AN: Goal: 250 PS reached. Here you go a bonus chapter. Keep those Powerstones coming.
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[Next Morning – Chloe's Apartment]
Chloe pulled open the front door. The newspaper was on the step. As she picked up the newspaper, the familiar courier truck pulled to a stop in front of her building. The driver hopped out with his usual easy grin. He went to the back and took out the items. Then walked over to Chloe.
"Morning, Detective," he said, clipboard in hand.
"Morning," She said with a smile as he gave her a pen and the clipboard.
She signed quickly, already spotting the bouquet tucked under his arm. This time, instead of chocolates, the flowers came with a bag of gummy bears tied to the wrapping. Balanced on the driver's other arm was a large gift box, bright with cartoon wrapping paper, Trixie's name written across it in big looping letters.
"Thanks," Chloe said warmly as he passed everything over.
She shut the door behind her and let out a small laugh. Flowers, sweet and sometimes toys—every morning it was something different, but always thoughtful. Alex never missed a day. She brought the bouquet to her nose, inhaling the fresh scent, and smiled to herself.
"Mom, what's that?" Trixie's voice carried from the kitchen.
Chloe carried the gifts in and placed the flowers and gummy bears on the table. Trixie was sitting on her chair, swinging her legs as she spooned cereal into her mouth. Her eyes widened the second she saw the colorful box.
"Is that for me?" she asked, voice bubbling with excitement.
Chloe set it down in front of her. "Why don't you check the tag?"
Trixie leaned in, cereal forgotten. Her face lit up as she read her name. "It is for me!" Then she looked up at Chloe. "Alex?"
"Who else spoils you at breakfast?" Chloe said.
"Can we open it now? Please?" Trixie pleaded with puppy-like eyes.
"Finish your breakfast first," Chloe teased.
"Mooom," Trixie groaned.
"Alright, let's open it together," Chloe moved the cereal bowl.
Together, they peeled the cover to reveal a sturdy box inside. Chloe lifted the lid, and both mother and daughter stared.
On top sat a mint-condition comic, the cover bright and bold: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1. Underneath was a full set of turtle toys, each one detailed with bandanas, tiny weapons, and buttons on their shells.
Trixie gasped so hard Chloe thought she might choke on her own excitement. "No way! Ninja turtles? And toys?" She picked one up, pressed a button, and giggled as the toy's voice crackled to life. "Mom, this is so cool! I saw the trailer on YouTube last night. It was so cool. I can't believe he sent me another new comic and toys."
Trixie hugged the comic and toys against her chest like they were treasure.
"I love him. He always knows what I like." She looked up at Chloe, eyes shining with seven-year-old certainty. "When are you going to introduce me to him? I want to meet Alex for real. I want to thank him for so many gifts."
Chloe hesitated, the question hitting her harder than she expected. She reached out, smoothing Trixie's hair. "Soon, Monkey. I promise. When the time is right."
Trixie's smile returned as she cuddled the toy turtle. "Okay. I hope he likes pizza. Because ninja turtles love pizza."
Chloe laughed, placing a kiss on the top of her daughter's head before glancing at the flowers again. "Something tells me he'll love pizza just fine."
...
[15 minutes later]
The doorbell rang. Chloe wiped her hands on a dish towel and went to answer.
Dan stood on the doorstep, his badge clipped at his belt, casual button-down rolled at the sleeves. He gave her a polite smile, but his eyes immediately flicked past her shoulder. The flowers on the counter were hard to miss. So was the toy box on the table.
"Morning," he said.
"Morning, Dan," Chloe replied, stepping aside so he could come in.
He walked in, his eyes fell on the bouquet. "More flowers?"
Before Chloe could respond, Trixie came bounding out of her room with her school bag. "Dad! Look what Alex sent me! He got me Ninja Turtles, the first comic and all the toys. Isn't it cool?" She shoved one of the toys at him proudly.
Dan froze, then looked up at Chloe. "Alex?"
Trixie didn't notice the tension. She was too busy pressing the toy's button to make it talk.
Dan's jaw tightened. "You're seeing someone?"
Chloe exhaled slowly. "Dan…"
He gestured at the table. "This isn't just flowers at work anymore. This is your house. Our daughter's opening gifts from some guy I don't even know. And you didn't think maybe I should hear about this before it turned into… this?"
Chloe folded her arms, meeting his stare. "There's nothing to hear, Dan. I gave this a lot of thought before deciding to see Alex. You might not like it, but we aren't together anymore. It's time to move on, and it's time I decide what's best for myself and Trixie."
Dan's jaw worked, but he didn't answer right away. His eyes flicked to the flowers, then to Trixie who was happily lining up the toy turtles on the table. His voice dropped a notch. "I just don't like that he's in your home. In her world. Without me knowing who he really is."
"What are you talking about? He was never here, and she never met her. We talked, and I told him about Trixie. So, whenever he sends me gifts, he sends something for her too. It's called caring, Dan. Besides, you don't see me interfering with your private life, do you? And I was going to tell you soon, after I was ready, but you are still the same," Chloe said softly.
Trixie paused, sensing the tension. She looked between them with wide eyes. "Are you guys fighting again?"
Chloe crouched beside her, smoothing a hand over her hair. "No, Monkey. We're not fighting."
Dan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "She's right. We're not fighting. Dad's just… worried about you, that's all."
Trixie tilted her head. "You don't have to worry. Alex is nice. He always sends me presents. He's cool. I want to thank him when we meet."
Chloe and Dan both looked at each other for a moment before Dan finally picked up Trixie's school bag. "Come on, little human. Time to go to school."
Chloe followed them out, watching as Trixie climbed into Dan's car.
When Chloe leaned down to kiss her daughter's cheek, she felt Dan's gaze still on her. There was something in it she recognized—something sharper than worry.
Jealousy.
He slid into the driver's seat, started the car, and pulled away.
...
[Later that day – LAPD Precinct]
The bullpen hummed with its usual rhythm. Phones ringing, papers shuffling, the occasional bark from a detective across the room. Chloe sat at her desk, staring at the open file in front of her. She had been reading the same sentence for the last five minutes and couldn't recall a word of it.
Her mind kept drifting. Back to the argument with Dan that morning. Forward to tomorrow night and the thought of Alex waiting for her. She rubbed her temple, trying to will herself back into focus.
[Forensic Lab]
The hum of machines filled the room as Ella Lopez flipped through a stack of printouts, a lollipop tucked between her teeth. Chloe walked in.
"Lopez, got the blood test results from the Jefferson case?" Chloe asked in a calm voice, but she looked distracted.
Ella looked up with her usual sunshine grin and held up the folder. "Hot off the press."
Chloe took it, her fingers brushing the edge of the file as if her mind wasn't fully there. She gave a polite smile and turned toward the door.
But Ella's eyes narrowed. "Hold up. Pause. Reverse."
Chloe stopped mid-step, confused. "What?"
"You've got the look." Ella pointed dramatically with her lollipop stick. "Not your 'bad guy's-gonna-walk' look. Not your 'Worried mommy' look. This is new. Spill, Decker."
Chloe let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "It's nothing."
"Liar," Ella called out, hopping off her stool. "Your face is literally screaming 'internal soap opera.'"
Chloe sighed, clutching the folder tighter. She opened the door, hesitated, then shut it again with a heavy exhale. She turned back, eyes softer now.
"Okay," she said quietly. "You caught me. Can you… maybe come with me later? After work? To—uh, The Velvet Hanger. It's a boutique on Melrose. I kind of… need help picking a dress."
Ella blinked. Processing. Then blinked again.
"Wait wait wait. A dress? For a date?!"
Chloe gave her a wary smile, brushing her hair back. "Yes. Tomorrow night."
Ella's lollipop nearly fell out of her mouth. She gasped, eyes going wide before she rushed across the room and threw her arms around Chloe.
"Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh! You're going on a date! A real, live date!" She squeezed Chloe tightly. "I would love to help. And you have to tell me everything. Who is he? Where'd you meet him? Is he tall? Does he watch Criminal Minds? Does he like dogs? Please tell me he likes dogs."
Chloe laughed despite herself, shaking her head. "One step at a time, Lopez."
Ella pulled back, eyes sparkling with pure glee. "Detective Chloe Decker, secret romantic! I knew there was a soft side hiding under all that detective armor. And I was right, wasn't I? Those flowers and chocolates are from him."
Chloe rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Yes. Just… keep it between us, okay?"
"Totally," She gave a thumbs up. "You can trust me. Oh, wait! You already trust me, or else you wouldn't be saying this to me. Thank you for trusting me."
"Okay. I'll see you after work, then?" Chloe said.
"Yeah. After work," Ella said with a smile.
...
[Late afternoon– Mr. & Mrs. Smith Set]
The echo of blank gunfire still hung in the air, even though the last take had wrapped almost an hour ago. Crew members wheeled away shattered car doors, bullet-riddled props, and rigged-up panels of fake concrete. The smell of smoke and gasoline clung stubbornly to the soundstage.
"Cut! That's it!" Lexy's voice rang out. She lowered the monitor with a grin wide enough to split her face. "Ladies and gentlemen… that is a wrap on the car shootout and jailbreak."
Applause broke across the set. A few of the stunt crew whooped and high-fived each other, their knuckles still bruised from pounding through the takes. The camera operators leaned back in their chairs, shoulders finally relaxing.
Angelina stepped out of the wrecked SUV, hair mussed, makeup smudged to perfection. Sweat glistened on her neck and collarbone, but her eyes sparkled with the afterglow of adrenaline. She tugged off her gun holsters, dropping them on the hood with a satisfying clunk.
'Dang! Her eyes... so sexy,' He thought with a smirk. No matter how many times he sees her... The way she looks at him makes his heart beat faster, every single time.
Alex climbed out from the other side. His white shirt was in tatters, streaked with dust and faint scorch marks from a controlled fireburst. His chest still rose and fell heavily as if he hadn't quite come down from the fight.
He caught Angelina's gaze across the roof of the car. For a beat, neither said anything. Then he gave a slow, satisfied nod.
"Hell of a ride," Alex said loudly.
Angelina smirked, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Not bad for a day's work. I'd almost say we make a good team."
"Almost?" he teased.
"Don't get cocky," she shot back, but her smile betrayed her.
Lexy ran over, headset around her neck, clutching the tablet like it was the holy grail. "You two... Ah! Forget it. I've run out of praises. The rush, the fire—God, this will look insane once we drop in the final layers. The edits will pop like fireworks."
"Glad you're happy," Alex said, rolling his shoulder with a wince. "My left side feels like it got run over by that SUV."
"Small price to pay for cinematic history," Lexy quipped, then softened. "Honestly though, you both were flawless. There's barely anything left now. Just a handful of inserts and minor coverage with the others. Ninety-seven percent in the can."
Angelina let out a slow breath, her expression shifting. Relief mixed with something heavier. Well, who could blame her? This movie will define her comeback. So, yeah. She was a little nervous. "So… we're almost done."
Alex looked at her closely, sensing the weight behind the words. He patted her back. "Yeah. Almost."
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[6 advance chs] [All chs available for all tiers] [No double billing.]
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