Monday 7:40
HQ:
The next day the team shows up and sees that Chris is already there.
"Hi guys!" She says turning to them "I was thinking this Saturday you guys could come to my Uncle's house? Uncle Sarzo is having a BBQ. He invited us and I don't want to be there by myself"
"Sure" Hondo answers "sounds fun"
"Whatever you need" Street says and is rewarded with a shove from Luca. Chris looks at them weirdly, it becomes clear to the guys that she has no idea that they read the article
"Alright, thanks I'll let Sarzo know. Ho-" she says, before their phones buzz
Robbery Armed thieves
Everyone leaves and goes to command. Chris walks in the hallway and a few guys give her sympathies looks and others shoot dirty looks. Some cops feel bad for Chris, others are angry, seeing her as weak and ungrateful. Chris is confused and then Mumford shows up.
"Hey Alonso, why didn't you just tell us? I mean at this point the whole city knows" He says, laughing and walking on. Chris is starting to figure it out that people read her article. They go to Hicks tells them the situation and sends them on their way. On the way to Black Betty, Officer Cole, a patrol officer that does not like women in SWAT and failed Chris on a Cadet because of her gender, enters. Cole is very traditional and does not like Chris' article. Cole was part of it, though, he remained anonymous.
"Christina!" He shouts angrily, the team turns to see Cole shove Chris a bit too hard to be a playful shove. "I read your stupid article, if you really feel this way, then leave SWAT and make room for the men!" Cole tries to shove her again, so Chris steps aside. Cole falls down because he put all his weight on where Chris once stood.
"Easy" Chris says, offering her hand "I'm happy to talk about this later. But right now I'm on call" she helps him up and gets into Black Betty. The guys exchange glances before they too get Black Betty. In the car, it is clear to Chris that something is up and since they are about to go on an op, they might as well make it public
"Guys, what's going?" She asks, silence "hello? Earth to anyone?" Waving her arm
"We read the article Chris" Street mumbles, the guys shoot him dirty looks. Chris is confused at first, but then pieces it together.
"Seriously? Look, it happened a long time ago and I made peace with it so I'm good" She says but that doesn't convince them otherwise. At the bank the team swoops in and arrests the suspects, quick and easy. They head back to HQ.
Monday 12:00
HQ Parking Lot:
Once there Chris immediately runs into Officer Cole. This time he has two patrol buddies with him and they are angry at Chris. All three have tried and failed to become SWAT
"Alonso, we need to talk now" Cole says "alone" he adds, eyeing the guys
"Fine by me" Chris says but Street steps in front of Chris
"No way!" Street says with a voice that's barely below a shout
"Alonso? You got the big boys protecting you? How sweet" Cole says and gets laughter out of his patrol buddies
"No. I'm good, let's talk. Street, out of my way" Chris says angrily, Street is about to say something when Hondo and Luca shove him out of the way. The team leaves their friend to deal with Cole. In the locker room the guys surround Street.
"What was that for!" Street shouts "you all know that this is not a good idea"
"Street! What were you thinking!?" Deacon says, though he is mad, his eyes reflect fear "embarrassing her in front of those losers"
"Deacon's right, but I wish he wasn't" Tan says, they turn to him "I wish she wasn't out numbered in this situation, but you did the exact thing she doesn't want. Chris do not want to be the damsel in distress. She wants to be like any other SWAT officer"
"What are we gonna do?" Street asks, anger petering out
"Nothing" Hondo says quietly "absolutely nothing" An hour passes before their phones buzzed again
Hostage situation
The guys go go to command, and find Chris already there. They haven't seen her since Cole asked her to talk. Chris looks alright, but something is off
"Alright, this should be easy. The suspect is willing to negotiate but we will see" Hicks says "sending the details and floor plan to you, just do what you are suppose to do"
"Yes sir!" They say, leaving to gear up. In the locker room, it's even more evident that something's wrong. Chris is slower to get ready and her head stays down. Like she doesn't want to look at anyone, or more likely, wants no one to look at her
"You ok?" Street asks, putting a hand on her back. In response, Chris winces making everyone turn to her
"What did they do to you Chris?" Hondo asks as the others bombard her with questions
"I'm fine!" Chris snaps in a harsh tone, making everyone back up, she takes a deep breath "sorry, I'm fine. The last thing I want is for you to get involved. I don't need you all acting like heroes" she walks out and it is clear a limp is starting to form on her right leg
"Does she really think she's going to get far on that leg?" Tan asks only half joking
"I don't know, but we are going to find out" Hondo says "I don't care what she said, we are going to find out" then the team leaves remembering they have a job to do.
Monday 1:00
The Motor Pool:
The mission was easy, the suspect negotiated in a matter of minutes and the crew is back at HQ. Chris goes to use the bathroom, so the guys convene at the motor pool.
"I think Cole did to her" Luca says, referring to the earlier confrontation
"What can we do about it Luca?" Deacon asks "she isn't telling us and Cole for sure won't"
"Hey guys" Chris says walking back in, and the guys go silent "Are you still talking about Cole. You better not get into this, I can handle it"
"Tell us what happened then" Hondo says
"Not yet" Chris says "but I'll handle it"
"Chris, this has nothing to do with the article. An officer attacked you, while on duty" Tan argues
"Look, you wouldn't be doing this unless you agree with the guys who shoot me looks. I put it out there and this is the price I pay. Soon everyone will grow bored and move on" Chris says and everyone lets it drop, for now
"Are we still cool to go to Sarzo's this weekend?" Deacon asks, hoping to change the topic
"Of course" Chris says
Monday 8:00
HQ Parking Lot:
The rest of the day is uneventful and once shift is over the team walks to the parking lot, when Chris stops to pick up a note taped to her car, a
Chris, I know who you are and I'm here to tell you to watch your back. And watch out for the women in LA, they're going to need it
-Your Worst Nightmare
Chris' hand shakes slightly, putting the note in her pocket. She turns to go back into HQ to tell Hicks, when she feels Hondo's breath behind her. Chris turns around
"What?" Chris asks
"What did you just put in your pocket? Is it something serious?" Hondo asks
"Kind of, I'm going to give it to Hicks, I'll see you later" She answers, walking back into HQ