What I Need- a Hank Voight Chicago PD fanfiction

Strain

Antonio rapped twice, sticking his head in at Voight's call.

"What's up?" Voight asked. Shift had been quiet and long, whatever interruption Antonio had was a welcome one.

"Platt's sending up a visitor for you."

Voight pushed up from his desk. He hadn't been expecting anyone, and the man that stepped off the stairs was a stranger.

"Sergeant Voight?" the man extended a hand, his teeth flashing white as he smiled, "I'm Detective Watts."

"What can I do for you?" Voight asked, shaking the offered hand. Antonio perched on the edge of his desk.

"I'm here about Officer Milani."

Antonio's brow crinkled as he bit into an apple, and he watched Voight's arms fold. 

Voight set back on his heels. "What about her?"

The detective adjusted the sleeve of his suit jacket, the kind that was subtly nicer than your average detective's. "I have a position for her."

"She already has a position." Antonio spoke around the apple in his mouth, and Voight sent him a look that questioned why he was including himself in this conversation.

"Yes, I understand that." The detective slipped his hands in his back pockets, casual, "We have started a similar unit to Intelligence back in Miami, and we would like her to be a part of our team. Her experience there would be helpful."

"Her experience is helpful. Here." Antonio interjected again, and didn't even wait for Voight to scowl at him. He held his hands up in submission and walked around to his chair. Whoever this guy was, Voight would sort him out.

But Voight didn't respond. He had gone a very unsettling type of quiet, and Antonio was suddenly wondering if he had been listening to a word this detective said.

"Well," Detective Watts drug out the word, facing Antonio now, "I understand your hesitancy to lose Officer Milani, she's a fine asset to any team. I'm just not certain her personal ideals and this team," he glanced at Voight as he spoke, "are the best match."

And it was there in his eyes, that judgement. Watts had done his homework, it seemed, knew what kind of unit it was Voight handled, and didn't think Milani wanted to be anywhere near it. 

"Did Milani actually say that?" Antonio demanded. He had been irritated all day and this detective was ticking him off. The man gave an allowing shrug.

"I haven't had an opportunity to discuss it with her yet. I was speaking from former experience."

Voight stopped Antonio from replying. His tone was very steady, but his eyes were cold. "If Officer Milani accepts the position I will approve the transfer. When she informs me it is necessary."

"Of course," Watts gestured like that was only natural. "Well I was hoping to find her here to discuss it but it would seem she's out. I can come back another time."

Antonio was more than eager to show him out. But they reached the stairs as Milani stepped off of them and the way she froze spoke volumes.

Her lips moved once, silent, gaze flicked to Antonio's with a single question in her eyes.

"Eric?..." she shook her head like clearing it would make this make sense, "What are you doing here?"

"Ah, there you are!" There was delight in his voice, something boyish about the way his eyes lit up. History lay heavy in the air between them and Antonio was looking back and forth like he wanted to know every detail.