Work Text:
Who Am I to Hold You?
By Amanda Bradley
I know you're tired, Chief,
I can see the dark circles under your eyes
As you lay sleeping.
You days are filled with classes and training
Your nights with study and bad dreams.
You needn't worry; You'll ace it all,
And we both know it.
So why are you killing yourself?
What are you really afraid of?
Being my official partner?
You've been that for years
In every way that matters.
You've been hurt,
Scared witless,
And put in harms way
More than any partner I've ever had before,
Yet you're still here.
Doing what it takes,
And don't kid yourself, I hear the whispers,
Ellison's whore.
I know it can't be easy,
But you stick it out...
For what?
You could go away,
Apply at some other University
And get a job,
One that would pay more than a
Rookie cop's salary,
But you stay here,
Putting up with the gossip,
And the glares,
And me.
You're willing to take it all and
Do it my way.
I don't get it.
I can't even find the words
To express the magnitude of
What you've given up,
And why?
For me,
To keep me safe,
And sane.
I'm not sure I'm worth it,
But I want to be.