Work Text:
“You know, I always thought there was something off about Tom,” Alex said as she helped Anna make her bed. “Obviously, you don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to, that’s what the official interviews with the agents are for. But I would like to know a little more about what I’m getting into.”
“Fair.” Anna glared at the sheet corner she had just tucked in. “What did they tell you?”
“Not a lot. You ran away from your boyfriend, well-known businessman and philanthropist Tom Zale, son of even more well-known businessman and philanthropist Ezra Zale. Tom is not expected to let you go easily, but because you’re somewhat well-known from being in paparazzi pictures with Tom, traditional witness protection is going to be difficult. Tom is unlikely to give up on you easily, so you need protection, and would be much more comfortable with a female bodyguard than a male.” That’s all Alex knew.
Anything else, she figured she either didn’t need to know, or would hear at the time it became necessary for her to know.
Anna sighed. “Tom framed me for the murder of his sister Meg. He killed her to avoid splitting the family fortune with her when Ezra dies, and the framing was supposed to fall on his cousin Ruby. When Ruby’s alibi checked out too well, he blamed it on me instead and said that Ruby must have put me up to it.” She sighed and reached for a pillow. “There’s not enough evidence for them to think the court battle is worth it, but the Zale family has powerful friends who are perfectly happy to use extrajudicial methods to get vengeance. It’s not Tom himself that has me in hiding, other than if the investigation turns up enough I could testify against him in Meg’s murder and get him taken down. It’s the friends.”
“Understood.” Alex offered a soft smile. “Whatever comes after you, I’ll be here, and my team’s only a panic alert away.”
“I know.” Anna flopped on the bed, rearranging her pillow as she adjusted herself. “You said you thought there was something off about Tom. I take it you’re a fan?”
“Of Meg’s. I loved her TikTok,” Alex clarified. Instead of taking the business route, Meg had set herself up as a social media influencer, teaching everyone quick tips on how to be a badass. “It’s a long story that you probably don’t need to hear tonight, but I discovered Meg Zale at a time in my life where I really needed her tips. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be with the FBI. Probably be dead somewhere. I’m not saying I had any special insight into Tom, and consider my source for most of my information.”
Anna laughed, although it sounded a little fake to Alex. “Sometime, though, you’ll tell me the story?” At Alex’s nod, Anna continued, “How much do you know about me?”
“I…” Alex blushed a little. “Look, this is gonna sound kind of creepy, but I always hoped you’d wise up and realize you were dating the wrong Zale. I… oh god, there is no good way to say this.”
“You had a crush on me at some point?” Anna guessed. Alex nodded, burying her face in her hands. “Don’t be embarrassed. I won’t make things weird about it if you don’t.”
“Thanks.” Alex lifted her head out of her hands. “Anyway, just because I know the stuff that got into tabloids or news articles doesn’t mean I know much about the real you, right?”
"That's true - but you'll get the chance to get to know the real me over the next however long this takes." Anna rolled out of bed. "And once I'm safe... no reason we can't stay in contact, right?"