Our Love Turned into A Festering Pit of Disgust

You were my Daphne, So I'll be your Apollo.

"Aren't you sick of eating your heart out?" This was only another variation of the same concerned question Todd would ask over and over during the duration of the affair between herself and Callahan. The entanglement itself had started several months after their first encounter. Callahan was always a spitfire. Impulsive, head strong, yet obvious. Still Todd took interest in sniffing out what exactly the warden's daughter had intended when deciding to throw her reputation in the gutter to become a blue jacket officer. Digging into her files and uncovering her past was of no issue, great precision was always taken into advance when it came down to any investigation Todd participated in, especially with the aid of her partner Grant. When it came down to it their methods would seem cruel, manipulative, even outright gaudy but it made no difference to the pair if the case were solved and closed appropriately. This was supposed to be just like the rest.

What was the moment that turned this into more than just a job?

Maybe it was the genuine vulnerability, perhaps it was the warmth that radiated from Callahan even when she was reserved and closing herself off. The reason did not matter in the end, what really mattered was when did these emotions swell up enough to make Todd lose her cool when she noticed dishonesty. People always lied, even their initial interest in befriending Callahan was a white lie, so why did it feel so daunting each time another fib would ooze out of the woman's mouth?

As time went on, Todd's actions became more disorganized. Her usual unexpressive poker face would slip, and the same thing would echo in her head, beating her brain to a pulp each day, "Why is it always you?"

Even when time had passed and their friendship became something more, it never ceased the voices tearing at her subconscious mind. It was all just human behavior, flings happen and meant nothing most of the time, this surely was just one of those meaningless interactions between two mature adults. Things like this happened between officers constantly and was nothing to call home about. A night of tossing the sheets around and one the other party sneaking off into the night was a tale as old as time. These logical thoughts only bandaged the strange pain that broiled beneath the surface when Todd knew that this was not just an attempt to scurry home amid night to avoid the speculations of fellow coworkers. This was once again something that involved one of Callahan's many secrets and deceit.

"Once this is all over, I guarantee that you will know every little detail" Callahan had finally given an inch one evening when the two were at Perry's memorial place. Coming here became a routine since they were placed on this case. The history was still not fully known of the two women, but Todd could see this caused a deep ache, one great enough for her to become a confidant to the unusually private officer. This display of transparency had caught Todd by complete surprise. "I realize how this all looks, and I don't expect you to believe a single word I say, but..." Callahan let on with a pause. Her knuckles popped from how tight she clenched her hands, a clear sign that whatever lingered on her tongue was difficult to let spill. "But?" Todd pressed softly, as not to put too much pressure on her fellow officer.

Callahan inhaled to prep for the next thing she was going to say, her palm smoothing over her face almost like she was trying to wipe away any hints that showed her lack of confidence at that moment.

"I'm sure whatever it is you're about to say isn't worth all this fuss" Todd assured.

She could not imagine anything that would cause such a reaction from someone who came from a life of composure and self-assurance. Could it have been something that would be punishable by corrections?