Listen to Her || A Chicago P.D. Fanfiction

16- Case 3

A/N: The episode being used for this chapter is called 'Push the Pain Away'.

"Morning, Al."

"Morning." He says softly with a slight wave of one hand. "Here."

His other hand extends towards her, offering a small thermos with warm liquid inside, and she softly thanks him while carefully taking it. Ever since a few days ago, after he and Hank aided her during the anxiety attack, Al has made it a point to bring Danielle a small sized thermos full of tea each morning. He had studied a couple of books on how different teas and herbs help with different things, and he had even gone as far as contacting an old buddy of his to ask which herb would target anxiety to help reduce it, being that his old friend owns an herbal shop.

'Catnip.' His buddy had answered without hesitation. 'It helps reduce anxiety, and if you add a pinch of lavender, it'll help the person sleep better. You know, if they struggle to get some sleep.'

Having taken his friend's advice, Al prepares the same tea for her every morning; catnip with a pinch of lavender.

"As good as yesterday's." She tells him with a slight smile after taking a few sips.

"That's a relief." He says with a soft chuckle.

They make small talk as they walk up to the bullpen, being the first ones to enter the locker room.

"How much sleep did you get last night?" He asks as he leans against her locker.

"5 hours." She answers with a small smile.

"It's improving. That's good."

"I appreciate you doing this, Al. Really, I do." She says while giving him a smile.

Heat rises to his face after having begun in his chest at seeing her smile at him so freely. He tries to play it cool, like he isn't being swallowed by immense nervousness, as he gives her a short nod.

"It's nothing." He says while gathering the courage to look at her again.

"It's something to me." She assures him, smiling once more before closing her locker door.

They're both the first ones to sit at their desks, and as they get comfortable, Hank emerges from his office.

"Was wondering if I had beat you both today." He speaks as he stands in the doorway.

"Morning, Hank." She greets him with a small smile.

"Morning. How'd you sleep?" He asks, leaning against the door frame.

"Good. Got 5 hours." She answers with subtle excitement.

"That's good." He says with a tiny smile.

"Morning, Sarge." Jay greets his boss as he, Mouse, and Antonio walk into the bullpen. "Olinsky. Rodriguez." Jay acknowledges his two other teammates.

She gives him, and the other two, a small wave while Al raises his brows as he munches a banana.

"Damn it, I told you they were already here!" Adam's voice says in a loud whisper.

"Ain't no way you're beating them, like, ever, bro." Kevin says with a soft laugh as he greets Olinsky, Rodriguez, and Voight.

She sips on the rest of her tea, adamant about finishing it before the workday begins. A phone ringing causes Hank to walk towards his desk to answer the call.

"Hey," Antonio softly says as he reaches her desk, unintentionally blocking her from Al's line of vision, "How're you doing? Everything okay?" He asks, voice barely above a whisper.