Thomas leaned against the wall beside the double doors of the precinct, the same spot he'd found himself in for the past decade. The hum of the early morning hustle surrounded him – officers chatting, phones ringing, the occasional shuffle of paperwork. His eyes, a deep blue that contrasted sharply with the tired lines beneath them, lazily scanned the entrance. A yawn escaped him, barely stifled by the back of his hand.

Today was different. Today, he had the job of welcoming the newest addition to the detective team. A rookie fresh out of the academy. Thomas had been around long enough to remember what that felt like – the mix of nerves and excitement, the eager anticipation of what lay ahead. He was curious to meet Molly Shein, the young detective he'd been assigned to guide.

He spotted her the moment she walked through the doors, her steps a touch hesitant but her eyes bright and alert. She was younger than he remembered feeling at twenty-one, with a calm warmth that seemed to radiate from her. Her chocolate-brown hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, and she wore the standard-issue suit that was a tad too stiff, a clear indication of its newness.

"Hey there," Thomas greeted, pushing himself off the wall with an easy grace. His lazy grin spread across his face, and he could see her startle slightly at his sudden appearance. "You must be Molly."