Tracey thoughtfully pushed a bow-tie noodle around in the last of the sauce on her plate, listening to Monroe's words. He sure knew how to get someone comfortable with a big meal before dropping a bomb...

"I just wanted to make sure you knew, ya know... just in case of... well... worst case scenario," he finished, and she could feel his gaze on her as he smiled up at her.

She put her fork down, dabbing at her mouth a little with a napkin, and then folded her hands in her lap and looked at him. "You... should have known, from the moment you said what your plans were, that I'd want to be there to back you up," she told him sincerely, and a small smile lit up her freckled face. "I've been working really hard while you were away to get used to all my new gadgets and weaponry... I would never miss this chance now to put that practice to good use and help you."

The detective realized that sometimes she could be a little oblivious towards Monroe's problems, but... she had her redeeming qualities too. Her loyalty in any tough situation was one of them.

---------------------------------------------

The wind outside the Sicilian Grille was cold, and Arietta found herself wishing she'd brought a jacket. Any other one of her sisters would have been upset right now, she thought, if they had been made to wait. Algretta would have never came. Luminari would be intensely but quietly angry. Cadenza would've flat-out left, most likely. But here she was, trying to stay balanced in her new high heels and clutching Zach's gift and her purse tightly in her hand, and just trying to stay warm and upbeat.

He's only a few minutes late, no worries...

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