CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Summary: Hermione Granger, an accomplished witch is working a particularly trying case and is in need of help. Deputy Sheriff Jordan Parrish is a hellhound and just the one she needs. When a fiery witch and a fire-proof supernatural being work together, sparks are sure to fly and Hermione and the Deputy find that they need each other for more than one reason. Rated M for a reason.
Disclaimer: I do not own canon events and characters, they belong to J.K Rowling and the creators of Teen Wolf and MTV. This is purely for entertainment purposes and I am not making a profit from the posting of this. This is set after The Wild Hunt but disregards everything afterwards, so there was no war between the supernatural and humans, there is no Monroe or Gerard and there are no hunters. At least for now! Also, Parrish is 23 and Hermione is 24. Oh, and I'm fudging the time line a bit, too. This will be written mostly in Parrish's POV.
Page count: 7
"Morning," a groggy voice spoke against her shoulder.
"Hmm," she hummed in reply, lifting her hands above her head to stretch out her body and she sighed when she heard something click.
"So, I know this isn't the time to have this conversation, but I've been thinking."
"About?" She asked, turning around to face him and he gave her a smile and pushed her hair out of her face.
"The case is over," he muttered.
A frown pulled at her face when realisation struck her. "Oh, I suppose it is, you have to go back to America," she spoke, trying to keep her voice emotionless, not wanting him to know how much she actually wanted him to stay, but she couldn't ask that of him.
"And that's what I've been thinking about. What if I didn't go back?"
"What?" She said, blinking in surprise.
"What if I didn't go back to America, what if I stayed here, in London?" She frowned and made to speak, but he spoke first. "Listen, this isn't a random decision, I've been thinking about it for the last week or so, before we even became a couple. My life in Beacon Hills, it was strange and hectic and loud, and I was needed there. I was drawn there by the nemeton, by its power. But now all the supernatural happenings have died down and they don't need me anymore. I have nothing for me in America, my friends are teenagers that are leaving to college after the summer, and I'll be stuck at the station with idiots like DeWitt. I'm good at my job, but it's not the same as it once was and hasn't been for a while now. Coming here with you, I've realised how unhappy I was in Beacon Hills and now that everyone's moving on to better things and places, I need to, too."
"So you're not thinking about this because of me?" She questioned slowly.
"It's not just because of you," he said honestly. "But you do factor into the equation, my hellhound's been a little restless since we killed Prodigium, because he knows we have to go back and he doesn't want to leave you, I don't want to leave you. We could always try giving a long distance relationship a try, but I don't think it would work. And I'm sure your phoenix feels the same."
She slowly nodded. "She doesn't want you to leave, I don't want you to leave," she admitted. "But I can't be selfish, you need to do what's right for you and I can't be a part of that decision, you have to make your own choices."
"And that's what I'm doing, I want to stay."
"But have you thought this through? Really thought it through? What if our relationship doesn't last? Then you've stayed here for nothing and I don't want you to resent me for taking you away from your home. What are you going to do for a job? Where will you live? What about your friends and your job?"
"I've thought this through. If things don't work out between us, then things don't work out, but the odds of us staying together are just as high, even higher if you take into account my hellhound and your phoenix claiming each other. And I could never resent you for anything. A job? I've got a military background, as well as law enforcement; I should be able to get myself a job somewhere. And housing? I've got money behind me now, thanks to the pay out from The Ministry, I'll easily be able to buy a house or rent an apartment."
"The rest of the money should've already been transferred to your account, you're now a millionaire," she spoke quietly and his eyes widened. "And if you want to stay, that's your decision."
He pushed himself up into a sitting position and frowned down at her.
"Why are you acting so...Off?"
"I'm not acting 'off', I'm just trying to remain neutral, I don't want to sway your decision either way."
"I want your honesty," he told her with a scowl. "If I were to leave back to America, how would you feel?"
She sighed, rubbing her hands over her face before she pushed herself up into a sitting position, too. "You want my honesty? Fine. Despite the fact we've only known each other a few weeks and been together a matter of days, I'd miss you. I'd be devastated if you were to leave, but I'd support your decision because I want you to do what's best for you."
"And if I were to stay?"
"Then I'd be very happy, but I'd need to know that you were staying for the right reasons. That you were staying because you felt it was what's best for you."
"Glad we're on the same page, I want to stay. I'm not needed in Beacon Hills, I no longer feel drawn there, instead I feel drawn to you. I feel I need to be here with you. I feel this is where I'll be happiest." She uttered low grumbles and buried her head in her hands. "I'm happy to see you're so joyous of my plans," he muttered.
She removed her hands from her face and scowled at him, reaching out to swat at his arm, before laying back down and snuggling under the covers. His face softened and he moved to lay on his side, facing her.
"This is what you want? You want to stay?"
"There's no doubt in my mind that I want to stay," he said sincerely, allowing his hand to reach up to cup her cheek and she brought her hand up to rest over his.
"Alright then," she nodded, a smile finally pulling at her face and he smiled back. "Then we need to sort out some issues. First of all, a job. If you would like me to, I can speak to Kingsley about making you a consultant for the RCMC Department. If he were to agree, you'd spend most of your time helping me to solve the more difficult and unusual cases, whether it be magical or supernatural. This way you'll get a good pay out for each case you help me to solve, and when there is no case, you have time to do whatever you wish to."
"That'd be great," he grinned. "Will he go for it?"
"Most likely, you are a hellhound after all. He knows you're powerful and he's seen what we're both capable of when we work together. He'll ask me to convince you to take the position." He laughed at her as she rolled her eyes. "Kingsley can help with the paperwork of getting you a visa, both for the Wizarding World and the Muggle World, he can have it pushed through and approved in a matter of days. As for housing, you can stay with me." He raised an eyebrow. "I'm not asking you to move in with me," she snorted. "I'm asking you to be my roommate, who also happens to be my boyfriend."
"And how is that any different?"
"Well, you'll keep your belonging in your room but likely still sleep in mine, unless you're in the dog house and I'm mad at you. So, technically, we have separate rooms, making us roommates. If we ever get to the point of me actually asking you to move in with me, you'll notice the different between then and now. And if that were a case, I'd imagine we'd move and get a house together instead."
"Well there you go, I've got a visa sorted, a potential career and housing. I'm all set."
"But what about those you'll leave behind?" She questioned, biting her lip.
"I'm not leaving anyone behind, not really," he said with a sad smile. "As I said before, my friends happen to be teenagers and they're all moving and going off to college, and the sheriff, I suppose I'll miss him, but that's not enough reason to go back. And you know I have no other family."
She knew this, they'd both spoken about their childhoods and their parents, his father dying of a heart attack when he was fifteen, and his mother died in a car crash when he was nineteen, where her own parents had died during the war after they'd been found in Australia.
"I'll make new friends, I like Harry and Bill and George don't seem too bad either."
"Don't ever take anything George gives you," she warned and he chuckled at her. He'd heard horror stories of the older man's pranks.
"Everything's pretty much sorted, they'll just be a few things I need to sort out before we make it official."
"Such as?"
"I need to pack up my apartment and let my landlord know I'm moving out, luckily my rental agreement is up next month, so that's not an issue. And I'll have to officially put in my resignation at the station, so I'll have to work my notice."
"Okay, we can sort the details later, but right now, I have to get to the office. There's some loose ends that need tying up with the Prodigium case."
"But it's Monday," he grumbled.
"Exactly, and I have a lot to do. You can stay in bed if you wish, but I have to get to work."
She pecked him on the lips and then climbed out of bed and walked into her bathroom.
~000~000~000~
"I can't bloody believe this!" Hermione huffed as she stormed out of the floo and into her apartment, her heels echoing with each step she took as she paced back and forth.
"What are you doing back?" Parrish asked, coming into the living room partially dressed and with damp hair. She'd only been gone half an hour.
She stopped her pacing and swivelled around to face him, an annoyed look on her face.
"Kingsley, he's banned me from the office."
"What? Why?" He blinked in surprise.
"He wants me to take some time off, not only due to the Prodigium case, but because I need to use up my holidays by September or I lose them."
"Okay, and how long are you banned from entering your office?"
"Four bloody weeks!"
"You're joking," he said with surprise. "You're getting four weeks paid leave?"
"Yes, and that's only because Kingsley threatened to put me on probation if I didn't listen to him. What the hell am I going to do for four weeks? I'll be bored out of my mind. And what about my department? I have a deputy of course, but he's as useless as bringing a wooden bat to fight off a dragon. When I get back it's going to be in absolute shambles," she started pacing again.
"Hermione, I really don't think The Minister will allow that to happen, you've worked very hard to get to where you are today, and you've done an excellent job running your department, so well in fact that you don't even realise how most of those under you supervision are able to do their jobs without you holding their hands."
"Well what I am going to do for a month?" She stopped in her pacing and crossed her arms over her chest, a sulky pout forming on her lips.
"Well, I have an idea," he answered, walking over to her and standing in front of her so she had to look up at him. "You have four weeks leave, and I need to go back to Beacon Hills and get my affairs in order, I'll have to work a notice of two to three weeks before I can officially move, so, why don't you come with me?"
A crease appeared in her forehead. "What, come to Beacon Hills with you?"
"Yes, come with me. I'll obviously have to work, but when I do, I'm sure you can use your magical travel to visit any town or state you wish to. And when I'm not on shift, we'll spend time together like we do here." She bit her lip. "At least you won't be bored and you'll have something to keep you busy. Just think, Hermione, all that history and those tourist sites and landmarks just waiting to be explored by you." A smile pulled at his mouth when he could see in her eyes that he was winning her over. "It'll be warm; summer in Beacon Hills has an average of six days of sun and heat, and only one of rain. You won't be cold all the time, and you'll be far away from Ron."
That had done it.
"Fine," she nodded. "But we go by port key."
"We fly there and port key back," he compromised, knowing she hated flying, and he didn't like port keying all that much.
"Agreed," she nodded. "I'll book the next possible flight out. I'll be back soon," she spoke, kissing his cheek and heading to the fireplace. As she took a hand full of floo powder and stepped into the fireplace, she turned to face him. "Before I forget, congratulations, Deputy." He raised an eyebrow in confusion. "You've got yourself a consultant contract to the Department Head of the RCMC." He grinned at her. "Kingsley all but wet himself when I told him you wanted to stay. He's getting your visa sorted, it will have definitely been processed and approved by the time we get back from America, and it'll be here and waiting for you."
~000~000~000~
After Hermione had purchased their plane tickets and returned to the apartment, they'd both packed their belongings, though for obvious reasons Hermione's bag contained a lot more, but with an Extension Charm that didn't really matter. She'd managed to get two last minute tickets to LA, and they only had a three hour wait until they boarded the plane, and after sending a quick patronus to Harry and Kara, letting them know she was leaving the country for a few weeks, they both left for the airport.
During the takeoff and landing, Parrish had to comfort Hermione, especially when she almost set the arm rests on fire when they hit a bit of turbulence, but for the most part, they'd spent the long flight taking naps, reading the books Hermione had stashed in her magic pockets, and talking.
Hermione was exhausted and all too happy when the plane touched down on the ground and she was able to get off the flying death trap. They wasted no time at the airport, Hermione getting them past airport security with a few flicks of her wand and collecting their luggage. When they stepped out into the warm evening air, Hermione tilted her head back and a smile pulled at her mouth as the sun bathed her face.
"Are you sure you want to move to London?" She asked with a sigh. "The weather is awful."
He snorted at her. "I know, but it doesn't bother me; I don't feel the cold."
"Rub it in, why don't you?" She muttered grumpily and he chuckled at her. "Right, what's the plan?" She asked.
"I need to head to the station first. I need to write my resignation and hand it in, I can do that on my work computer, and I need to pick up my car, too."
"Okay, I can apparate us straight to the station so we don't have to waste any money getting a rental car, and it'll save us the drive, too. We're both tired and it wouldn't be safe for either of us to drive."
He nodded and took her hand and they walked down the street until they found an alley way they ducked into, and Hermione pulled her wand and apparated them to the station.
"It feels strange being back here," he commented as they walked to the doors.
"Well, give it a few weeks and we'll be back in rainy, freezing, Britain."
He snorted at her and gave her hand a squeeze before opening the door and stepping into the building, his eyes searching for who was present, from what he could see, there were only two deputies there, DeWitt and Strauss. When they noticed his presence, they both stood from their desks and called greetings, coming over to pat him on the back.
"It's good to have you back," Strauss said.
"It feels strange being back," he replied. "Where is everyone? Where's the sheriff?"
"They're all out on calls and the sheriff went for dinner," he answered. "Should be back soon, he'll be happy to see you. What are you doing here; we didn't know you were coming back?"
"We caught a last minute flight, we landed and came straight here from the airport," he explained.
The two deputies turned to look at her, giving her looks of curiosity before they returned to their desks and Parrish moved over to his own, putting their bags down on the ground and taking his seat, switching on his laptop and he started typing away, Hermione presumed it was his letter of resignation.
"So, you returned, I knew you couldn't stay away from me." DeWitt said, giving her a charming smile and a flirty wink as he leaned back into his chair and crossed his arms over his chest, deliberately flexing his arms.
"I would respond to that, but I don't think you'd be able to handle my retort," she replied, taking off her jacket in the heat of the station and revealing the pretty pink blouse and dark blue skinny jeans that were complimented by the black ankle boots. His eyes roamed her body and a smirk pulled at his mouth.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, I'd burn you," she spoke. His smirk seemed to widen.
His mouth opened and before he could reply with what she was sure was another flirty comment, he was cut off by her boyfriend.
"Back off, DeWitt!" Parrish snapped irritably, being tired from the flight and not appreciating another man –a work colleague, too- flirting with his girlfriend.
He stood from his desk and walked over to her, taking her by the hand and pulling her back to his desk with him. He pulled a chair over from the desk behind him and placed it beside his desk so she could sit down.
"Wait a minute? You and her?" DeWitt blinked in surprise, and Strauss looked just as shocked.
"Got a problem with that?" He questioned, barely controlling his glare.
"No, just never thought you had it in you," he said with a smirk.
Parrish ignored him and turned back to his laptop.
"You can't punch him, he's your colleague," she said quietly.
"Won't be for much longer," he muttered.
"Then you'll get arrested for assaulting a deputy," she replied. He grumbled under his breath and she chuckled at him. "We're both tired from the flight, so, how about I go and get us some coffee? I can apparate over and be back soon."
"No," he spoke, "It'll be too suspicious if you get back so quickly." He dug into a draw on his desk and pulled out a set of car keys before handing them to her. "Take my car."
"And if I get pulled over? They'll think I stole a police car and arrest me."
"If that happens, just tell them who you are, but you'll probably get back before anyone notices."
"Alright, I'll be back soon," she said, leaning over to press a kiss to his cheek, ignoring the cat-calls from the two deputies, and she stood from her chair and left the station.