The Art of Being Right

Last Day

Friday came in the blink of an eye, and Wilson had just arrived at the station to work his last shift before leaving for Little Wharton.

His Harley was parked outside in its usual spot, and he was just about to drag his kit bag into the station along with his helmet, when a green Mini Cooper pulled up in the parking space next to him. Maddy leapt from the driving seat and waved, dragging her bag with her. She wasn't in her uniform yet; instead she was wearing a pair of black jeans and an orange and red striped polo that hugged her figure.

"Hey Wilson!" She called, wandering over slowly, swinging her bag over one shoulder as Wilson did the same with his own bag, holding all the things he was taking with him to Little Wharton.

"Hi Maddy. What're you doing here?"

"I switched my shift so I could come in this morning.

"Why?"

Maddy blushed, avoiding eye contact.

"I figured...seen as you're leaving for a while...I thought I'd come work the morning shift with you. Y'know, 'cause I don't know how long you'll be gone."

"Oh...Well, I...erm-"

"Oi, Crowley!" McKein jogged over from the station's main doors, keys shaking in his pocket. He stopped in front of the pair and smirked, sensing the awkwardness.

"What's up, McKein? Something wrong?"

"Nah mate, my shift's just finished and I heard you come in so I figured I'd come out and say goodbye, considering you're sodding off to the countryside tonight. Off to go stay on some farm somewhere, huh? Maybe ride a couple horses, shear a few sheep," he smirked and sniggered at his co-worker.

"I'm only there for the case. So unless there's some kind of evidence found at a farm I doubt I'll go to one voluntarily."

"Oh sure, sure," McKein deadpanned, suddenly getting a wicked look on his face and glanced at Maddy slyly, "or of course, you could get off with any hot locals while you're there. Maybe even an officer over there, one with a daydream of dating a big strong city cop?" He punched Wilson's shoulder playfully, noting the frustrated look on Maddy's face.

"Wilson, we should probably go, our shift starts in five minutes..." She started, attempting to persuade him to leave.

"Our?" McKein grinned, "I thought you were off today."

"She switched her shifts," Wilson explained, shifting the heavy bag from one shoulder to the other.

"Ooh, did you now, Maddy?"

"McKein, don't." Wilson sighed, instantly regretting saying anything because the moment he did, Maddy turned to look at him with a beaming smile, thinking he was defending her.

"I'm just kidding...or am I?" McKein continued. He laughed as Wilson rolled his eyes; Maddy was still blushing. McKein reached out and grabbed Wilson's hand, shaking it solidly and patting the young detective on the shoulder.

"You two crazy kids have fun. Take care of yourself, mate. Give us a call when you get a chance?"

"Will do. Someone's got to make sure you don't burn the place to the ground while I'm gone."

McKein dashed off to his car, sliding into the driver's seat and disappearing down the road leading into the main city, leaving Wilson and Maddy alone.

"Right, well...um..."

"We should go."

"Right, yeah sure." The two headed inside, neither having anything to say.

After changing into uniforms the two headed upstairs onto the office floor, a few people saying their goodbyes to Wilson. He wasn't sure how to react to it all; he was going to be away for a few weeks, but it seemed a little extreme that most of the other officers and sergeants were making a massive deal out of it - Maddy in particular.

If anything it was awkward between them as they made their way to the squad cars waiting at the curb.

Maddy got in the driver's seat, starting up the car slowly and checking in the wing mirrors as she reversed out onto the road. Wilson leaned against the passenger side window, lost in a daydream as the car lurched forwards and sped off in the direction of the city centre.

He was vaguely aware of her rambling on about something - her voice barely registering over the quiet hum of the engine - Wilson wasn't even listening. His eyes wandered over the pavements and the people walking along them, while he remained oblivious to whatever the hell Maddy was prattling on about. Every now and again she lifted one hand off the wheel to gesture something before replacing it, and he would nod to make it seem as if he was following the entirely one-sided conversation. But even Maddy wasn't that stupid; after a while she elbowed him gently in the ribs to get his attention.

"Sorry what were you saying?" He mumbled, carding one hand through his hair slowly and leaning away from the window. They were somewhere in the heart of the city now; they must have been driving for an hour at least, but it didn't even seem like half as long to him.

"Wilson, what's up with you today? You've been so vacant."

"I have not." She raised her eyebrows challengingly. Wilson looked away, head rolling back to rest against the seat, "Okay fine I've been a little quiet. I'm tired, what more do you want?"

"I've seen you when you're tired, and you're not that right now. C'mon, you can tell me y'know." Maddy encouraged, ignoring the skeptical look on his face as the car kept moving. The pause in dialogue went on for nearly five minutes before he spoke.

"Why does everyone find it so funny that you like me, Maddy?" She didn't reply. He twisted in his seat to look at her; she'd turned bright red and her eyes were fixed intently on the road.

"Maddy?"

"Why are you asking me this?" She said barely louder than a whisper, "Why not ask McKein or Jo?"

"Because you've always been straight with me." Wilson watched as she turned right at the lights they'd reached, pulling up outside the Starbucks on the left side of the street. Neither of them moved to get out straight away, instead choosing to sit in silence.

"I'm sorry, was that out of line?" Wilson mumbled, the awkwardness apparent in their voices.

"No it's," she sighed, unfastening her seatbelt and opening the driver-side door, "it's fine. C'mon, let's go get some coffee."