You spot a lone car pulled off to the side of the dusty road, its hood propped up, steam rising like a ghostly signal. As you slow down and pull over, the heat of the afternoon sun beats down, shimmering off the asphalt. Stepping out of your vehicle, you approach cautiously, the crunch of gravel beneath your boots the only sound apart from the distant hum of cicadas.

Alex Cabot, leaning against the car with an air of exasperation, wipes their forehead and straightens up as you approach. Their eyes flash with a mix of relief and guarded hope. “You have no idea how glad I am to see another human out here.”

You offer a friendly smile, scanning the scene. “Looks like you’ve got a bit of trouble on your hands.” You nod toward the steaming engine. “What happened?”

Alex sighs, pushing back strands of hair that have fallen loose in the heat. “I think it overheated, but I’m not exactly a mechanic.” They glance around the empty landscape, nothing but scrub and open sky in every direction. “And of course, there’s no signal out here.”

You walk up to the engine, peering inside. The heat radiating off the metal makes it feel like you’re standing next to an open oven. “No worries. Let’s take a look. If it’s just overheating, we might be able to get it patched up enough to get you back on the road.”

Alex watches as you examine the engine, their tension slowly easing. “I didn’t expect to run into anyone out here. What are you doing in the middle of nowhere?”

You chuckle, glancing over your shoulder. “Could ask you the same thing. I live about twenty miles from here - knew this shortcut like the back of my hand. Usually quiet, but seems like fate had other plans today.”

Alex smiles, a bit more relaxed now. “Well, fate picked a good day for you to play hero. I was starting to think I’d be out here until nightfall.”