Kidnapped

By Cheeya

 

Disclaimer: These characters are indeed mine... but they may resemble a couple of ancient Greek warriors who we all know and love. No copyright infringement of any kind is intended.

Love/Sex: This story is based on the relationship between two adult females, however there is little sex and it’s not graphic. If this is illegal where you live, if you don't like it or if you're too young, go check out a nice general fic.

Bard's Note: Dedicated to Sham for the mixture she used to keep the crumbling together.

Comments to [email protected]

 

 

Prologue

 

"Honey! Don't wander off, ok?"

 

"Ok, Mommy!"

 

Chloe Staid smiled at her little boy as he climbed the ladder to a colourful slide and then turned her attention to the man interviewing her. "Sorry about that," she smiled.

 

"No problem," the reporter replied. "I'm just pleased that you were able to take this time to speak with me.

 

The blonde actress nodded. "I have a pretty hectic schedule but I try to give an interview every now and again." She shifted a little on the bench and crossed her legs, her green eyes sparkling in the bright sunshine.

 

"Well, again, it's very kind of you," the man went on. "So, now, I have a small number of questions for you. If you want to pass on any, just say so."

 

"Ok," Chloe amiably replied. "Shoot."

 

The reporter took a tape recorder out of his pocket and set it between them on the seat. "Right. Ok, Chloe. We've heard the rumours about your new film. Can you please give us some details?"

 

The actress chuckled. "Um... Well, not really. I'm pretty much sworn to secrecy but I can tell you that it's going to be something completely different to what I've been doing for the past while. I've been doing special training and stuff."

 

"Interesting. What about your co-stars? Have they received the same training?"

 

Chloe thought about that for a moment. "A little but not really. I received the most training on this one."

 

The reporter nodded. "Rumour also has it that you've adopted a child."

 

Green eyes rolled. "Yeah, it's true but I've had him quite a long time now. Dylan is a little boy whose mother couldn't manage to feed all her children. I legally adopted him recently but he's been living with me for a number of years now."

 

"And a father for your child? Adopting alone leads to further speculation in the showbiz circles."

 

"What's there to speculate about?" Chloe asked with an evil grin. "Everyone in the showbiz industry knows that I'm a lesbian. I adopted my son because I wanted to help him." She looked over at the playground, her eyes searching for the little boy but not finding him. "Where is he?" she murmured, standing to look again. A knot of worry suddenly formed in the pit of her stomach and she quickly headed over to the playground, calling an apology to the reporter over her shoulder. Standing in the centre of the play area, Chloe turned in a circle, her worry turning to terror as she realised that her son wasn't there. "DYLAN!" she yelled over and over as she picked a direction and started to walk. For a solid hour, she searched the park area and she was just about to call the police when her cell phone rang. She picked it up immediately. "Chloe Staid."

 

And then, her worst nightmare came true.

 

A deep, mechanical voice replied. "Ms Staid, we have your son."

 

**

 

Chapter 1

 

The living room curtains were closed, casting the room into dimness. Alone and pacing, Chloe let her tears fall. "God, why wasn't I paying attention?" she said angrily to the emptiness.

 

"Ms Staid?"

 

Chloe jumped and spun to find her housekeeper at the door. "Yes?" she asked softly.

 

"The police are here, Ma'am."

 

The actress nodded, noticing the puffiness of the older woman's eyes. It was obvious that she'd been crying too. "Thanks, Mary. Show them in please." Their eyes held for a moment, then Mary went to Chloe, abandoning their professional relationship to offer a hug. The actress accepted it gratefully, letting herself feel the pain for a moment as they both cried.

 

"We'll get him back," the housekeeper whispered fiercely. "And he'll be fine."

 

"God, I hope so," Chloe replied, squeezing her friend a little tighter. "I don't know what I'll do if..." She couldn't finish the thought and, instead, pulled back a little to look at Mary. "Thank you."

 

"Everyone in this house loves Dylan," the housekeeper said with a little smile. "We all want him back." She patted her hair then, making sure it was still safely tucked into its neat bun. "I'll show the police in now."

 

Chloe nodded and wandered across the room to the window, where she pulled the curtains back to let light stream into the room. Then she heard the door open and turned to greet two uniformed police officers. The older of the two, a man is his thirties Chloe thought, moved forward. "Ma'am," he greeted. "I'm Sergeant Jones, this is Officer May. We're very sorry for what's happened."

 

"Thank you," Chloe replied, indicating the sofa. "Sit down please." She took a seat in an armchair and crossed her legs. "I was in the park nearby doing an interview while Dylan was playing on the slides and swings. I was only about three minutes into it when I looked for him and couldn’t see him." The actress paused, feeling her emotion rising again, and took a few breaths. When she spoke again, her voice was steady. "I'd been looking for him for about an hour when my cell phone rang." She indicated the phone sitting on an end table and Officer May picked it up to examine it. "The voice was synthetic and said 'Ms Staid, we have your son.' Then they just hung up. I haven't heard anything since."

 

Sergeant Jones nodded thoughtfully. "How, do you think, did they get your cell phone number? I take it you're not listed."

 

"No," Chloe agreed. "That's how I know for sure that they have him. I made him learn my cell phone number off by heart so, no matter where I am, he can call me."

 

"Alright," the officer nodded, scribbling in his notebook. "It's standard practice in a situation like this for the FBI to take over the investigation. I've already called them and I'm expecting two agents anytime now. Do you want us to stay or are you happy to wait for them?"

 

The actress shrugged. "You can go ahead, Sergeant. I'd like to be alone for a while."

 

"Yes, Ma'am," he replied and stood, tucking his hat under his arm. "If there's anything further we can do, don't hesitate to ask."

 

"Thank you," Chloe replied with a small smile. "I'll be sure to call."

 

After seeing the officers to the door, the actress took her cell phone, climbed the stairs and wandered along the hallway but she stopped suddenly as she reached the door to Dylan's room. It was closed and she reached out a shaking hand to turn the knob but she stopped and pulled it back, unable to go inside. She knew that she'd break down if she did and she couldn’t afford that right now. Instead, she went to her own bathroom to turn on the shower.

 

Chloe sat on the edge of the bed and unlaced her hiking boots, tossing them across the room to land next to her shoe rack. Slowly, she got to her feet, wiggled out of her jeans and panties, and pulled her cotton lumberjack shirt off over her head. She unhooked her bra and, leaving her clothes where they fell, the actress padded, naked, into her bathroom and stepped into the shower cubicle, letting the hot spray drench her completely.

 

It was hard not to think and Chloe found her mind drifting back a few years, to the first time she'd met Dylan's birth mother in El Salvador. The woman had looked completely exhausted and heartsick and the actress' heart had gone out to her. It had all begun with Chloe sending money to them but finally, she'd gone to the woman and asked her if she could adopt Dylan. The youngest of twelve children, the little boy had only been a baby when Chloe had started the adoption proceedings and now, at almost six years old, he was a happy child who loved his adopted mother very much. The actress still brought him back once a year to visit his birth mother but all decisions concerning the child were Chloe's and Chloe's alone to make.

 

She soaped her body and shampooed her short hair but then leaned against the tiled wall of the cubicle, suddenly feeling drained. She felt numb and cold despite the hot water and finally, she just rinsed off and stepped out of the shower to wrap her compact, muscular body in a fluffy towel. Just then, her intercom buzzed and she went quickly to the wall panel. "Yes?"

 

"Ms Staid, the FBI are here," came Mary's voice, sounding tinny through the simple com system.

 

"Thanks, I'll be five minutes. Can you give them some coffee and tell them I'll be right down, please?"

 

"Yes, Ma'am."

 

With a relieved sigh, Chloe smiled thinly. "The cavalry is here."

 

**

 

Sitting in her office chair and pushing off, Agent Jessie McKinley glided gracefully across the room to bump into her partner, who was also seated.

 

"Hey," he said, annoyed. "Watch it!" Jessie just grinned and glided back across the room to her own desk. She stood then and stretched her back, reaching above her head and stretching her long, lean frame.

 

"So." She ambled back over to her partner and perched a hip on the edge of his desk. "What do we have today then, Jerry?"

 

"A kidnapping," he replied absently as he skimmed through the report. "Child of a famous actress."

 

"Yeah?" Jessie crossed her arms, dark eyebrows over pale blue eyes lifting in surprise. "Who?"

 

"Chloe Staid."

 

"No shit? Damn, that sucks." The tall agent shook her head and then ran a hand through her long, dark locks. "Let's go then." She straightened and went to her drawer, which she unlocked, then pulled out her Colt Defender and slid it into her shoulder holster. Jessie's suit jacket was on the back of her chair and she drained the last of the coffee in her cup before slipping it on and smoothing it in an automatic gesture.

 

Jerry rose, his eyes still scanning his report, and put his jacket on. Then they headed down to the parking garage to get their car. "Want me to drive," the man asked as he held up the keys.

 

"Yeah," Jessie replied. "I want to take a look at that report."

 

"There's not that much in it," Jerry explained. "All we know is that Staid was in the park doing an interview. She had the kid with her and he was playing on the slide nearby while she was with the interviewer. One moment he was there, the next he was gone and no one knows a damn thing about it."

 

"Guess I don't have to read the report now," Jessie commented dryly.

 

Jerry chuckled. "Sorry."

 

"What about the reporter?" the tall agent asked as she pulled out a stick of gum and popped it into her mouth.

 

"Hm?" The man looked at her.

 

"Did anyone question the interviewer?" She flipped the folder open and checked through the pages inside. "Nope, apparently not. We need to find out who it was from Ms Staid and bring him in for questioning."

 

Jerry nodded his agreement. "So, first up, we talk to the actress. Then we find the interviewer. Cool."

 

Jessie nodded and slipped a pair of sunglasses on as they pulled out into the Los Angeles traffic. It wasn't long before they arrived at Chloe Staid's property and they were quickly buzzed in when they showed their id. Jerry guided the car along the drive and parked in front of the house before turning to his partner. "She's gonna be very upset so we might not get much from her."

 

"Mm," Jessie agreed as she tucked her Raybans into her pocket. Her eyes moved over the grounds for a moment before she turned and headed for the door. "Only one way to find out, Pal."

 

"I guess," the man replied as he followed his partner.

 

Jessie rang the bell and, a moment later, the door was opened and a sad looking woman managed a welcoming smile. "Hello. You must be the agents we're expecting."

 

Holding up her badge, the tall agent smiled in returned. "Yes, Ma'am. I'm Special Agent Jessie McKinley and this is my partner, Special Agent Jerry Rogers."

 

"I'm Mary, the housekeeper," the woman replied. "If you'll follow me please, Ms Staid will be with you shortly."

 

Mary walked them to the living room and asked them to take a seat before leaving them to make some coffee. Jessie took a seat while Jerry wandered around the room, stopping at the bookshelf to look at some of the titles. "She's got loads of books," he commented, choosing one at random and pulling it from the shelf.

 

"Reading's one of my passions," came a voice from the door.

 

Jessie turned and stood quickly, suddenly faced with her favourite actress in the whole world. "Ms Staid," she said softly, her boots stuck to the floor.

 

Chloe smiled as she padded across the room. She'd thrown on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, quickly towelled her hair semi-dry and bounded, barefoot, down the stairs to meet the agents. "Hello."

 

Jerry smiled to himself when he saw that his partner was speechless and held out a hand. "Special Agent Jerry Rogers," he said. "And this is my partner, Special Agent Jessie McKinley."

 

The actress shook his hand and then nodded a greeting to Jessie as she took a seat in a large armchair and tucked her legs up under her. "Thank you for coming so quickly." Chloe set her cell phone on the table and gazed wistfully at it for a moment before looking at the tall agent. "Have the police filled you in?" she asked.

 

Jessie moved to sit closer to the petite blonde. "We have the police report, Ms Staid, but I'd like to hear it from you, if you don't mind."

 

Chloe nodded. "I understand."

 

"One thing before you begin," the dark woman said. "Could you please give me the name of the interviewer and what paper or TV channel he was from?"

 

"His name was Paul Radcliff and he was from the local paper, the Daily Chronicle," the actress explained. "He contacted me through my agent a few weeks ago. I was kinda due to do an interview so I agreed." She stood and walked to the window and when she spoke, her voice was shaking. "If only I'd been paying more attention to Dylan."

 

Jessie stood and quietly went to stand next to the upset woman. "Don't blame yourself," she said softly, seeing the tears creeping silently down the actress' face. "This is not your fault. The only person at fault is the person who took your son."

 

Chloe nodded and pulled a tissue from her jeans pocket to blow her nose. "I'm due to start filming in Florida in a couple of weeks," she whispered. "I promised Dylan I'd take him to Disney World while we're there."

 

"And you'll keep that promise," the tall agent replied firmly, placing a gentle hand on the blonde woman's shoulder. "Do you feel up to answering some questions, Ms Staid?"

 

Looking up into gentle blue eyes, the actress nodded. "Yes," she replied. "Anything to help you get my son back."

 

From across the room, Jerry watched the two women, smiling as the actress looked up at his partner as if she were her saviour. He just hoped they could live up to the standard.

 

**

 

Chapter 2

 

Chloe sat back down in her armchair, her arms wrapped around her upper body in an attempt to ease the aching in her chest. Jessie pulled the couch closer to the chair and sat on the edge, her knee just brushing the blonde's. "Alright," she said, flipping her notebook open. "Let's start right at the beginning. This guy, Paul Radcliff, contacted you about doing an interview..."

 

Chloe nodded. "Yes. It was about two weeks ago. My agent called and said that she'd been approached by this paper asking for me to give them an interview."

 

"Excuse me," Jessie interrupted. "What's your agent's name?"

 

"Mona Carelli. I've been with her for a few years now but I'm thinking of finding another agent. She's not great."

 

"Ok." The agent scribbled in her notebook. "Please continue."

 

"Mona had been hinting about the fact that I hadn't done any publicity in a while and thought that this interview would look good to the fans." Chloe smiled a little. "I try to keep a connection to my fans because, at the end of the day, they're my bread and butter and I wouldn’t be here without them. So I agreed to meet Paul Radcliff outside the park, thinking that I could let Dylan get some fresh air too."

 

Jessie nodded as she continued making notes. "What happened then?"

 

The actress ran a hand through her hair and leaned forward a little in her chair. "We met outside the gate and walked into the park until we came to the children's playground. Dylan went inside to play while Radcliff and I sat on a nearby bench."

 

"Were you facing Dylan or did you have your back to him?" Jerry asked from across the room.

 

"It was... kind of... diagonal," Chloe replied slowly as she thought back. "I had to move a little to look at him."

 

The dark agent caught the actress' eyes. "Alright. Do you have any thoughts on the situation?"

 

"You know," Chloe suddenly remarked. "I don't understand how it happened so quickly. I took my eye off him for maybe three minutes. It would be difficult for a kidnapper to persuade a child to go with them in that short space of time, especially Dylan. I've drummed into him never to speak to strangers."

 

Jessie looked at Jerry, who nodded back at her. "Ms Staid, who suggested that you meet at the park?" she asked.

 

"Um... Radcliff, I think," the actress replied with a frown. "Why?"

 

For a moment, the dark agent ignored the question, getting up and walking to her partner. "Jerry, let's find Radcliff. Something's not sitting right with me."

 

"Yeah," the blonde man replied. "I'll track him down and then I'll come back here."

 

"Alright. Hurry on this one, Jerry. I think he may have been there to distract her with the interview."

 

"Excuse me?" Chloe spoke up. "What's going on?"

 

Jessie went back to her seat as Rogers left, and met the actress' eye squarely. "I'd like to rule Radcliff out as a suspect straight away. Agent Rogers is gonna check him out, ok?"

 

Chloe nodded. "Ok."

 

"Meanwhile," Jessie went on. "Please continue with the story."

 

"Where was I?" the blonde murmured, her eyes far away. "Radcliff asked me about my new movie, about my adoption of Dylan and about my being a lesbian." Green eyes tracked to surprised blue and held for a moment before twinkling just a little. "Then I looked around to check on Dylan but he was missing. I abandoned Radcliff and walked for about an hour, looking for him before coming back here and calling the police."

 

A furrow formed in the blue eyes agent's brow. "I have to ask this, Ms Staid. Is there anyone you can think of who would possibly want to harm your child, or hurt you in the process of doing so?"

 

Jumping up, Chloe backed away slowly, her eyes wild and frightened. "Oh God, do you think someone took Dylan just to hurt me? I thought it would be for ransom money... I... Oh Jesus."

 

Jessie got up too, holding a hand out to the terrified woman. "Ms Staid, please," she said, her voice gentle. "I have to think of all eventualities. It's most likely that your son will be returned for a ransom. I'm fully expecting your cell phone to ring again soon. They'll make a demand and give instructions."

 

Looking up at the tall agent, Chloe wiped her eyes. "You really think so?" she whispered, searching Jessie's face for a hint of deception. She noticed, for the first time, that the agent was really very beautiful with high, sculptured cheekbones and a perfectly shaped nose. A hint of a smile curved full lips.

 

"Yes, I do," Jessie replied. "Have faith."

 

They were still gazing at each other when a light tap sounded at the door and Mary's salt and pepper head appeared. "Excuse me, Ms Staid?"

 

Chloe looked to the door as Jessie quickly looked away and wandered across the room to the window. "Yes, Mary?"

 

"Will you need dinner?"

 

The actress was about to decline the meal when she suddenly thought about the agent so studiously gazing at the view. She smiled just a little. "Thank you. Agent McKinley and I will take dinner in the TV room."

 

Jessie turned quickly at the sound of her name and moved closer. "Oh, don't go to any trouble for me, Ma'am," she said softly.

 

Mary snorted. "Nonsense, Agent McKinley, I can just as easily cook two pizzas as one."

 

Dark eyebrows lifted in surprise and blue eyes looked to the petite actress who was nodding her agreement. "Well, thank you," the agent finally replied. She glanced at her watch, surprised to see that it was approaching six. "Could I use your bathroom, please?"

 

The housekeeper nodded but Chloe intercepted her. "C'mon. I'll show you where it is."

 

Following the actress down the hallway, Jessie took the opportunity to take a look at the house. It was tastefully decorated in a mixture of modern furniture and old movie bills and memorabilia. Several of the advertisement posters from Chloe's movies had been framed and hung along the wall going up the stairs. Stopping to examine one, the agent smiled. "This is my favourite one," she said softly.

 

Coming back down a few steps, the actress nodded. "Mine too," she replied. "That was the most difficult part I've ever played. I cried for a full day after filming the scene where my character's son dies of cancer. I never thought it would be as successful as it was."

 

"You won an Oscar."

 

Chloe nodded. "Yeah. My first."

 

Jessie looked at the petite blonde who was now leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. "I have to admit to being a little star struck. You're my favourite actress."

 

A light blush graced the younger woman's cheeks and she looked down, grinning just a little. "Um... thanks."

 

"Sorry," the agent chuckled. "I didn't mean to embarrass you."

 

Once again, blue eyes met green and Chloe sighed. "I just wish we could have met under more favourable circumstances, Agent McKinley."

 

Unknowingly to Chloe, her words struck a chord deep inside the tall agent's mind and she straightened immediately, cursing herself for letting things become less than professional. "You're right, Ma'am," she replied, coolly, surprising the warm-hearted actress who looked at her in slight confusion. "Now if you'll show me where I can freshen up, please?"

 

"Follow me," Chloe replied, wondering what had just happened. They climbed the stairs again and the actress indicated a door with a little wave. "Help yourself to toiletries."

 

"Thank you, Ma'am," Jessie replied and entered the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

 

For a long moment, Chloe stared at the door, then, with a sigh, went back down the stairs, but she bolted for the living room, yelling Jessie's name, when she realised that her cell phone was ringing. With shaking hands, she answered the call. "Chloe Staid."

 

"Mommy?"

 

Collapsing into the armchair with tears flowing down her cheeks, the blonde woman cradled the precious link to her son with both hands. "Yes, Baby, it's Mommy."

 

Just then, Jessie charged into the room and leapt over the coffee table to drop to her knees next to Chloe, pressing her ear to the phone too. "Mommy, where are you? When am I coming home?" Dylan asked, his young voice trembling with upset. For a moment, Chloe wasn't able to speak and she covered her mouth with her hand, shaking her head as she tried to regain her composure. Without thinking, the agent wrapped an arm around her shoulders in encouragement. "Mommy?"

 

"Um... soon, Baby," she whispered. "You'll be coming home soon. I promise."

 

Then another voice came onto the line. It was the same mechanical-sounding one from earlier in the park. "You've had some time to think about things," the voice stated. "You know we have your son and you know we'll kill him if we don't get what we want."

 

"Please," Chloe replied softly. "I'll do anything. Just... please don't..."

 

"Ten million," the voice went on as if the speaker hadn’t heard her. "In unmarked, non-sequential hundred dollar bills. You have twenty-four hours. We'll call back with further instructions." The line went dead then and Chloe shook the phone violently.

 

"No!"

 

Jessie caught her hands gently and took the phone from the actress' grasp setting it back on the table. "They're gone, Chloe," she said softly, the name rolling from her tongue without thought.

 

The blonde was angry and she stood up, shaking off the agent's arm and pacing like a caged animal. "Bastards," she spat. "Using my son to get MONEY!"

 

"Chloe..."

 

"FUCK THEM!"

 

"Chloe..." Jessie got up and took the actress gently by the shoulders. "Listen to me. We have to move quickly here. Do you have the money?" she asked bluntly.

 

Surprised green eyes peered back. "Have it?" A bitter laugh forced itself out of her chest. "I have ten times it. They can HAVE ten times it if they just give me my son back safely."

 

"Alright," the dark agent replied getting the frantic Chloe's attention again. "Here's what we're going to do. You're going to call the bank and arrange for the money. I'm going to call in some recording equipment for your cell so we can tape the next call. You do know that the last call was only a tape recording, right?"

 

Chloe thought about that for a moment, her mind kick starting itself with the realisation that Jessie was right. She played the call back in her head. "Yeah," she murmured thoughtfully. "There was no reaction to what I said or... It sounded like they had expected me to ask what they wanted, rather than just offering to do whatever they wanted."

 

"Right," the agent agreed, pleased that she'd caught the younger woman's curiosity. "Now call the bank." She gave the blonde a little nudge. "G'wan."

 

The actress nodded, then suddenly frowned, looking at the older woman who was clad only in her sports bra and suit pants. "Um..." She silently pointed a finger and Jessie looked down at herself, immediately blushing a deep red.

 

"Oh... um... I was freshening up when I heard you yelling and I just..." She trailed off helplessly.

 

"Came charging to my rescue without thinking?" Chloe finished with a gentle smile.

 

"Um... something like that," the agent mumbled, totally embarrassed.

 

The actress just chuckled. "Thank you."

 

Jessie smiled sheepishly and went back upstairs to put her shirt back on.

 

**

 

Chapter 3

 

Jessie slid out of her jacket and hung it on the back of a chair as the last agent was shown out of the house. The team had set up recording equipment and a signal tracker for Chloe's cell and were now heading home for the night. The blue-eyed agent had volunteered to stay after a pleading look from the petite actress.

 

It was almost nine and she was starving but Chloe seemed to be lost in a world of her own, sitting alone in the TV room. She was staring at the television but the agent was sure she wasn't seeing anything on the screen. Then the door opened and Mary appeared, a tray full of pizza, fries and sodas in her hand. Jessie went to help her and took the tray from the older woman to set it carefully on the table. "Thanks," she said gratefully as her stomach growled.

 

Mary nodded and then looked at Chloe. "Ms Staid."

 

Green eyes slowly tracked to her. "Mm?"

 

"You need to eat something, Ma'am," the housekeeper prodded.

 

The actress shook her head. "I'm not hungry."

 

Mary opened to mouth to speak again but Jessie touched her arm. "It's alright," she said softly. "I'll make sure she has something."

 

With a nod, the housekeeper wandered out of the room, closing the door behind her as the agent put some pizza on a plate and carried it to the unmoving actress. "Chloe, you need to eat something. Getting sick won't help Dylan."

 

To her surprise though, green eyes snapped at her in anger and Chloe knocked the plate out of her hand, standing and pushing the agent in utter fury. "I said I'm not fucking hungry!" she roared, lashing out in pain at the only person she could.

 

One fist connected with Jessie's mouth but she shook it off and caught the other in a tight grip, blocking another blow and then catching the first fist. "Stop it!" she commanded as Chloe struggled, cursing roundly. "Chloe!" She held the blonde's two wrists in one large hand and used her now free arm to pull her tight against her chest, holding her and rocking her. "It's going to be alright. Everything's going to be alright."

 

The actress finally stopped struggling and crumbled totally, relying on the agent's strength to keep her on her feet. "Oh God," she whimpered. "Oh God, oh God."

 

Jessie released Chloe's wrists and held her close, feeling her frantic grip on her shirt. The actress' body trembled as the tension of the day finally hit her full force. "Jessie, what if they kill him?" she sobbed. "Oh God, what will I do? I love him so much!"

 

"Sshh," the agent soothed. "We'll get him back, Chloe."

 

After a long moment, watery green eyes looked up, meeting blue with genuine regret. "I'm sorry," Chloe whispered, her hand untangling itself from the agent's shirt and lifting to gently touch Jessie's face where her fist had connected. Her lip was already beginning to swell a bit. "God, I'm so sorry."

 

"S'alright," Jessie replied with a little grin. "I've had worse."

 

Chloe merely laid her head back down on the taller woman's chest, feeling guilty, but needing the comfort of her embrace. They stood that way for some time until, finally, Jessie's stomach growled loudly. The actress giggled. "We'd better feed you."

 

"Mm," the agent agreed. "It's been a long time since lunch but I'll only eat if you join me."

 

With a weary nod, Chloe agreed and managed to get two slices of pizza down, while Jessie cleared the rest.

 

**

 

"Do you carry a gun all the time?" Chloe asked as she examined the shoulder holster moulded to the agent's body.

 

Jess gazed at the actress through sleepy blue eyes. It was just after midnight and she was sprawled on the couch next to the younger woman, the room lit only by the dim light from the electric fire. "While I'm on duty? Yes, all the time."

 

 A curious finger traced the well broken in leather. "And when you're off duty?"

 

The agent shrugged. "Mostly," she admitted. "It’s kinda ingrained at this stage."

 

"Always on duty, huh?" Chloe asked, letting her eyes meet Jessie's and smiling a bit but the tall agent looked away. The blonde woman sighed. "Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry."

 

"No, it's ok. I just..." Jessie shrugged. "Never mind. I guess I am always on duty. I am the job."

 

"It must be difficult working on cases like this," the actress softly commented, her eyes on the flickering flames.

 

Jessie saw the light reflected in the blonde's green eyes and smiled as they took on a golden tint. "I try not to get emotionally involved," she replied just as softly. "You're right though. It's hard not to when you're working alongside the victims."

 

It all sounded so clinical to Chloe but there was no way she could see it in that light. She sighed as she ran a hand through her short, blonde hair. "If my son dies," she murmured, her voice and eyes suddenly hard. "I will spend every penny I have tracking down the bastard who did it and then I'll shoot him in the head."

 

Jessie just gazed at the actress' beautiful profile. It wasn't the first time she'd heard that threat from a terrified and angry parent... but it was the first time she didn’t want to disagree. Instead, in a slow motion so as not to scare the blonde, she reached out and covered Chloe's hand with her own, smiling as their fingers laced together. "It won't come to that," she said. The actress just nodded and rested her head against the back of the sofa, not inclined in the least to give up the comforting grasp of the agent's large, warm hand. Moments later, she'd dozed off.

 

**

 

Jessie jerked awake at the sound of a ringing cell phone but she realised it was her own and pulled it out of her pocket. "McKinley," she rasped, her voice husky from sleep. Looking to her left, she saw green eyes blinking sleepily at her and smiled a little, realising that her hand was still firmly clasped in Chloe's.

 

"Jess, it’s Jerry."

 

"Hey. What have you got for me?"

 

"Big surprise, the local rag has never heard of a Paul Radcliff."

 

"Shit," came the soft curse.

 

"Yeah. We spoke to Ms Staid's agent, Mona Carelli, and she admitted that she didn’t check up on his press credentials before granting the interview."

 

Jessie took a deep breath, trying to hold in the sudden anger that was careening through her body but a gentle squeeze to her fingers made her look at Chloe. "Thanks, Jerry," she murmured, drawn into the green of the actress' eyes by some unknown force. "Um..." She swallowed as Chloe lifted a brow at her. "Um... Jer... um... I'll get Chloe to give a description of him to a photo fit artist so we can put out an a.p.b. on him. He can’t be working alone though. It's obvious that he was a decoy to keep Chloe distracted while someone else grabbed Dylan."

 

"Chloe?" Jerry asked, a smile in his voice. "What happened to Ms Staid?"

 

Jessie ignored the question. "Thanks, Jerry. I'll get back to you on the image." She hung up and leaned her head back against the couch. "We have to get a picture of Paul Radcliff."

 

The actress nodded grimly. "It’s him, isn’t it?" she asked."

 

Blue eyes looked squarely at her. "We think so. Jerry spoke to Mona Carelli. She didn’t check his press credentials before granting the interview."

 

Chloe's eyes slid shut and she shook her head. "I'll deal with her later."

 

**

 

It was 6am, twelve hours before the deadline, when the photo fit artist arrived and an hour later, Jessie was studying a fairly accurate drawing of Paul Radcliff. Then she passed it to the exhausted Jerry. "Let's get this out to all the precincts in the city. We need the black and whites involved in the search." She noticed the circles under his eyes. "Then go home and get some rest."

 

What about you?" he asked softly, but his partner's glance toward the petite, blonde actress gave him all the answer he needed.

 

"I'm staying," Jessie replied, looking down.

 

"Jess," the man said, his tone one of warning.

 

"Jerry." Blue eyes lifted warily and somewhat defensively. "I know what I'm doing."

 

"Alright," Jerry replied with a terse nod. "I'll leave the car and catch a lift with one of the others. I'll be back by three."

 

Jessie agreed and then wandered across the room to sit next to Chloe on the couch. "Why aren’t they calling?" the blonde asked. "It's been twelve hours, Jess."

 

"I know," the agent replied, rubbing her scratchy eyes. "They're biding their time. If they leave it 'til the last minute, we have less time to prepare surveillance on the drop off point." She stood and reached over her head, stretching her tall, muscular frame. "I need a shower. Do you mind?"

 

"Of course not," Chloe smiled. "Do you need a change of clothes? I have some baggy sweats that might fit you, Stretch."

 

Dark eyebrows lifted. "Stretch? Who are you calling Stretch?" She snickered. "Shorty."

 

The actress blinked, a look of devastating innocence on her face. "You?"

 

Jessie laughed softly, rolling her eyes even though she was enjoying the teasing banter. "Nah thanks. I've got some fresh clothes in the car for emergencies."

 

Chloe nodded. "You can use my bathroom, if you like." She cast an eye over the few other agents in the room. "It'd be a bit more private."

 

"Thanks, I'd appreciate it," the tall woman nodded. "I'll just go get my stuff."

 

Chloe walked to the window and watched as Jessie strode across the gravel driveway to her car. She couldn’t look away from the tall agent and was captured by the power and grace that exuded from her muscular body. The actress leaned forward, one hand splayed on the window as she closed her eyes and tried not to think about what she was feeling. Jessie was the FBI agent who was helping her to get her son back and catch his kidnapper, yet there was something else... something that made Chloe's heart beat faster when she looked into those pale, blue eyes.

 

"Hey, are you ok?"

 

The actress jumped as a gentle hand rested on her shoulder and turned to look up into Jessie's concerned face. "The waiting is killing me," she admitted softly.

 

"C'mere." The agent set her duffel on the floor and, without thinking, wrapped her arms around the petite blonde. Chloe stepped closer and sighed as she felt the tall agent's warmth surrounding her. She rested her cheek on a broad shoulder and relaxed for a moment, forgetting the other people in the room. After a moment though, she heard soft murmurs and pulled back a little to look up at Jessie, who was blushing slightly. A number of indulgent smiles and surprised eyes were pointed in their direction.

 

"Um... let me show you where the shower is," Chloe said. Jessie just nodded and followed her out of the room. Once they were in the bedroom, the actress shook her head. "I'm sorry about that," she said. "I didn't mean to embarrass you."

 

Jessie sat on the edge of the bed. "You didn't embarrass me," she murmured. "I embarrassed myself. I know better than to do things like that in front of other agents..." She paused as she let her eyes meet the blonde's. "No matter how I feel," she finished very softly.

 

Chloe was silent and still for a long moment as she let the words sink in. Then finally, she moved closer to Jessie, keeping their eyes locked. "And... how do you feel?" she asked, holding her breath then as she waited for the answer.

 

"I... um..." The agent broke the gaze and Chloe's body almost sighed in disappointment. "I wanted to help... to give you a hug," Jessie went on quietly. "But maybe that's not such a good idea."

 

"Maybe not," the actress replied, unaccountably hurt. She went straight to the bathroom and turned on the shower. "There are fresh towels on the shelf," she said coolly. "Help yourself." Then she walked out of the room, leaving a bemused Jessie looking at the closed door.

 

With a sigh, the tall agent began to take her clothes off, wondering when things had got so damn complicated. She'd think about how to fix this after her shower.

 

**

 

Saturday morning. Eight o'clock. A freshly showered and jeans-clad Agent Jessie McKinley was standing outside the room she knew Chloe Staid had entered. She'd raised her fist twice already to knock and both times she'd chickened out but, when she heard the muffled sobs coming from the other side of the door, she threw caution to the wind and slipped inside. Chloe was there, lying on the couch, curled into a ball and sobbing her heart out.

 

The agent moved across the room and sat on the edge of the seat. Chloe's tear streaked face lifted but when she saw her friend, she moved into her arms, clinging to her with desperate strength. "I'm sorry," Jessie whispered, holding her close. "I shouldn’t have said what I said. I care about you, Chloe, and I promise you I'll do anything to get Dylan back for you."

 

The actress looked up into beautiful, blue eyes, loving the depth of emotion she saw in them. She freed one hand and lifted it to cup Jessie's cheek. "You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," she whispered, stroking the soft skin with her thumb.

 

"Chloe..." Jessie swallowed deeply.

 

"Sshh..." Chloe replied softly. She moved closer and let her eyes close as she kissed the agent gently. She felt Jessie suck in a breath and ran her tongue gently over her lips, feeling them part to invite her in. Chloe accepted, deepening the kiss and exploring the older woman's mouth with gentle patience, letting a soft moan surface. Then she was being kissed back with a quiet passion that set her heart to pounding and sent her breathing into an uneven then ragged rhythm.

 

Jessie gave in. She knew she couldn’t ignore the attraction she felt to Chloe anymore and, judging by the soft moans coming from the blonde actress, she reckoned Chloe was feeling it too. Finally, after a long intimate moment, they ended the kiss and just held each other. No words were spoken. None were needed.

 

Just then a knock sounded at the door. Jessie and Chloe looked at each other and then rushed to answer it. The agent's face was grim. He nodded. "It's them."

 

**

 

The room was quiet. Chloe stood at the window, her back to Jessie as the agent refastened her shirt over a bulletproof vest. "Their plan is a good one," she commented softly.

 

"Mm," Jessie agreed. "Which is why you’re not going."

 

The actress turned then. "But they asked specifically that I make the drop. What if they realise it's not me and do something to hurt Dylan?"

 

"What if they take you too?" the agent countered. "I won't risk that, Chloe." She was tucking her shirt into her pants but stopped and sighed when a gentle hand rested on her arm.

 

"Honey," Chloe softly uttered, letting the rest of the room fade out as she looked into worried blue eyes. "He's my son. I have to do this."

 

Every part of Agent McKinley was against this course of action but the deepest part of Jessie understood why Chloe had to do it so she took the actress hand and brought it to her lips to kiss it. "Alright," she replied. "But I'm going to be on you every second."

 

Chloe smiled. "I'm counting on it."

 

"Right then." Jessie checked her Colt Defender and settled it into its holster. Then she shrugged into a jacket which had 'FBI' emblazoned across the back of it in bright yellow letters. In her tight, faded jeans and boots, Chloe thought she cut a very sexy figure.

 

Jessie winked at her as Jerry entered the room, carrying a couple of briefcases. "Money's here," she commented. "Sure you want to do this, Chloe?"

 

"I'm sure," the blonde replied. "When do we leave, Stretch?"

 

"Fifteen minutes," Jessie replied.

 

Chloe nodded. It would be all over soon.

 

**

 

Chapter 4

 

It was five forty-five. Chloe and Jessie climbed into the back of an FBI van and sat together on the bench as the two suitcases of money were set down beside them. They'd barely pulled out of the estate when the agent reached over and took her friend's hand, lacing their fingers together. They didn’t speak, just sat in tense silence, neither sure of what was going to happen but both terrified of what possibly could. As instructed, the van pulled up a block from the drop off point, which was a phone booth on a corner. Chloe started to get up but Jessie held her hand for a moment longer, leaning over to kiss her. Their eyes met and the agent stroked her friend's soft skin. "I love you," she finally whispered.

 

Chloe threw her arms around Jessie's neck, squeezing her hard as tears spilled over. "I love you too," she whispered back. Then she let go and pushed the door of the van open, hopping down and accepting the cases from the worried agent. "I'll be back soon and then you can meet my son."

 

Jessie nodded and winked before closing the doors. The van drove away, stopping briefly to let the agent hop out a short distance away. She drew her gun as she carefully wove her way back to a position near the rendezvous point. From where she was kneeling, Jessie could see Chloe making her way toward her, lugging the two heavy suitcases. A few moments later, the actress was tucking the bags into the phone booth. Then, with a final look around, she headed back in the direction she'd come from.

 

Satisfied that Chloe was safe, Jessie held her position and waited but the bags stayed there. The booth wasn’t even approached. Keying her mic, she checked in. "Jerry, anything?"

 

"No," came the reply. "Chloe's here with me so she's fine. I don't know what's going on."

 

Just then, the tall agent heard a gasp through the link and her eyes shifted a little, then slid closed. There, coming up the street pulling a little cart on wheels, was a little boy and Jessie knew in her heart that it was Dylan. "Chloe, don't move. Nobody move," she ordered. She pulled out a pair of small binoculars and scanned the area. She picked up the FBI sniper at a window in the building across the street but couldn’t see anyone else. Dylan was at the booth now and he was dragging the first bag out into the open. Jessie swallowed and scanned the area again. She paused though this time as she saw the glint of light on metal and refocused her binoculars. There he was, and from the picture Chloe had described, it appeared to be Paul Radcliff... or whatever his name was... with a rifle trained on Dylan.

 

A growl emerged from deep in the agent's chest and she keyed her mic. "Radcliff, in the building right across from the booth. Sixth floor balcony with a rifle. Get someone up there stat."

 

"Gotcha," Jerry replied. Jess knew that, even though she couldn’t see anyone, a team was on its way up.

 

"Hang in there, Chloe," she murmured. "It's almost over."

 

Everyone watched with bated breath as Dylan loaded the first case on the cart, then went back for the second one, but Jessie was watching Radcliff like a hawk. Dylan, by now, had loaded the second case and he was beginning to wheel the cart back the way he'd come. It was at that moment that Jess saw the kidnapper raise his rifle and aim at the little boy. "No," she whispered and, without totally thinking it through, she was up and running toward her friend's son.

 

**

 

"Shit!" Jerry grabbed his gun and scrambled out of the van with Chloe right behind him. "Jessie's going for the kid!" He'd seen his partner break her cover and had realised what was happening as he checked Radcliff's position. The FBI team were just about to go in and he keyed his microphone as he ran. "GO GO GO!"

 

Jess was only a few feet from Dylan. She pushed herself to run faster and, when the shot went off, she coiled her body, diving to shield the little boy from the bullet and praying to whichever God would listen for help. Someone was listening and, instead of hitting Dylan, the bullet hit the agent squarely in the chest, the impact sending her crashing into a trash can and leaving her unmoving. She didn’t see Radcliff take a bullet in the head while trying to escape and she didn’t see Dylan sitting on the ground, terrified but unharmed.

 

**

 

Standing at the edge of the grave, holding Dylan's hand, Chloe sighed. She dropped a white rose onto the coffin and a single tear crept down her cheek.

 

Her son had been returned to her and she thanked the Lord for both him and for everything Jessie had done. Her heart was full of love for the tall agent and she smiled as a pair of warm arms surrounded her and a low voice burred in her ear. "You ok, Shorty?"

 

"I will be," Chloe replied. "She didn't deserve to die for a mistake, Jessie."

 

Looking at the gravestone, the agent sighed, wincing a little as her chest hurt. Her vest had stopped the bullet from entering her body but the impact had broken a couple of her ribs, not to mention the headlong crash into the metal trash can that had rattled her brains some.

 

After they'd stopped Radcliff, whose real name turned out to be George Carelli, they'd put two and two together and went to pick up his accomplice, Mona Carelli, Chloe's agent, only to find her dead in her apartment. A note was found on the woman's bedside table naming her husband as the kidnapper but he hadn't found it, having left the apartment in a hurry after shooting his wife in the head. Apparently ten million was best kept for himself, rather than shared. Mona's attack of conscience had cost her her life and Jessie knew that Chloe had forgiven the woman in order to move on with her life. She smiled a little. Their life.

 

"No," the tall woman finally replied. "She didn’t deserve to die for a mistake."

 

"C'mon," Chloe said softly. "Let's go home."

 

Jessie held out her hand and the actress grasped it firmly as the three of them walked back to the car. The drive back to the house was completed in a comfortable silence and when they arrived, Chloe took Dylan to his room for an afternoon nap. A brief stay in the hospital had proved the boy to be uninjured and she'd been able to take him home the same day. Jessie had been a different story and she'd spent a week in hospital, only allowed to come home the day before Mona Carelli's funeral.

 

Chloe tucked her son into bed and kissed him gently on the forehead. "Sweet dreams, my Darling," she whispered, then smiled as she turned and found her other darling watching her from the doorway. Jessie held out her hand and the actress took it, allowing herself to be led to her bedroom. The agent smiled and closed the door behind them before taking Chloe into her arms. "I love you so very much," she whispered.

 

"I love you too, Stretch," the blonde replied, her green eyes sparkling with happiness.

 

They kissed deeply and Chloe's breathing grew ragged as Jessie slowly undressed her, kissing every exposed bit of skin as she went. Then she returned the favour, smiling when she rubbed her body against her partner's and the taller woman growled deep in her chest. The fell onto the bed in a tangle of arms and legs, their bodies fitting together like the only two pieces of a passionate puzzle. They moved together, the light sheen of sweat on their skin heightening the sensation, until they arched against each other and shuddered hard, holding onto each other as their cries of ecstasy quietened to soft moans and laboured breathing.

 

Resting her head on her lover's chest, Chloe sighed and kissed the bruise left behind by the bullet's impact on the agent's Kevlar vest. "I love you, Stretch."

 

Long arms settled around her and they snuggled closer together in the centre of the bed, pulling the comforter up to cover their naked bodies. "Love you too, Shorty," came the sleepy reply and Chloe smiled before drifting off into a peaceful slumber, her son napping just as peacefully next door thanks to the woman she'd fallen in love with.

 

The End.

 

© Paula Cullen 2003