I happen to think that although there are not a lot of reviews, Now Or Never is a pretty good hit right now! YAY!

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I stepped onto the black ashes that used to the McClear's home. Something didn't add up- A missing twenty three year old girl, her parents arguing, her brother in the hospital, and…oh right, her house being burned to the ground.

"Getting anything, Yumi?" My partner, William asked me, coming up to me. We were near the mountains of the area, so it was slightly more chilly than it was in Paris, as I shivered and pulled up my jacket.

"No, not right away. Make a note, William: No mystery is ever solved in less than three hours. Not when the investigators are involved." He got on my last nerve sometimes. I can't believe he got promoted to my spot.

"This dude's a mastermind." He muttered, looking at the fire patterns blazed on the bruised floor, Nothing's left but tiles from the roof." That was true, the house collapsed, and cleaners gently picked up items so William and I could investigate, only little scarps of tiles and burned wood stained the area.

"A villain in disguise will not deceive the wise." I felt so smart saying these sayings, but I could tell he didn't like me telling him this, "And they have no idea where Alice, or the parents went?"

"No idea, according to police reports. A near-by witness walking her dog by the name of Denies Jones was the one that called the fire department." Although, I have to say. William always had great memory, not perfect, but pretty great.

"Hmm. Something doesn't make sense." I stepped around back to get a better look at a stick in the ground, "My, what's this?" The stick belonged to a well, William quickly followed me. My head was already inside. It didn't take long to figure something out- It was a deep well, "Hand me a pebble." I stick my palm out and felt a small rock in the middle a few seconds later. I stood straight, my arm straight in front of me, and dropped the pebble.

One second, two seconds, three seconds, four seconds, five seconds six seconds, sev- Splash.

A kind and bashful splash came about seven seconds later. It was a very deep well. Why do I care? Bodies are buried in or under wells sometimes. Scary and gross, I know, but it's real life. People will do anything to get away with murder.

"Hey, Yumi. I think I found something." I turned, hopes fluttering my heart, William was on his knees, a piece of slightly burned paper in his hands, "I can't read it. You have better eyes." After I sped up to him, he placed the paper in my hands.

Alice,
Your dad, brother, and I are going out tonight for
dinner with Tom's teachers, a choir performance, I think.
We'll be back by about 8 o'clock.
Best of wishes.
Much of love.
Not too big for her britches.
My angel from up above.
-Mom

"The house was burned down the night Alice went missing." William reminded me, and it made sense. Why would someone keep a note if the person it was supposed to be delivered to was missing? He looked at me as I kept my eyes on the paper, waiting for something to hit me to help me with this case, "You look cold. Your cheeks are red."

"We have been out for about an hour now, and my body hasn't adjusted to the cold."

He glanced at a watch on his hand, "We need to go back to the hotel and share this with the officers at the department, after we get you warmed up again. I'm saying." I smiled at the though. Not the thought that William and I share a hotel room, but the thought of a nice hot shower, with a cup of coco, and a beauty rest.

"Okay."

-------

The one thing that really changed was that William listened, and he listened well. He could repeat every single word three hours after the conversation. Once you said something directed to him, it was locked in his brain for what seemed like forever.

That's a good thing when you're working like we are.

The paper we had founded was in a plastic bag, incase the scientists could see or find anything.

"Take a shower, Yumi. I'll take the 'evidence' to the closest department. You need your privacy." He took the plastic bag, smiled at me, as I waved goodbye, he closed the door, and I jumped up- YES. The whole sweet suite to myself! What to do, what to do.

I decided that William was right, a nice warm bath would be the best right now. Maybe with a small cup of coco and marshmallows, ooh, my mouth is watering already.

I dragged my, what seemed like frostbite cold heels to my bed, breathing on my hands. Because I'm so skinny (Not bragging, in fact, I'm kinda depressed that I can't seem to gain weight.) I get cold so easily, and I was freezing! I was rummaging through my bag to my hot chocolate packets. After getting screwy for about seven minutes, and ticked that my actual alone time was being tugged away from my bare, cold hands- My bare cold hands with no hot chocolate! I finally found it and made myself a cup, and I started my bath water, picking out my 'comfy clothes' until I'm called back up to investigate near by situations.

I was stripped down to only my bra and underwear when my cell phone started blaring at me, singing a soft tune that I didn't know, but I liked. But…wait…that only started to ring if one of…my friends…were calling… I threw on my red long robe and sprinted to my bed, "Hello?"

"Hello investigator, if I could take a moment of your time. There's this new case you might want to look into. The sheriff near by said that you were around the area. It might have something to do with the McClear's case."

"Ahh, the McClear's. Sneaking little bastard. Tell me, exactly why do you think that it is related." My hope dropped, I didn't realize the voice at all. But this was about my job, and it's work before emotions. As always.

"In Caen, we set up some bait cars, one went straight to the McClear's household. We didn't shut it down until it came up to another person's burned down house. After the research, it was the Jones's house in Privas."

"Hmmm, interesting. I'll look into it. What did you say your name was, Officer?"

"Stern. Officer Stern."

I practically fainted, jumping up and down, but then I realized there's probably a lot of guys with the last names of Stern, "Uh, first name, please?"

"Is that actually necessary?"

"Yes, what if you were to flee the country? At least I'd have a full name."

"Very funny. Officer Ulrich Stern." I squealed a little, I heard him chuckle on the other side, I was breathing hard and skipped around- remember, I'm still in my robe, "Hello?"

"Oh, yeah, sorry. So, Mr. Stern," About time I get to freak him out again, "I see you went to Kadic, huh? Good school, I heard."

"Eh, good school, but uh, about the case."

"Oh come on, we'd get to work together for a while, so we might as well get to know each other a little." I felt like I just met him, and I sorta did! Oh, laugh will you? How would you feel if you didn't talk to the boy you loved….like your brother for years?!

"Oh, uh. Well, I guess. But not too long." Same old private Ulrich, "Are you in Paris?"

"No, I'm in Caen. I'm in the area. For the McClear's case. I'm about a forty-five minute drive for your station." I took out my laptop, full with the information I needed. I could crack into government files and president crap if I wanted to, but the president has this computer geek to look for viruses and by the president's computer, everything is a virus. What a nerd… Watch it be Jeremie or something. No, Herve! No, he committed suicide in high school….

"Oh. Cool, cool." Yeah, he's uncomfortable. He never liked explaining himself to new people, time to question him to his max limit.

"So, how was school for you?" I asked, my eyes glazing onto the screen, suddenly, I got up, to find my feet damp- OH SHIT. The tub! I ran over to see it had over-flowed (Well, no duh.) by only a few pints of water, and would dry, but I let out about four feet of water so it wouldn't over flow again.

"Okay, I guess. No one really enjoys going to school."

"True that, true that. Was there…any one special at your school?" My heart is going about eight pumps per second, waiting his answer.

"That's kinda personal…" Yup, defiantly same Ulrich I knew back in school, "Will you tell me if I tell you?" You didn't even ask my name, oh smart Officer! He's probably nervous and over-worked.

"Sure, you first."

"WELL. I guess you can call her the 'special' person at my school, but I never told her because she was always hanging out with this guy. And that guy and I didn't really get along." Damn, it was Sissi. I knew he liked her. I just knew it. He didn't get along with Herve, but he would still go over and talk to her when he wanted to, "What about you?"

"I work with the guy I liked back then. Kinda weird how that stuff works out, huh?"

"Oh yeah, did you go to Kadic?"

"Yeah, with you."

"Really? If you're Sissi- I sware."

"Baka! I can't believe you don't remember me!!!" A huge gasp, and then silence. Oh my god, did I make him feel embarrassed and he didn't want to talk to me anymore? Did he hang up on me? "Hello?"

"Yumi? Are you serious?!" His voice came back, "Theo said he saw you around! I thought he was lying! He knew how much I wanted to see you again…" Aww, how sweet…, "And the others too, of course." Well, never mind then, god.

"No, no. It's me. It's really me. I can't believe I'm talking to you. It's been years! I couldn't tell it was you from your voice! You must've changed a lot through the years."
I heard him laugh and reply,

"No, not much. I'm still getting the shit annoyed out of me. But it's not from Odd this time. I couldn't tell it was you, either. Sorry I called you Sissi. I had no idea, and you know how much she likes to play with me. So, who do you work with?"

"Oh, I work with William."

"Dunbar?"

"No, Will Smith. DUH William Dunbar! Do we know any other William?!"

"No, I guess not…So, I guess that means you like him." He sound hurt, or maybe teasing, I can't tell over the phone.

"What? I never said that." I never really said that…did I?

"Yeah, you did. You said you were working with the guy you liked then."

"Exactly, I liked him then. Not anymore, he's nice, but he's just not my type exactly. That's why we're just friends, and we're always going to friends."

"Oh? So what is your type? You seem kinda picky."

"Well, I don't know for sure. But, anyway, have you heard anything from the others? Jeremie, Aelita, Odd, or Sam? I was updated about…ten years ago."

"I know that Aelita got married, not sure to whom, but she's married, to a doctor!"

"I KNEW JEREMIE WOULD BE A DOCTOR. I CALLED THAT." I feel like I'm 18 talking to the boy in school I could pour my heart to, or at least most of it. We were pretty much family during my last year at high school.

"You don't know it's Jeremie. Hey Yumi, can we meet somewhere? This is my cell phone, and I'm kinda bad on money right now, don't wanna go over minutes. I'm on the edge right now."

"Yeah, sure, where?"

"How about, 8-ish, at the Pedroné Café down 18th Avenue?"

"Why so late?"

"I get off at 7:30. So yeah, I really couldn't make it any other time."

"Oh, okay. Bye Ulrich."

"Bye Yumi."

I bit my lip in pure happiness as I ended the call, I jumped back to my bath, still nice and warm and my hot coco was done.

Today, was a good day.

Have I told you how much I love my life?

XxX
Change of POV

"We're coming up on Walkmans Place, turning left."

"10-4, Gregory." Being the dispatch was no fun, Theo got the good part, as I got all the messages, but it was pretty silly. Theo and I were goofing around half the time, but as soon as someone hopped into our bait cars, it was all serious. I pushed several buttons to talk to more than one car, "Goin on Walkmans Place, turning left onto Spring Leak Road." (10-4 is "police talk" for the simple word- okay

I loved hearing my co-workers talking back- "Affirmative." "Copy." "That's Affirm." "I'm en route." Theo was watching our bait cars on the TV like screen, taking off in different directions, two was already under arrest, but four was still on the run. "Car 75, 10-38." Why wasn't Kevin answering? Maybe he was arresting the third party tonight. (10-38 means- Your destination and"I'm in route"is I'm on the way.)

"Code- Eleven. I don't see you, Greg. Where the hell did you go?!" (Code Eleven- I've arrived at the scene)

"Shut down car 5." I heard this and repeated it to Theo, "Time to shut down car 5. They're right behind them." Theo took the cursor and clicked 'shutoff- shut down' and the red blinking dot turned a dim red and completely stopped.

"GET OUT OF THE CAR, DO IT NOW. PUT YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR HEAD, DO IT NOW."

Ahh, this is what I got on the force for…

"This sure is fun, huh? So, what did you do during the break? You were on the phone for about fifteen minutes, more than a regular information giving crap." Theo questioned as we waited for another call.

"Oh, well, the investigator I was talking to…It was Yumi." I tried hard not to show my complete happiness to get to contact here through this years, "We talked for a while, she's working on the McClear's case with William."

"William Dumbass?"

"The very one."

"Oh, ouch, I feel so sorry for her."

"I know, me too. Slow down car 3. He got away." Theo did as I told him to, "Car 14, and 75. Bait Car 3 is at the light of River Hill and Meadows."

"10-4." "Affirm."

"Car 7 to dispatch, we need an ambulance. 10-78, the vehicle ran into a street pole, it's smoking, it may enlighten. Stand by for up coming officers." (10-78- Send an ambulance

"Dispatch to all, Bait car 6 ran into a pole on 17th and Main Road, it may enlighten. Any en route?"

"Negative. Kevin and I are on the other side of town." Few seconds later…. "Affirmative. I see it from here. Permission to change chases?"

"Affirmed, permission to change chases Car 17." Theo looked bored, "You want to do this?" He smiled and shook his head, "I hate you." He laughed and muttered "I know."

"14, Car 7. Ambulance on the way. Code Five?" Dear god, please be okay. This was supposed to be six simple stings! Well, like that happens anymore.

"Code Five. All's good. Party under arrest. Permission for new chase?" (Party- Person)

"That's a negative, boss wants you back." I turned to the computer and pointed to Car 2, "Shut down." And to car 1, "Shut down." Theo did as so and soon enough we brought in six perps, and our group of officers.

"I'm off duty!" Heather shouted, her arms in the air, "7:30! I'm no longer on duty! It's the weekend! Any plans for Fun Friday for the team?"

"9 o'clock, the new bar, on…uhh…Simple Street. Just finished yesterday, let's try it out." Kevin answered as another part of the department took the criminals.

My family- Heather, Kevin, Greg, Theo, Me, Jennifer, Danielle, Willis, Denis, Eric, Eve, Justin and our boss- Sheriff Clayton Smith.

"Why don't we just go now? I'm up for a party." Jennifer did a bit of a shimmy and my team shared a laugh. We've all been working together, we all started on the same day, it was just luck we stayed together.

"Can't. Girlfriend's getting mad about our Fun Fridays." Denis answered, looking down at the floor, "Sucks, don't it?"

"Oh, come on. I'll lie for you, Mandiline and I…we're tight." Heather answered, taking her cell phone out, "Hey girl! It's me, Heath. Yeah, well, just wanted to say we got the night shift tonight, yeah, so no shopping tomorrow. Yeah…Denis too. Okay…okay bye."

"Okay, hands in. Whose going?" Eric put his hand out in front of him and looked around, everyone put a hand in, but myself.

"Come on Stern! It's party time! Fun Fridays, remember?" Eve pleaded, "It's no fun without all of us! I'll ask Clay after work."

"I'm gonna meet an old friend around eight. I don't think an hour and a half would really fit with my timing." I answered. That sucks, I love Fun Fridays.

"He's meeting a Japanese babe by the name of Yumi. He's liked her for years. Ever since the 7th grade." Theo informed- I wanted to punch him.

Danielle whispered, "Bring your Japanese babe to the bar, Stern! We'd love to meet her." Heather, Jennifer, Eve, and she shared a look.

Oh, crap. I hate it when girls do that.

"Yeah, come on Ricky!" Greg pleaded, "Hey. HEY BOSS!"

Clayton turned around in a 360 spin, "Yes?"

"We're heading to the bar just to try it out, wanna come?"

"…Uh…YEAH."

"Good! BUT STERN WON'T COME BECAUSE HE WANTS TO MEET HIS JAPANESE BABE."

"Is that so?" Clayton walked up to us, "I didn't know you were into anyone, Stern. You seem more of that kinda guy that doesn't want a relationship."

Theo laughed, "Oh my lord! Clay, sir, you haven't seen Yumi! This is the one girl Ulrich's crazy for!" He twisted his pointer finger by his temple, "He wants a serious relationship with this girlie!"

"Good for you, Stern!" The guys pat my back, I merely smiled and blushed, "Go on to your Juliet."

"Yeah, don't make us call us to look for you if you ain't there by 10." Denis is from Texas, note his accent. He came to France to visit some far family.

I sniggered, "Whatever guys."

XxX
Change of POV

"Stop it, Nick. I'm asleep." God, men! Couldn't Nick tell I wasn't in the mood tonight?

"Oh come on, Aei, baby." He muttered against my neck, "Just a second? A millisecond, I need some real lovin' tonight, babe." Oh yeah, like real lovin' happens in a second and or/ millisecond right?!

"Um, no. No thanks. I'm trying to sleep, darling! Someone has to go to work tomorrow!" My god, just take the hint, idiot, and go to bed already! My freaking god! It's not THAT hard!

After a few minutes of silence, just enough for me to drift back into dreamland, Nicolas opened his stupid mouth again, "Are we ever going to have kids, Aei?" He sat up, and turned on the lamp.

OKAY. I guess I'm not sleeping tonight! "I told you, Nick. We've only been married for two years, late time pass. I don't want to have kids with a complete pimp, or something." It's always the same answer, Nick. There's no way in the world you can get me into having kids with you. Ever.

"But I have let time pass, Aelita! We dated for like six years, so we've been together for eight years, and everytime I want to talk about children, you want to change the subject." He confronted me. Well, let's take a guess here. Maybe, uh, I don't WANT to talk about children- doofus for brains!

I hopped up, quickly changed from my white silk (and long) gown, into my nurse blouse, skirt, and shoes, when Nick looked at me confused I said with a death glare, "I'm going to go back to work and check on the McClear's son. So you talk about kids to yourself all you want, but I do not want to hear you whine about our marriage dying because we haven't had kids. Charlie is already a freaking handful. If you ever DID anything that would be really nice!" I slammed the bedroom door and ran into the garage, blasting on the engine and I was out of there before Nick had the urge to blink.

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"Nurse 'Lita?" The front counter Miss asked to me, another puzzled look, "Why? Here? What? I thought you'd be home. You're shift doesn't start for another." She glanced at her computer screen, "like ten hours."

"Husband wants to talk about children again." I answered, "You know how he can be sometimes, right, Sissi?"

Sissi blew on her nails, "You can call me Elisabeth. You know I just wanted a better name through school."

"Yeah, and Sissi's SUCH a good name, huh?" Yeah, okay. So what? After school, and after Nick and I got married, Sissi and I got a lot closer. We found out we had a lot in common, just back in school, Sissi thought I was one of those 'losers' and wouldn't admit it.

Elisabeth (cough, cough, SISSI, cough, cough.) put her hands on her hips, her freshly painted red nails shining by the lamp on her desk, "Come on, you married Nicolas. I think we all made some mistakes in both our lives."

"Yeah…Hey. Is Tom McClear still here, or did his parents take him home? Is he allowed to go home?" I asked her, she shook her head, "No to…what?"

"His parents left him here, in fact, they didn't come at all. I wouldn't be surprised if the poor boy's asleep, Aei, so don't wake that poor sweetheart up if he is." She warned me, "The poor boy's gone through enough, don't you think?"

"I'm just gonna check, god! Don't gotta yell at me, geez!" I walked down the 'C' hallway; I memorized his room number- C214. Tom was such a sweetie, and such a cutie I can't find the heart to say no to the boy.

Once I got to his room, I knocked slightly, and opened the door, "Tom? Mr. McClear?" I whispered, I don't want to wake the poor thing up, like Sissi had warned me about.

"Yesss?" He hissed, scaring the be-jeebers out of me, "Nurse Lita? Is that you? The room's too dark. I can't see. The other nurse? Emily or something, yeah, I asked her to dim the lights, and she turns them off."

I made the lamps turn on slightly, "Yeah, us nurses at one point just kinda tune people out after awhile. So, I heard your parents never came to see you." I took a seat next to him. He blinked a few times at me.

"Yeah, but I don't mind." He paused for a minute, just staring at me, "Is your hair really pink? Or did you dye it or something?"

"It's natural." I answered and watch his eyes widen in amazement, "Yup. It grew out, I used to have real short hair." I played with the little fuzz of his hair through the bandages, "Maybe a little longer than yours, but not by much. And you know what?"

He smiled and looked at me, "What?"

"I was ticklish." I somewhat pinching and ran my fingers up and down his ribs, as he laughed and chuckled from the tickles, "I'm guessing you are too!"

"S-s-top! Can't- aha ha ha!- breathe!" I finally quit as he caught his breath, "Why are you here? It's got to be like four in the morning."

"Well, sweetie. Have you gone to health class yet?"

"…Unfortunately, yes." He rolled his eyes, "Husband problems, am I right?"

"Physic little thing you are! He wants children, I do not. It's pretty big of a deal to me and the rest of the family, but not to him!" Yeah, like a twelve or thirteen year old boy is really going to want to know about me and my marriage issues.

"Give him time." What? Did he just say that? "My mom and dad have a similar marriage. He wants another child, she doesn't. He'll calm down. Promise."

Wow, getting advice from a twelve year old.

God, I love my job.

XxX
Change of POV

Here? No. Too close to the Eiffel Tower. The traffic must be like hell in the afternoon. Here? Nah, too far from the Eiffel Tower. Here? Nope. Why? I just don't like that one.

Why was picking a spot for my vacation so hard?

Maybe Caen has a good hotel somewhere. I got in my car and thought about it. My car wasn't even on. Caen, what was so important about Caen, again? I heard about it somewhere.

"EXTRA! EXTRA! Is Alice McClear's disappearance a coincidence or a homicide?" A street paper boy hollered.

Oh right. That's where I heard it from. Michelle was always up on the news. Although "daddy" never told her, she was a huge fan of the news broadcasting on television. I'm pretty sure everyone around the world is.

Maybe I could assist in this case? I'm amazing with technology. I've been called for a few other homicide mysteries before. I think I can do this. I wish I had a number to call.

I revved up the engine and sped away- Off to Caen!

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Almost an hour or so later, I was in the limits of Caen. Not a whole bunch of people seem to live here. Well, I guess I'm too use to the cramped city of Paris. A few people with heavy jackets walked the almost deserted streets. It's either it's not very populated, or everyone's worried about a homicidal madman on a killing spree. Alice McClear his latest victim.

I seemed to be a little oblivious to the rest of the world, for I heard some sirens going off behind me. Looking in the rearview mirror, I could see flashing lights. Damn it. What a vacation.

I pulled over. Awaiting my stupid ticket. I'm sorry, Officer, but I have so much on my mind right now! I'm pretty sure they heard that a little more like a million dozen times.

An officer tapped on my window. I rolled it down and he started to speak, "Hey buddy. You were speeding. It's a thirty miles per hour zone, you were going almost fifty. What's the hurry, pal?" The officer kept writing things on his little notepad.

"I apologize." I could've sworn I heard that voice before, "I really have no excuse. Being oblivious isn't very impressive."

"Ahh, I'm afraid it isn't. Now look, I'm gonna give you a warning, this time. Lucky for you, I don't have any tickets on me. I'm off duty and-" He stopped in mere sentence. I looked back up to him- I sware you. I know you.

"Jeremie?"

"Um, hello." It's only a little weird when people, especially officers, can just look at you and figure out who you are, "What can I do for you, officer?"

"Meet me and Yumi at the café!" He shouted, "Jer, it's been years! I thought for sure you'd be Aelita." He was almost jumping up and down.

"Pardon me, but how do you know me and my friend...s…" Wow, I'm an idiot sometimes, "Oh my lord! Ulrich?! That can't be you! No way! NO WAY!"

"Yeah, Jer! It's me! I can't believe I met two long lost friends today. Yumi and I are meeting at the Café. It's the only café in this okay sized town. I think you'll find it. But incase you don't, it's called Pedroné Café, just down 18th Avenue."

"That sounds like a wonderful time! But, before we speed off, I have a few questions about Caen."

"Shoot."

"Have any recommendations for a vacation spot?"

"DO I!" Ulrich laughed, "If this is your first time here, I'd go for a basic motel/hotel deal. Holiday in is down Main Street. Just go down here, and take a left up to that corner there. You'll see it. You can't miss it. You'll be pretty close to the café too."

"Thanks for that, old pal." I smiled.

"Anything for a friend. Can I count on you for a heart-racing surprise for Yumi?"

"Oh, I could think of a few ways you could do, on your own, that would make her heart race, Ulrich." He gave me a 'ha-ha-very-funny' look, I laughed and added, "But yes, I'll be there. Excuse me if I'm late, never been to Privas before."

"Why don't I come with you to your hotel room? We have a lot to catch up on."

"Aren't we meeting Yumi?"

"Around eight. It being about half past six, that gives us enough time for a small guy chat, don't you think?"

"Yeah, sounds great." He stepped away, and got into his car. I noticed it wasn't a patrol car, but his own. I suppose the station fixed his car up a bit.

He led the way to the Holiday Inn.

-------

"Here." The check-in Miss handed me a key, "Number 314. For the time being, you have no neighbors." She informed.

"Why don't you get a hotel room?" I asked him, "Come on, Ulrich. I know you live nearby, but don't you want to spend as much time with an old friend as possible?"

"Fine, fine." Ulrich gave in with just that, "Another room please."

"No problem." After Ulrich paid, she gave him a key, "315. Sorry, Belpois. You have a neighbor."

"Trust me, if Yumi shows, we'll all be up tonight." Ulrich punched my shoulder playfully. Aww, same old Ulrich.

We were already laughing together in the elevator, with a little girl shivering her tail off, "Hey sweetie. Are you cold?" I heard Ulrich ask. Good thing he was still wearing his uniform.

"A wittle." She answered. Aww, her front teeth were missing.

"Here." Ulrich took off his own scarf and gave it to the little girl, "It should keep you warm. You may keep it if you'd like."

Wow, he's so sensitive. Something changed in him. Although, this is a little child.

When the elevator opened, the little girl hopped out, we were on the third floor, as was she, and she jumped to a woman, "Mommy! Mommy! Look what the O'cer gave me!" She gave her mother the scarf.

The mother looked at me and Ulrich, "Thank you." She whispered.

"No problem." Ulrich answered.

Soon, we ran into another lady. Her hair damp, and in a red robe. "Dammit. Where is he?" She asked aloud, "Oh, I'm so sorry gentlemen." She apologized after running into us, "I'm not really paying attention."

"Could we help you in any way?" I asked, I felt like a Good Samaritan with a cop next to me.

"Oh no. It's just, my partner. He should've been back her now."

"Partner? Your husband?"

"What? Oh, no. My partner in work. His name is William. He left about two hours ago to drop something off, I'm worried about to him to be honest."

"Yumi?" Ulrich and I asked in unison.

"How did you know me?" She questioned, taking a step back, "You're not stalking me, are you?"

"Actually." Ulrich stated, looking at me and smiling, "Yes, we are, Ms. Ishiyama. We're madly in love with you." Well, there's some truth in that. He needs a little help on his pronouns. He's madly in love with her.

We watched her face in shock for a second, "Wait a minute." She studied Ulrich first, "Are you in the Caen Police Apartment?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Hey Ulrich." She smiled, and then looked at me, "Whose your friend?"

"Take a guess. I think you know him."

"Hey Yumi." I waved at her, "I was supposed to be a surprise, but I guess this works too."

"No way. You're lying." She shook her head, little drips of water flying everywhere, "Jeremie. That can't be you. You, wow, you- You look amazing!" She paused, "Both of you, I mean."

"I've got to say you're pretty good looking yourself, Yumi. Attractive." Ulrich answered, and I was quick to agree.

"Thanks, so what exactly are you guys doing here?"

"Jeremie made me come here." Ulrich responded.

"I'm here for vacation." I told her.

"Awesome! I'm here cuz I don't live around and checking out the McClear's case." She couldn't stop staring at Ulrich.

More teasing? Ohh yeah. "I'd say you're checking out more than you admit."

"I'm sorry." Yumi answered, "I just, never really imagined you as an Officer, Ulrich." That was a shock to all of us, Yumi. Trust me.

"Well I am. Surprise, Surprise."

"Did you just step out of the shower?"

"This job is very stressful. Especially when you're paired up a middle school AND high school lover."

"Oh, I could see how that could be stressful." Ulrich answered.

I decided to let them talk alone, and I went to see my room.

314. It was pretty nice. A bed, a television. A fridge. A shower, and a toilet. A nice sized window, a coffee maker, a table, some chairs, a microwave, a mini-fridge. Quite average, but I'm with my friends now.

Nothing else matters.

XxX
Change of POV

"Excuse me?!" I screamed loudly, "We traveled all this way and you come to tell us the investigator that you wanted us to see isn't here!" Sam held onto my arm gently.

"I'm sorry sir, but she and Dunbar are in Caen right now. It's about a thirty minute drive if you hit good timing." The secretary answered calmly. "I'm sorry, sir. But that's all I can tell you."

I stomped out of the building.

"Odd, sweetie. Why don't we just go to Caen? I heard the hotels there are the best in the country." She said to me.

I don't know what to call it, but she has this power over me that makes everything feel better. Call it love, if you want, but it's not. It's a feeling stronger than love.

"I love you, Sam." I told her looking at her with a sweet smile, "Don't you forget that." I tell her that once, or twice a day. Sometimes, she beats me to it.

"I won't. I love you too. So, are we going to go to Caen, today, or not?"

"Sure, I'm up to it, if you are."

"Yes, I am. But, there's something we should do before we go on to rent a room at a hotel."

I stared in confusion, "Yes?"

"We need to talk."

Uh, oh.

"Oh, Sam. I'm so sorry for whatever I did!"

"No, baby. Not like that." Oh, phew, "I'm just saying. Why don't we get married?"

I swallowed hard, "M-m-married? You want to get married?

"I'm just asking, we've been together since high school. Well, technically, we officially went out in high school."

That was true. But, oh, I'm not sure. I love Sam, I do, but I don't think we should get married just yet, "I know I kept telling you to wait longer." I started, "but I think we still need to wait longer. I'm no so comfortable to the idea. It's not like I don't want to yours and you'd be mine forever, it's just. It's a real life impact, there, Sammy. I don't know if I can get ready as fast as you can."

"I'm not saying I want to keep married, I was just asking why. So don't make it sound like you're babbling words." She teased me and placed a kiss on my lips, "I know, I understand. My parents called the other day, is all, and you know how much they'd encourage us if we were to marry."

"There is no were, Sam. We are going to get married." I said sternly, "The thing is, we're not getting married right now. It'll just be later in life. We're still in late twenties, almost thirties. I plan on getting married, but not now."

"I understand." Was all she replied with.

"Okay, making sure. Why don't we go home for today, and just have a romantic evening tonight? We can deal with the fleeing investigator some other time."

"Sounds fantastic. Where is our romantic night going to start?"

I looked at my watch- 5:30, "I'll treat you to first, a movie of your choice, then dinner – the restaurant, you ask? That's also you're decision. And then, a nice walk at the park, and if you're still wide awake, we'll make our own fun at home."

She smiled at me, "Perfect. When does this start?"

"Now or Never, sweetheart!"

"…If you say so."

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I know, no Sam's POV, but there was really nothing I could say personally about her. Anyway, Sam + Odd, Aelita haven't seen anyone for the longest time! Ulrich, Jeremie, Yumi, and possibly William have already met each other.

Next chapter? The Café, the night at the hotel, William's night, Aelita's runaway, Odd and Sam's date, and the investigation.

Amazing how I can crash all that together, huh?

REVIEW!

-Kiwi