Chapter 60: Memories of a Sad Day
It was a quiet evening in Grant and Isobel's apartment. They had eaten dinner together, talked about their day, and now they were on the couch, cuddling, while a movie played on the television. Despite the calm, Isobel was restless, absently fidgeting with the ring she wore on her finger.
Grant noticed her discomfort and looked at her, concerned. "Are you okay, Belle? You seem distant."
She sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I was thinking about Jess… And the day of his funeral. It was such a hard day."
Grant was silent for a moment, remembering the memories of that day. He knew that the loss of Jess LaCroix, the leader of the fugitive hunting team, had left a deep mark on all of them.
"It was a day none of us will ever forget," he finally answered. "Losing someone like Jess… It's like losing a part of yourself."
Jess LaCroix's funeral had been held on an overcast day, as if the heavens shared the grief of all present. The ceremony was held at a military cemetery, a fitting tribute to someone who dedicated his life to serving and protecting.
Grant and Isobel had traveled together to attend the ceremony. On the way, silence fell. They were both lost in thought about what Jess meant to them and to the FBI community.
"Jess was an incredible leader," Isobel said, breaking the silence. "He always knew how to inspire his team, even in the most difficult situations."
"And he had an unwavering sense of justice," Grant added, looking out the window. "It's rare to find someone like him."
When they arrived at the venue, they were greeted by a crowd of Jess's colleagues, friends, and family. The respectful silence of everyone present spoke of the impact he had left on people's lives.
The ceremony was conducted with appropriate solemnity. Speeches were given by Jess's close colleagues, including Jubal Valentine and Barnes. Isobel was also invited to say a few words, but she hesitated.
"You should speak," Grant encouraged, taking her hand. "I know he meant a lot to you."
Isobel nodded, took a deep breath, and stepped up to the podium. Her speech was brief but moving.
"Jess LaCroix was more than a colleague. He was a friend, a mentor, and an example of what it means to be truly dedicated to your work. We have lost a great man, but his memory and legacy will continue to inspire us."
As she spoke, Grant watched in awe. He knew how difficult it was for Isobel to express her emotions in public, but in that moment, she had found the strength to honor Jess's memory.
After the ceremony, Grant and Isobel stood by Jess's grave for a while longer. The fugitive hunting team was gathered together, exchanging stories and memories of Jess.
Barnes, tears in her eyes, approached Isobel and Grant. "It's hard to believe he's gone," she said. "He always seemed invincible."
"He was invincible in spirit," Grant replied, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Men like Jess leave an impact that never fades."
Isobel looked at the headstone, feeling the weight of her loss. "He left us an example to follow. We need to honor him by continuing the work he started."
Back on the couch, Isobel sighed, coming back to the present. "It still hurts to think about that day, but it also reminds me of how strong we are as a team. Even in loss, we find a way to move forward."
Grant nodded, pulling her closer. "That's what Jess would have wanted us to do. He knew how important this work is, how much we depend on each other."
Isobel smiled slightly, feeling comforted by Grant's presence. "Thank you for being there for me that day. I don't know how I would have gotten through it without you."
"I'll always be here for you, Belle," he replied, kissing her forehead. "Through good times and bad."
As the night wore on, the two continued to reminisce about Jess's life and stories, finding solace in the memories and in each other's company. Jess LaCroix might be gone, but his spirit lived on through those he had touched, reminding them that even in the darkness, there was always a light to follow.
Chapter 61: Heat, Memories, and Love
The night was warm and muggy in New York, the kind of heat that made the air feel heavy but created the perfect atmosphere for cozy intimacy. Grant and Isobel were at home, enjoying a quiet evening after intense days at work. The lights were low, and soft music played in the background, accompanied by the soft hum of the fan.
Grant was in the kitchen, pouring two glasses of wine, while Isobel settled into the living room sofa, wearing only short shorts and a light T-shirt. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, and even though she was effortlessly dressed, she looked stunning to Grant.
He walked over to her with the glasses in his hands, handing one to Isobel and sitting down next to her.
"Nothing like a good wine to end a day, is there?" he said, smiling.
"Even better when I'm with you," Isobel replied, leaning in for a soft kiss.
As they shared their wine, Isobel looked at Grant with a twinkle in her eye. "Have you ever stopped to think about how we got here? It feels like only yesterday we met."
Grant smiled, running a hand through his messy hair. "Of course I do. In fact, I think about it more often than you'd think."
He leaned forward, setting his glass on the table and moving closer to her.
"Do you remember the first time I walked into your office?"
Isobel laughed, remembering that moment clearly. "How could I forget? You walked in like you owned the place. You were so confident it almost made me angry."
Grant gave a husky laugh, moving closer to her. "And you looked at me like you were deciding whether to give me a chance or throw me out on the spot. It was… intimidating, to be honest."
"Intimidating?" Isobel raised an eyebrow in mock surprise. "You, the man who's not afraid of anything, found it intimidating?"
Grant nodded, smiling. "Yes, ma'am. Because I've never met anyone like you. And at that moment, I knew that if I wanted to win you over, I would have to be my best."
Isobel blushed, smiling at him. "You did it. It didn't take me long to realize that you were different."
As they talked, Grant stood up, holding out his hand to her. "Come with me."
"Where?" she asked, intrigued.
"Trust me," he said, pulling her off the couch.
They walked to the bedroom, where Grant lit some candles and turned off the lights. The room was lit with soft, romantic light. He pulled her close, holding her waist and looking deeply into her eyes.
"You know how much I love you, don't you?" he asked, his voice thick with sincerity.
Isobel nodded, touching his face gently. "I know. And I love you too, Grant. More than I can put into words."
He smiled before kissing her passionately, his hands moving down to her shorts. With one swift movement, he gave her bottom a light slap, eliciting a small, surprised moan from Isobel.
"Grant!" she exclaimed, laughing and lightly slapping his chest.
"I couldn't resist," he said, laughing along with her. "You're so beautiful, Belle. And every day that passes, I fall more in love with you."
After a few passionate moments, the two lay in bed, covered only by the light sheet, while the fan slowly turned on the ceiling. Grant had his arm around Isobel, who rested her head on his chest.
"Do you think things would be different if we hadn't met that day?" Isobel asked softly.
Grant shook his head. "I believe we were meant to be together, one way or another. You're the best thing that ever happened to me, Belle. I'd do it all over again to get here."
Isobel smiled, feeling the warmth of his words. "Me too. You've shown me that I can be strong and vulnerable at the same time, that I can trust someone completely."
"That's because you're amazing," Grant replied, kissing the top of her head. "And I'm the luckiest man in the world to have you."
As the night wore on, the two continued to talk, reminiscing about the highlights of their relationship, from the first glances they'd shared to the challenges they'd faced together.
Grant took Isobel's hand, intertwining their fingers. "Promise that no matter what, we'll always fight for each other?"
Isobel looked up at him, her eyes shining with determination. "I promise. Always."
"Then we're okay," he said, smiling. "Because there's nothing I won't face for you, Belle."
Isobel felt her heart warm. She knew that with Grant by her side, she could face anything. And as the heat of the night continued, she realized that no matter what the future brought, they would be together, always.
Chapter 62: Care and Training
It was a quiet weekend at Grant and Isobel's house. With the free time, Grant decided to take advantage of it to maintain his weapons. He believed that keeping his equipment in perfect condition was a matter of discipline, both personal and professional. In the living room, he set up a makeshift workbench with rags, cleaning oil, brushes, tool kits, and of course, his service and personal weapons.
Isobel watched curiously from the couch as he carefully disassembled a pistol. "You seem so focused on it," she commented, leaning in to take a closer look.
"It's almost therapeutic," Grant replied with a smile. "Besides, you never know when you're going to need a reliable weapon. Maintenance is essential."
"You know," Isobel began, a smile playing on her lips, "I do know how to disassemble and clean, but I'm not exactly an expert."
Grant looked up, surprised. "You've never asked for help with that before. How about a lesson now?"
"Why not? Maybe I can finally do this right," she said, standing up and sitting next to him.
Grant started with the basics, handing Isobel one of the smaller pistols, one she could handle easily. "This is a Glock 19. We'll start with that because it's simple and reliable. First, let's take it apart."
He guided Isobel patiently, showing her how to pull back the slide, remove the barrel, and remove the magazine. She followed his instructions, but winced when one of the mechanisms seemed stubborn.
"This is harder than it looks," she admitted.
"It just takes practice," Grant said, placing his hand over hers to help her. "And a little force in the right place. Here, try it like this."
With his guidance, Isobel managed to disassemble the gun. She smiled, satisfied. "Okay, that was better. Now what?"
"Now for the fun part," Grant replied, handing her a small brush and a bottle of cleaning oil.
He showed her how to inspect the barrel for gunpowder residue and how to clean the moving parts to make sure everything worked perfectly.
As Isobel carefully cleaned the pistol, Grant watched her with a smile. "You're doing a great job."
"I have a good teacher," she replied, winking at him.
After they finished cleaning, Grant got up and went to the bedroom to get a holster and belt.
"Now that the gun is clean, let's work on the quickdraw," he said, adjusting the holster on his waist.
Isobel raised an eyebrow. "I hardly go out in the field anymore, Grant. What will I need this for?"
"You never know," he replied. "Besides, it's always good to be prepared. You might need to defend yourself, or maybe even save me someday."
She laughed. "Okay, but don't expect miracles."
Grant adjusted the holster on her waist and handed her the unloaded pistol. "The secret is practice. Pull firmly, but keep your hand relaxed. And remember: the movement should be fluid, like it's an extension of your arm."
He demonstrated the movement several times, quickly drawing the gun and aiming. Then he stood next to Isobel as she tried to repeat it. She seemed hesitant at first, but with a few tries and adjustments to her posture, she began to improve.
"That's it!" Grant exclaimed when she finally made a quick, accurate draw. "See? It's not that hard."
"Easy for you to say," she joked, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead. "You make it look natural."
After a few more minutes of practice, Isobel removed the holster and placed the pistol back on the table.
"Okay, that was fun, but also exhausting," she said, sitting back down on the couch.
Grant smiled, sitting down next to her. "You did a great job, Belle. I'm impressed."
"Well, I had the best teacher," she replied, leaning in to kiss him.
As they talked, Isobel glanced at the still-disassembled weapons on the table. "Do you do this with all your weapons?"
"With all of them," Grant confirmed. "It's about respecting the equipment. These things could save your life. It's the least I can do."
Isobel smiled, admiring his dedication. "You take everything you do so seriously, Grant. It's one of the things I love most about you."
"And I love that you're always willing to learn," he replied, pulling her closer.
As the evening wore on, the two continued to talk about their day and make plans for the future. Despite their busy and dangerous lives, they found comfort and security in each other.
"You know," Isobel began, looking at Grant. "I feel safer knowing that you're by my side."
"And I'll always be there," Grant said, taking her hand. "No matter what happens, you can always count on me."
Isobel smiled, feeling the warmth of his words. In that moment, she realized that even with all the uncertainties and dangers of their careers, they had something solid and unshakable: the love and partnership they shared.
Chapter 63: Flirting and Laughter
The morning sun lit the living room as Grant finished organizing his weapons. The table was clear, the pistols neatly assembled and stored. Isobel walked into the room, still dressed in a comfortable T-shirt and shorts, holding a steaming cup of coffee.
"Good morning," she said, smiling at the sight of him going about his meticulous routine.
"Good morning," he replied, glancing at her briefly before returning his attention to the holster he was adjusting.
Isobel noticed the care he took in every detail and remembered the practice they had done the night before. She wasn't exactly a gun novice, but Grant's patience and skill had made the experience more fun and, in a way, intimate.
"You know," Grant began, looking up with a mischievous smile, "I don't think I've ever seen you look sexier than you did last night."
Isobel arched an eyebrow in surprise. "Sexy? Cleaning guns and practicing your quickdraw? That's a new one."
He chuckled, leaning against the table. "It's not just that. Seeing you holding that Glock, with such determination... It was something." He shook his head as if admiring the memory. "You looked really hot." I
sobel rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but smile. "Oh, sure, because nothing says 'sexy' like gun oil stains and a clumsy attempt to look intimidating."
"No, I'm serious," Grant insisted, stepping closer to her. He put his hands on her waist and pulled her closer. "You've got this thing... confidence. And last night, with the gun in your hand, it was like I was looking at an even more powerful version of you." ]
"Powerful, huh?" Isobel teased, tilting her head. "So you like me armed and dangerous?"
"Always," he replied, leaning in to kiss her softly.
After the kiss, Isobel pulled away, trying to maintain an air of nonchalance.
"Well, I'd say you should be careful. Now that I know how to clean and handle a gun, I can be dangerous."
Grant crossed his arms, feigning a serious expression. "I think I'm going to have to put you through some advanced training. I don't want my girlfriend to be just 'good.' I want you to be the best."
"Oh, sure," she said, laughing. "Because having Grant Shawn as my instructor wouldn't be intimidating at all."
He shrugged, the smirk back on his face. "I just want to make sure that if I ever need you, you can save me in style."
"In style, huh?" she repeated, laughing. "And what exactly would that look like?"
Grant pretended to think, then made a dramatic gesture as if he were holding an invisible weapon. "You walk into the room, take out the bad guys with surgical precision, and then say something like, 'Nobody messes with my man.'"
Isobel couldn't help but laugh. "You've been watching too many action movies, Grant. That'll never happen."
He shrugged again, amused. "Never say never."
Isobel sat down on the couch, watching Grant as he began to pack his weapons and tools into the box.
"Seriously, Grant, do you really think I have a knack for this?"
He looked at her, his smile giving way to a more caring expression. "I think you have a knack for anything you set your mind to, Isobel. You're focused, determined, and stronger than you think. I only showed you a few techniques, but the rest came from you."
She smiled, feeling the sincerity of his words. "Thank you for always believing in me."
"Always," he replied, coming to sit beside her. "And not just with weapons. I believe in you as a leader, as a person. You inspire me, you know that?"
Isobel leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder. "And you make me feel like I can do anything. That's a rare gift, Grant."
He put his arm around her, holding her tightly. "You can do anything, Belle. And I'll always be there for you, whether it's cleaning weapons or facing whatever comes your way."
After a moment of silence, Isobel looked up at him. "So, what do you have in mind for today? More training? Or something more relaxing?"
Grant pretended to think, looking at his watch. "How about we start with a hearty breakfast? Then we can go to the shooting range. I want to see if you still remember what you learned yesterday."
"Breakfast sounds great," she said, standing up. "But don't expect miracles at the shooting range. I'm still a rookie."
"Rookie or not," he said, standing up and following her into the kitchen, "you're already my favorite shooter."
Isobel laughed, feeling light and happy. With Grant by her side, every day felt like a new adventure full of challenges, laughter, and most of all, love.
Chapter 64: Steel Connections
The day was starting out overcast in New York. Isobel and her team were gathered in the conference room, surrounded by files and images of a new case. Suspicion fell on Ethan Collier, a former Navy SEAL known as a "vanilla SEAL," an informal term for operators who do not belong to the elite tier one forces, such as DEVGRU. Collier was accused of murdering a defense contractor in a hotel near Central Park.
"The problem," OA began, studying the painting on the wall, "is that Collier disappeared as soon as the body was found. He used tactical training to throw off the cameras and, for all we know, he could be anywhere right now."
Isobel nodded, crossing her arms. "We need an advantage. Something that will give us access to him or at least help us understand his mindset."
Jubal glanced at Grant, who was leaning against the wall, listening silently. "Maybe we already have that advantage here in the room."
Grant raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Are you looking at me?"
"Yes," Jubal replied. "Collier may not be DEVGRU, but he is a SEAL. I bet he's heard of you, Grant. Your reputation is legendary in the military community. If anyone can convince him to turn himself in or at least talk, it's you."
Isobel looked at Grant, her face serious but with quiet confidence. "What do you think?"
Grant crossed his arms and took a deep breath. "If he's really guilty, it's going to be tough to convince him. But if he's innocent, maybe I can earn his trust. It's worth a shot."
With Grant in the lead, the team began tracking Collier. Grant's informants and contacts in the military world gave them a clue: Collier was holed up in a fighting academy in Queens that also served as a hangout for veterans.
"He's not going to be easy to approach," Grant said as he readied his holster. "If he feels threatened, he might fight back. I need to talk to him alone."
OA shook his head. "Are you sure about that? He's trained, Grant. He could be dangerous."
"And so am I," Grant replied with a small smile. "Trust me, OA. If he's a real SEAL, he won't want to fight unnecessarily. They respect rank, even off duty."
Grant walked into the gym dressed casually, giving no sign of being an FBI agent. The place was full of veterans training in rings and on punching bags. He found Collier sitting in a corner, adjusting the bandages on his hands.
"Collier," Grant called, his voice firm but not hostile.
Collier looked up, immediately recognizing the man in front of him. His expression hardened. "Grant Shawn. I've heard stories about you."
Grant stepped forward.
"I hope they're good."
Collier gave a slight, cynical smile. "It depends on your perspective. What do you want with me?"
"I want to talk," Grant replied, sitting down next to him. "The charges against you are serious. I know the SEALs protect their own, but we also have a code of honor. If you didn't do this, I want to help. But if you did—"
"I didn't," Collier interrupted, his voice thick with frustration. "They're framing me. The guy who died… I knew things about him. Things he was doing to hurt our people."
Grant looked at him carefully, trying to gauge his sincerity. "If that's the case, then we need to clear your name. But running away will only make things worse."
Collier hesitated, his gaze fixed on the floor. "And how are you going to help me? The FBI already convicted me. You think I'm just another misfit soldier."
"Not me," Grant said firmly. "I know what it's like to carry the weight of decisions and be judged by those who don't understand. We're going to handle this the right way."
Collier agreed to turn himself in on the condition that Grant ensure his safety. Back at the FBI office, he was questioned while the team investigated his claims. Collier explained that the dead contractor was involved in arms trafficking and espionage against the United States.
Jubal, OA, and Maggie began tracking down the contractor's contacts, while Isobel oversaw the operation. Throughout the process, Grant remained by Collier's side, ensuring that he remained calm.
"Why are you doing this for me?" Collier asked in a moment of silence.
"Because I know what it's like to be betrayed by the system," Grant replied. "And because I believe you deserve a chance to prove your innocence."
The investigation confirmed that Collier was telling the truth. The contractor was indeed involved in illegal activities and had planted evidence to incriminate Collier before his death.
When the charges were dropped, Collier shook Grant's hand firmly. "Thank you, Shawn. I don't know what I would have done without you."
"Just stay on the right path from here," Grant said. "And remember: even off duty, we're still brothers."
That evening, Grant returned home exhausted but satisfied. Isobel was waiting for him in the living room, a glass of wine in her hand.
"Another busy day?" she asked with a smile.
"Always," Grant replied, sitting down next to her. "But it was worth it. Collier has a chance to start over."
Isobel placed her hand over his. "That's what I admire about you, Grant. Your loyalty, even when it's not easy."
He smiled, pulling her close. "And you, Belle, are the reason I do all this. You keep me on the right path."
As they shared a moment of silence, Grant knew that despite the hardships, he would always find strength in his partnership with Isobel and their mission to help those in need.
Chapter 65: Echoes of the Past
The sun shone down on the crystal clear waters of Honolulu, Hawaii, as the NCIS team gathered at the base. Jane Tennant, the team leader, sat in her office, watching the reports on the monitor. A case involving a former SEAL accused of espionage and murder had quickly heated up. The suspect, a war veteran named David Rourke, had connections to past clandestine operations, including a mission led by someone who was now part of the FBI.
Jane took a deep breath and called her team together. "Guys, we need to review the information we've gathered on Rourke. It looks like he may have a connection to someone in the FBI: Grant Shawn."
At the mention of the name, everyone in the room paused for a moment. Jesse Boone, her second-in-command, frowned. "Grant Shawn? That's a household name. He's... how can I put it? Kind of legendary."
Kai Holman, curious as ever, leaned across the table. "Legendary how? One of those guys from action movies?"
Lucy Tara smiled. "Sort of. I heard stories about him at Quantico. They say he was the best at everything he did."
Kate Whistler chimed in, her tone more serious. "Not just at Quantico. I took a few classes with him. He wasn't just good, he was brilliant. Smart, focused, disciplined... he's the kind of guy you look at and think, 'That's who I want to be.'"
"So you're a fan of his," Jesse joked, earning a disapproving look from Kate.
Jane raised an eyebrow. "He's not just a big name. I worked with him a few years ago. He led a mission I was involved in, and let me tell you, the guy's as good as they say. But we need to make sure he can help us with this case."
Ernie Malik, the team's tech genius, pulled up Grant's file on the system and put it on the main screen.
"Here he is," Ernie announced, adjusting his glasses. "Grant Shawn, former SEAL, DEVGRU, FBI HRT operator, and now part of the counterterrorism section. Or, as the system describes it, 'problem solver.'"
Everyone's eyes were glued to the screen as Ernie scrolled through an impressive list of accomplishments.
"Operation Neptune Spear," Lucy read aloud. "He was in on that?"
Kate nodded. "Not officially. But rumors have it. And considering the rest of his resume, I wouldn't be surprised."
Kai crossed his arms, visibly impressed. "This guy looks like a cross between James Bond and Rambo."
Jane chuckled softly. "That's an accurate description. But he's much more private than that."
Jane decided to send a message to the FBI, asking to speak to Grant directly.
After a brief wait, the screen displayed Grant's face, who appeared to be in a conference room.
"Jane Tennant," he said with a slight smile. "Long time no see."
"Shawn," Jane replied in a professional but friendly tone. "I have a case here in Hawaii that may have a connection to you. A former SEAL named David Rourke. I need your help."
Grant nodded, his expression becoming more serious. "Rourke. I remember him. He was on an operation with me years ago. But I'll need to go over the details before I can give you an answer."
Jane explained the main points of the case, while Grant listened intently. After the briefing, he paused.
"Jane, I need to speak with my director before I can confirm. But I'll get back to you as soon as possible."
"I appreciate it, Grant," Jane said. "I hope you can make it. It would be great to work with you again."
"Likewise," he replied before ending the call.
After the call ended, Jane turned to her team.
"If he accepts, we'll have one of the best with us. But we need to be prepared to work at his pace. Grant isn't someone who does things halfway."
Jesse smiled, crossing his arms. "I think it'll be interesting to have a legend around. Who knows, we might even learn something."
Kate seemed lost in thought, her face serious.
Lucy noticed and nudged her. "Is everything okay, Kate?"
Kate shook her head, laughing lightly. "Yeah. It's just... Grant has always been someone I've admired. Working with him now, even indirectly, feels surreal."
Kai joked. "Well, if he shows up, don't faint."
Everyone laughed, breaking the momentary tension.
Back at the FBI, Grant sat at his desk, reviewing the files Jane had sent him. He knew Rourke was problematic, but he also knew that if he was involved, he could be the key to solving the case. As Isobel entered his office, she noticed Grant's thoughtful expression.
"Something important?" she asked, moving closer.
Grant briefly explained the case and its connection to his past. Isobel nodded.
"Do you think you should go?"
Grant sighed. "It depends. I don't like to leave things half-hearted, and Rourke could be dangerous if he's involved in something bigger. But I need the director's approval."
Isobel put a hand on his shoulder. "I know you make the right decision, Grant. And if you decide to go, just be careful."
New stories in my Patreon
News stories there: " I won a Oscar when I was 19 " , " NCIS HAWAII: The Captain " , "SUITS: The Lawyer " and " The Lawyer and Policeman "
This story is already complete there
p@treon.com/SHADOWGHOST07
Just replace the @ with an a