[BBF] Three's A Crowd (Hunter, Brett, Becca)

[HUNTER BLACKTHORNE]

The burning boat festival. A time of getting rid of things that reminded of the past and moving forward. At least that's what it meant to most people.

Not to Hunter.

The burning boat festival was like every other event in Scriptor Bay, an opportunity to take what wouldn't be missed. This particular festival it was trickier, since there were so many outstanding upholders of the law that taking from the boat itself was too risky. Not that Hunter was afraid of taking a risk, he just knew when it was a stupid one or not. And taking from the boat was a stupid risk that would surely get a person caught. That's why you had to take it right off its source; the person who was going to dump the objects into the boat. They might be upset and think they forgot to bring the item to be burned. It was a common mistake, forgetting something on the counter before you go out the door.

So Hunter was there at the Pier, dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a black hoodie with the hood up covering his head and face, and he walked around between the crowds of people. He pick pocketed a few, taking some little charms and a few odd bucks. The charms were stupid, someone was going to throw a rabbits foot into the boat. He could probably get a couple of bucks for that.

He wore fingerless gloves so that his fingers could be quick while his hands were kept warm. Not that he ever had a hard time staying warm, but it was easier this way when he was in a crowded area. He was searching for an easy target when he spotted a brunette standing there holding what seemed to be some sort of weird jeweled egg. Must be from an ex boyfriend He thought to himself since it looked like it probably cost a pretty penny. That was why he had to have it. He knew a few people who would buy anything.

And if he could just score that then he could call it a day. "I command thee grant me heat." He muttered softly, his eyes going down to the girl's shoes. She had on a pair of tennis shoes which were perfect for this spell. He said the words, chanting them under his breath as quietly as he possibly could. And although there was no visual difference, he could feel the energy and the very heat he was trying to give off deep down in his very bones, it felt like.

The brunette girl let out a shriek, startling her friends as she jumped up and down as if the ground was too hot for her feet.

That was Hunter's cue.

He swiftly moved in just as the girl tried to jump into her friend's arms to keep her feet off the ground and the ugly egg slipping out of her hands and landing right into Hunter's. He quickly turned, tucked the egg into the pouch that was in front of his hoodie and then tried to make his escape. Only he practically ran straight into someone but didn't bother to utter a courtesy apology. He just kept trying to move forward. He had to get out of there before he would be caught.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

Rebecca had been with the SBPD for only a month, and in that span of time she was on her second partner. Rebecca was used to having male partners at work considering he career attracted more males than females, but the chances of getting two lousy partners in a row? Now that was just bad luck.

Her last partner had been older and basically demanded in his own way she show him some amount of respect, making her earn his. He had transferred out and, truth be told, Rebecca was glad about it. That was until she landed with Brett Dawson.

Dawson. There were so many words Rebecca could find to describe the little pain in the ass. He was cocky and full of himself, as young male cops often were, but he seemed to be more arrogant than most. She assumed it was because he was attractive and knew it. His physical beauty made him internally ugly, and Rebecca couldn't stand the sight of him usually. In the past she had hated days where she was stuck in the office doing paperwork, but since she landed Dawson she sometimes looked forward to those days to escape that annoying egotistical smirk and haughty little laugh of his.

But as much as he bugged her, she had to admit he was decent at his job, and when it came down to it he could be fair. He was strong and fast, both mentally and physically, but she would never, ever allow him to believe for a second that she felt that way. The last thing that boy needed was more of an ego. If anything she hoped to teach him a bit of humility.

When they got the assignment to watch over the Boat Burning Festival Rebecca could hardly hide her excitement. The festival had been something she'd done as a girl with her family before the tragedy. She'd burned so many things as a girl, but once she had been taken into the legal system, the festival became something from her past. This would be the first time she would be attending since thirteen. The only downside was that it would be with Dawson.

"If you puff out your chest any more you're going to pop the buttons off your uniform." She teased as she walked casually beside Dawson, eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary. For the most part everything seemed pretty good. "Though knowing you, that's the point." It would be like him to want to walk around showing off his bare chest, which Rebecca was sure was cut. "See anything, Dawson?" She asked, when a sound caught her attention.

A girl was screaming, and her bright blue eyes moved towards her. She looked like something had frightened her or hurt her, judging by the way she was flopping, but a boy caught her eye. She watched him move under her and then run off...right in their direction! The boy practically ran right into Dawson, who seemed to dodge the collision. "Hey!" Rebecca called out after the boy who was running. "I think he stole something." She told her partner before taking off after him.

[brettdawson]

The mixed smell of salt water and burning wood and such filled his enhanced nose. It wasn't just any ordinary day. The Burning Boat Festival was held high on his list of Scriptor Bay events. Mostly because he burned a lot of his parents shit. He had a lot of memorabilia from when his parents still accepted him. He hasn't talked to them in over 5 years. He tossed in an old baseball his dad and him used to use. They'd pass it back and forth in the backyard like any two humans would. Even though they weren't humans at all. They adapted like any guardian. His dad was a macho gorilla Therian. The only person Brett would ever be afraid of.

After tossing the ball in the boat, he'd met up with his partner Rebecca Taylor. She really didn't know fun when it was standing in front of her. He was fun! He tried being nice and such. But of course Brett's way of nice is showing off his biceps and asking if they'd like to go for a run. Brett couldn't help it if she couldn't handle his amazing qualities. He was what he was. There wasn't any changing it. There wasn't a cure for his arrogant ways. Not that he would take it if he had the chance. He loved himself! What's not to love?

He didn't mind her, really. Well she was one to jump to conclusions, when Brett was a thinker. But he guessed that was an ok quality. He never gave out compliments, though. He was far too into himself to realize another's good qualities. Unless they were hot. He'd voice that opinion. Without a second thought, even. But, Rebecca was quite the funny one. Even if she didn't try to be, Brett was constantly amused by her.

"If you puff out your chest any more you're going to pop the buttons off your uniform. Though knowing you, that's the point."

Example one. He just laughed, already having a cocky remark ready to fire back, "I'm not trying, that's just my natural pecks. I can't control my muscles sometimes." He did puff out his chest then, as if it was growing. "Why were you looking?" He sent her a mocking wink before chuckling again. It was a rhetorical question. Of course she'd be looking, who wouldn't? Her second question went unanswered as his gaze also followed hers. The sound was picked up easily in his ears and he instantly pinpointed the ruckus.

His brows furrowed as he watched the flailing female. She was in pain for some reason. All of his cockiness was swept away as he noted the seriousness of the situation. His smirk was replaced with pursed lips and narrowed eyes as he watched a young hooded kid rush away from the leaping girl. In fact he was running straight towards the duo. Brett barely managed to stay on his feet as the guy ran into him. Immediately he caught a glimpse of the guys face and knew who it was. Hunter Blackthorne. Brett swatted at the kid, reaching out to grab his hoodie, but failed.

"I think he stole something." He gave his partner a curt nod before taking off behind her. She was faster than him, more agile. But he had the endurance, partially from his German Shepherd side. "It's that Hunter kid!" He shouted after her, hoping she remembered something of the guy. Brett had a long standing relationship with the hooligan. He always ran into him doing something wrong.

[HUNTER BLACKTHORNE]

He didn't have time to see who it was he ran into. Hunter just had to keep running if he wanted to get out of there in one piece. He knew the cops were total stiffs about stealing from people, even if they were planning on throwing it into the boat to go up in flames. It didn't make sense to him. Why throw something away when you could pawn it off and make a buck or two off of it?

Hunter could hear the shouting coming from behind him but he didn't bother to look back. There was an eighty percent chance that they were shouting at him and if he took the time to take a glance over his shoulder to see who it was he would inevitably run into someone or something. So instead he pressed forward, hearing the angry cries of the crowd as he shoved and pushed his way through. But somehow in the midst of trying to escape he'd managed to lose sight of the right direction and ended up running straight into the side of the pier.

The boy pressed himself up against the wooden railing before pushing himself back off and trying to squeeze between another crowd that seemed to be forming but to no avail. The crowd was getting too thick and it was time for him to turn and see who had been shouting at him. He swore he heard his name called at one point and that's when he saw them. A female who he was unfamiliar with and a male he knew far too well. Dawson was a cop which led him to believe the lady was one as well.

He ducked under a rather large woman and crouched close to the ground, trying to hastily make his escape. And he was almost there when a vendor who must have been relocating his cart pushed his cart right in front of Hunter and he collided with it. Hunter tumbled over the cart, knocking down styrofoam cups filled with a warm brown liquid. He landed on his back in a daze and sluggishly attempted to get himself up into a sitting position. The ugly but expensive egg rolled out of the front pocket of his hoodie and he was drenched in hot chocolate. It was disgusting but tasty at the same time.

His only problem now was that he was having a hard time regaining himself and didn't have enough time to get to his feet. He could see the team of cops coming straight for him and all he could do is sit there and blink hard a few times trying to get everyone to stop spinning.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

"It's that Hunter kid!"

His words meant nothing as she ran ahead of her partner. She was new to the squad and she wasn't aware of the regulars yet, but she was assuming by his words that this "Hunter kid" was just that; a regular. She knew most of the regulars down at her last station, and this kid looked like he fit the build of many. Young, reckless, hooded... he was like a walking stereotype. It was a little sad.

The kid was fast, but so was she. She ran every morning to keep in shape for just these occasions, and now she was glad for it as she dodged vendors, pedestrians, and obese women that the boy found necessary to crawl under. "Come on!" She yelled, looking over her shoulder at Brett, a smirk crossing her lips when she turned away from him. She was a step ahead, and that gave her a sense of pride. She could gloat about it later, though.

The boys luck ran out sooner rather than later, though. She saw the cart and she saw him, realizing what was about to happen a second before it actually did. he ran straight into the hot chocolate cart, tripping over it and getting drenched in the steaming hot liquid. Rebecca actually winced as she rushed even faster now to the boys aid.

"Are you alright?" She asked, kneeling beside him, not seeing the egg which rolled away from him. He was soaked and stunk of chocolate. "Does anything hurt?" Her blue eyes looked concerned as she met Brett's eyes who finally decided to join the party. "Call the paramedics over." She commanded before turning back to the kid, one knee on the ground, the other up, close to her chest as she tried examining him, her brows low over her eyes.

"You shouldn't be running around at events like this. Or stealing." She told him firmly, having every intention of letting him off. It was a petty crime and she didn't know his history. "Whatever you took, cough it up. No sense getting in trouble over something so silly, kid."

[brettdawson]

"Come on!"

He grunted, annoyed at her obvious speed over him. He wouldn't let her get the best of him, and pushed himself. He worked his legs faster, harder, to a point of pain. He didn't care, he couldn't let this pixie one-up him. Especially on speed. He had almost caught up to her when he saw a cart jerk violently. As if someone ran into it. He almost started laughing. Hunter had hit the end of the line, literally. His face was clearly amused as he jogged towards the scene. He had trouble covering his smirk.

His hands rested on his hips as he watched Becca talk to the troublemaker. He rolled his eyes. She was far too sympathetic. Brett had a feeling she'd let him go easy. Especially by the way she was talking to him. Typical. He was strict at his convictions. Second chances were not in his book when it came to breaking a law, even one so "petty" as thievery. When she mentioned the paramedics he made a face. "Aw, c'mon now. He's fine." He glared down at Blackthorne, having every intention to haul him back to the station. But he did look like he was having trouble... So he radioed the local ambulance for some help. He wasn't going to carry the guy to jail. He was going to walk. Or go in on the stretcher.

Brett made the crowd back up a bit to let them both breathe. He didn't want anyone getting stepped on. Plus he was looking for any evidence the kid could've dropped. He eyed a strange, ornate egg a few steps away from Blackthorne. He scooped it up, curiosity grabbing at him. "Whatever you took, cough it up. No sense getting in trouble over something so silly, kid." Brett's jaw dropped. She was going to let him go! My ass, he thought angrily. "He stole this." Brett concluded. There was no other reason for such a strange item to be lying around the middle of this. No one could've dropped it, it was far too fragile to survive such a fall. He thought it must've rolled out when Blackthorne fell. "And he's already in trouble. I'm bringing him in as soon as he can stand, if you aren't." Brett tossed the egg back and forth between his hands before slipping it into one of his pouches in his vest. His look was stern, the serious look he got when on a job.

He pointed to the chocolate-covered kid on the ground when the two paramedics arrived. He continued with his reasoning as they did their work on him, "This kid has too many marks on his record to let loose. I don't care how small this crime is, he's getting it. Got that, Blackthorne? You're not getting off easy this time." Brett grunted in frustration. The kid had gotten off the hook too many times in Brett's book. This time, he was his.

[HUNTER BLACKTHORNE]

Hunter wasn't prepared for what happened next. When everything finally stopped turning and the hot chocolate no longer was burning his skin he took notice of the two who were standing just over him. He knew Dawson as the jackass who had taken him in so many times he could hardly keep track. He'd been caught with possession, possession with the intent to sell, and petty thievery so many times it was unbelievable! Hell, a store owner even called the cops on him because he 'thought' that Hunter might be stealing. And it was a day that he was planning on paying for his Snickers bar!

"I don't feel too good.." He mumbled, although he was perfectly fine now. He could get up if he wanted to but he was hoping if he just laid there acting like he was in pain then the cops would let him go. It seemed like the lady cop had every intention of doing it until Dawson decided that just wasn't going to happen.

Hunter could gather from the little bit of back and forth conversation he did hear from the two undercover cops that they were doing the good cop/bad cop scheme on him. Or at least that's what he assumed. Dawson was the bad cop, it just came so natural to him. "Come on, I didn't take anything. I'm just in a hurry I have to be somewhere in an hour." He said as his excuse for running around in the crowd. He saw the egg in Dawson's hand and he shook his head. "I've never seen that before in my life, man." He told him and tried to act as guilt-free as he possibly could. He'd gotten pretty good at it, although he usually got caught anyways.

When the paramedics came Hunter knew that he was basically screwed. They were going to check him out and see that he was fine. He didn't feel like being dragged down to the station today. There was so much paperwork and because of the time he likely wouldn't get out of there until the next day and sleeping in a jail cell wasn't his idea of a good night's sleep.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

Rebecca believed in chances. Granted, she had no clue how many chances this kid had already received, but judging by Dawson's reaction, it was a few too many. He was on a first name basis with the kid, who looked a little annoyed that Brett had stumbled onto the scene. She had to admit her partner was a little quick to jump the gun on this one. There was no evidence the egg was his, or that he'd taken it. No one had seen it, or so she thought. No one had come forward yet, anyway. It was likely no one would.

Dawson looked like he was about to slap cuffs on the kid and haul him off, broken or not. He was really annoyed and while the paramedics saw to the kid she moved alongside her partner, leaning close to talk to him one on one, keeping a close eye on the kid to make sure he didn't try anything stupid, which judging by Brett's reaction, was likely.

"Look, we don't have proof he stole anything." She said in a hushed voice. They could bring him in for questioning, but that was it. "We can bring him in under suspicion but he'll be out by morning and it just means a ton of paperwork."

The boy looked like a troublemaker, but she was interested in letting him off, even though his excuse was a pretty poor one. If he had just been in a hurry, he wouldn't have tried to evade the police chasing him.

She looked back at Brett, who obviously had a history and smirked. "He steal your girlfriend or something?" She teased. He was so damn young! It wouldn't be that far fetched an idea.

[brettdawson]

"Look, we don't have proof he stole anything. We can bring him in under suspicion but he'll be out by morning and it just means a ton of paperwork."


He almost groaned! He just knew she was going to let him off the hook. His hands ran through his hair slowly, trying to calm himself down. Brett was not one to go easy on any person. But when it came to long-standing relationships, he was cold. He thought about Becca's proposal and logic but had to offer his own. Clearly she could see he had some past experiences with Blackthorne, so he skipped to the point. "This thing is fragile. Nobody could have dropped it. It would have shattered! Who would set it nicely on the ground precisely in the middle of our crime scene? And in this crowd? If placed earlier it would have been smashed by now. It looks special, had to be for the boat." He looked up and glanced back to where the girl had been jumping up and down.

He took a glance back at Hunter before turning and pointing towards her. "He ran right past her before taking off. I bet she wanted to toss this thing in." He knew this was all a lot of trouble for such a petty crime. And he agreed with the paper work. But he was determined to catch this guy on another hit. Another night in jail wouldn't do him any wrong. His brows were furrowed as he studied the girl. He thought about going over to her and getting a confirmation. She looked distressed and a bit confused. He wondered why she had been hopping around like that. As if she was avoiding something. A rat? No it looked like she was in pain...

Becca's voice brought him back to reality, "He steal your girlfriend or something?" He stared at her incredulously. He what? Brett immediately laughed and his usual smirk found its way to his face once more. "Hah! Him? Steal a girl from me? Fat chance." Brett crossed his arms, making himself look beefier than he naturally was. "Funny, Taylor."

He glared back at Hunter as he scooped up the egg once again. He handed it to his partner and nodded, a sign saying she could decide now. He told his theory and hopefully it stuck in her mind. He left it up to her to decide this thief's fate.

[HUNTER BLACKTHORNE]

Hunter didn't like when the paramedics came over and started messing with him. He was plenty capable to get up on his own two feet and walk around without their help! But he let them touch his neck and run their fingers down his spine. "If I was paralyzed I'd still be on the ground don't you think?" He asked them in his deep, soft spoken voice that was dripping with sarcasm.

He could pick up bits and pieces of what the cops were saying while he was being checked out, and he could see the egg clear as day in Dawson's hands until he passed it on to the chick. Hunter needed to get rid of that evidence! Although he truly didn't want to do it because it defeated the whole purpose of it, he focused all his energy onto the fragile egg.

His lips moved but the words were hardly audible, his eyes transfixed on the egg. He tried to make it seem nonchalant as he turned his head a bit as if he were looking away but his eyes didn't come off of it. He could feel his energy pouring into his words and his body heated up as he tried to heat the egg that was in the woman's hands. Maybe if he could just get it warm enough she'd drop it.. hopefully before it burst into flames.

Now was the tough part.. if he could get it to a hot enough temperature then what should he do? Should he run or stay? If he ran he'd look guilty, but staying in such close proximity to the cops made him twitchy! He chose that he would stand there and just wait. Wait to see if she'd drop it and if the stupid thing would shatter or not. If they had no evidence they couldn't charge him of anything, right?

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

"This thing is fragile. Nobody could have dropped it. It would have shattered!" She listened patiently as he went on about the egg, going into detective mode. Despite his arrogance and overly swollen ego, he was intelligent and good at his job. There was a reason Dawson was an officer, and she was willing to take that reasoning to the grave. His head didn't need to be any larger than it already currently was.

He made precise, solid points but they wouldn't hold up in a courtroom without further investigation, and even then he would likely get off with some community service. Worst case scenario he would be locked up for 60 days. Rebecca didn't bother bringing this up, deciding if Dawson really wanted to pursue this investigation, she wasn't going to try and stop him. He had reason to believe this kid deserved whatever was coming to him.

"Hah! Him? Steal a girl from me? Fat chance. Funny, Taylor." Whether the kid did or not, Dawson would never admit it. She looked down at the boy, her arms folded over her chest, scrutinizing him.

She looked at the egg, flipping it in her hands. She probably shouldn't finger it too much in case they want to get prints off of it. Why didn't she have gloves on her? Suddenly it started to grow warm. "That's weird.." She said as it grew hotter and hotter. "Shit!" She snapped and the little piece of jewelry dropped from her fingers and onto the ground. Her hand ached from how hot it had become, and she looked down at the shattered pieces of the little egg. There goes the evidence.

"What the hell!" She snarled, wiping her hands on her pants and looking down at them. They were pink. she knelt down and looked at it, poking at the pieces which were now slightly warm. How did it do that? She shut her eyes waiting for the onslaught from Brett. Great..

[CUPCAKE]

“But whhhy!" Jackson whined to his mother, tugging at her shirt as he began his tantrum. "Jack, I said no." His mother growled through clenched teeth. Why had she brought the boys to this festival, anyway?

"Boat!" Hayden shrieked from the stroller, pointing poignantly at the ship docked on the dock. He was rocking back and forth in his stroller, so excited to be there. He was too young to remember the boat burning last year!

"You promiiisseedd!!" Jackson continued, stopping his walking and folding his arms, pouting fiercely, his brows low over his crystal blue eyes. His brown bangs fell into place as he bowed his head exasperatedly. He stomped a food to make a point. His mother put a hand to her temple and rubbed, then grabbed her eldest sons forearm, yanking him to her. "Do you need a spanking?" She asked in a firm, intolerant voice. She had a right mind to load the boys in the car and just go home.

"BOAT!" Hayden said louder, wanting his mother to acknowledge him and to know it was where he wanted to go. He was obviously oblivious to the trouble his big brother was causing, and when he looked back and saw his mother wasn't paying attention, he decided to take maters into his own hands. He stood up and climbed out of his stroller, running off towards the boat. How very exciting!!

"No!" Jackson grumbled. "Then knock it off, because so help me, Jack, I will put you over my knee right here. Now lets go." The woman turned back towards the stroller and began to push, her angry son at her side, but something didn't feel right. One look in the stroller was all it took to realize what was wrong. "HAYDEN!" She screamed, panic overcoming her.

---

A young woman with auburn hair made her way to the podium, the speakers ringing to life. "Good evening and welcome everyone!" Came the girls kind voice over the PA system. The crowd looked over at her, their eyes averted from the boat for now. There were still people walking all around it depositing their goods. "Well, we all have things that we regret. We all have things in which we are remorseful. The burning boat festival is our city’s time honored tradition of letting go and giving yourself a second chance. I think we all need those from time to time, right?" No one seemed to notice the small boy running excitedly towards the boat.

"Boat!" Hayden said excitedly to himself as he moved to the back half. "Pirate.." Came his voice as he stood on his tip toes to look inside. He wanted to be a Pirate! Pirates were cool! He wiggled himself over the edge, tumbling into the boat as the last few people were rushing away since the boat was about to go up in flames!

"So I say we take all those failures and let downs and burdens and lets torch ‘em!" The crowd erupted and the young speaker stepped off the podium and grabbed a torch, making her way towards the boat.

In the back of the crowd a woman, frantically pushing an empty stroller, was screaming. "HAYDEN! HAYDEN, WHERE ARE YOU!"

[brettdawson]

Brett had walked over to the paramedics to assess Blackthorne's situation. His arms were crossed in his usual way, making himself look larger and more powerful. As if he was in control. He watched them poke and prod his spine and neck, which he thought was probably some routine check. Clearly he was fine. Brett easily caught the heavy sarcasm in his voice. If he could make those jokes then he could go down to the station on two feet.

"I assume he's perfectly fine, correct?" He asked one of medics with a raised brow. They had just finished their review of the guy and faced Brett with professional expressions. "He might have a few bruises, and a possible burn from the chocolate. Obviously nothing to worry about, he's fine." Brett nodded as they talked, glancing down at the criminal the whole time.

He saw Hunter mumble something under his breath, and that put Brett in a rage. How dare he mock them! Or anyone for that matter! This trouble maker should keep his mouth shut if he knew what was good for him. "What was that Blackthorne?" He said in a commanding voice, taking a step towards the kid. He was about to read him his Miranda Rights when he heard and exclamation from Rebecca. He turned immediately, switching from pissed-off detective to protective officer. At least until he watched the egg shatter on the ground.

Brett had his hand on his gun, ready to pull. His jaw went slack instead. He took two giant steps towards Taylor, almost in a fit of rage now. How were they supposed to take him in now!? "What the h-" Then he saw her hand. It was pink, as if burned. He too bent down to feel the remaining pieces of the egg. Warm, like it was heated. Nothing was inside the egg to create this. The sun couldn't have heated up the outer shell, either. At least not that fast.

Then he remembered the jumping girl. How she was trying to keep off the ground. Like she was in pain. Like the ground was burning her feet.

His brows furrowed like they usually did while he thought. He glanced back at Blackthorne. Was it a coincidence he was involved with both "pain" cases? What freak excuse could be made up for this? Brett stayed away from Guardian matters with every case. But was that the only explanation? This looked like Magic. He snatched up Becca's hand to examine it further. Yep, definitely a burn mark. "You okay?" He mumbled to her as his anger ebbed, covered up by confusion.

In the background he could hear the festival starting. A woman at a microphone projected her voice all through the pier. Everyone was cheering at the right moments, clapping at others. Brett had stood, and walked over to Blackthorne. He attempted to yank him to his feet by grabbing the kid's collar and arm. If he couldn't bring him in to the station, he'd escort him elsewhere. But something distracted him.

"HAYDEN! HAYDEN, WHERE ARE YOU!"

Clearly a worried mother was running through the crowd. A stroller and a younger boy near her. Brett's grip on Hunter was loosened as he scanned the area. Most people had gathered around the stage to hear the speaker. The boat was about to be lit. "Taylor! Calm that woman down." He took a step in her direction to point towards the screaming lady. The crowd only got louder though. Brett didn't see the little feet go over the edge of the pier. The kid was stuck in the boat.

[HUNTER BLACKTHORNE]

When the egg fell to the ground and shattered into bits and pieces Hunter knew he would be fine. He tried his best to keep his expression blank so that he didn't give away that it was him who had burned the female detective's hands. He never meant to intentionally hurt anyone but if it came down to him or them then there was no question about it that he would look after himself first. And he wasn't in the mood to spend the night in a cell while they pushed papers around. They had nothing to hold him on and if they did take him down maybe he'd get lucky and be out in a few hours. It would just be a minor inconvenience.

When Dawson grabbed him, Hunter practically flew up to his feet. He looked at the officer of the law but didn't say anything, trying to keep his mouth shut if he could. He knew that Dawson was always suspicious of him even when he wasn't getting in trouble. Not that it was often he was being a good kid. "Loo-"

Hunter was about to make some smart ass remark but his words were cut off by the screams of the woman. His head turned at the same time as Dawson's and he just stared at her. Her kid was missing? "Now that's bad parenting." He commented and tried to shrug himself out of Dawson's hold but he knew that Dawson was stronger than he was. It was obvious.

"Looks like duty calls, and without any evidence you might as well just let me go." Hunter said trying to keep his voice quiet even though it dripped with sarcasm. He knew he could push Dawson's buttons and he did it every chance that he got.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

Dawson seemed almost concerned for her, which surprised her. She was half waiting for him to berate her for destroying the evidence unintentionally, but he had grabbed her hand and looked at the pink skin, then felt the shards of the broken egg, no doubt to test her story. Judging by the look on his face, he believed her. She was grateful for the break in his smug behavior.

"I'm fine." She told him, her tone low as she pulled her hand away from him. It stung but only slightly, like a sunburn really. It would be fine, just a tad tender for a while. She, like everyone else, looked up at the woman who was screaming a name, presumably her child's considering the empty stroller. Rebecca's brows furrowed.

"Taylor! Calm that woman down." His voice took her by surprise and she looked at him, her brow now cocked. "I'm sorry, are you my superior now?" She asked, obviously annoyed by the tone he took with her. She didn't like to be bossed around, especially by an equal. She gave him a stern look, and then glared at the kid. "Watch your mouth." She growled at him. "Both of you." She continued, sounding very much like a mother and not a policewoman.

"I'll investigate the missing child, but let me make this clear, Dawson. My duty is to serve and protect. Do not make the mistake of delegating me again." She warned. It was inappropriate to tell him off in front of the kid, but part of her did it because he obviously had a wise little mouth on him and would likely say something to piss Brett off, which was her hope. He needed to be knocked off that ugly high horse of his.

"I'll be back." She promised, turning and going after the woman who was still shouting for her child.