Mia could make for a very sour end to the night. James was the only one that really knew what had been happening and to say Mia wasn't taking the breakup badly was a gross understatement. She had called Devin at least four times every day for the past week. She had called James at least two times every day and showed no signs of stopping.

Obviously she wasn't dangerous, but she clearly wasn't giving up on getting more of an answer from Devin on why he ended it. "Mia!" James called out and got the woman's attention. When she looked over and saw James she began to march over to him. I mean it is like the guy is allergic to anyone under a 9. James thought as he watched her walk over.

-----------------

The songs continued to flow around them as the alcohol flowed through them. Dancing at this point with no fear or misunderstanding Devin playfully spun Harper so they were facing the same direction. His hands on her hips and her ass very much against his groin. It was a dangerous move considering the excitement this started to cause but Devin did his best to control his uncontrollable body.

"So as far as getting drunk is concerned I feel we are well on our way. What else did you put on your check list?"

"Checklists are for work. You should know that."

An interesting fact about Harper, was that despite her crazy organisation and time management obsession at work, in her personal life, she wasn't anywhere near as regimented. When Devin spun her around, Harps couldn't resist an inward chuckle. He was certainly smooth when he wanted to be.

When he took a grip of her hips, it made her skin tingle. There was just something about being in close proximity to him, that made her lose every strand of rational thought. She quite liked that though. He infuriated her, but she also found him pretty irresistible.

"Oh wait." The blonde tilted her head a little so that she could look at him, "There was one other thing I had noted.." The young woman paused for dramatic effect, "Tell Devin to stop pussy footing around and kiss me already.."

Reaching down and letting his hands rest momentarily on his partners ass after he spun her back around meant Devin could decidedly lift her up ever so much while cupping her well formed in the dress ass and bring her up for a kiss. It was hot in the club, but that kiss could have melted Siberia. The lack of hesitation took Devin by surprise, but it was like 2 years of waiting had suddenly burst from the dam.

The kiss came with a second wave to it. Not broken apart or robotic but after both realized completely what was happening her body and his seemed to mold even closer together if that was possible. His hand was still firmly on her ass but now his other was above it on the small of her back pulling her in more. He felt hot and so did she but then he felt more than hot and started to slowly release his partner.

Devin had seen a gun pointed at him, a bullet shot at him, and knife swung at him, but the fear he had as he pulled apart from Harper was ten times anything he felt before. He knew the signs were there and she asked him to do it. You couldn't be more direct than she was. But the reality was she was emotionally vulnerable and both of them were drunk. HE cursed in his mind at the sudden situation he realized he was in and with some regret but little interest in lingering on it drew back from the passionate kiss.

"You stopped?"

Harper narrowed her eyes at Devin, "Why'd you stop?" The blonde perked an eyebrow, "Don't tell me you're suddenly going in for all that chivalrous crap? Because if you're pegging me up as rebound, you're a few months late for that." Rebound had been and gone. And sure she was drunk, but she wasn't so drunk that she wasn't in total control of herself.

Besides, he hadn't actually moved away. Sure he had stopped the kiss, but he was just as close. His body language wasn't speaking from the same page. But fine, if he wanted to stop there, they'd stop there.

"By the way, you would be a lot more believable if you didn't still have your hands on my ass right about now." For added emphasis1, she clenched said ass cheeks.

Why did you stop?

Devin thought this over and over again as if it was shooting out of him like a machine gun. She looked amazing in that dress. Her lips tasted just as they did two years ago and I swear her ass was even better than before. When he felt her clench it he felt his own hand tighten its grip on her.

The tone in her voice was the very same as it was the night at the Christmas party. Playful with a hint of control and wild card all mixed together. He loved every word and syllable she said and wasn't about to let the night end with a swan song. If she was wanting to play the game she found her partner for the night and Devin was never one to disappoint a partner.

"It hasn't left cause it wants to make sure you make the right steps" Devin said with a cracked grin. The dancing had slowed and Devin figured a less public place would allow for more of what was to come. "Lets head over there." He then took Harper by the hand and over to the VIP areas. As quick as they were a guy guarding the VIP area started to stop them, but then Devin flashed his badge and was let through. Near the back he saw a forked hallway. One way went to the bathrooms and the other towards the kitchen which closed about an hour ago.

Taking the turn towards the kitchen he walked half way down and then turned and put Harper against the wall. He moved in and at once returned to what they were doing in the dance floor. Kissing her he let his leg slide higher up her legs therefore slipping her dress even higher up. Perhaps only being held down as much as it could be due to his hand never leaving her ass.

The sun was streaming through the apartment window when Harper eventually opened her eyes. For a moment or two, the young woman really didn't want to. Too scared to face up to a hangover that she was convinced was waiting to pounce. In some weird half asleep logic, she genuinely believed that if she could trick her body into thinking that she wasn't really awake, the headache wouldn't rock up. Poor Harper. Poor Poor delusional Harper.

One eye opened nervously, and the head felt okay. Feeling cocky, the other one followed, and wham. The biggest throb immediately settled itself above her eyebrow.

And there it is.. Mother nature you are a real bitch.

Still, once both eyes had become accustomed to the beautiful sunlight, they locked in on Devin. The last time this had happened, the pair had practically fallen over each other in the rush to escape the awkwardness, but Harper didn't feel awkward. Sure she was naked, and after a sneaky peak under the duvet, she could confirm that he too was naked.. But she didn't feel the need to rush off. Instead, she yawned and turned over onto her stomach, reaching out to poke her buddy in the side.

"Devin, Devin.. Wake up - I have a really important question.."

And like the jackass that she was, Harper leaned over said bed buddy and blew a rather obnoxious raspberry on the dudes cheek.

"It's really important. Like inaugural speech sorta' important.."

Like a well oiled machine Devin woke with a gruff breath and a reluctance to open his eyes. He was running through last nights events. He remembered his friend and partner going out to help her get over a bad breakup. He remembered his friends leaving before him and also him pinning his partner against the wall and nearly striping together and having away with each other like rabbits in a hallway.

Considering the night before Devin wasn't hit that hard with the hangover. Don't be fooled it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows in his head, but a seltzer water and a muffin would likely have him back to nearly 100 with a crack of a whip to pair with it. He left himself to enjoy his current warmth in his bedroom. The fact that the alarm hadn't gone off most likely meant it had to be before 8 AM which was both good and bad. It was good that he wasn't late for work, but it was bad that he was able to wake up this early.

Moments went by and then he heard Harper move about and then start talking after a rather oddly placed raspberry. It did the trick as he rolled over and sat up in his bed. "Yea whats the question?" He asked looking over at her and smiling. He liked the view and even liked the bonus that the view was naked.

Harper took his hand in her's, and by this point, it was positively killing her to keep a straight face. Still, she was a trooper. The young woman cleared her throat, really amping up the vibe of importance.

"Would you like to meet my parents?"

And that was it, well and truly pleased with herself, Harps let out a snort of self appreciative laughter and fell back against the pillows - still laughing. Of course the Detective was teasing Devin in response to his Mia problem, but it had just been too easy to get a kick out of it. Besides, if she'd thought about it, he'd already met her Mother in Walmart, but that wasn't important.

Devin's bed was super comfortable, and she was actually pretty reluctant to leave it. And the fact that it smelt like him, helped a bunch too. How realistic was it that she could sneak it out when he wasn't looking?

Not very realistic at all, actually. Still, a girl could dream. Or she could just buy a new bed. The world was her oyster.

It was clear Harper was in good spirits despite considering she drank everyone else under the table. Perhaps it was her tolerance or she was secretly not drinking as much as he thought Devin threw a pillow at her after her joke landed so poorly on everyone save for herself. She fell onto his bed and the light spotlighted every lack of flaw on her body. Her hair shone in the sunbath and was as bright as the sun almost. Her curves cast small shadows on her chest and only seemed to highlight her most sensitive parts.

Standing up he passed on grabbing his PJ bottoms that were on the chair near his nightstand and walked to the other side of the bed where Harper had put her head. He leaned down and kissed her while curling his fingers into her hair with a sense of lust. He then stood up and threw one of his dress shirts onto his bed and on top of Harper. Still silent he walked into his living room and grabbed some water from the fridge. The whole apartment was already smelling like coffee from the Starbucks on the first floor of the building and it made Devin crinkle his nose.

If only he had realized he hated the smell of coffee before he signed the lease. He thought to himself. Still he had heard enough hook ups complain and bought a coffee maker which he turned on for Harpers sake. Walking back into the bedroom he smiled and spoke. "Coffee will be ready in five."

The dress shirt was quickly put on, and the sleeves were promptly rolled up to the elbows. In truth, the kiss had made Harper a little giddy, but it had apparently had a favourable impact on the headache. She wasn't the type to go doe eyed over a guy, and she passed off the fuzzy feeling in her stomach as over zealous alcohol consumption.

The blonde finally stood up and stretched a little, before finishing off the the buttons. Or atleast attempting to. Her torso was still slightly visible with it's black leopard print tattoo that wound up the lefthand side. That's what you got for dating a tattoo artist when you were eighteen, but hell, she loved it. It was a part of her now.

"I'm surprised that you have a coffee maker. You hate coffee." As Devin wandered back in, she looked up from her buttoning, "Most people would think it was awesome to live above Starbucks.. Well, I love their muffins, actually. But their coffee is bitter. You got any hot chocolate?"

A perplexed expression crossed her features, "Like seriously, I can solve a damn murder, but I apparently can't button a shirt properly. Where have I gone wrong?" She pulled the material away from her body to get a better look, "Can you see where I'm wonky.."

-------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, back at the Station, Captain Scott was pacing around his office. It wasn't good news. Their victim from the previous day, didn't appear to be a one off. This time, a woman in her mid-thirties had shown up. Unlike the male, the woman had met a slightly more brutal and bloody end. However, she had been left in exactly the same place, and exactly the same position.

With a shake of his head, the fifty-something Captain looked out of his window at the view of the City below. Cellphone to ear, he ran the palm of his hand down over his face. This was not going to be good. A serial killer was a very real possibility, and there would be a media frenzy.

Damn paparazzi.

Eventually, the recipient picked up. "Johnson, I need you in here as soon as possible.. Shits hit the fan, and it's not going to be good. We have another victim. I can't get hold of Devin, can you grab him enroute? Cheers." And that was that, the call ended with Detective Johnson making a mental note to stop at home and change on the way.

“Coco packets are in the top shelf next to the fridge.” Devin said while they walked over to his bed and sitting down next to her. He could see the tell tale signs of a hangover, but she didn’t look so far gone as to be out of commision. When Harper stood up on her knees in the bed and asked for help with the shirt Devin laughed at her jokes, and moved to help her.

“Maybe if you approached the buttons like a suspect?” Devin spoke the words while helping her unbutton the shirt. Once it was completely unbuttoned he stopped and enjoyed the moment gave him. He then started to kiss her neck slowly and worked his way down towards her collarbone. As if by magic his morning alarm went off and filled the room with the sounds with jazz.

Devin pulled back and then pushed Harper back into the bed and started to climb up on top of her. Kissing her tattoo and sides as he moved up her body with absolute focus. He was getting closer to some heavier action when he heard Harpers phone begin to ring. At this hour there was only one person who would call her or his phones... Except maybe her parents? It was unlikely she told them she wasn't coming home. But that wasn't his primary thought. More than likely it was that the station needed the primary on a case to oversee or go somewhere revolving around a case.

"This is why I don't have a normal buzzer alarm." He said getting out of bed and looking at her phones screen while it continued to ring. Sure enough the caller ID said it was the captain. He tossed the phone to Harper and then made his way into the bathroom to take a shower.

It was incredibly disappointing when the phone rang, but duty first and all that jazz. However, what Captain Scott had to say really soured the mood. Another victim? This case had headache written all over it. Harper huffed in frustration as she pulled her dress over her head, this really was the last thing that she envisaged doing today. The first thing that she had envisaged was what they'd almost just done, and what they'd spent most of the previous night doing.

Was that greedy? Meh. Physical chemistry was physical chemistry, and it was safe to say, in a physical sense, they worked.

With a yawn, Harper plodded along to the bathroom and opened the door. "We've got to go when you're done, another victim, same place. Very messy." It was a short summary, but it got the message across. The blonde opened the shower screen with a smirk and wolf whistled.

"I need to stop off at home and get changed though... I don't think that this is classed as workwear. At least you had time to shower." She poked her tongue out at Devin, and turned to leave the room.

A second body was unwanted for a laundry list of reasons, but at the moment the most annoying ones were selfish. After everything that had happened last night Devin was thinking of calling in sick and staying in bed all day to continue. After two years their bodies hadn’t missed a beat or rhythm. Like riding a bicycle didn’t even begin to describe. His mind started to wander in the shower when Harper opened the curtain.

She mentioned the issues with the clothes and he was about to say this is why she should always have a few outfits at the office, but he realized arriving in last nights dress in any shape isn't possible. Still if she was going to have to go back home then she was going to be late all the same. He reached out and pulled her into the shower. Several wet minutes later they both left the bathroom steamer than the shower.

Finding his underwear and throwing it on along with a suit he shuffled around for a tie and couldn’t find one he liked. “Captain worked overnight so he won't be there..” He seemed to convince himself as he closed the closet san tie and just left his top button on his shirt loose. “Am I dropping you off at your place or are you going to lyft? We still have the precinct car. Which he hadn’t checked back in due to making more sense to just park it in his buildings underground garage.

In his living room he saw the history of their exploited last night. HIs shirt was thrown on the couch while both their shoes were close to the door. Harpers, or rather the one she borrowed, dress was next to the bedroom door and her bra was on the bed. Sadly he couldn’t see her underwear anywhere. “Did it even make it home?” he wondered after he remembered the part of the night that took place in the hallway of the hotel.

Half an hour later, and they were back out at the parking lot. The Captain certainly hadn't exaggerated the sheer mess that the victim was in. Harper had a strong stomach, but even she felt nauseous after leaving the forensics tent to get some air. That's when Dan rocked up. The new boy - well, not so much new. More of a novice that was cutting his teeth. He rode along with Harper and Coal from time to time. His sense of humour was a little warped, but for the most part, he was likable. Super jumpy, but that's was just downright hilarious. One time, his glasses flew straight off from a simple, yet brilliantly timed 'boo'.

"Hey Dan, how goes it?"

"I got lost, I ended up at the Dockyard."

"Wow, that is lost." Harper gave the younger guy an impressed nod, and he handed over an envelope from the Captain. At this point, Harper had changed and was back in the skinny jeans. On this occasion, a dark purple pair that was teamed with her navy blue work polo. Her wayward hair was tied into a chunky plait, and her presinct ID hung around her neck on a Cardinals lanyard.

"What's this?" The blonde opened up the manilla envelope and pulled out the contents.

"These photos were dropped by the station last night. We have no. CCTV footage of who did it, or anything. They managed to go completely under the radar."

Harper wrinkled her nose, "That's worrying." There was a ton of security at the station, and to bypass it all, was no mean feat. There were several photo's in the package, none of which made much sense. However, there was one of Harper herself, at the scene the day before.

Dan cleared his throat, "Scott said that we all need to be careful. He is clearly not far away."

Harper nodded, "Thanks Dan. Did you want to go take a look?"

"Uhh, no." He admitted, "Is Coal around, I have to tell him to about the photographs. Scott's sorta' worried about the one of you."

Harper pointed to the tent behind her and rolled her eyes, "I can look after myself, but I think he's in there." And with that, she slid the photographs away and wandered across the street to get a wider view of the scene and it's position.

If he was watching.. Where was he watching from...

After getting dressed in a black shirt and dark jeans he threw on his leather jacket and gun. He did his normal pre-exit countdown making sure everything was tucked away and locked whenever possible. His door clicked behind and as soon as they could they got everything together and headed to the crime scene. The place was already blocked off and the police seemed to be waiting on the other teams to move forward.

Jesus... He thought as they walked up to the crime and looked at everything. As soon as he could he made it over to the tent that had been constructed to protect the equipment and for those not doing anything yet to get a reprieve from the rain. When he entered a few heads turned and one of them belonged to Mia... Why are you doing this to me god? He thought as she walked over with a very clear purpose.

"Hey Mia." He said with a faint smile. He knew what was likely going to happen and only hoped she wasn't going to yell as much as she.

"Devin I am so happy you are here." Mia said in an almost awkwardly sweet tone. It felt like a trap to Devin, but he didn't have any clear explanation of how or why. When she got close Mia gave Devin a big hug and then pulled back. "So last night I saw James and Jordan and they told me everything. I want you to know I am here for you whenever you want to talk."

Having no idea what she was walking about Devin decided to instead focus on the change for the better. "Thank you Mia... I know it wasn't James or Jordan's place to tell you, but I know they are only thinking of you." Devin sort of came about the end of that with a question as Mia started to look confused.

She leaned in and whispered. "Devin they told me about your pobia. I wish you had told me..." She then seemed to be needed somewhere else and left quickly as she came leaving Devin more confused then he had ever been by a single person.

"Devin!" Dan shouted as he entered the tent. "Harper said you were here." He then started to explain the pictures that were sent to the team and that they featured photos of him and his partner. The news was alarming to say the least, but it made him extra uneasy when he heard Harper was told first.

"Get a team of people to start filming the crowds outside as silently as possible. If this person is filming us he might start looking at us as targets. The last thing we need to do is challenge them. These sickos are already looking to be in control. "The kills are so different thought...." He said out loud to no one. He didn't like this. Just like when he played a video game with his little cousin he felt like someone else was playing with a full deck of cards and knew the game.

"Harper?" He called out as he got out of the tent and scanned the area for her. When he saw her he focused on her and the situation. "Something has me worried about this...." He didn't voice anything else but his tone told her there was a lot more behind his words.

"Here.."

Harper handed Devin the envelope. "My photo has a particularly charming red ring around it." Was it the first time that she'd been threatened? Nope. And it probably wasn't going to be the last. There was absolutely no reason to freak out about it.. Internally though, Harps felt incredibly freaked out. More then a little. A while ton. And what made matters worse, was that she couldn't find an angle from the street to match up the photographs.

The cameras were click click clicking, and questions were being called out from the barrier. The Media really didn't know how to act classy about anything. Or they endorsed was mass panic.

"There just isn't anywhere.."

Harper took another look around, but stayed in one spot, "Because look.. There isn't.."

But before she could finish her sentence, there was an all too familiar sound that rang out. Two silenced pops, followed by a whoosh right past her ear. If she hadn't happened to bend down to pick up her camera, it would have gone straight through her head. Instead, it caught her hand as it crazed past.

Harper swore and shook her fingers. That bloody hurt....Dan came running over, as did four patrol officers all with their guns drawn as they shouted to the crowd to move.

This wasn't good at all.

SHOTS FIRED!!! SHOTS FIRED!!!

Devin moved fast and pushed Harper down to the patch of grass next to the curb. Above them they could hear more shouting and moving. Devin looked down at Harper He saw the blood on her hand and chest from where he tackled her down and started to panic. "Get a doctor!" He shouted as he started to look where the blood was coming from. With the blood on her hand and chest he immediately feared she had been shot in the chest.

With every officer having to go through basic medical training he knew pressure on the wound and something to soak blood instead of just push it was needed. Tearing his jacket off and bunched it up as well he could he pressed it against stomach.

Devin couldn't hear if there were any other shots being fired, but the lack of return fire meant it was unlikely.

"From the parking stricture!" It made the most sense and from where they were facing it was likely the best vantage point for a shooter. "Harper." He said quickly and then again looked around to see if there was anyone coming to help him. "Jesus..." He said when he saw the blood wasn't stopping. He then realized it wasn't her chest but her hand that had been shot. Taking his jacket he wrapped it around and started to tie the arms together.

"Ouch."

Harper wasn't best pleased when Coal took a hold of her hand. "Hey, that hurts!!" The blonde tried to swat him away, just as Joel appeared. He was the allocated medic for patrol that day.

"Oh, you have to be fucking kidding me.."

Apparently when in pain, Johnson was a bit of a potty mouth. Joel shook his head, half amused, and half exasperated. "I know, right? It's me or Mia. Think yourself lucky." He shook his head, "But let me fix you up." The Ex carefully handed back Devin his jacket with a polite nod, "So, what have we got?"

He turned her hand around and puffed his cheeks out. "Soooooo." He felt around in his pack for a bandage and some antiseptic wound wash. "Detective Coal, could you please grab me a vest from the car.." He handed the Detective his keys and Harper rolled her eyes stubbornly, "I am not wearing a bullet vest."

"You are.. And then you're going to the hospital." He insisted, "You need stitches in your palm. It's a right mess." Knowing that shock was the best tactic with Harper, he turned the hand to show her. The blonde looked for a second and then glanced away.

"Yeah, well...whatever. Just wrap it up or something."

Dan came over in a rush, "Ohhhh Man. Scott is going to be so pissed. He'll think I didn't do what I was supposed do and then..." The rookie was flustered, re-positioning his glasses as he rambled.

"Dan, Scott is always pissed. Have you got anything for the pain in that pack, Joel.." Harper tried to look, and he lightly tapped her good hand, "No, funnily enough, they don't let me carry morphine around." He cleaned off the area as best he could, and tightly wrapped the bandage around it. Admittedly, it felt a little better just having it secured. He then pulled out a triangular bandage and rigged up a sling to keep it up, tying it gently under her hair at the back of her neck.

"There, you should be comfortable until you get it sorted.."

"Cool, thanks." Harper stood up, "I'm just going to go and quickly..."

Dan shook his head, "You aren't going to quickly do anything." He put his foot down firmly, "You're going to the hospital."

"I feel fine.."

Joel chuckled, "Yeah, good luck arguing with her, Dan. But seriously, you lost a ton of blood, sit down for a minute.. " The Ex got a death glare, and he held his hands up in a humorous surrender, before heading to his patrol car to dump off his stuff. Enroute, he passed Devin. "Take your girlfriend to the hospital. She needs stitches." The tone was less then friendly, but it wasn't quite as bitter as usual. "She'll argue." He warned. "But, it would seem that you're pretty familiar with Harps already."

What's was that supposed to mean? Well, basically that he had very much witnessed the night out. And just letting Devin know that he knew. But how much he knew, was anyone's guess.

It was mayhem in the streets around the scene. News vans were being used as cover and civilians were screaming this way and that. The shots had subsided, but had left fear as the greatest danger. In the distance a car crashing into another that stopped short to avoid hitting a fleeing person could be heard. A few brave reporters seemed to be still trying to broadcast, but when the camera men gave up they quickly followed.

Reaching the tactical truck and unlocking the back. Devin quickly put one on and then grabbed three more. He then hoofed it back to his partner and her ex. Tucked one under Joel’s knees to make the fact that he was on his knees more comfortable. The other two were for Joel and Harper. He didn’t want to leave them, but as Dan arrived shouting about the captain he heard Harper reply. At least I know she is going to be okay. He thought.

Devin unholstered his gun and yelled down at both Joel and Harper. “Not the damn time you two. Get her to the hospital and make sure they know she is a flight risk.” He then looked over at Dan. “VEST!” He said and the young man seemed confused. “PUT IT ON!”” Devin then heard a lieutenant give orders to move on the garage.

Turning up the street and running to the stairs he followed up four cops in uniform. Patting the shoulder to let them know he was there they moved to the second floor and left the first to the other team coming through the car entrance. WHen they reached the third floor Devin went through first and with their weapons drawn they announced themselves. “NYPD everyone stop!”

Moving between the cars they registered anyone in cars first but didn’t see anyone immediately. They made their way to to the far side which was the side that oversaw the crime scene. Near the back was a van with no windows. Moving in on it they called out their identity once more. “NYPD! IF anyone is in the van hands up and get out!’

No one could see any movement so they slowly moved in the car and then popped to its side ready for anything. The van was empty. Devin brought his gun down and continued to scan the area. “Block this area off. If it wasn’t this floor it was the ones above. I am going up. He then joined the other units who were making their way up to the third and fourth floors.

Being the senior Detective, Alix had pulled rank and instructed Joel to stay, and in his place, she asked Dan to take her over to the ER. And truth be known, it wasn't a snarky Ex girlfriend move, it was actually a tactical one. Dan was far too Rookie to be let loose on a live crime scene without a mentor, and Joel was much more experienced, and actually pretty good at his job.

It was a quiet ride to the ER, Harper was starting to feel a little a groggy, and that mood didn't change when the Dr. removed the bullet with a pair of tweezers. Johnson was sick, alot. And it wasn't until they gave her a shot of the heavy painkillers that she stopped. After that she was just sailing through rainbows and unicorns. The medical team were unnerved when the Detective's requested to keep the bullet.

Ballistics would have a comparison for their victims, and they could also ascertain whether it was in fact the same shooter, or merely an opportunist wanting to caused panic. Once they'd discharged her, Harper was reluctant to go home, but when Dan dropped her off under Scott's orders, she had very little choice.

The hand was splinted, and it was damn well sore. It was at times like this, that she missed having her own apartment. The parents were out for the evening, but she still had her irritation of a brother slouching around. Quite frankly, she would have preferred to be at work, but was consoling herself by writing up a report.