A/N: I apologize for this being so incredibly late. If all goes well, there shouldn't be another long wait between chapters like that again. Also, please keep in mind that this is an Alternate Universe. Some details are going to be different from the show.

For Li. Your encouragement means a lot. :)

Chapter Three

Kate read through the case file, reading a bit of evidence, then checking it with the information left on the white board. It was long and tedious, but she had learned that sometimes, it was the small, often missed, details that could break a case wide open.

She picked up her coffee, now cold, and looked around the bull pen to see if anyone was watching. The room was almost empty, except for Esposito and Karpowski, both thoroughly distracted by their computers.

It had been a couple of weeks since her power over fire had made itself known. She had managed to exercise some control over it, but so far, she had only done small things, like light candles from across the room and heating up coffee.

It was only the chance of getting caught that worried her.

She let go a bit and closed her eyes, feeling the warmth flow through her fingers and into the mug, instantly heating the coffee to the perfect temperature.

She smiled and brought the mug to her lips.

"Yo, Beckett," said Esposito, suddenly so close behind her. "Wanna call it a night?"

It took everything in her to not spill the liquid in her lap and make a scene. - When did he get out of his seat?

Kate took a breath, not really wanting to stop investigating, but she knew she would work better with a good night's sleep behind her. It had been a long day, after all.

She sighed as she set the coffee down and closed the file on her desk. "Yeah, that's a good idea."

She gathered her things and walked onto the elevator with him just a few steps behind her. "Buy you a drink?" he asked.

"No, but thanks," she replied, "Girl's night with Lanie, then I'm gonna catch eight and break that case in the morning."

The elevator stopped and opened to the ground floor. Espo smiled, "Sounds like fun. 'Night, Beckett."

"Night."

The two detectives went their separate ways from the precinct.

It was a late summer evening, and the sun was just below the horizon, still lighting the sky as the darkness slowly took over. Kate had to admit, she was exhausted and looked forward to getting back to her apartment. She had started toward the nearest subway station, hailing taxis as she saw them, but none stopped.

As she continued on, suddenly there was the feel of cold metal pressed into her side as a guy put his arm tightly around her shoulder.

"You're gonna go with me to that alley over there, and if you try any heroics or make a sound, this gun is gonna blow a hole right through you."

Her instinct was to fight back, but with the gun in her side, she decided not to take any chances. "You need to think about this," she said, "I'm a cop, and I don't have any money on me or anything valuable."

"Yeah, right," he said as he continued to pull her toward the alley. "Cops don't look like you."

Kate remained calm and let him lead the way. She knew exactly how she could get away from this guy, but it would reveal her secret, and she couldn't do that...

Or could she?

He pushed her as they came to the alley, and she hit hard against the wall. It dazed her for a moment, and solidified the plan already forming in her mind.

And she didn't care if the entire world was watching.

Kate pushed the pain back and took in a deep breath. When she exhaled, she felt a wave of heat leave her body and blow away from her, knocking her attacker back and igniting one of the dumpsters further down the alley.

"What the-" He asked as he tried to pick himself off the ground.

She smirked and caught the barrel of his gun as he tried to aim it at her. "You picked the wrong woman to mess with," she said, and closed her fingers tight.

Her hands glowed as the power flowed through her body and manifested into the scorching heat in her hands. Slowly, the barrel of the gun molded like clay in her fingers.

The attacker's eyes widened as he let go of the weapon and attempted to scoot away. "Don't kill me," he cowered, covering his face with his hands.

"What the hell - Beckett?"

She almost jumped upon hearing Esposito's surprised voice call from behind.

Kate dropped the now-misshapen gun. "Javi?" Her partner was there, gun drawn, pointing between her and the attacker like he didn't know who the enemy was. "How -?"

"Got a call saying there was a possible mugging going down. I was barely two blocks away, so..." He didn't finish the sentence, but asked. "What the hell was that?"

"Listen," she said, gesturing toward the guy that tried to attack her, "If you want to take this guy in, that's great, but I'm not giving a statement, and you know why. My resignation will be in Montgomery's office by morning."

"Wait, what?"

"Don't worry, it'll be okay," she smiled, then stepped back. There was this little trick she'd wanted to try for a while, and this was the perfect time. She jumped into the air, letting the flames burst into life and engulf her as she took flight.

The mugger and Espo watched as she made it past the top of the building. She was high enough to see the other uniforms fast-approaching along with a fire truck and an ambulance.

Kate took a moment to process what had just happened and what it could mean. She knew she was going to have to come out soon, but how it happened, well, couldn't have been helped. It was probably better this way.

Ever since her mother was killed, she wanted to do something to make a difference, but nothing ever seemed to work out... until now.

She put the mugger down easily and it felt good. Maybe this was her shot, her true calling, to help others.

A smile tugged at her lips as she flew high above the city, figuring this new power out. She eventually came back to the precinct, traveling so fast it amazed her. She quieted the flames and walked calmly to her desk, taking a few minutes to look at the empty bullpen before she wrote a letter of resignation.

She would miss this place, but had a feeling this new calling would be more fulfilling in the long run.

Kate placed the letter on Montgomery's desk and left.

With this change, she could finally let go and would no longer be contained by the restrictions of an ordinary life.

She flew over the city again, this time, taking in the beauty of it before quenching the flames once more, and landed a few blocks from her apartment. She'd call Lanie in a bit and let her know she may be running a little late.