The Closer Fic: Missed Opportunities
Title: Missed OpportunitesFandom: The Closer
Chapter: 1 complete
WCount:753
Pairing: Brenda Leigh Johnson/Andy Flynn
Rating:K
Summary: A followup to 610 Executive Order. Just what I wish would have happened, completely not compliant with canon.
Andy Flynn had finished wrapping up the paperwork he'd had to file for the whole incident that had cost his Chief her opportunity to be Chief of Police. She was being investigated by the FID now, and he'd truthfully told what had happened, and was sure she'd be completely cleared. He also had finished his work on his reports to the Chief about the incident and got up to put them on her desk. He thought she'd gone long ago, he'd thought he'd seen her and husband leave to go to some cocktail party for the new Chief of Police.
Entering her office, he flipped on a light, it was in darkness. He was startled to see the Chief sitting on the floor, back against the wall. “Chief, you alright? I thought you'd left hours ago, gone to that cocktail party.”
“I'm fine, Lt. I was there, but I left. Thought I'd wait here for Fritz, he stayed for awhile longer. It's been a hell of a day.” she sighed.
Without asking her, he slid down the wall and sat down beside her. “Yeah, it's been a hell of a day. You saved so many lives and someone else gets rewarded. Politics.”
“Well, that's the way it goes, I guess. I didn't really want the job anyway.” Brenda said, not entirely convincingly.
“I think you wanted it more than you let on. Why did your husband stay at this thing? Why didn't he leave when you did?” Flynn asked, always nosy.
“Yeah, but you know me, Lt. Flynn, I've never been good at kissing up to the higher ups. I went for awhile, but I came back here. I really just wanted to be alone.”
“Well, I'll leave you then.” He started to get up, and her hand shot out, grabbing his arm, stopping him.
“No, no, please stay.” she said.
Flynn settled back down on the floor beside her, pleased that she wanted him there. He liked the Chief, liked her a lot. When he sat back down, he was closer to her then before. He looked at her, she looked so vulnerable, so sad. Without thinking, he reached out and cupped her face, one thumb running along her cheek.
“Lt. Flynn.....” Brenda said, a warning in her voice.
Andy couldn't help himself, he reached in, kissing her gently on the lips. When she responded to him, he didn't know who was more surprised, him or her. When they broke apart, she gave a sad little sigh, laying her head on his shoulder. “We can't do that again, Lt. I'm married. I'm not going down that road.”
“I know, Chief. But I don't regret it.” he said softly.
“Neither do I. But I can't.” They held hands then, sitting there, listening to nothing in particular except their gentle breathing. Finally, Andy broke the spell, getting up to leave. He held his hand out to help her up, and she took it. “I better get going. I better go find him.”
Andy drew her in, to give her a hug before they parted. “You would have been a great Chief of Police. Maybe in five years, huh? I think you could do it.” He said softly against her hair.
Brenda felt safe in his arms, but gave in to her better judgement. She hugged him back and pulled away. “Well, maybe some day. But who knows? Maybe in five years I won't even be in this town.”
“Well, I hope you are. The day you leave is the day I retire. It took too long to get used to you, I can't break in anyone new. Besides, no one could have as great a legs as you have. I'd miss seeing them.”
Brenda laughed at that and blushed. “I think I just wore you down. No one else would tolerate Provenza and you anyway. They wouldn't save your butts the way I do. As for my legs, it's the only compliment you've ever given me.”
“Don't I know it.” Flynn smiled at her. When she smiled back, he turned to leave. “Anytime you need to talk, you know where I am, Chief.”
“I know, Lt.” With that, Brenda grabbed her purse, shut off the light and left her office. Losing the Chief of Police position wasn't the only thing that now anguished the Deputy Chief, and she wasn't sure what bothered her more.