Brielle bit her lip as she finally closed the door. The last police officer had left.

Vicky was fast asleep and that made a lot of things easier. Even the little girl had been questioned by the police, but she had been very co-operative. Brielle was so proud of her for being such a strong girl.

"I have to be strong for Aunty Paula." declared Vicky. "I miss her. She'll come back won't she?"

Axky, who usually was so chirpy only pulled Vicky in for a tight hug. "Uncle Axky certainly hopes so."

Vicky had been very morose because Brielle and Axky were sad, but she hid it well. "Everything will be better in the morning." she said wisely when she found Axky sitting alone in his room holding his head in his hands in frustration.

Axky smiled at the little girl's wisdom. "Thanks Vicky." he said ruffling her hair.

"You can cry Axky." she whispered embracing him with her tiny hands. Axky was surprised but he held her close. It was only when she had fallen fast asleep in his arms that he silently cried into her hair.

***

It had been by far the longest day of her life.

Brielle thought it was very cowardly if Paula had run away, simply because she was afraid of commitment. And she had every intention of giving the woman a piece of her mind. After finding her of course, and convincing her to stay, that is.

It was a pity that she wasn't sure if that was the true reason Paula was missing. She hoped that it was why she was missing, because it was the least scary of all the possibilities.

It didn't help that all kinds of terrible thoughts were circulating in her head: what if someone had abducted Paula, what if she was in pain, what if someone hurt her, what if she was all alone and lost and ---

She shook her head. It wouldn't do to dwell in her thoughts. She needed to do something.

"What's wrong?" asked Jack as soon as he heard her voice. He was still at the office working late that night to catch up on his work.

"Jack, P-Paula's missing." choked out Brielle. She couldn't help the tears that fell from cheeks as she looked at the batch of cookies made by Paula. She had never felt less hungry in her life. "She's been missing since this morning."

"This morning? And you are telling me now?" demanded Jack looking at his watch. It was past one o' clock, and all he could see outside his window was pitch black.

"Axky tried---he looked everywhere, but we can't f-find her." said Brielle swallowing back tears. "Oh Jack, I'm so sorry I didn't call earlier. I thought she'd come home by now."

"Did you inform the police?" asked Jack as he slung his coat over his shoulder and raced out of his office. Work would have to wait.

"Yes, they're looking too." said Brielle. "A couple of officers questioned us a while ago. Do you think she m-may have left the country?"

"To return to Thailand? She was terribly unhappy there. She wouldn't go back unless she had no choice." said Jack firmly. "Now tell me have you and Axky eaten anything since then?"

"No." said Brielle biting her lip. Her stomach grumbled and she felt light headed.

"Eat something now. Force feed Axky if you have to. I'll be home in twenty okay?"

"Okay. I love you." said Brielle smiling weakly. Even with just a few words, he was able to make her feel better instantly. She didn't know what she would do without him.

"I love you too." said Jack reassuringly as he slid into the black sedan and drove as fast as he could.

***

Axky was pacing up and down the living room deep in thought. Where could she have disappeared to?

She told him everything, just like he told her too. She would have mentioned to him if she wanted to leave.

Did someone kidnap her? Axky shuddered at the thought. It was better if Paula had just decided to dump him and was safe and happy somewhere else.

He could live with the heartbreak, but if something happened to her---if someone hurt her---he would--- he would---

"What the hell?" he tried to choke out as he suddenly noticed a bit of bread hanging out of his mouth.

"Swallow it." said Brielle holding out another piece of pizza. "You have to eat."

Axky chewed minimally and swallowed with immense difficulty only so he could talk to Brielle properly.

"What are you trying to do? Kill me?" he demanded chugging an entire bottle of water.

"No. I'm trying to keep you alive. Now eat." said Brielle sighing as she pulled him down to sit on the couch. "The police are searching, Jack's coming home in half an hour and there's nothing else we can do. So please eat something. It's been over fifteen hours."

"Did you eat?" asked Axky taking a pineapple pizza slice, a flavour he detested. He had half a mind to throw it away but his stomach grumbled loudly. Damn he was hungry.

"I just did. I forgot I had to as well, till Jack told me." said Brielle cracking a smile.

Axky smiled sadly. "Good."

Brielle sat beside him as he ate. There was an uncomfortable silence between them and it was driving Brielle crazy. Axky was always telling jokes or chastising her for stealing his food, and now he he looked so forlorn, Brielle doubted he would ever smile again. Unless of course, Paula showed up.

Brielle couldn't understand what happened. Was Paula kidnapped? Did she leave on her own accord? Did she get sick of them all? Did

"She threw away the chip I gave her." he said suddenly, his voice cracking. "Why did she do that?"

"What chip?" asked Brielle perplexed handing him another slice. "Potato chips?"

"No. I gave her a special computer chip to keep with her at all times. You know in case we needed each other and couldn't call. The chip pinpoints a persons location and transmits distress signals. But ever since she's missing...the chips missing too. I can't locate it anywhere. No satellite images or video surveillance--- I hacked into everything and yet nothing. The chip is indestructible unless she smashed it and discarded it."

"Oh." said Brielle thoughtfully. "Maybe the chip isn't perfect, like my phone service provider. My phone doesn't receive signals in the subway or in the elevator ---"

Axky got up from the sofa so fast Brielle almost fell to the floor.

"Thank you Brielle you're a genius!" said Axky excitedly jumping up and down. His infectious smile had finally returned. "I could almost kiss you!"

"No, don't do that." came a voice from the door. "I might have to kill you if you do."

Axky and Brielle turned to look at the door. Jack was standing at the door holding a couple of helmets and an extra jacket. He looked dapper in his business suit and tie, despite the fact that he'd had a fourteen hour long work day.

"You deduced where she is?" asked Jack looking pointedly at Axky.

"Yes. It's not too far---" said Axky grabbing a helmet from Jack and trying to leave through the door.

"Wait." called out Brielle angrily. "I'm worried sick. You can't leave me here! I want to come too."

"No you can't come." said Axky bluntly. "You'll only hurt Paula. It's better you stay here. Besides only two of us can ride on the bike. Anyway, got to get my fiance back, see ya." With that he pushed past Jack and left through the door.

"Hurt Paula? I'll hurt Paula?" demanded Brielle hysterically to Axky's fast disappearing silhouette. "That complete ass, after all that we've been though---"

Jack looked at Brielle apologetically as he pulled her in for a passionate kiss, effectively calming her down.

"I'm sorry love." he said huskily. "Try to rest a bit, okay? Axky probably has his reasons for not taking you, and I didn't argue because he's under a lot of stress. But it doesn't change the fact that he has zero tact. It's a miracle he got a woman to like him at all."

Brielle smiled against his lips. She was still angry---but not with Jack, he was a darling.

"You can yell at him when we return." said Jack kissing her neck.

Someone cleared their throat rudely from the open door. Brielle and Jack broke apart to glare at Axky.

"Ahem, Jack, the motorbike isn't going to drive itself now is it?" said Axky impatiently tapping his foot against the ground. He was already wearing his helmet. A pity, thought Brielle as she fought the urge to hit him.

Jack sighed as he complied. He gave Brielle's arm a reassuring squeeze before closing the door after him.

Brielle licked her lips in frustration. She felt so useless. And what did Axky mean when he said she would hurt Paula. Hell, she couldn't even harm a puppy.

Sighing, she started to walk back to her room. As she passed Paula makeshift room in Jack's house, she turned back. Brielle knew she shouldn't pry but it made sense to see if Paula had left any clues.

She stepped into the room and looked around for a note or some hint that Paula may have left. She doubted she would find anything since the police had already searched the place. She frowned when she opened the closet and a couple of stray pages flew out. Picking it up, Brielle glanced at them. They were probably not very important----

Brielle froze as sheread the title.

"CONFIDENTIAL

Miss. Paula Fannigan---Medical Report."

.