Title: Boundaries
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: see part one

"I don't care how much it cost."Klain stated into his cell phone as he paced his home office. "Just find them and get this mess out of my life."

Ending the call Klain tossed the device onto his desk. He leaned against the front and stared out the window at the traffic. He'd gotten too far, had too much to lose to let it be ruined by this. He was a governor potential and from there it was only another step to the White House. Pride and his team had nothing. Klain just had to make sure it stayed that way.

"I'm sorry about your sister."Chris said softly an hour later as they sat on the sofa.

"Thanks."Merri replied. "That's why this new investigation into Moultrie hit me so hard. I've always second guessed myself on that and it always makes me think of my sister. "

"It was a tradgey but you can't beat yourself up about it."Chris consoled.

"If there had been another agent….somebody without my emotional baggage there might have been a different outcome."Merri stated.

"Maybe. He would've done what he did no matter what. No matter who was chasing him."Chris continued. "You're a good agent Merri one I'm proud to have as my partner."

"You're getting soft on me, LaSalle?"Merri asked with a smile.

"On occasion."Chris stated as he leaned in and kissed her.

Merri deepened the kiss and she couldn't wait for this to be over. For them to be out of the safe house and out from under the threat of danger. Then they could enjoy each others company. As much as she wanted to push this further it just wasn't the right time. After several minutes Merri broke the kiss and Chris let his right hand caressed her face.

"There's somethin' else we need to talk about, Merri."Chris began as he lowered his hand catching Merri's right hand in his.

"What is it?"Brody asked though she had a pretty good guess.

"When this is done I"m leavin' NCIS."Chris stated.

"I could leave."Merri suggested as she stood and walked to the living room window. "That's my pattern."

"I already told King."Chris informed as he stood and walked over to Merri wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her back against him.

"We're really ready to try this?"Merri asked as she turned in Chris's arms to face him. "Make it official?"

Chris cupped Merri's face in his hands.

"We'll go as slow as you want but yes I'm ready to try this."Chris replied with a grin. "I love you."

Merri's heart melted at her partner's words. She smiled and blinked to clear her vision. Chris dropped his hands and kissed Merri. She deepened the kiss briefly before breaking it and resting her head on Chris's chest. He wrapped his arms around her holding her tight.

"Guess we're jumping in with both feet then."Merri said softly.

"Yeah we are."Chris commented with a smile.

Merri knew she had to hold on to how she felt right at that moment. She'd lock it away and remember it when things got tough and ugly. Chris had taken a leap and trusted his heart to her. Now she just had to trust that what they shared would be enough to get them through the days ahead and the new direction of their relationship.

"Cause of death?"Dwayne asked as he and Sebastian knelt by Reagan's body.

"From the blood trail from the corner of the dresser..."Sebastian trailed off as he met the lead agent's gaze. "Skull fracture coupled with blunt force trauma."

Dwayne spotted Reagan's purse under the bed and put on gloves. Once the gloves were on he gingerly pulled it out and opened it.

"Empty?"Sebastian guessed.

"No."Pride stated as he plucked out a hand gun. "Guessin' this is what Hackett gave her."

"She didn't have a chance to use it."Sebastian said sadly.

"Full clip."Pride confirmed as he handed the gun to an officer and stood. "Sebastian get her back to the morgue. I'm going to talk to the maid and see if she or any other hotel employees saw or heard something."

"I saw a security camera when we pulled up."Sebastian suggested as he stood.

"I saw it too probably just one on the parking lot but can't hurt to check.

Dwayne glanced once at Reagan Norris's dead body before he turned and left. Austin Hackett had done everything he could to protect his friend and it hadn't been enough. They had to solve this one to bring justice to Hackett and to find Reagan's son. Two lives had already been cut short Dwayne wasn't going to add another to the list.