Disclaimer: i know, i know, i still don't own anyone in here (other than Chloe, her dead parents and the other guy s that I can't remember the names of)

A/N: ohhhhh, it feels sooooo good to type again! I'm so sorry it took so dang long before i could update! please forgive me!

Chapter 30

Tara, Lucy and Sue straightened, squinting against the light and heat. Chloe grasped Tara's hand with a strength she didn't know she had. "Mommy? What was that?"

"Quiet, sugar." Tara pulled out her cell phone and with quivering fingers dialed Bobby's number. When heanswered she said, "Bobby, its Tara. There was a bomb!" She listened to his response. She began talking, almost unable to stop, "I don't know how or why, well, I have a pretty good idea of who and why but I don't how, I mean, shouldn't it have gone off when we were in the car, right?" Bobby interrupted her. … "Yeah, I'm breathing…I don't think so, we're all pretty shaken up but just a few scrapes and bruises." He stopped her again. … "Okay, I'm listening…I'll try not to panic…at the mall down town." Knowing there would be another one, Tara waited for his next question, "Chloe's pretty scarred, she's really white, there's a few scratches but I think she can handle this…we'll be waiting…yeah?" A faint smiled frosted her lips, "I love you, too." Tara hung up the phone and dropped it back into her purse. "Bobby said they we on their way."

"Good. Was Jack with him?" Sue asked.

"Didn't say." Tara couldn't take her eyes off of the incinerating car. If Chloe hadn't dropped that shopping bag they would all be in that car. Dead. Shivers coursed through her spine asthe thought was planted into her mind. Bobby, please hurry, I can't pretend to be strong for Chloe much longer, I need you here. I need to touch something real, to feel your hand slip around mine, please Bobby.

Sue felt the image burn into her mind. Although she thought that she would be thinking thought's of death, she found herself dreading the idea of never seeing Jack again, never secretly watching him out of thecorner of her eyes, never feeling the touch of his skin. Sue couldn't bear to imagine what it would be like to never kiss him again, much like they had during that one case in order to save their covers.

Lucy stared unseeing at the flames, raising high above the ground. Why in the world is the first thing I think of Myles when I was just in a near death experience? This can't be normal, she shook her head to herself. Something is seriously wrong with me. She felt her head, expecting to see blood on her handswhen she drew them away. No brain damage. There's only one alternative and I will not even consider going there, no siree.

Chloe stood there speechless. There were no thoughts passing through her mind, no feelings of anger or hate. She was just scared. Terrified was more like it. Chloe's hand tightened on Tara's, her only mother figure that she had ever known. Tara was more than a 'mother figure', she was a true mother to Chloe,the only other person who had ever loved her that way was Bobby, and Chloe knew that she was more than just a 'undercover' daughter to him. He spoiled her, Bobby loved her and Chloe felt it everyday.

They heard sirens, first police, then the fire department, after that came the ambulance and last they recognized the familiar sound of their own. The vehicles halted and Bobby and Jack flew out of the car towards them, as well asthe paramedics.

Bobby grabbed Tara by the arms and lowered to look directly into her eyes. "How are you?"

"Fine," Tara said, as the paramedics pulled her away from him to the ambulance. They brought Chloe and Tara to one, Sue and Lucy to another. The medics sat them down on the edge and began examining them for severeinjuries. When they were satisfied there were none they left to talk to the police officers and consult with the other two paramedics.

Bobby knelt down in front of Chloe and rested his hands on her knees. "Hey, Chlo'. How are ya feeling?"

She shrugged, "Okay, I guess. Did you know there was a bomb?"

"Yeah, I know. So you're not dizzy or lightheaded-"

"Daddy, I'm fine."

"Alright."

"Is Uncle Jack worried about Aunt Sue?"

Bobby nodded, "Always. Hey, uh, do you mind going to Uncle Jack for a minute so I can talk toyour Mommy for a minute?"

"Sure. Maybe he'll have more chocolate again!" Chloe jumped to the ground and skipped over to the otherambulance.

Bobby sat next to Tara, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, "You okay?"

"Um-hmm." Tara nodded and rested her head against Bobby's shoulder. "I don't think Chloerealizes what's happening."

"You can't expect her to. She's not even in school yet,although she's a lot stronger than most kids at her age."

"I know. It's just so hard."

"What is?"

"Pretending everything's okay just so Chloe doesn't freak out. Putting on a brave front. I mean, we weresupposed to be in that car. We would bedead if it wasn't for Chloe; if she hadn't dropped that bag we would all be-"

"Tara," Bobby stopped her, "you're not dead.And if I have anything to say about it you're going to be stuck in this messed up world with me for a long time yet."

Tara couldn't help but smile.Hearing those words made her feel like maybe they would have a chance at beating this. "Thanks.You're very helpful when you try to be. I'd probably go crazy without you."

"Hey," Bobby spread his arms yet,"That's what I'm here for. Besides, I'm crazy about you, so where else would wonna I be?" The smile he wore faded and Tara looked at him expectantly. "I'm sorry I wasn't here. I should'veknown not to let you walk around in public as if everything was fine."

Tara inclined her head andtenderly brushed Bobby's lips with hers. "Don't beat yourself up about it. There was no way you could've known this was going to happen."

Bobby caressed Tara's cheek with his thumb, "How did I get so lucky?"

Tara smiled softly, "I'll let you know when I figure it out."

"Haha," Bobby rubbed his nose against hers, "Very funny."

"I love you, Bobby."

"I love ya, too."

A/N: there ya go sigh, wow that feels nice to finally be able to update for once! well, I've done my part, now it's your turn: pertty please review! thanx a bunch!