Guarding Light

by Mckoy, Cate

  "I do not watch T.V." Catlyn said.

  Mackenzie just laughed some more. "What's this guy's name?"

  Catlyn shrugged her shoulders although she knew exactly what the actor's name was.

  Not to be thwarted, Mackenzie clicked on the guide. "Ah ha, here it is, Dean Cain."

  Catlyn ignored Mackenzie as they watched the scene play out between the two actors on the screen. "Wow, this guy really smolders sex appeal." The actor suddenly stepped back and spun into the well-known superhero in the red, blue and yellow suit. "Holy crap, he looks even more like Jack in this guise, doesn't even matter his eye color."

  Catlyn grabbed the remote from Mackenzie clicking the television off, "Back to work."

  Mackenzie gave a final chuckle before going back to the papers on her bed.

  Several hours later they broke to eat. Catlyn's cell phone rang. Looking at the display, she smiled. Stepping into the bathroom in Mackenzie's hotel room, Catlyn answered. "Hello Stud-muffin."

  There was a short pause and then she heard Jack's gravelly voice. "Be good, Kitten. I am next to a room full of mourners."

  "Sorry, honey. How is Bob's widow?"

  "As expected, totally devastated."

  "I am so sorry."

  "Thank you, sweetheart. I am too."

  "I miss you so much already."

  "Me too."

  "I wish I was there with you to show my support."

  "Do you, Kitten?"

  "Of course!"

  There was another small pause on Jack's end of the line. "Good. Baby, we need to talk when I get back. I need to tell you something and there's something important I want to ask you."

  His tone was very serious. "Ok, Jack."

  "I have to get back. Lisa, Bob's widow, wants to speak with me about something. She asked if I would stick around until everyone has left."

  Wanting Jack to know just how serious she was about their budding relationship and how much she wanted them to workout, Catlyn took a deep breath and all the courage she had within her and said, "Jack?"

  "Yes, Kitten?"

  "I love you." She spoke with sincerity and a bit of uncertainty.

  There was a lengthy pause this time. Then Catlyn heard his sexy voice very clearly, "I love you too, Catlyn, so very much."

  Catlyn started breathing again, not realizing she even held her breath. "See you soon."

  "Yes. Catlyn, stay out of trouble. I don't want you following any crazy leads or going off somewhere with Mackenzie. Kyle filled me in on her antics and totally insane stunts. And, he said when you two get together one or both of you end up in the hospital fighting for your life."

  "Jack, I am a trained—"

  "Kitten, I don't care how well trained you are. This is not Chief of Detectives Gard talking to S.S.A. Lyte. This is Jack Gard the man deeply and irrevocably in love with Catlyn Lyte, the woman, asking his woman to please don't do anything rash or foolhardy."

  It was Catlyn's turn to give pause. "All right, Jack." She finally answered.

  "Just like that, 'All right, Jack'?" Jack was shocked, thinking of the last time he asked her not to do something.

  Catlyn laughed. "Do you want it in writing, Stud-muffin? The man I love asked something of me. It's within my power to grant his wish, so I will."

  "Mmm, baby, something tells me I am gonna like being your man very much." He gave a wicked laugh.

  "Yeah, well, I know your request has nothing to do with me being a woman or you thinking I can't do my job because of my sex. It comes from your caring for and worrying about me."

  "Yes, it does. Thanks for understanding."

  "Not a problem."

  "Sweetheart I gotta go. Leave your cell on so I can call and say good night. When are you heading to the bar and grill?"

  "Mackenzie and I were just getting ready to pack it in because I have to be there in an hour,"

  "Ok, Kitten."

  "Jack, I know you believe Mackenzie to be impetuous and careless but she is very good at her job. If I were ever in serious trouble, other than you, I'd want Mackenzie running to the rescue."

  "Baby, I know you guys are friends and care for each other and want to protect each other. I mean, you're both females in a male dominated field, you're both black, and you're both accomplished. I really do understand you guys sticking together. But, I have heard about some of the crazy stunts Mackenzie has pulled which almost ended her life."

  "Jack, she was doing her job."

  "Catlyn, she jumped off an eight story balcony!"

  "Mackenzie is a very good gymnast, has been since she was a child. It was a controlled jumped aimed at the child that was thrown off the ninth story balcony by a psycho. It was a quickly calculated jump where she intercepted the falling child so she could control their decent and where they landed. They hit the deep end of the pool perfectly. Neither of them even had a scratch."

  "That is not the point, Catlyn. That woman is driven way beyond the norm. Whatever her demons, they cause her to make crazy decisions that totally disregard her own safety. I don't want her taking those kinds of chances with your life."

  Catlyn heard the worry in his voice even over the phone. "I hear you, Jack. I won't do anything crazy with Mackenzie." She assured him.

  "Thank you, Kitten. I miss you. I will talk to you later."

  "Miss you too."

  "Say it again, baby."

  Catlyn didn't need to ask what he meant, smiling she told him again, "I love you, Jack."

  "I love you back." The phone then clicked.

  ****

  "Since you've been wearing that silly ass smile since you came out of my bathroom I take it all is ok with Dean Cain?" Mackenzie laughed as she pulled the car to a stop in front of the bar and grill.

  "Oh, would you please not say that, especially around Jack." Catlyn was annoyed as she opened her door to get out.

  "Hey, Jack should be flattered. You've been pining after his doppelganger for years. And, the guy is not half bad looking."

  Catlyn rolled her eyes and was about to get out and slam the door when she heard her name. She looked up and saw Mr. Odly waving. Catlyn returned the wave and gave a little shudder.

  Mackenzie didn't miss a thing. "Why'd you turn up your face at that guy? Who is he?"

  Shaking her head, Catlyn waved it off. "That's my boss, Mr. Odly. It's nothing really. He just gives me the willies. I am sure he's not dangerous but he just gives me crawling flesh."

  Mackenzie turned her acute eye on Mr. Odly as he went up the stairs and inside the bar. Mackenzie shrugged. "Dean Cain he ain't! But, otherwise he looks harmless."

  This time Catlyn did get out and said a curt 'Bye' before slamming the door. The ring of Mackenzie's laugh followed her into the restaurant.

  ****

  Catlyn stared at the items on her bed. She couldn't believe she had actually purchased gifts for a male that wasn't related to her. She picked up the watch, inspecting the black leather band. Its face was black onyx with a diamond chip marking the 12:00 o'clock hour. The gold hour and second hands and trim glistened as she turned the watch in her hand.

  Catlyn was nervous. Would he like it? She touched the gold and diamond key resting in her cleavage. She wanted him to like it as much as she liked her gift. Putting the watch back in its intricate box, Catlyn picked up the jockey underwear, a combination of briefs and boxers, fitted like briefs but the length of shorts like boxers. She bought him black, red and navy blue. Catlyn admitted she couldn't wait to see the cotton snuggly fitted against his large cock. Just the thought stirred her insides.

  Catlyn looked at her watch checking the time, calculating the time difference between her and Jack. Just a couple more hours and Jack would be calling. He had turned their phone calls into a love fest.

  That first night he called to say good night he had said he missed touching her and then had brazenly asked her to touch herself for him. He gave her direction as she pleasured herself thinking of his sexy body and gorgeous eyes. He then told
her how he was jerking off to her sounds of pleasures, wishing he was inside her and that it would be soon, very soon when his cock would be penetrating her just like his tongue and fingers had. Catlyn shivered thinking of their phone sex. It seemed they were an explosive combination no matter how they chose to make love.

  Jack had also asked her to use her vibrator on herself one night. When she explained she didn't bring her vibrator on her job, he said he would buy one for her, he had asked the size of the one she used.

  Embarrassed she explained further that she used one about the size of a human thumb. When Jack asked, how she possibly kept a hold on something so small while putting it inside her, Catlyn had been thankful he was on the phone rather in person so he couldn't see her blush as she told him that she had never penetrated herself with a vibrator. She only used it against her clit. There had been a long silence on Jack's end of the line. Catlyn had thought they got disconnected. But when she called his name he answered with a gravelly voice. "Baby, I am going to penetrate you very soon, on Valentine's Day. I am going to be so deep inside you." He describe what he was going to do to her once he was inside her, then he huskily whispered, "Tell me you want that too Kitten."

  He had her in such a state she answered automatically, "Yes, Jack."

  "Say it again."

  "Yes, Jack."

  "On Valentine's Day, Catlyn. Say it." He insisted.

  With a voice gone thick with emotions she told him what he wanted to hear. "Yes, Jack. I want you deep inside me on Valentine's Day."

  "Mmm, I can't wait, baby. Just three more days and then you are mine."

  "I will see you early on the 13th?"

  "Yes, my flight gets in really early and I am coming straight to you."

  She smiled. "Good. I can't wait either."

  "I miss you Kitten."

  "I miss you too. I love you Jack."

  "I love you back." And then they hung up.

  That had been last night. Now Catlyn carefully wrapped the presents she bought for Jack to give him on Valentine's Day.

  There was a knock on her door. Quickly she placed the wrapping paper and tape on the bed and went through the living room to answer the door. The other agents were standing at the door. They were all dressed as members of the community. Sanchez wore black jeans, belted well below his waist flashing his navy boxers, a T-shirt with NY emblazon on the front. He also had on the latest release of the currently popular sneakers all topped with a black leather jacket. The female agents were dressed in various tight fitting outfits, hair and nails looking as though they just left the salon. They all looked like they belong to the neighborhood. And, none of them looked their age or as though they held a government job.

  Catlyn waved them all in, pointing to seats around her living room. "What's up?"

  Sanchez sat on the loveseat, giving her a sly look. "So, you and the chief are going to be dancing the night away the day after tomorrow?"

  "More like making spectacles of ourselves for a nut-job. We will probably be the oldest couple there." Catlyn said.

  Mackenzie chimed in, "But, neither of you look your ages. I mean, Catlyn you don't have a gray hair or wrinkle to speak of and your body can match anyone in their 20s, in fact it's better than some of the 20 some-things I've seen."

  Jabaria added her endorsement. "It's true. I am 26 and your body is just as good as a lot of my peers. And we already established that you're a smoking hot babe." Catlyn blushed and sat on the sofa.

  Sharonda then spoke. "And, Chief Gard is very sexy and doesn't look his age, especially when he is with you. I put him in his late 30s when I first met him but the more I saw him interact with you the younger the man looked. And talk about phenomenal bodies, I'd say the chief's is right up there in the top ranking."

  Catlyn held up her hands for quiet as she saw Sanchez about to speak again. "Ok, enough. I am convinced Jack and I will fit in at the dance."

  "I will be entered as a contestant too with Tasha." Sanchez said.

  Catlyn rolled her eyes at Sanchez who only smiled and wagged his eyebrows.

  "I'm with the DJ." Mackenzie said.

  Catlyn nodded.

  "I am a waitress for the function." Sharonda said.

  Catlyn gave a sympathetic smile. "I apologize for your feet in advance."

  "I am one of the judges that will be tapping out couples to clear the floor. At least this way we can insure you and the chief are among the last standing." Jabaria said, then warned, "But, I am not the only judge that will be tapping couples off the dance floor so bring you're A-game."

  Catlyn gave a thumbs-up sign. "Well, it looks like we are all set."

  "Mackenzie, any closer to figuring out David Mathews' name yet?" Sanchez loved to annoy Mackenzie any chance he got. Catlyn suspected it stemmed from the many rejections he received from her.

  Mackenzie glared. "I am narrowing it down."

  "It's taking kinda long, longer than your normal time to work one of your nutty ideas." Sanchez poked at her.

  "My idea is not nutty."

  Sanchez blew out a breath. "No, I wouldn't call searching all the old title and deeds in and around the area for the last 40-something years nutty. I call it a waste of time. The guy is in the wind. He wouldn't have documents in any of his real or assigned names. That would be an invitation for the law to come and get him."

  Catlyn jumped in to defend Mackenzie. "And, what was your idea for finding him again, Sanchez?"

  Sanchez threw Catlyn a dirty look, the silenced lengthened.

  "That's what I thought. Why don't we cut Mack some slack?"

  Sanchez shrugged and Mackenzie smiled.

  Sharonda broke in the slight tension. "We're all headed to the waterfront to make ourselves seen. Want to come with?"

  Catlyn shook her head. "I am down there enough thank you. I have to wait tables tonight."

  "Ok, we will see you later." With those words all the agents rose and went to the door.

  Mackenzie held back. She waited until the other agents had left. She reached in her purse and handed Catlyn a small bottle. It had a pale pink liquid. "Here"

  Catlyn stared at the bottle not sure she had ever seen it before. "What is it?"

  Mackenzie smirked. "A Valentine's Day present for you and Dean from me."

  "For crying out loud, Mack, stop calling Jack, Dean."

  "Sorry, it's just too funny. The guy looks just like Jack with brown eyes."

  "So you've said. Now please drop it."

  "Ok, I will try. But, you know, everyone thought you were my lesbian lover and that you didn't find guys attractive at all. It's just really funny that not only do you find men attractive the one to get your motor running is the epitome of man. Sexy, muscled, intelligent and I imagine has great equipment and knows how to use it."

  Catlyn's face couldn't get any hotter from her blushing. "Fine, we established that I am straight, now can we move on."

  Laughing, Mackenzie tapped the bottle. "If you don't know how to use it, read the directions or give it to Dean, I am sure he knows exactly what to do with it." Mackenzie exited quickly before Catlyn could object to her using the actor's name to refer to Jack.

  Catlyn went back to her bedroom to finish wrapping Jack's gifts.

  ****

  Jack waited patiently to retrieve his bag from the airport luggage pickup. He had a tiring few days and he couldn't wait to see Catlyn. He had missed her terribly. It felt like months since he had seen her.

  Jack had decided to tell Catlyn everything. Like her, he wanted total honesty between them. Although he wanted to protect her from everything, specifically anything that could bring all her memories of her rape to the forefront, it didn't feel right keeping this from her. He had successfully solved the riddle of how they both could be telling the truth about J.T. Dark. And the answer had blown his mind. In fact, he was still reeling from the knowledge. He and a whole town had been duped.

  Now all he wanted was to explain everything to her, apologize for h
is part in her childhood being painfully cut short. Then he wanted nothing more than to get the man that had beaten and raped Catlyn Lyte, who had beaten and raped his woman.

  Jack spotted his one duffle, grabbing it quickly he turned and headed to the car rental booth. Just as he was about to get in the small line he spotted his contact in a far off corner, giving him a signal. Jack immediately changed his direction.