Crack In Her Armor
Chapter 2 : Crack In Her Armor
Ryan was determined to make amends with Sophie, despite her cold reception. She knew that breaking down the walls Sophie had built around her heart would not be easy, but she was willing to do whatever it took to regain her trust.
Over the next few weeks, Ryan made not so subtle attempts to reconnect with Sophie. She had volunteered to take on the breakfast prep for her shift, often sneaking in Sophie's favorites and delivering them to her desk. She stayed late to help her with paperwork or do extra cleaning, and did whatever she could to try and lessen any work-related stress that she noticed. Despite these gestures, Sophie continued to keep her distance, making it clear that she was not interested in rekindling their relationship, even on a friendly basis.
One night, after a particularly challenging shift, the squad decided to unwind at the local bar, The Hold Up. They also wanted to use it as an official welcome to the squad get together for Ryan, since the past few weeks had been going so well and she had managed to fit right in with everyone. As the team laughed and shared stories over drinks, Sophie sat at the bar, nursing a glass of whiskey and looking lost in thought.
“What’s going on with her?” Iris asked Jordan, who sat around a table in the back. Ryan’s eyes carried over to Sophie sitting off by herself.
“She’s been more broody than usual, but she won’t tell me why.”
“Maybe it’s this new position. There is so much pressure with the new budget crunching, and Fire Chief Jacobs was not happy about her getting the position over Taveroff. So he’s doing everything he can to undermine her. There are so many eyes on her right now, just waiting for her to fail,” Luke assumed, and he wasn't completely off the mark, but also somehow not completely in the realm of what had such a hold on her mind in that moment.
“Yeah, but there's more to it than that. I know my sister. She’s not new to having to deal with that; she’s one of the youngest women Captains and Black, at that. That’s been her whole career, moving up the ranks. This is different.” Jordan sighed.
Ryan stood up from the table. “Anybody want another round?” she asked as her cover to go over and try and talk with Sophie. “My treat.”
“I was done, but if you’re buying, yeah I’ll take one more.” Luke laughed.
The entire table took her up on her offer.
“Can I have another round for our table back there, and another, whiskey, double shot for the Captain?” she ordered, leaning up on the counter. There was a safe distance between Sophie and her, but she still stood close enough that Sophie couldn't help but notice the subtle scent of her perfume wafting through the air. It was a delicate, intoxicating fragrance that seemed to perfectly capture Ryan's essence: a blend of warmth and strength with a hint of sensuality. The scent enveloped Sophie, reminding her of the countless times they had been close, their bodies pressed together as they shared whispered confessions and stolen kisses. The perfume seemed to weave an invisible thread between them, connecting their past, present, and future, making it impossible for Sophie to ignore the powerful emotions that still lingered between them. It just added more weight to her frustration.
“You look like you could use it.” Ryan slid the shot glass over to her once the tray of drinks she ordered was placed in front of her.
“Please don’t act like you know what I need,” Sophie scoffed, before she downed the doubleshot. Her lips tighten at the brief stinging sensation at the back of her throat.
“I’m not…but they're worried about you.” Slightly, she nodded toward the table. “And so am I,” she admitted. “I know I’m the last person that you want to talk to…”
“Yet, here you are...” Sophie’s gaze was focused straight ahead, but she could see the slump in Ryan’s shoulders in the mirror behind the counter.
Ryan so desperately wanted the chance to apologize to Sophie for her abrupt departure, for leaving her without any explanation or closure, but Sophie was dead set against reopening that wound, no matter how obvious it was that in order to actually allow it to heal, she needed to. “Listen Sophie, I know you hate me. You have every right to.” Ryan closed the space in between them, to not be overheard. “No matter what I was going through, there was no excuse for the way I left.”
“No!” Sophie finally turned to her in a loud whisper. Jordan looked up at them, her eyebrows gathering in curiosity at what was happening between her and Ryan, because of the look on her face. “I told you, I don’t care.”
“But you do, Sophie. As much as you say you don’t, you’re not doing the greatest job at hiding that.” Ryan sighed. “Please, let’s just talk about it. I’m not expecting you to just forgive me, but I know I cheated you out of the chance to say how you felt. Scream at me, hit me, whatever you need to do...I deserve whatever you throw at me. I can take it…please...” Ryan's hand ever so slightly grazed Sophie’s, immediately causing her breath to hitch. Their eyes locked, and for a moment it was like they were frozen in time.
Sophie and Ryan were cozily wrapped in each other's arms on the couch in Sophie's apartment. They were sharing a rare moment of peace and relaxation, away from the demands of their high-pressure job. Their laughter filled the room as they playfully teased one another, their fingers intertwined and their bodies pressed close together while Ryan laid on top of her girlfriend, her body perfectly tucked in between her legs.
The intimacy of the moment was electrifying, a sacred connection vibrating between them. Sophie held a soft smile as she looked into Ryan's eyes, her own filled with love and affection. Unconsciously her smile grew, just thinking about how deeply she had fallen for this woman. As they laid there, she couldn't keep her feelings to herself any longer. Her heart raced with a mix of excitement and a hint of fear rested within her as she softly whispered, "Ryan, I need to tell you something."
Ryan's laughter faded as she sensed the gravity of Sophie's words, just from the way she looked at her. She gently squeezed Sophie's hand, encouraging her to continue. "I’m listening."
Sophie took a deep breath, her voice barely audible as she confessed, "I love you, Ryan. I've been in love, but it’s never felt like this…ever."
The words hung in the air like a delicate thread, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Ryan's eyes filled with emotion, and her lips curved into a tender smile. She leaned in, her breath warm against Sophie's lips as she whispered, "I love you too, Sophie.”
As their lips met in a passionate, heartfelt kiss, it seemed as if the world had ceased to exist, leaving only the two of them.
“If it means anything, Soph, I never stopped loving you…and I thought about you everyday…I just.”
Quickly Sophie pulled her hand away. “Why would you think I need to know that? Why would that be helpful to me right now?” She slid off the bar stool. “I need to go.” Abruptly she gathered her jacket and laid money down on the counter to cover her drinks.
“Sophie, wait…” Ryan called out to her. The urgency in her voice caught the attention of those around her, including her squad.
“What happened?” Jordan quickly appeared next to Ryan, trying to figure out what the tension was between Ryan and her sister. “Ryan, you need to talk to me. What did you say to her?” She held firmly to Ryan’s arm, to grab her attention.
Gently, Ryan pulled away. Right now wasn’t the time or place to try and explain to her. She needed to catch Sophie, because she felt like now might have been the only window that she had to get her to stop avoiding her feelings and lay everything out on the table. Ryan hurried out the door, leaving Jordan standing there even more confused.
“So…does this mean she’s not paying for the drinks?” Luke looked around the table.
Iris dropped her head at his inability to read the room at that moment.