Berkley looked at the small group of five or so men who had been found in the apartment he, Bikky, Dee, and Diana had raided. They were all handcuffed after Berkley had found illegal drugs in the living room.

Something wasn't right. If Ryo was here (Dee had been convinced he was as had Bikky), then it seemed like Berkley should be able to get them for more than having illegal drugs. They were probably behind all the child molesting but he had no proof. More than that, she wasn't here. He had been sure that she would be. He was frustrated and disappointed not to find her.

"So was it fun to molest little kids?" Diana was sitting on the couch, swinging her legs around and looking at the men with her usual cheerful smile.

None of the men said anything. Berkley didn't like that, either. They had obvious been ordered not to talk because not one of them had made a sound since the drugs had been found. They had submissively allowed Berkley and Diana to handcuff them and stood there quietly while Berkley inspected every crack of the room.

"SPEAK!" Berkley yelled in the face of one.

The man barely flinched. "What do you want me to say officer?" he asked in a bored tone.

"I want to know about this pot and this illegal tranquilizing drug. How you came by them and what you were using them for. I would also like to know why there are five men living together in this apartment. Surely you all can't be related."

The man said nothing. Berkley's face was turning red with anger. "Damn you," he said, quietly, feeling more and more like Dee every second.

"Freeze!"

A low feminine voice came from behind Berkley. He automatically turned around. It was her and she had a gun pointed, not at Berkley, but Diana. Berkley swallowed, slightly.

"Berkley," the woman was tall and raven-haired. Her eyes were pitch-black, "It's been a while."

"Berkley?" he heard Diana's voice behind him. For once it wasn't smart-alecky. "Is this….?"

"Vanessa," Berkley said quietly, addressing the woman while answering Diana's question, "May I ask why you have your gun pointed at a woman you don't even know?"

Vanessa laughed. It was a cold, hard laugh which didn't reach her eyes. "I know you well enough, Berkley. You'd rather die than cause any of your friend's deaths. Extra incentive to do what I want."

"And that would be?" Berkley didn't let his face betray the fear her felt.

Diana. He would never forgive himself if Vanessa killed her. "I would like you to remove the handcuffs from my business associates, leave this apartment, and swear never to speak of it again."

"Only for you to kill more children?" Diana asked suddenly, "I think my life is less important that theirs if your just going to keep doing it. Don't do what she says, Berkley. Call reinforcements. Don't let one of them get away."

Vanessa's mouth curled into a smile and her eyes turned back to Berkley. "Would you like to inform her why I'm doing this? Or did you not tell her that part? Few but you know the real reason about why I'm crazy. Who ruined my life and turned me into the monster I am now."

"You were fifteen," Berkley murmured, his voice was barely audible, "Why are you letting one boy who turned you down ruin your entire life? Your pride couldn't take it?"

Vanessa turned on Berkley, now holding the gun towards him which relieved Berkley quite a bit although he didn't show it. "Take that back!"

"No."

"Berkley. She didn't… you? Did you…" Diana looked horrified.

"No," Berkley turned to look at Diana, "Not me. Had it been me, I probably wouldn't be alive today. Nasty temper, Vanessa has, as you can probably tell. No, it was my brother. I never told you this, did I? I was only ten. He was only twelve."

He turned back to look at Vanessa. "So Vanessa molested and killed him. She was three years older than him and was able to do it. It turned her mad. She can't see a boy his age without molesting and killing him. I still don't understand the strangling, though. Care to fill me it, Vanessa?"

"He was killed with a rope because it was the only thing I had," Vanessa's eyes snapped back into focus from the far-away look she had just had, "And now you both know too much. You knew even more than I thought you did, Berk. You always were sharper than your brother" her gun pointed back at Diana, "She'll go first so that you can see her die. Besides, Myk might want to have some fun with you like he's undoubtedly having with that little chestnut-haired pretty-boy right now. I won't deny that you're good-looking."

"Say good-bye," she growled, looking at Diana.

A gun went off. "DIANA!" Berkley cried, leaping towards her.

But it wasn't Diana who was shot. Vanessa sank to the floor, blood blossoming out of her chest. Berkley turned around to see Dee, Ryo, and Bikky in the doorway. Dee was holding a gun and had undoubtedly just shot Vanessa.

"Berkley!" Vanessa's hand groped out for him. Her voice was fading fast.

Berkley recoiled from her. He hated her. He hated her more than anything else but for some reason the woman dying on the floor was not her. It was a desperate woman looking for someone to say her last words to. "What?" Berkley asked, hesitantly.

"I suppose you'll never understand me but just know…" her voice was getting softer and softer, "I loved your brother."

Her eyes closed and she fell back against the ground, a pool of blood surrounding her. "Bitch," Berkley muttered, impassively, striding over to Diana and took her in his arms, "Are you okay?"

"Yes… yes, I'm fine," Diana looked breathless and buried her head in Berkley's chest.

"I was worried about you there."

Diana's head came up and she locked eyes with Berkley. "Thank you. If I'd have died, I would have known that you would have missed me."

"Not to spoil your little moment or anything, but don't you think we should move out?" Dee asked.

His arm was around Ryo's shoulder as though supporting him. "Oh!" Berkley got up, quickly, "Are you okay, Detective MacLean?"

Dee noted Diana's look of frustration.

"He's fine," Dee said, quickly, before Ryo could answer, "I'm going to bring him and Bikky home. I'm assuming you can handle bringing these," he motioned to the group of men, "back to the station, yourself."

"I'm more than capable. You and Detective MacLean will be released from work today providing the situation."

Dee nodded and guided Ryo and Bikky out of the apartment.

"Could you call the precinct to get us some cars to bring these guys over?" Berkley asked Diana.

She nodded.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND/OR HAPPY NEW YEAR!