It is Friday again and Tan and Street had tested her limits repeatedly today. But Chris had learned in the past four years that if you want to lead you have to set the path and stick to it. And so, she did.
They were still her friends, but they also had learned that she meant business and today's choice of "torture" had been a little run in the midday heat.
Sitting in one of the deck chairs on the roof Chris grabs her cool glass and takes a sip when the door opens, and two voices come out to the terrace. She turns her head to see Molly lead Bonnie outside. "See I told you she'd be here." Molly nods her head in Chris's direction and pulls over two chairs for herself and Bonnie.
Chris wants to get up and grab something for Bonnie because wine is probably not the best for a young mom, but she holds out a bottle of ginger ale. "I am all set. Relax."
Chris raises an eyebrow. "You left your baby alone?"
"No, he is with his father if you can believe it. We made a deal; I get to hang out with my friends one night a week and he takes care of things at home. And he isn't alone. Street is there to help." Bonnie explains with an eye roll and stretches out on the deck chair. "This roof is amazing. Fantastic for your housewarming." Bonnie continues with a wink at Chris, who in return groans and rolls her eyes.
"Let me guess, your husband put you up to this?"
Bonnie grins and Molly stares at her confused. "You haven't had the guys over? Chris come on, you lived here long enough to have settled in."
Chris cringes slightly. "Now you are ganging up on me?" she gets up and paces to the railing.
When no one answers her she turns back, leaning against the cool metal and takes a deep breath.
"I just, it didn't feel right having that party if I haven't even told everyone I live here." she says and walks back to her chair plopping down.
While Molly asks the obvious "Why didn't you?" they get blinded by a flash. Chris turns to glare at Bonnie. "What did you do that for?"
Bonnie has a wicked grin on her face and types away on her phone. "I forgot to tell Victor where exactly I was going, and a picture is easier..."
Chris stares at her incredulously. Bonnie starts laughing.
"You should see your face. I didn't send it, but why haven't you told him?"
"Truth?" Chris asks looking at her friends. "I really don't know. It feels weird is all I can say."
Molly puts her hand on Chris's knee reassuringly "You don't need to shield me. You have a party, and I am at my place. No harm done."
Chris is sure even Bonnie heard the slight defeat in that statement and it is confirmed when Bonnie turns to face Molly directly just like Chris does.
"Molly, are you sure? You didn't sound like it to be honest." Chris tells her. "I mean there is still stuff..." she motions and Molly nods for her to go on.
"Like the week I moved in and our trip to the ER. I haven't said a word, but maybe you should?" "There is nothing to tell. It's okay. I mean it. You have your party, and I am at my place. It will be okay."
Bonnie looks at both of them surprised. And when Molly starts sobbing pulls her into a hug, with a questioning look at Chris.
After Molly had calmed down again, she had made Chris promise to have her housewarming soon. Bonnie had the brilliant suggestion to just have it the following weekend since the team was not even on call and so they all could enjoy some time together.
Chris still wasn't a hundred percent convinced but she promised her friends she would organize something even with this short of a timeframe.
Come Monday morning she felt so nervous but before driving into work she texts Street that she wants to talk to him before shift. In her mind, Chris equates her plan with ripping off a band-aid.
She leans on her truck sipping an iced coffee waiting for Street to arrive and when he finally does, he looks worried.
"What's wrong?" are his first words when he walks up to her and Chris can't help but laugh softly. "Nothing. Yet, I think." she lets out slowly. "Let's walk a little." she motions for him to follow her. She feels herself still struggling with just getting the words out.
But she finally draws in one deep breath, squares her shoulders, and faces him. "Listen, there was a reason I was so hesitant about my housewarming. And I know it is ridiculous, but I just didn't know how to..." she trails off again. She can see Street is a hell of confused.
"Chris, why are you so worried about that? You know we all just want to celebrate you being back. Nothing else. We are your friends." Street says in his most caring voice and it just makes Chris feel worse.
She hangs her head.
"I know that." again, she takes a deep breath and then just rushes out her address.
She hangs her head. Chris is scared to see his reaction, but when he says nothing at all for what feels like minutes she finally glances up.
When her eyes meet his she can see pure shock and a whole lot of other emotions running through his eyes.
"I live on Molly's floor," Chris adds to be completely honest. And then something in his head seems to shake loose.
She can see him shake his head.
Chris is shocked when he simply turns on his heel and walks inside without a word. After a couple of seconds, she slowly follows him inside and when she passes Tan, he gives her an awkward nod. He can probably guess what just happened.
The team is still running drills in the shoot house to get the new dynamics into a routine. But today something is off. And Chris knows she is at fault. It is not that Street makes mistakes; he is actually razor focused, but she is distracted. Chris hates that she clearly hurt him with withholding that information, but what was she supposed to do? What would've been different if she had told him before?
It's running around in her mind the whole time during the exercise and even Hondo looks at her concerned. She knows that look. If she can't pull herself together soon, he will ask about it. And the absolute last thing she wants to do is explain what's going on in her head.
During their water break and subsequent lunch Chris decides to invite the team over. Everyone looks surprised, even Tan tries to pretend he didn't know that was coming. But his acting is so bad that Chris can't help but call him out on it. "Don't even try Tan. I am sure Bonnie told you Friday." she shoves him slightly and he laughs. "Yeah, she was, still is excited."
Chris can see that Street tries his best not to react to the fact that Tan most definitely knew where she lives before her telling them now. She knows that must hurt him, and so she tries to get him to stay behind so she can at least try to talk to him again.
As luck would have it, everyone but Street, who is still putting stuff in the fridge leaves the kitchen and Chris seizes the opportunity.
"Street, please. Can I explain?" she approaches him slowly and tries to read his body language, as his head and face are hidden behind the fridge door.
She can see in his stance that he is fighting an inner battle, but when he closes the door, he looks straight at her. The hurt still clearly visible in his eyes.
"I can't come to your party."
"Why?" Chris asks confused and probably sounding pissed already.