16 – Sixteenth chapter – Caught – Jim

Jim

Song : Keane – Somewhere only we know

Chris and I have been together for 9 months! I could believe it and I had to repeat this sentence in my head at least a hundred of times. One year ago, we were at odds because of a kiss which was just the results of our feelings. One year later, we were almost living together and in a relationship.

Each day, I measured the chance I had to share my personal and professional life with such a strong woman. Of course, we sometimes fought.. It was such a natural thing for couples! But I knew we were stronger as ever.

I don't know when we were caught. All I knew now was that we had a decision to make. But let's go back to the start. I was sure we were discovered in the locker room. Even if we had been really careful since we had started to see each other, sometimes we needed to be closer in the locker room. Chris often came after everyone was gone to kiss or hug me or to tell me she was glad I was in her life (I was sure it was her way to tell me "I love you"). And we remained together alone for a moment. The problem was I never knew how much time we spent there because time fled where we were together.

Tonight, Chris and I were sitting in her coach and we were speechless. We had known for ever that this moment would come. But now it was there, it was hard to react. She took my hand and held it strongly. I could feel all the love she had for me by the strength she had in her tiny hand.

Yet, the evening was going well. Work was harsh today but we managed to finish not so late so we went to our favorite pizza restaurant and ordered our favorite pizza. We were already acted like an old couple but I didn't care because as long as I could remember I had never been happier. As soon as we got home, We changed into our pajamas and lay down on the sofa to watch a movie while eating pizza. It might not have been the most glamorous evening but for me, it was the most perfect ever. But it was before someone knocked at the door.

Chris went to open the door and I hid in the bedroom. It was the way we did for months and it always worked. I heard Tan's voice. What was he doing here? When we left the headquarters earlier, he told "see you tomorrow". So why was he here in Chris' apartment? I remained hidden in the dark for minutes until Chris went and asked me to get out of the room. I didn't understand. What was she doing? We were supposed to stay hidden. And that was at that moment I understood: Tan understood everything.

I entered the living room abashed. How had this happened? We were so careful! We sat on the coach. Tan was facing us. As neither Chris neither I were talking, Tan started.

"Guys… I didn't want to hurt you… Believe me when I'm very happy for you. I was rooted for you two since Street came into the team. I have also known you were sharing a special connection. It was so obvious since the moment you met. Despite the arguments and the disagreements, nothing could go against your connection… And I don't want to be the one who…"

Chris was the first to talk. She was strong, she was brave. She looked at Tan in the eyes and asked him how and when he had figured out. I could see the tears in her eyes.

"I… I saw you after shift a few days ago… I had to go back to the locker room because I had forgotten my keys and… I heard giggles… So I checked and you were there… You were hugging…And kissing… And hugging again. I took my keys and left the room… When I was home, I talked with Bonnie. She knew I was hiding something from her. I was way too quiet… And then I told her everything. I made her promise not to tell anything…"

Chris kept looking at him in the eyes but I was still looking at the floor. I took her hand. I needed her force to look up. I looked at Tan. He smiled at me.

« I am sorry if I scare you but Bonnie helped me to understand that once you find the good person, you have to fight for her".

He stared and then winked at me. I immediately knew he knew how much I cared for Chris, that she was my everything.

"I don't want to force you to do anything And I won't say a word to Hondo or anyone in the team about you. But if you want to build something solid, something long and stable, you'll have to tell him and to confront the fact that working together in the same unit is impossible".

Chris pressed my hand harder. I knew that it was her worst nightmare. We both knew one day, we'd have to tell our hierarchy that we were together. This day would also mean the end of us as teammates. We couldn't have the cake and eat it. The time of the choice had come…

Tan got up and went to the door. I went after him and stopped him as he was going down the stairs.

"Tan, wait"

He came back to me. He smiled. He was like my brother, I felt like I could tell him anything.

"Hey bro, I'm very happy for you. Chris and you were meant to be. I was rooted for you since the beginning. But I'd rather tell you… Because one day or the others, you could have been caught by someone else who will have reported everything to Hicks. Now you can decide when and how you'll announce to everyone the good news… Because it IS a very good news"

I remained speechless. I knew he was right. I knew it was a good news. I was just sad to lose one of the best teammates I ever had.

"I love her, you know."

He nodded.

""I don't want to lose her. She's the best thing that had happened to me since… forever."

"I know, bro. Before I knocked at the door, I looked at you through the window… The way you look at each other, the way she smiles at you, the way you hold her hand… You ARE in love. You ARE love. Eyes don't lie!"

He pressed my arm and wished me a good night. To say the truth, I didn't know if the night was gonna be good. All I knew at the moment was that we had a decision to make and that to keep the woman I loved I might have to lose the best job I had ever had.