Warning: I don't have a beta-reader (yeah that hasn't changed either) and as English is not my main language I'm bound to make mistakes. I hope it's not too bad and you'll bear with me.
If you don't like, don't read. Flames will probably be ignored; constructive critics and other reviews are always very welcome. Read and enjoy.
So here we are with chapter 13. And I know it's been a while. I needed some other stories first... No worries I will poste regularly, the next ytwo chapters are already written.
It's the day after the party and things settle… a little. There's more plotting going on, but don't be fooled eyes are now open.
Disclaimer: Don't own, just playing around so don't sue… Belongs to CBS Studios, Sony Pictures Television and many others.
"We have every right to create our own destiny, but none to interfere in someone else's." Martin Rubin. ;)
Street grimaced, his hand finding his nape once again. He felt drained and achy, despite a rather uneventful day for 20 Squad at HQ. Yesterday was definitely catching up with him. While everyone who had attended the party had congratulated him and Luca, he regretted not having taken at least the morning off like Chris. As usual she had been the wisest of them all. He chuckled softly recalling her mocking grin and sparkling eyes when she had passionately kissed him goodbye, before nestling back into the warmth of his bed. He had yet to talk with Luca. He had briefly seen the older man earlier that day, but he had looked rather reluctant to talk to him and Street couldn't help wondering if he had planned something with Melissa. Well, he would know soon enough.
"Hey Street." Hondo's voice boomed in the armory and the younger officer looked at him with a wide grin. "You look tired… Good thing 50 Squad didn't need us for their intervention."
"Yeah, I wonder how Rocker has fared today, he looked ready to explode yesterday."
"He certainly had lots of fun…" He looked at Street pensively, his teeth worrying on his lower lip. "I was wondering… have you seen Chris yet?"
"Chris? She took the morning off I think." He provided noncommittedly as if Hondo hadn't known it. "I haven't seen her since she left the house…"
"Hmm… I know she's in…" The sergeant provided a little restless. "But I haven't been able to see her yet."
"Has this something to do with Stevens and how interested he was in the Party challenge with 50 Squad?" Street wondered cheekily. When the other man's face dropped, he laughed readily.
"Maybe…" Hondo said hesitantly.
"Good luck with finding Chris before him. Maybe you should call her…" He grinned at his boss and shook his head when he rushed out, his phone in his hand. "Yeah… Too late…"
Tan stole a quick glance at the man next to him. Luca was firing several rounds on the target in front of him. He had been uncharacteristically quiet with him the whole day and the young officer wondered if his friend suspected he had revealed their secret conspiracy to Chris.
"You're quiet…" He finally risked after a long hesitation. When Luca sighed heavily, Tan placed his gun down on the counter in front of him and waited.
"I told Melissa it would be a good idea to organize a dinner with Street at her place…" He finally explained morosely. "But now I wonder if it might not be a little soon."
"Soon? From what I understood from Bonnie, you have always been quite eager to go forward with your plan." Tan frowned perplexed. "And now you sound as if you have second thoughts."
"I don't know. I was quite certain last night." He admitted with a rictus. "I mean… I think he liked Lauren, she's pretty and so nice…"
"But…?" He pushed.
"Well… now I don't know…" Luca sighed heavily and ran a tired hand over his face. "I don't want to force him into anything…"
"Yeah… Man I understand the feeling. But how are you going to tell Melissa you changed your mind?" Tan wondered seriously. "And the others? I mean Bonnie is quite excited you're planning to start the double dates very soon. And you know she's planning one of her own with Julian and Chris."
"I'm still not sure that is wise. I mean matchmaking Street is one thing, but Chris…"
"Yeah, that is most likely a trainwreck bound to happen." He shuddered when he imagined his friend dating the other man. "It will blow up in our faces. And you know Chris…"
The older man gulped visibly. He pursed his lips, seemingly lost in thoughts.
"Yeah, well as you said… We can't pull out of it."
"I never said that…" Tan quickly amended, pleased his friend finally seemed to see reason. "No invitations have been handed out yet and it can stay like that."
"But despite my doubts about the timing, I still think Lauren is perfect for him." Luca pushed and when Tan rolled his eyes and shook his head, he continued. "She's so nice, so sweet and they had a lot of fun yesterday. It was nothing like at your wedding, when he ran away from the women Bonnie wanted to couple him with."
"Luca, we're talking about a couple of hours." He sighed, puzzled by his friend's confusing behavior. "He didn't spend more time with her than with Melissa or even Chris... You mean well but you're jumping on conclusions. And you know him too well to fall in that trap."
"I know he's afraid of commitment…" He admitted, a troubled look on his face. "But I want to help him, I want him to be happy and I just think that if he gets to know Lauren better, he might give her a chance."
"So, give it some time if you're so certain." He pushed hopefully.
"The problem is that we don't know how long Lauren will be in Los Angeles. She's supposed to go back to her parents in a few days and Melissa is convinced they will try to get her to stay in San Francisco permanently." Luca explained. "But if she had a boyfriend… that would be an additional reason to stay here and become more independent."
"What? That sounds so wrong… it's like you guys are both pushing them in a direction neither would have chosen without you." Tan looked at the older and saw the resolve in his eyes. He sighed heavily and shook his head. "But you'll go ahead with that double date idea. I'll tell you what I said to Bonnie last night. Don't come complaining when this will backfire. Because it will…"
Hondo entered the kitchen and smiled when he saw Chris. She was eating ravenously a sandwich, but when her eyes fell on him, she suddenly stopped and dramatically let the bun fall on the plate. His smile faltered a little as he walked towards the young woman. He stopped in front of her and leaned heavily on the table.
"I suppose your frown means you've seen Stevens before me."
"Oh really, you think so?" She quipped ironically. "I wonder what gave that away?"
"You can imagine everyone told 60 Squad how great the party was… And don't forget some of their family members were present…" He tentatively reminded her. But when she derisively snorted, he visibly steeled himself and continued in a firmer voice. "I could hardly tell him he couldn't participate to the challenge."
"Strangely he seemed to have understood I would help him too." She raised an inquiring eyebrow and Hondo sighed. "I wonder who gave him that idea… without talking to me first of course…"
"I didn't promise him anything." He defended himself. "Deac and I were very clear he needed to talk to you. You know we would never do that… Chris…"
"Right…" She enjoyed his pleading tone and decided to go on a little longer with her little charade. She grabbed her sandwich once more and bit into it, proceeding to chew very slowly while the older man was waiting for her to go on talking. "I think it should cost you something too…"
"Me?" He asked almost indignantly. When she nodded slowly, he shook his head in disbelief. "You are abusing your power."
"Am I?" She grabbed her soda and sipped thoughtfully.
"I know you are enjoying this."
"Maybe a little." She shrugged as she smirked. "You should have talked to me first…"
"I know but you were off this morning." He reminded her. "Stevens pounced on us as soon as we arrived. You can ask Deac. And he was only at HQ because Hicks had called him in for an urgent meeting. I honestly didn't think he would stay until you arrived."
"He was waiting for me on the parking lot." She chuckled at his contrite expression. "Well, his offer was better than Rocker's."
"Are you going to help him then?"
"Of course." She nodded, taking another bite from her sandwich. "I would be dumb to refuse…"
"Good… So, am I off the hook?" He asked tentatively.
"Definitely not." She shook her head, as if he had lost his mind. "You and Deac should never have agreed to that challenge in the first place. You both owe me, and you will have to pay."
"I can't speak for Deac but name your price and I'll think about it." He straightened nervously, his eyes never leaving her face.
"Oh, believe me, you should do more than just think about it…" She said plopping the last piece of her bun into her mouth. She grinned happily when he groaned in frustration. "And I'll think about it… And you can warn Deac… He's been rather pointlessly hiding from me the whole day… which is a little sad if you ask me… But I draw the line at that… No more participants and I call all the shots for my party. I decide when and I decide where… No discussion there…"
He stared at the pretty brunette, contemplating her satisfied expression. After a long moment he chuckled, nodding in agreement. "You definitely know how to make a point…"
"Of course, I do." She shrugged as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Luca made his way to the armory, steeling himself for the coming conversation with Street. As expected, the younger man was still testing the new equipment that had been delivered at the end of the previous week. A member of each squad had been requested to attend, as the new equipment was still untried. It was now his turn, but he seemed in good spirits the older man realized, and he signed in relief. Maybe his good mood would make this easier than he anticipated.
"How's it going?" Luca asked, strolling into the room.
"Good," Street said, glancing up at him. "You're looking chipper. You seemed to avoid me earlier. Any trouble with Melissa?"
"What? No, of course not." He looked at his roommate with a confused look.
"Then you are feeling guilty for abandoning me with Chris last night…" He gestured the screwdriver he was holding towards the older man. "I hope that at least it was worth it…"
"Did she give you hell?" He wondered, feeling guilty once again.
"She left not long after you." He simply said. "She spoke about deserving a bath to relieve her sore muscles and I could hardly ask her to stay after I let you leave."
"I said I would take care of everything you couldn't do yesterday, and I meant it… just tell me what still needs to be done…" He added contritely.
"You're lucky I slaved away…" He added after a short pause. "But I'm sure I'll think of something."
"Well after we left, Melissa felt rather guilty too…" This was too great an opportunity to pass he realized. "She would like to invite you to her place. She'd cook something nice to thank you for having been so understanding. It could be nice… just the four of us…"
Street immediately frowned, remembering his conversation with Chris the previous night about their friends' meddling. He needed to tread this carefully as it sounded remarkably like a trap, he had no intention falling into.
"She doesn't have to do that. I absolutely didn't mind cleaning up." He started with a smile.
"Yeah, but she wants to. And so does Lauren." He quickly added. "She felt a little bit bad for not helping you as much as she wanted to."
"I see." He mused, hoping he would be able to talk himself out of the invitation.
"Melissa is an excellent cook. You'll love her food." He tried his best to sound convincing. "Come on it will be fun."
"I seriously don't think that having her cook to repay me is the way to go." Street finally said and Luca frowned at his words. "Maybe we could go to a little restaurant… that way we could all enjoying a nice evening… Of course, it would be your treat…"
Luca looked at him for a moment, taking in his satisfied expression. It sounded like a good compromise, and he knew from experience that Street would never accept any other form of repayment.
"I think that's a great idea." He finally said with a smile. "I'll tell the girls and we'll see when we can organize that."
"Sounds perfect." Street said returning the smile.
Tan was happy to finally change into his street clothes. He had managed to avoid Street and Chris the whole day and he was thankful for that. Tomorrow would come soon enough, and it would be early enough to face his colleagues. Since he had finally admitted to Chris what their friends were up to, he felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted off his shoulders. But at the same time, he was in a very uncomfortable position. Bonnie would definitely be quite unhappy he had betrayed their secret and babbled too much. When the door opened, he turned his head and saw the sly smile on the brunette's lips.
"Hey Chris…" He finally managed to say, and his friend simply nodded, sensing his unease and clearly relishing in it.
"How was your day?" She wondered as she opened her own locker. "I barely saw you. It's almost as if you did your best to avoid me… but why would you do something like that? Hmm…"
Her hum hung heavily in the silent room, and he gulped uneasily. Maybe that burden was still resting heavily on his shoulders after all.
"Relax…" She shoved him deliberately. "I'm just teasing you…"
"Yeah of course." He released a sigh who sounded heavier than he would have thought. "Have you told Street?"
"Street?" She frowned at him, as if she didn't understand what he meant.
"About Luca and the others trying to find him a girlfriend…"
"Oh…no…" She grabbed her favorite hoodie and slipped it on. "I haven't seen him at all today."
"But you will tell him…" He pushed uneasily. She chortled at his words, her eyes staring at the locker in front of her as if lost in thoughts.
"You sound as if you can't wait for me to spill the beans." She smirked and turned her chocolate orbs his way. "
"Well…" He gulped again. "Now that I think about it, maybe it's better if you don't."
"Really now?" The brunette tilted her head to the side, her eyes studying him intently. "Why is that?"
"Because…" He struggled to find the right words. "I don't want to get in trouble."
"Of course." She nodded knowingly and he felt like the worst kind of coward.
"I mean maybe it is time for him to finally start dating again. It's been a while since Molly and Lauren is awfully nice, you have to admit it." He explained, feeling his ears turn red under her scrutiny.
When she suddenly slammed the door of the locker shut, he visibly startled.
"So, you are asking me to take your side…" She pushed, taking a step towards him. "You think my loyalty to you is greater than the one to Street?"
"No, of course not." He conceded nervously. "But I told you a secret…"
"This doesn't plead in your favor." She remarked coldly and he swallowed thickly. "You betrayed their trust."
His brain was in a complete fog as he wondered how he could convince her to not reveal the matchmaking ploy to Street. He knew their friend would be very unhappy about it if he found out too early, thwarting all their plans.
"I…" He started but the chime of her smartphone interrupted him. Her eyes went immediately to the display, and she frowned.
"I'll think about it." She lied to him, keeping the charade alive as if she hadn't already told everything to her boyfriend. "I'm late. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, tomorrow." He finally managed but his words only echoed in the empty room.
Street was leaning against his motorcycle, waiting for Chris to arrive. When he had texted her a little earlier to meet him in front of their favorite sushi place, she had readily accepted. Of course, it was going to take her longer to reach their meeting point with her Jeep than he had needed with his bike. He was now impatient to talk to her about Luca's invitation. He hadn't thought his roommate would make his next move that rapidly after the party. But it seemed their friend was more intent than they had thought. He hadn't been able to dodge the ball without being too obvious, but at least he had moved the premises, going from Melissa's house to the anonymity of a restaurant. When a hand took his, he turned a pleased face towards his girlfriend, and Chris kissed him soundly.
"So impatient to see me." She teased him as she pressed another soft kiss on his lips.
"Always…" He said lovingly and she chuckled happily, rewarding him with a third kiss.
"How long do you have?" She wondered her eyes set on the restaurant behind them.
"Definitely long enough for us to eat your favorite menu."
She grabbed his hand, and they walked resolutely inside the busy restaurant. A few minutes later they were enjoying their favorite sushi and mixed tempura. He watched fondly as she was devouring her food. He loved her serious expression when she decidedly dipped the morsels in the sweet soy sauce after adding the spicy ginger. Her satisfied moan made him laugh and she grinned in response.
"So, spill it…" She said as she placed her chopsticks on the plate in front of her.
"Luca invited me to have dinner with him at Melissa's house." When her mouth formed a perfect O at his statement, he smiled apologetically.
"Now that is what I call forward…" She finally said with a frown. "And I suppose it's going to be a double date… they wouldn't leave Lauren out of it… It's probably even the reason why you're having a dinner in the first place."
When he nodded, she sighed and shook her head.
"Wow I wasn't expecting that one." She grabbed her chopsticks and nervously flipped them in her fingers before setting them down again.
"There's no day, like today it seems." Street joked lightly and she rolled her eyes at him.
"What did you say?" She asked him and he shrugged.
"Well, you told me I should play along…" He reminded her and she sighed heavily. "I could hardly refuse… But I decided to dodge it a little bit."
"Meaning?" She wondered and he raised a mocking eyebrow.
"I said I didn't want Melissa to slave in the kitchen for us because we should all enjoy the evening equally. So, I proposed we could go out and eat in a nice restaurant, of course Luca's treat and he accepted."
"Not bad." She smiled, feeling strangely relieved by the fact he wouldn't be spending the evening at the other woman's house. "Damn I wish I could tag along and listen in…"
Street frowned at her, and she simply shook her head. "It's just wishful thinking. You'll go and of course you'll tell me."
"But… maybe there is a way…" He said cryptically and she frowned at his words. "Leave it to me."
