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Chapter 19:

December 24th

"Karen Perry." Lucy said proudly, hanging two pictures on the white board. Bobby rose from his seat and approached her, looking at the pictures. "This is our dead body. The cause of death is a single gunshot. The woman committed suicide." She said.

"Background check seems normal, no former complains on any of the family members." Myles said. "Her husband worked. Served three years in the army, he had a clean record. He tried to get accepted into several elite units but was injured in an accident and got himself a course in electronics instead, it served him well afterwards."

"But here is the interesting stuff." Tara said. "Social services have a file stating that the Perry's were been watched. Apparently, Mrs. Perry called the paramedics once but refused to go to the hospital. The paramedics alerted the social services. Social services have a file on Mr. Grant Perry."

Bobby raised his eyebrows. "And where is Mr. Perry?"

Lucy sighed. "He was reported dead on December 29, 2000. They pulled out his body from the Potomac. They linked his death to the suicide and determined that he must have jumped after finding out that his wife was dead. Also, according to this…" She waved a thin manila file. "Mr. Perry was responsible for the attack on our paramedics. They suspected it was a crime of passion, in the heat of the moment."

Bobby threw his pen on the desk and Myles sighed with frustration. "We just walked in another circle." The blond agent rose form his chair and stretched.

"Doesn't it look…convenient?" Lucy asked. "The case was closed very quickly; maybe they framed the dead body."

Bobby nodded his head. "Maybe he's trying to recreate the attack; it's been several years, maybe he watched them for a long time now."

Lucy frowned. "But we're back on square one again. We have no idea who he is, we don't know if he's targeting Megan and James or every other paramedic."

Bobby's eyes narrowed. "Let's assume that he wants to recreate the incident five years ago and that he's after Megan and James."

"He knows we're FBI, he took pictures of us." Tara said. "He killed a firefighter."

"So other than the intention of killing…" Bobby started.

"He probably enjoys the game." Tara finished.

Myles rolled his eyes. "And you only came to that conclusion now? This entire charade tonight was a game of power; he wanted to see them running away. He could have finished them off just like he did to all the others."

"So, we don't know who he is and we do know that he is a lunatic." Lucy huffed.

"What about finger prints from the pictures in the ambulance station?"

"Forensics are still working on that." Tara said. "It will take a few more hours. Also, we found no finger prints on the box that held the dead flowers; we also don't know the store they were purchased in, it's a plain white carton box."

Myles nodded his head. "I think we should all go home for a much-needed sleep. At least until we get some new information."

Bobby agreed. "I need to pick Megan up from the hospital." he grabbed his coat and was heading out the door when Myles stopped him.

"Hang on. I'm not even sure you all remember but it is Christmas Eve tonight." Stunned silence filled the room and he chuckled. "It looks like no one is going home but I still believe we deserve a break. Come over for dinner around eight." He turned to Bobby again. "Bring your friend, Koala boy, if she's up to it."

Bobby raised his eyebrows, did he imagine or was Myles openly smirking at him?

He winced at the sound of something crushing to the floor and heard the startled gasp that followed. Moving in long strides, he stopped in front of the closed door and knocked. "Megan, are you alright?"

When she didn't reply he pushed the door slowly, ready to assist her if she needed him. He saw her picking up the bottle of liquid soap and placing it back on the counter. Her hands were shaking. She leaned against the counter and breathed deeply. "I'm fine, Bobby."

He registered her shaking voice and pale features. Her eyes were red; he took a step towards her. "Have you been crying?"

She glared at him. "Do I look like I've been crying?"

Fury clouded his features as he walked outside and leaned against the closed bathroom door. He regretted the second he convinced her to come over. She was infuriating, she was annoying, and she didn't listen to anyone but herself. He sighed, she was in pain and the pain medications made her unfocused and weak. He knew she wasn't upset with him but her words were hurting him.

"Bobby…" Her voice was weak and shook slightly. For a moment he considered to just walk away and then shook his head and opened the door again. He panicked when he saw her on the floor, her head resting in her hands. She was shaking and he realized she was crying.

He knelt beside her, reaching for her hands. "What happened?"

"I can't get up." She hissed, frustration written all over her face. "I told that excuse of a doctor that I don't react well to strong pain medications." She sniffed. "I hate feeling like that."

He stroked her cheek, wiping away her tears. He could never deal with tears so he reverted to a safe ground, showing his dimples as he grinned at her. "Okay, Sheila, I'm gonna sweep you off your feet." He moved one hand to support her neck and the other behind her knees. He lifted her and felt her sighing to his neck as she leaned her head against his shoulder. He tried to ignore the fact that she was only in a towel and lowered her to his bed. "Can you get dressed by yourself?" She nodded her head and he brought her the bag of clothes they picked from her apartment.

She glanced at him, sudden flush covering her face. "Can you give me a few minutes?" She asked quietly.

He nodded his head and headed outside the room. "Promise to call me if you need something." He was pleased when she smiled at him and moved to the kitchen, making hot chocolate and straining his ears to hear in case she needed him.

He returned a few minutes later and found her under the blanket, her eyes closed. He smiled and put the cup of hot chocolate on the cabinet beside the bed. Her voice startled him. "I'm sorry." She whispered. He was about to speak but she shook her head, her eyes now wide open. "I'm not used to be so…weak and I hate the fact that you see me like that. I know I hurt you and I'm sorry. I do thank you for offering me to come over." She lowered her gaze and bit her lips. "I just feel so…helpless."

He moved to sit beside her on the bed. "Asking for help doesn't show weakness, Megan. I'm happy to be here for you and I will gladly do whatever you want me to do if it will make you feel better. But…you also need to promise to take care of yourself and rest. No leaving this bed until you feel better."

She seemed stunned for a moment and then smiled at him. "I think I'll be better once my body will get rid of those pain killers."

"Then get some rest." He looked at his watch. "I need to be at the office in three hours to see if anything new came. I'll get some sleep too." He rose from the bed and headed towards the door, intent on sleeping on the sofa.

"Where are you going?" Megan frowned. She couldn't let him sleep on the sofa. "You can stay here. It's your bed after all."

He shook his head. "I want you to be comfortable."

She grinned at him and he raised his eyebrows, expecting a witty comeback. Instead, she pouted and made room for him. "It will make me feel better."

He swallowed the laughter that was about to surface and shook his head, lowering his tall frame to remove his shoes and pants. He settled down beside her and she moved closer, leaning her head against his shoulder. "Is this okay?" She whispered.

He moved his arm and held her closer, careful on her injured forearm. He couldn't stop the sigh of contentment that came from his throat and moved his head down to plant a kiss on her forehead. "It's more than okay." He reassured her.

Jack picked up his cell phone stretched his legs in front of him, smiling and accepting a cup of tea from Sue. She handed him some pill for the headache and he swallowed it while listening to the updates Bobby was giving him. Sue looked at the apartment and smiled at some of the small pictures that Jack framed and put on one of the shelves. It wasn't the first time she was in his apartment but this time it felt different. Her heart was still hammering in her chest and she couldn't stop grinning.

Jack loved her and she loved him. At least their little piece of the world was whole.

She looked at his tired face as he listened to the team's new findings. His eyes were dropping and she smiled mischievously, if he couldn't admit that he was tired and in obvious pain didn't mean that she couldn't. In one movement she grabbed his cell phone and pulled it from his grasp. His protest wasn't registered as she turned her back to him.

"Bobby, I can't hear you so don't bother talking. Jack is tired and I'll get him to bed. We'll see you after lunch and then you could share all the information you want. And, Bobby…you should get some rest too." And with those last words, she hung up the phone, turning to Jack and measuring his reaction.

She didn't know what she thought she'd see on his face, but the wide grin was surprising. He stretched his arms and motioned her to sit beside him. She sat down and smiled at him. "You're not upset?" She asked.

"I was at first but then…" He raised his eyebrow suggestively. "Then you said you'll get me to bed."

Sue's eyes widened and she felt her cheeks reddening while he just snickered in front of her. She pursed her lips and rolled her eyes at him, deciding to play his own game. She moved her hands to caress his dark hair, feeling a sense of satisfaction when he closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. She smiled and leaned closer, her mouth close to his ear. "Do you want to get into bed?"

He swallowed and his eyes popped open. He understood what he heard but couldn't quite comprehend it. He decided not to think about the possibilities that the simple words opened but he couldn't stop his mind from producing all sorts of mental pictures. He groaned and shook his head, smiling at her. "Don't play with fire, Sue." He chuckled. She gave him an innocent pout and he pulled her to him, covering her mouth with his.

He kissed her slowly, cherishing every feeling her touch evoked in his heart. She responded eagerly and he had to restrain himself from getting them both up and into the bedroom. Instead, he pulled backwards a little, placing a kiss against the tip of her nose. "You are right, I should get some sleep."

She nodded her head and watched him walking towards his bedroom. He hesitated and turned to face her again. He hoped that he wasn't going to get himself into an impossible situation but the sudden need to keep her close was too strong. He waved his hand to get her attention. "You need to get some rest as well." He signed with his hand; COME WITH ME. "I promise nothing will happen. I just want to hold you close."

He couldn't comprehend his feeling when she nodded her head and walked towards him. Joy, surprise, love…he didn't know. He held her close when she settled against him, enveloping her with his arms, protecting her from the outside world, not letting anything come between them.

She sighed softly and closed her eyes, in his arms, she finally slept peacefully.