Work Text:
"Hey, Grace. Here's a coffee."
A noncommittal noise left the analyst's lips as she leaned over her keyboard. She hadn't heard you. Again.
You looked around her cubicle. Binders and notebooks stacked upon another. They threatened to fall at the slightest breath. You carefully stepped closer, placing the styrofoam cup in her peripherals. An ink stain on her fingers caught your attention as you leaned away. "Drink before it gets cold."
"Oh! S-sorry! Th-thank you." She grabbed the cup and took a careful sip of the hot beverage. Grace watched as you turned and left. You greeted other coworkers as you walked back to your own desk. She cursed softly before turning back to her screen.
A late night at the office left you caught in a storm. You watched as the rain pattered against the windows. Beams of headlights and brake lights danced in the street below. You grabbed your bag and emergency umbrella, ready to leave. You noticed a light on. Someone else stayed late.
As you approached the light, the realization that Grace stayed came to you. You watched her at a distance. She hunched over her keyboard. One leg propped on the chair as usual. She chewed on the end of a pen before holding it between her lips as she quickly typed.
You walked over. "It's late."
Grace jumped. She clutched her chest and took a deep breath.
"Sorry." You apologized quickly. "Didn't mean to scare you."
"No. No. It's, uh. It's alright." She turned in her chair and removed her glasses. She rubbed at her eyes and then looked around the office. "I didn't realize the time. Or the storm."
"Do you need a ride?"
"Ah. N-no! It's okay. It's only some ra-"
A flash of lightning and clap of thunder interrupted Grace.
"Come on. I'm not letting you brave the rain and sit at the bus stop." You grabbed your keys from your work bag. "Come on. Work can be finished tomorrow."
Grace stared at you for a few moments. Jaw slacked. "Uh. Alright. Uhm, give a me a few minutes to finish this section. B-before I forget in the morning." She replaced her glasses and turned around before you could answer. She continued to type.
Another flash of lightning made both of you jump. Grace quickly saved her file and locked her computer. She grabbed her bag. "S-sorry for the wait." She followed you towards the stairs.
You stopped at the front door. The rain poured, nearly sideways. "It's alright. I parked close to the entrance. Hopefully we don't get too wet." You smiled. A gust of wind pushed against you as you opened the door. You opened the umbrella, holding it over you and Grace. "Come on. Let's hurry." You both dashed to your car. You pressed the fob when you're close enough and walked Grave to the passenger side. Once she's safe in your car, it's your turn. "That's some cold ass rain." You laughed. You cranked up the heat in your car and pulled up the GPS on your phone. "Here. Put in your address."
Grace's hand lingered on yours for a moment as she took your phone. She watched the app route to her apartment. "Th-thank you."
"No problem. I'm happy to take you home." Once you warmed up enough, your started the drive. The drive was quiet. Comfortable but quiet.
"So you—" You both started at the same time.
You laughed. "Go first."
"I, uh, I was wondering what case you were analyzing?" Grace messed with the hem of her jacket.
"Oh, uh. Hawthorne case. Can't go into details. Case is still ongoing."
"Oh! R-right! Sorry."
Curiosity got the best of you. "You're looking at those weird deaths?" You asked.
"Ah, yes. There's been a few of them. All of them…. Died the same. I hope there aren't anymore." She fidgeted in her seat.
"Me too. At least, so you are able to finally take a break from it." You slowed your car outside the apartment building.
Grace nodded with a soft smile. "Me too. I fear my need for perfection gets me behind on the writing." She reached for the door handle. "Thank you for the ride."
"No problem. Borrow my umbrella. I have another in the car." You handed her the umbrella. "And here…." You shimmied in your seat, reaching for your wallet and pulling out a business card. "My cell is on the back. If you need a ride…."
Grace took both items and stared at you. Dumbfounded. You noticed the slight flush on her cheeks as she stuttered. "R-really. Th-this is t-too much."
"Go. Get inside. Good night, Grace."
"Good night." She smiled and made the mad dash into her building.
You waited until she waved and disappeared into the building before driving away.
"Grace." You leaned over her shoulder as you looked at her screen.
Grace jumped. She turned and looked at you, surprised by the closeness of your face. "Y-yes?"
"Lunch. Remember?" You flashed your phone, unlocking it and pulling up the group chat.
Grace's brows furrowed together in confusion. "Oh. Uh. I wasn't aware I was invited."
"You're part of the group chat."
"Y-yes. I-I didn't know that meant…." She stopped talking and looked at her phone, scrolling through the chat.
A heart next to someone's name caught your attention, but she locked it before you read the screen. "Do you want to come with us?" You watched as Grace looked back up at you. She opened and closed her mouth a few times. Nervous. "You can come another time if you're nervous."
Grace chewed on her lip and looked at you briefly. She looked away.
You grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. "Come on. I invited you. Let's go." You dragged her out of her cubicle.
"W-w-wait! Let me grab my bag."
You released her and watched her. She returned in a second second, bag in hand. "There we go." You hooked your arm through hers. "There's a new cafe that opened last week. The sandwiches look divine." You laughed as you walked through the building and outside with Grace. Both of your phones buzzed in close succession. You looked at the screen and frowned.
Grace looked at her phone and then watched you type a quick message. "S-should we stay here, then?" She ignored her phone as it buzzed with your message.
"No. I have been thinking about this one sandwich all day. We can go alone. Come on. I'll pay."
"I." She swallowed and followed after you. "I can pay for my own."
"Nah. Let me. I practically forced you to come with me. Come on. We should hurry before it gets too crowded." You offered your hand, which she took with a half smile.
"Hey. Uhm…." Grace spoke from behind."
You caught her in your peripherals and turned, taking out your earbuds. You smiled as Grace walked closer. "Hi." You faced her. "What's up?"
Grace's light eyes darted around as she thought. "I-I need help." She walked closer and placed her laptop on your desk. She knelt next to you.
You turned back to her laptop. You feared for a moment she would hear your heart pound in your chest. But she made no obvious signs of such. You watched her tab out of windows and she pulled up her document.
"I-I'm…." She paused and sighed. "C-can you read over this report? I keep second guessing myself."
You smiled. "Yes. Absolutely." You shifted in your chair. "Do you want to sit? You can send it to me and sit at your desk? I can find you when I'm done."
"No, no. I'm fine. I just need a second set of eyes." She moved the laptop closer to you.
You leaned close to the desk and hovered over the laptop. You read each line slowly and scrolled. You took a moment to look at Grace next to you. A strand of hair fell in front of her face. Before you registered your action, her hair was tucked behind her ear. You looked back at the screen. "I'm not sure where you are second guessing yourself, but it sounds fine." You smiled.
"Th-thank you." Grace stood and straightened her clothing. "I, uh. I'll pay you back." She shut her laptop.
You smiled. "If I need an extra set of eyes for my reports, I'll come to you. Alrighty?"
"S-sure."
"Grace." You called out from the edge of her cubicle.
Grace sat at her desk. Legs crossed. Shoes off. She hunched over her computer. She rested her head in her hands. A soft sigh left her lips.
You touched her shoulder. "Grace. It's late again."
Grace looked at you and then outside. "Oh. Sorry. I think I'll be here longer." She turned back to her computer.
"Do you want help?"
"No. No. Thank you. You've helped enough." She clicked through pages of research. Another sigh.
"Hey. Grace. Come with me." You helped her to her feet.
"W-wait!"
"Bring your laptop. Let's go to the cafe. We can work on it together. You need to eat too." You grabbed her shoes and bag from under her desk. "Come. Come. I'm worried about you."
Grace watched as you packed her belongings, saved her work, and shut down the desktop. "W-worried?"
"Yes…." You paused. Your cheeks grew hot. "Yes. I like you. And I worry for you. So, let's go to the cafe and work on this together."
"W-w-wait!"
Your head tilted. "Wait for what?"
"Did…. Did you say you…." She shook her head and swallowed. "Y-you said you liked me."
"Yes. I do. And I…." You turned around and faced her. "I saw my name with a heart the other day. So, come on. Let's go."
Grace covered her face to hide the blush. "I must be dreaming."
You laughed. "No. Now come on. We are both hungry and tired. Some food will help." You held her bag towards her.