Pasts
After about an hour filled with dancing had passed, the small group of friends strolled back over to their table, drinks in hand, and taking up residence in the table’s chairs. Soon everyone fell off into their own mix of conversations around the table leaving Clarke and Lexa to look across the table at one another.
So Lexa, is there a story behind you wanting to become a detective or do you just like enforcing the law?” Clarke took a sip of her drink as she looked into the brunette’s green eyes.
“Actually, I became a detective because of my family. When I was five a few men had broken into our house in the middle of the night. Anya was only eight at the time and had spent the night at a friends house so it was just me, my mother, and my father. My father and I were still awake sitting in his office reading when we heard the sound of glass breaking downstairs and the sound of men talking. My dad put me in the closet in his office behind some boxes before telling me he was going to get my mother. I waited for what felt like hours before I head to gunshots and the sound of people running. Next thing I knew I could hear police sirens coming from a distance so I ran out the closet and went downstairs to find my parents. When I got into our living room I could see my mother and father laying in middle of the room covered with blood. Before I could walk over to them a police officer came rushing in and saw the scene in front of him before grabbing me and taking me outside. That was when I met this older detective who started asking me what had happened and if I knew who did this. Of course I was only five so I couldn’t really process what had happened to my parents. Years had come to pass and they never caught the people who killed them, it was then that I decided I wanted to be a detective. So I could make sure that people, like the ones that killed my parents, wouldn’t get away with crimes.”
Clarke could see the hurt that had washed over Lexa’s eyes as the woman told her the horrible story. She leaned over the table to gently clasp Lexa’s hand in hers and give her a small smile.
“Well you’re doing an amazing job. I’m sorry to have bought it up like that.”
“It’s nothing to worry about. It’s the past and there’s nothing that can change that. It’s not something I normally talk about with most people. I kind of just bury it all inside.”
“Sometimes it’s better to talk about it than to hide it. Keeping the memories that you have with your parents alive is an important thing to do Lexa. So you can remember the good times instead of the bad,”
Clarke gave Lexa a warm smile before giving her hand another squeeze before pulling it away. Lexa gently cleared her throat and pursed her lips before eyeing the blonde.
“Since you asked why I wanted to become a detective, I think it’s only fair I get to ask why you decided to become a doctor.”
Clarke laughed at the woman’s smug facial expression,“Of course. Well for starters my mother is also a doctor so it kind of runs in the family, but her just being a doctor wasn’t the only reason I wanted to be one. One day after school, I was about ten at the time, I was sitting in the waiting room of the ER where my mother was currently working, doing homework, when a man sitting a few chairs down from me had gone into cardiac arrest. He just fell out of his chair and onto the floor and before I knew what was happening people were screaming to get a doctor. That’s when my mother came in. She rushed right over to the man and checked for a pulse along his neck. I could hear her saying something to a nurse before she started pushing on the man’s chest. At the time I didn’t know what my mother was doing to him but I kept watching as she stopped pushing on his chest to put her mouth on his and blow air into his mouth. Everything around me felt like it was going in slow motion as I watched her repeat that same thing over and over until finally I heard the man take in a large gulping breath and open his eyes. I looked up at my mother to see her whispering comforting words to the man, telling him that he was going to be just fine, before she finally looked up at me. When she looked at me I could feel so much pride for my mother run through my chest and that was the day I decided that I wanted to follow in my mother’s footsteps and become a doctor. My mother almost cried the day I told her why I had chosen to go to med school. Said she had never been more proud of me.”
Clarke could see Lexa’s eyes fill with wonder as she listened to her story. The whole time she could see her eyes change with different emotions and she caught herself wondering just what those green eyes looked like filled with love.
“Well, your story defiantly out beats mine in the happy ending department.”
“My story doesn’t out beat anyone’s, Lexa. Just think, despite what happened to you that night here you are with the job of your dreams surrounded by some amazing friends.”
Clarke gestured around the table at all of their friends who were all laughing at a sulking Octavia before turning back to look at Lexa who had a smile on her face as she watched the crazy group of friends.
“Yeah, if I wouldn’t have become a detective I don’t know for sure if I would have met anyone here. Besides Anya, of course.”
“Did Anya become a detective for the same reason as you? Or did she have other reasons?”
“Anya had always been the tougher of us both when we were younger. Standing up to bullies in school and making sure I always followed the rules. After our parents we were both put into a foster home, thankfully together, until Anya became old enough to be on her own and become my legal guardian. Our foster father just so happened to be the police officer who pulled me out of my house that night and Anya became so fascinated about his work stories that when she turned 18 she asked him to help her study to go into the police academy. After a little less than a year in the academy she graduated and became a police officer and decided that it was time for her to become my legal guardian and we have our own place together. At first it was hard for Anya to juggle a high schooler and keeping enough food on the table to feed us both but we got through it,” Clarke watched as Lexa looked towards her laughing sister and smiled as she watched her.
“I’m glad both of you were able to stay together. I’ve never had any siblings so I can’t begin to image what it would be like to get separated from one another.”
“Thanks. Anya and I have always been close. She acts all high and mighty and doesn’t always admit to loving me but I know she does.”
Lexa’s eyes met Clarke’s once again and the girls continued to learn little bits and pieces about each others lives. Time had gotten the better of them and before they knew it their little group was heading out the door and into the cool night air. Lincoln, being the only sober one after only having two beers, pulled a drunk Anya, Raven, and Bellamy towards his car. He turned to give both Lexa and Clarke questioning gazes.
“Are you both okay to drive? I can pick you both up after getting this crazy lot home.”
Lexa waved Lincoln away stating that they were both more than capable of driving home safely. Both girls watched on as Lincoln corralled the rowdy bunch into his car before pulling out and giving a short wave though the window at both women and driving off. After Lincoln’s car disappeared out of the parking lot Lexa turned to look at Clarke.
“I’ll walk you to your car. Make sure you get there safe.”
“Well thank you detective. It’s nice to have someone to protect me against any evil that may lurk in the shadows.”
Clarke heard Lexa let out a light chuckle as the brunette motioned for her to lead the way to her car. Both women fell into a comfortable silence as they walked side by side towards the far left side of the parking lot where Clarke’s car sat. As they got closer Clarke pulled her keys out of her clutch and hit the unlock button to see the tail lights flash in compliance. Clarke heard a light whistle come from Lexa as her green eyes scanned the car.
“An Audi. I guess being a doctor isn’t as bad as it seems. I think I may have chosen the wrong field of expertise,” Clarke laughed at her words as she pivoted around to look at Lexa.
“The car is just one perk. All the long hours, sleepless nights, and missing a meal here and there was totally worth it to be able to get this baby. I fell in love with it as soon as my eyes landed on it.”
“Very sleek and nice, but I don’t think I could give up my baby for an Audi,” Clarke watched as Lexa pressed a button on her key that she hadn’t noticed before and watched the tail lights of a truck four spaces down flash.
“A black 2017 GMC Sierra 2500HD. Bought myself that bad boy after completing my first year as a detective.”
“Wow. I’ve never been a truck person but it seems very fitting for you.”
“Why? Because most cops drive trucks?”
“No, it just seems more your style. I can’t see you as a type to drive a little sedan.”
“True. The car I had before this one was a 2009 Camry and I just couldn’t until the day that I could trade it in for a truck,” Lexa paused as she looked into Clarke’s blue eyes,“Anyways, I guess it’s time for us to be heading home. It’s already past 2 a.m.”
“Okay. Does my new detective friend mind if I ask her to meet me in out apartment parking lot to walk a defenseless blonde up to her apartment at such a late hour?”
“She doesn’t. As long as the blonde promises not to wake the detective up again with strange noises.”
Clarke let out a sheepish laugh,“Of course. And sorry about that again. I never realized I was such a loud pacer.”
“It’s okay Clarke. I’ll meet you back at the apartment?”
“Yeah, I’ll see you there.”
Clarke watched as Lexa walked over to her truck before hopping into her own car to make her way back to the apartments. After the quick twenty minute drive Clarke opened her car door and stepped out in time to see Lexa pull in two parking spots away from her. Clarke stood on the sidewalk near the stairs as she watched the brunette casually walk over to her and hold her arm out. Clarke smiled as her place her hand in the crook of Lexa’s arm before letting her lead up the stairs towards her apartment. What both women didn’t notice was the man sitting in a large black van across the street from their apartment watching their every move.
Both women made idle chit chat before they came to a stop in front of Clarke’s door. Clarke let go of Lexa’s arm to unlock her door before opening it and stepping inside only to turn and look back at the detective.
“Thank you for tonight. I had fun getting to know you a little better.”
“Me too. It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to open up to someone about my life.”
“Well I’m always here if you want to talk some more. Thank you for walking me to my door. I think it’s time I called it a night though,” Before Clarke could stop herself she leaned in and gave a quick kiss to Lexa’s smooth cheek before backing up again,“Goodnight Lexa.”
“You’re welcome. Goodnight to you too Clarke.”
Before Clarke could fully shut her door she caught a glimpse of Lexa putting a hand to her cheek as a soft smile showed over her lips. After making sure her door was locked she made her way into her bedroom and into the joined bathroom to wash off her makeup. After changing into a large sleeping shirt and forgoing pants she hopped into bed and fell into a peaceful sleep.