Partners ~ The affair {closed}

[Asa]

http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwesdipyL91qceokxo1_500.jpgJessicaDaniels
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/NightPoet/Hugh-Dillon-flashpoint-15937931-480-720_zpsd0eaaf68.jpg

Regulations be damned they could not stay away from each other. They were in the same department on the same team in the Special unit. It was beyond against the rules not that their Sarge Mark Spencer cared. He had known both of them for a very long time and could tell that they were both the best thing for each other.

Mark had worked with him since the academy and had served with Jessie's father in the military before that. He had watched her balance him and him reign Jessie in when she gets too "focused". Mark however was no fool he knew he could not protect them and their relationship forever.

______________

Detective Daniels you have a call on line one.

Winnie was the dispatch and desk officer for The elite negotiations team.

Thanks Winnie... Let me guess mom?

Every Wednesday...

Hey mom... Yes I remember... No mom... I remember... Mom the alarm just sounded I have to go.

She smiled as the Sarge hit the alarm for her aid in her escape from the phone. Hanging up the phone she smiled.

Thanks Sarge..

She made her way to the in house gym in their HQ. She glanced over with a veiled smile from the treadmill. He was technically her partner even though they all worked as a 5 member team. However they were more when they could be.

 

[Homerun2611]

Danny O'Connell
Age:32

5:00 Fucking AM

Danny's head pounded like he had been hit by a truck, and as he rolled out of bed, trying not to disturb his snoring wife, as if that were possible. He flipped on the light and winced. 'Shit', he shouldn't have drank as much as he had last night, or the night before, or the night before that. He looked in the mirror at the two day stubble, and looked at a pair of eyes staring back at him that looked like the before of a Visine commercial. He looked like he had been hit by a truck, he had, a truck driven by Jack Daniels.

It had been one of those weekends, flashbacks to Iraq, miserable at home, and thinking about the woman he wanted rather than the one he had. To cap it off, a buddy, his best friend in Special forces had committed suicide. Racked by PTSD, he could never escape the demons, demons Danny understood better than most. 'Jimmy!' He shut his eyes and rolled his head, cracking his neck. "Good bye buddy". He had vowed, a vow he was sure to break, that last night was the last time he would try to drink that memory away.

Danny O'Connor had grown up in the tough streets of South Philly. His Dad was a cop, and Billy never considered any other career. He was a decent baseball player, and along with studying hard, he had received an appointment to WestPoint. He was a decent cadet, but an excellent shot. He served two tours in Iraq as a sniper, a specialist member of the elite special forces unit. He had 145 kills, and he remembered every one. There wasn't a day he didn't dream about coming home and getting the bad guys, real crooks that hurt his hometown, rather than these nameless faceless, soulless enemy he killed with precision from afar. It was that resume that earned him his spot, the sharpshooter, on the team. On the team with her!

He had married his high school sweetheart, Brook, the head cheerleader and homecoming queen, who had the highlight of her life when she was 17. Too poor to go to college, she had stayed home and waited for Danny to return. Time can be cruel to young love when the passions of youth grows into two people who have zero common interests, other than they both remember the passion they once shared. Still in good shape, the benefit of being an aerobics instructor, they tried to be in love, they really did...but it was a battle they both knew they were losing.

5:05 Fucking AM

Time for reflection was over. Danny brushed his teeth and shaved, he would work the speed bag at the police house, get rid of some of that edge, due a steamer to soak out the alcohol of last night. Despite the way he was drowning his body in alcohol, Danny was still the same weight he had been in the military. A daily routine of jump rope, pushups, sit-ups, crunches and pull-ups combined with the speed bag and swimming laps kept his 8 pack in tact and his five foot 10 inch, 180 pound body naturally sculpted.

By the time 6:30 AM rolled around, he was a new man. A good workout, a nice steamer, and a hot shower had him feeling better. He rounded the corner with his coffee and ran right into Mark, his Sergeant and friend. "Fuck Mark, I'm so sorry" Danny blurted out as his coffee covered both of them. Danny was a mess, his only shirt covered in coffee. Luckily Mark had extra shirts for both of them. Danny had just peeled his wet shirt off when she walked in. He smiled as her eyes took him in and she gave him a cocked brow and a wry smile. He turned, "Hey Jess, is the Mom call done, or do you need me to man the alarm?"

 

[Asa]

Sarge already dealt with it for me. Before you thanked him with some coffee.

She smiled with a wink. She was headed to the in house gym time for her normal 5 miles on the treadmill.

Are you okay?

She worried about him. She knew that Brook had liked being married to a cop in theory but the reality was a very different thing. Brook had often questioned her and Beth about why they would want to be cops, especially in a department like they were in. She wondered if it was a fishing trip to see if any of them were interested in her husband since both of the women on the team were single. She noted that she never questioned Winnie but she had the safe desk job in the building so she was never in the field with them.

 

[Homerun2611]

"Yeah, given that isn't exactly my first time dousing myself and others with coffee, I either need to give up my morning wake up call or make sure I have some extra shirts in the locker, and you know I'm not giving up coffee...shoot me instead!"

He laughed, he loved seeing her in the morning, it was amazing how she made the demons disappear by her very presence.

"Who knows? I may end up moving more than some shirts in here which wouldn't be the worst thing."

She knew about his marriage and may have disliked Brook more than anyone. She was the first one he confided in as to his suspicions of how she hooked him. He had told her the whole story one night, one of the first nights they had stayed around after the others had left, not crossing any lines yet, but also not wanting to part.

"My wife and I were high school sweethearts...." He laughed as he recounted the story, "My God that feels so long ago. We don't have any children..." Another wry smile. How ironic was that The only reason they had probably gotten married at all, was she got pregnant while he was home on leave his senior year at Westpoint. He had done the right thing and married her, even though he had evolved significantly from the three sport high school star in high school, and she seemed to stay stuck in time, still trying to bask in the increasingly diminished light of a former homecoming queen.

Soon after he had returned to school, she called to tell him she had miscarried, and somehow he always had a sinking question if there really ever was a baby or had she just desperately wanted her MRS. Now, she was an aerobics instructor whose looks meant everything. They had discussed children, Danny so wanted to be a Dad someday, but she always had an excuse as to "not right now honey, but yes soon". She was still so conscious of her figure, still being the homecoming queen. "Anyhow, we got married just before I graduated, and I know it isn't easy being married to a soldier and now a cop. There are aspects of my life that are just hard for her to comprehend, but we try".

That was then, and even then he had lied, they had both stopped trying long ago. But he was a cop, she was a cocktail waitress, and a divorce was expensive.

He came back to reality, and was now looking at her, probably a goofy grin on his face. "Have a good run, the AC is out down there, so trust me you'll get a good sweat...How was your weekend anyway?" He said it sheepishly, he knew he should have called, texted something, but he had gotten wrapped up in himself. "I'm sorry but with dealing with Jimmy's funeral Saturday, the weekend got lost, I did think about calling you, about a thousand times, but well, it got away..."

Fuck, he hated letting people down, but he seemed to be doing that more and more lately, a trend he needed to reverse.

 

[Asa]

This weekend would not have been good My nephew had blindsided everyone when he changed his mind about FBI training he had been offered for the Marines.

She paused to let that sink in the whole team knew her nephew Mike. He had helped more than one of them with computer issues as well as his work as a personal trainer at a local gym. He had gone through college studying nutrition Psychology and Physical therapy wanting to design workouts and diets for people that matched their personality and body types so perfectly that it didn't seem like work. Now he was on his way to Paris Island for Bootcamp in two weeks after telling them all he had been accepted to Quantico for FBI training.

Yeah, so he had asked me to meet him at his mom and dads and to back him up as he had a surprise for them and me and he thought I would be all for it. Needless to say, my sister flipped out and my brother in law took convincing that I had no idea and I nearly decked Mike asking him if he was out of his mind.

 

[Homerun2611]

He listened and he knew her nephew's decision pained Jessica. She rightly thought of herself as a role model for her nephew and they had both worked their personal networks hard to get the highly sought after and competitive opportunity with the FBi.

However, he also understood the young man's desires. It hadn't been long ago, that despite being brought up in the household of a respected cop, the idea of defending one's country against the enemy was a far more romantic and idealized goal than chasing after common criminals. He had not realized until he experienced it how wrong he was and how combat tested your very soul.

"Would you like me to talk to him, you know I'd be happy to? He has no idea of the day to day hell fighting enemies who sleep in their own beds in Afghanistan and Iraq can be...he can watch me sleep and my nightmares sometime if he needs proof? But we all dream of being heroes, and I'm sure it wouldn't take long until Seals or some other specialty group would suck him in."

 

[Asa]

Yeah.. if you would and have Mark meet up with you two sometime and talk to him.

She smiled knowing he had her back even when not in the line of duty. She made her way to the gym and began her workout regiment getting Harvey to hold the heavy bag for her.

 

[Homerun2611]

Sure, happy to, you know that

He checked his phone and he did have Mark's number and would try to hook up with him ASAP

He watched her walk away. He was enjoying her ass, they were way past the point of him being worried how she might react if she caught him, he knew damned well she knew he was watching, and he was pretty sure it only made her put a bit more sauce in her confident strut.

While she worked out, he saw he had an email from Jimmy's widow. Jesus she wanted to see him, she was really struggling and wondered if he would grab dinner. He couldn't say no, but also dreaded it. He looked back in the direction Jessica had just walked away to. Maybe she would be willing to come with, she had lots of experience dealing with people under the worst type of stress maybe she would have some words that would help Jimmy's wife find peace, hell maybe it would even help him?

The rest of the time was spent reviewing files of old cases still needing paperwork clean up. Before long he saw her, hair wringing wet, and a satisfied look on her face, "Good workout? I hope you didn't kill Harvey working the bag?"

 

[Asa]

Hot call!!! Shots fired Alinton Ave. Gang task force confirms hostages involved! Team one your up!

Winnie's voice broke through it all as the alarm roared to life for real.

Mark barked out

Okay two sniper location Harvey and Danny. Greg you will be feeding info as best you can don't know what camera tech would be there for you to hack into rounding up anyone family needed Beth that's your job. Jessie on Negotiations and I'll handle tactical. Suit up let's go!

 

[Homerun2611]

She didn’t get a chance to answer, they were in action.

Mark barked orders, but everyone here knew their roles, and they were as in synch as the finest Swiss watch. Even in special forces, Danny had never worked with a more competent crew.

At their lockers they slid on the Kevlar vests. Generally they were overkill, but if they stopped one bullet, they were worth the discomfort. For Danny they had caught 4, and he thought as many for Jess.

He and Jess would be in different cars, the others would set up command, he and Harvey would be in the other, looking for the nearest point with clear sight lines. Danny would take the harder shot, he could thread a needle from a hundred yards. Make no mistake, Harvey was good too, but there may not be five shooters as good as Danny in the entire country. Part of it was his control. His adrenaline should have been firing, but his pulse rate, even now, on two cups of strong coffee, and running on little good sleep, was likely under sixty beats per minute, maybe 50, his cool under stress was freakish.

They walked out of their locker rooms at the same second, two minds and body clocks working as one. He naturally put a reassuring hand on her back, the only one she not only let, but enjoyed being there and he knew it. This was their routine. “Go work your magic kid, I’ve got your back...but talk to me if you need a second read, I’ll be listening to every word, every breath.”

Then he was gone, she didn’t see him take one more look. He always did, you never knew when it might be your last...

 

[Asa]

Mark nodded to Danny their signal for a different channel on the headsets briefly.

They confirmed kids involved Danny. You know what that means... She may go off res on this one... We tread carefully.

Mark watched her get into the SUV with Beth and Greg and hoped this would end safely. Greg was wary not to let her know until they got there that there were kids involved. A gang task force team was already on site and Niel seeing her walk over as negotiator gave him a minor pause that she would have spotted a mile away.

What is it, Niel?

He took a deep breath and looked her dead in the eye with all the respect and faith he had in her and the Special negotiations team.

Don't know how they did it but there are two kids in there holding members of a local gang hostage. They can't be older than 10 and 12 Jess. They are well-armed. at least 4 shots have been fired but the gang has not come out so we are guessing the kids got the drop on them and they are the ones doing the shooting.

She simply nodded.

Greg, I want eyes and ears in there now. Mark NO ONE fires without my giving the signal... Harvey... Danny... Got it?

Harv looked between the two others she called out and nodded almost defeated he knew this would go however it went but he also knew just like the others did she would go off res and risk herself to keep these kids safe.

Beth, I need you and Mark to get me family intel on these boys now and iff possible a family member down here to feed info to help me get through to them

 

[Homerun2611]

Danny saw Mark's signal, and switched to frequency seven their private channel. "They confirmed kids involved Danny. You know what that means... She may go off res on this one... We tread carefully."

Shit, yes Danny knew what that meant, she wasn't ever truly foolish, but if she had any judgmental kryptonite it was children. Jess had lost a kid sister when they were children, she had never even told Danny all the details, but he knew she held herself responsible, he was equally confident that wasn't the whole story. "When you get a chance, have her signal me to go private, I want to talk to her. It probably won't help, but let me at least try?"

Mark knew if anyone could get through to her, it was the man, or at least he assumed, that had finally touched her heart...and likely touched everything else as well. Mark, like Danny, was a good Catholic, but he had met Brooke and she was a bitch. He loved Jessica and Danny like they were his brother's and sister's and if they found peace or more with each other, he was all for it.

He got the signal from Jess, "beep Danny on 7 when you have a chance, I think he has some intel on the situation you might use."

Danny went up on the roof across the street, it gave him great sightlines of the three window facing the street. As he selected the right scope he thought of her, somehow he needed to convince her, not all children were redeemable. If the hate or drugs had done enough damage, their souls could completely disappear just like adults...he waited for her call.

 

[Asa]

She took out the truck sat phone and called the number in the little pool hall.

Hello, this is Detective Daniels with the Strategic Negotiations Team who am I speaking with. Hello Markus How old are you? 12 Almost a teenager. Well, Markus, can you tell me why you and your I am guessing younger brother are in a pool hall at your age? I was told there had been some sounds of gunfire is that true? I see... well can you tell me why you and your little brother feel the need to be in there with guns.

She listened carefully for a long moment Mark watched her expression as her eyes seemed to ignite with temper. She muted the phone for a second and looked to Greg.

I need you to get all logs over the past couple of weeks and find where a young man named Markus and his brother Rico reported threats to a neighbor or their neighborhood something like that and I want the desk officers name as well as whatever officer was on duty who would have taken the statement. Also, any court cases that might have their names on it under prosecution or any family connected to them being represented by the prosecution... Now!

Markus... I am a cop and I am willing to come in there and take your statement and I work closer to the police commissioner so we will have more power to look into everything.

She sighed.

I know you have no reason to trust me but I will make you a deal. You let those people in there that are wounded out to the EMTs as a sign of good faith I will come in there personally take you and your little brother's statements. I am going to swap to the megaphone now so I can walk over there. There will be a couple of cops with me with shields just to collect up the wounded not to cause any trouble. We don't want anyone else to get hurt, do we?

She smiled a little as she listened.

I know you just wanted to scare them not hurt anyone. You don't want anyone even their families to feel what you and your little brother felt when you lost your older brother. I understand I would love if we could all go home alive today too that is why I am going to trust you and come in there and take your statement myself, okay but you have to let the wounded people leave so they can get help because if they die that will be bad for you and we don't need that okay.

With that, she picked up the megaphone called over Beth and Mark to hold the riot shields to help the wounded out and paramedics to follow them. As she walked with them to the door Mark was praying under his breath leave the vest on, leave the vest on, please leave the vest on. He, of course, knew she would not she seldom did with children. It was a proof of trust thing and it worked even if they didn't like it. Once at the door she handed Mark her vest and sidearm from her hip as she walked into the pool hall after the wounded were helped out.

Okay

Jessie said as she walked to a table where they could be seen from the windows but it didn't look like it.

Tell me everything one more time I need to be able to write it all down okay. Let's start with you Rico. You have been very calm and brave during all of this.

They killed Xavier... He tried to stand up to them after the cops let them go for attacking those businesses around here. So when they tried again Xavier stood up to them but a cop walked in so they left but they said they would get him and we went to tell the cops like momma would have wanted us to and that detective said he didn't have time for wild goose chases and pesky kids. Said we should just let it go and get used to our lives here and even if we were telling the truth he couldn't do anything till there was a body or two and witnesses who would actually open their mouths and talk.

What was the officers name and where is the station you went to?

The boys seemed more than willing to tell her all they could and for the information they were giving her she was incredibly calm and professional and comforting. It was also not lost on Mark that the other gang members in there were silent as the grave. Harvey radioed that she had all the guns the kids had taken in there with her and 4 people over by a back wall as if trying to become invisible.

Greg looked over to Mark and Beth.

She is going to be out for blood against precinct 46 over this. Desk officer has their names signed in but no report about them talking to any officer but he has confirmed to me that they talked to Officer Kline and his partner Roberts. It's not the first time they have dismissed people from this neighborhood leading to issues.

Mark rubbed the bridge of his nose with a sigh.

Hell, I want to break them in half but we may have to protect them from her so be ready if they show up. They don't like Gangland and other specialty teams in "their area"

 

[Homerun2611]

Danny listened in on the entire sickening story. He cold only imagine the fury building in Jessica. He listened to every word of the kids and not a bit seemed insincere. They had tried to do the right thing, were in a small minority of kids in these rough neighborhoods whose momma had actually trusted and encouraged them to go to the cops, and what had we done, or at least the ones they spoke with? We had yoyally fucked them over. He felt her the same rage as her, and if/when she did go off, he would be right there with her making someone pay.

Unfortunately he also knew what would happen to these kids, at least the ones who had pulled the trigger. The system would still punish them, swallow them up and digest them. Put them in a jail that took what souls the had and destroyed them. Nevxt time the met a cop, and there was inevitably a next time, they would no longer be victims of justice, they would be true criminals. The whole thing was so fucked up, so corroded, and they woul fight for the kids, but it was almost guaranteed they would lose, and the at fault cops would get little more than slaps on the wrist.

He smiled to himself, ‘one shot’, one shot was all he needed, one shot at each of the cops, even from a distance. One shot, squarely targeted at their genitals, and they would also face a lifetime of regret for casting aside these poor kids. He got too caught up in his anger, although he never took his eyes away. Suddenly he saw the young Latin Pythons, a member of the gang being partially held inside, he had parted the crowd, and pulled a sawed off shot gun from behind him, aiming towards the pool hall window Jess stood behind, talking to Rico and Markus. “Jess, shooter outside, down now,!!” Not one to exaggerate, Danny screamed and knew she would react to him, however she could. The gun in the gang members hand, Danny’s shot took off a fraction of a second before the young man pulled his trigger.

A fraction helped though. The shot hitting him I’m the shoulder and spinning him, just enough to put his shot high. He still shattered the glass, but the shot gun shot now sprayed above them, or so Danny hoped. He saw the kid reach again for the gun, but this time he hit the gun, careening it safely out of the shooter’s reach. Cops were suddenly verywhere, all hell breaking loose. Danny was helpless now, across the street at an angle on the roofs he called into his radio, “Jess, Jess, are you, the kids, everyome inside all right?” It had been an instantaneous decision, no time to get authorization or give more warning than he did, all he could hope was he had done enough?

 

[Asa]

We are fine Mark where is the shooter.

Greg has him on the ground cuffed. This is one of the idiots that killed the older brother spouting off in a clearly drugged rage that the two little shots should have kept their mouth shut and accepted protection like good little rats.

Gangland piped up.

Should be enough to get the kids off with juvie and counceling not sure we can make the state keep them together though in foster or adoption but we will damn sure try.

Jess walked the boys out and straight to Mark growling if any other cop got near them. And low and behold two cops did walk up ceiling their rage but only barely.

Thanks guys we will take it from here.

Jess noticed right away how the younger boy grabbed her hand tighter and she stared the two cops down sending the boys to Mark and Gangland.

Let me guess Officers Kline and Roberts. Oh I know all about you and the transcription of my negotiations with those two boys the commissioner will know exactly who you two are as well. In fact my entire report will include a signed statement from your desk Sargent telling how he sent those two boys to talk to the two of you tryingntonprevent the murder of their older brother and guardian. Now what do you have to say for yourselves for my report?

Kline tensed ready to blow up while Roberts looked a little scared at just how calm and deadpan she was in the face of everything he was sure she knew from the boys and the desk sarge. Mark texted Danny.

Get down here now Kline and Roberts are the two cops she is talking to and this could get ugly Kline looks like he is about to lose it and she has that creepy calm deadpan smile to her words. Mind you Roberts looks second away from pissing himself he has known someone like her before or terrified for his job.

She stood there eyes staring them both down as Kline growled out.

You are not from this neighborhood... Detective... And Gangland has no clue what we deal with... Kids lie to start turf wars and try to use us to do it. We didn't fall for it so only one body not several. No big loss right... Detective.

Greg still had the truck recording everything that was said and picked up by headsets and the trucks microphone system as well.

You forget officers it's our place as officer to risk our lives so innocent lives are not lost and innocent families destroyed... Like this one. Now your Co... The commissioner and all of his people will know everything that happened and your opinion of it. Good luck rationalizing your way out of this... Officers.

Mark could see that calm cracking in her eyes.

 

[Homerun2611]

Danny had been careful to disable but not kill, he had almost cut it too close, but the shot hadn't hit, and now they had a confession that took the kids largely off the hook. From where he was at. He knew there were deep reasons she was so protective of kids, probably to a fault, but this time she was completely right. The police had destroyed their trust, and brick by brick Jess was rebuilding it.

He was packing up his scopes when he saw the two cops sauntering up, one younger, one older, and the old one had the saunter of one who had no use for anyone, criminal or another cop, alike. He was closing on Jess with an assumption he was taking over, this was his turf and they were mere intruders. He was sadly mistaken. Danny was on the move before he ever got the text from Mark, he could guess what was happening and he knew that look of Jess, right before she kicked their ass...but that was in no one's interest right now.

You forget officers it's our place as officer to risk our lives so innocent lives are not lost and innocent families destroyed... Like this one. Now your Co... The commissioner and all of his people will know everything that happened and your opinion of it. Good luck rationalizing your way out of this... Officers He smiled as she kept her calm, but this wick was about to hit the gun powder, and Danny set a gentle hand on her back, while he signaled to Mark.

"It gets hard doesn't it....hearing this crap every day" Danny was looking right at Kline, and she let him step in. He knew that was not easy for her, but she had the children, and they had to be her focus. Suddenly Kline sparked up, "See, he understands, you're fucking right, this god damn bitch thinks..." Danny stepped forward, "Mark I'd like to talk to Officer Kline here alone, why don't you take Officer Roberts and see if he really wants to attach his ship to Officer Kline here's dock?"

Roberts was smart enough to see that his soon to be ex partner was now squarely in the rat trap, and any exit was preferable to eating the poison with him and dying with him. Danny led Kline away from the kids, and Jess. "I have no idea if you were ever a good cop, but if you were, those days are gone. When I was in Iraq I saw some good soldiers that were too long over there, they stopped seeing who the enemy was and who the good guys were, and before long, they were what they had once fought against. That line of bullshit you just dropped about the neighborhood is your own end. You know that right...you have two options, retire or an admin desk somewhere?"

He saw the look of pure disdain on Kline's face. "That bitch doesn't..." Danny laughed, "Actually she probably does...but if she doesn't the combination of all of us definitely do...dude your ass is so fried, we are about two minutes away from cuffing you and having you ride with the punk I shot." Kline started to slump off, but Danny didn't leave it there. "You have tonight, tomorrow we will have you in the commissioners office, is it retirement or admin, those are your only options."

Kline looked at Danny with pure hatred, but he also knew it was not the time to fight. He turned away from the rotten cop, and looked back at his crew, and then at Jess, "I think that is taken care of, how are the boys doing?"

 

[Asa]

They are okay... their main fear is losing each other since they have to go into foster care. Harvey said his neighbor works for child services and he will talk to her about keeping them together.

Rico moved over to him looking at Jessie but whispered to Danny.

Why did that Mr Mark officer thank her for no bloodshed. Someone shot that gang member right?
The young boy held one of the freezer pops they kept in the truck for kids in his other hand eating it happily.

Jessie was clearly trying to reign in her temper and the kids being there helped her veil it well as she tries to smile.

 

[Homerun2611]

Danny heard the caring in her voice, she would probably foster them herself if she could. "I can understand that, but if you and I, with Mark's help here, oversee it, hopefully we can guide them through the system. I ran into Juanita having breakfast last weekend. The kids she had just got adopted, I think she and Carlos would be perfect for at least a bit, they are great with boys...treat them like they were their own."

It was a sad story, Juanita and Carlos were good parents in a bad area. Carols worked construction most of the year and drove a plow in the winter, plus anything else he could do to allow Juanita to stay home. They had two cute little boys, a 9 and a 10 year old who four years ago were killed in a senseless drive by shooting outside of the grocery store. Rather than collapse they decided to not have any more children, at least not then, and fully embrace being fosters, and few did it with any purer intention.

Rico came over and Danny ruffled his hair. Why did that Mr Mark officer thank her for no bloodshed. Someone shot that gang member right? Danny went down on one knee, he liked to talk to kids at their level. "Well, I shot that boy...and I wish I hadn't had to, but he was going to shoot into the pool hall and I didn't want you hurt...or the nice lady over there..." He winked at Jessie and Markus. "...but I am a good shop and I was only shooting to disable him, not kill him....but Detective Daniels there, she can be a badass if she wants, and when someone hurts kids....wooeee...watch out."

Danny was smiling at the young man who shockingly hugged him. "Thank you...thank you all for helping us...we didn't want to shoot anyone, we just..." Danny hugged him back, "I know son...you were in a tough spot, I wish the first police had helped you...but we're here now and ou all are safe."

Danny got up and looked at Jessie, "why don't you and the boys come with me to the precinct, Harvey can go with Mark....what do you say boys, maybe we can swing in and grab some cheeseburgers on the way over...are you guys hungry?" He moved over to Jessie and put his hand on her arm, "are you sure you're okay?"

 

[Asa]

Kline should feel damn lucky you stepped in when you did.

She smiled nodding to the boys.

Yeah... Let's go get food for everyone I think Team one could all sit down and eat with these boys right Sarge?

Mark nodded with a smile.

Sounds like a plan and chocolate shakes all around too.

She smiled to him before looking one last time to Kline who was not surprising being dragged off by Gangland.

 

[Homerun2611]

Danny looked at Jessica, she knew he needed some quiet time after a shooting. Despite the fact he was excellent, he never got used to shooting another human. He did it because he had to be done, but never once, not ever, did he get any enjoyment out of it. He was also frustrated with her, maybe she didn't give a shit if she died, but he did. Going rogue was nothing to be proud of, yes she needed to do it sometime, but if a child was involved she did it every time. Was it a death wish, some sort of penance for a crime or guilt she felt, but shouldn't have. He didn't know the full story, but her sister was a tragedy, horrific, but most definitely not her fault.

He almost begge off and went to a bar, the park, anywhere to rebalance himself, but he saw the boys' eyes. For whatever reason he had a connection with Rico, instantaneous, similar but different to the instantaneous connection he had with Jessie. 'Sounds good, I think I'll take hot fudge in that shake, you boys ever tried a hot fudge, chocolate shake? Good thing you are with cops, they taste so good they should be illegal!"

He laughed opened the doors to his car, Rico sat in the front with him, Markus in the back with Jessie. The boys stated to yammer, clearly comfortable with us and starting to trust. Fuck kids were resilient, too bad adults were so much less so...his eyes caught Jessie's in his rear view mirror.

 

[Asa]

Jessie just looked to the rearview seeing him looking back at her and smiled. Away from the scene she w as better able to calm her temper.

I agree it is very good if not a little rich.

Once in the drive through she rattled off the team's normal order and let the kids get whatever they wanted. She relaxed around them more. Her main reason for always saving kids when she could was how she never wanted to bring kids into a cops life. No kids and no family less lives ruined when and if some bullet ever chose her.

 

[Homerun2611]

Danny didn’t look forward to the afternoon. The shot had been warranted, he had no doubts, but shots were shots, and their would be questioning ad nauseum, and paperwork. He hated fucking paperwork! He was hungry, and Jessica would have to spend the majority of the afternoon with child services. Mark was already working hard to avoid any charges against the kids. They afterall still had taken hostages, even if they were scum, and Markus had fired too shots, one hitting a gang member squarely in the thigh, the other bare,y a flesh wound.

For now they sat, we told bad jokes, Danny ate his double bacon cheeseburger, and enjoyed the chocolate, hot fudge shake as he promised. They were just wrapping up when Danny saw Internal Affairs drop in, there went his afternoon. He got up and turned to Jess, “when you talk with child services, remember Juanita and Carlos. If I get done early here, I’ll pop over, just in case I might help?”

 

[Asa]

She saw IA and growled.

Mark remind them about Carlos and Juanita...

She moved to stand between the boys and IA eyes narrowing.

Official statement from the negotiator it was a good call shot. It saved lives gained confession and exposed worthless cops. What else is there?

Her arms crossed as she stared at the agent who held his hands up not wanting a fight with her or the team.

 

[Homerun2611]

IA slows their stride and look at each other, at Danny and back at Jessie...

We appreciate your perspective, but your boy there seems to pull the trigger a lot...the gangland guys are saying they aren't sure....and what do you mean worthless cops...Kline has been with us for a long time...always been a good cop...never any trouble...unlike you two?

Mark could see it escalating but Danny stood up..."thanks Jessie, but I will answer their questions, I've got nothing to hide...like she said, it was a good shot...there was no other option other than possibly dead cops and civilians and kids."

These guys were as crooked and worthless as Kline, it was amazing how the incompetent stuck together.

 

[Asa]

At the comment on Kline she took a step forward as Harvey tired to intercept her another voice spoke up.

The commissioner will decide Klines's fate and anyone attached to him. Including Roberts his partner and Sullivan in gangland who we have learned is willing to stick his neck out for him. Should my inquiry expand to the two of you as well? For the sake of clearing up any miscommunication? Daniels may be unorthodox and if you recall O Connoll was hired for his sniper abilities into this department directly.

Mark looked to the former head of special tactical divisions and nodded. Harvey just looked at Jessie like please don't do anything stupid... please. Jessica simply stood there till the City chief spoke again.

Jessie... the commissioner wants you to bring the boys to his office to apologize to them personally for what happened when they tired to report to their local precinct that there was a problem. Officer Greg Lane delivered your report in its entirety to all parties involved Including the commander of IA.

We should have this all straightened up soon. Mark will you drive her and the boys to office. I am going to talk to Danny myself as well.

He said watching the two IA officers ready to arrest them himself for corruption if need be.

Everything is going to be by the books and on the up and up on this case or else isn't it boys.