~Becoming One of the Family~ |Private RP|

[Princess De Luna]

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

xxxSpecial Agent...
xxxSpecial Agent...Maria Braford
xxxSpecial Agent...Maria Brafordxxxxxxxxx...of the FBI
xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
"How about a....
"How about a.... strong shot of honest
"How about a....strong shot of honest, ...don't you owe that to me?"

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

Maria sat there quiet and stone like making sure she didn’t make the mistake like snapping at this Cooper fellow for brushing her off to just get the exact same answer from Nick as she gave him. Okay it was true her way of saying it was childish but she didn’t like men thinking less of her abilities when she was better than most of them, especially a crooked cop. But that may have just been her childish attitude coming through again. Still if it was another time and place, and maybe if the man hadn’t been so rude to her she may have liked him. He seemed to be a no-nonsense kind of guy who did things old fashion… whatever did make him turn out the way he did? Yet she could see this man being like a regular cop, cursing the other ‘higher’ authorities like herself, cursing the ‘feebs’ if only he knew one was sitting in front of him.

Still the ‘official’ record came out and was thrown on the table and even then Maria raised an eyebrow looking at the folder. How could that be all? Sure, reports never really actually spoke the truth, it all depends on the person writing them. Maria herself knew of a few times rules were bent when writing things up but seriously? Who would believe only one page when there had to have been witnesses, had to been multiple cops seeing the poor kid coming in blurting all of this stuff out. And now it was just one page? Impossible. Nick took his time reading it over as Cooper continued to explain things, saying how it was hard work, blowing his cover could have been an issue, she actually sympathized with him there a moment but it was only a moment. Nick passed the folder over to Maria where she took her own time looking over the paper and smirking slightly. It was complete bullshit that no one in their right mind should have believed but hey! The kid died in a house fire that happened due to ‘electrical’ work who would care if the kid come raving like a lunatic the day before?

As she folded the folder closed Cooper pulled out a box of cigar’s and offered them to both where Maria politely waved it off shaking her head no before leaning forward and placing the file on his desk. Maria finally turned her attention to Coop as he explained what he did after finding out about the rat and Vince’s reaction to the kid, maybe it was a good thing James was already dead before Vince got to him, on second thought it was just a soft reminder for Vince not to find out about herself. Nick once again asked where the real file was as Cooper placed his cigars back into their safe spot and grabbed the ‘official’ report. “Not here, that’s for damn sure,” Cooper explained as he got back up to put away the file and took a seat back down pulling the cigar away from his mouth to allow an exhale of smoke without being interrupted by the cigar itself.

“Doesn’t exactly answer his question,” Maria just bluntly said not meaning to add a sarcastic tone but may have failed ever so slightly. Coop turned to look at her with a raised eyebrow giving her the once over most likely trying to read her, see what her motives really were.

“They were put directly into storage, along with all the other skeletons,” Cooper answered looking back over to Nick as if he was actually answering him and ignoring Maria but it wouldn’t be too long before she was no longer ignored. “I don’t like you,” Cooper explained bluntly making Maria softly shrug her shoulders. “And really… women shouldn’t be in this line of work; they have too weak of stomachs for it.”

“Most men like you don’t like me, nothing new,” Maria added in just as a blunt done as he had made the comment about her in. “And my stomach is just fine thanks,” Maria added with a smile of her own. “Anyway we can get to look at those files?” Maria added still in the softer feminine voice she had just used. “I mean… it’s most likely Nick’s next question anyway,” she said now just to get on her nerves, yes, childish she was going to play after that comment he had just said. Weak stomachs. Ha!

(( Out Of Cookies;lol that is true,
And Maria isn't insane (yet anyway) and she's no saint. ))

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

[icefire26]

xNicholas Russo

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"Make a wish...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...it'll be your last"

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

Nicholas took his cigar lighting it with his regular lighter after inspecting it for a moment. Rolling it between his thumb and index finger as he did. Not a Cuban but still a nice one. Cigars were not only bigger they were a different breed of smoke. It compare them would be like comparing apple pie to key lime. The same but still a totally different experience.


As the two bickered it might look like Nicholas didn’t care. Or maybe that he was more interested in the cancer stick between his lips instead. To be fair it was no surprise to him that the two of them didn’t get along. Cooper has a problem with women who had power on their own. The detective was traditional in the sense that he wanted to be the bread winner through and through. It was the reason Cooper’s own marriage had broken up. Nick and he had more of a working relationship then a real friendship. At one point they bonded with drinks over there loss of wives even though they had lost someone they cared about in very different ways.


“Children,” Nick said her voice louder than the sound of theirs combined. “If you want we can take this pissing contest outside. Later,” he said his voice returning to his normal volume.


“Answer her questions,” Nicholas said firmly.


Cooper looked at Nick as if to object but then took a long drag of his own lit cigar and caved in. “Like I said,” he turn still keeping his attitude but still following Nick’s directions, “they are where all the skeletons go.” Cooper paused as if that would explain everything. Once it was clear she didn’t he put his cigar down in an ash tray, leaning back into the chair. “Vince has them you silly girl.”


“Vince?” Nick repeated even though he was not a “silly girl.” Why would he need Maria and him to come down to house if he already had the file? To prove a point? To look for something that everyone else had missed?


“Yeah...” Cooper replied not sure if there was confusion on that point.


Nicholas got up from his seat offering his hand out to the detective. “Well thank you for your help, I think we will be going unless Ms. Romano has anything else for you,” he said.

[Princess De Luna]

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

xxxSpecial Agent...
xxxSpecial Agent...Maria Braford
xxxSpecial Agent...Maria Brafordxxxxxxxxx...of the FBI
xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
"How about a....
"How about a.... strong shot of honest
"How about a....strong shot of honest, ...don't you owe that to me?"

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

As Nick called the two children it was like a mental slap across the back of the head… yeah they were acting like children, but Cooper started it! Or so Maria would have defended… not childlike at all, it was only proving Nick’s points even further. Instead Maria kept her mouth shut, she kept forgetting that she really had no power at that moment in time, she was the guest in the lion’s den. Still a small poke of pride would happen when Nick practically demanded Cooper to answer the question giving Maria a small smirk come across her lips. Cooper didn’t look too impressed with the request but still, he answered Nick almost redundantly… it still didn’t mean a thing to Maria. Yet the final name was added to make it whole, Vince… he had the file. Maria blinked not because Cooper called her a, ‘silly girl’ but because the name Vince came out. If Vince had them… why were they there?

It was obvious the confusion caught Nick off guard momentarily for a moment as well which didn’t sit right with Maria. Nick was caught off guard… as if he didn’t know either. Looking over to Nick, Maria could tell it wasn’t an act, the man genially didn’t know about Vince already having the files making her own mind wonder why. Nick moved ahead fast not allowing the shock to set in too much saying that they were done and it was best to go adding the fact unless she had questions which made her jump back in the game as well. “Oh… no, thanks.” Maria added subcontionly, still trying to piece a few things back together, being nice to him without thinking. “Have a good day Captain,” Maria added with an actual polite tone which now threw off Cooper but he wouldn’t dare say a thing, just wave it off allowing the two to leave the office.

Walking out of the office they made their way out through the front, the security officer’s giving Maria a bit of an odd look as she passed them. Most likely wondering why she was allowed in even after setting off the detectors, and better yet what was it the cause the detectors. Maria waited till they were outside before Maria looked at Nick with a questioning look, “Why’d Vince want us to check things out?” Maria asked Nick allowed getting to the point before shrugging. “I mean… we couldn’t compare to what they had written in the file… like, I’ve head of scare tactics for the newbies but… that was just a stupid run around,” Maria answered honestly to Nick her opinions and obvious wonder of what was going on, even behind Nick’s back. Maybe Vince would tell him latter.

As the got to the car Maria looked at the time and then smiled up at Nick. “As I said before I should actually get back to the hotel,” Maria answered him giving a soft smile shrugging. “I can grab a taxi, allow you to get back and do your own thing… maybe we can catch up tonight depending on how things turn out for you at the office,” Maria suggested with a shrug looking over at him. Truth had been known, if she went with Nick now, true she may have gotten conversation with Vince himself, but Vince most likely wouldn’t tell Nick the information he was hiding from him with her there. Without Maria there, Vince would spill whatever he was holding back to Vince, and Maria had a better chance of getting information out of Nick then she ever would getting it out of Vince. “Interest you in anyway?” Maria asked giving a small smile, maybe she was trying to entice him more… even she wasn’t sure at that point.

(( Out Of Cookies; ))

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

[icefire26]

xNicholas Russo

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"Make a wish...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...it'll be your last"

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

Nicholas walked out of the police station without another word. Ignoring a beep from the metal detector was Maria walked the though the gate again. He was tense pulling at his suit jacket as if it didn’t him properly. Nick had a fast pace as he left knowing Maria was following him once again. It was the second time he did that to her. A habit he should really break before she stopped following him around.

He stood outside sucking on his cigar for a moment tossing it away with a flick. The cigar the flew over the steps of the police station and onto the sidewalk. Why did Vince send them out? They all “played scare the n newbie” before but being included in this again was as much fun as it was years ago.

“Stop, Maria stop,” he said staring her down. Not likely the reaction she had been looking to get from her enticement. There was only one thing he wanted to know right now. Something he had been ignoring the whole time that he was in there.
She had spent the night. In his house. With a loaded piece. After the warning last night he should have been more careful. Much more careful. “There is only one thing that interests me right now,” he said sharply, “Do you not trust me?”

[Princess De Luna]

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

xxxSpecial Agent...
xxxSpecial Agent...Maria Braford
xxxSpecial Agent...Maria Brafordxxxxxxxxx...of the FBI
xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
"How about a....
"How about a.... strong shot of honest
"How about a....strong shot of honest, ...don't you owe that to me?"

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

Maria was slightly stepped back by his complete change in pace as she stood there looking at him. Nick asked the tough question of trust where she took in a deep breath and exhaled, running her hand up threw her hair. It was the gun, he was questioning the gun, it had to have been it. He wasn’t stupid he knew that’s what set off the detector. “Jesus Nick,” Maria muttered out placing her hands on her hip. “I trust you as much as I can,” she admitted to him, but knowing that wouldn’t have gone well over. Going over to his car door Maria leaned on it in front of him so he couldn’t get into the car unless he pushed her out of the way which exactly wasn’t his style.

“Fine should have been honest,” Maria added as she moved her jacket out and open for him to see the gun and shrugged. “But what the hell would you have done?” she asked after he could have gotten a look at the gun before pulling the blazer tight in front of her again to hid it. “I picked up the gun this morning, going on an ‘adventure’ that Vince wanted us to go on didn’t sound fun without some protection,” Maria confessed even further to Nick trying to be as open as possible to him… why she wasn’t exactly sure, but still she would stay there planted so he couldn’t just get in and drive… not yet. “But looking at it now do you blame me? Vince had us go on a wild goose chance for nothing, for facts he already knew,” Maria pushed bring up the main point of what had just happened, in her opinion the real problem. “So you tell me what you would have done, and be honest with yourself, because I don’t see you being stupid enough to bring a knife to a gun battle,” Maria said being serious.

Taking a step back Maria give Nick a bit of her personal space back, where she shrugged her shoulders. “And think about this, not once before now was I packing when around you, and the only reason now was because we were going to go some ‘mystery’ place told by Vince… so you tell me… do I trust you?” Maria said to him asking what she could be considered a fair question. No one could really trust each other 100% no matter how you looked at it in Maria’s opinion, but still she trusted Nick as much as she could. “As I said… I’ve got to go,” Maria said bluntly not waiting around for some kind of answer, slightly pissed maybe at herself because she let it come to that situation. She was supposed to be building Nick’s trust and what could have happened there could have destroyed it. Taking a few more steps back Maria finally then left Nick’s gaze and turned to walk away, reaching in to her cellphone and start to call for a taxi.

(( Out Of Cookies; ))

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

[icefire26]

xNicholas Russo

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"Make a wish...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...it'll be your last"

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

Without outright saying what was on his mind Maria still followed the conversation. Which was good because playing dumb was a just pain annoying. Even more importantly was that they didn’t draw any more attention to themselves about talking about guns in front of a federal building. Officials tend to not like that sort of thing.

Nick let her talk instead of cutting her not wanting to hear it. Likely because he did want to hear it. He wanted to know why she was packing heat, why she figured it was a good idea when the rest of them were defensiveness in comparison. Some people of the mob always carried. He tried to keep himself out of situations that could lead to bullets.

His hands remained at his side one of them curling up into a fist. She was purposefully standing between him and a something he enjoyed more than people right now. Nicholas’ eyes lingered on the gun for a moment before looking back up at her. The gun wasn’t the dangerous part it was the person holding it. While her story sounded good there was no actual way to yell if she was lying. She could have very easily had it the whole time. It wasn’t like there was a metal detector everywhere. The thing about it upset him the most was that Maria could have killed him in his own bed. That situation inside could have turned out very different blowing all of their covers.

Still, could he really blame her? Was all of his frustration really at her or something else? Even as she stood there blocking his way being everything in a women that Detective Cooper hated Nick couldn’t bring himself to do the same.
She turned his question around on him causing his sorting mind to ask himself. If he thought he had her trust and if she had his. The bit of air helped him think better and he finally spoke up again, “New rule: If I’m not packing, neither are you.”

Maria seemed done with him either upset or just simply out of words walking away. He leaned against his car letting out a heavy sigh. The problem wasn’t completely with her and her choice of dangerous accessories. It was with everything pointing to Vince today.

“See you tonight?” he said showing that their bridges weren’t burnt. Maria wasn’t the safest piece on the board that much was clear for sure. Putting aside the cold mechanical data aside he believed in her. A type of gut rooted faith he hadn’t felt in years.

(OCC: oooh more posts for today. We are on a roll! ^^)

[Princess De Luna]

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

xxxSpecial Agent...
xxxSpecial Agent...Maria Braford
xxxSpecial Agent...Maria Brafordxxxxxxxxx...of the FBI
xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
"How about a....
"How about a.... strong shot of honest
"How about a....strong shot of honest, ...don't you owe that to me?"

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

Walking away Maria was still frustrated, at herself for allowing herself to be so stupid in being caught with the gun, and to allow it effect the situation so much. Still there was something she was missing, it was Vince, what the hell did he know, and what was he trying to prove? She figured she blew things with even with his new rule, he was tense and there was a lot on his mind, making the bad situation worse for her. Yet when he called after her there was a hiccup in her step making her turn back to look at him seeing him still frustrated but at least talking to her, so it couldn’t have been as bad as she was considering it could have been. Maria at least managed a half smile as she gave a nod, “See you tonight,” she answered to him figuring it was better than nothing before turning back to the direction she was heading, and managing to actually put the order in for the taxi.

Getting back into the hotel room Maria took a moment to sit at the edge of the bed and flop backwards on it, laying there looking up at the ceiling. She was tiered in a way that it was the frustration that was making her just want to sleep it off for about five years. Yet as she laid there looking up at the ceiling it was like somewhere in the universe someone was dying to make sure she kept moving as a phone call came to her room making her look over at the phone wondering who would call her on that line. Being sluggish she moved over to reach the phone without actually leaving the bed, “Hello,” Maria answered the phone laying on the bed, sitting half up as she did.

“Good afternoon Ms. Romano, we have a package here for you that arrived in a deliver this morning while you were out… would you like someone to bring it up to you?” the gentleman at the desk explained making Maria blink slightly wondering what it could have been till she remembered asking Richard for the favour… getting her the files of Rachael’s death.

“Oh! Yes, please if you could that would be great,” Maria accepted the offer as the gentleman okayed it and hung up. While waiting Maria did her best to slightly organize the place, hanging her blazer and putting away her gun in the safe figuring it wouldn’t get used as much as she wanted it too Nick’s new rule. She groaned slightly disliking the rule, not that it wasn’t completely bad but that meant that Nick was her protection, not herself, and when it came to protection and if she was going to die she’d rather have it be her fault and not someone else’s.

The package arrived where Maria accepted it and opened it taking a quick look at the file and frowning slightly… it seemed, light in weight and paperwork in it. Still Maria placed it aside for now and moved on things that she actually needed to do starting with a shower. The shower was a good time to relax and reflect figuring out where the hell she screwed up, and what she actually did right. Her mind kept circling around the goose chase… why did Vince want that? To scare her? Because in some ways it did with the wondering of why, but the outcome of what could happen was no surprise to her.

Coming out of the shower Maria got changed into nice slacks and a rather elegant shirt which she picked out because it looked to be one of the most comfortable one. Once again she didn't dare look at the price tags of the clothing knowing full well that after the week she'd never be warring this kind of pricey stuff again. Her face would stay makeup free giving it a chance to breath as she moved her hair up into a kind of messy bun which could only be described as to some college students, ‘the study bun’. The comfy idea got the best of her as she pulled out her laptop, and brought the new file over and on top of the bed with her, jumping up top, folding her legs, and sitting on the bed to do her work as if she were a child working on homework. It didn't take long till the relaxing idea got the best of her encouraging the idea of ordering room service for lunch. Sitting, eating, and finishing up some reports for the past few days... it was as if she was actually home... Only her sandwiches were better than the hotel's.

Moving past the reports fast she then moved to the file something she actually wanted to work on. Opening the file her eyes first feel on a picture of Rachael where she smiled, it was an old picture but she was very beautiful woman. There was two pictures and the next one was a newer one but it was of Rachael and Nick, at some kind of function, her dressed in a beautiful elegant blue evening gown and Nick in a suit, both of them smiling, laughing as if something funny had just happened. Looking at the photo Maria then frowned, Nick looked so happy there yet... That moment was gone now, the moment never having a chance to happen again. It was one of those sad thoughts that hit her wondering how Nick managed to deal with the not know who did it to him.

Prying herself away from the photos she moved them aside and looked at other photos but only just briefly. They were crime scene photos, pictures of the once beautiful lively woman shot dead on the ground on the side walk. The pictures showed her position, where she was hit, how things fell beside her the whole story of how it ended. Next came the written report which was... Thin. Maria felt confused on how thin it was, it shouldn't have been like that, even for a drive by shooting. Next was witness statements what people has said they saw, what they heard which were at least in better details. Ballistic reports were in there along with ideas of what guns could have been used to shoot of the bullets that went through Rachael but no gun was ever actually matched. Once done the basics, it was Maria’s turn to actually start to come up with ideas. Getting herself long note paper and her pen she started to rewrite thing in her own way, suspects, people around Rachael, alibis of people saying what they were doing during the times. Even Nicks’ was in the report, him saying he was in a job interview… god Maria couldn’t help but feel sorry for him and what he had been through. Maria continued to write her own things, making mark ups and writing question on the photo copy reports she had and then noticing Cooper’s name on the report overview. Sitting there for a moment Maria tapped her pen against the paper wondering if Cooper did it for Nick as a favour of some kind or if someone else had Cooper do it… after finding out that he was a crocked cop that just swept a boy kids death under the rug it was a fair enough question to wonder.

(( Out Of Cookies; Yey! We did get a few done smile ))

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

[icefire26]

xNicholas Russo

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"Make a wish...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...it'll be your last"

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

There as a real temptation to sit in his car for a little bit. He didn't have to be anywhere but just sitting there while she waited for a Taxi just seemed odd to him, as if he was trying to watch her further. Nick fingers tightened around the leather steering wheel as he pulled out. Driving wherever the traffic took him for a couple of miles.

It was really foolish of him ask her that. Relationships in a mob even the most simple friendships were complicated. Sam and him at least had the benefit of being friends beforehand. Maria on the other hand was another story one that hopefully Hank would help him figure out. 'She doesn’t exist,' words from the night haunted him. Maria was in his head a lot lately for a ghost. Then again she wouldn't be the only ghost living up there.

Beeeeeeeeeep wailed breaking the silence. Nicholas looked up, noticing a now green light. That would be why it sounded like someone was draining the air out of their horn. Nick took his foot off the brake driving to the next intersection before making an illegal u-turn. Those pieces would have to be solved later but there was a task that he could put on his mind now.

Back at Vince's place of "business" Nick didn't waste time at the poker tables or lounge areas. He walked straight into Vince's office like a teen demanding an answer about prom. Vince was where he normally was behind the desk. There was another man sitting we looked around the age of their boss but not dressed nearly as nice the other too. Nicholas waited just standing in the back of the room as the two talked about what appeared to be land.

"Would you excuse me? I think this might be some family business," Vince said finishing up the conversation.

"Yes of course," the man said getting up from the chair briefcase in hand and left them alone.

"I expected you to be back sooner," Vince commented. He tapped the papers in front of him on the desk making them fall into line like soldiers.

Nicholas moved around taking a seat before replying. "I would have been here sooner if you didn't make me run around all morning." His eyes were on the chair's arm running a finger over the reminding him of the feeling of medical stitches. "It wastes gas," Nick finished what could have been a joke if he didn't sound so serious still.

Vince still chuckled as he filed the papers away. "More money is what you want then son?" he asked attention still spilt.

"I have a penthouse apartment and a car even depreciated that is still worth five digits. What would I do with more money?" Nick replied.

His boss was about to answer with a bunch of imaginative suggestions but finally caught on to Nicholas' attitude. Vince sighed the area around his eyes seemed to soften as he placed the role of patient father. "Nick, my boy what is wrong?"

"I don't really enjoy being tossed around in your new recruit scaring. Don't you think I've been around long enough to be past that? Going to visit Cooper was a total waste of time since you already had the file," Nicholas explained.

Vince seemed confused for a moment slowly trailing behind the story. "You went to the police station? I'm sorry I didn't expect you to investigate that way. I simply wanted to see if your keen eyes could spot anything the report missed. Forgive me, I sometimes forgot how curious you can be."

Nicholas looked over at him for a moment then past him to the painting on his wall. Little plastic wheels clacked against the floor as Vince pulled out his chair. "And I thought it would be a good idea if Maria came over so you could get a more of a read of her. It's my job to protect everyone," Vince explained as he walked around the wooden desk. "Especially the members of this family that are more important. Have I ever let you down son?" He placed a hand on Nick's shoulder, with a little pat as if meant to reassure.

Another hard sounding question for this afternoon. Vince might be a kingpin but in everything had control over he had only helped his life. "No," Nick replied looking down at his shoes.

"See my boy nothing to worry about," Vince said returning to his desk now. "I don't know what have you so worked up. Did something else happen today?" he asked sounding more business like then fatherly now.

"No," Nick repeated looking up to Vince's eyes as he lied.

[Princess De Luna]

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

xxxSpecial Agent...
xxxSpecial Agent...Maria Braford
xxxSpecial Agent...Maria Brafordxxxxxxxxx...of the FBI
xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
"How about a....
"How about a.... strong shot of honest
"How about a....strong shot of honest, ...don't you owe that to me?"

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

Still sitting on the bed, the papers around Maria seamed to start to multiply, more and more of them started to pile up, more of her writing in ink showed up on the papers, more questions, more theories but no answers. It was midafternoon by the time there was a ringing coming under the papers from her cellphone making her have to start to search under the sea of papers to be able to find it and pull it out to see it was Richard calling her. “You’re reached the beautiful talented Maria, how can I help you?” Maria sang as she placed the phone up to her ear answering it, getting a ‘haha’ on the other line in a sarcastic tone. “Don’t tell me you’re arguing the facts?” Maria continued to tease as she picked up another piece of paper with just her own writing to scribble down the last point that she had on her mind before completely and fully gave her attention to the phone call.

“Never argue the facts,” Richard simply stated making Maria smirk slightly. “Wanted to let you know Vince’s guys did the drop… top quality they’re selling,” Richard reported adding his own personal observation of the equipment which Maria already knew but just shrugged it off. She was after all the person who ‘accepted’ the quality of the shipment. “Money was also wired to the account… Give Vince our regards, we’ll find good homes for this stuff,” Richard joked but for some reason she could see it only be half a joke. It was amazing what came out of transactions like the one they had just done, and how some of the stuff got filtered once approved. “Hey… did you get the files I sent over?” Richard asked making sure things were still in order.

“Yeah… I’ve been looking them over,” Maria said looking around at the ‘mess’ on the bed, but what she called controlled chaos. “Sloppy work compared to what we do,” Maria simply commented picking up the main summery sheet again of the case glancing it over.

“We’re the FBI… our cases usually have a higher propriety,” Richard stated making Maria frown slightly at the idea that Richard had actually said that. “I mean… she was an ex-mobster’s girl, could you see many cops wanting to actually look into it?” Richard continued on further almost censing Maria’s disappointment. “It’s not fair, by any means but… it’s the facts of life. Now don’t be spending all your time on that case!” Richard started to scold like a father. “Your main focus is Vince, there’s no guarantee that impressing the boy will make him flip on Vince,” Richard pushed on telling the truth that Maria was well aware of.

“Yeah but… what if Vince had something to do with it?” Maria asked throwing out one of the theories she had scribbled on one of the papers somewhere on the bed. Richard was silent for a moment obviously wanting more information. “It’s just that… we’re here because we know Vince has spilt blood in New York because someone looked at him crooked. Killing someone to make a family member come back crawling to him as well as getting his own form of justice, not beyond the realm of possibilities.” Maria explained her theory but then shrugged it off, “No prof or anything, it’s just an idea.”

“Yeah… a plausible idea or it could have been an actual random drive by shooting by one of the gangs,” Richard said making Maria groan slightly. “Oh come one Maria… just… don’t waste too much time on the case alright? We have plenty without that Nick fellows testimony anyway.”

Maria tapped the pen in her hand against her leg as she listened to him frowning and then looking over the paperwork covered bed. “Yeah… barely touched the file anyway,” Maria lied. “Anyway… I’ll talk to you later, I’ll check in tomorrow with you,” Maria signed off before getting back to work at looking over her papers.

(( Out Of Cookies; lol Nick's lying to his Boss,
Maria is lying to hers.
Uh-oh!))

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

[icefire26]

xNicholas Russo

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"Make a wish...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...it'll be your last"

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

“See like I said Nikki I always got your back,” Vince said cheerfully before getting lost in his paperwork again. Even illegal work created a lot of paperwork. The advantage here if that after the job was done you could often shred it. Much better for space management.

“Thanks,” Nick replied forcing on a smile. Like you would to reassure your mother in law that no you really did like what she cooked. He left the no longer wanted the comfort of people, instead wanting to feel something completely different. The smell of leather, the hum of the open road and the rush of hoping not to get caught as you pushed the pedal to the ground.

He was on his way out when he heard someone call his name. “Hey, come join us,” Sammy said behind a stack of poker chips on the table. Red, blue and white stripped surrounding him in like a fort. Nicholas debated for a moment before his feet brought him over to his friend. So much for his car fantasies.

After a couple hours of play Nicholas has a castle of chips that could rival anyone else at the table. “So I liked meeting Maria today,” Sam said grinning.

“Did you now?” Nick asked staring down at the Queen in his hand.

“I was thinking,” Sammy said. His elbows made it onto the top and he rested his chin on top of folding hands. “Since I introduced you to the last looker, you owe me this one.” There were a total of four men around the table. Some focusing on the Jack, eight, ten that was face up on the table, others more on the conversation. “And with this one I’m all in,” Sam said knocking his fort over and into the pile. Even still it was a little unclear who what he was all in with.

Nicholas stared into his buddy’s eyes intently as if trying to read the refection of the cards in them. “If you win, you can have it all,” he replied with a double meaning as well. With a push his chips cascaded down like a waterfall.

“One Jack in my hand, the other on the table, thanks for the chips,” Sammy said tossing his hand down confidently. Nick looked at his hand again and sighed heavily making a show of it. Then he unhappily laid the two cards from his hand down. The show had Sam excited for a moment but then he noticed what cards were played. Pocket Queens. “Ahh! Come on! You and the women man!”

Nicholas laughed as he collected his winnings. He picked up a coin running his fingers over the hard plastic surface before flicking it over to Sam. “Always next round,” he said.

[Princess De Luna]

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

xxxSpecial Agent...
xxxSpecial Agent...Maria Braford
xxxSpecial Agent...Maria Brafordxxxxxxxxx...of the FBI
xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
"How about a....
"How about a.... strong shot of honest
"How about a....strong shot of honest, ...don't you owe that to me?"

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

Looking at all of the papers again Maria sighed slightly… usually a case like this was easier with at least two, not if three people doing it with her. Yet no help could be asked for considering Richard didn’t want her touching the case, slowly she would have to work on it. Pulling out witness statements she started to make some calls with a few people and faked her identity as a cop from the police station asking for some touch ups with the interviews but nothing really new came up after the first two, figuring that the rest were worth it for the night. Looking at the phone she sighed feeling slightly bad for what had happened between her and Nick that day, how not only did he caught her but how mad he was. Sitting there for a moment she knew he already agreed to seeing her tonight but… she’d still like it to be on better terms. Keeping her cell in her hand she pulled up Nick’s number and sent him a text, “Interested in a trip to the theater? Peace offering? My treat and your choice in movie.” It was the best way for her to say she was sorry, but without being actually sorry for what she did.

No Maria wasn’t sorry for carrying the gun, it was for her own protection, she was an agent after all! God if a group of them found out that she was an agent when she was alone she would be screwed. If Nick just found out… maybe she’d have a chance, maybe not… it would be hard to tell how Nick would react. Gently she rubbed her temples, for some reason she was having a hard time with the situation, there as she sat she actually wanted to be with Nick, it was nice being around him, yet it was so wrong. Was she practically dragging him along? God she hopped not, they were just friends anyway… she never implied anything differently. Yet the flirting and dinners, and asking out to the movies… friends could do that too right? She had done it lots of times with her friends. Still she had no idea what Nick was thinking about this all, and she could just be over analyzing it anyway.

Looking around the bed she figured she was over analyzing it, she was the one who was thinking too much about it all. Nick had been in love, actual love with a woman who was taken away from him far from choice, Maria if anything was just a good time, a brief moment in life where he could smile and laugh for a bit. In his eyes Maria would be gone for a in a week, then his life would back to being completely normal. Yes, as she looked around the bed she must have been over analyzing, she had a tendency to do that, she knew that about herself and that was her only answer. Yet still if at the end of it all, she would still want to help Nick out some way, her target wasn’t Nick after all, it was Vince, just was sadly in the way at the moment.

(( Out Of Cookies; Sorry, couldn't write much, at a block >.< ))

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

[icefire26]

xNicholas Russo

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"Make a wish...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...it'll be your last"

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

Sam caught the chip before it flew past him, looking down at it with a pout on his face. Oh how his richest from tonight were now in someone’s pocket. It pained him a little losing a bit of pride and cash. Always a combination you wanted to keep, at least someone he liked won out instead.

Nicholas was cashing the chips out to the man serving as dealer when he was distracted by his phone. It chirped a little whistle as a text came in. He pulled it out ignoring the table as everyone else played on. He smiled despite himself at the message. It seemed he wasn’t been too much of a beast outside the police station this afternoon. The beauty still wanted to make a night of things. While a movie wasn’t work related there was nothing saying he couldn’t enjoy this treat. All through it seemed a bit unfair now that he had an extra four hundred bucks.

He texted back, ‘Only if you bribe me further with popcorn. Shall I pick you up at seven?’ He wasn’t sure when the showings for things were but that seemed like a safe time right before something started. “Speaking of woman,” he said pulling everyone’s attention that there was indeed a woman on the other side of that message, “I gotta go.” Somethings do not change enough outside of high school. The boys still brag about their “hot dates” to their “lonely” friends. The reactions seemed mixed from jealous to crude. Someone commented on how he had been luckily enough for one night.

“Catch you guys later,” Nicholas said and finally headed out like he had planned hours ago.

“Hey wait,” Sammy called causing Nick to spin around wondering he had forgotten something at the table. He did a quick check, wallet, keys, phone. Nope everyone was accounted for.

“You aren’t going to try to mug me for your money back are you?” Nicholas said playfully. If they did fight it would likely be a very even match since neither of them actually wanted to hurt each other.

“Haha, but really I could kick your a**. No man I just was curious if you were going to see Maria tonight,” Sam explained.

“I’m not setting you guys up,” Nicholas said laughing as he got in his car. Sitting in the driver’s seat with the door still open not to abruptly end the conversation.

Sam’s face shared the humor for a moment as he held onto the door but then turned serious. “Be careful,” he said so lightly Nick wondered if he had imaged it.

Nicholas looked up at him understanding what he meant in those two words. A skill part learned from his job but mostly learned from years of friendship. What Sammy meant was, don’t get hurt, don’t get evolved, don’t fall for her. “It’s fine. I’m always fine. You sound like your mother, you know that? Now move before I run over your toes.” Sam held eye contact for a moment before taking a few silent steps back.

[Princess De Luna]

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

xxxSpecial Agent...
xxxSpecial Agent...Maria Braford
xxxSpecial Agent...Maria Brafordxxxxxxxxx...of the FBI
xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
"How about a....
"How about a.... strong shot of honest
"How about a....strong shot of honest, ...don't you owe that to me?"

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

Continuing to stay seated on the bed it wasn’t long after till her cellphone rang a small little tune telling her that it was a text message that was coming in. Checking it to see it was Nick and reading it, despite the small amount of realization she was forcing herself to see she still managed to give a half smile reading the message. ‘Pushing it but… I might be feeling generous tonight. See you at seven.’ Maria replied before tossing the phone to the side and laying back on the bed she gave a slight groan once again wondering what she was doing. Maybe she needed an honest night out of doing nothing, not like her night before where dancing and a take home dinner happened where conversation had to happen, a pure movie was different. It was an opportunity to just sit there and watch a screen, not think about strategies, not think about motives and opportunities, a chance for pure distraction.

Once again like a child, she would sit up on the bed and start to move the sea of papers around her into organized piles, and from those piles she moved it back into the original folder. Now it felt like an actual case file, now it felt like she could do some honest work on the file. Maybe she would set out the next day to do that, maybe go and look around the area that the accident actually happened. It was true that the two phone calls she did weren’t helpful but… maybe being there in person and seeing a few things she could get her mind back in the game more. Going back to more girlish behaviour Maria returned to the bathroom to finish herself up, painting her face, and straightening her hair, nothing that was meant to impressed, once again it was a night for a distraction with a movie, trying to mend a bridge made it feel like it was work without too much effort.

Putting on her jacket and grabbing her purse she left the room, leaving out the worked on file feeling like it wasn’t a majority to be put away, it was only a copy and cold case at that, reviling nothing of her own personal truth. Waiting outside Maria looked over her phone as she briefly looked up from time to time to see if Nick had arrived yet, but focusing on Google searches she had pulled up on gang valance and such in the area of Chicago, frowning at the results. Richard could have been very well right, gangs weren’t uncommon and could have easily been the result of Rachael’s death yet it was still any idea to go see in person the place. Finally around seven Nick’s car could be heard a block up the street before it finally pulled up to the hotel giving her plenty of time to slip her cell back in her purse and approach the car before jumping in.

Looking over to Nick she gave a small smile, knowing he couldn’t be completely mad for what had happened that afternoon but still could have been slightly ticked. “Hey,” she said casually trying to get a reading on him in order to figure out to be really nice and pretending completely to absolutely sorry for everything she did, or if he was passed it enough to just move on and if asked about it she could be honest. She was sorry for how it was handled, but not sorry for what she specifically did. “So… figure out what movie you’re going to torture me with?” she playfully joked but yet had a semi-serious vibe to it considering if she was mad at him… that’s what she could have done at home. Perfect pay back against friends.

(( Out Of Cookies; ))

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

[icefire26]

xNicholas Russo

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"Make a wish...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...it'll be your last"

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

On the third try Nicholas finally made it home. He hopped in the shower briefly trying to wash away the drama of this morning. Such things that felt like they happened a while ago instead of merely hours. Instead of putting a suit back on put on black Dickies pants, collared t-shirt and sweater. He stared at himself in the mirror. The suit seemed overly fancy but this felt… not quite right either. It was too normal. He looked like any other random Chicago guy, still sharp but lacking the gangster look completely. Who was he trying to be around Maria? The mobster or the man? He sighed walking away from the mirror refusing to obsess even more about his appearance. He was friends and coworkers with Sam. Maria was no different. After killing a little bit of time at home he headed back down to pick Maria up.

It was a smooth quiet drive on his way over. Just what he needed to clear his head from his friends being maybe a bit too friendly. He let the car idle as she hoped in and after saying hello he answered, “Nope I have not figured out in what ways yet.” He started to drive to the nearest theater in the thought of picking whatever movie was starting next, unless it was horribly sappy. “So are you following my rules or so I need to frisk you?” he said eyes still focused on the road. His only tell being a crocked smile. “Either way I’ll be happy.”

(Occ: Gah! Sorry I have a block and I didn't want you to have to wait longer)

[Princess De Luna]

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

xxxSpecial Agent...
xxxSpecial Agent...Maria Braford
xxxSpecial Agent...Maria Brafordxxxxxxxxx...of the FBI
xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
"How about a....
"How about a.... strong shot of honest
"How about a....strong shot of honest, ...don't you owe that to me?"

xxx¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

After doing her seatbelt she looked over to Nick noticing the loss of the suit and tie, the loss of the professional jacket and wore something… normal. It was actually relaxing to see him wear something like that… yet odd. Was she looking for a more professional friendship or a relaxed one, yet if she was looking for a professional one asking the man to the movies for a peace offering wasn’t the best way about going around it. Mentally slapping herself she realized she was crossing over that line again, over thinking things way too much, she needed to just take things as they were and to stop looking for second meanings. When he admitted that he hadn’t exactly figured out in what ways he was going to torture her yet, but his answer for some reason was getting a hard reading at first. “You’re a smart one, I’m sure you’ll find away,” she said in a slight playful way to at least try and keep the conversation moving.

The next thing that came out of Nick’s mouth was something that she at first moment figured he was being serious which brought back the regret of being caught and how it was handled. When looking over to Nick though a smile could be seen dancing on his lips while the second part of his statement clearly proved his playful and fun intentions of the questions returning a smile and a shake of the head from herself. “I’ve always been good with fallowing the rules but, there are days I like to push the boundaries,” Maria added in her own playfully tone smiling as she turned and looked out the window. It was that light joking flirt that somehow managed to occur between the two of them. In a way it was like Maria saying yes but welcoming him to double check for himself. Still like a child again in Cooper’s office she would blame the answer she gave back on Nick, Nick was the one who started the simple yet silly banter that for some reason Maria just continued along.

The drive to the theater was a rather short one and if truth had been told, if left at the right time Maria would have walked to the theater to meet up with Nick. In New York parking was always crap, unless paying through the nose for it, so when decent distances of walking could have been done, it was. Getting out of the car Maria walked around the front of the hood of the car and waited till Nick was at least out and joining her before the two of them could walk to the front doors to the theater together. “So… mind me asking if you found out what Vince’s plan was behind the wild goose chase?” Maria asked lightly as causally looking over to Nick and shrugging slight, it was the main issue that she was having before the whole gun thing popped up. “Or was it all just a scare tack-tic… because I won’t lie, I’m feeling pretty green at this moment in time,” Maria admitted giving a half smile actually remember what it was like to be new in the agency, “Believe me… it’s not a feeling I like,” she added thinking back to her first few months, the rookie mistakes, the ones she learned about fast and wouldn’t forget. It all came back with the memory of the small sting of embarrassment and pride during those months which never sat well with her.

Walking inside and up to the counter Maria went to work pulling out her wallet and the money that would cover the admission and stood beside Nick at the counter looking up at the movie selections, action, romance, comedy and horror, a few of the selections she was rather alright with, yet still… Nick’s choice. “So what’s it going to be?” she asked looking away from the list and over to Nick to get his choice in movie.

(( Out Of Cookies; ^.^ It's alright, writer block happens to use pure gifted talented ones, it's a sad price we must pay razz
lol hope I managed to give you something to work with ))

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀