My Guarded Heart

@ Jinx...

"Maybe a little," she admitted. She smiled as he kissed her though, kissing him back. "Good morning, handsome," she chuckled. "I don't see anything wrong with sneaking a kiss or two," she winked. "But I have been bad about behaving myself around you so I think it'll give us a little space to prevent any..." she trailed off, waving her hands in a random gesture. She was blushing in embarrassment. "Anyway, breakfast!" She said, abruptly changing the subject. She took the plate he handed her and sat down at the table to eat. It looked delicious and she welcomed the distraction.

Kelden and Hazel hadn't returned from the run yet and she wondered how things were going. She ate, enjoying the time she had with Drake for now. She was full soon, the hearty breakfast filling her quickly. "Thanks for cooking," she said, kissing his cheek and washing her plate. "What are you and Hazel going to do today?" She asked curiously. She wondered what she and Kelden would do for the day too, she'd have to see how he was when they returned.

---

Kelden's heart sank when she said that she'd asked Drake to guard her instead. A rush of emotions hit him all at once. He was hurt, feeling like she didn't think he was capable of protecting her. Irritated that she hadn't at least talked to him first. Sad because he didn't want to lose those moments with her. And finally settled on frustrated because he knew she was right and understood why she was doing it, but it didn't mean he liked it. She apologized to him and he looked down at her sadly as she cupped his cheek. He knew that this was probably best but he still wasn't happy about it.

"I... don't know what to say," he said slowly. He was at a loss for words right now. "I wish you felt like you could talk to me about things like this," he admitted, feeling a little like he'd been ganged up on. "I get it though. I'm sorry that I've pushed you to this," he said, realizing this was his own fault to begin with. If he hadn't acted so inappropriately, maybe he would still be her primary guard. He sighed and leaned into her touch, savoring the moment before it was gone. "Ok. You don't have anything to apologize for, I understand where you're coming from. I do want you to know that you can still always come to me if you need to talk though. I am capable of staying focused and being there for you at the same time," he said. At least now he understood what June's odd behavior had been about this morning.

@ Lost Oceans
Drake chuckled. He had a strict moral code but even he knew June might be able to distract him from hat with enough exposure. "Yes you are right of course." he said. "It will prevent it but I don't think this separation is going to extinguish the desire." He had a feeling it was going to be the opposite problem. He chuckled as she was actually excited about food and he took his own plate sitting with her and pouring syrup over his entire plate. "No big it helped me get my mind off everything." he said and smiled.

June asked what he and Hazel were going to do and he doubted she would want to be doing much today. "Hmm maybe I'll try and convince her to get out of here and we can pick up some of that baking stuff you were wanting. Or maybe Kelden will feel the need to get out. Either way I think just separating the two of them to think will be enough work for today." he said smiling at her though his eyes were thinking and calculating. He was hoping for a call here soon about the email he had sent earlier to his captain.

Drake shoved more food in his mouth and sipped his coffee. "You let me know if you need anything still alright? Just cause I am following Hazel around doesn't mean I am not here for you emotionally." he said and smiled at her. It was the truth. He would be there for Hazel in every ways she needed but June was still his personal responsibility. He would do whatever it was she wanted or needed as soon as he could get to it. He knew she loved June too so it wouldn't be a big conflict as long as he communicated with June on everything. Time management worked better with communication.

---

Hazel frowned. she hated no emotions more than she would rage or sadness because no emotions meant it didn't matter that much, it was hard to read and it made her nervous. He started to talk and she was relieved. At least she could focus on the words. "I knew I could have but I didn't want to be talked out of it and you are so good at talking to me." She bit her lip as he apologized. It angered her. It made her angry at herself and at him and at the entire situation. "Don't... don't do that." she stepped closer to him the pain all over her face. Hazel looked up and away blinking quickly to clear the tears threatening. If she started to cry now she wouldn't stop and her entire effort to protect them all would be in vain. She ran her hand to the back of his neck pulling him down so their foreheads met.

"This is not your fault, this is no one's fault. If we need to blame someone we need to blame my incapability of self restraint when it comes to you, because believed me restraint is the last thing I want to have with you. I knew it even before you kissed me that it wouldn't take much to put us both in a dangerous situation and last night proved I wasn't strong enough. I had just enough respect for you and your job to stop and make the one change I can because I am pushy Kelden. I am very pushy and I always get what I want." Hazel wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned into him burying her face in is chest.

Hazel frowned as his offer became a quick jab, intended or not. She looked up at him bitting her lip and simply nodded taking the sting. "I know. You are so amazing Kelden and this isn't about you like that. Please believe me." she said and ran a hand up his chest before stepping back. "I know it's hard to do right now but please believe me that this is about my lacking not yours. I know you could do it all but I am pushy and I will always push you somewhere that is a little closer to the edge, to putting June and Drake and you and even me in danger. I have never pushed you to do something I wanted so you don't understand this about me but I know it to be true." she ran a hand through her hair looking at him. She would follow him whenever he was ready to go back but she wanted to be sure he was able to say everything he wanted because she knew this would hurt because she could feel the sting in her eyes.

@ Jinx...

June nodded thoughtfully. "I'll talk Kelden into taking me out for that stuff, I have a few specific things that I want to get," she said, feeling happy that he'd still been thinking about that. "Thank you though, that's very sweet of you," she said, giving him a quick peck. "You're right about separating them though, I think that's probably best to start. I have a feeling this is going to be hard on all of us, especially them," she said. They still hadn't returned. She sipped at her coffee and sat thoughtfully for a bit, making a mental list of the things she wanted for baking. She wondered how Kelden would feel about helping her make a couple cakes when they got back. She'd have to talk to him.

June looked over at Drake as he brought her out of her thoughts. She smiled at him. "Thank you, I will," she said. It was the sweet little things like this that reminded her of how much she liked him. Even though this big switch was happening, he was still making sure that she'd be okay and that she could come to him if she needed. She placed her hand over his and enjoyed the moment with him. She glanced out the window and could see Hazel and Kelden returning. Both of them looked rather upset. "Uh oh. Let's let them get breakfast in them and then I'll have Kelden take me to the store," she said.

They came inside and Kelden came into the kitchen, fixing himself a plate. June shared a look with Drake and then she began chatting with Kelden, hoping to get his mind off of things. "Hey Kell, I need to go to the store, do you mind taking me?" She asked. He looked up at her and smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, of course. Let me finish eating and we'll head out," he said and then turned back to his food. June nodded. "Alright, I'm going to get changed but no rush," she told him and went to change clothes.

---

Kelden could see the pain in her features and he just wanted to pull her to him and take that pain away. He listened to her telling him it wasn't his fault and he sighed. "There's two of us here with very little restraint for one another," he said. He held her as she wrapped her arms around him and he rested his head on hers. "So let's just share that blame since we're both just so irresistible," he said, his attempt at a joke falling a bit short. His heart just wasn't in it for jokes right now. He let her pull away, missing her in his arms. "Okay. I won't fight you on this if its what you really want," he told her. "When this is over though, Hazel, I want you to know that I have every intention to spend the rest of my time with you, giving you every bit of my attention." When they could just be Hazel and Kelden instead of ward and bodyguard. Thinking of when that could happen would make this both harder and easier to get through.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Alright. Let's head back," he said. This was going to be rough. He'd grown so accustomed and comfortable with Hazel's company, not that he didn't like June but of course he'd rather be able to spend more time with the woman he had romantic feelings for. It was going to be strange and painful to not be around her as much.

They returned to the house and he grabbed some breakfast. He was being a little sulky, not really wanting to interact with anyone but when June asked if he'd take her to the store he looked up, trying to give her a smile. He couldn't exactly deny her request, no matter how crappy he felt right now. He still needed to do his job and he needed to be good to June too. He finished breakfast quickly so he could be ready to take her out when she came back from changing.

@ Lost Oceans
Hazel couldn't help but smile a bit at his humor but it didn't ease the pain. She loved how he still tried to joke, even if it was just a little. She could see she really hurt him and she would still blame herself for this. He said he wouldn't fight her and she was grateful for it. She didn't think she could keep up against him if he really wanted something. He was so persuasive and he dug deep inside of her.

When he spoke next she could feel his eyes boring into her as he stepped closer his sent filling her up. She bit her lip. "I'll hold you to that." she said leaning in so close they could have kissed but was grateful when Kelden ran his hand through his hair and sighed breaking the moment as he suggested they head back. She nodded and lead the way back to the house. She sighed and pulled her hair to the side. She was thinking Oreos in bed or a workout that would put the agents on their butts and she wouldn't be able to move in the morning.

They walked in and Drake had cooked a small feast. She took a plate taking bacon and a pancake sitting at the table. Eating the bacon and half the pancake, she sighed quietly and picked at the rest of her food really trying to make it seem like she was eating alright at least until Kelden was gone. Once he left she tossed out her food looking at Drake. "Not a peep." she said and he held up his hands. Hazel nodded and got some water. "What to spar?" she asked leaning more towards the workout than the Oreos for now. Food was not sounding appetizing at all but something to dull the ache in her heart was appealing.

---

Drake smiled and turned his hand holding hers. For whatever brief moment he could steal he did. When June looked towards the window and deflated he groaned. "Alright." he kissed her hand then took his back and finished his food standing and going to clean up as they came in. He watched them grab food and was glad he didn't need to hunt down Hazel to eat. She seemed committed to keeping up appearances but the way she used her hair as a shield to block her from Kelden was a clear sign they were at ends and she was upset about it.

Once Kelden and June headed out he frowned as she threw half of her small portion away but held his hands up as she looked up at him. There were days everyone had where they didn't want to eat. He nodded as she suggest sparing and he stood. She was going to fight out the pain. He stood cleaning his coffee cup. "Let me change." he said cause jeans were not ideal for a match against Hazel. He went upstairs and came back a moment later.

They headed into the gym and he watched her loo around then set up the mats. He helps her drag them over to a good spot and then stood with her on the matts. "So what is the last thing you learned?" he asked and she smiled at him. "Attack me and find out." she said and Drake knew he was going to regret this. He was going to hurt in the morning he knew it.

@ Jinx...

Kelden started the car up and pulled slowly down the driveway. There was a bit of an uncomfortable silence as they drove so Kelden reached over and turned the radio on. His mood wasn’t great but he didn’t want to drag June down too. After a bit, she turned down the music and looked over at him. “I’m sorry,” she said. He shrugged at first but seeing the sincerity in her eyes caused him to sigh. “No need to be sorry June, what’ll be will be,” he said. He’d always hated lines like that, it felt like such a copout. But June really didn’t need to be apologizing. “It’ll be okay, Hazel and I need this for everyone’s safety,” he said and June stared at him a few moments longer before biting her lip and turning away. Clearly he hadn’t been very convincing. They drove in silence for a bit longer, June turning the radio back on.

At the store, June grabbed a basket and picked through the small selection the store had for cake decorating. It wasn’t a dedicated craft store so it didn’t have a lot of extra tools she would have liked, but she could make do. She picked out some supplies as Kelden picked things up, looking at them curiously. “What is this for?” He asked occasionally and she’d explain. She tried to reach up to the top shelf to grab a large box unsuccessfully and the sleeve of her shirt fell down a bit in her attempt. Kelden reached up past her to grab the box she was too short to reach and noticed it was purple. “What the hell happened to your arm June?” He asked in shock, forgetting the box. She pulled her arm down, adjusting the sleeve to hide it. “It’s fine, it’s just a little sore,” she said, avoiding his gaze. He frowned. “Show me,” he said but she didn’t move. “June, please, I have some first aid training, I just want to make sure it’s not serious,” he said.

She pulled the sleeve back and held her wrist out. He took her arm gently and began applying light pressure to a few key points. She flinched and tried to pull her hand away so he let go, not wanting her to feel trapped. He hadn’t missed the fact that the bruising resembled a hand. “Does Drake know about this?” He asked her. She thought for a moment. “He knows how it happened. There was an incident while we were out yesterday. Just some drunk didn’t want to take no for an answer. I’m ok, I just didn’t want to worry anyone, I think it looks worse than it is.” Kelden was shaking his head. “Come on,” he said, reaching up and grabbing the box she’d previously wanted and carrying it. He led her to the pharmacy and began picking up some various first aid, then went into the grocery section and grabbed a bag of frozen peas. “Do you need anything else?” He asked and she shook her head so they headed to check out. In the car, Kelden pulled out the supplies he’d gotten and handed her the peas. “Ice it for a while, it looks like a minor sprain and your wrist is swollen, this will help ease it a bit,” he said. She did as she was told and he watched her for a moment before rustling her hair with one hand. She looked up with surprise and a little bit of irritation. “What was that for?” She asked and he couldn’t help but grin at the indignant look on her face. “Let someone know if you’re hurt,” he said. “It’s our job to take care of you.” She made a face but nodded. “I thought I’d done a good job defending myself,” she admitted bitterly. “But here I am.” She held up the wrist for a moment, irritated with herself. Kelden shook his head. “Just because you got an injury in the process doesn’t mean you didn’t do a good job. It just means that you prevented it from being worse,” he said. She paused a moment before nodding slowly. “Alright. Keep that ice pack on it for a while and then I’ll wrap it for you. Just try not to use that hand to much for a few days, let it rest. You’re right that the bruising makes it look worse. I hate to see the other guy though,” he told her. She smiled half heartedly.

Kelden found himself in a bit of a better mood now. Having something else to focus on had livened him up a little. He liked June, and getting some rare one on one time with her was giving him a different view of her. She felt like the little sister he’d never had. He drove them through the ice cream shop, getting them each a milkshake for the ride home. On the way back, they chatted more with each other. When they pulled up to the house, Kelden wrapped her wrist for her and then carried the bags inside.

@ Lost Oceans
When June and Kelden got back Hazel was apologizing profusely. "Drake I am so sorry." Drake was holding ice to his face. Hazel was knelt down in front of him. "Let me see." she said and he pulled his ice away just as June and Kelden walked in his nose swollen and the bruising spreading to his eyes. "Oh my god I broke it!" Hazel said and ran her hand through her hair. Drake laughed. "It's not broken anymore I popped it into place and I'm not bleeding anymore." he said and Hazel covered her face. "I am so sorry." she said and Drake grinned.

"Please I shouldn't have underestimated you. Oh hey guys." he said and Hazel spun around looking mortified. "It was an accident! He didn't block it." she said and Drake laughed. "Who could get their leg up that high!" Drake laughed and Hazel turned to him. "Someone who has done yoga since they were in middle school!" she hit his arm and he laughed. "Fine I am sorry I didn't know your history of absurd flexibility and agility." he looked over June. "What happened to your hand?" he frowned and stood setting his ice down as he rushed to her side. "Did that happen...?" he trailed off. "Stupid... I should have asked about it. I am sorry June." he said.

Hazel smiled as she placed the ice in Drake's hand. "Worry about your own face she looks like she is taken care of." she said noticing the peas and looked up at Kelden her eyes softening. She knew Kelden would take care of it. "Besides June is stronger than people give her credit for." he said. Hazel knew it was because she was the shortest among them. June was sweet looking and her kindness was often mistaken for weakness but Hazel knew it was true strength with everything she had been through to be kind to all. "Oh are we baking a cake?! Can I help?" she asked grinning.

Drake rubbed the back of his neck and headed to the bathroom grabbing some pain meds bringing it back. He took some out popping them and offered some to June. "Does it hurt bad?" he asked when they had a moment as she went to wash her new decorating tools. He wanted to be the one to bake with her but he was planning to get plenty of opportunities later once all this settled down.

Hazel looked at Kelden her heart pinning to be with him and hear all about what he was thinking but she knew this would only be harder if she tried hanging out with him. They needed the space, that was the entire reason for this and she bit her lip. She was thinking she was going to do some night yoga tonight and help her calm her mind for bed otherwise she was going to be an emotional mess.

@ Jinx...

June followed Kelden inside but in the doorway to the kitchen, he stopped suddenly, blocking her way. She waited a moment, hearing Drake and Hazel talking and she used her small frame to squeeze past him when he still didn’t move. She glanced up to see Drake, an ice pack barely blocking the large bruising on his face. “Wha-“ she started, worry building up in her chest as she hurried over to him. Hazel whirled to face them, looking horrified. June could also see the wide smile on Drake’s lips though so she allowed herself to relax a bit as Hazel explained. She still started to fawn over him, examining his badly bruising nose. His smile was infectious though and she soon found herself giving him a sympathetic grin.

Kelden saw Drake’s face and heard the snippet of their conversation before entering the kitchen and he couldn’t help but grin at his partner for underestimating Hazel’s abilities. Paired with how mortified Hazel looked for hitting that hard, Kell chuckled at their banter. He knew Drake had dealt with far worse and wasn’t too concerned about him, but he was proud of Hazel’s strength that had obviously gone into the kick. “At least it was only your face,” Kelden joked, setting the supplies on the countertop.

June patted Hazel on the shoulder to assure her friend know that she wasn’t upset with her and started to unpack her supplies. Drake had noticed the bandages on her arm now though and hurried over to her. She shook her head, not wanting him to worry about her. Thankfully Hazel stepped in, telling him to worry about himself and she smiled gratefully at her. She then saw the baking supplies and June grinned. “Of course!” She said, happy to have someone to bake with.

June began to wash the tools, making sure they were clean before she used them. Drake appeared back in the kitchen, offering her some medicine. “No thanks,” she said, shaking her head. “It’s ok, it’s sore but Kelden said it’s only minor,” she assured him quietly. “How about your nose? Are you okay? It looks so painful,” she said, drying her hands and reaching up to his cheek gently.

Kelden wanted to go over to Hazel and wrap her in a hug and tell her just how proud he was. But he knew that he needed to respect her boundaries and so instead he went to put away the frozen peas and add the first aid supplies to the one of the kits in the house. He returned to the kitchen a short while later though, holding some cards. “Want to play?” He asked Drake. They’d need something to do while the girls baked. And so Kell and Drake played for a while, everyone bantering together. He could still feel a touch of awkwardness between him and Hazel but he was trying his best to keep things light between them still. Even though he was hurting right now, he wanted to remain friendly and on good terms.

@ Lost Oceans
Hazel grinned and grabbed a speaker and turned on some music. "You don't mind right June?" she asked. Hazel was feeling like bitting to the music. It was that kind of a day were the need to move would be in the forefront. She grinned as June started the process making Hazel a good sou chief.

Hazel moved around the kitchen bopping to the music her feet moving in time to the beat. She was thinking she should add zoomba to her offers in her gym. Something fast and fun that you could bop to music with. She hummed as they poured the batter into the pans. Hazel snagged one of the beaters running her finger over it and popping it into her mouth looking at Kelden. Normally she would go an offer the rest to Kelden but she couldn't and she frowned looking down. This really sucked, it was yet another thing the psycho had stolen from her, a normal dating life with an amazing man. She stuck the mixer in her mouth before starting to clean up the kitchen. She bopped to the music as June started to mix her frosting. Hazel came over and hopped up on the counter. She looked over watching her. "So what It think is you need to open a bakery right next to my gym so afterwards people will go get cake and then feel guilty and come back for another workout later." she said and laughed. "We'll even have coupons to each other's businesses so that it will give people all the more reason to want to be at both places." she said grinning. It was a devilish and delicious plan that would work, a little too well.

Hazel couldn't help but go over and over why this separation was a good thing for her and Kelden and one of the reasons was that he loved his job and when this was over she needed someone that she could settle down with. Kelden couldn't do his dream job and be with her, it wouldn't be good for either of them and yet she couldn't tell him that right now either.

Drake smiled. He hadn't expected her to take the drugs. He was pretty sure she wouldn't touch another pill in her entire life and he couldn't blame her. "I will be fine. I have felt with worse." he said and grinned at her. As Kell came back with cards he nodded. He was sure cards would be a welcome distraction for his partner. He watched the girls as Hazel turned on the music. She couldn't stop moving. He was worried what would happen when she did.

They played cards until the girls put the cakes in and Drake yawned. "Kell do you ming holding down the fort? I think I just need a couple hours to help get my head on straight." he said feeling like crap between he lack of sleep, the stress of what the captain would say and the broken nose. He wasn't one to complain but it took its tole on his body and he just needed a little time. Kell seemed to understand and he rose and hugged June. "Smells amazing." he said in her ear before he nodded to Hazel and went to his room. He marveled as Hazel's strength and he was glad he was getting to know her. It explained how they escaped and how Hazel kept it together so long.

Once in his room he laid back closing his eyes holding new ice to his nose waiting for the pain meds to finish taking the pain away. It was ibuprofen and would help with the swelling so nothing major. It wasn't long before Drake was falling asleep. He knew that a couple hours would put him back on his feet.

Hazel hopped down from he counter. "You look like your at a good stopping point." she said and as June sat back waiting for the baking. "Maybe you could rope Kell into another round of cards." she suggested thinking it would help them both be distracted a little. Hazel went into the living room and sat down to call her brother. It was time and she knew it was. The day couldn't get much worse.

Hazel pulled out her phone typing in the number and listening to the ringing. Her brother answered with his rich and bright voice. "Hey Bryce." Hazel said and heard him inhale sharply. She could hear that it had been to long before he even said a word.

@ Jinx...

June nodded with a smile on her face, she enjoyed music when she baked so she was more than happy that Hazel wanted to put some on. She joined Hazel in dancing around when she could, and resorted to just bouncing to the beat when she needed to stay in one place. She laughed gleefully at Hazel's idea of opening up their businesses side by side. "I love it, let's do it!" The idea of keeping close with Hazel, even when this was over, made her happy. She'd made a friend, a sister, for life and she'd been dreading thinking about separating from her when they went back to their lives but this gave her a sense of hope.

Kelden couldn't stop glancing at Hazel as she danced. It reminded him of the moment a few nights previous when he'd danced with her in town, under the glow of streetlights. He had to force himself to drag his eyes back to the cards whenever he found himself watching her. He probably looked like a sad lovesick puppy right now but he couldn't find the energy to care.

June and Hazel put the cakes in the oven and she returned Drake's hug, hoping he was feeling okay. She wanted to kiss him but she felt that in front of Hazel and Kelden right now, it would be a little too much so she just wished him a quiet "Sleep well" and began cleaning and put away the frosting so it'd be fresh for when it was time to decorate. Hazel suggested June play cards with Kelden and she nodded, taking the cards and shuffling them. "If I beat you, you owe me another milkshake," she said to him, trying to lift his spirits. Kelden sat up a little straighter and gave her a playful scoff. "And if I beat you?" He asked. She scrunched her face in thought. "If you beat me... then I will bake something of your choice, whatever you want," she said. Kelden chuckled and took his cards. "Deal," he said and they began their game.

He was having fun playing with June but he really wanted to follow Hazel and spend time with her. It was barely a day into this switched duty and he was struggling with it. He wasn't entirely sure how he was going to manage this however long it was going to last. It was this distraction that caused him to lose to June and she celebrated to herself happily. He smiled half-heartedly at her. "Alright, alright. Just tell me when you want that milkshake and I'll take you," he said.

@ Lost Oceans
Hazel bit her lip as her brother spoke. "Hazel..." She stood and paced not knowing what to say and apparently neither did he. "Are you okay?" he asked finally and she chuckled softly tears springing to her eyes. she wanted to come bak and say of course not, after all being kidnaped and torchered was the very definition of not okay. "Yeah." she said quietly. Bryce sighed. "Why didn't you call sooner?" leave it to Bryce to ask the hard questions when she heard Rebecca in the back ground asking who was on the phone. Hazel smiled listening to their banter and hushed chastising.

"Hello Hazel." Rebecca came onto the line. "Hey Bec." she said softly. "How you holding up sweetie? Do we need to fly out to you?" she asked and Hazel felt the lump in her throat tightening. "No I'm alright really besides it wouldn't be a good idea since I am under FBI protection." Rebecca was quite a moment. "Oh okay sweetie but you are going to have to tell us what is happening before the news does so we can stop watching that depressing shit." she chuckled. "We want to be there to support you as soon as it is okay to do so alright?" Hazel nodded and then choked out a laugh through her tears. "Yeah thanks Bec." she said and sighed as Bryce took the phone back.

"She's right you know we are worried about you and miss you." he said and Hazel rubbed her eyes. "I miss you too and little Danna too." she said. "I promise to call more often and try to be a better sister. I know it hasn't been good for us in a while and I am sorry about that." she said and Bryce shook his head. "Hazel don't work about that now." he said. "You're my sister and I will always be there for you, thick and thin." Hazel was glad to hear it. "Thanks Bryce." she said and they talked a while more about him and his family before they hung up and Hazel ribbed her eyes hoping she didn't look too much like she had been crying.

Hazel went into the kitchen and got some water. She turned towards them seeing them finish up their game and June winning. "Okay my turn." she said moving to the table smiling softly as she picked up the card pile. "Let's play a little war." she said grinning. She passed out the cards and looked up at Kelden and knew he knew something was up. She sighed. "Talked to my brother." she said and set the extra cards down.

@ Jinx...

June and Kelden continued to play cards until Hazel came back. Kelden could see her red eyes and looked at her with concern. He held back the urge to take her hand. He began the card game with her and June but he kept his eyes on her, trying to catch her eyes and let her know that he was there if she needed him. Finally she looked up and said that she’d been talking with her brother and he understood. “I’m sure he was glad to hear from you,” he said, knowing that calling her brother had been something she’d been avoiding. He had a feeling she didn’t want to get into it in front of June though, so he didn’t pry any further.

June understood the reluctance to talk to family and knew the emotions it could bring up afterwards, having called her own family the day previous. She rubbed Hazel’s back and gave her an understanding look. They played for a little while as the cakes baked and June got up and pulled them out of the oven when the timer went off. She got them out of the pans to set them aside to cool for a while. The smell was amazing and the familiarity gave her a sense of calmness.

June grabbed some strawberries out of the fridge, wanting a snack with the smell of food around her. She set them on the table so that Kelden and Hazel could have some too if they wanted. She hoped Drake was getting some much needed rest. She knew he and Kelden got limited sleep being on duty like this and that had to be taking its toll, especially after a month of doing it now. She found herself wondering again how long this would last for. Surely after a month the FBI would have a lead by now? But she knew that psycho was clever and the fact that the FBI has wanted to take Kelden and Drake off their protective duty was a good indication that his trail had gone cold. The thought of him out there, still hunting her and Hazel, was disturbing to say the least. Would he ever give up?

Kelden was growing a little tired of cards, having played some rounds with Drake, then June, and now with both Hazel and June. “Do you two want to watch a movie?” He asked them. June shrugged. “Sure. I wouldn’t mind and it would give the cakes plenty of time to cool,” she said. Kelden looked to Hazel.

@ Lost Oceans
Hazel nodded as Kelden proposed they watch a movie. "Yeah sure." she said not really interested in watching a movie but she wasn't going to just hang out with them. What other option did she really have. She walked over and sat down on the couch. she really would rather sit and talk with Kelden about anything. She would have suggested some other kind of a game but she was sure it would bring her and Kelden closer than she wanted to force them to get. It was cruel, but then again this entire thing was cruel.

Hazel sighed and sat there as the movie started and found herself getting anxious to move. "Actually I think I am going to see what is in the office as far as crafts." she said and quickly left the room. As the sound of the movie faded so did her anxiety. She went into the office looking in the closet for anything from paper to paint. She needed to do something.

Hazel found a sketch pad and some pencils and took them over to the window flipping to an empty page. She sat on the edge of the desk looking out trying to see something inspirational but all she could think of was Kelden.

---

Drake woke feeling batter and he stretched out coming down stairs. "Hey guys." he said and plopped into the couch with June. "What are we watching?" he leaned over asking her. Drake had dreamed of a time where he would have all the time with June that he wanted and it had been everything he imagined and he holed that dream would come true for him some day soon.

He stretched his arm going over the back of the couch. He looked around. "Were did Hazel go?" he asked curiously. She snuck off. It seemed he was right about her not holding still. He hoped that she would be okay. This was not healthy for her to push away those she was becoming closest to but at the same time he understood because she was so use to getting hurt and she couldn't take it anymore. He didn't know how to help her, didn't think he really could other than being there when she needed someone to talk to.

Drake looked at June. He sniffed the air and realized it wasn't just June that smiled good. "Is the cake done?" he asked. He was going to get chubby around here if he wasn't careful with June and her dangerous cakes.

@ Jinx...

By instinct, Kelden started to get back up to follow Hazel but stopped himself and settled back onto the couch. He let out a soft sigh, trying to turn his attention back to the movie. He wasn't particularly interested in it, it had only been a way to take a break from cards. It wasn't long before he head someone coming down the stairs and initially he'd hoped Hazel had changed her mind, but the steps were too heavy and he knew Drake was awake. His partner came down and sat next to June and Kelden couldn't help but be slightly envious. Someday he would be able to sit with Hazel, curled up together for a movie, but damn if that day couldn't come soon enough.

He tried to watch the movie for a bit longer but found that he was just growing more frustrated. "You know what, I'm going to go work out. Let me know if you need anything," he said, getting up and escaping to the exercise room. He passed by the office, not able to stop himself from glancing inside. Hazel was sitting there on the edge of the desk, sunlight streaming in from the window to cascade around her. She was beautiful there, in the glowing sun. It was no small task to pull his gaze away and continue down the hall before she saw him.

In the workout room, he began to box. He threw up quick, precise punches and kicks, working out his frustrations on the dummy in front of him. No matter how hard he hit, the feelings wouldn't leave him and that was making him more frustrated. He continued though, letting the burn in his muscles give him another focus point.

---

June frowned as Hazel left, feeling bad she'd agreed to the movie so quick. "Ok, let me know what you find!" She said, calling to her as she left. She heard the little sigh that Kelden let out and she looked over at him. She knew that this was already so hard on Kelden and Hazel and she wished there were something she could do. She wondered if this were really helping them, or if it was just hurting them more.

When Drake came down and sat next to her she smiled at him. "A superhero movie," she informed him. She rested her head against him and turned her attention back to the movie, actually enjoying it. She felt Drake look around and ask where Hazel had gone. "She went to check out the office for crafts," she explained so that Kelden wouldn't have to. She glanced over at him and he seemed to be sitting tensely. He got up and left as well a few minutes later. She sighed. "This is hard on them. I hope this whole thing is over soon, for everyone's sake," she sighed. That psycho had taken so much from them already and somehow he was still doing it.

"Yeah, the cakes are done. They need to cool down though, otherwise the frosting will just melt on it. It shouldn't be too much longer," she grinned at his eagerness. She stretched up to give him a quick kiss. "How'd you sleep? And how is your nose feeling?" She asked him. The bruising had already looked awful, but it somehow looked even worse now.

@ Lost Oceans
Hazel spent the next hour finding different places in the house to try and draw. She wasn't amazing but she did like them. She had ended up back in the living room sketching June and Drake. Drake would look at her now and again blushing under all the bruises which she loved the more as she sketched their innocent adoration for each other. She sighed as she finished wishing she could get more details in their faces. She hummed realizing she what she was humming. It was the song that Kelden had sang to her the night before and she bit her lip looking up towards the gym. She had heard him up there. He was trying to blow off steam and she understood it. It was better this way blowing off steam than being distracted be each other, right?

Hazel huffed and blushed as June and Drake looked at her. "Sorry." she said getting up and moving to the kitchen. Hazel continued her roaming and really wished she didn't have to steal Drake away to go to the lake to sketch and could just go, or ask Kelden because she knew he wouldn't mind but she couldn't so she didn't ask Drake and just decided she would have to catch the light tomorrow.

Hazel looked at the cakes. "June do you think they are cool?" she asked from the kitchen. She couldn't stand this. She needed someone to be her distraction because she was obviously doing a very poor job of it for herself. She sighed and knew this was making June and Drake suffer and she hated it but her reasoning was solid right? She wished she could ask someone objective about it.

---

Drake grinned and sat with June until Kelden snuck off his body language telling Drake he was tense and uptight. He needed a release and Drake was thinking later he might need to spare with his partner. Maybe they could wait till tomorrow though because of his nose. "I hope it is over soon too." he said and kissed June's head looking down at her grinning. He cupped her cheek and was leaning in for a sweet kiss when he heard Hazel come down the stairs and he kissed her cheek instead. He sat back and listened to Hazel pout as she sketched them before she huffed out and into the kitchen.

"I slept great I really just needed a couple more hours." Drake smiled. "June please don't worry. My nose is fine a little sore but it looks worse than it feels." he assured her though it did hurt more than he was saying he knew it would dissipate. As Hazel called form the kitchen Drake chuckled. "Go be with her, she doesn't know what to do with the silence." he smiled and took out his phone as it started to ring. "I will be in the gym with Kelden for a while." he said and headed up as he answered. "Stevenson."

Drake walked into the gym and went around Kelden waving at him putting the chief on speaker. "Okay sir Kelden and I are listening." he said. He hoped that it was good news. The captain cleared his throat before speaking. "Agents... this case has been bumped up the list of important cases and we are keeping you on the case indefinitely but you have a new assignment as well. "These girls hold the key to crack this case if they know it or not. I need the two of you to dig through what ever information the girls have and come up with a profile that we can present to the team so we can catch this guy. We are also whitening the search for his particular victim pool to see if there are any connections there. We want to catch this son of a bitch. We might have his name and photo but he is one smart slimy fucker." The captain said and Drake knew he listened to Hazel's statement because he was all fired up and just as well.

@ Jinx...

Kelden stopped his flurry of hits and kicks when Drake walked in, waving to him. He grabbed a towel as he walked over to his partner, wiping off his sweat as Drake put the chief on speaker. He listened intently, eager to know the results they'd been waiting for. When the chief told them that they'd be staying on and the case would become a top priority, Kelden let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. He was relieved that they could continue to protect Hazel and June, though he knew that they would have done so regardless of the chief's decision. It was still good to know that they could continue to do so via their jobs though, rather than taking leave.

He listened to the chief and nodded along as he spoke. "Yes sir," he said. He could hear the anger in his captain's voice and knew that he had listened to Hazel's statement. This guy was a psychopath, through and through and a danger to everyone if left free. Even though he and Drake had determined that the psycho liked to follow an order with the girls he took, that didn't mean he couldn't or wouldn't adapt to a new M.O. and begin taking new victims as he hunted for Hazel and June. Hopefully with the FBI having so much information about him, he wouldn't be able to do so easily, but unfortunately the guy also seemed to like the added challenge and that was also dangerous.

Drake and Kelden hung up with the chief and Kell leaned back against the wall. "At least that's some good news today," he muttered. "Although I'm still pretty pissed that this case wasn't already considered a top priority. Even if I didn't have a reason to be biased," he told Drake. He was still frustrated about lots of things, namely that Hazel was pushing him away, but this was a much more productive thing to direct those frustrations to.

---

June glanced over at Hazel a few times, a little embarrassed and a little honored to be the subject of her sketching. She tried not to look over too often, weren't you supposed to be still when you were being drawn? She wasn't entirely sure. After a bit, Hazel left to the kitchen with a huff and she looked sympathetically at her friend as she left the room. Yeah, this was definitely taking its toll on Hazel.

She looked up at Drake and put a gentle hand to his cheek, examining the bruising. "If you say so," she said, hesitantly. Her wrist was 'a little sore', his nose looked very painful. She went to kiss him but Hazel called from the kitchen at the same time that Drake's phone began to ring. She sighed and pulled back, patting his leg and standing up. "Yeah, it's probably good now," she called to Hazel and went to the kitchen.

She went over and poked a cake to see if it was entirely cooled and it was. "Perfect timing," she said, giving Hazel a smile. She pulled out the frostings and several bowls and the food coloring she'd gotten. "Alright, any colors you want," she said, preparing the decorating bags. "Have you used piping bags before?" She asked curiously as she got things ready. She moved the cakes to the table for them to work on.

@ Lost Oceans
Drake nodded understanding his partner's annoyance and frustration. He ran a hand through his hair. "That is over now, now the next problem is how we are going to get the girls to help us build a profile without them being too stressed out. Not to mention how hard it is going to get them to open up with the situation we are in now. I know Hazel doesn't want to be around you too much but she might have to at least for working on the case."

Drake ran his hand through his hair. "What happened with Hazel anyways? I know she thinks this is best and safe for everyone but even I can see what is going on Kell. So spill what happened?" he asked. Drake was determined to fix this for Hazel whatever it was had to have a solution because they needed to get to work.

Drake looked at Kelden and wondered if he even knew why all Hazel had pushed him away. He was sure he didn't entirely believe that it was just because of safety like Hazel said right? Kelden was an excitant agent. Drake had some ideas on the psycho and what he might be doing while he was waiting for Hazel and June to surface.

---

Hazel grinned as June came in poking the cakes and Hazel chuckled. She grabbed purple dye and the red and blue. She sat down and smiled as watched June. She was a natural with baking and it was so cool to watch. "No I have never used them before." she said and bit her lip. "Do you need to cover the cake in one color first though?" she asked.

Hazel sat with June learning about how to decorate a cake. Part of her wondered where Drake went to and wondered if he was in Kelden. She knew she shouldn't worry about Kelden and his where about but she did. She couldn't help it. Just because she was separated didn't mean the feelings weren't there. It just meant that she wasn't able to act on the urges she had that would put them all in danger.

"So you are thinking about giving one of these to the lady across the lake?" she asked. "I know you have mentioned Mac before. Do you know what kind of a dog he is?" she asked knowing big brown and fluffy was pretty basic. Hazel really just wanted to talk to someone about really anything to distract herself.

@ Jinx...

Kelden sighed. "Yeah, this isn't going to be easy. No part of this really is," he said. "I don't know how willing she'll be to work with me," he admitted regretfully. "I'm hoping that if its for the case, she'll at least be somewhat cooperative." He said. Maybe he should get himself taken off this case, but wouldn't someone new be worse for Hazel? He wasn't sure. He sighed again as Drake asked him what had happened.

"We had... a moment. A very intense moment," he said. He thought back to the day before and every day that had led up to it. "She was opening up to me, I thought things were going well. She swears that its not anything I did, but I still think I messed up," he told Drake. He frowned as he took off his gloves, tossing them aside. "I want to be close to her. And I believe I can still do my job while doing that, even if its difficult sometimes. But how can I argue with her? If this is what she wants, what she believes is best, I can't just disregard that for my own selfish wants," he said.

He folded his arms across his chest and leaned back against the wall, frowning at the floor. "What do you think of all this?" He asked Drake. Drake was being affected by this decision as well and he always welcomed his partner's perspective.

---

June nodded. "Yeah, that's what this tip is for," she said, holding up a bag with a large, wide tip on it. "This makes it easy to cover it and spread without breaking the cake and getting crumbs in the frosting," she said and began to fill it with some purple frosting. She began to push the frosting through, turning the cake as she went around it. Once she had a decent layer on it, she took her spatula and used it to spread the frosting and evenly coat the cake. "You can also just scoop a bunch of frosting on there and spread it, this is just my personal favorite way," she said, smiling. She showed Hazel some various techniques but mostly left her to have creative freedom decorating the cake. That was the best part about decorating, having freedom to create what you wanted.

June began to lose herself in the decorating. She was in her environment and it felt so good to be doing something she knew and could do without having doubts. It was relaxing and focused her mind on her hands and the project in front of her. She smiled as Hazel asked about Betty and Mac, not taking her eyes off the cake. "Yeah, Betty. She's a sweet old woman, I'd like to give her a cake to thank her for letting Drake and I walk Mac," she said. "I think he's a Leonberger," she told Hazel. "I'll have to ask Betty next time I'm there though."

"Hazel, when's your birthday?" She asked. She realized she didn't know. Their friendship had developed under strange circumstances and they'd missed a lot of steps in learning the basics about each other.

@ Lost Oceans
Drake sighed. "I have a lot of thoughts on this but the most prevalent is that Hazel doesn't want this." he said laughing nervously at the look his partner gave him. "Hear me out. Hazel has been through so much and she is a very intelligent woman so she is always thinking, sometime maybe too much. So she is thinking what if this is all because of this situation, what if after all this is over it's not what we thought it was? What if it's not what he thought it was but is for me and I get hurt? She is thinking she can't take anymore pain, anymore bad." Drake rubbed the back of his neck. "I think she cares about you more than she knows what to do with and she is thinking she is all in or not at all and until you really know what you want then she can't be involved because it is just too risky for her." Drake looked towards the door.

"That is just what I am seeing with how she is acting when you are not around. She puts on a cold face around you but she's not cold and removed from this Kell. She's trying to make it easier on you because she cares. I think she honestly thinks she is doing this for you. I think she sees how much you love your job and she is thinking there is no way you can do what you love and be there for her too, not now, and maybe not later." Drake was talking and thinking about June. She probably had many of the same worries and he wondered how he would bring them up to her because he didn't want to loose her, not to the worry and doubt or to her separating herself from him for some kind of noble cause.

---

Hazel chuckled. "November 15th." she was looking at her cake and thinking what to do next. It was amazing the things you could do with a cake. She grinned as the smudging was working and creating some of the marbling she was wanting. "When is your birthday?" she asked in return wondering what zodiac June was.

Betty sounded nice and she kind of wanted to meet her but she knew that meant they would all have to go and that would be weird with the energy between her and Kelden. "I guess we really don't know the things about each other normally people would ask in the first couple months." she chuckled. Instead Hazel knew that June was a fighter but was always kind. She knew June had a strength that most people couldn't see and they thought she would be easy to target, but they were wrong.

Hazel knew that June loved stories and that her dreams were detailed enough to get her through the hardest parts of her mind. "Have you decided where you want to move?" she asked. Hazel bit her lip. "I was thinking Maine or Pennsylvania." Honestly Hazel had no idea where she would end up but she didn't want to stay here. This state was pretty much ruined for her. There was no way she could stay where everyone had seen the news or where she knew just an hours drive or so was where she waited for that Psych to show up. Hazel needed a fresh start. she looked up at the ceiling and wondered if Kelden would want to start that fresh start with her. Did he even think though what a relationship would be like outside of this? He sure didn't ask what she needed. Hazel couldn't commit to something that would be gone after this. she didn't have the strength to believe in it only for it to all disappear.

@ Jinx...

"I know what I want though, Drake," he said, throwing his arms up. "I want to be with her. She means the world to me. But I can't prove that to her if she pushes me away like this." He pushed off the wall and began to pace. "I feel like I've been shoved between a rock and a hard place here, man. I want to respect her and the boundaries she's set, but am I just reaffirming her fears that I'm going to leave and hurt her? I want to break those boundaries and be close to her to prove that I am here for her, through thick and thin, but am I breaking her trust in me and my abilities by doing that?" He was letting his emotions get the best of him, he knew, so he forced himself to continue more quietly.

He rubbed his face. "I don't know. I just don't know right now. All I can do is my job and keep her and June safe until this guy is caught. And maybe then she'll let me in enough to figure things out with her. Because I do want to figure them out," he said. He felt tired. He put a hand on Drake's shoulder as he passed, patting it. "Thanks for the talk." He left the gym and headed for the bathroom to shower.

He put the water on extra hot. Not so much that it would truly harm him, but enough that the heat would give him a different kind of pain to focus on. He scrubbed himself clean, taking a little extra time for himself. He wasn't quite ready to get back to facing everyone. He did eventually need to get out before all the hot water was used though, so before too long he was out and dressed, heading back down to the kitchen to see if cake was ready.

---

"March 1st," June said, finishing off a flower. She looked over at Hazel's cake, smiling. "That looks beautiful," she told her, impressed with her marbling. She continued on her own cake, already beginning to make plans for Hazel's birthday though it was still months off. June didn't even know if they'd still be here by then, but even if they weren't she would still find a way to plan something. She had to chuckle with Hazel at her comment. "Yeah, guess not. We'll catch up though. We may not know the usual facts about each other yet but in some ways it feels like we know each other better than people who've been friends for years," she said. Even friends you'd known for years could surprise you with traits you'd never known about them, and here Hazel and June were knowing their traits through some of the hardest days of their lives. If they could escape a serial killer together, there really wasn't much that their friendship couldn't get through.

"I'm not sure, honestly. I haven't thought about specific states yet, but I do know that I want to find somewhere like here. I'm done with city life, I want to find a small town to settle down in. Have a house instead of an apartment, something a little off the beaten path but not too far from town so I can get to the bakery easily whenever I need to." She paused her decorating a moment, daydreaming about this future place she'd settle in to. She left out the part about Drake being there too.

June honestly didn't know where things would go with Drake when all this was over. They'd have some time to date while she packed up her things and searched for a new place to live, but she didn't know if he'd follow her after that or how it'd work with his job if he did. She would never ask him to quit, she wouldn't want him to even if it was to be with her. He did too much good in this world for that and she could see that he loved his job. He could maybe transfer to one of the headquarters closest to wherever she ended up, but it was too early on to be discussing things like that, especially if she didn't even know where she was going yet.

@ Lost Oceans
Drake didn't know the answers to what Kelden asked. It was a predicament. He sighed as his friend showed his frustration. Drake wished he could help be he really couldn't, this was all up to Hazel. Kelden only wanted what was right and best for her. Drake understood that and there was really no way for him to know what that was and do that is she asked him not to be around her. Drake headed out after cleaning up the gym and headed to the kitchen.



It had been a week since the switch. Drake had been noticing how Hazel was looking like she wasn't getting much sleep. She would nap during the day sometimes and would startle herself awake. She spent most her time alone inside like she was afraid to ask Drake to go anywhere and he tried to pull her out once in a while and was sure to go to her morning and evening yoga on the deck. She would be at her yoga routine for hours. He started bring his reading and did jogging around the house waiting for her. He had lost weight and was picking at her food and he was getting to the point he was about to say something but was waiting for a good time to point out to her this wasn't healthy and she needed to stop all of this for everyone's sake.

Drake was sitting on the porch as he watched Hazel hold a very surprising pose. She had been holding it for probably the last five minutes or more. Her balance was so impressive. He was probably sitting there with his mouth open. As she switched sides without touching the ground he stood shaking his head deciding suddenly he needed another couple laps because compared to Hazel he was a slob. Drake took off around the side of the house thinking about how he was going to bring up to Hazel that she needed to consider her health more. Drake was starting to think maybe he needed to talk to Kelden instead and figure out ways to get her eating and sleeping again.

---

Hazel was going her morning routine. She had not been sleeping very well and the nightmares were only getting worse. She had started to dream about him coming back, about loosing her friends and not being able to save them, but more than that she was dreaming that the psycho killed Kelden. It stayed with her. The screaming she prayed she never heard. She couldn't stand to listen to Kelden scream or Hazel or Drake even. She didn't want to loose them, she couldn't take anymore loss, anymore pain. It was like the universe was punishing her or something. Every time she tried to eat or sleep the thoughts came. Even now the yoga hard helped. It was the screaming in her arms that helped distract her, the pain of her workout helped her to focus back on her body instead of her mind. She knew Drake was loosing his mind not knowing how to help her but he really couldn't. She was trying to take care of herself but all she could do was convince herself to train harder because she needed to protect them all.

Hazel slowly came out of her pose and into the next. A while later she finished her meditation and stood looking at Drake as he huffed. He was pushing himself. She noticed overtime she did a pose that was complex he did another lap pushing harder and it was cute. Hazel smiled at him. "Come on marathon." She teased and they went inside. Drake got some food and Hazel knew she needed to eat something so she made a breakfast smoothy because it had been easier to drink than eat lately. She leaned against the counter watching as June came in and Drake looked at her with such intensity and that smile that said that he wanted to sneak off and grab a kiss. Hazel turned looking out the window hearing a giggle a moment later knowing Drake was taking ever spare moment with June he could get. Hazel felt terrible for taking him away from her.