Ignorance Is Bliss
Episode 47
                                                                         Part 1

**
"Harvey, I heard you wanted to see me."

"Good morning, Nash." Harvey looked back at Rachel's empty desk from upstairs, wondering where she was. Her absence was getting to him. It had been over a week. "Nash, have you seen Rachel?"

"Not recently," Nash could sense that something was wrong between the two.

"Can I ask you something?" Harvey didn't know where Nash would draw the line between professional and personal.

"Sure."

Harvey wasn't quite sure how to ask, "...is she, I mean, did she... is she not here because of me?"

Nash had never heard such an incredulous idea, "what?"

Harvey figured that Rachel hadn't said anything to Nash about what happened, "it's a long story."

Nash thought he might be of some help, "I know she took a couple of personal days at the end of last week, but Martin's got her over at Bayside for a while. Why?"

Harvey tried to cover his disappointment, "I was just wondering."

Nash thought he knew the source of the problem, whether Harvey would admit it or not was another story. "Does this have anything to do with the case?"

"You could say that." It had a lot more to do with Anna than Steve Johnson, but Nash didn't need to know anymore than he already did. 

**
Rachel stood outside the door, waiting patiently. She wasn't sure if Harvey would be there or not. She knocked again. Rachel wasn't surprised when Anna opened the door, scantily clad. "What the hell do you want, McCabe?"

"I came to see my husband." Rachel tried to avoid Anna's reddened eyes, "is Harvey home?"

"No." Anna stepped out onto the porch, not willing to let Rachel inside, "I wouldn't tell you even if he was. I think you're the last person he wants to see."

Rachel wasn't up for Anna's mind games, "please, Anna, I really need to speak to him --- this is important."

"That's just too bad, because he doesn't want to have anything to do with you," Anna said boldly, sure she was getting to Rachel.

Rachel knew Harvey was hurt, but he was a reasonable man, "please, Anna, this is serious."

Anna smirked, "well, I guess you should have thought about that before you tried to lay a guilt trip on Harvey, suggesting that Jerry wasn't his."

"Anyone would have their doubts, considering your profession," Rachel replied without thinking.

Anna couldn't believe Rachel's nerve, "you bit...only you would say something like that to me."

Unable to handle Anna anymore, Rachel gave in, "I'll talk to Harvey later."

"I'm sure you will." Anna had thought of something, she could make the moment truly hers, "I'm going to make your visit really worth while. Don't move."  Rachel waited impatiently on the porch for Anna's return. A few minutes later, she saw Anna approaching the door with several boxes in tow. "This should be all of it."

Anna placed the boxes before Rachel, "what's this?"

"You should recognize it, it's all yours." Anna looked at her proudly, "Harvey wanted your stuff out of here, so I took care of it for him."

Rachel laughed, Anna was simply unbelievable. Rachel tried to peer around her, to see if Harvey was inside. "Are you sure it wasn't the other way around?"

Anna could no longer control her anger. Out of nowhere, Anna backhanded Rachel. Rachel grabbed the banister on the porch, having completely lost her balance. "That's for calling me a horror." Anna waited a second for Rachel to regain her composure before firing again, slugging her in the ribs this time. "And this is to insure that you don't come back again. Stay away from Harvey and our son." When Rachel looked up at her, Anna realized she wasn't done. "You ruined your own family, I won't let you take mine."

**
Nash cringed as Deputy Chief Martin passed through the doors, "just who I didn't want to see this morning."

"Beautiful day, isn't it, Bridges?" Martin wanted to wipe the smirk off Nash's face, but he decided to let him have the moment. "What's going on, Nash?"

Nash walked slowly toward him, "well, you keep threatening to take my case, so... you tell me."

Martin rolled his eyes, "I'm not up for your crap, Bridges. I take your silence as indication that you and Dominguez haven't gotten anything new yet?"

Nash looked around the SIU, searching for anyway out of the conversation, "actually, Johnson skipped town last week."

Martin nodded, "and you were supposed to find him."

Nash shrugged and dropped his hands to his sides, "out of my jurisdiction, what am I going to do?"

Martin laughed, "that's never stopped you before, but then again, the cases usually aren't so personal for your inspectors."

Nash didn't like the direction Martin was taking their conversation, "what are you trying to insinuate?"

"It just seems a little too convenient that he skipped town and your team didn't lift a finger to try and find him, perhaps a certain inspector offered him a price to leave." Martin didn't have to hypothesize, he knew the story as well as Nash did. It was no secret that Harvey Leek wanted Johnson out of San Francisco and his life. "One would have to wonder."

Nash waved his finger in front of Martin, "stop wondering, 'cause I can tell you right now that Harvey had nothing to do with him leaving. I've got my eye on Johnson, he's not going to get away this time."

Martin looked at Nash in disbelief, "then what? You know he'll find a way to get off, he always does with you in charge."

Nash disagreed, "we'll make our next move before he makes his."

Martin didn't trust Nash's instincts, he never had. "You sure about that?"

Nash was confident, "he won't get off."

Martin was ready to leave, he had calls to make. "Get him, Bridges, or you can kiss the SIU goodbye."

Nash chuckled, "is that so?"

Martin was more serious than he let on, "I've already got two of your inspectors behind my desks, it wouldn't hurt to take a few more."

**
Antwon tried not to gawk as Rachel walked through the doors. It wasn't like her to be two hours late, maybe she had called and he didn't know. Her eye was blackened and the grim look on her face spoke volumes. Antwon looked at Rachel in shock as she passed by him, "damn girl! What happened to you?"

Rachel pulled her sunglasses back down and ignored the question, "what's on the agenda for today?"

"There was a murder down at the pier, but..." Antwon couldn't disregard Rachel's blackened eye,  "what happened to your face?"

"Long story and I don't even want to get into it." Rachel tried to look at the files Antwon had handed her, but the words all seemed to blend together on the page. Rachel squinted, but it was of no use. "Explain this, I can't read at the moment."

"Let's make a deal, I tell you what's going on and you tell me why you're visually impaired." Antwon took another look at Rachel's face, "who ever did that sure knew how to aim."

Rachel playfully jabbed his arm, "Antwon, come on..."

"Okay, a prominent San Francisco lawyer was offed by the pier. His body wasn't completely submerged when they found him. Three gunshots to the back, second shot hit the heart. Looks like he's been dead for a good twenty-four to thirty-six hours." Antwon looked back at the files, "as an added bonus, he just lost a major case for his firm, which would've had to file chapter eleven, thirteen or somethin'  to cover the losses."

Rachel wondered why they hadn't gotten the case sooner, "any suspects?"

"The obvious, partners, client, the wife..." Antwon checked his watch, "the wife was in about an hour ago, turns out that she had a lot of money to make from her husband's death."

"The wife," Rachel paused, "what a woman. What's your guess?"

"My guess is about as good as yours." Antwon took a moment to consider the evidence, "the partner seems probable due to the bankruptcy, but he doesn't seem the type to kill."

"They never are the type, Antwon." Deputy Chief Martin walked up to the desk that they were standing by, "good morning, kids, I see you've got the case. What's your plan of action?"

Rachel decided to take the lead, "Antwon said he had spoken with the wife earlier, so I was thinking we should get to the pier, check for any witnesses and do a check on the partners and the wife."

"The wife's alibi checks out, as does the alibi of his client. We should be skeptical of the partners, but that seems a little too easy," Martin was ready to make his proposition, "how about you two take the case? Complete control and back-up as needed. I'm a little shorthanded here and I appreciate your time."

Antwon looked to Rachel for agreement, "is that cool with you?"

"We'll take it." Rachel had an idea, "has anyone been inside the practice?"

Martin didn't recall hearing anything unusual, "get a lead in for Babcock and we'll put him inside. Babcock, I want you to take the prints down to central, I need to talk to McCabe for a minute."

Rachel looked at him, a bit worried, "did I do something wrong?"

Martin shook his head, "I've got an offer that I don't think you'll want to refuse."

**
Harvey walked inside quickly, not intending to make this a long visit. He saw Anna nervously pacing around the kitchen as a repairman was working with the back door, "what's going on here?"

Anna started to walk towards the dining room, "I'm getting the locks changed."

Harvey saw no apparent reason, "who or what are you trying to keep out of my house?"

Anna looked him dead in the eyes, "Rachel tried to come in today."

Harvey was sorry he missed her, they hadn't spoken for over a week. This might have been his only chance. "She was here? when?"

Anna couldn't believe his lack of concern for her, and replied, "Rachel hit me, Harvey, she grabbed my arm."

Harvey looked at her, a bit surprised, "what?"

Anna knew she had to do better, clenching her fists at her sides and tightly closing her eyes till the tears started to form, she mumbled, "I'm just glad it was me and not our son."

Harvey was quick to jump to Rachel's defense, "she'd never hit Jerry, never."

Anna wasn't going to let him get off easily, she added, "you didn't see her today, Harvey, she was on a warpath. I came from the kitchen, and she was rifling through your stuff looking for something..." Harvey going on the defensive was the last straw,  "I want a restraining order against her."

Harvey rolled his eyes, "that's a little excessive, don't you think?"

Anna shot Harvey an evil look, "quit defending her, Harvey, or you can kiss  your son goodbye." Seeing Harvey's resistance, she moved to her next plan. "If you don't believe me, Harvey, look at this."

Anna waved the rectangular piece of paper in front of Harvey's face, "what's this?"

"A check from your wife to buy me off." Anna looked it again herself, still in complete disbelief, "see, she's a sick woman, Harvey."

Harvey grabbed the check from her hands, "this can't be right, Rachel doesn't have this type of cash."

"Apparently, she does." Anna watched him analyze the check, as if he were in denial. "Give me that, what are you doing?" Anna struggled to get the check back from him as he folded the check and put it into his pocket, "that's mine, what if she...?"

Harvey didn't want to hear any more and cut her off, "I'll talk to her."

**
Kat stepped cautiously into Deputy Chief Martin's office without knocking. She saw him working behind his desk. Interrupting the silence, she asked, "why do I get the feeling this isn't a social call?"

Martin pointed towards the empty chair across from him, "why don't you take a seat? I've been meaning to talk to you."

Kat balked at the idea, "I thought you didn't like me? You didn't offer me a job."

Martin chuckled, "it wasn't you that I didn't like. I wasn't keen on the idea of you going to the SIU."

"Oh." Kat was silently hoping she wouldn't get transferred as well. "Is that why I am here? Or am I here so you can commend me on my exceptional skill and agility?"

"You never were a modest one, were you?" Martin pulled her file from his drawer and flipped through, "how are you liking it up here in San Francisco?"

Kat found his conversation skills limited and was baffled by him making small talk, "it's not like I really left, Sacramento isn't all that far. I certainly wasn't going to go to Oakland, this seemed to be the ideal place."

"Kat, I feel that the SFPD is honored to have an officer like you on the force," Martin paused a moment to see if she followed, "but, my superiors and I agree that your talents could be better used elsewhere."

Kat knew exactly what Martin was trying to do, take all the employees from the SIU that he could and leave Nash with nothing. She couldn't make excuses for Antwon and Rachel, but she wasn't about to leave. "I am actually quite happy at the SIU, it gives me just enough time away from home and gives my kid something to brag about at school. They need me there, more than you do."

Martin thought she might need a little time, ''let's see how this Johnson case works out and then we can talk."

"If I am happy there today, I can bet that I will be happy there tomarrow  too." Kat didn't want to offer Martin any hope for winning her over. "Traffic cops are what I was six years ago, unless I get a huge raise and a sweet promotion, there's no way."

Martin wasn't willing to bargain, not at that moment. "I can't promise you the moon, or my job, but I think you'd find yourself to be in a comfortable position once we've secured your commitment. "

The more she glanced at him, the more Kat realized what a intimidating individual Martin was, "right. I'll keep you posted."

**
Harvey walked quickly to catch up with Rachel as she crossed the parking lot, "I heard that you stopped by this morning." Harvey waited a moment for her response, but Rachel said nothing. She didn't even turn around to look at him. Harvey got the hint. "Okay, I'll give you that, I do deserve the silent treatment. But it's me you should be mad at, not Anna." Rachel turned to face him, ready to say something, but stopped herself. Harvey wasn't yet completely discouraged, ''so are you not speaking to me at all?"

Rachel kept walking, unable to face Harvey directly. "I'm not speaking because I don't think there's anything left to be said. You've made your point."

"Have I?" Harvey gave a brief, sarcastic laugh, "I think there's a lot we need to talk about, you haven't returned my calls for the past week. Everytime I'm coming, you're going, if I stop by, you're not home, all your stuff is gone from my house, you want to talk but you never have time to do it..."

Rachel sighed heavily, "you must not have gotten my messages, but I can't imagine why that would be."

The last thing Harvey wanted was for them to fight over Anna yet again. At the rate this was going, he'd never get a chance to explain himself to Rachel. "Can you please leave her out of this?"

Rachel quietly responded, realizing she might kill her chance to talk to him, "I'd prefer not to get into this now."

Harvey took this as a sign of hope, "fine, we'll go somewhere else. Can you meet me later this evening?

Rachel half-heartedly agreed, this might be her only opportunity for awhile. "I'll be at The Incline at the Embarcadero at quarter till seven."

Harvey nodded in agreement, with hopes of a promising reconciliation, he asked "do you want me to pick you up instead?"

"No." Rachel wanted to drive herself just in case things didn't work out, "I've got some errands to run beforehand and..."

Harvey could sense her discontent, "I guess I'll see you there then."

**
"Kat Bauer, I've been looking for you." Nash cornered Kat at the coffee machine, "where were you this morning?"

Kat smiled, "I'll give you three guesses; but let me tell you, I got no pleasure from not being here taking orders from you."

Nash leaned against the railing, feeling relaxed, "well, your boys are angels so you wouldn't have been bailing them out, you can't stand your ex-husband, Lisa's been tying up my phone line all day calling Paris, and I haven't seen your lawyer friend for weeks. I've got nothing."

"It was terrible, I come here and listen to my messages and I've got so many messages from a crochety idiot, one who required my attention immediately this morning." Kat dropped another hint, "if I were you, I'd pick a little less intimidating enemy. He creeped me out."

Nash slammed his fist against the counter, "damn him. Martin called you too, didn't he?"

Kat rested her hand on Nash's shoulder, "settle down, my demands were so high he'd be a fool to accept him. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."

"It's not just you that I am worried about, I'm trying to think of who else he might try and swindle out of here." Nash looked around, trying to see if Joe was nearby. "Do you know if he has talked to anyone else?"

"Other than McCabe and Babcock, not that I am aware of. It seems to me that he took them to get back at Harvey." Kat wasn't sure if Rachel had ever found out about Ryan or not, "but I think they are temporary."

Nash was frustrated, Martin knew how to get ahead. "They might be temporarily there, but I need them here. Not only does he have those two, but he is filtering some of the cases now too."

**
Steve Johnson waited outside the gunshop until he saw Sonny go in. Without making a sound, he followed. No one else could know he was there, or back in town. "Sonny?'" he called through the aisles.

Sonny waved a hand at the front of the store, "that check, I am cashing it tomarrow. I waited about a week, like you said."

Steve approached the counter, "fine, whatever. Let's talk about your work and why you are here instead of there."

"Cause I got a business to run, I need a little time here to supplement my income. Stalking female cops isn't exactly where the profits are." Sonny wasn't purposefully trying to agitate Steve, but he also had a life. "She hasn't done nothing suspicious and I know you don't want any blood. Keeping it clean."

Steve grabbed his wrist, "I want you to watch her, but if you even lay a finger on her, I swear to God I'll..."

Sonny laughed, trying to ease the tension between them, "you all crazy for a cop now? what happened to Leek's prostitute?"

Steve released his arm, "not hardly, she's just a piece of the puzzle."

Knowing better than to believe Steve, Sonny asked, "is that really all she is?"

Gripping onto the counter, he replied, "she doesn't have anything to do with Leek, not anymore. A filthy cop like him doesn't deserve her."

Sonny saw the light, "so that's what this is about?"

"She did her job, he took his one step too far and now I am taking the law into my own hands." Steve glanced at Sonny once again, "do your work and do it right. Nothing happens with her till I say so."

**
Antwon watched as Rachel dissected her salad during their late lunch hour, "Harvey's right, you are a picky eater. You don't eat enough either."

Rachel looked at him apologetically, "who are you, my mother?"

Antwon pretended to be offended by Rachel's remark, "retract your claws, I'm just looking out for you." Antwon waited a moment before questioning, "so what was Martin badgering you about earlier?"

Rachel pushed the food aside and set out some paperwork, "oh that, he was trying to solicit employees for Bayside."

Antwon was intrigued, "oh yeah? both of us?"

"Complete with raise and guaranteed promotion," Rachel tried to fight the offer's appeal each time the idea came to mind. "Full benefits, if you find that enticing."

Rachel had certainly gotten his attention, "and?"

Being hypocritical, Rachel asked, "don't tell me you're seriously interested?"

Antwon took on a more serious attitude, "we're pretty low on the totem-pole at the SIU, McCabe. I mean Kat's got less time in at the SIU but more seniority as an investigator. We at least had a little rank with Cassidy, but..."

Rachel reached a simple conclusion, "so tell Martin that you're interested, if you want the job - take it."

"Have you ever thought about leaving the SIU, or would you stay because of Harvey?"

Rachel thought about the offer again, "in all honesty, I have no compelling reason to stay at the SIU, with or without Harvey. What about you?"

Antwon was surprised by her answer, "it depends on the offer." There was something he had to ask, "would you stay because of Nash?"

Rachel carefully considered her reply, "he's my boss and a friend, out of respect for him, I'd think twice before taking a job from Martin."

Trying to make sense of what she said, Antwon suggested, "so you'd stay because of Nash, but not because of Harvey?"

Rachel looked at him dead in the eye, feeling guilty, "I never said that."

"But what did you mean?"

Rachel hoped her comments wouldn't backfire and that Antwon could keep the conversation between them. "If my marriage to Harvey was meant to last, it wouldn't matter if we worked together or not." Having said her peace, Rachel wished she had just kept her mouth shut.

**
Kat relaxed at her desk, glacing towards Harvey, who seemed unusually reserved lately. "With Rachel and Antwon gone, it's been disturbingly quiet around here. Those two always give us something to talk about."

Harvey too had noticed their absences. One was his wife and the other his partner. As much as he loved his job, it wasn't the same for him. Work  had begun to hit a little too close to him this time. Harvey quietly replied, "you can say that again."

Kat couldn't take the suspense, something was wrong. It wasn't like Harvey to sulk. "Are you okay, Harvey? You've seemed a little down for the past few days." 

Harvey decided to spare her the misery of hearing what all had gone on, "I've got a lot on my mind. This case, Jerry, you know how it goes."

Kat smiled, "Don't we all?" Kat looked towards Rachel's empty desk and asked,   "how's Rachel been? I haven't heard from her since Martin stuck her over at Bayside. Last week she was running around like a chicken with her head cut off and she barely had time to get three words in."

Harvey reluctantly admitted, "actually, I don't know. I was going to ask you the same." He wasn't ready to come out and say that he hadn't spoken with Rachel since Anna moved in, or since Rachel had found him in bed with her.

"That doesn't sound so reassuring,Leek." Kat wondered if this had anything to do with Rachel taking her shifts at Bayside. She looked back at Harvey curiosly, "when I last saw her, she was waiting to hear  back from her doctor or something."

Harvey didn't know how to respond, he had completely forgotten about Rachel telling him she had an appointment. "Her doctor, and what?"

Kat felt bad that she didn't know more, he obviously was interested and hadn't had the benefit of speaking to Rachel himself. "I don't know, that's why I asked."

Harvey shook his head in disbelief, "we're not exactly on speaking terms at the moment, at least that's the impression I got when I could barely get five words out of her this morning."

"Ouch," Kat didn't follow, "rewind, please, I am obviously missing a huge chunk of the story."

"She didn't tell you?" Harvey was certain that Rachel would've at least told Kat about what happened between them. Or at least what happened with Anna.

Kat was definitely confused now, "about what, Leek? All I know is she had an appointment. I don't know anything about this argument between the two of you."

Harvey chuckled, "why didn't I know we were talking about two different things?"

**
"McCabe, in my office, now." Martin barked from across the room.

Rachel rolled her eyes at Antwon before departing, "I'll talk to you later, 'Twon."

Antwon smiled as she walked away, "okay, but remember, I still might want this job. Don't ruin it for me in there."

Martin waited outside his door for her, "have a seat, there's something I've been meaning to speak to you about." Once she entered, he shut the door behind her.

Rachel hesitantly sat down in front of him, "if it's about the job, I told you I'd think about it."

Martin could no longer procrastinate, this was his chance to get the upper hand. "No, it's not that, it's about your career at the SIU. Nash hasn't been completely honest with you, nor have I."

Rachel was surpised that he'd admit to not telling the truth. "Honest about what?"

There was no point in sugar coating the story, Rachel was a grown woman and could handle the truth. Martin thought for a minute about how much he'd liked to see Nash suffer by taking her and Antwon from the SIU. "Largely, your transfer to the SIU, and what happened with Ryan."

Rachel couldn't imagine why he would bring this up now, this was an issue of the past. She had done her best to move on. Rachel spotted the case file open on Martin's desk. "It's been almost two years since he died, and I've been with the SIU for a year."

Martin leaned back in his chair, preparing himself for her ambush of questions that would soon follow. "I know, and I should've told you the truth before you transferred."

Rachel was now intrigued, "the truth?"

Martin took a minute to plan his course of action. There was so much he could say. He had to make her believe him, she had to know that Nash and Harvey were the ones in the wrong. "Hell, I don't know where to begin."

Rachel assumed that Martin had some alterior motive to this revelation, "why don't you start with the lack of honesty?"

"Fair enough." Martin knew that Rachel was likely to change her mind about her employment, she wouldn't appreciate being lied to. "Bridges had the case passed over here, he had Harvey and Cortez working the drug circuit and didn't want to pull them away.  You and Ryan were my best bet, so I put you on, with the condition that you two be transferred to the SIU when all was said and done.  But Ryan took one of Johnson's bullets, and Johnson walked away."

"So I was moved to the SIU to compensate?" Rachel was appalled by their tactics, "it was a pity transfer?"

Martin could sense that she wasn't taking the news in a favorable way and continued, "when Cassidy became a cop, Nash was worried I'd take my anger out on her.  I told him she'd only go to the SIU with you as her partner."

Rachel wondered why Harvey hadn't told her this himself, or Nash. "This is so I will take a transfer back to Bayside, that's why you've decided to bear your soul and clear your conscience?"

Trying to evoke pity, he added, "I thought someone should, before the case got any more out of control."

Rachel wanted to get out of there before he could say any more, she wouldn't be persuaded, she wouldn't sink to his level. "In other words, you want me to leave the SIU, because of this and take your offer."

Martin mumbled, "you've been a cop for nearly six years, Rachel, you can do better than following Bridges with a steno pad and taking orders from your husband."

As Rachel got up to leave, she added, "thanks for your vote of confidence."

**
Steve could see Harvey's house from the pay-phone where he was standing. He dialed the number with ease, he knew it by heart. He waited for her to answer, sure she was home. Hearing the phone being picked up, he began, "miss me yet?"

Anna was peeved when she recognized the voice, "I told you not to call me ever again, Steve. I thought you left town?"

"I did, but now I am back." Steve waited a moment, "don't forget, Anna, we're married, so you can't be rid of me that easily."

Anna disagreed, "not for long."

"Nice try, but Harvey's still married to the cop." Steve knew that wouldn't change, Rachel would be the mourning widow at his funeral, not Anna.

Anna differed, "she moved out."

Steve gave a wicked laugh, "you think I don't know that you moved her out, and you gave her a black eye this morning."

His knowledge caught Anna by surprise, "how do you... are you watching me?"

Steve proudly admitted, "you don't stand a chance against her, Anna, give up or give in. Either way, don't put all your eggs in one basket."

"Whose side are you on?" Anna considered for a minute that the phones might be bugged, but she didn't figure Harvey or Rachel were clever enough to think to do that.

"Since you asked," Steve paused a moment to straighten out his thoughts, "I'd personally like to see Leek dead or paying for his crimes, but I think that Rachel will get the upperhand for as long as he's around."

"Ive got his child. Jerry's mine and Harvey's son, she can't compete with that." Anna argued.

Steve laughed at idea of what must be going through Anna's head, "I wouldn't be so sure."

**
                                                                           Part 2

**
Rachel's head was already spinning by the time she reached the table. Her lateness wasn't going to go over well, but at least he waited. She felt his eyes heavily upon her as she sat down, not knowing where to start. "I'm sorry I was late, traffic was horrendous."

Harvey set the menu aside, noting that she still hadn't taken off her sunglasses, "you're here now, and that's what matters, right?" Harvey waited for a minute, "I took the liberty of ordering wine, I think I went with a Merlot."

Rachel didn't want to tell him she couldn't be any less interested in the wine, what she wanted to hear was that he'd be coming home with her and that Anna was gone. Rachel laughed at the thought, it seemed so impossible. "Harvey, I need to know what's going on."

Sighing heavily, he began, "I owe you an explanation, for what you saw.''

Rachel didn't want the feeling of salt being poured into her wounds, she knew that Anna was still at his house and she wasn't leaving anytime soon.  "Harvey, I saw what I saw. Whatever happened between you two is... I DON'T want to talk about this." 

Harvey tried not to show his immediate frustration, "that's fine, but I don't know what you want me to say. I woke up hung over and you two were both there, I don't remember what happened but I can tell you that I sure as hell am not sleeping with her now." Harvey took a second to look around, feeling that everyone was staring at him. He lowered his tone and continued, "is there a particular reason why you've been avoiding me, besides what you saw?"

Rachel visibly tensed up, "well, I am sorry that I didn't have some one there to interpret finding you two in bed together and I am sorry you got so drunk that you can't remember what happened --- I'd personally like to forget that evening and the preceding day, but I didn't have the luxury of being inebriated at the time."

Her response hit him unexpectedly, he knew serious damage had been done. "You've got to help me out here, Rache, I truly don't remember what I said or why I left like I did."

Gritting her teeth, she responded, "like any other time, you left because of Anna, you had to get back to her. It doesn't matter what you said, Harvey, it's the fact that you said it, and you never say things that you don't mean."

**
Nash slammed his phone onto the receiver as Joe walked up the stairs, "Martin's taking the offensive."

Joe laughed, "you really didn't think he was going to help us, did you?"

Nash was fuming, "he's wrong about this, you and I can wrap the case. He shouldn't have taken McCabe and Babcock out of here."

Joe nodded, "they're at Bayside, right? how long?"

Nash looked at Joe, "he doesn't want to give them back, he's willing to cut them deals that we could never make."

Joe sat down on the corner of Nash's desk, he knew this would be quite a discussion. There was a glimmer of hope, "no one is making them stay."

Nash sighed heavily, that was something he had already thought of himself. "Martin is Deputy Chief, they just can't up and quit. With Antwon's record, he'd be asking for a permanent release from the force."

Joe was curious, "so what's he offering?"

"More money for less time and work, I don't know. Maybe a promotion in the next couple years," Nash replied.

Joe had faith in the SIU employees, "Rachel wouldn't leave, it's Twon that I'm not so sure about."

Nash reluctantly admitted, "I wouldn't go that far."

Joe was surprised to hear Nash say that. "Why? She's been waiting to get into the SIU."

"This Johnson case has been doing ugly things to everyone, both in and out of the SIU."

**
Harvey needed something to break the tension, he was desperate. As he sat across from Rachel, he could only imagine everything going through her mind. Harvey took notice of her eating, she was merely moving the food around the plate with her fork. "You know, it wouldn't kill you to eat once in a while."

Rachel set the fork down and pushed the plate aside, "I'm not here to talk about my eating habits, Harvey, I came so I could have five minutes alone with you."

Harvey knew he had crossed some line with his comment, he was clearly walking on eggshells. The conversation would require his full attention, and that's what he was going to give her. "Okay, you've got me."

Rachel didn't know where to begin, she had to take advantage of the rare opportunity at hand. "I never imagined that things were going to turn out this way, I mean, between us...My life isn't my own anymore, Harvey."

"Because of Anna?"

"Because of everything. One day I'm nearly happily married and loving every minute with you inside work and out, and the next I'm picking up the pieces of what was and finding myself more alone than I was to begin with," Rachel didn't want to hurt Harvey, but she wasn't going to lie.

Harvey was beginning to draw his own conclusions, "is that why you moved your stuff out?"

Rachel knew that he would only see the situation from Anna's vantage point, "no, I took my stuff because I'm chosing to stay out of situation where I am clearly not wanted and I have no interest in being in the middle of."

Harvey felt as if he was being ambushed, "I am sorry you feel that way, but for right now --- there's  nothing that I can..."

"For right now, okay, but can you tell me how long this is going to last?" Rachel could no longer mask her true feelings, "you can't tell me, can you?"

Harvey reluctantly shook his head, "I don't know."

"You know, from day one, I've been trying to figure out why you decided to marry me. It wasn't till today that it hit me." Rachel took a moment to breathe deeply, in an effort to calm herself. "There was a purpose, I know that, and I thought I was trying to help you get your son, not get back with Anna."

Harvey reached for Rachel's hand across the table, it was cold to the touch.  "Rachel, I can assure you, getting back with Anna couldn't be further from my mind."

Rachel tried to convince herself that he meant what he said, but actions do speak louder than words."What am I supposed to do, Harvey?" Irritated by the silence, she saw him glance down at his watch, the third time since their dinner arrived. "You're on a time constraint?"

Harvey fidgeted with the watch on his right wrist, he hadn't even realized he was checking it so often. "No, this is where I need to be."

She knew that he more than likely had other obligations, probably with Anna and Jerry. "I should let you get home."

Harvey wasn't about to walk out again, he couldn't do that. He needed to stall, finally get Rachel to talk.  "I've been meaning to ask you, what do you know about a check #21347?"

The number was familiar, "why?"

The look on Rachel's face told Harvey that she knew something, "Anna got a check from you, for a large amount, and I..."

Rachel grabbed her check book from her purse, quickly scanning the numbers. "That's my missing check, I was supposed to send it in for  my shareholders..."

Harvey was baffled, "how'd you come across that much money? You and I both know that cops don't earn that.  Is there something you're not telling me?"

"Like what?"

Harvey was pulling at straws now, "you've been different lately, the money, the appointments, you've been avoiding my calls and you're never around, you moved your stuff out --- what's going on?"

Rachel responded coldly, "maybe if you prioritized your life a little differently, you'd know and you wouldn't have to ask."

Harvey thought it was the proverbial pot calling the kettle black. "Maybe you should get your own life in order before you tell me how to live mine." Harvey was furious, but his anger wasn't solely directed towards Rachel. He blamed himself, and Anna as well. The words came out of his mouth without a second thought. Rachel sat stunned across the table. Harvey had changed since Anna had come back into his life full force, this wasn't the man she hoped to spend the rest of her life with. Left speechless, Rachel couldn't say a word as she watched Anna approach their table with Jerry in tow. Once she came in his view, Harvey grumbled, "dammit."

Anna stood at the side of the table, ready to fight. "You said you'd be home."

Harvey got up, and escorted Anna towards the front of the restaurant to get in a few choice words. Once they were out of Rachel's range and away from Jerry, he began, "what are you doing here?"

Anna smirked, "that's my question for you, what are you doing here with her? You have some nerve after what she did this morning."

Jerry was left behind, alone with the woman Anna claimed hurt his  dad. "Rachie?" Jerry looked at Rachel, as if he were surprised to see her with his father.

"Hi, sweetheart." Rachel wasn't about to take her anger out on him or cause an even worse scene in the restaurant.

Jerry nervously approached Rachel, "I'm getting a baby."

Rachel was caught totally off guard, "really?"

Jerry happily nodded, "mom says so.... dad too" Jerry's eyes followed Anna as she walked towards him, pulling his arm to lead him away from Rachel.

"Jerry, it's time to go." Anna didn't want to give Harvey the benefit of the doubt, she was leaving with or without him.

Jerry stomped his feet, "no, I want dad."

Anna shot an evil glare towards Rachel, "Dad's coming home with us."

Harvey felt the pressure, and was torn between the two halves of his life. "Anna, please, I have to talk with Rachel."

"Your son needs you," whined Anna.

Harvey glanced at Jerry and back at Rachel, Jerry looked fine and he still hadn't heard what Rachel has been needing to say. He had to say something before the scene got any worse, "Anna, don't do this now. I'll be home within the hour."

Anna pulled Jerry by the sleeve, sending chills up Harvey's spine. "Let's go, Jerry, obviously your father doesn't have time for us anymore."

As they headed toward the door, Rachel had enough. She couldn't bear the look on Harvey's face as Anna walked off with Jerry. She didn't want to come  between him and his son. She looked at Harvey and forced herself to smile, "I'm going to go."

After terrorizing himself by deciding between the two, he couldn't believe she was now going to leave. Harvey couldn't take being left in the dark any longer. "Please, just stay and finish whatever you had to say..."

Rachel wasn't going to stay, not now. She couldn't bare the thought of Anna taking off with Jerry and Harvey never seeing him again. Rachel knew all too well that Anna was capable and willing, "go after Anna and your son before she does anything else."

**
Lisa followed Nash to the kitchen counter and set the wine glasses into the sink, "I've had the chance to do a lot of thinking lately."

Nash took a moment to glance at her, trying to remember exactly why it was that they had broken apart. "Why don't I think I am going to like you doing all this thinking?"

Lisa lightly touched his arm, the sparks were still there. She couldn't risk distraction. "Oh,  Nash, just hear me out."

Nash chuckled softly, "last time you said that, you ended up in Paris and I was left to send Cassidy off to college."

Lisa stepped away from him, "well, this isn't about me, really, this is about Cassidy."

Nash was intrigued, "and?"

Lisa didn't want her statement to come off the wrong way, she knew how hard Nash would take it, "and I don't think she's happy here. It's not because of you, but with Evan and the SIU, and..."

Nash stopped her, in his own defense, "I've given her all the chances and opportunities that I could. We can't make her happy, she has to find her own happiness..."

Lisa looked over Nash's shoulder, checking the door, afraid Cassidy might stop in and hear their discussion. "That's not what I am talking about, it's not just about work, Nash, it's about her day-to-day life. She just doesn't seem content, or at peace with herself."

Nash couldn't help but laugh, "Hell, I've been alive for over fifty years and I still haven't found inner peace. She gets by, that's how she is. Things are tough for her right now, and I know that. Her life will get better, once she decides what she wants to do with herself."

Lisa couldn't help but vent her frustration, "Earth to Nash, our daughter is having a baby. Some changes need to be made."

Nash owed Lisa the chance to speak her mind, "so what are you saying?"

"All I am saying is that I can't stay here forever, my life is in France now." Lisa could tell by the look on Nash's face that he had taken her suggestion personally.

**
Harvey quietly shut the door to Jerry's room, finding Anna waiting for him in the hall. Had Jerry not been sick, he never would've fell for her plot. He tried to convince himself he made the right decision to not go after Rachel, this is where he should be; maybe not with Anna, but with his son.  The more he thought about it, the less sense Anna's appearance at the restuarant made. Jerry was fine, till Anna spoke with him. Anna didn't like the silence, "so what, you aren't talking to me now?"

Harvey was disenchanted by her attitude lately, what had initially been for Jerry had become a little to self-serving on her part. He was ready to explode, he walked away from Jerry's door, not wanting to wake him if things got out of hand. The look on Rachel's face as she walked away stuck in his mind. "Dammit, Anna, why did you have to come there?" 

Anna looked at him, appalled, "you said you would be home, or did you forget that?"

That wasn't excuse enough, he would've been home if he had to. "And I was running a little late, Jerry is fine."

Anna tried to justify herself, "yeah, he's fine, now that he's with both of his parents."

Harvey knew she'd use that defense, just as she had time and time again. "I would've been back here soon enough. I just needed a chance to talk to her."

Anna didn't want to know about what went on between the two, and interjected, "well, you know what? I just wanted make sure that talking didn't turn into something else."

Harvey stood with his back towards her, fuming, "she's my wife, I deserve time with her."

"I can't help if you made a bad decision and married someone on a bet in Vegas. For all you know, your marriage might not even be legal." Anna refused to believe that Harvey could actually be happy with someone like Rachel. 

Harvey was sick of Anna's antics, "care to tell me what your problem is with her?"

Anna didn't see herself as being wrong, "I just don't like her."

Fueled by Anna's appearance at the restaurant, he questioned, "what don't you like? The fact that she's a good woman with an honest job, that she adores my son, that I married her on a whim --- just on the chance that it might work?"

Anna knew her objections were useless, Harvey was determined to fight her. "He's our son, Harvey, ours --- not hers. She's taking you and Jerry from me and I don't like it. I won't sit back and watch as she takes a wrecking ball to our family."

Harvey couldn't force himself to believe what she saying, "our family? You never wanted a family, Anna, I offered."

She wasn't about to take the blame, "you know, everything was fine. You couldn't leave well enough alone, you had to get greedy and want Jerry for yourself."

Harvey took his keys off the table and prepared to leave, he couldn't take much more. "If you don't like how it is, than go." Harvey walked toward the door without looking back. He needed time alone, to think things through.

**
Joe kissed Inger lightly on the forehead before sitting down next to her on the couch, she looked at him lovingly, she could see something was wrong. "Joe, how was your day?"

Work was the last subject that Joe wanted to discuss, especially now. The SIU was on the verge of going under and he knew it wouldn't be long before Martin came and tried to take control. He was going to be honest with her. "Nash thinks that we might lose Antwon and Rachel from the SIU."

Inger never expected to hear that, she didn't know much about Antwon but she really had grown to like Rachel. She knew Rachel was with Harvey, there had to be a problem. "Why?"

Joe really didn't have a good explanation without getting technical, "apparently, things aren't so good and someone else can make them a better offer for right now."

Inger couldn't help her curiousity, "you mean between her and Harvey?"

"Harvey wants to keep on the case, because its personal, and for her its just a part of the job." Joe didn't like what he said, and felt he had to clarify his comment, "don't get me wrong, she's a good cop, but she draws the line."

Inger understood exactly what he meant, "sometimes, you've got to be smart, Joe. Work isn't everything."

Joe smiled, "you don't have to tell me that. I love coming home to you and Lucia every night."

Inger blushed, "maybe this is just an adjustment for him, right?"

Joe couldn't help but feel that it might be more, "work was, is, his life."

"Harvey has a family now, his wife has a career too," Inger objected.

Joe sighed heavily, "hell, he's almost there as much as Nash."

Inger felt the long hours as much as they did, "you are there a lot too."

Joe didn't want to start an argument, "yeah, but I do come home. Even with Ulla, I come home." Joe flashed to an earlier conversation with Harvey, a few years back. "I remember when Harvey told me he was jealous of what I had to come home to. Maybe he was just really lonely, he and Bonnie just split. Sometimes I think its not so great, I get to see Lucia but I don't even remember JJ growing up...I worry that one day my marriage is going to go down the drain..."

Inger gently ran her hand against Joe's cheek, "it's not so easy being a cop's wife, Joe, I can't imagine what it would be like if I worked too. But I accepted this life a long time ago." 

**
Hours later, Harvey found himself in the same awkward position as he had been in at the restaurant. As Harvey looked at Rachel, he could tell she was uncomfortable. He couldn't blame her. The situation with Anna was difficult all around. He sat down next to her on the bench, "I'm sorry to have called so late."

Harvey moved his hand towards her face, inspecting her eye. He couldn't help but feel responsible, she flinched at his touch. "I was up."

Harvey couldn't have guessed what he was about to get himself into, or that his world was about to fall apart. "I know that you've been wanting to talk, to me, for quite some time now."

"I've been doing a lot of thinking lately." Rachel never had problems with communicating, until now. Feeling Harvey next to her, seeing him with his head in his hands, she found her task to be impossible.  "Oh God, this is so hard."

Harvey felt a surge of guilt, almost anticipating the deluge that would follow, "I know that we haven't had much time together lately, and with..."

Rachel cut him off immediately, not wanting to hear any other excuses, "I can't live like this anymore, Harvey."

"Things will change," Harvey insisted.

Rachel had her doubts, she had heard that before. "Will they?"

Harvey was at a loss, completely defenseless this time, "what do you want me to do? She's his mother."

Rachel had heard him say that one too many times, "I know that, probably better than anyone else. That's your justification for everything she does."

Harvey couldn't mask his frustration, "I am trying to make this work, I am, and you're not making this any easier. I need to do what's best for my son."

Rachel would never think to question Jerry's importance, but the thought of Anna made her weary. "I understand that, Harvey, and I accepted that early on. I can handle being secondary to Jerry, but  not to Anna. Not anymore."

"Is this an ultimatum?"

Rachel tried her hardest to avoid his gaze, that would only make her task all the more difficult. "I realize that I have made a lot of mistakes with this relationship. I know that I am pretty much a failure as a wife and not far behind as a mother. I shouldn't have gone to Boston, or waited to tell you about my kids, or helped Nash...hell, I probably should've left the SIU when I had the chance..." Harvey's heavy eyes upon her didn't make the situation any easier, "there's a lot that I've come to regret, I can't keep trying to convince myself that we'll be happy, because something always comes up or gets in the way. It's inevitable."

Harvey knew she was right, to some degree. "So you're saying it's over?"

Rachel saw no point in holding back the tears, "I'm saying that I am tired of being the bad guy. I am tired of being the homewrecker and being perceived as the evil stepmother. I am tired of listening to people talk about me at the SIU, acting like I don't hear that they think I'm using you to get back at Nash, or that you married me to make Anna jealous. I am tired of waiting for things to get better. I am tired of you not trusting me. You assume the worst and..."

Harvey felt completely helpless and couldn't bring himself to turn towards her, "this is what you needed to talk about?"

Rachel didn't think her words had any impact, "yes, no --- God, this would all be so much easier if..."

Harvey raised his eyes slightly, "if what?"

Rachel didn't have the heart to say it, "you know, it really doesn't matter anymore." She distanced herself a little further from him on the bench, their initial closeness was too much for the moment, "if I didn't think this was a losing battle, I would be willing to fight, but this is never going to work. She's the mother of your son and I'm just the woman you married in Vegas on a bet."

Harvey looked at her dead in the eyes, hurt, "that's not how I see you. It's just that sometimes you don't deal with..."

Rachel didn't want to hear it, "quit treating me like a child, Harvey. I am thirty-one years old. Maybe I don't have the marital or relationship experience that you do, but I know damn well this isn't how its supposed to be."

Harvey didn't know if he could stand to listen, he didn't even notice that she had gotten up from the bench.  "Rachel, please, I can't deal with this juvenile jealousy act right now."

"You don't have to, not anymore." Rachel leaned in and lightly kissed his cheek. She slid the wedding band off her finger and placed it into the palm of his hand, "I wish I could've been the one."

**
                                                                         Part 3

**
Anna walked past Harvey, hoping to catch his eye. She sat down next to him at the table, noticing he was quiter than usual. "So, what did she say?"

Harvey rolled his eyes, he thought he had been discrete. "Who?"

Anna sighed heavily, "Rachel, who else? I know you went to meet her once I was in bed last night."

Harvey didn't feel like explaining, "I... uhh..."

Anna stared at Harvey, "don't lie to me. Did she make you feel guilty for being with me and our son?"

Harvey got up from the table and pushed his chair in, "please don't start this, Anna."

Anna mocked getting sick. "Get real, Harvey. It's all an act with her. Did she show you her eye and tell you she was tired of playing the victim? Did she ask you about the messages she left that you never returned? Did she tell you about moving her stuff out? Did she remind you how long its been since you made love? Oh, poor, poor Rachel." Seeing the apparent concern in his eyes, "gag me, I bet she's already got Nash on speed dial again and is ready to hop into his bed."

Harvey didn't want to hear anymore, and he didn't even want to consider Anna's suggestion of Rachel being with Nash.  "I'm going to work." As he walked towards the door, he could feel Rachel's ring in the bottom of his pocket. A nagging reminder of the night before.

Anna followed him, "see, even you can't defend her now."

Harvey grumbled under his breath, "she's me wife, I don't need to explain."

Anna replied with a sharp tone, "WHAT?"

Harvey turned around, not quite sure of what he should say. "... I... I'm taking Jerry for pizza later."

Anna was offended, "I can't go?"

Harvey opened the door, wanting to flee, "it's a boys' night."

**
Martin walked up to Nash without hesitation, his plan was nearly flawless thus far. "Are you missing your inspectors yet, Bridges?"

Nash grimmaced at the sound of his voice, "we're getting by."

Martin smiled, "those two are a fantastic team, she's sharp and he's brutal. You know, she took the news about your and Leek's involvement with Ryan's death a lot better than I thought she would. I really do believe she'll be back at Bayside fulltime in a matter of days."

Nash asked reluctantly, "what do you want?"

Martin looked around the SIU, which was nearly empty, "I'm just here to check your progress on the case."

Nash smirked, "good of you to drop by, now you can leave."

"Not quite yet." Martin stepped closer to Bridges, almost clost enough to whisper in his ear, "there's a little information I thought I'd share with you. Johnson's back in the area, he was spotted by one of my squad's earlier."

Nash knew it was only a matter of time before Johnson resurfaced, "I've got someone on it."

"Sure you do." Martin walked back toward the glass door, "just make sure that someone isn't Leek."

Nash didn't want to admit that Harvey still had ties to the case. "He'll be running another call."

Martin left him with a warning, "careful where you are treading, Bridges."

**
Harvey looked up to find Rachel standing before his desk, her eye didn't look any better or any less painful than the night before. "Rachel, I..."

Rachel shook her head, "I'm not here to talk about last night, Harvey. I meant what I said and I have to stick by that.''

Harvey was a bit confused, "so what are you here for?"

"The bank called me this morning, they couldn't get a hold of you at home and mine was the secondary number," Rachel had suspected that Anna might have something to do with them not being able to reach Harvey.

Harvey tried to remember the last check he wrote, "what did they want?"

Rachel looked at the paper where she had written the message, "apparently there were insufficient funds for the check."

"What check? Did they give a number?"

Rachel handed him the paper, "this is the number from the bank, it was made out to that guy Sonny, from the Embarcadero."

Harvey grimmaced as he crumpled the paper, "small arms, Sonny. Dammit. Was there anything else?"

"No," Rachel waited a minute for him to calm down, "if you need the cash, I'll..."

Harvey wasn't about to take money from her, not with everything going on between them and Anna.  "That's not necessary." Harvey turned back towards his computer and reached for the phone, quickly dialing the bank's number, "Hello... this is Harvey Leek, account number 40567... WHAT?...A $10,000 withdrawal...Okay, right, please do... thanks..." Harvey saw Rachel still standing in front of him, "that was a check I wrote to Anna."  

"That's amazing, apparently I wrote her a check for the same amount."  Rachel watched as Harvey dialed his home phone number, she could hear each ring.

"Anna, where the hell are you?  You better have a damn good explanation for this."

Harvey got up from his desk and pushed in the chair, "I've got to get out of here."

Rachel didn't hesitate to move out of his way, "where are you going?"

"I'm going to pay a visit to Sonny at the Embarcadero." Harvey suddenly began to question his loyalties.

**
Steve banged on the screen door, he didn't like to wait and he knew that Anna had to be home. Anna had no where else to go and nothing better to do. He impatiently stood infront of the door, ready for her to open it. "Anna, come on, open up."

Anna came to the door, and stood there. She wasn't about to let him in, not after how he had treated her on the phone the day before. "Forget it, you're not coming in."

Steve was willing to compromise, "than you better come out here."

Anna stepped outside and leaned agains the door, "what do you want?"

Steve had waited long enough, he wasn't going to be strung along. "The results are in, aren't they? Is he my son or not?"

Anna happily replied, "he's not yours, so you can quit asking."

Steve grabbed her jaw with his right hand, "you're lying to me and you know I hate liars."

Anna pulled his hand away, "no, I am not lying. He's not yours and I want you out of my life. Your game is over."

Clenching his fists, Steve responded, "no, this is just the beginning."

"Get out of here, Steve, I'll call the cops." Anna turned toward the door and got ready to go back inside.

Steve grabbed her wrist, "No, I'm not going to let you win, you won't take my son away from me."

Anna tried to push him away, it was futile. "He's not yours, Harvey won't let you hurt us."

"It's too late for that Anna, even Harvey can't stop me know." Releasing her arm, he changed the subject and asked, "did you like your check?"

Anna didn't follow, "what check?"

Steve laughed that she could be so ignorant, "the one for $10000."

"How do you know about that?" Anna wouldn't have thought for a second that he was behind it, he couldn't get that kind of cash.

Smiling, he replied, "She shouldn't have left a signed check like that out. I wrote it, but Rachel cares too much for Jerry to do such a thing."

**
Antwon ran through the doors with a smile, "I got something."

Rachel looked at him, maybe he'd brighten her day with good news. "If I'm not going to like it, head right back out that door."

Antwon did his happy dance along with his chant for the occasion, "I got some info, and they don't know it..."

Rachel got up from her desk and grabbed hold of his arm, "I understand the excitement, but come on... out with it already."

Antwon took a second to compose himself, "well, we know that the dead man is Clive Roberts and the wife is totally cleared. But, here's what I saw today. As I was minding my own business, happily installing the new alarm system in the offices, I saw Bruce Mitchell, the other partner, and the secretary Victoria getting into it."

Rachel was intrigued, "really? Where was Brad Clark?"

"That partner wasn't around today, oddly enough." Antwon continued, "I was setting up the wiring with my crew and I heard them arguing in Mitchell's office this morning. Mitchell told her to pack up and leave."

"Without any reason?" Rachel suddenly wished she had been there as well.

Antwon shrugged, "something obviously went down."

Rachel summed up the case, "so, it looks as if Mitchell had become the odd man out around the firm.  He had the initial start on Clive's case, the last one that he lost, and it appears as if it was a set-up by Mitchell."

Antwon shook his finger, "you've got it --- but, remember, Mitchell's alibi checks out. He didn't pull the trigger."

Rachel had an idea, "how long can you drag this alarm gig?"

Taking a minute to consider all possible factors and replied, "at least a week, there can always be some wiring problems that come up."

"Good enough,"  that would give Rachel just enough time to put her plan into action.

Antwon smiled back at her, ''what are you thinking, McCabe?"

Rachel grinned deviously, "one secretary fired, they'll need a new one."

Antwon's mind filled with possbilities, "so who are you going to send in?"

Rachel knew the case would get her mind off the unsettling turn her personal life had taken, "I'll do this one myself, I'll apply tomarrow."

"We should talk to Clark," Antwon suggested.

"Nah, let's see if he comes to us first." Rachel had to admit, she liked giving orders instead of taking them.

**
Harvey ran into Sonny's shop, but he was no where in sight. He looked directly towards the man at the counter and demanded, "where the hell is Sonny?"

The man at the counter immediately recognized Harvey as a cop, they had a run in years before. He wasn't going to give Harvey the satisfaction of getting to talk with Sonny. "He ain't here."

Harvey pounded his fists against the counter, "where is he?"

Not willing to give away information for free, the clerk asked, "what's it worth to you?"

Harvey knew he didn't have much money in his wallet, and he was desperate. "Tell you what, you tell me where Sonny is and I'll get rid of your tickets for you, I know that you've come to acquire quite a collection."

"Really?" The offer was promising enough, he knew he'd soon be arrested if he didn't pay his fees. It was worth ratting Sonny out to prevent himself from spending another night in prison.

Harvey nodded, "I can make it happen, just tell me what I need to hear."

There had to be more in it for the clerk, "in Jersey too?"

Harvey had to comply, "I'll do my best."

The clerk reached for a box underneath the counter, he opened the box to reveal a pistol with a card next to it. He checked the back of the card and confirmed, "you'll find him here, he's on a job. Don't make a scene and don't drop any names either."

Harvey looked at the card, making sure he read it right. "This is the address for Bayside, oh God."

**
Antwon had grown to hate working surveillance. After the long hours tracking Johnson with Harvey, he wanted to do something else. The van felt cramped, with only two people inside. Antwon looked at Rachel as she stared off into space, she hadn't seemed herself lately and she wasn't willing to talk about it either. He wondered if that had anything to do with her willingness to stay at Bayside. "You okay, McCabe?"

As much as she liked him, Rachel really didn't see Antwon as a confidant. She didn't want to burden him with her problems, she knew he had plenty of his own. Rachel flashed a partial smile, "yeah, I'll be fine. I've just got a lot to worry about with work and the kids."

Antwon looked at her with sympathy, "would you talk to me if something was wrong?"

Rachel couldn't help but see him as being more Harvey's friend than her own, she didn't see it as her place to divulge their marital problems. "Can we talk about you for a change?"

Antwon chuckled, "subtle way to change the subject, McCabe. My name is Antwon, I am single, I've got a dog and I drive an SUV.''

Rachel thought of someone he hadn't mentioned in a while, "how's your sister?"

Antwon frowned, "I haven't spoken to her lately."

"Because of your dad?" Rachel knew he had caused a rift between the two earlier on.

"And other things, I told her about my break up with Jess and I guess I just can't get on the right track with her. She told me she's movin' to Jersy and she got a great job in the city." Antwon paused as the conversation replayed in his head, "I was mad at her."

"Why?"

Antwon glanced at the screen before turning back toward Rachel, "I guess cause  I can't look out for her there, not like I've done such a good job lately."

Rachel pointed back to the other monitor, "not to interrupt, but there's the secretary."

Antwon sat up to get a closer look, "what's' she doing back here?"

Rachel smiled, "obviously not picking up her paycheck dressed like that. What did you see with her earlier?"

"That argument with Bruce Mitchell, she left in tears." Antwon was left wondering if he had missed something.

Rachel pointed to the other man walking across the screen, "is that Brad Clark?"

Antwon nodded, that was definitely him. "He wasn't here earlier, the temp said he was out of town."

"Interesting." 

**
As Harvey pulled up across the street from Bayside, he saw Sonny's car --- as the clerk had promised. Alarmed,  Harvey got out immediately and walked toward the car. Harvey banged loudly on Sonny's car window to wake him, once he had his attention, Harvey demanded, "care to tell me what you're doing here?"

Sonny flashed a cocky smile, "Harvey Leek, long time, no see. How have you been?"

Harvey was in no mood, he pulled on Sonny's collar to bring him face to face, "who gave you that check, Sonny? I didn't write that and I need to know who gave that to you and why."

Sonny yanked his shirt from Harvey's clenched hands and reached for the check on the seat next to him, "yeah, about that check, it didn't cash  and now you owe me $20 more for the fee."

Opening the car door and pulling Sonny out, Harvey inquired, "who wrote that check?"

Sonny scrambled to grab the check, "you did, see? You signed it right here."

Harvey  angrily shouted, "give that to me" and ripped the check from his hands. "Before I have to hurt you, tell me what you're doing here."

Sonny backed away from Harvey, "I'm not here to hurt her, I'm just watching her for somebody. Nothing that will break the law."

Harvey looked around, no one was watching. "Who?"

"I'm not at liberty to say."

Harvey pushed Sonny up against the car, "you can tell me here and I let you go, or I'll drag you down to the SIU."

**
"McCabe." Rachel was almost relieved that it wasn't Harvey's voice at the end of the line, she couldn't handle that right now.

"Are you busy?" Louis was certain she'd know his voice, and he had to see her as soon as possible.

Rachel surveyed the mound of folders on her desk, "yes, but what do you need?"

"How quickly can you get to Oakland General?" Louis didn't mean to scare her, but this was an urgent matter.

"Oh God, what happened?" Rachel wasn't completely sure she wanted to know.

"It's Ryan. Just do me a favor, get down here safely and then we'll talk." Louis hung up the phone, that wasn't an easy call for him to make.

Rachel scanned the room for Antwon, Martin or anyone who could take the message, Antwon caught her just as she bolted for the door. "Hey, where are you going?"

"Listen, something's wrong with my son and I've got to get to Oakland General. Can you tell Martin I'll get back here when I can?" Rachel knew she couldn't waste any more time in trying to find Martin herself.

Antwon shook his head, "as much as I'd love to be your messenger, I'm not going to let you drive there like this. I'll drive, we can call Martin on the way."

"You can't do that, you need to stay here." Rachel didn't want Antwon to get on trouble, or worse yet, lose his job, on her behalf.

"Says who?" Antwon already had the door opened, he was ready to leave. As they walked towards his SUV, he asked, "you going to tell me what's happening or do I have to guess?"

"I don't even know, Louis didn't say." Rachel wished she could've gotten more details out of him, but they'd be there soon enough.

"I'll stay with you there until Harvey comes, you did call him, right?"

"No, I didn't," Rachel mumbled quietly, "and please don't."

**
Sonny glanced at Nash across the conference table, "you know, I've got better things to do than sit around here and make small talk with you two."

Nash weighed out his options, he needed all the help he could get. "Tell me who you are after and who paid you, and I might let you go."

Sonny turned toward Harvey, "why don't you ask him, it's his check."

Nash looked at Harvey, leaning uncomfortably against a beam, "Harvey?"

Harvey stood up and walked to the table, "its my check but I haven't spoken to Sonny for years."

"Yeah, since the last time you arrested me" Sonny added.

Nash sighed heavily, he was getting nowhere. "Who gave you that check, Sonny?"

Sonny thought for a minute, "you know, I really can't remember."

Harvey slammed his fists hard against the desk, "well, what's going to make you remember?"

Nash rested his arm on Harvey's, seeking some control, "well then, who are you after."

Sonny shrugged, "I don't remember that either, suddenly, I find myself drawing a blank.''

Nash summoned Ronnie over, "well, I might consider letting you go once you do remember. Ronnie, book 'em."

"It's Harvey's check," Sonny stammered. "It's Rachel McCabe that I am after, she's some cop at Bayside."

**
Antwon followed Rachel to the reception desk, "Ryan Mazza."

The nurse looked up to Rachel, "are you family?"

Rachel hoped they hadn't called Connie as well, she was certain Marla would be there. "I'm his mother."

The nurse checked her charts, "he's in room 305, down the hall to the left. The doctor should be in soon."

Antwon walked quickly to catch up with Rachel, "they obviously didn't give her a personality test before hiring."

Rachel was indifferent to his remark, "could be that she already knows something I don't."

Before they could get to Ryan's room, Louis met them in the hall. "Apparently, Connie wasn't just looking to give you Ryan because of her impending nuptials. She's kept a few facts from us."

Rachel was disgusted, ''like what?"

Louis pointed to the chairs outside the door, "maybe you should sit down."

"I'd prefer to stand, thanks." Rachel wished Harvey was there with her, but she was in no position to call him after the things that she had said. "How bad is it?"

Louis didn't know the specifics, "he's sick, Rache, that's what I know. Connie obviously didn't want to deal with that.  Marla just thought he was going through a bad transition, and that he'd get better. But the night sweats, the restlessness, the loss of appetite, it would go away. He was fine when you were around, but he's been hell to care for. They've been running tests all morning, they're trying to pinpoint what's wrong and get a diagnosis."

Rachel couldn't believe what she was hearing, "so Marla was just going to turn him over to me this week and not say anything?"

Louis didn't want to be placing the blame, "none of us knew what was going on, and apparently the doctors don't either. Connie ignored his symptoms and now we can't even get a hold of her. They think it's a malady in the blood but..."

"Can I go see him?" Rachel peered into the open doors and saw the doctors standing around her son.

"Marla's in there with him now." Louis knew that wasn't a good idea, "they want you to go get some blood work done, that's why I needed you down here so soon. Then maybe you can go in."

Antwon hesistated to ask, "who is Marla?"

"Ryan's foster mom," Louis assumed Rachel hadn't told him much. "Where's Harvey?"

Antwon shook his head, indicating to Louis that was a sore subject to bring up. Antwon knew there was nothing he could do or say to make the situation better for Rachel, "you want me to go with? I can stay here."

Rachel didn't even hear his question, and quietly asked, "can my life get any worse?"

**
Nash looked at Harvey across the conference table, not knowing what to think. Harvey's questions about Rachel and Sonny's story didn't add up. "Listen, I called over to Bayside and they said Rachel was fine when she left about an hour ago."

Terrible thoughts filled his head, Harvey didn't want her being alone. He knew Johnson had become a permanent threat, "she left?"

Nash nodded, "she took off with Antwon." As much as he was concerned with Rachel's safety, they had something else to discuss. "Harvey, I need you to explain to me how he got your check and why there's a known hitman watching Rachel's every move."

Harvey covered his face with his hands, "I don't know why Sonny is watching her, all I know is that I did not give him that check."

Nash didn't want to jump to conclusions, "why did you ask me those questions yesterday, about where Rachel was and why she was at Bayside?"

Harvey knew Nash didn't want to get so involved, but he had to tell him the truth. "Last week, Rachel saw me with Anna and she walked out. I haven't spoken to her since then, until yesterday. We talked and when she met me last night, she gave me back her ring. I love her, Nash, I wouldn't ask someone to kill her."

The situation was worse than Nash had anticipated, but nothing seemed to be directly in Harvey's favor. "Someone gave Sonny that check. How would he have gotten it if you didn't give it to him?"

Harvey nervously ran his fingers through his hair, "I'm telling you, it wasn't me. You've known me for years, Nash, I wouldn't do something like this."

Nothing made sense anymore, "the problems with Rachel and Anna, they're not any better?"

That was it. Harvey knew they had been right about her all along, she was up to no good. "Anna. It had to have been her. I wrote a check for Anna, to buy stuff for Jerry - it was her. She took $10,000 from my account and she paid Sonny off."  

**
Anna stopped dead in her tracks when she found Rachel in the waiting room at the hospital. She approached her slowly, wondering what she was doing there. "Are you following me now?"

Rachel shifted uncomfortably in  her chair, "excuse me, but I have better things to do with my time than follow you."

Anna was still bothered by her presence, "what are you doing here? did Harvey  send you?"

Rachel thought for a moment, Harvey didn't even know she was there. "I don't need an explanation for being at the hospital, it's a public place."

"Wait till Harvey hears about this," Anna replied.

Rachel really didn't care, "go ahead and tell him, tell him everything."

Anna wasn't going to let her be the martyr. "Don't get an attitude with me, McCabe, I'm just picking up the pieces."

Rachel saw the manila envelope in her hand and called her on it, "I see the results are finally in. It's about time."

Anna didn't have to answer to her, "So what if they are? Jerry is Harvey's kid, he doesn't need tests to prove that."

Rachel remarked, "but the judge does."

Anna conveyed the latest news, "Harvey called that off, he's not seeking sole custody anymore. He believes that a boy should grow up with his mother and his father."

"Whatever, it's his decision."

It wasn't like Rachel to accept defeat so easily, so Anna egged her on. "If you don't believe me, ask him yourself."

A nurse came out from the testing room, "Mrs. Leek?"

Rachel silently thanked God for small miracles and got up from her chair, but Anna stood in her way. "It's been a pleasure, as always."

Rachel wasn't going to let her have the last word and added, "I'd say it's been fun but then we'd both be lying."

**
Sonny waved at Nash through the bars, "so do I get out of here soon or not? I told you who I was after?"

Nash walked up to the cell, "not quite yet. I need to know who came in and gave you that check. I'd hate to lock you up for aiding and abedding."

Sonny shook his finger infront of Nash, "no way. You said if I talked, I'd be out of here. I talked, and now I want out."

Nash pulled up a chair next to the cell, "I'll let you go once I'm done. The way I see it, you've got two options. You can tell me who gave you that check and go free once Rachel McCabe has a restraining order against you, or you can sit here and rot while waiting for them to take you to the big house for lying, and eventually you'll be sentenced for a minimum of six years for aiding and abedding. You pick."

Sonny sat down, he really had nothing to lose. "If I talk, will I be protected? I know what this guy can do and if he knows I squealed, I'm a dead man. I need some reasurrance that you're not going to let that happen."

Nash owed him at least that, "we'll have someone looking out for you, now talk."

Sonny rethought his predicament, "what else do I get out of this? You know, I can't just risk my life for nothing."

"Tell me what you know, and then I'll give you what you want," Nash knew he could easily back out of the deal later if he needed to.

Sonny gave in, "he wants revenge, Nash, Johnson's a lunatic. Had you done your job the first time, he wouldn't be stealing money and running all over San Francisco. He didn't tell me how he had gotten the check, he just gave it to me. It wasn't for much, just enough to get me started for trailing that cop over at Bayside."

Nash knew Johnson would have something to do with this, "do you know who that cop over at Bayside is?"

Sonny didn't know much, "yeah, Rachel McCabe."

"Rachel McCabe Leek, she's Harvey's wife. I'll talk to Ronnie and we'll see what we can do for your living arrangment." Nash had to talk to Harvey, but that could wait.

"You said  I could leave?" Sonny yelled from his cell.

Nash looked back towards him, "not till I've got Johnson locked up."  

**
A doctor came and tapped lightly on the door, "Mrs. Leek?"

Rachel looked up at him, "yeah?"

"Can we talk, out in the hall?" His tone wasn't the slightest bit reassuring for Rachel.

Rachel looked back at Ryan, relieved he was finally asleep, "sure." She gave him a light kiss on the head and got up to walk toward the door. "What's going on?"

"I'm Dr. Petersen." The doctor looked to see if anyone was around, he wasn't sure if there was any good way to make his announcement. "We've ran the tests and, well,..."

Rachel tried to add some humor to the situation, "like any other medical problem, you really can't say what's wrong?"

Dr. Petersen nodded, "well, that too. But, something came up."

Rachel didn't like the worried look on his face, "don't tell me that you found something wrong with me instead?"

"Are you sure you really gave up the medical profession?" Dr. Petersen laughed nervously, "your iron is a little low, but that's not what I am worried about."

Rachel rolled her eyes, this wasn't a time for her own health concerns. "So I'll eat spinach and life will go on --- what's wrong?"

Dr. Petersen looked at the chart again, wanting to be absolutely positive. "The blood doesn't match up. Unless the samples were switched in the lab today, there's no way."

"If this is some bad joke?"

"His father is deceased, this I know, but I went and checked his type as well and..."

Rachel stood nervously before him, "let me guess, it didn't match either?"

Seeing the look of distress on Rachel's face, Dr. Petersen suddenly lamented his decision to pick up the day shift. "I wish I didn't have to tell you this...:"

Louis' arm over her shoulder was of no comfort, "I'm going to kill her, I swear I am..."

"Rachel, let's not..."  Louis knew his words were of no use, nothing he could say or do would change the situation for her.

Rachel knew who was responsible. She was quick to accuse,"Connie had to have known, this is her way of getting back at me..."

Dr. Petersen felt the need to speak up, "actually, her bloodwork doesn't match either."

**
Harvey inspected the envelope on the kitchen table, noticing it was from an airline. He picked it up and looked at the tickets inside. Damn. She had done it again. He knew she was there, he had just heard the shower, "ANNA!"

Anna straightened her robe and ran her fingers through her tousled hair, "Harvey, what are you doing home so early?"

Harvey wasn't in the mood for her antics, "what happened to those checks I gave you last week?"

Anna looked around the room, "I think they're in my purse?"

Harvey's impatience with her was growing, "can you get them for me, please?"

Anna knew he'd never ask for them back, the money was intended for Jerry, "for what?"

"I'd like the checks, please." Harvey was on the verge of losing his temper, but he tried to keep calm if Jerry were to walk in.

Anna dug through her purse in front of Harvey, "I guess they aren't in here."

"Cut the crap, Anna. Where are they?" Harvey had to wear her down, she'd confess sooner or later.

Anna thought about it for a moment, trying to decide which would be worse, if Harvey found out or if she told him the truth. "I don't know, maybe they were stolen."

"I spoke with the bank today, Anna," Harvey charged.  "One of those checks was written for $10000 and the other was rejected due to insufficient funds, paid to a hitman."

Anna challenged him, "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"You know damn well what I'm talking about," Harvey tried to keep his distance. He couldn't stand Anna acting as the innocent party.

Anna asked ignorantly, "am I missing something here?"

Harvey retrieved the tickets from his pocket, "and then I come home, to find two one-way tickets to Seattle on my kitchen table. Is there something you're not telling me."

Anna vehemently denied any part, "I'd never write those checks, Harvey, I don't treat our son like a commodity."

"Than who did write them?"

Anna stuttered, she hadn't planned on him finding out. "I...I... don't know, Harvey, why are you asking me these things?"

Harvey was hurt that she would lie to him, "you're only making things worse by not telling me the truth."

Desperate, Anna had to turn to her last resort. She went over to the table and pulled a large manila envelope. She retrieved the papers from inside. "Here, here, look. These are the paternity tests, " Anna shook the papers in front of him, "he's really your son, Harvey, he is."

Harvey wasn't about to give up, he owed it to Rachel to find out the truth. "Who had those checks, Anna?"

The tears began to stream down Anna's cheeks, "damn you, Harvey, I gave the checks to Steve so he would leave us alone. I just want us to be a family."

This time, Anna had one a step too far. For the first time in a long time, Harvey yelled. "You've been lying all along, haven't you? I want you to get out."

Anna knew he didn't  believe her, there was no way out. "Harvey, no, please don't do this."

Harvey wasn't willing to reason and sternly replied, "Get out now, Anna."

"If I leave, I am taking Jerry with me." Anna started toward the stairs to get Jerry, "I won't let you have him."

"Not this time, Anna." Harvey didn't want anymore games or lies, "get out, before I have to have you arrested."  

**
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