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A thrill shot through Ophelia as she tapped her card against the designated spot on the wall and watched the panel slide open. Stepping through the door, she turned to watch it slide closed, the doorway disappearing into the facade as if it never existed. The corner of her mouth lifted into a wry half smile.
She'd never admit it to anyone, but things like hidden doors and secret passages had always fascinated her. As a child, she'd dreamt of finding a way to another reality. Not a place like Wonderland - she'd never understood the appeal of a world full of nonsense - but a place where she could be part of a real family. She'd imagined stepping into a long, dark passage and emerging at the other end to a house with a backyard swing set, a mom who showed up to her school plays, a dad who taught her how to bake cookies, and maybe some siblings who would make blanket forts and play make-believe with her.
She'd never been all that great at make-believe, but maybe she would have improved if she'd had siblings.
Her smile faded, and she shoved the memories back into the dark corners of her mind. She'd learned long ago that no amount of wishing would change reality. And anyway, she had more pleasant things to think about today - like another day in a library full of beautiful books. The company promised to be rather nice as well, and she kicked into a fast walk at the thought.
She navigated the twists and turns of the warehouse with only a hint of confusion, having paid close attention to the library's location from her first visit to the warehouse. The thick wooden doors stood open in welcome, and she stepped into the spacious room. Unit Bravo had been out all day on a side mission - something about a new group of supernaturals moving into town - but Nate's message had said he'd do his best to be there on time for their first supernatural tutoring session.
"Hello?"
Silence answered her call, so she made her way to the library table to look through the books scattered across the lacquered surface. Most she recognized from their marathon research session the day before, but a neatly piled stack on the far corner caught her attention. She moved around the table to get a better look and found a folded note on top of the pile with "Detective Maven" written in delicate loops across the pristine paper. She picked it up with care and unfolded it.
Dear Detective,
I think I managed to leave a message earlier on your mobile device, but who can tell with these modern gadgets? In the event that it didn't work: It looks as though our mission might take longer than we anticipated, and if you're reading this note, it means we have, if fact, been delayed. I pulled a few books to get you started, though I hope to join you very soon. I won't be denied the pleasure of reading with you if I can help it!
Affectionately yours,
Nate
The half smile crept onto her face yet again, this time without the wryness, and she huffed out a breath through her nose. Despite the nightmares, injuries, extra work, and secrecy, she'd found herself smiling more since Unit Bravo crashed into her life, even to the point of smiling without realizing it. Even Douglas had noticed, which seemed like a miracle in itself. Tina, thankfully, seemed reluctant to tease her about it - at least not much, anyway. She was likely worried that Ophelia would start frowning more out of spite.
She tapped the note against her palm, observed the thickness and texture of what was likely expensive paper, and bit her lip as she admired the looping script that looked like it came from a real fountain pen. Probably had, in fact. She wondered if he still had a quill and inkpot around somewhere.
She snorted at her own joke, especially considering Nate might very well have the writing instruments stashed somewhere in the library. After carefully sliding the note into a reinforced document compartment of her messenger bag, she began looking through the books. The top volume seemed to be a high-level overview of supernaturals that explained the categories and subsets of supernatural beings. The rest were focused on each of the major subsets: a book on demons, another on the fae, one for vampires, and so on. She stacked the books neatly once more, pulled a fine-point pen and her notebook from her bag, and settled on the couch with the overview book in hand. Nate would arrive as soon as he could, she had no doubt, but in the meantime, she would happily read and take notes on her own.
By the time her alarm went off to signify the end of the allotted research session, Ophelia had devoured a quarter of the book and filled half a sheet of paper with questions and observations written in her tiny, exacting print.
She checked her notifications for any updates, but the group chat remained untouched since the message from Adam that morning about the side mission. No new voicemails awaited, and after double checking her calendar to make sure no one needed her, she settled down to read more about the fascinating subspecies of fae and their curse specializations.
The creak of leather pulled her from the depths of sleep, and the weight of a blanket dropping over her caused her eyes to flutter. She hummed as she stretched out, peeking at the world through half-lidded eyes.
"Oh, I didn't mean to wake you."
A voice like butter slid over her senses followed by a gorgeous face leaning into her line of sight. The corner of her mouth lifted in a half smile.
"'S'ok. What time is it? I should probably head home."
Nate crouched beside her, his hand coming to rest on the couch seat next to her leg. "Are you sure? It's late."
"As comfortable as this couch is, I'd regret it in the morning, I think."
She leaned up from her slouch, the crick in her back already making itself known, and the blanket fell forward into her lap. She ran her hands over her ribs, the creases in the velvety black fabric of her waistcoat smoothing under her palms, before looking up to find him watching her. He averted his gaze only for it to come right back to hers and hold.
"I wish the mission hadn't taken so long. I was looking forward to our time together."
"Me, too. But work comes first."
His brows furrowed as if he was displeased, but then he sighed, his expression smoothing into his usual pleasant mien. "In this case, I'll admit it was for the best. Did you get very far in your reading?"
Her questions about the mission dissolved on her tongue at this reminder. "Oh! The book! I-"
She stuttered into silence as Nate's hand slid from the couch to grasp her knee, the heat of his palm searing her skin even through her jeans. His fond gaze and half smile calmed her racing heart even as the warmth of his hand spread up her thigh.
"It's fine. You must have set it aside before falling asleep. See?"
She followed the gesture of his opposite hand to find the closed book resting a few feet from her on the couch. She twisted her lips to the side in confusion.
"I don't remember doing that."
"Must be an ingrained habit, then. One I find quite endearing, if I'm honest."
Ophelia's cheeks flushed hot without her permission. She looked down at her lap and then over toward the table still stacked high with books before clearing her throat and giving him a sidelong glance.
"I think I made it halfway through the overview book. It's fascinating."
"I'm glad you think so. Did you have any questions so far?"
With his hand still warming her knee and awakening a strange, jittery feeling in her chest, she could barely remember what she'd read let alone if she had any questions. She blinked and then let out a tremulous hum as she searched for her notebook. She frowned when she found it sitting closed on the coffee table, and when she opened it, her frown deepened to find her page of notes missing. What could have happened...?
She let the notebook fall into her lap and picked up the overview book. A half-sheet - or rather a full sheet folded in half - peeked out of the top. Her brows furrowed as she opened the book and removed the sheet. Placing the open book carefully on the couch once more, she unfolded the half sheet to reveal a page of notes. Her notes.
Strange. She had no memory of ripping out the page or placing it in the overview book. She must have been more tired than she realized. Shaking away the thoughts, she turned the page around to show him her work.
"I started writing things down as it got more complex. I have quite a few questions, but I'll have to read through my notes... to... find..."
She trailed off as she noticed a strange look on his face. He was smiling, so she understood he must be happy, but his face seemed... different. Softer, maybe? She dropped her gaze to the notes and then glanced at him through her lashes.
"What?"
"Hmmm?" Nate blinked before his smile intensified. "Oh. Nothing. Well, not nothing. I was just thinking how glad I am that we... that I met you."
She licked her lips as the jitters sparked out from her chest to dance over her skin. His eyes darted to her mouth, and her heart kicked into a faster rhythm.
"So very glad," he murmured.
His eyes flicked up to meet hers. He began to lean forward, the hand on her knee sliding up-
"O-oh."
She shot up from the couch, her notebook flopping to the floor. Nate jerked backward at the sudden movement and threw his arms out in an attempt to stay balanced in his crouch. She reached forward to steady him, but in a sudden and fascinating defiance of physics, he regained his balance and stood up in one smooth motion. She kept her gaze on his chest.
"Sorry. It's late, and I... I should go."
She spun around to pick up the book, carefully refolding her notes before inserting them in the book to ensure no ink transferred to the age-worn pages. It did seem like something she would do, though she had no memory of it.
As she closed the book and walked it to the table, Nate followed her, though he kept a bit of distance between them. The nervous energy continued to snake around in her gut and send tremors through her body all the way to her fingertips, but she appreciated the gesture nonetheless.
When she'd arranged the book so it lined up precisely with the others, she clenched her hands into fists and turned to find Nate watching her. The softness from before had been replaced with an expression she knew well - wariness. She told herself she appreciated that, too, despite the way her heart dropped to her toes and a sudden burning started up behind her eyes.
She sucked in a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. They were colleagues. They only needed to solve cases together, not understand one another.
"Thank you for putting these books together for me. Maybe we could try again later this week?"
"I'd like that."
Nate's voice was warm as always, but it held a hint of something she didn't recognize. She refused to try to figure out what. It was hard enough for her to read people without adding her own flustered thinking to the mix. The pause lengthened, and she realized she needed to actually collect her things and leave instead of standing there and staring at him like an idiot.
"Okay. Great. Me, too."
"Detective-"
"You can call me Ophelia."
The words slipped out before she could catch them, and she immediately cursed herself. The joyous smile that bloomed on Nate's face, however, made her forget why she'd avoided that particular intimacy up to now.
"Ophelia," he said, his voice low and smooth in her ears.
He took a step closer, though his actions remained tentative. She tried to convince her feet to step back, but they refused. He reached out, his fingertips skimming along her bare forearm before falling to his side again. A soft breath escaped him before he pulled back and shoved his hand through his hair. She had the sudden desire to do the same as the strands fell through his fingers to frame his handsome face.
"It's late," he murmured into the gathered quiet. "Should I escort you home?"
She allowed a small smile, though she felt more like throwing up from all the emotions rampaging through her body. "You really want to fold yourself into my tiny rust bucket?"
Nate laughed. It sent shivers up her spine.
"Then at least let me walk you to your car?"
She bit her lip and nodded, ducking her head and making for the library door. As she stepped into the hall, though, a door opened further down, and Adam and her mother stepped into the hall as well. When Rebecca saw Ophelia, she paused, blinked, and then motioned for Adam to follow. Adam's eyes locked on Ophelia, and she could feel his attention even without looking him in the eye. She swallowed, a sudden tightness in her chest making it difficult to breathe.
Ophelia noted the exact moment Nate stepped into the hall. Both Rebecca and Adam stiffened as they approached, though Rebecca at least made an attempt to smile.
"Hello, Ophelia. I wasn't expecting to see you here so late."
All the tension that had drained out of her during her nap on the comfortable couch now returned with a vengeance. She lifted her chin and set her jaw.
"I didn't stay late on purpose. I fell asleep while reading in the library."
"I see, well..." Rebecca glanced at Nate and then turned her attention to the bag slung over Ophelia's shoulder. "I take it you're heading home?"
"Yes."
"Alright. Well... drive safely." Rebecca looked at Ophelia, her mouth loose and her expression hesitant as if she might say more, but after a few taps of her fingers to her thigh, she turned to Nate instead. "I need to speak with you."
Nate nodded. "I'm just going to walk Ophelia to her car. I'll be right back."
Adam's body went rigid. She glanced at him, but he'd focused his eyes on some point beyond her. Rebecca waved her hand at them, grabbing Ophelia's attention.
"Adam can do that. I need to get your report so I can file it and begin processing those we rescued."
If possible, Adam became even more tense, and for a split second, Nate's body went rigid as well. She was used to Adam's behavior, but Nate's reaction was such a surprise that she couldn't help the way her head cocked to the side as she eyed him. He caught her gaze and seemed to deflate before her eyes.
"Alright, just..." Nate turned to her. "I'm sorry again about missing tonight. I'll see you again soon?"
She blinked. "Of course. We work together."
Nate seemed to deflate further, and she understood she'd said the wrong thing again. She opened her mouth to try to fix it, but nothing came to mind. Instead, she stuck out her hand.
"Until later, then."
Nate gazed at her hand before a small smile lit up his face. He took hold of her hand with both of his.
"Until later, Ophelia."
Little zings of electricity shot up her arm, and she could only nod dumbly. Rebecca's hand on Nate's arm ended the moment.
"Come with me."
Nate gave her a final smile before walking with Rebecca to the same room she and Adam had come from. He paused at the door and waved. Ophelia waved back.
And then she was alone with Adam. She gave him a strained smile. Without a word, they both turned and headed to the exit.
Adam's solid presence exuded the familiar comfort mixed with prickling awareness that she'd come to expect any time they were near each other, but she did her best to ignore it. She was beginning to think that Nate's words and actions might be leading to something more than friendship, whereas Adam...
Everything with him was duty and protocol, and while she felt the same most of the time, a small, irrational part of her wished he actually cared about her as a person. He'd told her that she complicated things, that she made him unsure of himself. It stung to know he saw her that way, but she couldn't - she wouldn't - try to change herself.
Her wishes for secret passages and realities where people loved her unconditionally had died out long ago. She might not know exactly how she felt about Nate's interest, but she knew for certain that nothing anyone could say or do would bring that fantasy back.
Without warning, another image pushed aside her spiraling thoughts: Adam, broken down and under the sway of the carnival supernatural, whispering "Ophelia... I'm glad it's you."
She shook her head as she opened the hidden door with her key card. The door no longer held the appeal it had earlier in the evening, and she let it close behind them without a backward glance. She paused to dig her police flashlight from her bag, and with a click, the warehouse floor lit up under the brilliant light. As her eyes adjusted to the ambient glow, Adam's face appeared from the darkness, his gaze fixed on her.
A chill ran up her spine, like a burst of cool air on a humid, summer day.
She forced her gaze to the floor and started forward, and Adam once again fell in step beside her. She almost let the walk pass in silence, but she remembered she'd never gotten to ask Nate her questions about the mission.
"So, you rescued people tonight?"
"Yes."
"Supernaturals?"
"Some of them. It's..." He trailed off before letting out a soft sigh. "I'm not allowed to say much right now."
"Oh, then don't worry about it. I was only curious."
"I know." He swallowed so hard she could hear the contraction of his throat. "Suffice to say that we did a good thing."
"I'd expect nothing less from Unit Bravo," she quipped in her typical dry tone.
He exhaled a huff of air that Ophelia realized belatedly was a laugh. An echoing smile bloomed on her lips before falling away as an image of Nate's wary gaze flashed through her mind.
She passed through the gate and paused to look over her shoulder. Adam watched her from the opposite side, though she couldn't make out his features.
"I will wait until you're away," he said.
She blinked at the statement. "You don't have to."
He stood still as a statue before his shoulders dropped. He reached forward and curled his fingers around the chainlink.
"I know."
"Okay," she said slowly. "Well. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
For some reason, Adam's gruff tone scraped at the raw edges left by Nate's wariness. She got into her car and closed the door without another word.
Colleagues. She'd do well to remember that. Attraction and feelings could only complicate things further. Perhaps she would be better off keeping them all at an arm's length, even Nate.
She didn't look into the mirror as she drove away.