Street tried to make small talk with her,

"Have your family been in today? Street asked breaking the deafening heavy silence,

"Yeah…. Uncle Saaso just left before you got here." She said fidgeting. She didn't want to be cold to him, but she was really struggling with how to act. She was trying her best not to resort to her ice queen act because she didn't want to hurt him. Chris was terrified of letting him in, or even being too physically close to him right now. She doubted if her wall was strong enough to resist him and all she felt for him, so she did her best to keep some distance without being too harsh. She sensed Streets uncomfortableness and glanced at him.

Catching her gaze Street tilted his head "What?" he asked, she shook her head and glanced back at the bed. 'Man, I wish she would just talk to me' Street thought, 'this game is exhausting'.

'Damn it Chris' she yelled at herself in her own head …'you can't keep doing this, you are being so selfish, you want your cake and eat it too. You want him here, but you don't want to be honest about what this is and how you truly feel'. She swallowed hard and chewed her bottom lip. The air in the room was awkward and tense.

Street hated this, the room was beginning to feel like it had at work with her in the two weeks after she had shattered him in the kitchen of HQ. He was determined not to let her start pushing him away again like that. They had begun making ground lately, she had opened up a bit and told him that he was important to her, and was her best friend. She had apologised and let him get a bit closer to her, but now she was starting to take steps backwards again. So he summoned all the courage he could and stood up, walking to her bed, he was shaking, scared of how she would react,

"Chris …." he said, but she didn't look at him…. "Look….." he continued "I know you're hurting right now" he said reaching out and carefully placing a hand on top of hers, "I can't help you if you don't let me in a bit and talk to me" His hand on hers was making her anxious. She was telling herself not to freak out and pull away, so she glanced up at him through her hair, "I'm here for you and will always be" he finished.

Chris felt that warm rush, she couldn't deny the electrifying connection between them. She knew deep down that Street cared for her immensely and had for a long time. She knew that if she ever wanted that to become the relationship she sometimes daydreamt about, that she would have to stop pushing him away.

Her other hand shook as she slowly lifted it up and placed it over his hand that was already holding hers, She kept her gaze down and whispered "….. But….I don't deserve you". Street felt a rush fly through him. He sat slowly down next to her, studying her face closely, she hesitated before looking at him again "Street … I … I wouldn't blame you for being angry. I have made a mess of everything and I hurt you …...please know …I am sorry…... you did nothing to deserve all this".

'Yes, come on…... keep going' Street whispered in his head. She was opening up a tiny fraction here, he wanted her to feel safe around him and to trust him again like she used to.

"Hey…. Chris…. look at me", she was looking out the window, Street raised his hand to nudge her chin, she looked back at him, with fear all over her face.

"Chris …. it's ok…... I ... honestly want to help you…... I hate seeing you like this" He turned his hand over to hold hers. "I'm not going to turn my back on you. You have always been there for me and now it's my turn to be there for you"

She smiled at him before returning her gaze to the window "like I said …I don't deserve you" she whimpered.

'No…...you do' Street said in his head 'I'm so in love with you…... and would do anything for you', he held it all in and simply put his arm around her to hug her to him.

'oh god….' Chris thought as his strong arm glided around her and she felt herself leaning into him, her head on his shoulder 'don't look up at him whatever you do Chris, just relax and breathe'

"Hey…...here she is…." Deacon said as he, Luca, Tan and Hondo came through the door.

Chris and Street spun around to face them, Street felt awkward and guilty for hugging her when they arrived, "What were they thinking? Did any of them see that? Do they know how I feel about her?" raced through his thoughts as he did his best to hold it all in.

"Hey…. yo… Chris, how are you?" Luca said hugging her.

"Hey Luca" She said hugging him back, "get over here Deac" she nodded as they all hugged her and told her they were glad to see her.

The team stayed for a while …. laughing and sharing stories until the nurse came in to say visiting hours were over. They all said their goodbyes and moved to the door. Street waited til last. As he approached Chris to hug her goodbye, he noticed her expression change. Her eyes were different, and he sensed she wanted him to stay. "You need your rest" he said hugging her, conscience the team was at the door waiting for him.

"I know..." she whispered "I meant what I said… I'm sorry"

"Chris" he said pulling her back from his embrace, "You need to switch of his pretty lil head and go to sleep… got it?"

Luca laughed and nudged Deacon as he called out "You heard him Chris, sleep and rest…. We need you back ASAP"

She smiled and laughed as they exited the room, Chris gave him a knowing look and wave as he closed the door.

Walking out of the hospital, they continued their banter. Street though…. he was tired and drained. Deacon could see how much this was weighing on him. He slowed his stride to drop back next to him. Street glanced over,

"you …. ah…. spoke to Hondo yet?" Deacon asked in a low voice.

"Nah…... every time I've tried someone interrupts or something happens…... plus I still dunno what exactly to say" Street shrugged

"I'd have a word as soon as possible kid, just be honest" Deacon said tapping Streets shoulder. Street knew he was right.

When they reached the parking lot, they all said their goodbyes and made their way to their vehicles. Street quickened his step to catch up to Hondo,

"Can we talk" he said, nerves flying through his body, he was shaking.

"Yeah…. sure.. what's up kid?" Hondo asked leaning against the hood of his car.

"I…... um…... I …. ah…" God, Street couldn't even speak properly. He clenched his fists to help regulate his breathing and paused to gather his thoughts. "I need to talk to you about something…... about Chris actually" Street fumbled. Hondo studied Street closely as he continued,

"Ok…. I'm listening" Hondo replied

"I …. ahhh…...I need your help, or I guess your advice on this and …." Street continued to fumble and fidget struggling to get the words out. He was terrified that there was no going back and was scared Hondo would be disappointed in him.

"I have feelings for Chris" he blurted, searching Hondo for any indication on his reaction. Hondo slowly nodded at him with a kind of smile and concerned frown at the same time.

Street continued…... "Look man …. I know I should probably just ask to transfer teams or something… but …. I …. I've worked so hard to get back on the team and this team is absolutely everything, you guys are all I have…I…. don't wanna loose that"

Hondo interrupted him, standing up straight and putting his hands on Streets shoulders. "I wondered how long til one of you coughed up the truth" he said

"You knew?"

"Not for sure no, but I am pretty good at reading people Street…. and you and Chris have been well different around each other lately, I know you've always been tight, so I kinda thought this might happen one day"

Street felt paralysed he didn't know how to react or read Hondo in that moment. He fidgeted and kicked the ground with his foot,

"So…. Um…. what do I do now?" He asked looking nervously at Hondo.

Hondo patted his shoulder…... "Well I need to know more kid…. do you both have these 'feelings'? Or is it just you? Have you started a relationship that I need to declare knowledge of?"

"no…no… no relationship, I just … well… I know how I feel about her…... but…"

"She isn't giving you any answers, or you haven't told her yet?

"I've …... well…... I've tried but …. things have happened and now I don't where she stands on this, the Ty and Kira thing is a mess, she is a mess and if she knew I had even spoken to you she would be kicking my arse."

"Start at the start Street and tell me it all"

Street sat on the hood of Hondo's car and they talked for ages. He was terrified at first of letting his boss, friend and mentor in but knew he needed to. Street told Hondo how deeply he cared for Chris. He relived the kiss they had shared and opened up about his fear of losing her when she was hurt as well as when she was scared and pushed him away".

Hondo could see how much Street loved Chris. He wondered if Chris felt the same? After talking it out for a bit, Hondo stood up and Street followed.

"Look man…. I don't wanna do anything that will hurt you or Chris. At this point…. I'd find out how she feels. If this becomes a relationship you both want, then we will go from there. If not and it causes you too much grief, we will re-evaluate. But I suggest you find the time to talk to her, and I mean really TALK to her. Tell her what you've told me and make her see where you are with this"