This story is a Bemmett story. I know it does not seem so at first but by the end it will be :) Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Switched at Birth. Abc family and the producers get full credit for the wonderful show.
Talking and signing
Signing only
Chapter One: Anniversary
Ten years. Bay thought to herself as she looked over the rim of her coffee to the board that held the picture of the murder victim. Alexandria Marie Thompson. Age twenty-five. She was found by her husband in their upstate apartment. She was rapped and beaten. Time of death was about one thirty that morning. Cause of death was a blow to the head.
However this was not the murder that was on her mind. Today, May twenty-eighth, was hard. Just as it had been for the past ten years. She closed her eyes, needing to push the memory from her mind. She had a case she needed to be working on.
"Lieutenant Kennish, you requested my presence?" Officer Mace asked standing awkwardly in Bay's doorway.
Bay looked to the woman. She was young she had gotten transferred here just a few months ago only being on the job for a year. Her short blond hair barely reached her shoulders and her baby blue eyes showed eagerness.
"Yes I did. I have a case and need some assistance." Bay said. Mace smiled briefly then her expression went cop.
"Yes ma'am," She said straightening her stance. "It would be an honor to work with you."
"Okay, meet me here at eight in the morning." Bay said she leaned back on to her desk. She could feel Mace's eyes on her. "Is there something you need Officer?"
"What? Oh, um no." Mace said then quickly disappeared.
"The fear you strike in your people is amazing."
Bay didn't have to look to see who it was. She could tell by the voice that it was Stark. "They are not my people," Bay objected. She placed her cup of untouched coffee on her old desk. "I am just respected is all." she added as she sat in her chair. She started putting the folders into her desk drawer.
"Oh is that all?" Stark seemed to size her up. "You look tired Bay."
"No," She said eying her clock. She had worked since three that morning and it was now nine at night. It was way past her shift, and she was already clocked out, she just hadn't gone home yet. Which was probably the reason Stark was here.
"Oh really? Then why, my I ask, do you look as if you could fall asleep where you are sitting?" He asked his British accent heavy in every word he spoke.
Bay didn't answer. She hardly won a fight with stark and to be honest she was tired enough to fall asleep where she sat. So she just continued to put her folders away, mentally cursing when she ran out.
"I thought you would have gone home today." He said. She looked at him and was surprised at how close he was. She hadn't heard him move.
She shrugged. "I didn't want to do it this year."
"Or the year before that and the year before that. When was the last time you saw your family?" He asked gently. She hated when he did this. He said things that would usually make her want to yell, but he said them in a way that made her feel grateful he was part of her life.
"Today makes two years," Bay replied feeling guilty. It wasn't that she had anything against them, but being home was hard. For eight years they had all gotten together to celebrate Emmett, but it never really felt like a celebration. She always ended the night with tears that were made worse by sleeping in her childhood bed that held memories.
"Maybe you should take a few weeks and go see them. God knows you have time saved up." He said taking her hand and pulling her up into on of his legendary hugs. She loved the way his strong arms held her steady.
She studied their reflection in the dark window. He was so much taller than she was. His face looked as if it had been painted by gods. He had a perfect balance between polished and rugged features with grass-green eyes and raven black hair. She supposed they looked like lovers and even though it wasn't far from the truth, they were not actually lovers. Though sometimes she wished they were.
Their relationship she supposed was a complicated one. They both loved each other, and they did live in the same house. People see them as a unit because they always accompanied each other to parties and what not, yet they were not actually a couple. They sleep together and shower together. They had been naked so often in front of each other she knew every scar. It was just she thought of herself broken. Unable to move past Emmett. She saw him when she closed her eyes. Hell she saw him when her eyes were open. Stark makes the pain of Emmett's absence easier, but she couldn't give all of herself to Stark and he deserved the best.
"Let's go home." He said pulling away from her, but keeping her hand in his. She allowed him to lead her from her office.
She had to stop to lock up. As she walked through the bull pin she could feel everyone watch her as she left. Respect or fear? With a mental sight she followed Stark from the building.
They lived in a cute two-story house right outside of the city. New York had been her home for six years and four of them were spent here with Stark. She met him in a club where he was a bartender. They hit it off right from the start and two months later they decided to room together. They both needed a place to call home and both needed a roommate. Now she was lieutenant and he owned three clubs. How time changed things.
They pulled up in front of the house, the headlights lighting up the porch. Someone sat on the steps, clutching on to what looked like a suitcase. "Daphne?" Bay said out loud when the car came to a stop. She pushed the car door open. She got halfway to the porch steps when she knew for sure who it was.
Daphne stood slowly. It was dark, but bay was sure Daphne was crying. Bay said nothing as she went to Daphne and hugged her close. It wasn't until now, did she realize how much she really missed Daphne and home. God she missed home.
The porch light went on telling Bay Stark had taken it upon himself to give them privacy. Bay pulled away from Daphne and gave her a small smile. "What are you doing here?" Bay asked. As she had suspected Daphne had been crying.
"You didn't come home again," Daphne said clearly mad. "We miss you Bay."
"I know, It's just hard to get away from work." Bay said knowing Daphne would see past the lie.
"Really? How about our birthday's? Or thanksgiving? Christmas? You can't even just come for a random weekend? It is the anniversary, Bay," Daphne said fresh tears running down her cheeks. "I know this is hard for you Bay but it is hard for the rest of use too, and sometimes it would be nice for you to be there."
Bay stood in silence. What else could she do? Apologize? She knew not going home would be hard for them. She couldn't blame Daphne for being upset. Hell she was usually mad at herself. "Did you come all the way here to yell at me?"
"No of course not," Daphne said seeming to defuse. "I came out here because I have some time off and I miss you. I only have a few days, but I am hopping I can convince you to come home for a visit."
Bay smiled and lead Daphne inside. She didn't answer because she was not sure yet if she could go home. She introduced Daphne to Stark. Daphne's eyes grew wide when she saw him. "Oh my god! No wonder you are not coming home!" She signed the second Stark turned his back to them. Bay laughed, then lead Daphne to the guest bed room.
She sat and smiled at Bay. "So what is going on with you and sexy?" Daphne asked making Bay blush.
Bay sat next to her. "Nothing to be honest. I mean we have a thing I guess, but we are friends."
Daphne eyed Bay. "Yeah with benefits. Now wonder you haven't come home. Who would want to spend time from him? Yummy."
Bay laughed at Daphne. She missed this. "If he had it his way I would go home. I just can't right now. Work and all. Speaking of which I should get some sleep. I have to be in at eight." Bay said. She hugged Daphne before standing. "Night," She said.
Daphne smiled, "Night."
Stark watched Bay undress as she entered the room. He could tell she was exhausted by they way her fingers fumbled with the buttons of her shirt. Once unbutton she shook it off, throwing it to the hamper and missed. She cursed but didn't bother to pick it up. She would get it in the morning like she always did.
She sat on the bed then kicked of her shoes. She laid back stretching out her muscles, giving Stark a tour of her lean muscles as the rippled under her skin. She worked out every morning before going to work. He often accompanied her.
"What?" She asked when she noticed him watching her.
"I am just admiring your beauty," He said.
"Well stop, you are making me blush." She said with a smile. She stood unbuckling her belt.
"But you are such a pretty blusher." He added as he went to her, brushing her cheek with the back of his hand.
Bay gently pushed his hand aside. "I need a show and sleep," She said quickly going to the bathroom. As soon as she was naked she jumped in the hot stream of water. She turned slowly allowing the water to wash away the day.
"Can I join you?" Stark asked making Bay jump slightly. He climbed in not waiting for an answer.
"You scared me." Bay said scooting over to give him some room. "Why is it I can't say no to you?" She asked as his lips found she bare shoulder.
"Oh you can love. I am still technically a single man," He said.
She could tell by the tone in his voice he was teasing her. She still felt bad though. Sometime she wondered if she should just move out so he could move on, But something told her even that wouldn't help. "Stark you know I could never truly be yours."
He turned her to face him. "Every moment I get with you is one to savior. Bay I know what this is. I choose to have it."
Bay's thoughts were cut off by his kiss. She had to add to what she had told him before coming to the shower. She had told him she needed a shower and sleep, but she also needed him.
I hope you enjoyed. Please leave reviews so I know how I am doing. Thanks :)