A/N: For anyone who was concerned about my remarks from the last chapter, I wanted to clarify the "big news" was some restructuring in the company I work for. No, my job is secure as my boss expressed, he's pleased with my work. But my schedule may shift as soon as next month (and we will see if its temporary or not). My output frequency may revert back to weekly rather than the pace I've been doing.

Nothing is set in stone yet, but I will promise to uphold my guarantee to not allow more than one week's time for an update! If a web comic can do it, so can I.

Thanks for sticking around and on with the chapter!

(I fuckin' knew something was up with her!)

(Someone like that doesn't exist. At the end of the day, they're always hiding something.)

(Those people are just pretenders. Phonies.)

It was dead quiet, even for the morgue, as Jade sat on the cold tile floor.

After the strange encounter with Tori, she inquired about the Latina's sudden disappearance with her partners. Well, one of them anyway. Beck was off somewhere else, so she spotted Andre leaving the chief's office, shaking his head in disbelief.

He explained to her that apparently, a few months back, Tori went undercover to get some intel on the Ruzzolini crime family. Leonardo Ruzzolini was the head of the syndicate but the target for this investigation wasn't made clear. At any rate, this got Tori in close proximity to his younger sister, Rosalinda. And by close, they were clearly enjoying each other's company. Agent Crowley left the photo on Helen's desk before trotting off to take care of other matters.

Andre showed Jade the picture and her blue eyes immediately fixed on the other woman's face. The way she looked at Vega, wearing a Dodgers Pride Month cap no less, there was something going on there. It may have begun as a job, but sparks were written in Rosalinda's eyes. Even if she was as fake as Tori was being in this situation, the camera caught glimpse of something that couldn't be faked.

Rosalinda was in love.

But...she was, at least tangentially, affiliated with some brutal criminals. Things had to end, and Jade was pretty certain they ended badly.

"Was she even up here on business? Maybe Vega just needed somewhere remote to lay low!"

"No, it was a legit transfer. I've seen the paperwork from Chief Vega."

"Oh, yeah...that sounds above board!"

Jade stared down at the floor, not feeling as vindicated as she had hoped.

In the heat of the moment, she relished being justified in her unbridled mistrust of Tori Vega. Now, an odd sadness came about her. What was it?

"Oh hey!"

The medical examiner looked up to see Beck standing in the doorway.

"Where you been?" she asked.

"Talking with Lane," he shrugged grabbing a piece of linoleum beside her. "He's having a time with this criminal profile. Asked me what I thought."

Jade covered her eyes.

"Oh, God...how much red yarn did you use?"

The Canadian rubbed the back of his neck, a little embarrassed how his bold curiosity sometimes made him look like a raving conspiracy theorist.

"Lane's alright," Jade admitted. "But wackadoos like Hal Bircham don't come through here every day."

Beck nodded, resting his hands on his knees. The precinct therapist did learn criminal profiling but rarely had to dust off and apply those skills. The last case he got to the bottom of was a case of hand lotion.

"Did you talk to Andre?"

"You mean how your third wheel was full of hot air?"

He cleared his throat.

"I was as surprised as you."

She didn't hold it against anyone that Vega hid her past from them, least of all Beck. He always had issues with signals.

[FLASHBACK]

"Kiss me!"

The tall man raised a brow.

"Kiss you?"

"I need to know something," Jade admitted.

Beck looked around like he was being pranked.

"I don't understand..." he shrugged.

Jade huffed and dragged him by the arm behind the tavern after Andre left for the night. She checked to make sure nobody was within earshot and laid it out.

"Look, you know how I was a little moody tonight?"

He nodded.

"What happened was I was supposed to meet this girl here last night and... she ghosted me."

"Why would your friend ghost you?" he asked.

The medical examiner narrowed her eyes.

"Friends? We're not friends!"

Beck scratched his head, unable to pick up what she was putting down. Jade could feel the earnestness coming off of this guy and it was frustrating.

"Listen, um...Beck...you know how you like women?"

"Yeah?"

"Well!" Jade clapped her hands together like she was on Sesame Street. "Sometimes a woman will prefer women... the way you do."

Jade was glad she had that last drink because she didn't think she could watch the gears turning in his head sober! He must have come to the correct conclusion because his dark eyes widened, and his posture stiffened somewhat.

"OH!"

"Uh-huh," nodded Jade.

"So... if you are...that...then...why do you want to kiss me?"

"Alright," the doctor grinned. "Now this conversation can get back on track."

Without getting too much into the specifics, Jade explained that her past attempts at romance have been a series of total failures. Perhaps the universe was trying to tell her something? Maybe she was never meant to be with a woman. Approaching this scientifically, Jade took a simple approach to the idea. If she kissed a man, and heard bells ringing, then that was that. She was bisexual or something else. But if nothing sparked, then Jade would have the confirmation she needs.

Sufficient to say, the olive-skinned man had a hard time wrapping his head around this. She could understand his hesitation. If it were him coming in with the "how do you know unless you tried it" argument, she would undoubtedly slap him. But this was her with the hypothesis and while they drank pretty much the same amount, she was making far more sense.

"This is so weird..." he sighed.

"It's just a kiss!" Jade huffed. "Mouths won't even open."

That was important because she didn't want the alcohol on his breath to sway her conclusions.

Beck folded his arms.

"But what if it goes further and..."

"What? We have sex, like here in this alley?"

He rolled his eyes and started marching away. She caught up to him and grabbed his arm.

"Hold on!"

"You're making fun of me! I'll just go."

"No, Beck!" Jade insisted. "Wait."

"What?" he sighed.

Jade swallowed and made direct eye contact.

"I was being straight with you...about seeing if I was straight or not."

If she was going to give this a try, it was now or never. Andre wasn't an option; he's like family. There was no way with Robbie or any of the other fellas at the station for one reason or another. Beck was new enough that she could detach for this little "experiment" and (she would never tell him this) that he was androgynous enough that she could stomach a brief kiss from him.

"But you do raise a good question, what would happen if this went beyond kissing?"

She scratched her chin.

"Where do you live?"

He raised his arm to point east.

"About five minutes that way," he replied.

"You have condoms?" Jade bluntly asked.

That made him fidget nervously.

"WHAT?!"

"Don't guys always keep one in their wallet?"

"No..." he said, shaking his head vigorously. "That's a terrible place to keep those!"

"Why?" she shrugged.

He threw his hands up.

"I dunno...heat, some other thing...they would just break down over time."

"Then where do you keep them?"

"My place," Beck smirked. "But I haven't bought any in a while."

"Okay, okay, okay, any venereal disease?"

The Canadian bumped into a trashcan, nearly knocking it over.

"W-W-W-What?" he stammered.

"Gonorrhea?"

He shook his head no.

"Crabs?"

"No."

"Syphilis?"

"No!"

She tilted her head and squinted at his long hair.

"Lice?"

"No!"

Jade was amazed she didn't send this boy running for the hills. Probably best that she didn't say anything else, or this kiss was not happening.

"Okay..." she sighed. "Let's...do this?"

She closed her eyes and stood there, not even pursing her lips like anyone anticipating a kiss would. Beck's eyes darted about, psyching himself out before planting a kiss on the sassy medical examiner. It lasted for about fifteen seconds.

"So?"

Jade touched her lip, now being aware of his aftershave from being so close to him.

"You know what? You're the first guy I ever kissed."

"I guess so," he nodded. "What did you think?"

"Yeah, no..." she smirked. "Sorry, it didn't do anything for me."

"Really?"

"Nah!" Jade shook her head to make it clear.

She realized for sure that the only stiffs in her life would be down at the morgue.

"I'd appreciate if we kept this between us," Beck suggested. "I'm sure we'd both be humiliated over this."

"Good idea," Jade agreed.

She noticed the flash of disappointment on his face.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just...didn't think I'd...it's dumb."

Jade leaned against the brick wall beside him.

"Don't tell me, you were sad that you couldn't turn me?"

"Not sad, just...I dunno."

She slapped him on the back.

"Let me let you in on a little inside info: the lesbian who switches is a big ol' myth! That is shit you see in movies written by very ignorant people. Guys may stumble upon a bi girl who hasn't come online yet, but they never changed a sapphic chick's mind!"

"Good to know," he chuckled.

"Don't think I'm repulsed by you or anything. I'm just not into dudes. Now, I have eliminated the tiniest shred of doubt from my mind. As for you... you just need to find a lady who fancies...well, your kind."

Jade stepped back in front of him.

"Hey, chin up, Oliver. Let's make a deal...I find a nice girl who's seeking a good man, I'll send her your way. And if you happen to cross paths with a lesbian lonely-hearts, give her my number."

The two now friends laughed over the matter and decided to tie one on before going their separate ways for the evening.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

"Thought you were avoiding me," she told Beck.

"No, just waiting for my turn on the Jade West Homecoming Tour."

"Sorry I had to move the date for the Vancouver show."

They laughed, reminding them of that time well over a year ago.

"So..." she cleared her throat. "Any luck in the love department, champ?"

"Absolutely...not," he quickly frowned. "What about you? Any special ladies back in New Orleans?"

Jade closed her eyes and sighed.

"I plead the fifth, your honor."

"Say no more!" he chuckled.

They sat for a little bit in quiet, just hearing the hum of the freezer units.

"Is there...something wrong with us?" Beck asked.

Jade bit her lip.

This was not how Tori envisioned her time at Langley would end, with her being sent home. Or, to her motel room. It was almost on a whim. And why? Because of some dickhead in a suit! Did her work amount to absolutely nothing?

Back in L.A. she was stigmatized and chastised and set up. Langley was meant to be that fresh start, a more dignified continuation of her career in law enforcement. Finally, she was no longer going to marred by the misdeeds of her fellow officers. But no. While Tori was through with the past, the past apparently wasn't through with her.

She laid on the couch, staring at the TV that wasn't even on. Tori didn't have the desire to watch anything. She just needed to be out there, doing her damn job! The job she came all the way up here for!

Brown eyes darted to the case file that Luther had lent to her. Without anything else to do for the moment, the Latina opened it up and started to really read through it.

Three freshmen from South Whidbey High School decided to go on a camping trip twenty years ago. Sadly, that summer would be their last and they wouldn't live to become sophomores. Danny Dukes, Ben Dobbs, and Bobby Kelley were friends since they were tots, doing everything together from riding bikes to playing basketball. But their biggest passion was the great outdoors.

The boys went on hikes, climbed, swam, sometimes staying out until dark. But Ben and Bobby had flip phones with them to call their parents or 911 in case something happened. But they were always forward with where they were going and what they were doing. But being teenagers, they would veer off the path now and then. Danny smoked, which he hid pretty well, though he failed to get his buddies to partake.

Bobby and Danny were children of real outdoorsmen, even going on hunting trips when deer were in season. Ben's parents were enthusiastic with sports, so they encouraged his outdoor activities to stay fit. With that being said, it didn't seem out of pocket for Danny (16) and Bobby (15) to be given permission to camp out. It was a spot just outside of town that they had frequented with their families. It was a popular camping site that was rustic enough for the amateur explorer but had enough accoutrements for the city slicker dragged to sleep in a tent for the weekend. Thirty yards from the grounds was a phone to alert park rangers for help as well as porter pottys.

Unbeknownst to the other parents, Danny was given his father's 22 caliber Marlin Papoose which they took to shoot small game many times. His father felt better about the boys being on their own for the one night if they brought some protection. Also, it could be easily disassembled for safe keeping by separating the barrel from the rest of the small rifle. Bobby also had a can of bear mace just in case.

Some of this may sound bizarre in hindsight, especially to more suburban parents, but these boys lived and breathed the outdoors and there was a heavy hunting and wilderness culture around these parts. It wasn't weird at all. The three boys understood that they never hiked alone and if they camped, it was somewhere familiar. But when it came to light that the Dukes teen had a rifle in his backpack, the other boys' parents took Danny's parents to task.

Whatever the case, that gun did little to protect them because after hours of trying to call them and getting nowhere, the families went down to the campground to find the boys' large tent was still up with some items strewn about. Not a big mess, but clearly someone was here recently. The Marlin was found as well as the boys' cellphones which had died from not being charged.

Then the search began.

Pictures of Bobby, Ben and Danny were plastered all over the local news. An army of law enforcement and volunteers combed the area looking for these boys. Beyond the footprints they left no doubt from when they first arrived at the site, clues were scarce.

So, it felt like history repeating itself when the "Bellevue Belles" vanished without a trace. It sent shockwaves through the pacific northwest. Like the boys, they seemingly were swept away into the night and left nothing behind!

But this case was different.

Now, they have a good idea what (may have) happened to the two teenage girls.

Those young boys were still a mystery...

Helen rubbed her forehead while looking down at her desk when the phone rang. Not the station but her personal cell.

She didn't even check the ID; she just had a feeling in her gut who it was.

"Hello?"

"Mean to tell me how my daughter was railroaded by some FBI idiots?"

The chief was still stressed but David's voice made a smile appear. But she held it down the moment it manifested because of the conversation that was coming.

"How did you get this number?" she asked with a raised brow.

"I have ways..."

(David why do wait until NOW to be all mysterious?)

"David..." she sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You don't know what I'm up against!"

"Try me," he scoffed.

"It's what you would expect: Special Agent Crowley has one foot in retirement and I'm sure you know where the other one is!"

She blinked when she heard the man laugh from way back in LA.

"Excuse me?"

David coughed, getting his bearings.

"I'm sorry, when did the indominable Helen Dubois roll over for some guy in a suit?"

He sipped his coffee, which was very audible over the phone. He had always done that as if to put a button on a point he had made. That was a "very pleased with himself" slurp of the beverage.

"Now you know only one man could impress me when he dressed up."

That derailed his brain because he started coughing. Helen smirked at the sound of the cup returning to its spot on the table. For most people, you mess with the bull you got the horns. But Helen only used sweet talk when she thought highly of you.

And David knew that. But he couldn't get distracted.

"Okay, okay, enough of that!" he attempted to sound stern. "Now, what were they saying about Tori?"

The Langley Chief of Police stretched and leaned back in her chair, staring at the closed door.

"While we're being all accusatory, could you enlighten me as to why you failed to mention this little...mission...of hers?"

David sighed.

"It was the feds! I get into enough sticky situations with the damn IAB. Tori told me that this was an open case, and details could not be discussed."

"That's what Tori said," Helen admitted. "But didn't the FBI go through you to acquire her?"

He cleared his throat before opening a drawer and shuffling through papers.

"Here it is! I found the card they gave me. I'm going to call those guys and give them a piece of my mind."

Helen leaned forward, propping up her chin with a smile.

"Just don't get yourself arrested, or deported."

"Hey! Puerto Rico counts as America. Besides, I'm third generation."

The woman laughed for the first time today.

"Okay, fair enough! You go and be papa bear..."

The office door opened with Lane standing there and an older bald man behind him.

"I have to go, bye!"

Helen hung up the call and pocketed her phone.

"Lane, what can I do for you?"

"Chief..." the thin man nodded. "This is Dr. Harrison Pike."

The newcomer stepped in to introduce himself with a handshake.

"How do you do, Chief Dubois?"

She wasn't in the mood for even more new people, but she was cordial and accepted the gesture.

"I was sent by the FBI to assist in the criminal profiling of..." he turned back to Lane. "Bircham, was it?"

He nodded with a smile.

"What are you so happy about?" Helen asked Lane.

"This is amazing, but Dr. Pike was an old professor of mine at the university. He's actually helped the feds capture a bunch of notorious serial killers."

She blinked rapidly.

"Serial killer...isn't that a bit much?"

"Well, ma'am..." the bald fellow said, taking off his round glasses to clean them with his shirt. "If we don't get him sooner, he will be."

He wasn't wrong. Traylor Green would have been number three.

Three was the unofficial magic number among law enforcement. Once someone had at least three bodies to their credit, they were considered a serial killer. Also, they had to be separate, so bombings didn't count. Those were mass murderers or multiple murderers. The serial killer methodology is both specific and open to a variety of guises. Lane was a great asset to the department, but his experience had some holes.

As much as she hated to admit it, Helen saw the logic in bringing in a seasoned expert like Pike. Guess the FBI had to be right about something once in a while. Broken clock logic.

"Welcome aboard, Doctor."

Her precinct therapist looked downright giddy; obviously this teacher had quite the impact on him. She watched the men exit while crossing her arms.

She let out a long huff.

"This house is getting fuller all the time, I swear!"

A/N: Tori had been bumped off the case for the time being, so why isn't Jade happy?

Some of y'all liked the history between David and Helen, a tale of two chiefs, and I thought let's lean into that.

Since he's a new addition to the roster, and he doesn't appear in the show, imagine Dr. Pike played by Stanley Tucci. There you go, that's your visual.