fanfic fluffy Rabbit - ieg



Discovery


Part III

Go to Part I
Go to Part II


Closing her eyes Jessica let the warm water relax her aching muscles. A long hot bath always helped her when she'd had a stressful day, and today had been pretty stressful. Just about the only things that had stood out as being good were seeing Blair again and meeting his very handsome roommate Jim. She just hoped that she would get another chance to meet him and hopefully talk to him about how his senses affected his life. Maybe he had some idea how she could adjust better to having one sense missing because she hadn't done very well on her own so far. Tommy was doing his best to try and help her, but he just didn't understand what it was like.

Running her hand through the water she could remember how it had used to feel against her skin, the way the bubbles had always tickled her. Rembering wasn't the same as feeling though and never would be. It was the memories of how things felt that was the hardest for her to deal with. Maybe all she had to do was be patient like Tommy had said and it would come back to her.

„Nice house." Jim said sarcastically pulling up outside of a rundown looking house on the edges of one of the less popular neighbourhoods in Cascade.

„It's just temporary," Blair replied, „The house they've bought is still being decorated. Now that is a nice house."

„This place is nearly as bad as that warehouse you were living in."

„Jim, it's not that bad." getting out of the passenger side of the classic blue and white truck.

„She deserves to live somewhere better than this."

+++


It just wasn't right that she was living in a rundown place like this, Jim thought following Blair up the garden path to the front door. With a lot of work it could probably be made habital. Her guide hadn't been doing their job very well if this was the best that they could afford to rent. On the battered front door he could see specks of dark blue paint which showed what colour the front had once been. He just hoped that their security was better than the front door.

„She's not working on anymore cases," Tommy said bluntly on opening the front door and seeing Blair and Jim standing there, „So you can tell that jumped up..."

„Tommy, we're here to apologise," Blair said, „And I've done a lot of research. There might be something in it to help Jess."

„You'd better come in them," he said, „She's having a bath, it helps to relax her muscles." There was very little point in trying to hide just how bad it was from them.

„Is she taking any thing? Only..." Blair began.

„Medication can affect her senses," closing the front door behind them,

„Blair, I've been taking care of her my entire life."

„Doesn't look like you're doing too well at the minute." Jim said looking around. There were boxes stacked waist high against all the walls in the hallway.

„We've been here less than a week," Tommy said, „The house we've bought will be ready next week. So there wasn't much point in unpacking." leading the way through into the living room.

„Nice furniture," Jim said staring at the battered couch and threadbare chairs, „Don't tell me the good stuff's in storage."

„This is the good stuff for now," Jessica said entering the living room wearing a pale blue towelling robe with a towel wrapped round her head, „For the time being, no point in bringing new furniture into a place like this."

„Feeling better?" Tommy asked.

„Yeah, why don't you make some proper coffee while I get dressed," she suggested, „And I want proper cream in mine, not that low fat gunk you keep trying to pass off as cream."

„It's better for you." he protested.

„One mug of coffee a day with real cream isn't going to clog my arteries,' she sighed, „And I'm sick of things being good for me." heading through the living room to one of the bedrooms at the rear of the house.

+++


This wasn't good at all, Megan thought, their prime, only suspect in the "Delivery Man" case was on vacation in Cascade National park. That was a lot of ground to cover in a search. He was due back tomorrow but she didn't really expect him to come back of his own volition. After all he had to know that his luck would run out sooner or later, and that it was only a matter of time before he either made a mistake or someone connected him with one of the crime scenes. Which was exactly what Dr Angel had done after looking through the case notes once.

She still couldn't understand how both she and Joel could have missed something like that, they'd been working on the case since the beginning. Maybe they should have taken a step back or asked one of their colleagues to go over the case files. Instead they'd been helped by a woman she'd insulted afterwards.

„Dogs," Joel said from behind Megan, „She was right about the missing dogs. There are a stack of missing dog reports from a three block radius around his house. Along with a a report of a pot bellied pig going missing from it's run."

„Dogs do run off." she said.

„One street lost six in two days, three of those were chained up. The chains had been cut."

„Did they find any of the corpses?"

„Only the pig's. It had been mutilated just like she said," he replied,

„You find anything on him."

„I spoke to his supervisor, reliable, hardworking, tends to keep himself to himself, lives alone and has a degree."

„We should bring him in for questioning." Joel said.

„There could be problem with that. He's gone camping in the National park,' she replied, „Apparently he's volunteer guide. Take groups through the caves."

„Damn, we have to get a search team ut there now." heading towards Simon's office.

„Why?" following him.

„There's a group of students from Cascade high camping out there. Daryl's with them."

„Simon's Daryl?"

„Yeah." Joel replied.

„He's going to spit the dummy over this." Megan said.

+++




„Feel any warmer now?" Taz asked when she'd finished arranging what had been Daryl's backpack underneath him.

„A little." he admitted.

„It should stop the ground from leeching the heat out of you for a while." After that she would have to think of something else.

„They've started looking for us haven't they?"

„They should have. I can't hear anyone coming though."

„How could you it's solid rock?" Daryl said.

„I meant I can't hear anyone digging. I think I might try moving some of the rocks myself. See if I can't get us out of here any faster." It was something that she should have thought about earlier but she'd been busy taking care of him. Making sure that he was all right was her main priority.

„The roof could come down," he warned her, „And we don't know how far back down the passage it collapsed. Could be all the way back to the entrance."

„Maybe there's another way out. I doubt it's the first time there's been a cave in down here," Taz said, „I can't just sit here not doing anything." Suddenly she'd got that bad feeling back. She wasn't sure why but suddenly it was very important that they made some sort of attempt to get out of there before it was too late.

+++


No-one would notice him sneaking off, Harold thought, slipping his backpack on. There weren't many people around and it was starting to get pretty dark now. Taz and Daryl should have been back long before now, he'd given them more than enough time to get back even if one of them had got hurt. After leaving a note for his cabin mate telling them why he was gone and where he was going he left the cabin not realising that he was being watched by a figure in the shadows.

„You're sure he's out there?" Simon asked snapping the cigar that he was holding.

„One of the rangers saw him arrive," Megan replied, „They're going to patrol the students camp area until we've found him. The chances are..."

„I want those students out of there now. The least thing we want is one of them getting injured if he's there and decides to resist arrest," he growled, „Is Rafe still here?"

„I think so," Megan replied, „Why?"

„His sister's on the trip. Her and Daryl were both booked to go on a caving trip today." The young detective wasn't going to take the news very well, he thought, he was very protective of his sister, almost to the point of obsession.

„Will he tell his parents or..." she began.

„There's just the two of them," Simon replied, „I want Ellison out at that campsite ASAP. And see if Dr Angel would be willing to join us. We need to know how he'll react if cornered."

+++


Not now, Jessica thought, when she saw her room morph into a cave. In it she could see the cubs she'd seen earlier, only this time there was no sign of her spirit guide. A shiver went down her spine when a large black bird descended from nowhere and began attacking the cubs. The little jaguar cub stood it's ground while trying to defend the wolf cub from the bird which kept swooping with talons extended. Unable to move she was forced to stand there and watch while the bird repeatedly slashed the jaguar with it's razor sharp talons. Until finally the little cub sank to the floor in a pool of it's own blood. The bird then turned it's attentions to the wolf cub.

She couldn't let it happen, Jessica thought when the scene faded. The world needed more Sentinels and guides not less. But she didn't have a great deal to go on to try and find them. They could be anywhere, but usually her visions related to the area where she was at the time. She was in Cascade, therefore they had to be in Cascade. It was still a big area to search though.

Tommy wasn't going to be too happy if she suddenly decided that she had to search the entire city for a potential sentinel and guide. Then there was Jim to consider, he didn't see her as a threat because she was injured, but that didn't mean that he wouldn't consider the cubs to be a threat to him. Still they needed help and he was the only one who could provide it. They'd just have to work everything else out once they'd found them. Besides at the minute they were in danger from that bird.

+++


Brian sat there, his face pale as he listened to what Simon was telling him. His little sister could be the next victim of the "Delivery Man." He should never have agreed to let her go on that trip, he thought, because if he hadn't then she would have been safe at home which was where she belonged. Well it would be the last time she went anywhere without him.

„Rafe, Brian," Simon said, when he got no response from the young man sitting opposite him, „It's going to be all right. We're not even sure that he's out there."

„Taz is all I have," Brian said softly, „If anything...."

„Nothing is going to happen to her," he reassured him, „Right now her and Daryl are probably drinking hot chocolate in the Ranger's station wondering what all the fuss is about." They'd better be, he thought or heads were going to roll.

+++


Everything looked totally different in the dark, Harold thought, doing his best to follow the path in front of him. He was certain, well as certain as he could be that he was going the right way. At least Melanie hadn't seen him leave, not that that would stop her from causing trouble for him when she found out that he'd gone looking for Daryl and Taz. Maybe if he hadn't been such a coward earlier Daryl and Taz would have been back by now. Seeing a figure walking towards him he breathed a sigh of relief. It looked as if one of them was coming back, he thought. It was only when he got closer to the figure that he realised that it was Mr Smith. Obviously they'd been mistaken when they'd thought that something had happened to him. Not that that did anything to reassure him that Taz and Daryl were all right.

+++


So that's what he was up to, Melanie thought, ducking behind a bush so that she wouldn't be seen by either figure on the path. Well he was going pay for telling on her. It didn't even strike her as strange when Harold left the path, after all she had no intention of following him any further. Coming out from behind the bush she began to make her way back towards the campsite.

+++




„You're sure that this is a short cut?" Harold asked nervously. They didn't seem to be going in the right direction to get to the caves.

„Trust me it's the quickest way to get there," David Smith replied, „I spend a lot of time out here, know the area like the back of my hand."

„They will be okay won't they?"

„There's no reason why they shouldn't be, You'd be surprised by how many side tunnels there are in those caves. If you don't know where you're going it's easy to get lost."

„Shouldn't we tell the Rangers?" Harold asked, „So they can look for them."

„Who do you think told me that they were lost. Your teachers know about the note you left so it's okay."

Harold looked at him doubtfully, he had left a note which was bound to have been found by now. And they were supposed to check that everyone was there at bedtime so someone was bound to notice that he was missing along with Taz and Daryl.

„Ellison," Jim said opening his cell phone, „We'll be there in about half an hour. I think she should be willing to help. Daryl's a smart kid, he'll be okay." closing his cell phone.

„Problem?" Blair asked on seeing the concerned look on Jim's face.

„They've tracked the "Delivery Man" suspect to the National park," he replied, „A group of students including Daryl are camping out there. Simon wants us to get over there, and he would like Dr Angel's help." He didn't know her well enough to call her by her first name yet.

„It's cold and wet out there," Tommy said, „Do you have any idea how that affects her? Her leg muscles tighten up, then if she's lucky after a couple of days she'll be able to limp around again. Jess can't do the physical stuff anymore."

„Don't you think that's upto me to decide?" Jessica asked entering the living room wearing a pair of faded jeans and a thick sweater, „If I'm right those kids are in serious trouble."

„What do you mean?" Blair asked.

„I'll explain later," she replied, „I might not have touch but the rest just fine. With two of us out there we should be able to find them a lot faster." Hopefully before it was too late, she thought.

„Jess..." Tommy began.

„I have to do this so don't even try to stop me. Are we going or not?" walking through the living room.

„That's it I'm calling dad. Maybe he can talk some sense into you because I obviously can't." Tommy yelled.

+++


I'm not looking." Taz promised, holding Daryl up as he relieved himself in a corner of the cave. Watching him do that was not high on her list of priorities at the minute. Still it wasn't his fault that he'd had to go and needed help to.

„This is really embarrassing." Daryl said staring straight ahead.

„Pretend I'm not here."

„That's not going to work," he replied, „It's kind of hard to ignore you."

„I'll take that as a compliment." she joked, although she knew that he hadn't meant it as a joke. Still he was right, he could hardly ignore her when she had her arms wrapped around his waist. Of course she was being very careful not to make sure that she didn't touch anything even by accident that she shouldn't.

„You should," readjusting himself before doing up his zip and button,

„You're beautiful and smart and funny. I'm lucky that you'd even say maybe to going out on a date with me."

„No, I'm lucky that you asked me," Taz said, „You ready to go sit down."

„Yeah," he replied, „Taz, I'm sorry that I can't be more help."

„Daryl, it's okay. You're hurt that's not your fault," she reassured him,

„I even promise to visit you in hospital. When we get out of here."

„My leg doesn't feel that bad now." hopping with her help back over to where he'd been sitting before.

„I'm going to try moving some more of those rocks."

„What's the point? We're not going to get out of here anytime soon."

„You can't think like that. We will get out of here, it's just a matter of time," helping him to sit down, „Why don't you get some sleep. You look like you could use it."

„What about you? I'm not the one whose doing all the heavy stuff."

„I'm okay for now."

„Jess, what's going on?" Blair asked as Jim drove straight through a red light.

„I've had a couple of visions today," she admitted, „The cubs were so cute, not getting along but that comes with time."

„Cubs!" Jim said.

„A wolf cub and a jaguar cub," she said, „Probably won't get a chance to grow up if we don't find them first. You know until meeting you I thought I was the only one."

„Sentinels are rare." Blair said.

„But why are we rare?" Jessica asked, „Wouldn't it be better if there were more of us? Just think how much better the world would be if there were Sentinels on street. Crime would go down. Purely from a reproduction point of view what are the chances of two Sentinels meeting up?"

„Very slim." Blair admitted.

„Could we just go back a step?" Jim asked, „What have cubs and the "Delivery Man" got in common."

„He's after the cubs. He's going to kill them if we don't stop him." she replied.

+++


Suddenly from behind him a hand grabbed him across the throat. Struggling for breath, Harold tried fighting back.

„Stop that." Smith snapped reaching into his back pocket with his other hand and pulling out a hunting knife, it's blade still stained with blood. On it's handle were five roughly cut notches. Tightening the hold that he had on Harold's throat he brought the knife round and plunged it straight into the centre of Harold's chest.

A scream rang out, then Harold slumped forward as Smith released the hold that he had on his throat. After rolling him over onto his back Smith knelt over his latest victim and grinned when he saw the look of absolute terror in his eyes as he ran the knife lightly over his throat.

„Please." Harold begged.

„Certainly." Smith replied running the blade against Harold's throat. This time leaving a trial of dark crimson blood in it's wake.

+++


On hearing the muffled scream Taz began clawing frantically at the rock which was barring her and Daryl's exit from the cave. Time was rapidly running out for them she thought, help wasn't going to come. Instead something else was going to come for them. She didn't know what just that it was going to hurt them.

„Taz, what's wrong?" Daryl asked on hearing another piece of rock hitting the wall opposite him.

„We have to get out her now," she snapped, „It's not safe here." looking around her.

„You mean there's going to be another cave in." Accepting what she was saying as true.

„Something worse," moving away from the blocked exit when the heavy scent of blood seeped through it, „Blood, I can smell blood." backing away until she was crouching besides Daryl.

„It's okay, you're just having a panic attack," he reassured her, „Take a deep breath." stretching out a hand and placing it on her back.

„My skin hurts." trying to rip her jacket and shirt off.

„Listen to me," he said firmly, „I need you to tell me what's going on. Because that's the only way I can try to help you."

„I don't know," she admitted her eyes scanning the cave for anything that shouldn't be there, „This didn't happen last time."

„Can you hear anybody out there?"

„No, but he's coming. I can smell him, he smells of blood."

„Take a deep breath and try to relax." He didn't have a clue what was going on with her, but she was his best friend therefore he had to believe that she was telling the truth until he found out otherwise. „Whatever is going on we're in it together okay." rubbing her back.

+++




„What do you mean you don't know where they are," Simon growled, this was not what he wanted to hear, „Do you realise the danger that they could be in?"

„Mr Banks, there is no need to shout," James Frost said, „I'm sure that both our son and Miss Rafe are perfectly all right where ever they are."

„But you don't know where they are," Brian said, „If anything's happened to my sister you'd better start running now.

„Mr Rafe, quite frankly I wouldn't be surprised in the least if your sister hadn't orchestrated this little disappearing act in order to attract attention to herself."

„Taz wouldn't just take off like this," Brian protested, „Something has happened to her."

„When was the last time anyone saw them?" Simon asked.

„When they left with the rest of their group for the caving trip. Everyone else came back early," Frost replied, „Miss Warren said that they'd decided to go exploring on their own. You have to understand that we can't keep track of them all the time."

„So as far as you know they could still be in the caves." Simon said.

„It's possible," he admitted, „But it's also possible that they've gone into the woods."

„You'd better pray that they turn up safe and sound," Simon warned him, „Or you could be facing serious charges."

+++


Looking up when she got out of the truck Jessica could see a huge black bird circling in the sky. It was the bird she'd seen in her vision.

„He's here," she said pulling her jacket tighter around her to try and shut out some of the cold, „We have to find them fast."

„Where?" Jim asked scanning the area with all his senses.

„Over there," pointing towards a large group of trees, „He knows where they are."

„Jess, are you sure?" Blair asked.

„I'm positive," she replied, „We have to hurry."

„You're not going anywhere," Jim said, „It's going to be dangerous."

„That's why I have to go with you." beginning to walk towards the trees she'd pointed at.

„Chief, find Simon and tell him where we've gone." Jim said following Jessica.

+++


Taz rubbed her eyes when she saw the two large cats suddenly appear in front of her. She moved even closer to Daryl who was still rubbing her back in an attempt to get her to clam down. This was not good because she was hallucinating now. Maybe it was something in the cave that was doing this, but why then wasn't Daryl going through whatever it was as well. There were only two differences between them that she could think of, he was hurt and she wasn't, she'd also eaten chocolate before the cave in. It had to be the chocolate, someone had spiked it. Melanie, she wouldn't put it past her to do something like that. Luckily she hadn't eaten the whole bar.

„Feeling better now?" Daryl asked, his voice full of concern.

„No, I'm seeing things now," Taz replied, „I think she spiked my chocolate."

„Who? Melanie?"

„She's the only one who has a reason to. You know how much she hates me."

„Is there a golden haze?" he asked hesitantly, because if there was then she was in serious trouble.

„No, no haze. Just two pumas, one white and one black."

„Pumas!'

„It's okay they're not real. The only heartbeat I can hear is yours."

„Guess that means you're dead." he joked.

„This isn't funny Darly," she snapped, „They won't let me become a cop if they find out about this."

„You know that you can trust me. I won't say anything about this okay," he reassured her, „It'll be our secret. Just tell me what to do and I'll do it."

„I don't know what to do," Taz admitted, „It's coming and I don't know what to do."

„You have to relax, getting stressed isn't going to help."

+++


She had to keep up with him, Jessica thought as Jim got ahead of her. Whatever was after those cubs it was going to take the both of them to stop. Tomorrow she was really going to pay for doing this, but if they were in time then it would all be worth it. And just because she wasn't a full Sentinel anymore it didn't mean that she had to stop caring about those who were. Maybe that was what she was supposed to do with her life now. Learning to deal with heightened senses wasn't easy. And she wasn't ashamed to admit that in the beginning she'd thought about taking her own life, but then things had got better and she'd learnt to cope. Just like she was having to do now.

+++


He could smell the blood, it's coppery scent heavy in the air. Extending his vision he could see the body laying half hidden in undergrowth. Reaching it, he crouched down besides it, feeling for a pulse he already knew he wasn't going to find.

„He's dead." Jim said.

„Is it..." Jessica began, catching up with him.

„It's not Daryl."

„That means he's in the caves."

„You think Daryl's a Sentinel!" Simon wasn't going to be too happy about that. As it was he had a hard enough time dealing with him.

„There's a girl with him. She's the Sentinel. She's terrified because she knows that it's coming for her."

„And it is?" he asked.

„Pure evil."

„We're after a man, not some figment of your imagination." he snapped heading off again.

„We'll see." she said following him.

„Sandburg, where's your partner." Simon growled when he saw the young man running up to where he and Rafe were standing.

„He and Jess have gone after him." Blair panted.

„Which way?" Rafe demanded.

„Back there, through the trees. They think he's after someone."

„Daryl's missing so's Rafe's sister." Simon said solemnly.

„We have to find them." Rafe snapped.

„Brian, running around blindly in the dark isn't going to do any good,' Simon said placing a hand on one of the younger man's arms, „Jim will find them." Hoping that his belief in his friend wasn't misplaced.

„Rafe, you have to trust Jim. Right now he and Jess are the only ones who can find Daryl and your sister in time." Blair said.

„Taz..."

„Is going to be fine." Simon reassured him.

„What's coming?" Daryl asked now that Taz seemed to have calmed down.

„Can't you feel it? It's dark, sucks all the light into it." How was she supposed to describe something that she couldn't see.

„You said that it smelt of blood. Whose blood?"

„Harold's," she whispered, „Maybe if we're quiet it wont find us."

„Taz, what does it want?"

„Us, it's coming to kill us." That was the only thing that she was certain about at the minute.

„Why? What have we done?" alarm showing in his voice.

„I don't know. Maybe it knows that I'm different. I'm sorry I want to protect you but I..." It was almost on top of them now.

„T..." a hand clamped itself tightly over his mouth before he had a chance to say anything else.

„Ssh." taking her hand off his mouth. Maybe it would be happy just to kill her, that way Daryl would survive. His survival was all that mattered to her.

+++


Gritting her teeth as a flame of pain shot through her knee Jessica carried on running after Jim. They had so far to go and so little time in which to get there. She wasn't going to let those kids down even if it meant that she never walked without a limp again.

+++




+++


He shouldn't have let her do this by herself, Tommy thought, pulling up next to Jim's truck. Who else was going to put her back together again afterwards. And his dad would never forgive him if he let anything major happen to Jess again. Spotting Blair standing with two men he headed over to where they were stood.

„Tommy, what are you doing here?" Blair asked.

„Jess is out there," he replied, „And my dad's on his way. So I figured that I'm going to need some police protection when she finds out that I called him. She's doing okay, hell she's keeping up with your friend."

„How..." Rafe began.

„We have this bond because we're twins," Tommy said, „She is very good at finding people alive. There was this one time...."

+++


It was so close now that she could almost touch it, Taz thought, moving even closer to Daryl. Dying in a cave wasn't the way she'd imagined her life ending. At her age most people didn't think that they could die, but she knew differently. Somehow she'd always thought that she would die where she could see the sun. There were so many things that she'd never had a chance to do and never have now. No date with Daryl, no first kiss. Oh god who was going to take care of Brian when she was gone.

„I don't want to die here," she said with tears running down her cheeks,

„It's not fair I haven't had a life."

„Taz, don't cry," Daryl said, „You're smart, think of something."

„I can't," she replied, „It's too big and too strong for me to stop on my own."

„We're in it together remember," he reassured her, „Your brains, my brawn. If this thing's coming then we can't just give up. No matter what Melanie did you never gave up."

„I could fight Melanie," Taz said, „But I don't think that I can fight this. I can't see it."

„No, but you can smell it, hear right."

„Yes." brushing away the tears with the backs of her hands.

„Why can you hear it now when you couldn't before?"

„Because it's not it that I'm hearing." she sniffed.

„Then what is it?" he asked.

„People."

„So we just have to hold on until they get here then. We're going to be fine," he reassured her, „How about we go to Playland when this is all over?"

„It's going to cost you more than twenty bucks to take me there." She knew that he was trying to distract her so that she could think of something that might help them get out of their current situation.

„After this my dad'll give me a raise," he replied, „Of course my mom's going to blame him for all this as usual."

„At least you're not going to be grounded 'til you're a hundred. I'll be lucky if Bri lets me go to school without an armed escort," You know who we have to blame for this don't you."

„Melanie Warren," he said, „Not that there's a lot that we can do about it."

„Right now there isn't," Taz said, „But she's not going to get away with doing this to us."

+++


With that leg of hers she shouldn't have been able to keep up with him, Jim thought running through the cave. That fact that she was only a few seconds behind him was damned impressive.

„Almost there." he said.

„Yeah," Jessica replied, „Then it really begins."

„We'll see."

+++


Looking out of her cabin window at all the activity going on Melanie couldn't help but smile. The Geek and Daryl were going to be in serious trouble for causing this. They probably weren't even in the caves anymore, she thought. for one brief moment she toyed with the idea of telling someone that Harold had gone to look for them, then she decided against it. After all it wasn't her fault that the idiot had got lost. Who was she, the patron saint of geeks. No-one would say anything about talking to him though, not if they knew what was good for them. And if they did, daddy would take care of it like he always did.

„Tommy..." Blair began while Simon and Brian were getting coffee.

„He doesn't need to know what really might happen to her," he said, „That his sister might end up dead if she's lucky. Blair, I've been through the other option. Trust me it's no fun at all."

„Jess said at the station..."

„It came down to finger prints or DNA testing to id her. I was there when she was found. Every day of my life I've seen that face looking back at me and I didn't recognise her. There was so much blood, the paramedics were slipping on the floor. And do you want to know what the worst part of it all is?"

„Only if you want to tell me." Blair replied.

„He's still out there somewhere. They gave the bastard bail and he ran. Eight murders and they let him out. Just goes to prove that knowing the right people will let you get away with murder. „

„Does Jess know?"

„Yeah, she knows. Spent most of the first year trying to find him from her hospital bed. Now she doesn't talk about him unless pushed."

„Sandburg," Simon bellowed, „We have a photo of this guy." Blair and Tommy made their way over to where Simon and Brian were standing.

„Oh shit, you, I have to go to Jess." Tommy said looking at the picture Simon was holding.

„Why?" Simon snapped grabbing hold of one of his arms to stop him from running off.

„It's him," Tommy snapped, „The bastard who. You need to get armed officers in those caves now." shaking off the hold Simon had on his arm and running off into the night with Rafe swiftly following him.

+++


Hefting a torch in one hand Taz took a deep breath when she heard signs of movement coming from the other side of the blocked exit. Someone or thing was trying to get in. A torch wasn't going to provide much protection against what was out there, but the only other thing she had to use were rocks.

„It's here isn't it." Daryl said, even he could hear rocks being moved.

„Yeah, helps not far away though," she replied, „Think you could try and run for it if you had to?"

„Taz, I can't even stand on my own. Besides I'm not leaving you here to face it alone."

„The cats are getting really agitated," watching them pacing up and down in front of the blocked exit, „Especially the white one. I think she knows it's out there."

„Think they can stop it?"

„Maybe, at least it's going to take it a while to get in here. That roof caved in pretty good."

„Told you that we'd be okay didn't I," Daryl said, „They're going to get to us before it does."

+++


With almost superhuman strength Smith tossed rocks to one side. Two more victims and he'd disappear just like he had last time. Only this time there wasn't anyone to stop him. Hearing footsteps echoing behind him he worked even harder to remove the barrier which stood between him and his victims. The world was going to be a much better place without freaks like them in it. He only had one regret and that was that he hadn't finished off that bitch he'd grabbed two years ago. Still he could always pay her another visit in a couple of years time. But right now he had to take care of these freaks before they had a chance to grow up and breed.



+++


Almost stumbling Tommy ran blindly into the cave. That bastard wasn't going to get his hands on Jess again. And if he had anything to do with it the only way that man would be leaving would be in a body bag, even if he had to shoot him himself. He was prepared to go to prison if he had to in order to protect her. But that guy was a serial killer, a very dangerous man, there was more than enough evidence to convict him of at least ten murders. No jury would shed tears for a man like that.

„Freeze Cascade PD," Jim shouted drawing his weapon when he saw the figure in front of him moving rocks, „Put your hands up where I can see them."

„FBI," Jessica said from behind Jim, „I'd shoot him if I were you. He's not going to surrender. Old Sparky's waiting for him in Texas."

„You can't shoot me." Smith said.

„I don't see anyone around here whose going to stop me. Do you Jim?"

„No."

„For all we know you've already killed those kids. And whose going to miss a piece of scum like you." He wasn't going to walk away this time, if she had anything to do with it. It either ended here and now or with him being strapped into an electric chair.

„You know this guy?" Jim asked.

„I got to know him very well during the twelve days I spent with him. We'd be doing the world a favour by shooting him. Would have a really good case for self defence as well. You've killed what fifteen people."

„Thirty." Smith boasted.

„Thirty people, and destroyed how many others as well," reaching into the back of her jeans and pulling a gun out, „I'd do it in an instant."

„That's murder." Smith protested dropping the rock that he was holding.

„So's what you've done," Jessica replied, „Daniel Jones, I'm arresting you on charges of serial homicide and bail jumping. Anything you say, you've heard it all before," aiming the gun she was holding just to the left of his and squeezed the trigger. „Just in case you thought I wouldn't do it. Cuff him." covering Jim as he moved towards where Smith was kneeling.

„What was that?" Darly asked.

„Gunshot," Taz replied, „It's okay, they've caught it." dropping the torch she was holding.

„You're sure they have?"

„Yeah, I'm sure. We'd better shout for help." Although she got the feeling that the people outside of the cave could hear what she was saying.

„Help," Daryl shouted at the top of his voice, forcing Taz to clamp her hands over her ears, „Sorry."

„They can hear us so just tone it down a little."

„Suppose we'd better dig them out." Jessica said hitting Smith across the back of his head with the butt of her gun.

„That's assaulting a prisoner." Jim said.

„I'm not a cop." she laughed.

+++




+++


„You guys okay in there?" Jessica asked climbing through the hole that now led to where Daryl and Taz where.

„Daryl's leg's hurt," Taz replied, „And he hit his head pretty hard when the roof caved in." looking at the young woman who was now in the cave with them. „Did you get it?"

„We got it. You don't have to worry about it anymore," Jessica reassured her, „He's cuffed and out cold. Jim, we need a medic in here to check Daryl out." calling behind her.

„I'll do it," Jim replied squeezing his not inconsiderable size through the hole, „I was a medic in the army." when he saw the look of confusion on Jessica's face.

„You check Daryl out and I'll try to explain a few things to our new sentinel here." And she was going to have to hurry because she could already hear others coming.

„Sentinel?" Taz asked as Jessica crouched down next to her, „What's one of those?"

„Something very special," Jessica replied, „You can see the cats right?" looking across at where the two jaguars were busy sniffing each other.

„I'm hallucinating again."

„No, they're spirit guides. The white one's mine, and the black one's Jim's. You are not hallucinating or going mad. What you have is enhanced senses. Right now you're feeling a little weird and very scared right."

„Yeah, I think Melanie spiked my chocolate." Taz said.

„Trust me what's happening is perfectly normal." Jessica said, „Just takes a little while to get used to that's all. And you've got people to help you to do that. Including your friend Daryl over there. He's your guide. We'll go into that later. All you need to know for now is that you can't tell anyone, especially not your brother. The wrong people find out and it's, well you just can't okay."

„But I'm sick."

„No you're not. You're just very special. Do you know what that guy wanted to do to you?"

„Kill us," Taz replied, „Because I'm different."

„That's right, bet you thought about letting him kill you so he'd leave Daryl alone."

„Maybe."

„Making sure that your guide is protected comes before anything else,' Jessica said, „These are the rules for now, and you have to follow them no matter what anyone says okay."

„Okay." Taz replied reluctantly.

„You don't mess about with your senses at all. It can be very dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. We will teach you and Daryl how to handle them, but it's going to take some time. You can't date anyone either, it's for your own safety. sometimes your senses overload and you blackout,' Jessica said, „And finally spend as much time as you can with Daryl, it will help you to keep things under control."

„My dad is going to..." Daryl began, „He won't believe any of this. Then I won't be able to help Taz and..."

„Your dad knows," Jim reassured him while feeling his leg to see if anything was broken, „He might not be very happy about it though." As soon as he was sure that Daryl was all right Simon would be shouting at everyone in sight not that that would change a thing.

„Guess that explains why Taz got so pis. upset when Melanie Warren kept butting in between us." he said.

„Could be." Jim admitted.

„I didn't do anything to encourage Melanie though. Even told her to leave me alone, and quit having a go at Taz. Not that it did much good."

„Some people are like that."

„You don't need to worry about me," Taz said moving to crouch down next to Daryl, „I'm going to take care of her so good not even her precious daddy'll be able to bail her out."

„You can't use what you are for revenge," Jess said, „Only end up hurting yourself if you do."

„But she's the one who got Harold killed by that thing." Taz protested.

„She could smell the blood." Daryl explained.

„You don't go anywhere near her is that clear," Jessica said, „She comes upto you, you walk away. We will take care of it, legally."

„That's not going to be easy," Daryl said, „Melanie really has it in for Taz. She got Detective Dobson fired for letting Taz have one of his puppies when she wanted them all. Her dad's the Chief of Police. The cops can't do..."

„Trust me, Chief of Police is nothing compared to some of my friends,' Jessica smiled, „Friends who owe me some pretty big favours."

„What are you going to do?" Jim asked, „Chief Warren has a lot of power. And we're talking about people's jobs here."

„Firing a detective over a puppy is a misuse of authority." she replied.

„Her dad spends a lot of money. He paid five grand for Taz's place on the gym team." Daryl said.

„I thought you got dropped." Jim said remembering what she'd said at the poker game at Rafe's.

„Telling Bri wouldn't have done any good. Would have only got him fired, I have to take care of my brother." Taz said.

„Any rumours from the station Jim?" Jessica asked, „You must have heard something about him."

„I don't go around listening to other people's conversations on purpose." Jim replied.

„Pity, it's amazing what you can overhear in the bathroom." smiling at him.

„Jess," Tommy shouted when he saw the cuffed body laying on the cave floor,

„You okay." sticking his head through the hole in front of him. The link that he had with her told him that she was, but he wanted to see for himself that she was.

„Yeah, never felt better Bro," she laughed, „If you move back we'll get out of here."

„What about that..." he began.

„He's not going anywhere except prison," she replied, „Daryl, think you can walk out of here with a little help?"

„I'll help him," Taz growled as she helped Daryl up off the floor, „He's my..."

„Tommy's my guide so it's okay to talk in front of him," Jessica reassured her, „And I think he should be the one to explain it to your brother."

„Who is?" Tommy asked moving back from the hole so that they could get through it.

„Rafe." Jim replied.

+++


„Taz." Brian shouted rushing over to where his sister was helping Daryl stay up right. „Calm down Bri, I'm fine," Taz replied, „Well nothing that a a hot bath and some food wouldn't fix." „You could have been killed," anger showing in his voice, „That is the last time you ever have anything to do with Daryl." „Rafe, it's not Daryl's fault," Jim said, „There was a cave in, Could have happened to anyone." „It happened to my sister though," Brian protested, „If he hadn't dragged her..." „Don't talk about Daryl like that," Taz snapped, „It was my idea to go looking for Mr Smith not Daryl's so if it's anyone's fault it's mine." „We were taking a break before heading back when the roof caved in," Daryl said, „If Taz hadn't dragged me back there I'd be dead. And she took really good care of me because I was hurt."

„Do you think that we could get out of here now? Only I could really use a cup of coffee." Jessica said.

„And a hot bath, your legs aren't going to thank you for this little escapade." Tommy said.

„Believe it or not they don't ache as much as they did earlier," Jessica grinned, „Guess a good work out's just what I needed to get them working again."

„Simon, he's fine. Just a little bruised," Jim reassured his Captain and friend, when they met each other in the cave, „But we are going to have to talk." Something that he wasn't really looking forward to at all.

„What about..." Simon began. 'He's cuffed and had his rights read him," Jim replied, „Rafe and Dr Angel's brother have him under guard."

„Thank god you apologised to her and she agreed to help us out."

„Acutally I never got a chance to apologise to her." Jim admitted.

„I would have agreed to help anyway," Jessica said from behind Jim, „But I think dinner tomorrow night would go along way to making up for what Detective Connor said."

„You're making burgers." Jim reminded her.

„You owe me an apology and I intend to get it out of you. And home made burgers aren't going to cut it. Expecially when I'm the one making them."

„Jim, take the doctor out to dinner. That's an order." Simon smiled.

+fin+


Go to Part I
Go to Part II