So, I know this is a short chapter, but it looks like there might be a couple more chapters than I originally planned. So…it all works out right?

Right.

I've replied to the comments I got to the last chapter, so check the end. Read and enjoy!


As they pulled up to her house in silence, Angie did her best not to jump out of the car when it pulled to a stop in her driveway. Vega cut the engine, getting out to open her door for her as he stuck his hand down for her to grab. She had put on her jacket thankfully before she exposed herself to the cold night air, it getting significantly colder than earlier. Oscar held her hand a second longer, frowning as she pulled her hand away to get her bag and purse from his car. He couldn't put his finger on what was bothering her, but something had changed between his reunion and him bringing her home.

"Angie, what the hell are we doing?" he whispered tiredly, watching her carefully.

She bit her lip; she knows she should have expected the question as he stepped back, allowing her room to close the door before she leaned against it. She held her bags in front of her, putting more distance between them that didn't escape his notice.

"What are you talking about? I thought you were dropping me off-" she said, motioning to her house as he cut her off.

"Don't bullshit me Ang, It's never worked before"

"I know that, but I have no idea what you're talking about"

"Oh, well that's okay. You want me to spell it out then?" he asked sarcastically, and she could feel the dread creep up even as she nodded affirmatively. It was almost as if she was daring him to say whatever it was, aloud.

"Fine. Why the hell are we doing this little dance when you know things between us aren't like they used to be?"

"Vega-"

"Angie, stop. What did you think we've been doing the last eight months? Hanging out?"

"Stop asking questions you didn't intend me to answer Oscar" she bit out.

"Okay, then answer me this; why did you want to come with me tonight Angie? I didn't have any plans to go, but I did appreciate you being my backup. Why pretend to be my girlfriend when even the insinuation has you tongue-tied?"

He stood there, hands in his pockets as he watched her open her mouth, waiting for words to come out unsuccessfully. He laughed humorlessly as he ran a hand over his hair, knowing in the back of his mind that he'd been stupid when it came to this, and to her. He knew when push came to shove, she was more afraid of what could happen than what was happening. He should have known better, known her better than that.

"You know what? The lack of an answer is all I need. I'll see you later," he said, walking back around to his side of the car. She turned to look at him over the roof, her face helpless as she spoke.

"What do you want me to say Vega? How was I supposed to know anything was seriously different?"

"Because you can feel it Angie, I sure as hell did," he admitted, leaning his arms on the roof.

"I just thought we were getting closer, I didn't think you wanted…"

"Wanted what Angie? You? We've been partners five years, even you have to admit we're pretty close" he said, and she dropped her eyes at the raw honesty written all over his face.

"You know my life's really messed up up right now-"

"We've all got things going on, but that doesn't mean a damn thing if I choose to be there for you anyway," he said, raising his voice as she just stood there. She knew what they were doing was more than friendship, but she wasn't willing to drag him down with her. Her relationships never lasted and she was too afraid of losing him to ever risk that happening.

"You're always there for me Oscar, you're a good friend," she muttered, watching the way his eyes shuttered as he pushed his emotions aside. She knew that had wounded him, and it was horrible of her to have done it on purpose.

"A good friend…" he mumbled, his disbelief hurting her more than anything else.

"I'll see you Monday Angie, forget I even brought it up"

He pulled his arms down and got in, shutting his door. He waited as Angie backed away from his car before he reversed and drove away from her. She stood there, watching his taillights as she bit her lip hard, willing herself not to cry. She didn't realize how long she'd been outside until Manny decided to grab her bags from her hands. She jumped, her eyes red and glassy as she smiled wobbly at him.

"Hey kiddo, what are you doing out here?"

He gave her a look that said she wasn't as good at lying to him as she'd hoped.

"Wanted to make sure you got in okay. I got up when I saw Oscar's headlights through the window…" he said, smiling guiltily as he shrugged one shoulder. He started towards the door, having Angie follow him as a slower pace.

"Ah, wanted to check on your dear old mom?"

"That was the plan, at least until I heard you guys talking"

"Yeah, don't worry about it Manny. It'll all blow over by Monday"

"If you actually believe that, I'm seriously questioning why they made you a detective in the first place"

"Hey, watch it" she said threateningly, poking his shoulder as he dropped her things just in front of the door. He turned to look at her, his eyes determined as she raised an eyebrow at him.

"Mom, seriously? He basically has been telling you for months that you're the most important woman in his life. Why is that so bad?"

"You got that from our conversation?" she asked, rounding on him as he looked away from her regretfully, knowing there was more than what he was telling her.

"Not entirely. I might have asked him if the more frequent dinners and spending time with us was…"

"Was what Manny?"

"Was his way of showing he was interested in you"

"And what did he say?" she asked as she got this sinking feeling that she had just screwed up everything.

"That's between us. I'm not playing referee just because you don't want him to call you on your shit"

"Watch your mouth Manny" she shot back at him immediately.

"Yeah, because that's the thing you should be worried about," he muttered, picking up her stuff and opening the door to drop himself on the couch. Her bags fell beside him as Angie sat on the couch next to him, putting her arms around his shoulders. She leaned her head against his shoulder before she spoke.

"This has been a long time coming huh?"

Manny reached his left hand up to hold onto the arm across his chest, patting it comfortingly as he leaned his head against hers.

"You guys have been partners five years mom, I've never seen you let someone in like him. He's one of the good ones," he remarked, trying to ease her anxiety about the whole thing.

"What if we don't work out? Where do we go from there?" Manny felt her grip loosen and he stood, watching as she leaned her head on her hand against the back of the couch. He hasn't seen her this freaked out in a long time, at least that meant she was seriously considering what he'd said.

"What if you do? Is it worth wondering 'what if?' for the rest of your life? Or at least until he gets a girlfriend and transfers," her head snaps towards her son, eyes wide in fear that she hadn't even considered that a possibility.

"He wouldn't just up and leave like that"

"Maybe not now, but I can't imagine what it'd be like trying to date another girl with Crystal sitting five feet from me everyday. I'm just saying, seriously think about it. Night mom"

He walked away from her, and she fell against the couch cushions as she put a hand over her eyes. She couldn't believe her 18-year-old son was giving her not only the go ahead to date her partner, but dating advice. Angie just leaned her head back, dropping her hand in favor of staring at the ceiling. It had been some time since she had a man that invested in her, and even longer since it wasn't solely in a romantic sense. She didn't even realize that she'd been acting different towards him in public, it was just how they acted around each other and Manny. Movie nights together, Manny laughing and openly sharing his life with not just her, but Vega too. He had become the other figure in her house, and she should have seen it sooner. There was no way Manny would have ever gone to dinner alone with him more than once if he didn't genuinely like him. And she started calling him Oscar frequently, that was a dead give away if there ever was one. She had to figure out what to say before she saw him Monday, if not she would be the reason their partnership fell apart.


Like it? Have an song recommendations? I would really appreciate some, I'm drawing some blanks on what I've got so far. Anyway, on to the reviews!

Skylercat : You are awesome, your review actually made me laugh aloud when I got it! I'm glad you're a fan, and it makes me sso happy that you can actually see it happening in your head! It's the one thing I really focus on, so thanks!

jackandsamforever : You know I'm obviously a fan of yours, so I'm super stoked that you enjoy my stories too!Your idea for a post finale fic is actually what gave me the ideas that made me lengthen this one. If you have any song recs, I'd appreciate the help.

MellyMc : I'm so glad I got a new viewer! I actually don't know if I'd want to see them together on the show unless it was waaaay down the line, only because I think it leaves a lot of room for interpretation and imagination. Lots of wiggle room for writers, it at least works for me! I'm glad you like it though, so thanks for the encouragment!

pineapplecoconut : I know I posted these super close together, but I think it's because I get anxiety and doubtful if I hold onto a story too long. I honestly think the reason I capture them so well is because I am that snarky sarcastic person in real life, just ask my mother. In my defense though, my whole family is. It's why I thrive in fandoms like these.