Love in the Air

Joe and Rachel return to find a hand full of people in the squad room. Most of them are finishing for the day. Berryville, a small, usually peaceful town, only has a few officers patrolling at night.

"This is much better." Joe weaves around furniture toward his desk. The number of employees has increased, but the building hasn't, so the station often feels like an optical course. The officers have begged for an expansion. The city claims they don't have the funds to cover the costs.

"Do you have a list of stolen cars ready for me yet, Jerry?"

"There's only been two in the past month. The Corvette from today and a Neon.

"A Neon would fit the description," Rachel chimes in.

"It was discovered at Miller's Pond yesterday. Their son took it for a joyride and ran out of gas."

"You found two vehicles and decided to call it quits?" Joe yells, Slamming his hand on the desk.

"I did what you asked, boss."

Joe springs out of his chair. With fire in his eyes, he says, "Expand your search statewide. Go nationwide if you have to. Just get me a list of cars." Turning, Joe storms away.

Jerry turns toward Rachel, a perplexed look on his face. "What, what happened out there?" He stammers, still shaken over Joe's sudden bout of rage.

Rachel shrugs. "I'm not exactly sure. One minute Joe is laughing at something I said and in a pissy mood the next."

"What did you say?"

"I told him my thoughts on this case. He laughs and says it's cute how I explained things. The next thing I know, he's biting my head off.

The love bug has struck again. Everyone in the department knows the sergeant has feelings for Rachel, but he refuses to admit it. "I'll talk to Joe once he cools down. See if I can sort this out."

Rachel looks over to find Joe stomping around in the break room. " I'd appreciate it, Jerry. She glances around the room. I'm sure the rest of the department will too."

Storming into his boss's office, Joe slams the door behind him.

The captain starts to reprimand him for his intrusion but sees the look on Joe's face and decides to let it go. '`Do you need something, Sergeant?" he asks, closing his laptop.

Joe plops down on the couch. Wringing his hands, he takes a deep breath and says. "I'd like to transfer out of Berryville, sir." Joe feels anger boil inside him as he spits out his gut-wrenching request. He pictures the department's progress in his mind. It's my department, damn it, one I built from the ground up. There were a few cops on the force when he came on, but it's nothing compared to what it is today. Madder than ever, Joe springs to his feet, paces the floor then plops back down on the couch.

"I thought you liked it here?"

"I do, or did, sir, but a situation came up, making it impossible for me to work here anymore."

"Maybe if we talk about it. We can work it out."

Joe wrings his hands again. "It's a personal matter, something I'd rather not share."

"Is it one of your partners? Because I can reassign them if it is?" The sergeant doesn't know it yet, but the captain hopes Joe will take his place when he retires, taking every opportunity to train Joe for the task.

I wish it were that easy. Joe figures he'll still run into Rachel even if she transferred out of his department, being as small as it is. "I don't want to discuss it, sir."

Exhaling, the captain leans back in his chair. "I'll see what I can do, but you realize you'll be demoted and take a huge cut in pay, right?"

Joe nods. "I figured as much."

The captain tries to argue furthest. Unable to think of anything, he says, "I'll let you know what I find." Hoping Joe will change his mind once he cools down.

"Thank you, sir." Rising to his feet, Joe shuffles toward the door.

Jerry is scanning the list of stolen vehicles when he sees Joe walking to his desk. "I'm still working on it, boss," he says, nervously pecking at the keys.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you, Jerry."

"It's ok, boss." Joe is not only Jerry's boss; he's his best friend, a camaraderie that started back in their military days.

"No, it's not, and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have taken my frustrations out on you." Joe plops down at his desk.

Jerry looks over to find a gloomy look on his partner's face. He then recalls similar incidents in the past couple of years. It's time he faced the truth. "I know why you're so upset, boss."

Joe raises his brow, turns toward Jerry, and asks, "Why?"

"You have feelings for Rachel and don't know what to do, being her boss and all."

"I don't have feelings for her." Joe sneers.

Chuckling, Jerry crosses his arms as he leans back in his chair. "I've seen how you look at her, the way you act. You're smitten with her, alright."

Joe shakes his head."I don't know what you think you're seeing, but it sure ain't love."

"Denying the truth won't make it go away."

A puzzled look crosses Joe's face. Tilting his head, he scrunches his face and asks, "What?"

" It's something I read once."

"You can read?"

Jerry springs up in his chair. "Don't try to dodge the subject, Joe." He swings his arm around. "Everyone in the department can see it, everyone but you."

"You want to know how I feel about Rachel? Well, do you?" Joe yells, jumping to his feet. Rachel is an annoying pain in my ass. Someone I have to put up with because she's the DA's daughter. If I had it my way, she'd be out of here for good"

"Really, Joe?"

Joe turns to see Rachel behind him. Tears fill her large brown eyes.

"Is that how you feel about me? Do you think I'm a pain in your ass? Well, let me tell you something, mister." Stepping closer, she pokes him in the chest. "Putting up with you isn't a walk in the park." Rachel gulps back the tears threatening to escape. "I. Oh, what's the use? I'll just annoy you anyway." Throwing her hands to her side, she storms away.

Joe turns towards Jerry and says, "You could've warned me, Jerry."

"What do you think the hand gestures were about?"

Joe watches Rachel. He glances back at Jerry to find him shaking his head.

"King of denial, that's what you are."

Not knowing what to say or do, Joe stomps away.

***

Home, at last, Jeff thinks, pulling into the garage. He eyes the clock on the dash. There's still plenty of time for Julie and me to have a little fun. He smiles at the thought. Jeff feels his manhood harden as he imagines their romantic encounter in his mind. It's been a long time. Way too long if you ask me. Their lovemaking has dwindled from several times a week to once or twice a month. Readjusting himself, he quickened his pace. He's almost to the door when his cell rings. The sudden noise startles him, causing the phone to fly from his hand. Who'd be calling at this time of night? He pictures his parents' frail health. Whatever it is can't be good. Scooping it up, he nervously answers.

Luigi's gruff voice echoes through the phone."Where are you?"

"I just made it home. Why?" Jeff asks, reaching for his keys.

"The boss has something else for you to do. So, meet at the park in ten minutes."

"Can't it wait until morning?" Jeff asks.

"We have to do it tonight, Bambini's words, not mine. I'd rather be watching a game than babysitting you, but whatcha going to do?"

Jeff pictures his beautiful wife waiting for him upstairs. His manhood twitches. I need to get out of this somehow. "But I...."

"I'll tell the boss you refused. Nice knowing you, kid."

Nice knowing me? Jeff recalls his constant threat. "Wait, wait, I'll do it." Luigi doesn't reply. Jeff nervously shifts his weight. "Are you there?" The line remains silent. "Hello?" He checks to see if they've been disconnected and finds the call timer is on. Beads of sweat form across his forehead as he presses the phone to his ear. "Hello, hello?" He tries to hear some activity, but the line remains still. He pictures horrid images of his family's demise as the seconds tick down in his head. "Answer me, damn it." There is no response. He takes a big gulp of courage and says, "Please answer me." Now on the verge of tears.

"I had you sweating for a minute, didn't I?"

"I... I thought that was the end of the line for us."

"You're damn lucky it isn't. Refuse again, and I will hang up, got it?"

Jeff wipes his forehead with his sleeve. "Yes... Yes, I got it, I understand."

"Good, meet me at Miller's Pond in ten."