I've been asked to continue with Happier and I came up with these 8 chapters. I took some pointers from what I know of season 5 and blended it with my world. Yes, this is fully written, just needs some proofreading.


Back in LA after three long months. Chris waves off Luca while she heads to the back of the airport to go and pick up the most precious of her belongings. Billie.

While she is waiting for the crate to be brought out she pulls out her phone to check on her messages. Erika had agreed to come to pick them up, as Chris didn't want to make Street drive across town twice. Especially because she suspects he is putting up a braver face and downplaying his struggle.

She only sees a notification from Street and assuming it's the basic, standard "Welcome home" Chris swipes it open with a smile. A smile that freezes the second she recognizes the surroundings, and her eyes take in the picture.

He'd written "See progress" to the snapshot of himself on the bench press. Who had taken the damn picture instead of spotting? But before she can type back something angry Erika calls.

"Hey," Chris answers, "I am just waiting for our girl. Are you there yet?"

"Yep, I decided to park and head inside to meet you. I'll be right outside cargo," Erika replies and Chris smiles. "I just saw Luca climb into a cab though…"

"Ah damn, Street really forgot. I thought he was messing with me by sending a picture of himself training at HQ." Chris hits her hand against her forehead.

"He has been training there all week. I think the physical therapist said it's okay. At least if he keeps it easy and builds up slowly." Erika calmly replies and Chris stops her pacing.

"Wait, what?" she utters confused. He hadn't mentioned that he had the all-clear already.

"I thought you knew…" Erika trails off, "Didn't you say you were texting?"

Chris can hear announcements in the background and knows Erika is inside now. "I mean, yes. We talked too if it fit in with the schedule and video calls with Luca. He always put up a good front. But I didn't know he was cleared for solo training. Is he on duty?"

Her final question is almost an afterthought. It sounded ridiculous to her. "Nope, but I do think it's good for him to be with people and not all alone in that house all day. Duke is cute and all but certainly not a conversationalist," Erika tries to lighten the mood and Chris chuckles a bit.

The large doors at the end open and an airport employee pushes a cart with a large crate in her direction. "I gotta go. We'll see you soon," she tells Erika before hanging up.

She has to focus on Billie now. The dog had not been happy after the long-distance flight to Germany and had been a bit subdued afterward, even if her favorite toy and blanket had made the trip with her. But Chris also plans to swing by Streets place and check in on him herself. And maybe demand some answers. How come he didn't tell her any of what Erika just mentioned?

After filling out the paperwork the airport employee opens the crate and Billie hops out with her stuffed giraffe in her snout. Her tail is wagging, and Chris can only smile.

"We're home, Billie," she mumbles into the animal's fur when Billie comes in close to be cuddled.

"Okay, come on. We have to find Erika now. Can you help me?" Chris talks to the curious lab and gets a soft bark in return.

As promised Erika waits right outside the exit and Billie greets her even more excitedly than Chris just moments before. And the whole drive to their apartment the Labrador strains to get to the driver's side. Chris has to keep the leash very tight to keep her from jumping up.

After unpacking Chris finds Erika and Billie happily playing tug of war in the living room and she smiles as a feeling of happiness and contentment spreads through her.

"How are you feeling?" Erika glances up and studies her. "Good. Better now that everything is unpacked. And I see Billie is right back at home,"

"Yeah, you know she rules this place ever since she moved in," Erika winks and gets up off the floor. "But you still look like you're on a mission," she comments and motions to Chris's get up. Jeans, a Hoodie, and sneakers.

"I think I should go and…" Chris reaches for her keys. "Can you?" Erika nods before Chris can finish her sentence. "Thanks, I hope I won't be too long. So, we can catch up a bit too."

With that Chris heads out the door and across LA. She is a bit nervous knocking on the front door. Luca had mentioned he'd be catching up with his brother and father, but she couldn't be sure he wasn't home. His truck wasn't in the drive, but you never knew.

A short moment later Street pulls open the door with a half-frown on his face. "Hey," he greets her curtly but steps aside to let Chris pass.

She steps inside tentatively and somehow the air feels harder to breathe in an instant. Just something strange. She jumps a bit when the front door falls shut behind her.

"What are you doing here?" she hears his voice from behind and finally remembers to turn to face Street again.

"I wanted to come by and check on you. Say hi," Chris explains matter-of-factly and tries to keep from getting angry at his standoffish behavior. "I was surprised by the pic you sent," she pulls out her phone to accentuate her point.

Street hangs his head.

"I shouldn't have sent that," he mumbles before setting his jaw. "Why didn't you tell me you were cleared for solo training? Why keep that a secret? I thought we were friends?" Chris blurts out over his following words. "I can't keep doing this."

"What did you just say?" Chris breathes out. "What do you mean?"

There was a shiver running down her spine and she was frozen in place, listening to Street explaining his reasons for keeping her in the dark.

"We're friends when you feel like it. And what if something shifts and you need distance again? You're pushing me away. And I can't keep getting dragged into this cycle. I worked on myself and keeping boundaries. That's why I didn't tell you everything. I wanted to, so bad, but I couldn't. I just, I can't keep sitting on this merry-go-round and hope you don't change your mind. This time this is my decision. And I need you to respect that." Street finishes while looking her straight in the eyes and breathing heavily.

"I should leave," Chris mumbles and just runs out of the house. She feels numb and is driving in a daze back home.

Erika must've immediately sensed that something was wrong because seconds after the door to her apartment falls shut behind Chris, she finds herself engulfed in a hug.