Managed to get another chapter in a lot earlier than planned, but to be fair this was mostly written out and just needed to be cleaned up a little which is fantastic news for those of you who are still following this story. Unfortunately, this chapter is going to hurt and the next one is far from being completed. Perhaps when my grad class is over in December I can put more attention toward this story, but for now, enjoy :)

"Do you really think we all need to be there for this operation?" Kowalski asked again, reluctant to prepare for the mission. He had been holding out on telling Doris that he hadn't been able to persuade Skipper to let him off. "Especially if we're additional security as that implies there is already security prepared to deal with a threat."

Skipper replied with a biting, "Canceling one date with Doris isn't going to kill you."

Part of Kowalski believed that Skipper was still trying to punish him for going out with Doris instead of finishing his reports. It was unfair that Skipper failed to see how difficult the additional distance would make his relationship with Doris. Of course, Kowalski had hoped that he and Doris would finally be able to have an intimate night together since they had yet to manage to have one that satisfied both of them (not that he would dare share those details with Skipper). "But this is the last weekend we can spend together—"

"You see her when she gets back." Skipper still didn't bother to look up from the document he was reading. Not even the best of CENTRAAL had been able to trace the email sent to the gallery to a solid source, it had been bounced around far too many times to get an accurate sender and it hadn't sat right with him. Cecil and Brick were far from being the type of criminal masterminds that could pull such a thing off.

"It's not that simple, Skipper," Kowalski started trying to get his commanding officer to understand why tonight had been so important. "She'll be gone for three months and we'll have no way of staying in touch with one another. Can't you imagine the type of strain that's going to put on our newly developed relationship? Think about when that happened to you and Lo—"

Finally, Skipper broke and slammed his hands down on the table as he stood, the report falling to the floor. "It is that simple, Kowalski. And don't you dare bring any of my relationships into this. It's part of the job so if you're that worried about one night of going without seeing a girlfriend will end a relationship you can send in your resignation after tonight."

For a moment Kowalski was speechless even though he wanted to argue that it wasn't the one night he was worried about, but rather that Doris would forget him during her three months away. Yet, knew he was dismissed by the tone of Skipper's voice and there was no point in arguing further. "I'll consider that, sir," he replied before he made his way upstairs to get ready for the assignment.

He pulled his phone out after closing his bedroom door and sent a message to Doris with a heavy heart. She had been understanding when he had told her that he may not be able to make it to dinner, but now he worried that it wouldn't be the case now.

I want to apologize in advance for having to cancel our dinner plans tonight.

A few minutes passed with no reply and Kowalski set his phone down again and continued to get dressed. He could feel his stomach twisting with anxiety. Hopefully, Doris wasn't angry with him since it was the first time he had to cancel a date. Although he had explained to Doris that his line of work could be demanding and incredibly short notice, especially with someone like Skipper in charge. Something that he had explained in length in the aftermath of getting caught sneaking out the other week (not that he regretted it). In fact, he would happily go against orders again for Doris and had said as much to both Skipper and Rico on separate occasions (Skipper during the initial confrontation and Rico after learning who had ratted him out).

He had just finished buttoning his shirt when he heard the soft chirp of his phone.

Cancel? I'm guessing you couldn't get out of work tonight :,(

I tried, but Skipper won't budge on this. He's convinced that the art gallery needs the extra security tonight.

Kowalski set his phone down and turned to his closet, eyeing the small variety of dress shirts and suits that he had acquired over the years. He knew it would be better to go with a classic black-tie look although Skipper didn't exactly specify how they were supposed to be blending in at the event. Another ping drew Kowalski's attention away from his wardrobe.

Extra security? Doesn't that mean there are already security measures in place?

That's exactly what I said. Believe me, when I say trying to get through to him is like trying to get through a brick wall using a plastic spoon. I need to get ready, but I'll text you when I get back and I promise I'll find some way to make this up to you.

Love you 3

A small smile tugged at Kowalski's lips and he couldn't help but feel thankful to have Doris in his life. He was about to reply when he heard Skipper call for them to get moving. It would have to wait until the mission was finished, not wanting to incur Skipper's wrath for a second time that night.

"Kowalski, it's nice of you to finally join us. Are you ready to go or do you need a few minutes to make sure you're finished preening?"

"Very funny, Skipper, but I think you're forgetting that our resident vanity-hog hasn't made his appearance yet."

"Rico won't be joining us on this mission."

Kowalski felt his pulse quicken, "what do you mean Rico won't be joining us?"

"I mean Rico is not part of the mission tonight." Skipper's voice was sharp with an underlying warning.

"So Rico gets to take the night off and I have to go on a bullshit mission instead of getting to keep my dinner plans with my girlfriend who is going to be on a research trip for 3 months?"

"He's on Ringtail duty and I'd hardly consider that a night off." Skipper checked his watch and then met Kowalski's cold glare, "Is there a problem with that decision?"

Kowalski bit his tongue to refrain from snapping that it was practically a vacation given that Rico and Julien had been in a relationship not long ago. Suddenly he was unable to shake the feeling that Rico was getting rewarded for ratting him out the other week and found himself glad that Rico wasn't coming along. Finally, he managed to choke out, "No, sir."

"Let's rollout."

Nearly two hours later found Kowalski stewing over the night's events as he did another sweep around the perimeter of the closed wing. He wasn't sure how he had gotten stuck with that particular duty while Skipper worked the main floor and schmoozed with Marlene. His only solace had been texting Doris, but it had been well over an hour since he had heard from her and he supposed that she had several long flights ahead of her tomorrow.

He scrolled through the last few texts, worried that he had ranted too much about Rico not having to work as security or if he had instead scared her off by talking about leaving the field or resigning from CENTRAAL all together. He sent another text hoping to do some damage control.

I hope I didn't scare you off when I mentioned settling down and leaving the field when you come back. But I do love you and I really can see us having a future together, it's just something that we could think about when you get back from your trip. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.

He read the message again and forced himself to put his phone away. The message seemed ingenuine but he couldn't quite place why it felt that way. For not the first time that night, he thought that having to be alone with his thoughts was the real punishment rather than not getting to see Doris. . He supposed it could be worse, like having to deal with whatever problem Julien had created which is what Rico was supposed to be doing, but he still felt resentful of the fact that he had to be here and Rico didn't.

A small voice in his head continued to remind him of Rico and Julien's history which only served further to annoy him and make his skin crawl. He had felt that way when the two were still in a relationship and had always chalked it up to jealousy that Rico had something he didn't. Now it seemed juvenile to feel that way and not because he was the one in a relationship and Rico wasn't. After all, Rico had lost so much in his life from his family to his first love and on more than one occasion nearly lost his life. For a moment his mind drifted to Rico showing just how much he trusted Kowalski, that Kowalski was permitted to get that close to him, permitted to touch the thick scar tissue across his chest. How much it took for Rico to let anyone be that close.

Kowalski shivered involuntarily recalling just how much he had trusted Rico in return- the only one who had been able to touch the scars on the back of his neck and along his spine. Had he always been able to let Rico in so easily? Had Rico always been able to stir a low burning fire inside him? The buzz of the phone in his pocket drew Kowalski out of those thoughts and his melancholy tinged mood shifted instantly, thinking that it had to be Doris. He tried not to feel disappointed when he saw it wasn't from Doris and let curiosity come front and center as he saw that it was Rico. He opened the text prepared to see Rico gloating about having an early night or getting to DJ at The Groove, but what he saw instead made his blood tun cold.

He stared down at the image of Rico sprawled across a violent splash of red, eyes closed, and far too pale, and felt something inside him break.

"Kowalski we have to go. Now. The collection was a red herring," Skipper's voice was a dull roar in his ear, barely registering as another text followed.

Should have kept a closer eye on what was valuable...