Gabi fingerguns.

Seeley realgu-no, put that away Seeley… Fingerguns are good enough.

Gabi lifted an eyebrow and lifted the hem of her hoodie. Look. A gun. Properly holstered. Not tucked in her waistband. “I'll show you mine if you show me yours.” She deadpanned, eyes glittering.

Seeley pulled off his smartly tailored jacket revealing a shoulder holster nestling under his left arm. Colt Special Government 1911 in Two-Tone finish. His latest weapon of choice. “Your turn.” He has a goofy, lopsided grin on his face, like a kid in a candy store.

Gabi lifted the hem of her hoodie again, taking out the Heckler & Koch VP9 she clearly took excellent care of. She peered at his. “A 1911?” She looked at him and grinned. “May I?” She asked, offering him her own weapon as collateral.

Seeley reached across and pushed the release with his finger, drawing his pistol from the holster. Although his fingers are around the grip, his trigger finger remains raised at the side of the weapon, away from the trigger. With practiced ease, he turned his hand out flat and pivoted the gun so the handle faced Gabi. His left reached out and held hers in a similar grip, only left handed. “Nine mil?”

“Nine.” She replied, keeping her fingers far from the trigger as she offered her gun to Seeley and took his with equal caution. Her cousin Salvatore had shot himself in the ribs two years ago, the useless coglione had accidentally pulled the trigger handing it over to Uncle Tonio. But she noted the way he handled his, far more finesse than she did. An eyebrow arched and she remembered her family's fear of people who handled their guns with trained finesse. “Not the first time you've whipped it out, is it?” The corner of her mouth twitching.

He nodded, taking a look at the weapon. He switched hands, holding it in his right despite the weapon's ambidextrous design, finger along the frame, then his left came up to push the slide back. Yup, one up the pipe, as he suspected. He smirked at her intentional double entendre, lips parted slightly, lip quirked up. “No, plenty of experience handling a weapon.” He wasn't going to back down from that opportunity.

She inspected the Colt, whistling softly under her breath when she realized exactly what she was holding. She flicked her gaze to Seeley, unashamed of the fact the gun was primed. She needed protection. And for a moment there was a flicker of something bared. A heavy weight. And then it was gone, replaced with a mirthful twinkle. “I can tell.” She said, allowing her eyes to look him over. It actually wasn't an overtly sexual gaze. It was analytical, though there was a hint of an appreciative flicker in her stance.

She held his gun back out to him. “I'm Gabriella Carmichael. But…depending on your branch, you might have already known that.” She said quietly. The Carmichael crime family…was gone. In-fighting and hits from rival factions had decimated them and Old Carmelo was too old to lead or restore it. Gabi's grandfather had died of old age two months prior. Gabi wasn't stupid. She knew the cops had dossiers on everyone in the family, even if they'd never done anything wrong. Right now, she was thankful her dossier was likely very, very thin.

He raised the gun up at arm's length, aiming down the sights, feeling the weight in his hands, left cupped firmly underneath. “Good choice.” He dropped from the aiming stance and span the gun to hold it by the barrel back out for her to take from him. Although he was focused on the gun, it didn't slip his attention that something crossed her face. It was his job to notice tiny little details, although it was usually in an interrogation room, not a face to face conversation.

He grasped his own weapon and smartly reinserted it into his holster, making sure it clicked into place firmly. “Daughter of Anthony and Concetta? I've met some of the family.” That was a polite way to say he'd been a party to one of the cases involving the family. Nasty affair, so many fingers in the pie. “Booth. Special Agent Seeley Booth. Homicide Division.” Out in the open. If she connected two and two, came up with four, she'd understand his cagey response.

That goofy grin never left his lips, nor did the smouldering eyes ever stop smouldering.

She carefully took the gun back from him and put it back into her holster, securing it and then pulling her hoodie down over it. “I can imagine some of the meetings you've had.” She replied solemnly, meeting his eyes. Her own were a hazel that bordered on light brown with striking black limbal rings. “You don't have to mince words with me, sir, I know too well where I come from.” She said softly, then she was regaining herself, though her smile seemed a little…broken.

She held out her hand and sighed just a little. Damn him. He was smoldering at her. Why was she grinning idiotically at him? Damn him. Shit. “A pleasure, Seeley.” She said honestly.

His smoldering dark brown eyes looked into her hazel eyes, and he noticed how her entire demeanor changed as she spoke. Subtle. Barely noticeable. But he did.

Seeley turned to pick up his discarded jacket and shrugged back into it, hiding his holstered weapon under. Only someone with a trained eye, such as himself, would see the telltale sign of the bulge. “OK, Miss Carmichael, I was lead on the case where a…” No, don't give the name. “Carmichael…” That won't hurt. “Was the victim of something terrible.” Vague, that would do. Given the family's nature, it could have been one of many. To him, they were all the same. Criminal.

Except her. They were all dead. Why was she still around?

He took her hand, debating how he should use it in his greeting. He had a couple of options. 'Sir'. That caught his attention. Was she being polite? Was there something underlying? He took a chance.

He leaned down, turning her hand so he could place a kiss in the air mere millimeters from her knuckles, then stood, releasing her hand. See how she dealt with that. “Pleasure's all mine.” Goofy. Smoldering. Distracting.

If there was any plant in the Carlucci faction…everyone knew the deal. Gabi was not to be touched. Not to be contacted. Her friendship with Little Ange had earned her the protection of Big Ange. So long as she walked on the right side of the law. It would be so easy to peek in her dossier. One arrest. For assault. The same night Little Ange was jumped and beaten almost to death outside a nightclub in the French Quarter. A gay club. Three men were arrested for the attack on Little Ange. The location of the arrest? The same hospital where Little Ange was taken to. The same hospital Gabi was arrested at…the same night. The dots were there if there was enough interest to connect them.

He nearly kissed the back of her hand and there was the slightest dip of her head. A normal person wouldn't have caught it. “You sure about that, darlin'?” She asked, then recovered quickly. “I mean. Cop talking to a former mafia kid. People are going to talk. Think of the scandal!” She looked at him. “The cop definitely shouldn't ask the mob…princess…out to dinner. That would be salacious.”

Seeley laughed quietly. He'd noticed the head nod at his gentlemanly greeting. Not visibly, it was the way her body shifted. You don't just use a couple of muscles to nod your head unless you're trained. Even her response let slip… Something. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. Something outside of his circle of influence. Something new. Something. Put a pin in it, come back to it later.

“How about a Catholic having a child out of wedlock? Good enough for you?” Parker, his son. He loved him but didn't get to see him anywhere near enough. He intentionally avoided the implied request. Buttons. He so loved to push buttons, it meant he found out interesting things.

Gabi brought her gaze up and shrugged nonchalantly. “Depends. Does the Catholic want to have more?” She said, tapping her foot in an imitation of Marisa Tomei in My Cousin Vinny. Wait…why was she asking that? Why was she even joking about it? But I only want to be with you. What?! She almost lost her breath. Her fingers came to her throat as panic knotted her stomach. Coffee. There was a new place in town. Coffee was good. “Ah…yes. Well. Thanks for letting me see what you're packing, Agent Booth sir. I…I won't take any more of your time.” She breathed, and then the petite, curvy little lady took off in a jog, her long, black ponytail swaying back and forth as her headphones went in, sneakers pounding the sidewalk towards the new cafe half a mile down the city streets.

A relationship had nearly gotten her best friend killed. No relationship in her family had ever been sacred or safe from being torn apart. If he was the one who worked her parent's case…he'd be able to guess why she ran. Gabi always ran.

He made to answer her question. At least, the first part. He opened his mouth just as she freaked out and grabbed her throat. Odd. Was it because she asked that question? He should look into her background.

That last pointed jab about his weapon. He could tell she was a feisty one. She could give as good as she got. Pity, she was just walking away, leaving his sphere of influence.

Seeley turned to walk away, then realized… Coffee girl didn't come to the club anymore, not since she 'died'. Or, rather she shouldn't. He'd go to her. At least she made him a good cup of coffee, not any of that foamy crap.

It was in the same direction, so he could at least watch her as she jogged off into the distance. Maybe she'd be there getting coffee for herself. Wouldn't that be an amazing coincidence?

Gabi was a rather lovely mix of panicked and furious. She was such an idiot. But as she ran, the stress melted away…adrenaline pumped through her body and the world faded just enough to not make it hurt so badly. She fairly skittered into the cafe, and a woman with dark copper hair looked up from behind the counter and smiled. A firefighter sat at a table, nursing a thermos, and the woman behind the counter was..packing him a lunch?

She waited until the woman had tucked a piece of paper into the plastic tupperware, watching her go to the man and kiss him softly, setting his lunch in front of him. And then she was back behind the counter, gold-flecked blue eyes gazing at her as Alexa segued into the next song. By the same band Gabi had just been listening to. “Ah…coffee, black, please.”

“Sure thing! Can I interest you in a scone?”
“Uh…sure.” She replied.
“Alright, coming right up!” The woman said kindly.

But I only want to be with you…

Gabi let out a quiet groan into her hands.

Seeley walked quickly towards the coffee shop he'd taken to visiting. It made better coffee than the stall by the Reflecting Pool. And it was so hard finding someone who made good, plain, black coffee. There was always a bitter aftertaste, a tinge of burn. Katie managed to avoid that.

He enjoyed the view for as long as he could, then she was a speck in the distance before she turned into the new coffee place. That was lucky. He redoubled his stride, trying to make sure he would get there before she left. If she was a runner, she'd want to get back on her way quickly. Maybe.

He pulled open the door and walked in, striding purposefully to the counter. He nodded to the firefighter at his table, “Nate,” who returned the greeting, and he fucking grinned the broadest, goofiest smile when he saw none other than Gabi at the counter.

“Well well, Miss Carmichael. Fancy meeting you here.” He turned slightly, smiling at Katie, just smiling at her and nodded. She knew how he took his coffee, he didn't have to say a word. His focus returned to the jogger who got away. “Morning coffee?”

Katie smiled to Seeley and hadn't even begun to put down the pot from pouring Gabi's coffee. She simply poured a second cup. Two scones were set out, but then an eyebrow lifted as she watched that grin of his get even bigger as he looked to Gabi. She looked over to Nate, exchanging a look.

Words don't come easily, when most I need them…

Gabi looked up and tried her best not to just say screw the coffee and bolt. Play it cool. “Agent Booth. What a coincidence, meeting here….sir.” Katie shot a look to Nate again.

“Yeah. You?” She couldn't look up. Don't look up, don't look into those smoldering eyes. Don't look at his goofy smile. Don't ask him if he wants more kids. Play it cool and brush it off, Gabi.

She looked up.

I do not have a key…I am breaking in…

Fuck.

Nate looked up, eyes flicking between Seeley and Gabi, then to Katie. He gave her a knowing smile and a nod as if to say he knew what she was seeing. Yes, exactly that. His attention turned back to the pair at the counter.

“Why else would I be here? Best in town.” Seeley was pleasant as usual. That word she used poked a nerve. Third time. Why? What was it that was niggling in the back of his mind? No, she was being polite. But. What is it? Meaning dripped from the word, but he was struggling to pla-shit. Really? You have got to be kidding!

He knew the relationship between Nate and Katie. They'd helped him understand the lifestyle. Now that niggle meant something powerful. Why was she using it for him? Click

His look changed slightly, barely. Nate noticed. Katie Noticed. Their exchanged look that second time. They both knew. Gabi knew. Seeley was still figuring it out.

“You didn't let me answer. In order. Yes. You're welcome. And you're not.” Make her think. Make her remember.

Gabi tore her eyes away. Look at someone else. Katie. The other woman in the cafe. Katie turned her gaze to her accounting books…the motion making a silver collar around her neck. Don't look there. She looked to Nate only to see him just give her a look of understanding. They both knew she knew.

And then he was speaking…and the inflection in his voice pulled her gaze back to him as though he'd commanded her to do so. Katie's brows shot up.

And like a little girl cries in the face of the monster that lives in her dreams…

He wanted more kids. She was welcome for the little gun show they'd had. She wasn't taking his time. She wasn't taking it. He was giving it.

Is there anyone out there 'cuz it's getting harder and harder to breathe.

“Seeley,” Katie said quietly, pushing forward the two coffee cups and two scones. “I think the lady needs some coffee…and a scone. Good for the soul, wouldn't you say?” She said. Seeley knew Katie. She was like a little sister to him. She never spoke without purpose. Needs. And then Katie went over to Nate and laid her hand on his shoulder, eyes on Seeley the whole time save for a brief glance to Gabi. Then back to her hand, then to Seeley. A slight tip up of her chin in a gesture.

Seeley turned to look at Katie as she spoke. She was dropping a hint. She used her words as weapons when needed, and that was needed. He nodded in agreement, “Yes, I would.”

His gaze returned to Gabi. “Come, join me.” He tilted his head in a beckoning motion towards a table as he picked up his coffee and scone, and started to walk. Give her a chance to think it's her choice, let her follow.

It was then that he realized she took her coffee the same way he did. Something in common. Somewhere to start. At least it would give him an in. If he didn't find any other way in.

He settled down at a table by the window, the opposite side to the one he came from so he could watch Gabi, if she chose to follow him. He felt it would be more a case of how far behind she was, than if.

Gabi looked up, meeting his eyes. He had that undercurrent in his voice. He expected her to listen. She would do no such thing! She stood and went to get her coffee and scone….and stood there. For a moment, a brief moment, she looked…so helplessly lost.

There's people…people going out of their minds….right into each other's arms…

Katie was watching intently, but perhaps only her Master and Seeley would have picked up on it. She coughed. The sound punctuating the music in the otherwise quiet cafe snapped Gabi out of her daze…and unnerved her enough that her feet did what they wanted to and carried her over to Seeley and deposited her lovely rear into the seat beside him.

But I only want to be with You…with You…

She was fighting it. And losing.

Seeley caught the slight cough floating in the air behind him. Gabi or Katie? He didn't know Gabi well enough. It sounded like Katie. That was just as he turned around. That fraction of a second meant he saw how lost Gabi looked. Like a deer in the headlights. Perfect. He didn't realize it, he didn't know it, not consciously, but something nagged at the back of his subconscious.

Hooked.

He watched her walk. His eyes were locked on hers. She was fighting. Losing. Next to him. Wait, what? Most people would sit opposite, but she… Sat next to him, the edge of his personal space, perhaps closer. It didn't matter. “Well done.” Why did he say that? In that tone? So many questions.

He started with something she'd asked. “Why did you ask about children?”

Why -had- she asked? I was being a shit. No. I wanted to know because I'm almost certain I'm in love with you. NO! Well done, he said. She looked away, past him, out the window. “Eh. Being a typical Italian. Love big families.” She said quietly but then came that far off gaze. The Carmichael clan had numbered at least 50. Some got out. Some disappeared into the WPP. The rest…Well, Our Lady of Lourdes had a whole section of Carmichaels. She didn't realize her answer gave away potential interest in being the mother.

“It…was just a joke…” She added weakly.

I want You, I want You to define me…define me…

Seeley watched the conflict going on in her mind, behind her eyes. Anyone less observant would have missed the tells. Turning to look outside, rather than him when she answered. He'd hit a nerve with that question. He liked pushing buttons. He'd found a button.

Push.

“Mmmhmm. Tick, tock, goes the clock. How many kids do you want?” Straight to the point. It was obvious to him, so he was going to make it obvious to her.

Watch her closely, Seeley. She's hiding something.

Katie let out a breath. Wrong button, Seeley. She drew in another breath and took her Master's hand. They were holding their own discussion of course but Katie was listening.

Gabi flinched. Visibly flinched. Did her lip tremble? Did her eyes seem…more wet? “None, Seeley.” She let out in a whisper. “None. I'm a Carmichael. Things like love, family, children…they're things I can never have. One wrong move and I'm dead. And you know damn well how…things…work. One wrong move and not only am I dead, so is everyone I love. And they'll save me for last so I can watch them all die. Knowing I killed them. Just by being me. Just like my father had to watch them kill his wife. His children.”

She looked up at him. “You were on that case. You know what it looked like. Imagine being my father watching most of that scene. Imagine -me- having to watch that.” She took a sip of her coffee, then leaned up, kissed his cheek and met his gaze.

“Forget you ever met me, Seeley.” She whispered, then left a five dollar bill on the table before pushing open the door and walking out. It was the worst button. She couldn't even run. She felt the full weight of her life on her and she couldn't even run.

Next: The Fed and the Mob Princess