Chapter Text
Legacy
Chapter 1
The last few months had been strange to say the least without Chris around at HQ, but the team were dealing with it, they knew Chris’ reason for leaving was important to her and they all fully supported her decision. But Chris played a massive part in all their lives, so it was going to take a while to get used to the different dynamics of the team now with Cabrera taking Chris’ spot. From the off Cabrera had made it clear to them all that she could never fill Chris’ shoes, she wasn’t trying to! The legacy that Chris left just inspired Cabrera to try to be the best SWAT officer she could be. She knew with the support from Luca and Deacon, who had taken her under their wing, she couldn’t let anyone down.
Although Chris wasn’t an active officer anymore, her presence was very much still around HQ, most days she would appear to meet with Street after work to either go for dinner or to go home together. Some days she would meet with Tan for a boxing session, and she was still doing gigs for Deacon’s security firm. She saw Nichelle most days down at the centre as Chris had volunteered some of her girls to help out down there. Chris never had any intentions of cutting ties with any of her SWAT family they were all too important to her, after all they had been part of her life for the last 10 years.
As the weeks rolled by Chris and Street’s relationship became more and more intense. Street had always known that there was another side to Chris but without the stress of being on the same team, she had really begun to let her guard down and she shocked him sometimes how affectionate and loving she could be. They deserved this chance of happiness and everyone around them could see just how content they both were with each other. Deacon still couldn’t believe that he hadn’t noticed anything between them over the years. The rest of 20 squad all mocked him, even Annie said she saw the connection they had even more so after Lila had asked her “when are Auntie Chris and Uncle Jim going to get married”. Which certainly got Annie thinking and watching them intently when the two of them were together. Now while all of 20 squad were happy for them both, they were also fiercely protective of Chris, which Street totally understood. He knew if he did anything wrong, he wouldn’t just have to answer to Chris but to all of 20 squad too. But he was determined he wasn't going to mess this up, Chris meant too much too him.
A few nights a week Chris stayed over at the safe house, her and another volunteer Daniella took it in turns. So far it was all working out, there was lots of work for Chris to do but she knew it was going to take time. The girls had taken Mama Pina’s death quite badly, but they all trusted Chris and knew she would do whatever she could for them. Chris was honest, real with them and they all appreciated that. When one of the girls Rosa, was sharing her experiences of what she had been subjected to before she had managed to escape, Chris became visibly upset. The girls had spent enough time around Chris to know this wasn’t just because the story was so horrific. Chris then shared what had happened to her when she was 14. Ever since she had done that article for LAPD it was something she liked to keep buried, even her and Street didn’t discuss it. Not because she was ashamed, she knew she had done nothing wrong but because those men had taken advantage of her, and she was unable to fight back physically or mentally. Chris had made it her mission to never allow anyone, male or female to put her in that situation again and she wanted the same for all those girls in the safe house. She started teaching them all self defence and with the help of Nichelle put classes on at the centre to help others, not just those in the safe house. Finally, Chris felt like she was doing some good!
That evening Chris and Street had gone out for dinner at their favourite place a little Italian restaurant right on the beach, Street held Chris’ hand across the table and smiled.
“What?” she asked.
He smiled, those dimples making him look so goofy, but Chris melted every time.
“I just can’t believe we got here!” he replied.
“What this restaurant?” Chris looked puzzled.
“No, us silly! Its only took us 5 years, but we got here finally” he laughed.
She looked down at the table, pulled her hand away and started to fiddle with her hands, Street by now knew this was because she was overthinking something. He sat there quietly giving her chance to speak.
They had become so attuned to each other, Street more so, he had learnt when to shut up and just listen.
“That was down to me, I was just too stubborn and scared to admit my feelings for you. You are my best friend first and foremost and I never wanted to lose that” she whispered.
He lent across the table and kissed her softly, he knew how much she struggled to share her feelings, but she was getting better at it. Something which Street felt was his doing due to his oversharing of feelings constantly. They left the table and walked hand in hand along the beach, watching the sun set as they walked. Street stopped and turned her around to face him, he looked intently at those big brown eyes and brushed away a strand of hair from her face.
“How would you feel about us moving in together permanently?” he asked.
He wasn’t sure what he was expecting her to say, he knew this was a massive step for her, but he hated being away from her and why should they wait. He’s known for 5 years he loved her, he would marry her tomorrow, but he knows she’s really not ready for that yet!
Chris smiled and lent her head into Street’s neck “seriously” she exclaimed!!
“Never been more serious about anything in my life!” He whispered.
Chris placed both of her hands on his cheeks and kissed him slowly “Your place or mine?” she suggested.