Open Hearts

Exactly a week had passed since Josie received that phone call from Cruz. Every single day Josie grew more and more anxious — worried. She didn't know what it was that Cruz was a part of but it was obviously very dangerous and that scared her.
She wasn't ready to not see Cruz ever again. Especially not when the last time they saw each other face to face ended so unpleasantly.
Josie was at the bar every day, hoping that Bobby would pop in so that she could ask her some questions regarding Cruz. But Bobby never showed, which was also unusual since Bobby would at least come in once a week — if not for a drink then for Randy's famous lemon pepper wings.
Josie was currently wiping off counters in the bar, since it was early hours and the rush didn't start yet. She had to keep herself busy because she couldn't just sit still. If she did then the worry would eat at her alive. Or she would just call Cruz' phone another ten times.

Then it happened. Bobby walked in. She wasn't her usual chipper self. No, this time she had an unreadable expression on her face. That alone made Josie's hands tremble with fear that maybe..maybe Cruz' last phone call to her really was goodbye.

"Hey." She tried to sound normal and calm but it came out more as a strangled sound.

"Hey Cap."

Josie felt uneasy. "We've just opened an hour ago. You're not usually this early." She spoke slowly.

"Long day. Long couple of days actually."

"Can I get you your usual?"

"Nah, I'm good."

"Food?"

Bobby straightened up in her seat. "I have a feeling you know why I'm here."

Josie looked away then back at Bobby. "She called me, about a week ago."

"What did she say?"

"She just called to apologize for something that had happened that upset me. So, yeah she explained herself and apologized, then told me that she was going away to do something that might not bring her back." Josie got emotional, "She never went into any details, but I could tell that she was reluctant to go. Like I said, she didn't give me any details but whatever it was, it had her a bit shaken up."

"Look, Josie.. I don't know what's going on between the two of you but I do know that you have gotten very close. I mean it's pretty obvious to anyone with a pair of eyes." Bobby sighed, "I probably should've came to see you sooner."

"Is she.. No, she can't be.."

"Hey, Cruz did something very brave. She was thrown into a very difficult situation with a big responsibility resting on her shoulders."

Josie felt hot. "Bobby, I don't feel too good right now."

"No, no, hey. She's not dead."

Josie's eyes filled up with tears as she breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Where is she? Can I see her?"

"That's why I'm here. I figured you should know since, she doesn't really have anyone..any family. She made it back but not in the same shape as she had left."

"How long has she been back? I called just about every day."

"Only two days but she was taken straight to the hospital to have surgery. So now she's recovering. I went to see her last night. There's flowers and cards from the station and other departments but it won't mean anything to her. That won't bring her any comfort. I think that you should go and see her but she's not herself yet. She's uh, how do I put it. . She's kinda tense right now."

"What does that mean?"

"Usually when someone goes undercover it does a number on them. If not physically then mentally..or both."

"So she went undercover?"

Bobby shook her head. "Look, I really shouldn't even be discussing this with you. I've already said too much. But you're a friend and Cruz is my colleague and I care about her well-being. I just wanted you to know so that you could maybe visit her in the hospital. I think seeing you would mean a lot to her."

"Okay. Is she allowed to have any visitors?"

"Of course."

____________

Josie held her breath when she reached Cruz' room. She didn't know what to expect but she knew she had to see the woman with her own eyes to finally settle her nerves.
She knocked first, then slowly entered the room. Cruz was asleep. She moved closer, her movement timid.
Josie let out a low gasp. She could see the bruises under her skin, bandages on her left shoulder and the faint, ghostly pale complexion that wasn’t familiar to her.

She stared at her. Long and hard, almost as if she was trying to let Cruz' injuries give her an idea of what had happened.
Cruz finally began to stir. Her eyes slowly fluttering open.

"Hi."

It took Cruz a minute to register Josie's presence. "Josie?" Her voice hoarse.

"Yes, I'm here. Hi."

"Hi." Cruz tried to move just a little too fast then winched from a sharp pain in her abdomen. She felt Josie's steady hand on her arm, telling her to take it easy.

"It's okay, I don't want you to hurt yourself. Do you need some water?"

"That would be great, thanks."

Josie pulled a chair next to the bed and sat down. "It's good to see you."

"I was going to call you again."

"You had a lot going on, I understand. Bobby told me you had to have surgery?"

"Yeah but I don't really want to talk about that now."

"Of course, yeah."

"I'm sorry Josie."

"Why are you apologizing?"

"I shouldn't have tried to help her. I shouldn't have gotten involved. I should've just walked away."

"Who? The woman at your apartment?"

"Yes."

"But you did your job Cruz."

Cruz protested by shaking her head. "No. She brought her problems to me. She found me and look how it ended — I'm in a hospital with bullet holes, bruises and unimaginable pain. I've had awful nightmares of what happend that day..Of the things I had to do to protect her! I don't owe her anything and yet I almost paid with my life!" Cruz' emotions escalated quick.

Josie took Cruz' hands in hers. "Why did she come to you for help?"

"Because we know each other." Cruz confessed.

"Oh." Admittedly that caught Josie slightly off guard.

"I didn't want to help her, at least not to that extent. But I had to follow orders. I just want to be honest with you Josie. I'm not a liar, I won't ever do shit behind anyone's back to hurt them. There are some details about that op that I won't be allowed to share with you but I don't want you to think I'm hiding stuff from you either. So, yes, I do know her. We used to be involved but I later found out it was all based on lies, so I ended it. This was all years ago and I've put it behind me and moved on with my life."

"Cruz..it's okay. I'm not mad." She really wasn't. Not when Cruz was being so vulnerable and sincere.

"But I am. She knew I would help, that's why she came here looking for me. She knows how loyal I am to the badge. I will always strive to do what's right and help people while I have the ability to do so. So I'm mad at myself that I allowed her to get to know parts of me when all that I knew about her was lies. I am mad that I was so desperate for companionship that I allowed myself to get played. I am mad that I cut all ties without ever telling her how much of a shitty person she actually was for doing what she did. And now that I got the opportunity to do just that, then I was rewarded with having to risk my life for hers. Isn't that fuck up?"

"Did you love her?"

Cruz looked away.

"It's okay if you did. I'm not judging. I have also been in a situation like that before and it sucks."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to go off like that but--"

"It's okay. It's better to get it off your chest. I think you just need some time to process everything that had happened and maybe talk to someone to help you through it. It sounds like everything just became too overwhelming but don't be so hard on yourself. The world is full of shitty people, unfortunately. Don't let them make you question your kindness. Being good in this world isn't always easy, but it'll always be worth it."

Cruz listened intently to Josie's words. "My boss did arrange a session with a therapist but I don't know if I'd do very well at therapy."

"You'll do fine. Now, if I remember correctly, you asked me on a date." She smirked, trying to lighten the mood.

"I did."

"It'll have to wait though. I want you to heal first. Any idea when you'll be released from the hospital?"

"No. I haven't asked too many questions yet. I've been too exhausted."

"I should let you rest then."

Cruz held Josie's hand firm before she could pull away. "No, I like having you here."

"You just said you've been exhausted. And I know that you are because I can see it. Remember, the sooner you get better, the sooner we can go on that date."

"Okay."

"I'll pop in again, I promise. If not later then definitely tomorrow."

That had Cruz smiling. "Thank you. I already feel better now that I've seen you."

"Yeah?"

"Definitely. You always make me feel things. Good things."

Josie leaned in to leave a kiss on Cruz' forehead. "I'm glad I have to ability to do that. When I come back I'm going to sneak some real food in here for you. I know whatever you're being fed probably tastes like cardboard."

"You're not wrong, the food here is not that great."

"Craving anything in particular?"

"Honestly I'll eat whatever you bring."

"Okay then." Josie stood up and moved the chair back to it's original spot before walked back to Cruz' bedside. "I'm really glad you're okay."

"I appreciate you coming to see me. Really, it means a lot. You look beautiful by the way." Cruz said, looking at Josie with admiration.

"Thanks. Get some rest, okay? I'll see you soon."

"Goodbye Josie."

"Bye."

_____________

Three weeks flew by and Cruz was ready to return to work but only for desk duty. She was in the last stretch on her road to recovery and Josie was there every step of the way. She was beyond grateful for Josie's support because she couldn't remember the last time she had someone in her corner other than her late father.

Cruz was surprised when Josie showed up at her door that morning before work. "This is a nice surprise. Come on in."

"You go back to work today. I just wanted to remind you of the promise that you made."

Cruz laughed. "I remember. I will be at my desk all day, don't worry. I won't be doing anything that I'm not supposed to do."

"Good. Are you ready to go back? Feeling okay?"

"I feel good."

Josie gently tapped the side of Cruz' head. "Even up here?"

"Yep. I have another session with Dr. Val tomorrow."

Josie smiled, "And you thought you'd fail at therapy. Now you're looking forward to each session."

"Yeah yeah okay. Thanks for checking up on me."

"No need to thank me. Just give me more details about our date this weekend."

"So that's why you're actually here."

"You're really not going to tell me anything?"

"Does it matter whether I tell you or not?"

"No but I'm just excited."

"I am too. Now, I have to go..don't want to be late on my first day back."

"Fine." Josie pulled Cruz into a hug. They stood there for a minute just breathing each other in. They were both equally aware that something had shifted between them since Cruz' hospital stay. Their conversations were different..deeper, more meaningful. They became protective over each other.
Cruz discovered that she had felt a quiet certainty with Josie, something that she hadn't felt with anyone else.
She couldn't wait for their date and to properly ask Josie to be her girlfriend.

______________

Currently Josie was surrounded by all three of her sisters. Somehow they had managed to convince her to get ready for her date at Camila's house.

"You guys are doing way too much. And why are you so loud, your husband is gonna get fed up with us."

"He's as excited for you as the rest of us. Now, here. Put this necklace on."

Daniela, the youngest, took several pictures. "You look stunning Josie."

"I'm still trying to figure out why you all are acting like I'm going to prom." She deadpanned.

"Because we love you and we're so happy for you. Did Cruz say where she's taking you?"

"No. I told her that I was getting ready at your house though so she will pick me up from here."

"Oh great, then we'll finally get to meet face to face."

Lucía handed Josie her shoes. "You know, I still can't believe you've kept her from us for this long."

"Yeah Josie, not cool. Anyway stand over there, I need to get a full length shot."

"Dani, no. Why do you have to take so many pictures?"

"I'm saving it for the picture montage on your wedding day."

Josie rolled her eyes. "Have you lost your mind?"

"I'm obviously going to be your maid of honor since I'm your favorite sister. So for my speech I'm going to use pictures to tell a story. Now pose."

"You're being weird. Stop it." Josie said, while reading the text she just received from Cruz.

"Is she on her way?"

"No, she says she's running late." Josie sounded slightly disappointed. "You know what, I think I'm gonna go home and wait there."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Thank you guys for making me feel like a teenager getting ready for her first ever date. It was fun."

"No problem."

Everyone called it a night and went their separate ways.

Josie parked her car and entered her house but as she stepped inside, she was met with something unexpected—something that took her breath away.
A golden glow casted across the walls as a result of dozens of candles scattered throughout the living room.
The delicate scent of jasmine and rose filled the air. She felt as though she had stepped into a private, intimate world. Every detail represented romance in the most perfect way — from the ambiance to the long trail of rose petals leading from the entryway to the dining area.
Josie was so shocked at everything that she didn't really know how to react.
Each step she took made her heart beat faster. She had never experienced anything like this before.

Cruz appeared from the kitchen, her smile warm and genuine, a bit nervous but clearly eager to see Josie's reaction.
"Hi." she said, her voice soft but full of affection, "I hope you like it."

"I- What? How?"

Cruz chuckled, "Don't worry, I didn't break into your house. I had a little help from your sisters." They were now standing inches apart.

"My sisters? The three sisters I was just with? Those sisters? Seriously?" Josie had to laugh because she genuinely did not see any of this coming. It really was the best surprise.

"Yes, they were very eager to help as well."

"Wait, I didn't see your car outside."

"Yeah, no. Bobby dropped me off. It was truly a team effort but I will say, I did all of this by myself, except for the food. I got us a private chef. Chef Oliver is taking over your kitchen for the next two hours."

Josie cradled Cruz' face in her hands. "I love it!" She kissed her. "I can't believe you pulled this off. It's the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me."

"It's our first date, I wanted it to be memorable. Now can I just acknowledge how fucking gorgeous you're looking." Her hands squeezing Josie's hips.

Josie did a little twirl. "Thank you. But so do you."

Cruz pecked her lips again, then led her through to the dining room where the table was set for two with a bottle of chilled wine waiting to be poured.

Every detail was thoughtful and intimate. Josie was still in awe about everything.

As they both sat down Cruz poured the wine. "What?" She asked, feeling Josie's intense gaze on her.

Josie giggled at how the other woman was visibly blushing. "I'm just so blown away. I don't even recognize my house by the way."

"You deserve this Josie. I mean I could've taken you to a restaurant but we could do that any day of the week. I wanted to show you how much you really mean to me."

"You're gonna make me cry. Stop."

"Don't cry, we still have a lot to get through tonight."

"Can we start with the fact that you roped my sisters into this plan of yours? How did you even get ahold of them?"

"Babe, I'm a detective." Cruz replied with a confident swagger. And it really did something to Josie because she was swooning.

"I like this side of you."

The outside world faded away, and the only thing that mattered to either of them was the person across the table.
The night continued to unfold with laughter, flirting, conversation, and a shared sense of awe at how perfect the evening was playing out.

Of course when Josie saw the words "Will you be my girlfriend?" written on the plate that held her desert, she kissed Cruz in a way that would indicate exactly how their night was going to end.