DR. DONOVAN
Donovan was the first one in the office, as usual. He noticed that the new case was already downloading from Central. Of course, Shoemaker had given him all the details he needed, but he would still have to decide whom to send in. It took maybe three seconds to make his final decision. Any time Loralei was involved, he would throw himself directly into the mix. He didn't go UC very often, but this time, he would. Shoemaker wouldn't go for it, but Donovan didn't care. If it were Shoemaker's wife under the gun, he might go UC himself. He grabbed a notebook and carried it with him over to the conference table. Once he seated himself, he scribbled down a name: Andy Dannon. There was absolutely nothing on him that would point to any type of psychosis. He would have Monica run a profile on him anyway. He had to have some type of connection, even if it was shaky. As much as his wife before him, he couldn't let Dannon slip out of his mind, couldn't let go of him. He sat back and wondered where the hell his wife had gone. Suddenly, it came to him. He was tempted to go after her. He almost knew that this Dannon character was with her. However, he couldn't blow his own cover before he even began his work. He looked up when Monica entered.
"Monica," Donovan called. "I need your expertise. We have a lot of work to do today."
* * *
Dannon sat across from Loralei and watched her for several minutes. He was picking off the new instructors one by one, but he wanted to leave this one for last. She had obviously obtained her job through sleeping with the dean. He had seen them cozying up in her office, hadn't he? Loralei could sense the man's eyes on her, but she refused to look up at him. Just glancing at him gave her the willies. She couldn't stand being near him much longer. She longed to get away from here, to take her children in her arms and hide out at home for hours and hours. Yet, there was still so much more that she wanted to try and discover about this man. Whatever she learned, she would take it to the team. Dannon had to be the man. She wondered how hard it would be to access the dean's personnel files. Nosy little bitch, Dannon thought as he listened to the probing questions flowing out of her mouth. She was too nosy for her own good. He told her only what she wanted to hear. She didn't seem put off, but he didn't quite trust her. He didn't trust any of the new people. They were all dirty little job-stealing bastards. There was something about her he didn't like [outside the fact that she had stolen his job, of course], something about her that tweaked his senses. He found himself dying to dig into Fehr's personnel records. He wanted to pick her brain all day, as much as she wanted to pick his. Eventually, he was certain that he would discover all her secrets. There were plenty to find.
* * *
"Finally an assignment that doesn't have anything to do with Colombians," Jake said, shaking his head incredulously. "Who's the prof? Alex? Cody? Me?"
Donovan shook his head. "None of the above. I'm going in." He took note of the facial expressions of his team. They knew Shoemaker as well as he. When he had stepped in during the Chance Casey fiasco, Shoemaker had nearly had an aneurysm. "I know what you're thinking, and you're all probably right. Shoemaker will not like this at all, but I don't care. It's not that I don't trust any of you with Loralei's safety, with the safety of the remaining new professors, but I'd rather be there closer than the periphery." He didn't wait for them to give any type of argument. "You'll be the backup and my eyes and ears as always." He focused his eyes on Jake before moving them to Alex. "I want you both on campus as students. I can set everything up with the university president. Don't worry about Shoemaker, I'll handle him."
Alex cleared her throat. She knew better than to protest his motivation when it came to his wife. "Are there any suspects?"
"Only one," Monica said. "Andy Dannon. Cody ran a check on him previously and found absolutely no skeletons. However, the boss insists that he is significant to this case. We may be stumbling onto a dead lead, but if we can get our hands on the dean's files, we may find what we need there."
* * *
Donovan went home earlier than usual. He and Loralei had a ton of shit to work through. He was relieved to note that she was home as well. She sat in the living room with Rachel on her lap and Tristan nestled in a carry crib nearby. It appeared that she had just gotten home. He joined his little family on the sofa and peered down at the baby. He was sleeping contentedly and Rachel was nearly knocked out as well. However, as soon as she saw him, she came to life and immediately demanded his attention. He smiled a little as she crawled over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. There was nothing more pleasant that a giant bear hug from his daughter. Loralei glanced up at Donovan, but said nothing. He had on his 'serious face.' He wanted to talk, it was obvious, but he would put it off as long as possible. He would set it aside after he had sufficient time to love his wife and children. In a few more months, Rachel would turn two, and he suddenly felt a bit sad. Perhaps it was because he couldn't get his mind off what would have to happen in the next few weeks. Separation. He hated it, hated it more as each second passed. He kissed Rachel's cheek and ran his hand over her head. She had an amazing head of hair already. It was thick and soft. He glanced down at Tristan. His son was barely two months old, had just become familiar with him and his mother. Donovan had learned his cues as well as he had learned Rachel's. He remembered how difficult it had been for Loralei when she had had to leave him and Rachel. Now, he was the one who would have to leave, and this time, there was another child, another thought to tear him up inside. He noticed as Rachel settled in comfortably against him, and he inhaled the special baby smell still so sharp and clear on her skin. He never thought he would ever feel like this.
"Where did you go this morning," he asked. "You were gone by the time the alarm went off."
"I went to the library." She noticed he opened his mouth to utter a litany of 'what the hell were you thinking' speeches, but she held up her hand. "I know, Frank, I know. I saw Dannon there again today and I didn't think it would hurt to speak to the guy. Hell, I thought he might give me some idea of what kind of man he is. I just wanted to follow up, that's all," she said.
"I've been fighting with Shoemaker all morning," he began, "but I told him that I would do what I wanted. I told you last night that one of the team would have to go UC at the school. It's going to be me. Alex and Jake are posing as students." He watched as she opened her mouth to protest. His own hand came up. "I didn't tolerate arguments from the team, and I certainly won't tolerate them from you. I don't feel comfortable putting your life in someone else's hands. I'd rather be there with you and I don't want it any other way." He sighed and then looked down at Rachel before focusing his eyes momentarily on Tristan. "Since I'll be UC, I'll have to live somewhere else for a while until this is resolved. Tomorrow, we meet with the university president to get everything set up. I'll probably have to leave tomorrow night."
"And I'll have to treat you like a rank stranger," she said with her own sigh. "Won't be fun by any stretch of the imagination."
"And I won't see the kids," he said, more of a reminder to himself than her.
"Think about it, Frank," she said. "Think about it before you do it. Please?"
He shook his head. "It's done."
She nodded. "Okay."
Loralei took hold of the carry crib and made her way upstairs. Donovan only lingered a few moments before he followed her with Rachel carefully cradled against him. As he walked past Tristan's room, he peeked inside and saw Loralei lifting the baby out of the carry crib and placing him gently onto his bed. He walked on with Rachel and put her in her bed. When he came out of her bedroom, Loralei had just left Tristan's and was heading toward theirs. He walked in behind her and caught her before she could move any further past the bed. He was certain she had been on her way over to the window. He felt the sudden need to hold her in his arms. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and placed a gentle kiss on her ear.
"I love you," he said.
"I know," she said through a little sigh. "I love you, too."
He drew away slightly and turned her to face him. Half a second later, his lips met hers very gently, but when her hand came up to his cheek, the kiss suddenly became deep and urgent. His hands moved restlessly over her, over her entire body. She moaned against his lips and moved her hands to the front of his body where she began unbuttoning his shirt. Once his shirt was opened, she began working on opening his slacks. During the kiss, their bodies turned a full circle and Loralei began pushing Donovan toward the bed. They broke the kiss long enough for him to strip away her shirt. The back of his legs hit the foot of the bed and he rebounded a little so that he wouldn't fall straight back. After they shared a brief chuckle, their lips joined again. She broke the kiss and forced him to sit down. He reached for her, but she drew away. Running his tongue over his lips, he watched as she stripped out of her clothing, placing it into a disorganized pile on the floor. Each time he saw her body in its beautifully nude form, it never failed to arouse him, to entice him.
"Lean back just a bit," she whispered.
He complied readily enough, propping up on his elbow. He watched with an amazed little smile as she removed his shoes and socks. She moved upward toward his opened slacks and tugged impatiently on them until they were off. He sat up and reached for her again, but she moved away. She straddled him and pressed her lower body into his as her tongue darted lightly over his slightly parted lips. They worked together to free him of the shirt that still hung halfway on/halfway off his body. He kissed her again, his hands roaming down the slope of her naked back and then onto her buttocks. She moaned softly, the noise lost in their heated kiss. He broke the kiss long enough to get his lips on her throat and he showered it with nibbling little bites as his hands moved around to her breasts. His thumbs brushed against her nipples, hardening them, and she drew in a hissed breath. She noticed that his thumbs were rough and a bit calloused, but only worked to increase the friction, the overwhelming sensation. He definitely knew how to work her. She could feel her insides turning to mush. It was the little things he did that drove her so far off the edge. Hadn't she thought that before?
"I don't…don't want to be selfish," she whispered as his lips continued to torture her throat while his thumbs did equal justice to her nipples. "I don't want you to go."
His lips and thumbs stopped simultaneously. He pulled away just the slightest bit and gazed up at her. "Do you think I want to go? Neither of us can 'do' separation very well," he said with a slight grin. "I want you to be completely and totally selfish. You don't have to put up a front to spare my feelings. You don't have to lie to yourself or me. Do it, Loralei. I want you to."
She said nothing. She kissed him hungrily, greedily. He plunged his hands into her hair to hold her in place until they got their fill. When the breathtaking kiss was finally broken, she lifted her body upward gently. Her hand settled firmly upon him. Keeping her eyes locked with his, she slid him into her slowly until he was completely sheathed inside her. She held onto him desperately as they moved together and met equally explosive releases.
Much later, Donovan entered the kitchen and saw Loralei standing before the island counter busily making a sandwich. She had donned the shirt he had discarded earlier and wore a pair of thick black socks on her feet. He didn't know whether to laugh or attack her. She had volunteered to come downstairs to make them each a monster sandwich while he tended to the needs of two cranky children. He approached her from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"You should be careful, Frank. I'm armed," she said, wielding a small knife with a serrated edge.
"I'll take my chances," he whispered, his lips against the side of her head. "Those black socks are really making me hot," he said with a smile.
"Oh, fuck you, Donovan," she said, not unkindly. "My feet are cold. Sue me." She slapped a slice of bread on top of the pile of meat she had just laid out. She held the sandwich out to him, nearly poking him in the eye with it. "Take your dinner, my Lord."
He backed up and took the sandwich from her outstretched hand. Her behavior was more for show than anything else. He could read her like a well-worn novel. Regardless of everything, she would damn well front. It was something she could not fight away regardless of the situation. Neither of them had much of an appetite, but he bit into the sandwich anyway. Silently, he watched as Loralei rolled up a piece of bologna [How the hell can she eat that shit, he thought vaguely] and tucked nearly half of it into her mouth. She turned toward him, luncheon meat in hand, and offered him a paper plate and napkin, which he took without comment. Sighing, she ate the rest of her bologna and watched him solemnly. Normally a voracious eater after an exhausting round of lovemaking, he had barely touched the sandwich. He had basically just nibbled on it. He set his plate aside and approached her. Her arms encircled his waist as his hands came up to cup her face.
He kissed her lips very softly and then pulled away. "Ugh, baby, bologna breath," he whispered against her lips.
She laughed and nipped his bottom lip. "Why did I marry such an irritating man," she asked.
He smiled against her lips. "Your biological clock was ticking?" He had already begun unbuttoning the shirt.
"You bastard," she sighed as his lips found the side of her throat.
"But you love me anyway, don't you?"
"Immensely."
* * *
When Loralei awoke the next morning, Donovan had already left for the day. On any other morning, she might have gotten up and searched for him, but not today. She didn't need to search. He had left something behind for her indicating his departure. There was a single long stemmed pink rose resting against his pillow. Damn him. He never failed to make her cry like a baby.
* * *
Donovan and the team were seated in the plush office of the university president. Shoemaker had notified him the day before. As Donovan waited for Metzger to speak, his mind drifted back to the shouting match he had had with his boss. This is the second time you have put yourself in a situation where you have conflicting interests. I think you should turn it over to Agent Shaw, Frank. You're too close, Shoemaker had lectured. Donovan's response had been brutally harsh: If my wife is a target, you can bet your ass that I'm going to be directly involved. Either I go in, or none of us do, and I take matters into my own hands. Shoemaker didn't know if Donovan was bluffing or not. You do that, Frank, and you'll face serious consequences. As if he cared about consequences? Once before, he hadn't cared, and he wouldn't care now. He hated Shoemaker, hated him with an extreme fervor. During that bitch fest, he had come close to telling Shoemaker where to shove it. He hadn't felt anything but aggravation since the man took over. He had never thought of quitting before, but he was very tempted to do so now. However, he wasn't sure if temptation would actually lead to follow through. I don't need this shit.
"Classes and university business will resume on Monday," Metzger said. "Will your presence here disrupt?"
Donovan gawped at the man incredulously. Four people were dead and he was worried about disruption? He came close to asking the man if he were related to Shoemaker. "No more than necessary," he said, controlling his temper with everything in him. "We'll try to get in and out. The first and most important request I must make is that we be allowed to inspect Nick Fehr's personnel files."
Metzger nodded. "That shouldn't be a problem."
* * *
Loralei had just gotten Tristan down when she heard the phone ring. She moved quickly toward the bedroom before the baby began to wail again. She grabbed the phone on the fourth ring. "Yeah?"
"Yeah," Donovan's voice said amusedly. "All I get is a yeah?"
"I'm so sorry to insult you, my love," she said with a smile. "Thanks for making me cry this morning."
"You're more than welcome. Tonight, I have to stay at a hotel. Tomorrow, I'll be set up somewhere else. I probably won't see you until Monday and won't see the kids for a couple of weeks." He had wanted to add 'I hope' to the end of that, but he bit it back. He was having enough difficulty as it was. "I just wanted to call and tell you how much I love you."
"Me too," she said. "So…when I see you on Monday, don't be offended if I don't say hi. I can be incredibly stuck up."
He chuckled warmly. "I'll remember that. Give the kids a kiss for me, would you?"
"It'll be my pleasure, baby."
"I have to go. I love you." Without another word, he hung up.
Loralei replaced the phone back in its charger. It was late and she should have been exhausted, but she couldn't sleep. She went to her office and sat before her computer. She opened a blank Word document and began typing out her idle thoughts. She had to do something to distract her mind. She didn't feel good about this assignment. Her worry ate at her soul and tweaked her nerves. Something would happen, something bad, and she wasn't sure she could stop it.