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“It could certainly be useful, in the case of forgetting to eat or drink something. Then you’d be able to easily warm it back up, that is if you could control it.” Scout responded in agreement. “Though if you couldn’t, it could easily wind up exploding everywhere and that would be quite a mess.” The blonde scrunched her face in a grimace at the thought of hot coffee splattering everywhere. 

           that pensive look? it was a frequent look of eli’s. it had become even more frequent the moment he became an educator. the profession brought on a lot of stress, but it was welcomed stress because it did eventually bring about something good. what happened at work was usually lingering on his mind in other parts of the day. he knew more about some of the families in this town than anyone else, and only because he worked with their children. elias had taken to picking out students that reminded him of himself, and sometimes even his brother. there was one on his mind— one that he believed would soon need a place to live— when the neighboring table started talking to him. his head turned to face the unfamiliar face, returning with a small smile in her greeting.         ❝ well wouldn’t that be a fancy trick? ❞    

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Scout was rather excited, but also nervous as hell. She hadn’t had a date in years, not since freshman year of college. It was equally terrifying as it was exciting. The apartment as always was immaculate, but even so she’d found herself nervously perfecting everything in prep for Brett’s arrival. Once she finished reorganizing practically everything in the small kitchen, she fed Jackson and laid him down to sleep in the nursery. Moments later the doorbell rang and her eyes flew to the clock. Time had flown by so quickly she was a little shocked. The blonde took a deep breath before closing the nursery door and walking to the front door. Scout unlocked and opened it with a smile. 

The rose surprised her a little and she laughed. She grinned as she took it from his hand. “It’s sweet, thank you.” Scout stepped aside to allow him into the apartment. “How was the rest of your day?”

Brett had been busy getting things ready for his date with Scout. He had picked up the things he needed to use to cook dinner. He was excited for an evening that wasn’t alone or in a bar talking to strangers. He arrived at about five till six and rang the doorbell. He was confident but a bit nervous at the same time. He could typically put aside the nervousness quickly because he was use to being put on the spot in his line of work. He heard the door being unlocked and then open and there she was, cute as hell with that quirky smile that he adored. 

“For you sweetheart” as he presented her with a single white rose.

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Scout grinned. “True, if I’m not safe with a federal agent, then who am I safe with? Well that definitely sounds like it can get tedious and mind-numbing, especially the drinking alone part.” She laughed softly. “I will definitely keep that in mind while picking out a movie.” Whether she’d actually get a romcom or not, she wasn’t yet sure. She figured she’d let herself decide in the moment, after all wasn’t that what led to her to this situation in the first place? 

The blonde checked her phone as she followed him in standing up. “So it is. I should get to the daycare center. I suppose I’ll see you then. Not that I can think of.” Scout gave him a small smile before tossing her empty coffee cup in a bin and leaving the cafe. 

“Well sweetheart, I am the FBI so it is my job to protect you. We will have a good time besides I’m tired of drinking alone at the bar or hanging out in my own hotel room. Remember what I said if you plan to load me up with romcoms though” he said with that patented smile of his.

Brett stood up and said “well it is three right now so let me leave you and I will get my stuff together and I will be there at 6 sharp. Do I need to bring anything else?”

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“That...that actually sounds great.” Scout shook her head in disbelief, though with a small smile. She couldn’t believe she’d just let what was pretty much a stranger invite himself to her home for a movie and dinner. It was probably the most spontaneous and unlike herself thing she’d ever done. “Six is fine. I live at the Park Place Apartments on the west end. Apartment 733. You know I’m really taking a risk in trusting that you aren’t actually a crazy serial killer.” She laughed. 

The blonde knew it might wind up being a really bad idea, but she also knew that she hadn’t had any real fun with anyone in a long time and Brett seemed fun. So what would the harm be in allowing herself to let loose for once in her life? 

“No peanuts. Got it. No issues there. How about my famous salmon alfredo pasta with penne pasta? I haven’t met a person who didn’t love it. I’ll make the dinner and you can pick the entertainment. So does 6 work for you? That should give everyone time to get home settled and me some time to pick up some groceries and head over. So what is your address? I don’t want to show up to the wrong place after all.” 

Brett was brimming with the thought of the fun evening with the pretty blonde that laid ahead. He was excited because he was tired of either sitting in the bar drinking bourbon or hanging out in his hotel room bored watching tv. Brett needed to pick up a few other things as well. He wanted to have a fun evening with Miss Scout. 

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Scout laughed. She was a little blown away by the man across from her. “You’re something else,” was all she could muster in response to his first comment. The blonde knew that he was likely walking talking trouble. The only thing that entertaining his suggestive comments would lead to disaster, for her more so than it would him. But his grin was contagious and she couldn’t help wanting to feel actually happy even if it was a bit trivial. “Oh really now? Well if you’re going to be cooking dinner for me you should know I have a peanut allergy and it’s not allowed anywhere in my apartment, especially the kitchen.” 

Brett grinned to see the game was still going. “I like a little bit of everything. If I’m forced to watch too many romcoms, I demand significant cuddling time” Brett let out that signature smirk of his. “So shall I make dinner? Yeah I can cook too.” He enjoyed the looks she continued to give him. 

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A soft chuckled escaped the blonde. “That’s true.” When the man paused and appeared to concentrate on something, she couldn’t help but eye him suspiciously. Once he spoke up again though she rolled her eyes with a grin. “I definitely am glad you don’t have telepathic powers, because I’m certain I don’t want to know what you were just thinking. If you’re going to jump from a water tower though we might want to get one of those giant blowup mattress things that they use in the movies for stunts. Just in case flying isn’t your thing either.”

Raylan laughed, liking that she was quick. “Well, you do see me. So, I don’t think invisibility is my superpower.” He said, giving her a grin. He paused, staring at her, putting a hand to the side of his head. After a moment, he shook his head. “And since you didn’t slap me, I’m guessing it isn’t telepathy either. Could give flying a try, just climb up to the top of the water tower, see what happens.”

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Scout grinned, glad to see that the subject didn’t make things awkward. “I’ll be honest I’m a sucker for sappy romcoms, but I also enjoy a good regular comedy. Anything that makes me laugh really. And that’s good to know, though it wasn’t it wasn’t my intent to ‘spook’ you. I just know some people look at me different when I tell them I’m an ‘unwed mother’. But still I don’t usually let them get to me anyway. I like being a mom so.” The blonde shrugged with a smile. “So what movies do you like?” 

“What kind of movies do you like? And I’m great with kids. I was married once but never had any kids. It just wasn’t meant to be I guess. So if that was designed to spook me, I’m still sitting here” Brett smiled at the pretty blonde still in front of him. Brett wasn’t easily scared off. He knew his relationship success percentage was practically zero but that didn’t mean he didn’t enjoy himself when he found someone interesting to spend some time with.

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Scout laughed. He was smooth, even she could admit that. “Later today? Nothing exciting to be honest. Just picking my son up from daycare then probably making dinner and watching a movie.” The blonde paused after she spoke wondering what his reaction. Most people stopped being nice to her once they learned she was a single mom. Judgement was the most often reaction, and she expected it from most people.

Brett enjoyed talking to Scout. She was different from what he had met so far. “What is keeping me in Oakland? Why getting to drink coffee and see such interesting pretty people such as yourself. What plans do you have for later today?” Brett was hoping she had no plans because he also had no plans and would enjoy hanging out with the gorgeous blonde he had just met.

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The blonde blushed just a little at his compliment. “That’s so sweet. I bet they miss you a lot.” Scout listened intently as he told her of his past work and travels. Her eyes wide with curiosity, she nodded along with every word. She grimaced a little at the talk of losing people, having first hand experience with that she was very empathetic. “I’m sorry.” She spoke softly. “Losing people you care about is rough. It’s good though, that you got out of it since it was so stressful.” Scout blushed once more at is question. “You’re a dangerous one aren’t you?” She asked with a small laugh. His smile and charm was easy to get lost in. And the small blonde could already tell after just a few minutes, that she would have to be careful to keep herself from falling for the flirtation. “But to answer your question with one of my own. Besides your friend, what’s keeping you in Oakland?

“Scout is a pretty name. I have two boys Morgan and Mike. Morgan is a terrier mix and Mike is a black lab.” 

“I was in the Air Force and then I got out and joined the FBI and was assigned to work with US special forces as liaison. When Navy Seals hit targets, I would go the target with them and collect information and interrogate detainees on target to gain information to find the next target. It was fun and interesting job but it was very stressful for all of us. We all lost people we knew and loved. So I left that part of the FBI and started working in field offices in the US. I’ve been in NYC, DC, OKC and now NO.” 

“So what other tales of Brett can I tell a pretty face today?”

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Scout nodded. “Yeah I’ve always loved animals. Growing up my mom had to beg me to not bring home every stray I saw. I was actually going to school to become an actual veterinarian, but life happens. Aw, what are their names? I plan to get at least one dog myself once I’m more settled and am sure I can handle another mouth to feed.” 

“Harper, Harper Donovan, but I do prefer Scout. It looked nice and it isn’t another big city. I just guess I just wanted somewhere quiet and way from Baton Rouge. So you say your friend’s in the military? Does that mean you were too, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Brett smiled as the standard questions always came when he revealed he was in the FBI. “It is a job like many others. I just get a badge and gun and the ability to go a lot of places and use it. Animal clinic tech huh? I’m a sucker for dogs. I love them. I have two adopted dogs in New Orleans being cared for now by some friends while I’m here.”

Brett’s smile grew larger as the pretty blonde joined him. “So what was your name? Why Oakland?”

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Scout nodded in agreement. “It would make cooking a lot easier. Although it could easily lead to disaster and destruction” She grimaced for a second at the thought. The blonde laughed at the expression on his face once he’d taken a sip from his coffee. “Well I doubt the ass taste is solely from getting cold. Perhaps you’d be better off just getting something else?”

           he was out of it. having been cooped up in the house for too long meant more time to himself avoiding his father. which meant spending his new found alone time with some of his stash. after being cooped up, he was finally out of the house and feeling burnt. evan zoned out, staring at the cup of coffee he bought in order to sober himself up, until he heard someone talking to him. he looked up, seeing the girl smile like she told him this amazing joke. his mouth fell slack for a moment before his lips curled into a lazy smile. “ha, you’re funny. though it would be hella cool if i could boil shit with my brain.” he found himself taking a sip, realizing that his coffee was on the lukewarm side making him instantly grimace as he swallowed. “definitely wish i had that, this tastes like ass.”

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Scout gave the man a look of slight disbelief but shook her head with a grin. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think heat vision is your superpower, if you do have them. Have you tried like telepathy or like invisibility? Oh perhaps flying is your power?”  

It was almost funny, what could remind him of his time overseas. A face in the crowd, some song, a few choice words. It had been just two words to bring him back to basic training, to the friends he had lost. Giving each other shit, was something guys did. Picking at each other, trying to get a laugh or even just a small smile from the others. Raylan had been good at it, the class clown for his unit. His crowning achievement had been getting their drill sergeant to crack a smile. But, he hadn’t been the only guy throwing out jokes in his squad. Abe wasn’t funny, he thought he was, but no one else did. After finding  out Raylan was from Louisiana, Abe ended every, every, conversation, phone call, whatever, with Raylan by saying ‘later gator.’ It was something only Abe found funny, but it didn’t stop him from continuing to do it. Abe had been killed, two weeks into Raylan’s first tour overseas. It had been the cashier that reminded him of his late friend. Raylan had paid and the young woman said ‘later gator.’ It was stupid, he knew. But, hearing the words said so many times by his late friend, made this wave of sadness wash over him. He sat at his table, thinking about Abe and all the others who hadn’t made it. He hadn’t even realized he’d been staring at his coffee, till the young woman spoke.

Looking over at her, Raylan smiled, not wanting to show the funk he had been in.

“Well, I was trying to see if I have super powers.” Raylan said dryly, with a slight shrug. “But, you broke my concentration.”

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Scout couldn’t help the grin. “I’m doing alright, and yourself? Oh, well I work at the animal clinic as a tech. Basically I’m kind of a nurse for animals. Oh, really? I’m new too! I mean I’ve been here a few months now, but things are still sorta new to me, especially people. Small towns can be hard to fit in, but it seems nice ya know?” The blonde’s blue eyes grew in curiosity after he conveyed his own job and reasons for being in town. “Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever actually met a federal agent. Lots of cops sure, but never someone who actually worked for the FBI or anything. That’s nice though that you’re down here visiting a friend.” 

When Brett motioned for her to join his table she shrugged and figured why not. He seemed nice, and more than just in the polite way most people were. So she found herself gathering her own coffee and bagel and taking a seat across from him. “What’s it like being in the FBI?”

The blonde was cute and leave it to Brett to flirt with every pretty lady he talked to regardless of who was there.  “Why hello Scout. How are you today? So what do you do in Oakland? I’m new to the area so I’m still learning everyone. I’m in the FBI based in New Orleans but I’m in Oakland to visit an old military buddy.”

Brett folded up his newspaper and motioned to her to join his table.

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Scout nodded at his response before stretching her own hand out to shake. “No disagreement there. I make it a habit to spend at least a few hours each day specifically not thinking, although in hindsight is that too much effort put on just trying to relax? Harper, by the way, but most people call me Scout.” 

Brett sat drinking his coffee. Next to bourbon it was his next favorite drink on the planet. He was reading his newspaper when he caught an article about gun smuggling that frustrated him because he had not made any progress in his investigation yet. He sat and starred at his coffee mug when out of the blue he heard a voice from the table next to him.

“Oh hey no I’ve just got a lot on my mind today. Too much thinking will drive you crazy! I’m Brett, what is your name?” as he extended his hand to shake hers.

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During the months following Scout’s move to Oakland, one of her favorite locations quickly became the Java Junkie cafe. Being a little bit of a caffeine addict, there was nothing keeping the blonde from practically making it her second home. The owners seemed nice enough, and luckily Jax being a rather non-fussy child kept them from seeing her near-constant presence a nuisance. She’d even started to make a small corner table by the front window her usual seat in the early mornings or afternoons. It gave her a nice place to observe the people around her, both inside the coffee shop and outside. Today was no different than any other, but her eyes wandered over a rather pensive looking patron sitting at the next table over. Usually not one to bother others, Scout surprised herself by speaking, “If you stare at your mug any harder, I think it just might start boiling.” The smile slowly forming on her face to assure them that she was only joking.

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Scout wasn’t exactly sure why she’d wandered into the bar. She’d gotten off work a few hours earlier than normal, and she wasn’t due to pick up Jax until later in the afternoon. Though still it didn’t explain why she’d decided to enter Mystique rather than just pick up her son early like she normally would have. Perhaps she was feeling a bit of nostalgia for her early college years, when she allowed herself to occasionally go out and drink a little bit with her friends, the ones she’d left behind when moving to a completely new and nowhere town in the bayou. Not to mention the fact that Jax was teething and no longer slept through the night like he had been. She was tired and being a single mother was finally starting get her, not that she regretted it for one minute. 

Yet no matter why she was there, Scout still found herself sitting at the bar and watching as a woman poured a glass of whiskey and sliding into toward her. At the woman’s words, Scout frowned just slightly before picking up the glass and staring at it for a moment. “I haven’t had a drink since my sophomore year of college. Not that I really drank at all back then anyway.” The blonde shook her head of any hesitation and took a sip from the glass. She cringed at the taste, not used to it in the slightest. Yet she didn’t push the glass away either. She hoped that one small glass wouldn’t impair her enough to prevent her from picking up her son in a few hours. “Thanks,” she added with a smile and a nod.

despite the time, men & women alike had found themselves in the company of the devil’s own gilded liquid. cruelty courts them with temptation to forget their problems and worries alike, a scene she finds grotesque as the night continued to tick away. yet she can’t deny herself falling  to the serpent’s offer, taking it with an eager heart and selfish hands. she let out a sigh, both heavy and laced with tedium. finishing up with cleaning up a glass, her hues fell on a figure. a trimmed brow rose, slim digits reaching over to grab a bottle of whiskey around its neck. after opening the bottle, she tipped the mouth on an angle to watch the clear liquid fall into the glass. without much thought, she pushes the glass towards their direction. ‘ here , ‘ she said , a faint smile appearing . ‘ you look like you need it. ‘

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Most days after work, Scout preferred to pick up her son from daycare and spend a few hours just hanging out around town. She’d always had a love of fresh air and people watching, and so taking up a seat on nice bench in the park. She liked sitting in the park with Jax, as it wouldn’t be long before he’d be running and playing with other children there. So sitting there with her son in her lap, playing peekaboo and just enjoying the day, gave her a small bit of quaint happiness. Most days people didn’t bother her, not that she’d mind at all. She just was very new to town still, despite it having been quite a few months since she moved so most people, while polite, were still not completely warmed up to her enough to strike up random conversation. So it came as a bit of a surprise when another young girl sat down on the same bench as her and pulled out a book. When the girl turned and spoke, Scout smiled and glanced at the girl. “It’s no problem at all. I just hope we don’t disturb your relaxation time.” She replied with a wave of her hand from herself and Jax to the girl’s book.

     although not much had changed in oakland over the eight years during which she’d been mostly absent, there was still enough of a disturbance for her to feel somewhat off balance - a problem she was working to rectify. firstly, she needed to make her face known around town. she’d already caught up with more than a few people, those whom her parents had invited to the house for a welcome home soiree, her church group, and the handful of people she deemed worthy of being called a friend. after that, the rest were past annoyances or new faces. that was where the real fun was to be had. strolling through the park, she spotted a bench to sit at - one person was already sat there but that was pretty much the point. after scanning around to check if there was another nearby empty bench for them to move to (there wasn’t), she sat down besides them silently, crossing her legs at the ankle as she took out her novel and turned to the person besides her. 

     “this seemed to be the only bench left, i hope that’s not a problem.”