I can't believe how well-received this chapter is, especially after only one chapter! Thank you for all the reviews, favorites, and follows. You guys have no idea how encouraging it is as a writer to get over 100 follows on one story.

As I'm sure all of you are aware, Intelligence ratings aren't the best and it's very likely it will be cancelled. In order to attempt to help increase ratings, I think we should all make a pact- sort of. I encourage every single person who reads this to tell TEN different people about Intelligence and persuade them to give it a try next Monday. We're running out of time and if we don't at least try to help, Intelligence will be cancelled for sure.

You disappear with all your good intentions

And all I am is all I could not mention

Like who will bring me flowers when it's over

And who will give me comfort when it's cold

Flowers For a Ghost by Thriving Ivory

Enjoy and please review!

Royal Oak High School, home to several hundred students each year, was a rather large public school. The state-of-the-art building was four stories high, filled with tidy classrooms and high-quality learning appliances with the latest technology updates. The students managed to maintain high test scores every year, allowing for a lofty budget provided by the state. The massive gymnasium was built off to the side, next to the baseball field and tennis court, and the inside felt like an area with the high bleachers looking down at the court.

"This is nice," Gabriel commented as he observed the blue and white decorations.

"Guess so," Riley reluctantly agreed, knowing that sometimes looks could be deceiving. "I mostly just find it flashy." And dramatic.

"To each his own," he shrugged in dismissal, leading her to the layout of tables spread around the court dressed as a make-shift dance floor, but Riley was quick to change direction, however, and headed straight for the bar.

"Trust me," she said in response to his questioning look, "we'll need it." Gabriel ordered scotch for both of them, flashing her a concerned look when she immediately downed hers, but she ignored him and ordered another.

Drinks in hand, they began to walk around the room. Although she kept her head down low in order to avoid the mingling couples, she noticed from her rapid glances that everyone was watching Gabriel. The men seemed curious while the women openly leered at the unfamiliar handsome man and Riley ignored the jealousy bubbling to her chest.

"Relax," he quietly murmured near her ear, his hand resting against the small of her back. He made note of the way she tensed under his touch before easing her fighting stance down. "You look like we're about to go into a knife fight."

"I'd be more comfortable with that," she defensively shot back.

"Riley," he continued, ignoring the retort, "relax and play the part. You are a kickass federal agent- you face dangerous situations for a living and risk your life on a daily basis; I think you can make small talk with a bunch of losers from your hometown."

"You make me sound wimpy," she half-complained, smiling slightly at his pep talk.

He disagreed. "Nothing about you is wimpy, Riley Neal." Gabriel stopped walking, forcing her to stop as well, and turned to her. He tilted her chin up, wanting her full attention, and smiled down at her, ignoring all the eyes on them. "You are incredible, Riley. Beautiful, intelligent, strong, and brave. There's nothing you can't do." His smile grew, yet his expression remained completely serious. "No on can bring you down unless you let them. No one can touch you- you're invincible."

A soft blush began to spread across her cheeks but it was gone by the time he blinked, making him wonder if it was ever really there, or if it was just his imagination. "Thank you, Gabriel." Riley returned his smile, "for coming and for being so..." If it was anybody else, if they didn't work together, if he didn't recently become a widow, she would have finished that sentence, but he wasn't anyone else and they did work together and he did just become a widow, so she didn't. "Just.. thanks."

Gabriel lightly squeezed her hand. "Anytime, partner." They shared a meaningful look, getting lost in each other's gaze and she idly wondered when she became on of those woman who melted a puddle of goo simply because he looked at her like he wanted her, like she was his everything. And now she's gone completely off the deep end and become a sappy romantic.

Great, just frickin' great.

"Riley!"

They both turned and Riley had just enough time to step away from Gabriel before a young pregnant woman collided with her and nearly tackled her to the ground.

She gasped from the force and hesitantly began to pat the woman's back. "Can't... breathe, Ash."

Ashley Blaze abruptly pulled away, scowling at the brunette. "Riley Neal, I haven't seen you in nearly two years and all you have to say is that you are can't breathe?"

"Missed you," she sheepishly admitted, smiling in apology, and as Gabriel observed off to the side he realized he hadn't ever seen his partner this happy. This woman must be important.

Ashley's face instantly brightened. "I missed you, too, Ri."

Seeing the excited look on her friend's face, Riley changed the subject before she got hugged again. Or before Ash asked about her sex life and if she was 'getting any'. "Where's that wonderful hubby of yours?"

The excited expression faded into a giddy one- her joy looked so tangible Riley was beginning to see hearts float over her head and started to hear instrumental love songs softly sung into the air around them- and Riley was glad their marriage still felt new and fun and fresh. "He's parking the car," Ashley explained. "I was too excited about finding you to wait."

"And how's Little Blaze doing?"

Ashley beamed, so bright and cheerful and happy. "Little Blaze is amazing," she placed Riley's hand over her swollen womb, smiling at the fascinated look covering her friend's face when she felt the baby kick. "She's healthy and happy, so no complaints. And no more morning sickness, so that's a definite plus."

"No name yet?"

"No." Not even the tight frown that suddenly made its way to her face could darken the happiness present and Riley quietly prayed that she always stayed that way. "Tom and I just can't seem to agree on any. He wants to name her Elizabeth after his grandmother, but I want something modern and besides, you know my family will have a fit if we name the baby after somebody on his side." Just then Gabriel's phone obnoxiously dinged, alerting the always-peppy blonde of his mysterious presence. "Hi," she greeted after he checked his phone and she eyed the two federal agents with avid interest.

Riley motioned for him come closer and he obeyed, wrapping an arm around her, making a show of the casual move. He's just playing the part, a small voice whispered in her head, it's not real. That didn't stop her heart from rapidly beating out of her chest from the contact and damnit, why did she let him get to her.

"Gabriel, this is my oldest and best friend, Ashley Blaze. Ash, this is Gabriel Vaughn, my-"

"Her loyal partner and loving boyfriend," he skillfully filled in when it seemed like she couldn't. "And lover extraordinaire," he whispered for only her to hear, winking and enjoying the pleasant blushing glow growing on her skin. Gabriel smiled at her friend, shaking the blonde's hand and the pregnant woman seemed to swoon at the agent's charm (welcome to my world, pal). "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Yeah, you too."

While Ashley casually chatted with Gabriel, she sent Riley an impressed look and the brunette knew what she was silently saying. Nice catch, Riley.

Yeah, not exactly.

(she conveniently ignores the guilt gnawing at her for lying to her best friend)

"Riley," Ashley glanced at her friend in question before turning back to the handsome stranger, "didn't tell me she was seeing anybody."

Gabriel nervously rubbed the back of his neck, looking at Riley with that charming half-smile that made her heart beat twice as fast. "Yeah, that's... it's kind of complicated."

"And a long story," Riley added, completely content to tell it. After all, only part of their cover story was true.

"Good thing we have all weekend then, huh?" Ashley replied and judging by the strange glint in her bright eyes, Riley absently wondered if Ashley already figured out they were lying. But then the look was gone and Riley shook away her suspicions.

Before she got the chance to respond, a distinct filth drifted through the air, the smell of stale beer and chain cigarettes overloading her senses and she suddenly felt sick. The voice that matched the lingering stench soon followed and any hopes that maybe this weekend wouldn't be so bad immediately vanished and all that was left behind were the reasons she'd wanted to avoid this reunion at all costs.

"Yo, killer!"

Nothing eventful happened this chapter, but the ball will get rolling and things will start making more sense, although I think I've reduced Riley to a bubbling romantic mess. Hopefully it won't take me a month to update this time. And don't forget to tell people about Intelligence!

Any favorite lines, comments, concerns?