Sorry for the slight delay, I'm back in school and things have been a little chaotic around here. I do want to thank anyone who's reviewed and favorited this story, it means a lot! And before you read I just wanna say that this is another boring filler chapter but the next one is definitely where the good stuff starts happening, and it's for sure going to be longer!

This City Is On Fire

The next day I found myself sitting at our usual table at Carlito's, staring into my ice tea and wondering if this was really a good idea. I had called Fi earlier that morning and told her I needed to talk. I'm not sure if it was the way I spoke or the showdown at the loft the previous day but she immediately knew I wanted to talk about Emma and the situation with Michael.

It's like that woman has a sixth sense when it comes to women problems, and I don't know why I just didn't tell her about Emma in the first place. I know she would have done some sort of background search, because Fi can be crazy like that, and maybe it would have saved everyone the trouble. But in the end I kept it to myself and now I had to sort this situation out before something bad happened.

I heard the click of heels across the ground and looked up to see Fi walking towards me with an expressionless face. She sat down in front of me and took off her sunglasses, revealing her worried eyes. She watched me for a minute, and then suddenly I felt a sharp kick in my shin. I grit my teeth to keep from yelling before I looked at Fi with my jaw dropped and a scowl on my face.

"What the hell was that for?" I asked in annoyance. Fi's hard gaze bore into me and her arms were folded across her chest.

"That was for putting Michael in such a foul mood. He was inconsolable all night and today he raised his voice at me during breakfast when all I was trying to do was help." I groaned and rubbed my sore leg before looking back at Fi.

"Sorry," I muttered. She let out a laugh and leaned forward in her chair.

"It's alright," she said, "You weren't the one who had to be taught some manners this morning." I winced and made a mental note to tell Michael I was sorry about that before I cleared my throat and put on a serious face.

"So Fi, I wanted to know what you thought I should do about the whole Emma thing." I say almost nervously. Fi thought for a moment and then her face softened.

"Have you spoken with her yet?"

I smiled and shook my head. "I wouldn't exactly call it talking." Fi nodded and thought some more, fiddling with her glasses as she did so.

"Maybe you need to come clean to her Jesse. The only way she can ever learn to trust is to find out about the real you, not the you she met out on the street." I thought about this and I knew Fi was right, but something inside of me just wouldn't have it.

Maybe it was the thing about being a cop, or maybe it was because there was still the possibility I would lose her no matter what I said. Deciding I no longer wanted to talk about my relationship I went out on a limb and asked about our latest case.

"So how's the thing with Gomez going?" Apparently that wasn't the right thing to say because Fi's face twisted into a frown and I could see her hands ball into fists as they rested atop the table.

"No better, he's still planning to move the drugs using Greg's trucks and we have no idea when or where to. Michaels planning a stake out and if you two can work this thing out I'm sure he'll take you."

I laugh at her tone, it was like I was a child she was bribing although it was a tempting offer. I'm eager to put an end to this, I had been there with our client since the beginning and there was nowhere else I would rather be when it ended.

"Can you ask him to meet with me in a few hours? I really want to get this out of the way before Gomez makes his move." Fi smiles softly at me and nods her head, standing up and putting her glasses back on. She bends down and pecks my cheek as she whispers in my ear.

"Just tell her." The words echo in my mind and I know I only have one choice.

It's late afternoon and I'm sitting on the beach, mindlessly watching the waves when I hear footsteps behind me. Michael sits down beside me and we both tense slightly, not yet comfortable after our earlier encounter.

We both sit for a moment, collecting our thoughts and trying to find the best way to get through this conversation. In the end I decide this is mostly my fault and I clear my throat to get Michaels attention.

"I'm sorry Mike, I know I should've been more careful but when I saw her it was like-" Michael holds a hand up and I notice his lips are slightly turned up in a smile.

"I know. When I first met Fiona, I knew I should have stayed away. She was everything I wasn't looking for, in a relationship and as a spy. Stubborn, crazy, you name it. But the more time I spent with her, the more I realized how alive she made me feel. After being an agent that long you start to lose your head and sometimes you don't even know what's important in life anymore. It's all about the job" He pauses and takes a breath, his eyes staring at something off in the distance.

"I think I might love her." I say softly, "is that crazy?" There's an uncertainty that's burning inside of me and I know that there is the slightest possibility that I am crazy for thinking I'm in love with someone I don't even know that well. But then Michael smiles again and shakes his head and I know that for now I'm going to be ok.

"So Fi said something about a stakeout tomorrow night," I say casually, hoping he realizes I want in. He hesitates but eventually he nods and slaps me on the back before he stands up.

"I'll pick you up at 7. Be ready, this may be our last chance at this." After he leaves I realize the sun has almost set and the beach is now almost empty. I contemplate heading back to Maddie's but the smell of the salt water and the sound of the waves are so comforting that for a moment I almost forget that I still haven't spoken to Emma and Fi's words from earlier replay in my mind again.

Stifling a groan I stand up and brush the sand form my clothes, getting into my car as I begin the almost twenty minute drive to Emma's house, my heart pounding the whole time. It's time someone comes clean, I just have a feeling it'll be me.