A/N: Thanks again for sticking with me and for the great feedback!

Once again, thanks to starfishyeti for beta-reading my story!

The stalker

by elessar73

*** 17. chapter : Even the best ideas can´t save you ***

Paul sat at his desk in the now abandoned and silent kitchen. The kitchen crew had left hours ago. The cook sighed deeply. Hours of thinking had finally ended with a decision. He wondered if the idea he´d come up with was as good as he believed. Rubbing his hand across his forehead he let the last hours replay in his mind.

Paul had woken with a start. Unaware of his surroundings his weary eyes fixed on the ceiiling. He still could feel Mary´s sweet kiss on his mouth and heard her whispered ´I love you´. Finding his arms empty and himself actually lying down he realized that he must have been dreaming.

"Only a dream," he´d sighed sadly. Wondering what time it was he had shifted around to catch a look at the display of his alarm clock. He´d hoped despairingly that it was still early enough to slip back into his wonderful dreamland and into the embrace of the woman he loved so much. He´d read the time and had nearly jumped out of bed. For the first time in his life ever he had overslept - it was almost noon. Paul had sworn when he´d stumbled into the bathroom. He´d swayed on his feet and had crashed against the doorframe bruising his elbow.

"Ow!" Paul had yelled rubbing the sore spot. ´That´s exactly what I need right now.´

Somehow he´d made it to the bathroom, brushed his teeth and splashed some water into his face. He´d checked his appearance and had decided that it would work for today. He´d considered shaving off his three-days stubble, but there was no time; actually he hadn´t time for anything. He´d run back to his bedroom and had grabbed his clothes lying on the floor. Thank god he´d left them in a heap just in front of his bed. He´d put on his jeans, socks and shoes and was out the door while pulling his shirt over his head. Taking two steps at a time he´d flown down the stairs keeping himself from falling with his hand on the banister. By the time he´d reached the first floor he was panting and wet from sweat. ´Good thing I hadn´t wasted time on a shower.´ The man had crossed the hall and had started a death run for the university as soon as he was outside. He´d covered the distance in record time and had arrived at his place of work twenty minutes after he´d woken up. So he was only four hours late; what a great start to a Monday. He´d rushed into the kitchen and had wondered for the first time why nobody had called him. Somebody must have missed him, at least Mary. ´Stop that wishful thinking, Paul.´
He´d pushed the door open and had walked in still breathing heavily. The sweat had run down his face making him look more like a runner than a cook. Ignoring his condition, Paul had grabbed his working clothes and had slipped into his jacket. Inwardly he was boiling with rage against himself but also against his team for not worrying about him. But he´d managed to keep his manners. He´d lifted his head and had looked straight into the faces of his coworkers who were observing him closely.

" So, why didn´t anybody call me?" Paul couldn´t help it, a little pissy behavior seemed appropriate.

When nobody answered Paul had exploded. " Hey, I asked you something. Why didn´t you call?" Paul´s voice had sounded dangerously calm. Still nobody had dared say a word. Paul had felt like losing it. He´d clenched his hands into fists when the door was opened and a smiling Mary had stepped in balancing a bowl in her hands. Mary had looked directly into his eyes and Paul´s heart had skipped a beat. All his anger suddenly had disappeared into thin air. The kitchen employees who´d realized the change of mood had sighed in relief and finally had turned back to work.

"Hey Paul," Mary had greeted him with a smile in her voice. "How nice of you to show up."

Paul had paled hearing the criticism even though it was ironical. " I overslept," He´d justified himself lamely." Why didn´t you call?" Mary´s smile had grown even brighter. How much he´d wished this smile was just for him- but he knew the truth.

" Oh come on Paul. Have a little trust in us. For one day we can manage the kitchen on our own." Mary had placed the bowl on the counter grabbing the salt and had salted the contents. Paul had stepped closer to take a look. The bowl was filled with sweet-scented minestrone.

"I see. So that means you don´t need me, huh?"

Mary had turned around and had punched him in a friendly manner on the shoulder. "You´re a fool, of course we need you. But look and be amazed- everything you planned for today is finished."

Paul did as he was told. What he had seen had made him proud. His crew had done a great job.

" That´s wonderful. Thank you all and sorry." He had said loud enough that everybody could hear it a little ashamed because of his rude words in the beginning. His eyes had never turned away from Mary; actually he was just talking to her.

"No need, Paul," Mary had spoken again. It was almost too much for him. Mary was in such a good mood that he had wondered if he could risk asking her out once more. But before he´d considered his chances Mary had continued. "So, now that you´re here is it okay if I leave earlier today? Just a half hour?" Mary had smiled genuinely and her eyes had glittered.

"Yeah, yeah, why not?" Paul had stammered disappointedly, the words had stabbed him like a knife.´Why can´t I let go?´

Mary had laid her hands on his arm and had looked at him with her indescribable eyes. "Thanks so much."

It was that look, these amazing green eyes-, that had made Paul do something stupid. He´d decided to try his luck again. He´d closed his eyes for a brief moment praying silently for help from above and had opened them again. When Paul had locked eyes with the woman he loved he´d felt a shudder run down his spine. ´What was that?´ For the first time ever he´d felt a coldness and hate radiating from her eyes. He´d shaken his head wanting nothing more than to banish the impression. Paul had swallowed down his uneasy feeling and when he´d looked at her again he´d looked into two green incredible eyes. The moment of real truth was gone. Paul had taken a deep breath.

" May I invite you for a drink or dinner?"

Mary had remained silent when her hand had slid from his arms.

"As some kind of restitution for today." Paul had reacted at once upon the change in her behavior. He´d looked at her hopefully. But Mary had just closed her eyes and turned away. Paul had known exactly what that meant. `I´ve lost.´ Mary´s mood had changed completely. Paul had gotten the feeling that Mary had two faces, but he had no idea what had triggered that change.

" Don´t you dare ask me that again. Haven´t I made myself clear? I´m not interested!" Mary had hissed and while she had turned around again she had pushed hard against his shoulders. Taken by surprise Paul had staggered. His face had blushed and heat had risen to his head. He had felt Mary´s eyes on him, a look of pure hate. But this time he wouldn´t give in. Mary had hurt him enough. He wouldn´t let Mary of the hook that easily, not this time. The young man had set his jaw stubbornly and had looked Mary straight into her eyes.

Clenching his fists he´d spoken, his voice barely a whisper, " You really believe Professor Eppes will notice you?" The words had hit their target. Mary had paled, her mouth had dropped open.

" What? What are you talking about?" The woman had stepped closer to the man who was leaning against the counter now. The surrounding employees had watched the scene with interest. They were anxious about what would happen next. But the two actors didn´t care. Mary´s reaction had been the final confirmation for Paul´s assumption and so he´d continued.

"I know everything Mary. You can dress up but it´s still not good enough. Not good enough for the professor. He deserves better than you."

Mary had stared at him with wide open eyes. ´Paul knows that I´m not good enough, just like my mother knew. But how? No, no, no they´re both wrong. I´m worth it and soon everyone will see.´ Mary had shaken her hand wildly, tears had shone in her eyes and her mouth had moved with silent words. Paul had watched her in shock, clapping his hand against his mouth. He´d felt guilty for his harsh words.´Damn it! What have I done?´ He had gotten closer to her and had tried to touch her, to soothe her.

"Get off me. Don´t touch me!" Mary had yelled, her voice a sound of rage. Tears had rolled down her face.

"I´m so sorry Mary. I didn´t mean to hurt you." Paul had tried again to make contact with her, but Mary had flinched. She had stepped away from him. It was just then that Paul had recognized the silence in the kitchen. He had taken a furious look around finding several pairs of eyes observing the scene without blinking.

"Back to work!" Paul had commanded his coworkers. Actually he hadn´t cared if they´d obeyed or not, his attention had swiveled back to Mary. The woman had still been standing motionless, but Paul had seen that her face had turned a deep purple colour. Her eyes had been closed and he'd recognized a tremble running through her body.

"Mary!" Paul couldn´t give up. But the woman had had other plans. Without a further word she´d turned on her heels and had stormed away from Paul, away from the threat he'd become. Paul had run to the window and had watched Mary run away from him, wondering where she might go. ´I really screwed up!´

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Mary had run aimlessly. The tears still escaping her eyes had made her vision blurry. Now and than she´d wiped them away with the back of her hand. This occurrence had repeated itself until Mary had reached a remote spot on the CalSci-campus. She´d never been here before, but it hadn´t really mattered. The only important thing had been that she was alone. Leaning against a tree she´d sobbed heavily and slid down the trunk. When she´d finally sunk to the grass she´d let her head crash against the trunk. Mary´d reached out her hands to touch the wood and had caressed it lightly. Her mind had drifted away. The woman had lost her grip on reality. She´d screamed out Charlie´s name again and again, but nobody had responded. Mary´d slammed her head hard against the rough bark wincing in pain.

"All I want is to be loved by you, Charlie." Mary was sobbing. Engulfed in pain she´d dropped onto her side pulling her legs up and had rocked to and fro. Minutes had passed by slowly, but time had done as it always did, it had cleared Mary´s mind. She had come back up into a sitting position. Alert enough she had taken in her surrounding. She´d found herself in some kind of park; a silent oasis in the middle of the busy campus. Oak trees had bordered the shore of a small pond. A steady croak hung in the air and the sound of birds had sounded all around. Wildflowers had been spread over the meadow Mary had been sitting in. It had been almost paradise. But Mary had lost all her appreciation for the beauty around her. Her brain had been infected with her obsession for Charlie. She would do everything to gain him. But thoughts of Charlie had also brought back thoughts of Paul . Mary´d clenched her hand into the grass and had plucked a sod out. ´Paul has found out my secret. He will pay for his curiosity.` With an insane smile on her face she had risen to her feet. Cleaning herself a little up she´d marched back toward the university. She had to find out if the rumors of Charlie being back on campus were correct and then she would get rid of Paul. Her smile had deepened but hadn´t actually reached her eyes. The green pools had remaind emotionless and cold.

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As the memory faded Paul sighed again. This was his only chance. The cook opened the first drawer of his desk and grabbed a sheet of white paper. Letting out his breath in a rush he grabbed his pencil and started to write. Professor Eppes would soon learn everything about his secret admirer. And then the professor would bring it to an end and send Mary back into his arms; the place where she belonged. Paul´s conviction grew with each word he wrote down. When he was finished he read over his message again. His lips were pressed tight together in determination. ´Perfect!´

Paul folded the sheet, realizing that his hands were shaking slightly. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself down and when he was ready he put the paper in the envelope he´d already adressed. ´It´s done.´ On his way out he dropped the letter in the post-box for in house-mail. A self-contented grin on his face, he left the university.

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Alan and Charlie returned to the Eppes residence at around 5.00. It had been a long day, at least for Charlie. His appointment had gone well. The physician was content with his recovery and only his collarbone would need further treatment in the form of physical therapy starting the following week.

Father and son entered the house. While Alan moved on to the kitchen, two shopping bags in his arms, Charlie dropped exhausted onto the couch. The young man rubbed his tired eyes. His first day back in ´real´ life had used more of his strength than he´d ever imagined. He felt the beginning of a headache starting and wondered how he would survive the evening. Larry could, from time to time, be a little bit of a strain.

"What´s so funny?" Alan asked his son while he handed Charlie his pain meds and a glass of water.

"Huh?" Charlie´s brown eyes looked inquiringly at him." What do you mean, Dad?"

"You are smiling young man and I was just wondering what for?" Alan smiled in return but his expression became anxious when he took a closer look at his son. Charlie´s face was pale and even the hint of the smile couldn´t cover the tiredness shown clearly on his face. Charlie´s thin frame appeared boneless and draped across the cushions. ´An easy target for a killer.´

" Nothing Dad." The answer brought Alan back into the present. " I was just thinking about Larry and my already stressful day."

"I see." Alan nodded with understanding, well aware to what his son was referring." Shall I cancel dinner?"

"No, no, Dad. I´m really looking forward to it," Charlie tried to convince his old man. And although Alan remained skeptical he wouldn´t start a fight about it.

" Okay Charlie. Take a nap. I need to get going in the kitchen. With Larry and Don around I have some things to prepare." Alan turned to leave, but Charlie suddenly was alert again and held him back with a question.

"Well Dad, have you figured out the reason for Don´s odd behavior?"

Alan felt brown eyes resting on his face and tried his best not to flinch. He had desperately hoped to avoid this topic and had no idea what to tell his youngest. The truth wasn´t an option right now. Alan locked eyes with Charlie and saw with relief, as well as a bit of guilt, that Charlie´s eyes were glazed over; the pain meds were setting in. Alan made a quick decision. Under these circumstances a lie would be appropriate, though he really hated to lie to his son. But it was the best for Charlie´s well being Alan convinced himself. He prayed that Charlie wouldn´t realise the lie. " It´s just work Kiddo," Alan spoke as calmly as possible. " The team´s working a bad case."

"So I can help him," Charlie interrupted his father with a faint, slurred voice. Alan fought down a smile. Charlie was almost asleep. He walked over to the cabinet to grab a blanket and covered his son.

" When you´re better," Alan whispered in Charlie´s ear. A slight nod was all Alan got. His son had finally drifted into dreamland. Feeling an unbearable urge to touch his son, Alan passed a hand slightly over Charlie´s curls and kissed him softly on the forehead. "I love you. Daddy´ll take care of everything. Don and me will protect you. Sleep well little one." A last touch on the cheek and Alan vanished into the kitchen.

TBC