The next few days passed quickly. Since they now had the location of the headquarters, the people at the station were working nonstop on planning a raid. There was no telling when Arsyn would choose to sell the weapon, or whose hands it would fall into, so they were trying to get it done quickly.
Karlie, as a senior detective on the case, was involved in these plans. But she was also focussing a lot on her other priority - tracking down Taylor's mother. She had finally been given clearance for the contact information, but the number was no longer active. There was an address, for a place about three hours away from Karlie's apartment, and Karlie was currently debating whether to write a letter or to simply show up and hope that the woman hadn't moved.
Because she was always working at the office, and because of the secretive nature of her work, Karlie had decided that it would be best for Taylor to not come with her anymore. She felt that it was just asking for trouble, especially after the incident the last time. Instead, she'd had Lily and Martha alternate shifts at her apartment. Luckily they didn't have much else to do, but Karlie still felt a little guilty about it. She hoped Taylor wasn't causing them too much trouble.
Things had been a little tense between the two of them lately. Karlie wasn't sure why. She didn't think she'd done anything. The blonde just wasn't as lively - she didn't argue as often, for one thing. Actually, she hadn't really spoken at all, unless directly asked a question. Even then she only nodded or shook her head if possible.
Karlie's days were different because of all this. Now, on a typical day, she'd wake up early and get out of bed without trouble - Taylor no longer sprawled out over her. She'd leave quietly and go about her morning routine. By the time she had to go, one of her friends would be there. She'd work all day, come home, let the "babysitter" leave, and check on Taylor. Usually the blonde was already in bed, supposedly asleep, by the time she got home. It was very difficult for Karlie to ever catch her awake lately. She supposed it was bad luck and the long hours of her schedule.
On this particular morning, Martha had taken the first shift with Taylor. She'd be there until around 2:00 before Lily took over for the remaining time before Karlie got home. It tended to work out better this way because Lily was a great cook and made sure Taylor got a decent dinner, while Martha was there to keep her entertained earlier in the day.
Karlie was at her desk, planning out a route to Andrea's house, when Lily walked in.
"Lil, I do believe there was a 'do not disturb' sign on the door," she sighed, looking up from her work.
"I'm sorry, but this really can't wait," Lily said. "We need to talk."
"About what?" Karlie asked, confused. She didn't think that there was anything that pressing to discuss.
"About Taylor," Lily answered. Karlie groaned.
"What is it this time? Has she been causing trouble? I'm so thankful for you and Martha watching her, but if she gets to be too much, I guess I could find some way to bring her along with me."
"No, Karlie, she hasn't been any trouble at all. That's kind of the problem. Martha says she mopes around all morning and doesn't really want to do anything. She won't play any games, and she'll sit on the couch and watch a movie with Martha, but she's not really watching, you know?"
"No, I don't really know. Taylor's different, Lily. She didn't get to do any of this stuff as a kid. She doesn't know how to have fun." Lily glowered at her in response.
"She sure had a lot of fun playing Go Fish with Martha a while ago. And it's not just Martha who's noticed, by the way. She's been eating less and sleeping more. She doesn't talk to me like she used to."
"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."