Playing by the Rules
A/N: I've always been intrigued by the character of Chris. He comes off as so put together and polished but we know that behind it all is a tumultuous past. I remember the writers saying that this season he evolves a bit and I can't wait to see what triggers it. I think we saw a glimpse of the new Chris when he lied to the phone company and used Jerry's name to get the phone records in 301. The look that Sam and Jerry exchanged was like "whaattt? Did Diaz just do that?". Anyways, this might be a one shot or a story. I haven't fully mapped it out yet.
Follow the rules. Do what's right. Because if you don't there will be consequences. This is a lesson that Chris Diaz learned well. He probably learned it before he learned to walk. You wake up at night, you stay in your crib crying till you fall back asleep. You don't eat your pureed yams you sit there in your highchair until you do. As he got older the punishments became more severe. All reinforcing the same concept. He hoped and prayed for a way out. Maybe dad his would come back and everything will be alright. But that never happened.
Eventually, he resigned himself to simply do as told. Don't question authority. Follow the rules. And a lot of times it did make life easier. He was well liked, trustworthy, and noble. Became the town hero when he led them to the football championships. Had a beautiful girlfriend who adored him and admired his loyalty. Got good enough grades to get a college scholarship if he wanted. Then he moved to the city to be a a cop, to help people, and everything turned to hell.
It's the big city he reasoned. It uses and abuses you then spits you out for the wolves to eat. People in the city are cruel. They don't value the rules. Don't see how much easier it would be if they could all just be genuine and actually give a damn. Instead, everyone runs around trying to find a way to one up the rest. "I'll show them" he thought. "I'll be the good guy, I'll follow the rules, and I'll be the best cop this city has ever seen. I'll prove to everyone that the good guys can come up on top"
That was his resolve. Well, at least until he fell for Gail. She brought out another side of him. Made him a little edgy. Made him relinquish control and live in the moment. He liked it while it lasted. And when it ended it was like a kick in the gut. Not because he lost the girl he loved but because once again it was proof that the good guys don't come out on top.
"It's my fault" he reasoned. Decided to turn a new leaf. To start volunteering with the church group he'd sent the bullied kid to. Figured running into the priest was a sign from God telling him he'd started to stray again and that it was time to shape up. It helped. He was happy. He got his life back on track. Got everything he'd ever wanted. Until now.
Now, Chris Diaz had to make a choice. Keep living by the rules. Keep being the good guy—the good cop and risk losing it all. Or bend the rules and save the life he worked so hard to put together.