Chapter Text
She may as well get it over with; he probably has already heard what happened outside Joe's eight days ago and just hasn't said a word:
THIS is why Vic avoided serious entanglements until The Chief-hit it, git it, and repeat-no muss no fuss, and if the guy acts too creepy
or clingy she simply avoids the bar for a few weeks until he got the message. When she and Lucas "walked" away, she fell back into her
old pattern, going as far as to kiss Man Blanket David Mayhorn from 23 outside in Joe's parking lot. If she is honest she was well on the way
to going home with him (to teach The Big Bad Chief a lesson) when a sudden wave of shame washed over her, and she gave a lame excuse and
tried to stumble away: luckily Travis saw that Mayhorn seemed about to insist that she leave with him when Travis and HIS Man Blacket for the
night spotted her and came to her aid. He and his new friend called a UBER and made sure she got inside safely before going on their way.
Now she has to face the music before some big-mouth forces the issue. She caught up with him outside of Sullivan's office and when the
Captain's attention is diverted he said loudly "Hughes, my office please"...
With the door safely closed, he kissed and fondled her, muttering about how sorry he was and how much he missed her in his bed until she
squirmed out of reach and said "I kissed Mayhorn, Lucas." THAT dulled his ardor sufficiently. "I was pissed and drunk and hurting from how
we left it and he was there and I wanted to punish you and...and I'm sorry-SO SORRY"...
He approached her slowly as if walking up to a skittish mare. "Is that all-no further?"
She stuttered "Y-Yes...no further...it was stupid and childish and it won't ever happen again, I swear."
"Okay, then." That's all he said.
"That's it ?! " Okay then ? Okay then-really ?"
"You're upset because I'm not more upset?"
"YELL, scream-Lord knows I've yelled at you enough times. Plus, in this case, I almost went home with him."
"And you didn't. Had you done, I can guarantee you I’d feel much differently. You're allowed mistakes, Toria."
"I love you," she says for the first time.
"I love you back", re responded, also for the first time since they've been involved.