My Beautiful Doll

Warning: Nothing. Just Baker being an annoyingly cocky son of a bitch

A/N: Heyoooo! Here's the next update! I've finally gotten someone to help me out beta-ing this story. So, this would hopefully be the final chapter where I'm flying solo. Also, just a random side note. I was genuinely shocked when I found out that Lou Diamond Phillips, the actor for Ian Edgerton is half from the Philippines. I don't really see a lot of Southeast Asians playing in these types of shows, so it was nice to find out that a fellow Southeast Asian is acting as one of the coolest characters in one of my favourite cop shows. I just thought that it was cool. Anyways, that's all from me and have a nice day!

Amita and Larry had arrived just a few minutes after Charlie left and instantly got to work. All of the math and technical stuff flew over Ian's head, but he is grateful for all the help they can get. They typed away, throwing ideas at each other and looking over the lists that Don's team had helped procure in the last few hours.

In the meantime, everyone else had all gone through the case files with a fine tooth comb, trying to find something that Don might've missed. Unsurprisingly though, there was nothing there. Don was thorough in his work, even when sleep deprived. But they did manage to add a few details that would help his theory.

"Man…" Colby groaned, rubbing his eyes, "There's nothing here that hasn't already been checked".

Megan took a break from reading the letters, "This man is a narcissist" she said, looking up. "A perfectionist, someone with supremely high standards. His obsession with perfection mirrors this, but I don't understand his obsession with Don…"

"I wonder how he knew Don," David muttered under his breath, lost in thought.

"Could be from one of his cases" Ian shrugged. Then he looked around to see Billy deep in thought, unusually quiet for the resident fire hazard. "Something on your mind?"

Coop's eyes snapped up. "Kind of…". He looked at the direction of the elevators, a contemplative look on his face. "That agent, I just think I've seen him before but I'm not sure where".

"The man goes around a lot" David shrugged, "Mostly to chase down the killer. You probably came across him at some point."

"Maybe…"

"You can figure out where you've seen him later" Ian said, "Who knows? Maybe it'll come to you at the worst possible time" he snickered.

Coop rolled his eyes, "Watch me and my revelation being the one to crack this case wide open".

"I'd like to see that happen" Ian retorted.

"Alright boys, break it up" Megan butted in, "There's time to do your little dick measuring contest later".

Both Ian and Coop stiffened, feeling annoyed. Ian was about to retort before Megan pulled up her phone, the screen clear for them to see.

"You wouldn't…" Ian threatened.

Megan grinned, "If calling him is what it takes for you guys to behave, then so be it. It'll be you two who'll face his wrath, not us".

A low groan came from Coop, seemingly coming to the same conclusion Ian did. It wasn't worth it, not at all. Don was a crafty son of a bitch whose revenge is always worse and also extremely personalized. He did not want to risk that, not yet at least.

"Figured," she said smugly. Putting her phone away, she crossed her arms, looking at the two academics. "How's the algorithm?"

"Well we're still trying to tweak the code and then we'll test it on some fake data. It should take us around thirty minutes" Amita responded, her fingers flying on the keyboard.

"But due to the extensive amount of data we currently have, it might take some time to process the real thing," Larry continued, biting his nails.

"How long would that take?" Colby asked.

Larry tilted his body left and right, "Give or take two or three hours".

David looked up, "Maybe we can go back and interview some of the victim's family members" he said, looking at the notes. He threw one of the files onto the middle of the table, "it says here that Agent Baker went to interview them but something is telling me we shouldn't trust him…"

Ian almost snorted at that. Looks like Don's team has started to catch up to the 'gut instinct' that had driven Don for much of his FBI career. "You're not the only one," he replied, leaning back into his chair. "Something about him just rubs me the wrong way".

"You sure it isn't because he's got a major crush on Don?" Colby asked, his tone skeptical.

Ian rolled his eyes. "I'm fully capable of separating my emotions from my observations Granger" Ian retorted. Then he placed a hand on his chin, "It's just something about him that tells me that there's something more. But what?". Ian ran a frustrated hand through his hair, annoyed that for once, his instincts aren't telling him exactly what's wrong.

"For once I agree with Edgerton," Billy said. "I think we should keep this under wraps from him".

Megan looked at them before letting out a sigh. "Alright, we won't tell him anything for now. But if he or the AD finds out about this, you're all on your own".

"Sure sure" Ian replied, waving a hand lazily. "So, how are we going to divide this?"

Megan was silent for a moment before saying, "I'll tackle the sister of the first victim. David can tackle the boyfriend of the first victim. Agent Cooper can talk to the family of the second victim. Colby can go after the family of the third victim and Agent Edgerton can stay here and go through these names a bit more, maybe your sniper eyes can see something we can't".

Ian nodded, understanding why he was delegated to desk duty for now. He was pretty intimidating, even when he didn't mean it. It wouldn't bode well with a grieving family. "Alright. Tell me when you find something" he said. Everyone nodded as they grabbed their jackets, all of them collectively running out the door. Ian picked up a pile of paper, mentally groaning. "Let's get it done," he said, looking in the direction of the professors. They both nodded as they typed even faster into their keyboards, determination fueling them. I hope I'll find something here. He might go insane if he didn't.

As he rummaged around the tables for the next set of names, there was a sudden knock on the door. Looking up, he stiffened as he saw who it was. Agent Baker stood there, smiling. Anyone else would've thought that he was happy, but Ian could see the smugness in his eyes that the man failed to hide.

"Agent Baker" he greeted cooly.

"Edgerton" he replied, just as cold.

"Did you decide to make yourself useful?" Ian asked, not hiding his irritation. He wasn't known for his tact after all.

Baker snorted, "That's rich coming from you" he said, coming nearer. "You couldn't even save your precious boyfriend from being attacked" His tone sounded disgusted at the word, like he couldn't fathom someone like Don would date someone like Ian. "What gives you the right to judge me?"

Ian growled, launching himself up to grab the man by the collar and slammed him against the nearest wall. "I'd keep my mouth shut if I were you" he snarled, "wouldn't want to piss off someone who could shoot you from the next building and get away with it".

"You're threatening me, Agent Edgerton?" his tone was mocking as he met Ian's gaze head on.

"No" Ian grinned, his smile as sharp as a knife. "I'm just giving you a warning".

Baker scoffed. "Maybe you should've saved that warning for the killer. Could've saved Agent Eppes from getting a…painful reminder".

"What the fuck are you talking about?".

Baker blinked for a few seconds, seemingly stunned and confused. Then he let out a snort, trying to keep his amusement in. But then he gave up, letting out a loud burst of laughter, his voice cold and hollow. "OH! Oh…that's hilarious!" he said in between laughs.

"What…?"

"You have no clue" he sounded delighted, like he'd just uncovered the secrets to infinite money. "The Great Ian Edgerton has no clue!"

"What. Are. You. Talking. About?" he snarled from between clenched teeth.

"Since you think so highly of your skills, why don't you try to find out for yourself?" he replied.

Ian growled. He was sorely tempted to toss the man out the nearest window but judging by the looks that everyone else was throwing at him, he knew it wasn't a good idea. Not if he wanted to be convicted of a murder of an FBI agent, even if it was justified. So he took a deep breath and channeled that infamous control that he's always had over his emotions and released the man, taking a step back. He crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes, "Fine then" he hissed.

Baker straightened his jacket, his smile smug. "Nice to see you finally come to your senses" he sneered. Then he went inside and took a box with his name on it. "Now if you'll let me, I need to take my things back with me".

Ian snorted, "Why? You're giving up?"

Baker rolled his eyes, "Contrary to your assumptions, I'm not a slacker. No, I've simply been called back by my superiors".

Ian's eyebrows shot up. In the middle of a case? Ian didn't trust this man as far as he could throw him.

As if he sensed Ian's suspicion, Baker let out an annoyed sigh. "As much as I'd love to entertain your little delusion, I'm telling the truth. There is something much more important that I have to attend to".

Ian mentally snorted. He could smell the bullshit from a mile away. "Fine then" he conceded, raising his arms up, "Feel free to walk away. I'm sure whatever you're doing right now is much more important than catching a serial killer that's terrorized multiple cities".

Baker sniffed, raising his chin up in a condescending manner. "Oh I assure you, what I'm doing right now is far more important than what you're doing".

Ian rolled his eyes at the self important tone. He was about to shoot back before he noticed something that wasn't there earlier. "Who the fuck would agree to marry you?" he blurted out when he saw the silver band on the man's finger.

Baker blinked, confused at the sudden change in topic. Then his expression went soft. "The most wonderful man in the entire world" he replied lovingly, a far cry from how he was a few seconds ago.

That made Ian confused. Doesn't he have a crush on Don? Did everyone read the man wrong? That didn't sound right. Ian was certain that Baker does have a crush on the younger agent if the smitten looks and soft voices were anything to go by. Maybe he's in some sort of open relationship he shrugged, not liking the increased tugging at his gut.

"Would he even be that wonderful if he was marrying you?" Ian mumbled under his breath.

"What was that?" Baker demanded, glaring at Ian sharply like he had just offended his ancestors. An unwritten challenge settled in the air between them.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Ian shot back, mimicking that irritating tone that Baker had a few minutes ago. He knew he was being juvenile, but there was something about the man that made Ian resent him, even if he wasn't sure what it was.

Baker scoffed, holding onto the box tighter and started to walk out the door. But before he left, he said one final thing. "If I were you, I'd use that spiteful energy to try and catch the killer before something…irreversible happens".

Ian opened his mouth, outraged at the implication, but the man had already run off. For all the bravado that Baker had, he was still a clear coward in Ian's eyes. As soon as he left, a heavy sense of unease settled deep inside Ian.

What the fuck is he talking about?

A/N: Oh shittttt. We all know the truth. How much do you think Ian would hate himself when he realized who Baker really was and that he had a chance to save Don? My bet is a lot.