Chapter 9:

She tried to dress in a way that will make her attractive but not cheap. She didn't wear those short skirts and high heels anymore, but the faded jeans flattered her legs, making her look a little bit taller. The silk shirt left her shoulders bare and accented her neck. She smiled at the mirror; she almost forgot how she looked without her uniform. She settled for black eyeliner and then grabbed her purse, heading outside.

The drive in the cab gave her more then a few minutes to think. She hated the fact that some part of her was excited at the prospect of meeting Brian again. After all these years, it seemed like she still entertained the notion that he might come back for her, it was a part of her that she completely hated, a part that allowed him to use her for so long. She was young and foolish with no one to turn to with her problems. He was very handsome and represented everything she ever wanted. It didn't take long for him to wrap her around his little finger, everyone saw it. She was blind.

She groaned inwardly. The last weeks were hectic and she was tired, both physically and emotionally. She had no desire to open wounds that were barely closed. He took everything away from her, even her own dignity. She hated him and yet she still wanted to hear what he has to say for himself. Will he defend his actions from five years ago?

She shook her head when she realized the cab driver was talking to her. She paid the fare and thanked him before heading outside into the cold night. She almost chocked when she realized where she was. The small restaurant stood in the corner of a main street that was known for his questionable habitants. Pursing her lips, she walked inside, suddenly feeling overdressed with her long black coat and heavy scarf.

"Hi, is there anything I can get you?" she raised her eyes from the wooden table that was filled with engravings of many colorful words and several disturbing illustrations to look at the face of her waiter, a tall man who wore jeans and a long sweatshirt. She smiled and raised her eyebrows.

"Honestly, you stand out like a penguin on the beach."

The waiter rolled his eyes. "It seemed like my wonderful team mates told you much about me." He smiled sardonically.

"Bobby said you were cranky."

"Never listen to koala boy, most of what he says is Aussie talk and cannot be comprehended." He heard the 'Thanks, mate' comment if his ear piece and smiled. "See? He agrees with me." Bobby muttered something he couldn't understand and he frowned.

Megan laughed. "I suppose now he's using some colorful Aussie slang to describe you?"

He shrugged his shoulder. "Maybe, now, can I get you anything?"

"You got any mineral water?"

He nodded his head. "Coming right up." He said, walking away from her. "What a place for a date." He said quietly. "I would kill someone for bringing me here."

"Where would you take your date, Harvard?"

The question came from Tara and he chuckled softly, the musical voice making him warm. "Someplace romantic," He answered quietly. He handed Megan her glass and then poured her the water, winking as he walked away. "Somewhere outside under the sky where the air doesn't smell like burning oil."

Tara chuckled in his ear. "I'm sure your dates appreciate the gesture."

Myles didn't respond. Was there any point in telling that he hadn't had a date for a long time? Something like a half a year maybe…since she broke up with Stanly was more accurate. Myles shook his head, the door opened and he immediately recognized Mr. Stalker. From the corner of his eye he saw Megan tensing. "It's show time." He mumbled.

Brian Ford walked inside and searched the place; he unbuttoned his coat to reveal a black sweater that sat tightly on his chest. Megan swallowed before raising her hand and waving to get his attention. He smiled and moved towards the table. "Megan, it's good to see you." He said, his hand grasping hers.

She nodded her head and returned the shake. "It's good to see you too. It's been years since we last saw each other."

"I'm starving, let me get something and we'll talk." He raised his hand and motioned for a waiter.

"Can you see him okay?" Jack asked quietly.

Sue nodded her head. "Yes, Myles is over there now." She giggled. "He's taking an order."

"While he's doing that…" Jack reached for her hand. "Have dinner with me." He blurted and then shook his head with a smile. "That wasn't exactly the way I wanted to ask you."

Sue grinned. "I don't mind as long as we don't eat here." She looked at the bawl of fries that was between them. None of them touched it. "It looks like they dipped it with oil after they fried it."

Jack chuckled and Sue returned her attention to the other table.

"Yes, I would like some burger with fries. You want something Baby?" Megan frowned at the nickname and shook her head.

"I'm good, thanks." Myles walked away and Brian looked at the woman in front of him.

"You look…different." He observed.

She shrugged her shoulders. "It's been five years, I'm older." She sipped her mineral water when Myles brought Brian's order. "So, what brings you to DC?"

"I have relatives around, I came to visit them. I tried to call you several times. You answered once but there was something wrong with your phone."

"Yeah, it was broken. I only got a new one yesterday." She answered. "You know, come to think about it, I think I saw you four nights ago around Folger Park…"

"Folger Park." Sue said quietly. "I don't even know where that is."

"So, what do you do with your life?" He asked, taking a bite of the greasy burger.

"I'm a paramedic." She replied. "I'm working as one for the last five years."

"That's wonderful." He said, swallowing the food in his mouth, he continued. "You always wanted to practice medicine."

She smiled at him. "And you? How is your career?"

"The west coast was good to me." Sue whispered. "I'm working as a supervisor at one of trauma departments in Los Angeles. The work is hard…many hours…it's hard to see when he eats and talk at the same time…" Jack snorted into his glass of water. "The money is good and I'm holding my own."

Megan smiled. "I'm glad you managed to find yourself." She said and felt a warm feeling inside when she realized she meant her words. Perhaps this meeting was a good idea.

They continued to small talk for a while and then he smiled slightly and took a hold at her hand again. "Actually, I admit that I have an ulterior motive for coming here."

Megan raised her eyebrows. His hand was warm and moist and she had the urge to pull away from him but she remained still, waiting for him to continue.

"I've been thinking about you for quite some time now." Sue frowned. "I think this is getting personal…"

"Go on." Jack said.

"Are you seeing anyone?" He asked and Megan gaped at him for a moment before recovering.

"I…no. I'm not seeing anyone."

Brian looked around him and then smiled at her.

"Maybe you'd like to come over for coffee, I'm staying at the Sheraton hotel." Sue said and made a face. "He's got some nerve. We can have a great time together, just like old times."

Megan shook her head. "Thank you but I'll pass."

"I can take care of you, Meg."

"Excuse me?" Megan's voice rose and she flushed when people looked at her.

"I can look after you. Being a paramedic is a lousy job, Megan, the paycheck is horrible and the work terrible. I can give you all the money you want."

"I don't want your money." She hissed. "I'm doing just fine."

He grinned at her, his other hand reaching for her knee beneath the table. She moved away from him, wrapping her arms around herself.

"Can't we go back to what we used to be?" Sue said. "Back then there wasn't such a problem to get you to…to spend the night with me."

Jack's eyebrows rose. "That conversation is taking a turn to the worst."

"I'm refining the words." Sue said darkly her face serious. "He's horrible...Honestly, now that I think about that you were never good for anything else…Sue gasped and he heard Brian cursing loudly.

Megan stood next to him, an empty glass of water in her hand. She looked at the stain of water that now covered the front of his pants. "There…that should cool you off." She slammed the glass to the table and hurried outside. Brian leaped after her and Jack got up from the table. "Bobby, move." He spoke to his ear piece.

"I'm on it."

Megan managed to walk a few steps when he grabbed her forearm, yanking her towards him. She winced in pain but glared at him. "Let go." She ordered. He shook his head.

"You will pay for this, I have rights and I know them."

"Let me go or I will scream. The police will be here in a second." He looked around him, the street was busy and people were already looking at them. He let her go. She saw a cab waiting and went inside slamming the door behind her.

Brian cursed when the taxi pulled away. He turned around and faced a tall man.

"Brian Ford?" He asked.

"Who wants to know?" he retorted.

"F.B.I" Someone spoke from behind his back. "We need to ask you some questions." He looked at the badge that was presented to him.

"If you're talking about that young woman then you should know that this is a private matter. My wife and I just have some domestic problems."

Jack grinned. "I suggest you'll keep your comments to yourself Mr. Ford. We know she's not your wife."

"And we congratulate her for that." Myles quipped, a smile forming on his lips as they led Brian Ford into the car.