A/N: Hello! I am so sorry for such a long hiatus, but this story ran away from me. I have rewritten this chapter along with the few that followed and I feel like it sounds a lot better! I hope you all enjoy the new chapters and continue to enjoy the story.

Yuri could feel her eyebrow twitch as the stench of the abandoned park filled her nose. This had better be good or Yuri was going to give him a piece of her mind!

"This had better be worth it," Yuri growled. "I had to take a long lunch but I have to get back."

"I think we might've found what we were looking for," Phoenix breathed, holding out a thin file. "A lynchpin."

"A lynchpin?" Yuri deadpanned, flipping the small folder open. There was a single photo inside. It was gruesome to look at, but still didn't explain why it was so important. "We've come across hundreds of dead bodies, Føniks. Why is this one so different?"

"It still has its face and hero license on it."

"They can be ID'd?" Yuri's eyes widened. "How did this happen?"

"The League is looking at expanding their headquarters. When digging up the perimeter, they uncovered the body. But get this, the estate they're using now? It used to be a facility where the Hero Commission would send heroes to recover from nasty fights."

"We can link them?"

"This hero, Drakon, was sent here after a bad battle with an unknown entity. He was never seen from again but oddly enough, the Hero Commission never released a statement." Phoenix cracked a grin. "I think this is it."
"This is huge!" Yuri's eyes widened. "Physical evidence! This is what we have been waiting for!"

"I managed to free the body without drawing attention to myself but we never imagined something like this," Føniks explained, "How do we want to go forward? If the wrong people catch wind of this then the body is all but gone."

"The police have a special task force dedicated to finding anything about All for One. What if… What if we link it to the league?"

"How? Nothing is really showing beyond some disfigurement to suggest their involvement."

"Get me a vial of blood. I can run some tests. Trigger has been found in a few of the other bodies and if anything it will bring some interest for Eraserhead."
"He could put in a good word on who could be involved. I like it." Føniks nodded in agreement.

"Give us the body or have Hawks come across it. If you put enough emphasis on it, he will take it."

"I don't-"

"He needs something."

"Fine, I will brief him on it and take over the investigation."

"Could we…?"

"I'm going to leave the issue up to you. He is suspicious of my growing interest in you, but hasn't been too outward about it."

"The man is more suspicious than he is bird." Yuri rubbed her temples. "He sounds like a broken record and I can't tell if he is trying to wear me down or if it is a side effect of him remembering a few things."

"You can't blame yourself for that."

"I was arrogant and naive," Yuri scoffed. "It's been years. I didn't think one night would cause so much trouble."

"The president is causing trouble. Her lack of response is most likely fueling his ideas."

"You mean conspiracies?" Yuri rolled her eyes.

"Lil Korpen," Føniks started.

"I should be happy with what I have-what we have, but I find myself craving more. I want what we used to have and it gives me hope every time he remembers even something as small as a nickname."

"I will back you on anything." Føniks whispered, bumping his nose into the crook of her neck. His sunglasses felt cold against her skin as he continued to nuzzle her. "But don't forget yourself."

"Come home tonight?" Yuri asked, hopefully. A shiver ran down her spine as his lips brushed against her ear.

"Anything for you." Yuri shifted, turning to face the man who had been her rock… her world for the last couple of years. "Soon, lil korpen. Soon we can be free."

"I can't-" Yuri jumped as her phone's ringtone broke their quiet moment. She looked at the screen with trepidation as Hawks' name displayed itself.

"That bird really is putting his claws into you." Føniks tightened his grip around her waist. "One would think he owned you or something."

"What are you going on about? He's my boss." Yuri furrowed her brows at the out of character statement. "He might be calling because of paperwork or something. Why does it have to be personal?"

"He's been keeping you locked in your tower since he discovered how the Commission treats its employees."

"Wait a minute… Are you?" Yuri forced him to face her. "Are you jealous?"

"Of course not!" Føniks huffed, a light shade of pink dusting across his cheeks. "Why would I be jealous? I have you. He doesn't"

"You so totally are!" Yuri giggled as she pointed to his cheeks. "Wh-"

"You should answer that before he gets suspicious," Føniks said, walking back into the shadows. "I doubt he'll believe all your lies."

"Asshole," Yuri growled as she watched him disappear. The man needed to get his head on straight.

"What?" She snapped.

"Whoa there!" Hawks groaned. "It's been an hour, Yuri. We have a meeting in 10 minutes!"

"Dritt! The line was longer than I thought!"

"You alright? It's not like you to lose track of time like this."

"I swear if someone asks me if I am fine one more time, I will scream!" Yuri huffed in frustration. "I will be there in 5!"

Yuri tucked the file under her arm. It sat like a lead weight with the gravity of what they were about to accomplish. Perhaps she should ask for as few extra days off.

"Yuri, welcome back!" Hawks shouted sarcastically. "Do you-"

"Here!" Yuri shoved the small stack of files into his hands. "Now what is this about a meeting and why was I not informed?"

"Oh there isn't one. I'm off to a meeting, but I need you here to keep the fort in line." Hawks smirked.

"You are a bastard. I never take a break and the one time I want to take a longer than usual lunch, you do this?" Yuri winced at the panic taking her voice up an octave.

"Yuri?" Hawks raised an eyebrow at her.

"Sorry, I've just been feeling a little overwhelmed lately."

"I'm here if you need to talk."

"I know." Yuri smiled. "Don't be late to your meeting."

"Will you be here when I get back?" Yuri tilted her head at the out of place question. "I wanted to go over a few things since my objectives are evolving."

"Of course."

"Thank you, Yuri. I don't think I could do this without you."

"It's my pleasure to serve," Yuri replied breathlessly. This was the first time he had ever made such a statement with such sincerity. Hawks gave her a strange look but didn't say anything. For once, Yuri wished he had.