By Entervixen

The girl stalked towards him , all lithe muscle and sinew. Her dusky skin reflected the little light in the clearing. Pitch black hair cascaded over her shoulders , hiding what her lack of clothing would have revealed. On her stomach , scars long healed danced and writhed with her movements , assuming a life of their own. Her eyes were liquid gold , sliding over every inch of him , absorbing his essence. Jim turned with her when she walked behind him; she smiled. Opening her mouth , he could see delicate , glistening fangs on top and bottom. She clicked her teeth together twice and uttered a single word; Wake.

"Morning Jim." Blair grinned at his partner. Jim only grunted , stumbling half blind down the stairs.

"Why the hell are you so happy?" He opened the fridge and pulled out a carton of milk.

Blair looked taken back."Uh , Jim , is something wrong?"

"What could possibly be wrong , Chief?" He took a swig from the carton.

"Well , you're drinking out of the carton for one. Come on , you can tell me."

"Well , I've been having the same dream for months. Kinda."

Blair sat down."Go on."

"It's usually in the jungle , but not always. It's the girl in it. She is walking around me in circles. When she gets real close , I can see her eyes are a liqudy gold color , and that she has fangs."

"Woah. You mean like a vampire?"

Jim shook his head."No. On top and bottom , and they look like they belong in a cat's mouth."

"Well , what does she look like?"

He shrugged."I donno. Five six , five seven , dusky skin , black hair , well muscled. She looks like what every man dreams his girlfriend should look like naked."

Blair laughed."You mean she's naked?"

Jim laughed with him."Every time , Chief."

Blair finished he last of his juice , putting the glass in the sink as the phone rang.

"Hello?"

Simon was on the other end "Jim there , Sandburg?"

"Yeah , hold on."

Jim accepted the phone."What's up?"

"Come on down here. This is something I think you should look at."Jjim turned , grabbing a pencil and paper to write down the address."Alright , I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Well?"

Jim went up to the loft and began dressing."Simon's at a crime scene. He wants me down there."Dressed , he came back down the stairs , slipping into his jacket."Coming?"

"What's going on , Simon?" Jim slipped under the tape , flashing is badge.

Simon turned around."Hey , Jim. Tell me what yo think of this."

Jim held up one hand , cutting Simon off as he inhaled deeply.

"What is it?"

Jim looked around , puzzled."I smell a cat."

Blair and Simon looked at each other."A cat , Jim?"

"No , Simon , not a housecat. A male jaguar."Jim frowned , scenting the air again."Did they own any exotic pets?"

"Her , and no, she didn't." Simon's brow wrinkled as he thought.

"What's going on here! Let me by!"A young woman , no more than twenty eight , was wrestling with one of the cops.."I need to get by , now!"

"Well , looks like we might have an answer."Jim walked over to them."Jim Ellison , Cascade police."

She froze , liquid eyes sliding over Jim. He tensed. He knew those eyes."This is my mother's house."Her oddly accented voice rolled him under , curled around him."I want to know what has happened."

"Let her by." She detached herself from the officer , gliding under the tape.

"What has happened?"She demanded again , crossing her arms over her chest and scowling."Why are you at my mothers'?"

Simon walked up to them."Who is this?"

"Who are you?"She countered hotly."What are you doing at my mothers? Can I not get any answers here?"

"Woah , woah , Simon , let me handle this , ok?"He turned his attention back to the girl"This is your mothers house?"

She nodded."Yes , it is. I am Merisaine Diablo."She fumbled in her purse , pulling out her ID."See? My mother lives here." She pointed with her chin towards the house.

"Well , would you mind aswering a few quetions?"Simon took her aside as Blair came up.

"That's her , Chief."Jim frowned slightly.

"Her who? You mean , the girl from your dream?" Blair did a double take."Well , you sure have goood taste in the ones you dream about."

"I've never met her."He scented the air again."But I know her."

"Jim!" Simon waved the sentinel over to where he was. Merisane stood , head cocked to one side , as if thinking.

"What's up?"

Merisane looked up at him."That is not my mother , Detective Ellison.I do not know who it is."

Simon shrugged."Well , until we get a positive ID on the body , we only have your word on that , Ms. Diablo."

The firey woman shrugged , suddenly complacent."Take all the time you need."

Jim leafed through the report Simon handed him."So it isn't her mother."

Simon eased into his chair , lacing hihs hands on his stomach."Nope. It is one Roberta Silstienn."

Merisane folded her hands in her lap."Roberta was a good friend of Mother's."

"So , why would they confuse your mother with you?"Jim leaned on the desk.

"I do not think whoever did it meant to go after Mother. Roberta didn't look anything like her. Roberta looked like me. As for why , I can't answer that , either."

"Do youknow who it might be?"

Merisane thought for a second , mulling over Simon's question."I do not know who it could be. I do not know of anyone who might go to this extreme."

Jim's eyes narrowed at her last statement. She was hiding something. Something that made her nervous at the very least.

Her eyes flicked up and met his , daring him to reveal what he figured out.

"Well , Jim turned to Simon,"I think it would be for the best if Ms. Diablo was put into protective custody for the time being."

Simon nodded , completely oblivois to the exchange."I agree. What do you think , Ms. Diablo?"

She smiled at him , baring her teeth a bit at Jim."I think it would be fine."

"Well , how about you take her , Jim?"

"Uh , I don't know about that one Simon..."

Simon snorted."Come on , Jim. I don't see why not."

Blair piped up."Yeah , I don't see the problem with that , either."

"Stay out of this , Chief. Look , I can't go around , pulling every potential suspect into my place..."

"I am not a potential suspect, "Merisane butted in."I would never have done this. I would never hurt my mother or Roberta." She pulled ehr lips back , almost snarling at him.

"Look , Ms. Diablo , I'm not saying you did do it , but if..."

"Alright!" Simon stood , silencing everyone."Look , it would be a whole lot easier if you took her for a night or two , Jim. Then , if need be , we can find sosmewhere else she can stay." The three of them nodded."Good. Now that it's settled , out , all of you. This is an office , not a goddamn three ring circus."

Simon closed his door , shaking his head and sighing.

"Look , Jim , I don't see the problem in letting her stay a few days , that's all."

Jim looked over his shoulder at the woman trailing behind."I do. Why have I been dreaming about her for close to six weeks? What is up with her? I don't know , Chief. Plus , she lied to Simon when she said that she couldn't think of anyone who would do that , and she knew."

Blair looked over his shoulder , brow furrowed."Knew what?"

"Knew that I could tell she lied."The two smiled tightly at each other as they got into the elevator.

"Have a nice conversation while I was back there?"

Jim's smile tightened."Peachy."

"Look , you guys , let's go to dinner , huh? My treat."Blair smiled in an effort to cheer everyone up."I heard that new japanese restaurant is excelent."

Merisane's mouth stretched in what Blair hoped was a smile."Sounds good."

They arrived at the restaurant with minimal fuss in the car , which suprised Blair. The only thing she asked was if she could pick up some clothes and feed her cat before going back with them.

"This is good , Chief."Jim swallowed the last of his food.

"I come here quite a bit."Merisane added as she took a sip of her water.

Blair's eyes rolled back. The thought was to get them to talk , not to argue.

"Ok , you two , this , this is stupid. You are acting like a bunch of three year olds , for crying out loud!"

Jim and Merisane looked at each other."But we're not the ones yelling in the middle of the restaurant,"Merisane pointed out."So we're being polite three year olds."

"The lady's got a point , Chief." Jim chuckled.

"Oh , so you're backing me up now? I didn't know you could think that well."

Blair shook his head as he paid."You know , I will never understand you , either of you."

"This is it." Merisane hopped out of the vehicle before it came to a complete stop. She was at the door before they caught up to her.

"You should have let me go first."

She looked over her shoulder , smiling , as she flicked the lights on."Sorry to disapoint you , but I do not do the damsel in destress rutine well."

The living room was very ultarian , functional , sterile. White sofa , recliner , grey carpeting. Even the bookcase and entertainment unit were white.

"I do not have guests over very often. you can wait in the den. It is a bit more hospitable , at the very least."

"This is fine." Jim smiled at her.

She looked at him as if he was crazy before shrugging."If you say so , Detective."She dispeared down the hall.

"Jim , man , what is up with you?"Blair sat down on the oh so sterile couch , staring at his friend."You're acting , funny."

Jim inhaled deeply , looking around."I smell a jaguar."

Blair's brow furrowed."The same one you smelled earlier?"

"No , this one's female." He shook his head to clear it. Something about it was familiar."Looks like her cousin is here , though."

Blair looked to where his sentinel was pointing. A black and white cat rubbed againt the wall , purring , before sauntering over to Blair. He squinted at the name tag around the feline's neck as he petted her.

"Karamiekos. Interesting name."

Karamiekos hissed , baring teeth before leaping off of Blair's lap as suddenly as she came. The cat darted to the back rooms.

Jim unholstered the gun , slipping down the hall. Faint sounds drifted towards his ears. Blair followed close behind. He heard a scuffle coming from two closed doors. HAnd on the knob , he jumped as the cat leaped out at him , eyes flashing green before disapearing. Merisane broke through the door as Jim cursed the cat , slamming into the wall with enough force to crack the plaster in several places.

"Cascade Police! Freeze!"

The man stepped out , hands tangled in the tousled brown nest of hair on his head. Teeth bared , he snarled at the two men in the hall."Beware Jim Ellison of Cascade Police."

"What are you doing here?"

He smiled crookedly."What makes you think that I am even here?" He disapeared out the way he came.

Merisane sat up slowly , hand cradling the back of her head. Blair knelt next to her."Don't move."

She waved him off with one hand but stayed on the floor."If I am not dead , then it means that I will survive."She glanced around."Where's Jim?"

Blair looked up to the broken door and sighed."I think he went to see if he could find that guy who threw you."