Thanks for all the reading and reviewing going on here, It is great:-) Enjoy!

Chapter 8

Tom walked down the hallway and finally caught sight of his locker, number 275. He walked over to it and began to fumble with the combination lock on the front. 25-34-36… he pushed the lever up and the door came open. He quickly pushed his instrument into the narrow opening and realized that he had no notebook paper or a pen.

"Crap!" He stated to himself.

"Is everything okay?" Tom heard a voice from behind him. He turned around to find himself face to face with the biggest bluest eyes he had ever seen.

"Uh… I just realized I forgot my notebook and pencils." Tom stuttered.

"You're new?" She smiled back at him. Her brown hair was laced with blond highlights throughout. The sides had been pulled back on her head. Her generous lips were glossy and pink. He could not remember seeing a girl this beautiful at school before. Her skin was a warm sun kissed tan. She smelled like lilacs in the spring breeze.

"Yeah…" He smiled back at her. "My brothers and I just started today."

"Well, you are in luck, I happen have an extra." She walked around him to her locker which just happened to be next to his. She quickly opened it up and pulled out a notebook and an ink pen and pencil. She handed them to Tom and then looked up at him. She smiled warmly and said. "I'm Alexa George, you can call me Lexi." She popped her hand out to shake Tom's.

Tom reached up and took the smaller hand in his.

"Tom Ha-Miller…" he looked into her eyes and smiled back

"Well Tom, I am late for English, where are you headed?"

"English with Mr. Tolle." He offered back.

"Well Tom, come with me, I'll get you there in one piece." She laughed graciously.

"OK." Hanson followed his impromptu guide to his class.

--

"So, Dean, these are your nephews I have heard you talking about. Good lookin boys." Coach Ballard began. He was a tall, intimidating and very muscular man. Penhall and Dennis stood next to the coach as he shook their hands. "Your uncle, he's a good man. I am also going to assume I have not got anything to worry about with you two."

"Excuse me?" Dennis stated.

"I am not going to have to worry about any trouble or grade problems from you and your brother." Coach Ballard stated as he looked at the two officers doubling as teens in front of him. "I'm counting on a winning season this year. We have had a minor set back loosing Kirk, but Dennis you and Doug here seem to be set for tight ends. The position of quarterback has been handed over to Darren Thompson."

"Well…" Dean smiled sounding surprised. "it's good to hear something positive coming from this mess. Boy's, Darren is Officers Thompson's son. I've known Darren since he was in diapers."

"Yep, were gonna miss Kirk, but I think that Darren could very well take us all the way. Dennis, I think that maybe we might see how good you're arm is. We may need to have you as a backup quarter back for Darren."

"Thank you for this Dan." Dean stated as he stood up shaking hands with the football coach.

"Hey, don't mention it." Dan Ballard stated back. "I'll see you two after school today, dressed and ready by 3:45 p.m."

"K." Dennis responded looking at Doug.

"Coach, how long do practices normally last?" Doug asked

Coach Ballard turned to the taller officer and patted him on the back. "As long as they need to." He responded.

Doug furrowed his eyebrows and looked at Dean.

"Uh, Coach Ballard, I need to know when to pick them up today. I drove them in today."

"6:00 tonight."

"That will be great." Dean smiled as he led the boys out of the coach's office. Once in the hall way he turned to the boys. "Doug, Dennis, I am sure that whoever is responsible for these attacks are probably on the football team. These guys are mean and I don't want either of you hurt, so please be careful. Call me at lunch to let me know that you and Tommy are in one piece. I will see you both at six and I will be in at 3:30 to pick up Tommy, so let him know."

"Copy Chief." Dennis raised his eyebrow to the older man in front of him.

Dean smiled at Doug and Dennis, "Please be careful, and don't forget to let Tom know I will be here at 3:30."

Dean turned and walked down the hallway, black Stetson in hand. He turned and looked at the boys who had taken their schedules out of their pockets and were comparing where to go next. He slowly proceeded to the vehicle, opened the door and stepped inside. Once inside, he bowed his head and whispered a prayer that the three officers would be ok and that this case would end soon.

So I am working on chapter 9, I am afraid this will be a long one so hang in there and enjoy. I love getting suggestions, so feel free to PM me and give me your thoughts on what to do next. By the Way Congrats to Hanson's Angel, I am still pea green with envy... LOL!!