S2 E4 – Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

Part 3 of 5

The Reveal

The Big Reveal reveals more than the murderer. It shows him the truth about their partnership. They are meshing together once more. He realizes that she is very good at her job. He hasn't lost his edge. She's found hers. He is still the epitome of sleuthing skill. No need to doubt himself at all. Thinking back over the past few months, he realizes that his professionalism has not deserted him. He's still as sharp as he ever was, more so in fact with the help of his team. His team. The men… and her.

She realizes she needs him as a shining example of what she can aspire to be. She doesn't want to go back to undercover work. They are a perfect duet. They complete each other. She needs him and he needs her. He would still be brilliant and driven but rudderless without her. She has to make him stay.

He realizes that he doesn't want to leave. Not really. Not if there is the slightest chance that…

She realizes that she wants him to stay. Truly. Especially if there's the slightest chance that…

On the Station veranda

Fidel and Dwayne are inside processing Benjamin Sammy for the murders of Daniel Morgan and Ian Parks. Camille finishes her preliminary paperwork, charges outside and throws herself onto a bench, fuming. Within moments, she hears a quiet step beside her, sees the dark blur of his suit hovering at her elbow, Oh, NOW he wants to talk?!

The ride back from Joel Maurice's home had been fraught with unspoken tensions... Benjamin staring at Richard… Camille staring at Richard… Richard ignoring both of them and mulling over whatever is now occupying his big brain… Dwayne upset over his friend's fall from grace… and poor Fidel trying to drive while ignoring all the silent yelling going on inside the Defender.

She has so many questions but the safest is the one she blurts out, "What is Benjamin's true motive?"

Richard waits a beat then slowly pivots to face her, his face a careful mask, "Pardon?"

"You heard me! You always hear me or, at least, you used to! What's happened to us? Why are you so awful now? Why do I feel so alone and bereft? Why are you trying to leave us? Leave me?"

His face is stony, his silence complete. She drops her eyes and covers her face with her hands. She can't look at him anymore. She can't take the emptiness of his gaze. "Sorry, that just slipped out. Forget I said any of it. It's none of my business how you choose to live your life but I think I deserve to know something so important that you are willing to subvert your very reason to exist! What is Benjamin's true motive?" She feels a bit stronger now, calling on her professional mien to confront his.

When she looks back up to him, he seems different, his eyes not quite so empty, not quite so cold. He surprises her mightily by quickly sitting down beside her, folding his arms and staring down at the floor between them, "I did hear you. I always hear you. That hasn't changed. What's changed is something I can't understand, something I can't control. I thought I could escape back to my old life, save myself, but this case…" He falters, his voice is low and suppressed, "… this case…"

She waits. He is silent, thinking. Finally, she whispers, "What changed for you?"

He starts minutely, pulling out of whatever mental fugue had captured him. He looks away. She can see he is wrestling with something. She puts a hand on his arm and it seems to decide him. He turns back to her, "You. You've changed, and I've changed, and I don't know what to do now. This case, it's made me realize something fundamental."

"Fundamental how?" She is very scared of his answer.

"This island." Her surprise is evident. This is not what she expected. He sees this and nods, "Yes, this island. Benjamin's true motive was the saving of Saint-Marie and I suddenly had the soul-wrenching experience of an emotional thunderbolt! I agreed with him. Totally. Completely. I want to save my home, my island."

She is speechless but not for long, "YOUR island? YOUR home? Here? Really? At last?"

END – part 3