Chapter Text
Click-click, click-click, click-click.
Chloe was looking at the case file in front of her and absorbing very little. Mostly because her brain would not shut up about the man at the desk two down and one over. Her Husband.
I have to tell him. She clicked her pen again and tried to focus on the phone records. She needed to find the 504 area code numbers.
I can’t do this anymore.
But he’s been trying.
She looked over at Dan, sitting on the corner of his desk and laughing with a few of the older detectives. The detectives who were on their way towards retirement and decided that murders only mattered during office hours. He caught her eye and winked. She smiled.
God, I’m such a bitch.
She managed to focus on the file and found 4 entires that could be something before the next intrusive thought made it’s way in.
Maybe we should try counselling again?
Would he actually go this time?
Her inner dialogue countered. They had stopped because she refused to pay any more late cancel fees for his last minute cases. Cases she had said no to. Cases she was unavailable for and had booked the time off to avoid getting called on. She had put the family first, he hadn’t.
What about Trixie?
That line of thought was interrupted by a jolt to her desk that sent 5 overpacked folders fluttering to the floor. She looked up to see what had caused such a commotion.
“Oh tough luck Decker.” Anthony Paolucci stood next to the corner that had been jostled and rubbed his hip in fake pain. “Guess I should Watch My Step.” He walked off as his underlings snickered watching her bend down to gather the papers covering the floor, several now also wearing Paolucci’s boot print.
She sighed in resignation. two folders were completed and put back on her desk before a familiar set of hands, wearing a ring that matched her own, passed her a third.
“Thanks,” She muttered, looking up to see the concern on his face. Maybe he was trying.
“You aren’t going to make a big deal about this are you?” He asked nervously. “ I mean, it’s just how he is. You know?”
“I’m fine Dan, thanks for checking in.” She replied sarcastically.
“I know you’re fine. You’re always fine.” Dan put an emphasis on the words ‘Always fine’ that made Chloe feel like that wasn’t necessarily a positive thing. “And that’s why I want you to not make this a big deal.” They each grabbed one of the remaining folders and stood. Chloe placed hers on the desk with and audible thwap.
“So to confirm, your buddies-“
“They aren’t my buddies.”
“Your co-workers” She corrected coldly. “ Are harassing your wife. While they are harassing her, you are more concerned about her a scene than the fact that she is being targeted to begin with.”
“You have a tendency to latch onto things and not let go.” Dan said with a tone that made it clear this was about Palmetto just as much as it was about the folder still in his hand. Chloe snatched it angrily.
“Not when I know I’m right.” She sat down and tried to go back to her phone records. The shadow leaning over her papers made it clear that was not currently an option.
“Oh and you think reporting them is going to make them leave you alone? it will only make it worse.” Dan countered in a harsh whisper. “You may not see it Chlo but I’m asking this for your own good. Leave it alone.” His eyes pleaded with her. She stared back before rolling her own and sighing.
“Fine. But it would be nice for you to have my back once in awhile around here.” And at home too her anger added internally.
“I know, I’m sorry.” He apologized. “Hey, why don’t you come out and ride along on this next case with me. I’ll let you handle the family.” Chloe stood, fire now raging behind her eyes.
“You’ll LET me?” Dan cringed realizing his fault. “I don’t need any handouts I have my own caseload” She gestured to the desk they had just finished tidying “As you can see.”
“Look I just thought that you could use some practice with a partner.”
“Dan we are the same rank and I got there in half the time you did. I don’t need favours or practice, and I don’t need a partner. Now if you’ll excuse me I have to finish this up before I go get Trix from school.” She sat back down and started reading her files again. Dan sighed and walked away after it was clear she wasn’t going to be saying anything else.
Driving to the school the intrusive thoughts started again.
I can’t do this . I can’t always be the villain here.
When Trixie went to do her homework happily and Chloe was cleaning up alone from a healthy(enough) dinner her daughter had actually eaten another thought occurred to her.
She may not NEED a partner, but it would be nice to have one.
A REAL Partner.
She sighed in resignation as she tossed down the dish towel.
She needed to tell him she was done.