Chapter Text
Lisa Swain stood by the edge of the pool, arms crossed, the smell of chlorine thick in the air. She hadn’t set foot in a swimming pool in years, and now here she was, standing in her police-issued workout gear, contemplating whether she was making a mistake. But after nearly getting thrown off a dock during a pursuit last week, she had decided it was time—time to face her weakness, time to learn how to swim.
The only problem? The instructor.
Lisa had done her research before showing up. Carla Connor. She’d heard the name before, had even seen her once or twice in passing. The woman had a reputation. Sharp. Unbothered. Gorgeous, if Lisa was being honest. But she was also known for being tough, and Lisa didn’t have time for nonsense. Her schedule was hell. Her patience, thin.
As if summoned by her thoughts, Carla emerged from the office, her wet hair slicked back, a towel slung over her shoulder. Her one-piece suit clung to her like it had been tailored just for her, and Lisa immediately regretted every decision that had brought her to this moment. Because Carla Connor was a problem.
“Lisa Swain?” Carla’s voice was smooth but edged with that unmistakable Connor bluntness.
“That’s me.” Lisa straightened, clearing her throat. “Here for the lessons.”
Carla gave her a once-over, lips twitching in what might have been amusement. “Didn’t peg you for a beginner.”
Lisa bristled. “I can handle myself. Just never had the time to learn.”
Carla arched a brow. “Right. Busy detective schedule, eh?”
Lisa’s jaw clenched. “Something like that.”
“Mm.” Carla tilted her head toward the water. “Well, let’s see what we’re working with.”
Lisa hesitated, eyeing the water with more distrust than she’d like to admit. Carla caught it immediately, smirking. “Don’t tell me you’re scared.”
“I’m not scared,” Lisa shot back. “Just… cautious.”
Carla chuckled. “Yeah, alright. Get in. Let’s start with the basics.”
Lisa exhaled through her nose and stepped down into the water. It was cool against her skin, but she forced herself to stay calm. Carla followed, effortlessly cutting through the surface, her movements smooth and practiced.
“Alright,” Carla said, treading water with infuriating ease. “First things first—floating.”
Lisa scowled. “Floating?”
Carla grinned. “Yeah. You want me to throw you in first instead?”
Lisa narrowed her eyes. “You’re enjoying this.”
“Maybe a little.” Carla winked, and Lisa felt a warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with the water temperature.
The lesson continued with equal parts instruction and banter. Lisa was a quick learner, but Carla made sure to challenge her, pushing just enough to keep her on edge. And the tension—it was there, thick between them, growing stronger with every passing moment.
When the session ended, Lisa pulled herself out of the pool, wringing water from her hair. Carla leaned against the pool’s edge, arms crossed over the slick surface, watching her.
“You’re not bad,” Carla admitted. “For a beginner.”
Lisa smirked. “High praise.”
Carla’s eyes flicked to the clock on the wall. “You’re gonna struggle to keep up if you keep missing regular lessons.”
Lisa sighed. “I know. My shifts are unpredictable.”
Carla hesitated for a moment, then exhaled. “Alright. I don’t usually do this, but if you’re serious about learning… I can meet you here after hours.”
Lisa blinked, caught off guard. “You’d do that?”
Carla shrugged. “If you’re willing to put in the effort. No backing out.”
Lisa held her gaze, something electric passing between them. “Deal.”
Carla smirked. “See you tomorrow night then, detective.”
Lisa watched as Carla pushed off the wall, swimming away effortlessly. And for the first time in a long time, Lisa Swain was looking forward to her next lesson.
--
The pool was eerily quiet at night, the water dark and still under the dim glow of overhead lights. Lisa arrived a few minutes early, standing at the edge, the silence amplifying the steady rhythm of her own breathing. It was strange—she spent most of her life chasing criminals in back alleys and high-speed pursuits, but something about meeting Carla here alone had her heart racing in an entirely different way.
“You’re early.”
Lisa turned, finding Carla standing in the doorway, a towel draped over one shoulder, her expression unreadable. She was dressed in the same sleek swimsuit as before, but something about the late hour made it feel more intimate.
“Thought I’d get a head start,” Lisa replied.
Carla smirked as she approached, setting her towel down. “You nervous, Swain?”
Lisa scoffed. “I don’t do nervous.”
“Right.” Carla stepped to the edge of the pool, glancing back at her. “Let’s see if that confidence holds up.”
She dove in effortlessly, barely making a splash. Lisa hesitated for only a second before following, surfacing to find Carla watching her with that knowing smirk.
“Alright, detective. Time to push you a little harder.”
The next hour was more intense than their previous lesson—longer laps, fewer breaks, more direct contact. Carla corrected Lisa’s form with hands on her arms, adjusting her strokes, steadying her movements. Every touch was fleeting but left a lingering heat, a tension that thickened between them.
At one point, Carla moved in close, gripping Lisa’s wrists underwater to guide her stroke. “Relax,” she murmured, voice softer than before. “You’re overthinking it.”
Lisa swallowed hard. “I’m used to being in control.”
Carla’s lips quirked. “Not here, you’re not.”
The moment stretched between them, the only sound the faint ripple of water. Then, just as quickly, Carla let go, stepping back. “Again,” she ordered, her voice back to its usual crispness. “From the top.”
Lisa exhaled sharply, pushing herself forward. This was going to be a long night.