Tan and Street really did everything they could over the next two weeks to be there for Chris. Tan boxed with her every day after his shift and they talked a lot. Chris was grateful for that. Street went home with her every day after work, tried to cook, which usually failed and made Chris laugh and tried to talk to her. They talked about all sorts of things, the team, her time at K9, Streets Mom, her mom, and also about her upcoming departure to Berlin. Chris was looking forward to it, especially Luca. She missed him very much, his warm nature. On the other hand, she was nervous, worried that she wouldn't be able to do her job. She would give courses there in shooting and test the reaction time of the trainees.
Street looked forward to the departure with mixed feelings. He was very happy for Chris and proud of her, but his fear of leaving her without support prevailed. She had taken great strikes in the right direction, but was she really stable enough to handle everything on her own? What if she had a relapse? All this went through his mind. He didn't see any other way, he had to talk to Luca in advance, even at the risk of Chris being angry with him again.
"Guten Tag Street. " Luca said, beaming, "He didn't know anything about what had happened so far. " Hey Luca, good to see and hear you. How are you?" " I couldn't be in a better place. The guys here are really great and it's so fun. The only downside is you guys. I miss you guys terribly. How are the others? You okay? How's Chris? She hasn't called me in a while, and she barely responds to my messages. " Street took a deep breath and he was on the subject. " The team is doing well so far, there's a lot of work to do, but it's good for all of us. So we are distracted because of Erika. Luca the reason I'm calling - I - um, it's about Chris. " Luca didn't say a word, just listened with a serious look. Street told him everything. Her fight in the bar, the many bottles of vodka in the freezer, her accident and her emotional breakdown afterwards.
"Man Street I had no idea how bad she was. Shit. . . " Luca was shocked. " Now here's my concern Luca. Chris has made really good progress in the last few weeks, but I'm afraid that when she gets stressed she'll go back to the bottle. Please Luca, don't let her out of your sight. Wherever she wants to go, go with her. Just say you missed her so much and now you'd like to spend as much time with her as possible. " Luca nodded. " You can count on me. I'll keep her safe!" " Um and Luca, does your hotel have a mini bar in the room?" Street was tense. " No, our hotel doesn't have that. " " Very good, that calms me down a bit. " " Street don't worry too much about Chris. I'll take good care of her and write you every day how she's doing, ok?" " Thank you Luca. That really helps. I'll talk to you soon. Have a good time, mate. " Street had quickly informed Tan about the phone call with Luca and he too was satisfied with it.
The day of her departure had come. Chris had said goodbye to Deacon and Hondo at HQ. Street and Tan insisted on taking her to the airport. " Guys, you don't have to do this, I can really take a cab. " Chris tried. " Forget it. You'll have to put up with us from now until you check in. " Tan stated with a grin, trying to cover his worries. Street sat at the wheel and didn't speak a word. He was sad, tense and scared. He would miss her terribly even if it was only four weeks. Arriving at the airport, Street grabbed her suitcase and Tan the shoulder bag. Chris just ran after them laughing and shaking her head.
"So guys I think it's time I got to get on the plane. " Chris was nervous, she too was afraid of the coming weeks, she had felt really comfortable and safe with Tan and Street at her side. She hadn't touched a drop of alcohol in the last few weeks since the accident. Tan was the first to take her into a warm embrace. He whispered in her ear. " Take care of yourself and if anything happens, no matter what time it is, you´ll call me, okay? I am always there for you and you are not alone. " he squeezed her tightly. " Thank you Tan, I'll miss you. " Chris had tears in her eyes, but she swallowed them down. She wanted to be strong, just like the boys knew her. Street looked at Chris, and now it was his turn. Tan cleared his throat. " I'll go get some coffee. " he waved to Chris again and left.
"Yeah - um - I guess it's time to say goodbye now. " Street stuttered slightly. " Street I'm not going to the North Pole, I'm only in Berlin for four weeks. " she tried to cheer him up. " I know, but I'm scared for you. " he honestly admitted. " You've made great progress and I'm so proud of you, but there's no Tan or me over there if you threaten to fold. " " I know. . . I feel a little queasy too, but hey, I've got Luca. He'll keep me on my toes, and I won't have time to brood at all. I'm really looking forward to this new role Street. " he smiled at her and took her in his arms. He hugged her as tight as he could, not really wanting to let her go. " Street I gotta go. " " Okay. " Then you'll have to let me go, too. " she said with a laugh. " Oh, yeah, sorry. " Thank you from the bottom of my heart. If it weren't for you and Tan the past few weeks, I don´t know where I would be today. Despite my stubbornness and my, shall we say, stubborn behavior, you have not let go and believed in me. Thank you. " She squeezed him again, grabbed her suitcase and bag and ran towards the gate. Tan came to Street's side at that moment and together they waved at her again. Tan patted Streets shoulder. " Hey, she's gonna do great, and Luca's gonna have her back. " Yes, Tan, he will. " Street smiled.
The flight was relaxed. Arriving at Berlin Airport, Chris walked along the long halls. Once outside, she took a deep breath for the first time. " Hello Germany. " she said to herself. "Chriiiiiiis!" she heard from the left. She turned around and saw a beaming Luca running at her. He was already spreading his arms. " Luca, oh God, I missed you. Good to see you. " Chris squeezed him as hard as she could. He saw that the last few weeks must have been hard for her. " Let's go to the hotel first and then you can tell me what I missed and how the others are doing. " He put an arm around her shoulder and together they walked to the taxi. After arriving at the hotel and unpacking her suitcase Chris looked around the room. Wow is this beautiful and this view. Luckily there's no minibar here, so I won't be tempted. No sooner had she finished thinking than there was a knock on her door. Luca couldn't wait to show her some of the sights of Berlin. Together they set off and Chris was just happy at the moment.
In the evening Chris fell into bed tired. Luca had chased her through Berlin and her feet were killing her. Luca quickly sent Street the promised message, informing him that Chris was fine.
The next day Chris was introduced to the trainees. Everyone was very curious and awestruck to be taught by the only woman in S. W. A. T. The first lesson went great and Chris was completely engrossed by her assignment. She put in an insane amount of effort and was able to score points with her competence and empathy. So the first week flew by. Luca and Chris were out and about in Berlin every day after work. She didn't feel like brooding or even thinking about alcohol at all, and if she was honest, she didn't miss it at all.
Street and Tan were very reassured by Lucas' daily news. " Man I miss her so much. " Street admitted when he and Tan changed after the shift. " I understand you, I miss her too, but I'm sure not like you. How are things going between you two now?" "Do you have any plans today? Wanna grab a drink? Then we can talk in peace. " Street hoped Tan would have time, he needed a friend to talk to today. " Good idea. Bonnie's got to work late tonight anyway. Let's go."
"So, how about you guys?" Tan was curious. " Where do I start? I told you about my appeal after her accident. I have to say that I was positively surprised that she didn't reject me right away and also wanted to try to rebuild our friendship. It was going really well until she left. My emotions get in the way sometimes, I just can't turn them off, I love her and I'm afraid, I always will. " Street seemed sad. " Dude I don't really know how bad this must be for you, but I think it's admirable that you're suppressing your feelings for Chris, for your friendship. " " Thanks Tan, but I don't know how much longer I can do this. " The evening was long and Tan tried to keep Street from spiraling.
Everything went wonderfully with Luca and Chris. The second week was in full swing. " Chris want to go to the movies tonight?" " Luca's not going today. I'm afraid you'll have to find another victim. " she laughed. He frowned and his expression became instantly serious. "My students asked me if I wanted to go out for a drink with them. " Luca's alarm bells rang. Chris knew that this was now a test for her and so she could test her resolve.
Luca went to his room and called Street. " Hey Luca, what are you two doing today?" " Street, there's a problem". " What's going on?" He got restless right away. Luca told him about the situation. "Shit, that's not good. You have to stop that". " You're joking, right? How am I supposed to do that? She's already getting ready. Am I supposed to ask if I can go?" Luca actually meant ironically, since he was by far the oldest. " Yes! That's the idea. " Street was thrilled. " Street, I can't go there. If Chris wanted me to be there, she would have asked me. I can't impose myself, that would be suspicious. " Street knew Luca was right. They ended their phone call.
Chris was just getting ready when her phone rang. When she looked at the display she smiled. " Hey, Street, nice of you to call, but I'm on my way out. Can I call you tomorrow?" Hey, Chris. What are you going to do?" Chris knew he would worry if she told him, but she wanted to be honest. " I'm going out for a drink with my students. Street – I know the temptation will be great there, but I'm fine. Please trust me, I will only drink water, ok maybe Coke. " she laughed. " Chris I hope you know what you're doing? Neither Tan nor I are with you now. Please don't fuck up, okay?" "Promise Street. I'll text you when I get back. Now I have to go. Bye. " Inside, she was afraid to go to the bar alone with her students. How much she would love to take Luca with her, but she couldn't tell him the truth, it was embarrassing enough that Street and Tan knew.
There was a knock on Luca's door. When Chris stood in front of it, he was surprised. " Hey, didn't you want to be gone already?" " Yeah, but I wanted to ask you, well, um, if you wanted to go? I´m so sorry to cancel on you earlier for the movie, and I don't want you sitting here alone now. So you wanna join us?" she smiled at him. Luca beamed at her relieved. " But sure, I'm in. I'm not going to miss that. " he took his jacket and walked out with Chris.
Street went to his shift with mixed feelings, hoping there was plenty to do to distract him. Again and again he caught himself and looked at his mobile phone hoping to get a message from Chris or from Luca. And time went by at a snail's pace. . . .