(That evening in Henley's bedroom)

After passing through the Sheriff's check point outside Mrs. Templeton's home, Jaelyn Coe greeted Henley's mother, hugged her, and quickly carried the bags of Chinese takeout to the back of the house where Henley's bedroom was. As soon as she saw Jaelyn, Henley jumped off her bed and ran to hug her. They kissed each other ecstatically before beginning to cry with relief at being together again.

"These three weeks, I never stopped believing you were alive," Jaelyn told her lover," wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand. "But somehow, I knew you'd be found."

"Oh Jae. I kept thinking of you while on that boat. Remembering your face is what pulled me through that torture. They tied to make me not love you . . . Tried to make me crave males. But just remembering your touch, your smell, how you feel in my arms . . . it kept me focused on what we are to each other."

Jaelyn kissed her softly on the lips and stepped back to look closely at Henley's thinner body and tired face. Nevertheless, the sparks of affection were still there for her.

"We're going to get you back into top health again, lover girl. No matter what you had to go through, I'm here now to bring you back to your fighting and loving self. And to protect you."

The two embraced again and leaving the food on the nightstand, fell onto the bed facing each other.

"There's so much to share with you, Jae."

"When you texted that first message, Henley, my heart jumped. I was so grateful! It took me back to us making love just before you left for the pageant. You've been in all my fantasies these long weeks."

"God. Me too! I had dreams of us riding, kissing, talking all night . . . and having sex out by the river. Even while they subjected me to videos and drugs to get me to turn hetero . . . to want males romantically and sexually . . . you were still there in my mind!"

"God, really? They did that to you?"

"The research I did on persuasion through dreams was used on me. But in a sick, cruel way. Because I understood it, I fought its power and always came back to you in my heart and soul, Jae. Back to your body and your love."

Jaelyn tenderly brushed the blond strands of hair out of Henley's eyes and kissed her again sweetly.

"Henley, why all the security here now? Didn't they catch these guys who kidnapped you? Why are you still so isolated?"

"That's complicated. But it's because of what . . . and who, was involved with the crime. Remember I told you the project I was working on was a special one? With . . . top-secret clearance?

"Yeah, but I didn't really know what you meant by that."

"Well for now my love, it's still off limits to speak about. Mainly for my protection from those who would clearly want me . . . let's just say, out of the picture as a witness."

"God, really?"

"Lieutenant Jeffers and I are both at risk by what we know about it. And that's pretty damn scary. The whole thing is just so messed up, Jae. Because I can't even wish those assholes to go to prison until something happens. Something that takes away the risk out there."

"God, Henley. Who could they be? They're so important? So powerful?"

"Just don't ask. At least not yet, OK? The lieutenant promised me he'd make sure they'd all be brought to justice. But for now, our lives are in some pretty deep danger . . . Both his and mine."

"Jesus! Henley . . . they didn't sexually assault you, did they?"

"Not physically, exactly. But aside from the drugs and isolation . . . they did molest me psychologically. Those techniques I was working on . . . To assess the power of dreams? Well, they were never intended to be used so forcibly. Like they did. To try to change my sexual feelings and preferences."

"God, Henley! I can't believe they did that to you . . . and now this fear? . . .Well, we both know there's a lot of cruel people out there, my love. And some in pretty high places that would like to do away with girls like us. The way we love . . .all gay people."

"Yeah. Jae, I was just naive. I thought the work I was doing at Hopkins was just for academic research. A special study to investigate the effects of dreams on how we think and act. I was being used. Both at the research center and later for that very sick experiment."

"So, who was behind it? . . . Some homophobic jerks from the deep South? The radical right?"

"That was never made clear, even to me. I only know now that whoever was helping to fund the project, they were secretly misusing it. Then got the FBI involved to protect them. It's why I'm still not safe, Jae."

"That is so incredible!"

"Yes, it is. So please don't ask me more questions. You're not to know even what I've shared with you tonight. I told you because I love you. And you should know."

"Alright, my love. It'll be another of our secrets."

"I just don't want anyone to think you're aware of anything more than I was abducted for ransom money. Then rescued. And the criminals are being investigated. That's what the media knows, my mother knows . . . and now only what you know. OK?"

"Alright. I see now why the isolation. And security for your protection. I just feel blessed to be here with you again. And I'll not tell anyone what you've shared with me."

"Great." Henley looked over at the small boxes on the nightstand. ". . . Now, I'm hoping that Chinese food is better than hospital food. I'm so ready for that taste again!"

"Come on girl. Let's dig into it!"

The two spent the rest of the evening just cuddling in each other's arms in bed until Jaylyn decided Henley should have her much-needed sleep. She helped her into her nightgown and kissed her goodnight before leaving. As expected, she was escorted out to her car by a Scottsdale Sheriff Department officer. This was, she regretted, going to be the 'new normal' for a while between her and her lover.

* * *

Corey spent a fitful evening in his hotel room, mainly still disconsolate over Mattingly's mysterious death, but also on the phone with Elora. He had spent almost an hour lying to her about being called unexpectedly to attend a friend's wedding in San Francisco. His whole location and phone conversations, he now knew—except as presented on the Chief's encrypted line, would have to be deceptive. Elora was rightfully suspicious of his story, but half-knew he also had to be equivocal with phone calls now relating to the all-consuming case he had been thrust into.

"Well, whatever, baby. I know you have a lot on your head these days. Maybe a trip up to the City's just what you need. Now with your partner gone so tragically. I just wish you would let me be a little closer. To help you through these times, Corey."

"Trust me, angel. If anyone could be that help, it would be you. I just have to get myself centered these days. And that might take some alone time. We'll get together soon. I shouldn't be but a few days away from Vegas."

"Is that a promise?"

"Yeah, it is. Looks like the Chief's OK with my leave from the Marlow case for a while. As far as he's concerned it's a done deal. We've sort of backed away from it now that the girl's been found and there's no leads in Vegas as to who initially took her. Looks like the Feds will just have to pick up the pieces with the suspects they took off that yacht."

"Well, that's all for the better, as far as I'm concerned. And for your piece of mind, Corey. That whole investigation was just so toxic for you."

"Yeah. It was."

"So, you need any help picking out a wedding present or anything for your friend?"

Corey smiled. "No. But I know you'd be the bomb for that. I'll get something while I'm up here."

"Alright. You take care, then. And call me when you're feeling better."

"That I'll do, beautiful. I'll be OK. Good night now.

"Miss you, Baby."

Corey closed the phone and stared at the dark TV screen across from his hotel bed. For some reason he was thinking about his mother driving him to a football camp one summer during his high school years. It was where he knew he would be alone and put through many grueling days of painful practice. There was no more emblematic image, he reasoned, to sum up his current feeling of loneliness and uncertainty.

* * *