I'm back! Between bingeing "the Crown" and applying for jobs, I've managed to put together another chapter. To the lovely reviewer who asked for some Bess and Joe action, IT IS COMING, I PROMISE :D Thank you to all the reviews and favorites. Keep them coming. And if you have any requests, don't forget to let me know. I'm not a mind reader ;)

Chapter Thirteen:

Joe woke earlier than he normally did. At first, he wondered where the sun was. Then, he remembered he had work to do. That's why his body clock was all messed up.

He got up and checked the hallway. Great. The bathroom was free.

He had a quick shower and changed into a suit. When he entered the kitchen Nancy was up, sitting in her silk pajamas and nursing coffee.

She barely glanced up from her laptop as he entered. "There's coffee in the pot."

"Thanks." Joe filled his cup and took a seat next to her. "Um…"

She lifted her eyes from the screen. God, they were so blue. Joe felt the familiar pull. She had the kind of face that drew you in. But she also scared him a bit, made him feel inferior without trying. He wondered if there was anyone in the world who could match her enigmatic intelligence. Well, Frank could certainly try.

"I'm sorry," she said. "About the last few days. I've… got stuff I'm working through."

"I know. I just… you're not alone, okay?"

She gave him a sad smile. "Thanks, Joe."

He busied himself by taking a huge gulp of coffee. Christ, it was hot!

Nancy laughed. "I said I just made it. Here, your tie is crooked. I'll fix it. I'm rather good. Your brother gives me a lot of practice. Why so fancy, anyway?" As she helped him arrange his tie, he told her all about his case.

"Well, tell me how the meeting goes. It sounds like there's more to this than a simple delivery," she said, a frown creasing her brow.

"Will do. Morning, Frank!"

Frank emerged from the bathroom in his own suit and tie. He did a double-take.

"Morning, Joe. The suit… the early start… are you growing up?"

Nancy rolled her eyes. "You both look smart, okay?"

Joe was chuffed, even though he'd never admit it. "Fine. I'll take it. Now, I have to go." He waved away their offers to give him a lift and walked the short distance to the subway. It was good to have exercise, he thought, as he waited for the walking green. He went to the gym most days, and he'd been slack ever since he arrived in the city.

He took a selfie as he waited for the train, sent it to Bess.

She replied instantly with an emoji that had hearts for eyes. Then, she replied in swift succession with a graphic description of what she'd do next time she saw him. There was a lot of eggplant emojis. He got that much. It made him smile.

He loved being around Frank and Nancy when they were a cute, functional couple. But it did make him feel a bit jealous. The way Frank's arm had rested on Nancy's shoulders as they'd made dinner plans over coffee just made Joe wish he was living the same dream with Bess.

Joe shook himself and glanced back down at the business card on his lap. Jim Malone. If he kept doing easy, lucrative cases like this, he might be able to afford a nice house. And a dog. Bess seemed like the kind of person who would like a dog. He'd get a golden retriever. They were good with kids.

Kids? Where the hell had that come from? First Biff, now him? Joe was going insane, he decided. Maybe he needed to check out some therapy too.

He alighted at the correct stop and made his way to the building where his client worked. He checked in at the security counter, then made his way to Malone's office.

Another desk barred his way. A pretty secretary told him to wait as she phoned ahead.

After what seemed like an age (Joe couldn't find any magazines that weren't about finance and his Sims app on his phone was making him wait for a building to be built or some shit like that) the secretary waved him on through. "First door on the right," she chirped.

Joe nodded and made his way down a hallway with glass walls. As he shouldered open the door labeled "Malone" he realized his client wasn't alone.

Two men sat opposite each other at the desk, and they were in a heated discussion.

"I won't do it. It's illegal-" one man was shouting. He stopped as soon as Joe entered, standing and straightening his immaculate blazer. "Anyway, I'll talk to you later."

He pushed his way past Joe.

"Mr. Hardy?" the other man, the one behind the desk, stood and offered Joe a cool smile.

"What was that all about?" Joe blurted out.

Nancy looked up as Finn approached her desk. Gone was the characteristic brightness from his broad face. He was trailed by another man who Nancy had seen around, but not been formally introduced to before.

"Drew?" Finn said as he arrived at her side. "I just wanted to introduce you to Special Agent Garratt Jordan. He's my supervisor."

As Nancy always did on a new introduction, she scrutinized the man. He was tall, fit, with broad shoulders. His head was entirely bald. And he held himself with militaristic authority. Great. Another guy who'd served. They thought they were still in Iran, from her experience. And none of them liked that she, a woman, was often better at her job than they were.

"Special Agent," she said, giving him a hard handshake. "Good to meet you."

"Likewise, Special Agent. I've read your files, of course. And I saw the work you did yesterday, on reviewing our security intel. A strong start, Drew."

"Thanks?" Nancy gave him a questioning look. If her assessment was right, Jordan wouldn't be dropping by to give her praise. In fact, she was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"I've heard chatter. You're seeing a therapist?"

Nancy bristled. Sure, her therapist was FBI but the thought of her confidential information being spread throughout her new workplace made her feel vulnerable and at a disadvantage. "I did this morning. But that's my private information, respectfully."

"To be sure. But you also submitted a query about the Skeigh investigation…?"

Finn shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

Nancy let Jordan continue.

"…After positing that there's a link between the homicide of Leah Martin and the disappearance of your neighbor. Should I be concerned about a correlation?"

"There's no correlation, sir."

He looked unconvinced. "Well, after recent events…"

Nancy lifted her chin pridefully. "Sir, recent events have no bearing on current ones. That's what my record says. I've read it myself. I was permitted a transfer, and I was hoping that it might allow me to move on with my career and my personal life. If you any problem with that, I urge you to take it up with Senior Special Agent O'Sullivan. He approved the transfer and recommended me for this position."

Jordan frowned. "I see," was all he said.

As he walked off, Finn exhaled. "You dealt with that well."

"I know his type."

"He's not the only one who thinks you're damaged goods, girl. You know I'm on your side, but after everything…"

Nancy glanced pointedly at her watch. "Finn?"

"Right. I ah, I wanted to tell you that we're assembling a task force for the missing women. They're not saying there's a link but Summer Skeigh's husband is putting pressure on us. Apparently, he has political leverage."

"Are you on it?"

"Yup."

"How about me?"

"Not yet."

Nancy pushed back her chair. "Sounds like I need to use some leverage of my own, then."