Tough Love

Chapter Ninety-One

I choke back a sob at the sincerity of his words. This is not how I planned the morning, but it has taken my mind off the elevator journey completely.

I whisper, “I know. Just a natural reaction, I'm sorry.”

Ash's smile is not as bright as it was before, but it is still there as he says, “No need to apologize. As long as you know I'm not going to hurt you, then we can work on the rest. I'm really so glad you're back, Dani. We've all missed you far too much.”

“I've missed it too.”

He must notice I don't say I've missed them, but I only see a slight falter in his smile. I have missed them all in my own weird way, but I'm not ready to voice such a thing yet. The words would only get stuck on the way out, so I don't even attempt to say them. I miss the familiarity that comes with the precinct. I miss the normality that life brought. Everything is so messed up now and nothing is ever going to go back to the way it was before the attack. Everyone knows. Even if it's a small snippet of the truth, they know something. I will never get back the privacy I had before, so in that way I have missed everyone.

As I make my way to my desk, I hear the Captain's voice. “Is she here yet?”

Eli has been silent this whole time and I'm worried he's upset about what Ash has said and our little exchange. I'm about to ask him if he's ok, when he speaks up.

“Yes Cap, she's here.”

“Good stuff. I was worried you'd change your mind and stay at home, Dani.”

“No sir.”

“I'm glad to hear that. How are you doing?”

“I'm ok, sir, thank you.”

“Great. Shall we head to my office for a quick chat? Ramirez, I need to see you as well.”

We head to the Captain's office and I let out a sigh as I slump on the chair. Both men turn to me and eye me closely with small smiles on their faces. I turn a bright shade of red and whisper, “Sorry, the crutches are tiring.”

“When does the cast come off?”

“I'm not sure, sir. I think I have to see the doctor next week. Eli, is it next week?”

“Yes ma'am. Next Thursday.”

“Hopefully he'll give you the all clear. Until then, you'll solely have desk duties. Do you want to just get back in to it?”

“Yes sir, if that's ok.”

“More than ok. I've been looking forward to having you back. Everything is pretty much the same as when you left. I have some tapes for translation and surveillance for you to run. There will be some threat files on your desk tomorrow. I wasn't sure if you would be staying today. You want to go get yourself settled?”

“Yes sir. Captain?”

“Yeah?”

“I'm glad to be back.”

“That's what I like to hear. I'm very glad you're back too.”

I make my way to my desk and carefully take in everything as I sit down. Nothing has really changed, except some dust laying around. I fire up my computer and take a moment to settle myself before starting on the translations for the Captain.

Eli

“How is Dani doing really?”

“Better. She's changed a lot in the last few weeks.”