Kailey took off her jacket and unbuckled her shoulder holster. Another case in the books, but for Kailey, it had been just another thing that showed her she wasn't over her friend's departure. She still wasn't used to the fact that Megan was no longer at her side, and it was definitely affecting her work. She had tried many different ways to feel better, but nothing worked. It was obvious that she couldn't handle it on her own. Hopefully that will all change soon, she thought as she placed her things in her locker. The locker room door opened and she looked up to see David and Colby walk in. She knew that they had noticed that something was up, but she wasn't quite sure she was ready to talk about it with them.

"Hey, are you sure you don't want to come to the bar?" David asked her.

"You still look like you could use a break," Colby said. "I don't know why you won't take time off."

Kailey smiled at the two of them. She really couldn't ask for better friends. Colby had stayed true to his word that they'd work things out, no matter how busy they got. And David was very patient with the two of them, never being bothered by their relationship. Kailey could always count on him being there, like the big brother she never had.

"Thank you, both of you. I know I've been off. But I've got it figured out now."

"Yeah?" David asked.

"Of course."

Colby sighed.

"I've got to be honest, it didn't really look like it out there," he said, concern written all over his face.

"Well, I said I had it figured out, not that I had it solved. I doubt it will go away overnight. But that's why I'm not coming tonight. I've got….I've got a meeting with someone who I think might be able to help."

N3N3N3N3N3

"I had a, well, gut feeling as it were, that you were having the same difficulties transitioning as I have been finding. So I just wanted to thank you for accepting my invitation here to dinner."

Kailey smiled.

"Larry, I should be thanking you. Your gut feeling was right; I have been off my game."

"I have not been myself either," Larry answered. "My mind wanders to Megan all the time, how is she doing, are things working out, is she happy, is she upset?"

"Well, that's not entirely what I'm dealing with, but then again, I wasn't dating her," Kailey smirked. "For me, I don't know, every time I pair up with Liz or Nikki, it's like I expect them to do everything Megan's way. And when they don't, I get upset and can't think as quickly."

"You got comfortable. After all, I do recall Megan saying she was your first partner. Well, first human partner from my understanding."

"Yeah, but you know, that's not even the end of it. I feel like Megan's name has become a taboo in the office."

"I noticed that as well. I find it rather amusing, in fact, the ways that they avoid mentioning her when talking about profiling."

"Have you spoken with her recently?" Kailey asked.

"I think I call more than I should. Everytime I get further on this project that I'm working on, I just have the overwhelming need to call her and share it with her, even though I know she doesn't understand a word I'm talking about," Larry half laughed.

Kailey grinned at the look in Larry's eyes and tried very hard not to get sappy. She hated sappy.

"I knew you guys were more serious than you'd let on," she said, becoming extremely happy for the couple.

"Yes, a little more than we were willing to admit due to her departure. So, you don't think it would be rash of me to fly out there so soon?"

"She'd love it, I'm sure."

"Well, you are most welcome to join me."

"Thank you, but no, I know you guys could use the time, especially now that I know for sure how serious things are."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! Of course! You need to go!"

"I do appreciate your encouragement. I did figure that with you being the best friend you'd be the best person to talk me in or out of this endeavor."

"She cares a lot about you, Larry, she really does."

"Well, I thank you, again, for coming. I just hope this helps you as much as it has helped me."

"It has, believe me."

"I did worry that it would cause you some problems."

Kailey frowned.

"No, of course not! Why would it?"

"Nahh," Larry said, trying to shake it off.

"Come on, Larry, what's up?"

"Forgive me for being blunt, but I didn't think your beau would be very happy at the idea of us having dinner."

"Wait, what? Colby? Why?"

"There has always been this, well, odd tension between us. I have just never felt that he was a fan of mine."

Kailey stared for a moment but then burst out laughing, something she hadn't done in a while. Larry looked at her in confusion.

"Sorry, Larry," she said, calming herself down. "I just always assumed you knew."

"Knew...knew what?"

"That Colby was jealous of you for the longest time?"

"Jealous?"

"Yeah, he had a big crush on Megan, almost from day one from what I understand."

"Oh," Larry said in thought. "Ah, yes, I guess that does fit."

"You know, I'll vouch for him; he was never a bully. But he did come from a small town. I don't think he'll ever understand why, in the real world, the pretty girl doesn't fall for the quarterback, but instead goes for the scientist."

"I don't know if this makes me feel better or worse," he said distantly. "Though, now that I'm thinking back, it did become less awkward when, well, when you came in the picture. It's funny, I always understood it as a sibling thing."

"That's probably because that's all it was to Megan. And yes, it did become more like that to Colby after a while."

"And he talks freely about this with you?"

"As freely as Colby will talk about anything. But some information did come from David or Megan herself."

"Okay," Larry said, looking relieved.

"I have to admit one more thing, though, Larry. I didn't actually tell him about tonight," Kailey said with a slight cringe.

"So there is something worry about?"

"No, no, not in that way. I don't know, I think I'm almost embarrassed that I put this, this mask on, you know? Tried to keep everyone's spirits up during all this mess and yet here I am, months later, definitely not doing okay."

"I know, I've done the same," Larry agreed. "But this, this has definitely helped."

"Well then," Kailey said, sitting up a little straighter. "I propose we meet back here in, oh, let's say a week?"

Larry smiled.

"Deal," he said, lifting his glass. She toasted him.

"Larry, I think this is the start of a wonderful friendship," she said. They both laughed.