Hugh kneeled and rubbed Guardian's head, telling him what a good boy he was. Mark was used to Hugh smiling or cracking a quick joke, but this was a new side to him. He eventually said goodbye to the man, and the two of them made their way to the bullpen. Mark heard Lily's delighted squeal before seeing that she and Jay were there, and Guardian immediately ran to her and received more love and attention. When they were chosen by Traitor, all of their prior allergies were removed from their bodies, and Lily often said finding out she could play with dogs was the happiest moment of her life.

Jay was standing behind her, his gaze resting on Mark. He nodded his head to the side, and Mark followed his former partner into a small conference room. He kept his ear out for any disturbances for Guardian getting up to anything, but kept his focus on the ritualist.

"We haven't gotten a chance to really talk and catch up, Mark. We were rushed off to hunt down a lead about Strategy that ultimately panned out to nothing. But now, I'm hearing that you have a new power."

Mark nodded, "Yeah, I can sense them. The ones with magic, anyway. I can't exactly pinpoint who they follow yet, but when a monster is around, I know that they're there. Even walking into this building, I can feel the collective power of Traitor. But, it all feels the same as The Splurge guy last night."

"I'm sure once you get used to the nuances in their auras, you'll be able to know exactly who you're dealing with. This is a big win. We won't have to rely either on statements or disasters. This could change the game for all of us."

"I can pick up on what you're hinting at, Jay, and the answer is no. I got brought back into all of this way before I wanted to, and I'm going to work the job I want to. I'm not going to be some magical divining rod for the agency." Mark paced to the other side of the room before adding, "And you can't ask me to. You owe me at least that."

There was a beat of silence before Jay sighed, "Fair enough. I do owe you that and much more. And about Lily..."

"Save it," Mark turned to face his old partner, meeting his gaze. The man's eyes were spiraling, the colors shifting in the florescent light of the room, "Jesus, man. What happened to you?"

"Are you still willing to be my secret keeper?" Jay whispered, his voice cracking.

"That would never change, Jay. Even with everything else, I wouldn't break that bond."

Jay nodded solemnly, "When the three of us came back from that trap and you left, I started to realize that I wasn't in the right place. Not really. Everything was mostly the same. My mind was still grappling with what was real and what wasn't, but it's another thing when the ground below you doesn't feel like the ground you're used to. I wasn't in the right reality. I left that place and still didn't make it home. I keep searching for it. Going in and out of realities and dimensions, looking for where I'm actually supposed to be, but this isn't it...I don't think so anyway."

Mark was taken aback, I know that place fucked with our heads. I still don't know how we all got out of it. But I felt the break. I know it's the real you. The bond-"

Jay cut him off, "The bond that I made with the Mark in my world and the bond you made with your Jay work on the same wavelength. At least, that's my theory. That's the problem with all of this bullshit ritual magic. It's all theory. Half of it is based on will." He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing, "But, you're right. Maybe this is the right place, but I've left this plane so many times trying to find answers that nothing feels right anymore. My mind is breaking, Mark. Lily is trying to keep me here, and all of our best ritualists are helping to ground me, but it's shattered. And I think it'll just keep splintering away. They think I'm looking for something else. Only the two of us know that I'm looking to find if I'm where I need to be."

Mark's breath was quickening, "Why not just accept being here?"

Jay shook his head sadly, then smiled, "Something is driving me. If I am in the right spot, then something is making me think otherwise. Like we missed something when we were trapped there."

The two stood in silence for a moment, before Rylie burst into the office, "We got a dog? Does it have powers too?"

Jay laughed and exited politely. Mark watching his friend walk up to Lily and Guardian, and rub the dog's head gently, his staff gripped tightly in his left hand. It was a lot to take in. They were all trapped somewhere that completely took them to their limit mentally, and, for the most part, all three of them got out alright. At least, he had thought. Jay destroying himself chasing something that might not even be true just didn't seem worth it.

"He's more of an office dog. No powers to speak of, but I'll let you know," he said softly to the rookie, who smiled and made her way back over to the group. He stood at the window looking at his history before him. Hanna had joined in, his sister who had his back throughout the entirety of their childhood. His first partner, who was losing his mind. His next partner, who he had loved until that event took her away from him. And now Rylie, his new partner. He couldn't let this world take from her like it did from the rest of them. He couldn't afford any more slip ups.

He walked out of the conference room, causing Guardian to pull away from the others and join him. He rubbed his new friend's head and gestured for Rylie to walk out with them. He brought Guardian back to High, told him to stay with the old guard, and walked out with his partner. They walked quietly for a while before Mark finally spoke.

"Thank you, he said, "for breaking that up. Jay and I have a lot to talk about, but I'm just not ready for it."

"It's no problem. It looked like it was getting kind of tense, and even though I just met you and don't know him, I had a good feeling that you didn't want to be in there. So, what are we up to today? Hunting down monsters?"

He laughed, "If it happens, then sure. But Hanna just wants us to hang out a bit, get to know each other. Just like being a cop, know your partner is important. But, to be one of us, there's a magic to it. Once we can fully trust each other, that bond is important in the field. Especially with you as a rookie. You might get a new power that's important in regard to me. Take my ability to hear so well. When I was working with Jay, he was trapped. I was across town, and suddenly I could hear him screaming. I followed the yells until I managed to track him down and save him from a particularly bad Fiend."

"And, even after all of that, it's still a pretty impressive power," Mark continues. "It's saved me or someone else countless times. But, that's why bonding is important. That's why Jay and Lily can't just go back to partnering with me even though Jay should be behind a desk. Their bond is too strong. And the bond I used to have with them doesn't exist anymore."

"So, your best bet was to get a rookie?"

"Yup. I possibly could've paired up with someone who isn't already teamed with someone, but why waste the learning experience? Having someone who's been through as much as I have teaching a newbie was a smart move on Hanna's part. So, with all that being said, tell me about you."

Mark stopped himself from reading her emotions, but her body language slipped just quick enough that he knew the next words out of her mouth were going to be a lie. He sighed internally. Since he had been back, it was one problem after another. A new partner with walls up around her was just going to add to that list.

"Not much to tell," she said. "Grew up in an orphanage. In and out of homes. Finally made a break for it and got tied up with some gang. Betrayed them to save a girl. The leader came for me, I blinded him with my hands, and they next thing I knew, your people were scooping me up."

He stopped in his tracks and began laughing. She looked at him, confusion marking her expression. Once the fit of laughter finally ended, he took a few deep breaths, then turned to her."

"I'm sorry. I mean I knew you were going to lie, but that was some serious TV movie vibes bullshit you just spouted off. I mean, just yesterday we established that you never had a job. Now you're telling me you were in a gang? Come on, Rylie."

"I-I'm sorry, okay? It's a lot and I just didn't want to talk about it yet, so I made something up."

He nodded, wiping a tear from his eye, "That's fine. But, don't lie. This whole outing is suppose to be us getting to trust each other better. Lying kind of defeats the purpose. I appreciate the laugh though. Everything has been so serious since I've been brought back, I don't think I've laughed once."

"Wait, really?"

"Yeah. Less than a week back and I don't know how to talk to my sister or my friends. My neighbor who seems genuinely sweet has something super creepy happening to her that may or may not be monster related. I have new powers, a new apartment, and a new dog. And I've already had to deal with The Splurge, which is the worst welcome back gift you can possibly imagine. And, on top of that, I get to be constantly worried about your safety until you come into you own."

He kept laughing, and she joined in, "Holy shit, it might have been easier to stay dead." The two were howling, getting sideways looks from people walking past, "Alright. I'm not going to tell you my story quite yet, but you have me. You need a drink, I'm there. You need to go work out some aggression at the gym or wherever, I'm there."

Mark came out of his laughter and felt some of the weight lift off of his shoulders, "Deal. And same to you. I might not be able to talk to any of my old friends yet, but that's not to say I can't make new ones."

They jokingly shook hands before walking off when Mark suddenly stopped again. A few strands of magic were nearby, close to a feeling of fear. He listened, and could hear someone panting and screaming, with multiple things chasing her, snarling and taunting at her.

"What is it, Mark?" Rylie asked.

"Someone needs our help," he said, advancing toward the noise with Rylie in tow, "And based on how they're chasing her down, I'm going to say it's the Albright Family."

Rylie's eyes went wide, "So, what's that mean?"

He smirked at her as they picked up the pace, "Looks like we've got some vampires to hunt."