Two weeks later
Alvin's fingers caressed Caitlin's neck.
"Do you really have to go"?
"The FBI doesn't invite you to a disciplinary hearing, they summon you. I won't be gone long. I'll be back tomorrow".
"You and Kenny are here, why couldn't they do it in Chicago"?
"Simply because they take place at headquarters in DC. Kenny's already there".
"He is"?
"Uh huh. He's been there for a couple of days already".
"Maybe I should go with you".
"You can't. You don't have clearance". She looked at him. "Wait a minute, this is not so much the fact that I'm leaving for 2 days, this is about you not wanting to go back to work".
Alvin said nothing. Having spent these past two full weeks with her had been amazing and he dreaded having to go back to work, especially since Hank hadn't been in contact with either one of them.
"You are a good cop and detective Al. Regardless of what personal issues you and Hank have, he knows that he needs you".
When Caitlin arrived at the airport, she checked in and went directly to the gate. She sat down in her seat in business class and looked out the window at the tarmac. It was early, it was 5am and if the flight was on time, she'd arrive in DC just before noon and on time at Headquarters for the hearing at 2PM. She felt the seat shift next to her and took presence of her neighbor.
"Hank"?
"Morning", he said indifferently.
"What are you doing here"?
"Paterson called me to discuss our actions during the operation".
"Of course and it's just a simple coincidence that your seat is right next to mine".
"Yep".
They said nothing more as the plane left the gate, headed for the runway and took off.
Hank waited for a while hoping that she would break the ice but she didn't, she simply looked out the window.
"How are you feeling"? he asked out of the blue, which inevitable surprised her and him.
"Fine. All is back to normal. You"?
"Can't complain".
"Good".
"Yeah. Good".
He took a sip of his coffee.
"You've been staying with Alvin"? he dared
"Yes. He's been taking really good care of me".
"I bet", he snapped.
She closed her eyes and sighed. The last thing she wanted was to have an argument with him at 25,000 feet.
"I'm sorry", he said, realizing he had gone too far with his comment.
She reopened her eyes. "I understand that this is awkward or hard for you but it's not like we planned this. It happened and it happened as naturally as possible. You think I didn't ask myself a million questions"?
"But why Al"?
She shrugged. "Why did you fall in love with Camille? Why did Justin fall in love with Olive? Kim with Adam? Because there's a connection, a bond, a common attraction. Why does anyone fall in love"?
When he said nothing, she continued. "Would you have rather I go out with Jay or Kevin? Maybe some guy from an online dating site"?
Again he said nothing.
"No, you wouldn't. For two simple reasons: the first being that the online guy, you would know nothing about him, his past, his intentions. The second reason, is that you think they wouldn't be good enough for me. In your eyes and due to the love you have for me, no man will ever be good enough and I get that, I do. But if anyone knows Al better than himself it's you. You know his worth".
She was amazed that for once he seemed to listen to her.
"Are you sure that this is what you want"?
She took a deep breath and thought about Alvin and everything he was, everything he represented and meant to her.
"This is what I want. What I also want, is you. I miss you and I know that Alvin does to".
"I miss you too kiddo. I guess I'm just worried about you, that you've made the wrong choice".
"I know I'm not making the wrong choice. All these years, you've never questioned my choices or my judgement because I never make impulsive decisions. Just give him a chance, that's all I'm asking. Let him show you that's he's worthy of me".
"OK. I'll do my best".
"Good, that's all I'm asking for".
The following evening, Alvin was waiting for Caitlin at the airport with a bouquet of flowers. Although the more he looked at them, the more he thought he was being stupid in having bought her some. They hadn't spoken at all while she had been in DC and it had been hard on him, especially since he had been home alone trying to find an excuse not to go back to work the day after her return.
He tensed up as he saw Caitlin walk into the arrivals hall with none other than Hank. He had no idea what he was doing there but since she looked rather relaxed, he eased up and smiled as she saw him and gave him her most amazing smile.
He walked a few steps towards them and stopped when Cat was within reach. She let go of her carry-on trolley.
"Hey stranger", she said as she took a step towards him. As he hesitated, he felt Hank's stare on him. He understood that Hank was testing him. He opened his arms and embraced Caitlin before kissing her gently. When she pulled back, he handed her the bouquet of beautiful white Calla Lilies, her favorite.
"They're beautiful Al. Thank you". She kissed him again.
Things got awkward for a few seconds before Al decided to take the lead.
"It's good to see you Hank".
Hank nodded. "It's good to see you too". He looked at Caitlin. "You'll let me know"?
"I will", she answered.
Hank turned his attention back to Al. "I guess, I'll see you tomorrow. Have a nice evening".
Al nodded. As Hank walked away towards the opposite parking lot than theirs, Al took Caitlin's trolley and put his arm lovingly around her as they headed for the south parking lot.
Hank turned his head around and watched the scene.
"I missed you. How are you feeling? Are you tired"? asked Al as they continued in their stride.
Hank nodded to himself upon hearing Al's words. Maybe Caitlin was right. Alvin was a decent man and he knew that he would always put Caitlin on the top of his priority list. Taking out, who they were, from the equation, as Meredith had said, had they been total strangers, he would have acknowledged the fact that they were a good match.
"I'll go put this in the bedroom", said Al as they walked in the apartment. "There's lasagna in the fridge, waiting for your expert cooking skills", he said as he winked at her.
She smiled. She took of her vest and headed for the kitchen. As she headed there, she grabbed the stereo's remote control and put on some music. She turned on the oven and took out the lasagna from the fridge along with a zucchini. When he came back into the room, she was swaying to the music and slicing the zucchini.
He came up behind her and massaged her shoulders as he kissed the side of her neck. "How about a nice glass of Valpolicella"?
"Now that's a great idea"! She placed the slices on top of the lasagna and returned to the fridge to get the parmesan. She sprayed some of it on top and placed the lasagna in the pre-heated oven.
Alvin returned with the bottle of wine and took two wine glasses out of the kitchen cupboard. He served them and they headed for the sofa.
"Lasagna should be ready in less than an hour", she said as she settled down against him in the sofa.
"So, are you going to tell me about the hearing? And about Hank"?
"Which one do you want me to start with"?
Even though he was more curious about the Hank part of the discussion, he wasn't sure he was ready for it. "The hearing".
"It went OK, I guess. Kenny has been temporarily suspended from field activity and has been put on desk duty".
"Ouch".
"Yeah, but honestly, it could have been worse, they could have fired him. At least he gets to stay at the FBI and should resume full duty in a couple of months".
"And you"?
"I thanked them for the job opportunity they gave me and told them I was no longer interested".
"Really"? he said doubtful.
"Yes. There's nothing in the Chicago office that's available and I want to stay here".
He closed in eyes as a sign of relief. "So, you're staying in Chicago? For good"?
She pulled away from him and turned around. "You truly thought that I'd leave Chicago"?
He shrugged. "I guess I thought it could have always been a possibility".
She smiled. "You really don't give yourself enough credit you know. How could I possibly leave when all I've ever wanted is right here"?!
"You mean that"? he asked as he put down his wine glass on the side table.
"With all my heart. I can't imagine being away from you. Just these two days were far more than enough".
He took her glass from her hand and placed it alongside his. He pulled her into him and kissed her.
"So this is serious"?
"I know it's fast and I know that you've never been with anyone else than Meredith and if you need more time and space and want this to be casual then I'm Ok with that. But I'd be lying to you, if I didn't tell you that for me this is serious".
"I don't need more time or space. I want the same thing you want and I'm serious about us. Move in with me".
She laughed lightly. "I thought I already had".
"Technically and physically, I guess you're right".
"You're talking legally, like cohabitant"?
"Is that how they call it"? He smiled awkwardly. "I guess in my days, when people moved in together they were married".
She gave him a soft and loving look. "Do you want to get married"?
His finger caressed her cheek bone. "I hope that one day, you'll let me". The thought had crossed his mind many times in the past month, but he was no fool. He knew that it was way too early. But it warmed his heart and gave him hope that she hadn't been taken aback by the eventuality as she had asked the question.
"I will and I think you and I will both know when the time is right. In the meantime, I agree that we should officially cohabit. We can go to Town Hall tomorrow".
He nodded in agreement, then opted to venture out on what could be a risky subject. "What about Hank"?
"Well, at least he's on speaking terms with both of us".
"What happened"?
"He was summoned to the hearing and ended up being in the seat next to me on the plane. Things were a bit rough in the beginning but I think he'll come around. He just needs a bit more time. But I doubt that he'll punch you again".
"I just wish he could see what I see when I look at you. How happy and in love I am with you".
"He will and you'll have every chance you get to show him. Starting this weekend".
"This weekend"? he asked intrigued.
"Yes. That's what he was talking about at the airport, that I have to confirm with him. He's invited us over for dinner".
It was definitely a step in the right direction. He just hoped that Hank didn't have a hidden agenda, even though he thought it would be very unlikely. He was going to show and convince Hank that he wouldn't regret him being in Cat's life.
The timer went off and Caitlin removed herself from him and went to the oven. She removed the foil from the lasagna and put another 10 minutes on the timer.
"So what are you going to do now? Workwise, I mean".
"Well, you know me, I never let a job go unless I have some sort of back-up plan".
He stood and walked over to the counter and leaned over the high chair. "You have a back-up plan? Can I know what it is or is it confidential"?
She teased him as she smiled cockily at him. "Nothing's final yet, but I should be able to tell you in a couple of days, once I've seen their offer".
He winced. "Oh ho. What are you up to"?
"Trust me. All you need to know right now is that it has to do with CPD".
His mind started to wander. Counterterrorism? Narcotics? Gang? Vice? Fraud? There were so many options and he knew that in the past both Gang and Vice had been interested in having her on their team. In the end, as long as she was part of CPD and that their work schedules allowed them to see each other more often than none, it was all he cared about.