CHAPTER 3:4

Caitlyn let the ripped up note fall to the ground without any further notice. Her attention was now fixed on the small, rose-colored card she had found inside the letter itself, and shock gripped her in an instant, almost knocking her to the ground.

"'Welcome to...'" Caitlyn swallowed and reread what it said on the card with black ink silently before continuing. "'Welcome to Piltover Central Clinic'?!"

Is this another threat? Does he want to harm me physically in any way? Caitlyn sighed and shook her head. Am I dealing with a madman here?

She put the card on her desk and threw the destroyed letter in the trash can. Rubbish, she thought and hurried away to the showers, passing her locker on the way and pulled out a towel and a bottle of vanilla soap. He's crazy. He must be.

Caitlyn was quickly out of her clothes and entered the empty shower room to wash away her perspiration. The water was cooling against her hot skin and she turned it on even stronger, enjoying the relaxing massage she received by the impact of the drops on her skin. She could stay here forever.

The hospital... Caitlyn bit her lower lip and focused on a gray tile on the floor. Why would he want me to visit there? Has he maybe planted a bomb there?!

Her heart started racing but she then shrugged it off. He doesn't seem like someone who would pull of that. Hostages, bombs and gunfire blazing aren't really his thing, she thought and calmed herself down. He's cocky, but not in that way. Neither does he seem to be part of a larger criminal organization; he's a one man army and likes to keep it that way. He might have an accomplice or two, but I reckon he likes to stay undercover.

Caitlyn bent down to pick up her soap and squeezed out some of its contents and rubbed it into her body. She was careful not to wet her hair and accomplished to finish her shower without any annoying hindrances. The Sheriff was a woman of much details, taking care to always keeping herself strict to her rules. Her political views were few and sparse; she cared not much for the statesmen controlling the City of Progress and had even at times been asked to join their ranks, but of course denied the matter time by time. She had enough job as it already was to keep her beloved city in a clear state like it was and Caitlyn felt that spending time on the field was a much more effective work than to sit in a conference talking about it. She hated being bored or idle and always took the hardest investigations on her own. Her private life was practically dead, but she didn't mind that. There were a couple of times when she visited her parents living in Demacia, but as the only child of the family and being rather lonesome all of her life, Caitlyn didn't exactly know how to relax and have fun. Not that it mattered especially much to her – she truly loved her job and it fortunately suited perfectly with her cold, almost detached personality.

That was, until she had met Jayce.

It had been a day of winter, four long years ago, when she suddenly felt the urge to eat something sweet and decided to walk to the nearest store and buy a bag of her favorite pralines. Snow was assaulting the city heavily and it had taken more than fifteen minutes for her to fight her way through the street and to the other side instead of what would usually take less than five. And if that didn't frustrate her enough, something worse happened. Caitlyn immediately regretted ever going out – all of the chocolate was gone.

"Is there really nothing more?"

The young shop attendant gave her a friendly smile. "Unfortunately not," he replied and scratched the back of his head. "Valentine's day is very shortly and most people go crazy on just this brand. Some even buy two weeks before, scared that it might go out of stock."

"But that's ridiculous," answered Caitlyn in an instant and rested her hands on her hips. "Why don't you buy in more then? If you know it will disappear eventually in such speed."

He shrugged. "I think my boss told me why..." The shop attendant grinned. "Though I didn't really listen. Anyways, there's some tradition or something... it's from some celebration originated from Ionia... I think. Guys buy it for the girls in most cases."

Caitlyn sighed and opened her coat. The heat of the small boutique was starting to make her sweat but she tried to ignore it. To her irritation, the shop attendant's eyes glanced down at her very low-necked tank top but then realized she could use it to her advantage. "Is there..." She smirked at him and tried to sound as flirty as she could. "...really nothing left? Nothing you can give me?"

The youngster cleared his throat and averted his gaze, a blush spreading across his cheeks. "No, I'm sorry," he said and swallowed. "I just sold the last one."

Just my luck, thought Caitlyn irritably and sighed. I even provoked that young boy's mind... He didn't seem to recognize me and I really hope that nobody–

"Here, take it."

She woke from her reverie and raised her gaze from the floor. A rather tall guy was standing in front of her, handing her the familiar dark bag of pralines. He was good-looking, had a nice smile and she was completely taken aback by his sweet gesture of kindness.

"E-excuse me?" she stammered and took a step back. "What do you mean?"

His smile widened. "It seems like you're in desperate need for this, Sheriff," he replied and swung the chocolate in front of her eyes. "You can have it."

"Oh," she blurted out and then shook her head. "No, you bought it. I'm sure your girlfriend will be angry if she finds out you gave it to another woman."

"Are you the Sheriff?" exclaimed the shop keeper surprised, his young features reddening again. Caitlyn grimaced and gave him a little nod, making him turn the color of a tomato.

"I assure you she'll be more than happy to help you out."

Caitlyn turned back to the stranger with a sigh. I knew it. He's taken. Damn! Such a handsome man is definitely busy with an equally handsome woman. What a pleasant reminder how much of a complete loner I am. This day ought to be my best.

He chuckled and pulled back his brown, well-kept hair. "Since she doesn't exist, I think I can make up the rules myself."

"What?" asked Caitlyn and furrowed her brows. She was still not sure if she should take the chocolate or not, and his words puzzled her. Is he single or not?

"It was a joke," he explained. "I'm alone this Valentine's. Again."

"Same," she blurted out and hid her flushed cheeks with her thick scarf. "I mean... well, I'm alone as well."

"I understood that," he answered with a smirk and she inquiringly raised an eyebrow. He was witty and charming, but she felt suspicious towards him, not completely understanding what he wanted to gain by speaking to her. Maybe this was another one of Vi's silly jokes? Was she hiding behind one of the shelves with a camera? "Pleasure to meet you, Sheriff. Name is Jayce."

He held out his hand and she took it. "Caitlyn, but that you already know as well I reckon," she replied. The stranger's hand was warm and firm, but not very much larger than her own. He was definitely stronger than her but not by much, and she guessed that he was an entrepreneur or inventor. His physical body shape would suit an eccentric artist as well, but he didn't look nor dress like that type. Intelligent, blue eyes seemed to examine her in same fashion as she had analyzed him and Caitlyn decided to go with an inventor. The man had the slightest of a Demacian accent but his appearance was not typical for that nation and she guessed that he had grown up in the beautiful city-state as child. She had only been there a couple of times, and there was no match to the majestic atmosphere that the denizens upheld. Such discipline and light was hard to find somewhere else.

"Sheriff," he acknowledged and replaced his hand with the pralines. "Here, I don't need them, really."

She smiled. "Thank you, Jayce."

"No need to mention," replied the handsome man then added with a cunning smile. "Though you could make it up to me."

"How?" asked Caitlyn gravely. Now, what could it be that he would possibly want from the most influential person in all Piltover?

Jayce looked at her in surprise and suddenly started laughing. "Wow, you sound so serious," he said as he calmed down. "I was only going to ask you out."

"We just met," she answered dryly even though she wanted to yes immediately. Don't sound more desperate than you already have done, she thought and frowned. "You sure are quick to ask girls out."

"Not really," he replied, actually sounding very honest. "But why not? We're both tragically alone on Valentine; this is probably the fifth year or so for me. I buy these," he pointed at the chocolate, "only to feel somewhat less lonelier. And to irritate those who are without."

Five years?! This guy was alone for so long? "Busy work?" she wondered and tried to sound neutral, even though her heart was beating rapidly in excitement. "Or no luck with the ladies?"

He shrugged. "Well, I have had a couple of relationships... though they never lasted until or during this celebration."

"I understand that feeling," she replied bitterly and sighed. "Life is tough at times. Though I don't need a man to take care of me; I'm fully capable of being my own hero."

"I see," said Jayce and smiled. "And that is why you were trying to induce him with the best of your female charms. Right, Sheriff?"

Caitlyn rolled with her eyes. "Please, call me Cait. Sheriff sounds so... stiff."

"Certainly, Cait." He took her arm in his and led them out of the small store. "So," he said with a mischievous smile. "Let's see where we can find a restaurant fitted for us two."

It had only been for fun at start and she couldn't really tell when exactly Jayce had started to mean something for her. What had started off as something brief and spontaneous, quickly developed into a deeper connection between the two. He had lost some of his naivety and cockiness during their period of relationship, and slowly revealed the truly nice person he actually was. And as he matured, so did she.

Caitlyn didn't want someone to be dependent on her to feel happy, nor did she want to feel so leashed and restricted by another person's rules. She couldn't deal well with another dominant personality at all and was constantly worried that Jayce would demand more than just sex from her. Even though she wanted to deny it, she knew that he meant way too much for her to lose him, but neither did she want to accept it. How would she be able to continue with her work so wholeheartedly and faithfully with someone like him in her life? She would lose control over all of the criminals and sooner or later, something major would impact the city. She couldn't possibly be that selfish, especially not when a whole nation looked upon oneself with such awe and respect.

Neither of us knew what we were heading straight into, though Jayce realized it first, she thought and got out of the shower with a little sigh. But I just can't relax and talk to him about it. The safety of every man, woman and child in Piltover is a burden on my shoulders and my shoulders only. I can't just let the criminals retake the city for the sake of my own, insignificant happiness.

Caitlyn went back to her locker and grabbed her clothes while putting back her wet towel and soap. She then found a place by a mirror and started sloppily braiding her damp hair with nimble fingers. Maybe I should call him... But no, I'd rather not.

She reached for her pink toiletry bag after some lotion but happened to knock it over. It fell to the ground with a loud bang and she muttered out a curse before crouching down to assemble her beauty products. Her deodorant and perfume rolled out of the bag, but that was not what drove her attention. A small, unassuming box filled with her favorite brand of sanitary protection popped open and realization washed over her like a tidal wave.

I must call Jayce.

"Cait? How can I–"

"Don't say anything," she interrupted and he could hear her sigh through the other end of the call. "Just listen to me from end to beginning."

Jayce frowned. "Sure, but–"

"What did I tell you?"

"Alright," he replied, feeling more than concerned for her. She sounds so winded up – what's happened? "You can go on, I won't interfere."

"Thanks." Caitlyn took a deep breath before speaking. "I think the government is after you. I received early reports this morning, stating that we should keep an eye out for a certain civilian... namely you. Are you perhaps going somewhere?"

"What do you mean?" he asked confusedly. "I thought you were going to say something important since you cut me off so roughly."

She scoffed. "Then you mistook me," she replied coolly. "You see, I think there's something we got to talk through face to face. When are you returning?"

"I never said I would go anywhere," said Jayce, now feeling suspicious. "Is everything alright at the station? Nobody's holding a gun to your face and forcing you to talk?"

"I'd think rather not," she answered sarcastically. "I'm completely alright, but you and I need to have a talk. It's important."

Why do I have a feeling everything is but alright? Jayce soaked his lips. "Sure, I have a couple of things I've got to discuss as well." He could hear Vi speak quietly with Claire and could probably not hear him even now, but he made sure to lower his voice when continuing. "Since you already seem to know, I'm leaving very shortly. I don't know when I'll be back, but it won't take more than two weeks, I'm sure of it."

"Could you call me when you're able to talk in person?"

Jayce nodded. "Yes. But wait, won't you try to stop me?" he added quickly. "I'm going to confront Viktor and you know it."

Caitlyn sighed. "I guess I should, but I can't stop you, Jayce. Just let me know when we can talk. It's really serious."

He felt concerned again and all of his irritation disappeared in an instant. She must be so stressed and heavily under pressure from work. Why can't she just stop being so infuriatingly stubborn and let me be with her? "Hey, you'll be alright without me here to talk to?" he asked carefully. "I mean, I could always–"

"No," she snapped and surprised him with her sudden flare of anger. "No," she repeated with a low voice. "I'm always going to make it through, you know that, Jayce. I'm just... exhausted at the moment. You go do what you've got to do and I'll persevere likewise."

"Thanks," he said after a moment of silence. Her sudden change of heart made him wonder what she had been reevaluating during these days of their separation, but it was a pleasant experience for him. Maybe she had realized what he really meant to him.

"Don't mention it," she replied, "and don't you ever tell Vi I said any of that. I'm never tired."

"Certainly," he responded and smiled widely, guessing that she did as well. "Then I'll get to you after I'm done with this."

"Yes, until then."

Caitlyn slumped down on the floor with a heavy sigh. The shower had meant to cool her down from her training, but now she felt too cold for comfort. She put down her phone next to her and groaned loudly.

"Damn it, why didn't I realize anything earlier?" she exclaimed and clenched her fists. "I should have noticed something was odd."

And this explains the letter as well, she understood and almost dropped her chin to the floor. How did he know?! If I couldn't even keep it in check myself? And I received the envelope quite a while ago already... he already knew by then?

She sighed again and tried to blink away her tears. I can't deal with a problem like that now, especially not with C being such a pestering object. How does he get to know everything? It's almost like he has cameras set up everywhere I go or is able to– I don't know, read my mind?! Or perhaps he's Jayce?

Caitlyn shook her head. "No, it's definitely not Jayce," she said out loud, ignoring the fact that she looked like someone mentally ill. She was alone after all. "Nor is it Vi... I don't have any other acquaintances; I'm not especially social and will never be. I should be able to remember anyone I've shared even the slightest eye contact with, but no... My mind is blank like a sheet."

Who could it be?

She focused on a spot on the floor, trying hard to recall anything of interest or could possibly lead to even a clue to find out C's true identity, but nothing came out of her hard-working brain. Her mind couldn't understand who he was – nor what he wanted from her.

"Ah..." Caitlyn picked up the phone again. I'll try to call Jayce again. I don't know with who he could possibly talk to for this long, but that's awfully inconvenient for me. She found his name in the phone catalog and pushed the call button, then waited patiently for him to hopefully answer.