Sorry for the delay, I just got bombarded at work and it's just gotten worse with each day that passes. This is my stress reliever, thanks all for continuing to read and I hope you all enjoy the next chapter. Characters are not mine I just borrowed them from my fav 80's TV show.

Chapter 68

She walked in front of me not taking the hand I offered after telling her I was sorry. She was still angry I understood, all of this had been more than I could handle. I wanted her to be safe. I wanted her to trust me to do what was right for her.

She wanted to be kept informed. I wanted to protect her from what had happened. She could never know what I had seen, what her mind was slowly revealing to her. I hope her mind would spare her the anguish I had felt when I witnessed what those animals had done to her.

She was battered and bruised when we found her. I didn't care that she had a pulse and was breathing. All I cared was that she would survive, God would not be so cruel to have me find her and take her away not when I knew what I wanted. I knew that day I would do everything in my power to shield her from this nightmare.

But it backfired on me.

I wanted to protect her. She was already on edge and I was afraid hearing about the bugs and what that bastard had written on the wall in her bedroom would have sent her over. Uncle Roy had seen the distress in my face and had tried to help me with concealing the severity of the situation.

I thought we were all on board. Popeye was about to blurt out the truth when Uncle Roy stepped in and when she point blank asked Hoyt to tell her the truth I knew I was done. He could never lie to her. Even when he knew it would hurt her he would always be truthful with CJ.

"She'll get over it Cowboy. She's tougher than you give her credit for and I know you've known her the majority of her life and only want to keep her safe, I get it. Her taking a stand back at the office was her way of taking control back. This bastard has been watching all of you. He knows your routines, maybe he's even come in contact with all of you. He gets off of thinking he's smarter and is playing his game, watching you scramble makes him think he's a big man, it's all about control. She was vulnerable and he could have taken her at any time and he will try. Jackasses like this thinking they are untouchable but he's got another thing coming. Yeah letting her leave him a message might not have been a good ideal but it's put him on notice, we know he's out there and he will make a mistake we will find out who he is and there is no doubt in my mind and when we find him and we will, there will be nowhere for him to hide. You need to trust that she can handle the truth. I for one don't like to lie and I stepped back because of Roy. But your cop friend yeah wasn't expecting that. He's okay in my book. Give her the space she needs. I know you've said they were sending you a live feed of what they did to her and that must have been difficult to watch. I'm sorry you have that nasty business taking up free rent in that brain of yours but we have an opportunity to catch this SOB and I will happily step out of the way and have you teach this dog a lesson."

I looked ahead at CJ not wanting her to get too far ahead and I nodded to Popeye. I wanted to find her tormentor and once I did I would extract my revenge for my girl. I see how she keeps scanning the area around her. Looking side to side to see if she sees anything out of the ordinary. This latest development has all of us on high alert. Everyone was made aware of the bugs that were found and what had happened at CJ's house. I know they will find bugs in my home also. We had thought it was over but it looks like it's just begun.

We were looking at her as she walked towards the door, turning around to see how far back we were when we heard someone call out her name. She proceeded in and we hurried towards the door wanting to ensure it was one of our family.

"It's cool Houston that tall guy by the door is Ripley, one of Devin's guys so that means that Flynn should be around. They're brothers."

I walked in and saw CJ talking to Maureen and Will one other guy was with him and he looked as intimidating as Ripley. I turned to see Popeye talking to the man and another joined them. I stood next to CJ putting my hand on the small of her back and she turned and started to ask where Popeye was when I motioned to the door they were walking towards us.

Will spoke up, "Hey Cuz been a crazy morning. This is Cappy and the guys walking over with Popeye are Flynn and Ripley. They are Devin's crew. They will be with us while we are at the hospital. Maureen wants to talk to CJ for a bit. She's been on the phone since 7 this morning, she's amazing. I am in awe of this woman. She gets things done."

Maureen looked down but I could see the blush on her cheeks. They would make a great couple, Will would be lucky if she would give him the time of day.

Popeye came over to introduce us to the other two, both were ex-military as was the one next to Will. Maureen suggested we go to the cafeteria. She had some information she wanted to share with us. We walked in, grabbed a table and CJ sat next to Maureen. I asked her if she was hungry and she shrugged. She was still mad.

"CJ you still need to eat something, I know you're still mad but I can't have you pass out on us. How about some coffee and a bagel or better yet a cinnamon roll?"

She looked at me, "fine if they have some fruit and coffee that would be good, I don't think I can keep anything down I'm on pins and needles, Maureen please tell me you got some good news."

"Hey Beautiful I'll go get your breakfast, cowboy why don't you sit with the ladies Will, I'm sure already knows what's going on. Cap, watch the entrance, Ripley keep an eye out and Flynn go call Devin to see what else they've found at Houston's and her place."

I was grateful to the man even though he was trying to steal my girl.

I sat down and Maureen was all smiles.

"It's good news, people have been contacting Ms. Bloom's superiors and the hospital. They want to know what happened yesterday and the Hospital does not want any bad press so they are trying to keep a lid on it. So far so good I didn't see any news crews out front which will change as soon as the police go in front of a camera looking for Jake's mom. The longer she doesn't come forward the chances of her getting him back diminishes. I talked to Ms. Bloom and she found your application for emergency temporary care for Butterfly. The social workers that assisted you with expediting that had nothing but praise for you and Houston. Heck they gave an earful to anyone that would listen of how you kept in touch with the family and have worked pro-bono for those girls that wanted to get help getting back home. You never told me you were still working with them sis. Some say you even gave them your home number for those cases that needed legal help quickly."

I looked at CJ, I wasn't aware she was still in contact with the ladies that helped us with Butterfly. I had taken the whole office out for lunch by the marina to thank them for their help and had made a nice donation to a halfway house they were starting up. It was on the Houston Inc. Charity list that Murray was in charge of.

"Well this is news to me too Maureen. I know you are working with the legal clinic in Carol's Clinic and have filed countless RO's for those in need. Why didn't you tell me?"

She fidgeted with her hands, CJ always hated to be put on the spot. She did things in the background not wanting praise for something that could be done without any fanfare.

"It's not a big deal with Uncle Roy coming to help Houston with the agency I found myself with a lot of time on my hands. I started to let the word out that I was available and if anyone needed help to call me it kept me busy with the work I do for the agency and my pro-bono work. I've helped a lot of people. It was the right thing to do."

Another thing I took from her. When I had been on the run she had kept the agency running, using her free time investigating to clear my name. I was the reason Andrea was killed and I almost lost CJ there in the warehouse. I went on the run after that. Calling her to tell her I was looking for answer and just wanting to hear her voice the voice that kept me going all those months. When I went to Uncle Roy gotten a lead I went back to the office hoping I'd see her. The office was empty but I didn't have time I needed to get the information only BABY could give me and went to shower and change Uncle Roy said he'd met me at the airport and not to stay too long. CJ could be arrested for harboring and aiding a man on the run. She and Chris had come back to the office and just hearing her voice I felt my peace return. I wanted to tell her I loved her then and there, that I was almost at the end of this journey and would she be there when it was done. I hugged her and she looked healthy, I was worried that gunshot would have sidelined her but she didn't stop I told her what I needed and she cleared the agency's schedule to help me again. She broke the code, she saved my hide and what did I do? I replaced her with Uncle Roy. It wasn't so bad at the beginning but after our run in with the Preacher I made a deal with the man upstairs and asked if he spared her I would make her life easier, I would not put her in anymore danger I would make sure she was safe.

It started small but she was right her involvement with the hands on investigations was becoming less and less. She didn't complain and I was happy she was safe but I missed her. I missed her staying late with me in the office, taking her out to dinner and just touching base with her with what was happening in her life. How did this make her feel?

"Well Sis that will go a long way with us when we petition to ask for custody of Jake. Temporary at first but hopefully permanent if his parents don't come forward."

CJ gasped, "Are you serious? Oh my… Maureen doesn't tease me really? Houston, did you hear this? Would they give me custody of him with all that went on yesterday and well what's going on now?"

I smiled. CJ Jake's mom? That would be the best thing for the little guy. He would be loved unconditionally.

"Well don't get too hopeful, we still need to see if they come forward. The courts first priority is always to reunite the family, but they would need to jump through a lot of hoops. They abandoned him. But also there is a possibility he was taken, but if that's the case who took him and what happened to his parents? There are so many variables, let's just get through this meeting first."

Popeye came back with two trays full of food and I chuckled, "what happened to fruit and coffee?"

He placed every type of fruit in front of CJ and a cup of coffee, I reached over for some grapes and she smacked my hands.

``Nope I want the grapes you can have the grapefruit and kiwi I can't deal with the fuzz on the skin."

I shook my head as Maureen took a muffin and coffee and Will took the plate of French toast with bacon. There was enough food for everyone. CJ was still quiet when Popeye whispered.

"Heard the good news, she should be happier right?"

We both looked at her and she was in her own mind not paying attention but going over the news that Maureen had just dropped on her lap.

"She's going over every scenario in her mind, she's thinking if she's good enough for Jake, if they give her custody, what if she got too attached and his mother came back into the picture. If the parents do come forward would they let her still keep in touch with them, oh and now that these threats come up will Jake be safe with her if this maniac is trying to take her."

He looked at me, "sounds like the little lady has a lot on her mind or is that your mind Houston."

I shrugged, we think alike I know her and I guarantee she's thinking this. For her to think she's not good enough to be a mother is ridiculous. You should have seen her with him. He followed her voice and she sang to him and would find his peace in her arms. They couldn't find a more qualified person to take that little boy into their care not to mention the extended family he will have. You included, but only if you stop hitting on my girl."

He laughed, "Not a chance, just biding my time Cowboy. She'll come around."

A grape hit me and I looked at CJ. She was talking to Maureen but laughing and trying to ignore me. I knew she threw that grape. I picked it up and ate it.

"Can I have another?"

She looked at me and smirked, "Don't know what you're talking about cowboy and when have you and Devin become buddies?"

"Oh Beautiful haven't you heard of the saying 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer?' Yeah that's what this is. I charm him and bam I take his girl away from him."

I shook my head, "not going to happen, you should give up now Popeye, like I've said the lady is spoken for. Right CJ?"

Moment of truth. What would she say?

She looked at Maureen and crossed her arms in front of her.

"I will consider it but only if you learn to stop hiding things from me. I am strong enough to deal with any bad news and I don't want to be left in the dark. Stop protecting me, I need to know everything that's happening no more hiding truths or this won't work."

She was right, I agreed with her and Maureen gave me an out and started to prep us for the upcoming meeting. We found out that Delia Fowler, Maureen's friend, had asked what was going on with the case and was given the update of us not being able to assist with Jake's care. She turned around and started to call friends and officials wanting to know why we were barred from taking care of him and putting pressure on the right people. No one wanted to end up on the evening news regarding the baby, the beauty and the beast.

"Can you believe that's what they are calling this story? The three B's oh Jaime came up with that title she wanted me to tell Star. They still want you to do a follow up interview, I know Hoyt asked but, helping out will only help our case. Maybe instead of CJ you can do the talking Cowboy?"

I was all for it, I'd go in front of the camera and take on the questioning anything to protect her and to keep the maniac that thought she was his at bay. Popeye said that was a good idea said we should do it at the hospital not at my house or the office to many variables to keep us safe.

Will went to contact Hoyt and took Flynn with him.

"Do you think we can go see Jake?" CJ whispered.

Maureen shook her head. "Let's not rock the boat let's get this meeting over with and see where we stand things have been fluent with this case and we want to make sure all our ducks are in a row. I'm sorry sis."

She looked at her food and started to move the fruit around. I picked up a yogurt and opened it.

"Eat this CJ come on Mr. Jake will not be happy with me if you go visit him and fall flat on your face because you haven't eaten. Remember I promised to watch over you so come on eat."

She looked at me and I started to spoon up a scoop of the yogurt, "I'll spoon feed you if you want. It could be practice when we get custody of Jake."

She gasped, "Do you think they would grant me custody of him? It's just so hard to imagine but I don't want to hope for something that might not come true. Life wouldn't be so cruel would it Houston."

I put the yogurt down and pulled her over to me she leaned her head into my shoulder and I whispered into her ear, "They would be idiots not to. They see the bond you have with him and him with you. You saved his life he knows this and I will be there right by your side, this was fate CJ. You and I finding our way to finally take that leap and Jake is just the finishing touch. That's if you will allow me to help."

"No one I'd rather be doing this with. Come on it's time to show them what the team of Houston and Parsons can do and what we would do to keep that little boy safe."

Maureen smiled, "Yes! Exactly what I wanted to hear come on they won't know what hit them."