#high potential

Nick Wagner x female high potential fanfic where he is the new captain of the precinct and her new boss, starts as them butting heads and arguing then slowly both start stealing glances and falling for each other

Part 2 because it all didn’t fit in 1!

A little steamy at the end! 👀

Inside his office, Nick was trying very hard not to listen to the conversation happening just outside the glass walls. It wasn’t working.

He could hear Morgan laughing. He could hear Daphne and Oz teasing you. Soto and Karadec chiming in every now and then.

And he could hear you laugh. He hated how easily he could pick your laugh out from every other sound in the bullpen.

A knock interrupted his thoughts.

“Captain?” You stepped inside. “You wanted to see me?”

He gestured toward the chair across from his desk. “I reviewed the warehouse footage.”

You frowned. “Oh?”

He turned his monitor so you could see it. The security camera showed the exact moment the shelving gave way. Your heart skipped as you watched Nick sprint toward you without a second’s hesitation.

He hadn’t paused. Hadn’t called for backup. Hadn’t even looked out for himself. He had only looked at you.

You swallowed. “You didn’t think.”

“No.”

“You just, moved.”

“Yes.”

“Why?” You questioned, confused.

Nick held your gaze.

“Because I wasn’t going to let you get hurt.”

Your throat tightened. “You barely know me.”

“I know enough.” His voice was calm. “I know you’re stubborn.”

You laughed softly. “I know.”

“I know you challenge every decision I make.”

“Guilty as charged, Sir” you remark back.

He sighed “ But, I know you make this entire precinct better.”

The teasing smile slowly disappeared from your face.

He hesitated. “And I know the thought of losing you was unacceptable.”

Neither of you moved. The room suddenly felt much smaller.

Your eyes searched his “Nick…” you trailed off. It was the first time you’d ever used his first name.

His breath caught. Neither of you seemed to notice you’d both stood at the same time. There was barely a foot between you now.

“I don’t know if this is a terrible idea,” you admitted.

“It probably is.” He nodded

“You are my boss.” You say looking up at him.

“I know.”

“We argue constantly.”

“I’ve noticed.” He grinned

Three quick raps. That’s all it took for the two of you to stepapart so quickly you nearly bumped into his desk.

Morgan poked her head inside. “Oh.” Her eyes darted between you. “You look, busy.”

Nick cleared his throat. “What is it, Gillory?”

Morgan held up a file. “We got the DNA results, but I can come back.”

“No,” both of you answered at the same time.

Morgan’s grin widened. “Right.”

She placed the file on the desk, then leaned in conspiratorially. “For what it’s worth”

Nick gave her a warning look.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You were about to.”

“I was.” She agreed smiling. Morgan looked at you, then back at Nick. “You two have exactly the same expression.”

Neither of you replied.

Morgan chuckled. “I’ll leave you to your, paperwork.”

The door clicked shut behind her.

You buried your face in your hands. “I am never going to hear the end of this.”

Nick surprised you by laughing. A real, warm laugh. You looked up.

He shook his head. “You’re impossible.” He said looking at you.

“So you keep saying.” You huff tilting your head back looking at the ceiling.

For the first time since he’d arrived at the precinct, neither of you felt like arguing.

Instead, you simply stood there, sharing a quiet smile that said far more than either of you was ready to admit.

Outside the office, Morgan walked past with Daphne.

Without looking in, she whispered, “Give it a week.”

Daphne raised an eyebrow. “That long?”

Morgan smirked. “They’re detectives.”

“They’ll overthink it.” Oz interrupted from his desk.

“They’ll overthink it,” Daphne agreed, “right up until one of them finally kisses the other.”

Neither of them noticed that, through the office blinds, both you and Nick had unconsciously glanced toward each other at exactly the same moment.

________

The bullpen had developed a game. No one had admitted it aloud. No one had written it down. But every detective in Major Crimes was playing.

How long until Captain Wagner and Detective Y/L/N finally admitted they were in love?

Morgan’s guess was a week.

Daphne gave them three days.

Oz said at least two weeks

Selena had confidently declared, “Before the end of the month.”

And Karadec kept saying he wasn’t playing.

You and Nick, blissfully unaware of the betting pool, were in his office arguing.

Again.

“You reassigned my witness interviews.” You said angrily.

“They needed to happen simultaneously.”

“I had a plan, one I’ve been working at for weeks, you knew that.” You said pointing your finger at his chest.

“And I had a better one.” He said calmly leaning back in his chair watching your finger now shaking in rage.

You folded your arms and took a breath. “You always think you’re right.”

“I usually am.”

“Oh, that’s humble.” You scoff.

“It isn’t supposed to be.”

You rolled your eyes so dramatically that Nick had to fight a smile.

“There it is,” you said, pointing at him.

“What?”

“You almost smiled, you’re enjoying this.” You accused.

“I do not.”

“You absolutely do, you’re insufferable.” You state leaning both hands on his desk starting him down.

Silence. Nick’s expression softened.

“I do,” he admitted quietly.

Your heart skipped.

“You know” He stepped around his desk. “I used to dread our arguments.”

“You did?” You questioned.

“I’d spend half the morning wondering what we’d disagree about next.”

You laugh “And now?”

“Now…” He stopped just in front of you. “I still do.”

You frowned. “What?”

“I still wonder what we’ll argue about, what I can say or do to get you to fight me back.” A small smile tugged at his lips. “But now I also look forward to seeing you.”

The room suddenly felt very warm.

His voice had dropped to barely above a whisper. “You challenge me.”

Another step.

“You make me a better captain.”

You looked up into his eyes.

“And somewhere along the way…”

He smiled fully.

“I stopped pretending I wasn’t falling for you.”

Your breath caught. “You weren’t pretending very well.”

“No?”

“No.” You whisper reaching up, smoothing an imaginary crease from the front of his shirt. “I hated you.”

He laughed. “I noticed.”

“And then” You shrugged. “You smiled.”

He leaned closer. “So that’s all it took?”

“It was a really nice smile.” You defended.

His forehead rested gently against yours.“You’ve been driving me insane.”

“I know.”

“I think about you constantly.”

“I hope.” You retort

“You are unbelievably smug.”

“I learnt from the best.” You grin up at him.

He chuckled, shaking his head. “I should probably tell you this is a terrible idea.”

“You probably should Captain.”

“I’m still your captain, you know hierarchy bureaucracy stuff, it can get us both in serious trouble.”

“I know.”

“You should tell me to stop.”

Instead of answering, you cupped his cheek. “I should.”

“But?”

“But, I really don’t want you to.” You whisper shifting closer.

His eyes searched yours one last time. Giving you every chance to step away.

Instead, you closed the distance. The kiss was soft at first.

Careful.

Weeks of stolen glances, unfinished conversations, and almost-confessions melting away in a single moment. Nick’s hand settled gently at your waist as he kissed you again, lingering just a little longer this time.

You smiled against his lips. “You definitely smile around me.”

He laughed into the kiss. “Oh, you’re never letting that go, are you?”

“Never.”

He kissed you once more, deeper this time, and you wrapped your arms around his neck, forgetting entirely that you were standing in the middle of his office at work. Hands grabbing against each other’s clothes, Nick tilting your head up to slide his tongue in your mouth.

You moan into his mouth which seems to fuel him, he backs you against his desk, one hand softly around your throat the other setting across your hip, his thumb pressing into your heated skin under your shirt.

Your left hand pulling him in impossibly closer by his jacket and your right hand resting in his belt loops playing with the hard leather of his belt.

You break for air barely sucking in a breath, before his lips are on your jaw trailing down your neck sucking and most likely leaving a bruise that you can’t explain having after leaving your bosses office.

Soft moans slip past your lips and you bring his face back up to yours wanting to feel his lips against yours again.

Your moans, god he over the sound of your laugh, but this, this is heavenly. He just wanted you to feel good forever just to hear that sound.

You feel something warm and hard against your thigh. Him. He lets out a throaty groan into your mouth as you softly rock your hips against his causing him to grip your hips tighter, it’s going to leave a bruise but you couldn’t care less as this point. You just wanted to feel him. Hear him.

A loud gasp shattered the moment.

“Oh, shit sorry!” Karadec panicked apologising.

The two of you sprang apart.

Morgan stood frozen in the doorway, one hand still on the handle. As Karadec turned around closing his eyes.

Behind him were Daphne, Selena, Oz….and the rest of Major Crimes.

Every single one of them. Nobody spoke.

Then Morgan slowly grinned “I won.”

The bullpen erupted.

“I told you!” Daphne laughed.

“It took them long enough!”

“I owe Morgan twenty bucks,” someone groaned from the crowd.

Nick blinked. “Twenty bucks?”

Morgan grinned unapologetically. “There was a betting pool.”

“There was a what?” you asked.

“For months.”

“It has only been a month!” you exclaimed.

“Longest month of our lives,” Selena said.

Daphne folded her arms, unable to hide her smile.

“You two have been making heart eyes at each other since Captain Wagner walked through those doors.”

“We have not,” you and Nick said in unison.

The entire team burst into laughter.

Morgan pointed dramatically between you. “They’re doing it again.”

Nick rubbed the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed for the first time anyone could remember.

“You all have work to do.” He called loudly over the crowd.

“So do you,” Morgan replied with a grin. “Though it looks like you’ve made excellent progress on, you know team morale.”

“Need I remind you that this is a place of work, nothing sexual of any nature will take place in this office, this will already be too much paper work” Selena retorts smugly.

You buried your face in Nick’s shoulder with a groan. “I take it back, this moment I am never living down.”

Nick smiled, slipping an arm comfortably around your shoulders.

“No,” he admitted. “Probably not.”

Morgan clapped her hands together. “Well!” Everyone looked at her. “Can we all agree on one thing?”

“What?” Oz asked.

She pointed toward the two of you.

“The arguments are going to be so much less entertaining now.”

You glanced up at Nick with a mischievous smile. “I don’t know about that”

Nick raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“I still think your witness reassignment was the wrong call.”

He stared at you for a beat before a familiar grin spread across his face. “It absolutely wasn’t.”

“There it is,” Morgan announced triumphantly. “Nature is healing.”

Laughter echoed through the bullpen as Nick shook his head and looked back at you.

“You know,” he murmured quietly enough that only you could hear, “I have a feeling we’re still going to argue.”

You smiled. “Oh, definitely.”

“But now” He mumbled, brushing a quick, affectionate kiss against your forehead, earning another chorus of exaggerated groans from the detectives outside. “Now I get to kiss you afterward”

Your fellow co workers turned away, Morgan winked and shut the door behind her.

“I also have so many punishments already planned out in my head, when you decide to argue against me.” He spoke reaching around to clink the metal of your state issued handcuffs together, licking his lips.

Your smirk widened, trailing your hand down his chest to his belt looks pulling him flush against you.

Nick Wagner x female high potential fanfic where he is the new captain of the precinct and her new boss, starts as them butting heads and arguing then slowly both start stealing glances and falling for each other

The precinct had survived serial killers, hostage situations, and Morgan Gillory’s caffeine-fueled theories at three in the morning.

What it apparently could not survive was Captain Nick Wagner.

“You’re late.”

The words came the second you stepped into the bullpen. You froze mid-stride, coffee in one hand and case files in the other.

Nick Wagner stood near Morgan’s desk, arms crossed over a dark button-up, expression carved from granite. He looked every bit the new captain—tall, controlled, and annoyingly composed.

You glanced at the clock. “By forty-three seconds.”

“Forty-three seconds is still late.” He stated crossing his arms over his chest.

Morgan made a tiny choking sound behind her, clearly trying not to laugh. You set your coffee down a little harder than necessary.

“Good morning to you too, Captain.”

“Briefing was at eight.”

“And I’m here at eight-oh-forty-three.”

His jaw tightened. Your lips twitched. This was going to be a disaster.

Three weeks earlier, when the department announced a new captain was taking over the Major Crimes division, you’d expected someone nearing retirement.

Instead, Nick Wagner had walked in.

Young enough to still work the field. Sharp enough to notice every mistake. And apparently determined to restructure the entire precinct.

Which meant he’d started questioning your methods almost immediately.

“You improvise too much.”

“You ignore procedure.”

“You make decisions before consulting command.”

Your personal favorite: “You’re impossible to supervise.”

To which you had replied: “Then stop trying.” The look he’d given you afterward could have melted steel.

_________

Now the bullpen buzzed with uncomfortable anticipation as Nick moved to the whiteboard.

“Victim was found at 5:12 this morning,” he began. “Female, thirty-two, no signs of forced entry.”

You leaned against a desk, studying the photos.

“She knew the killer,” you said.

Nick didn’t even look at you. “That’s one possibility.”

“No defensive wounds, apartment intact, and she opened the door willingly.” Morgan nodded along agreeing.

“Still doesn’t confirm—”

“It confirms enough to prioritize people in her inner circle.” You cut him off.

His eyes finally met yours. For a second, the room went oddly quiet. Not because he disagreed, you could see the reluctant acknowledgment there, but because he was looking at you with an intensity that made your stomach tighten.

Then he turned back to the board. “We’ll start with family and known associates.”

Morgan’s grin was practically audible. You shot her a warning look.

_________

“You undermined me in front of the team.” A voice broke your concentration.

You looked up from your desk. “I solved your timeline issue.”

Nick sat on your desk “That’s not the point.”

“Then what is?”

He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “The point is that there’s a chain of command.”

You stood, matching his height as best you could. “And the point of being a detective is catching the right suspect before they disappear.”

“You think rules don’t apply to you.”

“I think results matter.”

“Results don’t excuse recklessness.”

“And procedure doesn’t excuse wasting time.” You quipped back. The air between you crackled. Neither of you moved. Neither of you looked away. Nick’s gaze dropped, just briefly, to your mouth

His eyes snapped back up so fast you almost thought you imagined it.

Almost.

“Be ready to interview the victim’s ex at four,” he said, voice suddenly rougher. Then he turned and left before you could answer.

Morgan appeared beside your desk two seconds later. “So…”

“Don’t.” You shut it down faster than possible.

“I was going to ask if the temperature dropped in there or if that was just the sexual tension.”

You glared at her, Daphne laughed from her spot at the desk, you glared at her.

“Oz get your partner in line, she’s imagining things” you say noting how Oz and Daphne slyly bump their knuckles together.

Oz grinned. “Oh it’s definitely the second one.” He, Daphne and Morgan laughed at his statement causing you to huff and turn back to your work ignoring their remarks. At least Karadec stays out of it you think, noting how he’s intensely looking at the evidence board.

Across the room, Nick was speaking with Soto. As if sensing your stare, he looked up.

Your eyes met. And instead of immediately looking away this time, he held your gaze for one long, dangerous second.

Then two. Something unreadable flickered across his expression. Your pulse skipped.

Morgan leaned closer. “Oh, you are both in trouble.”

You tore your eyes away. “He’s my boss.”

“Mm-hm.”

“And he drives me insane.”

“Also true.” Morgan’s smile turned knowing. “Those two facts are not as unrelated as you think.”

For the first time since Nick Wagner arrived at the precinct, you weren’t entirely sure she was wrong.

_________

By Friday morning, you had successfully avoided being alone with Captain Nick Wagner for almost two days.

Which, considering the size of the precinct, was practically a miracle. Unfortunately, miracles had a habit of running out.

“Detective.” You looked up from your desk. Nick stood beside it, a manila file tucked under one arm. “We’ve got a lead.”

You accepted the file. “Okay.”

“The victim’s ex has been avoiding us.”

“So we’ll pick him up.”

“He won’t talk to police, Oz and Daphne tried talking with him and Morgan and Karadec previously searched his apartment.”

You looked at him. He looked back.

Then your stomach sank. “No.”

“Yes.”

“We are not going undercover together.”

“It’s the fastest way to get close to him, he doesn’t know us.”

Oz, who had been pretending to organize paperwork two desks away, slowly lowered the folder in his hands.

“Oh, this is going to be fun.”

_________

An hour later, you stood outside an upscale wine bar, tugging at the hemline of your dark green dress.

“This is ridiculous.”

Nick adjusted the cuff of his navy blazer. “It’ll work.”

“It’ll get us laughed out of here.” You say moving your curled hair out of your face.

“You clean up well.” The words slipped out before he seemed to realize he’d said them.

You blinked. He blinked. For the first time since becoming captain, Nick Wagner actually looked flustered.

“I…” he cleared his throat. “You look, you know, professional.”

A slow smile tugged at your lips “Professional?”

“You know what I meant.”

“I really don’t.” You push back smirking up at him

A faint flush crept up his neck. Morgan, who was listening through your earpiece from the surveillance van, nearly choked “Captain’s blushing.” Followed by what you assume was Daphne laughing.

You bit the inside of your cheek, suppressing the smiling threatening to sneak out.

“I’m turning my earpiece off,” Nick muttered.

“Coward,” Morgan replied.

_________

Inside, the suspect barely glanced your way before smiling politely, wiping down the bar.

“You a couple or first date?”

Before you could answer

“Couple.” Nick’s response was immediate.

Natural. Effortless. Your head whipped toward him. His hand settled lightly against the small of your back. It was supposed to sell the act. It shouldn’t have affected you.

It absolutely did.

Heat spread up your spine where his hand rested. He didn’t move it. You found yourself leaning into the touch before catching yourself.

The suspect smiled knowingly. “How long have you been dating?”

You opened your mouth.

Nick answered again. “About a year.”

You shot him a look. He didn’t even glance your way.

“A year?” you echoed, playing along.

He finally looked at you. There was something almost amused in his eyes.

“You don’t remember our anniversary?”

“Oh, I remember.”

“Do you?”

“I remember you forgot.” You laughed, trying to push Nick’s buttons.

The suspect laughed. “You two argue like you’re married.”

Nick’s lips twitched. “So we’ve been told.”

_________

The interview went surprisingly smoothly. The suspect admitted he’d seen the victim two nights before her death, giving you exactly the timeline you’d been missing.

As soon as he disappeared toward the restroom, you rounded on Nick.

“A year?” You questioned raising your left eyebrow.

He shrugged. “It sounded believable.”

“You made up an entire relationship.”

“You were convincing.”

“You are impossible.”

“So I’ve heard.” He smiled.

Not the polite smile he gave city officials. Not the tight smile he used during briefings.

A real one. It transformed him completely. You stared a second longer than you should have. His smile slowly faded as he noticed. Neither of you looked away.

“You’ve got a little…” he gestured vaguely toward your face.

“What?” You blinked.

Without thinking, he reached out.

His thumb brushed gently across your skin, wiping away the faint smear of lipstick left from your drink on the corner of your mouth. The touch lasted barely a second.

You watched his expression soften in a way you’d never seen before. For one impossible moment, it felt as though the entire bar had disappeared.

Then his phone rang. Both of you stepped back immediately.

Nick answered, his voice returning to its usual calm professionalism. “Wagner.”

You looked away first, trying to ignore the way your heart was pounding.

_________

Back at the precinct, Morgan was waiting by your desk with an infuriating grin.

“So…”

“No.”

“I haven’t even asked anything.” She defended raising her hands in defence. “You don’t have to actually we heard the whole thing.”

You groaned.

“You called each other pet names.”

“We did not.” You huff throwing yourself down on the chair.

“You let him keep his hand on your back.”

“That was for the undercover operation.”

“He smiled.”

You hesitated.

Morgan caught it instantly “Oh.” She gasped.

“What?”

“You liked the smile.”

You busied yourself with the case file. “I have work to do.”

Morgan leaned closer, lowering her voice.

“You know what I think?”

“I really don’t.” You groan out.

“I think Captain Wagner walked into today expecting to solve a case.”

She glanced across the bullpen. Nick was standing in his office, looking through the glass walls toward the detectives.

Toward you.

“I think,” Morgan continued, “he accidentally found a much bigger problem.”

You followed her gaze. Nick looked away the instant your eyes met. But not before you caught the faintest hint of a smile.

And for the first time, you wondered if the feeling that had been growing between the two of you wasn’t as one-sided as you’d been trying to convince yourself

_________

You were halfway through reading the overnight reports when Captain Wagner’s office door opened.

“Detective.”

You didn’t even look up.

“What have I done now?” You sighed

A few snickers rippled through the bullpen.

“I need you in my office.”

Morgan quietly whispered to Daphne, “Five bucks says they argue before the door closes.”

“I give it two minutes” Oz stated joining in.

“Bet!” Morgan laughs back.

Nick shut the office door behind you.

“Yes?” You fold your arms arose your chest.

He slid a folder across the desk. “I’m assigning you as lead on the Mitchell homicide.”

Your eyebrows shot up.

“You are?”

“You were right about the victim knowing her killer.”

You looked at him, surprised.

“I checked your notes again over the weekend.” There was the briefest pause “You were right.”

The words sounded as though they’d been physically painful to say. A grin spread across your face. “Was that an apology?”

“No.”

“A compliment?”

“No.”

“You admitted I was right.”

“I acknowledged a fact.”

You laughed, a genuine laugh that filled the room. Nick found himself smiling before he could stop it.

“You know,” you said, “you’re much less intimidating when you smile.”

His smile vanished instantly.

“I wasn’t trying to intimidate you.”

“No?” You questioned back, the corners of your mouth lifting slightly. You laughed again.

Nick couldn’t remember the last time someone had laughed in his office. It was nice. Dangerously nice.

_________

The team executed a search warrant on an abandoned warehouse connected to the case. Nick insisted on going.

You rolled your eyes. “You know captains usually stay behind the yellow tape.”

“I know.”

“So why are you here?”

“To supervise.”

“Or because you don’t trust us?”

“I trust the team.” He starts looking around at forensics dusting for prints.

“You didn’t answer the question.”

He gave you a look. “You ask too many questions.”

“I solve murders by asking questions.

“Fair point.”

You turned smiling to yourself, you’d finally won an argument against Nick.

Inside the warehouse, everything was eerily quiet.

Morgan and Karadec searched the upstairs offices while Oz and Daphne photographed evidence.

You wandered toward a row of rusted storage shelves, hearing clinking metal sounds.

“Captain?” You question. No answer. You turned the corner. Then heard it again. A metallic snap.

“Move!” Nick’s voice echoed through the building.

Before you could react, someone slammed into you. Strong arms wrapped around your waist. The world spun. You hit the concrete hard, but not nearly as hard as you expected.

Nick had twisted at the last second, taking the full impact himself. A stack of unsecured metal shelving crashed exactly where you’d been standing.

Dust filled the air. Silence followed. Your eyes fluttered open.

Nick was above you, one forearm braced beside your head, the other protectively around your shoulders.

His breathing was uneven.

“Hi” you whispered. “This is one way to win an argument.”

His forehead dropped for half a second as a breathless laugh escaped him. “You almost got yourself killed.”

“I had it handled.”

“You absolutely did not.”

“You tackled me.”

“I did.”

“You landed on me.” You deadpanned.

“I know.”

Neither of you moved. You suddenly became very aware of how close he was. Close enough to feel every breath. Close enough to notice the tiny scar near his jaw. Close enough to see concern lingering in his eyes.

“You okay?” he asked quietly breaking the silence.

Your voice came out softer than intended. “I think so.”

His hand, still resting against your side, tightened almost imperceptibly.

“Captain!” Karadec’s voice broke through the moment. Nick immediately pushed himself to his feet before offering you a hand. You took it.

His grip lingered just a second longer than necessary.

Morgan rounded the corner and froze. She looked at the overturned shelves. Then at you. Then at Nick. Then back at the way neither of you had let go.

Her eyebrows disappeared into her hairline.“Oh…”

You and Nick released each other’s hands so quickly it was almost comical.

“We’re fine,” you said far too quickly.

Morgan looked unconvinced. “Mhmm.”

Nick straightened his jacket. “The shelves collapsed.”

Morgan nodded slowly. “Right.”

“You have something to report, Detective?”

Karadec shook his head “No, Captain.”

Morgan glanced at you. “Not about the case.” She stated walking away laughing.

_________

That evening, after everyone else had gone home, Nick remained in his office, staring out through the glass walls at the empty bullpen.

He couldn’t stop replaying the moment he’d seen the shelving begin to fall. He hadn’t thought. He’d simply moved. The realization unsettled him.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. You stood there, now in your raincoat, keys in hand.

“I just wanted to” You hesitated. “Thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me.”

“I do.”

“You would’ve done the same.”

“No, I definitely wouldn’t. Not for you at least.” You grin smugly.

“I know you would have.” He laughed.

Silence settled between you.

“You’ve only been my captain for a month,” you continued, “and we spend half our time arguing.”

A faint smile touched his lips. “More than half.”

“Probably.” You looked at him for a long moment before saying quietly, “I don’t want to make a habit of you saving me, men can be damsels in destress too”

His eyes met yours. “Noted.” He snickered.

Neither of you spoke. The air between you felt charged, as though one wrong move might change everything.

Your lips parted, as if to respond. Then both of your phones buzzed simultaneously with a case update, shattering the moment.

You both looked down at your screens. When you looked back up, the opportunity had passed.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” you asked.

Nick nodded. “Tomorrow, have a good night.”

As you walked away, he watched until the elevator doors closed. Only then did he let out a slow breath.

Across the hall, Morgan stepped out of the break room holding a vending machine snack.

She had clearly seen the last thirty seconds.

“You two are going to be the death of me,” she muttered to herself, before taking a bite and grinning. “But this is way more entertaining than watching Karadec do paperwork.”

_________

The precinct was unusually quiet Tuesday morning. That should have been your first warning.

You’d barely set your coffee on your desk before Daphne appeared beside you with an expression that was far too innocent.“So, anything new happening”

You sighed. “What?”

“How’s your back?”

“My back?” You question confused.

“From Captain Wagner throwing himself on top of you yesterday.”

You nearly inhaled your coffee. Across the bullpen, Oz looked up from his computer. “I told you she’d deny.”

“You told them?” you asked, glaring at Morgan.

“I told everyone.” She said waving her hands around.

“You what?” You gasped out.

“I told everyone the shelves collapsed.”

You narrowed your eyes. “And?”

“And that Captain Wagner practically dove across the warehouse to save you.”

You opened your mouth. Closed it again.“That is an exaggeration.”

Morgan tilted her head. “Is it?”

Soto crossed her arms suddenly interested in causing your demise. “I know people who worked with Nick for years.”

You blinked. “You have?”

She nodded. “They’ve never seen him lose his composure.” Her gaze softened.

“Yesterday, he looked terrified.” Daphne said softly.

You look towards his office starting at him as he sit down and starts writing in a case file.

Birds of a Feather

Morgan struggles to keep herself occupied when Karadec returns to work. Then, a surprising witness helps the team solve an unusual murder.

You can check it out here:

Summary: There had been something in the way Morgan Gillory had focused on the case and had written so confidently on the case board. And on the way she was now analyzing Selena and Oz. Everything about her movements was sharp, intent, as though not much missed her notice.

Series rewrite AU where Selena Soto becomes Morgan's partner, rather than Karadec.

Lev Ozdil x Female Detective Reader

Lev ozdil x female fanfic where they’ve know each other since they were kids, reader had a hard upbringing. Both are detectives, lots of pinning and near kisses and longing glances.

First fanfic on tumblr…… kind of nervous

Everyone at Major Crimes thought Detective Lev Ozdil was impossible to read. Calm. Collected. Wicked sense of humour, and loved a doughnut.

The kind of detective who could walk into a crime scene, take one glance around, and quietly piece things together.

But you could read him perfectly.

Mostly because you’d spent twenty-three years learning every tiny expression he had.

⸻

You first met when you were eight. Your foster home had organised a “community day” at the local police station. Most of the children were excited about the police dogs.

You were more interested in hiding. Lev had been there with his father, bored out of his mind, sitting alone on a bench with a comic book. You’d quietly sat beside him.Neither of you had spoken for almost twenty minutes.Eventually he’d offered you half his packet of chips.

“…You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to.” He mumbled glancing at you. It was the first kindness anyone had shown you in weeks. From then on you were inseparable.

⸻

Lev learned very quickly that home wasn’t safe for you. He never pushed for details, he simply noticed, bruises that were always “accidents.” The way you flinched when adults raised their voices, and how you apologised for absolutely everything.

He’d quietly started walking you home after school, never asking questions just quietly comforting

⸻

When you were sixteen, things got worse a broken wrist, bloody nose, bruised ribs and countless cuts and bruises. You finally ran. Lev was the one who found you sitting outside the train station in the pouring rain with nothing but a backpack. He didn’t ask questions. He wrapped his hoodie around your shoulders.

“You coming?” He asked holding out his hand.

“…Where?” You asked eyes burning with tears.

“Home.” He simply stated as if it was the most obvious answer.

“No I can’t, your parents they’ll hate me.” You replied shaking your head

“They’ll love you.” He whispered bending down looking at you.

He’d been right.

⸻

Fifteen years later, the two of you worked homicide together. Everyone assumed you were dating.

Well everyone except, the two people actually involved.

⸻

“You two are ridiculous.” Daphne deadpanned as stood beside your desk with crossed arms. You looked up from your paperwork.

“Uh, what?”

“You two” She pointed across the bullpen. Lev was leaning against the coffee machine talking with Morgan, he glanced up sending a smile your way one to which you absentmindedly reciprocated.

“What are you talking about Daph?” You sighed turning back to her.

“You smiled.”

“I did not.”

“You absolutely did.”

“I smile at everyone.” You replied fighting the urge to smack her across her leg.

“No” Daphne snorted as she leaned closer “You look at Oz like he invented oxygen”

You nearly choked on your coffee. “What? I do not.”

⸻

Morgan nudged Lev “You know she’s staring.”

Lev frowned “No, she wasn’t.”

Morgan raised an eyebrow “You looked at each other for five straight seconds.”

“Seriously? We’re friends we look at each other, that’s normal”

“No, Oz” Morgan laughed “That’s pining, Karadec back me up here” she exclaimed as he walked in to pour his coffee.

Karadec sighed “leave me out of this, and leave them alone we have a killer to catch, not keeping up with love island here”

“Ok that made no sense, it’s love island and keeping up with the Kardashian’s, two different shows, and your no fun” Morgan pouted.

“This is a police station, we’re in major crimes Morgan nothing here is ment to be fun” Karadec turns with his coffee in hand towards his desk.

“You’ve loved her since you were kids.” Morgan accused pointing her finger at him already over Karadec’s tantrum.

Lev froze “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He stated more interested in stirring his coffee.

Morgan grinned. “You still keep that friendship bracelet she made you when you were twelve.”

“No I don’t” he replied, Morgan looked at him accusingly. Lev sighed. “…It’s in my desk.”

“I knew it.” She grinned triumphantly.

⸻

The team arrived at a murder scene. An old warehouse, the rain pouring, you stepped onto a rusted staircase.

Lev looked up towards you immediately “Careful.”

You huffed “I’m fi—” Your foot slipped. Before you even fell, hand caught your waist strong, warm and steady.

His fingers tightened around your waist chest against your back keeping you upright “you okay?

Your heart was pounding far harder than the near fall justified. “I’m okay.”

Neither of you moving from the embrace, not immediately. Morgan walked past holding evidence bags “…Interesting.” She muttered catching your attention, causing both of you to jump apart.

⸻

Daphne cornered Morgan by the vending machine. “So? What are we going to do?”

Morgan sighed dramatically. “They’re disasters, they’re thirty and still acting like high schoolers with crushes” Morgan rubbed her temples. “We have to help.”

“Oh…” Daphne smiled. “I already have a plan.”

Karadec looked horrified walking up to Daphne and Morgan “Why are you smiling like that?” He questioned

Daphne grinned “you’ll see”

⸻

You and Lev stood outside the precinct after your shift, rain still tapped softly against the pavement, neither of you seemed eager to leave.

“So…” you trail off

“So…” You both laughed awkwardly.

Silence. Comfortable. The kind only the two of you ever managed.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” Lev asked leaning against the precinct building.

“You always do.” You replied grinning up at him

He smiled as he turned to walk towards his car. You were still standing there watching him, when your eyes met again as he turned to give the tiniest nod. You smiled back.

⸻

By Friday morning, Daphne had already set her plan in motion.

She leaned casually against the desk while Morgan pretended to study the vehicle log. “So…” Morgan said loudly, “looks like Unit Three’s in the shop.”

Daphne nodded with exaggerated disappointment.“Unit Five too.” Lev walked in carrying two coffees placing one at your desk

“That leaves…” Morgan looked down at the clipboard with a grin she was desperately trying to hide. “…one unmarked sedan.”

You frowned. “For four detectives?”

“Actually,” Daphne replied innocently, “the witness interviews are in two different suburbs.” She pointed at the board. “You and Lev are taking the north route. Morgan, Karadec and I have the south.”

Before either you or Lev could object, Morgan was already jingling another set of keys “See you this afternoon!” She called out dragging a grumpy Karadec out with her.

The trio disappeared before you had the chance to say a word. You turned slowly toward Lev. “…I think we’ve been set up.” You say tilting your head.

Lev looked toward the exit where Morgan and Daphne had practically sprinted away. “Yeah, I think you’re right.”

⸻

The drive was quiet, not uncomfortable, never uncomfortable, just familiar.

Lev drove with one hand resting loosely on the steering wheel, the other tapping absentmindedly to the music playing softly through the speakers.

“You still listen to this band?” You question laughing

“It reminds me of school.”

“You mean when you insisted they were the greatest musicians alive?” You glance over at him

“They are.” He laughed

“ Oz they broke up after one album.” You deadpanned

“They were misunderstood.” He argued back laughing, you joined in. God, he loved that sound.

Lev stole a glance at you before quickly returning his eyes to the road.

He wished he could make you laugh every day for the rest of his life. The thought hit him so suddenly that he gripped the steering wheel tighter.

⸻

The witness interview took less than an hour. So you both stoped at a cafe near the precinct for lunch. As you stepped outside, the sky darkened and thunder rolled overhead.

“I don’t like the look of that” he mumbled. As if on cue, the rain began pouring in sheets. Lev sighed. “We’re soaked before we even reach the car.”

You laughed. “We’ve survived worse.”

He smiled.” True.”

You both glanced at each other before sprinting toward the car. Halfway there, you slipped on the wet pavement. Again. Before you could even react Lev caught you by the waist. Your hands instinctively grabbed his jacket. Neither of you moved. His hand remained firmly against your side. You could feel his heartbeat, or maybe it was yours.

Your faces where inches apart, his eyes searched yours with a softness you’d never seen before. Your gaze fell briefly to his lips. He noticed. Almost without thinking he leaned in, you did too.

“Oz!, Y/N!” Both of you jumped apart. Morgan was waving from across the street, standing under the awning of a café beside Daphne.

“You two planning on catching pneumonia?” She shouted.

Lev cleared his throat so hard it almost hurt. “We’re coming.”

Morgan exchanged a knowing glance with Daphne who looked at her furious

“That,” Morgan whispered as the pair approached, “was definitely almost a kiss.”

Daphne tuned to Morgan grabbing her by the shoulders “why would you stop them!”

“Relax Daph, it will make the actual kiss so much better they won’t be able to hold back”

⸻

The four detectives and consultant gathered in the briefing room to go over the case.

Captain Wagner assigning tasks for the following week. “Ozdil and Y/N, you’ll be reviewing evidence together tomorrow.”

Morgan coughed suspiciously into her fist wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

“What was that?” Wagner asked staring down Morgan

“Nothing, sir.” She stated smiling smugly

Daphne was staring very hard at the table to hide her smile are the couple looked at each other confused by Morgan’s implication.

⸻

The meeting ended and everyone filtered out. You remained behind gathering files. Lev reached for the same folder at exactly the same time. Neither of you pulled away immediately.

“You take it,” he said quietly.

“No you.”

“I insist.”

“You always insist, such a gentleman” you say smiling.

You looked up. Again, your eyes met, the room suddenly felt very small and very quiet.

“You know…” Lev began.

Your heart skipped. “Yeah?”

“I…” He hesitated.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway coming closer to the meeting room, the moment shattered. Captain Wagner poked his head back into the room.

“Ozdil? Need those reports before you leave.”

Lev stepped back immediately “Right. Of course.” He picked up the folders with a sigh. “I’ll… see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow.” You echoed watching him leave

⸻

As Lev walked toward his desk, Morgan fell into step beside him. “You nearly told her.” She sang

Lev sighed heavily. “I know.”

“So… why didn’t you?” Morgan questioned.

Lev looked back toward the briefing room, where you were still standing alone. His voice was barely above a whisper.

“Because if she doesn’t feel the same…” He swallowed hard. “…I’d rather spend my whole life as her best friend than lose her completely.”

Unbeknownst to him, just around the corner, Daphne had paused. She’d heard every word, a smile tugged at her lips. “Oh, Lev,” she murmured. “You have no idea how wrong you are.”

The next afternoon, the evidence room was unusually quiet, just you and Lev, and boxes of case files stacked from floor to ceiling.

“You take photographs,” Lev said, sliding a folder across the table. “I’ll go through the statements.”

“You always give me the easy job.” You pout

“You complain less.”

“I do not.” You argue back

He looked up with the smallest hint of a smile. “You absolutely do.”

You nudged his shoulder as you passed, and he let out a quiet laugh. For a moment, it wasn’t work. It was just the two of you. Like always.

⸻

An hour later, Lev disappeared to retrieve another evidence box. The second the door closed behind him, Daphne slipped inside. “You’ve got exactly five minutes before he comes back.”

You blinked. “Should I be concerned?”

“Probably.” She shrugged as she sat on the edge of the table, studying your face. “So how long are you planning on pretending?”

Your shoulders turned ridged, defensive. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Please.” She rolled her eyes affectionately. “I’ve seen the way you look at him.”

You stared at the floor. “It’s that obvious?”

“To everyone except Lev.”

A weak laugh escaped you. “That sounds about right.” Silence settled between you. Finally, you spoke.“I’ve loved him for years.” The words felt terrifying once they were out. “I think, maybe since we were teenagers.”

Daphne’s expression softened. “And you’ve never told him?”

You shook your head. “I couldn’t.”

“Why?”

You hesitated. “When you’ve spent your childhood believing people only stay until they don’t” Your voice cracked. “it’s hard to believe someone could choose you.”

Daphne reached over and squeezed your hand. “You really think Lev would leave?” She questioned.

“I know he wouldn’t as a friend.” You smiled sadly “But if I told him how I felt and he didn’t feel the same…” You looked away. “I’d lose the one constant I’ve ever had. The only person who’s been there through everything.” Your eyes glistened. “I can’t lose him, Daph.”

Daphne’s heart ached. She’d known you’d had a difficult upbringing. She hadn’t realized just how deeply it still shaped you.

“He used to sneak sandwiches into school for me,” you said with a watery laugh. “When I pretended I’d already eaten. He’d walk me home, even when it meant going the opposite direction. He sat with me for six hours in the hospital after I broke my wrist.”

Your smile softened. “He never once made me feel like I was too much.” A tear slipped down your cheek. “I think, I fell in love with him because he taught me what safe feels like.”

⸻

Lev returned as he reached for the handle, he paused hearing your voice through the slightly open door.

“I think, I fell in love with him because he taught me what safe feels like.”

He froze. His breath caught. She, she was talking about, him? He stood rooted to the spot, afraid to move, afraid to interrupt.

Inside, Daphne smiled gently. “I wish you could hear yourself.”

You laughed quietly. “I sound pathetic, I am pathetic.” You groan

“No.” She shook her head holding your hand “You’re in love.”

⸻

Morgan rounded the corner carrying another evidence box. And saw Lev standing motionless outside the door. “Oz?”

Lev looked at her with wide, stunned eyes. Morgan followed his gaze to the half-open door. Then realization dawned. Morgan had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from cheering.

“I…” Lev cleared his throat, his hand tightened around the box. “I need a minute.”

Morgan smiled. “For the first time in twenty years you’re finally the one who’s speechless.”

Inside the evidence room, completely unaware that the man you loved had just heard the truth, you wiped away another tear and smiled at Daphne. “I just hope, one day, he finds someone who loves him as much as he deserves.”

Outside the door, Lev closed his eyes. She has. Lev barely remembered the rest of the afternoon. He answered questions, photographed evidence and interviewed a witness.

His mind kept replaying your voice. “ I fell in love with him because he taught me what safe feels like.” Every time he looked at you, he had to remind himself to breathe. You loved him.

⸻

You noticed something was different. Lev was quieter than usual, distracted. As the team packed up to leave the crime scene, you caught up beside him. “You okay?”

He looked at you, and for a split second, his expression softened so completely that your heart skipped. “I’m fine.”

“You sure?” He nodded, you searched his face “You’d tell me if something was wrong.”

His smile was gentle. “I always tell you.” Not everything, he thought.

⸻

The following evening, Captain Wagner called the team into the briefing room. ”I’ve got good news and bad news.”

Morgan sighed. “The bad news first.”

“The suspect from yesterday fled to a cabin two hours outside the city.”

“And the good news?” Karadec asked.

“We’ve secured a search warrant.”

Everyone nodded. Nick continued. “The roads are expected to flood overnight, so whoever goes needs to stay there until morning.”

Morgan looked at Daphne. Daphne looked at Morgan. Karadec nudged Morgan to keep out of it. Both females looked at Nick pointing aggressively at Oz and Y/N

“Detectives Ozdil and Y/N,” Nick said, sighing

Morgan coughed into her fist to hide a laugh. Daphne looked suspiciously innocent. And Karadec was just bored.

You frowned. “Just us?”

“You’ve worked together longer than anyone.”

Lev glanced sideways at you. “We’ll go” You smiled

Morgan mouthed thank you to the ceiling and sent a thumbs up to Nick who just raised his eyebrows at her.

⸻

The cabin was smaller than either of you expected. One bedroom. One sofa. One tiny fireplace. The suspect had long since been taken into custody by local officers three hours after you’d come to town, leaving you with nothing to do but wait out the storm until morning.

The storm had settled into a steady rhythm outside. Rain tapped softly against the cabin windows while the fire crackled in the hearth. Neither of you had moved. Your fingers were slowly moving closer till they were intertwining. Neither of you seemed willing to be the first to let go.

Lev looked down at your joined hands before taking a slow breath. “Can I ask you something?”

You nodded. His thumb brushed gently across your knuckles.

“If I tell you something, will you let me finish before you say anything?”

You smiled nervously. “I’ll try.”

A tiny laugh escaped him. “That’s probably the best promise I’m going to get.”

Silence stretched between you. He looked at the fire instead of you. “I heard you.”

Your smile faltered. “Heard me?”

“The other afternoon with Daphne.”

Realization washed over you in an instant. Your confession. “Oh.”

Lev’s heart sank at the look on your face. “I’m sorry,” he said immediately. “I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. I came back with another evidence box, and the door was open. I heard, enough.”

You pulled your hand away, wrapping your arms around yourself. “Oh my God.”

“You don’t have to—”

“I told Daphne everything.” You panicked

“You did.”

“I basically embarrassed myself in front of you.”

“You didn’t.”

“I definitely did.” You buried your face in your hands. “I should probably transfer to another precinct.”

Despite everything, Lev laughed. It was soft, warm, and so familiar that you peeked through your fingers. “You don’t have to transfer.”

“I don’t?”

“No.” He reached out carefully, giving you every chance to pull away. Instead, he took one of your hands in both of his. “You said you were afraid.” Your eyes met his. “You thought if I didn’t feel the same” he continued quietly, “you’d lose your best friend.”

A tear slipped down your cheek. “Yes.”

“You were wrong.”

Your breath caught.

“Because even if I hadn’t felt the same” He squeezed your hand. “nothing would have made me walk away from you.”

Your vision blurred.

“I promised you when we were sixteen that I’d stay.” Images flashed through your mind. A rainy train station. His hoodie around your shoulders. His hand reaching for yours “You’re coming home with us.” “I meant it then,” he whispered. “And I mean it now.”

You could barely breathe.

“And the really unfair part” A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Is that I’ve been in love with you for almost as long.”

You stared at him. “What?” You stated confused.

“I don’t even know when it happened.” He laughed quietly. “Maybe it was when you punched that boy in middle school for making fun of my glasses.”

“I absolutely did.” You said proudly

“You gave him a black eye!”

“I was very emotional, I liked those glasses”You laughed through your tears.

“I remember.” He laughed “I think” Lev admitted, “I realized it the day you moved in with my family.” He looked down, almost shy. “You were asleep on our couch, mum covered you with a blanket.”

“And I remember thinking” He looked back into your eyes. “I wanted you to feel safe for the rest of your life.”

Your hand flew to your mouth. “Lev”

He nodded once. “Every birthday, every Christmas, every terrible date either of us went on.”

You blinked. “You knew those dates were terrible?”

“I interrogated every guy you ever mentioned.”

“You did?”

“In my head.” He admitted

A watery laugh escaped you. “I hated every woman you dated.”

“I noticed.”

“You did?” You asked shocked.

“You once called one of them ‘aggressively beige.’”

Your cheeks burned. “Hey, I stand by that.” In your defence she was aggressively beige.

Lev laughed so hard he had to wipe at his eyes. “You were jealous.”

“I was.”

He shook his head. “So was I.”

The laughter faded into another quiet moment.

He reached up, brushing away the tears still clinging to your cheeks.

“You once told me I taught you what safe feels like.”

You nodded.

“You taught me what home feels like.”

The words broke the last of your resolve. You leaned forward first this time. Slowly. Giving him every chance to stop you.

He didn’t.

His hand cupped your cheek. His forehead touched yours. “So…”

“So…” you echoed.

“No Morgan?”

You laughed. “No Morgan.”

“No Daphne?”

“Definitely no Daphne.”

He smiled. “Good.”

Then, after twenty-three years of friendship, years of quiet longing, countless stolen glances and interrupted moments Lev closed the distance.

His lips met yours in a kiss that was soft, tentative, and full of everything the two of you had never been brave enough to say. It lasted only a few seconds. When you pulled back, neither of you had stopped smiling.

“I’ve wanted to do that for years,” Lev admitted. You rested your forehead against his again.

“Took you long enough, Detective.”

“I was gathering evidence.”

You laughed. “And your conclusion?”

He kissed your forehead this time.

“My conclusion” He looked at you with a smile so full of love that it made your heart ache. “is that you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

He pulled you back in by the back of your neck and one hand on your waist, gentleness out the window as you use one hand to grasp the front of his shirt and the other on his jaw, lips only leaving each other or a second to catch air before diving back in. Trying to pull each other as close as possible, making up for lost time. And Morgan was right their first kiss together they won’t be able to hold back.

Outside, the storm finally began to clear. Inside the little cabin, for the first time since they were eight years old, neither of you had to wonder how the other felt.