Chapter 3

Stef was sitting in her car outside of the bar waiting for Mike to get there. Tonight a good portion of the other officers were inside celebrating on of the guy's retirement. Not many of the women were there, if any. Therefore she planned on staying home to try to find a reason to call Lena again, but somehow Mike convinced her to come out.

However, it's been 15 minutes and Mike still wasn't there. She wasn't too casual with any of the other officers so she was trying to stall going in alone. The only thing stopping her from leaving after receiving a text from Mike saying that it would be an additional 15 minutes was that she really wanted a drink.

She got out of the car and straightened out her clothes before heading towards the door. She was dressed in dark blue jeans and a fitted maroon shirt slightly unbuttoned at the stop with a bit of cleavage exposed. Her long blond hair was freed from its serious braid and was now straightened.

The moment she walked in she heard someone yell, "Hey Foster". She looked over to the section of the night bar were her fellow police officers were as they yelled and cheered for her to come over to the section. Granted she never really bonded with any of them and she was pretty sure most of them figured that she was gay. But when men, especially police officers are drunk they think anything with boobs is fair game; including Captain Hazelwood, who seemed to be the ring leader of the bunch. "Foster come join," the captain said looking straight at her boobs. "I'm waiting for Mike. But I'm going to the bar to catch up to you. I'll be back," she lied as she made her way to get a beer.

Once at the bar she saw a couple of the guys crowding around some woman trying to ask her out and get her number. Stef rolled her eyes at the men, but it was the woman's annoyed voice that caught her attention. There was something familiar about it yet something a bit different. Something meaner than usual.

She heard the guy making a reference to her phone already being out so she might as well take his number. Just then Stef received a text from Lena as her face beamed. But the message read, "I wish you could save me right now". She knew it as her eyes got wide and she jumped off of the bar stool. She walked around them seeing who they are, but Lena didn't notice Stef until she heard her lean on the bar beside her and began to speak. "James, Mark. How's the wives and kids?" she spoke disapprovingly. They grabbed their drinks off of the counter and started to walk off. "Always have to ruin the fun Foster".

The moment they were gone Lena turned around all smiles and jumped up to hug Stef. "Stef, thank God"! She wrapped her arms around the blonde's neck as she returned the hug after the initial shock and gently rubbed her back as they practically melted into each other. Lena had on a short flowy dress and wedged sandals, with her straight hair in a nice long ponytail.

"I barely recognized you by your voice, little Miss Meana Lena", Stef laughed as Lena took a sip of her wine. "Oh my. They were terrible". The bartender came and gave Stef her drink as she gave him her card. "You can put hers on my tab as well" Stef said gesturing towards Lena. "Oh no Stef. You don't have to do that," Lena said trying to stop her. "I want to. It's the least I can do. If you weren't here I would be stuck with those drunk fools".

Lena glanced over to where Mason and the other cops were sitting. He wasn't paying her any mind. He just needed to walk in with her to brag. Lena knew that he used her as a trophy and it drove her crazy.

"So why are you here anyway?" Stef asked jarring Lena from her thoughts. "I…uhm… know Roland. So I was invited to his retirement. Just didn't realize that it was going to be held at a bar Not really my scene". Stef could tell that Lena felt uncomfortable but she didn't want her to go just yet.

"Hey did you eat already?" Stef suddenly asked. "Nope," Lena replied taking another sip. Stef grabbed one of the bar menus and told the bartender that they would be moving to a table as they both stood. "So do you want to stay close to the crowd or away" she asked referring to the party. Lena looked at Mason then back to Stef. "Away". Stef took a hold of her hand as a spark ran through the both of them. They looked down at their clasped hands and back up to each other. "Well away we go" Stef took off speed walking to the other side of the pub that was a bit quieter, with Lena laughing I tow.

They found a table completely opposite from the party. Stef sat down on the side that was against the wall, just from being a cop she likes to be able to see all of her surroundings. But she was a little surprised when Lena sat right next to her rather than across the table. Looking at her he could tell that Lena was slightly buzzed from her drink. So Stef decided that she would leave her beer alone and stick with a coke. She didn't know why but she felt like she had to protect her and watch over her.

She sweetly placed her hand on her knee and lightly rubbed her thumb back and forth as she picked up the menu. "Hmm. So are you a fan of nachos or wing? I remember you saying last night how you are big on healthy foods but they don't really have the best choices here". Lena laughed as she read the menu along with her. "Yeah, I can see that. But nachos are fine with me".

She leaned back as Stef continued to look at the menu. Lena was taking in all of Stef right now. She was curious as to what she would look like outside of her uniform. She had on very light natural makeup and she took pride in her appearance. She looked comfortable yet enticing. She felt herself losing control as she started to gaze at her lips and slowly eyeing her way down. She didn't even notice when Stef put the menu down and was looking back at her with a smirk.

"What are you looking at woman?" Lena looked back up and smiled, feeling the liquid courage she was consuming begin to take control. "You were wrong. You look great with and without the uniform". Stef kissed her cheek once again feeling that spark rush down her spine as she pulled away. "Well thank you love. You are quite beautiful yourself. Lena blushed as the waiter came by to take their orders and Lena decided to drink water before she did something she would regret.

Stef was honestly surprised with herself. By now if this was any other woman she would have tried to make a move or be finding a way to get into her pants. But Lena seemed special. She wanted to take it slow with her.

Once the food came they both really began to loosen up. They decided to share an order of nachos and mozzarella sticks. "So do you like being a cop? Isn't it scary?" Lena said biting into a moz stick. Stef nodded her head as she tried to clear the food from her mouth. "There's perks to my job, just like any other. It's not for everyone though. I have come encountered with a lot of people who just need to turn in their badge. But there are a great deal of cops who enjoy protecting and looking out for people. But yes. There have been situations where I have been scared and I wasn't sure of what the outcome would be".

Lena felt her body shudder as she looked away. She would never want Stef to be in situations like that or to ever find out that she was hurt. Stef realized that saying this may have been too much for Lena for she began to turn pale. "But don't worry, my love. My partner is great and does his best to keep me out of trouble".

When Lena didn't reply Stef reached up to lightly rub Lena's cheek. But Lena flinched when she realized that a hand was by her face and Stef quickly retracted it. "Sorry," Lea tried to laugh it off, "Just caught off guard for a second". Stef looked at her a bit concerned, "Don't worry. I could never hurt you". Stef looked to her food. She was a cop she knew what that flinch meant. But she didn't want to bring it up because she already felt her anger rising at the thought of someone hurting Lena.

Lena felt like she ruined that mood as Stef was now silent. She reached over and picked up a nacho and held it out to Stef. "Are you going to make me eat by myself?" Stef looked up to her face and smiled thinking for just a moment before she let Lena feed her the chip. They laughed as Stef tried to catch the crumbling pieces. That laughter definitely lifted their spirits back up. They continued to laugh, talk, and feed each other. They both felt so comfortable, so safe, so ... just at home with each other.

But they were disrupted by Mike who approached the table. "Hey, I've been trying to call you. Sorry I was late…married stuff" he joked. His eyes finally fell on Lena as worry washed over him. Stef placed her phone on the table to look at it, realizing that she did in fact have missed calls and messages. "Oh sorry. But Mike this is Lena the one I told you about and Lena this is my partner Mike". Lena smiled up at him, "Nice to meet you". Mike quickly waved, "Yeah, same here. Uh Stef can I talk to you for a minute?" Stef looked at him a little confused. "Uhm sure". Stef patted Lena's knee before stepping away. "I will uh be right back love".

Once they walked away Lena began to pick at her food. Stef left her phone on the table and Lena glances over as messages began to stream in from someone named Alicia. When they stopped she began to call. Lena remembered Stef calling someone Ally Cat so out of fear that it could be something important she answered it for her. "Stef Foster's phone".

"Who is this?!" the woman snapped.

"Uh this is her friend, Lena. Stef is busy talking to someone. Can I take a message?"

"This is her girlfriend…"

Meanwhile, Mike and Stef stepped away from everyone to talk. "Stef, not her. You can't talk to her". Stef crossed her arms and gave him a questioning look, "Excuse me. Why is that?" Mike stepped forward careful not to speak too loudly. "Stef, do you not know who she is? She with Cap Hazelwood. Last thing I heard is that they are engaged". Stef's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "Our captain? Our prejudice, misogynistic captain. Isn't he like 50?"

"Yes and crazy as hell. The things he tells us, Stef, it isn't good. You don't want to walk this line. Don't risk everything". Being a female on the force she was usually left out of the loop. But Mike was always willing to inform her on the details.

She walked back over to the table with thoughts going crazy within her head and stood there looking at Lena. Lena looked up at her coming out of her own thoughts, "So you are gay". Stef dug in her wallet and placed money on the table to pay for their food and placed it on the table. "Yeah and you are forbidden". Stef began to walk to the door as Lena followed. "Wait Stef. What?" Stef turned around to look her in the eyes. "You are getting married to my captain". Lena looked over to him, tears filling her eyes and back at her. "Yeah I am".

Stef could tell there was something else there but she couldn't deal at the moment. She looked over to him, completely drunk and belligerent, then back to Lena. "Did he drive you here?" Lena just nodded her head trying to stifle her emotions. "Come on, I'll drive you home". Lena's defenses began to rise, "I can take a cab" she snapped. "Lena don't be crazy. You are not about to wait outside of a drunk bar alone in the middle of the night. I will strangle one of these guys". Lena could see frustration written all over Stef's face. "Fine".

The entire car ride was quiet except for when Lena was directing Stef on where to turn. Neither knew what to say or how to express what they were feeling. When they finally pulled up to the house Stef really did not want Lena to go but didn't know what to say. After another quiet second went by Lena got out of the car sure that Stef hated her. "Good night Stef". Before Lena could close the door Stef let out a soft "Night love". Lena gave a small wince of a smile without looking up and turned to walk inside.