Good Intentions
Everyone was gathered in the office. Dorn had just congratulated them for successfully solving another case. It was also Christmas Eve, and everyone was talking about their plans for the holidays. They were also exchanging gifts. The team had grown close over the year, some closer than others.
"What are your plans for the holidays?" Luke asked Arabela.
"Lorraine and I are heading to Rotterdam to visit my family." She answered. "What about you, Luke?" She asked. He just shrugged.
"I'm going to head back to England to visit some people." He replied. Things had gotten much better between them since the incident at the bar. Arabela had recently introduced Lorraine to the team. Luke looked across the room and noticed that Ellie and Sebastian were deep into a conversation. "Sebastian and Ellie, are they?" Luke asked not knowing how to word it. Arabela nodded.
"If they aren't together already, I'm sure it will happen very soon." She answered. It was obvious to everyone on the team how those two felt about each other. They were still professional in the workplace. Sebastian saw them looking towards him and headed their way. He let them know that everyone was gathering around the table. Ellie placed a cake on the table and began cutting everyone a piece. Carine baked cookies for everyone. She placed the dish in the middle of the table so everyone could help themselves to the cookies.
"These are very good." Dorn stated as he placed another cookie on his plate. Carine smiled at hearing this.
"I second that!" Marco added as he grabbed another cookie as well.
"I'm glad you like them." Carine replied. She couldn't help but smile at him. She and Marco had grown closer since the team reassembled. "So, what are you doing for the holidays?" She asked. Marco shrugged, not really knowing how to answer her question. She knew he didn't have family to go visit since his wife left him shortly before he joined the team. Carine wanted to make sure he wasn't alone because she knew the feeling all too well.
"I don't really know what I'm doing." Marco answered truthfully. Hearing this made her sad. "I do know I'm going to the bar and having a drink or two after I leave here though." He added. He knew the others would probably be going too. He was about to ask Carine if she wanted to join him, but he ended up not going through with it. He wanted to get to know her better, but he thought she would decline his offer. She rarely joined them when they would gather after work. He also didn't want to come across as too pushy or seem like he was prying.
"Do you mind if I join you?" Carine asked taking him completely by surprise. Little did he know that she wanted to get to know him better as well.
"Not at all!" Marco replied happily hoping he didn't give himself away. He also needed to go back home to get her gift. He had given all of his coworkers something, but he got her a little something extra. Unknowingly to him she had something for him as well. "I have to stop by my house to get something first. Do you want to follow me there, it's not too far from work?" He asked. He was going to see is she wanted to ride with him. She nodded.
They were about to leave so they went and grabbed their coats. Just as they were making their way out Dorn stopped them to chat for a few minutes. He told them to have a great break as well, and that they deserved it. Just as they were about to walk out, Dorn stopped Marco before he could walk out.
"Constante, may I speak with you for a moment." Dorn said pulling Marco aside and motioning for him to follow him to his office. He motioned for Carine to go ahead without him. She nodded and made her way out. Marco walked into the office.
"What is it, Sir?" Marco asked. Michel nodded spoke up.
"Your intentions with Inspector Strand." Dorn spoke. "I don't know what they are, nor am I going to ask. I just ask that you don't hurt her." He added.
"Sir, I would never." Marco protested.
"I'm not saying you would, Constante." The older man replied. "I just don't want to see her hurt again." Dorn spoke.
"Again?" Marco asked. Michel looked up at him with a frown.
"She's been through a lot for someone her age." Dorn explained. "I asked her to help with a case about four years ago, and she hasn't left since. I have gotten to know her over time. She may seem cold distant, or even hash, but she means well." He added reminiscing the past few years.
"What happened?" Marco asked. The older man shook his head.
"It is not my place to say." Michel said. "She will tell you on her own time. She seems to be opening up to you." He added. Marco nodded.
"She told me about an incident that happened when she was younger." Marco explained. Dorn nodded he knew too.
"That's only a small fraction of the terrible things that have happened." Dorn emphasized just how much Carine has been through. Marco looked at his watch and started to walk out.
"Anything else I should know, Sir?" Marco asked. The older man shook his head. With that Marco walked out of the room. It seemed like everyone on the team, including himself had things that they kept to themselves. Michel Dorn knew about all of them, and helped them all through tough times at one point or another.
Marco made his way out of the door. He spotted Carine waiting by the elevators. He assumed that she would have gone to her car. She gave him a small smile as he approached her.
"What did Dorn want?" She asked breaking the silence. Marco shrugged. He had to come up with something believable quickly. He couldn't just tell her what Dorn had told him.
"He just wanted to tell me to enjoy the holidays and to stay positive." Marco lied hoping she bought it. Fortunately she did.
"He's right, you know." Carine agreed. "Never give up hope. Sometimes I have to remind him of that as well." She added remembering when Michel had fussed her for how she got Marco to stay on the team. She really didn't have malicious intentions at all when she gave him the offer. She believed that there was still hope of him finding his sister. She wasn't going to give up on him, and would help him out even if the others gave up.