T. STRATTON

Disclaimer: They look like some people we know, but they’re not.

Violence: Yes

Sex: Yes f/f

If you’re underage you really need to go find something else to read.

E-mail….Tinstrttn@aol.com

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The office building Tyler Jones had her appointment in loomed before her. Inside the ten-floor office building was one of the largest Hollywood agencies in the world. It towered over the little park area in front like a watchdog protecting it’s ground.

The people that sat under its guard were the elite and most recognized in the industry of film and television.

The front walk contained expensive artwork by a well-known artist, and only after staring at it for endless moments and hearing the name ‘Lovers Embrace’ could people make sense of the entwined blue and green metal.

Tyler stood there and raised her hand to block out the sun that was in her eyes as she tried to get a good look and at the sculpture. "It just looks like a bunch of bent metal, that some one paid way too much for."

The alarm on her wristwatch beeped. It let her know that if she didn’t hurry she’d be late, so she rushed to the overly large glass front door and pushed it open.

As Tyler walked up to the receptionist’s desk the sound of constantly ringing phones invaded her senses, along with a big, fake smile from a very beautiful redhead.

"Can I help you?" The red head asked with a perky voice and a pop of her gum. The well-polished fingernails tapped on the side of the phone as she waited for Tyler to speak.

"Yes, I have a ten o’clock appointment with Regal and Garland." Tyler answered with her own fake smile.

"Okay, just go to the elevators and go to the tenth floor. A person will be there to show you the rest of the way." The red head instructed and then went about answering the ever-present ringing phone.

"Thanks," Tyler replied before she headed over to the elevators. "I bet she doesn’t have more than two brain cells and when they run into each other they scare the shit out of each other."

The elevator doors slid open and Tyler walked in. She gave herself one last look over in the all mirrored box before she reached her destination.

Not that Tyler really cared what she looked like, but this appointment could mean the new beginning or the end to her personal security business.

Her grandfather had started the company twenty-nine years ago after he retired from the Marines. He decided to retire early after his wife Susan, their son Tom and his wife Sara were killed in a car accident. The only shining light of that time for him was that seven-year-old Tyler had escaped unharmed.

Tyler had Thomas Jones wrapped around her little finger from the moment she was born. All she had to do was look at him with her big green eyes and he’d give her the world. Everybody told him that he should be strict with her and not let her get away with everything. He just told them to leave him alone and not tell him how to raise his only grandchild.

Tyler grew up with all the love and compassion her Grandfather could give her. Even though she had whatever she needed and wanted she didn’t act spoiled and grew up to be a very compassionate person.

When Tyler was old enough she helped down at the Hideaway, a place teenagers could go and feel safe if their homes weren’t the safest place to be.

The kids loved and respected her. She wouldn’t make them feel like they were outcast and was able to show them what trust and love could be like. When she had to stop coming down so often after her Grandfather died of a heart attack some of the kids would show up at her office just to make sure that she was doing okay.

Her Grandfather made sure that everything was taken care of in his will. The business and the house would go to Tyler, plus all the money in the savings and checking account. The only problem that Thomas Jones couldn’t envision was that his clients didn’t think a five foot five inch woman could do the job. So they all left and that meant that she couldn’t keep her employees.

With no clients came no money, so the inheritance went fast. That’s why Tyler was here today. She was to be interviewed by Regal and Garland. They represented BJ Stanton, a well-known actress. Apparently some fan had decided that he wanted to make BJ Stanton his wife and he was willing to kill to make it happen.

With the ding of the bell to let her know that she arrived at her floor she gave herself one last look over. She had on a pair black hiking boots, nice crisp new blue jeans, and a white silk shirt that she wore for luck. Her Grandfather had given it to her for Christmas last year. Then a charcoal gray blazer completed her outfit. Her hair looked like a comb hadn’t touched it in days, but that’s how it always looked, and finally a little bit of makeup to make her green eyes stand out.

The doors swished open and Tyler took a deep breath, "okay lets do this." She stepped out and was immediately approached by a tall man. He was at least a foot taller with sandy brown hair. The suit he wore didn’t hide the fact that he worked out. The polite sound that came out of his mouth didn’t fit the monster of a man in front of her.

"Hello, Ms. Jones. My name is Kirk Shadow." He introduced himself and shook her hand. "Please follow me," as he guided her down a long hallway.

The hallway was like any other hallway, but with one big exception. A picture of someone famous covered every inch of the walls. Movie stars from past and present, and music legends that will be heard on the radio till the end of time.

"Nice photos," Tyler gestured with her finger when they stopped at the end of the hallway.

Kirk looked down the hallway like he missed something. "Yes, they are." He opened the door and waited for her to walk through before he closed it.

"Nice talking to you to," Tyler whispered under her breath when she heard the door close.

The small room looked like a doctor’s waiting room. Chairs positioned around the room all facing the center and a door that went to another room she thought must be where they’re holding the interviews. Against the wall to her right three men sat. They all looked alike with their black suits, white shirts, black ties and perfect polished shoes.

"Is this where the Men In Black meet?" Tyler joked as she took her seat.

The three just looked at her like she had a second head growing out of her shoulder. "You know that movie that starred Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones? About aliens and..Oh never mind." She spat when they didn’t get what she was talking about.

As Tyler sat there she let the insecurity set in. She started to tap her foot on the table in front of her and tapped her hands on her lap. Even though Tyler knew she was the best and could better protect anyone no matter the situation. She still had to prove herself, because everybody thought she was too small and couldn’t do the job.

A cough stopped her thoughts and her movements. She turned her head and an older woman with salt and pepper hair stood with a clipboard and pen in her hand. "You must be Tyler Jones," she said as she held the door open. "Please come in and have a seat."

"Thanks," Tyler stood up and walked towards the woman. She was waved in to a room with a long, brown table with brown leather chairs, plus another door at the opposite side of the room, "Where is everybody?" She asked as she headed to the table.

"They’ll be here in just a few minutes. There is coffee and pastries right here behind you if you are hungry." The woman said and pointed to a table filled with all sorts of pastries. She went to leave but Tyler stopped her.

"I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name," Tyler stepped closer to shake her hand.

The woman smiled and extended her hand, "Barb."

Tyler grinned back and shook her hand, "nice to meet you Barb. Thanks for showing me in."

" No problem. Hopefully I’ll be seeing you around." Barb watched as Tyler went to get a cup of coffee. She immediately liked this young woman and hoped that BJ picked her instead of the stuffed shirts out in the waiting room.

Barb walked over to the other door, but before she opened it she heard voices. She turned back towards Tyler, "I think they’re coming now." She said just as a slightly overweight man with balding gray hair opened the door.

"Hello, Barb, how are you today?" He asked as he kissed the back of her hand.

Barb smiled and her face turned red from embarrassment, "Hello Ronald, I’m fine and how about yourself?"

Before he could answer a voice teased him from behind them. "Will you get your octopus hands off my mother. We’ve got work to do."

"Now BJ, Ronald was just being polite," Barb responded and gave her daughter a hug when she walked into the room.

"No he wasn’t, he was being a horny old dog. It just sounded polite, but I know him too well and trust me it wasn’t anywhere near as polite as you think." BJ winked at her Mom when the hug ended.

The three laughed and kidded each other for a few more minutes.

Tyler just stood back and watched the way they interacted. The love that shone in Barbs and Ronald’s eyes when they looked at BJ made her wonder if maybe her parents would do that if they were still alive.

She slowly made her way to the table with her coffee and pastry. She set her sweet roll on the table and grabbed her chair to pull it out. As she went to sit her foot got caught on the leg and she stumbled which caused her to spill her coffee all over herself.

"Shit, that’s hot," Tyler yelled in pain. She quickly grabbed the front of her shirt to keep the scolding liquid from burning her skin.

"Oh my," Barb quickly ran to the table and got a towel.

"Here let me help," BJ grabbed the towel from her Mom and started to pat the front of Tyler’s body.

The effects of the liquid turned the shirt translucent. Tyler was stunned by the effects of the towel along the hand that would every once in awhile hit a now erect nipple. "Oh shit," Tyler’s mind screamed as she looked up into concerned blue eyes. "I think I’m okay," Tyler whispered and tried not to moan as the hand rubbed against her again.

"Are you sure?" BJ asked as she continued to wipe. "I know that coffee is extremely hot. I’ve spilt it on me more times than I can count."

Tyler grabbed the hands to stop the assault to her senses. "Trust me, I’m just fine," she reassured the tall brunette. "Way more than fine. Is it the coffee or is it hot in here." Tyler asked herself.

"Okay then, let me introduce myself. I’m BJ Stanton and I’ll be doing the interview." BJ tossed the towel on the table, "please have a seat and how about we begin?" She smiled and pulled Tyler’s chair out further so she could sit. " Check out those eyes. I could spend all day looking at them." Thought BJ as she held the chair for Tyler.

"Thanks, and I’m Tyler Jones," she responded and took her seat. Her senses had gone off the scale from the touch of the tall brunette. So she took a deep breath and hoped it would help cool her down. "Damn, she’s even more gorgeous in person," she thought to herself.

BJ walked over to get herself a cup of coffee and also got Tyler a fresh one, "Here you go and I hope you enjoy this one more than you did the last," she teased when she put the cup down.

Tyler spoke before her brain registered what she said, "who says I didn’t enjoy it."

BJ’s eyebrows went up under her dark bangs and she smirked. "Oh, really?"

Tyler’s mind finally caught up with her mouth. The deep red blush started from her neck and slowly made it’s way up her face. "Oh God, I can’t believe I said that. I’m so sorry," she groaned and covered her face. "Maybe I can crawl away and nobody will notice."

BJ patted her back, "don’t worry about it. I kinda enjoyed it myself too." She laughed as the blush deepened.

Barb walked up, "excuse me. BJ can I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure," BJ answered, "I’ll be right back." She said and followed her Mom out the same door she had come in earlier.

Ronald watched as BJ and her Mom walked out into the hallway and closed the door. He didn’t like the way things were going with the small blonde woman that sat across from him. You would have to have been blind not to see the sparks fly off the two women as they interacted.

He and a selected few knew that BJ was gay, but the rest of the world didn’t have a clue. If they found out that the sexy star from hit movies like ‘Soul Connected’ and ‘Hearts Afire’ was gay it would be the end. Most people wouldn’t be able to get over the fact that their leading lady would rather sleep with a woman than her leading man.

He remembered a private conversation he overheard between mother and daughter. BJ had confided in her Mom that she was tired of living a lie. She wanted to find someone and settle down, maybe raise a family.

Ronald knew that time was running out and wanted to stall the inevitable for as long as he could. So he would make sure that the little slip of a woman wouldn’t get this job.

"Hello, Ms. Jones, my name is Ronald Garland. Can you tell me why we should hire you to be BJ’s protector?" He asked and took a seat with out breaking eye contact.

Tyler looked at Ronald and didn’t like the way he stared at her. "I don’t like this guy." Something in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine. Not one to run from adversity she blinked once and gazed into Ronald’s cold eyes and answered with truth and conviction. "I’m the best, plain and simple."

Ronald snorted, "really? I must say that’s quite a statement coming from such a small woman." He knew that statement got a rise out Tyler because he watched as she gripped the chair with white knuckles. "This could be fun."

Tyler stood up from her chair and glared at the man across from her, "are you saying that just because I’m a woman that I couldn’t do this job?" She slowly began to pace. "I wonder if I hit him if they’ll still give me the job?"

"I’m just saying, that just one of those men’s muscles outweigh your entire body. So how can you say that you’re the best when one of them could squish you like a bug?" He goaded as he watched her pace back and forth in front of him. He leaned so his elbow rested on the table. "So I guess I am saying that a bigger man could do the job better," Ronald smiled.

Tyler couldn’t believe what was happening, she would lose everything because she didn’t have a dick between her legs.

Tyler tried to keep control of the anger that had built up from the loss of her Grandfather and soon the business he loved, just because this asshole was stuck in the forties was no reason for her to lose her temper.

The thoughts of her Grandfather reminded her that she really needed this job and she knew that she had to prove to this spineless man that a woman could do this just as easily as any man.

Tyler casually made her way over to Ronald. She grabbed the chair that was next to him and sat. Looking right into his eyes she asked, "what do I have to do to prove that I can handle anything anybody throws at me?"

Ronald was shocked to say the least. He expected the woman to storm out. He had to think of something quick, "well, the only thing I can think of is….what would you do if three men were to attack my client? For some reason I can’t see you defending her." He gestured with his hand at her body.

Tyler looked dumbfounded at the man next to her. "What?"

Ronald stood up and walked towards the door that led to the waiting room. "I’m saying that I want to see you defeat the three men out here in a no holds barred fight."

"Okay, I say again. What?" Tyler couldn’t believe the way things were going. "I really don’t think that’s such a good idea."

Ronald stopped right before he opened the door, "really? Afraid that you might get hurt?" The smirk that crossed his face couldn’t be hidden. "Then I guess this interview is over."

Tyler stood, "afraid I might get hurt? No…I just don’t want to destroy this lovely office you have here." She stated boldly as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.

The fire in her eyes should have been a clue that he had pushed Tyler too far. "I really don’t think you have the guts or the skills to do it." Ronald decided that watching this arrogant woman get some sense knock into her head would be fun to watch.

"You want a fight? Fine, bring it on." Tyler spat as she took her jacket off. "If this guy wants a show I’ll give him one."

She watched as Ronald waved in the three men from the waiting room. He gathered them around him in a tight circle. Not being able to hear what was said she started to stretch and focus on the task that lay ahead. "Well, Grandfather you did teach me not to take crap off of anyone. Just hope you like the show."

BJ entered the room, "what’s going on?" She asked as she walked over to the small blonde. She didn’t see the angry flash of green turn towards her.

Tyler just looked at her. Not too sure if she should believe the confused looking woman. "You know if I was told that I had to put on a show I would have worn my sweats and a t-shirt."

"What show?" BJ was confused. "Why are those three in here when it’s not their turn to be interviewed?" She asked and looked at enraged green eyes. "What had Ronald done now?"

"Why don’t you ask you friend over there," Tyler responded as she rolled up her sleeves.

They stared at each other, but for totally different reasons.

Tyler couldn’t believe that BJ didn’t know what was going on. The soft blue eye that looked at her told the calm, cool part of her brain, that the tall brunette had absolutely no clue what was going on, but the pissed off angry part of her brain which was in total control at the moment wouldn’t listen to reason.

BJ was lost as her brain tried to catch up with her heart. She had never reacted this way to anyone before. It was like she lost herself in the intense green pools that seemed to stare right into her soul.

A loud cough broke the moment. BJ suddenly felt empty when the green eyes turned to look at Ronald who had a pissed off look on his face. She wondered what that look was all about, but first she had to find out what was going on.

"Ronald, can you please inform me what is going on?" BJ asked and walked over to the man. She noticed the three men had taken off their coats and ties. Then she glanced back at Tyler and finally took notice that she also had her jacket off and her sleeves rolled up. "How come I have a feeling I’m not going to like this?" She stated with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, come on. This is a perfect way to see who is the best. I personally would rather find out now than later that I hired the best." Ronald replied before he tried to walk away.

BJ grabbed his upper arm; "I would like to have a word with you, in private."

BJ had known for some time how Ronald thought that all women should stay at home and be at the beck and call of their man. He had never treated her with anything but respect, but she knew the only reason for that was because of all the money she brought to his company.

She practically dragged him out of the room. She slammed the door with one hand and with the other she pushed him up against the wall. "Are you insane? Do you know that Tyler could sue us if she got hurt fighting those big apes in there?"

Ronald’s face started to turn blue from the pressure of BJ’s hand against his windpipe. "BJ..I..can’t …breath." He gasped as the offending hand released him and sank to the floor. "I was only thinking of your safety. I don’t want anything to happen to you."

BJ laughed, "Ronald my little friend, you and I both know that the only thing you’re trying to save is the money you’d lose if something happened to me." She bent down and cupped his face. She wanted to make sure that the message would get into his pea-sized brain. "Now listen to me. You are not in charge of finding my bodyguard. Considering it’s my body and my life I want someone who I can trust. Not some stupid muscle headed prick who thinks that a woman should stay at home and cook dinner."

Ronald gulped when he heard the last sentence, "why would you think that I would do anything to put you in danger? I just want the best." He stood up and had to hold on to the wall for support. He tried to think of some way he could calm down BJ.

BJ stood up and pointed her finger at Ronald. "You know damn well how I came to that conclusion. You only think of two things, money and yourself and in exactly that order."

She stepped closer so she was a couple of inches away from his face. She could see the perspiration form on his forehead. "Plus you’ve had more sexual harassment complaints than the whole state of California combined." BJ responded and stepped back. She suddenly wondered why she had decided to stay with his company. "You know what?"

"What?" Ronald asked afraid of what she was about to tell him. He could tell that she had made a decision and he wasn’t going to like it.

Before she could answer him they heard a loud crash. They quickly ran to the door and flung it open.

"Oh, my God," BJ whispered under her breath. She couldn’t take her eyes off of the three men who all lay in some very uncomfortable positions around the floor. Apparently the loud crash they heard from the hallway was the after effect of one man being thrown on the table. The force of his weight had broken it into several pieces.

Tyler stood at the end of the now broken table. Her once nice white shirt had blood on the front. The blood came from the broken nose and cut above her right eye. She turned her head and took a deep breath, "all you had to do was take a look at my record, but no." She spat, "I’m so tired of people like you thinking just because I have tits and not a dick I can’t do the job."

"Does this answer your question? I didn’t stay in the business to show people that I will get myself or the person I’m hired to protect killed. I stayed because people need me to help keep them safe." Tyler finished and walked over to where her jacket lay on the floor. She flung it over her shoulder and headed towards the exit.

She stopped in front of a very embarrassed Ronald Garland. "I don’t care what I have to do to keep my Grandfathers business going, but I would rather see an asshole like you die before I work for you." She poked him in the chest to get her point across. "It’s men like you that give the rest of the male population a bad name." She snatched his handkerchief from his pocket and wiped some of the blood from her face.

She turned to BJ who was about to say something. Tyler stopped her with a raised hand, "I’m sorry this didn’t work out and I hope they catch the creep who’s been bugging you." Tyler turned and walked out of the office.

BJ stepped up so she stood right next to Ronald. "Ronald, you’re fired," She said and stormed out of the office.

Ronald stood there stunned. He ran his hands through what little hair he had and wondered exactly when his plan went haywire. He looked over at one of the men as he tried to stand up, "you couldn’t take one little female?"

The guy just looked and shrugged his shoulders.

"I want you to help your two friends and get out of my sight." Ronald ordered and walked out of the room.

********************************************

BJ pulled into a parking spot next to black Jeep Wrangler. The building before her was a two-story office building. A fire escape went up along the side of the building to one of the windows. BJ could tell that the upstairs was probably an apartment by all the windows with curtains. She figured that’s where the small blonde must live and the office space on the bottom floor was her business.

As she got out of her car the soft sounds of Enya filled the air. As she walked around the corner the music grew louder and seemed to be coming from inside the building. "Good taste in music, "BJ said to herself before she knocked on the old white door.

When nobody answered the fourth knock she turned the doorknob and stuck her head in, "hello, is anyone here?" She yelled over the loud music. When nobody yelled back she entered and started to look around. The first room she entered had boxes filled and stacked in the far corner. An old metal desk sat in the middle of the room and had papers stacked in little piles.

She knew that she shouldn’t look, but the large red stamp on one of the pages caught her attention. She picked it up and it was a notice that the electricity was going to be turned off some time today. BJ grabbed another and found it to be from the Phone Company, "well that explains why I couldn’t reach you by phone."

It had taken two days for BJ to get information on Tyler Jones. Barb had tried to get the information packet with all of Tyler’s number on it from Ronald, but he said that they had lost them somewhere. He offered to find them, if she came back, but she not so politely told him to, "fuck-off."

BJ set the papers back on the pile, and continued to look around. A few pictures that had yet to be been taken down covered one wall. She walked up and noticed that most of them were of Tyler and an older gentleman. The amazing green eyes that BJ remembered from the other day shined back at her from one of the photos of the Grandfather hugging Tyler as a young girl of about ten.

"That was taken at my tenth birthday party," Tyler said from behind her.

BJ jumped and quickly turned around, "I’m sorry. I knocked and even yelled and nobody answered me. So I just thought I’d take a look around until I found you."

Tyler laughed and put the box she had in her arm down on the floor, "well, I do like to listen to my music a little loud. It kinda takes the quietness away."

BJ couldn’t help but stare. Tyler’s eyes were black and blue and the cut above her eye had a small white bandage over it. "Does that hurt?" She had o stop her hand from reaching up and caressing the bruised face.

"I’ve had worse," Tyler replied and grabbed another box and headed down the hall, "Grab a box for me will you?" She yelled, "I have to get this done today. The landlord has to show it to someone tomorrow and wants me out of here."

BJ picked up a box and headed to where she thought Tyler was, "I feel really bad about not paying attention to what Ronald was doing the other day. He wasn’t supposed to be doing the interviews, he was just supposed to sit and observe." She informed Tyler has she walked into the room.

"Oh well, nothing is going to change the fact that because of him I didn’t get the job," Tyler responded as she wrapped a vase in some old newspaper. She put the wrapped vase into the box, "Why are you here?"

BJ walked up and put the box near the one Tyler stood next to, "I’m here to see if you still wanted the job."

"You’re kidding?" Tyler asked shocked.

"No, you’re the best one for the job. I’d be crazy not to. First you proved that you could handle yourself in a fight. Second your portfolio you gave to the agency was top notch," BJ stated and grabbed some newspapers so she could help.

Tyler stood there and started to laugh, "you’re the only person who thinks my portfolio is any good at all."

"No I’m not. My Mom thinks so too and usually she’s right." BJ informed Tyler as she continued to pack. "Where do you want these?" BJ pointed to the small figurines on a shelf.

Stunned Tyler could only look in the direction the finger pointed. She cleared her throat, "go ahead and put them in that box you’ve got there."

The two worked for a couple of minutes in quiet before BJ asked, "so are you going to take the job?"

"Will I have to deal with Mr. Garland?" Tyler asked as she dumped some unimportant papers in a garbage can.

"No, I fired him and his agency right after you walked out the other day." BJ replied before she headed down the hallway for another box.

Tyler stood there stunned again by what BJ told her. She watched BJ walk back in the room and start on another shelf, "why did you fire him?"

BJ turned around so she was looking right at Tyler, "because what he did was inexcusable and down right rotten." She took a deep breath, "I’ve known that he’s a male chauvinist pig for some time and for some unknown reason I chose to ignore it."

Tyler walked over to the tall brunette and stuck her hand out, "I’m glad you finally came to your senses." She felt a warm comforting hand grab onto hers and shake, "I would be honored to work for you."

"That’s great, now what do you say we finish with the packing," BJ smiled and let go of Tyler’s hand. The loss she felt when the smaller hand dropped from hers was immediate.

"Why don’t you tell me about the threats and what has been done so far to protect you," Tyler said as she walked back to the desk and began to dump more paper into the garbage.

*******************************************

Tyler grabbed her bottle of beer and sat back on the plush couch. Papers spread across the table in front of her. They were the letters and printed E-mails BJ has received on and off for the past six months.

First they started out just like any normal fan letters some said "you are the most beautiful actress were. Some said that she was "the most beautiful actress" and "I’m Your Biggest Fan". Then they started to get more personal and possessive stating things like "I saw you today and I really like that blue dress you had on, but I didn’t like the way that one guy kept talking to you. You better let him know that you’re all ready spoken for. You’re mine and nobody else can have you.

The final straw for BJ was when a dozen black roses started to be delivered everyday. Little notes attached to them said; ‘soon my love and we will be together.’

So far the police and other enforcement agencies didn’t have a clue. They only knew that it was a single male between the ages of twenty-five and thirty-five. Which meant they had thousands of suspects.

A knock at the door broke Tyler from her thoughts. She took a drink as she stood; "I’m coming."

The door opened and a dark head popped in, "It’s just me. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay." BJ said as she walked the rest of the way in.

"Oh, hi come on in and have a seat. I was just going over all the letters," Tyler responded as she waved BJ in.

BJ walked in and sat in the chair across from Tyler, "I just wanted to make sure that you were making yourself at home."

"I am, and thanks again for letting me stay here," Tyler said with a smile.

When BJ found out that afternoon that Tyler had rented a small apartment, because she had to sell the house her Grandfather left. She immediately offered Tyler the use of her guesthouse.

"It’s my pleasure," BJ grinned and grabbed a letter that sat on the table. "Got any clues from my little love letters?" She asked as she laughed.

Tyler sat there and stared at BJ. She could see that even though BJ tried to hide behind humor that she was scared. The faint lines of worry around the eyes and the tightness of her muscles in her arms as she held the letter. The most revealing was the deep sadness in the blue eyes.

Tyler stood and walked next to BJ. "You have nothing to worry about. I won’t let anything happen to you," Tyler reassured BJ.

BJ saw the look in the deep green eyes and knew that what Tyler said was true. She would protect her and keep her safe, "Thank you."

Tyler smiled and patted BJ on the shoulder, "no need to thank me. That’s what you hired me for." Tyler walked down the hallway to enter the kitchen; "you want something to drink?"

"Sure what ever you’re having is good," BJ yelled at the blonde.

Tyler stepped out of the kitchen with two bottles of beer. She handed BJ hers and went to sit back on the couch. They sat in silence for a couple of minutes just enjoying the quietness of the evening.

Tyler tried to keep from staring at the beautiful brunette who was looking up at the stars from the window, but her eyes had different ideas. The way that BJ stroked the bottle as it rested on her bare thigh. The rise and fall of her chest as she took a deep breath and the little sigh that followed. "Oh man I think I’m in trouble," Tyler thought to herself as she ran one hand through her hair and looked down at her other hand and noticed it shaking, "No, I know I’m in trouble."

"What’s the plan for tomorrow?" BJ asked as she continued to look out the window.

When Tyler didn’t answer her BJ turned her gaze from the starry night to the small blonde who seem very interested in the bottle in her hand. She could tell that Tyler was lost in thought. It gave her time to look over the lovely body that sat in front of her.

The soft blonde hair that looked like a golden halo that surrounded the angelic face with deep emerald green eyes and soft pink lips. That seemed to be mumbling something she couldn’t understand, "what is she saying to herself?" BJ asked herself as she continued to admire her bodyguard.

At that moment Tyler looked up and green meet blue. She could feel the pull of her soul. It wanted to reach out and grab the one offered to her. Tyler pushed herself up and started to walk around the table, but a soft knock at the door broke the intense moment.

BJ blinked to clear her head as she watched Tyler walk towards the door, "oh boy, what the hell was that?" She whispered as she shook her head to clear it. "I’ve never had anyone make my heart beat this fast with just one look."

Tyler rested her head on the door to slow her breathing down. "what just happened?" She thought as heard the knock again so she took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Hi, Tyler," Barb smiled when the door opened. "I’m looking for BJ have you seen her?"

"Yep, she’s in here," Tyler stepped away from the door so Barb could enter.

Barb walked in, "Thanks, I didn’t know where she went and was starting to worry."

"I understand, especially with everything going on." Tyler said as she guided Barb down the hallway to the living room. "Would you like something to drink?"

"No thanks, I just wanted to check on BJ," Barb said and continued towards the living room.

"Okay, I’ll just give you two a few minutes," Tyler said and walked into the kitchen.

Tyler headed over to the refrigerator and opened it up. She grabbed the ham, Swiss cheese and Miracle Whip, plus another beer. She sat the items down on the table and went over to the silverware drawer and reached in for a knife with one hand and grabbed the bread with the other.

"I could totally get lost in those blue eyes," Tyler thought as she sat at the table to make her sandwich. "I can’t let myself think like that. She’s my boss and I’m here to protect her, not ravish her."

After the sandwich was eaten and the mess picked up Tyler headed for the living room. She found Barb and BJ talking in whispers and nods. She cleared her throat and walked into the room. "Is everything okay?"

"Oh, yes everything is fine. I just wanted to let BJ know that Willis Hut called to confirm her appearance on his show next week," Barb said with a smile. "He’s been trying o get her on his show for years."

"Well, that guy is a slime ball," Tyler grinned. "I remember one show where he was making fun of one of his guests about some affair she had. Which turned out to be false, and the husband jumped up from the audience and broke his noise."

BJ giggled, "I remember that one. The husband was sued and had to pay Willis over One Hundred Thousand dollars."

"What? No way," Tyler sat down stunned. "Man that sucks."

"Well, a week or so later Willis was attacked behind some restaurant," Barb informed the other two women in the room. She let a small grin pass her lips. "It’s just a rumor, but some say the husband got his moneys worth that night."

The three sat in silence for all of a second before they started to laugh. The rest of the night they went over what Tyler needed and what she expected from both of them.

Tyler told them that she wanted to meet all of the employees that worked here at the house and the ones that worked personally for BJ. She also wanted all the background checks redone and double-checked.

Tyler informed them that she would bring in a couple of her own people to help in the training she wanted certain people to go through.

Mike Archer was a friend who used to work for her Grandfather on a couple of assignments. He would teach Melvin Armstrong, BJ’s personal driver, how to get away from a dangerous situation and how to lose a tail.

Leo Frames would teach the staff self defense. Just in case the stalker decided to hurt BJ through her employees. He would also teach them to pay attention to the surroundings of the house more closely and see if anything was different.

Tyler was happy that she had a little back up. She knew that she could handle a job of this size, but it was always good to have someone at your back. Plus with the feelings that seemed to be rising with every look from BJ, Tyler knew that Mike and Leo would keep her head where it needed to be.

********************************************

Over the next week Tyler had everything going the way she wanted it. BJ had not once questioned her about what or why she did things. Barb only threw a fit once when her rose bushes were transplanted from the backyard to the side of the large white brick house.

Tyler had calmed her down by promising that they wouldn’t be harmed and she would even let the older woman instruct on their transplant. Plus she had to bribe Barb with the promise to go and buy her some new rose bushes when things cooled down with the stalker.

BJ, Tyler noticed just stood back and laughed. The brightness of the smile and the music that was her laugh almost made Tyler faint. She had realized that every time BJ was near her heart would beat faster and her palms would sweat.

Mike and Leo weren’t as much help as Tyler thought they would be. Oh, they helped out a great deal with the staff, but they teased her whenever they knew BJ wasn’t looking. She threatened to fire them if they didn’t knock it off but the two men just laughed and walked away.

Tyler didn’t get mad she knew they only did it because they loved her. The two men had helped raise her ever since her Grandfather hired them.

Mike stood over six feet tall with short blonde hair and a well-manicured beard. The size of his arms usually scared the pants off of everybody, but his bright smile put them at ease a second later. His love for life could be seen in the way he worked and played.

In his house he had a wall filled with pictures of him doing extreme outdoor sports. Like bungee jumping off bridges and parachuting out of planes. Mike’s favorite sport was white water rafting. He had gone through some of the roughest courses in the world. Mike could have made a very good living through sponsors and doing commercials for the sport, but he fell in love and decided that it was more important to be with his soulmate.

*******************************************

Barb walked onto the study looking for BJ. She quietly walked up behind her daughter to see what she was looking at. "I should have guessed." The slight figure of the small blonde talking with Mike and Leo came into view; "I really like Tyler. She seems to know what she’s doing."

"Yes, she does." BJ answered with a nod of her head.

They both laughed as they watched Tyler bring her sunglasses down off her head and act like a big glare was shining off of Leo’s head. "Tyler is going to be in big trouble one of these days. Leo is going to get her back real good."

"I think she’s just getting him back for yesterday when he tripped her and made her fall into the pool," Barb laughed as she rubbed BJ’s back.

BJ giggled, "that was pretty funny." "I especially like how the shirt stuck to her like glue when she got out and chased him al over the yard."

The two grew silent and continued to watch the three through the window. They watched as Tyler and Leo went back and fourth arguing about something, but like the mature adults they were they stopped by sticking their tongues out at each other.

"You like her don’t you?" Barb asked. All ready knowing the answer.

"It shows that much?" BJ replied stunned as she turned to look at her Mom, "How could you tell?"

Barb smiled, "I’m your mother and I know you. Plus the way you try to catch glimpses of her when she’s around, and I’ve caught you watching her out this window for the past two days."

"There’s just something in her eyes," BJ turned and walked to the middle of the room.

Barb watched as BJ started to pace, "what do you see?"

BJ paced back and forth for a few seconds before she stopped and took a deep breath in and let it out slowly, "I can see my past and my future. I can feel the intensity of a love that hasn’t been touched in a long time. That’s begging to come out. It’s like my soul is calling out and Tyler is the one who has to answer."

Barb stood there stunned beyond words. She had never heard her daughter talk about love like that. BJ had basically given up on finding her true soulmate and had just resigned herself to finding someone that could love her for her nothing more.

"She’s the one isn’t she?" Barb asked her daughter in a calm voice.

BJ walked back to the window and stood by her Mom and looked back out at Tyler, "yes."

Barb turned to face her daughter. She could see the spark in BJ’s eyes as she watched Tyler walk with Leo and Mike to the side of the house. "You need to tell her how you feel."

BJ shook her head; "I can’t do that. Not yet anyway."

"Why in the hell not?" Barb yelled. She was tired of sitting back and watching her daughter hurt for not being the person she was. "Oh, BJ, please for once follow your heart."

"You know why. In the entertainment industry it’s frowned on for the leading lady…" BJ started to say but was interrupted by her Mom’s hand over her mouth.

"I don’t want to hear that crap any more. It’s time for you to stop listening to all the assholes out there and listen to what’s in your heart. Life only comes around once. You understand? ONCE!" Barb yelled.

"It’s time you lived your life for yourself and be happy." Barb finished and drew her daughter in for a hug. "The love you described to me should be grabbed onto with both hands and never let go."

BJ felt tears run down her face. The emotions she felt scared her. It had been so long since she had been able to be the person she was without having to hide behind a perfect mask. Her Mom was right, now was the time to come out and be herself.

BJ stepped back and grabbed her Mom by the shoulders; "you’re the best Mom anyone could ask for." She kissed the older woman on the cheek, "love you."

"Love you too," Barb smiled.

*******************************************

"The Security Company finished all the new hook ups. The windows are so sensitive now that the slightest touch will set them off," Leo informed the two people that followed him to the side of the house.

"What about the extra set of motion lights for the front and the back?" Tyler asked as she inspected the work done. "I don’t want a mouse to move without the lights flicking on."

"Trust me, not even a bug could get by without setting it off." Leo assured Tyler.

"Great, thanks Leo. I really appreciate all the work you guys have done for me." Tyler said and patted both men on the back.

"Don’t sweat it," Mike replied. "We’re just glad that we could help."

"That’s right, what good are friends if you can’t put them to work for little or no pay?" Leo teased and ducked quickly from the hand that was aimed for his head. "Just kidding little buddy."

"Leo, knock it off. Tyler don’t listen to that boob." Mike said as he stepped in front of his lover before Tyler could get another punch in.

"Hey," Leo yelled from behind Mike’s back. He stood with his hands on his hips and puffed his chest out, "I’m not a boob."

"Yes you are," both Tyler and Mike yelled back.

Tyler stood there and glanced from one man to the other. A frown formed, "I know I can’t pay you guys much and I’m sorry for that. All the money that I’ll be making has to go to all the past due bills. Plus I have to save as much as I can so when this stalker is finally found I can get a place and start up the business again."

The two men saw the sadness take over Tyler. Leo stepped out from behind Mike and wrapped the small blonde in a hug; "I’m just teasing you. Even if you offered us money we’d refuse. Mike and I think of you as part of our family. It just wouldn’t be right to take money from you."

"You two are the only family I have left," Tyler mumbled from Leo’s chest. "I thank God for you guys everyday."

"As you should," Leo replied before a small foot kicked him in the shin. "Ouch," he cried out as he hopped on one foot. "I was just trying to lighten the mood."

Mike walked closer to the two and wrapped them in another hug; "any time you need us all you have to do is call. Your Grandfather was a very good friend of ours and he would comeback and kick our asses if anything happened to you."

Tyler stood there and let the emotions absorb into her soul. Some of the emptiness and loneliness inside her disappeared. She squeezed a little tighter before she stepped back and gave the two men a big smile. "Love you two."

"Right back at you," Mike replied as he wiped a lone tear off of Tyler’s cheek. "Now lets get back to work. We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow."

"That’s right, BJ has an interview on that one talk show," Leo frowned. "Willis Hut is the biggest asshole ever born."

"Ain’t that the truth," Mike agreed. "He’s got the worst reputation in the business. I have no clue why he’s still on the air?"

"Because he can get a rise out of anybody," Tyler said as they walked to the front of the house. "I just hope he doesn’t try anything tomorrow. BJ has enough crap to deal with."

Leo and Mike stopped walking and stared at the blonde as she went off into her own world. "She’s doing it again." Leo sighed and grinned up at his partner.

"Yep, do you think she even realizes she does that?" Mike asked as he draped his arm around Leo’s shoulders.

"Nope," Leo laughed and wrapped his arm around Mike’s waist to bring him closer. "She doesn’t have a clue."

Mike kissed the top of Leo’s baldhead. "What do you think she’ll do when it hits her?"

Leo snuggled closer, "cherish every moment of it I hope."

"Just like we do," Mike responded with another kiss.

Leo turned his and looked up at the greatest thing that ever happened to him, "yep, just like us."

The two stood and stared into each other’s eyes. The sound of Tyler’s voice broke the moment and the two sprinted over to where the woman stood.

Tyler stood by the high metal fence that separated BJ’s house from the world. She watched as a suspicious car sat out front of the house. Inside the car sat a man with a camera ready to get any kind of picture he could get.

"I don’t think it’s our stalker, but I bet it’s a sleaze ball from some tabloid." Tyler whispered when the men stopped next to her.

"What do you want us to do? He’s not breaking any laws," Leo quietly asked.

"How about we put a little scare into him?" Tyler suggested with a gleam in her eyes.

"Count us in," Mike answered for the two men.

Tyler huddled the two around her, "Leo go up to the house and make sure BJ stays in. I don’t want her to have to worry about this kind of crap."

"Oh come on I want to be part of this," Leo pouted and stomped his feet.

Tyler and Mike rolled their eyes at the man.

"Quit acting like a damn three year old," Tyler scolded. "You can be in on the next one."

"Promise?" Leo asked and stuck out his bottom lip.

"Yes, I promise. Now put that thing back before a bird lands on it." Tyler responded as she pushed the offending lip back with one of her fingers. "I need Mike’s big muscles for this one. Your to puny to pull it off."

"Oh please, I’ll have you know that under this fabulously expensive shirt is a body every man or woman would die to have." Leo puffed his chest out and put his hands on his hips for added effect.

Mike and Tyler tried hard not to laugh, but the sight of Leo when he stood like that only made it ten times harder.

"Okay, if you say so,…..Mr. Clean." Mike snorted from behind his hand. His entire body shook from the giggles that took over his body.

"All you need is the earring and you’ve got it made." Tyler teased as her face turned red from over exertion from trying not to fall down and laugh herself to death.

Leo continued to stand there with a scowl on his face. "Okay, fine no sex for you," he countered back as he pointed at Mike.

Mike stood up with a frown, "come on honey. You know I was only kidding."

"I’ll just be going now," Leo said before he turned and stomped up to the house.

Tyler slapped Mike on the back, "you know all you have to do is buy him a nice present and he’ll forgive you."

Mike turned his head slowly around to look in to mischievous green eyes. "Lets get this show on the road so I can get my ass to the store."

"Good, here’s my plan," Tyler wrapped her arm across Mike’s shoulder and led him to the backyard so they could get around to the side without the guy in the car noticing them.

*******************************************

Barb and BJ were in the kitchen when Leo came in with a big smile, "what has you so happy?" Barb asked as she drank her tea.

Leo stopped grabbed a cup for himself and sat at the table, "I’m getting a present."

"Really, what’s the occasion?" BJ inquired and poured some hot tea into Leo’s cup.

Leo grinned, "Mike and Tyler are outside right now scaring the pants off of some tabloid reporter. I wanted to have some fun to but they wanted me to come in and tell you to stay in the house."

"What do you mean they are out there scaring some reporter?" BJ questioned as she stood up. "Why would they say for me to stay in the house. It’s not like I’m not used to having slime ball tabloid reporters creeping around my property."

"Calm down, Tyler just wanted you to stay in the house because you have enough to deal with. She’s just doing her job protecting you." Leo replied and sipped his tea. He glanced over at Barb who had a little grin form on her face when she watched the smile appear on BJ face.

BJ sat back down on her chair and drank her tea, "okay, now tell us why your getting a present."

Leo went on to explain why he knew that Mike would get him a present. When he was done he got up and started to heat up more water, "so there you have it. I withhold sex and Mike gets me something nice to get in my good graces again."

"You sure do have his number," Barb laughed as she got up to get some cookies out of the pantry. "Chocolate chip or oatmeal?"

"Oatmeal," BJ and Leo responded at the same time.

"Glad we all agree," Barb laughed as she sat the bag on the table.

As Leo was about to pour the hot water into the empty mugs Mike and Tyler came walking in. Mike had a big grin on his face and Tyler had a scowl. The sight of blood on Tyler’s chin made BJ jump up to the blonde.

"What happened?" BJ asked as she wiped the blood off with a napkin.

Tyler lost all train of thought when BJ cupped her face. The warm feeling of BJ’s hands on her cheek felt like a probe straight to her center. "Damn, if she can get that kind of reaction out of me with a small touch to my face. I can’t imagine what it would be like if she touched other places." Tyler thought and closed her eyes to relish in the sensation.