Hosie~ One Shots

The Night We Met

Detective Josie Saltzman leaned against the brick wall outside the bar, the cool night air brushing against her skin. She had just finished a night out with her colleagues, celebrating a closed case. The laughter and camaraderie of the evening had lifted her spirits, but now, in the quiet solitude of the alley, she found herself sinking back into the introspective mood that often accompanied the end of a long day.

She pulled her coat tighter around her, glancing up and down the deserted street. The dim light from the street lamps cast long shadows, giving the place an eerie, almost cinematic quality. Josie was just about to head home when she heard a commotion further down the alley.

Her instincts kicked in immediately. She moved swiftly towards the noise, her hand hovering near her hip where her service weapon was holstered. As she turned the corner, she saw a woman being accosted by two men. The woman struggled, trying to fend off her attackers, but they were relentless.

"Hey!" Josie shouted, her voice firm and authoritative. "Leave her alone!"

The men turned to face her, surprise flickering across their faces. One of them sneered, clearly not taking her seriously.

"Stay out of this, lady," he growled, stepping towards her.

Josie didn't hesitate. She pulled her gun and aimed it at the man. "Step away from her, now!"

The men exchanged glances before deciding that this wasn't worth the trouble. They released the woman and took off running. Josie kept her gun trained on them until they disappeared into the darkness.

She holstered her weapon and turned her attention to the woman. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice softening with concern.

The woman, who had been bracing herself against the wall, looked up. Her eyes were a striking shade of blue, filled with a mix of fear and relief. She nodded, though she was clearly shaken.

"I think so," she replied, her voice trembling. "Thank you. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't shown up."

Josie offered her a reassuring smile. "I'm just glad I was here in time. I'm Josie, by the way. Detective Josie Saltzman. Do you mind if I drive you home? I don't want you to be alone out here."

The woman took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Hope Mikaelson. Thank you, Detective Saltzman. And yes, I appreciate that very much."

The next morning, Josie was at her desk in the precinct, sifting through paperwork. The events of the previous night played over in her mind. She couldn't shake the image of Hope's grateful, yet haunted, eyes.

A knock on her office door brought her back to the present. She looked up to see Hope standing there, holding a coffee cup in each hand.

"Hope," Josie said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

Hope smiled and stepped into the office. "I wanted to thank you properly for what you did last night. I brought coffee as a small token of my gratitude."

Josie stood and took one of the cups, their fingers brushing briefly. "You didn't have to do that, but thank you. How are you feeling?"

Hope sat down across from Josie's desk. "A bit shaken, but I'm okay. I just wanted to see you and express my thanks in person. You really saved me last night."

Josie nodded, sitting back down. "I'm just glad I was there. What were you doing out so late?"

Hope sighed. "I was out with some friends from work. We were at the bar, and I decided to leave early. I didn't think I'd run into any trouble, but I guess I was wrong."

"Well, you're safe now," Josie said, taking a sip of her coffee. "Do you mind if I ask what you do for work?"

Hope's expression brightened a bit. "I'm an artist. I teach at the local art center and work on my own projects when I can."

Josie's eyes lit up with interest. "That sounds amazing. I've always admired people who can create art. I'm afraid I don't have a creative bone in my body."

Hope laughed softly. "I'm sure that's not true. Everyone has a bit of creativity in them, even if they don't realize it."

They chatted for a while longer, the conversation flowing easily between them. Josie found herself captivated by Hope's stories about her students and her passion for art. There was a warmth and openness to Hope that made Josie feel at ease, a stark contrast to the hardened criminals she often dealt with in her line of work.

As the days passed, Hope and Josie saw more of each other. Hope would often visit the precinct, bringing coffee and pastries, and they would spend their lunch breaks together. Their conversations grew deeper, and the bond between them strengthened.

One evening, after a particularly long day at work, Josie found herself at Hope's studio. The walls were adorned with beautiful paintings, each one a testament to Hope's talent and passion. Josie marveled at the vibrant colors and intricate details.

"These are incredible," Josie said, her eyes wide with admiration.

Hope blushed, a pleased smile on her lips. "Thank you. It means a lot to hear you say that."

Josie turned to Hope, a question in her eyes. "Why did you choose art?"

Hope's expression grew thoughtful. "Art has always been my escape. It's a way for me to express what I'm feeling when words aren't enough. It's like therapy for me, a way to deal with everything life throws my way."

Josie nodded, understanding. "I feel the same way about my work. Being a detective isn't easy, but it gives me a sense of purpose. Knowing that I can help people, make a difference, it keeps me going."

Hope stepped closer, her gaze intense. "You've already made a difference in my life, Josie. More than you know."

Josie's breath caught in her throat. The air between them seemed to crackle with unspoken emotions. "Hope, I—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Hope closed the distance between them, her lips capturing Josie's in a soft, tentative kiss. Josie's initial surprise melted away, and she kissed Hope back, her hands gently cradling Hope's face.

When they finally pulled away, both of them were breathing hard, their foreheads resting against each other.

"I've wanted to do that for a while now," Hope confessed, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Josie smiled, her heart racing. "Me too."

They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the world outside fading away. In that moment, nothing else mattered but the connection they had found in each other.

The days turned into weeks, and their relationship blossomed. They spent their days balancing their respective careers and their nights lost in each other's company. Hope would often paint while Josie worked on her case files, the two of them finding a comfortable rhythm in their shared space.

One evening, as they sat on the couch in Hope's studio, Josie turned to Hope with a serious expression.

"There's something I need to tell you," Josie said, taking Hope's hand in hers.

Hope's eyes widened with concern. "What is it?"

Josie took a deep breath. "I love you, Hope. I've never felt this way about anyone before, and it scares me, but I had to tell you. I love you with all my heart."

Hope's eyes filled with tears, and she squeezed Josie's hand. "I love you too, Josie. So much."

They embraced, their hearts beating in sync, knowing that they had found something rare and beautiful in each other.