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Time slipped by. It was something that never stopped but it still surprised him when he looked at a calendar. It was already 2023, that was not all that surprising as it had been some time since the new year but what was so shocking was that it was just shy of February. Where did the time go? Hours and days would pass with meetings and documents and reports, time just blurred. It came as a shock to him when he realized that the end of the month was rapidly approaching. The meeting with Leander was upon him and no matter how much the odd email or phone call kept him abreast of the lack of information, hearing it from the PI face to face was different.

“More coffee sir?” Quinn glanced at the waitress and nodded, thanking her when she filled his mug with, frankly mediocre, black coffee. The small little dinner was more or less tucked into the bottom of one of the many buildings in the city, the floors above it dwarfing the simple restaurant in style. When he first spotted it Quinn’s first reaction was that it seemed like a painting. Its windows open to the busy street but the interior, dim and dated. There were a few working stiff’s nursing coffee or a plate of food at the counter while a boisterous family of three sat in a booth towards the door.

A real ‘nuclear family’. He watched them from his booth in the middle of the row and wondered if his life would have been like that if he had only known. Could his life be like that in the future? With luck Leander would arrive with some good news but Quinn knew he had given the PI a herculean task. It was possible that he would never find the kid in the photo. A small part of him wondered if it was even worth it but every time he thought that he would remember that smiling face, mop of wild hair, and most importantly the eyes. The moss green eyes that stared out of the photo that were so, so familiar. That child’s face was like looking through a mirror into the past. There had to be a reason, and he had to know why.

((Painting/location reference general idea))

“It's great to see you again as well. Face to face meetings are so much better than just emails and calls. Coffee?” Quinn asked as Leander slid into the booth. He knew just how hard the task was that he hired the PI for so he tried to limit the ‘regular’ updates to just digital means to make things easier but he still appreciated the time the other male took out of his day to actually sit down to talk to him in person. “I gave you a real challenge so no worries at all. I’ve been busy but ok, you?”

Quinn took in the haggard look on the PI’s face and wanted to make a few comments about overworking oneself but he honestly wasn't sure if it was appropriate since it's entirely possible the PI was overworking himself because of the task he was given by Quinn. It was one thing to overwork yourself on tasks you were given but a different thing to have the boss who gave you the stuff tell you that you're overdoing it. And boy howdy did Quinn understand what it was like overworking oneself. As it was his secretary was more like a nanny sometimes by making sure he ate and actually stopped working sometimes. Hell, Leander likely got an inkling of that himself when he dug into Quinn’s past mistakes since he swung pretty hard right after he sobered up. Work was another way to lose himself, one that didn’t really physically affect anyone but himself. Other than scaring the living daylights out of his family when he passed out and then put on medical leave for it… he really sucked at balance back then.

He wasn’t much better now but at least he did his best to stay healthy. “We can get food if you want rather than sticking to coffee. No need to jump right into it if you have the time. My treat,” He grinned and shrugged, figuring that either way he was going to end up picking up the bill for anything ordered at the dinner. Either directly or on Leander’s expense account for this job.

Quinn let out a soft chuckle, “Been there, done that. The grilled cheeses do smell good but honestly that burger that went past before you got here has been on my mind.” There was nothing quite like a burger from a greasy spoon, not that this dinner was greasy but it wasn’t exactly five stars. Nor was the burger stupidly expensive like some of those ‘higher end’ places. A burger was a burger, was a burger. Yeah some might be made with premium ingredients and put together with fancy veggies and buns but somehow, someway, a simple burger made in a diner down the street just hit differently. Same with hotdogs. Cart dogs were different, and sometimes much better, then anything you could pick up elsewhere. “Maybe I’ll grab a grilled cheese to go later.” They really did smell appetizing.

He was about to ask more about the rabbit hole that Leander had gotten trapped in when the waitress stopped by to get drink orders and to see if they were ready for food. With that out of the way and the waitress off to put in orders the, not so young anymore, man continued the earlier conversation. “No worries on the phone, I know how it is, especially if you're waiting on an important email.” Their first meeting was full with his own phone buzzing as emails and texts came in, nearly non-stop. Quinn fixed that so now unless it was one of the people on the favorites list he won’t be bothered during meetings. Barring real pressing issues. Got to love the Do Not Disturb feature on the phone. He really wished he had implemented that quite a while ago. It might have saved himself, and others, some headache over his tendency to overwork.

“So, dealing with anything that I can help with? Or is it just a waiting game?” The worst kind of game, he mentally added.

Quinn nodded. He understood that gut feeling when things were right, he had gotten those when it came to contracts or people that were being hired. He also got the dropping feeling when things were going to go sideways on him but this wasn’t one of those times. This time it was most definitely the former. “I appreciate it. I know that it hasn’t been an easy time for you. Hell, six years would make searching hard but add in the fact that I was drunk most of that period and I pretty much gave you a cold case with no leads to go off of.” That period in his life was hazed with anger, pain, and booze. It wasn’t a very good point in his history and now it seems that that blank spot was finally getting filled. At least somewhat.

“I know that you’ve not had any luck so far with the actual objective but I have got to admit, the little bit you were able to fill in from that time period really does make me feel better.” It wasn’t pretty but it filled in some of the blanks. Mostly bars that Quinn had been in, a few fights, and other drunken escapades. It didn’t look good, nor had it been good, but it was still nice to know.

There was a small part of him, the practical part, that was glad that the PI sitting across from him had never dug up his little Knightly secret. Nor had he been drunk enough to get caught during that booze filled time. Especially since there was at least one time he went out powered up drunk. The next morning really had given him a rather embarrassing shock. Both the embarrassment and the shock were easy to get over but the idea that he might have done something even more dangerous had always lurked in the back of his mind. It was still there really, but it wasn’t such a large presence any more. Not with what Leander had dug up during his search.

Their food arrived and as Quinn started in on his burger he covertly glanced at Leander, mentally judging the other man. He didn’t seem like he had found out. Didn’t look like a man keeping such a secret to himself. But then again he was a private investigator, a paid snoop. Was the magic strong enough to keep an observant person like him ignorant? If not… The answer to that question was one of the nightmares that haunted him.

But that was neither here nor there. No point in borrowing trouble as his mother would say. Quinn mentally sighed and truly focused on his food. “Not bad for dinner food.”

Pot, kettle. At least it seemed like Leander didn’t really skip meals like he had. An apple wasn’t a meal as he had been so curtly informed. He nodded in agreement that the food really was pretty damn good even as he remained quiet, slowly making headway into his own food. It wasn’t until the other man asked how much Quinn wanted to know that he paused. Paused to think, paused to contemplate, paused to determine just how much he was going to say. He had given this person near carte blanche to dig into whatever he needed to, baring his family. He knew he had been overly careful prior to the missing time, and even worse after once he was back in the city. But just how cautious had he been during that blank period? Just what rumors was Leander sitting on? Would Quinn’s answer to his question make the PI look that much closer to the whispers and rumors and find something that shouldn’t be found? Knight things?

After a moment that might have felt too long Quinn sighed, putting his burger down and facing Leander squarely, “Honestly? No. But I feel I should, if only to face the stupidity of what I did. I’ve done what I could to at least apologize for the more ‘addressable’ errors that I made when I was s**t face drunk.” Most of the bars that he had gotten into fights at, according to the reports that Leander had given him, had gotten a decent apology letter and reparations. There were a few that returned the money, it was donated later, and there was one that had actually shut down since then. He made sure that the old owners still got the same as all the other establishments. “If there is anything that needs lawyers or cops I would like a heads up but I don’t expect, or want, you to cover anything up.” I don’t think I was that drunk or mad… God, please He silently pleaded.

“As for any fantastical or hilarious rumors or gossip,” He smiled and snagged one of his fries. “Sure, feel free to share. I’m always up for a laugh.” Quinn ate the fry and shrugged. “There are some weird a** blogs out there that really can make a grown man laugh himself horse, and I can always use a good chuckle.” Any ‘you're a knight/vigilante’ rumors or gossip was a joke. Fake. Make believe. It was really the only way he figured he could protect his friends and family. If he never accepted it as fact then it didn’t really happen.

The sandy haired man went back to eating his burger before he asked, once he had finished chewing, “What do you call Batman when he leaves church early?” It was a bad joke, a good bad joke. One he figured Leander might like.

Quinn recognized the face Leander made, it was the same kind of face he made as well when he thought of the police. Several youthful run-ins with the cops were enough to last him a lifetime. As a, generally, functioning adult Quinn realized that the s**t he got up to as a kid was stupid and dangerous, he was lucky that all he got were a few slaps on the wrist and some parental ordered community service hours. Granted he didn’t do much other than hop a few fences and explore some rundown buildings. It was still trespassing though. He had been lucky no charges were pressed. He recognized the irony… and chose to ignore it.

“Good. Thank you,” He took a few more bites of his meal, nearly finishing it before he paused and delivered the joke’s punch line. “Christian Bale.” Quinn was able to hold the deadpanned look for only a few moments before grinning, and finishing up most of his food. Puns were not always worth a laugh but that one just tickled his funny bone. That and the reactions of others, ranging from groans to shocked giggles, always made it worth it.

With only a few fries on his plate the male silently, and politely, got the waitress’ attention. When she stopped by their table to collect the nearly empty plate Quinn ordered a slice of apple pie to go, no ice cream sadly. “And whatever my friend will have, if he wishes,” He added even as he handed his credit card off to the woman. As casual as Quinn was relaxing at the dinner, both before and now, he knew that his time was finite. He still had a few more things to try to do before he got chased out of the office. At least one had to be done by today, too much was riding on it not to be dealt with. “That apple pie really called to me, a siren call really. It will be my reward for a good day’s work.” or a midnight snack if I am able to get away with it, he silently added.

Quinn just nodded when Leander thanked him for the coffee, he had offered to pay for the meal and besides he enjoyed the company so why not. He finished up his own coffee, and shrugged, “I inherited a small little empire. Can’t say as I ever really understood the phrase ‘heavy is the head that wears the crown’ until now. This,” a small hand gesture indicated the dinner in general, “is a nice change of pace. Besides, I’ve no complaints about the company.” He grinned and happily signed the check that the waitress brought over with their to-go orders.

“That and it's so much easier to talk face to face.” Easier to read a person too, he silently added as he gathered his stuff. Sadly his time was winding closed for this meeting, at least if he wanted to get any significant work done for the rest of his day. “Thank you for taking your time to humor me, even if there weren't any significant updates it's always good to talk to you in person. With luck those emails you're waiting on will turn up something useful. If anything shows up on my end I’ll be sure to let you know.” Leander already had all the info that Quinn did, and more, but one could always hope that something is mentally dislodged that could be the final piece in this puzzle.

The sandy haired fellow eased his way out of the booth and offered his hand for a shake, “It's been fun but I unfortunately have to eat and run. My guys will spit nails if I have to stay past normal working hours today.” It might not be exactly accurate but it was close enough. Half the time Quinn felt like they spent more time keeping him on a healthy schedule then actually doing much else but then again, they got paid well for keeping him in line. Sometimes he actually appreciated it. Sometimes he was a baby about it. He still hated being told what to do even if it was for his own good. “Let me know if you need anything. I’ll always have time for you and for this whole project.” That was the honest truth.

Quinn smiled and nodded, “Thanks.” I’ll need it. “No worries. I’ll see you next time.” With that he made his way out of the diner. He had things he had to get done and no matter what Leander found, him having so much on his shoulders wouldn’t change. Not right now at least.

If he actually did have a kid? Then all things would change.

Hopefully for good.