Chapter 3 - Moving on, hopefully
Michaela was standing by the front door hugging Zeke tightly.
Michaela: Good luck tonight.
Zeke: Thanks, I need all the luck I can get.
Zeke looked around the living room nervously.
Michaela: Don't worry. I packed away all of my pictures and removed my clothes from the closet. When you get back home there will be no sign that I ever lived here.
Zeke: It sounds so sad when you say it like that, but thank you for understanding that I don't want my date to walk in the house and think that I am dating her while I am with another woman.
Michaela: Don't worry about it, It's the least I can do for you after breaking your heart
Zeke: You're truly amazing, you know that?
Michaela: If only that were the real truth. You really should get going, you don't want to be late.
Zeke: Are you kicking me out of my house?
Michaela: Technically this is my house and since we were married you moved in with me and since I didn't want you to leave you still live here with me, so I'm kicking you out of my house to go on a date with some really cute girl who doesn't know you were ever married.
Zeke: Mick, you know what I mean
Michaela: Then yes, I am kicking you out of your house.
Zeke: Well then, if that's the case, I'm leaving.
With that, Zeke opened the door and walked outside to his car. Michaela closed the door behind him, standing in the now empty apartment and for the first time since she and Zeke had agreed to be just friends she finally felt at ease and calm with their decision. She had packed away all her things earlier that day so now she picked up the little suitcase with what she would need for that night, the rest of her clothes and stuff were already in suitcases waiting to be put in the car. Michaela took one last look around and then walked out the door.
She decided first to go and visit Ben for a little at home as they were supposed to be going out for dinner together just the two of them. Michaela took the long route from her house to Ben's so she could have extra time to think. She knew how badly she missed Jared, his warmth, his love, even the way he looked at her made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside. She missed just sitting around and eating dinner with him. Their lazy Sundays in the park, walks around the block. Her heart was aching at the thought of what their life could have been and everything she was missing by not being with Jared any more. She knew she had to stop thinking about him. She had to move on. That was why she was getting in a car the following morning and was going to drive across the country for a job opportunity with the LAPD. Michaela knew the quicker way of getting from New York to LA was by plane but after losing 5.5 years on the last flight she took she was too terrified to get on a plane again so she was going to drive all the way there even if it was going to take her the whole week.
Michaela walked into Ben's house and saw that no one was home. So, she picked up her phone and called Ben to find out where he was.
Ben: Hey Mick, What's up?
Michaela: I just stopped by your house and no one is here
Ben: Zeke left for his date already?
Michaela: Yup, about 5 minutes before I did.
Ben: How are you feeling about all this?
Michaela: Can we talk about this over dinner?
Ben: Of Course. I took Eden to the park. We are on our way back now; Olive will be babysitting while we go out so we can leave as soon as we get back.
Michaela: Sounds perfect. I'll see you soon.
After many tantrums from Eden, tons of traffic on the way to the restaurant, and no empty tables despite their 8:30 reservations Ben and Michaela finally got to sit down for dinner at around 9:30.
Ben: So, what's going on? Why was it so important to have dinner with just the two of us here tonight?
Michaela: Life has been extremely confusing and complicated for me since we got off the plane.
Ben: I know Mick, and I'm so sorry
Michaela: It's not your fault, nothing to be sorry for. Anyway, I have really been trying to readjust and put the broken pieces of my life back together but I have been doing a lousy job. Nothing has gone right and my life is a complete mess. I can't go to work because then I would have to work with Jared, I can't work with Jared because then he will just force me to get back together with him and I can't do that because that would just be cruel to him but I am going crazy not working every day and I really miss being a detective. As you know Zeke and I are no longer married so at this point there is pretty much nothing keeping me here anymore and the longer I stay here the more depressed I become.
Ben: So, what are you saying?
Michaela: I got a job opportunity with the LAPD. They want my help in leading a task force that is based in LA, part of LAPD working with NYPD and its main focus will be to take down New York criminals who are visiting in LA.
Ben: LA, really? That's like, really far, like a 6-hour plane ride far. That's even further than Jamaica was.
Michaela: I know. That's why I will be driving there. No way am I going to lose more years especially if we don't have that many more to live.
Ben: Is there anything I can say to convince you to stay in New York?
Michaela: I wish there was Ben. But I hope you won't. I need this, Ben; I need a fresh start. Away from here, away from Zeke, and far, far away from Jared.
Ben: and me.
Michaela: Ben. You and I will always be close even if there are miles between us.
Ben: I know, I just wish you didn't have to go.
Michaela: Me too.
Ben: But I get why you feel this way.
Michaela: Look at this point I haven't spoken to Jared in 2 months. Zeke is on his first date since we split, and tomorrow I am getting in a car and driving out west. I know it's a lot of change but Ben you and Grace you got your happily ever after. Jared and I were not as lucky, I know this will be hard for you and that's why I wanted to tell you in person. But I need to do this, I need to go.
Ben got up from his seat and put his arms around Michaela, sobbing, refusing to let go.
Ben: I don't want to lose you
Michaela: You won't. I will talk to you every day, until you are sick of me and beg me not to call.
Ben: Promise?
Michaela: Pinky promise.
Ben: Did you tell Jared you are going?
Michaela looks down, and away from Ben
Michaela: I can't Ben. If I do, I won't have the guts to leave. I know it's cruel not to tell him but I need this and talking to him, he will never let me go especially not alone.
Ben: I wish you weren't driving all that way by yourself; I wish I could go with you help you settle in; I just want to know that you will be okay and you won't be alone.
Michaela: I won't be alone. Drea is coming to LA with me, she is joining the task force as well.
Ben: That makes me much calmer
Michaela: I figured it would.
Ben: So, what am I supposed to tell Jared when he asks me where you are
Michaela: Just say you don't know. Please don't tell him, I don't want him coming out west and ruining everything that I am working so hard to build. Please.
Ben: Okay, Okay I'll do as you ask. But you owe me.
Michaela: Always.
Ben and Michaela hug and then walk out the restaurant. They hug again as they each turn away and head home. Ben went to his house and Michaela to Drea's apartment as the plan was for her to spend the night there and then they were going to leave at around 9 AM to start their drive towards Los Angeles. Michaela was both excited and nervous about this new adventure. She knew she would miss Jared like crazy but it would be easier for her not to be with him from LA than it was knowing that she could bump into him anywhere in the city.
Michaela got to Drea's apartment and knocked on the door as she didn't have a key. The door flew open and Drea was standing there in pajamas.
Drea: Hey girl, ready for our road trip tomorrow.
Michaela: Ready as I'll ever be
Drea: How did tonight go with Zeke?
Michaela: He has a date tonight and he was so nervous that I forgot to tell him that I'm moving to LA.
Drea: So, you're never going to tell him?
Michaela: Something tells me that he will still be okay.
Drea: I hear you. How did Ben take it?
Michaela: He wasn't exactly jumping for joy at the thought of me being across the country, but I know he understood why I have to do this
Drea: That's good, I'm really happy he didn't give you a hard time about it.
Michaela: Me too, how was it at the precinct today?
Drea: Bowers pulled all the necessary strings for us with the LAPD and they are excited for us to come work there.
Michaela: What about the other detectives at the NYPD
Drea: You asking about Diaz and Harrington or is what you really want to know is if I told Jared I am no longer working out of the NYPD?
Michaela: Drea
Drea: All Bowers told everyone is that I quit. The plan is for no one from the NYPD to know I am still working for them. Bowers is going to be our handler and she will be the go between for us.
Michaela: So, Jared?
Drea: Jared wasn't there today when she made the official announcement but my guess is that he will be upset and confused when he finds out I quit.
Michaela: I can only imagine. He was really angry when I quit and didn't tell anyone.
Drea: That's because it was you, I don't think he'll care much that I'm not there I just think he's going to wonder why.
Michaela: I hope so. It's getting really late and it's been a long hard day for me and the next coming days won't be easy. I want to get some rest before we pull out tomorrow if that's okay.
Drea: Sounds like a plan. Come I'll show you to the guest bedroom.
Michaela: Thanks.
Just then they heard the bell ring.
Michaela: You expecting company?
Drea: No, you?
Michaela: Nope.
They both take out their guns as they hear very loud banging on the door.
Jared: Drea, put down your guns, it's just me.
They both put away their guns and Drea opens the door to find Jared there fuming mad.
Drea: Jared whoa, is everything okay?
Jared: No, it's not, how can you just up and quit Drea? You didn't even tell me, your partner
Drea: Captain Bowers was supposed to tell you tomorrow.
Jared: It would have been nice to hear about it from you
Drea: I know I'm sorry. Look I didn't want you to find out like this but I am leaving the NYPD
Jared: So, I heard, from Diaz
Drea: I'm sorry Jared I really am
Jared: I just don't get it Dre
Jared looked around the room, he didn't see Michaela but he noticed the boxes and suitcases sitting in the living room
Jared: Are you leaving New York Is this what this is all about?
Drea: Jared please don't do this now. It's really complicated
Jared: It always is with you. Please just talk to me.
Michaela noticed that Drea looked uncomfortable and decided to step in.
Michaela: Jared do you know what time it is?
Jared notices Michaela, notices her suitcases and looks down hopefully at her fingers.
Jared: I'm sorry, Mick, why are you here? Why are your bags here? Why are you not wearing your wedding rings
Michaela just stood there in shock she didn't expect to see him tonight and was unprepared for his questions she had no idea what to say or how to respond. She was just staring at him begging him to go away hoping she wouldn't have to answer him but he wasn't going away without an explanation. This was his girl, the woman he loved and he needed answers and he needed them now.
Jared: Mick talk to me please, what the hell is going on?