OMG! I have reviews. Slap me and call me Princess, I HAVE REVIEWS!!!

Yeah! High five, people. I appreciate it and I really never thought someone would read my things. So, I think people deserve an explanation of what will happen [even if no one comes to read the following chapters] and what I plan on doing [even though things might change, according to my mood].

Beck participated in the begging and I really like him, I really do. But I'm pretty sure he's not the man for our Heather. So their relationship will be a lot like Eric and Heather's relationship. Brother and sister, father and daughter. Sorry for those who thought he would be something more, but I really think they've never clicked in the show.

Chavez on the other hand? HE IS HOT! And I'm pretty sure he's going to be the one to bring Jake to his senses. I know it's a couple [I don't think Heather and Chavez can be identified as a couple… YET] people hardly thought it would happen. Actually, I think no one, in earth, ever thought about them together. But to me? It makes sense. As a CIA agent, Chavez must have seen some pretty messed up things, plus, he is very attractive. And he could probably kick Jake's butt if necessary. [In case our hero comes to break Heather's heart again]

I like the couple Eric and Mary. I believe she is nice, plus she likes him deeply. That's why they will be mentioned a lot, and will have a close connection to Heather, due to the things Eric and Heather had been through together.

Those things will be explained in time. So PLEASE read and review it. You don't have to right good words, because I'm a fan of good criticism. So please tell me what you think and sorry for my grammar.

SandraDeee: I'll never forget my first review and the person responsible for it. I've realized the mistake about Chavez name, but I made sure to correct it, realizing his first name was never published. Hope it is okay they way I put it. Hope you like it, too. Thanks, darling of mine.

CHAPTER 2

Having someone who cares

Eric woke up in a start and Mary was instantly there to comfort him. It had become a routine and, even though Eric hated himself for waking her up, Mary never minded. That was slowly bringing them together again. Until now, Mary knew most of the things her lover had been through, and she couldn't help but hate Constantino. She also couldn't remember hating someone that much. She did, and she didn't regret it.

'It's okay, Eric. I'm here, now… breath! It's going to be okay.'

And Eric understood why Heather felt so angry when he asked her to breath. It had started when they were both being held hostages. She had gone through her first interrogation and came back in shock. The second he told her to breath her hand slapped his face. The shock was gone and she was angry. He hadn't been interrogated first, she was the one. He felt bad, begged for them to take him. Then there he was, telling her to breath and everything would be fine. So they came to an agreement. He could remember like it had been seconds ago.

Eric had his eyes closed, sitting down the cold and humid floor, leaning against the cell wall. They had taken Heather away for some time now. He had stopped screaming and punching the wall when he realized he had no remaining voice anymore. When a body was taken out from the room he saw Heather come in, he panicked. The white sheet covering a petit figure broke his heart.

Then the cell door was opened and Heather was practically thrown inside, having the door locked up behind her. He could see she had hurt herself when being thrown, but she wasn't crying like most of women would do. Her eyes were wide opened and her lips were red. Her face was flushed and could see the finger marks.

'Heather… what?'

She raised her hand for ask for quiet.

'C'mon, Heather. Breath…'

And she slapped his face hard. Crawling to a corner she stayed there: eyes wide opened and head between her knees. What could she tell him? She was ashamed.

Constantino had tried making her talk. She received a few punches and slaps. When he saw she wouldn't break, the way he predicted, he brought in a kid. She remembered her: Heather had held her when she was born. Charlotte Drake had the biggest brown eyes Heather had ever seen, and yet, they were closed, like she was sleeping.

The fact none of the man blinked torturing the little girl, scared her. However, the fact she herself held all answers they wanted, made her sick. That little girl was suffering and she yet could turn down all the information they needed. That little girl was now gone, and so was Heather's innocence.

She vomited, thinking about what had just happened. Shock was gone and now she felt nauseous. She didn't deserve pity or someone to be there, worried about her. She wished she could tell Eric that, but no words came out. She couldn't imagine telling someone she'd been responsible for a child's death. Eric's hand rested over her back and he spoke:

'Put it all out.'

But the truth was that he didn't know there was no way she was getting rid of that feeling, never again. So, as he kept telling her to breath, she gained a little composure. She wouldn't make Charlotte's death be in vain. She would never, ever, tell Constantino what he wanted to know. And she was going to make sure Eric wouldn't do it, either. She stood up and helped him standing too. Reaching her sleeves to her mouth, she cleaned the vomit.

'They need to know things about Jericho. They are coming for you and you can't tell them anything. They need…'

She was rambling, trembling like a earthquake was moving her. The words that came out her mouth, though made sense to her, had no effect on him. So he made her stop as they heard steps getting closer.

'Tell me, simple as that, Heather.'

Her big eyes were red, but she wasn't crying. She held his coat and brought him closer.

'Don't tell them anything.'

She was lacking air and her heads got back between her knees. He lifted her up and said, calm as a protecting brother, cold as ice.

'It will be okay.'

They called his name and he took a last look at Heather. She had some bruises he could only check know. She was hurt on the outside and the inside. She was a small woman, and yet, apparently, from the deputies' angry faces, she hadn't told anyone anything. Heather reached him, before they could take him away.

'It won't be okay… lie to them, not to me, Eric.'

And they had left, with Eric fighting back. It was that moment he realized he would never lie to Heather again. He would be objective and sincere, even if that meant hurting her, because what they had been through, hurt more than anything that could come to happen.

'Do you want to talk about it, honey?'

Mary asked him, covering him in kisses. He loved her, more than anything, but he couldn't help but think he wasn't good enough for her. He was tainted, hurt. He loved her and she loved him back, but maybe he didn't deserve it. He had gone through stuff in New Bern, and there he made some decisions. He never knew what Heather went through when there, but he could say it had been as bad as his moments.

'No.'

He didn't mean to sound rude, so he hoped Mary didn't get it this way. He had talked to his mother about some things, about the way he felt. Gail never judged him, never showed her opinion or told him what he was supposed to do. She hugged him, cooked for him and listened carefully. His mother was sure a strong woman, and he wished she would someday see how she and Mary looked alike.

'Sorry… it's just that I've had those dreams again.'

'Those about New Bern?'

Mary's voice was soft, kind. He thought how fortunate he was to have her there, and how did Heather deal with it, being alone in her place. Jake had been through his torture part too, but he had Emily, and mom, occasionally. He then realized that all people Heather had, had someone too.

'Mary…'

He ignored her question.

'Do you think we could invite Heather to spend some days with us? We do have that couch and I'd appreciate if…'

'Of course.'

He didn't expect Mary to answer that quickly. He knew they've grown close, closer than Mimi and Heather, but he was pretty sure she would resist. The way she quickly agreed with such an unexpected request made him realize why he fell in love with her in the first place.

'Do you think we could go talk to her… right now?'

He was pretty sure it was weird, just as he put his thought into words. He knew there was and would never be something going around with Heather and him, but he sure knew how it sounded. Being honest to himself, he felt like he had to protect her: she had no one. He then remembered April and Tracy, the kid he never got to meet. If he had done something, if he had protected them, they could still be alive. Maybe he could make a difference in Heather's life.

'I'm not thrilled about going out at this time of the night, but I suppose I can make the effort.'

She said that as she stood up and started putting on her jeans. Eric's puzzled look was gone as soon he stood up and started putting his own jeans. He sure expected some resistance. Since she didn't show him any, he continued:

'You don't have to go.'

'Are you kidding? That girl needs someone and I'm glad we'll be that for her. C'mon, lazy… I'll get the shotgun first.'

Times ago that scenario and phrase wouldn't have been normal. But times were different. You couldn't go anywhere without a gun or some kind of defense weapon. Eric smiled: he would always go back home, with his Mary.

_____________________________________________________________________

It was no big news when she closed her eyes and imagined that child that laid down the ground right now. She heard from Ted that Charlotte had received a proper buried. She thanked God, and wished her father could have prayed for her little soul. He was good with words and people, different from her. She was a lot more like her mother. The woman didn't know how to bake a pie and was crazy about mechanics.

'If you keep contorting this beautiful face of yours the results will be sacrilege.'

Chavez held a dizzy, enchanted smile. When Heather didn't get to sleep, she would normally work. Work on her truck, work in the bar, anywhere that would keep her mind busy, so she wouldn't have to think too much. That night she chose to keep the patients companied. Right now she had raised Chavez shirt and was ready to change his bandages. He woke up a little before she could start it.

'I think we have high priorities than my lack of beauty.'

She smiled kindly and got her attention back to his torso. It was a toned one, but was severely bruised. His bruises remembered some she saw in other cell mates. She never really paid much attention to her own bruises, which made it feel a little less real. Beck said she was in denial. She held the sadness: Beck would be by her side right now. He never let her stay home alone. So lost in her thoughts, she ran her fingers over purple marks. She felt a smirk forming in Chavez lips.

'Are you taking advantage of me?'

She didn't know if it was a joke or if he was flirting with her. She had never been center of attentions, especially for guys. Anyone who had Emily Sullivan as best friend would have to feel comfortable in being second, third, fourth best. So she agreed it was a joke, and laughed:

'Be careful now, Parker. I'm the one holding the cards. I can accidentally pull this bandage with no mercy.'

He smiled and she felt cozy, suddenly. While she started changing his bandages, silence came and she felt glad he didn't break it, for a while. Her grandmother used to say you would know when you've met someone worth your time, when you don't have to pretend you want to talk.

'It's Matt. My name's not Chavez Parker. I'm Matthew Chavez.'

She remembered calling him Chavez Parker, but was stunned to realize he also remembered it.

'And you are Heather…?'

'Heather Rose Lisinski.'

She was shocked. She couldn't remember using her second name to introduce herself. She only knew that, every time she did, it brought her closer to the image of her mother, Rose Lisinski. She held herself for a moment, before getting back to his wound.

'You look a lot like a Rose, you know? You remember me the flower… maybe some day I can try and sense your perfume.'

Okay, the joke was gone and now he was really making a move on her. She didn't like it, she was not ready. She'd been through a lot and she wasn't stupid enough to pretend she didn't have feelings for Jake anymore. She wasn't the kind of girl that played games with feelings. Feelings were important and unique. Her father once told her that.

'I don't know what you are trying to do, Mr. Chavez…'

She emphasized his last name.

'But I'm not only a woman. I'm a complicated and damaged woman.'

She was done with his bandages as she ended her phrase. Getting gloves off, she rested all the things by the bed's side, where there was a table. Suddenly she heard a soft laugh. It wasn't sarcastic, bitter or anything like that. It was just a laugh. Was he making fun of her?

'You are talking to an agent, Ms. Lisinski...'

He emphasized her last name the same way she did with his.

'I'm pretty sure no one's as damaged as I am.'

She wouldn't argue with that. She could already imagine it. She didn't know if he knew she knew who he was, though. Maybe he did, but she wasn't about to ask him. She liked keeping her things privet, so she hoped he liked it too. Suddenly, as she was throwing the used bandages away, he started:

'May I ask why are you so damaged?'

'No.'

It was a simple question, with a very simple answer. Suddenly someone opened the door quietly and both, Edward and Heather, turned to meet Jessica standing there. She and Kenchy were making rounds. That night was Jessica's and Heather knew it. They didn't talk much, but she had nothing against the young refugee.

'Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt it. I was just about to change his bandages, Heather.'

'No worries, doll… we were just having wild and passionate sex.'

Heather's cheeks were red as an apple and she felt a hot wave run over her body. Who was this Chavez person to talk about her like that? She still was a virgin for crying out loud. And what if Jessica went out and spread those stupid lies. Heather thought fast, seeing Jessica's surprised look.

'He's just joking, Jessica. I've just changed his bandages and he's as shown off as a peanut in a stammered mouth. Do you need help with anything?'

Heather's killing look didn't stop Chavez from laughing. Jessica tried to ignore it, but she felt an outsider and uncomfortable. Giving them a shy smile, she excused herself:

'Everything's under control, Heather. You should go home and take a good night of sleep.'

Heather didn't know if she laughed or cried. When Jessica was already gone, she started arranging some things. It wasn't like the room needed to be clean and fixed, but there was no chance in hell she was going home alone. She couldn't handle the nightmares anymore. It didn't matter there were purple circles around her eyes. She wasn't sleeping ever again.

And she knew that was stupid and childish. A person needed to sleep to rebuild energies. She tried not to think of that.

'What's so bad about going home?'

She was folding some sheets that had been perfectly folded before. She thought about ignoring the man and leaving that room, but Jessica would be out there, and would instantly notice Heather was doing nothing: she would tell on her as soon as possible. Chavez wasn't leaving her alone as long as she stood there, so she might as well make it a little pleasant.

'It's no problem going home…'

'So the problem is sleeping?'

She kept the sheets away, perfectly folded.

'It's none of your business, Chavez.'

He smiled. He would break into her eventually. It wouldn't be easy, but he liked a challenge. Plus, with this war coming and his agent cargo being suspended, he was ready to settle. Hawkins told him that Jericho was the place for that. Until today, he wasn't sure, but after meeting Heather Lisinski, he could already see himself changing his mind.

'Start calling me Matt and I'll stop bugging you about your personal life.'

'Matt!'

She said immediately and he held a chuckle. Minutes had passes and he had closed his eyes, preparing to take a nap. He didn't mind about the plain, he was used to it. However he was as tired as the old days, when he started his training in the CIA. Feeling unease, he opened his eyes to meet Heather starring at him. He saw something he couldn't quiet comprehend in the beginning, but then he saw: she was jealous of his sleep.

'Come here…'

He waved at her with his good hand, asking her to come near. He didn't know what made her move, but she was by his side now. With not great amount of strength, but with a great amount of pain, he sat down and started:

'I've seen some really bad things and there were days I refused to close my eyes.'

'I have no problem sleeping.'

'I'm not saying you do. But if you had…'

That caught her attention. She was so tried she didn't want to fight anymore. It wouldn't hurt just listen to what he had to say. So she stood there, pail and looking tired. Ctaching up to how tired she was, she didn't move for nothing.

'I would say you have to put it all out.'

She rolled her eyes. She knew people would say that, but what people didn't know was that it wasn't easy. She had seen the worst in men, she forgot, for a moment, about everything her father had once taught her. She had failed being a good person.

Giving her backs she was ready to leave when he begun again:

'If you can't, you just have to sleep with someone.'

__________________________________________________________________________________

Mary was pretty sure she hadn't seen Eric panic like that since April was gone. He wasn't only worried, but also furious. After they went to Heather's place and couldn't find her, Mary quickly suggested she could be at the Tavern. Heather didn't have a key, but she knew where Mary kept an extra one.

So, when they went there and she also wasn't there, Eric started panicking and saying people had come after her. Minutes later, Mary dragged him to the Green's house and rang the bell. Since Gail was spending all her time at the barn, she prayed to God that only Jake and Emily were there.

When Jake opened the door, it was obvious they had already been sleeping. His hair was a mess and his shirt looked like had just been put on. Holding a shot gun, his eyes barely could stay opened.

'Eric? Mary? Is everything okay?'

'Things hadn't been okay for a long time, Jake.'

It was clear Eric wasn't mad at his brother, but he sure was mad with something. So when Mary sent him to wait by the car, she was pretty sure she was doing the right thing. Asking Jake to step outside, she broke the news easy at him, since she heard his and Heather's misunderstanding before.

'Eric was worried about Heather staying alone, so we went out to ask her to come and stay with us for a while.'

'Worried about Heather? Why?'

He was being pretty neutral about it. He tried to pretend he didn't care, that he only asked to be polite, but something in his voice, a pinch, told Mary the man was already worried about Heather before she knocked on his door.

'I don't know. No one knows what happened to her in New Bern, but she's been off, Jake. She's been helping everyone in town, she considers herself the one to blame for the two mortars attacks. She hadn't sleep well for days, Jake.'

He didn't say a thing. He should have known. In New Bern, he had seen really bad things happen to women. Maggie had once told him what she saw. So, when Eric told him Heather was gone, he wondered if she hadn't suffer much, since a nice woman like her would never deserve pain and humiliation like that. Suddenly he kicked himself, mentally. He should have noticed. Heather always avoided New Bern subject, and she was always distant when someone from New Bern was arrested. He should have been there.

'The thing is she wasn't home. And she isn't in the Tavern.'

Mary glanced at her lover. He was walking right and left. Getting back to glancing at Jake, she noticed this one enter the house. Had she lost something? She was pretty sure she had just told him Heather was missing. So, suddenly, Jake came out the door putting his boots on and Emily, with only a shirt of his, holding his shotgun.

'I still think I should go with you, guys.'

'Em, Heather needs some time… I really think I've messed things up. Just let me try and fix it. I'll radio you when I find her.'

And when she agreed she went for a kiss, but Jake had already grabbed the shotgun and was rushing towards the car, meeting Eric and both entering. Mary smiled awkwardly at Emily, pretending she hadn't seen a thing of what had just happened, and rushed after Jake. She hoped people could see how things were happening fast in Jericho.

'Eric, you'll get us killed if you don't ease a little.'

'We should have thought about the Med Center before.'

Mary rolled her eyes. Eric was driving like hell was chasing them. She tried telling him it wouldn't have mattered, that Heather was probably fine. It wouldn't help. And then he would engage her in the conversation of how it was all Beck's fault. That he shouldn't have left Heather in such a critical situation. She was stunned when words left Eric's mouth:

'You know what? It's all Beck's fault. He shouldn't have left Heather in such a critical state.'

She would laugh, if that wouldn't make him feel angrier. Suddenly, Jake spoke for the first time since he entered the car.

'What does Beck has to do with Heather? Where's him, by the way?'

Mary, sitting in the passenger sit, undid her belt and turned back, facing Jake.

'You've been gone, Jake and a lot has changed. Heather didn't have you, so she kind of held on to Beck. He took care of her, you know? Like a father or a best friend would do.'

That hung in the air. Mary wasn't angry at Jake. He had made his choice, but she didn't have to like it, necessarily. She liked Emily, but she sure thought the only thing holding them together was their history. And she had seen Heather talk during the few hours of sleep she had. The woman still had feelings for Jake, and Mary knew those feelings, for a Green man, would never go away.