her against him, connecting their lips in a scorching kiss that sealed them both in an unspoken act of devotion. Fiona's hands found their way into his hair, her fingers threading through his dark strands. She was lost in him, and when his tongue ran along her lower lip begging for entry, everything around them melted away. One kiss led to another until they broke away, panting heavily.

"I…wow…" she managed breathlessly. His eyes seemed to be devouring her and she could feel the rosy blush heating her cheeks. "I—"

His lips were on hers again before she could speak, kissing her with one long kiss that left her body melting into his. When he slowly pulled away he smiled down into her desire filled eyes. "Next time," he whispered against her lips, "ask me."

At first she pulled back and just stared at him, stunned, until she saw the seriousness in his eyes. "But your job…it's what you've been waiting for—"

"It's part of what I want Fi…It's not everything," he told her in a husky whisper before he leaned into her again their lips mashed together once more...

000

Pam Taylot paced back and forth in front of her wall of photos and ran towards it to smash her hands against the surface. She let out a painful bellowed scream before she turned around, her back sliding down the wall to take some of the photographs with her. She gasped in shuddered breaths as her eyes dropped to the pictures littering the floor around her and immediately felt herself begin to calm. Running her fingertips over the face of the man she loved she swallowed hard and shook herself before she picked up the scattered photographs to lovingly pin them back up with the others.

Standing back she blew a kiss to the man looking back at her before she turned towards her computer and typed a name into the data base. She had paid a lot of money for this program, more than she had ever paid for anything, but it had been worth it so far. She'd found Madeline Westen's address with very little effort, and now when a name and photograph popped up onto the screen she sat back in her chair with satisfaction. It was time to pay this Kim Pearce a visit…

TBC