He'd never expected this. She hadn't even told anyone she was sick. He only just got the news yesterday, and it hit him like a train. Sure they'd had their fights and she'd caused him pain but she also meant a lot to him...once. Overwhelmed by the voices in his mind, he was having trouble gripping the truth. She couldn't be gone could she? He'd admit that they hadn't spoken in months, she had her life and he had his. They parted somewhat friends and that was the end of that. But no matter what, a part of him still cared about her. After everything they'd been through, how could he not?

Natara had stopped by. She understood that he needed time and left him alone with his thoughts. And after the funeral she stayed with him as long as he needed her. Sat up with him for the long nights of silences that hung in the air, because he just wasn't ready to talk yet. She was the first to comfort him when he blamed himself, reminding him that this was beyond his control. And she was there to wipe away the stray tears that fell as he talked about all the memories he had of her.

As the days turned into weeks, he finally began to heal. Ready to join the world again. After Natara left to pick up dinner, he tried to prepare himself for his first day back at the precinct after a long leave of absence. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

Shooting to his feet, he was greeted by a man in a black suit and tie.

"Malachi Charles Fallon?"

"Yeah, that's me."

Pausing, the man pulled an envelope from his jacket pocket and handed it to Mal.

"I was Miss Taggert's lawyer. It is written in her Will that you receive this letter, should anything happen to her. He's my card, don't hesitate to call if you need anything."

Mal nodded and quickly closed the door. He eyed the envelope as the dread and pain filled his stomach. As he let out a shaken breath, he took a seat and tore the envelope open.

Dear Mal...

As he read the letter, he felt his heart drop. He hands trembled and his breathing became uneasy. As he took in each sentence, it raised more questions than it answered. As the confusion and pain took hold of him, he quickly jumped to his feet; dropping the letter to the ground.

As he paced around in circles, his mind raced and screamed along with his heart. His face pale white. He sat back down, holding his head in his hands as he tried to slow his breathing. His attention was caught by the door slamming as Natara walked into the living room. After placing the food in the kitchen, she turned back with the look of deep concern in her eyes.

"Mal, are you okay?"

Mal looked back at Natara and after a long minute of silence, he forced a smile and nodded. Natara shot him a small smile before disappearing back into the kitchen. Mal hesitated before picking the letter up again. As he re-read the words over and over, he felt his feelings overflow once again but managed to hold them in as Natara joined him.

"Sorry I took so long, the place is always over-crowded on a Friday night. What's that?"

Mal met Natara's eyes that were fixed on the piece of paper in his hands. Mal quickly folded it up, shoving it in his back pocket as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Nothing."


The next morning, Mal knew what to expect. The sympathy, the pity in everyone's eyes. And although he didn't really want it, he was grateful it.

On his first case back, Mal joined Natara at the crime scene. Natara kneeled by the victim as the two examined him.

"Kai said the vic was Jake Thomson, eighteen years old. Only child and was reported missing by his foster family two days ago. Blunt force trauma to the head, most likely cause of death. Kai's guess is that he was beaten to death."

Mal nodded as Natara stood by his side.

"Were there any witnesses?"

Natara shook her head as she eyed the rest of the crime scene.

"None have come forward. And this is a pretty rough area so if anyone did see anything, they're probably to afraid to say anything."

"Makes sense, this area has had numerous reports of gang violence. My guess is that the poor kid got mixed up in it."

"It's possible, I'm thinking we should talk to his foster parents and- Mal?"

Natara paused when Mal unexpectedly darted towards an alleyway. When she finally caught up, Mal stood as still as stone as he stared straight ahead.

"Mal What was that about? What did you see?"

Mal continued to stare at the empty alleyway in front of him. Letting out a sigh of defeat, he turned to face Natara as he struggled to find his words.

" I errr. I just, it was nothing. Don't worry about it."

Mal quickly turned on his heels and walked back, leaving Natara deeply confused. After joining him back at the crime scene, they made their way back to Mal's car before heading back to the precinct.


I'll update soon! Please review! :)