Give and Take
Disclaimer: Don't own anything of Wolf's.
Another piece inspired by "Rapture" - this time in two parts.
It was times like these that she'd go to her fathers for advice.
Connie Rubirosa looked up from her bible to the clock on the bookshelf. He'd be home by now, she thought as she reached for her cell phone, dialing a familiar number. Sure, she had it on speed-dial, however, taking the time to push the digits one at a time bought her time to organize her thoughts, ponder the wording of her questions.
"Hola, Papi," she said after his familiar voice sounded at the other end.
For the next hour or so, Connie discussed the concerns she had, whether what she was about to do was indeed wise if not possibly reckless and more importantly, to seek out the advice of one of the men she trusted above all else in manners such as this.
By the time the conversation ended, Connie had her answer.
Saying one last prayer for courage, she slipped the small piece of paper inside her bible, then went to bed.
---
Talking with the reverend, it wasn't difficult to notice Michael Cutter's unease in terms of finding that delicate balance to get their key witness to explain what happened.
Connie gestured for the bible in the other man's hand, found the passage she made note of and read it aloud. As she read that passage, trying to put the other man's mind at ease that no one knew the mind of God, Connie gave a prayer of thanks as another passage gave her courage, regarding how words would be provided in times of need accordingly.
After a momentary silence, Connie asked the reverend what he did in troubling times like this. Holding a hand out to him, she pushed away the thoughts of worry away, hoping he'd see it as a gesture of support, a gesture of understanding, giving him…something.
Without thinking about it, she held a hand out towards Michael as well. While they never had occasion to discuss personal beliefs about religion - unless the jokes about Michael being a practicing member of the pathetic excuse of a cult were serious - Connie never really gave it a thought about what, if anything, her partner believed in.
It surprised and delighted her that Mike took her hand.
-
He didn't know whether or not what he was about to do was ethical or not, and for the moment he didn't care.
Michael Cutter took both of their hands and… He didn't know. Whether or not he was merely someone holding hands to 'complete a prayer circle' or whether he was taking a chance in 'saying' a prayer, he wasn't entirely sure.
Sure, he'd skated close to trouble numerous times - 'persuading' an individual to do what was needed by feigning participation in 'Systemotics,' one time, using guilt based in another person's religion another. Yet, somehow, this time…
Taking a chance of not seeking a definitive answer right away, he bent his head down and joined them, hoping for serenity in the silence.
While he'd give his partner the benefit of the doubt anytime, anywhere, Michael never gave in to the curiosity of learning more about Connie's personal life. After all, he'd taken great pains in keeping his past to himself, outside of his professional life, of course.
Give and take, he told himself, finding strength and courage in the hand he held.