“Really, Addy? ESP? That’s stupid.”

  “It can’t just be that I know you so well that it scares me some times?”

  “Only sometimes? Scares me a lot more than that.”

  James was smiling when she turned to look Addison fully in the eyes. The look turned from flirtatious to desire. Addison’s pupils were dilating and her lips were slowly quirking into a smile. Addison took the last step forward and pressed her body firmly against James’, her hands sliding over her shoulders so she could grasp James’ cheeks before rubbing their lips gently. James reached back and grabbed hold of Addison’s hair that was let loose around her shoulders and tilted her backward slightly, deepening the embrace. Slipping her hand from around Addison’s head to cup her cheek, both women saw the flash before everything changed.

  The lips that were pressed against hers weren’t James’. They were Heath’s. They were harder and rougher, chapped, and she felt the stubble against her chin as he parted his mouth and dipped his tongue out. Addison tried hard to shake the image, but it was as if something was pulling it from her memory and she couldn’t get a strong enough grasp to hold on to reality. All she succeeded in doing was adding another one to it. This time Heath was sliding a hand up her leg and under her short black dress she had worn. Her body was tense, her mind whirling as she tried to figure a way out of the situation, and she eventually reached down, grabbed his fingers and holding on tight until he leaned in and kissed her deeply.

  James pulled back and glared. “What the hell was that?”

  Her voice was loud and rang through the silent room. Addison opened her mouth to explain, but closed it suddenly looking at Lily in the corner.

  Raising her brows in a demanding look, Addison shushed James. “My office.”

  James could feel the turmoil rolling through Addison as she hurried out of the room. James did as she was told and they both took their usual positions in the room: James with her arms crossed over her chest, and Addison worrying the ring that she had on her right pointer finger.

  “You weren’t supposed to see that.”

  “Damn right I wasn’t! What was it?” James’ heart beat fast, pounding against her chest beat after beat. Her fists clenched. She took a deep breath to calm herself. Addison would have an answer. She was just overreacting like she did the last time something like this came up. Last time there was nothing to it. This time it would be the same. James reasoned everything out. She was just overreacting.

  “There’s something that you need to know.”

  “That you’re cheating on me? Yeah, kind of got that from what I saw.”

  Addison straightened her back in response. She clenched her jaw and ground out the words.

  “I am not cheating on you. In none of those instances did I initiate or even want the attention. We’re not even in any type of official relationship, for God’s sake. What kind of claim do you think you have on me?”

  “For a year and a half of a committed relationship to not be anything official? That tells me something right there.”

  Addison opened her mouth to argue but shut it quickly. She had no idea what to say in response to that.

  James started again, letting her anger fuel her words. “Do you want to be in a relationship?”

  Addison sputtered.

  “Do you, Addison Lee, Battalion Chief of this damn station and my lover, want to be in a relationship? Answer the question.”

  “Yes.” The word was spoken on a breath and was barely over a whisper. “Yes, I want to be in a relationship, but I want to be in a relationship where I can go out with you. Where I can take you to fancy restaurants, go bowling, and go to movies.”

  Addison swallowed, bolstering herself against what was sure to come. “If you can’t do that, then I won’t be with you anymore.”

  “Fine.”

  James knew what Addison was talking about. She didn’t need to be reminded that all Addison requested was she come out to her parents. James didn’t even have to tell them about their relationship.

  Addison backtracked. “Fine?”

  “Fine.”

  James lifted her brows and dropped them down quickly, making sure there was an end to the conversation.

  “Fine, as in what? Fine as in you’ll tell your parents and Max or fine as in we’re done?”

  Addison was on the verge of tears, and she couldn’t help the breath that lodged in her throat.

  “Fine, as in I will tell them.”

  The smile that bloomed on Addison’s face was the most beautiful smile James had ever seen.

  “Thank you, I really appreciate it.”

  There was a blush rising in her cheeks, and James smiled back. Awkwardly, they stood there a few more minutes before Addison brought up what she had originally thought freaked James out about.

  “So you’re not curious, at all, as to what happened back there?”

  “What do you mean what happened?”

  “The images. The feelings. You’re not wondering what happened?”

  James shook her head. “No, that’s happened before. Not often, but it’s happened before.”

  “Really?” Addison cocked her head to the side.

  “Yeah. Why?” James moved to sit in the wooden chair and leaned against the back of it, watching carefully as Addison mimicked her move.

  “It’s rare for someone without training to be able to utilize their gift.”

  James paused for a moment before shaking her head as if trying to clear the cobwebs.

  “Whoa. Hold the phone. Be kind, rewind. What? Gift?”

  “Okay, I want you to listen carefully. There are people in the world, and right here in this little hobunk of a town called Norwich, who have been blessed with certain gifts. The most common of these gifts is what we call Earth.”

  “Earth.” Skepticism graced James’ face. “Okay, Addy, you’re starting to freak me out a little.”

  “I promise. There are all kinds of powers. You were born with one of these, even though neither of your parents have it.”

  Addison’s face was stoic and strong, her voice containing hints of urgency. When she saw James open her mouth to speak, she cut her off.

  “Let me finish. You have the gift called Life. Although it’s sometimes referred to as Faith or Heart. Basically it’s a glorified form of telepathy.”

  “You’re trying to tell me that I’m a telepath.” James laughed.

  “That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”

  “You are officially crazy.”

  James made to stand, but Addison stopped her with a hand on her wrist. James jerked away and shook her head.

  Pleading and begging was not something Addison liked to do, but she felt it might be the only way she’d get anything across or at least keep the chance that she was so quickly losing.

  “Please, James.”

  There was something in the way that Addison’s voice wavered and something in her eyes that caused James to give it a second thought.

  “You’re not kidding me, are you? Because you know how I feel about jokes.”

  That earned a quiet and soft chuckle from the brunette. “No, I’m not pulling a prank.”

  “Fine then,” James nodded and tilted her head up. “Explain it to me.”

  “It’s better if I show you.”

  Addison reached her hand out for James’ hand, and waited. James bit the inside of her lower lip as she debated. She did trust Addison with just about everything, so why not this? Sliding her hand out and on top of Addison’s, she gave a nod and Addison took it.

  Squeezing lightly, Addison spoke. “I promise it won’t hurt.”

  “All right.”

  Addison moved a bit closer and pressed her hand lightly against James’ cheek, making sure that her pinky followed the line of her jaw, that her thumb was set just under her eye, and that her pointer finger was pressed up next to her ear.

  “This is what we call a hold. It’s the most common position, although it’s not the only one. You ready?” She waited for the affirmation. “Take a deep breath.”

  The image that floated into James’ mind was of herself and Heath, but it wasn’t her memory. It wasn’t her. She was seeing through Addison’s eyes.

  They were at a lake shore, somewhere, she knew the place, remembered the smells and the long drive they had to get there. She had been completely blindfolded the entire trip. They were sitting on the rocks, and the waters were coming and receding with the wind. Heath handed her some grapes, and she popped one in her mouth, savoring the juicy flavor as she started giggling. He slid against her and pressed his lips to her in an open kiss that she readily accepted and deepened. He laid her back against the large rock she was sitting on—but the moment changed.

  They were at a restaurant in downtown Chicago. James had never been there, but she knew the location and the stop on the train that she would have to get off at to walk the rest of the three blocks. He was kneeling down next to her, on one knee with his hand extended, and a black velvety box outstretched.

  “Will you marry me?”

  His voice was soft and full of nerves, but the giddiness that ran through her heart was bursting as she knelt next to him and kissed him hard and whispering yes. She watched as he slipped the ring onto her finger, the large diamond glittering in the candle light.

  “What the hell?”

  The new image was so jarring, that it took James aback. The words were slipping from her lips in pure anger and she couldn’t control the sight of the man she was engaged to lying naked in the bed with another woman.

  The scene changed so fast that James had no time to breathe. The slap across her face startled her and burned. The skin tingled. She felt Addison struggle to pull away, her body remaining still, but her mind furiously fighting to end the telepathic link. James held on. The grip on her upper arm was so hard she was sure she would have bruises. She was pressed face down into the pillow before being whipped onto her back. Shielding her face from the onslaught of fists, she cowered into the mattress.

  “James!”

  Her name carried over to her like it was a whisper on the wind, and she tried to grasp onto it. A fist slid through and landed on her cheekbone as she was torn back to the present by Addison’s falling body.

  James knelt down and grasped Addison’s cheeks lightly, feeling the sweat that was cold on her skin and her heart race.

  “Addison.” James shook her lightly, hearing a moan. “Addison, open your eyes. Come on… open your eyes for me.”

  They blinked open for a second before closing.

  “Addy, I need you to do this for me. Open your eyes.”

  “I can’t see anything.” She shook her head violently from one side to the other. “James, I can’t see anything.”

  The timbre in her voice portrayed fear, which was something James had never seen or felt from the other woman. And she certainly felt it ringing through her own bones.

  “Deep breaths. I’m right here.” She touched Addison’s cheeks and her shoulders, making sure that her presence was known. “I’m right here. Just open your eyes, they’ll clear up. I promise.”

  “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

  “James!”

  She heard the deep voice coming from down the hall, and she panicked.

  “The kid’s awake and she’s freakin’ out!”

  “Damn it.”

  Muttering, James felt pulled between her duties as a care provider for a disturbed child and her duties as a first responder and friend to Addison.

  The Chief was still lying on the ground and had managed to get her eyes partially opened. Addison gripped James’ wrist tightly.

  “Let her in here.”

  “You’ll have to go to the hospital, the guys will see you.”

  “That’s fine. Let Lily in here, she’s so scared James. Can’t you feel it?”

  James nodded, and issued the order. The door slid open and the girl came in to crouch beside James. Horace popped his head in, eyes widening at the scene before him. Addison sprawled on the floor, paperwork everywhere, James bending over her cradling her head.

  “I’m fine.” Addison called in a weak voice.

  “You don’t look fine.”

  Addison pulled a face that gave hope to James. If she could do that and think clearly, she was back to recovering.

  “We’ll just need another minute or so, but I’m taking her in to the ER. Tell Max he’s going to be in charge for a bit, and can you get her some water, maybe an ice pack?”

  “Yeah, sure can do.” Horace gave them one last look before turning away.

  He left the door open and James leaned in closer. “What happened?”

  “I don’t know, but I have a theory.” Addison licked her lips and closed her eyes briefly, centering herself.

  “Which is?”

  Addison took a quick breath.

  “You’re a bit more powerful than you know and that, what happened right there, should not have happened. I wasn’t ready for it.”

  “Like the other morning. You watched my dream didn’t you?”

  “It wasn’t a dream, James. Sit me up.”

  James helped pull her upward so that she was leaning against the desk, her face pale as a ghost and the sweat still dripping down the side of her forehead under the collar of her navy polo.

  James took the icepack from Horace and set it against the side of Addison’s neck. “How’s your sight?”

  “You’re blurry.”

  “But you can see me?”

  “Yup.” Addison’s lips upturned into a smirk and she rolled her eyes, ignoring the dizzy spell it caused.

  “Well, that’s an improvement.”

  Lily crawled up close to Addison and plopped herself in the woman’s lap, her face nuzzling into her breasts.

  “She’s all right, baby.”

  James lifted a hand to Lily’s head and a sudden and complete calm took over the child.

  “I want you to drink half of this before we go.”

  James handed a glass of water to Addison. She sat back on her heel when the there was a loud buzzing by her ear. James whacked her hand backward and hit the bee with her fist, cringing when she realized Addison had winced and shut her eyes.

  Lily burst out laughing at the face James made. The giggle startled both James and Addison, the latter being the first to speak.

  Addison’s hand reached down across Lily’s hair and she gave a quick smile, “What are you laughing at?”

  “Jamsey hit a bee!”

  The words only forced Lily into a louder laugh, and she was clutching at her belly, one tiny hand trying desperately to cover her mouth while the bubbling noise escaped. Addison wriggled her fingers against Lily’s ribs prolonging the moment. By the time Lily was able to talk, she was heaving breaths and rolling on her back.

  “And what is so funny about a bee?” James’ voice slid through the air.

  “Nothing.” Lily was holding both hands to her mouth trying to stop the giggle from erupting again.

  James moved in to take over for Addison and ran her fingers over Lily’s stomach tickling her.

  “Well then,” she was dodging feet and arms, “I’ll just have to call you bumble bee from now on.”

  “It was a honey bee.”

  James stopped suddenly, staring at Addison. “What?”

  “It wasn’t a bumble bee, it was a honey bee.”

  “Uh huh…” James made a face at Lily before echoing the smile on Lily’s lips.

  “You know,” Addison’s voice was somber and the mood in the room shifted. “They’re not going to find anything.”

  “It doesn’t matter, and both you and I know that.”

  Addison nodded and slowly drank the water. When she felt up to it, two of the guys lifted her up and half carried, half let her walk down to James’ truck. James took Lily and a bag she made up with snacks, and left for the emergency room.

  Chapter Seven

  “They’re not finding anything wrong.”

  The words slipped through James’ brain like a whisper on the air in the busy emergency room. A few of the paramedics had seen her sitting in the waiting room and stopped to ask what was going on—they knew her from work. They were especially curious since she had the girl whose picture was posted on every newspaper and television station as “the girl who survived not one, but two house fires”. Lily was munching on some of the snacks that James brought along for dinner, because they were missing dinner at the station.

  Addison’s voice broke her concentration once more. “Really, could you just come back here?”

  James looked around the room searching for the origin of Addison’s voice. That was when she heard the giggle.

  “I’m talking in your head silly, telepathically. I’m tired of waiting. Will you come sit with me? Bring Lily. I want to see her.”

  Screwing up her features, nose scrunched and brow furrowed, James looked at Lily who didn’t seem to notice anything amiss.

  “Want to go check on Addy?”

  “Uh huh.”

  Lily nodded her head, the curls at the ends of her hair bouncing from the movement. They packed up the bag James had brought and moved through the halls, finding the curtain Addison was hiding behind. She had an IV in her arm, just in case she fainted because she was dehydrated, and was lying on the gurney like it was any other ordinary day.

  “So…” James put Lily on the bed, and she sat at Addison’s feet, pulling out a coloring book. “The talking thing… everyone can do that?”

  “No, well yes, but no. It has to be initiated by or with someone who has the gift of Life and the person who doesn’t have the gift of Life can only hear, they cannot respond.”

  “But I responded.”

  Addison smirked. “Yeah, you did. Kind of.”

  She smiled and held her hand out for her lover’s. James sat in a nearby chair after tugging it closer and held Addison’s hand.

  “You didn’t know that you did, did you?” Addison asked.

  “How do I—”

  “Think very hard about what you want to say and the words will just happen.” She was smiling again before her face turned into a scowl.

  “What I want to say…” James trailed off as she thought and smiled at Addison evilly. She watched as Addison leaned over to look at what Lily was drawing and thought the phrase that quickly came to her mind. Repeating the words over and over again, she watched as Addison grasped her chest and started to choke and glare at her.