Title: You're My Ride
Rating: T for some language
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or ideas from The Killing. It's all just for fun.
Summary: Linden and Holder spend a lot of time together, and yet, there's a lot that isn't said.
Spoilers: This chapter only spoils season 1, ep 1
Chapter 1
DAY 1
Sarah Linden was in her office when someone bumped into the doorframe on their way in.
She looks up. "Uh, who are… can I help you?"
"Yeah, this is my office," said a scruffy, nervous looking man.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Holder, from County. Are you Linden?"
"Yeah, I'm Linden."
"I thought you'd be outta here by now. But I mean if you need more time I can wait outside…"
"No that's OK. No no no, come on in. I'm almost done."
Holder accidentally knocks Linden's box off the desk as he sets down his own. She jumps up to get it.
"I got it!"
"My bad. So, I hear you're moving to LA."
"San Francisco area."
"Oakland?"
"Sonoma."
"That's nice." Holder is trying to make conversation.
"Yep." Linden isn't make it easy for him.
"Nice weather, ocean, beaches… I hate that shit!"
"You must love this place then."
In the middle of this slightly awkward conversation, Lt. Oakes arrives with an assignment for Linden. "We got a call down at Discovery Park. Check it out."
"On my last day? My flight's tonight." Linden is not amused.
"You're still on the city's dime. You can hand it off end of shift, six o'clock. Go on, do your job. And take him. Show him how to work a scene."
"I know how to work a scene," Holder assures her after Oakes has left the room.
"Grab a box. We'll take my car. Over there."
They leave the office together, for the first time. But not the last. This is only the beginning.
Holder
First day! It may sound dumb, but I'm excited. I'm in the big time. Homicide. OK, it wasn't my original destination, but I'm here. And yeah, it's because I kinda – no, make that majorly – fucked up… but whatever, it's gonna be great. A new beginning and all that shit. It sounds corny, even in my head, but I can't help but feel like whether I wanted it or not, it's the new start I needed.
Another chance. A chance to show everyone that I can do it. That I'm not just a piece of shit tweak head, like they all seem to think I am. Do I deserve that label? Shit, maybe I do. I dunno, I mean yeah, I totally fucked up. Cops aren't supposed to end up getting addicted themselves. I deserved to be booted from Narcotics. No one to blame but myself. I did it, and now I'm going to take the consequences and come back from it. I just… damn, it's hard. I dunno. But I'm here now, and it's all good. Six months clean. One day at a time.
This Linden chick? I mean everyone's a critic and all, but damn… I already feel like I can't do nothing right with her, and I just met her. But she's on the way out, so I guess it don't matter. If she were sticking around, I'm sure I could bring her around. I mean come on, what's not to like?
Linden
Last day. I still can't believe it, that I'm leaving all this. But it's gonna be a good change. Healthy. I've been waiting a long time for a chance like this. Stability. I can admit that I have a tendency to get a little too involved in the cases that I work. OK, that may be an understatement… And especially the ones involving kids. When there's kids involved in homicide cases, it's just so unfair. Adults do such stupid things, and it hurts the kids so badly. Having something like that in your past, that can scar you for your entire life! And I know about scars…
Living in Sonoma with Rick and Jack is going to be such a relief. It really is all for the best. Will I miss it? The job? People keep asking me that lately. Well, I guess so. I mean, I've lived and breathed this job for years now. And I'm really good at it, or so they tell me… And of course I've never lived anywhere else. But there's so many ghosts here for me, so many unpleasant memories… no, it'll definitely be good to get away.
So this Holder guy that's replacing me? Really? WOW! I mean, I'm sure – wait, I'm not actually sure, come to think of it – but he may be a decent enough guy, he just seems totally incompetent. Like, he's already worked as a cop, so why does he seem so clueless? It doesn't surprise me that he came from Narcotics, he certainly looks the part. More like a junkie. He must've fit in really well undercover… except, then why is he here?
It's not my problem, though. I'm glad I'm not going to be here to have to deal with him. I feel sorry for whoever ends up as his partner. The guy is a MESS!
Nope, I'm headed in the right direction… away from all of this. Away from my messy past. Seattle. Really. I am. In a few short hours, Sonoma, and my new life, here I come.
