Sorry for the delay in updates. I was trying to wrap up some of my older projects in other fandoms.
Title: Boundaries
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: see part one
By late afternoon of the next day Chris had been in the safe house less than an hour and he was already feeling claustrophobic. He didn't usually mind small spaces but the fact that he couldn't leave was starting to grate his nerves. He was still waiting for his partner. Pride thought it best for them to arrive separately.
Logically Chris understood why King had done this. If the only option Chris had left was to protect Merri he'd do it no questions asked. Chris knew he could still be useful on the investigation. He wasn't afraid of the threats. But that lead Chris back full circle to King's plan. With a sigh Chris walked into the living room. He set up the laptop and made sure the video chat program was connected properly. Then Chris set about organizing the safe house's supplies.
Merri was glad when she stepped through the door of the safe house. Even gladder to lay eyes on her partner. Chris's smile told Merri he was as happy to see her as she was to see him.
"How are you feelin?"Chris asked after the brief embrace.
"Still a little sore but doing better. How are you?"Merri asked as she touched the bandage on Chris's forehead.
"Slight headache once in awhile otherwise I'm good."Chris replied as he caught Merri's right hand in his and led her into the living room."Why don't you camp out on the sofa while i rustle up dinner."
Merri hadn't realized she"d dozed off until someone was shaking her shoulder.
"Food's ready."Chris stated with a smile. "I stuck to soup and sandwiches. King didn't tell me if you were up to a regular food yet."
"Getting there."Merri said returning Chris's smile and she accepted his hand up. "The pain meds I'm on sometimes don't agree with food to well. So I appreciate the soup."
Chris nodded and motioned to the breakfast bar in the kitchen. Merri took the seat to the right near the living room and Chris took the one on her left. They ate in companionable silence. Chris had found a college basketball game and had it on the small tv that was positioned slightly above and to the left of the breakfast bar.
"I'm sorry you're stuck here."Merri began after half her soup was gone.
Chris did a double take at his partner.
"Merri..."Chris began but Merri shook her head.
"I keep going over the shooting at the courthouse."Merri continued. "I feel like I'm missing something. That I shoudl've noticed something."
"That's twenty-twenty hindsight talkin'."Chris said firmly. "The sniper took everybody on that detail by surprise."
"Maybe."Merri agreed. "I talked to Agent Hackett in the car. I know the investigation's shifted to him. But he told me he asked for this detail because it was in New Orleans. He was happy to be home."
"Doesn't sound like somebody that had enemies waitin'."Chris said and then polished off his sandwich.
"Or he didn't realize there was anybody that was gunning for him."Merri theorized as she finished her soup.
Chris took his plate to the sink and picked up the saucepan from the stove.
"There's a little soup left, want it?"Chris offered.
"Sure."Merri replied as she set her bowl forward. "Thanks."
"Glad to see some of your appetite coming back."Chris stated as he filled the bowl.
"Maybe it's the cook."Merri offered with a smile.
"I'm competing against hospital food."Chris replied with a laugh. "Not much competition. When this is over I'll cook you a real meal...just us."
"I'd like that."Merri commented with a smile.
Chris turned and busied himself with the dishes placing them in the sink. He began to wash them trying not to read too much into what had just happened. Merri could see it just as a couple of friends getting together for a meal. Still the smile she'd given him gave Chris hope that it meant more than that. He knew there was one way to find out. However Chris didn't want to dump that on her tonight.
Being stuck together in a safe house was a tough enough situation. As badly as Chris wanted to clear the air. To let her know the changes coming with the team they both called family his gut was telling him to wait. Let them settle into a rhythm of living under the same roof. Chris knew some would say he was using the first night as an excuse to give himself time. But he felt good about what had just happened. Knew it was a good first step. It would give him courage to finish the rest out when the timing was better.
Loretta glanced up at the knock on the morgue door. She smiled at Dwayne Pride as he stepped inside.
"Chris and Merri settled into the safe house okay?"The M.E asked as she finished her tasks for the day.
"Haven't heard any complaints yet."Dwayne replied with a grim smile. "I'm hoping they won't be there long."
"Me too."Loretta agreed.
"Came to see if you had plans for dinner."Dwayne stated as he leaned against the right wall.
"Keeping an eye on me, Agent Pride?"Loretta asked. "You don't have to worry about me."
"I know."Dwayne admitted quietly. "After the attack on Chris...it changed things. It isn't just about the security detail."
"I'd like dinner but only as dinner."Loretta replied. "I'm almost done here."
"Okay. Meet you by my office in fifteen?"Pride suggested as he walked to the door. "Have a few things to finish up."
"See you then."Loretta acknowledged.
Watching her friend leave Loretta hoped this would be over soon. Having so many people that Dwayne cared about in danger was taking it's toll. He was a good man and one of the best agents she'd ever worked with. If they didn't win this one Loretta knew it'd take Dwayne a long time to recover.
Sebastian entered Patton's office after knocking. He placed a variety coffee pack of K-cups on the table by the computer.
"Heard you were running low on caffeine."Sebastian began.
"Thanks."The computer tech replied not looking up from the screen. "You bored and want to lend me hand?"
"No, I've got tons of work to do."Sebastian replied with a shake of his head.
"Uh-huh."Patton replied doubtfully. "Pull up a chair slim. NOPD just sent cell video footage of Chris's crash."
"Of course somebody sat there and taped it."Sebastian muttered in disgust as he sat down.
"By the time stamp 911 had already been called. So this wanna be reporter probably figured help was already on the way."Patton stated. "Let's hope they got something useful."
"Especially since the BOLO the NOPD put out earlier hasn't yielded anything."Sebastian said as he pulled up the video.
"Yeah well dark SUV doesn't exactly narrow things down much."Patton responded. "Looks like I get to call Pride with some good news."
"You gonna share?"Sebastian asked typing away.
"Yeah that Colorado number just lit up. It's back on line."Patton replied with a grin. "Merri and Chris will be back home in no time."
Half way through dinner Pride's phone buzzed. He smiled apologetically at Loretta as he pulled the device out of his pocket and answered.
"Pride."Dwayne greeted.
"We may finally have one piece of the puzzle."Patton informed. "That Colorado number just came back online and I was able to get a trace."
"Good work. Who's it belong to?"Dwayne asked.
"Reagan Norris."The computer tech reported. "Phone wasn't online long enough to get more than a general area. She's in New Orleans. East side is best I can give you until she uses it again."
"We've got a name now. Run her financials see if we can figure out her connection to Hackett."Pride ordered.
"On it."Patton acknowledged. "I'll call as soon as anything pops up."
Pride ended the call and put away the phone.
Around midnight Chris awoke to noises. He sat up listening intently and discovered they were coming from the kitchen. He quickly got out of bed and crossed the hall to Merri's room. Chris found the door open and the light on. Relaxing the NCIS agent walked downstairs to the main level of the townhouse.
"Sorry, I was trying to be quiet."Merri apologized as soon as she saw Chris at the foot of the stairs.
"Don't worry about it."Chris replied as he crossed towards the kitchen. "Couldn't sleep?"
"Think I've just had too much rest lately my body clock is all confused."Merri explained. "Was making tea thought that would help."
"Probably. Want some company?"Chris asked.
"Sure."Merri replied as the microwave beeped and she took the mug of hot water out and put the tea bag in before turning back. "Maybe there was a silver lining to all of this."
"Yeah? What's that?"Chris inquired as he sat down at the breakfast bar.
"This."Merri said motioning with a hand to the safe house. "We haven't seen much of each other the last few weeks."
Chris knew he wasn't going to get a better opening if he tried. Still looking at his partner part of Chris was afraid to cross the line he was about to cross. Change was inevitable in life and yet he had really enjoyed the last year. But then Chris realized that would only get better if his theory was right. There was only one way to find out.
"Merri."Chris began quietly. "There's somethin' I need to tell you and if I don't do it now I may lose my nerve completely."