So this was kind of a spur of the moment decision for me to turn the story this way. That happens sometimes. It was time for Jill and Marlin to finally give into their feelings for even just a moment. But don't worry this is Jill we are talking about here. There will definitely be more turmoil up ahead. Anyway I hope you enjoy this. This was a fun chapter to write, and the next chapter is in the works. There are more surprises ahead. Thanks for reading!

Jill slumped against Marlin's shoulder. Even though she had been able to stop Rock, she felt violated. He had caught her completely unaware. She had assumed his relaxed conversation at dinner had meant something different. She shuttered thinking about his lips against hers. How had she allowed herself to be put into that type of position?

"Do you think we should report this to Harris in Mineral Town?" Marlin asked. Jill shook her head. She didn't want any local cops investigating anything having to do with her.

"I just want this to go away."

"He might come back after you if you don't" Marlin advised. Jill looked up at Marlin, concern was plastered clearly on his face.

"Maybe you are right." Jill replied. As hesitant as she was to get involved with local law enforcement, she hated to think what would happen if Rock thought he could get away with this type of behavior. The other women on Flower Bud island did not have the same type of training that Jill did.

"Come on I'll drive you over to Mineral Town."

Jill silently detached herself from the feelings going through her, as Harris took a report from her. Her face and arms were starting to form bruises. Harris took some photographs of Jill's injuries. Harris' anger was obvious.

"Always knew that boy was trouble," Harris muttered under his breath. Harris continued to ask Jill the standard questions. Jill answered as any good victim should. She hated being a victim. It angered and frustrated her. Jill was not the type of girl that was anyone's victim. Marlin's arm was firmly around her shoulders as she was answering each question. Much to her further consternation, it was comforting. She had been shaken by the events of the evening. Marlin was a calming force.

As Harris was finishing up his report, a loud bang shook the small building and the lights flickered. Jill's hand instinctively went where her weapon would have been. She relaxed as she realized it was just a storm. The rain beat down a rhythm against the roof of the small police station.

"Early spring storm," Harris remarked. "Well I'm all done with the questions. I'm afraid with this storm I'm not going to be able to make it out to Forget - Me - Not tonight, but I will make sure I do so in the morning. You two might want to stay in town for the evening. The mountain pass is dangerous when the weather's like this."

Mineral Town's inn was much larger than Forget Me Not's inn. It boasted modern decorations, and large tables for dining. While it was not anything compared to the fancy five star hotels in the city, it was definitely closer to what Jill was used to than anything in the Valley. A cheery girl with bright orange hair pulled into a high ponytail greeted them.

"Welcome to Raven Inn, I'm Ann." Her smile was genuine, and Jill felt herself smiling back at the friendly host. "Marlin! Long time no see buddy!"

"Hey Ann. We need two rooms," Marlin stated.

"Sorry no can do, we only have one room available. That farmer that moved in a few years ago, Claire, she's gettin' married to the Doc this weekend. All her family's in town for the event. The room does have two beds though, is that okay?" Ann asked apologetically.

"Yeah it's fine," Marlin muttered. Jill hid a smile and looked back at Ann. She had a knowing grin on her face as she handed over the keys to the room.


Marlin tried not to think of the implications of the shower running in the other room. Jill had been through too much this evening. The last thing she needed was for his lust to go out of control again. It was more than just lust. When he had seen her running away from Rock, he had felt something he had not felt in a long time. He cared about Jill. It was more than mere physical attraction. The shower turned off, and he could hear her moving around in the bathroom. She emerged several minutes later, her damp hair clung to her face and her neck. She sat down next to him. He shifted so there was room on the small bed. He could recognize when a woman needed to be comforted. He reached out for Jill and wrapped his arms around her. She settled her head against his shoulder and sighed.

He sat with her like this for a while. Neither one of them saying anything. This was something that he could get used to. He hadn't wanted the companionship of a woman in a long time, but being here with Jill, he felt that old familiar longing. No, it was no longer about mere lust. He was starting to develop deeper feelings for this small girl. Her breathing slowly became more even. She was falling asleep. Marlin settled in to get more comfortable, no sense waking her now. She needed to get some rest. Marlin found himself drifting asleep with Jill in his arms.

***
Rain was pouring down, Jill found herself standing in the middle of the Mineral Town. Not even the street lights were on. Lightning flashed as she saw Rock's face jeering at her. He stood a few feet from her, a gun in his hands. She watched him as he kicked the figure that was slumped over on the ground. She felt helpless to stop what was going on. She went to move forward, but her feet felt as if they were glued to the pavement.

"This is what happens when you cross me little girl," Rock sneered. He pulled the figure that had been laying on the ground to his feet. To Jill's horror she saw the face of her partner Larkin. He stared back at her with despair and hurt in his eyes.

"No!" She shouted. Larkin was in pain. Her partner needed her, and yet she couldn't move from the spot that she was standing. Some invisible force held her there.

"Jill please run..." He managed to get out "I love..." A loud bang, and Larkin crumpled to the ground.
***

"No!" Jill screamed instantly after the thunder boomed and rattled against the windows of the small room. Marlin awoke finding the small girl in his arms trembling. She turned her face into his chest and started sobbing. Her body shook as the sobs overwhelmed her. Marlin tighter to the girl in his arms.

"It's alright," he heard himself reassure her. "I'm here, I'm not going anywhere." Jill clung to Marlin for comfort. He stroked her hair gently, trying to calm her as she lost herself in the deep emotions that were taking over .

Jill eased herself out of Marlin's arms. He was still sound asleep. She tiptoed slowly to the bathroom. Rubbing her hands over her face she slowly tried to recall the events of the evening before. The dream had shaken her. Embarrassment rushed through her as she recalled waking up in the middle of the night. Had she actually cried? Jill didn't cry. It was a luxury that she could not afford in her line of work. She felt the residual feelings from the night before creep into her. Larkin's death. Rock's face. The dream, it had felt so real.

"Damn," Jill muttered. "Damn him." She was angry. Rock had brought back those old emotions from the last time she had felt out of control. Jill splashed some water on her face. She could have almost been able to handle the fact that she had been reduced to tears if she had been alone. But she hadn't been. Marlin had witnessed her moment of weakness.

"Never show anyone your weaknesses, they will always use them against you," she heard her father say in her head.

"Shut up," she said to no one.

Ann's smiling face greeted them again at the front desk of the inn. Jill was struggling to regain control of her out of control emotions. It had never been this difficult before. Ann's smile seemed to stir something inside of Jill. This girl was so genuine. Jill felt an aching in her chest. A part of her longed for the innocence that Ann clearly had.

"If you are planning on going to Forget Me Not, you can forget that idea. The bridge was damaged due to the storm, Gotz is working on it, but it won't be done till Monday. With the weddin' and all. Looks like you guys are stuck here for a couple more nights," Ann replied cheerily.

Jill sighed. She just wanted to get back to the farm. She needed some time alone to be able to regroup, and recharge. It was too damn hard with Marlin around. He only brought the emotions further to the surface. Right now she needed to bury them.

The lively sounds of the reception echoed into the small room. Jill sat with Marlin watching the television. She wondered what it would be like to be the girl she had glimpsed in the wedding dress. Her blonde hair was floating around her face like a halo, she looked innocent and blissfully happy. Moments like that didn't exist in Jill's life. For a brief moment Jill felt jealous of the little blonde farmer. The blushing bride downstairs would probably never have to watch someone die a brutal death in front of her. She probably didn't have the nightmares that haunted Jill. Jill sighed. Would she have been that happy had life been different?

"Are you alright?" Marlin asked. Jill frowned. Had her displeasure been that obvious?

"Just thinking..." Jill answered back. She looked up at Marlin. He really was a handsome man. The look of concern on his face was endearing. She lifted her lips up to his, and allowed herself to get lost in the feelings. It had been too long since she had enjoyed kissing a man. Marlin's strong hands tangled themselves into her hair. A small voice inside of her head told her this was a bad idea. She ignored it. Tonight she didn't care. This was a moment for Jill. She slid her hand to his neck and pulled him even closer to her. There was little resistance. It appeared Marlin wanted this as much as she did. She heard Marlin softly moaning. It was all she needed. Every last ounce of Jill's hesitation left as she slowly swung her leg over his. Tonight she wasn't going to be Agent Jill Barre-Timmons, tonight she was just going to be Jill; a woman with a man. With Marlin.


The ring of the phone filled the otherwise silent room. Bob glared angrily at the phone.

"This had better be important," he growled.

"He's out of control!" another voice shouted into the phone. "Rock is out of control! He assaulted the girl! He's going to get arrested. He's not going to keep his mouth shut if he does!"

"Calm down, I'll take care it." He disconnected the phone call. He really was working with incompetent idiots. Bob hated when people became liabilities. He quickly punched in some numbers on the dial pad of his phone.

"Yes," a voice answered.

"There's a problem that I need you to take care of for me," Bob stated.