Deckard walked into the station and headed straight for the Captain's office. A pudgy man in his fifties sat behind the desk, nervously chatting away on the phone while eyeing a lit cigarette.

"Bryan." Deckard called his attention quietly.

"One sec Deck, sit down." Bryan pointed to the chair in front of him as he spoke on the phone. "...that's a high probability. Yes, our people are on it, yeah …. of course." He hung up and looked at him.

"You got good news for me, Deck?" Bryan ran a hand over his receding hairline.

"It was definitely an inside job. Logs state the breach was from that floor. No viruses on the machines. Access was most likely gained through social engineering by someone inside. Most of the files were sensitive communications between ChromaMod and IntelliCode."

"Are you sure? What about bugs?" Bryan leaned back and took a puff on his cigarette.

"Preliminary sweep on the floor didn't find any. They're going over their internal security cams, but given that everyone who had access to the floor had extensive background checks, I doubt it will reveal much." Deckard looked onto the precinct floor. Cat's chair sat empty. He switched back to Bryan. "Holden will polygraph everyone on that floor. We'll get the guy, it's just a matter of time."

Deckard scanned the floor again and this time he found her walking to her desk flanked by Holden.

"And the files?" Bryan looked at him nervously.

"Floating out there in the crypto world. You know it's only a matter of time." Deckard's voice was cut and dry as usual.

Bryan looked dejected. "Keep it quiet for now. They'll deal with it when it blows over."

"Bryan, I don't think it matters in the long run. The public has a short memory."

And with that, Bryan took another puff and relaxed.

"How is the new transfer holding up?" Deckard inquired.

"Chandler?" Bryan snickered. "You have no chance. Half the boys were fumbling into my office for 411. And they don't have half the baggage you have, Deck." He took another drag on his cigarette. "I'll tell you what though, she looks fragile as fuck, but she's feisty and quick on her feet. I had Holden show her the ropes and she's still here. That a good sign, right?"

Little did they know that Holden was a blessing in disguise. He was principled and straightforward. And he demanded no less from Cat, forcing her to be present at work, to cross every t's and dot every i's. She did not have the luxury of Tess and Joe now. This was the testing stages and she had to prove she was an asset to the department. Her personal investigation had to take a back seat. And as time progressed, the toxicity that engulfed her started to melt away. She was in dire need of change and when it came, she welcomed it.

"Surprised she passed clearance. How did she end up here?" Deckard was curious.

"A pal of mine, Joe, from the beat days, he is a commander at her old precinct. He called in a favor."

"Joe must have something good to have you by the balls."

Bryan cracked a shady smile.

Someone knocked on the opened door and interrupted their conversation.

"Chicken salad, no dressing, water and black coffee. Extra napkins. $15.10" The delivery boy read off the ticket.

Bryan pulled out a crisp $20 and looked at Deckard. "Don't even ask."

Deckard walked over to Cat's desk and sat Bryan's coffee down next to her terminal.

"Mmm, free coffee. What's the occasion?" She looked up at him and took a sip.

"It's for surviving Holden these past three months."

"I'm right here asshole." Holden quipped standing behind her talking to another detective.

Deckard ignored him.

"Don't knock Dr. Rules and Regulations! Holden's on track for a nice cushy retirement in some tropical island, unlike some of us." She piled on with a small grin.

"The assholes in the office haven't run you out of town yet. I'm impressed." He spoke carelessly as he stared at the keepsake photo of her and Tess at the Police Academy.

He had that look she'd seen many times before. The 'I'm all too pleased with myself that you survived a man's world' look. But something about him softened the blow. She leaned back and casually looked him over.

"You think so highly of me, Deckard, or is it the other way around?" Her eyes narrowed. "Do these negs and non-apology apology ever get you anywhere?" Her capricious eyes and alluring half smiles threw daggers at his heart.

"Ouch!" Holden snickered from the peanut gallery. He shook his head at Deckard as if he had no chance.

He leaned in closer to her. "Why yes," he was playfully sarcastic now with a wicked smile. "as a matter of fact, I'm going to formally apologize for every SOB that ever wronged you, tonight, at O'Malley, sector 18. I'll see you at Eight." And with that, he walked away from her desk before she could decline.

"Don't say I didn't warn you, Cat." Holden joked and went about his business.

Note to readers.

Thank you for the feedbacks. They've been very helpful.

I'm trying to establish Cat in LA first. I'll go back and explore Vincent's backstory from his vantage point. Honestly, having a hard time. LOL

Is the story flowing and interesting enough? Please let me know.

As for ships, it will be Cat-centric. Smut? I will try.