Calamitous (Kaylor)

21

"I wasn't aware that she ever talked to you," Karlie said.

"Karlie, wake up! Can't you see that you're neglecting her? You've made her feel like a burden! First you tell her off for getting attacked - what the hell happened there? And then you just ignore her for a week and pass the responsibility of keeping an eye on her to someone else? You two haven't spoken in days, Karlie."

"I've been really busy," Karlie defended herself. "And she's always asleep when I'm home." Lily facepalmed.

"That's exactly what I mean," she said through gritted teeth. "It gets harder and harder to get her out of bed every day. She's shutting down on us, and it's your problem to fix, not ours." The two detectives glared at each other for a moment before Karlie looked away, feeling guilty.

"Look, I just have to finish this," she said, gesturing to her computer. "I might have located her mother. I need to go meet her, convince her that Taylor's her daughter and also that she has redeeming qualities -" Lily let out a sound of warning, and Karlie hastily continued, "-and somehow get her and Taylor reunited. Then everyone will be happy, and things will go back to normal. So just...try to keep her happy a few more days, okay?"

"She's not happy," Lily asserted. "And is this really all worth it? Taylor feels awful right now because she doesn't think you like her anymore. Do you think introducing her mom to the mix, no matter how well-intentioned, is a good idea? She'll realize that you've been lying to her all along, for one."

"She doesn't think I like her anymore?" Karlie echoed, ignoring the rest of Lily's speech. "What gave her that idea?"

"You did, Karlie," Lily said. "Now fix it."

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Karlie decided to go home early that night. She stopped and bought some flowers at a stand along the way - a pretty bouquet of daisies - before she arrived home just before five. Lily was probably cooking dinner, having relieved Martha from her shift earlier that afternoon.

The detective unlocked the door and stepped inside, immediately aware of the smell of baked macaroni and cheese. She followed her nose to the kitchen and saw Lily at the counter, pulling the dish from the oven. She waited until the dish was set down safely before announcing her arrival.

"Hey!" Lily jumped and turned around.

"Karlie," she said warily. "What are you doing home so early?"

"I thought about what you said. I figured I should catch her while she's awake to apologize," Karlie said shamefully.

"Uh huh. And what are you apologizing for, exactly?" Lily prompted.

"For...leaving her here with you instead of taking her to work with me?" Karlie said uncertainly. Lily gave her an unimpressed look.

"Okay, okay. For making her feel like I don't care about her, especially after I promised her that I would." Lily nodded appreciatively.

"There you go."

"Where is she?" Karlie asked, looking around. She could see the living room from here but didn't see the blonde.

"Taking a nap, probably." Karlie stared at her in horror.

"You're joking, right?" Lily shrugged, grinning a little.

"She's in the bedroom. She could be asleep; who knows?" She suddenly spotted the daisies and gasped. "What are those?"

"Apology daisies," Karlie admitted. "Do you think she'll like them?" Lily looked at her as if she'd gone crazy.

"Karlie, I would bet a million dollars that no one's ever given this girl flowers before. I'm sure she'll call you old-fashioned or insult your taste, but trust me, she will love them. Now go get your girlfriend back!"

Tired of arguing with her friend over this particular point, the detective stuck her tongue out at Lily and made her way to the bedroom. She hesitated outside, but mustered her courage and knocked lightly. Hearing no answer, she cracked the door open, slipped inside, and gingerly made her way over to the bed.

"Taylor?" she whispered. She heard the other girl's breath stutter, but didn't receive a reply. "Taylor, I know you're awake," Karlie said. "Can we talk? Please?" The blonde rolled over and faced Karlie, dull blue eyes barely reflecting the dim light. She still didn't make a sound, so Karlie continued.

"Look, I've been an absolute asshole lately. I'm sorry I didn't recognize it sooner. I was really stressed out that day at the station, but I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I shouldn't have made it seem like you were a problem that Martha and Lily had to deal with for me while I was at work, either. I'd hoped you guys would have some fun together, but I just made you feel like I didn't want you around."

She paused to give Taylor a chance to respond, but the girl kept staring at her, waiting for her to continue. "Which is wrong. I do want you around, more than anything. I just didn't want to risk something bad happening to you - and I know it wouldn't be your fault. You should know that, too. It wasn't your fault. The next time I tell you something like that, you slap me and tell me I'm being an idiot, okay?"

Taylor's lips quirked up a little in a small smile, which was the most responsive she'd been to Karlie in days, so Karlie counted this as a small win. "Anyway," she continued, "I'm very, very sorry. For making you feel like I don't want you around, and for not noticing you were suffering. Lily thoroughly reamed me out for that one. Man, she's scary when she's angry. Almost as scary as you." Another small smile.

"So, I'm here to ask if you would possibly find it in your heart to forgive me? I really miss your voice," Karlie pleaded. "Look, I got you apology daisies!" She presented the flowers, holding them out toward Taylor.

The blonde sat up and stared in surprise at the flowers. She reached a shaky hand out toward them, and Karlie stepped a little closer to transfer them. Taylor looked down at them in awe, stroking the petals lightly.

"I didn't know what you'd like," Karlie rambled. "There were a lot of flowers to choose from, but I figured you'd prefer something simple; not too colorful or frilly. Do you like them?" she asked nervously. Taylor shifted her gaze from the flowers to the detective's face, and for half a second, Karlie expected her to simply nod like she had been lately. She was relieved when she was proven wrong.

"They're beautiful, Karlie," Taylor whispered, her voice hoarse from lack of use. She reached out and laced her fingers with Karlie's. "Thank you."