Tares City

19. Changes In Relationships

"Yes, follow me," Elmann replies, beginning to walk away.

Dean grabs Calvin's shoulder, "I'll interview the coworkers. You got this, yeah?" He says to him. Calvin gives him a funny expression before nodding and following Elmann. Dean goes on to interview their suspect's co-workers while Calvin interviews Elmann. A couple of minutes pass before they both make their way back to the car.

"You get any useful information?" Dean asks as they get in the vehicle. "Nope," Calvin replies.

"I got nothing from the employees either," Dean says.

"Was it just me or did Berlin not look happy to see you?" Calvin says as they drive back to the precinct.

"I hear what you're saying, I saw it too. But I don't even know the man," Dean lies to his friend.

"The secretary knew you though," Calvin says.

"From once upon a time. We dated didn't really end it on good terms," Dean answers smoothly.

Calvin chuckles and nods at him, "Do any of your dates ever end on good terms man?" He jokes. Dean laughs with him wondering if he truly bought his lies.

~

NAOMI REID

"I still think I should bring it up," Naomi argues as she pulls the ambulance into the firehouse.

"No. I am telling you it is not the best idea right now," Avery responds sternly.

"Are you kidding me? It is the best time! Look what has been happening these past few days! The world is going crazy and he needs to know so he can watch his back. You can't ignore what's going on. Look at what happened yesterday!"

"Naomi, telling your brother about Lycans might not go as smooth as you are imagining," Avery argues making Naomi sigh. Hoping out of the ambulance, the two of them head inside, going straight to their lockers. "I still think I should tell him though. Even if things go awry," Naomi says as she shrugs off her jacket, stuffing it into her bag.

"How do you even plan to approach the topic?" Avery asks. "Do you at least have a plan on what you're going to say and how?"

"I was just going to come out and say it. Rip off the Band-Aid, but slowly," Naomi replies with a shrug.

"No!" Avery says in an exasperated tone. "Okay, you know what. You're already coming over today and we're going to be discussing this topic anyways. So we will talk about this in-depth then."

"That works I guess," Naomi agrees, shutting her locker.

"Sean's here to pick us up," Avery says to her after reading a text on her phone. "Okay, let's go." Although she was able to interact with Avery as normal – Naomi started acting visibly awkward around Sean - With the tendency to flinch every time he made any sudden moves or sounds. Following Avery out of the firehouse, they say their goodbyes to the others and head to Sean's car. Avery greets her boyfriend with a quick kiss as she enters the passenger seat of the car. Naomi climbs in the backseat, clearing her throat in preparation to greet Sean. Just as she goes to speak, her phone begins to ring. Fishing her cell out, she looks at the caller ID, her heart doing a little flip as she read the name. Accepting the call, she places the phone to her ears.

"Hey," She says a little breathlessly making Avery turn around in her seat to look at her.

"Hey, Naomi," Jensen replies to her, his voice seeming deeper than she remembered. "How are you? We haven't talked in a while."

"I'm good. The week's been crazy so far," She replies speaking into the phone softly as she pushes her hand in Avery's face – An attempt to get her to turn back around. "Just getting off shift. And you? How are you?"

"It's been a hectic couple of days, not the best," Jensen says to her with a slight chuckle. "Missing you didn't make them any easier."

Naomi's features transform into a blush as she holds the phone to her ears, "I've missed you too," She says softly. In the passenger seat, Avery gasps out excitedly making Naomi blush harder.

"Are you free, tonight?" Jensen asks.

"Yeah,"

"Good. I'll pick you up at eight then - Take you out for dinner. "

"Okay."

"See you then, Naomi."

"Bye."

"Change of plans," Naomi says to Avery once she ended the call.

~

Outside Naomi's loft, Sean sits in the car eating a bag of chips while Avery and Naomi rummage through the closet. "Found it! The famous birthday dress! Finally, she gets her moment to shine!" Avery announces holding out a hanging garment bag.

Naomi puts on the white, square neck mini dress. The dress itself was runched with drawstrings at its ends. Ending mid-thigh, the dress hugged her figure nicely, showing off just enough cleavage. "You look amazing! Gosh! I love that dress!" Avery gushes. Checking the time on her phone, Avery gets up off the bed. "He'll be here soon, let me get out of your way," She says to Naomi. Avery gives her a quick hug goodbye before heading out.

Naomi goes to sit on her couch but makes a b-line to her room instead. Standing in front of the mirror, she looks over her appearance once more – Wondering if the dress was too much. Just as she begins to consider changing, she hears a knock at the door.

Looking through the peephole first, she opens the door – Greeting Jensen with a smile. "Hi," She says to him as her eyes travel over his frame, admiring his looks.

"Wow! You look stunning," Jensen says to her.

A blush appears on her face at his compliment, "You look good too," she says back to him, her eyes roaming his features once more.

"Ready to go?"

With a nod, she grabs her purse and heads out the door. Standing next to him as she locked the door, the scent of his cologne invaded her senses. The two of them walk together to the building elevator, Jensen's arm sliding around her waist.

~

At the restaurant, the hostess seats Naomi and Jensen at their tables. Handing them their menus, she lists out the wines and signature cocktails available for the night.

"Wine or cocktail?" Jensen asks Naomi.

"Um, wine is fine."

The two get to talking once the hostess leaves, both sharing the events that have occurred but leaving out the Lycan-specific details of their stories. The night passes by quickly, the stresses of their previous days no longer weighing on their shoulders.