A New Start (Chris Parker)
026. Over
He’d been fighting Alex over this for months, fighting in vain to legitimise the blows and the pain in front of his friend, he’d been lying to his Captain whenever the bruises got bad enough to make the medic talk, knowing that Ross would see through his lies but keep silent. Chris was starting to believe he’d be trapped at Wilder’s mercy forever but that night something snapped. And once his legs stopped shaking he changed his bloody shirt, packed his bag, took a last look around the room that had witnessed so much of his shame, and just ran.
065. Secret
The medic’s hands are warm and careful but Chris is still on edge, there’s too much Bentley could easily read from his skin, too much he would have wanted to keep secret. But there are no awkward questions, no poorly hidden nosy eagerness for answers, and no pressing curiosity in the other man’s eyes as he finally ends the examination and shakes Chris’ hands.
“Welcome on the team, Chris,” Bentley says in his terribly posh accent.
Getting transferred had been the right thing to do, but regret and guilt-ridden need are still clawing at Chris’ insides behind his casual smile.
085. Let go
The soberness in Lieutenant Lyle’s eyes tells Chris that he’s not getting away with it. He should have known better than to hope Bentley wouldn’t mention what he’d seen.
“I don’t want details. But I need to know if this will in any way affect your job.” Lyle says in a hard, professional voice.
“No, sir.” Chris says firmly, truthfully.
“Good. Now, Parker, I have to ask you something very important… Do you play poker?”
Chris can’t help a small chuckle seeing Lyle’s grin and for the first time in a long time he can feel the tension fading away.
047. Family
Sam treats him like the stray, hurt puppy she never had (he never told her about the origin of his many scars but she’s just perceptive like that), coddling him with a bit too much pride and not enough finesse, singling him out as the only one on the team she wouldn’t hit on with fierce determination and quick success, which feels more like an insult than a privilege, but it’s her fondness that truly makes Chris part of their crazy, mismatched but oddly devoted family.