Earth to Evans'

♔17

"Zane Cephas Carter," James started. Fire burned behind his green eyes. Zane paled drastically. James was like a mom, he only used your legal name when you were in massive trouble.

"Why did you do it?" James asked. Zane started to respond but James held up his hand. "I don't want the generic answer you gave me before. I want the truth." Zane chewed his lip. There would be no escaping now.

"Addy consumed all of your time after Sam was murdered. She gained your trust so easily, much easier than I did, and yet she'd betrayed you. I didn't think that- "

"Exactly Carter, you didn't think. I don't care what Addy did or did not do. She's one of my closest friends, and she didn't deserve to mourn me when I was still alive!"

Zane raised a dark brow, posing the question at the center of their minds. If she didn't deserve to mourn the living, then why did James?

"That's different Zane. Sam faked his death to protect himself, Addy, and by extension, me. You left her in the dark to hurt her," James said. His moral compass may run stronger than his feelings now, but soon the pain would overtake him. It always did.

Zane placed his hand gently over James's, but James recoiled faster than any man Zane had ever seen.

"Don't. Don't touch me."

---

Sam was pouring over all documentation of Braxon Briggs, the police station had an abundance of it. Reports from decades before his time with Adeline's father, until as early as two months ago. They were all petty crimes. Attempting to rob a local Dollar Tree, trying to steal the Governor's car, almost running over a kid's lemonade stand. He never succeeded, until he did. Braxon murdered his sister.

He claims that she begged him to do it, that she couldn't remain in this world without her only love. Unfortunately, that man happened to be Adeline's father, the same man that Sam had killed. So now Braxon was after Sam, though they still weren't sure how he knew that Sam was alive. He hadn't left the Mallard's home since his 'death', well, until today. And how did Addy know that Braxon knew? Why was this his first time hearing about it? Questions plagued Sam's mind for the remainder of the afternoon. Questions that would likely remain unanswered.

In the hours it took for Sam to comb through the files, he found an interesting piece of information: Braxon would've had full custody over his nephew, but his lawyer's wife became the primary caregiver after Braxon was arrested. The lawyer's house would be the logical choice for Braxon to hide out in. All Sam had to do was get to Braxon before he got to Addy. Sam would need help.

It was time to revive his relationship with his little brother.

---

James peered around the dining room. He was invited to Captain Welsh's house for lunch. His foot was tapping to an unheard rhythm, nerves bouncing off of him in waves. James knew that Sam was likely in this very house. This was the closest he'd been to his brother in months.

Mandy walked around the corner. Thin, brown fingers adorned in silver rings gripped a platter of dainty club sandwiches. Her face was adorned with a soft smile aimed at James.

"Hello," she said. "I'm Mandy, Captain Welsh's wife." Mandy placed the platter on the table. James stood up and shook her hand.

"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Welsh. I'm James Evans, Addy's partner, and Sa-" he paused. "And salsa. Do you have any salsa?" Mandy placed her hand over her mouth to hide her smile. Her eyes crinkled, though. He knew that Sam was here, smart boy.

At that moment, Captain Welsh entered the dining room. He came bearing two glass pitchers.

"Thank you for coming, Detective Evans. Lemonade?" he said, lifting the pitcher on the left. "Or sweet tea?" He lifted the pitcher on the right.

"Sweet tea please," James said. "Thank you, sir."

"None of that today, boys. This is not a business lunch," Mandy said. "It's more of a..." She dropped off, searching her mind for the right words.

"Family event?" asked a deep voice. James stiffened. He hadn't heard that voice in months.

"Hey James," the voice said. The man sat down in the seat at the head of the table, sensing that James needed space.

"Hey? Hey?! Sam you're supposed to be dead!" Sam rolled his eyes at his little brother. Of course, James would remain hooked on that detail.

"Yes, but unfortunately, I'm not," Sam said. Mandy shot him a piercing look. Daniel threw a club sandwich at his head. Sam caught it easily and took a big bite out of it.

"These are good, Mandy," he said, his words garbled by the food in his mouth. She nodded in thanks, but her annoyance about his previous comment still shone in her eyes.

"Why did you do it?" James asked.

"Easy," Sam said. "It was to protect Adeline." Daniel rolled his eyes.

"It protected him first," Daniel told James. "Don't let him look that chivalrous." Laughter sounded around the table, mixing with the sour look that danced across Sam's face.

The quartet spent the afternoon repairing broken bonds and forging new ones. They avoided talking about Addy until dessert. Then, Sam brought up their newest complication- Braxon. To say they took it badly would be an understatement. An uproar sounded from everyone, but James was the loudest.

"No!" James said. "No. I just got you back, you can't leave again." Sam met James' eyes.

"I will not leave you again by choice. But, if leaving keeps you and Adeline safe, I'd do it a thousand times over."

"I don't care about my safety! You are safe here. Braxon doesn't know about your connection to the Captain." James said. Sam took a long sip of his tea.

"You care about Addy," Sam said. It wasn't a question, but James nodded anyway.

"Then you will let me do whatever I need to do in order to protect you, Addy, and myself."

"We will support you however you need, Sam, but if you miss the birth of your goddaughter I will be the one to end you," Mandy said. Sam spun towards her. His brows perched high on his face, shock evident amongst his features.

"G-goddaughter? As in I'm her godfather? As in a girl?" Sam rambled. Mandy had the biggest smile on her face, her hand rubbing small circles on her belly. Daniel stood behind her, a proud smile echoed the way he had his hands placed on top of her shoulder and belly.

The moment was so intimate, James knew he was intruding. These people had adopted his brother into their little family, all while James had left Sam for dead.

Captain Welsh's phone began to ring loudly. He jumped slightly, the sound shaking him from his bliss.

"Captain Welsh, who am I speaking to?" The voice on the other end of the line spoke in rushed, excited tones. Daniel grinned broadly and then hung up.

"I'm assuming that wasn't news on Braxon," Sam muttered.

"That was Zane," Daniel said. James perked up before slumping over in his seat. "They've decided to release Addy. The evidence fell through."

Weird, Sam thought. The evidence fell through the day before he was going to re-alive himself. He replaced the concern that plagued his mind with a broad smile. Sam couldn't wait to be with Addy again.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go get our girl!" James said. Mandy frantically nodded in agreement.

"I'll get her favorite meal started! Boys, I want all of you back in one piece."