The pub that Mike mentioned was a large hall-like building that looked a little run down on the outside. It looked like a classical Victorian house that appeared in some western movies, alone in the vast empty landscape around them. It was well into the night when they reached the place- they could hear the noise inside, the familiar sound of a large group getting drunk and having a blast. In a strange way, they all felt a little nostalgic and homesick.

Although the outside didn’t look too promising, inside was very well furnished and equipped with all the necessary club essentials.

Nick looked around nervously. “I really don’t like this.” He said to no one in particular. Ashley laughed. “Oh, little Nicky’s scared of crowds,” she cooed, affectionately linking her arm around his. He jumped slightly, panic rushing over him.

“Don’t worry. I’ll stay with you.” She said.

Almost involuntarily, he glanced back to see where Rachael was. She was watching the little scenario, then with a little shrug turned to disappear into the crowd. When he turned back, Ashley gave him a strange look, but immediately smiled.

“OK, split and mingle,” Kevin said, heading for the dance floor.

“I thought that was my motto,” AJ mused before following him.

The music in the place ranged from rock, jazz, funk, and other varieties. A DJ and a live band of some kind shared the stage in front of the dance floor, which was occupied by people gyrating to the music. Around the place were booth seats and a bar. Everyone was having a fantastic time- except Nick.

He had told himself over and over that he wouldn’t let the stalker affect him. That he was going to go on with his life and not think about her. But the sight of large crowds, dark lighting and the ever-haunting fear of being watched returned with a force, not allowing him to think at all. For a moment pure fear seized him, and even Ashley looked threatening, pulling him over to the dance floor. He stopped suddenly, much to Ashley’s surprise. She looked back. “What’s wrong?”

“Uh…nothing.” He lied quickly. “Listen, I’m not really in the mood to…dance. I’ll just sit somewhere.”

She frowned, probably seeing him for the first time. “Okay, if you don’t want to, then I guess we’ll just go and have a drink.”

“You can go if you want,” he told her quickly.

She smiled. “Nah. It won’t be any fun without you. Come on.” Then she dragged him over again. That was going to be a habit, he thought with resignation.

He wondered where Rachael was.

“What can I get for you?” the bartender asked.

“Actually, I was just wondering if there was any back door to this place,” Rachael said casually.

He laughed. “Lady, this is a pub. People come in one door and go out the other.” He pointed where a huge double door swung back and forth near the back of the room. “Through there.”

“Thanks.” Rachael turned back to survey the scene. What the hell am I doing here? She thought disgustedly. Tonight the report for the blood-written letter was arriving to her computer. She needed to see it desperately. It was the entire clue she needed. If the blood matched with a person…she knew this was going to be over pretty soon. Maybe I’m wrong, she pondered silently, her eyes scanning over the noisy crowd. Maybe it was just a fan. If it was just a fan, than she would have no idea where they were. Rachael had done a thorough security check. The media was baffled; no one knew where the BSB were exactly. Rumors were buzzing around like mad hornet nest. With luck, no one would find out.

That’s a bet I’m going to lose, she thought absently. But if it is someone closer…that was more threatening.

Her gaze flicked over Nick, who sat with the photographer’s assistant. What was her name again…Ashley Wilburn. Studied photography at Chicago, and had been Helen Moore’s assistant for four years. Chain-smoker. Got in trouble with the police when she was fifteen for possession of Heroine.

She rubbed the bridge of her nose wearily. What was the point of it? She was presenting no harm to the kid. Christ, she thought wryly, it’ll take about an hour to untangle her from him.

“Something funny, Harrison?”

Rachael sighed inwardly and turned towards the voice. Carlos again. She frowned as she saw Mark joining him, and then Remo. All three looked a little tipsy.

“Come on, Rocky,” Mark said, smirking. “Have a drink with us, buddy.”

“I don’t think so.” She told them coolly before turning.

“Oh? So you’re too good to have a drink wit’ us?” Carlos sniggered. “Tell you what, tough woman, I think you’ve got something up your ass.” He took a swig of his drink.

“Yeah, Carter’s head!” Mark joined in, and the three roared with laughter.

That was the last straw. Rachael whirled around and raised her fist to smash that sneer off the pig’s face, only to find herself held back by strong arms. “Rachael, calm down!” Marcus hissed down her ear. “They’re only pissing you off. It’s not worth it.”

“Ooh, look at that,” Carlos sneered. “The little tigress has a temper. Whatcha gonna do, scratch my eye out?” he roared with laughter again. “Come on, baby, why don’tcha try out?”

“That’s enough, man,” Kevin’s voice said curtly, cutting through their laughter. The three bodyguards instantly sobered.

“Stop goading her and get back to work.” AJ said just as shortly, jerking his head at the drunken group. As they filed off, Rachael roughly shook free of Marcus, straightening her jacket. Damn assholes, she cursed, furious. Damned sexist bastards.

“You okay, Rachael?” Kevin asked, looking worried. “I just saw Marc holding you back and-”

“I’m fine,” she said icily, her face as hard as chiseled stone. She turned abruptly and walked away from the scene, trying to calm down. She berated herself for losing control like that. But it was spilt water. I’m just as bad as they are, she thought bitterly.

On her way to the bathroom, she felt someone looking at her. She looked up and saw Julian standing not far away, his face expressionless. His eyes said far more. One day, she told him silently, one day I’m going to find out just who you are.

Wait and see, his gaze told her.

The rest of the night passed without any more incidents. Nick was blissfully unaware of the small scuffle between his bodyguard and the rest of the security. He was too busy trying to get Ashley off him. She was okay, but they way she clung to his arm all the time was getting very irritating. He drew back from the overpowering smell of her perfume, feeling slightly queasy. He looked up, wondering if Rachael would come over and get him out of here. He found here near the bar, talking to Marcus. He frowned, puzzled. Actually, it was Marcus talking to her. She wasn’t even looking at him, her arms crossed and the stony look on her face. What happened?

“Who is she?” Ashley’s voice made him jump slightly. “What?”

“I said, who is that redhead you’re staring at?” Ashley said, her voice a little sullen. “You’ve been looking at her all night.”

“No one, really.” He said.

“I saw her hanging around the sets,” she persisted. “Who is she, anyway? Your girlfriend?”

Nick choked on the soda he was drinking. It would have been damned funny if he wasn’t coughing so hard. Girlfriend, Rachael?

Unfortunately, Ashley took this coughing fit as a yes. “Well, what are you hanging around me for?” she asked, her tone snippy.

He was about to point out the fact that she was doing the same, but a hand tapped his shoulder. It was Brian. “Hey, it’s nearly four. Helen’s gonna get ticked off if we don’t show up at the set in the morning.”

Nick nodded, glad for the excuse to end the night. He could see that they rest of the guys were rounding up their security. He looked for Rachael again in the crowd.

“Ready to go?”

He whirled around and saw her standing behind him. He nodded. “Yeah.”

Ashley shot them a look filled with venom and stormed away to catch up with the rest of the group. Rachael’s brow rose inquiringly, as if asking for an explanation.

Nick shrugged. “I ain’t done nothing.” He said innocently.

She shook her head. “Let’s go.”

“Honestly, I didn’t.” he said as they started walking out of the crowded room.

“I never said you did.” Her reply sounded irritated.

“Then what’s the attitude for?” he asked bluntly.

Rachael turned to him, about to tell him off, when a shout rose over the general noise. “Commander?” the voice sounded incredulous. “Commander Harrison!” a man about mid-twenty in a blue uniform made his way towards the group, his face alight with a huge grin as he saw the person he recognized.

All heads whipped around to stare at Rachael. The young man was grinning as he approached her. “My God, I can’t believe it’s you, Commander! It is you, right?”

A wry smile curled up Rachael’s lips and she shook the man’s hand. “Hey, Boomer. What are you doing down here in the middle of nowhere?” she greeted the lieutenant.

The man laughed. “Got promoted last year. You know how it works. How’ve you been, ma’am? I heard something about you before, then they were saying how you disappeared-”

“It’s past history, Edwards.” Rachael cut him off, glancing at Nick. “I’d really like to stay, but my client’s about to leave. Maybe we can catch up later.”

The officer nodded, looking as if he would like to know the whole story. He looked at Nick, who looked stunned, then recognition came to his face. “Hey, you’re the lot that’s staying down at the resort, right?”

Nick looked uncomfortable. “Well-”

“Don’t worry, I won’t blow your cover.” He said heartily. “Don’t know what you’re doing there, but if Commander Harrison’s there, I suppose it’s fairly important.”

Just then Billy came back and whispered, “The rest of the guys were waiting. Come on.”

“I’ll see you later, Sean.” Rachael said somberly, shaking the man’s hand again and giving him a pat on the shoulder. Then she turned and followed the rest of the group out, looking as if nothing happened.

Nick’s head was spinning all the way back to the resort. The guys looked shocked as well. Commander? She was in the Navy?

Commander…?