What She Needs (Closed)

[Niceandbrutal]

Capt. Hamilton expected this. There were always some lechers hanging about, making life tough on women passing by. She had to learn the hard way to take jibes and insults in her stride. It was part of the package of being a police officer. This was one reason police officers teased each other so mercilessly. De-sensitizing and bonding. If you couldn't hack it, you washed out. Back in the army, Hamilton had received and delivered insults to make these lechers blush like little schoolgirls.

As the insults intensified, he watched her turn a darker shade of red.
"Officer Roberts, I believe these gentlemen are undermining your authority as a police officer. What are you gonna do about it?"

This would prove interesting.

 

[momoftwins13]

Corrie glanced at Hamilton. "Sir?" She asked hesitantly. "You instructed me to ignore jabs like that" she said quietly. He merely looked at her.

Taking a deep breath she turned to face the men who were shouting lecherous phrases at her. Instead of speaking she walked slowly up to them- her hips swaying enticingly. They seemed to notice because by the time she reached them they were all but drooling.

She smiled at them.

"Who wants to see my cuffs?" She asked in a sultry voice. Their eyebrows all shot up.

"Because ya see, gentlemen," her voice was deadly calm. "What you're doing is considered harassment on an officer of the law... And if you wanna see my cuffs, ill be glad to show you them... And I'll even show you the beds inside a jail cell too".

All three men began to stammer and backed up quickly.

"So sorry ma'am."

"Yes ma'am".

"We won't say nothing no more".

She smiled pleasantly, nodded and walked back to Luke.

"Was that ok, sir?"

 

[Niceandbrutal]

A short chuckle escaped him.

"You're learning, officer Roberts! Always call their bluff. Follow it up with playing up your authority and you've quickly emasculated them. Nicely played" He gave her shoulder a quick squeeze as if to say well done! Instead, his hand lingered a tad too long and he withdrew it.

He forgot all about that a split second later when he spotted one of his biggest worries on this block, namely a frail woman called Gloria. Sporting a black eye and walking next to her abusive husband, it looked like she'd taken a beating for a minor or nonexistent infraction. He quickly briefed Roberts; "Gloria and Mel, been together for five years. He's put her in hospital twice. That shiner is a new addition. I don't think he or she ever talked to a female officer before. Now seems like the perfect time. I'll cover your ass. Go!"

 

[momoftwins13]

Corrie heard the slight urgency in the captains voice and glanced at who he was speaking about. A tiny woman, who looked like she would break at the slightest wind gust, was walking beside a huge burly man who looked like he could snap big foot in half with a flick of his finger.

Taking a steadying breath, Corrine walked towards the couple.

"Good morning!" She chimed brightly as she approached. "How are y'all doin today?"

She saw the wariness in Gloria's eyes and the defensive posture the man too up. "My name is Officer Roberts" she said, gazing mostly at Gloria. "Captain Hamilton is showing me the neighborhoods today. Have y'all seen anything going on that we need to know about this morning?"

She saw the woman anxiously touch her eye and shift slightly away from the man, who looked seriously pissed.

"Gloria, we ain't talking to no pigs. Not even a chick one!" He said. "Let's go!"

Gloria actually hesitated, her eyes wide and pleading. Corrine took a bold step forward and touched the tiny woman who flinched. Corrine's menacing eyes locked with the mans as she spoke.

"you don't have to let ANYBODY tell you what to do, ma'am. What happened to your eye?"

The man growled and lunged towards Corrine who quickly sidestepped him , causing him to overthrow his weight and tumble to the ground, cussing. Corrine was quick to place a knee on his back and subdue him with cuffs.

Gloria had screamed and was shaking her head.

"Nows the time, Gloria. He's already under arrest for assail on an officer of the law. Wanna add anything else?" Corrie said nice she had read him his rights.

Gloria meekly nodded her head, yes.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Yup. His instincts had been right. She was good.
As she took down Gloria's statement he watched Mel squirm on the ground, cursing and threatening Corrine and Gloria both. Gloria fixated on Corrine, ignoring Mel. She had presence of mind and was quick on her feet. Hamilton couldn't have executed that takedown of Mel better himself. She was also assertive, perhaps a little too much so. He'd have to put her through the wringer to test her further.

It was necessary to do something about that chip on her shoulder. It was there, right under her beautiful surface. He'd seen it as she reddened at the jeers and catcalls of the lechers who, to their credit, had cheered when Mel went down. It was because of that chip she couldn't ignore a sweaty old drunk of a dinosaur like Grimes.

As workers from a women's shelter came to take care of Gloria and the crew of a backup prowler roughly manhandles Mel (no-one likes an abuser), they continued their patrol. Now they went into gangbanger central. Hamilton put on his Ranger swagger as he out of the corner of his mouth told Corrine "Don't show fear and don't back down, walk like you own the place." They walked along a row of boarded up houses, the street seemingly deserted. "Don't break stride, officer Roberts. If one of these freaks of nature initiate contact, choose your words wisely. They'll kill you just as soon as look at you. They're watching us right now."

The hairs in the back of his neck stood on end.
Someone approached from behind.

 

[momoftwins13]

Corrine had to admit that she was nervous as the walked this new section of the neighborhood. It just got worse the farther they went in. As much as she absolutely hated to admit it, she was glad for Hamilton's domineering presence at that point in time. She knew she wouldn't have felt nearly as reassured had it been Grimes fat ass with her.

She walked straight and tall (as tall as she could be, at least). Her eyes were wide and alert and her ears tuned to every little noise. So she definitely heard the shuffling of feet behind them. She glanced from the corner of her eye to the Captain, and saw that he too heard it. They continued to walk. Her hand rested a little bit closer to the butt of her gun.

Adrenaline coursed through her body as the steps got closer. Her heart raced. She angled her head to look to her side but still couldn't see anything without conspicuously looking.

"Captain?" She whispered as quietly as Possible.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"Easy does it, officer!" he whispered back at her,

The footsteps behind them were light, and whomever it was didn't try to sneak up on them. He sneaked a quick peek behind and knew they were in real trouble. A 12-year old with a submachine gun trailed behind them.

He was a few yards behind Hamilton and Roberts. Hamilton stopped and turned around. "Hey kid, you want to put that away." His voice was calm and soothing. He did not want to escalate this. The kid looked nervous, his weapon too big in his hands. Hamilton hoped Roberts kept it together.

"This is our turf, pigs! Stay the fuck away!" His voice hadn't even broken yet.

 

[momoftwins13]

Corrine heard his whispered words followed by him turning to confront the potential danger. She too spun to look and she gasped softly. It was a little kid. Just a tiny little kid.

And he was carrying a machine gun. He heart broke for this boy. He should have been playing cops and robbers. Instead, he WAS the robber.

Hamilton kept his calm and Corrine followed after him. "Hey buddy, it's really ok. You don't have to aim that at us. We are the goo guys".

The little guys big eyes darted between Luke and Corrine. "Really," cottoned said soothingly. "We don't wanna do nothing but help today".

He didn't believe her and she couldn't blame him. To this child surely cops mean someone was getting arrests and taken away. Taken away from Him. Lord knew how many people the child had lost in his life. It broke her heart.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Hamilton was nervous, although he did his best not to show it. Children with weapons was the ultimate nightmare. It seemed that Roberts had his attention now. She was good with kids according to her file. This was a hell of a way to find out. He'd come in here expecting some lip and attitude from gangbangers, instead his worst fear had resurfaced.

Hamilton had drawn a bead on an armed Afghani kid during his service, softly squeezing his trigger, shaking as he was about to take the shot. The kid, at the last moment, had been saved by his mother. Hamilton had narrowly escaped killing a child.

He was out of his depth, near paralyzed by the prospect of having to draw on a kid. Roberts had continued talking to him all the while, the kid's attention now focused on her. He was a scrawny little runt, not looking like he'd been fed a square meal his entire life. Hamilton started ever so slowly inching to the side while Roberts distracted him. If it came to the worst Hamilton would flank the kid and call to him, trying to disarm him as he turned. Roberts was doing an exemplary job of talking to the kid, inching ever closer to him as well.

The whole situation was surreal.

 

[momoftwins13]

All she could think to do was keep talking. The poor child in front of her was terrified. She could see it in his wide eyes. His body was rail thin like he rarely ate. His hands holding the gun trembled ever so slightly. He was so close to going over the edge. Corrine watched as her captain inched ever so slightly around towards the kids back.

She kept his attention on him.

"Hey man, Captain Hamilton and I were about to go get lunch. We could grab you a bite to eat if you wanted? Would you like that? You know you really don't wanna use that gun. It's huge and heavy. Isn't it hard to carry?"

Hamilton was behind him now and she could see the slightly haunted look in his eyes which surprised her. Even the captain looked slightly panicked. Taking in a deep breath she watched the little boy.

His lip trembled slightly. "What's your name bud?" She asked in a voice so soft it was almost a whisper.

The boys eyes darted to an alley to her right. She saw a slight movement. There was someone there. Making this kid do this horrific stuff.

She slowly sank to one knee, so she was eye level with him. Lowering her voice again, so noone but the kid and Hamilton would be able to hear... "You don't have to do this" she whispered. "Nobody can hurt you when we are around. We are here to protect you, not take anyone away or hurt anyone. Do you understand?"

 

[Niceandbrutal]

He followed her darting eyes. Yup. Good catch, Corrine. He saw a couple of older gangbangers, watching the progress. This was undoubtedly some sick initiation into a gang for the poor kid. He heard her offer the kid lunch, leveling her eyes with his, presenting much less of a presumed threat. He inched closer to the kid and was almost upon him, hoping Roberts would understand his intentions.

From the alley, sommeone shouted "Behind you, you dumb fuck!"
By then it was too late for the kid. As he swung the weapon around, blind panic in his eyes, Hamilton had gotten inside the arc of the weapons sweep and he deflected it with one hand as the kid pulled the trigger.

The world exploded in silence as the weapon went 'click'. He'd forgotten to take the weapon off 'safe', Hamilton now saw. He wrenched it out of his hands as, out of the corner of his eyes, he saw the gangbangers take off.

"Deal with them later, Corrine." They could save this one.

 

[momoftwins13]

Corrine's world tilted as the poor kid pulled the trigger. The brutal assholes in the alley all took off running. She hesitated briefly until Hamilton told her to leave them. She immediately focused on the kid who was panicking now. He tried to lurch away but Corrine grabbed his bone thin arm.

He swung at her, aiming hit after kick wherever he could reach. Corrine took each f the blows in turn- he was so scrawny they didn't even hurt. Instead of fighting him she just let him get it out. Hamilton made a move towards them but she shook her head indicating he let the kid do it.

Finally the kids protests and screams died down into small sobs. It nearly broke Corrine down. She had tears in her eyes as she picked the kid up in her arms. He was heavier than he looked but she managed.

"Sir?" She asked, her voice breaking slightly, unsure of what to do now.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

After securing the weapon Hamilton was on the radio, reporting in location, calling for backup and requesting social services. As he waited, he watched Corrine let the kid get his pent-up anger, fear and frustration out of his system. She took the kid in her arms without hesitation when he'd spent his energy. He was unable to answer her at first, overcome with relief. That could have gone south quickly. He didn't fail to notice a slight quaver in her voice. Well no wonder. He didn't trust himself to speak either, at the moment. He just nodded at her. She was doing just fine.

Backup came and took off, looking for the culprits egging the kid on. Social services, heavily escorted, appeared at the scene to begin to untangle the mess that was the poor kids life. As they lead him away, Hamilton and Roberts almost simultaneously called after the kid "You owe us a lunch with us, kid!" A shy smile from the kid was all Hamilton needed to make his day.

When the hubbub had quietend down they were set to continue their patrol. As they set their course for their final destination (elementary school), Hamilton looked Roberts over, a newfound respect for her. He couldn't get overly familiar with her, but she'd earned one small concession. "Corrine", he began, his voice somewhat less gruff, "after this shared experience I don't feel comfortable with calling you 'officer Roberts'. Please, call me Luke."

Had this softened her, removed that chip on her shoulder, he wondered. Would the jeers and catcalls and the innuendo bother her, or would she take it in her stride from now on?

 

[momoftwins13]

Corrine worried about the kids once he was gone. What would happen to him? Would he get lost in the system? Anything had to be better than a life out here... As they walked, Hamilton finally spoke to her. He had been oddly silent.

His words made her smile, albeit only a small one. She glanced once in his direction and nodded. "Yes sir.. Uh, I mean Luke" she replied.

They continued on in silence for a while, their steps sort of heavy from the weight of what they'd just witnessed pressing on their shoulders. Neither of them had much energy left. Although not physical, the scene had been emotionally draining.

Corrine was extremely relieved to see when they arrived that the school was quiet. There was still fifteen minutes until school let out. Kids would come pouring out excited to be free. Chaos would ensue- but hopefully a good kind of chaos though.

Sighing heavily Corrine leaned back against a brick wall of the school and looked at Luke.

"Back there, with that kid.. You... Well if I'm overstepping my boundaries here, sir, I'm sorry I'm just curious... You had an almost haunted look in your eyes... Is everything ok with you?" She asked quietly. He had looked pained and she wanted to know what could cause the big tough captain to have that kind of misery upon his face.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Damn. So she had noticed.
He let out a long ragged sigh. The story came out.

He told about how he and his chalk of Rangers had been assigned as a blocking force and fire support on a raid against a suspected Taliban stronghold. How a kid much like the one they'd just encountered had entered his field of fire, sporting an assault rifle. How he couldn't be sure whether or not this kid was a fighter or simply the 'man of the house'. (Rifles were plentiful in Afghanistan, one in each househld in rural areas.) How he was dutybound to kill the little boy if he raised his weapon against him or his fellow Rangers. How he'd silently closed the pull on his trigger, the slightest twitch now sufficient to let loose a high-velocity bullet that could tear the boy apart. How his mother had called to him, and he'd turned and ran toward her. How Hamilton had watched him go, watching the youthful exuberance and vibrant vitality present.

It all came pouring out. He'd been in firefights, sure. He'd killed men. He'd watched friends maimed and killed. But the most haunting memory was the one time he almost killed a child.

He pulled himself together. "This stays between us, Corrine."

Pause.

"So tell me, why does it bother you so much when your fellow officers kid with you? Something you wanna tell me, the same applies to me. It never goes further."

 

[momoftwins13]

Corrine listened intently, a new respect for her captain blossoming within her as she heard the story that he told. She couldn't imagine that situation. Could he have shot that little boy just a few minutes ago, had he tried to shoot them? She truly did not know if she could have or not.

She heard his question and thought quietly for a moment. Her beautiful gaze connects with his.

"My mom was an officer as well" she finally said. "And a damn fine one. She and her partner didn't get along well. He was always making snide comments about her gender. Then one night, the two of them chase a suspect into the alley. My mom took a bullet to the chest and died. You know her partners response? What he told their captain? 'If she were a guy she would have been able to survive. He didn't even care."

She took a pretty shaky breath. " so yeah...if a comment is made as a joke or lighthearted I can truly take it. It's when the comment is meant to be vicious that it really gets to me. I am sorry for the way I handled the situation though sir... Uh, luke".

The smile she gave him was small but beautiful. She couldn't help but think how handsome he looked, standing there beside her... But then she reeled her thoughts in and sighed softly.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Luke Hamilton turned toward her as she spoke. He didn't interrupt. He listened intently. When she was finished he thought for a minute. It was a tough deal, losing one's parents. Hamilton was lucky in that regard.

Hamilton nodded wistfully. "I can see how that would get you riled, yes. But tip from an old pro, here: NEVER ever show them that their remarks hit home. Give as good as you get. The way you handled those drunk lechers was one for the books. Use the same kind of smarts when people, especially Ol' Grimey, try to hurt you and no-one can touch you."

He paused.

"I might be going out on a limb here, but I'm sure your mothers actions speak for themselves. And I doubt she'd want you fighting her battles for her. Honor her memory by being the best damn cop you can be."

New pause. "The way I see it, you already honor her."

As he spoke he slowly inched closer to her, wanting to hug her, not sure if that would be okay. So much anger and hurt in her.

He was very close to her now. "Oh, and one more thing: you should smile more often. It really suits you."

As he spoke he came ever closer, now within kissing distance.

Then a bell rang, several loud SLAMS sounded and a multitude of voices cried out as recess was announced by the bell.

Several voices cried out "Cap'n Hamiltoooon!" And he was almost swept off his feet as several kids barreled into him. Hamilton loved kids, and he wasted no time exhanging banter, quips, and roughhousing with them. A big grin lit up his face.

"Kids, I'd like you to meet my new partner, officer Corrine Roberts."

A chorus of "Hi!" greeted her, followed by a stage whisper: "She's pretty! Is she your girlfriend, Cap'n Hamilton?"

Luke could only laugh.

 

[momoftwins13]

Corrine felt pride swell up within her chest at his words. The praise made her realize that she was doing a good job. Her mother WOULD have been proud of her. Somehow they had drifted closer together. She could smell his masculine scent, feel his body heat.

She was attracted to him.

The realization was like a blow to the chest. She could NOT be attracted to her superior. It was a recipe for disaster. But there it was. She wanted him. Then the school bell rang.

And the way he interacted with the children did nothing to help her situation. She was a sucker for a man who was good with children. And these kids loved him.

He was great with them, playing and joking. Making police seen like more of a friend than a threat. It was great for the community for the kids to trust cops instead of fear them.

She heard the girlfriend comment and blushed slightly, grinning at Hamilton. The comment struck a little close to home for what she had just been thinking.

The kids slowly started to disperse towards their homes until finally Corrine and Luke were alone again. She looked over at the boss who had been screaming at her the day before. Now his face was relaxed and smiling.

"You're good with kids" she commented, her am brushing his gently as they walked. "And they make you smile a whole lot more than we do".

She was smiling herself at him, her demeanor more playful and cheerful than he had seen it before.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Touché. The remark about smiling he'd given her, served back to him as a curveball.

He turned to her, face serious again but with a playful little glint in his eyes.

"Say Corrine, let's for a moment imagine that I am Grimes. I want you to hit me with your best verbal shot to this: Skirts shouldn't run around playing at cops and robbers, they only get in the way of the REAL cops who have to pick up after them and wipe their noses every time they scrape their knee."

He hated saying these things, especially after the day they'd shared, but training her to take shit like this might just work.

 

[momoftwins13]

Corrine blinked at Luke and then had to work to hide a grin that threatened to emerge. "Well, sergeant grimes," she said. "If I fall down, I guarantee you that I will pick myself up faster than any man on this beat... And I will look a hell of a lot better doing it than them also. "

Her eyes sparkled as she gave him her comeback. If she had been able to say what she wanted she would have told "grimes" at least she COULD run to play cops and robbers... But she kept that tidbit in, with a smile.

She raised her eyebrows in question to the captain, silently asking if that response had been appropriate.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

A sly grin spread across Hamilton's face. "Not bad, Corrine."

Not able to contain his grin now, he went all out, emulating Grimes' wheezy banter: "Hey sugar tits, you able to tie your own shoelaces with them gazongas in the way?"

God how he hated saying these things to her. But she had to learn to control her temper.

 

[momoftwins13]

Corrine was actually enjoying the banter. She knew that Luke didn't mean anything he was saying. He was just imitating her lovely partner... But she glared at him anyway and crossed her arms underneath of her so-called gozongas.

"I'm pretty sure I can reach my shoes better than you can, Grimes." She replied with her eyebrows raised. It wasn't a comment full of malice but rather a jibe just as he was giving her.

She was learning to give as she got. Instead of getting upset she was having fun thinking of comebacks. It actually felt nice to not get her feathers in a ruffle as she traded banter with the captain, AKA frank.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Hamilton's eyes just about popped as she pushed up her breasts, sorry gazongas, with that playful pout on her face. He feigned dirt in his eye and quickly looked away.

"Oh, uh, one final thing, Corrine. There's a tradition that I treat my partners to lunch on the outreach beat for having to be in my company all day. There's a great little mom and pop diner a few blocks away."

He playfully nudged her. "And that's an order."

(It wasn't a tradition, but she needn't know that.)

 

[momoftwins13]

Corrine smiled at her captain and nodded. "Sure that sounds great, I'm starved. Its been an interesting day".

Together they walked towards the restaurant. She was kind of sorry the day had ended. She had rather enjoyed being with the captain on outreach. It was interesting- to say the least. And she felt she had really helped people- two people in particular -that day.

The walked in the 50's style diner and were immediately shown to a booth, semi-private, in the corner of the place. Corrine slid in across the table from Luke. She glanced at the menu and decided on a salad with grilled chicken. Then she sat the menu down.

"Do you really like being captain?" she asked. It seemed like a random question so she explained herself. "I mean, you were great on the streets today and it made me wonder... do you miss it? Because I feel like your talents are wasted behind that desk. You're a great captain from what I've heard... but you seemed so much happier out there today then you do when you're in your office dealing with... brats like myself".

 

[Niceandbrutal]

That was an admission from her. She was growing before his eyes. He was actually proud on her behalf. He smiled. "Seems to me like this 'brat' is growing up on me" he said playfully.

After ordering a medium burger (he always treated himself a little when on the beat) he looked into her eyes.

"Sure I miss this. I love the hands-on experience of police work. We all do. And there's the problem. We all want to be out in the streets, busting criminals, righting wrongs and fighting the good fight. I envy you, to be honest. Once or twice a week I indulge and go on patrol. They know they can't threaten me with firing me because I'm one of the few who actually WANT to work here."

"My desk job? You're right, I hate it. Makes me all mean" he said, adding a mock growl. "But someone's gotta do it. Imagine if someone else we know, not mentioning names" he coughed *COUGHGRIMESCOUGH* "occupying my desk? How much of a welcome do you think you'd get?"

"I knew I was the right man for the job and applied myself lest someone more eager and less suited grabbed it."

He changed the subject. "You ever box, Corrine?"