Chapter Text
"I really love her Jake"
Ever since Rosa admitted that, she was still trying to accept that truth. The truth that was, after so long, she had been given a second chance at love.
It was different from what she felt with Marcus, to what she felt with Pimento. She couldn't explain it.
It was weak and humiliating to love someone. That's why she'd never admit it. Until now. Jake was one person, someone who'd never judge her for it. Telling Jocelyn might ruin their relationship.
But for the first time in her life, she could imagine a future. A future with little curly haired children wielding knives.
She and Jake had just closed a drug bust, and the squad was at Shaw's celebrating.
But this time, she wasn't coming in alone.
"Well, hello there, Jocelyn Pryce" Jake wiggled his eyebrows at Rosa. She rolled her eyes at him. She wasn't one for public displays of affection, but she didn't complain when Jocelyn intertwined their fingers.
Jake was giving a very exaggerated retelling of the takedown and 2 drink Amy was obnoxiously cheering him on. The atmosphere was lively, filled with clinking glasses and Charles arguing with the bartender about the perfect grilled cheese.
All Rosa could focus on was the laughter that erupted out of the person next to her, how the light made her brown eyes shine brighter, and how her side swept hair fell just above her eyes. She couldn't help but smile.
Maybe it was because of the warm feeling in her stomach, or maybe it was the fact that her smile muscles were getting more exercise recently. But it was then that she realized something.
She was, after a long time, happy.
-
"Diaz, Peralta, my office"
It was a normal day, and they expected to be given a normal case. However, it wasn't a normal case. It started with a slightly out of the ordinary murder of a 9-8 officer.
Holt gave them a few files. "This is a high-priority case, I want this solved efficiently. I trust both of you to lead this case and enlist the help of the squad"
Jake was the first to reply. "Righty-ho, captain. I take honor in avenging our fallen brethren" He held his hand up and looked towards the ceiling.
"Dimissed Peralta"
"Yup"
"A minute, Diaz" Holt leaned forward to speak.
"I know you're trying to cut down on hours to allow for personal time. I can always have Boyle run point on this case with Peralta"
Rosa thought for a moment, her eyes gazing pointlessly around the room. She hadn’t had an exciting case in weeks.
"Appreciate it sir, but I'll work it"
"I have no quarrels with that. Dismissed"
They exchanged a nod before Rosa walked out.
-
The precinct was buzzing with the regular cop chatter. Files were strewn across her desk, nearly making Rosa miss the familiar vibration of her phone. 2 missed calls. A quiet swear left her, and she quickly texted her girlfriend.
Homicide, be there soon
She hesitated before adding 3 hearts at the end. It was hard, but weirdly, she didn't feel the same amount of disgust she felt a few weeks ago.
Jake had already left with Amy by the time Rosa packed up. The sun was barely in the sky, casting a golden hue across her desk.
Rosa wondered why her alarm didn't go off. In fact, she hadn't heard it buzz with notifications at all. When she pressed the button, it failed to turn on. It died just after she texted Jocelyn, Rosa realized with a frown.
Ross stepped delicately into the dimly lit room. Dark shadows cloaked the lounge, the only light being a lamp from the bedroom.
"Jocelyn?"
Jocelyn came out into the hallway, switching on a light as she went.
"Rosa! I thought I wouldn't see you until morning" Rosa could tell by the downturn of her lips and the abandoned look in her eyes that this wasn't their normal spat about her job.
Rosa shoved her hands in her pockets. "There's a new case I'm working on"
"You said back soon, and it's been hours" Jocelyn leaned against the doorframe, her gazing shifting towards the ground.
A small wave of guilt overcame Rosa.
"I'm sorry, I lost track of time"
Jocelyn clenched her jaw. "I'll add it to the list of excuses"
Rosa didn't reply, her bag slipping down her arm.
Jocelyn pursed her lips. "I'm sorry, it's just that I'm tired of worrying"
"I know you have a hard job, but I don't know if I can do this anymore"
She stepped forward, inches from Rosa's face. Her words were barely audible, neither of them wanting to accept its truth.
A deep kiss was pressed to Jocelyn's lips, silencing her.
"I'll do better, I promise"
-
The sun was still up when Rosa left the precinct, casting a warm glow over her as she sped through Brooklyn. She was the first to leave this time.
It had been a couple weeks since they started their case. Their murderer had killed twice, both in the same gruesome way. Hung from the ceiling and blood splattered everywhere from various knife wounds.
It was still on her mind as she exited the elevator. She thought about their complete absence of leads and the heat Holt was getting from the brass.
Rosa stood outside her apartment, her hand moved to her gun as she stopped cold. The door was cracked open. They had an unspoken rule never to leave the door open.
An eerie silence engulfed her as she slowly walked in. She clenched her jaw, trying to distract herself from the overwhelming sense of anxiety. Gun drawn, she tiptoed down the hallway. The evening sun filtered in through the windows, making a beastly shadow from the lounge.
The gun fell from her hand, clanging onto the floor. The sharp stench of blood was overpowering, filling her nostrils, blocking out everything else.
She reached for her phone, needing to call someone, anyone. The scene was horrifying. Dark red blood oozing from cuts covering her body and a fraying rope twisted around a wounded neck. She froze, stuck in place by the sight before her.
The body that hung from the ceiling was the body of someone Rosa loved.
The body of Jocelyn Pryce.