As Chris stood a little dazed. Trying to register that this handsome tall guy was actually asking her out, Jared cleared his throat and prompted. "Are you still with me? or did I overstep?" He eyed her slightly. Chris suddenly realised she had been in a daze and hadn't answered him. "Oh, sorry, I was just..."
"Lost in thought? Maybe overthinking?" He chuckled, "I do that a lot too and I know what it looks like. Sorry, I shouldn't have put you on the spot like that."
"No, please," Chris said. "I am sorry I was being a little rude..." she chuckled. As they both laughed slightly, she looked at him. "And, hey, I don't even know your name Sgt. Michael's." He smiled back at her and nodded,
"It's Jared."
"Well, nice to meet you Jared, you can call me Chris." She answered shaking his outstretched hand.

They continued to make small talk as he walked her out to her waiting cab.
"I'm um," Chris stopped as he opened the door for her. "I'm okay with grabbing a coffee sometime."
He smiled. "Great, let me know when." She climbed inside trying to keep her cool.
"I will, see you later at the range?"
"Definitely." He smiled closing the door and waving her off. The entire cab ride back to her hotel, she had no idea what she was thinking. Was she really thinking about dating this guy? Or was that her caving into the way she had been feeling about the things she wanted to change in her life.
At the gun range later that afternoon, she was focused and intent on getting the best score. She had not once glanced about looking for Sgt. Michaels and actually had managed to keep him out of her thoughts whilst she focused on the task. Once her round was done, she checked her gear back in and paused to text Deac back.
"Yeah, I miss you guys too. Hope Tan and Street are being nice to Rogers." She began to walk towards the exit when she heard his voice.
"Hey, you weren't gunna leave without saying hi?"
Chris smirked a little, recognising his voice. "Hi," she answered turning to him.
They talked and shared a few laughs for a few minutes before he was called up for his round.
"Good luck." Chris added with a friendly wave.
"Thanks, text me tomorrow morning to set a time." He winked at her and headed off. She shook her head and smirked a bit. He was pretty charming and intoxicating. But she managed to keep her cool and keep it casual.

Later, when she got back to her hotel, she showered and pulled on her sweats, laying on the bed exhausted she opened her phone.
There was a msg from Luca.
"Hi from Germany! I'm almost done here and will be home soon, but today I was talking to a buddy of mine there in the US and wow! He could not stop singing your praises. He said officers are requesting that you run a second presentation! Or more workshops! Go get 'em Chris!"
She stared at the msg for a while and slowly smiled.
"Really? Wow, thanks. It went well but I didn't think it was that amazing."
"Well he was definitely impressed. Said you must be the bright star of the LAPD."

Chris let Luca's msg's sink in as she stared out the window. Watching the night sky and thinking about everything. How far she had come, where she was heading next. As she went to get up, she saw a shooting star up high in the dark sky. She paused and closed her eyes. Making a wish from way deep down inside her. Before she climbed into bed and fell fast asleep.

The next day back in LA at HQ, Rogers lent around her locker to Deac,

"Well, just one more day and she will be back." She said, smiling sadly at Deacon, with a playful pout. He chuckled slightly and nodded. "Seriously though, it has been so much fun. You guys are the best to work with, and...it has been such a learning experience too. I am sure I in no way 'filled' that void she left, but thank you."
"Hey, you have filled her shoes quite nicely. Don't discredit yourself like that too much." Deacon replied nodding reassuringly at her.
She smiled back as she closed her locker and headed out.

Deacon grinned to himself, watching her walk away. Rogers was something special. Just like Chris, she was determined, motivated and could match it with the best of them. Of course, she had too though, or she wouldn't be here. Just then Street banged his way in,
"Hey Deac,"
"Hey." He answered, with a nod as Street moved passed opening his locker and placing his badge on the shelf as he lent back and looked over to Deac.

"I saw Rogers on her way out. She has been good, but I'll admit that I still miss Chris."
Deacon let out a chuckle, "Street, none of us ever doubted that you didn't!" He patted his shoulder and moved passed him.
"Have you heard from her?" Street asked with a tinge of hesitation in his voice.
Deac paused, he heard it, that thing in Streets voice that meant he was hurting. He knew things with them were in a weird place and knew it would be that way for a while, until they both figure out what they want, and are actually honest with each other. He turned with a smile.
"Yeah, she text me a few days ago, actually. Her presentation went well, and she had some impressive scores in the workshops and trials they ran."
"Oh, that's great." He smiled. "I knew she could do it." He looked back into his locker. Avoiding Deacon's piercing gaze.
"Street? I um, I am surprised you haven't reached out?"

Street inhaled and chewed his lip before answering.
"Well, we are kind of still in a weird place." He admitted, looking down at the floor.

"and I think she thinks me reaching out is, I dunno, like stepping over a line because I am dating Molly."
Deac stepped back towards him and nodded, "Look, correct me if I am wrong here. Chris is important to you, yes?"
"Of course she is!" Street nodded.
"And you can't imagine your life without her in it?"
Street eyed him surprised and a little taken a back,
"Yeah, I mean, well yeah."
"Then maybe make sure she knows that you are still there, still wanting to be her friend, still caring."