Ok I'll admit it I fell apart and I cried. I had my head turned into Rob's sexy, comforting chest and I just cried. And, him being the gentleman he is, he just held me in his arms and stroked my hair. When I felt a bit calmer, I looked up at him and gave a little shy smile. I know I was a mess after crying.

"Come on Jess. I better get you home. Dr. Krantz is waiting for you."

He still had his arms tightly around me, and it didn't look like he was going to let go anytime soon. I reached up a little and planted a gentle kiss on his lovely mouth.

"Ok then. But please, stay with me this time?" I was terrified. I didn't want to be alone.

"Jess. I'm not sure that's such a good idea. I mean..."

"Rob, come on, just stay with me. A girl has friends right? Even Dr. K can't argue with that."

"Am I supposed to pretend that we're just friends after this afternoon?"

Only his smile showed that he enjoyed this afternoon. His voice and posture? Yeah, that just screamed 'mistake.' You see that's the problem with having a gentleman for a boyfriend, especially a one on probation who seems to think the age gap is a problem. He still thinks that us kissing like we did this afternoon is a bad thing. Believe me, it's not!

"This afternoon is just between us, if you really want it to be." I'll admit I was pouting and behaving like a child. Why can't he just say he'll stay with me anyway? What does it matter what we did this afternoon? I only want him to stay with me because I have a sneaking suspicion that Dr.K knows that Rob won't let him do anything.

"This afternoon was stupid of me. You're too young, and."

"STOP IT! Look I'm going home to try to find my best friend because I don't want to be alone. I was hoping that you would stay with me just to make sure I was okay, but if that's too hard, then screw you! I'm going home."

Great, I was crying again, but I really didn't care. I just wanted to get home and help Ruth. As I walked out of the door I really didn't want Rob to follow me. He did, of course, but for once I didn't want him to be there. I think he realized that because he didn't say anything, just let me walk down the driveway. Then he steered me to his truck. After that, he stayed away from me, no touching, and no talking. To be honest it felt good that he knew not to try talking to me because I think I would've socked him and that's something I would regret, especially since a guy will only let you hit him so many times before he thinks it's enough and I think I'm getting close to that number with Rob. When we got to my house, I turned to face him.

"I'm sorry. I'll ring you later."

"Mastriani, please. The thing is I enjoyed today and I want to come in. I just."

He looked so nervous and he was running his hands through his hair so frequently that it was beginning to stand up. He looked so frightened! I'm not sure why but he looked frightened.

"I don't want to lose you and I don't want to spend time pretending you're my friend because you're more and I know Dr. Krantz won't believe we're just friends because he'll see how I feel."

"Rob, can we do this later? But please come inside! Screw Dr. K!"

He gave a little smile "Sure, Jess."

As I took my seatbelt off and got out he was at my side holding the door open and helping me down. Then he held my hand, kissed me gently on the lips and led the way to my front door where my mother immediately tore open the door grabbed Rob's shirt and pulled us in.

"Mom calm down. What's going on?"

"You think I'm risking my little girl's health? Get inside now."

I didn't try to point out that this was probably all her fault. After all, she told Dr.K where Jill was.

I went into the living room, squeezing Robs hand and then letting go, smiling a little about how reluctant he was to relinquish it.

"Ok. How do I fix your mess?"

You see to me it was as simple as; A.)I had to get Ruth back and B.) It was Mom and Dr.K's fault. So I felt being abrupt would save time.

"Jessica, I think this is something we should discuss alone. Maybe Mr. Wilkins could go home and you can ring him when we're done?"

Dr. Krantz had the decency to look embarrassed. He also looked a little nervous. Good!

"Look, Dr. K, the thing is you and my mom are the reason Ruth is missing, and, well, I don't want to leave my friend alone in case you make another mistake and the wacko takes him. So get used to it-Robs staying."

Dr .Krantz looked like he was going to argue but then seemed to think better of it. Good, he's learning.

"Ok. But please sit down."

I sat on the sofa and Rob sat next to me, shuffling along a little until he got to a respectable friend-like distance while still being close to me. Mom kind of hovered around looking more then a bit uncomfortable.

"So. How do I fix your mess?"

"Now, Jessica, I'm sure you can't possibly think that this is my fault?"

"Well no, it's mom's fault as well. If she hadn't told you then you wouldn't have gone and got Jill, pissed of this freak, and he wouldn't have my best friend."

"Mastriani, there's no way you going would have been a better option." Rob said.

"Rob please, you seriously think that getting my best friend kidnapped is better then me going to get Jill?" I answered.

"You really think this guy would have left you alone?"

"Mr Wilkins is right…"

Wow you could see how much it pained him to say that.

"…when we got to the house we found several things that lead us to believe he wouldn't have let you go."

"If he was going to keep me then why wasn't he at the house waiting for me? And what things exactly were in the house?"

"I don't think that's relevant right now. As to why he wasn't there. Well, we can only assume he saw us coming and ran."

"Then the only thing to do is for me to sleep find out where Ruth is and go get her. ALONE!"

I just don't understand why one minute Dr.K wants me to use my gifts and the next he expects me to sit around twiddling my thumbs while he screws up my life.

"Jessica. It's simply not safe enough for you to go into that house. Mr Bradshaw has a number of objects within his residence that indicate his interest in you is not healthy. He appears quite obsessed."

"Well that's flattery for you. Look I don't think you understand Ruth is my best friend. I am not leaving her with him and, since if you go he'll just take someone else, it makes sense for me to go."

"Jessica…"

"I really don't think you have a choice in the matter you see to find Ruth you need me and I'm not just going to tell you where she is because look at the mess u caused"

I was right; he couldn't do it without me. I hadn't counted on Rob's reaction.