[b][center][h2]Paige Kennedy[/h2][/center][/b]

Paige kept her hold firm as he spoke. [i]Sweetheart[/i]. He never called her that and the way the words came off his lips she could sense something in him that she’d never seen before. Or rather, It was two things. One she wasn’t sure of, or wouldn’t let herself be sure, the other was more obvious: [i]fear[/i]. She knew he wasn’t scared of anyone. [i]He was afraid of what he’d done[/i]. What he’d found himself capable of in the heat of the moment. It wasn’t the same as it had been for her. She was a sworn, Federal officer, the danger came with the job, but for him, he was just a man. She knew it frustrated him that he didn’t have the same access she did especially when what they were facing together knew no boundaries. When they came for him, he’d done what he had to do, but things were more complicated now. She let the tears that escaped her be absorbed in his shirt and exhaled letting her shoulders drop before looking up at him then back at his cuffed hands remembering she had the key.

“I’m sorry I took so long.” She said trying not to let herself sniffle and failing. Retrieving the key from her back pocket, she removed the cuffs as he spoke and rubbed his wrists where the metal was tightened over them. He was straight to business and she knew he was doing it because he didn’t want her to worry, just to get her mind on task. He knew her that well. The cuffs clamored on the hardwood conference table as she tossed them aside. When he asked the question, she thought he was referring to Elvin. “We can only hold him for a while,” She said. “I think he might be a [i]little bit[/i] grateful, but that’s sure to dry up soon.” His confused look at the response puzzled her a bit and she explained further knowing he wasn’t aware of what she’d done and what caused her delay: “I kinda shot somebody at the museum…” In her mind the scene was reenacted and how quick she’d been on the pull. The shocked look on the imposter’s face gave her a dark satisfaction, but she hadn’t had time to figure out the reason for the confrontation and their was a note of perplexity in her voice. “I don’t know why Nikki would have sent someone after him in broad daylight and in a public place, it doesn’t make sense.” She shook her head slowly. “But I think it has something to do with that nightclub.”

[@RoccanIronclad]