**Happy S.W.A.T. Sunday all! Cannot believe we're nearing the 100th episode! Here's hoping we'll get more than one minute of STRIS leading up to the season finale cause we all know there will definitely be a sixth season (cross ya fingers!). Thank you as always for showing your love and support as it definitely keeps me going. Stay liquid SWAT fam.**
"Hi, Chris." Street replied back, doing little to contain his huge smile, dimples out in full force. "Nice of you to finally join us."
Chris meant to chuckle, but a sharp pain shot up from her abdomen and was unable to stop the gasp that escaped her.
Street's face contorted with instant worry as he reached for her hand and asked, "You okay?" followed immediately with a "Stupid question, huh?"
Chris squeezed Street's hand in hers as she rode the wave of pain before responding with, "Aside from feeling like I got run over by a freight train five times, doing just peachy."
Her voice felt hoarse and sounded every bit exhausted as her body was but knowing that Street was by her side made it seem a little bit less worse than it really was.
"Your Aunt and Uncle are going to be so mad they missed you waking up. They just left to go change and pick up April from Deac's place." Street said, adding, "We made sure to keep your watch safe until you came back to us."
Chris gave a slight smile and couldn't help but let a tear escape down her cheek as she felt the familiar weight of the gifted G-shock on her wrist. The chance to actually be able to see her family again loomed heavy over her heart.
Street didn't bother to break the silence with small talk and simply, and oh so gently, wiped the trail her tear made away with his thumb. She closed her eyes and they just sat there for a while. His chin rested on the sidebars of the bed, holding her left hand in both of his, mere millimeters away from his lips.
"How bad was it, Street?" Chris asked, opening her eyes and looking into his light brown eyes.
"Chris, I-" Street started.
"Please." She stated.
Street sighed and dove into all the details that occurred that Saturday. How Cuevas escaped. What they found at the crash site. How he ran the hardest he ever had in his life to get to Chris. What went through his mind when he saw Chris go down. How they treated her on site before airlifting her to the hospital. All the emotions that ran through his head when Hondo drove them to her family's house. His mini fight with Deacon. Watching her almost pass away…
"Wait, what day is it today?" Chris asked, trying to turn around to get a clue from the nearby windows."
"Woah, Chris, take it easy." Street said, getting up slightly to lay her back down. "It's Thursday."
"I've been out for five days?" Chris asked, trying not to raise her eyebrows in shock due to the stitches and bruising all over her face.
Street nodded.
"No wonder I'm starving."
Street snorted as he shook his head, glad at least Chris's appetite had gone unscathed.
"I'll go see what I can rustle up. Plus, you know, I should probably let a nurse know you're awake."
Street scooted his chair back as he let out an exaggerated stretch.
"Dramatic much?" Chris teased, making Street beam down at her.
He could probably never put into words how eternally grateful he was that Chris is here, right now, cracking jokes. He couldn't help but think back to when he witnessed her almost leave him forever.
"What?" Chris asked, looking a bit concerned.
"Huh?"
"You're staring at me kinda weirdly. Is my face that bad?"
"No! No…no. I'm just… I'm just glad to have you back." Street said, letting out an exhale as he rubbed the back of his neck, hoping his burning face wasn't too noticeable as he kept a cheeky grin.
Chris simply looked at him and he swore he could see her cheeks flush with color as well but they were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Hey Street, Annie just called to ask if-" Started Deacon who stopped mid sentence after noticing Chris was awake. The moment of shock was washed away with relief and… something else Street couldn't put his finger on.
"Hey Deac." Chris warmly greeted him.
"It's good to hear your voice again, Chris." Deacon greeted back, his shoulders visibly relaxing at the sight of his friend finally awake.
"I'm going to get the nurse to check up on Chris. Do you want anything from the cafeteria Deac? I was going to find something edible for Chris." Street said as he started nearing the door.
"No, I'm good. Annie is going to stop by later and bring snacks. I'll let her know to bring extra."
Street nodded and turned once more to look at Chris before closing the door behind him.
Unlike Street who was in his usual jeans and flannel, Deacon was in full tactical gear which told Chris 20 Squad was probably taking shifts looking after her.
"I wish I could stay longer but the rest of 20 Squad got assigned to several no-knock warrants today."
"Sounds more exciting than what I got planned for today." Chris joked, trying to liven up the awkwardness she sensed from Deacon. She scanned him up and down and noticed a couple of healed cuts on his cheek and a glimpse of a white bandage peeking from his rolled up sleeves, "How's your forearm?"
Deacon raised an eyebrow and absentmindedly pulled down his sleeves as he cleared his throat and answered, "Good. A couple of stitches but could have been worse." Realization as to what he said dawned on him right away, "Chris, I-"
"Deac, it's okay." Chris started, one side of her lips pulling in a slight smile, "It's not your fault."
Deacon looked down at his shoes and clasped his hands behind his back, "I know there was no possible way for us to know Cuevas would escape but… I still shouldn't have left you alone."
He looked back up and Chris could see the heavy guilt in his eyes. She kept her eyes locked with his as she said, "Cuevas would have killed us all if you had stayed. Giving myself up was the only bargaining chip we had. It's part of the job. Protect and serve."
Chris saw Deacon nod his head and she weakly raised her left fist towards Deacon.
Deacon smiled softly and returned the fist bump.
The familiar noise from Deacon's beeper went off and he frowned as he looked at his phone.
"New warrant just came through." Deacon sighed as he put his phone back into his pocket. "I'll let everyone know to come by tonight to say hi." Deacon hesitated for a moment before he leaned in and gave Chris a gentle hug. "Stay strong Chris. We really missed you."
Chris bit her lower lip in an effort to stop it from quivering as she was taken aback by Deacon's show of affection. She was accustomed to the usual fist bumps and high fives from her team and could count on one hand how many times they have actually hugged. Bro hugs not counted of course.
Another knock on the door came as Deacon turned to leave.
"Hi, Ms. Alonso. It's nice to formally meet you. My name is Dr. Cristal Benitez. Why don't we have a look at your charts?"
Deacon gave Chris a wink as he said, "We'll see you tonight." and walked past Dr. Benitez.
"Let's get started."
