Chickie and Ben walked up the ramp of the police station together on a warm Monday morning. It was her first day back and Ben was having a little trouble keeping up with her quick pace. He was wearing his own backpack and carrying hers too.
"Can I please have my bag back? I don't want everyone else getting the idea I'm fragile." She said in a harsh tone but still wore a smile.
"That would probably be a good idea considering your arm is still in a sling." He told her.
"You always have to point out the details don't you Sherman?" They laughed. They made their way to the elevator with plenty of welcomes to Chickie. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek when she got to the women's changing room.
"Are you sure you aren't going to need any help changing?" He asked.
"Ben, it's a button down shirt and pants. Its not rocket science." She squeezed his hand and walked in. She would never admit it to him but it was a little trickier than she thought it was going to be. But she still managed to get the daily briefing on time after setting up her desk and she sat next to Langley.
"Long time no see." Langley told her and gave her a gentle hug.
"It's great to see you Langley. Who have you been paired up with lately?" She asked.
"Johnson usually or Clark sometimes." Lt. Myers walked in and handed out the daily report. He went through the usually housekeeping and briefed them about a robber who was targeting older males. He made eye contact with Chickie and smiled.
"And of course everyone is glad to see Officer Brown back. I know we are all frustrated we didn't get who hurt her and risked 3 other officers' lives. But I'm confident one day we will nail the bastards. Everyone show her support because we all could imagine how much seven months of desk duty sucks." There were a mix of groans and laughs. "Okay everyone you're dismissed. Brown, Sherman please stay in here." Langley gave her a sympathetic look and walked away with the others. Ben came up behind Chickie and put his hand on her shoulder. They had known this was coming, and that Myers had been kind to wait until she was stronger to have this talk. But it didn't really make it any easier.
"Give it to us straight." Ben told him.
"Okay, here is the situation. I had to pull a lot of favors because I don't think that separating you two is what is best for this division or this city. But if there is ever a situation when either of you cross the line one of you will have to be transferred. A transfer will also happen if I get any serious complaints about there being to much public affection in the station."
"Thank you for doing this for us Lt. We would never see each other if we got transferred." Chickie told him and shook his hand.
"Don't make me regret it." He smiled. Ben and Chickie left the conference room, and let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank god that is over." Ben said.
"Yeah, and now I have this to get through." Chickie said and nodded at her desk. He gave her hand a squeeze and they walked over to the desk. She saw the look of pride when he saw the pictures on her new desk. One was of her and Kyle posing with their surfboards. Another was of her and Ben with his arm draped around her, and the last was the sonogram of the baby.
"I'll try to bring you some lunch okay?" He told her as he saw John signaling they needed to leave.
"Be safe." She told his as he walked away.