Olivia finds herself sitting in the comfort of her own apartment, with an old friend, and trusted colleague. Time has etched his face with some wrinkles, and furrows. She knows that like her, the job has hardened him. As he sits next to her she sees something in his hazel eyes that has been absent, or at least dimmed recently. Fin stares back at her, taking it all in. As the smile crawls across his face he knows that he must look like a damn fool. She sees a flicker of hope as he glances at her midsection. As his glance shifts he locks eyes with her. He searches her face for answers, as per usual she sits before him stoically, offering no insight.
"I think that we have known each other long enough for you to simply ask whatever it is that is on your mind," she points out to him.
"Why did you ask me? Was it simply out of desperation?"
She furrows her brow, "Are you kidding me?"
"I am just asking the question. You had plenty of choices. What was I, third, fourth choice?"
She shakes her head in disbelief, "I didn't realize that your ego was so fragile."
"I am just trying to understand, that is all."
"I didn't ask anyone else. It never even crossed my mind."
"You're kidding me, right?"
"I have no reason to be dishonest with you. I have nothing to lose here, Fin. I didn't ask anyone else."
"What about your partner, or…"
"I only asked you."
"That doesn't make sense to me," Fin admits.
"It doesn't make sense that I would ask someone who has proven to be loyal, and trustworthy? Why wouldn't I choose someone that I trusted?"
He hangs his head, "I'm sorry. I sound like a fool."
"I get it. It is a totally valid question."
"I shouldn't be throwing all of this at you. You have enough on your plate already. Let's talk about something else."
"What do you suggest?"
"Amanda confronted me. She asked if I knew that there was something going on with you."
"What did you tell her?"
"Nothing. I just gave her a look, and she decided not to press her luck."
"I have been trying to come up with something appropriate to say to make an official announcement. It all just seems so strange. Of course it all seems quite emotionally taxing as well."
"What if you don't make an announcement?"
She furrows her brow, "People are going to notice. Some of them already have."
"Then let them notice. Stop trying to hide it. Allow people to jump to their own conclusions. They will anyway. You are not a sixteen year old girl. It is not as if you have something to be ashamed of here. This is a blessing. Put your paperwork to bed, and then embrace it. Handle it with the same level of professionalism, and grace that you do being Captain."
"I have been known to fumble the play."
He grins, "I've got your back. Don't worry about it."
"You always have my back. Let's just hope that continues when it is the size of Great Wall."
He smirks, "I should get going. I've taken up enough of your time."
She laughs, "Yes, as if I would actually be doing anything meaningful with it. It's not as if I am getting much sleep these days."
"Have you tried whale noises?"
She stares at her long-time colleague as if he has three heads. Her eyes burrow into him. "I thought that I heard you say whale noises."
"Correct. Listening to them, not making them," he clarifies.
"I assumed. How will that help anything?"
He shrugs, "Old wives tale that my grandmother used to talk about. I've never actually tested it out. I just know that she used to say a lot of crazy ass stuff, but a lot of it was dead on. I remember one time I was sick, and she gave me a cup of hot water, vinegar, and honey. It was the worst thing I have ever tasted in my life. The next day I wasn't sick."
"At this point I'll try just about anything."
Sunday morning, Olivia stands in front of her mirror feeling particularly exasperated. In an attempt to have some sense of control of her life she attempts to sort out wardrobe for the week ahead. Before she removes the pair of black slacks from her closet she knows the end result. She pulls the neatly pressed pants on, and zips them. She prays that since these pants have a button instead of a clasp there is a minute chance they may be appropriate. The button does refuses to go anywhere near the button hole.
She exhales in frustration as she tosses them onto her bed. She pulls on a pair of sweatpants, and angrily exits her room. She finds her son sitting at the kitchen counter eating a bowl of Frosted Flakes. He looks up from his comic book. He smiles at her.
"I think Hobbs is finally coming to life. I heard some growling."
She smiles and kisses his forehead, "Really?!"
"Or maybe it was just you. I see you're rocking sweatpants this morning. The ones you usually wear to clean the toilet," his observational skills never cease to amaze.
"We are going to have to make a change in our plans today."
"You have changed our plans a thousand times. You can't do it again. You promised that you would take me to the arcade."
"What if I find a replacement that is even more exciting than myself?"
"They better be grrr-eat."