Rating/Warning(s)/Note(s): Rating =T

Thank you too Amberstar63 for answering my pleas for a beta and jumping online just to help me. I love you bb!

This is a teaser to a new fic in the works. Just a little something to wet your appetite ; )

Disclaimer: All copyrights, trademarked items, or recognizable characters, plots, etc. mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without their express written authorization.

Prompt: (January 18, 2010) "Write about an obstacle in your life in third person"

Alice groaned as she tried the ignition again, praying desperately to whatever God there was, that the engine would finally crank over. Once again, and much to her frustration, she was greeted with silence. She slammed her palm hard against the steering wheel as her eyes burned with the frustrated tears rapidly filling them and distorting her vision.

It just wasn't fair! What had she done to have life treat her this way? Alice racked her brain and couldn't recall ever being so mean or treating anyone bad enough to warrant her karma sucking so completely. She was a good person dammit! She smacked the steering wheel again. Yet here she was, approaching her thirtieth birthday; newly divorced, trying to keep her sanity while raising her seven year old son.

"Bastard," she shouted into the cab of the decrepit El Camino, her anger fully directed to the one person she could blame without further compromising her karma – her good for nothing Ex. As wrapped up in her misery as she was, she hadn't noticed the police car that pulled up behind her.

Jasper sighed as he put the patrol car in park, before entering the plate information into the standard issue laptop. Abandoned vehicles were rare on this stretch of road, but he wanted to make sure it wasn't illegal. He was glad his shift was almost over. His body was sore from the stress of today and he wanted nothing more than a hot shower and a glass of whiskey.

Satisfied with the response he got back from the El Camino's plates, he reached for his radio to call it in. His hand froze in mid-air when someone moving in the cab alerted him that it wasn't abandoned.

Now, his senses kicked into high gear. He followed procedure, radioing dispatch to give his location and to inform them what he was going to investigate. Flipping his overhead lights on, Jasper exited the vehicle and proceeded to approach the car.

Once he reached the driver's door, he was able to see inside. She sat with her shoulders slumped, staring down at her phone, completely oblivious to his presence. Jasper raised his hand to the window, gently rapping his knuckles against the glass.

Alice jumped at the sudden intrusion to her mental berating. She quickly wiped away the tears on her face before glancing up to see a man in uniform looking at her in concern. Taking a shaky breath, she rolled down her window.

"What seems to be the problem ma'am?" The officer asked her once her window was open enough for her to hear him. She heard his gasp when her eyes finally made it to his face.

She wondered briefly what she had done to provoke such a response, but then realized that she was probably a sight, somewhat resembling a cross between a raccoon and Rudolph.

"I'm sorry, officer," Alice blurted out. "My car stalled and won't start," she finished trying to choke back the new wave of tears trying to take over.

Jasper was at a loss for words when the angel's blue eyes reached his own. The air from his lungs left him, and a part of him wanted to hold her to him and make whatever had her in tears disappear. But he couldn't. She didn't even recognize him. But why should she? The last time they met they were completely different people.

"I could take a look if you'd like," he offered, his hand motioning towards the hood.
She shook her head, the motion making the waves of dark brown hair dance around her face. Wasn't her hair shorter and darker? He wondered briefly. "I couldn't possibly impose."

He laughed and shook his head. "No imposition. I swore to 'Serve and Protect'; and honestly my Momma would have my hide if I left a lady stranded." His smile made Alice's insides quiver, something about it seemed so familiar but she couldn't place it.

"Then by all means, Officer…" She looked at his uniform for his name. "Whitlock."