When Duty Calls

Footsteps sounded as the rest of the enforcers returned, led by Officer Gonzales. His brisk steps faltered as he took in his boss's red nose and watery eyes. “Sheriff Kiramman, are you alright?”

Caitlyn’s cheeks flushed so that they matched her nose. “Yes. D-did you find any points of entry or-or eh-exit?”

She hated how nasally and uncertain her voice sounded. She was letting the allergies get to her head. Caitlyn took a deep breath, willing herself to keep the discomfort from showing. This proved to be a mistake, as her breath hitched ever so slightly.

Gonzales nodded. “We secured the four exit points and there was no––”

tshhhh! Ah-kschhhh!

Caitlyn’s face contorted before she covered it with the handkerchief, twisting away quickly. She hastily wiped her nose and mouth before turning back. She cleared her throat. "Pardon me. Please continue.”

“Salud,” Gonzales said, trying to hide the concern from his face. He cleared his own throat and averted his eyes before continuing. “There was no one.”

Caitlyn nodded, reaching up to rub her nose again with the handkerchief. “Set up a blockade around the surrounding area. We may still be able to catch the culprit.”

“Will do.” Gonzales nodded. He paused, considering the sniffling woman in front of him. “Are you sure that you’re feeling...well?”

“What?” The sheriff uncharacteristically stuttered, before shaking her head impatiently. She fought the impulse to pinch her nose. “I’m fine. Thank you. Blockade.”

Gonzales nodded before leaving, followed by the rest of the enforcers, some giving their boss curious looks to which Vi glared back in response. As soon as they heard the door slam, Caitlyn’s breath hitched audibly.

Vi quickly put down her notepad, stepping forward and putting a wrapped hand on her girlfriend’s back as a gentle yet firm support. Caitlyn buried her face in her handkerchief as her upper body flung forward, releasing two more sneezes she'd been holding back in front of the other officers.

“Gesundheit, gesundheit,” Vi said, even though she knew her partner was just getting started. As expected, Caitlyn interrupted with three more sneezes, each more difficult to contain than the last. When she was finally done, Caitlyn kept her hands cupped over her lower face. 

“Feeling a little better?” Vi said hopefully, ignoring her partner’s mortified expression.

Caitlyn paused before replying, her voice thick and muffled by her handkerchief. The visible part of her face was crimson, “Erm, cou-could you hand me another handkerchief?”

“Of course,” Vi said and pulled out one that she’d brought in her own pocket. She handed it to Caitlyn, turning away respectfully to avoid embarrassing her even more.

Caitlyn took in a deep, stuttering breath before blowing her nose. There was a short silence as she cleaned herself, but Vi chose to break it.

"You should go home, Cait." Her voice was patient yet firm, almost an order. "...I don't think you can continue this in the state..."

"No." Caitlyn's voice was sharp, in spite of her state. "I'm fine. I have to be here."

"But-" Vi started, but the sheriff cut her off again.

"No. Solving the crime comes first. While the trail's hot. I'll be fine."

Vi licked her lips, quickly trying to come up with something that would persuade her partner to think otherwise, put her own wellbeing first for once. But as her gray eyes looked into Caitlyn's narrowed and swollen ones, taking in the tension in the sheriff's jaw, she knew it was useless.

Caitlyn was... herself. Intelligent, laser-focused, fiercely proud and incredibly stubborn. Hard-working to the point of disfunction. Vi had known all this coming into the partnership. 

She took a deep breath, before feigning her regular cocky tone. "Alright, Cupcake. How can I be of service?"