Chapter 3

Adam pulled into the driveway of his small white house, and shut the engine off. He tugged the keys out of the ignition, and tossed them into his pocket.

Moonlight streamed through the trees surrounding his property, casting light across his home. He glanced over at the passenger in his car. She was still breathing evenly, but he knew she would be awakening soon.

Adam lived 25 miles outside of DC, in a small community. His home was slightly secluded on the outskirts of a small forest. It was hard keeping his Camaro clean, as the road that led to his house was gravel. He often spotted deer, rabbits and other small animals in his back yard, and had on more than one occasion nearly hit a deer who ran in front of his car in the early evenings. The song of crickets and frogs filled the night air with their evening orchestra of sounds. The night air was cool, with just a slight breeze stirring the leaves on the trees.

Adam quickly exited the sports car, and walked up the rear steps; the motion detector light had flashed on and illuminated his yard. He fumbled with his keys, after a moment he managed to unlock the side door, propping it open with a brick he kept on his back steps.

After entering the kitchen, he switched on the light, and opened the door that led to the lower level, and flicked on the switch to the left of the entrance. Adam went back out to the car, to his sleeping occupant.

He opened the passenger door, and slipped his left arm around her shoulders, and his right under her knees, gently withdrawing her from the car. He kicked the door shut, and proceeded into his home. He was assaulted by her light, flowery scent that drifted up from her still form. She was so light, hardly weighing anything at all, he marveled, yet so strong, so capable. He stopped a moment at the top of the stairs to his lower level, and just gazed down at her. He sighed and ascended the stairs.

His lower level was all one room, with a small bathroom off to the side. There were no windows, but it was decorated nice, casual. His younger sister, Isabelle, had stayed with him for a short time, prior to her leaving for a new job offer she accepted in California. Her computer was still set up in the corner of the room.

He gently placed Temperance on the single daybed, and struggled to remove her jacket. After a few moments of maneuvering her unconscious form, he laid her back and removed her shoes. Satisfied she was comfortable, he took one long look at her, and went into the small bathroom and drew a glass of water, should she be thirsty when she awoke.

He dissolved a sedative into the water to keep her groggy, so he could talk to her.

Of course she would be angry upon waking, confused, perhaps even frightened. After she'd calmed down, and he spoke to her, they could discuss their future. He knew he had to tell her about her traitor partner and boss, and she'd feel hurt.

Betrayed.

He'd be there to comfort her. To offer ideas on how they could build a new life together, without people who would only hurt her in the end anyway.

He set the glass on the small round table beside the bed, and turned on the lamp. There. She was resting comfortably, and would no doubt awaken soon. He returned to the upper level, and locked the door at the top of the stairs securely.

Things had gone so fast. He'd thought this out in his mind over the last few days, upon his discovery of Agent Booths indiscretions. Adam wasn't sure he could even go through with it, wondering if he should just let things work out naturally, but he didn't want to see her hurt. He'd always been the caretaker type. He'd cared for his ailing mother in the 2 years before she succumbed to cancer.

The more he thought about it, the more he knew that he could take care of her. It was what she really needed. A connection. He was anxious for her to awaken, so they could talk.

A/N: More soon! Let me know your thoughts, its appreciated