Hi, guys!

So sorry for the reaaaaaaaaaaally late update, blame me and my writers block. But, we've got the chapter up now; The next one will be updated very soon, (hopefully, possibly, most likely) and I hope you all review your thoughts on this chapter :)

Disclaimer: See previous chapters for the declaration of me not owning Charmed.

/

Andie woke the next morning with a head that felt like it was packed full of cotton wool. She hadn't slept well, tossing and turning as she tried to escape her overactive brain, having no luck whatsoever. The fight with her father was twisting around and around in her thoughts, memories of Mickey and the way her family used to be before the crash slotting in every now and then, turning her head into a confused mashup of sorrow, anger and guilt.

With a sigh, she reached out a hand to slap her alarm off, blinking gritty eyes and groaning into her pillow, before sighing and heaving herself out of bed.

No matter how bad the night had been, no matter how much she wanted to turn over and bury herself under the covers, she couldn't avoid the day. Running away from her problems was only going to make them seem bigger when she did decide to face them head on, so she slogged her way into the bathroom and took a shower, hoping the blisteringly hot water would get her head in the game.

She'd have to see Darryl at some point. She didn't know her father all that well, he'd made sure of that, but she did know that he was incredibly stubborn. Mostly because it was one trait she had inherited from him. If he said that he wasn't going anywhere until he had physical proof that she was off the Halliwell case, then he really wouldn't leave the city. He'd stick his nose in and hound everyone he could until he got what he wanted. So, she couldn't avoid seeing him, not if she wanted to keep the case that she'd become so invested in.

Her mouth folding into a stubborn line, once more making her look very much like the man who had helped bring her into the world, Andie left the bathroom and headed for the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. As far as she was concerned, Darryl Morris could jump feet first into trying to get her off this case. Hell, she'd enjoy it if he tried. No matter how much he meddled, he wasn't going to take this away from her. The man was an ass, but he was an ass she could ignore if she had to, and as she leaned up against the counter and sipped her bitter brew, she silently swore that she would do just that.

"Hey, you're up. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," Andie answered with a careless shrug as she watched her roommate walk into the room over the rim of her cup. Appraising the other woman, a brow rose in surprise. "A little casual for the office, aren't you?"

"What? Oh, I'm working from home today," Riley replied with a grin, running her hands down the overly large green-checked shirt and the old, faded jeans she was wearing. "Gotta be comfortable. You look like you could benefit from a day at home as well. Did you get any sleep at all?"

Andie abruptly turned away from her and put her mug in the sink, the ceramic clattering loudly against the porcelain, unusually irritated at the questioning. So, she didn't look her best, so what? She didn't have to look like a supermodel every day, did she? It wasn't like her job depended on how she looked-

"Andie? You look like you only caught a few winks, maybe you should stay home-"

"I said I was fine, didn't I?" she snapped, spinning back around to glare mulishly at her friend. Riley blinked and then folded her arms across her chest, raising a brow of her own.

"Oh, you're fine, all right," she drawled, just a touch of testiness giving her tone an edge. "Yes, because you always bite my head off for no reason at all when you're all rainbows and candy."

Andie held her gaze for a moment longer and then sighed, reaching up to rub her burning eyes with her fingers. "Sorry, I didn't mean… sorry."

Her hand dropped when she felt an arm go around her shoulder, body relaxing slightly in the familiar hold, so that her head fell onto Riley's shoulder. She sighed again and let herself stand there for a moment, absorbing the comfort her friend was throwing off in waves.

"Why can't life ever be simple?" she murmured. Beside her, Riley chuckled.

"Where's the fun in that?" she asked in a deliberately cheerful voice. Andie groaned softly in answer, unable to help smiling a little when her roommate laughed.

"I do think it's a good idea that you don't go in today, you know," Riley continued after a moment, squeezing Andie's shoulder when the young detective pulled a face. "You've got bags under your big enough to stable horses in. Not much you can do at the station today anyway, is there?"

"I still need to report to the Chief and update him on how the date with Chris went," Andie said, pulling away from her friend. "And besides, it's probably best to get to the Chief first if Darryl does decide to add in his two cents."

"You don't actually think he's going to try to take you off the case, do you?" Riley asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"I think that's exactly what he's going to do," Andie answered in a hard voice. "Mom always says that once he got an idea in his head, he didn't leave it alone until he got what he wanted. Well, it's not going to happen this time. I can be just as stubborn as he can, and I refuse to let him think he has the right to dictate what cases I should and shouldn't be involved in. He may be my father biologically, but that's all he is. That's the only way he gets to have any input in my life. And on that note, I really do have to go."

She reached for her files that Darryl had left splayed across the island bar, quickly stuffing them into her bag, pausing when both hers and Riley's phone went off at almost exactly the same time. Shaking her head at almost forgetting the thing, she made her way back to her bedroom and picked it up, unable to help the smile that spread across her face when she saw who the text was from.

Chris Halliwell: So, I know there's this rule about not calling for a certain amount of time after a first meeting or date, but does a text count? I'm not talking to you specifically, or at least not talking in your ear. I can get away with it this one time, right?

Her smile grew. The kid thought he was charming, didn't he?

Funny thing, though, he was. And it was doing her head in, especially considering that this wasn't supposed to go any further than working an angle for a case.

It's not going to go any further, she scolded herself as she thought of what to send back. Just concentrate on getting to the bottom of this family and what they've been getting away with for years. Don't let a charming fool with gorgeous green eyes draw you in. You're bigger than that.

Nerves steady once more, she quickly sent a blatant lie back to the charming fool.

Andie Carrow: I've never been one to set too much by rules anyway. :) We still on for Saturday?

Chris Halliwell: Just try and keep me away.

Satisfaction running through her, Andie grinned.

Andie Carrow: Good. Pick me up at ten.

Chris Halliwell: At night? Don't know about you, sweetheart, but I'm just not that kind of guy.

Andie Carrow: Ha, no, you idiot, in the morning. I'm planning this time. Think you can keep up with me?

Chris Halliwell: Oooh, sounds intriguing. Keep up with you? Baby, you have no idea. ;) See you then.

Andie Carrow: Don't call me baby. Or sweetheart, for that matter. See you then.

Slipping the phone into her pocket, the young detective walked back out into the kitchen with a smug smile on her face. Riley was leaning up against the counter with a coffee in her hand, smiling down at her own phone. She looked up when her roommate entered the room again, blinked a couple of times and then hurriedly put the phone down on the counter behind her.

"Who was that?" she asked brightly, angling her body so that the phone was completely hidden behind her. Andie narrowed her eyes.

"Chris. Who were you talking to?"

"Oh, no one. Chris texted you already? Man's keen."

Andie's eyes narrowed further, suspicious bubbling through her veins. "Riley, what are you up to?"

"Nothing!" her friend protested instantly, plastering a far too innocent look on her face. "I'm just, ah, talking to a co-worker."

"Riley Hayden, I've known you for almost a decade, and I've been able to read you like a book from the very first moment, so don't think you can get away with bullshitting me."

"I'm not, I swear," Riley insisted, though she wouldn't look Andie in the eye as she said it, choosing to focus on a stray thread from her shirt instead. The roommate watched her for a moment and then sighed.

"You know there's a reason why you can't have anything more to do with Melinda. I thought you had accepted that."

"I have, Andie," her friend said in a frustrated voice, finally looking at her, irritation pulling at her mouth. "You don't have to keep bringing it up, you're not my mother!"

"I know I'm not!" Andie snapped, putting her hands on her hips and glaring at the other woman. "What I am is your friend who's trying to keep you safe! I can't bloody well do that if you're fighting me at every turn!

Riley sighed and ran her hand through her hair, looking down at the ground and then glancing up again. Conflict and indecision seemed to dance in her eyes and she took a step towards her friend, unhappiness bracketing her mouth.

"I really like her, Andie."

"You've barely known her a week! You don't know the first thing about her!"

"Yes, and the only way that's going to change is if we spent time together!"

"Not going to happen!" Andie growled. "Get it through your head, not only is she part of a family who have committed too many crimes over just as many years, she herself has taken an active part! You saw her file; it's as thick, if not thicker, than both her brothers!"

"You have no actual proof that they were the people behind those crimes, Andie! Just a load of circumstantial evidence that only vaguely links the Halliwells! Why are you so insistent on jumping on them?"

"Because it's my job!" the detective hissed angrily, glowering at her stupidly stubborn best friend. "I am a homicide detective, Riley! Hear that? Homicide! That involves blood, corpses and people taking other people's lives!"

"I know what your job is, Andie!" Riley growled.

"Then, why aren't you listening to me? Christ, Riley, do you have any idea what it would do to me if I found you dead in some back alley, all because you couldn't turn away from a cute face? It'd destroy me! I can't lose you too!"

The silence in the kitchen was thick after the detective's shout faded. Riley stared at her friend in surprise, the anger dying as her face softened in understanding. She took three steps across the room and enfolded her roommate in a hug.

"You're not going to lose me, Andie. Stop stressing, okay? You're stuck with me, chicka, and there ain't nothing you can do about it."

Andie sighed, tightening her arms around the other woman briefly before stepping back. "I'll stop stressing when you stop texting suspects involved in my case."

"Weren't you heading to work?" Riley said in response, turning back to the counter. Andie scowled at her back, very much aware that she'd just deliberately changed the subject. However, knowing that it was pointless to keep going around and around on the issue at the moment, as Riley had clearly stopped listening, she sighed again and picked up her bag for the second time.

Hey, maybe her phone would have an accident involving a sink full of dirty, sudsy dishes. The detective grinned at the thought as she headed out of the apartment and walked towards the elevator. You never know, it could happen. After all, anything's possible, right?

/

Andie stopped dead the instant she stepped through the Chief's office door.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!"

Sitting in the guest seat, looking calm and confident, as well as looking like he'd been sitting there for quite some time, was her father. The Chief and Darryl looked up at her exclamation, her fathers back stiffening in the chair and a hard look taking over his features. Andie glared at the man, frustration and irritation pumping through her blood.

"You can't even give me chance to discuss my case, with my boss, before you barrel your way into something that doesn't concern you whatsoever?"

"It does concern me, Andie," Darryl said in a firm tone, folding his arm across his chest. "Anything that puts you in danger concerns me."

"And I can't possibly handle myself, can I? That's what you're saying, and in front of my superior as well. Never mind that I've gone through exactly the same training as you have, never mind that I'm a second grade detective at 24 years old because I'm good at my job. No, none of that matters, does it, because Darryl Morris has spoken! Everyone step up and listen, the only squeaky clean officer on the force is in the room!"

"That's not what I'm saying at all, Andrea!" her father growled, rising from his chair. "You don't understand what you're getting yourself into!"

"So, enlighten me then, Oh High and Mighty-"

"Enough!"

The word shot through the furious atmosphere, startling both father and daughter, who had been so caught up at shouting at each other, they'd forgotten that they weren't the only ones in the room. Andie swallowed down her anger, clenching her fists at her side, and turned to see her Chief leaning over his desk with his hands planted firmly in the centre, his own annoyance slowly enveloping the room. Andie cursed silently, embarrassment swamping her. To let her emotions get away from her was bad enough, but to have a fight with her father in front of her commander was unforgivable.

What the hell was wrong with her?

"Detective Carrow, if you would be so kind to close the door, we can continue this discussion in private."

Embarrassment quickly morphed into humiliation when Andie glanced out the open doorway to find half the squad standing from their seats and leaning towards the office, clearly listening to every shouted word. She closed her eyes briefly and sighed, then opened them and threw a glare towards the room at large, before firmly shutting the door on the bullpen's speculation. Turning back to her superior, she came to attention.

"I apologize for that inappropriate display, sir," she said stiffly, not looking anywhere in Darryl's direction as she stood as straight as a board.

"Accepted. At ease, Detective."

Some of the stiffness eased from Andie's spine, but not much. She clasped her hands behind her back and continued to stand tall, face expressionless. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Darryl slowly lower himself back into the chair, a frown on his face. She ignored him and focused on her superior.

"Now, let's discuss this like the professionals we are, shall we? Darryl, I understand your concern-"

"Clay, she can't be involved in this!"

"She can and she will," Chief Bronx in a voice that booked no argument. Andie hid her smirk behind a show of polite interest. If there was one person who could put Darryl Morris in his place, it was Chief Clayton Bronx. Having trained with Darryl, the burly officer had been close with both Andie's father and mother, and he'd stayed in contact with Shelia after her and Darryl had gotten divorced. Andie admired the man greatly, and he, along with the need to prove herself to a father who had abandoned her, had been the reason why she'd followed her dreams and joined the force in the first place.

"She's in a perfect position right now," the Chief continued, holding up his hand when the Captain opened his mouth to protest again. "She's gotten closer to a member of that family than anyone has since the sisters where the main suspects. Speaking of which, Detective, how did the date go?"

"Date?" Darryl choked out. Once again, Andie ignored him.

"It went well, Chief. He likes me. We had a good time and we have a second date planned for this coming Saturday."

"Who… whoare you dating?"

Andie turned her head and met her father agitated gaze with a level look. "Christopher Halliwell."

"What?" Darryl snarled, surging from his chair and taking a step towards her. "No. No, no, no, no, no! This is not happening! Please, Clay, you can't let her do this!"

"For Christ's sake, why the hell not?" Andie demanded, emotions once again breaking through her control. "At least give me a proper explanation!"

"Because you'll end up dead, just like nearly everyone else!"

His shout was followed by a heavy silence. Andie gawked at the man, shocked by the emotion in his voice. It was as if he actually cared about her, saw her as more than just an obligation. She opened her mouth and then closed it again, not having any clue of how to respond. With a trickle of relief, her attention turned back to the Chief when the man sighed.

"Darryl, I know you've had issues in the past with this family, just as I know that you aren't going to talk about it, no matter how hard anyone digs. Nevertheless, you have to understand that this has been going on for far too long. Someone needs to take down the Halliwell family, and Andrea is in the perfect position to do that. I'm not taking her off the case. As soon as she finds enough to warrant charging them, I'll pull her out, but not before. She's a good, solid cop who knows how to take care of herself. Trust in that. Trust in her."

Once again, Andie only just stopped her jaw from hitting the floor. It was the first time she'd ever heard her gruff, tough-as-nails Chief speak so softly. So… kindly. She hadn't thought it possible.

"This had nothing to do with whatever 'issues' I may or may not have, this is about you letting my daughter put herself in a dangerous situation." Darryl spoke through gritted teeth, the Chief frowning at him and then flicking a quick look at his subordinate.

"She's a police officer first and foremost, Captain Morris, one under my command. This investigation is going to continue, no matter how long and hard you argue. I suggest you get used to that, and I also suggest you think hard about lending your expertise. Detective Carrow would benefit a lot from hearing your side of the story."

Darryl stared at the other man for a lengthy moment, anger and dismay twisting his features, and then his body seemed to slump, before he took a deep breath and stood tall and resolute once more. His mouth firmed and he glanced over at Andie, shoulders straightening further, and then back at the Chief again.

"I'm sorry, Chief, but that's not going to happen because there is no my side of the story, personally or officially. There never was with the Halliwells. That case is all just a lot of chasing your own tail, and that's not going to change this time, either. You're just wasting your time."

"Then you don't need to hang around, do you?" Andie said with a pointed look. Her father met her gaze.

"Yes, I do, if only to try and pull your career out of the toilet when you do bring back a whole load of nothing. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have accommodation to find. Andrea, I'll see you later."

With that, he turned and left the office, closing the door quietly behind him. Andie stared after him, gut churning, until her Chief drew her attention by clearing his throat.

"I think we're done here at the moment, Detective. Keep me updated on your progress."

It was clearly a dismissal, and Andie nodded, heading for the door herself. She paused just as her hand touched the knob, something Darryl had said making her turn back.

"Sir, why did he say that there wasn't a his side of the story officially? He was obviously involved, so wouldn't there be a record of that?"

Why didn't I find his name in my files?

Her Chief held her gaze for a pensive moment, deliberately widening his eyes and then narrowing them pointedly. "Detective Carrow, you aren't suggesting that a Captain, your superior, got rid of any paperwork and files that tied him to a case, are you? I'd think very carefully before you go there if I where you."

Andie's own eyes widened. Got rid of… holy shi-. "No, sir, of course not," she answered calmly, mind spinning. If she was reading between the lines in the Chief's words correctly, he was indicating that that was exactly what had happened. Her father, Captain Darryl Morris, had messed with evidence.

Not that she'd ever say that out loud, just as the Chief clearly wasn't. No matter how volatile her relationship with her father, there was no way in hell she would ever throw him to the wolves. He was the epitome of good cop, and if he did something this big, this out there, then there had to be a reason.

She just needed to figure out what it was.

"Good," the Chief said, pleased that both of his points had been made. "Now, go. I'm busy."

Andie nodded and left the office, thoughts now spinning so quickly, she was surprised they weren't leaving her dizzy. Her father had tampered with evidence. It offended her sensibilities on a very deep level, but more than anything else, it shocked her. She'd never have thought him capable. Why would he put his career on the line like that?

I'm going to find out, she thought determinedly as she made her way through the bullpen, back to her desk. Hell yes, she was definitely going to find out. Her father's involvement in this case was a mass of contradictions, his argument in the Chief's office a prime example. He'd jumped from one extreme to the other, saying the case was dangerous one minute, and then trying to blow it off as nothing the next. The Halliwells had obviously had a big impact on him somehow, and she was going to find out just where he fit in, because he obviously had his own role in all this.

Clicking her mouse to get her computer up and running, she brought up a search engine and typed in her father's name. She would get to the bottom of Darryl Morris and the Halliwells if it was the last thing she did.

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