I do not own anything besides these words and the cover art.

"What do you think it means?" Smoker asked her as she stood in front of him in thought. "Tashigi?"

She shook her head and stared, "I…I am not sure, sir. I know I don't trust her, but something just doesn't seem right. I have a feeling-"

Smoker put his hand up, "You know we don't follow our feelings, Tashigi. You're a good cop, just trust your instincts."

He reached for a box on his desk but Tashigi quickly closed the lid and frowned, "You know what Madam said."

Smoker cracked his neck and lay back in his chair. "Between you and my wife, I am going to die earlier than the cigars ever would have killed me."

Tashigi frowned at his poor joke but continued with a soft voice, "And...um...thank you for calling her in…the kids need some serious protection and help…and well, I trust Madam."

He waved her down, "She loved it. Moreover, she wanted to thank you. The FBI is always trying to tackle human trafficking, but it is cooperation like this that helps us truly fight it."

Tashigi's bottom lip quivered, "Captain. We are in G-5 for a reason. We need to cut the endless red tape that keeps the truth confined. It's our duty! I want to do more...I...I just don't know where to start here..."

Smoker rubbed his face and looked back at his star detective. Despite her proficiency in combat, she was usually clumsy, which got on his nerves. She was his protégé, though a unique gun or special piece of weaponry could easily distract her. However, he watched her grow as a person and an officer. Tashigi was very brave and reckless when fighting her opponents and her sense of justice was strong. Some looked at her endless determination as a "sore loser" attitude, but she desired to protect what was important to her. In regards to this case, however, Smoker worried that she may have blurred the lines of what was important: catching Arlong and his affiliates, using them to get to the bigger and worse criminal networks…or her former friend.

He was about to ask her just that when Officer Coby came and saluted at the door, "I'm sorry to disturb, Captain Smoker! Detective Tashigi, we found something interesting." Tashigi looked at him with surprise and it was only until Smoker yelled at them to get moving that she made a beeline to the Tech Unit. Men and women typed and looked at endless screens and Coby directed her to one screen where a man collected some files together.

Coby addressed him, "Helmeppo, show Detective Tashigi what you found."

Junior Officer Helmeppo nodded, "We found out someone hacked into your file. It was…" the man grew embarrassed, "Weeks ago, but…we only just now found the path of entry."

Tashigi's glasses shone in the blue light of the screen. "Can you trace it?"

"Detective?" Coby inquired about where her thoughts were going.

"I want to find out who did it. I need a name, a face…a location."

The man continued to type, "Well, it's a good hack. Bounced over states, even continents, but…I think I've been able to pick up a similar line of coding in regards to a burner phone. Now…it is a faint similarity, but we'd need to do a reverse call to find the exact coordinates."

"Do it," Tashigi said without hesitation. For some reason, she felt like she knew exactly where the small blip would pop up. Their time was coming to an end and Tashigi was going to win…she had to.

"Okay, Detective…here goes."

Music Inspiration/Theme: "Uprising" (Muse)

This is some Mission: Impossible business. I found the music choice a bit ironic, but I think it fits well. Regardless, whoa. Am I getting too technical? Too away from the story? I hope not…cause kiddos, this is ALL CONNECTED. Circle of Life and all that jazz.

I sometimes go between Hina and Tashigi for Smoker. I feel like Tashigi and Smoker just make a good team, and honestly…I wouldn't mind them playing the buddy-cop routine, which leaves Hina for Smoker. Again, these are just one of countless multi-ship pairings…as long as Tashigi stays away from Zoro:P Which is why I made her a bit different though I think it still fits into her character. I mean, it is hard to just guess the sexuality of characters since OP does not necessarily let us see them in that way, though the women are constantly exploited for their bodies or are written down to be so…boring or weak. Which is why I love, love, love Hina. She is awesome. Hope you're excited to see that power couple in action;) P.S. Hina is def a top:P

Now, where does this trace lead? Who is going to pick up? What is G-5's fate in all this?

To Be Continued….

XoXo shipfiend