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Fionasuppressed a smile, feeling warmth spread through her chest. "I think Ican handle that," she said, adding a touch of playful sarcasm to her tone."Lead the way."
Theystepped out of the FBI building and into the bright sunshine of the city. Thewarmth of the sun on her skin made Fiona feel alive, as if nothing could dampenher spirits. Jake led her down the street, his hand finding hers, their fingersentwining. Fiona felt a jolt of electricity at the contact, her heart racing.
Theywalked for several blocks, the bustle of the city fading away as they headedtowards a quieter, more residential area.
As theyapproached a small, quaint café nestled between two brownstone buildings, Fionabreathed in the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pastries. The sound ofclassic jazz drifted out from inside, adding to the cozy atmosphere. Jake heldthe door open for her, and they stepped inside to find a small table near thewindow. The café was dimly lit, but the sunlight streaming through the windowilluminated Fiona's face, highlighting her stunning features.
Theyordered their coffee and pastries, and as they waited for their food, Fionafelt a sense of ease and contentment wash over her. She loved spending timewith Jake, especially when they could just relax and enjoy each other'scompany.
"So,Red," Jake said, breaking the comfortable silence. "I've got asurprise for you."
Fiona'seyebrows raised in surprise. "A surprise? What is it?"
"Iwas thinking..." he trailed off, a smile playing at his lips. "We'vebeen through so much together, but I haven't taken you on a real date. I wantedto do that after work today."
Fiona'sheart skipped a beat at the thought of Jake asking her out on a date. It feltso normal. They were already together, of course, but now that Jake mentionedit, they hadn't been on a real, normal "date."
"I'dlove that," she confessed. "Where would we be going?"
"That'sthe surprise," Jake said with a grin.
Fionacouldn't help but grin in return. She loved surprises, especially when theycame from Jake. She sipped her coffee, her mind buzzing with anticipation. Sheknew Jake would have something amazing planned, something that would make herheart race and her head spin.
Shecouldn't wait.
CHAPTER FOUR
The sunbeat down on the museum steps as Jake led Fiona toward the entrance, her eyes alightwith anticipation at the marbled façade. The summer heat brought families andchildren out in droves, their laughter and chatter mingling with the hum ofcicadas as they scurried about the grounds.
"Thanksfor taking me here, Jake. I didn't even know this exhibit was in town,"Fiona said, a genuine smile crossing her face for the first time in days. Itwarmed his heart to see her like this, even if only for a moment.
"Hey,Red, you know I love seeing you smile," he replied, his own smilemirroring hers.
Fionaoffered him a coy grin and said, "I mean, you must really like seeing mesmile because I know how much you hate bugs."
Jakelaughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Something tells me it'll be worthit."
Insidethe cool, brightly-lit museum, the entomology exhibit enveloped them in a worldof vibrant colors and alien shapes. Insects from every corner of the globeclung to branches, crawled beneath glass cases, and fluttered behind meshscreens. The air buzzed with the excited voices of kids, pointing andexclaiming over each new discovery. Jake couldn't help but smile at theirenthusiasm. He hoped to have a few kids of his own one day, and he realizedthat he hadn't talked to Fiona about it. He would, at some point, but for now,he was just happy to enjoy her company.
Fiona,of course, seemed to blossom, her eyes lit up like jewels, and her faceanimated as she marveled at the exhibit. He watched her closely, admiring theway she transformed, becoming more alive than he'd seen her in weeks.
"Jake,look at this one!" Fiona exclaimed, her voice full of wonder as shegestured toward a particular display. Inside the glass case, a large,iridescent beetle glittered under the soft museum lighting.
"Wow,that's... unique," Jake admitted, trying to share her enthusiasm, despitethe slight shudder that ran down his spine. Really, it just looked like a nastybeetle to him, but what kind of boyfriend would he be if he didn't try toengage in his girlfriend's interests? "What is it?"
"It'sa rainbow stag beetle," Fiona gushed, her eyes never leaving the creature."They're native to Australia, and their exoskeletons refract light,creating these incredible colors. And the males have these big, impressivemandibles that they use for fighting and attracting mates."
"Really?It's like a little insect gladiator," Jake mused, finally appreciating thebeetle's strange allure. He had to admit; it was kind of cool.
Fionalaughed, her eyes sparkling. "It is! I've always wanted to see one inperson. They're so rare and beautiful." She paused, her gaze lingering onthe display. "I suppose there's a kind of poetry in their lives, brief asthey may be. The struggle to survive, to find love, to leave a legacy... it'suniversal, even amongst insects." Fiona took a breath. "I used todrag Joslyn to places like this. She hated them, but she would go with mesometimes."
Herwords struck a chord within Jake, and he watched as her face softened. He knewthat their search for Fiona's sister wouldn't be easy, but he also knew thatmoments like these were precious – moments when they could escape from thedarkness and remember what it was they were fighting for.
"Iknow you miss her," Jake murmured, placing a hand on the small of herback. "For what it's worth, I'm not gonna stop helping you till we getsome answers."
"Thankyou, Jake," Fiona whispered, her eyes meeting his once more. "Thismeans more to me than you know."
"Anytime,Fiona," he replied softly, their gazes locked together as the world aroundthem faded away. Fiona leaned up on her toes and softly shut her eyes. Jakeleaned down to kiss her--
