Maya was enjoying the quiet of the station to do some thinking and get lost in her own head. She had to admit that she was glad to not be out on calls with the team just yet after what she had witnessed after Cooper's death. Selfishly, she wanted to avoid the stress of dealing with Beckett and the tension present in the team everytime he was around.
A knock at the door brought her out of her musings. Looking up, she couldn't stop a smile from appearing on her face. Her wife, carrying a box of supplies and looking as beautiful as ever, was struggling to open the door on her own. God, she missed her.
Maya quickly got up and opened the door for Carina. - Hi! Let me help you with that. - she said, grabbing the box and placing it on the desk behind them.
- Grazie. I know I could have brought this on the next clinic day, but I thought I'd use my day off to get it done so I don't have to rush when I'm here to work. - Carina said nervously, observing Maya and then looking around.
- Well, everyone is out on a call, so you'll be unbothered.
Carina looked her wife up and down. - You're still on desk duty? Are you okay? - there was some concern in her voice while she kept looking Maya over for any possible injuries.
- Yeah, I'm fine. I've actually been cleared to go on calls, but I thought I'd give it one more week just to be safe and make sure I'm really in the right place to be back.
The Italian looked slightly surprised at that. - Oh, well, um... That's great, Maya, I'm glad you're taking care of yourself.
They stared at each other for a few seconds, until Maya cleared her throat. - Well... I should let you get to it. I wish I could help you, but I can't leave the desk, especially now with no one else around.
The hesitance in Carina's eyes pushed her to take a chance. - Although... Maybe I could bring down the boxes you need and we can take inventory down here, if you want some help...
Carina's reply was instant. - Yes, that would be great! I mean, if it's okay with you...
- Totally! - Maya eagerly got up and made her way upstairs. Carina watched her leave and couldn't help the small smile and slight blush that appeared on her face. She felt like a schoolgirl with a crush, and just the idea of sorting out supplies with Maya seemed like the best way to spend her morning.
***
Carina and Maya were working quietly side by side, sharing quick glances and secret smiles. Every now and then, their hands would brush when they passed an item around or tried to grab the same thing, and inevitably they would blush and giggle before avoiding their gaze.
When they were done and Maya had stored the supplies away, they sat side by side at the desk, both trying to come up with something to talk about to extend their time together.
- So... - Carina started - How have you been? Is everything going well with Diane?
- Yeah, she says she's with happy with my progress, and I really feel like it's helping. How are you? How is your stomach? I'm so so sorry again about the lasagna, I never meant for that to happen.
Carina chuckled. - It's okay, Maya, it was an accident, and I'm feeling just fine now.
- Good, that's good...
They went quiet again, until Carina turned to Maya and hesitantly began to speak. - I have to admit... I didn't really need to sort out the supplies today, but I was hoping I would run into you without the stress of running around in the clinic. - she said shyly, while blushing and fidgeting with her hands.
Maya smiled. - I have been counting down the days until clinic day when I'd get to see you again, but I'm so glad you dropped by before that.
Carina reached out to hold Maya's hand, their fingers intertwining while they stared at each other, lost in the moment. They could both feel the connection between them resurfacing, both instinctively leaning forward, drawn towards each other like magnets. They stayed like that for minutes that felt like hours, until the phone ringing startled them and made they jump slightly. Carina went to let go, assuming Maya would snap into work mode, but the blonde kept hold of her hand and reached for the phone with the other. She kept staring at her wife while she answered.
- Station 19, this is Lieutenant Bishop speaking, how can I help you?
As Maya engaged in conevrsation with the caller, Carina couldn't stop staring at her. How beautiful she looked in the soft morning light, how her brow would slighlty crease while she tried to reason with the person at the other end of the line, how her head bowed in shyness as the caller thanked her endlessly for her help. She was truly breathtaking, and feeling her hand strongly holding her own, Carina felt hopeful for their future.
Hours later, when the team was already back and the two wives ran out of excuses to stay in their bubble, Carina left a soft kiss on Maya's cheek before saying goodbye, and the blonde gently placed her hand on the small of Carina's back while she guided her out the door. With one woman making her way towards her car and the other watching her retreating form, there was one thought in both their minds.
They were going to be okay.