Chapter Text
Charlotte Flair was never really the partying type.
Being the chief of police, one never really has time for parties. Charlotte had a real passion for her job and she took it seriously. A little too seriously, some of her fellow officers would note. A borderline workaholic, they’d say. Sure, she stayed up late sometimes for nights on end, but that’s only because there is so much work to be done. It’s a big city and it was her responsibility as the head of the police force that everything and everyone was safe and out of trouble.
However, Charlotte decides to cut her losses and go out for some fun tonight. She had been invited to attend the celebration of Finn’s birthday, her best detective in the department. She was initially hesitant to say yes, but figured why the hell not. Finn had been her good friend for years and time away from work would be just what she needed.
Going home and taking a shower, she switches out of her usual cop uniform and into something more fit for a birthday party. Nothing too fancy, just a black pencil skirt with a fitting shirt to go with it. She decides against the heels, not wanting to wear out her feet too early into the night. Looking back in the mirror, Charlotte smirks at how she looks.
“Not bad,” she whispers to herself.
Grabbing the present for Finn, she drives down to the house, the place already being filled with other friends of the birthday boy. Walking up the house, Charlotte remembers that she hadn’t visited this place since Finn first moved in here over a year ago with his boyfriend, Dean. Maybe she was more obsessed with work than she thought. She should visit the boys more often. It was nice, seeing her good friend so happy with someone after the personal troubles that he had two years ago. Yeah, she and Dean never got on the best of terms, but that was a long story. They got along way more spectacular now.
Dean and Finn greet Charlotte at the door, complimenting her outfit and expressing how glad they are to see her which causes her to smile. She chats with them for a few minutes before the guests come over and they excuse themselves to greet them. Charlotte was always the confident type but right now she was feeling the slightest tinge of awkwardness. Walking out of people’s way, she fetches herself a bottle of water only for another hand to meet hers.
Charlotte grabs it first and catches a glance at who was the other hand. Woah. The other woman’s hair is the first thing that sticks out, like flames from the sun, pinned up and braided on one side. She’s wearing all black from the black top to the black heeled boots. Brave, considering it was summer and even the nights were still warm. When their eyes meet, Charlotte takes in those brown eyes which look smokey with the dark eyeshadow she had on. Charlotte is tempted to praise her looks, but she is beaten once the mystery woman speaks first.
“I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before.”
Oh god, her voice sounded so cute.
Charlotte recognized the accent, hearing the same kind of tone from Finn. But the way this woman spoke...it felt different to her in a good kind of way. Charlotte wasn’t one to blush, but this mystery woman might tempt her with her good looks. Almost forgetting that the woman asked her a question, so caught up in her eyes, Charlotte clears her throat.
“I work with Finn.”
“Oh? You a detective too?”
Charlotte smiles. “No, I’m actually his boss. I’m the chief of police.”
The woman widens her eyes in surprise for a second until she forms a smile of her own and Charlotte feels a sense of accomplishment.
“I knew I saw your face somewhere before! Must’ve seen you on the news a few times.”
Charlotte giggles at her excited demeanor. “Are you a friend of Finn’s as well?”
“Yeah, but I’ve known Dean longer. Wouldn’t have met Finn if those two hadn’t crossed paths. I didn’t get along with Finn at first, but he came around.”
“Heh. Funny, that’s exactly how it was with Dean and I.”
“No kidding? I wonder why we haven’t met sooner.”
Charlotte shrugged her shoulders. “I’m very committed to my job.”
The mystery woman gives her a strange look at first but that fades away into a soft grin and a shake of her head. “Say no more. I’m a workhorse too.”
“Is that so? What do you do, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“I own a bar downtown. My pride and joy. Very classy and never an unsatisfied customer. You should stop by sometime, uh…”
Charlotte offers her hand out to shake and could swear that Bayley and Seth have shown up and are smirking at her across the room. She wants to stick her tongue at them, but not before she learns the name of this woman who has her full attention.
“I’m Charlotte Flair.”
The woman takes the handshake and Charlotte admires the strong grip she has. Hearing her name is the icing on the cake now.
“Becky Lynch.”
It was the most perfect and fitting name, Charlotte thought to herself. She releases her hand and wants to spend the rest of the night talking with Becky but their moment is cut short when the rest of the party gathers around to sing happy birthday to Finn. Charlotte curses under breath and Becky is already engaged in the party festivities for the conversation they were having to continue. Defeated, Charlotte joins her co-workers to enjoy the rest of the night. However, she does pass the occasional glance towards Becky on the other side of the room. She’s talking to two men and Charlotte wishes she could hear her voice from where she was standing.
The night is almost over and despite the fun, it was getting late and Charlotte decided to go home and rest. She still had work the next day and she wanted her proper rest. Thanking Finn for the invite and one last happy birthday, she walks back to her car and on the way there, spots Becky mounting atop her motorcycle, helmet in hands. Just when she thought she couldn’t be more intrigued with this woman she barely knew anything about.
Becky spots her too and waves. “Quite the party, huh? Thanks for pudding up with me!”
It takes Charlotte a second to understand before she starts giggling again. “Did you really just make a pun?”
“You still laughed which means I win.”
Charlotte settles her laughter before she nods. “It was really great meeting you tonight, Becky.”
“Ditto, Flair.”
She puts on the helmet and starts up the engine, the image making Charlotte convinced it’s the coolest thing she’s seen in a while. There was no way this was going to be the only night she saw this woman.
“Becky, wait!” Charlotte yells over the sound of the motorcycle.
“What’s up?”
“What’s the name of your bar?”
“The Irish Lass Kicker, you can’t miss it!”
With one last wave, she rides off down the dark streets, leaving Charlotte alone to remember the name. Becky Lynch seemed like one interesting lady.
Walking into her empty home and kicking off her flat shoes, Charlotte didn’t realize how exhausted she was from tonight’s party. It was a long time since she’d been out like this but it was only a reminder that Charlotte needed to let loose sometimes. Still, as tired as she was, she couldn’t fall asleep. A mysterious woman by the name of Becky Lynch kept clouding her thoughts.
“Chief Flair, are you okay? You seem sick.”
Almost drifting off to sleep for the first time in years at work, Charlotte opens her eyes to her fellow deputy, Dana Brooke. She looks concerned for her health and Charlotte happily takes the coffee she’s offering, feeling much better. Dana was always one for worrying about Charlotte, especially if she overworked herself. Today must’ve been the first time she’s seen Charlotte in such a state so early in the morning. Usually Charlotte was more awake than anyone.
“I’m okay, Dana. Just didn’t get enough sleep last night.”
Dana lets out a sigh of relief and nods. “You must of had a lot of fun. I’m proud of you. You deserved a night out. If you want, you can rest your eyes and I’ll tell whoever comes to your office not to bother you.”
“No need. What’s on the agenda today?”
Dana hesitates. “I don’t know, Chief. The newest report we got is about the uprising threat of these underground syndicates. I know a leader of your status can handle this, but maybe we should just leave this to the federal agents instead and let them solve it.”
“I haven’t given in to those snakes before and I won’t start now. Hand me the report.”
It was back to business as the chief of police and passing off orders and doing whatever it took to be a good leader. But there was still the hope that she could find some free time down the road, something she hadn’t thought of for years.
Charlotte shook her head, trying to forget about Becky....at least until after work.