Just a quick little story that came to mind recently. It is a movie type style of story, so not going in depth with characters like I sometimes do. Trigger in place for some scenes of violence. Enjoy!

2018

Kate Macer was peeling the label of her beer bottle as she sat in the bar and watched people laughing, dancing, kissing, groping, drinking, and being rude to the bartender when he tried to cut someone off for the night. It was a typical Friday evening, but Kate couldn't fully enjoy it because she had to work in the morning. It was 8am to 8pm, but she still dreaded it.

"Don't you look like a sad little puppy," Reggie Wayne commented as he rejoined her at the table with a fresh drink. She shot him a look. "Hey, now. It's not my fault you got nailed to work this weekend." He smirked at her over the rim of his glass, and she flipped him off, making him laugh. She shook her head and went back to scanning the bar. Yes, she'd been cajoled into switching shifts with Garrett because he had a family thing come up he had to deal with. No, she wasn't exactly happy about it, but no one else was going to offer, and Garrett was desperate.

It also helped that he promised her a free 24 pack of the beer of her choice.

"Is that her?" Reggie asked suddenly, sitting upright sharply. She bit down her smirk and turned her head to look as well. There was a woman who came in here every so often, and Reggie was still trying to work up the nerve to talk to her. It was quite adorable, and Kate teased him for it every chance she got.

"I can't tell," she said. "Why don't you go up to her and find out?"

"No, no way," Reggie answered, shaking his head and sinking back down into his chair.

"What is with you and this girl?" Kate inquired. "It's not that hard to ask someone out."

"Oh yea? When's the last time you asked someone out?" he challenged back. She rolled her eyes, giving her head a shake. "My point exactly, so don't tell me how easy it is."

Kate rested her chin on her hand and tried not to feel irritated with how right he was. Ever since the incident with Ted, she had been a little bit gun shy with trusting strangers, even though Ted had technically been an acquaintance of Reggie's. She'd tried dating here and there, but nothing really stuck. She was content to be alone for now, but it did get lonely sometimes.

"Hey," Reggie said now, getting her attention. "That guy's been eyeing you up for a bit now."

"Who?" She went to look when Reggie grabbed her hand to stop her.

"Don't look," he chastised.

"Then how am I supposed to know if I'm even interested back?" Kate asked.

"Hang on." Reggie pulled out his phone, swiped and tapped a few times, and then held his phone up to take her picture. "Smile!"

Kate stuck her tongue out, and he chuckled as he took the photo. Then he set his phone on the table and slid it over to her. Kate looked down at the zoomed in shot of her and saw the guy in the background with his head turned to the left slightly, eyes facing the crowd. She felt the seed of attraction grow inside of her. If he was checking her out, she definitely wanted to check him out.

"Interesting," she said, sliding the phone back to Reggie. "I'll bite."

"You want me to interrogate him first?"

"No," she retorted, finishing her beer and standing up to get another. Two was her limit tonight, unfortunately. "I'll figure it out, thanks."

"Okay then."

She walked to the bar, finding the bartender overwhelmed and rushing around. She didn't mind the wait, leaning against the bar and idly looking into the direction of her admirer. A jolt went through her when she found him already looking at her. His expression didn't really give much away, but she could see he was very interested in her. She couldn't help but notice he was wearing a casual suit, the top two buttons on his shirt undone. He must be some kind of businessman.

"What the hell," she said to herself after the bartender got her attention. She signaled for one, and he slid the bottle towards her. She looked over at Reggie, who was watching, and tilted her head in the direction of mystery man. Reggie nodded in understanding. Kate made her way through the people and wound up at the man's table.

"Like what you see?" she asked, standing just in front of him. His face broke into a smile now.

"I dunno," he replied, and she liked his voice. It fed her attraction level a bit more. "I'm more of a 'beauty is within' kind of guy."

"Really," she said, cocking her head. "Then I should probably keep walking because it's pretty ugly under there."

"Yea?"

"I think so." She gave a slight shrug with one shoulder.

"Maybe I'll get the chance to find out," he said next.

"I don't really let anyone get that close anymore," she replied. He held her gaze, making her feel tingles all over.

"That's too bad. I think if you did, you'd let them see that you are, in fact, more beautiful inside than you give yourself credit for."

Kate felt like she needed to suddenly put a wall up. This happened more often than not. She really didn't like letting people get close to her. Reggie was an exception and only because he was her best friend and nagged her too much.

"Take it or leave it," she said now, moving to walk away. "Offer expires once I reach my friend back there." He didn't say anything, and she felt a bit disappointed as she started to walk away. She'd let herself imagine what a night together with him would look like. She knew it was a bit crazy to shack up with someone she just met and barely talked to, but it suddenly had seemed like a temporary cure for her loneliness, and there was just something about him that drew her to him.

She was just about to Reggie when a hand cupped her lower back, making her turn her head to see mystery man standing there.

"Your place or mine?" he asked.

"Yours," she answered. She wasn't really up for letting him know where she lived.

"I'll be waiting outside," he said. She felt her heart race as he went on out ahead of her. She paused at Reggie's table, taking another two swigs of her beer first.

"And that's how it's done," she told him, wiping at her mouth and setting it down on the table in front of him. "Go talk to that girl already!"

"You going? Seriously?" Reggie asked. "You sure about this?"

"I will text you all information of where I am and what time I'll be contacting you. If I don't by the arranged time, come get me."

"Okay."

He held out his fist, and she scoffed as she bumped it with hers. He grinned, and she grabbed her jacket before going outside. Mystery man was leaning against a very nice car. Kate was pretty sure he was loaded if he was riding around in something like that.

"Just for me?" she asked, resting a hand on the car. "You didn't have to go through all that trouble. A beat up jeep would have been just fine."

He chuckled as he opened the door for her. She was feeling more and more attracted to him as this went on. He wasn't really giving her a dangerous vibe. He was definitely confident, but not in a controlling way. She felt a little surprised when he pulled into the parking lot of a hotel.

"You live here?" she asked, lifting a brow.

"I'm just passing through," he answered. "That good with you?"

"Just fine with me," she replied. Even better. She never had to see him again if this ended disastrously. They walked inside, and she noticed how the staff greeted him warmly and made small talk with him. He was personable, which was another quality she liked in a man.

They got into the elevator, and Kate was feeling her nerve wearing off. How did she really know if this was safe? She'd texted Reggie the hotel name and when they got to his room, she texted the room number as well. She told him if he didn't hear from her in 40 minutes, he should get there stat.

There wasn't much in the room aside from two duffel bags and a briefcase. Kate felt like this guy's story of passing through was legit. She took off her jacket, and he took it from her to hang up.

Just like a gentleman.

She suddenly felt awkward and unprepared for this. She was in jeans and an old t-shirt for crying out loud. Not the right attire to seduce someone.

"Drink?" he asked, moving past her.

"Uh, no," she answered. "I'm working in the morning."

"That's no fun," he said with a knowing smile.

"Tell me about it."

"Then to be fair, I won't either," he advised. She crossed her arms and gave him a look.

"You don't have to suffer just because I am."

"I don't really drink that much anyway," he stated.

"Alcoholic?" she asked. Something flickered across his face, and she felt slightly worried. Had she upset him?

"My father was," he said softly. "I'm not interested in repeating patterns."

"Fair enough."

"You do this often?" he asked, gesturing.

"Not really," she admitted. "And I really shouldn't since the last guy tried to kill me."

He looked concerned, so she felt the immediate need to fill him in and reassure him it was fine.

"It was work related. He got arrested," she said quickly. "It's all good."

"Well, I can guarantee you that I have zero intention of trying to take your life," he assured her. "That's a promise."

"That's a relief," Kate said with a nervous laugh. She didn't know what else to do or say, and he seemed to sense her hesitation.

"There's really no pressure here," he told her, stopping in front of her. "Just so you know." She was about to say she'd changed her mind when he reached to trace her cheek with his finger. The moment he touched her, she was a goner. Her entire being was screaming for affection, and if he was willing to give that to her, then she'd take it. She caught the nape of his neck with her hand and pulled him into her, his mouth catching hers easily and making her lose all track of time and space. He put his arms around her, and she looped hers around his neck.

By the time they reached his bed, she had absolutely no regrets.

...

Kate woke up early, pushing the hair out of her face as she lifted her head to look at his sleeping form. He was on his back with an arm over his head. She blushed and felt her toes curl again at the memory of all they'd done last night. She hadn't taken him for the type of being attentive, but he definitely had been. She hadn't even minded when he took over at times, curious at what he'd do and finding the end result well worth it. The entire experience had left her wanting more, but she knew this was just a one time thing.

"Something on my face?" he asked without opening his eyes. She felt caught but knew he wasn't upset.

"Just admiring you before I leave and never see you again," she replied. He smiled slowly, opening one eye finally to look at her.

"No regrets?" he asked.

"None." She smiled.

"Me either."

She sat up slowly, knowing she had to leave soon in order to get to work on time.

"Well," she said. "You certainly know what you're doing."

"Always nice to hear." He smirked.

"I do have to go, though," she said reluctantly.

"Right. The job."

"Yea." She gave a rueful smile before moving to get up, but he caught her waist and pulled her back down.

"This won't take long," he murmured in her ear, and she let him make her come undone all over again.

...

Her hair was still wet as she hurried into the FBI field office and tied it back as she trotted. She had to change quickly and then could get started. She was only five minutes late.

"What the hell, Macer?" Henrietta said as she scooted past the main desk, a deep frown on the woman's dark complexion. Her black hair was up tight in a bun as usual, her hazel eyes holding an impatient snap in them. "You're late!"

"Sorry!"

"He better have been worth it!"

Kate just smiled, mentally reminding herself to kick Reggie's ass for sharing. She got to her locker and pulled out her fresh pair of cargo pants and grey t-shirt. It would have to do.

Her mind wandered to her goodbye with her date. They hadn't exchanged names, which she was fine with. He'd surprised her by kissing her softly and holding her close before she left for work, as if they'd known each other all their lives. She'd declined his offer of driving her and took a cab instead. She'd get a ride to her car after her shift.

"I hate paperwork," Trent complained when she came around to her desk, which was next to his.

"Then why do you let it pile up so much?" she asked, laughing. He scratched at his short/shaggy blonde hair absently. He always had women fawning over him with his blonde hair and blue eyes. He bragged that people said he looked like Brad Pitt. Kate couldn't really see it.

"I don't know..." He trailed off.

"Have you heard back from ATF yet?" Carla inquired, appearing suddenly. She was in her usual stance: arms crossed with a tight jaw. Her dirty blonde hair was down today, a coldness in her green/blue eyes as usual. Kate always hated when her boss just popped up from nowhere. She missed her old boss sometimes. He was more hands off.

"Not yet," Kate replied, searching her notes. There was nothing there from ATF that she could see.

"Okay. Report to me as soon as you do."

"I will."

Trent made a face once Carla was gone (he wasn't really a fan) and sighed heavily, scratching the back of his head again as he stared at his paperwork with dread. Kate refrained from laughing at him again as she got settled. Aside from him, Carla, and Henrietta, there were about eight other staff there working today: Royce, Lola, Victor, Mason, Greta, Halley, Derrick, and Peter. They dubbed themselves The Weekenders when they were on shift together. Everyone mostly kept to themselves, trying to just get the day done and over with. Kate was studying her current file that she really needed to work on anyway. It was a cold case, something she delved a bit more into these days. She had stepped back from kidnap cases a little bit ever since she'd lost the six year old boy to his maniac father. It still gave her nightmares.

Her mind wandered again to last night and this morning, and she felt the smile grow on her lips as she did so. It was too bad she'd never see him again. She'd let herself think about what it'd be like to date him and get to know him fully. Sure, they'd done some small talk about siblings and parents and such, but they didn't get into deep topics or what they did for work or anything. That was the whole point of a one night stand, really.

"Why are you grinning like an idiot?" Trent asked, making her look at him.

"Huh?"

"You're wearing the dumbest look on your face," he said, gesturing. "Like you got some last night or something."

Kate sighed. She knew he already knew and was seeing what she'd cough up. She was pretty certain there was some sort of bet going on behind her back...courtesy of Reggie, of course. She'd get him back for this.

"I'm just thinking about the cute puppy I saw on my way to work," she lied. "Sooo cute. I almost kidnapped it for my own."

Trent rolled his eyes but stopped pestering her. She went back to her work and prayed the day would not last forever.

...

Kate got a lift back to the bar from Trent after her shift to get her car, but she couldn't help but see his car there again. She faltered by her car door, wondering what she should do. Was he there looking for her again? Or was he there for someone new? Maybe he was just a player after all.

She looked at the bar entrance. Did she dare go back in there to find him? Did she really want to spend another night with him?

Hell yes.

Her feet led her back inside, and she found him at the same table. It was as if he was waiting for her because he was watching the door and smiled wide when she walked through it.

"Did you come back here hoping I'd be thirsty again tonight?" she asked when she stopped in front of him. He got to his feet and stood squared off from her.

"I wasn't sure how you felt about two night stands," he replied. "But I thought it was worth a try."

"If you want me, I'm all yours," she stated. He hooked his fingers into her pant pockets and pulled her closer to him. She felt wobbly inside at being so close to him again.

"I definitely want you," he said.

"Then what are you waiting for?"

He kissed her, and she forgot they were in a bar. After a bit, they left, and Kate drove herself to his hotel room so she could have her car tomorrow morning. They were barely in the elevator before starting it up again. Once inside his room, there was no stopping it. She loved his hands on her waist, her sides, in her hair. She loved how he pressed her against the wall as he kissed her...how he let her push him around a little...how he got everything just right and then some.

"I have to admit I was surprised to see you again," she confessed when they were curled up together in bed afterwards.

"I couldn't stop thinking about you," he admitted.

"You're still leaving?"

"Unfortunately."

Kate felt that feeling in the pit of her stomach: dread. She couldn't understand why she was feeling it. She knew this was short lived. She played with his fingers, feeling some calluses on his palm. She'd noticed some scars on his body that morning but didn't say anything. She felt like she shouldn't ask. The ones on his back made her think he'd received them from a beating, and that made her think he was abused as a child, which would make sense why he didn't want to drink like his father.

She shivered.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Just cold," she lied. He pulled her closer, and she felt his heartbeat against her back slowly. She did her best to stay in this moment before it was gone. She heard her phone vibrate with a text, and she knew it would be Reggie checking in.

"The check in text?" he asked, reading her mind as she reached for her phone.

"Yea."

"You've got a good friend."

"I really do," she agreed, tapping out a response saying she was just fine. When he asked for a photo proof, she sent him a rather rude emoji gesture back, to which he replied with a photo of himself grinning hugely. She gave a snort and put the phone down, tucking back into her date.

"What's it like to have a real friend?" he asked, surprising her. She turned to look at him over her shoulder in the dark.

"You don't have any?" she inquired.

"No," he answered. "Anyone I've ever trusted has let me down. I have acquaintances, not friends."

"Oh."

"I'm fine with that," he assured her, shifting her hair and kissing the back of her neck softly.

"You must get lonely, though."

"Sometimes."

"So how do you deal with it?"

"I just do."

Kate laughed. "I hate vague. So much." She felt him grin against her shoulder.

"Sorry," he said, not sounding sorry at all. She turned to face him, reaching to hold his face in her hand. She smoothed her thumb along his lips, jaw, and cheek.

"What if moving forward," she started slowly, "whenever you get lonely, you call me?"

"I think that breaks all the rules of a one night stand," he advised.

"We already broke that," she dismissed, making him laugh.

"I think it's probably for the best that we don't," he finally said. "I'm sorry."

"It was worth a shot." She felt disappointed, but she should have known better than to ask. He kissed her then, and she rolled onto him a moment later, his hands smoothing her sides as she kissed him deeper.

It was going to be so hard to leave him, but something deep in her gut agreed with him that it was probably for the best they parted ways.

She didn't really think anyone would want to stay with her once they really got to know her anyway.

...

Kate went into work the next morning and changed her t-shirt to a white tank top and threw a black button up, long sleeved shirt over top. She regretted not having another pair of pants, but she hoped no one would notice. The Weekenders didn't say anything as she walked to her desk, so perhaps her escapades had been forgotten.

"So? How was night number two?" Trent asked the moment she sat down.

Son of a bitch.

"You know what, Trent?" she replied. "It really isn't any of your damn business."

"Whoa, and here I thought getting some mellowed people out."

"Shut up," she barked.

"Kate, anything?" Carla asked as she walked up to her. ATF again. Kate was tired of being asked about it. If she got a call, she'd bloody well tell her already.

"No," she said, barely holding back her growl.

"Alright, well keep me posted."

"Yes, ma'am."

"You know how much I hate that," Carla warned, but she was smiling. Kate gave a lopsided smile back and then bent over her work. She tried hard not to think about him or their goodbye. It had been harder this time. Letting him go had almost physically hurt, which worried her. How the hell had she gotten so attached to him already? She didn't even know his name!

The day dragged on, and by four pm, Kate was ready to go home. She was incredibly bored and tired of trying to solve something that seemed unsolvable.

"Hey," Victor said as he came into view. "Cops are dumping a guy on us." He wore a disgruntled expression on his face, his black mustache twitching and blue eyes tired. His hair was sticking up a bit, which looked an awful lot like bed head. He was always nicely tanned, which drove Greta and Halley crazy. Greta, as a redhead, always burned instead of tanned, and Halley would get white patches on her skin if she was exposed to the sun too long.

"What?" Greta asked, extremely annoyed. "Why?!"

"Said their cell was too full. It's just until tomorrow."

"It's not a drunk is it?" Trent asked, his voice a bit of a whine.

"No."

Kate tuned them out. Sometimes the field office held prisoners until bail hearings etc., and more often than not it was a black out drunk who vomited everywhere. It was something the cops liked to do to them for some reason. Trent had gotten doused in it last time, which was the cause for his alarm now.

"Not it," he said on cue. "You guys owe me."

"Ha, okay," Victor said with a snort. "Right this way, gentlemen."

Footsteps sounded, and Kate lifted her head slightly to register who they were housing overnight when her heart almost stopped.

It was him.

He met her eyes as he walked by, his hands cuffed behind him. He looked relatively harmless in his long sleeved grey shirt and cargo pants. She worked overtime to keep her mouth from falling open and her breathing steady. Trent didn't even look up as he passed, as if that would save him from being on vomit duty by not acknowledging there was even a person coming to their cell.

"W-Who is he?" she asked Victor when he came back.

"Not sure. We aren't really getting anything from the I.D. he showed us. I'll let you know when I find out more."

"Okay..."

She couldn't stand it. She waited at least five minutes before excusing herself and walking down towards the holding cells, which happened to be close to the washrooms luckily. She stopped before getting there, trying to get her wits back about her. This was probably nothing. It had to be. Just something stupid. There was no way she'd slept with another damn criminal. Not again.

She punched her code in and pulled open the door, going inside and finding him in the last cell sitting quietly on the bed. He looked at her when she stopped in front of him.

"What the hell is this?" she asked. "Who the hell are you?" She tried not to feel afraid of his answer. She'd let herself get too close to him, and this was the consequence of that. Hadn't she learned anything over the years?

"I really don't think I should..." he started.

"Bull shit!" she exclaimed, cutting him off. "You owe me that at least! What is your damn name?! And why are you here?!"

He pressed his lips together for a moment before exhaling roughly. His hands were free now, so he ran one over his head while he contemplated his answer.

"Alright," he said. "I can trust you with this."

"Don't expect any trust back in return," she warned.

"Noted."

"Go on then," she urged. "Answer the questions."

"Okay," he said, getting up and moving closer to her. She took a small step back out of reflex, which he noticed. He looked almost sad. "My name is Deckard Shaw, and I'm here on a tip about something I'm working on. You have to get out of here, Kate. You're not safe here."

She felt all the hair on her arms and neck stand up straight. He knew her name. She'd never once uttered it or left her things around for him to look at, so how had he known her name?!

"I was a mark," she whispered. "Wasn't I?"

"No," he answered sharply, making her flinch. "You weren't."

"What thing are you working on? Why are you in this building specifically?"

"I can't tell you anymore," he insisted. She scoffed and paced for a moment, raking her hand through her hair, which was down today.

"Did you do something to intentionally get in here?" she demanded. When he didn't answer, she took that as a yes. She knew she was running out of time and had to leave, but she wanted more answers. She still felt so lost.

"This isn't over," she said, pointing at him as she moved to the door.

"Kate," Deckard called, making her stop at the door and turn to look at him. "I'm serious. Get out of here."

"What could possibly be so dangerous about a room full of FBI agents?" she asked.

"A room full of FBI agents where one is corrupt," he answered. "That's what I'm worried about."

"Someone is corrupt? No way. Now I know you're lying."

"Someone in here is linked to what I'm working on, and they'll have called it in by now. I'm a danger to leave lying around to some people, so they're gonna come and take care of the problem."

Kate stared at him. It all felt so surreal, like a damn movie almost.

"Nice try," she said. "I don't buy it for a second. You conned me, and you're trying to con me again. I won't fall for it." She put her code in and yanked the door open.

"Kate!"

She let it slam shut, not even caring. As she made her way to her desk, she tried very hard not to feel worried about what might possibly be coming their way or if someone she worked with was indeed really corrupt.