Wake Up Sleeping, by Castaway Jane.

Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to CBS and Viacom, I just borrowed them for a bit of escapism, please don't sue.

Authors Note: Dr Keller and some of the issues in this story were introduced in my first piece of fan fiction "Discrepancy Of Death" but this story has been

written to stand alone. Dr Kate Delieb and David Goodman were characters in the episode " Today is the Last Day of the Rest of My Life", and I have

paraphrased the episode in a couple of places. Lyrics that I've used in the piece are credited at the end. It's an epic so take a deep breath and jump in!

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Introduction

Steve unceremoniously dumped the plate of ribs in front of Jesse and slumped down into the chair between Amanda and his father.

"I can see profits taking a dive if that's what you call service with a smile!" Mark chuckled but Steve didn't seem amused.

"Considering I haven't slept in the past 24 hours" he croaked, eyes locked on his young friend "and you know where the kitchen is, I think you could've served yourself". Steve rolled his head, his neck cracking as he closed his eyes lightly.

Jesse wore a guilty look as he bit down on the sticky rib between his fingers.

"Nothing more on the Anderson case?" Amanda prodded gently.

A shake of the head and a faint groan were Steve's only response.

"Still no connection between Genie Anderson and the first victim?" Mark asked. Steve shook his head slowly and deliberately, hoping his father would let the matter drop. The last thing he needed was to be reminded of how hopeless this investigation was turning out to be. "The neighbours" Mark continued, oblivious to his son's growing frustration "they couldn't remember anymore details about what they heard?"

"No dad" Steve replied curtly "Nothing".

"What about Genie's parents, did they come up with anything? You and Cheryl went back there today didn't you?"

"We did, they didn't" was the almost cryptic reply, and it was enough to ward off more questions from Mark for the time being. Steve sighed as the four friends sat in silence. The peace was broken eventually by Jesse washing down the last rib with a mouth full of coke "Aah".

"I'm glad sir enjoyed the meal" Steve's voice was faint and strained. He rose, picking up the empty plate and glass, stretching his back and wincing.

"Don't I get the desert menu?" Jesse asked in all seriousness.

He was met by three pair of glaring eyes.

Steve lumbered towards the kitchen; Mark waited until he was out of earshot before addressing Amanda and Jesse. "It's been almost two weeks now and you know they haven't made any progress", his tone was that of concern, not criticism.

"And that first woman who was murdered, Valerie Whats-her-name" Jesse added

"Valerie Shome" Amanda reminded him.

"Valerie Shome" he continued "I remember hearing about her death on the news, I was calling my mom for her birthday when I saw it. That makes the case over three months old."

"Steve and Cheryl are doing their best, but they've got very little to go on"

"That's right Amanda" Steve puffed as he approached the table "well, actually I'd say 'very little' is a bit generous. I think what we've got to go on is somewhere between infinitesimal and a big fat nothing. Considering the time that son-of-a" Steve stopped himself and took a deep breath, lowering his voice as he began again. "Considering the amount of time this guy takes with his victims, the drawn out events surrounding the actual murders"

"Rituals" Jesse interjected

"Yeah, the rituals he performed, he's got to be pretty damn smart to leave us with this little on him." Steve shook his head as he sat down again. He picked up the glass of water from the table and sipped slowly.

"If there's anything we can do" Mark offered

"Well, unless one of you has a witches cloak or ouija board under your bed? Better still, a crystal ball."

"Didn't that consultant give you any leads?" Amanda asked

"The occult guy? Oh he knew his stuff, years of research, leader in the field, but it doesn't really help us that much." Steve resigned himself to repeating the details to the eager audience. "Basically" he began "The idea of a voodoo doll, as far as I know, is that you stick a pin in it, the person gets a pain in the corresponding part of the body, Magic! But if you get in your car, drive to a persons home, jimmy the back door open, methodically dissect a doll and lay the pieces out in a row, then dissect the human leaving all the bits laid out in a row, that's not magic. It's homicide, and it's a very sick homicide at that."

"Ssh!" Jesse exclaimed as the last two customers sheepishly made their way towards the door. "So you don't believe in the occult?" he asked when the restaurant was empty.

"My beliefs aren't the question here" Steve closed his eyes and leant forward, elbows on the table and his head in his hands. "I know that those two women weren't killed by magic. Magic wouldn't need to force the doors to get into their homes."

"Something will come up" Mark tried to assure him "it always does."

"Better be soon" Steve mumbled.

Amanda checked her watch "I should be going"

"Me too" Jesse added, throwing his napkin on the table.

"Aren't you forgetting something Jess?" Steve asked, suddenly more alert. He handed Jesse a slip of paper.

"You don't expect me to pay the bill at my own place!"

Steve smiled "And I expect a tip."

Jesse rummaged in his pocket.

Steve laughed "Keep it" he tossed a set of keys at Jesse "I'll let you lock up instead".

With that, Mark, Steve and Amanda left Jesse sulking alone in the restaurant.

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