Chapter Text
3 months
It had been 3 months since Jake had last seen his coworker and he even dared to say friend eat.
He was worried to say the least.
The last time he remembered seeing her actually eat something was at their annual detective get-away. At first she didn’t. It wasn’t untill wayy after the time he knew she would usually go to sleep to wake up on time for work.
He knew she had had at least a few drinks.
He was guessing 6 since she just seemed so sad about everything. He had sat down next to her and offered her some of his chickenwings claiming:
“I’ve heard they are the hottest in America. I bet I can eat more than you”
Amy had only looked at him trough sad eyes. “I’m sure you can Jake” she told him before starting to get up.
That statement was all he needed to start worrying. Amy Santiago who didn’t accept one of his dumb challenges?
That was concerning
“Okay fine you eat something else then. You haven’t eaten all day you must be starving”
He tried. Amy looked at him for what felt like an eternity before nodding. “I’ll go grab something for you. Anything you want?” She shook her head.
When he was almost at the door she called him.
“Jake! Just eh, Nothing that Charles made please?” she asked.
He chuckled. “Roger that”
When he came upstairs and opened the fridge he was met by Terry’s many yogurts. “Alright then” he said to himself before grabbing a pot of greek yogut and some berries.
Remembering that Amy had said she liked something like that before.
Keeping in mind that she probably wouldnnt be able to keep much food down in her, drunk sad state he only made a small portion.
He mashed the berry’s up and mixed it with the yogurt. He put some more berries on top of it before walking back to Amy.
“There you go m’lady” he said. Amy gave him a soft smile before eating some of it.
“Thank you” she said after three bites.
“You’re welcome” he had told her. “Now, You want to see me eat all this” Amy scrunched her nose.
That small thing had no business being that cute and it caught him off guard for a second.
After that he never thought much, Remembering a lot of screaming and milk.
Point is that he hadn’t seen her eat a single bite after that and he was starting to worry.
“Hey Santiago, Wanna go grab something to eat?”
“Oh I’m sorry I already had plans to meat up with Tony, He’s only in town for a few days so I can’t cancel” she said without missing a beat.
“Alright. Another time then” he smiled as she grabbed her coat and walked off.
Jake waited a couple of minutes before getting up and following her down the stairs.
He wanted to see her eat. To kill the assumptions that had been growing in his head with each passing day.
He needed proof he was just overreacting and that Amy was fine.
He followed her trough lots of streets in New York untill she walked into a coffee shop. Maybe she had agreed to meet up there? He watched from a distance as she walked out again with a cup of coffee in her hand.
She checked the watch on her wrist before sitting down on a nearby bench.
She scrolled trough her phone for a while and sipped a bit of her coffee. Jake kept watching her untill their break was over. He walked back to the precinct in a record time and sat down at his desk minutes before Amy walked out of the elevator.
All he could think of was the fact that she probably wasn’t eating lunch.
“How’s Tony?” he decided to ask. Maybe she would just admit the whole thing
Amy smiled. “He’s good. He got a promotion at work” she lief effortless.
Jake had to remind himself that she only lied because she was hurting.
He then suddenly felt guilty. Had he done or said something that made her feel like she wasn’t one of the most beautiful people on the planet?
He liked teasing her yes but he didn’t remember saying anything about her weight.
He didn’t really know what to do and it ate him inside.
“How to tell if someone has an eating disorder” he googled with pain in his heart.
Scrolling trough the results for the rest of his shift he was now almost certain Amy was sick.
He looked at her. She was shivering even though it was one of the hottest day in the summer
“Santiago, can we talk? Like in private?” he asked when their shifts ended.
Amy nodded.
“I’ll give you a lift” she offered. Jake nodded thankfull. “I’d like that” he said
Amy Smiled at him. They walked to her car. Jake sat down in the passenger seat.
Amy started driving to his appartment.
“Ames. I’m not accusing you of anything.”
He noticed Amy stiffen next to him.
There was no easy way to ask this.
“Amy, Have you, Have you been eating?”
“What?” she answered. Refusing to look at him.
“You heard me” Jake said. “I’m just saying this because I care. And I noticed you haven’t eating a lot. I’m worried”
“There’s nothing wrong with me” Amy said firm.
“I’m not saying there is. I’m just asking you to let me in. I can help” He told her.
They stopped by a red light and Amy looked at him trough teary eyes.
“Its just” She said, not finishing her sentence.
“It was never enough. Good grades, activities helping around the house. There must be something wrong with me right? I started to control everything. Food, sleep, drinking. Every single thing” She told him.
“Ames. You’re more than enough. You’re an amazing detective. The best I know. You’re smart, Funny. You’re one of the best people I know, Don’t ever let anyone convince you otherwise”
“Thats sweet Jake” Amy said.
“Will you let me help you?” He offered.
Amy nodded. “I’d like that” she whispered.
Jake smiled. He knew this was only the start. And it was gonna be hard. But he knew they we’re gonne kick that eating disorders butt.