The character of Audrey will be played by Katherine Barrel.

Chapter 1

"They" all said that love and this profession would never mix: "sooner or later it's all going to go to shit and you nor anyone else has the man-power to save it."

"Sir, I am a grown woman and a highly valued asset to this team, I believe I have the capacity to judge whether it will or not."

"That's what the one before you said too, Agent Bevier. Right before we had to go in and "take care" of the mess he made. For your sake and hers, I hope I will not have to do that."

Two Years Earlier*

My alarm clock awoke with a deafening shrill as the woman's hand reached over my tensed body and switched it off. "Why don't you use a different sound, something soothing?" She asked, like every morning I spent with her. They were all the same to her, they were fun, then dull and agitating. I couldn't take another second with her. "I don't know Vivian, you don't have to be here when it goes off either, but you still choose to be." I spoke back, watching her sun filled eyes burn into me with a smirk as her tongue ran over her bottom lip, her vocal cords not able to make a sound. I watched as she collected her clothes and put them on slowly, my eyes daring hers to meet mine as she finally pulled her shirt over her head and grabbed her phone from the nightstand. "You win Audrey, don't call me again." She spat, the picture frames that held art on the wall rattling as she slammed my front door closed for the third time.

I smiled with a sigh and pulled myself out of bed, my muscles aching as I popped my neck and put my feet on the white carpet, looking at my badge and gun that were laying on the nightstand. I knew I had to be at headquarters in a few hours, but I wasn't dreading it. Getting into this agency was the greatest achievement I have accomplished and after years of hard work, they addressed me as Commanding Agent Bevier. Damn, doesn't that sound nice?

I smiled to myself before pulling my aching body out of my room and into the kitchen, placing my hands on the cold marble that was my counter top as I looked out the window, cars already lining up for early rush hour. Sliding my hand over the glossed surface, I thought about the woman I had spent my night with, the same woman I had spent it with every few weeks, knowing damn well she sat by her phone day and night waiting on my call to come here. Why does she do this? Because she is lonely like every other person on this planet, any ounce of attention I give her will last a week before she needs it again, needs to see me; even if I never smile at her, never give her endearing titles, or for that matter, kiss her.

I wiped all of these thoughts from my head as I started to brew the coffee, my mind at ease as I walked back into my room and dressed myself in the usual attire. Black long socks, black dress pants, black shined shoes, black belt, white under shirt, bulletproof vest, white button up, black tie, black blazer. It never differed from this because for awhile now, I haven't had the patience to pick out anything that would look better on me.

I tied my medium length red hair into a tight ponytail with a smirk before staring at myself in the mirror. I knew some women yearned to be in my bed, begged me too, but Vivian was the only woman I would do that with, and I had just severed ties with her once and for all. I hadn't had any type of romantic relationships with a woman ever, and I really didn't want to start now. For this I can only blame work and my hectic schedule that denied me any time for another human being; aside from sporadic free time to make phone calls to see how family is doing. I highly doubt any woman would put up with that in a partner and no matter how much feelings she had built up and stored in her heart, she would end it with me and I would turn back into being heartless. That's what I had to be in order to protect myself and her, it was really for my own good not to fall in love with another woman.

With quick steps I moved back into the kitchen and watched as the coffee steam rose and heated the travel mug, adding cream and sugar before screwing on the lid, grabbing my badge and placing it in my blazer pocket as I grabbed my keys with the other hand. My holster dug into my side before I moved it slightly, sliding my pistol into it until I heard the familiar click of it locking into place. With a quick glance around my apartment for anything out of place, I closed and locked my front door, taking the same path as a pissed off Vivian had taken only a few hours ago.

"C.A. Bevier, it's about time you brought your ass out of that apartment!" My friend and team member, Monty, remarked as he caught sight of me at the front doors of the department. Monty and I have known each other since the academy, our friendship sparking from me telling him to "put your damn magazine in right the first time and maybe your times wouldn't be such shit." I felt his firm hand land on my shoulder in appreciation as I smiled and pushed his hand away, walking into the lobby of my department. Men and women were rushing around with papers, statements, and police reports in their hands as they hurried to get them to their superiors to start the case.

With a wave of my hand I watched as a handful of agents got up from their desks, wearing the exact same thing as me as they filed into the empty conference room that I was standing near. I looked into the lobby once more before closing the door behind me, starting the coffee pot for my team before placing a rolled up map down flat onto the dark oak glossy table. I took a deep breath to collect my thoughts before turning to my agents, my hands folded behind my back.

"Today and tomorrow will not consist of much. We have been asked to assist security at a two-night awards ceremony that has had several threats made to it. We will observe the front as people make their way in, paparazzi will be there along with news reporters. No one will know the reason that we are there. If asked, do not respond, if prompted to answer, just say you are security. Any questions?" My eyes found a lone hand raised in the air, its owner leaning back against the chair, hearing it creak as he sat back up to steady his voice. "Will some be inside and some outside or what will the formation and placement be, ma'am?" I grabbed a black marker and pulled the dry erase board closer to me before looking back at the agent that had spoken.

"What is your name?" I asked, not looking at him as I uncapped the marker, the strong scent hitting my nostrils instantly. "Manning, ma'am." He states and I promptly write it on the board. "Did I spell it correctly, Agent Manning?" I ask, making eye contact with him as he folds his hands on the desk. "Yes ma'am." He assures, noticing as he shifts his body position, uncomfortable with me for calling him out. "Great, you're on my good side since you can ask a simple question. As for the rest of you, I didn't call you all in here to listen to the wind outside. Either ask questions to understand the plan better or get out. There's a minimum of 14 different questions you could have asked me just with the information I had just provided." I stated, watching as all of the agents in the room averted their eyes from me, all except for Monty, he knew how I operated and I hated when agents wouldn't look me in the eyes.

"Plain clothes and vests underneath then?" Monty simply asks, running his hand over his shaved head as he keeps his gaze locked in mine. "Yes, do not call each other by your titles, just last names. People can't be thinking that federal agents are working security. Anyone else?" "Will there be shifts, some stay outside some in?" Someone immediately asked, my eyes finding the agent as I assessed him, taking in how his tie was loosely tied and his blazer was carelessly opened, his gun hand grip poking out.

"Name?" I asked, uncapping the marker as I scowled at the strong scent the marker emitted. "Vance" He remarked, being able to tell he had said it with confidence. "Great, Agent Vance, you may step out after I have answered your question and may return when you have gathered yourself and are able to present yourself as an agent for this team." I stated harshly, not bothering to look at him as I started to draw a map on the whiteboard.

"There will be no shifts, agents don't take shifts. Some will be posted inside and some will be outside; you will remain there until the event is over. I will be outside but once the event starts then I will move inside. We will all have radios and earpieces so communication will not be a problem. Is there anymore questions?" I asked, watching with a smirk as Agent Manning stood up, pushed his chair in and exited the room as I had commanded him to do. At least he is able to follow orders.

I stood in the silence for a few seconds longer before making 'x's all over the map, writing the agents' names by each 'x'. "This is where everyone will be posted, you all will not be far away from each other." My eyes shot up as the door to the conference room opened as Agent Manning appeared again, his demeanor and outer appearance noticeably better than before. Noticing that the agents were studying the map, I took that time to assess all of them. There were 30 agents total that made up my team, some of them I had known for years, some I had just met. Either way, they all needed to work together as a team and understand how the others operated.

"Alright then team, we leave in 15." I stated, folding my arms behind my back, my shoulders squared as I watched all of the men and women stand and begin to file out one at a time, Monty staying back to talk to me. I started to wipe off the whiteboard and collect the maps, hearing him clear his throat to get my attention even though he was the only person in the room with me. "Yes, Agent?" I asked, standing up straight as I met his gaze, knowing he knew something was wrong. "Vivi gone again?" He simply asked, leaning against the white wall next to him, crossing his very muscular arms over his vest.

I sighed and relaxed my body, letting all of the tension out. Monty was the only one I was able to relax with. "For good this time. She needs something better than what I am giving her." I said calmly, watching him nod in understanding. "Maybe it's time for Audrey Bevier to fall in love with someone for once." He stated, his slight African accent leaving his lips as I pushed the dry erase board back to the corner of the room, staring at the gray carpet for a few seconds, pondering over my answer. "I don't love Vivian, Monty." I finally said, raising my green eyes to meet his brown orbs.

With a wave of his hand he chuckles and stands up straight, keeping his arms crossed. "You and I both know you don't, I mean to someone else. Open up your heart to someone and maybe you won't be so lonely in that apartment all the time to call her. Just give some girl a chance Aud, if you don't you'll never experience that addictive feeling. Just a chance, okay?" He asked, causing me to roll my eyes at his mushy words. I hated when people were like that, it left them so vulnerable, so exposed.

I sighed, not winning the battle in my head. "Fine, I will. But not right away, alright. You know I hate doing this." I watched as his actual smile filled his face, his eyes lighting up as he put his large hand on my shoulder and squeezed it gently. "That's my girl! Now, let's get going." He stated, a little too enthusiastic. If he thought I was just going to fall head over heels for a girl he was dead wrong. The planets would have to align exactly at the moment I saw her for that to EVER happen.

I could see the paparazzi already lining up, the news reporters getting their cameras ready as the car pulled up to the event, police officers already lining the barricades. I stepped out onto the red carpet, having all my team speak into the microphones in their cuff lining so that I could make sure everything was working properly. "Alright everyone, as always, stay safe, aware, vigilant, and hydrated." I said, watching as they all nodded before moving to their posts, Monty being positioned next to me. I could hear fans screaming as celebrities started to arrive for the event, my position being near where they were dropped off.

"Do you see any babes you want to fall in love with?" He asked next to me as I observed an interview in progress a few feet away. I couldn't help but roll my eyes, shaking my head slightly as his question repeated in my head. "No, Monty" I stated, observing officers struggling to stop a woman from climbing the barrier as a celebrity walked by.

I moved to help the officers, placing my hand on the girls arm, my other on her shoulder. "Ma'am stop." I stated firmly, watching her face contort to fear as her eyes locked with mine. Her body went weak as she fell back behind the barrier, her eyes never leaving mine. The officers began to help her up as I turned to walk back to my post, observing a woman with long blonde hair walk past me, noticing her all black attire besides her floral jacket. I couldn't pull my eyes away from her as I observed two men beside her, watching as she dropped what seemed to be her wallet without realizing that she was missing the item. I quickly caught up to her, picking up the wallet as she continued to walk away. "Ma'am? You dropped this." I said, my breath getting caught in my throat as she turned around, my eyes meeting her hazel eyes, watching as her eyes went wide. I struggled to keep my eyes with hers as I realized she was only wearing a black bra underneath her jacket.

"Oh... thanks.." She stated, her soft voice ringing in my ears as she looked anywhere but at me. My hand went to hers, noticing the ring on her middle finger as I handed her the wallet, only for it to fall to the carpet again. I quickly picked it up again, handing it back as I heard her soft voice state "I'm such a train-wreck sometimes, I'm sorry." I couldn't help but actually laugh at what she had said, a small smile forming on her lips as she thanked me then walked away; not noticing that my heart had been pounding in my chest until I watched her turn around and look at me again before quickly looking away, running her hand through her hair. I felt dazed as I stood there before I was jolted back into reality with Monty's voice in my ear. "Was she the one?" He asked with a smirk as I rolled my eyes. "Please, she wouldn't have the time of day for me." I stated, walking into the building as the event started, standing in the back as everyone took their seats.

I watched as the host started out the night with a few jokes and jabs, trying desperately to get everyone in the room to laugh at at least one of his jokes. I watched as Monty went to go fetch some water for us, noticing as someone sat down, only because of their long blonde hair. I couldn't peel my eyes away from her as I watched her laugh and adjust her hair, her movements so calm and careless, her hand so steady. "You can't stare at women like that, it really freaks them out." I heard Monty state as he handed me the bottle of water. "Well if she stopped moving then she wouldn't be distracting me." I shot back, hearing him chuckle as he shook his head and leaned back against the wall, relaxing slightly. I hit his arm softly, watching as he jumped back into position, shoulders squared as he stared straight ahead. "I apologize, Bevier." He stated, his voice steeled as music flooded our ears and the first performance started. "It's alright." I said, looking over at the mystery girl once more before trying to ignore her for the rest of the night.