January, 20th.

It appeared to be a normal day as any other. Mark was spending the majority of the morning in bed, along side Jeff. Until he reluctily is forced up to tend to the day's ever increasing chores.

Jeff takes the oppturtiny to get a few more hours of sleep in while Mark fed, cleaned and gave wanted attetion to the dogs.

The dogs tails wagging one after the other, a impatient one jumps up towards the forefront and jumps up at Mark, eargely wanted his focus solely on him and not the others. Mark smiles and reaches down to scratch the dog on his back which caused the dog's tail to wave through the air, intensely.

Mark is quite content and would be more then happy to stay there paying added attetion to each dog until he was satisfied that each dog had ample time with him and that no dog was left out on his affection. But he soon sees a car coming down the graval road heading towards his properity.

Being curious and feeling protective of his home and of those he loves, and wanting to know just who was it that was coming to see him, in this car which he does not regonize to belong to anyone that he knows. Mark straightens up, keeping a watchful eye up the road to the strange vechicle. Who were these strangers, and that is one thing that Mark is very cautious of, is strangers.

The vechicle was becoming closer in to view so that Mark is able to see the headlights on top of the car's hood. It appears to be a police cruiser.

Mark pulls open the gate to the dog's inclosure. He gives a few strangling dogs near him a few pats before he shoes them back from the gate and walks out of it, closing the gate behind him. He turns around to focus back on the car. Still coming forward.

The car was now pulling up to the house, Mark eyes them and a few seconds later, the car stops and two men get out the car. They are wearing brown uniforms, apparently being county sherriffs.

Mark begins taking off his work gloves and tosses them on top of the dog's fence.

He walks up to the two men, his vision being obscured from the blaring sun in this noon day humity. He tries to swipe the sweat away from his forehead and brows. He calls to the men who were unaware of his presence. And were proceeding to knock on the side door.

"What can I do for you two officers?"

One older man hard of hearing was unresposive. Probably didn't hear Mark at all but luckily his partner is younger and has better hearing. He motions to the older gentleman and they both turn around to face Mark. They take a few steps forward towards Mark at the same time that Mark is taking a few steps forward to them.

Mark stops suddenly and places his hands up in the air when he notices the older man has his hand placed on his gun holster that is placed on his right hip. The young sheriff takes notice of Mark's gaze and see's the exact same as what Mark was viewing. He places his hand quickly on the older man's shoulder and steps infront of him, placing himself between Mark and the apparant trigger happy older deputy.

"Whoa, we don't need done of that, Officer. " The young man whispers as he turns around to face Mark yet again, once the older man has taken his hand off the holster.

Mark quickly apologizes. "I didn't mean to scare you, I just would like to know why you two officers are at my house?"

"Sir, we're just here to inform everyone in the area, that there's been some home invasions as of lately, and we want everyone to take extra procation and alert during the night and during times that you leave your home unattended."

"Well, thank you sir. I am the owner and I sure appreite you informing me of this information. I didn't know that there had been any break ins."

Mark extends his hand to the younger sherrif. "I do thank you for making me aware, though I can't see anyone wanting to steal anything that I own. I don't have that much of value. But I surely will take your advice and take procation. Thank you, again. Is there anything else?"

The older sherrif extends his hands out for Mark to shake. Mark hesitants a few seconds, weary of the man who just moments ago was acting as if he was about to fire a shot at him.

"No, sir. We've pretty much just wanted to warn everyone living in the vanicity of the robberies. We thank you for your time and understanding. You have a good day, sir."

The older sherrif replies and releases Mark's handshake, while smiling slightly. The younger man tips his hat towards the direction of Mark. Mark knods and the two men head back to their cruiser.

Mark shakes his head at the invasion. And he heads indoors once he's satisfied that the two men are gone.

He finds Jeff in the kitchen. "Who were they?" He asks.

Mark grabs Jeff's hand and kisses it gently. "It was nothing. Just two officers wanted to let me know about some robberies in the area and to be cautious."

Jeff knods his head. "I don't believe we're have to worry about that. I have my big strong protector, right here."

Mark quickly grabs a hold of Jeff's waist, bringing him closer to him. He replies, laughing. "Damn right, you do."

Mark kisses Jeff on the side of his cheek. And his tone becomes less jokely and more serious.

"If anyone ever put you in any kind of danger or harm. They'd be in for a very rude awakening."

Just as Mark gets the words out of his mouth, the phone begins to ring. Mark lets loose of his hold on Jeff so that he can answer it.

"Hello?."

"Mark, have you heard? I've been trying to get up with you."

"Have I heard what?" Mark replies, at the same time that he's teasing Jeff with his cooking. "Smells pretty burnt."

"It is not." Jeff retorts.

"Mark, have you heard about Paul?"

"What, what did you say?" Mark asks. His focus elsewhere.

"I said DID YOU HEAR ABOUT PAUL?"

"What about him." Mark rolls his eyes.

TBC

I don't know why my spell check is not working right now. Forgive me for some misspellings that I know are in this chapter. Hopefully, I still have some readers. I know it's been forever, please leave a review on what you think. :)