TW: light sexual situation

"What did you put for that last answer?" I asked Paul as we walked from the Fortress.

He squinted, the sun unusually bright this afternoon. "The examples for plain view? Horton v. California."

"Yeah, that one I know. I blanked on the other -

"Immigration v. Delgado."

I sucked my teeth. "I wrote Collins v. Virginia."

"I could see you getting credit for that still."

I massaged my throbbing temples. "Is it bad that I don't even care at this point?"

Paul laughed. "What, you're going to tell me no one took the time to teach you Law and Criminal Procedures at some tender age in between showing you how to use a slim jim and find your way out of zip ties?"

I held up a ruby stiletto nail. I was wearing my namesake color for the week as we began to take our written finals for extra luck. "First of all, I've always had a natural talent for getting in and out of things."

"I'd say." We turned towards the comment, seeing a pleasantly smiling Natasha at the end of it. "The Director asked me to give you these." She held up two key cards.

"They're for the Holmes building." I read, flipping it over in my left palm.

"That's where David Morris is being kept. Devineaux is allowing you to visit him today."

I nodded, knowing it was where the Agency had temporary apartments for it's visiting staff.

"I'm supposed to brief you before you go." she continued. "But I'm sure you already understand that it's a friendly conversation only."

I playfully rolled my eyes. "We know, we know. We won't waterboard him."

She giggled. "I'm surprised that Chase allowed this, but glad at the same time. It would be nice for him to at least see a friendly face."

When Natasha left, Paul eyebrow did a skeptical jump.

"What do you think?"

"Natasha has Devineaux's ear more than they both realize." I snickered, pulling my hair back with a too loose elastic.

"What did you tell her?"

"More like what did she tell me." I corrected. "She mentioned that Devineaux was perplexed by the whole David situation. I just suggested that I wasn't sure about any of it, but that you and I missed our friend."

Paul shook his head. "It can't be that simple."

"Of course it's not. Devineaux will also benefit from it. I just can't think of how yet."

"Ask him." Paul replied simply. "It seems like he's warmed up to you."

"He wouldn't tell me now, it would make our interaction with David less genuine if we have a focus, which he will be sensitive to and be less forthcoming." We continued walking, shoulder to shoulder. "I don't think we should both visit at once."

"I think you should go first...loosen things up. David and I don't have the same rapport as you two do. Once he's in better spirits, I'll talk to him more seriously after."

"Right." My feet began to change course. "I'll take an hour, then it's your turn?"

"That's perfect." Paul affirmed. "See you soon."

We exchanged lukewarm smiles as we parted. Taking in a sharp inhale, I continued on towards the Holmes apartments, which was not too far off from the Trainees dorms. I swiped my key card for entry, and then showed it to the field agent who was sitting on David's room. The man nodded with recognition, and rapped on his door with pointed knuckles.

"Yeah?" I heard David say.

"You have a visitor."

I could hear his footsteps draw closer. "Is she hot?"

The agent unlocked the door. "See for yourself."

"Red!" David exclaimed. "How are you even here?"

"What do you mean? You're not a prisoner." I joked, hugging him.

"Well, I can't leave this building according to my buddy right here...so you could have fooled me."

The field agent awarded him with a dirty look, closing the door behind us as we both entered the simply furnished studio apartment. David sat on the precipice of the twin bed, offering me a rolling computer chair which creaked as I pulled it up closer to him.

"I'm so glad you're here, Red." he began. "You've gotta help me. My dad -

I took both his hands in mine, feeling eyes on me through a slit between the door and frame. "Shhhh. We can't talk about that...and I don't really want to."

"Oh." He tilted his head. "What do you want to talk about then?"

I suddenly pressed my lips against his, a kiss which he barely protested. I broke it off, still close enough to whisper play along.

"You're crazy." he murmured in my ear, his lips tickling the lobe. "I'm going to go down for statutory."

"It's cute that you think I'd let you get that far." I pushed him down onto the bed, and straddled his torso. David let out a loud involuntary groan. I couldn't help my smirk. He pulled me down on top of him, his lean fingers undoing the low bun which sat at the nape of my neck. My hair fell around the both of us, a dark wavy curtain obscuring our faces.

"Go slow." I cooed. "We can only do so much, and I'm trying to get us some privacy."

"When did they teach this technique?" His fingers explored my tresses. I giggled coquettishly before kissing his forehead.

"Focus." I reprimanded, losing mine slightly as I watched his freckles frolic across his nose. "Your room isn't bugged, my Communicator would have chirped as soon as I came in -

"It does that?"

"Paul's can - he's been tinkering with it since we got it and I still have his...it's a long story."

"It's not the only thing that's getting long." he half complained, adjusting himself.

"Don't tell me this is doing something for you." I teased, pushing my full weight against his. My face was nestled in the crook of his neck, breath warm against his juglar. The bed squeaked obnoxiously as he squirmed. "We just want to get your friend away from the door so we can talk freely. I just wonder if he's the type that'll have some decency or the kind that will want to watch."

A muffled snicker answered my question.

"You can go and take a breather, James." I heard the voice say. "Morris is well occupied and not going anywhere. He's got a little conjugal visit."

There was a short sputter of a laugh. "Good on him. I'll go have a smoke with'cha then."

David drew dreamily round shapes on my back with his index finger as we listened to the shuffle of two pairs of boots. Once the sound was too distant for our ears to pick up we untangled ourselves. I flopped next to him, and he scooted over to the wall.

"What?" I frowned.

"I'm just processing that."

"We're good friends, our bodies responded in a normal way during that kind of activity, it means nothing." I dismissed. "David, we don't have a lot of time to talk until our ears return, and I want to help you."'

"Dad escaped from prison, and immediately after ACME came and basically coerced me into coming here 'for my own safety' and I haven't been able to leave this room since." His words tumbled out, almost tying up in his tongue. "They think I'm here to be a mole for Falcon."

"Are they right?"

He gave me a look. I held up a hand in surrender.

"O'Malley is, however. That's why you're his favorite, it's a way for him to get close to you..."

I covered my face with his pillow, stifling a groan. "I thought we moved past this."

"I'm a guy, Red, and I see the way he looks at you...I think if you were a few years older he'd probably ask you out -

"But I'm not, so I'm like his kid sister." I scoffed. "What are you, jealous?"

"I mean," His sunny grin was at full strength. "I thought of you as my kid sister too up until about five minutes ago."

I hit his bicep. "O'Malley and I are both transplants from the New York office so we've bonded on that - and close to me for what, anyway?"

"To convince you to return to Falcon, I guess. You're well connected within the Agency. No one would expect it. It'd be a big W for them."

"Why did you leave so abruptly?"

"My dad really is sick. He's only got a few weeks left at best, especially now that he's on the run."

"And why were you acting so weird?" I steamrolled on. "Felipe was talking about your late night phone sessions..."

"You can understand the fact that I don't want people to know I'm talking to a felon, especially one attached to Falcon." He sat up. "Plus my dad was being persistent in trying to get information. I was uncomfortable, but he claimed it was for his safety...so I made it feel as if I was giving him something."

"David, why should I believe you?"

"You already do, otherwise you wouldn't be here trying to prove it to yourself." He paused, the patterned squeak of soles against linoleum returning. "Red, whatever my dad has planned...it won't be good for the Agency, or you. And I'm sure they're going to frame it so that it falls on me. You've gotta help."

It was my turn to sit up now. I leaned over, giving him a schoolgirl's peck on his pink mouth.

"Was that a yes?"

"It was a maybe." I clarified, rising. "I promised that I would graduate first."

Paul was lingering around the entrance when I finally went downstairs, looking troubled.

"What did he tell you?"

"David's saying O'Malley is in on it and that he's innocent." I sighed. "He thinks ACME is going to let him take the fall."

"They like him for O'Malley's accomplice during his dad's escape. The Agency has been extremely tight lipped about it, but that's the real reason he's here." Paul pushed back the dangling ends of his hair, unsticking them from his forehead. "Zachary told me."

"Aw. You made a friend." I ribbed.

"Yeah." he chuckled, slightly shamefaced. "He was wondering how much longer we had until graduation."

"Are you still going to talk to David?"

He nodded. "The room is clear?"

"No ears, no eyes." I replied, referring to surveillance equipment. "Just an agent sitting on him. I managed to buy us a little privacy but you'll have to get creative."

"I'm scared to ask what that entails."

I flashed him a cheeky smirk. "I hope you're a good kisser."

While Paul was upstairs with David, I wandered the Poriot, frustrated.

David would be easy for them to ID. Why would they think he was an accomplice?

"Eyes up." A gruff voice reprimanded as our bodies almost collided. I began to mutter an apology but instead beamed in recognition once seeing the man's pocket marked face.

"Gil! What are you doing here?" I exclaimed.

"Thanks to your help, things have gotten quiet with that last assignment. So I've been redirected to something more pressing." He eyed my clothes. "Ah. Still in those navys, I see."

"Four more weeks."

He nodded, offering me a large arm. "Take a stroll with me, little one."

I followed him in silence, acknowledging the strangely strong feeling of comfort I felt in his presence.

Gil was a lot more cleaned up than the last time I saw him, his beard trimmed and his hair combed back. His hands seemed to carry a gentle strength despite being marked with purpling bruises. The scar between his thumb and forefinger peeked out at me again. I couldn't help but run a finger over it in familiarity.

"What happened here, Gil?"

"Ah, that? Just a childhood accident." He pulled up his sleeve, showing me a vertical line that ended just below his wrist. "Sorry I don't have a better story for you."

"Oh." I followed it with the tip of my nail more boldly this time. It was precisely created, as if by an implement. I attempted to seize the mild feeling of deja vu as we walked. "Where are we going?"

"Eventually, to Devineaux." he answered. "For now, just catching up with the place."

"Oh."I repeated. We began to slow down now as we neared the library. Gil stopped to take in the view of the campus below through the tinted glass.

"Things are always better looking with some distance." he commented. "That's something not just for cases, little Red, but for all aspects of life."

"It's important to see how things fit into the big picture."

"Exactly."

I looked up at him expectantly, waiting for him to continue, but he still paused to observe the movement of the pedestrians below. Eventually I broke the silence.

"What do you know about O'Malley?"

The corner of his mouth turned upward. "Sharp girl. Why do you ask?"

"O'Malley told me you were once partners when he first joined SpecOps. And you said you were here to see Devineaux, he's been in charge of the whole situation."

"Both are very true." Gil confirmed with a nod. "I taught that little leprechaun everything that he knows."

"Do they want you to find him?"

"Outwardly, yes. But remember, honey. Big picture."

I frowned, and Gil shook his head.

"You won't be able to understand the weight of the Agency's past with Falcon until you're a lot older. But it's shaped a lot of us, Red. Our careers, our lives." My expression darkened, and he nodded in acknowledgement. "Of course, I know it's affected you too, in the worst way. I'm not taking away from that."

"So you're here to help Sean."

"Precisely. My connections are still fresh, and the Cartel is just a hop skip and a jump away from Falcon."

"Devineaux really sanctioned this?"

Gil laughed, which sounded more like a seal's bark. "You have to learn your history, little one."

"Do they have a book on outdated Agency gossip in there?" I gestured to the library.

"No, but if I ever get the spare time, I'll make sure to write one. It'll make it easier to get Gumshoes like you up to speed."

He was smirking, and so was I. Offering me his arm again, we began to walk once more. "Devineaux was partnered with one of the most remarkable agents to come through this door. And if you follow the rumors, in more than one way. Which is messy business by the way, I don't recommend it."

"What happened?"

"The Agency put her in deep cover in Falcon, sleeping with your father. It troubled him so much, Devineaux went to do private work for a while. There are rumors that say she ended up pregnant, the Agency refused to pull her from the OP and that's why she turned and formed VILE."

"Chase and...Carmen?" I sputtered, thinking about the elusive thief who was more enigma than person, being intimate with the straight laced man.

"You've got it."

"I was always told she was just bored with detective work and wanted to show off."

"That's the milk and cookies version. But the Agency was blinded by taking down Falcon, and did wrong by her in the process."

"I feel sorry for her." I thought of the woman, who was always so tantalizingly out of reach of the Agency filling the hurt inside of her with her fantastical pursuits. "Did she have the baby?"

"Officially, no one knows. I can't imagine her bringing a child into the world under those circumstances...and then being able to keep them hidden for all this time."

"Me either." It was my turn to stop us now, and I did so just as we were nearing the cylindrical shaped elevator. "When did you get involved?"

"Much later, when the...'material'...of you started circulating. I was a little more than a Gumshoe myself when your case dropped in my lap..."

"What do you know about my mother?"

Gil let out a short, forceful exhale. "Ah, probably nothing more than whatever you were told."

"Yeah, that she was married to my father, but her identity is still unknown." I cut my eyes at him. "Which I find hard to believe, but I can't even pull my own case file."

"With good reason." Gil nodded. "Don't go picking at old scabs." He attempted to move forward, but I remained firm.

"You talk about knowing my history, but think it's right for me to be in the dark about my own chapter?"

"I didn't say anything about it being right or not, honey. I just don't think I'm the one to take you down that rabbit hole." I made a sound of indignation, and he continued. "But I will leave you with this - when you pass your probationary period, and move into a unit, you'll probably have enough clearance to access what you're looking for. You're definitely not going to like it, and I personally wish you wouldn't, but...it's all yours, little one."

My Communicator buzzed against my wrist, and I flipped it over. Seeing Paul's name on the screen brought me back to the present. "Gil, they have Ethan's son, David Moore at the Holmes building for 'protection' but I'm hearing that they like him for O'Malley's accomplice in the prison break. They've identified him as the second passenger." I showed him the picture Paul had sent, comparing the video still from the facility and David's headshot. "But it doesn't make sense to me. It took them so long to ID him, and he was training with us at the Academy -

Gil held up his hands. "Woah, woah. Slow down there. It's most likely a doppelganger. They know people within the Agency talk, and with doubts about everyone's integrity right now...I'd wait for some DNA evidence before getting all worked up."

"But what would Falcon gain from doing that, though?"

"Ethan's boy probably pissed them off, this is their way of burning him."

"David did say he wanted no parts of it..." I gave Gil a quick embrace, and he grunted in surprised amusement. "I've gotta go. Will I see you again anytime soon?"

"In four weeks, if Devineaux knows what's good for him." We shared a laugh. "Finish strong, Gumshoe. I'm rooting for you."