For Kris :) Thanks for trusting me with this idea or wish or whatever we are going to call it.
General facts... My "knowledge" of Season 5 consists of Instagram BTS pictures... so no clue at all. But I guess it's set somewhere in that season to make a lick of sense. (Plus I saw the Ally episode which I saw out of sheer hope to see a good Tan story). So this is clearly all AU.
He hates this plan.
But for now, he'd have to bite his tongue. Chris will surely kill him if he protests one more time. He can't help it, sending her anywhere alone, without backup, without them even able to listen in… it just leaves a bad feeling behind.
He knows she is a capable officer and Jim tries to tell himself he'd feel like this about every other of his team members, but he knows it's different with Chris.
And so, he does what is asked of him. Figure out more about the group and the witness Chris is meeting and make sure that there are no stones left unturned. He wants to make absolutely sure she has every advantage possible.
The night is warm, almost hot and still Street can't help the frosty shivers that run down his spine. He hates sitting in this van, feeling useless. Chris has entered the club almost two hours ago and since then nothing suspicious had happened. Nothing at all. Every time the doors opened here in the front or in the back his eyes studied the monitors and he straightens his spine, readying himself to spring into action at the slightest sign of trouble. So far he always sunk back into his seat.
Street feels the worried glances from Tan and Deac, who have taken the shift with him.
It's nearing 2 am when Chris finally makes her way outside the club. She is in the company of the witness she had been looking for and for their safety, she has to play a role right now.
She is strategically draping herself onto the man at her side and has placed his arm around her waist. She uses the car remote twice to signal her colleagues everything is fine and going according to plan. She'll meet them at HQ later, after taking a small detour to make sure no one is tailing them.
Seeing the car light up twice in rapid succession finally releases some of the tension Street had been feeling built up in his muscles and head. He brushes his hands through his hair and breathes deeply. Hondo's voice over coms instructs all of them to take the long way home. And that they'd debrief and reassess in the morning.
Street is not exactly happy with that plan. He'd wanted to make sure himself, and in person, that Chris is okay but if he doesn't show up at home within a few minutes of Luca there would be more questions than he is able to answer. And there also is Chris… who would kill him.
So he takes a deep breath and does the only thing he can think of right now: taking his phone and shooting her a quick text. "Call me, or text me when you are home safe. Night"
Street knows he can't stay in the living room all night waiting for Chris to react and so he heads for his bedroom. Even turns off the bedside lamp just to keep Luca from being nosy. His roommate had taken to somewhat mother him whenever it seemed he was on edge, or something seemed off.
And Jim Street wasn't a moron. He had seen the last studying glance Deac had thrown his way when he had climbed his bike and the experienced sergeant had started his truck.
The next morning the sound of his alarm startles Street awake. He is immediately on edge when he realizes it's the next day and he hastily reaches for his phone. His heartbeat is way too fast for simply having woken up but it slows down the moment he sees her name on his screen.
Chris had texted, twice, last night.
With a smile on his face Street swipes the first notification. "I'll sleep at HQ, I am too tired to drive home. Don't worry."
The second message had come about 10 minutes later. "I guess you fell asleep. Night and see you tomorrow."
Whistling and smiling Street emerges from his room and follows the smell of coffee and bacon. Living with Luca absolutely has its perks.
He fills a thermos with coffee and then steals a strip of bacon out of the pan before leaving the house. Luca just shares a look with Duke and continues munching on his toast.
When he arrives at HQ Tan is also pulling into the lot and motions for Street to wait a second. Curious he leans on his bike. What could his friend want now?
"Morning," they greet each other in unison and chuckle a little. Tan is just about to say something else when the doors open and Chris walks out "So, I hear my coffee is here?" she holds out her hand to Street who in turn just looks confused.
"I just talked to Luca," she smiles at her explanation making Street chuckle again and shake his head.
"I'll be at the weights," Tan walks away with a wave and a curious glance while Street motions for Chris to take a seat and pulls his backpack around.
Chris's eyes light up when she recognizes the wrapping on the bagels Street pulls out. "My favorite? What did I do to deserve that kind of service?" she smiles over the rim of her coffee.
Street just silently smiles back and is about to reach for her hand when their phones go off.
"So much for a quiet morning," Chris jumps up and hurries inside with her coffee and bagel.