[Cooper understands that face - his dreams have a tendency to be unpleasant as well. There are many nightmares there, many things he'd rather forget if he could. And it's one of those things he's now going to share.]
[There's some silence on his end as he makes the feed private and he stops to gather his thoughts on the matter, on what to say exactly. He's used to keeping things from people because it's easier that way. Because it's his thing to deal with. His fault.]
[Then he starts from where he usually tells this story. From where it matters. And he does so softly, but tries to remain detached.]
Six years ago now my former partner and I were tasked with protecting a woman who had been a victim - and witness - to a federal crime of great severity. We were supposed to never leave her side.
I fell in love with her.
[And god, it hurts to think about still.]
And for that reason I failed in my vigilance when the attempt on her life was made.
[Video, private]
[There's some silence on his end as he makes the feed private and he stops to gather his thoughts on the matter, on what to say exactly. He's used to keeping things from people because it's easier that way. Because it's his thing to deal with. His fault.]
[Then he starts from where he usually tells this story. From where it matters. And he does so softly, but tries to remain detached.]
Six years ago now my former partner and I were tasked with protecting a woman who had been a victim - and witness - to a federal crime of great severity. We were supposed to never leave her side.
I fell in love with her.
[And god, it hurts to think about still.]
And for that reason I failed in my vigilance when the attempt on her life was made.
[A beat.]
She died in my arms. I was badly injured.
My partner was responsible.