22. Chapter 22

Kendra

I let out a breath as I watch Grihul go into the door that separates the gated area for allowed beings and the lobby for the general public. This building is so cold that I shiver. It feels like the walls and the beings working here are all out there to catch beings.

I suppose this is the point of the courthouse, to intimidate criminals, and I have nothing to be worried about. Yet... I still don't like this place. Grihul has to go inside on his own, which has to be scary. He isn't even living on this planet yet gets into trouble.

It would be a lot better if I went with him. I could, but I'd rather skip the trouble and the procedures. Mostly, that has to do with how close I was with his case, because... duh.

I wasn't the one "killing" the gangster, so I have nothing to do with the procedure Grihul has to deal with, but it doesn't mean watching him going through it is any easier.

I shout, "Remember what I told you!"

He probably nods. he doesn't look back; maybe he is a bit too tense about what's going to happen. The captain and I told him what would happen and told him how he could make the process go as quickly as he could.

If he says anything remotely different from the statement he provided, the judges will ask more questions until they line up everything. We, the police, filed the case as a self-defense case with no hint of suspicion, so it will only benefit Grihul for him to say nothing.

I hate to make him feel like we're trying to trick the system, but when it comes to things on the court, they may want an accuracy that's a lot stronger than how everyone else is used to.

It's not worth it to waste further time inside.

The door closes, leaving the captain and me in the lobby, along with the other beings that have nothing to do with us who are just passersby.

The captain says, "You seem to be deep in your thoughts."

"Am I? Maybe."

"Don't worry about him. He's going to be fine."

I let out a breath. "I doubt I can ever hit someone that hard even if I want to or the circumstances call for it."

"That's not the only thing one needs."

"Maybe... But I suppose... If I'm not in the team, you can get someone who is stronger and can smack the criminals in the face if they have to." I lift my hands. "Look, these hands are never going to be able to achieve that."

"We appreciate your insight on cases. There are only so many uses for big muscles."

I glance at him, trying to gauge whether he really means it.

He says, "Are you telling me you want to resign from the team?"

I sigh. "You know I love my job and I've been wanting to do this for longer than I can remember."

"And you've worked hard to meet all the criteria."

"I did. But... there's more than that, right?"

"Well, I advocated for keeping you on the team and hiring you. I don't pick beings who aren't qualified and would harm the team."

I force a smile, but can't seem to make myself feel better.

The captain stares at the door that Grihul goes through. "Maybe he should join us instead of you leaving us."

How does he know I'm thinking about leaving?

More importantly, why does he think that Grihul should join?

And... Why does he think that I'd want to have him around?

I've never told anyone about that.

He chuckles. "Look, I'm a police officer too. We know how to see through beings."

I swallow. "Hey, I'm not your specimen!"

"So, you know I'm right. Looks like you've found yourself someone great."

My cheeks are burning right now. Maybe it would be better if Grihul and I were already mates, but we aren't, and I don't even know whether we're going to be that. I like to have him around and he seems to enjoy my presence around him, but... I still haven't given him an answer although he asked more than once.

The captain watches me for another moment before he lifts his brows. I lift my hand between us to stop him. "No, he and I aren't mates."

He blinks and shrugs. "I see. Sorry about that. But I'd still wager you'd enjoy working with him."

"What do you mean?"

"Sometimes, there's chemistry between beings that makes them good to work alongside each other."

I wonder whether he is lying about that and just messing with me. I'm not supposed to fall for Grihul, but...

The captain shrugs. "After he is released off his withholding, he's free game."

"You are saying as if I'm going to eat him alive or something."

He laughs. "You sure can do that if you set your heart to that."

I hiss at him. "Geez, you're crazy."

"Our team is crazy, thus we have you."

Sometimes, I hate him so much... He is the leader and is very experienced in managing a team, so I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that he will see through me.

I ask, "Do you think he is a good being?"

"Good for you? Probably."

"What does that mean? Do you think I'm not good enough—"

He lifts a hand to stop me. I look away, resisting a sneer. Sometimes, he and I and others joke around, but he is my boss, after all. If I don't want to get fired, maybe I should respect him a little bit.

"Kendra, have you ever found someone who you can't stop thinking about?"

I shake my head. "Not really. Well, I suppose I did think about those who hurt me a bit, but that's pretty much all there is."

"I get that, but you know what I mean."

Maybe I do think about Grihul a bit too much.

He continues, "Just give him a chance if it feels like the two of you can communicate with each other and make each other a better being."

I clench a fist, slowly letting it go. Is Grihul making me a better being? That... I'd care about him that much more than I care about other beings past work relationships and stuff. That... I actually don't mind his presence around me, even though he annoys me at times.

Speaking of which, how's he doing?

The captain says, "Just be honest with yourself. You want him to stay around you. Otherwise, even though you may feel sorry for him for what happened, you wouldn't come here with him. Not to mention the two of you wouldn't be near the mall together if you didn't care. We've been working together for years, and other than official meals, you'd never even join team dinners."

I suppose he is right. it may be a bit too obvious to everyone on the team for me to be found with Grihul.

He says, "I wish you all the best. Looks like you've finally realized that some big guys are nice."

I roll my eyes. "Don't embarrass me in front of him."

"Sure. In fact, I'm planning to leave. Just call me if something comes up."

Wait! I was planning to tell him that I would quit my job! Otherwise, I can't be with...

The captain is already gone. His legs are too long, and he walks too quickly.

"Kendra!" Grihul comes through the door with a bounce in his steps. Maybe I can worry about my career later.

He is super handsome in a suit. I've never seen him in a suit before, and just seeing that makes my heart skip a beat.

He comes over and wraps his arms around me. I flinch when... I've never imagined hugging someone at the courthouse. But it doesn't feel right to push him to the side.

"Oh, am I making you uncomfortable?" He takes a step back when I don't hug him back.

I shake my head. "No, I like your hug, it's just..."

He looks around. "Right, this is supposed to be a serious place. But I can't help being happy that everything's over by now."

I nod. "Yeah, you aren't in trouble anymore."

He reaches for my hand. "Will it be too much if we hold hands? One hand?"

I take his huge hand and squeeze it. "I'm happy for you. You have no idea how much I worried about you. How's your arm? All good?"

"Yeah, all is good now. I can have it checked again after..." He watches me, his mouth opens and closes as he...

Maybe he realizes that it is time for him to leave the planet and I haven't given him an answer on whether we should be mates or not.

His gaze lingers on me for a moment before he looks at the path ahead again. He lets out a breath. "It's such a wild ride. Getting to know you and everything. Thank you for everything."

So... It sounds like he isn't going to ask again when he thinks that I'm not interested.

I say, "I talked with my boss when you were in the courtroom."

"Yes? I suppose the dead one helped my case too, right?"

"That did help. More importantly... He said that if you're interested in joining the police team, he can give you a chance."

"Why would I want to be police? "He spreads his arms to the side, seemingly confused. "I know that's a very important job, and I probably look strong with these arms, but... I'm not that kind of material. I hate to be with other beings. Why else did I choose to drive a spaceship and stay away from most beings?"

Oh... "You won't even consider it?"

He shakes his head. "No. I want the criminals to be gone, but that's not a job for me."

"Okay..." I stare at the floor again.

We head out of the door. A cold breeze blows at me. I pull the hood of my coat to cover myself. I hate winter... The snow from the storm is still there, refusing to leave me alone. I hate the reminder of winter, not to mention it is going to be around for a lot longer.

Grihul's spaceship is parked nearby. When he gets on the ship... The plan is for him to drive me home, then...

I glance at him. He stares at the sky, remaining quiet. I'd hate to leave him.

I suck in a breath. "So... You're heading back soon."

"Yes. My job is completed."

"And... How about... Say... Another job..."

"Another shipment? Or another job as a whole? Why would I want to look for another job?"

"Because... I..." I take a deep breath. It may be now or never. "I think we can spend more time with each other."

"If I... work as police with you?"

"Well... That's just an initial thought. I mean..."

"Wait... Maybe I'm a kot'oll, I'm not dumb. Are you trying to say that you want me to stay on this planet and be with you?"

I take a breath. "Look, I've never thought you're dumb, so..."

He holds my cheeks in his hand and he fixes his tie and hair. "Am I hearing that right? Do you also think that we should give each other a chance and become mates?"

"Big guy, you've been wanting that."

"I'd rather be the arms guy." He flexes all four arms with a proud smirk. I roll my eyes at that, but I can't help but smile.

"Fine, arms guy. Do you think that may work? For us to spend more time with each other?"

He returns his arms to himself before we catch the attention of others. "Since you asked whether I'll join the police training school and stuff, I'd take that you want to keep being police."

"I think so? I'm still not certain about that. It feels like I should at least finish solving the case related to the robbers and catch the few who attacked us. But at the same time..." I squeeze his arm. "I want to find something that will work for both of us."

"Hey, you know I want the best for you."

"The problem is that I have no idea what's the best choice. All I know is that we should give each other a chance."

"Well, I know you've already made the best decision. If your captain thinks that you're a great fit for the team and you love your job, don't quit it for me."

"But you drive a spaceship everywhere. I won't be able to see you a lot."

He rubs his beard. "You aren't wrong."

"And I don't want to make you quit your job. You seem to enjoy your work too."

He seems to be deep in thought and it feels like I should wait for his answer. I... it would be a lot simpler if we lived in the same city and worked jobs that would let us see each other more.

He takes a breath. "Look, I see what you mean. I think that... I don't need that job as much as I want to be with you."

"But..."

He taps the tip of my nose. "My job is different from yours. For the company, I'm just one of the many beings working there, and any being who can drive a spaceship can take my place."

"But you'll have to look for another job."

He shrugs. "It can't be that hard. I can be a delivery driver here too. I hope this city isn't using only robots."

"No, we aren't doing that, far from that."

"Good. Then I'd just have to make sure I won't run into another crazy police officer, and I'll be golden." He smirks and I smack his chest. All he does is laugh. I doubt I hurt him with my weak punches and small fists anyway.

"Geez, you're never letting it slide."

"You know me." He takes my fists into his hands. "I'll remember that forever. That's how we ran into each other, after all."

My heart races and my throat gets tighter when it slowly sinks into me that... "So, we're mates now."

"Yes, if that's what you want."

"I want you, yes." I wrap my arms around him. The suit makes his handsome face almost annoying. but at the same time, he has a way of getting to me, also annoying.

He hugs me as he fixes the hood on me. "You have no idea. I've been thinking about this for a bit since we met. This feels right even though we're very different from each other. I'm glad you'd give me a try."

"If you will keep giving good hugs."

He leans closer to me and whispers in my ear. "I have more than good hugs for you."

A surge of heat reaches my cheeks when I know exactly what he means. "I can't wait."

"Let's get going."