Chapter Text
They’d spent the better part of almost every day together for the last four years.
Sure, there were days off, the odd vacation, even one year where valentines dates were able to happen as scheduled because people decided to take a day off from killing each other, but overall, their days started when Maggie sent a text saying she was on her way and stopping for coffee, be there in 15, and ended long past sunset.
So yeah, Maggie Bell knew OA Zidan.
She knew his favorite season was fall, that plane rides made his ears pop, that he hadn’t been sleeping well lately after his breakup with Mona, and how to gauge his mood simply by his morning coffee order.
Which is why it threw her for a loop when her text of “on my way, stopping for coffee, want your regular?” was answered almost immediately by
“Actually, could I have a black tea please? See you soon.”
Furrowing her brows as she hopped in the car, Maggie responded with an affirmative, all while trying to remember if at any point in the last four years, she’d seen OA drink tea.
She couldn’t think of even once.
He’d been getting a shot of hazelnut in his order the last few days, after ending things with Mona. Maggie knew it was a comfort for him, reminding him of a drink his mum used to make. He often ordered it when he was feeling guilty about not being able to make it home for the holidays.
But tea? Tea was new.
She grabbed their order, and pulled up in front of OA’s place right on schedule expecting to see him waiting outside, but he wasn’t out yet. Frowning, she sent a quick text letting him know she was here, and sat back sipping her coffee.
He emerged after a few minutes, slightly late, which was virtually unheard of for the always punctual, usually early, special agent.
“Hey” He greeted her, stepping into the warm SUV “Sorry I'm late, I didn’t sleep much again and got a slow start. Thanks for waiting”
“Of course” Maggie responded, taking a look at her partner “You okay though?”
He flashed her a tired smile, “Yeah I'm good. Just tired”
Maggie could almost guarantee that he wasn't good, (Good was a regular black coffee) and while he did look tired, this wasn’t his regular added shot of espresso for some extra caffeine either.
She didn’t know what this was, and she found that a little unnerving.
The ride was fairly quiet, which wasn’t overly unusual in itself, but today left Maggie feeling a little strange. She watched him from the corner of her eye, and he seemed okay. Tired, a little sluggish, but in good spirits. But, Maggie knew him. Something was off, and she’d keep an eye on him.
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The morning was paperwork related, and Maggie, for once, appreciated the mundane task, as it allowed her to keep an eye on her partner. OA seemed fine, the tea was working to give him an energy boost, and he was even bantering away with Tiff and Scola, so Maggie started to feel her anxiety recede. Maybe there isn't anything wrong at all and she was overthinking. Wouldn’t be the first time, sure not to be the last.
Around 10:30 Jubal and Isobel called her and OA into Isobel’s office, and just by their tones she knew it was serious. OA shot her a look, confirming her feelings, and they headed in together as he whispered to her “did we do anything to warrant getting fired recently” and smirked as she just rolled her eyes at him. This was the partner she was used to.
As it turned out, they hadn’t actually done anything worth getting fired over lately, and instead the meeting was related to an ongoing case. They were hoping to make some arrest, but didn’t have the evidence needed, and the suggestion was to send in some undercover agents to the small town in upstate New York, and have them gain trust.
Surprise surprise, Maggie and OA had been selected.
They knew each other so well they didn’t even have to discuss it, the answer was immediately yes. Besides, there really wasn’t anything tethering either one of them here urgently at the moment. This may actually even be good for OA, Maggie considered. Something to get him out of his head.
The theory was that this would be a few weeks at most, less if they were able to get the evidence sooner, and their cover story was to be that they were a couple taking some time off work and away from the city.
Again, wasn’t the first time, wouldn’t be the last.
Finishing the briefing, they headed out of the building together, time was of the essence, and they needed to pack.
They stopped by OA’s place first, and he invited Maggie in while he grabbed his things. With the nature of their job they both had go bags ready, so it wouldn’t be long. What did surprise her was him questioning if they had time for him to grab a quick shower before heading out. It didn’t bother her at all, but it certainly was atypical for him to do so.
Maggie poked around his place as she heard the water start to run, discovering more and more signs that he really hadn’t been looking after himself as well as he should. The fridge was nearly empty, and the blankets and pillow that were left haphazardly on the couch were not only incredibly out of sorts for the always organized Omar Zidan, but gave her the impression he hadn’t even been using his bedroom. She tutted to herself, and began folding them, knowing it would make him feel better, just as he poked his head around the corner
“Hey” he said with a soft smile, “you didn’t have to do that”
She looked up at him with a gentle grin of her own, taking in just how casual he looked in jeans and a thick hoodie “I know. But i also know you”
That got a chuckle out of him, as he called out from his room that he’d be out in a sec and they could get going.
It was a seven hour drive to the small town, and already approaching two in the afternoon as they hit the city limits. Maggie had taken first shift driving, because, as she put it to OA “you look dead tired, and there's much less chance of you killing us on a rural country road in a few hours than there is in the middle of NYC”
It worried her that he didn’t argue.
That was an hour and a half ago now, and OA had fallen asleep within twenty minutes of driving. She wasn’t going to wake him, he needed this, and it was endearing to see his features soften as he slept, melting the exterior he put on every day.
He was shivering though, and while it was cold outside, Maggie felt quite comfortable. Nonetheless, she upped the heat, flicked the button for his heated seat, and tucked his coat that had fallen on the floor around him
Watching him from the driver's seat, She was beginning to think she had an idea of what was going on.
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OA slept for another two hours, only waking when Maggie pulled in to a gas station and stopped the car
“Morning” she grinned at him “sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
He blinked slowly, trying to grasp his surroundings, far more lethargic than he was before the nap
“No you should have woken me, where are we?” he mumbled, sitting up straight now.
Maggie filled him in on the drive, as he apologized again
“OA, stop” she said, kindly but firmly, “you needed that”
He didn’t disagree with her, but insisted on getting out to pump the gas and taking over the driving. Maggie knew to pick her battles, and this wasn’t going to be one that she won, which made agreeing right away the best course of action. He looked grateful she didn’t put up a fight.
OA got back in the car, driver's seat this time, with a shiver from the cold and sniffling, but far more alert than he had been, which was the biggest thing for Maggie. She suggested a drive thru for some coffee, and OA agreed, turning into the first one they saw. While the shivering was stopping being back in the warmth, he was still sniffling, and somehow Maggie wasn’t surprised at all when he ordered tea.