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Trixie Belden got up early Monday morning and went to the gym for a grueling workout before heading to the precinct and a Task Force meeting. During her workout, she spent a great deal of mental energy trying to make sense of the weekend spent with Dan and her feelings about it.

She decided that she and Dan had reached a turning point in their relationship. They were finally released from their fears of destroying a long-term friendship by pursuing a romance. They were finally comfortable with expressing their feelings to each other, even if they might not be certain what those feelings were. And she certainly appreciated what it meant for Dan to share the things he had told her the day before. She had never known details of his experiences before moving to Sleepyside, only that they had been traumatic. She believed that his surviving those experiences had only strengthened Dan, and hoped he believed her when she told him that. She also understood that they always would haunt him. Trixie also appreciated that Dan's reaction to the scene in the grocery store indicated that he just might be able to deal with her being a police officer.

Trixie wished her investigation could reach a similar turning point.

The meeting of the Task Force was brief. Once again, there was no real progress to report. Trixie avoided speaking because she didn't want anything to interfere with her planned trip to Green Haven Prison the next day. She was not surprised when no one even mentioned her absence around the station over the week-end. Most likely, it had gone unnoticed.

Immediately upon leaving the meeting, Trixie headed over to her desk to type up the daily progress report when Sergeant Conners pulled Erica and her aside. He had several people he wanted them to re-interview. At first Trixie was surprised that she was being pulled back into the investigation and she was almost excited when they drove away from the station and to the home of the first name on their list. However, after she and Erica spoke to the frightened elderly woman and reassured her that no one was bugging her apartment, Trixie realized that unless she acted on her own, this was the most exciting duty she could expect for weeks and perhaps months to come. She and Erica spent the entire morning and most of the afternoon speaking to elderly or eccentric residents of the Nineteenth Precinct who were either lonely or frightened and had absolutely nothing constructive to add to the investigation.

It was after 5:00 p.m. when they returned to the police station. Trixie headed over to her desk to finish the daily progress report while Erica went to sign off duty. Less then thirty minutes later Erica was on the phone to Trixie.

"Detective Belden." Trixie answered absentmindedly.

"You need to find a television and turn on the evening news."

"Erica! What do you mean?"

"You're all over it."

"What? I'm what?" Tricie sat straight up in her chair.

"You and your ADA. Stopping the hold-up in progress. A little light Sunday entertainment? Why the heck didn't you tell me how you spent this past week-end?" Erica was trying to sound angry, but she wasn't succeeding.

"But there weren't any reporters there. It was nothing!" Trixie was becoming alarmed. What exactly did Erica mean?

"They filmed the two of you leaving the store, walking down the streeet holding hands, then stopping to kiss. Real cute."

"Oh nooooo." Trixie slumped back down into the chair.

"Trixie, it actually was a nice story. Good PR for the department and the DA's office. The store owner was on camera saying you two saved his life. The reporter talked about your quick thinking. Then the closing scene was of the two of you walking away, going up the street holding hands and then kissing."

Trixie's heart sank. She was sure to take a lot of ribbing at work about it.

"Trixie?"

"I'm sorry Erica. I."

"I know. They're going to have a ball with it at the precinct. I'm surprised no one has said anything yet. I think it was on the WNYC Noon report, too."

Silence.

"Trixie? I'm sorry if I upset you."

"No, Erica. I'm glad you called. I'm just so tired. Tired of being the butt of jokes and now this will. And I've been protesting so loudly to everyone that Dan and I are just friends."

"Do you honestly think anyone believed that?"

"But we were! We."

"Were." Erica clarified. "Belden, he's the proverbial boy next door and he's gorgeous. I give you three months max before youre living with him, maybe even married."

"I told you, Erica. I don't know where it's going anymore, but I guess every idiot in New York with a television set will be talking about us now."

"Don't let it get to you. It was a real cute story."

"Yeah, cute."

"Hey Belden!" One of the other detectives called out as he came into the Detective Bureau. "How's it feel to be famous?"

"I heard that." Erica offered sympathetically.

"Well, I guess the games will begin."

"Don't let it get to you, Trixie. They'll have a little fun for a day or two, but the bottom line is it really is good PR." Erica tried to reassure her, but knew she was failing.

"I know, Erica."

"You take care. Tomorrow's another day."

"Don't forget."

"I know, I know. I'll cover for you. You just let me know what you find out as soon as you get back from Green Haven."

"I will, Erica. Thanks for the heads up. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon sometime." Trixie hung up the phone and resisted the urge to slump over her desk.

x x x

At the same time Trixie was on the phone with Erica, Dan was walking into his office. He'd had a busy day in court. Although the cases were routine, they were back-to-back and he had devoted his full attention and energy to them; something he already was gaining respect for doing. Leslie, the receptionist, was putting on her jacket to leave for the day. She nodded and gave him a strange smile.

"Have a good evening, Leslie." He said as he walked past her.

"Thank you." She stood and watched him walk away, still grinning. Dan wondered what in the world could be wrong with her. He went directly to his office. There was an unusually large pile of pink message slips. As soon as he picked them up and started reading them he knew why Leslie had been smiling so strangely.

Please call Dave Williams, WABC. Please call Jennifer Thompson, WNBC. Please call Marvin Hollinger, NY Herald. Please call Carolyn Clark, USA Today.

Dan flippend through the messages wondering what was going on. He was totally clueless. He flipped through them again. Not one message gave any indication about why he was suddently popular with so many reporters.

Ringgg Ringgg. Dan wondered if he should even answer the phone. Then he realized by the ring it was an outside call and had to have come from someone who knew his direct line.

"Mangan."

"Oh Dan!"

The concern in her voice was obvious. "Hey Trixie...How was your day?"

"You don't know?" Her tone was bordered on panic.

"Don't know what? Are you okay? Does this have something to do with all these messages I have from reporters?" He sat down in his chair, still wearing his coat. This ought to be interesting.

"I've been out all day. I just got off the phone with Erica and she said that we, you and I, have been on the televsion news. The Noon report and now the five p.m."

"Us?"

Trixie was so excited and upset she was out of breath. She swallowed hard. "Apparently a reporter from WWNY showed up just as we were leaving Mr. Chan's last night. They got some footage of us walking away, holding hands, kissing."

Dan laughed out loud.

"Daaaan. They interviewed Mr. Chan and somehow got our names too."

"It's not THAT bad, Trixie." Dan halfway liked the idea of his kissing Trixie on film.

"Dan, my parents will see it."

"I don't recall us doing anything they shouldn't see." Dan thought Trixie was overreacting although he didn't relish having her father see them do anything. "Trixie, take a deep breath. Slowly. Inhale. Exhale." He heard her giggle nervously. He waited a few moments before continuing, hoping shed relaxed. "Do you think you'll get any repercussions at work? Is that why you're so upset?"

"I'm not upset. Just."

"Trixie, do you think this will create any problems for you?" Dan didn't think he had to worry about himself. He knew Trixie might get some harmless teasing; he certainly hoped she wouldn't get more.

Trixie didn't respond. She had to think about how to word this to Dan. "Not officially. I filed a written report this morning. It's just that its embarassing. It's like the Lone Ranger and Tonto riding into the sunset. It's."

"The guys at the precinct will tease you?"

"Yeah."

Geez... this woman. Dan thought as he tried to wiggle out of his suit jacket. "I don't know if I can do anything about that, Trixie. I could come down and try to defend you honor," He hoped she were smiling. "But you work with some big guys. Who carry guns."

"I guess I am overreacting."

"No. Im sure it'll be uncomfortable for you, but they'll just be having some fun. I don't know what else to say, Trixie. I'm sure I'll take some ribbing, too." He hesitated. "You should have seen the look Leslie gave me when I came into the office a few minutes ago." Trixie didn't respond. "Frankly, I think today and tomorrow will be the worst. Some inconsiderate boobs are going to say or do something rude. We might get a few more phone calls from reporters. But it's already yesterday's news. If we handle it right, that's the last we'll hear from anyone."

"You're right. Of course."

"Trixie, if it gets too bad, I will come down there and."

"No, Dan. That would make it worse."

"I thought so." He tried to laugh. "Do you really think I'm dumb enough to pick a fight with YOUR coworkers?"

"Oh, Ha. Ha. Dan, I know I'm overreacting. I guess it's really not so bad." Trixie sounded a little better to him.

"My sentiments exactly."

"I'm sorry I bothered you."

"Trix, you didn't bother me. The timing of your call couldn't have been better."

"Tough day in court?'

"Not really. I just like talking to you."

"Mmmm?"

"Yeah. And doing other things too." It was getting warm for some reason. "When can I see you again?"

"I'm driving up to Green Haven tomorrow and then I'll probably be tied up the rest of this week to make up for taking off this coming weekend.

"Oh." Dan was clearly disappointed. "I really don't want to wait until Friday to see you again."

"Me neither," Trixie sounded rather wistful. "Maybe I can find an excuse to get by your office on Wednesday or Thursday and we can go out to lunch?"

"That would be nice. Regardless, we'll talk before then." Dan offered.

"Of course we'll talk. And Dan," Trixie paused. "I did have a great weekend."

"Me too, Trix. Me too."

x x x

Trixie hung up the phone and sat staring at it for awhile. She still wasn't convinced that her professional life was not in shambles. At the very least, she would take considerable ribbing and lose a certain amount of the respect of her co-workers. She was concerned about the investigation and the risk she was taking by venturing up to Green Haven. But she felt increasingly comfortable about her personal life. Just hearing Dan's reassurances had changed her entire perspective.

She then realized that Dan had mentioned all his messages from reporters. She picked up her own list of pink message slips. Among the messages from reporters there was one from a Reverend Daly. She immediately called the number, but got the anwering machine. Darn. She thought, as she spoke into the recorder. "Hello. This is Detective Belden again. I'm sorry I missed your call. I would appreciate your calling me as soon as possible." Trixie left her work and home numbers.

x x x

At the same moment Trixie had picked up the phone to call the Daly residence, Honey Wheeler picked up the phone in her office at the State Forensic Lab in Albany and called her brother, Jim Frayne.

Honey greeted her brother with the news that she was taking his advice and taking a few days off from work to prepare for her upcoming interview in Virgina. She also wanted to share her mother's less than enthusiastic reaction to the news that she was a finalist for the position.

Jim was standing at his kitchen counter pouring a glass of milk when the phone rang. He carried the cordless phone into the living room and sat in a comfortable chair before reassuring his sister. "Honey, you have to do what's right for you. I honestly can't say I'm happy with the idea of your moving so far away, myself, but it's your life, your decision. She's going to have to accept that and let you live your own life." He stretched his long legs out straight. "Do you want me to say something to her. She's going to be upset enough with me when she finds out about Christmas. Speaking up for you couldn't make it worse."

"Have you and Aggie decided to tell her and Dad?"

"We're supposed to have dinner with them on Saturday. Aggie and I agreed to let her and Dad know then. There's no way around it. Aggie and I can't avoid her, we're not going to lie, and the wedding is all she wants to talk about any more. And we've made all the reservations and final arrangements so there's no backing out!" Jim let out a big sigh. "I guess you and I both will be in the doghouse."

"I don't envy you Jim, but I'm sure you will take some of the heat off of me." Honey laughed.

"Maybe we can work this from both ends. I'll hit her with the news that Aggie and I are running off to get married, but at least we're not moving away. You can work the angle that you might be moving away, but at least you're not running off to get married."

"Welllll, when you put it like that!" They were both laughing.

"I'm still at work, Jim." Honey got serious. "I have alot to do so I can take off, but I just wanted to let you know that I'm feeling alot better about all of this. The job and a possible move and all. Talking to you has really helped. I don't know what I'd do without my big brother."

"What about Barry?" Jim had been waiting for Honey to bring up the subject of her on-again relationship. Since it didn't appear she would, he had to ask. How does he feel about the possibility of your moving?"

"We've talked about it."

"And?"

"Well, Barry isn't too happy about the idea so he's been working overtime to convince me to stay. He's trying to prove that he's worth keeping." Honey was laughing. "It's been wonderful."

"I don't get it."

"Fringe benefits, brother. Fringe benefits."

x x x

"Di?" Mart Belden called as he entered their small apartment. He could smell something good cooking in the kitchen but the living room was dark and the apartment quiet. "Diana?"

He put down his satchel and walked through the living room and into the kitchen. The kitchen lights were on, the big stew pot was sitting on the stove, but all the burners were off. He took the lid off the large pot and checked. Mmmm. Beef stew. He wondered where his family could be. He went back out into the living area and to the bedroom. It also was empty, although nothing seemed unusual or out of place. He checked the bathroom. At first glance it also appeared perfectly normal. Then he saw them. Tiny droplets of blood on the floor. A sense of panic enveloped him. He tore into the small room. There was a bloody washcloth in the tub. He was sweating. No! Not Di or... ohmigosh. Not Katie. He then saw some bandages and the plastic bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide. His panic lessened somewhat when he realized that Di--or heaven forbid Katie--was injured slightly enough for Di to have tried to take care of it herself. But what HAD happened. Just then there was a knock on the door. He ran to open it.

"Mr. Belden?" It was the graduate student who lived across the hall. She was holding Katie. "Gee Mr. Belden." She saw the panicked expression on his face. "I hope you didn't. I was watching for you so you wouldn't get upset, but I must have been distracted. I'm so sorry."

Mart reached for Katie and she handed him the baby. "Mrs. Belden cut herself, in the kitchen I think. It looked like it needed stitches. She tried calling you and you weren't in your office so she got me to watch Katie while she went down to the clinic." Mart gave out a large sigh of relief. "I'm sorry Mr. Belden. She told me you might panic if you came to an empty apartment, but I insisted she not wait."

"It's okay, ah, Rebecca is it? I'm just thankful you were here to help. How did she get there?"

"She drove herself." Rebecca still looked concerned."It really wasn't that bad, but she said she couldn't get it to stop bleeding."

"You said she went to the clinic?"

"Yeah, Mr. Belden. She said I was to tell you to stay right here and wait for her. That she'd be fine." Rebecca smiled weakly.

"She'd say that." Mart said determinedly. "Thanks again Rebecca. I'm, I'm so thankful she had you to call upon."

"Anytime. Katie's a real sweety."

Mart didn't want to be rude, but he wanted to get warm clothes on Katie and head out to the clinic as quickly as possible, so he rushed her away. On a conscious level he knew Diana would be okay, but that didn't lessen the overwhelming need to see her and confirm it. This had been one of his worst nightmares since Katie was born; that Diana might get hurt when she was home alone with the baby. He was entirely too rough with Katie while putting on what Di called her Bunny Suit, but Katie seemed to understand and didn't even whimper. She must be worried about her Mommy, too. Mart thought as he rushed out the door and down the stairs.

x x x

Trixie finished her paper work and headed home. She made a salad for dinner, but didn't feel like eating it. She worried about what her co-workers might say. She wondered whether she should call her parents, certain that if they missed the evening's news, most of their neighbors would not, and someone would be certain to let them know that she and Dan were on television...kissing. Several days earlier, she would not have been as concerned, but since her mother's confrontation and Dan's explanation of her father viewing him as--how did Dan put it--the lech who wants to ravish his little sweetheart? She wondered how her parents would react. She was still debating whether to call them when her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hi Trixie."

"Moms!" Trixie knew this call was NOT coincidental.

"Your father and I were just watching the news." Mrs. Belden's tone gave away nothing.

"You saw the story about Dan and me?"

"Yes, dear. What exactly happened?"

Trixie decided to focus on the incident inside the store, the hold-up, and ignore the other details. Somehow, her parents needed to accept that taking down criminals and kissing handsome men was a part of her life.

x x x

Bzzzt.

Mart Belden reached over and turned off the alarm. He looked over at Diana and sighed relief that it hadn't disturbed her. The Emergency Room Doctor had insisted she take a mild pain killer the prior evening and she had slept through the entire night. Katie had awakened once around five-thirty, but Mart was able to quiet her and give her milk that had been previously frozen and she went right back to sleep.

He rolled out of bed before realizing that he did not have any Tuesday morning classes. He stood staring at the beautiful young woman lying in the bed. Her right hand was tucked under her pillow and the bandaged left hand was resting on the outside of the covers. He marveled at how he had ever earned the love of such a wonderful person.

The prior evening Mart had rushed to the outpatient clinic of the university medical center to find that Diana had cut her left hand fairly severely while preparing their dinner. She had been unable to stop the bleeding at home and went to the clinic for assistance. When Mart arrived with Katie, Diana was waiting for them to stitch the laceration and had scolded Mart for rushing out, although he could see the relief on her face. As he had suspected, she had been frightened both by the severity of her injury and the realization that she had been alone with a baby when it happened.

Mart and Katie remained at the hospital until Diana's wound was treated and bandaged. The doctor had assured them that there would be no lingering effects, but it would be painful once the anesthetic wore off and Diana would not be able to use her hand for several days. Insisting that she not attempt to drive herself, they had left Diana's car in the parking lot and returned home in one car. Mart finished preparing dinner and put both of "his girls" to bed before cleaning up both the kitchen and bathroom. It was late before he got to bed.

He was so thankful that nothing worse had happened, but wondered if this were a wake-up call. That he was leaving Diana alone with the baby too much. He decided that this just confirmed they had made the right decision for Diana to establish her own studio. As Mart was pondering all these things, it dawned on him that for the first time in a long time he was recognizing that you could find good in everything. Everything. He joined his wife in bed.

x x x


Trixie got up early that Tuesday and headed out to get her own car. She and Erica had agreed that she should make this initial trip an "unofficial" visit with Mr. Trimmer. Erica planned to cover for her at work while Trixie drove up to meet her fellow "Sleepyside High Jaguar".

Trixie had stayed up late the night before reviewing all the information she had on Mr. Andrew Trimmer and the murder of Elizabeth Daly. Chief Molinson had been correct when he'd said that she was a beautiful young girl and Andrew was exceptionally bright and talented. Trixie recognized that two promising young lives had been lost in Sleepyside that spring almost twenty years earlier. She spent most of the evening and the entire drive mentally reviewing all the details and trying to decide exactly what to say to Mr. Trimmer.

It took just over two hours for her to make the drive up Interstate 87, the Saw Mill River Parkway, and Taconic State Parkway to the maximum security facility in Fishkill. While this was the first time she had been to Green Haven, Trixie had been through the routine of entering a secure penal facility many times before and was allowed into the visitors area with minimal difficulty.

She waited at a table near the barred windows, watching the doorway at the far end of the room. She was almost shocked when a guard entered with a prisoner and they headed towards her. The grey-haired man in prison garb appeared much older than she had imagined. Of course, the only photographs she had seen were in the old yearbooks and those taken when he was first arrested, but this man looked closer to sixty than forty.

"Ms. Belden?" He asked as he approached her. Trixie motioned to a chair across the table from her and he sat down. The guard walked away, but never took his eyes off his ward. "When I wrote you I said I remembered your father, but not your mother. Now that I see you, I remember your mother too." Mr. Trimmer smiled. "At least I remember a young woman who looked remarkably like you. She came into my parents' store frequently."

"Your parents' store?" Trixie asked.

"Yes, the Army-Navy store. They bought it from the Falks when I was just a baby and ran it until." He hesitated and stared out the window. "Both my parents are gone now."

"I heard." Trixie tried to smile reassuringly. "I remember your parents. I was in and out of their store all the time. They were always nice to me."

They sat in silence for a few moments, both reflecting on childhoods spent in Sleepyside.

"So tell me," Andrew finally broke the silence. "Why did you drive all the way up here?"

"I wrote that I'm an NYPD detective." Trixie offered. Mr. Trimmer nodded his understanding. "I...I'm working a case, a series of murders and I'm hoping you might provide some information." Trixie wasn't sure how much she should share. "They're remarkably similar to the murder of Elizabeth Daly and..."

"You think you can get me off?"

"No. Well, I don't know." Trixie smiled sheepishly.

"I'm sure that you hear this every day, Detective." He paused dramatically. "But I didn't do it." Andrew laughed nervously. "I loved Beth Daly. Guess I still do. And I certainly didn't kill her." He hesitated a bit before continuing. "But I also gave up any hope of ever getting out of here a long, long time ago." He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms in front of him. "So, what do you want to know?"

Trixie and Andrew Trimmer talked for sometime. He told her a great deal about his relationship with Elizabeth and the dynamics of her home life. The information Trixie had already gathered about the last day of Elizabeth's life was basically the same as what Andrew told her. They had met at Wimpy's after school and had an argument. He had gone by her house later that evening and she left with him. They had gone up to the bluffs, a parking area that was still popular when Trixie was in high school . He didn't hesitate to share that they made up and had sex. He then took her home. He had no idea what happened after that. He just knew that she hadn't been at school the next day and the police showed up at baseball practice and arrested him that afternoon.

Trixie told him that she had been in contact with the Dalys and planned to interview them. She asked what kind of people they were. He described loving parents who had raised a beautiful daughter. While he had always been welcome in their home and had believed they would someday be his in-laws, he commented that they had been exceptionally strict. She had to climb through a window to meet him the last time they were together and, as far as he knew, had gone back in that way. Although Elizabeth Daly loved her parents she was not completely happy. This was new to Trixie. Everything else she had heard seemed to emphasize how lovely Elizabeth Daly had been and how devoted she was to her parents and they to her.

Throughout the interview, Andrew appeared to be forthright and non-judgemental. Trixie was impressed. While she refused to allow herself to believe he was innocent, he certainly did not appear to be a cold-blooded murderer. And Trixie had met more than her share of murderers in the past few years.

"What did the Daly's think of you, about your dating their daughter? Before the, ah, the murder?" Trixie wanted some insight about the Daly's before she spoke to them.

"I think they approved of me." He smiled slyly. "To a degree at least. Of course they didn't know...They never would have approved of our, that we were sexually active and I'm certain they didn't know." He seemed lost in thought. "The Daly's were good people. I wish I could say the same about that brother."

"Mmm?" Trixie looked up. "Brother?" Suddenly she remembered Chief Molinson's mentioning an older brother.

"He was a textbook bully. Clean Gene they called him. That was a laugh, although he was what we called "Smooth". Lisa was scared of him. Had been since they were kids. She was cheerful, confident and outgoing but would change completely when he came home on breaks from college. And he sure hated me."

"Do you know where he, the brother, might be now?"

"No," Mr. Trimmer laughed. "But. No." The guard walked up just then, pointing out that they had already exceeded the maximum time allowed for visitors. Trixie acknowledged him and indicated they were almost finished.

"You started to say something."

"Nothing really. Just you should try to find that brother." He stood up. "Well Detective, was I able to help you at all?"

"More than you know, Mr.Trimmer." Trixie offered her hand. "I'd like to talk to you again if I may."

Andrew Trimmer shook her hand. "Anytime Detective. I welcome a visit from an attractive young woman. Anytime." They shook hands and Trixie nodded to the guard. She watched as he led Andrew Trimmer away. Mmmmm...she thought. Scared of her brother. Did anyone ever know that?

x x x

Trixie called Erica upon returning to the City and decided not to go into the station. The only thing for her to do was type up the progress report, which Erica had completed already. She could type up a summary of her findings in Green Haven at home as easily as she could at the station.

Trixie braced herself for the worst as she walked into the station house early Wednesday. Rudy was at his usual post as Desk Sergeant. He looked up and smiled as she entered, but said nothing. Trixie shrugged and walked by. Several people looked up as she walked over to her desk, but no one said anything.

"What's going on?" She asked Erica, throwing her coat over the back of her chair.

Erica looked up from her work. "Mmmm?"

"Not one person has said a thing to me." Erica smiled. "About Sunday night or anything."

"I sent an email out---threatened anyone who made a comment. I guess they took me seriously."

"Belden!" The Captain called Trixie.

"I didn't include him in my email." Erica warned.

Trixie headed in the direction of the Captain's office. She looked pleadingly at Erica as she walked away.

"Sit down!" He bellowed as he closed the door behind Trixie. She obeyed the order. "So, I hear you were busy on Sunday."

"I filed a report. I walked into the middle of a hold-up."

"And walked right into."

"I'm familiar with the store, Sir. And the owner. It's on my block. I could tell the kid was alone and Mr. Chan was. Well he's kinda old and I figured if I waited for back up or for the kid to come out it might get worse, you know. Mr. Chan might get sick, or hurt, or the kid would get away. I got my companion to call 911 and let them know I needed back up, then I decided to surprise him; the kid with the knife. Trixie was stuttering and blushing. "And I had help."

"Companion. Your ADA?"

"He called for backup and waited at the door. If anyone had tried to leave or come in."

"Belden. I am NOT happy with the way you handled this. I think you took an unnecessary risk. But, because it worked out okay, I don't plan to do anything." The Captain sat down at his desk and picked up some papers. "I've got you and Lane working routine investigations in addition to the Task Force the rest of this week, so GET OUT THERE!."

x x x

Dan spent all of the next two days either in court or preparing his cases. Trixie was forced to work long monotonous shifts the rest of the week and they only spoke on the phone. Dan wanted to spend every spare moment with the beautiful and exciting police detective but there were no spare minutes that week. He did manage to talk to her once for a short time, before getting through to her on the phone late Thursday evening.

"Are you all set for the weekend?" He asked. Dan was quite anxious about the upcoming trip to Virginia.

"I'm almost packed. I'm really excited about this trip, but I've done nothing but work all week. They put Erica and me back on routine investigation, and I'm still expected to be 'available' for the Task Force." Trixie sounded tired and frustrated over the phone.

"I was hoping to head out early tomorrow."

"I know. I'll be ready. I might need to catch up on some sleep in the car."

Dan laughed. He knew Trixie well enough to know that she'd probably be too excited to sleep. "Whatever you need. It is a long drive. I guess I should have gotten plane tickets or something."

"No, Dan. I understand how expensive that would be and I can imagine far worse things than being alone with you in a car for several hours."

"Then I'll be by your apartment bright and early."

"Early, maybe. I'm not so sure how bright I'll be."

"I'll see you then, Trix." Dan laughed. "Dream sweet."