The interview had gone much better than Flynn had expected. The wife had actually talked to them today, not giving them any problem at all. And in all his years of watching his Chief, this was the first time when he'd seen her on the same wavelength as the wife, especially since there seemed to be problems in the marriage concerning her ambition for work and the victim's need for validation. It was like they bonded over a common issue and had an understanding somehow. He still wasn't quite sure what had happened, but the wife was more than cooperative and gave them plenty to work with, including the fact that the vic may have been having an affair with his assistant because her and him had grown apart. Flynn seen the pain in the Chief's eyes as she contemplated something, and wondered exactly had happened last night once again.
They finished up with new evidence, and Flynn at least thought the Chief was happy with the info they'd gotten. She was quiet on the way back to work, much as she'd been on the way to interview the wife.
"Lt., when we get back, do you think you can take this stuff up and get a start on it? I think I'll take your advice and go home. I really don't feel well. Call me if you need anything, okay. I just need to lay down for awhile."
"Sure thing, Chief. And same to you, you need anything, give me a ring. I'm around if you need a friendly ear."
"Thanks, Lt., I'll keep that in mind."
Flynn drove her to the parking lot where her car was. He didn't think she should have to walk three blocks to it, especially if she didn't feel well. He felt really bad for her, but didn't have a clue as to how to help. Whatever it was, she was hurting badly.
Brenda thanked him for dropping her off, and quickly climbed into her car. She couldn't believe she was leaving work voluntarily and going home. That should thrill Fritz, she thought to herself. Her wanting to be away from work. Maybe she should leave, go with him to Washington. He'd be happy, they'd be together. Work wouldn't be between them anymore. Maybe she could pop out a couple of babies, give him the family he wanted. She wasn't hot on the idea herself, but it was what Fritz wanted. When it came down to it, most of the compromises that were made were for what Fritz wanted. She sighed, finally coming to her car.
Getting home, she let herself in the house, dropping her stuff on the couch. Taking off her jacket, she collapsed on the bed, Joel curling up beside her. She lay there, stroking his soft fur. Listening to his rhythmic purring, she drifted off to sleep. Around 7:30 she awoke to the ringing of her phone, and got up to check who it was. Surprised to see it was Flynn, worrying something was wrong with the case, she answered it.
"Lt. Flynn? Anything wrong?" she asked, tiredness in her voice.
"No, Chief, didn't mean to disturb you, I was just phoning to see if you'd ate yet. You didn't look well when you left the squad room today, and I just wanted to see how you were holding up." Flynn asked, more embarrassed now that he was actually talking to the Chief then when he'd decided to phone her.
"No, no, Lt., I'm fine. I just woke up. I really did just collapse when I got home. I need to figure out what to eat. I skipped lunch and I'm starving." Brenda sighed.
"Well, that's why I phoned, Chief, I'm heading out for some dinner myself, and I wondered if you'd like to come out with me, have some company. Just to get out of the house." Flynn couldn't believe he was doing this.
Brenda was on alert then, she really didn't want him prying into her private life, but the thought of a warm meal that wasn't takeout did appeal to her. Even if said dinner companion was Lt. Flynn.
"I don't know, Lt., it's getting awfully late, I'm sure I can find something in my fridge that I won't starve." Brenda hedged.
"Come on, Chief, it's not a big deal. I'm going out anyway, and I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You were looking pretty shook up when I left you in the parking lot, and I know it's not like we're close friends, but I do think of you as a friend." Flynn tried to persuade her.
Brenda sighed. She was hungry, yes, but it's not like Flynn and her were close friends. She wondered if he had ulterior motives in trying to get info out of her, to use against her later. Or maybe he was just concerned for her, a total 180 from the days when he was trying to sabotage her. Still, she felt so raw and wounded. She really wasn't up for company, even with a friend, which apparently was how Flynn was now seeing her. Nothing like her marriage breaking up for her to acquire him as a friend. She decided to beg off and stay home, she came to the decision. She wouldn't be good company.
"Lt. Flynn, as much as I appreciate the offer, I think I'll just stay in tonight. I'm not good company, not at all." Brenda said, sounding so sad. And it wasn't an act.
"Are you sure, Chief? I can come and pick you up." Flynn tried, but the disappointment in his voice was evident. He didn't even know why he felt that way.
"I'm sure, Lt." However, she picked up the disappointment in his tone and somehow felt guilty for it. "Listen, Lt., I'll see you in the morning, okay? I just need time to think. Things are not...good here right now. I'll tell you what though, we'll see tomorrow. I'm still adjusting to some ... things, and I really, really just want to forget about them for now." That was as close as Brenda was going to get to revealing anything to anyone.
"Okay, sure Chief, I understand. I'll see you tomorrow. And Chief? We're all here for you, if you need anything."
"I know, Lt., I know. And Lt.? Thanks for looking out for me. I appreciate it. See you in the morning." With that, Brenda hung up. She got up to look for something to eat, but her appetite escaped her again. Not only did she feel awful about Fritz, now she felt she'd let Flynn down too. And she had no idea why she felt that way.
Brenda realized she needed to eat something though, and busied herself, finding something to eat, settling on the leftovers from her anniversary dinner last night. As she was heating it in the microwave, she reflected on the last evening. Things had been going well, she had thought Fritz and her had been doing so well lately. Since he'd been made liaison to the LAPD, they'd had to work together on several occasions, and found themselves frequently at odds with one another, but they'd always worked their way through it. She'd looked forward all day to going out, and had managed to make sure she wasn't delayed, a miracle for her. They'd gone out and celebrated and when they'd arrived home, he'd given her the news of the promotion. She hadn't been thrilled and it showed. And now, she was in this mess.
The microwave beeped, and Brenda took the meal out. Settling in front of the TV, she picked at her supper, not really thrilled with it. She just missed Fritz and needed to hear his voice, so she grabbed her phone to give him a call. Lucky for her, he was still taking her calls, and she soon heard his voice.
"Fritzi, just wanted to see how you are. I miss you, sweetie." Brenda said.
"I miss you too, Brenda." Hearing that made Brenda smile.
"Well, what do you say about just coming home, forgetting about going to Washington? I just really want you here." she cajoled.
Fritz's tone changed immediately. "Well, have you changed your mind about coming to Washington? Cause I really want you there.", he said icily.
"No, no, I haven't. I told you why Fritz!" Brenda pleaded.
"Well, then we really have nothing to talk about right now. Goodbye."
All she heard was dial tone. Shocked, Brenda stared at her phone, mouth open. Why was he being so unreasonable? she wondered. What had changed in the last year that he suddenly thought this job offer was worth giving up everything they had together. She set down her plate on the coffee table and shoved it away. She'd lost her appetite again. Sitting back on the couch, she rubbed her temples, her head starting to hurt.
Why had he hung up on her? Was she really that wrong in wanting to keep her job? Thinking back, she thought of other times that he'd done stuff like that to her. He was good at manipulating her to get what he wanted, same as she to him. When she'd hesitated on moving in together, he'd guilted her into it, moving in lock, stock and barrel. When he'd deemed her little house too small for the two of them and all his stuff, he'd guilted her into selling it, and they'd ended up in this rental. Hell, even getting married he'd manipulated her, giving her a deadline as to when.
As Brenda sat there thinking, she became angrier. Her sadness left her as the anger took over, as she realized his hanging up was another way of his to get her to come to Washington. In fact, the only thing that she'd never caved on and given in to him about was having a child, although he tried and had constantly brought it up. Fed up, Brenda stood up, grabbing her plate and went to the kitchen. She put the food in the garbage and then stalked to her bedroom. She'd had enough fretting and worrying for one day, and she grabbed her pyjamas and went to the bathroom to shower. As she stood there under the stinging stream, the thought popped into her mind that she should have just gone out to dinner with Flynn and saved herself the mistake of feeling lonely and phoning Fritz. The only saving grace the phone call had had was the fact that now, she realized more than ever where she wanted to be, and it wasn't Washington, even with the man that she professed to love.