A/N: Now we are going to do a time jump. Consider the first four chapters a prologue, to give us a taste of our main characters and what makes them tick. This weekend has been ALOT, so I was primed to get this chapter out to you.

Please drop a line and let me know what you think!

The sweet smell of dark roast tantalized Jade's nose as Marcus handed her cup. The Yankee from out west had become something of a regular at the coffee shop just down the street from the courthouse. Lawyers and cops loved this place, so she was in very familiar company considering where she spent much of her days.

Today was pretty hectic, and she wasn't particularly hungry, so she decided upon something sweet with her coffee to hold her over. Jade couldn't resist ordering some of the beignets the owner made fresh throughout the day. They just smelled that good! Right when she received her steaming hot java, Jade was kindly handed a small blue plate with four of the delectable pieces of fried dough dashed with powdered sugar. Spending some time in New Orleans expanded her horizons toward spice and rekindled a love for seafood. Jade could see the finest cooks in town had generations of passionate immigrants behind them, clearly inspired by French cuisine and making it their own.

She picked up one of the warm treats and sniffed it with anticipation before biting into it, sighing from within. Beignets are always good, but they are sublime when just out of the oven. After enjoying it on its own, she took her first sip of the steaming beverage carefully as to not burn her tongue. She then felt her phone vibrate.

"Who..." Jade mused checking the caller ID, then smiling. "What's up, doc?"

"Jade!" came Gregory's voice. "How you been?"

"Keeping busy," Jade sighed, looking at her next beignet with longing. (Soon, my precious.) "How's it over there?"

"Pretty quiet. But that's a morgue for you," he chuckled.

The pale woman smirked indulged in another sip.

"Can't stay long and if I'm not mistaken from that sound, you're enjoying your mid-day coffee?"

Jade pressed her lips together trying not to laugh.

"And I know better than to disturb you during your moment of Zen."

"Doc, real quick...um...any luck? I mean, on Jane?"

There was a long pause before he let out a defeated huff.

"Not yet..."

(Shit.)

While Jade was away, a corpse fell into Dr. Reynolds' lap. The unfortunate young girl was found with no I.D. or significant dental work to tie her to an identity. For this reason, she was labelled Jane Doe #201. The autopsy was an unremarkable one. Gregory's conclusion was that Jane died of exposure. This was late November when temperatures would begin to plummet, making staying outside for extended periods of time difficult. The body showed no signs foul play and Jane Doe was fully clothed. Despite this, she must've frozen to death based on her being found sans coat, scarf or hat.

She exhibited textbook "livor mortis," so the body couldn't be more than a day or two old. Troubling discoloration manifested along the front half of the girl's body, as she was found face down. When the body's temperature drops after death, and the blood ceases to flow, it pools to wherever gravity takes it. Without entry wounds that would categorize a violent death, the blood simply collects in the areas of the body closest to the ground. People normally associate a dead body with looking pale, but in Jane Doe's case her face took on a purplish red hue. It was if her whole body was one big bruise.

The news of this young lady troubled Jade immensely. In the past, the bodies that Jade worked on were already identified. She knew that sometimes an autopsy would yield to a person's name. And there she was: Jane Doe #201.

It bothered her so, that this girl had no name which meant no family to inform them of her untimely demise. Someone had to notice her missing. They had to. They must be worried sick, they must! What haunted Jade the most about this case was how Jane Doe died all alone in the woods, amidst the trees and animals. She wondered if rangers hadn't found her sooner if she would have been devoured by wolves or bears. Animals mostly stayed away from humans, so feeding the wildlife was discouraged among campers. But after death, sustenance was sustenance and a living thing seeking out protein wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

They say that hyperthermia is one of the more peaceful ways to go out. You begin shivering like normal, then the convulsions get more and more violent as your body desperately tries to maintain a temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit or better. But once you drop to 40 degrees, parts begin to shut down. It becomes deathly concerning when the shivers cease and is replaced with a numbness. Story goes that you slip away as if falling asleep and that was the end. But it could also work in the other direction, which is why anyone will tell you to go to the hospital when you have a fever higher than 104.

"Counting the days 'til the county puts the squeeze on me," he added

She winced upon hearing that. It was the unfortunate truth. They couldn't hold onto the body for long. The average corpse stays in the morgue for mere days before being carted off to whatever the family wanted, burial or cremation. But this mystery girl had been sticking around for two weeks. Cold slows down the decomposition process but doesn't stop it. If she remains any longer, Reynolds would be forced to place Jane in sub-freezing temperatures.

"Not much luck on my end," Jade frowned.

"You do too much, Jade!" he chided her. "Don't neglect yourself, remember?"

She sighed.

"I won't."

"Promise?"

"Yes, yes, I promise!"

Tori was going over a mound of paperwork when her phone rang.

"Detective Vega," she answered.

She sat back in her chair and faced the ceiling.

"Uh-huh, she did?"

The Latina's mouth extended into a broad smile.

"You told her the correct time, right?"

Tori looked down at the gun and badge on her desk, knowing that it was about to go down.

"Perfect, you did a great service. Now, let us handle this. Alright, thank you. Bye-bye now."

She hung up the phone and cracked her neck.

"Gotcha."

In the days following Jane Doe's discovery, Jade did some research in her spare time. She was already putting in eleven-hour days at the Hall of Justice, aiding active cases to move along toward their inevitable conclusion. It seemed so ass backwards that a straightforward murder trial could take 2-3 years to process. Jade couldn't control the defense's counsel trying to play games to either extend the proceedings or lull everything to a mistrial. But what Jade could do was expediate those DNA results and evidence analyses with her stalwart expertise.

After returning to her New Orleans apartment, Jade poured herself into looking into every single missing person's blip on the radar. The huge problem with her neck of the woods was that it was something of a tourist destination. Droves came in year after year, especially during the warmer months. Hikers, campers, sailors, and more. Then there were the people just passing through, going on a cross-country expedition. People Jane's age backpacked through the American wilderness all the time. So, with very little to go on, Jade had no choice but to exhaust her fingers looking into every city, county and state. She could've come from anywhere.

Jane Doe was approximately 24 years old, with short brown hair and hazel eyes. She wasn't wearing contacts, and no glasses were found on her person, so those were left out of the official description. Her height was five feet and seven inches, eerily close to Jade's. The girl's weight was about 125 pounds, but this may not reflect when she was last seen. In the time leading to her death, she could have dropped a few pounds. There was a small amount of food in her stomach, so she didn't starve out there. Again, not that far off from Jade's weight, though she hovered around 130-135 lbs. She imagined if Jane Doe was about that at her healthiest.

In another life, could they have crossed paths? Maybe be friends? They definitely wouldn't have been classmates as Jade was in her mid-thirties. She had completed college well before Jane would have left high school.

Each and every day, this was Jade's ritual. Wake up, shower, make a quick breakfast of fried eggs and toast. Then gather her papers into her leather messenger bag and head off to the Hall of Justice. Then she would return to her abode, eyes hanging out of her head from staring at microscopes, monitors and stacks of paperwork all day. Jade would then brew some English Breakfast tea, with milk and sugar, and start hunting down the true identity of Jane Doe #201 until she fell asleep.

Sufficient to say, the medical examiner from out west was beginning to feel the effects of burnout.

That Friday evening, following a particularly demanding day, Jade rubbed her eyes and slammed her binder shut.

"That's it! I need a goddamn break!"

Jade needed some self-care STAT! So, she started a hot bath and even threw in one of those lavender bath bombs, which she usually didn't do. It was working its magic, filling the bathroom with that lovely aroma. It soothed her nerves and yet didn't encourage her to turn in for the night. The woman was tired, but not sleepy. Instead, Jade soaked into the steaming oasis teaming with purple bubbles while she scrolled lazily through her phone.

(I've been in this town for months and have yet to sample the local cuisine. And I'm not talking jambalaya.)

She bit her lip as she examined Google search for any LGBTQ+ friendly clubs in the area. Half of them were on Bourbon Street, which came as to no surprise. It was a prime location for the more hedonistic activities that the pearl of Louisiana was famous (or infamous) for.

Her finger stopped on one search result that gave her a smirk. The front of the establishment came up on images, the neon sign glowing against the night. It said to have entertainment and good food. Jade noticed that it was listed as woman-owned, which was a pleasant bonus.

"Le Pomme, huh?"

Jade stretched in the tub, sighing heavily.

"Well, ooh-la-la!"

It was about an hour until sundown, shadows growing longer from the retreating sun.

Tori sat at a picnic table in the city park, waiting on the other half of this rendezvous. Now that she was a detective, the Latina got in the habit of wearing more ordinary attire instead of her old blues. She was also wearing a LA Dodgers baseball cap with sunglasses, which was a strategic choice. The mark had only seen her in passing once but couldn't leave it to chance. Tori had to be unrecognizable.

Brown eyes quickly caught sight of the woman. She wasn't wearing the glasses this time, so it must've been a ruse. But the physical description was unmistakable. The lady had pronounced freckles and a cocked nose with sunken cheek bones. Tori was told over the years that she had some nice cheek bones, but this woman was quite gaunt. The detective's photographic memory hasn't failed her yet.

She was absolutely who she crossed paths within the hall of her apartment building.

Despite the warnings, the scammer had not shown her face since that day. Either she had other deals cooking, or there was the vibe that people were catching on. That's what Tori thought until her little trap was sprung. The other day, a tenant tipped off earlier by Tori was contacted by the "agent of the landlord" and was told that her friend owed her money and could hand it over if she met her in the park. The con artist sounded desperate, probably had her own debts to settle, so she agreed.

And that was where Tori came in. But she didn't come alone.

The cop was able to amass what few trusted officers she could to serve as backup in case she made a break for it.

"Rachel?" Tori asked the female, making her startled.

"You're Vic?"

Tori nodded.

"Huh," squinted Rachel. "I half expected you were a guy."

"It's worth it every time to see people's reactions," Tori smirked.

She scooted over so Rachel had enough space to sit beside her.

"Tammy said that you have the money?" Rachel asked, looking around quickly like a squirrel.

The tan woman sucked in her teeth, taking in a drawn-out breath.

"I have Tammy's money, but since she owed you; kill two birds, right?"

"Yeah, right!" she huffed.

Tori was picking up on some serious paranoia from this woman. It was a miracle that she even agreed to meet with her. Rachel must be in a bind.

"Hey...relax!" Tori whispered, tapping the brim of her cap. "You're making me nervous."

Rachel sighed, visibly losing patience.

"Okay, okay, okay, can we do this please?"

Now Tori pretended to look over her shoulder as if she was being watched.

"$9000, right?"

Rachel nodded with enthusiasm.

"Tammy's good people," Tori added. "I'd like for her to not worry about this anymore."

She went into her pocketbook and pulled out a thick white envelope like you get from a bank.

"Large bills, hope you don't mind."

"Just easier to count," Rachel nodded.

Hawkins and Peele, watching from afar in plain clothes, capitalized on the lady's distraction with counting the cash to advance on her. They were thirty feet away before she even looked up.

"Freeze!" shouted Peele.

"Don't move!" confirmed Hawkins.

Tori's hand clasped around Rachel's wrist, still gripping the money, while she slapped the cuffs on the other one. Rachel's back stiffened and she began thrashing, but Tori was too fast and now had both of her hands bound. It was at this point that she dropped the envelope.

"Rachel Deakins," Tori began. "You are under arrest for extortion, fraud, identity theft, but...those are just the highlights. We can go over the rest of your felonies and misdemeanors at the station. You have the right to remain silent..."

The collar began screaming and carrying on, causing a real scene. But the LAPD didn't play into her games. They just gently escorted her away.

"And you're clearly choosing to waive that right. But anything intelligible will be used against you in a court of law. You have a right to an attorney..."

The next day, Jade left at six o'clock sharp to be back home. This time she was determined to have a little fun for once. She knew in her heart of hearts that her Aunt Bev was coaxing for her from the beyond to not spend the rest of her life behind a computer or a slab. She brought Jade up believing in herself and that she was worthy of love. She was proud of Jade; bragging about her brilliant niece to anyone who would listen but kept an eye on her, worried about her tendency to burn the candle at both ends.

It didn't help that lousy experience early in college rubbed her the wrong way. This was a new night in a strange town and Jade was not that fresh face at Pacific Northwest University. She just hoped she would fare better here than the girls at Yakima.

Jade's eyes caught sight of the unmistakable sign from the picture: Le Pomme. The blue letters sat above a red apple. These clubs nestled in the French Quarter were always bombastic, trying to draw the attention of visitors looking for a good time. And this was no exception.

Unlike some of the more prominent bars like "OZ," the line wasn't around the block. Jade saw two quite affectionate ladies walk inside and felt confident about this one. She didn't read too much into it. Get enough liquor involved and that would've been two straight girls. But something in the air and that very brief taste of the music inside gave her some encouragement.

She straightened her white t-shirt, tucking it into her tight blue jeans. On her travels, taking in the local shops on a previous Sunday; Jade happened upon a pair of nice dark brown flats. All she needed then was an occasion to wear them. They were dressier than the non-de-script black penny loafers she wore for work. Knowing inclusive establishments such as this were a mixed bag of patrons, she hedged her bets by wearing a small pin on her left. It was the lesbian flag; dark and light orange, with white in the middle and ending with light and dark pink. The pin was accentuated with a thin gold plating to give it that something extra.

Jade spent an hour on her hair, which she usually didn't. It was so naturally pretty that it just kind of fell into place but tonight, she was being a bit obsessed with it. Jade washed it and weighed in her options: up, down, a bit of both? Straight or curls? Maybe a braid? After a while, the doctor settled on just wearing it down. Let her natural blondness make her shine. If she's lucky, someone will notice.

Upon entering, the bar was pretty full and no spare tables. Jade just shrugged and hung back against the wall. Just then, a tall golden-haired beauty joined her. Definitely older than Jade but not by a lot.

"Nowhere to sit?" she asked Jade in a light, sweet southern dialect.

"Yeah, just waiting for someone to leave I guess."

The blonde folded her arms.

"Was going to order a drink but I figured I'd look stupid standing here...alone...holding a beverage. I mean, desperate much?"

Jade nodded.

"I can see that. But my throat's been dry, and I can't wait forever."

"Name's Luanne," she smiled.

"Jade," the medical examiner nodded back.

Luanne leaned over, noticing Jade's top with a twinkle in her eye.

"Would that be your true colors, darlin'?"

Jade looked down at the pin and uttered a delayed "oh!"

"Is that okay?" Jade asked.

"It's very okay..." Luanne smirked with a raised brow that made Jade shiver.

The out-of-towner cleared her throat nervously.

"How about we get those drinks," Jade offered. "At least two gals hanging out on the wall look more interesting than sad."

Luanne blushed.

"How could I turn down that?"

"You wanted to see me?"

David Vega looked up and nodded at his daughter.

Tori closed the door behind her and sat down across from the chief.

"I've been slammed lately, but I wanted to finally tell you did an amazing job with that case. Rachel Deakins is going to be a senior citizen when she gets out. Plenty of time to think."

The new detective folded her arms.

"I just hope for the victims' sake that it doesn't take plenty of time to get their money back."

Turned out Deakins was a real pro. She would stalk apartments that recently acquired new tenants, sensing the young or immigrated to prey upon. Deakins also ran some direct marketing scams and even worse, a VPN that specifically targeted the elderly. They were under the impression that their personal data was being secured while online when it was the exact opposite. She opened numerous credit cards in other people's names. It just made Tori's stomach churn how she just didn't care who's lives she ruined.

The cherry on top was that apparently Rachel had a gambling problem as well. Despite making tens of thousands a month through her schemes, Deakins was in the red! And she wasn't in debt with just anybody. Rachel owed a lot of money to a loan shark fronted by the mob. So, this woman won't be fighting for her release anytime soon. At least until her enemies plant an operative on the inside to "teach her a lesson."

"You definitely caught quite a fish for your first outing," the proud father beamed. "Days we collar a career piece of work like that are the days I live for!"

Tori blushed, never immune to the dopamine hit of his approval. Being the chief AND her father, it was a twofer.

"Thank you for saying so," Tori sighed. "It means a lot that she's behind bars."

"I actually..." he cleared his throat. "Have another matter you could look into."

He passed a manila folder across the desk, and she flipped it open, briefly skimming its contents.

"This looks pretty involved," she admitted.

"Take the time you need to review it."

Tori collected the folder and nodded.

She got up to leave when David stood.

"That little trap you arranged...hope that gave you a taste of going undercover. According to the big wigs...you would be going in deep with this one."

The Latina looked down at the healthy case file.

"Just think it over this weekend and tell me what you decide," he sighed. "If you refuse, I have other cases you could take. Okay?"

"Thanks for the light reading, chief" Tori smirked.

A/N: Jade's being busy. Really busy. But she is getting back on the horse and giving this dating thing another shot.

And what is in that case file?