Episode 4
He was having fun.
The review nights with his fellow rookies allowed him to form genuine friendships with the two. It no longer felt awkward when he was around. For some reason, Lucy Chen only agreed with a group study if all three of them were present. There was now some strange sort of reversal, compared to his first few days at the station. John and Lucy appeared to be awkward around each other and both were using him as a buffer against the other.
It was interesting, interacting with these two made him feel like he wasn't forcefully dumped in an unknown TV show anymore.
At least he was getting his bearings now with his situation. He enjoyed being a cop. The next discussion among them was what career path they should choose.
"Detective, definitely." John Nolan agreed with him when Lucy asked what his plans for the future were. "That's my goal too Jack."
"I'm thinking of working undercover." Lucy Chen shared. "I think you'd do well in metro."
"Isn't that too dangerous?" John asked.
"What? You don't think I'm capable? Lucy challenged him.
"Not at all." John looked flustered. "It's just I have heard stories… anyway, pick detective Jack. I don't think metro fits you."
"Metro guys have the best tactical skills." Lucy argued.
He let them argue for a few more minutes. "Did you guys break up?"
Immediately they turned to him with surprise and worry on their faces.
"You knew?" Nolan asked.
"It wasn't hard to figure out." He answered. "You two were close in the academy. I've seen the two of you spend time walking together all the time. When I arrived here I figure that you two were dating."
"We were dating." Lucy admitted. "But it's a casual thing, you know? I decided to focus on my career as a police officer first."
He could see the hurt expression on John's face and offered the older man a can of beer to comfort him. He could see he still had feelings for her, and that now answered why Lucy never joined them for rook book review when he wasn't available.
"You two were using me as a chaperone so you wouldn't fight." He stared at the two.
"Sorry." Lucy apologized.
He tried to lighten up the situation and decided to distract John. "Do you want to go out and accompany me to the public library and then drink after?"
"I'm sorry." John replied. "I already have plans with Hawke."
"The Hawke?" He asked.
"That's right. He told me he wants to get back on patrol." Nolan answered.
Nolan and Hawke were tight at the academy. He was one of the instructors that supported John instead of belittling him.
"Where are you planning to go?" Lucy asked.
"I want to check out the National History Museum." He replied. "It's part of my preparation for the community lecture series that Grey is proposing."
"I heard about that!" Lucy looked excited. "I instantly signed up for your first lecture. Can I go instead?"
He glanced at Nolan who gave a slight nod. "Alright, let's pack up our notes. Don't complain if I spend a few hours there."
"I won't. I'm also curious to see what they have on display." Lucy replied.
"We'll go on ahead." He called out to Nolan and left the luxurious mansion grounds where his fellow rookie lived in.
Lucy's car was a beautiful Datsun 280z. Unfortunately it hadn't been well maintained and it failed to start.
"I'll tell Nolan my car won't start." Lucy started typing on her phone. "I'll see if he can have it running, you can go ahead. Sorry Jack."
"I do have a spare helmet." He pointed to his backpack that contained two gray and white painted helmets. She quickly agreed, and a minute later he could hear her screaming through her helmet and she clutched tightly on his torso as they headed to the museum.
"That was a thrill." Lucy looked flushed as he parked his bike. "I don't think I can do that every day, but it was fun."
"You get used to it." He replied.
They spent an hour touring the museum. He couldn't find any inspiration and went to the toilet. After he was washed his hands, he stared at the toilet paper he was using to dry his hands and he suddenly had an idea. He found the origins of common expressions interesting and decided to propose another topic aside from the history of the home.
He also noticed Lucy was fascinated with true crime drama, and he wondered if discussing the history of Jack the Ripper would attract interest.
"Yes! OMG yes!" Judging by Lucy's reaction, he might be correct.
"I'd love your take on that famous serial killer." Lucy continued. "True crime drama has many fans."
After dropping off Lucy, he met with Grey at his office as the sergeant reviewed the proposed topics.
"Yes, I can see a focus on Jack the Ripper to be intriguing, but that's sending the wrong message to the community." Grey explained. "Keep the topics here like the home and commonly used expressions. Maybe we can use the famous serial killer lecture on Halloween."
"We'll start a trial run next Saturday. Tell me if you need anything, I heard the brass expressed some interest in our idea." Grey continued.
He spent an hour on the gun range to practice his marksmanship and finally collapsed on the couch once he got back to his apartment. He was about to fall asleep when he heard knocking on his door.
"Jack?"
He groaned and opened the door to see his captain looking frantic. "Thank god you're here. I need a ride to headquarters. There's an emergency regarding Hawke and the chief of police wants me asap and my car is in for repair."
"Say no more." He stretched and grabbed his keys and backpack and followed after his captain.
Seeing how urgent the topic was, he increased his speed, and got into the main headquarters in record time.
"I'll wait for you." He called out as Andersen ran into the entrance. He displayed his badge to the security desk and headed to the area exclusively for cops. He heard the vending machines inside had better choices and it seems the rumor was right.
He was enjoying a canned cappuccino as he scrolled through his phone, ignoring the other officers who passed through. Finally, his phone showed a message from his captain. He replied, telling her he was in their break room. A few minutes later Andersen came in and sat across from him.
"Thank you, the chief is mad that Hawke is dragging the name of the cops down the dirt." Andersen shared. "He had a domestic dispute with his wife and punched her boyfriend."
"Is he going to press charges?" If the victim did, Hawke's name would be in the system and they would no longer be able to discipline him discreetly.
"If I recall, Nolan is supposed to be with him right now in some bar." He replied. "Hawke and Nolan were tight in the academy."
"Let's go. I've heard of a bar retired and senior members go to." Andersen looked determined. "I want to head this off before it tarnishes the division's reputation. It's only a matter of time before the judge signs a warrant. I want him in custody before it arrives. Playing nice is over."
He found the captain sexy as hell right now and followed after her as she stormed through the lobby.
He only needed a quick look at her phone and memorized the location. Ten minutes later he removed his helmet and noticed Nolan's vehicle in the parking lot.
"Do we log this in?" He asked.
Andersen nodded and called the dispatch on her phone and reported their location and situation.
He followed after the captain, and looked around to see plenty of retired or off-duty cops inside the bar. He spotted Nolan and Hawke seated at a table near the middle and pointed their location to Andersen.
It looked like both officers were drunk and Hawke's cheeks were flushed red as they laughed at their table.
"Officer Hawke." Andersen stepped in front of them.
"And if it isn't the illustrious Captain Andersen." Hawke spat her name. It was clear he held no respect for her and her rank. "You continued to block my application to your division, and you have the guts to come here?"
"I tried to show you courtesy for your years of service but I could see I'm right in my judgment." Andersen folded her arms. "Your wife's boyfriend suffered a missing tooth and a fractured jaw. You're coming with me to the station to get the situation under control."
"And what If I don't want to?" Hawke challenged.
"You have no choice Hawke. Word is the warrant would be out by tomorrow morning. You wouldn't want to be hunted down like a dog." Andersen declared.
Hawke suddenly jumped into action and tossed his mug at Andersen. He was able to pull her to the side ant it just missed her head as the mug crashed on the wall behind them. Nolan also jumped back and immediately moved behind Hawke though his movements were sluggish. Other cops now paid attention and a crowd formed around their area.
"You're under arrest Hawke." Andersen declared.
"Is that the lone wolf hiding behind your skirt?" Hawke asked when he noticed him. "So you got yourself back-up, but I beat his ass in the academy. Are you brave enough for a little tussle Captain? I'm afraid your boy toy bodyguard isn't up to par."
"The captain doesn't need to bother with you." He stepped forward. It was clear Hawke wanted to start a brawl. "I'll give you a good beat down."
His memories back at the academy were that he was mostly on auto-pilot. Constantly at the middle of the curve. Average. His new memories with added traits made him a different person today.
"Alright." Hawke greened and stepped closer to him and raised his fists. "Show me."
"We're going to start in three." He made a show of removing his jacket and stepped closer and raised his own fists. "One. Two..."
He quickly grabbed Hawke's wrists and pulled him close for a head butt. He felt blinding pain in his head but ignored it and delivered three elbow strikes on Hawke's neck as he lay dazed over a table.
Hawke collapsed down on the floor unconscious and he grabbed his jacket from the back of a chair and put it on again while Nolan was able to procure cuffs from a bystander and secured Hawke.
He looked around and saw astonished faces around him and he hid his smile. Reacher was a monster in unarmed combat and didn't play fair.
"Good work officer Routhe." The captain replied as they heard sirens grow louder and saw the flash of red and blue lights through the glass window.
"What was that?" Nolan asked. "I've never seen you move like that in the academy."
"Never behave the way your enemy expects you to." He replied. "Hawke and I sparred nearly a dozen times, we all did. I used his assumptions against him."
"What is it with you and possible concussions?" Andersen asked as she checked his eyes for dilation. "Should I start ordering you to wear a tactical helmet Officer Routh?"
Andersen rode back with the responding units after the reports were made and he went back to his apartment. He was glad for his day off tomorrow, but decided to head to the station in the morning to use the computer and printers for his upcoming lecture. He didn't have anything to do anyway and his time was his own.
He was well on his way in creating an outline for his lecture on commonly used phrases when Grey beckoned him to join the briefing.
"I know it's your day off today Routh, but you must learn a valuable lesson here." He began as the officers prepared for his daily briefing. He was the only one in civilian clothing in a sea of uniforms. "If it's your day off, don't show up at the station or else your superiors would see you and make you do things and take advantage of you."
The officers laughed and he earned several pats on the back.
"Notice Bradford is relaxing at his home while you're here because I saw you working on a desk. Who's the smarter man?"
"It's clearly Officer Bradford, sergeant." He replied.
The briefing continued. Grey complained about the night shift leaving a lot of cases for them to pick up. He was about to leave when the briefing ended when Grey asked him to stay.
"The captain told me what you did." Grey explained as he sat on the table in front of him. "Good work on covering the captain from that glass mug."
"How is your preparation for Saturday?" Grey asked. "I saw the sign-up sheet, it's already full."
"Brass is participating too, how about you do a dry run for me in my office? Let's see what you have."
He was five minutes in to his lecture, with an amused Grey in front of him when they were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"What's going on here?" Captain Andersen asked.
"Just evaluating what Routh has prepared for Saturday, Captain. Anything I can do for you?"
"You should have called me." The captain muttered and pulled up a chair and turned it around. She quickly sat and faced him as she crossed her legs. "Please continue."
Angela Lopez
She watched as her boot continued his lecture, and she was intrigued at the expression of interest and amusement of Andersen and Grey.
"Wish I was there." Talia replied. "How's your boot doing?"
"He attracted too much attention." She sighed as she waited for Chen to finish the check up of their shop. "Now I feel like he's my boot in person only. He's already tight with Grey and the captain."
"Don't have anything left to teach him?"
"I'm now wondering if the rookies' scores in the academy were rigged to allow Jackson to come out on top." She explained. "Routh quickly learns from his mistakes, and rarely makes the wrong judgment. I'm afraid it would look poorly on me as a T.O."
"Wouldn't the super rookie's performance reflect on you positively?" Talia asked.
"If only." She replied. "Have you uploaded the video yet? I heard there interested members willing to join the ECGC"
"From where?"
"He was apparently spotted in headquarters waiting for the captain." She explained. "Got a few ladies interested. It only increased after the video with his takedown of Hawke was leaked."
"But what was he doing there in the first place with Andersen?" Talia asked.
"Maybe he lives close by her apartment and she decided ride pillion with him was faster so she wouldn't be late in her meeting with the chief."
"They're awfully close." Talia observed and they both watched the bright smile on Andersen's face as she listened to Routh's lecture. "Do you think there's something going on between them?"
"Captain's not like that." She replied. "Even if she did, I couldn't blame her and as long as it doesn't interfere with police work."
Morning was hectic as they continued to follow up on the cases left by the night shift. Thankfully by lunch things were mostly back to their normal load. She was surprised to see Tim sitting beside the food truck with Routh.
"What's going on?" She asked as she joined their table.
"Boot here is asking me for help for some modifications on his bike." Tim looked smug and wagged a ticket in his hand. "And he just paid the price for my assistance."
"That's a dodger's ticket." She observed.
"And premium seat too." Tim relaxed in his seat. "Nice doing business with you boot. Let's head out once they're finished with lunch. I've got some buddies in motors that could help you with your problem."
Jack left their table and joined his fellow rookies.
"What's with you acting like a buddy to my boot?" She asked Tim. "Where's the Tim Bradford I know?"
"Your boot's doing well. Too well." Tim replied. "We just have to see how he handles failure."
She turned to her boot and realized Tim was right. Jack hadn't experienced any significant mistakes so far. Not that she wanted him to fail, but she needed to see his grit and tenacity after crashing. She was worried, her earlier confident demeanor about her super rookie vanishing.
Their next briefing went smoothly, although there was a complication when Grey mentioned the phrase Ride along V.I.P. She held her breath as Grey assigned the task to Bishop who immediately asked for a sick day in protest.
The deep worry she had felt yesterday grew as she was called into the captain's office and she narrowed her eyes when she saw the chief of police inside with what was clearly the V.I.P.
The Captain and Sergeant Grey looked worried, as the VIP continued to address Nolan, calling him James instead of John.
"And there he is!" The VIP approached her boot who only stared at the elderly man with an expressionless face. "The star rookie with the classic Holllywood looks. Are you determined to pursue this career path Mr. Routh?"
There were frowns on all their faces, except for the chief who appeared to be enjoying the opportunity to entertain the VIP.
"I'm afraid so. Who are you? Jack asked.
"That hurt." The man stepped back as if he was struck by a physical blow.
"He's not a fan of movies." Nolan thankfully stepped in. "This is Rupert Payne. He has directed some of the most popular action franchises in the last decade."
"Thank you James."
"It's John." Nolan replied.
"How about I have these two for the ride-along?" Rupert Payne suggested. "It would be a wonderful story, the world's oldest rookie and the star rookie together in patrol. I could learn so much."
"I'm afraid it's against policy." Captain Andersen stated in a firm tone. "They're rookies, and they're place is beside their Training Officers, to learn how to become real cops."
"But didn't you say these two are some of the finest officers you have ever seen?" Payne addressed the chief. "Surely the two of them would be able to address any danger we encounter when we're out on patrol."
"I did say that." The chief appeared to be deep in thought.
She realized she was whispering "please say no" repeatedly as Bishop nudged her with an elbow.
"Very well, you'll join Officers Nolan and Routh on your ride along today." The chief decided. "I'm counting on the two of you."
Fuck. Her boot was in real trouble now without her to look out for him.
Andersen looked like she was resisting the urge to throttle the chief with the way her fists kept clenching by her side.
"If you'll wait by the bullpen, we will have these two join you shortly."
Once the VIP, the chief of police and his aide left, Grey sat down on a chair and rubbed his forehead. "Fuck."
"You can say that again." Andersen seethed.
"Fuck." Grey repeated.
"Under no circumstances that you would respond to a violent crime." Andersen addressed the two rookies. "I'll check up on your shop constantly. Am I clear?"
"Yes captain." Routh responded at the same time as Nolan.
"Show him procedure, show him and us what you have learned so far." Andersen continued. "Bishop, Lopez, plan a patrol route that makes your shop available for back-up for these two. Monitor their movements."
"Oh boy." She breathed out once she got into her shop.
"Here we go." Talia replied.
They monitored the situation on the radio as Routh's voice acknowledged that they were checking out a 459.
"It's just a burglary." Talia commented. Their interest grew when Routh reported the discovery of a mummified body.
"That should keep them busy for a few hours, if they're smart about it." She observed. Technically they could leave once forensics arrived, but they could hang out and make up some procedure about securing the perimeter.
Nolan and Routh responded to a family disturbance after lunch and she shared a worried glance with Talia. Their concern grew when Nolan reported that a suspect was armed with a knife and was requesting back-up.
"Go go go." Talia muttered. She stepped on the gas and flipped on her lights.
They arrived and saw Nolan pointing his weapon at a large man with a knife, while Routh was grappling with another man on the ground. Their VIP was recording the entire scene on his phone as he giggled in excitement.
Everyone was yelling and she drew her weapon alongside Talia as they moved beside Nolan to cover the rest of the family.
"He started it man! He started it!" Routh finally secured the suspect and made him lay on the ground. Routh looked angry as he wheeled around and faced their V.I.P.
"You think this is amusing?" Before she could stop him, Routh displayed incredible strength and lifted Payne off the ground by his vest. With his height, Payne dangled a foot off the ground.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Payne wailed in fear.
"Routh!" She yelled. She had never seen him like this before. "Drop him now!"
Routh's action's caused the rest of the family to calm down as they stared at the developing scene. Even the large man dropped his knife.
"You made it worse." Routh's voice was like steel. There was a powerful electric feeling around him, like he could explode into action at any moment. "You giggled like a fucking girl at a family in crisis! How dare you?"
"I'm sorry. Please. I'm sorry." Payne cried.
Routh dropped the director and crumpled to the ground beside the suspect Routh secured. Payne stared with wide eyes at Routh as he towered over him, his back against the sun.
"Yeah that's right!" The secured man looked happy.
"Routh back to the shop." This should not have happened. She seethed in anger as they secured the two suspects at the back of her shop, while Nolan escorted the shaking Payne into her own vehicle.
They rode in silence, well mostly. The larger man seemed to have an impairment as he continued to apologize for burning the pancakes. The other suspect was apparently his brother and he tried to calm him down.
"It's alright. I burned pancakes too! It's just that stupid smoke alarm right?"
"Yeah, I'm sorry I didn't mean to." The larger man sobbed.
"It will be alright. We're riding with good cops today. Did you see how he lifted that jerk up in the air?"
"Yeah. It was funny."
"It looked like he would piss himself if you held him up any longer." The brother addressed Routh. "Thank you for protecting our dignity, Officer."
She listened to the conversation as she watched Routh drive. She now discovered an aspect of Routh, he had terrible, no terrifying temper when he was pushed to his limit.
She noticed blood continued to drip down the back seat and she narrowed her eyes.
"Routh, you didn't tell me you were injured."
"It's just a scratch, an accident." Routh replied.
"Well you're dripping blood on my shop." She snapped.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" The large man began to cry again.
Once she processed the two suspects, she drove Routh to the hospital to get him checked out and ordered him to stay in there. She then hurried back to the station for the meeting she was dreading.
The Captain was waiting with Grey, while Nolan and Bishop stood in front of them.
"Took you long enough." Grey observed. "Where's your boot?"
"Had to bring him to the hospital for stitches." She reported.
"I didn't know he was injured." Nolan replied.
"How is he?" Captain Andersen immediately asked. "Is he alright?"
"He was bleeding on the ride back to the station. He said it was a scratch." She rolled her eyes in frustration.
"Then let's see the bodycam footage from Nolan first." Grey suggested.
[
They watched in silence as Nolan and Routh approached the suspect with a knife. In the yard there was a pan filled with burned pancakes while a smoke alarm continued to beep in the background.
"Please stay back." She heard Routh's voice. Between the two rookies, they managed to de-escalate the situation. A family member rushed to turn off the alarm, and once it was turned off, the large man with the knife calmed down.
"You burned the pancakes right?" Routh asked as he holstered his weapon. "It's fine. I did that a couple of times. too"
"You just forgot the bubbles. Remember?" The large man lowered the knife as he mumbled the word bubbles.
"We flip the pancakes once we see bubbles, that way we won't burn it." Routh repeated in a gentle and calm tone. "Why don't you drop the knife and maybe your mom here can cook a new batch with you?"
"Fantastic! Great acting!" Payne came into view with a phone camera. "This setting is perfect! You're perfect!"
"You're making fun of my family?" The brother moved to attack Payne and was about to pull something from his pocket but Routh tackled him to the ground. Before that, she could see the man turn towards Routh, his knife slicing his back in a long arc.
"Let me at him! Let me go!" The brother shouted.
"Everyone stand back!" Nolan ordered.
"Yes! Yes!" Payne giggled as he continued filming. "Show me more!"
"He started it man! He started it!"
]
"Routh's bodycam footage is next." Grey played the other body cam footage on the screen.
[
She watched as Routh grappled with the brother and blocked a few thrown elbows. She knew the rest that would happen but continued watching anyway. She wanted to see his boot display his anger and phenomenal strength.
Once he secured the brother in cuffs, he quickly turned to Payne. She noticed the look in the director's face morph to fear as he realized what he had done.
"You think this is amusing?" She heard Routh's voice again, and noted the difference between his normal speaking voice and this. Routh did not increase his volume or shout, but the effect was still menacing to her.
Routh quickly reached Payne and pulled him up by his bulletproof vest seemingly without any effort.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" The brother was right, Payne looked like was about to piss himself.
"Routh!" She heard herself shout. She didn't realize there was a tinge of worry in her voice. "Drop him now!"
"You made it worse." Jack Routh continued lifting the man. "You giggled like a fucking girl at a family in a crisis! How dare you?"
"I'm sorry. Please. I'm sorry." Payne looked pathetic, far from the condescending ass he was this morning.
Payne dropped to the lawn and cried, staring up at Routh with fear and wide eyes.
]
"That's the end of it." Grey replied with a sigh. "What a mess."
"This shouldn't have happened in the first place." Andersen leaned back in her chair and folded her arms.
"Will Payne press charges?" Nolan asked.
"No." Andersen gave a small smile. "He spoke to me as soon as he got here. He even apologized. He told me to tell Officers Routh and Nolan that it was his fault for escalating the situation. He even put it into writing so he can't sue us later."
"He did all that?" She asked.
"Yes, and he wanted to thank Routh personally for shaking some (his words) god damned sense into him." Andersen replied.
"That will be all." Grey dismissed them and they all stood up and started to leave Andersen's office.
"Lopez, hold up." The captain called out.
"Yes captain?"
"Routh's still in the hospital right?"
"Yes mam, I'm on my way to pick him up."
"Good. Tell him I'll wait in my office after you give him a dressing down. I'm going to suspend him for three days and assign him counseling."
"He really didn't hurt him." She replied. "Is counseling necessary?"
"I'm afraid so, but it is policy. I'll make sure it's unofficial so there would be no record." Andersen replied.
The drive to the hospital was quick, and she found her boot waiting in the lobby. He was wearing his white undershirt, with his torn and blood-stained uniform held in his other hand.
"I've never seen you lose control like that before. What happened?" She asked.
"It surprised me, a memory from my childhood." Routh admitted.
"Well you're going to counseling because of that, and you're suspended for three days. Use that time wisely and see if this is really the career path for you." She stated. "We're held to a higher standard boot, and I was expecting Nolan or Chen to fail before you. It turns out you were too good to be true."
She watched as Routh's face fell when he heard her words. It sucks, but she needed to get tough on him.
"Be thankful it's not going to be permanently on your record, because Payne didn't press any charges. You dodged a bullet." She continued.
"Shit."
"Yeah, your actions have consequences." She snapped back. "Congratulations on learning this lesson."
Zoe Anderson
"Thank you Lopez. That will be all."
Lopez gave her boot a final glance before she left her office.
"How are you doing?" She watched his face and observed him for a few seconds.
"Okay." Routh replied. He looked uncomfortable but continued staring straight at her. Good. That meant he was willing to listen to what she had to say.
"You're a cop Jack. You can't emotions control you. You need to rise above it." She stepped closer to him and tapped a finger to his chest. "That was not your job to scold him, do you understand?"
Jack nodded and looked down at his feet for the first time. "Overcoming that impulse would be the hardest thing you would do at this job."
Jack's eyes looked back at her and she stared back. The moment was broken when her phone beeped an alarm.
"Lopez must have told you, but you're suspended for three days. Use that time to see a counselor for three sessions then report back for duty." She handed out a card containing the counselor's information.
"Is the test lecture canceled?" Jack asked.
"You're not off the hook with that. You're suspended from patrolling, not barred from visiting the station in a personal capacity." She smiled. "How's your injury?"
"It wasn't deep enough to require stitches, but it stings a lot. Please ignore any sounds you might hear when I shower." Jack replied.
"That will be all, Officer Routh. You're dismissed."
She grabbed her bag from the couch and left her office as she followed the rookie. She could see faint dots of blood on Jack's white shirt and realized he would need help in changing bandages later.
She was relaxing in the balcony of her apartment an hour later when she heard Jack cursing, and remembered his predicament. She moved to grab her own first aid kit and walked to his door and knocked.
"It's me." She called out.
"Captain… Zoe" Jack said when he opened the door.
"Move over, I'm helping you with your bandages." She ordered and headed inside his apartment.
"There's no need…" He trailed off at her raised eyebrow. She was impressed at how quick he picked up on her cues.
"Have you showered?" She asked.
"You didn't hear any screams yet, so no." She noticed he was using humor to hide any nervousness he felt.
"Where are your bandages?" She asked. He pointed at a plastic bag filled with bandages and disinfectant and inspected the contents.
"Good, you picked up these water-resistant ones. You're lucky I'm here, they're tricky to apply correctly." She beckoned for him to sit with her back facing him and told him to pull off his shirt.
It was then that she realized her first mistake the moment she saw his back. She was tempted to run her fingers through his broad shoulders and muscled back and willed herself to focus on why she was there in the first place.
Jack barely made a sound as she peeled the bandages on his back.
"This will sting." She warned as she started applying disinfectant to his wounds with a cotton ball. Jack hissed in pain but remained in place and she finally started applying the water resistant bandages. She used it as an excuse as she traced his muscles.
"That feels better, thank you mam." Jack replied and stood up and checked his new bandages on the mirror.
She swallowed at the sight of Jack's bare torso, his sculpted chest, the chord of muscles of his arms, and the six-pack. Her eyes focused on the faint trail of hair that started to form below his navel and disappeared under his belt. She wanted to see where it would lead to.
"That should last for a couple of days." She stated and gathered the packaging to keep herself from staring and dumped them in the plastic bag. "Call me if it's time to change them."
"Thank you Zoe." Jack smiled. "I really appreciate this. I owe you a few dinners."
"Make that roasted garlic chicken again." She joked and quickly left the apartment.
She closed her eyes once she was inside her unit and breathed a sigh of relief. Being in Jack's presence was like a drug, she knew it was dangerous but she couldn't help but look. She stared at her hands and remembered the feeling of her muscles under her fingers.
She shook her head, stripped, and immediately headed for the shower. She needed to cool down, but her fingers drifted to her groin and she moaned in pleasure as she imagined what could have happened if she pushed a little more. Her other hand played with her breast and nipples and she leaned back at the sensation of the water falling down her back.
She imagined her body writhing against his, his face between her legs soaked in her secretions, his talented tongue flicking her clit…
She bit her hand as she reached her orgasm. She nearly fell down on the floor and grabbed the walls for support as her legs shook.
"Holy shit." She whispered, breathing hard. She never had an orgasm that was so intense. Usually she needed a longer stimulation time and a toy, never with just her fingers. "I'm in so much trouble."
It turns out having Jack suspended for three days was a blessing in disguise, as she was sure she would be unable to look him in the eye during briefings. She submerged herself in paperwork and was surprised and slightly disappointed that she was done by lunch. It meant she would have time for her thoughts to wander and she had an overactive imagination.
Grey immediately appeared in her office informing her of an incident. Nolan had shot a suspect, an armed robber in self-defense. They both rushed to the scene of the incident and found Nolan standing at the entrance of the room, looking numb with a faraway gaze.
"Grey, I want Grey." Nolan answered when she asked who he wanted for a police companion for the duration of the investigation.
"Why are they hard on Nolan this time?" She heard Chen ask her T.O. in the bullpen. "It wasn't as intense when Routh shot those two in the head."
"Because this time Nolan was alone when the incident happened." She answered, surprising the rookie. "He didn't have eyewitness statements from two veteran training officers to back him up. It will be all on him."
"And we were facing semi-automatic weapons with armor-piercing rounds in that thirty-second engagement." Bradford added.
"Let's just trust the process. Nolan would be placed on administrative leave until the investigation is finished." She continued to her office and waited for Commander West to arrive.
"Let's hope it's as clear cut as you say." Commander West replied when she summarized what happened.
"I'm sure." She left her office, finally finding the time to go home and rest, leaving Grey to watch over Nolan.
It took a great amount of control to ignore the smell of food coming from Routh's balcony but she persisted, until she heard him knock on her door. She made sure her hair was fine in front of the mirror before she opened it.
Routh was standing there with a white shirt, shorts, and an apron. He was carrying an aluminum tray in both hands, containing a half of a garlic chicken.
"I figured you were busy because of what happened to Nolan, so here." Jack offered the tray to her.
She could jump for joy when she saw a good portion of mashed potatoes beside the roasted chicken.
"This is wonderful. Thank you." She replied. She inquired about his progress in his first counseling session, and noted how reluctant he was to share more details. It was a normal response for a typical male cop, as most viewed counseling as a sign of weakness.
As soon as the door closed she grabbed her utensils and dug in, happy that she didn't have to waste time preparing her own food.
The next morning she felt well rested as she entered her office. She had prepared the laptop with the footage. She had a feeling Nolan would visit her and request to see the footage. She didn't want him to view it yet, it was still too early for him. But like she did, they all wanted to see if they made the correct decisions.
Well, except Jack. He did express regret for taking lives, but was convinced that his actions were appropriate in his situation. He didn't even request to see the body cam footage.
Nolan knocked on her door and she invited him and asked him to close the door. The conversation they were about to have was sensitive.
"How are you doing?" He looked like he hadn't slept. His gaze was distant, with deep eye bags under his eyes. She knew guilt was haunting him.
"Good. No. I don't know." He was a mess. "There's something I hope you can help me with. I wish to see the body cam footage of the event, if that's okay?"
Nolan rambled when he's nervous like he was right now.
"You have a right to see it, but I think it's too early for that. I've been where you are. Mine was a rapist instead of a robber. It was in an alley instead of a bedroom." She took a moment as she recalled the events of her own incident. No, she was stronger now. "I understand you want answers, but watching the footage, I don't think you're ready for how traumatic it can be."
"I need to see it." Nolan insisted. "Please."
"Okay." She opened the laptop and turned it around so it was facing Nolan. He seemed surprised at how prepared she was. She moved around her desk to watch the footage with him and offer her support. They watched as Nolan warned the suspect repeatedly. The suspect suddenly turned around with his gun aimed for Nolan.
Nolan flinched at the sound of the gunshot and she reached over and closed the laptop.
"He was scared." Nolan rambled on as guilt clawed on him. "Maybe he wasn't going to pull the trigger. Maybe I could have talked him down."
"Hey." She cut him off before he could continue. "That's not what I saw."
"You think he was going to kill me?" Nolan asked.
"I think you did exactly what we trained you to do when you saw that your life was in jeopardy." She replied.
She assured Nolan that he would have the full support of the department, after the brother of the man he shot was let out on bail. The man was already speaking to reporters about police brutality and that his brother was murdered in cold blood.
Her afternoon was busy, speaking with narcotics division and the FBI. Bradford's wife was joining an operation proposed by the lead detective. She approved it, but was surprised when Bradford stormed in when she was in the middle of a meeting.
She couldn't tolerate such blatant disrespect to her authority. She asked the two agents to give her privacy and rounded on Bradford.
"You barge into my office again without knocking and I will put you on admin leave. Is that understood?" She snapped.
Bradford was upset and she finally allowed him to join the rescue squad since she could see how anxious he was. It calmed him down and even apologized for barging in and promised not to do it again.
The next day was filled with meetings, coordinating with two important subjects that took most of her time. The investigation on the shooting was nearly finished, and she was keeping an eye on Narcotics and their preparations with Bradford's wife, who was a former undercover before her career tanked because of drug addiction.
Grey kept her appraised on Nolan's situation, and read the reports from Routh's counseling sessions. The Psychologist determined that Routh was fit to report for police duty.
Hopefully tonight she would get some well-deserved rest and relaxation as she fell on her bed. She knew of a perfect way to achieve that. It also helps knowing that the subject of her fantasy was just mere feet away from her.
It wasn't meant to be.
As soon as she started with her eyes closed and toy in hand her phone rang. She quickly shut off her vibrator and listened as Grey informed her that Nolan was attacked inside his home and sustained injuries.
She quickly put on a skirt and a blouse that she just tossed on the floor and headed to the door. She was outside her apartment and was about to head to the elevator when she noticed the light under 802 was still on. She hesitated, but then decided to ask Routh to accompany her. It would be good for Nolan to see his fellow Rookie checking up on him.
"Jack, you up?" She asked as she knocked.
"Yes captain?" Jack yawned as he opened the door. "Was I too loud? I was watching a movie."
"Not at all. I'm wondering if you'd care to go with me to see Nolan. I got a call from Grey."
"Of course. What happened?" He asked. He immediately took the pants hanging on the back of a chair with the belt still looped around the waist and started to put it on. He took out his leather jacket from his closet and put it on as well.
"Nolan was attacked at his home." She replied. "I'm going to check on him."
"Then let's hurry." Jack reached for the keys to his bike and his helmet bag.
"We're taking my car. It's safer and there's barely any traffic at this time." She turned around and walked to the elevator.
The drive to Nolan's house was spent mostly in silence with Jack giving directions since he knew the quickest route.
"He lives in the guest house of a mansion owned by his best friend." He explained. "Turn right here."
"This is an expensive neighborhood." She observed as they drove past large mansions.
"Tell me about it. My bike and Chen's beat-up Datsun got weird looks whenever we visited him to review for exams."
They parked outside the property gate since the driveway was now filled with first responders. She could see a few shops and Grey's car as well. The cold air chilled her and she rubbed her arms for warmth.
"Captain, please wear this." Jack took off his jacket and offered it to her.
"Cute." She replied and shook her head as they reached the gate. "But I can handle a little chill."
"That's not it." He glanced at her chest and she looked down and immediately blushed in embarrassment. She realized in her rush to get to Nolan that she wasn't wearing a bra and even forgot her jacket. Her nipples were poking through the thin silk blouse and a gentle breeze told her she forgot her panties too.
She took the jacket and put it on, feeling how warm it was. She was a little turned on at the idea of wearing the jacket of the man she was preparing to masturbate to before she got the call. She sighed and realized she needed to focus and forcibly ignored what she was feeling. She hurried over to the house and spotted Grey talking to Nolan.
"Captain." Grey greeted her but raised an eyebrow when he spotted Jack behind her.
She ignored his look and asked for a briefing on the situation as Jack made his way to Nolan who was being treated by a paramedic for his wounds.
"The brother who made bail attacked Nolan and he had a gun with him. He managed to subdue him and they wrestled for the gun until Nolan finally subdued him. The brother is on his way to the station as we speak for processing."
Jack was still speaking with Nolan and she joined him and sat on Nolan's other side. He was trying to convince him to go to the hospital, but Nolan refused despite the numerous visible wounds on his face.
"I'm fine mam." Nolan replied as the paramedic finally finished treating his wounds.
"Good thing you were able to gain control of the gun." She stated.
"Officer Nolan!"
She looked up as Commander West appeared. She gave a nod to Jack and they both stood up and allowed the head of I.A. to approach Nolan.
Jack headed to where Grey was and she remained close by to hear Nolan's official statement. She listened carefully and even asked a few questions of her own for clarification as the rookie ran through the series of events. Nolan's answers were coherent for the most part, but she noticed that hesitated for a moment when asked if he was alone during the home invasion.
She finally decided to leave once the interview was over and headed to Grey and Jack.
"We should assign Nolan to the front desk to let him calm down." Grey suggested. She liked the idea and gave her approval. "Do it. He needs some peace of mind after the last 48 hours."
"And I don't want to overstep my authority, but we need Routh back." Grey added. "Patrol's schedule is messed up, and we're falling behind our schedule. Night shift is making noise."
She considered Grey's proposal, technically Jack finished two and a half days of suspension and turned to her suspended Rookie. He had one more day to serve, but she could consider the half day he was asked to go home as part of his punishment. "Do you think you've learned your lesson Officer Routh?"
"Yes, mam. I'll do better." Jack looked eager and she glanced at Grey who gave a slight nod.
"Get your badge and your weapon from Sergeant Grey tomorrow morning." She ordered. "Let's go."
She was still thinking about Nolan's statement and it must have shown in her face since Jack noticed it.
"Something bothering you captain?" He asked.
"Nolan. Something's off with him when West interviewed him." She replied. "He hesitated for a brief moment when he said he was alone. The facial marks were there, indicating he was not truthful."
"Chen must have been there." Jack replied, looking out the window. "I saw two unwashed glasses on the sink. Please don't give them trouble for it, they're doing their best."
"Why would he lie about her?" She asked. On one hand, Nolan and Chen lied, and on another, she realized they were just trying to protect themselves from scrutiny and gossip.
"They were together since the academy, and then broke up since Chen wanted to focus on her new job." Jack explained further.
She just thought they were close friends and didn't realize they were intimate. "Then why would he lie about her if they broke up? No one, not even I.A. would bat an eye."
"She must have been there to offer her support and give him some comfort." Jack theorized. "And then when the home invasion happened, they realized they could jeopardize their careers if they were discovered to have been intimate that night."
"That's stupid." She shook her head in disbelief. "Lying for such a simple thing is not worth it."
She decided after some thought not to disclose this new information, and she had to admire Chen's decision to focus on her career rather than maintaining a relationship with a fellow Rookie. She would be a hypocrite if she condemned Chen for acting with her feelings and glanced at Jack. She practically devoured her neighbor with her eyes whenever she had a chance.
All this thinking made her hungry, and she needed to cool off. Thinking about Jack made her feel aroused.
"Do you want to get something on a drive-through? I need a snack, something unhealthy and greasy." A chocolate milkshake would be perfect too, she thought.
"Sure, if you're paying."
He was still staring out the window, though from time to time, she noticed him glancing at her. She looked down and realized the jacket was open, revealing her unbound breasts that were poking through the blouse, and they bounced every time her car hit a bump. She felt her skirt had also ridden up while driving, and she felt a thrill as she felt his eyes on her body. Could she do it?
The tension in the car was thick as they pulled to a drive-through. She didn't care as the man in the booth stared at her chest and legs as he handed out their orders. Was the man able to see up her skirt? They both got shakes and burgers and ate their food while her car was idling in the empty lot.
Their gazes became heated as they ate, and she sent another message as she unbuttoned the top of her blouse, showing more of her cleavage. She smiled and sucked her milkshake out of her straw as Jack shifted in his seat and adjusted his pants. She gripped the steering wheel tight as anxiety and feelings of passion churned within her.
She resumed the drive and allowed her tight skirt to ride further up to her waist as she shifted in her seat, and she felt horny and thrilled at the sensation of being exposed. This time was different, she was setting the pace and she was the one making the decisions. She had control.
She wondered what Jack could see, as they reached their apartment building. She didn't bother adjusting her skirt and blouse as she handed back his jacket, his eyes practically devouring her body. It gave her much-needed confidence and her reluctance to continue whatever it is between the two of them left as they rode up the elevator and walked down to their doors.
"You want to come in?" She asked. Jack didn't hesitate and followed after her.
The door barely closed when their lips met. She moaned in pleasure as his hands caressed her ass and thighs and she spread her legs to allow his hands more room to wander. She stepped back and decided to give him a show.
"Take out your dick." She ordered as she pushed him to sit on her couch. "I want to see it."
Jack obeyed and unbuttoned his pants and fished out his hard penis. She licked her lips and started to unbutton her blouse. "Whenever we're here, we can continue this. In the station, I'll be your tough, uncompromising captain. Can you handle that?"
"Yes." Jack replied while he slowly stroked his already erect dick.
"Good. You like what you're seeing?" She asked, lowering her hands. Only her erect nipples prevented the blouse from opening completely. "Show me, play with yourself."
"Fuck you're so hot." Jack admitted as he began to play with himself, his eyes focused on her body.
She allowed the blouse to fall off her shoulders, baring her breasts to him. Her nipples were rock hard and she felt herself drip down her thighs from arousal.
"You're hot too." She admitted and slowly slid her skirt down her hips. "You got my pussy wet when I think about you. See?"
She got a thrill exposing herself in such a vulgar manner. She spread her legs, and posed for him with her hands on her hips, allowing Jack to see every part of her. "I'll be harder with you than the other two rookies. Can you handle that Officer Routh? Is my body worth it?"
"Anything, just so I can have you." Jack admitted, and she his lust-filled eyes staring at her own.
Jack removed his shirt, and soon his boxers joined his pants on the floor. They took sight of each other' bare bodies, drinking in the view for a moment.
"Taste me Jack." She grabbed hold of Jack's dick and led him to her bed. She hopped on the bed, leaned back on the headboard and spread her legs, allowing him to see even more of her. She spread her lips with her fingers showing all of her to him. She was dripping wet with arousal. "See if my body is worth all that."
His tongue was magnificent and he had no hesitation in diving in to taste her sex. She knew she was loud as she moaned in pleasure, and her fingers curled around his hair as she guided his handsome face to her pussy. She wanted every inch of his face covered in her juice, marking her territory. She wanted him badly.
She reached her orgasm a few minutes later, and dragged Jack by his hair and resumed kissing his lips, tasting herself as their tongues battled for dominance. She reached for his hard dick and maneuvered the tip of his penis to her entrance.
"Last chance." She whispered. "As soon as this magnificent dick enters my body, you'll be mine."
They stared straight at each other's faces and he answered her as his dick slowly pushed past her lower lips and into her cunt.
"Ohhhhhh!" She moaned in pleasure and closed her eyes. Jack started to pinch her nipples and she groaned in pleasure. "Fuck me harder!"
They both grunted as the sound of their fucking reverberated around the room. Wet slaps followed by her groans as Jack increased his pace. She felt her orgasm building once more and leaned over and bit Jack in the neck.
"Fuck! Fuck! You're so tight!" Jack moaned. "Captain!"
"Yes! Fuck me! That's it! Harder!" She encouraged him, as her pleasure continued to build.
"I'm close!" Jack whispered as he gritted his teeth, trying to maintain control.
"Nearly there! Stay with me!" She wanted to reach her orgasm at the same time as Jack. The pleasure was unbearable, she needed to release soon.
"Cum! Fucking cum in me Jack!" She yelled as one of her fantasies came out. "Breed me!"
"I'm cumming! Take it!" Jack delivered powerful thrusts and stilled as he came deep inside her, moaning with pleasure.
"Oh yes! Cum in me!" She screamed as she reached her peak. She locked her arms and legs around his body to trap him as her orgasm ran through her trembling body.
She didn't know how long they rested, but she became aware that Jack was once again hard and he started to fuck her once more with slow and smooth strokes.
"Again?" She mumbled, still trying to recover from her intense orgasm but welcomed another round.
"You're too fucking hot." Jack panted as he maintained a slow and leisurely pace. "I always get hard around you, even when we first met."
She felt pleasure at his admission and thrust her hips to meet his slow strokes to encourage him to increase his pace a bit. "That… that early?"
"Oh yeah. I fantasized about you." Jack admitted.
"Jack… Jack… You should know." She pulled him close to her body and turned their positions so she was the one on top… "I'm a jealous bitch. And I don't like to share."
"Oh yeah?" Jack gave a smile and reached out to play with her breasts. "I don't like sharing what's mine too."
"If you want your cock to remain inside my pussy…" She lifted her hip and impaled herself fully on his dick, causing the both of them to groan. "…Then you only get to fuck me. No one else."
"I was never attracted to anyone but you in this world." Jack admitted. "If I'm yours, then you're mine. This hot body is mine. All mine."
"Then we're exclusive." She grinned and increased the pace of their fucking. "I'm a possessive bitch, and I like marking what's my territory. Now cum in me again, I don't care if I get pregnant. Are you okay with that?"
"Fuck yes. I'll put a baby in you!" Jack grabbed her hips and fucked her hard causing her to wail in pleasure. "Fuck Fuck Fuck!"
"Do it! Cum in me!" She shrieked as she came for a third time and collapsed on Jack. She felt him sucking on her nipples as her lover moaned as he pumped his seed in her.
They fell asleep cuddling and it was already morning when they both woke up from the increasing light through the window. His larger body allowed her to sleep on top of him in comfort, and she sighed in pleasure as she felt his hands start caressing her back. She felt a strange sensation between her legs and realized Jack's cock was partially buried inside her.
"This is the first time I slept with a cock inside me." She whispered.
"It's a first for me too. It's very comfortable." Jack admitted.
"Then feel free to stick it when we're sleeping." She offered, getting turned on by the idea. She was in control when they were awake, and the thought of him ravishing her body when she was asleep was a turn-on.
"Really?"
"Dead serious. You can fuck me even when I'm sleeping. I'm giving you permission." She felt his dick harden inside her. "It looks like you like the idea."
"Are you kidding?" She felt Jack kiss the top of her head. "I get to fuck this hot body of yours whenever I want even if you're sleeping? Of course I'd like that!"
"So it looks like we're a couple now." She smiled.
"Yes. Exclusive couple." Jack replied.
"Now hurry up and cum in me, I need to shower."
She yelped as Jack reached up and pulled her body closer to his. He changed his position, his hand under her knees and carrying her weight, as he slowly moved to stand up. She reached forward and hugged his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist for stability. His dick sank deeper into her womb and she moaned as he slowly walked into the shower with her impaled on his dick.
"Why can't we do both?" Jack asked.
Shower sex was new to her, but it was a fun experience. Jack never got tired of her body, as he fucked her from behind as she washed her hair with shampoo. She swallowed her cum as she gave him a blowjob under the shower. It was a novel experience and she looked forward to mornings like this.
They had a long talk over breakfast about professionalism in the workplace. It was ironic as she was impaled on his cock when they discussed the topic as they both shared a chair eating cereal.
After a passionate kiss, Jack moved to his apartment and headed out to the station first, eager to resume his role as a cop. She already missed his cock inside her pussy. She looked into the mirror as she prepared her clothes for today, an outfit that would get a reaction from her lover but still maintain the professional standards expected of her. She needed to get her head in the game, and today would be the first test in their secret relationship.
She knew it was worth it.