AN – Please remember this story started in 2005, the same year I wrote it (yes as in seven years ago). So unfortunately the plot is set and 14 chapters written. So a much as I like your ideas about Robinson, they don't fit. Sorry. You will be seeing more of Robinson as it all unfolds. In my writing there is a reason for everything so watch this space.

The original title 'Seven Fiancées for Seven Friends" had the story loosely based on "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", I hope you see the parallels in future chapters.

There is a lot of angst between Jim and Trixie to come but I believe you'll be happy with the outcome. Oh and I haven't forgotten Revelations, I'm afraid the writer's muse bit me. I know where I need to go but the way is currently blocked. I have time off over Christmas and hope this will help. Expect another chapter soon. It's easier to dust off this one than struggle new material at the moment.

Finally a very big thank you to everyone (especially Grandma Cindy) for all the reviews. I know I should answer each of your individually because your words and praise keep my fingers typing, so please excuse me if I use the time to finish the works in progress. I appreciate them all and do look forward to your encouragement.

The streets of New York
1959hrs Friday 18th February 2005

Before making herself comfortable in the back of the cab, Trixie scooted as far across the seat as she could and closed her eyes. As she quieted her mind, Jim climbed in and gave the driver the address of Diana's Gallery. Attempting to ignore his presence, Trixie began replaying the messages Jake and Tim relayed earlier this evening. The events of tonight just didn't add up.

There has to be something I've missed. Some clue I've overlooked. Casting her mind back, Trixie started from Jake's original call.

Hey partner, you're a hard woman to get a hold of these days. I tried the office but you'd left for the evening and your cell wasn't answering.

Well, at least that much is true. I haven't been at the office since early morning. Jake knows I have to keep my cover by attending college classes on Friday. He knows my schedule almost as well as I do, so what is he really trying to tell me?

Sorry, I can't meet you at the gallery as we planed.

I can recognize a warning when I hear one. Jake must have suspected Johansson had me under surveillance and he's trying to put me on my guard. I bet he didn't want his cover blown either. That's why he didn't leave his name. His call couldn't be traced.

Nothing to worry about, Gemma's caught a virus and her mom's out of the county.

Why is he using "virus" and "Gemma"? Gemma is the code name for our operation. So is our operation in danger of becoming contaminated? Is that why Johansson is watching me? Is my cover blown?

This doesn't make sense because I have another source placing Jake's target in London since last Tuesday? The source he placed over a year ago to watch her from inside a very intimate relationship. Maybe there's another factor I'm not seeing, like Johansson's involvement? Why would Tim risk his cover to deliver a warning about tonight? Can I trust Tim, especially since he's undercover with Johansson or has Johansson deliberately chosen Tim as a test for me?

At that moment in time, Trixie wanted to put her head in her hands and weep. The vision she saw forming in her fertile imagination frightened her and its implications, if true, could completely ruin her career and friendships. As this new suspicion entered her mind, it cast a very different light on Jake's message. Not wanting to believe it, Trixie had to finish decoding her partner's communication. If she was right, she would soon know by the subtle nuisances in Jake's language.

Let me know how it went in the morning.

The operation has been blown wide open with the fall out becoming International. Tim wasn't joking this evening when he told me my life is in danger. I've dragged Jim into this without his knowledge or consent. He's the last person in the world who deserves the hand fate-no be honest with yourself, Belden-the hand you have dealt him.

I know who set me up. I'm sure of it now. Only no one would believe me if I told them. I'm on my own without any back-up and I have Jim's life in my hands. How could it have come to something like this without me suspecting a thing? How could I have been so gullible and naive?

Keep safe, I worry about you when you're out alone

I'll just bet you do Jake, I'll just bet you do. And I was stupid enough to lead you right to Sabina with my last message. I just hope Tim never gets the opportunity to deliver my code to you. Thinking back to her secret rendezvous with Shadow Man, Trixie recalled every word they'd uttered while looking for proof of her suspicion.

I've got new orders for you. Guard the package with your life because we believe it to be the next target. You'll need to disappear for a few days. The virus is spreading and we don't know how much longer Gemma will be in play. If you come up with any new ideas, contact Jake immediately and he'll take care of it from the domestic end.

Tell him I'm sorry he's missed tonight, it's been enlightening. Gemma is the source of the virus. I believe her mother picked it up in London as recently as last week, although that's not the initial infective location. I don't believe she'll be back anytime soon.

I told you exactly what you needed to hear. Sabina's safe in London and Jim is the only one who knows beside me. Now you think both Jim and I are surplus to your needs and you're trying to make us disappear one way or another and blame her loss on me. Only you haven't counted on Sabina finding out about you.

The call to Jake, I have to remember the call to Jake. What did he say?

Jake, Belden here. Did you order surveillance on me?

Not on you Belden, Sabina's boyfriend.

Why?

Why do you think? He's the key. She's making sure the two of them remain close and he doesn't have a clue what information he's giving you. The idea of getting them into a relationship so we could keep her close without arousing suspicion and you could make regular contact was brilliant. I've been monitoring their calls for the last week. Intuition told me something was up. I got the proof I was looking for today.

Do you think you should've informed me of that fact before I left the office tonight?

Hey, I tried. I left a coded message on you machine.

He sounded so cocky and sure of himself. Jake knew something I didn't. Oh why didn't I pick it up in his voice at the time?

Jake, I could have blown the op wide open. Both my landline and cell are currently being tapped. I only discovered it when you called.

As if you didn't know! Trixie thought sarcastically to herself.

You've listened to that message? I hope you're not calling…I can see from caller ID you're not. Whose phone are you using anyway?

And then I told you exactly what you wanted to hear. That Jim and I were together and Johansson wasn't recording our conversation. There would never be any taped evidence if you were discovered. How stupid can you get? I played right into his hands.

I'm calling from Jim's cell.

As in Sabina's boyfriend?

Yes, that Jim.

I want you to personally oversee surveillance on James Frayne. Sabina's not finished with him yet and I'm afraid he'll end up in the same state as his predecessors. I don't care how you achieve it, just don't let him out of your sight. And don't take any chances tonight, okay? I don't want you wounded and back in hospital. Once was enough.

Why didn't I see the connection sooner? You almost had me killed that night, but Josh brought the bullet instead. Maybe I could have saved Josh. You set him up with me the way you set Jim and Sabina up. You wanted information on his case. You needed his state side mafia connections to find the link for this operation. You knew he wouldn't be as discreet with me as he should have been because Josh knew I worked for the CIA and our cases seemed to overlap. You've been using me from the very first day we became partners, only I've been too blind to see it. Sam knew or at least she suspected someone within the organisation had it out for me but got her brother instead. She may be my only hope if things get really tough.

No, Jake I won't take any chances with my life or anybody else's. I'll call for back up from this phone if I need assistance. My plans for tonight have not changed, so call that car off.

Ok Belden but I intend to find out more about the outfit that's tapping your phone. Don't go back until its safe.

Going back to my place would mean your plans for me might be foiled. Why didn't I see this coming? So, is going home the best or worst decision I could make? Will Jim and I be safe there tonight, or should I start to make plans? Where could I possibly hole up that Jake couldn't find me?

No, I won't go back to my place until you can find the source. I'm not a rank amateur at this, you know.

You could've fooled me.

And then he had the gall to laugh at me. Now I understand why. He had me right were he wanted me, scared, on the run, and with Jim. All his problems nicely bundled up together and easily gotten rid of in one fell swoop.

But Tim, what were you trying to tell me? I'm like a cat with nine lives but always one step ahead. One step ahead of Jake, Johansson or you? Are you telling me he constantly underestimates my innate abilities and I can turn this situation around to my own advantage? Or are you leading me further into the trap? And my new orders: are they from Jake or someone else? Does anyone else suspect his defection and are they setting him up for a fall?

I'm so confused! All I know is orders or no orders, I will defend Jim's life with my own and I can't let him out of my sight for the next few days. That means I'll have to tell him the truth. I wonder how he'll take it? I guess he won't like the interference in his love life. Gleeps, will he ever forgive me for allowing this to happen?

Are you trying to warn me, Tim? Is Robinson one of ours or one of theirs? Either way, I have to stay alert for any problem tonight. And then I have to figure out how to get Jim and the other Bob Whites out of the limelight for the weekend.

'Jim,' Trixie's eyes flew open at the same moment the cab stoped in front of Serendipity. Almost pushing him out of the car, Trixie handed the driver a fifty from her stash. 'Keep the change,' she told him as she scrambled out.

Charging after Jim, Trixie almost knocked him over in the rush to be at his side. 'Jim, I need you to take a close look at this picture. If you see this man tonight, make sure you aren't left alone with him,' Trixie whispered, constantly looking around to see who listened to their conversation.

'I've had just about all I can take from you tonight,' Jim fumed. Holding on to his temper by the merest of threads, he couldn't meet her eyes. I don't want to, because I can't trust my own judgement where Trixie's concerned. All she has to do is look at me and say she's sorry and I know I'll forgive her. We've always been good friends but now I wonder how much is a front. I know she's using that knowledge to get me to do what she wants me to do, Jim realised belatedly.

'When were you last honest with me Trixie?' he asked in a quietly menacing tone, constraining his temper. 'When did you lose your innocence? Why are you keeping secrets from the people who love you the most?'

'Jim, look at me.' Reaching for both his hands, Trixie captured them in a firm grasp. The contact acted like an electric shock travelling up her arms as his gaze finally locked with hers. Swallowing the sudden lump lodged in her throat at the pain she could see in Jim's expression, Trixie had to work hard to maintain her thoughts. 'I'm sorry.'

There it is, the sorry. Jim didn't know whom he loathed more at that moment, himself or Trixie.

'I can't explain now-it's too dangerous, and there's too much I have to confess to you and all the Bob Whites,' Trixie continued. 'You and the others are the only people I feel I can trust, and believe it or not, my life is in your hands.'

'I have so many questions.' Jim stated with a determined look on his face. His anger cooled as suddenly as it had been generated, leaving him unsure what his next move should be. I don't know wether to chastise her for all she's put me through tonight, or feel sorry for her because she has to be in an untenable position. Trix, I just wish you'd open up and let me or one of the Bob Whites in!

'I know you have questions and you'll have more.' Tears welled in Trixie's eyes. She felt vulnerable and exposed conversing like this. Has it been so long since I've been honest with myself about how I feel? Do I have the courage to tell Jim how I really feel about the situation I now find myself in?

Taking in a deep, steading breath, Trix once again took herself to a time and place of happy memories. Taking strength from her thoughts, she opened her eyes and faced one of her best friends with her deepest fears. 'I'm so afraid you'll hate me after what I have to tell you. I would if the situations were reversed.'

'Nothing could ever be bad enough for me to hate you, Trix.' Squeezing her hands, Jim realised how much the confession cost the woman he cared for. Unsure why and cursing himself for his actions, Jim pulled Trixie into his embrace and laid a kiss on the crown of her head.

'Don't say never, Jim. It's a very long time.' Silent tears slipped down Trixie's face as she begrudgingly accepted the comfort Jim extended. 'Wait until you hear what I have to say. You might change your mind.'

'Unless you tell me you've killed someone in cold blood, I couldn't imagine anything that bad.' Trying to lighten the mood had been a mistake as it only made Trixie shudder in his arms.

'I did kill someone.' The confession fell out. Once the words left Trixie's lips, she realised how true they were. 'It's my fault Josh is dead.'

'This is not the right time or place.' Grimly Jim held her tighter, knowing he would have to wait for her to explain that remark. 'I want answers from you, Trix, but we both know they'll have to wait.'

Squeezing him hard, before breaking their contact, Trixie understood his concerns. 'I don't know if you'll believe me after the events of tonight, but you're not alone Jim. I'm questioning everything I've been through in the last two years. I promise we'll find somewhere safe to go after the opening.'

'And then you'll level with me?' Piercing green eyes pleaded for the old Trixie he knew so well to resurface.

'I may tell you more than you ever wanted to know, Jim.' Melancholy laced Trixie's blue orbs, giving them a sadness she'd never openly expressed in the presence of her friends.

Nodding his agreement, Jim led Trixie into the gallery. I guess I can wait, he thought, but I don't have to like it.

The Apartment Directly Across from Trixie's
2147hrs Friday 18th February 2005

'Did you get what you set out for?' Enrich didn't even turn when Tim entered the small bedroom. He'd set to reviewing files on the laptop which originated deep within the CIA and the contact perplexed Johansson.

'I found the restaurant and managed to get Frayne's hair and saliva samples for DNA cross match. The kitchen staff thought me nuts, taking a swap from his fork. Matthew Wheeler is a hard man to track down. He's never without his wife and the staff is loyal to the core. We'll have to use the hair sample I finally managed to locate from his office. The lab says it's a last resort. They prefer saliva or skin but I can't be sure the skin samples I took from his office belong to Wheeler. As to the late widow, the county PD took samples on her death. I've arranged for them to forward to the lab. They should arrive early tomorrow morning by special courier,' Tim reported.

'How long before we have a preliminary?' Johansson queried.

'They say 48 hours minimum once they get the widow's samples, but they're working on the Frayne/Wheeler link as we speak. They think it's a missing person's case.' Chewing a cookie, Tim moved over to the coffee maker and poured himself a drink. 'I found some interesting information about blood typing from a pretty brunette techie at the lab. Jimmy boy's blood type is A positive, same as Matthew Wheeler's. The lab has the contract for Bathurst International, Wheelers' Holding Company. They routinely take blood and urine samples for drug screens.'

'What does that mean for us?' Enrich questioned, finally turning to look at his partner.

'Technically, the techie said you could sometimes rule out people as parents just by knowing their blood type. The Rochester Coroner listed Katie Frayne as O negative in the autopsy report. I found an original of Jimmy's birth certificate in Wheeler's office and this photo.' Tim handed Johansson a black and white picture of two tall men standing on either side of a heavily pregnant woman. 'The inscription on the back reads, David and I can't thank you enough for you gift, Love Katie May 78. I think the picture proves the timing of the pregnancy is right for Jimmy's birth, which means, Frayne has to have the same blood type as his son, or he can't be the biological father.'

'Then we wait for the DNA results?' Enrich asked.

'Unless I can find David "Win" Winthrop Frayne's blood group.' Throwing his empty mug in the sink, Tim took a seat in front of his laptop. 'Any suggestions?'

'Start with the death certificate. We may get a clue as the where, when, and what he died of. Never know where that might lead us.' Enrich grabbed his coat and prepared to leave now his partner had returned from his assignment. 'I'm going to get something to eat before coming back here to catch some shuteye. I suggest you take a look at the files sent to me earlier this evening. Makes for interesting bedtime reading.'

'You got it,' Tim said, scanning the lines of text as Johansson closed the door. Rubbing his eyes to ensure he read what he thought he saw on the electronic page, Tim knew he had to contact Jake.

'Hanky,' Jake answered his cell phone in a sleepy voice.

'Houston, I think we have a problem,' Tim informed him.

'Where is she?' The normally easygoing voice lost all trace of slumber and turned serious.

'You told her to get lost and take the liability with her. Like a good little girl, she did as you said,' Tim answered sarcastically. 'I'm going to squirt you a file liberated from our data storage. Enjoy the read.'

Three minutes later Tim's cell beeped once. Do you think she knows? The text read. A smile crept across Tim's face at his internal thoughts which he wasn't willing to share with another living being. His answer was simple, She's your partner, you tell me.