Friday morning, almost exactly 24 hours since their last talk, Campbell and Zara met at a coffee shop not far from his office. He ordered a flat white, thinking he was cool and original, while Zara sipped her raspberry white mocha latte while waiting for him to join her.

"Zara," he beamed. "I'm so glad you called. I was getting kind of antsy, I wanted to post that teaser."

She forced a smile. "Well, you'll be glad you didn't. I have a lead for you that is gonna blow high school drug use out of the water."

Campbell leaned back and looked at her, smug and doubtful that she had anything really juicy. "Lay it on me," he said suggestively.

"You ever hear of Los Olvidados?" She asked him, holding her cup to her lips and blowing gently.

"No," he said, his interesting showing. "Who or what is Los Olvidados?"

"The Forgotten," she said sadly. "Rebels in Mexico, coming toward the border, wreaking havoc. Their families were killed or hurt and they're waging war on whoever they can lay blame on."

"This," he chuckled, "This is fucking gold, Zara." Campbell whipped out his notebook and scribbled wildly. "Where do I start?"

"Google Los Olvidados," she told him. Zara then took his pad of paper and wrote something. "This too," she said, "Mata al diablo resucitar México. Kill the devil, resurrect Mexico."

"Wait," he chuckled nervously. "This feels dark."

"It is," she said staunchly, "But that's what you wanted, right?"

"Yeah, that's what I want," he said eagerly.

"Good," she smiled. "Look into that, take notes, Google your little heart out and then Monday morning, you and I will meet with someone who wants to help you on your investigative journey."

Campbell didn't like that. He shook his head. "This is some shady shit, Zara."

"Trust me," she said with a smile. "As long as you don't post that shit you sent me and you keep your mouth shut about this," she tapped his notepad, "You're fine. And don't worry, this has nothing to do with Angel. Our little project, kind of. Okay?"

"Okay," he reached out and shook her hand, "It's been a pleasure."

"It has," Zara stood up, "I'll see you, Monday."

—

*24 Hours Before*

When Zara got to Emily's she immediately took the opportunity to call Angel. Sitting on Emily's couch, Zara beamed as Angel answered the phone.

"Hey."

"Z," he said with confusion. "Shouldn't you be in class?"

"You know my class schedule," she laughed, "Creep. I actually called out, too many beers and too much on my mind. I just wanted to see if you wanted to come over tonight?"

"Two nights in a row? Guess you could say things are getting pretty serious," he teased her.

"Dork," she chuckled. "Is that a yes?"

"Yeah," he laughed. "Want me to bring dinner?"

"Oh, yeah," she grinned. "Whatever you want tonight but I want Italian this weekend."

"You got it, cariño," he told her. "I gotta go, I love you," he crooned.

"I love you too," she said with a tiny smile to herself. "See ya."

"I love you?" Emily asked excitedly. "You have left so much out, you bitch," she laughed.

"We finally said it," Zara smirked. "We're still taking things slow, the whole mess from before it still kind of raw."

"You two just didn't open your mouths," Emily countered.

Zara rolled her eyes. "More than that, Em."

"Elaborate," she said with a dubious look at her best friend.

"I was scared," Zara admitted. "I love him so much and the idea of something happening, him being huff or worse," her voice cracked, "I didn't know if I could do it. The communication bullshit was secondary, it was caused by our fear."

Emily frowned and sat beside Zara. "It's scary loving men like Miguel and Angel. Knowing what they do isn't always good and could hurt them, or us, is a burden not many have to bear."

"Every damn time he leaves my house I get this sinking feeling," Zara confided. "I'd rather be with him and worry than not, cause I'll still worry, but I hate it."

"I wish there was something I could say to make it easier or better," Emily sighed. "You get used to it, eventually, it becomes your normal. You have to trust him, that he knows what he's doing, and trust the club to protect him."

"I trust him and them," she whimpered, "I don't trust anyone else. Which brings me to Campbell."

"That dickhead," Emily grumbled. "What did he do now?"

Zara sent Emily the email and watched her face change as she watched the video. "Piece of shit," she snarled.

"Yeah," Zara agreed. "I met with him, I tried to talk him out of it but he's adamant. I don't know how to stop him from doing this. It's going to fuck me up, the school and probably Angel and Miguel." Zara's face went white. "Shit. Miguel isn't gonna like, kill me, or anything right?"

"Oh my god," Emily gasped, "Jesus, Zara, no. This is not your fault."

"Okay," she let out a shaky breath. "The shit with Anhalt is what got his attention, obviously, I just got scared."

"You're safe. You're always safe, Zara," Emily said sweetly.

"Except from this shit with Campbell. I could lose my job, Em' and it could be even worse for everyone else."

"What was Angel's suggestion?"

"A bullet," Zara shook her head. "I convinced Angel to let me talk to Campbell but it didn't go well. I told him I'd get him something better to do a series on but it only bought me an extra day. I don't even know what I could suggest."

Zara could practically see the gears moving in Emily's head. "I have an idea."

"Please what is it. I need all the help here."

"Wait," she said curtly. "I need to check something first."

"Uh okay," Zara said with an awkward laugh.

After an almost ten minute wait Nestor appeared in the living room. "Follow me."

"Oh my god," she whispered.

Nestor cracked a smile. "We're not going to kill you."

"I fucking hope not," she huffed, following him to Miguel's office.

"Please sit," Miguel said to her. "Emily told about your problem, our problem."

"Uh yeah," she chuckled nervously.

"Zara," Emily said calmly. "You're my best friend. I love you and I want to help you, we," she gestured to Miguel, "Want to help you. Miguel wants to use Campbell."

"If he wants a story, I can sell him one," Miguel smiled, "One we control."

"I'm sorry," she sighed, "This just feels kind of insane."

"It's a lot to take in," Emily commiserated. "If it's too much you don't have to go down this road."

"The other road would end with him dead," Zara said knowingly. "So I'm willing to try this one first."

"We have an agreement," Miguel said cheerfully. "It's nothing sordid, Zara. We have a perpetual imagine problem and what happened at the high school just brings more negative attention. I'm hoping to curb that."

"Sure," she shrugged.

"In turn, we buy public favor and you and Angel have one less obstacle."

Zara looked at Emily. "You told him?"

"He's my husband," Emily said, "I left out the more personal details."

"Jesus Christ," Zara laughed. "Okay. What do you need from me?"

"Just give him his first lead," Miguel said as Nestor handed her an envelope. "If he bites and he's interested we'll set something up and go from there."

"Then I'm done?" Zara asked quickly. "I can never see that smug sack of shit again?"

"Never," Miguel assured her.

"Alright, easy enough," Zara said awkwardly.

"Come on," Emily said, "Enough of this, let's go have a drink."

Zara and Emily swiftly left the office and Nestor sat in Zara's place. "You trust her?"

"I do," Miguel said confidently. "Emily does as well. After the mess with Anhalt I think we can assume she won't say anything, besides, what does she really know?"

Nestor chuckled. "Just enough to help us spin this shit with the rebels."

"Exactly," Miguel smirked. "Neither Emily nor Zara need to know the gory details."

Nodding, Nestor stood and headed for the office door. "I'll start pulling everything I can on this guy."

"I want it all," Miguel said, turning back to his computer. "We checked into her already?"

"When she first came around with Emily but I double backed a few months ago to check just to be sure."

Miguel smiled. "Perfect."

—

Angel didn't make it to Zara's on Thursday evening. Instead, he arrived at about 3:00 am Friday. She knew he was running late, he was sure to tell her, so she camped out on the couch waiting for him. She passed out not long after midnight but her eyes popped open at the sound of a key in her front door lock.

"Hey," he whispered, seeing her looking at him with a startled expression. "Sorry, I was trying not to wake you."

"It's fine," she yawned. "Everything okay?"

"Worked it out," he said with a wink. "You good?"

"Good," she said with a nod, "Just missing you."

"Let's go to bed," he said, reaching out to help pull her up from the couch.

"You know, Angel," she said as she stood. "It is technically Friday."

"I smell that lotion," he grinned manically.

"I'm all smooth and primped," she said before kissing him.

"And I'm a walking hardon," he growled.

Scooping Zara up into his arms, Angel carried her to her bedroom and laid her on the bed. They both hurried to strip off their clothing, unceremoniously and without teasing or flirting, and fell into bed together.

"Don't forget the risk," she reminded him as he kissed up her stomach.

"I know," he rested his chin on her sternum and looked up at her. "I love you. I don't care."

Zara knew the risk was low but the reality of Hepatitis was a grim one. Even so, feeling equally in love and sure she was fine, she grabbed a fist full of his hand and pulled him up toward him.

"Then fuck me, Reyes. Now."

Angel grinned, lifting Zara's right leg up against his chest, and entered her. She moaned, a pleased smile on her lips and Angel's head dropped back, both overwhelmed by the sensation after such a wait. Six weeks was long but neither realized how long it was until they were finally together again.

The wait to have sex again meant when they finally did, it wouldn't be like their usual romps. Angel finished in record time, not a record he was proud of, but Zara didn't care.

"Fuck," he groaned, collapsing down on the bed next to her. "Sorry."

"Don't be," she laughed. "I mean, I kind of expected it, hoped for it actually. If you lasted as long as usual, Angel, that would mean you were getting it somewhere else."

"I didn't forget you," he told her. "Just pissed."

"Oh I know you didn't," she said smugly. "Just think, we started early so hopefully by tomorrow you'll be back in fighting shape."

"Just gonna need to keep at it," Angel said with a flirty look.

"Keep at it, then," she said, smacking his chest. "It's my turn."

—

Zara made the choice not to tell Angel about her talk to Campbell, or Miguel, until it was agreed upon. He didn't ask when he got there so she didn't bring it up.

When he woke up Friday morning he was surprised to see Zara still there in bed beside him.

"Playing hooky again?"

"You really wore me out last night," she teased.

"Ouccold-hearted," he grimaced. "What are you doing today?"

"I'm meeting with Campbell," she told him.

He blinked twice, waiting for her to elaborate or make a joke but she was serious and brief in her explanation.

"Uh, and?"

"And?" She shrugged. "I gotta try to talk to him about this shit."

"Your one day is up," he reminded her. "I didn't wanna ruin the mood last night, he already killed too many boners, but we gotta talk about this."

"Don't worry." Zara turned away from her mirror and shook her head. Climbing on top of him in bed she smiled. "I have it all figured out."

"Tell me, please," he said earnestly.

Zara knew he was right and she knew she had to talk to him. This was their official second go around and she wasn't trying to ruin it.

"I was talking to Emily for advice and she went to mention it to Miguel," she explained. "He told me to give Campbell something else to look into, Los Olvidados."

"The rebels?" Angel asked in disbelief. "Why?"

"I think he wants to use this as a way to rebrand himself," she explained. "Twist what people think of the family name and everything by showing the shit they're doing."

Angel shook his head, his eyes intense and filled with concern. "They're not doing anything, Z."

"What?" She drew her head back and cocked it to the side as she examined the lines of his face, reading his reaction. "What's wrong?"

"The rebels," he huffed, "They're not wrong. Galindo killed their families, slaughtered them. They're just orphans looking keep it from happening again."

"Babe," she forced a weak laugh. "If this gets Campbell's attention away from us I'll take it. Emily and Miguel told me some of the shit these people are doing. They are not innocent."

Angel wanted to scream. She was being lied to by her best friend, who was following Miguel's lead, and they were using her. That wasn't how Emily saw it, and Angel knew he was biased and his interests were conflicted, but he felt deep down it was wrong.

"You think he'll buy it? Take the bait and run?" Angel asked, knowing if he said another word in defense of Los Olvidados Zara would know something was up.

She nodded, climbing off him and returning to the bureau. "I do."

"Sorry," he huffed, sensing her sudden standoffish behavior, "I don't really trust Galindo."

Zara looked at him in the mirror. "I know, I can tell, but I trust Emily wholeheartedly. Besides, I came to her with the problem, you know?"

"Yeah," Angel nodded. "You know her better than I do."

"Hey," she turned around again and sat beside him, "It's all going to be okay."

No, it wasn't. Angel nodded. "Yeah, it will."

"I love you," she sang sweetly.

He forced a smile and nodded again. "I love you too."

Angel felt sick when he left that morning and Zara knew it. She knew he was off, something was in his head, but she couldn't brush it off. At first, she figured he was nervous about her involvement at all but it was more than that and she knew because he could have told her that.

"Whatever," she huffed. "I gotta handle Campbell first."

Zara did handle Campbell and it went better than she could have hoped. Leaving the meeting, she went right to the yard to see Angel. Her cheerfulness only made him feel worse.

"Hey," she beamed. "How are you?"

"Good," he said. "You?"

"Great, he's really into it," she explained. "I think you're in the clear."

"Sounds like it," he said dismissively. "That why you came by?"

"No, let's talk." Zara took his hand and led him toward one of the small tables set up by the clubhouse porch.

"What's up?" He asked as she sat on the table in front of him. Angel rested his hands on her knees and looked up at her expectantly.

"You tell me," she said knowingly.

He shook his head and looked away from her. "I don't think this is the spot for a heart to heart."

"So it's something serious," she sighed.

"No," he said quickly, "Not with you."

"Work," Zara huffed.

"Yeah," he nodded.

"You gotta start telling me this shit, baby," she whined. "I can tell something's up. I was worried."

"I'm sorry," he rested his head in her lap. "I don't like you in with Galindo."

"Why?"

Angel sighed. "We'll talk tonight."

"I thought tonight was all sex," she said.

"I'm not a machine," he laughed, "I need a break in between goes."

Zara smirked and shook her head. "Men are good for nothing, I swear." She felt him relax as she ran her nails down the back of his head and neck.

"Like last night wasn't the night of your life," he joked.

Zara laughed loudly, a little snort sneaking out and embarrassing her mildly in front of him. "Oh my god, I hate that you heard that."

"I loved it," he said seriously as he sat up. "We'll talk okay?

"Okay," she said as she jumped off the table, "I'll let you get back to work. I'm going to cook you dinner tonight. Requests?"

"Just you," he in said in a quiet growl.

Zara blushed and kissed his cheek. "I'm dessert."

Watching as she sauntered back to her car, Angel felt Coco come up beside him. "She hasn't dumped your ass yet?"

"I think we got a problem," Angel huffed. "Get Gilly, we gotta talk."

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