It was different this time. Instead of the vitality of spring, the bleakness of winter blanketed the forest and clearing.

She was there, desolate and fragile. Her clothing in tatters, her hair disheveled. The snow she knelt in was covered in blood.

"Abbie!" Crane cried out in horror. He must get to her, save her. Something was keeping him from her. He snarled and raged against the unseen force that held him immobile.

Her arms fell limply to her sides, revealing the gaping wound that blood flowed from freely. Her eyes rolled back in her head just as she fell lifeless to the snow.

Flames erupted around her.

"No! Abbie, no!" Crane roared as tears streamed down his face. He jolted upright in bed. The sheets that ensnared him shredded in the process.

Senses honed by battle quickly realized he lay in the darkness of the guest bedroom. Crane took in large gulps of air as he ran trembling fingers through his wet hair. He reached blindly for his mobile.

His eyes registered the time. She would think him mad if he called her so early in the morning, especially because of a nightmare. A text message would have to suffice. Short and to the point, he hit send as he stood from the bed.

As Crane headed toward the bathroom, his mind poured over every detail of his dream. He was so immersed in thought, the buzzing of his phone almost went unnoticed.

Striding back quickly, he snatched it off the bedside table and scanned the message. His heart began to pound for a different reason entirely. He could not stop the grin that lit his face up. Crane typed out another reply and headed off to start his day. With a very cold shower

OOO

Abbie's face remained impassive during Wolkowski's bumbling explanation. Patience was not her best look, so the effort cost her greatly.

She heard the words, "improper identification", "incorrectly categorized" and "misplaced." It all translated to "we fucked up and your evidence is gone."

It had been that kind of day. Up and down. After dinner with Crane, Abbie fairly floated home, buzzing from that kiss.

After tossing and turning in her bed for nearly an hour, she thought she would take advantage of her restless energy and work on her cases.

Soon enough, Abbie found herself sound asleep. In the mid of a nightmare. No Corbin this time. She was out in the middle of nowhere in the dead of winter. Dying. And then there was fire. That's when she woke up, gasping for breath.

She was just calming down when her phone buzzed beside her. It was Crane. Warmth flared in her belly as she looked at his message. Abbie bit her lip in a failed attempt to keep the silly grin from off her face. If this kept up, the man would turn her into a complete fool.

She snuggled back under the covers, her nightmare now replaced with much more pleasant thoughts. Common sense dictated she shouldn't, but Abbie found herself typing a response and hitting send before she could stop herself.

That happy interlude improved her day and now only a few hours later, here was the evidence officer, like a bucket of ice water.

"Is there anything from the investigation you haven't lost? Anything I haven't seen?" Abbie asked. Her voice strained from the effort to keep from screaming.

Wolkowski smiled weakly at her. "We're doing an audit right now. As soon as anything turns up, we'll bring it over straight away."

Although he had her by a foot and one hundred pounds at least, he was certain in that moment the Lieutenant could easily put him through the nearest window.

"Have a report on my desk by three today. Dismissed." Was the nicest response she could manage.

His shoulders sagged with relief and he gladly scurried off. As he headed over to Evidence, he heard someone calling him.

"Brooks, what can I do for you?" He asked the younger officer who was jogging to catch up to him.

"Actually, I was wondering if I could help you out. . I heard you talking to the Lieutenant. Do you guys need some help? I finished my paperwork sooner that I thought, so I'm at loose ends." He offered.

Wolkowski knew there was a reason he liked Andy Brooks.

"Yeah, that would be great. Why don't we-"

"Hey Brooks, Cap wants to talk to you." Another of the officers called from down the hall. Wolkowski gave him a sympathetic smile.

"Come by if you get a chance" He tossed over his shoulder, leaving an agitated Brooks in the hallway alone.

OOO

If Abbie knew what he was about to do, she'd string him up by his balls. That's why Irving carefully planned a diversion.

"Why don't you get out of here." Irving demanded as he stood with his arms crossed against his chest, glaring down at Abbie.

"What are you talking about Captain?" Abbie didn't even bother looking up from the report she was reading.

"Get out of the precinct, go blow off some of the smoke that's coming out of your ears." Abbie gaped at him in response.

Irving was undeterred. "I'm just as pissed about it as you Mills, but there isn't much you can do until they finish and see what turns up. So why don't you get some fresh air while you can?" He persisted.

"We're in the middle of a murder spree and you want me to get some fresh air?" Abbie deadpanned. "What are you up to?" She narrowed her eyes as if she could divine the truth from looking at him.

"What? Nothing." Irving scoffed. "Go on now. Go to the range or something, just get out of here." He stomped off before she could say anything else. Or figure out what he was up to.

He watched from the window of his office as Abbie sat there in thought for a moment. Finally, she packed up the files she had been working on and locked them in her desk. She spared one last glance towards his office, but Irving pretended he was looking at something in his hands. He let out an audible sigh of relief as she left the building

He was watching her get into her Jeep when a knock sounded on his door. Frank motioned Brooks inside his office.

"Tyler said you wanted to see me sir?" Brooks asked, a slight edge to his voice.

"Yeah I did. Have a seat Brooks." Frank checked one last time to make sure Abbie was actually gone from the parking lot.

He took his seat and folded his hands as he stared Brooks in the eyes. He had liked Brooks from the first time he met him. Smart, idealistic and eager to make a difference. A great officer and a decent human being.

But Irving could tell just by looking at him that something was riding Brooks. Hard. The young man was in trouble and if there was any way for him to help, Irving would.

"Are you in trouble son?" He asked directly. Brook's eyes grew round with fear even as he attempted to deny it.

"Sir, I'm fine. I-" Irving held his hand up to interrupt the young man.

"I realize we don't know each other that well, but I can tell something is wrong. So save us both the trouble of you lying about it." He said evenly.

Andy's shoulders sagged in defeat. He bowed his head, desperately trying to come up with something plausible. He fought to keep the bile from rising in his throat.

He looked at Irving with pleading eyes. "I'll be fine Captain. It's just been a really long week."

Irving stared at the officer for a long moment. "Alright Brooks, I believe you. Just know my door is always open." He rose from behind his desk and clapped the young man on the shoulder. "Go on, get out of here."

Andy felt almost dizzy with relief. "Yes sir, thank you sir." He left on shaky legs.

Abbie was going to kill him for sure, Irving thought as he sat back heavily in his chair. But at least now they knew. Andy Brooks was in trouble. Big trouble.

Now all they had to do is figure out the who, the what and the why. With or without Brooks's help.

OOO

Abbie figured she had spent enough time at the shooting range. Whatever Irving needed to do that required her absence at the precinct should be done. And if it wasn't, that was just too damn bad.

What in the world was he up to? Abbie adjusted the strap of her equipment bag while she wondered what he was hiding. Did he know something about the evidence? She discarded that thought as quickly as it came. On a good day, he couldn't hold water, she doubted he would keep something about the investigation quiet.

That stupid bet. Abbie rolled her eyes. Well, if they were digging around hoping to find out the identity of her admirer, they were going to be highly disappointed.

As she opened the door to her truck, she didn't notice the scrap of paper that had fallen out. In fact she had only seen it because it had stuck to her shoe.

Abbie peeled it from her heel. She was going to drop it in the side door to be discarded later when she saw her name in an elegant sprawl.

Grace Mills

That got her attention immediately. It was beyond rare that anyone addressed her by her first name. Especially if they expected her to respond.

She unfolded the note, eyes widening as she scanned the contents.

Your prey is elusive. The answers are not.
Those in power hold the key. They are the center.

Of course the person had not been inclined to include their name. Abbie let out a low growl. Her first real lead and it still wasn't quite enough.

She discretely checked out her surroundings. No one cautiously observing her or attempting to hide their presence. The person that wrote this note was probably long gone.

So what was their purpose? Sending her on a wild goose chase? Her instincts told her it was legit. But what did it mean?

They are the center? Of what, Abbie wondered as she tapped her steering wheel idly. Those in power are the center. She put that thought on repeat in her head as she closed her eyes and rested her head against the headrest.

After a few minutes of vague suppositions, Abbie opened her eyes and glanced out of the window. Her eyes connected to one object in particular.

Abbie's smile dawned, slow and bright, as she started the Jeep. Looks like her day had just taken another upswing.