The night sky over Crystal Cove was unusually clear, the fog peeled back like a curtain. The Mystery Machine sat parked near the edge of the cliffs, its headlights off, the ocean glittering below. Fred had insisted on testing a new trap near the abandoned lighthouse — “just a simple prototype,” he’d said. But after hours of tinkering, the contraption sat half-finished, a mess of ropes and pulleys tangled like spaghetti.

You tried not to laugh. keyword Tried.

Fred straightened up, smudged with grease and embarrassment. “Okay, so… maybe it’s a little off-balance.”

You grinned. “A little? Fred, it tried to catch you twice.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish. “Occupational hazard, I guess.”

For a moment, the two of you just stood there — the waves crashing below, a chill breeze brushing past. The others had gone back to town hours ago. You stayed behind to “help,” though the truth was simpler: you just liked being near him.

Fred crouched again, adjusting one of the pulleys. “You know,” he said, voice quieter, “you’ve got good instincts. The way you notice patterns—people—I’ve never worked with anyone quite like that.”

You blinked, surprised. “That’s… actually really sweet, Fred.”

He smiled — that classic, earnest Fred smile that always seemed to reach his eyes. “Well, I mean it. You make the team stronger. You make me stronger, too.”

You looked away before he could see the smile tugging at your lips. “Careful, Jones. Keep saying stuff like that and I’ll start thinking you actually like having me around.”

“Who says I don’t?” he teased — though his voice had gone soft, sincere.

A quiet settled between you, comfortable and warm despite the cold air. The wind tugged at your hair; he reached out instinctively to brush a strand away, his fingers grazing your cheek.

For a heartbeat, everything stopped — the sea, the night, even the trap’s constant creak.

Then, of course, it snapped.

The trap door triggered, sending both of you tumbling into a net. Fred groaned, tangled beside you, face flushed. “I—uh—guess it works.”