Chapter 11

They always drove to work in separate cars. Firstly, because Alex was impatient and wouldn't be able to deal with the fact that she will have to wait for Ryan when he had to work late, and secondly the girls could arrange a mandatory lunch date and then they'd need a reckless yet safe driver who would be able to get them to a restaurant in record time where they could speak what's on their mind and get them back to the office before lunch is over. Today however Ryan suggested that they drive together and she didn't see any reason to object, plus it would save her a few dollars on gas. On their way to the office they were stuck in heavy traffic which wasn't weird since it's Monday morning and everyone seemed in a hurry to get to their workplace. Going nowhere slowly if you ask her. They were in such a hurry to get out of the house they barely had time to eat breakfast so they both ended up bringing their coffee mugs into the car and drank their coffee while listening to the million hooters of the cars on the road.

After a very eventful weekend they both had to face the music as they entered the FBI office headquarters. Although neither one of them were ready to be back at it. "Welcome to the real world." Ryan said as he kissed her a quick goodbye before disappearing into the building. She was looking for Shelby who she assumed would be on her usual spot – in the lobby drinking coffee while scrolling through her newsfeed on social media, but she was nowhere in sight so Alex swiped in and went to her quarters switching on her computer, when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and Shelby was flashing a million dollar smile and Alex had no idea why she was so happy on a Monday morning. Shelby just wasn't a morning person – period.

"Okaayy, why do you look like someone who committed a crime and managed not to get caught?" Alex asked as she spun around slowly in her chair. "Can't a girl just be happy for once?" Shelby asked still smiling. Nimah and Natalie appeared in the office and Shelby was still smiling. "I can't deal with this right now, please stop smiling you're freaking me out" Natalie said as she made her way to her quarters. Alex high fived her since she was feeling the same way. Nimah didn't even look in Shelby's direction a clear indication that she didn't want to be bothered with whatever Shelby is so happy about. "Mandatory lunch meeting" Shelby announced to the three of them as she was on her way out to get some coffee to get the day started. "Bring me whatever you're about to go get Sneaky Dickens!" Natalie called after her. "What's the deal with that weirdo today?" she asked, but Nimah and Alex both shook their heads. "By the way Sneaky Dickens where were you in Friday? There was an empty spot in the squad and we felt so incomplete without you" Nimah said to Natalie as she checked her emails. "Empty spot huh? Seems like the three of you had quite a party without me based on the Instagram photos." Natalie shot back trying to look all hurt. "Yeeaahh, we didn't even notice you weren't there." Nimah said while smiling and nodding her head as Simon walked passed. "Ladies" he greeted them, not bothering to wait for a reply from either of them. Alex stared at her three girlfriends, not sure how they became such good friends in such a short time. She was usually a lone ranger but having actual friends you can share things with made her feel like she belonged in this friendship. Or stunt squad as Shelby calls them. They all vowed to stop trying to figure her out a long time ago.

Shelby finally returned with three coffees and muffins for each of them. "How original" Alex said grabbing her coffee "they sell other things in the cafeteria you know Shell". Shelby got up and took Alex's' muffin and walked towards Simon's desk and handed it to him. "You're welcome" she said and came back to her seat as if nothing happened. Nimah and Natalie were both stifling a laugh. "Ungrateful Parrish" Shelby said as she smirked at her friends. "I never knew you were capable of doing anything like that." Alex said amused, clutching her coffee before Shelby discards that as well. Before they could linger around doing nothing Maranda entered, briefing them on what was expected of them for the day and that she wants the reports on the progress of child abduction case on her desk at the end of the day.

As they got into the surveillance van and his features showed on their security cameras, they did a facial recognition scan of the guy on one of the computers in the van they soon found out that his name is Stanley Brown. But he has no criminal record so why would he go around abducting little children. But nothing can be confirmed yet since they don't have any evidence to prove this, they were only following a tip off they got from his neighbor that something shady was going on. "Well we have a name and nothing else of worth right now. Can't we go to McDonald's quickly and come back I'm starving. I haven't eaten anything at all today." Alex told Simon as she looked through the camera footage hoping something would reveal a clue as to what's going on. "Really?" Simon said amused as he took of his glasses and cleaned them on his shirt before putting them back on. "Haha, very funny. You could've given that muffin back to me you know." Alex told him as she nudged him in the ribs with her elbow. "No, you don't look a gift horse in the mouth" Simon said "and besides Shelby is a blond I'd rather have on my good side, she's evil when you make her mad, and I've seen her bad side and I'm not planning on visiting that side of her again."

At 11:15 they headed back to the office to run some more scans and identity info on Stanley Brown. Since nothing interesting had happened once he left home he did his usual thing. Eat a sandwich at the park, talk to the moms and their kids who happened to have dogs with them, pet the dogs and ask about the ages of their girls and then the all friendly to have a nice day. Nothing out of the ordinary. Maybe they were at a dead end. But it's only been a week so maybe they were too hasty and needed to wait until he messed up somewhere. If that will ever happen. Alex scanned every detail she could find on this guy. Other than a few traffic fines and some overdue bills this guy really seemed like a normal civilian. Just when she thought she was onto something her phone distracted her, when she felt it buzz in her pocket. A text from Shelby reminding the three of them about the mandatory lunch meeting. Simon has been distracted a long time ago since she found him with his feet up on the desk fidgeting with a rubik's cube. "Seriously dude?" she said as she spun his chair away from the desk causing his feet to fall to the floor with a heavy 'thud'. "Hey, I was on the verge of solving this now you're distracting me!" he said more to himself since she was out of the room already.

They all met up in the lobby ready to depart. "Why are we all standing here Alex get your car we need to leave?" Shelby said walking towards the door. "Uuuuhhhmmm yeah about that Ryan and I drove here together so that's not going to work. I mean I could ask him but I have no idea where he is right now." She answered stuffing her hands in her black leather jacket. "We can take mine." Natalie offered "you're still driving though Alex. We can't stray from tradition and have someone else drive us to mandatory lunch meetings AND get us there and back at work in record time."

They all got into the car while Alex drove like a maniac trying to catch the traffic lights while they were still green and swirling and swerving from lane to lane. "Alex damn watch out!" Nimah yelled from the back seat with her hand on the handle. "Relax, I won't let you guys die." She answered. "Sure as hell seems like it." Shelby seconded as they got to the restaurant. "Thank you for traveling with Parrish taxi, you have reached your destination." Alex laughed as they all got out of the car and went to a table placing their order and waiting for their food to arrive.

Hey guys, thanks for the read hope you enjoy this chapter. I just got back to University from a week long term break I spent at home with my folks. I thought I'd be productive by doing scholarly things but I ended up watching movies and catching up on some series most of the time (I feel so guilty for doing that.) I thought I'd post something tonight since I don't know how busy this week will be and then I might not have time. Also thanks for the reads, follows, favourites and reviews they mean SO MUCH TO ME! knowing that you guys enjoy it. It really makes me smile and encourages me to keep writing. So, hope you enjoy this chapter as well as your week. Lovies-S