Chris had tried to put it all out of her mind as she drove in singing to the radio. Even walking into the locker room, she was keeping her positive vibe going.

"Hey boss." She said with a smile cruising past Hondo to her locker.

"Chris." He said watching her slightly with a smirk. "What's with your good mood? Are you that happy to be back?"

"Damn right." She smiled.

Hondo chuckled to himself and shook his head a bit. "Well, it's good to have you back." He added before heading out. Street wasn't in yet, Chris assumed he should still be light duties anyway. She hadn't checked her phone to see if they had responded, she didn't want to burst that happy bubble just yet.

As shift began, she was busy chasing up a few things with Deacon when she felt her phone vibrating. She assumed it was a combination of Street, freaking out, and maybe Molly about to take her head off, so she did her best to ignore it. They could wait til lunch, she told herself. In truth she was kind of putting it off because it now scared the hell out of her.

"Beep Beep. Beep Beep." Deacons' pager then hers, made her inhale hard and focus on the incoming mission. They had been called out to a remote property where US Marshalls had cornered two fugitives. Chris had little time to think about Street or Molly as she was swept up into action. A 45-minute ride out there in Black Betty, was swallowed up by Hondo and one of the US Marshalls via video link, briefing them on what was happening. Chris was tagged as a sniper with Tan and hit the ground running once, they arrived. Negotiators were on scene as the two men who had stormed the farmhouse were holding 3 people hostage.

She had found a vantage point on the eastern side of a ridge near the house. She lay in the long grass, quiet and still as she listened to the negotiators and Hondo in her ear.

Back at HQ, Street was wandering around the kitchen, staring at his phone wondering why she hadn't written back. He had responded with 2 messages. An initial,

"Chris, Okay I know our talks haven't exactly gone too well, but why the hell are you dragging Molly into this?"

And then,

"Okay, don't be angry with me, I am just confused. I can't see how this will help. But I will be there if you insist."

Across town, Molly sat at her desk. She looked at the message again, shaking her head, she knew Chris might be right. She still would see them both as they worked under her father. And having this kind of bad blood and tension was not healthy for anyone. She typed,

"Okay, I will need to sit with you in regard this case anyway, so I guess we can do that too."

As the Californian sun began to set, 20 David began packing up to return to HQ. The farmhouse was a bit worse for wear, but all 3 civilians were safe. 1 fugitive DOA and the other was in custody. Chris counted that as a win. She was mentally exhausted as she climbed into Black Betty for the ride back. Being that alert and focused for nearly 10 hours was taking its toll.

She sat in a relaxed daze for a while, until Deacon's voice brought her back.

"Oh tomorrow? Wow, how did those weeks go by so fast?" He said looking at Hondo, as she was about to ask what he was talking about she heard Tan add,

"I can't wait to see Luca and have him back. This thing is a bitch to drive," he laughed.

Suddenly she understood. Luca was coming back tomorrow. It was then that her mind wandered to Molly and Street. She hadn't text them all day and they were probably both freaking out. It made her pull out her phone.

She sucked in a quick breath seeing multiple messages and several missed call icons. She refused to see who they were from. Figuring that sitting here, 2 feet from her teammates, wasn't the place to be in such a state. So, she threw her head back, shoved her phone back in her pocket and closed her eyes.

Before she knew it, the Gurkha was coming to a stop and Deacon tapped her knee.

"Come on sleeping beauty." He laughed.

"Jeez, can't a girl get her beauty rest." She fired back sarcastically as she got up and followed them out. She was helping Tan collect a few rifles from Black Betty to take to the armoury for cleaning, when Street walking out onto the quad with a hurried pace and determined expression made her pause.

"Chris, I um?" He started, sounding a little flustered and panicked. Chris figured all of this today, arranging a meeting with Molly, had thrown him and it was likely Molly had lashed out at her and or him, so she shouldn't really be surprised.

"It's okay. Just give us a minute to unpack these," she said handing Tan a large black rifle case and ammunition box, "and we can catch up." She said with a firm tone and slight nod at Tan telling him not to say another word.

"No, but I think you should…" He tried as she walked away in a hurry ignoring him completely not ready to hear this in front of other teammates.

She stepped inside the building and hit the elevator button. It dinged open immediately as she pulled the case inside with her.

"Wait. Chris!" She heard him call as he rounded the corner and held out a hand to stop the doors closing.

'For god's sake!' She muttered as he pushed his way in.

She didn't look at him or ask what? She just stood there.

"Chris," he said huffing and looking at her.

"Not now." She said firmly as she again held up her hand.

"No, it's not about that, it's."

"I, I don't," She paused. "Can you just give me a minute to unwind and debrief." She snapped at him as the doors opened and she pushed her way out passed him.

As she stepped out in the hallway of HQ, she was met with Molly turning to face her. "Officer Alonso." Chris wasn't prepared to see Molly at all, especially not right now after returning exhausted from a mission. Her face must have showed her shock. "I know you've just returned from a mission, but we have a rush on court proceedings, and I need that sit down with you ASAP." She continued. Chris's head was spinning as she noted Street step beside her.

"Can she just get through debrief?" He said looking at Molly.

She almost glared at him. "Fine, I'll sit with Sgt. Michaels first." Molly added as she started to turn. Those words slowly registered with Chris.

"Wait, Jared?" She muttered looking confused at Molly and then Street.

"I was trying to tell you." He said. But before she could form her response or ask her next question, Molly just nodded.

"Yes, I can do his sit down while you finish up." She waved her hand almost dismissively and took a few steps.

"Wait, sit down? I thought you already had his statement, and we were okay for a bit?"

"No, I told you, if you read your messages, that I needed a sit down with Jared and yourself. The case has been moved up. It starts tomorrow."

"What? Why?" Chris shot out as she quickened her pace to keep up with Molly.

"Not sure, I just do as I'm told." Molly answered without looking at Chris.

"Well, I ah, I gotta debrief and attend to some things,"

"It's fine. I'll get what I need from Sgt. Michael's then come to you." Molly repeated. "Sgt. Michael's, I will speak with you first if that's okay."

Chris looked up hearing Molly's words, she had assumed Molly was going to call him, or video conference call with him, but then her eyes landed on him. Jared. He was standing with a SWAT officer, leaning against the window typing on his phone. As her eyes landed on him, he too looked up, seeing her. A smile instantly on his face.

"Hey." He smiled. "I was trying to call you, but … you've been busy I see." He explained looking at her all tact'd up and looking a bit exhausted. Molly glanced at them both but didn't step away to give them space. It was taking Chris's exhausted brain a moment to catch up. There were multiple things right now that she never ever considered happening. Yes, she wanted to talk to Molly and Street, but she never expected Jared to suddenly be back in LA like this. Let alone be standing in HQ waiting for her.

"What? How long have you been here? When did this happen? wow, I didn't expect..." She fumbled as she stopped moving and stood looking at him in disbelief.

"I know. I'm sorry for the surprise. But" he stepped to her and pulled her into hug her. "I'm glad I'm here." He smiled as he squeezed her against him.

It made her eyes close, and she bit her lip as a grin spread on her face. "Me too," She nodded with a smile. Letting go of the weirdness and awkwardness and wrapping her free arm around him to hug him back.

Molly let out a "uh hmm" cough, interrupting them and stepping closer. "So, um, Go do what you need to," she said looking at Chris. "I'll take Sgt. Michael's and get what I need, and I'll be here waiting when you're ready."

"I, um, I." She muttered as she felt Jared's fingers intertwining with her hand. He could probably tell how shocked and nervous she was. She didn't want Molly to walk off with Jared, she was scared what molly would say to him. As Chris tried to work out what to say, Hondo approached.

"Chris? all okay?" Hondo asked frowning at her, the strange man, and then Molly.

"Boss, yes." She nodded, before realising Hondo would have no idea what was going on. "Um, Hondo this is Sgt. Jared Michael's," she said letting go of his hand so he could shake Hondo's. "He was involved in the,

"Market Siege case, with Lilly. Yes, I remember. Nice to see you." Hondo smiled extending his hand.

"Likewise," Jared answered returning the handshake.

"Molly, um, needs to speak with him as a witness as that case has been fast tracked for court tomorrow. So, Jared is here unexpectedly."

"Do you need Chris as well?" Hondo asked Molly.

"Yes, I will, but if you..."

"No, I will debrief her later. Go if you need to." He answered giving her a nod.

"Thank you, sir," Chris smiled. At least she could go with Jared now. And be there for whatever Molly had to say. Chris wondered briefly in that second if Hondo had more of an inkling as to what was going on with her right now.

She turned briefly to see where the rest of her team were and saw Street approach slowly reaching to take the case from her and giving her a sympathetic nod. As Molly began to talk to Jared about what she needed, Street shared a look with Chris. A look that said,

"Are you okay? and I'm sorry," all rolled into one.

Chris gave him a nod back, to say "It's okay." She knew he had tried to warn her. But she had been too busy trying to control things at her own pace that she didn't listen. She motioned for him to go. "Later" was all she said as he nodded and headed off.

She returned her glance to Jared, who had been watching her and Street. He returned his gaze to hers as she stepped back to him, and he smiled. Mouthing,

"Sorry," at her.

She nodded at him. "It's okay." She mouthed.