Well, hey there! This is my first ever fanfiction, so apologies for its supreme suckiness. It was kinda rushed, but hey. I'm p!ssed at Natara for getting with Smarmy Santos, but there you go. I'm currently ill with a stomach bug, and writing and eagerly awaiting reviews are the only things that make me feel better. (Subtle hints FTW). So please, sit down and enjoy (If it's at all possible to enjoy this..) and please review, or I'll teleport to wherever you are and upchuck over your head, because I'm just that charming. Who am I kidding, I love you fellow writers really :3 . I'll stop babbling now, and let you get on with reading! Ciao!

Hannah (CobaltRose96)

Chapter 1

Kayliee Ferndale tossed her bottle blonde hair over her shoulder, showing perfectly straight, white teeth as she laughed. The date was going well. The man opposite her was charming, funny and seemed to be a real gentleman. Everything she had ever dreamt of.

It was getting close to midnight. The posh, upscale restaurant they sat in was beginning to empty as diners paid their bills and left.

"So, Kayliee..." Her date, who called himself Derek, said, "It's been a great night. I've really enjoyed spending time with you."

Kayliee smiled.

"Yeah, it's been pretty great."

Derek smiled back.

"It's getting late. This place is going to close up in a few. Should I drive you back to your place?"

"I don't know you that well…." Kayliee shrugged helplessly, "You can't blame a girl for being cautious."

She was briefly taken aback as a spark of what seemed to be anger flashed within Derek's steel grey eyes. Anger and…. No. What was that? Hunger?

The spark was gone as quickly as it had come, and Kayliee was left wondering whether she had simply imagined it.

"Well, sure," Derek said, leaning on his arm in a gesture of casual conversation, "but I don't want a pretty gal like yourself finding her own way home in the middle of the night. You never know who could be out there. Rapists, kidnappers…"

He leaned closer towards Kayliee.

"… Murderers."

She cast a glance towards the inky blackness outside. Derek was right. San Francisco was a dangerous city at the best of times, and since this new spate of killings had begun, people were becoming extra cautious. It was like the Maskmaker all over again. She swallowed.

"Sure. I'd like you to escort me home..." It was hard for her to speak past the lump that had formed in her throat.

"Then it's settled then!" Derek grinned and signalled to the nearest waiter to fetch their bill.

"Thanks for driving me home." Kayliee said, as she stepped over the threshold of her luxury apartment. The leaves of the trees on either side of the front door whispered softly in the slight breeze.

"It was no problem, really."

"Do you want to come in? A drink, maybe?"

The man smiled and adjusted the sleeves of his smart, slate grey suit.

"No, no. I really should be going. It's late, and I've got work tomorrow."

"Oh, okay then. Goodnight. I'd love to see you again." She smiled her most beatific smile.

"Goodnight. Oh, by the way…" He leaned in to kiss her cheek.

"What?"

Derek wrapped his arm around her waist, and instead of placing his mouth upon her cheek, spoke into her ear.

"You were right to be cautious."

Kayliee had no time to react as the knife plunged into her back. She choked as blood flooded into her lungs.

'Derek' stepped back, the knife concealed in his sleeve now slick with blood. A faint smile crossed his lips as the woman's legs gave way beneath her. Coughing and spluttering, gasping as her life leaked out of her, the last thing Kayliee saw was the man leaning towards her, another, smaller knife glinting in his hand. There it was again, that hunger in his eyes. She hadn't imagined it.

The world darkened around her, and Kayliee Ferndale took her last breath.

Detective Mal Fallon sat with his partner, Special Agent Natara Williams, in Rip Van Winkles, talking amicably with each other over breakfast. It was a beautiful California morning, and the sun shone through the glass roof of the restaurant.

"So, how was your trip with Oscar?" Mal asked casually. Outwardly, he seemed cool about Natara's continuing relationship with the attorney, but secretly, he fought inner turmoil whenever his partner spoke of Santos. He sincerely wished that he could be the one that made her as happy as Oscar seemed to, but he knew it was a futile hope. They were partners and friends, nothing more, nothing less.

"Mal... Mal!"

"Huh… what?" Mal shook himself out of his reverie.

"I was just telling you about the trip!" Natara explained, exasperated but not truly angry, "Are you okay? Something on your mind?"

"No, no," Mal lied, "Just got that Monday morning feeling."

"Well snap out of it! You could at least pretend you're interested." She jostled.

Mal grinned.

"Sorry. I'll try. Please go on…"

"Humph. Well. Like I said…"

Natara was interrupted by the trilling of Mals phone. He picked it up, glanced at the display and winced.

"It's the Captain. I gotta take this."

"Sure. Go ahead."

Mal pressed the green button on his phone and placed it to his ear.

"Captain."

"Good morning, Detective Fallon." Captain Maria Yeong greeted.

"Morning Captain. Got another case for us?"

"Yes. Another Lonely Heart. Young, attractive, blonde."

Mal massaged his temple, while Natara looked on, worry creasing her brow.

"Are you sure?"

"Well, that's what I want you and Agent Williams to confirm. But yes, it does seem that we have another serial killer on our hands."

"Okay. Address?"

The Captain told him the address where the latest victim had been found, while Mal scribbled it down on a nearby napkin.

"Thanks Captain. Goodbye."

"I want this guy brought in, and soon."

"You have my word, Sir."

"Good. I expect nothing less. Goodbye, Detective."

"Another Lonely Heart?" Natara asked, already suspecting the answer but not wanting it confirmed.

"The Captain reckons so."

"Another serial killer. More mindless slaughter."

"Ah hell..."

"Ah hell indeed."