The two headed back to Chaotix H.Q., where they found Vector leaning in his chair, eyes closed and wiping his fist with a cloth. (Y/N) thought she saw a tinge of red on the clearly white fabric, and she stood behind the purple chameleon cautiously.

"Did you find anything?" Espio asked, walking over and sitting in front of the desk.

"The cat is pretty stubborn, but I found out a little bit. What about you?" The crocodile opened his eyes, staring at the other, "Did you find Charmy?"

"If we did, he'd be here right now."

"Tsk..."

The (a/t) watched as Espio shook his head, before leaning forward, "But we do have a lead. We checked the surveillance of the restaurant, it was (Y/N)'s idea actually."

Vector glanced at the quiet (a/t), before letting out a huff and facing Espio again. (Y/N) could see he was still mad at her, and her ears lowered again.

"We managed to access the computer system and we found the number plate of the car. We just need to track it now." The purple chameleon continued, "Charmy will be alright Vector."

"That's up for debate." The crocodile stated, leaning back in his chair, "One of the things I found out. They took him as bait, or compensation for us snooping around in their business. They'll free him if we let the cat go and we keep our noses to ourselves."

"Are you suggesting we give up on this mystery?" Espio leant forward, leaning on his hands, "You know we won't get paid."

"Pssh, if we don't get paid for going through with it to start with, then we'll know who the real crook is." (Y/N) flinched back as the large Mobian sent her a glare.

"Vector." The purple chameleon stood straight, "We have a lead. We do not need to run with our tails between our legs. That's not the Chaotix way. (Y/N) has come here looking for help, we can't turn our backs on her."

"Charmy's life is in danger because of this." Vector stood as well, "If he gets hurt, or worse, it will be our fault."

"It's no one's fault. Whether (Y/N) saved us or not, he still would have been taken. The only difference is that she wasn't, and we can use her to help us get him back and solve this case." Espio turned back to her, "She recognised the person that grabbed him, we can use that."

(Y/N) stood frozen, not sure what to do or say. How had Espio known she knew the brown cat? Did she say something, or maybe pull a face that gave it away?

"Oh really... Do tell." The crocodile turned his gaze back to the (a/t), "Who grabbed Charmy, and why?"

"I-I..." She took a step back, "I don't kn-know..."

"So you don't know who they are? Or you don't know why?"

"D-Don't know... Wh-Why..."

Vector let out a huff, resting his hands on his stomach, "But you do know them. Can you get in contact with them?"

"I... I think I can..." She pulled out her phone, "But I can't guarantee.."

"Trying is better than not." Espio nodded, "Vector and I will keep talking, I suggest going outside for the call."

The (a/t) nodded, before making her way into the cool day. Her heart was beating in her chest, and she gripped the phone tightly. Would he even answer her? Did he know she was there?

There was only one way to find out, wasn't there?

The phone was ringing against her ear, one ring, two, three; you took a deep breath. There was no answer, it went to voicemail. Should she try again?

Of course she should. Vector was still mad at her, if she gave up easily there would be no way he'd ever forgive her. A child's life was in danger. She'd call as many times as she needed to, even if the cat didn't answer.

Even still, she was worried. What would she say if he answered? He was best friends with her brother, and he didn't seem worried or concerned in the camera feed when he kidnapped Charmy. Was he in on her brother's disappearance?

The only reason she had his number was if something bad happened to her or her brother. And something had. He should answer.

She knew what she was going to say.

The phone rang again, although this time (Y/N) was determined to speak to him, not frightened. The call rang out, no answer again. So she tried again.

The more calls that went unanswered, the more determined to talk to him the (a/t) became, that was until her phone died. She blinked, staring at the dark screen. It felt warm in her hands, and she realised she had stayed out until it had gotten dark.

Why hadn't he answered?

He must know she's with the detectives.

"(Y/N)?" The front door opened and Espio stepped out, "I take it he didn't answer."

She shook her head, her ears drooping.

"That's okay, you gave it your best." He opened the door more for her, "Come back inside, it's getting colder outside."

She nodded and walked past him, before holding her phone up, "Can I charge this somewhere...? I-It died..."

"I should have a charger in my room." The chameleon nodded.

"Your phone died?" Vector looked up from his desk, before letting out a sigh, "At least you tried... Thank you..."

(Y/N) blinked at him, before smiling and nodding; she followed Espio out of the main room and down a hall. It was old looking, dusty and lined with wood planks. A few photo frame hung on the walls, and the light was dim, but enough for the (a/t) to see.

One of the photos caught her attention; it was of the Chaotix, Vector and Charmy were laughing at a cream-covered Espio. Charmy was holding a pie tin in his hands and Vector held a cherry, which (Y/N) could only assumed ended up on the chameleon's horned nose. She let out a little giggle at the image.

Espio stopped at a deep purple door, glancing back at her, "That was a few weeks back. Charmy thought it would be funny to prank me while I meditated."

"He's very lively." She nodded, her cheeks turned red when she realised he caught her giggling and she lowered her head, "I see why Vector is so upset..."

"He isn't that mad now. Not at you anyway. I talked him out of it, made him see reason." He opened the door, before disappearing into the dark room, "I told him that if you hadn't left Charmy's side, you would have most likely been taken too, and that wouldn't have helped us at all."

"I see... Thank you..." The (a/t) waited out in the hallway silently as the other looked around for a phone charger. She turned her (e/c) eyes back onto the other photos. Some were of the Chaotix with other people; a blue hedgehog, a yellow fox, red echidna. It looks like they have a lot of friends.

She let out a sigh, taking in the memories on paper and her ears started to drop again. Staring at these photos made her feel as she had in the restaurant. She just wanted a family again...

"I also got more information out of Vector. He learnt about the organisation the grey cat is with, they handle illegal goods all across Mobius, but that's about it. Whatever your brother has done to make them target him... Well, it's not looking good for anyone." Espio walked out of the room, a white cord in hand, "I don't know your thoughts on your brother, but if you think he's at all innocent in this mess, I hate to say this but he most certainly isn't."

"I know." (Y/N) said quietly, her gaze never left the photos, "I just... Didn't think this would happen..."

The chameleon watched her, before tilting his head, "You're upset again. You were like this at the restaurant as well. I'd been meaning to ask, but I didn't want to cross any lines. Are you okay?"

She shook her head, before facing him and giving a small smile, "Yeah, we're still working on this case so I'm alright. As soon as my phone is charged, I'll try to call that guy again."

Espio watched her, before nodding and walking back out into the office, "While we wait, would you like to talk to the grey cat? He's still in our... 'Interrogation' room, as I'll call it for now. He might be more willing to talk to the person who is related to all this."

"I will." She nodded again, "But... I-I don't know how good I'll be at..."

"Don't worry, he's tied to a chair, he won't hurt you."

"Talking..."

"Oh, right. I can help you then if you want."

(Y/N) turned to him, before nodding. A look of determination appeared on her face, it made the chameleon almost smile, "Okay, let's do it then."