When Alvin's alarm clock rang at 6 am he instinctively turned it off before slowly opening his eyes. As he opened them, he remembered every moment from the night before. Their first time together and the ones that followed throughout the night when they woke in each other's arms. He rolled over to an empty space and sat up.
He got out of bed and headed for the bathroom, where he found Caitlin in the shower. He opened the curtain slightly and joined her. He kissed her neck and she turned around.
"You're in my shower again", he said mockingly.
"Yes, I am, aren't I"?
He suddenly felt as though he was invading her personal space. The last time he'd had a morning after shower with a woman had been light years ago. He wasn't sure what to say or what to do and he didn't want it to be awkward. "I'm sorry, maybe you wanted to be alone", he said as he turned around and prepared to step out.
She grabbed his hand gently. "Al"?
He turned around. She moved in and settled her body against his. "Stay", she said as her hands caressed his chest. She smiled at him. "I don't want this to be awkward".
"I haven't done this in a very long time", he said almost apologizing.
"I know. Just go with what your heart and instincts tell you to do".
And so he did. He closed his eyes briefly and listened to what his heart wanted. When he reopened them, he put his arms around her and kissed her at first gently and softly, then feeling his desire for her, his need for her grow, his kissing became more passionate and breath-taking. She shadowed his every move and claimed her once more as the hot water flowed over them.
An hour later, they were both dressed and having a quick breakfast. At 7:30 she looked at her watch and stood from the kitchen stool. She weaved her way between his legs as he sat on the stool beside hers. "I need to go".
He brushed a lock of hair away from her face. "I know. But you have to promise me you'll be extra careful out there".
"I promise. I'll see you tonight". She kissed him and grabbed her things and headed for the door.
"Quick question for you".
"Yeah".
"How do you manage to come here if you're undercover"?
"There's a secret passage in the basement with a tunnel that leads to the house on the street parallel to where we stay. No one would even suspect it. Don't worry. I'm being very careful".
"Does Kenny know you're here"?
"No and neither does the FBI".
When she arrived at the bar, none other than Marcello's hidden headquarters, with Kenny at around 9:00 Marcello came to her.
"I wanted to thank you Frankie for another amazing job well done. Matteo brought me your trophy. I was kind of hoping you would have delivered it yourself".
She knew that Marcello had the hots for her, hence why she rarely allowed herself to be alone in his presence.
"You know I would have if I could have, but let's say things got a bit messy and I was in a desperate need of a shower and a change of clothes. The most important thing is that it's done and I trust Matteo to finish off what I can't".
"Naturally".
He looked her over once again. She was wearing a black pencil skirt and a red blouse that fitted her well. He knew that not many men would be able to resist such a woman. "How are things with Matteo"? he asked.
"Fine. Why do you ask"?
"I'm trying to assess my competition". Since he had his back to her, she couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"I may have some more work for you real soon. An FBI agent is giving my son Riccardo a very difficult time and I can't let that happen. I will let you know in due time".
"Of course, you know that if I can be of any service to you, I will be".
"That'll be all for now".
Caitlin nodded and slowly walked out of his office. Kenny was waiting in the hallway. He was leaning against the wall, one leg bent and his foot resting against it.
She met him and pressed herself against him just in case Marcello came out or one of the others wandered upstairs. As she pressed against him, she suddenly felt awkward about it. She hadn't thought of it but she suddenly felt as though she was being disloyal to Alvin. She hadn't expected her feelings to get in the way of an operation of that grandeur.
"Everything alright"? asked Kenny as he whispered in her ear.
"Yeah, why"?
"I don't know, you seem a little tense, ease up".
"Sorry. I'm not into it today. And on top of that, Marcello keeps making allusions that make me sick to my stomach".
"You can't blame him for trying, he is a man after all".
"We need to get me wired.. He needs me for another job".
Riccardo, Marcello's son walked upstairs. "Geez, you guys can't get your hands off of each other can you"?
Kenny smiled. "You wouldn't be able to either if she was your woman".
"Good point. I need some privacy with my father, take whatever you're doing somewhere else".
Kenny grabbed Caitlin and they headed to the supply room in the basement. They remained close with their hands on each other in order to spring into action hence someone should come in.
"Isn't a wire a bit premature"? he asked.
She narrowed her eyes. "Are you serious here? If we want to bring him down, we need this evidence. My killing cops and agents fictively is not enough evidence. We need to catch him as he gives the order to do it".
"It's only been two weeks, we shouldn't rush into this".
"We're not rushing into it. What? Why wait another month or two when we can finish it sooner rather than later. I want out, don't you"?
"Of course I do, but not at any cost".
Vitto walked in and Kenny started to kiss Caitlin.
"Oops, my bad. Sorry"! Vitto said as he backtracked out of the supply room and closed the door.
Caitlin pulled away as Kenny looked at her. Her being distant with him upstairs, the kiss not being the same as before, her wanting to get out…. It dawned on him.
"You've met someone".
"What"?
"That's why you're different today and it's messing with you".
"I'm fine".
"Hey, you said it yourself, your head's not in the game".
"I said I'm fine".
"I need you to be in the game".
"I am".
"Where do you go? I mean you've left the house every night this week and you only show back up in the morning".
"I go clear my head. Why does it matter where I go"?
"It matters to me. I'm your partner".
"Exactly partner, not keeper".
"Hey Matteo, we've got an errand to run for Riccardo", yelled Vitto from upstairs.
"I'll be right there".
"We're not done talking about this", he said as he headed upstairs.
"Yes we are", she called back.
"The ME says that it was strangulation due to the petechia in the eyes and on the face", said Adam.
"Good we're getting somewhere", said Hank. "What about forensics, Al"?
Al was so caught up in reliving his night with Caitlin that he hadn't heard Hank. How soft her skin felt on his, how her strawberry scented hair fell around his face as she rode him…
"Al"?
He jumped out of his trance. "Sorry, you were saying"?
"Forensics"?
"Right", he grabbed the file. "There were some fibers found in the victim's mouth, the ME has passed those on for analysis and they also retrieved a used condom in the bathroom garbage can that is also being processed for DNA matching".
"Alright, let's keep putting pressure on the lab, I want to get the bastard who is doing this to innocent young women"!
Adam walked over to Al's desk. "Everything alright"?
Alvin passed his hand over his mustache. "Yeah, why"?
Adam shrugged. "I don't know, seemed like you were elsewhere right then".
"I'm good".
Adam knew Alvin quite well. They had partnered up for quite some time. "Something's different. I can't put my finger on it, but I know there's something there".
"Kid, you're seeing things that aren't there".
"No I'm not. Your thoughts are elsewhere, you seem, I don't know more relaxed and laid back than usual, but slightly on the defensive. Somethings up".
Alvin laughed. Adam was right, he felt more relaxed, like a big weight had been lifted off his shoulders, like he was discovering life and all its beauty again. "If it will keep you warm at night, then go with it, be my guest".