This story involves the characters Tandy Bowen and Dt. Brigid O'Reilly from the TV show Cloak and Dagger.
...
Sat alone in her little apartment Dt. O'Reilly held back a yawn; struggling to read through her case notes in the deepening darkness. Disinterested with administrative procedures she looked out through the steamy window to the streetlights beyond; heavy droplets of rain obscuring her view. The brunette sighed; New Orleans was a different bird.
Stroking back a loose lock of wavy brown hair O'Reilly considered for the millionth time why she had left New York for this backwater town; where police peddled drugs instead of busting them. Maybe she wanted this, maybe crooked cops weren't so intimidating when aliens kept raining from the sky at home. Then again; maybe something supernatural was happening here...
A sudden knocking jolting her back to reality O'Reilly sprung from her chair. Suspicious of her unexpected visitor the brunette thumbed the hammer of her police-issued firearm, holster still strapped around her hip; Whoever came to the door of a Cop at 1 am wanted something badly. Stepping towards the entrance she instinctively tensed, all too aware of the enemies she had been making recently. Leaning against the flimsy wooden portal she peered cautiously through the spyhole.
Visibly relaxing, O'Reilly released the grip of her weapon to open the latch and pull back the security bolt, swinging open the doorway to reveal the young woman on the other side:
"Well this is unexpected."
Shivering, Tandy Bowen smiled back weakly:
"Hey Dt. O'Reilly."
"Ready to give me that statement Ms. Bowen?"
Gripping her flimsy jacket tight around her shoulders, the homeless girl shook her head:
"Nope."
Crossing her arms O'Reilly bit back her frustration; this unexpected visitor was as stubborn as the rain rushing down from above. Over the last three weeks she had repeatedly tried to find this girl; now she was on her doorstep.
"So what brings you here?"
Inspecting the girl's face O'Reilly realised just how drenched Tandy truly was; cold droplets of rain dripping down over her sweet features, bright blonde hair matted into wavy golden tendrils:
"Uh-hmm, well my house..."
"You mean the hole where you are squatting??"
"Yeah, well it has a leaky roof..."
Watching the stubborn girl shift awkwardly on her doorstep, the Detective frowned as she finally spoke up:
"Sooo... Could I maybe crash here tonight??"
Careful to remain professional O'Reilly cleared her throat as she leant against the doorframe:
"Out of the question: I'm a cop and you're a juvenile delinquent. Besides why not stay with your Mom??"
Again watching those big brown eyes drop back down to the doormat, Maddy felt a pang of sympathy as the girl responded:
"She's back in rehab."
Making eye contact, the two women stared back at each other from across the threshold, Shield and Dagger facing off for several long seconds. Swallowing her pride, Tandy made a final plea:
"Look, I know you're investigating me so this is probably, I dunno, inappropriate. I get that. But you said you'd help me and I... I don't have anywhere else to go."
Considering what Tandy was saying the Detective's rational brain fought her emotional heart, well aware of the codes of conduct she would be breaking by letting this girl/con-artist crash in her apartment. On top of that Tandy was a skilled manipulator; known for grifting marks across New Orleans. What if she was just her latest stooge? Standing before Tandy now however, silhouetted against the dark night and rain beyond, O'Reilly couldn't help but see her vulnerability. Groaning she thumped the side of her head against the wooden frame, making a grudging decision:
Stepping aside for her a bright smile lit up Tandy's perfect face, the girl gratefully stepping out of the rain into the Detective's small apartment. Closing the door behind the blonde, O'Reilly grimaced as she stepped off the doormat, tracking water across the carpet as she shrugged off her backpack:
"This is it?"
Big brown eyes surveying her shabby surroundings, Tandy crinkled her nose disdainfully.
"Wow. How are you making me regret this already??"
Exasperated O'Reilly shook her head, stepping around her bedraggled houseguest:
"Its a studio Bowen, not a penthouse. Unfortunately for you I can't afford any bigger. Given that you live on the streets I'm surprised you have such high standards..."
Biting her tongue, Tandy lowered her head:
"Sorry."
"Its fine. But you're still gonna have to sleep on the couch..."
Eyes again trawling over the dim open space, Tandy's gaze fell onto a stack of evidence boxes piled high against the back wall:
"That'll be fine."
Meeting the brunette's steely eye once; Tandy sensed the warmth beneath the Detective's tough exterior, the sharp but attractive brunette emitting kindness in-spite of her rigid loyalty to the law. And Tandy knew she could use that:
"Sooo... what do you go by when you're not on Duty Officer O'Reilly?"
Allowing herself a small smile, the brunette responded honestly:
"Brigid."
"Well I'm Tandy."
Nodding O'Reilly looked her guest up and down, remembering the girl was still soaked; the young blonde trembling in the dim light of a bare bulb. Still drenched, the Detective noticed how her crisp white top and bright blue jeans had been stained by the harsh downpour. Material left practically see-through, her eyes lingered unconsciously on the blonde's chest, the saturated cotton clinging to Tandy's pale skin; revealing the outline of a blue bra. Clearing her throat awkwardly, the Detective tore her gaze away:
"You must be freezing. I'd better find you something to dry up..."
Striding over to the bathroom she left the girl to herself. Removing her jacket and tugging a phone from her tight back pocket Tandy hastily wiped the screen; making sure the device was still functioning. When the Detective returned she gratefully accepted the soft green towel offered, the brunette wrapping it around her shoulders before brusquely rubbing her down. Initially uncomfortable in this awkward embrace, Tandy eventually accepted the other woman's help, strong hands working over her curvaceous little frame.
"Thanks."
Nodding back curtly, for a moment both women held each other's gaze, O'Reilly still holding the blonde girl in her arms. Fingers brushing together, Tandy was suddenly overwhelmed by feelings of Hope:
...