So this is the last chapter of my story. I would like to thank all of you who have diligently left reviews and shared the excitement with all the characters.
My biggest thanks goes to lalez, she supported me with advice and action. Thank you! :-)
"Hey Hondo, we, Chris and I need to talk to you." Street swallowed once and looked at Hondo.
"We don't even want to beat around the bush boss. We're, um, Street and I are together, a couple, we love each other." Chris blurted out and Street looked at her with wide eyes. He was a bit surprised that she had said it so freely right away, but at the same time he had to smile, because that was proof for him that Chris was really sure and wanted it. Now they both looked at Hondo, but he didn't move.
Hondo had to really control himself not to laugh and raised an eyebrow.
"First of all, thanks for being honest with me and trusting me. I'm happy for you, but I hope you're aware of the consequences?" he looked at both of them, waiting. Chris looked a little scared at Street.
"What kind of consequences Hondo? So if one of us needs to switch teams, no problem, I'll do it." he said quickly. Chris gave Street an evil eye, they hadn't discussed it like this, in fact they hadn't discussed anything at all and that he decided this now, she didn't like.
"That honors you Street, but you know, I'm not blind. I've been watching you for quite a while and realized that you're more than friends, even if I've seen that Chris would have liked to kill you sometimes kid." they all had to smile for a moment, but immediately it became serious again. "I talked to Hicks a while ago, don't worry, I hadn't mentioned your names, but he said that if such a case of a relationship should occur within the team, then one would have to be transferred to another department." Hondo waited for their reaction.
Street and Chris both looked shocked.
"One of us has to leave? So completely transferred somewhere else?" Chris asked in a near whisper. She reached for Street's hand and squeezed it tightly. He looked over at Chris and was speechless for the moment.
"I know it's going to hit one of you guys hard, but I'm afraid there's nothing I can do about it." Hondo found it increasingly difficult to keep up his facade and somehow he felt sorry for Chris and Street too, but they both deserved the little prank for their eternal back and forth.
"Okay Hondo, I'm going back to Long Beach," Street said in a slightly shaky voice. Hondo was about to reply when Chris interjected.
"What, no! You won't." she looked at her friend in horror. "How is this going to work. You there and me here?" she had tears in her eyes. Now it was time to end the little prank before there was any more discussion or tears.
"We're going to go to Hicks now and we're going to tell him. Chris this is going to be all right." Street tried to smile encouragingly at Chris, clearly failing. They turned and started walking. Now it was Hondo's time.
"So if you two are going to Hicks now, you should know that neither of you will have to be transferred." he already had a big laugh on his lips. Chris and Street turned to Hondo again.
"Yeah it's ok Hondo, we'll figure it out somehow." Chris said lost in thought.
Hondo frowned. The two of them must have been so shocked that they hadn't listened at all. Now he had to do something before they embarrassed themselves with Hicks. He ran after them at a fast pace until he caught up with them.
"Hey, wait a minute. Weren't you listening to me just now?" now the pair frowned, but said nothing. "If you're going to Hicks now you need to know that neither of you will have to be transferred." Hondo was proud of his prank, he didn't think it would work so well. Now he saw it working in both of their minds. Street was the first to break out of his stupor.
"What do you mean, nobody's getting transferred? Am I supposed to understand that now? Just now you said - " Chris slapped him gently on his upper arm and now had to grin.
"Street. Hondo screwed us real bad. Look at his face." Chris now looked at Hondo the same way Street did.
"Fooled!" Hondo laughed so heartily he had to hold on his stomach. Chris now joined in and looked really relieved. Street was still silent. He looked back and forth between the two of them, looking a little offended. "Hey Kid, come on, you guys gave me the opportunity yourselves by sending Luca ahead of me. Did you really think I wouldn't notice?" Hondo gave Street a friendly pat on the shoulder. He took Chris in his arms.
"I wish you all the luck in the world. You guys deserve it."
"Thanks Hondo." Chris was just happy.
"Does this mean now that we can stay here together in a team?" interrupted Street the moment.
"Yeah but sure. As long as you're just colleagues here and can stay professional." Chris immediately took the floor.
"That goes without saying Hondo. The work will not suffer." Now Street also had a laugh on his face.
"Hey Hondo, that was pretty mean of you. I really fucking believed you." Street was very relieved and so the walk to Hicks was immediately a lot easier.
Chris and Street had to promise Hicks to be professional with each other at work and to leave romantic feelings at home. All of the team were over the moon when they found out that Chris and Street were a couple. They were happy and could not refrain from a few jokes. Especially Tan had noticed some time ago that the way they treated each other had changed. After he had told Bonnie the news, she was beside herself with joy, immediately called Chris and the two planned the first couples evening.
Meanwhile, another year had passed and everything was just perfect. A beautiful summer To Chris´ surprise she had actually gotten Street to go into the mountains with her.
Arriving at the parking lot, the two grabbed their backpacks and were about to start walking when a couple holding hands approached them.
"Jim, look. Isn't that Molly?" Street looked up and recognized Molly right away.
"Yep and if Iam not mistaken that´s Ethan with her." he had to grin, having gotten Molly to tell him more about Ethan during their conversation. Molly had already recognized Chris and Street as well and steered Ethan in their direction. She gave them a friendly laugh and waved.
"Hey, what a coincidence to meet you guys here." when Molly and Ethan arrived at the two, the four stood facing each other.
"So you're the famous Ethan now." Street couldn't help himself. He received a slap on the upper arm from Chris in return. "Ouch." he formed with his lips and looked at her apologetically.
"Yeah this is Ethan. Ethan this is Chris and Jim. Friends of mine." introduced Molly to the two of them.
"Hi very pleased to meet you." Chris said.
"The pleasure is all mine. Molly has already told me a lot about you guys." After this sentence Street had to swallow for a moment. Hopefully, Molly had not only told bad things about him. Ethan hadn't missed the expression on Street's face. "Don't worry Jim. She made you look good." he winked at him and they all had to laugh.
"And you two are going hiking now?" it was Molly again who spoke up.
"Yes we want to take advantage of the great weather and walk to Whisper point." said Chris enthusiastically.
"Oh nice, that's where we just came from. Have fun you two and Chris, Jim, I have to say. You look so happy and content. I'm very happy for you guys." in this sentence you could feel the sincerity of Molly. Chris was very touched by the words and took Molly in her arms for a moment.
"Thank you." she whispered in her ear. After they all said goodbye, everyone went their separate ways.
When Chris and Street reached the top of the hill, they put their backpacks on the grass. They had a breathtaking view over L.A. Street took the picnic blanket and spread it out on the ground. Chris took the time to get the snack she had made in the morning. As they both sat on the blanket, Street took a deep breath in and out. Chris watched him and had to smile.
"Ah, that feels good. This fresh air, well I never thought I'd enjoy hiking so much." Street stated, looking at Chris. "But you know Chris, with you everything is just so much more fun in my life. I didn't really care about anything before. I just wanted to have my adventure and take big risks. I didn't have anyone asking for me except Buck. Now here with you, I see everything. The blue sky, the yellow sun and yes I even see how green the grass is." Chris couldn't take it anymore and had to laugh. Street looked at her questioningly. "Yaaaa, it's like that. It's your fault." She leaned over to him, caressed his cheek and gave him a soft kiss. "You changed me Honey and I'm so grateful for that." he took her hand in his and placed a kiss on her knuckles.
"Who would have thought that one day you and I would be sitting up here just being happy together." Chris muttered to herself, looking at her boyfriend. Streets grin widened and he lay down on the blanket and spread his arms for Chris. She let herself sink in, enjoying the warmth emanating from Street. She felt safe and secure with him. For a few minutes they lay there entwined.
"Jim?" whispered Chris, but she received no response. "Jim?" she tried again and got back a loud snore. "I don't believe it." she shook her head laughing. She knew he was fast at falling asleep, but so fast...
"Well wait." Chris grinned and grabbed the next blade of grass that came between her fingers. Slowly she took the thin green and tickled his ear. Street only responded with a shrugging hand gesture and just turned around. Chris had to suppress a laugh and bent over him a bit more so she could reach his nose. Suddenly Street turned jerkily in her direction and clasped her waist with his hands.
"Ha! Gotcha!" Chris couldn't help it and let out a short scream. "Thought I was asleep, did you?" he grinned at her victoriously.
"You idiot!" laughed Chris and gave him a passionate kiss.
"I love you Chris, more than anything in the world, even if you call me an idiot." He looked into her eyes and gently stroked a strand of hair from her face.
"You are the love of my life Jim Street. I love you too."