Chapter 7

Jess tossed restlessly, sighing and shaking her head. It was not the attempted mugging, but the ease with which Mel and Cole had handled it, as if having a man threatening their lives was a daily occurrence. Maybe for them it was, but...

Her reflection was cut off by a shrill scream from the direction of Mel's room. She shot into a sitting position as another scream tore through the apartment. Jumping to her feet, she left the room and started for Mel's. She froze, hearing Cole's voice within.

"Wake up! Mel! Ta thalla'a hwa, hwa'i! Ay-ay! Ah ette! Ni ette, Taushi, ni Melah en'i! It's okay! Anni ta'hwa. We're alone here! He's not here. He's not; we're alone..."

Mel let out a muffled sob, and Jess heard her repeating, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Just... everything that's been going on today and... I... I'm sorry."

"There is nothing to be sorry for, my love," Cole answered, his voice low and soothing. "There is only one to blame. Rest now," he advised. "I will not let anyone harm you. You are safe in this place."

"I know, I know," she answered, her voice already calmer to Jess' ears. "Sorry I disturbed you."

"The fault is not yours. Rest now."

"Okay, Cole. Could you..."

"Of course, Mel. Good night, my love."

"I love you. Night."

There was silence after that, and Jess moved back to her room. Obviously the crisis was over, and she did not want to bother Mel and Cole if Mel were already asleep again or if Cole was, perhaps, helping Mel get back to sleep.

"Wonder if I'll get any sleep at all tonight," she remarked with a faint smile.

She was not surprised when she could not get back to sleep at all, but she was surprised to hear Cole in the hallway and, a few moments later, leaving the apartment for the bar. Concerned, she rose and followed. If Cole had been sufficiently upset by Mel's outburst, he might be going for a drink. Certainly, she could think of no other reason for him to go down to the bar at that hour, especially when Mel so obviously needed him there.

She stopped in the stair-well, hearing voices.

"...not sure that's wise," Cole's voice filtered through the half-opened door.

"I'm inclined to agree," Olia agreed mildly. "In fact, I've been arguing to that effect since Eijan proposed the plan."

"And you're still outvoted on the matter," Bendal cut her off. "Accept it, Olia."

"It is dangerous," she protested.

"There is no other way that we can see," Kallissa informed her simply, sipping at her drink. "Common sense and strategy dictate that we have an inside person on the Force."

"We have Vic, Kallissa," Cole pointed out, sighing. "When you have met him, you will see that he is to be trusted."

"No one doubts your judgment in the matter, old friend," Kallissa assured him gently. "It is not a matter of trust or lack of trust, but about needing a trained one of our own operatives in the Chicago Police Department. She can do more for us than Vic, no matter how pure his intentions may be, ever could without years under a Corp's Certified training officer. You must see that..."

Cole sighed and shook his head. "I understand the position, yes. But Vic has proved very helpful to date. There is one in the Department who is suspicious enough already without working closely to one of us on a regular basis."

"With any luck at all, they will end up partners."

"That's... Kallissa, it's insane!" he protested.

A silent spectator to the conversation until now, Taya quietly noted, "Impression management does have its benefits. They are many. Detective Cruz may even be won over to our side."

"But do you want to do this?" Olia asked. "Given what's at stake if you are discovered?"

"I am most gratified by the trust which is being reposed in me."

"That wasn't the question," the Enixian pointed out. "You are giving up much, even before the threat against you is factored in."

"We all came here with an understanding of the dangers." Taya shrugged. "It honors me to be so able to serve the Corps and the Security Council."

"You do realize that you will not be able to be seen with any of us in public?"

"Of course. Not even with my brother. It pains me, perhaps, but it is my duty. I discharge it proudly."

"But do you want to."

Taya closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. It was her brother who answered.

"There is much in this life that we would rather not do yet are compelled to by necessity. She understands this. As do I. We have discussed this matter at length and we are in agreement. One of us must go. She is the superior candidate."

"This is not a democracy and the matter is not open for a vote," Taya added mildly. "We have been given our orders and we will follow them."

Olia looked up abruptly, sniffing the air. "Perhaps it would be better to resume this discussion in the privacy of the home-office," she suggested.

Cole turned and glanced towards the stair well, shaking his head. "She is correct. I will join you shortly."

"There is no need," Kallissa assured him. "The decision has been made. It is out of my hands. We can brief you more fully on the matter in the morning. You should return to your family."

He inclined his head, smiling to each before turning and starting up the stairs. "I warned them that you are a curious creature," he murmured in the darkness. "It was not a wise place to have such an important conversation."

"Cole, I swear, I wasn't trying to eavesdrop!" Jess said immediately. "I just... heard you going downstairs. I was worried..."

He glanced down at her thoughtfully for a moment, his expression sad. "Mel's screaming woke you," he said, and it was no guess. "And then you were worried that I was going downstairs for a drink."

Jess shifted uneasily. "The thought had occurred to me, yeah. She okay?"

"She is troubled by her dreams at times. She is resting quietly now. The rest of the night will find her rest peaceful." Smiling reassuringly, he took her arm and steered her towards the bedroom. "Jess, you must not tell anyone anything you might have overheard of my conversation with the others. It is very important that this matter remain secret."

"You want to put a mole into the Police Department," she whispered, staring up at him. "But why?"

"It is complicated, Jess. It is for our own protection and for the protection of the people watched over by the police."

"I don't understand. If you're legitimately into law enforcement, why the secrecy?"

"There are many reasons for it, Jess. I can only promise you that our intentions are good."

"I know, Cole. Knowing you, I know they must be," she agreed quietly. "I'm just..." She shook her head. "Does Mel scream like that a lot?" she asked abruptly.

"Not so much recently. The mugging tonight upset her, and she has not been getting much sleep. There have been many things troubling her recently." Cole gave her a reassuring smile and steered her into the bedroom, nudging her towards the bed. "Lie down, Jess," he directed.

"I've never heard anyone scream like that," Jess said softly, obediently climbing into the bed and pulling the covers to her chin. "But... the thing of it is... when that bloke mugged us, she acted like it was nothing."

"Mel is a brave woman."

"Cole, the man had a knife!" Jess protested. "Brave is one thing, but she acted like it was nothing. Does she get threatened by knife-wielding hoodlums so often?" she demanded, sitting up.

Cole sighed and sat on the floor next to the bed, tenderly caressing her throat. "Be calm, Jess. You will feel better in the morning."

Jess stiffened slightly at his touch. It was not that she distrusted Cole or minded his touch, but touching her throat like that... That was special, between Cole and Mel. She felt like she was intruding on what was just theirs.

"Be calm," he repeated gently, pushing her shoulder until she obediently reclined again. He could sense her surprise. "I often touched my daughter in this manner when she was upset. It is meant to do nothing more than calm one who is troubled. When I touch Mel, it is different."

"Sorry, Cole. I'm just... I mean, I know Mel said things were different here, but... I didn't know it would be like this."

"People get mugged in Chicago all the time," Cole pointed out. "It is not so uncommon."

"And what about Mel?" Jess asked, shaking her head and biting back tears. "The way she was screaming. Who did that to her? When she can be that brave, what can scare her that much?"

"Jess, Mel must be the one to tell you these things, but only when she is ready. Please do not push her."

"That hard for her, is it?"

"She is strong. She is recovering more quickly than I could have thought possible. But any woman would have difficulties in such a situation. We must give her time and we must be there for her. That is how we can help."

Jess nodded weakly, sighing softly. "I won't press her, Cole. I promise."

"Thank you, Jess. And please do not be afraid. I would not allow anyone to harm you. Get some rest now," he advised, pressing his lips to her forehead.

"I'll try, but I'm not sure I'll be able to. I'm just so... wound up right now."

"Let me help you," he suggested. "Roll onto your stomach. This always helps calm Mel."

Jess nodded and rolled onto her stomach. She needed a nice relaxing backrub right now. She was a little startled when, instead of focusing on her back or shoulders, he began simply smoothing his fingertips down the back of her neck, crooning softly.

She sighed softly, closing her eyes. It felt wonderful, sending waves of warmth through her whole body. And the crooning called to something in her soul, reminding her of nights as a little girl, curled up in her mother's lap and being sung to sleep. Dark started to intrude on her awareness, but it was warm and comforting, so she closed her eyes and gave into it.

Cole smiled faintly down at the sleeping woman as he tucked her in. She was such a beautiful creature, so young and sweet, and exactly what they both needed right now. It was perhaps selfish of him, but he wanted her in his life all the same. Knowing that Mel felt the same, he was half-compelled to ask Jess to stay outright. Still, concern for her continued to nag at him and, ultimately he knew that the decision must be her own. He could no more tell her to stay than he could to leave.

Sighing and rising, he returned to Mel's room, climbing into bed with the sleeping woman and gathering her into his arms, inhaling her scent and enjoying the warmth and calm pouring off of her.

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Jess woke feeling rested and barely able to remember why she had been so upset the night before. Glancing at the clock told her that she had been asleep for some time without waking up once or suffering a single troubling dream. As she gathered together her clothes for the day, she wondered faintly how Mel's own sleep had been.

Shaking her head, she started for the bathroom. The door was slightly cracked and there was steam filtering into the hallway. She tapped lightly on the door, inadvertently pushing it farther open. She dropped her clothes onto the floor with a muffled curse. Mel was standing in the middle of the bathroom toweling off.

Her stomach was covered with long, livid scars.

"Oh, bloody hell!" Jess gasped, stepping into the bathroom. "Mel..."

"Jess!"

Mel shook her head and held the towel in front of her, more interested in covering her scars than her nudity. She cursed herself for not remembering to lock the door. The habit had slipped since she and Cole had become lovers. As Jess moved closer for a better look at the scars, Mel turned, not wanting the girl to see the extent of the damage. Which was a bad move considering that her back was more heavily scarred than her stomach.

Jess let out a strangled sob, reaching out with a shaking hand and touching the small of Mel's back, confirming the reality of the damage for herself.

"My God, Mel, who did this to you?" she demanded, staring up at her friend with wide, tear-filled is. "Is this why you scream at night?" she whispered.

"Jess, sweetie," Mel sighed, wrapping herself in the towel and shaking her head. "I didn't want... I never meant for you to..."

"My God," Jess repeated, gathering Mel into a hug. "You poor thing..."

"Jess, it's okay," Mel whispered, hugging her friend fiercely. "I know they look bad, but..." She shook her head, wondering what to say, how to explain the horrible scars away. Or, for that matter, the night-terrors that Jess had so obviously learned about the night before. "Please, don't worry about it."

"How can I not?" Jess demanded. "Bloody hell, Mel, look at you. Who did this?"

"Just another nut-job of a psycho. Doesn't matter. Cole caught him before he could kill me."

"Oh, God..." Jess bit her lower lip, shaking her head. "You said things had changed with you. I had no idea it was this bad."

"And now that you do, you'll be wanting to go back to London?" Mel guessed.

"Are you out of your mind?" Jess demanded. "Bloody hell, if the two of you have ever needed a good friend, someone you can talk to... I'm not going anywhere, Mel."

"God, I love you," Mel whispered, hugging her again, closing her eyes and holding her tight.

"So do I," Jess murmured, shaking her head. "Look, get dressed and we'll talk. You can tell me what he did to you if you want, or we can talk about something else..."

Mel nodded weakly. "You don't want to know most of it, though," she informed her. "I... I would never burden you with it."

"I'm here, Mel," Jess reminded her, picking up her friend's clothes and handing them to her. "I'll be waiting in the living room."

"Thank you."

"Where's Cole, anyways?"

"Home office, talking to some people."

"They were here last night. Downstairs."

"He told me." She nodded slowly. "He told me you accidentally heard some of what they were saying."

"I'm not going to say a word to anyone. You and Cole are family. I'd never hurt you, either of you. Not for anything."

"I appreciate it." Mel smiled at her as she started to pull on her clothes.

"You could tell me, you know. Your secrets would be safe."

"I know they would. Cole and I just aren't sure if it's really in your best interest."

"Maybe it's not, but dad always used to say that the truth was a person's best defense. That it could be a weapon, too..." She sighed and shook her head. "I'm not demanding the truth if you aren't ready to give it over, but just think that I am going to move back to Chicago. Maybe I have a right to know, or maybe just a need." Jess shrugged and squeezed Mel's shoulder once before turning and leaving the bathroom.

"God," Mel whispered, leaning against the sink, shaking. Jess was right. She had both a need and a right to know what she was about to get herself into. Yet, at the same time... "I'll discuss it with Cole," she decided finally, nodding to herself and dressing before going to face her friend, already framing a highly selective and even more abridged account of her kidnapping.

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"Cleaning out your desk, Johansen?" Maria inquired lightly, leaning against the office's door-frame. "They finally can your incompetent ass?"

"I've finally been transferred to the Third, actually." He smiled bitterly up at her. "About time they listened to my requests. There's a precinct that knows how things should be done."

"Sure they do. That's why they have the lowest clearance rate in the city." Smiling and shaking her head, Maria left the office and headed for Vic's.

"You know how I feel about surprises when they come from you, Cole, buddy," Vic was saying into the phone.

Maria hesitated outside the office, listening.

"Well, it can't possibly be worst than most of them. Yeah, I'll be there. You get those translations?" Vic paused, then snorted softly. "Sick. Absolutely sick... Oh, yeah, definitely. Thanks, Cole. See you later."

"Boo," Maria murmured, leaning into the office. "Where's your rookie?"

"Day off," he answered, rising and approaching her. "How's it going?"

"I'm hanging in there."

"Yeah? You've been edgy lately, Mar. I've been worried," he admitted, sliding his arms around her waist.

"Don't be," she advised. "Things are about to get better for me. Johansen just got reassigned. Guess now I know why the Captain wants to talk to me."

He looked up, alarmed. "You don't think he plans on reassigning you, too?"

"I seriously doubt it. He needs me too bad and we both know it. Ten to one, he's about to saddle me with a rookie of my own."

Vic rolled his eyes. "Good luck." His phone rang and he ignored it, tightening his hold on Maria.

"You should get that," she sighed, leaning into his chest. "I have some things to do before my appointment with the Captain."

"Okay. I'll see you tonight." He gave her a gentle kiss before releasing her and turning to answer the phone. "Bruno. Yeah. Uh-huh? Yeah, thanks. Be right over." He turned to tell Maria that he was wanted at the morgue, but she was already gone. Shaking his head, he grabbed his coat.

Maria made tracks for the parking garage, dialing quickly.

"Sampson."

"Hola, scum-bag."

"Good to hear from you, too, Detective."

"Go to hell," she advised. "I don't know what's up, but sounds like it might be big. Overheard Vic on the phone with Cole. Cole has something to tell him or show him. Don't know what or when, but it sounds like something big. Cole wouldn't talk about it over the phone."

"And you didn't hear anything else?"

"Sorry, but that's a drawback of eavesdropping. You don't always hear anything. Adios, pendejo," she added, hanging up and heading back for the precinct-house.

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Captain Hansen was not alone in his office when she arrived, but Maria was surprised that the woman sitting there did not look like a rookie.

"Detective Cruz, meet Detective Vasquez."

"It is a pleasure, Detective," Taya greeted her, rising and extending her hand. "Captain Sampson has just been telling me of you."

"Good to meet you, too, Detective," Maria agreed, squeezing her hand.

"Detective Vasquez comes to us from Nogales by way of Mexico City, Maria," Hansen added. "She has several years of experience in each and I thought you might get on with her a little better than you do with Johansen."

"Don't see how I could get along with her worse," Maria murmured, grinning at him.

Hansen snorted softly. He had hated saddling Cruz with a fool like Johansen, but someone had to take him and she actually had been capable of keeping him in line. Someone else's problem now, thank God.

"So, I'll just let the two of you go. You can bring her up to date on your current case-load, get to know each other..."

"Thank you, sir," Maria said, nodding faintly. "Detective Vasquez."

"Tara, please, Detective Cruz."

"Maria. Nice to meet you. This way, please."

Taya followed her, glancing around the precinct, taking in every detail and transmitting them back to her brother.

"Just your average police-station," Maria assured her. "I'll introduce you around later."

"Thank you."

"So, what brings you to Chicago?" Maria asked as they entered her office.

Johansen took one look at the pair, shook his head, and left with a snort.

"What an unpleasant man," Taya murmured.

"No shit," Maria muttered, shaking her head. "Can't say I'm sorry he's leaving."

"I would imagine not." Taya frowned after him. "Reminds me of my brother."

Hey! Teya protested.

Well, you can be brusque. But at least you aren't so unpleasant. Taya shook her head faintly, rubbing her bracelet. "I suppose there's one in every precinct."

Maria grinned. "Not in this one any more. You'll like it here. Everyone's very pleasant. So, what brings you to Chicago?" she repeated.

"What brings you here?" Taya countered, smiling faintly.

"Eh, this was where I was stationed when I retired from the Marines." Maria shrugged and sat down, gesturing for Taya to do the same. "You?"

"Sick of corruption, racism, and political infighting, mostly," the Orsusian answered honestly. "A clean start never hurt anyone."

"True," Maria agreed, sliding several files across the desk. "We have several open cases."

"It would seem so." Taya began leafing through the files. She was familiar with most of the cases, but that did not make her scrutiny of the reports any less in-depth. It was interesting to see the theories that the humans were coming up with to explain the inexplicable. "Many unexplained deaths..."

"Oh, yeah. And I'm not the only Detective here overloaded with them, either. Check this one out." She handed Taya the William Brandon file. "Ever seen anything like it?"

Taya read the file in silence for several minutes before answering. "Actually, it does look familiar. There is a similar, troubling trend in Mexico City," she answered honestly. "The authorities have largely ignored the matter to date. Drugs, perhaps..."

"No trace of drugs in any of their systems."

"No trace of known drugs," Taya amended, nodding. "I'm sure time will tell. Captain Hansen says you are an astute woman. The answer will eventually become clear to you, I am sure."

Maria snorted softly. "Time will tell."

Taya grinned at her from over the file she was perusing. "It may indeed," she agreed.