Disclaimer: I do not own Broadchurch. I merely walk around with a fake accent, claiming to be Alec Hardy. Not the same thing.
Spoilers: Spoilers for seasons 1 and 2.
Warnings: A few curse words. If you've seen the show (which you have seen at least one episode if you are reading this), then you already know this and are mature enough.
"Where to, then, sir?" asked the cab driver as his passenger stood beside the open door.
Hardy frowned, staring off into the near distance, though not quite at anything at the same time. Where do I go? He wondered. He wanted to be closer to his daughter, sure. But even if I am closer to her in location, will we ever trulybe close again?
Hardy let out one of his bone-weary sighs. Not the I-am-dying-and-need-to-go-to-a-hospital-but-refuse-to sighs. More like a what-the-bloody-Hell-do-I-do sighs.
He had helped solve two murder cases, catching the ones responsible for the early deaths of children. Had he brought the families peace? He didn't know. He hoped so.
But now, when it came down to it, he had no clue where he could go and be at peace. He had said earlier, that when it came down to it, everyone would end up alone. Miller later told him that it did not have to be that way.
As Hardy stared at the sky, illuminated by the glowing sun, he could not help but wonder if it was possible; if one day he could find someone again, someone who would never leave him.
But you have, he thought, picturing Ellie Miller's face as she told him goodbye and shook his hand. She never left you, not really. And now, you're the one planning on leaving.
Miller, who was the first face he saw when he woke up in the hospital after his surgery. Miller, who agreed to help him figure out the Sandbrook case. Miller, who was the first friendly face in town; who invited him to dinner; who invited him into her home.
Miller, who was alone now; a single mother of two with a husband who had betrayed her. She was in great pain. She needed someone.
And here was he, leaving the only friend he had anymore.
The cabby was starting to get annoyed. He peered back at Hardy. "Hello? Sir? Where is it you want to go?"
Hardy pursed his lips.
Where did he want to go?
Such a simple question. If he thought about it, the answer had been there the entire time; he just had not noticed it until now.
He wanted to be with the sand and the sea; he wanted to be with the bloody smiley bloody people. He wanted to be in Broadchurch.
"I want to go home," replied Hardy, closing the door to the cab. "I want to stay home."
A/N: I don't know where Hardy goes at the end of season 2 yet. He might stay in Broadchurch, like in this fanfiction, or he might leave. I don't know at this very moment. Since season 3 is on BBC tonight, I get to find out! Yay! Can't wait. If you have not seen it yet, look it up so that you can find out as well.
Also, one last thing: If you liked this story and you would like to see more (maybe a one-shot featuring a different character at the end of season 1 or 2, or maybe you would like me to turn this one-shot into a multi-chapter story), review or send me a private message (PM) and I will do so.
Thank you, all!