Chapter 1 - The New Joiner

*non proofread*

18th March

Ash POV

I wake up around 6am. My usual routine will be going out for a run, listening to my favorite song via my phone then back home and take shower before going to work. Since today is my first day reporting to work at London Police Station HQ, I will have to wake up earlier, prepare myself and have breakfast earlier so I can be at the station on time. I am an early person and like to plan things ahead. I don't have much friend because I don't usually start a conversation unless necessary. I have two best friend from the academy; Vivian and Jamie. Since I don't have much history to tell, both of them knows I am an orphan and my only guardian is Danny; a bishop whom had passed away when I am 16 years old. Both of them knew that I am an Intersex because of I always bathed and came out from the women bathroom last. I always wear boxer pants and a sports bra which they notice since we are sharing the same bunk.

**Flashback**

One night when I just finish my shower, I came out just with my towel wrap just below my waist. I didn't know Vivian and Jamie have been hiding behind an empty stall inside the bathroom and decided to jump out in front of me when I walked passed and make me jump away and dropped my towel. Both of them were shocked of what they saw and I quickly grab my towel, sports bra and boxer pants ran to the back of the common bathroom and hide inside an empty stall then locked it. When I finished wearing my cloths, I heard both of them laughing and their footsteps slowly closing in and stop in front of the bathroom stall I am in.

Vivian:"Come out come out wherever you are. Don't need to be shy. We won't "bite" both of them chuckled and knocked on the door.

Jamie:"Yes dear please come out so we can talk." I took a deep breath and puffed out then slowly unlocked and opened the door.

Ash:"Hey... ermm, I understand that you guys might not wanna be friend with me anymore and also might be afraid of me. I am okay and already used to being alone. No problem" I show them a faked smile and looked down at my sandals which seems to be interesting at the moment. When I tried to walk away, both of them walked over and hugged me.

Jamie:"We are shock but not afraid of you because we understand how you feels of being special and different and we love you because you are you and not because of how people judge between each individual human being" she said.

Vivian:"You are different and special to us. You help and be there for us, push us so we can reach our limit and stand up for us when we get punished even though is not your fault sometimes." both of them giggled. "We will still be your best friend and vice versa". A tear suddenly appear at the corner of my right eye then I faster wiped it off.

Jamie:"Well someone is not as strong as she is, huh" she smirked.

Ash:"Thank you both for being a true and best friend for me. I can't imagine my life without two of you whom makes me laugh and sometimes annoyed me." Both of them pretend to look sad and smacked me on my arm. "What's that for?" I faked hurt and both of them cooed me back.

Vivian:"For being an idiot and spoils the mood" I laughed and three of us walk back to our bunk.

**End of Flashback**

Since Vivian and Jamie has been assigned to different police station than I am so I am or will be a lone ranger whom have to adapt this new environment now in this new place.

Is 7am and I have make myself some toast, eggs and bacon for breakfast. After breakfast, I put the plate and pan into the dish washer after I rinse with some water. I grab my iWatch, iPhone, wallet and my backpack then walk out of my apartment. I own a one bedroom apartment with a little kitchen, one bathroom and a small living hall after I managed to save some money from summer holiday work and also part-time teaching primary kids English and Maths. As usual, I travel around in public transport and now to work since I haven't own a car yet and I have been saving up to get one in near future after I start working. My apartment is near to a bus station which is just directly opposite. It will take me to the subway which is few blocks away.

Is already 8am and I am halfway towards the Police Station. I reach London Police Station HQ around 8.30am. Base on the offer letter, my working hour starts from 9am - 6pm on weekdays. When I reach the Station, I approached the receptionist at the main hall.

Ash:"Good morning mam" I greeted the lady at the reception counter. She looked up from the newspaper she is reading.

Lady 1:"Yes and welcome to London Police Station HQ. What can I help you?" she asked.

Ash:"Today is my first day reporting to work. So where should I go and who do I look for?" I asked.

Lady 1:"Oh, you go up first floor, turn left and walk straight then you will see a door on your right. Just knock and walk in then look for Jenny. She will guide you what to do next." she said and I nodded.

Ash:"Okay and thanks (I look at her name tag: Penny) Ms. Penny. Nice meeting you and have a nice day". She looked up and smiled at me.

Penny:"Nice meeting you too and thanks" she said. I then walked away.

I follow Penny's instruction by going up first floor, then turn left and walk straight. Just after 2 minutes there is a door on the right. There is a signage on the door (Office. For staff only). I knocked on the door and walked into the room. It seems like an open office then I see a young lady with spectacle sitting in front of the counter. I walked over and approached the young lady.

Ash:"Hi and good morning. I am looking for Jenny as I am new and reporting to work today". The lady look up then smiled at me.

Jenny:"Good morning. I am Jenny and nice to meet you. Can you please fill up this form then grab a seat at the corner and wait for our chief to call you". I nodded and walked over to grab a seat opposite her counter.

Jenny look at the wall clock showing is 8.45am. "Since is still early, you can grab some coffee at the pantry which is two doors down the hall on your right once you exit this room" she said.

Ash:"Thank you and is okay as I am not a coffee person and I already had my breakfast this morning. Once I finish filling up this form, will pass back to you". I put down my backpack and took out a pen then started to fill up the form. It is just a basic personal particular form. Since I don't think I am wearing a uniform nor boots, I will skip this column and just filled up my personal info , home address and contacts detail. I walked over to Penny and passed the form back her and say thank you.

Is 8.50am. Many people start to come into the room and walked over to their desk. Some with uniforms and some with just casual attires. There are mixture of man and woman in this office but I can see majority are man. I wondered who will be my partner as I prefer to be partner with a guy which is seems more challenging to me while partner with a lady seems like babysitting a girl during office hour. Don't judge me or mistaken that I hate woman; definitely wrong as I liked woman base on my sexuality but working and be friend with a woman is two different story.

While I am busy checking on my phone for place to eat and place of interest around this area, there comes in a tall and muscular guy with dark complexion walking towards a room. Then I see Jenny starts walking into the room with some documents with her. So that must be the chief. Not long after, Jenny comes out and asked me to go into the room. I kept my phone then carry my backpack and walked over to the room and knock. "Come in", he said. I turn the door knob and walked in.

Ash:"Good morning Sir" I salute and looked at him.

Chief:"Good morning and have a seat, Ash." I smiled and sat down on a chair in front of his desk. "So, first of all welcome to London Police Station HQ. I am Chief Lennon. Is nice to have you with us and base from the information I have from the academy, you seems to be the best in your batch and also the youngest Inspector we have here". I just smiled at him. "So, what makes you want to become a police officer?"

Ash:"Well, I admire it when those police office managed to catch the bad guys and how they help keeping the neighborhood safe from those daily TV news. Myself, I like to help people around my neighborhood where sometimes I tend to help them to catch small pick pockets around the area. So I guess is from there I have the interest to join the force" I replied then smiled at him.

Chief Lennon:"Good. Since is your first day, let me introduce you to some of our officers around; some have been in the force working here for more than 10 years and the youngest will be 2 years. Some of them are headstrong, some of them are childish, some are like your typical granddad and some are funny and easy to hang out with but all of them are very good at their area of field; Is like a mixture of BIG family here. Hope you can adapt with this bunch of people." he jokingly says.

Chief Lennon open the door and we both walked out. He clapped his hand to get attentions from everyone. "Good morning everyone. We have a new comer joining us today. Let's all welcome Inspector Bishop. She will be in-charged of Team A and although she is new, I appreciate that all Team members and colleagues to give full support and cooperation to her and vice versa." Everyone clapped their hands and greeted me. I slowly walked over and smiled at everyone.

Ash:"Hi and morning everyone. Nice to meet you guys and you can just call me Ash because calling me by my last name is like too formal and it sounds old for my age." everyone started to laugh.

Chief Lennon:"Jenny, please sort out a place for Ash" he instructed and looked at Jenny.

Jenny:"Okay chief" she nodded.

Chief Lennon:"Ash, once you put down your stuff, please see me in my office".

Ash:"Yes sir" I smiled at him.

Jenny:"So Ash, this is your place and these are your stationary. This form is for you to get your gun at the armory located at the back office at ground floor. You can ask Penny for the location once you go downstairs."

Ash:"Thanks Jenny" I gave her a appreciation look.

Jenny:"You are most welcome" she returned a smile at me.

My place is at the corner at the back of the office. It had a nice window view looking outside the streets. Once I drop my stuff, I walked over to the chief's office and knocked on the door.

Chief Lennon:"Come in" I walked in and he asks me to sit down. "So, I assume Jenny has given you the gun request form right?" I nodded. Then Chief Lennon presses the intercom and talked to Jenny. "Jenny, is Jonathan in yet? Please get him in". "Yes he is in and I will inform him that you are looking for him" Jenny said.

Then someone knocked on the door and a white guy walked in. He looks tan, muscular body with brown hair. "You looking for me chief?" he asked.

Chief Lennon:"Yes please sit down. So I am thinking since you had been here for 2 years and not everyone willing to be your partner, I am paring you up with Ash so you can bring her around and show her how things work and since she is senior rank than you, you will have to respect and obey her instructions no matter what" he instructed.

Jonathan:"But.. but she is a women and I still prefer to work alone. I don't wish to babysit someone while working everyday" he exclaimed.

Ash:"Well, I am not sure why you are bias against women but for once, please respect women because without them, you are nonexistence and chief I respect your decision and if this kiddo don't wish to work with me, I am find to work alone as well because I am used to it" I mocked back.

Jonathan:"Whom you calling kiddo?" I just rolled my eyes looking away.

Chief Lennon:"Okay guys, please be more mature and Jonathan this is an order". "Yes chief" both of us said in unison and looking angrily at each other. Both of us walked out of his room and back to our desk. Jonathan walked over to my desk suddenly.

Jonathan:"Don't think that you are higher rank than me and can order me around. I have been here for 2 years and I know people and more familiar around. So if possible, don't block my way, you do your work and I do mine" he said.

Ash:"Well, same goes to me and I can easily adapt to any places without your help and since you are such a kiddo and your self-esteem is overloaded due to how little you think of what woman can't do but man can. One day I will proof to you that you are wrong because as a woman, we can do more than what you man can do besides being one of your trophy and being the slave on the bed and I am sure most of you guys thinks that and how easy it is just to get into a women's pants." I replied to him sarcastically. After giving him a piece of my mind, I walked away towards the armory. Jonathan is left with his jaw dropped after hearing what I said and others just giggling there while woman clapped their hand.

Once I reach ground floor and walked towards the reception. "Hey Penny, can you show me the way to the armory as I need to get my gun and starts work" I asked.

Penny:"Hey cutie. Sure. You walk behind to the back of this building then you will come across a grey door. Go in then turn to your right. The armory will be on your left" she said by showing me the directions.

Ash:"Thank you". Then I started to walk towards the back to the of the building. Once I got in, there is an officer at the front table. He seems to be in his early thirties. "Hi, I am here to get my gun." he looked up and at me then smiled.

Officer:"Hey and nice to meet you cutie. My name is Albert". I rolled my eyes and showed him my request form then he goes to inside and retrieved a gun for me; a Beretta 92C hand gun which is one of my favorite. Is light and is automatics and easy to handle and use especially for woman.

I put my gun inside the gun holster and attached it to my waistband of my pants and thanked him.

Albert:"Maybe we can have a date someday either dinner or coffee? he winked at me.

Ash:"First of all, you can call me Inspector Bishop or Inspector Ash. Second, you are not my type and I am too young and complicated for you to handle" I scoffed then walked out from the armory. At the corner of my eye, I saw his jaw dropped and was stunned on what I just said. I go up to the office and to my desk then noticed there are some files on it. While checking on the files and without noticing someone just walked over.

Chief Lennon:"Those are some fresh cases reported in since last week. Please go through them and work out with Jonathan. We need to hit our target back to top".

Ash: "Target?" I asked.

Chief Lennon: "Yes. Each and every police station around London has a target to reach; something likes Key Performance Indicator. Since we are lack or staff, our rank has drop for the past month. So I hope with you joining us and base from your record, we can reach back the top within a month" he emphasized the word a month.

Ash:"Yes chief". Then Chief Lennon walked back into his room. I tried to look for Jonathan but failed to see him around the office.

Stacy:"He just went out to the coffee station. I am Stacy by the way and nice to meet you, Ash. Thanks for stepping up for us a while a go" she thanked me and held her hand out for a handshake.

Ash:"Not to mention and nice to meet you" I shake her hand and mentioned thank you.

Stacy:"You can look for me if you need anything or wants to get to know places around here. I am happy to help while wink at me" then she walked back to her desk.

"What have I get myself into?" I face palm myself. While thinking to myself and looking through the cases, Jonathan walked back to the office and straight towards my desk.

Jonathan:"So, there is this case about an actress claims that someone is stalking her and also sending nasty images and text messages to her using and unknown and unregistered number. We tried to track him/her down but fail due to he/she changes the number every time" he said.

Ash:"Okay..but I wonder why not get other Team to handle such case while we can concentrate on other high risk or high alert cases?" I asked curiously.

Jonathan:"This is because the person involved is one of the upcoming celebrity that is why chief wants Team A which is us to handle and solve this case in the shortest time" he said.

Ash:"Anyway back to your remarks about the case, have you try to check the signal locations where each messages are sent then check on the radius? By that, you can roughly know his/her whereabouts because such criminals normally either sent text messages when they are free, or around their house or during a break in their work like you and I and everyone else. We can know the pattern of these area he/she usually goes and start our search slowly from there. If we are lucky, we can even intercept the signal directly when it sends out. Theoretically human brain is very powerful BUT how many of us manage to fully utilize it? So far as I know only Mr. Albert Einstein did but not many. When our brain starts to work or think of something like typing or focusing on sending something out, our eyes are focus only on that while the body will definitely halt until the brain and eye finishes it's task and focus on walking or continue with other task. Yes we can do multi-tasking but how you define multi-tasking? We can use our hand to work on multiple stuff like cooking and preparing food, repairing a car but can you walk and concentrate on it while you are busy typing on your phone or sending something out?

We sees so many advertisement telling us not to use the phone while driving. Why? Because our eyes can't focus on two different tasks at one time which is watching the phone and focusing on driving. Unless you have a third eye watching the road else is impossible no matter how sensible is your ear, you still need your eyes to focus on the road so that you can navigate properly with your hands and leg and where are you going because the eye pairs with your hands and legs while it send signals back to your brain to process." I then looked up and see Jonathan jaw dropped again and eye looking at me trying to process what I just said. "Close your mouth as I am sure you don't want to catch a fly" while smirking at his expression. "So, can we get the tech team starts checking the signals while we go and have a chat with Ms Wolfe?". Jonathan closed his mouth and nodded then went back to his desk and make a call I assume to the tech team then walked back to my desk.

Jonathan:"Ermm... So i guess I am driving?" he asked.

Ash:"Yes because I just moved here and I haven't got enough savings to get a car yet base on my age". He nodded and we walked out towards his car and to the model's condo. I went inside the passenger side and closed the car door. "I just hope is another good day ahead" I mumbled to myself while admiring at the scenery outside.

p/s: Please comment and vote if you like my story and sorry for all the spelling and grammar mistake .. :) xxx