A/N: Missing scene from 7x17 "Chosen". I might have bended canon slightly. Curious Archer with a side of Knight Rook and Golden Rook. Hope you enjoy. Reviews are greatly appreciated.

Tilly was tapping her foot against the floor of Rogers' car, trying to keep her movements in tact with the music but despite her best efforts she inevitably caught herself rushing, her nerves getting the best of her, and she had to force her muscles to relax. She'd hoped the music would be able to distract her but it wasn't working. Rogers had ushered her out of the apartment and was driving her to the station. The Candy Killer was on the move again and they all remembered all too well what had happened the last time that was the case. They didn't want to repeat the experience so Weaver had thought it best if she stayed at the station.

"Hey," Rogers called out softly, drawing her attention. "Everything will be okay," he said, glancing at her as if having heard the nervous string of thoughts in her mind.

She nodded but her heart was heavy. There was a killer on the loose and even if she was safe, someone else could get hurt. And Rogers was playing it cool but he was nervous too. She could see it. She'd learned to read his body language. They'd only been living together for a little while but they'd fallen into a comfortable routine around each other as if they'd been roommates forever. It was nice feeling welcome and wanted somewhere, feeling at home. She'd forgotten what that was like.

They finally got to the station after what seemed like eternity. Weaver met them at the entrance.

"Is something wrong?" Rogers asked when he saw his partner's expression. Tilly was impressed how fast he'd learned to pick up on Weaver's body language. They'd been partners for a short time, yet he could read him just as well as she could and she'd spent a lot more time around Weaver.

"Henry Mills' car was found abandoned, with a flat tire. He might have just taken a taxi since he was in a hurry but we have a killer on the loose who's obsessed with his book." Weaver didn't finish his thought but they all knew what he was getting at.

"I'll call the airline to see if he got on that flight," Rogers said, already taking his phone out of his pocket. "You keep her safe," he said to Weaver and then turned to Tilly. "Everything will be okay," he said again, placing a hand on her arm as if to reassure her once again.

She nodded and gave him a little smile to return the favor. He was so protective of her, almost like a father. She wished she could do something to help him too but right now the only thing she could do for him was to listen to him and stay put.

Rogers left them and she followed Weaver to the office the two detectives shared. When they entered, she saw that the office wasn't empty. Margot was there but Weaver had blocked her from her view before that.

Margot immediately jumped to her feet when she heard them enter. "Any news from my mom?" she asked, looking at Weaver with so much panic in her eyes and Tilly understood who the Candy Killer was targeting now. Her heart squeezed in her chest.

"No, I'm just bringing Tilly in," Weaver said coldly and Tilly barely resisted the impulse to scold him for it. Margot was obviously in a fragile state of mind, yet he didn't show any sympathy.

Margot looked at her as if she was only seeing her now.

"Hello, Margot." Tilly tried to smile but Margot's dejected nod of a greeting discouraged her.

"She'll stay here with you," Weaver said, looking at Margot but she didn't seem to register the words. "I'll go see if Rogers needs any help." He looked at Tilly when he still didn't get a reaction from Margot.

She nodded and he left, leaving them alone. Tilly suspected that might have been a part of the plan since he didn't seem to know how to get through to Margot. She followed him with her gaze until he disappeared out of sight before turning to look at her company.

Margot had returned to the chair behind Rogers' desk she'd occupied before, looking like she was on the verge of a breakdown. Tilly saw her hand hover over her phone on the desk as if she wanted to pick it up and call her mom but she pulled it away. There was a packet of candy next to the phone that wasn't even opened.

"Do you mind if I sit next to you?" Tilly asked, breaking the heavy silence.

Margot didn't react at first as if she hadn't heard her. "No," she responded all of a sudden as if waking up from a trance. "Of course not."

Tilly took Weaver's chair from behind his desk and placed it next to Margot's. "How are you feeling?" she asked as she sat down, leaving her backpack on the floor.

"My mom's in a very real danger of getting killed," Margot said, her fake upbeat tone bouncing off the walls of the office like a whiplash. "I can't believe it." Her hands dropped in her lap. "I traveled to the other end of the world to run away from her and now I may lose her," she sounded ready to start crying, her voice becoming shakier as she spoke and her entire body slumping against the chair in defeat.

"No, don't talk like that," Tilly objected ardently, drawing Margot's attention to her. "Weaver and Rogers won't let anything happen to your mom," she held her gaze. "They helped me when the killer tried to frame me for the murders. They're gonna protect your mom too." She reached out and took Margot's hand. "You won't lose her."

"Thank you," Margot squeezed her hand and managed a small smile.

Tilly smiled in response and let go of her hand. Not that she minded holding it but she didn't want to overstep any boundaries. "So, what are you doing?" she asked, looking around. It seemed like time itself had stopped in the office. Everything was so lifeless.

"Besides freaking out, you mean?" Margot tried to joke but it came out strained. "Nothing really," she said quickly, trying to cover up the slip up.

Tilly noticed that she was now fidgeting with her bracelets, pulling at them as if she wanted to rip them apart and be rid of them.

"You need a distraction," she said and reached for her backpack. She opened it, hoping that she was carrying something that could help. "I've got just the thing," she said when she saw the chessboard inside it, her face lighting up.

"What is it?" Margot leaned forward, her interest piqued.

"Do you know how to play chess?" Tilly asked as she took the board out and dropped her backpack back on the floor.

"No," Margot shook her head, watching her take out the chess pieces as if she'd never seen such things before.

"Well, you know what they say – there's no time like the present," Tilly started putting the pieces at their places on the board. "I'll teach you."

"I don't think that's a –"

"It's the best idea," Tilly interrupted her. "You need something to occupy your mind and chess is the perfect thing for that," she said as she looked at her.

Margot looked at her skeptically but finally budged, "Okay."

Tilly gave her a wide, excited smile and started explaining the rules to her. Soon they were playing, Tilly helping Margot out and guiding her in her moves.

"You're really good at this," Margot said well into their fifth game. "Or I really suck at it," she added as Tilly captured her queen.

"Probably a bit of both," Tilly teased.

"Hey!" Margot protested but gave her a smile.

"You're doing great," Tilly praised her because it was true. Margot was a quick learner.

They kept playing, Tilly giving more instructions and Margot mastering the moves almost immediately. They only stopped when Weaver returned to tell them he'd spoken to both Rogers and Roni. Margot's mom was all right and Rogers had identified the killer. They were gonna take care of him as soon as Rogers brought in Henry Mills who he'd managed to find alive and whole.

"You should eat something," Weaver said as he left the sandwiches he'd brought on the desk.

Tilly immediately grabbed one and started unpacking it since she was famished.

Margot hesitated though. "I'm... actually hungry," she said, sounding surprised.

"Intense thinking has that effect," Tilly said and took a bite from her sandwich, watching with satisfaction as Margot picked the other one.

"I see you're playing chess," Weaver noted.

"Yeah," Margot nodded, struggling with the wrapping of her sandwich. "Tilly taught me." She looked at her and gave her a smile.

Tilly smiled back, keeping her mouth closed since she was still chewing.

"I see. I can leave you alone then?" Weaver asked but it didn't sound like a question as he was already moving towards the door.

"We're good," Tilly said and bit into her sandwich again.

He exited the office, leaving them to the game and their sandwiches. They played some more, Margot getting even better at it. She even managed to capture Tilly's rook with a clever move that she hadn't seen coming. She was impressed.

Weaver soon returned though, interrupting them again.

"I just got off the phone with your mom," he turned to Margot. "She's fine and the killer is captured."

"Oh, thank god," Margot exhaled loudly, the pressure rolling off her. "Can I go see her?" she jumped out of her chair, ready to bolt for the door.

"I'll go bring the killer in and then Rogers will drive you to the bar."

"Okay," Margot nodded enthusiastically. "Thanks."

Weaver headed out again.

"Thank you," Margot turned to Tilly.

"I didn't do anything."

"That's not true. You were practically babysitting me and I can't thank you enough for the support. I probably would've lost it if it weren't for your distraction technique." Margot smiled at her yet again. "And now I have a new skill I can brag to my mom about," she flipped her hair dramatically.

Tilly laughed at her theatrics. "I'm glad I could help," she said, happy to see Margot wasn't in such low spirits anymore.

"So? Wanna finish the game?" Margot asked as she plopped herself down on the chair. "I might win this time."

"I'd like that," Tilly said, redirecting her attention back to the chess board. It was her turn.

They didn't manage to finish the game though since Rogers arrived shortly to drive Margot home.

She grabbed her phone, shoving it into the pocket of her jeans, and leapt out of her chair. She stopped at the door and looked back at Tilly. "Thank you again and I'll see you around."

"See you," Tilly said and waved her goodbye.

Her gaze fell on the forgotten packet of candy. She opened it and took one. She looked at the board and made her last move, checkmating Margot's king. Well, Margot still had a long way to go with chess but she certainly was an expert on candy. The ones she'd picked tasted divine and Tilly quickly fell in love with them.