"A Risk Worth Taking" - Chapter 8

Intelligence caught a new case while Layla was finishing up the software updates. A tender-aged male was found brutally tortured and left for dead. Layla got to see the Hank Voight that she'd only heard stories about when he started barking orders to his team and making damn sure they knew this case had to be solved - no matter what it took.

Around 3:00 PM, Layla finished her work and packed up her laptop. Everyone was out chasing down leads except Hank, who was in his office reviewing crime scene photos.

Hank looked up when Layla knocked on his door and waved her in. As soon as she entered he quickly closed the folder.

Hank ran his hand over his face, as if trying to clear the images from his mind, and sat back in his chair.

"I'm sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to let you know I'm done with the updates. So I'll be reporting back to Jerry for my next assignment." Layla told him.

"Thanks for getting that done so fast."

"No problem." Layla told him.

They were both silent for a moment, as if trying to decide what to say. They both realized this was the last time, at least for a while, that they'd see each other at work.

"Hank, I wanted to…" Before Layla could finish, Hank's cell phone rang. He looked at Layla apologetically before answering it.

"Voight."

Layla watched as anger clouded his face. "Okay, I'll be right there."

He was already standing and grabbing his coat as he ended the call.

"We've got another tender-aged victim at a similar crime scene."

Layla stood and waved him on. "Go, go. We can talk later."

She watched as he turned and headed towards the stairs, glad he was on the case. If anyone was going to catch this sick bastard, it would be Hank Voight and his team.

—

Layla headed downstairs and stopped at the desk to speak to Trudy. "Hey Trudy, I'm all finished upstairs so I guess I'll see you around." Layla pouted her lips, sad that she would have to leave the friends she'd made in precinct 21.

"Sad to hear that Layla. Too bad Intelligence caught such a rough case on your last day. Kind of a sour note to go out on." Trudy said.

"Yeah," Layla glanced over at the stairs, "but I know they'll get the guy."

Trudy met Layla's eyes and nodded in agreement. "They will."

An officer behind the desk interrupted, asking Trudy a question, and Layla realized she should get out of her hair.

"Well, I better get going but I'm all settled in at my place if you're still interested in coming over to listen to some records?"

Trudy smiled, "Yeah, that'd be great."

The two talked and decided on that coming Friday night. Layla headed out to her car and back to the IT office in the Ivory Tower to get her next assignment.

Her next assignment had Layla doing the same traffic cam software updates in precinct 9. It was a much slower-paced precinct and no one there really welcomed her. She came in, did her updates, and went home.

Layla had texted Kim throughout the week, and though she couldn't get into details, Kim did tell her that their case was still unsolved.

Layla wanted to call Hank, if for no other reason than to voice her support for the team, but she knew if the case was still ongoing he would be working around the clock.

Before she realized it, Friday night had arrived. Layla was excited to have Trudy over. She liked the older woman, she was bold and funny.

Layla was just taking a lasagna out of the oven when there was a knock at her door.

"Trudy, you're early," Layla said as she opened the door.

She was surprised to see Hank standing on the other side. He looked like hell.

"Hank, are you okay?" Layla put her hand on his arm and coaxed him into the apartment.

He didn't say anything for a minute, just sat down on the couch, Layla sitting down beside him.

Finally Hank said, "We got the guy."

Layla let out a sigh and said, "That's great."

But Hank's expression didn't change. He looked distant. Sad.

Hank wasn't sure why exactly he was at Layla's. Normally, he would have gone home and drank himself to sleep after a case like this. But after what he'd seen, he wasn't quite ready to be alone with his thoughts.

Finally, Hank said, "That was one of the most brutal cases I have ever worked."

Layla reached down to hold Hank's hand in support and he flinched. Looking down, she saw his knuckles were raw, covered in dried blood.

She raised her eyes to his and knew instantly, he'd spent a little one on one time with the murderer.

"Let me get something to clean this for you."

As Layla stood, there was a knock at the door. She'd momentarily forgotten that Trudy was coming over.

As soon as Layla opened the door, Trudy started talking. "Layla, I hope you like red wine because this bottle of cab is out of this world." Trudy walked in and her eyes landed on Hank.

"Oh. Hi Hank."

"Trudy. Sorry, I didn't realize you two had plans. I'll just head out." Hank started to get up but Trudy stopped him.

"No, no, no. You stay, I'll go." Trudy had known Hank long enough to know he was in a bad place right now. She'd heard some details on the case Intelligence had been working and she was glad she didn't know more. It sounded incredibly brutal. Plus, she was a fan of this potential Hank/Layla relationship and decided she was going to help it along a little.

Layla watched as Trudy and Hank met eyes and seemed to have some unspoken conversation. Years of history obvious between them.

"Thanks Trudy."

Trudy nodded and turned back to the door. "No sweat, Hank. Here," Trudy turned to Layla and handed her the bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon she'd been carrying. Layla was going to object but Trudy widened her eyes at her, and tilted her head slightly towards Hank. Layla nodded.

"Thanks Trudy. We'll reschedule okay?"

After seeing Trudy out, Layla went into the bathroom and got some rubbing alcohol, bandages and ointment.

Hank was quiet while she cleaned the wounds on his hands.

"All done." Layla said softly when his hands were cleaned and bandaged.

"Thanks." He met her eyes and said nothing, grateful she was there.

"Have you eaten?" Layla asked as she stood, walking backwards to the kitchen. To lighten the mood, she said in a sing-sing voice, "I just took a lasagna out of the oven." Hank smiled, starting to come back to the present. It made her happy that she could distract him from his thoughts.

"That sounds great."

Layla put on some soft music before they both headed into the kitchen. She fixed them each a plate with a small salad, lasagna and garlic bread. Then she opened the bottle of red that Trudy had left and poured them each a glass.

While she did that, Hank stood in front of her fridge which was covered in photos of Layla with her friends from North Carolina, Layla with her niece and nephews, with her sister and brother-in-law. Once Layla had everything on the table, she walked over to him and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Let's eat, Sergeant." Layla teased and Hank let out a small laugh as he sat down across from her at the kitchen table.

After one bite of the lasagna, Hank put his fork down and looked at her. "Beautiful, smart, and a great cook. I see you're the whole package." Layla laughed.

"Well I'm glad you think so." Layla told him, a flirty look in her eye.

From that point on, Hank was able to put the case in the back of his mind. The two enjoyed the meal together and got to know each other better. Hank talked about why he became a cop, told Layla all about Erin, and talked fondly about his friend Al. For the first time since his death, Hank was able to hear his name without wanting to be sick on his stomach.

Layla enjoyed watching Hank relax. She was having a great time just talking with him.

When they settled into a comfortable silence, Layla cleared the table and said, "Why don't you head back into the living room and I'll refill our wine."

Layla followed a few minutes later and sat beside him on the couch, handing him his wine glass.

"Layla," Hank said, turning not just his head but shifting his body to face her, "Thanks for letting me crash your plans tonight."

Layla smiled and took a sip of her wine. "I don't think Trudy will fault me for inviting in a handsome man that just showed up at my door."

Layla blushed and Hank let out an appreciative laugh.

"I promise I used to be better at flirting." Layla sighed, embarrassed.

Hank put his hand on her leg and looked at her. "You're doing great, don't worry."

Hank reached over and sat his wine glass on the side table, then took Layla's and did the same.

When he turned back to her, Hank leaned forward and hesitated, looking into Layla's eyes for consent. In response, Layla closed the space between them and their lips met in a gentle kiss.

This kiss was different. It was tender and patient. There was an understanding about it, as if they each saw a light breaking through the surface of the loneliness they'd been drowning in.

This kiss was full of hope.

The guilt that Layla had felt a week earlier was still there. She knew it wasn't going to disappear overnight. But now it was quiet and still, falling to the back of her mind instead of causing panic to rise in her throat.

As they parted, Hank didn't remove his hand from where it cradled Layla's cheek. Their faces close, they both looked into each other's eyes for a moment, both realizing the significance of what was just beginning between them.

Hank let his thumb slide gently along Layla's cheek bone and she closed her eyes at his touch, sighing.

Slowly, he lowered his hand and Layla opened her eyes. Without saying anything, Hank leaned back and lifted his arm, prompting Layla to slip under it and tuck herself against his side, her cheek resting on his shoulder. The music that Layla had put on earlier was still playing softly in the background and the two of them sat like that for a long time, not saying anything.

Layla was starting to drift off, Hank's warmth and comfort relaxing her, until she heard Hank clear his throat.

"It's late. I should probably go."

Layla snuggled closer to him and made a noise of protest, causing Hank to laugh. Layla could feel the rumble of it against her cheek.

Reluctantly, she pulled herself away from his side and stood up. Hank did too and they walked slowly towards the door.

"Thanks for dinner." Hank told her as they reached the door and he turned around to face her.

"Anytime."

"Listen," Hank said, "Next Saturday night there's this fancy party for the mayor's new gun control initiative. I have to go. Actually the whole team does."

Hank reached out and took her hand, a sparkle in his eyes. "Will you go with me? As my date?"

They both knew that it meant people seeing them together and talking about them.

"I'd love to."

Hank smiled and said, "I'll get all the details and get back to you."

Hank let go of her hand and turned around, opening the door. The cold air swirled in around them. Hank turned back to Layla, leaning forward and placing a soft kiss on her lips before whispering "goodnight."

Layla watched as he walked down the stairs and out of sight.