It was winter. I hated the cold. The snow always fell light but only after a downpour.

"Achoo." I sniffed. The sky was already grey. I knew it would stay dry out for only a few more minutes. I quickened my pace into the building. I learned from yesterday the metal handle was freezing, I grabbed it with my scarf. The job was slow, I didn't have money to waste on mittens just yet. I could smell the coffee as soon as I got inside. That meant the boss was already in.

"Spence I got a case for you." Those were the magic words. He dropped a file on my desk. "Read it over, lemme know what you think." He left my cubicle before I even had a chance to sit.

"Good morning to you too." I mumbled before taking off my coat then noticing the breakfast burrito, and cup of hot cocoa sitting next to my keyboard. I picked up the little note taped to the Styrofoam cup. Natalie. I smiled a little then continued undressing myself. Once comfortable with wearing only two layers I walked the two feet to my left cubicle wall. I peered over. "Don't you think the food's a bit much Jones?" Those baby blues looked up at me. He smiled from behind his monitor.

"Not a chance Natalie." He said, feeling cocky. I sucked my teeth. He knew how I felt about people using my first name at work.

"It was one date Jones."

"It was an awesome first date." He shot back. "Besides, how'd you know I got that for you? It could have been Melanie." I thought for a moment. Melanie did have a knack for treating all the 30 under as her kids. You'd think she had enough with her eight grandkids always at her house.

"Your handwriting is akin to chicken scratch." I responded referencing the note he left with the food. He shrugged as if nothing was bothering him. I knew I caught him.

"Don't you have a file to read over Spencer?" Back to last names are we? He was embarrassed having lost another round of wits with me. He should get over it. I won every time. I sat down and took a sip of my cocoa. This is pretty good. He may be good for something after all. I opened the folder. A picture fell out. I skimmed over some of the pages. The police report was less than satisfactory and there were no real eye witness accounts. Just a few statements from some of the locals. I realized after some quick network searching that the case had been closed. I wasn't sure why the boss wanted me to look it over. It was ruled a suicide. I picked up the wallet sized photo and file then walked off to the big man's office.

"What is this?" I asked when I barged into his office holding the file in the air. He didn't look up at me.

"A case." He answered then took a sip from his large mug.

"It's closed."

"I'm reopening it." That's when he looked at me. He wanted me to challenge him. "I looked it over and I wasn't satisfied with the work done on it."

"It wasn't our office." I stated, not really feeling up to the task of redeeming another person's crappy work.

"I know. I made a few calls and realized that the case was looked at all wrong," he took another sip from his mug, "the local police handled it. A lot of protocol was…"he waved his hand as if he were looking for the right word, "neglected." I showed him that I wasn't convinced. His eyes shot up to the ceiling. "There was a conflict of interest. Did you even look at the photo?" He asked a little frustrated with me. I realized I hadn't so I pulled out the picture again.

"Teenage girl, petite, nice hair. Nothing fabulous. Where's the conflict?" I said a little harsh.

"The chief of police down there headed the investigation." I looked through the files and retrieved the police report. Police Chief Charlie Swan. I shrugged indicating that I'd read the page. "Now look at the victim again." I checked the picture. It wasn't until I flipped it over that I saw the name signed on the back. Then I double checked it with the report. I gasped.

"Don't tell me Isabella Swan is his daughter." He nodded his head slowly.

"That's exactly what I'm telling you. That's why I want you down there to check it out. I want you to uncover whatever Forks is hiding, whether its drugs, gang violence, trafficking of any kind-"

"Drugs and gangs?" I asked cutting him off. "In that little town of Forks?" He shot me a scolding look.

"You of all people should know that violence can be anywhere." He said. He knew he had me with that one.

"Okay, if they're hiding all this mischief so well what do you want me to do?" He smiled that evil little smile he gives me when he's about to give news that I don't like.

"I want you to go undercover. You're the only one here that can pass for a teenager-"

"Whoa whoa whoa! Hold your horses Sarge! I am not going as a teenager. My lowest age is college freshman and-"

"Spencer you fit the profile perfectly. You can still pass for a one of those kids. Shouldn't you be happy that you age so gracefully? I need you to do this for me." His words were actually heartfelt, it was the only reason I didn't threaten to press sexual harassment charges against him for that sneaky comment about my age.

"What's in it for you?" He looked at me surprised that I would ask such a thing.

"Nothing, it's just that Charlie used to be a friend of mine a couple years back. He helped me out when I was in a tight spot before I moved here to Seattle. I just want to try and return the favor."

"You mean find someone to return the favor for you." I added. I was pressing my luck with his good mood.

"I'm partnering you with Thomas-"

"Oh come on! Just because of that last snide comment. You know I've insulted you worst than that-" I whined.

"I need someone down there who can look like a legal adult aka your guardian and can still do some digging." He countered. "And I also enjoy exacting my revenge on you through your work." He smirked while drinking some more coffee.

"You're so evil." I said while shaking my head.

"I know. Now get outta my office Spencer." I turned and left then. Instead of going straight to my cubicle I decided to pay Jones a visit in his.

"You're kidding me right?" I asked him. He turned to me looking innocent as ever except for that false smile he held.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." He said. I scoffed.

"Please."

"I'm so excited that we'll be working together for the next few weeks." He said happily.

"What are you gonna be, my dad?" I teased.

"No, your 27 year old elder brother. Apparently I recently graduated from college and moved to Forks to start my own computer technician business. Cool huh?" He said in a nerdy tone. I smiled when a few of our co workers laughed at his antics.

"Wow Jones, even in make believe, you still are too old to be with me."

"Ouch, Natalie. Give a guy a break will you?" He said. I knew I hurt him a little but he was back to calling me by my first name. Gotta put him in his place.

"Okay, just tell me when you see a guy." I said earning another round of laughs. Jones turned back to his screen accepting defeat. I went to my cubicle still riding my high from the last few moments, and the fact that I finally had a job to throw myself into. Then I remembered what the job was and that I was going to have to pay a visit back to high school. That sobered me up pretty quick. I turned to my screen and began apartment hunting. No way was I going to let the cheap scape boss man pick a run down slum for me to live in with a 30 year old man that was pining for me. I finally took a bite, an angry bite out of my burrito. Huh It's not cold yet. I wasn't sure what I had just let myself get talked into, not sure if Forks, Washington had anything to hide. At least I'll have that money for my mittens.



"Hello class we have a new student starting today. I want you all to welcome miss-"

"Nancy Drew." I said, eliciting a bunch of snickers from the class. The wiry middle aged man looked quickly down at his roster not understanding. I quickly corrected myself. "Just kiddin teach. The name's Bernadette Coplin."I told him giving my fake identity. He looked up then, readjusting his large bifocals on his face.

"Of course Miss Coplin. Welcome to Forks High. There's a seat in the back, next to Mr. Newton. Mike!" A young man's head popped up in the back. I tried to hide my frown once realizing that he had the same features as Jones. Blond hair and blue eyes. I hoped that he didn't act like my 'older brother'. "Before you sit Bernadette, could you tell us a little about yourself?" I shrugged.

"Sure. I just moved here with my brother Bill from Seattle. Our parents died recently in an accident." This caused a few to break their gaze with me. The teacher interrupted me.

"I'm so sorry to hear that Bernadette." He said sincerely.

"It's fine, it wasn't your fault." I said, not wanting to gain so much false sympathy. "I'm pretty excited to start a new life here anyway." I added somewhat happily. I didn't do well with pity. This knocked everyone out of their discomfort.

"That's good to hear. If you'll take your seat, I'll begin with the lesson." He said while moving towards the chalkboard. I walked towards the back of the class where Mike Newton sat expectantly. He looks cheerful enough...time to get to work.


A/N: Yea or Nay?