Chapter Text
"I hope to ask you to marry me one day, Bella," Maya Bishop 'goes for it' (she's the NEW MAYA, after all-including haircut).
"Oh, really?", Carina is teases. "I can't guarantee that I can get used to that HAIRCUT, Miss."
Stirring the wok she's stir-frying vegetables she answers carefully. "My Dad-he's every bit the abusive asshole everyone says that he was. I,
um...I don't think that that I was wrong to ask you to back off; it's the way that I said it. And the...actions I took...to punish you for telling the
truth-the truth that I couldn't face. For that I torture myself every night; I expect that I'll be doing that for a long time.
In response to Maya's unasked question, Carina says "We're not there , Amore. Not yet. Sono stato devastato...I was devastated, Maya. Destroyed
by how cruelly you inserted the blade. But I see how sincere you are. In these past nine months, you have..come si dice?: hung in there. I'm told
that before you would immediately just move on to the next conquest; that you did not do that this time demonstrates that you want to be
forgiven, that you understand what you did and you want to fix it. That won't happen if you don't apply Dr. Lewis' principles. You SHOULD...they are
working."
A huge grin from Maya. "They ARE?"
"Of course. The staff psychiatrists at the hospital RAVE about her."
Just then Andy Herrera barges in, using the key she never returned (from when she lived there); she 'caught' the tail end of what Carina said,
and states "She's GREAT! Robert and I are back from the brink of divorce, and it's because of HER."
"Ahhh-you don't live here; why do you have a key?" Maya asks.
"We're like sisters: I'm allowed to have a key."
"Herrera has her own rules-that's what we call them 'Herrera Rules'."
Unpacking two bottles of wine and a six-pack of Dos Equis, she says "it's 'Eh-RRE-RRA", NOT 'HUR-REYR-RA'; on't pronounce the 'H'! after all of
these years NONE of you-NOT ONE of you can pronounce my name correctly-except YOU, Carina-thanks for that!"
"Prego...you are so welcome, Andy-grazie."
"ANYway!", says Maya: "How does he like his new Battalion, Sullivan?
"Loving it! It's too bad Chief Suarez had to retire because of that alt-right loser (an alt-right counter protester, angered at discovering an Hispanic
in such a position of authority, shot Suarez twice at a eight car accident (including two oil tanker trucks) caused by the racist, who hit one of the oil
tankers, causing the other vehicles to collide). "His old station 88 is included in his command."
The three women chat while eating (they have wine with their stir-fry) and discuss the promotion of Jack Gibson to Captain of 23, Andy's
appointment as Instructor at the Fire Academy, and Carina's research grant, which is worth millions. "Andrea's really progressing in his treatment
regimen. It's expected that if trends hold, he will be able to resume surgical duties in a few months."
"That's great!" Both Andy and Maya are effusive in their happiness about this news. "You haven't mentioned my Nephew!" Maya complains.
"He's with my Mom-he is SO bossy!" Andy says, beaming. "He's developing his own little personality; he's Sullivan's Son!", she adds proudly.
Carina says "What a wonderful fantastic benefit Chief Ripley implemented; on-site day care is proven to be better for both child and parent."
"And YOU TWO...how's that coming along?", Andy asks the pair.
"We are getting there: ci stiamo arrivando", Carina responds. "We are both trying...YOU are her BEST FRIEND...can I trust her?"
Andy thinks it over...Maya 'sort of' stole her promotion...and slept with her ex-boyfriend: and HID IT (Girl Code!)...she fucked Jack AGAIN
while involved with Carina)...Andy has never seen her like this before: she can tell that this is true love...and so she does what any BEST
would do, and provides COVER. "You can trust her, Carina. Yes she fucked up, but I know her. She will never make that mistake again."
"Alright. Thank you."