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"Jake," a familiar voice called out, snapping him back to reality. It was Chief Whittaker, looking worn but relieved. "Harris has been processed. He's not going anywhere for a long time."
"And Rebecca?" Jake asked, concern etching lines onto his forehead.
"Alive and okay," Whittaker replied with a weary smile. "Amazingly, it turns out she and Luke were long-lost siblings. The kid got lost when they were young, never seen again... until now."
"Thank God," Jake murmured as he ran a hand through his disheveled hair. But despite the relief that flooded him at the news, he couldn't shake the dread that still coiled in his gut. Fiona. She was all that mattered now.
"No word on Ms. Red's condition yet?" Whittaker asked.
Jake shook his head, his throat tight with emotion. "No. The doctors are still working on her. All I know is that the hornet's venom can be deadly, and she got stung a lot."
Whittaker's expression softened. "We're all praying for her, son. She's a tough one, that Fiona. She's survived worse before and comes out on top. I have faith she'll make it through this too."
Jake nodded, the words offering some small comfort. But he couldn't shake the gnawing fear in his gut. Fiona was strong, but this was different. The swarm had been relentless, and the venom had spread through her body like wildfire.
"I just need to see her," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Whittaker nodded understandingly. "I know, Tucker. But the doctors need time. They're doing everything they can to stabilize her."
Jake clenched his fists, feeling a surge of frustration and anger. He couldn't stand the thought of being powerless, of not being able to help the woman he cared about.
It was then that he realized this was his chance. With Chief Whittaker right in front of him, he had an opportunity to seize--something he couldn't run from once he vocalized it.
"Chief," Jake said. Maybe it was adrenaline, maybe it was stupidity, but he had to do this. "There's... something I need to tell you."
Chief Whittaker looked at Jake and crossed his arms. "What is it, Tucker?"
Jake rubbed the back of his neck. "I... when Lauren and I were partners, we were seeing each other too."
Jake held his breath. Whittaker lifted a brow.
"You mean romantically," he said.
Jake nodded.
"You should have disclosed that, Tucker," Whittaker said. "What you do outside of work isn't my business, but that was something we should have known."
"I know," Jake said, "and I'm sorry, sir. It was cowardly of me. I couldn't commit to Lauren, and so I couldn't commit to disclosing our relationship. It's why she transferred."
"I see," Chief Whittaker said. "So why are you telling me this now?"
"Because, sir," Jake said, "I've developed feelings for Fiona, and I don't want to make the same mistakes with her."
Whittaker's expression softened. "I see. And what do you plan on doing about it?"
Jake took a deep breath, gathering his courage. "If she makes it through this... I want to tell her. I want to tell her how I feel, and I want to see where it goes. I can't keep running from my own feelings anymore."
Whittaker nodded thoughtfully. "You know, Tucker, I've seen a lot of things in my time as chief of this department. I've seen good men make mistakes, and I've seen them make amends. And sometimes, those mistakes can lead to something beautiful, something they never would have found if they hadn't made them in the first place."
Jake furrowed his brow in confusion. "What are you saying, sir?"
"I'm saying that life is too short to live with regrets. If you care about this woman, and you think she feels the same, then don't wait. Life is too unpredictable to wait for the perfect moment. Sometimes, you just have to take a leap of faith."
Jake nodded, feeling a sense of clarity wash over him. He knew what he had to do – he had to take that leap of faith.
"Thank you, sir," Jake said, feeling relieved. He didn't know why he'd been so afraid to tell Whittaker the truth. Harold Whittaker could be a hard ass, but he was a good man, and he had a good heart.
"Just make sure Fiona wakes up for me, okay?" Whittaker said. He gave Jake a gentle pat on the shoulder before he left down the hallway.
