A/N:

Wow, this took longer than expected :/

Having these rare occasions of complete clairvoyance just seem to happen once in a while and doesn't last especially long I see D: I did have a writing frenzy last week but it seems like that is gone now... But FEAR NOT, cuz the next chapter is here!

(Yes, I'm looking forward to Garen ;D)

CHAPTER 2:5

"Perhaps you should stay outside."

Vi raised an eyebrow and huffed, crossing the pavement at his side. "I'll stay calm, just relax."

They were right outside the City Hall of Piltover and were brusquely shoved aside by security guards until Vi showed her badge and they let the two of them enter. The streets were packed with people wanting to snatch a glimpse of the infamous Noxian and Jayce guessed that over a hundred –personally handpicked and interrogated by Caitlyn – officers were patrolling in and outside the building in an attempt to keep everything in check. To Jayce's surprise and slight discomfort, they were heavily armed in a full attire; some with riot shields, others with machine guns, and it was a wonder they hadn't already passed out in exhaustion. He could see it in their faces as Vi led him through the beautifully decorated courtyard in front of the City Hall and was confronted with another safety measure.

"I would like to see your identification card and confiscate any weapons you might carry for the moment."

Vi sighed. "Do I look unfamiliar to you, Teddy?" she asked dryly.

The officer confusedly looked at her and then pointed at her gauntlets. "I would recognize you even without those, Vi," he replied and then looked quickly at Jayce. "But chief's regulations; I got to check everyone."

"I think I deserve to be somewhat of an exception to that rule," said Vi and pulled up her badge again. It never stopped amazing Jayce how elegantly she could move with those gigantic gloves. He just saw them as clumpy objects, way too heavy for any person to be able to carry, and impractical overall. Where did Vi store them? Buy parts for them? Who was capable of keeping them in check? Vi was certainly not; he had seen her try to "fix" a broken microwave and that resulted in a minor explosion and lots of burnt hair.

"Maybe if you'd stop calling me Teddy..." started the man but was immediately interrupted.

"Not happening." Vi grinned at him and handed him the purple card; Caitlyn's choice of color of course. "See? It's me, Teddy."

"Oh really?"

He returned the badge and Vi quickly shoved it down her back pocket. Jayce was able to see a tiny picture of her and the sloppily drawn lines of her signature. Vi Skylar. "Just because you and I are so close buddies, Teddy, you'll of course let Mr. Handsome here join. I think you recognize him actually... he's a very, very close friend of Cait's and a little less of mine."

The man Jayce knew nothing more of than being called "Teddy" exhaled and shook his head. The inventor gave him an apologetic smile and held forward his hand. "Jayce, pleasure to meet you."

"Theodore," answered the officer and took his hand. His hair was hidden beneath a black helmet with a darkened visor but his eyebrows and eyes were still visible. Guessing that he hadn't dyed his hair in another color, Jayce knew that the man in front of him was dark-haired. Navy blue eyes examined him at the same time but in what felt like a critical view. Theodore was much shorter than him and was forced to look up at him.

"Right, Officer Teddy," stated Jayce and his smile widened. When Theodore looked back at him in dismay, he hurried to excuse himself. "I wasn't being serious; I couldn't stop myself from saying it."

Theodore sighed again and waved Jayce to follow Vi who had already started strolling towards the main building. "Just go, I have more important business to deal with than you two. Keep her in check." Then he pushed in a small button on the left side of his helmet. "One civilian and one officer have entered the perimeter, start an overall scan over the Nest again and send the next group out."

"Won't you take her weapons?" asked Jayce as he started backing after Vi who already was entering the great doors of the City Hall, still facing the officer.

"She'll do better with them on," called Theodore after him with a sudden genuine smile. "After all, she was the one saving me from myself. That wouldn't have been possible without her gauntlets. I owe her."

How sweet to hear that she's saved some lives at least, thought Jayce and turned around towards the City Hall, continuously walking. But what might have happened to that guy? He was insufferable at first but then sounded really happy... He suddenly stiffened and a terrifying coldness swept over his body.

After all, she was the one saving me from myself.

Someone was behind him.

She looked about and made sure that she was alone before quietly rereading the letter for what must be the thirty-fourth time by now. Or at least, that was how far she had counted.

I've missed you somewhat terribly during the years but I was forced to make sure that I could control it; I never wanted to harm you, really, I didn't. Same thing goes for the rest of your police crew... but at least you got promoted, didn't you?

Don't fright, I've just kept a watchful eye out for you – or well, perhaps more than just one eye – and you've really changed a lot for the better of the world. The famous Sheriff of Piltover misses nobody's eyes and your records are spotless. Nobody has been able to escape nor evade your investigations... but I'm going to make a change to that.

I know everything about you.

I know your heart's deepest desire.

I know what you really think about him.

I know you better than you think and I'm going to prove the world wrong by exposing your weaknesses. Maybe not today nor tomorrow, or even the day after tomorrow, but some day, you'll finally recognize your faults even in the perfection you've so delicately manufactured. Don't try, Miss Sophisticated, even you have your darkness and I know them all. Now when I've finally mastered it, nothing can stop me, and you know it. Everything comes to an end; even you. Fear the shadows of your past... because I'm there waiting for you.

- C

P.S. I've missed you, Cait. I'm looking forward to this game of ours.

As always when she finished reading, an unexplainable chill filled her senses and made her shiver. Caitlyn had tried to recognize the handwriting but no matter how long she sat staring at the sheet of paper, she couldn't figure out anything.

I know that I know these "a"'s... and his or hers "c"'s... but the letter's content carry nothing else of value; I don't understand anything of what the writer is saying. Caitlyn frowned and sank down in the nearest armchair. "Fear the shadows of your past"... what can it possibly mean? What shadows? What is it that I'm missing here?

She exhaled and dropped the letter to the ground. The smooth material of the paper slithered down her bare legs and landed on her right foot. Caitlyn irritably kicked it away but it flew back to her again. Like abandoning a puppy; Impossible to throw away.

Someone knocked on the door and Caitlyn responded. "Who is it? Anything about Lady Du Couteau?"

"No," came a nonchalant answer and Caitlyn rolled with her eyes. Vi.

"Then your welcome to enter, Vi," she replied and the pink-haired woman stormed in, her expression indicating how much aggravated she was. It surprised Caitlyn how calm her partner had sounded outside the door.

"What is it that you want?" asked Caitlyn sarcastically and crossed her legs. She was tired after having worked nonstop since the day before the arrival of Du Couteau and her entourage. Securtiy was her highest priority at the moment and the Sheriff hadn't been sleeping for over forty-eight hours. The heavy bags under her eyes vexed her intensely but she had ignored them for a while now.

Vi didn't even bother closing the door behind her but pointed accusingly at Caitlyn. "What crap have you been selling? 'Cause it sure ain't working; Jayce found a part of the box under his bed."

Caitlyn raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?" she wondered coolly. "When did you meet Jayce? Where is he?"

"Don't wiggle your way out of this, Miss Perfect; tell me the truth," said Vi, ignoring what Caitlyn had asked. "Someone with such an impeccable mind as yours could impossibly forget. Spit it out."

She is angry, thought Caitlyn calmly and examined the woman in front of her. Her cheeks are slightly flushed, probably because her heart is beating rapidly; she must be serious about this, unfortunately enough. This is not a joke. And her hair is slightly ruffled; since it's not windy outside – also unfortunately enough – it means she must have taken a ride... I know only one who could be able to maneuver with a fast vehicle in this crowd.

"So Jayce's here?" asked Caitlyn. Vi's surprised expression told her everything she needed to know. "I see. Tell him to leave; this is not a place for civilians."

"How can you be so cold?"

Caitlyn opened her mouth to answer when her earphone started vibrating. She quickly put her index finger on the green button and gestured for Vi to wait. "Report, Theodore," she commanded. "I'm in a hurry-"

"We have arrested a civilian who made himself into the Nest, Sheriff. I don't know if he's telling the truth-" She heard a furious voice call her name and then a grunt as he was silenced. No doubt, that's Jayce, she affirmed. "I apologize for the intrusion but the person claims that he knows you."

Caitlyn grimaced. The volume on her speaker was loud enough for Vi to be able to hear and the look of her partner was far from good. "Tell him that you know him," hissed Vi and frowned. "What are you waiting for?"

"Excuse me?" said the voice in her earphone and Caitlyn shook her head. "Nothing," she replied quickly and took a deep breath. "Could you tell me what the civilian's name is?" Just to make sure.

There was a pause and an angry glare from Vi before the police officer said something. "He says his name is Jayce-" Another voice erupted and disturbed what the man had to say. "I apologize once again but he's highly aggressive. I may suggest that you should make your answer and that now,little officer."

Caitlyn didn't know if there was something wrong on the radio or that a breeze disrupted Theodore's voice, but his last sentenced sound oddly otherworldly and she frowned. "Excuse me, Theodore? Could you repeat the last?"

She heard the muffled noise of an order before his voice returned to her. "I said: I may suggest that you should make your answer and that now, Sheriff."

I just imagined, that's all. Caitlyn exhaled. You're getting superstitious for nothing. The letter is just a joke from some bored kids... though how did they get my personal address? Do they know where I live? And if the person or persons behind this "prank" are serious, what exactly do they want? "Stay put and don't let him escape; I'll just finish this up."

"Yes, Sheriff."

She looked at Vi who met her gaze with a harsh-mouthed expression. How should I do with Jayce? Shall I ignore him? Caitlyn rose up from her seat and approached the nearest window pointing out towards the courtyard and pulled aside the green velvet-curtains. Outside she could see a group of officers holding down a struggling figure and Caitlyn didn't have to think twice about who it was. She recognized his handsome countenance even at this distance, with his kind and intelligent eyes and the tiny dimple in his chin.

"What are you doing, Cait?"

She crossed her arms. "I can't involve him into this, Vi, I really can't." Caitlyn contemplated to tell her partner about the mysterious letter but then chose to abstain. It's better if I leave as many people out of it as possible. For now, only I know about it, and whoever sent the envelope.

"Caitlyn, are you alright?" asked a concerned Vi and she nodded in return.

"It's nothing," replied Caitlyn then turned back towards the view from the window. "I'm just tired. Let me handle this, please."

What is making him fight them so hard? It's hardly like him, she mused and focused on him more intensely. He seems almost... She took a step back as his eyes flashed up to meet hers. His eyes were the color of the sky and she had always enjoyed the looks he gave her, but like this, she was taken aback; Jayce looked terrified.

She raised her fingers to the earphone. "Theodore." Nobody answered and she raised her voice and repeated herself. "Theodore?"

"Yes, Sheriff?"

Caitlyn could soon see where Theodore stood in the temporarily crowded place by the fountain and he looked up at her, giving her a friendly wave with his right hand. "I see you. Escort the stranger out please; I can't recognize his face."

"Wait, he came with-" started Vi angrily but Caitlyn brushed her off. The signal was dead and Theodore could no longer hear them.