Later that night, Nolan sat on the couch at home, his thoughts racing. Bailey, finishing up a late-night snack, noticed the tension on his face.
"You alright?" she asked, sitting beside him.
Nolan exhaled slowly. "There's something big happening, bigger than any case I've worked before. We found this device—a time machine, Bailey. And it's connected to a string of robberies we're investigating."
Bailey stared at him in disbelief. "A time machine? Are you serious?"
"As serious as I can be. The machine is locked up at the station. Harper and Lopez believe the only way to crack this case is to go back in time—to 2019."
Bailey's eyes widened. "You're saying you have to go?"
Nolan nodded. "Yes. It's risky, but if I can gather intel from the past, we might be able to figure out how these robberies are happening. I might be gone for a few days, maybe weeks."
Bailey frowned but nodded, understanding his sense of duty. "I'll be here waiting for you, John. Just promise me you'll be careful."
"I will. And I'll be back before you know it."
„Hey before I forget to tell you. Angela asked me to babysit Jackson tomorrow. Their nanny is sick and she said she will pull a nightshift for a important case. Guess it's this case. Wesley is attending an important meeting for his candidacy as prosecutor. He will be gone till late night so it's just me and Jackson tomorrow.
Nolan gave a soft smile at the mention of Jackson. "Sounds like you're going to have your hands full," he said, trying to lighten the mood. The thought of his family always brought him comfort, especially when everything else seemed so unpredictable.
Bailey chuckled lightly, though her eyes still held a hint of concern. "I'll be fine. It's just one day, and I think Jack might actually enjoy the extra attention. But you…" She trailed off, her expression softening as she reached out and took his hand. "You be careful, John. This whole time travel thing... it's insane. I don't even know what to make of it, but I trust you. Just promise me you'll make sure you get back to me. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you."
His heart ached at the worry in her eyes. He squeezed her hand gently. "I'll come back. I promise. No matter what happens, I'm coming back to you." he added with a wink.
Bailey smiled, but the concern never left her eyes. "I'll hold you to that. And if you need anything, even if it's just a text or a call, don't hesitate to reach out. I'll be here."
Nolan stood up, moving to gather his things, but before he left, he stopped and turned to her. "One more thing," he said, voice serious but soft. "If anything goes wrong… if the syndicate is involved somehow, I need you to be careful. Don't take unnecessary risks. I've seen the lengths they're willing to go to, and I need you to stay safe. Promise me?"
Bailey's smile faded slightly, but she nodded firmly. "I promise. I'm more than capable of taking care of myself, John. But I'll keep my distance, especially if things get too dangerous."
Nolan exhaled, relief washing over him. He knew the case was dangerous, but hearing her reassure him gave him a sense of calm, even if only for a moment.
Later that night, after their conversation, Nolan and Bailey both settled into bed, the weight of the upcoming days hanging in the air. Bailey had already set her alarm to wake up early for Jackson, but Nolan could sense she wasn't quite ready to sleep.
"You sure you're okay?" Nolan asked, turning to her as he pulled the covers over himself. He could still feel the tension in the room, a mix of anxiety and concern.
Bailey nodded but didn't meet his eyes immediately. "I'll be fine. You know I've got this. It's just... all this talk about time travel and everything. It's hard to wrap my head around it." She paused before adding, "But I trust you. And I know you'll come back. You always do."
Nolan reached over, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "I promise, Bailey. I'll be back before you know it. And you take care of yourself, too. I'll be thinking about you."
She offered a small smile but looked down at the sheets, the weight of the situation still heavy on her heart. "I'll hold you to that, you know? I'll be here but don't you go forgetting about me. I'm not sure what I'd do if you didn't come back."
His heart clenched, but he forced a reassuring smile. "I'll always come back to you, Bailey. No matter what happens."
Bailey turned to face him, wrapping her arms around him for a brief, tight hug. "Goodnight, Nolan. Stay safe. I love you."
Nolan squeezed her back, feeling the love and the fear in her touch. "I love you, too. Goodnight."
As they pulled away, Bailey rested her head on the pillow, eyes heavy with sleep as the quiet settled between them. Nolan stayed awake a little longer, his mind spinning with the mission ahead. But for now, all he could do was hold onto the promise he'd made—and hope it would be enough.
He kissed her forehead softly. "I'll see you when you wake up. Be safe with Jack tomorrow."
Bailey nodded, already starting to drift off, her breathing becoming slower and more even. Nolan lay still, watching her sleep for a moment, silently reaffirming his vow to return to her.
And then, finally, he let himself close his eyes, feeling the weight of the unknown ahead but grounded by the love and trust they shared.