Hey guys,

I am aware that I missed last week's posting and that things have been spotty lately. I appreciate your patience with me! I wanted to inform you that the reason I've been unable to post is because I have been finishing up my next book.

Being Brave Again, follows a young female healing from a traumatic chain of events in the most human way possible. It shines a light on the hardships of healing and learning how to trust and cope with the little things people sometimes take for granted. This book is currently available for pre-order as a kindle edition on amazon. Paperback copies and digital copies will be available on amazon as of February 1st 2015.

Also, I have been drafting up the next fanfiction for you guys! Suddenly Sexy is about a strong business woman who hires a man to marry her because needs a green card to stay in the United States. With a promise of four million dollars as payment the couple venture into this commitment and soon realize that keeping their feelings out of a marriage is a lot harder than it seems.

Til next time,

Punkpoet69

Gabriella led Kelsi into the spare bedroom shutting the door behind them; they sat down on the bed quietly. For a while neither of them said anything. They both just stared at the wall in front of them.

"It takes a lot of getting use to," Kelsi murmured. "My best friend has a serial killer after her. My husband's at home recovering from an attempt on his life and my son wants to know why his grandmother's diner isn't open anymore."

Flooded with guilt she couldn't even begin to form an apology that seemed appropriate. Her hand came up over her ribs rubbing them gently to ease some of the tenderness there. A long moment as she stared at the carpeted floor. She wasn't really sure what to expect from Kelsi, other than blame, or some form of revenge.

"I'm keeping the diner open," Kelsi continued. "It's what she would have wanted."

"It all just really sucks," Gabriella admitted.

"I'll say." Kelsi looked around the guest bedroom for a moment, "Chad made me swear I wouldn't tell anyone where you where you're staying."

"You got a lot further with him than I did," Gabriella let out a sigh as she shifted a little. "They won't tell me anything. I feel like I've been banished."

"I'm sure that's not the case," Kelsi assured her. "I think Troy cares about you. That's why he's being so protective."

"That doesn't excuse him for being an ass," Gabriella murmured.

"And God forbid I tell you to forgive him, or give him another chance." Kelsi shifted as she put her purse in her lap. "What happened now?"

"Let's just say, history is repeating itself and I couldn't be a bigger idiot." Gabriella let out a breath as she brought a hand up through her hair. "At least this time I didn't sleep with him."

"You didn't," Kelsi inhaled sharply.

Gabriella shook her head, "I won't say it didn't come up, but no we didn't."

Kelsi winced as she brought a hand up to her temple, "I owe the Sheriff an apology."

"Good luck finding him."

Meanwhile Troy used his key and let himself into his parent house. When he made his way past the entryway, he saw his dad settled in the usual easy chair, reading the paper.

"I figured you'd show up sooner or later." The paper rattled as his dad turned the page.

Troy stepped furthered into the room looking for signs of Gabriella. In spite of knowing it would be a huge punch in the gut, he was starved to see her. To look, not touch.

"Is she in the extra bedroom?" He rubbed his shoulder. Then set a bag he brought over willed with her prescriptions he picked up on the way over.

"Yup." His dad didn't look up.

Troy took a few steps forward before his father lowered the corner of the paper, "I wouldn't go in there if I were you."

Troy stilled and furrowed his brow, "She can't be that upset?"

"Probably. But that's not why you shouldn't go in there."

Troy looked away from the hall leading to the extra bedroom and then back to his dad. "Why shouldn't I go in there?"

"She's got company."

"Who?" Troy tensed, "No one's supposed to know she's here?"

"Don't give me that. Kelsi showed up at the door, what was I supposed to do turn her away."

"Kelsi?" Troy let out a sigh as he walked over to the couch and fell back into it. "Did she seem angry?"

"Nope."

"Has there been yelling?"

"Nope."

Troy raised a brow as he watched his father continue to read the paper. "Are you going come out and say what's on your mind or am I going to have to keep up this integration?"

Jack lowered his paper as he looked over at Troy. "Your idiot."

Troy rolled his eyes, "explain?"

"That girl," Jack began.

"Gabriella," Troy correct.

"So you do know her name?" Jack frowned. "That girl right down the hall has been through hell and back. She needs you and you're at the station with your head up your ass."

"I'm doing my job," Troy raised his voice.

"You're avoiding her," Jack voice rose as he leaned forward.

"I am not."

"What is going on in here?" Lucile came into the living room from the kitchen wiping her hand on a rag. "Do I have to separate you two?"

Troy sat on the sofa shifting his gaze from his mother to his father feeling as though he lost his mind. He couldn't wrap his mind around it. It was like he couldn't do anything right. Ever since saving her that night he been trying his best to keep his distance. There was nothing he wanted more than to drag her to his place lock her in a room and sit outside of it with a loaded gun until Michael Catania was behind bars.

But he couldn't do that. He was still working her case. He was still negotiating the case with Taylor and a Federal Agent, he had check out four times. He handed over everything that his department found on Herman, the knowledge that Herman had a daughter who was currently in Michael's custody. That Herman was a hired hit man Michael blackmailed into doing the job.

As long as he was working this case and if they wanted to put Michael behind bars he was going to have to stay away.

"We're fine," Jack murmured as he lifted his paper again.

Troy let out a sigh as he got up and made his way to the kitchen finding Eliot sitting at the kitchen table coloring. It was the perfect neutral element after a long day at the station dealing with the ugliness of the world. There was nothing like the innocence of a child that could just melt away all that evil and doubt that the job placed on your shoulders.

"Hey Eliot," he said with a small smile as he took a seat at the table. "What are you doing?"

"Drawing a picture of my dad."

Troy frowned slightly and leaned in to see the picture, "What's he doing?"

Eliot's red crayon stopped moving as he looked up at Troy, those little brown eyes watching him quietly. Almost unsure about something and for a moment a Troy felt bad for him. Although his father had done some horrible things had was currently listed as a wanted man. He was still a father. Eliot was only a child.

"Have you eaten?" Lucile asked as she walked into the kitchen.

"No thanks mom," Troy shifted his attention for a moment and then took a green crayon from the pile and a sheet of paper. "I use to draw pictures all the time."

"Really?" Eliot asked as he picked up a blue crayon and began drawing a car.

"Yeah," Troy said off handedly, "I was never really good at it but, my mom use to hang them on the fridge."

"My mom does that too," Eliot's eyes opened wide as he enjoyed having something in common with Troy. "What did you draw?"

"I use to draw race cars and dinosaurs," Troy smiled as he attempted his best at a green dinosaur, "I also would just draw random stuff I saw."

Eliot listened as he continued to draw his eyes shifting up at Troy a few times smiling as he watched Troy's dinosaur take form.

"Do you think I should add some red?" Troy asked holding up his work.

"Yeah and a volcano," Eliot beamed as he reached for the red crayon and handed it to Troy.

"You know I can't really draw volcanos, do think you could fil them in for me?" Troy asked politely.

Eliot took a moment to think about it, and then accepted the job. Troy watched Eliot drew his volcanos cautiously, careful to get them just right.

"You're doing a great job, have you thought about becoming an artist."

"My dad said artists are people who starve."

Troy chuckled softly, "Well you could always keep it as a hobby, and you know work on it because it's something you love to do that makes you happy."

Eliot was quiet again as he began watching Lucile as she washed the dishes. He was quiet, distant. In the short time that he'd known Eliot, Eliot had been inquisitive, playful, and spirted. Something was wrong. Troy looked back at the drawings already on the table. When Troy looked back up Eliot was staring directly at him. "Are you dating my mom?"

Troy felt a prickle race over his shoulders. "No."

"But you like her?"

Troy made a face as he looked down at the pictures again, "Yea, I like her."

"So then what's going to happen to my dad?"

"I am more than sure this is a question you should probably ask your mom about," Troy said after a deep breath. "I mean your mother and I would never do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable because we both care about you."

"You care about me?" Eliot asked looking up at Troy.

"Of course I do," Troy frowned as he moved a little closer reaching out a concerned hand to place over Eliot's small one. "I care so much about you and your mother. I don't want anything bad to happen to you. That why I have to protect you guys."

"Sheriff?"

Kelsi's voice sliced through him and he jerked as he turned toward the doorway. "Mrs. Evans, good evening."

"Good evening," she nodded as she adjusted the strap of her purse.

Troy stood up, his arms crossed over his chest. "How did you know Gabriella was here?"

Kelsi squared her shoulders. "Chad."

That news didn't seem to land so well with Troy and Troy made his way past her and to the living room. Stopping when he seen Gabriella standing in the hall.

"Well," Kelsi said looking from Troy to Gabriella, "I should be going. If you need me, call."

"I will."

"No outgoing calls."

"Excuse me?" Gabriella bit out. "You don't tell me what to do."

"When you're under my jurisdiction I do," Troy said picking up the phone and dialing a number.

Gabriella felt an anger bum in her belly. How dare he appear out of nowhere dress in his snug uniform and throw his machismo around as if he had some claim on her after passing her off like a bad gift? She crossed her hands over her chest and told herself to breathe before she said something she'd regret.

Kelsi waved and Gabriella nodded as she watched her friend open the door.

"Hold on, Kelsi." Troy said holding up his hand to stop her, "Donny's going to take you home and in the future when someone's under protection there's a reason behind it. I informed you this afternoon that Mrs. Catania was not having visitors. You should know better than to go behind my back."

"Okay," she said quietly.

Once Kelsi was squared away Troy shut the door and turned back towards Gabriella who was standing in the hallway.

"Rude much?"

"I'm doing my job," Troy said as he made his way into the living room.

"Kelsi is my friend and she came over to talk to me. At least someone did."

Troy rolled his eyes, "A friend who just a week ago would have gladly offered you up to a killer to avenge her grandmother."

"Kelsi wouldn't do that."

Troy frowned, "you don't know that!"

The truth escaped her. "Fine. I don't, but why do you even care? I'm nothing to you. Not a phone call, a visit, nothing and if you haven't noticed we're done." Unable to control the ache in her chest, she darted around him and went into the kitchen to gather her son. Lucile frowned as she stared at both of them.

Troy following close behind. "We're not through talking."

"Yes, we are." She didn't look back as she guided Eliot towards the bedroom. She had nothing else to say to him.

"Hey," he yelled as she continued down the hall ignoring him. "Don't walk away when I'm talking to you."

"Or what?" she spun around swiftly. "You gonna hit me too?"

Troy's mouth fell open, his eyes staring at her with anger. "Damn it Ella, you know that's not fair. This is different."

"How?" She challenged. "How is this different from my seven years of marriage? Explain how you being manipulating, controlling, distant and a hot headed is different from my life with Michael?"

"Ella."

"In case you're wondering, I'm no longer your problem. We don't need someone like you in our life." Her body defensively came in front of Eliot. Shielding him from the Bolton's. "I thank you for your hospitality but in the morning we will be leaving."

"If you think I'm going to let you leave here and risk that some SOB could get to you, then you better think again."

"If I chose to leave here, I could walk out that door and there wouldn't be a damn thing you could do about it. But believe it or not, as much as your presence annoys me right now, my son and I need to rest."

Troy didn't say a word as he watched her continued her way down the hall and disappeared into her assigned bedroom.

"Well, that went better than I expected," Jack said from the living room as he shuffled his paper a bit. "Nice job jackass."

An hour later, Troy leaned his head against the bedroom door. "Ella, please open the door and let's talk about this." He pleaded for what felt like the millionth time. She hadn't said one word since she'd gone in there.

"I'm not leaving until we talk?" he added. Turning around and pressing his back against the door and letting out a sigh.

Unexpectedly the door opened and Troy fell threw a little before catching himself.

"Jack," Gabriella called out rather loudly.

"Yes," his dad called from the next room, where he'd been reading that paper cover to cover.

"You said that you owed me one right?"

Jack appeared in the hallway paper folded and tucked under his arm, "Yes, ma'am. That I do."

"Then can you stop the dickhead at my door from harassing me."

Before Troy could say anything the door shut in his face and he caught a snicker of laugh coming from his father. "Stay out of it, Dad," Troy warned.

"Well, son, I might have been able to do that if hadn't gotten me knee-deep in it by doing something stupid. So leave the lady alone." His father motioned him away from the door.

Troy relented but eventually followed his dad into the living room where his mother was sitting on the couch working on a crossword puzzle.

"Just let her simmer down," Lucile offered as she gave him her best smile.

"Let me tell you," His dad started as he sat down, "I've seen your mom and even old Miss Riley Gibson down the block that mad, and they got over it in time. But don't stop trying. If you don't try, they get madder."

Troy fell back into the couch and pushed his palms into his eye sockets. He couldn't think straight. He needed to talk to her and yet didn't have a clue what he needed to say. He let out a sigh as he let his mind wonder for a moment and his eyes adjusted to the light in the room.

"How well do you think Eliot's handling all this?"

"I'm not sure," Lucile raised a brow as she glanced over at Jack, "he seems like a normal little boy, but sometimes you can tell he's got his share of troubles."

Troy let out groan as his head fell back on the couch. "I feel like such an asshole."

"Because at the moment you are," Jack smirked.

Troy leaned forward and pinched the bridge on his nose. "Dad," Troy warned.

Lucile frowned, "Give it a rest jack."

"Fine," Jacke held up his paper as he thumbed through for his page, "What's the plan?"

"I don't know yet."

Jack nodded, "Great plan."

Troy rolled his eyes as he moved to get up from the couch. "I'm going to call Martha; see if there are any updates."

"I'll go get my shot gun," Jack said as he got up from his chair. "Make sure no one gets in without my permission."

Lucile nodded as she moved to get up as well. "I guess, I'll start a pot of coffee."

Gabriella woke up to a headache, puffy eyes and cold sweat that left her pillow wet. Looking at the clock she let out a long sigh. Three A.M. She'd cried herself to sleep around midnight, convinced that in spite of it being totally illogical, she'd somehow managed to fall in love Troy again. And this time she was going to pack her things and leave him waiting.

God knew she could deal with a broken heart. That was the thing about surviving really sucky tragedies like losing your whole family: it made you realize you could survive anything.

Getting up to go to the bathroom, she stopped at the door and listened. She wondered if he was still there, propped up against the door, waiting for her to open it. He'd sworn he wasn't leaving, but why should she believe him?

Cracking open the door she peered into the hall. Empty. What did she expect? After all she told him to leave her alone.

She started to make her way for the bathroom, but paused as she thought about checking the living room. Had he slept on his dad's couch? Was he currently camped out waiting until the morning when they would battle it out again? She let out a low groan and mentally kicked herself for caring. She made her way to the bathroom quickly to relieve herself.

She flipped on the light and turned to glare at herself in the mirror. She looked in mirror at her red eyes and blotchy dace. Amazingly, she still looked better on the outside than she felt on the inside. Sweeping some hair from her face she leaned in closer to the mirror. "You're an idiot," she whispered to her reflection.

Letting out a sigh, she pulled her nightshirt up, her panties down and plopped her bottom on the toilet. She'd just got a healthy stream going when the shower curtain swept back. And she saw him. In the bathtub. His legs were bent at the knees, head bent at a weird angle. But his eyes were on her.

A jolt went through her.

His focus shifted to her spread legs. She slammed her thighs together and yanked at the toilet paper roll for a few squares. But before she could give herself a one-swipe wipe, he'd climbed out of the tub and had the door blocked. She hit the flusher and popped up.

"Let me out."

Troy shook his head. "Not until you listen to me."

"I don't care to hear anything you have to say."

"I was an asshole. A piece of shit."

She nodded. "Go on."

"See?" Troy motioned, "I do have something to say you want to hear."

He leaned against the bathroom counter. She eyed the space between him and the door and made a run for it.

He snagged her around the waist and they fell against the wall together as he held her to him.

"What are you doing?"

"I just want to talk to you." His hand moved over her hip.

"Why were you sleeping in the bathtub?" She reached back to stop him from touching her, and in doing so she brushed her breasts across his chest. Pleasure shot through her, up and down and all over her body.

"I wasn't sleeping," he said. "I was waiting for you."

"In the bathtub?"

"I thought about the floor in the hall, but knew you'd see me and shut the door. I thought about the sofa, but you'd hear me coming and run back into that damn room. I even considered just standing in here but I've chased you before and you might have made back to the room before I could catch you. Then it occurred to me that if I caught you on the pot, you were too much of a lady to run before you wiped." His sly smirk pulled at his lips. "And I was right, too."

"I see no humor in this situation," she snapped.

"I do."

She tried to pull away again, but his arm tightened. Not too tight. She knew all she'd have to do was yell out for Jack and he would come to her rescue. Troy had to know that, too. This meant, he knew she wanted to be here. To be in his arms, against his chest.

"Why didn't you at least call?"

"I just thought it would be easier if I wasn't around." Troy was quiet as his fingers started slowly playing with her nightshirt. "I can't think like a cop and be your boyfriend at same time."

Gabriella head jerked back as she looked up at him. "Boyfriend?"

"Deal with it," he said as his hand slid down her back to curve of her bottom. "My girlfriend's married."

"Troy," Gabriella started to speak but Troy's lips pressed down onto hers. It was a sweet kiss, simple and chaste. A test kiss, to see if she might let him do it again.

"You scared me really bad when I couldn't find you. If it weren't for my dad, I don't know if I would have gotten it together." His slow touch was moving again, rubbing slightly on her bottom. "I am really, really sorry about not calling or showing up at the hospital but I want to finish this case. The federal bureau wants Michael's head just as bad as I do, and they're willing to lead the case. However, if I want to stay on it and continue to help them I can't have a conflict of interest and you are a very big conflict. You have to understand that."

"Your job sucks."

"It's won't always," Troy hands came up to her waist tightening around her and pulling her in closer. "Once this is over it, it's just another job. You'll see."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah," Troy rocked her side to side a bit as he watched her, "We could move into my house or yours which ever you want. We could get a dog, Eliot can have a basketball net over the garage. We can make another Eliot of our own."

Gabriella looked at him with skeptical frown. "And what about everyone else?"

"I don't care about everyone else. I care about you. I care about Eliot."

"Just like that."

"Just. Like. That."

Gabriella was quiet for a moment as she looked at him, his closeness to her comforting in so many ways that made her ache with unfilled wishes. "Michael is going to come for me Troy. I can't stay here."

Troy stood still as he watched her, his hand coming up to caress the fading bruise on her face. "He already has, we think he's in town but we're not sure where."

"What?" Gabriella stilled.

"You're going to be okay." Troy lifted his hands and placed them on her shoulders. "I'm right here and nothing is going to happen to you."

Gabriella let out a sigh as she brought her hands up to his chest. "What's the plan?"

"We only have one chance at this, you don't have to do it if you don't want to."