Disclaimer: I do not own any characters including: Bobby Manning, Jack Hudson, Myles Leland the third, Lucy Dotson, Tara Williams, Ted Garrett, Sue Thomas, Howie, Levi the Dog, or any other characters that were created by anyone other than me. I only own Makenzee Fields, Aiden Fields, and Marcus Luther. If any character is similar to others it is a mere coincidence and not intentional. There may also be drug references but I mean no offence to anyone at all.

Chapter 6

Bobby stopped in his tracks when his gaze once again met hers. He walked to her table and sat down. "Hi."

Makenzee glared at him for what seemed like an hour to Bobby when she finally said, "Are you deaf or something?"

"No. I didn't know that you were here." He lied.

"Even if you did you still would've come." Makenzee stated.

"Yep." He paused. "Look, Mackie. I didn't mean to be so forward. If I offended you in anyway , I am very sorry. I meant absolutely no offence."

"Yeah, I figured that that ego of yours probably got you in a lot of trouble." She offered a faint smile which was enough for Bobby.

"Ego? What are you talking about, sheila?"

"Oh, I dunno." She said sarcastically causing Bobby to laugh.

"So, did you finish work?"

"Uh, no. I sort of lied about that."

"Yeah, I guessed as much."

"Are you suggesting I'm transparent?"

"You tell me." He said.

"You're the one with the psychic powers, remember?"

"Ahh, that's right." A moment of silent passed between them and Mackie's mind drifted to the man again.

Bobby noticed the mood change and asked, "Makenzee, are you alright?"

"No." She admitted. "But I don't want to drag you into this."

"Hey," he touched her hand. "If there's anyone in the world that I would want to get dragged into a lot of junk with, it'd be you, Mackie."

She took in a deep breath and let it out. "Just remember – you asked for it." She paused. "I'm in trouble." She said simply.

"What kind of trouble?"

"The kind of trouble that you don't want to get mixed up in."

"The kind of trouble that's dangerous, or work trouble, or what…"

"The kind of trouble that's dangerous, but the cops don't believe you."

"Go on."

"I just don't really know how to handle it." Bobby encouraged her to go on. Mak told him the events of the last few days, pausing in between then receiving support from Bobby with eyes so loving. When she had finished, there was thick silence between them. Bobby couldn't hear a thing, not the noisy people sitting directly beside him – who were absolutely oblivious to the trauma that Makenzee was going through – he couldn't even hear his own heart plummeting to the ground when he saw Makenzee's lost eyes. For once, he knew what it felt to be deaf.

"I'm really sorry I dumped this on you." She said.

"Hey," he rubbed her icy hand, that was still in his. "Don't be sorry, I'm only sorry that we hadn't met before all of this happened. I could have at least protected you."

"That's sweet, but no, you couldn't have. Only the F.B.I. could and, well, they think I'm a criminal. I have to fight this by myself."

He plastered on a grin. "Are you always so independent?"

"I guess so." She shrugged. "I've never really had anyone to depend on before, other than my sister."

"Well, now I'm here. You can't shut me out now that you told me everything. And that's final."

"Fine, then tell me how you're planning on 'protecting' me."

"Simple. I won't leave your side until that psycho is stopped."

She laughed bitterly. "You can't follow my every move."

"Well, you got a couch?"

"You definitely can't sleep at my house! I have morals!" She argued, secretly hoping he would insist.

"Well," he weighed their options, "night is the most likely time for an attack so there is no way I'm leaving you alone."

"Well, I'm not sleeping at my house anyways. I'll stay at a hotel. I'll be safe there."

"And how can you be sure? He found you last time didn't he?"

"Well, yeah, but–"

"If he found you at a hotel once, he can do it again. You'll stay at my place. I'll take the couch." She began to protest when he cut her off. "No buts about it! We'll go straight to my place, get you settled in and then I have a few errands to run. I'll give you a set of keys in case you get locked out – which better not happen." He added sternly, as if she was his daughter receiving her first set of keys. " He won't find you there. I promise."

"I have morals, Bobby." Mak reminded him.

"As do I. But right now my only concern is keeping you safe."

They argued a little while longer but Mackie finally decided it was the safest alternative and gave in. What am I getting myself into? Makenzee thought to herself.