Chapter seven:

God, did Alison have to ask that one question? Sometimes it felt like she would read her mind and then do the polar opposite.

"I need to check a few thing, see if Art has any leads?" Beth began fidgeting with her hair. Was it obvious that she needed to get out for a few minutes? Not that she minded being around Alison, hell, she enjoyed being with her. But that was her problem. Somehow, within the past three days (and frankly every time before that) Beth felt abnormally aware of how she felt around Alison. Every smile, arm swat, cup of coffee brought over. Anything. Everything. It felt weird. Like it gave her hope, happiness. Beth couldn't put her thumb on it (more like she wanted to avoid it).

"Will you come back afterwards?" Alison looked worried. Shit. That wasn't what Beth had wanted. Reaching out, Beth took her hand in hers, squeezing gently.

"Later tonight, alright?"

"Okay." Alison smiled in relief.

Neither women had let go, and that left Beth curious as to what she was thinking, what she was feeling. They were clones, but that didn't mean accidentally developing feelings for the other was wrong.. Was it?

"Ali.. I don't want you to think I'm keeping you caged in here."

"You're not. We were in danger."

"Okay. Just if you leave, try to be surrounded by people, alright? It's just.. Both times I was shot at I was secluded and away from everyone. I don't want to take any risks."

"That makes sense. Do you want me to call or text you?"

"Would that be too much to ask?" Beth smiled nervously.

"Of course not, sweetie. How often, every hour?"

"That sounds perfect."

After the conversation died out, Beth motioned towards the door, and Alison brought her into a hug. Damn, Beth thought, as she admired how long it was. Much longer than any other hug she had received before.

No, Beth had to tell herself. Don't read too into it, Alison just doesn't want to lose you.

As Alison clutched Beth, she was silently praying that Beth wouldn't have to be gone for too long. Gosh, if anything were to happen to her, Alison would be alone.. Alison couldn't help holding on though, being this close to someone who you like, who actually cares and wants the best for you. Cheeks red, Alison knew not to think about Beth that way. They were sisters? The word felt foreign, because they weren't. It was complicated. Avoiding the C word made it very complicated.

"Stay safe, Beth."

"You too Ali," Beth opened the door and left. She had called another officer in to pick up the black and white, which meant she was stranded at Alison's apartment. She hiked down the street a ways, checking over her shoulder subtly. Still paranoid, but not nearly as bad as before.

When she was back at her desk, she had a short wait till Art got back. Hell, it was even nice to see Angie. Without a word, Beth was smirking to herself, kicked back easily in her chair. All she could think about was Alison. Pulling out her pink phone, she awaited a text from her with her eyes closed.

"Since when is my partner a pansy?"

"You love that I'm badass." Beth sat back up, looking over at him.

"Pink? Really? The matching phone is a real killer." He sat at his desk, propping open a few folders. Beth furrowed her brow, looking down at her clothing. Shit. Alison's shirt.

"I didn't even know you owned any pink."

"I don't." Beth absentmindedly responded, which she instantly regretted. Art raised a knowing brow and smirked.

"What's your girls name?"

"Whatever dipshit. You catch that bastard, or do I still need to lay low until that shit blows through?" Beth changed the topic, trying to hide her blush. So what if she shared clothing with alison, having a crush on Alison.. Fight the blush..

"First lead was a bust, but there was a witness. We're looking for a blonde woman, mid twenties."

"Alright. Anything else?"

"We staked out her apartment, but I don't think the tweaker will be back, especially after shooting us."

"It's probably burned by now."

"Yeah."

"Hey, Art?" Beth nervously picked at her fingernails, voice hushed to almost nothing.

"What?" He hadn't even looked up from his folders.

"I'm going to go on leave, for a couple months."

"You're really going to let this prick get in your head?"

"What else can I do? Last time I went to the shrink I was shooting up on all of the shit she gave me." Art gave a sideways glance at Angie before motioning for Beth to join him elsewhere. Even though they had began whispering, he didn't want Angie to begin listening in. Once out of earshot they continued.

"You could, oh, I don't know, trust your god damn partner."

"Art I do, but this shit is all in my head."

"So trust me, Angie, even yourself to get her. Are you clean?"

"Of course I am. That doesn't help with the anxiety attacks every two minutes. I don't feel safe."

"And leaving is the best answer?"

"What else can I do?"

"Grow a fucking spine, Beth. You aren't a coward. I get it. We both got shot at, you twice. That happens in our line of work, and I guarantee you that this won't be the last time either."

"You're right."

"My favourite words." Art didn't even smirk like he usually would have.

"Don't be a dick about it."

"I've got your back, Beth. How about for the next week you stay benched in the office, looking for any leads."

"Fine. You're still a dick." She muttered under her breath as they walked back to their office floor.

"Pink really is your colour." He teased, to which Beth punched his arm.

Thinking back to Art's teasing of Alison, Beth bit back a smile. She had come to terms with what Alison was to her, at least somewhat. Her crush. Oh, were those words close to "hers". It had been a long time since Beth actually felt something for someone. Paul and her had stopped a long time ago, with Beth feeling almost dependent of him. That's why she stuck around with him for so long, because she needed to feel something, and often prayed she would with him.

True to her word, Alison texted Beth every hour, punctual as ever. As the hours passed into the night, Beth couldn't help but be excited that the day was over. She took a taxi near Alison's apartment,walking the rest of the way. Messaging Alison, she waited outside until let in. Alison had hugged her once the door was shut, why, Beth didn't know, but she certainly revelled in it.

"What's this about?"

"I know we were texting throughout the day, but I'm relieved you're actually here, Beth."

"Yeah. I had the same feeling."

"Did any new information come up?"

"There was a witness, and they gave a pretty good description of the shooter."

"Oh, that's good news! Right?"

"Mmhm. There's a few undercover officers out, and a stakeout set at the apartment. I honestly think it'll be a bust, but there's always a shot in the dark."

"Why so negative?" Alison offered Beth a beer, even though it wasn't her choice of drink. She'd bought a few earlier in the day, knowing that Beth usually would have one after a stressful situation to wind down. Taking a few gulps, Beth sunk into the sofa, arm stretched across the back.

"Only an ass would make a mistake like that. Shooting police, and then returning? Fucking moron." Beth chuckled slightly.

"Oh." Alison tilted her head to the side while thinking it over, then nodding in agreement.

"It's cute when you're innocent." Beth absentmindedly commented, finishing off the beer.

"Oh shush."

"Did you want me to stay the night again?"

"Of course. I mean, we're both still in some sort of danger, right?" Beth shrugged.

"Honestly? I don't know."

"Stay as long as you feel content to. Even if it's safe, you're always welcome."

"Are you implying something, Ali?" Beth was joking, of course, but god, did she wish she wasn't. Her doubt of having a crush always went away when she saw her, reaffirming herself. Alison only rolled her eyes, turning she went to the fridge, mainly to hide her blush. Grabbing another beer for Beth, she also poured herself a wine.

"Thank you, Ali. For everything."

"You're the one protecting me.."

"Yeah, but that's not what I mean."

"Then what?"

Sighing, Beth was most definitely grateful for the second beer.

"What I mean is, just seeing you, knowing you're protected by me, and that you can keep yourself.. God. I don't know how to put it. I feel so steady, just knowing that you're alive. You let me stay here, you stood up for yourself with Donnie."

"Beth..?"

"If anything happened.. Just thank you for being here." Alison could've sworn there was more that beth was trying to say, but she couldn't seem to speak. Smiling, Alison wrapped Beth in another enduring hug.

Later that night Beth was nearly passed out on the sofa, more drunk than she intended to get. Alison had brought a blanket to her, wrapping it around and under her. Beth was limp and heavy, entirely unconscious. Pressing a kiss to her forehead, Alison settled for going to sleep in her bed.