As Dwayne Pride pulled up outside Chris LaSalle's house he was just in time to see the ambulance pull away. He got out the car and made his way up the path towards the front door. The site he was greeted with twisted his gut. Sat on the front step to the house with his knees brought up to his chest and his head resting on them was Christopher. He looked so broken and lost. Stepping closer he sat down on the step next to him and clapped him on the shoulder causing the younger man to lift his head.
As he focused on the person who had disturbed him he saw the face of his boss. He just stared at him, not sure what to say. He saw the look of sorrow and comfort on his bosses/mentor/friends face. He still just sat there having no idea what to say or do.
"Come on Christopher, let's get of this floor and back inside" as Pride went to stand up.
"Not a good idea, Cade lost it and the place is a mess" he said simply not wanting to go into detail as entering the house would be enough of an explanation.
Pride stood up and stepped inside, looking round at what used to be LaSalle's house. He was not wrong about the mess and Cade losing it. Not a problem, it was easily fixed and he would set a few people on to it first thing. The problem was the man on the step. He had no idea what to say to him.
"Christopher I will go grab your stuff and you can come back to the office. It will be a little overcrowded with the 3 of us but we will manage" as he looked down at the man's still slumped on the step.
LaSalle had no idea what was just said to him, he only heard and registered bits of what was said. Something about stuff and office and 3 of them. He just went with the flow and stayed where he was. He had no reason to move, nothing to get up for. He had tried to help Cade and he thought he was but look how that turned out. He just sat there and waited, for what he had no idea but he waited.
Pride went in and after a good rummage around he found what he was looking for and after grabbing enough clothes for a few days he picked up the bag he had in his hand and carried it outside. Putting the bag on the step he looked the front door then back at LaSalle.
"Christopher where's your house keys?" As he waited to see if he had been heard and understood.
LaSalle reached into his pants pocket and pulled out the keys as he dangled them in midair. Pride reached out and took the keys then went back in the house to switch the light off then back out and locked the door behind him. Picking the bag up he looked back down at LaSalle and stepped in front of him.
"On your feet Christopher, we got places to go so let's move" as he reached his hand down to him.
LaSalle looked up at his name and saw the hand in front of him. He took the hand and let it help him stand up. As he stood up he looked back at his house then at Pride then just set off up the path towards the road. When he got to the road he looked at his car then at Prides. He passed his and stopped at Prides as he stood with his head still hung a little and his shoulders slumped. Pride opened the car and LaSalle just climbed in and put his seatbelt on. Pride was wondering if LaSalle had any idea what he was doing or if his brain had gone on to auto pilot? He seemed so distanced and lost.
Pride put the bag on the back seat and climbed in the drivers seat. He glanced across at LaSalle and saw he had sat back in the seat and was staring out the front window but not really seeing what was in front of him. He started the car and headed back to the office, as he drove he wondered if Merri was awake and if she was would she be more help than he was? At least she had some experience with sibling unlike him. This was going to again open a whole new can of worms for both his agents.
With LaSalle finally getting Cade back and now this. Brody Having to reliving her sister's death from 8 years ago days before her mission on the Moultrie after the investigation into agent Hacketts death a few week a go they had both suffered enough, fate wanted to leave his people alone. They were good people who deserved better than the raw deal live had dealt them.
As he pulled in to the office and parked the car Pride looked through the open doors and say lights on. Brody was up and knew what was going on, time to let broken spirits meet and try to see if they could heal each other. LaSalle was still sat in the car when Pride got out and went in the back for his bag. Pride stood for a moment hoping LaSalle would make the effort and get out but no luck. Sighing he walked round and opened the door on the passenger side.
"Christopher we're back. Let's go find Merri and get some coffee okay" as he reached in and placed his hand on LaSalle's arm.
LaSalle moved and undid his seatbelt all the while still staring out the front window. He got out the car and seemed to have a quick look around before making his way into the office. Pride followed behind him watching to see if he was actually with it of if his feet had tread this path to many times and he knew it too well.
Walking in to the office LaSalle headed to his desk and sat down. That was it, he had no idea what he was doing here other than it was his seat and his desk and he felt whole sitting here. Pride walked up to him and put the bag on the floor next to him.
"Coffee Christopher?" Pride asked as he went to walk passed him to the kitchen.
"Sure coffee sounds good" LaSalle replied making Pride turn round and look back at the man sitting deep in thought.
Pride walked into the kitchen to find Brody was already making it. She turned round when she heard someone enter and was pleased to see it was him.
"Come here" she said as she saw the look on his face and opened her arms to him.
He stepped in to the embrace and hugged her right back. They drew comfort and strength from each other if only for a few minutes.
"How you feeling now?" He asked as he kissed her neck.
"A lot better thanks. The Dwayne Pride cold and flu remedy worked a treat, both of them" as she pulled back and brushed her lips across his.
He felt her lips brush his and returned the kiss with a little more pressure. They pulled apart and looked at each other.
"Where is he now?" Brody asked Pride.
"Cade is away on a 48 hour stop over to see what they can do and Christopher's at his desk" as he gave her a brief hug before pulling away and standing at the door looking out a LaSalle sitting at his desk.
"The only words I have had out of him that made sense have been at that desk, he's just not with it" as Pride stepped back into the kitchen and took the coffee cup offered to him.
"Stay here and let me try, I have first hand experience at this kind of thing sort of" as she picked up the 2 coffee cups and headed out to see LaSalle.
Pride stayed at the door and watched as Brody approached her partner. She took in the look on his face, the way he was sat. Placing the cups on his desk she called his name, nothing. He didn't even acknowledge her voice. Dropping to her knees beside his chair she turned the chair to face her so she could see his face and look at him when she spoke to him.
"Chris its me, look at me please" as she reached up and took his hands in hers.
At the contact on his hands his head shot up but it he still didn't seem to be with it.
"Chris you there? Talk to me. I need to hear your voice Chris. Where's that accent of yours that can charm any woman around" as she saw a small sign of re animation on his face.
"Hey Merri, why do you smell like King?" As he finally focused on her face.
She looked at LaSalle then down at the top she had on. LaSalle followed her gaze then back to her face.
"That explains it then" as she watched to see if he would offer any information up other than small talk.
"Chris tell me what happened. I can only help if you tell me. Don't push me out Chris, you're talking to an expert at bull shit so don't even try it with me" seeing his face slowly but surely take on the look of someone stuck in a recurring nightmare.
She knew that look only to well, the amount of times she had seen it on her own face. She watched as his brain processed the words but his mouth just opened and closed. He was still in shock and she knew it. Slowly she stood up and pulled him to his feet in front of her. She watched him as she saw the thunderstorm that was brewing, the anger, the rage, the unmistakable blame he felt, shock, hurt, but most of all love for his brother. They were all coming to a head and when they did he would do one of 2 things as she had done both.
Run, that was a favourite one for hers. Run hard and fast hoping you can outrun the demons. The other was fall apart and she wasn't sure which was worse. Running just meant it never went away but falling apart hurt more. No matter how many times you feel apart it still hurt just as much. The hurt only got easier if you shared it, it never left but it did get easier. Standing watch LaSalle she waited and then it came. His legs went from under him and he went down and she went with him. As they dropped she pulled him to her and she lowered them both to the floor.
As they got to the floor he just let go and feel completely forward. She caught him and held him as tight as she could. He buried his head against her chest and threw his arms round her middle as if he was drowning and she was the life line. He was drowning to a point, in his own emotions. He had been building to this point for so long but he had kept it together for Cade. She held him
as he sobbed deep heart breaking sobs. He had been strong too long and now it had finally broke.
As he cried she ran her hand up and down his back and stroked his hair as if comforting a small child who had feel. All she could do was hold him and let him cry, maybe this was the releases he needed. Maybe this was just the start. She knew from doing it herself she could cry for hours at a time or minutes then pick up her self back up till next time. The problem with the short outbursts meant the next one came sooner. The longer ones gave an actual release from the pain and misery.
She had no idea how long they had been on the floor for other than when Pride came over with a couple of pillows and some blankets. He placed them round her and with LaSalle till sobbing she lowered them both to lying down. He came willing and still kept himself wrapped round her. He wasn't giving up his hold and he was still riding the storm. As they moved she could hear him say something but couldn't make out what it was. He was chanting something in between the deep sobs. Finally she felt the sobbing ease but he was still chanting and she was starting to make it out.
She could make out the word sorry which wasn't a surprise also Cades name was in there aswell. She kept listening, straining to work out what he was saying. She finally worked it out and it broke her heart. He was apologising to Cade for not doing something sooner, he kept saying he should have seen the signs and got him help. All Brody could do was tell him it was not his fault, he wasn't to know. She went to chant mode repeating to him it was not his fault and he wasn't to blame himself. She listened as his sobbing slowly eased and his chanting became slurred as his body was both physically and mentally worn out. He began to drift off to sleep so she eased them into a more comfortable position.
With her head on the pillows and LaSalle's head still on her chest, arms still tight round her she felt herself drifting off to sleep. Pride just stood back and watched as the amazing women he was in love with hold and comfort her partner, knowing there would be more to come when he woke. When he was sure they were both asleep he gathered the blankets and covered them both up. Kneeling down he kissed Brody's forehead and whispered I love you in her ear before looking at LaSalle and telling him he couldn't be in safer hands.
AN- I broke this up as it was getting a little wow, so it was easier to stop here and continue with another chapter. Sorry to drag this out but I want to do the emotion justice and I feel this is the best way.