Standard disclaimer. I don't own any of the FAKE characters. The only original characters I have so far are Walter Carrington, Derrick Williams, and Mr. Watson. JJ's definitely having his ups and downs today.

Chapter 3

Home Sweet Home

By the time he and Drake returned from lunch JJ had recovered a little of his usual bounce and was thinking a bit more clearly. The shock of the photographs had started to fade to anger. They stopped to catch up with the Commissioner and let him know they decided that Drake would escort JJ home that evening in case anyone was waiting for him.

Rose first asked Addams exactly how much Parker knew of the situation, not sure of how much he had shared with his partner at lunch. He knew Parker was aware of the affair – Addams had told him of the breakdown and his partner's part in helping him through it, so he wasn't surprised when JJ told him that Parker had already guessed most of it. Parker was a good detective and apparently he was a very good friend also. Parker and Addams were right up there with Laytner and MacLean in skills. Despite the differences he had with some of them, the two teams were among the best in the city.

After listening to their reasoning Rose supported the plan but cautioned the men that should anything at all, no matter how trivial, seem out of the ordinary they were to call him immediately. Although they had heard nothing so far the case was being treated as a 'stalker' incident. No linkable demands had been made so they couldn't label it blackmail. Not yet anyway.

While the men had been at lunch Rose brought the Chief up-to-date on the case. The chief wasn't happy about not being told immediately but understood why Addams had balked at releasing the information. He would have to speak with Addams later and let him know that he supported him.

Rose also had time to scan the videos of the precinct entrances and found one spot where an unidentified person had slipped in from the parking garage behind one of the officers. The suspect was wearing a trench coat and hat, effectively hiding much of the face. Rose had located the officer but he was of no assistance in identifying the person. He remembered a black gloved hand reaching to hold the door from behind, but never turned to see the face.

The person was clever; he or she had known where the cameras were and managed to stay behind the officer in such a way as to effectively remove any chance of being identified. The clothing was fairly unisex, but could be a rouse. He could see a manila envelope much like the one left on JJ's desk in the one hand though. The time was about a half hour before the shifts were to change, one of the busiest times going in and out of the precinct. Most officers entering the building were thinking more of filing reports and going home or what their schedule would include that day than of identifying a strange person behind him or her. He had also found on the tapes when the suspect left the precinct, right down the main stairs, but again no facial features. He did manage an approximate height and weight for the suspect, but that would be next to useless without a face to put to it. And anyway there was no supportable proof that this person had left the envelope on Addams' desk.

Rose had also arranged for 24 hour surveillance on Carrington using the fact that he was possibly involved in a stalker case. He had two reasons for this: mainly that in all probably he was the one threatening Addams or, much less likely, that he was also being threatened. Because of the first reason Mr. Carrington wasn't notified of the surveillance.

JJ spent most of the afternoon writing up the reports that Rose had requested, then spent most of an hour with the Commish making sure all the details were as he wanted. JJ viewed the surveillance tapes but didn't think the suspect quite matched Carrington's build; the suspect was shorter, and maybe a bit heavier. And the gait was not as polished as Walter's – he was a model after all and had formal training in how to carry himself gracefully at all times. Now there was a new worry: WAS someone else responsible, or did Carrington just have a trusted accomplice?

They arrived at JJ's apartment around 5PM – traffic had been heavier than normal. After a close examination of the door and it's locking mechanism for tampering JJ unlocked and opened it. As he stepped in to turn on the light his foot hit something. There on the floor was another envelope.

He turned and looked to Drake for assurance. That envelope didn't fit under the door – the 'deliverer' had gotten in somehow. Drake had also noticed the envelope's size and knew the anxiety that was coursing through JJ at the moment. He bent down and using his handkerchief picked up the envelope.

"Take it easy; I'm here with you JJ. Let's close the door and we'll check the place out, OK? I'll call the Commissioner." Drake already had his cell phone out and was dialing.

"Commissioner? Drake here. Just got JJ home and there's another envelope here. Somehow they got in. What should we do? …. Uh – huh. ….you'll take care of it?…. OK …. Yeah he's rattled, and truthfully so am I. Yeah, we're checking the place out now. …. Yup, will do as soon as I hang up. …. Sure, I'll tell him. …. Thank you Sir. Bye."

"JJ, check your phone for messages. I don't see a light signaling messages waiting but there might be something."

JJ checked the phone but there was nothing waiting. Lowering his voice he stated, "Let's check it out. They might still be here."

JJ and Drake went through the apartment with guns drawn. They checked any places in the rooms where someone could hide; no sense taking any chances. When they felt each room was clear they exited and closed its door. They easily found where the culprit had entered the apartment – the window accessing the fire escape had been forced and still hung open. Fortunately the lock hadn't been broken and was promptly re-sealed by Drake. He again called Rose, asking him to send a print team to the apartment to document the break-in.

After sending JJ to the kitchen to make coffee Drake continued checking through the apartment, making sure all the other windows were locked, pulling down the shades, and closing all the drapes. If that son-of-a-bitch was out there watching he wasn't getting a show tonight. The kitchen was safe since the window opened to the blank brick wall of the building next door, and the apartment was quite a few floors up.

Holstering his gun he went into the kitchen to see if he could help JJ. "Rose is sending a unit to check for prints and has already put a detail on you 24/7. He says to give the unit the envelope if you don't have a kit here. They should be here in about a half hour".

JJ nodded, his attention more on the envelope on the table than on what Drake was saying. Drake knew that he wanted to open it, to see if it had any new information, but he also knew that he wished that it didn't exist.

"Um, JJ, I can step out for a few if you want to check out what's in the envelope. I could use a cigarette right about now." Drake also wanted to check the outside of the building for any other easy access areas. This was turning into a very serious situation that none of the unit members had ever personally been in before. It felt odd to be seeing things from a victim's point of view.

"Thanks Drake, could you, please? It should only take a few minutes, and the coffee will be done by then. I just want to check for a note." The concern radiated from JJ's face, his gaze shifting from Drake to the envelope. There seemed to be a slight tremor in his hands too, but he clenched his hands to fists to hide the unwanted movement.

"Sure pal, no problem. Be back in a few. Can I borrow your keys? I want you locked in while I'm outside. We've already checked your apartment and you're clear, but keep your gun handy, OK? They got in once. Rose will call when the detail is in place. And I'm camping out on your couch tonight, no objections. Even the Commish agrees. We'll just leave a bit early so I can get changed at my place, OK?"

JJ nodded and pointed to the keys on the counter. After Drake left he sank into a chair, leaving out a deep sigh and staring at the envelope. Drake's handkerchief was still wrapped around the one end. That was good; he would use it to hold the envelope as he opened it, though he doubted that there would be any prints. Carrington was too careful for that. If he had actually obtained an accomplice he would be careful in everything. Carrington wasn't stupid. He reached over and took a steak knife out of the holder on the counter and slit open the envelope.

He held the envelope in a way that he could see into it without removing the contents but saw no sign of a note. Did I really expect one? Carefully sliding the photos out onto the table he used the point of the knife to push them around. They were the same as the set that was delivered to the station. Guess he wanted to make sure I saw them. There would probably be another set or two before he received the set he didn't want to see sent anywhere.

By carefully maneuvering the envelope and knife he managed to flip the pile over. There was nothing on the back of any of the photos other than the manufacturer's logo and paper type. How long will this go on? How long will he wait before sending more? Or sending them to someone else? And to whom? He slid them back in the envelope and waited for Drake to return.

He was glad Drake offered to stay over – he really didn't feel like being alone tonight. Drake was a good friend, the kind that are hard to find. Reliable too. This is twice recently he's needed him to get through a difficult time. He would have to think of a way to repay him.

He probably should start some dinner for the two of them. He always kept a few '15 minute meals' on hand, for those days when shifts merged and ran long. He had some spaghetti he could make, and a frozen garlic bread that would go well. He was a little low on salad makings but he was pretty sure he could make it stretch for the two of them. It was a quick meal but would suffice for the evening.

When Drake returned JJ had stripped out of his jacket and tie, rolled up the sleeves on his shirt, and donned an apron. He already had the water going for the spaghetti while the oven was pre-heating for the bread. He was in the middle of gathering the makings for the salad.

From the living room Drake watched JJ, taking in all his movements, how casual and relaxed he looked in the kitchen. He actually looked cute.

Where the hell did that come from? Business, man, this is serious business! And stop staring before he turns around.

Shaking himself out of his reverie Drake entered the kitchen. "Hey, anything I can help with? Need anything from the store? I know you weren't expecting dinner company tonight so I kinda feel like I'm putting you to extra trouble here …"

"No, it's fine. I have enough for the two of us. You could set the table if you want. You know where I keep everything."

They managed a little conversation during dinner but when they were done JJ mentioned the envelope. "They were the same pictures as I got at the station. No notes, nothing. I guess these were to remind me that he knows where I live. I know that it's Carrington."

Drake looked at him skeptically. "Huh? Why? You got substantial proof?"

"Not provable in a court of law. It's just too obvious; he's not identifiable in any of the pictures. He's there but he's not. They are very professionally staged and cropped. He's got to have someone working with him that is skilled in photography. The cameras were well placed – nothing blocking the important areas of the rooms, but yet shielding any incriminating views."

"I'd guess this is the work of the guy that delivered the envelope. So he does have an accomplice working with him. Dammit! Now we have at least two people that we have to link to this!"

Drake frowned. "That's gonna make it hard to pin this on him. But he'll trip up and we'll get him. I don't doubt that. Both him and his accomplice." Drake patted JJ on the back for comfort; right now he looked desperately worried.

Soon after they had finished dinner the unit arrived to detail the fire escape area. Drake took the time to contact the landlord about having the lock on the window changed to a more secure model while JJ watched them work. But as both the detectives had surmised would be the result, in the end there was nothing usable. In the meantime Rose had called confirming that the stakeout was in place and that JJ could sleep safely. The Commish had sent out two of the younger detectives to canvas the area for witnesses to anyone that had been around the fire escape during the day.

After thanking and ushering the detail unit out Drake went into the kitchen to help JJ clean up from dinner. When all was neat again they went into the living room and Drake picked up the TV guide. "What you want to watch on TV? We've got a few hours before we have to hit the hay. Or maybe a DVD? Regular TV sucks lately – way too much 'reality'!" Both men glanced at each other, snickered, then broke into laughter. Drake thought it felt good to hear JJ laugh.

JJ had some strange taste in DVDs. They wound up watching "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World", a very offbeat comedy about a scavenger hunt – of sorts. Drake had to admit it was quite funny and didn't mind having to watch it. Better yet, it also seemed to raise JJ's spirits a bit and by the time they were calling it a night he was smiling and getting back to his normal bouncy self.

Now if he could just keep JJ that way. Carrington had to be stopped. And as much as he hated to think about it, he rather preferred his partner bouncy, overactive, and utterly charming.