A thunderclap of Childish Gambino and raucous laughter stormed into the cool darkness of the driveway. Cedric was telling that story again, Neal deduced. He was elated he had chosen the ideal moment to step outside of Terrence and Mika’s Halloween houseparty. Cedric’s stories were not only endless but often inspired more stories and photos. Neal shivered despite his tartan Ulster cape. Pipe in his teeth, Neal shrank deeper into the shadows of the driveway to observe.

The back door opened and closed. Escaping from the cacophony, a figure in red slipped down the stairs and into the darkness. Her mini dress made the staircase challenging Hand to her ear adjusting her earpiece, Nora stepped boldy into where she thought no man had gone before. She nearly collided with Neal. With a quick manuever, Nora narrowly avoided impact. Neal straighten his deerstalker cap.

“Sorry,” Nora said with an uncomfortable laugh. “Shields up."

“Greeting my dear lady. The fair sex is not my department but you are welcome here, Lietutenant. I was just…” Neal said and paused to best describe what he’s leaning against his friend’s Honda Fit instead of enjoying the festivities.

“You are just hiding from all your friends and your friends’ friends and their significant others whose names you always almost remember so you have to nodded and miss what they are saying because of thinking of the name because honestly you didn’t really want to come to Terrence and Mika’s but you felt bad about always passing on get together because you think if you spend too much time alone you’ll stay inside your head too much with your racing thoughts,” Nora said.

“Then you remember twenty minutes deep into all small talk and soggy appetizers that your racing thoughts come with you always and inside your head your mind palace is your number one favorite place to be,” Neal said smiling.

“Well the mind is the final frontier.”

Her smile beamed. He was drawn in. Neal used his deduction reasoning to determine a high probiability of talking to someone interesting.

"Sherlock, Sherlock Holmes at your service.”

He extended a hand. Nora shook his warm hand. Their eyes locked then she put her hand on her hip

":Uhura, comms are clea slueth. Proceed.”