Sorry for the delay guys...a lot in my plate lately

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In a car, a man and a woman were silent. The night was rainy, again. They stopped at their respective place to get some clothing. Carefully, Myles was driving through a fluid traffic. At his side, Lucy was following the raindrops knocking at her window. They had stopped to her and Sue's apartment where she grabbed comfortable clothes for both of them. She also took Levi's food and favorites toys. After, they went to Myles' house where he did the same thing. Standing in the hallway, she looked at the place and some memories came back in her mind. The place was the same as before: cozy and warm, it was a refuge for his owner. Lucy liked the house when she entered the first time and still liked it today.

Myles didn't take long to get some clothes and they drove to Dani's place. The vehicle stopped and Myles turned off the engine. Rain was dropping loudly on the metal roof. Myles rummaged through his pocket and found Dani's key. Lucy questioned Myles.

"When did she give you her key?", asked softy the woman.

"Last night, she dropped it in my pocket with a note", he explained but he didn't move. Lucy rested on the car seat and watched carefully the proud agent. His blond hair was tousled. She observed the dark circles under his eyes. His gaze was troubled and his facial features stressed. Then, he turned to her and their eyes locked. Lucy was surprised to see sadness and shame.

"Curious, are you?" he asked steadily. His voice was deep and husky. The orangey light of the streetlight created shadows. He felt that he owed her an explanation. He had been unfair with her some times ago. He wanted to redeem himself. He knew that sooner or later, the past would come back but he was surprised! He felt exhausted. Since Daniella came back, he was losing more and more control of his emotions.

Lucy turned slightly and crossed one leg under the other. She unbuttoned her coat.

"What was your relationship with Daniella before the assault?", she asked blankly.

"We were engaged for quite some time", he answered without lowering his gaze. Lucy looked silently at him. She appreciated his honest answer. She was over their previous relationship but felt betrayed anyway and couldn't explain why. To her surprise, he laid his hand on her knee and squeezed gently.

"I know I apologized before but I don't think I did it right! I know I acted like a real idiot. I had no right to take our relationship as lightly as I did. I was disrespectful and cold. I have maybe a million of excuses that could explain my behavior but I don't think you want to hear those. The only words I can tell you, are: I am truly sorry for the way I acted and the way I treated you.", he said with emotion.

Lucy bent her head and accepted the apology. It soothed her heart and knew it would help her to move on.

"You know Myles, when you let your heart do the talking…" she smiled softly. He smiled back to her and removed his hand. He opened the door and walked to her side. He opened her door and gentlemanly, proposed to hide under his umbrella until they reached Daniella's apartment. He bent to her ear.

"However, I must admit I love the teasing and your pranks. Don't stop!", he added and straighten up.

"I have no intention to, Harvard!" came her reply and they walked together under the pouring rain.

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As soon as they entered into the apartment, a grey and white cat tried to escape. Rapidly, Myles caught the cat that hissed to him. The agent dropped it on the floor and the cat ran away.

"Mmmmh, either that cat doesn't like you or you don't like cats?" teased Lucy.

"Both!" replied the agent scornfully. "But for whatever reason, Dani likes them so I introduce you, Jake the Grey", and he walked to the kitchen where he grabbed the cat's plate and poured some food. Myles looked around and smiled faintly. He felt comfortable. Lucy too, analyzed the apartment. High windows, high ceiling, compact but modern kitchen, large living, all open-concept. However, what surprised Lucy the most, it was the colors all around. Everywhere was a mixed on golden yellow, deep red, emerald green underlined by the velvety black. Lucy had the impression she walked in a bohemian house. She didn't dare to move. The faint smile of Myles widened.

"Amazing isn't?, he said with a laugh in his voice. All the furniture had received a punch of colors with pillows, throws, vases or paints. The walls were covered with pictures. Lucy decided to look at the pictures while Myles went into Dani's room to get some clothing. Lucy recognized easily the psychologist and her green eyes as well as Myles. Another man was often showing: he had the same green eyes as Daniella and he was often portrayed with her. Most of the pictures were taken at a cottage, on a beach or on a yacht. Then, one pictures grabbed her attention: she saw Dani and Myles, both sat on a bench outside a cottage. Leaning against her partner, Daniella had her eyes closed and a peaceful smile was floating on her lips. One leg up on the bench, Myles had his head tilted and his eyes were looking at his fiancée. The person who took the picture snapped all the love and the trust between the couple.

Suddenly, she felt a presence in her back: she lifted up her chin and read tenderness in Myles' eyes. He touched lightly at the picture and wandered his gaze on the others frames. He pointed to the man with green eyes.

"This is Max…Dani's brother…" he trailed off.

"Your best friend", continued Lucy, touched by the affection he shown in his voice. The tall man nodded.

"The pictures you see were taken at our favourite places: my family cottage, on the Lambert's yacht, during road trips, at Harvard…" he explained.

"It been a long time?" asked Lucy softly referring to Max's death. Myles' first reaction was to retract in his shelf, in his pain but he stopped. Lucy asked a question. She was not nosy but she cared.

"It been six years last month and still today, I feel it just happened yesterday.", he replied while walking away from the wall of pictures. Lucy noticed the small suitcase on the couch. He grabbed a bag and stuffed Pinot's food and toys.

"Max was very protective of his sister. He was her mentor, her biggest fan. He was not afraid to scowl her but he forgave her easily. In return, Dani loved her brother deeply. I remember I envied their relationship. I missed that with Anne. Although now, Anne and I, we have a nice relation" continued Myles and turned to Lucy. She was still gazing at the pictures: she read love, friendship, trust, laugh and fun in all of them. She guessed that both Lamberts' sibling had a huge impact on Myles' personality.

At her turn, she swiveled on her heels and examined him closely. She realized that this whole case was not easy on him. Her heart meld and she approached him. She slid her hand on his shoulder and he jumped. He didn't look at her, afraid to loose his composure.

"I know you Myles. I can understand it's not easy for you right now. Part of your past is unveiled and you have to confront it. Discreet as you are, I presume to have your life under scrutiny like this, it's embarrassing. However, I hope you realize that you can count on us. We are more than colleagues. We are your friends. Don't push us away!," she warned gently.

He placed his warm on her and nodded silently. Lucy went into the living room to pick up the bag and let him some privacy. She knew that he wouldn't like her to see his tears.

They walked out of the apartment in silence and Jake got out to eat, finally alone.

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Hope you enjoyed ;0)