THE CHASE - Connor x OC (I Am Sequel)

Chapter 25

Connor played with my hair, as he always does after something like this. I couldn't help but feel guilty though...

I really shouldn't be like this. Here I am. Just feeling guilty for being near him...

I picked up my phone and checked for any texts. There was one:

Plan on coming in today?
- Ethan

I sighed and answered back.

Nope.
- Charlotte

If Ethan was here, I would've been able to see him roll his eyes.

Androids don't get sick.
- Ethan

I frowned.

Dogs do.
- Charlotte

I also felt quite a bit guilty about that. Connor and I needed an excuse to call off, and the dogs seemed to be it. So, we essentially, very quickly, made up a terrible lie about just how stomach sick Blueberry and Kyle are.

Try and think out of the box about this case while you're at home. It might go a long way.
- Ethan

I'd rather not think at all right now, let alone talk to Ethan. He's the cause of this whole mess. He's the reason I feel the way I do right now. He's the reason I can't comfortably love my husband, all because of this blasted case. I can absolutely not be bothered.

I felt my chest getting tight, and my forehead getting hot. I jumped out of bed and looked at Connor. "I'm going to take the dogs for a walk," I nodded.

Connor shrugged and I went about my way, getting dressed (finally). I picked up their leashes, and completed the struggle of getting Blueberry down the stairs. We headed to the park we always go to, running, instead of walking. I just wanted to feel something. The brisk air on my skin, the dogs tugging at the leash, or just the simple pattern of my getting hitting the ground would work. So I ran, and I ran, until I realized Connor must be getting worried. We headed back, and I didn't feel any better. I had felt something, other than the anxiety in my chest, and yet, here I still was desperate for something.

Connor was waiting patiently for me inside, but he was clearly worried. I am not myself. Again, I can't explain it though. Not without risking breaking his heart. After all, how do you say 'my co-worker is trying to convince me that we're not really in love, and sometimes, I believe him' without breaking someone's heart? That's not an easy thing to say, and yet I know that if I say it, all of these feelings would be washed away instantly because Connor would just hold me and whisper 'screw him' into my ear.

"Can I ask you about work?" I asked.

"Absolutely," Connor answered. He looked relieved that I was at least beginning to talk.

"Here. I want you to look at this case. Tell me what you think," I said extending my arm. Connor and I connected. I transferred all of the data about the case, being sure to leave out everything Ethan was involved in.

"Well, it's very clear that Mark Esha affected Asher Kam enough to make him become a murderer," Connor remarked.

"It couldn't be that simple though. We've been chasing him for years. There's no way he hasn't left more clues...or something more here," I sighed.

"You've been chasing him for years? Or has Nick?" Connor answered. He was right...

I sighed. How could I have been so dumb? This wasn't for me. This was for Nick...

~

"I don't know what it is," I announced, as I walked into the precinct the next day. Ethan looked at me.

"Don't know...what exactly?" He asked.

"What our suspect wants us to figure out!" I beamed. Connor stood behind me as if he had some sort of solidarity.

"And...you're proud of that?" Ethan asked.

"Obviously! Because...do you know who we need more than anyone else right now?"

"I swear, if you say Connor-" Ethan sighed.

"Nick. Nick Lance. He's been on this case for far longer than me. He would know," I nodded.

"And what's the problem with me?" Connor asked, stepping forward.

"I just don't want Charlotte here getting distracted."

"I like to think my wife is stronger than that. If you don't though, you're free to go," Connor smiled.

"No, no. I think she's incredibly strong. You though...you might be a little weak," Ethan shrugged.

I took Connor's hand and pulled him away from Ethan. He turned to me, and sighed, walking away. "Fine," he mumbled.

"Oh look. My point is proven. Even if she could handle you, you can't handle her working with me. You only want her to work with her gay best friend, and you know very well if he was straight...you wouldn't stand a chance," Ethan shouted at Connor. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I heard the pounding of Connor's feet, and by the time I reopened my eyes, Connor had taken Ethan by the collar and pressed him against a wall.

He stared at him, wordless. Even though Ethan was a bit taller than Connor, Connor had lifted him a solid two inches off of the ground. I grabbed Connor by his own collar and pulled him off of Ethan.

"Go home. Better yet, go to Hank's. Looks like he's not even here yet. I doubt he's even awake," I smiled at him.

"So, you're taking his side?" Connor asked me, his eyes not betrayed, but hurt.

"I'm taking the side that means you two aren't together right now. Is that okay?"

"No..." Connor sighed. "Why not take my side?"

"We'll talk about this at home."

"You don't need his permission," Ethan said, placing his hand on my shoulder.

"Will you shut the fuck up?" I asked turning around, throwing my hands up.

"You know what? Let me go. You two deserve some alone time," Connor said, turning around and walking away.

"Connor, don't be like this," I called as he walked towards the door.

"Already am!" Connor yelled, leaving out the door.

"You don't need him anyway," Ethan sighed.

"Fuck you. It's your fault anyway," I cried, sitting down at my desk.