It is with respect for the artists that I quote "Ghost," by the Indigo Girls, "The Letting Go," by Melissa Etheridge and "Fool To Fall" by Pearl River. An excerpt from Sarah McLaughlin's song, "Hold On," is also being used without permission or knowledge of the artist.

Violence Disclaimer: This story contains scenes of violence, implied rape, and graphic crime scene detail. While this is necessary to the plot and tastefully done, if this sort of thing bothers you, you might not want to go any further.

Tenderness Disclaimer: This story also contains scenes of extreme love and tenderness that may force your knees to go weak or your heart to pitter and then patter. In some cases, you might even find yourself exclaiming... "Awwwww… ain't that sweet?"

The author wishes to thank: Jennifer for giving me the courage and the inspiration to start this project and see it through. Pati, Jess and Gin for reading this in the beginning and then allowing me to use them in the story. I hope I portrayed you all as you want to be seen. Thanks too to the dogs for jumping on the bed and drooling on the keyboard during all the crucial parts, trust me, eight really is enough!

Thanks to My Warrior, who has become my wife; your beta reading talents were sorely tried during the writing of this book. I still haven't mastered comma placement, periods or dangling participles and I doubt I ever will *G*, but thanks for loving me and keeping me well fed anyway. You believed in me when I didn't believe in myself, I'll never be able to thank you enough for all the love and encouragement you've given me.

Comments and feedback are welcomed and appreciated at : mac10k@earthlink.net

Part 3

Morgan walked into a house smelling of bacon and omelets. Stepping into the kitchen she watched silently as Kathryn cut up vegetables and added them to the egg mixture cooking on the stove. I could get used to this, She thought. The idea of waking up every morning to this incredible woman was taking hold of Morgan. She wasn't conscious of moving until she found her arms wrapped around Kathryn.

"Good morning Little One."

Kathryn sighed and leaned into the hug for a minute until she realized what she was doing. Stepping away she looked up at Morgan.

"Phew! go take a shower and come eat. Breakfast is almost ready."

Morgan snatched a piece of bacon from the plate and side stepped the swat aimed at her butt. Chuckling she headed down the hall to shower.

Standing under the stinging spray she let her mind drift to fantasies of Kathryn. She imagined the scene in the kitchen differently. Walking up behind Kathryn and burying her head in Kathryn's hair she fantasized the smaller woman turning and pulling her head down for a kiss. She imagined picking Kate up and setting her on the bar, leaning in between her legs and capturing her lips for a kiss that could only be done properly from the same height.

As her fantasy hands slid up the skintight tank top Kathryn was wearing she reached down and switched the hot water off. She had to cool off or she wouldn't be making it to breakfast any time soon. She had washed her body and hair and was rinsing the conditioner out when she saw Kathryn step into the bathroom. She shut off the water and slid the shower door back taking the towel offered.

"Thought you might want a cup of coffee while you were dressing."

"Thanks." Morgan answered, taking the offered cup.

"Gin called while you were out, she said she couldn't make dinner tonight and would reschedule later."

"Okay."

"Hey Morgan?" Kathryn asked, her heart was beating triple time as she watched Morgan run the towel over her lithe form. "Do you have any plans for today?"

"Nope not anymore. You want to do something?"

"Sure, I thought maybe if you wanted we could go window shopping or something. I wanted to visit Greenport, they had some great looking shops."

"Do I want to know what I'm getting myself into?"

"Probably not. I uh, I like to shop." Kathryn cast her eyes downward to keep Morgan from seeing the blush creeping over her cheeks. Morgan had no way of knowing that Kate liked shopping even more than she did eating. Speaking of eating… "Hurry up and get dressed; breakfast is finished."

Morgan handed her now empty mug back and stepped around Kathryn, heading for the dresser.

"Be right there; give me a minute to comb out my hair."

Morgan followed Kathryn's lead and selected a deep purple tank and tucked it into her tightest black 501's. Sliding her feet into a pair of calf skin black boots she laced them and headed for the bathroom to brush the tangles from her hair.

Kathryn stifled the urge to let loose with a wolf whistle as Morgan glided into the dining room. Wow! She definitely knows how to fill out a pair of jeans, Kathryn thought, handing Morgan her plate. They settled into companionable silence and finished the feast Kathryn had prepared.

Morgan pushed her chair away from the table and carried their plates to the sink. Kathryn followed with the serving dishes and Morgan loaded the dishwasher.

"That was great Little One, I can't remember the last home cooked meal I've had."

"Thanks, if you want I'll cook us dinner tonight."

"Sounds like a plan to me."

"What do you want?"

"Ugh I'm too full right now to even think of dinner. Surprise me."

"Okay, it's a date."

"Want to go in my truck or your car?"

"Why don't we go in mine so we can put the top down?"

Morgan attached the ankle holster with the snub nosed 38 to her leg, hooked her pager and cell phone to her belt, slid her keys in her pocket and locked the house, following Kathryn next door to the waiting convertible.

Morgan and Kathryn never saw the figure that followed them around Greenport. From shop to shop they went, blissfully unaware that their every move was being watched. Lurking in the shadows of buildings and hiding behind newspapers, brown hate filled eyes studied the two women; anger building with every smile that passed between them.

She will be mine. The figure thought, watching as Morgan pulled her pager from it's holder and read the message. She grabbed Kathryn's arm and steered her toward their parked car as the figure slipped once again into the shadows and followed.

Kathryn pulled the car into her driveway and shut off the motor as Morgan opened her door.

"I'm going to take a nap, why don't you plan to come over at 7 for dinner?"

"Sounds good to me, do you want to finish the movies we rented? I think Janice had a VCR but if she didn't we can go back to my place."

"Sure we can do that."

"Want some help getting all this stuff inside?"

Kathryn had loaded the trunk and back seat with purchases. Morgan figured she would be a shopper but she'd had no idea that Kathryn would make a mission out of it. She'd bought other things besides what was in the car but those would be delivered. She had decided to keep Janice's house and was planning to redecorate.

"Naw, go make your phone call. I can get this." Kathryn pulled the first of many packages from the car.

Morgan unlocked the door and greeted the dogs. Setting her keys on the counter she walked upstairs to the study and dialed the familiar number.

"Bax, its Morgan. What's up?"

"We got a letter from your killer."

"Handwritten?"

"Emailed."

"From who?"

CatandMouse@yahoo.com

"Can we get a court order to obtain the personal information on this guy?"

"We're working on it, but we can't find a judge willing to set precedence on the Internet. There are other ways of finding out what we need to know."

"I'm not willing to jeopardize the case by using a hacker, are you?"

"If need be, yeah I'll risk it. We need a break Morgan and if this is it, then we'll do what we have to."

" What did it say?" Morgan shifted the receiver to her other ear.

"Said the news release you gave was wrong, said he wasn't a copy cat and you should know better than to just dismiss the evidence."

"Is that a summation or the email?"

"Summation. I'll forward it to you."

"What do you think Bax, is this our guy?"

"I don't know. I want to rule it out as a crank, but if it is our man and we don't follow up on this the media is going to have a field day at my expense."

"I still think it's a copy cat; our guy hasn't written before no matter what we said about him. I don't see him changing on us now."

"You're probably right Morgan. I'll trust your judgement on this one."

The phone rang as Morgan replaced the receiver and once again she raised the handset to her ear.

"Sumners."

"Hey gorgeous, just wanted to remind you about tonight."

"What's tonight Billy?"

"The benefit. Don't tell me you forgot."

"Yeah I forgot, but I'll be there."

"Fantastic! Smooches babe, we'll see you later."

Morgan replaced the receiver again and leaned back in her chair. What was she going to tell Kathryn?

Deciding to jump off that bridge when she came to it, Morgan showered and dressed for the benefit.

Morgan strode in the bar, looking to the entire world the picture of confidence. She had worked hard to convey that persona even though her insides felt like jelly. Why she let Billy talk her into this she every year didn't know. She'd run into him a few months back and he asked if she'd sing at the AIDS benefit again this year and without thinking she'd agreed. She had known Billy and his lover Greg for many years and cared deeply for this cause. Since the day Greg tested positive the normally quiet and subdued Billy had thrown himself into helping raise money for a cure.

She'd been so caught up in her workload and trying to deal with her growing feelings for Kathryn that she hadn't remembered or even practiced for the set she was supposed to do. Going into this cold was putting butterflies in her stomach. Hell, forget the butterflies, she felt like she had a flock of gulls flying in there.

Billy had been shocked when he called and she told him she'd forgotten all about the benefit but that she'd be there. She spotted him standing by Greg's wheelchair and walked over.

"Hey Billy," she said as she leaned over to plant a kiss on Greg's cheek. "How ya feeling big guy?"

"You know how it is Morgan, the counts are up but the energy levels are down. I'm hanging though." Greg said as he wrapped an arm around her waist. "How have you been? Found a lucky lady to keep you awake at night?"

Morgan ruffled his thinning blond hair and smiled affectionately at him. "Nope no one unlucky enough to give me a second glance yet. You know how the island is, some expect to see me with Megan and the rest are to intimidated to approach me. Guess I'll have to shop off island to find a replacement."

Morgans' heart lurched at the last part of her comment, though meant in jest it still hurt to think of Megan. The love they had shared was special, or so she thought. Maybe it wasn't for Megan; she'd walked away from 2 years without so much as a second glance. The thought was bringing the heat of tears to Morgan's eyes.

"Yo, earth to Morgan!" Billy said, waving a hand in front of her eyes.

"Sorry, took a hike through old times there for a sec. What were you saying?" Morgan asked.

"Just wondering what you were going to sing tonight. How many songs do you plan to pleasure us with?"

"Don't know. I haven't had any practice so, I guess as many as they're willing to pay to hear me sing. I haven't prepared any songs. I'll just open with something and ask for requests and see how that goes." Morgan leaned on her guitar case and surveyed the room.

"Sounds good to me. We need to start setting up. You ready to go?"

"Yeah. Give me a minute and I'll meet you backstage."

As Morgan walked out of the bar she was pleased to see the place filling up, it looked like it was going to be standing room only before long. She hoped the crowd was willing to part with more than the bar tab. All the proceeds from cover to drinks were going to the benefit. Last year Billy had raised twenty thousand and wanted to double it this year. He'd told her on the phone this morning that they were going to do it a little differently this year and have the audience pay to keep a performer on stage. Highest bidder chooses the song. Good thing for her that her musical tastes were so varied, no telling what this crowd would have her singing.

Locking the hatch on her Land Cruiser, Morgan turned and walked back to the bar. Moving through the crowded room she thought she caught a glimpse of Megan. Craning her head around to get a better look she didn't see her. A wave of disappointment crashed over her as she decided on her first song.

Walking through the chaos backstage she worked her way over to Billy's side.

"Hey Billy, is Megan here tonight? I thought I saw her." Morgan asked with a casualness she didn't feel.

"Not sure Morg, I know Greg invited her, give me a minute and I'll go work the crowd and see."

"Thanks Billy, I appreciate it."

"Still haven't made it to over her huh babe?"

Morgan sighed " I'm trying Billy, really I am. Some things just won't stay dead and buried you know?"

"Yeah," Billy said wrapping the taller woman into a comforting hug. "I know, but you know the old cliché, time heals all wounds."

"I know it but I don't believe it," Morgan answered, "Seems time just festers this one, maybe I need a heart amputation." she joked.

"Naw, I wouldn't go that far, your heart is what I love most about you." Billy stated and punctuated with another brief hug.

"Now get tuned so we can start this party."

"Yes sir," she saluted and turned to get her Ovation 6 string from the case.

Morgan slipped the guitar strap across her shoulder and taking a pick from the case started tuning. She paced the small backstage area waiting for Billy to finish his surveillance and report back on her Megan sighting. Patience was never Morgan's strong suit and she found her palms sweating as she waited.

After what seemed like hours to Morgan she saw Billy heading her way.

"Damn what took you so long?"

"Aren't we Miss Impatience tonight?" Billy kidded her. "Yeah she's here, you can't miss her she's front row center and looking good I might add. She's cut her hair short but it looks cute on her. I stopped and said Hi, and she asked if you'd be singing tonight. Maybe there's still a little something there huh?" Billy asked with a grin.

"I don't know about anything being there for her, but for me that something is taking a long time leaving."

"Why don't you talk to her? Try to work things out?"

"Oh well no time for that." Morgan said as she heard the M.C. announcing her.

Kathryn had been hurt by Morgan's quick brush off of their dinner plans with an obvious lie. She thought she knew her pretty well, certainly well enough to tell a lie when she heard it. Further proof was had as she watched Morgan put her guitar case in her truck and drive away. The curiosity bug had bitten her right in the ass and she had to know where she was off to. Surely she wasn't going after some killer armed with a guitar case. She laughed to herself. Not unless she was doing an old B movie with a machine gun hidden there ala Baby Face Nelson.

Mind made up she grabbed her purse and took off in the rental car. Staying far enough behind so Morgan wouldn't see her she watched her turn into a parking lot of a place called "The Swamp". Hmmm, Kate thought, smiling to herself, maybe she did have a machine gun in that case and she was going to hunt crocodiles.

She pulled into the parking lot after Morgan walked into the place and noticed a banner stretched across the front of the building saying "10th Annual Cause for the Cure AIDS Benefit". Looking at the lot full of cars she decided she could get by with sneaking in and not running into Morgan, Just long enough to see what she's up to, she thought, Then I'll leave before she sees me.

Kathryn slipped into the smoky, dimly lit club and made her way through the throng of bodies to the large bar. After getting the bartenders attention she ordered a Fuzzy Navel and looked for a place to stand so she could observe without being obvious. What was Morgan doing in a gay bar she wondered? This was the first time Kathryn had been to a gay bar and The Swamp was nothing like its name. She didn't know if she was more surprised by the sheer size of the place or by the fact that she couldn't tell by looking that these people were gay. If it weren't for the fact that everywhere she looked she saw same-sex couples she would never have guessed. The only gay people she knew were her old college roommate Tracey and her partner Kellie. To her Tracey looked like the stereotypical lesbian. Short hair with a muscular build, her standard dress t-shirts, jeans and workboots. She'd never left doubt in Kate's mind from that first introduction that she was gay. But Morgan, Morgan wasn't gay…was she? Naw, she couldn't be, she looked nothing like a dyke. She was all soft curves and gorgeous hair, and those eyes. God she could look in those eyes forever.

Signaling a waitress for another drink she struggled with the feelings she was still trying to understand, she just couldn't put her finger on why Morgan had captured her interest so completely. She had never followed anyone before and the idea that she was doing it to her friend surprised her even more. There was just something about Morgan that she found intriguing. Maybe it was the air of mystery she had about her, and sadness, Kate decided there was definitely a sense of deep-seated sadness in her. At times Kate found herself looking at her new friend and thinking she needed a hug. She accepted the drink from the waitress as she thought, Why do I want to hug her? I've never been the touchy feely type, and why do I feel like slugging whoever put that sadness in her eyes? This is so out of character for you Kate, she thought to herself, you're not the violent type either.

Seeing a spot by the stage that shielded her from the musicians but afforded her a clear view of the stage and room, she moved over and staked a claim.

Taking time to study the room, Kate gasped at the number of people crowding into the place. There must be 700 or more people here. She muttered to herself. It was quite a crowd for the island. She wondered how many day-trippers had come for the benefit. She glanced up as the M.C. took the stage and the crowd quieted.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I would like to start out by saying how pleased we are with tonight's turn out. The annual AIDS benefit is in its 10th year and tonight we hope to raise more funds than ever before. Please dig deep into your wallets and give all you can to this worthwhile cause. Tonight we're going to change things up a bit. As some of you may already know we are auctioning off the entertainment. What that means is, the entertainers will sing a few songs for you and if you like them then you bid to keep them on stage. The highest bidder gets to pick a song for the entertainer to sing to them. After each song the auction starts again. Any questions?"

There was a smattering of applause but no questions, so the tuxedoed M.C. continued.

"Okay then, let's get this party rocking. Our first songstress is someone who has lent her talented voice to this event for the last five years. Please give a warm welcome to North Forks favorite lesbian… and single at the moment I might add… Morgan Sumners!"

Kathryn choked on her drink. Well that answers that question. She watched amazed as the crowd went wild for her friend. She had no idea Morgan was this popular, but evidently these people loved her. She found herself letting out the breath she didn't know she was holding as Morgan took the stage. My God she's beautiful, Kathryn thought to herself, stunned by the physical beauty she saw before her. Morgan was wearing a blue silk shirt that picked up the color in her eyes and projected it across the room like a shooting star. Her black jeans sculpted her firm thighs and accented the curve of her hip and ass. Breathe Kathryn breathe. She told herself. She couldn't believe the physical reaction she was having to her friend; her body had never responded to any man the way it was to Morgan. She wondered if she was looking at her differently now that she knew she was gay, no she corrected herself, you're looking at her the way you always do. Only now you're seeing her as something more than she was before. You're seeing her with a little less mystery and a lot more interest.

Morgan adjusted the strap on her guitar and walked to the microphone. "Well that was quite the introduction Wes, you forgot the not looking part after the being single though."

The crowd broke into laughter as she cocked her eyebrow in Wes' direction.

"But seriously folks lets try to give all we can tonight. I don't have to tell you what a worthwhile cause this is, not just for our community but for all the people suffering this horrible disease around the world."

She backed away from the microphone a step and looked down, locking eyes with Megan she felt her heart jump. She looked different, but the same as well. The hair was shorter and the eyes were distant, but it was her Megan all the same.

Fingering the familiar chords she'd played so often after Megan left she stepped back to the mike and still looking in Megan's eyes she started singing.

There's a letter on the desktop that I dug out of a drawer

The last truce we ever came to in our adolescent war

And I start to feel the fever from the warm air through the screen

You come regular like seasons, shadowing my dreams.

The Mississippi's mighty and it starts in Minnesota

At a place that you could walk across with five steps down

And I guess that's how you started like a pinprick to my heart

But at this point you rush right through me and I start to drown

And there's not enough room in this world for my pain

Signals cross and love gets lost and time passed makes it plain

Of all my demon spirits I need you the most

I'm in love with your ghost

Dark and dangerous like a secret that gets whispered in a hush

When I wake the things I dreamt about you last night make me blush

When you kiss me like a lover then you sting me like a viper

I go follow to the river play your memory like a piper

And I feel it like a sickness how this love is killing me

But I'd walk into the fingers of your fire willingly

And dance the edge of sanity I've never been this close

In love with your ghost

Unknowing captor, you'll never know how much you

Pierced my spirit, but I can't touch you

Can you hear it, a cry to be free?

I'm forever under lock and key as you pass through me

And my bitter pill to swallow is the silence that I keep

It poisons me I can't swim free the river is too deep

Though I'm baptised by your touch I am no worse than most

In love with your ghost

In love with your ghost (shadowing my dreams)

In love with your ghost

In love with your ghost

Morgan watched as a tear that matched her own slid down Megan's face. She saw Megan silently mouth the words "I'm sorry" as she returned and launched into Melissa Etheridge's "Your Little Secret."

Kathryn was in a word… stunned. She witnessed the exchange between Morgan and the woman sitting in the first row. Was that the woman who put the sadness in her eyes she wondered? She knew Morgan had never taken her eyes from the woman as she sang the hauntingly beautiful song and she caught the whispered I'm sorry from the unknown woman's lips. What kind of a hold had that woman had on Morgan?

Kathryn found herself getting angry with the nameless woman that was staring so intently at the woman she'd come to call friend. She wondered if what she felt was jealousy. Jealousy that this woman had touched a part of Morgan that she felt was closed off to her. A part she was finding hard to ignore in her own self. With a startling clarity she finally understood that what she wanted from Morgan was the part she'd given to that bitch in the front row. She wanted her heart. With that revelation she leaned back against the wall and decided she'd need a plan to get Morgan to see her as more than her neighbor. More than just her friend.

Morgan wrapped up the last notes of the song as Wes took the stage to start the bidding.

"Ok ladies and gentlemen, who wants to keep her on the stage?"

Hands raised and wolf whistles rang out across the bar as Wes called for the opening bid.

"Let's start this one at 500 dollars, who'll give me five hundred for Morgan to sing you a song?"

Bids were called out across the bar, finally the bidding stopped at 1500 and Kathryn looked over to see Megan writing out a check.

Morgan strapped on a lapel mike and adjusted her guitar strap, stepping off the stage and standing in front of Megan.

"What would you like to hear?"

Megan leaned over and whispered to her, so low the mike didn't pick it up and Morgan began strumming.

Kathryn felt the jealousy take hold of her heart like an iron fist as she watched the look of pain flash across Morgan's face at the request. She didn't recognize the tune as Morgan looked at her guitar, picking out the notes. She looked so hurt, and all Kate could think was; I'll never do that to you. Just love me like I love you and I'll never hurt you.

Morgan fought back the tears as she launched into Megan's song. Morgan knew the words and she knew they were meant to close the door, as she started singing, her clear voice rang out across the bar.

I came here to let you know

The letting go

Has taken place

I have held the winter's son

Become one

Set my pace

Isn't that what we wanted all along

Freedom like a stone

Maybe we were wrong

But I can say goodbye

Now that the passion's died

Still it comes so slow

The letting go

Piece by piece I take apart

This complicated heart

And I hope to find

Something I can prove is real

I can feel is truth

I can say is mine

That's all I ever wanted to be

The closer I got

The further I could see

But when lovers change

And the night feels strange

We choose our road

The letting go

I came here to let you know

The letting go

Has taken place

Morgan finished her song and without a second glance walked to the bar and ordered a Jack Daniel's neat.

Wes walked back to the stage and started the bidding on Morgan's next song.

Kathryn, never taking her eyes from the woman she now realized owned her heart, wondered if she should make a bid.

Morgan sang another five songs, none to Megan who had gotten her point across, and was bringing in less and less per bid. Kathryn decided it was now or never, and raising her voice she called out, "Twenty-five thousand."

You could have heard a pin drop as every head turned to her corner.

Morgan looked stunned but couldn't place the familiar voice. Then her eyes widened in shock as Kathryn made her way from the shadows to the stage, check in hand.

Morgan turned off her mike, stepped off the stage and placed her hand on Kate's shoulder. "What are you doing here?"

"I followed you. I wanted to know what made you lie about our dinner date, and now I'm going to sing a song for you."

"You're going to sing to me?" Morgan asked incredulously.

"You think they'll let me do that? I know I bid for you to sing, but I have something to say and I need to do it the only way I can."

"I don't know, let me ask Wes."

Morgan signaled Wes over and they huddled for a minute while Wes nodded his head enthusiastically.

Morgan walked back to Kathryn, "He said for twenty-five thousand you can sing all the songs you want. You just put us over the mark from last year."

"Good." Kathryn said as she reached up and removed the guitar from the taller woman. "I want you to join me at the piano. You have to listen to what I'm singing because I'll never get this out otherwise."

Morgan placed a hand on Kathryn's arm stopping her forward progress, "How long have you been here anyway?"

"Since a few minutes after you pulled in, why?"

"No reason, just wondering."

Morgan was panicking now. "Oh God she saw what happened between me and Megan. She knows." Morgan's knees almost gave way as the realization hit her. "Now she knows I'm a lesbian, and she would have to have figured out about Megan. How am I going to explain this?" Then she thought, Why should I have to explain anything to her, she's just a friend, right? Wrong, she's been more than a friend for a while now, she just doesn't know it.

Kathryn's hand on her arm propelled her from her thoughts and toward the stage as Wes regained the microphone.

"Ladies and gents," he said "We have something a little different happening here but since we've achieved our goal in one donation I'm not going to argue. Morgan's friend…." he paused raising an eyebrow quizzically in Kate's direction.

Morgan said, "Kathryn."

"Morgan's friend Kathryn is going to sing a song to Morgan. Sorry ladies looks like she's not quite so single after all."

The crowd gave a collective laugh as Morgan glared at the short pudgy man and Kathryn just stared at her shoes.

Taking the stage Kathryn walked to the piano and handed the pianist Morgan's guitar and seated herself. Morgan draped her long frame against the side of the piano, her eyes pinning Kathryn as she started playing. Morgan didn't recognize the song but the crowd did as they whistled and clapped.

Kathryn's voice carried over the din as she sang,

Listen as the wind blows from across the great divide

Voices trapped in yearning memories trapped in time

The night is my companion and solitude my guide

Would I spend forever here and not be satisfied

And I would be the one to hold you down

Kiss you so hard I'll take your breath away

And after I wipe away the tears

Just close your eyes dear

Through this world I've stumbled so many times betrayed

Trying to find an honest word to find the truth enslaved

Oh you speak to me in riddles and you speak to me in rhymes

My body aches to breathe your breath your words keep me alive

And I would be the one to hold you down

Kiss you so hard I'll take your breath away

And after I'd wipe away the tears

Just close your eyes dear

Into this night I wander its morning that I dread

Another day of knowing of the path I fear to tread

Oh into the sea of waking dreams I follow without pride

Cause nothing stands between us here and I won't be denied

And I would be the one to hold you down

Kiss you so hard I'll take your breath away

And after I'd wipe away the tears

Just close your eyes dear

I'll hold you down kiss you so hard

I'll take your breath away

And after I'd wipe away the tears

Just close your eyes

The audience went wild as Kathryn stood up and without looking at Morgan walked off the stage and out of the bar.

Morgan stood at the piano, tears streaming down her face and thought to herself She loves me, or at least she wants me. She didn't know what to say and looking up realized Kathryn wasn't there. She looked around and not seeing her walked off stage to Billy.

"Where is she?"

"She left, finished her song then walked right out the door. Why didn't you tell me about her, Morgan? She's a beauty and definitely has the hots for you. Where you been keeping her stashed?" He asked.

Morgan shot him a look and said "I have not kept her stashed anywhere, she's just a friend."

"Aw come on no one sings a song like that to someone who's just a friend. She loves you. Do you love her?"

"She's the best friend I've ever had." Morgan said.

"From where I'm sitting I can see you're deluding yourself; she's more than a friend Morgan and you'd be a fool not to run after her. She has more love in her eyes for you than Megan ever had. That torch burned out long ago, it's time to drop the stick and go after what you really want. I know you thought you were singing that Ghost song to Megan but are you sure you weren't singing part of it to Kathryn?"

Morgan ran a verse through her mind.

Unknowing captor, you'll never know how much you

Pierced my spirit, but I can't touch you

Can you hear it, a cry to be free?

I'm forever under lock and key as you pass through me

Oh yeah that's Kathryn alright, She thought.

"You know Billy sometimes you are too damn smart for your own good." She said affectionately as she hugged him. "Thanks for the eye opener, guess sometimes I really don't see the forest for the trees huh?"

"Happens to the best of us. Now go get her before she thinks you don't care. And Morgan, good luck, you deserve happiness you know, not everyone is like Megan. Tell her thanks for the donation from all of us."

"I will Billy and thanks again."

She couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she stepped off stage. Megan reached out to stop her.

"Why did you sing that song to me if you had someone else?" Megan asked angrily.

"Well at the time I didn't know I had someone else, but now that I do, I don't intend to make the same mistakes twice. Good-bye Megan."

"Morgan," Megan said, grabbing her arm to stop her again, "I, uh well, I just wanted to say I'm sorry for the way I left. I should have given us a chance. Maybe we can talk for awhile, see if we can work things out?"

"Water under the bridge now Megan, just water under the bridge. Now I really have to go; the love of my life is out there somewhere and I want to find her. She owes me a kiss, if I remember that song correctly."

Morgan worked her way through the last of the back slappers in the audience and raced into the parking lot. She scanned the lot but the Mercedes Convertible wasn't there. Walking towards her truck she saw the note under the windshield wiper blade.

Morgan,

I hope I didn't make a fool out of myself. If I didn't, then meet me at my place for dinner in an hour and bring the wine.

Love you,

Your Little One

Morgan slipped the note into her breast pocket and went back inside the bar. Walking through the crowd to the backstage area, she signaled Billy to come and join her.

"Where's your girl, Morgan?"

"Waiting for me at home, according to this," She answered, handing him the note.

Billy read the note and handed it back. "See, I told you she loved you. Now what are you doing here? You should be burning up the roads to get to her."

"I'm scared." Morgan replied. "I don't want to mess this one up Billy. I love her so much."

"You should be telling that to her not me; but Morgan remember this, she's not Megan and she's not any of the other women you've been with. This one loves you back. Megan wanted to own you and the others wanted your money. Kathryn just wants to love you. Let her."

"I don't want to lose her, Billy. I don't want to go through what I did with Megan again. I would rather wonder what could have been than to know and have her walk away. She can remain the best thing that never happened to me and we could be great friends. I can be happy with that for as long as I need to be."

"Mind telling me why you're sitting here acting like you've broken up with her and you haven't been with her yet? What's wrong with you Morgan? Granted that Megan was a major part of your life for a long time, but you said yourself many times that you didn't love her. Why are you all of a sudden acting like she was the great love of your life? I don't know Kathryn, but from the way your eyes light up when you say her name SHE is the great love of your life."

"I don't know why. I just know I'm scared to try and I'm scared not to. And you're right, I wasn't in love with Megan but I did love her as much as I could. It still hurt when she left, no matter how I felt about her. I don't think I've ever known true love. I don't know that I even know what it is."

"I think we're all destined to meet our true love sometime in our lives. But if we don't take the chance when we do, then we never know. I'm not talking soulmates and all that gunk, but real love. The kind that makes your heart race and your palms sweat. The kind that has the songs on the radio making sense for the first time, and has you smiling for no reason. Don't mess this up Morgan, she loves you and you love her. Just admit it to yourself and quit trying to predict the future. Let it happen. And if you're that scared, take it slow. But don't give up without trying."

"Thanks for the reality check Billy. You're right as usual. I do love her. More than there are stars in the heavens, more than anything in the world. I know that much at least. The rest will fall into place in its own time."

Billy wrapped his arms around Morgan's shoulders, giving her a hearty hug and patted her butt. "Now get home and don't forget the wine."

Morgan pulled the Land Cruiser into the garage and hit the button to close the door. All the way home, her thoughts had been occupied with Billy's remarks. She believed what he said about finding your true love and had decided on the way home that Kathryn was hers. She needed the gentle prodding that Billy gave her to finally put things in their proper perspective and now, looking back, she could see things much clearer.

Kathryn had been the catalyst that made her see her life for what is was. Empty and lonely. She was attracted to Kathryn from the first moment she laid eyes on her, but it took Billy to point out that she was in love. The problem she discovered was that Kathryn had usurped her position. She'd always been the one to chase; now she was being chased. The loss of control was what she feared most at that moment.

To truly love Kathryn would require total vulnerability on her part. She would have to trust implicitly, give her heart and soul to someone she'd known less than a week. She was going to have to open her heart, display all her wounds and hope that Kathryn gave back what would be freely given. I can do this, Morgan decided, reaching for the door handle. For Kathryn she'd do just about anything.

The cell phone chirped inside the truck, as Morgan was about to close the door. She listened to the caller and, with a sigh, replaced the phone in its cradle then slammed the truck door. In the bedroom, she exchanged her black jeans and tank for loose fitting jeans, a flannel shirt and hiking boots.

Putting the leash on Casey, she slid open the patio door and walked across the beach to Kathryn's porch. She saw the petite blond through the sliding glass doors and stopped in her tracks. My God she's beautiful, Morgan thought. Kathryn had changed after she left the bar. The black cocktail dress was cut low in front showing her cleavage to its advantage and was cut even lower in the back. Her platinum blond locks hung down freely. Black stiletto pumps and a gold choker completed the outfit. A slit in the side ran from the knee to the upper thigh and Morgan's breath caught in her throat as she watched her glide across the kitchen. Timing, boy oh boy was she going to have to work on her timing.

Stepping onto the deck, she unhooked Casey's leash and guided her into the kennel sitting against the house. She placed the leash on top of the cage and slid the patio door open. Walking silently up behind Kathryn, she slid her arms around her waist and buried her head in the shorter woman's neck, placing small kisses along the white expanse.

With a startled gasp, Kathryn turned as Morgan slid her hands from her waist to hold her face in her hands. A gentleness that Morgan didn't know she possessed came over her as she guided Kathryn's lips to her own.

Kathryn sighed and leaned into the kiss. Wrapping her arms around Morgan's neck, she let the kiss deepen briefly before pushing Morgan away. This was nothing like the kiss they had shared when Morgan was sleeping. This was the culmination of desire shared between two halves of the same soul.

"We can't do this right now Morgan, I have…"

"Who is this?"

Morgan and Kathryn turned at the same time to face the man standing in the doorway to the living room.

"Derek, this is my friend Morgan Sumners. Morgan, this is my boyfriend Derek."

Morgan sized up the tall, well-muscled, auburn haired man leaning comfortably against the doorframe before walking over to shake hands.

"Nice to meet you Derek, Kathryn's told me a lot about you."

"Funny, she never mentioned you." Derek retorted, gripping Morgans hand tightly. He was surprised but strangely pleased to feel the return pressure from the woman standing before him.

"She probably just didn't want to bore you." She gave Derek's hand one last squeeze before releasing it. "Here, let me fix this for you. It's a little crooked." Morgan reached over to adjust the bad toupee.

"Boring would be the last word I'd use to describe you Morgan. Do you want to join us for dinner?" Kathryn asked, trying to break the tension she could feel building.

"I can't Little One, but if you have a minute I need to talk to you." Turning to face Derek again, Morgan asked, "If that's alright with you, Derek."

"Far be it for me to come between a little girl talk."

"Thanks Derek. I'll try not to keep her long." Morgan said. She wanted nothing more at that moment than to shove his head up his own ass. She didn't know how Kathryn had managed to put up with him for the three years they'd dated.

"See that you don't. We have a lot of catching up to do. Don't we sweetheart?" Derek asked, pulling Kathryn roughly against his chest.

"Yes Derek. Yes we do." She leaned up and placed a peck on his cheek, pushing lightly on his arms trying to get him to release her. Looking at Morgan, she saw the tightly clenched fists and knew that if she didn't get her out of the house soon, she was going to hurt Derek. Walking over to her side, she cupped her elbow and steered her out the patio door. Morgan allowed herself to be led from the house, but she didn't look away from Derek until Kathryn slid the door closed.

Kathryn raced to catch up to Morgan's long strides as she watched the love of her life stalk across the sand to her house. She slowed as she reached Morgan's house; she didn't know what to expect when she walked in, but if Morgan's reaction to Derek was any indication, she knew it wasn't going to be good.

Morgan strode across the sand and leapt onto her porch. She was trying her best to control the rising anger she was feeling before having to face Kathryn. The earlier call from Baxter hadn't been welcomed in light of the evening she thought she had planned. Now with Derek in the picture, Morgan didn't know how the day was going to turn out. She just knew that whatever happened, it better end with Kathryn wanting her and not him.

Hearing Kathryn's heels click on the porch, she rolled her head around trying to loosen up the muscles in her neck. She felt herself relax as Kathryn slid her arms around her waist, and allowed herself to lean into the embrace, wrapping her own arms around the smaller ones encircling her.

"How do you put up with that condescending prick? He doesn't even have eyebrows, how can you be with a man like that?"

"He had cancer Morgan. He doesn't have any hair, but I've never seen him this way before. I don't know what's wrong with him tonight."

"Sorry, but why didn't you tell me he was coming?"

"I didn't know Morgan, I swear. I thought it was you when he knocked on the door. He called my office and daddy told him where I was. I'll get rid of him and we can finish our evening."

"We can't, I have to leave. We've got another murder. I'm flying out as soon as Gin gets here."

Morgan pulled Kathryn around in front of her and wrapped her in an embrace, laying her head on top of the blond one under her chin. "I love you Kathryn, with all my heart I love you."

"I love you too, Morgan."

"So, where do we go from here?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean what about you and me? What about you and Derek? I'm not asking you to choose Kathryn, but I want to know the score. I want to know if you still love him."

"I don't know Morgan. Right now I can't even think of him. I know I want to be with you. I'll deal with Derek somehow. Just trust me on this one, okay?"

"I don't have a choice; I have to leave. Will you be here when I get back?"

"I'll always be here for you Morgan."

"Can I kiss you?"

"Do you want me to beg?"

"Hmm…do I want you to beg? I'll have to think about that." Morgan answered, a mischievous twinkle lighting her azure eyes.

"Maybe I'll just make you beg instead."

"Oh, you think so do you?" Morgan asked, leaning down and scooping Kathryn into her arms. She walked from the kitchen into the livingroom. Kathryn's tinkling laughter trailing behind, she settled them on the couch with Kathryn cradled in her arms. Leaning against the cushions, she pulled Kathryn's face closer to hers. Looking into the green depths, she put all kidding aside and asked, "Please?"

Carefully, Kathryn reached up and cupped Morgan's face in the palms of her hands. Morgan felt the coolness of Kathryn's fingertips press lightly on her cheeks. With infinite gentleness, Kathryn slowly leaned forward and pressed her mouth softly against Morgan's. For a long, exquisite eternity, there was nothing else but Kathryn's soft lips, and the slowly building fire of desire no longer denied. Despite all her doubts, Morgan found she was unable to resist. Sliding her arms around Kathryn and pulling her close, she took control of the younger woman with all the passion she had denied herself for so long.

Morgan slid her hands up, pulling the straps of the cocktail dress from Kathryn's shoulders and buried her face between the creamy expanse of Kathryn's breasts. Kathryn undid the buttons of Morgan's shirt and cupped the milky breasts exposed to the amber light falling from the lamp on the end table.

"I want you," Morgan said between the kisses that she was trailing over Kathryn's neck. Morgan's hands wandered down from Kathryn's shoulders to her waist, down further to her thighs before wandering back up until her fingertips touched the other woman's breasts. Kathryn moaned quietly and desire coalesced into passion before coursing through both of them as their tongues met once again. Morgan's hands felt for the zipper at the back of Kathryn's dress and gasped as the silky material gave way, exposing the generous mounds of her breasts to her heavily lidded eyes.

"Take me Morgan, I'm yours." Kathryn's back arched as Morgan moaned and captured a nipple between her lips. It was the most exquisite feeling Kathryn had ever known as Morgan's tongue and teeth worried the hardened bud between her lips. Without breaking contact, Morgan turned Kathryn in her arms and laid her down on the couch, her hands sliding the dress from Kathryn's hips and tossing it to the floor.

Morgan's lips left Kathryn's breast as her eyes drank in the sight of the beautiful body clad now in black garter belt, stockings and pumps. Morgan had never been one to get turned on by lingerie, but the sight before her had all the blood in her body rushing lower. She'd never seen anything sexier than the blond lying beneath her. Tearing her gaze from Kathryn's naked form, she laid along side the prone woman and captured the pulse point of Kathryn's neck with her teeth. Feeling the small form surge beneath her, she applied a little more pressure as Kathryn wound her fingers in the long black tresses, raking her nails against Morgan's scalp.

Morgan's lips trailed a line of fire down Kathryn's neck and captured a nipple between her lips. She sucked gently as she felt the skin pucker and the nipple hardened under her ministrations. Her hand found the twin and teased it to match the one in her mouth. She loved the sounds Kathryn was making under her. Morgan's body was aflame with desire and the need to posses her lover. Trailing lower, she let her lips and tongue discover the abdomen drawn taunt with expectation. Swirling her tongue in Kathryn's navel, she chuckled as she heard Kathryn giggle. "Sorry love, I forgot."

"Shut up Morgan, you talk too much." Kathryn moaned, her hips rising from the sofa trying to convey what she needed.

Deciding to let the comment pass, Morgan obliged her lover and slid between the now parted legs. She was loving the feel of Kathryn's legs encased in the stockings and couldn't resist running her hands up and down the muscular limbs as her tongue slid through the golden hairs at the juncture of Kathryn's thighs.

Kathryn's hips bucked at the same time her hands grabbed Morgan's head and pulled it against her center. "Oh God Morgan, please baby, I want you so bad. Don't tease me anymore. I can't stand it, take me."

Morgan gripped Kathryn's hips and pulled her tighter against her mouth, tongue parting the sodden hair, searching for the swollen bud. Finding it, she held it gently between her teeth as her tongue slowly swirled around and around. Kathryn was riding Morgan's face for all she was worth, trying in vain to rush it along, only to be thwarted in her efforts. Morgan refused to be rushed in this endeavor. She didn't know how long it would be before she had Kathryn in her arms again, and she wanted her to remember this night until she could repeat it.

Pushing Kathryn's leg down to rest on the floor, Morgan slid her hand along the inside of the soft thigh to join her mouth. Guiding a long finger tentatively inside the warm and slippery tunnel of Kathryn's sex, she paused as she encountered resistance. Pulling back, she leaned up and looked into her lovers' face.

"You're a virgin?"

"Not for long."

"I can't do that Kathryn."

"Yes you can. I want it to be you Morgan."

"Kathryn…"

"Dammit Morgan! Would you please stop talking and just do it!"

"Are you sure?"

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

Morgan lowered her head and picked up where she left off, sliding two fingers gently inside Kathryn until she felt the resistance again. Slowly, she pistoned her fingers inside, not breaking the barrier but allowing Kathryn to become accustomed to the feel of having something inside of her. She'd never done anything like this before and felt hot tears course down her cheeks at the trust Kathryn had freely given to her. She was petrified of hurting her and decided to take it very slow. She wanted to make it happen as gently as possible.

Kathryn, on the other hand, had decidedly different intentions. She waited as Morgan slid out a little and as she felt the long slender fingers gliding in again thrust her hips forward to meet them, rupturing the barrier as she felt an orgasm overtake her. The momentary pain she felt was inconsequential as waves of pleasure washed over her. Screaming Morgan's name, she leaned on her elbows and stared between her legs at Morgan as she rode the orgasm to its conclusion.

Morgan's teeth and tongue continued their attack through two more orgasms before Kathryn scooted backwards and held out her arms.

"Stop Morgan. Hold me please?"

Morgan slid her fingers from Kathryn with as much gentleness as she could muster and scrambled over Kathryn to enfold her in her arms. Kathryn buried her face in Morgan's shoulder and slid her hands under the flannel shirt wrapping them around Morgan's back as her body convulsed through the last waves before becoming still.

"Whew! Damn Morgan, that was better than last time. You weren't kidding when you said you had many skills. Is it always like that?"

"It's never been like that for me." Morgan answered. Then the rest of Kathryn's statement hit home, "What do you mean by the last time?"

The doorbell ringing cut off Kathryn's reply. Saved by the bell, she thought, before pushing Morgan off her and reaching for her discarded dress. Snatching it from the floor, she raced for the stairs as Morgan quickly buttoned her shirt and ran shaky fingers through her hair trying to straighten the tangled mess.

Morgan tucked in her shirt and took a calming breath as she opened the door to let Gin inside the house.

"Hey Gin, come on in. I'm running late. Give me a minute to throw some things in a bag and I'll be right with you.

"We have to hurry Sumners, the plane's waiting on us."

"I know. Just give me a minute, okay? I'll hurry." Morgan answered tensely. She wasn't in the mood to deal with Gin right now. All she wanted was to meet Kathryn upstairs and continue what they'd started.

Morgan took the stairs two at a time and joined Kathryn in the bedroom.

"Sorry about that Little One. I should have known better than to start something I couldn't finish."

"Oh no, you finished. It was me that didn't get the chance to get started. Just wait 'til you get back though."

"Yeah, we're going to finish that conversation you started." Morgan watched as Kathryn slid the black sheath in place and turned her back waiting to be zipped up. Walking over, she knelt behind the blond and rained kisses along the smooth back exposed to her.

"Don't start something you won't finish Morgan, because if you do, I can guarantee you won't be going anywhere tonight but to that bed."

"I wish Little One. You don't know how much I wish for just that. I don't think Derek would like it much though. He's probably wondering where you are about now."

"Forget Derek, this is where I want to be."

Morgan zipped the dress and turned Kathryn to face her. "You'll never know how much I love you Little One. Not if you live forever. Leaving you right now is the hardest thing I've ever had to do, and it's killing me inside to know you'll be going home to him tonight."

"I'll be going home Morgan. Not going to him. Just because he's there doesn't mean I'm going to him. I'll tell him I don't want to date him anymore and ask him to leave. When you get back, it'll just be you and me, I promise. I love you Morgan, I have since the first night. Believe me, I want you as much as you want me." Kathryn wrapped her arms around Morgan's waist and leaned up on her tippy toes to capture Morgan's mouth with her own.

Morgan allowed the kiss to go on for a few seconds before she released Kathryn and turned to the dresser. Tossing clothes on the bed, she walked into the closet for her duffel bag and saw the shirt Kathryn slept in and added it to the pile on the bed. If she couldn't have Kathryn in her bed tonight, she'd at least have her scent to lull her to sleep.

She tossed the clothes in the bag as Kathryn walked into the bathroom to comb her hair. Creeping up behind her, she placed a kiss on Kathryn's neck. "I do believe you love. I'll come home to you as soon as I can." Meeting the green eyes staring back at her from the mirror, she thought what a perfect couple they'd made. The dark and the light complimenting each other in every way. She knew with stunning clarity that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with this woman in her arms. Nothing else mattered as much as Kathryn's happiness and if she was as genuinely happy with Morgan as she professed to be, then she was going to spend the rest of her days making damn sure she stayed that way.

"Where are you going love?"

"Warwick, Rhode Island. We're staying at the Sheridan by the Sunlan Airport. The body is in Goddard Park. We'll probably spend the better part of the night there, but I'll have my cell phone if you need me or just want to talk." Morgan walked into the bedroom and picked up the pad and pen by the phone, writing her cell number as well as the Bureau number down and handed the paper to Kathryn. "Call me anytime you want, okay?"

"Okay, but I don't want to bother you." Holding up her hand to stop Morgan's protestations, she said, "Look, I know first hand what you do on a crime scene and you don't have time to be talking to me on the phone. If I need you I'll call, but otherwise, I'll see you when you get home. You have the number to Janice's house, so you can always call me if you have time. This will be a good time to test that old saying about absence making the heart grow fonder."

"I don't need a test, I already know I'll miss you. I love you Kathryn Peterson, don't you go forgetting that while I'm gone. You'll be on my mind the whole time I'm away." Morgan hugged Kathryn one last time and kissed her thoroughly before releasing her. "I have to go now. Wait until I'm gone before you leave. The alarm will set itself once you lock the door. Oh shit! I forgot to take J.D. to Mildred's. Will you let her stay with you tonight and take her over for me tomorrow?"

"Sure babe, now hit the road before Gin comes up here looking for you."

Morgan grazed Kathryn's lips one last time before picking up her bag and backing out of the bedroom. When she reached the stairs, she turned, feeling her heart lurch as she walked away from the most important thing in her life.

The trip to the airport was made in silence, as was the flight to Rhode Island, the look on Morgan's face effectively stifling any notion her team had of trying to make conversation with the agent. She looked the way she felt. Pissed at having to leave Kathryn behind and miserable for the same reason.

Stepping off the small twin engine plane, she walked up to the agent waiting on the tarmac. Extending her hand, she introduced herself and immediately forgot his name as she got in the waiting car and was driven to the crime scene.

Pulling on a pair of surgical gloves, she walked toward the roped off area around the body. She looked around, taking in every detail of the beach and the people being held in a small group by the local police. Goddard Park was a state park and prone to tourists as well as locals in the summertime according to the agent who had driven her. There was a large carousel on the beach as well as a fire pit for campfires and hot dog roasting. Public restrooms skirted the parking lot and the victim was found outside the facilities close to the woods but within sight of anyone heading in that general direction.

Morgan walked the perimeter of the body, taking notes as she went. The victim was about 5 '10 with brown eyes, a slight but muscular build and wavy brown hair. He was nude, as were all the victims, and appeared to have been bludgeoned. The slight depression in the side of his skull led Morgan to that assumption, but would bear out later on autopsy. His hands were folded across his chest, his feet placed together. To Morgan, it looked like he was already in his coffin.

She motioned Gin to begin taking photographs and took Bones aside to talk to him.

"This is our guy. I knew that body in my lab was a copycat. What do we know about this victim?"

"He's a local. Name's Jay Bennett. Thirty-one years old and he was here with his ex-girlfriend and some others including her new boyfriend. The police have her down at the station along with the boyfriend."

"What were they doing at the beach on a Wednesday?"

"Don't know. Didn't ask. They're going to hold the two of them until you can question them."

"Fine. When Gin's finished, do your thing. I'm going to the station. Meet me later at the hotel and we'll compare notes. I don't have to tell you to keep your eyes open."

"No you don't. See you later."

Morgan watched the scenery pass by her window without really seeing it; her mind was occupied with a certain platinum blonde sitting in New York with a Neanderthal. She hoped Kathryn would get rid of Derek as she promised. Morgan didn't like the feelings of insecurity running through her mind but she couldn't help it. She didn't know how Kathryn would react to their lovemaking. Losing her virginity had to have been a little traumatic, not to mention losing it to another woman. Would Kathryn decide that she had made a terrible mistake? She had promised that she'd be there when Morgan got home, but would she be?

They pulled up behind a nondescript red brick building that Morgan surmised must be the local police department. She hadn't been paying attention when they pulled in but from the looks of the place it was like every station she'd ever been to. Walking down the green halls she wondered why puke green paint was so popular with the boys in blue. It had to be inspiring for the drunks being held overnight. She knew it was turning her stomach and she hadn't had anything to drink since the bar.

They stopped in front of a room and looking through the one way glass, Morgan saw a woman of about 29 sitting at the table. She was about 5 '8, 135 lbs. with light brown hair and blue eyes. Morgan turned to the agent standing beside her. "How long has she been here?"

"About four hours now."

"Has she eaten?"

"Not since she's been here."

"Go to McDonald's and grab us some burgers and fries. She's going to be here a while longer."

"Yes ma'am. Anything else?"

"What's her name?"

"Pati St. Jean."

"Okay, thanks, that'll be all. Just hurry back with the food, I'm starving. Oh and cut the onions on both. Find out if the boyfriend wants anything as well."

"Yes ma'am."

Morgan looked at the woman again before walking in the room. She was crying softly and from the puffiness around her eyes Morgan knew she'd been doing that for some time. Setting her shoulders and putting a concerned look on her face, she opened the door and stepped into the interrogation room.

"Hello, I'm Special Agent Morgan Sumners with the FBI, and you are?" Morgan extended her hand.

"Pati… Pati St.Jean." She stood and shook the taller agent's hand.

"Ms. St. Jean I understand you found the body?"

"Yeah. I was with my boyfriend and I left to go the restroom... that's when I saw him."

"How far was he from where you were heading?"

"Oh he was close... I mean where he was, just to the left of the restroom door... I thought I saw something and that's how I found him."

"Did you see anyone around the area while you were walking to the restroom?"

"Well the park is usually pretty crowded, and at that time of the day all of the families were headed home but the teenage crowd was just starting to get there, so there were a lot of people walking around... and it all happened so fast…. I mean I was walking and I thought I saw something so I went to check it out...and there he was."

"Now I understand that this man… Jay Bennett...was a member of your group. It's also reported that he was an ex-boyfriend of yours. Was he with someone or did he come alone?"

"Oh yeah… well Jay and I dated on and off… nothing really serious; he was a good friend of mine, and he came alone but I think I heard that someone was supposed to meet up with him later on."

"And your boyfriend? What's his name? He didn't mind that your ex was along on an outing?"

"Rob? No he didn't mind. He knew that there wasn't anything really serious between Jay and I. We were just really good friends. Rob understood that; he's not the jealous type."

"So why did Jay leave the group?"

"Well I really wish I knew the answer to that. There weren't any problems or fights if that's what you're asking. I think he might have wanted to use the phone to meet up with his mystery date."

"You don't know who he was meeting?"

"No, he tried to tell me about meeting someone special, but he was like that, you know? I mean he found the love of his life every week or so, so I didn't really pay attention, and now that might have cost him his life. I wish I had paid attention to him now."

"Why did the two of you break up?"

"Well it wasn't really a break up. I mean, we were great friends; we mistakenly thought we could be great lovers as well. It just didn't work. We had a lot of fun, but there wasn't any chemistry between us. We both decided it was better to be friends. Everything went back to the way it was and then I met Rob and I believe that Jay was happy for me. I guess in the end he was a better friend to me than I was to him."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well, when I met Rob he would listen to me go on about him for hours. Anytime I needed or wanted to talk about Rob he always listened, and offered advice and support where he could. But when he tried to tell me about his special person, I wasn't there for him. I didn't listen and I just thought it would be like all the rest. And because of that I may have cost him his life. I'm responsible for that."

"Probably not. It's a case of wrong place wrong time…. There's nothing here to suggest any of this will be or is your fault...would you like something to drink with your burger?" Morgan asked as the agent brought in the food.

"Yeah I've been here awhile. Can I get a coffee? Black please. Thanks. And thanks for saying that, but I know I should have listened. Jay would have."

"What about Rob, how did he get along with Jay? Was there any animosity between them?"

"No, actually they got along great, surprisingly enough Jay seemed to understand Rob, and Rob really liked him. Everyone liked Jay. He had a way of making you feel comfortable and safe."

"Was Jay the type to go off with someone he didn't know; would he help out strangers or anything like that?"

"Yeah, Jay would help anyone. He always had time to help someone out of a jam. That's why this doesn't make any sense. Jay didn't have an enemy in the world. How could this happen?" She put her head in her hands and stared at the floor.

"So there's no one you can think of that would have a vendetta against him? No one that would want him dead?"

"Oh God, I still can't believe that he's gone. No I don't know of anyone who would want to hurt him. I know it

sounds lame but everyone really did love him."

Morgan finished her burger and tossed the wrapper into the sack, reaching for the fries. She was pleased at the way the interview was going. Pati was an excellent subject; she gave answers willingly and expanded her answers enough to allow Morgan to know what to ask next. If this killer was ever caught and Morgan had to bring this young woman to court the jury was going to love her.

"Why don't you tell me about Jay...what did he like to do, what is his family like...what kind of person was he...that sort of thing."

"Umm... well let's see... he was a little older than I am; in fact his birthday is coming up. He was going to be 32. He has two brothers and a sister who lives out of state. They're not a very close family. That bothered him, a lot more than he liked to admit. He always wanted a closer relationship with them but since their parents divorce it just split the family up. Well as I already told you he was a kind person, he enjoyed horseback riding and golf, and fixed up old cars on the weekends. He was a lot of fun and he never seemed to let the world get to him. He always listened and rarely judged. He was my best friend."

"How many people were in your group at the beach?"

"Oh, five, maybe six… let me think there was Rob and me and Jay, and Laurie and Nathan, and Janelle. So there were six of us all together and we were waiting for Jay's mystery person to show."

"I thought he was leaving to call so he could meet them?"

"Yeah he was, wait a minute I think I'm confused here, I thought you wanted to know how many of us were at the beach. That would be 6, and Jay was talking about having his friend meet us, but while I was swimming he must have left. When I got back he was gone. Then I had to use the restroom, and, well, you know the rest." Pati fidgeted in her seat, uncomfortable with the situation in general and weary from an already much too long day.

"Where was everyone else while he was gone? Were all of you in the water?" Morgan folded her hands on the table in front of her and assumed a relaxed position.

"No, not all of us. Rob doesn't like the sun so he doesn't go swimming. He usually brings one of those umbrellas and reads while we're there. Laurie and Nathan were playing volleyball in some kind of pick up game. Janelle had fallen asleep tanning, so I was bored and went for a swim, but I wasn't gone long. Just the length of the beach."

"Let's backtrack a minute. You said earlier that you didn't know why Jay left the group but you thought he might have wanted to use the phone to meet up with his mystery date. So was he going to meet this person at the beach or somewhere else?"

"I don't know why he left, I wasn't there then. All afternoon he was talking about wanting us to meet his special friend. So I'm assuming that they would've met up at the beach, and then gone out later on when we all spilt up for the night. Usually after dinner."

"Who was Jay with when he left to make the call?"

"Well, he was with Rob for awhile under the umbrella and Janelle was asleep on the blanket. Hey hold up a minute, you don't think that one of us had anything to do with Jay's murder, do you?" Pati's eyes widened at the thought.

"We're just covering all the bases here Ms. St. Jean. No one is accusing anyone of anything just yet. We 're trying to gather facts, that's all."

"I guess I'm just a little edgy. Sorry." She sighed.

"That's perfectly understandable Ms. St.Jean. I'm sure this is a trying time for you. Did you and your friends make a habit of going to this particular beach often?"

"Everyone goes there, not really for the beach though. It's a state park so there's lots of stuff to do and it's central to everything so it's easy to get to. But the beach is really pretty, and it has been kind of hot lately so that's where we went. It's actually walking distance from where we parked."

"Did you all travel in the same car or did you bring separate vehicles?" Morgan made periodic notes on a tablet but for the most part kept her attention focused on the young woman in front of her.

"Some of us had separate cars. Rob and I shared one car and Laurie and Nathan and Janelle were in another. But Jay came alone."

"How far was he parked from the restrooms?"

"Oh... well that's harder to say. After you enter the park you can go anywhere you want, we always meet up at the large grove of trees by the carousel. There's a large firepit for cookouts and lots of trees for shade. We met there and went to the beach. I'm not good with distances... but I'd guess 100 yards or so... but it's probably less if you cut through the trees."

"Did you see anyone suspicious around the restroom or parking area? Someone not dressed for the beach or park?"

"Well there were a lot of people there when we got there, and then when I had to use the restrooms it was crowded again, lots of people running around. Noisy families were getting ready to head home. But wait a minute. There was one guy… nobody really special, just a guy in blue slacks and a white shirt, but it was kind of odd because it was too hot for that kind of clothing. That's the only thing that I can remember that seemed out of place."

"Can you describe him? Was he short? Tall? White, Black, Hispanic? Hair color? Eye color? Anything that may help?"

"Describe him… well there isn't much to say really… he was just a guy... not really tall but not short, so average I guess. He was wearing a white shirt and blue slacks, I really didn't get close enough to see his eye color, but he had on a baseball cap with a team logo on it. I didn't see the name of the team. I don't know what color hair he had. I guess I really didn't get a good look at him. Nothing about him stands out in my mind. I'm sorry."

"Could you pick him out of a line up?"

"No, I don't think so. He looked like everybody else except for his clothing. If he had shorts and a tee shirt on I'd never even have noticed him."

"Would you be willing to work with a hypnotherapist to see if we can pick up anything you can't remember now?"

"Yeah, if you think it would help. I'll do anything to help catch whoever did this." Pati looked tired.

"Why were all of you at the beach on a weekday?"

"Laurie and Nathan work the night shift at the store with me, so they had the day free, and I work early mornings so I'm free during the day. Rob has a vacation day, and Jay was self- employed."

"What line of work was he in?"

"He had started his own company doing web page design. It hadn't really taken off yet but he thought it would."

"Did he have anyone working for him or did he work alone?"

"He pretty much worked by himself. He couldn't afford to hire anyone."

"Did he live alone or did he have a roommate?"

"He rented this big old house from the old principal at our high school. He lived by himself but he usually had someone staying over. If someone needed a place to crash for awhile he let them."

"Who do you think would have the most to gain from his death?" Morgan toyed with the pencil in her hand.

"I would say his family, but he really didn't have that much. He did okay with the web stuff but he wasn't getting rich at it."

"Thank you for your cooperation Ms. St. Jean...we'll have someone contact you tomorrow. Is there anything else you can remember no matter how small or minor that would help?"

"No I don't think so…but I'll think it over tonight and if I think of something then I'll tell the therapist tomorrow. Or should I contact you?"

"You can contact me directly. Here's my card and cell phone number...again I'd like to thank you Ms. St. Jean. I know this has been hard on you."

"Yeah it has, you really don't know how lucky you are until something happens. This morning my biggest concern was tan lines, and now I have a funeral to plan. I still can't believe it... Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. Goodnight Ms. Sumners."

Morgan waited for Pati to leave with an officer before shutting off the tape recorder. She had made a few notes on her pad and would have the rest transcribed later. Unclipping the cell phone from her belt she dialed the familiar number at Janice's house. She wanted to hear Kate's voice, but the phone rang without being picked up. Flipping it closed, she reattached it to her belt deciding that Kate must have gone for a walk or maybe Derek had taken her out to eat.

A knock at the door alerted her to the desk sergeants' presence.

"Agent Sumners, the boyfriend is here as well. Do you want to see him now?"

"Yeah, go ahead and bring him in, and another tape for this machine also."

Morgan stood as the sergeant escorted Rob Thornton into the room. He was about 6'2 with short brown hair and hazel eyes that for a moment reminded her of Kate's. Morgan admired the barbed wire tattoo running around his left bicep and wondered how anyone stood that kind of pain in what could be a very tender area.

Extending her hand she introduced herself. "Mr. Thornton, I'm special agent Morgan Sumners with the FBI. I'd like to ask you a few questions about what happened at the beach today."

"Special agent with the FBI? Why would the FBI be interested in this case?"

"No particular reason Mr. Thornton, we just are. Mind if I call you Rob?"

"Oh yeah sure you can call me Rob, no problem. How can I help you? Didn't Pati already cover everything?"

"She covered what she needed to Rob, but there are still things I'd like to go over with you. Such as what you were doing at the beach on a weekday?"

"I was there with my friends. I'm on vacation this week. We thought it would be fun to get together and go hang out at the park, but it was so hot that we walked over to the beach once we got there."

"What type of relationship did you have with Jay?"

"Jay and I had a strange relationship. I'm sure Pati already told you that they'd briefly dated. Well that put me in an awkward position, but Jay understood that she was with me now, and he went out of his way to make me feel accepted. He always did that kind of thing for other people." Rob slouched in the chair and chewed on his fingernails.

"Everyone seems to be painting Jay as a saint, why?"

"Well as lame as it sounds he was as close to one as you will find in this day and age. I don't think he did it to be good, I think it was more of need to be accepted by others to fit in, you know. I know he missed his family a great deal."

"Why did he leave the group?"

"I wish I knew. Just before he left it seems like everyone else did too. Pati went swimming and Laurie and Nathan were playing volleyball. It left just me and Janelle with Jay. I was reading and he said something about stretching his legs. I know he was waiting for someone to show, but they never did."

"Did you know this mystery date of his?"

"No I don't think anyone did. He was closer to Pati than the others so if she didn't know, no one did. He was closed off about certain things. As far as I was concerned his private life was just that… private."

"Did anyone see you while Jay was gone?"

"I don't know, Pati might have seen me from the water, or Laurie or Nathan may have when they stopped the game to switch sides. Why? Do I need a witness? Are you accusing me of something?" He stretched his legs out in front of him and looked quizzically at the stunningly beautiful agent sitting across from him. He felt slightly intimidated but somehow at ease all at the same time.

"I'm not accusing anyone right now Rob, I just wanted to cover all the bases. Did you see anyone at the park who didn't seem to fit in?"

"Okay, but just for the record I didn't kill Jay. Did I see anyone… it's hard to say. There were a lot of people there. Lots of noise and people coming and going. The only guy I can think of and it's probably nothing but there was someone there that was dressed, you know? Not in normal beachwear, but long sleeves. He was kind of strange I guess. Maybe it was a dare or something."

"What made you notice him?"

"Well he was standing off to the side alone. He was standing next to people but he wasn't with them. And he was wearing the wrong clothes. I mean it was hot and he had on long sleeves and a hat. He just didn't look right, that's why I thought it may be a dare."

"Did you see him with anyone? Did anyone approach the guy?"

"No the first time I saw him he was alone, just kind of staring off into the ocean. The second time I saw him he was with Jay. Oh God! He was with Jay! Why didn't I remember that before?" Rob sat up in the chair as the realization of the facts washed over him. Morgan noted to herself that although she wasn't going to rule anyone out, his shock seemed genuine.

"What was he doing with Jay? We're they talking or what?" She looked at him intently.

"Okay. Let me think a minute. Jay was walking toward the food stands, and then he was talking with the guy. I didn't see who approached who but then Jay was nodding and they talked some more and then I saw Jay a little later on with a tire, so the guy must have needed help."

"When you saw them again, were they at Jay's car or somewhere else?"

"They were, oh God I can't believe I forgot that I saw him. Pati and the rest of the group were so upset I just totally blanked. Okay let me think…they were at a car, but it wasn't Jay's… he had a silver truck. This was a black sports car, with tinted windows." Rob was standing now, pacing back and forth in front of Morgan. She thought briefly about asking him to sit down again but decided against it.

"And?"

"And the next time I saw Jay he had a tire in his hand so I guess he was helping him. I didn't think twice about it at the time; Jay always did that kind of thing. But I was too far away to see the model of the car or the plate. I should have offered to help; I knew he was changing the tire. But I didn't and I might have been the last person to see him alive."

"Can you describe the man?"

"No not really, he didn't stand out at all, especially from a distance. He was average. He had on a long sleeved white shirt and blue slacks, more like dress pants than jeans but I was far away. And a Patriots cap. I don't remember any more than that."

"Did you see his face? Even in profile? Distinguishing marks? Anything at all?"

"When I was close enough to see his face I paid more attention to his cap. It was the same one that I have but it was too hot to wear it. So I thought it was strange that he was wearing his, but I didn't notice anything else about him."

"Describe this hat for me. You said it was a ball cap?"

"Yeah, it was a New England Patriot's ball cap. It has a dark blue background, with the word Patriots spelled out in red with white lines through it."

"Was it new or old? Did it look worn or like he'd just bought it?"

"The colors were sharp, it didn't have the worn look to it. I've had mine since '94 and it's faded now. This one didn't look like that. He either just bought it or took exceptional care of it."

"You said that at one time you were close enough to see his face but didn't, how tall would you say he was?"

" Well keeping in mind that I wasn't paying a lot of attention to him, I'd guess he would be around my height. I'm 6 '2, so he might be as tall or a little shorter. I'm not really sure. He seemed average." Rob's eyes were darting back and forth as he spoke, as if it might help him remember things more clearly.

"I want you to do something for me Rob. I want you to close your eyes and picture the scene. You're walking up on this guy, what do you see? Try to think about anything besides the cap and his clothes. Was he clean -shaven, did he smell funny? What sticks out to you about this guy?"

"Okay I'll try. I wish I had paid more attention while I was really there, but I'll try. I had finished my book and was headed out to the car for a magazine. Jay had already left but he wasn't with that guy yet. I had to go to the park because we all met there and walked to the beach. I can remember seeing him just standing there. It was strange too because all around him there was activity… mothers with children, teenagers laughing, that kind of thing and there he was all alone.

I saw the cap and the clothes and I just shrugged it off and went on to get the magazine. I don't remember a beard so he might have been clean- shaven. The only smells I can remember are the hamburgers and fries and the smell of sun tan lotion. Sorry I can't be of more help, I just didn't pay attention."

"That's okay Rob, you've been a big help already. One more question, could you point out where the car was?"

"Where my car was or where the black car was?"

"Where the black car was. Did you happen to notice if it was a four door or two?"

"It was near the Carousel, just to the side of it near the woods. That's a no parking zone so the guy must have had car problems. It was a sporty car, sort of sleek, I think it was a two- door. But I'm not sure; I didn't think it was important at the time."

"If you don't mind, would you go back out there tonight with an officer and show my forensic pathologist where the car was parked? I sent Pati home with an officer and she'll stay with her until you're done at the park."

"Is it that important? I mean, was I the last person to see him? If I wasn't so interested in my reading I could have helped him. Oh God." Rob sat back in the chair and looked up at the agent.

"No you weren't the last person to see him, the killer was. Yes it's important, we need to go over the first crime scene to see what evidence is there. To ease your mind Rob, there was probably nothing you could have done that would have kept Jay alive. But there is something you can do that may help catch his killer."

"Thank you for saying that, but if I had taken the time to help him it may have saved his life or at least I'd have a better description of the killer. I knew he was going to change a tire, at the very least I could have offered to help, it was brutally hot out. I can't change what I didn't do, but I will do whatever you need me to. I owe it to Jay."

"A piece of advice Rob, don't waste time on what could have been's or what ifs. It won't help you and it won't help Pati. You can't change what's happened, it wasn't your fault and it wasn't her fault. Let it go, mourn Jay for the person he was and don't mourn yourself for what you could have done. Hindsight is always 20/20, but it does us little good." Morgan leaned forward and studied him for a moment as he continued.

"Yeah I know you're right, it's just hard to know that you could have done something but chose not to. Especially since Jay was the opposite, he was caring to a fault. But I'll deal with that later, right now I want to show the officer where I think the car was, and then I'll look for closure."

"Thanks for doing this Rob, I know it's been a rough day for you and we'll try not to keep you too much longer."

"Yeah it's been a long day, and it doesn't look like it'll get easier anytime soon, but this is important. I'll do whatever you say." He folded his arms in front of them and rested his chin on them.

"There's an agent sitting outside, he'll drive you back to the park. Bones will meet you there and once you show him where the car was you can head on home to Pati. You and Pati have my condolences on the loss of your friend. If there's anything I or the Bureau can do for the two of you don't hesitate to call. Pati has my card and you can call anytime, especially if you remember something later."

"Oh ok then if Pati has the numbers, I'd like to go out there and see the site again, while it's still fresh in my mind. If I remember anything else - if either of us does- we'll be sure to call you first thing."

"Thanks Rob, you can head on out there if you're ready."

Morgan sighed as Rob left; he had given her more information than Pati, but not enough to do much good. She was tired from the flight and the two interviews she'd done and decided that the field agents could conduct the rest of the interviews. She was going to the motel and to bed.

Pulling the cell phone out once again she dialed Bones and told him Rob was coming to point out the first crime scene. She signaled to the agent waiting by the desk, removed the second interview tape, and asked for a ride to the hotel.

Morgan shouldered her bag and reached into the car for her briefcase, saying thanks to the agent that drove her over. She closed the door and walked into the bustling lobby of the Sheridan. Walking up to the check in desk, she set her bags on the ground and waited for the clerk to find her reservation.

"Sorry ma'am, I don't show a reservation for Morgan Summers."

Morgan cocked an eyebrow at the teenage boy behind the desk. Looking at his nametag she lowered her voice an octave, trying to regain control of her temper. "It's Sumners, Toby, that's S-U-M-N-E-R-S, not Summers."

Toby quickly punched in the correct spelling of Morgan's last name and was relieved when the computer pulled up her reservation. With shaking hands he tore the receipt from the printer and slid it across the counter with a pen. "If you'll sign here, Ms. Sumners, I'll have the bellhop take your bags up."

"I can take my own bags." Morgan said, looking at the bill. "Why is Virginia's name on this?"

"You're sharing a room with her. The reservation was made for two."

"I don't want to share a room. Find me a single."

"We don't have any more rooms available ma'am. There's a convention in town and all the hotels are booked."

"Fine, just give me the key."

Toby slid the key across the counter and started to give directions to the room, until he noticed he was talking to her retreating back. "Geez, and a nice evening to you too, Agent Sumners."

Morgan slid the card key into the slot and walked into her room. Flipping the switch by the door, she set her bag on the floor and walked to the small round table and set her briefcase down before heading for the shower.

Reaching into her bag, she pulled out the shirt Kathryn had slept in as well as a pair of boxer shorts. With only one bed in the room she was going to have to share with Gin and didn't feel comfortable sleeping in her normal bedtime attire.

Pulling on the shirt, she relaxed against the headboard and dialed room service, rubbing the towel briskly over her raven locks. She almost didn't hear when the phone was picked up on the other end.

"Room service, may I help you?"

"Yeah, I'd like a cheeseburger with the works, fries and a Dr. Pepper delivered to room 1204." Morgan had eaten at the interrogation but she was hungry again and her stomach had made itself known in the shower by grumbling loudly.

"Yes ma'am we'll have that right up to you." The pleasant voice answered on the other end of the phone.

Morgan hung up the phone and flipped through the channels waiting for room service to deliver her meal. She didn't have to wait long, within fifteen minutes a knock on the door signaled dinner and signing the check she devoured the cardboard tasting burger and soggy fries. Popping the top on the soda she downed it in two swallows and tossed it back on the cart.

Allowing a small, undignified burp to escape, she picked up the phone and dialed Kathryn's house again, surprised to hear the voice on the other end.

"Hello?"

"Hey Little One, how's it going?"

"Morgan! I'm so glad you called. It's going okay, but I miss you. I wish you were here with me."

"Me too baby, I miss you so much. I called you earlier but you weren't in."

"Derek wanted to walk along the beach."

"Is he still there?"

"Yeah, I haven't told him yet. He was acting funny all night and I didn't want to get into an argument. You aren't mad are you?"

"No, I'm not mad. I don't want you getting into an argument with him either. I don't want to talk about him, unless you need to that is."

"No I don't need to talk about him. How's the case going? Are you going to be there long?"

"Not sure yet, we had a couple of semi witnesses but nothing really concrete. We may be wrapped up in a few days. At least I hope we are."

"I hope you are too, I want you home with me."

"Me too Little One. What are you doing tonight?"

"I was reading Janice's journals, but now I'm brushing out my hair before bed."

"Did I ever tell you how much I love your hair? I love running it through my fingers; it's like silk." Morgan smiled at the visual images running through her mind and then sighed at the loss she felt being away from her beloved.

"No you never told me that, but I love yours just as much. Hey, did you know that Mel and Janice were a couple? Like us I mean?" Kathryn sounded delighted.

Morgan chuckled at Kate's naiveté; "Yeah I knew they were a couple. Like us huh? So you consider us to be a couple?" Morgan held her breath on that one. Let her say yes, if there is a God in heaven let her say yes.

"Well, yeah, I do, don't you?"

Morgan released the breath she was holding, "Oh yeah, I just wasn't sure about you. I don't want to rush you into something you aren't ready for."

"I'm ready for anything with you."

"Oh really? How about bungee jumping with me this weekend?" Morgan smirked; Kathryn had explained her fear of heights while they were shopping in Greenport and Morgan knew there was no way in hell Kathryn would ever be ready for that.

"Okay so maybe not anything, but just about anything."

"Yellow just isn't your color Little One; we're going to have to work on your fear of heights."

"Better men than you have tried, and nothing worked. I'll just watch from the safety of the ground if it's all the same to you."

Morgan laughed, "If you won't do it then I won't either."

"Thanks Angel, I appreciate that. You had me scared there for a minute. I thought you'd make me do it anyway."

"I'd never make you do anything you didn't want to, Kathryn."

"I know you wouldn't and so far there's nothing you've asked that I didn't want to do," Kathryn dropped her voice to a sultry level, "And I loved every minute of what you've asked so far."

"Speaking of which… what was that 'last time' comment all about anyway?"

Damn, Kathryn muttered. She'd been hoping that Morgan would forget about that before she got home. "Um well, it's not really important."

"It is to me. Come on Little One, spill it."

Kathryn was glad Morgan wasn't there to see the blush that was creeping up her neck. "Well, when we took that nap together, you uh, well you had this dream and you kind of got touchy with me."

"Touchy?"

"Yeah, must have been a doozy of a dream because you were really enjoying yourself."

"Oh God, I don't think I want to hear any more about it."

Now it was Kathryn's turn to chuckle. "Aw come on Morgan, let me tell you about it. You were so hot, and so wet. It felt so good when you took my hand and put it inside you. I was so turned on when you touched me that I almost came right then, and then you kissed me. God that was wonderful; you have the softest lips."

"Kathryn!" Morgan croaked, "I really don't want to hear anymore."

"Why not?"

"Because you're turning me on and you're not here to do anything about it, that's why."

"I could be there. I bet I can get a flight out tonight."

"Yeah but Gin wouldn't like us making love when she's laying next to us."

"Gin? Why would she be with us?"

"We're sharing a room. The hotel was booked so they put us together."

"I don't know if I like that too much."

"Well I know I don't, but there's nothing I can do; everyone's booked up for some convention."

"Well you better make her keep her hands to herself or she'll have me to deal with!"

"Don't worry Little One, I belong to you heart, mind, body, and soul. I love you."

"I love you too Angel. I'll let you get to bed, it's late and you're probably going to have a long day ahead of you tomorrow. Call me when you can, okay?"

"I will Little One; sleep warm and have sweet dreams. I know mine will be because they'll be of you."

"You say the sweetest things Morgan, you should have been a poet. You sleep well too."

Kathryn replaced the receiver without hearing the audible click of the other receiver in the house being set down.

Derek lay in the guest bedroom fuming at what he'd heard on the phone. How dare that dyke bitch try to take his Kathryn away from him. He'd invested too much in this relationship to let that amazon come in and steal it away.

They'd slept together too, that was the capper. For three years Kathryn had denied him, playing the innocent virgin. All those stories about wanting to wait until she was married, what a crock of shit. She didn't want to wait, she was a queer, and she was just using him for cover. Well he wasn't going to put up with that, he'd show her just what she'd been missing.

Derek was lost in thought, plotting his revenge, when the phone rang again. He waited until Kathryn picked it up before quietly lifting his receiver.

"Everything is going great daddy, how are things back home?"

"Mitchell has filed a wrongful termination suit and Sheridan is named on it as well, but other than that all is well. Maria misses you and so do I. Have you decided on what you're going to do with the house yet?"

"I'm going to keep it, you'd love it daddy, it's a great old house."

"I've seen it, just a typical old salt box, nothing special about it that I can remember. Have you gone through Janice's things yet?"

"Some of it, not everything. Daddy, what did you mean in your email about the prejudices of youth? Were you talking about Janice being a lesbian?"

"Ahem," Henry cleared his throat before continuing, "Yes, I can't abide by that Kathryn, it just isn't natural. I didn't want you around that kind of influence. If you'd turned out like that I would have never been able to forgive you. Did Derek make it up there? He called the office looking for you, I hope you don't mind me telling him where you were. He's such a nice young man, the two of you should settle down and get married, you've certainly dated long enough and I'm ready for grandchildren. I'm not getting any younger, you know."

"I'm not ready to settle down with Derek or any man right now daddy. When the time is right I'll get married, but don't count on it being Derek that I settle for."

Derek had heard all he needed and replaced the receiver quietly, as his plans took shape.

Morgan looked up from the case report she'd been studying as Gin walked into the room.

"How did things go at the scene?"

"Pretty good; Rob showed us the first scene and we got blood spatters and a few hairs. Bones is running them through the lab to see if they belong to the victim. We found the cap in a trash can but no hairs or fibers were found on it. We're checking that for DNA traces."

"What about tread marks? Any of those on the scene?"

"None that are usable. What we did get is a security guard that remembered the guy Rob saw. He was driving a black two door Honda Civic, and the guard remembers seeing the green Enterprise rental car "E" on the back. Douglas is at the Enterprise office looking at their records."

"Good work Gin, you guys are doing great. When will Bones be back?"

"He said he'd come over as soon as he finished in the lab."

"We're finally getting somewhere. It's about damn time this freak fucked up."

"We don't know it was him Morgan, this is a tourist site, it could have been anyone in that car." Gin put her briefcase on the table and pulled a pair of royal blue sweatpants and a white t-shirt out of her duffel bag.

"I know, I know, it just feels right."

"Well, I'll take your word on it, but I'm waiting for the hard evidence. Are you done in the bathroom? I want a shower."

"Yeah I'm finished."

Morgan reached for the phone as soon as she heard the water flow.

"Bax it's me, what has surveillance come up with on my team?"

""Morgan, do you know what time it is?" Baxter let out an audible sigh.

"Yep it's 12:30; what have they come up with?"

"Nothing, not a damn thing. Everyone was present and accounted for when this one happened. Is it your guy?"

"Yeah it's him, no doubt about it."

"Then I'm going to pull the eyes and ears, no sense running up the budget on this one."

"Can you leave them on one of my people?"

"Why? If they didn't do this one, then chances are they didn't do any of them."

"I know, just call it a hunch. Give me a month, then you can pull the plug on the whole thing, okay?"

"Okay, but one month only Morgan, that's final. Wrap it up by then and we'll get you a nice bonus."

"I'm not guaranteeing wrapping up this case by then Bax. I don't have enough to go on right now, but a month is all I ask on the surveillance. I don't care about a bonus, but I would like a vacation when this one is over."

"Any place in particular you want to go?"

"On a honeymoon."

"WHAT?"

"Talk to you later Bax." Morgan hung up the phone before Baxter could ask any more questions, and opened the door for Bones and Douglas.

"What have you got for me guys?" Morgan asked, showing them into the room and waiting for them to take their chairs.

Douglas admired Morgan's long legs and loosened his tie while wondering what they'd feel like wrapped around his back. He pushed the wire-rimmed glasses further up his slightly crooked nose and answered her first.

"The car was stolen. It was found about two miles from the scene, burned. Nothing useable in the way of prints. It was a total loss."

Morgan looked at Bones, "What about you? What did you find?"

"The victim was bludgeoned with a tire iron which fits Rob's story about him helping the guy change a tire. He had one sharp blow to the head and was dead almost immediately. No prints or fibers on the body, but there were some fibers present at the attack site. There were two black fibers that were matched to carpet from a Honda Civic like the burned one. The tire iron from the torched car showed traces of blood but it was too burned to match with the victim. Several eyewitnesses saw the same guy Rob described but none really paid much attention to his face. Almost everyone described him the same way, baseball cap, blue pants, white long sleeved shirt, and medium height. Why do you think he took such a chance this time? I mean this place was packed Morgan, he would have to know he'd be noticed. Why pick such a public place?"

"He needs the thrill; it's wearing off for him. The way he's escalating the kills, he needs a new thrill, he needs the excitement of almost getting caught. He's coming apart on us. He's getting sloppy and disorganized and he'll get worse. That's when we'll catch him. What else have you got?"

"Nothing," Bones answered, "That's the whole shebang."

"Then we need a new direction; if we can't go forward then we need to go backward." Morgan reached for the phone and called the front desk.

"Toby, this is Agent Sumners in 1204, I need a conference room right now, preferably with a big open wall and a white board. Make sure there's coffee and sodas available too. Thanks. We'll be down in a minute."

Morgan turned to Bones. "I need a map of the United States, a big one. Get some colored push pins, pens and legal tablets too. Better add felt tipped pins to that list as well. Meet us downstairs in conference room 2 as soon as you get that stuff."

"Where do you expect me to find this stuff at one in the morning?"

"There's a 24 hour Wal-Mart about two miles down the road, they should have what you need. The airport will probably be your best bet for a map as big as we need. Flash your badge and get them to cough one up."

"What do you need me to do?" Gin and Douglas asked almost simultaneously. Gin, fresh from her shower, was standing there with wet hair and clothes that seemed to cling to her body and Douglas had shifted his attention from Morgan to her.

"I need you two to grab your case notes and any photos you have with you. We'll meet in the conference room in thirty minutes." With a look and a nod, she dismissed the group.

Morgan waited until the agents left and grabbed her bag to change into street clothes. Things were finally starting to fall into place and she had an idea of the how of the case. All she needed was the who to wrap it up.

Picking up her briefcase she left the room and stepped into the elevator.

Morgan strode into the conference room and started unpacking the files from her briefcase. Locating a power and modem outlet, she plugged in her laptop. While she waited for it to boot and connect to the office she pulled a tablet and pen from the pile and started jotting notes.

Beginning from today's homicide, she worked backward, filling in the facts they had so far.

Locations:

Warwick - Rhode Island - Goddard Park

Springdale - Arkansas - Ozark National Forrest

Nashville - Tennessee - Percy Priest Lake

Houston - Texas - Hermann Park

Vernal - Utah - Steinaker State Park

Pierre - South Dakota - Farm Island St. Rec. Area

Pendleton - Oregon - Emigrant Springs St. Park

Southern Pines - North Carolina - Weymouth Woods St. Park

Albuquerque - New Mexico - Sen. W.M. Chavez St. Park

Reno - Nevada - Kings Beach

Columbia - Missouri - Finger Lakes St. Park

Kalamazoo - Michigan - Milham Park

Worchester - Massachusetts - Moore St. Park

Morgan locked down her hard drive and was searching through her data when the rest of her team filed in, closely followed by the dining room staff. Waiting for the coffee, sodas, and pastries to be set up, Morgan instructed Bones to tack the 12-foot by 8-foot map to the wall.

Gin passed out notepads and pens to the rest of the assembled team while Douglas and Walt filled drink orders.

Taking her notepad, Morgan walked to the map and began marking known crime scenes with the red pushpins.

"Okay people, these are the known dump sites we've been to. I want everyone to come up here and look. See if anything stands out to any of you."

Morgan stood back, nursing her coffee and watched her crew stare at the map. It wasn't exactly what she wanted, but it turned out to be better than she'd expected. The map didn't show all the little country roads nor did it show the small outlying towns, but what it did show was enough for their purposes.

Morgan allowed Bones a slight smile when he pulled the small ruler from her briefcase and began taking map measurements. She had a sense of pride with this team. They were working together and comparing notes, making assumptions based on the facts and some not, but all good and all in the right direction. While she waited she sorted the pushpins into different colored piles. Red was set aside and the other colors were placed by each agent's chair.

When the team finished their examination of the map they settled around the table and told Morgan their assumptions.

"You're right on the money, now what we need to do is go through these old case files and see what fits the new profile."

Morgan passed out the police jackets that she'd been carrying around in her briefcase and each agent took a stack and picked up their pins, heading for the map.

Two hours and three pots of coffee later the agents were seated around the table once again. Some of the pins had been placed on the map only to be removed later, but of the forty-three case files Morgan passed out only five came back as not belonging to their perp. Fifty-one murders in all. This would be the most prolific serial killer of this decade.

"What led you to your conclusions about the perp?" Morgan asked the agents.

Bones stifled a yawn and spoke for the group. "No gunshots. None of the victims fought back. The dump sites were always within 20 to 30 miles and there would be no record of him being in any state."

"Very good Bones, we have method and opportunity. Now what about motive? Why is he doing it?"

"Isn't that your area Morgan? You're the shrink, you tell us."

"Okay Bones, he does it because he likes it. He's smart but he doesn't want the publicity. He's not doing it to be famous. He puts his victims in plain sight because he wants them to be found. He doesn't want them to be eaten by animals or to rot in the sun. He doesn't hide their identities nor does he take any personal belongings from them. He wants the families to have them back as soon as possible. That means he has a strong sense of family. He probably calls home at least once a week and his family thinks he's the best son anyone could ask for." It was late and Morgan blinked a few times to ward off the weariness she felt.

"The sex of the victims isn't relative to him, nor is the race. He isn't prejudiced but neither is he bisexual. He kills whoever trusts him. But the crimes are sexual in nature. He's impotent, but he doesn't get the thrill other sex killers get. He doesn't experience an erection when he kills nor does he ejaculate when they die. He won't be a virgin but he won't be experienced either. If you put the dates in chronological order he's been doing this for three years that we know of and it could be longer."

"Something has him agitated right now. He killed one girl less than a month ago and a man today. What set him off today to make him escalate? He was sloppy when he usually isn't. Why was he taking a chance? "

"So what are we looking for?" Bones asked. Morgan had given them more insight into the killer in a few minutes than they'd had for the last year. She was onto something; the trick was getting her to share what she knew. Bones smiled inwardly; He had always been impressed with the way she did her job.

"I still believe he's a white male, age could vary but I'll stick him in the 30 to 35 year range. He'll be white collar and in a visible position. He'll be outgoing and friendly but not an extrovert. I wouldn't be surprised to learn he still lives at home with his parents. Never married, no kids, no ties outside of family. His parents will be well to do, but he'll probably be an only child. He may have a girlfriend but that's doubtful; he won't be able to sustain a relationship for very long. He may have a string of failed affairs but most if not all will have been sexless relationships and he probably killed the first woman he tried to sleep with after he became impotent."

"We're missing one major piece in this puzzle," Morgan said, looking over the group. "Anyone know what it is?"

All the agents looked at one another and as a group shook their heads no.

"We don't have the first victim. His first kill was a woman and our oldest file is a man. We need to get on the computer and search out that woman. If the police did their jobs and we can find her, there will be evidence for us to use. His first murders won't be organized and he won't have control of the scene like he does now. He will have left the bodies nude and that's where we'll look. The nudity is important to him; he needs to feel superior to his victims. Stripping their clothes is symbolic for him, it's power and he needs to feel power over his victims."

"Find the first and we'll find him. Gin, you still have access to VICAP, start running a record search. Use nudity as your search parameter. Branch out to nudity and woods if necessary, but for the first one I don't think he'll have that part planned out. He would have dumped her in the first available location; the woods would come later. Use my laptop; it's logged into the bureau servers."

Bones, you and Douglas go over the oldest case files and make notes of any forensics we can use. Walt, do the crime scene narration and eyewitness accounts, see if we can find a witness to the early crimes. John, I want you to stick the map with the new cases Gin finds, check for proximity and location. If it doesn't fit let her know and move on to the next one. Gin, save the case files to disk if they fit and we'll print them out later. If we don't find the first victim send out a query to all police stations asking for any cases they haven't listed that meets our criteria."

Morgan's cell phone chirped and she waved her hand to the group indicating they should get started.

"Sumners."

"Hi Angel, is this a bad time?"

"Not at all, just give me a sec okay?" Morgan walked out of the conference room, through the lobby and into the parking lot. "Okay, what's up Little One? You should be asleep."

"I can't sleep. I just wanted to hear your voice. I miss you so much."

Morgan heard the tears in Kathryn's voice and her brow wrinkled with worry. "I miss you too Kathryn, now what's wrong? Did Derek do something to you?"

"Kathryn's voice broke as the tears she tried to keep inside poured from her eyes. "No nothing like that; he went to bed early. I talked to my dad."

"And?"

"I asked him if he knew about Mel and Janice and if that's why he kept her from me. Oh God Morgan he told me he would never forgive me if I turned out like her; he would disown me without a second thought. He's all the family I have left. What am I going to do?" Kathryn knew she was blubbering like a child, but she couldn't hold it in. If her dad found out, she'd be alone. She didn't know how she'd stand losing both parents, but she didn't want to lose Morgan either.

"Shh it's okay Little One, it will all work out. He doesn't have to know about us if you don't want him to." Morgan placed her hand over the phone and whistled for the taxi pulling away from the curb. When the driver pulled up next to her she asked him to wait and slipped him a twenty to ensure he would.

"Listen Kathryn I need to go, but I'll see you as soon as I can. Hang in there for me. I'll be there before you know it. I love you, remember that. We'll get through this."

Kathryn hiccuped and told Morgan she loved her too and couldn't wait to see her, before hanging up the phone.

Walking back into the conference room she told the agents she had an emergency and had to leave; she'd phone in for reports but expected results when she did. Not knowing how long she'd be gone she put Bones in charge and walked out of the hotel to the waiting taxi.

Sitting in the co-pilot's seat, Morgan subconsciously urged the whirlybird to go faster. It had cost her a pretty penny to hire the helicopter for the trip to the island but it was worth every cent to be able to hold Kathryn when she needed her. Morgan didn't know when the shift from work first, relationship second, had occurred and right now she didn't care. Kathryn had become the most important thing in her life and work be damned. She didn't care if the killer was sitting right beside her; she'd let him go just to get to her heart.

Morgan thanked the pilot and checked that her gun was secure before jumping from the chopper into the waters of the bay. She didn't want to wait for a car to pick her up and drive her up island, choosing instead to have the pilot hover low over the water outside her house. Wading through the knee-deep water to the beach, she ran to her house, stripping out of her wet jeans as she walked through the patio door.

She rushed through, pulling on clean dry pants and clipped her gun to the back of her jeans. Passing on shoes and socks she jumped the stairs and landed neatly at the bottom, already in step for the full out run she did to the house next door.

Stepping on the porch she quieted Casey and led her from the cage. Waiting for the dog to find an appropriate spot, she picked up the false stone on the deck and removed the spare house key Janice had hidden for her. She replaced the key and picked Casey up, tiptoeing quietly through the house.

She headed for the spare room but hearing the loud manly snores coming through the door she bypassed it for the master bedroom. Pausing, she heard the muffled sobs coming from the room and softly opened the door, stepping into the darkened bedroom. Remembering the placement of the furniture was all that saved her from breaking a toe as she walked to the bed and sat on the edge.

"Come here Little One, let me hold you." Morgan whispered, pulling the huddled and shaking form into her arms. "I'm here now and it's all going to be okay, you'll see."

Small hands reached up and grabbed Morgan's face. "You're here? You're really here? I'm not dreaming, am I?"

"No baby, you're not dreaming, I'm right here." Morgan wrapped her arms tightly around Kathryn and pulled the small mass into her lap. She rocked back and forth making shushing noises until she felt Kathryn relax and the tears subside. When she was sure that the tears had stopped and that Kathryn was okay she asked if she wanted to go back to her house for the night. She wanted to hold Kathryn all night long but didn't want Derek to find them together in the morning.

Kathryn's nod was all she needed as she stood and adjusted her load. Walking quietly past the spare room she headed down the stairs and out of the house. Casey trailed along behind her and she waited for the pup to come inside before she slid the patio door closed and set the alarm. Walking up the stairs she laid Kathryn on the bed and stripped out of her clothes before pulling the covers over both of them. Wrapping her arms around Kathryn, she pulled her close until their bodies molded together and placing a kiss on the top of her head, they both drifted off to sleep.

The warming fingers of dawn danced across the king sized bed, finding the lovers still wrapped in a tight embrace. Kathryn was the first to awaken and she turned her head, looking into Morgan's face. She still couldn't believe Morgan had come to her when she needed her most. Too used to relying only on herself, this was a new experience for her. Sure, her dad was there for her, but business came first these days and she understood that. She snorted derisively. She knew Derek wouldn't drop everything and come running just because she was crying over something silly. For Morgan to drop everything in the middle of a case and in the middle of the night no less was amazing to Kathryn. She knew then that she had lucked out when she fell in love with the dark haired agent lying next to her.

Bringing her thoughts back to the present, she was startled to see eyes of the bluest sea staring into hers. Tiny wrinkles became apparent as Morgan smiled at her.

"Good morning Little One, penny for your thoughts."

"Morning Angel; I was just thinking how lucky I am to have you. You know, to steal a much overused movie line, you really do complete me."

Morgan wrapped Kathryn in a fierce hug, whispering in her ear, "You complete me too, but I'm no Angel."

"Yes you are. To me anyway. You're the closest thing to a guardian Angel I've ever had, so get used to the title."

"I can't stay, you know? I have to get back to Rhode Island, but I want to know you're all right before I leave. Do you want to talk about last night?"

"Nothing more to say really," Kathryn replied, lying back against the pillows and crossing her arms over her face. "He doesn't want a lesbian for a daughter, wants grandkids and all that. He never even asked if I wanted kids, just assumed it was my duty to churn the little buggers out on demand. He wants me to marry Derek, but I squashed that notion right away."

"Why don't you want to marry Derek? You've dated him for a long time, it's only natural for your dad to think that you'll get married after three years."

"He's hardly around, he has to fly off constantly and when he's home he has things to do. I don't want to be second best to his job or his family and friends. Besides, I love you! You're who I want to be with." She reached over and stroked the bronzed face.

"I'm hardly home either and for the most part my job has to come first. Do you really want to settle for that kind of life? You've only had a small taste of what bureau life is like; it can get so much worse. Then there's your job too. We'd have to maintain a long distance relationship and that will come with its own set of problems."

"Yeah but when you're home, you're here. You don't talk about work all the time. I know more about piloting a 747 than I ever wanted to know. With you I don't have to worry about getting your attention. I can handle you being gone for a few days here and there; at least you call when you can. I never hear from him unless he's in town and sometimes not until he's been there a few days. I'm last on his list of priorities. I can handle being second on yours."

"What about the long distance relationship? How will you handle that part?"

"Honestly? I've given it a lot of thought lately and I want to stay here. I like what I do, but I need a break. I really don't have to ever work again thanks to Janice's generosity, and I've been thinking about a career change for awhile now. I think I'd like to try my hand at writing. I turned out some fairly decent short stories when I was in college and I'd like to see if I still have a talent for it. What about you; could you handle having me around on a permanent basis?"

"I'd love to have you on a permanent basis. I'd love it if you moved in here with me. I want to wake up to your smiling face everyday for the rest of my life, but that's up to you. You need to figure out if what we have is really what you want. Use your head to decide and not your heart. This is a big decision and how we feel for each other shouldn't be the only factor."

Kathryn laughed and kissed Morgan on the cheek. "I don't know about moving in right away, that's a big step and you don't know what you're getting into there. Have you ever lived with a slob? How about I think about it while you finish up in Rhode Island and give you my decision then? You need to think about it too, this will be a change in your routine and you may not like the upset. Remember I come with baggage; you'll have two dogs here full time instead of one."

"It's a deal, and as far as Casey, if you left the island you'd have to give me visitation rights to her. I've grown just a little attached," Morgan answered. Lifting the covers she pointed out the blond ball of fur curled up at her side. "And I think she has, too." Casey lifted her head and grabbed Morgan's finger in her mouth, gnawing playfully before its owner reclaimed it and lowered the sheet over her head again.

"Yeah I guess you can't be all bad if Casey likes you." Kathryn teased, poking Morgan in the ribs.

"Oh so you want to have a tickle fight this morning do you?" Morgan quirked her eyebrow and rolled over on top of Kathryn, effectively pinning the blond to the mattress. Long fingers sought out tender ribs and began a gentle assault as the body beneath her squirmed.

"No!" Kathryn gasped, trying to catch her breath, "I want to do this…" Lifting her hands to Morgan's face she pulled her closer until their lips touched. What started, as a gentle peck became a slow exploration as Morgan laid the length of her body alongside Kathryn's. Tangling her fingers in the long platinum locks spilling across her hands, Morgan deepened the kiss until both women were breathless and weak with desire.

Pulling away she gazed into the hazel eyes staring back at her. "Do you want to do this?"

"Oh yeah, but I'm a little over dressed for the occasion, and uh, you're going to have to show me how."

"Both are easily fixed. It's not the how, but the how long. I do intend to take it slow with you this time Little One, and you won't be getting the chance to do anything but enjoy it." Morgan tapped her on the nose before sliding her hands down the sides of the silk nightshirt Kathryn was wearing and grabbing the hem she pulled it up and over her head, tossing it to the foot of the bed.

Leaning up on her elbows she took in the sight of Kathryn's warm naked body and felt she'd died and crossed over to the other side. Heaven couldn't get any better than this she thought, leaning down to capture one of Kathryn's rose colored nipples gently between her teeth.

Kathryn's back arched up off the bed as she pressed harder against Morgan's mouth. Wrapping her arms and legs tightly around Morgan, Kathryn flipped them over and pinned the taller woman underneath her.

"My turn to have fun and your turn to lay back and enjoy it." Kathryn added please to her argument after Morgan's eyebrow reached her hairline, and was satisfied with the response as Morgan's hand guided her mouth to a waiting breast.

Kathryn's moans matched Morgan's as she watched her lover succumb to the pleasure her lips and hands were inciting. Kathryn felt her own desire flowing from her body as she touched the fire raging between Morgan's legs. Taking her cues from Morgan's movements she slid between her outstretched legs and tentatively ran her tongue through the black curls and into Morgan's center. She felt Morgan's tapered fingers wrap around her head, drawing her closer as her ears picked up Morgan's cry for faster and harder.

Increasing her tempo and sliding two fingers deeper into the dark recesses of Morgan's body, she picked up the pace to match Morgan's thrusts. Looking up the length of Morgan's body she watched her lovers' face as her body tensed with the onslaught of her orgasm. Holding tight to Morgans bucking hips, Kathryn rode the wave with her and slid into the waiting embrace when it was over.

"What did you need me to show you again Little One; I've forgotten?"

"Oh I'm sure there are plenty of tricks you could show me."

"Um bet I could, how about this one?" Morgan asked, mischievous twinkle lighting up her eyes as she flipped Kathryn on her back. The chirping of the cell phone called a halt to any amorous thoughts that Morgan had as she reached for it. Better be real fucking important or I'm going to reach through this phone and remove your spleen through your nose!

"Sumners. This better be good!"

"Morgan it's Bones; we're sending a chopper for you. We've got the first scene and there's all kinds of stuff there. The police chief is going to take us to the crime scene and show us the evidence they collected. The bird will be there in 30 minutes so get a move on."

"Where is this one?"

"A little town called Katy in Texas, it's outside Houston."

"Thanks Bones, see you soon." Morgan snapped the phone shut and turned to see the sad face of her lover. "I have to leave babe; Bones has the worst timing in the world."

"Where are you off to now?"

"Katy, Texas. Heard of it?"

"Heard of it? I was born there."

"No shit? Want to come along? Bet I can sneak you on the plane." Morgan grinned as Kathryn contemplated her question.

"I wish, but I should take care of Derek. I'll be waiting to finish what we started when you get back. No more hysterics, I promise."

"Thanks babe, I love you. I hope you know that."

"I do, and you should know the same."

"No regrets?"

"Not a one… well other than my dad, I would love for him to meet you."

"Maybe in time, baby." Morgan left the warmth of the bed and pulled clothes from the dresser, holding out her hand for Kathryn to join her in the shower.

Morgan strode across the polished marble floor of the Katy police department and leaned against the counter in front of the desk sergeant. Clearing her throat, she introduced herself and asked where to find the chief of police. Following the directions she was given she knocked on the glass before entering Chief Ballard's office.

She shook hands with the weathered gray haired man and took a seat opposite his desk. Leaning back in her chair she crossed one slim booted foot over the other and waited for him to light his pipe before getting down to business. A hazy cloud of cherry mixed with vanilla wafted in her direction as the tobacco caught fire and he puffed away on the stem. Satisfied the pipe would stay lit, Chief Ballard put the tobacco pouch and lighter in his desk and fixed Morgan with an inquisitive look. Clamping his teeth down on the stem he spoke slowly and with a thick southern drawl that seemed to wrap around the pipe.

"That feller Bones tells us y'all are looking to solve an old murder case of ours. What makes you think y'all can do that?"

Morgan coughed behind her hand to hide her amusement; small town people really had no concept of the power behind the bureau or the massive amounts of data stored in the giant computers. "We're not saying that we can Chief, but we'd like to see the crime scene photos and look through any evidence your officers gathered. We'd like your help on this one if you can spare the men who investigated the original crime. Chances are we won't solve this murder for you, but it may help us find a serial killer."

"Now that's a horse of a whole nother color Miz Sumners, your man Bones had me thinkin y'all was gonna come in here and wrap this'n up like a Christmas present or sumpthin. We don't take too kindly to strangers comin here thinkin they can do our jobs better'n us, but we'd be right proud to help you out any way we can. I was one of the investigators on that crime and I'll tell ya it was a might bit messy. Feller that did that had a burr under his saddle over sumpthin, dang near cut that poor girl up so bad her own mama couldn't identify her. We found his T-shirt layin by the crick and the knife he used on a rock, fingerprints didn't turn up nuthin and ever now and then we run'em again always come back clean as spit shined boots though."

"Bones didn't have time to fill me in Chief so why don't you tell me about the murder."

"We don't stand on ceremony round here Miz Sumners, you call me Bubba. Near as I can recollect it happened bout thirteen years ago. I was pretty new to the department and that was my first homicide. She was a local girl, just graduated from high school and headin off to the city for college. Found her out in a pasture near the outskirts of town. Folks round here call it Lovers Loop. Ain't much more than pastureland but the kids kinda took it over. They used to race cars round the outside in a loop, figure that's how it got its name. At night the kids go there to park and neck, sometimes they have a little beer party. She'd been dead a couple of days when we got to her. I tell you Miz Sumners; the sun ain't too kind to things left layin round. It was July and it gets perty dang hot here during that time of the year. She looked like she'd been roasted, all swollen up and blistered from the sun like she was. She was a beautiful girl but like I told ya he cut her up so dern bad her own family couldn't identify her body. We had to use dental records to figure it out. Sliced her face almost clean off. Old Doc Waters counted over four hundered different cuts on her before givin up on it. Weren't hardly an inch of her that feller didn't cut on."

"Guess it's too much to hope that there were witnesses?"

"Nary a one, not much call for folks to be out there in the heat of the day. Near as Doc Waters could figure she was killed around noon. Most folks know better than to be outside round bout that time. We was havin a heat wave that summer the likes hell ain't seen afore. Lots of folks died from the heat and such. Kids hang round the lake when it gets hot like that, not much else to do but go swimmin."

"Was she dating anyone?"

"Yup, she was datin that Johnson boy Steve. We checked him out and he wasn't in town when it happened. He'd graduated the year before little Nancy and was off to school. Hurt him perty bad to hear bout what happened to her. Boy cried like a baby over her body at the funeral. Them two was gonna get hitched after he finished schooling but you might as well have buried him right alongside her."

"Have you tried running the prints through the FBI computers?"

"Nope, cain't say we have. Not much call for the FBI round here. We usually catch our bad guys without goin outside the department."

"Would you mind if we checked them with our computers?"

"Naw you go on ahead Missy, be interrestin to see if anything turns up for ya."

"How about the crime scene, could you take me out there?"

"Sure, but you ain't gonna see anythin after all this time. Kids quit goin out there after Nancy and it's grown up a lot since then. If you wanna go now I'll get the old file and you can look it over on the way."

"Thanks Bubba, I'd appreciate that."

Morgan waited as Bubba stood and adjusted his pants; the saucer sized belt buckle attesting to the fact that he was past worrying about fathering children. She followed him through the homicide department to the file room and took the file he offered before walking out into the heat for the thirty-minute drive to the pasture.

Morgan slid into the passenger seat of the midnight blue Crown Victoria and adjusted the air vents as Bubba started the car. Opening the folder she perused the contents of the file, her eyes coming to rest on the pictures of Nancy Caldwell. Bubba hadn't been exaggerating; the girl had been cut up pretty badly. Morgan ran through the rest of the pictures before setting the file aside and booting her laptop. She initialized the satellite linkup and scanned the ten print cards into the system. Within minutes the Automated Fingerprint Identification System, or as it was better known, AFIS, spit out the results and Morgan smiled to herself. It was coming together better than she planned she thought as she memorized the face of the blonde haired, bearded young man staring back at her from the monitor. Confident she had his stats and face memorized, she shut the laptop down and tucked it away.

Stepping out of the car was like walking into an oven; Morgan inhaled sharply as the heat struck her full force. Walking around the pasture she could almost sense the crime as it happened. Bubba pointed out the dumpsite and the crick as he called it, though it was really nothing more than a stream running through the pastureland. It hadn't changed much from the pictures and she looked at the rock where the perp had hung his shirt while washing the blood from his hands. He did indeed have a burr under his saddle as Bubba so eloquently put it, and Morgan knew just what that burr was.

Thanking the chief for his help she stepped from his car into the air conditioned lobby of the Hilton and caught the elevator to her room. Shucking her gun and clothes she stepped into the shower and washed the sand and grit from her lanky form before stepping out and wrapping the soft terry cloth bathrobe around herself.

She towel dried her hair as she picked up the phone and dialed Bones.

"Bones, this is Morgan. We got a positive on the prints from the Caldwell case; we need to get the forensics through the lab to make this stick. Can you get the county coroner to let you use his facilities?"

"Sure, have them send the stuff over and we'll get right on it."

"Thanks Bones, I need to call Bax and get an arrest warrant. Let me know what you come up with."

Morgan cradled the receiver against her shoulder and dialed Baxter.

"Bax, it's Morgan, I need you to get a federal warrant for the arrest of Steven Johnson and push it through for me."

"How many counts?"

"One right now, he murdered a girl named Nancy Caldwell in Texas about 13 years ago. We'll tie him in to the rest once we pick him up."

"You got it, I'll have the papers delivered to your hotel in an hour. What about search warrants?"

"We'll need those too, for his parent's house as well as any residence he may have elsewhere. Why don't you get Gin to check the computers for alternate dwellings?"

"You're doing a great job on this Morgan, just wanted to let you know that."

"Don't go getting all soft on me Bax, it's just a job. When this is over I want two months off, no arguments and no bribes. I need some time to take care of a personal matter."

"You wrap this one up and you can have all the time you need, but Morgan…?"

"Yeah?"

"Bring her by the house sometime, I'd love to meet her."

Morgan felt the smile creep up on her as laughter welled from deep within her belly, "Sure Bax, but you keep your hands off her you old coot, she's mine. We'll come by for dinner when I get this all squared away."

"Great! We'll be looking forward to it. I'll get Vivian to fix us a nice dinner."

Morgan thought of her lover and decided she'd better fill Bax in on a few things before bringing the renowned eating machine to their house. "How about if I take us all out to dinner? You don't have a clue what you're getting into here Bax, she'll eat you out of house and home. Besides you don't take Vivian out nearly as much as you should."

"Sounds good to me, I'll let her know to expect a night out. I'll get Gin started here and have those warrants over to you soon. Take care Morgan."

Morgan replaced the receiver and lay back against the pillows, closing her eyes and letting her mind drift to Long Island and the beautiful blond waiting for her there.

Things in the Covington house were not going as smoothly as Kathryn would have wanted them to. Derek was reclined on the couch with his hands locked behind his head looking like the cat that swallowed the canary. She was pacing the oval braided rug in front of the fireplace from one end to the other and back again. He was waiting for her decision and she was running out of stall tactics.

"I won't marry you Derek. I… I don't love you. I can't marry someone I don't love."

"You'll marry me." He brought one hand from behind his neck and examined the nails before turning the same smug look in Kathryn's direction that he'd had since waking that morning. "You don't have a choice Little One." The sneer he added at the end let Kathryn know that he had listened to her conversation with Morgan the previous night.

"I do have a choice Derek and I don't choose you. I won't marry you and nothing you say will change my mind. Can't we just be friends and let this go?"

Derek pantomimed picking up the phone and Kathryn listened in horror at his fake conversation.

"Henry, this is Derek, listen old man I just asked your daughter to marry me and you know what she said? No? Well, let me tell ya, she doesn't want to marry me, seems she wants to be a dyke and shack up with the whore next door. What do you think about all that Henry?" Derek removed the imaginary phone from his ear and turned to Kathryn, "How do you think dear old dad would take a call like that?"

"Why are you doing this to me Derek?" Kathryn pleaded with him, tears breaking her voice. It was all on the table now, he knew and he was holding all the cards.

"Because I can. What's it going to be Katie? Me and your dad's happiness or that whore and knowing you broke your poor dad's heart?"

Kathryn bowed her head and took a deep breath. Gathering all the inner strength she could summon she met his eyes and said almost silently,

"I choose her."

She was unprepared for the explosion of violence coming her way when he leapt from the couch and shoved her to the floor. Towering above her, fists clenched, he kicked her into the stones lining the fireplace before covering her with his weight. "You listen to me and you listen good Kathryn, you will marry me and you will do what I say."

Kathryn choked back the bile she could feel rising in her throat as Derek told her his plans and what he had done already. She was trapped and with Morgan so far away there was no one to save her this time. Wiping the tears from her eyes she pushed Derek off her and asked if she could leave Morgan a note to keep the agent from coming after her.

"Yeah leave a note, but make it quick. I want to leave here in an hour, get your shit packed and be ready to pull out."

Kathryn walked to the kitchen on legs that would barely hold her upright; glancing quickly around the small room she picked up the grocery receipt and composed her thoughts. She had to keep Morgan away from her for both their sakes, but she wanted her to find her too. How to convey that without making Derek suspicious was the hard part. Putting pen to paper she hoped Morgan would see through the lies and find the message.

Derek's heavy footsteps alerted her to his proximity and she finished scribbling down the last lines as he snatched the note from her hand. He looked it over as he stalked hurriedly through the back entrance and across the pebbled beach to Morgan's house. Satisfied, he pinned it to her door and quickly covered the rest of the distance back to where Kathryn was nervously waiting. He grabbed her arm roughly and steered her to the car. He hadn't packed enough of her clothes and he'd left the house unlocked, but at the moment she didn't care. She knew that Casey would find her way to Mildred's and that the older woman would take her in. Trembling, she kept her gaze on Morgan's house for as long as she could keep it in sight before the car rounded a bend and she let the tears fall unchecked from her eyes.

Morgan snapped awake; there was a sense of urgency and danger but she couldn't find the source. Her mind settled on Kathryn's image and she picked up the phone. She let it ring thirty times before disconnecting and dialing Mildred. Asking her neighbor to check on Kathryn, she paced the floor nervously waiting for the return call. When the phone rang she jumped across the bed to snatch the receiver from the cradle.

"Morgan dear, the car is gone and it looks like she moved out. There's a note on your door from her, but she left her house unlocked and Casey's sittin out here just a cryin for her. This just don't look right to me honey, perhaps you best be getting on home."

"Take Casey home with you Mildred; I can't leave right now but I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Now Morgan, ain't nothing you're working on can be more important than your lady. You get on back here and find her. Do you hear me Morgan Sumners?"

"I hear you Mildred, but Kathryn's safe for now. I'm sure she's off with her boyfriend. Maybe she drove him to the airport or something. I'll be there as soon as I can, believe me. Just take care of Casey until I get back."

"Alright Morgan but don't you be dragging your feet. I got a bad feeling in my stomach bout this, you need to be here." The older woman scolded her.

"Yes ma'am." Morgan answered, hanging up the phone and stepping into her jeans. She pulled on a worn FBI T-shirt and tucked it into her pants adding socks and boots to the combination. Running her fingers through her hair to straighten it out she checked the clip in her gun and snapped the holster to her belt.

In the lobby she asked the desk clerk if she had any deliveries; taking the envelope she opened it and read through the documents before calling for a bureau car. Bax had a team standing by waiting to help her serve the warrants.

Fifteen bureau cars surrounded the nondescript gray shingled house as agents spilled from their doors with guns drawn. A knock on the front door went unanswered and Morgan drew her leg back and kicked it in. Entering the house in a crouch, gun thrust out in front of her, she yelled clear to the team after sweeping the area.

The agents rushed the house and carried out the search. The Johnson's appeared to be gone on vacation and this would later be verified by a neighbor, but the search turned up some useful items for Morgan's case and she was satisfied with the results.

Steven's room offered several key pieces of evidence concealed in a locked trunk at the foot of the bed. Morgan had broken the flimsy lock with the butt of her gun and after sifting through the items she carefully cataloged them, sealing the evidence bags for further analysis at the lab. He was an amateur photographer and liked to capture his handiwork on film; he had shot several rolls of film at each dumpsite. Morgan recognized several of the crime scenes she'd worked and some that Gin had pulled from the FBI computers yesterday.

Morgan tagged the trunk containing the pictures as evidence and sealed the lid with tape, inscribing it with her initials. She instructed the junior agents to carry the trunk out along with the other items they'd collected and sat back on Steven's bed, letting her mind take in the room's décor. The room looked much as Morgan suspected it did when Steven was in high school. The twin bed was made up with a red and black plaid bedspread and sat under the room's only window. Curtains that matched the spread were tied back to reveal a large oak hanging over the house; the tire hanging from a rope swinging gently in the breeze belied the scene of horror contained inside the window.

Football pennants hung from the walls and pictures of young Steven, resplendent in his uniform, and as the homecoming King with Nancy Caldwell on his arm, adorned every available surface of the room's spartan furniture. According to the plaques on the walls he was the captain of the football team as well as Student Council President and a member of the honor society. Who's Who Among American High School Students certificates hung alongside U.I.L. awards for debate, poetry reading, and solo instrumentals. From outward appearances he was the picture of the All-American boy, every mother's dream child. Only the FBI knew what lurked behind Steven Johnson's façade and Morgan was determined, sitting in this shrine to the wonder boy, to bring some form of justice to the families of the people's lives he'd destroyed.

Nodding to the agent standing outside the room she allowed him to seal the door with crime scene tape and walked out of the house into the Texas heat, welcoming the searing intensity of the sun to ward off the chill she'd felt sitting in that room. Her part in this case was over. She had identified the killer, found his lair, collected the evidence, and would later testify at his trial if she was called, but in her mind she didn't want nor need to be there for his arrest. She didn't trust herself to remain in control long enough to read him his rights before she blew him to hell. Better to go back to the island and relax with Kathryn until she was needed again.

Drawing the scorched air deep into her lungs she turned from the house and climbed in the sedan for the drive back to the hotel. She wanted a shower and the first available flight back home. But first things first, she'd have to call Bax and tell him the case was solved and that they only needed to pick up Steven and have him bound over for trial in whichever state wanted him first. She had no doubt that Texas would be at the front of the line, he'd committed six murders here, and that was by far the most in any state.

Morgan stretched her legs out in the open space of the first class cabin and reclined her seat, closing her eyes for a nap. Bax had secured her flight on a non-stop to Islip. She'd be home in less than four hours and hoped Kathryn would be waiting for her. After the horrors of today she needed to feel the blonde's arms tight around her, she needed to be wrapped in the warmth of Kathryn's love. Smiling at the thought of two months alone with the love of her life, she drifted to off to sleep and let her dreams pick up where her thoughts left off.

Morgan paid the short-term parking fee and pulled the Land Cruiser out on the Long Island expressway for the one-hour trip home. Removing the cell phone from its cradle she called Bones for an update.

"Hey Bones, they picked him up yet?"

"Hey Morgan, what do you want first, the good news or the bad news?"

"Give me the bad Bones, always the bad first, makes the good news that much better."

"Well Steven Johnson doesn't exist anymore. No records of him after he left college. The fingerprints we have on file were from a job he applied for in college."

"Fuck me running." Morgan muttered to herself, they had the SOB but they didn't have him.

"What did you say Morgan? I missed that, must be a bad connection."

"Nothing Bones, what's the good news?"

"Ah well, we can positively link him to all our crime scenes. He has hair from all his victims and they match perfectly on microscopic examination. If we find him we have a damn good chance of making all the charges stick."

"Not if Bones, when. We'll find him; he can't stay hidden forever. Any information on his parents yet?"

"Gin's working on it, they're somewhere in the mountains, doing a nature hike or something like that. We're trying to get them home now. Bax said he'd call you when we brought them in."

"Make sure someone lets me know, I want to speak to these people. In the meantime we need to set up a hypnotist for the witness in Rhode Island, see if you can line up someone good. Maybe we'll get lucky with that girl and she'll pull a rabbit out of her ass for us."

"I know one woman who's pretty damn good at hypnosis, not the typical carnival act but a genuine hypnotherapist. I'll give her a call and see what I can arrange for you. Hey, Bax tells me you're taking some time off to go on a honeymoon. Do I get an invite to the wedding?"

"Geez does everyone know about my personal life here?"

"Probably not Morg, but Kathryn's a sweetheart and you make a great couple you know? She's good for you, brings out the softer side of you that you try so hard to hide from us. I'm happy for you, you've needed someone like her for a long time now."

"Thanks Bones, she is pretty special. I love her so much it's scary at times. As for a wedding, I think I should ask her first before I send out any invitations don't you think?"

"Probably be a good idea. Don't wait too long though. Someone may snatch her away from you."

"I don't see that happening Bones; we have this connection. It's hard to put into words but for me it's almost like she's a part of my soul. Ugh I sound like a schoolgirl! But she does bring that out in me indeed. I love her more than I thought I would ever love anyone. I'm glad you approve too Bones, that means a lot to me. You never cared much for Megan and I understand why you didn't but Kathryn is different."

"Yeah she is, take good care of her Morgan, she loves you too."

"I will Bones, listen I need to hang up now my exit's coming up. I'll be in touch later."

"See ya Morgan, enjoy your time off."

Morgan replaced the cell in its cradle and let her mind drift to Kathryn until the garage door closed and she went to the back of the house. The note Mildred mentioned earlier was still stuck between the glass in the patio door and Morgan's eyes filled with tears as she read it for the third time.

Don't look for me

everything is fine

really, I just need time,

everything happened too fast

know that it isn't you it's me

I can't handle this

situation right now

the best thing is to leave

here and try to work

everything out in my mind

Kissing you was a mistake

I'm sorry if I hurt you

luckily you found out before you

loved me in return. I hope this

eases your mind in some way. I

really do

Putting me ahead of your job will

lead to problems for both of us

eventually you'll grow to resent it

and that would tear us apart

so I'm ending this before it

even starts.

however hard this is right now

everything always works out

life changes all of us and

people change each others lives

mine changed very badly but

eventually it will straighten out

Love Katie

Laying her briefcase on the counter beside the note Morgan took a beer from the fridge and popped the cap. Leaning against the opposite cabinet she found her eyes drawn to the note. It just didn't make sense to her. This morning Kathryn was looking forward to being together when she returned from Texas. They'd played in the shower, teasing each other until the water had turned cold. They'd made plans to take the dogs out on the boat this weekend, sailing up to Maine and back. Kathryn's kiss good-bye in the garage had certainly left no doubt in Morgan's mind that she wanted to be with her.

Morgan was on her eighth beer when the cell phone inside her briefcase chirped, and pushing herself up from the floor she staggered to the counter and popped the clasps holding the lid shut. Glancing briefly at the note she took the cell phone out before slamming the lid shut once again.

"Hello?"

"Hey Morgan, its Bones, you drunk?"

"Not yet, but I'm getting there. Whatcha need Bones, I'm a little busy here."

"I wanted to tell you I lined up the doctor for you; she'll meet you in Rhode Island tomorrow afternoon. Pati's been called and she agreed to show. Want to tell me why you're getting drunk? What's going on there?"

"Kathryn's gone."

"Gone where?"

"Not where, gone as in she left me. Dear Morgan letter on the door, bags packed, ain't coming back, gone."

"Damn Morgan, I'm so sorry honey. Anything I can do for you?"

"Bring me some more beer."

"Besides that. Why don't you go stay at Mildred's for the night?"

"I'm a big girl Bones, and she's not the first woman to walk out on me you know? What time do I need to meet your doctor and where?"

"She'll meet you and Pati at the police station where you interviewed her before, around 2 p.m."

"What's her name?"

"Dr. Antonia Grey. She has a copy of the interview questions and answers and we've given her a list of questions we want her to ask as well. Anything else she needs she said she'd ask you for when she gets there."

"Sounds good to me. What are you working on right now?" Morgan tried to concentrate on his words as a combination of grief and alcohol washed over her.

"We're looking into the rest of the homicides he committed in Texas, should have it wrapped up here tomorrow or the day after, then we'll be heading back home."

"Yeah, okay. See you when you get back. If you need anything holler."

"Will do, and Morgan, lay off the beer and get some sleep. You can worry about all this tomorrow."

"Yeah, whatever Bones. Later."

Morgan slapped the cell phone shut and sent it spinning across the hardwood floors before reaching for another beer. She didn't want to think about it tomorrow, she wanted to think about it now. Waiting for the beer to do its job she leaned back against the counter and chugged the remainder of the cool liquid from the brown frosted bottle before reaching for another.

She had worked her way through most of the case when the ringing doorbell broke through her thoughts and propelled her from the floor. Kicking empty bottles out of her path she staggered to the front door and fumbled with the latch. Half hoping it would be Kathryn she tried to get her fingers to cooperate with her mind as she finally threw the deadbolt and opened the door. Squinting against the glare from the porch light she trained her bloodshot eyes on the last person she expected to pay her a midnight visit. Stopped from slamming the door by a well-placed foot she stepped back and allowed the woman to follow her inside.

Megan leaned the guitar case against the wall by the door and locked the deadbolt. She'd seen Morgan in her cups before but never quite this bad, lending a hand to the staggering agent she tried to sit her on the sofa, but Morgan had other plans. Morgan pulled in the direction of the kitchen as Megan tried to steer her to the couch and both ended up in a pile on the floor. Megan wrapped her arms around Morgan's shoulders and pulled her into her lap as the lanky brunette fell apart in her arms.

"She left me Meg, I fucked up again." Morgan sobbed, holding tight to Megan's shirt.

Softly stroking the long raven hair falling across heaving shoulders, Megan shushed Morgan and listened as the tale poured forth. Trying to pick out the relevant points from the slurred speech she rocked gently back and forth until Morgan ran out of words and tears. She didn't understand everything that had happened but she did feel Morgan's pain at losing the only woman she'd ever loved. She'd never have Morgan back in her life as a lover but she could have her as a friend and right now she wanted that more than she would ever want the other. They could be friends; they always had that, being lovers is what never seemed to work for them.

When Morgan's tears subsided Megan pulled her to her feet and up the stairs to her room. Morgan paused in the doorway, eyes lighting on the rumpled bed as her mind remembered the reason for the tumbled sheets.

"I can't stay in here Megan," She muttered, "Too many memories."

"Where then?"

"Spare room, it's the only place she's never been."

"You need a shower Tigger, let's get you in the tub and I'll make the bed for you."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you being so nice to me? Why are you here at all?"

"I came to bring your guitar, you left it at the Swamp. I'm being nice because I've always been nice. You need a friend and we've always had that. No reason to stop now. Do you want me to leave?"

"Yeah, no wait. You can stay, but I can't be what you need. Not now, and probably not ever. I love her Megan, I'll always love her."

"I'm not asking you to love me Morgan, I got over wanting that a long time ago. I just want to be your friend. I'm here for you but I don't want anything back. Can you understand that? Leaving you was hard, harder than being with you. I just got tired of being alone. Even when you were here I was alone; I need more than that. Someday I'll have it, just not with you, and I'm okay with that. "

"I never wanted to hurt you Meg. I tried to love you, I just couldn't. There was always some part of me that held back. You never seemed to need me in the beginning and then when you did I didn't want to be needed. It's different now, she took something from me, and I can't control myself like that with her. She just looks at me and it melts my heart. It's like she reached into the darkest parts of me and turned the lights on, scared away all the demons of the past and set me free. I've never known love like this before."

"I'm happy for you, really happy. You've needed someone like her in your life for a long time. Don't let her go Morg, find her, and bring her home. Now come on, I can't stand here holding you up all night." Megan steered Morgan into the guest bathroom and helped her undress. Running a tub full of water she eased Morgan down and propped her against the wall. Satisfied that she wouldn't pass out and drown, she closed the door softly behind her and carried the sheets to the spare room.

Megan smoothed the sheets on the queen-sized bed and folded the top over the down comforter. Sitting on the edge of the bed she let old memories surface. They had spent some happy times in this room, but more sad ones towards the end. She didn't regret leaving Morgan; the relationship wasn't healthy, and they both knew it. Endless hours were passed trying to work toward a goal both knew they would never attain.

Thinking about the petite blonde that she'd seen singing to Morgan at the bar and the look on Morgan's face as she realized what was sitting before her had finally sealed the door on that part of her heart. Morgan had looked happier right then than Megan had ever seen her in their time together. If she allowed herself to admit the truth, she was a little upset when she saw them together. She'd tried one last stab at Morgan when she was leaving the bar, but it was more from past hurts than a desire to have her back.

She meant what she'd said earlier; she wanted to be friends, nothing more. She was glad Morgan had finally found someone to love and it seemed Kathryn loved her back. Tomorrow when she'd sobered up she'd get Morgan to tell her the whole story, what she said earlier had been disjointed and more like self flagellation than an explanation of what had happened between them.

She hoped Kathryn would come to her senses and return on her own, and if not she wasn't beyond making a social call herself. Perhaps Kathryn just needed to be nudged in the right direction. If anyone could explain Morgan to someone else she could. Two years together and six months apart gave her a unique insight as to just what it was that made her tick.

Shaking off her thoughts she walked back to the bathroom and helped Morgan wash her hair and body. Grabbing a thick towel from the cabinet she braced her against the wall and dried the water from Morgan's lithe form. Wrapping her in the blue silk robe she'd brought from Morgan's bathroom she led her to the spare room and settled her in the bed before going downstairs to pick up the empty bottles and shut off the lights.

Megan crawled in behind Morgan and waited while she settled her head in her lap. Stroking the wet hair beneath her fingers she hummed until she felt Morgan's body relax and soft snoring sounds reached her ears. Turning off the light she cradled Morgan's head against her stomach and joined her in sleeping.

Concluded in Part 4.