Chapter Text
20th December, 1974
It was Friday morning at around 8:30 am and the Bureau was already bustling with people coming and going. Although the holidays were near, nothing in the office’s minimalist decoration hinted at that, save for a small five-inch Christmas tree standing on a particular desk.
Arriving from the breakroom, Jessica-Lorraine Sims sat down in her desk with a mug of Sanka warming her right hand. She glanced over at her little contribution to the Christmas spirit in the office and observed the colorful and shiny ornaments dancing around the green tree and the tiny golden star sitting on top. She smiled like a proud mother and then moved her attention to the pale pink agenda laid in front of her, ready to tackle her tasks for the day.
About ten minutes later, as Jessica was mindlessly reaching for her mug, she heard the familiar ping of the elevator. She lifted her eyes and a smile grew at the sight of the people arriving.
“Morning!”
Agent Nina Hayes greeted Jessica with a warm smile as she walked past her desk. Agent Awan Bitsui, who was just behind her, smiled and tipped his cowboy hat at her, and the two agents made their way to their respective desks.
After taking her dark brown trench coat off and sitting down, Nina’s eyes travelled the room to Awan’s location. As if she was calling to him, Awan turned his head in her direction and the two shared a discreet but loving smile before diving into their work.
Jessica smiled to herself at the sight of the subtle exchange of affection and went back to her work as well.
Nina and Awan had been in a relationship for a little over a year now, and it had been a beautiful thing to witness. During the first two months or so after the Halloween party at Nina’s apartment, it was clear that the two were still navigating the new status of their relationship. Transitioning from best friends to boyfriend and girlfriend had had its fair share of awkwardness, as Jessica could recall from the countless times Nina had called her concerned that Awan might grow tired of waiting for her to completely bring her walls down. Little did she know that, on the other side, Awan also had concerns regarding Nina’s comfort and was deathly afraid of accidentally rushing her out of her comfort zone. Eventually, they remembered that, before becoming a couple, they were best friends and felt comfortable talking about everything with each other, so what was so different now?
A year later, they‘d become so used to each other and so in tune with the other’s wants and needs that it seemed like they’d been together for this entire lifetime and the previous two. Any memory of the initial awkwardness now simply seemed like a trick of the brain.
At the Bureau, only Jessica and the Squad Supervisor knew about the relationship. About three months in, Nina and Awan had decided to inform Agent Abbott of their relationship; since he didn’t want to risk losing one of his best agents by transferring one of them to a different office, he concluded that the best decision moving forward was to find them each new partners.
Nina had been partnered with Agent Sarah Thomas, a young black woman fresh off Quantico and eager to work with the famous Nina Hayes, and Awan had been partnered with Agent César Guerrero, a young Puerto-Rican man in his thirties recently transferred from the Orlando Bureau.
Whatever gossip there might’ve been as to why the underdogs of the office had abruptly parted had been quickly aborted. Around the same time, several women in the Bureau had come forward to accuse Agent Chad Grant of sexual misconduct, which resulted in him being expelled from the FBI. For more than a month, it was all the folks in the office could talk about during their coffee breaks and because of that, Nina and Awan’s “separation” had quickly been forgotten.
At around 12:30 pm, Jessica’s stomach started complaining. She glanced over the room to check if any of her friends were still there and her eyes landed on Nina attentively reading a file and gnawing on a pen.
It took Jessica a century and a half to remind Nina that a pen wasn’t nutritious enough and that she had to feed herself properly, but in the end, she won.
– – – – –
“Hmm,” Jessica lifted her head at Nina as she finished chewing on her food. “By the way, where was Agent Thomas?”
“Sarah’s meeting a few friends for lunch.” Nina was focused on slicing her steak into various smaller pieces. “She’s been working like crazy in this case, so I didn’t see anything wrong with letting her go out. That kid has a bright future ahead of her.”
Jessica smiled at her friend. “She reminds me of someone I know.”
Nina shot her a slightly bashful smile in return. “You’re too sweet. So… How are you feeling about spending Christmas at the rez?” she asked, a small but mischievous smile forming on her face as she lifted her fork to her mouth.
“Well… To be completely honest,” Jessica placed her cutlery down and leaned in. “I’m a bit nervous. I’ve already met his parents and they’re great, but now I’m meeting the rest of the Yazzie clan and I feel a small pit forming in my stomach. What if they don’t like me because I’m white or something? Which, to be frank, I get it. Or, or, or… What if I accidentally say or do something incredibly stupid?
Nina smiled and shook her head at her friend’s baseless panic.
Jessica and Darrel had been dating for eight or nine months now and you couldn’t find a more fitting pair than these two. After the Halloween party the previous year, they had gone on a few dates and every single time, Jessica would call Nina afterwards to give her a full report and gush like a schoolgirl about how much of a gentleman Darrel was. By the time they were on their third date, Nina could tell Jessica was falling hard and, according to Awan, his best friend was in the same situation, if not worse.
From the moment the relationship had become official, they had become the cheesiest couple on the planet. Sometimes the four of them would go on double dates and they’d behave almost like teenagers, laughing loudly at each other’s jokes, finishing each other’s sentences and calling each other weird nicknames. Although Nina and Awan would sometimes cringe a little at their best friends’ behavior, they were genuinely happy for them and could tell this was for the long run.
“Jess, they’re gonna love you.” Nina reassured her friend. “What’s there not to like about you? You’re fun, kind, smart, gorgeous, always in a good mood, and you make a mean blueberry pie. Plus, it’s like you said, his parents already love you, so this is just one more step in your relationship.”
Jessica gave her a small smile. “Yeah, I guess you’re right, sunshine. Oh, and what about you? How are we feeling about going up to Baltimore with Awan?”
“We still have so much to pack, but I’m actually feeling really good about it!” Nina answered, grabbing a napkin to wipe her mouth. “On one hand, I’m a bit nervous about him meeting the rest of my family, but on the other, I’m kind of excited. It’s weird, but I have a really good feeling about these holidays.”
This wouldn’t be the first time Nina was taking her boyfriend to her mother’s house, as they had already gone up there as soon as they saw their relationship was solid, and then a couple more times after that. Esther Hayes had loved Awan from the first moment they’d been introduced to each other and had wasted no time before starting to treat him like a son. In return, Awan absolutely adored her and would worry about her like she was his actual mother.
Ever since then, Esther would call him almost every week to check how he was doing, just like she’d always done with her daughter. After confirming that everything was alright, she’d then spend the next forty-five minutes gossiping about her neighborhood and how miss Clayton had been missing church a lot or why she thought mister Cameron had a second family in a different state. During the first few calls, Nina would get a bit embarrassed, but after observing how Awan actually loved and cherished spending time talking to her mom, she decided to leave the two best friends alone.
While Nina’s mind was elsewhere, remembering a few weeks prior when Awan was baking brownies while her mother gave him instructions on the phone, Jessica’s strange gaze brought her back to earth.
“What?”
Jessica broke from her trance. “Oh, nothing, nothing.” She shook her head and quickly went back to her meal.
Of late, Nina would catch Jessica staring at her out of nowhere. There was nothing wrong with it, per se, but more with the way she’d look at her. There was something hiding behind her gaze that Nina couldn’t quite pinpoint yet; she’d look at her like a proud parent watching their kid graduate college or like someone standing on a pier watching their lover leave for a long voyage. Something like that.
The first time Nina confronted Jessica about it, she feigned ignorance and said that she was just too pretty to not be stared at. Nina didn’t really buy it, but neither did she spend much time thinking about it afterwards. Maybe it was the holidays spirit taking over her best friend, maybe it was the relationship with Darrel that had turned up the lover girl in her to a hundred.
– – – – –
“Baby, I’m telling you, you have to try the hash browns. They’re bomb!”, Darrel Yazzie was saying as he pointed to the item on the menu laid on the table. Next to him was Jessica-Lorraine, listening intently with her head resting on her closed fist.
“Alright, then! Let’s see–“
Jessica’s words were cut short by a tall man coming through the diner’s front door and striding to their table.
“Hi, guys! Sorry for making you wait.” Awan said as he took off his light brown blazer and sat down in front of the couple.
About thirty seconds later, a short waitress in her late fifties approached the table and took note of the group’s order. As soon as she left, Jessica placed her elbows on the table and leaned in, her entire torso practically hovering over the table.
“So, what is it that you want to show us? The suspense is literally killing me, Awan!”
Awan found Jessica’s desperation amusing. Smiling, he reached for the inner pocket of his blazer. He then slowly lifted up a small velvety black box and opened it to reveal a shiny ring.
The couple gasped in unison; Jessica immediately sat back down, bringing her hands to her mouth, and Darrel’s brown eyes almost popped out of their sockets. Even the waitress’s mouth dropped at the sight of the ring as she arrived with their food.
“Oh, that’s just lovely”, she fawned as she carefully placed the food on the table. “Whoever the lucky girl is, I’m sure she’ll love it.”
Awan responded with a grateful smile and she walked away from the table.
In that moment, Darrel got up and motioned Awan to do the same. The latter was a bit confused by his friend’s serious expression, but all worry vanished as soon as Darrel engulfed him in the tightest and warmest hug. After a few pats on each other’s backs, they both sat back down and Awan looked over at Jessica, still waiting for her reaction.
“Jess? Everything good?”
Awan’s beckoning brought Jessica’s mind back to the diner and tears started cascading down her cheeks.
“Oh, Awan,” she was finally able to say as she reached for a napkin to wipe her face. “I don’t even know what to say, I’m… I’m so happy, you have no idea. My Nina…”
Darrel smiled and started gently rubbing her back, himself trying to fight back tears as well.
Awan brought a hand to his chest and sighed out of relief. “Oh, thank God, I got so nervous for a second.”
The three adults started laughing and the emotion of the moment quickly alleviated.
“Okay, so,” Jessica sniffed sharply and shook her hair out of her face, a resolute expression placed on her face. “Tell us everything. When and how are you planning on doing this?”
– – – – –
It was around 6:10 pm and most people were leaving the office. In that group were included Nina, Awan and Jessica-Lorraine, happily chitchatting as they made their way to the parking lot.
“Once again, thank you, Awan for snatching Nina. Ever since you two started dating, this workaholic over here doesn’t stay in the office till 2 am anymore.” Jessica scowled as she tightened the collar of her coat around her neck. “Especially in this cold. I swear, I will never talk shit about the Arizona heat ever again.”
“Hey! The latest I’ve ever stayed in the office was like eleven!” Nina defended herself, playfully slapping Jessica’s arm and making her giggle.
Awan bent over to match the two women’s height and cupped his right hand around his mouth. “And a big part of that was because of her cute partner. She just doesn’t want to admit it.”
Nina turned sharply to her boyfriend. “Awan!”
Awan and Jessica laughed at Nina’s indignation and shared a high-five as they resumed their short walk. About two minutes later, the trio reached their cars, parked close to each other. Jessica turned to the couple and joined her hands in the front, her small white handbag swinging from them.
“Well,” she sighed. “I guess this is goodbye, then. Call me as soon as you arrive at your momma’s house, okay?” she said as she pulled Nina for a hug. “Have a safe trip.”
“Right on, babe.” Nina responded as the two let go of each other.
Jessica proceeded to hug Awan as well. “Take care of our girl.”
“You know I always do.” Awan smiled and let go of Jessica.
In that moment, Jessica locked eyes with him and gave the smallest nod, to which he responded in the same manner. She then took a few a few steps back and took one last look at her friends. Noticing that her vision was becoming blurry, she decided the best was to just be done with this.
“Well, uh,” she shook her head and blinked fast to shoo away the threatening tears. “I should let you guys go. You still have to finish packing and get a good night’s sleep. Merry Christmas, my darlings.”
Nina took a good look at Jessica.
There it was again. That look. That happy melancholy that had been visiting Jessica’s face was back. Why was she emotional? What was she hiding behind that look? Was she sick or something? Nina made a mental note to talk to her as soon as she was back from Baltimore.
“Merry Christmas, Jessie.” Nina replied.
“Merry Christmas, Jess. Give Darrel and his parents a hug from me, okay?” Awan asked, his arm resting on Nina’s shoulders.
Jessica smiled and nodded affirmatively, and the three adults went their separate ways.
Nina and Awan only parted from each other when they went to each side of Nina’s car. As soon as they were inside, they started looking around. Noticing the coast was clear, the couple reached for a deep, passionate kiss, relieving the tension of the day and finally being able to touch each other.
After a while, their mouths parted and they stood there, their faces inches away, just looking at each other.
“Ah, I missed you.” Awan said as he cupped Nina’s face in his large hands.
“I missed you too.” Nina smiled and gave him one last peck. “By the way,” she said as she shifted back into her seat and reached for the belt. “What was with that look you and Jess gave each other?”
Awan’s enamored expression quickly turned into ice. “What look– I didn’t… I didn’t notice anything.”
“Wait.”
Awan didn’t even dare to breathe.
She figured it all out.
How did she find out from a nod? I should’ve known. She’s the smartest person I know, nothing goes past her. What am I gonna do? Should I propose here? But here?? I don’t even have the ring with me–
“Awan, did you buy me that dress for Christmas? Baby, it’s so expensive, you didn’t need to do that.” Nina looked at Awan, a small wrinkle forming on her forehead.
Awan’s whole body refused to move as he waited carefully for what was coming next. “Hmm?”
“I went to the mall with Jess a few weeks ago and we saw this dress that I really liked. She told you about it, didn’t she?”
Awan let out the faintest sigh of relief and smiled at his girlfriend. “And what if it is? What, now I can’t even spoil my foxy lady on Christmas?”
Nina shot her boyfriend a look and placed a small kiss on his cheek before starting the car’s engine.
“You kill me sometimes, you know that?”