How Do You Heal A Broken Heart?
The Talk
Rating: PG-13
Not mine ~ they're just using my head for a playground!
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Woody. . .
Shit. D-day. I just stood there, hoping that my voice would return. Jordan looked at me and swallowed hard.
"What are you doing here, Woody?
"I came back because I need to talk to you. It's important."
"Isn't that usually the line a woman uses?"
"Jordan, I. . ."
I didn't see Garret come up behind me, and I jumped about a mile in the sky at the sound of his voice.
"Detective Hoyt, I thought I gave you explicit instructions to stay. . ."
"Garret, it's ok."
"Are you sure Jordan?"
"No. But. . ."
"I'll be in my office if you need anything." Garret stepped between us and gave Jordan a big hug. "Do what you need to ~ you've got my. . .our support whatever."
"Thanks Garret."
We watched him walk down the hall and heard his office door close. Finally after what seemed like an eternity, Jordan looked at me.
"Woody, come on in here. No sense in making it easy for them to overhear." At which we heard a scuffling of feet and chairs as people rushed to get back to acting like they were working. It's comforting to know that some things never change.
We moved into her office. Jordan motioned towards the couch and proceeded towards the ledge of the window where she leaned, ensuring that the desk was between us. We were silent for a moment, neither of us knowing quite what to say. I knew I should say something, but I couldn't find the words to start. Finally Jordan said something so quiet I had to ask her to repeat it.
"I said, why did you leave without saying anything?"
"Jordan, sweetie, I am so sorry. I was afraid to say anything more about it."
"Afraid? Why were you afraid?"
"Because I didn't want to see what I see when I look in your eyes right now. I. . .I knew it would hurt you if I said I wanted to go and. . ."
"You didn't trust me enough to tell me the truth."
"Jordan, it's not that. . ."
"Then what? Did you think I would tie you to my bed and make you stay here?"
"Well, if I knew that was going to be your reaction. . ."
"Not funny, Woody."
"I'm sorry."
"I would have told you to go."
"What?"
"Not being a martyr or anything. I know that division. I. . .well, we didn't play well together, but I know them. Owens is a good guy. I think. . ."
"You know Owens?"
"I knew him when he was on the regular force. We worked together on cases from time to time."
"Is there anyone that you. . ."
"Not that way. Give me a little credit."
"What? He's good looking ~ if you're into guys."
"Why are we discussing this? I was just going to say that Owens wouldn't have called you if he didn't think you could do the job. There are guys on the LAPD who would give their eye teeth to get on Sunset Division."
"I sort of got the impression that they're a little renegade."
"They like to think they are. But they've just got the bigger toys ~ and I guess in some ways they are. But they're damn good at what they do. And if they ask you to join them. . .well, you've got something special."
"Really?"
"You remember Hector?"
"The guy you hooked me up with out there?"
"Yeah. They turned him down."
"Was that before or after the chili-cheeseburgers?"
"What?"
"Never mind."
"Oh. Ok."
"Jordan, I'm so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. I should have trusted you and talked with you about it."
"Woody, in a way, I understand why you did it."
"You do?"
"Yeah. But let's get out of here to finish this conversation."
"Ok. But why?" I don't know why I bothered to ask. I knew the eavesdropping that went on around here. Jordan had the shade pulled so they never saw her coming. As she opened the door, Bug, Nigel, Peter and Lily came tumbling into her office. Garret, who I assume was listening at the window sheepishly poked his head around the door frame so they wouldn't take the brunt of and wrath that might be coming their way. Amazingly, Jordan just looked at them piled up on the floor and cracked up.
"When are you guys going to learn to give a girl a little privacy around here?"
"Sorry luv. It's just that. . .well, we're worried about you."
"I'm a big girl and can take care of myself." She looked at them and finally put out a hand to help Nigel off the floor. "But thanks for being concerned."
"If you need anything, Jordan."
"It's ok Lily. I've got things under control." That's just what I was afraid of. I had a feeling that this calm exterior was only up for show in front of Jordan's co-workers. You know that saying about still waters? That's Jordan. Yeah she was calm and collected now, but when we got out by ourselves. . .
"Alright. Everyone back to work. Jordan? You finished for the day?"
"Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow, ok Garret?"
"Alright. See you in the morning." She gave him a hug and whispered something that I couldn't quite make out but sounded like "Don't worry. I'm not running anywhere. You're stuck with me."
Jordan turned to me and held out her hand. "Come on, Woody. Let's get out of here."
"Alright." I took her hand and we walked towards the elevator bay. As we got in and the doors started to close, I asked her, "So where are we going?"
"Oh, I thought we'd go to this little place I know. Good beer, great music. And this nice little table in the back that's just right for intense conversations."
Great. We were going to the Pogue.
. . .to be continued. . .
