Disclaimer: I don't own Profiler. I'm in no way connected to the show.
Author's Note: Hope you like this chapter. I think it's better than the last one. I almost finished with the story. There's about a few more chapters left. I'll try to write the next chapter soon. Tell me what you think. Enjoy!
Will you Take Care of Me?
Five Years Later…
"Hey, daddy," Chloe said as she walked up to me. I still feel special to be called 'Dad' by her. I remember when she asked me to be her daddy because her real daddy and mommy died. I adopted her, making her my daughter legally. "can I go to the movies and out to eat with Anya and Jared tonight?"
"Sure, sweetie. I'll probably just do some work, but I'm going to do it here so you can call me if you need anything."
"Dad, are you going to work on the case on Jack?"
"Yes, I am."
"Can't you take a break from it?"
"I'm not going to quit it 'till Jack is caught. I want you to be safe. I want others to be safe. You have to understand, he's killed so many. I don't want any more people to die because of him. You know I'm emotionally attached. I can't just drop it. I can't give up that easily. I'm not going to let your mom down."
"I know. I just worry about you."
"And I worry about you. Which reminds me; don't forget to check in with me. I don't want to have to send guards along with you. If you see anything suspicious, call me. Be careful. I love you."
"I love you too." A horn beeped in the background. "That would be Anya and Jared. Bye, daddy." Chloe said as she kissed me on the head.
I watch her get in the back of the car and drive away. She's getting so big. She really has grown up. Jack has not affected her life drastically. We still live in this safe house, but Chloe has a social life and doesn't have to take guards everywhere.
I walk to a closet. I open the door and look at all the boxes. There are so many. The files line up in each box. All of these files are about Jack. I look at the most recent box. I pick it up and carry it into the living room. I sit down on the ground and pour out the box. I'm just glad Jack hasn't started killing anybody close to Chloe since Sam died. The worst he's ever done is threaten people. I look at the files of his newest victims: the wife and three children of the murderer of Sam and the doctor, nurses, and medics that tried to save Sam.
I open up a different file, the file that I wrote my theory about Jack on. Now that I've studied and took classes on profiling, they actually count as something. I continue writing more. Who knows how long I sit there. Chloe checks in like she's supposed to. She tells me that I should take a break. I know she's right, but I can't stop now. I'm doing this all for Sam, Chloe, and Jack's victims. I will get him. Sometimes I just wish that he would die. Isn't it ironic how good people tend to die early and the bad people live for a long time?
Me working on this case can be hard on Chloe. She won't show it, but I can tell. I know what she's feeling without her telling me or without her showing me any emotions. It's like I have a connection with her, like I had a connection with Sam. I know she wants to cry sometimes. I don't blame her. She has the right to hate Jack more than most anybody. She's lived a really protected life, and she had no time to be a child. She couldn't go anywhere without guards.
She remembers Sam a little bit. Sometimes I find her wondering around in Sam's room, which, yes, is still there. She doesn't ask much about her anymore because she knows it makes me sad. I wish she did ask more. I think she's afraid of crying for her mom. I think she considers it a weakness, like I did once. We do talk about her mom and dad often, though. We go and visit their graves at least once a week. Sometimes when Angel is over, we talk about Sam. Chloe listens closely, holding back tears, but memorizing everything about the story.
I still love Sam. I don't think I will never love her. I don't date anymore, I can't. I always think of Sam. Whenever I see another attractive woman, I always compare her to Sam and they never measure up or come anywhere close. I don't think I'll date any other person for the rest of my life. Sam will always be the one I could love, but not have.
I think back to a note Jack sent me: You can always love her, but you'll never have her. Yeah, he did it to tease me, to hurt me, but it was true. I'll never have her. Jack was right for once. Jack was right about me.
The phone rings. I snap out of my thoughts. I pick it up, expecting it to be Chloe, but it's Bailey.
"John, I need you at the office."
I ask no questions. "I'll be right there."
I call Chloe and tell her what's going on. She tells me to be careful. She always worries about me. I always worry about her. We seem to protect each other from not just physical pain, but also emotional pain.
I walk to my car. I put my key in the hole and start to turn it. I feel something hit my head and I feel myself fall to the ground. My vision gets blurry as I feel myself slip out of consciousness. I feel a needle or a sharp object going into my shoulder. The last thought before I blank out is Chloe.
"John, John, John." Said Jack as he gave John the shot. "You really should be more careful. Now you're going to get what you ought to have. You don't deserve Chloe or Sam. You will pay."