Ice and Fire

Derek's words stunned Jackson because he hadn't thought of that before.

Bobby stood quietly to the side listening as he tried to follow his two bosses' logic on this case.

"Jackson, as far as I know, Jean left the city five years ago, about the same time Cherry ran away from you. All your concentration was focused on finding Cherry, and you couldn't spare any attention to Jean, but, I didn't keep a watchful eye on her either. I had just received information from my people that Jean had been ransomed by someone and left the city, and I didn't take it seriously at that time, " Derek explained as he reanalyzed the details of the case logically. "As I thought it over, I suddenly realized it couldn't have been an ordinary person if they were able to help Jean leave that place, but...."

Derek stopped talking.

"Go ahead, continue!" Jackson ordered.

"It's okay if the person who helped Jean leave was just a wealthy person. It's just that I'm concerned now that…" Derek continued staring into Jackson's eyes as he went on, "Well, she may have become associated with the people involved in the things that happened that year."

Bobby couldn't help but look to Jackson as Derek finished his words. The memories of the conflict between those families were so fierce, so horrible that it had become a nightmare that was burned into his mind.

Jackson shook his head, "That's not possible. I don't see how she would have been able to get in touch with those people."

Derek thought for a moment and nodded, dropping the subject.

Jackson was worried, too though. Derek's theory seemed plausible, but, at the same time deep down, he knew things could be more complicated. Jean probably had no chance to contact those persons, but that didn't mean they couldn't have found her. They might have taken advantage of her. Until now, he knew nothing of their plan and wasn't able to consider what they were up to, or what would happen next.

to Bobby, "I want you to go

immediately as a reply, while he thought to himself, 'It seems

to Jackson as he followed him, "Jackson, things are getting very complicated. It might have been the best option for Cherry and Joe

but they would have been safe and would not face the potential of being hurt. Things are out of control, and I don't know how to protect them from the risks now. I don't even know who my enemies are. Or what they are

He needed to find out who was behind assisting Jean and then he would be sure of whether or not Jean posed a threat

logic, "Yes,

what the two were saying, and asked uncertainly, "Mr. Jackson, should I send

could respond, Derek snapped, "Don't

do that. You know how sensitive

sink in as he mulled it over, 'Derek is right. How could I not know how Cherry would react? She is always so sensitive and alert. I shouldn't send people to protect her until I find out what exactly is going on.

he turned to Bobby and whispered, "Listen to Derek. Try to find out who that person is as soon as possible

Sir!" Bobby nodded, acknowledging

returned home. As he entered the bedroom he saw Cherry sleeping soundly, so he quietly slipped

she smelled the unique scent of Jackson and sleepily murmured, "Jackson?" as she rolled over

as he breathed the single word, "Yes." before

She rubbed her sleepy eyes as she opened them slowly to discover Jackson sleeping next to her.