New Orleans, Louisiana, 2016<br/><br/>Jean was ready to collapse when he stepped through the door of his shared apartment. He could hear his fiancee in the living area speaking quietly to a client. Not wanting to disturb them he turned his attention to the bedroom where his assorted objects and bits of clothing lay scattered, never really making it back to where they belonged between cases.<br/><br/>The bed springs creaked beneath him, betraying their age as Jean fell back upon it and rubbed his face with both hands. Letting them fall over his head he reflected on the last case, on how difficult it had been and what they could have done differently. It wasn't until sometime later when Anabelle gently shook him awake.<br/>"Long day?" She sat beside him as he sat up.<br/>"You could say that." The two had grown to be able to read one another so hiding anything was tricky at best.<br/>"You are exhausted, was it really that bad?" She was warm against his side, her assortment of charms and necklaces cutting into his arm slightly. Jean wrapped his arm around her, kissing the top of her head.<br/>"I would rather not speak of it, not yet that is." The two remained silent, simply content to be in each others presence until Anabelle spoke up.<br/>"A call came in."<br/>"Hmm?" Jean inquired, absently running his fingers through her hair.<br/>"A new case. I wasn't given many details except that it's very serious and that children are involved." She knew her fiancee held a soft spot for kids.<br/>"I suppose I will be leaving soon then?" Anabelle merely nodded, not meeting Jean's eyes. He knelt on the floor before her and lifted her chin forcing her gaze to his.<br/>"You know I must go."<br/>"I know." Was the whispered response. Jean kissed her and stood, forgetting how worn he had been before in favor of repacking the little he had taken out of his bags.<br/><br/>As he stood with his back to the room he felt arms around his waist.<br/>"Take this." A small carved disk was pressed into his hand, the symbol of protection burned into the surface. He tucked the charm into his breast pocket and held Anabelle's hands before him, muttering a quick prayer to the spirits for guidance.