Hey everyone!

I want to thank you for the sweet messages asking for updates.

It's been crazy lately and finding the time to write has been a real challenge. However, I do want to keep writing and have more ideas cooking in my brain... so let's see what happens.

In gratitude to your comments, that is what pushed me to keep writing, I'm updating both my stories today, so I hope you enjoy them!

Thank you!

Happy Reading...

XOXO,

Nina

Kim couldn't stop daydreaming about their picnic. It had been wild and hot and she was thankful they'd done it because the case didn't end the following day like he had expected and four more long days followed, where they barely saw each other and they were lucky if they had time to kiss each other good night.

Between his work and getting ready for her trip, finding a moment for themselves had been nearly impossible.

Gracie had gone to summer camp and it broke her heart when she found out her uncle wasn't going to be able to go and say goodbye to her, just as it broke his heart when he found that out. He did send her a video and Kim was there as her niece got on the bus to take a picture and wave goodbye next to her parents and grandpa, but the little girl missed him and held on to the promise that he would call her every time he got the chance to and that he would do his best to be there to pick her up the day that she came back.

Even having her parents with her didn't finish the bond she had created with her uncle, and that was something both Kit and Anne were proud of.

Kim and Sylvie were at the brunette's apartment. Kim was trying to organize some things before she was to go away and Sylvie was helping her out.

"Are you packing a bathing suit?"

"Syl, I'm going there for work not vacation."

"You're gonna be minutes away from Ocean City, the least you can do is work on your tan during the weekend and whichever afternoons you have off. If I were you, I would pack a few."

"Fine. You might have a point." The brunette agreed.

"Of course I do." She responded as she handed her friend a couple of neatly folded sundresses. "Have you heard anything from Adam?"

Kim sighed. "No. Not yet. He told me last night that he had to go undercover, but that it was going to be quick and painless. I know he's a great cop and that he absolutely adores his job, but I can't help worrying every time he has to go under."

"Oh, I know exactly what you mean. I hate it when Matt is on duty. I guess we can only trust how profesional they are and have faith that they will always be alright."

"I guess you're right. After all, it was us who fell in love with first responders." Kim replied a bit bummed. Sometimes she felt kind of silly but she really did miss Adam when they weren't together.

"How about we do something fun tonight." Sylvie offered to try to change the mood.

"Fun? Like what?"

"I don't know. Let's go out." Kim smiled and looked at her friend with open eyes. "I feel like we haven't been out for a drink in ages."

"Ok. Ok, I'm down." The brunette agreed.

"Molly's sounds good?"

"Sure!"

It was almost time to meet Brett at Molly's and Kim hadn't heard anything from Adam yet, so when she heard her phone vibrating against the coffee table she practically ran to grab it and see who was calling.

A sense of relief invaded her chest when she read his name on the screen.

"Baby, hi!" She spoke quickly as soon as she picked up the call.

"Hey Belle."

"How are you? How's the case going?" She was a bit concerned. He didn't sound too hyped.

"The case is closed, finally. And I'm tired and I want to see you. What are you doing tonight?"

"I'm so glad it's over."

"Me too." He sighed.

"I was actually going to Molly's with Sylvie, but I can make it short and stop by your place later. I wanna see you too."

"Nah, don't worry. Kevin suggested we go to Mollys for a beer to celebrate, but I wanted to be with you instead."

"You're the sweetest."

"I guess if you're going to be there I'll accept Kev's invite and we'll meet there."

"Sounds good. Listen, I got to go, Sylvie is probably on her way and I don't want to keep her waiting for too long. I'll see you in a little while."

"Yeah, I'll take a shower and head out."

"Perfect."

"Kim?"

"What?"

"I love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart. Is everything ok?"

"Uh huh."

"Ok. See you in a bit."

The bar was packed, and even though she thought it was going to take her hours to find her friend, she picked her up instantly.

The blonde was hanging by the counter talking to Hermann and Stella, what she usually did when Kim or Matt hadn't arrived yet.

"Hi, sorry I'm late." The brunette apologized as soon as she reached her friend and hugged her. "Hey guys." She also greeted both firefighters.

"Hey Kim, nice to see you." Stella smiled. "What should I get you girls?"

"Two beers, please." The blonde ordered and Stella went to get the drinks. "Hey, did you hear anything from Adam? I think I saw Kevin, but I'm not sure."

"Yeah, he called. They closed the case and said he was meeting me here. So it was probably Kev."

"Oh, that's great."

"Yes. He sounded weird, though." She said scrunching up her nose.

"Weird how?"

"I don't know. Worried? Tired?" She shrugged. "I guess I'll find out when I see him."

"Here you go girls." Kidd interrupted them only to bring them their beers.

"Thanks Stella." Kim said politely before she turned around to serve other customers.

"Let's go find Atwater." The blonde suggested and guided her friend to where she thought she had seen him before and she wasn't mistaken.

"Kim, Sylvie! Hey!" His voice was impossible to miss.

"Kev, hi!" Kim was quick to greet him. They had always had a pretty good relationship.

"It's so cool to find you here!" He seemed genuinely excited by the encounter. Obviously Adam hadn't talked to him recently. "Where's Ruz?"

"He's coming. He said he was gonna take a shower and stop by."

"Great!" He got up and walked closer to them. Neither one of the teachers had really acknowledged the fact that Atwater wasn't alone. "Here, let me introduce you. This is Dante Torres and this is Tess Saunders. They are converting for Jay and Hailey while they're on their honeymoon." Now he looked at his colleagues. "And they are Sylvie Brett, a very good friend of ours and Kim Burgess, also a very good friend and Adam's girlfriend."

"Hi!" Both girls greeted the officers smiling and got a smile back and a handshake from Torres. Tess, on the other hand, had a completely different reply.

"So you're Ruzek's girlfriend. I thought you were going to be prettier." Saunders' face as she said that was filled with arrogance and disgust.

Sylvie wanted to kill her, Torres rolled his eyes and felt embarrassed by her comment, Atwater looked furious and was about to jump in, because judging by Kim's wide eyes, she didn't know what to say back.

Before Kevin was able to say anything, the brunette swallowed hard and took a deep breath, only to answer like the true lady and badass she was.

"I'm so sorry to disappoint you Tess. Lucky for me, Adam seems to be ok with my lack of beauty." She took a pull of her beer and directed her sight to both men. "It was very nice to meet you Dante and Kev, I'll be back once Adam gets here, ok?"

"Yes, of course. I'm sorry about that."

"Oh, that's ok. It's not your fault she doesn't know how to behave in public. I'm used to dealing with spoiled brats, it's part of my job."

Kim couldn't care less about what Tess or anyone else for that matter was going to think about her reply, but she wasn't about to stand there and let some random woman treat her like that. And with that she walked away followed by Brett.

"What the fuck is her problem?"

"I have no idea. I saw her the other day when I went to have lunch with Adam and she had the same nasty attitude. I don't like her."

"Neither do I."

They kept drinking and enjoying their night, akin didn't want to let Saunders get in the way of that and a few minutes later when she saw Adam walking towards her she forgot everything about what had happened.

"Belle." He was quick to wrap her in a tight hug, he needed to feel her close to him. "I missed you." His lips pressed against hers and her arms around his waist made him feel much better. "Hi Syl." He greeted her with a big smile without letting go of his girl.

"Hello Detective Ruzek. Nice to see you back in the real world."

"Agh, it feels great to be back."

"I'm gonna get another beer and let you two catch up for a few minutes."

"Syl, you don't have to go." Kim said sweetly.

"I know, but I want another drink. Do you guys want one?" When the both nodded smiling, Brett winked at them and turned away.

"You look beautiful, darlin'."

"Thank you Detective. You look very handsome, too. And you smell great." She said after dropping a soft kiss on his neck. "I love that cologne."

"I know. That's why I'm wearing it."

Kim smiled slightly blushing. She looked him in the eye and that feeling that she got over the phone was still present now.

"Babe, are you alright? You sounded strange on the phone, and now that I'm looking at you, you don't seem so well. What happened?"

Adam closed his eyes and scratched his forehead. "Um, I need to tell you something."

"What? Do you need to go under again?" She was starting to get nervous. He was acting like the time he told her about having to leave for Kit's case.

"No, it's not that. I'm not going anywhere."

"Ok, good." She let out a breath in relief. "Can I just go to the bathroom for a second and then you tell me all about it?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Ok. I'll be right back."

She pecked his lips and quickly went to the ladies room. As soon as she stepped out of the stall she found the last person she wanted to see retouching her lipstick.

"You know, that thing you said about me being a spoiled brat? I didn't like it." Tess said with her eyes fixed on the mirror.

"Well, I don't appreciate your attitude, so maybe you should consider dropping it."

"What attitude? I just spoke my mind." She placed her lipstick in her bag and turned to face Kim. "And I stand by what I said. I think Adam should be with a different type of woman, someone more like him."

"Oh I see. And just out of curiosity, who would that be? You?" Kim questioned not backing away. The brunette was owning her ground and she was not about to show Tess even an ounce of insecurity.

"Yes." She paused for a quick moment. "Listen, I'm not a brat, I'm just very determined and I know exactly what I want. And right now I want him."

"Wow, you've got some balls to tell me that."

"I want to be honest. I think we both know that she should be out having fun, with a girl like me and not tied down to a girl like you. I mean after the kiss we shared today, it's pretty obvious that he wants just that." Kim felt like she wanted to vomit, but her poker face was firm, she wasn't going to give Saunders the pleasure of seeing any emotions on her face. "I just want you to know that I will play my cards and that I will end up winning him over."

Kim looked at her and nodded. "Good luck with that, dear." She said confidently before turning around and leaving her alone in the bathroom.

That wasn't at all the reaction she expected from the brunette.

Kim didn't know if she wanted to run away, cry, or slap her boyfriend. All she knew is that she needed to find Adam because she needed answers right now.

When she found him he was standing by Kevin with Dante and Sylvie.

She grabbed him by the arm and gently pushed him away from the group. Although she wasn't interested in making a scene, she also wasn't willing to leave things as if nothing had happened.

"I think I have a pretty good idea of what you wanted to tell me. I ran into Saunders in the bathroom and she might have mentioned something." Her voice was firm showing no emotions whatsoever and that was giving him the chills. Adam was always able to read her, but not right now.

"I don't feel like staying here. I'm gonna go back to my place. You do whatever you want."

She let go of his arm and walked away, just like she said she would, leaving everyone else in shock and confused.