#spotfiy goes on a loop where it gives me songs that just so happens to go with these two and it breaks my heart!!

[martieshub]

❛I don't think we'd be compatible if I was a stuffy agent. Not only because I'd be no fun but also because we'd be competing for first place and not working as a team. We work as a team. ❜ Even if we couldn't get it together otherwise. He gave a pained look as if to say how dare she. ❛I think I've more than proven I've got your back and then some. ❜ There was that ugly little fighter head that wanted to come out. But he swallowed it. Not the best time to blow their good standing even if he felt a little wobbly. If he was given the choice he'd scale off a fucking building if he didn't need to be met with so many regrets and heartbreak. He knew he shouldn't have these feelings and he was at fault but still he couldn't help it.

That also reminded him of times before when they'd bicker over who would pay the bill whenever they went out to eat. ❛I'm so getting dinner then and you can't stop me. ❜ He said it as his back turned and met up with Jim, giving him a handshake and was pulled into a side hug. Jim's face showed the happiness at seeing Eli again. It was a commaderie there that went beyond Special Agent and Former Sheriff. Maybe, it was a little bit both sided the mutual affection. He had missed out on a father figure growing up and Jim filled that role so effortlessly even though he wasn't. And Eli to him filled the space of his son who he hadn't seen in five years.

He stood to the side as he introduced Laurel and Jim and Jim smiled just as kindly at her. He gave both of them a look before he opened the door for them both. There was a spot to talk that wasn't anywhere near there. Like it was the natural thing in the world and without thinking , he grabbed Laurel's hand and walked alongside Jim. ❛So, why the urgency? ❜ Eli spoke first wondering why they were called when the special unit was currently disbanded. At least what it was in the early 2000s.

Jim didn't say anything until they reached their spot far away from the cafe and into an alleyway that had a backdoor to an abandoned building. As he opened the door two heads poked out and one Eli recognized it as Maria and the other her boyfriend, husband? His eyebrows furrowed together as his heart fell. Calling back to the time he actually did lie on a report. These two were supposedly dead. And in a way they were.

❛Good to see you Eli. ❜ The woman spoke as she smiled a semi tight lipped smile. Taking Michael's hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. Instinctively he also squeezed Laurel's. ❛We've got an issue. It's Zan. His powers came in. He is human but I guess it's happening because he's stressed? We've come out of hiding because you're the only one we trust and that's saying a lot. ❜ Michael then directed his questions to Laurel. ❛Can you be trusted? ❜

Eli sighed and looked at Jim. Yeah, he now knew why they made the trip down here. Not being one who didn't like to help he ran his hand through his hair, a nervous tick, and nodded his head. ❛Zan still at that boarding school? Yeah. Great. We'll see what we can do. But far as I know, nothing has come through our desks. Which doesn't mean there isn't something. While we sort it. Do us a favor and lay low. No using your hands to make things go boom. Give us the day and we'll regroup tomorrow.❜

Laying against the wall he dropped down and laid his arms over his knees. ❛So, about those questions you had. I promised I was gonna answer them. ❜ Now, she'd get roped into what he was really doing when he'd come home late at night and wouldn't tell her where he'd been. Rather couldn't tell her. He wasn't sure how he'd explain hybrid to her but he was gonna make good on his promise.

Several screws loose was very accurate. ❛Yep, exactly. I wouldn't put it past people to actually begin competing. People probably complaining when they lost, claiming they were worse than the winner or something.❜ She shook her head at the thought. Laurel could never really wrap her mind around animal cruelty. It always baffled her, how there were people who were completely fine with it and even, sought it out. Knowing these things about the world and human population came with the job though, so eventually Laurel learned to deal with it. Even if she was still repulsed by it. ❛The absolute worst, I can't even think about it. Mm-hmm, yeah I remember that. That was truly insane. Agreed, we should've inaugurated the awards with him. ❜

He only nodded. She tried to not let his response get to her. What did she say? Laurel worried that she had said the wrong thing, when they were only joking a moment ago. She was tempted to follow up and ask what was wrong, but honestly, she wasn't prepared for an answer. Memories snuck in with their jokes and teasing, but the well-known melody playing through the speakers was like getting smacked in the face with all memories. No longer subtle. She felt a pit in her stomach as she was transported back to yet another memory. The song playing from the car speakers, her turning up the volume and presenting it as a contender for their song. It was in that moment that Laurel realized she had not heard that song since everything came to an end. That was all it took for her mind to bring up all buried memories. The amount of late nights courtesy of insomnia and her usual knack for staying up late. Holding a map knowing she would get them lost anyway, stealing a picture here and there when he was too focused on driving, and all the fun places they visited on a whim. Fond memories that were buried because she just couldn't bear to think of them, especially when they worked together. It was the kind of memories that she wished could be wiped with a mild case of amnesia. It just sucked that it didn't worked that way. Why did she torture herself this way again? Any normal person would've requested a transfer or even moved to another office. She wasn't ready to admit it, but this was not as easy as she claimed. Or maybe it was this whacky town. But, being near him and reliving memories was bringing up old wounds that she thought had semi-healed.

Now that, she was not expecting, but it was hilarious. Not to mention it was so effective at causing her thoughts and memories to vanish. Her laughter only returned at the sight, even the whine that came from him. ❛Oh my gosh, you okay? I didn't realize the mention of decades would be so jarring. That's fair, this job ages anyone. I feel like I've been around five years already. Well, you're not doing your back any favors with you jumping off buildings and what not.❜ Her smile remained as he cleaned up and continued talking. His mom sounded so lovely, Laurel could even say she was a bit jealous. ❛Seems to me like she did pretty well. I'm sure she's very proud of you, you're pretty great. Okay, yeah that does sound like a nightmare. I'm glad you're not, I'd hate to be your partner if that was the case.❜

Her mind was spinning. Full responses to one-word answers. Laurel couldn't pinpoint where she was going wrong. She was reaching her very short limit, gearing up to ask him what she did to warrant the short answers. ❛Sure, maybe.❜ The amount of uncertainty was not helping today, maybe was quickly becoming a word she disliked. She held her breath until he responded, afraid that he'd answer yes and dismiss her from the case. ❛Oh, good. Okay. I know I didn't necessarily sign up to lie, but above all, I trust your judgement. Just don't make me regret it.❜ Trusting was not easy for her, but she was sincere. Laurel trusted Eli with anything that was work-related. She even trusted him with her life, but as soon as they talked about anything else, her guard was quickly up and the trust retracted. To her, her heart was more fragile than her life. And he had already made a mess of her heart. Laurel caught his gaze, but it wasn't directed at her. He was distracted by something else. Until, he looked back at her, and she felt a jolt course through her the moment his hand touched hers. This couldn't keep happening. She was relieved, at least, that their reason for being here had finally come knocking. Focusing on work was for the best. ❛Right, of course.❜ There was reluctance to move her hand away, his touch was equal parts comforting and unsettling. She had to focus and slid out of her seat, reaching for her wallet in her back pocket to leave more than enough to cover the bill, before following after him to meet Jim.