AN: Thank you to those that reviewed and are continuing to read.
Summary: Mick and Laurel finally figure out what Ava's deal with Sara is.
Chapter 7
Mick returned from the doctors appointment hours later ready to save his partner from any further torture that Gary's driving was no doubt inflicting. "Hey Army, how did it go with Gary," he asked doing his best to ignore Ava's death glare.
Ava groaned. "I'm still nauseous from his driving, have you ever ridden with him," she laughed. "I guess I should've told you not to let him drive." Gary was a terrible driver, it was worse than getting on a roller coaster after a three course meal. "He's the absolute worst." He laughed."A bit late now big guy." She playfully punched his shoulder."By the way, Sara mentioned the call in Harmony Falls, you two okay," he asked, all humor forgotten. He hated that he hadn't been there. Sara hadn't gone into much detail and with the mood she'd been in, he hadn't pressed for more information. He figured he'd just ask his partner when he got back to got nervous for a few second, she was sure that Officer Lance had told him about their talk, or lack thereof. "Yeah we're fine, our patient has been living with an abusive husband for years. I understand why she finally snapped, the situation wasn't ideal, but I'm glad she'll be getting the help she needs. Officer Lance seems determined to make sure she's taken care of." Despite what she thought of the officer, it was evident she cared about the citizens and went above and beyond to take care of them.
Sara had been on edge when he'd talked to her, he was finally starting to understand why. In the time he'd known her he'd learned it was better to let her talk in her own time. "Explains Sara's mood, she doesn't like for women to suffer at the hands of men." He quoted a phrase he'd heard her say numerous times. "Your victim has the best person fighting for her. I feel for the husband though, Sara's going to make sure the book is thrown at him. She was calling Laurel to make sure everything she had on him so far would stick in court." From what Sara had told him, they'd talk to the judge and hope for leniency for Gail's actions. Her lawyer was going to plead her actions as a cause of emotional distress. Seeing as the city would not be filing gun charges against her, it would be anything the victim's husband and his lawyer would bring up in order to discredit her that they had to watch out for.
Ava relaxed, it seemed Officer Lance hadn't told him about their conversation which surprised her. She really needed to start giving the cop more credit. She was continuously surprising her. "Good, you should've seen the fear in her eyes. He deserves whatever he gets." She shook her head sadly. "Ugh, how was the doctor's appointment," she asked, changing the subject to something less heavy.
"It went well." He didn't share further. "If we're not busy later, Laurel wants us to meet her for dinner."
"Yeah sure, that sounds good. Besides, it's Gary's turn to cook and frankly, after putting up with his driving, I don't want to eat anything he makes. Just thinking about it is making me sick to my stomach." She groaned.
"I'll let her know." He squeezed her shoulder and walked away to call his wife.
"Ava." Laurel hugged her. She liked Mick's partner a lot. She could hold her own and she trusted her to have Mick's back on tough calls.
"Hey Laurel." Ava returned the hug.
The trio sat down and ordered their food, making sure to order something that wouldn't take long and would reheat nicely. They were used to meal times always getting interrupted.
"Thanks for agreeing to meet for dinner, I hate that he works forty-eights, though the four days off are nice." Mick still had another thirty six hours left in his shift so she appreciated any time she got to spend with him.
"Of course. It's nice getting out of the station for something other than a call. And, I really don't want to eat whatever Gary is making." She cringed remembering her time spent with the young firefighter.
Laurel knew all about Gary, she'd almost felt bad for leaving Ava with him while Mick had accompanied her to her appointment. Almost. "I'm glad you survived his driving."
"Really Mick." Ava gave him a disbelieving look. "Even Laurel knows about how terrible of a driver Gary is." She was still mad at him for not giving her the heads up.
Mick let out a 'whoops' and wiggled his eyebrows, taking a sip of his drink.
Laurel took the conversation over not wanting her husband to get himself into more trouble with his partner. "Speaking of Gary, Sara said a victim of a domestic pulled a gun on you guys earlier, you and Gary okay." She'd been concerned for Mick's partner. She was glad her husband had not been there but she'd also been disappointed because he'd have taken care of Ava much better than Gary could had the situation been more dire. She didn't dislike Gary, from everything Mick had told her, he was just young and inexperienced.
Ava tensed for a second. Sure Sara hadn't told Mick, but she was sure she would've told Laurel, they were sisters after all.
"Wait what happened," she asked. "I thought you said everyone was okay." She directed her second statement at Mick, smacking his arm.
"Ow, what did I do." He moved his chair away from her.
"That look, what's that look for," she asked Ava. "What is Sara not telling us." Her sister had a tendency of leaving out the really scary stuff. She didn't like worrying her even though most of her cases came through her office and also, people talked.
"Nothing, nothing happened with the call, we are all okay, honestly." Ava reassured her.
"So then what is it and don't you dare say nothing Ava Sharpe, I know you well enough by now." Laurel warned with her index finger pointed at Ava.
"She seriously didn't tell you," Ava asked. When both Laurel and Mick shook their heads Ava shrunk in the booth. She discarded her napkin on the table losing her appetite. "If she didn't hate me before, she definitely hates me now."
"Why is that," Laurel asked. She wished Ava would just spit it out.
"Well, instead of thanking her for saving my ass, I may have called her reckless." She whispered the last bit and cringed waiting for the sister's reaction.
Laurel groaned. "Oh boy." She let out a long breath.
That was not a good sign. "I fucked up, I know." She'd seen the brief look of hurt in her eyes before turning away but at the time she hadn't cared. She'd just wanted to put distance between herself and the cop. She should've said thank you and left it alone, things weren't great but they were bearable. She was sure she'd made things a hundred times more difficult than they needed to be.
"You have no idea." Laurel was not very encouraging. Her sister had sounded off earlier and had refused to say why. Now she knew exactly why.
"Babe." Mick nudged her. She was not helping.
"Sorry," Laurel apologized. "It's not as bad as you think. Sara is one of the most forgiving people you'll ever meet but you have to know she is far from reckless. She calculates all her options before making decisions. It's why she's such a good cop, why all the officers trust her, why they like working with her."
Mick nodded in agreeance with his wife. "Wait, is that what your issue with her is," Mick asked, he was annoyed at himself for only now figuring it out. "You thought she was reckless." At Ava's nod Mick continued. "Why do you think we have so many medical standbys for her calls."
"Because she has a tendency of chasing after criminals and tackling them." She reminded him of the first description of the officer he'd given her.
"I guess I should've gone into more details on why she chases and tackles." Mick sighed, turns out Ava hadn't taken his talking Sara up as he'd intended, he should've done a better job in describing her. "I told you Sara had a one hundred percent catch rate when people ran, but that is only when she chases. She's had so many people run that she didn't follow. She only chases when the threat to property and life of the citizens outweighs the risk of her own safety."
The dread in the pit of her stomach worsened. She'd really misjudged the blonde. She closed her eyes and let out a big sigh. "So I royally fucked up then." Ava wanted to kick herself. She wasn't sure she could ever look the blonde in the eye again.
"Nothing that can't be fixed." Mick assured her. He wished he'd known this sooner, so much could've been avoided.
"Yeah right." She was sure any chance she had of salvaging her relationship with the cop was out the window after the domestic.
"Mick is right, why don't you come over for Christmas dinner. What better day to make things right." Laurel really liked Ava and she wanted her to get along with her sister. From everything Mick had told her about his partner, and the time she'd spent with her, she'd agreed, she and Sara would be great for each other. Even if it was only as friends.
Ava shook her head. There was no way Officer Lance would want her around, not after the way she'd behaved towards her. "Not that I blame her, your sister won't want me there. Besides, I don't want to intrude on your family time."
"Nonsense, you're not intruding, we have a few cops, firefighters and dispatchers that join us every year and as far as Sara is concerned, you let me deal with her. I'll let her know you're coming." Laurel was not going to take no for an answer. Now that they knew what the problem was, they could work on repairing the damage.
Ava was about to argue but Laurel wouldn't have it. "You're coming, that's final."
Ava sighed. "If she says no, you let it go. It won't hurt my feelings, I've been kind of an asshole to her."
"She won't say no." Laurel assured her.
Ava sighed. "If she does."
"She won't." Laurel would make sure of that
"Okay fine, god you're bossy."
Mick laughed, he was glad Ava had finally seen it for herself. He'd tried to tell Ava but she hadn't believed him, she'd said Laurel was too sweet to be the bossy person he was describing.
"What are you laughing at." Laurel narrowed her eyes at her husband.
"Nothing dollface." He kissed the top of her head while winking at Ava. Both their pagers went off a few seconds later. "Saved by the bell," he joked. "Sorry honey." He gave her a quick kiss, leaving money on the table. "I'll call you tonight, love you."
Laurel nodded. She was accustomed to Mick leaving in the middle of a meal. "I love you too Micky, stay safe and you." She looked at Ava. "I'll see you Christmas day." She didn't leave room for argument.
"Yes Ma'am." She gave her a mock salute. She would do better, she promised herself. She'd give Sara a chance, that is if Sara wanted anything to do with her after everything.
AN: A whole lot of Sara and Ava from now on!
