Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

By: Kasey

Copyright: 1999

It was a slow night. Unusually slow. She didn't know what else was on but whatever it was it must have been better than this. The dance floor was barely even crowded and there were plenty of seats left. People weren't even needing to wait at the door like past Thursday nights, which was one hell of a surprise. So she was here, sitting at the bar by herself, while watching her friends dance. She wasn't very big on dancing, never had been, so she hadn't been keen on going out there on the floor to make a public spectacle of herself. So, despite her friend's protests, she had chosen to sit down and watch rather than participate.

Kasey sighed and glanced at her watch again. Damn. It was only just after midnight. If she tried to leave now, her friends would not be happy. But that was all she wanted to do. Go home and read a book. This clubbing scene tonight wasn't much fun. So she had to slip away from her friends, find a way to leave them behind and escape into her own little world. She took another sip of her drink and glanced out at the dance floor. Her friends were being kept busy by some extremely drunk looking men so she knew this was her chance. So she picked up her purse and started walking casually for the nearest exit. She could slip outside and grab a cab home. Easy. No one would even notice her missing. They would all be kept busy by the guys who were very obviously coming onto them. Kasey smiled. If only they knew that half the girls in the group were gay and the other half were either married or in a relationship. That would probably be something worth sticking around for, but she knew she really wasn't in a mood to watch some drunk idiots make fools of themselves. It would be amusing if she did stay but what was the use when all she was interested in was getting out of these god awful shoes one of her friends has talked her into buying. Thirty-nine ninety-five gone to waste on a pair of high heels even Cindy Crawford wouldn't wear. But for the sake of being up to date and in fashion, she had shelled out the money to look six feet tall. And, in the process, looking like a fool on stilts.

Kasey had reached the exit door before one of her friends looked over to the seat she had only just recently vacated. And as her friends eyes started sweeping the dance floor and beyond, Kasey slipped outside, unnoticed and relieved. She stopped briefly to remove the shoes and then started walking along the back alley to the front of the club where she knew at least one cab would be waiting to pick up a late night fare. She didn't take the walk slow either, knowing that these alleys could be dangerous. But when she hit the place where she had thought the front of the club was, she was dismayed to learn that she had been walking in the wrong direction. Off in one of her little dream worlds she had obviously turned when she shouldn't have or didn't turn when she should have.

She stood there for several minutes, debating what she should do. The club was only a few blocks from where she lived so she could walk home. That wasn't a problem. All she had to do was get out of this maze of alleys. Easier said than done. But to get home, either by foot or by cab, she had to get out. So this was what she had to do now. Taking one last disgusted look at the shoes in her hand, she threw them into a nearby trash can, wincing at the loud sound it made. Then she slipped off the pantyhose she had been wearing and threw them away. No need to keep a pair of hose that were going to be ruined by the time she got home anyway. Then she started walking. Back the way she had some in some hope of finding her bearings. It seemed like an hour later but in reality it could have only been ten minutes when she reached the exit door she had just left. Fine, she was back where she started. This was good. Now, if only she could remember which way was home. Picking one way, Kasey sighed and started walking off that way, drifting in and out of her little worlds. Her friends said it drove them crazy when she did that, disappeared on them. Well, all her friends except one. But that was only because they were so much alike that they didn't have anything to complain about.

Kasey was humming s she reached another juncture in the alleys. Deciding to go left she started down that way then stopped, going quiet all of a sudden when she heard what sounded like two pieces of metal grating against each other. She waited to hear the sound again and it did, this time a little stronger, a little clearer. This time, however, Kasey realized that it was not metal against metal. It was the sound of pure terror, coming from a woman's voice. Curious, and half scared, she turned around and headed in the opposite direction of where she had originally been headed, moving softly, her fear increasing with every step, every heart beat intensified as the screams kept coming, one after the other, in brutal clarity. They were getting stronger and stronger, until she could not only hear the screams but the woman's pleas for help as well. Her voice was breaking, there were tears evident as she begged and pleaded with whoever it was to spare her life. Kasey's blood ran cold at the broken words and as much as her head told her to run, her terror kept her going. So she moved onwards, the voices getting louder and stronger with each step, until she could also hear the low tones of a man. And what he was saying made the hair on Kasey's arms stand on end and goosebumps to break out all over her body. This man...what he was saying was cruel, meant to terrify and subdue the woman. And it was working, because the woman's screams became weaker and softer, her voice became hoarse from the begging and now, along with the screaming and talking, Kasey could hear the cries of pain and terror, the grunts of someone who enjoyed giving pain and watching it being administered. Then there was a laugh, an evil maniacal laugh that sent chills running through Kasey's whole body. It was then that she stumbled upon the scene. A woman, no older than nineteen or twenty was lying on the ground, half naked, half beaten to death, her hands covered in blood, her face, her beautiful face marred with bruises and cuts. The man standing over her was holding a knife, at least four inches long and he was holding it to her throat, whispering in her ear. Whatever he was saying to her was putting that terror in her eyes, making her sob and grasp his arm tighter, trying to move the knife away from her. But this woman was tiny, certainly no match for someone as tall and strong as this man. Kasey hid around the corner, careful not to be seen. She covered her mouth with both hands as the man moved the knife from the woman's neck and down to her thighs. Whatever he did there caused the woman to cry out with so much pain that it was all Kasey could do not to cry out with her. But sanity was prevailing, telling her that if made one sound, she would be next.

The man licked the blood off the knife and smiled at the revulsion and fear he saw on this whore's face. He loved the fear, the screams of terror that he could produce. He had been thirteen when he had realized his love of torturing women. At first it had started with little girls, and him touching them, making them cry, seeing the pain in their eyes, the fear. As he grew, so did his tastes. By the time he had reached the age of eighteen, his style had been refined. He would take the woman into a deserted alley, hold a knife to her throat and rape her, making small cuts in her skin as he did so. But that hadn't been enough, and at age twenty-five, almost ten years ago, he had completed his first kill. A fresh faced eighteen-year-old college student. The intense rush of pleasure he had felt at that had intensified at each kill. The first kill had been simple, just a strangling. But each woman he had chosen as his next target, his need for the kill had grown, the ideas, the way he could make them suffer had increased. Until now, ten years later, he was ready to do more than one woman in a night. This bitch whore on the ground was nothing. Just another target, just another kill. But the next woman, the woman he was practicing for was going to be special. He was going to take his time with her, make her scream until she was hoarse, make her eyes fill with pain over and over again. He wanted to tell her, in exact detail what he was going to do to her and see the fear, hear her begging for her life. He was going to keep the next woman for days, torturing and using her, until his need was ready to be assuaged. It would be so easy to take the woman he had chosen. Take her away where no one would find them. To a place where they wouldn't be disturbed, so he could do what he wanted to her and no one would hear her. He felt himself growing hard at the thought of what he had in mind for this special woman. The only thing he had to do now was to choose her. She had to be very special, someone who seemed strong but would crack under the slightest pressure of pain. Someone...someone like that one trying to hide from him.

He looked at the reflection in his knife and smiled to himself. That one. She was going to be his next target. The special woman on which he made a name for himself. But the time he was finished with her, she would be nothing but a bunch of teeth to make an identification from. She was alright looking as well, maybe not as pretty as his other victims but she had that strong look about her, like nothing ever worried the bitch. Well, her life was about to be worried. Because he was going to worry it for her. The strong ones always objected, tried to do more talking than the ones like this one on the ground. This one, all she did was cry and try to beg for her life. But the other one would be smart, she'd try to outsmart him and talk her way out of the fate destiny had in plan for her. And he'd enjoy breaking her, inch by inch, minute by minute until she was crying and screaming and the terror in her eyes would hit home until she realized she was going to die. And then, and only then, when she had realized it, he would do it. He would take a knife and start opening her up. Using every way he knew how to create pain, he would make that bitch suffer, like she had never suffered before in her life.

Kasey watched the man look up from the knife. She tried to shrink back into the shadows but she knew, the minute when his eyes connected with hers that he had seen her, had probably know she was there from the beginning. His mouth split open into an evil smile and he licked his lips, eyeing her up and down, his black eyes lighting up with malice. She could see into his soul through those eyes and what she saw there terrified her more than anything she had ever thought possible. He brought the knife to the woman's throat and, with his eyes still on Kasey, he ran the blade over the soft skin of the woman on the ground. There was a muted choke, a scramble for air and then nothing. The woman's hand that had been grasping the mans arm relaxed and dropped to the ground and her heard rolled to the side, giving Kasey a perfect view of the now dull blue eyes. As she started backing away, the man got to his feet and licked the knife clean, making Kasey's stomach turn in revulsion. He smiled at her again, his evil smile that made her fear for her life and mouthed the words she clearly understood...'You're next bitch'.

*****

He looked at her as she tried to back up against the wall of the building. Now that he was getting a proper look at her, he knew she'd be perfect. No wimping out this one. Oh no. This one would be the most perfect woman of them all. He could see that she was frightened and that excited him, but he could also see she wasn't letting the fear over ride her senses. She was ready to flee and if he didn't catch her in time, she would. So he started moving towards her, slowly, deliberately, watching her eyes, seeing them widen and then she licked her lips, looking from one side to the other as she contemplated her escape avenues. He could see she was ready to run, so he had to hurry this. Damn. He hated rushing these things. He liked taking his time, introducing his target to fear and terror at its greatest. He flicked the knife out, just barely catching her clothes but it was enough. She gasped out loud and bolted, back the way she had come. For someone with no shoes - a fact he had taken close note of - she moved surprisingly agile. Nothing seemed to stop her, not the broken glass he knew she must have been standing on nor the fear she must be feeling at being pursued like this. She was breathing heavy, half from the exhaustion of running so fast and from being scared. But he knew that in time she would tire. And then...he licked his lips as he lumbered after her, she would be his. He would take her and hold her away from the public, away from the civilization that frowned on his kind. He was classified as mentally insane in some cases, a monster in others. All he was a man who happened to enjoy hurting and dominating women. Was that so bad?

Kasey couldn't breathe, couldn't think. The only thing that was propelling her along these filthy alleys, amongst the broken glass and god knows what else she was stepping on, was fear. Pure, unadulterated fear. She had been scared before, but never, not in her entire life, had she ever been so terrified, so afraid of what would happen to her if that man got his hands on her. She had heard and seen what he could do, what he would do. And he didn't look like a man who would listen to begging or pleading or any kind of talking. She had seen blackness in his eyes, a void where a human might have had something. There had been nothing but pleasure in creating pain in those eyes of him and she had to admit that it had scared her. She had read about men like him, the men who took their pleasure from a woman's scream, from a woman's terror. She knew enough about them to know what they were after. An easy victim. Someone who trusted and who let themselves be taken into dangerous situations. And she knew, that if she let him catch her, let him touch her in anyway, she would never get a quick, painless death. No, this man would be turned on by hurting her. So she had to get away, had to run until she found another person, a policeman, anyone that she could run to and talk to, to be with. She needed to...

She screamed when she felt a hand brush against her blouse and then she heard the tearing sound. Not slowing down, not even bothering to look at the damage, she ran faster and harder, hearing the drone of traffic nearby. She was nearly there. She needed to get away and find someone who could help her. Her foot connected with something sharp, something intensely painful and she couldn't help but stumble a little. It hurt, more pain than she was used to but still she kept running, tears falling down her face, her vision blurring as she focused on the next alley, hoping that someone would be there. The pain in her foot intensified with each step, but her determination, her will to live was stronger, so strong in fact that when she felt the hand grab onto her skirt, she burst forward and managed to twist her way out of his grasp. And then, suddenly, one minute she was in the alley, next minute she had burst out onto the street. Running out onto the road, in front of cars, she cried out and waved her hands, trying to get someone to stop. It was then that she risked a look at her pursuer, it was then that she saw his face, his glare at her as he slunk back into the shadows. And it was then that she saw the flashing lights of the police. Never before had she been so grateful to see those lights.

Gasping and breathing heavily, her hand to her chest, she collapsed onto the road in front of the police car, causing its driver to slam on the brakes and turn away from her, so he wouldn't hit her. She rested her head on her knees, breathing in deep gasping breaths as she tried to catch her breath, never hearing the slam of the doors, never hearing the approaching footsteps, never realizing someone was behind her until a hand was placed on her shoulder. It was then that she let out the scream she had been holding in since the first moment she had seen him. It was high and full of panic, causing one police officer to glance at the other, a worried expression on his handsome face.

This woman looked like she had been through hell. Her hair was a mess, her face tear streaked, her clothes torn and dirty...the officer felt a cold chill run through his blood. Another rape. Or attempted rape. That was the obvious thing. This woman had become another victim to a rapist. He crouched down in front of her, placing his gentle hands on her face and lifting it so their eyes met...her green ones full of terror and pain, his brown eyes full of concern and care. And the minute their eyes connected, he realized that this was not a rape case. This was something completely different...and would probably change his life forever.

*****

Kasey was scared. But this man, the one who was touching her with such gentle hands and such concern in his eyes wasn't going to hurt her. Her terror filled mind finally registered that he was a police officer, someone who could help her, someone she could talk to about what she had seen...oh god. Where was he? Was he watching this? Taking in every minute detail? Making his plans for her? She jerked her head out of this mans hands and stared around frantically, trying to see him, trying to find where he was. But she couldn't, there were too many people milling around, obscuring her vision. The police officer gently took hold of her face again but she jerked out of his grip, struggling to stand up. But the shock had finally taken hold of her body now that the adrenaline rush was over and she found that’s he wasn't able to stand. She only got a little way up when her legs gave way on her and she fell to the ground again with a soft cry. But the officer was there, his arms around her, his touch warm and comforting, his scent oddly familiar and yet still strange.

" Ma'am, let me help you up," he said softly, slowly, so as not to upset her. She allowed his help, slowly getting to her feet and leaning against the cool metal of the car behind her. She looked down at herself and realized that her blouse was half torn away, showing her bra and what was left of her skirt barely covered all the necessities. She blushed a bright red and immediately the officer shrugged out of his jacket and wrapped it around his shoulders. It fell down to mid-thigh and she instantly buried herself into it, breathing in his scent, feeling warm and secure almost as once.

" Lets take her in Miguel," she vaguely heard the other officer speak, barely registered the other mans nod before she was being helped into the back of the patrol car. She sat on the seat and leaned back into it, sighing deeply as she finally felt the last lingering sense of immediate danger fall away. She closed her eyes...she was so tired, so sleepy. She needed to rest, just for a minute...

*****

" What do you mean, she just came racing out of nowhere? Did you search the alleys around there?" the captain wasn't happy. Any rookie could see that. And any rookie would stay away. But Miguel wasn't a rookie. He was a senior officer, been on the force now for almost three years, ever since he had moved away from the entertainment industry. And never, in his three years with the Boston PD had he seen a woman as scared and as terrified as the woman who was sleeping soundly on a cell bunk. His first thought, that it had been a rape was wrong. When a search of the alleys had been conducted, they had found the body of a woman. Miguel had come to the conclusion that this woman, the woman who had raced out of those same alleys, had in some way, witnessed what had happened. But why didn't anyone believe that? They all thought it was a rape or attempted rape. Her torn clothes were evidence of that. But Miguel believed different. He had never been wrong on one of his hunches, nor was he going to be wrong this time. This woman was a witness to a brutal murder and if the police department didn't at least attempt to protect her, the she would be the next on this maniac's list.

" I told you Cap. She came running out of the alleys as though someone was after her. She ran right into the middle of the road and collapsed onto the road, right in front of the squad car. When we did the alley search, all we found was the body of a deceased nineteen or twenty-year-old woman. She had been raped, mutilated, tortured and then a knife was taken to her throat. That woman in there," Miguel said, indicating the sleeping woman," Is a witness to what happened. You cannot tell me that you won't at least send someone to her place to protect her until we know for sure what happened."

" We can't do that Melendez. We don't know what happened and with this maniac who killed that woman loose, we need every officer out there looking for him."

" Then let me," Miguel surprised himself with the request.

" You?"

" Yes, me. I have vacation time coming up. Let me take it and stay with her. Protect her the way she needs to be protected. You can afford to let me go, I'm only a traffic cop anyway," he said and his Captain sighed.

" That's why I'm not keen of putting you into that kind of situation. You haven't seen real duty in a year. Are you sure that you can..."

" I wouldn't have offered if I didn't think I could handle it. I am ready to get back into proper duty. I've been practicing every day and I am 100% fit. Please Cap. Let me do this please. I can help her," damn he really was surprising himself. Since when had he begged for an assignment?

" Fine, fine. Just don't get dead you hear? I happen to like you, though go knows why. We want to talk to her first, before she goes home."

" I realize that Cap. Do you want me to wake her?" Miguel asked and entered the cell after the Captain waved him away irritatedly. Miguel stood at the side of the bunk, watching the woman sleep. She breathed easy now, all signs of her shock and terror wiped away by the innocence of sleep. Her auburnish brown hair curled around her face and shoulders and she looked to be no more than about twenty-five. His eyes roamed the rest of her body, finding it to his liking. He shook his head, bemused at why his thoughts were turning to the carnal instead of focusing on his job. This woman was a witness, someone he was going to be protecting. If he let himself get involved with her...his blood ran cold at the implications. Sighing, he gently shook her, hoping that's all she needed to wake. But all she did was murmur something and burrow deeper into his jacket. But as she moved, her skirt, which was already in pieces, rode up her thighs to reveal black silk lace panties that did nothing to conceal. He swallowed hard as he shook her, a little more firmly this time, adding his voice to the movement. This time she awoke, with a start, her green eyes immediately filling with fear. But when her eyes focused on him, the fear receded and in its place was serenity.

" We want to ask you a few questions, is that okay?" he asked as she sat up and tugged her torn skirt down over her legs. She wouldn't look at him and he knew that she was feeling embarrassed at her clothes - or lack of to be exact. He wondered if one of the female officers had a spare change of clothes that the woman could wear and realized that the sooner she was comfortable within herself she'd be more open with him," Stay here okay? I'll go and see what I can do to find you some clothes to wear."

" Thank you," she said. He had to strain to hear her but he did detect an accent. British? He nodded and left her sitting on the bunk, her knees drawn up to her chest, his jacket covering her body. He pushed her out of his mind as he went into the squad room and cornered the first woman he saw, who also happened to be around the same size and height of the woman. Damn. He'd have to remember to get her name. He couldn't keep calling her the woman or ma'am.

" Judy, we have a witness in custody who needs a change of clothes. Would you happen to have any spare?" he asked. Judy, who was an attractive blonde, smiled at him and nodded.

" Sure do Miguel. She can have 'em, if you go out with me this Friday," she said and Miguel groaned inwardly.

" Sorry Judy but I'm on vacation as of tomorrow. And I start witness protection tonight. So until that's over, I won't be free. Maybe after then?" he placated and she smiled, albeit a little less enthusiastically than last time. She had been after him to go out with her for the past year but every time he had had an excuse. She was a nice woman, he supposed, attractive and fun loving. But he was at that age where attractive and fun loving just weren't the only things that were cutting it with women any more. He wanted stability, he wanted permanence, he wanted...the woman with an accent and torn clothes. He shook his head and sighed silently. What the hell was he thinking? Judy led him over to her locker and opened it, pulling out an over sized sweatshirt and a pair of cutoffs.

" These do?" she asked, waving them in front of his face.

" They'll be fine Judy," he said and went to take them off her but she held them back.

" Make sure I get my date Miguel," she said and handed them to him, then walking away with a swing in her hips. Miguel supposed that it was garnered to attract his attention but it warranted nothing more than a brief passing glance. He had seen the tricks before. Being a manager of several popular singers he had been chatted up more times than he could remember. So he knew all the female wiles. He hurried back into the cell and found the woman sitting in the same place as he had left her. In fact, it didn't look as if she had even moved.

" Ma'am?"

" Kasey," the voice was so soft and husky he had to bend down closer to hear her.

" Excuse me?"

" Instead of calling me ma'am, please call me Kasey. That's my name. Kasey," she said and he nodded. So he knew her name, but the accent still remained a mystery.

" Well Kasey, I have some clothes for you to put on, instead of what you're wearing at the moment," he said and handed her the clothes Judy had given him. He noticed the way she seemed to burrow deeper into his jacket, and cling to it, almost in a panic, as if the jacket were some kind of lifeline.

" Can I keep the jacket for now?" she asked softly.

" Sure. You keep it until you can get rid of it okay? I'll be just outside and when you're changed, come on out and I'll take you up to the interview room," he said and she nodded, biting her lip nervously.

" Will you be there?" she asked and he frowned," At the interview?"

" Oh. It's not an interview, just some questions. And yes, if you want me there I'll be there for you," he said and she nodded again. She looked so vulnerable, so scared and yet, amongst all the fear and the vulnerability, Miguel could see an inner strength, something that he knew she was going to need in spades over the next god knows how long.

" Thank you...what is your name?"

" Miguel. My name is Miguel," he said and she smiled wanly.

" Thank you Miguel. For...for everything," she whispered and he nodded, before leaving the cell again and waiting for her outside.

*****

He heard her cry out in pain and rushed back inside the cell, to find her on the bunk, tears streaming down her face as she held her feet. It was then that he realized she had blood and cuts all over them. He cringed at the thought of the pain she must have been in. He hadn't even seen them before. He knelt down in front of the bunk and took one foot in his hand, holding it gently and examining the wounds.

" You stay right here and I'll get something to clean them okay?" he asked as he got to his feet. She nodded, her eyes still full of tears and he felt guilty because he hadn't seen her wounds sooner. He hurried out of the cell and raced to the sick room, hurriedly filling a basin with warm water, adding some antiseptic and grabbing the first aid kit as he made his way back to the cell. She was still there, not moving, but at least the tears had slowed. Her eyes were closed and he thought she had drifted off to sleep but as he neared, her eyes flew open and focused on him. He knelt back down and started washing the sole of one foot very gently, trying not to wince every time she did.

" I didn't even register the pain," her soft voice whispered over his consciousness.

" You wouldn't. The adrenaline would have kicked in and the pain wouldn't have registered straight away. Why were you walking in an alley with no shoes on?" he asked, removing a tiny shred of glass that was embedded in her heel.

" My shoes were uncomfortable. I'd been at a club and they were hurting so I took them off. It was only meant to be a short walk to the front of the club but I...I kinda go into these little worlds and forget where I am and forget to pay attention to what I'm doing," she said, almost embarrassed. He laughed softly as he started washing her other foot.

" That's okay. Will you be okay to walk?" he asked as he finished the job. He spread some antiseptic cream on her now clean foot and slipped on a pair of clean white socks he had remembered to bring.

" I...I think so," she said and he nodded, paying more attention to the first aid kit than her," Miguel." Her voice made him jerk his head up, so their eyes were meeting again. And again his first thoughts when he saw her green eyes were not job related.

" Yeah?"

" Thank you."

" For what?" he asked. What had he done?

" For not thinking I was a prostitute when I ran out onto the road. Any one else would have and I'm very grateful you didn't," she said and he nodded, placing a hand on the bunk as he pushed himself to his feet.

" I never assume on things or people I don't know," he said. He felt her hand cover his and looked up at her.

" Thank you anyway," she said and he nodded, moving his hand away and picking up the basin and first aid kit before leaving the cell.

*****

Kasey was surprised at the officer's kindness. Her only experience with police men had been years ago, when she had been out with friends and a group of policemen had pulled them all over, accusing them of dealing in drugs. Her impression of them had not been the greatest so she was surprised, and touched at this mans kindness. He looked familiar, but she couldn't place where she had seen him before. His eyes were nice, she mused as she slipped out of the torn remains of her clothes and into the cutoffs and sweatshirt he had found for her. The sweatshirt smelled strongly of a heavy, oriental perfume that surrounded her and choked her. But she was grateful to be out of her other clothes so she didn't want to complain. She left the torn pieces on the bunk and slowly made her way out of the cell to find the officer, Miguel he had said his name was, sitting at a desk, reading. He looked up when she appeared and smiled, a smile that managed to take her breath away even though she was still reeling from her earlier experience. He was an extremely handsome man and she wondered why he had chosen to be a police officer instead of something more, like a model.

" How do you feel now?" he asked, getting to his feet and coming over to her.

" Better. Although I wouldn't say no to a shower at this point," she said.

" When we're finished talking to you, I'll drive you home okay? Then you can have that shower," Miguel said, images of her in the shower coming to mind. His face flushed a red and he had to turn away from her so she wouldn't see the effect she was having on him. Damn this wasn't good. He was supposed to be protecting her, not thinking of ways he could seduce her.

" Great. So, lead the way," she said and he led her out of the small room and down a hall, turning right before reaching another room, this one having the words 'Interrogation' written on the outside of the door. Miguel pushed the door open and let Kasey enter before him, then shut the door firmly behind him as she sat down on the plastic chair at the table. The Captain was there, as well as two detectives from Homicide. Miguel knew them, by reputation. Big shots, wannabes, jerks...any number of less than flattering descriptions come to mind. These two had a reputation of finding the killers regardless of the danger to the witnesses or anyone else, for that matter.

" Cap, Brooks, Linus, this is Kasey," Miguel introduced the, watching as Linus and Brooks cast disparaging glances at the woman sitting at the table. As Miguel sat down on a chair against the wall, he looked at Kasey again and realized what they were thinking. A whore. Someone who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, someone who's word could not be trusted, but someone who would help them, and they would use her. Use her and then throw her aside. That thought made Miguel's fists clench in anger but he did a very good job at hiding this.

" So, Kasey. Can you tell me what you were doing in the alley tonight?" Brooks asked, sitting on the table in front of her. It was a technique used to intimidate. And it usually did. But the other people who had this pulled on them weren't as strong as Kasey, Miguel could see that. Her eyes flashed with annoyance and she subtly moved her chair back a fraction before speaking.

" A man, with a knife and a woman," she said and Linus wrote something on his ever present notepad.

" What else?"

" What do you mean, what else? Isn't that enough? I saw the man put that knife to that poor woman's throat and cut it, like she was nothing more than a piece of meat. What else do you want to hear?" Kasey asked.

" How about telling us what you were doing there in the first place?" Linus asked.

" I got lost," she said shortly and from the looks Linus and Brooks shared, Miguel knew that they didn't believe her.

" Lost? How can you get lost?"

" Easy. I haven't lived in Boston long. That's why," Kasey said, a touch of sarcasm in her voice.

" Really? Where are you from then?"

" Australia," she said and Miguel smiled. So that explained the accent.

" Australia? What are you doing over here then?" Linus asked, like it was a crime to live here instead of Australia.

" Working. And before you ask, yes I am here legitimately. I have a work visa and a good job. I'm not here illegally, taking a job that could go to some American," Kasey said and Miguel hid a smile. She may have been through hell tonight but she was still fighting.

" Okay so lets leave that alone. Why were you in the alley?"

" I got lost. Do I have to keep telling you that? I was out clubbing with a group of my friends and felt the need to leave. So I slipped out a back exit and got lost in the alleys behind the club. I wasn't sure which was to go. I took a wrong turn, heard the woman scream and followed the sound of the scream. That's when I saw him," Kasey said, her voice wavering a little on the word 'him'.

" Okay so describe the scene," Brooks asked and Miguel's anger almost erupted.

" There were trash cans, and against this wall was a pile of old papers. The woman was lying on the ground, her clothes half missing, blood covering her and she was crying. Begging. Pleading him for her life. He was holding the knife to her throat when I got there, then he moved it down between her legs. He licked the blood from the knife. That's when he saw me. Either he heard some sound I made, or saw me in some other way. He looked up at me and I saw these eyes...they were black. No emotion, nothing. Just a blackness in them. Then he looked at me, brought the knife to the woman's throat and cut it. That's when he got up and started chasing me," Kasey said, her eyes filling with a remembered fear, her hands shaking as she wrapped the jacket around herself, like a protective shield. Brooks threw Miguel a look that asked questions but Miguel managed to keep his face bland. But he was tightly holding onto his temper, afraid that if he reacted to this, the Captain wouldn't let him protect her. And he knew that her safety lay in his hands. Brooks and Linus certainly didn't believe her. They wouldn't even think of protecting her. So it was up to him.

" Anything else? Did you hear what he said? Can you describe him for us?" Linus asked. It took several moments for Kasey to answer. She seemed to be locked in another world, a world filled with terror. Brooks had to shake her before she looked at them in unfocused surprise.

" What?"

" Did you hear what he said? Can you describe him for us?" Linus repeated, this time a little less patiently. Kasey closed her eyes and nodded slowly.

" I can describe him. I can tell you what he said. Anything you want, I can do," she said firmly and opened her eyes again.

" Anything?" Brooks repeated scathingly.

" Anything."

*****

" I don't believe her story," Miguel had been expecting it, he really had but to actually hear the words left him almost speechless.

" How can you not believe her? She's obviously been through something. She described the scene as we found it, even right down to the papers against the wall. She's giving you a description of the man, of what he said. What do you not believe?" Miguel asked, his disbelief apparent.

" Hell, what is a woman doing alone in an alley?"

" Getting lost," Linus said and Brooks laughed.

" Sure she was getting lost. With a client," he said. The speed at which Miguel moved surprised every one of the four men in the hallway outside the room, as well as onlookers and passerbys. Miguel had Brooks pinned up against the wall by his collar within seconds of those words being uttered, and the look of pure murder flashing in his brown eyes wasn't to be ignored.

" Take that back. She is not a whore," he said through clenched teeth. Brooks looked surprised for a short while before anger and hatred dawned on his face.

" Let me down Melendez or I'll have you suspended," he hissed. Reluctantly Miguel let him go, watching with fire in his eyes as Brooks straightened his tie," You have feelings for her already? Didn't that get you into trouble last time?"

" That was a different matter," Miguel said and Brooks laughed dryly.

" Sure it was. This is exactly the same as last time. You got involved with the woman you were protecting and she died. Its history repeating itself and you're being a fool. She's a whore, who saw nothing, who is making this up so we wont throw her in jail. The story is as fake as her accent," Brooks said and Miguel laughed dryly.

" Sure it is Brooks. The accent is real, the story is real and I intend to prove it," he said, turning his back on the detective.

" Melendez, don't get too close this time huh? Don't want another innocent to die because you fell for her," Linus called out mockingly. Miguel clenched his fists but said nothing, did nothing as he entered the room where Kasey was just finishing her statement. She looked up as he entered and smiled slightly, although the smile never reached her eyes.

" Can I go home now?" she asked and he could see the fear was back in her eyes. The re-telling of her experience had put that there.

" Sure. Just let me grab my stuff from the locker room and we can get going," he said and started to leave, but realized that he hadn't told her he was her protection," Ah, Kasey, there's something I have to tell you?"

" What is it? Those detectives are gonna put me in jail because they think I'm a hooker right?" she asked.

" No. Its...I've talked this over with my Captain. Even though Brooks and Linus don't fully believe you, Cap and I still believe you need protecting," he said.

" Oh. So what, do I have to leave my home for some witness protection thing?"

" No. It's going to be in home protection," Miguel said," I'll be staying in your home, with you, for protection," he added and watched as Kasey's eyes widened.

*****

The ride back to Kasey's house was silent and strained. He knew she wasn't happy with having a policeman in her home. Or maybe it was that she wasn't happy about having to be protected. Hell, it could even be unhappiness that Brooks and Linus didn't believe a word she had said. They had taken the description she had given them with a grain of salt and Miguel knew that had not only hurt her, but also terrified her. And Miguel knew that this man was the one they were looking for. He was the murderer and unless Brooks and Linus climbed down from their ivory towers, Kasey would be the killer's next target.

" Why don't they believe me?" they were the first words she had spoken since Miguel had told her about the protection.

" Because they're high and mighty and they think you're a prostitute who was only making the story up so you wouldn't get sent to jail," Miguel said wearily, running a hand through his hair.

" I don't lie. I am not a whore. I saw what I saw. A man killed a woman in front of me and then came after me. Why would I make that up?" she asked.

" Look, I believe you. Cap believes you. I'll protect you..."

" Yeah but you're not the detectives on the case, are you? Those two neanderthals are instead," she said miserably. Miguel smiled. Neanderthals was right.

" But I'm the one protecting you, remember? Now don't worry about those two. If worse comes to worse, I'll see about getting another detective to work on the case," Miguel said as he pulled up in the driveway of Kasey's home. He turned off the ignition and unbuckled his seatbelt," You stay in here. I want to make sure that your house so okay before I let you go inside. Lock the doors, and if you need me, honk the horn. Do not get out of the car okay?"

" Okay. But are you sure you'll be okay alone?"

" I'll be fine," he reassured her. He was touched that she cared enough to ask," Remember what I said?"

" Sure. Keep the doors locked, honk on the horn. Understood," she said and he nodded, shutting the door as he got out. He heard the click of the locks and started up the drive, his gun drawn, all his senses tuned. The likelihood of anyone ever being here was slim but he never took anyone's life jokingly. He walked slowly up the stairs, the keys to the house ready in his hand and unlocked the front door. Pushing it open, he entered the house the way he had been trained. All the lights were on, something Kasey had said she continuously did whenever going out at night. The search of the house took no longer than ten minutes. No one was here, no evidence of anyone ever being here so Miguel breathed easily. He stepped back out onto the porch and indicated to Kasey that's he could come inside. He stood there, watching her carefully as she got out of the car and walked up the drive, almost running to him. She took the stairs two at a time and reached him in no time flat.

" Okay?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her and walking inside with her. She nodded as she shut and bolted the door behind them.

" Better now," she said and he smiled as he placed his gun on the coffee table, within easy reach. He glanced around her living room and smiled. It was very homey, very lived in. She was obviously a big reader because there were piles of books stacked up all around the room," Would you like a cup of coffee?"

" I think its kind of late for that. Maybe I should just get some sleep. We can sit down and organize everything after a good nights sleep," Miguel said. He had to get away from her, get away from her vulnerability, before he did something that they would both regret, him more so.

" Oh. Okay. Well, um, my spare bedroom isn't ready, it still has boxes and stuff stacked away in there. Would you mind sleeping out here tonight? It'll only be for one night," Kasey asked nervously.

" Kasey, calm down okay? It'll be fine. The lounge won't kill me for one night," he said, and Kasey laughed nervously, biting her nails.

" Okay. Well...I'll leave you...my room is right there," she said, pointing to a room where the door was partially open," And the phone is right there, on the desk."

" Great. Go to bed Kasey. Go and have that shower you want and try to get some sleep okay? I'll be right here if you need me," he said and Kasey nodded, walking slowly towards the bathroom. She came back only a couple of minutes later, a couple of pillows and blankets in her hands.

" Here's what you'll need for tonight. I am sorry about this but I wasn't expecting anyone..." her voice trailed off as she fiddled with the zipper on his jacket. Miguel took the linen off her and placed it on the lounge, then wrapped his arms around her and hugged her quickly.

" Stop worrying. Everything will work out okay? You don't have to worry about anything while I'm here with you," he said and she smiled at him through a fine sheen of tears.

" I appreciate this, I really do. No one has ever really cared this much about me. And for you, a police officer to believe everything I say, well its kind of overwhelming," she said and left him standing in the middle of the room, stunned at the intensity of emotions that overwhelmed him.

*****

He didn't know what had woken him, except that he was keenly aware whatever is was wasn't normal. It was a high pitched sound, almost like...Miguel threw back the covers and grabbed his gun, rushing into Kasey's bedroom as she screamed again. She was sitting straight up in bed, her long hair curling around her shoulders, terror all over her face. He put the gun down on her bedside table and gathered her up in his arms, his heart pounding in fear as he felt her stiffen and try to struggle. But his soft words and gentle touches placated her enough so he could bring her close to his body.

" I'm right here Kasey. I swear I'm not going to let anything happen to you," Miguel whispered in her ear, rocking her gently, brushing her hair away from her face as she looked at him with fear filled eyes. His heart turned over at such a vulnerable look. His arms tightened involuntarily around her and drew her closer to his body, feeling the tiny shivers that wracked her body.

" It was so real," she said huskily and he nodded, running his hands over her back in an attempt to comfort her. She smelled so good, like roses and champagne. And she felt so good. Like she belonged here in his arms, like they were made for each other.

" It'll be okay," he said again. That was all he could think of saying. The way in which his body was reacting to her closeness made it almost impossible for him to breathe, let alone think.

" Are you sure? You're going back out there to sleep. I don't want to sleep alone, I really don't. I don't think that I can handle being in here by myself," Kasey said, shuddering as she threw a look at the windows. Miguel was torn. What should he do? He was a policeman, on duty, protecting a witness. Thoughts of seducing her should not be in his mind, but they were, and as much as he had tried to remove them during the day, it had been impossible.

" Would you like me to stay in here?" he asked. God curse him for hoping she would say yes.

" You would? Isn't that going a bit far to protect me?" she asked, looking up at him, in the process, rubbing her breasts against his bare chest unconsciously. The reaction his body gave to that was almost impossible to hide.

" Well it may be but you're obviously scared. I can stay in here, on the floor, just so you can get some sleep," he said. Kasey nodded slowly and he moved away from her, slowly, trying to hide his very obvious arousal.

" Than you," she said and he smiled, weakly, but smiled none the less. It wasn't as though he was going to get any sleep tonight anyway, he thought. He moved off the bed and started to walk away from her, back out to the living room to get the pillows and blankets he had been using when a loud crash sounded outside. Kasey screamed and he whirled around, racing over to the window and peering out. He saw a broken branch leaning against the house and sighed in relief.

" Its okay Kasey. Just a branch. That's all it was," he said and turned back to her. She looked frightened, the sheet held protectively up against her silk covered breasts.

" Are you sure he's not out there?" she asked as he walked over to her and sat on the bed with her again.

" Just a branch. He's not out there, I swear," he said and she nodded.

" Stay with me in here. Please. You can sleep in the bed, much more comfortable than the floor," she said and when he hesitated, she placed a hand on his arm in an attempt to convince him," Please Miguel. I'd feel much better if you were here with me. I know I won't sleep otherwise."

" All right," he said reluctantly and moved onto the bed more fully, waiting until she lay down then laying down behind her, placing his hands on her stomach as he held her close. He closed his eyes at this newest torture. He didn't know if he could handle sleeping this close to her. It was too much for an ordinary man to bear.

" Relax Miguel. I'm not going to seduce you," she said softly.

" No but I'd like to do that to you," he said before he could stop himself. He felt Kasey stiffen and then relax.

" Then why have you waited this long?" she asked huskily and he groaned, leaning over her and kissing her gently on the lips. She tasted as good as he had expected, maybe even better. Kasey sighed into his mouth and relaxed more fully against him.

Just the mere touch of his hand on her bare skin was enough to cause her to gasp. Miguel smiled against her hair as he ran his fingers lightly up her thigh, stopping at her panties, then running it back down her thigh again. Kasey held her breath as he slid his other hand up under her shirt, not knowing what he was going to do. When his hand covered one breast, she let the breath out, slowly and shakily. He was being so gentle, so loving. His hand kneaded her breast, his fingers plucking at her nipple until it was standing at painful attention, rubbing against the silk of the shirt. His other hand was still running up and down her thigh, moving in between her legs occasionally, making her spread her legs a little to allow him access. But the one part she was longing for him to touch, he wouldn't. He just seemed to be enjoying teasing her. She moved back against him, grinding her ass against his arousal, making him groan a little at the sensations. She smiled slightly. Hell if he could tease her, then she could give as good as she got. She turned over onto her back and looked at him, as he still lay on his side, his chest glistening in the moonlight, a small smile on his face as his hands worked their magic on her body. She ran a hand down his chest, stopping at the nipples, running her fingernail over each of them, his eyes closing at the exquisite sensations that caused. Then her hands were gone, moving down his stomach, over his abs and resting at the waist band of his boxer shorts. She ran a finger lightly over his heat, feeling it jerk and twitch under that tiny touch and knew he wasn't immune to her. She moved her hand up to the waist band and slipped her hand underneath, wrapping her hand around his arousal gently, feeling its hardness, feeling the satiny smoothness of it. With her free hand she slowly slid the shorts off him, pulling them as far down as she could reach, leaving him to kick them off at the end. She pushed him onto his back and kneeled down in front of him, just by his hips and started moving her hand up and down his manhood, making his hips arch at every stroke. His hands were under her shirt, and, having no other way to remove it, ripped it straight down the middle. He tore away the pieces and placed his hands over her breasts, squeezing and kneading the soft flesh under his hands, pinching her nipples softly, making her moan and grasp harder on his arousal. He lifted his head and ran his tongue around and over one nipple, drawing it into his mouth and raking his teeth over it, biting down on it gently. He couldn't stand this, he needed to taste her. And her breasts weren't what he wanted. So he placed his hand on her hips and pushed her back onto the bed, removing her hands from his arousal, smiling a little at the look of disappointment on her face. He leaned over and kissed her, running his tongue along her bottom lip, sucking on it, capturing her moan in his mouth. Then he moved his attentions from her mouth down to her neck, sucking and biting her skin gently, his hands all the while removing her panties, until she lay naked underneath him. It was then that he started kissing his way down her body, stopping at the nipples, running his tongue around her breasts, leaving a trail of moisture behind as he moved from her breasts to her stomach and belly button. Paying particular attention to this tiny hole made her wonder what he would be like with another entrance to her body. His tongue dipped into the hole, as he bit her skin gently, sucking the skin gently, causing her hips to arch up and a cry to leave her mouth. He laughed against her stomach and the tremors from that spread like wildfire, spreading through her stomach and down between her legs. His hands parted her legs gently, bending them at the knees so he could have access to her and he kissed his way down, pausing at the hair that covered her most intimate place. He looked up at her then, just as teased her thighs open with slow hands so that he can take her with his fingers. She arched up against him as he touches her clit, rubbing it slowly, sending sharp spears of pleasure racing through her body, spreading out from her womb to her stomach and beyond. Her arms and legs felt heavy, as though she was tied down, her breathing becoming more and more erratic. He moved his fingers from her clit and started testing her readiness, entering finger after finger slowly until he had as many fingers inside her that he could manage. Stroking the inside of her with one hand and using his other hand to circle her clit, he had her arching and grasping the sheets under her tightly as she called out his name as an explosive orgasm over took her body, leaving nothing but a trembling body and a lingering pleasure. He doesn't even give her any time before he removed his hands and replaced them with his tongue. Licking her with slow, even strokes, making her feel every inch of his tongue. He entered his tongue inside her, then ran it up to her clit, taking it into his mouth, sucking on it gently, running his teeth over it, causing her body to buckle under another orgasm. It was then that he moved over her, and as he entered her, he lifted his face up and their eyes met. He thrust into her, deep and hard, then withdrew briefly, laughing softly at her cry of loss, the lifted her hand to hold his arousal now moistened with her own wetness. He guided her hand with his own, first up and down the shuddering silky shaft, and then slowly allowing her to slide him back inside her. His fingers on her lips have her a taste of her own salty excitement. His thrusts were slow and smooth, the tip of him reaching deep inside her. In his eyes she saw her own reflection lose focus and heard the catch of her breath when he thrust deep within her, grazing the tender flesh still singing from the earlier pleasuring by his mouth. As he moved in and out of her and moaned deeply with the pleasure over her, she could feel her climax start, right at the very point where he was inside her and spread upwards and outwards, reaching her breasts and brain, causing her to cry out his name as the most powerful feeling overtook her body, flung her up into the sky and shattered, like fireworks against the midnight black sky. As she slowly drifted back to earth, she faintly heard him call out and pour his seed deep inside her, collapsing heavily onto her breasts, both of them breathing heavily.

*****

" Are you okay?" several minutes later Miguel spoke. When he had tried to move away from her, she had protested so he was still inside her, still on top of her, using her breasts as pillows. She was running her hands through his hair and never before had this sort of position been more comfortable, more right than now, with this woman.

" Yes. After what just happened...I've never...well..." Kasey was embarrassed and Miguel lifted his head to look at her.

" You've never what?" he asked gently. She blushed red and her hands in his hair stilled.

" I've never experienced that kind of reaction with a man before," she finally whispered and he was silent, watching her, feeling an inordinate sense of male satisfaction.

" No man?"

" No. I mean, I've been with other men, but not one of them made me lose control like that. I...I just never had that sort of experience before," she said, not looking at him. He ran a finger over her mouth and under her chin, lifting her face up so their eyes met.

" That makes me feel incredible," he said and kissed her gently. They broke off the kiss and Miguel laid his head back down on her breasts, closing his eyes, hearing her breathe deeply in and out.

" Why did you become a police officer?" her voice broke the comfortable silence in the room.

" Why?"

" Yeah, why a police officer?"

" Well, I was in the entertainment industry before this, as a manager to several successful singers. But towards the end, it became too fake, too phony. I thought that I was happy being who I was at that stage but one day, I looked at myself in the mirror and the person staring back at me was a complete stranger. Someone I didn't want to know anymore. So I left an industry I had been involved in ever since I was a teenager and chose the police force. That was three years ago, and I haven't regretted it since," he said, his breath warm on her body.

" Why did you leave something you had been in for so long and start a new career? And doesn't the entertainment industry pay better than a police officer?"

" It was never about the money for me. Even when I was loving my job before, I did it because I loved it. Which is why I do what I do now. I love it. I can look at myself in the mirror every morning and like the man I see there. I know that what I'm doing is for the safety of others," he said.

" So what do you do on the force?"

" At the moment I'm a traffic cop. I was restricted to desk duty a year ago because of a screw up on an assignment," Miguel said, his voice low and serious.

" What happened?" Kasey asked after several silent moments.

" A witness in my protection died," he muttered hoarsely and she was silent," Does that undermine your confidence in me now?"

" No. Never. I know that you're a good officer, that you're a good man. And I place my life in your hands. Whatever happened to that witness..."

" I got involved with her. I fell in love with her and let my guard down for only a minute. By then, she was dead, in my arms, a bullet to the brain. I killed her Kasey, by getting involved with her. And I've just done the self same thing with you," he said, angry at himself. He withdrew from her, causing a small gasp to escape from her lips, a cry he tried to ignore but couldn't, with her hands moving over his body, down to his manhood. She captured him with her hands and started stroking him, making him moan and sweat to break out as he tried to control himself, to tell his body to stop reacting to her touch. But it didn't. It wouldn't. He grew hard and aching, more aroused than he ever thought he would be, just by the simple touches of this woman. She moved her hands from him and pushed him down onto the bed, then straddling him, leaning over his arousal and touching her lips to his heat. He moaned and arched his hips as she closed her lips around the head of him and ran her tongue over the tiny notch at the top," Kasey..."

" Relax Miguel. Let me do to you what you did to me," she whispered, removing him from her mouth for that brief moment, but resuming her sweet torture on him, leaving him with no option but to lay back and enjoy.

*****

Kasey awoke to bright sunlight and the smell of freshly brewed coffee. She rolled over with a slight groan, her body sore in the most unusual places and she was thankful that Miguel wasn't around to see her wince and blush red. What that man could do...she thought as she threw back the sheets and grabbed her robe from the chair by the bed. Tying it around her waist, she walked quietly out to the kitchen, stopping short when she heard Miguel's end of the conversation.

" They still think she's lying even though someone else saw the same man she described in the area?"

" That's ridiculous, you know that Cap. She is not a whore. How do I know? I just do, okay?" he was silent as the other man spoke," No! Damn it, you can't take me off this. If anyone else is sent over here, she may just bolt. She's terrified Cap. Absolutely terrified. A stranger will only scare her more. Let me stay. I have to do this." Kasey covered her mouth with a hand. She knew why he had to do this. He had something to prove, to himself mostly, that he could keep a witness alive.

" Thank you. No, no sign of anyone last night but it's only early. Yes Cap, we're going over the plans today. Don't worry, I'll call in as soon as anything happens. Talk to ya later boss." Kasey waited several minutes before entering the room, a bright smile on her face. She wasn't going to let on she had heard anything.

" Good morning Miguel," she said as she poured herself a cup of coffee. Taking a sip of the brew she almost winced at the strength of it. Miguel saw her slight hesitation and laughed wryly.

" Good morning to you too, and I'm sorry about the coffee. My experience of making this is nil. I usually buy my coffee ready made, but I didn't want to leave you while you were still asleep," he said, putting down his cup of coffee and walking over to her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him, looking deep into her eyes," How do you feel this morning?"

" Fine," she said and blushed.

" Really?" he asked and she laughed softly.

" Okay. Sore. I've never participated in all night marathons," she teased and Miguel laughed, kissing her on the tip of her nose.

" All night marathons?"

" Yes Mr. Police Man. All night marathons. Anymore of them and I wont survive," she teased and he laughed.

" Oh I think you'll have the stamina to survive a few more," he whispered and kissed her gently, thoroughly, wringing a low moan out of her.

" I may be able to survive them but not now. I don't think I'd even be able to move let alone..." her words were cut off by another kiss.

" Then just lay back and let me do the work," he whispered, bending down and lifting her up and carrying her back into the bedroom. He placed her on the bed and slowly removed the tie of her robe, his eyes lighting with desire as her body was revealed to him. He quickly shed his boxer shorts and joined her on the bed, laying on top of her, resting against her femininity. His head bent to lavish her nipples with his tongue, raking his teeth over them, drawing them into his mouth and twirling them around, bringing them to painful attention. She wrapped her hands in his hair and held him close, urging him on with her cries of pleasure. She cried out as he sank his teeth into her flesh, but it was an exquisite sense of pleasure/pain that was experienced. As his mouth was busy at her breasts, his hands moved down to her aching core, and as he slid his fingers over her, she arched her hips, pressing against his hardness, causing him to bite down harder on her. His finger slid over the hot crease, pressing against her clit, rubbing it gently, slowly at first and then harder and faster, circling it, pinching it, twisting it causing sensations of pain and pleasure to merge, causing her orgasm to be incredibly intense, as she grasped his hair and sobbed his name, her voice weakening as another just as intense orgasm racked her body.

" Damn," she whispered huskily after her breathing had slowed.

" Didn't I tell you that you'd survive?" Miguel asked and Kasey laughed.

" Oh yeah but we aren't finished yet, I hope," she said teasingly and he kissed her deeply.

" Not even close baby," he said.

" You know, I've always wondered what it was like to use those handcuffs of yours..." her voice trailed off, as if she were embarrassed to admit it. Miguel leaned over and grabbed the handcuffs from the bedside table, where his gun was placed and ran the cold metal over her breasts and down her stomach.

" Lets find out," he said and moved over her, bringing her arms above her head and cuffing them to the steel posts of the bed. He looked down at her and smiled when he saw her eyes closed and a small smile on her face. Kissing and licking his way down over her breasts and stomach, he lifted her hips up and placed a leg over each shoulder, breathing in her muskiness deeply. He started kissing his way up the inside of one of her thighs, placing gentle nips against the soft skin, licking and sucking the flesh, making her moan softly, her hips arching a little in the air. He stopped his kissing and licking just before he reached her femininity and transferred his attentions to her other thigh, exacting the same response out of her. This time however, he didn't stop, instead continuing his way to her core, parting the soft folds gently, running his tongue around her clit, taking it into his mouth and sucking on it, then moving his tongue down to her entrance and tasting her sweetness, running his tongue around it before entering her, as far as his tongue would go. Her hips arched up she dug her heels into his back, bracing her body against him as he licked her clean, then took her clit into his mouth and sucked and teased it until she cried out as an explosive orgasm sent her soaring up, her cuffed hands straining against their bonds, the sound of metal meeting metal ringing in the air along with her cry of satisfaction. But he didn't stop there, instead plucking the tiny nub until it was throbbing and tender to touch. And just before she was about to come again, he left her clit alone and ran his finger down to her entrance, inserting a finger inside her and pushing it far inside, until it hit the tiny bundle of nerves that made her arch again and a husky satisfy cry to escape from her mouth. And it was then, and only then that he placed her back on the bed, moving over her, parting her legs so he could rest in between them.

" The way you make me feel," she whispered to him as he thrust into her. He stayed very still, resting his complete body weight on top of her, pressing against her breasts, pushing his pelvis against hers, making her moan and twist her hips, causing him to bite down hard on his lip as his control threatened to snap," Uncuff me Miguel."

" Why?" he asked, reaching over and grabbing the key off the bedside table. He reached up and uncuffed her, making her gasp as he moved deeper into her. She slipped her hands out of the metal bonds and placed them flat on his chest, pushing him up and over so he was the one laying on the bed and she was on top. How they managed to stay joined she didn't know but he was still buried deeply inside her when she straightened and reached up, brushing the tips of her breasts against him, as she cuffed his hands to the bedpost. She kissed his face, tracing his lips with her tongue, running her tongue along his teeth, exploring his mouth with a thoroughness that surprised and aroused him. She could feel him grow even harder and hotter inside her and she moved experimentally, capturing his moan inside her mouth, running her hands down his chest, raking her nails over his nipples, leaving red welts behind. Then she started moving, slowly at first, bringing him to the edge of desire, then stopping, and waiting until he calmed down, then moving again, faster and faster each time, until she couldn't stop, wouldn't stop. She cried out as her completion washed over like a flood, and with a tiny twist of her hips, she brought Miguel along on the ride.

*****

It was much later that day when Kasey finally woke up, again to an empty bed. This time though, she heard the shower running and knew Miguel was in there. She debated whether or not she should join him and had just made the decision to join him when the phone by her bed rang. She picked it up, holding the sheet to her breasts as she did so.

" Hello?" she said into the receiver. No one spoke, there wasn't even the sound of anyone breathing. Chills slid down her spine, her grip on the sheet growing tighter, her knuckles turning white at the pressure," Hello? Is someone there?"

" Bitch," the word was husky, whispered, so low that she had to strain to hear it.

" Hello?" she asked, scared now. Who was this?

" Remember me Kasey? The alley?" she didn't hang around to hear anymore. She slammed down the phone and blinked her eyes in an attempt to stop the tears. She let out a small scream when the phone rang again. With shaking hands she picked it up and held it carefully to her ear," Don't you ever hang up on me again bitch. Where's Watchdog? Not making you scream? I heard you last night Kasey. Damn but you're a passionate woman. And damned if I won't taste the goods myself. Soon Kasey. Our time will come very, very soon."

" Who are you? Why am I so important to you?" she demanded, determined not to let him hear her fright.

" You remember me quite clearly Kasey. You saw me, our souls connected in the alley. I killed that woman for you. For you my sweet. And when it comes to our time, I'll make you scream just as much as Watchdog did," the man said and hung up. Kasey sat there, in the bed, the receiver still to her ear, the dial tone buzzing in her ears as Miguel stepped out of the bathroom. He took one look at her, at her pallor and immediately came over to her, prying the receiver gently from her fingers. He replaced it in the cradle and sat on the bed, cradling Kasey in his arms.

" Who was it?" he asked softly.

" It was him. He knows my name, knows my phone number, knows where I live. He said...he said that he heard us last night. How can he do that? Was he outside? Oh god Miguel. Was he outside?" Kasey asked and he could see she was starting to panic and that worried him. Up until now she had been strong and unwavering. But if she started to crack, then the killer would win. And Miguel was determined not to let that bastard win, not with Kasey. In a very short time, he had come to care for this woman. And not just sexually. But the emotional attachment he was beginning to feel for her was also scaring the hell out of him. The last woman he loved had died because of his love, how could he place another woman's life on the line like that? But he was too involved now, last night could never be taken back. He had to protect her with everything he had in him, including his life.

" He's messing with you. He's trying to break you down, slowly. And if you let him, then he'll win Kasey. And you cant let him win," Miguel said, cupping her face with his hands and staring deep into her eyes.

" I don't know if I can stand him calling me. It scares me that he knows where I live. How did he find that out? How did he find out my name? Damn it, did he follow me? Is he outside now?" Kasey asked, her voice rising, her eyes becoming wild and panic stricken.

" Kasey, calm down. Take a deep breath. Don't let him get to you," Miguel warned, stroking her face with the back of one hand. Kasey twisted out of his grasp and got out of the bed, taking the sheet with her and wrapping it around her body as she walked over to the window, She pulled the curtain back a little, staring out at the street. Nothing was out of place, there was no strange car or anyone walking past so how could he have known what had happened last night? Had he just tested her to get a reaction? Or had he been outside the whole night, watching, listening, waiting...

" He's out there Miguel," she said quietly and his blood ran cold. She sounded defeated, lost, as though her whole will to fight this, to live had gone.

" No he's not. He was testing you. Making you react. Don't listen to him."

" He knows my name. He knows where I live. He knows you're here. How would he know those things if he at least didn't follow us, or wasn't out there now, watching, waiting...he's waiting for you to leave, for me to become vulnerable. Then he'll come in and finish what he started in the alley, Kasey said, turning to face Miguel, her eyes bleak. Miguel swore underneath his breath, as he stood up and approached her slowly.

" I will not let him get to you. I will be by your side twenty-four hours a day for as long as he is out there. I will be with you..."

" You can't be with me every minute of the day Miguel. You have to check in to at the station. You have to talk to those detectives. He'll find me. He'll come inside the house when you aren't home and he'll finish what he started. He'll do it Miguel. I saw that in his eyes. He has no soul, no human conscience. He'll take pleasure in causing me pain and there wont be a damn thing anyone can do about it," she said. Miguel wrapped his arms around her, bringing her stiff, unyielding body against his, trying to soothe the tension out of her. But she wouldn't be comforted that easy. She wouldn't relax, couldn't relax as thoughts of that man whirled around in her head.

*****

He watched the curtains twitch and saw him take her in his arms and run his hands over her back. He smiled evilly, imagining that it was his arms that were wrapped around her body. He could see it now. The terror, the whiteness of her skin, her mouth shaped in scream as he brought her pain. She had screamed loud last night, loud enough for him to hear. They hadn't even seen him, hadn't even realized that he was there, not even when the tree branch had fallen. That stupid cop hadn't even done his job, never even coming outside to investigate. He had wished he would. It would have been so easy to just hit him over the head and kill him. That would have left her to him. Kasey. Her name rolled off his tongue and he smiled again. So sweet, so easy to say. Kasey. This woman would make him a household name. He would be plastered all over the papers with what he would do to her. Her name would live on. Her memory would live, as the victim of the world's greatest killer. He had her death all planned, from her kidnapping, right down to how he would take her life. She would suffer, much more than the others. Because she had defied him. She had run, had escaped and gone to the police. Just for running he would hurt her, but for going to the police he would hurt her even more. It would be a sensuous killing, hard and methodical. And she would scream, like she had last night, but the screams would sound much sweeter to him because he would be the cause of them. Not the Watchdog, as he liked to refer to the cop. Not that he was very good at doing his job. More interested in bagging the witness in bed that paying attention to anyone on the outside. And to him, that was a good sign. A good sign in that she would be easy to access. All he had to do was get Watchdog out of the house in some way. Then, he smiled, his plan could go ahead. Easy. Step one, get him out of the house. Step two, get into the house. Step three, take her. Step four, make her scream. Step five, kill her. Five simple steps. All it would take was a little time. Maybe a day, maybe two, but it would take place soon. Very, very soon. He glanced one more time at the house and imagined what it would be like, to actually have the woman instead of dreaming about her. Patience, he warned himself. No need to rush it. Just take it slow. Break her down with the phone calls, then move in. And as he slunk away, he knew it would not be long until he held Kasey in his arms.

*****

She couldn't sit still. It was impossible to sit still while she had the phone call on her mind. As much as Miguel tried to distract her, he couldn't. He watched her with worried eyes, his heart sinking as, with each minute, each hour that passed, she grew more and more nervous, and more and more adamant that nothing would stop the killer from getting to her. She wouldn't sit down and listen to him, wouldn't let him touch her, in a way to comfort her. She paced, she jumped nervously at the slightest sound and Miguel knew that this kind of behaviour would break her. Then...he shook his head at the thoughts that crowded into his mind. No. He had lost one woman to death, he would not lose another. He needed to get through to her someway...but how could he do that?

" Kasey," his soft voice even made her jump. She rubbed her arms with her hands as she faced him and smiled shakily.

" You've said it all before Miguel."

" No I haven't. I told you that to let him get to you like this is wrong. I've told you about the woman I lost. But I never told you the full story. Maybe if I tell you what happened, how it happened, you'll realize that letting this bastard win will do you no good," he said and she shrugged, glancing nervously at the phone as she sat down.

" Okay. Whatever. But it won't work. I can tell you that now. Nothing will work. He's going to win and there's nothing I can do to prevent it," Miguel sighed at her defeat but said nothing more as he moved closer to her, taking her cold hands in his warm ones and rubbing them.

" Her name was Valerie. She came to me, saying that she had witnessed her ex-boyfriend deal drugs and then kill the person who bought them. She had a record so no one else believed her. But I did. I had a hunch that she was telling the truth, so I asked the Captain to let me protect her. I never realized then what effect that would have, that it would bring about her death but he let me do it. Except it was in a safe house. Away from everyone she knew. Or so I thought. But someone in the force was an informant for her boyfriend's gang. Had us followed, told her boyfriend. A month after she had come to me, begging me to protect her, she was dead because I was stupid enough to fall for her. She only wanted to be protected. But she wasn't a very strong woman, at least not mentally. She had been in and out of foster homes as a child, raped as a teenager, got involved in drugs and prostitution by the time she was sixteen. She had a bad start in life and as soon as the assignment was over, as soon as we had got her ex, we were going to make a new start in life, together. I thought that I could change her. That when we were together, everything would work out fine. I was naive in a way. I thought she loved me, but it turned out she loved the power, the uniform, the ability to hide behind it. From the moment we set foot in the safe house, she was back on the drugs, hid it from me. I never even imagined she would do that. I was blind to her faults and tried to act the man and protect her. Then, the day she was killed, I had stepped out side for two minutes. Just two lousy minutes. By the time I stepped back inside, someway, her ex had got in and killed her, then got out again. I still don’t know how he managed to do it without me hearing him but he did. It was thought she may have let him in, but I don't want to believe that she was capable of that. But she was so high on drugs the day she died that it would have been hard for me to judge her state of mind," Miguel said softly and Kasey stared at him, sorrow and sympathy filling her heart.

" I'm sorry Miguel. I really am. But what does this have to do with me?" she asked and he sighed, running a hand over his face.

" Because she was a weak woman and she let a man control her. Whether it was her foster fathers, the man who raped her, her pimp, her drug dealer, her ex or me, she let men control her thoughts and actions. And in the end, she ended up dead. Because she trusted someone she shouldn't have. Because I let my guard down. Because all of her life she had let men break her down and use her weaknesses against her. You're a strong woman Kasey. I can see that. I saw that when you were lying on the road and still trying to get up. I can see it in your eyes. I can feel it every time I hold you. But if you let him get to you, if you let his words sink into your brain, if you believe him and believe in what he's capable of doing, then you're becoming another Valerie. You're letting one man break you down and letting him get into your strength, into your mind. I don't want to lose you. I lost one woman I loved to death, to her weaknesses. I don't want to lose another woman that I could be falling in love with," Miguel said softly.

" Miguel..."

" Kasey, don't listen to him. Don't let him break you down. Fight him, fight his tactics. All he wants to do is make you vulnerable, break you down and use that to draw you towards him. Don't let him do that, please. You're stronger than that," Kasey stared at him, her eyes filling with tears at the impassioned plea in his voice. Before she could speak, before she could tell him that for him, and only him that she would do that, that she would be strong and not let him break her down, the phone rang. They both jumped and as Miguel reached for it, a determined look on his face, Kasey reached out a hand and stopped him, her green eyes lighting with a plea, to let her deal with him, to let him see that she could be strong, just as he asked. He glanced at her, and almost smiled in relief. Her eyes were full of the strength he had seen in them last night.

" Hello?" Kasey answered the phone as Miguel drew his hand away from it.

" Hello Kasey," the voice was husky, low...and chillingly familiar.

" Why keep calling?"

" Because I love the sound of your voice. I imagine what it will sound like when I enter my knife into you," he said and she could hear the coldness, see the blackness of his eyes. She swallowed hard and grasped Miguel's hand.

" You don't scare me."

" I don't? What, is Watchdog by your side? Well he won't be for much longer," he snarled angrily.

" What do you want with him anyway? What did he ever do to you?"

" He slept with you. You're not his to sleep with. You're mine. Do you hear me? Mine. In every sense of the word, in every thought, every deed. I'll love you, till death us do part," the voice recited the wedding vows and Kasey knew then that never again would she be able to hear those words and not think of this man.

" You don't love me. You love the thought of hurting me, of having me. Men like you have no concept of love," she said and he snarled, sounding like a wounded animal.

" Bitch."

" Bastard," she snapped back and hung up. She didn't even realize it but she was shaking. Miguel captured her hand and brought it to his lips, pride in his eyes.

" Good girl. Don't let him intimidate you," he said, steadying her hands. She breathed in deeply. He would call back. She knew he would. She had to get ready for round two. He didn't disappoint either. Just as Kasey's nerves settled, the phone intruded again," Do you want me to handle him this time?"

" No. I have to show him I'm not scared of him. It's the only way I know how to deal with him," she said and picked up the receiver. Before she even placed it against her ear, she could hear a cold grating sound, like a knife being run across another one, as if it were being sharpened. She bit her lip as the image of the knife came to mind but she pushed it away, buried it for later.

" Slowly, methodically I will cut you open, all the way down. It won't be fast, it won't be quick. It will be painful, it will hurt and you will scream. It turns me on to hear a woman scream. Does it turn you on?" his voice was flat, cold, emotionless and it was all Kasey could do not to shudder.

" You're insane."

" Insane?" he laughed coldly," My dear, you have no idea what you're talking about. I'm sane. And I'm not the monster you think I am. Oh yes, I know how you're thinking, know what you're thinking. After so long of doing this, I've become quiet adept at reading a woman's mind. I know what you're thinking. I know why you're thinking it. Don't think I don't know Kasey because I do. Don't be so naive to believe that you're safe from me for one minute. Because one day, one day very soon, I will have you and we will become one. And then it will be ashes to ashes, dust to dust," he said and hung up, just like before, needing to get the last word in.

*****

Miguel wandered around the house, looking out the windows occasionally. He wasn't able to sleep, something that only ever happened when he was tense. Kasey had finally managed to sleep, spread out on the bed, and for that Miguel was glad. She needed the rest. The last phone call had taken it out of her, listening to what he would do to her. His words has scared her but it wasn't until he had hung up that she had let that fear show. But she had grown in strength, just in a matter of moments. And to him, that was important.

Miguel stood by the front windows, staring out at the street. Headlights slashed through the semi-darkness as a car pulled up outside the house. His body tensed, his mind ready, he analyzed the vehicle and the two occupants and almost sighed in relief. Almost, but didn't, because it was Brooks and Linus. Miguel glanced at the clock in the lounge room and wondered why they were here so late. They walked up the path to the porch and knocked on the door. Miguel double checked before letting them inside.

" Where is she?" Linus asked, looking around the room.

"Asleep. What happened?" immediately Miguel suspected the worst.

" Nothing. We just want to ask her a few questions," Brooks said, shrugging out of his jacket. Miguel eyed him warily.

" You don't believe her, remember? You think she's just a whore making this all up," he said sarcastically, but sighed," Cant this wait? She needs sleep."

" No this can't wait. We need to get this guy. See Melendez, the MO of this latest murder, well its the same as ten others across the country. Five more have similar MOs with just one or two tiny differences. There's rapes and assaults with MOs like this as well. For all we know, Kasey may be the only witness alive that can identify him," Linus said.

" Since when did you start believing her anyway?" Miguel asked.

" We did a background check on her."

" You did what?"

" Hell, you know its something we do. We wanted to check out her story," Brooks said but he was lying through his teeth.

" Sure you did. You bastard. You were going to check her out and throw her in jail at the slightest infringement. You weren't checking her out for any truth reasons, you just want to see her in jail!" Miguel said angrily.

" So what if I did! She's clean, has nothing at all either on her Australian record or her American record. Not even a parking fine. The woman's cleaner than a saint! Even her family are clean," Brooks said, taking out his notepad and flipping it open to some written words.

" You had her family investigated as well?" Miguel was incredulous. Having Kasey checked out was part of the routine if they suspected anything was awry but to have her family done as well? That was going way beyond the call of duty.

" Its routine!"

" Bullshit it is. So did you find out anything substantial?"

" Have you slept with her?" Linus asked, glancing towards the room. Miguel glared at him.

" That's none of your business."

" You have. Doing it again hey Melendez, getting in deep with a witness. But does she know about Valerie? Does she know that Valerie was killed because you fell in love with her?" Brooks asked snidely and Miguel just barely resisted slamming his fist down the man's throat.

" Kasey knows everything. And whether we slept together or not is of no concern to this case."

" It is when we want the witness alive."

" She will be."

" She better be. Because internal affairs would not be happy if they found out you were involved with another witness," Brooks said.

" You told them last time?"

" Damn straight I did. A police officer, getting involved with a drug addicted crack head and getting her killed. Can you imagine what that would do for police image? So IA busted you down to traffic cop, even though you weren't injured. And every now and then, when it looked like you would be going back to your other duties, I had a little word in the ear of some IA members and kept you where you belong. On the streets, with the rest of the filth," Brooks said.

" You son of a bitch," Miguel snarled and Brooks laughed dryly.

" Come on Miguel. You're only playing at being a cop. You never wanted to be in the force, never even cared about what you did. Its all a game to you, a way to pick up the women," Brooks said.

" How can I be playing at this? I take my job as seriously as anyone else on the force. Why do you hate me so much?"

" Because you joined up because of boredom. You aren't here because it was all you have ever wanted to do, all you have ever wanted to be. You're here because you got bored."

" Damn it. No I'm not. If I was here for anything else but the pure love of this job, then I'd be hating myself. And as for that picking up women line, I could have had a hell of a lot more women in my other job. I did, in fact do that, and hated it all. I'm not here to make enemies, I'm not here to pick up women and I'm certainly not here because of boredom. I'm here because this is what I want to do," Miguel said angrily but Brooks and Linus just shrugged and turned their attentions to their notepads. It wasn't any use. These two men would hate him, simply because of what he had been," I'll go and see if Kasey is awake."

" You do that, then leave the real detective work up to us," Brooks called out as Miguel entered the bedroom. Kasey was sitting up in bed, glancing warily at him when he saw her.

" Brooks and Linus are here," he said and she smiled.

" I gathered that from the raised voices. Is everything okay?" she asked softly, placing a hand on his arm.

" It will be. They want to talk to you, ask you some questions," he said and she sighed.

" I thought they didn't believe me."

" They had you checked out," he said flatly.

" Well. Okay. So they found out I'm clean, right? Nothing in my background to suggest that I'm making this up, that I'm trying to stay out of jail?" Kasey asked and he nodded, as she got to her feet.

" They believe you now," he said quietly and she glanced at him in concern. The fight she had heard had affected him badly.

" Are you sure you'll be okay?" she asked softly, stopping just inside the bedroom door and facing him.

" I will be," he said and wrapped his arms around her waist. She rested her head on his chest for a brief moment, listening to his heart beat. And thought of how much her life had changed, all within twenty-four hours.

*****

" Okay Kasey. This man you saw, he's killed before. We have police forces in six states looking for him, on just murder alone. That's not to mention the numerous rapes and assaults he's also suspected of committing. Can you tell us anything else about him that may be distinguishable?" Linus asked. Kasey was sitting on the lounge, Miguel by her side.

" What I've told you is all I can remember. What else do you want to know? How he looked at me and whispered 'You're next bitch'? How he looked at me with those eyes of his and I could see what he was planning. How he held the knife to the woman's throat with his left hand while pinning her down with his right? What else can I tell you except that I'm terrified that he will make good his threats," Kasey said, moving closer to Miguel. Neither Brooks or Linus missed the gesture, glancing at each other. Miguel saw the look that passed between them but really couldn't give a damn. Kasey was scared, he was here to protect her.

" I think that it may be better if we move you to a safe house. With several policemen. You'd be much safer there than you are here," Brooks said. Miguel clenched his jaw at the suggestion. Brooks knew what he was doing. He was deliberately taunting Miguel with the mistakes of his past. But Kasey would have none of it, already shaking her head.

" No, I want to stay here. Miguel is doing his job. If I move, if I run, he'll think he's won. And that's the last thing I want him to think. I want that son of a bitch caught so I don't have to move. Do your job detectives," Kasey said, getting to her feet in a blatant sign to get them to leave. But they refused to pay any attention to her, instead focusing on Miguel.

" Melendez, convince her it'll be safer if she goes to a safe house," Linus said.

" You hear her. She doesn't want to move. And we cant move witnesses without their permission," Miguel said and it gave him great pleasure to say that.

" Damn it Melendez! She's the only living witness. One man can't protect her. You cannot protect her. I want her in a safe house by morning or there will be hell to pay. Understood?" Brooks asked, getting to his feet. Miguel stood up as well and faced Brooks down, determination and anger on his face.

" No. She stays here. You even try to move her and I'll have you up on so many charges so quick you wont be able to breathe," he warned and Brooks snorted.

" You don't have the power to do that."

" No, I don't. But the captain does. And believe me when I say that he isn't happy with the way you treated Kasey. He won't be happy if I tell him you're trying to force her to move. Do you want to ruin your next promotion over one woman?" Miguel asked warningly and received a hateful glare from Brooks.

" Melendez, you're finished. I swear to god, the minute we get this son of a bitch is the minute I file insubordination charges against you and have you thrown off the force," Brooks threatened and left the lounge room. Linus followed more slowly, throwing a curious glance at Kasey and then at Miguel. He stopped in the doorway of the lounge room and faced Miguel.

" Be careful Miguel," he said quietly and left, leaving Miguel stunned. Maybe it wasn't Linus who was the problem. Maybe it was Brooks. Brooks acting all tough and macho, bringing him down at every chance he had.

" Miguel?" Kasey's soft voice broke into his thoughts and he turned around and smiled at her.

" They gone?" he asked and she nodded, moving into his arms and resting her head against his chest.

" Linus was okay this time," she murmured.

" Brooks is the high roller. He's the one who I have never gotten along with. The minute I started at the PD, he's been on my back. I still have no clear idea why he doesn't like me. Not that it matters but we're all supposed to be getting along," Miguel said and Kasey sighed.

" Maybe he feels threatened," she said. She was getting sleepier and sleepier as the minutes passed so Miguel bent down and picked her up, carrying her into the bedroom and placing her gently on the bed, lying down next to her, letting her rest her head on his chest.

" Maybe," he said just before she drifted off to sleep. He stayed awake for a little longer, just listening to her deep even breathing, all her worries and fear forgotten for another night. He wondered just how long this would go on. How long would that maniac be out there? And, even when he was caught, what guarantee was there that Kasey would want him in her life. Hell, he was a police officer, doing a sometimes dangerous job. And although she had never said, he felt that she blatantly hated all policemen. Well, maybe hate was a strong word. But it was an intense dislike. So even after this was all over, there was no guarantee that this relationship would grow any further. Miguel sighed and closed his eyes. He'd think of that tomorrow. For now, he needed to sleep.

*****

She was calling out to him, her voice full of terror and pain. But he couldn't see, couldn't comprehend where she was, where the sound was coming from. His arms and legs felt heavy, something was covering his eyes and he couldn't breathe, couldn't think. What the hell was wrong? Where was he? What was happening? He tried to move, tried to speak but found he couldn't. Something was wrong. He could still hear her voice, but it was getting fainter and fainter. And then there was nothing, no sound, no movement...until a blinding white flash went off in front of his eyes and all of a sudden he could see again. He was standing in a room, looking at her lying on a table and someone standing over her, a knife in his hand. He tried to call out, tried to move forward to the table but found he couldn't. He was frozen in place, unable to talk or move. He was helpless. Utterly helpless.

" Watchdog," there was a cold metallic voice calling that out," I have her watchdog. You'll never get her. You'll never find her. She's mine now. Mine forever. Always will be mine. No watchdog will have her. She's been mine since I saw her in the alley. Say goodbye watchdog. Say goodbye."

He opened his eyes and found a man standing there, Kasey in his arms, her head back, her long hair flowing out behind her. It didn't look as though she were breathing, were alive until she gasped in and her chest moved. She started to struggle but a with a slight amount of pressure from him, she fell back in his arms again, unconscious. He tried to cry out but no sound came out from his mouth.

" Say goodbye watchdog. She's mine forever. We'll live on forever together now. Our names will be forever linked. And so will yours. As the Watchdog who couldn't save her," the voice said and then all of a sudden there was nothing. The man holding Kasey was gone, leaving him alone, struggling to scream but finding no voice. And then there was an ear splitting scream...

*****

Miguel sat up in bed, breathing heavy, sweat pouring off his body. Kasey sat up with him, rubbing her eyes sleepily, watching him worriedly.

" Miguel? What is it?" she asked. He gulped in several deep breaths before answering her, hoping that he could pull this off.

" Bad dream," he said huskily.

" Oh. Poor baby. Want me to hold you?" she asked and he managed a small smile," There. That's better. I'm sure it wasn't anything serious. Bad dreams very rarely come true."

" I hope this one doesn't," he muttered and she laughed as they lay back down together.

" It wont. Trust me. I'm here. I'll protect you," she said teasingly and his arm tightened around her. The dream was so vivid, seemed so real. It was as though it had happened. That thought made him shudder. The thought of Kasey suffering at this mans hands was more than he could bear. He knew that as a police officer he shouldn't have gotten so involved with a witness but he hadn't been able to help it. His heart had just charged ahead of his brain. There was just something so special about Kasey, something that made him forget about the rules. And that could get her killed. Falling for Valerie had killed her. Maybe that's not how anyone else saw it, but that's how he saw it. He had let his guard down, refused to see her weaknesses and she had died. And he knew that he should be wary about being in love again but he couldn't stay away from Kasey. One night with her and already he knew that if she would have him, he'd stay with her and be with her forever. He just hoped that it would happen.

*****

Miguel woke up early the next morning and groaned when he saw the time. It was too early to even be thinking of getting up and from the sounds coming from Kasey, she was nowhere near waking up. So he stretched and closed his eyes again, trying to fall back asleep. But he couldn't, the images from his dream still haunting his consciousness. So he gave up, gently extricating himself from Kasey and walking softly out into the kitchen, putting on the coffee maker, switching in the small radio Kasey had in the kitchen in an attempt to forget his dream. He sat at the table, his head in his hands and thought...about Valerie, about what had happened with her, the trouble that had occurred after her death...and about Kasey, this killer that was loose...and what would happen after he was caught. And Miguel was positive he would be caught, because if he wasn't, he wasn't willing to ponder the thoughts of what would happen if he weren't. Kasey's life would consist of running and hiding as this man stalked her across the country. And that thought made his blood ran cold. So he knew that he would do anything within his power to not let that happen. Anything within...and even outside of his power.

*****

" Its okay Miguel. I'll be fine for fifteen minutes. What can happen in fifteen minutes?" Kasey asked. He looked at her and debated whether he should take her with him. He had to go and meet with one of the officers watching the house. And he didn't want to leave her, even for that short of time. Despite her words, he knew what could happen in fifteen minutes.

" I don't like leaving you alone, even for fifteen minutes."

" You'll be three houses away."

" I'll be at the coffee shop on the corner. That's a lot more than three houses. Please come with me," Miguel asked but she shook her head, smiling gently.

" I cant. I have that lasagna cooking. I can't leave that. You know what I'm like as a cook," she said and he laughed gently, taking her into his arms and savoring the feel of her against his body.

" Okay. Fifteen minutes. That's all it will be. I promise. Here's my cell phone number and my pager. Call me if anything happens okay?" he asked her and she nodded. He let go of her reluctantly and headed towards the front door. But he turned back and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her up against him again and said," I love you," and kissed her, deeply and thoroughly. He let her go and left her, stunned and elated. She waltzed back into the kitchen, a smile on her face.

" He loves me," she said out loud and smiled again at how right the words sounded," And I love him." Again the words fit. She checked the lasagna, pleased to note that it was actually cooking and not burning and decided that when Miguel got back, she would have a romantic dinner set. So she hurried around the room, collecting candles and flowers, arranging them on the table, then racing upstairs to have a quick shower and change into something a little more romantic. Looking through her wardrobe while drying her hair, her hand fell on a dress she hadn't worn before. It was a blue ankle length dress, with a lowish neckline. It was something she had bought on impulse, seeing it in the store window and liking it, but never having somewhere special enough to wear it. Kasey smiled. Well, tonight would be that special time. She was in love. And Miguel loved her back. She wanted to look good for him. Wanted to look special. All for him.

*****

" There's been a man hanging around the house across the street," the words were not what Miguel wanted hear.

" And?"

" It looks like it's him."

" Damn. I knew he was close by. When was the last time you saw him?" Miguel asked, glancing at his watch again. Damn it. It was past the fifteen minutes he had promised to be.

" This morning, around eleven. He surveyed the house for half an hour then left. Haven't seen him since," the young officer said, taking a sip of his coffee.

" Did you at least try to have him followed?"

" No. Why?"

" Why?" Miguel repeated incredulously," The man is a serial killer. He's threatened the woman in that house. And you ask me why? Linus, where the hell did you get this jerk?"

" Hey!" the officer said indignantly.

" Brooks choice, not mine," Linus said nonchalantly, receiving a glare from both Brooks and the officer in question. Miguel sighed. He should have known.

" Brooks, I thought you wanted this guy. Putting someone this inexperienced on a stake out was a stupid choice," Miguel said, never noticing the man who entered the coffee shop behind Brooks and Linus.

" I do. And he's not inexperienced. Anderson knows what he's doing," Brooks said, taking a sip of his coffee. No one noticed the man take out a gun, until Miguel spotted a flash of silver. He dived for cover, gun drawn and yelled

" Gun!" but it was too late. The man had aimed the muzzle of the gun directly at Brooks' head and what was left after the sound ricocheted and the confusion settled down, wasn't pretty, nor was it enough to even know that Brooks had been the man shot. Miguel and Linus stood there, stunned, staring at what was left of Brooks, while the younger officers screamed directions into their radios, some looking pale and ill, some shocked and horrified.

" Who would have done this?" Linus asked.

" Brooks had enemies."

" Yeah but for someone to come up behind him and shoot him? How crazy is that? Especially when there are so many police officers around. Whoever did it has to be either stupid or insane. Did anyone get a look at this guy?" Linus yelled amongst all the confusion.

" I did," that was Anderson.

" What did he look like?"

" It was the same guy who's been at the house," Anderson looked pale and guilty. Miguel's attention focused in him.

" It was?"

" Yeah."

" You sure?"

" Positive," Anderson hadn't even finished the word before Miguel was racing out the door.

" Melendez!"

" Its him. And he's after Kasey!" he yelled and sprinted down the street, fearing that by this time, it would be too late.

*****

She was too involved in making the table look perfect to hear the slight click of the door opening and closing. Miguel would be back soon and she wanted to have everything ready by the time he walked through the door. The lasagna was bubbling away in the oven, sending out delicious smells. The salad was in the fridge, waiting for the dressing to be added and the wine was opened and sitting in an ice bucket on the table, along with a vase full of the flowers he had bought for her and several already lit candles. She was leaning over on of these candles when she heard someone come up behind her. Thinking it was Miguel, she turned around, a smile on her face.

" Miguel..." she said, but the smile died when she saw that it wasn't Miguel," Oh god no."

" Oh god yes. Hello Kasey," it was him. The man from the alley," Did you think I'd forgotten you?"

" Why are you here? How did you get in?" she asked, backing up against the table. She had nowhere to go. He was blocking her only escape route. She was right up against the table now. She rested her hands on the table top, feeling a knife underneath her palm. She grasped it gratefully, knowing that at some point she would need this. He was right up against her now, so close that she could feel his breath on her.

" You really should lock your doors," he said, running his finger along her collarbone," And why shouldn't I be here? You are mine after all." His finger ran down to between her breasts and rested there. Kasey shuddered at his touch and gripped tighter on the only weapon she had," We have plenty of time Kasey. Watchdog won't be back, if I did my job correctly. And I know that I did."

" What did you do to Miguel?" she asked, terrified at the thought that Miguel was hurt. She couldn't stand the thought of him suffering because of her.

" Oh I just got rid of him. No worries. You won't have to put up with his touch ever again. You'll be all mine, from this moment on," he said and cupped her breast through her dress. She swallowed her revulsion, her heart beating faster.

" You killed him," she accused.

" Probably," he said, chuckling. She glared at him angrily.

" I loved him."

" You can't love him. You love me," he snarled at her, grabbing her arm roughly and pulling her against his body. She choked back her disgust as he ran his tongue down her face.

" I don't love you. I never could love you. I don't even know you," she said.

" You know me. I'm all you've been thinking about, even when he's been inside you," he said crudely and she flinched. It was true, in a sense. She had been thinking about him of course, but never when she had been with Miguel. Her entire body, mind and soul had been focused on Miguel each time they had been together.

" Don't kid yourself," she said and cried out when his grip tightened, his fingers cruelly digging into her flesh.

" Don't provoke me bitch. I'll take great pleasure in making you scream, but if you push me, I won't give you mercy."

" Mercy?" she spat at him, her eyes alight with fire," Men like you have no mercy." She cried out as he back handed her hard across her mouth. She raised a shaky hand to her lips and it came away with blood on it," You bastard."

" Give me anymore trouble and that will seem like nothing compared to what I can do to you," He said right in her face. She swallowed nervously but didn't let him see it.

" I'm not about to let you intimidate me, you weak ass son of a botch. You should start picking on someone your own sex and size," she said and swung her arm around in an arc, embedding the knife deeply into the flesh of his upper arm. He howled in pain, clutching his arm, letting go of her in the process. She took that opportunity to grab a lit candle and bring it up, smashing the hot wax against his eye and pushing past him. She raced out of the dining room and into the kitchen, scrabbling through a drawer, trying to find a sharper knife. Just as her hands closed around the handle, her head was pulled back roughly by her hair. She screamed and let go of the knife in an attempt to lessen the pain of her hair being torn.

" You will pay for that bitch," his voice grated in her ear and she felt hard cold metal pressing against her throat," Feel this? It’s the same knife that cut the pretty throats of many other women. You will be the most important of them all. I'll make a name for myself through you. And you will live on in infamy because of me."

" You can't do this."

" Cant I? Hell if I cant. I've got the knife. Your watchdog is dead. Who's gonna stop me? You? Some weak bitch?"

" You're weak. You go around killing women. What does that make you? You think you're big and strong? That you're a big man? I don't think so. I think you're just some weak, small man who can't get it up so you have to kill innocent to find your pleasure. "

" Bitch. I'll show you what type of man I am. Watchdog was nothing in bed. I'm gonna make you scream. Over and over again. I'm gonna use your whole body to make me feel good," he whispered and moved the knife from her throat. He dragged the tip down to her breast, resting the blade against the soft curve. She whimpered softly as he pressed the blade harder into her flesh and she felt the slight sting as her flesh was cut.

" See. You need a knife to prove your manhood. Real men don't need to use anything..."she cried out again as he pulled her head back even tighter, dragging her pout of the kitchen and into the living room. He threw her towards the floor where she landed hard on her kneww. He started pacing in front of her, waving the knife around, a wildness in his eyes that hadn't been there before.

" Its whores like you that make men like me. You tease and you use and you lead a man on. And when we react, you all hate us. And its your fault in the first place that we act like this," he said. She crawled away from him, resting her back against the wall, drawing her knees up against her chest.

" You're crazy. I don't know you. You do this yourself. It's not my fault..." she cried out when he rushed over to her and flicked the blade in her face.

" Shut up. Shut up or I gut you like a fish right here."

" You wouldn't do that. You want to make me scream. So make me scream big man. Make me scream," she was terrified she was making a mistake, edging him on but she wasn't going to give him an easy time of it.

" You want to see what I can do?" he asked and flicked the knife down to the front of her dress. He placed the knife under the top button and flicked it off, the button flying away and the dress parting to reveal the tops of her breasts. Her licked his lips and did the same with the next button, and the next, until all the buttons were gone and the dress was lying open, her silk covered breasts revealed to his eyes. Kasey looked down and saw blood staining the pink silk of her bra and swallowed against the sight," Can he make you bleed? I'm gonna do you so good that you're gonna be split wide open and bleeding." Kasey stared at him in horror as he started to unbuckle his pants. She reached her hand out, moving it along the wall, hoping that something was lying around so she could use it against him. He grabbed her ankles and pulled her down, so she was lying flat on her back, hiking her dress up so she was bared to him. He rested heavily between her thighs, his hands grappling in that general area and she heard the tearing sound as her panties were ripped from her body. And just as she felt his hardness spring free, her hand met up with a book. She picked it up with one hand as best as she could and brought it down on top of his head. It was enough to make him lose grip of the knife and she dropped the book and picked up the knife, slashing out against him as she kicked her legs up, bringing her knees into her body, pushing him off her body and rolling away from underneath him. She scrabbled to her feet, still holding the knife in her hands as he staggered to his feet, his hand covering his head, blood starting to seep through his fingers. She must have caught him with the sharp edge. But she didn't care. This man had killed. He was going to kill her. As much pain as he was going through, she would be going through a lot more if she gave up.

" I've got the knife now big man. What are you gonna do?" she asked and he snarled, lunging for her. She moved to her side and he fell forward, hitting his head on the fireplace. She held her breath as he slumped forward, the cut from his head bleeding, bit he didn't move again. She stumbled to the phone, tears streaming down her face as she picked up the receiver, only to be confronted with complete silence. She glanced at him again, before leaving the room and heading towards the front door. The door flew open just as her hand touched the doorknob and Miguel burst in, gun in hand, his eyes wild with worry. But he dropped his gun when Kasey fell into his arms and together they sank to their knees, his arms tight around her as she sobbed against his chest.

" Oh my god. I'm sorry, god I'm sorry," he whispered brokenly, the hot wetness of his tears mingling with hers.

" I thought you were dead. He told me he'd killed you," she sobbed and she could hear his heart beating fast, his chest heaving.

" He killed Brooks. Not me. I should never have left you alone. Never. He came in and he blitzed Brooks, thinking he was me. I got over here as soon as we saw him leave but I was terrified that it wouldn't be in time. God Kasey, I love you, I love you, I love you. Don't ever leave me," he said, his mouth moving over her face, licking her tears, then meeting with hers, their tongues meeting in a fired duel, mingled emotions of love and relief mixing with the slowing down of adrenaline.

" Looks like I didn't do my job too well," the grating voice was so close, as if he was right behind her. They broke apart, Miguel scrambling for his gun as other voice filtered into the haze that Kasey was surrounded in. But Miguel's gun was in the other mans hand...and it was pointed directly at Kasey's head," But I know a way I can keep you two apart." And as the trigger was depressed, and the hammer moved slowly back, Kasey felt as if her entire life was just flying by, her time with Miguel seeming so short. And then she felt her body being jarred to the side, just as the sound of guns being fired filtered through her consciousness. She looked up and stared at the policeman, who stood at her door, gun pointed behind her. But it was the stickiness beneath her hands, the pungent smell of blood reaching her nostrils that jerked her out of her haze. She stared down in horror at the puddle of blood that was spreading out from underneath Miguel's body, his eyes focused steadily on hers as his breathing shortened and became sharper. The scream that left her lips caused everyone in the room to flinch and as she knelt over him, her hands pressed against the gaping hole in his chest, tears streaming down her face, she reached one blood smeared hand up to his face and ran it down his cheek, begging him with her eyes not to leave her.

" I love you," he said, his eyes fighting to stay open as men worked around her, pressing white bandages against his chest, the stark whiteness becoming stained with his blood within seconds.

" No. Don't leave me. Please. Miguel, god no, don't leave me. Please," she begged, her voice breaking. Someone took her arm gently, trying to pull her away but she jerked away from whoever it was and leaned down, kissing Miguel on his lips, breathing her life essence into him, desperately trying to keep him alive so that he would stay with her.

" I love you," he whispered and his eyes closed. She was moved away from him, this time she gave no fight, instead accepting the comfort the man's arms gave her. She watched in a daze as Miguel was bundled into an ambulance and driven away. And, as she watched the killer be bundled into a police car, she knew then, that he had won.

*****

One Year Later.

" And now for tonight's late breaking story. Serial killer and rapist, Gabriel Michael Steffen was sentenced to a total of 999 years in the state penitentiary only minutes ago. When sentencing, the judge labeled Steffen a monstrosity, causing families and friends of the man's victims to suffer more than any human should suffer in their lifetime. Steffen, who was apprehended almost a year ago in a Boston house, was responsible for almost thirty murders and numerous rapes and assaults, spanning a fifteen year period." Kasey turned off the TV and stared blankly at the black screen, relieved that it was finally over. The two days she had spent fearing for her life, the time she had spent in the presence of pure evil, the past year...all had finally ended in a courtroom a little over a week ago. And it had finally come full circle with the news that he would be in jail for the rest of his natural life. She leaned her head back against the lounge and breathed deeply. She could now move on, start a new life and try to forget about Steffen. It was funny, she mused as she got to her feet, it wasn't until he had been arrested that she had even thought of what his name had been. Gabriel Michael Steffen, named after angels. Pure evil, with a name of two angels. How ironic.

Kasey headed into one of the bedrooms of her new house. Having recently moved, she was still getting used to the new layout of the place. Not that she minded. She hadn't been able to step foot back in her old house since that night...just the hallway brought back memories...of Miguel's blood on her hands, of the smell of gun powder. It was all too much. But this house, this was where new memories would be created, love and laughter would fill the empty rooms, and a new life would start. She tread softly towards the object in the middle of the room and stood there, looking at the miracle asleep. What would have happened if this angel hadn't come, hadn't have had a chance to be? Her life could have ended, before it had even begun, and the world would have been without her. Kasey's throat choked up at that thought. She smoothed a soft hand over the baby's head and smiled when she woke, her brown eyes immediately focusing in her mother. Even at such a young age, Kasey knew her daughter was someone special. Someone who would make a difference in this world. Karen Marie Melendez. Someone destined for a big future.

" Hey little one. Did you have a nice sleep?" Kasey asked her softly and Karen cooed back, babbling away as only babies could. Kasey carried her over to the changing table and quickly changed her diaper and clothes, dressing her in a pretty little pastel green jumpsuit. She then carried her over to the rocking chair and sat down, starting to rock gently as she started to feed her. Karen was ravenous, suckling away gently, and as she always did, Kasey closed her eyes and enjoyed this time with her daughter. So silent, so special. And none of it wouldn't have happened if Miguel hadn't taken that bullet for her. Her eyes flew open at that. Miguel had saved her life. His love had been proved more profoundly with actions than words in that mere second it took to push her out of the way. All the junk people told her, about it being a policeman's duty didn't wash with her. She knew how much he had loved her. How much he would have done for her. And she knew that no matter what happened, she would always love him for that, if not anything else.

Karen started waving her hands around just as Kasey heard the front door slam shut. Then footsteps came up the hall. By the time he appeared in the doorway of the nursery, Kasey was on her feet, Karen cradled in her arms.

" Hey darlin," he said huskily, coming over to her and kissing her softly.

" Hey sweetie," she said, kissing him back, but being careful not to lean too far into him. Karen cooed and they broke apart. He laughed and took the baby out of Kasey's arms and her heart welled at the site of the two of them together.

" She's starting to look a little like you," he said and Kasey laughed.

" You've got to be kidding! She's her daddy through and through. Anyone can see that," she said and he smiled.

" So I wanted to make you feel better," he said and she smiled, wrapping her arms around his waist.

" But I don't mind. Having a daughter that looks like her daddy is all I could ask for. I look into her eyes, and I see you. All you, every time," she said and Miguel smiled. Kasey watched him run a hand over his daughter head and as she captured his finger within her fist. He would never work as a policeman again, but, as he had told her on their wedding day, he had found what he had been searching for all these years. Someone to love and someone to love him. And she did, love him with all she had in her. Those first few days, after he had been shot had been hell. The doctors had been convinced that he wouldn't survive. Too much blood had been lost, too much damage had been done. But Kasey had sat by his bed, day in, day out, willing him to live, talking about their life together, but only if he would live. And he had. Five days after the shooting, Miguel had come out of the coma he had been in since leaving her house in an ambulance and had healed faster and better than the doctors had expected. A month after the shooting he had walked out of the hospital. Three months after the shooting, they had married. Karen had been born four months ago, almost nine months to the day of that first night they had spent together. And every day, they each looked at each other and knew that Karen was a definite sign that they were meant to be together. Forever. And that not even Gabriel Michael Steffen could come between them.

*****

The End

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