Damn Morning Hours [closed]

[Cas]

The sun had yet to rise. Cas had a double homicide case she was scared to go investigate. She had already been down to the scene and tagged all the evidence. Harold was out looking for the couples’ fourteen year old daughter who was supposed to be at a friend’s house. Thankfully or she might have joined the body count. The element sighed her breath fogging in front of her .the nights were getting colder, not surprising in the least this late in the year. Sitting on the steps to the library she yawned. Been a while since she slept, almost six days now. This was the second of these cases. The other family had two boys that had been staying at their cousin’s house. She was seeing a pattern but that didn’t really matter. Could also be coincidence. Another sigh, another puff of steamed air. She was betting there would be another if they didn’t catch this guy.

Her cell phone rang, “I’m Not Yours,” a song Harold had suggested that Cas used for all her co-workers but her father of course. Checking the caller ID it was indeed none other than her letcherous partner. “Spinner.” She said flipping the phone open. Granted her dad answered the same way as he was her boss. Always makes it funner. “Daughter wasn’t there.” Cas straightened against the wall more alert then before. “I’m listening.” She said entering cop mode. “Mother of the friend says they girls went over to another friend’s house for a party around ten were supposed to come back by two.” He paused waiting fro a response. “Shit Harold that was four hours ago.” Cas said standing and going down the street to her car. The mustang was old but in perfect condition. “I know Cas I’m heading there now. I’m betting they got drunk or high so decided to sleep it off." Keys jingled as she unlocked the door. “Calm down girl. I’ll call you and have a date with you after I check on the girl.” Cas could hear the laugh in his voice. “I’ve turned you down too many times to change it now sugar.” She said and hung up.

That was his way of saying she didn’t need to meet him there. Sighing she locked the car again and went back towards the library. The doors opened at six thirty every morning but holidays so she just had a bit longer to wait. Just as she was about to sit down Matt walked up. “Here early today Cas.” He said in that hail good fellow voice of his. “Have yet to sleep.” She said with a smile. A key ring was produced from his pocket and the keys sorted through till he found the one for the front door. “You workin a case then?” he asked sliding the key in and turning to unlock. “When am I not?” she responded with a laugh. He gave her his own heart felt laugh and pushed the door open. “Ladies first.” Even went so far as to bow. Cas smiled and walked in. Matt hit the lights but they didn’t come on. He sighed, “Looks like the generator is down again.” He started for the back door and Cas followed. “Want me to jolt it?” she asked. Matt was one of the few normals to know what she was. Harold had to know since he was her partner. “Might have to.” His voice sounded worried. Matt was one of those guys that wore his emotions on his sleeve.

He opened the back door and to the generator that was ancient. “I don’t see why Mr. Simestin doesn’t get electricity wired in like everyone else.” Cas said and took off her gloves. No removing them wasn’t a must, but that was something Matt didn’t know. Snapping her fingers they sparked and she smiled. “Just an old fashioned guy Spinner.” Matt said holding the door open while she stepped out. Putting her hands on the generator she focused. Electricity short from her hands around the big metal box. It sputtered and whirred to life and the lights turned on in the building. “Job well done. I owe you.” He said with his smile back as she put her gloves back on and went past him back inside. “Coffee.” She said shivering. “Then we’re even.” Matt laughed and went to a side room. Another jingle of the keys and the door opened to a mini kitchen. “Sounds good.” He made the French brewed coffee and handed her a mug. Thanking him she went up the stares to browse the shelves.

Walking through isle after isle she couldn’t find anything that looked interesting. She was waiting for a book to come in. granted Matt had a pile in the after hours drop off so it could be in. As if reading her thoughts Matt called up to her. “Book is in!” he said when she went to the railing. “Sweet.” She said and headed for the stairs. “I’ll send it up the elevator.” He said and set the book in and pressed the button then went back to his desk. The elevator clanked up and opened right next to the elemental. Cas picked up the book when the doors opened and then went back to her normal seat. Curling up with the book she was about to open it when she got a call. Pulling her phone out she answered. “Spinner.” She said not seeing who it was. “Found the girl. She’s safe.” Harold said not saying hello. “Sounds good, I’ll be in later to talk to her.” He said alright and the line went dead. She closed the phone and put it back in her pocket.

Sighing she took a sip of coffee and opened the book. Starting to read she heard the front door open many times and Matt greet people as they came in and wish them a good day as they left. By the time she paused for a break the book was almost done and it was almost nine. She should probably get to the station soon. People milled around her on the second floor and she watched them wondering if all were humans. Matt came up and gave her more coffee. She said thanks then took a sip. Fresh. She took in the smell then, looking at everyone around one last time, Cas turned back to her book.

[Zelena]

It was eight when she received a call, her cell phone played Memories of Lightwaves, (the Orchestral version )at that time she was walking down the frozen shores of Mirror lake, her place to just get away from the city. She picked it up, “Ms. Isolda speaking”, was her greeting to the man on the phone. It was one of her elementals apparently there was a case that seemed to be going bad, and targeting younger elementals. It could still be just coincidence but the chances of that were low, especially knowing how the Agency handled things. “Thank You for giving me a call… I will head over to talk to Ms. Spinner when I can. Goodbye.” The phone conversation was done with a quick touch on the screen of the phone. She then turned around from the icy shores of the lake went towards her motorcycle, today she was wearing her jeans, black trench coat, leather gloves and her hair was pulled into a long high braid. It defiantly wasn’t her normal appearance, but it would work out in her favor today, especially since she had to pretend to be a normal citizen in the city.

Quickly Zelena pulled her right leg over the bike, took her seat, put on her helmet, pressed on the ignition pad and took off. Despite it being almost eight thirty cars were still flying about the city like the daytime, this place never seemed to rest. She was headed for the library, the place that Spinner would most likely be, she kept tabs on everyone that she was aligned with, she didn’t want left to be unaware of any double agents. Although she did trust most of her the agents that have been working with her for a long time, both Spinners were part of that select few. Sadly she still felt the need to watch them… really though who could blame her? Zelena continued to brood as she passed through the air streets of the city, seeing all sorts of lights pass by her. Stylish and slim cars that took up much of anyone’s salary, to the older cars that were upgraded to fly throughout the city, to the large flying shuttle buses, to other motorcyclist, the streaming lights from every direction, it all seemed like organized chaos to her. Finally after traveling for some time she finally arrived on the street of the library, Zelena then made sure to park near enough to the building but slightly concealed, for some agents may recognize the plate number on the back. Once she was done with that she took off her helmet, got off of the bike, placed her helmet down and secured it to her bike, then walked in the doors of the library.

Inside she could smell the wonderful aroma of coffee, some paper books, and different perfumes mixing together to make the scent of the library. The man that she knew as Matt greeted her; she nodded in return and went further into the bookstore. Her behavior should let him know that she didn’t want to be noticed, at least by a great number of people. Her vivid blue eyes were hidden by the glasses she wore, they were meant to look like transitional lens glasses but they really just made her eye color seem less extreme when she wore them. So her eyes didn’t feel the need to hide the fact that she was looking for someone, her eye movement could just be out of looking for a certain book for all anyone else knew. Zelena decided to sweep through the first floor first in her search for Cas, but also to look out for any agents that were spending their time spying at the library, although Zelena didn’t think it was the best place to send a human agent, maybe a sound elemental, but not a human agent. She was brought out of that thought once she was done inspecting the first floor, so she casually made her way up to the second floor as she made sure to bring a book with her.

There on the seat was Cas reading a book as she sipped some coffee, it was about nine o five now and it seemed that she came at a good time. Zelena looked at Cas with a held back smile and brought her right hand up lazily, “Long time no see.” She then looked down at the book to notice that she was almost done with it, “A good book I am guessing”, Zelena then sat in a chair across from the brown haired detective. Then Zelena placed a her left arm on the table while turning her body towards her left side a bit, to give herself that laid back look. “So I am guessing you heard about the girl… “, she paused knowing that Cas would understand the hidden message, “Ya Tami is really happy about her first child, you should come by and see her soon.” Zelena then gave a warm smile in order to fit the part that she was playing out. “So what have you been up to? Anything new or exciting that has happened lately? Oh, if you have the time maybe we can meet for lunch later on today or tomorrow, you know to catch up.” Hopefully Cas would have the time for some meeting later on, away from public eyes, she would like to be able to discuss that matter freely, but for now she had to settle for this.

[Cas]

Cas was nearly done with her book. It was so damn interesting. The way the plot unfolded around the main character and by the end the mystery murder was solved but then another problem would arise only to have to be met. It captured her interest enough that she didn’t notice a woman walking up until the words rang through the air around her and her gold eyes lifted to meet the ones behind the glasses. Zelena, to who she reported to. It wasn’t often that the leader came to find her which meant something was obviously up. Her hair was up in a braid, not normal but it helped the elemental stay hidden in the group of humans around her. She gave her a smile when she commented on the goodness of the book and folded the corner to mark her place before closing it and setting it down on the table and sat there holding her cup of coffee while the conversation continued. Of course she had taken a casual comfortable position in the only other chair that was near Cas, she wasn’t a fan of large groups crowding her. The message that she was saying in the code that most took up made Cas’ eyes narrow but she recovered quickly.

“Yes I heard about Tami, was hoping she was well. I was planning to see her this afternoon or evening time.” Her words were happy sounding and a smile crossed her face. “I can’t believe she had that little girl. Heard she was cute, but a real handful.” No she wasn’t truly holding any hidden messages in the second line just the first. She would go where she was needed tonight. She had heard of the elemental killings. They were all young and that worried them all. Loosing the young ones was bad, they needed them, but they were easier to kill then the older more experience and trained ones. “As to what I’ve been up to I suppose just my work so of course my family too.” She gave a small laugh as her eyes scanned the area around them. Some gave them looks, it wasn’t often people just came and chatted here, usually they held books and read or didn’t speak at all and that was usually what Cas did, unless she had an unexpected visitor like today. “As for exciting my mother has been expecting.” She put emphasis on the word to show the other meaning. “But the doctors still won’t give her any news.” She was wanting to know what was going on with the little ones, she was worried about them and her maternal instincts kicked in making her want to take them all and hide them in her basement.

She thought about the offer for lunch and inclined her head. “I would be happy to meet with you today for lunch. I have to go into the office in about twenty minutes but I can see if my boss will give me a fair lunch break to meet with you. Usually he is such a stickler and likes to eat with me himself. If he protests too much would you mind him tagging along?” Cas picked the book back up after setting down her now empty coffee mug. Matt came up right on time and refilled it just as if he could read her mind. Granted she knew the human couldn’t but his timing was always something else. He had also brought up an extra mug and filled it setting it down in front of Zelena before departing back to the first floor. He was a good man, especially to the cops of the area. Granted he made sure to be kind like this to others so that no one who shouldn’t know didn’t find out about Cas’ job. “Where would you like to go? I’m feeling like sandwiches.” Of course that was something she could meet Zel anywhere for so that left it open to debate as to where they went. If she really wanted to she could also talk her dad out of coming. But since he was the chief he would want to come just because who she was going to be eating with. Lunch dates were never set unless something major needed discussed. Having both Spinners wasn’t such a bad thing. They were good at their jobs after all. Cas took up her mug and took another sip while waiting for the response.

[Zelena]

The water elemental listened carefully to the words that the electric elemental spoke. Making a mental note to look for a hidden message in them, she found one in the first sentence she spoke, but she wasn’t too sure on the second. But she listened until she was done speaking, the whole time keeping up the appearance of out of contact close friends or relatives. This was something she was grateful for and why she made the effort to come personally, Cas knew how to keep a cover.

“I would be happy to meet with you today for lunch. I have to go into the office in about twenty minutes but I can see if my boss will give me a fair lunch break to meet with you. Usually he is such a stickler and likes to eat with me himself. If he protests too much would you mind him tagging along?” She watched with her aquatic blue eyes as Cas picked up the book that she was reading previously, then she set down her empty mug. 1, 2, 3 the librarian as she remembered was called Matt refilled her cup, with impeachable timing. Blue eyes looked up at him, as she pretended to just realize that he was there. What she had done in reality was observing his movements through the water in his body; it was her way of being able to sense others around her. She could also hear his footsteps despite how quite he was, it was due to the enhancement that she received while she worked as an agent. The thought made her sick to remember it, but she didn’t show it outwardly.

The man set down a coffee mug for her and she flashed a bright smile at him and gripped the coffee mug so that both hands cupped it and her elbows found themselves on the table. “Why thank you”, her voice seemed innocent and sweet, but that was how she wanted it to sound. “Where would you like to go? I’m feeling like sandwiches.” Zelena resisted the urge to automatically look at her, so with some conscience effort she made herself turn her head to Cas in a very natural way. By then the detective was sipping some coffee from the mug. “Well… I am thinking we can meet up over at the Majestic Falls… then we can find the right restaurant for all three of us. Seeing that your father will be joining us, I think it would be nice to see him again.” She smiled lightly and gave what seemed to be a natural soft giggle. Still holding her coffee mug and finished analyzing what was in it she took a sip finding that it was safe, she couldn’t take any chances, there were no breaks for her or the agents that would love to have a kill mark of an elemental leader. She took a look at the black watch on her left wrist; it was almost 9:30. Then keeping up her façade for the ever watching public,

“Well I should be taking off in a little bit, since work will start soon, but I have a few minutes more minutes to spare”, she spoke like a slightly rushed individual but held that smile, “So did you hear about Sam’s new boyfriend? I have heard some rumors about him and they are quite interesting. I was curious if you have heard anything?” Another hidden message, but this one was about the new arrival for the agency, a man that seemed wrapped up in mystery but that everyone seemed to curious about. Personally she was curious, seeing that he wasn’t like the everyday agent… in fact she had a feeling that there was more to him than any other. Hopefully Cas had some more rumors or knowledge about the newcomer.

[Cas]

The lightning almost flashed in her eyes as Majestic Falls was mentioned. There had been a bad scene there a few months back and Cas had yet to be back since then. It was also the only murder case that was solved that no one in this city had solved. Was the night the first letter from her long time friend showed up. It had been there sitting in the middle of all the clues pointing to who the murderer had been. The fact that Zach had figured it out so easily had been spooky especially when he wasn’t even in the city. It was unnatural and Cas was just a little creeped by it. But she kept that to herself. There was no reason to alert Zel that there was something wrong. After all, if another element was to come to town and join the force what could she have to worry about. The fact this one could just look at the scene find two different clues and tell you what or who did it was just slightly strange. Just meant he was meant for the job, but Cas already knew that. With a sigh that seemed normal for anyone who found out a different meeting place then just a restaurant the woman closed her book and turned to her leader. “I’ll talk to my boss and see what he says. I’m sure he would be fine with that.” Granted he knew how she felt about the meeting place so he wouldn’t be too happy about that part. But Cas would deal. She was after all, a professional.

Zelena looked at her watch and Cas looked to the wall clock. A normal thing for people to do when they had to work that day. Granted no one knew what work they would be late for but that hardly mattered. Nearly 9:30am. Another sigh and she folded the corner of the book to mark her place. “Guess I’ll have to take this with for once. I’m going to be late if I don’t.” after her voice stopped Zel’s began almost as if she had been waiting for the other to end. The new part she brought up was news to the detective and her golden eyes focused on the water element. Carefully she made sure to keep her voice light as she thought of the words that needed said. “Sam got a new boyfriend?” a small laugh followed the phrase making sure to keep it the tone one would use with idle gossip. Granted Cas didn’t do gossip even on good days but no one knew that besides the two talking in code sitting on the chairs with coffee brought up by Matt. It was so strange to be sitting there talking like old friends when Cas knew that when they met for lunch they would be nothing but serious topic, not so fun after a day of interviewing witnesses and paperwork. “I didn’t know that she did. When did that happen?” another criptic phrase.

Cas paused in her thought trying to remember if there had been any word around the force of a new agent. Yes she knew what the leader had meant but it was news to her. No one on the force had slipped about it or whispered it when they thought no one was listening. Not easy to do since they gossiped like old women. “What have you heard about him?” her voice was a whisper like any woman asking about the gossip that had been happening to say like a neighbor. “Anything worth the story?” a small chuckle then a reach for her mug. Picking it up she took a sip and smiled over the rim enjoying the simple taste of black coffee. It was only here she got it black. Everywhere else tasted too funny to get it without the added flavor. Taking another sip the detective waited for the leader to speak. If there was a new agent she would have to do an investigation and get background information on him just so that they could be on par and ready for whatever the Agency threw at them. Granted that didn’t mean much, after all, the rivalry was always there and the fact they had a new one didn’t matter when no doubt Orexia would have a new one shortly as well. “Oh and did I tell you my brother was coming back into town?” Cas took another sip and hoped Zel remembered enough about her to get the hint in that statement.

[Zelena]

The quick minded woman listened to Cas’s reaction to her words responding with a small laugh and repeated the previous statement about Sam’s boy. She basically chuckled inside her head; her body hid her internal laugh well. As Zelena made sure that she kept up her little mask for a while longer. She was glad that there was a detective like Cas, she knew how to play the game well. Then Cas added a second comment before Zelena could respond back, “I didn’t know that she did. When did that happen?” Tan hands gripped her cup of coffee, as they worked with her arms to bring the liquid to her lips. She took a sip, the black coffee didn’t taste so bad here… it didn’t leave a horrible bitter after taste. With a quick blink and a slight smirk, acting as if she had a juice secret about Sam and her new boyfriend.

“Just recently… from what I have heard”, was the words that her pink lips released once finished with sipping some coffee. Cas returned her answer with two questions, but the one that she was hoping she would ask. Then without expecting it she added, “Oh and did I tell you my brother was coming back into town?” Blue eyes where hidden for a brief moment as the owner placed down her coffee mug back onto the table. Looking up to directly look into the electric elementals eyes, to communicate the seriousness of the soon to come message. “No you didn’t tell me but I am glad to hear it”, Zelena gave a small smile before it faded away into a plain face. “Although I believe I do need to tell you about Sam’s story, it is worth mentioning… for I heard that that Sam and her new man had gotten themselves into some trouble…”, she closed her eyes once again before looking around the library to see if anyone was e-dropping satisfied she continued her comments, “Somehow they managed to take down several people, seeing that a mob had found them on their walk home… Personally I am not too thrilled to hear about this…” She took another sip. “I wish I knew more about him… he doesn’t seem like the normal type that Sam would date. Not only that but I don’t like how he is causing some trouble.”

There was a pause that she left as she seemed to causally take another sip, “But I am glad that your brother is back, he may be able to help out with the situation.” Lips formed into a slight smile as she lightly placed an empty coffee cup back onto the library table. “I should take off, or else I will be late. I am sure you have my number if you need to get a hold of me for any reason. I would like to be update on things.” With that she stood up with some conscience effort not to make her movement too speedy, but she had her usual confidence.
“So see you later for lunch”, she wave with a quick wave and turned around to head for the stairway, meanwhile she looked at all that she passed by acknowledging that none were any listed agents, nor did they seem like them. It could be difficult to notice the difference between agents, elementals, or regular Joes; but not when you had enough experience like she did. She gave a quick nod to Matt before she left, along with a quick and happy thank you. She pushed the door with gentle force, at least for her she it had to be, and made her way over to her motorcycle which she was delighted to observe wasn’t messed with. She kept her senses out for any water source, even people, as she tried to tune in as much into the large area around her. One could never be too careful in this city… it was too easy to die and harder to stay breathing.

[Cas]

The elemental was not very fond of this little plate of information. The fact the Agents had a new member wasn’t comforting. But at least with Zach coming into town and him being a really powerful one of their kind it would help to even things out. Especially if Zelena was hearing bad things about this one. The water element sipped at her coffee as she listened to Cas speak, coffee was liquid gold to anyone who worked hard, the detective lived on it. She said it was good to hear about Zach but frankly Zel didn’t even know the half about the other detective that was basically her family. Being born to two water elements Zach really was the closest thing to family since they were the same element. “Yes I want to hear Sam’s story a lot.” Cas said her eyes solid gold and emotionless. So much of her wanted to just spit out right now asking for his name so she could do a back ground check. But that would have to wait until they weren’t in such a public place. After all, the books had ears. “Trouble you say?” yes that just screamed needing investigating. Having someone on the force, make that two soon to be three, someones made it so much easier. Of course she was sure the Agents had men on the force too. It was why they kept their identities a secret as a just in case. Only the select few they knew to be strictly human knew about what they were. When Zel dished about what had happened Cas’s eyes narrowed. No that wasn’t good. If the mob had been human then it wouldn’t be so hard to believe with the guy being an Agent but there was a chance of them all being human was slim. “I’ll see what I can find out about him after we talk later.” Cas said and drank the last sip of her coffee.

Setting down the mug on the table the electric let the water continue to talk. She didn’t blame the second in command for being a little anxious about this new guy. Hell Cas was and she was hardly one to mess with. Of course being able to use the electrical currents in someone’s body against them wasn’t exactly an easy thing to do and it hurt like hell when you gave them a jolt. “Yes I’m sure he will help to even out the playing field. Might even be able to help in figuring out all the little problems with Sam. It isn’t usual for an attack like that to happen let alone for them to just walk away from it.” The other mentioned needing to go to work and the detective looked at the time. “Shit makes two of us. My boss isn’t going to be very happy with me.” Standing Cas stretched her arms up and nodded to Zel as she set down the mug and stood up as well. “Lunch it is.” She said and watched as the other left. Part of the detective wondered if she should take the book with her. She doubted there would be much time to read but hell it was worth taking with. Going down the stairs at a steady pace she watched as the other left and no doubt headed off to somewhere important. “Hey Matt gotta take it to go.” She said with a friendly smile for the human. Matt gave her a false bewildered smile. “Really? Now that is indeed a first.” Cas handed him the book with a laugh and he took it scanning it out and typing it in with her name. “Alright due back in a week dear.” He said and handed it back. The cop gave a smile. “It’ll be back in tomorrow I’m sure.” She said and turned to go out the door. At that point a man walked in and she froze her eyes watching him behind their sunglasses. Of course that looked suspicious and so she kept walking, that couldn’t be him after all, that would be too ironic.

Walking past the man she had half a mind to send out a shock but the elemental refrained. Last thing she needed was to blow her cover now. Going out the doors she finally took a deep breath and headed down the street to her stang. This was going to be one hell of a week she could already tell. Finding out about the new Agent and then the murders. Fucking fantastic. Reaching the vehicle she dug in her pocket for the keys. Finding the right one she slid it in the door and unlocked it. Sitting down she sighed. Not to mention she was now late to work. Oh her father would be thrilled. Starting the car she pulled from her space and started off for the precinct. Pulling out her cell phone she dialed her father’s number. “Spinner.” Was the only reply, as she said fun. “We are meeting Zelena for lunch at Majestic Falls.” She didn’t even bother saying hi or hello, there was no point. “Are we now? Not going to ask your old man just going to tell him.” There was a hint of laughter to his voice. “Hell no just make sure you’re ready. I’m on my way in for my witness now.” With that she hung up and tossed her cell to the passenger seat. Was illegal to drive and be on the phone, bad cop she was.