Chapter Four - Reunion

The beach had cleared and the tide was beginning to come in but PJ was still sitting there on the beach. Just as he was waking from his sleep he felt a hand on his shoulder. The hand was like a cold wind blowing over him and he almost ignored it. When the grip got firmer, he couldn't ignore it any more and was about to turn around when a soft voice filled his ears.

"PJ, I've been waiting to see you" the voice was thick with emotion and he recognised it automatically. He spun around and felt about ready burst into tears right then and there. Looking down on him with those beautiful blue eyes with the glow of the setting sun behind her, giving her an angelic glow, was Joanna Parrish. Barely able to assemble words to say what he wanted to, PJ sat there in dumb silence just staring at her memorising the exact colour of her eyes. Smiling softly at him she whispered,

"What's this, Senior Detective Hasham, speechless?" His had reached up and traced the line of her jaw as he still gazed at her. Suddenly the impulse overtook him and he pulled her to him, meeting her lips with a hungry, longing kiss. When it ended PJ looked down at the ground still holding onto her as he spoke in a husky voice.

"I've missed that", he said simply finally able to meet her glance again. It took him a few moments to regain his composure before the question that had been plaguing him came to him.

"But you're dead...how...what happened?" The words came out dripping with a mix of disbelief and absolute relief. A pained look came over Jo's face as she nodded slightly, tears forming in her eyes.

"There's a lot to explain" she started "but Susie and Jonesy will be waiting for you". She began to get up but PJ stopped her.

"No" he said firmly "I can't loose you again" for a moment the old PJ seeped back into him, but only for a moment.

"You won't" she said simply "meet me back here tomorrow morning, but I need you to do something for me PJ" she said very seriously, her brow beginning to crease.

"Anything" he breathed in a very faraway manner.

"You can't tell Susie or Jonesy about this, please PJ, it's very important that you just keep this between us" she seemed to become very nervous as she spoke. For fear that she might not turn up if he didn't, PJ nodded and agreed to be discreet. She had already started to move away when he hurried up behind her and grabbed her by the waist, spun her around and planted a kiss on her lips.

"I'll see you tomorrow" she said, smiling softly.

At the apartment

The walk back had been one of complete awkwardness for both Jonesy and Susie; the pair simply did not know what to say to one another. They had been back in the apartment building for a good 10 minutes before Susie finally broke the silence.

"You know I really believe PJ thought he saw Jo," she said as she looked out over the balcony overlooking the beach. Jonesy nodded, filled with the same deep despair that Susie was feeling for their friend. Seeking something in the way of comfort he walked over and slid his hand around her stomach and pulled her close to him, leaning over her neck taking in the sweet smell of her perfume. She didn't stop him because in truth she needed something herself, Jo had become an extremely important part of Susie's life and just for a moment she believed there was a chance she would see her again.

"I hope he's ok" she said resting her hand on Jonesy's cheek "you saw his face, Evan, he was absolutely gutted and he doesn't have anybody like I have you. He's all alone" she turned to look him in the eye as she spoke.

"We will both be there for him and so will everyone at the station when we go back tomorrow" he said planting a kiss on her forehead.

"This hasn't been much of a holiday has it?" Susie said looking straight at Jonesy's shoulder.

After a long walk home with his thoughts, PJ finally walked back into the apartment building as it was beginning to get very dark outside. When he walked in he was nearly knocked over as Susie threw flung her arms around him neck.

"Where have you been PJ? We've been so worried" Susie wailed the sound of her voice muffled by his chest. As she looked up at him she was surprised to find him looking down on her with a big grin on his face. Not only that, she was surprised to see his lips had something that looked like lipstick on them.

"What have you been doing PJ?" she said confusion spilling from her.

"Ah..Nothing" he replied guilt apparent in his voice "I just uh grabbed something to eat at..uh the place..you know downstairs" he quickly dismissed Susie and walked over to his bed.

"You know I think I'm going to get some sleep," he said pulling the covers back.

By now Jonesy was beginning to wonder what was going on too as he said with a raised eyebrow,

"You know PJ its only 7 o'clock, I know you are eager to get home but don't you think this is a bit extreme" PJ froze and turned to his friend.

"home?" at that moment it dawned on him that they were supposed to return to Mount Thomas tomorrow.

"Yes PJ we are leaving tomorrow, remember" by now both Jonesy and Susie had positioned themselves at the end of his bed and were giving him a rather strange look.

"I think maybe I'll stick around here for a couple of days" PJ said airily.

"You know there's no way the boss will let you have any more time off PJ, we were lucky to get this weekend off" Jonesy pointed out "What's going on PJ? This weekend has been an absolute nightmare, why would you want to stay anyway?" Jonesy could see PJ was getting a little bit agitated with him now.

"Why! Because Jo is still alive that's why" he spat back.

"No PJ, she isn't, we saw that for ourselves today" Susie said shaking her head.

"I don't know why but she doesn't want you to know so she waited until I was alone. Maybe she's in some kind of trouble? I don't know. But she's alive"