30

Karadec stepped out of the elevator with a practiced ease, drinking from his coffee mug in one hand, a case file in the other, and skimming notes as he walked.

He had just come back from an errand tied to the case they were currently working, which he was handling mostly on his own for now.

Morgan wasn't with him. She had taken a much-needed leave, something the whole team had encouraged so she could completely pull herself together before jumping back into the field.

The precinct was a familiar blur of chatter, ringing phones, and the low hum of printers, but he moved through it like muscle memory.

"Detective Karadec?"

He stopped mid-sip and looked up.

It was Ava.

He blinked, surprised, lowering his cup. "Ava? Hey—what are you doing here?"

She offered a warm, slightly nervous smile as she stepped closer.

"I just came from Lieutenant Soto's office. Thought it'd be a long shot catching you, but... perfect timing, I guess."

Karadec tucked the file under his arm, giving her his full attention now. "How are you doing? How's your mom? And Elliot and Chloe?"

"We're... good. Definitely getting better." Her voice was steady, but there was a quiet honesty beneath it. "Mom's taking things one day at a time. Elliot's back to asking a hundred questions an hour, so that's a good sign."

Karadec smiled. "That sounds about right."

Ava hesitated, then added, "I actually came to see you too. I wanted to say thank you. Not just for saving us, but for always being there for my mom. I know she's not the easiest person to let in, but you two built something solid. She trusts you. That means a lot to me."

Karadec's expression softened. "Ava, I'd do it all over again. No question. Your mom, you and your siblings, you matter to all of us. And your mom's one of the best I've ever worked with. She's family."

"I told Lieutenant Soto the same thing," Ava said with a grin. "I still need to find time to bug Detective Daphne and Detective Oz. Give them their official 'thank-you moment.' Hopefully they're not knee-deep in duty when I do."

Karadec chuckled. "They'll love that."

"Oh, before I forget," Ava reached into her bag and pulled out a thick envelope. "This is for you. From me and Elliot."

Karadec took it with raised brows. "Really? Wow."

"Just a little something," she said with a modest shrug. "You can check it out later, when you've got a moment."

Karadec nodded, though a flicker of curiosity crossed his face.

"Alright. I will," he said, even though part of him already wanted to tear it open right there.

Ava smiled. "Anyway... thank you again. For everything."

He returned the smile, warm and genuine. "Take care, Ava."

"See you around, Detective."

She turned and walked off down the hall, and Karadec stood for a beat longer, envelope in hand, before tucking it carefully under his arm.

Later, when Karadec finally had a quiet moment, he slipped the envelope open at his desk.

Inside was a small piece of artwork from Ava—a simple but striking sketch of a lone detective standing under a streetlamp, the kind of moody, thoughtful piece that carried more emotion than detail.

Beneath it was a folded note from Elliot, along with a neatly drawn diagram labeled "Tactical Detective Toolkit", listing items like a flashlight, coffee thermos, and at the bottom—'a good partner', with a tiny doodle of Karadec and Morgan sketched beside it.

Karadec smiled, the kind that lingered. He quietly set the envelope aside, already knowing he'd be keeping both.

He leaned back in his chair, still holding the drawing, and stared at the ceiling for a second. Then he looked back down at the sketch of the detective, his thumb brushing lightly along the edge of the page.

He didn't need a trophy. This was better.

A moment later, footsteps approached from across the bullpen.

Lieutenant Soto emerged from her office. She walked over to Karadec's desk, glancing down at the papers spread across it before speaking.

"I need a status report by end of day on the Millen file," she said, her tone brisk but not rushed. "After that, I want you at the construction site for the forensics pass-through. Take point until I get there."

Karadec nodded, straightening slightly. "Got it."

She was about to step away when her eyes caught on the sketch still in his hand. A small smile pulled at the corner of her mouth.

"Those from Ava and Elliot?"

Karadec looked down again, his expression softening. "Yeah. Just opened it."

Soto didn't say anything at first. She stood there, arms loosely crossed, gaze fixed on the art without fully looking at it. Then her voice lowered, slower and quieter.

Then, with a quiet edge to her tone, she said, "You know... some partnerships, they just work. Clean. Efficient. But some... some change you."

Karadec glanced up at her, the line catching him off guard. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. "Just an observation. Yours with Morgan wasn't just solid. It became... something else."

Karadec shifted in his chair. "We made a good team. I know that."

Soto gave him a look—pointed, patient, and entirely unconvinced. But instead of pressing, her voice softened and lowered.

"I saw it, Adam. From the first time she joined a case with us. You became different. More sharp, more focused. You were... comfortable. And confident. And don't try to say you weren't."

Karadec huffed out a short breath and gave a half-shrug, the corner of his mouth twitching.

"Well... I mean," he said, almost sheepishly, "she's a lot."

"She's a lot, yeah. But you let her push you in ways I never could. Ways no one ever could," Soto agreed, chuckling. "You think I haven't been paying attention? You're one of the most guarded guys I've ever met. But with Morgan? You never backed off. You leaned in. You gave her space, and patience. She brought something out in you."

Karadec didn't speak. His smile faded slowly, a more pensive look settling in.

"I've seen the way you look at her when she's not watching," she continued, voice steady. "The way you listen when she talks. You never tuned anyone in like that. She challenges you, drives you crazy, but you stay. Every time. You follow her lead. You believe in what she believes, even when it's messy. That's not your style, Adam."

He looked away, his jaw tightening slightly, but he didn't argue.

"I saw what you did for her. You broke protocol, went against the law for God's sake. It was far from the real you. But you became capable of doing all that for Morgan." Soto said, her voice a little rougher now. "That's... something. Like real serious thing. And deep down, I think you've known that for a while now."

"Honestly..." Karadec began, his voice quieter than before, "I don't know if I should go there. She's been through hell. I don't know if she's ready. And I don't want to risk what we've built."

Soto gave a knowing nod, her voice gentling.

"Then wait. But don't lie to yourself about it. She has stood shoulder to shoulder with you through things that would've broken anyone else. And you, Mr. Rules and Lines, bent the entire damn book for her. That tells me everything."

She paused, eyes steady on him.

"It tells me... she's the exception."

Karadec finally let out a breath, one that seemed to carry something heavier with it than he realized.

Then, she added with a smirk, "Look, I'm not usually one to endorse workplace romance. But you two? That chemistry's so strong, I'm just trying to get out of its way."

Karadec's gaze drifted back down to the sketch. He exhaled slowly.

"She's the only one," he said at last, the words almost a whisper. "Out of everyone who's come and gone... she's the only one I can see standing beside me. For a long time. For real."

She gave him a long knowing look, the kind that saw more than it said.

"When you're ready... tell her," Soto said, her voice softer but firm. "And you better not hold back."

Karadec shook his head slightly, a faint, wry smile appearing. "You always did read me better than I liked."

She smirked, then gave his desk a light tap with her palm.

"Of course. Now get that report in before I regret this entire conversation."

With that, Soto turned and headed back toward her office.

As Karadec sat there, his thoughts full of Morgan's voice, her stubbornness, her courage. He felt something shift. 

And now... he had to figure out what to do about it.