Ashley leaned against the wall, waiting for Mia and Maya to finish their discussion with Natalie inside the station. She let out a deep sigh, her wounds beginning to throb again. Despite the pain, she'd insisted on coming to file a report and submit her insurance claim—though, honestly, she didn't really need it.

Ashley glanced over at Mia, and then raised an eyebrow when she caught Natalie's eyes on her. "Still working with those wounds, Detective Amosa? Wow, that's some serious dedication to your job," Natalie teased, smirking.

Ashley rolled her eyes and picked up a dart, throwing it with precision at the board. "For the record, I'm not working. I'm just filing a report and all that, though I don't actually need it," she shrugged casually. "It's just for compliance."

Natalie laughed. "Yeah, right. People like you don't even have to worry about claims. Not necessary at all," she joked.

Mia glanced between Ashley and Natalie. "Even rich people have insurance," Ashley said, stepping forward. "And by the way, don't go updating my family on my life, alright? No 'Hey, Ashley blah blah blah,' got it?" She pointed firmly at Natalie.

Natalie leaned back in her swivel chair, chuckling softly. "You're a little too late for that, I must say," she said, reaching for her phone.

Ashley clicked her tongue, narrowing her eyes. "You're impossible," she muttered under her breath.

"I'm just kidding," Natalie shrugged. "It's not my business anyway."

"Right." Natalie clapped her hands together. "The formal report's been filed, and all necessary information has been provided. I've also been in touch with the director about the incident. Again, my apologies for the negligence yesterday," she said as she stood up.

Mia and Maya stood as well. "You don't need to apologize, Inspector," Maya said with sincerity. "If anything, I'm beyond grateful to you—and to Detective Amosa—for saving us."

"We're just doing our job," Natalie replied with a smile. "Serving the public, no matter the circumstances. So, is the taping going to continue as planned, or will it be postponed?" she asked as they walked out of her office. Maya and Natalie walked ahead of Mia and Ashley, talking to each other.

Mia reached out and tugged gently at the hem of Ashley's blazer. Ashley glanced down at her, lowering her head. "What's going on?" she asked softly.

Mia rolled her eyes, still holding onto Ashley's hem, but didn't respond. Why do I feel a little... jealous? Mia wondered, the thought lingering in her mind.

"Oh!" The group stopped when a cheerful voice interrupted them. A woman stood in front of them, waving enthusiastically. "Inspector Weiss, Ash!" she called.

"Lab queen!" Ashley grinned, waving back with a smile. Mia blinked, raising an eyebrow and releasing her hold on Ashley's blazer.

"Vaega," Natalie nodded at the woman, Gabriela, who had just approached. "Aren't you supposed to be in the lab?"

Gabriela laughed, walking past Natalie and wrapping her arms around Ashley's uninjured one. "Done with the lab for today," she said, glancing up at Ashley. "So, how's the stabbing victim? Heard you got yourself stabbed, huh?" she teased, giving Ashley an exaggerated once-over.

"I... uh..." Ashley flustered, glancing at Mia, who stood with her arms crossed, watching the exchange with a raised eyebrow. Ashley awkwardly laughed. "Gabi..."

"What's this? Detective Amosa's girlfriend?" Natalie clicked her tongue, teasing them both.

Gabriela paused, then burst into laughter. "No," she said, shaking her head and playfully pushing Ashley away. "For the record, Detective Amosa rejected me," she added, still chuckling.

Mia blinked, glancing from Ashley to Gabriela. Wait... so this is the friend she's been talking about? she thought, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Natalie blinked, glancing between Gabriela and Ashley, before turning to Mia with a look of surprise. "Wait—rejected?" She looked back at Ashley, who avoided her gaze, and then to Mia. Clearing her throat, Natalie pulled Gabriela toward her. "Right, we need to talk about something," she said. "We'll excuse ourselves now," she added, gesturing for Gabriela to follow as she walked away from the group.

"Mia," Maya whispered, her voice low. "You know, your eyes could cut glass right now," she added, laughing softly at Mia's reaction.

"Huh?" Mia blinked, still slightly bewildered. What...?



Ashley sipped her iced coffee, her gaze fixed on Mia, whose arms were stretched out across the table, face resting on them as she played on her phone. The silence between them had been palpable since earlier, and Ashley couldn't shake the thought—was Mia really jealous?

"Mia," Ashley called softly, setting her drink down and leaning forward.

Mia glanced up briefly, her expression unreadable. "What is it?" she asked, eyes drifting back to her phone.

Ashley tilted her head, watching her intently. "Are you... jealous?"

Mia froze for a second before sitting upright, clicking her tongue. "Me? Jealous?" She pointed at herself, laughing unconvincingly. "Of course not!"

Chuckling, Ashley nodded, playing along. "Alright." She shrugged and slowly stood up, picking up her drink.

Mia blinked, watching her. "Where are you going?" she asked, a tinge of urgency in her voice.

Instead of answering, Ashley circled the table and sat beside her. "What are you doing?"

Mia gulped, her gaze darting between Ashley and her phone. "Just... reading this manga," she mumbled as Ashley leaned closer to peek at the screen.

Ashley extended her hand without a word. Mia frowned in confusion before handing her the phone.

"Not that," Ashley said, laughing softly.

Mia raised an eyebrow. "Then what?"

Ashley gave a playful smirk. "Don't you have a clingy side to you?" Without waiting for an answer, she gently took Mia's hand, intertwining their fingers.

Mia's breath hitched, her gaze dropping to their hands. "Ash..." she murmured, her cheeks flushing.

"How does it feel? Uncomfortable?" Ashley asked, taking a casual sip of her drink.

Mia hesitated, her face heating as she pressed their joined hands gently. "It's... fine," she whispered.

"Want me to let go?" Ashley offered, her voice soft and reassuring.

Mia quickly shook her head, lowering her gaze. She let their hands rest on her lap, holding them a bit tighter. "No... it's fine," she repeated, almost shyly.

Ashley smiled at Mia's subtle gesture but remained silent, giving her the space to process.

After a moment, Mia asked, "Ash... are you okay with this?"

"Okay with what?"

Mia hesitated, laughing bitterly. "I don't even know what we are right now."

Ashley leaned in slightly, her tone casual but sincere. "Let's date, then."

Mia's eyes widened. "What?"

"You said you don't know what we are," Ashley explained with a shrug. "So, let's date—problem solved. Unless you want to skip the dating part, I'm fine with that too." She grinned teasingly.

Mia let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Why would you want to date a divorced woman?"

"What's wrong with that?" Ashley countered, her tone earnest. "Everyone deserves to love and be loved—even divorced women, even single mothers. Why not you?"

Mia leaned back against the couch, her head resting on the cushion. "It feels... strange," she murmured, her voice softening. "But comfortable."

Ashley's gaze softened, her fingers lightly squeezing Mia's. "It is," she agreed.

Mia tilted her head toward Ashley, her smile faint but genuine. "You know," she started, "it's the first time I've slept without pills in years. I actually had a good night's sleep—thanks to you."

Ashley's heart skipped a beat as she locked eyes with Mia. The way Mia was looking at her—so raw, so vulnerable—made her pulse quicken.

"And... yes," Mia mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe I am a little jealous. Just... a little."

"Mia..." Ashley's voice was soft, almost pleading.

Mia sat up abruptly, turning to face her fully. She hesitated, then spoke, her voice trembling slightly. "I just... I just wish I had met you first. Maybe then, I wouldn't have gone through all the heartbreak... the divorce." She laughed bitterly, shaking her head.

Ashley placed her drink on the table and reached out to Mia. Her tone was firm but kind. "You don't have to think about the past anymore. I'm here now—"

Her words were cut off as Mia leaned in suddenly, capturing her lips in a kiss.

Ashley froze in surprise but quickly melted into it, her eyes fluttering shut. She cupped Mia's face gently, deepening the kiss as she pulled her closer. Mia's arms wrapped around Ashley's neck, drawing her in, their connection electric and unspoken.

This time, Ashley thought, tightening her hold on Mia's waist. If this is my last gamble for love, then let it be her. Let it be Mia.