Hello again, I do apologize for the wait! Life's been hectic from Halloween to school and college homecoming week, and so on. I'm also a pro at procrastinating. So here's a nice longer chapter for you. A big thanks to all the amazing people who have left reviews, and your enthusiasm makes me super happy.

Thump. Thunk-thump.

Her fists collided with the punching bag with dull, heavy sounds. Bree huffed as she landed a solid round kick into the bag. She placed her hands atop her head as she paced around the bag slowly. She sighed as a buzzing noise against the hard floor caught her attention. She wandered over to her gym bag, taking a quick swing of water before picking up her phone.

"Heeello," she chimed, still a bit out of breath, putting the phone to her ear and a hand on her hip.

"So, I managed to find an address for Mr. Roberts," Edward said excitedly over the line. Bree chuckled breathlessly.

"Really, Ed, not even a hello?" she said with a tired smile.

"Oh….well…hello. I just assumed…." He muttered uneasily.

"I'm kidding, it's cool, so what about that address?" she laughed as the paced the hardwood floor.

"Can you get to GCPD right now?"

"Uhh….I'm a little occupied," she said with a chuckle, glancing into the large studio mirror and observing her disheveled, sweaty form. "Studying…"

She heard him chuckled over the line.

"You sound a little out of breath for studying….unless you just have some very peculiar study methods…" Ed trailed off.

"Oh….no…just give me an hour or so. I need to shower and such; I'm pretty groady at the moment."

"From studying?" he mused incredulously.

"Absolutely," she quipped with a grin, grabbing her water and throwing it into her bag.

"Why the urgency? I have off today too, it's Saturday, remember?" she added, furrowing her brows as she made her way out the door and down the narrow staircases.

"Well, you may have the day off, but for some odd reason, homicides tend to not have the decency to wait till Monday. Ironically, I'm finishing up a crime scene at Arkham now…"

"Oh, irony does abound," she interjected, keeping the phone wedged between her shoulder and ear as she wriggled into her coat.

"I may have gotten us connected for a brief interview with Mrs. Roberts," Ed finished, not missing a beat from her commentary.

"That's awesome!" Bree said before breathing in sharply at the cool chill of the outside air. "Look, Ed, I'm gonna have to let you go for a bit. I'll see you in an hour or so."

"But wait! I wanted to tell you this one new riddle I ha—" Ed was broken off and she could hear voices shouting his name on the other side of the line. "Gotta go, bye!" was all she caught before the line went dead. She sighed, shoving her phone into her pocket before hurrying off to her apartment.

She rushed through her shower and tried to piece together an outfit suitable for a "short interview," or whatever their chat really would be. She hurried off to GCPD, hair still slightly damp as she ran out the door.

/

When Bree finally arrived at GCPD Edward was standing next to Detective Bullock's desk, handing him few sheets of paper she assumed was an autopsy report. She shifted uncomfortably with a polite smile as she shuffled closer. Bullock's eyes shifted to her as she nudged Edward with her elbow.

"Who's this?" Bullock pointed to her, looking at Ed as if he'd grown an extra head. Bree raised her brows. Edward opened his mouth to answer, clutching his little brown notebook to his chest, but Bree cut him off.

"I work here, actually I do a lot of your paperwork," she said with a tight smile, extending her hand. He took it hesitantly. "Brianna Taylor, I usually work upstairs…" Bullock raised his brows with a slow nod.

"So, you do…" he gave a brief tip of his hat, "Well in that case, keep up the good work kiddo….and whatever you're doing with Ed…" he said with a wave of his hand. His focus was elsewhere, making eye contact with his partner across the room and hurrying over.

"I think he thought we were—"

"-They belong to me, they belong to you, they can make you feel happy or make you feel blue, they never end until the day you do…" he said quietly, cutting her off. She raised a brow silently, eyeing him. After a moment, he met her eyes with a rather curious look and an almost deary smirk on his face.

"Thoughts….he can think what he likes," Ed finished, clearing his throat slightly.

"So, shall we?"

/

Bree hugged her coat more tightly to herself as another cool breeze sent a chill through her as they stood on the steps of a rather decrepit apartment complex. It stood on the edge of mob territory, as Edward had been so keen to inform her before they stood in the cold on the complex's doorstep. After another moment or so, the doorknob rattled and a pale-faced woman peered out from the cracked door.

Time to turn on the charm.

Bree smiled, and nudged Ed, who hesitantly plastered an uneasy smile onto his own face.

"Hi, Mrs. Roberts, is it? We're the journalism students that briefly corresponded with you earlier. Do you mind if we can have a word with you? It will only take a few minutes," Bree chirped, trying to sound more professional than she actually felt. Ed remained silent next to her, shuffling uncomfortably.

"Oh, yes, do come in!" Mrs. Roberts responded. Rusted bolts slid on the other side of the door, and she opened it wider. She smiled weakly, brushing aside her mousey hair and bangs tinged with a dull shade of grey.

Edward trailed behind Bree as they climbed up the chipped stone steps to the door. They followed the small woman up a small flight of stairs. She glanced back over her shoulder as they shuffled after her.

"So, what were your names again?"

"Oh, I'm Caroline Logue, and this is…"

"Charlie Smith," Edward finished, making eye contact with Bree and shooting her a small shrug.

They reached the floor and Mrs. Roberts turned towards them, giving another tired smile.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you two," she said, extending her hand. Bree shook it and Edward stared at her extended hand for a moment too long before he realized he was supposed to shake it, and then shook it with a bit too much enthusiasm.

They entered the small musty-smelling apartment and Mrs. Roberts gestured to small couch.

"Do take a seat," she said as she took a seat in a cushioned seat across from them. Bree nudged Edward and he hurried around the sofa, sitting down stiffly. She joined him, the old couch creaking in protest at their combined weights. They heard the loud thumping of footsteps and a loud giggle in the next room. Bree glanced at Edward, his brows furrowed slightly, then to Mrs. Roberts, who rolled her eyes.

"Krispen, Julie! Keep it down!" Mrs. Roberts shouted then sighed with a small shake of her head.

"Children…" she muttered, crossing her legs tiredly as she smoothed out her long skirt. Bree opened her mouth for a moment, trying to carefully word her next question.

"So, you have two children?" she asked. Mrs. Roberts nodded.

"How….did they handle Mr. Roberts passing?" she asked delicately. A tight frown formed on Mrs. Roberts' face. She looked down, wringing out her hands in her lap.

"Well…he never was around much to begin with, and when he was I typically kept them away from him. I loved my Jason….but….he had a bit of a temper. Thank God for Samuel…"

Bree saw Edward's throat bob next to her as he swallowed, his mouth in a tight line. Bree nodded solemnly.

"If I may ask….who's Samuel?" Bree asked, raising her brows, her eyes flickering to Ed and back to Mrs. Roberts. Edward was being rather quiet, but she supposed it was probably working for their benefit. She'd ask why later. Mrs. Roberts smiled, her eyes still downcast.

"Samuel is….was Jason's brother. He's been a wonderful help after the entire Jason ordeal…He helps with the kids, lives with us, helps pay the bills. He's been like a father to Krispen and Julie since Jason's passing…if not even before. He's an angel," she said, meeting Bree's eyes once more, and glancing to Edward.

"You still wear the ring," Edward interjected, breaking his silence. Mrs. Roberts nodded silently, her smile fading as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat and she twisted the ring on her finger.

"I couldn't bear to bring myself to take it off. It seemed too soon."

"It doesn't seem that way considering the way you speak about Samuel."

Mrs. Roberts' jaw dropped slightly before she narrowed her eyes. Bree froze in her seat, eyes wide and wishing Ed had refrained from opening his mouth.

This can't be good.

"I know my late husband was involved in some rather shady affairs. I also knew that every day he went to work there was a chance he would never come back. It was never disenchanted by that."

"I can see that."

"I want you to leave, right now," Mrs. Roberts' scowled, standing from her seat.

Just then the rattle of the door beside them sliced through the thick tension of the small living room. The door swung open and revealed a tall man with light scruff and hands full of groceries.

"Hey! How's it—"he began, but his brows rose when he saw Edward and Bree sitting bewildered on the couch. "Hello…who's this?" he said, placing the large bags on the ground, revealing his large, muscled form. Edward swallowed nervously as he slowly rose to his feet. Bree joined him, her eyes flickering across the room, trying to figure out any way to diffuse the tension.

"No one, Samuel. They were just leaving," Mrs. Roberts spat. Bree was the first to move, latching on to Edward's arm and tugging him towards the exit.

"Yes…we were just….leaving. I hope you have a wonderful day," she sputtered weakly as they shuffled around Samuel's large form and out the door. Bree nearly dragged Edward down the flight of stairs and out the complex door before she suddenly turned around, Edward almost falling atop her.

"What the hell was that about?" she spat, poking him in the chest.

"I only pointed out what I needed to…"Edward said, staring at her finger at his chest, his brows drawn together in confusion. "What did I do wrong?"

Bree narrowed her eyes at him for a moment, examining his face and slowly bringing her hand down. Her expression lightened a fraction when she realized he was serious; he actually didn't understand why she was angry. She bit her lip a moment, glancing down the mostly abandoned street before she sighed.

"Ed…not everyone takes being called out very well. Especially not a woman that just lost her husband," she said, meeting his dark brown eyes with her light hazel ones. Edward gave her a tight-lipped frown.

"Her abusive husband, you mean."

Bree shook her head slowly.

"That doesn't matter. She still cared about him, even if he didn't treat her well."

"Why?..." Ed asked quietly. Bree raised her brows and paused a moment. Then she smiled.

"Ed, sometimes people are like the riddles you tell, but without a single answer," she laughed, sliding her arm around his elbow.

"What are you…?" Ed began, staring down at their contact.

"I'm cold and you're warm, now shut up," she sighed into his shoulder.

"Oh….okay."

"So, what's the plan now? We didn't really get to ask many questions with Mrs. Roberts…so are we still up for the Mooney excursion?"

"I'd say so. We need to see what else we can dig up about Mr. Roberts." He nodded stiffly.

"Alright, pick me up at eight tonight. I can text you the address."

"W-wait, pick you up?" Edward said, stumbling with his words.

"Yeah, I can't meet you at GCPD in clubbing clothes. I'll never live that down," she laughed, bumping into him playfully. Her lips lazily fell into a smile. "Not that they even know I work there…" she added glumly.

"You wouldn't be the only one," he muttered with a tight smile, "So, eight?"

"Eight."

/

Maybe this isn't such a good idea.

Bree mused as she refreshed her makeup, her hands nervously sliding down the sides of her dress, tugging at the hems. She sighed as she put on a bit of lipstick and pulled up the neckline of her dress slightly. Being one of two nicer dresses in her closet, the other one reserved for church when the family was in town, she didn't have much of a choice with it. Needless to say, she never found herself going out very often. The deep green dress wasn't absurdly tight, or short for that matter, but the neckline was a little on the border of what she was comfortable with. However, she was hoping it would portray just enough class to get the job done.

What the hell. Let's get it over with.

She winced at the loud sound of her heels clacking against the hard apartment floor as she grabbed her purse and carefully tucked away her Glock inside.

You can never be too careful. She thought with a smirk as she draped the bag strap across her shoulder, and threw on her peacoat. She hurried down the stairs as she felt the buzzing of her phone through her bag. She didn't even bother answering it as she flung open the door, finding a rather wide-eyed Edward Nygma on her doorstep, a cab standing idle behind him. He blinked a few times, still clutching his phone to his ear.

"I was hoping I was at the right address," he said, slowly lowering the phone. Ed wore the same suit he was wearing from earlier, not that it mattered since there was a very slim chance of seeing anyone who would recognize him, Bree mused.

"Uh….you look….different," he said, clearing his throat.

"Well….good. I'd say I should look different than I do at GCPD," she smiled, giving a small chuckle as she slid into the cab and he ducked in after her.

When they eventually arrived in the theater district, Edward seemed to not notice Bree fidgeting in her seat. As they slowed to a stop on the street near Mooney's club, Ed leaned over with a grin.

"What is the restraining hand

That keeps you from going,

From doing horrible things,

And is hard to live with?"

"I don't know, Ed…" Bree sighed, but when she turned her head she was greeted by his furrowed brows and a frown. The corners of her lips twitched slightly.

"You know, sometimes I don't know if you actually want me to answer, or you want me to get it wrong just to prove you're smarter."

His frown faded into a more baffled expression, at which Bree actually smiled.

"Ah, have I foiled your master plan?" she said, giving the cab driver some cash before popping open the door and turning back to him. He silently opened his mouth, but then closed it again, blinking a few times.

"I think I'll throw you a curve ball. Here's a riddle: do you really want me to answer? "

"Well, technically that's not a riddle…"

/

The two found themselves wondering up to the nearest bar as they walked into the night club. A band played on stage and eyes were certainly not on them. Bree flashed a smile to the bartender.

"How you doin', miss?" the larger man said with a grin, giving Edward a small nod of acknowledgement. "What can I get for yah today?"

"Two rum and cokes please," she said, dragging Ed into the seat beside her.

"Wait—I'm not…" Edward began to protest, but Bree shot him a look.

"It would look a little weird if you didn't…" she muttered quietly.

"Alright then, what she said!" he quipped with a tight smile, sliding into the seat beside her and leaning against the bar.

Ed peered over her shoulder at a few of the people seated down the bar from them. Bree gave another polite smile as the bartender slid the two drinks in front of them.

"Anyone look like they could be particularly helpful?" she said in a hushed tone to Edward, taking a sip of her drink. He nodded faintly, examining his own drink for a moment.

"The bartender, for one, but the lone man at the far end seems to be an employee as well," he said lowly, bringing the drink to his lips. He tried to conceal a light cough as he took his first sip.

"Not much a bar person?" Bree chuckled lightly, taking a larger drink. He smiled and shook his head.

"Are you?" he added after a moment, his eyes flickering across her features. Bree bit her lip slightly.

"Not particularly….but I can certainly hold my liquor," she smiled, "I learned that back in undergrad. Let's kick it up, shall we?" she laughed, turning back to the bar and waving down the bartender.

"What else can I get for yah?"

"Get us couple shots of fireball," she called out to him, "And put that on this guy."

She gestured to Ed with a mischievous grin. Ed leaned over stiffly, whispering harshly.

"What are you doing? You remember this is a stakeout, right?"

She dismissively waved her hand.

"Yes, but you're not going to get anyone to talk with that attitude. Not to mention, you're stiff as a board. I'm trying to get you to relax some," she shrugged, smirking as she caught the shots being placed down in front of them from the corner of her eye.

"So, are you ready?" she said grabbing a glass.

"Unlikely," he said simply, but mirrored her.

He downed the shot, but refused to have any more. Bree felt the need to finish his unfinished few shots and it was slowly but surely starting to hit her. She prided herself at being the intellectual drunk, but she accidentally found herself at the border of tipsy and drunk. Edward seemed a little tipsy, but he really just seemed a bit quieter than usual.

"I really don't want to think about GCPD right now…" Ed muttered.

"You know, I think you're pretty cool…" she slurred, smiling lazily. "And I don't really think they appreciate you as much as they should."

"Yeah…"

"And I actually really enjoy spending time with you"

"Bree, you've had a bit to drink."

"I don't care…." She quipped, leaning against his shoulder lazily. Edward swallowed hard and seemed deeply concentrated on his shot glass as a light dusting of red found its way to his cheeks.

"I think I'm going to grab some fresh air…"

"Okay, just don't go too far, and be careful."

"Thank you, mother," he chuckled, hopping out of the seat.

Bree smiled, and then asked the bartender for a water. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a figure down the bar looking her way. Feeling brave, she turned and met the man's eyes. She smiled, sliding out of her seat and slowly walking towards him. He seemed suddenly a little nervous and took another sip of his beer. He was relatively handsome, likely Italian with his sleek dark hair and tan. She still had the feeling he was a low level thug on some sort of break.

"Hey," she said, sliding into the seat next to him. "Saw you staring and thought I'd say hello."

"My apologies, I just can't help but stare when I see something beautiful," he said flashing a rather impressive smile. Bree couldn't help but giggle, allowing her light intoxication give a more convincing act.

"That's so sweet!" she said, tilting her head, "What's your name?" she asked lowly, trailing a finger playfully across his shoulder.

"Franco, and yours, sweetheart?" he said.

"I'm Lyndsey," she said with a smile. He chuckled.

"Well, miss Lyndsey, was that a boyfriend you were with earlier?" he asked, his tone smooth. Bree shook her head and gave a short laugh.

"No, of course not! That's my cousin, Brian. He's not from around here, and he can be such a stick in the mud!" she rolled her eyes, and exaggerated her motions.

"Well that's a relief for me. Can I buy you another drink?"

Bree chewed on her lip briefly in mock-contemplation.

"I've already had a few, but another water would be lovely," she said with a smile. "So, Franco, do you work here, or just hang around here?"

He chuckled.

"A bit of both, I suppose, but yes I do in a way work here."

Bree shifted a little closer to him, subtly brushing her knee against his.

"So, this may seem a little out of the blue, but while I'm out here I guess I should ask. Brian used to be friends with a guy who lives and works around here. He was trying to reconnect with him and I was wondering if you knew him. I think his name was…Jason Roberts?" she said, slurring her words and furrowing her brows more than necessary. Franco scoffed before nodding after a moment.

"Yeah, I knew the guy."

"Oh, really?" she asked, resting her chin on her palm.

"Bit the dust a while back. Pretty messy, too."

"Oh, no….what happened?" she said with a pouty frown. Franco shrugged.

"I'm not really sure."

"Was it….work related?" she ventured, earning a raised brow from him.

"I doubt it. He wasn't the easiest guy to get along with, but he knew the rules. He was one loyal son of a bitch, and he was pretty damn good at what he did. He was a favorite, really, as far as basic labor goes. Wait, where are you—"

"I'm really sorry, but I have to make a call, give me just a minute," she said, standing up and quickly pulling her phone from her bag. Oddly enough, at that exact moment, her phone buzzed and Ed's caller id popped up. An odd thought crossed her sobering mind.

What is the restraining hand

That keeps you from going,

From doing horrible things,

And is hard to live with?

She didn't even take a breath.

Guilt.

"Ed, it wasn't Mooney that had Roberts killed…" she sputtered into the mouthpiece.

"I know…." She heart nearly skipped a beat as she heard Edward swallow hard on the other side of the line.

"Listen to me; you need to get the Roberts' apartment complex right now. I can't explain, I—"

The line went dead.

"Edward?..." she muttered dumbly into the speaker.

"Ed!" she whispered, stumbling out of her seat as she stared at her phone and smacked down a twenty for the drinks. "Keep the change," she muttered not paying much attention to the several people she nearly knocked over to get out the door of the club; Franco long forgotten.

"Taxi!" she yelled as her heels clacked on the sidewalk.

Shit.

She thought glumly, deeply regretting the few drinks she had as she nearly leapt into the back seat of the taxi.

"What have I gotten myself into…"

It took me wayyyyy too long to get through this one for whatever reason.

That's it for now, but if anyone is interested, I'm setting up a tumblr roleplay blog for Bree. Goooooo, ask questions and stuff. It's

briannablairtaylor on tumblr, and I may post my Brianna and Edward playlist 8tracks if anyone wants that!