Love, in Progress

But I got wise...

Tinsley was really quite nervous. Holly was going to be coming out of the coma. She would be able to reveal who stabbed her, or at least he hoped so- it might end the awful guilt he felt. Tinsley really, really hoped that Ricky hadn't played him, and that he was telling the truth. But until he got into Holly's room, it would all be speculation.

Tinsley entered the hospital briskly- noticing there wasn't a receptionist behind the desk, he tried to find the room himself. He became horribly lost very quickly, the signs above the doors only serving to confuse him more.
"Detective Tinsley?" A voice called from behind him. Tinsley whipped around to the source of the voice, "Yes?"
"Are you here for Miss Horsely?" Dr Fear asked, pushing through a pair of double doors.
"Oh, uh yes."
"Right this way then."

They walked in silence through the hospital, Tinsley hated hospitals. Too sterile, too cold and unyielding. Unfortunately, due to the nature of his job he had seen his fair share of hospitals. News flash: they all look exactly the same. They turned a corridor that looked more familiar to Tinsley, and suddenly they were at a very familiar door.

"Look, Detective, she's only been conscious for a day, so she may still be a little confused or drowsy- don't expect all singing all dancing"
"Are you this cavalier with everybody?"
"No, just with Detectives" the Dr announced as he swung the door open.

Holly was looking a lot better, she had more colour in her skin and was propped up in bed.
"CC? This is a surprise! I thought you'd be busy- you're not skiving off work to see me are you?!" Holly laughed, trying to sit up.

"No it's alright Holly, please lie back down. Banjo gave me clearance to leave- he would've come too, but he had a meeting that he couldn't get out of. Everyone's missed you, Holly. The office just isn't the same without you." Tinsley admitted, removing his hat and taking a seat next to Holly's bedside.

Holly smiled and nodded, it was nice to be appreciated for once. After all, it wasn't exactly the best paid job- lots of making coffee and organizing papers, but it sure did help her writing career thrive. She would take inspiration from cases, or clues to include in her stories. But the office was nice, lots of really interesting people.
"If you get any more sentimental I may seriously have to hug you" Holly joked with a smile.
"I'll consider myself warned!" Tinsley responded.

"Holly, I really hate to bring this up so soon, but it's quite important" he sighed.
"We need to address the elephant in the room..." she continued, getting quieter.
"Unfortunately, yes... how much do you remember?"
"Its a bit fuzzy, but I remember all of it."
"So you know who injured you?"
"Yes... but I don't think I'm allowed to say who"

Tinsley leaned forward to gently touch her wrist, "It's okay, you can tell me anything" he reassured her.
"Well okay..."

Half an hour later Tinsley left the hospital, incredibly conflicted- that wasn't what he had been expecting. Things became more and more tangled and complicated the more he thought about them. The detective knew he was going to have to make a very hard decision. Let Holly's attacker walk free, or risk lives and relationships.

And he was just starting to fit in, as well. Colleagues, work, friends, a nice apartment, a lover- he wasn't ready to leave all of that behind. Having to 'exit perused by the mob' would mean starting from scratch. He had arrived in town with the task of toppling an Empire, and it was finally happening- but he wasn't sure he could see it through anymore. 

Tinsley didn't go back to the office that afternoon, he went straight to the pub. He ordered a pint of beer and slumped down into a seat in the corner of the almost empty room.

"Day drinking now, are we?" A familiar voice called. The man took off his hat and sat down opposite the detective, "Rough day?"
Stephanos Lim was a good citizen, a lawyer, and a regular at this pub.
"That's one way to put it, how about you?" Tinsley asked politely.
"My client was acquitted, so I'm celebrating!"
"Touchè."

There was an awkward silence for a while, both of them struggling to think of something to say.

"Something's bothering you- one thing I've developed from being a lawyer is the ability to sense fear, so don't bother trying to lie, what's wrong?" Stephanos lunged, going straight for the metaphorical jugular.
"I don't know what to do, I've put myself in a bad position. I can't really going into details..." Tinsley started apprehensively.
Stephanos nodded in agreement, he understood how important client confidentiality was.
"... but whatever I choose to do, I'm screwed to high hell."

Stephanos pondered for a moment before responding, "Taking time off to look after yourself means that when you go back to work, you can look at your problem with a fresh perspective!"

"Thanks, I wish I could do that, but I'm running out of time, decisions have to be made."

Stephanos sighed, "Cut yourself some slack detective! You're trying your hardest- but that doesn't have to mean burning the candle at both ends. You could always ask for help if you're struggling?" He suggested.

"I think you're onto something here Big Apple Steve-" Tinsley realised.
"Just glad I could assist!"

(A/N: Stephanos says 'self-care, bitch')