Deep inside an intricately, and futilely, guarded file, Kermit sat engrossed at his home computer. Words and images swam in soft light across his dark glasses, a tuneless hum in his throat as he searched. The only thing that could disturb him eventually did, a knock at his apartment door. Stretching, open collared white shirt pulling free of his dark suit trousers, he glanced up at the tiny security monitor fed by a hidden self installed video camera. With a puzzled smile, he opened the door and swept the waiting woman up into an enthusiastic embrace. Long red hair crackled with electricity under her wool scarf, clinging to them both as they separated, and Kermit chuckled as he tried in vain to smooth the silky stuff down. "Jewel, what are you doing here? I thought that you were working tonight."

She looked up at him, and her face seemed paler than usual, violet smudges under her dark blue eyes, but her tone was casual enough. "Oh, I'm finished for now except for some paperwork. I know you're busy, Kermit, I don't want to take you away from that. I just wanted to hang out here for a while rather than go all the way home, because I've got to meet a source later on. Will I bother you?"

Kermit lifted his glasses, brown eyes giving her a searching once over. With a little smile of her own, Jewel brushed the white lock back off his forehead, smoothing one small hand back through his shaggy hair in a familiar affectionate gesture. It couldn't be too serious, then.

"You don't ever bother me, sweetheart." And he leaned down, kissed her lightly. "But you do look worn out."

"I am, to be perfectly honest with you. Now go, shoo! Get back to work and pretend that I'm not here. I'll be fine." A quick flashing grin, but he could almost see her summoning up the energy for it.

Kermit watched her covertly from his terminal, but true to her word, all she seemed to need was a place to crash.
She raided his bedroom for the soft crimson wool throw she'd brought "to soften these severe, manly lines, tough guy" and proceeded to wrap up in it on his sofa. Every time he glanced over, she was reading or staring off into a distance he couldn't fathom. The look on her face wasn't blank, but it was remote, far from his living room, and the detective in him couldn't help but wonder where she had gone. The computer keys clicked like dice under his fingertips, the printer whirred softly at intervals, and eventually Kermit got lost in his work again. The next time he looked up, she was gone, the throw neatly folded in the spot she had occupied.

He went to her loft the next night, but she was out when he got there. As they hadn't had specific plans, Kermit didn't think much about it, he built a fire for later and began concocting a beef stew they both enjoyed. As usual, the size of Jewel's kitchenette and her motley collection of cooking tools irritated him as he worked.

Methodically cubing beef with one of the set of knives he'd finally gone out and bought for her, Kermit reflected on his own gleaming stainless steel chef's paradise. He'd taken up cooking as a cover during his mercenary years, and been able to afford the very best equipment when he discovered how much he enjoyed it. The fact was, his kitchen amused and intimidated Jewel, who liked good food, but thought real cooking should be simple. He'd seen her looking around, gingerly touching his wall mounted knife set, graduated measuring cups, stacked bowls, professional blender and food processor, all in the same immaculate steel and chrome, with a shudder.

"Oh yeah," he muttered to himself, "these Tupperware plastic cups salvaged from three odd sets, tomato sauce stained bowls from supermarket sales, and 32 ounce fast food souvenir plastic glasses are so much better. Feminine nesting instincts, my ass."

Kermit dredged the cubed beef in flour, tossed it into the waiting skillet in which he had already browned a chopped onion, and took a long swallow of his wine. He'd give her that, she had beautiful crystal. A gift from her brothers when she'd moved out for the first time.

An hour later, the stew was simmering into succulence on a low back burner, Kermit had lit the fire, removed his jacket and loosened his tie. Shade was curled in his lap, tiny paws kneading his thigh as his large hand caressed her silky black fur, and if Jewel had been home, all would have been right in his world. When he picked up his wineglass again, he idly glanced at the white and blue envelope he was using as a coaster. The word AIRLINES caught his eye, and he frowned, picking it up and studying it more carefully. US AIRLINES was boldly stamped across the front, it was a ticket package. Kermit didn't even debate the ethics of the situation, he pulled the tickets out and discovered that they were first class, return date undetermined, departing in three days. Destination, New York City. Jewel was leaving.

A surge of tangled emotion welled up and slammed into his stomach. His old distrustful nature whispered insidiously in his ear. "Oh sure, Kermit, she loves you." He scanned the tickets again, looking for some kind of clue. "Pretty young thing like that, independent, smart, why wouldn't she fall for an aging ex-killer? She's running away, without a word, because of all that love she feels, right?" The stiff paper crumpled in his fist as he struggled against believing the worst part of himself.

Kermit fought the anger and betrayed hurt. He trusted Jewel. He trusted her love for him, but his past reminded him that the only person he could trust was himself. "Just you and your gun, Kermit. Everyone else is out for number one." He shook his head to silence the mocking voice, and, with an effort, smoothed the wrinkled tickets, laid them back down on the table and covered them over with a magazine. Then he stood, depositing a disgruntled Shade on the cushion beside him, walked over to the old rolltop Jewel used as a bar, and poured a stiff Chivas into a thick, crystal tumbler. He downed it in one swallow, and poured another. And a third.

The loft was dim, the air fragrant with the rich brown scent of stew, the fire was low when Jewel finally walked in. Kermit surveyed her from behind dark green battlements as she tossed her keys on the table, slid out of her suede jacket and scarf to hang them beside his long coat. In the low light, she seemed to lean against the wall a moment before she turned around and came to him. Holding out a supplicant hand, Jewel slid onto his lap and into his arms before he could speak, burying her face against his shirt in a soundless request for comfort. The scents of alcohol and her rose spice perfume blended, mingled, and his embrace tightened around her. Kermit lowered his head until his lips brushed her sleek head, and sighed.

"Talk to me, sweetheart." It came out in a whisper. She felt broken somehow, slipping away even as she clung to him. "Jewel?" Kermit shifted her against him, sliding off his glasses to look into her face. It was a shock to see tears brimming in her eyes, to touch his shirt and realize that it damp with them. Her lower lip quivered and her even white teeth sank into it, fighting for control until the young face he loved crumpled into tears again. Helplessly, the big man cradled her protectively, stroking her hair, murmuring soothing nonsense. Concentrating on quelling the panic twisting his gut into knots.

It was finally over. Kermit had stood when Jewel did and he wandered around the familiar room while she washed her face in icy water. When she returned, he was holding the wrinkled envelope. He couldn't pretend, not in the face of whatever was going on. The flash of white in his hand caught her eye, and she met his bare gaze with an anguished look. "You found the tickets. Oh, shit, Kermit. I was going to tell you."

"When?" If it was faintly accusatory, Jewel accepted it without protest.

"Last night, and then tonight, for sure. I was out walking around for hours, dreading having to come home and tell you.."

"Why? And why go now? You were planning to spend the holidays with your brothers anyway. That's only a few weeks away."

Jewel dropped her eyes, picking at the spilled wax on a corner of the mantel. "I know. This isn't a visit, really, it's business. Chris runs the corporation, but every year David and I have to sign stuff, and attend a couple of meetings, that sort of thing. I hate it."

"Why would you be afraid to tell me that?" She refused to meet his eyes. "Jewel?"

"I was thinking that I'd just stay, you know? Through the holidays, and not have to fly back and forth and all that jazz. And I was feeling guilty about leaving you, I guess."

"What would you do with Shade, all that time? I'm leaving.."

"I know, you aren't ever around at Christmas, that's why I was going to New York in the first place, remember? I figured I'd take her with me. David and Jesse don't have any pets in their apartment, and I think it would be fun."

Kermit tried to put his finger on what she wasn't telling him. "And tonight? What could possible upset you this much?"

Jewel sighed deeply. "I was just being stupid, Kermit. It's been one of those weeks, and I always get bummed around the holidays anyway.. I guess I got stressed out and just needed a good cry. I'm sorry if it freaked you out."

She crossed the room to hug him and, more slowly, he put his arms around her. Every instinct he'd ever trusted was telling him that there was a lot more to her outburst, and Kermit was determined to find out what it was.

It had been two days. How could that possibly be long enough for a heart well protected by calluses to be hurt? Kermit felt the pain as he went through his workday on automatic pilot. Mechanically, he cracked codes and penetrated hidden treasure troves of information, handing the precious stuff over to his colleagues without so much as a quip. The last two evenings had been spent in a dreamlike quicksand state, watching Jewel alternate between avoiding any real conversation, and clinging to him for dear life. More than once, he was tempted to walk out, to damn her for being a lying bitch, for not living up to the unspoken promises between them. His fear and frustration demanded a loud destructive scene, something to sever the ties between them and set him free, but he couldn't do it. The few times he managed a glimpse behind her facade, Kermit saw her mute appeal for comfort from some awful pain. When they made love, it was hesitant, but they held each other tightly, and Kermit never knew just whose tears wet his face.

Midway through the third day, with Jewel leaving in the morning, things snapped into place. Sitting in his office, staring blankly at the bouncing screensaver, Kermit grinned, a sudden, almost feral grimace. He'd been stupid. He wanted to know what was going on, and had forgotten more than twenty years of expertise in ferreting out secret information. Obviously, the rules he and Jewel lived by had changed somehow, and he wanted to know why. So the gloves were coming off, and ex mercenary Kermit Griffin was in the ring. Jewel said that she loved him, and whatever else was going on, he believed her. He loved her. So, disregarding the politically correct bullshit that had no place in his raging emotions, Jewel was his woman. As long as she wanted him and loved him, she was his, and nothing going to take her from him. Kermit felt the rush of aggressive adrenaline that heralded a worthy challenge and welcomed it. It fueled his new determination. "First" he muttered, pulling his keyboard front and center, "First, we check out airline schedules.."

Energized by his epiphany and afternoon of accomplishments, Kermit left the precinct a bit early, made a quick run by the loft, and surprised Jewel at her office. He burst through the door and her head appeared above the frosted glass brick partition like a prairie dog popping out of the ground.

"Put away the paperwork, sweetheart. We're stepping out tonight."

Jewel stared as, hand to his heart, Kermit tangoed over to her desk and bowed deeply. She smiled, the first real smile he had seen in days. Encouraged, he held out a hand, spun her out of her chair and into a floor sweeping dip before she could catch her breath. When he pulled her back up and stole a quick kiss, she was giggling too hard to protest. One strong arm steadying her, he whirled them back to the door and used his free hand to pick up the bag he'd dropped onto a chair.

"Go on, get changed, I'll wait." Kermit handed her the gym bag. "Your wardrobe, milady."
"My wardrobe? Kermit, I've got stuff to finish, and Shade.."

"Is fine. You'll give her the sleepy pill in the morning, she will travel just fine, she's having a snack of tuna right now. You and I, however, have plans, and I won't take no for an answer, so scoot. Or I'll take you out in your tennis shoes."

Jewel glanced down at her jeans, faded blue Henley and three year old Keds, then up at Kermit's determined smile. He arched an eyebrow behind the glasses, and she gave in with a smile of her own. "I guess insanity is contagious." She took the bag and headed into the bathroom.

Unashamedly, Kermit took the opportunity to rifle through her desk while she was out of the room. There were doodles all over her scratch pad, random names and dates scribbled on the blotter. The hunter green leather cover of the expensive appointment books her brother David provided for all three of the siblings caught his eye, and he pulled it over, skimming the pages eagerly.

"David's office, 2 pm, read files?" in her clear script, marked on the page two days after her arrival. Later that evening, there was "Drinks, Jamie, 's." "Dinner, 6 pm, 7 pm apt". The next afternoon, "Mem, 3 pm, Carousel." and this was underlined several times, with flowers and spirals around the entry, as if she'd had that page open a lot, and doodled on it. But what.. Kermit quickly closed the book and pushed it away as Jewel came back to her desk. She blushed when he lowered his glasses and let out a long whistle.

Jewel smoothed the skirt of her dress with a nervous gesture. It was his favourite, a rich bronze-gold that turned her hair to dark fire and her skin to cream. The skirt was short and flared out when she walked, he'd even remembered the gold shoes she usually wore with it. "Not bad, for all the notice I got. You like?"

"Oh yeah. Just a couple of details, sweetheart." He stood up and gently turned her around, then pulled a pale gray velvet box out of his pocket and handed it to her. "Open that for me?"

"Kermit, what...oh!" It was a strand of peridot and topaz, set in gold, that was going to be gorgeous against her dress. "It's beautiful, love, really. But why?"

"A little going away present, something to remind you of me." He took the necklace from her hand and fastened the clasp with a deft touch. She turned and slid her arms around his neck, pulled his head down for a kiss.

"As if I could forget you." Jewel said against his cheek, love and something else in her voice. Kermit heard it, and his resolve strengthened. His big hands gently pulled the pins holding up her braid, and combed it out as she mock shrieked, half heartedly trying to stop him. When it was all loose she ducked under his arm and resignedly reached for her purse. "Just let me brush it out, then."

Kermit grinned again, reached out and kissed one long strand before letting her brush it smooth. "Whatever you say, sweetheart."

*****

The evening went just as he planned it. They had a fabulous dinner, served with the best champagne his connections could dig up in four hours, punctuated by the wild toasts he kept making. Kermit kept her laughing all through dinner, then whisked her off to the casino for dancing. People stared at the two lovers, cheek to cheek and completely wrapped up in each other as they slow danced, even to the faster music.

Kermit scooped her up as they entered the loft, two bare arms clutching his neck for balance as he headed right for the stairs and up to bed. Jewel smiled when he laid her on the quilt, stretching out and posing for his benefit, giddy from champagne and excitement. She toed off her heels and Kermit joined her before the pale replacement of his lover could return. This woman was eager, hot for him and welcoming his urgent advances. No hesitation now, she was white heat, all shining eyes and warm, inviting softness wrapping around his body as he took her, carrying her with him, a residual edge of fear lending itself, perversely, to his pleasure. He refused to allow the conscious thought that this might be the last time to intrude...and then it was over, and they were lying in a tangle of silk and patchwork, and somehow there were still tears....

"Sweetheart."
She stirred, turned to curl up in the warm spot he'd left.
"Jewel, I have to get to work. I reset the alarm for nine, are you going to get to the airport okay?"

"Hmm? Oh, Kermit, yeah that's fine. I'm leaving my car there." Her eyes tried to focus on him and he laughed, leaning down to kiss her and pull the quilt over her shoulders.

"Okay, kiddo. Call me when you get in."

"I will." And then, as he stood poised for it, "And don't call m'kiddo.." She trailed off into sleep and Kermit left, chuckling. He had half an hour until his own flight left.

*****

That head start meant that Kermit had an excellent vantage point from which to survey the arrival gate for Jewel's plane. He was even close enough to overhear the conversation her brother David and his copper haired housemate were having.

"Calm down, David." Jess advised, a cool comforting hand on the nape of his partner's neck. "She's flown before, you know. She's a big girl now."

The other man sighed, ran a hand through his close cropped dark hair. "It's not that, Jess. I just haven't seen Julie in months, and she used to fly up every couple of weeks. Ever since that guy came on the scene.."

"'That guy' saved her life, if I recall correctly. " Jess reminded him mildly, and David nodded, a grimace on his handsome face.

"I know he did. If it were just that, if they were just friends or co workers even, I'd be grateful to him. I might even like him, but hell, Jess, Griffin's past is all smoke and shadow! I can't locate anything solid on him before he started working for the 101st in that podunk city, and he's got a hair trigger temper. First time I ever saw him, he was about to take Christopher apart. Or die trying." David and Jewel's oldest brother was rather hot tempered himself. "I'm worried for her and Julie won't hear a word against him."

"I wouldn't let anyone talk trash about you either, and I'm not exactly your brainwashed love slave. What does Chris say about the whole thing?"

"Chris? Chris, who originally went ballistic when he saw how much older Julia's 'boyfriend' is, actually likes the guy now. He says, and I quote, ' Little brother, that Kermit would lay a serious hurting on anyone who even looks at our little sister wrong. What's not to like?' "

David sounded disgusted, and his partner laughed. Kermit chuckled too, from his mini command post. Jewel's biggest, blondest brother had a way of reducing relationships to their core. The only man he'd approve for the little sister he adored would be someone who was as willing to defend her as he was. Kermit had demonstrated that to his complete satisfaction. David though...Kermit hadn't given much thought to Jewel's attorney brother, with his nice manners and effortless way of smoothing over social gaffes. His way of hiding his thoughts behind a white smile and sincere green eyed gaze.

Jess was easing the tense muscles on David's neck and shoulders, a fast effective neck rub that spoke of long practice, and talking sense into his ear at the same time. He just wasn't sure that his lover was hearing him. "Chris is no dummy, and Jewel's got good instincts about people, that sixth sense you guys tease her about. So, ease off a little, okay? The last thing you three need is to be at odds right now."

The dark haired man sighed, brushed a hand over the one gripping his left shoulder. "I suppose that you're right, Jess. I'll try not to bring Kermit up while Julie's home. Besides," and he managed a smile, his eyes lighting with a pleasant thought, "A few weeks here at home, and she'll decide for herself that she was crazy to ever leave it."

Jess shook his head with a sigh of his own, but refrained from commenting. Just then, the double doors opened and travelers began streaming out. Three pairs of eyes scanned the crowd, searching out a pale woman in a gray suit, wine red hair braided and pinned up, tired eyes in a face that smiled under her little gray hat. A hat? Kermit grinned, enjoying the sight of Jewel in her "grown up clothes" as she rushed forward to greet her brother and brother in law with an embrace.

*****

A few hours later, she was frowning over a manila file folder, curled up comfortably in a deep leather office chair. The more she read, the deeper the frown lines between her eyes got, and she finally started scribbling notes on the pad by her side. It was the same with the other three folders that awaited Jewel's attention.

A tap on the half open solid oak door brought an answering "Come in!" Jewel, with her armful of folders and notepad, walked into her brother's office and casually sat in the chair next to his desk while he finished his phone call.

"Well?" David asked, hanging up the phone.

"Well, whoever your last investigator was, the best move you ever made was firing him. He was obviously incompetent. I found all the information you were looking for with a few quick calls to DMV and one to a guy I know at the FBI."

"Ah, contacts. What would we do without them?" David reached out a manicured hand for the folders and Jewel handed them over, still frowning.

"Since when do you hire incompetents, big brother? I've never known you to keep someone on who couldn't do the job, and this Pearson worked here for almost six months."

"He wasn't all bad, Julie, he just didn't have your Rolodex of people who owe you favours."

"Oh bullshit. That has less to do with it than you think. He didn't do the legwork, David, most of this was public domain stuff." She was really agitated, her brothers were excellent judges of character, for the most part. David and Chris were both savvy businessmen as well.

Her tall brother stood up and stretched, came around to sit in the other leather wingback. "Sweetie, I made a mistake and I was too proud to own up to it until it was impossible not to see it. I guess what I was really hoping is that you were planning to come back. We had a lot of fun those few months before you opened Salem Investigation and left the City."

She smiled at him. "They were kind of crazy months, huh? Me trying to work out of your office, ducking into the supply room when you needed a private consult. I was glad to see that you bought out the other offices on this floor, you really needed more room."

"I was glad too, and it got me to thinking. Come on!" David jumped up and led her down the hall, to a corner office in it's own little alcove. He opened the door and stood back, letting her precede him into the airy little room. Sunshine streamed in the windows, the wooden desk gleamed golden in its rays, two large beach prints made the room even brighter. When Jewel moved to the far end, she sighed happily. New York City was spread out like a tapestry beneath them on two sides, a living breathing view of the city she loved. She turned to David, her face alight, and saw the small brass and wood nameplate he held. With a half bow, he handed it to her.

"Julia Elizabeth Adams, Private Investigator." She read it aloud. "What is this for?"

He gently took it from her and placed it on the desk, sitting down on the edge and holding his hands out to her. "Julie, it looks awfully good there, don't you think?"

Jewel shook her head. "David, you don't mean that you.."

"Little sis, it would be great! We'd have fun, you'd make good money, and you'd still be able to have a private practice. I'd sure be a lot happier knowing that we had a decent investigator, and you're home again. Everybody wins!" And his gleaming white smile beamed out, green eyes shining.

His sister turned away, looked out the window again. "You know that I love the city, David, and I'd love to work with you, but I have a life. I have Kermit and I couldn't leave him."

"Sweetheart, are the two of you engaged?"

"What?"

"Engaged, Julie. Has he ever asked you to marry him, to share his life? Has he indicated that he wants to be with you permanently at all?" There was genuine concern in his soft voice, even softer as he saw the shoulders in her cream silk blouse droop.

"No, he hasn't. But I haven't wanted him too, neither one of us has ever even mentioned marriage, David!"

"And you don't find that a little strange, after all the two of you have been through? I mean, Dad and Liz, Dad came home after their first date telling Chris and I that he'd met a very special woman. Four months later, we had a new little sister. You know how in love our parents were."

Jewel finally turned to face him, and her face was white. "Our parents? Mama and Daddy.." And swiftly she was wrapped in his embrace.

"I'm sorry, babygirl. I wasn't thinking. Look, the office is here, the offer is open, and I'm going to take you home."
"No, you finish up, I'm okay. really."
"I'm calling a car for you."
"Yeah.. that would be good. Thanks David, and I'll think about it, okay?"

Part 1   Part 2 

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