Author's Notes: Everything's in Canon, this is going to be one of my longer stories, and basically is going to be my humble suggestion for how Season 3 should go. Overall, I was not a fan of Season 2. Too many outside characters, not enough roommate interaction, character development or cohesive plot (though it did have some amazing moments that showed potential.)
I'm hoping to have it finished by the time Season 3 airs (If it airs), I already have the whole thing story boarded out.
I'm always happy to discuss the show or my unending PIKE loyalty (The title white flag is partially because of the Dido song that says I will go down with this ship). I appreciate reviews and theories!
The sky is grey and the ocean is crashing angrily outside the walls of Graceland. A storm is brewing. Yet the foreboding weather outside cannot match the melancholia that pervades the atmosphere inside the house itself.
"Dude, you're still not dressed? Hurry it up Jakes. We're going to be late." Johnny asks, as he sees Jakes fumbling through open drawers in his room.
"I can't find my tie. Charlie have you seen my tie?" Jakes yells out through the hallway.
"Which one?" Charlie pops her head out of the door to her bedroom.
"The only one I own!" Jakes replies back grumpily, throwing clothes all over the room in frustration.
"Check your sock drawer!" Charlie calls back in a suggestion.
"I already did!"
"Check it again!"
"Dude just go without the tie! What's the big deal?" Johnny asks.
"The big deal is, this is not some hippie kumbaya bonfire on the beach. Show some respect." Jakes explains in a frustrated tone. "Charlie! It's not here!"
"Fine, wear this." Charlie walks into the room and throws a tie around Jakes shoulders.
"Whose tie is this? Is it Briggs'? It seems a little preppy. It's not…" Jakes examined the critically, and let his voice trail off at the end.
"I got it from the costume closet." Charlie answers simply. Jakes accepts this answer and begins to tie and Charlie turns to Johnny, "You, help me zip this."
"Aww Charlie, you're really wearing that?" Johnny whines in displeasure at the modest black dress Charlie is wearing.
"I'm pregnant Johnny. The jig is up." Charlie scolds as she attempts to zip the dress herself. Her bump is barely noticeable, but it's enough that the form fitting dress is a little snug. "Besides, my pants are starting to feel a little tight. Unless I'm in sweats."
"Catherine Demarco you are not wearing sweatpants today." Charlie looks up to see Briggs leaning in the doorframe in a simple black tailored suit. His eyes rake up and down her and he says sadly,"You look beautiful."
"You're not so bad yourself." She walks over to him and leans in to give him a flirtatious kiss.
"Ahem." Jakes coughs to let them know Johnny and Jakes are both still present. "We should get going. The service is going to start soon."
"Yo, P really isn't coming?" Johnny asks, looking around sadly. "Where is she?"
"Same place she's been all week. Out at her rock." Jakes grumbles. For weeks, Paige has been sitting on a stone out on the beach staring out at the ocean.
"We'll do this without her." Briggs says gruffly. "Let's go."
Two members short, the Graceland team leaves the house together.
"And now by the power vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The officiant announces.
Charlie and Briggs lean in and kiss each other passionately, but a distinct feeling of sadness fills the air. This is not right. It's not the joyous event that a wedding should be. There is no cake. No white dress. No big reception to attend. Still there is something distinctly touching, yet depressing, as the two agents embrace.
"I can't believe Mike and Paige missed this." Johnny mutters to himself.
"It does feel like something's missing." Jakes agreed, "Ah, nevermind. Looks like the final guest finally decided to make an appearance."
"I'm surprised it took him so long." Briggs mutters bitterly as he watches the car pull up to the steps of city hall. All four agents watch as a familiar, crisply dressed officer with perfectly gelled gets out of the car and approaches them. Charlie starts to cry into Briggs shoulder as he approaches and he holds her protectively against his side.
"Good afternoon, Jeff. Glad you could make it." Briggs says.
"Paul Briggs you're under arrest for the murders of Juan Badillo and Michael Warren." Jeff says as he approaches Briggs cautiously holding handcuffs. Jakes and Johnny's hands twitch near their guns as they realize they are surrounded.
"Really Jeff? Did you bring the whole department to see me off?" Briggs asks.
"We had a lot of volunteers. Don't make this more difficult than it needs to be Paul." Jeff says as he motions for Briggs to turn around and put his arms together. "I appreciate your cooperation."
"Do I have a choice?"
"Not really." Jeff tips his hat to Charlie as he begins to lead Briggs away, "Good day Agent Demarco, or should I say "Mrs. Briggs"."
"You could say that, but she might shoot you for it." Briggs shrugs.
"How convenient that the second your arrest warrant was signed, the first place you rushed was to the alter." Jeff says sarcastically.
"Well, I didn't want my kid to be a bastard." Briggs states confidently, as the FBI officer begins to drag him away in cuffs.
"And the spousal immunity doesn't hurt does it?" Jeff sneers.
"A legal technicality. Speaking of which, shouldn't you be reading me my Miranda Rights about now?" Briggs says calmly.
"You know them better than I do." Jeff says, feeling disgust for the agent he and so many others once looked up to.
"Doesn't mean I don't love to hear you say them, Jeff." Briggs answers glibly as he's put in the back of the police car.
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney…." Jeff mirandizes Briggs as he locks him in the back of the car and gets in the drivers seat.
As the police car drives away with Briggs, the remaining three can do nothing but stand helplessly on the steps of city hall and watch. For a moment the only sounds are Charlie's soft sobs in Johnny's arms as he tries to comfort her but doesn't know how. Jakes just stands with his hands in his pockets stoically. A light trickle of rain begins, as if nature itself is feeling the gloom of the three agents.
It's Jakes who finally speaks first, clearing his throat and wiping a tear before saying gruffly, "Well now that we've got that depressing ordeal out of the way, who's ready for Mike's funeral?"