The Girl with the Blue Violin
This is what happens when you watch a Law & Order marathon along with the first episode of The Killing on Netflix. Rate, review & enjoy! Xoxoxoxo
I do not own Fifty Shades or any of the characters. All rights belong to E.L. James
Chapter 1 APOV
Katherine Kavanagh was persistent. She had been bugging me for weeks to come and visit Seattle.
"Ana, it'll be good for you. You need to come here and relax and decompress. You can't just bottle up your emotions"
Bottling up my emotions. Is that what I was doing? I thought I was just trying to survive.
"Kate, I'm fine, really. And besides, I have a ton of paperwork that I've pushed off too long. I'm practically drowning over here"
That part was true. The huge stack of paperwork sitting on my desk had been taunting me for weeks and it was about time that I handled it before Captain Jennings noticed and chewed me out for it.
"Ana, you can't keep using work as an excuse. I mean it; I want you to come out here for a week or two. Elliot's been dying to meet you!"
Elliot was Kate's newest boyfriend. They had been together for five months already and seemed pretty serious. Kate's never been one to tie herself down but she's been practically attached to Elliot these past few weeks.
"We can go to the Space Needle and I can show around Pike Market. Oh Ana, you'll love it! Just come and visit, please!"
I can hear the desperation in her voice. If I don't give in now, she'll just bring it up until I agree. Seeing no way out of this, I concede. I guess I'm going to Seattle.
"Fine Kate, I'll come. But only for a week and ONLY after I'll tackle this pile of paperwork on my desk."
"Yay! I can't wait. How long do you think it'll take for you to finish?" Jeez, this girl doesn't know when to quit.
"I should be finished by the end of the week, assuming nobody interrupts me and nobody dies or gets kidnapped" I reply, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Now, now no need to get testy" I can almost visualize Kate sitting on the phone with a cheeky grin on her face. "If you want I'll keep all text and phone calls to a minimum. That way I'll be one less distraction"
I had to admit, it was a good compromise. And Kate was one of my biggest distractions at work. Between her calling to spill on the latest details of her love life, or tagging me in different threads on Facebook, it was a miracle I was able to be somewhat productive at my job.
Daniel was my other distraction. But he's not around anymore so now I actually have to do my work. A wave of sadness hits me. Don't go there Steele. I just have to take things one day at a time.
After finally agreeing to Kate's demands, and promising her at least five times that I will book a flight by the end of the week, I make my way to Captain Jennings' office. He's on the phone but puts his hand up to let me know he'll be with me in a minute.
"Yea alright, we'll I gotta go sweetheart. Detective Steele needs to speak with me." He must be talking to his wife, Margot. I haven't spoken to her since everything happened. I miss her.
"Yes dear I'll make sure to pick up dinner". He jokingly rolls his eyes. "Okay honey; I'll make sure to tell her…Love you too, bye". He hangs up and looks to me.
Nathaniel Jennings was on the surface, a very intimidating man. He was tall and built. Even in his ripe age of 57, the man was in top physical shape. He played college football for a bit before enlisting to serve in Vietnam. When he returned, he had a new found thirst for justice and enrolled in police academy. His dedication and professionalism along with his attention to detail were what allowed him to swiftly move up in the ranks. And today he was the Chief Officer of the Special Victims Unit in New York.
To me, he was just dear old Uncle Nate…but only outside of the office.
"Margot says hello, and she wants you to call her" he says.
"I'll make sure to call her when I get in tonight. She still giving you trouble about working too much?"
Jennings rubs his hands over his face repeatedly. I'll take that as a yes.
"I've been doing this for thirty years and she still doesn't get it." I can see the frustration written on his face.
"Maybe this is her way of asking for more time with you. Surprise her with a getaway. She'll like it".
He nods his head in agreement while looking off into the distance. I can almost see the gears in his head moving as he tries to think of something to do for her. Finally he looks up at me.
"How may I be of assistance detective?" He leans back in his chair and regards me with a warm grin.
Captain Jennings was probably a ladies man in his prime. To be honest, he's still sort of a ladies man now. All the women in the office cling to him, hanging on every word he says, and although he's faithful to his wife, he still lets his ego get him in trouble sometimes.
It was hard to deny that the man was attractive. He had hazel, almost green eyes that could captivate anyone who looked into them. His hair, once jet black, now had flecks of grey that gave him a somewhat distinguished look. There were age lines around his mouth and eyes, but his smile was still as warm and still as dazzling as it was when he was in his 20's.
"How may I be of assistance detective?" He leans back in his chair.
"I need you to approve my vacation request. I'm flying to Seattle next week to visit a friend".
His face lights up. "You? Going on vacation? I never thought I'd see the day."
"Yea well my friends a persistent one and you told me I should take some time off"
He gets out of his chair and walks over to me, taking my request form out of my hands. He quickly scans over it.
"A week, Steele?" He stares at me with his brow raised.
"Now you and I both know that when I said take some time off, I meant more than a week"
"Captain, with all due respect, I think a week is all I can muster at this point". I try to keep a straight face, but nothing gets passed Uncle Nate.
"Look Ana, we all know how much Daniel meant to you. We could all see how in love you guys were. But this," He points at me, "This isn't healthy. You're a ticking time bomb and anybody could see it. Take a few weeks off. Grieve. It's alright to feel vulnerable. Stop trying to bottle it up."
"Everyone keeps telling me that sir, but I'm scared that if I let go, I'll never be able to build myself back up". My voice is barely a whisper. I look down at feet to conceal my face.
I've never been so upfront with my thoughts. But with Uncle Nate, I can't hide. Daniel's death destroyed me and if I allow myself to fall apart, then I'm not sure I'll be able to piece myself together.
"Ana" he says softly. He tilts my face up by my chin, gazing into my eyes. "If you are anything like your father, then I know you'll get through this. Remember, Steele in name and spirit." He gives me a sad smile and I feel my eyes start to water. He walks back behind his desk.
"Now, I'm going to approve this request on the condition, that you take three weeks off instead of one. And I don't want you calling anybody here trying to get them to send you any work. I know how you operate". He looks at me pointedly after sitting back down.
I wipe the few tears that have fallen and nod my head. "Got it, sir".
"Good, now go take care of that paperwork on your desk. Another day more and I'll have to throttle you for it" he says, effectively dismissing me. I nod my head fervently and head back to my desk.
I told you he would notice.