Chapter Text
5 YEARS AGO !
EDEN KEPT REMINDING HERSELF ONE THING: IT WAS HER LAST DAY. Her last day before she was transferred to another police department more than a few cities away.
She, along with a handful of other officers, had been called to an elementary school where a teacher suspected domestic abuse, a kind of case that seemed to happen too often for anyone's liking. Eden and her coworker and good friend Riggs both sat at the school in front of the young girl the call was centered on. Her father was already being questioned by their somewhat-boss Mark.
She couldn't take the tense quiet, even if it was filled with squeaky footsteps and the tapping of keyboards. The ticking of the clock hanging above Jane was what made Eden start talking, "Hi there, I'm Eden," she greeted lowly, crouching before the girl as she said, "This is my friend, Riggs," she motioned to the man who was doing the same as her.
The girl stared at her for a few seconds, as if she were unsure she should answer. A small, "Hi," eventually escaped her lips.
Eden offered a comforting smile while Riggs asked, "What's your name?"
"Jane," the girl responded.
"It's nice to meet you, Jane." Riggs continued. It would have been nice to meet in a different situation. Jane sat there, her head low, shoulders slouched and hands timidly on her knees. She was obviously uncomfortable and it pained the two to see her in such a way, even if it was their first time meeting.
"Jane," Eden started slowly, not wanting to overwhelm the girl, "we heard you have some bruises on your hands... Would you be okay if we looked at them?"
Jane nodded slowly, her hands moving from there crossed to place upon her knees. There were bruises upon her hand, near her wrists. She also lifted her head so that they could see the artificial lights illuminating the dark bruise against her pale neck. That hadn't been mentioned beforehand. A pit of nausea grew in Eden's stomach as she stared at the bruises. Cases like these brought her back, and not in a good way.
Riggs had said some things to Jane, but Eden wasn't listening. All she knew was that after Riggs had said something, Jane had gone quiet. To fill the silence Eden blurted out, "We can help you."
Riggs nodded slowly, "But you're going to have to tell us how you got those bruises on your hand there, and your neck. Was this an accident or did someone do this to you?" Riggs asked quietly, "You know you can stop it from happening if you tell me the truth."
Still, Jane looked reluctant.
Feeling obliged to help, knowing that she could if the girl asked, Eden started, "Jane... Can I tell you something?"
Jane nodded slowly.
"When I was about your age, I knew a girl and her dad would hit her." Eden wouldn't look anymore left, she could feel Riggs's strong stare on her face, "But she told officers, and they got her away from him safely."
It was like Jane's lips were glued shut with how slowly she pried them open to ask, "Really?"
"Mhmm. He couldn't hurt her, or anyone else." Eden struggled for a bit, slowly swallowing, "If you want, we can help you get away from whoever is hurting you. But you have to tell us who it is. We can't do anything if you don't say that you want us to help you."
Jane stared at Eden, her mouth opening slightly. Eden felt a rush of hope, that they could help the poor girl, but it was all ruined when the door to the principal's office swung open, the loud noise causing them to turn. The trio saw Mark leading the way, motioning the girl's mother (who was following him out with a sullen expression) to move to the bench outside the room, "Take a seat, please."
"I wanna go home now," Jane spoke up, her lips still formed in an uncomfortable frown. Eden let out a sigh, figuring that with the girl's mother present Jane asking for help was not likely. Especially with how she was glancing at her nervously.
Riggs stood up, moving closer to Hoffman so he could scowl, "Son of a bitch is lying." Eden motioned for him to quiet his tone, knowing Jane was trying to listen in to his rant but Riggs couldn't contain his anger. Not when the door to the office was wide open and they could see the man staring at his daughter warningly, "He's done this before. She's allowed it." He looked to Jane's mom who suddenly looked all too guilty.
"The child's story doesn't corroborate." Was all Mark said back, even if it was through gritted teeth, "What can I do?"
"Anything." Eden huffed, placing her hands on her hips.
Mark glanced at the girl who was watching her father in the room, her eyes wide and figure tense, "Jane, can't let you go home right now, okay? You're going back to class, honey."
"I told you, officers." Jane's father had crept up behind Riggs without anyone noticing, smugly playing with his fingers as he added, "Sometimes these kids, they just get out of control." He had placed a hand upon Riggs's shoulder, not knowing the man's anger.
Such frustration was clear when Riggs whipped his head around with a harsh glare, "Take your hands off me," he snapped, causing the man to take his hand back like had burnt him to touch Riggs.
"Hey, take it easy." The man said, his hands raised in faux innocence.
A punch to the face sent the man tripping backward into the office. It was followed by another two, and Riggs was only stopped from his advance when Hoffman grabbed him, yanking him and pushing him out of the office while shouting for him to leave.
"You just made the biggest mistake of your life." The man shouted at Riggs who had been pushed beside Eden. The woman was still standing by the door, watching the scene with shock, "You hear me!" He added, reaching up in agony.
"I'll get somebody to take a look at it, alright?" Mark told the man before he turned, catching sight of Eden who was watching with wide eyes, "Kendrick, escort Riggs out."
Eden nodded swiftly, pursing her lips as she looked at the man who was still holding his face, blood dripping from his nose and the pink start of a bruise on his cheek. She tried not to smile, feeling deep satisfaction in the abuser's appearance. She turned before she could smirk, making her way over to Riggs and reaching out. Eden grasped his arm firmly but not enough to cause pain, beginning to pull him out, "Come on."
"He was laughing," Riggs said, not caring to hide his irritation as he let himself be pulled out. He knew he was in deep shit, but there was nothing to do now. The least he could do was be escorted out without a struggle.
She swallowed, nodding her head, "I know."
Riggs tried to look over his shoulder at the scene, but Eden's grip on him wouldn't let him, "He hit that little girl and he's laughing about it," he reinforced.
It pained her to admit it, knowing they could do nothing about it. Still, she forced herself to give him a response. "I know."
"You..." Riggs's body was slowly relaxing as they made it outside, the fresh air filling his lungs and providing at least a little peace at the moment. He glanced at Eden, "Were you the little girl in your story?"
Eden stared at him for a moment, feeling her heart pounding in her chest as she sighed, motioning to his car behind him, "Go home, Riggs."
"I can't," Riggs motioned to the school, "I—"
"Hoffman is dealing with it." She shoved her hands into her pockets, avoiding his eyes as she stared back at the building, "You won't go down for that asshole." Jeez, she thought, she could really use a cigarette.
Riggs shifted his weight a bit, clenching his hands into fists and releasing them about three times. He glanced at his knuckles, "I hit him."
"Hit him?" Eden couldn't help the laugh that bubbled out, remembering the aggression behind his punches, "You probably broke his nose."
"Don't say that..." Riggs took in a sharp breath, raising his hands to brush over his face in worry.
"Look." She gave him a look, trying to be a little playful, "Try to relax, don't assault any more suspects, and I'll call you when you're needed."
A few beats passed before Riggs reluctantly nodded, "Okay."
"By the way," Eden smiled, slapping his bicep, "I'm glad you did it."
"He deserved it," he scoffed out, unlocking his car.
Eden nodded, quietly adding, "No doubt about it."
"I'm going to the station to wash up." Riggs informed, wanting her to know her location in case they needed him, "I have his blood on my knuckles."
"Have fun." Was the last thing she said before venturing back inside.
Once she had she almost bumped straight into Mark who had been ready to go into the parking lot. Mark looked around her, and then the parking lot before blurting, "Where did he go?"
"I sent him to the station." Eden glanced over her shoulder, making sure Riggs wasn't somehow behind her listening. But his car had already left the parking lot and was nowhere to be seen, "He's shaking like a chihuahua."
Mark pursed his lips, not entirely enjoying that she had sent Riggs away without checking with him, "So, you think him driving is a good option."
"He was calm." She assured, "I wouldn't let him drive angry."
For a moment they were both quiet, and for a moment there was a strange tensity that filled the room. It always felt like it when she was stuck with Mark alone, which happened often as they were practically partners.
"...I think he broke his nose," Mark muttered, both of them staring down the hall where a medic had entered the office.
Eden almost cracked a smile, but she couldn't hide the amusement in her voice, "Hope he did."
Mark stared at her, his same dreadfully monotone voice scolding, "Don't let him hear you say that."
"Let him hear it." Eden shrugged, "I'm not the one who rocked his world."
"No, you are not." Mark sighed, dragging out the words.
Eden bit her cheek, "Is Riggs going to jail?"
He scrunched his face slightly before shaking his head, "Not if I have anything to say about it."
"Good." Eden nodded slowly, feeling like she could relax a bit. Mark was a good man, and he would go to bat for his officers anytime they made a rash decision. It was one of the reasons she admired him so much. She could feel him staring at her but couldn't bear to look at him. Not when she could feel the sympathy coming from a mile away. The same thought was ringing in her mind, burning into her brain: I almost got her to say it. It wasn't until Eden got a response that she realized she had said the words aloud.
"Unfortunately, almost isn't good enough," Mark spoke. It was times like these when he said things like that that crushed her spirit. His voice sounded so careless, so void of emotions. Even though he had proved to care for them time and time again, it made her feel alone in her pity party.
Eden nodded, "I know," she murmured, playing with the left sleeve of her jacket.
"Hey," he placed a hand on her shoulder, his thumb brushing against her jacket comfortingly, "he'll get more of what's coming for him eventually."
She crossed her arms, accidentally knocking off his hand when she did so. She couldn't deny that she missed the warmth, "These things take too long."
"Patience is a virtue." Mark piped.
She rolled her eyes, "Screw patience."
Mark was going to scold her on the importance of patience in their line of work when another officer came up to him with the results of the man's checkup.
Eden had a giggle when Mark revealed that the man's nose was truly broken.
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After the man threw a royal fit about his injuries, the officers and the man's lawyer Art Blanc all went back to the Metropolitan Police Department. It was inside Mark's office that they all filed in, all resting in chairs besides Art who walked around the room like he had any idea of the officers he was dealing with. Clearly, he had never met Mark Hoffman.
"My client has a broken nose and a fractured cheekbone." Art started, staring at the board on the wall full of news clippings, "Administrative leave with pay is not acceptable."
Eden glanced at Riggs, tapping her nose. Riggs only rolled his eyes and looked away from her. A low chuckle was heard from Mark's direction, but when the two glanced at him they found him watching Art. "The IA investigations under way." Mark offered, tapping his finger against the pen in his hand. Still, he was evidently uninterested in furthering the conversation. Yet, it dragged on.
Art stifled a short laugh, turning to the man, "In this precinct, wow. What's that gonna get me, huh?"
"The truth." Mark shrugged.
"The truth. Well, I'll tell you what the truth is." The lawyer gazed out the blinds, watching officers walk past with their daily tasks in hand, "The truth is I have an eyewitness."
"The man's wife?" Mark mentioned, "She stands to gain as much as he does if there were to be a financial settlement. Which is not gonna happen because he's lying. He attacked Officer Rigg first."
Art furrowed his eyebrows, knowing damn well that hadn't been what happened, "That's according to whom?"
"Me." Mark was swift to respond, "I saw the whole thing."
Riggs looked up, meeting Mark's eye like a dog who tore the pillows. Even Eden, who had spoken to Mark about his plan was a bit surprised he had gone through with his idea to lie.
A few seconds passed before Art questioned, "You want to testify before the Grand Jury?"
"I've already signed IA's affidavit." Mark seemed a bit too smug at the moment as he informed, "The charges are being dismissed."
Art looked around the room, irritation fueling him as he spotted Eden. He was quick to ask, "You were there too? Right? What did you see?" The word was said mockingly. It was a dare to lie when they all knew the truth.
Eden didn't move her gaze off the lawyer, yet she could feel the pressuring stare of Mark on the side of her head along with the guilty one of Riggs who was still trying to understand his own impulse. Though she wanted to laugh in the lawyer's face and tell him how horrible his client was, she kept herself calm. Her voice was quiet yet firm, "Your client attacked my coworker."
The lawyer physically stepped back, smiling incredulously as he struggled to grasp the situation, "You guys are. You're good. You know you're... You're obviously as thick as thieves...But, you know, it'll come back to you." Art leaned forward, his hands pressing against the backseat of the chair, "You know that right? Maybe, one day. Someday, it will. It will come back to you."
It was Mark who spoke up after the tense silence that filled the air, "Have a nice day, Mr. Blanc."
In his anger, Art stormed out of the room. After all, there wasn't anything else to speak about.
The clock ticking was once again the only noise in the room, that was until Riggs blurted, "You two didn't have to cover for me."
Mark stared at the form on his desk for a moment before glancing up, "I wasn't going to let him tarnish your work."
Riggs nodded slowly, "Thank you."
Mark only nodded to show he understood just fine, "I'd like to speak to Kendrick alone if I could." Riggs nodded, moving to stand. Before the man could reach the door Mark added, "And I'd suggest going home for the day."
"I..." Riggs took in a breath, not wanting to leave when he felt like so much business was unfinished.
"Bring Taylor somewhere." Eden piped, remembering the man's girlfriend, "I'm sure she misses you. You're always working."
"Okay." Riggs knew the two weren't going to let up, giving in before more bickering could emerge, "She does keep talking about that new aquarium two cities over."
"Sounds fun," Eden suddenly perked up, adding on, "and buy her flowers or something."
Riggs stopped by the door, sending her a teasing glance, "What would I do without you?"
She laughed, turning in her chair to watch him, "Obviously not have a girlfriend because you can't manage your life for shit?"
"Woah," Riggs raised his hands, struggling to display them as his knuckles were busted from his punches, "I charmed Tracy all by myself."
"Yeah, yeah." Eden waved him off, "Go on then, loverboy."
Riggs sent her a grin before slipping out of the door. Once he had, Eden could feel the air shift. It became tense. She felt like a child in trouble but didn't know why. She hadn't been the one to attack that man, even if she wanted to.
Eden slowly turned to Mark, finding him staring. Once he realized he was caught, he looked down, tapping the tip of his pen against his paper a few times before piping, "I appreciate the help. And I know Riggs does too."
Eden pursed her lips, shifting her weight between her legs as she shrugged, "Couldn't let that man win."
Mark glanced up in interest, "Even if it's lying?"
She scrunched her face, her confidence not faltering, "It's not lying if I saw him attack Riggs."
"Right." Mark looked back down, nodding a few times before he piped, "I struggle to fathom how we're losing such a loyal officer."
She could only watch him for a moment as he shifted between papers on his desk, apparently not caring about his words. Eden paused, asking, "You heard about the transfer?"
"I did." Mark finally stopped pretending to not be paying his full attention to her, looking at her as he leaned into his seat, "Shame you didn't tell me earlier, could've tried to get you to stay."
"With no offense, Hoffman." Eden leaned forward as he leaned back, saying, "I hope I never have to come back here."
He stared at her, and she swore she could have passed out from the look in his eyes. She wasn't sure what it was, but it was intense. Determination, maybe. Still, his voice was emotionless as he nodded a singular time, "Noted."
Eden wanted out of the station but didn't want to destroy her relationship with those still there. She had some good friends there. She offered, "I'm sure I'll see you."
Mark didn't respond, and she practically ran out of the room. Still, she felt his stare until he physically couldn't keep an eye on her anymore.