"Come on, answer the phone, answer the phone…" Sasha mumbled impatiently, tapping her foot on the floor and scanning the menu board in front of her. She growled in annoyance and pulled the phone away from her ear when she got Max's voicemail again.
"Who's next?"
"Hi, can I have-"
"Excuse me?" Sasha snapped at the older, blonde woman who'd shoved her way in front of her. "I believe I was next? There's a queue, you know? I'm not just hanging round waiting in a line for my health!" she shot her a glare and the woman scoffed, rolling her eyes as Sasha pushed her to the side. "Yeah, can I have an iced skinny mocha to go, please?"
"Uh-huh, sure… Name?" the guy asked, holding up a cup and a marker pen.
"Sasha," she replied, pulling her purse out and handing him a $10 bill, jumping as her phone rang. She fumbled to answer it and sighed in relief when she saw Max's name flashing across the screen. "It's about time!" she cried.
"Sorry, I had to do something like… you know, catch bad guys," Max scoffed. "So come on, how hungover are you today?"
"I'm not," Sasha smirked. "I didn't get drunk."
"Dammit, Sasha," Max groaned. "I knew as soon as I hung up the phone that you'd spend the entire night in your motel moping over this douchebag-"
"I took your other piece of advice instead," Sasha interrupted, smiling triumphantly as Max was silent on the other end of the phone.
"E-excuse me?" she stuttered.
"The other thing you said to do. I didn't get drunk, I got laid," she whispered, turning away from the line full of customers.
"…You got laid," Max repeated. "I'm- wow. I'm… shocked? What- why the hell are you calling me if you got laid last night? It's like 9am Sasha, wake the boy up and go back for seconds!"
"More like fifths, and that's why I'm calling," she sighed, her good mood instantly vanishing as she remembered why she'd been so desperate to reach Max in the first place.
"You did the guy four times from when you hung up the phone until now?"
"Max seriously-"
"Jesus I didn't realise you'd been that deprived-"
"Max he was gone when I woke up," Sasha interrupted her quickly, screwing her eyes shut and trying to swallow the lump in her throat.
"…He was what?" Max's voice was dangerously low and Sasha winced, knowing her cousin was about to go into overprotective mode.
"I woke up this morning and he was gone," she whispered. "I thought, oh maybe he's in the bathroom, you know? So I waited a little and then I got up, but he wasn't there and I looked outside and his rental car was gone and- God, Max, I'm so stupid," she whimpered, grabbing her drink as the guy called out her name and quickly leaving the shop, taking a seat on one of the benches outside. "He's been dropping lines on me since I got here and I promised myself I wouldn't fall for them, you know? But I did. He told me I was beautiful and I fell for it."
"You are beautiful," Max cooed. "Honey, it isn't your fault that some guys think with their dicks, okay? He's an asshole and-"
"But he's not!" Sasha cried. "He's a good guy! I know he's a good guy – at least I think he's a good guy, he seems like a good guy… Maybe we got our wires crossed? Maybe… Maybe he just wanted a one night thing?"
"Have you tried calling him?" Max asked.
"No, I'm too embarrassed," she muttered. "He's seen me naked."
"…So you're never going to speak to the guy again because he's seen you naked?" Max scoffed. "Sasha. Call him."
"I can't."
"Well… Okay, what did you do when you woke up?" she asked. "Was there a note or anything?"
"No, nothing, and I'm pathetic enough that I looked. I checked my phone for messages, I looked around… There was nothing. I was starting to wonder if I'd dreamt it but- but I know I didn't."
"Are you sure?" Max perked up a little. "Maybe you did! You know, us Hardy's have very active imaginations? Maybe you did dream it and it was that good that you-"
"Max I have love bites on my chest and teeth marks on my collarbone okay, I didn't dream it," Sasha interrupted angrily.
"Whoa," Max winced. "Boy likes it rough, huh?"
"I swear to God-"
"Alright, I'm sorry, I'll stop," Max apologised quickly. "So come on, you woke up, checked for a note…?"
"Yeah, and then his car was gone so I called Ryan and he said he'd give me a ride to work, so I got ready in like record time, but on our way here he got a call and he went to see Claire, so he just dropped me off across the street and now I'm sat outside Starbucks too scared to actually go across the road and go to work because I know I'll have to see Mike."
"Suck it up Sasha," Max laughed. "Unless, you know, you did that last night."
"I fucking hate you so much right now."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I've got my serious head on right now," Max took a deep breath. "No more innuendos about your sexcapades."
"I was so stupid," Sasha whispered. "I was so stupid, Max, I can't believe I was so stupid to sleep with him! I hardly know him, what if he's got like seven wives and a bunch of kids?! I'm so fucking dumb!"
"Sasha-"
"I never sleep with a guy on the first date!"
"Honey-"
"Oh my God it wasn't even a date!" Sasha cried, ignoring Max's attempts at interrupting her. "He picked me up in a bar! I'm so disgusting, it's vile, I'm surprised he didn't leave a twenty by my bed and thank me for my services!"
"Will you calm down?" Max laughed.
"IT ISN'T FUNNY MAX!" she yelled, gaining the attention of the woman sat at the next bench along. "I took your damn advice and look what happened! I fucked him and he fucked off and left me alone and now I have to work with this bastard!" she growled, the woman gasping and giving her a look of disapproval. "Oh honey please maybe you need to get laid to remove that giant stick from your ass and then maybe you'll quit listening in to other people's private conversations!" she snapped.
"Sasha!" Max laughed loudly. "Oh my God you can't go around yelling at strangers like that, you'll give me a heart attack! You're usually so polite!"
"Yeah well I was polite and then I met Mike fucking Weston," she grumbled, throwing her bag over her shoulder and grabbing her plastic cup from off the floor. "He's making me insane, Max. I don't know what to do."
"Wow, you really like this guy. Was the sex really that good?" Max asked in surprise.
"Yes," Sasha groaned quietly.
"Oh was that an example?"
"I'm back to hating you already," Sasha sniffed. "It was amazing, Max. He was amazing. I can barely walk today but it was so worth it. Now I just feel dirty and rejected and used. Max please come here, please come to Virginia right now! I'm so bad at this, I need your help figuring him out, I am rubbish with boys."
"Clearly," Max smirked. "But I can't, I got shit to do in New York. We still have that serial killer going round chopping up hookers for fun, remember?"
"Do you ever wonder what happened to us?" Sasha asked curiously. "I mean… what happened to make us think chasing bad guys was a good idea? My mom was killed by one, and uncle Ray…" she paused. "Why didn't we go for a normal career? What happened to us wanting to be ballerinas?"
"Well I remember us realising if we wanted to be ballerinas, we couldn't eat pizza and ice cream every night so we threw that career choice out of the window," Max hummed. "I think I remember us going through a phase when we wanted to be power rangers, maybe that's where the police thing came from."
"Probably," Sasha let out a snort, pausing as she walked towards the detention centre and saw a bunch of reporters stood outside, surrounding Olivia Warren. "Hey, Max, I gotta go but I'll call you later, alright?" she mumbled.
"Yeah, sure. And call your Nana!" Max ordered.
"I already did, I already called her this morning," she sighed. "Something's going on, I'll call you back."
"Uh-huh. Don't take any shit from this Mike guy, alright? Give him hell. Make me proud."
"Yes, boss. Whatever you say."
"…Ooh, on second thoughts, just say that to him and you're good to go!"
"Hate you," Sasha raised her eyebrows.
"Love you too!" Max blew a kiss into the phone and Sasha snorted, ending the call and stuff her phone in her pocket, taking a sip of her drink as she stepped closer to what was clearly a press conference. She narrowed her eyes and stared at Olivia as she started to talk.
"This morning, I filed a motion on behalf of my client Joe Carroll with the Federal Bureau for violations of the 8th amendment," she spoke.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Sasha hissed, the reporter next to her turned to look at her, his eyes widening in recognition.
"Mr. Carroll has been subject to numerous incidents of abuse by the FBI," Olivia continued. "This abuse has to immediately. We have requested that-"
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Sasha repeated, louder this time as she pushed through the crowds and walked up to face Olivia. She was aware of the murmurs increasing around her, the flash of the cameras going wild, but she didn't care. "You filed a motion for violations of the 8th amendment? What is the 8th amendment again, Olivia? Would you care to remind me, hmm?" she raised an eyebrows. "Oh wait, I remember… Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, Ms. Warren, but bail – excessive or otherwise – has not been required, nor have any fines been imposed and as for the third thing on that list… Are you forgetting who your client is? I'm awfully sorry if the CONVICTED SERIAL KILLER who has kidnapped his own son feels like his human rights have been breached because of a couple of broken fingers!" she spat. "Joe Carroll deserves much more than that inflicted on him! After what he did to those girls? What he did to Sarah? What he did to you? How can you stand here and defend him and his actions when he's murdered so many people? He's responsible for so much pain, so much suffering and he's enjoying every goddamn minute of this but God forbid he had an accident and hurts himself! Give me ten minutes alone with him and it wouldn't just be his fingers that were broken-"
"Okay that's enough!"
"No, I'm not done with her yet!"
"Yes you are," Mike whispered, wrapping his hand around Sasha's bicep and pulling her away from Olivia. "Sasha you're making things worse and you're proving Joe's point by running your mouth, just shut up and get inside."
"Fine!" she snapped, allowing him to pull her away. "Just- just let go of me," she yanked her hand out of his grasp when they were far enough away from the reporters, but she could still hear them shouting questions after them. "Dammit," she mumbled, taking a sip of her coffee to calm her nerves. Mike reached out a hand to touch her shoulder, but she jerked away from him and shook her head. "Don't- don't touch me, Mike."
"I- what?" he frowned. "Look, I'm sorry but Parker sent me out to get you – she couldn't just leave you out there with all those cameras-"
"It's fine, I know," she mumbled. "Ryan's screwed up, so she can't let me do the same. I get it. It's fine. I'll see you later."
"I'm- Sasha? Sasha, wait-" he called after her in confusion as she shook her head and waved a hand at him over her shoulder as she walked into the investigation room and took a seat at an empty desk, her head dropping to her hands the minute she sat down.
She hadn't meant to brush him off like that, she'd wanted to talk to him but she couldn't. She was angry, she was frustrated and she was hurt that he'd left her alone after they'd spent the night together. She was upset that he'd left her to ride in with Ryan when Mike was the one who'd always driven her in.
She was beyond pissed that Olivia Warren was still around and she wanted to scream at everyone who fell for Joe Carroll's routine, she wanted to tell everyone that he was playing a game but she couldn't.
Most of all, she wanted to talk to Mike about it all, and she couldn't.
Not anymore.
All she could think about was how he'd touched her, how he'd held her and how he'd whispered in her ear, how she'd fallen asleep listening to him talking.
"Are you doing okay after last night?"
"What!?" Sasha squeaked, looking up quickly and Debra took a step back, holding her hands up. "I-I'm fine, why wouldn't I be? Nothing- nothing happened last night!"
"Okay…" Debra looked at her suspiciously. "You were really shaken up and then you just disappeared, that's all. I know I called you but I just wanted to make sure, you know? …Are you sure you're alright?"
"Y-yeah," she stuttered. "Yeah I'm good I'm- fine. I'm okay."
"Uh-huh…" Debra crossing her arms over her chest. "How was Weston this morning?"
"How would I know that?" she scowled. "Why would I have seen him? Why don't you ask him yourself? I mean, he's here, right? Ask him how he is. I don't know. I haven't seen him. I mean- well I saw him when you sent him out to get me, but I didn't- we didn't talk."
"You normally ride in together, that's all."
"Yeah well my dad dropped me off today," Sasha mumbled, her stomach twisting in knots. God, she had to act cool or it was going to be obvious to everyone what had happened. "I wanted to make sure he was okay after last night, so I came in with him instead. I'm sorry, I'm still a little jumpy, I guess."
"Did you sleep okay? You look tired," Debra frowned. "You seemed really antsy out there as well, I've never seen you so angry. It was fun to watch."
"I had a couple of beers before bed," she smiled weakly. "Probably a bad idea, in hindsight, but I thought they might have calmed my nerves a little. It worked, for the most part, but I think today it's made them worse. I'll be okay," she nodded her head, her attention drawn to the door as she saw Mike walk in and she inhaled sharply. Debra followed her gaze and looked between the two of them for a minute, before realisation set in and she bit her lip to keep from smirking.
"Ah," she chuckled, trying to disguise her laughter as a cough. "I see."
Sasha gulped, quickly looking away when he caught her eye.
Oh God, she couldn't look at him.
All she could think about when she saw him was the way he'd kissed her, the way his lips had travelled from her mouth, across her neck and down to her stomach. The way his hands had skimmed down her body, the whimpers she'd made as he tugged her jeans down her legs and the way his stubble had tickled her thighs.
The way he'd held, his arms around her waist and her back against his chest as he'd trailed kissed down the back of her neck and across her shoulders.
She squeezed her legs together, her breath shaky as she took a sip of her coffee.
She was certainly remembering waking up that morning to find him gone, feeling like an idiot because she's expected him to stick around.
"Hey, Sasha."
Her head snapped up and there he was, stood right in front of her again with a small smile on his face, Debra looking between them in amusement and Sasha felt her cheeks turn pink.
"Excuse me I have to uh-" she stumbled, standing up and clutching her cup of coffee as she pushed past them both. "I need to do something that's- somewhere not here, okay bye I'll see you later," she rushed out, her head down and leaving Mike staring after in confusion. He turned to look at Debra, opening his mouth to ask what was wrong but she sighed and waved her hand, gesturing for him to go after her.
"Sasha!" he called. "Hey, wait up! Hey," he reached out, his hand touching her shoulder and she jerked away from him. "What's wrong?"
"N-Nothing," she shook her head quickly, brushing her hair out of her face and refusing to look him in the eye. "It's nothing, I'm just- tired. I'm tired."
"Uh, yeah, so am I," he grinned, and she winced. "…What is it?" he frowned. She shrugged her shoulders, not answering him and he sighed, wrapping his fingers around her wrist and pulling her into an empty room.
She shook him off as soon as they were inside and she moved to sit on one of the tables, Mike closing the door quietly behind him and stuffing his hands in his pockets as he made his way towards her.
Sasha glanced around nervously, lifting the paper cup to her lips, needing to put something between her and Mike to stop him from taking another step closer.
He watched her, her eyes darting around the room as if looking for an escape and he frowned. "Hey, what's going on, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, I'm f-"
"No, you're clearly not fine so how about you stop bullshitting me and tell me what's happened?" he interrupted. "Is it- did I do something? Is this because I had to stop you yelling at Olivia, or…? Does- oh shit does your dad know what happened?"
"No, relax, he has no idea," she scoffed lightly. "I'm- Mike, I'm not the- I don't normally- one night stands aren't really my thing, okay? They're not- I mean sure, if you wanna do that, then good for you… But I've never been that type of person. And last night was-"
"Amazing," he smiled softly. "Last night, was amazing," he took another step forward and Sasha blinked up at him, her face blank. "Was- was last night… not amazing?" he asked in concern. "I mean I've- I like you? I like you. And last night, when I was… When I realised I'd been fucking shot and I was okay I promised myself I'd let you know that I like you, because what's the worst that could happen, right? You could laugh at me? You could let me down gently and tell me you didn't like me back? What does that matter after I've been shot, you know? Especially when you've already knocked me like ten times," he waved a hand in the air. "And I'm glad I told you. I was going to find you anyway when Ryan asked me to check on you and I was – I don't want you to think I went to find you expecting last night to happen because I didn't, that wasn't my intention. Well, I mean, it was but it… wasn't? Jesus. I wanted to find you, I wanted to talk to you and I- I wanted to kiss you. Again. Everything else was just a… pleasant turn of events."
"If last night was so amazing," she whispered. "How come you weren't there when I woke up?"
"Oh," Mike paused, his eyes widening. "Oh. No. No! It wasn't like that, God," he chuckled. "I uh… You were still sleeping and I knew if I didn't move then I wouldn't want to, that I'd want to stay there all day… with you. I went to get changed, I just popped back to my room and I- I didn't think I'd be gone so long but- well I bumped into Ryan and I couldn't exactly let myself back inside your room when he was there, could I? So I waited a little while and then I- I actually… I went to get us breakfast…" he paused, sighing quietly. "I didn't realise how long I'd been and then when I got back, you'd left and Ryan's car was gone so I thought maybe he'd called and you'd gone in with him."
"O-oh," Sasha stuttered, her cheeks burning as she looked away from him. "I-I thought you'd…" she trailed off.
"Yeah," he shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah, I know what you thought but-" he stepped forward, knocking the coffee cup out of her hands, Sasha letting out a yelp of surprise as he stood between her legs, his hands on her waist and his fingers creeping under her t-shirt. "You really think I'd walk out after last night?" he whispered, leaning his forehead against hers and closing his eyes. "You think I'd be able to walk away now that I know how you feel, hmm?" he hummed, his nose brushing against hers as Sasha closed her eyes and struggled to catch her breath. "Now that I know how you…" he lifted his hand, his finger trailing down her cheek as he pressed his lips against hers. "…taste?" he murmured. Sasha whined, her hands clawing at his jacket as she pulled him towards her.
"Mike…" she breathed.
"Y'know," he pulled away slightly and she opened her eyes, staring up at him in frustration. "I always thought it was sort of hot, the way you used to call me agent."
"Oh really?" she raised an eyebrow at him and he grinned, humming in response as he leaned forward, his hand on Sasha's back to stop her from moving away. "Are you trying to fuck me against a desk?"
"No, no, no," he chuckled, brushing her hair over her shoulder and placing a soft kiss on her neck. "I'm trying to fuck you on a desk," he whispered.
"Oh God," Sasha shivered when his breath hit her skin and she put her hands on chest, pushing him away from her. "Okay, stop that. I need to breathe, and you're at work. We're at work, oh my God. Shit, Mike, anyone could have walked past!" her eyes widened and she bit her lip to stop laughing. "Quit it. Can you imagine Ryan's face if he walked past and saw you groping me?"
"Spoilsport," he grunted, his forehead dropping to her shoulder as he wound his arms around her waist. Sasha laughed quietly, running her fingers through his short hair. "Stop. And I was not groping you. If I were, you wouldn't have been able to push me away."
"You seem very sure of yourself, Agent Weston," she smirked.
"Yeah," he growled, his teeth grazing her earlobe. "You'd be sure of yourself too if you heard the way you were moaning my name last night. You couldn't keep your hands off me."
"I distinctly remember it being the other way around," Sasha raised her eyebrows.
"Of course you do," Mike smirked as he pulled away from her. "Can I see you tonight? When we get out of here. Can we… I don't know, can we hang out?"
"Are you trying to ask me on a date, Agent Weston?" Sasha's mouth twitched in amusement.
"Sasha, I'm pretty sure we're past the whole let's-go-on-a-date stage of this… thing," he gestured between them. "But yeah, I guess I am asking you out. So, can we hang out or not?"
"Mhmm," she nodded slowly. "Come find me when you're leaving and I'll go back with you," she pushed him away and hopped off the desk, looking down at her spilled drink in dismay. "You know you owe me another one of those, right? I have an addiction and it needs to be satisfied. I'll be grumpy all day."
"Well maybe we can substitute that little addiction for something else…?" he suggested.
"No I'm not having sex with you at work," she hissed. "You owe me a coffee. Deal with it."
"Fine," Mike rolled his eyes, taking her hand in his and leading her out of the room. "Fine. I'll buy you one tomorrow when we have breakfast."
"We're having breakfast?" she asked, feigning surprise. "You mean you're going to get what you want and then just leave again, hmm?" she scoffed. Mike turned to look at her, a frown on his face and she chuckled quietly. "I'm fucking with you, Weston. Chill out."
"You know," Mike paused, turning around to look at her and dropping her hand as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I don't think you've ever tried to joke around with me before. It's like you're a different person. I knew you just needed to get laid and that whole ice queen façade would disappear."
"Uh-huh," Sasha raised her eyebrows and pushed past him. "You keep thinking that you're entirely responsible for the way I act, Michael. That's fine."
"What are you gonna do, tell daddy that I'm picking on you?" he smirked.
"Hmm…" Sasha paused, leaning closer to him and letting her lips gently graze his earlobe. "I'll let you take care of yourself tonight. Better make friends with that hand of yours, Mike."
"You wouldn't dare," he narrowed his eyes at her. Sasha laughed, giving him a shrug and flicking her hair over her shoulders as she walked out of the room. "Sasha!"
"What?" she turned to look at him, her eyes wide in innocence. Mike look around, scratching the back of his neck and offering a passing agent a small, nervous smile. "See you later, agent!"
"Looking for Mike? Or heading to Parker's office?"
Sasha looked up when she heard Ryan's voice and her steps faltered as he fell into step beside her. He turned his head to look at her curiously, his hands shoved in his pockets.
"Uh," Sasha paused, gesturing down the hallway where she could just about make out raised voices. "Debra. She wanted to see me about- well, about last night. She can't yell at me anymore than she already has done so I'm too worried. I don't think."
"Plead insanity."
"Well if I'm your daughter she'll probably believe that," Sasha scoffed, pausing with Ryan by her side as they reached Debra's office and saw her talking heatedly with an older, balding man. "Who's that?" Sasha asked in a whisper.
"Warden Montero," Ryan whispered back, his lips pursed and his hands on his hips, his attention focused on the couple in front of him.
"Carroll makes a convincing case for prison abuse, I do not need that kind of liability!" he pointed a finger at Debra.
"What's going on here?" Ryan asked, but Debra just held a hand up at him, her eyes never leaving Montero's as she spoke to him.
"Look, just give me the time to speak with the justice department, find a better alternative."
"It's too late for that. Excuse me," Montero shook his head and turned around, scoffing quietly and pointing a finger at Ryan. "And I'd suggest you do something about this man before he does any more damage."
"This man is the only one of you people who has any idea how Joe Carroll works," Sasha narrowed her eyes.
"This is on you, Mr. Hardy," Montero ignored Sasha, pushing his way past them into the hallway.
"Excuse me?!" Sasha snapped, dumping her bag on the floor and turning round to following him. "No, do you know what? This is on you. Haven't you asked yourself how the hell Joe managed to gather a cult following while he was in prison?"
"Sasha-"
"No, Dad, I'm not going to let him stand there and insult you like that when these idiots are underestimating Joe and his cronies at every turn! If they'd listened to you in the first place then this whole thing would be over by know!" she threw her hands up and turned back to face Montero, her eyes narrowed in a glare. "How – more importantly, why – was Joe allowed access to the internet? He was in prison for murdering multiple girls, and you let him use the damn internet?! He had private, unsupervised visits with dozens of clearly disturbed people and you never asked yourself, hey, who are these weirdos? Why do they want to see Joe, what do they have to say to him? Just what exactly is your, Warden? What use are you to anyone if you can't keep your prisoners in the actual prison?" she hissed. "And don't give me any of that human rights bullshit – Joe Carroll broke out of a prison that was under your command, under your supervision and he murdered an innocent girl. So tell me, you're here protecting Joe from- what? Who? From him?" she gestured towards Ryan. "Well where the hell where you when Sarah needed protecting from Joe?!"
"That's enough," Debra stepped forward.
"I'll tell you something, I'd do a hell of a lot more to Joe Carroll than just break a couple of his fingers because it's nothing less than what he deserves!"
"Sasha, stop. That's enough," Ryan reached a hand out and patted her shoulder gently, causing her to sigh heavily and run a hand through her hair in frustration. Montero look past Sasha, his eyes trained on Debra.
"Keep this one on a tighter leash, too. Clearly the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," he snorted, turning around and walking out of the room.
"What an asshole."
"What's he talking about, what's going on?" Ryan asked worriedly.
"The Warden just granted Joe Carroll's request for a transfer. He's leaving," Debra frowned.
"Wh- what? When?" Ryan stuttered.
"Immediately. They're preparing to move him now," Debra sighed. Ryan stared at her dumbfounded for a few seconds, before he whirled round and rushed out of the room, Sasha attempting to follow him but stopping when Debra grabbed hold of her arm. "Ah, wait, I want to speak to you."
"But-" she turned her head to look after Ryan.
"No buts," Debra shook her head. "It won't take long. Listen, I appreciate what you did last night. Ryan told me you helped keep things relatively calm, he told me you were a big help and I dread to think what he would have gotten up to if you hadn't been in that house to keep him in line but at the end of the day, Sasha, you put yourself in danger and if anything would have happened to you, I would have been the one who had to inform your next of kin, who I believe are your grandparents?"
"…Yes," Sasha mumbled.
"Exactly. And I'd rather not have to stand in front of a couple who's already lost their daughter, and tell them that their granddaughter has been killed. So please, and I'm begging you at this point, please take a little more care and try to think before you act. I know that might be hard because my God, are you your father's daughter, but please try and not act like a mini Ryan Hardy."
"I won't, I promise - can I go now?"
"Sasha," Debra frowned, and Sasha resisted the urge to roll her eyes and stomp her foot in annoyance. "You and Agent Weston… This won't be a problem, will it? It won't stop either of you from doing your jobs?"
"N-no, I don't know what-" she stammered. "I don't know what you mean? There's- Mike and I are- uh, I don't- we're not-"
"Sasha," Debra smirked in amusement. "Please. The attraction has been there from day one and I noticed a little spring in his step this morning. After seeing him so eager to go out there in front of those cameras to get you and after how you reacted to seeing him, it doesn't take a genius to work out what happened last night. I stopped by your room last night, by the way…" she paused.
"What?" Sasha froze. "Wh- I mean… When?"
"Round about the time you were telling him to take his pants off," Debra snorted.
"Oh, God," Sasha groaned in embarrassment. "Please… Please don't tell anyone, please don't tell Ryan-"
"Oh because that's a conversation I really want to have – 'hey Ryan, did you know your kid is screwing around with your new best friend?'" she rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over chest. "Just make sure whatever is going on between you doesn't affect your work, and I won't say a word. So, uh, can I let someone know that we're going to be saving money if the two of you are sharing a room?"
"We aren't-" Sasha's eyes widened. "It's not like that. We haven't- we've only- I don't know what's going on and-"
"Sasha," Debra laughed. "I'm messing with you. Go on, get out of here, go chase after your dad."
Sasha shot her a glare and quickly left the room with no intention of going to find Ryan – she wanted to see Joe. She wanted to speak to Joe and she knew Mike would get her in.
"Hey, where are you?" she hissed into her phone.
"I'm exactly where I was last time you saw me," Mike told her. "Why? Missing me already?"
"Michael-"
"Ouch, full name," he winced. "What is it?"
"Can you get me in to see Joe?" she asked quietly. "He's being transferred like, right now and I need to see him. Can't you work some of that boyish charm and get me in there? Just a few minutes, please."
"Where are you?"
"I just left Debra's office," Sasha glanced behind her. "I'm at the end of the corridor."
"Okay, I'm- wait there, I'll come get you."
"Thank you," she whispered. "Hey! If you see Ryan, don't tell him, okay?"
"What-? Sasha-"
"Mike, please," she interrupted him. "You know what he's like. He and Joe do this whole back and forth thing and it's exhausting to try and keep up with," she whined. "Please, I just want to talk to him on my own."
"You-" Mike paused. "Sasha I'm not leaving you alone with him. I'm coming with you. Look, just- wait," he sighed and Sasha heard a beep, her mouth dropping open in shock as she realised he'd hung up her. She pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at it for a few seconds before scoffing.
"What an a-"
"-amazing guy for running here so fast when you called, hmm?" Mike interrupted from behind her and she jumped, whirling round to face him. "Anything for you, honey," he cooed.
"You gave me a heart attack!" she grumbled, shoving at his chest. "And don't call me honey, it isn't cute."
"You think I'm cute though, right?"
"Mike-"
"Sasha," he grinned, looking around the corridor quickly to check it was empty, before he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. "You think I'm cute, right?" he repeated.
"I think you're adorable," she sighed, pulling him in for another kiss. "This is a really bad idea."
"Nope," Mike shook his head, running his fingers along the length of her arm before he took her hand in his. "A bad idea was you running into that house yesterday. A bad idea is you wanting to be left alone in a room with Joe Carroll. This…" he gestured between them. "This is a really good idea."
"Parker knows about us," Sasha murmured and Mike froze, his lips centimetres away from hers as he blinked down at her in astonishment.
"What?" he raised an eyebrow and she looked up at guilty, biting her lip. "What does she know, exactly?"
"That I like you? That- that we- …you know," she whispered, her cheeks turning pink as she looked around and nudged Mike away from her. "I guess we weren't subtle about it? I don't know. She said- she told me you walked in here with a little spring in your step this morning."
"…Ah," Mike nodded. "I don't think I was, I mean… Maybe I smiled more. I don't know. I was pretty happy, so…" he trailed off. "So what exactly did she say to you?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Can we go see Joe now?"
"Oh, uh, sure," he nodded, tugging on her hand and leading her towards the stairs. "So what did Parker say?"
"Miiiike…" Sasha whined quietly.
"Mhmm," he smirked at her. "That gave me flashbacks to last night!"
"Mike!" she gasped, her cheeks burning in embarrassment.
"Hah. So did that," he pointed a finger at her.
"Mike, seriously," she glared up at him, her lips twitching as she fought back a smile. "Stop. Not in work, okay? I promised her it wouldn't have any effect on our jobs and I intend to keep that promise, so please keep your hormones in check and keep it in your pants."
"Then stop walking around all… bossy, and stuff," he waved a hand at her. "You walk around in your little tight jeans and your sweaters and I'm not supposed to want to pin you to the wall and-"
"Do not finish that sentence," Sasha slipped her hand out of his and reached up to slap the back of his head. "Self-control, Weston. Learn some."
"I can't help it," he pouted. "I just wanna touch you…"
"Stop!" she swatted his hands away. "I'm serious. Quit it, this is important okay? We can't. Can you imagine if- oh my God imagine if someone saw us? Imagine if they told my dad? No, Mike. No. When we're not at work it's fine, but here… We have to act like nothing's happened, okay? Nothing's changed. You're still obsessed with me and I'm still rejecting you," she shrugged her shoulders.
"I'm-" Mike laughed. "I am not obsessed with you!"
"Really?" Sasha raised an eyebrow, pausing in the hallway and looking him and down. "Your wandering hands could have fooled me!"
"Okay Little-Miss-Professional," Mike straightened himself out, brushing down his t-shirt and giving her a nod. "From now on, I'm not going to touch you until you beg."
"I'm pretty sure you'll be begging long before me," she scoffed. "Oh, wait! I have something of yours," she frowned, digging through her bag and pulling out his FBI badge. "Told you I'd give it back," she whispered, reaching up and draping it round his neck. "There. Much better. You look really… sexy, when you wear that."
"I do?" he grinned, looking down at the badge. "Huh. I guess I do. Hey, listen- about this whole me teaching you to shoot thing… I'm totally okay with doing that," he nodded. "Like, whenever you want. Right now? We could go do that now."
"What?" Sasha glanced at him over her shoulder in confusion as she pushed through the doors leading to the holding cells. "No, I want you to teach me, but- now? We don't have time."
"We can make time!" he reached for her hand to stop her walking. "We can… I can take you to the shooting range, right? And I can teach you," he shrugged. Sasha paused, crossing her arms over her chest and pursing her lips in curiosity. "…What?"
"This wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that to teach me how to use a gun, you'd have to stand really close to me, right?" she asked. "That you'd have to stand behind me, your arms around me, your hands on mine as you showed me how to hold the gun properly, hmm?" she hummed. "My back against your chest, your lips right by ear as you whisper what I need to do when you kick my legs apart to make sure I'm standing properly-"
"Stop!" Mike yelped, reaching out and covering her mouth with his hand. "Stop- stop talking. You win. Okay? You win," he sighed, shaking his head and dropping his hand to his side. "Jesus. What have I let myself in for?"
"Aww," Sasha pouted, pinching Mike's cheek. "Don't pout, honey."
"I thought you said honey wasn't cute."
"Everything is cute when I do it," she shot him a wink and turned around, making her way towards the holding cells.
"Uh-huh, you have no idea," Mike mumbled to himself, rolling his eyes as he followed her, pushing in front of her and leading her towards Joe's cell. He stepped in ahead of her, glancing at US Marshal's. "You mind giving us the room?" he asked.
"…He's all yours," a dark haired man replied and, one by one, the marshal's left the room.
Joe was stood in front of them, his hands and feet cuffed and a small smirk on his face as he watched the two of them curiously.
"Thanks, Mike," Sasha gave him a small smile and nodded towards the door. Mike stopped, frowning at her in confusion and shaking his head.
"I told you, I'm not leaving you alone with him. I'm staying here."
"Oh come on-"
"Agent Weston, I presume?" Joe spoke up, cutting Sasha off. "I don't believe we've had the pleasure. It's very nice to meet you."
"Uh-huh," Mike scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "Wish I could say the same but unfortunately, I tend not to enjoy the company of psychopathic serial killers."
"Michael," Sasha hissed.
"Ah, Sasha!" Joe chuckled, as though he'd only just noticed her. "To what do I owe this pleasure? I wasn't sure they'd still allow you to be a part of the investigation, my sources tell me you've been quite the handful! Ruffled a few feathers, have we, hmm?"
"Your sources being Olivia Warren?" Sasha raised her eyebrows. "I certainly ruffled her feathers and I guess you know that, given the way you chose to speak to Agent Weston here before addressing me. Your tricks don't work on me, Joe, you should know that by now."
"Well, well, well…" Joe murmured. "It appears that I've greatly underestimated you, Sasha. I hope that won't prove to be a fatal mistake."
"If you touch her-"
"Mike, please," Sasha gritted her teeth and shot him a look. "Joe isn't going to do anything to me. He needs me around, right, Joe? Or I wouldn't be here in the first place."
"Oh well you're certainly right about that, sweetheart," Joe nodded his head. "Tell me, Sasha, what on earth possessed you to run into that farmhouse yesterday? It couldn't have been to help your father, you can't have patched things up that quickly."
"…And suddenly it becomes clear," Sasha cocked her head to the side. "That's why I'm here, to distract Ryan? To… what? To hurt him, because you think having me around will make him realise what a failure he's been as a father? Sorry to burst your bubble, Joe, but the resentment I hold towards Ryan for his past mistake isn't a patch on the resentment I hold towards you for refusing to tell me who killed my mother. It's not even close to the amount of hatred I feel towards you for taking Joey away from the safety of his home and leaving him with a bunch of lunatics. And that little stunt you tried to pull with Claire? She's safe, so you failed. Sorry."
"Sasha."
"Oh, Ryan!" Joe chuckled. "Come for a farewell visit. What a lovely family reunion this is turning out to be!"
"What are you doing here?" Sasha turned to look at her father. Ryan ignored her and nodded towards Mike, who paused and looked between Sasha and Joe before sighed and running a hand over his hair.
"I'll be right outside, okay?" he muttered to Sasha. She nodded gratefully at him and, with a frown, Mike left the cell.
"Well I couldn't let Joe leave without saying a proper goodbye, could I?" Ryan stepped past Sasha, his hands on his hips. "So, why the transfer, Joe? What's in Georgia, huh? You have friends there?" he asked. "…Is that where the cult is, your good buddy Roderick?"
"Roderick?" Joe repeated, his eyes darting towards the floor before he looked back up at Ryan. "Roderick. No, sorry. Name doesn't ring a bell."
"Uhm, well it should do?" Sasha raised her eyebrows. "It's a reference to Poe. C'mon, you can't believe we're that dumb?"
"Tell me about Claire," Joe ignored Sasha's remark. "How did she react when you failed to rescue our son, Ryan? Although, I do believe it was a… team effort," he glanced towards Sasha. "I do hope you haven't been too problematic, darling."
"Oh, you know me, Joe," Sasha shrugged lazily and gave him a small sigh. "I like to get my own way, I guess I'm a little like you in that respect. Joey's fine, by the way. I saw him. Did you know that your little pet Emma has been drugging him?"
"You know, Sasha, I'm not quite sure you're supposed to be interacting with me."
"Probably not, but come on, Joe. Since when were you a stickler for rules?" she raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm," he nodded slowly, before turning back to Ryan. "So, how was Claire? Was she upset? Has she rejected you yet?" he asked, and Sasha paused as she saw Ryan's gaze drop to the ground. "It's okay, Ryan. Every great love must be tested, after all."
"You know, that's strange," Ryan stepped closer to him. "I say the name Roderick and you immediately change the subject."
"Hmm. Oh, Ryan, I am so going to miss these little chats," Joe hummed quietly, looking up as the marshal came back inside the room.
"We need to take him down for processing," he looked at Ryan. Ryan frowned, biting back a huff of annoyance as he nodded, brushing past Sasha and leaving the room. She sighed quietly, uncrossing her arms and slowly following Ryan out of the cell.
"You okay?" Mike asked quietly, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Mhmm," she smiled weakly, her gaze shifting to Joe as he was lead out of the cell. She caught his eye and he gave her a smile, nodding his head slightly and glancing behind her at Mike.
"Come here," Mike held his arms out for a hug, but Sasha quickly shook her head and took a step backwards, Joe's curious gaze burning into her. Mike looked at her in a mixture of confusion and hurt as she coughed quietly.
"Not here. He's watching," she whispered. Mike frowned, glanced past her at Joe before realisation hit him and he sighed, dropping his arms and stuffing his hands in his pockets. "I'm sorry, I don't want him to-"
"It's cool," he whispered. "Don't worry about it, I get it."
"Where did Ryan go?"
"I don't know, I think he went back to- hey, are you alright? You're shaking," Mike reached out, putting his hands on her shoulders and glancing behind her. "It's okay, there's no one else here. What's wrong?"
"H-he just-" Sasha stuttered. "Joe, he- he makes me feel uneasy, I don't know. I just have a bad feeling and- I don't know. I can't explain it. I just feel like something's coming, Mike, and we aren't ready for it at all."
"Come here," Mike sighed and pulled her into a hug. Sasha wrapped her arms around his waist and closed her eyes, burying her face into the softness of his t-shirt. "It's okay, Sasha. We can't be ready for everything these people throw at us, you know that. The best we can do is prepare ourselves for anything and deal with it when it happens."
"What if they try and take Claire again?" Sasha looked up at him with wide eyes.
"After she went with them? We're not going to let her out of our sight from now on, Sasha. She's going to have someone with her 24 hours a day, seven days a week. No one is going to try and take Claire again, she's going to be fine."
"What if-" Sasha took a shaky breath. "What if something happens… to me?"
"Hey!" Mike snapped, taking her face in his hands and forcing her to look at him. "Don't even think it. Nothing it going to happen to you, I won't let anything happen to you. You just- you have to stay safe, Sasha, okay? I know it's hard and I know you feel helpless but you have to think before you act – like running off yesterday. I know you wanted to help Ryan and I know you wanted to get Joey out of there, but that's what I'm talking about. You have to think about keeping yourself safe. If I'm putting you first, Sasha, I expect you to put yourself first, alright?"
"O-okay," she whispered, her hands covering his. "…There's no one around, Mike."
"…I know?" he furrowed his brow in confusion.
"So… so, kiss me?" Sasha smiled shyly. Mike's face broke out into a grin and ducked his head down, pausing just at his nose touched hers and he stared into her eyes, his thumbs brushing across her cheeks as he closed he small gap between them and kissed her softly.
"Feel better?" he whispered as he pulled away, his forehead resting against hers. Sasha nodded and gave a small, happy sigh, her eyes still closed.
"Much better."
"So what do you think?"
"Hmm?" Sasha looked up, fiddling with her right earring. "About what?"
"…You didn't hear a word I just said, did you?" Mike leaned back in his seat and cocked an eyebrow at her. Sasha sighed, smiling sheepishly and stretching her arms above her head.
"No, I'm sorry," she shook her head. "I guess I'm just a little over-tired. I'm achy, too. This whole thing is catching up to me and I need to sleep for about forty years."
"Okay, Rip Van Winkle," Mike scoffed, and Sasha looked at him in confusion. "Rip Van- oh come on, you've never heard of Rip Van Winkle? The old guy who slept for like twenty years and woke up with a huge white beard? He slept through the Revolutionary War?"
"Uhm. No?" she laughed quietly.
"What the hell are they teaching kids these days," Mike mumbled, shaking his head.
"Uhm, okay, grandpa," Sasha leaned forward and pinched his arm. "I'm only like five years younger than you, it isn't my fault I was never taught fairy tales."
"It isn't a fairy tale!" Mike cried. "It- it's a short story by Washington Irving!"
"Whatever," Sasha waved a hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter. But the sleeping for twenty years part sounds really good right now."
"Mhmm…" Mike glanced around them and wheeled his chair closer, grabbing the edge of Sasha's and pulling her chair towards him until their knees were touching. "Where does it hurt?" he asked.
"Everywhere…" she told him wearily. "You've got that look in your eyes that you get when you're about to do something you know you'll get yelled at for."
"I don't know what you mean," he smiled innocently and Sasha scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest and raising an eyebrow at him and took one last glance around the room before he put his hands on her knees, slowly sliding them up her legs and stopping at the top of her thighs. "So are you achy because you've been running round chasing bad guys for a few days, or are you achy because I worked you a little too hard last night?"
"Mike," her cheeks flushed as she placed her hands on top his and tried to push them away, but he smirked and held on tighter.
"No one is paying attention to us, Sasha."
"Just because no one is looking directly at us doesn't mean they can't see us," she hissed, reaching down and twisting the skin on his forearm. Mike yelped, snatching his hands back and huffing in annoyance when Sasha started to laugh. "Serves you right. Keep your hands to yourself for now, please."
"For now?" Mike asked hopefully. Sasha gave him a withering look and he chuckled, holding his hands up in surrender and watching as she picked up her bleeping phone. "Didn't your ringtone used to be the Criminal Minds theme?"
"Mhmm," she hummed, sliding her finger across the screen and opening the incoming message. "I got a few funny looks though, I think maybe because people thought I was playing at being in the FBI so I changed it to something a little more… subtle."
"…Sasha. Justin Timberlake screeching from your bag every time you get a message or a call is not what I'd describe as subtle."
"Listen Mike, Justin Timberlake is my future husband okay so if you can kindly keep your remarks to yourself then that would be great," she raised her eyebrows at him, looking pointedly at him before glancing back down at her phone.
Mike watched her, the small smile slipping leaving his lips as he saw her face go pale and her hands start to shake. She dropped her phone back on to the desk and shook her head, reaching up to mess with the ends of her hair.
"Sasha?" he leaned forward in concern. "Sasha what is it, what's wrong?"
"You know, I-I just realised- I was supposed to call Lilah and I didn't and- I want to tell her I saw Jacob and that I spoke to him and that he- maybe I'll leave out the part where he had his hands around my throat but- I have to go call her so I'll be back, okay?" she stood up quickly, dodging Mike's outstretched arm as he tried to grab hold of her wrist and practically running out of the room.
Mike stared after her, his concern far outweighing his confusion as he debating whether or not to go after her, but he knew that Sasha wouldn't want them to draw any more attention to themselves than they already done over the last few days.
His eyes darted to where she'd left her phone and he frowned, his fingers itching to reach out and grab it, to try and find the reason behind her sudden nervousness, but he couldn't invade her privacy like that. …Right?
No.
No, he couldn't. He'd hate it if someone did that to him, if someone snooped through his things, through his private messages, just to satisfy their own curiosity.
But it isn't curiosity, Mike told himself.
It was worry, it was concern. Whatever it was, whoever had messaged her had clearly upset her in some way and with everything going on, with all threats from Joe's followers surrounding them… Mike had to know what was going on, because he wouldn't put it past her to run off again and get herself in trouble if she thought she could help Joey or Claire.
He drummed his fingers against the desk and sighed heavily before he finally silenced his conscience and reached out, grabbing hold of her phone and pushing away the guilt bubbling in the pit of his stomach as he opened her messages.
you're all over the news with this joe shit, what the hell have you gotten yourself into now? didn't you learn your lesson last time? sasha, I know what happened between us was my own doing and I'm sorry for how I acted but I still care and I'm worried about you. please stop this, you know you aren't mentally strong enough to deal with the fallout of whatever happens. just stop it. come home, okay? call me.
There was no name. The number wasn't saved to her phone and whoever it was hadn't signed off the message, clearly thinking Sasha would be able to recognise who it was right away.
And they'd been right.
He shouldn't, Mike knew he shouldn't. He should let her deal with it herself and let her talk to him in her own time, he knew she'd tell him what was wrong eventually – at least he hoped she would.
But it didn't matter that he knew he shouldn't do it.
He did it anyway, and he hit the call button before pressing the phone to his ear. It barely even rang before someone picked it up and Mike heard them let out a huge sigh of what he guess was relief.
"Sasha, thank God," he mumbled. "I didn't think you'd call me back. Are you alright? Are you safe? What the hell are you doing running round playing cop with your dad after all the shit he put you through? Why are you even helping these people? They couldn't even catch who killed your mom and-"
"Who the hell is this?" Mike snapped, his anger getting the better of him at the thought that this asshole would bring Sasha's mother up in such a flippant way. There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds, before the unnamed guy scoffed.
"Who the hell is this? She got herself a new man?"
"I asked you first, douchebag," Mike growled. "She's a colleague. Now who the hell am I speaking to!?"
"Colleague. Yeah, sure. Whatever," he huffed. "I'm Eric. And you are?"
"…Eric?" Mike repeated with a frown.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Sasha squeaked from behind him and he whirled round, the phone still pressed against his ear as his mouth dropped open in surprise, his stomach churning when he saw the unmistakeable look of anger on her face. "You-" she snatched her phone back from him and ended the call quickly. "What gives you the right to go snooping through my phone!?"
"I-I was worried-" he stuttered. "You left here so fast and y-you were upset so- I didn't know what had happened and I thought that with everything going on I should check you hadn't run off to do something stupid-"
"Oh so as well as snooping through my personal messages, you're telling me you don't trust me not to do something irresponsible after I promise you I wouldn't?!" she snapped. "You are unbelievable-"
"Sasha I'm sorry, I was just worried-"
"Just because we fucked – once – that doesn't give you the right to act like my goddamn minder, Jesus!" she laughed harshly, running her hands through her hair. "I can't believe you'd look through my phone! Who the hell does that?"
"Someone who is worried about the girl they're involved- about the girl who- someone who is worried!" Mike glared at her. "I'm sorry for being concerned about your wellbeing, I'm sorry if I care about you!"
"I never asked you to give a damn about me, Agent," she hissed. "You'd do well to remember that I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself – I've been doing it for long enough! I don't need you or anyone else to protect me!"
"Sasha," Mike sighed, his voice dropping when he saw people glancing at them. "I'm sorry, okay? I was just worried, I shouldn't have- I shouldn't have looked. It was wrong of me to just check your phone like that and it was wrong of me to call him but- why is he texting you?" he asked, watching as Sasha brushed past him and grabbed hold of her bag. "He's your ex, right? Why is he texting you asking you to go home?" he repeated. Stopping what she was doing, Sasha looked up at him, her lips pursed as she swung her bag over her shoulder.
"You aren't my boyfriend, Mike," she narrowed her eyes at him. "So please stop acting like you are," she whispered, pushing past him and walking towards the door.
"Where are you going?!" he called after her.
"Why bother asking?" she turned around to face him. "Why not just call up one of your FBI buddies and have them follow me, since I'm clearly so untrustworthy?"
"Sasha, come on-" he sighed in frustration. "That's not what- I was just worried about you."
"Where are you going?"
"What?" Sasha quickly turned around, stumbling backwards as she bumped into Ryan's chest but Mike reached out and grabbed hold of her before she fell. "I'm fine!" she snapped, brushing his hands off her and trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach that appeared every time he touched her.
"Uh… What's up?" Mike looked over at Ryan.
"Uh…" he stepped closer to them, his voice dropping to an almost whisper. "I need you guys to look into Warden Montero."
"You think the Warden's been compromised?" Mike asked in surprise.
"I don't know what to think," Ryan pursed his lips. "But something's not right."
"It would make sense…" Sasha paused. "I mean, as to why he's suddenly letting Joe Carroll call all the shots?"
"…Hmm," Mike nodded with a frown, turning on his heel and sitting back at his computer. Sasha sighed, glancing after him before focusing back on Ryan.
"I didn't get to ask you before," she muttered. "How's Claire doing? Is she… I mean, I can go see her, maybe? I saw Joey and- maybe I could offer her some reassurance, or…?"
"She…" Ryan shook his head with a sigh. "She doesn't really want to see anyone right now. She's not in the best place and I don't particularly think the FBI are in her good books for failing to bring Joey home."
"O-oh," Sasha stuttered quietly. "Okay, that's fine. Maybe when she's… when we have more news about Joey, maybe I can call her? I can stop by and see her and- I don't know. I don't- I don't want her to be mad at me, I don't want her to think I didn't try."
"She knows you tried," Ryan gave her a soft smile. "She's not mad at you. She's mad at me and she's mad at the FBI. Claire could never be mad at you, Sasha. Maybe just… Give it a couple of days and I'll take you to see her," Ryan patted her arm and turned to leave the room but Sasha reached out, grabbed hold of his suit jacket.
"She's not… After she was taken… She wasn't hurt, right? They didn't do anything to her?" she asked quietly.
"Sasha," Ryan sighed softly, pulling her over to the side of the room and out of earshot of everyone. "No, they didn't hurt her. She's scared, and she's angry and she wants her son home, but she's okay. She's going to stay okay. You aren't going to lose her, alright?" he raised his eyebrows and Sasha nodded, biting back tears and feeling thankful that she didn't have to voice her concerns to Ryan for him to understand where she was coming from.
"I just-" she stopped, her voice thick with tears as images of her mother clouded her mind. "I can't, you know? I can't have anything to happen to Claire."
"I know," Ryan murmured. "I know you can't, and you won't. I promise you, Sasha. Claire's going to be just fine."
I know a lot of you wanted to see the morning after and I'm sorry I didn't write it, but I wanted it to be a little different ^_^
Anyway! This was sort of fun to write, we got to see a little more of Eric aaaand in a couple of chapters you find out exactly what happened between him and Sasha :)
let me know what you think! :)
becca
x
tumblr: miikewestons
twitter: miikewestons
: joeypotter
