Stolen Shadows

9 - Clandestine Meetings

Sophie spent the weekend on the streets, searching for any sign of the vigilante. She needed to see them again. She needed the truth, and she didn't trust Addison to give it to her. There was only one way to be sure, and that was to unmask the vigilante.

And yet, every night had been a bust. There'd been no further sightings, no radio chatter, not an inkling of them. It was like they had disappeared. Sophie assumed they'd decided to take the weekend off.

She still had too many questions when she showed up to work Monday. She took a seat at her desk and leaned back, arms folded over her chest. Her desk faced Addison's office, which meant when the blinds were open she could see Addison working through the windows, like right now. From the looks of it, Addison had been here for a while already, despite Sophie arriving early as well. Besides a few people here and there, the bullpen was empty. None of the others on the team had arrived yet.

Addison glanced up and Sophie quickly looked away. After a moment she found the confidence to look back. Addison was reading something in front of her. She looked up again, catching Sophie before she had the chance to turn away. They held eye contact for a few moments—enough that Sophie could feel her face flush. Finally, Addy smiled. It was small, almost secretive, but it was there. She looked away again, and Sophie visibly swallowed.

She didn't know how to act around Addison. It was like there was no right answer, nothing natural. She didn't know how to stand, sit, whether to cross or uncross her legs, if her arms should be crossed, at her sides, hands in her pockets or in her lap or folded together. She didn't like not knowing what to do. Since that first night at the bar, Sophie vividly remembered how Addison's hands felt on her body. She couldn't forget the sweet mixture of her hair and her skin and she wanted to know exactly what shampoo she used. But then Addison would say or do something, and all Sophie wanted was to hit her. She was aggravating, and whatever this reaction Sophie had to her was only making it worse.

When Addy looked up a third time, Sophie realized she was still staring. She froze, about to shrink as far into her chair as she could, when Addison waved at her. Not exactly a wave—a "come here" gesture, two fingers motioning towards her. Sophie forced herself to her feet and across the room. The doorknob to Addison's office felt like ice in her hand.

"Hey," she said softly once she stepped inside.

Addison nodded towards the door. Sophie closed it.

"Hey," Addy answered. She closed the file in front of her, and Sophie grew nervous with her full attention on her. "Wanna sit?"

Sophie contemplated, then shook her head. Addy nodded, eyes cast downward. For a moment neither of them said anything.

"Do you need something?" Sophie finally said, and instantly regretted speaking. Her tone was cold and bitter, and while she was still trying to figure Addison out, she hadn't meant to be rude.

"You're still mad," Addy sighed.

Sophie leaned against the door and crossed her arms. "No. I'm not mad."

Addison looked up, for a moment looking—hopeful? No, that can't be right, Sophie thought.

"But we're not okay, either," she said.

Addy's face fell, and Sophie felt a pang of guilt at the sight. Addison got to her feet and turned to face the windows behind her desk. The sun was rising above the skyline, painting the room in yellows and golds. Sophie watched her, eyes scanning the back of her head.

"I'm sorry, Sophie."

"For what?" Sophie asked. For lying, or for laughing at me?

Addy shook her head. "Everything. All of it. I—I laughed at you. That was a shitty thing to do."