Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Every time he tries to talk to her she makes an excuse and finds somewhere else to be.
He checked the canteen, the bridge, the armory, vehicle bay, and medical bay-NOTHING. He feels like he NEEDS to clarify some things
with her, verify if their low-key flirting is JUST THAT-harmless banter or the start of something MORE...in the past he hesitated to let
the object(s) of his interest aware of that interest and more often than not he found himself left in the cold when a more assertive man-
one less handsome, 'built', or capable than himself-won the day...NOT THIS TIME...as a last resort he passed by the gym, where he ran
into MAY. The stoic Agent eyes him cooly before returning to her tai chi routine.

"Hey, uh, May", he greeted her weekly. This is bound to be awkward, as in between her reunion with Andrew Garner she and he had
spent a few 'sweet nights'* together...at least until YOYO attracted his attention. When he informed the beautiful Chinese Specialist
of his intention to pursue Elena she encouraged him, knowing full well that despite she and Mack deciding to part ways that her friend
and colleague is merely waiting for the Director to come to his senses, as it were. She herself had no deep feelings for Keller, but his
showing interest in another woman wounded her feminine pride.

"What?"

"Have you seen, ummm...Elena?"

"On her way to change," she said shortly, not even sparing him a glance.

"Huh..'Kay...see ya round." She didn't reply so he walked out.

(After he left Melinda allowed herself a vindictive, satisfied smirk)...

Turning the corner to the hallway to YoYo's quarters he ducks back when he hears voices: a deep, rumbling baritone followed by
a lilting, teasing heavily-accented one...speaking SPANISH:

Elena: Entonces te despiertaste...(you're awake now)

Mack (deep laugh): SI, Loca...sabes; no te burles de mí (YES, Crazy Woman; don't make fun of me)

Elena: Te DIJE que volveras...(I TOLD YOU that you'd be back)

Mack: OK, OK-ya, hombre! (OK, I get it!)

His rudimentary Spanish allowed him to get the gist of what was said, and his depression ratcheted down another notch.
It drops again when he peeked again to see the two kiss their way inside.

Disheartened, Keller headed for the main hallway where he happened to pass May; "bitch' he hissed under his breath, causing her to
round on him: "WHAT WAS THAT??!" she whisper-yelled. She walked slowly up to the much taller agent, undisturbed by his suoerior
musculature or size difference. "Say it again," she invited.

"Melinda...what's goiin' on here?" Neither had seen Andrew Garner, May's ex-husband come upon them. "Wǒ kěyǐ yìngfù zhège, Andrew."

"Wǒmen zhèngzài tǎolùn...I can see that. Wǒ shàncháng tiáojiě."

Without taking her eyes off of Keller May replied "It's that silver tongue of yours", and chuckled. "Wǒ yǐjīng chǔlǐle."

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CHINESE TO ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Wǒ yǐjīng chǔlǐle-I have it handled.

Wǒ shàncháng tiáojiě-I'm a great negotiator

Wǒ zài chéngqīng yī jiàn shì-I'm clarifying something

Chapter Text

As a last resort, TMI went to her 'In Laws' for advice on how to get through to their daughter and her partner after the
mistake she made.

"I spoke to Phillipa earlier; I told her that forgiving someone isn't approving how they wronged you. It is not allowing their
'wrong' to define YOU or THEM. I say to you don't try to mitigate the pain you caused, or excuse it-OWN IT."

"She's clear that she gained STRENGTH from that pain. Our marriage hasn't always been puppies and roses-in fact, we separated for
a bit when Rosie and Pippy were teens. Working through the rough parts puts 'steel' in the foundation o a partnership."

"Mommy, Daddy-thank you so much. I'm seeing her tonight, and I'll keep in mind what you said."

"It's our pleasure, Baby," Donna assured her. "Good luck."

=THAT NIGHT=

"Pippy, I'm so sorry. I fucked up and there is no excuse. I want to make this right, I just don't know how."

"You DID, though...you gave me time to process it, and I have...MOSTLY. Enough so that I can see that you are remorseful
and want to make amends. I'm finished yelling and hating you and hating HIM...cursing you when I really want to say "I LOVE YOU."

"Thank you, Baby. I will never again allow myself to be in a position where a mistake like that could happen. I have missed you so
much and if you're ready I'd like to spend the night with you...unless..."

"Let's go HOME," the Love Of Her Life said.

Chapter Text

FYI: Pruitt survived his cancer and didn't die in the storage unit fire. This chapter is more 'AU' than canon.

~PRESENT DAY~

In the waiting room the morning of Sullivan's surgery the elder Herrera is typically blunt in his advice to the women with his opinion regarding how they handle their issues with their partners (both had confided in their ex-lover JACK GIBSON about ripples in their relationships at the houseboat party (3x16): "I call it 'run to Jack Gibson to discuss matters better told to your significant other' syndrome. How in the world is confiding in the man LEAST equipped to dispense relationship advice IN SEATTLE, possibly the Western United States helpful."

"He's a FRIEND," Maya offered weakly.

"INDEED-a friend the both of you have had relations with," Pruitt countered.

"That's a little simplistic, Papi ," Andy protested.

"Oh, yes? Please point out where I've said something incorrect or inaccurate: that both of you had inappropriate sexual relations with Gibson? NO-that IS a fact...that he's uniquely unqualified to dispense advice about healthy relationships ALSO FACTUAL...perhaps was..."

"We take your point, Sir", said Maya.

"YES! The question is what do we do NOW?" Andy asked.

"STOP seeking Gibson's help-he has a stake in you NOT resolving your problems with your mates. It may not be obvious to YOU; it is to ME. No matter how long it takes, engage Robert and Carina in substantive conversation...the issues are between the two of them and the two of you; even if Gibson was qualified to help does he know enough about those issues to be able to help?

Andy said "Very good point. There's no room to argue."

"IT IS," said Maya. "Cap's as straight-talking as ever."

****FIRST FLASHBACK (MARINA)****

"Hello, Maya," Carina said from the kitchen. Maya joined her, hands in her jean's back pockets. " Ho scopato -I fucked up: AGAIN-ad I'm sorry...AGAIN."

"You keep saying that, and I believe that you mean it...it's just...how many more Ho scopato 's will there be?"

"I can't promise that there won't be anymore. I'll work EVERY DAY to eliminate them. PLEASE."

"I've made veal piccata; come and eat."

"Just one thing more", Carina said as they prepare for bed. "I must say this: if I don't I will not sleep."

Dreading the response, Maya said "OK."

"You choose the least qualified person to ask relationship advice: the man who still carries a torch for a married woman; who YOU have a history with and betrayed me with...who time after time involves himself with women he should not...you are taking advantage of me Maya, and I do not like, hmmm? I am not as forgiving as you would like to believe."

"I KNOW. Based on my actions it sounds ludicrous, I realize that and you're right: I have taken advantage of you. I'm sorry for that. I won't promise to never do it again: I WILL promise to do everything in my power to avoid repeating that behavior. I will try with all that I have in
me. I have other resources now, and I'll use them from now on. Especially Diane. That's something that I can safely pledge."

"Alright," Carina says at last. 'Alright...I will forget about it this one last time. You have to know that a repeat of that and it will be over between us. Do you understand?"

"Yes. I understand."

Carina slaps her hands together briskly. "Enough of THAT, then; on to more enjoyable matters!" Arms open wide in welcome, the women melt into one another's embrace...

****2ND FLASHBACK (SURRERA)***

Robert didn't say a word when she came through the door of their bedroom; he continued to pack for his surgery the next day. She sat on the bed and unzipped her ankle boots, kicking them one by one the short distance into her closet; he took a few sets of boxer briefs from his closet,

then zipped up his leather overnight bag. "What time should I set the alarm for?" she asked when the silence went unbroken.

"Whatever time you want; I've scheduled an UBER."

"You don't want me there."

"Has Gibson approved it?"

"OK; that's fair," she said. "I'M SORRY, alright? I was drunk and upset and...I didn't know that you had to move fast on Dixon before he put more risk through his corruption. I did what I always do: drink too much liquor and vent to the wrong people. I didn't fuck him, Robert. I would NEVER; yes I was a 'triangle' with Tanner and Gibson but that was long ago...and I wasn't married to either of them. I didn't do anything wrong except air our laundry in public which now that I say it aloud...I DID do something wrong. FORGIVE ME, please. I love you."

"I love you, too. Whether we love one another isn't the issue: it's GUARANTEEING multiple times that you'd be here in plenty of time: 'I'll be here, Baby-I promise.' You don't break your word to me often except this is BIG. I'm in knots about losing the full use of my leg...of having to leave SFD or them 'shunting' me to a desk job...my anxiety's building and you're drinking yourself stupid and venting to your ex."

"I KNOW. I know that I fucked up and I...the truth is that I have no excuse. I am so so sorry: I'LL BE BETTER; I WILL. Please will you cancel the UBER? I wanna take you; it should be me. I'M your wife."

Grudgingly, her husband concedes."Yeah...I'll cancel it."

"Could...could you do it NOW, where I can see?"

Annoyed, he says "I said that I'll cancel."

"I just-you're clearly not happy right now, and I hope that you don't sneak out and take the UBER in the morning anyway to avoid me."

He types on his phone's keypad and tosses it onto the bed so that she can verify the cancellation.

"I could...help you 'relax' if you want," she says suggestively, handing him back his device.

"That isn't in the doctor's pre-surgery orders..."

"Ummm...so no sex before surgery?"

He hesitates before answering "We probably shouldn't..."

"OK." Though disappointed, she decides not to 'push' the matter. Sliding into bed, she reaches for him before stopping short when he turns onto his side, facing away from her. "You ARE still angry."

Over his shoulder, he says "I'm...worn-out, Andy: with wondering where the hell you were and with who. In my mind, I wouldn't be able to count on you-MY WIFE which as I remember the words 'in sickness and in health' were said by you when we were married. I want to sleep, OK? Once I'm rested and calmed down I'll be a different man...can I do that, please?"

"D-Duermo en la recamara de visitantes "? (Should I sleep in the guest bedroom) she asks dejectedly.

"No. Estas bien ." (You're fine)/

"Te abrazo ?" (May I hug you).

"After I'm asleep."

"Are you going to kiss me goodnight, at least?"

He turns back briefly, kisses her with feeling, and returns to his former position.

Andy contents herself with the smell of his hoodie to keep her company.

////////////////////////////////////

~AT THE HOUSEBOAT (FLASHBACK)~

"We talkin' about it or-"

"DRINKIN' about it!" his companion interrupts, pouring them each a shot of Jack Daniels.

After another shot, she starts venting about Robert's visit to the Fire Commission about Dixon's illegal 'pay for clean inspections' scheme, she characterized as 'putting her dad's line of duty funeral in jeopardy'; Gibson, 'buzzed' enough to discount Herrera's usual 'ire' whenever
challenged says "How the fuck would Dixon's bullshit impact Pruitt AT ALL? Also...shouldn't you be telling all this to Sullivan? Everyone runs to Jack for 'stand-in dick' or to vent about whoever they're with but can't be bothered with him otherwise."

Andy's face is flushed with anger by the time Gibson finishes his speech and furiously spat "FUCK YOU!" before stumbling off to dance drunkenly among the other party-goers. She slings her phone into a corner contemptuously when Robert calls yet again and continues her revelry,
her pledge to arrive home well before his scheduled surgery time forgotten in a haze of anger and booze...

//////////////////////////////////

The hung-over A Shift is awakened by the arrival of JJ and Pru, Miller's ex-girlfriend and young daughter. The young Asian woman screams, curses and issues loud threats; Andy boozily searches frantically for her mobile device while the rest of the still-groggy team moves about in
slow motion, which really escalates JJ's wrath.

"O.U.T! GET.THE.FUCK.OUT: Gǔn chū wǒ de fángzi ! DEAN-youareanASSHOLE!" she rants. "Why are you still here??!" she turns on Andy, who's having trouble locating her device.

Dean's had enough: "HEY! Give her a chance crazy bitch: Gěi tā yīgè jīhuì fēng biǎo zi ! ANDY...PLEASE FIND YOUR PHONE BEFORE this LUNATIC forces me to throttle her flat ass!!"

"WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU SAY!? WHAT?!"

Pru is wailing now, startled awake by her mother's screams and both parents continuing to yell. Andy starts to wish she had never come..."I-I'll just come back for it, or"...suddenly 'Suavemente' (Elvis Crespo) sounds from underneath an easy chair, and she quickly retrieves it: "GOT
IT! Thanks, Dean, Robert's gonna kill me-SORYSORRYSORRY, JJ!" and Andy runs out, nearly falling a time or two on the way to her SUV...

~TBC~

Chapter Text

The two of them watch Rafa sleep, his little lips pooching out with every breath. His little fingers clench and then open, and every so
often he makes a small noise. "Are babies supposed to snore , Reade asked.

Tasha said "I've heard that they do...and we're looking at our own baby snoring, genio ", she laughed.

"Keep it up...tonight you gets NUTTIN': just watch."

"Oh, NOOO, PLEASE, NOOO-not that!!," Tasha snarked.

He took a step toward her and stifling her giggles she ran from the room, slowing down to allow him to tackle her onto the sectional
Heated kisses lead to a heated COUPLING; she whispered how much she loved him in his ear as he pushed forward and she rose to meet him;
he muttered something and she nodded: working carefully (and in sync) they maneuver themselves until she rides atop him... a minute or two
to adjust and she starts to move, alternately bouncing on his long thick stalk and leaning over him, chest to chest to grind their groins together.
"F-Fuck!" he grunted, his strong hands clasping her delightful hips and pistoning his steely hard member deeply and with great relish into her
pliant wetness.

"Fuck is right!" she gasped, after a particularly deep ingress of his ten-inch weaponry. She hissed seductively when his teeth nibbled at her
breast-tips, swapping the slight sting with his active tongue.

" Eres MIA " ...Reade panted.

" SOLAMENTE TUYO !" she panted in return.

He erupts, and she follows him seconds after. "We have to have this cleaned," Reade said tiredly.

"I'll take care of it. Also: the X7's passenger headlight malfunctioned. Do you want me to take it in for service?"

"Call Roman instead, please. He's mobile. In the meantime, I'll UBER."

"H-h-h-waaaah!!"

"Right on time" they sigh at the same time. They go together to the nursery; his little nose wrinkles when the odor of recent activities
breaches his nostrils. After removing his onesie and diaper they bring their newborn into the shower with them, which he loved. At first, he
he kept his little face pressed against his daddy's shoulder, eventually raising his face to joyfully let the soft spray (adjusted by his Mommy)
wash over his face and head. Tasha kisses their baby's fingers, and he stretches his little hand out to touch her face. "I want a sibling for him,"
she says suddenly to Edgar.

"For real?", he asks a little doubtfully. "He's eight months, and you described your time away from the office as-and this is a direct quote: 'a
special kind of hell.' Recall that?" he jokes, lathering Rafa's curls with baby shampoo.

"Pain meds", she retorts dismissively. "And I didn't understand just how much of a capacity to love I have inside me. I couldn't imagine loving
anyone more than you-This One put the lie to that theory. I can't explain the depth of it-he is my everything: nothing and no one matters more
than him. You understand."

"Of course." She knows that he means it.

"You don't want another?"

Reade, with no hestitation, says "I do. That would be good."

Chapter Text

"A word, Son." Chief Donovan didn't wait for an answer, turning toward his office immediately after summoning Bode.

Inside, Bode stood before his father's desk waiting for whatever the older man had to say. "You have to lay off Gabriela
Perez, Bode. I'm getting flack from her father and her BOYFRIEND."

"Why her dad? Gaby's an adult."

"A father never stops wanting the best for their child whether 6 or 60. Manny's main concerns are that she's not only taken
but that you have a felony record-for a violent crime at that. Jake has a clean record and he's a decorated firefighter: one of
Cal Fire's best. Why wouldn't he prefer that his daughter is with Jake."

"Siding with him again" his son fumed. "What did I expect?"

"I don't disagree that I could have supported you more when you were growing up but we both had a part in that-a lot of
that teenage crap you pulled had me and your mom down at the Sheriff's every week it seemed." He paused, then added
"Gabriela wants you to keep it professional as well. She told me that personally."

"Yeah. OK, alright. I'll keep it professional. Anything else, Chief?"

"I'm sorry, Son. Truly. Edgewater has more women than men since you've been away; the same with the surrounding area. As
I remember you never had much trouble with the ladies. You'll be fine Stinker."

"Yeah. Yeah, I guess. I'm gonna get some chow, ok?"

"Yeah go ahead."

/

Bode passed Gaby on the way to the chow hall aka cafeteria; "Hey Bode what's good!" she hailed cheerfully...he walked right past
her without a word or sideways glance. "Wow!" she exclaimed, watching him go. By the time she reached the lockerroom she is
still muttering to herself over Bode's rebuff; shutting his locker Jake commented on it.

"BODE. I said hello and he just kept walkin'...he's probably pissed about me going to Chief about him."

~to be continued~