AFTERMATH

BY

PLANET-SOLIN

Ebook by
PDAFiction.com

DISCLAIMERS:

Though these characters resemble several much more famous individuals, they are however my own creation and any use of them can only be made with my own written permission. I have always liked tall dark and handsome and small blonde and beautiful.

SEX/VIOLENCE: If the thought of two women being in love and acting upon such emotion bothers you, then keep browsing because this is not the story for you. These women are cops so expect some excitement however there is nothing too graphic.

OTHERS: To better enjoy this story it is advisable to read Roadkill first. Hope you enjoy the story and all comments are appreciated...

planetsolin@hotmail.com

AFTERMATH

CHAPTER ONE

SYDNEY DAVIS RUBBED her temples in an attempt to alleviate the headache that was beginning to build. She glanced around the scene, her emerald eyes taking in the details with calculated professionalism before casually coming to rest on the victim of this latest senseless crime. Her nose unconsciously wrinkled at the cavalcade of odors that permeated the air.

With one glance she surmised that this was a random act of violence brought on by the excessive consumption of alcohol, a conclusion that she drew from the abundance of evidence in the vicinity of the lifeless body. More than half a dozen broken liquor bottles were scattered around the immediate area making it impossible to move with out stepping on some shards of glass.

She walked carefully around the victim, her nostrils reacting to the overpowering, putrid smell that filled the alleyway. It was the stench of booze and urine, and not the sweet scent of blood that made her stomach roil.

She ignored the physical discomforts and stared dispassionately at the victim. He was a black man, probably somewhere in his early fifties, with grey sprinkled in his long unkempt hair and scruffy beard. He was dressed in a red checked shirt, tan work pants and a brown trench coat. The clothes, little more than rags, were stained and wreaked of their own special scent. Nearby on the ground was a battered egg shell coloured hat and a pair of taped up work boots.

"Did you see the game last night?" Sgt. Rob Newlie asked stepping gingerly up to his small blond friend, his aged blue eyes assessing the scene and the distracted look on the detectives face. She glanced at the man, glad he was the senior patrol officer on site. It always made things easier when the officer in charge was a veteran with lots of experience.

"Yeah, we were there," Sydney nodded her blond head grimly, making no attempt to disguise who she meant by we. It was common knowledge. The Captain's actions during her hospitalization after the shooting had spoken louder then any words could.

"You don't sound like you had much fun," the man mused. They had once been partners and because of that, the Sergeant enjoyed a certain level of intimacy with the small woman that others didn't.

"They were awful," the detective said ignoring the man's unspoken question and keeping the conversation on the game. "They will have to play better if they want to get past the first round of the playoffs."

Truth was, in spite of the closeness they had once shared, Sydney was no longer comfortable discussing anything personal with the man, even though she knew that Robert Newlie was a good friend who would listen compassionately to her problems. In the past she would have confided in him but recently too much had changed.

"Will you be going?"

"Oh yeah," the blond haired detective grunted and the Sgt. laughed. The smaller woman had taken great delight in telling him the story of how she had come into possession of tickets for the remainder of the Sonic's playing season, winning them in a basketball game from Captain Marshall's brother.

"What do you think?" the man directed their attention back to the matter at hand by motioning to the body lying in a puddle of blood in the dirty alley.

"I can almost guarantee that this is the result of a drinking party gone bad," Sydney said succinctly. In the year she had been with the Homicide Unit she had run across more then her share of similar scenes. "What I wouldn't give for a good whodunit, one like they feature on those television murder mystery shows."

"You know what the problem with those are don't you?"

"What?" she asked turning to look at the man.

"It's always the private eye who solves the crime making us look incompetent," the man said with a twinkle in his blue eyes.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," she sighed. "Have your boys found anything out yet?"

"Yeah, the Korean couple who operate the grocery mart down the street recognized him as a regular customer," the older man jerked his thumb in the direction of an middle aged couple that were hovering on the sidewalk just inside the yellow police barricade several meters away. "They said that he came in last night with two other men to buy several bottles of their cheapest crap. They've already given us a detailed description of the men. It seems both are also regulars around the area."

"Good," Sydney nodded pleased with the news. These type of crimes, where the murderers acted without thought or reason, were the easiest to solve. The hard part would be in tracing the man's relatives and informing them of the news. She dug several pairs of latex gloves out of her jacket pocket. "Have one of your boys take them down to the station so get their statements."

The Sergeant nodded and wandered down to the end of the alley where the couple were quietly waiting. Sydney glanced only briefly in their direction before slipping the gloves onto her fingers and dropping to her hunches too begin the rest of the gruesome task, wishing again that she had taken the day off work.

She hadn't felt good that morning but that wasn't anything unusual. She hadn't been feeling well for the last month and though she had said nothing to her lover, Alex had instinctively known and suggested taking a sick day. But she had ignored the idea, determined to prove that she was okay. Sydney knew that it would help if she only talked to her partner about all the feelings that were swirling around inside her head yet she was loathe to do that, afraid of the darkness that it would stir up.

Her heart swelled and her body grew warm as it did every time she thought of the tall, dark haired woman, who had become her friend and lover. There was no doubt in her mind that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Alexandria Marshall and she was happy to know that the other woman shared those feelings, so she was not about to do or say anything that might jeopardize the relationship. She was determined to be strong and keep the pain inside until she could work it out herself. She took a deep breath and absently brushed a finger across the bare skin along the side of her neck.

It had only been eight weeks since she had been shot, and merely a month since she had been released from hospital. Alex had insisted that it was too early to return to duty but she had been bored and restless at home with nothing to do.

Even now she physically winced as she remembered the intense argument that had ensued over the matter and the aftermath of that heated discussion. Alex had stormed out of the apartment and the next morning Sydney had found her lover sleeping on the couch in the den. That had been the first night they had spent apart since moving in together and sadly there had been others like that.

In the end it had been Alex who had acquiesced and allowed her to return to duty. Sydney had expected certain conditions to go along with the concession yet the Captain had not made any, instead remaining strangely mute on the subject. In hindsight, she wondered if she hadn't been wrong in wanting to return so quickly to active duty.

The problem wasn't her wounds. Though they were still raw and caused her irritation and some pain, they were healed. No, the problem was that she found herself exhausted, short tempered and restless.

Alex had been unerringly supportive, enduring the temperamental outbursts without complaint. Sydney wasn't sure how much more her stoic partner would be able to take before saying she had enough. The thought of the Captain leaving terrified the blonde woman and made her heart ache painfully.

"Sydney?" The blond detective glanced up into the concerned blue eyes of her friend Robert Newlie, briefly unable to mask the pain in her green eyes. "Are you okay?"

It took the small woman a moment to understand that he had asked her a question and she briefly shook her head as if to shake away the cobwebs from her brain, pushing aside thoughts of her partner to concentrate on the poor man whose life had ended so violently in this dank and dirty alley. It was a tough chore for she was more mentally tired then she had ever been.

"Sorry, I was just thinking of my partner for a moment," she admitted sheepishly hoping to cover her brief mental lapse. She noticed the man smile in understanding. "What did you want?'

Captain Alexandria Marshall put the phone back in it's cradle and then leaned back in her chair. Absently she twirled the pen around with her fingers, her eyes automatically scanning the large room outside the office, her blue orbs seeking the one person who held her heart. But Sydney had gone out on a call earlier in the morning and had not yet returned. She knew it was ridiculous to worry yet she couldn't help herself.

It had only been two months since Sydney had been shot and only a week since she had returned to active duty with the Homicide Unit. But it had been a long seven days of worrying every time the younger woman went out on a call. A worry that would continue until she knew her lover was safe.

Alex took a deep breath and expelled it in an attempt to steady her nerves. Sydney would be upset if she knew that she was behaving this way and a smile came unbidden to her lips as she imagined how the smaller woman would react.

She could almost picture the young detective standing there, hands on hips, lips pursed tightly together, as she tried to look intimidating. The only thing it ever succeeded in doing was to bring a smile to her face which would in turn annoy the blond woman even more. Alex allowed the smile to fade from her lips and let her eyes move to the windows as she shifted in her chair.

It was raining as it had been almost all month. Large drops of water splattered against the window, making the grey overcast skies seem even drearier. It was almost the end of April and though spring was officially there, the weather was refusing to cooperate. She shifted her gaze once more to the clock, wondering is she could persuade her lover to leave early that afternoon. It was Friday and they had the whole weekend together.

That thought alone was enough to fill her with anticipation. It had been a difficult time since that fateful day when their worlds had ground to a shattering halt. Even now, more than two months later she could recall in vivid detail the heart stopping moment when she received the call that Sydney had been shot. It was a moment she never wished to experience again.

She sighed. The Aftermath. It was always something to deal with. Physically the blond detective was almost completely recovered with only a few permanent scars as a reminder of what could have been but instead of resuming their natural schedule Sydney had been reluctant to leave the apartment.

It had taken a huge effort on her part to convince the woman the previous evening to attend the Sonic's game. Alex knew something still wasn't right even though the department psychiatrist had cleared Sydney for active duty. There was something lurking just beneath the surface of her companion and it concerned her to no end.

The weeks following the shooting had been a stressful time and the strain on their relationship had been tremendous. For weeks it had seemed that she could do nothing right in the eyes of her blond haired companion and it had only been the deep love she felt for the smaller woman that had prevented her from giving up and walking away. It would have been so easy to do but at the same time it hadn't been an option.

She was in love with Sydney and it was a love that she had no intention of carelessly throwing away. She had decided to remain supportive until the girl finally worked out what was wrong, hoping that their relationship would grow even deeper as a result of this hardship. Alex blinked, feeling for the first time the moisture in her eyes.

She had never believed it was possible to care for someone as much as she cared for Sydney yet now she knew such an emotion existed. She knew that because of that, she would be willing to sacrifice everything, her career, her very life, and it didn't matter any more if the same emotions weren't returned. She would love Sydney regardless of what the other woman felt towards her.

It was sadly ironic to acknowledge that it had taken her this long to realize what was important in life. She was grateful that she had ignored her inhibitions and proceeded, aware that despite the problems and the pain, the reward was so much greater. The effort made worthwhile by the feelings she experienced. She knew that Sydney loved her and because of that she was determined to be patient until her companion was completely healed both physically and mentally.

The very thought of her lover seemed to conjure up her image and she turned her head instinctively just as the smaller woman walked into the squad room. Alex waited, holding her breath as she did every time until the blonde detective settled her jacket on the back of a chair at her work station and then covered the short distance to the office.

It had become a small ritual, an excuse for them to spend even a few minutes together. Sydney tapped on the door and waited for her lover to call for her to enter. She made every effort not to take advantage just because of their relationship.

"Enter," Alex called, her usual gruff bark muted by the knowledge of who was on the other side of the door. She couldn't prevent the tentative smile that crossed her features, her spirits brightening considerably the minute the blond detective walked into the room. "Hi."

"Hi," Sydney smiled shyly as she slipped into a vacant chair across from the Captain.

"What'd you catch?" Alex tried to appear casual though it was difficult.

"A homeless, middle aged black man bludgeoned to death," the smaller woman rattled off the facts. "There were a lot of broken bottles in the vicinity of the body so I'm guessing that he was drinking with some buddies and a fight broke out once the alcohol started to run out."

"Any witnesses?"

"There is a Korean couple, a husband and wife, who own a small grocery store down at the corner of the street. They recognized the man as a regular customer and that they had seen him the previous day with several other vagrants who hang out in the area."

"Good."

"Yeah, got lucky, they managed to give us fairly accurate descriptions so I've put APB's out on them. More then likely they will turn up in one of the drunk tanks in the next few days. I went through the holding cells before coming back but I didn't recognize anyone with their descriptions."

"Sounds like you covered all the bases," Alex nodded her head, visualizing the scene in her head, pleased that her lover was becoming such an excellent detective.

Before she had a chance to say any more the phone rang and for a few minutes Sydney had the opportunity to watch her lover at work, studying the angular planes of a face she had grown to love more each day.

One of the reason's she had been afraid to move in with Alex was that she worried that living and working together would cause a problem. The anticipated strain of seeing each other too much had never materialized. If anything it had only made her feelings and respect for her companion grow. She enjoyed every moment they were together even if it meant sitting quietly in the room while her lover conversed on the phone. This must be true love, she thought watching intently as a frown burrowed it's way across the taller woman's brow.

Alex barely listened to the person on the other end of the line, her blue eyes slyly searching her younger lover's face. She looks exhausted, she thought to herself as she noticed the tired lines that were etched into the corners of the beautiful green eyes into which she loved to stare. It was to early for her to return to duty, came the next thought, one that had been rattling around in her brain all week as she had covertly observed her companion. But she had been unable to dissuade the determined young woman.

Mentally, she sighed and closed her eyes for a moment as she thought again about the argument they had shared over the matter. It had been hurtful and had only ended in silence with Sydney sleeping in the bedroom and her tossing and turning on the sofa in the den. By morning she had resolved to let the blond detective make her own decision.

Though she had not been in favour of the resolution, she had been less willing to let the impasse between them continue. She loved the younger woman and it had been incredibly painful for her to feel the anger and pain that the blonde woman had radiated during and after their argument. She knew the stubbornness of her companion and had resolved to capitulate rather then let the strain grow. Now, looking across the desk at the blonde detective, she wasn't entirely certain she shouldn't have been more insistent.

"Everything okay?" Sydney asked when the Captain replaced the phone

"Yes," Alex shook her head flashing a brief smile that didn't extend to her eyes.

She would have liked to tell her lover about the phone call but she had to be careful about how much she confided. Separating their working and personal lives was difficult and some times nearly impossible but Alex knew that she had to keep the distinction. Their relationship was common knowledge, so she had to be very particular about what she shared, even though she had complete confidence in Sydney's ability to keep silent.

"Okay," the smaller woman shrugged, knowing her lover was lying yet not prodding her for details. She had learned to accept that the Captain had to keep things to herself and while at first that knowledge hurt, she had come to understand that it was a fact of their relationship.

"Well, I just popped in to tell you about the case," the blond detective stood up to leave but Alex wasn't ready yet to let her lover go. She sensed there was something going on with her companion. It wasn't in her words as much as her body language. Alex had become apt at reading all the signals. The taller woman glanced at her watch.

"Listen, it's almost noon, are you up for a game?"

Sydney was silent for a long moment as she contemplated the offer. In the past she would have jumped at any opportunity to spend time with her partner yet today she was feeling unusually tired, however one glance at the look on her companions face and she knew her response. It had been a while since they had gotten the chance to play against each other.

"Yeah, I'd like that," she bobbed her head, hoping she appeared convincing.

"Good," Alex stood up and reached for the basketball perched on a shelf behind her. With a flick of her wrist she tossed it at her companion who snatched it easily out of the air. "I just have a brief phone call to make. I'll meet you outside in five minutes."

The blond woman nodded her head, accepting the dismissal and then walked out of the room, closing the door behind. Alex watched the younger woman leave, the smile on her face turning to a frown as she reached for the phone, punching in a number all to familiar.

It was more then ten minutes before the tall, dark haired woman trotted out onto the court in her familiar grey shorts and top with a Sonics basketball shirt overtop. Sydney couldn't help the smile that came over her lips. She had been getting impatient but now that her lover was there her annoyance was forgotten with the thought that the wait was worth every second.

"Let's play ball," Alex grinned eagerly wagging her eyebrows in challenge.

They played for the next hour, trading baskets, and jostling each other for possession. Occasionally a hand would slip to a place that would illicit a yelp from the offended woman. As usual Alex bested her companion but the taller woman had to concede that it was getting hard for her to stay on top. The young woman having studied her opponent, could now anticipate many of her moves.

"You're getting good," Alex mused breathlessly as she reached over and affectionately ruffled the smaller woman's hair. "I think it's time we go back and see Aretha and her friend. Maybe this time we could win some money off them."

Sydney smiled, but it was half hearted. The work-out had exhausted her and she felt like all her physical and mental energies were drained. They walked side by side to the change room, neither speaking a word. Though Alex noticed the change she wisely remained mute, and wondered for the hundredth time what she could do to help her partner.

Because the Captain had a meeting at one thirty, she hurried through her shower. She was dressed and ready to go long before her companion. For a moment she watched the younger woman fumble with the buttons on her clean shirt. She could see the frustration in the smaller woman's features and knew that it was because of the detectives fatigue.

"Here let me do that," Alex offered moving to stand in front of the smaller woman and reaching for the buttons.

"I don't need your help, I'm not a baby," Sydney snapped with a burst of anger, slapping at her lovers hands which dropped away. There was a tense silence as the younger woman continued to fumble with the buttons, refusing to meet the other woman's gaze. Finally she gave up, letting her hands drop to her sides in pure frustration.

Alex waited a moment and then quietly reached out and finished the task, fastening the buttons tightly before grasping the smaller woman's shoulders and pulling her into an embrace. Sydney leaned against her companion, burying her face in the other woman's breasts, surrendering to the love and compassion she felt radiating from the taller woman.

She never meant to strike out at her patient lover yet it seemed she was no longer in control of her emotions. She was angry and frustrated because she was at a loss to know the source of her mood swings. She wasn't upset at Alex yet the poor woman was unjustly facing the blunt of her discontent.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, her words muffled against the other woman's chest. "I don't know where that came from."

"It's all right," Alex accepted the apology as she did every time. She released her grip and pushed the other woman gently away so that she could look into misty green eyes. "Are you okay?"

"I'm tired," Sydney sighed reaching up to wipe the moisture away from her eyes. When she didn't look up, her lover reached out to tip the woman's chin and give her a tender smile.

"Listen, if you're tired, why don't you knock off early?"

"Really?"

"Yeah, I was thinking of taking off early myself," Alex replied between pursed lips. "I have a meeting with the Chief in a few minutes and then the rest of my afternoon is free. If you want to go home now, I'll meet you later."

"I could wait," the blond detective offered. "There's some paperwork I need to get done anyway."

"Okay," Alex smiled, warmed by her lovers words. At that moment there was some noise and she prudently leaned back against the lockers, folding her arms across her chest, and putting distance between them. They were quiet as a uniformed patrolwoman came into the room and went to her locker.

"Chris called and invited us for dinner, are you up for a barbecue?" the Captain said finally breaking the silence.

Sydney bowed her head again. They hadn't really seen anyone in Alex's family since she had gotten out of the hospital.

"I don't know if I'm up to visiting anyone tonight," her words mirrored her thoughts.

"That's okay, I'll call her back and tell her we'll come by another time," the tall woman took the rejection in stride. Her companion hadn't wanted to go anywhere lately so her response was not entirely unexpected.

"No, you go," the blond woman said hesitantly. "Just because I'm not up to going out doesn't mean you shouldn't go. You haven't seen them in a while."

The Captain stared down at her partner, her heart aching. She could feel the smaller woman gently pushing her away and it hurt. She swallowed the lump in her throat.

"What will you do?"

"I'll order in something and watch a movie."

"Are you sure?" Alex was uncertain. She hated the thought of leaving the younger woman alone.

"Yeah, if it's okay, I'd kind of like to be alone tonight," the words were spoken so softly that the taller woman was barely able to hear them.

"It's okay," Alex said with a deep breath and pushed off the wall, barely able to hide the hurt that she was feeling. With several quick strides she was at the door. "I'll come get you when I get back from seeing the Chief."

The small detective nodded and watched as the other woman moved to exit the room. She hated to watch the other woman walk away even if it was only to go to the next room. It gave her an unfamiliar picture of a scene that was haunting too many of her dreams. She knew she had hurt her lover and the pain of that was deep in her heart.

"Alex," she called and the Captain turned and stared at her with a questioning look, her stoic features masking her turbulent emotions. "I love you."

The taller woman was momentarily caught off guard by the admission. She stared for a long moment at the smaller woman, her heart pounding erratically at the tender look on the detectives face.

"I know," she replied softly and with a wave of her hand the taller woman was gone.

All Alex wanted to do was return to her office shut the door and cry her eyes out, yet she was already late for her meeting. So instead she squared her shoulders and took a deep breath to steady her nerves before walking out to where her car was parked.

The meeting with the Chief was brief and afterwards Alex wondered why she had been forced to go all the way down to his office when a simple telephone call could have resolved the matter. She sighed. The Commissioner had become increasingly hostile and uncooperative since the whole incident regarding Sydney's shooting.

The investigation both by the public commission and Internal Affairs had determined that it was a justifiable action and that the detectives had acted appropriately in handling the matter. She hadn't needed to re-enforce the issue of wearing vests to her detectives for they had silently taken up the matter on their own. She was happy to see that Sydney was ready to go once she returned to the station house.

They stopped at a mall near their condo and while Sydney went into the video store, Alex wandered over to the adjoining market to pick up a few items they were running short of and then added a few special treats for her companion. She hated the idea of leaving the blond on her own but it seemed that was what Sydney wanted. She exited the grocer to find the younger detective sitting in the passenger seat of the jeep patiently awaiting her return.

"What movies did you get?" Alex asked breaking the silence that had existed between them from the moment they had left the station house. She nodded to the plastic bag on her companions lap.

"Step-mom with Julia Roberts. Lost in Space with that guy from the television series and Election," came the sombre reply.

"That's an interesting combination," the older woman mouthed with mild surprise. She knew her partner was more inclined to select action films.

"I didn't know what I felt like watching," the smaller woman shrugged, keeping her gaze fixed on the window.

Alex glanced sideways not certain how to respond so she remained silent, turning her attention to the road. Within minutes they were parked in the underground garage and on the elevator up to their fifth floor apartment.

Sydney retreated immediately into the bedroom, pausing on her way to drop the videos in the den while Alex watched from the doorway before taking the bags of groceries and walking through to the kitchen. By the time she was finished putting everything away Sydney had changed into a plain white t-shirt and flannel pyjamas pants and was sitting in the den on the couch scanning through the various television channels looking for something interesting to watch.

The Captain walked through to the bedroom and chucked off her clothes, changing into a pair of grey sweat pants and a long sleeve sweat shirt. She wandered into the den and slumped onto the couch at the far end and focused her attention on the screen. It was an early broadcast of the local news.

Sydney cast a cautious glance at her companion. She knew she should say something yet she didn't know how to explain the way she was feeling. She didn't know herself. She turned her attention back to the television screen aware of the tears that filled her eyes. She hated when the air was tense between them but as she opened her mouth to speak, all words were forestalled by the swift catlike movement of her lover.

Alex popped up out of her seat unable to sit quietly in the tense silence that surrounded them. A nervous energy was running through her body, urging her to reach over and cuddle her young lover but she was uncertain of the reception her actions would receive. Rather than risk rejection she decided to leave.

"I'm going out for a run," she announced and was out of the room before the smaller woman could respond.

Sydney twisted her head and stared at the retreating back, tears misting her eyes as a lump of emotion caught in her throat. There had once been a time when Alex would have invited her along on those runs but lately she had made it a solitary pursuit. It was as if the woman was anxious to be away from her company.

The smaller woman closed her eyes and let her head drop back against the sofa. The less she wanted to hurt Alex the more she seemed to be doing just the opposite. She wanted to tell her lover what was wrong but she didn't want to admit the truth. Instead she kept the pain inside and let the tears flow.

Alex jogged down the path that lead to the beach and then down along the waters edge. It was still raining but she ignored the droplets of water that pounded against her body feeling mother natures cleansing in the shower that got her dripping wet.

She didn't bother to count the miles, running until her breathing became laboured and her muscles screamed in protest. Only then did she turn back and head for home, yet when she reached the cement path that led up from the beach to the street where they lived she stopped jogging and turned to stare out at the grey seas.

Something was bothering her lover, something that Sydney was unwilling to share. She wrapped her arms around her body and hugged herself tightly praying for the strength to hold on to what they had until her partner was able to work it all out.

She had tried to figure out what was bothering the younger woman and when nothing else came to mind she began to think that maybe it was their relationship that was causing the strain. Perhaps them living and working together was what was giving the girl so much stress. She didn't know what else it could be and that was why she was so frightened. The very idea made her horribly depressed and determinedly she dismissed the notion unwilling to allow it to breed in her thoughts. Yet the idea was a seed that took root and caused a fresh torrent of tears to streak down her already damp face.

Sydney was still sitting in front of the television when her partner returned and she only caught a fleeting glance of the taller woman when she came in and walked swiftly down the hallway to their bedroom. She could see that the other woman was soaked to the bone and felt a wave of guilt at being responsible for her being out in the rain.

Alex showered and changed, aware that she had stayed out longer then she had intended. She didn't want to be late for dinner with her brothers family yet she was also dreading the evening, aware that they would be curious as to why she came alone. She did not look forward to the inevitable questions. She climbed out of the shower and hastily towelled herself off, pulling out a clean pair of jeans and a black turtle neck sweater.

"Alex?" the faint voice caught her attention and she glanced up at her lover who was standing in the doorway of their bedroom, casually leaning against the frame.

"What?" she asked with genuine concern. Sydney hesitated, dropping her eyes for a moment.

"Please don't be mad at me," she said in a quiet almost childlike voice that reached out and squeezed the taller woman's heart. Alex was immediately across the room her long fingers under the chin and pushing it up so their eyes could meet.

"I'm not mad at you," she responded in a husky voice. "I know things have been kind of intense lately and it wouldn't do either of us any harm to be by ourselves for an evening."

"Are you sure it's okay?" the smaller woman asked as if uncertain of her lovers response.

"Yeah," Alex nodded and burying her own feelings of trepidation, she stepped forward and embraced the other woman in a tentative grip. She could feel her partner's tension in the stiffness of her body but she held on for a long moment before gently pushing her companion away. "But you owe me for this."

"How?" the blond asked with trembling lips and watched as a gentle smile crossed her lover's lips.

"You gotta know that Kim is going to give me the fifth degree about why you didn't come," Alex teased lightly, reaching up to brush a stray strand of long blonde hair from the smaller woman's face. "You know she looks forward to seeing you."

"Tell her next time," Sydney said.

"I will, as long as you promise me that you will just relax tonight."

"I promise."

"Good, I won't be too late," Alex promised heading for the door with the younger woman trailing closely behind. She bent and lightly brushed her lips across the smaller woman's. "Promise me you won't forget to eat."

"I'll order something as soon as you walk out the door," the blond detective agreed and then with a nod her lover was gone.

Sydney watched her companion leave and the moment the door closed she felt an emptiness in her heart. She turned on her heel and glanced around the place. It seemed so lonely without the taller woman's presence and inexplicably she felt teary.

She wrapped her arms tightly around her waist. She had wanted to be alone tonight yet already she missed Alex. It was a confusing combination and listlessly she wandered into the kitchen. She didn't feel like anything in particular and thought of throwing together a bowl of soup. She paused in doorway, unable to stop the tears from streaming down her face as she spied the neat pile of treats that was carefully stacked on the counter. They were her favourite snacks.

Alex knew her so well and was always considerate and it didn't matter how she treated the older woman. Sydney knew that she had hurt her lover by not going with her tonight yet the older woman had still found enough kindness in her heart to purchase the special treats.

She collected the goodies and then pulled a soda out of the refrigerator before wandering back to the den and plunking herself down onto the sofa. She flipped on the VCR and settled in to watch the first of the videos.

Alex mentally prepared herself for the inevitable questions she knew her family would have. It started the moment she rang the doorbell. Kim, her niece, answered the summons with a warm smile before glancing around expectantly.

"Where's Auntie Sydney?" the little girl demanded as the grin changed into a frown.

"Hi to you too," Alex said with a hint of sarcasm and the girl flushed.

"Hello Auntie," Kim had momentarily forgotten her manners. She reached out and hugged the tall woman before repeating her question. "Where's Auntie Sydney?"

"She wasn't feeling good," the older woman replied knowing it was only a partial lie. Sydney hadn't really been herself since the shooting.

"Oh," the girl sounded genuinely disappointed.

"What, I'm not good enough any more?" Alex asked, pretending to be hurt. "It used to be that you were happy enough when I came to visit."

"I am Auntie but you know it's nice to see you and Auntie Sydney together," the little girl tried to explain.

"Yeah, I know sweetheart," she reached out and ruffled the dark curls on the child's head. "Where's your mom and dad?"

"Mom's in the kitchen cooking and Dad's on the patio getting the barbecue going. Mikey and Donald are playing Nintendo in the family room."

"Ahh," Alex nodded knowingly, following the girl into the house and along the corridor towards the kitchen where her sister-in-law was busying chopping up vegetables for a salad.

"Mom, Auntie Alex is here but Auntie Sydney didn't come along," Kim announced as they entered the room.

"You might as well broadcast the news," Alex muttered under her breath, wincing at the way it sounded and then gave her sister-in-law a bland smile. "Hello Chris."

"Hi," the blond woman arched her brow at her sister-in-law before turning away from the island counter to put an empty dish in the sink. "The invitation was for the both of you."

"Sydney wasn't feeling good," Alex wondered how long it would take for her mother to hear about this. As much as she liked her brother and sister-in-law, she knew they were notorious gossips.

"I'm surprised you didn't cancel."

"Yeah well I was going too but she practically kicked me out the door," the taller woman said knowing that it wasn't a complete lie.

"Is everything okay?" Christie was curious for she could see something in the other woman's blue eyes.

Alex glanced at her friend and then at the small child who had plunked herself down at one of the chairs at the kitchen table. Kim seemed interested in a magazine that was lying there.

"I'm not sure," she sighed. She could always trust Chris to be understanding. They had been friends since playing basketball together in college. "Ever since the shooting things have been a little strained. She hasn't wanted to go anywhere or see anyone. She isn't the same person."

"Have you tried talking to her about it?"

"Yeah, but she just clams right up."

"It was a horrible thing to go through," the blond woman reminded quietly.

"I know," Alex was honest. "I've tried to be supportive but I can't do anything until she tells me what's wrong."

"You're not breaking up with Auntie Sydney are you?" a small voice asked from across the room and Alex cursed under her breath wishing she hadn't said anything. A few swift strides had her across the room and on her hunches in front of the little girl.

"Honey, I love Auntie Sydney very much," she was honest. "And I hope that we will be together for a very long time."

"Good, cause I really like her," the child announced.

"So do I."

There was a moment of silence and Christie looked across the room at the pair. She had often thought that Alex would make a good mother and watching the gentle way she handled her daughter that truth was re-enforced. She thought again about what her husband and her had discussed and knew they were making the right decision.

"Kim sweetheart, why don't you go see what your daddy's doing," the blond woman smiled at her daughter. "Tell him Auntie Alex is here."

"Okay mom," the girl agreed happily and jumping to her feet skipped out of the room.

Alex stood up, running a weary hand through her long dark tresses. You owe me big time Sydney, she said to herself as she stood up and walked back over to where the other woman was working.

"Do you need any help?"

"Nope, everything is under control," Christie dismissed the offer and then glanced up towards her friend. "Do you need any help?"

"Yeah, tell me what to do," Alex gave her friend a lopsided grin though there was no amusement in her eyes.

"Be patient," the other woman counseled. "It sounds to me like that Sydney is depressed. The doctors did warn you about this."

"Yeah, the aftermath, but they didn't say it would be so hard."

"They never tell you that part," Christie agreed. "The only thing you can do is continue to be supportive. Let Sydney know that you are there for her. Maybe what you both need is a break, time away from this place. You really haven't had any time for yourselves."

Alex hadn't thought of that but it was certainly an idea worth considering. They hadn't really spent any time together since they had met, their schedules often conflicting. Of course some of the problem had been alleviated by their moving in together but Christie was right. Before she could say anything her brother was there.

"Hey sis, Kim tells me you didn't bring the Kindergarten Cop along," Andrew said as he strolled into the room.

"Who?"

"The Kindergarten Cop."

"Kindergarten Cop?" the tall dark haired woman repeated in confusion.

"Yeah, I had to figure out a nickname for Syd and Shorty seemed to common," the man responded with a lopsided grin. "I was thinking about it at work the other day and the name just popped into my head."

"Maybe you should be thinking more about your work," his sister said uncertain how her companion would react to such a nickname. "Does Dad know you are wasting his valuable time over such trivial pursuits?"

"Probably," Andrew smiled like a little boy and Alex rolled her eyes realizing that no matter how old the man got he would never chance. Sydney you owe me big time, she thought to herself..

It was after ten at night when Alex finally let herself into the condo making certain to be quiet, unwilling to wake her partner if she was sleeping. The place was dark yet she could hear the sound of voices and for a moment her heart beat erratically as all sorts of thoughts raced through her brain. She blushed with embarrassment when she realized with some guilt that it was only the television. For a brief instant she had thought that Sydney had company.

Following the sound she moved to the den and peeked in, intent on joining her lover yet the scene that greeted her caused her heart to tighten and a sad smile to dip across her face. Sydney was lying sprawled out on the sofa while the video continued to roll. Scattered across the coffee table was remnants of her evening, empty soda cans, a half eaten bag of chips and a partially eaten pizza.

Alex absorbed the scene for a moment contemplating what she should do. The bed in their room was much more comfortable but Sydney hadn't been getting much sleep lately and so she was reluctant to disturb the sleeping woman, regardless of how uncomfortable she looked. More then once the younger woman had stayed awake all night.

The taller woman moved quietly across the den, gathering up the debris and putting some sort of semblance back to the room. She flipped off the video and it was while she was waiting for it to finish rewinding that her companion opened bleary eyes.

"Alex?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"You home already?"

"It's late honey," the taller woman said gently. "It's time to go to bed."

"Oh," with that the sleepy woman slowly sat up and Alex helped a somewhat groggy woman to her feet and then down the hall to their room pulling down the sheets so the girl could climb into bed.

Without a word the blond woman seemed to fall asleep and Alex smiled to herself before moving into the bathroom to wash and change into her own pyjamas. She crawled into bed next to her partner. She wanted to draw the woman into her arms but withstood the desire.

"Did you have a good time tonight?" a sleepy voice punctuated the darkness.

"Yes, but everyone, especially Kim, was disappointed you weren't with me," Alex was honest, hesitating for a moment before continuing with her thoughts. "And I missed you. It didn't feel right being there alone."

That had been a revelation. She could remember a time when the idea of visiting her family with anyone had seemed strange but now, to go without Sydney it seemed even stranger. There was a long silence following her confession.

"I missed you too," Sydney admitted in a quiet voice. The loneliness she had felt at the other woman's absence had been incredible. "Don't ever leave me alone again."

"You wanted me to go, you wanted to be alone," the older woman gently reminded turning her head but only seeing the other woman's back.

"I was wrong," the blond whispered hoarsely not turning to look at her companion, afraid she would reveal too much. "Tonight was terrible. I felt so lonely, like before we were together. I didn't like that feeling."

"I don't like us being apart either," Alex sighed, clamping her arms against her breasts to prevent herself from reaching out to the other woman. She had a sudden idea. "Do you feel up to going out sailing tomorrow?"

"Just the two of us?"

"Yeah," the taller woman said. "I thought we could go out towards the San Juan islands. I'd like to show you where my parents have a summer house."

"I'd like that," Sydney nodded her head and yawned.

"You're tired, go to sleep," Alex encouraged, staring at the blond head through the darkness.

"I forgot to tell you, your mother called this evening," Sydney said quietly.

"What did she want?"

"She wants us to come to dinner," the blond woman said with a mumble. "I told her we would be over on Sunday."

"Are you sure?" Alex was anxious.

She knew her lovers relationship with her parents was still tentative even though her folks had been tremendously supportive during the younger woman's hospital stay and convalesces. The taller woman knew it was because of Sydney's own lack of experience in having a family and knowing how to deal with them.

"Yeah, we haven't seen them in a while," the smaller woman mumbled.

"Okay," the Captain was glad, hoping that this was a signal that her companion was trying to get over what was bothering her.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight love," Alex said and no longer able to stifle her action, she leaned over to plant a tender kiss on her companions head before burying her face in blond hair and closing her eyes.

CHAPTER TWO

SINCE MOVING IN together the two women had been out on the boat several times and had developed a coordinated routine. Alex had shown Sydney how to handle the rudder, trim the sail and generally run all facets of the boat. Sailing had become an activity the pair found they mutually enjoyed and it often gave them time alone together after a busy week.

Today Alex set the course for the San Juan Islands and hoped that their trip would be uneventful. The sky was clear and the water calm with only a light breeze blowing. After an initial hesitation they settled together at the stern like always, with Sydney nestled between her tall lover's legs and Alex's free arm wrapped tightly around the other woman's chest.

They idly watched the scenery pass, each dwelling in their own thoughts as they sailed up Puget Sound and into Admiralty Inlet towards Lopez Island where the Marshall's summer home was located.

Sydney watched the coast line pass, seeing Mount Baker in the distance rising above the lush green horizon. Eagles soared in endless circles over the shore and the blond woman eagerly gazed out over the water hoping to see something of the Orca whales or porpoises that were so renown in the area.

"Tell me about the Island?" she said turning to her companion hanging on to the arm that was circled around her body. All the young detective knew about the place was that it was a popular get away for locals and a tourist stop for foreigners.

"Before the European settlers came it was home to the Samish and Lummi Indian tribes, " Alex recited the local history of the island where she had spent many summers while growing up. "For a time it was known as 'Guernsey Island' because of its exports of dairy products, but now most of the farms have disappeared, though you'll still see sheep roaming the rolling pastures."

"It sounds like the perfect place for a romantic weekend," the smaller woman commented idly.

"It is, especially if you're into the outdoors," Alex conceded. "My brothers used to bring some of their girlfriends there. It was where Andrew brought Christie to propose."

There was silence as Sydney pondered this revelation. They had been together for almost six months yet there still was so much that she didn't know about her partner.

"Did you bring anyone here?" The blonde detective asked hesitantly. She knew it was a personal question and hoped that her companion would not be angry at her for asking.

"No," the single word came without hesitation. "This was my private sanctuary where I could get away from everyone. It always annoyed the hell out of me when my brothers brought someone out here, I felt like they were invading my privacy."

"You don't have to show me then, we can go some place else," Sydney suggested quietly, not wanting to invade the other woman's privacy.

"No," came the soft, knowing response. "I want to share this with you and only with you."

The smaller woman felt an immense rush of love flow through her body as she contemplated her lover's answer. It made her feel incredibly wonderful to know that she was someone special in this woman's life, realizing that her partners actions often spoke louder then any words could.

An idea suddenly popped into the dark haired woman's head. She knew that Sydney had promised her parents that they would visit the next day but she felt certain that her mother and father would understand.

"Sydney, what would you say about spending the night on the island?"

"What?" the smaller woman was caught off guard by the suggestion.

"I thought that maybe we could spent the night," the Captain repeated.

"But I promised your parents we'd have dinner with them," Sydney reminded with a frown.

"Yeah, I know, but we can see them anytime," Alex said. "I'm not certain when we will have a chance to get here again. I can call them on my cell phone and explain the situation, I'm sure they wouldn't mind. What do you say?"

"Are you sure?" the younger woman seemed indecisive even though the idea was appealing. There really was no reason for them to return that evening.

"Yes," came the firm response.

"Okay," the blond woman smiled and received a tight squeeze for her efforts, seeing the brilliant smile that transformed her lovers normally stoic face.

Alex felt proud and automatically tightened her grip on the younger woman as the blond detective settled back down between her legs. It was moments like this that she lived for.

Sydney leaned against her partner and watched with genuine interest as they neared the island, seeing the steep cliffs that marked the coastline, it's profile interspersed with secluded beaches and coves. She could see the magic and romance of the place.

The Marshall's summer house was located on the western side of the island. It was more then the simple cottage that Sydney had imagined and larger then what most people had for a main residence. It was an imposing place that loomed on the horizon at the top of a cliff.

With casual familiarity Alex manoeuvred the sailboat up against the small pier that jetted out from a narrow stretch of beach. They moored the boat, tying it securely to the dock before heading towards the stone path that was cut into the side of the cliff.

"I just thought of something," Sydney broke the solitude as they trudged up the narrow path. "We haven't anything with us."

"No problem, we can take the motorcycle into the village. It's only about five miles from here," Alex said with a smile, thinking that this small get away could turn out better then she anticipated.

"Just how big is this island?' her companion asked curiously, wondering what kind of amenities they would find in town.

"Twenty-nine and a half square miles in area and it has a permanent population of about twenty one hundred people, " the taller woman quoted the statistics that she remembered reading somewhere. "It's a pretty friendly place."

She glanced at her watch and then down at her companion as they reached the top of the cliff. It was almost one in the afternoon and they had not yet eaten lunch. After the early breakfast they had shared, she figured her companion was due a feeding.

"What do you say I give you a quick tour of the place and then we take the bike into town for some food?"

"Sounds like a plan," the blond woman agreed, already feeling her spirits rise. It was a wonder how something as simple as a change of scenery could pull her out of the dark mood that she had been in lately.

"Local legend has it that a whaling Captain once owned this place," Alex related it's history after retrieving the key from the garage. Fortunately her parents had shown enough foresight to keep the electricity turned on year round and all the tall woman needed to do was flip a switch in the garage to restore full power to the house.

"But some of the old timers say it was actually built by the owner of one of the canneries that used to be on the island. Either way it was constructed early in the century and much of the original wood is still in place. When my parents bought it they had it restored to it's original splendour with a few modern conveniences thrown in."

Sydney followed her tall companion up the steps onto a porch, which circled the entire circumference of the house. The front doors were made of oak and opened into an large vestibule with a high vaulted ceiling. Refurnished hardwood covered the floor.

They started the tour on the main floor with the sitting room. The first thing to catch Sydney's eye was the a huge stone fireplace that occupied almost the entire length of one wall. It was flanked on either side by tall French windows which opened onto the porch and looked out towards the sea. Elegant rugs were placed in strategic positions on the floor.

The next room was a den with floor to ceiling shelves which held an abundance of books and journals. There was a large dining room with a sturdy polished wooden table that was big enough to seat at least twenty people. Similarly the kitchen was huge with all the modern conveniences and a separate pantry where a variety of canned goods were stored.

A set of wide stairs with an ornately carved banister in the front entrance led to the second floor which contained five bedrooms. They were all the same in design with the exception of the master suite which had an attached room that had been converted into a small sitting area with a soft couch and chair and a writing desk next to a small window. There were two bathrooms with massive clawed bathtubs and brass plumbing fixtures.

"This place is huge," Sydney murmured not sure what how to describe it.

"Yeah," Alex nodded with a grin. "Though the locals can't decided on who it was that built the place they do agree that he was a rather large man."

"That accounts for all the space," Sydney nodded in understanding. "I can see why you like to retreat here, it's great and the view."

The tall dark haired woman followed her companion through one room and out the French doors that led onto the second floor balcony which like on the main floor surrounded the entire perimeter of the house. She turned her gaze outward, seeing a spectacular view of the ocean. It wasn't hard to remember the incredible sunsets she had witnessed from this place.

"When we were all younger our parents used to bring us up here for the holidays, summer and winter," Alex said revealing a little more of herself. "Christmas used to be special with a large tree set up in the sitting room next to the fireplace. This place has a lot of happy memories."

Sydney was silent trying to imagine what it was like and knowing it must have been wonderful. She could imagine small children running around the hallways which were festooned with holly and other seasonal decorations. It was so different then her own rather dismal memories.

"Come on, I don't know about you but I'm starved," Alex said noticing the frown that was etching its way across her lovers features. She captured her partners hand and drew her back into the house.

They found the small motorbike in the garage and after checking to make sure there was gas in the tank Alex took the drivers seat, though she didn't immediately start the machine noticing the other woman's dubious expression.

"Are you sure you can drive this thing?" Sydney asked eyeing the machine critically. She had been a passenger on many a motorcycle ride with her sister's friends and today considered herself lucky that she was still alive.

"Absolutely, I've had my license for years," Alex assured her companion who continued to look at her doubtfully.

"And your parents drive around the island on this thing when their here?" the smaller woman was suspicious.

"Nope, they usually drive up so they always have their car," Alex chuckled. "Come on it will be fun and I promise to be careful."

"I don't know," the woman was hesitant.

"Come on Syd," the taller woman cajoled with a seductive smile. "It will be fun."

"All right, but if anything happens I'm going to blame you completely," the smaller woman grumbled before climbing on behind her lover, snuggling her body up tightly against her companion and circling the slender waist with her arms.

"Not so tight, I'd like to breath," the dark haired woman glanced back at her companion who loosened her grip.

"Remember if I fall you're going with me," the blond warned and only received a chuckle for her efforts.

Alex kicked started the machine and they were off. As promised the Captain kept the speed down and reluctantly Sydney discarded her nervousness and allowed herself the pleasure of enjoying the experience.

Instead of taking the direct route Alex chose a more circular road that took them through some of the rolling pasture land where the blond detective caught glimpses of sheep and some of the deer that seemed to live in abundance on the island.

She spotted other historic looking farmhouses and some of the ancient canneries that once used to populate the scenery. Occasionally they passed another motorized vehicle and Sydney noticed that the drivers flashed a distinctive wave which she initially mistook for another unfriendly gesture, until she noticed her companion doing the same thing.

"It's a friendly island gesture," Alex chuckled aware how often the gestures had been misinterpreted, raising her voice to be heard over the sound of the motor and the wind.

Finally they reached the village proper and Sydney noticed that it contained all the services and amenities that any normal town had. There was a medical clinic, a Sheriff's office and hardware shop alongside the regular tourist Inn's and restaurants. They parked in front of a place called the Southern Cafe which offered a variety of specials. The place was nearly empty as it was already well past the normal lunch hour.

"Miss Marshall it's good to see you again," a friendly woman appeared at their table almost as soon as they had taken a seat.

"Hi Maggie," Alex greeted the waitress with a easy familiarity that almost made Sydney jealous, and certainly made her wonder if the two shared a past. Alex had said that she had never brought any lovers to the island but she hadn't said if she had shared anything special with someone living here.

"Long time no see," the woman with short dark hair commented, glancing idly at the blond stranger. "Where you been?"

"I've been living in the mid-west for the last number of years and didn't get a chance to get back here often in that time," the dark haired woman explained.

"Well, as you can see nothing much has changed," the stranger laughed. "What can I get for you today?"

Alex glanced across the table at her companion.

"Do you trust me to order?" and received a muted nod before turning her attention back to the woman who though she wore no uniform was obviously the waitress. "We will have a number three and a number five with two large cokes."

The woman nodded before hurrying away leaving the two woman alone once again. Sydney glanced at their surroundings and noted that they were quite ordinary. Finally they came back to rest on her companion who was looking at her with a peculiar expression on her face.

"I know you're dying to ask, so do," Alex said patiently. She had read the expression on her companions face when she was talking to the waitress and instinctively knew her companion's natural curiosity.

"It's none of my business," Sydney said bowing her head, embarrassed by her rush of jealousy. The taller woman sighed.

"Of course it is," Alex replied patiently. "Sydney everything about me is your business. We're partners and there aren't any questions you can't ask me. I've been around but I've never done anything to be ashamed of."

"Maybe not, but I have," the younger woman admitted with a whisper and Alex suddenly understood another area of her lovers personality. They had never really discussed their former relationship's and she had naively thought that it wasn't an issue. She knew now that it was for her companion.

"Sydney whatever you did in the past, is just that, the past," the Captain said in a gentle voice. "I'd be foolish to think that you don't have some history but what's important to me is the present and the future. That's all I care about. Do you understand that?"

"Yeah," Sydney nodded feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Okay," the dark haired woman said with finality. "I love you Sydney and there is nothing that you could have done that would make me feel any less for you then I do now."

The younger woman hoped that was true. She wasn't proud of some of the things she had done and considered herself lucky that she had not suffered any consequences from some of the actions she had taken. She glanced across the table at her companion who was waiting patiently for her to speak.

"So is there anyone on the island who can claim intimate knowledge of you?" she asked with a weak smile in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"The answer is no," the older woman replied sincerely with a slight grin. "There is no one on the island who can claim to have intimate knowledge of me. Some tried but I came here to be alone."

The waitress chose that moment to return with their orders and Sydney was relieved for it provided an opportunity to close this topic of conversation. She stared with genuine interest at the dishes which turned out to be two different kind of seafood salads, which the two women ended up sharing.

After lunch they left the motorcycle parked in front of the cafe and took a quick walking tour through town stopping briefly at the local Mercantile shop to pick up a few supplies for their overnight stay. It was Alex's suggestion for them to pop into the grocery store and purchase some pasta and sauce along with a few vegetables and fruits. Impulsively the taller woman added a bottle of wine to their purchases. One final stop at the bakery and they were ready for the return trip to the summer house.

"How are we going to manage all this?" Sydney asked balancing several of the plastic bags in her hands and motioning to her companions packages.

"Hmm, you could be right," Alex pondered the situation for a minute before a smile broke over her face. She hastily passed her bags across to her companion before sauntering off down the street, calling back over her shoulder. "Wait right there."

"We don't need any more stuff," Sydney called out when she realized where her companion was headed. She watched helplessly as the tall woman disappeared into a shop.

Alex scanned the store shelves with a practiced eye. She spotted what she wanted and hurried down the aisle. It was while she was on her way to the cash register to pay for her purchase that her eye caught sight of something perched on a rack.

She glided over to the display, a smile working it's way across her face. She knew her companion loved music and had raved about a particular artist who now had a number one hit on the charts. She picked up the CD and then several batteries, hoping that the portable player they had at the house was still in working order. Sydney was murmuring to herself and pacing impatiently on the sidewalk by the time her companion emerged from the store carrying a large backpack.

"Hey, that was a good idea," she commented when her partner showed off her purchase, the gift expertly hidden inside one of the pockets.

"I thought so," Alex grinned and then positioned it on the smaller woman's back before packing it snugly with their purchases, managing to cram all of the contents of their bags into the pockets.

"I'm going to fall off the motorcycle," the blond detective complained feeling the weight of the carryall wanting to drop her onto her back.

"Just hang on tightly," Alex grinned before hopping onto the bike and kicking it started. She was careful to help her companion on, waiting until the smaller woman's arms were securely locked around her waist before easing her hand off the clutch.

The ride back to the summer house was uneventful and taken along a different route then the one they had used to reach the village. This road traveled parallel to the coast and afforded them a beautiful view of the sea where they could see numerous sailboats cutting across the water.

"Up for a walk?" Alex asked once they had stowed the groceries in the kitchen.

"Sure," her companion eagerly agreed and minutes later they were strolling along the edge of the cliff admiring the beauty of the nature that surrounded them. Finally they came to a small natural inlet where they carefully picked their way down unto the beach.

"You were so lucky, being able to grow up with this," Sydney sighed revealing her thoughts to her partner who was skipping stones along the water.

"Yeah," Alex didn't deny the truth. "But my parents were always conscious of reminding us how fortunate we were."

"I remember once when I was about eleven, my dad took my sister and me to a beach in Olympia National Park," the blond woman said. "It was a big occasion because he never took us anywhere."

Even so many years later she could remember the day as if it were yesterday. She had been so excited. It was a Saturday and her father had said it was a special occasion to celebrate all their birthdays. It had been an unusual gesture on the man's part and the result of an unexpected winnings at the track earlier in the week. For one day he had been the father that she had always envisioned having.

"Did you have fun?" Alex asked seeing the distant look in her companion's eyes.

"Yes," the blond woman nodded. "That was the only good memory that I have of us being a family together. Mostly he was too busy or didn't care enough."

"I'm sorry," the older woman said her heart aching for her companion. She walked over and reached her hand out pulling the younger woman to her feet and gently wrapping her in a tight embrace. They stood like that for a long time, savouring the contact. The sun was low in the sky by the time they finally made their way back to the house.

"I'll go and check on the boat if you want you can start dinner," Alex suggested once they reached the porch steps and her companion nodded mutely.

"Don't forget to call your mother," the smaller woman reminded as she watched her companion head down the path that led towards the cliff.

"I'll do that as soon as I get down to the boat," the taller woman agreed, waving before disappearing down the stone steps that were cut into the cliff face.

Alex had considered everything that she needed to make the evening an romantic occasion and she reviewed her plans as she scurried down to the beach. Instead of going to the boat, she hurried along the shore, collecting driftwood for the fire that she hoped to build later in the evening. Only when she was finished setting up everything on the beach did she retrieve the phone from the boat. The call was answered on the third ring.

"Mom?"

"Alex?" came the muffled reply. "Where are you honey, your voice sounds funny?"

"I'm calling from Lopez Island," the dark haired woman explained. "I took Sydney sailing and we ended up here."

"That's nice, how is the place?" the woman asked casually.

"Great," Alex said. "Anyway the reason I'm calling is that I know Sydney said we would be over for lunch tomorrow but we won't be able to make it. We decided to spend the night here."

"Oh," the older woman had a hard time disguising the disappointment she felt. "It's been a while since we've seen you. Your father was really looking forward to having dinner with you."

"Yes, I know," the Captain sighed. "But we really needed to get away for awhile and this seemed like the perfect opportunity."

"Oh?" the older woman said unable to mask the concern and hope that flooded her body. "Are you and Sydney having trouble?"

"No," Alex wanted to dispel any rumours her mother may have heard, aware that Christie and Andrew had probably said something about her lone visit to their home. She knew that while Marie grudgingly accepted the relationship she still held out hope that Alex would some day change her mind.

She could have told her mother it was a forlorn hope but instinctively she knew that would be a lie. If she lost Sydney she didn't think she would ever want to become involved again, certainly not with another woman. In Sydney she had found her perfect mate, the other half to her soul and if she lost the smaller woman under any circumstances she would not try to recreate the relationship aware that it would only result in disappointment.

"I'll call you next week," the younger woman promised.

"Okay," Marie sighed. "Oh, I forgot to ask you when is Sydney's birthday?"

"June 7th," came the automatic reply. The date was already planted in the Captain's head. "Why?"

"Well, it's just nice to know," the other woman replied. "Are you going to have a party for her?"

"Certainly," Alex responded, "but I think I have plenty of time to do the planning."

"Yes, okay, then have a good time and we'll see you next weekend some time," the older woman said before ringing off.

Alex shook her head and returned the cell phone to the boat before retreating back up the cliff towards the house. She quietly peeked into the kitchen to see that Sydney was still busy chopping up vegetables for a salad and so stole back into the living room to complete the surprise she had planned. Only once it was complete did she join her companion.

"Where do you want to eat?" Sydney asked when the taller woman joined her in the kitchen. The food was ready and the smaller woman was just ladling it into the various bowls.

"How about the sitting room?" Alex suggested hiding her smile. "The dining room is to large and the kitchen to impersonal."

"Okay, if you're sure," the blond woman wasn't as certain. All she could think about was the beautiful furniture and the possibility of them accidentally spilling some tomato sauce on the carpet. "Promise me that you won't yell if I spill something on the rug."

"Just don't worry about it," the older woman said grabbing a bowl in each hand and leading the way into the living room.

Sydney followed her companion from the kitchen down the hallway into the sitting room. It wasn't until she actually entered the room did she realized what her companion had been up too while she was fixing dinner. She paused to take it all in.

The furniture had been moved around to make room in front of the fireplace for the coffee table which was elegantly dressed with a fancy red cloth and two place settings that included crystal wine glasses and polished silverware. A burning candle sat in the middle of the table.

The lights had been turned down and the kindling in the fireplace lit, giving the room a soft romantic glow, with the flames of the fire filling the room with a pleasant warmth.

"This is beautiful," she managed to whisper and Alex smiled rushing over to retrieve the bowls from her lover's hands.

"I'm glad you like it," the tall woman said indicating the cushions she had placed around the table. There was the soft sounds of classical music coming from the stereo. "Come sit down and let's eat."

The meal was delicious for Sydney was an excellent cook and Alex kept the conversation light and casual. It had been such a long time since they had spent any intimate time together and she didn't want to do anything that might spoil the mood that was encompassing them both. For the first time in over a month she saw that her companion was beginning to relax, to release the worries that she carried silently inside herself.

"Come on," the taller woman said once they had finished eating. She grabbed the small box of desserts and then snatched the smaller woman's hand. They stopped to put on their coats before grabbing her hand once again and dragging her out of the house.

It was late evening and the sun was just beginning to set by the time they reached the beach at the base of the cliffs. The evening was warm enough with only a slight breeze rippling the smooth ocean water causing the boat to bob gently in the surf.

"This is beautiful," Sydney sighed settling down on the sand.

She watched quietly as her companion expertly lit the bundle of wood that had been collected and stacked into a neat pile on the beach by an oversize log that had washed unto shore. When she had that done she didn't immediately join her friend, instead she sauntered over to the water retrieving the bottle of wine she had earlier set in the ocean to chill.

"I'm sorry I forgot about glasses," the tall woman said sheepishly as she uncorked the bottle before handing it to her companion. Only when she was satisfied did Alex settle down on the sand behind her partner against the log. Sydney leaned back between her lovers legs nestling comfortably into the taller woman's embrace.

"No problem," the blond detective smiled and took a sip from the bottle before handing it back to her companion.

The Captain took a sip savouring the delightful taste of the liquid as it travelled down her throat and into her belly. She reached over to the small box that contained the dessert, a dozen chocolate bonbon's covered with coconut. Extracting one from the dish she held it out to the smaller woman who neatly snapped it out of her fingers.

They sat there silently sharing the wine and the dessert, and savouring the moment as they watched the fiery ball in the sky dip into the ocean and then disappear in a montage of colours that were brilliantly splashed across the heavens.

For a moment there was complete silence with only the gentle crackle of the burning wood breaking the unearthly calm as the waves rolled in whispers unto the shore. It was a time of indescribable peace and for a moment Sydney closed her eyes and savoured it all, the peace, the beauty and the love that she felt in the arms that were wrapped around her body. It was more peace then she had felt in a long time.

Alex felt the tension leave her companion as the woman slumped against her body and she wrapped her arms more tightly around her companion. It had been a long time, not since before the shooting, that she had felt her companion this relaxed.

They sat there until the last of the light faded and they were surrounded by darkness except for the glow of the fire that burned next to them warming them against the impending night chill. They turned their heads to the heavens and stared up, watching as the stars slowly, almost hesitantly poked there heads out of the black dome. They stared out at the sea and occasionally a boat, it's deck festooned in light trailed across the horizon.

"Thank you," Sydney sighed revelling in the beauty that surrounded them.

"I wish I could take credit for any of this but it's all mother natures doing," Alex chuckled and bent her head to nuzzle the smaller woman's neck.

"I don't mean that," the blond gave an exaggerated sigh. "I mean this. The fire, the wine, just bringing me here."

"I thought we could use the time alone," Alex confided seriously, hesitating for a moment before plunging forward, deciding it was time for her to speak up. "I know it's been a rough go for you over the last few months."

"And for you," the smaller detective added softly. "You've had to put up with me. Thanks for being there, you don't know how much that means to me, even though I don't say it."

"Yeah," the taller woman grunted slightly embarrassed. "There have been times when I don't know what the hell I was doing."

"Everything right," Sydney said and then fell silent. Alex was quiet for a moment though now that the subject was out there she didn't want to leave it until everything had been settled.

"Sydney, you know you can talk to me about anything right?" she said with a deep breath, expelling it in a rush afraid she would lose her courage to speak.

"Yeah," the smaller woman nodded her head but said nothing more and Alex was at a loss of where to go next.

It had seemed that the smaller woman was finally opening up to her but now she could feel the tension creep back into the woman. She was way out of her league for sensitive chats but she took another deep breath and prodded forward. She loved this woman too much to give up and she had the awful feeling that if she stopped now then there would be no going back.

"Is everything going okay with the psychologist?"

The question remained unanswered which was in itself the answer. Inwardly Alex groaned. She didn't want to know that her partner had stopped seeing the doctor. She willed herself to control her reaction.

"When did you stop going?" she asked surprised how calm her voice sounded.

"Just after I left the hospital," Sydney admitted reluctantly, glad that they weren't facing each other for she wouldn't be able to bare seeing the disappointment on the older woman's face.

"Why?" it was the only question Alex could ask. Sydney shrugged.

"I didn't feel comfortable talking to him, answering the questions he asked," came the admission and then the quiet truth. "Besides I didn't want it to go on my record."

"Oh baby," shit, Alex suddenly understood something she knew she should have realized before. In one swift motion she twisted their bodies around so that they were facing each other. She grabbed her companion's hands and folded them between her own.

She hated the macho world in which they worked. The world with hidden undertones that suggested anyone not strong enough to deal with their problems or pain alone were somehow a lesser human being. She had seen it too often in her career, too many lives wasted because of people refusing to seek help, worried that it might somehow tarnish their image and be noted permanently in their record, preventing the promotions that might come their way. She had seen so many lives and families ruined by this pride. Fortunately it was changing, albeit not quick enough.

"You don't have to be worried about your career," she tried to make the younger woman understand. "Counselling isn't frowned upon like it used to be, in fact many police forces now make it mandatory for their officers in cases like yours. God, Sydney you were shot, you could've died. If that's what's messed you up it's understandable."

Sydney was silent as tears pooled in her green eyes. She loved Alex so much and knew the older woman was trying her hardest to make things right, but she couldn't forget about what she did. The Captain somehow sensed the truth and gently reached out and combed an errant strand of hair behind the girl's ear.

"But there's something else bothering you isn't there?" the dark haired woman said astutely, knowing her companion well enough to know the truth.

Sydney wasn't able to stop herself from cringing. Her lover was too astute. A single tear rolled down her cheek and tenderly the dark haired woman reached up to brush it away. The blond woman lifted teary eyes, the insecure part of herself telling her to remain quiet but her heart urging her to confess all, telling her it would be okay.

She had wanted to confide in her lover for such a long time. She wanted Alex to fix it and make it all better, even if it meant risking the loss of her forever. She couldn't go on this way. They couldn't keep going on this way. She took a deep unsteady breath, her limbs trembling and not from the cold that was creeping into the air.

"I love her, but I never wanted to be like her," Sydney confessed in a quiet voice, tears streaming down her face. "When I saw her kill that innocent man, I was sick and I swore I would be different. It was so horrible, the blood and the realization that a life had been needlessly ended. I joined the police force to protect people and what happens, I become just like her."

Alex sat very still listening to her companion, her brain confused and trying to sort out her lovers jumbled words. Finally it hit her and slowly she began to gain an understanding into the complicity of her lover's thinking and the reason behind her pain. The realization caused an incredible pain in her own heart.

"Oh baby, you aren't anything like Anne," Alex said softly gently brushing the tears away.

"I killed a man!" came the angry dispute.

"Who was trying to kill you," the Captain corrected softly. "There is a huge difference between the two."

"I didn't give him a chance to surrender," Sydney barked.

"He didn't give you the chance to ask him," the dark haired woman reminded. They had investigated the shooting thoroughly and it had been unanimously concluded that Sydney had acted correctly in discharging her weapon. "If you hadn't killed him, he would have killed you and Norm and Roy. Sydney the man was a murderer, he killed a helpless little boy for his own gratification."

"It still doesn't make what I did right," the girl insisted and for an instant Alex didn't know what to say. She stared at her companion seeing the raw pain and anguish in the green eyes.

"Killing another human being is never right," she finally said choosing her words carefully. "However, sometimes it's a painful necessity. What you did was the hardest and yet the bravest thing a police officer ever has to do and nothing is going to take away that feeling of guilt until you accept that under the circumstances you had no other choice." There was a pause and the taller woman's voice became firmer.

"And don't for one minute compare yourself too your sister. You are a strong, intelligent woman who acts with her moral conscious. Those were all things that she never exercised when she killed that police officer in cold blood.

"Sydney, you have the kindest, gentlest heart I know but if my words don't convince you then think about how you feel. If you were as cold blooded as your sister would you be feeling this way now? Would you be tearing yourself apart like this? Is that what Anne did?"

No, the blond detective thought remembering the look of coldness and contempt that was on her sisters face as she slew the helpless man. No, not even at the trial when she had first seen the victims family. No, it wasn't until years later that her older sister had expressed any type of remorse or conscience over what she had done.

Sydney looked up at her lover and swallowed. She had expected to see condemnation and perhaps disgust but it wasn't there. All she saw was a gentle warmth, compassion and a deep abiding love. Her heart ached as did her arms with the need to hold and touch the other woman, yet the insecure part of herself still needed reassuring and it was if the other woman understood that as well.

She hiccupped as tears continued to flow and gently the tall woman scooped her companion into her arms and held on, embracing her tightly and wishing she could will her lover's pain away. But she couldn't so she did the only thing she knew how. She hung on, giving the woman comfort and solace.

"I love you Sydney, how could you ever think that what happened would change the way I feel for you. What's between us is not a fleeting thing for me, it's forever," Alex was shocked by the younger woman's revelation. She felt panic stricken as another thought occurred to her making her voice strangled. "Have I ever done anything to make you feel like that?"

"No," Sydney was honest and ashamed now that she had drawn the conclusion about her lover. "But I wanted to be perfect for you."

"I don't expect you to be perfect, I love who you are not who you think I want you to be," Alex's expression reflected her pain and horror at the idea that her companion had been afraid of her reaction. "Why would you think such a thing?"

"Because I didn't want to lose you," the blond detective confessed.

"Oh baby," the dark haired woman smiled quietly. "I wish there was some way I could make you understand how much I love you," there was a pause as the older woman lifted the woman's chin so their eyes could meet.

"Sydney, you are my life, you make me happier then I believed it was possible to be. For the first time in my life I feel complete. You can't imagine how terrified I was when I learned you had been shot. It was as if my whole world had been shattered. You are everything to me," her voice trembled over the next thoughts. "If you had died...I don't know how I would have survived." There was another pause. "Believe me Sydney when I say I love you with all my heart and there will never be anyone to replace you."

There was silence as those heart felt word's were allowed to sink in. Sydney felt a warmth fill her heart as she contemplated these revelations.

"Is this the reason you haven't gone to see your sister?" Alex wanted to know and the woman nodded, glancing down at her hands which were folded on her lap.

"I'm so ashamed," Sydney confessed, to exhausted emotionally to hide anything else from her partner. "I'm afraid of what she'll say."

"Don't be," the Captain tried to be reassuring, gathering the smaller woman into her arms. "I think she will surprise you."

They stayed like that for a long time, savouring the stillness between them. Sydney was filled with relief. If she was honest she would have told her lover about her fear of loving someone, and the innate sense that if she did something wrong that love would disappear. Wasn't that the reason her mother had gone away never to return? Or the reason why her father had treated them the way he did before he too had disappeared?

"Is there anything else?" Alex asked perceptively guessing that there was still more stuff buried in her younger companion.

"No," Sydney shook her head. There were other fears still chasing themselves around her brain but she was exhausted and reluctant to dwell further into a subject that caused her so much pain. There were fears that she had. Worries that she was reluctant to express out of fear of how her lover would react.

Alex had been supportive and had said all the right things, but the tall dark haired woman was more then just her partner and friend. She was also her boss and some of the things that still bothered Sydney were things that her boss couldn't know.

The Captain sensed that her companion had not bared all and it hurt that Sydney did not yet trust her completely. However, she considered it a victory that the girl had opened up as much as she did. When it came to confessions, the smaller woman was generally reluctant to tell all so she decided to let the subject drop.

"Hey, I think it's pretty late, and I don't know about you but I'm bushed. Want to go to bed?" Alex asked breaking the silence.

The small woman nodded her head silently allowing the taller woman to help her to her feet. They were just about to leave the beach when a shattering shot pierced the inky blackness of the night. It was followed by a distinctive plop that was odd enough for the environment to make them pause and stare into the surrounding darkness.

"Alex, what was that?" Sydney unconsciously grasped the hand of her companion who was standing beside her.

"I don't know," the taller woman said with a frown and walked casually towards the waters edge, cocking her ear to the wind and listening. But there was only the soft, soothing sounds of mother nature.

"That sounded close," the blond detective said unable to prevent the shudder that went through her body. Alex felt the tremor and glanced down at her companion her arm going around the smaller woman's shoulders in a reassuring gesture.

"Nah," she disagreed lightly, casting her partner a smile before turning her eyes out to the sea.

The moon was out now casting silvery shafts of light upon the earth and shimmering against the waves which were starting to pick up strength as the evening wind grew stronger. She could see nothing out of the ordinary.

"Probably some kids out hunting deer," she said seeking a reasonable explanation. It wasn't unusual for the locals to do some night hunting even though it was forbidden by the law. Night poaching had become popular among some of the tourists who visited the island. More then one city businessman had been caught taking to bag a deer at night.

"But it sounded so close," Sydney wasn't buying the explanation.

"That's because of the water and the calmness of the night. It has a tendency to amplify sound. I'd say whoever was doing the shooting is probably five or six miles away."

"Do you think we should call the local police?" her partner prodded and an unconscious smile crossed the taller woman's lips as she thought of the local sheriff, a man who had retained that position for going on nearly twenty years now.

"I don't think he would appreciate being called out over this," she decided, not uncertain her companion wasn't right. "Besides we can't tell where the shot came from and more then likely whoever was doing it will be long gone before the local authorities even get out of bed."

"That isn't very complimentary of the local sheriff," Sydney remarked eyeing her tall lover.

"I know the man. He's a good guy but there isn't really much crime on the island, and nothing serious, and I know he wouldn't appreciate being called out for something like this. But if it makes you happy we'll swing by his office in the morning before we leave and make out a report."

That seemed to satisfy the smaller woman but for some reason Sydney was unable to shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in her gut. She shook it off as nervousness. Small things had upset her since the shooting and she guessed that the sound of gunfire was the reason for her mood. She determinedly dismissed it turning her face to follow the gaze of her lover. They stood silently for a moment staring out at the blackened sea and feeling the gentle caress of the wind against their faces. The boat, tied along the pier bobbed contentedly in the surf.

"Come on, let's put this fire out and get back up to the house," Alex could feel the tension, absent in her lover for the past few hours, begin to flood back into her frame. "I don't know about you but I'm exhausted."

Sydney nodded and helped dump sand on the fire that was reduced to little more then a few glowing ashes. Alex held out her hand which she immediately accepted and together they climbed the stairs to the top of the cliff. The tall woman cast one last glance over the sea, their vantage point and the brilliant moonlight giving them a clear view of the sea. In the distance she could barely make out the silhouette of a sail boat, larger than her own.

For a minute she thought it was sitting silently, anchored for the night, but then she noticed that it was moving quietly through the darkness, like a creature stealing through the shadows. It was odd that the boat was not using any of it's running lights and mentally she made a note, reminding herself that they would pay the local sheriff a visit before leaving in the morning.

"Thanks Alex," Sydney said once they were comfortably settled in bed. They had selected one of the larger bedrooms with the windows facing the sea and were now snuggled up in each others arms, leaving one of the windows open slightly to allow the fresh air entry.

"For what sweetheart?" Alex asked brushing her lips across the blonde's forehead.

"For bringing me here," the smaller woman sighed snuggling tighter into the arms that circled her waist. She buried her face in the warm chest that was offered. "I had a wonderful day."

"Maybe we can do it again sometime soon," the dark haired woman suggested hopefully. "When we have more time."

"Like when is that?" Sydney asked unable to keep the hint of sarcasm out of her voice.

"Oh, I don't know," the taller woman shrugged. "We both have some vacation time coming."

"It would be nice," the blond detective agreed, her eyes closed so that Alex staring silently down at her for a long moment.

She thought of what Christie had said the previous evening and then about the hours they had spent alone together that afternoon. It had been a wonderful day, one of so very few that they had been able to spend together without work interfering. She had been mulling the thought over ever since her sister-in-law had suggested it and now she thought it would be the perfect time to voice her ideas. She stared out the open window at the brilliance of the moon.

"Sydney have you given any thought to taking holidays?" the dark haired woman asked thoughtfully and for a long while silence greeted her words so that she thought her companion was already asleep. She looked down to see a pair of sparkling green eyes looking at her.

"I just had a month off," the smaller woman reminded quietly.

"That was sick leave," the Captain said. "That wasn't a vacation."

Sydney moved away putting a little distance between them, propping her head up with one hand so that she could gaze fully into her lovers face. Alex rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling for a long moment, her hands folded primly over her stomach. She felt the intensity of her companions look and turned onto her side, mimicking her lovers position.

"Do you want to take a vacation Alex?" the younger woman asked wondering what was going on in her lover's head.

"Well," the dark haired woman sighed. "It's just that we really haven't taken any time to be alone together. Even when you were off for that month I had to work and you were busy with physical therapy. I guess I just want to spend time alone with you, someplace where we can be alone."

Absently the taller woman reached over and traced her fingertips over the light, red scars that were like tiny pock marks on her lover's slender neck. The marks had faded in the last month but they would always be there, a reminder of the tragedy that had nearly taken the woman away forever. It was hard to believe that such tiny injuries could be so deadly in nature.

Sydney was silent, intensely conscious of her lover's fingers as they caressed the marks. In the beginning she had flinched when the older woman had touched them but now she knew that her partner did it with loving concern and not morbid fascination.

She looked away from the intense blue orbs and plucked at the bed sheets while she pondered her lovers thoughts. The idea of spending time alone with Alex like they had done today was very appealing. Their intimate talk had relieved her of a burden that had been becoming almost impossible to bear. She glanced up meeting her companions gaze and realized she needed more of this time together. As difficult as the past few months had been on her, she knew they were just as tough on her stoic lover.

"Do you want to take a vacation Alex?" she repeated her question.

"Yes," was the simple affirming answer.

"When do you want to leave?"

"I think we should try to get away as soon as possible. I think we need this," came the quiet reply. The younger woman did not dispute that claim. She looked across at her partner, chewing on her lower lip.

"Where do you want to go?" Sydney asked and she could see her companion was seriously considering the options.

"I don't know," the other woman shrugged. "Where would you like to go?"

"I think you know," the blond woman smiled sheepishly and felt her free hand being taken by her lover. Their fingers laced together.

"I would love to take you to the Mediterranean," Alex said softly with regret in her voice, "but I don't think we will be able to get that much time off."

"But we'd be able to get two weeks," Sydney said hopefully.

"Yeah, but when we go there I want two months not two weeks," Alex said reaching out with her other hand and stroking strands of blond hair off the girl's brow. "Is there any place else you'd like to go?"

"I've never been anywhere," the blond woman admitted.

"Well, then think about it," the dark haired woman smiled. "We don't have to decide tonight."

Sydney nodded and lay her head back down on the pillow her eyes never leaving her lover's face.

"Do you really think we will be able to get the time off?" was the blonde's next question.

"Yeah," the taller woman nodded her head. "You have plenty of holiday time saved up and when I came to the Seattle Police department I negotiated to have my holiday time with the Chicago Police Department carried over. By my estimate we both can easily take two weeks off without any questions."

By her estimate that still left them each with more then six weeks of vacation time still owing. But she had plans for those weeks. She wanted to make certain all the appropriate arrangements had been made and everything was in place. But they couldn't wait and they needed a holiday now. She reached out and caressed her lover's cheek.

"Do you want to take a vacation with me?"

"Let's see," the blond thoughtfully tapped her chin with a finger, her lips pursed tightly together. "Stay in Seattle in the rain and work, or go on holiday with the most gorgeous woman I know? Tough decision."

"You brat," the Captain scolded leaning forward to brush her lips over the giggling woman's mouth. It had been so long since they had playfully teased each other like this. She had missed this intimate interaction. "How soon can you go?"

"That dependents, how fast can you push through the paperwork?" the young detective asked impishly.

"Just watch how fast," Alex grinned.

CHAPTER THREE

IT WAS LATE in the morning when Alex was finally rousted from her sleep. For a long time she lay basking in the warmth of the sunshine that poured through the open windows and the heat of the body that lay snuggled in her embrace. It had been months since she had slept so soundly and she credited it to the woman who now lay sleeping in her arms.

She turned blue orbs on the younger woman, tracing tenderly the lines of the blond woman's features. It had been as long since her companion had spent a night without restlessly moving around the bed and Alex knew that their talk the previous evening had gone a long way to easing the burdens that had settled it's weight upon the other woman.

She swallowed compulsively as she remembered Sydney's confessions. She had never imagined that her companion had been embraced with the fear that her actions had made her like her sister Anne, a resident of the state's penal system for killing an on-duty policeman. It was a concept that she had never even considered, the idea alone making her own gut wrench in agony. Sydney was everything that Anne was not.

She took a deep breath, and because she couldn't help herself, she reached over and combed several strands of blond hair off her companion's face. The smaller woman stirred at the attention but remained asleep and for that Alex was grateful.

The Captain knew that last night was only the beginning. Sydney had finally voiced her fears and that was the start of the healing process. It was up to her now to make sure that it was continued and now knowing the source of the problem she would better be able to help the other woman. One of the first things she would insist once they returned to Seattle was that the younger detective continue her visits to the psychologist.

Though she had been forced to discharge her weapon on several occasions, she had never taken a life and though she wasn't exactly certain what her partner was going through she knew it was a traumatic experience. Unless it was dealt with promptly, the younger detective would be affected by the incident for the rest of her life. Alex was committed to the task of not letting that happen.

"Hey, why the frown?"

A gentle voice suddenly cut through her thoughts and Alex looked down at the woman in her arms to see a pair of cloudy green eyes staring up at her pensively. She smiled, pushing aside her thoughts.

"No, reason," she smiled tenderly. "Good morning."

"Good morning."

"Did you have a good sleep?"

"Yes," the blond head bobbed and for a moment the green eyes closed as the woman snuggled more deeply into her lover's embrace. "I haven't slept this good in weeks."

"It's the fresh air," Alex said with a catch in her throat and the eyes opened again to peer at her intently.

"It was more then the fresh air," came the solemn response. "I think it had to do more with clearing the air."

"Yes, I think it did," the Captain agreed and there was a short silence. "I suppose we should get moving."

"Do we have too?" came the plaintive response, as one small hand crept up under the cotton shirt that the older woman had worn to bed. It came to a rest comfortably around a soft breast. Alex took a deep breath. It had been a long time since they had made love. Not since before Sydney had entered the hospital. She look down into her companion's eyes.

"Not if there's something else you had in mind," the taller woman said and a slight smile curved the smaller woman's lips.

"There are a lot of different things that come to mind," Sydney replied and then leaned forward to place a kiss on her lover's neck. That was followed by another caress on her chin and finally a long passionate embrace of their lips.

What followed was a long intimate time together as both women reaffirmed their love for one another. Tender kisses were followed by gentle caresses, which stoked the love that they shared and accumulated in a flare of passionate love making. Afterwards they snuggled in each other's arms, watching as the sun rose in the sky, neither willing to end this intimate time together.

"We better get a move on," Alex said reluctantly releasing her companion to struggle out of bed. She had no desire to leave the comfort of her lover's embrace but knew that if they didn't get moving now it would be dark before they got back to Seattle and she didn't feel like navigating the Strait at night.

"Okay," Sydney sighed and then jumped out of bed and made a dash for the bathroom as her taller companion leisurely stretched out her lanky frame. "I have dibs on the shower."

Alex chuckled at her partner but made no move to follow. Instead she pulled her shirt back on and wandered down to the kitchen where she poured water into the kettle and then set it on the stove to boil. She idly glanced out the window, pleased to see that it was another clear morning. Hopefully it would be smooth sailing back to the city.

Momentarily her thoughts lapsed back to the previous evening. It had been wonderful, the hours they had spent together on the beach, talking and holding each other in their arms. The only thing that had marred the night was the shot. The memory made her pause.

She had not lied to Sydney. The shot had probably sounded a lot nearer then it had actually been, it's sound carried like a echo across the water. The most probable explanation was the one she had given her companion. Tourists as well as locals hunted the wild deer that roamed the island and generally no one complained. She assumed that was what they heard. She had no more time to speculate on the matter as her companion choose that moment to come wandering into the kitchen already showered and dressed.

"Your turn," Sydney said cheerfully, feeling better then she had in several months. She glanced around the kitchen expectantly. "Did you start breakfast?"

"I put water on for tea," the dark haired woman said hopefully and the smaller woman shook her head in mock indignation.

"Go have a shower," she grabbed her partner and pushed her towards the door.

By the time Alex returned fifteen minutes later the kitchen was filled with the delicious smell of eggs and bacon with pancakes on the grille. The small table in the kitchen had been set.

"Pancakes?" Alex asked wondering how her friend had managed to concoct such a feast on the few supplies they had purchased the previous day in town.

"Initiative," came the impish response from the blond detective.

The meal was wonderful and it quickly disappeared under the hunger of both women. They sat for a few minutes allowing the food to settle before cleaning up, leaving the place as tidy as when they had arrived, ready for the next time someone came for a visit.

"I wish I had brought my camera," Sydney said wistfully once they had locked up the house. Alex was about to fetch the motorbike from the garage for their trip into town. "I would love to have pictures of this place."

"We'll be back," the dark haired woman assured her companion. It was a promise that she had every intention of keeping.

"I know, but it's never the same as the first time you see it," the blond sighed, closing her eyes and inhaling a deep breath, savouring the fresh air with the tangy smell of the sea and salt in its breath.

"Come to think of it there might be one on the boat," Alex said thoughtfully remembering something she had forgotten until now. "Mother gave me a camera for a birthday once. Told me it was good for scuba diving, it could take pictures above and below the water. I think it might still be on board in one of the cupboards."

"What about film?" Sydney asked suddenly hopeful.

"We could pick some up in town," the dark haired woman decided. "Why don't you go down and find it while I finish closing up the house?"

"Deal," Sydney said and without another word was off trotting across the lawn towards the cliffs. She bounded down the steps and across the beach onto the pier where the boat was tied. She jumped onto the bow and then ducked into the cabin. It took only a few minutes of searching before she gleefully located the instrument in question. She examined it thoroughly and though there was film in the cartridge she guessed that it was probably to old to be effective.

"I hope you didn't have anything on here that you didn't want to keep," she giggled as she tucked the camera under her arm and made her way back out on deck .

She was about to jump off the boat when something caught her attention. It was a bit of colour in an otherwise sea of dark green and bobbing in between the boat and under the short pier. It could be a rag, or a piece of clothing lost overboard, she thought even as her gut clenched tightly in anticipation. There was something that instinctively told her trained mind that it was something more then either of those things.

Unwilling to fish it out with her hand, she picked up an oar that was fastened to the side of the boat and then gently prodded the object. It was apparent very quickly that it was a pink shirt, belonging to a woman whose body was still fastened inside.

Her throat tightened and the scream that threatened to force it's way out never came. She was to much of a professional to let that happen. She had seen so much carnage to react the normal way most people did but still it was nerve racking.

Alex glanced impatiently down towards the cliff. Sydney had been gone for more then twenty minutes and she was beginning to grow impatient. She had just begun to move in that direction when the girl appeared. She was about to call out, make some remark about the blonde's tardiness when she noticed that the younger woman's features were unusually pale.

"Sydney are you all right?" she hurried across the distance separating them, her voice filled with concern.

"There's a body," the blond woman managed to stutter and then took a deep breath, reminding herself that she was a detective in a homicide unit. Though she was used to viewing dead bodies it was a whole another matter in discovering one when least expecting it. "There's a body down on the beach by the boat."

Alex looked intently at her companion, her dark eyes searching the younger woman's face for a minute as if looking to see if this was some kind of joke. She could tell that it wasn't and without another word she stalked passed her partner and down the steps to the beach.

Sydney had been right. It was a body, and though the features were bloated, it wasn't enough for them not to discern that it was of a woman. It was obvious to Alex's experienced eye that the woman hadn't been in the water more then twelve hours.

"Did she drown?" Sydney asked quietly glancing over her partner shoulders as she bent to examine the body which the blond woman had dragged from the water but not inspected, instinctively knowing that the person was long past needing help.

"I don't think so," the taller woman said softly, taking care to ease the body over not willing to disturb any evidence the victim might contain. Briefly flashes of the previous evening and the shot flashed through her brain. She had seen enough drowning in her tenure to know that this was not the case.

"My cell phone in on the boat, can you get it for me?" she asked of her companion who immediately hurried off to do her bidding. Already the Captain's clinical mind had clicked into place as the details of what needed to be done flashed like a list in front of her eyes. The detective was back almost immediately with the communications instrument.

"Damn," the older woman cursed when she noticed that the battery was dead. She had forgotten to put it in it's charger the previous evening, distracted by other matters. She looked up at her friend apologetically. "I'm going to have to take the bike into town. Do you think you could stay here until I return?"

She hated asking her friend to stand guard over the body yet she could think of nothing else. The phone in the house was only connected when her parents were in residence. Someone would have to make the trip into town to notify the Sheriff.

"I'll go," Sydney offered placing her hand on her partner's shoulder.

"But you don't know how to drive the bike," the older woman's heart went out to her companion who cast her a wan smile.

"Actually I do," was the answer that shocked the taller woman.

"Why didn't you say something?" Alex was curious.

"Cause I kind of liked riding on the back," came the embarrassed response as a flush rose up over the girl's features. "I like holding you."

"You brat," the dark haired woman let out a deep breath rising to her feet. "Come on, I'll show you how it works."

Less then ten minutes later Sydney was ready to go and Alex looked at her with trepidation. She knew the blond detective was a capable woman yet after everything that happened she was reluctant to leave her alone. She knew that despite the nature of their job and the crimes they had been exposed to in working homicide, it was always something of a shock to discover a body, a victim of crime.

"Take care," she whispered leaning over and kissing her companion. "And if you have any problems tell them I sent you."

"I'll be back ASAP," Sydney smiled and then released the clutch setting the motorbike in motion. She did not look back to see Alex wave.

It had been a long time since she had driven one of these machines and so concentrated on the road and the vehicle. She had been taught to drive motorcycles by her sister's friends. It had been a part of her initiation and she had been proud when she had finally gotten good enough to actually get her license. But in the intervening years she hadn't had much opportunity to exercise those skills. She thought now that perhaps that would change.

Unlike the previous day, Sydney did not notice the scenery, intent only on the mission which was bringing her hurrying into town that morning. Briefly she allowed herself to think about the sound of gunfire that they had heard the previous night and sadly she thought that they probably had been unsuspecting witnesses to the woman's murder.

It was easy to find the Sheriff's office and she parked the bike outside before rushing up the steps. For a moment she thought the place was deserted but then noticed a lone woman, dressed in civilian clothes, sitting at a desk behind the front counter.

"Excuse me, is the Sheriff in?" she cleared her throat to get the other woman's attention. The red haired woman glanced up.

"Is there something I can do for you?" the woman asked not bothering to move.

"My name is Sydney Davis and I am a member of the Seattle Police department," the blond said digging her badge out of her pocket. That was one thing she never went anywhere without. She carried it more then she did her gun. She flashed the badge for the woman to see. "I've come to report a murder."

The simple assertion caught the woman by surprise and she looked at the small blond woman as if she were staring at a crazy woman. Sydney felt a sense of exasperation begin to rise.

"May I speak to the Sheriff please," she insisted stirring the woman into motion. The red headed woman rose and then walked over to the back of the office to an enclosed space with a window where a lone man was working.

Sydney could not hear what was being said but she saw the man glance up and out the window, pinning her with an intent gaze before hoisting his rather bulky frame out of his chair and ambling slowly across the room to where she was standing. He fixed her with stern gaze, his brown eyes roaming with curiosity over her slender frame. It was not an insolent gaze but one of curious interest.

"Hello little lady, Verna tells me here that you want to report a murder," the man said in a friendly voice.

"Yes," Sydney nodded, noticing the brown uniform and the markings that identified him as the Sheriff. "My name is Sydney Davis and I work in the Homicide Unit of the Seattle Police Department. I'm here on Lopez Island with my friend Alexandria Marshall. This morning we found a body in the water by the pier where our boat was docked."

The man's eyes narrowed intently as he listened to her story. He had heard of Alexandria Marshall. He knew the whole Marshall family. If they said something was wrong then something had to be wrong. He turned to the red haired woman.

"Call Morton and Fred to meet me down at the Marshall place. You might want to notify Dr. Johnson," he instructed the woman before turning his attention back to the small stranger. "Now Missy let's take a ride back out to the Marshall place."

Several hours later Alex stood back from the scene, her arm loosely draped over her smaller companion's shoulders as they watched as the local authorities went about their business. She glanced up at the sky. It was the middle of the afternoon and the clear day had begun too turn hazy. She guessed by the look of the horizon that in a few hours the sky would be cloudy. She wondered how late it would be before they would have a chance to leave, predicting a late night for the both of them.

"Well ladies it appears you were right," the Sheriff announced as he moved over to where they were standing apart from the rest of the activity. Besides the three police officers, there was a doctor and an assistant from the medical clinic, and two paramedics from the local fire hall. They were finally wrapping up the victim in the body bag that one of the paramedics had produced.

"What have you got?" Alex asked leaving her arm slung across her partners shoulder.

"Won't know until the doctor has a better peek but it looks like she was shot," the man said in a heavy voice as he watched the ambulance attendants carry the body off towards the steps. "My guess was that she was dead when she hit the water. It will be a few days before the doc can confirm that."

Alex nodded, and both women remained silent as they watched the party climb the steps up the cliff. She glanced at the rotund man, aware that he was studying them with interest. There was an odd expression on his face that gave the taller woman some concern.

"Is something wrong?" she voiced her thoughts out loud.

"Nope, I'll just need you both to come back to the station and fill out your statements," the Sheriff said and then noticed the frown that etched itself across the taller woman who towered over his respectable five foot ten inch frame.

Both women nodded aware that this was routine procedure. They accepted the Sheriff's offer to drive them into town and sat silently in the cruiser throughout the entire journey. Alex was sharp enough to notice the curious glances that the man was stealing in their direction from the rear view mirror.

This time the station house was a buzz of activity and the two women followed the Sheriff into a room at the back of the front office. By the certificates and articles on the wall, they guessed that this was the man's office.

"We have to get back to Seattle, tonight," Alex said when he motioned them to sit down.

"Do you now?" the man chuckled with raised eyebrows as he settled into the chair behind the desk.

"Yes, we are both scheduled to work tomorrow morning at eight," the Captain replied, her eyes narrowing.

"Yes, I suppose you do," the rotund man nodded his head and then glanced at them sharply, noticing that neither woman had taken a seat. He also noted the protective way the taller woman had her arm draped over the smaller woman's shoulders. "If I'm not correct Miss, you said you were with the Seattle Police Department, the Homicide Unit."

"Yes," Sydney nodded her head, an uneasy feeling beginning to settle in her gut. She felt the arm across her shoulders tighten.

"What do you want Sheriff?" Alex got directly to the point, sensing that the man wanted to say something yet was uncertain how to go about it. The grey haired man fixed her with a pointed gaze.

"Well, to be honest Miss Marshall, I have a bit of a problem," the man had carefully thought this out during the drive into town. "Kyle and Judy, a couple of my deputies were married last weekend and are presently on their honeymoon in Hawaii, so I'm a little short handed. Thought it would be all right for them to go not quite being tourist season."

"This is not in our jurisdiction," the Captain said instinctively guessing to what the man was alluding.

"I know," the man nodded his head.

"And like I said Sheriff, we are both scheduled to be at work tomorrow."

"I know that too," the man paused and eyed her intently. "Truth is Miss Marshall we ain't had any murders out here in going on twenty years. I could use some expert help."

Silence greeted his admission and for a brief moment a pair of green and blue eyes met in silent contemplation. Alex knew how difficult it was for this man to ask for assistance. It was not in any law enforcement officials nature to admit that they were incapable of solving any crime to which they were handed. But both women understood his problem. Without experience he was at a loss in even beginning to try to solve the case.

"We are out of our jurisdiction," Alex reminded softly.

"I could deputize you," the man replied solving the matter.

"And our own jobs?"

"Perhaps, I could talk too your Commissioner, I think he owes me a favour or two," the man chuckled his belly rumbling with some private joke. "Besides, you being witnesses and all, I don't think it's a good idea for you to leave the island until I've had a chance to question you a bit more thoroughly. Could take a couple of days."

Sydney glanced up at her companion but couldn't read anything in her expression. She could understand what they were saying but she sensed that there was something being spoken that was between the lines.

"I'll have to give the Commissioner a call," Alex was non-committal and the man smiled blandly.

"No, you just write up your statements while I call George," the man said with final authority motioning to where the red headed civilian was standing by the door. "Verna can help get you the necessary forms."

"George?" Sydney mouthed the word to her partner after they were seated at a desk in the outer office. Alex smiled blandly.

"Yeah, the Sheriff and Commissioner Ford are brothers," Alex said and the smaller woman suddenly understood.

While they filled out the necessary paperwork the Sheriff got on the phone to Seattle. Neither woman could hear what was being said but there was raised voices until finally the rotund man came out of his office.

"Miss Marshall, I think the Commissioner would like a word with you."

The dark haired woman nodded and stood up stretching her limbs before moving casually across the room and into the Sheriff's office where she picked up the phone.

"Hi, George," Alex chirped cheerfully into the cradle.

"What the hell's going on there Alex?"

"There was a murder," the tall haired woman began to explain.

"I know that much," the man barked from the other end. "But what has it got to do with you?"

"Well, we appear to be witnesses," Alex replied patiently.

"We?" the Commissioner mouthed the word though he already knew what the answer was.

"Detective Sydney Davis and myself," the dark haired woman answered calmly picturing in her head the grimace that was on the older man's face. "We were up here on an overnight visit and were on our way back to the city this morning when Sydney plucked a body out of the water off the beach."

"How does that make you witnesses?" the Commissioner wanted to know.

"Last night we were on the beach when we heard a shot fired," the Captain explained. "The theory is that the woman was on board a boat when she was killed and dumped overboard."

There was silence as the man on the other end of the phone digested this information. The excuse was flimsy at best and both parties knew that yet George did owe his brother a favour or two and by his estimation he could be without his Captain and detective for a few days. It would be one less favour he owed his sibling.

"He's short on staff, George," Alex could hear the indecision in the silence over the phone. "And you gotta know that his staff doesn't have any experience in this sort of crime."

"Oh hell, I'll give you the week, and that's it," the man finally barked. "Get that sorry ass of a brother of mine back on the phone."

Alex chuckled quietly and motioned for the Sheriff handing the phone back to the man before returning to where Sydney was sitting and waiting for her. The smaller woman looked at her expectantly.

"Well?"

"Well, sweetheart, I hope you didn't have any urgent plans for this week."

"Why?"

"It seems we will be here longer then expected. The Commissioner has agreed to lend us to the Sheriff for the week," Alex sighed. "Are you up for a longer stay?"

"I think I could handle that," the blond detective smiled and then it disappeared. "But what are we going to do about clothes?"

"Good question," the older woman answered.

"The mercantile shop down the street has some pretty good clothes," the Sheriff interrupted as he strolled up to them. "Get what you need and just give Verna the receipts. She'll see that you're reimbursed. Can't have you going without."

"You know George is going to make you pay for this," Alex reminded the man with a hint of a smile and the man chuckled, his belly rumbling once more.

"Don't I know it," he said with his humour had subsided. "So I hope you girl's are worth it. I know you both work in the big city but I have to answer to the tax payers here."

"Well, then we'll just have to make sure your money's well spent," Sydney promised.

"I think you will," the man bobbed his head glancing at his watch. "It's late already, not much more you can do today, I suggest we get an early start on this tomorrow morning."

"Any idea on who the victim was?" Alex asked casually.

"No, though she looked kind of familiar," the Sheriff said scratching the side of his head. "The doctor won't be able to give us anything until Tuesday at the earliest and it will be longer then that before he gets any results from any tests he runs. They get sent to labs in Seattle."

"Who will be doing the autopsy?" Alex wanted to know.

"Dr. Johnson, he's a good man," the Sheriff said.

"But he's not a pathologist," the Captain reminded.

"No, but I don't reckon the county would spring for the expense of hiring an expert to come out," the local man was honest. "If it were a local it would be a different story but ..."

The man left the rest unsaid and once again Alex was confronted with the reality of the politics of their jobs. It sickened her sometimes that they were only partially able to carry out the duties of their jobs, constrained by the weight of having to be elected to their positions. It was the one thing she hated about her job.

"Anyway, I did manage to take a set of prints off her hands before the doc took her away," Luke Ford continued when neither woman spoke. "I've already sent them off for identification along with a photo but I don't expect any word back until tomorrow at the earliest."

"Okay," the tall woman slowly stood up stretching her frame as she looked down at her companion and held out her hand to help the smaller woman to her feet. "We'll see you tomorrow Sheriff."

"You will at that," the man waved before retreating back into his office. They paused on the steps outside the station house.

"We're not going back to the house are we?" Sydney asked quietly eyeing her companion thoughtfully.

"Not right away. I'd like to pop around to the clinic and speak with the doctor before we grab some dinner. I expect all the clothing shops are closed by now," she said glancing at the dimming sky. As she had predicted it had grown cloudy.

"Sounds like a plan," the smaller woman agreed and leaving the motorbike parked in front of the station house, they strolled down the main street in the direction of the medical clinic.

Dr. Johnson was still at the hospital, busy with an evening emergency, though they were informed by the nurse on duty that it wasn't serious. They waited patiently and Sydney marvelled at the relaxed atmosphere that seemed to prevail through the clinic. It was so different then the frenetic pace that was found in most of the cities emergency rooms.

Terry Johnson was a slender man with longish brown hair and friendly brown eyes that peered out from behind dark framed glasses. He was perhaps in his late thirties and had at one time been a physician at a practice in Spokane before he had answered an inquiry in a local medical journal.

He was an easy going man who liked the laid back atmosphere of the island finding that it suited his personality. He didn't mind that the summer influx of tourists sometimes kept him running until late hours in the evening. Every way he looked at it this job was perfect despite it's minor detractors.

"Good evening ladies, how might I help you?" he greeted them with a friendly smile, his eyes taking in their appearance with one appreciative glance. It was seldom he got to see two such beautiful women together at one time.

"My name is Alex Marshall and this is Sydney Davis," the Captain took the lead and her smaller partner was quite comfortable in merely observing the conversation.

"Yeah, you found the body this afternoon," the doctor nodded, remembering them from earlier.

"Yeah, we are also Detectives from the Homicide Unit in Seattle and Sheriff Ford has asked us to help him out on this."

The man nodded in understanding. "How can I help you?"

"We were just wondering if you had a chance to take a look at the body yet?"

"The Sheriff told me that I wouldn't have to give a report until a few days," the man responded slightly defensively, the smile on his face wavering.

"Yeah, but you look like a smart guy, one who wouldn't be able to ignore a little curiosity," Alex smiled in that way that seemed to charm anyone who it was directed at. It worked for the doctor who was smiling once again.

"You're right," the doctor chuckled. "I had a brief chance to look at the body before Timmy Edmonds came in here with his cut hand."

"Do you mind if we have a peek?" the taller woman asked and the man shrugged before leading them through the clinic to the basement where the body was temporarily stored. He lifted the white sheet that had been placed over the body and Sydney winced unconsciously from the sight that greeted them shifting her eyes almost immediately away from the victim those features were distorted and grayish in colour.

"While you were taking a peek at the woman, you didn't happen to see anything interesting did you?" Alex continued in her charming voice.

"Yeah, the woman was definitely shot in the stomach at close range with a rifle of some sort," the man said matter of factly.

"Are you sure it wasn't a small handgun?" the Captain inquired curiously.

"Nope, I did my residency in the ER at San Francisco General and I saw plenty of gunshot wounds come in the door," the man said with amusement. "By the time I left I was pretty good at naming the weapon used."

"Any chance that this might have been accidental?"

"Not in my opinion," the doctor shook his head. "There's not much need for that type of weapon around here besides by the initial inspection I would say that she didn't die immediately."

"Are you saying she drowned?" Sydney spoke for the first time her eyebrows shooting up unconsciously.

"I won't know for certain until I've had a thorough check and the Sheriff will probably be flying in a real pathologist to check it out to do the autopsy but from the brief look I had at the wound itself wasn't enough to kill her. It probably was enough to incapacitate her enough to render her helpless."

Alex was thoughtful for a minute. In her mind there was no question that the woman was murdered. She thought back to the previous evening and her glimpse of the sailboat plying stealthy through the night.

"You don't happen to recognize her do you?"

"She's not a local," the doctor was certain, "but I have the distinct impression that she's familiar. She might have been a patient of mine once."

"Okay," the Captain nodded, having asked enough questions for now, she turned and looked at her companion indicating it was time for them to leave. She paused and glanced back at the doctor.

"Oh, by the way unless the Sheriff changes his mind you will be doing the autopsy by yourself."

"Shit, I haven't the experience," Terry moaned seeing all sorts of complications in that one statement.

"You'll soon get it," she said philosophically. "Give the Sheriff a shout before you start cutting the body I'd like to be here when you do it."

"All right," the man agreed seemingly dazed by the idea that he would be responsible for determining the cause of this anonymous woman's demise.

"He's right," Sydney said quietly once they had existed the clinic and were walking through town towards one of the restaurants. "He's probably never done an autopsy before, he won't know what to look for."

"No," Alex agreed solemnly. "Which is why I have every intention of being there with him to ensure he doesn't miss anything."

"Will you know what to look for?" Sydney couldn't help scrunching her nose at the idea.

"I hope so," the Captain sighed feeling the weight of responsibility settle on her shoulders. "But I've probably witnessed enough autopsies to be able to help out."

Sydney nodded realizing that she had been fortunate in that circumstance. In spite of the amount of murders she had investigated, she had not yet had to sit through more then one autopsy and then she merely scribbled notes that the coroner was speaking. She hadn't been forced to look at the body and when she did it was always with one eye closed. She knew that wouldn't be the case with her partner who because of her natural curiosity would probably have poked around a few bodies on her own.

They had a quiet dinner at one of the nearby restaurants. They were content to mull over their own thoughts while they enjoyed a meal that was made all the more delicious by the fact that both women were starved, not having eaten anything since breakfast.

"We should stop at the grocery mart and pick up some food," Sydney spoke her thoughts out loud when they prepared to leave the restaurant and Alex couldn't help the smile that came to her lips. She could trust her partner to think about the small details like food and clothing while she wouldn't think about such things until the need arose.

After purchasing enough supplies to tide them over for the next couple of days, they headed back to summer house. It was dark and Sydney clung tightly to the bags and her lover as they sped along the narrow roads in dim light of the early evening. Neither of them expected to be back at the house for another night. After putting the few purchases in the refrigerator they decided to retire. It was still early but the day had taken an unexpected toll on them.

"Alex?"

"What sweetheart?" Alex asked joining her companion on the balcony outside their bedroom. They had changed into the t-shirts they were using as bedclothes and Sydney had wandered outside while her lover was in the washroom. The night was dark for the sky was overcast and the scent of rain was heavy in the air.

"You know that shot we heard was the one that killed her," Sydney said.

"Yeah," Alex nodded quietly and stared into the distance instinctively knowing where her lover's thoughts were headed.

"If what the doctor said was true.."

"No Sydney," the taller woman interrupted softly. "There was nothing we could have done. The woman may have been alive when she fell into the water but regardless we didn't know what was going on and even if we had, there was no way we would have been able to find her in the dark."

"But....," the smaller woman began to protest.

"No," the dark haired woman was firm and Sydney knew that the discussion was closed.

"I was just thinking how terrible it all is.." Sydney said quietly welcoming the warm body that was pressed up against her back and the strong arms that wrapped themselves around her waist. "The waste of life, the senselessness of it. This is such a beautiful place. Have there ever been any other murders on the island?'

"A few," Alex reached back into her memory. "I think a barroom brawl broke out one summer when I was about ten, between a tourist and a local. The tourist ended up stabbing the guy to death. Then there were a couple way back when the canneries were busy. There used to be big gambling games between some of the employees who used to gamble their whole paycheck. I think there was one or two incidents then, but mostly the island has been a wonderfully safe haven."

"Will this change that?"

"I hope not," Alex conceded, "though I'm certain it will be talked about for awhile. My guess is that she wasn't a local and the island just happened to be an opportune place."

Alex didn't know what else to say. She agreed with her companion. It was a senseless, waste of human life. But it wasn't their job to dwell on that. It was their job to find the motive behind the killing. There was a long silence again as both women basked into the warmth that their bodies spread to one another.

"Hey, I think it's bed time," the taller woman whispered in her companions ear and Sydney bobbed her head silently.

Alex lay in bed that night awake long after her partner had fallen asleep in her arms. She gently combed strands of blond hair off of the woman's face. She had wanted this weekend to be perfect and it had been until this morning. Briefly she wished that the body had stayed out on the ocean for a couple of more hours, until they had left, then this weekend and this place and their memories of it wouldn't have been spoiled. She wanted so much to take some of the horror of their jobs out of their lives if only briefly.

Well, I will have to try harder, she thought to herself closing her eyes and giving herself up to the warmth that was creeping into her body.

CHAPTER FOUR

AS WAS TYPICAL of both their natures they were up early and at the Sheriff's office before the man himself arrived carrying a box of donuts to go along with the fresh pot of coffee that Verna, the administration clerk had made the moment she had arrived. Neither seemed in much hurry and instinctively Sydney put a reassuring hand on her companions thigh, rubbing it gently to sooth her lover, aware of the taller woman's impatience. When Alex decided on a course of action she was anxious to get started.

"Has anything come in from the faxes you sent out yesterday?" the Captain was eager to begin the formal part of the investigation, aware they had a lot of ground to cover and only a short time available.

"I haven't checked the machines," Sheriff Ford advised in his easy manner seemingly oblivious to the tall woman's nervous energy. "Did Verna show you around?"

"No," Sydney piped in before her companion could speak.

"Come on then, I'll give you the grand tour," he opened the counter door and escorted them into the back. "It ain't much but it serves our purposes."

"Sheriff don't you think we could dispense with the tour," Alex cut in. "I mean technically we are on the taxpayers clock."

"A few minutes won't make any difference," the man said eyeing the taller woman critically before turning his attention back to the smaller detective. He gave her a full smile while wondering how it was the two could be friends. The smaller woman seemed so different then the impatient Marshall woman.

The station house was larger then it appeared but very simple in design. There was the main room where the deputies desks were and a small office behind that which belonged to the Sheriff himself. To the right was a door that lead to the rest of the station. A wide corridor ran down the middle with an assortment of rooms for supplies and interrogation on either side. At the very end were the jail cells, four in total, one designated for females, two for males and one for special lock up.

"They aren't used much," the Sheriff conceded with a smile, "except to house the drunks after a night of partying. It gets more use in summer then any other time. We have no problem with the local's but some of the summer residents are less restrained."

Sydney listened intently while Alex hung back impatiently bidding her time while they could get to the business at hand. She was relieved when the man wound up his tour and led them back to the main room. Even then he dawdled, moving over to the snack table to retrieve a doughnut and a coffee before leading them back into his office. Both women refused his offer for either the snack or the beverage.

Sydney glanced around the room, taking in with one look the certificates on the wall that detailed not only his training and qualifications but also the various awards that he had garnered in his career. She settled into a chair aware that this man was very different then his more ambitious older brother.

She glanced at her partner and saw the edginess in her lover's body. She could tell by the rigid way Alex was sitting in her chair that her companion was about to explode. She glanced at the Sheriff aware that he was relating some story about an incident that had happened not long ago.

"Sheriff, I don't mean too sound rude but if we could get back to the matter at hand," Alex finally lost control of her patience and interrupted. The man stopped and the eyed the woman critically.

"My brother didn't lie about one thing," he said with a hint of sarcasm.

"Oh, and what was that?" the dark haired woman arched an eyebrow questioningly.

"That you were all business," the Sheriff said in a blunt voice and then moved his chair so that he could peer out of the door of his office. "Verna, did anything come in on the fax?"

If Alex was any less of a person she would have felt bad about his comment, but she had long ago learned to take criticism in stride. She watched as the administration clerk rose from her desk and entered the office with a small stack of papers.

"Yeah Sheriff, this just came in," the red haired woman said handing the older man the information before retreating to the front counter where a young man of about thirty who had just entered and was patiently waiting.

Both women waited while the older man perused through the papers, a frown settling over his face. Alex knew then that they would have to change the way they worked. She recognized that things would move at a different pace and that they would have to curb their natural enthusiasm and gear themselves to the Sheriff's pace.

"Anything interesting?" Sydney prodded gently seeing Alex begin to fidget.

"We got a name," Luke said in the a nonchalant tone. "Appears she's some kind of celebrity out of Canada, though she's an American by birth."

"Who is it?" Alex asked not waiting for her partner to speak. She was anxious to get to work and couldn't understand how the Sheriff could be so relaxed. Briefly she wondered if he understood the significance of what was involved in investigating a murder.

"One Leanne Meyers, an anchor on the six o'clock evening news at a station up in Vancouver, Canada," Luke supplied the information and then tossed one of the faxes across the desk. It was a colour photograph of the woman. Alex collected it and studied the picture intently for a moment before passing it over to her companion.

"What else do they say?"

"Currently married to a former football player, no children, family is all over in Chicago where she was born and raised."

The Sheriff read off the information for the two women but Sydney had stopped listening, her brain only partly registering what was being said as her green eyes focused intently on the photograph. Her heart pounded harshly in her chest and the blood drained from her face.

Oh God, I know her, the words echoed loudly in her head but did not pass through her lips which were firmly pressed together. The woman's features had been bloated by time spent in the water and so she had not immediately recognized the face yesterday, but now staring into this picture she knew the woman.

"Are you okay Sydney?" Alex asked her voice filled with concern and the blond detective looked up, realizing for the first time that the Sheriff had stopped speaking and that both people were looking at her intently.

"Yeah," she managed to barely say the one word, unable to met her lover's eyes. She glanced at the photograph staring into the beautiful brown eyes of the lovely blond woman. "She looks so different."

"Well, twelve hours in the water will do that," Luke snorted misunderstanding the woman's discomfort, his dark eyes watching her intently for a moment before turning to the other woman and noticing how her own eyes had narrowed.

Alex watched as Sydney hastily put the photograph back on the desk. She was quick to pick up the fact that the smaller woman did not met her gaze and instinctively knew there was something more. Something that Sydney wasn't saying. She decided to wait until they were alone before asking the woman about it.

"Well, now we know where to start looking," Alex said her mind already beginning to work out the necessary details. "I'd say that a talk with her husband was in order."

"Why aren't I gonna like what you're going say next?" the Sheriff asked after a long moment of staring at the woman.

"Because it's gonna cost your tax payers money," Alex said grimly.

"Okay, how much are we talking about?" the man wanted to know.

"The price of two tickets to Vancouver and maybe one or two nights stay in a decent hotel," the Captain replied easily, her mind already busy going over the details.

"Two tickets?" the Sheriff raised his eyebrows.

"Two," Alex was firm. She was not about to run off to another city and leave Sydney behind. "If it helps you save money, you only need to get one room with a double bed, we won't mind sharing."

The man snorted and glanced at the younger woman aware that she had said nothing. It was obvious to the man that there was something going on between the two women but being a gentleman he said nothing.

"When do you want to go?" he asked instead.

"I was thinking we could take the flight out on Wednesday morning."

"Why the wait?" the Sheriff asked with some amusement. He had heard his brother speak of the woman's tenacity.

"Well, if I'm not right, you're going to be faxing the appropriate Canadian authorities that Miss Meyer's was murdered, which will then go out on the wire services and bring to the island a whole hoard of curious press," Alex paused. "You gotta know how they like digging into stories about one of their own. Hell, in a few days we will know more about her personal life then even her mother does."

"Shit, I didn't even think about that," the Sheriff conceded leaning further back in his chair and crossing his bulky arms across his chest. Alex watched the man nibble thoughtfully on his lower lip. Neither noticed that the blond woman suddenly got a shade paler.

"Everything has changed now," Alex reminded. Even though she hated double standards she was forced to admit that they existed. There was disparity in the world. The rich and famous were treated differently.

"Okay hotshot, what do you suggest I do?" the Sheriff grudgingly conceded to the women's superior experience in such matters.

"First, I suggest you hire yourself a real pathologist and get him out here quick, then have the body prepared and ready so that Syd and I will be able to accompany it to Vancouver on Wednesday."

Normally Alex would have suggested that the body be flown to Seattle for the necessary examination but she knew that time and money were to factor into this investigation. It would be more expensive to fly the body to the coroners office in Seattle then to bring the pathologist out to the island.

"That's a tall order," the man raised his eyebrows thoughtfully.

"Perhaps," Alex knew she was pushing but she used all her management skills now to make the man act. "But there is going to be publicity and the scrutiny on this case is going to be high. This woman was a public figure and if what you are saying the husband is high profile there is going to be allot of people pushing you. You better make sure that things are done right because you only have one chance."

Sheriff Ford mulled this over for a minute. He knew the woman was right. She was well versed in how both systems worked. He knew she had experience on high profile cases, that was the reason his brother had so actively pursued her. He remembered the grin on his older siblings face when he had finally gotten the woman away from the Chicago Police Department and when he had named her Captain of the Homicide Unit. The woman came with a large reputation. One on which he would now depend to keep his own in tact.

"Okay," he nodded. "I don't mind admitting that I'm in over my head here so I'm willing to turn this over to you. Do what you have to do but keep me informed and remember my budget isn't the same as what my brother gives you in the big city."

"You'd be surprised how small a budget your brother gives me," Alex said with a grin. "I think when he talks to you he probably lies a little."

The Sheriff laughed knowing that the woman was being honest with him, saying things that he already knew. But he considered his brother an intelligent man, he leaned over and picked up the sheets of faxed paper and handed them across the desk to the taller woman.

"Okay Marshall, do what you have to do and earn your keep?"

"Fair enough," Alex was pleased, she had succeeded in her mission of getting complete control of this case for Sydney and herself. She stood up ready to get going.

"So what's first on your agenda?" the Sheriff wanted to know.

"While you're calling to get a pathologist out here, Sydney and I will be going over to the clothing store and pick up a few things," the tall woman said. "Then we will be going over to the doctor to make certain he doesn't start cutting on the woman."

"You think it's going to be that easy to get a pathologist out here?" the Sheriff was skeptical and Alex cast him a half smile.

"Call Dave Irving in Seattle, tell him I need his expertise out here," the Captain said. "If that doesn't work call George and tell him what you need and that if he doesn't get someone else out here then you're going to tell the press he's the reason for the delay of information."

"You want me to threaten him?" Luke was startled and amused.

"No, just flex your muscles a little," Alex shrugged.

The Sheriff snorted unable to stop the chuckle that came to his lips. He wondered how his brother managed to control this woman. "If you need anything have Verna draw it from our supplies."

"Will do," the tall woman assured him and then motioned Sydney to follow her out of the room. The Sheriff waited only until they had left the room before picking up the phone.

"Are you okay?" Alex asked when they stepped out of the station house.

"Yeah, sure why shouldn't I be?" the smaller woman answered with a question of her own. She glanced only briefly at her companion uncertain whether her eyes might give her away.

"No," the taller woman sighed, feeling a measure of frustration at the younger woman's lack of communication. She decided to direct the conversation to the topic at hand. "What's your read on the situation?"

"I don't know," Sydney shrugged still trying to come to terms with the revelation of who the woman was.

"Got any ideas of how you want to work this?"

It was in Alex's nature to automatically take charge but she knew that they were working this case together and so was determined to treat her partner as an equal. She wanted to make sure they were on the same line here.

"I think you're right," she said focusing her attention away from the victim. "We will have to talk to the victims husband as soon as possible."

"Yeah, and then there is the matter of the boat," Alex agreed.

"I think after we talk to Dr. Johnson we should go down to the different piers and find out whether she was on any of the boats that docked in the last few days."

"Good, idea," Alex agreed. "But first I want to go clothes shopping. Three days in a row with these same clothes is beginning to drive me crazy."

This got a partial smile from the smaller woman. The one thing she had learned very quickly once moving in with Alex was her quirk for clean clothes. She didn't think she had ever seen the woman wear an outfit more then once before tossing it into the laundry which made laundry day for the maid an especially long one. They were just about to move off when the Sheriff stepped out of the station.

"I'm glad I caught you," he said.

"Why did something else come in?" Alex wanted to know her attention focused once more on the case.

"Yeah, you might want to run out to Ned Pearson's place," Sheriff Ford said. "Scott Pearson was in here earlier and said that he heard there was a shooting and thought he might be able to help. Oh, and you might want to use one of the patrol cars when you go out. People are bound to take you more seriously if you pull up in a county vehicle rather then that piece of junk your driving."

"Hey, I like that piece of junk," Alex protested but she knew the man was right. Sometimes the only thing that made people talk was the appearance of authority. "We'll pick it up later."

With that she nodded and waved before moving off aware that the man watched them for a long moment before shaking his head and returning inside the building. The smaller woman looked up at her companion curiously.

"You didn't ask the Sheriff where the Pearson's place was?"

"Have you forgotten sweetheart, I spent every summer out here for ten years," Alex smiled indulgently. "I was good friends with Adelaide Pearson. They live only about a mile and a half from the house."

Sydney nodded and fell silent content for the moment to dwell in her own thoughts and musing over the terrible coincidence that occurred. She had tried to hide the more seedy parts of her life from her partner but she knew that she might have to be honest with her lover before she was ready.

They found a decent clothing shop easily enough and then proceeded to spend the next hour picking out what amounted to several pairs of jeans and numerous t-shirts. Once finished they carted their purchases over to the hospital and were fortunate enough to find Dr. Johnson free, though he was just preparing to go on his rounds of the hospital.

"Good morning," he greeted them cheerfully flashing Sydney a smile that lingered a little longer then was necessary. "After yesterday I didn't think I'd see you ladies so soon."

"Ever heard the early bird catches the worm," Alex drawled. "We just came by to tell you to hold off on cutting the body. Seems the victim was a minor celebrity so Sheriff Ford will be flying in a certified pathologist to do the autopsy."

"Oh, okay," the man seemed slightly deflated by the news and Sydney sensed that he had probably thought about the procedure the whole of the last night.

"I'm sure he will probably need your help though," she added and that brought another smile to the man's face.

"Yeah, it's probably the best," he agreed. "Who is the woman by the way?"

"Leanne Meyers," Alex supplied the information. "A news anchor out of Vancouver."

"Now I know why I thought she was familiar," he nodded his head in sudden realization. "I sometimes turn to the Canadian station for news, they have better world coverage then some of the local stations we pull in. Though I can't say that it was easy to recognize her."

"No," Alex agreed. "Anyway, we will need your help, to set up the room. We'll let you know when the pathologist will be in but expect it to be tomorrow probably late morning."

The doctor nodded and then watched mutely as the two women turned and departed leaving him to continue with his morning rounds, feeling both relieved and disappointed by their news.

Their next stop was the station house where they retrieved a set of keys from Verna and a pair of thin blue rain coats with crests identifying them as members of the County Sheriff's department. The jackets were old and had seen better days and Sydney eyed hers with trepidation.

"Are you sure we need to wear these?" she asked skeptically.

"Yeah, it will make us more official," Alex advised, though she shared her partners reluctance to wear the communal jacket.

It was different here then in the city where all they had to do was flash their badges. Here they were strangers whose shiny shields meant nothing. If they were going to get anyone to talk with them they had to at least appear official even if it mean wearing a raincoat with patches on the shoulders. Even then Alex wondered whether they would be accepted, after all this was a small community where everyone knew each other and from experience she knew that they were less likely to speak with strangers, regardless of the fact that they wore official uniforms that signified them as members of the Sheriff's department.

Alex glanced up at the sky thankful that the Sheriff had given them the use of one of the departments patrol cars. The sky was overcast and though the air was warm it smelled of rain. In the distance she could actually see the thick clouds of a storm beginning to build.

They put their parcels in the back seat and then climbed into the vehicle. Their first destination was the water front. Armed with the photograph that Alex had taken from the Sheriff they walked around the piers, visiting the various Marine Centers on the island where boats could go to get food, diesel or moorage.

After identifying themselves they took turns asking the proprietors the questions, showing the photograph to the various workers they spoke with. Unfortunately no one had seen the woman and by the time they were finished they had both come to the conclusion that the woman had not visited the island.

"Do you think she could have been on one of the other islands?" Sydney asked as they made their way back to the car.

"It's a possibility," the taller woman conceded thoughtfully. "Or it could be that they didn't make any stops at all." She paused once they reached the vehicle and glanced at the watch on her wrist.

"What do you say we grab a bite to eat before taking this stuff back to the house," Alex suggested. "It looks like a hell of a storm coming in and I want to make sure the boat is moored properly. We could continue on down to the Pearson place after that."

Sydney nodded though she had another idea. "Could we stop at the station first and get Verna to fax the surrounding islands a picture of the woman with a request to the authorities if they could ask around to see if the woman was on any one of those places."

"Good idea," the Captain agreed.

As it was they stopped at the station house first and after explaining what they wanted to the admin clerk and handing her the receipts for their clothing purchases they walked the few blocks to a restaurant for lunch.

"You're awfully quiet," Alex mused once they had placed their order.

"I was just thinking," Sydney said choosing her words carefully. The woman had been unusually quiet all morning and Alex hoped that she hadn't slipped back into the mood that had encompassed her for the last month.

"About what?"

"The victim," the smaller woman admitted picking up her fork and fidgeting it with her fingers. "I was wondering what kind of life she lead and if she was happy or not."

Those were personal thoughts and ones that as detectives, they rarely allowed themselves to consider. They had to stay focused on their jobs, treating the victims a little less then human to do their tasks effectively. They couldn't allow themselves to get involved for if they did it generally spelled disaster.

"Why?" she was curious, instinct telling her that there was more that the smaller woman wasn't saying. She had learned to read her partner pretty well since moving in together. She had made it her mission to know as much as possible about her lover in order to anticipate her every need and desire.

"I don't know," came the slightly defensive answer and angry green eyes looked up across at her partner. "Don't you ever think about any of the victims of the murders you investigated?"

"I try not too," Alex was honest. "We can't afford to care to much for the victims Syd, if we do we lose perspective and become ineffective."

"But she was a person, who once lived and breathed and ....loved," she said angrily and Alex was silent not certain how to respond to the woman's outburst.

"Yes, but she's dead now and the only way we can truly honour her life is by finding her killer," the Captain agreed softly, her blue eyes narrowing. "What are we talking about here Sydney? Have I done something to upset you?"

"No," the blond detective vigorously shook her head while her brain scrambled to figure out a plausible explanation. She knew she should tell Alex the truth yet she hesitated. "I don't want to talk about it any more."

Those words firmly closed any further conversation and both women were relieved when the waitress appeared with their food. They ate in relative silence with Sydney casting covert glances at her solemn partner. Alex had told her only a few days earlier that her past meant nothing, but she was uncertain. Alex had said that she had never done anything that she was ashamed of but Sydney couldn't say the same. There were too many things she regretted doing.

The drive back to the house was quiet and without a word Alex retreated down to the boat while Sydney took their purchases into the house and stowed them up in their bedroom. She could have easily waited for the Captain to return but knew that she still felt a sense of comfort in the other woman's presence. Besides she knew that Alex deserved an explanation.

"Do you need any help?" she asked softly walking down to the pier where the boat was tied.

"No," the tall police woman said sharply and immediately regretted it the instant she saw the hurt expression on the smaller woman's face. She was angry at Sydney for closing her out again and was struggling to keep her emotions in check. When she spoke again it was in a much softer tone. "Everything is just about done."

Sydney was silent for a long moment. She did not take offense to her companions words, sensing that she deserved to be chastised. She glanced out over the seas which were beginning to heave. In the distance the clouds looked dark and ominous.

"Do you think it's going to be a bad storm?" the blond woman asked desperate to ease the tension that existed between them.

"Yeah," Alex nodded, jumping onto the dock when she was completely satisfied that she could do no more.

The boat was in the open and would be subjected to the worst of the storm and the seas when it hit and ideally she would have liked to sail it into town where it would be more secure but she doubted they had time. She had done all she could.

"Come on, let's go visit the Pearson's."

The Pearson residence was much smaller then the Marshall home and occupied year round. In fact Sydney was to learn that Ned Pearson looked after the Marshall place over the winter, checking on the house when no one was in residence. He greeted the tall woman with a broad smile.

"You sure done growed way up there Missy," he said glancing up at her tall firm. "Didn't think you'd get to be so big but I should have known seeing how tall those brothers of yours got."

He was a short man, the same height as Sydney but stout with a rounded belly and browned leathered skin from working most of his life outdoors. He had a baseball cap with an LA Dodgers logo on his grey head and at least a day's growth of beard on his face.

"The family genes," Alex smiled shaking the man's hand. "This is my friend Sydney Davis."

"Nice to meet you Sydney," the man nodded his head cordially at the smaller woman. "Adelaide just mentioned you the other day."

"How is she?" the raven haired woman inquired after her childhood friend.

"Well, you know she married Joel Seaver," he paused as the other woman nodded. "Yeah well the boy got a job up in Spokane and their living there now. Fact is they just had themselves a little girl."

"How many does that make it now?" Alex was politely curious.

"Four, two boys and two girls," the man proclaimed proudly. "She says that's the last of them." He chuckled. "How about you, heard you was engaged?"

"Changed my mind," the Captain said smoothly. "When you talk to Adelaide again tell her I said hi."

"Will do," the man nodded his head and then peered intently at her. "You staying out at the house for a holiday?"

"It started out that way but it appears we're working now," the taller woman said casually. "Sydney and I work for the Homicide Unit in Seattle. We were just down for a weekend visit when this murder happened and Sheriff Ford kind of roped us in to helping out."

"Done heard about that," the man nodded his head seriously. "Talk of the whole island this morning."

"Which is the reason we're here," Alex continued smoothly aware how easily it was to get off the topic when talking to old neighbours. "We got a message from Verna that you heard or saw something."

"Not me, but my boy, Scott," Ned said. "You remember Scott. He was a few years younger then you."

"Yeah," the taller woman nodded. "Is he around?"

"Sure, if you want to wait here I'll just call him," the man said. "He just came back from town."

The two women waited silently by the car while the older man went to fetch his youngest child. Scott was a handsome boy and like his dad, short, but he was lean and without the tattletale signs of age that distinguished the older man.

"Scott you remember Miss Alex Marshall," Ned said to his boy.

"Sure do," the boy's eyes widened in surprise as he crooked his neck to look up at the tall detective.

"Well, she and her friend here are all the way from Seattle where they work for the police department. Their here helping the Sheriff and have come to ask you some questions about what you heard Saturday night."

"Weren't really much, I was out back of the shed when I heard this shot go off," Scott went right into his story without being asked, pointing to a small grey weathered building about a hundred meters from where they stood. "I fell flat on my face half afraid someone was shooting at me, it sounded so close."

"What did you do then?" Sydney prompted gently when the man paused and he looked at her for a minute flushing red.

"Well, I stayed right there, scared that if I got up that someone would take another shot at me but everything was quiet and then I heard what sounded like the bell on a boat so I picked myself off the ground and wandered over to the cliff. Couldn't see nothing at first but then in the moonlight I saw the shape of a sailboat going past. I thought it was kind of strange because it looked like a pleasure boat and it didn't have no running lights on. I remember thinking that whoever was the pilot was a fool."

"Why?" Sydney couldn't help asking.

"Well, Miss anyone knows that sailing a boat in these waters without a light is damn near close to suicide, there's so much traffic running up and down here that it's dangerous."

"Why did you wait until this morning to report it?"

"Well, that's the thing Miss Marshall.."

"Alex," the taller woman said quietly and the young man smiled.

"Alex," he repeated her name accepting the friendly gesture. "You gotta know how bad this area is for those criminal types. Hell the Coast Guard is always running up and down here chasing after some kind of smuggler. I just thought that the boat being so suspicious and all was maybe one of them drug smugglers and if that was the case I didn't want to get involved. It was only when I heard that a woman had been found murdered that I thought it might be something different."

Alex nodded, aware that Sydney was hastily scribbling everything down in the small palm pad that she had purchased some where. God, she's always prepared for everything, the Captain thought aware that she tended to rely on her memory which wasn't the best tool.

"Just one more question if you don't mind," Sydney glanced up from her book and looked at the man. "What were you doing out behind the shed so late that night?"

The young man flushed red again and glanced nervously at his father before looking down at his boots. He shifted uncomfortably on his feet.

"I just came home from drinking in town," he confessed sheepishly. "I kinda got sick on myself and was using the water hose at the back of the shed to clean up. Mom would have tanned my hide if I had come into the house looking like that."

Alex had to look down at her own feet to suppress the smile that automatically came to her lips. The Pearson boys, and there were four of them, had always loved to drink and their mother, a rather religious woman had suffered many agonies over their antics. It was strangely comforting to know that in spite of the long time she had been away from the island there were some things that hadn't changed.

"Thanks Scott, we appreciate your help," Alex reached out and shook his hand.

"Anytime," the boy smiled momentarily forgetting his embarrassment as he looked into those brilliant blue eyes that were peering at him. Sydney inwardly sighed aware that the man had fallen for her partner. It happened every time. Hell, it happened every time she looked at her lover when those baby blues were sparkling.

They turned to go but the tall dark haired woman paused and turned back to the younger man. Her face was straight, void of any expression.

"Scott what made you think someone might be shooting at you?"

The man flushed red with embarrassment and looked down at his feet, digging the toe of his scuffed boot into the dirt as he shoved his hands into the front pockets of his faded blue jeans. He glanced up his brown eyes looking guiltily.

"Lucy Sanderson's boyfriend done caught us out behind the bar that night making out," the man admitted looking down at the ground again. "I figured he might be wanting to warning me off."

Alex turned back away unable to suppress the chuckle that erupted from between her lips, thinking it was typical of the young man or one of his brothers. There had been more than once that the boys had been chased by someone carrying a gun.

"So what now boss?" the blond detective asked as they hopped back into the patrol car.

"Well, I think we should go back into town and see if the Sheriff has come up with any new leads," Alex said putting the vehicle in gear.

"You ladies don't waste any time do you," Sheriff Ford greeted them with an amused smile as they walked into the station. He was standing by the counter talking to one of his deputies. "Heard from folks all over town that you've been all around asking questions."

"We're just mindful that we're on taxpayers time," Alex replied innocently and the man chuckled.

"Ladies, I don't believe I've introduced you to Herman Cleats, one of my deputies," Luke motioned to the shy red headed young man who was standing a short distance away. "Herman this is Alex Marshall and Sydney Davis, they're helping us out for a few days with this murder."

"Well, if you need anything don't hesitate to ask," the man said eagerly and if he harboured any resentment that they were doing what essentially should have been his job he didn't show it.

"We won't forget that," Alex assured him turning her attention to the older man. "What's the status of the pathologist?"

"He'll be out tonight," the Sheriff responded chuckling to himself at the memory of earlier events.

He had called the pathologist who had initially been reluctant claiming he couldn't be out for several days. He had then taken the raven haired woman's advice and called his brother. It hadn't been more then fifteen minutes after talking to the Commissioner when the pathologist had returned his call and said he would be on his way immediately. He wondered what his brother had said to the other man but then didn't care, acknowledging only that he had probably used up another one of his favours.

"Did anything else come in while we were out?" Alex wanted to know her mind already moving on to the next problem. The Sheriff knew to what she was referring. he could see that she was an impatient woman, a woman used to getting things done in a hurry. He realized that until now she had shown remarkable patience.

"Nope, but I did get a call from the Sheriff on Orcas Island wondering what the hell was going on," Luke replied. "Didn't tell him much except we were looking for the woman. I figure he'll find out soon enough what's going on and until then we don't need any false leads to bog us down."

"Smart call," Alex said with grudging respect.

"Can't say he'll appreciate it though. We generally try to work together," Sheriff Ford said, glancing from one woman to the other. "Where are you girl's off to now?"

"I thought we'd be calling it a day," Alex said without consulting her partner who looked at her in surprise. The Sheriff raised his eyebrows. "There isn't much more we can do until we talk to the husband and we can't do that until the pathologist makes his report."

The man nodded understanding her logic. "What about the Pearson boy, did he have anything interesting to say?"

"Nope, just heard and saw basically the same thing we did," the tall woman said glancing at Sydney as if to inquire if she was ready to go. She couldn't know how relieved the smaller woman was to know that they were calling it a day. Sydney hoped that they would have an opportunity to talk before going to bed.

It was still to early for dinner so they hopped on the motorbike and headed back to the house. It was fortunate they didn't delay because no sooner had then entered the shelter when the clouds thundered and lightening streaked across the sky. The heavens opened up pouring down in thick sheets of water.

Alex busied herself getting a fire going in the sitting room. The one thing she had always loved as a child was sitting in front of a fire on a rainy day. She was also mindful that there was the slightest chance that the storm might affect the electricity.

No sooner did she have those thoughts then the lights went out, leaving her in the glow of the flames of the fire she had built. It wasn't late yet the thick clouds and rain had made the sky dark but not so dark that she couldn't find her way around the house. She wasn't as certain about her partner and she left the sitting room and went in search of the smaller woman.

She found Sydney on the balcony standing in the open windows, protected from the downpour by the overhang of the roof. She was watching the storm in fascination, mesmerised by the flash of light as it illuminated the sky.

"It seems so much more beautiful out here," she murmured aware immediately of her lovers presence.

"Yes, it does," Alex agreed stepping up behind her companion and wrapping her arms around the smaller woman's waist, as she rested her chin on the blond head.

"In the city it seems so different, as if the magnificent and brilliance of it all is muted. But here it seems so wild and untamed, so powerful," the younger woman continued to muse. "Thank you."

"For what?" Alex was surprised.

"For bringing me here," the blond detective said quietly.

"Well, it started out as a good idea," the taller woman sighed. "I'm sorry to have gotten you mixed up in this. If I had known that something like this would be keeping us here I wouldn't have suggested we stay the night."

"But I'm glad you did," the younger woman shook her head in disagreement. "In spite of everything this is wonderful. We get a chance to work together as ourselves without having to worry what someone might say and we get to be together twenty-four hours a day."

"I thought that might be driving you crazy," Alex chuckled nervously.

"No," the smaller woman shifted in her embrace so that she could look up into those pale blue eyes that she loved so much. "I'm sorry I'm being so difficult."

"Yeah well I figure you must have a good reason," came the nonchalant reply. Alex didn't want to push the woman afraid that she might shut down again.

"Actually, Alex, there is something I have to tell you," Sydney said the thought making her shiver.

"Oh honey your cold," Alex misinterpreted the trembling and hastily moved her inside the house. "Let's go downstairs. I have a fire going in the sitting room."

The blond woman bobbed her head not eager to proceed with this conversation. She allowed her companion to lead her back through the house and down to the sitting room where the fire was roaring. Alex had moved the furniture to give them room to sit in front of the fireplace.

"Wait here, I'll only be a few minutes," Alex said and disappeared into the kitchen returning a few minutes later with two mugs of hot chocolate with a handful of small marshmallows on top. She handed her companion one of the cups before settling down onto the rug next to her partner.

"A toast," the woman said lifting her mug. "To the love of my life, the woman I hope to wake up to for the rest of my life."

Sydney smiled weakly at the toast, staring into her cup and unable to meet her companions gaze. She sipped the cocoa nervously fingering the handle of the cup as she thoughtfully pondered how she could broach the subject that she needed to discuss with her lover. Alex sensed that something was bothering her companion aware that her partner had not responded to her toast.

"Is everything okay Sydney?"

The smaller woman shrugged not certain she was ready to talk. "What do you plan on doing once we get to Vancouver?"

"Probably check in with the local authorities and advise them of what we're working on," Alex answered thoughtfully. "Then I thought that we should probably visit with the husband. I think once we talk to him we will have a pretty good idea where to go."

"I think it might be a little more complicated then that," the blond detective said with a deep breath.

"Why?" for some reason the muscles in the dark haired woman's stomach clenched painfully.

"That morning I pulled the woman out of the water I remember vaguely thinking that she looked familiar," Sydney began in a quiet voice her green eyes staring into the fire in front of them. She could feel Alex's comforting presence beside her in the gentle warmth of her shoulder as their arms brushed together. "It wasn't until I saw the photograph this morning that I knew for certain."

"You know her?" the taller woman was barely able to keep her voice steady fearing what she was about to hear.

"In a manner of speaking," the blond woman said. "The weekend before I joined your squad last fall I went up to Vancouver for a little rest and relaxation. I had once gone out with someone from the city and was familiar with the club scene. That weekend I went out to party and I met a woman."

She paused but her companion respectfully remained quiet. "I picked her up at one of the bars, it was something I did on a regular basis, pick up a stranger, for the sole purpose of sex. In hindsight I realize it was a pretty shallow existence but it served it's purpose and was without commitment which was something I never wanted from anyone....not until I met you."

The blond detective paused thinking how incredibly hard it was to talk about this facet of her life. A part that was meaningless and empty, a behaviour she now deeply regretted. She was unable to look at her companion afraid she might see something that would break her heart.

"Anyway getting back to the original point, I picked her up and took her back to my hotel room. I never knew she was married, she never said anything. She wanted to pursue the relationship but I wasn't interested. I didn't know who she really was until this morning when I saw her press photograph."

Alex waited for more but the silence that followed told her there wasn't anything more to come. She stared at the fire crackling in the grate thoughtfully.

"I'm sorry," Sydney finished lamely misinterpreting her companions silence. "It must sound pretty disgusting to you."

"Why do you think that?" the dark haired woman asked sharply, startled by her friend's assumption.

"Because it was pretty shallow behaviour."

"You have nothing to apologize for," Alex said immediately not wanting her companion to feel ashamed. "I have already told you that there is nothing about your past that could frighten me away." She paused. "Why did you think I would be upset?"

"Because it happened after we met," Sydney couldn't look at her lover's face.

"Yes, but we weren't involved," Alex reminded softly.

"I think we've been involved since the very first moment we met," came the quiet rejoinder.

That was something the taller woman couldn't deny. For her it had been one look and she had known what and who she wanted. However, it had taken her companion a little longer to draw the same conclusion even though she had experienced the same connection. She would never hold what happened in the interim against her lover. She said as much.

"I don't know how you can be so understanding," Sydney said still uncertain.

"Why shouldn't I be?" Alex wanted to know. "Have you forgotten how badly I treated you after we first started going out?"

"We weren't really going out," the smaller woman corrected. "Besides I understood that you had to take your position into consideration."

"It's the same difference," the other woman argued. "You forgave me and gave me a second chance. Why wouldn't I do the same for you?"

Sydney shrugged. She didn't have an answer for that so she remained silent unable to look at her companion still uncertain of her feelings. She felt the warmth of a strong arm as it wound it's way around her shoulders.

"I love you Sydney," Alex whispered, "and though I know our lives are not always going to be perfect I want to spend the rest of it with you. It doesn't matter to me what you did in the past."

"You don't know how happy that makes me feel," the smaller woman confided. "I never thought I would find someone like you, someone who accepted me and everything I was."

"You're a incredible woman Sydney, and I thank God every day that I have the opportunity to know and love you."

"You're too good for me," Sydney murmured burying her face in her companions shoulder.

"No, I only hope I'm good enough for you," came the solemn whisper.

They talked some more as the storm and the darkness enveloped them in an intimate atmosphere that was conducive to revealing confidences. Sydney spoke more of her past though Alex was astute enough to realize what she didn't say. Later they had taken the candles that Alex had thoughtfully placed by the fireplace and went in search of some food.

Because the stove was electric and the power was out they had to settle for cold cuts and salad which they ate in front of the fire which Alex kept going from the pile of wood stacked in the garage. Because of the chill in the air, brought on by the storm, they decided to sleep in the living room in front of the fire. They collected bedding from their room and then nestled down in each others arms.

"Alex, does your family ever spend Christmas out here any more?" Sydney asked curiously comforted by the warm arms that were wrapped around her. She was mentally exhausted yet strangely refreshed by the revelations she had made that evening.

"No," the taller woman replied.

"Why?"

"It became to difficult," Alex explained. "Once my brothers started getting jobs and getting married it just wasn't practical any more so the tradition just sort of died."

"That's a shame," Sydney murmured thinking how wonderful it must have been.

"Yeah," the dark haired woman agreed. "But it happens when families grow up. I wish you could have been with us this last Christmas when everyone was home, it won't be the same this year."

"Why not?"

"Christmas rotates in our family," Alex explained. "One year the whole family is home for Christmas and the next year they are at their in-laws. For instance, Christie's family lives in Southern California, Lawrence and Mimi go to Florida and Charles and his wife visit her family in Texas, so they will be going there for the holiday season."

"That must make it lonely for your parents," Sydney said absently.

"Yeah, I guess," Alex had never thought about it. "Generally on those off years they take a vacation some place warm like Hawaii or they went to Tahiti one year."

"What do you do?" the smaller woman was suddenly concerned for her friend.

"I worked," the taller woman smiled sensing her lover's concern. She reached up and gently stroked the blond woman's hair. "And just so we clear it up now, you are definitely not working over the holiday season this year. I have plans for us being together this Christmas and not at work."

"Okay," the blond detective agreed without argument. The thought of spending the holidays with her lover was a happy one. Then another thought occurred to her. She twisted her body around so that she could look at her lover. "Do you think we could spend Christmas here?"

Alex looked at the earnest expression on the smaller woman's face and she knew that she would not deny the woman whatever she wanted.

"Absolutely," she responded.

"Maybe, your parents will join us," the younger woman offered hesitantly.

"They might have already made plans but I'll ask them," Alex agreed realizing that her companion had a very good idea. She leaned forward and dropped a kiss on her lovers lips. "Come on now, let's get some sleep, I suspect tomorrow will be a very busy day."

"Alex?"

"What?"

"I love you." the smaller woman said before snuggling down and closing her eyes.

CHAPTER FIVE

THE FIRST THING Alex did when she woke the next morning was go down to check on the boat. The storm had only grown fiercer throughout the night until finally dying out in the early hours of the morning. Though the sky was still gray the rain had stopped.

She thought about the previous evening as she trudged across the damp ground and down the cliff to the pier. Her companion's revelations had not been surprising for she had instinctively sensed that was a part of her lover's nature. Sydney was a passionate woman who obvious enjoyed the company of other woman. She hadn't expected her small partner to be chaste and the fact that she had done a lot of sleeping around did not worry her. The only thing that concerned her was the woman's future. A future that she intended for them to share.

That thought brought to mind another memory. The idea of spending Christmas on the island as she had done when she was a child was very appealing and she resolved to propose the idea to her parents as soon as they got back into the city.

A wave of relief flooded her senses as she spied the boat still tied to the pier. A thorough inspection of the hull made her realize how lucky she had been that the craft had not sustained any more damage then a few scratches where the hull had slammed against the dock.

She sat down for a moment on the deck and stared out at the ocean, whose waters were a dark gray and still heaving slightly from the fury of the previous evenings storm. She felt the boat roll beneath her feet, as her thoughts returned to the small woman she had left sleeping in front of the fireplace.

In spite of her words of reassurance she knew that Sydney was still insecure about her past and their future. It was understandable Alex reasoned, the woman hadn't much reason to believe, her past history with family and those who professed to love her had probably done a lot of damage mentally. Damage that she could not hope to repair in a few short months.

She thought again of their conversation. It wasn't so much of what Sydney had said but what she hadn't said. The smaller woman never talked about her mother or her father, who she supposed were both still alive. The only one she had contact with was Anne, her sister in prison and the woman herself wasn't a good example of a loving family.

She squared her shoulders defiantly. Well she wasn't in this relationship for the short term. She was in it for the long haul, the duration of her life and if it took that long to convince the smaller woman she was committed to do that.

She climbed off the boat and checked the moorings one last time before heading back up the cliff towards the house. The minute she stepped into the door she could smell the delicious aroma of frying bacon. A glance in the living room told her that her partner was up and had not only started breakfast but had packed up the bedding She found Sydney in the kitchen.

"Morning love," she greeted stepping up behind her companion and wrapping her arms around the woman's slender waist and embracing her tightly.

"Good morning," Sydney turned her head and their lips met in a loving exchange. "Was the boat okay?"

"Yes, thankfully there are only a few scraps on the hull," Alex replied stepping back to peal off her jacket and drape it over a chair before sitting down at the table where the dishes had been set out. "I'm starved."

"Good, but you might want to send your thanks to the power company because I don't know what I would have made if the electricity hadn't come back on," Sydney admitted honestly, dishing out the food on two plates before joining her partner at the table.

Alex looked greedily at the food on her plate. Besides the bacon there were eggs, hash browns and toast. She dug into the fare enjoying each bite and happy that her companion liked to cook, thinking that it wasn't so long ago that her breakfast consisted of a quick cup of coffee and a warm bagel bought at some fast food restaurant on the way to work.

"This is just what I needed," Alex sighed when her plate was clean. She cast her companion a brilliant smile. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Sydney responded automatically to the smile. She liked that there was something that she could do for her companion. "I figured after last nights meagre fare you would be hungry."

"Damn straight," the taller woman didn't deny the truth and then glanced at her watch. It was still early but she was eager to get going. She was suddenly filled with the desire to solve this case so that they could get home. She glanced at her partner who was still in her night shirt. "I'll wash up while you get ready."

"Deal," Sydney didn't argue and was out of her chair and out the door before her partner could change her mind, Alex's laugher following close behind. Though the smaller woman laughed to cook she hated to clean up afterwards and the tall woman knew as much. Alex stood up and started gathering the dirty dishes, thinking that it was a fair trade for not having to cook.

Dave Irving wasn't at all pleased to have been dragged out of the city to a place he considered a backwater but George Ford had needed a favour and he knew that he needed to build as many favours as possible what with the City Council ready to review his budget.

Regardless of those thought's it had taken all his resolve to climb into the small four seat Cessna the police department owned to make the journey to the island. The ominous clouds in the western sky had given him cause to worry and thankfully they had arrived just as the first drops of rain began falling.

He stepped out of the quaint Inn that he had been registered in and glanced down the road in the direction of the hospital. He had been met at the local airport by the Sheriff who had introduced himself and then proceeded to give him a brief tour of the island, not that he was able to see much between the blinding curtain of rain and intense flashes of lightening. He had only been to happy when the Sheriff had dropped him at the Inn.

He thought of the local law enforcement official. He knew that the Commissioner Ford and the Sheriff were brothers yet he didn't think he had ever met two more different siblings. Where George Ford was intense and driven, this man seemed laid back and casual, unworried about anything. He wondered how Alex Marshall was fairing working with the local authorities.

He chuckled to himself. He could just imagine the tall dark haired woman working with the sedate Sheriff. Alex had the type of personality that genuinely steamrolled over everyone or thing in her way. She had an abrasive personality that had made her many opponents in the few months that she had thus far been with the Department. But as many opponents as she had, she also had quickly earned a loyal following of individuals who admired and respected her no nonsense style.

He was one of the latter. He chuckled again as he remembered their first meeting. Their personalities had clashed and they had argued heatedly but by the end of the session they had parted with a mutual respect for each other and the jobs they had to do.

Alex only wanted the best and in turn she was willing to help in anyway she could. The difference her support had made to his department had been tremendous and the once tenable existence that had existed between the coroners office and the Homicide Unit was now a solid alliance whereby both sides respected each other. It was because Alex had asked for him that he had come.

He laughed as he stepped off the stairs and started down the sidewalk. Now, months later he couldn't even remember what the argument had been about, though something told him it was something trivial.

He noted that the hospital parking lot was mostly empty though a battered motorcycle was parked arrogantly in a loading zone area and another smile came to his lips as he thought that the vehicle in all likelihood belonged to the tall, raven haired Captain. He was not surprised when he stepped into the entrance and saw the woman and her smaller blond partner standing by the nurses station in the reception area.

Alex and Sydney had only arrived minutes before the thin, balding pathologist ambled into the clinic. They greeted each other with a smile and a firm handshake which he extended to her partner. He smiled inwardly impressed that the tall woman didn't shy away from the fact that her personal life was an open target. It made him respect her all the more.

"I'm glad you could come," Alex was genuinely appreciative.

"You owe me big time for this," the man growled without force, glancing around the spotless and empty reception area. "What have you got that was so important for me to hurry down?"

"A female, early thirties, died of an apparent shotgun wound to the stomach, though we can't be entirely certain as the body was pulled out of the ocean approximately twelve hours after the fact," the Captain briefed him on what they knew. They were able to talk freely as the reception area was empty except for the lone nurse that was manning the front desk.

"Okay," the man nodded his head noticing a young man in a white lab coat walking towards them. He glanced at the Captain raising an eyebrow. "It seems simple enough, I don't see the need for me to come down, surely the local doctor could have cut her."

"The thing is she's a name from Vancouver," Alex supplied. "A six o'clock news anchor. I thought it was a little high profile for the local doctor. I didn't want an amateur on this and I don't think there is time or money to send the body down to Seattle."

"Ahh," the smaller man nodded. Alex Marshall was a consummate professional. She had worked in the business long enough to know how to handle things properly. He knew why he had been called. "Has the press been informed?"

"Not yet. The Sheriff is handling that aspect of the case and I don't think anyone of significance knows yet. We only positively identified her yesterday, so I think right now only her family and co-workers will know, but I figure by tomorrow morning the news hounds will be out in force."

"You're probably right," the man nodded and eyed her closely. "Is there any reason I should think that there might be a hint of scandal behind this."

"Yes," Alex nodded putting her personal feelings aside. "I have it from an unimpeachable source that she was married but also known to have lesbian affairs. We won't know the extent of her life until we have a chance to go north to talk to the husband and the family."

"I can see why you wanted me rather then a local doctor to do the cutting," the pathologist glanced at the man who sidled up to them.

"Alex, Sydney, good morning," Terry Johnston greeted them with a smile, glanced briefly at the smaller man with them. "The room has been set up as requested."

"Perfect," Alex was pleased. "Dr. Terry Johnson, this is Dr. Dave Irving, Chief pathologist for Seattle. Dave, the doctor here will be assisting you."

"Perfect," the smaller man shook the doctors hand and then became very businesslike. "I suggest we get to work. As lovely as this island is I have a stack of work awaiting me back in the city so I would like to finish this up as quickly as possible."

The others nodded and with the doctor leading the way they strolled towards the elevator which took them to the basement. They entered a large room where the body was already laid out on a stainless steel table. A white sheet covered the corpse.

The coroner got immediately down to work changing from his rumpled business suit into scrubs. Alex and Sydney stood back and watched, listening as the man turned on his tape recorder and started to speak. Dr. Johnson was at his side tentatively hanging onto every word and watching with keen eyes as the small man performed his duty. The pathologist was a small man yet in the theatre poised over a dead body he was someone much larger and more imposing.

Sydney watched with fascination as the man dissected the body methodically, verbally recording his findings which would later be transcribed into a written report which they would receive. She had popped in numerous times in the coroners office in Seattle when needing information about a death she was investigating but she had never stayed for the full autopsy and as grisly as it appearance it was even more fascinating.

It was several hours later when the man finally finished his inspection of the body. He snapped the latex gloves off his hands, scooped up the tape recorder and headed out of the room, the small group following in his wake. He glanced at Alex once they were out in the hallway.

"What's your prognosis?" the Captain could barely conceal her curiosity. She had been present through the whole affair and had heard the doctor speak his findings but she wanted it now in clear and precise words.

"In my professional opinion it was not merely the shotgun blast to the stomach which killed her. My report will say that though the gunshot wound was serious it was survivable. The fluid in her lungs suggest that she drown, probably rendered incapacitated by the wound to her stomach."

"Were there any other bruises or anything to suggest that she had been involved in a struggle?"

"None," the man shook his head gravely. "There isn't much more I can tell you right now Alex. It will take a few weeks before I get anything back on the toxicology and blood samples I took. Is there anything special you want me to look for?"

"No," the Captain shook her head. "Just do the standard chemical tests to determine if there were any drugs or alcohol in her system. As well, you might want to pay special attention to the vaginal swabs."

"There didn't appear to be any of the usual signs of rape," the pathologist mused. "I will check for any signs of semen but from what I saw it's not a likely possibility."

"Check anyway," Alex prodded.

"Will do," the man nodded. "Now if you don't mind I think I'll change," he glanced at the doctor. "You can tell your people that they can prepare the body for transport."

"I appreciate you coming out," Alex said shaking the coroners hand glancing at her watch. "I know that you are in a rush to leave but how about you joining Sydney and me for lunch?"

"Grand idea, I'll be out in fifteen minutes," the smaller man nodded appreciative, aware that it had been many hours since breakfast, before disappearing into the change room.

"What next?" Sydney wanted to know when they were alone again. She had been talking to the younger doctor.

"Lunch," Alex said without hesitation.

"What then?"

"I don't know, you have any suggestions?"

"No," the smaller woman shook her head. "This is so different then in the city, there it seems there is so much to do but here..."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Alex nodded with a grim smile. "So many times we wish there was only one case to work on, seemingly never having enough time to devote to any one individual case, and now that we have our wish, it seems there is nothing to do, but tomorrow will be better. Once we get to Vancouver there will be a lot of ground to cover. We have to talk to the local authorities and then the husband and family, her co-workers and any friends that she might have. It will be a busy few days."

"We should also visit the club scene," Sydney said hesitantly and by the expression on her face, Alex knew that really wasn't what the woman wanted to do. "I think we might be able to learn a lot more from that then we will from the family."

Alex guessed that her friend was right. If the victims lesbianism was a secret, and she assumed because of her high public profile it was, then there were probably plenty of secrets that the woman was keeping from her family and friends.

"Okay, but now let's get some lunch," the tall woman re-iterated as she saw Dave Irving emerge from the locker rooms.

They choose a nearby restaurant and Sydney only realized then how hungry she was. They chatted casually about the case and about other cases that the Police Department in Seattle was currently investigating. Afterwards they wandered back to the Sheriff's office.

"I'll be in touch," Dave nodded and then followed the Deputy to a patrol car for the ride to the airport where the plane waited to transport him back to the city.

"Well, ladies did you find out anything new?" Luke Ford asked once they were alone.

"Unfortunately we just confirmed what we already thought," Alex supplied. "The blood and chemical tests he preformed will take a few weeks to get back from the lab. Doctor Johnson is preparing the body for transportation now."

"Good," the Sheriff nodded his head. "I received a call from the woman's lawyer asking what was being done with the body. I told him and then promised that we would fly it up there tomorrow. You girl's don't mind sharing the plane with a dead body do you?"

The women shook there heads though it would be a novel experience for the both of them.

"Good," the Sheriff nodded his head appreciatively. "I've arranged for Dave Talberson to fly you up tomorrow. He's the best pilot on the island and owns a reliable cargo plane. It's not a large bird but it will do for our purposes."

"Sounds good, what time does he want to get going?" Alex asked.

"As early as possible," the man replied. "He wants to pick up some cargo and deliver it back tomorrow. When you need a ride back just give me a shout I'll have him come and pick you up."

"I hope it's not costing you too much," the dark haired woman mused and the man smiled.

"Nope, he's doing me this favour," the Sheriff smiled. "He makes the trip almost every other day anyway, bringing tourists or supplies out to the island. Besides he still owes the county money for a fine he incurred. I'll just scratch the fine."

"Okay then, we'll be heading out now," Alex decided. "There isn't anything more we can do here and tomorrow will be a long day. I guess we won't be seeing you then until we get back from Vancouver."

"Have a good trip ladies, and bring me back a murderer," Luke called as they turned and left the station house. The two women returned to the hospital where they retrieved the motorcycle.

"Do you feel like taking a ride around the island?" Alex asked her companion aware that Sydney had been unusually quiet all day. The sky was still gray but the temperature was warm.

"Sounds good," Sydney agreed.

There weren't many places of interest to visit on the island so the two women just took a leisure drive along the coast, stopping occasionally to walk down to the water of a secluded beach. More then once during the ride they passed early season bikers and hikers. They even spotted several kayakers out on the water when they stopped and Sydney insisted to her companion that she had spotted some whales but by the time Alex had pulled the bike over to have a look either woman could find anything of the pod.

"They were there," Sydney insisted vehemently.

"Sure, sure," Alex teased her companion, who punched her in the shoulder in retaliation.

By the time they finally arrived back at the house both women where pleasantly worn out, exhausted by the early morning and the fresh air. They trooped into the kitchen and threw together a simple meal over which they lingered, enjoying the private time they had together. Alex knew she would miss this when they returned to the city and their conflicting schedules where any quality time together was rare.

That evening as they sat in front of the fireplace she put her mind to work once more on the problem. She had told her father earlier that she was thinking of leaving the police force and joining his law firm. She knew she had made that announcement at an emotional time and had since reconsidered, aware that changing her career would do nothing to resolve the situation they found themselves in.

If she wanted to change things she would have to do it while she was in charge of the Homicide Unit. Once she was gone there would be nothing she could do. She closed her eyes and tried to imagine a schedule that would make their life different.

"Alex, you okay?" Sydney's soft voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Yeah, just thinking," the older woman replied.

"Anything you want to share?"

"Nah," the taller woman shook her head, combing her fingers through the smaller woman's silken hair before deftly changing the subject. "So are you going to show me this town of yours tomorrow?"

"It's not my town," Sydney said and then blushed. "Besides I really didn't think we will have any free time. I expect we will be kept pretty busy interviewing everyone."

"Yeah," Alex sighed stretching her legs out on the couch and settling the smaller woman more comfortably against her body. "It's a shame, I've never really been there other then brief stopovers, it seems like a beautiful city."

"It is," the smaller woman conceded. "There is so much to see. You can go skiing or just take a walk around the seawall. There is always something to do, that's why I enjoyed it so much."

"Well, maybe we'll get lucky and get a chance to see something, either way I'm looking forward to it."

"So am I," Sydney sighed. "Any time I get to spend with you I look forward too."

"My sentiments exactly," Alex smiled. "You really for bed?"

"It's still early," Sydney said turning her head to glance at her partner who winked.

"I didn't say we had to go to sleep," the taller woman smirked.

"Okay," the smaller woman jumped off the sofa, grabbing her companions hand and dragging her towards the bedroom.

Neither woman got much sleep that night and next morning they had to drag themselves out of bed. By the time they finally got going they had to rush through their showers and breakfast. As it was the pilot had just finished supervising the loading of his cargo by the time they arrived at the airport.

"We're ready to go," the pilot announced when they walked up to him and introduced themselves. "If you want to stow your bags in that compartment and climb in, we can be on our way."

The plane was an older model cargo craft with plenty of room for freight and three mesh seats slung along each side of the craft. It was similar to the type of craft used for hauling cargo in the military only a smaller scale version. Sydney looked at the arrangements with some trepidation aware that the casket would be in plain view the entire trip. Something of her feelings must have shown itself on her face.

"It's only a short ride," Alex reassured her companion before helping her up into the plane.

She had flown in a similar aircraft many years earlier and the brief chat she had with the pilot during his pre-flight inspection gave her confidence that the man was capable of getting them to their destination without incident.

As it was the flight turned out to be relatively smooth with no air turbulence for which both women were glad for the mesh seats had proven anything but comfortable. Rather then landing in Vancouver itself they set down at a smaller airport some miles east of the city.

A rather dour looking man with a pimply faced companion was standing next to a hearse waiting for their arrival. The pair immediately took charge of the casket, while the women went in search of the rental car that was hired by the Sheriff for their use. They finally found it parked outside one of the airport hangars with a note from the rental agency.

"Do you want to drive?" Sydney asked as they approached the vehicle.

"Nope, this is your town sweetheart," Alex tossed the keys across to her companion.

Alex had only been to this northern city a few times in her life so conceded the driving to her smaller companion who professed an intimate knowledge of the place. She gazed out the window at the scenery. Vancouver was really a beautiful city, almost more beautiful then Seattle she mused, as she took in the lush green mountains that surrounded the flat lands where the city was located.

"Do you know where the Police Headquarters are?" the tall woman asked idly as the traffic around them on the freeway began to thicken. She looked at the huge span bridge they were crossing that took them from the lower mainland to the outskirts of the city.

"Yeah," Sydney said in a voice that made her companion glance at her with a cocked eyebrow.

"Yeah?"

"I used to date a woman who was with the local police department," the blond admitted with some embarrassment, unable to look across at her companion. "She was based out of their main headquarters."

"Okay," the Captain continued to gaze at her partner who seemed uncomfortable with the truth. "Is it someone whom I should be jealous of?"

"No," Sydney responded automatically caught off guard by the question. She glanced sharply at her companion and saw the hint of a smile trying hard not to crease the corners of her lovers beautiful mouth.

"You brat!" she made her displeasure known and the dark haired woman laughed. "You are so mean."

"I'm sorry," Alex was apologetic, she reached over to place her hand on the smaller woman's thigh and rubbed it gently. "I guess I just don't see the big deal. I mean it would be stupid of me not to think a beautiful woman like you didn't have a past."

"You are such a tart," Sydney admonished and then sighed comforted by the warm touch. "I think the biggest problem about talking about my past is that it reminds me that you also have a past. I think I'm jealous of everyone you've been with."

"There isn't any need for you to be," the Captain said in a husky voice. "They were all merely diversions until you came along. I never loved anyone, not until you."

"What about your fiancée?"

"Nope."

"Not even a little?" the blond persisted.

"I liked his company, he was a good man and a friend," was the truth.

"Then why did you become engaged?" Sydney wanted to know. They had never discussed this topic before even though the smaller woman had been undeniably curious.

"Because I thought that was what was expected of me," Alex said simply gazing out the window. "I was going through a rough time. I had just moved to Chicago and was nervous that my sexual orientation would hamper my career. I wasn't really happy any of the time. Fortunately I realized my mistake."

Sydney was silent. She could not begrudge her partner for the choices she had made for it wasn't that long ago that she had also tried to hide her sexuality. Like her companion she had worried about what it would do to her career or what her sister would think. In the end she had learned she needed to be true to herself.

"So what's on the agenda?" she asked changing the subject.

"First we check in with the local authorities and then play a visit to the grieving widower," Alex said mentally scrolling through the list in her head of things she wanted to accomplish. She turned to look at her partner. "Any thing you want to do?"

"I think we should pay a visit to the club where I met her," the smaller woman said tentatively. "If she was a regular then someone might know something about her affairs."

"Sounds good to me," the Captain nodded her head. "Family today, co-workers tomorrow."

There was silence as they continued to negotiate the traffic until they finally arrived at the downtown headquarters. They parked in the visitor parking and then went in search of someone in charge. It was professional courtesy to check in with the local authorities besides in spite of the fact that they were police officers, they had no official status in what amounted to a foreign country.

Alex thought about that as they mounted the front steps and strolled into the headquarters. As close as their northern neighbours were and as much in common as they had, Canada still was a foreign country with a whole different set of laws. Hell, even if they did manage to identify a prime suspect they would have to apply to the local authorities for arrest warrants and then await extradition hearings to determine whether they could even bring the suspect back to the States for trial.

The whole thing was just one big headache which the Captain privately hoped wouldn't occur. If she was lucky, and she doubted that they would be, the murderer would be an American citizen. But the likelihood of that was slim.

She allowed Sydney to do the initial talking aware that the smaller woman was better at handling the delicate public relations part of their job. After a short wait a young female officer escorted them into the bowels of the building to the area where the Homicide unit was situated. They were ushered into an empty office.

"Lt. Bailey will be in shortly," the woman advised before leaving them on their own.

Sydney sat down in one of the chairs positioned in front of the battered wooden desk that occupied the majority of the space in the tiny office. Alex paced curiously around the room, eyeing the certificates that decorated the wall, in an attempt to gleam some personal information on the individual they would be meeting.

The blond detective could sense the aggressive side of her companion start to emerge and marveled at the way the taller woman could turn her personalities on and off at will. However, she knew that they could not afford to antagonize this man. She reached over and tugged on her lovers jeans to get her attention.

"Sit down," she said gently and the taller woman smiled sheepishly.

"Am I getting too restless?" Alex asked. She was well acquainted with her aggressive side and appreciated when her partner brought it to her attention. She dropped her lanky firm into the empty chair.

"A little," the blond detective smiled. "You have to remember that you're not the boss here."

"Yeah," the woman flashed a sheepish smile. "It's this infernal thing I have about being in charge."

"I know," Sydney agreed sympathetically. "And it's not a bad thing but remember we are in his jurisdiction now, and Canadian laws are different."

Alex nodded her head and then peered thoughtfully at her smaller companion.

"When you were going out with this police woman did you ever consider moving up here and joining the police?"

"I thought about it," Sydney didn't lie. "Vancouver is a beautiful city, much like Seattle, and the laws are such that it's not as dangerous out in the field. Sherry even talked to her supervisor about it and he said that it wouldn't be a problem, in fact they would probably welcome me given my previous law enforcement experience."

"So why didn't you?"

"Probably because I didn't really like Sherry that much," the blond confessed. "I mean it was fun for awhile but I couldn't see myself transplanting my entire life for her." There was a pause. "In that way you are unlike anyone I have ever dated. If you asked me to move to the North pole I would, just because you asked."

"You know you don't have to flatter me," Alex was immensely touched by her companion's confession. "You've already got me."

"Yeah, and that still amazes me," Sydney confessed.

Alex felt the need to kiss her lover but as she moved towards the smaller woman a heavy set, balding man swept into the room and plunked himself down in the vacant chair behind the desk. Both women looked at the man's flushed face.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting," the man smiled brightly. "My name is Don Bailey and I'm in charge of this Unit. How can I help you."

"My name's Alex Marshall and this is my partner Sydney Davis, we're with the Seattle Homicide Unit and we're in town today in regards to the investigation into the death of Leanne Meyers."

"Yes, yes, Sheriff Ford from Lopez Island called and filled me in. I was expecting you," the man paused shuffling some papers on his crowded desk, quietly scanning a copy of a hand written report before addressing the women again. "He explained to me the circumstances for your visit and I have notified one of my staff to be on standby to accompany you."

"We appreciate the offer, but there isn't anything right now that we will need assistance with," Alex was quick to reassure the man. She didn't want to bring anyone else into the case until she had spoken to Sheriff Ford, aware that when there were to many independent people working on a case things could get accidentally missed because one party naturally assumed the other had covered that territory. She liked to keep her investigations small, where they were best managed.

"I know you'd probably like to keep the investigation local however as this is considerably out of your jurisdiction and I can't have you go out on your own. The officer will also be able to help you in any capacity needed."

"Okay," Alex agreed because she realized she had no other option. "But we would like to handle the investigation ourselves."

"I can live with that, provided you keep me informed," the man nodded his head, glancing briefly over the pair.

They couldn't know how relieved the Detective was. His own resources were stretched to the limit and he was not anxious to get involved in a high profile case such as the one these two women were handling. He had been in the profession long enough to know the ramifications of what would happen if the murder went unsolved.

"We thought that we would give you an overview of our intentions so you would know what we were doing," Sydney continued the explanation. "We'd like to interview the family, her co-workers and any friends that might know anything."

"Sounds good," Don nodded his head and stood up holding out his hand and effectively terminating the interview. "It's nice to meet you and if you have any questions don't hesitate to knock on my door. I have assigned a Det. Smith to ride along with you, she works in homicide and should be able to help you if needed. Just go down to the third door on the left, she's waiting for you there."

"We appreciate you help," Alex shook the man's hand and headed for the door.

"That went better than I thought," Sydney commented as they made their way down the hallway.

"Don't kid yourself sweetheart there was a reason the man was so nice and helpful," Alex replied quietly and her companion glanced up sharply.

"Why?"

"This is a high profile case, honey," the Captain replied. "Do you remember the pressure from the press on the Tommy Kennedy case?"

"Yeah," the blond woman nodded.

"Well, this is going to be a hundred times worse," the dark haired woman sighed. "Leanne Meyers was a local celebrity. Her husband is a local sports hero. It won't take the papers long to dig up some scandal. Tommy Kennedy was nothing compared to what this will be, and if I'm correct the Lt. was just damn glad it didn't fall on to his plate."

"Oh," the smaller woman suddenly understood. Even though she had been in the profession for a while she still didn't completely understand the politics. "But there is a difference."

"How?" Alex wanted to know.

"He can't be elected out of his position," Sydney explained. "In Canada their law enforcement officials are hired and not elected."

"So he can be fired," the taller woman shrugged, determining that it meant basically the same thing.

Sydney realized that she would never be able to win an argument with her companion, and if she did, it wasn't likely that her lover would admit that she had. She shook her head and led the way into the office where they had been directed.

"We're looking for a Det. Smith," Alex inquired of the first person she met in the busy squad room. There were more then a dozen men and women working in the large and noisy room.

"The red head over there," the man pointed in the direction of a woman seated at a desk across the room.

"Thanks," the tall woman nodded and then started to move in her direction but was abruptly halted by a hand on her arm. She paused to look down at her small companion, noticing the stricken expression on her face. "Are you all right Sydney?"

"No," the blond detective didn't think her life could get any worse. She rubbed the side of her nose in an instinctive gesture casting a fugitive glance in the direction the man had pointed.

"What is it?" Alex prompted feeling a little impatient over her partner's behavior.

"I know Det. Smith," Sydney admitted unable to meet the intense blue gaze that was directed her way.

The tall woman was immediately alert, her eyes narrowing as she cast a quick glance across the room at the red haired detective before looking once more at her companion. Instinctively she reached for her partner and dragged her back out into the corridor.

"Do you want to tell me about this?" Alex offered quietly when they were alone.

"Smith is such a common name," Sydney was searching for the right words. "And the last time I saw Sherry she was working in the burglary unit."

"So this Det. Smith is, Sherry, your former lover," the Captain astutely put together the pieces. She watched the smaller woman bob her head and then reached out and lifted the smaller woman's chin so that green and blue eyes met. "Are you going to have a problem with this, because if you do I will talk to the Lieutenant and ask for someone else?"

"I can manage..." Sydney was honest and then hesitated. "Will you be okay with it?"

"Honey, the past is the past," Alex repeated an earlier assertion. There was silence as the two women continued to look at each other and the smaller woman quietly nodded her head and uncaring about what anyone thought or saw, Alex leaned forward and kissed her companion.

"Let's go to work sweetheart."

Alex appreciated her companion's concern but figured that she was mature enough to handle any situation that they confronted however she wasn't completely prepared for the unexpected wave of jealousy that surged through her when they approached the unsuspecting Canadian Detective.

Sherry Smith was a young woman, in her early thirties. She was of average height and lean with a curly mop of short red hair and a profusion of freckles across her face that made her appear ten years younger then her actual age. It comforted Alex to know how different she was from her companion's former lover.

"Sherry," the blond detective approached the other woman who glanced up at the two women. Her green eyes widened in surprise as they zeroed in on the smaller of the two women.

"Sydney?"

"Yeah," the small detective gave the woman a tentative smile. "How are you doing?"

"Great," an easy smile of pleasure crossed the other woman's face as she stood up and Alex was quick to notice that her eyes never left her companion's face. "You're looking good."

"Been working out," Sydney said hesitantly glancing at her tall companion. "I'd like to introduce you to my partner Alexandria Marshall."

The Canadian detective glanced for the first time at the tall raven haired woman. She nodded and extended her hand in greeting, which Alex accepting giving a firmer handshake then was necessary. The red headed woman looked back at the blond detective.

"Lt. Bailey told me to expect two detectives from Seattle, I expect that must be you."

"Yeah," Sydney feeling uncomfortable and wishing she had taken Alex's earlier offer to request another detective's assistance.

"I never knew you were interested in Homicide?" Sherry continued speaking unaware of any tension, and unable to hide the admiration she still felt for the blond woman. It had not been her choice to break off their affair and had often wondered what would have happened if she had been a little more persistent. Perhaps, this is my second chance, she thought privately.

"It was an opportunity I couldn't refuse," the blond detective shrugged and glanced at her companion aware that Alex had been remarkably patient. She couldn't know that her partner was quietly assessing the situation and correctly analyzing what was going on in the other woman's thoughts. "Anyway, we're on a strict schedule here so if we could get going."

"Certainly, we can talk on the way. I suggest we take my car," the woman volunteered snatching the keys off of her desk before leading the way out of the precinct.

"That's all right, we have reliable transportation," Alex replied smoothly breaking her silence for the first time since the introductions and then felt her partners hand on her arm.

"Maybe it would be best to let Detective Smith drive," Sydney said glancing up at the Captain. "I'm certain she knows the city much better then either of us."

Alex had to grudgingly concede that her companion had a point and reluctantly agreed, which made the other woman smile broadly. It didn't surprise the tall woman when she offered Sydney the opportunity to sit up front with her. The blond woman glanced fugitively at her partner who only shrugged before climbing into the backseat.

"Where too?" Sherry asked once they were in the vehicle. She looked sideways at Sydney but it was the woman in the back that answered.

"The Frost home," the Captain said in a businesslike voice that revealed nothing of her thoughts and a brief glance over her shoulder and Sydney knew that her lover was thinking of something. "We would like to speak with Leanne Meyers husband and family. Do you know where they lived?"

"Yeah, Lt. Bailey forewarned me and I figured you might be heading there. I checked out the address before you guys arrived," Sherry responded glancing briefly in the rear view mirror before turning her attention back on the road and Alex had to concede that the woman knew her job.

"I haven't seen you around lately, do you ever come up to Vancouver anymore?" the woman asked initiating the conversation with the smaller detective who was sitting beside her.

"Not since I started seeing someone from Seattle," Sydney answered feeling a little awkward.

"Oh, and how long have you been seeing this woman?" Sherry wanted to know masking the disappointment that she immediately felt at the revelation.

"Six months," was the solemn reply and the blond detective was aware that Alex was sitting quietly in the back observing the interaction.

"Six months," the answer seemed to surprise the Canadian, who gave an embarrassed laugh to hide the pang of regret and jealousy that she felt towards this unknown woman. "That's a real commitment for you. This woman must be something."

"She is," Sydney replied quietly and felt a comforting hand rest briefly on her right shoulder. It was a gesture that went unnoticed by their companion.

"How about you Det. Marshall, have you been to Vancouver before?"

"Only during brief stopovers," came the casual response.

"Well, then if you get the chance you just must take the time to take a trip up Grouse Mountain," Sherry Smith said and then proceeded to launch into a detailed description of the various activities that were available to them as tourists.

Alex listened briefly and then turned her attention to the passing scenery, not interested in the travelogue, yet unable to relax in spite of her lovers solemn confession. Perhaps, it's the city, she reasoned, perhaps it's because Sydney's past love life is so tied up here. As much as she tried to deny the truth, she did feel a slight jealousy towards this woman and all those other women who had been with her lover. She had told Sydney that her past didn't matter, yet maybe a part of it did. She shook her head in an attempt to dispel the mood that was beginning to descend over her.

God, I'm probably just PMS's, she thought hopefully. She determinedly tried to concentrate on the conversation between the two women in the front seat, waiting until the woman lapsed into silence before speaking.

"What can you tell us about Leanne Meyers husband?" she asked changing the direction of the conversation.

"His name is Stuart Frost. He's a Canadian by birth, however he earned a scholarship to Nebraska State. After graduating he signed with the Minnesota Vikings and was one of their tight ends for three years before being traded to the Los Angeles Rams. He followed that team around with some success until he was finally dropped. He then signed with the BC Lions, our local football team, and played for five more years before retiring."

"Sounds like you know allot about him," she commented dryly and the woman glanced in the rear view mirror at her.

"He's a local hero," the Detective admitted. "Not only did he set numerous team and league records but he has devoted himself to a lot of charity work, especially with sick children. He is a very popular man."

"And his wife?"

"Miss Meyers was also well known for her charity work," the woman said.

"When did they marry?" this question came from Sydney and Alex had an uneasy feeling about why the smaller woman was asking.

"About six years ago," the detective replied. "It was something of a celebrity wedding with a lot of the big folks turning out."

"Did they have a happy marriage?" Alex wanted to know.

"It appeared happy," was the answer and the red headed woman shrugged. "Of course what do any of us know about what goes on behind closed doors. They appeared in public quite a bit and were always smiling and happy."

"Were either of them ever involved in any scandals?" the Captain continued to quiz the detective.

"Not that I remember hearing. As far as every one in this city was concerned they were fine upstanding people and very well liked."

There was silence for a moment as the two American women contemplated what they had learned and both would have been surprised to realized how eerily similar their thoughts were for both were thinking of the double life that the news anchor appeared to be living. Silence filled the vehicle until they finally reached their destination.

The couple lived in a up-scale section of North Vancouver and Alex admired the view as they travelled over Lion's Gate Bridge. The bay was filled with freighters anchored, awaiting for their turn to be pulled into port. Overhead a gleaming white float plane swooped out of the sky to land and down below a hovercraft zipped it's way against the bay taking it's passengers from one side of the city to the other.

It was just after lunchtime when they pulled up to a rather large brick house. The detectives were quick to note that the gated driveway was filled with vehicles ranging in a wide variety of styles from cheap to rather expensive. Alex had hoped to be able to talk to the victims husband alone, but suspected that they would be forced to deal with a whole household of relatives. She did not relish the task.

They allowed the local detective to take the lead, aware that they were just visitors to this country. Their summons was answered by a rather petite woman with shoulder length brown hair, whom they quickly learned was one of the victim's sister-in-laws. After introducing themselves they were escorted through the plushly decorated house to the library. It was distinctive, decorated in brown leather with numerous shelves on the wall. It reminded Alex of her father's study at home only the shelves in his private domain were literally stacked to over flowing and these were practically empty with only a few pictures and delicate ornaments scattered across there domain.

It was here that they were left to wait while the woman went in search of her brother. They had called for an appointment before leaving the Police Headquarters so that their journey would not be wasted. They were still standing in silence when the door opened to admit a rather imposing looking man.

Stuart Frost was not an ordinary looking man. Not only was he handsome with classically sculptured features and short dark hair but he was tall, with impressively broad shoulders and a narrow waist. He was a muscular man who had obvious continued to keep up his physical appearance in spite of the fact that he had retired from professional sports. He was accompanied by the another woman of average height with long brown hair and a dour looking tall man in a black suit.

Blue and green eyes automatically searched the younger man's face looking for any evidence of guilt yet all they saw was the genuine grief of someone who had lost a beloved member of their family. This time Alex took charge introducing Sydney and herself before including the red haired detective.

"This is my sister Joanne and my father Greg," the man introduced those with him, his voice betraying the unsteadiness he felt and belying the calm confidence his appearance suggested. "Please sit down."

"You might want to contact your lawyer before we proceed with this conversation," Alex suggested tactfully, wanting to make sure everything was done by the book. A panicked expression crossed the man's face.

"Am I a suspect?" he wanted to know.

"Unfortunately, until proven otherwise, everyone is a suspect," the Captain said quietly understanding his pain. "Do you wish to call your lawyer?"

"No, I have nothing to hide. I didn't kill my wife," he said solemnly.

"Still we would be more comfortable knowing that you had legal representation," Sydney injected quietly.

"My sister is a lawyer," he glanced at the woman standing behind him and the detectives could vaguely see the resemblance. "What would you like to know?"

"Where were you on Saturday April 27th?" Alex asked leading the questioning.

"I was in Toronto the whole of last week. I didn't get back into town until Sunday afternoon," the man responded automatically.

"Have you any witnesses who can support your alibi?"

"Yeah, I was on a golfing trip with three of my old football buddies," Stuart nodded his head.

"We would appreciate if you would give us their names..." before she could finish the man angrily interrupted her.

"Don't you believe me?" the man jumped to his feet and began pacing around the room.

"It's not a matter of believing you, it's a matter of completely eliminating you as a suspect," Sydney said quietly and the man seemed to respond to her subdued tones. He seemed to find in the blond woman a sympathetic individual.

"I'll write out their names and where you can contact them," the ex-football player agreed with a heavy sigh and Alex cast her companion an appreciative glance before asking the next question.

"I need to know Mr. Frost if your marriage was a happy one?"

"I like to think so," the man replied in a sincere voice. "I travelled allot and we had conflicting schedules but we were together as much as possible."

"Then you must know with whom your wife was this weekend?" Alex asked and then watched as the man's face grew pale.

"No," the word was said with a honesty that instantly made both woman realize the truth. "I didn't even know she was going to be gone this weekend. I didn't know until I got home on Sunday night that she had taken two days off work."

Alex and Sydney glanced at each other. Both knew that the man was completely unaware of his wife's extra martial affairs. In all likelihood he was also ignorant of her taste for women. Quietly they debated between themselves what they needed to tell this man even though they both knew that they had to be honest, as much pain as that was going to bring.

"Mr. Frost, perhaps it would be better if we spoke to you in private," Sydney was sensitive enough to suggest but the man rejected the offer, shaking his head vigorously.

"No, anything you have to say can be said in front of my family."

The two detectives looked at each other again and this time Sydney conceded the floor to her lover, aware that she neither had the experience or the know how to proceed with such a delicate matter.

"Mr. Frost we have it from a very reliable source that your wife had at least once engaged in an extra martial affair...." Alex spoke in a such a compassionate voice that she generally reserved for the delivery of sensitive matters.

"What? That's impossible. I know Leanne was beautiful and got hit upon a lot but she never appeared interested in any other man," the man was at first incredulous but then became defiant. "I want to meet this liar and challenge him to tell the truth."

"It wasn't a man," Alex injected quietly aware that her lovers eyes were intently focused on her profile. "The affair was with a woman, and we have reason to believe that it wasn't the only one."

"No," the man shook his head in stunned disbelief, unwilling to accept the truth. "You guys are crazy, my wife wasn't a dyke, she was a beautiful, warm individual."

"Despite common misconceptions Mr. Frost, not all gay women look like men, some are very beautiful," the Captain said softly trying to hide her contempt for the man's attitude and understanding that it was his grief that was speaking. "If your wife was gay it's not impossible to believe because of her beauty that she was very popular."

The man continued to shake his head seemingly unable to comprehend the truth. He slumped into the nearest chair burying his head in his hands for the longest moment. There was silence as the detectives waited for the man to come to terms with the knowledge that had just been imparted on him. The Captain was astute enough to note that the others in the room had no outward reaction to her announcement and that gave her a thought which she neatly tucked into the back of her head.

"She always had a lot of girlfriends, and she would talk about some of the women she knew," he glanced up at them. "Do you think they were her lovers?"

"They could have been," Alex conceded. "Or they could have merely been her friends."

"How could I have not known?" the man asked of no one in particular.

"Very easily," Sydney was the one who answered. "Gay individuals, especially those in high profile positions, where their career can be severely affected by the nature of their sexuality, find ways of hiding their true nature. Sometimes they just deny their true selves while others marry so that their lifestyle would never be questioned."

"You think my wife married me to hide the fact that she was gay?" the man wanted to know.

"We don't know," the blond woman confessed. "Now that she's dead, I don't think anyone will ever know the answers to some of the questions you have, that's why it's important we find out who she was with this last weekend, because once we learn that then we will know who killed her and why."

There was silence as the man contemplated what the smaller detective said and both women could see the wheels turning in his head. He looked up his brown eyes clouded with unshed tears. The detectives felt his pain.

"I'll do anything you ask to help find my wife's killer but as you can see, it's painfully obvious how little I really knew of the woman."

CHAPTER SIX

IT WAS MORE than an hour later when the detectives finally took their leave. They had a whole list of people to see and little time in which to complete their interviews. Leaving the driving to the Vancouver Detective the two women discussed their next moves, directing the driver to their next destination. They had decided to go down the list that the man had given them though both privately wondered if it would do any good.

"How did you know Leanne Meyers was gay?" Sherry hazarded to ask when her companions had finally grown silent. For a moment blue and green eyes met in a silent exchange that this time did not go unnoticed by the other detective.

"We have an unimpeachable source that Miss Meyers was a regular on the local club circuit," Alex answered as diplomatically as possible, unwilling to implicate her lover.

"Damn, that's strange, I'm a fairly regular club goer yet I don't ever remember seeing her at any time," the red haired woman shook her head in amazement. She glanced at the dark haired woman sitting in the backseat. "You don't think her husband had anything to do with her murder do you?"

"No," Alex shook her head, instinctively knowing what the other detective was thinking. It would be natural to assume that the man may have found out about the woman's sexual indiscretions and reacted in violence. It had happened before. "He was to upset by the whole thing."

"You don't think he might have been acting," the detective thought she might be able to learn something from her companion's who seemed more confident then she ever imagined being. Certainly, Sydney seemed completely different then the woman she remembered.

"No," Sydney answered this time. "The man wasn't acting. His shock over the realization that his wife was gay was genuine."

"Well, I can't blame him," the woman sighed. "It's kind of a shock to learn that Ms. Meyers was a lesbian."

"It often is," Alex commented and the trio lapsed into silence.

They spent the rest of the afternoon and the early part of the evening going from friend to friend, interviewing them as to the victims' personal habits but it was painfully obvious to them from the beginning that Leanne Meyers had taken great pains to keep her private life, just that. After awhile Alex began to wonder if her companion was not mistaken somehow about the identity of the woman she had shared a tryst with. She waited until they were alone before delicately posing the question.

"Do you think it possible that your affair with this woman might not have been a one time affair for her?" the Captain asked gently.

"No," the blond detective shook her head "She was far too experienced and her style was too smooth. That was one of the reasons I picked her up, I didn't want to be with someone who might expect anything more from me then a one night stand. Besides she seemed familiar with the routine."

Alex nodded. She didn't doubt her companion but she knew they needed to find someone to collaborate her story. So far no one could tell them any more then that she was a wonderful, hardworking woman who was devoted to her husband.

"I don't know," the Captain professed her frustration as they waited for their Canadian counterpart to finish filling the car with gas. She ran a hand through her dark hair, glancing at her watch.

"It would be nice if we could be around for the funeral," Sydney commented and her partner nodded her head in agreement. It would be interesting to know who showed up for the occasion and Alex made a mental reminder to put a call into the Commissioner to see if they could buy a few more days.

"What do you want to do next?" the blond woman asked glancing over the seat at her partner.

"Well, it's getting late and I think we're running in circles here," the tall woman admitted. "I'm thinking that anyone her husband knew was on the level and didn't know about his wife's other side. What do you say to grabbing a bite to eat and than hitting those clubs you mentioned?"

"Sounds like a good idea," the blond woman nodded her head towards the red headed detective who was making her way back to the car. "Are we going to drag her along with us?"

"I'm afraid we have to," Alex conceded even though she didn't like the idea of spending any more time in the other woman's presence then was necessary.

"Where too now ladies?" Sherry flashed a brilliant grin at the two women and noticed the way the blond casually referred to the dark haired woman in the back seat before speaking.

"We thought that we better prowl through the clubs tonight and see if we can find anyone who might know something about Miss Meyers hidden lifestyle," Sydney answered for them. "We're running up against nothing but brick walls with this list so maybe starting fresh on it tomorrow will help."

"Sounds like a good idea, I could use something to eat," the woman nodded in agreement. "Where would you like to go?"

"Back to headquarters to pick up our car and then over to our hotel," Alex spoke this time. "It's been a long day for us and we could use a bit of freshening up before going out."

"Oh," the red headed woman clearly realized that she was not being invited to join them and was only barely able to hide the disappointment from showing on her face. "That's probably a good idea. Would you like me to pick you up later?"

"I think we could meet someplace," the Captain suggested leaving no room for debate. "Where would you suggest we start?"

"Probably the Pink Rainbow Room," Sherry suggested and Sydney almost winced, recognizing it as one of the places that they had frequented while they were together. It was a place that she didn't really want to visit while in the company of her former and present lover.

"How about nine at the Unisex Club?" she interjected in a seemingly overly cheerful voice that Alex recognized as a plea.

"That sounds good," the Captain announced with a finality that stated there would be no further discussion on the matter. "We'll meet at the Unisex Club at nine."

The red headed woman nodded, trying to mask her disappointment. She had briefly hoped that going back to their old haunt might stir some old memories for her former lover. She glanced nervously at the smaller woman sitting next to her.

"Listen, I know you are here on business but it would be nice if we could get together for coffee and discuss old times, do you think we could go out for a drink before you leave?"

Alex automatically felt her body tense, and barely managed to suppress a tart response. Her lover seemed to sense the shift of her mood for Sydney shifted in her seat, casting a swift cast at her companion in the back. Perhaps if she had been alone she could have been persuaded to join the other woman for a drink, and only a drink, but she would never jeopardize her relationship with the Captain. The other woman, who having witnessed the exchange, was left wondering why the blond woman was looking at her colleague.

"I appreciate the offer but I'm presently involved with someone," the blond woman tried to be tactful.

"It's just a drink," the woman shrugged indifferently, and watched as the smaller woman cast another glance at the woman behind them. It was then that she was struck with a sudden realization and she glanced at the stoic looking dark haired woman in the backseat through the rear view mirror. She hoped her cheeks weren't as red as her face felt.

"I know but my partner is the jealous type," Sydney said casting a brief glance at her lover who was struggling not to show any emotion.

"Okay," Sherry flashed a tentative smile, understanding the initial tension that she first felt in meeting the taller woman. She could have slapped herself for not seeing it from the beginning. For a brief moment she considered saying something but another glance at the woman in the backseat and she decided to keep her mouth shut. Less then half an hour later they were back at the headquarters.

"We'll meet at nine," Sydney reminded before they parted ways with the red haired detective who had been unusually quiet since her rejection.

"Are you okay?" the blond detective asked once they were alone in the rental car. She knew her lover had been unusually quiet.

"Yeah," Alex nodded expelling her breath. She flashed a smile at her partner. "There was a moment when I actually considered boxing her in the ears."

"She doesn't know about us," the blond detective defended the departed woman, though she felt an unexpected pleasure at the realization that her lover had been jealous.

"Right," Alex rolled her eyes not really accepting that response but deciding to drop the subject. It was an uncomfortable situation for them all, and it didn't need to be discussed at any length. She was secure enough in their relationship not to press the issue.

"Do you want to stop for something to eat before heading out or do you just want to grab something while we're out?" Sydney asked, glad that her lover was willing to let the issue slide.

"Are you kidding?" the Captain asked incredulously. "I need real food not some of the grease coated crap they call finger food in those joints. I suggest we check into the hotel and then go in search of some real food. We can leave the car at the hotel and take a taxi where we need to go."

Sydney nodded. They followed that plan and after checking into their hotel room, they showered and changed into fresh clothing. After a decent meal at a nearby restaurant they were on their way. By nine o'clock they hit the first of the clubs they intended on visiting.

"Is this the place where you met her?" Alex asked as they came up to a place from which loud music was emancipating out the open door. She astutely guessed this was the reason her companion had suggested this establishment.

"Yeah," Sydney nodded aware that her partner was referring to the anchor woman and not the other police detective. She paused, turning and glancing fugitively at her partner. "Alex, I just wanted to warn you that...well we might..."

"Run into some more of your old lovers?" Alex said the words her companion was unable to voice. When the smaller woman looked down and nodded her head, the tall woman reached out and lifted her chin so that green and blue eyes could meet. "Good, it will be nice to know that I was the one who was able to land you when they couldn't."

Sydney felt a wave of relief flood through her body and impulsively she leaned in and embraced her lover, squeezing her tightly. She had been afraid of an entirely different reaction, thinking of how she would have behaved.

"I love you Alex."

"I know sweetheart."

The two women wandered into the club, nodding briefly at the doorwoman before pausing to take a thorough glance around the room. The Unisex Club was almost exclusively a woman's club, though there was the odd male scattered around the half full room. The music was blaring but there were only a few couples on the dance floor.

Sherry glanced up from where she was sitting at the far end of the bar. She had come early, anxious to have a couple of drinks before her stateside colleagues arrived. She knew she needed to fortify herself for the rest of the evening, realizing that she still felt a residue of emotion for the small blond woman. By chance she happened to look up the very moment they stepped into the club. Her breath seeping from her lungs

They made a strikingly beautiful couple, their difference in height and colouring complementing each other. There was an invisible aura that surrounded them that did not go unnoticed and she was quick to realize that they had attracted the attention of most of the other patrons. Besides they were new and all new girls got a thorough look over by the regulars.

It was obvious to the red headed detective that they had not yet noticed her and for a moment she hesitated announcing her presence. There was a curious part of herself that wanted to watch their interaction, aware that they had probably been on their best behaviour earlier during the day. She swallowed the last of her drink and then moved out of the shadows to join them.

"You're early," she commented in greeting as she moved up beside them. Both women turned in unison.

"My fault," Alex drawled casually. "I'm the impatient type."

I'll bet you are, Sherry thought but wisely kept the comment to herself. She looked at the smaller woman. Despite the obvious physical attraction she couldn't help wondering what Sydney found so interesting in the taller woman. She dismissed her thoughts and concentrated on the task at hand.

"What's the plan?"

"Let's separate and circulate and see what we can find out," Alex suggested and the three women did just that, but they were quick to learn that they would have no luck at this establishment. After canvassing the patrons and workers they compared notes before heading on to the next stop on their list. It was midnight before they reached their last stop, the Pink Rainbow Room.

Like the Unisex Club, this establishment was exclusively a lesbian club. Though it was the middle of the week it was surprisingly full and Alex was astute enough to realize that unlike the other places they had visited, this was the one where all the action happened. Because this was Sydney's old territory the tall woman let the smaller woman take the lead. After an initial look they headed across towards the bar.

"Hey, Cammy," Sydney smiled a greeting at the dark curly haired woman pouring drinks behind the bar. She was glad that she recognized at least one familiar face, hoping for some luck after a rather fruitless evening. The woman glanced up.

"Hey Seattle," the woman returned the smile, not hiding her surprise or pleasure. "Where you been hiding, haven't seen you in months?"

"Been keeping a low profile," the blond detective replied glancing at her tall partner. "The truth is that it's business that brings me back here. This is my partner Alex Marshall and we're down here investigating Leanne Meyers murder. This is Det. Sherry Smith of the Vancouver Police Department."

"Bummer, I heard about that," the bartender nodded, pouring several drinks for the waitress before turning her attention back to the three women. "What can I get you?"

"Some information," Alex spoke for the first time, her pale eyes darting around the room, her senses absorbing the atmosphere. "We need to know if she was a regular here?"

"You might say that," Cammy nodded, taking a moment before forming her response. "She came here often enough. Left with a lot of different women. Weren't you with her one weekend?"

"Yeah," Sydney was embarrassed that the other woman remembered that night.

"She was pretty promiscuous then?" Alex interjected without pausing, trying to take the focus off her companion.

"Yeah but the truth is that I think she was just looking for someone special," the bartender said. "She used to come in here after work, sit at the bar and just talk. I got the feeling that she was lonely."

"Did she ever tell anyone she was married?"

"I think everyone just knew, she was so well known in the city it would have been odd for someone not to know her unless they were from out of town," Cammy shrugged and Alex was quick to notice her companion glance down at her feet. She sensed that Sydney felt some shame.

"Did she ever talk to you about her husband?" the Captain said hastily in attempt to shake her lover out of her thoughts.

"Yeah," the bartender nodded. "I asked her once why she got married and she told me it was to protect her job."

"Did her husband know about her interest in women?"

"I don't know," Cammy was honest. "I mean she didn't seem to hide the fact that she was into women but then again we're a pretty tight community. We generally don't spread around what goes on in our little circles. It's hard to say."

"Do you know if she was seeing anyone on a regular basis, in the last few months?" Sydney wondered.

"I couldn't tell you," the dark haired woman shook her head causing the curly locks on her head to quiver. "She only always just came in here alone. But come to think about it, she really hasn't been in here for about a month. Usually that signals she's found someone."

"Did she hang out with anyone in particular when she was here?" Alex wanted to know.

"Not that I can think of," the woman replied before heading to the other end of the bar where one of the patrons was needing a drink.

The two women looked at each other, sorting through what they had been told. They had their confirmation that the victim indeed was at least bi-sexual gay, yet they were no closer to discovering with who, she was involved. They were so absorbed in each other that they had momentarily forgotten they weren't alone.

"Did you learn anything new?" Sherry spoke out interrupting their quiet conversation. Both women turned in her direction.

"Just confirmed what we already knew," Sydney was the one who answered.

"So, what do you think?" the Canadian detective was curious.

"Don't know what to think yet," the dark haired woman announced glancing at her watch thinking that the anchor woman had led a double life.

"I guess you're ready to go," the smaller woman said trying to hide her disappointment. It had been months since she had last been in a dance club and even though she loved spending time with Alex, she missed it.

"Actually, I was thinking it was time to take ourselves off the clock," the tall woman said. "You want to stay for a couple of drinks?"

"Really?" Sydney couldn't hide her surprise and wasn't entirely certain her partner wasn't teasing her. In the whole time they had known each other they had been to a club only once and that was the night they had finally gotten together. "I didn't think you liked clubs?"

"Generally no," Alex was honest as she glanced down at her partner. "But you do, so why don't we stay for awhile."

"Are you sure?"

"Yep," Alex nodded with a smile aware of the light that crossed her companions features. The Captain turned to the Canadian Detective whom they had all but ignored throughout their exchange. "It looks like you can head home if you like. We're finished for tonight."

"Great," Sherry knew that she was being dismissed. She would have liked to join them but it was clearly obvious that the two women wanted to be alone. She put on a false smile. "I'll see you tomorrow at Headquarters."

"You're welcome to stay and join us for a drink," Sydney offered but the other woman shook her head, giving the blond detective a false smile.

"Thanks but I have some things I have to do tonight yet. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow," Alex agreed, barely able to contain her relief. She had been half afraid that the woman would agree to stay and she wanted to be alone with her lover.

"Bye," Sydney called at the retreating back of the other woman. In spite of her desire to spend time with her partner she felt sorry for the way they had brushed the other woman off. She tried to ignore her thoughts by focusing on something else. "Will you dance with me?"

"Only if you promise to go home with me tonight," was the impish reply.

"I promise," the blond detective grinned and watched as the taller woman turned and motioned to the bartender to bring them a couple of drinks.

They stood at the bar listening to the music and content to enjoy each others company. It was obvious to Sydney that they were together but that didn't stop several of the clubs patrons from wandering by to check out her beautiful companion. More than one were actually bold enough to ask Alex to dance and Sydney was more than a little relieved when her lover turned them all down.

She was still insecure about their relationship though there was no obvious reason for that. Alex had been very honest and loving and there wasn't one reason why she should worry, but she did and she realized she probably always would. Besides she had forgotten how aggressive the women here were.

Alex pretended to be oblivious to her partners discomfort yet she was keenly aware of the way her companion would tense every time someone approached. She was learning that Sydney was the jealous type though the smaller woman had no reason to worry. She was completely in love with her and oblivious to everyone else. Yet when she rejected the third offer to dance she knew she had to do something. It was a pleasure to be noticed but it made her annoyed that Sydney was unhappy.

"I remember you saying something about dancing," Alex suggested putting her beer on the bar and reaching for the smaller woman's hand.

"But you don't like to dance?" Sydney said with surprise.

"No, but it will give me an excuse to hold you in my arms," the tall woman grinned giving her companion only enough time to put down her drink before dragging her out onto the dance floor.

It was a lively number and though the dark haired woman professed a displeasure in the activity, she could move her body to the rhythm in a way that set her younger companion's blood racing. They moved in sync as partners often do, seemingly oblivious to the attention they were receiving from the other patrons and more than once Sydney noticed the aggressive moves as someone tried to cut in between them which made her upset. Alex knew she had to do something fast and was grateful when the next song was a slow dance.

She drew Sydney into her arms and wrapped her body around the smaller woman, gently playing with the blond strands of hair on the head that was tucked into her shoulder. She knew this song and that a particular romantic part was coming up, but even the tight embrace wasn't enough to prevent someone from trying to cut in. Sydney wasn't able to mask her frustration and in a desperate attempt to warn others off, she grabbed her companions neck and pulled her mouth down for a deep throated kiss.

"Are you getting a tad jealous love?" Alex chuckled aware that her companion was attempting to mark her territory. The blond blushed.

"They won't leave you alone," she mumbled unable to look at her companion.

"Ah," Alex now understood. She stopped dancing and cupped her companions face. "Well, then if we're going to mark territory let's do it right."

She bent her head and captured her companions mouth in a kiss that was so searing in it's intensity that Sydney felt her knees go weak and had to cling to her companion for support, but still Alex didn't stop. Her tongue forced her companions mouth open and then darted into the depths to probe its sweetness.

Sydney felt a wave of heat flood her body as her nether regions grew moist. She wanted this taller woman so badly that when Alex lifted her up, her legs automatically wrapped themselves around her companion. Alex finally ended the kiss and Sydney was barely able to realize that the music had changed.

"Oh God," she buried her head in the taller woman's shoulder. "You make me so hot."

Alex chuckled with a twinge of nervousness, aware that her own body had grown incredibly warm. She had almost been unable to stop the embrace.

"Did I do okay?" she asked with a devilish grin as their forehead's met.

"I love you," was all Sydney could say and Alex chuckled again before carrying her off the dance floor.

"I kinda like you too," Alex grinned, happy that she had pleased her lover.

"I have to go to the bathroom," Sydney pleaded not certain her wobbly legs would hold her up.

"Do you want me to come with?" Alex asked wagging her eyebrows suggestively.

"As tempting as the offer is at this minute I do have my standards," Sydney grinned with a goofy smile, "and one of them is certainly not to make love in the bathroom of a dance club."

Alex chuckled and then watched as her blond companion staggered towards the back of the club towards the washrooms. She turned and motioned for the bartender to bring another round of drinks. The display effectively served it's purpose and they weren't bothered again.

"I take it when Sydney said you were her partner, she really meant you were her partner," Cammy said and Alex grinned cockily.

"What give it away?" she asked saucily and the other woman smirked.

"I don't know, maybe your performance on the dance floor."

"Yeah, well we were both getting a little annoyed at the other patrons for trying to cut in."

"I don't think you have to worry about that now," the bartender chuckled and then grew serious. "How long you been seeing Syd?"

"About six months," Alex was honest.

"Six months," the woman seemed surprised. "It sounds serious."

"It is," the Captain confirmed.

"Well, I'm glad, it's nice to see Sydney happy."

There was a moment of silence as the bartender poured drinks for the waitress before coming back to the tall woman.

"You sound like you know Sydney?"

"Yeah, she used to be a regular," the woman said and smiled. "Haven't seen her in six months though, I guess that's when you guys must have started dating."

"Yeah."

"Well, treat her nice," Cammy noticing the blond woman emerge from the washroom. "She likes to pretend to be tough but she's really just a softly inside. She came here and picked up women but I think she was looking for someone special."

It was almost three in the morning before the women finally left the bar and made their way back towards the hotel. It was at Alex's suggestion that they walk rather then call a taxi. They were only staying ten or so blocks away and the Captain needed the walk to clear her head.

"Sweetheart, I know you pride yourself in being able to handle all situations but do you think walking is wise?" Sydney questioned her lover.

"Why not?" the taller woman raised her eyebrows questioningly.

"Well, it is dangerous, even if we're in Canada which is allot safer than home," the smaller woman said realistically. "And we both have had to much too drink."

"You had to much to drink," Alex said pointedly. "I'm feeling fine."

"Yeah, right," Sydney snorted in disbelief and then moved closer to her formidable companion as a group of scruffy looking young men hurried passed.

"Are you nervous?" the Captain asked with amusement.

"Yes," the blond detective was honest and her response drew a chuckle from her companion. "What are you laughing about?"

"Well, I seem to remember a dinner date about seven months ago when I thought the streets might be to dark to walk to a restaurant and you gallantly said you would protect me. Was that all just hot air?"

Sydney blushed, refusing to look at her companion. "I was trying to show off, I wanted to impress you."

"I kind of figured as much," Alex chuckled and draped her arm around her companion drawing her closer against her lanky body.

"You knew?" the smaller woman looked up seemingly surprised.

"Oh yeah," the dark haired woman chuckled again.

Alex had noticed them from the moment they had stepped out of the bar and had been keeping a wary eye on them, hoping vainly that they wouldn't be as stupid as they looked, but it seemed that it was not to be. They were only two blocks from their hotel when they were accosted by a half dozen unruly looking youths.

"You're dykes aren't you?" the leader of the group jeered at them as the group surrounded the women. Alex released Sydney's hand as the boy grabbed his crotch. "I think you just need a real man to show you how to enjoy it?"

"You don't want to do this boys?" she warned softly, her body stiffening as her senses tensed.

"Why not?"

"Because you don't want the trouble that you will get if you persist in harassing us."

"You talk awfully big lady," one of the boys jeered.

"Yeah, well believe me son, I can back up my words," Alex said in a terse voice. "We can do this one of two ways. You can let us pass and leave us alone or you can get the crap kicked out of you and then go to jail. You look smart enough to make the right decision."

The boy laughed arrogantly, glancing over his shoulder at his companions before nodding towards one of the larger boys. It was the signal to attack. However, the two women were ready and prepared for the assault, working in tandem to dispatch their attackers.

The first one to hit the ground was a heavy set boy who Alex surmised was the initial enforcer of the group. She stepped back from his swing and then moved forward in a flurry of motion that landed him on the ground clutching his nose from which blood was pouring out.

Meanwhile Sydney was dealing with a tall lanky youth who seemed to think that his size would intimate the smaller woman. He lunged forward but was caught square in the chest by a foot that knocked him backwards onto his ass. The leader of the group, and the instigator of this attack grew angry.

"Get them," he shouted encouraging the rest of his gang to attack in unison.

Once again the women were prepared, fending off each assault with several deft moves. Quick kicks and punches scored direct hits on their attackers but they did not remain unscathed as a few punches landed on their own bodies. One fist got through Alex's defenses and hit her squarely in the eye. For an instant her vision blurred but the action only served to incite her mood.

Before the young man knew what was happening he was on the ground clutching his broken arm in agony. In the next instant the two boys on either side of him were also on the cement groaning in agony as they clutched their injured limbs. The other boys in the group seemed reluctant to attack, afraid that they would receive similar injuries.

Sydney was just barely keeping her own as well and was the recipient of several well placed kicks and punches. But instinct for survival was paramount and she retaliated by knocking her opponents in the groin and sending them to the ground.

Briefly she glanced out of the corner of her eye to watch as her companion easily dispatched another one of their attackers, a smile coming to her face as she noticed that the tall woman was bouncing on the balls of her feet, her hands positioned in front of her body as if ready for another attack. She had been used to street fighting but she had never seen anyone move as quickly as she had just seen her companion move.

Too late she noticed the boy coming out from the corner of her eye. Unable to move fast enough she felt herself being knocked to the ground, her body reacting painfully to the force as she hit the cement. Aware of his advantage the boy straddle the small woman and plummeted her with several well placed punches.

Sydney was about to fend off the attack when her green eyes caught a glint of steel in the light of the street lamp. She froze, her mind seizing on a memory of the past when another flash caught her attention. The world around her suddenly shifted into slow motion, to another time and place.

In her mind she was back again in that dimly apartment. She saw the dark figure moving out of the shadows and the glint of steel as the barrel of his gun collided with a shaft of light from the street lamp that had been streaming in through the open hallway window. She saw again the explosion of colourful light as the weapon was discharged. She watched motionlessly as she was rendered helpless and incapacitated.

Something suddenly clicked in her head. She had been a victim once but she would not let that happen again. As quickly as it happened, her mind snapped again and she was back in the present staring up into the face of her new attacker.

As if sensing her companion's distress, Alex turned in time to see the attacker on top of her lover raise his hand. She saw the small steel pipe in his fist and swung her leg. The kick connected with the side of his head, knocking the boy onto the ground where he remained motionless. The tall woman returned her gaze to the boys who were struggling to their feet.

"Do you want to play some more?" she asked with a deliberate sneer, the blood coursing through her veins. She was ready to continue the fight, eager to inflict more pain on their attackers.

The boys eyed her for a moment, seeing the feral look in the transparent blue eyes and wisely decided to cut their losses and run, not bothering to gather up their companions who were laying unconscious on the ground. Only when they were a safe distance did the tall woman begin to relax. Alex looked down at the smaller woman who still sitting on the ground.

"You okay?" the Captain asked not masking her worry and aware that her companion's features were unusually pale. She reached out to help her lover back onto her feet.

"Yeah," the blond detective nodded feeling aches in every part of her body.

"Do you want to do the paperwork?" Alex asked. There were still three of their attackers lying on the ground and both women knew they could just walk away but their sense of duty had a stronger pull.

"No," the smaller woman sighed, trying to hide the fact that her limbs were beginning to quiver. The incident had done more to shake her up then she wanted to admit. She realized they couldn't do what most of the public did. Walk away. "But we should."

Though she was more concerned about her companion, Alex deferred to the smaller woman's decision by pulling out a cell phone from her pocket and dialling a local number. Both women thought about the long night that was still ahead. Fortunately their call had a quick response and a pair of police cruisers pulled up just as the three remaining thugs were regaining consciousness. They were quickly handcuffed and put in the back of two police vehicles.

"If it's all right, we'll come by tomorrow and file our statements," Alex said passing the officer in charge her business card when he came to interview her about the incident. She was anxious to get Sydney back to the hotel and examine the smaller woman for any unseen injuries. The patrolman glanced at the card, noting the official letterhead and the title ascribed to the woman in front of him.

"Where are you staying?" the man wanted to know.

"Just up the street."

"Sorry, that your vacation has been ruined," the man was apologetic.

"We're here on official business," the tall woman replied glancing at her smaller companion who was tenderly touching various areas of her face. She turned back to the patrol office. "We're up from Washington State investigating Ms. Leanne Meyers murder. You can check with Lt. Don Bailey of the Homicide Unit if you have any questions."

"Oh," the officer was momentarily caught off guard by the announcement. "Well then I guess it wouldn't be a problem if you came down tomorrow morning to fill out the necessary paperwork."

"We appreciate it," the Captain was genuinely thankful.

"No problem," he smiled and nodded, attaching the card to his note book. He looked critically at the two women noticing for the first time the bruises that marked their features. "Would you like me to call an ambulance?"

"No," Alex shook her head glancing down at her companion for confirmation. Sydney shook her head in agreement having no desire to go to any hospital and further extend their evening. The Captain turned back to the patrolman and shrugged.

"I don't think either of us need anything other then some ice," she said and the man nodded uncertainly.

"Can we at least offer you a ride to your hotel?"

"No, I think we'll be all right now," the tall woman motioned to the people who had gathered across the street and who had witnessed the altercation. "I think we'll be left alone. Besides our hotel is only a few blocks away."

"All right, if you are sure," the man commented uncertainly, glancing over them for one last time before shrugging his shoulders and retreating to his patrol car.

"Thanks," she called and watched as the police cruisers drove off before turning her attention back to her small companion. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Sydney nodded aware of the taller woman's concern. She changed the subject in an attempt to divert her attention. "What was that?"

"What?" Alex was purposefully obtuse when they started walking again. She knew that her partner wasn't willing to talk about her momentary lapse in concentration.

"That punch, punch, kick, kick, you did," Sydney said waving her arms in demonstration. "Is that some form of martial arts?"

"Yeah, it's Tae Kwon Do," the taller woman answered it. "I started when I first joined the force. I knew that I would need more protection then a badge. You weren't any slouch yourself, what martial art were you using, it looked familiar?"

"It's kickboxing," the younger woman said sheepishly.

"Kickboxing?" Alex said with a curl of her lips. "You couldn't learn any of the regular martial arts?"

"Did you ever see that movie called BloodSport?" the blond asked and then continued when her companion nodded. "Well, growing up on the street, even though I was part of a gang I was still the smallest one of the group and as a result I got kicked around allot. Anyway I saw this movie and thought it was cool and I figured with my lifestyle I needed some protection. I kind of fell in love with the sport. It's more aggressive then most of the other forms of martial arts."

"Smart idea," Alex said with a slight smile. "I guess you could protect me, hey?"

"Yeah," the blond forced herself to grin, aware that she was still unsettled by what had happened. "But after watching you I know there's no need for any protection. I always thought that there is something you weren't telling me."

"Me, nope, I don't have any secrets," the dark haired woman shook her head innocently and then glanced at their surroundings. "However, I do think I've had more than my share of excitement for tonight. Let's get back to the hotel."

"Couldn't agree with you more," Sydney agreed shaking her hand.

"Are you hurt?"

"More likely out of shape," the blond remarked. "I hit him the wrong way, I'll have a few bruises tomorrow."

"I think we both will," Alex complained. They reached the hotel without further incident and stopped at the reception desk to request that a large bucket of ice be brought up to their room. If the night clerk thought anything a miss he was too professional to say, acting on their request without a word.

"Phew, am I glad to see this," Sydney announced emphatically allowing herself to fall back onto the bed and then wincing when her body reacted negatively to the action. "Ouch."

"What hurts?" Alex asked quietly moving across the room and settling down on the bed next to her companion.

"Everything," the smaller woman snorted.

"Perhaps a hot bath would help," Alex suggested and her companion nodded wordless before closing her eyes.

The Captain glanced across at her partner seeing the fatigue on the small woman's face and feeling her heart clench in agony as the first faint traces of a bruise began to appear on the cheek of her young lover's face. She felt a wave of anger at the realization of what had happened to them that evening and why.

She wasn't certain that they had been attacked solely for the reason that they were gay, thinking that perhaps the gang had merely been looking for victims of any sort. In that way she was relieved that they had been accosted and not someone unable to defend themselves. She struggled back to a sitting position aware how easy it would be to simply close her eyes and go to sleep.

"Hey, I'll run the bath while you start getting undressed," she said patting her companion's thigh before standing up and moving across the room towards the bathroom.

"Do I have too?" the blond detective complained loudly.

"Yes," came the tart response. "I'm not sleeping with you looking like that."

Those words penetrated the blonde's foggy brain and with a sigh she struggled to sit up and then slowly removed her clothes. By the time she was undressed and reached her partner in the bathroom, the tub was filled and Alex was already lying in the warm water. She stepped into the bath nudging her partners legs apart so that she could settle between them. She lay back against the taller woman and closed her eyes as a comforting arm circled her own chest.

"This feels good," Sydney commented.

"I know," Alex murmured contented by the heat of the water and the weight of her companion as they lay together soaking away the aches and pains they felt.

"You know that we are going to feel completely miserable tomorrow?" the blond detective said idly closing her eyes contentedly.

"Yeah," the tall woman nodded her head sleepily. The younger woman sensed their predicament and though she was loathe to do anything she struggled into a sitting position.

"What are you doing?" the older woman complained feeling bereft of the weight of her lover.

"Washing so that we can get into a proper bed," Sydney said patting her companions thigh. "Come on love, the sooner we are finished the sooner we can be in bed."

Alex thought about that for a moment and then struggled into a sitting position, accepting the bar of soap that her partner handed back towards her. Less then half an hour later they were lying naked in bed, their arms wrapped tightly around each other. Forgotten, on the table at the far end of the room in a bucket was the ice they had ordered, and which had been brought discreetly to their room while they had been in the bathroom.

It was the insistent ringing of the phone that summoned them from their sleep. A bleary blue eye opened and studied the offending instrument for a long moment before a long arm extended itself from beneath the blankets and snagged it out of it's cradle.

"Good morning, this is your six o'clock wake up call," a chipper voice came over the line and Alex had the irrational urge to ask the caller what was so good about it. But she restrained her natural instinct.

"Thanks," she mumbled before slamming the receiver back down.

She lay her head back down and closed her eyes again but the damage had been done. Once awakened she would find it impossible to fall back asleep. Instead she lay quietly for a long moment savouring the warmth of the body that was cradled in her arms. She was never more content when she woke up with Sydney snuggled in her embrace.

A pair of brilliant blue eyes opened and for a long moment she stared at the sleeping face that was turned towards her. Sydney looked so innocent in her slumber and her heart clenched painfully at the sight. This was one of the things she liked about waking before her partner, the opportunity to savour the closeness and the love she felt for the smaller woman.

Gently she disengaged one of her hands and reached out to stroke the side of her companions face, lightly brushing the strands of blond hair away from her face. She felt a wave of anger and shame flood through her body as she remembered what had transpired the previous evening.

She knew that she had been to blame for putting them in danger. She had been the one too insist that they walk back to the hotel, thinking they were relatively safe. She knew she was capable of defending herself and had felt the same about her companion, but there was a brief moment in the midst of the fight when her partner had frozen.

Gently she reached out and traced the discoloured marks on the cheek and chin that marred her lovers beauty, a frown settling over her own blemished features. It was obvious that her partner had been rendered helpless by something that had snapped through her mind. It was a reaction and astutely she guessed it was probably another effect of the shooting. She cursed under her breath, despising herself for putting her lover in danger and resolving never to let it happen again.

She sighed. There in lay the problem. She wouldn't always be there at her partners side. She knew that she could not protect Sydney twenty four hours a day. The smaller woman would have to work through the problem on her own and she hoped until that happened she would be there if anything cropped up.

She took a deep breath and expelled it slowly, releasing the emotion that threatened to engulf her senses. She was determined not to dwell on the past. With that thought in mind she remembered, regretfully why they were there.

"Hey, sweetheart, it's time to wake up," she gently called to her still sleeping lover, bending her lips to nuzzle the other woman on the forehead. The action only elicited a slight stirring and a mumbled reply that the older woman couldn't understand. She repeated her action. "Honey it's time to wake up."

This time her action got a firmer reaction and one green eye popped open, wearily surveying their surroundings and blinking rapidly at the sight of the bright stream of light that was filtering through the partially open windows.

"No," she protested and then closed her eyes in an attempted to snuggle deeper into her companion's embrace.

"Yes," Alex smiled affectionately. "Come on sweetheart, Det. Smith will be waiting for us and do we really want too explain why we are late?"

"No," came the sigh in reply and reluctantly the smaller woman rolled over and out of her companion's arms. The tall woman propped her head up with one hand as her eyes continued to track the smaller woman who was still partially comatose. A indulgent smile was on her lips but it disappeared as she watched the younger woman touch her tender jaw.

"How you feeling?" Alex was serious, her blue eyes narrowing.

"Sore," Sydney confessed honestly, as she turned her head sideways to scrutinize her companion's features. For the first time she noticed the discoloured bruises on the tall woman's face. Gently she reached out and stroked the ugly looking bruise that encompassed one eye. "Does it hurt?"

"It aches, but nothing's broken," the Captain confided savouring the tender touch of her lover.

"We must look a sight," the smaller woman commented bringing a chuckle to the older woman's lips.

"Well, we certainly have had better days," the Captain conceded and then grew solemn. Gently she tapped the other woman's forehead with an index finger. "How are you doing up here?"

"Okay," the smaller woman replied evasively unable to look her companion in the eye. The last thing she wanted to do right now was think about what happened. "So what's first on the agenda?"

Alex instinctively knew that her companion was attempting to change the subject. Inwardly she sighed but decided to let the issue drop. There was no sense in pursuing something that would undoubtedly make her partner upset.

"Breakfast. Do you want to grab something here at the hotel or wait until later?"

"Does it make a difference?" Sydney asked glancing over at her companion and watching as a seductive smile broke over her lover's face.

"It could," Alex said coyly and then reached across the bed to stroke her partners smooth cheek. "If we wait until later we can spend a little more time in bed."

"Oh," the blond detective contemplated that for a moment closing her eyes and then suddenly they popped open again, a grin etching it's way across her face, a gleam finding it's way into her emerald eyes, as realization dawned. "Oohhh!"

Her response got an immediate reaction as the taller woman slithered across the bed, closing the distance that separated them.

They entered the Police Headquarters almost a half hour late, and though both were sporting matching bruises, the pain was subdued by the happiness at the love that they had shared that morning. Det. Sherry Smith eyed them critically. She had begun to worry, glancing repeatedly at the clock over her desk. She took one look at both women and her eyes widened in surprise as she jumped to her feet and crossed the room to greet them.

"What happened?" her concern was genuine and Alex was quick to notice that most of her attention was focused on Sydney.

"Ran into a little trouble last night," Alex explained briefly. "But it wasn't anything that we couldn't handle."

"So we heard," a deep voice boomed and the two women turned in unison to see Don Bailey stroll in through the squad room door. "I received a report on my desk this morning."

"It wasn't anything important," Alex brushed the incident aside.

"I hope it wasn't related to the reason you're up here?"

"Nope," the tall woman responded with a shake of her head. "Just a couple of thugs who thought they could take advantage of a few innocent women."

Her comment brought a snort from the local cop who privately thought that neither of these women looked like anyone would be able to take advantage of them. Especially the tall woman who exuded a confidence that warned everyone to tread lightly in her presence.

"The Sergeant just wanted me to make certain that you didn't forget to stop by his desk and write out your complaints," the man continued and both women nodded.

"We were just going to check in and then head down that way," Alex concluded and glanced briefly at her partner before turning her attention to the red headed detective who was quietly waiting further instructions. "While we are doing that do you think you could arrange for us to get into the television studios to interview Miss Meyers colleagues?"

"Sure," the young woman was eager to assist and though she glanced at Sydney hesitantly for a moment before turning and hurrying back to her desk to do her bidding.

"Are you having any luck?" the head cop was curious, interested in the progress of the case and worried how it might affect his department.

"We haven't found anything definitive," Alex wasn't ready to share the information that was circulating in her brain. She wasn't certain anything needed to be divulged until they had finished their investigation. "That's why we need to speak with her colleagues."

"I think you will find them pretty cooperative, though don't be surprised if they don't try and ask you a bunch of questions," the man advised.

"Don't worry, I have dealt with the press before," the tall dark haired woman assured the man and then glanced around the room before turning her attention back to the man. "Now where do we go to file our report?"

An hour later the necessary paperwork was done and they were finally on their way to the news station that was located in the southern part of the city. Det Smith got them past the security guard at the gate and into the building where they were greeted by a small brunette who introduced herself as a member of the stations public relations team.

"We have set up a room for your use and advised the staff that you may want to question them," Mary Touts said briskly as she led the trio down a empty corridor. In the distance the women could see the hustle and bustle of the newsroom. "But first our station manager Angus Wharton would like to speak with you."

They were led up a flight of stairs and through a luxurious reception area and into a large office where a slender man with a full beard and salt and pepper hair sat waiting their arrival behind a large desk. He rose when they entered, sitting down only once all the formal introductions were made. Alex was quick to notice that the PR woman remained in the room behind them by the door, where only the manager could see her.

Rather then taking a seat she moved to a position near a window beside the man, a position where she had a complete view of the room. She noticed the brief glance the manager cast in the woman's direction and felt her police instincts kick in.

"How might I help you?" the man asked having to twist in his seat to see everyone at once.

"We were wondering what you could tell us about Ms. Meyers?" Sydney opened the questioning. They had talked about it on the way over to the station and decided that the younger woman would do most of the interviewing.

"What would you like to know?" the man answered vaguely. "She had been with the station for seven years, was a good reporter and loved by the staff and crew."

"What about her personal life?"

"As far as anyone knows she was happily married to Stuart Frost," the station manager answered though Alex was sharp enough to see the brief glance he cast at the PR woman. He smiled. "The man played football for our local team."

"So then in your opinion there was no one who may have wanted Ms. Meyers killed?" Sydney continued going through her list of questions.

"No," the man shook his head.

"I'm sure you have already heard that Mr. Frost was unaware of his wife's whereabouts this last weekend," the blond detective stared intently at the station manager. "Was she working on a story for the station?"

"Not as far as I know," Angus shook his head. "And we would have known. Besides recently Leanne had curtailed her activities to strictly sitting in front of the camera and reading the news. She was hoping to pull in better ratings to earn a shot at a national news desk."

"How about in the past?"

"Not that I can recall," the man shook his head again. "Leanne was well liked by everyone she knew and it's been at least a year since she did any in-depth interviews or investigations. She wasn't someone who offended people easily, that's why the fact that she was murdered came as such a shock to everyone who knew her. As far as I know she didn't have any enemies."

"There were no professional jealousies, no on set romances, nothing that could stir up gossip?" the small detective pressed and Alex noticed again that the station manager glanced briefly at the PR woman before shaking his head.

"Her character was above reproach."

The rest of the interviews they conducted amongst the staff followed similar lines. The three Detectives split up and individually interviewed staff members hoping to cover more territory, not even bothering to stop for the lunch hour. It was mid afternoon when the two Seattle detectives decided to call it a day.

"Nothing," Sydney lamented with a hint of frustration as they followed the local detective out to the car park where their vehicle was stowed.

"No, but I have the distinct feeling that they weren't being entirely honest," Alex admitted lagging a bit behind so that the local detective wouldn't hear their conversation. Sydney glanced sharply up at her companion.

"I got that feeling too," the smaller woman admitted. "But I couldn't nail anyone down to anything in particular."

"No," the Captain shook her head. "I think they were warned not to say anything, no doubt the station wants to keep it's reputation in tack."

"Do you have any ideas why?"

"No," Alex sighed releasing some of the tension that had been building inside her throughout the day.

"So what do we do?" Sydney wanted to know.

"I think we go back and talk to the husband," the taller woman decided. "Besides your friend at the bar, he seems to be the only one who has been completely honest with us."

The smaller detective nodded and walked quietly next to her partner. "Do you think the station knew that she was gay, and just want to protect her image?"

"Could be," Alex wasn't certain that was the reason, though she hoped it was and that there was not some more sinister plot.

Fortunately Stuart Frost was home, having just returned from completing arrangements for his wife's funeral. Both detectives noticed that the man looked haggard with red eyes and features so pale they were afraid that he might faint. Neither wished to prolong his agony with more questions but they knew it was necessary.

"Do you know if your wife had any enemies?" Alex asked taking the lead.

"No," the man shook his head, settling into a large cushioned chair in the living room. The taller woman glanced about noticing the mirage of pictures and photographs that decorated the walls of this family room. "Everyone liked Leanne."

"Was she involved with any story at the station where she worked?" the Captain wanted to know. "Was she chasing anyone who might have been nervous about an investigation?"

"No, she hasn't.... hadn't done any investigative reporting in a long while," Stuart sighed. "We were hoping she would land a anchor job at a station back East. She was out there for an interview not more then a month ago. She wasn't interested in making news, she was only interested in reporting it."

"Do you own a boat Mr Frost?" Sydney spoke for the first time.

"Yeah," the man nodded looking at her with an distracted expression. "It's a small cabin cruiser that we used to take across to Vancouver Island. It isn't the kind of boat you would go on a long haul with not like the boat my sister owns, but then sailing is a passion for her."

The women posed a few more questions which the man tried to answer but in the end they had learned nothing more then they already knew. Reluctantly they got ready to leave, but as they reached the door Alex turned and faced the man.

"Would you mind if I borrowed a family photograph, a spare picture, one with your wife in it?" the tall woman asked.

Sydney looked at her companion curiously but knew better, waiting until later to ask about the special request. The man nodded and disappeared for a few minutes, returning with the requested photograph.

"Thank you," the Captain said glancing briefly at the pictured ensemble. "We will return it."

The man nodded and both women had the distinct impression that he didn't care if they did. Sydney waited until the women were alone before pressing her companion for an explanation.

"Just a feeling," the older woman said unable to explain the reason for her request. It had come almost naturally on instinct.

"What next?" Sydney wanted to know.

"Dinner and then I would like to go back to one of the clubs we were at last night," Alex said.

"You have an idea don't you?" the blond detective prodded sensing that her companion was on to something.

"No," the Captain shook her head. She was honest. She had no idea what she was doing but somehow it seemed right. Besides she had thought of something that they had completely ignored since coming to the city. She glanced to where the local officer was waiting for them by the car. "Det. Smith, I was wondering if you could do us a favour?"

"Sure," the woman agreed instantly straightened.

"Would it be possible for you to search through a list of people we have interviewed and find out who owns a boat and who might have been out on it this weekend?"

"Sure thing," the detective nodded happy to be able to contribute to the investigation in a capacity that was more then just as a taxi driver.

"If we could have it by tomorrow morning," Alex continued. "So that we could go over it."

"But we already asked everyone if they were out this last weekend," Sydney reminded.

"Who says they didn't lie to us?" the Captain wanted to know and Sydney nodded her head silently. They returned to the hotel to change before going out for that evening.

"You know Alex, I was hoping she had been working on an investigative reporting case," Sydney lamented as she flopped on the bed. "And that she had made some enemies."

"That would have been too easy," Alex replied laconically stretching her tall lanky frame out beside her companion. They were both tired and frustrated by the lack of progress and neither of them had any illusions about how things were going, in a direction neither of them liked.

"Are you ready to go hit the clubs?" the blond asked rolling over and curling herself up against her companion. The taller woman's arms automatically went around the smaller woman, drawing her closer.

"Nah, not really but I guess we have too," the Captain sighed. "I was going to call Sheriff Ford and tell him we're ready to come back, unless you can think of any other avenue we haven't covered."

"No," the blond shook her head snuggling against her lover. "But to bad we can't stay a few days longer. It has been nice being with you."

"Yeah," Alex seconded the claim running her fingers through silken blond hair. "Vancouver is a lovely city, we'll have to come back for a long weekend."

"That would be nice," Sydney mumbled into her companion's shirt as a hand idly played with one of the woman's breasts.

"Which reminds me have you decided where you'd like to go on holiday?"

Sydney blushed. "To be honest I haven't really thought about it since we last talked, so much has been going on."

"Yeah, but I want you to seriously think about it," the older woman gently rapped her knuckles against the smaller woman's head. "Because you might not like where I take you."

"Where would that be?" the younger detective asked cocking a blonde eyebrow as she glanced up at her lover certain that no matter where they went, as long as they were together, it would be a great time.

"Camping?" Alex shrugged.

"Owww," was the immediately response as the smaller woman scrunched up her nose. "Alex have I forgotten to mention I really, really, really, hate camping."

"What, you don't like the outdoors?" the taller woman seemed surprised.

"Oh, I love the outdoors, fishing, hiking, you name it," the blond replied. "It's just that at the end of the day I want to return to a comfortable bed in a place with a hot shower and well sheltered from the cold and the rain, which it always seems to do when a person goes camping..." there was a pause and then a hesitant question. "I didn't know you liked camping?"

"I don't," Alex chuckled, "but I didn't know if you did or not."

"Well, I don't," the smaller woman announced firmly, aware there were still many things they didn't know about each other, even though they had discussed the important things.

"That's nice to know," the Captain chuckled. "Now I can threaten you with it."

"You would, wouldn't you?" the smaller detective scowled for a minute and then brightened. "Well, at least I would be happy knowing you were just as miserable."

Alex laughed and embraced her lover, holding on tightly to the younger woman.

"Alex?"

"What?"

"Do you think we will be able to solve this case?"

"I'd like to hope so," the Captain sighed, honestly calculating the odds. "But it doesn't look good. The woman led a double life and it's apparent that she kept one side very well hidden from everyone."

"Yeah," the blond bobbed her head and then added thoughtfully. "It was interesting that Frost's sister owns a boat."

"Sweetheart, it's a port city," Alex was amused. "A lot of people have boats. We have a boat."

"Yeah, I know," there was a slight pause as the small blonde woman contemplated something that had been nagging at her brain from the first day they had met the family. She had not mentioned anything to her companion but thought now was probably the time to speak. "Alex what do you think of Joanne Frost?"

"I don't know," the taller woman shrugged. "Why?"

"Well, I know it may sound weird but I got the impression when we met Miss Frost that she was a part of the family."

"It's not so weird," Alex sighed relieved that her companion had brought up the subject having considered the notion herself. "I got the same impression." Her body suddenly tensed as she gazed at her companion. "Are you trying to get at something honey?"

"Well," the smaller woman seemed hesitant to speak but then knew that none of her theories would be dismissed. If there was one thing she appreciated about Alex was her willingness to consider all possibilities. "I know this may be far fetched, but what are the odds that both women were gay and didn't know that about each other, especially if they frequented the same clubs."

"Are you coming to a point?"

"Yes," the blond slapped her companion's stomach. "What if the two women knew about each other?"

"And?" the older woman prompted.

"I know this sounds like a soap opera but what if they had an affair?"

Alex was silent as she contemplated the idea. During their interview the sister-in-law had said nothing about knowing of the victims sexual preferences when in all likelihood she would have known. In fact the woman had been strangely passive not volunteering any information. She had chocked that up to being a lawyer but now maybe it was for another reason. She sat up dragging her lover with her.

"Damn it Sydney, you just might have come up with something."

"Okay, but what do we do about it?"

"We go back to the club tonight and talk to your bartender friend, maybe we're not ready to go home yet."

"But Alex we have to be back at work on Monday," Sydney reminded. "I have other cases waiting my attention."

"Do you want to go back?" the dark haired woman asked seriously.

"I miss home," Sydney admitted truthfully, "but the thought of spending a few more days in your company is terribly appealing."

"Good, if you want to take a shower, I'll ring Sheriff Ford."

It was amazing how within half an hour their plans had changed. Alex watched as her lover headed for the shower before picking up the phone. The smaller woman paused at the door and her lover looked up.

"You realize we will be missing the Sonic's last home game?"

"Yeah," Alex nodded. "You think I should call Andrew and tell him to pick up the tickets?"

"It would be the nice thing to do," the blond nodded and then frowned. "How will he get into the condo?"

"Mom's got an extra key, he can pick it up from her," the tall woman said and then noticed the almost stricken look on her companion's face. "What's the matter?"

"I don't know if I like the idea of your mom having a key to our place," the smaller woman confessed.

"Why, have you got a secret lover you aren't telling me about?" Alex asked raising both eyebrows for affect.

"No, but the thought that your mother might accidentally walk in on us..." the blond left the rest unsaid and Alex laughed overcome with the image that her companion's words left in her head.

"Sweetheart, that is the very last thing you have to worry about," the taller woman was barely able to get out as she clutched her side in mirth. "I think my mother lives in dread of the same thing so she won't be walking in unannounced at anytime."

"Oh,.. okay," the relief on the smaller woman's face was evident. "I'm glad because I like it when you get spontaneous and take me in the living room."

With that the blond disappeared into the bathroom but the grin remained etched on the taller woman's face. Take you, Alex thought with some amusement, knowing that it was exactly the opposite. She reached for the phone and dialled a number that was beginning to seem familiar, waiting for it to be picked up. It was the fourth ring when the line was answered.

"Sheriff?"

"Yeah," came the gruff reply.

"Alex Marshall here."

"Ah, Alex, how's everything going? Are you spending the taxpayers money wisely?"

"Yes," the Captain replied with a smirk and then launched into a detailed explanation of how the investigation was progressing. The Sheriff listened intently. There was a silence when she finished speaking.

"Sounds like you need a few more days up there," the Sheriff mused.

"Frankly, Sheriff, we need a few more days period."

"Well, let me see what I can do with George and I'll get back to you."

"You have my cell number?"

"Yep."

"Okay, we'll wait to hear from you," Alex said.

"By the way you were right."

"About what?" the Captain was puzzled.

"No sooner had you guys taken off when a plane load of reporters landed on the Island, asking a bunch of damn fool questions and being a real pain in the butt, " Luke muttered and Alex could imagine the scowl on his weathered face. "Doc Johnson said they have been showing some of them clips they been shooting on the nightly news up there."

Alex didn't say anything listening to the man finish his tirade before ringing off. She thought about the man's words and doubted that the Sheriff would have much luck convincing his brother George of letting them stay longer then they originally negotiated. But then the two brothers relationship was odd sometimes. She cocked her ear and listened to the shower running as she dialled another number, this time it was answered almost immediately.

"Hello."

"Hello Kim, how are you?"

"Good Auntie Alex, where are you? I called you yesterday but you didn't answer," the child said.

"Auntie Sydney and I are in Vancouver."

"Are you on holiday?"

"No we're working sweetheart. Is your dad there?"

"Yep," came the brief response and seconds later a deep male voice came on the line.

"Hello."

"Andy, this is Alex, Syd and I can't make it to the game tomorrow so we figured you might as well use the tickets."

"Gee thanks," the man replied with a hint of sarcasm. They had started out as his tickets but he had lost them to the women in a basketball match.

"Now don't be a sore loser," the woman chuckled. "Mom has a key to my place and you'll find the tickets lying on the table."

"Geez, don't you know better then to just leave those tickets lying out on the table like that," there was a certain amount of disgust in his voice and Alex laughed as she remembered her brother had once done the same. That was until they disappeared only to turn up as place markers in his daughters books and as cards for a game his sons had made up.

"Andy, you seem to have forgotten that Syd and I don't have children."

"Oh yah," the man said sheepishly. "By the way how is the Kindergarten Cop?"

"Good, she's in the shower right now, and I want to join her so I'm cutting this call short."

"Two women in a shower," the man moaned. "God what an image to leave with a man."

"Andy, I'm your sister!"

"I wasn't thinking about you," the man groaned. "But your partner is another thing."

"I'm hanging up now," Alex growled and did just that shaking her head in mild disgust. She knew her brother wasn't serious. He loved to tease her. She heard the shower running and started towards the bathroom, pealing off clothes as she went.

"Are you intending on going some place soon?" Alex asked stepping into the shower.

"Actually, I was waiting for you," Sydney admitted with a grin. "I was beginning to wonder what was keeping you. I'm starting to look like a prune."

"You look like something honey, but it's definitely not a prune," came the smooth reply as the taller woman moved closer.

Sydney eagerly surrendered to the delicate yet firm touch of her lover. She leaned back against the taller woman's naked body, closing her eyes as two soapy hands reached around her waist and gently started caressing her moist flesh.

CHAPTER SEVEN

SEVERAL HOURS LATER the women finally made it out of the hotel room, but only after their bodies had been completely sated. Rather than go out they had ordered dinner delivered to their suite, moving from the bed only when it was absolutely necessary. Cammy was at her usual spot behind the bar which made both women happy for the bartender seemed to be a valuable source of information.

"Hey, I didn't think I'd see you two again," the bartender greeted them with a genuine smile that turned to a frown when she noticed the bruises on their faces. "What happened?"

"We ran into some local thugs last night," Alex replied nonchalantly as she eased her lanky frame against the bar counter.

"You okay?" the woman was genuinely concerned.

"Yeah, just a few bruises," Sydney replied before lying the photograph she carried on top of the bar where the woman could see. "Is there anyone, besides Leanne Meyers, in this photograph that you recognize?"

"Yeah," Cammy pointed to a man and a woman. "That's Stuart Frost, and her name is Joanne. She used to come in here often enough, why who is she?"

"Meyer's sister-in-law," Alex said.

"No shit," the bartender seemed plainly surprised. "That's hard to believe, I mean, there were nights when I'm sure they were in here at the same time but I can't ever remember them talking. I didn't think they knew each other. I can't believe that they were related. Doesn't that seem strange?"

"Yeah," both detectives nodded glancing at one another. "It is strange. You don't know if Joanne was seeing someone, do you?"

"She was," Cammy said thoughtfully. "A Michelle something or other. They had been going out for about four years but they broke up about three months ago. It was pretty ugly, something about another woman being involved. Or at least that's what the rumours said."

Both detectives looked at each other with the same thought on their minds. Neither wanted to hope that the case was finally falling into place. They waited until the bartender moved to the other side of the counter before voicing their thoughts.

"You don't think...do you?" Sydney said and Alex nodded grimly, her blue eyes roving around the dimly lit room.

"That would explain a few things," the tall woman said thoughtfully. They were silent as they individually contemplated the ramifications of what they had just learned.

Sydney had little experience with family but there was something about the idea of the two sister-in-laws being together that made her cringe. She glanced at her partner who was busy gazing around the room. She wondered what her thoughts were on the subject.

"Alex..."

"What?" blue eyes swivelled around to look at the smaller woman.

"Would you ever..." she was unable to finish asking her question, embarrassed by even thinking in that direction.

"No," was the emphatic answer as blue eyes narrowed. Alex somehow knew what the other woman was asking.

"Were you never interested in any of the women your brothers brought home?" the smaller woman was curious thinking of the close relationship she shared with her sister-in-law Christie.

"No," was the quiet response as the tall woman thought about the girlfriends her brothers had introduced to her over the years. Many were good looking women but the thought of pursuing them, even after they had broken up with her siblings had never entered her head. "That was never an option."

"Why?" the smaller woman was curious.

"Because there are certain rules I never break," Alex said solemnly. "I don't date women my brothers have, and I don't pursue straight women or my friends."

There was silence again and for a long moment blue and green eyes met and held.

"But you asked me out?" Sydney said softly and in response Alex reached out and tenderly stroked long fingers over the silky smooth texture of the smaller woman's face.

"You are the only exception," came the solemn reply, a large hand dropped down to cover a smaller one which was resting on the bar. She gave it a gentle squeeze and Sydney felt an overwhelming surge of emotion flood through her body. She realized again why she loved this woman so much.

"What's next?" she asked swallowing the lump that caught in her throat. She knew it was time to change the subject before she ended up doing something that would totally embarrass them both.

"We speak with Joanne Frost and then find this Michelle woman," the Captain mused out loud relieved that her companion had changed the topic of discussion. Her breathing had begun to grow ragged.

"We will have to find out where Joanne docks her boat and if she was out this past weekend. I think we better check that first," Sydney reasoned. "But what about motive? Why would she kill Leanne?"

"That's a tough one," Alex conceded. "Could be for a number of reasons. Maybe Leanne wanted to admit the affair..."

"Or end it?"

"Or end it," the tall woman agreed. "Or it could have been the other way around. You have to know that Leanne had more riding on her secret then the sister-in-law."

"Then why get involved in the first place?" Sydney wanted to know.

"Who knows, maybe lust or excitement," the older woman repeated. "All I know is that it's looking more and more suspicious."

"Cammy, do you know where we can find this Michelle?" the younger detective asked the bartender when the woman returned to their end of the bar.

"I don't know where she lives but I know she works over at Gilden's. It's a fancy clothing store on Robson St. I think she's a part owner, she's there everyday, short red head, freckles across her face."

"Thanks," the two detectives appreciated the woman's help, which had been invaluable. Sometimes in a case they just got lucky and stumbled onto someone who knew more than they realized. It was a detectives dream to have a case solved through seemingly idle conversation. They pushed themselves away from the bar.

"You're not leaving already are you?" the bartender said. "The fun is just beginning."

"Fun?" both women said in unison.

"Yeah, tonight's karaoke night, it's very popular," Cammy grinned. "I know you sing Seattle because I've seen you," she paused and eyed the tall, dark woman. "And I'd hazard a guess after the other nights performance you guys could probably do a pretty good duet."

The two women looked at each other.

"You sing?" they asked each other in unison and then smiled.

"I'm not very good," the blond woman admitted shyly. Alex remembered the numerous times she had come back to the condo to find her companion stretched out on the couch, the earphones on her head, her voice warbling away over some tune that was playing on the CD.

"I don't know about that," the taller woman smiled seductively and winked. "I think I'd like to see you up there singing."

"Come on I thought you wanted an early night," Sydney baulked at the thought of singing in front of her lover, remembering how embarrassed she felt every time her lover had caught her singing along with one of her favourite songs.

"Nope, I want to hear you sing," the taller woman smiled and then turning to the bartender ordered two beers. Cammy smiled broadly. She liked the pair, they seemed to compliment each other, and it was obvious the affection between them was real. It was a natural thing that she rarely had the pleasure of seeing.

It was after nine o'clock when the DJ came out to start the karaoke session and Alex and Sydney stayed at the bar, sipping their drinks and listening as the patrons took their turns getting up and singing, many trying to mimic their idols.

They were quite enjoying themselves and had not yet put in any requests, though Sydney had paged through the song book several times. Thus it was a surprise when their names were called. They looked at each other with eyebrows raised when Cammy appeared at the bar where they stood, a twinkle in her eyes.

"Hell, the evening would have been over before either one of you decided," the woman explained rolling her eyes. "Some one had to do something."

The emcee called their names again and reluctantly Alex allowed herself to be dragged up front. Silently she prayed that she knew the song and was privately pleased when she saw that it was a duet between two very popular singers. It was still currently playing on the radio. She was familiar with the tune for it was on a CD that Sydney was constantly playing at the condo.

That was another thing she had learned about her lover. While her own taste of music ran along the more classical lines with New Age thrown in, Sydney was more into the popular music that currently filled the airwaves. Though she had been aware of the music she had rarely listened to it, now after months of being forced to listen she was finding she enjoyed it.

"Are you the man or the woman?" Sydney whispered as they received their microphones.

"I guess lately, I've been a bit of both," Alex replied with a twinkle in her eyes and the smaller woman blushed before swatting her playfully on the arm.

"I'll sing the male part, I can't sing that high," the younger woman decided as the music began to play, but Alex only smiled.

Cammy had been right in her estimation. The two women not only complimented each other in appearance and characteristics, but their voices seemed to blend together perfectly and the crowded room listened silently as the two women sang.

Neither Alex or Sydney noticed, for they only had eyes for each other. By the chorus, their free hands automatically sought each other out, linking as they recited the words from memory. Finally the music ended and as it died Alex naturally leaned over and kissed her partner. Sydney responded filling her kiss with all the love she felt for her companion.

It was the loud and raucous applause that suddenly reminded them that they weren't alone. With some embarrassment they bowed before exiting the stage, making their way back to the bar. Alex made a mental note that once they got home to Seattle they would do more of the stuff they had been doing here.

"I thought you guys would sound good together," the bartender greeted them with a chuckle and both women rolled their eyes, the shower being turned on. Of course, her companion, the woman who had engrained herself into her life and who lived solidly in her heart. She opened her eyes again and stared out at the darkness. She wanted to do something special for her companion before they left this foreign city. She wanted to rekindle the romance that had been lost in the last months.

Her eyes settled briefly on the small outline of a boat as it slowly made it's way across the harbour. It seemed too idly meander as if those on board were enjoying themselves, not wanting their journey to end. It was while watching this mysterious craft that she had a sudden inspiration. A smile etched its way across her face as she reached for the phone.

They would be leaving on Saturday morning and she had every intention of making this trip a memory that her companion would enjoy. She had so many ideas but there was only one that stood out in her mind. Something that she had wanted to do for her lover for a long time.

"Who were you talking to on the phone?" Sydney asked wandering back into the bedroom just as her lover was replacing the phone.

She had been hoping that the taller woman would join her in the shower and had been disappointed when the woman hadn't appeared. The dark haired woman glanced at her companion idly, thinking that the beauty of the woman far outshone any other splendour that she had viewed. Sydney was only wearing a towel wrapped around her slender body with another towel wrapped around her hair.

"The Sheriff," Alex answered lazily.

"Oh."

"Yeah, I told him to send the plane down on Saturday," the Captain continued. "I think tomorrow will be the decisive day. Other then the two women I don't think there will be much more we can learn."

"Then you think that Joanne Frost and this Michelle woman are somehow involved?" Sydney said sitting down on the bed and beginning to dry her long blond hair. "You know I have a gut instinct that they are."

"Yeah," Alex nodded. Sometimes their instinct was the only thing they had to go on. Besides she had the same feeling. She stretched out her tall body popping a few joints before struggling to her feet. "I'm going to have a shower now."

"You could have joined me," Sydney said plaintively as blue and green eyes met.

"Yeah, but then we would still be in the shower now and as much as I like running my soapy hands over your body I'm just to tired to do anything about it," the older woman was honest and the blond woman smiled.

"That's okay, I think we covered everything earlier," Sydney said.

"Yeah and what we missed we can cover tomorrow," Alex sighed and then strolled towards the bathroom. By the time she returned to the bedroom, her companion was nestled under the covers, sound asleep.

A smile came to her lips as she settled gently on the edge of the bed and studied the sleeping woman. Her heart clutched with a pleasurable pain as she tenderly reached over and combed damp strands of blonde hair away from a bruised cheek. She allowed her fingers to linger, caressing the smooth, soft skin, feeling the warmth of her companion seep into her body.

It didn't take much for her to wonder what her life would be like without this woman. She had lived thirty four years without experiencing the pleasure of companionship as she knew it now and she had no desire to return to that state. She would move mountains if that was what it took for them to stay together. She would never give the other woman a reason to leave.

With that in mind she slipped out of her towel and into a long t-shirt before sliding into bed. Almost automatically the smaller woman turned and nestled herself against the additional warm body and Alex wrapped her long arms around the slender frame and held her close. It was only thus contented that she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

By the time they arrived at the Police Headquarters the next morning Det. Smith had accomplished the task Alex had requested of her. The woman had even gone so far as to speak with several of the marina operators to see which boats had been out that weekend.

"I checked all the marine operators and they gave me a list of persons who were out this previous weekend," Sherry informed them handing the tall woman a sheet of paper. "As you can see it isn't very long."

No, Alex thought glancing at the short list, her blue eyes honing instantly on one name. At the same instant she felt her gut clench in anticipation. She looked her partner, handing over the paper so that she could take a look. She saw the expression on her companion's face when she recognized the familiar name.

"Well, what next?" the local woman wanted to know glancing from one woman to the other, aware of an eerily silent communication that was passing between the two women.

"We need to talk to Joanne Frost," Alex said and saw immediately by the expression on the woman's face that she didn't understand.

"But haven't you already spoken to her?" the red haired detective was surprised, assuming that the interview had already been done.

"We have new information that might lead her to shed more light onto the situation," the Captain admitted reluctantly and watched at the detectives eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Last night Sydney and I were back at the Pink Room and we learned that Joanne Frost was also a regular."

"Then..." the red haired woman began and then stopped as she tried to formulate a reasonable response.

"Then she would have known about Leanne's sexuality," Sydney finished and the detective nodded.

"Yes," Alex continued. "We expect to find out much more about Leanne's life from her and why she thought she could keep it a secret."

It didn't come as a surprise to any of the detectives that Joanne Frost worked for a prestigious Law firm whose offices were located in a downtown office tower. They were almost surprised when their request to see the lawyer was instantly honoured. The women looked at each other as they were escorted through a labyrinth of corridors to an office on the far side of the floor.

"Detectives," the woman greeted them formally not bothering to rise from her chair behind a desk as she motioned to several empty chairs across from her.

"You don't seem surprised to see us?" Alex commented as she settled her frame into the plush leather seat.

"I was actually waiting for your visit," the lawyer replied calmly, her brown eyes surveying the trio of detectives before settling back on the taller woman. There was something she recognized in these women. "After you outed Leanne, I knew it wouldn't be long before you found out I was also part of the family."

"I take it your family doesn't know?" the Captain said and the woman shook her head.

"No," Joanne was honest. "I came out to my parents along time ago. The only thing they asked of me was to keep it quiet. You see they are prominent members of society here in the city and don't wish to have any type of scandal linked to their names. I'm sure if you were in a similar situation you would understand."

"Actually, Ms. Frost, I am in a similar situation," Alex retorted, irritated by the woman's seemingly arrogant attitude. "My father is a very prominent lawyer in the States. They have never asked me to hide my lifestyle."

The lawyer was silent as she studied the tall woman. She could feel a certain energy radiate off the woman and if she had been in a different time and place in her life she would have been interested. She kept her eyes intently focused on the woman.

"What is it you want to know?"

"Were you having an affair with your sister-in-law Leanne Meyers?" Alex was blunt. She had been willing to be gentle but this woman's attitude made her testy so that she no longer cared. There was a long silence as the lawyer contemplated her response.

"Perhaps you would like to call your own lawyer before saying anything," Sydney suggested, speaking up for the first time.

"No," Joanne rejected the offer, briefly glancing at the blond police woman before turning dark brown eyes on the tall woman, receiving a physical shock as they came into contact with piercing blue orbs. She swallowed losing some of her defiance.

"What exactly was your relationship with Leanne?" Alex wanted to know not breaking eye contact.

"I have been in love with Leanne since the moment my brother introduced us to her," the lawyer admitted without emotion.

"And?" the Captain prompted when the woman fell silent.

"And nothing came of it until about six months ago," the woman confessed, her voice cracking a little, as she showed emotion for the first time. She glanced from one detective to the other expecting to see condemnation on their faces but their expressions were neutral. "Stuart was on a business trip and Leanne had gotten herself into a bit of trouble. She was drunk and needed to be bailed out of a situation. She called me and unfortunately one thing led to another."

"Was it a one night stand or an affair?" Sydney asked.

"An affair," Joanne admitted reluctantly. "I knew Leanne wasn't in love with me, but still I couldn't help myself."

"When did your partner find out about your affair?" Alex wanted to know.

"I suppose you are talking about Michelle," the lawyer smiled but it was without amusement. She looked down at the papers on the desk as she rolled her pen with her fingers. "She didn't find out for two months and when she did she left me. It wasn't much later that Leanne suddenly decided to end our relationship." The woman looked up at both detectives. "So in essence my lapse of judgment destroyed my world."

"Enough to want to take revenge?" Alex asked bluntly.

"No," Joanne shook her head. "In spite of the way Leanne treated me, I never stopped loving her. I could never have killed her. I would have killed myself first."

"What was your former partners reaction?" Sydney wondered out loud.

"She was upset," the lawyer shrugged. "It was expected."

"Upset enough to hurt Leanne?"

"She did have a temper but I don't think she would have done anything," the other woman replied.

"When was the last time you saw Michelle?"

The lawyer shrugged. "About a month ago. I ran into her at the bar and she told me she was seeing someone else. There was nothing more to say."

"Did you take your boat out this past weekend?" The Captain changed the line of questioning and watched through narrowed eyes as the expression on the other woman's face turned grim.

"No," Joanne said in barely civil voice. "Regardless what my brother says, I only co-own the boat. Michelle and I bought it when we were together and part of our separation agreement is that we share it. We have it on alternating weekends."

"Then Michelle had it this last weekend?"

"It was her weekend," the lawyer confirmed and then shrugged. "But I don't know whether or not she took it out."

"Did Michelle and Leanne know each other?" Alex wanted to know.

"They knew about each other," Joanne shook her head. "But I don't think they ever met."

"Thank you for your cooperation," the Captain said rising to her feet. Alex had all the information she needed. If she followed her instinct then she knew that this woman was telling the truth. The lawyer watched with some trepidation as the detectives rose to leave.

"Officers," her soft voice halted their progress and they turned their heads to look at her. "My brother doesn't need to know about this does he? I'm not proud of what I did and given the chance I would change the past. I know that he was devastated to find out that Leanne was interested in women."

"Don't worry Ms. Frost," Alex said coolly. "We have no intention of divulging anything of your affair unless it becomes necessary. We're police officers not news reporters for gossip magazines."

"Sometimes they go hand in hand," the lawyer said off handedly.

Sydney immediately felt her partner tense and automatically a hand went to her companions back. She didn't like the comment any more then her lover but she knew it would do no good to say anything.

"You better hope then that you aren't involved," Alex said tersely before turning and strolling purposefully out the door.

"Do you think she was lying?" Sydney asked once they were out of the building and standing on the sidewalk. Sherry watched as the tall woman paused to take a few deep breaths. She noticed the way the smaller woman's hand automatically went to her companion's back and began to rub it in tiny circles.

"No," Alex shook her head not hiding her puzzlement. "She was obviously sincere in her affection."

"But you think Michelle was involved?"

"I don't know," the Captain shook her head trying to get everything straight in her mind. She started walking down the street leaving the other two detectives to fall into step beside her.

"Alex?"

"What sweetheart?" the taller woman used the term of endearment without thinking as she looked down at her companion seeing the serious expression on the smaller woman's face. Once again the Canadian detective had the impression that they had forgotten that she was there with them.

"Can you promise me something?"

"What?" Alex felt her body tense aware that her partner was going to say something she wouldn't like.

"Promise me that if you find someone else you will tell me first and not go behind my back," Sydney said looking down at her feet. Her heart trembled at the thought that Alex might someday find someone to replace her. "I would rather have the pain of knowing the truth up front then finding out later."

"Sydney," the tall woman stopped walking and demanded her partners attention.

"What?" the blond detective looked anxiously up at her companion unconsciously biting down on her lower lip.

"There will never be anyone else," Alex breathed tapping her chest lightly, ignoring the curious glances they were receiving from people who walked passed. "You own my heart, all of it. If anything I worry that you might someone day find someone else."

"No!" Sydney gasp and in a rush wrapped her arms around the taller woman. "You're more then I ever expected to have," she confessed burying her face in the other woman's chest. "Some mornings I wake up and see you lying there and I think that I must still be dreaming. I have to pinch myself to realize that it's real. I love you Alex, more then I thought it possible to love anyone."

"Good," the Captain breathed a sigh of relief. "Because I have no intention of going anywhere for a very long time."

It surprised Alex to realize that her partner felt so insecure but then realized it was only a mirror image of her own insecurity. She had never been this happy and was half afraid that some disaster, like what almost took Sydney away, was lurking just around the corner. She realized then that this mutual insecurity was still part of the aftermath of the tragedy that they had gone through.

Sherry was surprised by the affection that the women displayed towards each other in public. It was obvious that neither of them cared what anyone thought. She thought of her own relationships and realized how closeted they were in comparison to these women. She cleared her throat to remind the other women that they were not alone.

"Sorry," Sydney apologized blushing as she disengaged her tall companion. She grinned sheepishly. "We tend to get carried away sometimes."

"It's all right," the red haired detective smiled softly, wishing once again that things had turned out differently between the blond woman and herself. "What next?"

"A visit to Gilden's," Alex announced recovering her composure.

Gilden's was a small but elegantly decorated shop located on Robson's Street. It was a shop that catered to the cities elite and Alex recognized a variety of designer gowns displayed in the front window. The prices on the dresses were enough to make both her companion's blanche.

From the moment they stepped into the place, their every movement was tracked by an older woman with dark hair who was standing behind the sales counter. The clerks eyes narrowed perceptively as she surveyed their wardrobe, finding it obviously lacking and suspicious.

"May I help you with something?" the older woman asked in a saccharine voice.

"No, we're just looking," Alex replied just as sweetly deciding that she didn't like the clerk's attitude.

"As you can see the items in this store are rather exclusive," the woman said in a haughty voice as she approached them. "Perhaps if you went further down the street you might find something better suited to your price range."

Alex despised people who made instant judgment on others solely because of their appearance. Sydney felt the temperature of her partner rise and knew that the Captain was struggling to maintain control of her anger. She watched as her tall partner took a deep breath and began to count to ten. She immediately stepped forward aware that an ugly incident was about to occur. She knew of Alex's dislike for snobs and the way people were treated because of that. She had learned to accept that as part of society a long time ago. She smiled politely at the older woman.

"My name is Sydney Davis," she said withdrawing her badge from her pocket and flashing it for the other woman to see, "and along with my colleagues, I am here to speak with Michelle in regards to a mutual friend of hers who recently died."

The smaller woman smiled pleasantly keeping her green eyes on the older woman, seeing the way her eyes widened for a moment while her skin grew slightly pale.

"Of course," the woman bobbed her head glancing briefly at the other detectives before turning her gaze back on the smaller woman. "Michelle is just in the back, if you would like to follow me."

The detectives did as requested and were led to an office at the back of the shop. There in a room cluttered with paperwork was a younger woman, of about thirty five, seated behind a desk. Brown eyes glanced up with a question in their depths as the older woman and her companions appeared in the doorway.

"These are detectives from the States who would like to speak with you?" the clerk said by way of explanation and the policemen noticed the way the red haired woman behind the desk straightened in her chair.

"Thank you," came a brisk voice as the younger woman dismissed her colleague.

The older woman glanced suspiciously at the detectives before edging out the door and returning to her post at the sales counter. The woman behind the desk made no attempt to welcome the detectives.

"How can I help you?" she asked abruptly and her manner was enough to stir the Captain's instinct.

"Did you know Leanne Meyers?" Alex was blunt, deciding not to beat around the bush.

"Everyone knew who Leanne Meyers was," came the automatic response.

"That's not what I asked," came the brisk retort.

"What do you want to know?" Brown eyes met blue and Alex felt a shiver run up her spine. She knew then that she was looking into the eyes of a killer. Yet she was smart enough to know that instinct would do nothing to bring this murderer to justice.

"Did you know that your ex-partner was having an affair with Leanne Meyers?" Sydney asked, speaking for the first time.

"If you are referring to Joanne Frost, yes, I found out about it," the woman answered in a clipped voice. There was no expression on her face. "It's a subject I don't like to discuss. It's been almost six months but it is still very painful to me."

"By the tone of your voice I take it you didn't much like Ms. Meyers."

"She screwed up my relationship," Michelle snorted with barely concealed anger. "Why would I like her?"

"When did you find out that Joanne was in love with Leanne?" this question came from Sydney and Sherry marveled at the way the two women worked in tandem, firing questions and not letting their query a chance to control the conversation.

"Almost from the beginning," the other woman confided. "The first time I met the family. I could see it in Joanne's every action."

"Why didn't you confront her with it then?" the Captain wanted to know.

"Because I thought with time and patience she would come to love me in the same way," Michelle replied bluntly. "But it didn't happen. That was painfully obvious because as soon as Leanne showed her some attention she was after her."

"You sound like you blame Ms. Meyers for what happened?"

"Joanne was also at fault, but once Leanne knew that she liked her, she played Joanne for everything she was worth. She used her."

"And you resented that."

"Of course I did," the woman almost spat.

"Enough to kill her?" Alex wanted to know and for a moment there was a long silence as blue and brown eyes met in a titanic struggle.

"I wanted to hurt Leanne Meyers for destroying my life," Michelle admitted. "But I didn't kill her. Why would I? I had broken up with Joanne six months ago, both of us had moved on."

"But you still hated her?"

"Yes, I suppose I was one of the few people who weren't charmed by her friendly presence and smile," the woman could not disguise the bitterness she still felt over the episode.

"Did you ever entertain ideas of revenge?" Alex asked astutely drawing the woman along but the store owner was sharp, aware of what the detective was attempting to do.

"I'm sure everyone at some time entertains ideas of revenge," the other woman answered smoothly, regaining the composure that she had momentarily lost. "However detectives as you are quite aware, thinking and doing are two very different things."

Not all the time, the detectives thought in unison though neither of them voiced their opinions. They glanced at each other, both trying to discern how they could get the woman to admit to what both of them believed was the truth. Suddenly an idea came to Alex. She looked down at the seated woman, reminded then that they had not been invited to sit.

"Were you having an affair with Leanne Meyers?" The Captain was blunt.

"No."

"Do you know anyone who would want to kill Leanne Meyers?"

"No," was the one word response yet there was something in the woman's voice and in her facial expression that told the detectives that she was lying. "Now unless you have anything else to say I am busy and wish to get back to work."

"Yes, thank you for giving us your time," Sydney said with a polite smile before looking up at her partner.

Alex felt her temper rise yet she felt the comforting hand on her lover on her back and without another word she turned and led them out of the store. She paused only once they had walked halfway down the block.

"She's lying," the Captain announced bluntly.

"Yeah," the smaller woman nodded, unconsciously rubbing the side of her nose in thought. It was a gesture that had become all to familiar. "But you know if we had pressed her any more she would have clammed up and called for a lawyer."

"Yeah," Alex reluctantly agreed. Taking a deep breath she allowed the tension to flow out of her body. She glanced down at her companion, wondering if her lover was as tired as she was. She just wanted to go home, to pick up their normal lives. She glanced sideways at their companion. "How long would it take for you to get a search warrant and a team of detectives together?"

"That would depend upon the urgency," the red haired woman was honest. "What have you got in mind?"

"I'd like to have that boat searched," the Captain said succinctly. "If Leanne was on that boat then maybe there is some evidence."

"I could talk to the Lieutenant," Sherry mused thoughtfully, figuring out what was needed to be done. She looked up at the taller woman. "I'm sure he could help us get everything we need."

"Good," Alex nodded her head promptly including both women in her gaze. "I want the two of you to go back to the headquarters and start work on getting us a search warrant and a team of forensic experts together. I would like to have a peek at this boat before we leave."

"And what will you be doing?" Sydney wondered out loud eyeing her companion critically.

"There is something I need to do, I won't be far behind you," her partner smiled reassuringly. "I'll see you later."

Sydney nodded and then watched as the other woman retreated back down the street and disappeared into the shop. She wondered what her partner was up too and could not stifle the frown that found it's way across her brow. She was tempted to follow the Captain but knew that she had to trust her lover.

"What do you think she's up too?" Sherry asked breaking the silence, her own eyes following the other woman.

"With Alex you never know," the blonde woman conceded with a faint smile. "Come on let's get going, because what I do know is that if she gives you a task and you haven't started on it by the time she joins us, she will be perturbed."

There was silence as the two women started walking. Sherry glanced covertly at her smaller companion and marvelled at the way the woman conceded to the other detective, knowing that it had nothing to do with the fact that the tall woman was a Captain and effectively her boss. The Sydney she had known had never allowed anyone to rule her life. She had always been the one in command of every situation.

"You really love her don't you?" it was a blunt question and Sydney turned to look at her companion.

"With everything I am," came the honest reply as the Seattle detective saw no reason to lie.

Sherry didn't know what else to say and so shoved her hands into her pockets and turned to glance at the stream of traffic that was clogging the road at this time of the day. She had her answer and unexpectedly it hurt, yet she needed to ask.

"Did you care for me at all?" she knew the answer would probably hurt but she needed to know the truth.

"Yes," Sydney was honest not wanting to have this conversation and wishing her companion was there to avoid it. "We went out for a couple of months I couldn't do that with someone I didn't care about."

"But you never loved me."

"No," the smaller woman expelled a deep breath. "I never told you I did."

"No you didn't," the red headed woman agreed. "You were always so very careful with your emotions, so hesitant to give them away, that's why it surprises me to see the two of you together."

"There is something about Alex that just draws everything out of me," Sydney confessed and then shrugged. "What can I say, she means everything to me."

The other woman remained silent. She had the answers to all the questions she had and briefly she wondered what was so different about the tall dark haired woman. She realized that she would probably never know.

The sales clerk was surprised when the tall woman stepped back into the shop. She glanced uneasily at her boss, Michelle, who had come to the front from the back and tension once again filled the room.

"Was there something you forgot?" the younger woman asked in a tense voice and Alex smiled seductively, like she had a secret that she was not about to divulge.

"No," the tall woman shook her head and strolled casually over to a rack of dresses that she had noticed earlier. She had special plans for that evening and one of them included dressing up for her lover. She knew that she could have gone someplace else to shop but she knew from experience that her presence would unnerve the other woman. "You do sell clothes here don't you?"

"Yes, and not to sound arrogant, Detective, but I hardly think you can afford any of the items we stock," the red haired woman did not hide her animosity. "I don't know what you get paid but I do know it's not enough to include designer gowns in your wardrobe."

"You're right, we don't get paid very well," Alex conceded selecting a short blue dress off the rack. It had caught her eye. "But unlike ordinary police officers I have other sources of income." She strolled towards the women, smiling sweetly, trying not to let her anger get the best of her, and acknowledging that her presence was bothering the woman they had just finished interviewing. "Do you have a change room where I might be able to try this on?"

The woman looked like she would have liked to tell the police detective no but she was a businesswoman first and nodded to the sales clerk before turning on her heel and strolling back towards her office.

"Nadia will help you," Michelle said over her shoulder before disappearing and Alex turned to the older woman and raised her eyebrows expectantly.

"This way," the clerk said before ushering her towards a change room.

By ten o'clock that morning the two women were back at the Police Headquarters. They spoke first to the Lieutenant, who after a moment of consideration, agreed to their request by calling the local magistrate for a search warrant. By the time Alex came strolling nonchalantly into the busy squad room a forensic team was being assembled. Though Sydney was curious about what she had been up to she refrained from asking, trusting that her companion would tell her when the time was right.

"Hey, get everything done?" she asked vaguely when the tall woman approached the desk where Sherry and her were working.

"Yep, how's it coming with the search warrant?" the Captain wanted to know glad that her purchase was small enough to stuff into the pocket of her jacket.

"Secured," Sherry announced triumphantly, replacing the phone into which she had been speaking. "One of my colleagues is on his way right now to pick it up and will meet us at the docks where the vessel is moored. Copies are also being dispatched to Miss Armstrong and Miss Frost."

Alex nodded pleased by what had been accomplished. She glanced at her smaller partner. "Are you ready to go?"

They met the male detective and a team of forensic experts from the department at the pier where the boat was tied. The security guard on duty was quickly convinced to give them access to the property where they began a thorough search of the premises. They had only been at it for a short while when both owners of the vessel arrived. Alex looked from one woman to the other seeing the undisguised tension between them.

"We have the appropriate paperwork," Sydney said greeting them on the dock, producing the legal document that gave them permission to search.

"I know, I read the paper," Joanne replied succinctly glancing passed her to the tall dark haired woman on the boat. "What I would like to know is what you hope to find?"

"Blood, hair samples, fingerprints..." Alex shrugged casually. "Anything that might place Leanne on the boat."

"Well, that shouldn't be difficult," Michelle interjected tersely, casting her former partner an icy glance. "I believe Joanne took her out on the boat on numerous occasions."

"Yes," the brown haired woman didn't deny the truth.

"And if we find some blood?" Alex asked leaving the rest of the question unasked.

"You won't find any," Joanne replied and for some reason Sydney hoped that it was the truth but she could see by the look on her partners face that she didn't hold the same opinion. She knew instinctively that Alex thought that both these women were involved to some degree in the death of the anchor woman.

"For your sake, I hope not," the Captain replied and ignoring them turned to rejoin the other officers who were slowly going through the craft in search of any evidence.

It was late in the afternoon before the detectives were finished combing through the cabin cruiser. Alex watched sombrely as the team of officers carried their collection of goodies off in plastic bags and containers. They had lifted a variety of prints off the furnishings and she was confident that Leanne Meyer's would be amongst them. However, considering the marital connection between the deceased and one of the boat owners, it would be hard for them to prove when they were made.

They returned directly to the Police Headquarters. It was busy with an assortment of officers rushing around in all directions. It took Sherry a while to track down her Lieutenant. Less then ten minutes later the three of them were seated in the homicide chief's office discussing the case. Alex took responsibility for outlining what they had learned. There was a long silence as Don Bailey leaned back in his chair, mulling over the situation.

"So you honestly suspect that this Michelle Armstrong killed Leanne Meyers?" he directed his question at the Captain.

"Yes," Alex was blunt. "But I think it's going to be pretty hard to prove for the various reason's that we have outlined and unfortunately we can't stay in the city forever to prove it."

"No, I suppose not," the Lieutenant sounded as if he wished otherwise. He glanced at the two women aware that he was about to commit himself to getting more involved in the case then he wanted his department to be. "What do you need us to do?"

"I don't know if there is anything more for you to do," Alex admitted racking her brains for any detail that they may have forgotten. They had only one chance at this. When they left the city and returned to Lopez Island, they would be turning the case over to Sheriff Ford and his deputies. It was unlikely that his department would think to cover any territory she had forgotten.

"Perhaps, you could have someone check the local gun shops," Sydney injected, remembering something her colleague had not yet thought about. "It should be easy for you to track, don't you have a gun registry here?"

"Yeah, but criminals can get guns just as illegally in Canada as they do in the States," the Lieutenant remarked dryly. He glanced at his younger detective glad that the woman was taking notes. It would become her responsibility to pursue once these women left the city. He turned his attention back on the Americans. "Anything else?"

"Michelle Armstrong stated that she did not have an affair with Leanne Meyer's but I had the feeling that she was lying," Alex continued after another moment of thought. "You might want to get a search warrant and do a check on her apartment. If you can establish that Leanne Meyer's indeed was in her apartment, then we might be able to establish the fact that she lied, which might help further down the line. It's likely that because of Leanne's high profile they probably didn't go out much in which case they had to meet someplace, which was probably the woman's apartment."

"Good idea," the Lieutenant nodded his head and jotted something down on the notepad in front of him on his desk. "I will have my people get on it as soon as possible."

It was more then an hour later before the two detectives were finally able to leave the station house. They bade the Homicide Chief farewell and walked quietly towards the front entrance, Det. Smith tagging along close behind. It was an awkward moment.

"You're leaving tonight then?"

"No, tomorrow morning," Sydney spoke for the both of them.

"Listen, we haven't had a chance to get together and catch up on things," Sherry said aware of the tall woman looking at her from behind narrowed eyes. "I thought perhaps, if you weren't doing anything tonight I could take you both to dinner."

"Thank you but we already have plans for the evening," Alex said hastily before her smaller companion could speak. She had no intention of sitting through a long awkward dinner with one of her partner's former lover's. There was only so much she could tolerate.

"Yeah, sorry," Sydney agreed with a weak smile. She glanced briefly at her tall lover and knew how uneasy the whole situation had been for her. She had no intention of making it any more difficult. Alex had been professional about the whole situation. "Maybe next time."

"Yeah," Sherry agreed, aware that there would be no next time. "It was great seeing you again Syd."

"You too, take care," the blonde woman nodded and watched as the red haired woman retreated back into the station house. There was silence for a long minute as the two women stood silently on the steps.

"You okay?" Blue and green eyes met and they asked in unison.

"Yeah," they responded in unison again and matching smiles crept over their faces.

"Come on let's get back to the hotel, I'm beat," Alex said and then lead the way down to the parking lot where their rental car was parked.

The ride back to the hotel was done in almost absolute silence as both women dwelt in their own thoughts. Neither were anxious to leave the city with the case unsolved but both knew that it could be weeks and even months before the evidence needed to tie the woman to the murder was found. That was the way it worked in homicide. Both knew that they had to let the case go and turn it over to some one else. They had done all they could.

"Sherry is a good detective," Sydney said once they had parked the rental car and started walking towards the foyer.

"Yeah, I know," Alex nodded, despite her personal dislike for the woman, she was fair enough to acknowledge that they were leaving the case in good hands.

The moment they entered their room Alex put a phone call into Sheriff Ford, passing along all the information that they had gathered. The man listened intently and there was silence for a long moment when the Captain was finished speaking.

"I suspect then I should be getting in touch with this police officer up there then?" Lucas was resigned to the inevitable. He knew that he couldn't keep the women indefinitely as much as he wanted to.

"Yeah, I left them your name and phone number," Alex had supplied the homicide detective with all the relative information needed to pursue the case, including those whom they needed to be in contact with down on Lopez Island.

"All right, I'll be seeing you back tomorrow then," the Sheriff said before ringing off. Alex hung up the phone and turning her head looked right at her companion who was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"What now?" Sydney wanted to know, feeling incredibly let down. The exhaustion of the long days they had put in were starting to catch up on them.

"I don't know about you but I would like to have a nap," Alex said, rising to her feet and crossing the room to where her companion was sitting.

"That sounds like a good idea," the blonde woman agreed, kicking off her shoes and lying back on the bed. She was rewarded instantly by the presence of her tall companion who settled on the bed next to her, long arms automatically wrapping themselves around the smaller woman.

Sydney was aware of a tingling sensation spreading from the base of her spine all the way through her body. Instinctively she moaned, her subconscious giving in to the pleasure that was being aroused in her when they touched.

"You like that?" a soft voice whispered in her ear as a warm breath of air caressed her skin.

"Oh, yeah," the smaller woman sighed with contentment. She wriggled around so that she could face her companion. Her green eyes were heavy with lust and it was an intoxicating sight for the older woman who inhaled a deep breath. "I love when you touch me."

"I love to touch you," Alex admitted expelling her breath, as she allowed her hands to roam along the bare skin of her partners arms. "You cannot believe the difficult time that I have at work."

"I don't think it's any more difficult a time then I have," the blonde haired woman allowed a lazy smile to spread across her lips and she was rewarded with a brief kiss. "That was nice."

"Aha," the taller woman agreed leaning in to caress the smaller woman's mouth once more with another kiss. This time she allowed her lips to linger and she felt her companion's immediate response as the blonde woman closed the space between them.

"You want something?" Alex asked raising an amused eyebrow.

"Ahem," Sydney nodded her blonde head and leaned forward to capture her partners lips in another long passionate embrace which stirred their mutual desires.

The Captain rolled over so that she was laying upon the smaller woman, her long frame pressing the girl's body deeper into the mattress. Her hands continued to wander as their lips continued to devour each other.

"Too many clothes," Sydney managed to gasp when they finally broke the embrace.

"You have that right," the dark haired woman agreed with a thick voice and then cocked a mischievous eye at her lover. "Are you going to do something about it?"

"Absolutely," the smaller woman giggled and immediately proceeded to rip the clothes off her taller companion.

Alex laughed at the way the other woman so recklessly tore her clothes from her body. One of the things that delighted her so much about her lover was the way the younger woman acted with such abandon in their love making. There was never a dull moment in bed and today was the same.

Once both their clothes were discarded, they allowed their hands and mouths to roam at will, stroking and caressing the smooth, velvety skin of their companion. Tongues circled erect nipples before white teeth nipped and pinched the tender skin, eliciting exquisite moans and gasps from both women.

"I love you," Sydney moaned when she felt her lover slip down between her legs. She curled her fingers into thick dark strands of hair as her hips began to move of their own accord, the rhythm and pace set by the gentle stroke of her lover's tongue and fingers as they slowly worked her into a frenzy.

Sydney closed her eyes and called out her lover's name as the orgasm ripped through her body and exploded in her brain. Alex kept her mouth and fingers in place until the spasms had subsided. Only then did she slowly climb back up beside her partner, planting small kisses along the sweat sleeked body during the tantalizing journey back to her partners lips.

"Thank you," the blond woman murmured utterly content. She wanted to return the favour but Alex merely gathered her tightly in her arms.

"Sleep love," the Captain whispered in the smaller woman's ear and the green eyes closed as she surrendered peacefully into slumber.

Alex smiled indulgently at her companion, content to make her partner happy, willing to defer her own pleasure for the sake of the woman she loved. Gently she reached out and combed strands of blond hair off the oval face. She loved to watch her companion sleep, and once again she realized how close she had come to losing it all.

Tenderly she reached out and touched one of the scars that still pocked the slender neck where shell fragments had entered her body. A wave of pain flooded her senses, and automatically her arms tightened. All she wanted to do was protect and love her companion.

Briefly she thought of the sordid triangle they had uncovered. In her mind she could create the scenario. Intent on revenge Michelle had probably gone after Leanne and if what they had heard was true, then the anchor woman would not have rejected the attention. Seduction, a boat trip and the end result was death. It was all very clear in her head how it had happened, but she wondered if they would ever be able to prove the truth.

She glanced down at her sleeping partner and for a brief moment she could almost sympathize with the woman. She didn't know how she would react if Sydney ever had an affair with someone else. She trusted the smaller woman, yet no one could predict what would happen in the future. She wasn't certain how she would respond if their roles weren't reversed and Sydney and her weren't in the other women's position.

We'll never be in that position, she promised herself firmly. I will make sure that Sydney is never unhappy, that she is always content to be with me. She was smart enough to know that a relationship, any relationship, needed constant work. She would make certain that Sydney never had a reason to look elsewhere.

CHAPTER EIGHT

ALEX DOZED OFF and when blue eyes finally popped open again it was to see that it was already early in the evening. She knew that they should get going but she was reluctant to move, desiring only to lie there with her companion savouring the warmth of their joined bodies. Yet she had made all the arrangements and did not want them to go to waste.

"Hey, sleepyhead wake up," she whispered softly, nuzzling the bare skin of her companions neck.

"What?" came the sleepy complaint as the smaller woman shifted languidly in her partners embrace.

"It's time to get up, I've made reservations for dinner," Alex continued unable to stop herself from pressing her lips once more against the soft skin of her companions neck.

"Can't we just order in?" Sydney moaned, still not willing to open her eyes, content to remain in the safe and comfortable warmth of her lover's arms.

"Not tonight," the older woman was insistent and kissed her companion one last time before releasing her hold and climbing out of bed. "This is our last night in Vancouver and I think we should do something special."

Sydney rolled over in time to catch a glimpse of her lover's beautiful backside before she disappeared into the bathroom. She closed her eyes and listened as the familiar sounds drifted out of the next room and she imagined every move her companion made. It was imprinted in her brain and her heart beat a little faster at the sound of the shower as it was turned on.

For a long moment she contemplated jumping out of bed and joining her companion but then thought differently. Alex said she had made reservations and if that was the case then it was in both their best interests that she remain where she was until the tall woman was finished in the shower. If she joined Alex now they wouldn't be going out anytime soon.

She grabbed the nearest pillow and hugged it tightly to her body, burying her face in it's softness and breathing in the scent of her lover, which lingered on the material. If she knew Alex, she knew that she had planned something special. That was one thing she found most endearing about her lover, the woman's romantic nature.

"Hey, are you asleep again?" an impatient voice demanded, interrupting the smaller woman's reverie. Green eyes instantly popped open to see a rather tall and formable figure framed in the doorway of the bathroom. There was a stern look on the beautiful face.

"I'm up, I'm up," Sydney replied and to prove the point she jumped out of bed and rushed passed her companion into the bathroom. She heard her lover's chuckle follow her into the next room. It was an hour later before they were both finally ready to leave the hotel.

"Where are we going?" Sydney asked as they stepped out into the evening. The sky was still light and the air pleasantly warm.

"It's a surprise," Alex said giving her companion a warm smile before lifting her hand to reveal a red bandanna. "Do you trust me?"

Sydney knew what her companion was asking and an unexpected thrill raced through her slender frame. The Captain had never before done anything like this but she found herself liking the idea very much. She turned her back, submitting herself to her lover.

Alex felt a immense wave of pleasure at the trust that her lover displayed and she tied the bandanna over the smaller woman's eyes, intent on making this a night to remember for the both of them. When the blindfold was secure Alex captured her lovers hand and guided her through the parking lot to where their car was parked.

The Captain helped the smaller woman into the passenger seat before climbing behind the wheel. She was infinitely careful as she manoeuvred the rental out of the lot and onto the busy thoroughfare that passed by their downtown hotel.

"Where are we going?" Sydney asked once they were under way.

She briefly attempted to gauge where they were and even though she was vaguely familiar with the city she was at a complete loss towards the direction they were headed. She caught a whiff of the smell of water and pine on the breeze and guessed that they were headed towards the harbour and Stanley Park, though to her knowledge there were no restaurants in the immediate area.

"Patience dear, we are almost there," the Captain smiled seductively even though she was aware that her companion was unable to see.

"You will let me take the blindfold off to eat won't you?" Sydney asked and the tall woman grinned.

"Maybe," the single word was followed by a laugh and the blond woman was left to imagine all sorts of thoughts, some of which were incredibly erotic.

The small detectives' senses were sharp and alert, her ears listening for any sound that she might recognize, her nose smelling the thick scent of the sea. Her body was suddenly, incredibly sensitive to everything around her and she almost jumped when Alex reached in to help her back out of the car once they had come to a halt.

"I want you to put your hands on my hips and keep them there," Alex instructed once she had locked up the vehicle and guided the smaller woman across the lot to the security gate. She briefly focused her attention on the guard that was manning gate. "My name is Alex Marshall, my companion and I are expected."

"Who are you talking too Alex?" Sydney wanted to know, aware that they were no longer alone.

"Nobody," the Captain dismissed the question easily and smiled at the security guard who was methodically checking the list on the clipboard by the phone in the booth he occupied.

"Here you are," the older man finally said as he checked off her name. He reached back and pressed a button, releasing the gate, giving the tall woman a bright smile.

"Thank you," Alex nodded and then led her companion through the gate and down the gangplank to the docks.

"Alex where are we?" Sydney inquired again, suddenly feeling the ground beneath her feet become a little unsteady.

"It's a surprise," the older woman said, making certain her lover's hands were firmly clasp on her hips before leading the way. "Hang on tight."

Sydney did as she was told and fell silent, enjoying the feel of her companions hips as they swayed as the taller woman walked. Her heart began to beat just a little faster and automatically she pulled the taller woman back so that their bodies touched. Alex yelped at the unexpected gesture and the younger woman chuckled.

"Don't do that," the older detective scolded lightly, though her heart was beating erratically. For a moment the unexpected action had almost caused her to lose her balance and the last thing she wanted at this moment was for either of them to take an unexpected plunge into the cold water.

"Sorry," Sydney apologized though she couldn't subdue the tiny chuckle that escaped from between her lips.

Alex was relieved when they finally reached their destination. The boat she had rented for the night was ready, it's lights were on and from her position on the docks she could see that the rest of her requests that also been attended too.

"You have to be very careful now," the Captain cautioned and then clasped her companion's hands before carefully helping her lover on board the boat. The craft rocked gently and Sydney knew for certain that they were on a boat. A gentle smile tipped the edges of her lips as she allowed her lover to guide her across the deck and into the cabin.

"Sit down and don't move," Alex instructed before moving around the cabin to the front where the controls where.

"Can I take the blindfold off now?" Sydney asked impishly.

"No!" came the hasty response. "Stay right where you are and don't move a muscle."

"Okay," the smaller woman agreed and sat silently while her companion hustled to the front of the craft.

Within moments they were once more on their way, and Sydney sat quietly, listening to the powerful pulse of the engines as Alex patiently guided the boat out from it's mooring and into the bay. It was a quiet night without much water traffic so the Captain was able to take the boat out into the harbour and park it in a place that afforded them the best possible view of the city and its lights.

She shut down the motor and dropped anchor before moving back to the cabin where her companion was patiently waiting. She dimmed the lights on the boat before reaching for her companion, helping her once more to her feet and guiding her to the table that was positioned at the back of the boat which was illuminated now only by the candles that Alex hastily lit once her companion was comfortably settled in a chair that faced the mainland.

"Okay, now we can take off the blindfold," Alex said with a deep breath and stood behind her companion to remove the bandanna.

Sydney blinked for a moment until her eyes focused but it took only a few seconds for the area surrounding them was bathed in a glow of light that radiated from the few candles that were carefully arranged around the back of the boat. The small detective was silent as she allowed her eyes to take in the scene.

She was seated at an oval table set with crystal glasses and fine bone china. There were platters of food, their contents covered by silver lids. But that was only the beginning as her vision widened to take in the scene before her.

The sun had set and before her lay the city, it's colourful lights illuminating the dark horizon, outlining the shoreline and reflecting off the almost glasslike surface of the water of which they were upon. It was a beautiful sight and she turned to her companion who was standing at her side.

Alex smiled gently and then dropped to her knees, drawing a hand from her back to produce a single red rose which she presented to her companion. Green eyes turned misty as the smaller woman accepted the gift.

"This is beautiful, thank you," she whispered hoarsely not knowing what else to say.

"This is only a little of what I would do for you," Alex replied sincerely, her blue eyes filled with the love she felt for the other woman. "I love you Sydney."

The other woman was ready and waiting for the tender kiss that followed the solemn declaration and the electric jolt that resulted from the simple contact of their lips went through her entire body and set her heart beating erratically.

"I love you Alex," she sighed once they finally parted and a gentle smile broke across the taller woman's face as she reached out to caress the other woman's cheek with the back of her long fingers.

"I know," the Captain smiled indulgently and popped back up to her feet, slipping into the chair that she had positioned next to her companion. "We better eat before this stuff gets to cold."

At that moment the small detective didn't care what the food tasted like. Her only desire was to climb across the table and ravish her tall lover but her stomach growled in protest when she was about to enact her thoughts. Her decision to wait until after eating was re-enforced at the sight of food that was unveiled.

"When did you do this?" she wanted to know, her palate delighting in the taste of the food that was dished out onto her plate.

"Yesterday," Alex chuckled, supremely proud of herself at having accomplished this feat. She could tell by her companion's reaction that Sydney was delighted. "I called the hotel concierge and told him what I wanted and he was able to take care of all the arrangements. Remind me to leave him a nice fat tip before we leave tomorrow."

"Don't worry I will remember," Sydney replied and Alex chuckled, feeling almost giddy.

They spent the rest of the meal, conversing quietly as an intimate atmosphere settled quietly over them, the night darkening and swallowing them in it's embrace. For a while they could almost believe that they were completely alone in the world. Just the two of them.

"That was fantastic," Sydney murmured once they had finished eating. She leaned back in her chair and patted her belly gently.

"Would you like to dance?" Alex asked her blue eyes trained on the smaller woman's face.

"I don't know if I can even move Alex," a smile broke across the blonde's face as warm green eyes settled on the taller woman's face.

"Then dancing is the perfect answer to work off food," the Captain chuckled and then jumping to her feet hurried into the forward cabin.

Sydney continued to smile, allowing her eyes to travel out around the horizon before dropping closed as she savoured the feeling of being loved and cherished by her companion. The wave of emotion that filled her that moment was only increased by the faint strains of music that suddenly drifted out of the cabin towards her. It was a romantic ballad by one of the country's premier female singers and the young detective allowed her mind to flow along with the words.

"May I have this dance?" Alex asked appearing in the opening of the cabin. Sydney opened her eyes and stared up at her companion. Alex had changed into a short blue dress that revealed creamy smooth shoulders and long bare legs. Her heart began to pound inside her chest.

"Alex, you look beautiful," the smaller woman managed to squeak and a seductive smile tipped the corners of the taller woman's lips.

"Thank you," the Captain said and held out her hand. "Would you like to dance?"

It was an invitation that the younger woman would not refuse and she rose to her feet and went automatically into her lover's embrace. They clung to each other, allowing their bodies to move to the rhythm of the music, as they gently swayed against each other. Sydney buried her face against her lover's chest, feeling the soft skin of the top of her partially exposed breasts, reveling in the love she felt flowing from her companion.

The music ended only to be replaced by any even more romantic ballad and Sydney felt a tender kiss as her companion gently laid her lips on the top of her golden crown. Sydney tipped her head back and was rewarded with a gentle kiss on her lips. It was an embrace she returned.

"Alex...?" the rest of the question was left unspoken and the taller woman smiled contentedly as she ended the dance by leading her companion into the cabin where one of the sofas had been made up into a bed.

"You thought of everything," the smaller woman looked at her in wonder.

"I try," the Captain replied.

"Alex," Sydney spoke again looking up hesitantly at her companion and briefly wondering what the other woman would say about her request.

"What?" the older woman sensed her companions hesitation and saw the smaller woman blush. "Come on you can say whatever you want?"

"Can we use the blindfold?" the blond said in a rush as a flood of colour flushed her cheeks. Alex laughed, delighted with the request and relieved. Briefly she had worried that this was to much for her lover.

"We can do anything you like," she smiled and retreated to the back of the boat where she had left the bandanna.

"Would you like me to wear it?" she asked once she returned to her companion's side and then laughed when the smaller woman flushed red. "You want to wear it?"

"I love you Alex and I love to watch you when you make love to me but it was kind of neat wearing the bandanna," the younger woman said hastily not wanting her companion to get the wrong impression.

"I understand," was the simple reply as the older woman was only to aware of the heightened senses that resulted from wearing a blindfold. Carefully she wrapped the bandanna around her companions eyes.

What followed next would forever live in Sydney's mind. Alex slowly undressed her companion, following the removal of each piece of clothing with a tender exploration of skin with her hands and mouth. Only once she was completely naked, was the smaller woman lead to the makeshift bed and lowered upon it's soft surface.

"Don't move," the dark haired woman whispered in her companion's ear before kissing her lips soundly before moving away.

Sydney lay there quietly, tiny goosebumps appearing on her skin as she anticipated what her lover was about to do. She listened intently as the other woman moved around the deck. She heard the drop of cloth onto the floor and a shiver raced down her spine as she visualized in her mind the naked form of her tall lover.

"Alex," she said sensing that her companion had returned to her side.

"Yes?" came the sultry reply and Sydney felt the mattress on which she lay move as the other woman knelt on the bed.

"You smell nice," was the only response that came to the blond woman's head and Alex chuckled replying with a gentle kiss on the smaller woman's mouth.

"Thank you," the Captain said and then picked up the rose she had brought with her to the bed.

Gently she lowered the bloom onto the smaller woman's skin before lightly tracing a path with it's soft pedals across the girl's skin. Sydney gasp at the feathery touch, goosebumps rising off her skin at the contact. Her nipples pebbled and hardened when the velvety flower circled it contour. The smaller woman groaned again.

"Are you cold?" Alex asked when her companion's body shivered.

"No," the blond detective managed to shudder in a heavy breath. Her body was so turned on that she was having a hard time breathing let alone thinking. "I'm hot."

"Oh," the Captain smiled reaching for something from a bucket she had placed beside the bed. "Then I better cool you off."

"Alex," Sydney gasped, her body quivering at the next contact which was cold and sent another shiver racing down her spine.

This touch was cool and moist and Alex trailed the ice cube down her companions body leaving a watery trail which she followed with her tongue. It was a mindless action that sent her companion's senses spinning.

"Oh God, Alex, please," Sydney begged feeling the moisture between her legs begin to flow. She reached out for where she thought her companion was but only felt her wrist being caught by a larger and stronger hand which then pinned them over her head.

"Not yet," the older woman said thickly, her breathing heavy her heart pounding, her own desire heightened by her companion's reaction.

It seemed like an eternity to Sydney as her lover continued to taunt her body with the ice cube and then her lips. Finally when she thought she would not be able to take anymore Alex lowered herself between her legs and moved her tongue and fingers against her swollen sex.

Sydney groaned unable to stop the orgasm that ripped through her body, her hips bucking wildly as it encompassed her entire body, leaving her more sated and exhausted then she could ever remember being.

Alex stayed with her lover until the last twitch had disappeared only then crawling up to nestle next to her companion. She gently reached out and combed damp strands of blond hair from the smaller woman's forehead before reaching around and removing the blindfold. Blue eyes were greeted by cloudy green orbs.

"I love you Alex," Sydney whispered barely able to move.

"I love you too Sydney," the Captain responded, bending forward to tenderly place their lips together.

"Let me love you," the smaller woman whispered against her warm lips. She wanted to return the favour, to make her companion as delirious as she felt.

"Later," Alex replied and pulled the smaller woman into a tight embrace. "Sleep now."

Green eyes drifted closed and the older woman smiled to herself at the gentle sound of the other woman as her breath evened into a rhythm that said she was sound asleep. Blue eyes closed as arms tightened more securely around the smaller body in her grasp.

It was the sound of a freighters horn as it echoed off the water that finally rousted Alex from her sleep. She opened one bleary eye and stared at the table near the bed, studying the time indicated on the watch she had placed there the previous evening. It was still early so she closed her eyes and settled back into the warm cocoon in which she was resting.

She was laying on her stomach, with a warm weight of her companion, draped over her back with one leg nestled contentedly between her own longer limbs. An arm was flung over her waist and a small hand was curled contentedly around one of her full breasts. A lazy smile came to her lips at the memories of what had passed between the previous night.

They had fallen asleep but it had been only a short nap and she had woken to find the smaller woman on top of her, meticulously repeating her actions. Somehow she ended up wearing the blindfold and it was an erotic experience that she undoubtedly knew that they would repeat, often.

She submitted herself totally to the younger woman, revelling in the way her body responded to the loving attention that was bestowed by her lover. By the time Sydney finally took her over the edge she was wetter then she ever remembered being.

The smile on her face continued to grow as the heat of her companion radiated through her own body and she listened contentedly as the freighter blew it's horn again, the sound reflected off the water.

"Shit," she suddenly exploded out of bed.

"What?" a sleepy blond woman muttered having been unceremoniously rousted from her peaceful slumber.

"It's after seven," Alex exclaimed as she hastily began to dress. She turned to see her companion gazing at her with a puzzled expression. "We are supposed to be at the Abbotsfield airport at ten."

"Oh," Sydney replied and then her eyes widened into round balls as she realized everything they had to do.

"Shit," she mumbled jumping out of bed and scrounging around the floor for her clothes and finding them discarded all around the cabin where Alex had flung them.

Alex didn't bother to do anything more then put her clothes on before hurrying to the forward cabin. After drawing up the anchor she set the powerful engines in motion, silently muttering to herself about falling asleep.

They were only slightly late in getting to their destination, though both of them were the worst for wear due to their hurried departure. It had taken them over an hour to get the boat back to it's berth and then back to the hotel. Sydney had hurried up to their room to pack up their bags while Alex had stayed in the main lobby to settle their bill. She did not forget to give the concierge a healthy tip and the man only managed to hide his smile until the tall woman turned her back and hurried towards the elevator. He knew by her rumpled appearance that the evening had been a bigger success then the woman herself had even imagined.

It wasn't until they had returned the rental car and were walking across the tarmac to the waiting plane that both women allowed themselves a chance to take a breath. The pilot examined them critically for a moment, noticing their appearance for neither woman had the chance to shower or change. There was only slightly harried expressions on their faces.

"Tough day?" he inquired cocking an eyebrow.

"Traffic was a bitch," they responded in unison after flashing each other a glance. They looked at the pilot and a pair of grins broke out over their faces.

"Okay, okay, forget I asked, I'm loaded and ready to go," he muttered and indicated for them to get into the plane.

Before long they were in the air and only then did both woman allow themselves to relax. Sydney glanced at her partner who was sitting silently next to her. She reached over and picked up a larger hand, squeezing it between her own.

"Thank you," she said quietly. "Last night was wonderful."

"You're welcome," Alex smiled and lifted the small hand to her lips to place a tender kiss upon the skin.

The remainder of the trip was done in relative silence and neither of the detectives was surprised to see the Sheriff waiting at the airfield on Lopez Island. He was leaning across the front of his car with his beefy arms folded across his expansive chest. He eyed them critically as they walked slowly up to him.

"Good morning ladies," he greeted them with a nod of his head.

"Good morning Sheriff," they returned the greeting in unison. "I appreciate you coming here to meet us."

"Well, I thought it was the least that I could do," the man replied, his eyes taking in their appearance but he was not of a mind to comment on it.

"Sorry, we couldn't close the case for you," Sydney felt compelled to say when an awkward silence fell over the group.

"You did the best you could do, and more then most I suspect," the man replied straightening. "Come on I'll give you a ride over to your folks place. I had Herman take the bike over there yesterday, suspected that you girl's would probably like at least a day to yourselves before you have to head back to the city."

"Yes, thanks," Alex nodded in appreciation. They had gotten little time to themselves, and last night had left her more exhausted then she cared to admit. They climbed into the car with Alex taking the seat in the front next to the Sheriff while Sydney naturally slipped into the back.

"I really do appreciate your help ladies," the Sheriff said once they were underway. "Don't know that I would have managed to do as much in as little time as you had."

"Like my colleague said, I wish we could have done more," Alex was sincere. She hated leaving a case open but she was intelligent enough to know that it was something that occurred more then she cared to admit in their line of work.

"I'm sorry that it screwed up your little holiday," he commented his eyes darting a glance at the solemn woman in the backseat.

"That's all right," the woman next to him shrugged. "Things happen."

Sydney smiled at the comment but remained silent, her thoughts harkening back to the last twenty-four hours as she conceded to herself that there was nothing ever, going to make her regret that their impromptu holiday had been interrupted.

As callous as it sounded, the murder of Leanne Meyers, had been a godsend for the both of them. If only briefly it had taken them from their everyday lives and forced them together to resolve the issues that plagued their relationship. Nope, neither of them regretted what had happened. An idea came into her head.

"Maybe the Commissioner would let us stay a few more days to wrap things up," she interjected and two pairs of eyes turned to look at her.

"I already tried that sweetheart," Luke acknowledged as he turned the police cruiser into the drive of the summer home. "He wouldn't even give it a second thought. Can't say I blame him, it's been nice having you ladies around."

"It's been a good change," Alex admitted for the both of them.

"You know that we could always use someone of your quality here. It's not a bad place to live."

"I know and the idea is tempting, but face it we're both into the murder business," Sydney was unusually pleased that her partner had included her. "And there ain't much of that going on down here."

"Thank God for that," the Sheriff snorted with a chuckle. "I love the boys that work for me, but one of you are smarter then all of them put together."

"They just haven't been exposed to everything that goes on up in the city," Alex said. "If they were it would be different."

"I suppose," the man nodded reflectively.

"How come you never came to the city to work?" Sydney asked when there was a break in the conversation.

"Don't really know," the Sheriff was honest. "George asked me often enough. Maybe I just didn't think I was smart enough for you city slickers."

"I don't know Luke," Alex interrupted in her drawling voice. "Seems to me you got a pretty good set up here and none of the bullshit that George has to deal with."

The Sheriff chuckled. "Yeah I was never one to put on airs."

CHAPTER NINE

IT FELT STRANGE for Alex to walk into the office alone that Monday morning. In the nine days they had been gone Sydney had been constantly at her side. She missed the other woman's presence. She missed her smell and the gentle way the smaller woman put a casual hand upon her back or her arm to draw her attention.

She sighed, nodding a greeting towards the detectives in the room before stepping into her own office, tossing her briefcase unto the desk before dropping into her chair. Without Sydney she felt like an important part of herself was missing.

"Oh, you have it so bad," she chided herself, mentally speaking the truth. She was completely in love with the blond woman and falling in deeper with each passing day. She stared out the window. For once it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day.

Sydney's birthday was coming up in a few weeks and she wanted to do something really special. For a few more minutes she indulged herself, unwilling to begin her day. Mentally she plotted several scenarios, reminding herself to call Andrew for a chat. As if summoned by her thoughts the phone jangled.

"Captain Marshall!" she answered briskly, but it sounded more like a bark.

"Mother Marshall, here," Marie responded with a hint of sarcasm. "Dear, do you always answer your phone like that?"

"No...yes.." Alex was momentarily confused.

"I taught you to have better manners then that," the older woman scolded gently. "What if the Commissioner had been calling?"

"I would have said, 'what the hell you want George?'," came the tart reply. Silence greeted her response and Alex winced realizing she had gone to far but before she could utter an apology her mother was speaking.

"My, we're in a fun mood today," the sarcasm was obvious.

"I just don't want to be here today," Alex sighed.

"Oh?" Marie was curious. "Then why don't you take the day off."

"Because then I'd be taking every day off," the younger woman said. "I miss not being with Sydney."

"She's not there then I take it."

"No, she's on evening shift."

The disappointment was evident in the younger woman's voice. Marie knew how much her daughter cared for the other woman. It was becoming increasingly more obvious with each passing day. The two women were growing closer and briefly Marie wondered if things would have been different for Alexandria if they had a closer relationship. She dismissed the thought aware that it had been brought on by that old familiar pang of jealousy.

"Well, then you have no excuse for not joining us Friday night for dinner," the older woman was not above taking advantage of the woman for her own benefit. "We've seen far to little of you lately."

"Okay," Alex agreed more readily then usual. The idea of being alone in the condo was very unappealing, especially on a Friday night.

"Good, be here for dinner at six thirty," Marie said and then hung up the phone.

Alex stared at the receiver for a minute before shaking her head. With reluctance she pushed all the thoughts of her family and her lover aside. Returning the phone to it's cradle she got down to work.

Sydney walked into the station house at twelve thirty, half an hour before their scheduled appointment to share lunch. Alex glanced at her watch and then at the small blond head which had poked itself through a crack in the door.

"You're early," Alex said unable to hide the pleasure she felt at seeing the younger woman.

"I was going crazy at home by myself," the small detective admitted with a sheepish grin. "I got lonely, I guess I kinda got used to having you around 24/7."

"Me, too," echoed the Captain and for a brief minute they smiled at each other in silence. "Ready for a game."

"Yep," Sydney's smile grew. "I have a feeling that today is the day that I'm going to beat you."

And she almost did, Alex realized over an hour later as the two exhausted women retired from the basketball court. They made their way back to the locker room both quietly wishing that their lives were different so that they could spend more time like this together.

"I missed this," Sydney said when they were finished in the shower and starting to dress.

"Yeah, me too," Alex sighed and then decided to change the subject before the yearning in her heart became to strong. "Mom called, she invited me for dinner on Friday."

"Are you going?" Sydney asked curiously aware that the older Marshall woman liked it when their daughter visited them alone.

"Yeah," Alex nodded and then gave her companion a lopsided grin. "Otherwise I would just be sitting around waiting for you to get home."

"I'm glad," the smaller woman smiled. "I think you're mother likes to visit alone with you."

"My parents like you," the Captain interrupted hastily.

"No Alex," the blonde woman said bluntly. "Your father likes me because I can be one of the guys, but your mom still isn't happy about us."

The Captain was silent aware that her lover had spoken the truth. She knew that her parent was trying yet Marie was still having a difficult time getting used to them being together.

"It's because she thinks that she's failed in someway," she sighed. "I think she feels responsible for me being gay. Like she had done something wrong when I was growing up. It's nothing personal against you."

"I know," Sydney understood better then her partner realized. "She cares about you and that's really neat. I envy you for having that."

Alex stopped buttoning her shirt and stared for a long moment at her companion who was seemingly oblivious to her gaze. Finally something in the silence made the smaller woman look up and for a long intense moment blue and green eyes met.

"They are not just my parents any more," Alex said quietly. "You're part of the family now."

"Alex," the name came out as a whine.

"No," the taller woman was firm. "You are my partner Sydney and for as long as we are together, I want you to consider them as your parents as well."

"I'd like to believe that Alex, but that's really up to them," Sydney appreciated her lovers word's but inside she knew that her lover's statement wasn't quite true. Regardless of how long they were together, she would never truly be a part of the Marshall family. The pure nature of their relationship was such that she would never fully be accepted.

Alex sensed there was something that her companion wasn't saying and opened her mouth to speak but the door to the locker room opened then to admit two female patrol officers and she knew the time for any serious conversation was over.

That afternoon the tall, dark haired woman sat in her office and stared out the window at her companion. She knew that in spite of everything Sydney didn't feel apart of her family and she racked her brains to try to think of someway to change that yet she wasn't certain she could. She wanted to make Sydney a part of her family. There was only one thing that continually popped in her head. It was an idea that nagged at her for the rest of the week and it was what was on her mind when she went to visit her parents that Friday evening.

"You seem preoccupied dear, is everything all right?" Marie asked her daughter when they were sitting at the dinner table enjoying a delicious roast beef dish.

"Yeah," Alex was in no mood to discuss her thoughts.

"Well, it's nice to have you here," the older woman said. "We so seldom get to see you."

"Sydney and I rarely have any time off together," the younger woman said.

"You can come here without Sydney," her mother said and something about that statement irritated Alex beyond reasonable measure. Perhaps it was the direction her thoughts had been taking this last while.

"Do you tell Andrew, Lawrence or Charles to leave their wives at home too?"

"What?" Marie was taken aback at the fierce tone of her daughter's voice.

"Alexandria, I don't think your mother was saying that," Warren interjected loudly sensing the beginning of an argument that none of them wanted. "I think you're mother was just saying that you don't have to wait until Sydney is free. You are welcome here anytime."

Alex closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She expelled it slowly aware that she had jumped to conclusions. She looked apologetically at her mother.

"I'm sorry," she was genuinely contrite. "There was no excuse for me to jump at you, I guess I'm just a little edge," she cocked a crooked and embarrassed smile at her parents. "I think I'm suffering from Sydney withdrawal."

"What?" both echoed in confusion and the younger woman grew sheepish.

"It was so nice being together all that time," Alex admitted. "I guess I miss not having her around all the time."

There was silence as the older couple absorbed this information. They looked silently at each other in quiet understanding, and Marie felt another pain in her heart, realizing that she had truly lost her daughter to this other woman.

"Have you given any more consideration to that talk we had a few months ago?" Warren asked breaking the silence and momentarily changing the subject.

Alex looked up at her father. After her talk with Sydney she had all but dismissed the idea of leaving the police department and going into private law practice. They were still building their relationship and needed all the time together they could get, leaving the department would cut into that little time they now had for each other.

Warren watched his daughter seeing the answer before any words came from her mouth. He was looking forward to the day when she finally joined the family practice. He was proud of his sons, but his only daughter was special, she had a personality and a force that was stronger then any of her siblings and he knew that she would be impressive in any courtroom. She had been every time she had testified for the persecution. He couldn't wait for the day when she finally stepped across the courtroom and stood for the defense.

"Yes," the girl nodded looking down at her plate and picking at the food with her fork. "I talked to Sydney like you suggested but it isn't the right time."

"You didn't let her persuade you not to leave, did you?" Marie asked a little to sharply and it made Alex uncomfortable that her parents might blame her lover for her decision.

"On the contrary, she was very supportive," was the honest answer. "The truth is as much as I'd love to start getting my hands wet, I'm not sure it's best for right now. We are still new at this relationship and we hardly see each other now, when we work in the same department, we'd never see each other if I started practicing law." She paused hoping her parents would understand. "Sydney is too important for me to risk losing."

"More important than your career?" Marie asked.

"More important then life," Alex replied quietly leaving them in no doubt about her feelings towards the younger woman.

"Don't you think it's a little soon to be saying something like that?" the older woman said quietly and blue eyes looked up. "After all you haven't known her all that long."

"No, we haven't known each other that long but it's what I have felt since the first time I met her," the tall woman paused shaking her head, glancing down at her plate for a moment to sort out her thoughts before looking up at her parents. "I know you won't understand this, and I don't suppose you ever will, but I feel about Sydney the same way you two feel about each other."

"You couldn't have explained it better," Warren said quietly, reaching across the table and squeezing his daughters hand. "But you have to give us all time to adjust. We didn't expect to get four daughter-in-laws."

"I appreciate what you have done," Alex replied. "You have been more supportive then I expected."

"Well, maybe there is more we can do," Warren said an idea coming to mind. "Andrew just landed a few big criminal cases and he could probably use some help."

"I don't know if it's wise I work on a criminal case," the Captain responded grateful for her father's attempt. "I think it would be a conflict of interest or something."

"Not necessarily," the attorney disagreed. "None of his cases involves your department and all you would be doing is research and help with preparing the case."

The idea sounded reasonably interesting though Alex wasn't certain how she would be able to fit it into her schedule. She admitted as much.

"What do you do when Sydney's working and you're not?" her father asked patiently.

"Work-out in the gym, mop around the apartment," Alex was honest.

"Exactly," Warren stressed his point. "Put that time to use. Andrew's bogged down right now and he could use the help of someone whose more than an assistant and you can come in when you're not busy."

Alex thought about the proposal for a long moment. She liked the idea and it would give her something to do rather than waste time in the condo waiting for Sydney to get home from work. She looked intently at her father.

"I'd have to clear this with the department and with Andrew," she said pensively. "And Sydney."

"I'll talk to Andrew," her father said but his daughter shook her head.

"No daddy, I want to make sure he's okay with this," Alex said. "If you talk to him, he'll think he's forced into the matter. I don't want that."

"Okay," he agreed seeing the logic in his daughter's statement.

"Okay," Alex smiled.

"Good, now mother mentioned that Sydney's birthday is coming up," Warren changed the subject aware that his wife always got anxious when they discussed business.

"Yes," Alex nodded. "Two weeks from Sunday."

"Do you have an idea of what you are going to do?" Marie spoke for the first time in a while, still smarting from her daughters misunderstanding.

"Yeah," the taller woman had been thinking hard and had come up with the perfect idea of how she wanted to celebrate her lover's birthday. "Sydney isn't big into parties, so I thought the two of us would just go out to dinner."

"You have to let us celebrate with you," her father moaned. "At least let us throw her a barbecue with family and a few friends. We could have it on Sunday afternoon."

"Yeah," Alex nodded her head a smile forming on her lips. "I don't think she would mind something like that. But you don't have to do this just because of what I said earlier."

"We're not," Warren spoke for the both of them. "I know that sometimes we don't treat Sydney like family but I expect that she is, so it's no use denying it."

"Thank you daddy," Alex was extremely grateful for the acceptance that her father gave. It gave her courage to broach another subject. "Have you guys decided where you're going this Christmas?"

"Your mother mentioned she'd like to go to Greece," Warren answered.

"They have this lovely three week cruise that tours through the Greek Islands and makes several stops in Turkey," Marie enthused, her eyes narrowing slightly when she noticed her daughter begin to fidget with her napkin. "Why?"

"When we were on Lopez Island, I told Sydney about all the vacations we had spent there as a family."

"Those are wonderful memories," Marie agreed with a smile.

"Yeah, that's what she thought," the taller woman continued thoughtfully. "Sydney didn't have much of a childhood. She doesn't have many memories like that. She never really had any special Christmas celebrations."

"Are you trying to get at something dear?" the older woman prompted sensing that her daughter was having a difficult time discussing something which was on her mind.

"I was wondering if you would consider postponing your plans and spend Christmas with Sydney and myself on Lopez Island," Alex finally managed to get out. There was silence as the older two people glanced across the table at each other. The younger woman missed the quiet communication.

"I think that would be a wonderful idea," Warren spoke for them both and Alex glanced from one face to the other for confirmation.

"Yes," Marie nodded her head in agreement.

"Are you sure?" the younger woman seemed uncertain.

"Absolutely," Warren was more enthusiastic this time. "I think it's a positively great idea. We haven't been out to the Island for Christmas in to many years. It would be nice."

"What about your trip to Greece?"

"We can go any time of the year," Marie waved her hand airily, liking the idea very much. "Truth is, your father and I get lonely in the Christmas' when none of you children come home. It will be nice to spend Christmas with someone."

The more Alex thought about the whole situation the more excited she became. She waited up that night for her lover to come home waiting only until Sydney had crawled into bed with her before settling down and turning out the light.

"How did dinner go?" the smaller woman asked snuggling into her companions arms.

"Better then I thought," the Captain said unable to mask the excitement in her voice. The blond woman listened as her lover spoke, telling her about the evening and its unexpected events.

"You know Alex, if you want to go into practicing law, I think you should," Sydney said ignoring her personal thoughts and fears. "I'll support everything you decide."

"I know you will," Alex sighed, "but I'm not ready. This way I can try it out and see if I'll really like it or not. It would be crazy if I left the SPD only to find out I hated being a lawyer. Maybe I'll even be awful."

"You'll be a great lawyer,"

"You're too good for my ego," Alex chuckled and squeezed her companion in her arms. "But that's not the most exciting news."

"Oh?" Sydney twisted around in her companion's arms so that she could look her full in the face.

"I talked to mom and dad about Christmas and they think it's a great idea," the dark haired woman could barely contain her excitement. "They are looking forward to spending Christmas this year with us on Lopez Island."

She felt an immense rush of love for her partner and not knowing what to say she leaned in and kissed the other woman soundly.

"I love you."

"I know you do," Alex chuckled pleased by her partners response. "Now tell me about your day. Did you land anything exciting?"

Sydney proceeded to tell her partner about the rather boring shift she had spent. Since returning from Lopez Island she had been bogged down on several rather mundane assignments. She was happy to report that after three weeks they were about to finally close the case of Louis B. Archer the black street vagrant that had been beaten to death in an alley.

That evening she had finally found Martin Steward, a homeless man, in one of the cities drunk tanks and after sobering him up he had admitted that his partner, one Melvin Vega and himself had beaten Archer to death because the man had refused to share the rest of his alcohol with them. The whole situation had been pitiful and she had walked away from the man with a sense of incredible hopelessness for the way some of the world was headed.

"It's times like this that I wonder about bringing a child into the world," the blond woman admitted her thoughts.

"It is a tough world out there," Alex conceded, "but we shouldn't give up hope. It's only when we give up that it truly becomes hopeless."

Alex was still thinking about the conversation the next day when she called her brother and made arrangements to meet him at a local restaurant. She had never been to the place that her brother named and needed to look it up in the phone book to get the appropriate directions. She arrived early and was surprised to find that her brother was already waiting.

"The man that owns this place is a client of mine," Andrew informed her. "He's involved in a little bit of trouble so I thought to come early and talk to him before we met."

"Why? So you could write our lunch off as a business lunch?" Alex inquired drawing an embarrassed grin from her brother. "I can't believe you do that to dad."

"I don't use it against dad," the man hastily defended himself. "I use it on my tax forms."

Alex shook her head without comment before following the hostess to a table at the far end of the restaurant. She slipped into a chair and allowed her eyes to scan their surroundings.

The place was elegantly decorated and dimly lit providing a muted atmosphere. It was built in the likeness of a great hall in a distant castle with torches flickering along the wall. It was definitely a place where someone could be intimate.

"This is a cool place," Alex commented, aware that the menus where on simple pieces of paper that were rolled up like scrolls.

"Yeah I like it," Andrew smiled proudly. "I bring Christie here for our anniversary, they have some really neat private alcoves in the back, like your own private dining areas."

"Really?" Alex was definitely interested now as her mind shifted into high gear.

"Yeah, it's incredibly romantic," the man continued wagging his eyebrows suggestively. "The perfect place to take a lover."

Alex looked at him with one eyebrow cocked. "Are you suggesting something?"

"Well, mom let it slip that it was the Kindergartener Cops birthday coming up soon and I just thought..."

"What, that I needed some help in figuring out what to do?" the eyebrows disappeared beneath dark bangs.

"No," Andrew flushed. "I mean, I'm sure you know what to do but I just thought.."

"I know what you thought and I appreciate it," Alex smiled letting the man off the hook. She glanced around their surroundings. "The truth is that I was racking my brains for a place to take her. I didn't want it to be someplace ordinary."

"Well, there you go," a grin broke over the man's face.

"So, how much does it cost to rent one of those alcoves for an evening?" she wanted to know and watched as the smile on the older man's face disappeared.

"It's not more then you could afford however they are usually booked months in advance."

"Oh," Alex was disappointed, thinking that she would have to think of another idea. "Maybe you could speak with the owner, after all he is a client."

Andrew looked at his sister and a smile broke over his face. "Yeah maybe I could, however it's going to cost you."

"How much?" the tall woman wanted to know, her eyes narrowing.

"I don't know yet," the man grinned evilly as he leaned back in his chair and began to tap his fingers on the table thoughtfully. "I will need time to think about it."

"Don't think to hard," Alex drawled. "I am a resourceful woman and can find some other place on my own."

"But will it be as nice as this?" Andrew asked continuing to think that he had his sister over a barrel.

"Better," the woman smirked and the man laughed.

"I'll talk to him," the man conceded defeat. "And it won't cost you anything. Tell Syd it's my birthday present to her."

"I appreciate it," Alex was sincere.

The rest of the meal was spent in quiet conversation as the two siblings caught up on what was happening in their lives. Alex detailed what had happened during their brief visit to Lopez Island and the ensuing trip to Vancouver. Andrew sat rapt, listening to his sister and thinking that she lead such an interesting life.

"I envy you," he sighed when she was finished.

"Oh," Alex was slightly taken aback by his confession.

"Yeah," he smiled sheepishly. "You and Sydney seem to led such an exciting life. Something is always happening."

"Believe me brother I wish it was a lot less exciting," the woman retorted without amusement thinking of Sydney's shooting and the night in Vancouver when they were assaulted by the street punks. "It's not as glamorous as it seems."

"No, I suppose nothing is," Andrew agreed nodding his head. He glanced up at his sister. "I know we get along and all but you still haven't told me why it was important for us to meet for lunch."

Alex looked at her brother for a moment before revealing the reason behind this date. She related the conversation she had with their father and then fell silent, waiting for the man to respond. She saw the pensive frown burrow it's way between his brows.

"Doesn't dad think I can handle the cases?" he asked unable to mask the hurt he felt in his voice.

"Not at all, he's just worried that you are overworked," Alex said hastily. "Aren't you spending longer hours at the office?"

"Yeah," the man nodded admitting the truth. Christie had complained more then once that he was getting home later and later in the day. Truth was that he would welcome some extra help with his caseloads and the thought of working with Alex was not unappealing. He liked his sister and enjoyed her company immensely.

"Is it something you want to do?" he asked turning his blue eyes on her.

"It's something I'd like to try," the woman confided. "I've been thinking of putting my degree to use but I'm not ready to leave the force yet."

"And Sydney, what does she think of this?"

"Sydney will support anything I do," came the quietly rejoinder. "Truth is she is the reason I want to do this."

"Oh?" this confession caught the man by surprise.

"Yeah," Alex nodded her dark head. "I feel practically lost without her around and the condo seems so empty without her in it. I need to keep busy when she's working."

"Oh," the man nodded his head in understanding.

"So it wouldn't be full time and I wouldn't let it interfere with the little time I have with Sydney," she paused. "That is if you're okay with it."

"Yeah, I think it would be great," the man answered after a moment of searching his sister's face. "I'd like to work with you and I know Christie would be happy knowing that there was someone else helping out. Truth is I think she is afraid that one of the reasons I stay late at the office is because I might be having an affair with one of the legal assistants."

"Oh," this admission caught Alex by surprise. She had never known her friend to be the jealous type. She caught the slightly guilty smile on her siblings face. She never expected this from her brother. "Do you want to tell me about this?"

"There is nothing really to tell," Andrew said not daring to look his sister in the eye. "There is a new legal assistant at the office and she is eager to get ahead. Too eager I'm afraid and she has volunteered on more then one occasion to stay late and help out. She is working on her law degree and thinks anything extra will help. It will but Christie thinks the woman might have a crush on me."

"What do you think?" Alex was blunt and saw the flush enter her brothers cheeks.

"I think she might be right."

There was silence as the woman contemplated the situation. She thought back to those long moments when she had first met Sydney's former lover in Vancouver. She had been more then mildly jealous and had been unwilling to allow the two out of her sight. It wasn't that she distrusted her lover, for Sydney's feelings for her were evident, it was just that she wasn't certain the other woman didn't still hold a torch for her companion and she knew how things could go.

"Well, then my presence might just be able to cool her intentions," she paused. "That is if you want that to happen."

"Oh, God yes," the man breathed heavily. "I love Christie and I don't think about being with anyone else. I'm just not certain how to handle this woman without causing an even bigger problem."

"Okay then I will handle it for you, provided of course you do me a favour," Alex said and her brother looked at her skeptically.

"What kind of favour?" he was suspicious uncertain he could agree to what his sibling would propose.

"Get me one of those private alcoves for Sydney's birthday," Alex said and the man grinned reaching out his hand.

"Deal."

Alex was still mulling over her plans, with a smile on her lips when she arrived home that evening. It was Tuesday and Sydney was only at the beginning of her seven day night shift rotation. She hated the fact that she would have to sleep alone for another five nights before her partner rotated back onto the day shift.

She stepped into the condo, surprised to find it completely silent. Usually when she arrived home, it was to find the stereo blaring full blast as her partner went about any activity that she was preoccupied with. For a moment she felt a sudden panic but that lasted only until she found her partner in the den, curled up on the sofa with a book propped open on her lap.

Alex smiled as she leaned against the door and watched her companion sleep. Sydney usually went to bed the moment she returned to the apartment in the morning, that way she was up for when she returned from work allowing them to spend the evening together, doing whatever they wanted.

The smile faded. Alex knew that the shift work was tough on the younger woman. It was tough on all the detectives but it was the most effective rotation that had been worked out.

She glanced at her watch and decided to leave the smaller woman sleep, retreating to the bedroom to change before strolling into the kitchen to make supper. She felt in an expansive mood and it was an hour later before the casserole she had thrown together was ready to take out of the oven. She set it on the counter to cool while she finished setting the table. Only when everything was complete did she go wake her partner.

Sydney rousted slowly, drifting casually from her slumber back into reality, aware of something very soft and gentle caressing her hair. It took her a moment to realize it was a hand and that it belonged to her lover.

"Hey," she smiled lazily allowing her green eyes to slowly open.

"Hey sleepyhead," Alex smiled, leaning in to brush her lips across the smaller woman's brow. "You hungry?"

"Starved," Sydney sighed and studied her companion intently. "Did you just get home?"

"No, I've been home for about an hour," the taller woman replied. "Dinner is ready."

"Oh Alex, you should have woken me."

"Why, you were sleeping so peacefully," Alex said tenderly combing loose strands of blond hair from her partner's forehead. "I didn't want to wake you, but dinner is ready and I am hungry."

"Okay," the blond woman smiled and then with the help of her companion eased herself off the sofa.

"I had lunch with Andrew today," Alex said once they were sitting at the table. "I mentioned to him that dad would like me to help him out doing research on some of his cases."

"What did he say?" Sydney asked swallowing a mouthful of casserole.

"At first he was offended but then I think he realized what Dad is trying to do," the dark haired woman admitted. "In the end he admitted that it would probably be a good thing. It seems that there is a law clerk in the office who is showing him some unwelcome attention."

"Oh," the blond woman was surprised by that revelation. She glanced at her partner.

"Yeah, it seems she has developed a crush on him and he doesn't know exactly what to do about it," Alex continued. "I think he would welcome a third party in the office to help diffuse the situation."

"Then it could serve two purposes," Sydney said.

"I hope so," Alex sighed. "Anyway, I promised him I would pop around tomorrow evening after work so he could introduce me around his office and get me familiar with how he wants things done."

"So what time should I expect you?" the smaller woman wanted to know.

"I will be home by six," the Captain promised and then smiled. "If you're up to it maybe we can hit a movie before you go into work."

"Actually, I would prefer to spend the evening alone together if you don't mind," Sydney confessed.

"Done," Alex agreed only to willing to have the younger woman all to herself for an evening.. "What do you have in mind?"

"You'll see," the blond detective smiled coyly and then changed the subject. "I decided to go to see Anne tomorrow."

"Are you sure you're ready?" Alex was immediately concerned, reminded of an earlier conversation they had shared. She had faith in the older woman, there was something about Anne that told Alex the woman really cared for her younger sibling. She trusted that the convict wouldn't say anything stupid to her partner.

"Yeah," Sydney nodded her head. "I'm nervous but I have to see her some time. It will only get harder the longer I wait."

"I don't think you have anything to worry about," the Captain said confidentially.

I hope not, the smaller woman thought unable to dismiss the fears that she held. Immediately after work the next morning, she headed towards the state penitentiary where her sister Anne was incarcerated. She didn't even bother waiting for Alex to arrive at work, thinking how she might stay and talk to the woman and then change her mind. She shook her head, feeling incredibly fatigued, and trying to keep her thoughts focused on the drive. It didn't surprise her that her older sibling wasn't expecting her visit.

"Hey," Sydney greeted her sister as the older woman slipped into the vacant chair on the other side of the glass partition and picked up the phone.

"Hey, how are you doing kid?" Anne was genuinely concerned about her younger sibling.

"Good," the blond woman smiled weakly. "How have you been?"

"Staying alive," the prisoner flashed a cocky grin, her hazel eyes narrowing as she searched the other woman's face. She was astute enough to notice the red scars that were visible on her sisters' neck and lower chin. She sensed that the kid was reluctant to discuss what had happened and decided to bring up the subject herself. "Are you completely recovered?"

"The wounds hurt sometimes when I am overtired," Sydney conceded unconsciously running her fingertips over the scars on her neck. "They told you what happened?"

"Yeah, the Warden is a bit of a battleaxe but she's got a heart," Anne flashed another grin that disappeared almost as soon as it appeared. "She told me you were shot."

"Yeah, we went to arrest a guy in regards to a murder case and he came out firing," the detective admitted. "We weren't prepared and got tagged. It's lucky that he was a bad shot."

"Someone took care of him, didn't they?" the convict asked roughly feeling a measure of anger and hatred towards the unknown person who had harmed her sister.

"He was killed in an exchange of fire," Sydney said quietly not elaborating and unable to meet her siblings eyes which made the older woman's eyes narrow.

Anne was silent as she studied her younger sister. She knew Sydney better then anyone and there were certain traits that the girl had carried from her childhood through to her adult life. One of them was her avoidance in meeting their eyes when she didn't want to admit something. She couldn't at first think about what the other woman could be hiding and then it suddenly hit her.

"You killed him," the older woman said succinctly guessing the truth and all Sydney could do was nod her head. "He deserved it."

"No one deserves to be killed," the detective disputed the claim with a flash of anger. "No one has the right to kill another human being."

There was complete silence as the words sank into the prisoners head. For a long moment hazel and green eyes met as the two sisters stared at each other. Sydney held her breath not certain her sibling wouldn't just get up and walk out of the visitors room.

They had never talked about that night so very long ago. She knew her sister's feelings on the situation but Sydney had never confronted her about the events of that evening that had changed both their lives so dramatically.

"No, you're right," Anne agreed softly, "but there are always reasons why people end up dying at the hands of someone else."

"You mean excuses," the blond woman shook her head.

"No reasons," the convict corrected quietly. "I won't say what I did was right, but I was scared. That night when that cop came after me I was afraid of this. I didn't want to go to jail."

"So you shot him," Sydney said.

"I never meant to kill him..."

"But you did," the detective interrupted shaking her head not accepting that argument..

"Yes, but do you actually think I want to be here," Anne demanded with a hint of anger waving her free hand expansively to indicate her surroundings. "Do you think there is anyone who would intentionally want to waste their life in a dump like this?"

"No," Sydney shook her head again.

"Then why can't you accept it was an accident?" the older woman demanded.

"Because you never expressed remorse," the blond woman said bluntly and for a long moment there was a tense silence. "From the moment I realized that I had been responsible for that man's death, regardless of the fact that he had tried to kill me first, I felt horrible."

"That's why you and me are different kid," Anne said flippantly and her attitude stirred an anger deep inside the younger woman.

"I don't think we are so different," Sydney disputed the claim. "If there is one difference between us it's that you are a coward and I'm not."

"Bullshit..." the older woman was about to disagree but the detective wouldn't accept any argument.

"Yes," the blond woman affirmed. "You might have been scared when you shot that cop but you were a coward not to own up to it. You are so frightened of having someone see the real you, that you played at being the big shot, the tough guy. You always had to be the tough guy."

"Someone had to be, to protect your sorry ass," the older woman scoffed resentfully.

"Bullshit, you never protected me," Sydney disagreed thinking of all the times that she had been kicked around and beaten by the others. "If I remember correctly you stood by and watched them hurt me... when did you protect me from them?"

"Just by being there," the other woman snorted tersely. "Everything they did to you would have been worse if I hadn't been there."

Sydney was silent. She didn't want to argue with her sister. She was tired, exhausted by her long shift and the drive. She knew that in this mood she was liable to say something that would only upset the situation even more then it already was. She thought of Alex and wished the taller woman was there. She could use her strength and guidance at that moment.

"I'm not you, Syd," Anne said quietly breaking the silence between them and the younger woman glanced up. For a long moment green and hazel eyes met in a long gaze. "I will never be you."

The single knock on the door made Alex glance up from the paperwork on her desk. She was surprised at the sight that filled her line of vision. She smiled and gave the rotund man a firm nod before motioning to an empty chair. It was little more than a week since they had last seen the man.

"It's nice to see you Sheriff Ford," she greeted the man as he plunked himself down in a vacant chair. "What brings you up into this neck of the woods?"

"Hadn't seen George for awhile so I thought it was time to drop down for a visit," the man replied easily as he settled comfortably into the chair. "Figured I would pop in and bring you up to speed on what's happening on the Meyer's case. Thought you would be interested."

"I am," Alex smirked, "but I think this visit has more to do with being able to bill this trip to the taxpayers rather then bring me up to speed."

"I see now why my brother warned me to be careful with you," the Sheriff laughed not offended by the comment. He let his brown eyes wander around the room. "You've got yourself some pretty nice digs here."

"Not as good as your brothers," came the light reply which brought another chuckle from the man.

"I am thinking that he better be on his guard or you might soon be standing on his door step waiting to move in."

"Nope," Alex shook her head. "That's one thing George doesn't have to worry about. I have no ambition to go after his job, to much political crap to deal with."

"Yep, I suppose you're right there," the man agreed solemnly.

"So, anything new?" Alex was genuinely curious to know how the case involving Leanne Meyer's murder was progressing.

"Nothing major," the man admitted regretfully. "The searches of the boat and Armstrong's apartment did produce evidence that Meyer's had been at both locations."

"How did Armstrong explain it?" the woman was completely alert.

"She said that it might be from when Joanne Frost and her were still living together," the Sheriff repeated the answer he had been given. "It seems that Ms. Frost had brought Ms. Meyers there on several occasions when Ms. Armstrong was working."

Alex was silence as she contemplated this explanation. Any prosecutor would be hard pressed to dispute this claim and she had the sinking feeling that the woman would get away with murdering the popular news anchor.

"What about a weapon?"

"Nothing new on that front either," the Sheriff sighed, "but the detective from Vancouver said that she hadn't yet had a chance to visit every place where the woman would be able to obtain a weapon. We have learned that Ms. Armstrong was a member of a shooting club and had at one time owned several guns used for trap shooting. However, she said that she had sold them several years earlier."

"You might want to check with Joanne Frost to confirm that," Alex said without thinking and then remembered that she was no longer involved in the case. She had the grace to flush. "That's if you think it would be useful."

The man laughed easily, not offended by the suggestion. "Truth is I was hoping you could offer some more advice. I tried to get something out of George but he said I should talk to you."

"He would," Alex grinned aware of the Commissioners pendant for passing the buck. The smile disappeared from her lips as another idea popped into her head. "I think while you're down here you might want to stop in at the Coroners office and see whether Ms. Meyer's wound is consistent with the type that might be inflicted with a gun used for trapshooting, keeping in mind the particular type of ammunition that is used."

"Will do," the man nodded his head in agreement. He glanced about the room again. "How's your partner, I didn't see her out in the squad room?"

"She's on night shift."

"On night shift," the man was bemused by the response. "I would have thought that you would have used some pull to get her on your shift."

"That would be playing favourites," Alex replied easily knowing that the man's comments were not made with any malice intent. "And I don't play favourites, or did George tell you different?"

"Nope," the Sheriff laughed. "Fact is he only warned me not to cross you, said I would live to regret it."

"You would," Alex didn't dispute the claim. She glanced at her watch. "Can you spare enough time for me to buy you lunch?"

"I think that can be arranged," the man agreed amicably. "Provided that afterwards you accompany me over to the Coroners Office."

"I think I can arrange that," the Captain grinned.

It was suppertime when Alex finally arrived home from a rather long day. Lunch and their following visit to the coroner's office proved enlightening as Alex was not only able to have her questions answered but the Sheriff was able to collect the results of the chemical samples that the Coroner had taken earlier from the body. While no drugs had been detected in the woman's blood, it was clear that she had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol.

Alex pushed all thoughts of the deceased woman from her mind as she stepped into the condo, her senses delighted by the fragrant aroma that assaulted each breath. She could hear her companion moving around in the kitchen and immediately headed in that direction, dropping her briefcase at the door.

"Hey," she greeted the smaller woman as she strolled into next room. She walked right up to the blond woman and wrapped her arms around the slender waist to give her a hug while dropping a kiss on her head.

"Hey yourself," Sydney smiled, happy to see her companion again. "How was your day?"

"Busy," Alex sighed releasing her companion and leaning back against the counter to munch on a stray carrot she had snagged from the plate of vegetables her partner was preparing. "Had an unexpected visit from Sheriff Ford at lunch."

"Really," the smaller woman was surprised. "Did he have anything new to say?"

"Only that Michelle Armstrong had at one time competed as a trap shooter and that she had once owned several guns."

"So that puts another bit of evidence against her," Sydney remarked scooping up the vegetables and dropping them into a steam cooker, but not before Alex grabbed another raw carrot.

"It appears that way," Alex sighed, "however it is all flimsy at best."

"Yeah," the smaller woman agreed and then looked at her partner. "Hey, do you feel like going to St. Mary's tonight and playing some basketball."

"I thought you wanted to spend the evening in?" the taller woman was immediately suspicious.

"I changed my mind," the smaller woman simply shrugged her shoulders.

Truth was that since she had returned from visiting her sister she had been unable to settle down. She had been to restless to sleep when she lay down and now the adrenalin was still pumping through her body in spite of the fatigue that was just slightly at bay. Alex sensed there was more to the situation.

"How did your visit with Anne go?" she asked cautiously. She wished she could have gone with her companion but Sydney had not invited her along.

"It was horrible," the smaller woman sighed and the taller woman tensed.

"What did she say?"

"It wasn't her," Sydney sighed and smiled weakly at the sight of the confused look on her lover's face. "I was the one who was the bitch."

Alex didn't want to believe that but she sensed that her companion was dealing with several issues. "What happened?"

"I verbally attacked her," the smaller woman explained in a weary voice. "I told her because of my experience I couldn't understand how she could be so cool about killing someone."

"What did she say?"

"She didn't answer me," Sydney answered quietly and a solemn silence fell between the two women.

"How did it end?"

"We agreed to disagree," the younger woman said unable to mask the catch in her voice and Alex responded immediately by moving across the distance that separated them and wrapping her tightly in an embrace. They stood like that for a long while.

"You okay?" she glanced down at her companion.

"Yeah," Sydney nodded taking a deep breath as she watched her partner resume her position by the counter. "So you up to going to St. Mary's tonight?"

"Yeah, that might be fun," the Captain readily agreed, thinking it might be good way to get the smaller woman's mind off her visit to her sister's. It had been almost two months since they had been out to the evening basketball games. Matches that the older woman had begun to enjoy, reveling in the competition that was offered.

"Why don't you go change and by the time you're done the vegetables will be ready."

The taller woman nodded and pushed herself away from the counter and retreated through the condo towards the bedroom. Her companion was right and by the time she had washed and changed, the vegetables were done and the spicy cooked beef and rice was set on the table.

Despite their plans the Alex didn't rush through her meal, content to savour and enjoy the food that her companion had prepared. The game was just about to get underway by the time they arrived but they were greeted with friendly waves by their friends and soon they were placed on different teams.

"Didn't know if we'd see you here again," Skinny announced with a broad smile across his face. He had been the first to run across the court to greet them.

"Been tied up a bit," Sydney answered returning the hug the man gave her.

"Heard," the man nodded his head seriously. "Glad to know that you're all right, we were all worried that you might not make it."

"You should know better then that," Alex chided the man good-naturedly smiling tenderly at her lover. "Sydney is one tough nut."

"You have that right," the black man grinned. "Come on, we're about ready to play, you're just in time."

It felt good to be back on the court with her old friends and for the first time since the shooting Sydney began to think that her life could completely return to normal. By the time the game ended she was panting, exhausted by the exertion she needed to keep up with the rest.

"I feel totally out of shape," she confessed to her partner who chuckled, rubbing her head affectionately.

"That means we will just have to get you back into shape," Alex grinned and their companion's laughed.

Sydney went to work that night feeling better then she had in a long time. She had been nervous about returning to the night shift but things had been going smoothly at work and she was beginning to feel a level of comfort that had been missing for so long after the shooting.

She thought of Alex, whom she had dropped off at the condo. She wished that she could have stayed at home with her but knew that wasn't an option. She was greeted almost immediately by Lieutenant Scarifrelli upon her arrival.

"There's a homicide over on Dunn Street I need you to take," the man advised, handing her a scrape of paper with an address. "There are cruisers over there now and as soon as Norm and Roy are available I will send them over. It sounds pretty routine."

Sydney nodded, schooling herself not to laugh. Nothing in their job was ever routine. She collected a set of car keys from the desk sergeant and then made her way to the address. As the Lieutenant had advised there were patrolmen already on the scene. She was happy to see the Sgt. Rob Newlie was also there.

"Hey, Rob how are you?"

"Good," the veteran patrolman announced pleased to see his younger colleague. "How you been? Heard you were working an out of town case."

"Yeah, we weren't lucky with it though," the small woman bobbed her head glancing at the battered body that was lying sprawled on the ground at the edge of a dimly lit park. "What have we got here?"

"Looks like another gang hit," Rob surmised. "Fortunately we managed to snag a witness before she got away. She was sitting on a bench in the park when it happened. She's not real anxious to talk though."

"Where is she?" Sydney asked glancing around the scene before following the Sergeant's finger to where it was pointed at a rather rough looking young woman who was sitting on a bench at a nearby bus stop.

She glanced over the inert body once more before slowly approaching the woman. A quick survey and she guessed that the young woman was probably still a little bit high from some chemical stimulant. She privately wondered if there was anything that this woman could tell them that they would be able to use.

"Hi," Sydney greeted with a smile. She had found that the friendly approach usually worked. "My name is Sergeant Davis and my colleagues here say that you saw what happened to this man."

"Didn't see nothing," the woman denied the claim, shaking her head vigorously. Strands of straight brown hair fell across her face as she bent her head so that she would not have to look at the small blonde detective.

"Okay," Sydney decided to try a different tactic. "Can I ask what your name is?"

"Nope," the woman shook her head, her eyes glancing nervously towards the darkness of the park that surrounded them. Then she repeated her earlier claim. "I didn't see nothing."

The young detective stared at the woman. It was obvious to her trained eye that the girl's nervousness was the result of more then just the drugs that were slowly working there way out of her system. She dropped to her hunches so that she could look up into the bent face. Gently she rested a hand on the girl's knee. It was meant as a comforting gesture.

"Are you scared?" Sydney asked, deciding to work on instinct.

"Of course, you would be too," the young woman, whom appeared to be no older then her teens, hissed quietly through clenched teeth. For a moment brown and green eyes met and the blonde detective could see a real fear in the girl's eyes. It suddenly occurred to her why the child might be afraid.

"Is the person who shot this man still in the area?" she asked, lowering her voice so that only the two of them could hear.

Sydney knew by the silence that greeted her question that the shooter was still in the vicinity. She took a deep breath, feeling suddenly uneasy, as a queasy feeling suddenly entered her stomach. She slowly stood up, stretching her body, one hand automatically reaching behind her to feel the cold steel of the gun that was tucked on her hip.

"Rob," she called the patrolman's name, summoning him to her side with the mere tone of her voice.

"Yeah, Syd?"

"Do you know this park?" she asked turning on her heel to glance casually at their surroundings. She had noticed earlier that it was ringed by a steel fence that was nearly eight feet high.

"Yeah," the older officer nodded suspiciously.

"How many exits are there?" she wondered quietly and there was silence as the patrolman contemplated his response. Sydney watched as the man's eyes narrowed.

"This is the only one," he replied softly, intimately familiar with the area from his long years of service on the force. He knew from experience that the steel fence ran down to the river and had been put up in response to the crime that engulfed the area. It was meant as a deterrent to criminals.

"I think our shooter is still in there," the small detective motioned her head towards the darkness. The officer was silent as he contemplated the suggestion and then without a word he turned and called out to the patrolmen standing around ready to assist in the collection of evidence.

"Okay guys, it looks like our killer might still be in the area," the Sergeant addressed the other officers in a low voice, taking charge of his colleagues. "We are going to pair up and go into the park to do a methodical search. Officers Ernest and Sweetin you stay posted here to cover the entrance. Syd if you want to take our witness over to one of the patrol cars, we'll check the park out."

"No," Sydney understood and appreciated what her friend and colleague was trying to do, but it was not an acceptable option. She straightened her shoulders and the man nodded, glancing over towards another officer.

"Officer Seamus, take the witness to one of the patrol cars and wait with her there until I have someone relieve you."

The young patrol officer nodded and immediately took charge of the witness, escorting the young woman from the bus bench to a patrol car parked on the far side of the street. Only once the woman was safely out of the way, did the remaining officers turn their entire attention to the task at hand.

Sydney kept her hand on her gun as they began the quiet and methodical search of the dark park. The hairs on the back of her neck were standing on end and the ball in her stomach was beginning to tighten into a knot. She swallowed, narrowing her eyes as they scanned the blackness that surrounded her. On her left was Sergeant Newlie and on her right another young patrol officer whose name she was not familiar.

They moved quietly, talking to each other so that nobody would mistake them for the suspect, the beams from their flashlights cutting through the darkness like a sharp knife. The tension in the air was thick and Sydney could hear the pounding of her heart, loudly in her ears.

Her green eyes followed the sweep of the lights beam, narrowing intently at every foreign object it encountered. In spite of her awareness the face that suddenly jumped out at them from the bush was startling. For a moment time froze and Sydney stood paralyzed, watching as a dark figure rose up from the ground. For one brief instant terrified eyes were reflected in the light and then an arm lifted, at the very end of it was a gun pointed in there direction. There was a flash and then nothing more.

The insistent ringing of the phone, rousted Alex from her slumber. She glanced with bleary blue eyes at the clock on the table next to the bed. It was almost three in the morning and she was perturbed by the idea of someone calling her so late. Absently she glanced over at the empty spot on the bed next to her and instantly she was wide awake, her hand plucking the receiver from the cradle.

"Yes?" she barked into the phone, her heart pounding erratically in her chest.

"It's Lou," the voice on the other end did not have to give himself a formal introduction. "There's been a shooting."

CHAPTER TEN

ALEX BARELY WAITED for the car to come to a halt before bounding out the door. There were coloured lights of emergency vehicles everywhere but she was not interested in any of that. Her blue eyes narrowed, searching quickly through the crowd of city employees who were gathered in small groups. Her heart continued to pound fiercely in her chest as she strolled hastily passed the police barricades. She was looking for only one person and finally she spotted the blonde crown of her lover.

Sydney was barely able to turn around before her tall lover enveloped her into a tight embrace, making no pretense of the way she felt for the smaller detective. It was a hug that was returned.

"Are you okay?" Alex pushed the smaller woman away so that she could take a good look at her lover. The Lieutenant had said that Sydney was okay but she wanted to make certain for herself.

"Yeah," Sydney nodded and satisfied Alex embraced her companion tightly once more before releasing her.

"Is everyone else okay?" the Captain asked surveying the scene.

"Yes," the smaller detective said following her lovers gaze to where a pair of ambulance attendants were hurrying towards an emergency vehicle with a gurney which was occupied by an individual of unknown nature.

"What happened?" Alex wanted to know, becoming businesslike once more, now that she was reassured that her companion was all right.

"It looks like a gangland hit," Sydney replied filling the taller woman in on the details. "As a part of the initiation our shooter was supposed to hit the victim over there." She pointed to the white sheet that had been placed over the first victim. "Unfortunately, it appears he panicked once he made the hit and then raced into the park, thinking that he would be able to escape. However, he was unfamiliar with the park and didn't know there was only one entrance and exit. By the time he realized it, the police were on the scene. It appears some residents of the neighbourhood called in the shooting as soon as it happened, they have a neighbourhood watch program in effect.

"Anyway, he hid in the bushes, hoping that he wouldn't be found out and when we did a search, he panicked again jumped out of his hiding place, firing his gun."

"Nobody was hurt?" Alex asked aware that she had been holding her breath.

"None except the shooter Captain," Sgt. Newlie interjected as he moved up beside them. "Sgt. Davis took down the subject with a shot to the perpetrators shoulder and leg."

"Did we recover the perp's weapon?" Alex wanted to know.

"Yes, ma'am," Rob nodded his head. "We retrieved it from where he fell. He was just a kid to young to know what he was doing and scared shitless."

"They usually are," the Captain confirmed, relieved that the only thing she would have to worry about this night was the investigation into the shooting. Sydney was a good shot and if what the Sgt. said was true then the kid would recover from his wounds. She looked down at her smaller companion.

"You okay?" she asked gently tapping her forehead with a long finger.

"Yeah," Sydney confirmed, nodding her head. "I was afraid that I might freeze again like in Vancouver but when I saw that gun I just automatically reacted."

Alex felt an immense wave of relief wash other her body. She had been worried about her partner, afraid for the same reason as the younger woman, but in truth the woman had reacted on instinct and the Captain knew that her companion would be all right.

"How much more you got to do before you wrap everything up here?" she asked wanting to take the smaller woman home with her.

"It will be a few hours yet," Sydney conceded regretfully.

"Would you be upset if I hung around until then?" Alex didn't want to interlude upon the smaller woman's space but knowing that she would be unable to catch anymore sleep that night.

"No," Sydney didn't want to admit it but the other woman's presence gave her a strength that she didn't always feel and after what happened tonight she needed that.

"Good, what do you want me to do?" the Captain asked flashing the other woman a smile which was immediately returned.

Birthdays had never been special for Sydney. Growing up the date of her birth had been largely ignored by her father though on occasion Anne, her sister, would try to do something to mark the passage of time. However, there were no birthday cakes or parties and only rarely a gift to mark the occasion. Sydney had come to accept it as another ordinary day so when Alex had asked her what she wanted to do for the occasion, she merely shrugged.

"It's not a big deal," she replied honestly. She had learned not to get her hopes up.

"Of course it is," the tall woman had replied with some surprise, already in her mind she had the evening mostly planned out.

"No Alex," Sydney was serious, "growing up we never celebrated birthdays."

"Well, that's changing," the Captain had announced with finality. "I'm not going to let your birthday go by without doing something."

"I don't want a big deal made of it," the blond detective whined aware of her companion's tendency to get carried away when doing something.

"Okay, will you at least agree to dinner?" Alex asked seemingly disappointed by her partner's unwillingness to join in on the fun.

"Just the two of us?"

"Oh, yeah," the dark haired woman swore, crossing her fingers over her heart.

"Okay," Sydney finally agreed and received a brilliant smile for her effort.

Well, it had turned out to be more than dinner for Alex had insisted she take the day off work. Because she was pulling the midnight shift Sydney was only to happy to agree. After sending her lover off to work, she took a nap to refresh herself and then spent the rest of the day doing the odd little things she needed to do. By the time Alex came home at five o'clock she was suitably relaxed and ready to enjoy the evening.

"You know we could just stay in," Sydney remarked as they were dressing to go out. "I could cook something."

"Not on your life," Alex answered with a scowl as she stepped out of the bathroom, her body still wrapped in a towel from her shower. "I've made dinner reservations and if we don't show up I get billed for the meal anyway." She paused to look at her companion. "Come on Sydney, you're twenty nine today, let's celebrate."

The blond woman said no more, suddenly aware that this was probably going to be fun for her lover. Alex enjoyed treating her and to be honest she loved the attention and the special little things the other woman did.

They dressed up for the occasion with Sydney donning a white summer dress with blue flowers embroidered in the material. Alex wore black trousers and a matching black silk shirt with a simple gold chain around her neck.

Sydney swallowed a few times as she looked at her beautiful companion. She was always proud to be seen with her lover, aware of the sensual charm that radiated from the woman. Sometimes she couldn't believe she was that lucky to have met someone like her. It was the same way Alex felt about her, which was even more incredible.

On the outside the restaurant was a nondescript place but that changed the moment they stepped through the door. It was as if they were entering a Castle with a dark interior which was illuminated by the torches set along the wall.

It had an old world flavour with a muted romantic setting. They were led by the hostess through the main dinning area into a private alcove with a single round table and a large leather padded seat that curved around the table with a candle in the centre.

The setting was completely private as the walls surrounding the booth stretched up to five feet high and then was further obscured by the filmily white curtains on top. The narrow entry into the alcove was curved so that no one could see directly into the private area. Sydney looked at the place and a shiver raced down her spine.

"This is beautiful," she wasn't quite sure that ideally described the environment. "However, did you know this place existed?"

"The owner is one of Andrew's clients," Alex conceded. The truth was in spite of her considerable connections she had needed to turn to her sibling to secure the reservations. There were six such private alcoves all similarly decorated and they were generally all booked up to six months in advance. "He brought me here to show off and I thought you might like it."

"I do, it's incredible," the blond woman paused and looked intently across the table at her lover, their hands automatically reaching for each other, their fingers intertwining in a loving embrace. "Alex you are such a romantic."

The Captain blushed but was saved from making any comment by the timely arrival of the waiter who brought a delicious bottle of wine for their consummation that was followed by an appetizer and then the main course which turned out to be a succulent roast beef dish cooked in a special marinated sauce with green vegetables on a bed of brown rice.

"Thank you," Sydney said, her stomach completely sated by the delicious food. She leaned back in her seat her green eyes intent on her lovers face. "This has been the best birthday ever."

"Yeah, well it's not over yet," Alex smiled nervously filling their glasses with wine before taking a hearty sip. "I haven't given you your present yet."

"I don't need a present," Sydney disagreed and then became genuinely concerned. Her lover had seemed nervous throughout the meal which was entirely uncharacteristic for the tall, confident Captain. "Alex are you okay?"

"Yes," the dark haired woman nodded and then slid out from her seat and stood up. She walked around the table and knelt down beside her companion who turned to look at her with apprehension. The tall woman grasped the smaller woman's hands.

"Alex?"

"Please don't say anything until, I'm finished speaking," the dark haired woman said with a distinctive plea in her voice. She knew that Sydney loved her and already knew the answer to her question yet it was incredibly hard asking. She wondered if her brothers had been as nervous.

"Okay," the blond woman agreed watching her companion running her tongue over her dry lips.

"I don't think I've ever made it a secret the way I feel about you," Alex began reciting the words she had repeated so many times in her head. "If it were possible I would marry you but as it isn't, the only other option I have is to make a commitment to you," she reached back into her pocket and withdrew a small box which she flipped open the lid to reveal an exquisite diamond mounted on a gold band. She swallowed in an attempt to ease the dryness of her throat.

"I ask you to accept this ring as a token of the love I feel for you. To me it represents the three things I hold most important in life. One, it's a promise to stand with you through sickness and health, through all the triumphs and tragedies that occupy our everyday lives. Two, it's a commitment to always be at your side until death do we part, and three it's a symbol of the deep love I feel for you every moment of everyday," the woman paused her blue eyes intently gazing up at the small woman.

"Sydney do you accept this ring knowing everything it entails and means to me? Do you accept that for me you are my first and last, the reason for me to open my eyes in the morning and for every breath I take? Will you stay with me and complete my life?"

"Yes," the blond woman cried, tears coursing down her face as she lunged at her partner wrapping her arms securely around a laughing and crying companion who was overjoyed by the reaction her request had received.

"I love you Alex," the smaller woman grasped her face between her hands and showered her with wet slobbering kisses. "I love you... I love you...I love you."

They clung together tightly savouring the moment until finally Alex delicately disengaged herself, watching as the younger woman gently removed the ring from the box taking time to read the short inscription which read.

"Eternally yours, Alex"

"Will you put this on me?" Sydney asked and the tall woman, still on her knees eagerly agreed, taking the ring and slipping it on the smaller woman's ring finger. It fit perfectly and for a long moment the younger woman stared at the ring admiring it's beauty. She looked at the dark haired woman.

"Can we go home now?"

"I wish we could," Alex chuckled seeing the desire in her companion's eyes. "But I promised my parents we'd stop by for a birthday drink."

"Do we have to Alex?" the blond detective complained wrapping her arms around her companion and burying her face in her neck. "I want to show you how much this means to me."

"You can, later, I promise," the dark haired woman smiled not unaffected by her lovers desire. "But I promised them." She paused and gently disengaged the smaller woman, smiling tenderly at her. "Besides I want to show off my new partner."

"I love you," Sydney smiled with tears moistening her eyes. No one had ever wanted to show her off before.

Neither woman completely remembered how they managed to leave the restaurant and make it to their car, their hands tightly entwined with each other. They continued to hold hands as they drove through the city towards the suburb where the Marshall's lived. Neither woman felt the need to speak content with the touch and the emotion that was passed between them with the simple gesture.

"Alex?" Sydney broke the silence when they pulled up in front of the sprawling mansion. Alex turned the ignition off and turned to look at her companion through the dim light.

"What?"

"When?" the blond woman needed to know. "When did you know you wanted this?"

"The moment I first laid eyes on you," the tall woman was honest. "But I was certain that night in Vancouver when we were attacked. I wanted to protect you in a way I have never wanted to protect anyone before."

"I felt it," came the corresponding whisper and Alex leaned over and kissed her companion.

"Come on," the taller woman said gently aware that the sooner they got this over the sooner they could get home. They rang the bell twice and then walked in.

"Mom, Dad, you home?" Alex called out.

"Yes, we're in the living room, just come on in," Marie called back and Alex motioned her lover forward.

The surprise was complete. Sydney stepped up to the threshold and was greeted with a voluminous roar of "Happy Birthday" from the crowd of people that were gathered. Her mouth dropped in shock and she turned to look at her lover who was standing behind her with a silly grin on her face.

"I know, I know," Alex said unable to stop smiling. "I promised but I couldn't resist. I know you said you didn't want any parties but I know you also never had any when you were a kid. I thought I would try and make up for some of what you missed. Everybody has to have at least one big birthday celebration."

Sydney couldn't speak she was so overwhelmed with emotion for her partner. Uncaring who was watching she lunged into her lovers arms, tears streaming down her face and kissed her soundly. That action brought about a flood of cheers and whistles as both women's faces flushed with embarrassment.

"Thank you," the blond detective whispered before releasing her hold.

"Your welcome," Alex smiled tenderly and turned her companion around and pushed her further into the room. "Come on time to greet your guests."

Sydney was surprised by everyone who turned out. There was Rob Newlie and his entire family, along with Norm Gage and his wife and several other detectives who weren't on duty. Even Skinny and his wife had turn up for the occasion. In one corner of the room was a small table with a variety of beverages and pastries and a huge birthday cake.

Sydney waded into the crowd with Alex's niece Kim the first to rush up and grab her hand. Alex watched happily before strolling across the room to where a table of drinks had been set up. She wasn't alone long.

"Hey, sis," Andrew snuck up behind the taller woman and casually wrapped an arm around her waist. "How was the restaurant? Did the Kindergarten Cop like it?"

"Oh, yeah," she was unable to stop the broad grin that spread across her face. "I owe you big time for that."

"How about a rematch of one on one?" he asked.

"You want to get trounced again?" Alex asked with amusement one eyebrow rising in amusement. "Do you think you're ego can handle it?"

"You bet because I'm going to beat you," Andrew promised and then added casually indicating that he had noticed the ring on the smaller woman's hand. "That's a beautiful ring on Sydney's finger, it must have cost you a fortune."

"It's worth every penny," Alex shook her head unable to stop smiling and yet blushing at the same time. "It was her birthday present."

"So, you've decided to give up the single life then?" the man said quietly, suddenly very serious.

"I gave it up the day I met her," the Captain was honest. "It just took a while to make it more formal."

"What took you so long?" he wanted to know and she arched her eyebrows.

"I suppose you proposed to Christie on your first date?"

"Well no," he flushed, "but sis, I'm glad for you. I don't think I've ever seen you this happy."

"I've never been this happy," the woman replied glancing across the room at her blond lover. "There is something about Sydney that makes me feel complete."

"I feel the same way about Christie," Andrew admitted. There was a brief silence as the two siblings looked at each other embarrassed by their mutual declarations of love for their partners. Both were somewhat relieved with Christie came up to them and wrapped her arms around her sister-in-law.

"You're such a romantic," the blond woman whispered in the other woman's ear and then stepped back. "Sydney showed me the ring and told me how you gave it to her."

"It's only going to happen once, so I figured I better get it right," Alex blushed again.

Throughout the evening the tall woman watched her lover, feeling all the love she had for the woman fill her up completely. She had been nervous proposing to her partner as that small part inside of her feared rejection. But like usual Sydney hadn't disappointed her.

It was late before they were finally able to get away from the party and head home. Sydney was happier then she had ever been and had all sorts of ideas on how to treat her companion once they returned to the condo, but Alex had other plans.

"What have you got there?" Sydney asked eyeing her companion curiously as the taller woman popped a CD into the player in the living room. She put it on before gathering the smaller woman into her arms as the words and music filtered through the room.

"This is for you, love," Alex said softly. "Listen to the words, they speak my heart."

Sydney did as her companion requested aware of the comforting arms around her body as they swayed in unison to the music. She recognized the singer and rested her head on her partners chest as she listened.

When you hold me like this
So many memories fill my eyes
The first time we kissed
The times we nearly said goodbye
But still here we are
Tested and tried and still true
And stronger than we ever knew
Love is all
The laughter and the tears that fall
The mundane and the magical
Love is all
All is love
The careless word, the healing touch
The getting and the giving of
All is love

There's me you've always known
The me that's a stranger still
The you that feels like home
And the you that never will
But still here we lie
Tender and trusting and true
With everything that we've been through

Love is all
The laughter and the tears that fall
The mundane and the magical
Love is all
All is love
The careless word, the healing touch
The getting and the giving of
All is love

All the glory
All the pain
All the passion
That turns to ashes
Only to rise again

Love is all
The laughter and the tears that fall
The mundane and the miracle
Love is all
All is love
The careless word, the healing touch
The getting and the giving of
All is love

"I love you Alex," the smaller woman whispered as the music slowly faded.

THE END

Words for "All Is Love" from the Marc Anthony album titled "Marc Anthony"

Copyright.. October 2002
Planet-solin