Instant Connection

15

It's only been a few months since Mike left Graceland to return to the east coast, D.C. to be more specific. I had made great strides with Isabelle Russo, I had accompanied her with a trade of 'furniture' and we've gotten close enough for her to tell me her real business. She usually sells weapons and occasionally drugs. Jeffrey's friend, Zack, owed her some money. Zack joined her team and never paid her, which is why she wants his head. Jeffrey is still insisting that he hasn't heard from Zack, which makes me worried that Zack is no longer alive.

Christina, my old C.I., has remained clean. I went to check on her after everything had basically gone back to normal, and continue to check on her about once a week and she is still going strong. She had moved up in her position at the surf shop and she still goes to NA meetings. And I did hold up my promise about her gift, I took her out to a nice dinner to celebrate her sobriety and got her a new purse that she seemed to adore. I will continue to randomly check up on her to make sure she remains sober.

Since Mike moved out, they did replace him pretty quickly. His name is Zelanski from the DEA. He's alright, although his new nickname is 'Bates'... ask Jakes. Speaking of, he has been weirdly happy lately. Paige seemed the most upset after Mike's departure, but she's still being the badass she normally is. Charlie seems to be doing better since everything with Jangles and Briggs. Speaking of Briggs, since he was cleared of all charges, all is forgiven within the house.

And then there's Johnny. Johnny and I are good. After the bonfire we had I told him that Charlie knows about us. He didn't mind. But, we didn't rush on telling the house about us being together. The house almost fell apart and when it didn't we just wanted to be able to feel normal for a little bit. However, one day we got tired of all the looks and smirks everyone in the house was giving us that we told everyone. They took it very well, considering. Charlie was ready to throw a party, but she settled with a regular sauce night. Which no one will ever turn down.

I had avoided this for long enough, I can't anymore at this point. I'm literally out of time. I drag my suitcase down the stairs, while everyone was sitting on the island, talking and eating breakfast.

"Going on vacation there, Stella?" Briggs asks me.

"Nope, I'm going home." I nod, placing the heavy bag on the ground.

"Yo, yo, yo! Hold on." Johnny shouts, quickly leaving his spot to run over to me.

"Calm down, Johnny. I'm just going home for a few days."

"Silvo and Clarke know about that?" Briggs questions.

"Yes, they do. And they know that my family knows I work for the bureau and they all know that my work is separated."

"Hold on now. They know you work for the bureau?" Jakes asks.

"I couldn't just say I needed a 20 week break from them, man. And at the time I didn't know I would be in Graceland, and I lived with my parents at the time, so again I couldn't just disappear for that long without them thinking something was wrong."

"So, what do they think you do?" Paige asks.

"They think I mostly handle paperwork. I thought that would be best, so they wouldn't worry all the time."

"And you moving out here?" Charlie smirks.

"Well, I was honest about that one, my partner was blasted all over the news back home when he was arrested so there was no hiding that. So, I told them I got transferred to California because my boss thought it would be good for me."

"I'm surprised they don't make apparences." Johnny jokes.

"Oh, they do. I just don't tell you." I smirk.