Where Secrets Lie

"Please don't tell me that you're quitting." Chief sat down in his chair and rolled across the floor to her. Grant wore an equally concerned expression, and the scene was almost comical to her.

"I'm not quitting." She sighed. She couldn't tell them the whole truth, but she could tell them part of it. "I've been dealing with Alyssa. She's gotten involved in something dangerous, and I'm trying to get her out of it, but it's taking a lot longer than I thought. I'm sorry. I want to come back, but I have to put Alyssa first."

The chief looked at her with a thoughtful expression on his face. However, his face quickly softened. "Do you want to know why I was so hard on you two about catching Mancini?" he asked.

Kara shook her head. "No, why?"

"I know how you feel in this situation, Kara. I used to have a brother who was my best friend. He got mixed up with Mancini's group, and they ultimately caused his death."

"Chief, I had no idea," Grant said. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"I didn't want you to think my judgment was hindered because of my brother," he said then he looked back at Kara. "Kara, you helped me get justice for my brother by catching Mancini, so I can't deny you yours. You can take six months of Family Medical Leave, but that's all I can afford."

"Thank you," was all she could manage even though she had a few questions.

"Just be careful, and remember that APD does not sanction vigilante justice. I have to say that." He stood and walked out before Kara or Grant could say anything else.

They had known he had a brother, but one day he suddenly stopped talking about him, and they didn't know why. She wanted to properly thank him, but she knew it wasn't the right time. He was clearly still dealing with his brother's death.

She turned to Grant, expecting to see his smiling face, but he wore a worried frown. "I hope you're not getting yourself in over your head. If you need me, I'll be waiting for your call, but I won't be around forever." He glanced through the glass window at Michael as he flirted with women. A hint of hatred filled his eyes, and he looked back at Kara with confusion.

"Thank you, I will remember that." She squeezed Grant's arm and felt his muscles relax. She searched within her for the words that would make him quit worrying about her, but she couldn't find them.

She released him and told him goodbye before heading out of the office and back toward Michael. It was nearly impossible to make it past the crowd of unprofessional adoring female officers. They acted more like a herd of high school girls than officers of the law.

Michael turned off the car engine but didn't get out. "What's bothering you?" he asked.

Kara looked at his long blonde eyelashes. They fluttered when he spoke, and she felt an emotional warmth radiating from him that made her forget what he was. She melted inside but quickly shielded herself.

She looked away from him and up at the large mansion she now called home. "I've worked at APD for six years, and I've never taken a day off. I've never even called in sick."

Wrinkles formed on Michael's flawless forehead. "I don't understand. You were given 6 months, paid. How is that a bad thing?"

Kara gave him a suspicious stare. She hadn't told him anything that she discussed with the chief in his office.

"Vampires hear very well," he explained. "If you are so upset about missing out on the apprehension of criminals, I could help make the transition easier. I have a pair of handcuffs and a 'nightstick' in my bedroom." He winked at Kara and gave her a seductive grin.

"You have got to be kidding me!" Kara laughed.

"I have never been more serious about anything in my entire life." Michael feigned solemnness.

The expression he made sent Kara into a fit of giggles, and she could not comprehend how someone that she had previously thought of as a monster had suddenly turned her into a schoolgirl. Blood rushed to her face and she abruptly climbed out of the car. However, he chased after her and grabbed her arm. He spun her around, but she was the first to speak. "How did you know that something was bothering me?" The words spilled out like a flood.

Michael shrugged his shoulders. It seemed that, for once, he was also lost for words. "I just knew."