Part3: Into the Darkness

The next morning Jen accompanied Alex into Chester House to hand over a large portion of the scrolls. She spent an hour with the translators Geoff had brought in, explaining the system of cataloguing she'd been using, and giving them a general background on the works. She left them hunched over the copies of the texts, scribbling frantically on the notepads by their elbows, and went off in search of Alex.

The psychologist was in her office, scanning through notes from the background search done on Carruthers. When Jen entered she sat back, stretching her arms above her head and groaning aloud. Jen arched an eyebrow.

' That bad, huh? '

' Worse...it's like separating rice from flour without a sieve. This guy lives the perfect life - good job, nice flat, lots of friends...and on the side he's tangled up with a mad man who mutilates people for fun. ' She shook her head. ' I can't find anything that would link them together. Carruthers was a straight guy - no prior, never even had a parking ticket. Why get involved with the perp?'

Jen settled herself in the chair facing Alex, leaning her elbows on the desk. ' Maybe the connection is deeper than you realise. Perhaps Carruthers didn't just work for him. '

Alex frowned slightly, leaning forward interestedly. ' Go on...'

' Well...' Jen shrugged, ' maybe he's family, or an old friend. '

' Huh...didn't treat him much like one. '

' No...but from what I've read about psychopaths, they're pretty good at faking emotional attachments that they don't really feel. Maybe Carruthers really trusted him...and didn't know about his tendency for violence. '

Alex rubbed her temple with one hand. ' I've considered it, Jen, but the truth is that Geoff has already checked out Carruthers' family and friends - everyone's been accounted for. '

' That you know of. '

Alex met her gaze. ' Right. ' She sat back again. ' But that doesn't mean that we haven't missed someone. ' She sighed. ' Jen, I have to confess that my gut instinct is the same as yours on this. I can't find any other reason that fits for Mr. Clean to get tangled up with the killer. Sure, there's the money, but Tony Carruthers earned more than he spent, and he also had a pretty sizable trust fund, left to him by some rich old uncle who died five years ago. ' She shook her head. ' No, he wasn't short of cash. '

' So...the question is, what was it exactly he was doing for the killer? '

' Yeah...something that took him to Greece, and on more than one occasion. ' She met Jen's green gaze. ' We did a little more digging, found out he'd been making regular trips there for the past eight months, tying in with the deposits into his account. '

' Where to, exactly? '

Alex shook her head. ' We can track him to Athens, where he usually rented a car. After that, the trail goes cold. '

Jen flattened her hands against the desktop, pressing her palms into the smooth wood. 'Maybe someone should go out there...'

' Yeah, ' Alex picked up a pen, twirling it idly in her fingers, ' Geoff's already barking up that particular tree. '

' You don't think it would help? '

' It might...I'm more concerned about who he's intending to send. '

Jen blinked. ' You think he'd ask you? '

Alex's look was all the answer she needed.

' And that bothers you? ' She frowned. ' Why? '

The dark haired woman twirled the pen in and out of her fingers, then set it down again. ' Just family issues. And besides, if I'm in Greece, that means you're alone in the house. '

Jen considered for a minute, then shrugged. ' Not if I come with you. '

' What? ' Alex's eyebrows shot up. ' Jen...you can't afford the time away from your work. And besides, I can't see Geoff going for it. The paperwork alone would be a nightmare, not to mention justifying the expenses. '

' I didn't mean in an official capacity, Alex. ' She sat back, folding her arms across her chest. ' Besides, you may need me. He did send me the scrolls, remember? Plus, I have contacts at the museums in Athens and Thessaloniki. '

Alex regarded her thoughtfully. ' You really want to do this? '

' Yes. '

' And it won't interfere with your thesis work? '

' Would you let me worry about that? ' She leaned on the desk again, her eyes twinkling. ' C'mon...think about it. It makes sense. '

Alex wilted under the intensity of the green gaze. ' Alright, ' she sighed, 'okay, I'll talk to Geoff, see what he thinks. Now will you get off my back and let me work? '

Jen grinned. ' Absolutely. ' She got up from her seat, then walked around the large desk to stand beside Alex's chair. After hesitant glance at the doorway, she bent down and stole a quick kiss.

' See you tonight, grouchy. ' She murmured, patting her on the head.

Alex swiped at her arm. ' Go on, get out of here. '

It wasn't until late in the afternoon that Geoff finally sauntered into her office, plopping down in the seat opposite her and bestowing a dazzling smile upon her. She eyed him warily.

' What? '

' Oh...nothing...' he sat back, the grin still plastered across his face.

Alex leaned back in her own chair, a sly smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. 'You are pitifully transparent, you know that? '

He feigned confusion. ' I don't know what you mean...'

' Shall I tell you? ' She reached for the mug of tea perched on the edge of the desk, and sipped it slowly. ' You came in here to ask me to go to Athens. '

The grin was back. ' Hey - you're a mind reader! '

' But you're concerned I'll say no. '

His face became serious. ' Okay...look, Alex, I know you have unresolved issues with your family, but we really could use someone out there who speaks the language, knows the place - '

She carefully set the mug down again. ' I haven't been in over ten years, Geoff. '

' I know, I know, and I could find someone else who speaks Greek - I already have Kostas Decopoulos from uniform lined up. ' He sighed. ' Alex, we really need someone with your background on this. You're the only one who can get inside this guy's head. '

She looked at him for a long moment, letting him sweat. ' All right. ' She said eventually. ' But I have conditions. '

He folded his arms. ' Shoot. '

' Firstly, I have a say in who's on the team. '

He nodded. ' Okay. '

' And secondly...I want Jen along with us. '

Geoff shook his head slowly. ' She's a civ, Alex; can't be justified. '

' You justified her being brought in on this case in the first place, Geoff. ' She reminded him. ' And besides, it's her field. Whatever Carruthers was caught up in over there, it had something to do with those scrolls. He sent them to her, Geoff, not us. He did that for a reason. '

The D.I. chewed his lip. ' There're a lot of folks not going to like this. '

' So what? We're not in this business to please our colleagues. We're trying to apprehend a killer. And so far, Jen is the only one who has managed to make any progress on this case. I say we need her. '

He ran a hand through his hair then let out a long sigh. ' You want to come with me to explain that to the Chief Superintendent? '

She shook her head, smiling wryly. ' Your job, my friend. That's why they pay you the big money. '

He grunted, then got to his feet. ' Okay, Alex. ' He said, all business now. ' I'll do my best. '

' Thank you. '

' Thank me when it's a done deal. Drop by my office in an hour, we can go through the people I have in mind. '

She nodded, then watched him leave. The knot of tension which had begun to form in her gut that morning was tightening further, and she didn't like the feeling one iota. Some of it, she knew, was due to her returning to the city that she had vowed never to visit again after being spurned by most of her family. But there was something else, something that niggled just at the edge of her consciousness, plaguing her like a phantom toothache.

Whatever it was that caused it, she knew she'd find it in Athens

When she got home that evening, Jen was sprawled out on the rug in front of the fire, working on another scroll segment. Alex threw her coat and bag onto the sofa, shed her shoes, then sank to the rug beside her, pulling in her feet to sit cross-legged. Jen regarded her with an arched eyebrow.

' Well? '

Alex smiled. ' Looks like we may have to miss Claire's party. '

' Damn. And I was so looking forward to seeing you in a toga. ' She grinned, referring to what Alex had told her of her one experience with fancy dress. It had been a Roman Feast put on by one of the colleges at university, and she and her housemates had gone as Vestal Virgins.

Alex grimaced, remembering that the Roman Feast had rapidly descended into something more akin to a Roman Orgy.

' Maybe some other time. ' She said, reaching out to stroke back a lock of blonde hair. ' You sure you want to do this, Jen? '

' Positive, ' she pulled herself up into a sitting position. ' When do we leave? '

' Geoff's hoping for Friday, but nothing's definite yet. '

Jen nodded, then leaned in for a kiss. When she withdrew, she was smiling.

' Any thoughts on what you'd like for dinner? ' She asked, her hand tracing patterns against Alex's cheek.

Alex held her gaze, blue eyes darkening in the firelight. ' Plenty. ' She replied, her voice husky. She pulled the younger woman closer, almost into her lap, and brought their lips together again. Jen sighed against her mouth, leaning into her body, and Alex laid back, lowering them both to the rug. Her hands stroked down the length of Jen's back to the curve of her hips, slipping beneath soft, worn denim to caress warm flesh. She grasped the hem of Jen's sweater, then tugged it up and off her, flinging it behind them. Warm breasts pressed against her own, separated only by the thin silk of her blouse. Their legs slid together as the kiss deepened, and Alex rolled until Jen was beneath her, bracing her weight on her elbows. She broke the kiss, raising her head slightly so that her hair fell forward, forming a dark curtain about their faces.

' I love you. ' She whispered.

Jen's hands caressed her back, then slid down across raw silk to tug the blouse from the waist of her trousers. She repeated Alex's earlier move, pulling the garment up over her head. Alex lifted one arm then the other, until the blouse was somewhere on the floor with Jen's discarded sweater. Jen unclasped Alex's bra, dispatching that in similar fashion, then her hands cupped the face above her.

' And I love you. ' She murmured, pulling her in for another kiss.

They were still lying entangled on the rug long after the fire had burned low, their naked skin glowing in the gentle amber light. Alex, her head cushioned against Jen's breast, watched the flames die one by one, until all that remained were glowing embers. As the clock struck eight, she heard Jen's stomach emit a long, low gurgle.

' Ooops, ' Jen giggled.

Alex smiled. ' You're hungry. '

Jen let soft dark hair trickle through her fingers lazily. ' I'm always hungry. '

Alex heard a plaintive whine from the direction of the sofa. She craned her neck back to see Gaeled sprawled out there, his long muzzle resting on his front paws, brown eyes looking pleadingly at her.

' And someone else is ready for his walk. ' She turned back to her lover, brushed a kiss across the swell of her breast, then slipped from her arms and stood up. She held out a hand to her.

' Come on, ' she said, tugging her to her feet. ' if you knock us one of your delicious omelets together I'll walk mutt-face. '

Jen groaned, then glanced down at herself.

' Alex, I can't cook naked. '

' Then wear an apron. ' She grinned devilishly, then tugged her forward and kissed her soundly before turning and heading for the stairs.

Jen watched her naked back until she was out of sight, then shook her head and looked at Gaeled. He whined again, then thumped his tail against the leather of the sofa expectantly.

' Don't know why you're complaining, ' she admonished, ' at least you got dinner first. '

The dog raised his head, his jaws opening as he panted, looking for all the world like he was laughing at her. She grinned, reached out to give the coarse fur a quick stroke, then turned and began the search for her scattered clothes.

Alex woke at dawn, a feeling of unease immediately settling over her, making her limbs twitch. She glanced across the expanse of her bed, taking in the sight of her lover, curled up just inches away, her face relaxed in sleep. Thin gray light bathed the room, making everything appear monochrome, a study in shadows. Only Jen's hair stood out, an oasis of colour in the winter morning. Alex reached out to gently stroke back a tendril of it from Jen's face, then quietly slipped from the bed, reaching for her robe. The thin silk was no protection from the chill, but she continued on, flipping her hair from the neck of the robe as she left the room, gently closing the door behind her.

She didn't know why she was up - she just knew she had to be. Something was pricking at the edges of her consciousness, something demanding attention, right now. Gaeled, from his position at the top of the stairs, lifted his head and regarded her sleepily, then yawned, his teeth gleaming white in the cold light. He watched her for a moment, then lowered his head back to his paws, his eyes closing again.

' Some guard dog...' Alex muttered.

She moved first into the room beside her own, the guest bedroom. On bare feet she padded across the thick carpet, sliding up alongside the window. The curtains were open, and from here she could see the whole of the front garden, and the reservoir beyond. To the east the sun was just edging over the horizon, lending a faint pink light to the washed-out sky. She let her gaze wander across the landscape, looking for something, though she knew not what. Nothing moved in the dawn, the world still sleeping. After a few minutes she slipped from the room, quickly making her way across the landing to a third bedroom, this one containing a sturdy multi-gym and her free weights. The room was unfurnished, uncarpeted, the machine standing on bare varnished boards, the walls painted stark white. At the window to this room was a long voile blind - nothing more than a length of gauzy white material hanging from a simple wrought-iron rail, falling all the way to the floor in soft folds. She stood just to one side of the curtain, and gently eased it away from her, allowing an inch-wide view of the world outside.

The room looked out over the back of the house, giving her a view of the high stone wall, narrow road, and Winter Hill beyond. Her eyes scanned the unforgiving frost-covered moorland to the West, impossibly bleak in the winter dawn light, as yet untouched by the sun. Nothing there but skeletal gorse and huddled sheep. Her gaze moved to the road, following it from right to left. As her eyes took in the last bend before the road disappeared from view again, her breath caught in her throat.

Parked on the side of the road, huddled against the crumbling stone wall that separated road from field, was the unmistakable bulk of a car. A dark gray Saab. She squinted, trying to make out the registration, knowing already what it would be. She couldn't see the first four characters; they were obscured by the curve of her own property's wall, but the last three were unmistakable.

LVT.

She let the thin curtain fall back into place, stood for a moment with her back pressed against the wall, steadying her breathing. Then she moved swiftly, back out of the room, across the landing, into her own bedroom. Gaeled sensed her mood, and was immediately alert, leaping to his feet and bounding after her. She pulled clothes from her wardrobe - lycra leggings, a black turtle neck, underwear - and rapidly donned them. She grabbed her walking boots and thick socks, sank down on the edge of the mattress to pull them on.

' Alex?'

She turned her head, and Jen blinked sleepily at her. When she saw the look on the tall woman's face, she sat up quickly, sleep melting from her like ice beneath hot sun.

' What is it? '

' We've got company. ' Alex turned back to her task, quickly lacing up her boots. 'That car - the one that followed us on Sunday - it's parked on the road outside. '

Jen scrambled out of bed, hastily grabbing up her own clothes. She was halfway into her jeans when Alex stood, tying her hair back with black elastic.

' Jen, call the Shop. Tell whoever's on duty what's happening.. ' She headed for the door, Gaeled loping beside her.

' Wha - wait! Where are you going? ' Jen cried out, fumbling to fasten her button-fly.

' To do a little stalking of my own. ' She shot back over her shoulder. ' Don't open any curtains, don't put on any lights. '

Jen rushed out after her, pulling a sweater over her head.

' Alex, he could be armed! '

The dark woman was already nearing the bottom of the stairs, taking them three at a time. She by-passed the front door, heading instead for the kitchen, and the door which lead from there into the woodshed, facing away from the property, away from the car. Before leaving the house she paused, turning to the big dog.

' Stay, Gaeled, ' she said firmly, placing a hand on his broad head.

He whined impatiently, then backed up a pace, glancing behind him at where Jen had entered the kitchen. Alex raised her own gaze to the blonde, her face softening.

' I'll be okay. Lock the door behind me and make that call. '

Jen shook her head. ' Alex, no, wait - '

But she was already gone, slipping out into the dawn like a dark wraith, the door closing softly behind her.

' Great, ' Jen muttered, ' Just...great. '

The air was bitingly cold, nipping at the skin of her face and hands as she moved quickly and silently away from the house. She vaulted the four-foot stone wall that marked the perimeter of her garden, then crouched in its shadow, waiting. When there was no sound answering her appearance, she began to move, ducked low behind the wall, cautious of the slippery frost that crunched beneath her boots. She circled the house, her eyes scanning the surrounding land as she moved. Nothing stirred; there was not even a breeze to rattle the brittle bushes that dotted the landscape.

Alex was directly in front of the house now, and still she saw nothing, heard only the sound of her own breathing.. She moved faster, her gaze now directed at the trees just half a mile away. Had to be there - nowhere else on the barren moorland to hide. But that meant that within a few metres she would be completely exposed, wide-open in the long-range sights of any weapon this stranger may happen to be carrying....

The decision was made swiftly; in a fluid move she slid over the wall again, now shielded from view by the garden wall. She continued moving in the same direction, relying now on her hearing. Suddenly she was rewarded - an angry bird-cry split the silent air, closely followed by another. She glanced up slightly, saw two large, dark shapes taking to the air from the direction of the trees - rooks, screaming their protest at some unwelcome intrusion.

Whoever it was, they were now on the move.

She forced herself to stop, listening intently. Just barely she could hear movement now, carrying easily in the still air. The rustle of bushes, then the snap of a twig underfoot. The noises stopped for a moment, then resumed, the movement faster this time, more urgent. Had she been seen? Had he heard her? She sighed in frustration, and was rewarded with a plume of white mist from her nose and mouth.

Shit, shit, shit...

Cursing herself for not thinking of the most obvious give-away, she abandoned the notion of stealth and stood up. She was back over the wall in seconds, running as soon as her feet touched frozen earth. She headed for the low wall of the field she was now in, intending to cut the watcher off on the road by the car. As she neared the crumbling wall something moved in the periphery of her vision; she snapped her head around, saw a dark shape break from the trees, sprinting up the rutted track toward the road it lead from. Alex pushed harder, but the figure had a good lead on her, and was already turning onto the black asphalt, heading for the car. She reached the wall, leaped over it cleanly, stumbling slightly as she touched ground on the other side due to the difference in height between road and field. Regaining balance, she ran for the car some thirty yards away, but the figure, dressed in black from head to foot and face obscured by a balaclava, was already pulling open the door and sliding in behind the wheel. The engine roared to life, exhaust billowing out white smoke into the chill air, then wheels spun on gravel and the car shot forward, gears screaming at the sudden acceleration.

She followed until the car disappeared around the curve in the road, then stopped and watched as it sped away, eventually rounding another bend and being swallowed up by the landscape. Panting, she bent over, bracing her hands against her thighs, sucking cold air into her straining lungs for a few moments before straightening up and heading back toward the house.

Geoff perched on the edge of the leather sofa, eyeing the two women seated opposite. They sat at either end of the leather couch, the distance between them filled with the sprawling body of the large dog. Gaeled's head rested on Alex's knee, and she stroked one furry ear absently as she spoke.

' So, like I said...all I got to see was a lot of dark clothing. '

The DI screwed up his forehead, chewing on his bottom lip. After a minute he shook his head.

' No weapon? '

' Nothing obvious. But that's not to say he wasn't carrying. '

Jen glanced at her lover, amazed at the calm timbre of her voice. She herself was still shaking, and it had been over two hours ago now...

' By the way, ' Alex put in, ' have you cleared it for us to leave tomorrow? '

Geoff sighed, leaning back against the supple leather cushions. ' Problems like you wouldn't believe. It's gonna be Sunday, Alex. Back Wednesday, with any luck. '

She glanced at Jen. ' Your interview is Tuesday. ' She said softly.

The smaller blonde reached over and laid a hand on her arm. ' I can reschedule that - it just takes a phone call. '

' You sure? '

' Yes. ' Jen glanced up as two uniformed officers came in from the hallway, and self-consciously removed her hand from Alex's arm.

Geoff was peering at her curiously. ' You got a job lined up? '

' Um...sort of. A lecturing post. In Southampton. '

He looked from one to the other, and seeing the sudden disquiet, chose not to question further.

' Oh...good luck with it. '

' Thanks. ' Jen eased herself out from beneath Gaeled's hind quarters and stood up, dusting dog hairs from her jeans. ' I'll go make that phone call. Might as well put the kettle on again whilst I'm in the kitchen. '

Alex watched her go, then turned to Geoff.

' Listen, ' she said quietly, deliberately keeping her voice low to avoid the two uniforms hearing her, ' is there any way you can get me licensed for a weapon? '

Geoff stared at her. ' What?! Alex, are you nuts? ' He glanced at the two coppers, now standing by the security monitors in the corner, then got up and moved to sit in Jen's previous position. ' Have you any idea of the red tape involved in getting you cleared to carry a fire arm? Alex, you're not even an officer. Not to mention the fact that you'd be required to go through intensive training just to learn how to handle a gun. ' He shook his head. ' By the time you were qualified, this could be all over anyway. '

She let her head fall back against the back rest, staring up at the ceiling. After releasing a long sigh, she turned slightly to bring her blue gaze back to his face.

' What's the standard issue weapon? Smith and Wesson .38? '

Geoff frowned. ' Yeah....sometimes a Sig Sauer. '

' I've used both. ' And a few more besides, she added silently to herself.

He stared at her. ' You got any certification? '

Alex smiled wryly. ' No. But I can get it if necessary. '

He shook his head slowly. ' They'll make you do it their way, Alex. '

' Fine! ' She snapped. ' Then send me on the damned course! '

At his startled look, she sighed heavily, closing her eyes and rubbing the bridge of her nose with long fingers.

' Sorry, ' she said eventually, her voice back to it's usual low alto, ' it's been a strange morning. '

' Say that again. ' He agreed. ' Look, Alex, if you want this, I'll see what I can do. '

' Today? '

He nodded. ' All right. No promises, though. '

Promises or not, that afternoon Geoff drove Alex out to the armed officers training site, a large, old house set in the Cheshire countryside. After filling out the prerequisite forms at the desk in the foyer, a man in dark blue trousers and a matching sweater, recognisable instantly as part of the armed-force's uniform, came out to meet them.

' Detective Inspector Rob Veitch. ' He said, extending his hand first to Geoff, then Alex. She appraised him calmly, noting the strength of his grip, the openness of his expression. He was tall, about six-two, she guessed, well built but maintaining an impression of muscularity rather than weight. She'd guess he was in his early forties, based on the lines on his tanned face and the peppering of gray in his sandy hair.

He turned bright hazel eyes on her. ' I hear you've had some experience with hand guns before? '

Alex suppressed the smile threatening to break out across her face. ' Ah...yes, some. Prior to joining the force I was a naval officer. '

His eyebrow twitched upward slightly. ' I see...not standard training though, from what I understand of the military.'

She met his curious gaze evenly. ' No. It's not. '

He held her gaze for a long moment, then nodded briefly. ' Right. Well, let's see what you remember. '

He lead them down into the basement of the building, through a narrow network of passageways that Alex was sure extended well away from the main building above. At last they were shown through a metal doorway, into a room that Alex instantly recognised as a shooting range. A row of Plexiglas booths stood ahead of them, and beyond, against the far wall, a series of targets. Veitch moved to a table that ran the length of the wall nearby, and picked up three sets of ear defenders. He handed them a set each, then moved to a large steel door set into the wall. He rapidly keyed in a series of digits on the digital pad by the handle; there was a beep, then he was swinging the door wide. Alex let her eyes travel across the array of weaponry mounted inside, taking in everything from handguns - Smith & Wesson, Sigs, Glocks, Colts - to the more exotic and infinitely more dangerous semi-automatics and machine guns. There was even a Heckler and Koch in there, much to her surprise, but she forced her expression to remain neutral, waiting for Veitch to speak.

' You recognise any of these? ' He asked, stepping aside to allow them both a good view of the weapons.

Alex pursed her lips. ' You asking me to name names, Inspector Veitch? '

He shrugged, so she stepped forward, placed her hand on the gun in the top left-hand corner of the safe. ' Smith & Wesson, .38 calibre. ' The next. ' Glock, .44 calibre - mainly used by American intelligence...' she continued on until she reached the last weapon in the array, the squat black machine gun in the bottom right. ' And this...' her eyes came up to meet his, amusement shining in their blue depths, ' ..shouldn't even be here, Inspector. Been having trouble with the Russian cartels again? '

He stared at her, then released a bark of laughter. ' Alright, you know what they look like. Let's see if you know how to shoot. '

Geoff was a little unnerved by his colleague's knowledge of the weapons, but it was nothing compared to the utter shock he felt when she started shooting. In a text-book stance, she fired off round after round, target after target coming back with perfect results. Veitch didn't comment, just kept handing her different weapons, spare clips, more rounds, until they had exhausted everything but the machine guns. Alex handed back a sharp-shooter rifle, and pulled off her ear defenders. The smell of caudite was thick in the air.

' Shall I continue? ' She asked calmly.

Veitch just grunted. ' I think I've seen enough. '

Geoff eased his own ear defenders from his head, running a hand through his hair. As Veitch moved back to the gun safe, he stepped closer to Alex.

' I'm not even gonna ask where you learned to do that. ' He said, his voice a little unsteady.

She smiled at him. ' Geoff, I have many talents. You should know that by now. '

He laughed, but his eyes were still registering shock. ' I don't think I want to know the rest. '

' You don't. ' She turned, sensing the other man approaching. He held the Sig in one hand, a spent clip in the other.

' Okay, Ms. Perry. We have to be sure that you know how to maintain the weapon. ' A small smile played at his lips. ' Something tells me that you're gonna ace this as well, but we have to follow procedure. '

She nodded, taking the cool weapon from his hand. Crossing to the bench she quickly stripped it down, amazed at the ease with which the once-familiar maneuvers came back to her. Using the materials provided on the table, she cleaned and oiled the parts, then snapped them back into place, locking in the spent clip lastly, then handing the gun back to Veitch.

' That okay? ' She asked.

He nodded, not having to inspect the gun. He'd watched her every move with avid interest.

' Just one more thing, Ms. Perry - a theory test. You can have a while to study, if you wish - '

She shook her head. ' No, it's fine. I think I remember most of it. '

' Well...if you're sure. '

She nodded. ' I am. ' She hoped she was; she didn't want to spend another night at home without some protection for Jen and herself, not after the events of that morning.

Veitch eventually lead them back upstairs, to an empty class room on the first floor. He produced a test paper and pen, seated Alex at a desk near the front, then lead Geoff back out into the corridor.

' Take a seat, Inspector Barrett. ' He said, indicating a low, leatherette couch placed against the wall. Geoff sat, and Veitch perched himself on the edge of the seat beside him, turning to look him in the face.

' I probably shouldn't be asking this, ' he said quietly, ' but I'm curious. Do you have any idea what Ms. Perry did in the Navy? '

Geoff shook his head slowly. ' Her records don't give much away, other than the fact that she was involved in foreign affairs. '

Veitch stared at him for a long moment, then he sat back, his hands splayed against his thighs.

' Well...I'll tell you this for free. Whatever it was, it involved the use of firearms. It's not often I come across anyone with that kind of aptitude. '

No, Geoff thought to himself, I'll bet it's not.

Alex was done in half the allotted time, and she and Geoff were directed toward the cafeteria whilst her paper was marked. They spoke little, just stared out of the picture windows at the beautifully maintained gardens of the house, lush and green looking even in January. After the minutes stretched away to almost half an hour, Veitch came to find them, sliding into the plastic seat beside Geoff, facing Alex.

' Well? ' She arched an eyebrow at him, putting down her cup. ' Did I pass? '

' Perfect score. ' He extended his hand. ' Congratulations. '

She shook, then leaned back in her seat. ' So when can I be authorised? '

Veitch folded his arms across his chest. ' Already done. ' He glanced at Geoff. ' I was told this was a rush job - that still true? '

The DI nodded. ' Yeah. It is. '

' Fine. Meet me up in reception in five minutes - I'll kit you out. '

Veitch handed her a small black leather case whilst Geoff signed the necessary documents.

' Sig. ' He said simply. ' That okay? '

She nodded, testing the weight of the case in her hand, then sliding it onto the polished desk beside her. Geoff slid the first of the forms over, and she grabbed a pen, signing on the dotted line.

' Ms. Perry? '

She turned her head to look at Veitch. ' Yes? '

' You ever get tired of playing shrink over at Chester House, you give me a call, okay? We could always use someone of your calibre here. '

She smiled at him. ' Thanks. I'll remember that. '

Geoff maintained his wall of silence until they were heading down the slip ramp back onto the motorway, heading for home.

' You want to tell me? ' He said eventually, his words clipped and measured.

Alex felt the familiar tingle of reluctance coursing down her spine. ' Geoff...I was in the Navy, okay? I had some weapons practice. '

He shook his head. ' No, Alex. ' He glanced over his right shoulder, then steered the Mondeo into the middle lane. ' After what I saw today....you've had more than a little practice. What exactly was your job, Alex? Were you a weapons specialist? Some covert operations thing? '

She turned to stare out at the passing scenery, her lips firmly pressed together.

Geoff glanced sidelong at her, and froze.

Holy shit....

' Alex? ' His voice was tentative now, the previous banked-anger now gone. Eventually she sighed, leaning her forehead against the cool glass.

' Both, Geoff. I was an SBS operative. '

He let it sink in for a moment, then pulled back into the inside lane, steering the car onto the hard shoulder and bringing it to a standstill. After shutting off the engine he turned to look at her, his right arm resting across the wheel.

' Alex...don't you think I should have known this? '

She turned to him, and he was astonished by the pain in her eyes. ' Why, Geoff? So you could use me in the field? Send me out to face-off with the worst scum the city has to offer? ' She laughed, a brittle, harsh sound that had nothing to do with humour. ' I don't do that anymore. Why do you think I came out of the service? Why do you think I spent four years of hard graft getting qualified? '

He was shaking his head. ' No, Alex, no.....' he reached out, wrapped warm fingers around her wrist. ' But it might have helped explain a few things. Like the O'Reilly case, and what you did on Sunday. '

She remembered the case from over a year back, a pedophile involved in making snuff videos which were traded via the Internet around the world. Alex had worked the case, her profile eventually leading them in the direction of the child rapist and killer. She had been on the team that turned up at his house one bright August morning - quite by accident, as it happened, as the address they had was listed as his sister's home - and inside they had found him busy at his trade. Alex had heard cries from upstairs, had kicked the door in herself, instinct taking over as she raced toward the noise. In a bedroom upstairs, a room shuttered from daylight, lit by harsh film lights, she had witnessed the horror first-hand.

Seamus O'Reilly, a chubby, balding man, well into his forties, was standing by a bed draped in crisp white sheets. Across it, tied to the bedposts, was a naked young boy, no more than seven years old, sobbing his heart out. His face was puffy, a dark bruise forming beneath one eye. Alex stared at the child, then at the cowering man busily pressing himself into the wall, his face crumpling. He was fully clothed, but that didn't mean anything.

' Did he touch you? ' She asked, her voice dangerously low.

The child didn't answer, just sobbed harder. She felt anger coiling up from deep within, firing her blood, darkening her eyes. She was aware of other officers entering the room, one female constable moving to kneel beside the boy, gently freeing him from his bonds. Another was talking into his hand radio. The other two were starting past her, moving toward the man who was, by now, sobbing himself.

She reached out with both hands, grabbing their arms.

' No. ' She said softly. ' Take the boy, and get out. '

One of them, a bright young sergeant, tried to shake his arm free.

' Dr. Perry, we have to arrest him - '

' Later. ' She turned to look at him, and something in her eyes made him start back in shock. ' I just need a few minutes. '

The female officer was wrapping the child in a sheet, lifting him into her arms. With a quick look at them, she started moving toward the stairs. Once she was gone, Alex let the anger come.

' Out! ' She roared. ' Now! '

For some reason, known only to their gods and themselves, the three remaining police officers chose not to argue with her, retreating from the room. Once their footsteps had faded from the stairs, she turned and kicked out at the door, sending it crashing closed. When she returned her attention to the wide-eyed man in the corner, he was shaking visibly.

' Wh...what...do you w-want? ' He sobbed, his hands wringing before him.

Alex closed her eyes briefly against the urge to break his neck there and then.

' I'm a psychologist. ' She said eventually, keeping her voice even and low. ' I've spent the last three months getting inside your head, Mr. O'Reilly. ' She let her gaze harden. ' And you know what?'

He tried to speak, couldn't, so shook his head frantically.

' I didn't like what I found. '

The pathetic fear etched across his face was enough to make her pause. For a brief moment she contemplated just dragging him down the stairs and tossing him into the waiting arms of the boys in blue. But then her mind served up a few choice images from one of his little ' video masterpieces', and she allowed the resultant surge of anger to swell and boil, welcomed it, honed it to a fine, lethal, shining point.

Then used it.

The officers down stairs heard the screaming begin, and actually allowed it to continue for long, uncomfortable minutes. Only when the voice was weakening, incomprehensible syllables drawn ragged at the edges, did one of them, Sergeant Wilkins, begin to move.

' Enough. ' He muttered, making for the stairs. His colleagues followed, and as they neared the top of the stairs they became worried about what they might find in the bedroom. It was Wilkins who threw the door open, stepping once more into the nightmare. He stopped short, taking in the image of the man, now slumped in the corner, and Alex, standing in the middle of the room, looking as composed as ever.

There wasn't so much as a scratch on either of them.

Later, in the comparatively safe environment of the local police cells, O'Reilly had attempted to bring charges of brutality against the tall woman. But there were no marks found on his body, not so much as a bruise, and none of the arresting team were about to testify to the fact that she had been alone with him. And so the charges never made it onto paper.

And a new legend was born

' Alex? '

She brought herself back to the present, suddenly feeling tired.

' What, Geoff? '

' You want off this case? '

She stared at him, realising that he was trying to give her a get-out clause, a way to bury the past again, to bury the feelings that were coming back to life after years of repression. Gratified, and a little humbled by his consideration for her, she reached out and placed a hand on his arm.

' No, Geoff. Thanks, but I think it's a little late for that now. '

He held her gaze a moment longer, then gave a brief nod before starting the engine and heading back out into the traffic.

Jen was horrified by the idea of having a gun in the house. However, any arguments she may have formed were quashed by the memory of that morning, and the stark terror she'd felt at Alex's going out to face the prowler alone. Still, she was uneasy just looking at the dark case, and so Alex locked it away in her desk drawer, stashing the key inside a box full of blank diskettes.

Neither of them slept particularly well that night, and both were feeling groggy the next morning. They left together, Alex dropping Jen off at the university, promising to pick her up around five. If Jen thought her day had started badly, when she got into the office and saw Claire, she realised that it could only get worse.

' Jen! Babe! ' The red-head greeted her enthusiastically. ' All set for tonight? '

Jen frowned. ' What? '

' Tonight...ohhh, come on! ' Claire shook her head. ' Don't tell me you forgot! '

When Jen continued to look blank, Claire folded her arms across her chest. ' The party? Remember? You and Alex promised to come. '

Jen sank down into her chair, rubbing at her temples wearily. ' Claire, I don't know if we'll be able to make it...'

' What?!' the girl shrieked. ' Jen, you have to! It's going to be the best party this side of the millenium! '

The blonde shook her head. ' You don't understand - there's some...things happening.'

Claire frowned. ' What kind of things? '

' It's...I can't say, but things are pretty crazy right now and -'

' All the more reason to get out and enjoy yourselves! Come on...' she pouted, giving her friend her best puppy-dog face, ' ...please, Jen. Say you'll come. '

Jen sighed. ' We don't even have costumes...'

' No problem - I don't mind. Just come, okay? '

Jen finally wilted beneath the force of Claire's pleading look. ' Well...we'll try, all right? '

' Great! '

' But no promises. '

' It's a deal. '

Blissful silence settled; Jen booted up her computer, began loading up a recent file. She was just about to get down to work when Claire's voice drifted across the office again.

' Jen? '

' Hmm? '

' Aren't you giving a lecture at quarter past? '

Jen frowned. ' No, that's next.....' she glanced at the calendar pinned to the board over her desk, saw the date circled in red, then looked down at her watch.

Ten past nine.

' Shit...' she leaped up, began grabbing notes from her disordered desk. ' Shit, shit, shit...'

Claire watched with amusement as hurricane Jen whirled through the office then left, trailing a string of expletives behind her.

The lecture went smoothly, despite her being totally unprepared. Not that she though anyone present would have noticed - nine-fifteen lectures on a Friday morning were notoriously badly attended, and most of those present were half asleep anyway. There were no questions afterward, and the class filed out quietly, heading for the next lecture or a much-needed coffee. Jen packed up her make-shift notes, cleaned the board, and was about to leave when she heard the lecture-room door creak open. She looked up, sure that the students had long-since departed, and squinted up across the tiers of seats and benches. A slim form was standing in the shadows at the back of the room, features obscured by the shadows.

' Hello? ' Jen called out, panic beginning to prickle across her spine.

' Hi ,sis. '

Jen's eyes widened, her mouth falling open. ' Andi? '

The form stepped into the light, began descending towards her. Jen could see her now, dark tailored trousers and jacket, auburn hair shining beneath harsh fluorescents, her face split in a wide grin. She rushed forward to meet her, and at the foot of the stairs they embraced, laughing like a couple of children. At last Andi stepped back, holding her older sister at arm's length.

' Let me look at you...Christ, haven't those jeans fallen apart yet? '

Jen glanced down at her trademark faded denims, then grinned at her sister. ' You look great too, Andrea. '

' Thanks. ' She touched her hair. ' Like the new 'do? '

Jen reached out a hand to run her fingers through the short, straight bob, then nodded. ' Suits you...bet Mum had a fit, though. '

Andi rolled her eyes and snorted. ' I'm twenty-six years old - when is she going to realise this? '

Jen laughed, then her face sobered and she shook her head. ' Andi...what are you doing here? '

Her sister's face clouded a little. ' I needed to get away for a while. Do you mind? '

' No - hell, no. ' She laid a hand on her arm. ' What is it? '

Andrea sighed. ' I called off the engagement. '

' What?!' Jen gasped. ' But...why? I thought you and Rob were so happy together..'

' We were - I just...' she shook her head, then looked up as the door on the lecture floor creaked open, and a woman carrying a tall stack of acetates and papers staggered in.

' Come on, ' Jen turned and hurriedly retrieved her notes, then took her sister's arm. 'Let's go get a coffee. '

They sat in the cafe, the same one Jen and Alex had sat in just a few short weeks ago. Feels like a lifetime, Jen mused, settling herself opposite her sister, passing over a large mug of latte.

' So...' she said, after a tentative sip of the hot liquid, ' ...what happened? '

Andi shrugged, looking down at the table. ' I realised I don't love him, Jen. ' She said softly. ' Not enough to marry him, anyway. '

Jen sat back, stunned. Her sister and her fiancé had always appeared to be the perfect couple. They'd met at university, been friends for almost four years before Rob had ended up moving to the same city as Andi now lived in, and the relationship had progressed from there. They'd been together as a couple for over three years, had even bought a house together. The wedding had been planed for months, was to take place in July, in the small parish church of their home town.

' God, Andi...' Jen eventually breathed. ' I'm so sorry...'

Her sister shrugged, hazel eyes coming up to meet green. ' I'm okay, Jen. Rob's not too great, but...he'll survive. It's for the best, in the long run. ' She picked up her coffee, sipped at it, then set it down again. ' He's buying me out of the house; I'm staying with a friend for now - you remember Jocelyn? '

Jen nodded. ' You work together, right? '

' Yeah - saves on petrol. ' She smiled, but the gesture didn't quite reach her eyes. 'So, hotshot, how's things with you? '

Where to begin? I'm working under-cover for the police, being stalked by a killer we're trying to catch...oh yeah, and I've fallen in love. With a woman.

Jen just shrugged. ' Okay. ' She scratched at the pitted surface of the table. ' Nearly finished my thesis. '

' Jen - that's great! '

' I know - ' she looked up, suddenly restless. ' Andi, how about we get out of here? There's a few things I want to talk to you about. '

They sat in the back room of The Three Tuns, in a secluded booth, each nursing a half pint of Guinness, despite the fact it was only half past eleven. Jen eyed her sister across the table, taking a long swallow of the thick dark stout. Eventually Andi sat back, releasing a long sigh.

' Okay, what's going on? '

Jen set her glass on the table, her fingers sliding down to circle its base.

' Andi, I...I've met someone.'

Her sister blinked, then a huge grin broke out over her face. ' What?! Jen, that's fantastic. ' She leaned closer again, resting her arms atop the tabletop. ' Who is he - a student? '

' Noooo...a lecturer, actually. Part-time. '

' Oh. ' Andi frowned slightly. ' Isn't that against the rules or something? '

Jen shook her head, staring down at her hands. ' Not really...different discipline, anyway.'

' And does this lecturer have a name? '

' Yeah. ' Her gaze came up to meet her sister's. ' She's called Alex. '

There was silence as Andi took in what Jen had just said, then she blinked slowly, shaking her head. ' Jen...a...a woman? '

Jen nodded, gazing intently at her sister's face, trying to gauge her reaction. After another stunned silence, Andi quirked an eyebrow upwards.

' You love her? '

She swallowed, nodding again. ' Yes. I love her. '

' Wow...' Andi sat back, falling bonelessly against the backrest. '...and I thought I had news. '

Jen smiled, despite the tension. She was relieved when Andi returned the grin, then leaned forward to take her hands.

' Jen, ' she said softly, ' I don't give a flying-fuck who you find happiness with, just as long as you find it. Okay? '

She nodded, squeezing Andi's hands. ' Thanks, sis. '

' No problem. ' She smiled again. ' So...do I get to meet her? '

' Um...yeah. Actually, you'll have to, if you're staying. I'm living with her at the moment. '

' My God...fast worker!'

' Not really...Andi, there's something else you need to know. Alex's full-time job is with the police - she's a criminal psychologist, a profiler. I've been working with her on a case...'

The morning stretched into the afternoon as they talked. They ate a late lunch in the pub, then Andi went off to do some shopping whilst Jen made her way back to the university. She tried to concentrate on work, but her mind was elsewhere, worrying about her sister, and about her forthcoming trip to Athens. It would be nice to see George again, but this wasn't exactly going to be a social visit.

Claire had given herself the afternoon off in order to go and get the house ready for the party; the boys were out, so Jen had the office to herself. At just after four Alex arrived, and Jen was more than happy to shut down her computer and stop pretending to do anything constructive. Alex sensed her disquiet, and watched her packing up things, leaning back against the wall, her arms crossed across her chest. After long minutes, she finally spoke.

' All right, what's bothering you? '

Jen paused, then turned to look at her.

' My sister showed up this morning. She wants to stay with us for the weekend. '

Alex raised an eyebrow. ' I see...does she know what's going on, Jen?'

The blonde ran a hand through already disorganised hair, and nodded. ' Yeah...we had a long lunch, I told her everything. '

' Well then...' she stood upright, letting her arms drop back to her sides, and crossed the room. ' ...I don't see a problem. ' She circled Jen's waist with her arms, drawing her close. Jen sighed into her jacket front, wrapping her arms about Alex, breathing her in. After a minute she tilted her head back to look up into her eyes.

' There's something else. Claire's party. '

Alex just smiled. ' I know. To be honest, I think it would do us good, to get out for a while and let our hair down. '

Jen frowned. ' Alex...it's a costume party...'

' So? '

She blinked. ' We..uh..don't have costumes. '

Alex grinned, smoothing back Jen's hair from her puckered brow. ' Yes, we do. '

A slow smile curled Jen's lips. ' You went out and got us costumes? '

' Yep. This afternoon. They're in the car. '

' What are they? '

She shook her head. ' It's a surprise. '

Jen opened her mouth to protest, but at that moment the door creaked open. They stepped away from each other, just as a small, auburn haired woman backed into the room, heavily laden with shopping bags.

' When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping, ' she sang, executing a neat turn that brought her into the small office and allowed the door to close behind her. When she saw that there were two people present, she paused.

' Oh...sorry, Jen, didn't realise you had company...'

Jen eyed the bags pointedly. ' I see you had a productive afternoon. '

Andi shrugged, dumping the bags on Jen's desk. ' Therapy. ' She dusted off her hands, then thrust one toward the stranger.

' Hi. I'm Andrea, Jen's sister. '

Alex took the proffered hand, and shook it. ' Pleased to meet you, ' she said smoothly, ' Alex Perry. '

Andi's hand fell to her side, and she stared up at the imposing woman. She had managed to form an image in her head of the woman whom Jen had fallen in love with, based on her limited knowledge of the lesbian 'scene' and the few gay friends she had. This strikingly handsome, designer-clothed vision made her realise just how erroneously stereotyped that image was.

' Uh...hello. ' She stammered, willing herself not to blush.

Alex saw the confusion in her eyes, and smiled reassuringly. ' Jen tells me you're staying for the weekend. '

' Um...yeah...I mean, if that's okay...'

' It's fine. It'll be nice to get to know more of Jen's family. ' She glanced at her lover. ' After all, she's had the dubious pleasure of meeting my brother. '

Jen swiped at her arm. ' Ignore her, Andi - her brother is lovely. '

Alex favoured her with a grin, then turned to Andi again. ' Shall we make a move? I'd like to get on the road before the traffic gets any worse. '

' Sure. ' Andi reached for her bags again, but Alex placed a hand on her arm.

' Let me help - that's a lot of shopping. '

Andi looked at her, and when she saw the twinkle of amusement in her eyes, she laughed.

' Yeah...I guess it is. Thanks. '

' Wow...Alex, this is a great house...'

Andi was slumped comfortably on one of the sofas, gazing around at the living room. She'd had the guided tour, and they were now sipping Chardonnay, relaxing in front of the fire.

' Thanks. ' Alex said simply. ' I like it. '

Gaeled ambled in from the kitchen, licking the remains of his dinner from his chops and lazily wagging his tail. As he headed for Jen, seated beside her, Andi eyed him warily.

' And that's one helluva big dog. '

Jen obligingly scratched between his ears. ' He's just a big ol' softy, ain'tcha, boy?'

On cue, he laid his head in her lap, and Alex laughed.

' You spoil him rotten!'

' Nah, ' Jen ducked her head and kissed him between the eyes. The long tail thumped harder against the floor. ' He's a babe. ' She looked at her sister. ' Listen, we have an invite to a party tonight - '

Andi held up her hand. ' Hey, you guys should go - don't let my being here spoil your evening. '

Jen pinned her with her gaze. ' What I was about to say, is that you should come with us. '

' Oh. ' She blinked. ' You sure? '

' We're not leaving you here alone. ' Alex reaffirmed. Andi caught the look that passed between the two women, and swallowed. Jen had told her about the events of the previous morning.

' Okay, but...I don't have anything suitable to wear for a party. Is it formal? '

Jen laughed. ' Hell, no. It's a student party, Andi. Fancy dress. '

' Ah. Then I'm in even more of a predicament. '

Alex studied her for a long moment, then smiled slowly. ' I have an idea. '

Jen eyed her reflection in the mirror with trepidation. ' Alex...I look like a whore. '

Alex came up behind her, peering over her shoulder. She grinned slowly. ' You're supposed to. How do you think saloon girls earned a living? '

Jen smoothed her hands down the bright blue satin that encased her ribs, then turned slowly to the side. The bodice fit snugly, the satin trimmed with black lace and fastened in the front with black ribbons that criss-crossed between her breasts. It was cut low, both in front and back, and the narrow sleeves were off-the-shoulder, but it was thankfully boned, so she didn't need underwear. The skirt fell in back to her lower calves, but was scooped up at the front so that it barely covered her thighs. beneath it she wore fishnet stockings, and a pair of heeled black granny boots completed the ensemble.

She patted her hair, curled and partially pinned up, and batted her eyelashes at Alex.

' Wanna buy me a drink, cowboy? '

Alex laughed and spun her around into her arms, then reached up to tip back the wide-brimmed stetson set on her head.

' Well, sure, ma'am. It'll be my pleasure. ' She drawled.

Jen let her gaze travel down her lover's body, releasing a low whistle.

' You don't look half bad yourself. '

Alex looked dangerous, that was the only word Jen could find to describe her. Black leather trousers, cowboy boots with silver spurs, a black silk shirt and a tight black leather waistcoat. Slung low on her hips was a gun belt, and from it hung two silver reproduction pistols. Her sleeves were rolled up a little, and on each wrist was a thick silver bracelet, studded with bright turquoise.

Jen curled her hand around Alex's neck, then brought her down for a kiss. When she released her, she grinned wickedly.

' I can't wait to get you out of those leathers...'

Alex reached up between them, toying with one of the ribbons that held the bodice closed.

' You, ma'am, are a tease...'

' Uh-huh. ' She batted her eyelashes again. ' You ain't seen nothin' yet. '

Alex laughed, then gave her another, quick, kiss. ' Save it, hon. Let's go get Ms. FBI and get this damned party over with. '

Andi was already downstairs, finishing off the wine. She looked up as the two entered the living room, and gaped.

' My God...excellent costumes! '

Jen stared at her sister. She wore the same black, tailored trouser suit as she had arrived in, but with her hair parted on one side, and her make-up slightly different, she'd been transformed. The ID badge, complete with scanned-in picture, which Alex had made on her computer was clipped to her breast pocket.

' Dr. Scully, I presume. ' Jen said, grinning.

Andi screwed up her face. ' You think it works? I feel like I hardly made the effort...'

Alex nodded. ' Oh, it works, alright. In fact, it's kind of...'

' Spooky. ' Jen supplied.

Alex and Andi looked at her, then at each other, and promptly burst out laughing.

' What? ' Jen frowned. ' What did I say? '

It was almost ten when they arrived at Claire's house, and the party was in full swing. The redhead greeted them enthusiastically at the door, ushering them inside. Over the thump of a heavy bass line, Jen introduced her sister, and Claire shrieked with mirth when she caught sight of her badge.

' Oh, Andi, you're gonna feel right at home - we already have three species of alien in here. They're just gonna die when they see you....'. She winked one heavily made-up eye at Jen, and slid her arm through Andi's. ' Come, let Cleopatra show you around her humble palace...'

Jen shook her head as she watched them leave.

' She should come with a government health warning attached. ' She mused. Alex chuckled, then took her arm.

' Come on. Let's go find ourselves a drink. '

' That's some outfit.'

Jen wrenched her gaze from Alex and her sister, chatting together on the other side of the room, and turned to regard the speaker. He was tall, of slim-build, and dressed as the Lone Ranger. In one hand he clutched a can of Pilsner; the other was occupied with a hand rolled cigarette that smelled of more than just tobacco. His black mask was pushed up onto his forehead, and dark brown eyes regarded her steadily. He grinned.

' Dave Mallett. ' He said, then stuck the joint between his lips and extended his hand.

She shook. ' Jen Gordon. '

He plucked the cigarette from his mouth, blowing out a stream of fragrant smoke.

' Hi, Jen Gordon. Haven't seen you around before. '

' No? ' She shrugged. ' You at uni?'

He nodded. ' I'm a research assistant in the psychology department. '

' Really? ' Jen glanced across the room at Alex, who had her back to her. ' Must be interesting...'

' Sometimes. ' He looked her up and down again. ' How about you? '

' What about me? '

He quirked his eyebrows. ' What do you do with your time, Jen Gordon? '

' I'm just completing my Ph.D. - ancient bardic works. '

He nodded. ' Ever go out for a drink? Eat dinner? '

She smiled disingenuously. ' Are you hitting on me? '

' And if I was? '

' You'd be wasting your time. ' She shrugged. ' Sorry. '

He looked at her for a moment, then laughed. ' Okay. Still, I'm not going to get in trouble for just talking to you, am I? '

Jen shook her head, smiling. ' No...I think you're safe. '

' From what? '

The both started slightly, and turned to find Alex looking at them bemusedly.

' Uh...nothing. ' Jen winked at her new friend, who was staring at Alex.

' Dr. Perry? '

Alex smiled. ' Hello, Mr. Mallett. Having fun? '

' Yeah...great party. Didn't expect to see you here though. '

She just raised her eyebrows at him. Jen was looking about her, frowning.

' Um...Alex, where's Andi? '

' I left her talking with the M.I.B. over there. ' She jerked a thumb over her shoulder. Jen peered across the room, and shook her head.

' I don't see her. '

Alex turned, a frown beginning to pucker her brow. ' But she's right...'

The room was full of people in various guises, none of whom appeared to be Andi or the man in black Alex had left her with.

' Maybe she went into the kitchen...' Jen said, feeling a shiver of apprehension work down her spine.

Alex met her gaze. ' I'll go look. '

' I'll check the rest of the house. '

Jen frantically moved from room to room, her fears increasing with each unsuccessful search. Eventually she bumped into Claire, on her way up the stairs to the bathroom. She grinned at Jen, swaying slightly, her braided wig slipping slightly to the left.

' Hey, hon. ' She slurred. ' Havin' a good time? '

Jen grabbed her by the arms, panic beginning to creep into her actions.

' Have you seen Andi? '

' You mean Scully? ' She frowned, thinking for a minute, then shook her head. 'No...not for a while. She was with Alex, in the lounge. ' Claire grinned. ' C'mon, she's a Fibbie - she can take care of herself. '

Jen stepped back slightly on the small landing, resisting the urge to scream in frustration.

' Claire, she could be in trouble...'

The young woman blinked, then leaned back against the wall. ' What's going on, Jen? What aren't you telling me? '

' Jen? '

The blonde looked down the stairwell, saw Alex coming toward them, her face set in a serious mask. She felt her stomach lurch.

' You find her? ' She breathed.

Alex shook her head, looked at Claire, who was rapidly sobering up.

' Claire, there was a man downstairs, dressed in a black suit, wearing dark glasses..'

' The Tommy Lee Jones wannabe? ' She nodded, frowning slightly. ' Yeah, I saw him. Don't know who the hell he is. Maybe one of the guys invited him...'

Alex reached out to grasp her shoulder. ' I need you to find out. '

' Sure..' she shook her head again, pushed her wig back into position, then set off back down the stairs. Jen looked at Alex with frightened eyes.

' What shall we do? '

Alex reached out to lay a reassuring hand on her shoulder. ' Go lock the back door - I'll take care of the front. No-one leaves until we find out who she was with, okay? '

Jen nodded, then set off down the stairs, closely followed by Alex.

Claire drew a blank with her housemates. When no one could be found who knew who the stranger was, Alex called Geoff at home. After explaining the situation to him, she hung up the phone and went in search of Claire.

' Turn off the music, and get everyone into the lounge. ' She ordered. The slender redhead was pale beneath her make-up, but she nodded. Jen was beside herself.

' Alex...' she grasped her by the arms, her eyes wide with fear. ' What if it's him...'

The taller woman shook her head. ' We don't know that, Jen. She may have just gone for a walk...'

' In a strange town, on a freezing cold February night? Jen shook her head. ' No...she wouldn't go anywhere without telling me first - she knows what's going on, Alex. She knows how worried I'd be...'

' Jen...' she sighed, then stepped closer and raised her hand to her lover's face, gently cupping her cheek. ' We'll find her, okay? '

For a long time she stared up into Alex's clear blue eyes, trying to draw some strength, some comfort from therein. Eventually she nodded, and released her death-grip on Alex's arms.

' Okay. ' She said, her voice ragged.

Geoff arrived in under thirty minutes; with him came two of his detectives, Ed Wilson, a muscular coloured man, and Indira Desai, a small, slender Indian woman whom Jen recognised from one of the meetings at Chester House. Alex let them in, and led them through to the lounge, now crowded with confused party guests.

' Several people saw them talking together, ' Alex informed them quietly, ' but no one saw them leave. '

Geoff nodded. ' All we can do Alex is take names. ' He glanced over to where Jen was standing beside Claire and the guy dressed as the Lone Ranger. ' You're sure she wouldn't have just left with this guy? '

' Jen is. ' She rubbed at her temples, feeling the start of a headache beginning to blossom behind her eyes. ' Any chance of getting her description out to uniform, have them keep an eye on the streets? '

Geoff nodded. ' Already done, my friend. ' He frowned at her concernedly. ' You okay, Alex? You look a little pale. '

Alex shook her head. ' It's nothing. Let's get this wrapped up, Geoff. '

He motioned for the two detectives to join him, and Alex made her way back to Jen.

' Hey. ' She said softly, ' You okay? '

Jen looked up at her, fear and anxiety bleeding from her eyes. ' Not really. ' She breathed. ' What's Geoff going to do? '

Alex sighed, reaching out to place a hand at Jen's back. She rubbed the warm skin between her shoulder blades with soothing strokes. ' All they can do is take everyone's names and follow up later. '

Jen stared at her, horrified. ' That's it? No search, no-'

' Jen, ' Alex squeezed her shoulder, ' he's already put out a description to uniform - the patrols will keep an eye out for her and for the guy she was with. '

A single, fat tear rolled from Jen's eye, spilling over her cheek. ' I'm scared, Alex. ' She whispered, her voice thick with the promise of more tears. The taller woman nodded briefly, then slipped her arms about her and eased her into the shelter of her body. She looked over the top of Jen's bright gold curls toward Claire, who was gnawing at her bottom lip with worry for her friend.

' Could you maybe find us a little brandy or something? ' She asked softly.

Claire nodded, glad for something to do. It seemed Dave was similarly at a loss, for he gave Alex an almost apologetic smile, and headed off after her.

' Um...I got make-up all over your shirt. '

Alex looked down, and Jen raised her tear-streaked face to her. Dark trails of mascara ran from each eye, some smudged against fair cheeks where she had been pressed against Alex's chest. Alex smiled gently, loosening her grip to brush her thumbs across the ruined make-up.

' It's just a shirt, hon. ' She glanced around quickly, then took Jen's hand. ' Come on...'

She led her to the window that faced out onto the dark street, and sat her down on the broad sill, perching beside her. From her pocket she produced a tissue, and she gently wiped the black lines from Jen's face.

' Thanks. ' Jen said softly.

Alex smiled, then leaned in and rested her forehead against Jen's. For a long minute they remained there, silent, until a quiet sound nearby drew them apart.

Claire held out a glass containing a healthy amount of amber fluid.

' Whisky...' She said apologetically. ' Best I could do. '

' Thank you. ' Alex took it from her, then handed it to Jen. ' Sip on this. '

Jen took it gratefully, welcoming the heat of the alcohol as it slid down her throat.

Alex watched her for a moment, then let her gaze shift to the window at their backs, her eyes picking out the red pin-prick glow of Betelgeuse in Orion, riding high in the night sky above the glow of streetlamps and the nearby city lights. Over the rooftops, the moon was rising, washing out more of the stars in its afterglow. For a while she just stared at it, then something remembered made her stomach tighten as fear blossomed from her gut.

Half moon.

The first thing Andi felt was the pain in her head. A steady, sharp throb at the back of her skull, making her groan involuntarily as her consciousness slid home. She opened her eyes slowly, then blinked rapidly, even the pale wash of yellow sodium light from the windows lancing fresh pain into her tortured brain. She lay still, working out that she was lying on a concrete floor, the damp cold seeping through her clothes and chilling her skin beneath. Her hands were tied at her back, the strain telling on her shoulders, and her feet were bound. She let her eyes wander the large room, taking in the high, dark rafters, the bare brick walls, and the rusted iron pillars which supported the roof above. Somewhere in the building water dripped, and she could smell the rank stench of mould and rot. Her gaze swept the room again, looking for signs of another person, but nothing stirred in the shadows, and there was no sound except the steady dripping, and the far-away growl of traffic outside.

Slowly she rolled onto her side, then gently eased herself into a sitting position, wincing at the sudden wave of nausea which engulfed her. She closed her eyes tight, willing herself not to throw up; with a gag in her mouth, she'd more than likely choke, and she had no intention of helping the bastard who'd brought her here finish the job.

As the sickness subsided a little she cautiously opened her eyes again, steadying her breathing, trying to blot out the pain now radiating through her body. There was a scuffling noise behind her, and she turned her head, straining to see through the shadows and darkness. Whispering now, then two figures solidified in the recesses of the room, huddled close together. They approached slowly at first, then with more speed, until she could make out the forms more clearly. Two men - young men - dressed in ragged, dark clothing, both thin and pale-faced, eyes large and sunken against too-prominent cheekbones.

Andi almost cried with relief.

She tried to call out to them, but the sounds were muffled by the gag tied tight about her mouth. She slid around on the floor to face them as they reached her, and she gazed up into two very puzzled faces. They looked at each other silently, then one reached out and untied the gag at the back of her head.

' Thank you...' She gasped. ' My hands...please...'

One blinked. ' Oh...sorry love...hang on...' He moved behind her, and she felt cold fingers against her wrists as he worked the knots. The other man crouched at her feet, began freeing the thin nylon rope which bound them. She was beginning to shake now, fearing that her abductor would return just as she was almost free. Her eyes darted from the man crouched by her feet to the shadows lining the walls. At last her hands fell free, and as she brought her arms to the front, pain lanced through her shoulders, making her cry out.

' Easy, love, ' the other man was kneeling by her side now, placing a hand on her shoulder. ' What the fuck happened to you? '

Her feet came free, and she shook her head. ' I don't know...' Fear pricked every nerve ending, and she struggled to her feet, aided by her two rescuers, the need to be out of this building her only imperative now. She took two tentative steps forward, and the nausea returned in a rush. She staggered away from them, then dropped to her knees and vomited onto the bare concrete floor. A gentle hand rubbed her shoulder, then eased her back into a sitting position.

' Take your time, ' the voice soothed, ' it's okay...'

She shook her head violently. ' Get me out of here...please...' she gasped, the room spinning around her.

Then the darkness took her again, and all was blissfully calm.

Alex stood by the door to her office, talking in a low voice with Geoff. Her eyes moved constantly to the small form huddled on the sofa, legs drawn up beneath her, her gaze fixed on the dark window. She was dressed in a pair of jeans, two sizes too big, donated by a female officer from her locker, and a sweat shirt of Alex's which had been hanging on the back of the door. Her face was pale as bone on the harsh fluorescent light, scrubbed clean of the gaudy make-up she had worn for the party. Hey eyes, red from crying, stood out like blood against her flesh.

' Alex? '

Geoff's voice brought her back from her contemplation of her lover, and she shook her head slowly.

' Sorry, Geoff...I didn't catch that..'

He smiled apologetically. ' Look...just stay with her. Let us worry about finding Andi, okay? '

She nodded. ' Thanks. ' She drew a deep breath, trying to cleanse the ugly thoughts from her mind. ' I just hope...'

Geoff placed a hand on her arm. ' I know. Me too. Maybe you should take her home...'

Alex shook her head. ' No. She said she'd rather be here. That way, if you hear anything - '

' Sir! '

They both turned to find a rather breathless detective - O'Malley, Alex mentally catalogued - barrelling down the corridor toward them. Geoff glanced back at Jen, who was already on her feet, her eyes wide.

' What? ' He snapped out.

' Just had a call - young woman matching the description you posted has been picked up by ambulance and taken to the Royal. '

Jen was at Alex's side, her hand grasping the cool silk of her shirt reflexively.

' Is she...what happened? '

The detective shook his head. ' We don't have much, other than she's unconscious. Two vagrants found her in an abandoned warehouse down by the canal. They're being brought in for questioning. '

Jen looked up into Alex's face. The taller woman nodded.

' Come on. Let's go. '

The city streets were mercifully quiet, it being almost four in the morning as Alex drove the Land Rover toward Manchester Royal Infirmary. By her side, Jen was pensively silent, but Alex could feel the tension practically rolling from her in waves. They reached the hospital in a little over twenty minutes, and Jen was out of the car almost as soon as Alex pulled to a halt. Together they ran through the car park to the brightly-lit casualty reception, almost hitting the automatic doors as they slowly slid back to allow them entrance to the department. The nurse manning the reception desk looked up as they approached, and Alex placed a hand on Jen's arm.

' A young woman was brought in earlier by ambulance. She was unconscious. '

The nurse looked at her computer screen, frowning slightly.

' You have a name? '

' Andrea Gordon...though I suspect she wasn't admitted under anything. ' Alex ran a hand through her hair impatiently. ' Look, there should be police officers here - she'll be listed as a restricted access patient. '

' I see...' the nurse looked up at them again. ' Could you hold on for just a moment? '

She got up from he seat, and disappeared through a door at the back of the small reception area. Jen banged her hand against the Plexiglas window in frustration.

' God damn it! ' She spat out. ' I just want to see my fucking sister! '

' Hey...' Alex squeezed her shoulder. ' You will...relax, it's okay. '

Jen's shoulders sagged a little. The nurse returned with a tight smile plastered to her face, and at the same time a door to their right opened, and two uniformed officers stepped out. Alex recognised one of them, and almost sighed with relief.

' Jane...thank God...how is she? '

The WPC smiled. ' The doctors say she'll be just fine, Dr. Perry. '

Jen rubbed her eyes, trying to hold back more tears. ' Can we see her? '

The female officer frowned slightly at Alex, who wrapped her arm about Jen's shoulders. ' She's her sister. '

The male PC nodded, with a small smile. ' Sure. Come on through. '

Andi looked desperately small and pale in the hospital bed. Alex was relieved to see that she was hooked up to nothing more than a saline drip. Jen was just relieved to see her. She rushed forward, then stopped dead beside the bed, one shaking hand reaching out to smooth back a tousled lock of auburn hair.

' Andi...' she whispered. ' Oh God...I'm sorry...'

The young woman's eyes fluttered, then cracked open slightly. A tiny smile twitched her lips upward.

' Hey sis...'

Jen's face lit up with a grin, despite the tears now flowing down it. ' Hey yourself. '

Andi swallowed, and as Jen reached for the water jug, she shook her head slightly. The blonde reached for her hand instead, holding tight.

' Remind me...' Andi said hoarsely, ' never to let you guys take me to a party again..'

Jen laughed, then shook her head. ' Never, okay? '

Andi smiled, then her eyes closed, and sleep claimed her once more.

Andrea was released the following afternoon: Jen and Alex took her home with them, and heard for the first time what had actually happened to her, although her memory was sketchy due to the blow she'd received to the back of her head.

' I remember...leaving the house, ' Andi said thoughtfully, curled up in one corner of the sofa, clutching a mug of tea. ' The guy - I think he said his name was Mike - we'd been talking about cars, and he said he had a brand new Japanese import, one of those flashy Mazdas. ' She gave Jen a rueful smile. ' You know me and sports cars..'

Jen nodded. ' So...then what? '

' Well...he said it was parked out in the street, asked if I wanted to take a look at it, so...'

' Andi! ' Jen gasped. ' That was so stupid! '

The red head nodded, gazing down into her cup. ' Yeah...I know. But I thought, well, it's on the street, well-lit, houses just a few feet away...' She shrugged slightly. ' He seemed so ... normal. So, we went out, and he opened the door, then stepped back for me to take a look inside. I only leaned in a little through the driver's door, just to take a quick look at the interior..' one hand uncurled from around the mug, and moved to gingerly touch the stitched wound at the back of her skull. ' ...I guess that's when he coshed me. Next thing I knew, I was coming round in that warehouse. ' She raised tired Hazel eyes to look at Alex. ' Those guys..the ones who found me...what happened to them? '

Alex smiled a little. ' We have contacts at hostels and housing associations through the force...they won't have to sleep rough anymore. '

Andi sighed. ' Thanks. I'd kinda like to help them out myself...but I don't think giving them money would be such a good idea. '

Jen frowned. ' Why not? '

' They were addicts. ' She said simply. She looked at Alex again. ' Don't suppose you have a contact that could get them on a programme? '

The tall woman nodded. ' Sure. But they have to want help, Andi. '

' Wait..' Jen held up her hand. ' Andi, how do you know? '

Her sister smiled sadly. ' One of them had track marks on his arm, Jen. I've done some volunteer work, back in Bristol, with a local association for the homeless, and ...well...you just know the signs, after a while. They have a look...' she shrugged. 'You just know. '

Jen reached across the expanse of leather between them to lay a hand on her arm.

' I never realised you did that, Andi. That's wonderful. '

' Yeah, well, ' she shifted uncomfortably, ' I lost a friend to heroin a couple of years ago - she OD'd. But before she died, she lost everything...her job, her house, most of her friends...she lived rough for six months before they found her one day, lying in some hell-hole squat. ' She shook her head. ' She'd been dead for days. ' Her eyes came up and met those of her sister. ' No-one should have to die like that. No-one.'

Jen nodded, and squeezed her arm.

' Just...don't tell Mum and Dad, okay? ' Andi winced. ' They'd have a fit. They wouldn't understand. '

' I know. And I won't tell them, Andi. I promise. ' She shared a look of understanding with her sister. Their parents were firmly entrenched in their middle-class lifestyle, with all the narrow-minded attitudes to match. Over the years, as they grew up, the two sisters found themselves telling their parents less and less about their lives, having been on the receiving end of scathing criticism and disapproval once too often.

Jen wondered, not for the first time, just what reception she would get when she eventually had to tell them about Alex.

' Well then, ' Alex spoke, disturbing Jen's train of thought. She turned her gaze to the dark haired woman, feeling a familiar warmth spread through her as she met her eyes, before turning her blue gaze to Andi. ' As it's your last night here, I think you should decide on what we do for dinner. We can stay in, and I'll cook, or we can go out. ' She smiled. ' Your choice. '

Andi let out a long breath. ' I think I'd like to go out. Can't hide away forever. '

Alex nodded encouragingly. ' Good choice. I'm a lousy cook. '

Jen laughed. ' You're not that bad! '

' No? ' She arched one eyebrow. ' Then how come you've volunteered to do most of the cooking since you moved in? '

Jen blinked. ' I...um...'

Alex grinned, and shook her head. ' Relax, I know what I'm good at, and what I'm not. Besides, I know a great Sicilian Restaurant I haven't had an excuse to visit in a while. Plus, it's not too far from Nik's; I can drop Gaeled off tonight, then we don't have to worry about doing it tomorrow. '

' Ooo...Briony's gonna spoil that mutt rotten whilst we're gone. ' Jen grinned.

' Yeah...though how she'll keep him off the beds whilst they're at work is gonna give her a headache...'

Andi frowned. ' Can't she just close the doors? '

Alex laughed. ' He learned to open doors as soon as he was big enough to jump up and reach the handles. '

' Ah...' Andi smiled. ' Clever dog, huh? ' She sipped her tea.

Gaeled, sprawled in front of the fire, lifted his head and looked at her.

' Owooo..woo. ' He agreed.

Andi almost snorted tea down her nose as she laughed.

The meal was delicious, and after a disgustingly tempting dessert, and brandy, they returned to Alex's house, where the tall woman excused herself and went up to bed, sensing that the two sisters would like some time together before they parted company the next day. Jen made hot chocolate for them both, and they lounged comfortably, side by side, on one of the sofas in front of the fire. She eyed her sister speculatively as she sipped the hot drink, then lowered her mug to rest it against her knee.

' So...' she said, scratching at the soft leather of the arm rest beside her, ' ..you gonna be okay when you get home? '

Andi sighed. ' Sis, I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. Besides, I'm living with Joss, remember? I won't have to be on my own. '

Jen nodded. ' I know...I'm glad about that. ' She reached over to take her hand. ' I don't have to go tomorrow...we could stay here together, until you're fully recovered...'

' Jen..' Andi looked down at their clasped hands, then back up into her sister's sea green eyes. ' ...you do have to go, because Alex needs you. I think we all need you to go, because the things you know...the things the two of you can do, might be all that stands between that madman and his next victim. ' She smiled. ' And besides...there's nothing wrong with me other than a lump on the bounce. Finally, I have an excuse to behave like a crazy woman. '

Jen grinned. ' Not that you've needed one up till now. '

Andi laughed, squeezing her hand. ' Quite true. ' She lifted her mug, sipping at her chocolate. Her eyes twinkled mischievously over the rim, then she lowered the mug and placed it on the lamp table beside her. ' So...after you've saved the world from this psycho, are you moving into here for real? '

Jen blinked at her. ' I...I don't...Andi! ' She laughed nervously. ' I don't know whether we're ready for that kind of commitment. It's only been a few weeks...'

' Huh. Wouldn't think so to look at the two of you. You act like you've been together for years. '

' We do not! ' Jen spluttered. Then she frowned. ' Do we? '

Andi smiled knowingly. ' Don't worry - I mean it in the best possible sense. You just seem to ...I dunno...fit so well together. Synchronicity. '

Jen shook her head, grinning. ' Now you're talking like a pop star. '

' No! I'm serious! ' She shrugged. ' Just telling it as I see it, sis. '

Jen watched the fire for a few moments, thinking about what Andi had said. She knew, in a sense, that it was the truth. Although she and Alex had only known one another for a matter of weeks, it felt like so much more. Lifetimes more. She could read the older woman's emotions from just a look, an expression, the nuances of body language that she had never fully picked up on in previous relationships. With Alex, just a shrug, a raised eyebrow, spoke volumes to her.

How could that be, after so short a time?

The fire wasn't for telling, though. With a mental sigh, she turned her attention back to her sister, who was also seeking wisdom in the flames.

' Andi, ' she said softly, ' do you think I should tell Mum and Dad about Alex? '

The redhead turned to her, her eyes widening.

' Christ, Jen...I don't know. They're so...wrapped up in their own little world. I don't know whether they could ever understand. ' She chewed on her bottom lip. ' Do you want to tell them? '

Jen sighed, and ran a hand through her hair. ' Not really, no....but for all the wrong reasons. And...sooner or later, they're going to have to know, aren't they? '

Andi nodded glumly. ' Unless you want to cut yourself off from them completely, I guess they are. '

' Well then, ' she lifted her chin a little, ' Mum's birthday is coming up - I was planning on going to see them. I suppose I should just get it out of the way whilst I'm there. '

Andi squeezed her hand again. ' I'll be there. Remember that, okay? '

Jen smiled. ' Thanks, sis. I appreciate it. ' She released her hand, then playfully batted her on the arm. ' So...how about you? What are you going to do when you get home, huh? Gonna start looking for Mr. Right? '

' I don't know, Jen, ' she shrugged, ' I think perhaps I'd like to have some time on my own, you know? Find out who I am...who I've become. ' She smiled a little. ' Who knows? Maybe I'll strike lucky like you did and the real thing will just fall into my lap. '

' Maybe it will. ' Jen said quietly. ' Maybe it will. '

Jen leaned back in her seat, her head resting against the window, and let her mind travel back across the centuries as the words on the paper in front of her breathed life into characters long dead. Alex, seated beside her, was hunched over her laptop, reading through the latest Interpol reports on their case. The British Airways 757 was currently somewhere over the French Alps, but Jen was oblivious to the view from the small portal she rested against, her mind already wandering through Greece with the warrior and the bard.

Geoff had met them at Ringway with the newly translated manuscripts, and what seemed like a ream of paperwork that they would need to ensure co-operation from the Greek authorities. After a hurried briefing he had left them, and the two officers who were accompanying them, to board the flight, making them promise to keep in touch at least once a day whilst they were gone. Jen was relieved that she recognised their travelling companions - Ian Carmichael, and Stuart Dudley - as two of Geoff's detectives. They were friendly yet professional, and Jen was happy to note that they treated Alex with great respect. She knew her lover had more than a few enemies within the Manchester force, no doubt due to her sometimes abrupt approach; the last thing they needed on this trip was antagonism within the group.

The flight had been uneventful so far. The pilot had promised clear weather all the way, much to the delight of Stuart, seated directly behind them with Ian, who cheerfully informed them that he got airsick at the merest whiff of turbulence. Jen had immediately reached for the innocuous looking white paper bag tucked into the seat-back pocket in front of her, and had unceremoniously handed it to him, telling him to barf in any direction but hers. The comment had elicited chuckles all round, and got them off to an amicable start, but Jen was itching to start reading. After twenty minutes or so of idle banter the group had settled down to reading through their notes, and Jen had tucked herself into as comfortable a position as she could, pulled the printed documents from the wallet Geoff had given to her, and started to read. The first was a tale of a battle with a giant, a nasty character who was terrorising a small town, bleeding them dry of the supplies they would need to see them through the Winter months. The story was amusingly written, and Jen idly wondered at the bard's description of the villain. Surely it was just literary exaggeration on the part of the bard, that the man was merely unnaturally tall, or that she was trying to convey some sense of his malicious presence. After all, there never had been giants wandering the earth.

Right?

She kept telling herself that as she moved onto the next translation, and found herself caught up in a dark tale of war and destruction, and an all-too human warlord who seemed hell-bent on burning everything in his path. It didn't make sense, even to her; why would someone willingly destroy their own means of support? The bard eventually revealed that the man was quite insane, believing himself to be the personification of evil. In the end, his army having deserted him, he went up against Xena alone. The fight was described in minute detail, and Jen could almost smell the metallic scent of hot blood, see the flash of sunlight on steel blades. One scene made her stop a moment, something in it speaking to her with familiarity. She paused, then went back and read it again.

And again.

Alex, seated close beside her, sensed her disquiet and looked up from her screen. She watched the younger woman's lips moving silently as she read, saw the look of puzzlement etched across her features.

' Jen? '

No response.

' Jen? Hey...' she nudged her arm gently, and the blonde almost jumped out of her seat.

' Jesus! Alex...'

' Sorry. ' Alex leaned in a little closer, frowning slightly. ' You okay? You looked a little weirded-out there for a moment. '

Jen swallowed, clutching reflexively at the paper in her hand. ' Um...yeah...just got a little caught up in the story, I guess. '

Alex regarded her thoughtfully. ' You sure? '

' Uh-huh. I'm fine. ' She flashed her a smile. ' Really. ' She reinforced it by nodding emphatically. ' Absolutely. '

' Well...aright then. ' Alex, still not convinced, returned her attention to the computer screen. Jen counted to ten, then dragged her gaze back to the paper in her hand, forcing herself to re-read the last few lines again.

"...bleeding from the wound to his shoulder, Piros circled Xena, his eyes filled with madness and hatred. His arms, as thick as branches, flexed as he tightened his grip on the mighty sword. Xena watched, remaining calm, her own sword grasped firmly in her hand, the bright sun lending it the fire of the Gods, glittering down the length of the honed blade. He taunted her, mocked her, called her a coward for turning her back on war. And all the time, Xena watched, her face impassive as stone, her eyes glittering like ice beneath Winter sun.

Then, she smiled.

I have seen her smile in a thousand ways. Seen her face light up from within, her eyes glowing with amusement, affection, tenderness, love. But this gesture, this expression she wore now, is one that wakes the slumbering beast inside her, the warning that the cage door has been opened, and the chains have fallen away. This smile does not touch her eyes. It is a baring of teeth, a drawing back of the lips, a terrible vision of the nightmare to come. It is a prelude to death.

It is the last mortal thing that many have had the misfortune to see.

Piros saw death smiling at him, and, for just a moment, paused.

Until the smile became a snarl, and she was on him, her warrior's body lending power to the beast within. He faltered beneath the assault, and I could see the fear now shining in his eyes. But it was too late for him, too late for her to stop, for the beast was free, and it had tasted blood.

She slaked its thirst in his death..."

Jen dragged her eyes up from the page, feeling her heart knocking hard against her ribs. All she could see was Alex's expression as she stared down the gang of thugs outside Kendals, and how that terrible smile had transformed her face from a thing of beauty to something borne of nightmare. Was this what the bard had seen as she watched her lover kill? Was this how she had felt, the first time she had witnessed it?

She cast a glance at her companion, and felt her racing pulse begin to calm down. Warm sunlight bathed her in light, bringing out the dark auburn highlights in her hair, and the golden hue to her skin. Her eyes swallowed the light, pale blue becoming unfathomably deep cerulean. A smile broke from her lips, and Jen realised that she was looking back at her, her expression filled with warmth and affection and just a hint of desire.

' Hey, ' Alex said softly. ' Interesting read? '

Jen nodded, finding herself smiling despite her disquiet. ' As a matter of fact, yes. '

' Good. ' Alex let her eyes flicker to the seats behind them, then rested them on her lover once more. ' You know, ' she said, her voice dropping an octave, becoming barely more than a murmur, ' you keep looking at me like that, and I'm going to be forced to do something about it. And that could prove very, very embarrassing for both of us. '

The desire was unmistakable now, was oozing from every pore on her body. Jen swallowed, feeling her heart rate pick up again, but for an entirely different reason this time.

' Then maybe we should wait until we reach the hotel...' She suggested, letting her eyes flash suggestively.

Alex chuckled, then slid her right hand down, nudging the seat arm between them upward slightly. Her hand continued on until it rested on Jen's thigh, heat bleeding through the thin cotton trousers to the flesh beneath. The fingers tightened slightly, squeezing, then released, brushed a brief caress across the fabric, then withdrew.

' Later. ' She purred.

Jen swallowed the groan that was threatening to escape as the hand withdrew.

' I'm gonna get you back for that. ' She murmured, her lips twitching up at the corners.

Alex arched one eyebrow at her suggestively. ' I certainly hope so. '

Athens in February wasn't, by local standards, warm. By Jen's standards it was positively tropical. In the taxi from the airport to their hotel, she found herself shrugging out of her jacket, to the amusement of the driver, who chuckled and shook his head at the foolishness of the British.

' Ees hot for you, yes? ' he yelled over the cacophony of Greek muzac blasting from the stereo. She smiled and nodded.

' Hotter than where we've just come from. ' She yelled back, leaning forward slightly and almost deafening Alex, who was seated up front.

Ian, sitting beside her, laughed his agreement. He was, she noted, even more fair complexioned than she, having red hair and a liberal dusting of freckles across his face and arms. She settled back in her seat, leaning slightly in to his side.

' Hope you brought some sun block. ' She whispered.

He patted the travel bag on his knee. ' Always. I burn like crazy. '

Stuart, on his other side, rolled his eyes. ' Yeah. He got sunstroke at Heaton Park last year on the company picnic. '

Ian grinned, shrugging apologetically. ' What can I say? We Scots aren't used to the heat. '

' Scottish huh? ' Jen raised her eyebrows. ' Where's the accent? '

' Ah...my family moved down to Manchester when I was just eight - two years at an inner city school soon obliterated all trace of my Glaswegian heritage. ' He ran a hand through his unruly red hair. ' Apart from this, of course. '

' Right....' she nodded, then grinned mischievously. ' Ever wear a kilt, Ian? '

Stuart bust into fresh peals of laughter, and Alex turned to regard them all over her shoulder. Her gaze fell on Jen, who just shrugged innocently.

Geoff had booked them all into the Holiday Inn, and after a brief stop there to register and drop off their bags, they headed out into the city for a meeting with the local police commissioner. Geoff had also arranged for car hire for the duration of their stay, and Alex had insisted on being the one to drive, stating that she was the only one in the group who had any experience of Greek traffic.

Two minutes into the journey, and Jen understood why.

' It's crazy! ' She gasped, as yet another car cut them off, narrowly missing their left wing. ' Do these people have any traffic regulations? '

Alex smiled grimly. ' The only regulation actively enforced is the one which dictates who drives when. It's based on number plates, designed to limit the amount of traffic in the city each day. '

Stuart frowned out the window at the melee of swerving vehicles. ' You mean this is only half the drivers? '

Alex nodded. ' Yep. ' A loud honking, and another car, a taxi, swerved in front of them. She gritted her teeth. ' Alright, I've had enough of being polite. You all buckled in? '

A stunned silence was her only reply.

' Good. Time to go native. '

The car shot out into the next lane, throwing all the passengers to one side. Alex grinned as she floored the gas pedal, weaving through the traffic precariously. Jen glanced sideways at her, her right hand gripping the dash.

' Alex...be careful. '

One blue eye swivelled to gleam at her. ' Relax. I learned to drive here. '

' You did? '

' Oh yeah...all you have to do is drive faster and smarter than the next guy. It's easy.'

Jen nodded. ' Easy...I see...' Another car moved up on the inside, giving her a great view of the irate looking driver who was saying something in Greek, directed towards them. Though she couldn't understand the language, the hand gestures he backed it up with were universally recognisable. She gave him an apologetic smile, and got a blast on the horn for her trouble.

' Making friends? ' Alex chuckled.

Jen decided that the carpet beneath her feet was so captivating, she'd better study it for the rest of the journey.

Commissioner Andreus Tsakalidou was a middle-aged man who looked and acted like a wannabe playboy. Alex had warned Jen beforehand of some of the more outdated attitudes some older Greek men clung to when it came to women, but Jen hadn't expected to find it in a man of his standing. He directed his questions and responses toward Ian and Stuart, despite most of their party's inquiries coming from Alex, and flirted outrageously with Jen. He didn't seem to know how to treat the tall psychologist, and so chose mainly to ignore her. Jen could see her partner becoming more and more irate as the exchange went on until, in the end, Alex stood up and braced her hands on his desk, leaning forward slightly so that she was towering above him, forcing him to look up into her ice blue eyes.

' Well, thank you for your time, commissioner. ' She purred. ' I can assure you we all look forward to working with you during our stay. But we have work to do, as, I'm sure, do you, so we'll not waste any more of your time. ' She glanced back over her shoulder, and the others took her cue, and stood. She flashed them a brief smile, then turned back to face the man now staring at her. She leaned in a little further, and in a low voice that sounded to Jen almost like a growl, uttered something in Greek before standing up straight, and turning to lead them all out.

Back out on the pavement, with the smell of exhaust and the noise of traffic washing over them, they all paused a moment to regroup.

' Well...' Ian cleared his throat, ' welcome to the nineteenth century. '

Stuart chuckled, then cast Alex an apologetic look. ' Sorry about that, Doc...he was a little out-dated. '

She waved a hand dismissively. ' Not your fault, guys. He's the one with the problem. '

Jen folded her arms across her chest. ' What did you say to him, before we left? '

Alex's lips twitched. ' I just reminded him of inter-departmental policy...how sexual harassment and discrimination are distinctly frowned upon, and how it would be in his very best interest to try a little harder at overcoming his own bigotry the next time we meet. '

' Ooo...was that wise, Doc? ' Ian chewed his lip. ' I mean...we will need their co-operation whilst we're here. '

She smiled, a little nastily. ' He's just the face of the department, Ian. Luckily there are some damn fine officers working this force. One of whom we're going to meet now. '

Jen frowned. ' We are? Who? '

' Sergeant Christos Tsakis. ' She grinned. ' My cousin. '

They waited in a street cafe, drinking thick, strong Greek coffee whilst they watched the world hustle by outside the plate glass windows. It was late afternoon, and the city was winding down towards dinner, and the end of the weekend, many of the bars and tavernas beginning to get busy. The air around them was filled with the chatter of voices, the language fluid and fast to Jen's ears. She looked around herself with interest, taking in the sights and sounds of another culture, and receiving many an interested look and smile from several of the male patrons.

' It's your hair. ' Alex said, drawing her attention back to the table. She realised she'd been watched, and quirked a smile.

' What - you mean they're only after me for my blonde locks? '

' No...but it grabs their attention. Not many blondes in Greece. ' She glanced at Ian. 'Even fewer redheads. Better watch out, detective...you could end up being chased through the streets by amorous Athenian women. '

He perked up at the idea, sitting a little straighter. ' Hey...I could live with that. '

Alex grinned, then her eyes wandered to the door, and the grin widened.

' Excuse me...' she said, getting to her feet. Jen watched as she wove her way between the tables, toward a tall, tanned man, dressed in uniform, whose face lit up when he saw her approaching. He yelled something in Greek, and rushed toward her, grabbing her and kissing her on either cheek, before pulling her into a hug that would have just about crushed the life out of anyone else. She heard Alex's laughter, then her voice, but she spoke in Greek, and the meaning was completely lost on Jen. It obviously amused her cousin, who roared with laughter, then held her at arm's length and looked her up and down before laughing again. Alex smacked his arm, then turned and nodded toward their table. He smiled over at them, and she turned and led him back to the table, waving down the waitress on the way and ordering something for him to drink.

' This, ' she said, as she drew up to the table again, ' is Sergeant Christos Tsakis, my cousin. Chris, I'd like you to meet Detective Sergeant Ian Carmichael, D.S. Stuart Dudley, and Jennifer Gordon. '

They all murmured their hellos, and the Greek police officer grinned. ' It's okay, ' he said with a grin, ' I speak English so we don't need her to translate. '

That earned him a jab in the ribs, but he suffered it in good humour, and Alex pulled another chair up to the table, and bade him to sit down. The waitress brought over a coffee for him, and he graced her with a broad smile before turning back to the group.

' So...I guess you already met our wonderful Commissioner. '

Alex snorted, and Jen rolled her eyes. Stuart decided on the tactful approach.

' Uh...yeah...he was very...helpful...'

' Yeah...let me guess...he spoke to you two all the time, right? ' He nodded his head toward Ian and Stuart. ' And... he hit on you like crazy? ' He grinned at Jen, who could only smile back in amusement.

' Ignored me completely. ' Alex mused, sipping her coffee.

Chris arched an eyebrow at her, and the gesture almost made Jen drop her cup.

' Wonder why? '

She smiled dangerously. ' Well...for a start, I'm bigger than him...'

He laughed loudly, leaning back in his chair. ' Yeah...perhaps. Ah, he's a dinosaur, Alex. He thinks women are only good for one thing, and it's not police work. '

' Hmm...is that cooking, or making babies? '

He grinned. ' Okay...maybe two things. '

Ian matched his grin. ' Guess there's not many female officers on the force here then?'

' Oh...don't be fooled by his attitudes, my friend...we have many fine women officers here. ' He looked at Alex. ' Including my wife, Suzanna. '

Alex smiled warmly. ' It'll be nice to meet her, finally, Chris. '

' She's looking forward to it also. ' He patted her arm. ' Family should not be strangers, Alex. '

She looked down into her cup. ' I know, Chris. ' She took a deep breath, then looked up again, forcing a smile. ' So...you think you can help us out here? '

Chris nodded. ' I've already been assigned to work with you. ' He grinned. ' And so, in the interest of international good relations, I am inviting you all to my home tonight for dinner. '

Jen smiled, glancing at Alex. ' That will be nice. Thank you. '

' My pleasure, believe me. ' He saluted her with his cup.

Back at the hotel, Jen tossed her bag off the bed and collapsed wearily back onto the comforter, staring up at the ceiling. The sun was setting over the city outside, bathing the neutrally decorated room in bright hues of crimson and burnished gold. She smiled a little to herself, thinking of Alex's obvious pleasure at seeing her cousin again, whilst letting her hand trace patterns on the rough cotton beneath her fingertips. Then another thought hit her, this one not so pleasant; she would be sleeping alone tonight, and for the next three nights.

Amazing just how quickly she'd become accustomed to sharing a bed...

A soft knock at her door had her pulling herself up into a sitting position.

' C'mon in. ' She called, running a hand through her hair. The door opened slowly, and a familiar face peered around it. Jen smiled.

' Well hey there. '

' Hi. ' Alex slipped into the room, letting the door close behind her. She crossed the floor space in long strides and perched on the bed beside her. ' So...' She folded her hands in her lap. ' Holding up okay? '

' Oh yeah...apart from realising that I have to sleep without my human hot-water bottle for the next few nights. '

Alex raised an eyebrow. ' Why?'

' I...' Jen blinked. ' I just...assumed that whilst we're here we'd better...'

' Jen, ' Alex leaned over, placing a hand against her cheek, ' do you want to sleep alone? '

' No - of course not. '

She smiled. ' Neither do I. ' She let the touch become a caress, and her eyes darkened slightly. ' So, Ms. Gordon...as I recall, we have a score to settle. '

Jen felt a tingle of arousal start down her spine, headed straight for her groin. She smiled slowly.

' Why yes, Dr. Perry...I do believe you're right...' She leaned in, closing the gap between them, claiming her partner's lips in a kiss that started out as languidly sensuous and ended with her flat on her back on the bed, Alex pressing her down and allowing her hands to rove hungrily across her body. Eventually Alex released her lips and began to nibble her way down her throat, and Jen let her head fall back against the pillow, her hands tangling in midnight hair.

' Alex...' she sighed.

' Hmm? ' Alex popped open the top button of Jen's shirt, kissing the patch of flesh that was revealed. Another button yielded, and Jen's breathing became a little ragged.

' Uh...Alex...'

The next button, and Jen felt the chill of the air conditioning wash over bare flesh, raising goose bumps. A hot mouth travelled over her skin, blazing fire in its wake. She shuddered.

' We...have to...get ready for...dinner..'

Long fingers were working at her belt, hot breath tickling her sternum.

' I'm just trying to help...after all, you have to take these clothes off...to put fresh ones on. '

Jen smiled, feeling sleek hair slide between her fingers.

' Ah well...can't argue with that logic...'

Continued In Part 4