Frayed Edges

Long time, no see

Jake and Mia had managed to swing a rare day off together. They had spent their time as pretend tourists, exploring the city, and visiting spots they both loved so that they could experience them as a couple. Every day Jake found himself falling a little bit harder for Mia, this feeling only increased when she described Sal's pizza as the best she'd ever had.

"I want you to meet my friends" he had announced with little introduction. They were walking around the reservoir in Central Park, their hands linked and intertwined. Mia felt her palms grow clammy as she laughed uncomfortably.

"Erm.. are you sure?" She asked delicately, her nose scrunched in a way Jake found oh so adorable.

"I- I- um well, you don't...." he stammered, she stopped and took his hands in hers.

"No not like that" she attempted to reassure him "just are you sure you want to introduce me to them like that... they must just think I'm some dumb club girl" she said her hands creating air quotes around her point.

Jake laughed, shaking his head, her bright green eyes melted his heart as he reached to play with a strand of hair framing her face.

"You are so, so, so much more than just a club girl"

She laughed feeling stupid all of a sudden, he cupped her chin and kissed her softly on the lips. Mia felt like a better version of herself around Jake. He made her feel like she could erase past mistakes and make a new life with him. They had spoken once or twice about her getting a job in his office and she had considered it a few times. It seemed an idyllic life traveling to work with Jake and flirting with him around the precinct. She almost believed that it could happen but she didn't let herself fall for the dream just yet.

"When?" She asked, still blissfully absorbed in his soft lips.

"Well..." he smiled uneasily rubbing the back of his neck "in about an hour"

Mia's eyes opened like saucers before taking a hasty look at her watch.

"You're joking right?!"

"I didn't know if you were going to say yes" he giggled pulling her forward by the wrist "you have nothing to worry about" he said giving her one kiss that lasted longer than they both expected

"Fine" she whispered against his lips, she couldn't say no to his huge big eyes.

"But you should be scared of Rosa, she's pretty terrifying" he said, pulling her towards the exit of the park. Mia had managed to persuade Jake to let her run home and change before meeting him outside the bar.

The location of the impromptu meet was Shaw's as she had expected. Her confidence was shaken as she walked from the subway to the meet Jake. He was a gentleman as always, holding the door open for her to walk through.

"You look besutiful" he whispered into her ear as they walked down the steps together.

Almost immediately she was greeted by a large group of what she assumed were non uniformed officers. They seemed normal enough but the twinkling of their badges on their hips gave them away. She felt a twinge of unease but was quickly calmed when she felt Jake's hand on her lower back.

"Everyone" he called towards the group "this is Mia"

They responded with a chorus of hellos and she responded with a shy smile. Jake excused himself to get a round and she slipped into the booth seat next to a small overly enthusiastic man.

"I'm Charles!" he called shaking your hand with real vigour "but you must already know that, as Jake's best friend he just talk about me all the time"

Mia paused racking her brain for a mention of Charles with little success, she thought it better to just agree. She moved her eyes along the rest of the booth and was met with a dark eyed woman in a worn leather jacket.

"Rosa, I was with Jake that night at the club, you seem... cool" all though her voice was monotone Mia had a feeling it was probably a compliment.

"I remember, you were with your girlfriend" she smiled back "where is she tonight?"

"Cosmetology school" she replied back and Mia could tell she was touched that she remembered.

Mia complimented her on her jacket and Jake returned a few second later holding drinks for everyone.

"I thought I'd get things flowing wiiiith shots!" A tray of full of tiny glasses was shared quickly amongst the table and after a few more rounds Mia felt herself growing more confident.

She tried to remember everyone's names as they were thrown at her one after the other. Charles, Rosa, Teddy, Gina and the elusive Captain whose real name she hadn't quiet caught, it was a lot to handle. She had to escape to the bathroom a couple times just to keep herself from being overwhelmed.

She was beginning to enjoy hearing the work stories of what Jake was really like in the hours of daylight. She couldn't help but smirk when she looked into his dark eyes and admired his crooked smile. He looked back at her and gently pushed the stray hairs from her face before leaning down to kiss her gently. She melted under his touch and thought how long it had been since she felt like this about another person.

But it didn't last long.

"Hey guys" a voice called out. It made everyone pause and when Mia pulled back from Jake's lips she saw his eyes were staring directly towards the speaker.

"Long time no see" it finished in a soft sing-song voice. Mia followed everyone's eyes as they remained transfixed on the new arrival.

"Holy shit" Gina was the first to speak with a small giggle, a mix of shock and humour in her voice. The Captain quickly left his seat, his glass of red wine balanced gracefully in his hand as he did.

"Good evening Santiago, it's great to see you again"