Short Stories: His Concerns for the Detective [Chapter 1: L's POV] [Lex & Kyle Version]

"Hey! Wait up!" Parker's voice calls out from behind, but Lex barely registers it as he makes his way through the bustling evening shift staff.

He and Parker were finishing up their patrol when the news buzzed through the radio speakers: a body was discovered in the detective's office.

At that moment, everything in Lex's vision blurred, and the dispatcher's further instructions faded into jarring white noise.

Another murder. In the detective's office. In Name's office.

Thankfully, Parker was at the wheel, but even so, each minute of the drive back to the station felt like an eternity. He tried to call Name repeatedly, his heart pounding with each unanswered dial tone, but there was no response.

Lex bites his lip hard, tasting the metallic tang of blood as panic begins to rise within him. A lump forms in his throat, making it hard to breathe, and his body feels heavy, but despite the overwhelming sensations, he pushes forward because he knows it won't go away until he's sure Name is okay.

"Conlan! I said wait!" Parker's hand grabs his sleeve, but Lex jerks away, though he halts and turns to face Parker, aware of the curious glances of passing staff. "What do you think you're doing?" Looking around nervously, Parker steps closer, their voice dropping to a half-whisper. "Nothing happened! We need to wait for the captain's further instructions," Parker reminds him sternly, causing him to frown.

Nothing happened? Lex clenches his fists before forcing himself to relax, taking a deep breath, and stepping back.

"I need to check on Name," he says calmly, meeting Parker's gaze unwaveringly.

It's a priority that Parker may not understand, but the opinions of others hold little importance when Name's safety is at stake.

Because the body discovered in Name's office hardly qualifies as 'nothing happened' at all, and the anxiety in his chest feels like little needles piercing through him at the train of thoughts of what it might mean.

Is Name in danger? Is this a warning not to delve deeper? Could they be the next target? What if—

"I'll have to file a complaint against you for disobeying orders," Parker says, interrupting his thoughts, their tone is quite yet confident.

After a brief moment of silence, Lex nods slowly. "I know, and I deserve it," he responds simply, turning away and resuming his stride.

"Lex—"

Parker's voice fades into the background the moment he spots Captain Mathis near the briefing room, his feet guiding him toward the man as if on autopilot. "Captain Mathis!" 

The captain frowns, turning to face him. "Conlan? What are you doing here?"

"Sir, I tried—" Parker starts, remembering to salute, but Lex interrupts them.

"Captain Mathis, I've been unable to reach Nam— Detective Surname. Have you heard if they've arrived at the crime scene?" Despite the captain's frown, Lex presses on, "What if something's happened to them, and I—"

"The detective is fine," a voice interrupts, and Lex forces himself to maintain composure as the last person he wants to see emerges from the briefing room.

"Inspector Moreno." Parker salutes him, and after a brief pause, Lex repeats the gesture but quickly lowers his hand.

"Is Name okay? Have they arrived safely? Or—"

"The detective is on their way. The rest is none of your concern, Officer Conlan," Kyle interrupts sharply, his tone laced with steel, and Lex purses his lips.

Lex always disliked that arrogant asshole, not just for his attitude, but for something else he couldn't quite put his finger on. Something he sees in the inspector's eyes every time Name is mentioned—something that doesn't sit right with him.

And he doesn't like it.

"With all due respect, Inspector, Name is my friend, and their safety is my concern."

He notices the captain parting his lips to interject, but Kyle cuts him off again. "You forget where you are? This is a job, not daycare. You have responsibilities you have to fulfill."

"Name already left work, and you called them anyway, even though they're probably in danger! They don't have to live their job." 

Unlike some, the thought races through his mind, but he refrains from speaking it aloud.

Still, the heavily furrowed brow and the swollen vein on Kyle's temple indicate that his words have already stirred anger.

"Enough!" Captain Mathis barks sharply, redirecting his focus to Lex. "Conlan, Parker, since you can't seem to stay put, take the Sector A1 route with Captain Olsen's division. You'll be back just as the detective finishes."

Lex bites his tongue, barely managing to keep silent. It's better than just sitting around waiting for orders, but still—

"I suggest you extend their route," Kyle interjects, lifting his chin defiantly. "The detective is scheduled to visit my office after the crime scene, so they'll be occupied. Unlike some," he adds, his gaze fixed on Lex's.

Lex's fists clench, and Kyle purses his lips, not bothering to wait for a response before striding back into the briefing room.

What a despicable and utterly detestable—

"Conlan," the captain begins, his voice weary as he rubs his face. "I know you're worried, and if Surname finishes and attends the briefing, I'll tell them to call you once it's over. But right now, our priority is getting the job done." He places a comforting hand on Lex's shoulder, and he only now realizes how tense he's been the whole time.

Forcing himself to relax, Lex nods. The captain removes his hand, shifting his gaze between Lex and Parker. "Execute the order. If you encounter anyone from our division, inform them that instructions will be provided by the dispatcher shortly. You're dismissed."

Both Lex and Parker salute as the captain disappears through the briefing room doorway.

.

.

.

All along the route, Lex is restless, eager to complete the task, with Parker maintaining silence beside him. Not that he cares.

All that matters is finishing the job and making sure Name is okay. He can't help himself, checking his phone as often as he can, despite it being against protocol.

Name is just busy, and they're fine. They're fine, and as soon as they're free, they'll call.

He tightens his grip on the steering wheel. Please, please let everything be okay…

.

.

.

The patrol's route was finished, but Name still hadn't returned his call. Ignoring Parker's objections, he heads straight to the inspector's office.

'The detective is scheduled to visit my office after the crime scene, so they'll be occupied.'

Shit!

He feels guilty. Guilty for encouraging Name to accept the detective position. He knows they likely would have taken it even without his input, but still, back then, he believed he was acting in their best interest.

If only he could turn back time and convince Name to stay away from all this. They wouldn't have become a detective, wouldn't have grown close to Detective Bergmann, and wouldn't have left so shattered after his death. 

They'd be here with him instead of that damned inspector!

He feels the nails dig into his skin, the physical pain bringing him back to reality. What am I thinking?

He doesn't have an answer to that question, but he knows that guilt is weighing on him. Yet, there's something else too, something burning deep within him—a feeling he can't afford to acknowledge because they're friends.

Just friends...

He swerves into another hallway, and suddenly, his heart swells with joy, and all thoughts become clear, all doubts go away, and the surroundings brighten when he sees them.

"Name!"

His thoughts resonate with his body before he can even process them, and he quickens his pace towards them.

Fear, anxiety, worry, guilt, and every other emotion he shouldn't be feeling... They all fade away as clarity takes their place when their gaze meets his.

In less than a second, he's by their side, enveloping them in a tight embrace.

Name is safe. Lex squeezes his eyes shut, holding onto his friend tightly. As long as Name is safe, as long as they are here, in his arms...

Nothing else matters.