Lorna, your beginning quote had me Oh, Oh, I know what they mean too, and I'm glad mine isn't there! I've always thought we would be a prime target!

Now I understand why mine wasn't one of the targets!

I love it Lorna!

Lynn *****hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe****

Ah yes Tara... but it's that cocky arrogance about Bobby that we all adore!

I was trying very hard not to laugh since I was eating my cereals, but that last line did it.





And when I saw those numbers, I would have guessed zip code as well... not that anyone will believe me

Tara, you will have to put up with Bobby when he makes the find!! He will definitely be full of himself - it's in his blood!!!

On a serious note, quite a catch, Bobby!! Now, where do we go from here???

Oreo, once again you brightened my morning with your quote!!!

Joy

I admit it. I laughed when I read that Bobby figured out that the numbers were zip codes. This was delightful. Now that they know, how will they proceed?

I believe you, Marlene!

This is a great story! Can't wait to read more!

Jill

I believe you too Marlene

Geezzz...Myles, you don't miss one, don't you??
OK, Bobby and Tara...breath in...breath out...repeat every 5 seconds for a minute or two and then...talk...for real!!!
Love it Lorna!!!
Josy

That was priceless - I can't quote my favorite part because I'd end up quoting the whole post!!!

Chapter 5




Jack bit back his laughter. Clearly, Bobby and Tara were having even bigger problems than he suspected and Myles certainly didn’t need any encouragement to continue to harass them. He plastered on his all-business face. “Okay, Myles, what else has Intel picked up?”

“A name but it has to be code.”

“Why?”

“It’s too ludicrious to be real.”

Jack crossed his arms over his chest. “Try us.”

“According to them, the terrorist they suspect is Iman Naseh. He’s an Islamic student who came to the US on a student visa.”

“That’s not so unusual, mate.”

“No, but they claim he has a girlfriend here in the States by the name of Candy . . .”

Tara moaned. “Let me guess. Her last name is Heart.”

Myles tossed a candy bar from his desk to Tara. “Give the lady a box of chocolates or in this case a Snickers bar.”

Sue touched D’s arm. “Did they just say that we’re looking for a woman named Candy Heart?”

D nodded. “Shouldn’t be so hard to find someone by a name like that.”

Tara held up her hand and swallowed the bite of Snickers in her mouth. “Apparently there are a lot of ‘professional’ women who go by that name, and at least 25 poor girls whose parents thought the play on words was funny.”

“Did you try spelling the last name Hart, Luv?”

Jack saw Tara shoot Bobby a glare. Poor Crash couldn’t win tonight. He cleared his throat. “Any Candy Hearts in the case files?”

“Add another ten possibilities if you spell heart h-a-r-t, and there are 12 of those in F.B.I. files. Fifteen who spell it h-e-a-r-t.”

“Take out the ones over thirty,” D suggested. “Does that narrow it down?”

“Considerably. That gives us fifteen Candy’s, three of which have F.B. I. files.”

Jack moved to the board. “Locations of those three?”

“We’re in luck. All three are here in D.C. It will take longer to cross reference her name with Iman’s at George Washington U.”

“Well, then, people, why don’t you all go home and grab a few hours sleep and we’ll start with visiting some of D.C.’s finest in the morning?” Jack paused for a second as his team began to mumble. “I know this all sounds kind of like some kind of joke, but we have to take all possible threats seriously.”



Tara managed to skirt Sue and ignore Bobby, but fell short of her goal when she found Myles waiting for her at her car. Any other member of her team would be better – well, except for Mr.-I-Can’t-Take-My-Eyes-Off Darcella.

“Myles, I appreciate your concern, but . . .”

He pointed to the flat tire on her car. “I’m not here to be your romantic counselor. I came to be your night in shining armor. Actually, Bobby saw the flat tire and asked me if I’d take you home. He said he didn’t think you wanted to ride with him. Something about you not wanting to be within a hundred miles of him.”

“I said yards,” she mumbled.

“I guess there’s not much difference in the way he took it. Come on. Let’s get home so we can sleep through what little amount of this night is left.”

Tara followed Myles to his silver Lexus. Ever the gentleman, he unlocked the door for her and held it. It was just Myles but it felt strange to have another man do the things only Bobby had done for the last year.

The drive was quiet. Myles did not try to keep up any inane chitchat as neither of them had the energy to do so. The late night radio played a steady stream of soft rock. Tilting her head back, she closed her eyes and listened. The words to each love song stung and soon tears had sprung to her eyes.

Myles cleared his throat. “There are tissues in the glove compartment.”

She opened it and took out a couple.

“Tara, I am certainly not one to sing Bobby's praises, and far be it from me to even fathom what you see in him. I don’t want to know what Koala Boy did to hurt you so much. In fact, I think I’d like to give him a swift kick in the . . . “

“Myles!”

“I was going to say teeth.”

Tara rolled her eyes. “Of course you were.”

He pulled the car into her parking lot and shifted to park. “But, I've been thinking, and I have something that want to ask you."

"As long as it's a yes or no question. I'm too tired for long answers."

"Fine. Are you sure you’re not sabotaging this thing you have with Bobby? Hurting him before he can hurt you?”

“What? That’s ridiculous!”

He lifted his hands from the steering wheel in mock surrender. “Just think about it. Besides, the Tara I know is smart enough to realize that Darcy D-less-than-angelic is not even in her league.”

Tara had learned to cherish the rare moments when Myles' big heart shone through. She smiled. “Thank you, Myles. That’s sweet.” Opening the car, she climbed out. “Thanks again.”

“Get some rest. Things will look better in the morning.”

“Why is Bobby going to China?” she offered sarcastically.

“Tara . . .” He sighed heavily. “Sweet dreams.”

I love Myles! Really, truly love the man! That was perfect!

Kim

I can't wait to see how this plays out. I love Bobby and Tara - they're so different in so many ways!! I love Myles, too, but I still hold out hope for him and Lucy. Thanks for the fun story - keep it coming!!!!

Regina

You know, because Myles is so flippant so much of the time, it really gets your attention when he turns serious. I think that's why it's so effective. Tara, hopefully, is listening and will take it to heart (sorry, bad pun) overnight.

Tina

That's a good point and one of the reasons I love his character so much.

I'm loving this story, Lorna! Your quotes at the beginning of each post are priceless! Looking forward to seeing them unravel the details of this case too!

You know, as I was reading your last post, Oreo, I realized something!! We've had to do without new STFBE episodes for a while now, but that hasn't stopped you writers from continuing to let Myles grow!! All the characters have flourished on this board, but I think Myles has been allowed to continue to improve at about the same pace I would have expected on the show!! The Myles we saw in "Endings and Beginnings" has seamlessly matured to what we see today here on RFF!!!

I'm enjoying his soft, serious side and his immense caring for the whole team!! Thanks for showing us that!!!

Joy

Tina, you make a good point, but has anyone considered that maybe someone gave her the flat tire on purpose? Maybe so she could get this bit of insight? I'm not saying they'd do it to deliberately torture her, but if Myles is willing to stand up for her relationship with Bobby (well,sort of, anyway) then this might not have been an accident.

I am too tired to write something long or even coherent...but I LOVE it...I really love how you shown the "nice" side of Myles...
Linny...flat tire, not accident It's too late for me to even think straight...let me sleep on it and I'll get back
Josy

Chapter 6



It was one of her best secrets – arriving before everyone else to get some intense research done. It was also the best way to avoid early morning interaction when she wasn’t in the mood. Sleep had eluded her despite her best efforts to settle in with Tigger and Pooh. Around six in the morning, she gave up trying to sleep and took a cab to the Hoover Building.

Glancing at her watch, she realized everyone would be arriving in the next fifteen minutes or so – including him. She took a deep breath. At least she had something to show for her lack of slumber. She had found a student named Candace Hart from George Washington University. Candace was a senior urban engineering student and Iman, she’d discovered, was a graduate student in chemistry. She had address on each, too.

She heard footsteps in the hall and looked up from her monitor as Bobby walked in. He stopped in the doorway and scowled. “How did you get here?”

“I flew in on my broom.”

“You look awful.”

“If you’re trying to woo my with your Aussie charm, you're off to a bad start.”

“Did you sleep at all?”

“Did you?”

“Answering a question with a question. Nice try, Luv.” He walked over to the coffee and filled two cups. He brought one to her. “We need to talk.”

She fingered the fuzzy top on her pen. “I’m not ready, yet.”

He tipped her chin up until she was forced to look at him. “Well, I’m not going anywhere.”

He drew his hand away as Myles and Lucy sauntered in, already embattled in some silly fight. Sue and Jack arrived seconds later. D stepped into the room from his office and informed Jack that he had put Phil Rawlins team on standby if they needed them.

“I’ve got something,” Tara told them. Quickly, she filled them in on what she’d found.

“Sue and I will take Iman’s. Bobby, why don’t you tag along? Who knows what we’ll find there.”

“No problem, mate.”

“Myles, why don’t you and Tara take Candace?”

Tara felt a strange stab hearing Jack’s choice of pairing. Clearly, Jack was trying to make things easier on Bobby and her, and she really didn’t want to be locked in a car with him or trying to interview some flirty college student named “Candy”. Still, it didn’t feel right.

“Ready to go?” Myles said as he buttoned up his coat.

Tara stood and quickly put her own coat on. “We’ll have to take you car.”

“We can, but your tire is fixed. I saw it on my way in.”

“How? Did you?”

His eyes moved to Bobby who was shrugging into his jacket. “My guess is your tarnished knight.”



“That was productive,” Myles growled.

Jack lifted his head from the material he was reading. “You didn’t turn up anything either?”

Tara dropped her purse in the drawer of her desk. “I wouldn’t go that far. We did speak to Candy’s professors.”

Sue walked over to Tara’s desk and handed her a file they’d received. “And?”

“They say she’s an excellent student. She has a bright future in municipal planning.”

“But you didn’t get to speak to her?”

“No, she wasn’t home. Iman?”

“Gone too, Luv. Out having a bit of pre-Valentine celebrations, perhaps.”

Myles sat down at his desk. “Yes, blowing things up together is a great basis for a relationship.”

D entered the bullpen and Levi placed a paw on Sue’s thigh. He made sure that everyone was looking before he began. “Okay folks, this just came down from the top. Apparently, there’s been a meeting between some people Department of Homeland Security and the Assistant Director. They feel like there’s enough evidence on this that they want an F.B.I. team in each of those cities.”

“Have any of them stopped to consider we are looking for a woman named Candy Heart who’s suppose to be attacking Romance, Arkansas on Valentines Day?” Myles groused. “Don’t tell me I’m the only one who thinks this all sounds like a big practical joke on us.”

D scanned the room. Jack shrugged. “He does have a point.”

“I agree, but we can’t take a chance that this is a joke. For that reason, pack your bags.” He turned to the board and circled three of the cities on the board: Bridal Veil, Oregon; Romance, Arkansas; and Loving, New Mexico. “These three have the smallest populations so I’m assigning them to Phil Rawlin’s team.”

“That leaves us the other three?” Bobby asked.

“Give Koala Boy a treat. He can count!”

Bobby shot Myles a death glare, and D continued. “The larger cities would seem to make better targets. I need two of you in each. Myles and I will take Loveland, Colorado. Jack and Sue, we’re sending you to Kissimee, Florida, and Bobby and Tara, pack your bags for Valentine, Nebraska.”

“Us?” Tara croaked.

D’s brow furled. “Is there a problem?”

Bobby shrugged. “No, none at all. Sounds like the perfect place.”

Oh, I was hoping they were going to find something!! It all sounded so reasonable!! But I guess terrorists don't like to appear reasonable!!!

Valentine, Nebraska - sounds like the perfect spot for Bobby and Tara!!!

The little kids in your quotes, Oreo, seem to have a pretty good insight into the dating game!!! LOL

Joy

Oh! Sparks will fly high in that new assigment!
I am curious to see how it will turn out!
Good luck guys and...be careful...
Josy

Road trip! Hope Bobby and Tara don't choke each other before they have a chance to kiss and make up!

Tina

Chapter 7

Worst thing to say on a first date

I used to have a real bad bedwetting problem ...
but the last couple of weeks I've gotten it under control.

I know we just met and this might seem a little sudden ...
but could I borrow five hundred dollars?

Go ahead and Super Size - I found spare change in the sofa today.

Something tells me that you're very special ...
but with medication I can usually ignore it.

Nada. Zilch. Not one blasted word. Bobby couldn’t believe that Tara had managed a three hour flight and a two hour ride in a rented SUV without so much as a mention of the case. Even yelling was better than this silence.

Give her a break. She slept half the trip. She was sleeping now. As he pulled to a stop inside the city of Valentine, Nebraska, he glanced at her sleeping beside him in the vehicle, hair tousled, face softened by slumber. He should throttle her, but he wanted to kiss her senseless. Yesterday, he was ready to let her go. After all, it would be the noble thing to do. He was trouble and she didn't deserve that. Today, he knew he couldn’t just walk away. He loved her too much. Maybe it was selfish to ask her to deal with all the elements of his past, but he found himself praying that she could.

The light turned green, and he re-focused on finding his way to their destination. Tara was going to be furious when they got there. Lucy had left making their housing arrangements to him, and since Tara had decided to give him an A+ silent treatment, he hadn’t felt the need to share the information with her.

He drove down the main street of the city, taking in the small town feel it still had. He noticed a coffee shop called “The Daily Grind” and thought Tara would be pleased to know she didn’t have to give up her current favorite treat. Maybe he could sneak out to get it for her in morning. That is if she didn’t kill him sometime during the night.

Dating a woman who carried a gun had its drawbacks.

The worse thing was, Bobby had no idea what he’d done to irritate Tara so much. One minute, she had seemed fine with Darcy’s visit. Then, the next, it was pummeling him with Pooh. When he’d shared his predicament with Jack before they left, his best mate simply told him, “Just be glad she doesn’t collect rocks.” Thanks, Sparky. That was a lot of help.

He pulled off the highway as the map indicated and onto a gravel road. Tara jolted awake. “Are we lost?”

“Nope.”

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see. We’ll be there in a couple of minutes. Did you have a nice nap?”

She nodded.

Great. They were back to the silence.

He sped over the bumps in the road purposely hard trying to elicit some kind of chastisement from her, but she kept her mouth clamped shut. As they pulled into the Double Bar “S” Ranch, he saw her stiffen out of the corner of his eye. He followed the sign that pointed to the Bunkhouse.

He pulled to stop in front of the rustic cabin.

“You have got to be kidding,” she hissed. “We’re staying in a bunkhouse?”

“Lucy’s doing not mine.” He shifted the SUV into park, opened the door and climbed out. Tara didn’t budge. Leaning back inside, he flashed her best grin. “Coming, Luv?”

“No! Bobby, we are not cowboys.”

“But this is Valentine, Nebraska and it is February. All the hotels in town were full. This place has two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. And it has horses.”

“Horses -- as in neigh?”

“Well, I wasn’t talking about the rocking or stick ones. Come on. Let’s look around.” He straightened and slammed his door shut.

He heard Tara’s door open, and she joined Bobby. The owner waved to him and hurried to join them. “You must be Mr. and Mrs. Manning.”

Tara’s nails bit into the flesh of his bicep. When did she get so violent or so strong? Maybe it was an unconscious response. He patted her hand and she tightened her grip. Definitely not unconscious. Bobby cleared his throat and freed his arm. “This a beautiful place. Why don’t you show my wife around while I get our bags?”

“Sure thing, Mr. Manning.”

He watched her follow the owner inside, and patted the extra suitcase he packed. Time to find out what’s going on in that pretty little head of yours, Luv.

Oooh.. as much as I want to know what's going on in Tara's head... something tells me Mr. Manning might be in for a bit of a rough patch tonight...

Howdy, howdy, howdy, I'm a cowboy! (Sorry, this put me in mind of an old Farside cartoon. Gosh I miss those.)

Bobby better be glad he arranged for two bedrooms... he's too tall to sleep on a couch or chair and I have a feeling that's were he'd end up. And Lucy's going to clobber him when she finds out he told Tara she made the arrangements. Good luck Bobby... you're gonna need it!

Tina

I don't know if I'm more excited to see what Bobby has planned (extra suitcase?), or how they are going to get along in close quarters!! It's not going to be easy to get Tara to break through the haze of anger she's in right now!!!

Joy

This was so Jack.
thanks,
Terie

Certainly he has...
And Tara's reaction at the Mrs. Manning greeting...geez
Can't wait for more
Josy

It would appear that Bobby has a rough go ahead of him. Tara is nowhere close to mellowing out.

Now, what does Bobby have in mind?

Oreo, how did I get so far behind? I swear I caught up with everything on Sunday?! I've just finished chapter four and my lunch hour is over, but I'll be laughing all afternoon. How do you manage to make a lover's quarrel and terrorism into something hysterically funny?

kav

Guess what? Caught up!!!! Still laughing hysterically. Bobby is being very stoic given the circumstances and Myles coming through with that good piece of advice! Perfect! Now Tara just has to start thinking...hard...about what she's doing and why she isn't talking. Until she does, I'll just sit here and laugh myself silly.

kav

Note: Valentine, NE has a population of a little less than 3000 in real life. That just wouldn’t work for my story so I’ve temporarily grown it into a small city. I’ll try to keep the “flavor” of the area. I just didn’t want anyone making vacation plans and being quite surprised when they got there.

Chapter 8 - Part A

Why should you send your sweetie a valentine?
Because you always heart the one you love!

“Step right in, Mrs. Manning,” the graying owner told Tara as he held the door for her. “I think you’ll find this place a nice surprise.”

Surprise? Yes. Nice? Impossible.

Tara stepped inside the rustic log cabin and absorbed what would be her self-appointed torture chamber. It was a pre-fabricated building, and obviously not original to the ranch, but truthfully, it was charming. At any other time, she would have found herself delighted with the wood stove in the corner and the rich faux bear rug on the floor. She ran her hand along the smooth, round logs on the wall.

“Here’s the kitchen area. The fridge and cupboards are stocked just like your husband asked.”

“Bobby asked you to buy groceries?”

“Sure thing. When he made the reservations.”

“He made the reservations himself? Not his secretary?”

“Talked to him myself yesterday and again this morning. He wanted to make sure everything was all set for the two of you.” He stepped down the hall. “There are two bedrooms, but I’m guessing you’ll only be needing the one since you’re newlyweds and all.”

“We’ll need both,” she muttered. When she saw the older man’s shock, she quickly added, “He snores.”

“Oh, I see. You know they’ve got ways to fix that now. Special machines. I’ve got one myself.” He paused and said quietly, “Is he being stubborn about it? You want me to talk to him? It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

Tara suppressed a giggle. “Please do, Mr. . . .”

“Beck. But call me Jim. Everyone does.” He pulled the door to the room on the right shut. “This here is the one he had me set up for the two of you.”

Tara stepped into the doorway and came to an abrupt stop. The entire room had bloomed in roses – pink, white, red – filled the room with their tantalizing, sweet scent. She blinked back the tears that stung her eyes.

It was going to be hard to stay mad at him if he kept doing things like this for the next two weeks.

Lots of lovely posts to catch up on! Thank you!


So many wonderful moments...



I could just hear Jack's voice saying this!


And this was just lovely...

Oh, I hope so!

I read the last post and almost started yelling from my desk, "No, No, No! I want more!!" But I didn't.



I felt like blinking back tears, too!

I love this story. Bobby and Tara are THE most fun to read and write. Can't wait to see how this story progresses!!

Gotta love Jack and the rock collecting quote, too!!!

GinaSue

Oh! And now Tara, what do you do??
Josy

Thank you for those amazing posts... There were so many jewels in them

Bobby, I'm glad you came to realize that Tara is too important to lose.

My husband uses a Bi-pap machine for snoring. When he first got it, I rolled over one night, and forgot he had it. When I saw the breathing mask, I screamed. Now, I'm used to it and am so glad he has it.

Chapter 8 - Part B

Bobby sat his bags on the porch, and then returned to heft Tara bags out of the SUV.

“Here son, let me give you a hand with those.” The man he’d come to know as Jim Beck took Tara’s suitcase from him leaving him with her hang-up bag and her carry-on bag. Beck paused on the porch and Bobby stopped too.

“Tara get settled all right?” Bobby asked.

“She was a bit overcome when I left her. I think you could say your surprise took her breath away. You love her a lot, don’t your son?”

“More than she realizes.”

Jim's voice took on a serious tone. “She told me you two are having some troubles.”

Bobby shrugged. “We just had an argument yesterday.”

“No son, I’m talking about problems of the bedroom variety.”

Tara Williams, I am going to throttle you.

“Son, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Lots of men have the some trouble with this kind of thing. Have you gone to the doctor. I did and now I’ve got this machine that’s made our bedroom a sweet place again. ”

He felt his face warm in ways it hadn’t since he was a teenager that got caught making out with his girl friend. “Mr. Beck . . .”

“Call me, Jim.”

“Jim, I’m not sure what Tara told you, but . . .”

The older man reached into this back pocket and pulled out a card. “Here’s my doctor’s number. You might want to give him a call while you’re here. He’ll be able to fix you right up.”

Bobby shook his head in disbelief and silently declared war.

I am ROLLING IN THE FLOOR!!! That was TOO funny!!!!! Want more . . . NOW!!



GinaSue

I am calling that a HUGE misunderstanding!!!!!
Priceless!!
Josy

That was priceless. Did Tara ever set Bobby up.

oh my word, that was too funny! Poor Bobby, how embarassing ahaha!
Can't wait for more!!!!!!!

Oh boy! Let the fun begin!

Kim

Good thing I'm alone, or my family would think I'm crazy...




I can just picture Bobby... here I go again...

Thing is... I don't think Bobby's thinking it's a breathing machine...!

I think that was just the beginning of the payback. It's so sweet all that Bobby has done...

And the miscommunications keep a-comin'...



Tara may have just lost her rose supply...

Can't wait to read what happens next!

Tara, you jumped to conclusions in the first place and now you've upped the anty... prepare to pay up BIG TIME.

Tina

Oh I don't know which part was funnier!

This:


or that last post!

Poor Bobby. I have a feeling that this is going to be war of the one-upmanship variety and I'm sure I'll be by the end of this... if I'm not .

Good one, Tara!!!!

This is sooooooooooo funny. Great writing!

Jill

I know someone else with a similar story - too funny!

Lorna, you had me in stitches - so well done!! I have a feeling we'll be even more at whatever Bobby cooks up in retaliation!

Oreo, this is just too funny!! I hope Tara enjoys the roses she has, because I'm not real sure that there will be any more coming!! I can't wait to see what Bobby does in retaliation!!!

Of course, on a serious side, look at all this alone time they are wasting!!!

Joy