Hi guys! I'm back! I bet most of you are wondering what the heck happened to me? Well, I've been busy in school. You won't believe how hard it is to be in college. My schedule's pretty hectic this semester. You see, I only go to school four times a week, you might think that's cool but it's not. I guess it's because I'm studying full time that's why I barely have time to do write my story. But I have a long weekend ahead of me because we don't have school on Monday cause it's President's Day.

I have so many things to tell you, things that happened to me over the past few weeks. The most recent one would be my disastrous date on Valentines. Actually, it's not really that bad, I had a fun time but the guy I went out with is taking it too seriously. If you want to know more about it, just give me a message cause if I wrote it down here it'll be a whole story. Lolz

Ok, I think that's enough for now. I better get on with my original plan and update my story. I know you've been waiting for it so here it is! Don't forget to review!

Chapter 8:

"Can we stop?" Mimi asked as Matt's Corvette burned up the freeway. Red streaked the sky, reminding her yet again of the captain's blood all over the patrol boat deck. Because of her, another man was dead. Her stomach was a tangle of greasy knots, her minds a maddened beehive and her determination would capitulate into a white flag of surrender if she didn't do something soon. "I think I'm going to be sick."

His fingers touched her knee in concern and racked up her guilt another notch. "There's a rest stop ahead. Can you hang on for a few minutes? I don't want to pull off the shoulder."

"Just hurry." Would he leave her alone? She searched her memory for the layout of the bathroom but couldn't remember if there was a back exit or not. Matt had changed into khakis, a polo shirt and running shoes. She wished he'd kept on his leather shoes. That way she'd have half the chance at losing him.

"You okay?" Matt asked as they passed a sign announcing their upcoming exit. His head remained fixed straight ahead, but the flick of his gaze in her direction snapped like a camera.

"I'm fine."

"You sawsomeone shot to death. You need to…"

"No, I'm fine."

"You've been through a…"

"No, really, there's nothing to talk about."

Talking won't solve her problems. As much as he wanted to, Matt couldn't fix this. Another man died. And once again, the shooter got away.

The surprise in the captain's eyes would haunt her for the rest of her life. It would paint a stain on her conscience. Another life extinguished because of her. If the captain didn't move to face her, the bullet that shot through his heart would have hit her right on her chest.

She blinked to soothe her burning eyes. She swallowed to loose the knot in her throat. She shuddered and zipped up her sweater she couldn't seem to shed even in the near-eighty-degree heat.

Why couldn't Matt understand that she didn't want to add him…or anyone else…to the ranks of the dead? That Michael wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted. Her in a grave where he could spit and step on.

Matt slowed down and took the next exit. He parked on an outside row of the rest-stop parking lot, leaving plenty of space around him for a quick getaway.

She rolled her shoulder as if to dislodge a laser sight. "Is someone following us?"

"I'm just being careful."

He draped an arm casually around her shoulders, but there was nothing relaxed about the action-readiness of his taut muscles. His hand hovered over the gun she saw him hide in the holster under the untucked tail of his polo shirt. He studied every car and every person they passed on their way to the building.

To her dismay, he made as id to accompany her into the ladies room. "You can't go in there."

"I'm not leaving you alone."

"What could possibly happen in there?"

"You're not feeling well."

"Yet another reason not to have an audience." She racked her loosed hair back and blew out a breath. "Just give me a couple of minutes."

A bus belched to a stop, unloading a bunch of old ladies wearing purple hats and yellow t-shirts. Laughing and talking all at once, they entered the building and swarmed toward the bathroom.

Matt made a small sign of surrender. "Okay, I'll wait for you right here." He leaned against the doorway. His smile had steel around the edges, but to the casual observer it would look like a lover's tease. "If you need anything, let me know."

Not good. How could she get away with him watching the only exit? The competing scents of cinnamon and fast-food grease wafting in the air turned her stomach. Think, Mimi. Out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of a bakery stand near the men's room. "I could use a cup of tea to settle my stomach."

His long and hard stare made her feel nervous. With a barely visible shake of his head, he denied the request. "Not a chance I'm going that from you, babe."

"Do they have ginger ale in the vending machine?"

"We'll look on the way out." There was no give in his voice. He was as determined to keep her trapped in his sights as she was to escape him. "Don't make me wait too long."

"I wouldn't dream of it." With a carefree step, she rounded the curve of the wall, then peered around the corner. Through his damned glasses, his gaze was locked in on the entrance of the ladies room. Behind her the women with purple hats gathered around the sinks. Their cheery voices bounced against the tiles. She could slip into the middle of the group as they were leaving. Matt would spot a sea of purple and yellow and she'd swim out lost among them. Would the ladies notice one more person on the tour bus?

The older women headed for the entrance. Just as she was about to join the group, someone bumped into her. Mimi's arms automatically reached out to the tiled wall to catch herself from falling.

"Oh, I'm sorry," the thin woman said. "I didn't see you there."

"It's all right." Distracted, Mimi glanced at the group. She only had a few seconds more to make her escape. "I'm fine."

Mimi pushed herself off the wall. A heavy, creamy colored envelope fell from her leather bag. "Miss, you dropped something."

Hands dripping with water, the woman ripped a length of paper towel from the holder and shook her head. "No, it's not mine."

Mimi turned over the envelope and glanced down at the name. "Are you…"

She sucked in a small gasp and ran a finger over the brown calligraphy ink that turned her name into a work of art. Where did this come from? The paper was damp under her fingers, as if it had absorbed moist in sea air. Sister Berta must have tucked a note in her bag.

She looked up in time to realize she missed her opportunity to escape. The old ladies had left and Matt was still outside.

Desperately needing a few minutes to think, she slipped into a stall and locked the door. She dragged a finger under the flap and opened the envelope. Sister Berta's words of encouragement would settle her nerves. Her gaze traveled to the end of the page looking for the curvy angel doodle that always graced Sister Berta's notes. Her heart sank.

Michael's name contaminated the expensive paper, and his heavy energy crawled under her skin like a poisonous rash. She leaned on the wall for support as she started to read the letter.

My Dearest Mimi,

At a time like this, who can you trust? The WSP inspector assigned to keep you safe? Check his bank account, my dearest, and you'll see how well he's being paid to betray you.

Your childhood friends? Your friend, Sora, has a crusade to mount now, doesn't she? And crusades are always expensive. Ask her how many cases she handled this year. Ask her about her expenses. Ask her how she's making ends meet. The answer will surprise you. Did you know that she used your name to get her way?

Your Yamato is a man on a mission. On the surface, you're his mission. But ask yourself what is more important to him, you or keeping up his image? He can live without you. He's proven that over the past ten years. But he cannot live without the weight of his title. He ran from Odaiba and when things get tough, Yamato Ishida runs. Can you trust that he won't run when you need him most?

Don't be foolish enough that Seekers Inc. can protect you. One of them is ready to use you as bait. Their deaths will be on your conscience.

You are mine. Nothing can keep us apart. I will find you wherever you go. I have never shown you anything but the utmost respect. I have loved you and cherished you. I gave my soul to you. I am ready to give you the world and I will stand by you when you need me.

In just a few more days we can put this misunderstanding behind us and live the life that is our fated destiny together as a man and wife.

Remember, Mimi, there is no one you can trust except me.

All my love,

Michael

"Mimi?" Matt's voice echoed against the tiled walls of the bathroom and made her jump. "If you're not out here in ten seconds I'm coming in after you."

"I'm almost done." She folded the letter back in its envelope and put it in her bag. At the sink she splashed cold water on her face and pasted on a smile, then strode out of the ladies room.

"Everything all right?" Matt asked. His damn sunglasses hid his eyes, but his burning gaze studied every inch of her for signs of distress. "You still want that soda?"

"Yes, thank you."

Matt lead her to the vending machine, put coins to the slot and handed her a can of Sprite…it was the closest thing to her request. Their fingers touched against the cool can. His grip on the can stayed firm and his mirrored gaze seemed to reach all the way down to her soul. "I can keep you safe, Mimi."

When she didn't respond, he let go. The nightmare wasn't going away. Michael didn't love her. He didn't cherish her. He didn't have her best interest at heart…only his own. She had no illusions that if she gave in to his demands, she would wake up six feet under.

Still, he was good at using people's weaknesses to his advantage. He was a master manipulator. How much of what he'd written about Phil, Sora, and Matt was true? How much was scare tactic? How long will Michael torture her conscience and emotions?

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm not sure when I'm gonna update next, but I'll try to make it as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, just let me know. Lolz

Don't forget to review!