Chapter 3

Tina could not quite put into words the attraction that she was feeling towards the taller agent. She shook Dana’s and Shane’s hands firmly in order to see if that peculiar feeling was there too but nothing, no electricity, no sense of familiarity like the one Bette’s hand provided before.

Maybe I was just too nervous… yeah it’s gotta be that Tina thought to herself unable to stop blushing.

After all the proper introductions were over and all the handshakes were exchanged they remained there silent for a few seconds, seconds that felt like years to Bette since she couldn’t stop feeling Tina’s eyes on her.

Why does she keep staring at me? And why does she have to be so beautiful? Bette thought as she heard a cough coming from the DA and silently thanked the older woman for breaking the uncomfortable moment.

“Do you have a conference room that we could use? We would like to properly introduce ourselves and answer all the questions you may have” Bette said addressing the DA in her usual collected and professional manner.

“Sure, please follow us” Peggy said while heading towards the door.

Once they were set in their conference room they sat on opposite sides of the big table facing one another and all the way there Tina still could not stop stealing glances at the brunette agent. It was as if her eyes were not able to leave the woman’s features, she couldn’t help it and she didn’t have a clue as to what the heck was happening to her.

“Ok, as I understand the threats that you’ve been getting have increased in number and violent content, and also there was an attack on Ms. Peabody’s home correct?” Bette was the first one to break the steady silence of the room and Peggy just nodded.

“Well let me just say that we’re here to protect you and we shall not interfere with your investigations in any way. Our only mission is to keep you safe from now until the trial is over and justice is made” Bette said in her cordial but at the same time serious tone of voice, her face not revealing any kind of emotion of any type.

“We’re ready to start and were properly briefed before getting here. Agent McCutcheon will stay with Ms. Peabody and her partner Jennifer, Agent Fairbanks will be assigned to Ms. Piezceki and I will be in charge of Ms. Kennard’s security” Bette added.

“And what about me?” Peggy asked.

“Agent Cooper’s unit will be arriving tonight and immediately take charge of your protection Ms. Peabody” Shane replied opening her mouth for the first time that afternoon for something other than the introduction pleasantries.

“Our job will be simple, we’ll be staying with you 24 hours a day 7 days a week” Bette said and got quickly interrupted.

“You mean as in living with us kind of 24/7?” Alice asked still not believing what she was hearing.

“Not necessarily Ms. Piezceki… we don’t need to actually be in the same room as you are, there are plenty of ways of doing surveillance” Dana replied shyly smiling at the blonde’s reaction.

“What Alice here was trying to say is that if you need to stay with them at all moments, and that includes staying at their respective homes, they will be very accommodating and shall have no problems with that, right Alice?” Peggy said shooting daggers at Alice with her stare and then looking back at the panel of serious agents in front of her.

“Well we certainly don’t want to intrude or disturb you in any way, but it would be better if we had some kind of access to your houses on daily basis. Especially to check that everything is safe and clear” Shane said.

“That’s settled then, you will be staying with the girls and I’ll be staying with Agent Cooper” Peggy said smiling, like relieved.

“So what, that means that from now on and until this case is over I won’t be able to go out to a club and bring back a date with me to my own house?” Alice asked almost in horror.

“You don’t do that anyways Al” Tina interjected and Dana and Shane released a very small giggle, while Bette gave only a half-smile.

“Funny TK” Alice frowned at her friend.