i only started watching this show because of Shemar Moore but then it ended up being really good. TW: abusive relationship, so abuse and self harm, etc.

HONDOS POV

We had just gotten back from an assignment, feeling good. Everyone had gotten out safely and the ones responsible were taken into custody. We were joking around when Commander Hicks walked up to us with a grave face. 

"Is something wrong, boss?" Luca says. He raises his eyebrows. "There's a young woman in the kitchen. She's...roughed up and said that she would only speak to you. Hasn't said a thing since."

He turns around and looks at us, confused. I nod. "Well, lets go see what this is about."

We all file into the kitchen and see a woman sitting at the counter. Her hair was white, but messy. She wore a long black sweater and jeans. 

When the door closed, she turned her head and saw Luca and froze. He did too, and then ran towards her. She got off the stool and threw her arms around him.

"Ava."

AVAS POV

I tried not to cry but i couldn't help it. I was relieved. I had been so afraid that Thomas would know where i was going and would get to me first. I was the first one to pull away, tucking my hair behind my ear and looking up at him.

"I'm so glad you're here." Luca says. "We need to talk." He nodded and turned to the group. I heard more than one sharp intake of breath as they got a good look at my busted up face.

"Hi, I'm Avalon Luca. Dom is my cousin." They all introduced themselves. When the famous Hondo finally shook my hand, my heart seemed to stop. If my situation weren't so dismal i would probably  flirt with him.

"Ava... what happened to your eye?" I flinch and gently touch the bruises around my eye. "That's why i am here. It was Thomas." He looked at me for a second, and then slammed his hands into the counter. "Luca!" Hondo said sternly. "I knew that guy was an asshole."

The rest of them looked at me and i avoided their eyes as I said. "My...well he was supposed to be my boyfriend but... he hasn't filled that role in a long time." I felt the tears well up in my eyes. "He almost... i could've died last night. That's when i knew i had to stop it. I've tried going to the cops before and they didn't listen so i left this morning, i told him i was going to work but i came here."

I tried to begin again but i choked on a sob. I felt so stupid.  It was Hondo. "We will do what we can to help you." 

I threw my arms around him, the tears beginning to fall again. "Thank you, thank you." 

BIG OLE TIME SKIP

AVAS POV

It had been three weeks since I had first stepped into SWAT headquarters. They had changed my life, helping me go back and collect my things, get into a new place, and even helped get Thomas put away for a long time. Turns out, he was doing a lot more than beating up on me.

The team was going out for drinks and Luca invited me. I said yes. I told myself it was just so i could tell them how much i appreciated their help. But deep down inside i wanted to see Hondo again. I had been so taken with him from the first moment i met him.

I ended up wearing a dark sleeveless and backless blue dress and black leather jacket with tights and ankle high boots. I took one last look in the mirror and smiled. For the first time in a very long time, I actually felt... pretty. 

My phone goes off and its Luca, him and Street are waiting outside. I hurry outside and get in the car. "Damn Ava you look amazing!" Street says and i blush hard. "Hey, no hitting on my cousin, Street." Luca says with a smile. He laughs. "I'm not, i'm just complimenting her. Plus, even if i was, i think someone else has caught her eye."

I can see in the mirror that Luca raised his eyebrows. "Really?" I blush even harder and hide my head. "I have no idea who you are possibly talking about." Street laughs louder. "You mean to say you haven't been stealing glances at our team leader the past three weeks?" 

Luca chuckles. "Don't worry, Ava. He's a good guy."

I groan. "You guys better not say anything. Besides, there's no way that he'd feel the same way."

We pull up and me and Street get out of the car. He throws his arm around me. "I definitely will not do anything to get you to confess your feelings to Hondo tonight." I shove him away with a smile. "I swear to God you better not."

We meet everyone inside. "You're looking good tonight, Ava." Chris says and I smile. "Thanks. I feel great." I notice Hondo staring intently at me and realize that Street was standing super close to me again. He seems almost... jealous. But before i could determine anything he looked away and Street moved to join the table.

As the night wore on, I talked and laughed with Luca and the team. I felt at home, listening to their stories and even told a few of my own. Eventually, Street pulled me out onto the dance floor. 

I protested but he still managed to get me onto the dance floor. He pulled me in so he could whisper in my ear. "He's been staring at you all night. Maybe it'll be him who confesses his feelings." I shake my head with a chuckle. "I told you, there's no way he's interested." He raises his eyebrows. "Look at him." I look over and see Hondo sitting at the table, with a strange look on his face. He turns away when he notices me staring.

I look back at Street and shake my head. "Im gonna go get another drink." I leave him and go out back, to be away from all the noise and be able to sort through my thoughts.

I'm only out there for a minute when I hear a voice. "Bit crowded in there, isn't it?" I turn and Hondo is standing beside me. I nervously chuckle, trying to hide the fact that my heart feels like its beating a million times a second.

"Yeah, needed some fresh air." He nods and moves a bit closer. "You and Street were having fun in there." I smile and shake my head. "He's nice but a total dork. Been trying to mess with me ever since I got in the car. He raises an eyebrow. 

"Why does that not surprise me." I laugh and he smiles at me. I turn my head so he doesn't see the blush making its way up my neck. Thank God its dark outside. 

"You look beautiful tonight." He says, moving even closer to me, so that our hands are mere centimetres away. "Thank you. Its the first time in a really long time that I've... been capable i guess, to feel good about myself. He made sure of that."

He nods. "You've made a lot of progress since i first met you." His fingertips brush my knuckles and my heart seems to race even faster as he takes my hand. I look at him and he has a soft smile on his face and the whole world seems to fade away as we stand there, just staring. 

"You made me feel calm when my entire world was shifting." I say quietly. "You really helped me to believe and have hope that everything was gonna be okay." He chuckles softly. "I knew it would be, I just wanted to help you see that." I feel myself moving closer to him so our chests were almost touching. 

"I like you, Hondo. And I know that sounds cheesy but..." I couldn't finish my statement as he leaned in and kissed me. I kissed him back, wrapping my arms around his neck. He pulls away and chuckles at the stunned expression on my face.

"Im sorry, I just..." He stopped and laughed. I smile and take his hand. "Can we go slow?" He nods. "Of course." We walk back inside.

Hand in Hand.