"Bandit, get off the bed." BJ yelled as she walked out of the bathroom. "Go to your blanket."

The dog jumped off the bed and walked over to the blue blanket that lay in the corner. He walked around in a circle a few times and sniffed in the folds before he chose a spot and laid down.

"Good boy," BJ praised the dog as she climbed in her own bed.

They decided that Bandit was a much better name. Tyler said that it fit his personality better, and because of how he always stealing stuff. hard it was for her to see him in the dark.

BJ grabbed a book she sat on the dresser before she went to get ready for bed. She opened it and started to read, but her mind kept going to how scared she was for Tyler earlier.

"I have to get a handle on the fact that this is what she does. I want to ask her to quit, but she loves doing this. I don't want her to resent me for stopping something she loves doing. I'll have to figure a way for me to live with the fact that I may lose her at any time."

"No I won't." BJ yelled out loud. "I love her and I don't want to sit around and wait to be told that she died protecting someone."

"What am I going to do?" She asked herself as she shook her head.

A couple of minutes later BJ heard Tyler walking up the stairs. She spotted her lover carrying a tray loaded with all sorts of goodies.

"What do you have there?" BJ asked curiously as she put her book back on the end table.

"I just figured that you need to be pampered a little bit tonight." Tyler informed her as she walked across the room and laid the tray on the edge of the bed. "Don't touch until I get back."

"I'll try to restrain myself," BJ looked at the tray. "It will be hard considering strawberries and champagne are my favorites."

Tyler walked over to the bathroom but stopped before she closed the door. "Don't forget the chocolate," she said with a wink. "and the oatmeal cookies."

"How could I have missed the chocolate." BJ softly said to Bandit as he walked over to see if there was anything for him.

"Sorry boy, nothing here for you. Tomorrow we will get you something." Tyler said as she stepped out of the bathroom wearing only a robe.

BJ scratched behind his ear and gave him an oatmeal cookie. "Here one won't hurt you. Now go lay down and be a good boy."

Bandit quickly munched on his treat as he trotted over to his bed.

"Hey that was mine," Tyler pouted as she crawled across BJ's legs to sit on her side of the bed.

"I'll make it up to you." BJ said before she kissed Tyler's bottom lip.

"He can have all the cookies if you kiss me again." Tyler whispered as she wiggled her eyebrows.

BJ grinned and reached down to grab a strawberry. She dipped it into the smooth chocolate. "I'll give you more than a kiss just for giving him one." BJ replied and brought the fruit to Tyler's waiting mouth.

A drip of chocolate landed in between the opening of Tyler's robe. Not one to waste food BJ sat up and licked the spot clean. "I think I found something better to dip my chocolate in."

Tyler shivered as she felt BJ's breath caress the spot she had just licked.

BJ, reached down and untied Tyler's robe, separating the material and exposing her firm tan body. BJ lifted the bowl of chocolate off the tray and carefully dipped her finger into the smooth treat. She traced a pattern around each of Tyler's nipples down to her belly button.

"Don't move," BJ quietly said as she put the bowl back on the tray. She sat up and lifted the tray to put it next to the book on the bedside table.. Then she stood up and removed her clothing knowing Tyler watched her ever move.

"You like what you see?" BJ asked as she ran her hands across her silky skin. "First I want to taste all of my dessert." She purred as she crawled across the bed taking in the view of her almost naked lover.

Tyler had her hands above her head. The chocolate trail BJ put on her earlier looked so inviting BJ couldn't wait any longer. "Mmmm good," BJ moaned as she took her first lick.

"So good indeed," Tyler purred as her nipple was feasted upon.

They spent the rest of the night devouring each other. Not realizing the danger less than a mile away.

*******************************************

The next morning Tyler woke as a wet scratchy tongue licked her face.

"Stop it, Bandit," Tyler whispered to the dog. "You have to go out?"

The dog jumped and whined before he sat and wagged his tail.

"Give me a second," Tyler said as she stretched.

She sat up and looked over at BJ. "I should train Bandit to wake her up and not me." Tyler thought to herself. "Naw, I'd miss seeing her sleeping and most importantly waking her up."

Tyler got up off the bed and went into the bathroom. After she was done she found a pair of sweat pants and an old shirt that belonged to BJ.

"Come on boy," Tyler said softly to Bandit as she headed down the spiral staircase.

She walked through the living room to the kitchen. The quietness of the early hour added to the effect of the sun bouncing off the morning dew on the grass in the meadow. "Absolutely gorgeous," Tyler said quietly as she walked up to the window.

"Thank you," a still groggy voice said from behind her. "Here I thought Mike was just biased."

"Damn it," Tyler yelled and turned towards Leo who had a small grin on his face. "You scared me half to death."

"Sorry," Leo replied not too convincingly because the grin never left his face.

Tyler just turned around and opened the door. "Go on boy," she said as she waved the dog through the opening.

"How's BJ this morning?" Leo asked as he started a pot of coffee.

"Okay, she's still sleeping." Tyler responded as she grabbed the orange juice from the fridge. "Hand me a glass would you?"

"Sure," Leo replied as he grabbed a glass and a mug for himself. "Here you go."

"Thanks," Tyler said, but when she went to grab the glass Leo didn't let go. "What?"

"BJ was pretty scared last night." Leo informed Tyler.

Tyler looked at Leo. "I was too, it could have been the stalker. Luckily for us it was just Bandit.

"Luckily, yes. I was wondering if you have ever thought about doing something else?" Leo asked not wanting to beat around the bush.

"Why would you ask a question like that?" Tyler questioned. Her temper beginning to rise as it's the first time its been mentioned.

Leo knew Tyler would get pissed off, but he didn't want her relationship with BJ to suffer because of Tyler's job. "You have another person to think about and putting your life in danger and taking risks doesn't only effect you now. BJ is in the picture and I don't want her to loose you because of your job. I don't think you do either." Leo said as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

Tyler stood there staring off into space. "I don't want BJ to have to go through the anxiety of me dying every time I go off to do a job. But this is what I know, this was my Grandfathers life's work"

Tyler walked over to the window. She watched Bandit chase a rabbit. "I promised myself that I would keep this business going for my Grandfather. If it's going to cause BJ pain to see me doing the work I have always done then, maybe I shouldn't be with her."

That thought almost made Tyler drop to her knees. "I can't do that. I would die without her." Tyler rested her head against the cool glass of the window. She closed her eyes trying to think of what she should do.

Leo knew it wasn't his place to say anything, but he loved Tyler and BJ. And he knew that BJ would never want Tyler to stop doing something she loved even though it hurt her.

"Have you ever thought about opening a place like the Hideaway?" Leo asked as he walked up behind Tyler. He put his arm around her shoulders. "You will still be helping people. Just in a different way."

Tyler opened her eyes and looked up at friend. "Thank you, for looking out for her. I don't want to cause her any kind of pain and if my job does that I'll find something else to do." She kissed him on the cheek, "I'll go talk to the people at The Hideaway to see what I can do."

"Good girl, I always knew you were a smart one." Leo teased as he hugged Tyler.

********************************************

"BJ, watch out." Tyler yelled as she ran towards the actress.

"BANG" BJ heard as Tyler slammed her body into her.

With the wind knocked out of her BJ laid there gasping for breath. "Tyler get off me I can't breath."

When Tyler made no effort to get up and she felt something warm and sticky spread across her back BJ started to get scared. "Tyler?"

As BJ rolled over Tyler's limp body slipped off of her. Blood covered the entire front of Tyler's shirt. "Oh Tyler, wake up baby. Please wake up. I can't loose you." BJ yelled as she ran her hands over Tyler's chest to try and stop the bleeding. She withdrew her hands and saw them covered in her lovers blood.

"NOOOOOOOOO….." BJ screamed as she shot up in bed. She wiped sweat covered bangs away from her eyes. "A dream. It was just a dream. Thank god." She thought and slumped back on the bed.

"You okay," Tyler panted after running up the stairs.

Tyler had heard BJ scream as she was on her way up.

"Just a dream," BJ said casually. "Nothing to worry about."

Tyler sat down next to BJ. She grabbed her hand and caressed her fingers over a sweaty palm. "Must have been some dream. You're all sweaty and you're breathing hard."

BJ didn't want to tell Tyler what her dream was about. She didn't want Tyler to hate her for wanting her to quit her job and finding something safer. "It was nothing, just a stupid old dream."

Tyler knew BJ wasn't telling her the truth. "Come on, tell me what it was about." Tyler nudged BJ's leg with her elbow.

BJ tried to stop the tear that ran down her face, but the image of Tyler's bloody dead body filled her head. "I don't think I can." She said softly as she wiped the tear away.

"Come on, honey," Tyler said as she crawled under the covers so she could hold BJ. "I need to know. Maybe I can help."

BJ snuggled into the safety of Tyler's arms. She took a deep breath and told Tyler about her dream. Tyler held onto her tighter when she began to cry.

"There was blood everywhere. All over your body and my hands. I couldn't get it off." BJ cried.

"Everything is going to be okay. I promise you that." Tyler whispered into BJ's ear. "I want you to know that no matter what I'll never leave you. I'd fight my way back from hell to be with you. Nothing will ever keep us apart. Not even death."

"You of all people should know that's not true. Once your dead you never come back." BJ cried even harder.

Tyler tried not to flinch at what BJ said. She knew that BJ was just acting out because she was scared. "I do know that, but the love we share is stronger than death will ever be."

Realizing what she said BJ sat up and looked into misty green eyes. She cupped Tyler's face with her hands, "I'm so sorry for saying that." She leaned in and kissed Tyler. "I don't want to loose you." She said before she kissed Tyler again with all the passion and love she had.

"You know if you keep kissing me like that we'll never leave this room." Tyler informed BJ as she enjoyed the light butterfly kisses BJ was now placing along her neck.

"That's my plan." BJ replied as she lifted Tyler's shirt over her head.

"God, I love you," Tyler moaned when her nipple was nipped. "Ohh, boy do I love you."

BJ shifted so that she was straddling Tyler's leg. The wetness she found pressed against her own leg made her moan. "Your so wet."

"It's what happens when the woman I love kisses me." Tyler declared honestly as she caressed BJ's sides.

BJ started to kiss her way down to Tyler's wet center, but Tyler stopped her. "I want us to cum together."

BJ slid up and began to kiss Tyler. Her tongue was granted entrance as soon as it touched soft lips.

Tyler cupped BJ's breast as she ran her thumbs over the now erect nipples. She broke the kiss so she could take a waiting nipple into her mouth.

The sensation rocked to BJ's center. "I need you, now." BJ groaned with pleasure.

"Together," Tyler whispered around a nipple.

"Ohh yes," BJ moaned as she moved so she was lying next to Tyler.

With knowing fingers they each entered the other at the same time. With even strong strokes their wetness increased.

"Look at me," Tyler whispered before she kissed BJ.

BJ opened her eyes and intense green gazed back. She could feel the love that was held in those eyes and it was all for her. "Mine forever and always," she stated as the beginning of an intense orgasm held her still in time.

Tyler heard BJ as her own body reacted to BJ's loving touch. "Forever," she moaned when her body fell over the edge.

Eyes still locked with tears running down checks. They laid there not ready to loose their connection.

"I would do anything for you." Tyler spoke softly. "After we catch this guy I'm going to quit and find another job."

"I can't ask you to do that." BJ said even though her heart wanted to jump for joy.

"You didn't," Tyler replied. "I don't want my job to cause you pain. I still want to help people. I just have to find a different way. In fact I already have an idea."

"Why don't you tell me your plan while we take a nice hot bath." BJ recommended with a kiss.

"Sounds good to me." Tyler agreed as she carefully slipped her fingers from their warm spot. "MMmm," She moaned as she licked her fingers.

"Maybe we can discuss your plans after we take a nice warm bath." BJ suggested with a wiggle of her finger.

Tyler's body twitched from the fingers still inside her. "Sounds like an even better idea."

**************************************************

"Good afternoon, Mom," BJ said as she walked out of the house.

"Hi, honey. How are you feeling this morning?" Barb asked as she got up from her chair to give her daughter a hug. "Where's Tyler?"

"She wanted to go take a walk." BJ replied with a smile.

Barb raised an eyebrow. "Really, I would've guessed that she'd be way too tired to do much of anything."

BJ looked at her mom confused. "Why would you say that?"

Barb tried not to laugh. "With the sounds coming from your room this morning." She winked at her daughter. "I'm just surprised either of you have the energy to stand, let alone walk."

BJ blushed. "What can I say?"

Barb patted her daughters hands that were fidgeting with a napkin. "You're in love. Not much more needs to be said."

BJ nodded her head and gave her mom the biggest smile. "You're right, nothing more needs to be said. Where are the guys?"

"They went into town to get Bandit some dog food." Barb answered as she sat back.

"They didn't have to do that. Tyler and I were going to go this afternoon." BJ responded.

"I think Leo wanted to check out some little store or something he saw when they passed through." Barb replied. "You want something to drink?"

"No, I'm okay. I just had a glass of juice." BJ answered and looked across the grassy meadow. She saw a fleck of blonde hair glimmer in the sunshine. She smiled thinking of the way Tyler had driven her to the height of passion over and over again.

Barb watched her daughter look at something behind her. She could tell by the expression on her face that BJ could see Jay somewhere behind her.

*******************************************

"Come on, boy, lets go." Tyler yelled at the dog who ran off after something.

When Bandit didn't return Tyler walked in the direction of where he went. After she walked a couple of yards she noticed Bandit sniffing at something next to a tree.

"What ya got there boy?" She asked as she walked up to the big dog and looked down. There next to the tree where two deep imprints of someone's boots.

When she bent over to get a closer look at the foot prints her hand ran across something on the tree.

"What the hell?" Tyler asked out loud. "Well, boy it looks like we have a guest. Come on lets get back to the house." She said and took off with Bandit running right behind her.

******************************************

"He found us. How?" BJ asked in a shaky voice. "No one knew we were coming here. Not even Miles."

"I don't know," Tyler replied as she paced. "You are not to go any where with out me. If I can't go take the dog, even if it's to the bathroom."

"Okay," BJ replied as she petted Bandit's head. "We're leaving tomorrow?"

"Yes," Tyler answered as she saw Mike and Leo walk into the house.

The two men knew something was wrong by the expression on BJ's face.

"What's going on?" Mike asked as he set the bag of dog food on the floor.

"We were followed up here?" Tyler replied as she went to sit by BJ.

"What?" Mike and Leo asked at the same time.

"I took Bandit for a walk a little while ago. He found a pair of foot prints next to a tree. I could tell that they were recent but it could just be some kid or something. Then as I was bending over to take a closer look my hand ran across something." Tyler put her arm around BJ. "Carved in the tree was BJ's name and the initials K. S."

"Do you know anyone with those initials?" Leo asked BJ as he walked over to a chair and sat down.
"I don't know. Right now my brain is going a million miles a minute." BJ said frustrated with herself.

Barb sat across the room deep in thought. She knew those initials, but she couldn't place them. She searched her mind until it finally hit her. "Kirk Shadow."

"Who?" Mike asked as he stopped pacing.

"He works for Regal and Garland. In fact he's Ronald's assistant." Barb informed the entire room.

Tyler jumped up and started to pace. "That son of a bitch. I remember him. He was the one who showed me where the interviews were being held."

"Okay, now that we think we know who the stalker is. Can you tell us what he looks like?" Mike asked as he walked over to Barb.

********************************************

Tyler walked up the stairs to find BJ laying in the middle of the bed curled around her pillow.

"How are you doing?" Tyler asked as she sat next to BJ and gently rubbed her back.

"How do you think I'm doing? The person who's been stalking me is right outside these walls waiting." BJ replied coldly.

"I won't let him get anywhere near you." Tyler promised as she shifted so she could hold BJ in her arms.

BJ turned in Tyler's arms so that she could lay her head on her shoulder. She grabbed a hold of Tyler's shirt. "I know you will do your best, but…"

Tyler moved so that she looked right into upset blue eyes. "No buts about it. He gets within a foot of you I'll kill him without a second thought."

BJ nodded her head before she snuggled closer. "Can we go home tomorrow?"

"We'll be leaving first thing in the morning." Tyler assured and kissed the top of BJ's head.

BJ and Tyler laid there in silence for a few minutes. The sound of someone clearing their throat made both women turn towards the stairs.

"What do you need, Mike?" Tyler asked calmly.

"I just got off the phone with Peck and he has been trying to get a hold of you. They found Miles' body in an alley behind that bar he went to the other day. He was shot twice in the head." Mike said softly.

"Do they have a suspect?" Tyler asked even though she was pretty sure who killed him.

Mike shock his head. "No, but they got a description. It matches what Barb told us earlier about Kirk Shadow. I told him what was going on here and he said that it might be enough to get a judge to give him a search warrant."

"Okay, thanks. I'll be down in a few minutes. I want to make sure everything is secure for the night. Plus we'll all be staying in the same room." Tyler stated as she watched Mike agree with a nod of his head and left.

"I'm sorry about your brother." Tyler said and hugged BJ.

"Nothing to be sorry about." BJ replied as tears ran down her face.

********************************************

The figure carefully looked up into the window. The curtain was closed, but in one tiny spot he could see through. He saw Barb and BJ sitting on the couch with a blanket wrapped around their legs talking softly together.

He glanced towards the two men who stepped into the room with their bags. They placed them next to the bags already in the room.

"Leaving early are we?" Kirk whispered softly. "Now where is that bitch Tyler?" He asked through clenched teeth.

"Right behind you," Tyler answered as she raised her gun and pointed it at his head.

"How nice of you to come out here and welcome me." Kirk said as he turned.

"You know I should kill you right where you stand." Tyler said as the anger within her boiled.

"No, I don't think so." Kirk responded with a smirk. "You're not a cold blooded killer. You can't take a life unless you have a reason."

Tyler walked closer to Kirk and pressed the gun barrel to his forehead. "My reason is that you caused the woman I love pain."

The kick to her stomach and a knee to her face knocked Tyler off her feet. The weight of Kirk as he sat on her chest and the hands that tightened around her neck made it hard for her to breath.

"BJ is mine and only mine. She loves me, you just poisoned her mind and turned her away from me." Kirk yelled as he slammed Tyler's head into the ground repeatedly.

Tyler reached up and pressed her fingers into Kirk's eyes. She felt him move just enough that she could buck up and flip so she was on top. "You're never going to get her. Not as long as I'm alive." Tyler screamed and punched.

Kirk tried to stop the fists that kept making contact with his face and chest. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the gun Tyler had dropped when he had kicked her. He quickly reached over and grabbed the handle. He brought it in between his body and Tyler's.

Tyler saw his hand move off to the side, but she realized to late what Kirk had grabbed.

"Oh, shit." Tyler said as she tried to get away, but a hand holding on to her shirt kept her in place.

"It looks like never has arrived." Kirk said as he pulled the trigger.

Tyler froze as she felt hot metal rip through her body. She looked down into the menacing eyes of the mad man who just shot her. She grabbed his shirt collar in her fists. "You won't touch her." She said as blood dripped out of her mouth.

Kirk smiled up at her and pulled the trigger again. "Oh, yes I will." He said and shoved Tyler's now limp body off of him.

*******************************************

The two women on the couch jumped when they heard the gun go off. Bandit started to bark and growl at the window where the sound came from.

"Oh, God Tyler." BJ yelled as she headed for the window.

Mike quickly grabbed her around the waist. "No wait. Let me look." He ordered as he handed BJ over to Leo. "Stay here."

Mike walked over to the window and grabbed Bandit's collar. "Hold on boy," He glanced out and saw Tyler straddling a man. Then he heard another shot and watched as Tyler's body went limp. He closed the curtain, but didn't turn around. He kept a tight hold on Bandit's collar.

"Don't you be dead. I'll kill you of you are." He thought as he tried to get his emotions under control.

"Did you see anything?" Leo asked, but already knowing the answer by the way Mike held himself.

Mike took a deep breath and turned around. "I need to go and check it out. I want you to make sure the door is locked as soon as I step out. Under no circumstance do you let anyone else in."

"What did you see?" BJ yelled as she fought Leo's strong grip.

"Nothing," Mike answered and walked to the door.

Barb came up behind him to lock the door. She could tell Mike had lied when he said nothing. "Watch yourself and bring Tyler back."

"I hope I can." He replied without thinking.

"What?" Barb questioned softly.

"Just keep her away from the window." Mike said then opened the door and quickly stepped into the darkness.

"I will." Barb said to the closed door. Making sure the lock was in place. "God watch over our protectors."

*******************************************

The three sat on the couch listening for any sounds that might give them a clue as to what was going on outside.

After a few minutes of total quietness Bandit's ears perked up and he sniffed the air.

"What is it Bandit?" Leo asked as he continued to hold BJ in his arms.

The dog looked over at him and then the kitchen. The hairs on the back of the dogs neck stood straight up as he started to growl.

The sound of glass shattering filled the house making the three in the living room jump up.

"Bandit, come here." BJ yelled at the dog who growled.

"We need to get somewhere where we can block ourselves in." Leo whispered as he lead the two women away from the couch. "We'll go up to your room." He said as he pointed to BJ.

Barb and BJ both nodded and followed Leo. Bandit had come up to BJ, but kept looking back towards the kitchen. "Good boy, stay next to me."

They made it to the steps. "Barb go on up first. Then BJ and I'll follow. Bandit will be the last one up."

"Okay," Barb replied and headed up the steps.

Just as BJ was about to follow her Mom a laugh interrupted her. She turned and for the first time she faced her stalker.

"Where do you think you're going?" Kirk laughed evilly as he scratched his chin with the gun.

Bandit lunged through Leo's legs tripping the man.

"Bandit, NOOOO.." Leo and BJ yelled at the same time.

Kirk pointed the gun and fired it at the black dog. "Just like his master." He said and looked into scared blue eyes. "She had to be put down too."

It took a few minutes for BJ to understand what Kirk had said. "No, you're lying."

"Oh, my love she really has your mind warped." Kirk replied softly as he stepped over Bandit's body.

"Don't take another step." Leo ordered as he stepped in front of BJ. "Just stay away from her."

"You can't keep me away from something that is mine." Kirk spat as he raised the gun.

"Wait, don't shoot him." BJ begged coming up behind Leo. "I'll come with you if you just promise to leave them alone."

"BJ, no" Barb yelled from the top of the stairs. "You can't go with that bastard."

"I will if it means that you and Leo will be safe." BJ responded and stepped around Leo.

"I knew you would see it my way." Kirk smiled happily and quickly grabbed BJ by the arm when she got close enough.

BJ saw bruises and blood on Kirk's face. Then she noticed one large blood stain on the front of his shirt.

Kirk looked down, "don't worry it's not mine."

BJ slowly looked into deranged eyes. The feeling of being scared quickly left her and was replaced with pure hatred. "If that's Tyler's blood I will kill you personally."

"Oh honey, don't say things like that. Once I get you to a safe place, where I can show you what love really is you'll forget all about that blonde bitch." Kirk replied.

"If you think for one minute that I'd ever forget Tyler you're crazy. She holds my heart in her hands. My soul is empty when she's not around and if you think a sadistic ass like yourself will ever be loved by me you're crazier than I thought." BJ yelled as she kicked the man in the groin.

"BJ!" Barb screamed as she ran down the stairs.

"Leo, grab Mom and get her upstairs." BJ said as she squirmed loose of Kirk's grasp. She saw the hand that held the gun and kicked it. She watched as the gun went flying across the room to land under a table.
"What are you doing. Why are you hurting the man that loves you and would do anything to keep you." Kirk asked trying to get out of BJ's reach.

"Love? You call what you've done love? You killed innocent people just so that you could torment me. That's not love, love is what Tyler and I have. You're just some poor excuse of a man, who needs to terrorize the person you think you love." BJ replied as she watched for any kind of movement out of the man who laid on the floor staring at her.

"But I love you," Kirk repeated again.

"Get this through your thick head. I DON"T LOVE YOU!" BJ stated loudly and with force.

It was like a light finally went off and Kirk understood what BJ had said. "Too bad then. I'm just going to have to kill you."

He kicked BJ's feet out from under her. She landed on her back knocking the wind out of her.

Kirk ran in the direction the gun he had gone. He crawled on the floor and ran his hand under the table until he grasped it. Kirk stood up and pointed the barrel of the gun at BJ who had just sat up.

"You know since you just broke my heart. I would like to return the favor." Kirk said as he walked closer to BJ. " Get up." He ordered with a wave of his gun.

BJ quickly stood up on wobbly legs. "What do you mean? Return the favor." She asked very frightened with the way things were turning out.

"I'm going to show you what I did to your little girlfriend." Kirk smirked with a twinkle in his eyes. "Unlock the front door and head to the back yard."

BJ walked slowly over to the door. With shaky fingers she unlocked the door and opened it.

"Now, I want you to go very slowly. One wrong move and I'll shoot you." Kirk said and grabbed BJ by the arm again. This time squeezing hard to get his point across.

As she began to walk BJ saw Mike hiding behind a tree. Hoping that Kirk didn't see the man too she asked. "Why didn't you just ask me out. I might have said yes."

"Don't even go there now." Kirk spat and continued to march BJ to the back of the house.

As they rounded the house Kirk stopped BJ and looked at the ground.

"Where is she? I know I left her right here, dead." Kirk mumbled as he walked around trying to find any clue as to where Tyler might have crawled to.

BJ felt the hand on her arm loosen. Knowing it might be her last chance to get away she pushed Kirk and ran towards where she saw Mike.

Kirk raised the gun and fired a shot.

*******************************************

The pain Tyler felt as her body laid there in the dark was unbearable. Every time she tried to move it felt like flashes of electricity shot through her body. " Damn, I can't believe I let him get the better of me."

"I need to get myself up and help them in the house." Tyler thought as she tried again to move. She held her breath and bit her lip as she maneuvered herself to a sitting position. She could feel the blood ooze from her side down to the ground.

"I have to stop the bleeding or I won't be able to do anything." Tyler looked around trying to find anything she could use as a bandage.

The sound of footsteps made Tyler look up. "Fuck he's coming back." She looked around to find a weapon, but could only find a branch from a tree. She picked it up and held it like a bat. "Better than nothing I guess."

"Tyler?" She heard whispered and then she saw Mike peak around the corner of the house.

"Thank God, it's you." Tyler said relieved as she dropped her weapon. "I need your help."

Mike carefully walked around the house. 'Where is he?" Mike asked as he came closer.

"I don't know. " Tyler responded. "Take your coat and belt off."

Mike saw the large fresh blood stain on Tyler shirt. "Shit, that's bad." He said and quickly took off his belt and coat.

"If I use your coat and belt as a bandage and tourniquet, I should be able to stop some of the bleeding." Tyler informed her friend as she held the coat with her bloody hands. "Tie it as tight as you can." She said and held out the belt for Mike to wrap around her.

"We need to get you to a doctor." Mike stated as he did what Tyler asked.

"First things first we catch that crazy fucker before he hurts anyone else." Tyler said as she tried to stand.

"Here let me help." Mike tucked his hands under Tyler's arms. Carefully he lifted her up and held on until she could stand with out swaying.

Tyler was about to tell Mike her plan to trap Kirk when they heard a loud crash. They both looked over to where the kitchen was. "Looks like he found a way in."

"What should we do now?" Mike questioned.

"Do you have your cell phone?" Tyler smiled when Mike nodded his head, "Good, I want you to call the police. I'm going to go and see if I can see what going on in there."

"Okay, but you wait for me before you enter the house." Mike replied as he walked away to get a good signal.

Tyler stumbled her way over to the opening. As she looked she heard a gun shot and a whimper. "He shot my dog." She was about to enter when she heard BJ voice. No, baby stay away from him."

"What's going on? I heard a gun shot." Mike asked when he came up behind Tyler.

"He shot Bandit and now BJ is giving herself to him so he won't hurt anybody else." Tyler informed Mike softly. "We need to get in there."

"Let's wait until they get outside. That way we have the element of surprise." Mike suggested even though he wanted to barge in there just as much as Tyler.

"Okay, but I want to listen for a few more minutes to see if he might tell us his plans." Tyler responded as she looked back into the house.

The both listened as BJ and Kirk fought. They entered when they heard BJ yell and start to fight with Kirk. They weren't fast enough and had to carefully back track out the broken window. They heard Kirk say that he was going to show BJ what he did to Tyler.

"You get over there and hide behind those trees." Tyler whispered as soon as she made it out the window. "I'm going to go find a place to hide where he shot me. Hopefully he'll be so confused that my body isn't there it will give me a chance to jump him."

"You're hurt, so why don't you hide behind the tree and I go there and jump him." Mike suggested.

"No, this way you can get BJ away from him. I know I can keep him occupied long enough for you and her to get out of here. Her safety is more important than anything. No matter what you hear or see, you just make sure she gets out of here." Tyler looked him straight in the eye to make sure he understood what she wanted. "Besides I owe him." She finished as she held up her bloody hands.

"You just make sure that you come out of this or I'll have BJ kick your ass." Mike teased seriously.

"Don' t worry. I have no plans of going anywhere." Tyler smiled before she hugged Mike. "Okay lets get in position.

Tyler walked over to the spot she had landed after Kirk shot her. She could see a small pool of blood which made her shiver. Tyler looked for a bush that would give her a perfect view of the area. She found one not more than five feet from where she stood and it was tall enough so she wouldn't have to bend over. For that she was thankful, because she didn't think she'd be able to get back up again.

Tyler saw BJ and Kirk walk around the house. She watched the confused look come over Kirk's face as he noticed the now empty yard. She couldn't hear what he said, but that didn't matter, because she noticed BJ's quick movement.

In slow motion Tyler saw Kirk lift the gun. With every once of strength she had left she ran towards the man. She knew she didn't have enough time to stop him, but maybe it might throw him off just enough.

Tyler tackled Kirk and tried to knock the gun out of his hand. They wrestled around until Tyler got in a knee to the groin. She tossed the gun deep into the bushes.

"I'm going to kill you." Tyler stated as she grabbed Kirk by the neck and squeezed. "How does it feel?" She asked coldly as she pounded his head onto the ground.

Kirk noticed the bloody bandage and punched. He quickly scrambled away when Tyler's body fell off him.

Tyler moaned as pain shot through her entire body. She pressed her hand on the bandage and could feel warm blood spread over her skin. "That's not good."

Kirk stood up and stormed over to where Tyler laid on the ground. He noticed a branch on the ground and picked it up. "This time I'll take your head off. There's no way even a bitch like you could survive." He said as he drew back his weapon.

"Don't you even think about it." Mike yelled with his gun pointed at Kirk. "I'll shoot you faster than you could swing."

"I seem to have forgotten about you." Kirk laughed as he lowered the branch.

"Put the branch down and step away from her." Mike ordered forcefully. "Or I shoot your ass."

Kirk looked up and caught BJ's frightened eyes. Knowing that everything he had worked for was for nothing he made his mind up. He looked down at the small blonde he hated more than anything in the world. "I did it all for love." He said and raised the branch over his head.

Tyler closed her eyes.

The sound vibrated through the night until all was quiet.

BJ started to walk slowly to Tyler's still body, until she saw a slight movement and then she ran.

"Oh, God." BJ cried as she slid down next to Tyler. "Don't you die on me."

Tyler moaned and blinked her eyes. The sight of BJ leaning over her brought a smile to her lips.

"You okay?" She asked as she brought her hand up so she could caress BJ's cheek.

"I'm okay. It's you I'm worried about." BJ responded and kissed Tyler's bloody palm.

"I just called to see where the police were at. They stopped at the bridge and were waiting until we called. They'll be here any second, so hold on." Mike said as he bent over to check Tyler's wounds.

BJ saw the massive amount of blood Tyler had lost. It was all over the make shift bandage and her clothing. She glanced back up to Tyler's ash white face and closed eyelids.

"Tyler, you have to wake up for me. Come on open your eyes." BJ begged as she lightly slapped Tyler on the face. "Please, you have to open your eyes. Let me see those gorgeous green eyes that make me hot with just one look."

"She'll be okay." Mike tried to reassure the shaking woman.

BJ looked over at Mike. "She not moving and look at all this blood." She said as she raised her hands in front of her.

He could see that she was totally lost and didn't know what to do. He grabbed her hands and put them back on the bloody bandage. "Keep pressure on it. It will help slow down the bleeding. I'll go get more bandages and your Mom and Leo."

"Okay, but hurry." BJ replied softly.

"I will," Mike said before he took off running towards the kitchen so he could enter through the broken window.

*******************************************

"How long have they been in there?" BJ asked again as she paced the white room.

Barb glanced at her watch and sighed. "It's been about four hours now."

BJ stopped to look out the big picture window. The reflection that stared back at her looked nothing like the woman she had been. This new woman was different because she had been through hell and back. "I never thought it would change me. Sure I'd be more careful around people that I didn't know, but to actually know the person who killed just to be with me. How do I trust anyone ever again?"

Barb walked up to her silent daughter and wrapped her arms around her waist. "What are you thinking about?"

BJ turned so her Mom could see her reflection and pointed. "That's not the same person you knew. She's changed in ways I can't even understand yet."

"Oh, I don't know about that. She might have changed up here." Barb said as she pointed at BJ's head. "But, here nothing has changed except maybe her love for the people in her life." Barb finished as she now pointed towards BJ's heart.

BJ thought about what her Mom had said. She turned so that she was facing her Mom. "You might be right."

Barb just smiled and hugged her daughter.

Leo and Mike walked into the room with a doctor. BJ was the first to see them.

"How is she doctor?" She asked as she ran up to the three men.

"She's not out of the woods yet, but if she doesn't contract any infection she should be out of here in a week or so." The doctor informed everybody with a smile.

"When can I see her?" BJ asked after she hugged the man.

"She's in recovery right now, so I'd say in about an hour." He replied with a blush.

"Thank you," BJ responded and she turned to her Mom. "She's going to be okay." She said before she broke down and cried.

*******************************************

BJ entered the room and saw her lover hooked up to a bunch of hospital equipment.

"Don't let all those big machines scare you. There just there to help her breath and monitor her heart." The nurse informed BJ. "You can talk to her and hold her hand."

"Okay, thanks," BJ whispered as she drew closer to Tyler.

"I'll give you some privacy. If you need anything just push that button." The nurse said before she walked out of the room.

BJ sat in the chair next to the bed, and carefully lifted the small hand and placed it in between her own. Tears started to run down her face. "I love you so much that it's hard for me to think of anything else. I need you like I need food and water."

The fingers in her hand twitched. "I know you can hear me and I want you to know that the day I meet you was the greatest day of my life. No wait, the night we made love for the first time was the greatest day in my life. The way we gave ourselves to each other totally and completely. It was the most wonderful thing in the world."

The fingers twitched again and that brought a smile to BJ's face. She sat there the rest of the night talking and caressing any part of skin she could touch.

*******************************************

Barb slowly opened the door and looked in. Her daughter was sound asleep with Tyler's hand clutched in her own. Then she glanced up into tired green eyes and smiled.

"Hi, how are you feeling?" Barb asked quietly not wanting to wake her daughter.

"Okay considering." Tyler replied. "Could you get me something to drink. My throat is dry."

"Sure, I'll go fill up this pitcher with some water." Barb offered and walked to the bathroom.

She stepped out and poured some into a plastic cup. "Let me open a straw. It might be easier."

"Thank you," Tyler said after she took a couple of big sips.

"No, thank you" Barb tried to stop the tears. "I could have lost my daughter last night, but you and your friends wouldn't let that happen. For that I am very grateful."

"Mike is the one who stopped Kirk. I didn't do to much, but get hurt." Tyler replied as she lowered her head. "I wish I could have done more. I promised BJ that I wouldn't let him anywhere near her. I failed her."

Barb walked closer to Tyler. She tipped Tyler's face up with her finger. "You listen to me and you listen good. He didn't get a chance to hurt my child because you stepped in and stopped him. You might not have able to stop him from getting close, but you taught her how to defend herself. You brought your friends into our lives to help you and they didn't have to do it, but they did. For free even. The most important thing is that you brought the greatest thing in the world to my daughter……YOU."

"You know she's right and you should listen to her." BJ said groggily as she rubbed her eyes.

""Well, I'm going to go and see what Mike and Leo are doing." Barb walked out of the room, but not before giving both girls a kiss.

"I love your, Mom." Tyler said as she turned to look at BJ.

The intense blue shimmered with unshed tears.

"Please don't cry." Tyler begged as her tears threatened to fall. "I hate it when you cry."

BJ laid her head on her hands that still held Tyler's hand and cried harder. "I thought I'd lost you."

"Me? Never I'm to stubborn to go that easy." Tyler replied trying to calm BJ down with humor.

"It's not a joke." BJ snapped her head up. "You almost died last night. Shit, your still pale from all the blood loss." BJ let go of Tyler's hand and rubbed her hands as she still felt the warm blood spread over them.

"I'm sorry, you're right it's not a joke." Tyler responded softly.

After a few minutes of silence Tyler started to feel a little sleepy. She covered her mouth and yawned. "Could you do me a favor?" She looked over at BJ who nodded her head yes. "I'm getting tired and I know I'll sleep better if your next to me."

"Sound like a great idea., but I don't want to hurt you." BJ gestured to the bandage sticking out the top of Tyler's hospital gown.

"I have so much drugs in me right now I could run a marathon. So you lying here next to me isn't going to bother me a bit."

Tyler lifted the blanket and waited until BJ crawled in next to her and laid her head on her shoulder.

"This is so much better than the chair." BJ yawned.

"Yes, it is." Tyler whispered before she fell asleep.

BJ lifted her head and rested her chin on Tyler shoulder so she could watch her lover sleep. With a gentle touch she traced Tyler's face. She watched as the muscles twitched as she touched Tyler's soft lips. "I love you." She whispered before she laid her head back down and fell asleep.

******************************************

Tyler sat on a recliner chair next to the pool. She watched as the night sky filled with sparkling white stars. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted a shooting star and quickly closed her eyes and made a wish. "I wish BJ would let me make love to her tonight."

Tyler had been released a week after she was shot. The doctor said she was healing nicely and shouldn't have any lasting repercussions from the wounds. That was almost a month ago. Now the only reminder she had been shot was the two round red scares on her chest and stomach.

Unconsciously Tyler rubbed the spots through her shirt. As she remembered the last several weeks. BJ had been attentive and loving. She was there when ever Tyler needed her help or just to sit and talk. Which was okay with Tyler until she started to feel better and wanted to do more than talk.

"I need more than just a kiss here and there. I wish she'd talk to me, but every time I try to bring it up she quickly changes the subject or leaves the room saying she has things to do. Maybe she doesn't love me anymore?" Tyler thought as tears ran down her face. "Maybe it scared her so bad when I was shot that she just stopped loving me."

*******************************************

Barb found BJ staring out the window at Tyler who was looking up at the sky.

"Why aren't you out there with her?" Barb asked turning towards her daughter.

BJ lowered her head and closed her eyes. "I'm scared."

"Why?" Barb questioned softly.

"I don't know." BJ answered as she grabbed her Mom's hand.

"Do you still love her?" Barb asked.

"What kind of question is that. Of course I love her." BJ yelled at her Mom.

"I'm not the one who you need to tell." Barb pointed to Tyler. "You need to stop pushing her away."

BJ looked back at Tyler. "Is that what she thinks? Of course it is. If she didn't want to make love with me that's what I'd think."

BJ turned and kissed Barb on the cheek. "Thanks, Mom." She said before she opened the door and walked over to Tyler.

*******************************************

"Mind if I sit with you?" BJ gestured with her hands to the spot on in between Tyler's legs.

"No, I don't mind." Tyler spread her legs so that BJ could sit.

BJ sat down and scooted so that she was able to lean back against Tyler's chest. She grabbed Tyler's arms and brought them around her body. "I wanted to say that I'm sorry. I have been pushing you away and I didn't realize I was."

"It's okay, I understand." Tyler replied enjoying the feeling of BJ so close to her body.

"No you don't, because I don't understand it myself. I didn't even realize I was doing it until Mom said something to me." BJ confessed through tears.

"I do understand. Scared so much that even though the person is right in front of you and touching you that it might all be just a dream. I feel the same way, but you went one way while I went the other." Tyler informed BJ as she hugged her tighter.

BJ turned to look at Tyler's loving eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Your mind decided that it was safer to disconnect from me. Don't get me wrong you didn't do it on purpose. It's just your bodies way of protecting it's self." Tyler spoke softly.

"What about you?" BJ asked understanding a little bit of her actions towards Tyler.

Tyler bent her head and softly kissed BJ. "I wanted, no needed to reconnect with you in the most personal way. To hold you and love you when your most vulnerable. I need to make love with you to show you that I'm still here and that I'm not going anywhere." She said and kissed BJ again.

BJ closed her eyes and smiled at the way her lips tingled after Tyler's kiss. She felt fingers combing through her hair and lips caressing her skin softly on her face.

"Will you let me love you?" Tyler whispered into her ear.

BJ's mouth found Tyler's and they kissed with the passion that had been built up.

"I want you too love me." BJ moaned between kisses. "Let's go inside." She said as she stood and offered her hand to help Tyler stand.

Tyler grabbed BJ's hand and pulled herself up. She then pulled BJ closer to her body and wrapped her arms around her neck. "I love you."

BJ smiled and kissed Tyler, "I love you too."

*******************************************

Barb watched the two women walk towards the guesthouse. "Ain't love grand." She smiled and turned to make herself a cup of tea.

"Come on, Bandit, let's get you an oatmeal cookie." Barb said to the dog who got up off the floor and followed her with a slight limp.

********************************************

THE END

Tinstrttn@aol.com

Let me know if you like it, hated it or if your just bored and need something to do.
December 2002.