Episode 7: Stubborn is as Stubborn Does

Episode 7
STUBBORN IS AS STUBBORN DOES

Kylie Hawkins didn't know why she felt a connection to this stranger. A stranger who had finally, only minutes earlier, revealed his name to her. He was John Holland and if she could believe what he said, he was a Secret Service agent.

This whole scenario was getting weirder by the minute.

"So...," Kylie said, not exactly sure what question to ask him next. "You protect the president?"

John looked at her with momentary trepidation, then answered anyway. He knew how important it was to get Alex back safely. "I have."

"So, then, why would you, an agent for the government attached to the president of our country, be interested in protecting me or my friend Alex. We're both nobodies."

"You are citizens of the United States..." John started. Kylie didn't allow him to finish the speach he had learned by rote in training.

"Oh, cut the crap! What is the 'real' reason? I know Alex isn't exactly the most honest person I know, but at least I know I can count on her when I need her. What is your relationship with Alex, John? If that really is your name."

John thought a moment wondering if he should trust a woman he had only met mere hours ago. "Yes, John really is my name. And Alex is a friend, a good friend. And she is in danger."

"So, what? You decide to ride in like some action hero on your white stallion and save her?" Kylie laughed. "You really don't know her that well then. Alex can take care of herself."

Kylie could see a stain of red crawl up his face. "Dammit! You are exactly like her! You don't have one ounce of self preservation. You would probably run hot headdedly into every dangerous situation you encountered."

"What of it?!"

John grunted in frustration. "You are the most stubborn woman I've ever met!"

"I'll take that as a compliment. Thank you."

Kylie smiled knowing that she was driving the secret agent to his own type of insanity. Which was good, because he was making her feel things she certainly did not want to be feeling. Like maybe kissing him and devouring him whole. Which was totally out of character for her. Usually, she seldom got into relationships with men, but with this man, it seemed the chemistry was there and ready to envelop her.

She shook off the effect his nearness was having on her and noticed the people staring out of their windows. They had attracted some undue attention that she was sure John didn't want or need.

"Can we stop attracting the neighbor's attention and take this inside. We need to stop arguring and find Alex."

He nodded and the two began to walk up the stairs toward her apartment building. The structure wasn't big, only three stories. She was about to tell him she lived on the first floor when a rumbling came from inside the building. Before they made it to the porch, the entire first floor flashed an immense light. The blast of sound and light catupulted them backward. John landed awkwardly on the concrete sidewalk while Kylie was sprawled in the grass beside him.

***

Nick Boyd was about to burst a blood vein. Carrie Hawkins wouldn't answer his simple question as to why she was involved in this investigation. He wanted to know, dammit. He needed to know why she had come back to profiling.

Now he knew her reasonings. The chief had been happy to inform him about the county's new blond profiler.

"It was the damnest thing," the chief had told him. "We get this phone tip about the train bomber and not two hours later, she comes waltzing in my office offering up her serives. It's not like me to say no to free help. What I can't understand was how she found out so quickly."