Part 25

August 2002 - Palo Alto, California

"Ta-da!" Tad said, bursting into the hotel room, carrying two brown bags. "Dinner has arrived."

Dixie sat up straight, resting her back against the bed's headboard and crossing her legs at the ankles. "Ooo, great," she said. "I'm starving."

"Feeling better, I see," Tad said, sitting on the edge of the bed, going into one of the bags and pulling out a soda, handing it to Dixie.

"Much," Dixie said. She reached for the other bag. "So what'd we get?"

"Oh, you'll never believe it," Tad said. "I found this great little chicken place."

"Chicken fingers," Dixie grinned innocently before taking a sip of her soda and placing it down on the bedside dresser. Tad wagged his eyebrows. "Oh, you," Dixie laughed. "Just eat."

Tad was silent, leaning forward, kissing her gingerly on the lips. Dixie's eyes fluttered shut as she brought her hands up, her fingers running through his hair. She didn't break away as he hands moved to his chest, starting to unbutton his shirt. Tad shook it off his shoulders as Dixie cupped his cheeks, deepening the kiss, leaning back against the mattress.

Tad hovered over her, his hands on her shoulders as she tiled her head to the side, exposing more of her neck as he maneuvered to her collarbone. Dixie arched her body upward, wrapping her arms around Tad's neck, pulling him down to her, her body pressed tightly against his. A soft sigh passed her lips as they shared in the mutual shedding of clothing and disappeared under the sheets.

August 2002 - Jackson Montgomery's Apartment

Jackson pushed his reading glasses up on the bridge of his nose as he leaned over papers that he had strewn across the small table in front of his sofa. He took a deep breath, leaning back and rubbing his eyes, before glancing at the clock on the wall. Its pendulum clicked loudly against its oak frame. It was nearly midnight.

Jackson piled up his workload, moving it to the side before standing. He stretched, walking over to gaze out the window at the star lit night, but was met only with blackness, the heavy rain pelting the glass. It was much needed relief to the intense heat Pine Valley had been experiencing, but it still somehow seemed dreary.

After a moment, Jackson turned, proceeding to the bathroom. It was late, and if he was planning to make it through the day at all tomorrow, he was going to need sleep. He dabbed a bit of toothpaste on his toothbrush, bringing it to his teeth as he heard a pounding at his door. Jackson checked the time again, this time on his wristwatch... after midnight.

"Who on Earth?.." Jackson said, grabbing a glass of water to rinse the toothpaste from his mouth before walking to the door and swinging it open.

"Oh, my God, Jackson, I woke you," Anna Devane said as she stood at his door, drenched from the rain. "I'm so sorry."

"No, no, Anna," Jackson said, ushering her inside. "Look at you, you're soaked. What happened?"

"I couldn't sleep," she explained. "So I took a walk and... got caught in the downpour. Jackson I am so sorry for waking you."

"I wasn't sleeping, believe me," Jack said. "I was burning the midnight oil... in the most literal sense." Anna laughed softly.

"A current investigation?" she asked.

"You could say that," Jack took a seat on the sofa and Anna shortly followed suit. "I have Tad Martin digging up some stuff for me on one of my cases, I was just getting myself up to speed."

"You're looking for something to pin on David, aren't you?" Anna asked. Jackson nodded. "Tad didn't have any luck yet?"

He shook his head. "He told me the first day was a disaster," Jack shook his head. "They got lost, Dixie had some sort of reaction to her medication."

"Oh, my God is she alright?" Anna asked.

"Tad said that she's fine." He paused. "They're starting fresh in the morning. I have complete confidence in Tad. He'll bring us back something solid."

Anna nodded, pausing a moment before she stood, "Thanks for the shelter from the rain," she said. "If I could just use your phone to call a cab..."

"Nonsense," Jackson said. "You can stay here tonight. I have extra everything."

"Oh, Jack I couldn't put you out..."

"You're not putting me out, Anna." he said. "The bedroom's on the right. Bathroom," Jackson pointed. "There's an extra toothbrush in the medicine cabinet. Shampoo, running water. I'll pull out the sofa..."

"Jackson you have court in the morning," Anna said "I can't ask you to..."

"You didn't ask," he said. "I offered. You're always welcome here, Anna. Anytime. Now I'm asking you to stay."

Anna smiled softly. "What would I do without you, Jack?" she said, kissing him on the cheek. "Thank you."