Walking slowly down the sterile corridor, Molly reached her father. She swallowed hard and put on her best smile. "Your turn Dad. Please don't be too harsh on him." She said gently touching his arm. Hicks nodded and hugged her.
"Yeah, you okay?"
"Uh huh, just glad he is alright." She answered as she stepped away and hit the button on the elevators. As the doors closed, she watched her father walk towards his room. She looked at her feet and turned up her mouth. She wasn't proud of how she had just acted with Jim, considering his injuries. But she couldn't turn off how she felt right now either. Her head spun in a heavy fog until Rockers voice snapped her out of it. She hadn't really even noticed that the doors had opened, and she had stepped out.
"Hey, how you doing Molly?"
"I'm, I'm okay." She smiled softly. For a while Molly hung out with 50 David waiting for her father to come back. When Hicks returned, he walked to her and held both her shoulders.
"Do you want to stay and see him again after the team?"
"No, it's okay. Visiting hours will almost be over and he needs his rest." She answered. "I just wanna go home and sleep too." As Hicks drove Molly home, he noted how quiet she was. She sat staring out the window for most of the ride and barely said two words. As he pulled into her garage, he looked at her.
"You know Jim is stronger and more determined than you might think Molly."
She closed her eyes and tilted her head. "Yeah, I know Dad." She answered. Hicks was still assuming her mood was because of how scared she was. He had no idea that the real reason was because his daughter had seen Chris with Jim and was beginning to question everything about her relationship.
Molly didn't sleep much at all that night. She tossed and turned as visions of Jim and Chris ran through her head. She picked up her phone a few times and opened it to type him a message, but then decided not to.
As the next day passed, 20 David hadn't been by to see him yet. Hicks had them on Pullbrooks tail for the last 26 hours, pretty much since rescuing Buck. When they had finally caught him, they were all so exhausted that they had agreed to leave a visit until the next day. Chris had sent a text to Street after they arrested Pullbrook. She wanted him to know that they had gotten him and that he was no longer a problem. Street had text her back, with a generic 'Thank you. I appreciate it. You guys rock!' and Chris had left it at that. She knew she needed to keep her distance and deep down so did he.
Molly had taken a few days off work to spend time with Street. She stopped by each day to see him and bring him things, trying to be a good girlfriend. She was doing her best just to focus on being positive and happy around him. If she was being honest though, it was so hard feeling like she did about the man she was slowly falling for, and she couldn't help but feel that deep down she shouldn't be letting herself fall for him. Molly was aware of the wall she was slowly putting up between them, and Jim had begun to feel the distance between them too.
Later that night, he sat on his bed thinking about the weirdness he was sensing with Molly. He couldn't work out why. Was she just scared? Was she having doubts? He knew he needed to talk to her but each time she came by the moment never felt right. He opened his phone and began typing.
'Hey you, I just wanna make sure that you are okay, that we are okay? It's just that it has felt a little awkward almost lately and…' he sat looking at the words and then hit 'discard'. Having that conversation via text was not the best idea if he wanted things between them to work out.
20 David had arranged to visit him the next day as it was their day off. Molly had arrived a bit earlier just before noon and bought him something nice from the café for lunch. She had just sat down next to him when the door opened. "Hey hey, you two lovebirds." Hondo said gliding in with a smile. "How is our handsome young patient this morning?"
Street couldn't help but laugh. "Ow, oh. It hurts to laugh," he chuckled. "But it's so good to see you, Boss."
"Enough with the Boss bit, how are you kid?" He asked, approaching the bed and patting Street's leg.
"I'm better. Feeling stronger each day. Doc thinks I can go home by the end of the week." He said hopefully.
"Now that's what I like to hear," Hondo nodded looking at Molly.
"I'll um, give you two some time to chat." She smiled walking to the door before neither Hondo nor Street could stop her.
"She okay?" Hondo asked with a frown looking back at Street.
"Um, yeah, I think this has really shaken her though." Street answered.
Molly walked down the hall and stared at the elevators in front of her. She needed some air. As the doors opened, she stepped inside, folded her arms and leant on the back wall. The tension between her and Street was beginning to take its toll. She wondered how much longer she could keep holding up the disguise of supportive girlfriend, when all she felt was upset, angry and hurt. As the chime dinged and the doors opened, she stepped out into the lobby to be met by Tan just coming down the stairs.
"Hi Molly," he called, waving at her, "How are you? How's Jim?" Molly was caught a little off guard. She already felt a little suffocated. Having to put on another act right now was killing her.
"Hey, he is um, okay. Laughing it up with Hondo right now." She answered, raising her eyebrows in a knowing nod.
"I'm just grabbing the team some coffees, want one?"
"Oh, I was just on my way there myself." She answered.
"Perfect," Tan smiled and walked with her to the café. They made polite small talk as they ordered and waited. Soon with trays in hand they both headed back to the elevators. "Hey, I know the team would love to see you." Tan said encouraging Molly to come and say hi. She winced a little inside at the thought. She didn't want to sit around making small talk with 20 David if Chris was in there. But she couldn't argue without looking rude and raising eyebrows.
As they walked into the waiting room Luca stood up and hugged her, taking the coffee tray and patting the chair next to him for her to sit. "Come on, tell us how he is doing?" Molly inhaled and walked to the chair. She had mentally noted Chris was sitting at the end of the room on her phone. Deacon and Luca began questioning Molly immediately about Street. As she began to answer their questions, she noticed Chris stand up and move closer.
"So, yeah, he isn't too bad. Just sore and needs to be pushed or persuaded gently to eat and rest,I think he is worried about how long the recovery might take."
Chris frowned hearing those words. It hurt knowing that he was struggling with it all and maybe even a bit scared and that she couldn't really be there for him, that wasn't her place. As she approached the chairs she smiled gently,
"Hi, how are you doing?" Chris asked as she took a seat one chair away from Molly.
Molly slowly sucked in a breath and tried her best to just be polite. "Hi, I am okay." She answered quietly not looking at her, slightly turning her body back towards Luca. Molly hated that she felt like this. Was she just being petty? She didn't want to talk to Chris right now. The feeling inside her made her feel almost a little sick.
"Thanks guys, I better get these back to Hondo and Jim," Molly said standing up and taking her tray of coffees. "We won't be long and you all can go in and say hi." She added looking up but avoided looking at Chris. Chris had noted Molly's iciness towards her but wasn't entirely sure why. She wondered if Jim had said something.
Soon, Hondo returned and told them all they could go in together and that he had to head out but would see them again next shift. Tan, Deac and Luca stood up walking towards the door. Chris held back, she hesitated a bit. Seeing him and Molly, together, she wasn't sure she wanted to go in there. But before she could argue or find a reason to slip away Deac had slid his arm reassuringly around her shoulders guiding her along with the rest of the team.
"Street will be excited to see you. I bet he is missing you." Deacon said softly as they walked along.
"Yeah," she exhaled with a nervous smile.
The guys entered the room and there was a chorus of loud hellos and laughter. Chris hung back, behind them. As Street smiled and greeted them all he noticed her apprehensively leaning on the empty bed. He wondered why she of all people was not smiling, hugging him and saying how happy she was that he was okay. Then he caught a glimpse of her glancing sideways at Molly and shifting uncomfortably looking at the floor. He briefly closed his eyes as he realised it was his fault that she felt like that right now. If he hadn't told her he was going to tell Molly everything, if he hadn't said all of that stuff on the basketball court that night. 'Shit I've made a mess of this' he thought. He peered between Deacon and Luca as they joked and laughed.
"Hey Chris," he said quietly with a small smile.
"Hi," she answered, gesturing her hand and giving him a nod. She could feel Molly's eyes on her, and she felt ridiculously uncomfortable right now.
There was a knock at the door and the nurse popped her head in to take the empty food trays. She seemed a little overwhelmed by so many people at first.
"Hi all, I'm nurse Jackie."
"Hi, I'm David, this is Victor, Luca and Chris, we are teammates of Jim's." Deacon said motioning for her to continue whatever she needed to do.
"Oh Christina, Nice to see you again." She smiled at Chris as she picked up the empty food trays and stepped to the bin to empty the rubbish.
"You know Jackie?" Asked Luca frowning at Chris.
"Oh, no, Christina was here to see Jim when he came out of surgery. I remember the name from the next of kin form."
Chris closed her eyes and felt a wave of regret sweep over her. She didn't want Street or Molly to know about that.
"Oh right!" Luca nodded.
Chris saw Street frown questioningly at her. He didn't remember her coming, He thought this was the first time she had been by. Then he realised he must have still been sedated when she came, as the only visitors he remembered having when he woke up were Molly, Hicks and 50 David.
Chris could feel the look Molly shot her, it was as cold as ice, and then Molly turned away to look out the window. Chris knew she was upset. She hated feeling like she was coming between them.
"Sorry about that, I'm all done." Jackie nodded politely, "I'll get out of your way now."
"Don't be silly," Deac said smiling at her. "We should be thanking you for taking such good care of Jim for us. The nurse smiled and exited the room.
Deacon, Tan and Luca went on talking about Pullbrook and telling Street how the arrest went down. Chris listened and fidgeted a bit. Occasionally smiling and nodding in agreeance to what the guys were telling him.
"Oh, and," Tan laughed "you should have seen the way Chris tackled him to the ground and had him in cuffs before any of us could reach her." He said turning and pointing at Chris.
Chris had put all that she had into making sure they arrested Pullbrook the night before. She felt the need for vengeance after seeing what he did to Street. And yes, she had absolutely been a bad ass during that mission to arrest him. But listening to the guys play it all out like that made her uncomfortable. Especially with Molly eyeing her over there and the vibe she was giving off.
"Yeah, he didn't stand a chance, you were a complete bad ass, weren't you?" Luca said, patting Chris's back and nudging her.
"Yeah, if you say so." She answered nervously, chuckling. Molly's eyes were almost piercing on her.
"Thanks guys. I mean it, thank you all for having my six and being there. It really means a lot." Street said looking at them all and noticing Chris squirming a little. They hung about and talked for a bit before Molly's phone rang. She stepped out to take the call and reappeared shortly after, to tell Jim she would be right back. She needed to take something down to her father.
As Tan, Luca and Deacon continued talking shop with Street, Chris decided she needed to make her exit before Molly returned.
"Look, I um need to get going guys, I have an early appointment tomorrow, so, um, really glad you're feeling better Street." She smiled, patting his lower leg as she began to move to the door. Street was a little confused. He didn't know why she was acting strange like that too, it seemed like something had happened with both Molly and Chris and he had no idea how to fix either when he was stuck in this damn hospital bed surrounded by visitors.
"I'll um stop by again another time. Bye."
And just like that she was out the door, down the stairs and making her way out into the parking lot heading for her truck. She had almost reached it when a familiar voice called her name.
Molly had been saying goodbye to her father when she saw Chris striding across the parking lot. She had to take that opportunity with Chris alone to talk to her. To ask her about what she saw.
"Chris!"
Chris closed her eyes and felt a wave of fear sweep over her. But she put on her best smile and turned around.
"Molly?" Chris managed.
"Sorry, I uh, I know you are on your way out, I just," Molly looked down and kicked at her feet. Chris knew something was bothering her and sighed,
"Is this about Jim?" Chris asked, "I kind of got the vibe back there that I had done something to upset you."
Molly nodded and slowly looked back at her.
"I thought so." Chris tilted her head and looked at the sky. "Are you upset that Hondo sent me to see him? That I saw him before you did? Because I didn't plan that. I just came into the hospital a different way and when I told nurse Jackie who I was, and who I was here for, she swept me into the room before I knew what was happening. I didn't mean to upset you."
"Yeah, no, I ah," Molly interrupted waving her hand. She couldn't work out why she was so nervous about asking Chris this. Maybe it was because deep down she felt like she already knew the answer. But then Molly remembered why she felt so sick and twisted inside. She had to know. Had to know for sure if there was actually something between these two and if she was just in the way.
"I just want to be upfront here, and wow, this seemed easier in my head." Molly looked about for a second as Chris just stood looking at her. Not sure what to say. She could see that this was making Molly just as uncomfortable as she was. "Well, ok, look I know you and Jim are close, and that you have been for a long time before I arrived in this picture. I respect your friendship, and I know that you have done a lot for him. But I um, I needed to clear the air and ask you something, woman to woman, because right now I kind of feel like an idiot."
Chris scrunched her eyebrows and licked her lips. She could feel her hands beginning to shake and she was dreading the next question to come out of Molly's mouth. "Okay?"
Molly inhaled. 'Here goes' she thought. Once she asked Chris this, she couldn't take it back and would have to face the ramifications. "I just want a straight and honest answer, because I feel like I have walked right into the middle of something, and that I am in the way and shouldn't be here."
Chris frowned as Molly continued. "Ok for starters, why are you his next of kin? I mean I probably should ask him that, but what am I missing in this picture?"
Chris blinked slowly choosing her words, "Molly, I um, I am assuming that he listed me as his next of kin around the same time that we became close friends. He had no one else. His mother isn't exactly reliable or around and the hospital would have pulled up his LAPD file and gotten that information. I am sure Jim would now happily change that to your name,"
"Yeah ok, but," Molly interrupted, looking at Chris like Chris had missed the point. "The night Jim was shot. I ah, I saw you in his room. I heard you talking to him. I shouldn't have stopped and listened. I know it was a private conversation, but I." Molly inhaled and slowly looked back up to Chris, "I have always been insecure about you and him. Especially after I found out he was spending so much time with you when you were at Luca's and he was kind of hiding it from me. I guess, what I am saying is, I need to know if you have feelings for him Chris? You know, romantic feelings?" Molly was a strong and independent woman, but Chris would swear she looked as if she was going to cry.
Chris closed her eyes and looked down. What the hell should she do now? She hadn't even really, honestly admitted this all to herself yet, not the full extent of how deep and big her feelings for Jim actually were. She knew way deep down that she did love him, that thought had crossed her mind a few times, but she wasn't quite ready to unveil that right now, not to Jim and definitely not to Molly. Jim was in a relationship. One that she had all but pushed him into after shutting him out. She couldn't just flip a switch and go to him now to tell him that she had changed her mind and wanted to do all of that with him. She had had that chance, and she chose to put both of their careers and her relationship with Ty and Kira before him. She couldn't just forget all those barriers. She wasn't going to stand here either and tell Molly that she was in love with her boyfriend. That wasn't fair. But she couldn't lie about it either.
Chris knew she only had herself to blame. She shouldn't have said some of what she did that night to him. She was just so scared of losing him, of never again getting the chance to tell him that she cared. That she had just let some of it all out. She knew Jim didn't know or remember but to her that hadn't mattered. How the fuck though now, does she answer Molly without lying.
"Molly, I am sorry." She began looking back up at her. "I see why you are upset, and I won't lie to you. I meant what I said to him. Jim is important to me, and I do need him in my life. But my role in his life and his role in mine is just as close friends." She saw Molly look away and shake her head like she didn't believe what she heard. Chris took a step closer. "You need to understand that I will not ever come between you and Jim like that. I promise you that. I respect you guys too much for that to ever be an issue."
She watched Molly purse her lips and cross her arms defensively, as she continued.
"Look, I have a few times now, steered him back onto the right path in his life and I wouldn't go and screw up the amazing guy he is becoming for anything. I know that Jim wants this with you Molly. I know he wants to make it work. He has told me how happy you make him and that he is ready for all of that. Please don't worry about me ever being an issue in your relationship." Chris tried her best to answer without lying.
As Molly went to speak again, they heard familiar voices.
"Hey you two, how's Jim?" It was Stevens and Benny walking up behind them.
"Hey guys," Chris smiled.
"Hi, he is, um, upstairs with Deacon, Luca and Tan." Molly answered.
"Ok, we bought him some, DONUTS," Benny laughed holding up a large white box as Chris's phone began to ring.
"Sorry, I um, I actually have to go." Chris said pointing to her phone, she looked at Molly, "I meant what I said." Molly pursed her lips and nodded.
"Bye guys." She called climbing into her truck. Stevens put his arm around Molly's shoulders with a wave to Chris. Chris watched them walk back towards the building as she started her truck and reversed out.
She was thankful deep down that she had found a way to get out of there. She knew Molly probably wanted to say more, but Chris needed time. As she drove her head was a mess. She saw a sign for drive through coffee, so she pulled in. Sitting there tapping the wheel with her thumbs as she waited in line, she wondered if Molly had spoken about any of this with Jim, or would she? She wondered if that was why Street had looked at her weird a few times. Chris hated herself right now. As she paid and took the coffee, steering out back onto the road she told herself that she wouldn't go by and visit again. She needed to stay away. Needed to give them both time and distance.
As the sun began to set in Streets room, the last of his visitors began to leave and he smiled at Molly.
"You okay? You seem really quiet?" He patted the bed next to him for her to sit.
"Yeah." She shook her head dismissively. "I am just tired; it's been a big day. I am gonna head home too." Molly began gathering her bag and putting on her coat.
"Hey, wait. Come here." Street sat up and reached out for her. Molly dropped her shoulders and wandered over to him. She stood in front of him as he reached up and brushed her hair back behind her ear.
"I know this has all been a lot to deal with Molly, and I am sorry for putting you through this." He began. She chewed her lip and looked at the floor. "If there is more to how your feeling though please tell me, I hate seeing you like this, you feel so distant and I know something is wrong." Molly inhaled and slowly drew her gaze up to his.
"I'm sorry Jim. I don't want to be like that, yes this scared the hell out of me. I was obviously terrified you wouldn't make it. I just," She looked away out the window. "I just am really tired and exhausted and need a good night's sleep."
Street nodded and rubbed his hands up and down her arms. "Okay, I understand. But please talk to me Molly. I don't want you to pull away from me." She looked at him and could see that he meant what he said. She contemplated bringing up Chris, and her conversation with her for a split second, but didn't have the strength right now to go down that road.
"I'll be back in the morning." Molly leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Goodnight Jim."
He reached up and held her face. Slowly bringing her lips to his. "I am sorry Molly." He slowly let her go and whispered, "Night Molly," as she stood up and headed out.
Street sat on his bed thinking. The room had gotten dark. The only light came from the hall. He hadn't even noticed though. He was so deep in thought about Molly and what was going on. He was trying to piece together what on earth could have happened to make Molly so distant and cold. His thoughts led him to Chris. And why was she acting so weird? What had happened? He suddenly remembered how nurse Jackie had mentioned that Chris had been by when he came out of surgery. He wondered if something had happened then that had led Molly and Chris to both being like this now? Had Chris said or done something that upset Molly? Or had Molly said or done something to upset Chris?
'Oh shit! he thought to himself, 'the next of kin thing'. He closed his eyes and grimaced. He was sure that had something to do with Molly's mood. He sighed and looked at his phone. Should he call her and explain. 'Jesus, what a mess,' he muttered.