Author's Note:
I have been waiting awhile now for Broadchurch to be available to post a fic. This was orginaly meant as a one shot but due to popular demand on Tumblr and AO3 it is going have a few more chapters. I am uncertain how long this will end up being or where I am really going with this. Each chapter is just kind of little drabbles I come up with from time to time.
After the Danny Latimer case had been closed, Hardy had kept in touch with Miller. Usually just through texts but sometimes they met for coffee, well she had coffee. He usually just sat there being grumpy and hating everything. He had a lot to be bitter about in his opinion. He hadn't expected life to be fair, it never was but a little fucking slack every once in awhile would have been nice. He sighed at his thoughts and shifted in the uncomfortable chair at the cafe, while he waited impatiently. He glanced at his watch. Late. That was unusual for the Detective Sergeant. Don't get anxious. It would make his weak heart beat faster and inevitably cause pain. His distracting thoughts were pushed aside once Miller took the seat opposite of him. He managed the faintest of smiles. "How are Tom and Fred?"
Ellie matched the small smile. "Good. Well, as good as can be expected. Tom is doing better. Acting out less anyway. Fred is to young to know what is going on, thank God." She refrained from telling him that Tom cried himself to sleep every night. It made her heart break every time and she felt rather helpless about it.
"That's good. And you? Still having nightmares?" Hardy shifted in the chair once more. God, he hated this chair. The cafe. This town. This bloody town. Why had he stayed here? Was this really where he wanted to die? He still refused the surgery and it was just a matter of time before his heart failed him completely. He knew why he had stayed but it wasn't something he would admit to anyone, least of all to himself.
"I'm doing better. I don't have nightmares all the time anymore." Ellie shrugged a bit. The truth was she hadn't been sleeping. It was the only way to stop the nightmares. She needed to get the focus off her. Change the subject. "Still being a stubborn idiot and refusing the surgery?" She thanked the waiter that had brought her coffee and muffin. She managed another smile as she watched Hardy scowl at the scone placed in front of him.
"Miller, every time you order me a scone and every time I don't eat it." Hardy pushed the plate away from him. "And how many times do I have to tell you? I am not having the surgery." Why should he? He didn't have anything to live for anymore, assuming he lived through surgery to begin with. He just didn't see the point. He had noticed the bags under her eyes and he used that to his advantage so he wouldn't have to talk about himself anymore. "You aren't sleeping."
Ellie sighed. "Can't you be a normal person for once? Simply say 'thank you' and eat?" She shook her head disapprovingly, but the smile still tugged at the corner of her lips. She drank her coffee quietly for a moment, deciding to ignore the last comment made at her altogether. "You aren't a Detective Inspector anymore, why do you still wear a suit all the time?"
Hardy had noted the deflection of conversation right away and he was supposed to be the 'stubborn idiot'? He glanced down to what he wore. "What? I don't wear a tie anymore." It was habit really, to wear it. It just seemed weird not to. He shrugged and shifted again. He could never get comfortable in these damn chairs. How people sat here for hours was beyond him.
Well, this conversation certainly wasn't going far. Their coffee visits had always been short but Ellie had wished for more. She wanted to beg Hardy to get that damn surgery. Tell the stupid man to at least try before giving up. Why was he so impossibly stubborn? Why was she being stubborn and not telling Hardy she needed him. Maybe that was selfish of her, but she didn't have anyone else right now. Everyone else looked at her with pity and she didn't want that.
Hardy raised his eyebrows, it was obvious Miller was thinking about something. But what? He could hazard a few guesses but the inner workings of woman's mind wasn't something he really understood. Should he say something? Just leave? Leaving would probably be fore the best. At least then he would be able to get out of the damn chair. "Good to see you again Miller. Same time next week?"
Was Hardy saying something? Ellie took a moment to focus on the words spoken to her. "Alec, wait." She put her cup of coffee down and reached out a hand and placed it on his arm lightly.
Alec? That was new. Miller had never called him that before. Was something wrong? Hardy raised his eyebrows inquisitively. "Is everything all right?"
Ellie took a deep breath. "Nothing. Never mind. Same time next week would be fine. I'll see you then." She didn't bother finishing her coffee and the muffin had gone untouched. She stood up from her chair and made a brisk escape.
Confusion etched his features. Should he chase after her? Something was upsetting her, that much was clear. Was it something he said? He was certain he wasn't anymore of an asshole than he usually was. Hardy sighed and got out of the damnable chair and followed Miller to her car. "Ellie, wait."
"Don't call me that." Ellie turned around to face Hardy, pressing him back into her car. She kissed him on the lips. It was rough, needy, and desperate. Exactly what she was feeling lately. She just needed to feel something else for a change. She pulled away, breathing a little heavily. "Just get the damn surgery," she grumbled before she got in her car and left.
Everything had happened so fast, Hardy was still trying to process it all even after it had ended. Miller had just kissed him and he'd had enough wits to move out of the way when he heard the sound of the engine starting. He stared after the car, long after it was out of sight. Right. Maybe he should get the pace maker after all. He wouldn't like it. He would hate it, just like everything else. Except for Ellie, she was all right. Sometimes one thing could bring about the biggest changes.