II.

Kim stared at her mother. "Mom, how do you know it's been ten years?"

"When I noticed the rose two years ago, I didn't think anything about it." Anne began slowly, "But when I found a rose again last year, I was curious. Mr. McGuffey, the head caretaker told me that they had been being placed there every year since Jimmy died."

"And he knew this how?"

"He and Jimmy were golf partners for years, Kim, I never knew him that well, but James often said Pat should have gone pro. Of course," Anne grinned, "That was usually after Pat had handed Jim his head on the course."

"OK, and how does that..."

"Kimmie," Anne interrupted, "Pat was James friend. He makes sure that his grave is taken care of."

"Why hasn't he ever mentioned this to you before?"

"When I spoke to him he had the impression that I was the one leaving the roses." Anne explained.

Kim cocked her head in question.

"I think I left him still thinking that. After all..." Anne frowned.

"You didn't want anybody thinking Daddy had a girlfriend." Kim stated bluntly.

"Well, I wouldn't put it quite that way, but essentially correct." Anne mumbled.

"Right. Have you found out anything else?"

"Kimmie? You're the global justice associate, not me. Why would I..."

"Mom?" Kim grinned.

"Oh, all right," Anne smiled back, "I couldn't resist, but all I've found out is that the rose is there every Valentine's day when they unlock the gates. I couldn't ask too many questions without arousing suspicion. Pat was curious as to how I was getting in, but I think I managed to put him off."

"That's all?" Kim's brows raised.

"Other than looking up the symbolism of white roses, that's it." Anne replied.

"Innocence? Purity?" Kim guessed.

"Those are some of the meanings, but I found out that the white rose was originally the symbol of love. The red rose has taken it's place, but it still has that meaning. A lost love, or mourning for a true love are others."

Kim tapped her chin thoughtfully, "All right, I can research that later. The easiest way to do this would be to stake out the cemetery Valentine's day. Ron and I..."

"No, Kimmie, you can't tell Ron." Anne broke in. "I don't want anyone to know about this. That's why it's taken me until now to tell you."

"But...but, Mom, if I can't tell Ron, we have a problem."

Anne quirked a brow questioningly.

"C'mon, Mom, Valentine's day, Ron?" At her mother's blank stare, Kim sighed, "Remember how Ron tricked me into going to Paris our first Valentines' day? Senior year?"

"Yessss," Anne agreed questioningly.

"Freshman year, college, Dementor tried to steal the PDVI from a science symposium in Paris. Sophomore year, Shego tried to get a preview of the summer swimsuits. In Paris."

Anne grinned, making a 'go on' gesture.

"Every time we wound up at this little cafe, Le Bon Burrito. You know Ron, he decided that was our lucky spot, so every year on Valentine's day he somehow gets me there."

Anne's eyes opened in enlightenment, her hand came up to cover the laugh that erupted. "Three years ago, you, Paris, orange jumpsuit and cuffs." She erupted in laughter.

Kim crossed her arms over her chest, slumped in her chair, and waited.

Anne finally got control, wiping the tears from her eyes, "I didn't ask because I thought you were undercover."

Kim sighed, "No, I was really arrested. I don't even want to think about the favors Ron must have cashed for that one."

"How badly did you punish him?" Anne asked curiously.

Kim smiled reluctantly, "It's hard to stay angry when he has a complete makeover ready, on site, with a designer evening gown and a five star meal."

"So, if you don't tell him, he'll get you to Paris?"

"Some how, and I really don't want to test his ingenuity." Kim grinned. "It's much less embarrassing just to go there with him and enjoy whatever he has planned."

When the two finally stopped laughing, Anne asked, "Then how can we find out who it is?"

Kim had a 'Eureka' expression. "Video surveillance!"

"Kim, I don't want Wade to know either." Anne snorted in exasperation.

"No, no, I don't intend to tell him. If after all these years I can't place a camera, you can take back my junior pixie badge." Kim grinned in triumph.

Anne thought a moment before a slow smile formed. "True. And you have six months to figure it out."

"And I know just who to ask about the equipment." Kim exulted.