This was going to rank up there as one of the biggest wastes of time she had ever participated in. Lulu sat back in the booth that concealed her from the view of the rest of the pizza parlor on the edge of campus. Just as well because there was no way in hell she wanted to be seen with him. Glaring over at Detective Cassidy, she tried to intimidate him into leaving, but apparently he was just too stubborn to realize it was in his own best interest. He really didn't have to worry about her blowing his cover; he'd probably do it himself. The undercover cops had the reputation as standing out as clearly as Britney Spears trying to blend in from the years of mob rule and nothing Mac had done had fully repaired the image. It was entirely possible Vermin already knew exactly who Evan Cassidy was and who he worked for.

"I thought you said they would be here." She grumbled, twirling her straw around her drink. "I have better things to do." It was Friday night after all; there were parties to hit and scores to be made.

"I never said that." Evan countered, unfolding his newspaper and pretending to be engrossed in one of the articles. He was glad his presence was putting a damper in her mood, as well as her evening, because now maybe she could see how it felt. He hadn't asked to be assigned to watch her like a hawk; he was getting enough hell for it from his colleagues. If it were up to him, she could go and do whatever it was she wanted as long as he was kept out of it.

"Yes you did. I wouldn't be here if you hadn't. I still don't even know why I have to meet these people. Probably have stick up their asses just like you."

"It's important you meet them. I don't really care if you like it or not."

"Well goody." Lulu began fumbling through her purse. There was a slight chance she had left a bag in here from the other night. It was becoming more and more obvious he wasn't going to let her leave until these people he worked with showed up and even then he'd probably follow her to the party. He was working her last nerve and she needed to keep a calm head if she was going to get through this.

"It's not in there." Evan assured her, his eyes never leaving his paper.

"What? I'm not looking for anything."

"That's good because you're not going to find anything. I made sure of it." He grinned, knowing it would bother her.

"What are you talking about?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

"Nothing. Nothing."

"Did you go through my things?"

"When you went to pay for your pizza."

"You....you....you unbelievable asshole! You had no right to do that!"

"I had every right. I know you want us to pretend that you aren't a drug addict..."

"Who's pretending? I'm not."

"It's just as well. I didn't want you all drugged up when Harper and Sam get here."

As if on cue, Harper slid up to the table with Sam close to his side. It was obvious he was the oldest one in this dive but he had dressed as a poor graduate student to at least make an attempt at fitting in. Slipping in next to Cassidy, he nodded in the other's officer's direction. "Cassidy."

"Harper." Evan recognized the voice and folded his paper in half. "Did you have any trouble finding the place?" He could hear Lulu grinding her teeth. "Oh, I'm sorry. This is Lulu Spencer."

"Miss Spencer." Harper nodded in her direction, noting the seething expression the young woman was wearing. Apparently he had interrupted something. "This is Samantha McCall, my partner."

Sam's hair was styled in a simple braid, but some of the strands refused to stay in the ponytail holder. She figured she fit in better than either of the gentlemen in her company, but there was little she could do to help that. She took one glance at Miss Spencer and decided it wouldn't be smart to extend her hand. "It's nice to meet you. Please call me Sam."

"I understand you've helped out in other cases." Evan doubted he would get any details on such cases and he had a feeling he was better off not knowing, but he was still a little curious what would make Miss McCall want to participate in such a lethal business.

"Do you?" Sam challenged, not inclined to discuss it.

"Samantha's the best." Harper assured Cassidy.

"So you've said." Evan knew taking the word of her boyfriend, detective or not, would be stupid. It was best to make his own analysis. And soon. That way there wouldn't be too many casualties. He still didn't feel right including her, but then, if he had his way, Lulu wouldn't be a part of this either. "Should we get on with it then?"

Nodding, Harper focused his attention on all the members of the table, and tried to ignore the way the waiter was staring at Samantha. As if that teenager stood a chance with her. "Alright. Since Cassidy is already getting close to the main players I think you should stay exactly where you are. Just make sure you stick close to Miss Spencer here."

Lulu crossed her arms in defiance. "I am not a child. I can look out for myself."

"With all due respect Miss Spencer if that was true I wouldn't be sitting here right now." Harper pointed out.

"Agreed. You don't exactly have a leg to stand on." Sam went on.

"Who the hell are you and who elected you my mother?" Lulu spat back.

"This is getting us exactly nowhere. Lulu, hush." Evan ordered. "You know as well as we do that you're in way over your head here."

"Says you." Lulu muttered under her breath. If this Sam character wasn't sitting right next to her, she would have left already. Maybe she could tackle her to the ground or something...

"Thank you. Now Samantha I think you would be best at chatting up the girlfriends. Miss Spencer can point them out to you." Harper continued.

"I won't do anything of the sort." Lulu argued.

"Why are you making this so difficult?" Evan wanted to know. "The sooner we catch this guy, the sooner you're back to Gossip Girl."

"Don't pretend you don't watch." Lulu smiled slowly. "I do remember seeing you around on Monday nights."

"Why did I need to be here?" Sam asked Harper.

"One so you don't go after the wrong targets. Two, so they don't go after you. And three so you know who I have watching your back." Harper ticked off with ease.

"That makes me feel so much better." Sam mumbled under her breath. "So Lulu, if we're going to become best friends, I need to know a little about you."

"Too bad. I didn't volunteer for this mission and I'm not going to risk my own neck to help you fools out."

Sam leaned forward. "Either you tell me, or I find out for myself."

Lulu arched her eyebrow. "Ohhh big threat."

Sam didn't think; she simply reached across the table and slapped Lulu in the face. It was so instantaneous she almost didn't realize what she had done. "Can you, for just one second, act your age? I know you're used to getting your way, being the baby and all, but I'm not going to put up with your shit."

Harper leaned his head in the direction of the two women currently glaring at each other across the table. "All the glamour of undercover and a chick fight? How did you get so lucky Cassidy?"

"It's all part of my charm." Evan smirked.

"Stereotypical male chauvinist pigs." Lulu grumbled in their direction.

"Typical." Sam agreed, scooting out of the booth.

"If that's all, I have plans." Lulu announced following Sam quickly out of the booth.

"And that means so do you Cassidy." Harper reminded him as he stood up.

"Life is truly difficult sometimes." Evan waited for Lulu to head out before he followed her. Over his shoulder he called, "Nice to meet you Sam."

*****

It was finally happening. After all of her threats, Alyson packed her stuff while he was at work and moved out. She had left him a note explaining her reasons. They were bolded and set apart by attractive bullet points. He had been staring at the letter for over an hour now, trying to make sense of it. What was her problem? To everyone else he was a hero. He had found the link, had warned Lucky that his child was about to be taken out of the country, about to be kidnapped, but she hadn't understood that. All she saw was the time the case had taken away from them, from her.

He knew he should be upset, drinking even. It was how his father had reacted each time his mother walked out on them. She always came back and he knew Alyson would too. She was just feeling left out. Her pride was hurt. He would give her another hour and then he was calling her cell. Knowing her, she would ignore his first attempts and then answer as if on accident. She would come back. He took another stare at the bare apartment and felt as if the hole she had really left was the one in his chest.

A knock interrupted his thoughts. Maybe Alyson had changed her mind early, he thought making his way towards the door. "Alyson?"

Jax chuckled as the young man's face fell. "No. But I do hope I'm just as welcome."

"Mr. Jacks. What can I do for you?" It was impossible to not recognize the Australian tycoon and that would have been true if he steered clear of the newspapers and media.

"The question Mr. Chambers is what can I do for you?" Jax corrected, taking a step inside the small apartment.

Will had heard comments like this far too often to not be a little wary. "What do you mean?"

"I heard about the success of your latest investigation. Congratulations. It's not every day you get paid to be a hero."

"People keep saying that, but I don't feel like a hero." Heroes always had someone at home waiting for them. It was like a prerequisite.

"Would settle for being viewed as the best then?" Jax looked at Will carefully, watching to see which approach would work the best. He usually entered any negotiation with at least three ideas and usually decided on the spot which one to go with based on reading the room. It was just this type of decision making that made him unpredictable and feared once he had his sights set on something. Like now for example.

"I guess."

It was a slight opening but it was all Jax really needed. "Mr. Chambers I have a business agreement for you."

"Thanks, but I'm happy with what I'm doing." Will started to close the door, but Jax's hand flew up to hold it open.

"Custody cases? Mundane background checks? Mr. Chambers that is not worthy of a man of your talents."

"I don't remember ever meeting you, so I'm a little curious as to how you know anything about me."

Jax smiled slowly. "I want only the best to work with me. And I want you to join me."

"What for?"

"I routinely use various investigators when I'm about to acquire a new business. I want to make sure everything is on the up and up. No mob fronts or shady investors of course. It recently came to my attention it might be more cost-effective to have a fulltime investigator in house."

"What business would that be?"

"That's classified unless you decide to take me up on my offer."

"So that means it's already 'acquired' by someone else at the moment?"

"Again, details will be discussed once the contract is signed. Are you interested Mr. Chambers?"

"It sounds shady."

"I am an honest businessman just trying to make sure I am not going to be caught in a scandal down the line." Jax defended himself. "I want to make sure my money is well spent and well protected."

"What would you want me to do?"

Got him, Jax thought to himself. "Some background checks of course, but strictly through legitimate sources. Undercover work would not be discouraged. Of course travel would be expected and if a companion would help you blend in more, that would certainly be understandable." Jax took a step closer. "Of course there is also a generous salary to be negotiated."

"I guess it wouldn't hurt to at least hear the offer."

Previews:

"That's it? Dude you are getting married in about two months!" Lucky leaned over and smacked him. "You need to make some decisions or you'll end up in some theme crap dressed as a knight or something."

"Robin wouldn't do that to me."

You don't know that for sure. She's planning her wedding. To you. That alone we all thought was impossible."