Hope you enjoyed some of the romance in the last one...although it ended in a different tone.

here's a new post, enjoy! Bell

Chapter 12:

December 22nd

Bobby wanted to kick something. He would even settle for kicking Myles if he wouldn't stop humming that dreadful song any time soon. It looked like he was chasing his own tail all morning. His snitches knew nothing and didn't seem too keen on looking for new information, Brian Ford threatened them and Bobby had the urge to strangle him. The sleepless night didn't help either and he kept on glancing towards his cell phone, wondering if he should call her or not.

He also had to endure his best mate happy grin all morning and it matched only by the flush that covered a certain Sheila's face every time his best mate glanced towards her. Myles and Tara seemed to be content with their internet search and Bobby had to raise his eyebrows when he saw how close they were sitting next to each other. Even Lucy was grinning to herself and was muttering something about a hot date and wonderful dinner.

He had enough. "Do you mind?" He asked, annoyance written all over his face. "I wanna know what the blazes in going on here? Our case looks like it's getting colder and you're all going happy happy joy joy!" He exclaimed. "I want some of those happy cookies you all seemed to eat without me!"

The bullpen erupted with laughter and Sue was kind enough to bring him a doughnut. "I don't want to know what you mean when you say happy cookies but this one has a lot of sugar in it and you seem like you need some energy."

Bobby eyed the doughnut and smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Sue, I had a rough night." He admitted.

"Bobby, Megan Paul is downstairs." Lucy said and he chocked on his doughnut. It was the last thing he expected to happen. Lucy raised her eyebrows at his reaction and Sue patted his back.

"Thanks, Sue." He said, clearing his suddenly dry throat. "Tell them to let her up; I'll wait for her by the elevators."

Bobby hurried outside and waited by the elevators, his heart beating furiously in his chest. He smiled when he saw her, wrapped in a thick long coat. She smiled back, moving her hand in her hair. "Hey…it's raining outside." She mumbled.

"I know, I got back a while ago." He led her towards one of the conference rooms. "What can I do for you?"

She hesitated, sitting down on one of the chairs. He sat next to her, waiting for her to speak. She held the envelope tightly and wondered if she did the right thing by coming here. "Look, I'm not sure if it's really your business but I didn't know who else to turn to." He raised his eyebrows and she handed him the brown envelope.

He opened the envelope and gaped at the pictures in front of his eyes. He tilted his head to the right. "That's a pretty close shooting." He mumbled, loosening his tie a little and examining the sight of her in a bath towel. The next photo showed a different scenario; she and James were standing outside the station, drinking hot coffee. His eyes traveled to the previous photo and she snorted beside him.

"Do you mind? My ex is following me, I'm freaking out and you're staring at the picture."

He chuckled. "Sorry, I'm wondering how he could get such a close photo."

"Well, he wasn't with me if that's what you're implying." She said, her tone harsh.

He paused and looked at her for a moment. "I wasn't implying anything. How do you know its Stalker boy?"

She sighed. "Who else could it be?"

Bobby thought for a moment before rising from his chair. "I'll show this to Jack. We might need a restraining order."

She followed him into the bullpen and he offered her his chair. "Jack, I need you to see this." He walked towards him and Megan looked around her. Her waiter from last night, Myles, and Tara, the woman from the grocery store sat together in front of the computer. Bobby and Jack were whispering to each other, standing with their backs to her. She rose from her seat and walked over to the white board that contained many pictures.

"Hello, Megan." Sue stood behind her, a smile on her face.

"Hi Sue." She remembered to turn before she spoke. "You seem to have a lot of information on me."

Sue chuckled. "You want some coffee?"

Megan nodded and Sue led her to the coffee maker. She eyed Bobby and Jack and nudged Sue to get her attention. "Can you tell me what they're saying? I have a feeling Bobby might wanna lock me in somewhere."

Sue smiled. "Sorry, I can't do that. But I'm sure Bobby wants the best for you." She paused for a moment and then whispered. "I think he cares about you and he's been acting very strange all day."

Megan snorted. "What's best is a very subjective matter." She said and looked away when she felt her face growing hot, was it possible that Bobby had a sleepless night too?

"Sheilas…" Bobby waved to get their attention.

"Megan, we'll file a request for a restraining order." Jack said. "Until then, I'd like someone from SOG to watch over you."

Megan shook her head forcefully. "No way! I won't have you guys following me."

Bobby held his finger in front of her face. "For your information, we didn't have to get your permission."

Jack lowered his head to his hands. "Here we go again…" He mumbled.

Sue laughed softly behind him and he reached for her hand, his desk hiding their act of affection. "Are they always like that?" She asked and Jack snorted.

"One day they'll kill each other." He mouthed and she laughed.

"Well…tough." Megan said. "You asked and I refuse."

"Your objection is noted and disregarded." He replied, sarcasm dripping with every syllabus.

"Bobby!"

"Megan!"

Myles raised his eyebrows and touched Tara's forearm. "Note the mating process between two eligible peacocks. The male is showing his big and colorful feathers and yet the female seemed un impressed and surprisingly produces colorful feathers of her own."

Tara muffled her laughter behind her hand and Myles grinned and then ducked his head behind the computer screen. If glares could kill he'd be dead by now.

"Okay, but on my terms." Megan said quietly.

Bobby opened his mouth to argue and then changed his mind. "What terms?"

"I don't want your guys inside my apartment, I don't want them to report everything I buy or don't buy at the grocery store and I don't want you popping out of no where every time I make a detour on the way home from work. I want space; being stalked by one person is more then enough."

Bobby and Jack shared a glance and Jack shrugged his shoulders, nodding his head. "Okay, it's a deal." Bobby said. "Trust me, Meg, you won't notice them."

Megan bit her lips before smiling a little. "See you guys tonight." She said and waved goodbye to the rest of the team.

"She's got spunk." Myles complimented and Bobby grinned wickedly.

"You have no idea." He mumbled.

"So…" Jack rose from his seat. "Ballistics is finally here." He said. "Two different guns, the first two shootings are different from the last one."

"Is it possible that we're dealing with two different shooters?" Sue asked.

"I sure hope not." Bobby mumbled. "Despite the fact that SOG is running behind us all night they haven't picked up a thing. Stalker boy was our main suspect but he has an alibi for both of the shootings."

"If there is a pattern, then the last shooting is different. The guy killed a firefighter."

"Can we assume that he was trying to hit Paul but missed her?" Myles pondered.

"No way." Jack shook his head. "He was aiming for the head, it was a clear shot."

"We came up with nothing on our search." Lucy, who just came back from the archives, joined them. "I'm running a search on Megan Paul and James Meyer to see if there is anything suspicious with them. I'm crossing information but it will take a while."

Jack nodded his head. They spent the rest of the day brainstorming. He gave up at nine and pulled Sue outside with him. Dinner was just what he needed before the night shift started.

Jack was holding her hand and his brown eyes were fathomless pools of worry. His thumb created small circles inside her palm as he waited for her to speak. Sue shifted her weight and sighed. She knew that being with someone meant that she needed to open up to him but it was very new and very confusing. She didn't want him to know that she was deeply worried about him. That would make him worried about her and then she'd think that he can't concentrate on his job and then…it was a really vicious cycle.

"Would it help if you come by and sit with us for a while?" He asked. They were standing in front of the ambulance station and he had no desire to leave her just yet. Their dinner was a quiet affair, they shared jokes and stories and he kissed her afterwards, slow and passionate and eternal.

"I suppose I'll get used to your night shifts eventually." She smiled. "Yeah, I'll come with you."

Jack pulled her towards him, her hands coming to rest on his chest. Her face was inches from his and he closed his eyes, enjoying the proximity. The touch of her lips on his was surprising but most welcome. So far she never initiated their kisses and he groaned quietly, holding still and allowing her to explore. She was tentative and hesitant but her touch was wonderful. He ached for more; his hands tightened their hold, clutching at her coat.

He felt her taking a breath before she plunged on, pulling him into a whirlwind of desire. She didn't hesitate and he moaned into the kiss, pulling her closer. He fought for control and she seemed to enjoy tantalizing him, kissing him with skill she never knew she possessed. She ended the kiss and he opened dark, unfocused eyes to look at her.

"My…my…you are something." He mumbled.

She flushed crimson and he laughed, wondering how he could fluster her after a kiss like that. "Didn't you want to get inside?"

He shook his head. "Yes, but now I can't."

"Why, what's wr…oh…" Her face seemed even redder and he laughed.

"I'm trying to think about sports, give me a few seconds." He laughed and she fidgeted beside him. "Okay…let's go. Stop fidgeting, Sue, it's your fault." He teased.

She elbowed him on his ribs and he groaned, laughing as they entered the warm station.

"Jack! Sue!" James welcomed them with a smile. "You're late, lover boy." He turned to Jack. "I lost the bet, we're going first incase there's a call."

Sue and Jack shared a look. If James witnessed their exchange he didn't say anything else and they followed him inside to the T.V room. Megan stood next to the table, pouring brown liquid into small shots. Bobby stood beside her, his face eager as he looked at the small shot that she held.

"Drinking already?" Jack chuckled. "We haven't even started."

"We're celebrating." Megan answered. "It's James' birthday, at least it will be in an hour, and I brought liquid Belgian chocolate. It's the most amazing thing you've ever tasted. They say its better then sex." Bobby snorted beside her.

"Who says?" He challenged.

"Hi Sue." Megan saw her and handed her a shot. "Here, try some." Sue smiled and sniffed the chocolate.

"It smells great." She said.

"I propose a toast." Bobby said. "To our mate James, happy birthday, we wish for a quiet shift and a wonderful day tomorrow."

"Happy birthday, James." Megan pulled him to a hug and he laughed.

"Okay, cheers!"

They clanked their glasses and each of them took a sip. Megan moaned softly and Bobby felt the hairs at the back of his neck standing; he coughed quietly and then drank his shot in one gulp.

Sue laughed. "Bobby, I don't think you're supposed to drink it like that."

He shrugged his shoulders, smiling innocently as he tapped Megan shoulder. "Can I have another one?"

She gaped at him. "Did you drink the whole thing?" he nodded his head. "Oh…you'll get high on sugar." She smiled wickedly. "Sure, help yourself…"