The day was a brilliant blue with fat, puffy clouds lazily rolling throughout and Kai had found the perfect combination of shade and sunlight at one of the tables. An iced coffee sat to the side, the fingers of one hand absentmindedly tapping at the cup while the other hand held open a book. It was three months since they started their class with Charlie, and this was the first time they felt comfortable in the university grounds.

"You."

Kai looked up from the book, recognizing the man towering over them. They rolled their eyes and returned to their reading. "And you."

Don slid into the bench in front of Kai. "I don't trust you."

"Yes, well, I don't really care, Agent Eppes," Kai spat out and raised the book to hide Don's face completely. "I'd appreciate you taking your leave."

"You've got a talent for disappearing. Los Fresnos is a tiny town compared to your other living places. Fort Worth. Boston. Phoenix. Chicago. Each one more populated than the last. Easier to get lost in, is my take on that. You live a quiet, simple life for about four or five years, even snagging a fiancé in Chicago. And each time you leave, you fall completely off the grid for a full year. Now you're here, except this time with a new name," Don rattled off as if reading from a file. "Now why would that be, Dr. Flores? Or should I call you Dr. Fuller?"

Any sane person would hold in the forefront of their mind that this man was an FBI agent. Badge and gun and all. Except rational thoughts never triumphed when Kai's emotions were riled up. Closing their book, Kai placed it inside their book bag before carefully removing the lid from the plastic cup. They looked at Don and just when he opened his mouth to speak again, Kai threw the coffee into his face. The man spluttered as Kai put the lid back on the cup. "Have a good day, Agent Eppes."

Don was calling out their name even as he was trying to wipe at his face. Kai, however, simply headed into the university building as they checked their watch. They found the office and went in without knocking. "Professor Eppes," they called out, interrupting a conversation Charlie was having with another staff member. "Professor Fleinhardt. I do apologize for the interruption. I have a very important request for Professor Eppes."

"Oh. What's wrong, Dr. Flores?" Charlie asked when he noticed Kai's darkened features.

"I would appreciate you advising Agent Eppes to keep his nose out of my business," Kai said, crossing their arms over their chest to keep the sight of their shaking hands out of view. "I do not appreciate people invading both my personal space and my private life. Being an FBI agent doesn't grant him free range on anyone he deems unworthy of his trust."

"Assaulting an FBI officer can get you two years in prison, you know," Don said from the office door.

Kai straightened their shoulders before pivoting to find Don blocking the only door to the room. He was dabbing napkins over his suit though his eyes were firmly on Kai. "I'd do ten for the satisfaction of doing that again," they said before glancing over at Charlie. "I'll see you in class later, professor."

When Don refused to move from the door, Kai clenched their jaw and gripped the strap of their book bag, not diverting their own gaze. Neither of them backed away and there was the sound of a breath being sucked in from somewhere behind them. "Don, move," Charlie's voice came after the uncomfortable pause. When his brother didn't obey, Charlie came into the two's field of vision. "Don!"

"We'll be in touch, Dr. Fuller," Don said as he stepped to the side.

Without hesitation, Kai stepped into Don's space now, their finger shoving into his chest. "If you ever," they seethed through gritted teeth. "Call me by that name again, I will make you regret it."

The intense reaction surprised Charlie enough to make him step away. "Is that a threat, Dr. Fuller?" Don asked and before he even had a chance to react, Kai's slap resounded down the hallway.

"Don, leave. Now. I don't know what your deal is, but I'm not going to let you continue harassing my student," Charlie half-yelled, standing between his brother and a trembling Kai. "Leave now!" Don didn't remove his gaze from Kai, but after a few seconds he walked down the hall. "Are you alright, Dr. Flores?" Charlie asked in a gentle voice. For a moment, Kai couldn't find their voice. They were sure speaking would only expose more of their emotions. "Dr. Flores?" he repeated.

Kai looked at their feet for a moment, taking in a deep breath before turning their gaze back to the professor. His look of concern almost broke through their barriers. Almost.

"I'm fine," Kai said, a composed expression back on their features. "I do apologize for losing control. I simply do not appreciate people invading my life without valid reasons."

"Yeah, well, Don isn't usually the type to do this without reason," Charlie noted, scratching at the back of his head. "Not that he's right or anything. I have no reason to doubt you. If Millie says you're trustworthy, then I believe you're trustworthy."

"And that's all it takes?" Kai asked.

"Millie is a good judge of character. And you two seem to have a solid bond, so you must know each other for a long time," Charlie said with a slight shrug. "In my book, you're alright."

Kai studied Charlie's features for a moment before giving a small but genuine smile. "You're alright in my book, too, professor." Pulling the strap over their shoulder again, Kai gave a small wave. "My sincere apologies once again. I'll let you two get back to it. I'll see you in class, Professor Eppes."

"Charlie. Please," he said with a smile of his own.

"Right. Charlie," Kai said. "Goodbye."