A/N Thank you for the reviews, they are very appreciated. I love reading them and would love to know what you think so far.
Chapter 3.
As the light started to shine through the curtains Merri was pulled from her deep sleep as the light hit her eye's. She was safe and warm and felt very happy for some reason. She felt something move next to her or more to the point someone move next to her. That was when she remembered why she felt safe and warm and most of all happy. Feeling Chris pull her closer to him as he slept she was lost in thoughts of what could have been had they not been work colleagues. She would be very happy to wake up like this every morning safe in his arms. Felling his well muscled arms round her chest and waist keeping her safe and warm. Closing her eyes again she lay still enjoying her own private fantasy of what could never be.
Chris woke slowly from his deep sleep as he pulled the sleeping women closer to him to keep her safe and warm. He had an overwhelming urge to keep this women safe and warm and secure. It was when he opened his eyes fully and saw who the women was he knew why he had the feelings he did. The women in his arms was his colleague and friend. She was the reason he felt a tug at his heart when he realized he could never have the women in his arms. There were lines never to be crossed, invisible lines that were drawn to keep things right in the world. Merri had drawn that line when she arrived by telling him her golden rule which was never date a colleague. Closing his eyes he lay there holding Merri as tight as he could because he knew they would have to come back to reality soon and he would have to let go. He would wait till she made the move as he didn't want to burst the bubble.
When Dwayne Pride knocked on the door leading to Chris's room he did not expect the door to swing open at his touch. Nor did he expect to find an empty bed, there wasn't even bedding. Walking to the door opposite he listen carefull to see if her could hear any sounds of movement. Hearing nothing he knocked on the door and opened it slightly peaking in. There lying together under what looked like 2 set of blankets were agents LaSalle and Brody. He could see they were very tightly wrapped around each other spooning. He wondered how long they had been like that or if they had spent the whole night like that. Looking at how well the bed was made he would bet all night. Stepping just inside the door he coughed
"Breakfast is on the table, hurry up before it gets cold" and then he stepped back out the room and closed the door.
Both opened their eyes at the sound of their boss in the room. Chris drew his arm back from around Merri as she turned over to face him before he could pull back completely.
"Thank you for last night. I hope this doesn't change anything between us, I don't want to lose you as a friend" Merri said not daring to look Chris in the face.
"Nothing had changed between us, you are and always will be my amazing friend and colleague. I promise " as he leaned forward and kissed her head before getting out of bed.
Chris left the bedroom and wondered in to the kitchen, Merri followed behind a few seconds later. Seeing the food on the table Chris mumbled a very quick thanks Pride before he sat down and helped himself to bacon, eggs, hash browns and mushrooms. Both Dwayne and Merri started to laugh as they watched Chris fill his plate. Merri sat down and the first thing she went for was coffee. Pouring herself one she automatically poured Chris one and passed him the cup. Helping herself to some bacon and eggs she sat quietly to enjoy her breakfast. When she finished she got up and walked round the table, bending down beside Dwayne she kissed him on the cheek and said
"Thank you for breakfast, do you want me to wash up?" before straightening up and waiting for a reply.
"Your very welcome agent Brody, its nice to be appreciated and its okay for the dishes agent LaSalle said he would do them" as he looked across at Chris when he finished speaking.
Chris looked up in between shoveling bacon in to his mouth and just shrugged his shoulder. Both Dwayne and Merri burst out laughing as Chris was to busy eating to care. Leaving the 2 men in the kitchen Merri went down the hall and in to her room. Picking her bag up she got out her wash stuff and clean clothes. Wrapping the whole lot in her towel she came out her room and walked further down the hall to the bathroom.
After her shower she got dressed, wrapping up in as may clothes she could get away with wearing. Coming out the bathroom she went back to her room and dropped off her dirty stuff before going back in to kitchen. Both men were still sitting at the table but the table was now cleared and all the dishes were done. There was a pot of coffee on the bench and a plate of muffins. Going over she poured herself a cup of coffee and took a muffin off the plate before sitting down at the table. Chris looked up from his cup and smiled at Merri
"Take it the bathroom is finally free" he chuckled as he stood up and went to put his cup in the sink before leaving the room and heading in the direction of his room.
The radio they had got last night from the FBI was sat on the table next to Dwayne who was listening carefully to the chatter he could hear coming across the airwaves.
"Any news yet? Any sign of the possible killer? I want this case wrapped up so I can go home and get warm, I hate snow" she asked Dwayne looking across the table at him.
"Since last night he's phoned his contact to confirm the meeting tonight at 9 pm and to save us time he had confessed on tape to are murder. It turns out that the petty officer we have had a little habit that got out of control so when he couldn't pay he started selling but all the money was to much of a temptation. He tried doing a moonlight flit with it but got caught and ended up dead. All we need to do to play the tape back to him and charge him but we can't do that till the FBI pull off their sting " Dwayne told the very depressed looking agent.
"So all we got to do is help catch him, cart him to an integration room, tell him he murdered the petty officer then go home. I can do that" she laughed getting up and getting more coffee.
Just then Chris came back in to the room and Dwayne filled him in on the plan. Chris walked up to where Merri was pouring coffee and as she placed her full coffee cup on the counter Chris picked it up and walked back to the table smirking.
"Thanks for the coffee, just how I like he" he said taking a drink.
Merri threw him her best glare which only made Chris laugh. Pouring herself a new cup of coffee she came to sit down opposite Chris still trying to give him a dirty look. After finishing his coffee Chris got up from the table and went to put his hat, coat and gloves on.
"Where in god's name are you going? It freezing out there." Merri asked Chris as he finished putting his hat on and reached across for Merri's coat.
"You can think again if you think I am going out there. It is one thing to go out when you have to but to go out there when you don't have to is madness " Merri told Chris sitting with her arms folded across her chest.
Chris stood with her coat in his hand and pulled his best little boy lost pouting face before sitting down opposite her and staring over at her still pulling a face. Merri tried her hardest to ignore him but the longer he sat there staring the weaker she got. How could she ignore that face, it was just to cute. Getting up she walked round the table and grabbed her coat out of Chris hand and put it on. Chris jumped up and stood with a huge smile on his face as he waited for her to put her hat, scarf and gloves on. Once ready he grabbed her hand and pulled her to the front door leaving Dwayne sitting at the table watching his 2 supposed adult agents go to play outside in the snow like small children. He couldn't help laugh at how quickly Chris had worn Merri down with his pouting face. Maybe there was more to their friendship than meet the eye. After seeing the way they were snuggled up in bed this morning he couldn't help but wondering. Only time would tell so he went back to drinking his coffee and listening to the chatter over the FBI radio.
It had snowed quite heavily during the night and the roads were thick of snow now. Merri hoped if they needed to get out or help needed to get in they could make it through the thick snow. Once outside Chris kept a hold of Merri's hand and dragged her down the path that went in to the woods. Merri followed behind Chris wondering what on earth he planned now they were out here. Chris dragged Merri away till he came to a nice open space full of fresh un-touch snow. Leading Merri in to a clean patch of snow he looked at her then dropping down to the floor he lay down flat on his back with his arms out wide in a t shape. Merri stood there watching him like he was mad till he started to move his arms and legs back and forwards then she knew he was mad. When he stopped moving he stood up and moved away from where he had lain. Both of them looked down at the patch of snow he had been lying in
"Wow it looks like an angel shape" Merri said slightly shocked that the madness had turned in to something.
"Come on give it a try, its fun" Chris said dragging Merri to a clean spot of snow.
Merri decided to join in with the madness and when Chris lay in the snow she joined him and copied the actions she had saw him do before. After a few times of moving her arms and legs she stood up and stepped back looking back at her snow angel. Chris sat up and held his hand out to Merri for her to help him up. Merri looked at the out stretched hand and was about to walk away when she saw that famous pout appear and held her hand out to help him up. Next thing she knew she was lying on the floor with Chris pinning her to the snow-covered floor. She stared up at him and without warning she gripped his arms and legs with her own and flipped them both over so she was now on top. Chris lay shocked as he looked up at Merri but couldn't help laugh. Soon they were both rolling round laughing and flipping each other to the ground. After 5 minutes of this they lay side by side panting for breath both laughing.
When they caught their breath Chris stood up and lent down offering his hand to Merri who took it and was pulled to her feet. Looking round Chris saw there was still a load of un-touched snow around them. Making a small ball he started to roll it in the snow, back and forwards till the ball was getting to big to roll. Merri came over to Chris and his huge snowball. Next Chris went round and used his hands to gather snow up and place it round the big ball. Merri got the idea and joined him making the snowball bigger. Eventually it was big enough and Chris went away and started to roll a new snow ball. When it was big enough he brought it over and place it on top of the other ball. Stepping back he looked at the half built snowman. Merri disappeared and came back with some small stones and a few twigs which she placed on the snowman to make his face. Stepping back they admired their handy work and Chris took his phone out his pocket and took a couple of pictures. Then he walked to where there snow angels were and took a few pictures of them. Walking back over to where Merri was standing he offered her his arm and she took it, linking her arm through his. As they walked back towards the cabin Chris stopped and bent down to fasten his lace, or so Merri thought as she continued walking. Suddenly she was hit with a huge clump of snow on the back of the head. Turning round she caught a glimpse of Chris as he disappeared behind a tree.
"Oh it's on, I will get you back for that one " Merri said as she dived behind a tree just in time for a snowball to coming flying past her head.
20 minutes later 2 very wet and cold NCIS agents walked back to the cabin arm in arm laughing and ribbing each other over who won the snowball fight. Coming though the cabin door they both took of their coats and wet hat, scarfs and gloves, leaving them at the door. As they passed the kitchen they both put there heads round the door and said hi to Dwayne who looked up and shook his head at the 2 dripping wet agents in the door way.
They both walked down the hall and went in to their bedrooms to get changed. When they appeared 5 minutes later they were both changed in to dry clothes but they both still had wet hair. Going to the kitchen they both got a cup of coffee and walked in to the living area to sit in front of the fire. Getting to the door way they both looked at each then the couch before they made a mad dash to get there before the other without spilling their coffee. They both got there at the same time so sat end to end with the legs lying side by side in the middle. Dwayne came thorough carrying his coffee and the radio and sat in the empty chair.
"I hung your wet outdoor stuff up to dry as you will need it later when we nab are man" Dwayne told the 2 agents who were busy fighting for leg space on the couch.
"Thank you Pride " Merri said as she turned to her boss and smiled.
"Yea thank's Pride " Chris added before putting his coffee cup on the floor and grabbing Merri's feet to keep them still.
"Come on kids, there's sandwiches on the table for lunch unless you want me to leave you too fighting over the couch " Dwayne told the 2 of them before getting up and walking back to the kitchen taking the radio back through with him.
Chris and Merri stood up and went in to the kitchen and sat down at the table. Instead of sitting opposite each other they sat beside each other for a change. Dwayne noticed the small change in his agents since they woke that morning spooned together, what had they got up to while out that had brought them even closer together? He would be keeping a very close on these 2 from now one.
After finishing their lunch and drinking coffee Chris found a pack of playing cards in a drawer so they spent a couple of hours playing cards to pass the time away. Dwayne sat back and watched them play fight over who won at snap and pull faces at each other. He couldn't help but laugh as they got carried away and Merri broke out laughing as Chris grabbed her and started to tickle her. He had found out be accident how ticklish she was when they were wrestling in the snow and now he used it to his advantage. After another hour of playing cards they got up and helped Dwayne make tea before getting ready to go and catch the bad guy.
Leaving the cabin they were all wrapped up as best as they could be with their bullet proof vests on under their coats. Thanks to Dwayne their hats, scarfs and gloves were all dry and ready to wear. Merri tucked her scarf in to her coat out the way and pulled her hood up over her hat. It was then she realized if she needed her weapon out she needed a glove free hand but she could deal with that bit later. As the 3 agents meet up with the FBI they were given their orders on where to stand guard in case the man tried to run and needed a little help being brought in. They were all split up and sent to cover with a FBI agent but were in sight of each other which was good but not perfect. Saying their good byes to each they all split up and followed there FBI counter parts to there watch spots and sat down to wait.
At exactly 9 pm a car was seen pulling up at the cabin they were watching and a men got out carrying a brief case. The man walked up to the door of the cabin and knocked twice. The door opened and he disappeared in side. There was several shouts of go go go and men appeared from everywhere and stormed the house. As the men stormed the house a side window on the property was opened and a men jumped out and made a run for it. As luck would have he was running straight towards Merri and her FBI agent who were sat waiting. Merri pulled off her gloves and grabbed her weapon at the same time as the FBI agent drew his. They both stood at the same time and yelled at the man to stop where he was and put his hands in the air. Seeing the 2 people just further down the path he decided he was still going to make a run for it but changed direction slightly as he got nearer. Merri's training kicked in and she was hot on his tail firing a warning shot just above his head. It was very dark and she could hardly see where she was going only the dark outline of the suspect running just in front of her. Keeping hot on his tail she could hear others now running behind her giving her back up and chasing the suspect. The man was gaining ground on her so she did the only thing she could think of to slow him down and she aimed her weapon low and fired.
She heard the shot ring out and then the yelp as it hit the men then the yell as he tumbled down an embankment of some sort. She kept running in the direction the men went and towards where she thought he was, only one problem with running in the dark and that was she couldn't see either and before she knew it she had reached the same embankment and was tumbling down it with no way to stop herself from falling. The last things she remembered before she hit the bottom was calling out as she fell.
Once she stopped rolling she lay still till the world stopped spinning and she caught her breath she listened for any sound of movement. When she heard none she started to do a mental check list to make sure there was no broken bones. Once that was done she realized how cold and wet she was so sitting up she tried to asses how she was going to get out of here. A few meters in front of her she could make out the shape of the suspect who was lying totally still. He was either knocked out or dead but she wasn't sure which so rasing her gun she kept it pointed in the general direction of the man. The problem was her fingers were now numb and her hands were getting that way to. If he did move she knew there was no way she could shot him no matter how much she tried. She had lost the feeling in her feet and her legs were going numb, she needed to get up and get moving. Finding a branch sticking out she tried to grab it but her hands and arms were now numb. Rolling over on to her front she tried to push up but everything was just so cold and numb. Using the last of her energy she rolled back on to her back and lay there waiting. Slowly she lost the feeling in not only her hands, arms and feet but also her legs and face. This did not look good, her body was slowly shutting down to keep her vital organs going. If help did not coming soon she knew she would not make it out of here alive. She lay there looking up at the tree branches that moved slowly in the wind and thought about what could have been. Here she was most likely going to die and she was alone. Life was so un-fair to her and there was not a thing she could do about it. As her eyes grew heavy the last thought that went through her brain were for a love that never got a chance to blossom due to her own rules. A mental image of Chris came up and as her eyes shut one last time she managed to whisper
"I love you Chris LaSalle " before the blackness took her.
A/N 2- I got to start being nicer to these 2 but I can't help it. It may happen one day but net yet. Don't forget to R & R please.