Chapter 5: A Surprising Revelation

Emily walked into the police station expecting the same chaos wrapped in monotony—a coffee that barely did its job, overflowing paperwork, and at least one complaint from a resident who believed raccoons were plotting against them.

But as she turned the corner into her department's wing, the sight at her desk stopped her mid-step.

Liam was already there.

Not just loitering or waiting for her like he sometimes did to gloat about beating her to work—but sitting at her desk. With a stack of files in front of him and that infuriatingly smug look she knew all too well.

"Morning, Emily," he said without looking up, flipping through a page. "I see you're running a bit behind schedule today. Oversleep or just distracted by your love life?"

Emily exhaled sharply through her nose, keeping her expression neutral. Don't punch him. It's too early in the day for paperwork and prison. She strolled up to her desk with measured calm. "What are you doing in my chair, Liam? Got bored of your own mediocre space?"

Liam leaned back, folding his hands behind his head like he'd just cracked a national conspiracy. "Finished the investigation," he said casually, as if he were talking about making a sandwich. "Marked the hideout spot. Confirmed movements. Even identified the leader."

Emily's brows lifted. That was impressive—but no way she was going to give him that. "Well, I'm sure that was exhausting, using your one working brain cell for so long."

He chuckled, clearly unfazed. "Actually, it was surprisingly straightforward. I'm kinda shocked you didn't crack it first, Detective Carter."

Her jaw clenched, and she opened her mouth to respond, but before she could serve a reply sharp enough to slice steel, she noticed Sarah, their fellow officer, hovering nearby. Emily pivoted, smirking. "Hey, Carla, you won't believe what my man did for me last night."

Carla's ears perked up, eager for some workplace gossip. "Oh yeah? Alex again?"

Emily nodded, the memory of Alex's sweet gestures from the night before fresh in her mind. "He took me on a date after which he surprised me with a homemade dinner. Lit candles, a handwritten note, even figured out how to make chocolate lava cake. I'm starting to think he's been spying on Pinterest."

Liam snorted loudly from behind her. "That sounds like a real thrill ride. Must've been difficult, watching him try to get his hands on you all night without knocking over the table."

Emily's back straightened. Her cheeks flushed—not from embarrassment, but from rage. She turned slowly, locking eyes with him. "Wow, Liam. I'm so impressed you managed to observe that from across the room. Your surveillance skills must be top tier. Next time, maybe offer commentary while you're at it."

Carla looked like she'd rather be anywhere else. She quietly excused herself with a mumbled "I've got reports to finish."

Liam raised a brow, a crooked smile playing on his lips. "I'm just calling it like I see it. You can't blame a guy for noticing things. Comes with the badge."

Emily stepped closer, her voice low and controlled. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

Liam's smirk didn't falter. "Maybe not. But it is entertaining to watch."

The air between them tightened like a stretched wire, and for a second, Emily genuinely debated whether knocking his coffee cup off the desk would be worth the impending lecture from their superior.

Instead, she drew a deep breath. "Let's just focus on the case, shall we?" Her tone could freeze lava.

Liam gave a mock salute, his smug expression melting into something more serious. "Agreed. Back to work."

The next few hours were a blur of files, footage, and tactical reports. The tension still lingered, heavy like humidity in a storm, but neither of them let it stop their flow. Despite their personal jabs and emotional landmines, they were annoyingly efficient together.

They shared quick glances while dissecting footage—reading each other's thoughts without speaking. Emily would catch details Liam missed; Liam would offer connections Emily hadn't thought of yet. When one stumbled, the other picked up the slack without question.

It was… seamless. And maddening.

"Anything new from surveillance?" Emily asked, her voice returning to neutral professionalism.

Liam nodded, sliding over a folder. "Traffic cam footage confirmed the car leaving the warehouse last night belongs to someone from a previous bust. Got a partial plate match."

She took the folder, scanning it quickly. "Good catch."

"Don't sound so surprised."

"I'm not," she replied. "Just impressed you finally did your job without needing applause."

He chuckled. "There she is. Knew the compliment would come wrapped in sarcasm."

"Wouldn't want you thinking I've gone soft."

Hours passed, the sun slowly dipping beyond the city skyline outside their window. As the department quieted down, a rare moment of calm settled between them. Emily leaned back, rubbing her temples.

"You ever think about why you joined the force?" she asked, eyes still closed.

Liam tilted his head. "Deep question for someone who threatened to staple me earlier."

"I'm serious." She cracked one eye open. "You're good at this. Really good. But sometimes I wonder what makes people stay in a job like this, when they could do something easier."

He was quiet for a second. Then, "Because I've seen what happens when the wrong people stay in power. I've watched good people lose everything. If I can prevent that—even once—it's worth it."

Emily looked at him for a moment, surprised by the sincerity in his voice.

She nodded slowly. "Yeah. That's fair."

Liam tilted his head. "What about you? Why'd you join?"

Her gaze dropped to the badge clipped on her vest. "My dad wore this badge. Died wearing it. I used to think it was the only way to honor him… but now, I think I just want to make sure no other little girl grows up asking why the system let her down."

There was a pause. Something unspoken passed between them—something heavy but shared. A silent understanding forged through the scars of past wounds.

"Well," Liam said after a moment, clearing his throat and leaning back, "I'd say we make a pretty decent team, even if we annoy the hell out of each other."

Emily cracked a small smile. "Debatable. But yeah. We're not half-bad."

As the clock ticked past sunset and the rest of the station emptied out, Emily gathered her things. She pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to Alex, updating him about the long day. Her thumb hovered over the send button, and for a split second, her mind flashed back to Liam's smug grin and those quick-witted jabs. The tension, the sarcasm… the strange way he challenged her in ways no one else did.

She quickly shook the thought away and hit send.

As she headed toward the exit, Liam called after her. "Try not to dream about me too much tonight, Carter"

Emily didn't turn back, but her voice carried loud and clear down the hallway. "If I do, you're a background extra getting arrested."

Liam chuckled, the sound echoing through the quiet station.

Emily stepped out into the night, the city humming softly around her. Whatever the future held for her and Liam—chaos, arguments, camaraderie, or something even more confusing—she knew one thing:

She was ready.