WPCTS8

She slipped her shoes off as soon as she closed the door. Her hands brushed across her face as if she was fighting off fatigue when she walked passed the picture windows in the living room. She couldn’t see him, but she knew that he was there. She could sense his presence in the shadows. She could practically feel his breath against the back of her neck. Somehow it was comforting and exhilarating at the same time. She knew that he was watching her. Nothing would ever hurt her as long as he was watching her. It never could.

She clicked on the hallway light as she made her way into the kitchen to pull out a beer. She popped the cap off of the bottle, then left it on the counter as she retraced her path. She lightly rubbed at her temple as she walked back through the living room and into the bedroom. She didn’t bother with the light. What little filtered in from the living room was enough to make her way through the bedroom and into the bath. She turned the water on in the tub, then waited.

His eyes watched the shadows rather than the leggy brunette padding her way through the house. His senses were finely tuned to the subtle sounds and odd silhouettes. He was aware of every movement, every scent, every whisper on the wind. He hadn’t missed the tiny shuffle or the darting shadow when the clouds passed over the thin moon. They weren’t alone.

He didn’t have to wait long for the shadow to creep into the bedroom. The sliding glass doors were no match for his expert hand. It was obvious that he knew her routine. He waited for the moment when she was most vulnerable, when the water was running to mask his approach.

Nash flipped on the light by the bed as he leaned against the Italian armoire. “Evening Russ,” he said as if it were a social visit.

Russell Craig turned on his heel, his hand instinctively reaching for the pistol at the small of his back, then he froze. Nash Bridges was no threat to him. “What are you doing here, Bridges?”

He shrugged as he pushed away from the armoire and slowly started walking toward Russell. “I could ask you the same thing. Aren’t you suppose to be dead?”

A crooked smile rose to his lips. “My guess is that one of us will be before the night’s over.” His bravado was lost a second later when he heard the distinctive sound of the hammer being pulled back on a gun right next to his ear.

“You might want to rethink that,” he returned sarcastically as he gave Cassidy a smile. “Perfect timing, sweetheart. Must be in the genes.”

* * *

It was after midnight before Rachel and Harvey roused themselves enough to have something to eat. Both of them were wrapped in terry cloth robes as they sat in front of the fire place sampling the food that Harvey had arranged. They talked and laughed as they offered each other tasty tidbits from a variety of entrees. She held out a fork full of linguini toward him, then it slid off the tines to the floor. Harvey laughed as he managed to pick it up and toss it into the fireplace. He was rewarded with a bite of baklava instead.

“So why this place?” Rachel asked before taking a bite of the pastry herself.

“Do I hear a complaint coming on?” he asked suspiciously.

“Absolutely not,” she assured him as she reached for the fruit drink that they were sharing. After taking a sip, she looked around at the opulent surroundings. “Everything was just so unexpected. At first, I thought it was totally unlike you when I saw the dress that you had picked out. Then the limo pulled up and really blew my mind. Then this place.” She shook her head as she studied his face. “When I saw you standing in the middle of this room, it took my breath away. It was perfect.” She gave his lips a small peck in appreciation. “It’s just not what I expected.”

“I’m glad you like it,” he smiled, satisfied that he had made the right choice. “To be honest with you, this place wasn’t exactly what I was looking for to begin with, but I knew it was right as soon as I saw it. I had this whole seduction scene planned with music and gourmet food and dancing.”

“It sounds like you’re complaining now,” she teased as she ran her finger up the inside of his thigh.

“Not complaining,” he corrected, squirming slightly, then slapping at her hand when her touch started to tickle. “Just pointing out that there was suppose to be more to all this.” He shrugged his shoulders slightly. “I know things haven’t always been easy for you and I wanted to spoil you a little. I picked this place because it was somewhere we could be alone and enjoy the scenery from the comfort of the hot tub.” His eyebrows rose suggestively as his eyes skimmed over her barely clad form.

Her smile grew as she nibbled at a strawberry. “That’s next, you know.”

“You wanton woman!” he growled as he looked her up and down. “I know that you’re just using me for sex.”

Her hand slid inside his robe. “Looks to me like you’ll have no problems meeting my demands,” she teased as she sat down in his lap. Tossing the strawberry over her shoulder, she wrapped her arms around his neck and thoroughly kissed him.

“I think the hot tub is going to have to wait,” he said, his breath already raspy. He easily slipped the belt of her robe off and they slid down to the floor in front of the fireplace.

* * *

Nash turned from the window at the sound of Victoria’s voice. Cassidy had met her at the door to make sure that she was alone before letting Victoria walk into the living room. Nash watched her face when she saw Russell standing up from the chaise lounger. He could see the shock in her eyes although she masked it well. Nash had told her that her brother was alive, but some part of her still didn’t believed it until that moment.

“Hi sis,” Russell said as his smile grew and he held his arms wide at her approach.

“I’m so glad you’re alive,” she whispered as she gave him a small hug, then she stepped back and slapped him across the cheek with all of her strength. “Now I can kill you myself, you selfish brat!”

Nash and Cassidy exchanged a shocked expression. They were certainly anticipating a more tearful reunion.

“Tory!” Russell yelled as he rubbed his cheek. He couldn’t remember a time when she looked more angry. “What in the hell’s gotten into you?”

“You waltzing in here like the prodigal son,” she began sarcastically as she folded her arms over her chest. “You expect me to cover you in gold and diamonds because you rose from the grave?” She stood toe to toe with him and was gratified to see him flinch. “How dare you let me think for even one minute that you had died. Do you have any idea what I’ve been through?”

“Truitt said that it would look more real if you didn’t know,” Russell defended himself.

“WE weren’t dealing with Truitt!” she reminded him. “WE were dealing with Nash. You went out on your own and made a better deal for yourself.” She shook her head as her anger quickly dissipated and the hurt settled in. “You left me, Russell. After all these years, after all that we had been through, and you still put me through that hell.”

“I just found out what that bastard at the DEA did,” he argued. “I’m going to make sure that he pays for double crossing us.”

“That’s just brilliant, Russell,” Victoria returned with her hands on her hips. “You even sound like some cheap mystery novel character now. He’s going to pay for double crossing us,” she mocked. “What is wrong with you? You’ve finally got total immunity and you want to go kill someone again and blow it.”

“I can’t let something like that pass,” he shot back, his anger growing.

“And it was exactly that sort of attitude that got both of us in this impossible situation to begin with.” The remark landed like a jolt and she was glad to see that he had the good sense to curb his tongue.

“I can’t let Truitt off the hook so easily,” Russell said.

“He’s not off the hook.” Nash interrupted the squabble to stop a bad situation for getting worse. “His boss, Special Agent Miller, has already started investigating him. I have no doubt that Truitt isn’t cleaver enough to cover up all of his tracks. Not to mention the fact that he’s going to have to look over his shoulder for the rest of his life and wonder if your waiting for him.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Sometimes the anticipation of something is worse than the real thing.”

“Please Russ,” Victoria pleaded. “For once in your life listen to reason. Make the smart move.”

The corner of Russell’s mouth began to rise as he considered the possibilities of “bumping into” Truitt on occasion just to see him squirm and then he was grinning from ear to ear. “Not a bad idea at that,” he returned.

Nash slowly walked over to them. “I’ve still got everything you need to go underground,” he said softly, evenly. “All it will take is a phone call.”

Victoria’s eyes shot up to his. She knew what he was offering, a life away from the crime families. But it was also a life away from Nash. “I’m not so sure that I want to disappear,” she whispered breathlessly. Now that she was faced with the option again, she was even more uncertain.

“Don’t be stupid, Tory. Of course you’re coming with me,” Russell said with conviction.

Nash had been expecting her objection. He didn’t even spare Russell a dismissive glance as he stared into her eyes. She had to know how serious her decision was. “If anyone were to find out that Russell was alive, they may grab you hoping to get to him.”

“But wouldn’t I be facing that regardless of whether Russell was alive or dead?” she countered. “If someone wanted to get even by using me, they would still have to contend with the other families.” Victoria shook her head. “It may seem like I’m in the lion’s den, but it’s actually the eye of the storm.”

“The problem with storms is that they’re unpredictable and tend to shift,” Nash returned. He didn’t know why he was encouraging her to go when everything in him was begging for her to stay.

She smiled at his persistence. She knew that he wanted her just as much as she wanted him and yet he was willing to let her go. “And what do you suggest I do instead of working at a night club?” she asked, knowing that she could never reclaim that life once in the witness protection program.

He gestured to the gown that she was wearing. “I’d say that the fashion industry has a place for your particular style. Of course, no one would look quite as elegant in your fashions as you.”

“Thanks,” Cassidy said sarcastically since she was wearing one of Victoria’s gowns.

“Present company excluded,” Nash chuckled at his daughters feigned indignation.

Victoria smiled at the compliment. “A fashion designer,” she said skeptically, then folded her arms over her waist. It wasn’t a bad idea, but never seeing him again was too high a price. “But, if I were to go into witness protection, then my life wouldn’t be my own ever again,” she said softly, returning to the original subject.

“Do you really think that it is now?” he countered.

She smiled at him. She admired his persistence. “My mind’s made up.”

* * *

Rachel leaned back against Harvey as they sipped champagne and ate strawberries while they luxuriated in the hot tub. The view from there was spectacular. One wall was a huge picture window so they had the privacy they wanted while still enjoying the landscape. Rachel sighed heavily at the pure romance of it all. “Do you think that we could retire here?” she joked. “I could stand looking at this view for the next twenty or thirty years.”

“I’m game if you are,” he returned, setting his champagne flute aside, then lacing his fingers through hers. “We can get us a little roadside stand and sell candles and hemp jewelry.”

She laughed at the thought. “I can actually see you doing something like that,” she teased.

“Just me?” he asked expectantly.

Rachel’s smile grew. “I’ve always wanted to learn how to do macrame.”

“That’s my girl.”

Her eyes focused on their joined fingers as she grew quiet. Such a simple life would be such a joy, but there were others to consider. Jerry for one. “I had a long talk with Samuel the other day,” she blurted out before she could take the time to reconsider.

Harvey shifted slightly behind her so that he could get a better look at her face. “Really?”

She nodded, her grip unconsciously tightening on his fingers. “He showed up at my apartment in the middle of the night. He scared the life out of me. I almost shot him,” she said, laughing nervously. She couldn’t understand why her heart was pounding so hard or why her mouth was running so fast. “We ended up talking for a couple of hours.”

“The photo albums and the coffee the other morning,” he said in remembrance. Nodding as he finally understood her particularly grouchy mood when he had stopped in to check on her. She hadn’t had any sleep yet. “And the house in your living room?” he asked, curiosity getting the better of him when she suddenly became chatty.

She nodded to confirm his suggestive question. “It’s from Samuel.” She looked back over her shoulder at him. “I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you sooner and I can’t even explain why I didn’t except that I wanted to have something that was just between Samuel and me,” she said in a rush of wind. Her nose crinkled slightly when she couldn’t read his expression. “Are you mad?”

“Because you wanted to keep a conversation with your son private? No,” he answered succinctly, then rubbed at his ear. “But I’m not particularly thrilled about the fact that you met with a Triad in the middle of the night.”

“There’s no proof that he....”

“Do you really want to go down that road right now?” he interrupted. He knew that there was no actual proof that Samuel’s grandfather was a member of the Triads. That was how he managed to stay out of jail, but everyone knew that he was.

“No,” she said softly as she lowered her eyes from his.

He sighed heavily at her defeated look. His reaction was probably the reason why she hadn’t said anything to him sooner. “Look Rach. I’m just concerned about your safety here,” he said to soften his harsh words from a moment before. “Not only your physical safety, but your position with the SFPD as well. Have you ever considered that there might come a time when you’re forced to choose between your son and your job?”

“I’m not blind, Harvey. I’m well aware of the empire that Samuel is left to deal with and I know that being a cop....” she drew in a shaky breath. She had eighteen years to think about the possibilities and the consequences.

His arm circled around her shoulders quickly and he held her close. “It’s okay,” he whispered in her ear. “I’m not judging you or him. I just want to make sure that you know what you’re getting into.” He put a tiny kiss against her temple. “I know what it’s like to want to hang onto every minute with your son. The first time I was alone with Jerry....” He shook his head as his mind was flooded with memories. “I couldn’t stop staring at him or touching him or smelling him.” He chuckled at that. “It was as if I was starved for every second that we shared.” He brought her hand up to his lips. “I wouldn’t begrudge you that. I just want you to be careful and I want you to know that I’m going to be there beside you no matter what.”

All of the tension left her body in a heavy sigh. She suddenly understood why she had been so nervous. She was afraid of what his reaction was going to be. She didn’t think that she was being unrealistic in her desire for the two most important men in her life to get along. But she knew that it would probably never happen. Considering the fact that they were on opposite sides of the law would only be the first of a long line of reasons why both men would be cautious of the other. But, at least now she knew that Harvey wasn’t going to condemn her for wanting to spend time with Samuel. “I can live with that.”

He looked at her for a long moment. “You were afraid of how I was going to react,” he guessed correctly.

When she looked up at him again, she was surprised to see the twinkle in his eye. “A little,” she admitted. “Why?” she asked, her smile growing at the pleased look on his face.

“It’s just nice to know that my opinion matters, is all.”

Her mouth dropped open slightly. “Of course it matters! Why wouldn’t it?” When he tried to wave it off and reached for his champagne again, she was stunned by the knowledge behind it. “Oh my gosh.” She turned around so that she was on her knees facing him. She couldn’t believe that he still had that insecurity. “You still don’t realize how important you are to me, do you?” Her smile grew when a thought occurred to her. “Maybe I’ll just have to show you.”

Harvey was all for that idea and was just leaning in to steal a kiss when she stood up and climbed out of the hot tub. “Not exactly what I had in mind,” he mumbled, then leaned over to see if he could catch a glimpse of her through the door. Several minutes passed before he finally slipped his terry cloth robe back on and went to see where she had disappeared to. He put his hands on his hips when he saw her digging through the scant contents of her satchel which she had dumped out onto the bed. “I gotta tell ya, the hot tub wasn’t as hot as I thought it was going to be,” he teased.

Rachel jumped at the sound of his voice, clumsily hiding a slip of paper behind her back, then turned to stuff everything back into her satchel. When she faced him once more, Harvey was standing directly behind her with his arms folded over his chest. She looked down at the paper in her hands, then back up at him again. She knew that he was waiting for an explanation to her odd behavior, but she didn’t even know how to begin. “Do you remember me telling you that I had written a poem for you?” she asked hesitantly.

His eyebrows shot up as his gaze dropped to the paper, but she didn’t wait for his response. “Well, it’s not a poem, actually,” she tried to explain as she looked down at the folded piece of paper in her hand. “It’s more like a letter.” Even though she had brought it expressly to give to Harvey, she was still hesitant. It bared too much of her soul. She didn’t like feeling so open, so vulnerable, but she did want Harvey to know just how much he meant to her. She let out a small burst of air that sufficed for a laugh. “Drunken ramblings is probably a better phrase to describe it.”

Harvey smiled as he watched her squirm. It was so unusual to see Rachel at a loss and he actually felt a little guilty for enjoying the sight so much. “Are you just going to tease me with it or am I actually going to get to read it sometime this weekend?” he asked.

“It’s just...” she started to explain again, then sighed heavily. She had to trust him, to believe that he wouldn’t laugh at her. Without another word, she put the letter into his hand, then walked over to the fire place. She couldn’t even watch his face when he read it.

Harvey unfolded the paper, eyeing her suspiciously when she turned away. He only managed to read the first few lines when the power behind her words hit him and he was forced to start over again.

“My heart was wrenched from my chest when I saw your face. I knew that you had found someone to ease the pain of the past, to wipe away the memories of betrayal. Something that I couldn’t do. I could see in your eyes how much she meant to you. I knew from the beginning that you felt you had found a kindred spirit. If only your eyes had turned toward me.

“I stood in amazement as you did your duty. The strength it took, the courage, the heart. Epic poems couldn’t capture the purity of your spirit or the gallantry that comes so naturally to you. Then, as life comes full circle, she returned and your heart hadn’t forgotten as I had hoped. Your head was turned once more. If only your eyes had turned toward me.

“Deep inside, there is a secret, a part of our soul that we want no one to see. It has to be felt for the eyes to be open. It’s an understanding that can’t be expressed with frivolous words. It can’t be told. It can only be known. An essence. It is the gift that I take of you. A gift that you won’t even know I have unless you take the one that I offer in return.

“No matter your choice, right or wrong, good or bad, there will be someone beside you. Someone that admires your talent, your inexplicable way of strumming on heartstrings that you didn’t even know you could play. No matter what the world decides, you will always have someone who will take the time to notice you. My heart has turned toward you.”

When he finished, all that he could do was stand in stunned silence. If only he had known sooner. If only he had recognized her devotion. He had no idea that it was possible to feel so deeply about someone and yet remain anonymous. She had succeeded all too well. They had lost far too much time.

Carefully, he folded the paper once more, then walked over to the bedside table to retrieve his wallet. His tucked the letter inside his wallet, then he joined Rachel who was still staring into the fireplace. He wrapped one arm around her shoulders and the other around her waist as he held her close. His lips brushed her temple, then her cheek as he searched for the right words, but she had already used them all. Almost.

“I love you,” he whispered against her ear and was surprised by the raspy sound of his own voice as well as the sudden lump that formed in his throat.

Her hands quickly covered his as she held onto him with all of her strength. She had bared her soul to him and he had understood. There was nothing more that she could ask for.

* * *

Nash rubbed at the back of his neck, trying to work out the knots as he walked slowly across his living room. He couldn’t remember the last time that he was so tired. Nick had left a light on for him next to the couch and, as he stumbled over to switch it off, he found the note that Nick had left. “Don’t forget the recipe for Stacy.” Nash groaned as he read it. He hadn’t thought twice about that chicken recipe since his sister had called.

He could still hear Stacy’s voice echoing in his head. “I guess that photographic memory only applies to police cases.” He looked around on the coffee table and kitchen counter in the hopes that Nick had found it, then groaned again when it didn’t materialize. He looked toward his bedroom in anticipation, then shook his head. Stacy would never forgive him if he didn’t keep his promise.

He stood still and thought for a moment. “Okay,” he said to himself. “Last time I made that was for Nick and I was reading...” He glanced around quickly for the book that he had never finished and found it still tucked into the drawer of the end table. “And there it is!” he said in triumph. He pulled the index card out and mumbled to himself. “My photographic memory is just fine, thank you very much.”

Stacy pulled her robe on with stilted movements as she stumbled toward the door. The persistent ringing of the bell had forced her to crawl out of bed. She pushed her hair back out of her eyes as she squinted to see who her tormentor was. When she saw her brother leaning against the door jam, she whipped the door open. “Nash? What is it? What’s wrong? Is Nick okay? Is it Cassidy?”

Nash held his hands up to stop the flow. “Whoa sister! Calm down. Everyone is fine.”

Her face contorted with confusion, her brows drawing together. “Then what’s the big emergency to drag you all the way over here at...” She looked down at her wrist for a watch, but had none.

“Three twenty-seven,” he informed her.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He reached into his jacket pocket. “Did you forget that I said I would be stopping by?”

“What?” she returned blankly.

“I told you that I would bring over the jambalaya recipe as soon as I got home.” He held up the card for her, his smile growing when her mouth dropped open in disbelief. “Look.” He pointed to the penciled in area. “I even remembered the extra ingredients.”

“Are you kidding me?” she finally managed to get out.

“No, it’s all right there.” He pointed to the card again, deliberately misunderstanding her.

“Nash, it’s three o’clock...”

“Three twenty-eight.”

“Whatever.” It only fueled her ire even more when he chuckled. “Since when do you...”

“Now, now sis,” Nash interrupted her as he put the card in her hand. “A promise is a promise and I just wanted to make sure you got everything that you asked for.” He leaned in and gave her a peck on the cheek as she tried to get out a response. “No need to thank me. Just seeing you like this makes up for it,” he teased and chucked again, backing off quickly when she started to swing. “Night sis!” he called, already on his way back to the Cuda.

* * *

Nash reached the bottom of the staircase at the SIU just in time to see Joe handing off cash for a video tape. He hesitated as Joe looked over at him and smiled. “Do I want to know about that?” Nash asked.

“No you don’t,” Joe replied, the grin remaining on his face.

“Okay,” he conceded with a shrug. “How’s the nanny hunt going?” he asked instead.

“Nanny is found, hired and blissfully perfect,” Joe returned.

“I thought you looked a little more rested today.”

“That’s because I actually got a full night’s sleep without Inger tossing and turning all night. She was so stressed out trying to keep up with Lucia. Tiny is like a Godsend.”

“Tiny?” Nash asked curiously.

“Yeah, Helen Trump. She goes by the nick name Tiny.”

“Tiny Trump?” he said skeptically. “You mean pod lady?”

“One in the same,” Joe said with satisfaction. “Turns out that she was a legitimate applicant. Rachel just talked her into going along with the joke.” Not one to miss an opportunity, Joe switched the subject. “So what happened to you last night? You took off out of here pretty quick.”

Nash thought about his response for a long moment. “Let’s just say that I was tying up some loose ends with the Castle case,” he responded elusively.

Joe nodded thoughtfully. There would only be one reason for Nash to be so evasive, to protect Russell Craig’s secret. “Did she go with him?” he asked, wondering what Victoria’s decision had been.

Nash simply looked at him and smiled.

* * *