Bree struggled to fight the goofy smile that spread across her lips as Captain Essen handed her a small stack of papers.

"Congratulations, Miss Taylor. I'm pleased to officially welcome you into the GCPD family," Essen said, her tired expression softening somewhat with a smile as she shook Bree's hand.

"Thank you so much," Bree said with a beaming smile, clutching the papers to her chest. The captain nodded, her eyes flickering across Bree's excited features, likely musing about her naivety, but Bree paid no mind as she turned back towards her desk. She nearly skipped at the thought of having an actual nameplate on her desk.

Police administrative aide.

Sure, it wasn't the most glamourous job. Really, it was much of the same sort of work she had done as in intern, but it at least had a livable pay. Not only that, but it gave her much needed experience in the behind the scenes aspects of police work. Even with her work towards her master's degree, she still needed a good two years of full time work experience to even consider applying for the FBI. Despite it seeming like such a small step, she knew it was the beginning of the countdown until she had a decent shot at her dream job.

As she made her way back to her desk, her gaze moved to the doorway of the forensics lab. Her mind drifted to the man who she so often occupied that space. She was glad that she had cleared things up with Edward. She hadn't expected her time with Harvey to play out the way it did. The next day, when she woken up to the smell of coffee, and his arms wrapped around her middle as he muttered in her ear, telling her it was time to wake up. She couldn't bring herself to turn him down when he asked if she wanted to be his girlfriend. She also couldn't bring herself to regret the rather enthusiastic sex that followed.

However, she had felt a deep twinge of guilt at Edward's expression of hurt when she had told him. Especially considering how poor her timing had been by the looks of it. She couldn't say she didn't see Kristen's rejection coming though. She had warned him…..

And some spiteful part of her, in the far reaches of her mind, felt he got what he deserved for choosing to pursue someone who could not care less about him.

She shook her head as she slid into the rickety seat by her desk. Spite wouldn't solve anything.

She opened the folder in front of her with a sigh.

…

After a few hours of work, Bree realized that she had accumulated a sizable stack of files perched at the corner of her desk. She stood and stretched her limbs with a yawn. Reaching down, she grasped the files and made her way to the file annex. Part of her dreaded the inevitable interaction with Kristen. And yet…part of her felt a little guilty for the underlying animosity she felt towards the woman. It really wasn't her fault that she didn't like Edward in the way he wanted her to.

That still doesn't justify how she's treated him.

She mused silently as she rounded the stairs into the winding hallway that lead to the annex. She reached for the handle, pushing into the frosted glass door with her hip.

As she pushed through the door, Kristen's head rose, her hand stilling as she stopped writing. Bree offered a half-hearted smile as she met Kristen's measured gaze.

"Can I help you?"

Bree looked down at the files with a nod, stepping closer to the desk.

"Oh, I just have a few files that need to be archived."

Kristen nodded, rising to her feet as she extended her arm. Bree handed her the files, her eyes falling to Kristen's wrist.

"Are….are you okay?" Bree said before she could catch herself, her gaze glued to the mottled pattern of blueish brown that decorated her wrist and forearms.

Kristen quickly snatched the files and looked down. Bree tried to meet her gaze, but Kristen adjusted her glasses and avoided meeting her eyes.

"I-It's nothing….." Kristen said, quickly shaking her head. Bree's brows furrowed together.

"No….I'm serious. Are you alright? Did someone….do that to you?"

"It….it was an accident," Kristen said with a stiff swallow, finally looking up.

Bree's eyes flickered across her face.

"That's…..not alright."

Bree's lips pursed together as she slowly shook her head. Suddenly she felt a sort of anger bubbling inside her. Few things got her more fired up than violence of any kind against women.

"It's…..not your concern…." Kristen said quietly, turning away from her. Bree was quiet for a moment, but didn't move.

"Look…..I know we don't know each other very well…..but if you need anything….I'm just a few floors up…"

Kristen paused, turning back towards her with a soft, barely noticeable smile.

"….thank you…..that's very kind of you…"

Bree offered a small nod, her eyes involuntarily flickering back down to Kristen's arm.

"Take care."

She turned and made her way out of the annex.

…..

As she rounded the corner up the stairs and onto the main floor, a familiar figure caught her eye and she couldn't help but to smile.

Harvey.

She kept her head down and pretended not to notice him immediately as she continued towards the main staircase. He looked to be in a deep discussion with Detective….or Officer Gordon. She wasn't really sure what his official title was anymore, being as ballsy with authority as he was. As she glanced back up, her eyes met Harvey's. A jovial smile stretched across his lips and Gordon curiously followed his gaze. Suddenly, she felt oddly scrutinized as she approached the pair with a sheepish smile.

Harvey turned and said something indecipherable to Gordon, who gave Bree another cursory glance before giving him a curt nod and turning to leave. Harvey turned towards her with a wide grin.

"Hey, Bree, how are you?" he said, lightly grasping her hand and pulling her forward. She felt her face flush slightly as he gave her a small peck on the cheek and tugged her into a hug. Bree gave a small laugh as she smiled against his suit.

"Ah, I'm doing pretty well. What brings you by? More work with Gordon I presume?" she asked, pulling away slightly. He looked away with a shrug.

"Yeah….we're dealing with some pretty nasty stuff, unfortunately," he met her eyes again.

"I'll tell you all about it later, but for now we're messing with some pretty powerful people….I gotta get back to work," he said with a sigh. Bree nodded.

"Alright, just don't do anything stupid," she deadpanned, "Oh, and be safe, I guess," she added with a wry grin and a small chuckle. He rolled his eyes, but squeezed her hand, leaning forward and giving a quick kiss before darting away.

Bree folded her arms across her chest as she watched him walk away. Behind her she could hear a low whistle. Furrowing her brows, she turned to see who the perpetrator had been, prepared to throw a snarky comment their way.

To her surprise she only saw Detective Bullock clutching a cup of coffee with a good natured grin. He slowly shook his head with a knowing look.

"Now that's a bit of a plot twist," he remarked dryly.

"What…..?" she said, blinking in confusion.

"Oh, I just figured you and Nygma had a thing…..but that's none of my business," he said with a chuckle, taking a gulp of coffee.

She felt a hard tug in her chest and gave a frown.

"No….it's not," she muttered, but he had already turned to wander off.

The rest of her day passed quite uneventfully, but she certainly felt exhausted by the time she made it back to her apartment. The night was cold and the only thing keeping her moving was the thought of having a hot cup of tea and binge watching Netflix into the early hours of the morning.

Relaxing in her favorite old pair of GCU sweatpants, she fixed herself a late dinner, and collapsed onto the couch. She flicked on the television as she began to pick through her impromptu stir-fry concoction. Her night progressed as predicted until she stood up from the couch and took a long stretch. She hummed softly to herself as she tossed the dirty dishes into her small sink. Suddenly, a noise caused her to freeze.

There was a knock at the door.

Her brows furrowed together as she looked at the front door.

At this time of night?

Hesitantly, she slowly moved towards the door, peering out through the peephole.

"Edward?" she said quietly, immediately reaching for the sliding latches and unlocking the door. Before she even saw him her first question spewed out automatically.

"How did you get buzzed in?"

She began, but her lighthearted demeanor immediately dissipated as she took him in.

Something was very wrong.

"I-I made a mistake," Edward sputtered, his voice very quiet.

Her eyes flickered across his features, his lips pressed into a tight line, his hair disheveled and eyes red. His shirt, she noted, seemed to be spotted with some dark liquid. She gaped at him silently for a moment before meeting his distressed gaze.

"What do you need?"

She asked, the words were out before she could even process what she was saying. He was clearly in distress, and the immediate desire to help him and hold him was overwhelming and automatic.

"You."

….

...

Well, here is a very short, but very important chapter. More to come, and very soon!