Every time I boarded a plane, I remembered why I hated flying. It's bad enough that they are always overcrowded, but add to that the fact that you were so high up in the air…It's pretty unnerving. Just thinking about it gave me a headache. I made my way to the middle section of the plane and found my seat just as the final people were making there way down the small aisles. I threw my carry-on in the overhead compartment and was thankful to be seated near the window.

This whole half-concocted plan of mine was insane. After all, I had no idea where I was going or what to do. All I had to go on was the overpowering feeling of needing to see Lauren. She used to talk of her hometown during our late night conversations, but all I remember is the beauty of any story she told. No real details about her town stood out when compared to her.

I sighed.

This was going to be harder than I imagined.

Michigan was a big state, and what means did I even have of tracking her down? All I really knew was that she lived on the water. Like that helps with all the lakes around the peninsula. If only there was some way of making my way to her. The only thing I really wanted was to just see her once more, to be with her once more.

My plan to sleep was thwarted by my overactive mind, and once the plane landed in Detroit I knew I would have to refuel before I started out. I made my way through the crowded airport and found all of my bags successfully. I already had a hotel reservation, so I caught a cab and made my way to the middle of the bustling city.

It was a typical hotel room, but once my head hit the pillow, I fell asleep fully clothed. Exhausted from the lack of sleep I'd had.

My journey had yet to begin, but I knew that if I waited to much longer I would loose all my confidence.

Nothing was going to stop me from getting to her, not again.

~*********~

I laid in my bed staring up at the ceiling. The darkness was closing in on me like a cloak. No dreams were present to carry me off to that wonderful numbness of sleep. For the last few nights, I didn't sleep a wink. The news of Ryan made my heart nearly stop dead in its tracks. I couldn't even pretend anymore. My mom knew that I wasn't sleeping. So the insomnia became something that kept me busy during the nights. I would take these long walks around the boardwalk, or I would run along the beach.

I channeled everything into some kind of motion that would keep my mind off of the here and now. As long as I was moving or busy, the distraction was enough. My days ran into my nights, and soon it was hard for me to tell what a normal persons schedule was. My life had become one ever long moment.

I had fallen apart again.

I was more broken now than I was when I first made my way back home. There was no driving force behind me. I had become just an empty shell of a person. Walking around I was hollow, and everyone could see that there was no light left in my eyes. At the shop, Jan had to keep me away from the customers because I could barely function with people anymore. I knew that I was scaring the tourists away, but I couldn't help it.

The sun was going to be up soon, so I took off on my now morning run. The sound of the waves lapping against the shore was soothing. I learned to tune everything else out except the sound of the water and my breathing. Once I was tired enough to quit, I made my way back to the house to shower and change.

"Morning," My mom said as I made my way out of the bathroom with a towel still on my head.

I nodded in her direction and grabbed a cup of coffee.

She sighed, seeing no change in my mood or behavior. "I hired someone else for the shop."

That caught my attention. "What? Why?"

"I think you know why," She countered raising her eyebrows.

"If this has anything to do with me not being as friendly then--"

She held up her hand cutting me off. "That's part of it, but I just need someone who can actually sell things too."

I sat down in a huff. "Fine. Who is this mystery person?"

"You went to high school with him," She replied not looking up at me. "Andrew Hart."

I nearly spit out my coffee. "Are you serious?"

She nodded in response.

"I thought he moved to Hollywood or something like that. He always said he wanted to be a film maker."

"Well," She looked me square in the eye. "I guess he didn't."

"What does he even know about art?" I asked angrily.

"Lauren, that's enough."

I rolled my eyes and walked away from her to finish my hair before leaving for the shop. I couldn't believe that she would hire someone else. Especially this punk kid from my high school. I left before her as I took my walk to work. I tried to keep my mind from wandering, but it still did no matter how I tried. It took me less time than usual, and by the time I made it to the art shop Mr. Bridge wasn't even outside yet.

I unlocked the place and was already setting it up when my mom made her way in. She didn't say a word to me as she began her own set up work. The two of us worked silently for about a half an hour before we officially opened for the day. I took my normal seat by the cash register and waited for her to say something to me, but she just kept her silent act.

I shrugged it off and went about my own business. The flow of customers was pretty steady for a Monday, so that kept me occupied enough. I would eye her every now and then, but she was paying me no attention. I guess I must have really gotten to her. I guess after this whole ordeal it was starting to wear on her more than I'd thought. I really didn't want to have to keep her worrying about me, but there was really nothing I could do. I mean, how else was I supposed to deal with this?

I flipped through the book I was pretending to read and noticed that it was just after 11. Time was passing ever so slowly today. At this rate, I was going to have to take a run or something to keep my mind from wandering too much.

I heard the bell on the door ring and snapped my head up to see a man in his late 20's walking into the shop. Normally, I wouldn't pay any attention to such a person, but he was staring right at me. I couldn't help but stare right back. There was nothing really to remarkable about him. He was about 5 foot 9, with sandy brown hair and a slight stubble on his chin. Once he got closer I noticed his hazel brown eyes that were completely different from the ones I was used to staring into.

I flinched slightly and looked away upset that I let myself think of him.

"Hey there," The man said now standing in front of me with a small grin on his face.

I cleared my throat. "Can I help you?"

"Ahh," He chuckled. "Of course you don't remember me…Why would you after all?"

I furrowed my brow. "I have no clue what you are talking about."

"I'm not surprised," He replied and then crossed his arms over his chest.

"Are you trying to intentionally offend me?"

"And why would I do that Ms. Southwood?" He said with a smirk. "Or would you prefer Lauren?"

"What--?"

"Oh Drew!" My mom cut me off as she came out from the stock room. "Right on time I see."

"Of course," He said as he went to shake my mothers hand and left me still slightly bewildered. "Your hotshot lawyer daughter doesn't seem to remember me I'm afraid."

"I told her that I hired you," She said giving me a strange look.

I looked away from the both of them and went back to reading my book. I really didn't want to have to deal with this whole thing. The last thing I wanted was to deal with people I went to high school with. How did he expect me to remember him when I barely even spoke to him anyway?

The two of them chatted away for sometime about what he was to do here at the store and I tried not to listen. I was still a little angry about the whole situation anyway. He was pleasant, but that didn't really matter to me. I guess that was what she wanted him here for though. He was someone to play nice with the customers when I wasn't in a playful kind of mood. I could already tell that I wasn't going to enjoy working with him. Other than the fact that he seemed to know an awful lot about me, it annoyed me that he saw the person I used to be. Everyone changes after high school, and I was no exception. I really thought that no one noticed me then anyway. I was never in the same social circle as him, so the whole thing came as a shock to me.

After a while, mom announced that she had to run an errand. I was left in charge and Andrew was to start some of his new duties that I wasn't listening to. She left the two of us, and I went back to ignoring him until he decided that he needed to say something.

"You really don't look that much different from high school," He remarked.

I sighed and set my book down. "Look Andrew, I don't know what your deal with me is…But I am in no mood to chit chat ok?"

That seemed to take him off guard. "Wow, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I was just trying to have a small conversation with you."

"Well, don't."

"What is your deal?"

"I just don't feel like talking to people."

He laughed. "Yeah, that I got."

"I don't know why you find it necessary to ridicule me," I said glaring at him.

"So complimenting someone is ridicule in your book? Ok, well at least now I know."

"Well, I can already tell that this is going to be fun," I said sarcastically as I opened up my book again.

"Indeed," He said standing. He made his way over to me and leaned on the counter slightly. "And to think, I always thought you were shy and quiet."

"I'm a lawyer."

He smiled and there were slight crows feet in the corner of his eyes. "Good point."

~*********~

I couldn't help it, even though I knew I shouldn't stare, something in me was drawn to this guy who was suddenly thrust into my life. I was supposed to be working, but I was cheating by watching him logging inventory. I wasn't attracted to him in any way. He was very fascinating though. For so long, I was just floating around and not paying attention to anyone. My observation skills were rusty.

I used to pride myself on noticing things that no one else seemed to, but now I was in the other side. He was the one pointing out things that I would have always seen first. I didn't want to talk to him, which he knew, but that didn't stop him from saying a comment every now and then. Mostly, I would just look up at him and the go back to ignoring his existence. I hated that he could get under my skin so easily. Damn him and his puzzle like demeanor. That was what bugged me the most, the fact that I couldn't figure him out the moment I laid eyes on him.

There was only one other person that I'd had that trouble with before…

I shook my head and sighed audibly. Hearing this, he looked up at me with questioning eyes.

"You alright over there cupcake?" He snickered.

I rolled my eyes. "Shut up."

"Also doesn't like pet names," He said to himself and then proceeded to check off an imaginary list.

"Andrew look--"

He held up his hand to me. "Please, call me Drew. Only my mother calls me Andrew."

"Ok Drew," I amended. "You obviously have this need to mess with me, but I'm not really that type of person."

"I knew you were wound tightly," He said nodding. "But I can honestly say I wasn't expecting this." He gestured to my cold demeanor and then made his way over to me. "I just figured it would be good to be friends since we are going to be working together."

"I don't need any more friends. Thank you very much."

"Oh really?" He took a step back. "Tell me then, where are all of these friends you speak of? I haven't seen you with anyone since you have been back home."

"They are in Miami," I answered quickly defending myself. "Wait a sec, you've been watching me?" I checked the clock and noticed it was time to start closing. "Yeah, that's not a little creepy."

I made my way to the door and turned the sign over and then began to turn off some of the lights. He was silent while I completed most of my nightly routine. It wasn't until I was done that I noticed he had already locked everything else up.

I shrugged and went to grab my purse from behind the counter when he stopped me. "You spend most of your time in the old diner down the street, which I also work at. Every time you come in you are either with your mom or alone, and you usually order the same thing. Once in a while you switch it up and order something different, but that is rare."

"I don't have to listen to this," I said as I tried to walk away from him, but he grabbed my shoulder, halting my getaway

"If you aren't there, then you are here or at home. I have never seen you out around town like any normal 26 year old. Sometimes you even sit at the beach and watch the waves, just like you used to during high school. You are a creature of habit Lauren, and it looks like you haven't really changed a whole lot. So what is your deal?"

"Are you done?" I asked raising my eyebrows.

"Are you being examined by the legal bar?"

I shifted my weight from leg to leg, clearly annoyed with him.

"No," He took him my body language. "Fired then?"

I snorted.

"Ok, nothing to do with the job then," He looked into my eyes. "So it must be something personal."

I was silent.

He smirked. "Did he dump you or did you dump him?"

I swallowed hard, a lump was forming in my throat.

"Hmmm," He paused a moment. "He must still be in Miami then?"

My head was spinning. Couldn't he see that this was torturing me?

"But you are still in love with him," He didn't wait for a response. "So what happened exactly?"

"Stop," I said weakly. My mouth was dry and I was finding it hard to speak. Where does he get off examining my life like this?

He cocked his head to the side slightly. "You left."

"This is none of your business."

"Even though you are clearly still in love with him?" He was watching for my reaction. "I have to say Lauren, that doesn't make a whole lot of sense."

"STOP!" I ripped my shoulder out of his grasp and turned my back on him before he could see the tears fall from my eyes.

"I'm sorry," He said softly and gently touched the small of my back.

"Don't you ever touch me," I said through my teeth as I turned around to face him again.

He looked bewildered by my sudden outburst, but I couldn't stand being here anymore. I stormed past him and tried to pick up the pieces that he just tore apart again. Just when I thought everything was so perfect and put together, he rips it open.

I made my way home and tried to forget about everything he'd just said to me. He had no right to do this though. My mind was racing and I could hardly believe that I made my way in the front door when I did. I was just making my way through the living room when I noticed my mom sitting on one of the counter stools doing her nails. She gave me a questioning look as I walked past her, but I tried to ignore her.

I changed into my running clothes quickly and then made my out the door and into the sweet moonlight that guided my way in the night. The only thing that was on my mind was the sound and smell of the water and the soft sand that was under my feet as I ran away from all of my troubles.

~*********~

There were cop cars swarming all over the warehouse near where the drug bust was going to go down, but Horatio already told us that this was likely. I hopped out of my Hummer and made my way over to the rest of the team in the corner. Calleigh and Delko were talking about the best way to enter the premises, but we already had a plan figured out.

After that it felt like the whole thing was in slow motion. Without any warning, Sanchez Martin and his goons opened fire on us. The only option was to fire back. I took shelter behind a stack of tires and came up every now and then to fire back. There were sirens all around and unrecognizable shouting. There was a team of officers coming up behind me so I signaled to them that there was another group that was unseen still.

There were exactly seven bullets fired in the next few seconds that followed the new men raiding the scene.

Shot one hit and I saw the man go down.

I made my way to him after shot two.

I shouted for help on shot three and blew my cover.

Shot four killed the women who was coming to help the man slowly dying in my arms.

Shot five ricocheted off of an old car and caused me to fall backwards.

I laid on the ground feeling a sharp pain in my body as shot six rang out.

And then as shot seven hit me, I felt nothing but the numbness and darkness come over me.

The whole thing took exactly 42 seconds, and in that short time I was never more sure that I was going to die.

~*********~

I awoke from the nightmare, as I always did, covered in sweat. I sat up straight in my hotel bed and tried to catch my breath. Tonight there was no screaming, but reliving this memory was never easy. It makes me realize how short time really is. I swallowed hard, still trying to shake off the feeling. The doctors told me that it would take a while to get over what happened. Lately, it seemed that whenever I closed my eyes I would see what happened. I would relive those 42 seconds every night. Those who died that day were not really dead, for every night I would see them.

I pinched the bridge on my nose and tried to make this impending headache go away. I took the prescription that was given to me and laid back down, hoping for some rest. It always seemed so crazy and scary to me that in such a short time everything can change.

I ran my hands through my hair and felt the bullet wound behind my left ear, a silent reminder of what could have so easily happened in those 42 seconds.

~*********~

I am so so so sorry that it took me so long to get chapter 2 out. I had so much going on in my life, between college and boys….things get complicated way to easily. Anyway, now I am back and more ready to continue than ever. Any ounce of writers block that I had is now gone, and I hope that you all can forgive me and keep reading! Please leave any thoughts that you might have because you know how much I love to hear them!!

Lulu

P.S. I would also like to dedicate this chapter to 26hannah26. Thanks for getting my butt in gear!!!! You rock!