good/right/real

Chapter 80: Down to the Wire

Summary:It's Sylvie's first shift after filing her complaint.

Matt's truck pulls over to the sidewalk outside of 105, and he glances between Sylvie and the apron. "Do you want me to walk you in?"

She smiles kindly at him but shakes her head. "Chili is meeting me right outside. That'll keep Early out of my hair. Besides," she says leaning across the seat to give him a lingering but chaste kiss. "I'm not letting you get close enough to punch him. He's not worth you getting in trouble over."

Matt quirks a brow at her. "I don't know about that. After all he's put you through I wouldn't mind a little trouble with him."

"Stop," she says with a dry laugh.

She almost didn't let him drive her to work this morning, but they'd run into one of Early's squad guys at Molly's and there was no doubt he'd find out. Having Matt keep his distance from her didn't make sense anymore.

"Call me if you need me," Matt tells her as she leans away from him and reaches for the door.

"You know I will," she replies. "See you in the morning."

He nods and holds out her travel mug to her once she's standing on the sidewalk. "Be careful."

"You too," she says, narrowing her eyes on him. "We both know you're more of a risk than me."

He laughs but doesn't disagree with her. "Copy that."

She shuts the door and walks toward Chili, who stands outside the bay doors. Matt doesn't leave. She chuckles to herself as she walks. She knew he wouldn't. He's going to wait until she reaches Chili, like the protective and caring man he is.

"Good morning," Sylvie says, smiling pleasantly at her temporary partner.

Chili quirks a brow at her and smirks teasingly. "Good morning. Looks like somebody finally let their dirty little secret out into the open, huh?"

Sylvie looks back over her shoulder and waves -- just in time for Matt to start his truck and pull away from the curb. "Yes, I did. Though I wouldn't call him dirty -- or well maybe I would," Sylvie admits with a blush as she watches Matt's truck disappear down the block.

Chili laughs and looks impressed. "Damn, then I'm happy for you, partner. Someone as sweet as you deserves a little dirty in their lives. But why today?"

Sylvie shrugs, shoving down her anxiety over finally filing a complaint at the end of last shift, and answers Chili with all the feigned calm she can muster. "I'm tired of being afraid of Early. He only has power over me if I let him, and I'm not going to let him. Not anymore."

The next moment, Chili does something she's never done before. She wraps Sylvie up in a hug. A big swaying hug. It takes Sylvie a minute to return the gesture but she chuckles faintly as she does.

"You are honestly amazing," Chili tells her. "Thank you for inviting me to drinks the other night and thank you for calling me out on my shit. I think you might be the first actual friend I've had in a long time."

"You are welcome to come to drinks with us anytime!" Sylvie assures her as they pull apart. "And now you don't just have one friend. You have Kidd and Shay too. Call us anytime you need us."

They head inside after that. Sylvie waves to Welch as she passes him and heads toward the locker room with Chili. He nods and trails behind them.

"Heard you and Casey made a public appearance at Molly's the other night," Welch says.

She nods and gives him an odd look, not sure what he's getting at. "We did."

"You sure that was the best idea?" He asks as his brow furrows in worry.