I think this is the longest I've gone without updating. I truly am sorry. It's been a tough year for me. I've been dealing with an injury that made it difficult to write. It's finally getting better though, which is awesome and so relieving. Sorry you had to wait so long though, for those that are still interested.

Anyway... Here is an extra long chapter and mostly from Lizzie's P.O.V. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter

15

Abandoned Building

Near Toronto, Ontario

10:13 PM

"Elizabeth! Elizabeth, please wake up!" A panicked voice spoke over her as Lizzie slowly opened her eyes and let out a pain-filled groan from the throbbing headache that immediately took over.

"Oh, thank God you're alive!" Her partner, Agent Lynk Carver, sighed with relief as he helped her sit up.

"W-what...?" She started to say while reaching up to feel the bruise on her head and the sticky mess of dried blood in her hair.

"I thought they killed you like everyone else." Lynk frowned, cutting her off, as his hazel eyes roamed her body for any further damage or bullet holes.

"What do you mean?"

"They're all dead, Liz, all the agents we came with. They were murdered. Their bloodied bodies are all over the place."

"How did you survive?"

He looked away from her with a remorseful expression and answered honestly, "I... I tried to shoot him but he was too fast. He just sliced through them like they were nothing. It was horrible, Liz. If they had no chance against such a beast, then how could I?"

"You hid?" Lizzie guessed.

He nodded solemnly and couldn't meet her eyes, "I didn't know what else to do. I

couldn't die like that..."

Lizzie placed both hands on the sides of his face and forced his shameful gaze to meet hers, "It's okay, L. I don't think any differently of you. I'm actually relieved you didn't end up like the rest of them. I couldn't bear the thought of losing my partner."

He finally met her eyes with a half smile before he reached out and swiped some blood dripping down her brow.

"How did you manage to survive with just a bump to the head?" Her partner enquired while reaching out with his shirtsleeve to clear the rest of the substance from her forehead.

Lizzie's eyes widened, suddenly remembering her encounter with the woman who couldn't be her sister, yet when she looked into her eyes was. She pulled away from Lynk with a shake of her head.

"I guess... I'm just lucky." She replied while standing to her feet. The young agent wobbled a bit due to the dizziness and let her partner grasp her arm and begin to lead them out.

"Do you think they could still be here?" Lynk asked warily as they exited the room and tried hurrying towards the exit. "What were they even doing in this building in the first place?"

"I wish I knew." Lizzie sighed.

She let out a gasp when they stumbled upon two dead R.E.D agents. A gun had shot them both and blood splattered both their chests from the fatal wounds.

"They were good agents." Lynk frowned down at the bodies. "How could someone take them down so easily?"

"Did you see the woman with the gun?" Lizzie asked as they forced themselves to continue moving.

"Briefly. She was headed towards the other murderer on the second floor when I hid from her view. She could sure handle herself though. I saw her take out Agent Fenca before she even had a chance to react, and Fenca was one of the best in the agency."

"Fenca's dead too?" Lizzie felt like crying. Agent Taela Fenca was a good friend of hers. They even trained together.

"Yeah; that woman shot her in the head like it was her mission and that she was doing the world a favor, she even smiled." He shivered at the odd memory.

Casey? She wondered. How could that be Casey? Her sister wasn't a killer. There had to be a mistake. Maybe this mystery woman only looked like her... She remembered the look of shock on the woman's face when she first encountered her. What if it wasn't shock at being caught...? What if she was genuinely shocked to see ME there...? The guilty expression on her face when Lizzie said her name definitely had her confused and the way she'd apologized before knocking her out... It had to be Casey... Or at least some form of her... Maybe she's been brainwashed? She shook her head. That's absurd. You've watched too many sci-fi shows with Edwin. She chastised herself.

"You alright, Liz?" Lynk asked while gazing at her with concern. "I'm just as messed up about the deaths as you are... But I have a feeling you're not sharing something with me..."

"It's nothing, L. I just hope we get the chance to take down whoever is responsible." Casey or not.

(=)

R.E.D. Headquarters

Downtown, Toronto

12:43 AM

"You've had quite the night, Agent McDonald." Dr. Reignhardt spoke as she finished stitching up the wound on Lizzie's head. "It is quite unfortunate about the other agents but I am very relieved to see that you at least made it out alive."

"Has the Colonel sent anybody to retrieve the bodies yet?" The young agent asked as she swallowed some painkillers down with a drink of water.

"From what I heard, Colonel Kluess wants to wait until morning before risking any other agents." The middle-aged doctor replied. "Which reminds me, he would like a word with you as soon as possible."

Lizzie groaned. "It seriously can't wait until morning as well?"

"I am afraid not. Besides, I recommend you not falling asleep for another hour or so, just in case of a concussion."

"Sometimes I wonder why I chose this career." She grumbled as she stood to her feet.

"You didn't choose it, it chose you." A voice spoke from the doorway of the infirmary and Lizzie smiled at the blonde-haired middle-aged woman waiting for her.

"Agent Reese," she greeted as she approached her handler and good friend whom immediately enveloped her in a tight embrace.

"You have no idea how relieved I am to see you in one piece." Agent Jaymi Reese sighed while letting her go and examining the stitches on her head. "You were very lucky."

"So I've heard."

"Did you get a good look at who did this?"

"I... Um..." Lizzie hesitated for an answer. "It was dark. All I know is that she was female and a determined fighter. It was strange... She knew some of my moves before I even made them, like she predicted them. How is that so when most of them were created by Sensai Hershey himself. Only a student of his could've known what I was going to do before I did it."

"Are you suggesting this woman is a former R.E.D. Agent?" Reese quirked a brow at her like she was insane.

"I-I don't know. Something just seemed familiar about her." Because she's your sister. Lizzie told herself and then shook her head to rid the impossible thought. Casey is not an assassin.

"Try not to dwell on it too much right now. You've been through enough tonight. Relax your mind." Agent Reese instructed with a smile as they stopped at the elevator and it dinged open.

The two women stepped into the metal enclosure as the doors closed and a familiar red beam began to scan them.

"Good morning, Agent Reese and Agent McDonald." The computerized voice of Chip greeted them once the scan was complete.

"I don't consider it morning until I've actually slept." Lizzie commented with a frown.

"Hello, Chip," Agent Reese replied. "Don't mind Agent McDonald, she's had a rough night. Please take us to level 15-23."

"Affirmative, Agent Reese." Chip answered and the elevator began its ascent.

"So... Is Colonel Kluess angry?" Lizzie asked warily when the elevator stopped on their floor and the doors opened again.

"He's not angry with you, if that's what you're asking."

"He should be. We let them escape." The young agent glowered.

"Don't be so hard on yourself, Elizabeth. Those people killed fourteen agents tonight. He's just glad to see at least two survived, and it's not like you didn't try to stop them." She pointed out while gesturing to her stitched up head.

Lizzie decided not to reply as they walked down the hallway towards their boss' office. Lynk was already standing there, awaiting their arrival with a nervous frown on his handsome milk chocolate face.

"How's the head?" Her partner immediately asked once she stopped in front of him. He reached out to examine the stitches and Lizzie pulled away with a frown.

"My head is fine, Lynk. You make more of a fuss over me than my own mother sometimes." She glared at him.

"I'm just looking out for you."

"Well quit it."

He let out an agitated sigh and turned away from her to knock on Kluess' door.

"Be nice to your partner," Agent Reese whispered in her ear condescendingly. "He can't help that he has a crush on you."

Lizzie's eyes widened as she watched her smirking handler retreat to her own office and quickly close the door. She rolled her eyes and chose to ignore her friend's comment as she turned her attention to the brooding man now standing before them.

"Agent Carver and Agent McDonald, please come in." Colonel Jauqin Kluess said while stepping aside.

The Colonel looked exhausted, not only physically but mentally as well, which was understandable; he had a lot to deal with. Fourteen of his agents were dead –murdered- and he was the one in charge of contacting their next of kin to inform them of the terrible news. Of course, not all of them would even know the real truth of their loved one's demise due to the code of secrecy. Only a spouse could share in the truth of an R.E.D. agent's life and death. The rest would be told a fictional story based on an accident that had occurred.

Lizzie didn't like to think about the fact that if anything ever happened to her, her family wouldn't even know the truth. Yes, she understood the importance of keeping her job a secret but it also hurt her to lie to those she loved, and the fact that no one could know she was a badass super spy and those martial arts classes as a kid had paid off in more ways than one.

Colonel Kluess motioned for the duo to take a seat on the couch across from his desk and they quietly obliged. The large man rubbed his weary eyes as he took a seat and spoke, "I would just like to begin by saying that I am immensely relieved to see the two of you alive. It is a miracle that at least two of my agents survived such a terrible ordeal. Whoever those people were, I can assure you that they will be brought to justice one way or another. A part of me wishes I'd never sent you there at all."

Lizzie cleared her throat, "May I ask, Sir, what the reason was that you had dispatched so many agents to one location?"

Kluess sighed heavily and dropped his head in hands. He rubbed his bald brown head before replying. "I got a call from whom I'd believed to be the government. They said there had been a bomb threat and that hostages were being kept against their will."

"Wouldn't the local authorities or the SWAT team be informed then? Why call us?"

"Because it wasn't any regular bomb. They mentioned Potion X."

"Potion X?" Lynk questioned. "Wasn't that part of a case years ago? I remember reading about it during my training studies."

Kluess nodded, "It was a very dangerous chemical that almost destroyed the human race. If it wasn't for..." He paused with a deep-set frown on his face. "Huh. For some reason I can't seem to recall the names of the agents who helped stop the threat before it happened..."

"From what I recall reading, the names hadn't been listed, Sir." Said Lynk.

"That's odd..." He said while shaking his head. "Well anyway, I know I shouldn't have fallen for it but you can never be too careful. Unfortunately, now fourteen agents have lost their lives because I hadn't been more careful."

"You're not to blame, Sir." Lizzie said as she placed her hand on his arm to console him. "None of us are, no matter how much we try to convince ourselves."

"She's right, Sir. The ones we should be blaming are those who did it." Lynk added.

"You know, you remind me of someone..." The Colonel said while staring at the young agents.

"Who?"

"I... I can't remember..." He looked at Lizzie. "There was something about you the moment we met though... Even your name is familiar: Agent McDonald; like saying it feels natural somehow, like I've been saying it for years."

Lizzie chuckled, "I think you should go home and get some rest, Sir; we all should."

Kluess stood up and began pacing the room. "There is no time for rest, at least not for me. Did either of you get a good look at who killed our agents?" He asked with a grim expression.

Yes. Lizzie thought. The woman looked like my older sister. There was no way she could say that though. There was no way it could even be real... Could it?

"I for sure saw the man." Lynk replied. He pulled out a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to their boss. "I drew him from memory as best as I could."

Kluess unfolded the paper and gave an impressed whistle, "That's quite some talent

you have here, Agent Carver."

Lynk reddened in the cheeks and replied dismissively, "It's just a hobby."

Lizzie punched his arm and laughed, "It's more than a hobby. This guy can draw almost anything."

"Well this will definitely come in handy. We could have Chip scan it and see if he finds any matches in the database." Kluess said while admiring the sketch. "That's one scary looking assassin."

"You're telling me." Her partner muttered.

"You didn't get a good look at the other one though? You said there were two right?"

"Yes, I didn't get a good enough look to draw her exactly, Sir; it was mainly her side profile and back that I saw." Lynk said as he pulled out another piece of paper. "This is all I got." He shrugged while handing the paper over.

Lizzie was more eager than their boss to see it and speedily snatched it out of her partner's hand before Kluess could. The sketch was pretty good for a side view. He even caught some of the woman's features and the more she stared at it, the more she could see her sister. There was no mistaking that jawbone and nose... He even drew the scar on the left side of her chin that Casey got a few years back from what she said was a klutzilla moment -one of many she'd received over the years following.

"You sure you saw that scar on her chin correctly?" Lizzie demanded to know while pointing to the picture.

"I... I don't know. I think so. I don't exactly have a photographic memory but I'm pretty good at remembering distinct features on a person." Lynk shrugged.

"Agent McDonald, do you know that woman?" Colonel Kluess asked while looking into her eyes.

The young agent stared at the picture and then back at her boss, "I hope not, Sir." She said before discreetly crumpling the picture into her palm and tucking it into her pocket.

"Look," Kluess sighed, "how about we continue this meeting tomorrow once we've all had a bit of rest. We'll send out a team to dispatch the bodies from the abandoned building and see if they can uncover some kind of clues or signs of whom those people were and what they were doing there. Alright?"

Both agents nodded.

"Now, the two of you go home, kiss your loved ones and thank God you have another day on this earth and that you didn't end up like the rest of your fellow agents tonight."

"Yes, Sir." Lynk said before they shook the large man's hand and retreated from his office.

"You going to be alright heading home, Liz?" Her partner asked when they stopped at the elevator.

Lizzie didn't hear him however. All she could focus on was that drawing and her encounter with the woman assassin. It can't be Casey. She kept telling herself over and over. My sister is not a murderer. She's not some badass-fighting machine either. She's just... She's... Casey.

"Elizabeth?" Lynk said as he grabbed her by the shoulder to get her attention. "Did you hear what I said?"

The confused agent shook her head to clear her thoughts and looked back at her concerned partner, "I'm sorry, L. I just have a lot on my mind."

"I don't blame you. I can't get the image of that man slicing through the agent's bodies like it was nothing out of my head. I'm afraid it's going to haunt my dreams." He grimaced while stuffing his hands inside his pockets and staring at the floor.

"Just remember what we were taught in training: Don't focus on the ugly; focus on what can be changed."

"It's easier said than done." He scoffed.

"Are you going to be alright tonight?" She asked with a slight smirk.

He finally winked at her and a bit of his former playful self was back, "I'd be better if you came home with me."

Lizzie laughed as she punched him on the arm and the doors dinged open, "In your dreams, Carver."

"I'll gladly dream of you instead of what happened tonight." He smiled and Lizzie felt herself blush slightly as they began to descend.

Her partner draped an arm over her shoulder and pulled her close to his side as his expression turned serious once again, "I really am glad you're alive, Liz."

Lizzie looked up at him and then pulled him into an embrace, "The same goes for you, L."

(=)

Lizzie's apartment

Downtown Toronto

8:52 AM

Urrrr Urrrr Urrrr

Lizzie groaned as she turned over in bed and grabbed her vibrating phone from the night table and answered the jerk who had disrupted her sleep, or lack thereof. She'd maybe gotten two hours of shut-eye due to the fact that she couldn't stop thinking about Casey and ended up staring at Lynk's drawing of the female assassin most of the night.

"Hello?" She croaked into the iPhone.

"Elizabeth; I'm sorry to wake you up," replied her handler, Agent Reese.

"It's fine. I was about to force myself out of bed soon anyway." Lizzie said as she sat up and stretched. She could tell by the tone of Jaymi's voice that something was wrong.

"What's going on?"

"You need to come into Headquarters immediately."

"Jaymi, tell me what happened." She demanded somberly.

"I... I don't even know how to say it..."

"You're starting to worry me. Is Lynk okay?"

"Your partner is fine. His handler is on the phone with him as we speak."

"So then what has you so jumbled? You might as well tell me now."

Agent Reese sighed on the other end of the line before continuing in a bewildered tone, "They're… They're gone, Elizabeth."

"Who is gone?"

"The agents, our dead agents."

"What do you mean? You saying they turned into zombies or something?"

"I'm saying that Kluess sent out a team to retrieve their bodies and scope out the crime scene but when they arrived the bodies were all gone and the place had been swiped clean."

"How is that possible?"

"That's not all. We were just informed that the building had been demolished. Our guys barely got out before a wrecking ball crashed through the walls. They're interrogating the workers hired to demolish the building right now. Apparently though, it had been scheduled for wreckage weeks ago."

"And they didn't see what happened to our agents bodies?"

"They saw nothing. They arrived on scene at 8 this morning and the sight was clear."

"This doesn't make sense. If the building was scheduled for demolishment then why would whoever killed our people care to retrieve their bodies and clean the place?"

"I don't know, Elizabeth, but I have a feeling there is a lot more to this that we don't understand."

"I'll be there as soon as I can." Lizzie said as she hung up the phone and immediately began to dress.

Her phone started to ring again and she pressed talk without looking at the caller.

"Hey, I'm on my way, I-"

"Hey, Lizard. How's my favorite stepsister?" Her oldest stepbrother Derek's voice said on the other line, catching her off guard. Derek never called her unless he wanted a favor...

She decided to play along with him even though she was in a hurry and not in the mood to talk. Unless he knows something about Casey... She realized as her eyes widened. Why else would Derek be calling? Does he know something?

"Derek; this is quite the surprise." She answered him while pulling on a pair of black leggings. "And we both know who your real favorite stepsister is, considering she's your girlfriend." She scoffed with humor while pulling on a sports bra and a shirt.

"Uh... Yeah." He sounded unsure of that.

Did something happen between him and Casey?

"You know," Lizzie continued to speak, "I was actually going to call you. I can't seem to get a hold of Casey. Do you know where she is?"

Which wasn't a lie. She tried calling her sister when she got home last night. Casey wasn't exactly easy to reach half the time, but she was pretty loyal to answering her phone when a family member was calling, especially Lizzie. It didn't even matter if it was the middle of the night or not.

"Look, I'm in TO and I was wondering if we could get together?" Derek avoided answering her question.

"What are you doing in Toronto? Is Casey with you?"

"I had a work assignment here. I was hoping we could go for breakfast or something...?"

"Derek, you realize I do have a job, right?"

"Yeah, what is it you do again?" He asked and there seemed to be a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"I'm a soccer coach and I also work at a research firm."

"Research, huh?"

{Lizzie wouldn't remember that Casey used to use the same cover job for her work because any trace of Casey, Derek and their team being affiliated with R.E.D. had even been erased from their family and friend's minds as well.}

"Derek, is there something going on that you're not telling me? Why do you keep skirting around the issue of my sister and her whereabouts?"

"Just tell me you'll meet me for breakfast and we can talk."

Lizzie groaned. She really didn't have time for this, but yet she also knew it was important. If this had something to do with Casey, it may help put her mind at ease about her sister and that woman from the other night being the same person.

Please let whatever Derek has to say be good news. She thought to herself before replying on the phone, "Fine. Where do you want to meet, Derek?"

"There's a cafe about a block away from your place that has the best French vanilla and chocolate chip muffins. Do you know it?"

"Yes... But how the do you know where I live?"

"I have my ways." She could picture him smirking.

"You asked Marti, didn't you?" She deadpanned.

"Just meet me at the cafe in a half hour." He said before hanging up.

Lizzie rolled her eyes as she finished changing and realized she needed to think up an excuse for not going into Headquarters right away since nobody knew about her Casey dilemma.

'My stepbrother is in town' will not suffice the major crisis we're dealing with... She let out another sigh as she began to call Agent Reese back.

This is going to be a long day...

(=)

The Muffin Man Café

Downtown Toronto

9:18 AM

Derek was stressing as he sat in the corner booth of the quaint downtown cafe, sipping on a delicious French vanilla.

He arrived in the middle of the night with a team of multiple agents to clean up the warehouse the fake blood trackers led them to. They collected the unconscious bodies that Casey had taken down. The eight men and women would be taken back to The Swan Headquarters until the case was over and didn't risk blowing Casey's cover. The actual dead bodies that had been sliced open by Casey's African comrade were taken as well. It would look suspicious if only half their agent's bodies were left at the scene.

Derek was beyond relieved to see that Lizzie had made it out of the building before they arrived, which meant they couldn't take her captive along with the other agents.

He was already on his second chocolate chip muffin as he took another bite and chewed nervously, while simultaneously keeping a look out at the door to the shop, hoping his younger stepsister would be there soon, or else he'd have to loosen his belt loop for another tasty treat to satisfy his unease.

How am I supposed to convince Liz that Casey is doing fine and is not the woman she fought last night? He thought to himself with a frown. She's already suspicious and asking questions… I've never been able to successfully lie to her for some reason... The kid has always seen through me.

He looked up at the door just as his youngest stepsister walked through wearing black leggings, a purple v-neck t-shirt and a white beanie on her head. He gulped down the piece of muffin on his mouth and tried to act casual as she made eye contact and waved. She gestured to the counter, letting him know she was ordering before coming over, which he was relieved about. I still have some time to think up some kind of believable excuse... I really don't want to erase my sister's memories. He thought to himself.

Agent Kessler was standing outside the shop in case Derek messed it up and needed assistance. The agency obviously didn't trust him enough to get the job done on his own if it came down to it. Kessler gave him a half hour before he decided to former hockey star scowled bitterly at the fact that they still treated him like a rookie agent as he took a sip of his French Vanilla. I can do this. I don't need a babysitter.

"What's got your expression so down-turned?" A familiar voice asked as Lizzie took a seat in the booth across from him with a chai latte and lemon cranberry loaf. "I thought you said you enjoyed the food here?"

He shook his head and immediately forced a smile, "It's nothing." He lied instantly and then gestured at her head with a curious grin. "What's with the hat? Isn't Toronto in the middle of a heat-wave right now?"

She shrugged indifferently and tore a piece of the loaf off to place in her mouth. "It compliments my outfit." He knew it was a lie and that she was really just trying to cover the damage on her head from fighting Casey, but decided not to press the subject. There were more pressing matters they needed to take care of. "Anyway… quit trying to change the subject, Derek. I know when something is bothering you." She said with a know-it-all smirk. "So why don't you tell me why you're suddenly in Toronto and where my sister is?"

"Wow..." Derek drawled with sarcasm. "It's great to see you, Liz, I've missed you too."

Lizzie sighed remorsefully, "I'm sorry for cutting to the chase so quickly but this obviously involves Casey, so I'd like for you to explain why she hasn't answered any of my phone calls."

The former hockey star rubbed the back of his neck before leaning forward and clasping his hands together on the tabletop.

"Casey and I... Uh... We sort of broke up..." Lizzie's eyes widened at his words.

"What? When? Why?"

"It's... complicated."

"So where is she then?"

He shrugged. "She needed some time apart and took a job assignment out of town."

"What kind of job assignment?"

"The kind that caused her to forget her phone." Derek said as he took out Casey's cell from his pocket and handed it to the young woman. "That's why she hasn't answered any calls."

"Why would Casey forget her phone, Derek? She's never been forgetful."

"She... She just wasn't in the right mind I guess. All she cared about was getting away from me." He cringed at the brash truth of the statement.

"What did you do?" She frowned at him. "Marti had mentioned you two being in a fight but you convinced her it was no big deal. What happened?"

"How come I'm the one to always blame first when we fight?"

Lizzie paused as she looked at him and realized how much he was actually hurting.

"Derek, what happened? Where is Casey?" She softened her tone while staring into his eyes, begging him to let her in.

"I-I... I proposed to her." He choked out, "and she declined."

Lizzie's expression fell instantly, "What do you mean? Why would she do that?"

"Like I said, Liz, it's complicated."

"Have you told anyone? Do mom and George know?"

"No, so please don't say anything. If she returns, I want to hopefully work things out."

"If?"

"I-I mean when."

Lizzie frowned, "You still haven't told me where she is."

"She didn't want me to know. She said she needed time to herself. She's fine though. Her roommate said she called a few days ago."

"So why hasn't she called me?"

"Maybe she will?"

"That's not good enough for me, Derek." She narrowed her eyes with a frown. The image of the drawing flashing through her mind again.

"Why are you suddenly so eager to speak to Casey anyway?" Derek asked while leaning forward on his elbows placed atop the table. "From what I've heard, you haven't been in much contact with the family lately either. Why is that exactly?"

"You're one to speak, Derek." She scowled. "Besides, is it a crime to miss my older sister? We haven't seen each other since Christmas, and even that was short-lived because the two of you couldn't wait to return to your new country." She scoffed bitterly.

"Do you have something against where we live?" He raised a brow.

"No. I just don't understand why you two needed to move so far away."

"Our jobs required it."

"The jobs you hardly speak of..." She scoffed.

"What about your job, Liz?" Derek suddenly snapped. "I don't seem to recall much of a description about it. What exactly kind of "research" do you do?" He air-quoted with his fingers.

Lizzie stared into his accusing eyes for moment and wondered if Derek knew more about her job than he was letting on.

He couldn't know what I really do though... Could he? Does that mean he knows about Casey as well? Has she really become some kind of assassin and he's hear to try to cover it up?

As the two step siblings glared across the table at one another, a man clearing his throat soon broke the broke eye contact to look up at the middle-aged man with graying dark hair, dressed in a blue suit and wearing sunglasses standing over their table. He had one hand inside his jacket pocket while the other was placed at his side.

Lizzie watched recognition flash in Derek's eyes. He knew the man.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt but I was wondering if either of you could tell me the time? I seemed to have forgotten my phone at home and my wife is needing me to pick up our dog from the pet groomers at eleven." The man spoke.

Lizzie watched Derek's reaction turn to fret while also trying to remain nonchalant by this "stranger's" sudden stepbrother glanced at the watch attached to his wrist before speaking in a biting tone, "It is not quite eleven yet; maybe ten minutes or so more. I'm sure you can make it to the groomers in time with no worries."

They're speaking in code. Lizzie concluded with widened eyes.

"Well it's always best to be early instead of late. Consequences can be a pain." The man replied curtly.

What are they referring to? Lizzie wondered. And why would Derek be speaking in code around me in the first place? Does it have to do with Casey?

"What kind of dog do you have, Sir?" She interjected while taking a sip of her chai. "If you don't mind me asking. I'm quite the dog lover."

The man smiled politely as he broke his gaze from Derek and turned her way. "He's a Havanese dog. My wife, Patricia, and I have had him for over three years now. We couldn't have kids, so opted for a dog instead."

"Havanese is a great breed." Lizzie smiled. "Very well behaved."

"Uh, yes," Derek added. "And very loyal too. I'm sure you can trust him with anything." He emphasized.

"Yes, well even so... It's not polite to leave him at the groomers for longer than necessary either."

"Like I said, you still have time." Derek ground out with narrowed eyes as he drank the rest of his coffee.

"I'm sorry," Lizzie said, "but do you know this man, Derek?"

"Of course not. Why would you think that?" He said it so convincingly that Lizzie

wondered herself if she was just reading too much into the interaction.

"Well I appreciate you giving me the time. I better get going. When my wife needs a job done, I aim to do it correctly or else she'll have my head." The man chuckled before waving goodbye and exiting the cafe with one final glance at her stepbrother.

Lizzie let out a sigh as she felt her phone vibrating in her pocket, knowing it was work. She promised she wouldn't take long to get there and knew her presence was needed. However, she had a feeling Derek was keeping something from her, something to do with Casey. She intended to find out what that was first.

"I know you didn't just come here to argue about our jobs, Derek, so what's really going on? It doesn't sound like my sister to break up with you after you proposed to her and then just up and leave without caring to notify anyone of her whereabouts. There's more to it that you're not telling me; isn't there?"

"Can't you just trust me when I say that Casey is fine?" He was becoming irritated.

"I want to... But not until I have proof."

"You're making it sound like I murdered her and am trying to cover it up. She is fine, Liz. Your sister just needed some time to herself. I'm sure you'll hear from her within a couple of days."

Before Lizzie could reply, her cell started vibrating in her pocket once again and she knew she'd better answer it before they started to worry.

"I'll be right back." She told Derek as she stood up, and walked outside, making sure no one was around before answering.

"Agent McDonald." She spoke into the phone.

"Elizabeth!" Lynk's voice responded immediately. "Where the hell are you? Colonel Kluess has been waiting for you to arrive. Our agent's bodies are missing! When you didn't answer I thought-"

"I'm fine, L. I already know about the bodies."

"Then why aren't you here?"

"I'm following up on a possible lead." She responded without thinking.

"What do you mean? What lead?"

"I..." Crap! She internally cursed. I can't tell him about Casey or Derek. Not yet. "Look, tell Kluess I'm on my way now."

"But, Liz..." Before Lynk could finish his sentence, she'd hung up her phone with a frown.

Great... Now what will I say when I get there?

Lizzie sighed as she returned to the booth Derek was sitting in, busily typing out a text on his phone.

"Derek, that was work calling. I'm already late and there's a lot of research waiting for me, so can we talk maybe tonight?"

He glanced up at her, his brown orbs masking a pained expression as he shook his head."I can't. I need to get back to Washington this afternoon. Work needs me as well. There's not much else I have to say anyway. Just trust me when I tell you that Casey is alright."

"I do trust you, Derek... It's just that..."

"Then don't over-think things, Lizzie." Derek cut her off. "One of the reasons Casey couldn't handle my proposal was because she was over-thinking everything and already worrying about the future instead of just living in the now. I've had to give her the space she needs and you need to do the same. She will contact you when she is ready."

"How are you so certain?"

"Because it's Casey." He shrugged. "Family means more to her than anything else. Nothing in this world could jeopardize her devotion to the ones she loves, even a disagreement with me."

"I hope you're right, Derek." The young agent sighed.

Maybe I really was seeing things last night? It couldn't have been Casey that knocked me out in that building and killed all those people. Maybe Lynk really did draw the scar wrong in her chin and Casey didn't recognize me when we fought...? Maybe...

Derek placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and smiled her way, "Look, once things have cooled down between Case and I, we'd love to have you come visit us in D.C."

"You really have faith that your relationship can be mended?" She quirked a curious brow.

Doubt flashed in his gaze but was quickly covered up with a grin, "Your sister and I are soul mates. No matter how messed up our relationship is, we were always meant to be together. I've loved her since I met her, Liz. We'll work it out. Don't worry."

Before she could respond, her phone once again started vibrating. Lizzie groaned as she pressed talk, ready to snap at her partner for being impatient, however the voice on the other end caused her to remain speechless.

"Hey, Lizzie; it's Casey."

Please let me know what you think about Lizzie being in R.E.D. and any theories you may have on the story. I'd love to hear them. It was fun being back at R.E.D. again and seeing some familiar characters. There will probably be more Lizzie P.O.V.s to come.