Title: Forgiveness
author: cindy ryan
spoilers: probable cause

Alexis glanced up from the paper coffee cup that was placed in front of her on the cafeteria table. This was her first day back in class since her father had been arrested. Alexis was trying to treat this day as any other. To forget how hurtful and snide her classmates had been. So the last person she expected to see or wanted to was Kevin Ryan.

"I have some, thanks."Alexis explained not bothering to hid her anger as Kevin sat down across from her.

"I've been trying to call you."Kevin replied.

"I know."Alexis bit back. "Fifteen missed calls at last count."

Kevin winced. "You're still mad."

Alexis tossed down the purple highlighter she'd been using on her advanced science text book. "You accused my father of murder!"

"Alexis, we…."

"My father who has done nothing but be the truest friend to the three of you."Alexis replied lowering her voice as students at nearby tables began to stare. "He's risked his life more times than I care to think about and that meant nothing to you."

"That's not true."Kevin responded. "We backed him."

"After you arrested him."Alexis snapped as her eyes narrowed. "You couldn't take his word that he would never do something that horrible…."

"I know it looked awful."Ryan stated as he leaned forward. "But it would've been worse if it wasn't us investigating. The D.A. wanted to hang him. Gates kept her off our backs and gave us time to prove his innocence."

Alexis wrapped her hands around the coffee cup. She'd been so close to losing her father that Alexis knew the nightmares would last for months. Still losing sleep was a small price to pay to know her father was safe and not in the horrible prison cell of her nightmares.

"I want to believe you."Alexis said wearily she was tired of being scared and angry.

"He's my partner as much as Kate or Javi."Ryan continued quietly. "Even though the evidence was making it look really bad I knew there was an explanation. There always is with your Dad."

Alexis nodded.

"Friends again?"Ryan asked solemnly.

Alexis reached over and touched Kevin's right arm. "Always."

Kevin's blue eyes sparkled. "Good. So what do you recommend here? I'm starved."

Alexis laughed and keyed up the menu on her smart phone and handed it to the detective. "I'm sure you'll find something."

The lunch lasted almost two hours and Alexis felt the tension ebb away. It had upset her more than she'd realized that the NYPD family that her father held so dear had seemingly betrayed him. They were her family too and Alexis needed them as much as her father did.

end