Damon's library was a dream come true for this bookworm.

Doing research online was overwhelming. There were too many articles and some of the information sounded questionable. I didn't have access to any databases on my phone and I was beginning to get frustrated.

It wasn't until the third time I tossed my phone on the floor that the twins took pity on me and led me into the library.

There were rows and rows of books. Most of them were cookbooks, but there were also criminology and criminal law books on some of the shelves. The first book Josh gave me was Criminology for Dummies, and I was sucked in. I was a fast reader and I just finished the book when Xavier found me.

"That was one of the first books my dad made me read in high school. Not the best book around, but it simplifies things," Xavier shrugged before he plopped in the chair next to me.

I nodded shyly.

"I majored in literature in college, I am used to a lot of dry information. But this is interesting to me," I admitted and went to grab a large red book on top of a pile I'd created. "Did you have a nice visit with Maria's mother?"

Xavier snorted.

"I got kicked out five minutes in so they could have mother-daughter time. Now that Lila knows about the baby, I worry I'll never get time alone with Maria," Xavier said with a pout in his voice. "What's with all the papers and books? Are you planning to be a criminal now?"

"I'm trying to learn more about what you guys do– not necessarily Project O-wise, but how the criminal system works and different players, I guess. Jasmine called herself a grifter, but I don't think she scams people for money."

"Oh, she does steal money," Xavier corrected with a wide smile. "But she gives it back to the people who were robbed of it. Picture her as a female Robin Hood. She also helps us get information and infiltrates different organizations. She's brought down a lot of people, but all in the name of good, I suppose."

Xavier put air quotes around "good," and I furrow my eyebrows in confusion.

"That seems awfully confusing but cool at the same time. You guys are like criminals with super hero capes? There is a lot of gray I am missing out on."

Xavier started bouncing in his seat in excitement. "There is a lot of gray. Ro, while I think books are the way to go, you also need to see the world for yourself. And if you want some real research, I've got just the thing for you."

I looked up as Xavier stood and offered his hand. Excitement and nervousness ran through my veins at what he was about to show me. Would it be case files? Would he tell me stories of his adventures? Is he going to take me on the field?

I grabbed the red book as Xavier dragged me away from the library.

~*~

"So he pretended to hypnotize them so one of the suspects would lie about what they witnessed the night of the murder?" I asked as I put another piece of popcorn in my mouth.

"No, Jane did the incantation, but the girl pretended to be hypnotized to accuse her friend's father of being the murderer of both the security guard and the surfer girl. The suspect didn't know that it would lead the other suspects right to the police station to confess their own versions of the event, leading to the conclusion that all of them were the culprits.

"They did it all on their own and all Patrick Jane had to do was create the suggestion," Xavier said and stuffed candy in his mouth. "My fucking role model." he said with food still in his mouth as we moved on to the next episode of The Mentalist.

"I didn't know TV shows could be so resourceful. I've never been into TV until now," I said with a wide smile and high-fived Xavier. "Seeing the techniques and protocols like this is way more fun!"

"If you're interested, I can give you my mentalism and psychology books. I also have some criminal studies textbooks that you may enjoy. With that and these TV shows, you will be caught up in no time. You'll suck it up like a sponge."

For the last few hours, Xavier dismissed the twins and introduced me to different criminal shows. Apparently he was a mega-fan since he was able to quote word-for-word of each episode we watched of The Mentalist. Throughout the show, he would pause and explain every procedure and method the show used, telling me if there were alternative methods that could be done. He would also point out body language.

"You have a lot of tells yourself, Ro. When you're anxious, you play with the ends of your hair. You blush when you get embarrassed – which is constantly by the way. Your body also trembles when you are uncomfortable. Don't ever play poker, Ro. You would lose all of your money within minutes. Criminals and people like me will read you like an open book. These will be seen as weaknesses, which is why we train to control those impulses."

It was interesting and I loved learning more about the Organization's work, even if he didn't tell me any specifics. Xavier and Damon seemed worried I would jump down the rabbit hole and do something reckless when I joined their world.

In all honesty, I don't blame them for thinking that, but if I wanted to stay here with Damon, I needed to understand what I was getting myself into. It meant learning more about the Organization and crime itself.

Didn't mean I was going to go all willy-nilly with a gun...heck no!

"I'll trade you some gummy bears for a piece of chocolate," I offered Xavier and we immediately swapped the different sugary sweets.

Xavier easily grew on me. While he was very charismatic to the public eye, witnessing him in the privacy of our home was different. He was funny and sweet as he eagerly watched the TV screen. You would think this is the first time he'd watched it.

I could easily see what Maria saw in him. Xavier Monroe seemed like a keeper.

We were halfway through the episode when the screen turned black.

"What the hell?" Xavier jumped from the couch, spilling popcorn and candy on the ground. I mourned at the pieces on the ground before turning around to find an unimpressed Damon and Maria.

"You left me to be smothered by my mother so you can watch our favorite show without me?" Maria gritted out , her voice pitching at the end. "You know I love Patrick Jane, you insensitive swine!"

Xavier paled and raised his hands in surrender, batting his eyelashes.

"I was teaching Rosaline about the criminal world and mind tricks. She wanted to learn and I'm giving her the best education there is!" Xavier defended himself and gestured to the TV.

"You can come and watch with us. And besides, your mom kicked me out. No way was I fighting that woman. She hasn't seen you in months and then you told her about our unborn child. That combination would make anyone go crazy," Xavier eyed Maria's stomach warmly before returning his focus to her torn expression. "I promise that I didn't sneak away to watch the show without you."

"Pinky swear?" Maria asked as she walked towards him. Xavier gave her a beaming smile and pulled her closer.

"I pinky swear, Sugar." he vowed and placed a kiss on her lips.

"Why the hell are you teaching Flower about our world through TV shows? None of that shit happens in real life and no way in hell are we putting her in the crossfire," Damon grunted as he pulled me into his arms. I wrapped myself around his waist and jumped up and down in excitement.

"But Xavier says that even learning the smallest tricks can get you far. I even took notes!" I sang gleefully and pointed at a notebook filled with writing.

"And how dare you, you asshole! I learned a lot from these shows for our business, thank you very much." Xavier huffed.

"That's because you are a genius and mastermind. Of course you would get something out of this. Normal people? They may find it cool, but it won't work in real life. And you seriously took notes, Flower?" Damon said doubtfully and Xavier threw the notebook at him, which he caught easily.

With an arm still around me, he read through my notes. His skeptical look became impressed as he read through my scribbles.

"You even highlighted important federal laws. I'm sorry for underestimating you." Damon placed a kiss on my nose. I giggled and hugged him closer.

"This is way better than sitting in a stuffy classroom. Xavier happens to be a really good teacher." I admitted.

"What about me? Where is my apology?" Xavier huffed and pulled Maria closer to him, rubbing her belly soothingly.

"You don't get one." Damon snorted.

"I'll only accept your apology if it comes in the form of ribeye steaks with that creamy garlic sauce," Xavier stated, ignoring Damon's remark.

Maria groaned longingly.

"That sounds amazing. Please, please, please, Damon?" Maria begged, clasping her hands in front of her. "Do it for the baby? It can be your present to me."

Damon shook his head. "Using your wife against me. That's a low blow, Xavier."

Xavier smirked cockily. "But it worked, didn't it? If my pregnant wife wants you to cook something, it shall be done. That's an order," Xavier winked and pulled Maria to the couch. "Let's watch some Patrick Jane, Sugar."

Maria bounced to the chair, her previous anger and exhaustion nowhere to be seen as Xavier joined her. That didn't stop her from elbowing him in the gut for manipulating her and his best friend.

"How about I help you out? Another learning experience for me. Maybe I'll be better at cooking meat than cake?" I offered to Damon, who was staring at the couple with both anger and amusement.

"I would love to have an assistant. I will only trust you with my recipes– as long as I'm around. I don't trust you alone." Damon grabbed my hand to guide me to the kitchen.

I went to sit on the island as Damon gathered the ingredients. I watched him with interest. He was in his element, his large form moving gracefully throughout the kitchen.

"You know you don't have to do this, you know? You don't need to do the research to understand my work?" Damon asked softly as he placed his things on the island next to me, trapping me between his arms.

"I know, but I want to. What you do is important and I think what you guys do is amazing. I don't want to be ignorant about your work. This is my way of showing you that I'm all in. Who knows, I can become a part of it in the future? I don't want to go into the field or anything, but maybe I can help behind the scenes? Xavier is a good teacher and I know I lot more stuff than I did earlier today–"

I was cut off from my rant when Damon kissed me deeply. All thoughts left my head as I pulled him closer, running my hands through his hair. Damon's hands grabbed my hips and pulled me closer to him, making my body go haywire.

"You are so damn amazing," Damon growled against my lips and my knees buckled. I tugged on the ends of his hair, making Damon create a sound that made me want to jump him. I slowly hiked my leg around his waist to get more contact, forgetting that people were in the area.

"Sounds less like cooking and more like making out in there!" Xavier shouted, interrupting our kiss. I flushed in embarrassment and Damon growled, pulling back to glare at his friend. I licked my lips, trying to steady by breathing.

Before Damon could take a step closer to Xavier, I grabbed his arm, blinking rapidly to get my brain to function again.

"All right, tiger, let's make some dinner! We can finish that another time." Feeling brave, I gave him a saucy wink, causing a choking sound from Damon.

"Woman, you are going to kill me."