Everyone Needs A Hero

Part 9-Little Reminders Everywhere

"Hey look can't we talk about this ?" Luke tried as he pulled into the parking lot of 19.
"I have to go to work " Vic snapped " Besides I'm sure they're expecting you. "
She opened the door and sighed with anger as she got out. She walked away without another word.
They had a such a good morning before and now they were fighting. He had made breakfast and had casually mentioned he would be by the station and that they should change thier lunch plans. It was minor. But then she'd asked why and he evaded the question like he was hiding something.
Vic walked through the parking lot not glancing back to look at Ripley who no doubt was watching her walk away. As she walked she tried to gain control of her facial expressions so it wouldn't seem like she was seething with anger.

"They're acting weird it's not just me ?" Maya inquired from the group as the team stood in the beanery.
Vic slipped in glad they were immersed in conversation and hadn't taken notice.She poured herself a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter. She attempted to pay attention to the conversation at hand and appear interested.
"No Andy is acting like being captain is nothing. We all know how badly she wanted the job and she hasn't bragged once " Jack agreed " And that fight"
"That was loud and messy. See this is why Ripley is the only one who ships them " Dean piped in.
"And who's in her office ?" Maya asked "They've been talking for a while. "
Vic sighed as she drank her coffee fingering her cellphone that sat safely in her uniform pocket. She wanted so badly to send Luke a text and apologize. But a lump formed in her throat as she questioned whether or not he would reply.
She pulled it out and opened her messages. Her lips curled into a tight smile when she saw he hadn't texted. She refreshed her screen with a glimmer of hope that he would text her. But he didn't.

This was the last thing she wanted to do before starting a shift. She didn't want to fight with Luke before going to work where the possibility of her not going home that night stood.
He complicated things for her. He made it harder to feel brave because she didn't want to die and leave him alone. And she was always worrying about him. Even if they were fighting she'd rather him text and confirm that he wasn't dying on the side of the road somewhere.
She felt a tear slip and tried to ground herself. Get away from the fight. She tried to listen to the conversation about Sullivan and Herrera but couldn't focus.
She set her mug on the counter and quietly slipped from the room worried her mood would affect everyone else.
She went to the locker room and sat there biting her lip to keep the tears at bay. She wished Luke would just send a text or stop by. She wished this would end so she could be happy again.
She looked to the left and could see Ben's locker. It was empty now but his name was still on the label. She wished he was still there because he would have known what she should do.
Vic sighed for the hundredth time that morning it felt like and looked up as she could feel a presence. She hadn't gone unnoticed.
"You're quiet and you have a lot of opinions about Andy and Sullivan " Dean cleared the air when she looked up.
"You don't have to talk about it. We just wanted to make sure you're okay. " Travis added.
Vic sighed and stood up " Ripley and I had a fight. I think. He was acting weird and evasive. Like he was hiding something. "
"And he hasn't texted. I know he's busy but he hasn't texted. What if he leaves me? What if I come home and he's just gone?" Vic continued standing against a locker glancing down at her rings.
"Well I know our opinions don't count because you think we're biased and all that but he loves you. " Dean began "He'll come around. I mean you're the power couple. "
"You don't know that " Vic snapped " He could leave. He's had 3 wives. I'll just be unlucky number 4. We aren't the power couple we're just like Andy and Sullivan."
"Yeah but Luke loves you " Dean protested " He wouldn't leave you or try to hurt you. "
"And you're nothing like Andy and Sullivan. You're like Ben and Miranda. " Travis told her.
Vic sighed and slid down onto the floor and put her head in her hands. "I feel like I can't trust him when he gets evasive. "
"And it would be my fault if he left " Vic sighed " because I was awful. I've never been that mad and I've never said things like that "
"I don't know how bad this fight is but you've been that mad " Dean sighed " Remember that time when you stormed out of the room whenever I came in "
"Well yeah" Vic nodded " But this wasn't."
"I forgave you Hughie. We talk. You're taking my baby if I die" Dean told her " He'll come around and forgive you. And if he doesn't well I'll kick his ass. "
"Dean I said I didn't want you to get fired"Vic laughed smacking him on the shoulder.
"Oh but I'll get fired for this. Because you're Hughie. He doesn't get to mess with my family and get away with it." Dean argued with a smile.
"Fine you can kick Ripley's ass if he hurts me but not too bad because I still love him. Even if I feel like my marriage is imploding in my face." Vic comprised
"I promise" Dean laughed" So you want to hear the latest with Andy and Sullivan?"
"Hey I'm sorry to interrupt but Captain Herrera and Sullivan want us in the beanery" Jack stepped through" You alright Hughes ?"
" Sullivan and Herrera aren't the only ones acting weird. " Dean explained " Apparently Ripley is too "
"I'm fine " Vic confirmed getting up.
Jack nodded and waved at them to come.