The time had past quickly, it hardly seemed like a week had gone by. There weren't any new jobs, which seemed suspicious, but at the time, it was probably a good thing. Only the memory of the last time they had seen each other remained. Well, that and a hat that had been forgotten.

Jill sighed quietly and pressed her face against the apartment window. She hadn't left the room except to get something to eat or run short errands. It made her feel horribly guilty. After all she had done to him, she could at least have returned his hat.

Looking away from the window, she turned and sat on her bed. Reaching behind her pillow she grabbed the hat and looked it over. It would be best if she got rid of it, but she just couldn't. Keeping it was dangerous though, if it was found it would give away that fact the officer had been there.

It replayed in her mind, even now she couldn't believe they managed to sneak him out in broad daylight. She was so afraid of being spotted, not because of her safety, but his. She would have never been able to live with herself if they had been caught. She knew what would happen, and it wouldn't be her facing the consequence. Even though they had gotten away, she could still picture getting caught, and the quick end to his life.

It amazed her how pathetic the exit had been. They had taken some old clothes from the closet and had him wear them over his uniform. It was a sad attempt, but it had worked. After sneaking him through the back allies and reaching a safe spot, he took off the horrible disguise, and that was the last time she saw him.

Shaking her head Jill, put the hat back under her pillow and glanced back to the window. With another sigh she slipped back into thought. 'It's for the best... but why do I feel so bad?'

"You're thinking about him again aren't you?"

Jill looked back over her shoulder to see Rachel sitting at the table. Jill nodded a little "It... it hurts."

Rachel sighed. "I'm sure it does." She said as she took a drink of something Argo had given her. She hurt as well and it wasn't because of her ribs. They had healed quiet nicely, if not a little sore. But she could move with ease now, with her side only have a few bruises here and there. But one pain was replaced with another and though she did not want to admit it. A man with purple eyes was to blame.

She looked at a newspaper Argo had brought in that morning along with some food, which Jill had taken most of anyway. The Cat was making himself VERY busy it seemed. Almost without mercy. A ruby necklace here, a pair of paintings there, a few statues, some more odds and ends, all done within the beginning of the week. Rachel frown. They hadn't had any jobs from Wong at all. Jill had said it had to be because she was hurt, but with the Cat stealing like crazy. Was it...

"Hey Rachel, is there any of those cookies left?"

"You're gonna rot your teeth."

"So?"

Rachel rolled her eyes but pushed the bag that was half full towards Jill.

"Argo's sure been nice. His dinner last night was great!" Jill smiled a little, trying to change the subject.

Rachel had that look on her face again, though she didn't know, she thought it was about her and Sai. Rachel hummed a yeah or something close to it and took another slip.

"What is that stuff anyways?"

"Crap that taste like mold."

"Moldy crap... sounds yummy..."

"It works anyway."

Jill laughed a little at Rachel's face but stuffed a cookie in her mouth.

Rachel jerked her head towards the front. The door had opened and it caused Rachel to stiffen. Standing up quickly, she moved towards the door, ready to jump who had opened it.

Jill watched, ready as well but nothing happened.

Rachel looked out into the hall and then back at Jill. She shrugged. "I guess it was..." Rachel looked down and raised a brow. She bent over and picked up, what looked like an envelope and a small yellow rose. She raised a brow and looked at Jill. "It's for you Jill..."

"For me? Since when do I get mail?" Placing the bag of cookies down, she went over to Rachel, taking the envelope from her.

"Well, are you going to open it?"

Jill frowned and gave Rachel a flat look. "I just got it, keep your pants on." Looking back to the envelope she suddenly felt sick. She wasn't sure if she should open it, but curiosity got to her. Carefully she slid her finger under the sealed edge and tore it open. There was a note folded inside. Jill sighed and took it out, dropping the envelope on the floor.

"Well? What does it say? And what do you want me to do with this rose?" Rachel held up the yellow flower.

"Just put it on the table okay? And let me read the letter first alright?" Jill sat on her bed and unfolded the piece of paper. Her eyes scanned the writing and she frowned. It wasn't a long letter, but it hit her hard. Without saying anything she folded it and slid it under her pillow. Then, like nothing had happened, she picked up the bag of cookies and started eating again.

Rachel made a face and set the rose on the table. "Aren't you going to share what is says?"

"What what says?" Jill glanced out the window and stuffed another cookie in her mouth. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't pull that! I was here the whole time. I handed the envelope to you."

"Oh, that? It's not important. Really." Jill did everything she could to avoid eye contact with Rachel.

Rachel scowled and marched towards Jill. Bending down to be eye level with her, Rachel forced Jill's head to look at her. "What the hell did it say? NOW?"

Jill bit her lip but pushed Rachel away. "Nothing okay? Geeze!"

Jill shouted. Rachel glared and then went for Jill's pillow.

"NO IT'S MINE!" Jill yelled as she grabbed the letter and jumped out of Rachel's way.

The fight was on. As Jill tried to get away, Rachel grabbed her leg pulling her down. Jill tried to kick her foot out of her hands but was to gentle for Rachel was now sitting on her back..

"Get OFF me!" Jill screamed but Rachel only yawned and reached a hand out.

"The letter please."

"NOOO!" Rachel raised a brow as Jill tried to struggle away. Raising her hand high into the air, Rachel wiggled her brows a little.

"NO NO NO!"

With a quick flick, Rachel brought her hand down hard on Jill's rear end.

"DAMNIT!" Jill cried out as Rachel smacked her again.

Half smiling, Rachel asked again. "The letter?

"It's mine! GET OFF ME!"

Rachel made a face and shook her head. "Nope, not until you either read it to me, or tell me what it says. Come on now, we shouldn't keep secrets from each other."

Jill sighed and closed her eyes. "Fine, you can read it... but then you have to give it back!"

Rachel smirked and snatched the letter from Jill's hand as she got off her. "I'm sure I don't want to keep it. Now, let's see what you got here."

Her eyes scanned the paper and she felt a bit guilty as she continued to read it.

"Jill,

I'm sorry. I never should have gone snooping around like I did. I know I probably caused nothing but trouble for you. I'm keeping your secret. I told everyone I lost my hat chasing a guy trying to shoplifter at a convent store. So far, no one has questioned that. I wanted to tell you that, I really miss seeing you around. I've done my best to just go on working, but I can't. I can't even go to the cafe for lunch anymore. Your face shows up everywhere. I know I must sound crazy, but I really want to see you again. Please stop hiding, I know it's my fault, but I would give anything just to see you. I love you.

Sai"

Rachel folded the piece of paper again and looked over at Jill. She had gotten up and returned to sitting on her bed. No wonder her friend just wanted to hide the note. It made her think though, had he dropped it off himself? Or did he get someone else to do it? Walking past Jill's bed, she dropped the letter on the covers, then looked out the window.

"What are you looking for? Jill picked up the paper and tugged it into the hat before covering it with her pillow again.

"The mailman."

Jill frowned and grabbed the bag of cookies again. "I'm sure he's long gone. It's probably a good thing, right? Wouldn't want anyone else to get involved, no need to shoot the messenger."

"But which one would we have to shoot?" Rachel asked leaning out of the window a little.

Jill raised a brow not quite sure what she had meant and walked over to the window as well. Leaning out, she didn't see anything different or out of the ordinary. Eyeing Rachel with a question she pushed back. "What are you thinking?"

"I would have heard someone in the hall... I didn't hear a damn thing."

"You just let your guard down that's all..."

"No." Rachel said annoyed. "I didn't hear a thing. Your little friend is good... not that good though."

Jill bit her lip in thought. Rachel had a point, Sai was quick but he couldn't have moved that quick. Maybe he had left it earlier, the rose did look a little withered. "Speaking of which..." She said out loud and went to find a cup to put some water in.

Rachel frown and went to the door. She studied the place for a moment and then looked back at Jill how had put the rose in the cup. Rachel rubbed her chin in thought. "How the hell did that get there?"

A few blocks away, Argo munched on a hot dog and looked to see a small boy walking towards him. He wasn't wearing his usual outfit, the jeans and t-shirt were a nice change.

"For once you look the age you should be dressing like." He said as he took another bite.

"Did you do it?"

"Yup, left it there this morning when I dropped off the normal stuff. Made sure the door didn't close either. So she should have it by now." Argo eyed the boy and smiled a little. "I still don't understand why you just didn't do it yourself."

"I couldn't. The way she looked at me when I was there. I don't want that fear in her eyes."

Argo handled a hot dog to the boy.

"No thanks... I'm not really that hungry."

"That's what love does to ya, Sai. Get use to it."

-

The call came so suddenly, completely out of nowhere and it was very unsettling. After a week of nothing, it should have been expected, however it had horrible timing. Rachel had left the apartment by herself. She didn't really have it in her to drag Jill along with her. Not because of her still sore ribs, even injured she could have easily taken the teen with her. However, she didn't even try, and she had her reasons.

Slowly she made her way to the run down restaurant, she hated the place with a passion. The sight of the building made her sick, and it wasn't just because of the smell. She slipped in through the front doors, looking straight ahead to the door in the back. For once there wasn't anyone standing outside it, no guard, not even one of the scumbags that Wong referred to as "associates".

Standing at the door, Rachel took a deep breath and knocked. It was quiet for a moment before she got a reply.

"Come in."

Opening the door, she stepped inside and closed it behind her. "You called? Finally come up with something that needs to be done?"

Wong sat behind his desk, leaning back in his chair. "Ah, what's this? I know I called for both my thieves. I only see one." He sat forward, placing his elbows on his desk and lacing his fingers together. "Now, why is that?"

Rachel barely moved an eye as she watched him. "What do you need the kid for when I can do the job twice as fast?"

Wong was quiet for a moment. He didn't move but he still had the odd smile on his face, wearing his sunglasses it was hard for Rachel to tell if he was smiling and really meaning it or smiling just to hide something. After a moment he stood up. "You do have a point my little bird. Why have a flock to cause attention."

Rachel oddly felt a bit relief.

"That girl was annoying me anyway. I was about to have to do something about her."

Rachel's brow twitched as her hands balled up into fist, but she did nothing. Just stood there. He was just trying to get her mad. Trying to push her over the limit, but why did Wong keep doing such things to them?

They were just small cat burglars. They had skill but nothing that Wong couldn't replace. It gave him power though, holding them against their will. Threatening them, harming them. Rachel wondered why she had stayed. She didn't owe the city anything. Why should she care about the Mayor anyway? But she couldn't have such guilt, though, be on Jill's hands. She looked at Wong as he bent down a little to look at her.

He gave another odd smile but he didn't say anything for a moment, then resting his hand on her side, she flinched and tensed.

"I heard your ribs had been broken. You seem fine now."

She noticed the way his thumb rubbed up and down her side. A shiver ran down her back. Normally she would have turn or pushed him away, but she had to be careful now. She had to put up "What do you want Wong?" She said looking at him finally.

He removed his hand and walked behind her with his hands together. "I have a job for you."

"I know that... what's the job?"

"Nothing you can't handle." He smirked and looked over the top of his frames at the back of her head. "No jewels, no money, just some valuable paperwork I would love to get my hands on."

Rachel raised a brow at the description Won had given her. "Paperwork? You want me to take some paperwork?"

Wong tapped his fingers together and turned to walk back to his desk. "They're very important. A nice list of information, which will lead to other things down the line. I just need the names and numbers."

"So you want me to steal someone address book?" She turned to looked at him.

Sitting down at his desk, Wong leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers together. "Not just any address book, as you put it." He smirked and sat forward. "It should be an easy in and out for you. As you said, you can do a job twice as fast without that girl." Reaching into his pocket he took out a piece of paper and slid it across the desk. "That's the place. The papers I want should be in the office."

Rachel looked at the slip of paper and then back to Wong. "This doesn't seem like that kind of thing you need me for. Why not get one of your mobsters to do this. One of those men should have the brains to steal a day planner."

Wong leaned back again and tapped his fingers together. "Ah, I see. Well, I suppose I could find someone else." He smirked, knowing exact ally what to say. "Now what did you say was wrong with my other thief? Oh, that's right, you never did explain why she didn't show. I'm sure I could get her to do this for me. Don't you think so?" An evil smile crossed his face. "I'm sure I could find some information to make her do what I ask without question."

Rachel clenched her fist and stood firmly in her place. She stared down angrily at her boss. "What's that suppose to mean?"

"What does what mean?" He gave her a wicked smile as he sat smugly at his desk.

"Why would you even send her? I doubt you'd trust her to go on one of your jobs alone. It's not like you trusted her to fly solo before. So what's this about?"

"You going to do my job? Or do you want to find out what I mean?" He shot a glance to the paper on his desk.

Rachel tensed as her lips pressed together but she said nothing more. "When do you want me to start?"

-

By the time Jill had awoke for the day, Rachel was already gone. "Rachel?" Jill called out as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. There was no response.

After searching for what seemed like a long five minutes, she found some money and a note telling her to go out and have something to eat. Jill began to wonder why Rachel had left and not waken her, but seeing the large amount of money for food, she grin and had no problem about it.

"I'm gonna get me the biggest meal ever!" She laughed as she began to walk down the sidewalk

It hadn't occurred to her that something maybe wasn't right, she just figured Rachel had gone out to run an errand or two. She was just happy to have a good amount of cash to spend on a good meal. Taking a deep breath, Jill remembered how nice it was to be outside. After a week of just hanging around in their apartment, the walk felt good.

After a few minutes she reached her favorite spot to eat. Well, it use to be. Cautiously she peaked in the window. Her hunger started to fade as she glanced around the cafe. She had run into him a few times before in there, then again, it was the closest place to the station. It made since, easy access for a lunch break.

Jill stepped away from the window. She hadn't seen any uniforms, and with that, figured she must have gotten there before the lunch break rush. Her stomach growled, and she thought about turning around to find somewhere else to eat. Looking back in the window again, her eyes landed on the dessert counter and that was it. Without another thought, she dashed inside, up to the counter and managed to spend all the money she had been left in under a minute.

Taking her tray she sat down at the table eyeing her meal. A grilled cheese sandwich, some chips, a basket of french fries, a big slice of chocolate cake and a cup of water. In her mind she justified the junk food with the thought that as least she had something healthy to drink. After a week of eating whatever was brought to the apartment, the greasy food looked better than words could describe. Taking in the sight for only a moment, she dove in, tuning out the rest of the world.

She was so tuned out that she didn't even realize someone was sitting at her table until she saw someone take a fry."What!" She looked up and gasped.

Domon smiled and he took another fry. "Haven't seen you around lately!"

"Domon! Is.." She started to look around.

"Nah Sai isn't here. Has floor duty to day."

Jill looked a little relieved but she couldn't stop the sad feeling coming over her. "Oh okay. That's okay."

Domon raised a brow and looked over his should a little to act as if he didn't see her react. "Funny really. He's been acting kind of off all week."

Jill looked up at him. "Really?"

Domon looked at her. "Yeah, kind of mopey and moody. He's been short with everyone. That's why he has floor duty. His dad had asked him about something and he snapped at him. Not a good idea when you dad is the chief of police."

Jill made a odd face and then looked down. "Really?" She asked again as he nodded and took another fry.

"Looks like it. And something tells me you're the reason behind it."

Jill jerked her head up to look at him. "He told you that?"

Domon laughed at this. "Calm down, he hasn't said anything, but I can read people pretty well. And since he's met you, he hasn't acted like himself." He smiled softly at her as a blush came to her cheeks.

"Really?" She said again causing Domon to laugh.

"Want me to buy you some more fries? I think I ate most of yours ha ha ha!"

"No, it's okay. I bought more than I can eat anyway." She picked up her bag of chips and crumpled the wrapper.

Domon shrugged and went back to eating her french fries. "So, I guess you wouldn't know where he disappeared to that one night, do you?"

Jill's eyes went wide but she kept her gaze on the bag and didn't respond.

"About, well it would have been about a week ago now. He didn't go home after work, well after he left the station."

"A week ago?" She bit her lip and tried to come up with a story, or someway to change the subject.

Domon raised a brow and kept talking. "He showed up at the station the next day, missing his hat. Told everyone he lost it, chasing after a shoplifter." He paused and ate another fry. "I think he was somewhere else."

Jill shook her head. "I don't know. I haven't seen him!" She sunk down in her chair, realizing she had shouted. "I mean, I don't know anything."

Sitting back in his chair Domon sighed. "Nothing at all? I would think you of all people who have some answers."

"Is that why you started eating my lunch? You're looking for answers?"

Domon was taken back a little by her comment. "No I saw you sitting here and thought you like to talk." He looked at her face. She seemed so... serious. What was wrong?

Her eyes narrowed but she looked down taking nibbles of her cake.

The two had said nothing for a while ,when Jill stood up.

"It was nice talking to ya." She began to turn when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She grabbed Domon's wrist, about to sling him over her should but stopped in time. "Uh... nervous twitch." She said after the long stare from him.

"Look Jill, I don't know what's going on... but you can't shut him out like this... and you can shun yourself from the world."

Jill wanted to shout at him. Screamed at him. What did he know? She wanted to take his arm and twist it behind his back, anything, but she couldn't. She didn't know what to say or do at the moment. Domon removed his hand, rubbing his wrist a little from her tight grip and turn to walk away. "It was nice talking to you too, Jill. See ya around."

Jill just watched him. 'You don't understand. I did it for him. I did it for Sai... didn't I?'