A Psychic Approach (Closed)

[RockYourWorld]

Todd Baker had worked hard to make Detective, but he had not made friends. He looked around the squad room at the other Detectives, all of them at least 15 years older than his 25 years. They stood there, drinking coffee, looking at him and laughing amongst themselves. Those old grizzled vets had come up with a nick-name for Todd – they called him “Bill Gates” because of Todd’s affinity for solving crimes with modern technology. Todd just shook them off and went about his job, confident in the fact that he was the future of law-enforcement, and those guys were the dinosaurs.

At this moment, he was examining the spectromital digital analysis readout of carpet fibers from a recent murder. Earlier, he had studied the printouts of a bio-containment/rejection match physio – analysis and was about to run a quasi-seminal probability match on the separate results. Later, he would go to the crime lab and check out the blood separation results from the genetic marker synthesis recreator, which would give him a tri-angular match approach paradigm – all of which, of course, would increase his chance of identifying a suspect.

Todd let out a sigh. He shook his head, knowing there were only one or two people in his whole squad that understood any of this. He was a very techno-savy cop. His dual major in Biology and Forensics would one day land him in his cherished job of special agent in the FBI. But for now, he had to bide his time, doing his job, and being repeatedly frustrated as he attempted to explain his approach to his captain and fellow detectives. That was truly frustrating. None of these men understood him. Most laughed and ridiculed him.

Todd’s singular approach to his work did not excuse him from orders from his superiors. The deceased on the case he was working on was someone of note. Rumor was she was the mistress of the Mayor. Todd could see the roadblocks being put up as he investigated this murder. His captain had told him to be prepared for “a diverse array of investigative methods” when working on this case.

He looked at an email that had the name of a woman Todd was to contact. This woman was made available to the police department on a free-lance basis to assist in the solving of difficult crimes. This woman was a psychic. Todd let out a sigh again. Great. A psychic. I doubt if she’s gonna be much help with the bio-containment/rejection match physio-analysis. He picked up his phone and dialed her number.

“Hello, this is Detective Todd Baker,” he said when she picked up. “I was instructed by my Captain to contact you about assisting with a murder investigation.”

 

[Mystical Avalon]

Serenity Halliwell

She had been expecting his call and the voice on the other line told her one thing. He was really not into this at all. She had been known to work various cases with the PD because of her abilities to see the past and to detect the future.

Most felt it was a hoax but of the 30 or so cases she had been involved in, only 2 were left unsolved. She did not feel that exploitation of her skills was necessary and always made it a point to never be seen anywhere near the crime, crime scene, or any other investigations. She felt that all the modern technology was useful. Of course, but, there were things that you could not get from a hair, or from DNA left at the scene. There was a heat given by the dead. A cold heat if you will, that they leave behind. More often than not, she was left with that dead chill in her own dreams for many nights after.


Her voice was soft as she spoke. She had been in meditation when the phone rang.

"First lets get something straight. I know you do not feel my help is necessary. I can tell that from your tone. Yet, Detective Barker, if I may, there are things about me which you do not know yet you sit just on the other line and judge my character. You fell your wasting your time am I correct? I do not wish to take you any of your valuable time, and will say this. I do not understand all the new methods of evidence collections. I know what I feel, and I know what I see. If I can touch it is it real. If I can smell it, it was there. Im a simple person Detective. I am only helping out of compassion. Are we clear?" her words seemed to be tasteless in her mouth.

She had seen this many times in her work. They expect some dim witted old bat with cats everywhere that made the witches in all the fairy tales look like supermodels.

She was not like the others. Her gift was a true gift. She hid it well under her petite frame. She wore glasses but they only served to accent her deep blue eyes. Her hair was natural brown, a little softly curled just above her shoulders. She stood a whopping 5'5 and at `125 pounds, she looked like her 15 year old neice. Yet here she was a woman at 22.


(hope thats okey if not let me know)

 

[RockYourWorld]

As he listened to her, he admitted that most of what she said was right on target. But it didn’t take a psychic to read tone of voice, including the choice of words Todd had used…”I was instructed by my Captain to contact you….”

But, whatever. He was told to include her in the investigation, and he was going to do as ordered. “yes, Ms…..Ms…..” Damn, he forgot her name already! “Halliwell! Ms. Halliwell, yes. You’ve made yourself clear. It sounds like you’re as excited about this working arrangement as I am. So maybe we can get it done quickly and both of us can go on with out lives.”

He reached for the case file that he had only recently collected and put back together.

“How do you usually do this, Ms. Halliwell? Should I escort you to the crime scene? Maybe you’d like to see or touch some of the victims personal affects? Or, perhaps we can light some candles and see if the ghost of the victim shows up and ID’s her killer? Help me out, I’m not sure of the protocol.”

He knew that last comment would be viewed as sarcastic, but it was true. He really didn’t know how to go about this. He was looking for someway to involve her, meet his requirements, then be done with it.

“Maybe I can come pick you up, Ms. Halliwell, and we can talk about what to do next.” He waited for her reply. As he sat there on the phone, he saw the dinosaurs looking at him, laughing.

 

[Mystical Avalon]

"Let me explain something to you Mr. Barker, my purpose in this case is soley at the discretion of your captain and will not be treated lightly. I so not have to go to the scene of the crime. If there is to be a ritual performed, maybe it could be useful to use yourself as a guinea pig. That is after all, what you are isnt it? A pig? I do not take this lightly and I expect you not to either. If you feel the need to do it and get off, then you shall bring the files by my home later today." she said and slammed the receiver down.

How dare he make fun of her. She knew her way around a police department. She had grown up in one. Her father and mother were both beat cops and they had both been killed in the line of duty. He would not make a farce of this or her.

Steaming, she rose to go into the kitchen. Beating her hands on the sink, she let out a loud screech. Her anger, welled inside her, fought with her sanity. When she saw the little girl in her kitchen, she realised it was her first clue.

She did not speak nor acknowledge the apparition. She waited. Watching.

The little girl walked to the table, then back to the door. When her dead eyes turned to Serenity and spoke her name, Serenity screamed.

This would be the hardest case she would work on.

 

[RockYourWorld]

All Todd could think about was his application to join the FBI. Please God. LEt me be accepted soon! Enough of this foolishness!

Todd gathered his files and made his way out of the office. On his way out, he was stopped by one of the dinosaurs. "Treat that lady with respect," the dinosaur said. her old man Manny was a hell of a cop. Took one in the line of duty." Todd didn't react much, not wanting to give the dinosaur the satisfaction. But it was an interesting fact.

Making his way to his car, Todd looked at the address of Ms. Serenity. Good neighborhood, known for its characters. No doubt Ms. Serenity was one of them. Daughter of a slain police officer, huh? That was interesting. He had to park his car about two blocks from her house, this being the city, but he found her house and knocked on the door.

When she answered, he had his shield ready for her to see. "Hello Ms. Halliwell. Detective Todd Baker." He couldn't help but notice the ashen look on her face.

 

[Mystical Avalon]

She could only stare at him. He stood at her door, yet her mind was on the apparition misting away just beyond the foyer.

"I am not the boogyman Mr. Baker, that thing will not scare me off. Please put it away, I do not wish you to perform like a trained monkey for my pleasure" she said acknowledging the badge. She moved slightly left allowing him entrance into her home. It was sparcely furnished and rightly so. When her ex had left he took anything and most everything that wasnt nailed down.


"I made some fresh lemonade earlier and if you like you may help yourself to it. I am not non hospitable Mr. Baker, I find it much easier if those people whom choose to see the inside of my home acquainte themselves withit on their own. It is much cozier that way. Besides, behind your dark glasses, I can see your contempt for me and what I do. You read like an open book sir" she said waving the way into the kitchen. She caught a glimpse of herself in the foyer mirror. She looked like death. It would be rightly so. The apparition knew her name. That among the living was a death sentence waiting to happen.

 

[RockYourWorld]

Todd entered the house and immediately took inventory, as most detectives do, even young inexperienced ones like himself. He noticed the sparse furnishings, figuring that being a psychic maybe had its benefits, but a fat paycheck wasn’t among them. It didn’t matter to Todd. His apartment had even less furniture than this. Single, in a strange town, very few friends…there was no need for a flashy apartment. Todd wondered, for only a second, whether or not he and Serenity were alike in some ways.

“It’s just a form of identification, Ms. Halliwell,” Todd said as he put the badge away. He hated showing it anyway. When he showed it, he felt like those cops on television.

“Thank you, some lemonade would be fine.” He took off his sunglasses in response to her comment, and gave her another look. He poured himself the drink, but kept looking at her, something seeming very wrong, as if she had just been threatened, or received some bad news.

“I have no contempt for you, Ms. Halliwell. I may not be convinced your “gifts” as they were, are going to be much help to me in my investigation. That doesn’t mean I’ll treat you with any degree of disrespect.”

As Todd drank the lemonade, he watched Serenity glancing at herself in the mirror. It was very obvious that she didn’t like what she saw.

“Forgive me for being forward, ma’am, but are you ok? Is there something wrong? You seem upset about something.”

Todd looked around for any signs of trouble. An intruder maybe? He prepared himself for the possibility, making himself aware of his sidearm without actually reaching for it.

 

[Mystical Avalon]

"May I call you Todd? Todd, What contempt you have for my "gifts" as you call them means nothing to me. If you had even the slightest uncertainty as to my accredidation, you would not be here no matter who or what sent you here. My current problem, is a dead child speaking my name. I am to guess, that is the case your working on. A child missing, maybe more. She spoke my name. To you that means nothing, to me, it means the worst" her face still ashy, colored around her cheeks.

He was a very nice looking man and the realization hit her that it had been some time since she had been with a man in any sense of the word. She noted the way his hair was neatly trimmed and cut. His suit was pressed. He was a rookie, but, he was determined.

She liked the way he measured the situation before he spoke. For some reason, she found herself straying back to look at his mouth. She wanted to feel his lips on hers. She wanted to feel his arms around her. She needed to be comforted right now, but his arrogance held her at bay. She would have trouble with this one.

"You are a determined man, Mr. Baker. The youth still burning in your veins. Your a go getter and thats an attricute that commends you. Yet, your detachement harbours a weakness. Tell me more about why you moved here and why you left your last job" she wanted to pit it in his face that he could hide nothing from her but, she was drained and felt an argument was not good for her nor him at this time.

 

[RockYourWorld]

I need to be psychic, Todd thought, to keep up with this lady. Just moments ago, he sensed that she was in danger. Then, only brief seconds after that, she almost seemed to be indicating that she maybe wanted to approach him, for him to approach her.

But that was crazy, Todd thought. They were talking for only the second time, and each time they were like cats and dogs, bickering and dissing each other. Todd really didn’t need to be wasting time with this lady. She didn’t need to be a psychic to figure out that he was tiring of her quickly.

But her question startled him. Why did she want to know why he moved here? What was she getting at? As he looked at her without speaking, he knew he was striking a defensive pose. Could she possibly know….?

“I’m not sure what that has to do with the matter at hand, Ms. Halliwell. I’m not sure how you can convince me how my personal history has anything to do with a woman’s murder. A murder, I need to remind you, you have been retained to help me investigate. Now if you want to continue to play parlor games, I’ll come back when I’m off duty. As for now, I’d like to stick to the matter at hand.”

It was harsh, and he immediately regretted saying it. Maybe she wasn’t prying, just trying to be friendly, in her own mysterious way. Todd let out a sigh that betrayed his disappointment in himself. He just wished he could be in the crime lab, looking over the date, rather than being here with an attractive woman that he continued to insult.

 

[Mystical Avalon]

Turning to him, her face covered with rage she spoke.

"the clean inside safeness of your crime lab will not help you here Mr. Baker. Your contempt is disgusting and I would regard your act as childish and foolish. If your distrust of me and my usefulness of this case is such, you know where the door is but I will tell you one thing. Inside that file, there are things that will make you loose sleep. There are things inside that file, neither you nor any technical team could handle nor understand. What lies inside those bleach white papers is murder, sadism, and abuse. Not only was she murdered, she was tortured. Coming on the heels of the abuse she sustained as a child Mr. Baker, you need to know that she was invited to this and she chose it. But, he killed her out of hatred and lust. Why? because she wanted it so. Am I correct?" she stood over him now.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught movement and turned. There in the corner, stood the little girl. This time, Serenity had no time to collect herself. When she spoke her name, she hit the floor in a dead faint.

She woke with Todd cradleing her head in his lap.

 

[RockYourWorld]

Todd Baker approached his job as a man of science, and so far it had served him well. He had been able to rise up through the ranks of the police department by sticking to the foundation of facts, analyzing data that presented itself, allowing for all possibilities, and eliminating these possibilities by deduction, leg work, and good, effective procedures.

He had been able, for the most part, to keep an open mind to various methods of police work, but only within reason. At this moment, Todd didn’t know what to think, or what to do.

Serenity had gone into a rage, lambasting him for the way she thought he was disrespecting her. He had felt bad about what he had said to her, and actually had an inclination to apologize to her, but before he could, Serenity had gone into a rage, speaking of torture, murder….what the hell is she talking about? Before he could ask her what this all meant, she had turned and reacted, again, as if she had seen something threatening her.

And then, she fainted.

Todd picked her up and carried her to her bed. He climbed the narrow stairway to her bedroom. He remarked to himself that she was so small and light, almost like a child. Her current condition of vulnerability only brought that home more so. He took her to her bed and laid her down, but as soon as she did, Serenity began to stir uncomfortably, as if having a nightmare. Todd touched her shoulder to calm her, and she responded and calmed down. But as soon as he removed his hand, she again began to stir.

Todd looked around, helplessly. Resigned to the situation, he climbed up on the bed with Serenity and stroked her hair. Like a child comforted by a parent, Serenity unconsciously laid her head on Todd’s lap and fell to sleep.

Todd began to think that he would be held here all night until Serenity woke up. As she slept with her head on his lap, he looked at her slight frame. When she would stir occasionally, he would touch her hair, stroking it gently, comforting her. Todd began to forget about police work, murders, and psychics. He just wanted to comfort Serenity, who right now was just someone who needed his help.

Todd looked again at her. She was an attractive woman. He hadn’t actually taken a second to notice that until now. They had been at each other’s throats from the beginning. He was able to see her legs as she lay on her side, and he admired her body as she snuggled up against him. Todd assumed that Serenity would be angry if she knew that he was looking at her in this way. If she was good at what she did, she might figure it out on her own.

Suddenly, she began to wake up. Slowly, she raised her head, looking around, disoriented.

“Are you OK, Serenity?” Todd asked with genuine concern.

 

[Mystical Avalon]

She woke easily. She knew where she was, how she had gotten there. She was also aware of the sexual tension that had somehow reared its head between them. When she met his gaze, his eyes gave him away. He was scared about what was different. If he could not touch it, it was not there.

She read him for a minute and then, choosing her words carefully, she spoke.

"If you had read your case file, you would understand. What just happened was a taste of what you will be dealing with. I do apologize for the way it came out. Sometimes, the spirits speak with such force it paralyzes our abillity to rationalize things. We have a task set ahead of us that will take us into the darkest worlds, Mr. Baker" she said and continued, "thank you for your kindness. I do want to apologize for my actions. I am not by nature and mean person. Yet your problematice understanding of what I do put me on the defensive. I should ask if there is any way I can make up for that" she said.

Smiling at him, she touched his skin. Cool against her own warmth, she waited, doing what he wanted her to do. Allowing him to make the first move.

 

[RockYourWorld]

Todd looked at her a moment as she spoke. He still felt as though she was being condescending, but he let it pass. The recent events were either an incredibly choreographed show, or an indication of how this case was going to progress over the coming weeks. Todd was too practical to eliminate any options, so it looked like Serenity Halliwell was going to be his partner, whether he liked it or not.

When her hand touched his skin, he felt her heat…almost an unnatural heat, if he was honest enough with himself to admit it. Her words that accompanied her touch…”Is there anyway I can make up for that?”…was she…was she….making advances?

Todd had to think fast. He was used to that in his line of work, but that talent didn’t help him much in matters like this. If he was right, and she was seducing him…well, she WAS very attractive, definitely the most attractive woman Todd had been with in a very long time. But with his love life the way it was, that wasn’t much of a claim.

Of course, if he was wrong, he would look foolish. But what did he have to lose? There were already some bad feelings developing between them.

Todd didn’t like this. This wasn’t like his work, where he had control. Sex, relationships, etc. Not his best area. But her touch did feel good.

“If there is anyway you could do that, Serenity, maybe you could suggest it to me.” He smiled back, and put his hand in hers.

 

[Mystical Avalon]

She smiled again. Dropping her eyes for only an instance. Meeting his direct gaze, she sensed a tension. Nothing she could not handle.

"I know your hesitant. I never expected it to go this far anyways. You have a contempt for me that is not necessary. You do not understand what I do, yet here you are. By no choice, I know. What happened on your previous job, that was something you could not help. I am not like the others, Todd" speaking his name left her felling more calm.

Holding his hand, she turned it over and began tracing the lines. Deeply groved set his life line, that was a plus.

"Let me help you understand me better. Here, see, your life line. It is long and straight. Which means, that without eventfulness, your life has been a long string of following the rules, but see this little one? going left? that means that you will encounter something that will require your mind to wander from the straight and narrow" she slowly traced her fingers over the callused palm and continued.

"Your finacial status is weak and your not really a money miser. Yet, you tend to be safe again. Your love line, that is a totally different story all together. It is broken, and crooked. A string of bad love affairs, several broken or maybe one, broken engagements, your heart is on your sleeve, yet you guard it fiercely. You have a special place in your heart for your mother, whom was your guiding light and, there will be one woman that will release your heart from its prison and you will love. Yet it will be a strange and rough road" turning to him, she saw the realization in his eyes.

She had been right, the certainty in his face gave it away. Yet he steeled his jaw and pulled from her.

"I am only trying to help you understand me. If you continue to be closed minded, we will never find out what happened to the woman in the case. I need not look at the file to know that much. If you want, we can cut to the chase and get started. Or, we could continue getting to know each other" she hoped for the latter but did not expect it. She wanted to feel his callused hands on her smooth skin as the glided into places no one had touched in years. She wanted to feel the unbridled passion of sex and release any inhibitions they both harbourded.

She did not turn away from his stare this time but met it with one of her own intensity.

 

[RockYourWorld]

Todd let out a sigh. It was important to him that she understood that he was skeptical about her, but he had no interest in antagonize her, or agitate her. As long as he understood and respected his approach to his work and his life, he would grant her the same respect.

He felt this was at least a good start for a foundation for a relationship with her – a working relationship. But then, Serenity touched his hand.

It took his breath away, and he struggled to maintain his professional demeanor. She not only touched his hand, but was tracing her finger along his palm. At first, he didn’t listen to what she was saying, her touch was so mesmerizing. But gradually, he began to notice what she was saying….and it was all right on the mark!

How did she know these things? The way Todd’s mind worked, he didn’t attribute it to her “powers.” He figured she must have gotten hold of his police personnel file, and read up on him. But that didn’t make sense. Why would she bother to go through the trouble?

Besides, it didn’t matter. She was touching him, and it felt so good.

She presented him with an interesting proposition as they sat on her bed. Cut to the chase and get started, or continue to get to know each other. 99 times out of 100, Todd would get to work. But he was captivated by Serenity. He really had no choice, but he didn’t want a choice.

Todd tentatively leaned forward toward her, putting a hand behind her head and softly touched her curly hair, and kissed her.

 

[Mystical Avalon]

His lips were warm against hers and his touch was softer than she expected. She knew he was holding himself back and made no effort to bring him out just yet.

She let her tongue explore his, tasting the warmth of his mouth, inviting him to come closer. Her hands roamed over his arms feeling the tightness of his shirt on his muscles. She felt the twitch of each little tendon as his body responded to her touches. She pushed forward letting her body touch his.

The house was quiet around them and only their breathing could be heard. The sun lit the room allowing shadows to play on their faces. Their hands met, and tangled into each other. Pulling back, she blushed deep crimson.

"Something. Something inside me is responding to you in ways I havent felt in years. Yet, there is a stiffness here. Something holding you and I back from what we really want. I fear it will not let go until we get to work" she said and matching his own frustrated smile of her own, she patted his leg dangerously close to the hardon he was sporting.

"In time, there will be no need for this" she said as she placed her well trained hands on his zipper and undid them. She felt him spring free and wrapped her delicate fingers around his manhood. Tentively, she began using her fist as an outlet and allowed it to mock thrusts. She leaned closer until her lips were touching the head and kissed it. Hearing him hiss in approval, she took him long and slowly into the warm passage of her mouth and deep into her throat allowing her tongue to caress the warm soft folds of his shaft.

Building some lube inside her mouth, she pulled back slowly allowing the taste to linger on her lips, his precum. Salty, manly, it tasted like she had hoped and began in earnst sucking his cock. Never breaking eye contact, she met his lustful stares at her as she suckled him like a baby. Taking precious time and allowing no inch of skin to be untouched, she wound her tounge like a snake down and up the shaft and head of his bulging cock. Taking only a short time out to pull his balls in her mouth sucking and licking on them. As he grew closer to climax, she felt her own need burn inside her. Yet now was not the time for her, it was his time and she picked up her pace. Bobbing her head faster and faster, she felt him grow rigid under her and within seconds, more thick hot cumm was running down her throat. Loosing only the slightest drop, she took it all swallowing every bit.

 

[RockYourWorld]

He almost laughed when she said there was a “stiffness here.” Yeah, no kidding!! Again, she didn’t have to be a psychic to notice Todd’s stiffness.

But she continued to talk, speaking of something holding them back, stopping them from continuing on, stopping them from making love right here. He began to think she was stopping it all, signaling that they needed to get to work. But as she continued, she unzipped him. As she took hold of his cock, Todd let out a gasp, then held his breath. So much had attacked his senses since he entered this strange house, from the look on Serenity’s face when she appeared so terrified, to her feinting spell, contrasted by the moments of admiring her beauty as she lay sleeping on his lap.

Now, this. A small part of him wanted to stop her because of the uncertainty of it all, but that small part of it all was soon overcome by the sight and feel of Serenity sucking his cock. She did it so well, and he couldn’t help but enjoy it. He felt her lips and tongue working their magic on him, then had a private laugh at the ironic wording of that thought.

Her mouth on his balls just about set him off, and she seemed to sense that. She placed her mouth fully on the head of his cock just as his loud moan announced his orgasm, and she took it all willingly, with a smile on her face, and her eyes locked in his.

“Fair’s fair, Serenity. One thing you’re going to learn about police work is that partners support each other. Let me return the favor.”

 

[Mystical Avalon]

She wanted to allow him inside her, but, there was something telling her to stop him. How she longed to feel his touch was more the less important thing.

She could only push him away easily.

"Now is not the time for repayment. There are things we must address and now that your mind is relaxed and more open to suggestion, I think we should get to business. There will be a time, Todd Baker, that you will get your chance of repayment" she said softly. She allowed a moment to pass and stood from the bed. Gathering herself, she put her long hair back in a quick braid and turned to him again.

He was so unlike those others, and yet he was much more complicated.

"We can make our way to the parlor and discuss the facts at hand if you please now Todd. The time is closing about us and is running out" she said motioning towards the door.

She watched as he righted his pants and himself. The boyish qualities served to soften her heart towards him. He was so innocent. Without thinking, she reach her hand out to touch his hair and stroke his face.

"So troubled. So torn. What makes it so hard for you to look at that face in the mirror each morning? She was not real to you. She left you Todd. You did nothing wrong. The affair was with her own brother in law. There was nothing you could do about it. She had no heart. She only wanted to break you and whip you. There are those of us out there that would love the kindness and worship you would offer. Yet your heart still dwells on her. Why?" Serenity felt the pain and rejection surge through him and in an instant his whole being changed. He was no longer the innocent man in her bed but the hardnose unrelenting cop at her door.

 

[RockYourWorld]

As she touched his face, he wanted to forget all about murders and psychic powers, crime labs…all of it. Serenity was providing Todd a blessed escape to the drudgery and sameness of his life….the predictability of his work (along with the overall unpleasantness of it) and…and….well, other than his work, what was there? Was he that pathetic, that some unique woman could seduce him in this manner, give him a quick (but good!) blow job, and have him at her feet?

The fact of the matter was, she did have him at her feet like an obedient puppy. He would follow her anywhere right now. He actually enjoyed the feeling, but was disciplined enough to not allow the enjoyment to continue. There was work to be done, as she had said. If it were up to Todd, he would be taking her long flowing skirt from her, slowly unbuttoning her blouse, laying her on the bed, and making love to her. She indicated to him this was possible in the future. As his fantasy thoughts began to melt and the cold reality of the work at hand began to take hold, he wondered if she REALLY had any intention of that happening.

They made their way to the parlor. Parlor….That’s funny, Todd thought. Why is it only Psychic’s and Fortune Tellers had Parlors? As they walked, Todd listened to her assessment of a difficult time in his life. Yes, she had the details right. She wanted him to believe that she “read his mind” and was able to see what he had endured, what caused him pain, pain that seemed to be visible to her. She was good, he admitted. But, as he found out back in the squad room, Serenity was the child of police officers. And everything she had just described was in his personnel file. But he went along with her.

“As far as why I dwell on it…well, its human nature to do so, wouldn’t you say? Most people don’t give thanks for the good things they have. They regret what they don’t have, and wallow in the misery. I see it everyday, the dark side of the human soul. Most people are able to keep a lid on their dark side. Some can’t. In extreme cases, the dark side overtakes the person, and murder results. The dark side of the soul retreats and escapes, leaving the rest of that person to answer for the deed. That’s unfortunate, on some level. But no one ever said life was fair, did they Ms. Halliwell?”

They sat at a small table, Todd looking at Serenity. “I’m glad you sense the time getting away from us. 95% of all murders not solved within the first 48 hours go unsolved. My superiors won’t settle for this one going unsolved, so the sooner we get to work, the better. Time is not something I have to waste."

 

[Mystical Avalon]

She knew his thoughts, yet passed them as inexperience. She had no time to bicker with him.

The file was enormous and as usual, she knew that it was rightfully so. The pictures inside the file served only to weigh her burden on her shoulders and offer the satisfaction of proof to Todd, that, she knew what she was doing.

It was the first time she had seen the file and right there in black and white told the tale. Murder, sexual perversion, underground sex clubs, extreme sex. things she would undoubtedly bring home with her, yet, she knew she could not escape.

Turning to Todd, she began. Her voice once again low and commanding.

"How much is known of these clubs Ms. Halley Preston frequented? She was the upstanding citizen with skeletons in her closet. Bright future, wealthy family, outstanding citizenship. With a penchant for BDSM under the dark of night. How interesting" Serenity said. She watched as he took the papers out of the file. Meticulously seperating each one into its own pile. Serenity could not work this way but was willing to let him have some control.

She watched as he laid out the file. His hands were clean yet his nails were ragged and edgy. Under that clean cut skin lay a troubled soul. Something in his manner caused her to watch more carefully. When he pulled the shot of a beautiful Halley Preston from the file she saw the sadness in his eyes overwhelm him.

He was her fiance. The man she was to marry before she got killed. Why could she not sense that before?

"Her perversions dirtied up your cleanliness didnt it? That was why you wanted her Todd wasnt it? Because you wanted to have those inhibitions? To be free like her? Yet your own inner demons would not let you" she said. Her breath caught in her throat as he met her eyes. The fire inside that man was deadly and she would know her place soon enough.

 

[RockYourWorld]

Was this another piece of his personnel file she read? That Halley and he had been engaged? That might explain how, for the first time, Serenity had it right, but not quite EXACTLY right.

“EX-fiance,” Todd said with the proper emphasis. “Believe me, if she dirtied up anything, it wasn’t me. She did a number on herself, even before she managed to finally screw up enough and do something to get herself killed. She was surrounded by people her whole life that warned her that playing with fire gets you burned. Not just me…her friends, her family…we all warned her. Even after we broke up, I would tell her to watch who she associated with, be careful who she was pissing off.”

Todd looked at the picture of Halley, laying dead, hoping that one day he would be able to purge this image from his head, but realizing that this was how he would be forced to remember her for years to come. The memory of the terrible day he had to tell her parents of it all…..

“But no, not Halley. She knew better than anyone.” He shook his head, and looked up to Serenity. “If I have any inner demons, it’s the kind that look for those responsible for Halley’s death, and others like it. My relationship to the deceased has no bearing what so ever on how she was killed, or who killed her.

He swallowed hard and thought about his next statement, but said it anyway. “You seem to have some very real, tangible talents, Serenity. I’m seeing that you have something to contribute. I’d appreciate it if you’d aim your talents at the matter at hand, and less on my feelings and personal history.” He made his point, and softened his approach, leaning back in his seat.

“Maybe, AFTER we solve this murder, we can spend some time talking about each other’s personal history….in a much more relaxed atmosphere, like the one we just shared upstairs.

 

[Mystical Avalon]

She could not believe how nonchalantly he made his last request. As if she would even consider fucking him. Well, of course she had, that was hit to her. Yet, here they stood, obviously something there and yet neither of them wanted to acknowledge.

She knew that getting intimate with him would bring her so close to the deep gulf that lay within him, that she may fall in and not find her way back. Yet, she wanted that. She wanted to loose herself in him.

Being the ever acommodating person she was, she merely raised and eyebrow and smiled at him.

"If you want to get to know me more intimately, Mr. Baker, all you have to do is ask. I am not a shy person. My own demons do not control my needs and wants. Thank you for acknowledging my talents yet, we sit here, trying to discren a file that neither of us can concentrate on. So, lets push this aside" she said closing the file laying it just out of his reach, " and take this time to actually get to know one another humm?" she said. She smiled at him sweetly, almost lustfully.

"Ask me anything, what would you like to know?" she said. This time pushing her own chair back, propping her legs up allowing the material of her skirt to fall around her hips revealing her legs.

 

[RockYourWorld]

Todd looked at the file as Serenity closed it. It bothered him somewhat that they were not getting right to work on the case, but the images of his dead ex-fiancé were something he could put away and deal with later.

Halley Preston was ancient history to Todd. Yes, he had loved her, and was ready to make a life commitment to her. He thought that she felt the same way about him, and had said as much to him. But she had demons, far bigger and menacing than anything Serenity thought she saw in Todd. Drugs became a part of Halley’s life. At first, her behavior while using drugs wasn’t noticeable, but that quickly changed. Her increased need to get high often left Todd looking at her like she was another person. He even called her by another name when she got high…an inebriated Halley became Courtney. Halley thought this was funny, and even called herself that when making stops along her nightspots of choice.

Those nightspots, it turned out, were not places you find listed in the yellow-pages. Halley hadn’t shared her attraction to these places with Todd, and he may have never found out unless a detective friend of his from the vice squad hadn’t tipped him off. The detective told him a sex club was busted, but the police department wasn’t going to make any arrests, or say anything publicly about the bust. He showed Todd pictures taken by an undercover cop of the goings-on in the club. When Todd looked at the pictures, he noticed two things.

The first thing he saw was Halley, naked, on her back, and one man between her legs, his cock buried in her pussy. Her head was turned toward the camera, but standing at her face, with his cock buried deep in her mouth, was man that Todd recognized, and made him understand why this particular bust would not be prosecuted.

In the picture, fucking Halley’s face, was the Mayor.

Did Serenity “know” this? She had mentioned Halley’s proclivities, as if they were secrets to Todd. They weren’t, of course, even if Todd had tried to keep that from Serenity.

He looked at her as she relaxed in her chair, her legs now exposed to him. He allowed himself a good look. There was no use in disguising the fact that he was doing so. She would just read his mind any way. He gave that some thought. Todd didn’t have Serenity’s gifts. If she was going to participate in this partnership with the ability to know what he was thinking, he would need to keep up with her in that manner, somehow. He would have to do that the only way he knew how – asking questions and reading faces.

He moved forward and placed both his hands on her legs, slowly and softly sliding them up along them, enjoying the soft silkiness.

“Tell me everything about you, Serenity,” he said, looking into her eyes. “Tell me about how you came to know about our gifts. Tell me about what your life was like when you were a little girl. And please, even if its difficult, tell me about your parents.”

 

[Mystical Avalon]

His work hardened hands felt wonderful on her skin. She knew the workings of a true policeman as she had grown up around them but something about him stirred feelings inside her she had wished to repress.

Letting him explore her for a while, she resigned to speaking.

"Oh, well, lets see. I was nine probably when I realized I had something. My dad was out, working the beat and was nearing the end of his shift. Suddenly, a pain hit me in the chest and I could smell gun powder. I knew he was hit. I screamed and when momma came to me, I told her what happened. Twenty minutes later, the phone rang and I begged her not to answer cause I knew. Right then I knew. But, it was too late. My parents were good people. Pilars of the community. Hell, my father even coached an inner city ball team for the homeless kids. After that, I started getting feelings and seeing things. In my mind mostly. I knew what people were thinking. I could see people that were hurting close to me. Nothing really special. Yet, when my late husband worked the beat, I could manifest clues about cases, gone cold. Things, just being around the evidence. It hurt. The pain these people felt. The things they went through. The guilt and fear the families showed. It was to say the least very earth shattering. When Paul was killed, I didnt even go to the hospital. I never answered the phone. I didnt want to know. It was my father all over again. I was an only child. That makes it hard for me to see your obtuseness and your lack of understanding about what I can do" she said. There was really nothing to tell about herself. It was all pretty much black and white.

At least on the surface.

She pulled her legs down not pulling her skirt, and faced him. Her face three inches from his, she smiled.

"You should do better at hiding your thoughts Todd. Those images are even more lustfilled than I imagined you capable. Better yet, show me" she said and took his hand placing it just between her legs letting him gauge the wetness of her panty covered pussy.

 

[RockYourWorld]

Well, this could be fun, thought Todd as he allowed Serenity to pull him closer to her, his hands sliding up those inviting thighs. The only thing sexier than a woman knowing your dirtiest thoughts was…..

“You tell me what I’m thinking, Serenity,” he said, not backing away from her face. “If you see my lust-filled images in my head, please, tell me what you see. Believe me, I’d LOVE to hear you describe them!”

His hands moved to her panties and he boldly took hold of them, sliding them down her short yet very sexy legs. He tossed them aside, seeing in the corner of his eyes that they landed on the case file. He moved in closer to her and kissed her hard, and she met his approach with one of her own that was even stronger, her arms wrapping around his neck. Each of them moaned into the other’s mouth, and Todd’s noises continued as he reached for her skirt and removed it.

Her body was wonderful, and it was a struggle for him to decide between looking at it and touching it. Touching it won out, of course, and Serenity’s moans grew louder as he touched her pussy, two fingers playing in it and spreading her. His thoughts drifted back to the blowjob she had given him, and his impulses lead him to drop to his knees and spread her legs.

Her taste was instantly addictive, and he drove his tongue deep into her hot pussy, spreading her legs wider and wider. She cried out, encouraging him on. Up to this point, Serenity had dictated the course of their relationship – deciding on the topics of conversation, on the direction of the investigation, on judgments about Todd himself- but right now, Todd had control of what was happening to her, and he took full advantage of it. He loved how she moaned as he ate her, and hoped that the volume and intensity would increase very soon.

The furthest thing from Todd’s mind at this moment was the murder he was supposed to be solving.