"First and foremost, I'd like to apologize for the unfortunate event which involved my agents and the resources this office needed to extend due to that circumstance" Chief Aaron Rizonou began, clearing his throat from the mucus left from the many cigarettes he consumed after hearing about this colossal fuck up - that he was supposed to fix. Again. 'Shit rolls downhill' he thought despondent. "-Aswell as the misunderstanding that has incurred here tonight. This office should have been made aware of our arrival and protocol long before this evening. The U.S. Marshal's office extends their regret at the situation, and wants to remind you this is an isolated incident. Both OPS and the U.S. Marshal's hope moving forward we can collaborate as a team and work together for the same desired outcome." He let out a heavy sigh and rubbed his eyes. He should care that he did so in front of the Chief and the Detective but he didn't. How many times has he given that sorry speech?

This wasn't the first time the USM - U.S. Marshal's, failed to provide proper intel to the local Law Enforcement; but it was always him who had to clean it up. This time, he was just done with it. Rizonou wanted his agent out of this jail and in his custody so he could get the hell out of this place - he could give two shits' at this point if she broke the law. He was sure they'd be thrilled to learn that they break the law all the time to get done what they need to get done. The fact that all the agents on OPS are former criminals, recruited for their "special skills" by the Government should just tickle them pink. 'Let's hope that happy convo never comes up' he thought sarcastically. Man he wanted a cigarette.

He stood up, hearing his knees crunch at the movement, and walked around the office with his hands on his hips. He was hoping this wasn't going to be a long, painful conversation. He was tired, and out of cigarettes.

Fuck.

"Could I trouble you for some coffee?" He asked in a raspy tone.

"Sure you can" Chief Gillespie answered and hit the intercom button "Uh, Parker, would you get Chief Rizonou a cup of coffee please. How do you take it?"

"Black."

"Black Parker."

"Appreciate it. I'll get right to it: Kaczynski's crew hasn't wasted any time setting up shop at the ports; I don't have to remind you they are closer to Newton County and Sparta then any other county within a 25-mile radius. His people will be looking to fester here, and you don't want that filth nesting and multiplying in the area. I'll run you both through the Simatic's, crew, everything you need to know that I know; including 2103 Floyd and the others." Rizonou yawned and stretched his arms before sitting on the hard leather couch with his hands clasped over his knees.

"Strap in gentlemen, it might be a long night."

Bill looked at Virgil with one eyebrow raised before hitting the intercom again.

"Um, Parker, better bring in the whole damn pot instead."

Bubba and Lonnie stood outside Frankies cell with their hands on their hips in disbelief staring at her in silence. Their eyes shot from her, to the floor at the base of the door, and back to her again.

"How in the hell…" Bubba began then trailed off with a long drawl.

There on the floor, neatly placed right in front of the cell door, lay the cuffs that used to be snugly wrapped around her wrists. They were purposely laid out flat so there was no way they could be missed. Frankie sat on the cot crossed legged with the jail issued blanket wrapped around her, shivering from her wet clothes and hair.

"Ma'am" Bubba began "Do you want to tell me how exactly you managed this feet right here." He pointed to the cuffs and shifted his weight to the other leg. She looked up at him but wouldn't look at Lonnie. She felt his penetrating gaze on her and she shivered more.

"Marty. Is she okay?" Her question was ignored.

"Ma'am do you want to tell me how you-"Bubba was cut off by a voice so bubbly and southern it put Dolly Parton to shame.

"Hey girl! I've come to get you. I reckon you're just about done." A redheaded firecracker bounced to the cell door and stood there twisting back and forth like a schoolgirl wearing a new dress. An enormous smile stretched across her ruby red lips, and her entire ambiance screamed 1950's bombshell.

"Reba!" Frankie flung the blanket off her shoulders and removed her hair from her face. She walked up to the bars and stuck her arm through and reached for her hand. 'Thank God' Frankie thought, 'Get me outta here'. Just as their hands were to meet Lonnie pulled Reba back and held her at the shoulders.

"Not a chance. You gotta leave. Now."

Reba scoffed and shook him off. She stared inside and looked Frankie up and down with a smirk. A large bubble blew out of her mouth and then popped. She inhaled it in with a gulping noise.

"Girl, what is going on here?" She motioned up and down at Frankies disheveled appearance, completely ignoring Lonnie.

"Your not supposed to be down here-" His voice was deep with agitation.

"Excuse me boys." Reba tried to snake in front of them and Bubba took hold of her arm and held it.

"No, we will not" Bubba stood in front of Reba with his large arms crossed. "You are not going anywhere near the inside of this cell ya hear. I can't even guess how you got down here but you are ain't staying. Go on." He pointed his finger toward the stairs.

"Oh come on Sugar, I have permission."

"From who?"

"Your Chief that's who. Now let me at my girl." Reba batted her eyes at Bubba then winked as another bubble escaped from her mouth.

"Not until all of us have a sit down and figure out what the hell is going on - now go!" His voice was raised and his patients was short with this woman. She was relentless, and her and Bubba went back and forth at each other as he dragged her down the hall and to the stairs.

"Lonnie! Put them cuffs back on that girl!"

Lonnie was standing at the entrance to the cell. He had forgotten about the cuffs lying on the floor until he looked down again; bending down to pick them up and saw a pair of wet, muddy converse in front of his hand. When he stood up, Frankie was at the cell door with her hands wrapped around the bars staring at him. She watched him as he dangled the cuffs from his index finger and stared back. Frankie sucked in a breath at the sight. He glared at her with this look in his eyes while he swayed the cuffs in front of her, like he was silently letting her know what he wanted to do to her. If he tore through the cell door and wanted her right now, she would have let him. 'What is happening…'

He stepped closer to her, and she could feel his breath on the tip of her nose as she looked up. It felt so good, she was so cold, and he looked so warm to her. She wondered what it would be like to be close to him.

He watched her shiver, and felt an intense need to make her feel warm and safe, and had no idea why. His need to take her just a moment ago faded into something between protectiveness and longing. To see her shivering and cold sent some primal urge through him that made him feel he had to, and wanted to; like it was his duty to make sure she was taken care of. 'What is happening…'

"Are you really going to cuff me again?" When she spoke her voice was soft but firm.

"Are you going to keep them on this time?" He should have asked how the hell she got out of them in the first place. He looked at her and his eyes softened. "Yes, I reckon I have to."

Frankie sighed and moved aside so Lonnie could enter. Closing the door, he walked behind her and gently placed her arms behind her back, locking the cuffs in place. Her shivering had gotten worse, and he picked up the blanket and draped it over her shoulders, securing it around the front so it almost covered her whole shirt.

"Thank you." It was the sweetest thank you he had ever heard, and he smiled a bit. She looked at him and smiled back. "That's nice to see you know – a smile." Uncomfortable not knowing how to respond to her, he cleared his throat and his smile was replaced by his usual stern poker face. "Your welcome ma'am." She moved back from him and he felt a ting of regret at his response. Frankie walked over to the cot and sat down, wishing she didn't back away, but felt awkward after he switched back to cold. She looked up at him and their eyes locked instantly. She wanted him close to her, even though she felt off about what just happened, Frankie stood up again and walked over to him, his eyes following her every move.

"Marty – the girl I was with, how is she?" Lonnie readjusted his weight on the left leg but didn't back up from her closeness.

"Not sure. One of the officer's upstairs should know." He could still smell a hint of her perfume and it was intoxicating.

"Are we going upstairs?" Frankie smelled his cologne and it made her mouth water a little, and she bit her lip - it was not at all lost on him. 'Jesus..' He took a deep breath and sighed.

"Not until I get word I can take you up." It was getting harder to be around her, the urges he fought back to not grab her and kiss her right there were getting stronger, and he hated the loss of control. But to feel her against him…He had to admit it had crossed his mind more then he wanted. She seemed to always be on his mind now.

"Lieutenant-" Luann came through to the cell block with full hands "Chief says you can bring her up. They are waiting for you in the conference room" She walked toward them with food and paperwork for the officers on watch. "Food is up there for you if you want it." She nodded to Frankie then went off down the hall with the tray of breakfast for the other prisoner.

Lonnie held Frankie's forearm lightly and led her out without saying a word. She walked close to his side so there was no gap in-between them, and their arms touched each other gently. They walked slowly to the stairs, both knowing there was no way they could be this close when they got up to the conference room. Both instinctively knew what the other wanted , and felt an irresistible pull that was almost impossible not to give in to now.