Hey, so thank you to anyone who took the time to review this little piece. Let's dive a little deeper into this new world, shall we? What do you think about all of this?
Chris leans back in her chair and crosses her hands in her lap. "I think I'll leave it at that. Hondo or Deac, you should probably go over the team's performance without my input." she tries to get out of it, but the raised eyebrow from Hondo tells her that was so not the plan.
She didn't want to say what she thought of 20 David's entry because, in her eyes, there had been mistakes. From Tan, Street, and the new guy. They just didn't seem in tune with each other at all. And she had no idea why that was.
Chris takes a breath and starts cautiously; her eyes fixed on the emblem on the wall.
"Okay, let me phrase it carefully: I had the impression the team has some communication and or trust issues, and therefore the entry was cascading." Chris finishes quietly.
Her eyes, as apologetic as she can, she glances at Hondo, who simply nods his head. "I agree with that assessment. You have us figured out."
A little while later, after Hondo and Deacon had added their critique, Chris feels her phone vibrating in her pocket and uses that as an excuse to leave. "I am sorry, I am needed elsewhere. Deac, I'll see you tonight."
She gets up and has her hand on the door nob when Lynch reminds her, "And you'll get back to us with your decision by, let's say, Friday?" Chris nods, pointing to her phone, and walks out.
It had only been a reminder that she had plans for lunch with Thomas, but she felt so uncomfortable under the stares, especially from Street she was glad to get out of there.
The rest of her day flew by quickly, and she had to get ready for dinner. Against her nature, she was actually agonizing about what to wear.
In the end, she settled on casual. Reminding herself that these people all were like family to her once.
Chris smiled one more time at herself in the mirror before walking down to her car. While crossing the lobby, she notices the mail being delivered and makes a mental note to check that later, although she was sure she wouldn't have received anything substantial yet.
Arriving at the Kay house made her feel nostalgic. They had spent so many afternoons or Saturdays here as a team. Should she really go back to SWAT? Was that going to come up over dinner?
She didn't really give herself much time to dwell on that because if she wouldn't go in now, she would never. So, Chris forces herself to ring the doorbell finally.
It took only seconds for the door to open and give Chris the first surprise of the night.
A small girl was standing in front of Annie and wrapped her arms immediately around Chris's legs.
Chris gently takes her hands and crouches down. "Hi." she glances up at Annie. "The kids are joining us?"
"No, but Victoria wanted to say Hello and Good Night to you."
Chris can't help the happy tears shimmering in her eyes and lets herself being pulled along by the little girl.
Passing the living room, she can see Hondo and Jessica standing there talking to Deac. She greets them with a small wave and an explanatory gesture to her tour guide.
Victoria makes her promise to visit again soon so they can play, and Chris is more than happy to do that. She had missed so much and was still in awe that her goddaughter even knew who she is.
Their dinner is a fun occasion, and shortly before they are all off to head home, Hondo and Deac get both messages.
"About time," Hondo mumbles before motioning them over to take a look.
Tan had messaged and informed them that his son had finally been born. Chris asked both of them to extend her gratulations, and the returning message was that she was expected to show up at Tan's place on Sunday for brunch.
Chris was hesitant, but when the message shows up on her own phone, she can't deny she wants to catch up with Tan and Bonnie and finally congratulate them on their family.
When she is finally back at her building, she opens her mailbox and pulls out a handful of leaflets and one single letter.
Chris went into the elevator and was curious about the envelope. Could it be that the results were official already?
Nervous, she turns it over and moves to rip it open, but she freezes when she reads the name in the address field.
That has to be a mistake, right?
She checks the address a little more closely and notices that it is the apartment across from her. Really a strange coincidence.
Chris shakes her head at herself a little. Just go back down and throw it in the correct mailbox, solved. But at the same time, if they live in the same building, she should just rip off the band-aid and face him now.
The elevator dings and indicates she has reached her floor, so she gets out and walks to her neighbor's door. She can't help but feel a little nervous while knocking.
Chris strains her ears, but no one opens the door, nor does she hear movement from inside. Since there are no mail slots on the upper floors, she has two choices right now, go back down and really put it in the correct box or just head inside and wait for them to come home.
While she is still contemplating what to do, the elevator dings again, signaling someone else coming to this floor.
Chris turns to the opening doors and puts on a smile, which fades the moment the other woman greets her with a hissed "What are you doing here?"
"I live across the hall from you." Chris points to her door. She awkwardly holds out the letter in her hand. "This was in my mailbox. I just wanted to give it to you," she explains and studies Molly's face quietly.
She can see the hastily dried tears on her face and can't help but wonder what's going on.
Molly reaches out for the letter with a small smile. "Thank you, I am just..." she trails off and stares at the envelope quietly for a moment, and looks up again. "He doesn't live here anymore. Just bring it by HQ." with that, she pushes the letter back into Chris's hand and opens her apartment door.
Only the resounding slam of the heavy door closing pulls Chris out of her shocked state.
It takes a few moments more to move inside. She hadn't planned on going by HQ again so soon.
Shaking her head, Chris puts the letter on the counter and decides to get into something even more comfortable before making herself some tea and heading to bed.
Chris scans her emails when she sinks down on the sofa with the steaming hot liquid warming her hands on the mug. It is an unspoken secret that most private security firms in LA have a way of getting information on capable officers for their work. So, it is not really a surprise to see a message from one of them, but seeing Owen Bennett writing her was a little unexpected.
Deacon hadn't mentioned that, and it felt odd; still, she clicked on it.
Reading the invitation to come by anytime, Chris felt the immediate urge to check with Deac what that was about, but a glance at the clock on the wall nixes that idea.
Chris heads to sleep and decides to drop by HQ tomorrow for a coffee and a quick chat with her friend. In hopes of getting an answer that would help her to decide on where to go next.
Her next morning starts with more unpacking. Chris can't stand to look at the boxes anymore and tries her best to get the living room looking like a place for relaxation and not storage.
Around lunch, she is content with her accomplishments and gets ready to visit Deac and maybe Tan. Her eyes drop to the letter on her counter, and before heading out, she places it in her bag.
"Might as well drop that off too." She mumbles to herself.