It was bright and early when Emilia heard the scheduled knock on her door. She was meant to go to work in a few minutes. She went to open the door and found Sonny on the other side. It was his day to accompany her to the school again.

"Morning Emilia," he greeted with a nice smile on his face. "Ready to go?"

"I'm so sorry but no, I'm not going to work anymore," she said.

The smile was quick to fall from his face. "What?"

"I thought about it and I don't think it's good for me to go. Actually, I don't think it's good for anyone else that I go."

"Wait a minute—"

"I'm sorry you came all this way, this early too," Emilia turned and walked away, leaving the door open for him anyways.

"Forget about that. I want to know why you changed your mind." Sonny shut the door behind him and went after her. The principal hadn't forced her out so this was all her idea.

"The truth?" Emilia turned to face him again. When he nodded at her, she sighed. "I don't want to have another argument with someone about this situation. If that makes me weak, then I'm weak, but I don't want to face someone else."

"You are not weak, first of all, and no one would blame you if you decided not to come back to work for a while but—" he raised his finger at her, motioning her pay attention to his next words, "—that only applies if you made the decision on your own and not because there are misunderstanding people out there."

"Wouldn't it be better for your squad if I stayed here too?"

"Yes and no," Sonny said honestly. "Each side has its downfall but our comfort is not the point. Yours is. And you wouldn't be comfortable here all day."

"Oh, really?" Emilia crossed her arms over her chest. He said that with such certainty she wanted to know where it came from. "And how would you know that?"

"Because I've seen you at work and I can tell how much you love that job. You love your students and they love you." It was refreshing for him to see such a lively job given what he did for a living. Emilia had a natural way with the kids around her. She was cheery even when the kids tested her in ungodly ways that would make others scream their heads off. "Your kids love you, Emilia. They're always giving you hugs, saying sweet things to you. I've seen teachers who only do the bare minimum, I've had those teachers. You're not one of them." And perhaps it was God's way of helping him out because just as Sonny happened to look around, he spotted a few unfinished crafts on the coffee table. "What are those?" Emilia followed his gaze and was reluctant to answer him on the spot. He took that as a good sign because it meant he was right in every word. "Emilia, what are those?"

Emilia shrugged, her answer coming in the form of a quiet mutter, "Next Friday's art project."

"Oh," Sonny nodded, his lips threatening to turn into a smile. "It's only Tuesday." Emilia purposely ducked her head to avoid his gaze. "Like I said, it's fine if you decide not to go to work but only if that's really the case, not because you feel like you have to."

Emilia tilted her head back, eyes shutting for a second. "Well of course I want to go to work today. I always do."

Sonny smiled. "Yeah, I figured. So, what are we doing, then?"

Emilia glanced at the unfinished work on the coffee table. "I told the kids they would get to do a science experiment today…"

Sonny's eyebrows raised with curiosity, "What is it?"

Emilia sheepishly smiled. "They're five, so...they thought dancing raisins were cool."

"Dancing raisins?"

"Yeah, um, you put vinegar and soda into cups and then pour raisins in it. After a day, they should rise to the top."

Sonny chuckled. "That sounds pretty good for a five year old."

"It is…" Emilia shook her head, "I'll be out in a bit. I need to get changed."

"Of course." Sonny tried his best not to beam so obviously but he couldn't help it. He'd managed to convince her which, by extension, meant that he did know her enough to be able to convince her to do things.

Emilia thanked him and hurried towards her room. She changed in all of ten minutes, the last five minutes being focused on giving her a more appropriate appearance for school. She returned with her bag over her shoulder and a nod for them to leave.

"Wait!" She exclaimed one step away from the door.

"What?" Sonny turned to see her rushing back to the living room.

Emilia reached for something over the couch. It turned out to be a small tote bag. At his puzzled look, Emilia shyly looked his way. "Um, the dancing raisins ingredients."

Sonny smiled at her. "Right. Can't forget those, what would the kids think?"

"They'd be upset," Emilia sighed. "They've been waiting all week to do it."

"Oh, so you really can't disappoint them," Sonny motioned her to walk out first.

"Guess not," Emilia agreed on her way out. She couldn't believe a simple conversation with him managed to change her mind about something she'd been dead set on since she woke up.

"Could you just...not be far from me?" She would later ask when they reached the school. "Not for me," she added quickly, "Sergeant Benson says you're all trained to see things that people like me wouldn't notice. I don't want anyone around me getting hurt. Could you please...keep a close eye…?"

It was naive of her to think that he would do anything but that but for this situation, Sonny wouldn't make a comment about it. He simply nodded and promised her that he would be vigilant. Only then could she really go to work.

~0~

During the morning playtime, Emilia and Alice discussed their plans for the afternoon, specifically about the art project.

"We could do half and half," Alice suggested. She watched curiously as three of their girls tried hopping hopscotch in a straight line.

"It'll be overwhelming, maybe we can do three at a time," Emilia said. "We can alternate, if you want?" She cocked her head after noticing one of their boys making a mountain of acorns on the ground.

Alice shrugged. "It doesn't matter—Roy!" She shouted at a boy near the bushes. "Don't pull the leaves from the bush!"

Emilia chuckled. It never got old seeing the kids act like deer caught in headlights.

"Miss Emilia!" A blonde girl skipped her way up to Emilia along with another girl, each holding one end of a jump rope. "Sofia and I want to play jump rope but we don't know how to turn it."

Emilia smiled down at the girls. "You have to use your arms like windmills."

"What's a windmill?" The girl made a face.

"You've never seen a windmill, Liliana?"

"Nope!"

"Don't they go like this?" The second girl, Sofia, wildly waved her arms in circles, causing both teachers to laugh.

"Yeah, that's the one! But I'll help." Emilia reached to take Liliana's end of the rope. "Liliana, stand in the middle." The little blonde girl nodded and hopped her way to the middle. "Okay, as soon as I say 'go', you'll jump. Sofia, are you ready to turn with me?"

"Aha!" Sofia nodded dutifully. "I'm ready!"

Emilia started gently moving the rope on the ground, until she told Sofia to move the jump rope up in the air. "Liliana, go!"

The jump rope swung into the air and came down. Liliana hopped just as Emilia instructed her to and was delighted when the rope passed under her. "I did it! Miss Emilia, I did it!"

Emilia and Alice laughed as the girls cheered together. Emilia bent down in front of Liliana to high-five her.

"It's just practice, you see?"

Liliana nodded. "I want to try again!"

Emilia chuckled. "Of course, do you want me to hold the rope again?"

Liliana was already going back to the middle of the rope. "Yup!"

"I want to try," Sofia made a face. "Lily, can I have a turn?"

As the two girls decided who would take a turn, Alice sauntered her way up to Emilia.

"Don't look now but you have your detective's undivided attention," she said with an accompanying teasing smile.

Emilia flushed on the spot. "Alice!" She hissed. "That's his job!"

Alice snorted. "The assignment is to make sure no danger comes to you, not to watch you with lovey-dovey eyes!"

"Alice!" Emilia pleaded with her. Alice laughed at her and took the rope from her hands.

Sofia and Liliana decided how they were taking turns jumping. Emilia stepped back to gather her bearings, but she did end up sneaking a glance in Sonny's direction. He was standing at the entrance of the school, staying clear of the playground altogether. He thought it was better that way to avoid grabbing attention from the kids and even more from their culprit if he was lurking by on the street. When he saw Emilia, he smiled at her.

She was truly a great teacher. She was perfect with all the kids. She was kind, funny with them, helpful, everything a teacher should be but more. She did things beyond that of her job title. She played with them, just as she'd done a minute ago, she had genuine conversations with them.

Lucky for him, she smiled back at him. Anyone else would've probably questioned his action. Emilia trusted him and he would never betray that trust.

~0~

"Alice, are you good?" Emilia was reaching inside her cubby for her bag.

Alice sat at the rainbow table with several students. She looked up from a student she was helping write their name. "Yeah, we're good. Have a nice break." Emilia nodded and finally pulled her bag from her cubby.

The classroom door opened and Sonny came in. "Hey Emilia, my Sergeant asks if it'd be okay to, uh, go through your home…?" He knew the weight of his question was a big one so he was not surprised when Emilia gave him a crazed look. Even Alice did a double take at him.

"Wh-why?" It was all Emilia could say at that moment. He was talking about them going through her house, through her things. That was her stuff. Why would anyone want to be looking at it?

Sonny made a gesture for her to come closer. He definitely didn't want the kids overhearing any part of the conversation. She reluctantly came by his side. "It's to speed up the process," he explained. "Maybe we're missing somebody that you didn't necessarily think was a potential danger."

"But that's...that's my stuff, my life. I don't want strangers looking at my stuff."

"I know, I'm sorry, but it would really help…" Sonny offered her a smile, one that Emilia would regard as charming the more seconds passed by.

"Fine," she said with a heavy sigh. She wondered if he got whatever he wanted with that smile of his. "But please, don't let it get past anyone who doesn't have to see my things?"

"Promise!" Sonny said quickly. "I'll give the 'ok' then." He made to leave when he noticed her bag on her shoulders. "Is it break time already?"

Emilia nodded. "Yeah, I'll just be in the lounge room."

"I thought you were going to get a cup of coffee outside?" Alice suddenly said, thoroughly confusing Emilia.

"What?" the brunette looked at her.

Alice had a smile that was nowhere near charming like Sonny's. "Yeah," Alice looked straight at the detective. "She's just tired, you know? I think she really needs it."

"What? I didn't say any—"

"If you're going out, I know a spot," Sonny said, making Emilia's head flip in his direction. "Our ADA drinks coffee all the time—he should probably lay it off but he does know good places because of it."

"Why don't you two go together?" Alice 'suddenly' thought. " I mean that's the detective job anyways, right? You're supposed to make sure that she's safe at all times until she goes home?"

Emilia wanted to murder her. Alice thanked her surrounding students for stopping such a thing.

"Uh, yeah, that's what I'm supposed to do," Sonny agreed, though he was a bit bashful at the moment. He checked Emilia's reaction to the suggestion. "I mean, obviously I don't have to go with you but I'll be right behind you."

Emilia shook her head. "Of course not, of course you can come with me." She met his gaze timidly. The idea of actually sitting with him at some coffee shop gave her plenty of butterflies in her stomach.

Sonny was back with his charming smile. "Okay. I'll just call my Sergeant and we can go."

Emilia was at a loss for words after that. All she could do was nod when he left the classroom. As soon as the door closed and she had a moment to clear her head, she threw Alice a glare. "I really ha—"

"Ah!" Alice raised a finger in the air. "What are you going to say, Miss Emilia?" She gestured to the students around them.

Emilia's eyes narrowed. "Well played," she admitted.

Alice smiled ever so sweetly. "Thank you. And please feel free to take an extra long break."

Emilia had to take another moment to herself before she left the classroom. She had to calm her nerves. The fact she had nerves to begin with was alarming. She shouldn't have any nerves, any feelings for that matter, towards Sonny. He was doing a job for God's sake! She had to remember that.

~0~

Remembering was not that easy.

Sonny had driven them to a coffee place not so far from the school. He said it was one of the many places their ADA knew of. The place was small but cozy and Emilia would be lying if she said she didn't like the scent in the air.

"It's been a real busy day," she said after Sonny had to call her twice to get her to stop sniffing the air. Needless to say that she was embarrassed. He, of course, made no comment about it. He was all smiles and smiles is what made Emilia forget what she told herself back in the classroom.

There are limits, Emilia, she told herself. You have to remember that.

"Any preferences?" Sonny asked her when they reached the counter.

"Umm…" Emilia gazed at the menu hanging on the wall, "Oh, I do like a white chocolate mocha," she said with a growing smile. "All sweet!"

"Sounds good," Sonny nodded.

Emilia recognized his intentions to pay again. "Detective, you cannot pay again," she warned him.

Sonny played dumb and to his luck, an employee came up to the counter to take their order. He ordered Emilia's drinks and a regular coffee for himself. He'd rather not order anything else while on the job.

Emilia's face was a bright red from irritation when he paid for the order. "You can't keep doing this!" She followed him towards a table.

"Emilia, it was less than $10. I'm not that poor," Sonny flashed her a smirk that, despite her efforts, made her laugh.

"I didn't—you know that's not what I meant," she folded her arms over her chest. "Alice roped you into coming with me here. And now you're paying for my food? C'mon, I'm not that poor!"

Sonny chuckled. "Nobody forced me to come anywhere. If I wanted to, I would've driven behind you and waited outside."

Emilia shifted in her spot, her arms unfolding slightly. "So...why didn't you?" Her gaze wasn't able to stay on him as steadily as she wanted.

"Well, I like you," Sonny shrugged. He had to clear his throat to give him an extra minute or so to come up with something else to say. "You're nice and you're going through a lot. It's the least I can do."

"Oh," Emilia felt a small knot in her stomach. So he was doing this to be kind.

That's his job! She inwardly sighed. He knows about limits and boundaries.

"Thank you," she said after they'd taken a seat together at the table. She supposed she had an obligation to be appreciative after everything. "I keep snapping at you."

"You're fine, Emilia," Sonny said. "And—" he said just as Emilia went to no doubt argue again, "—when I say that you are 'fine' I really do mean it. You are not the first to get a little upset with me and I doubt you'll be the last. You're under stress, believe me I know and I get it."

Emilia exhaled a shaky breath. "So how many times have you thought about killing me when I get a 'little upset'?"

Sonny laughed lightly, pulling yet another smile out of her. "None at all, trust me."

"I do," she nodded, "It's just being in this whole situation makes me a little more crazy. I promise you that on a good day, I'm actually quite normal."

"And what does a normal Emilia look like?"

Emilia thought for a second. Being 'normal' seemed like something she stopped doing a long time ago. She missed it. She missed waking up and knowing that her only problems were going to be kindergarten tantrums.

"Emilia?" Sonny wondered if he'd asked the wrong thing. Actually, he started thinking maybe his entire behavior with her was too much. Don't kid yourself, you've been asking that a lot earlier. Yes, he had but each time he saw Emilia it was hard to remember those limits. He really couldn't help it.

"Uh…" Emilia straightened up in her seat.

"I'm sorry," Sonny blurted. "I didn't mean to upset you…"

"No, you didn't upset me," Emilia smiled awkwardly. He probably assumed that because she'd taken too long to answer. "I've just realized that it's been a long time since I got to be normal. At least it feels that way. I used to wake up for work, go to work, come home and just relax, you know? That was my day."

"You didn't go out or anything?"

Emilia shrugged. "Not a lot on weekdays. Spending eight hours with five year olds kind of leaves you a little tired."

Sonny smiled. "I can imagine. All I do is watch and somehow I feel tired." Emilia's lips stretched into a wide smile that soon turned into a laugh. "My respect for teachers is high. Not everybody can work with children."

"Same can be said for your line of work," Emilia countered. She stopped briefly when their coffees arrived. "Not everybody can do what you do. So, thanks for that."

It was a casual gratitude and yet Sonny had never taken it to heart as much as he had now.

Emilia took a sip of her coffee and hummed in delight. "Oh, that is good." She raised her gaze to meet Sonny's, the latter having been staring at her already. "Your friend knows what he's talking about."

"Yeah, he usually does. I'm glad you like it." He picked up his own coffee to drink from.

"You know your way around the good places too," Emilia reminded him about the Italian restaurant he showed her a while back. "Alice loves that place now. When this is all over, I'm going to bring my sister there too."

"Oh, so you have a sister?" Sonny asked, raising an eyebrow at her. It was the first time she'd spoken willingly of her past.

Emilia nodded. "Raelyn. She's my big sister. She's an ER nurse, actually. Maybe you've run into her already." Of course that would imply an unfortunate meeting considering his job.

"I'll keep an eye out," Sonny said still. "So does your family live nearby? I don't think we've talked about that for your case…"

"Yeah, but...I'd rather they didn't know anything about this," Emilia said in a quiet voice. "I don't want to worry them. They can't do anything for me anyways."

"Except give you support," Sonny pointed out. "It's always good to have your family around during hard times."

Emilia gave a shake of her head. "Hard pass for now. But what about you? Who do you have around here?"

"Staten Island," he shrugged. "My parents are over there and two of my sisters."

"Two," Emilia repeated, eyes blinking, "How many do you have?"

"Three. The youngest ones lives out here too."

"Wait, so you're...you're the only brother in the middle of 3 sisters?"

Sonny nodded. "And before you say anything, yes they have driven me to dangerous points of insanity."

Emilia chuckled. "Sounds like a whole adventure, honestly."

Sonny had to scoff there, and the expression he gave her only made her laugh even more. It was loud enough to warrant the looks of other customers in the place. With flushed cheeks, she asked if they could start leaving instead. She wasn't interested in making a fool out of herself even if he didn't point out that she was acting like one. He was much too kind and, apparently, funny too.

Remember the limits! She practically screamed at herself on their way back to the school. She glanced at him in the driver's seat, eyes curiously looking him over.

In no time Sonny had noticed her stare and while he was suddenly self conscious about it, he managed to speak up. "You okay?"

"I'm trying to figure something out," she said, eyes slightly narrowed on him.

"What's that?"

"Do you do all this for every case you have?"

"Do what?"

"This," she made a gesture between them. "Take the people involved to get coffees, tell them about your family, be that nice."

"Did I annoy you with it?" It was his first thought and, admittedly, a scary one. He glanced at her very briefly to see what he could tell from her face. She didn't seem irritated so that was good.

"No, course not," she snorted, easing his nerves without knowing it. "I was just wondering if you're naturally this kind or if it comes with the job."

"Uuh…" Sonny was genuinely stumped with what to say and it showed. His thin eyebrows knitted together while he decided how best to answer her.

Emilia started to laugh before he ever made a decision. "Guess that answers that." She shifted her gaze to the road ahead, leaving Sonny to wonder for a moment what answer she decided to go with until she helped him by later adding, "I bet you were a good brother to all your sisters. Protective, too."

When they arrived back at the school, Sonny felt the buzzes of his phone in his pocket.

"Right on time," Emilia remarked as they got out of the car.

Sonny agreed and took the call as they started for the school entrance. Emilia was left walking a few steps ahead when Sonny abruptly stopped.

"Are you sure?" He asked urgently. Emilia looked back at him and noticed a worry crease running across his forehead. "Yeah, yeah, we'll be right there," he promised then hung up.

"What happened?" she whispered. Her fingers gripped her coffee cup knowing something dreadful was coming.

"There's been another murder," he reluctantly told her and only because she would eventually find out.

Emilia's eyes were quick to water up. It was her fault. She didn't have the details but she knew it. She knew that whoever had been murdered was because of her.

"Em…" Sonny started to say when she came back to him in a quick-paced walk and hugged him. He would then feel the trembles of her body as she quietly wept. Eventually, he brought an arm around her back to hug her back. For a moment, the limits would be damned.


Author's Note:

I like writing little sweet moments like this. Sorry about the ending though ;)

P.S I have a tumblr account dedicated to my fanfic works! It's also a place where anyone can comment about a story or even just talk to me! I often drop aesthetic work belonging to my stories too! Feel free to check it out, my URL is "saiilorstars"

For the review:

SweetKittyCat: Thanks! And fret not, that moment will happen in person! Though it'd be nicer and a way to describe the differences!