#because plot

When Nat went back to work, they got a warm welcome back. Not just from their own team. Once they entered the building, together with Jeff who’d picked them up, and walked passed the departments, everyone got up and started cheering and clapping. Nat blushed and gave a shy wave to everyone. It was a little overwhelming. Some of their colleagues went up to greet them, shaking their hand, making small talk how happy they all were Nat was alright. Nat just stammered their thanks.

Jeff guided them along to their own department, where everyone was lying in wait for a surprise. They cheered as Nat entered, congratulating them on going back to work, on healing so well. They were bombarded with reassurance about the case, and how their absence in the office really took a number on their work.

Rosie bounced up to them.

“Welcome back, Nat! Can I…?” She held out her arms and Nat gratefully let her embrace them.

Jeff stood behind Rosie and while it was almost imperceptible, he saw Nat’s eyes narrow ever so slightly when Rosie’s hands rubbed over their back.

“You wanna come see Pascal?” she asked when she let him go. “I think he missed you.”

Nat lit up. “Yes!”

Rosie grabbed their hand and pulled them along. She was a K9 officer and Pascal was the team’s sniffer dog. She dragged Nat outside to the kennel, Jeff following at a distance.

Nat loved dogs and lamented the fact that they couldn’t play with Pascal too often, as he was mostly on the job and shouldn’t get spoiled too much. Off-duty Pascal was allowed to be petted, but Rosie often started her day quite early.

As they entered the kennel, Pascal started barking, recognizing both their scents. When Rosie let him out, he trotted to Nat and sat in front of them. Nat squatted down next to the large German Shepherd and ruffled their hands through his fur.

"Yess, I missed you too."

Jeff looked on from the doorway, a fond smile on his face. It was good to see Nat like this again. Missed. Needed. Smiling like this again.

Pascal didn’t mind the cuddles, but was often more interested in his other rewards, like food. His ears perked up when he heard the sound of Rosie shaking kibbles in his bowl. He nervously started circling around Nat, and stood next to them, his tail bouncing against them.

"Pascal wait, you're gonna push me aside," Nat laughed as the dog was waiting patiently for his meal and heavily leaned into them. With Nat sitting unsteadily on their hunches, they had to push back against the dog to avoid falling over.

Rosie let out a laugh and quickly snapped a picture of the two before she went over with the bowl. She squatted next to Nat and they watched in silence as Pascal devoured his breakfast with gusto.

“It’s good to have you back, Nat,” she smiled, her eyes still on the dog. She held out her phone, showing them the picture, a laughing Nat clutching to the dog, their arms around him as they were about to keel over. Nat gave a snort. “Thank you.”

"Come, Pascal, time to get started."

She put a harness on the dog, meaning he was now 'on the job'. No more petting and cuddling.

Jeff nudged his head to Nat and with a wave to Rosie, they followed him to their office.

“Did she hurt you?” Jeff hesitantly asked as they walked.

“What?”

“Rosie. When she gave you a hug.”

Nat looked appalled. “No! No, she didn’t. It’s just…” They sighed. “It doesn’t hurt anymore, well, not unless I really press into… I just, felt her hands over the… the scars and I… it just startled me.”

Jeff scolded himself for bringing the mood down like that. He snuck a quick glance at Nat, but they didn't seem too bothered, especially now that Jeff held open the door to their office for them and they saw the decorations and balloons around their desk space. They rummaged around in their bag and produced the small dog plush they got from Rosie in the hospital, placing it next to their screen. It looked just like Pascal, something they both squealed over when Rosie gifted it to Nat.

"Perfect," they admired, sinking into their chair.

“I picked out some stuff for you to work on.” Jeff handed Nat a couple of files.

Nat fiddled through the pages, glancing at the information. “Well, what are you all working on? Not this, right?”

“Eric’s case.”

“Let me help. Have you talked to him yet?”

Jeff’s expression darkened. “We tried, but he refuses to talk to us. The only words that are coming out of his mouth are… well, he’s been asking for you. Says he’ll only talk to you.” He caught Nat’s face drooping. “Don’t worry, you don’t have to. We’ll make it work.”

Nat flashed a somewhat sad smile and tried to perk up.

"Do you want to meet with Royce this afternoon or tomorrow?" Jeff asked.

"I'd like to stay in this positive bubble for today, so tomorrow will be fine."

Royce Clarke was the prosecutor heading Nat’s case. Nat had worked with him before. They liked him but their relation didn’t extend beyond the professional boundaries and they didn’t know him very well. They were a little nervous to tell him everything that had happened. Okay, scratch that. That had nothing to do with Royce. They just felt scared to relive everything, didn’t matter who was present to hear it. But for today, they just wanted to focus on the small victory of starting work and seeing everyone again.  

~

The following morning, Jeff accompanied Nat to the prosecutor’s office. “If you want me to leave, say the word,” he whispered before they entered Royce’s room.

“Nat, so good to see you!” Royce welcomed them both with a handshake. He was a tall black man, who was always cheerful, charismatic, and charming. Underneath his bright disposition lay a strong sense of justice; he was a driven man with a strong focus on his tasks and Nat always liked working with him, admiring his conduct.

Royce’s smile and demeanor put Nat a little more at ease. But after their greetings, small-talk, and more congratulations on their recovery, Nat still wasn’t sure if they could get everything out.

Royce waved their concerns away, not wanting to force them.

“If you don’t feel ready we can reschedule for later this week. Thing is…,” Royce looked apologetic. “Well, I don’t want to pressure you, but we heard yesterday that the preliminary hearing is late next week. Eric’s lawyer has been pushing for an earlier date.”

“That’s unusual. Why would he do that?” Nat asked.

“You’ll be called to provide a statement as the main witness,” Royce explained. “They’ll probably want to make sure you’re still shaken up, try to discredit you, twist your words. The more time you have to heal and come to terms with what happened, the worse they’re off.”

“No pressure then,” Nat said.

“It’s just the preliminary for now. You’re allowed to speak and there’s enough evidence to make sure the trial against him will continue.”

“Yes, to nail him for money laundering, drugs and all that. I’m the only one who can testify about…” they fell silent. About what he did to me. How he…

“Abduction. Battery. Assault,” Jeff finished for them in less specific terms. “Which is why I’d like a confession.”

“Be careful with that,” Royce said. “A confession alone won’t be enough.”

“No, but it might take a little load off of Nat.”

Royce inclined his head and agreed. “Yes, true. We may have all the ammunition, but the defense won’t just accept everything. Holton hired a very expensive lawyer and I’m sure he’ll have his tricks.”

He spread a couple of files over the table. “So let’s start by preparing everything.”

-