One Journey Ends

Justin sat in the shadows hidden from the view of any passersby. He'd been watching Tara's house for the last few nights hoping to get a lead on the stalker who'd left her the terrifying letter. So far there'd been no luck. The man had apparently backed off for the time being, leaving Tara to wonder when he would next strike. Justin didn't like not knowing how to protect her and he knew he couldn't just knock on her door and inform her he was attempting to do just that. Too much time had elapsed since their meeting and no matter what she told the police, he knew she'd be frightened. The only thing he could think to do was watch her. He and Sven had agreed that he would guard her house at night and Sven would shadow her in the daytime, also without her knowledge. They would work the Henderson/Bentley case separately when they were each home. How he'd ever deluded himself into believing Tara was out of danger he couldn't say. Thankfully Sven wasn't so dismissive.

The sun finally made its way up and he drew himself further into his hiding area. It wouldn't do to be discovered lurking near Tara's house, especially if the police were to find him. As soon as Seka left for school, the detective's car pulled up in front of Tara's house. Justin knew it was time for him to return home and report back to Sven, who would be taking over after his daily walk to the cemetery.

Thoughts of the blonde man filled his head again as he retreated from the scene. He wondered if his partner had the same trouble concentrating at the moment. The connection between them had grown overpoweringly strong. He couldn't imagine what it would feel like to lose it, either. Justin had never been one given to romantic flights of fancy, but he was finding it harder and harder to keep his mind on anything but Sven. It was disconcerting yet comforting all at once. He chuckled at the irony. He knew that if Seka hadn't called the other night, he and Sven would have consummated whatever connection they had formed and would be permanently bonded together. But Justin wasn't too disappointed. As he told his love, he would wait as long as necessary. He knew they were meant to be together. They could afford to be patient.

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Tara answered the door as Seka pulled on her coat to leave for school.

"Detective Sullivan?" she greeted him, surprised. "I wasn't expecting you."

"Mrs. Connors," he nodded politely. "I came to speak with you about the case."

"Yes, of course," she said stepping back so that he could enter. The Japanese girl looked at her questioningly as she adjusted her book bag. "It's okay, Seka. Are you sure you have everything for class?"

"Yes," the girl nodded.

"Have a nice day, then," Tara said, feeling for maternal than a girl her age should towards a teenager. "I'll see you later."

Seka nodded again and left the house. Tara closed the door and turned to the detective.

"Can I get you something?" she asked him nervously. She never felt comfortable around law enforcement officials and couldn't really say why. She assumed it had largely to do with her past as an orphan. "Some tea, perhaps?"

"No, thank you, ma'am," he replied taking a seat at the kitchen table. "I just came by to tell you that we'll be assigning some officers to watch your house."

"Is that really necessary?"

"I think so," he sighed. "We still don't have any other solid leads to go on and if you receive another piece of mail, it would be helpful to get a jump on the culprit."

"But won't he avoid the house if he sees a police vehicle watching the house?"

"The officer would be stationed inside the home," he explained. "That is, if you have no objection."

Tara frowned deeply. She didn't like the idea but she knew it really was the best lead the police had to follow. She also didn't want to expose Seka to any further danger if she could help it and figured this would be the most efficient way to protect her.

"All right," she nodded. "If you think it's best. But they won't be following me around while I work, will they? I don't think my bosses will like that."

"They won't l the the house unless you start receiving threats in another fashion," he confirmed. "There will be three eight-hour one-man shifts. One man will come in the early morning and stay until about three. An officer will relieve him eight hours later, and one will relieve him at around eleven o'clock or so."

"Okay, then."

"Officer Parker will be here momentarily. Just go through your day as though nothing were happening."

Yeah, sure. Just ignore the big policeman in the corner over there, Tara thought wryly. Outwardly, she just nodded her agreement. The officer arrived soon thereafter and the detective took his leave. Tara showed the officer where the facilities were and told him to help himself to whatever he wanted in the kitchen. She then went about preparing for her day.

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Sven heard Justin come in and looked up from the computer expectantly. His partner entered the room and threw his jacket on the nearest chair.

"How did it go?" he asked curiously.

"No attempts were made last night," his dark haired love responded. "The detective arrived early in the morning. I am not sure why, but I would like to know."

"Well then, let's hope Tara is in a talka moo mood later."

"If not, we may need to call Seka this evening before I go out."

"Agreed," Sven said standing suddenly and hugging Justin.

"What was that for?"

Sven only laughed and kissed him.

"I was prepared to wait," Justin said huskily. "But you are making that difficult."

"I told you there is no need to wait," Sven replied kissing his partner's neck below the ear. "And I have at least an hour before I have to meet Tara."

Justin sighed and kissed his blonde love back for a moment before reluctantly pulling away. "When we have our first night together, I want it to be just that, an entire night. You are too important for me to allow our first time together to be a 'quickie'."

Sven smiled, instantly warmed by Justin's words. He knew then that this relationship would become permanent. His partner had just confirmed it unequivocally.

"I am not going to say I'm not disappointed," the bloman man answered. "But I am in complete agreement."

Justin smiled back and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. "Now, let us discuss the case before you go."

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Tara smiled as Sven approached her later that day. She was still determined not to allow too much to slip to him, but was grateful for his soothing company. He had a way of making her feel safe, though she wasn't sure why.

"How are you, Sven?" she greeted him.

"I am doing well," he replied, his eyes sparkling with warmth. "And you?"

"Not bad," she sighed, thinking again of the officer stationed in her living room.

"Why do you look troubled?" he asked.

She should have known he'd pick up on something. Sighing, she decided to tell him a little about her daily troubles. It would be nice to have someone to confide in.

"I've been having some stalker problems."

"Stalker?" he asked in his Scandinavian accent.

"Yes," she said softly, looking down at Ben's headstone. "One of the men who attacked me, the living one anyway, seems to be intent on causing me some trouble."

"You were attacked?" Sven asked with eyebrows raised in shock.

"I'm sorry," she said looking back up at him. "I forgot I never told you why my jaw was wired shut. I attaattacked in the hospital shortly before my husband . . ." Her eyes filled with tears as she broke off. She wiped them away and sniffled before continuing. "A man, a stranger, saved me, killing one of attackers. The other one got away. I thought he'd leave me alone but he hasn't."

"You have seen him?" the blonde man asked confused.

"No," she said shaking her head and retrieving a tissue from her purse. "He leaves me packages at home while I'm out."

"And you are sure it is him?"

"Now you sound like the detective," she grunted. "It wasn't the man who saved me."

"But you said he was a stranger."

"Yes, but he wouldn't harm me," she defended her unknown savior. "I can't explain how I know, I just know he wouldn't. He could've killed me that night. Instead, he ran for help. I don't know why he disappeared, but he wouldn't come back to hurt me."

"I guess that is a logical assumption," the Scandinavian man said thoughtfully. "The police think he is a suspect, though?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

"Are they doing anything about these packages?"

"They've decided to station an officer in my home at all times to try to get a jump on the sender."

"All times?" he asked. "Even at night?"

"Yes," she answered. "They won't follow me to work unless I get a specific threat while I'm out. I had to ask for that. MY jobs depend on it."

"I understand," he said enigmatically. "I am very sorry for your troubles, sweet one. I would not have burdened you with Seka if I had known."

"No!" she exclaimed. "She's been a constant comfort to me, Sven. She's no trouble at all. In fact, the only reason I agreed to the plan so readily was to keep her out of danger. It's not just my safety anymore."

"Well, then I am glad her presence persuaded you," he smiled again.

"Me, too."

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Later that evening Justin sat on the couch waiting anxiously for his partner to return. When the door opened he let out the breath he hadn't been aware he was holding.

"How is she?" he asked as the blonde man hung up his coat.

"She has not improved," he replied grimly turning to face Justin. "I worry more than ever. At least she opened up a little to me today."

"Well, that is some improvement, is it not?" the dark haired man asked with concern.

"It is," Sven agreed. "She finally told me a bit about her attack. I had to feign surprise because she would have wondered otherwise."

Justin nodded as Sven sat down beside him on the couch.

"What else did she say?" he prompted when his partner seemed to lose himself in thought.

"She said the police have stationed officers in the home around the clock," he replied.

"At least they are taking the threats seriously," the darker man offered.

"Yes, but she said she would not have accepted this plan unless Seka's safety was not also in question."

"Oh," Justin sighed. He knew what that meant. Tara was a long way from accepting life without her husband. She would have allowed the stalker to terrorize her and probably attack her if the Japanese girl wasn't staying with her. Sven had every right to be worried. "I am sorry I did not take the situation seriously from the start."

"It is not your fault, my heart," Sven answered taking his hand and squeezing it. "You are doing all you can do for In In the meantime, I will continue to follow her throughout the day, as the officers will not leave her home."

"I could help."

nk ynk you, but it would be too risky now," the blonde man said, rubbing Justin's hand with his own. "The police are anxious to question you as well. Tara does not believe you are capable of harming her, but the detective is far from convinced."

Justin nodded mutely, then sighed again as Sven brushed his fingers over his partner's cheek stubble.

"At least this means our nights are free, love," he said in his soft Scandinavian accent.