Chapter 6

Erin followed Kim into her apartment. They had stopped at a pizza place to pick up some food since it was late and neither of them wanted to cook.

The brunette set her jacket on the coat rack and headed into the kitchen, where Kim had placed the box of pizza and chicken on the counter. "Want a beer?" Erin asked, heading to the fridge for drinks.

"Sure, thanks," Kim replied with a smile. Once Erin had shown her where the plates were, Kim retrieved two and placed them beside the food. "How many slices do you want?" she asked the female detective.

Erin looked over her shoulder at the younger brunette and shook her head. "I'm not hungry right now, but I'll eat later," she said with a smile. She retrieved two bottles of beer from the fridge, handing one to Kim after closing it.

Kim's brow furrowed as she looked at the older woman. "Are you certain?" she asked.

Erin nodded. "Yes, I'm going to get a place ready for you to sleep and rest."

Kim replied, "Okay," and watched as Erin headed back to the bedroom.

"Make yourself at home," Erin said teasingly over her shoulder. "Who knows how long you'll have to deal with me."

Kim chuckled at the brunette's words. "At least we can say we're having a sleepover," she teased back.

She returned to the couch, placing her plate of food beside her. She turned on the TV and opened Netflix to see what was available.

The brunette scrolled through the options of movies and shows. She glanced towards the bedroom before returning her attention to the screen, finally selecting 'Arrow.' She figured it was best to wait to watch a movie in case Erin wanted to join her.

Erin reached her bedroom and gathered extra blankets and pillows from the closet for Kim, her body aching with every movement.

The detective placed the items on the bed and searched for the air mattress she had purchased for Nadia's previous visit. Closing her eyes, she banished the unwelcome memories of her young friend.

Locating the mattress, she lifted it from its box. A sharp pain shot through her, and she suppressed a cry. 'Damn these injuries!' she cursed, setting the box aside and beginning to inflate the mattress.

Lying on her bed, she waited for the mattress to fill, her gaze drifting to the ceiling. A frown creased her face, and with a sigh, she rose to leave the room, knowing the mattress would inflate without her presence.

Erin returned to the living room to check on Kim, her hand massaging the nape of her neck. As she entered, she saw Kim engrossed in television. "What are you watching?" she inquired, curiously walking around the couch and taking a seat beside her.

Kim glanced at the TV, observing a man clad in a green hood and armed with a bow and arrows conversing with another individual. "Arrow," she replied, turning to face Erin.

"Arrow?" Erin recalled having seen it on Netflix but had never found the time to watch it. "Yes," Kim elaborated. "It's about a man named Oliver Queen who seeks justice for those who wronged his city."

Erin nodded, leaning back on the couch to watch. "We can change it if you'd prefer," Kim suggested. "I wasn't sure what-" Erin shook her head, interrupting Kim with a smile. "It's fine, I don't mind what we watch," she replied.

Kim nodded. "Besides, I was debating whether to give the show a try, so you've done me a favor." Erin's words elicited a giggle from Kim, who turned back to the TV to watch the movie.

"I've almost finished setting up the air mattress. I'll make the bed once it's fully inflated," Erin informed Kim, signaling that her sleeping arrangements were in progress. "Thank you, but I'm perfectly capable of making my own bed," Kim smiled.

Erin nodded slightly. "I suppose I could use the help," she said, though she hesitated to admit it was due to her discomfort. She simply preferred not to struggle with the sheets. Kim agreed, and they both focused on the TV.

The second episode began, with Oliver Queen narrating, "The day I went missing… was the day I died. Five years in hell transformed me into a weapon, which I use to fulfill a vow I made to my father, who sacrificed his life for mine. In his final moments, he revealed the truth… our family's wealth was built on the suffering of others."

"That he failed our city, leaving me to right his wrongs. But to protect my loved ones, I must become someone else, something different." Erin absorbed Oliver's words.

Erin sipped her beer, watching the show with Kim. Seeing Kim's plate of pizza, Erin took a slice, a gesture that made Kim smile.

The two women watched the show in companionable silence. Erin rested her head on the couch's armrest, her eyelids growing heavy.

Arrow: "Marcus Redman, you failed this city."

Kim's attention was drawn to the show. She leaned forward, her gaze fixed on the screen as the story unfolded.

Marcus Redman: "Please! No, please, no! Don't hurt me, please!"

Arrow: "Cell phone, inside pocket, call your partner. Tell him to give those pensioners back their money."

Marcus Redman: "Oh, please don't!"

Arrow: "Do it now."

Kim leaned back against the couch, a second bottle of beer in her hand. She turned to check on Erin and discovered, to her surprise, that the female detective had fallen asleep.

The younger officer rose from the couch and turned down the TV's volume. She retrieved a blanket and draped it over her sleeping friend.

Kim turned off the TV and made her bed, ensuring it was ready when she needed it. She hoped Erin would get as much rest as possible.