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Well...it's over.
Apr. 25th, 2023 04:29 pmWho: Aya, Ben
When: The weeks after the trial.
What: Attempting to deal.
( It was almost nice at times. )
When: The weeks after the trial.
What: Attempting to deal.
( It was almost nice at times. )
Dinner, dancing
Oct. 19th, 2021 04:59 pmWho: Aya, a proud Ben, the boys?
When: A few weeks after getting to reconnect with the boys.
What: BEN FUSSES OVER A DRESS! Or you know, about a real date for Aya.
( A bit of romance )
When: A few weeks after getting to reconnect with the boys.
What: BEN FUSSES OVER A DRESS! Or you know, about a real date for Aya.
( A bit of romance )
She'd probably never moved so fast in her life, and she'd had some pretty good reasons to move before. This was different though, it wasn't a fire fight, it wasn't one of her partners in trouble, no, the school had called her about Ben. They couldn't reach Lorraine. Of course they couldn't reach his witch of a mother, but she was the very first speed dial number in the boy's cell phone, and she had records on file at the school as named guardian per the boy's father.
Sure, having a living relative superseded such in most cases, but it meant they could come to her for billing issues and discipline problems when Lorraine couldn't be bothered.
Not that there were discipline problems where Ben was concerned.
No, but the boy could try to stand up for others when bullying was involved, and he could take a tumble off the school steps and not make the roll properly. And she was going to strangle some school children. Later.
Now she wasn't quite sure when she'd gotten to the hospital, but she had Ben's insurance cards in her wallet and they better get out of her way because they had a boy that the school said had a broken arm and collarbone and he was in pain because his mother couldn't be assed to answer a phone and give the greenlight for treatment.
"Hey, kiddo, I'm here..." He was out, that was for the best really, but damn it was scarier that he didn't look at her. She needed to let the boys know she wasn't tonight and...
..."Bates....I dropped my cell phone." Somewhere in the mad dash she'd managed to miss her pocket after hanging up. So much for apologizing for hanging up on Braig.
Awesome day.
Sure, having a living relative superseded such in most cases, but it meant they could come to her for billing issues and discipline problems when Lorraine couldn't be bothered.
Not that there were discipline problems where Ben was concerned.
No, but the boy could try to stand up for others when bullying was involved, and he could take a tumble off the school steps and not make the roll properly. And she was going to strangle some school children. Later.
Now she wasn't quite sure when she'd gotten to the hospital, but she had Ben's insurance cards in her wallet and they better get out of her way because they had a boy that the school said had a broken arm and collarbone and he was in pain because his mother couldn't be assed to answer a phone and give the greenlight for treatment.
"Hey, kiddo, I'm here..." He was out, that was for the best really, but damn it was scarier that he didn't look at her. She needed to let the boys know she wasn't tonight and...
..."Bates....I dropped my cell phone." Somewhere in the mad dash she'd managed to miss her pocket after hanging up. So much for apologizing for hanging up on Braig.
Awesome day.
Training at my age...
Aug. 12th, 2013 12:44 amWho: Aya and Dilan?
When: After the case, before Aya is a full FBI agent.
What:. Aya finds a measure of peace in those she loves.
( ...I never said I couldn't do it. )
When: After the case, before Aya is a full FBI agent.
What:. Aya finds a measure of peace in those she loves.
( ...I never said I couldn't do it. )
Sometimes life's a bitch
Jul. 21st, 2013 11:53 pmWho: Everyone at some point or another.
When: Toward the end of the two year stakeout.
What: Sometimes even the great players will tip their hand.
( And dems de breaks )
When: Toward the end of the two year stakeout.
What: Sometimes even the great players will tip their hand.
( And dems de breaks )
The ones you hold close
Jul. 16th, 2013 09:36 pmWho: Aya and Ben
When: Some time after the trio emerges from under cover work.
What: A fresh set of eyes can often be useful. Or incredibly embarrassing, one way or the other!
( Often help you see clearest )
When: Some time after the trio emerges from under cover work.
What: A fresh set of eyes can often be useful. Or incredibly embarrassing, one way or the other!
( Often help you see clearest )
The proof is in the pudding
Jul. 5th, 2013 01:33 amWho:Aya and Braig
When: Just before Dilan returns from his first vacation away from the assignment.
What: They are really, really glad he's coming home and want to show it!
( But the care is in the cookies )
When: Just before Dilan returns from his first vacation away from the assignment.
What: They are really, really glad he's coming home and want to show it!
( But the care is in the cookies )
Poker Night redone! ~ Vice AU
Jan. 14th, 2013 03:43 pmKyle was not a happy man. He'd swung by to pick up Darlene and she'd smiled and said Traver had already called a taxi. Traver. Traver was going to poker night. He nearly took a swing at the man then and there because it had been a rough few weeks. He was still under the 'no touching' edict and it was driving him mad.
And now...
...and now...
He wasn't even going to get a quiet night of seeing Darlene dressed up without her leech. Her leech and the leech's thug, though admittedly Breaker hadn't been so bad recently.
Yeah, when he saw the number Darlene was wearing when she came into the house where the game was being held he nearly choked on his drink. He had the sinking feeling she'd be sitting in laps tonight where she hadn't before.
Hello Traver, Kyle hated you.
And now...
...and now...
He wasn't even going to get a quiet night of seeing Darlene dressed up without her leech. Her leech and the leech's thug, though admittedly Breaker hadn't been so bad recently.
Yeah, when he saw the number Darlene was wearing when she came into the house where the game was being held he nearly choked on his drink. He had the sinking feeling she'd be sitting in laps tonight where she hadn't before.
Hello Traver, Kyle hated you.
Mix and Mingle
Oct. 27th, 2012 12:08 amAya adjusted the dress another time and winced. The loud colors really weren't her style but Darlene was going to pot luck, with Traver, and she wanted to look bright and cheerful despite the early spring rain pouring down. Hence the bright, spring dress and matching makeup. Bright in defiance of grey skies!
The veggie, meat, and cheese tray they'd 'assembled' was a comedy of errors mingled with nice. Nice crackers, but the cheese was cheddar cubed badly or american cheese slices folded into quarters. The meats were cheap ham and pimento loaf chunks, and the veggies were...poorly cut. They had tried to make them look fancy and had ended up failing just enough to show they tried. The bowl in the center of the snack tray held ranch dip straight from a bottle. Colorful saran wrap (to shield from rain) was the crowning touch.
Sure, they didn't do domestic well, but Traver and Darlene were still damn fun people to be around!
"I kind of want to cry over the snack tray," Aya admitted, eying the poor thing.
The veggie, meat, and cheese tray they'd 'assembled' was a comedy of errors mingled with nice. Nice crackers, but the cheese was cheddar cubed badly or american cheese slices folded into quarters. The meats were cheap ham and pimento loaf chunks, and the veggies were...poorly cut. They had tried to make them look fancy and had ended up failing just enough to show they tried. The bowl in the center of the snack tray held ranch dip straight from a bottle. Colorful saran wrap (to shield from rain) was the crowning touch.
Sure, they didn't do domestic well, but Traver and Darlene were still damn fun people to be around!
"I kind of want to cry over the snack tray," Aya admitted, eying the poor thing.
Back to work yet again
Oct. 10th, 2012 09:38 pmDarlene was leaning on Mary's desk, talking and giggling since she was off shift and she had a few moments to chat. Talking with the girls was fun, and Mary liked what she'd seen and heard of Traver. It was always nice when a girlfriend approved of her man!
Kyle was leaning against a wall, just brooding and watching the gossip session, though he moved away when the chief came in for the morning. Darlene was waiting for Traver, they were going to do breakfast since her shift ran late and...
...yeah, Traver was home. Couldn't everyone tell?
Kyle was leaning against a wall, just brooding and watching the gossip session, though he moved away when the chief came in for the morning. Darlene was waiting for Traver, they were going to do breakfast since her shift ran late and...
...yeah, Traver was home. Couldn't everyone tell?
The gang's all here...
Oct. 9th, 2012 01:13 amAya tried to keep her gaze from darting around the airport, Darlene wouldn't be waiting for anything or anyone but Traver, it was Breaker's job to watch for another attempt on Traver's life. Aya was jittery though. Jittery and half expecting Kyle to defy orders and pull another hit. He'd offered to drive Darlene to JFK to pick up Traver after all...
...they'd taken a cab though.
At least jittery could translate into Darlene really wanting to see her man?
She had kevlar on under her jacket and she had every intention of hugging Braig when she spotted him; with luck she could keep the jacket between any shooter and her partner! Still. Nerrrrves.
They'd really missed Braig. Everything felt unbalanced without him.
"He's late!" Darlene sighed, looking up at the board yet again. "Can you see anything? Is anyone coming out?"
...they'd taken a cab though.
At least jittery could translate into Darlene really wanting to see her man?
She had kevlar on under her jacket and she had every intention of hugging Braig when she spotted him; with luck she could keep the jacket between any shooter and her partner! Still. Nerrrrves.
They'd really missed Braig. Everything felt unbalanced without him.
"He's late!" Darlene sighed, looking up at the board yet again. "Can you see anything? Is anyone coming out?"
Confessions to the Chief
Sep. 28th, 2012 10:00 pmDarlene shuffled nervously on the seat outside the Chief's office, waiting. She knew people were looking at her, did they guess? Did they know? What did they think about her there without her partner? She couldn't help but look at them, trying to catch them staring...
Yeah, well, fuck it. She was doing the right thing. The right thing she should have done a while back.
She nearly jumped out of her skin when the door opened, the chief looking down at her mildly. "Detective? Come in, I've a few moments now."
She really hadn't registered before how large the chief was. Large and imposing and rather comfortable with his own body. Aya knew these things, but Darlene? Darlene stared for a few moments like a deer in headlights before blinking and shaking her head. "Yes sir, thank you for seeing me."
"Of course, I can always manage some time for my people. What's troubling you today?" He settled behind his desk and fixed Darlene with a mild look, just a touched worried but not assuming the worst.
Darlene sat in the chair in front of his desk and fidgeted a moment before blurting, "I need help."
"I...see? What's wrong? Do you need to file a report against someone?"
"No, no...I need to get into a program I think." she mumbled that quietly, not meeting his eyes. It wasn't one of her finer moments to admit it. "I have...a problem. A problem."
"I think I see. I need some details Detective, and why come to me now?"
"I...people are starting to get in trouble for me. I don't use on shift! I don't! And I've been clean since November but...but people are starting to get in trouble."
"People like your partner?" Who should have told him about Darlene using.
"No, he's a good guy! He needs to...stay good. I confuse him. He doesn't know what he's doing."
The chief highly doubted that but it didn't show. "That's common, Detective. Do you mind if I call you Darlene? Don't worry, it's very common. We have a program for cops who have ended up using. Was it when you were in vice in your old precinct?"
"I...I did a little in school." Everyone did really. "But yeah. I fell pretty bad then, almost OD'd. My...my man. My man has been trying to help me and I try...I'm getting better? I have a daughter, and She...I won't live with her until I'm clean but I want to."
Oh. Oh. Traver the drug dealer was trying to help Darlene get clean? That was an interesting angle. "Don't worry Darlene. You're not in vice here. You're in arson investigation, so I don't see a conflict with your work, and you can start in our program tonight. I'll sponsor you."
"...y-you?"
"Yes, I'm twelve years clean myself, I used to do some heroine, some coke, and I'm not proud of that but I'm clean and I stay that way by going to meetings. If you'll trust me I'll help you through this until you feel confident in your ability to live with your daughter." And then he could have a handle on Darlene, and through her, Traver.
Traver who might be worth quite a bit in the grander scheme.
"I...I thank you sir. Please don't tell the others?"
"No, the meetings are confidential Darlene. Just us and the other people kicking the habit. We watch each others backs. I know you have your days off as Tuesday and Wednesday and I hate to steal one of your free nights, but the meetings are on Wednesday."
"I'll...I'll drop one of my lessons at the gym? Kyle wants me to take self defense."
"I'm sure he won't mind, and if he tries to give you any flak refer him to me. Thank you for coming to me Darlene, it will be alright, you're not alone, I promise."
Darlene smiled, relieved, and tried not to cry. "Thank you sir. Thank you...I...didn't want to lose my job."
"You won't. No get out of here and do your job alright? I'll see you Wednesday."
"You mean get out of here and go home? I waited after shift to talk to you..." Hours actually, since her shift ended late and he came in early.
"Yeah, home woman. Call your man since you sent him off to recover in country air and let him know things will be alright."
"I will sir!" Yes, time to go home.
Yeah, well, fuck it. She was doing the right thing. The right thing she should have done a while back.
She nearly jumped out of her skin when the door opened, the chief looking down at her mildly. "Detective? Come in, I've a few moments now."
She really hadn't registered before how large the chief was. Large and imposing and rather comfortable with his own body. Aya knew these things, but Darlene? Darlene stared for a few moments like a deer in headlights before blinking and shaking her head. "Yes sir, thank you for seeing me."
"Of course, I can always manage some time for my people. What's troubling you today?" He settled behind his desk and fixed Darlene with a mild look, just a touched worried but not assuming the worst.
Darlene sat in the chair in front of his desk and fidgeted a moment before blurting, "I need help."
"I...see? What's wrong? Do you need to file a report against someone?"
"No, no...I need to get into a program I think." she mumbled that quietly, not meeting his eyes. It wasn't one of her finer moments to admit it. "I have...a problem. A problem."
"I think I see. I need some details Detective, and why come to me now?"
"I...people are starting to get in trouble for me. I don't use on shift! I don't! And I've been clean since November but...but people are starting to get in trouble."
"People like your partner?" Who should have told him about Darlene using.
"No, he's a good guy! He needs to...stay good. I confuse him. He doesn't know what he's doing."
The chief highly doubted that but it didn't show. "That's common, Detective. Do you mind if I call you Darlene? Don't worry, it's very common. We have a program for cops who have ended up using. Was it when you were in vice in your old precinct?"
"I...I did a little in school." Everyone did really. "But yeah. I fell pretty bad then, almost OD'd. My...my man. My man has been trying to help me and I try...I'm getting better? I have a daughter, and She...I won't live with her until I'm clean but I want to."
Oh. Oh. Traver the drug dealer was trying to help Darlene get clean? That was an interesting angle. "Don't worry Darlene. You're not in vice here. You're in arson investigation, so I don't see a conflict with your work, and you can start in our program tonight. I'll sponsor you."
"...y-you?"
"Yes, I'm twelve years clean myself, I used to do some heroine, some coke, and I'm not proud of that but I'm clean and I stay that way by going to meetings. If you'll trust me I'll help you through this until you feel confident in your ability to live with your daughter." And then he could have a handle on Darlene, and through her, Traver.
Traver who might be worth quite a bit in the grander scheme.
"I...I thank you sir. Please don't tell the others?"
"No, the meetings are confidential Darlene. Just us and the other people kicking the habit. We watch each others backs. I know you have your days off as Tuesday and Wednesday and I hate to steal one of your free nights, but the meetings are on Wednesday."
"I'll...I'll drop one of my lessons at the gym? Kyle wants me to take self defense."
"I'm sure he won't mind, and if he tries to give you any flak refer him to me. Thank you for coming to me Darlene, it will be alright, you're not alone, I promise."
Darlene smiled, relieved, and tried not to cry. "Thank you sir. Thank you...I...didn't want to lose my job."
"You won't. No get out of here and do your job alright? I'll see you Wednesday."
"You mean get out of here and go home? I waited after shift to talk to you..." Hours actually, since her shift ended late and he came in early.
"Yeah, home woman. Call your man since you sent him off to recover in country air and let him know things will be alright."
"I will sir!" Yes, time to go home.
Things overheard ~ take 2
Sep. 28th, 2012 09:02 pm"Hey, Kyle-boy. Come walk with me a minute!"
"Hey! You're still hanging out after your shift? Must be a masochist man."
"Oh, you know me, someone's gotta keep all the young bucks in line right? Besides, I wanted to talk more about your woman troubles. Any progress there?"
"Shit man, not here!" *random travel noises and grumbling* "Last thing I need is for someone to overhear and tell Darlene I'm working on her!"
"She hasn't figured that one out yet Wow, she really ain't that bright. Here, around this way, there's a chili place..."
"I don't remember a chili pla-WHUFF!" *sounds of kicking and beating*
"Kyle-boy, Kyyyyle, stay with me. We have some stuff to talk about you and me. We're not happy you see."
"...hell? Fuck ow."
"Yeah, hurts like a bitch doesn't it? Don't worry, you're still pretty, just don't go to the gym for a while. Now, that damn stunt you pulled? Calling out our street boys to take on that dealer? You don't make those decisions Kyle-boy. You don't make those decisions at all do you?"
"...no. Don't."
"That's right. You don't. You answer when those decisions are made don't you? We keep you happy and you jump when we hand you orders am I right?"
"Told me. Told you like me thinking outside..."
"And maybe we do Kyle-boy. Maybe we do, but you bring those thoughts to the chain of command. You don't get to go play without us."
"Not playing..."
"Oh, right, you're winning your partner's heart. Yeah yeah. And you fucked even that up didn't you? Hey, stay awake, answer me! Didn't you? Fucking missed. You know what really burns us up though? No one's heard from Two-tone since. Not a peep, not a call. Did your little katzu friend get his hands on our gunman?"
"He's not...no! I don't know! Why would I?!"
"You called him in on this without orders, and don't give me any 'he owed me a favor' bullshit. Where is he Kyle?"
"I don't know!"
"You know what? You know I believe you Kyle-boy, I really do. But the higher ups? Oh you're on their shit list. You know what it's like on the shit list so there's going to be some rules now."
"...shit."
"Hey, don't worry, I hear abstinence does the heart good. That pretty partner of yours? You're strictly hands off now. Until we say so you're playing the nice boy next door. No more field trips to the clubs, you don't even step inside a skin shop on a lead. And Traver? Traver isn't your problem anymore. We're looking into him. And no more nights off. You've got errands to run for us after every shift. Maybe we'll find something to put you back in the good books soon but don't hold your breath. You got me?"
"The hell?!"
"The hell we doing to your love life man? You weren't getting anywhere anyway, and you obviously get stupid when your girl isn't an easy lay. Until we're sure you can restrain your idiot impulses you're out of that game. You can look but no touching."
"Fuck."
"No, that's the point. Calm down Kyle-boy, calm down, the higher ups wanted to just label you collateral damage but I told them you'd come back to heel. Now get up, let's get some chili."
"Hey! You're still hanging out after your shift? Must be a masochist man."
"Oh, you know me, someone's gotta keep all the young bucks in line right? Besides, I wanted to talk more about your woman troubles. Any progress there?"
"Shit man, not here!" *random travel noises and grumbling* "Last thing I need is for someone to overhear and tell Darlene I'm working on her!"
"She hasn't figured that one out yet Wow, she really ain't that bright. Here, around this way, there's a chili place..."
"I don't remember a chili pla-WHUFF!" *sounds of kicking and beating*
"Kyle-boy, Kyyyyle, stay with me. We have some stuff to talk about you and me. We're not happy you see."
"...hell? Fuck ow."
"Yeah, hurts like a bitch doesn't it? Don't worry, you're still pretty, just don't go to the gym for a while. Now, that damn stunt you pulled? Calling out our street boys to take on that dealer? You don't make those decisions Kyle-boy. You don't make those decisions at all do you?"
"...no. Don't."
"That's right. You don't. You answer when those decisions are made don't you? We keep you happy and you jump when we hand you orders am I right?"
"Told me. Told you like me thinking outside..."
"And maybe we do Kyle-boy. Maybe we do, but you bring those thoughts to the chain of command. You don't get to go play without us."
"Not playing..."
"Oh, right, you're winning your partner's heart. Yeah yeah. And you fucked even that up didn't you? Hey, stay awake, answer me! Didn't you? Fucking missed. You know what really burns us up though? No one's heard from Two-tone since. Not a peep, not a call. Did your little katzu friend get his hands on our gunman?"
"He's not...no! I don't know! Why would I?!"
"You called him in on this without orders, and don't give me any 'he owed me a favor' bullshit. Where is he Kyle?"
"I don't know!"
"You know what? You know I believe you Kyle-boy, I really do. But the higher ups? Oh you're on their shit list. You know what it's like on the shit list so there's going to be some rules now."
"...shit."
"Hey, don't worry, I hear abstinence does the heart good. That pretty partner of yours? You're strictly hands off now. Until we say so you're playing the nice boy next door. No more field trips to the clubs, you don't even step inside a skin shop on a lead. And Traver? Traver isn't your problem anymore. We're looking into him. And no more nights off. You've got errands to run for us after every shift. Maybe we'll find something to put you back in the good books soon but don't hold your breath. You got me?"
"The hell?!"
"The hell we doing to your love life man? You weren't getting anywhere anyway, and you obviously get stupid when your girl isn't an easy lay. Until we're sure you can restrain your idiot impulses you're out of that game. You can look but no touching."
"Fuck."
"No, that's the point. Calm down Kyle-boy, calm down, the higher ups wanted to just label you collateral damage but I told them you'd come back to heel. Now get up, let's get some chili."
(no subject)
Aug. 21st, 2012 01:15 amOne of the disadvantages of a long term under cover operation was...falling out of physical peak. Darlene's laughable excursions to the gym prevented even decent weight runs for Aya and that meant she had to improvise. Sparring with Braig helped, a great deal, he was an excellent combatant, but no one should be expected to be a sole source of training for anyone.
It was exhausting to be frank, and they couldn't afford that level of fatigue when Kyle could stop by at any moment. And Dilan simply wasn't in her weight class at all, he couldn't help, as much as she'd be willing to try some days.
That meant...she started taking over the livingroom four days out of seven. Taking over and being grateful she was short enough that a full leg extension above her head didn't brush the ceiling. Kyle couldn't complain if he caught her dancing after all. Darlene liked dancing, and it was no stretch to believe she'd rock out at home if she couldn't justify a club outing.
It was absurdly easy to drop from actual dance poses and movements to club dance poses when a knock sounded. She wouldn't be up to competition level when this mission was through but she would be fit. And the boys were welcome to watch or join as long as they didn't stop her.
They all had their sanity maintenance needs after all.
It was exhausting to be frank, and they couldn't afford that level of fatigue when Kyle could stop by at any moment. And Dilan simply wasn't in her weight class at all, he couldn't help, as much as she'd be willing to try some days.
That meant...she started taking over the livingroom four days out of seven. Taking over and being grateful she was short enough that a full leg extension above her head didn't brush the ceiling. Kyle couldn't complain if he caught her dancing after all. Darlene liked dancing, and it was no stretch to believe she'd rock out at home if she couldn't justify a club outing.
It was absurdly easy to drop from actual dance poses and movements to club dance poses when a knock sounded. She wouldn't be up to competition level when this mission was through but she would be fit. And the boys were welcome to watch or join as long as they didn't stop her.
They all had their sanity maintenance needs after all.
Kyle gets himself SHOT.
Aug. 7th, 2012 10:53 pmIt was a cold, grey day in January. The slush of plowed snow had refrozen into inky banks and the alley crime had generally moved to the streets and sidewalks due to the amount of snow between buildings. This made for a busy, miserable time in the precinct. Rotten as the precinct was it still had to pound streets when crime escalated.
Darlene and Kyle were street beating, questioning people about a new set of arsons with a different MO than the last they had closed. Darlene spotted Traver and Breaker before Kyle did and offered a smile, but then the street went quiet, the bystanders going still as people noticed a sudden abundance of gang gear.
Aya clicked to the situation a step ahead of Kyle, but Darlene...wouldn't. So she shifted her stance a fraction in case she had to drop or tackle anyone.
Then there was just the waiting really.
Darlene and Kyle were street beating, questioning people about a new set of arsons with a different MO than the last they had closed. Darlene spotted Traver and Breaker before Kyle did and offered a smile, but then the street went quiet, the bystanders going still as people noticed a sudden abundance of gang gear.
Aya clicked to the situation a step ahead of Kyle, but Darlene...wouldn't. So she shifted her stance a fraction in case she had to drop or tackle anyone.
Then there was just the waiting really.
Christmas morning dawned clear and cold. It had been snowing off and on all week making their city look clean and beautiful. New York always looked best with it's dirt hidden away. Aya watched the sun rise, it was a bit of a tradition with her, then cheerfully set about making pancakes for breakfast.
A mountain of pancakes, and bacon and eggs. Coffee with a peppermint stick in hers.
The apartment was decorated in construction paper snowflakes, angels, and garlands of popcorn balls with dried cranberries in them for color. It was festive, and nice...and so many other things beside. There was a tiny tree with wrapped presents under the tree (for their covers. Real gifts could be given in private, later).
"breakfast!" She sang out after a while. "Next batch gets burned in case Kyle comes poking around!"
A mountain of pancakes, and bacon and eggs. Coffee with a peppermint stick in hers.
The apartment was decorated in construction paper snowflakes, angels, and garlands of popcorn balls with dried cranberries in them for color. It was festive, and nice...and so many other things beside. There was a tiny tree with wrapped presents under the tree (for their covers. Real gifts could be given in private, later).
"breakfast!" She sang out after a while. "Next batch gets burned in case Kyle comes poking around!"
Check-ups and dark times
Jul. 21st, 2012 10:51 pmAya plastered a smile on her face and accepted Kyle's help up from her desk. Heavy sprain, fun fun, meant light duty and a crutch when she walked. That meant Kyle 'hovering' when he wasn't out on the street, trying to take care of her.
Trying to be Traver.
Attentive, slightly worried, trying to cheer her up.
Today he looked more worried than he'd been aiming for recently though. "Streets are getting nasty out there Darlene." It had him on edge.
It had a lot of the precinct on edge in fact.
Streets were getting nasty and dark as the month turned cold. The crazy before Christmas.
On purpose, naturally.
Darlene managed to look a bit clueless. She'd been chained to a desk after all, typing up old reports and other scut work. "It's always bad out there Kyle, it's New York."
"Yeah, but this is...you know Traver..."
"Traver isn't a bad man Kyle!" There was a distinction! There was! "Don't. Just don't. And he's coming to pick me up today. I have an appointment with the doctor, a follow up, and he's getting a car." So there Kyle. So there.
"He's, Darlene! Listen to me!"
"No Kyle. You take a shower and think hard before you talk to me again. You've had a rough shift and it shows." She thumped her way toward the front of the precinct, obviously annoyed. "Glad your jacket got cleaned up though, it's gettin' damn cold out there." It was December after all.
Kyle gaped, then flushed red at the intimation that he was dirty or smelly or something. He'd show Darlene. She'd pay for that eventually. For now though..."Get him to sign a work release alright? You need to be back on the streets!" For perspective.
"You don't rush healin' Kyle." she said placidly before the glass doors closed behind her.
Trying to be Traver.
Attentive, slightly worried, trying to cheer her up.
Today he looked more worried than he'd been aiming for recently though. "Streets are getting nasty out there Darlene." It had him on edge.
It had a lot of the precinct on edge in fact.
Streets were getting nasty and dark as the month turned cold. The crazy before Christmas.
On purpose, naturally.
Darlene managed to look a bit clueless. She'd been chained to a desk after all, typing up old reports and other scut work. "It's always bad out there Kyle, it's New York."
"Yeah, but this is...you know Traver..."
"Traver isn't a bad man Kyle!" There was a distinction! There was! "Don't. Just don't. And he's coming to pick me up today. I have an appointment with the doctor, a follow up, and he's getting a car." So there Kyle. So there.
"He's, Darlene! Listen to me!"
"No Kyle. You take a shower and think hard before you talk to me again. You've had a rough shift and it shows." She thumped her way toward the front of the precinct, obviously annoyed. "Glad your jacket got cleaned up though, it's gettin' damn cold out there." It was December after all.
Kyle gaped, then flushed red at the intimation that he was dirty or smelly or something. He'd show Darlene. She'd pay for that eventually. For now though..."Get him to sign a work release alright? You need to be back on the streets!" For perspective.
"You don't rush healin' Kyle." she said placidly before the glass doors closed behind her.
Things overheard ~ take 1
Jul. 20th, 2012 07:33 pm"Hey, you're in on a weird shift!" Kyle's voice boomed out, happy and pleased.
"Well, you know I have to check in and such, I like to see how my friends are doing even when they're on the crazy hours and I'm sane."
"Well, the precinct doesn't fall apart on your off hours you know. Look around, no fires."
"Yeah, well, the night is young. And you're on lunch right? C'mon, I'm buying man."
"Hey, free food! I'm on my way."
*travel noises interspersed with light talk*
"Oh, this brings back memories. It's been what, years?"
"Well, the food's good and the atmosphere is better. I like being comfortable."
"Yeah, we've got all kinds of nice places near the precinct but the oldies are....hey, that's a new face."
"Yeah, you were looking at her face I'm sure. Hey, speaking of nice atmospheres how's that partner working out?"
"Darlene? She's nice."
"Nice? Man I know that face. I thought she was your type when her file came across. Here I was thinking to myself 'Gee, Kyle's been lonely and he gets edgy and stupid when he's lonely..."
"Hey! I slip up once, once, and no one ever lets me live it down!"
"Well, we had to clean that up and it wasn't easy you know. Messy. Just messy. That why we try to make sure Kyle-boy has someone to keep his attention hmmm?"
"You make me sound like a dog or something."
"Dogs get bones man! You get a hot little blonde number who hasn't filed a report against you yet. She didn't look to bright by her file, decent work but not inspired. That working out okay?"
"She's...God she's hot. You can't get that from a file no matter how good you are. There's a few hitches but..."
"Oh, so you haven't pinned her in the lockers yet? What, she religious or something?"
"No, not religious. She's solid, but she's got an ex who has hooks in her. Has a kid. Keeps getting confused."
"Oh, woman troubles indeed. But look at you, I haven't seen you smirk like that since what was her name? Ravenna? Yeah, that was it."
"Yeah, Ravenna was good but she fell just that far short didn't she?"
"Literally. Fucked up sense of humor you got."
"Yeah, well, you don't sleep around on me."
"And this Darlene isn't?"
"She isn't mine yet. I just have to take care of her ex."
"Oh, a man with a project. That's what we like to see. Who's this ex?"
"Dealer named Traver. Also runs a string. Nasty piece of work with a katzu bodyguard."
"Oh, the new guy yeah? Didn't know he had his hooks in a cop."
"Hooks in Darlene. He can't even get her to shift arrest records or anything, how idiotic is that?"
"Yeah, harmless, but still. He's kind of a big fish to go after."
"And?"
"And nothing. We like when you think outside the fuck you know?"
"Darlene."
"Right, Darlene. I think I just got points on my match making card. A few more happy guys like you and I may have to retire from cop work and set up a dating site or something."
"You? You'd be crazy in a week. You live on this shit."
"Yeah, you're probably right. Keeping you guys happy is my life's work. It's my calling."
"Go tell it on the mountain or something man, I've heard this line before remember?"
"Yeah, and you still haven't said thanks for me bumping you in the partner queue!"
"I haven't? Oh, well, thanks. I'd have had to strangle Rich if he got partnered with Darlene."
"And we like Rich, we try not to get him strangled."
"Only a little, until Darlene needed a new partner..."
"Yeah, you see why we bumped you up? Eat your hamburger man."
"Well, you know I have to check in and such, I like to see how my friends are doing even when they're on the crazy hours and I'm sane."
"Well, the precinct doesn't fall apart on your off hours you know. Look around, no fires."
"Yeah, well, the night is young. And you're on lunch right? C'mon, I'm buying man."
"Hey, free food! I'm on my way."
*travel noises interspersed with light talk*
"Oh, this brings back memories. It's been what, years?"
"Well, the food's good and the atmosphere is better. I like being comfortable."
"Yeah, we've got all kinds of nice places near the precinct but the oldies are....hey, that's a new face."
"Yeah, you were looking at her face I'm sure. Hey, speaking of nice atmospheres how's that partner working out?"
"Darlene? She's nice."
"Nice? Man I know that face. I thought she was your type when her file came across. Here I was thinking to myself 'Gee, Kyle's been lonely and he gets edgy and stupid when he's lonely..."
"Hey! I slip up once, once, and no one ever lets me live it down!"
"Well, we had to clean that up and it wasn't easy you know. Messy. Just messy. That why we try to make sure Kyle-boy has someone to keep his attention hmmm?"
"You make me sound like a dog or something."
"Dogs get bones man! You get a hot little blonde number who hasn't filed a report against you yet. She didn't look to bright by her file, decent work but not inspired. That working out okay?"
"She's...God she's hot. You can't get that from a file no matter how good you are. There's a few hitches but..."
"Oh, so you haven't pinned her in the lockers yet? What, she religious or something?"
"No, not religious. She's solid, but she's got an ex who has hooks in her. Has a kid. Keeps getting confused."
"Oh, woman troubles indeed. But look at you, I haven't seen you smirk like that since what was her name? Ravenna? Yeah, that was it."
"Yeah, Ravenna was good but she fell just that far short didn't she?"
"Literally. Fucked up sense of humor you got."
"Yeah, well, you don't sleep around on me."
"And this Darlene isn't?"
"She isn't mine yet. I just have to take care of her ex."
"Oh, a man with a project. That's what we like to see. Who's this ex?"
"Dealer named Traver. Also runs a string. Nasty piece of work with a katzu bodyguard."
"Oh, the new guy yeah? Didn't know he had his hooks in a cop."
"Hooks in Darlene. He can't even get her to shift arrest records or anything, how idiotic is that?"
"Yeah, harmless, but still. He's kind of a big fish to go after."
"And?"
"And nothing. We like when you think outside the fuck you know?"
"Darlene."
"Right, Darlene. I think I just got points on my match making card. A few more happy guys like you and I may have to retire from cop work and set up a dating site or something."
"You? You'd be crazy in a week. You live on this shit."
"Yeah, you're probably right. Keeping you guys happy is my life's work. It's my calling."
"Go tell it on the mountain or something man, I've heard this line before remember?"
"Yeah, and you still haven't said thanks for me bumping you in the partner queue!"
"I haven't? Oh, well, thanks. I'd have had to strangle Rich if he got partnered with Darlene."
"And we like Rich, we try not to get him strangled."
"Only a little, until Darlene needed a new partner..."
"Yeah, you see why we bumped you up? Eat your hamburger man."
Dirty jacket!
Jul. 13th, 2012 05:45 pm"He's going left!" Darlene called from an upper window. "Left! Toward the alley!" She pointed helpfully to Kyle then ducked back inside so she could go find some stairs. It didn't matter that the particular alley she'd pointed him toward led into the bad areas of town. Nope, that was where their quarry had went.
Besides, that part of their beat was very, very safe. Traver and Breaker were there after all.
The man they were chasing was connected with the arson case they'd been working, and the rabbiting was a sure sign of guilt. Or at least knowledge.
Darlene was quick when she needed to be. She had almost caught up to the running pair (cop and crook) when a bit of alley slime turned under her foot. She screamed, once, sharp and surprised, before tumbling into a pile of buckets that had been stacked in the alley.
Pitch and paint.
Christ on a crutch.
The pile teetered as Darlene slid into it, then came crashing down in a jangle of sound and muffled screaming.
Kyle was caught on the edge, a whole bucket of sludge washing over him as well.
Besides, that part of their beat was very, very safe. Traver and Breaker were there after all.
The man they were chasing was connected with the arson case they'd been working, and the rabbiting was a sure sign of guilt. Or at least knowledge.
Darlene was quick when she needed to be. She had almost caught up to the running pair (cop and crook) when a bit of alley slime turned under her foot. She screamed, once, sharp and surprised, before tumbling into a pile of buckets that had been stacked in the alley.
Pitch and paint.
Christ on a crutch.
The pile teetered as Darlene slid into it, then came crashing down in a jangle of sound and muffled screaming.
Kyle was caught on the edge, a whole bucket of sludge washing over him as well.
Shift after the move-in
Jul. 13th, 2012 02:18 pmKyle slammed his locker viciously and then turned to lean on it, eying Darlene while she put on her holster and gun. She was...she was...smiling. She wasn't suppose to be smiling. Darlene had suffered a traumatic incident and she was suppose to be fragile. Teetering.
In need of comfort.
She was suppose to need him.
Instead Traver had stepped in. Traver had showed up, swept in, and put his hands all over Darlene.
His Darlene.
And Darlene, in her confusion, had yelled at him.
And that made him angry.
"Have you thought about your lease?" he asked, finally, once it was obvious Darlene wasn't noticing his quiet anger. She hadn't even turned around from her locker yet. Damn the woman.
"Hmm? Oh, yeah, I'll be pulling out of it early of course." Darlene closed her locker and smiled, though there was a touch of worry in it because, well, breaking a lease early was heavy stuff. "I don't think I can relax in that building again knowing someone could break in while I'm away."
"Of course, that's scary." Kyle moved away from his locker in order to stroke fingers down her cheek gently. It wasn't what he wanted to do, but it was what Darlene would expect for now. "And you shouldn't be paying for a place you won't feel safe in."
Darlene chuckled and pulled her face away after a moment. "Yeah, well, having my place was kind of just stubborn anyway." And it was!
"...yeah. Okay?" Kyle was lost now. "Anyway, you really should think about my building. There's so many cops living there no one would ever think about breaking in you know?" Not like Traver's building where bodyguards were needed. Not like Traver's building at all.
"You're that worried?" Darlene asked, peering at Kyle's face because, well, he really was it seemed.
"Well, yeah, you're my partner. Not much good to the precinct if you're stressed and worried right?" He tweaked her hair, lingering a moment because he liked the feel of it. "And it's near the precinct, easy travel. C'mon, that's got to be a plus right?"
"Well, it does sound nice Kyle," Darlene ducked her head and batted at his hand playfully. "But I'm alright, I swear I am."
"No, you're in the same place as a dealer and pimp Darlene, that's not alright! That an insult to the precinct!"
Darlene winced and hugged herself. Yeah, she knew okay? She knew. "He's...not a bad man! And he's not a pimp! His girls are clean!" Darlene was the only one who wasn't!
"Darlene! Listen to yourself! You're making excuses for him and you know it's not right!" Kyle pushed her gently back against the lockers so she'd pay attention. So she'd listen. "You've been making excuses since the day I met him!"
"I...I..."
"Just think woman!"
"...I love him Kyle." And maybe it wasn't the best fit, maybe she wasn't suppose to, but she did.
Fucking hell. Stupid woman. "He's bad for you, and living with him going to be worse." Just thinking of the things Traver could talk her into for room and board made him angrier.
"Hey, I know...I know it doesn't seem right Kyle. I love being a cop, I...if it's a choice though..." She bit her lip, worried.
Oh, my, he loved when she did that. For a moment, just a moment, he almost forgot that she'd been kissing Traver the night before. Kissing and more. He almost forgave her. "I warned you that he'd be bad for your career Darlene."
"...I'll quit. I don't want you to get in trouble because of me." She could find another job. She could do something that wouldn't create so much conflict. "You're important to the precinct!"
FUCK. FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK. "Don't be hasty," he cautioned."You're shaken up, don't make a decision like that right now." If she quit he'd have less excuse to convince her to leave Traver. Maybe he should concentrate on removing Traver since Darlene was twisted around.
"But you're right Kyle!" Darlene sniffed, "you're right! And I know it. I just.."
"You're shaken up and confused right now." Kyle patted her on the head and smiled. "I'm still going to keep looking for you alright? Just get yourself settled a bit and then you can make decisions. Just don't let Traver push you too hard while you're there. You know he'll push you towards things you don't want." That was what Traver was like. He made Darlene...do things. Think and say things she shouldn't.
Traver wasn't good for her.
But if he tried to push her too hard right now she'd rabbit.
"Just remember, you're an important part of this precinct, and you're my partner. We need you." He stroked her cheek once more than nodded to the door. "C'mon, we've got a shift to start."
In need of comfort.
She was suppose to need him.
Instead Traver had stepped in. Traver had showed up, swept in, and put his hands all over Darlene.
His Darlene.
And Darlene, in her confusion, had yelled at him.
And that made him angry.
"Have you thought about your lease?" he asked, finally, once it was obvious Darlene wasn't noticing his quiet anger. She hadn't even turned around from her locker yet. Damn the woman.
"Hmm? Oh, yeah, I'll be pulling out of it early of course." Darlene closed her locker and smiled, though there was a touch of worry in it because, well, breaking a lease early was heavy stuff. "I don't think I can relax in that building again knowing someone could break in while I'm away."
"Of course, that's scary." Kyle moved away from his locker in order to stroke fingers down her cheek gently. It wasn't what he wanted to do, but it was what Darlene would expect for now. "And you shouldn't be paying for a place you won't feel safe in."
Darlene chuckled and pulled her face away after a moment. "Yeah, well, having my place was kind of just stubborn anyway." And it was!
"...yeah. Okay?" Kyle was lost now. "Anyway, you really should think about my building. There's so many cops living there no one would ever think about breaking in you know?" Not like Traver's building where bodyguards were needed. Not like Traver's building at all.
"You're that worried?" Darlene asked, peering at Kyle's face because, well, he really was it seemed.
"Well, yeah, you're my partner. Not much good to the precinct if you're stressed and worried right?" He tweaked her hair, lingering a moment because he liked the feel of it. "And it's near the precinct, easy travel. C'mon, that's got to be a plus right?"
"Well, it does sound nice Kyle," Darlene ducked her head and batted at his hand playfully. "But I'm alright, I swear I am."
"No, you're in the same place as a dealer and pimp Darlene, that's not alright! That an insult to the precinct!"
Darlene winced and hugged herself. Yeah, she knew okay? She knew. "He's...not a bad man! And he's not a pimp! His girls are clean!" Darlene was the only one who wasn't!
"Darlene! Listen to yourself! You're making excuses for him and you know it's not right!" Kyle pushed her gently back against the lockers so she'd pay attention. So she'd listen. "You've been making excuses since the day I met him!"
"I...I..."
"Just think woman!"
"...I love him Kyle." And maybe it wasn't the best fit, maybe she wasn't suppose to, but she did.
Fucking hell. Stupid woman. "He's bad for you, and living with him going to be worse." Just thinking of the things Traver could talk her into for room and board made him angrier.
"Hey, I know...I know it doesn't seem right Kyle. I love being a cop, I...if it's a choice though..." She bit her lip, worried.
Oh, my, he loved when she did that. For a moment, just a moment, he almost forgot that she'd been kissing Traver the night before. Kissing and more. He almost forgave her. "I warned you that he'd be bad for your career Darlene."
"...I'll quit. I don't want you to get in trouble because of me." She could find another job. She could do something that wouldn't create so much conflict. "You're important to the precinct!"
FUCK. FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK. "Don't be hasty," he cautioned."You're shaken up, don't make a decision like that right now." If she quit he'd have less excuse to convince her to leave Traver. Maybe he should concentrate on removing Traver since Darlene was twisted around.
"But you're right Kyle!" Darlene sniffed, "you're right! And I know it. I just.."
"You're shaken up and confused right now." Kyle patted her on the head and smiled. "I'm still going to keep looking for you alright? Just get yourself settled a bit and then you can make decisions. Just don't let Traver push you too hard while you're there. You know he'll push you towards things you don't want." That was what Traver was like. He made Darlene...do things. Think and say things she shouldn't.
Traver wasn't good for her.
But if he tried to push her too hard right now she'd rabbit.
"Just remember, you're an important part of this precinct, and you're my partner. We need you." He stroked her cheek once more than nodded to the door. "C'mon, we've got a shift to start."
