Disclaimer: Still don't own them. Just borrowing them for my own little story.

This takes place after Loyalty. I have another story started for the same time line, and it begins with the same quote from that episode. Suddenly, I'm feeling inspired again.


Alex signed for the envelope with a slightly shaking hand. She didn't need to see the return address, she knew who it was from. She could feel it.

She gently closed her front door, slid the chain, then steadily moved to the couch. Carefully, she sat down and took the envelope in both hands. Closing her eyes, she took a moment for herself. She'd been waiting over a year to hear from him...

"So, I'll...see you around sometime." She nodded and watched him walk out.

Then he was gone.


She grasped the tab between her fingers and slowly pulled on it. Opening the envelope, she watched as tiny pieces of soft cardboard fell to the floor. She closed her eyes again, suddenly afraid that the contents might be a huge disappointment.

Alex took a deep breath and opened her eyes. After sliding her thumbs into the opening, she then pulled the envelope open wide and then tipped it's contents onto her coffee table.

She couldn't help but suck in her breath when she saw what was laid out in front of her. Her hands were still shaking as she first picked up the passport. Her eyebrows crinckled and her mouth tightened as she opened it up and saw her picture but not her name. Margaret Colter.

Alex shook her head and couldn't help a small smile. She had to hand it to him, he was pulling out all the stops. He knew that that name would illicit strong memories in her. Memories of their earlier times together, memories of pain and sadness but also memories of moments that had drawn them close together; the awful pain they felt watching Maggie Colter suffer through PTSD, and the memories that came later on; of how he comforted Alex after she shot and killed a man.

They were one of the first memories in their long career joined as partners, a career that spanned nearly a decade and a career that brought both of them a love that no other person could give them. Though they never admitted it to each other, the love was there.

And then, he left.

After carefully inspecting the passport, she then saw a New York State drivers licence. The license also had Maggie's name on it. She looked at the address – which was unknown to her – and then the date of birth. She laughed when she saw the month and day was her own but the year was three years earlier. "He's buttering me up."

She was still smiling as she then looked at the item closest to the license; a plane ticket. The ticket was in the same name and it was from JFK to Stokholm, Sweden. It was dated for July 17th. She couldn't help but laugh and say outloud, "Really? You're only giving me six days warning?". She shook her head, "So...typical." She dropped it onto the table, "And where am I staying?", she said aloud again as she fished for a hotel reservation that she knew would be there. There was a folded paper and an envelope left. She picked up the paper and opened it up. "Nordic Light Hotel...'superior mood' suite...one occupant." She shook her head again, "What the hell is he up to?" Finally, she picked up the envelope. It was thick. Alex slid her finger inside the flap and carefully pulled it apart. Inside was cash. A lot of cash. She counted out twelve one hundred dollar bills. "Jesus, what am I...a hooker? What do I need this much cash for?"

She tried to imagine what he was thinking when he put that much money in there for her. She decided he gave her that much 'just in case'. He wanted to be certain she had no excuse not to go. That is, no excuse other than that she simply didn't want to. If she didn't show up, he would know she didn't because of her own decision, not for any other reason.

So, did she want to show or not? She put all the papers back into the envelope and held it to her chest as she fell back into her couch cushion.

She had six days to decide.


a/n: This is a total WIP - but I promise to finish it. I hope it all works out as I imagine it will. Thanks for taking time to read this.