Later that night, Trent couldn't sleep. He couldn't help, but think of what Michael had said to him earlier. Trent knew he shouldn't let Michael get to him, but he couldn't help it. Something was nagging at him and he wasn't as to what it was. He got out of bed, and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. He promised himself to talk to Anna about it when she got back. Yes. He had to.

**********

Anna came back on Wednesday and went straight to Trent's apartment. He quickly answered the door "Hi." She said meekly.

"Anna?" He said as a smile grew on his face.

She searched his face for an answer. "Can I come in? Or, are you going to make me stay here in the hall all night." she said trying to lighten the mood.

"Sorry. Yeah, come on in." He moved for her to come in, and she took a seat on the couch. He came and sat next to her. "How was Los Angeles?"

"Let's not talk about that. I want to hear about what you did while I was gone."

"Nothing out of the unusual." He paused. "Anna, we have to talk."

"I agree." She said nervously.

"Anna-"

"No, Trent. Let me go first. Please."

He leaned back. "Alright."

She fiddled with her fingers for a moment. "I'm really sorry for leaving the other day the way I did. I mean, you have been so wonderful to me, and patient, and all I can do is pick up and leave at the drop of a hat." She took in a deep breath. "What I'm trying to say is, I'm very lucky to have someone like you in my life." She waited a moment. "And, you will be happy to know that I have found a replacement for Jax, which means, I won't be traveling anymore."

Trent smiled. "That's great Anna! So, you won't be leaving at all?"

"Well, I will have minor trips once in a blue moon, but for the most part, I will be hanging around here." She said as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "Thank you."

"For what?" He said resting his chin on her head.

"For being you." She said. She lifted her head up. "Now, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Uh, nothing. It was nothing." As he rubbed her head.

**********

Carlos and Trent were finishing up paper work on their latest case when Kim came in with a package. "Trent, someone just dropped this off for you." She handed it to him. "I'm going to head home, alright? I'll see you guys tomorrow."

Trent looked at his watch. "It's five forty-five?! I have a class at six. Can you finish up here Carlos?"

"Yeah. Take off. I can handle it here."

"Later." Trent said as he walked out the door.

Carlos waited until he could hear the roar of the 'vette and then picked up the phone. "Anna? He's gone."

**********

Today was Trent's birthday, and Anna had something special in mind. Everyone was throwing him a surprise party tomorrow, but she wanted to do something with just the two of them. Anna climbed out of her BMW and walked into Thunder Investigations. Carlos was waiting patiently, and smiled when he saw her. "Hi Anna."

"Hi Carlos. Listen, I really appreciate this. Getting me a copy of Trent's apartment key and everything."

"It is my pleasure." He handed Anna the key. "You know Anna, Trent really cares about you."

She nodded. "I know. That's why I wanted to do something special."

He grinned and placed the key in her hand. "You'd better get going."

She looked at her watch. "Oh! My goodness you're right." She kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks again!" She said as she ran out of the office.

**********

Trent came home from his class at eight. It had been a long, and stressful day. 'What a great way to spend your birthday.' He thought to himself. He was at Thunder Investigations from seven until he left for Thunder Karate. He hadn't eaten a thing all day and was starving. He pulled his key out of his pocket, and kept thinking of that big bed he wanted to crash in. Walking in, he noticed the lights were dim, and soft music was playing. He looked around the room and Anna came out of the small kitchen, dressed in jeans and a light-blue sweater. "Hi!" She said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

"What is all this?" he asked, pleasantly surprised.

"Well," she said while still holding on, "it's your birthday and I wanted to do something special."

Trent placed his bag on the couch. "I can't believe you did this. How did you get in?"

"Carlos gave me a copy of your key." She paused for a moment. "I hope that's alright."

He walked over and kissed her. "Of course it is. Thank you."

She smiled. "Anytime." He put his arm around her waist, and led her to the dinner table. She had decorated it with flowers and candles. She made him spaghetti, salad and French bread. "I remembered your favorite." She said with a smile.

Trent grinned as he pulled her chair out. He kissed the side of her neck and then sat down at his seat. "I can't believe you did all of this."

"Spaghetti isn't that hard to cook." She said with a grin.

"Well, this is wonderful." He began to serve himself some salad, and then moved onto the pasta.

As they ate dinner, each talked about their day at work. Anna had taken the day off to get things ready around here. Trent talked about his busy day, and how glad he was to be at home with her.

Once they were through, Trent led Anna into his living room, and they danced to 'I Love You For Sentimental Reasons' by Nat King Cole. Trent held Anna close, and she rested her head on his shoulder. As their bodies moved as one, Anna closed her eyes. "This is nice. Just the two of us. Without a care in the world."

He rested his chin on her head. "It's nice, isn't it?" he said, in a soft voice.

She muttered something quietly and lifted up her head for a moment to kiss him on the cheek. Then, she went back to her place on his shoulder. Anna suddenly came out of her dream. "I have your presents in my car downstairs! Let me go get them. I'll be right back."

"I can go with you." Trent said earnestly.

"No, you've had a hard day."

"I k now, but what if something happens?"

She gave him a look. "Trent, it's just down the stairs, unlock the door, and come back up. I think I can handle it." She said with a smile, closing the door behind her.

Trent let out a sigh and suddenly remembered the package that came for him earlier. He pulled it out of his coat pocket. It was an envelope marked, 'DO NOT BEND. PHOTOS.' Trent carefully opened the package. As he pulled out the photos and all of the happiness he felt up to this point, was shattered. The pictures revealed Anna laughing with another man. Drinking wine. As he went deeper in, they revealed them getting closer to the point where they were kissing passionately. The last photo was of the man having his hand up the back of Anna's shirt. Inside was a note from Michael stating that the photos had been taken during her recent trip to Paris. Trent couldn't take anymore. He took the photos and hid them in one of his kitchen drawers. It was his night with Anna and he didn't want to ruin it. She spent all this time on his birthday, and the least he could do, was bring it up after this weekend.

Anna came back in with a large box, and two smaller ones. Trent bolted up from behind the counter. "I'm back. See? nothing happened."

He ran his fingers through his hair. "Yeah."

She looked at him for a minute. "Is something wrong?"

"No. Why?"

"I don't know. You're acting weird." She thought for a moment. "You aren't mad at me, are you?" she said walking towards him.

"No! It's just, I can't believe you bought me a present," he said, quickly covering.

Anna walked over to him, and kissed him. It wasn't like before. Something had changed. She pulled back, and gave him a look. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Trent said weakly.

Anna pulled back, and was growing impatient. "Trent, don't lie to me. Something is bothering you and I want to know what it is."

Trent glanced towards the drawer, but didn't say a word. "Nothing. It's nothing." He moved in closer to try and kiss her again, but she stepped back. "You're lying to me. You know how much I hate that. Now, tell me what is bothering you so much?" She said.

Trent let out a long sigh. The pictures flashed through his mind, and he was beginning to get angry. "You don't like it when you're lied to, but how about when you're the one doing the lying." He said, as he took the pictures out, and threw them on the table.

Anna looked at Trent, and then moved to the table, picking up the photographs. She slowly analyzed each one. While still holding them, she lifted her head to Trent. "Are you having me followed now?" she said, with conviction.

Trent's eyes widened. "No! I would never do that! I got those in the mail today! They're Michael's."

Anna's face hardened. "So what?! He hired you to get the dirt on me?! Is that it?!"

"No! Anna, I swear to you, I knew nothing of those pictures until today."

"Right. How much did he pay you, Trent? A million? Two? Or just enough to save your business from fading away?" she said, throwing the pictures at him.

"Hey, you're way out of line, Anna!"

"And what?! Did you get a bonus for sleeping with me?! Hire the private dick that fucked Anna James," she said, as she grabbed her purse.

"You know what I think?!" Trent said. "I think you're trying to pin this on me because you screwed up and know it! You're looking for someone other than yourself to blame this on!"

Anna turned to him with tears in her eyes, and she slapped him.

Trent put his hand on his cheek.

Anna quickly opened the door, and ran out, with Trent close on her tail. The slap had knocked some sense into him. He said the wrong thing. "Anna! Wait!"

She didn't listen. She walked out of the building, into the rain. She pulled her keys out of her pocket, and brushed her hair out of her face. Trent grabbed her arm, just before she reached her car. "Anna, I'm not going to leave like this! We need to talk about it."

"Trent. Let go of me now." She couldn't even look at him.

"No." Trent said gently. "I'm not going to let you. I know we can work this out."

Anna threw her head back and let out a laugh. She sniffled. "You don't get it do you? You're just like the rest of them. You're not interested in me. You're interested in my money and power. You're all the same," she said, calmly. "Good bye Trent."

Trent was speechless. Without realizing it, he had loosened his grip on Anna. She slipped out, and got into her car and backed out. All Trent could do, was watch.