A Chance Encounter!

The next day, things returned to normal for Becky and Freen. Since Anna was still a bit under the weather, Becky decided to keep her home from school, spending over 30 minutes convincing the little girl to stay with Nune while they returned to work.

As they prepared to leave, Freen's phone rang, and she gave Becky a quick kiss and silent goodbye before heading out. Freen listened to dispatch on her way to her car, learning about their latest crime scene.

Knowing it would be a long day, Freen wished for another day like the previous one, wanting to stay home and cuddle with Anna instead of dealing with another gruesome murder.

Upon arriving at the crime scene, Freen found Dr. Heng filling in for Becky. She met with Nam and Noey for a debriefing, and her head began to throb almost instantly, signaling a rough day ahead.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were in court all day?" Freen asked, glancing at her watch when Becky entered the bullpen later that day, noticing it wasn't even 4 yet. "Are they really done already?"

"Not quite, they've decided to pick back up tomorrow," Becky shook her head. "Although I won't be needed any longer. I've given my testimony. I just thought I would come in and make sure none of you have killed Dr. Heng yet. How are things here?"

"Slow," Freen rolled her eyes, reaching out and giving Becky's hand a squeeze as she took a seat next to her desk. "I know you like to take your time with things and be precise, but you never take this long to get us answers," she huffed. "Think you can go down there and hurry Dr. Heng up?"

"You know I can't do that," Becky laughed. "It wouldn't be right for me to step on another ME's toes, even if technically I am their boss," she smiled. "I can go down and offer my assistance if you think it would help though. Perhaps then you won't have to be here all night?"

"Really? You'd really do that?" Freen sighed in relief. "That would seriously be awesome, because at this rate we're all spending the night, and I was really hoping to make it home tonight. Ma called, apparently, my brother is bringing a girl over to dinner tonight," she raised an eyebrow. "Her and her son. I guess it's pretty serious or something."

"Wow, when's the last time he brought a girl home?" Becky asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Who knows?" Freen shrugged. "All I know is I'm not going to miss this one. So let's go, Becky. Time to be Dr. Armstrong!"

"Mommy! Freen!" Anna exclaimed, racing towards the front door with open arms, eager to greet Becky.

Becky scooped up Anna, planting a kiss on her temple. "We missed you, sweetie. Looks like you're feeling better."

Freen smiled, kissing Anna's cheek. "Did you have a good day, kiddo?"

Anna's face lit up. "It was amazing! I'm all better now. And you have to meet Eidi! She's super nice. Come on, let's go. Nune saved you some pasta."

Freen's stomach growled at the mention of food. "Thank goodness."

As they entered the dining room, Freen's eyes widened in surprise, and she froze, her gaze fixed on the unexpected scene before her. Becky's eyes mirrored Freen's shock, her mouth hanging open in astonishment.

Overwhelmed and struggling to process the scene before her, Becky's mind went blank. She saw people speaking, their mouths moving, but the words were lost on her. Her thoughts drifted back to the conversation she had shared with Freen the previous day. Freen believed that things happened for a reason, that they were all part of a larger plan. Becky had considered the possibility that fate had brought them together, but now her mind was filled with doubts.

Six pairs of eyes were fixed on her, and Becky could feel her heart pounding in her ears. Panic began to set in as her gaze finally met a familiar face across the room – sitting next to Nop and staring back at her with an innocence that seemed out of place.

"Heidi."