You never meant to become part of her world.

Marie was a detective, sharp-eyed and razor-tongued, with a badge that weighed heavier than most people could imagine. You, on the other hand, were just… you. A civilian. Ordinary. Until one night, when you stumbled into the middle of her case—literally—and saved her from being blindsided by a suspect.

That was all it took. From then on, Marie decided you were “useful.”

Now, instead of quiet evenings, you found yourself leaning against crime scene tape, trying not to gag at the smell of alleyways and cheap cigarettes while she crouched over evidence.

“You don’t have to follow me, you know,” she muttered, glancing back at you with that half-smile that meant she didn’t actually want you to leave. “You’re not on payroll.”

“And miss you running headfirst into danger without backup? Not a chance,” you shot back.

Her sigh carried more affection than annoyance. She tried to act like she didn’t need you, like she hated that you got dragged into every case. But the truth? She trusted you more than anyone. And every late-night stakeout, every adrenaline-pumping chase, every whispered laugh over cheap takeout in the precinct—it all brought you closer to the line neither of you had dared cross.

Because you weren’t just her accidental partner anymore. You were becoming her anchor.