Revised it a bit, not much has changed, but there you go.

Don't own TMW, don't sue plz

Nothing much to warn about...

Bane: "That comes later" (thanks Bane)

ENJOY!

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Her hair was in an up-do held with so many bobby pins it was almost painful. Her makeup done with immaculate perfection and her deep purple dress clung perfectly to all her curves. The best part however, was the fact she was on the arm of the object of her desire, but she would rather die than tell him. One: she wasn't sure if he even felt more than platonic friendship for her and two, she didn't want to ruin the relationship they did have.

"You look... well amazing", Tuck whispered and a soft blush dusted her cheeks making her make up glow. "Go get em darling", he added nudging her forward as the elevator made a ringing noise indicating they had reached the party/club. She smirked and swayed her hips as she stepped into the room. FDR was at his post just outside when Collins murmured through their earpieces reminding them to be covert among the rest of the mission's parameters.

It was one of the few missions she actually went on; normally she helped them with paperwork, research and basic Intel. It was enough for Collins to let her share an office with them, it wasn't a hard sell after her reasoning of needing to be close to them in order to not waste time having to pursue the two for info if need be. After all the two were Collins' best agents and what with all their missions racked up quite a bit of paperwork.

By this time she was absently stirring her drink with the small straw it came with and chatting up the handsome bartender. Tuck and FDR were flirting with two women while waiting to pounce on the Heinrich brothers. Well Tuck wasn't flirting as much as FDR was, but then that was never a surprise. "Tuck get FDR to stop flirting you two have work to do", Chloe stated wryly as she watched the objects of their mission walk through the glass doors. She saw a reluctant FDR and a seemingly at ease Tuck make way to their positions. She grabbed her purse, holding extra mags for their guns, should they need them and sashayed her way over to FDR. A good man despite his womanizing tendencies and someone she thought of as a brother not to mention a damn good agent.

"Hey beautiful", FDR purred and she stifled a giggle as she slipped a mag or 2 in his breast pocket.

She was about to respond when Collins' voice sounded in her ear. Shots had been fired, men were down. "Go, I'll hang back in case there is more trouble", Chloe urged and he followed her instructions, striding to Tuck's side before the brother's exited the back room with a flourish. It was an afterthought to bring the extra gun clips or mags as Tuck liked to call them. It seemed like he was always in need of one, never going into the mission prepared.

As was typical all hell broke loose and she was left to herd the room's occupants to the nearest exits while Tuck and FDR exchanged blows and bullets with the Heinrich brother's. In the end Tuck almost fell over the building, the younger brother did fall, and the older had gotten away. Not only that, Karl Heinrich was probably very angry about the death of his little brother.

"Boss is not going to be cheered", Tuck mumbled as Chloe ran up to them. She threw her arms around Tuck as FDR hid his smirk. He set her down and assured her he was fine.

She turned to FDR "You ok?" Chloe inquired wrapping him in a light hug. She tipped her chin into him and he kissed her on the top of her head and told her he was more concerned about the whereabouts of those girls he'd been talking to. She sighed, "Don't even FDR; we have to catch a red eye." He frowned in response when she and Tuck shared a laugh as the three headed back into the building.

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She watched in amusement as her two partners and best friends sulked at their desks. They had been grounded because of Heinrich's need for revenge and it seemed this also meant they didn't know what to do with themselves. "Hey guys you could help me with paperwork!" Chloe offered brightly albeit sarcastically.

Tuck sighed as FDR snorted, "Chlo darling if you weren't you I'd tell you to sod off!" The brit replied honestly even as he got up and walked over. "What do you need US to do?" he asked emphasizing the us and letting FDR know he'd offered his help as she met him halfway and handed him a manila folder. She stepped over and dropped a similar folder onto the other's desk with a smile.

"Seriously? She'd questioned before he'd gotten up. "Oh thanks, ok it's just the front two pages, standard info, name, badge number, etc. etc." Chloe explained as they both looked over the pages before them. "Awesome now I can drop these off and get home to make that cake for Nana's tonight!" she replied with a smile, waving the folders in her hand. "Just leave those on my desk when you're done." She added as an afterthought and as she reached the door she turned. "See you there Tuck?" Chloe asked trying to mask the hope in her voice.

He smiled brightly "Of course luv, wouldn't miss it", Tuck replied and she flashed a winner of a grin. He watched her bound off with an almost noticeable skip in her step and if he was totally honest with himself he was glad his answer had caused it. Though he was not being honest with himself or not honest enough as the case may be, at least not yet.

"Dude, what was that?" FDR inquired incredulously, both at being roped into paper work and the fact his best friend was pretty much ogling his sister. Ok so she wasn't really his sister, she was a cousin twice removed, but they had grown close and thought of each other as nuclear family just the same. Chloe had come to them to escape a…Well he didn't really know what, but that didn't matter. Nana had accepted her without question and the rest of the family followed suit.

"What?" Tuck returned innocently.

"Paperwork? US? Really man and seriously make a move for Christ sakes", FDR griped as he grabbed a pen to fill out the information requested. Tuck balked, claiming the situation wasn't like that, she was just a friend. "Uh huh, keep telling yourself that", he mused under his breath. Tuck had missed his response having gone to his own desk. Part of him wanted to out Chloe to see if his buddy would finally admit his feelings, but that was a gamble and he knew Chloe would never forgive him. So they finished in silence and left for the locker rooms to change for the party at Nana's.

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When the guys arrived Chloe was already there, in a dress of soft blue chiffon that fell to her knees and cut modestly across her chest, creating off the shoulder sleeves. Tuck sat down at a table with FDR and worried his glass of Champagne as he watched his friend eat the cake their partner had made. "My god she is a good cook!" FDR murmured appreciatively, looking up as the "she" he spoke of strode purposefully to their table.

"I see you like the cake", Chloe remarked with a satisfied grin. He simply nodded and she grinned wider. "Come on FDR you owe me a dance", she stated adding her best puppy dog pout for good measure. He sighed and got up reluctantly after finishing one last bite. She held his hand and he spun her with a giggle onto the dance floor.

He knew Tuck watched them with mixed emotions even knowing there was nothing more than brotherly and sisterly love between himself and Chloe. "So when are you going to tell him?" FDR inquired innocently and she gave him a confused look as they danced.

Suddenly she relaxed and leaned her head on his shoulder, finding comfort in the simple gesture that he had allowed her to do so. "I just can't FDR, what about our friendship? My boys? What happens to that?" Chloe replied honestly, her voice a whisper so only he could hear.

"Ok I won't push it, but just think he may not be single forever", FDR answered just as softly as she leaned back and he spun her around and dipped her with a roguish grin. She gave an understanding nod and knew they would undoubtedly talk more about it later. He winked back as the song ended and he pulled her up. He left her side as she made known her need for another glass of champagne and headed off to the punch table. Happily he returned to his best buddy and of course his cake.

For most of the night she wandered and mingled, leaving her partners to their antisocial fest. It was only in the later evening when the music had turned to top 40's hits and the elders left the dance floor to the younger generation for their tables, that she felt watched. She turned to see Tuck eyeing her with an easy smile. How long had he been watching her? Probably not long or FDR would have undoubtedly noticed, but then FDR was MIA at the moment. She sighed, after 3 glasses of the bubbly she was feeling quite carefree and made her way to the dance floor without thought. Call Me Maybe: By Carly Rae Jepson was blasting out over the speakers and somehow she found it fitting. It wasn't long before she was in a circle belting out the lyrics with her closest in age family members. She laughed and sang uninhibited and she swore she saw Tuck with FDR grinning like idiots at her display.

"Go up there dude, it's just a dance." FDR urged as the song changed and Chloe motioned for either one to join her. He had the feeling that in her obviously tipsy state, she wouldn't care which one of them it was that went up with her; as long as someone did and FDR took it upon himself to make that someone the brit. "Tuck she's a bit hammered, it's all in fun, look I'm going too", he coaxed and Tuck realizing he now had no out, followed.

She was well passed floored when both of them began walking towards her. With a shake of her head she let her buzz flood back and turned to join the circle for the next song. One more Night: By Maroon 5 was playing and she found a rhythm as FDR sidled up and pushed Tuck in front of him.

The brit found his hands fitting her hips easily as she dipped and swerved to the music. Tuck said not a word as he matched her moves and she murmured her appreciation of his dancing. One song became two, two became three and still they hadn't slowed. FDR had gone in search of more cake and Chloe had kicked her shoes aside two songs ago. Lights: By Ellie Goulding came on and the woman in his arms looked up at him sheepishly.

"My feet hurt, but I love this song", Chloe admitted with a soft voice. It was as if she was telling him they could stop, but she was staying for this last song as the DJ had made clear. He lifted her effortlessly and moved them to stand on the grass. "Wow that feels so much better thanks Tuck", she replied brightly. The remark lifted the mood and the sexual tension between the two dissipated instantly as he gave her a winning grin and continued dancing apart from her. Oh good lord no, did she just blow it big time and she regretted having let the comment come bubbling out. Though in her tired state she probably couldn't have stopped it anyway, so what was the point in regrets.

That night she returned home with a diminishing buzz and severe foot pain. FDR had dropped her off, insisting she not drive, she had readily agreed knowing her finer motor functions were inhibited. After dragging herself through a shower she collapsed in bed, scaring the light gray ball of fluff currently occupying the covers to escape to another room.

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All too early, though it was already 9 a.m. her phone rang. "Hello", Chloe slurred, wincing at the pounding in her skull.

"Hey it's me", FDR chuckled, knowing she would recognize his voice.

"FDR hey what is it, it feels early and my head really hurts."

"Just making sure you're alive and to tell you to join us at the bar tonight"

"Ok, but don't let me drink alright, my system needs recovery time", Chloe reasoned before hanging up as he laughed in the back ground.

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She arrived that night to find them already at the pool table. As she sipped at her water she listened in on their conversation. Apparently Tuck had put his info on an online dating site and had actually gotten a date. Her heart clenched, but she couldn't reason being shocked. Tuck was; well he was hot and wonderful in spite of that fact. Most hot guys knew they looked good and were jerks, but not Tuck, he was the kind of man that refused to notice just how good looking he really was.

FDR wanted to go on the date with their friend and Tuck was fighting for his privacy. Rubbing her temples she sighed, just wanting it all to end. She stepped forward with a schooled game face, hiding her bruised heart. "Tuck it's alright I'll go with FDR, keep him in line and 200 yards away as promised", Chloe assured as she stepped up behind FDR. Her brother type looked to her, then Tuck, nodding brightly in agreement of the statement. He even wrapped an arm around her and squeezed her to his side in thanks for her help with his plan.

Tuck seemed contemplative, then finally "Yeah ok, ok 200 yards." He answered flashing a triumphant smile.

Truth be told she really only offered because she wanted to see this woman for herself. And the next day found her in FDR's Escalade, heading toward the video store. FDR asked something, but she didn't hear, too lost in thought. "Hmm?" Chloe inquired in a daze.

"I asked if you were ok with this?" FDR intoned when he'd parked the car, eyeing her thoughtfully as he turned off the engine. She looked at him with a strained smile and felt close to tears. She wouldn't cry though, she would never cry not for any man, not anymore.

"I have to be, don't I FDR?" Chloe groused in exasperation and he flinched at her tone. Her eyes softened and she sighed, "sorry handsome", she appeased, jabbing him lightly in the shoulder. "I'll be ok, better if it goes bad, if it goes well… Then I'll just call Sam in tech, dude's wanted to get a date with me for years", she laughed and he chuckled in turn.

"If it goes bad I'm giving you a week to tell him or I squeal!" FDR called as she left for the deli across the street. She stuck her tongue out and mouthed the word 'behave' as he moved for the video store.

She ordered an iced chai and a slice of the deli's supposedly famous banana nut bread, before going to the tables outside to eat. Suddenly Tuck caught her eye and her throat went dry, he looked…. Good grief he looked perfect. He was dressed laid back in jeans and a button down red and white plaid shirt. Their eyes locked and she caught herself from letting her jaw drop. He gave her a thumbs-up and she answered with a halfhearted wave as she quickly pulled from her drink to alleviate her parched throat. Not two minutes later she saw Tuck greet his date. Shit shit shit she's beautiful, Chloe thought in defeat. The woman talking to her Brit, yes hers, she thought with a mental snort. Was tall when she, herself was a bit shorter. Thin as opposed to her own lithe muscle. Her hair long and blonde opposed to Chloe's slightly shorter albeit blonde highlighted burgundy style. Oh jeez, she'd never felt so uncomfortable or inadequate in her own skin. Without thinking she grabbed her drink, conveniently in a to-go cup. And only after throwing her trash away, she headed for the park a couple blocks from here. It was a glorious day and she felt the need to clear her head. She reached her favorite spot in record time after pretty much speed walking there and slumped into the well-worn bench.

About an hour later she noticed a shadow covering the pages she had been furiously writing in. Blinking slowly, she looked up to see Tuck trying not to look at what she was doing so intently. She pulled the open note book to her chest, "Hey", Chloe murmured.

"Hey Chlo, you looked pretty focused, what are you working on?" Tuck inquired brightly, honestly wanting to know. She hesitated and he stepped back a bit, giving her space and letting her know he hadn't meant to push.

She seemed contemplative, unsure if she wanted to let him in on her secret; her coping mechanism for the tremendous pain of her past. His use of the nickname he gave her disarmed her and she felt her chest burst with a need to let her memories slip. "It's my lyric book", Chloe answered truthfully, closing the pages and with infallible trust and an unseen pain, handed him the small artfully decorated note book.

He answered her trust by only flipping the pages to see how many were filled. To his surprise over half was full to the bottom, the random flower or smiley doodle catching his eye. "So were you what? In a band?" he intoned with an eye brow raise and a laugh, trying his best to picture her as a rocker.

She smirked, "still am Tuck Tuck", Chloe replied, laughing as his jaw dropped. He immediately asked why she'd kept this from them and she sighed. "What I have to share everything?" She snapped and he had the gall to look wounded. Heaving an even bigger sigh, "I'm sorry Tuck, It's only… I wanted something that was mine, honestly I've meant to tell you…"

"Tell us what?" FDR interjected as he clapped Tuck on the back in greeting. He knew this was Chloe's favorite hangout and when he hadn't seen her in the deli, had made his way to this park.

"Chlo here is in a band!" Tuck replied, still in shock.

"Not just in a band. Lead singer you sod", Chloe informed them proudly, with a satisfied smirk and a roll of her eyes. She loved to tease her brit by throwing his slang right back at him. FDR and Tuck both demanded proof of this at once and she huffed, pulling a flyer for her Band's gig this Friday from her messenger bag and thrusting it in their direction after replacing the note book Tuck had given back to her. The small flyer was electric yellow with PASTED ON written in bold across the top. A picture of Chloe's cat: Sassafras, with an art brush in its teeth. That was dripping with paste from a bottle situated in front of it, made up the bottom. On the back, in bold of equal caliber were the names of said band members complete with pictures next to the names and on the top of the list was Chloe. She looked different, edgier with an easy and sexy confidence.

"Lilith?" The two asked simultaneously.

"It's my stage name", Chloe sighed, crest fallen at the look of mirth in their eyes. She knew they meant no harm, but still added. "Look this band is important to me", she mumbled, her voice sounding deflated, causing FDR and Tuck to sit on either side of her. FDR rubbed her slumped shoulders, bringing a small smile to her lips.

"We know luv, come give us a cuddle", Tuck responded softly, holding out his arms to her. She had looked like he'd just shot her cat and he felt compelled to make amends. She fell into his embrace almost too easily, but she couldn't help it and neither could he, their friendship was just that strong. "Hey, if you don't want us to…we…we won't go will we mate", he stated with conviction, giving FDR a pointed look as his chin rested on the top of her hair.

"No no I…I want you to come", Chloe mumbled trying desperately to gain hold of her fraying confidence. She sat up slowly and with determination, "Yes, yes I do I want you there", she stated once more with force before adding; "It's actually at your favorite pub Tuck. We go on at 9:30 don't be late and dress nice like your impeccable selves", she finished with a laughing grin. She'd give them a show, she'd let out her pain before them if even only in disguise and maybe just maybe she could finally confide why she needed her band, her distraction, her stage persona, just to stay sane.

"Ok beautiful we will be there", FDR intoned as he stood and pulled her to her feet. They walked back to his car in comfortable silence. Her arms threaded through both of theirs as they made their way. FDR wondered idly why she would need such a turnaround from her every day and it suddenly struck him just how little he knew of her past. His Nana had told him, with a sad sigh, that she had moved in with them to escape a stalker. Now however, he wasn't so sure that was the whole truth. He resolved to ask her about it next time they were in the enclosed safety of any one of their respective houses.

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The next week flew by with crackling tension lased in every breath. It started with the information that Tuck's date had gone well, so well he was seeing her again and soon. Not only that, but it turned out FDR had unknowingly ran into the same woman and had gotten a date with her as well. This woman went by the name of Lauren. Sheesh even her name sounds more apt and demure, Chloe thought with an appalling clench in her gut. This woman was now being fought over by her two best friends, who were acting like stupid school boys playing a game. Matters of the heart should never be a game; some quote from somewhere had said that right? She thought with a grumble as she dove into her paperwork. Said school boys were busy laying down rules to this game and silently as they made the rule of this never affecting their friendship, she added mentally that if it affected her she would walk away from them, no matter how painful the prospect was.

She knew Collins would be more than happy to give her the old office back and have her doing more than just these two idiot's piles of paperwork. She stood abruptly after closing the folder of paper she'd been writing in and walked in between their desks. Then with a loud voice she stopped them in their tracks. "Gentlemen since I'm still counting on your presence, I will remind you, my gig is tomorrow, 9:30 don't be late. Good day!" Chloe practically yelled, and then left them blinking in confusion at her outburst as she pretty much model stomped from view.

"Oh bollocks, she's right mate, we can't let her down, we said we'd be there", Tuck sighed and FDR nodded.

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