I'm glad to hear that the story seems to be alright so far. Thanks for the reviews letting me know! :)

During the first part of this chapter there is a song being played in the background, and even if I have no idea sure how well this will work, I wanted to give you the link to the song so you could have it playing in the background while you read as well. It might add to the atmosphere of the scene I try to portray. Or it might not. Like I said, I have no idea how it will work… but I figured I might as well give you the possibility to try it out if you'd like. And if you don't, well, that's obviously not at all a problem. :)

Unfortunately I just now realize it seems as if I can't post a link here though, so if anyone is interested you can instead just go to youtube and search for "Eye of the Tiger" with Survivor. A correct version seems to be the first one coming up.

"Good morning Los Angeles!" a bright and cheerful voice sounded from the car radio. "It looks like it's going be another beautiful day here in the city, so it's just to grab your board, rollerblades or just a wonderful spirit and get out to greet the day. I'm DJ Marty, and here's Survivor's hit "Eye of the Tiger" to start you off with a perfect morning…"

Kelly sighed jadedly at the almost sickeningly cheerful radio speaker, and sank down a bit deeper in the driver's seat, letting her left arm leave the steering wheel to instead relax on the inside of the car door. Despite the fact that it indeed was a beautiful day and she had the other night successfully solved another case with her partners, an overly-excited radio broadcaster was just not what she at the moment wanted to hear. It just didn't seemed to match with her own currently conception of the world and that others seemed to be able to feel so optimistic annoyed her. The music that now instead came from the radio was a welcomed change. But not really listening to it, she just absent-mindedly let the sound fill the car as she almost automatically drove towards the office.

Like always after a solved case Charlie had called them in to the office for a concluding meeting this morning and, despite how annoying the feeling was, she wasn't exactly looking forward to it. Not that it was anything special with the meeting, anything that entitled her indifference; she simply didn't have energy for it. But she couldn't say she wasn't surprised that she felt that way. It was the same old pessimism she had felt a lot lately.

Although, it seemed as if she quite skilfully had managed to push her thoughts aside as soon as she stepped into her role at work, careful not to let it affect either her work or let it be known by her colleagues. But now, when she wasn't on a case anymore, it seemed as if her gloominess could again gleam a bit stronger. Despite how much she disliked it.

She sighed heavily before she forced herself not to think about it. But driving the way she knew inside and out it was hard to find something else to focus on. Somehow the radio caught her unconscious attention, and even if she didn't quite realized she was listening to the song, she suddenly felt how she got even more ill at ease as she registered it's pumped up, inspirational beat and lyrics about keeping on, fighting to survive. She didn't even know how many times she heard the hit song, but somehow it this time just seemed to have some kind of influence on her. And she did not like it.

Completely wrapped up in the song, she almost didn't notice when she automatically pulled up in front of the office and turned off the ignition key. Suddenly she just didn't feel to have the energy to even get out. Disheartened she just sat there, her hands on the steering wheel, staring out the window. She didn't even notice when someone walked up to the car and tapped her window.

Startled she turned around and saw Kris standing on the other side of the window with a smile on her face. For just a brief moment the joyful sight somehow lifted her spirit and made her forget about her gloominess, but as she pulled herself back to reality again the good moment vanished just as quickly as it had appeared. Bewildered she looked back at Kris.

Seeing she got her friend's attention, Kris impatiently opened the door. "I noticed you arrived but wondered what happened when you didn't get out," she explained, before peaking inside the car wondering whatever could have kept her friend. When she could see nothing special, she instead looked puzzled at Kelly, "what are you doing?"

"Uhm…," Kelly stammered, not really knowing what she was doing herself. "Nothing," she then finished abruptly as her pessimism caught up with her. And really not in the mood to talk about it, she swiftly turned away her gaze and grabbed her purse from the passenger seat, before she quickly got out from the car.

Kris looked at her friend a bit surprised, as she automatically stepped aside to let Kelly get out. Ever since they waved Julie off at the airport more than a week ago, Kris had noticed Kelly seemed a bit edgy. During their case this week she had seemed fine enough though, but every now and then Kris had noticed small things hinting that something wasn't quite right.

But seeing Kelly was already on her way to the building, she hadn't time to stand and think about it, and instead she rushed after her.

Kelly however didn't care to wait, but still she couldn't help but frown uneasily for herself as she with hurried steps headed for the door. She knew she had left Kris a bit startled by the car, but she simply wasn't ready to face her if she decided to ask her of what was going on. Because even if she thought she had managed quite well to keep her troubles for herself, Kelly knew that Kris had figured something out. That she hadn't brought it up yet was, despite the reasons, really appreciated. And wanting it to keep it like that for as long as possible, Kelly had to force herself to try and act a bit more normal, as she noticed Kris reaching up with her.

"So did you get home alright last night?" she said as casually as she could and turned around to face her friend, as they walked through the lobby.

"Uhm…," Kris looked at her a bit bewildered at Kelly's change of heart. But understanding what her friend was getting at, Kris let it be and instead acted along. "Yeah," she nodded. And remembering how completely worn out she was after their late, and quite tiresome, stake out last night, she added with a knowing glance. "And then I stumbled straight to bed. Feel asleep the second I hit the pillow."

Kelly smiled. Although it wasn't that much because of what Kris was saying, but because she had let Kelly be for yet another time. With a distressing feeling in her stomach she couldn't help but wonder how long she would though.

Letting Kelly be absorbed in her thoughts for the time being, Kris walked silently beside her to the office.

But as they walked inside the office and saw Bosley sitting at his usual place by the desk, Kris smiled and cheerfully greeted him, "Morning Bos!"

Before any of the other two could share any greetings, the phone interrupted them. With only a nod in the angels' direction Bosley put Charlie on the speaker phone.

"Good morning angels!" they heard the familiar voice of their boss. "And congratulation on a job well done. You never stop to amaze me," Charlie continued, sounding genuinely impressed by his employees' good work at the last case.

Kelly smiled vaguely, but didn't have the energy to reply. It amazed her to how they always seemed to manage.

Kris on the other hand, seemed very much grateful for the recognition, and smiled widely. "Why thank you Charlie. That's very kind of you."

Charlie chuckled happily. "You deserve it angels. It was a tough one and you did very well," he said before he went on talking about the case. And for the continuing half hour or so the angels and Bosley filled Charlie in on what had actually happened last night, while Charlie in return briefed them on how thankful their client was that they had figuring out the truth.

"Well, like I said, you did a great job," Charlie then admitted as the information exchange ran to its end. "You almost have me convinced you don't need a third angel."

Kris smiled of yet another kind word from her boss. He really seemed to be in a good mood today. But his words did not only please her, she also got quite hopeful. "So does that mean you won't hire someone else, Charlie?" she a bit tentatively wondered, hoping with all her might he would give her a positive answer. Even if she knew Charlie was looking for someone to replace Julie, she was really hoping he wouldn't find someone in quite awhile. That he now confessed that she and Kelly managed pretty well on their own, gave her hope he might dismiss his search completely.

Much to her disappointment though, Charlie did not seem to have anything of the kind in mind.

"No I'm afraid not, Kris," he chuckled, although he couldn't help but feel sympathy for the youngest angel. But even if he really couldn't deny that the team seemed to work pretty well as a duo, he really had all intention of hiring a third angel sooner or later. "I'm still negotiating with a certain someone, and if everything runs as I hope you will soon be a trio again."

Kris sighed heavily, and glanced over to Kelly looking most disappointed.

Kelly forced herself to smile reassuringly to her friend. She really was feeling bad for Kris, because she knew how excited she was with working just the two of her. She couldn't make herself feel as excited though, despite how much she wanted to. She really hoped she would if she wasn't feeling so blue in general, but as the situation was she really couldn't. Although she did appreciate that Charlie hadn't hired a new angel yet, because she really didn't know if she had the energy dealing with a new partner at the moment.

Bosley on the other hand seemed to be the only one entirely on Charlie's side. "How is the persuasion with her going?" he eagerly wanted to know and looked at the speaker phone, hoping to get a positive reply from his boss.

Hearing Bosley's eager tone to get a new Angel in the team, Kris turned around and looked at him surprised. She knew that maybe Bosley wasn't as affected as her and Kelly with changes in the organisation, but she really hadn't expected him to sound this eager to get a new partner. In fact it puzzled her a lot, and she couldn't deny that it almost annoyed her a bit.

But for the time being she didn't say anything, as she instead turned her focus back to Charlie on the speaker phone.

"Well Bosley, I haven't talked to her for the last couple of days," Charlie admitted. "But I'm on to it. As a matter of fact, I better give her another call," he then continued, figuring he might as well give it another try right away. "I'll talk to you later."

"Persuasion?" Kelly then wondered sceptically as soon as Charlie had left them. "She needs to be persuaded?" Kelly sure didn't like the sound of that. Maybe she wasn't as engaged in the organizational changes that Kris was, but to hear someone needed to be persuaded to come work with them sure didn't sound good in Kelly's ears. Because if she had any doubts whatsoever of joining she would most certainly not be able to give it everything she had. And if there was something Kelly had learned from working at the agency for more than five years, it was that you had to give yourself completely to it, no matter what.

Automatically she sighed onerous at the thought of it as she felt weariness running over her.

"Well, she wasn't as open to it as Charlie had hoped," Bosley confessed with a troubled frown. "But don't worry, she'll come around," he then added sounding more optimistically. There really was no doubt that Bosley really wanted this new girl to join the team.

Hearing that, Kelly just turned away, suddenly not having the energy to engage in the discussion anymore.

Kelly's scepticism had not gone unnoticed by Kris, and even if she might agree, she could sense that it was mostly Kelly's current pessimism showing now. She sighed troubled, as she watched her friend drift away in her own world. But even if she felt the urge to go over to her and find out what was the matter, she let it be. Because whatever it was, Bosley didn't seemed to have realized a thing and she figured she better talk to Kelly in private. So instead she turned back to Bosley, figuring she might as well be able to try and find out more about the new potential angel. "Bos, you seem mighty eager that Charlie will nail this new one. What's so special about her anyway? I mean, who is she?"

"Oh, I'm not entitled to say just yet…," he said secretively, and straightened up his desk-pad to keep his eyes diverted from the curious angel. "But she has excellent credentials and she would without a doubt fit right in."

Kris frowned doubtfully, not at all intrigued by the information Bosley was giving her.

Not really too aware of Kris' doubts, Bosley went on more confidently, "and I just know both of you are going to love her." But not wanting to claim victory in advance, he added, "if she'll decide to join, that is."

"And how could you be so certain about that? That we'd love her, I mean?" Kris peered and looked at him dubiously.

"Let's just say I have a feeling…" he just replied slyly, before he quickly continued, "and besides, haven't the new Angels always turned out to be good?"

"Well, yeah, but…," Kris started, but didn't find the words to continue.

As if it just now occurred to him that Kris didn't seemed too pleased with the prospective of a new partner, Bosley looked at her a bit puzzled, before he instinctively turned to look at Kelly. But seeing her just staring out the window, he could tell she wasn't more convinced than Kris. With a troubled frown he felt the urge to support them they had nothing to worry about. "Just trust Charlie, will you?" he tried in a supportive voice, but still he couldn't help but smile confidently. Even if he knew from experience that his associates rarely were too keen on switching partners, and that also very much seemed to be the case this time, he just wasn't able to think everything wouldn't turn out perfectly.

Bosley's failed attempt to cheer them up went by unnoticed to the angels. Instead Kris walked over to the desk, starting to look as gloomy as Kelly lately felt, "It's just that we kind of thought it would be nice with just the two of us for awhile, you know?" She sat down on the desk heavily. "I mean, why rush into something when there actually is no need to?" Instinctively she looked over at Kelly, believing in her mind Kelly was on her side. But what her mind hadn't thought about was how Kelly seemed to slip further and further away. Seeing Kelly standing lonely by the fire place, staring out in the air, apparently not too engaged in the discussion anymore, proved it.

Kris sighed, suddenly feeling that it might not be that bad to actually get a new partner after all, if Kelly wouldn't come around soon. Annoyed with her own thought, she sighed heavily again. Apathetically she got up from the desk again, wondering whatever happened to the good old times when there was never a dull or sad moment, when everything seemed so easy and straight-forward.

Simultaneously at Charlie's office, Charlie once again dialled the number of the potential new Angel.

"Good morning Angel," he greeted as he heard her answering at the other end.

"Oh, I'm not an Angel yet, remember?" she was quick to reply, obviously neither wanting to confirm or deny Charlie's proposal.

Not at all surprised that he got a reply like that from her, he just chuckled happily, and he couldn't help but feeling quite hopeful that she would accept his offer.

So wanting to hear if she had any news to give him, he went on, "so have you thought anything more about my offer?"

"Well, I don't know Charlie," she replied honestly. "You know I haven't done that kind of work in quite some time."

"Oh you'll get the hang of it, I'm sure," Charlie said convincingly. He really had no doubts in his mind she wasn't able to do the job, and even if she didn't appear as certain, Charlie felt confident that she'd come around sooner or later.

"Yeah, maybe," she sighed, not at all feeling very convinced. The idea of working as a detective did intrigue her, and in a way she would love to accept, but still she couldn't deny she had some doubts. She knew she had the experience required, but she simply wasn't sure if she had what it took anymore. Despite how annoying the feeling itself was.

"But are you sure I won't barge in, taking that Julie's place?" she then continued to get another perspective of the matter.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. Julie's not coming back, and she knows she will be replaced," Charlie said confidently. And really wanting to convince her that she had nothing to worry about, he continued, "and I'm certain the other girls would love to have you in her place." He knew the two current angels were both a bit resistant of getting a new partner, but he had no doubts in his mind whatsoever that they wouldn't accept her with open arms. But when he didn't hear her replying, he continued, "and Bosley of course would love to have you too."

"Hmm…," she just mumbled in reply as she tapped her fingers nervously at the table. Maybe Charlie was right, but still she couldn't help the anxious feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"Hey…," she then interrupted her own indecisiveness. "I have some stuff to tend to the following week, but what do you say if I'll leave you my final decision sometime during the beginning of next week?"

"Sounds good," Charlie said smilingly in the other end. "I will patiently be waiting for your call."

"Talk to you later then?" she then said, but just as they were about to hang up, she quickly added, "Oh and Charlie, no matter my decision, I'm flattered that you thought of me." She couldn't deny that despite her doubts and no matter what she would decide, it really was an honour to even be considered.

"What can I say, you're one of the best," he chuckled confidently. "And to me you're always an angel, no matter how much you'll try to deny it."

She smiled appreciatively, not being able to deny that maybe he was right. Maybe she was an angel after all. Maybe there was just no way out of it. But still wanting to think things over, she said goodbye and hung up.

Back in the office the atmosphere hadn't improved much. But with not more to do there anymore, since the case was solved and they didn't have anything new yet, Kelly figured she might as well leave. Neither Kris nor Bosley had much else to do though, and thought they would hang around for a while. But as Kelly said her unenthusiastically goodbyes to them and walked outside, Kris couldn't take it anymore. She knew Kelly wouldn't want to talk about it, and she figured she would even try to push it away if Kris asked her about it, but Kris knew they couldn't go on like this anymore. She had to talk to her. So quickly she jumped up from the sofa, hoping she would be able to catch her before she left.

"I just thought of something I had to do," she lied and started heading for the door. But seeing Bosley's jaw drop, being stood up like that, she couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for him. But she had to do this, and Bosley didn't actually mind, did he? But not having time to hang around if she wanted to catch Kelly before she left, she couldn't stay and make sure he was ok. Although not wanting to leave him completely in the lurch, she hurried over to him, and quickly planted a kiss on his cheek. "Sorry Bos," she then said a bit sheepishly, before she rushed out the door.

"Hey Kelly, wait up!" she called as she reached the street and saw Kelly about to get into her car.

Hearing her name being called, Kelly turned around and could see Kris rushing after her. A bit puzzled by her friend's obvious impatience to get to her, Kelly just looked at her surprised. "Kris, what is it?" she wondered as her friend reached her.

"Uhm, I…," Kris started at a loss, not really knowing what to say. She knew she couldn't just come out with her question, but as she quite spontaneously had rushed after Kelly, she hadn't really given it any thought how she would start. "I just wanted to talk to you," she then said however, still frantically trying to come up with some kind of excuse.

"Alright," Kelly conceded. "What about?"

"Uhm…," Kris again mumbled, still not knowing what to say. "Oh, I just thought you might like to join me for some lunch?" she then blurted out, relieved to have figured something out.

A bit surprised that was what Kris so stressed had rushed after her to ask, it took a moment or two, before Kelly answered.

"Oh, I don't know Kris. I…," she then started and glanced over at the car, about to continue with some excuse.

"My treat," Kris quickly interrupted, not letting Kelly finish her excuse, when she noticed she was about to be turned down.

But not at all being in the mood, Kelly was about to shake her head and say no.

Kris however felt by now very confident she would somehow get Kelly to talk about whatever was bothering her, so she simply wouldn't take no for an answer. "Come on Kelly. We never do that anymore," she said before continuing most honestly, "And I miss it."

Kelly sighed. And this time it was not because she felt down, but that Kris was right. It was quite awhile they had spent some of their free time together, and just like Kris, she did miss it as well. She smiled affirmative, suddenly feeling quite pleased Kris had asked. "Alright."

Hearing she had won her over, Kris smiled and exhaled relieved.

A moment later they drove away.

Not really wanting to spring her questions at her, Kris let it be for awhile, and instead they had a really nice and pleasant lunch together. Actually they had a great time, laughing and talking together, and Kris could almost not believe this was the same Kelly that been so grumpy the last couple of days. Because all through lunch she was the Kelly Kris knew and loved, and it was great to see. They actually had such a good time, Kris just didn't want to spoil it by bringing up things that for sure would end their great time, so instead she kept silent.

But as they were driving home, many hours later, Kris couldn't help but feeling a bit annoyed at herself that she hadn't brought it up. After all that was why she had invited Kelly to lunch in the first place. And she knew that even if Kelly seemed perfectly fine now, she could tell she wouldn't be tomorrow again. Because as a matter of fact, for the last couple of days when she'd noticed Kelly being troubled, it appeared to come and go, and sometimes she was quite herself again. After all, she had been acting ok enough for neither Bosley nor Charlie to notice a thing.

As Kelly pulled up outside of Kris' beach house to drop her off, Kris had at first thought she could maybe talk to her about it tomorrow instead, but as she was about to get out she changed her mind. So instead she stopped herself with what she was doing and turned back to her friend.

"Kelly?" she looked at her, before somewhat tentatively said, "there was actually something I wanted to talk to you about…"

"Oh? What about?"

"Well…," she started with a sigh, not really knowing how to go on. "It's just that I've noticed you haven't been quite yourself lately," she then said directly, never being good to beat about the bush anyway.

Hearing Kris' intention, Kelly's good mood she'd had all through lunch, vanished in an instant, and without a word she just broke their eye contact and angrily stared out the window. She just couldn't believe her. First she'd invited her to lunch, getting her in a good mood and everything, just to dump this on her in the last minute. She had figured Kris would bring it up sooner or later, but to do it like this was just plain deceitful, Kelly thought angrily for herself. But either way, it was now done, and Kelly knew there was no use arguing with her. No matter what Kelly would say, she knew Kris wouldn't give up until she got what she wanted. But still she didn't at all feel like being very cooperative.

Seeing Kelly reacted in one of the many ways Kris had feared, she just bit her lip, starting to doubt it was such a good idea after all, bringing it up. But knowing she couldn't go back now, she kept going. "And I was just wondering if you maybe wanted to talk about it?"

"No, I don't want to talk about it!" Kelly quickly blurted out, as she turned back to Kris, glaring angrily at her. Maybe Kris only wanted to help, but Kelly couldn't help but feeling nothing but annoyed and mad at her at this moment for butting in.

Kris couldn't deny she got a bit nervous about Kelly's sudden and harsh reply, not at all thinking she would get this upset by her proposition. But still, she didn't want to give up.

"But maybe I can help?" Kris persisted, trying to offer her support. Because that was all she wanted to do after all. Help. Why couldn't Kelly see that?

"No, you can't! Alright?"

"But Kelly I'm you're friend! Why won't you talk to me with whatever is bothering you?" Kris now desperately cried out, starting to sense Kelly wouldn't give in, no matter how much Kris would push and no matter how much it pained her that Kelly rather wanted to carry her burden alone than to share it with her best friend.

"Because maybe it doesn't concern you Kris! And maybe I don't want your help!" Kelly now angrily yelled back, completely fed up with Kris nag. Again she turned away and looked out the window with clenched teeth.

"Now could you please get out of my car so I could go home?" she then said coldly, not even bothering looking at her.

Completely miserable, feeling both angry and sad she'd failed so enormously and even managed to make the situation considerably worse, Kris just sat silent for a second or two, not wanting to leave Kelly when they were on such bad terms. But as she looked back at Kelly who was staring madly out the window, she knew it was too late. Kris had made her move and she had failed. Big time. She couldn't stop the tears welling up in her eyes, blaming herself for making such a mess of things. But knowing it wouldn't help to stay any longer she opened the door reluctantly, and slowly got out. She threw a quick glance back at Kelly, almost hoping she would stop her, but almost before she had shut the car door Kelly stepped on the gas and disappeared.

It wasn't until quite awhile later Kelly finally slowed down. She exhaled angrily, but tried to unclench her teeth and loosen up her tight grip from the steering wheel. She didn't even know who she was most angry at, her or Kris. She knew she had over-reacted a bit, or maybe even more than a bit, but she just got so annoyed at Kris always butting in, never leaving her alone when she specifically asked her to. Although, maybe she needed to talk to someone, someone who could help figuring out her problems, someone who could tell her what was bothering her. But the very thought of it troubled her. She didn't want to talk to anyone. She wanted to figure it out on her own. Or she wanted to be able to drop it.

Furiously she hit the steering wheel hard with the palm of her hand at the thought of it. She knew she couldn't drop it, no matter how much she wanted to. She knew she had to deal with it. Somehow.