TItle: Hold tight
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one
pairing: Jared/Michaela

"I'd ask but the smile on your face tells the whole story."Ben Stone commented with a grin as Michaela entered the kitchen a half hour later. "I'm happy for you, sis."

"Doesn't seem real."Michaela said as she sat poured coffee into a travel mug. "I'm afraid Lourdes might make this ugly. Not that I blame her...we didn't want her hurt but..."

"There's always a consequence when marriages end."Ben responded softly as he reached out to touch his sister's right shoulder. "You two found your way back to each other; hold on to that."

Michaela set the coffee pot back in it's spot and placed the mug on the counter. Then she engulfed her brother in a hug that earned a startled laugh .

"What was that for?"Ben asked as he stepped back.

"For being an awesome brother."Michaela replied with a smile as she put the lid on the travel mug and walked to grab her jacket from the back of a kitchen chair. "But if you repeat that I'll deny saying it."

Ben walked over and hugged Michaela briefly.

"You're a pretty awesome sister too."Ben said quietly. "Think you'll be home for dinner?"

"No idea."Michaela said as she shrugged into her jacket. "I'll text you. Have a good day."

"You too."Ben replied as Michaela left.


"I thought we had something good." Lourdes Vasquez commented sadly as she stood near the living room window.

"We did."Jared affirmed as he sat on the sofa. "I tried to put Michaela in the past."

Lourdes turned to look out the window her arms folded over her chest. Her husband was right he had tried to move on. She'd seen it. She'd also noticed the little things. The small touches he used to do for her had stopped. Packing her lunch when he did his. Remembering her favorite coffee and buying it on his trip to the grocery store. A bottle of her favorite perfume on her dresser as a gift for no reason. She blinked hard to keep the tears away. As much as she'd seen this coming. As much as it was an impossible situation it didn't make the reality hurt any less.

"Did you ever love me?"Lourdes asked her voice catching. "Or was I just second best?"

"You were never second best."Jared replied quickly as she stood and joined her by the window."You were my wife; I loved you."

Past tense. Lourdes's heart squeezed and her throat constricted painfully. Her marriage was done. Lourdes stepped back from her husband barely able to meet his gaze. She knew if she stayed there any longer she'd be overwhelmed by tears.

"I'm going to stay at my sister's until I get a place of my own."Lourdes stated surprised her voice was stronger.

Before Jared could reply Lourdes walked quickly and headed upstairs to the bedroom.


Jared winced as the bedroom door slammed shut with enough force to rattle the living room window. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. Things could've gone worse with that conversation but it'd still been painful.

After a long moment Jared gathered himself He picked up his jacket and took the car keys from the right pocket. Moving to the front door Jared glanced up the stairs. Half of him hated himself for hurting a wonderful woman. The other part was looking forward to his future with Michaela. The one that'd been on hold for five long years. Squaring his shoulders Jared opened the front door and left.

In the locker room at the police station Michaela sat on a bench. She was staring down at her cell phone rereading the text from Jared.

"Conversation with Lourdes went as well as could be expected. She's upset, but I don't think she'll fight the divorce. See you soon."

Michaela felt a weight lift off her shoulders as she replied back and then put her phone away. She'd been worried about her ex-friend's reaction. Well Michaela only assumed their friendship was done but she couldn't imagine it could survive this. If she was in Lourdes's shoes, and had been to a certain point, Michaela wasn't sure she'd be forgiving enough to let the friendship live.

'Heed the path.'

Michaela jumped nearly dropping her travel mug. She shook her head in bemusement. One would think she would've gotten used to the callings by now. They still surprised her. A brunette female uniformed officer stepped into the locker room.

"Detective Stone?"The young woman began. "Captain's looking for you."

"On my way."Michaela replied with a forced smile.

Michaela quickly left the locker room. As she walked to the captain's office she tried to figure out what this calling meant.