"You know, I've never seen you snap at Deac like that before." Street cautiously says as they start pulling out of Mama Pina's house.
Chris purses her lips for a few seconds before she sighs and looks out the passenger window as she says, "I've never had a reason to." She clasps her hands together as she continues, "Deac has always been someone I looked up to, you know? He took me under his wing and really pushed me to be where I'm at in 20-squad. He never saw me as a woman cop; just a cop, an equal."
Street manages to keep one hand on the wheel while he reaches out with his other to squeeze Chris's clasped hands and is relieved when she keeps his hold. His eyes stay on the road as Chris continues, "I always knew Deac was a by the book guy, but after seeing what went down with Hondo this past year? I was really disappointed when he went after Mama Pina like that. Angry more than anything else."
"You have every right to feel the way you do. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to just let Deac know how you felt in that instant; leave the politics out of it."
From the corner of Street's eye, he can see the side of Chris's mouth tilt upwards as she smirks and says, "Easier said than done, Street. I think for now, I'm just going to decompress a little and enjoy an actual day off tomorrow."
"Can't disagree there. Pretty sure your cheek is only going to get more swollen too so make sure to ice it when you get home."
"Thanks Doc, will do."
Street chuckles as he pulls into HQ and notices Chris still has a hold of his right hand. Almost as if on queue, Chris squeezes his hand in hers before letting go and rests her palm on her cheek. He finds a spot in the rear and puts the charger in park.
They sit in silence for a minute or two before Street clears his throat and says, "You know I meant it when I said I'm always here for you."
Chris lowers her hand to her side to turn and face Street. He was looking at her with his usual brown eyed stare that no matter how hard Chris tried to deny it, would send butterflies fluttering at the pit of her stomach. She sighed internally as she thought it's those damn dimples.
Before she could answer though, she saw Street compose himself real quick and leaned slightly back as she heard two taps at her window. She cursed internally as she turned around to see Deacon standing on the other side, his left hand behind his back and right rubbing the back of his neck. She got out of the car, grimacing a bit as she realized how sore her body was after the day's events.
"Hey, uh, Chris. I was wondering if I could have a word real quick?"
Chris slips on her backpack as she says dryly, "I was just about to leave, but sure, what's up Deac?" She was still nowhere near in the mood to talk with Deacon but she decided to keep her anger in check this time and just try and keep her cool. She eased up a bit as she heard the driver door close and the alarm chime from the charger as Street made his way by her side.
"What up Deac?" Street asks nonchalantly, one hand gripping the shoulder strap of his backpack.
Deacon nods his head slightly in acknowledgement of Street's presence. Not one to usually be the awkward type, he was definitely grasping at straws as to how to approach the next subject.
"Listen Chris, I just wanted to say thanks for your hard work out there today. We couldn't have caught Ignacio Cuevas without you."
"Thanks, but we wouldn't have been able to execute the sting without Mama Pina's help, so we should be thanking her."
Deacon's nose flared ever so slightly as he continued, "Right, well… I hate to bring this up but one of my guys from the security company bailed on me at the last minute and I was really hoping that you would be able to help me with a detail tomorrow?"
Before Chris even had a chance to think of a response, Street interjects and says, "That's perfect! Chris was just telling me she had absolutely nothing to do tomorrow on her day off and was itching to find something to keep her busy."
Deacon clapped his hands together as he exclaimed, "Really? That's great! You don't know how much you would be helping me out Chris."
It takes every inch of will power for Chris not to glare at Street as she says, "Uh, yeah, of course. Just text me the details tonight."
"Copy that, thanks Chris. Good night Street."
Chris waits and ensures Deacon is out of sight before she turns around and punches Street in the shoulder. Hard.
"Ow… hey!" Street laughs as he tries to avoid another blow from Chris.
'What the hell did you do that for!" Chris says through gritted teeth.
Street still can't help himself as he grins from ear to ear, "What? You did tell me you didn't have plans tomorrow. Plus, this will totally give you the chance to squash whatever lingering beef you have with each other."
Chris thinks about going for another blow before she sighs and weakly smiles as she shakes her head, "Ugh, fine. But I'm stopping by your and Luca's place bright and early tomorrow for coffee."
"You got it boss. I'll have a fresh brew ready for you."
Street waves goodbye as Chris gets in her jeep and holds his glance before starting it up. Yup she thinks, It's those damn dimples.