#‘oh no! too much to handle!! knock em out!!’ like this is not normal coping

[phosphorus-noodles]

what’s the difference between anxiety and like actual legitimate social anxiety. bc the immediate overwhelm amongst large groups of people that makes my vision blurry and my brain shut down so I’m so sleepy it’s like I’ll pass out seems like a Bit Much if I’m being fr

[0106mei]

never ever || s.r

(father!steve rogers x daughter!reader)

for @barnes-parker PASENSYA SA LATENESS KO DKSKKSKSKSKS i got busy ay sus ;-;

summary: steve’s returning the stones to their proper time streams, and the reader finds out about his plans to stay with peggy in the past. to the reader’s surprise, he returns.

word count: 2747

warnings: angst, fluff?¿

a/n: OKAY. i’m hella pumped to write this bad boy over here. i know it took me ages to write but i think you guys’ll like this one. i got inspired by some fanart by @anitheas so i’ll link it down below so i don’t spoil anything! ;) (love all her work btw y’all should check her out <3)

If you could describe yourself in one word after everything was over, you’d probably say you felt numb.

Everything hurt, from the physical pain of literally being thrown across the shrapnel of the compound by Thanos himself, to the mental and emotional pain of losing Natasha and Tony, without even being able to say your last goodbyes. 

Sure, you’d won the battle, but was it even worth it when you’d lost two of your mentors in the process? Moving on would be difficult, that was for sure, but you knew you weren’t alone. You had your family. From Steve, to Sam, to Bucky and even Wanda, you knew you had your back covered. They’d be there with you through thick and thin, or ‘til the end of the line, as Steve and Bucky so often said. You felt comfortable, at home— almost. 

You had been chatting and playing with Morgan and Peter when you’d heard Steve, Sam and Bucky’s conversation. You didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but when your name came up in the middle of their chat, you excused yourself from the duo and sneakily made your way towards the room they were speaking in. You leaned in to hear their voices as best as you could.

“You’re doing what-?” Bucky asked incredulously, trying his best to comprehend what his best friend had just told him. Steve sighed, he knew Bucky would’ve reacted that way, despite his usual understanding and respectful ways.

“I know it’s a bit of a stretch, but I saw her when I went back. Buck, you gotta understand. When I saw her, all I could think about was wanting to be with her. Now that we have the technology to do so, I might just do it, y’know? You could even come with me.” Steve tried to compromise, but you could see Bucky shake his head in slight denial. Sam began to speak, “You’re crazy Steve. I’m trying my best to understand and be open about this, but when I think about it, you’re leaving a lot of things behind, man. What about the kid?” 

You noticed Steve pause for a minute before merely shrugging it off. That hurt. Deciding you didn’t want to hear anymore of their conversation, you returned to where you had been previously, not realizing the squeaky floorboard had caught their attention. Bucky sighed, looking from where you’d just left, then back to Sam and Steve. “Look, Steve, she’s going through a lot. Now, I won’t stop ya from going back in time to stay with Peggy, but maybe you should at least think about it. I’m gonna go talk to the kid.” He mumbled, shuffling off to go look for you, leaving Steve and Sam in the empty room.

All that coping you’d done felt like nothing now. Peter and Morgan had now noticed your sullen demeanour at this point, both of them reaching to ask if you were okay. You shrugged them off, plainly excusing your sadness for exhaustion, telling them you’d be off for a nap in one of the other rooms nearby. How could you tell them you were losing a father figure, when they’d just recently lost theirs? You didn’t want to bring that upon them, especially now that they were getting better. Once you’d disappeared into the guest room Pepper had supplied to you, you closed the door and began to let the tears fall freely from your (e/c) eyes. It had been days since you’d cried over Natasha and Tony, and now that you were hearing about Steve wanting to leave, you felt like you were placed back at square one. This was too much for you, you thought. 

You were just a kid after all. 

You should be going to school, doing homework, going to dances and living your best life. But then again, you weren’t really normal to begin with. Enhanced, had been on the run, snapped out of existence and returned once more, just to have everything stripped away from you. You felt weak, insecure. The thought of Steve leaving made you beyond upset. Maybe you were being over dramatic, but nobody was there to tell you that. Did he not love you like he said he did? Did he want kids that were actually his, biologically? Questions upon questions pent up inside your head, only to be disrupted by a knock on your door. Quickly wiping your eyes and nose with the Kleenex left by your bedside, you croaked a loud enough ‘come in’, to whoever it was. 

To your surprise, Bucky had stepped in, closing the door behind him. Looking at your face, it was as if he knew how you were feeling. He quickly scooped your fragile frame into his arms, embracing you as if he were going to break you if he held you too tight. You could tell he was feeling the same, having been with Steve through thick and thin. He carried a guilt with him that only you could really decipher. You reciprocated the hug, trying to muffle the sob that threatened to come out of you once more. You stayed like that for another minute or two, before pulling away to see that Bucky had tears of his own streaming down his face. After wiping his own away, he was quick to wipe yours with the sleeve of his jacket. You moved over, letting him take a seat as you felt the bed dip beside you. Sitting in a comfortable silence, Bucky was first to break it after about five or so minutes.

“Listen..I know you heard our conversation.” He started, and you froze. “I’m not mad, if that’s what you’re thinkin’, Doll. He was like a father to you, and I understand you’re upset. You wanna talk about it?” He asked, genuinely concerned for your well being. You were grateful for Bucky. If Steve wasn’t there for you to talk to, Bucky was. 

You leaned on his chest a little. “It’s- I don’t know. Maybe I’m being irrational- or selfish- whatever. I just- he was like my dad, Buck. I even called him dad!” You ranted, sighing as Bucky rubbed comforting circles on your back. “I just don’t think I’m ready to lose him. Not after I saw Peter losing Tony. He was so devastated, and after losing Nattie, I don’t know if I could handle losing Steve too. It’d be too much for me. I know you and Sam and Wanda and all of ‘em are here too, I just— I don’t know. Steve was there for me during everything. You of all people should know this, you’re his best friend for fucks’ sake.” You continued, as he nodded in understanding. The tears brimmed in your eyes again. “If he left...” You murmured, unable to finish the sentence as you began to cry again. Bucky wrapped his arms around you again, saddened by how broken you sounded. 

“Doll, I know you’re upset, trust me, I am too. But we gotta be strong. I know you are, Steve practically raised you to be. We can get through this, you and I.” He reassured you, and you sniffled in response. “I’m just gonna miss him a lot..” You looked up at him, Bucky’s eyes full of many emotions. You smiled sadly at him. “Could you tell me about her?” You asked, as he ruffled your hair. “Oh boy, was that ever a time.” He went on, smiling at you as you listened to his stories. At least he was getting your mind off the situation, even if just for a little bit. Once he’d finished, he looked at you with a slight smile on his face as well. “Now listen here (y/n), you’re not being irrational, or selfish for the way you feel, you’re just being human, much like the rest of us. You don’t have to feel bad for the way you feel, ever. Okay?” He explained, as you nodded. Hugging him once more, you mumbled a quiet, yet sincere thank you to Bucky, before he left your room to go find Sam and Steve. Looking to the rose barrette Steve had gifted you a couple years back, you clutched it gently to your chest before letting the exhaustion take over as your eyes fluttered shut.

Someone shaking you had caught your attention quickly. Your eyes opened in a flash. You may have however sat up to quickly, for your head had collided straight into whoever had just woken you up. “Ow- fuck!” You hissed in pain, clutching the spot on your forehead that had just been hit. Once your hazy vision subsided, you realized that it was Sam you’d bumped heads with. “Sorry, man. Didn’t realize I’d sleep almost eight hours.” You apologized, as he tousled up your bed head a bit more. “No sweat, kiddo. Just thought I’d wake you up and ask how you were. Bucky told me about what happened.” He explained, sitting at the foot of the bed as you stretched. “Eh..better? I mean, I’m not crying anymore so that’s gotta count for something, right?” You tried to joke, though you knew Sam could read right through your bluff. “I’m dreading this moment, Sam.” You admitted with a sigh, looking at the time on your phone. You smiled sadly at the lock screen.

It was a candid photo of you and Steve sharing earbuds, listening to the music he’d missed out on over the decades. You were talking as Steve was laughing. You remembered when you asked Clint to send you that photo. It had been your lock screen photo ever since. Even when you had upgraded your phone to a newer edition, you’d kept that photo with you on every device you owned. You wished you could go back to a simpler time, one where you didn’t worry about losing the only father figure you had.

Sam wrapped you up in a quick one armed hug. “I know.” He mumbled as you leaned into his touch a little bit, pulling away after that. “I’ll let you get ready, just meet us outside when you are.” With a silent nod, Sam let himself out, shutting the door behind him to leave yourself to look at least a little less sad and messy. Stretching again, you stood up and looked through the clothes you’d brought with you, which hadn’t been much. Putting on the grey jumper Wanda had given you for Christmas and a simple pair of jeans, you headed out the room of your door and slipped on your shoes as you exited the lake house.

Steve was caught up in talking to Sam and Bucky once more, probably saying goodbye. So you stood next to Bruce in the meantime. “You okay, little miss?” He asked, as you merely shrugged in response. “I guess. Could be better.” You mumbled. He didn’t press on further, seeing as you looked like you didn’t wanna talk about it. When Steve noticed you, a sad smile reached your face as you made your way over to your dad.

On instinct, he wrapped you up in a hug. It was warm, and it felt like home. Your throat felt dry. This would be your last hug, you thought, before pulling away. You looked at him, blue eyes boring into your (e/c) ones. You weren’t gonna cry, you were gonna be strong. He placed a hand on your cheek.

“I’m proud of you, sweetheart. You know that, right?” He began, as you nodded slowly. He took that as a sign to continue. “I’ve known you ever since you were given to your grandparents, and I’ve watched you grow and become this young lady I’m proud to call my daughter. Even if we’re not related by blood, you’ll still be like my own child.” He adds, and you suddenly feel like you’re crying again. Steve frowns a bit, wrapping you up in another embrace. “I love you, dad.” You whispered, as he held you close.

“I love you too.” He crooned, pulling away to wipe your tears quickly. “This isn’t goodbye, y’know? It’s more of a...see you later.” He comforted you, gently kissing the top of your head. You nodded, smiling at him with teary eyes. “Take care of Peggy, okay?” You told him, his eyes growing wide when you’d said her name. He kissed the top of your head one more time as you stood back next to Bucky. Lifting up Thor’s hammer- the name of it you never seemed to remember-, and the case that contained the stones, he stood up onto the platform.

“How long will this take?” Sam asked, to which Bruce responded. “For us? About five seconds. For him? As long as he needs.” Sam nodded, watching Steve as Bruce readied the machine.

“Sending you back in three...two...one.” He counted down, and with the press of a few switches and a button, Steve was gone in a flash. You couldn’t contain it anymore. Your knees had buckled, and Bucky was quick to be by your side as you fell to your knees in tears. It was over, he was gone. He was going to fulfill the life he’d always wanted with Peggy. Bucky rubbed your back gently, whispering comforting words in your ear in hopes to make you feel better. Sam was also at your side in an instant, holding you as sobs wracked your throat. Bucky stood, looking to Bruce as he struggled with trying to bring back Steve. 

A loud noise erupted from the time machine, catching Bucky and Sam’s attention quickly. They stood, alarmed, rushing towards the platform.

Bucky let out a gasp. “Steve..?”

There on the platform stood Steve Rogers, but not the Steve Sam or (y/n) would remember. He’d definitely gotten shorter, that was for certain. “What happened..?” Sam asked, as Steve analyzed himself. He’d gone back to the skinny self he’d remembered he was back in the 40’s. He was short, but he didn’t feel sick. He’d lost all the initial muscle he’d gained because of the serum, but he didn’t feel the effects of his many medical conditions attacking him at once. Bruce pushed his glasses up, looking at Steve slightly. 

“The time travel must’ve messed with the serum in his body. Now he’s reverted back to the way he was before it.” Bruce explains to Sam, as Steve and Bucky make their way towards you. You looked upon your father figure in awe. Was this the Steve before everything? Before he’d been in the war, before the serum— before the ice? He was a lot shorter than you’d remembered, and there was no beefiness left, but he was still same old Steve regardless.

You took a step towards them. You were just a little taller than Steve now. Bucky smiled, as Steve took a glance at you. He smiled, and you wrapped your arms around his smaller frame, ensuring you didn’t hug too tight. He placed his arms around your back as you looked at him in awe. “What about..well, Peggy..?” You asked him, pulling away as the three of you made your way to the bench right by the lake. “Well, I thought about it, like Bucky said. I did see her, though. We talked for a bit, and I gave her the dance I owed her, but I knew she wasn’t the same Peggy from the 40’s. I told her about you.” He explained, sitting down next to you. “Well, I’m glad you’re back, dad.” You told him, the earnest tone in your voice making him perk up slightly. “Even when I look like this?”

You scoffed a bit as he motioned towards his skinny frame. “You’ll always be the Steve I see as my dad, no matter what you look like.” Bucky chuckled. “Now I’ve got two punks to take care of,” He joked, slinging his arms around yours’ and Steve’s shoulders as the three of you shared a laugh. Sam had joined you just a moment after. He stood next to the bench, looking out over the water.

“Something on your mind, Sammy?”

He shook his head. “Nothin’ really, I’m just glad the whole Thanos and the infinity stones bullshit is over.” He replied, as you nodded in agreement. You made room for him on the bench, listening to the three men as the spoke and cracked jokes every so often. You could finally rest.

art pieces: https://anitheas.tumblr.com/post/186640549746/me-chanting-over-and-over-he-should-have-come

taglist: @softboysebastianstan @xbuchananbarnes @barnes-parker

[seelaa26]

8. Start A War

“Bang, shots fired. Pain is what you desire. The pen is mightier than the sword then how did we get here, my God. Sail among liars, blame the deniers. So you want to start a war. So you want to be immortal with a loaded gun”

As we had done in the interrogation of Pete, Sara, Brass and I entered the interrogation room while the FBI agents stayed in the viewing room. As soon as we entered, Brian got mad and started talking.

-Finally! What am I doing here? You have no right bring me here when I have done nothing!

-Are you in a hurry, Mr. Reid? –Brass asked.

-In fact, yes –he nodded seriously- I have to stop by my ex-girlfriend’s house to pick up my stuff before she gets from work.

-So you didn’t break into her apartment? –He frowned like if he had no idea about what I was talking about- The door was bashed open.

-What? No! I have a key –he exhaled and tried to calm down- Just call Portia. She’s angry with me but she’ll back me up.

I opened my mouth in surprise. Brian didn’t know what had happened, which meant I had to tell him. This was going to be the first time that I had to communicate someone’s death. I looked at my colleagues and they nodded at me. With their support, I quickly thought about how to say it.

-There was a fire at the spa.

-A fire? Oh God! Is she OK?

-Unfortunately, Ms. Weismann never made it out of the mud bath.

-The mu.. you mean sh.. it can’t be!

-Mr. Reid, we’re sorry for your loss –Brian closed his eyes and put his hands in his head- We have no evidence implicating you right now, and we know it must be a shock to hear about Portia. We need your help to figure out what happened to her. You mentioned that you and Portia were no longer together. Was this a mutual decision?

-No, I broke it off with her. She.. her, her drug problem was getting in the way. Weed. She knew I couldn’t.. she knew I had a problem with it.

-Was Portia self-medicating? –Sara asked- Cancer patients are sometimes prescribed medicinal marijuana to help them cope with the side effects of treatment.

-Cancer? Well, that may have started her habit, but her cancer’s been in remission for years.

-Portia’s cancer had come back. The autopsy found mesothelioma in the lining of her heart. She didn’t have long.

-But she never told.. I didn’t know.

-Where were you last night? –I asked- Can anyone verify your location between the hours of three and four a.m.?

-I don’t think so, no. I was at home hanging with my body Jack for most of the night. But by then, Jack was gone and I was pretty much passed out. -Can your buddy Jack confirm your story?

-Well, I try not to ask the bottle too many questions. People look at me funny.

-Mr. Reid or should I call you Captain Reid? –I could see where Brass was going.

-Not anymore, I’m no longer with the Las Vegas Fire Department.

-I bet you’ve seen a lot of buildings burn and I bet you know a lot of ways to light ‘em up.

-You know something buddy? You are way the hell outta line! –Brian snapped and hit the table with his fist- I devoted my life to jumping into flames and saving people. So for you to sit there and insinuate that I may be an arsonist.. is the most offensive thing anyone has ever said to me! And Portia? You think I set Portia on fire?! I mean, I don’t know what kind of animals you people have to deal with, but that’s not me!

-Being a firefighter was obviously very important to you so it must have hurt to lose that. I think you failed a drug test..?

-Portia made pot brownies. Now, she says she didn’t dose mi intentionally but she did leave the damn things right where I would find them and she didn’t tell me what they were! And then, as if that wasn’t bad enough, happy Monday! Go pee in a cup.

-You dumped her because she dosed you.

-Tell us about this tool –Sara showed him a picture of the tool used to break in Portia’s apartment- It’s a firefighter tool, isn’t it?

-It’s called a Denver Tool. Firefighters use it for getting into and out of places.

-The drywall at the spa was ventilated with a Denver Tool.

-Well, it wasn’t mine. Anybody can buy one on the internet, even my gir.. even Portia had one. She wanted it for protection. Said it creeped her out to be alone in that place all day.

-How often did she do that? Spend hours alone at the spa? –I asked him.

-Just about every day. You know.. there were times I started to believe that place might be some sort of front for money laundering. Portia was convinced and she was keeping her own records.

I looked at the mirror, knowing Killian and his partner were behind it watching the interrogation. Brian gave them what they were looking for.

-Did anyone else know Portia was keeping financial records?

-I think she might have mentioned it to her boss which seemed like the wrong guy to talk to about it, but she trusted him. After she talked to him, she got all paranoid.

I left the room feeling satisfied. Besides clearing up my suspicions, Brian gave us a reason for Pete to start the fire and the pressure point we wanted to start dismantling “The Queen of the Hive”. Next stop? Pete Baxa’s barbershop.

***

When we got to Pete’s office, the barbershop, we saw the blinds down and the sign closed hanging on the door. Killian and I exchanged a daring look and knocked on the door despite being closed. We were willing to wait whatever it took, but luckily, Pete opened the door holding a piece of paper around his neck.

-Hi, uh, sorry. I was shaving.. cut myself –he threw the paper in the trash next to the door- What can I do for you?

-We’re looking for a tool –I said directly- Portia Weismann owned a firefighter tool. She kept it at the spa for security. Have you seen it?

-No, she had some kind of weapon at the spa? That’s totally against company policy.

-That’s all we need right now. We’ll be back.

-Uh.. looking forward to it.

After that phrase, he closed the door and disappeared. It was clear that Pete wasn’t a very smart pawn, because if were, he wouldn’t have given us his DNA. When the evidence is in a public place and in plain sight, we don’t need a warrant, so we took the paper.

Still with the DNA lab doors closed, you could hear the music Greg was playing but once I opened the doors, the sound flooded the room and Greg was lost in the song. He moved his leg like he was hitting the drum’s pedal and moved his arms like he had drumsticks.  

-Good morning to you too, Greg! –I yelled in his ear and he jumped in fright.

-What can I say? A man need his pleasures –he answered with a smile while he removing the music.

-Especially, when those pleasures include Marilyn Manson’s Holy Wood album.

Greg’s eyes lit up and his mouth fell open at what Killian said. Love at first sight.

-Greg Sanders –he introduced himself and shook hands with Killian- It’s always a pleasure meeting someone who values metal music.

-Killian Hayes.

I was surprised to see that Killian didn’t introduce himself as a Special Agent, which is normally what they should do, but with Greg he did it on a personal way. Like if he wanted to meet him beyond the profession.

-I don’t know why but I knew you two would get along –I smiled at them and handed Greg the piece of paper with Pete’s blood- I need you to compare this blood with the black hair from the bead curtain. I need it ASAP, please.

-C’mon love, I’ll buy you a cup of coffee while we wait.

-I bet you can get it for free with that charm of yours –I said as I walked out the door that Killian was holding for me.

-You don’t like it? -he put his arm around my shoulders and brought me closer to him as we walked down the hall being the center of attention of my colleagues. I looked at his blue eyes and his devilish smile and forgot about everyone and everything around us.

We left the lab and went to a cafeteria that was on the opposite street, so we were close in case we were needed. We sat at a table at the back, by the window, and ordered two coffees. He ordered an Irish coffee, which was curious but predictable.

-Feeling homesick? –he raised an eyebrow and nodded slightly- How did you become an FBI agent anyway?

-Had some connections with the IRA. One day the FBI showed up at my door, offered me a deal to be their informant, I accepted and since I helped them take down the operation I started working with them until I got my position.

-That’s.. quite impressive, actually.

-What about you?

-I thought you were Sherlock Holmes, why don’t you give it a shot? –I dared him. Killian placed both arms on the table and stared at me.

-Divorced parents clearly marked by the absence of a father, broken home and growing up with different difficulties. Short-tempered and with a certain tendency to fight–I swallowed and leaned back- I’m sorry Laura, but you’re from textbook.  

-You’re right.. –I nodded with a certain sadness- About everything.

-Hey, it’s better to come from a broken home than to live in one –the waitress brought us the coffees, interrupting that beautiful scene- So, what was your method to get the rage out?

-Boxing.

-Suits you –he smiled like he expected that answer- Keep practicing it?

-Not since I moved here.

-Why’s that?

-Well, coming to Vegas was a new chance for me and I wanted a different life than what I had in Barcelona, so I left it all behind.

-In my opinion, I think you should box again. I’m going to give you some advice, Laura. You need to find something outside of work to disconnect. Anything. Otherwise, the things you see and the people you meet, they’re going to be stucked in your head. For a girl like you, with that kind of fire inside, boxing is one of the best options.

***

Greg sent me a message confirming that the DNA matched, which meant we had a search warrant. Brass, Sara and I got in the same car and we headed to the barber shop.

-Mr. Baxa, Las Vegas Police, open up! –Brass yelled while he knocked on the door- Looks like he’s not here. We’ll have to execute the warrant without him.

The police opened up the door and Sara and I handled the scene investigation. The barber shop was small, way too small to be a normal business, so we figured that everything had to be in his office. We found an empty financial portfolio with the spa’s logo on it.

-Those records we found in the victim’s oven are just the kind you’d keep in a binder like this –Sara concluded.

-Hey Sara, look what I found –I held the bag in my hands- Vegan blueberry muffins. They look almost edible.. and flammable.

Next to the office, there was a small room with shelves, but the first thing we saw was some boots on the floor. Sara picked them up and observed the sole of the shoe. It was similar with the shoeprint the intruder had left at Portia’s apartment.

-I wonder why they need so much acetone –I said to my colleague pointing to a 5L litter of acetone- Place is a little too masculine for manicures.

-Mmm.. Laura? Guess what my favorite city is.

I turned around and looked at the tool she picked.

-Denver.

Back in the lab, it was time to get some physical evidence of Pete’s tampering with the Denver Tool, since finding it in his office wasn’t enough. We needed him on the weapon that caused the fire and killed Portia. I had the tool on the table and everything I needed to search for fingerprints, when someone entered the room. I looked back and saw him.

-Hey Nick.

-Hey, how you doing with the case? –he asked when he stood next to me.

-Good, actually I was about to examine the tool that caused the fire.

-Can I help you with something? –he nicely offered.

-Well, if you want you can examine the portfolio –I pointed to the portfolio next to him on the table- I was going to do it after finishing with the tool, but if you help me that would be great.

-Let’s get to work then! –Nick put on some gloves and I looked at him with a kind look, thinking him for helping me.

With the magnetic powders I dusted all the parts of the tool, but there was only one fingerprint on the handle. I looked at Nick with a satisfied smile while he looked back showing me the portfolio with another fingerprint. We had both been successful.

-Now, let’s photograph them and run them through AFIS.

-So, ..Where’s the Super Agent? –Nick asked like he was interested.

-I don’t know, I’m not his mom.

-Yeah, I know.. I was just asking because you’ve been spending so much time together.

-Well, yes, we’re working a case.. together.

-I’ve worked cases with FBI agents and they haven’t been holding me in the middle of the hall.

I had never seen Nick react like this; he seemed annoyed and even jealous. Before saying anything, I stopped to look at him. He kept his gaze steady, jaw clenched and darken eyes.

-Nick, what’s all this about?

-About that you two should have a professional relationship. I understand that he’s handsome and charming, but don’t let that cloud you. Especially when he’s playing with you.

-Excuse me?! –I opened my mouth and took step back- What if I like him? What do you have to do in my love life? Do I tell you who you should be or shouldn’t be with? Besides, I think it’s funny and hypocritical that you advise me to keep it professional. Like you did with Kristy?

-I guess I had that one coming.

The sound of the AFIS search separated us from the discussion to look at the result. Portia’s fingerprints were the ones in the financial portfolio, confirming she took the papers and Pete’s fingerprints were the ones on the handle of the Denver Tool, confirming he started the fire.

As fast as I could, I went to Brass’s office to get an arrest warrant for Pete. I knocked on his door and when he let me in, I realized that both officers were in the office and looking nervous.

-Guys, I think I know what happened –I explained- Baxa was laundering money and when Portia confronted him about it, he panicked. Then he decided to rig the spa to explode. Portia probably showed up after Pete was gone. Doc Robbins said she had marijuana in her system, so she might not have noticed the acetone. While she was there burning to death, Baxa was at her apartment, looking for the records she was keeping.

-Laura –Brass made a dramatic pause- We have a visitor. Ms. Beatriz Salazar.

-You serious? She’s here?

-“The Queen of the Hive” herself just walked in and asked to talk to the CSI in charge of the Pedro Baxa case.

-Do you mind if I sit in on this one, Captain Brass? –Agent Huntby asked.

-Be my guest, you can even take my seat. I’ll hang back and watch from the viewing room.

Agent Huntby and I entered the room with some intimidation and fear, we couldn’t deny it. Agent Huntby remained standing while I sat across from Beatriz. She was a woman in her 50s, she had brown hair with highlights. Her suit clothes showed a scar on her chest from an open-heart surgery and a tattoo of a crow.

-Hello, Ms. Salazar. My name is Special Agent..

-Gene Huntby. I know who you are. But she.. –she looked at me with narrowed eyes- I am unfamiliar with. I shall presume you are the one persecuting my poor, clumsy Pedrocito?

-We’re not persecuting anyone. The evidence speaks for itself, ma’am –I wasn’t going to let Beatriz intimidate me- Why are you here? Usually. When someone wants to talk to us in this room, they want to confess. So, is there something you’d like to get off your chest, Ms. Salazar?

-You think you’re very clever, don’t you? –She got mad- Perhaps I know you better than I thought, but I’m here for Pedro. He’s family.

-Family, huh? You know, I might actually be moved by that, if you weren’t still the primary suspect in the execution murder of your first husband –Agent Huntby spoke boldly.

-My husband’s murderer remains at large, Agent Huntby –she smiled at him- Pedro’s family, all three of his sisters, they live in the house I provide. So, as you can see, I have s significant investment in the future and well being of this young man.

-Sorry about your investment, but, like I said, the evidence speaks for itself and it never lies –I spoke again.

-What precisely is this evidence saying to you?

-I’m not at liberty to discuss the specifics of an ongoing investigation.

-Very well, I understand. Sometimes a man is called upon to be more than he has been in the past. Sometimes he fails.

-A woman is dead because Pete Baxa was trying to clean up a mess. Do you think it was his own or yours?

-I think if this evidence is speaking to you, miss, then something must be lost in the translation, regardless of whatever mess there was, Pedro is incapable of violence. Pedro is not a murderer.

-You’re very bold to come here. Aren’t you afraid you’ll leave some trace behind? A hair or flake of skin? Something with your DNA.. that we might be able to use against you.

She looked at me with a sideways smile and then she spat on the floor.

-Wouldn’t want to make your job more difficult than it has to be. I believe I have made myself very clear to you. I shall not waste anymore of your time. Muchas gracias.

Beatriz got up from the chair, gave me a last challenging look and left the room. A few seconds later, we all met again in the hallway. When we were about to talk about what happened, Brass got a phone call.

-Two police officers came by to serve that arrest warrant again –Brass explained as we walked into the barber shop and saw Pete dead on one of his chairs- They found him like this. Called it in.

There was a video camera aimed right at him, so we hit the play button. Pedro was sitting in front of the camera making his confession.

-My name is Pedro Baxa. I am an embezzler.. and a murderer. I set fire to the Superla Spa in order to cover up the fact that, for some time now, I have benn fraudulently reporting its earnings –he really looked sad and sorry- I poured acetone all over, I cut the gas line, and left a muffin to burn in the toaster oven. I swear to God the place was empty when I rigged it go up. I know it’s small comfort, but I apologize to her family and to anyone close to her. I’m so sorry for taking her away. Please, tell my sisters this. I made a deal with the devil to keep you safe, to give you a better life. I beg you to remember me if you are ever tempted to make a deal of your own. So it’s come to this.. Good bye.

Pete Baxa put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger.

***

-So all the forensic evidence supports what Pete Baxa confessed to on the video? –Killian asked.

-Yes, it does. But Pete Baxa’s confession wasn’t for us.

-Neither was his suicide. I think he was trying to make amends.. to his Queen.

-Well, this case may not have resolved itself the way you hoped. Now, we’ll have to find another way to trap Salazar.

-Yeah.. and maybe we’ll trap her together –Killian nodded and looked at me. Noticing we were in the middle of the hallway, he got close- Look, I’m not leaving until tomorrow and I was wondering that maybe you’d like to have dinner with me. Now that the case is officially over.

Killian’s seductive and daring gaze was a force that attracted me to him. His hand brushed mine lightly and I couldn’t help but blush. There was no reason for what I felt when I was with him. So, when I was going to say yes, Nick appeared on the scene. He and Warrick were talking and laughing and then Nick realized that I was there with Killian. His face changed.

-I can’t. I’m sorry.

-I understand love –Killian nodded and approached me to give me a hug- Maybe some other time. I’ve left something in your locker accompanied by my phone number. Call me.

After that farewell, the first thing I did was go open my locker to get my things and find what he had left. It was the business card of a boxing club in Vegas.