What She Needs (Closed)

[momoftwins13]

Just as Corey walked in she heard Luke on the phone with someone- talking about her. She stopped dead in her tracks and her mouth hung open slightly.

He was telling someone about her?!! They were supposed to be a secret. Who was he telling? Was he risking their jobs?? No but he was risking her being transferred!

Rookie bounded over to the bowl of water she had put down and Corey walked up to Luke.

"Who are you talking to?" She asked urgently in a whisper. Her eyes were wide as she stated at him.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

He covered the mouthpiece and mouthed the words 'my mom' before he resumed talking to her.

"Yeah, she's really great mom. I think you'll like her. Really I do. No she hasn't met Zoe yet. Yes, she will. This weekend in fact. Yes it is, but she has to attend a seminar so- yeah, I don't mind. Corey will be here to help me with Z- yeah, it IS very kind of her!"

He beamed at her as he talked to his mom. He mimicked a blabbering mouth as he rolled his eyes.

"Not right away. Because we need some time together first. It's different with Zoe mom. Don't act as if you- Yes mom, as soon as possible. Uh-huh. Yea, love you too, mom. Say hi to Dad for me. Great. Bye now. Buh-bye. Bye."

He finally hung up. He was about to start a goodnatured rant about meddling parents until he remembered Corey's parents. He realized again how lucky he was. Instead he said "I had to throw her off. I forgot to phone everyone to tell I was okay and now it's come back to bite me in the ass big time."

"My parents would love to meet you, by the way."

 

[momoftwins13]

Corrine listened to Luke speaking to his mom on the phone. She smiled sadly. He obviously had a great relationship with his parents. She envied him that and it made her miss her mom even more than normal.

And he was telling his mom about her. That surprised her. But she supposed it pleased her too. It meant he was definitely serious about their being together. This made her smile again.

Finally he hung up the phone. She laughed about his comment of throwing his mom off the trail. At least it hadn't been ONLY her who he had forgotten to call.

"I'd like to meet them too" she said quietly, knowing HE would never have to worry about the dreaded "in-laws" with her. She walked up and hugged him around his waist.

"I need to get ready for work" she said holding up her uniform. "I guess I'm being a desk jockey today because of the debriefing, huh?"

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"We both will. I bet ol' Grimes will have something to say about THAT" he said with a grimace as he nuzzled her head. "I really wonder what I should do about that man."

"And Fox? I'm sorry I never got to meet your mom. Maybe if you visit her grave I can come along and pay my respects? She must have been a great woman."

At her disappearing form he called: "I think it best if we NOT shower together today. I'll make coffee, Fox!"

 

[momoftwins13]

Corey smiled sadly at his words, her heart in her eyes. He was the most amazing man she had ever known.

"She would love you" she told him before turning and walking towards the bathroom. She laughed at his words about showering together. She quickly climbed into the shower and cleaned herself off before pulling on her uniform and fixing her hair in the ponytail she always wore to work.

She then walked out to where Luke was.

"Im ready... I'm gonna go ahead and go before you do so it doesn't look obvious." She walked up and placed her hands gently on his stomach. "I love you, and I'll see you there".

A few more kisses and she ruffled Rookie's ears and headed out the door. The moment she pulled into the parking lot she saw Grimes walking in. She bit back a groan of frustration and slowly climbed out her Jeep.

She walked in and was greeted by several officers who she chatted with. Frank eyes her with disdain.

"Great. It's the pretty princess officer" he muttered. Instead of get if mad, Corrine smiled at him.

"And it's my favorite partner! Hey Grimes! How are ya?!" She asked with false cheer.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Luke showered and went to work, making sure Rookie didn't want for anything first before petting the shepherd goodbye. He'd grown fond of the goofy friendly dog, sure that Zoe would love him too. She loved animals and had already started pestering her mother for a pet.

His mood darkened as he entered and saw the sour visage of Grimes. He wasn't actively heckling Corey. That was something, although Luke could tell Grimes' mere presence annoyed her. He failed to notice how the precinct had fallen silent as he entered, shouting his usual gruff "morning all!" before he entered his office. Corey had done a good job selling the outreach initiative. It wasn't frontpage news, but it headed the local section, at least. He chuckled. He wouldn't be surprised if the guys had prepared some sort of surprise for her. They usually did when a colleague made the news, good or bad.

He had to write her up for an award. She had willingly thrown herself in harm's way twice. Once for Jermaine and once for him. He'd known less brave Rangers than her. She was a lioness. And a Fox, he grinned to himself. He was sure the backup would substantiate his story. He busied himself with the phonecalls and paperwork for that pleasant task the next half hour. Then he pulled out Grimes' personnel file and perused it before his fitness evaluation.

Graduated Police Academy yaddi-yaddi-yadda, exemplary service the first couple of years. Then the harassment complaints started rolling in, right after his second divorce. God, that the man had managed to marry twice more seemed nothing short of a miracle. Let's see, assigned new partner, Officer Roberts... Wait, what? That wasn't right. Nine years ago? Either someone had messed up the paperwork or... Oh My God!

Officer Kelly Roberts, mother of one (Corrine Roberts) assigned to Grimes as a new partner. Stunned, Luke had to get a grip before he lost the file on the floor. It was Grimes! The misogynistic little fuck that had let Corey's mother die was none other than Grimes himself. In stunned disbelief he kept reading. Grimes' half-assed excuses about trying to reach her...

That would mean that Corey's mom had worked here as well. He went to the archives and... yep! He leafed through her file, saddened by what he saw. It was regular practice to put a negative spin on evaluations of disliked officers. Nine years ago, this precinct was still run by old school dinosaurs who loathed women. Every time she'd made an arrest or solved a crime some snide bastard had pointed out errors rather than accomplishments. A surge of pity and anger overtook him then. He pulled out the case files Kelly Roberts had filed. Nothing seriously wrong here. Some basic mistakes of course, but nothing you wouldn't expect from an eager new officer.

He resolved to lay a trap for Grimes. Calling him into his office, Luke recorded every word of the conversation. After the ususal spiel where he admonished Grimes and hoped this would be the last he heard of harassment, he continued: "I went through your file, Sgt Grimes. Says here you lost a partner. You've had no counceling after the incident. If you want to get something off your chest, I'm all ears."

Grimes shrugged. "Some stupid dame, too eager to get herself killed. Wasn't anything I could do. She just ran off into an alley, got her stupid ass shot and killed."

Hamilton looked at him: "What, you couldn't keep up with a woman, Sgt. Grimes? I know you were in much better shape back then. Did you split up or something?"

Grimes: "Hell no. She just, she wouldn't, she wanted to go into an alley where we knew something was going down. I... uh, wanted to teach her a lesson about running off and playing cops. It isn't her place. Women aren't fit to be cops."

Hamilton: "So you willingly let her run into that alley? To 'teach her a lesson'? Am I understanding you correctly?"

Grimes: "That's about the long and the short of it. She had it coming. We'll just see how long that new set of tits lasts here. Women always fuck up sooner or later."

Gotcha! Hamilton smiled, despite the slurs falling from Grimes' lips. He had him! "I see. Lest you forget, Sgt. Grimes, that 'set of tits' you so charmingly called her has a name. It's OFFICER ROBERTS to you, Sgt Grimes."

He switched the recorder off and called Corey to the office. When she entered, she saw Grimes and Luke there. Before she could say anything, Capt. Hamilton started speaking: "Sgt. Grimes, it is my duty to inform you that the conversation we just had was recorded. A copy of said recording will be sent to Internal Affairs for evaluation. Pending an investigation, you are suspended with pay. Now get the HELL out of my office"" As a flustered Grimes left the office, Hamilton sighed. He had much to show and tell for Corey.

"Did you know your mother worked at this precinct?" he began...

 

[momoftwins13]

Corey heard Luke calls Grimes in and figured it was just to discuss with him last leave he was forced to take. She continued to do her paperwork, unaware of everything goin on in his office.

Only when Luke called her in did she stop working. She stood and prepared herself to square off with Frank. Instead, when she walked in, Luke immediately suspended Grimes again. Befuddled, she stared after a flabbergasted grimes as he walked out of the door.

"I knew my mom worked in this city... I didn't know it was this precinct... That's kinda cool, I guess. But what's that got to do with Grimes? Why'd you just suspend him again?"

Her beautiful eyes locked on to his as she asked the questions. His face was serious as he looked back and she had a feeling that whatever he was about to say she wouldn't like...

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"I want you to have a seat first, Corey."

He waited for her to have a seat. He had a hard time of it now. He was more upset than he thougth he would be.

"I just suspended Grimes -AGAIN- because it'd just come to my attention that- well listen for yourself."

He played the recording. Her mother's name was never mentioned, but the circumstances described were so similar that he knew she'd catch on.

"There you have it, Corrine. He let his partner die. I'm guessing you're starting to connect the dots. Frank Grimes was your mother's partner."

He had moved towards the door, unsure if she'd fly off the handle and go tearing after Grimes. He wouldn't blame her if she did, but that wouldn't help them get Frank Grimes fired or jailed. He was ready to protect her against herself if it ever came to that, wound or no wound.

 

[momoftwins13]

Corey sat down, a sense of dread filling her chest. She eyed Luke cautiously as he pushed play on the recorder and the words filled the room. The more that played to more she understood. Her partner was her mothers old partner. Tears of rage and anguish filled her eyes and her hands began to tremble.

She never said a word. Slowly she stood up and turned towards the door but saw Luke standing there, looking formidable. At that moment he looked more like her boss than boyfriend, but she looked into his eyes and saw pain there. Pain he was feeling for her.

"Move please Luke" she said in an incredibly calm voice considering her whole body was trembling.

When he didn't move she spoke again. This time her voice broke on his name as she did. "Luke" she pleaded. "I'm not going after him. I need to leave. Because if I don't I'm gonna break down. And if I..." Her voice broke again. "If I break down I'm gonna want you to act like my boyfriend. And you can't do that here."

Tears began to fall from her eyes. She was close. Close to a breaking point and yet she refused to let herself even though it was what she most needed

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Seeing her like that broke his heart. In two quick steps he was on her and pulled her to him in a bear hug, whispering to her.

"Let it out, Fox. Let them hear us. I really don't care any more. And besides, when the story comes out, no-one will blame me for hugging you. Your mother's memory deserves better than your pent-up anger. Grimes doesn't deserve even your hate. He should be locked away for what he did to her, and forgotten. Please don't let Grimes run your life, Fox."

He was on the verge of tears himself now, pity and anger fueling him.
He swore to himself he'd bring the full weight of the law bearing down on Frank Grimes. But for now, Corey needed him. He refused to let her go.

 

[momoftwins13]

At first Corey fought him. She struggled against his hold. The tears began to glow freely along with quiet sobs. "Get" sob. "OFF" sob. "Our jobs!" She shove against his chest as hard as she could but he refused to let go. She didn't even consider the fact that she was probably hurting him.

Finally after several moments of struggling she collapsed against him, her tears soaking his shirt, her arms clinging to his neck like it was a lifeline. She grew quiet and just let the tears fall. Her body shaking silently.

"He let my mom die"'she whispered against Luke's neck. "How could he do that? I hate that man".

Eventually the tears slowed and she took several deep, calming breaths. She backed away slowly and gazed up at Luke through wet, red rimmed eyes. She realized then that the room outside had gone silent. There was none of the usual scuffling and noise of the precinct.

Her eyes went to Luke's again. She wondered what they knew.

"They're gonna transfer me" she whispered softly.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

He held her and rocked her as sorrow wracked her entire being. She needed him now more than ever and he had no intention of letting her down. Besides, he had a plausible explanation for the precinct, if she let him go through with his plan.

"I can make this work, Fox!" he whispered at her, his pet name for her sticking more an more firmly in his mind. "But I need you to trust me. I will call the counselor right now, and given the turmoil of yesterday and today I'm sure we can get you the rest of the day off. I will then explain to the guys just what transpired with Grimes and Kelly. Your sobbing and being upset and being hugged by me will be more than plausible. I've hugged partners before, when they needed it." A smile spread across his face. "I think my being a soft touch behind a gruff facade is something of an open secret."

He firmly but gently put her in a chair and called the counselor.

 

[momoftwins13]

Corey nodded at his words. If he believed he could make this work she would let him. She sat quietly as he went to call the counselor. Once he was done he walked back up to her. She gave him a very tiny smile.

In a whisper she said to him, "I love you, Bear. Thank you".

She muddled over in her mind what she had found out. SHe was glad that she had just now found out about Grimes and her Mother because she probably would hav me murdered him on the beat, had she known.

Fifteen minutes later there was a knock on the door. She knew it was the counselor and groaned. The last thing she wanted was to spill her guts to a shrink. Her eyes touched his and she sighed before giving him the sign language signal for I love You, hoping he understood.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

He sent the signal back with a brief smile as he went and opened the door for Mr. Arboghast. As he entered he saw Corrine's eyes, still bloodshot and teary. Arboghast fixed Hamilton with a stare as if to say "What have you done to her!?"

Hamilton quickly outlined what had happened and what he'd found, playing the damning recording of Grimes for emphasis. When he showed the personnel files of Frank Grimes and Kelly Roberts his demeanor towards Hamilton softened as he turned his full attention towards Corrine. He led her out of the office, still sobbing. This was not how Hamilton wanted the day to be, but fate is fickle.

With a heavy sigh he gathered a dumbstruck and very curious precinct. They knew something had gone sour with Grimes as he stormed out, muttering about the union getting him a lawyer. They'd also heard Roberts crying and the counselor leading her out of Hamilton's office a little while later. Rumors were bound to fly and Hamilton wanted to nip them in the bud.

Hamilton, mustering every bit of professionalism he could, quickly outlined hat had happened. How Grimes had put undue pressure on Roberts. How he'd been a pest for female officers for years. How he'd admitted to letting Corrine's mother die to prove a point. How officer Roberts for the time being was on compassionate leave. For how long he didn't know. Maybe no longer than tomorrow. He begged told them to treat her like one of the guys, no more and no less. As he left, the officers were gathered in a circle a muttered discussion being held.

 

[momoftwins13]

Corey headed out with the counselor to his office. Everyone pretended to be busy but she knew they were doing just that. Pretending. She avoided their eyes and walked on.

Once in his office he began asking her questions.

"Hell yeah I'm mad at him," Corey told him. "He let my mom die. All because he's an arrogant prick with a chip on his shoulder against women in law enforcement... If I saw him? Yeah I'd probably be tempted to hurt him. Or at least try... Of course I miss my mother... No I'm fine about yesterday. I want to get back out there... No I don't want the rest of the day off. I want to work on the boxing program... Yes sir im sure. Thank you sir".

She stood up and quickly left his office, heading back to that main precinct. Several of the men smiled. One, Richardson, even came up to her.

"Roberts... We want you to know we're all in your arena. Grimes is a prick. None of us like him".

Corrine smiled and thanks him, then went to Luke's office door and knocked.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

As she entered, he thought he saw a flicker of a smile on her face. She was resilient, that much was obvious! He waited until she closed the door before speaking, his voice filled with concern for her:

"I thought maybe you'd like a day or two off? No-one here will hold it against you if you'd need some time to gather your thougts. And maybe it's not too late for me to wangle a couple of days sick leave? I just realised how much these ribs hurt..."

He smiled cautiously at her.

 

[momoftwins13]

Corey was about to deny the leave when Luke said he was going to take song leave also. This gave her pause. She smiled at him then, full blown.

"Can we go away? I know a couple who own a house down to the beach... Me you and Rook can get outta here for a few days. Please? Luke?" Her eyes were wide with hope. The thought of going somewhere with Luke where they didn't have to hide their relationship was too enticing to resist.

"Rookie loves the beach and so do I. He loves to swim... Can we luke?"

She knew she was begging but she no longer cared. She wanted this desperately.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Without answering her he picked up the phone. "Yeah, Doc? Luke Hamilton here. Yeah, the shooting. Um yeah, that's why I'm calling you, actually. Me getting back to work was a tad optimistic, it seems. Yeah. Excruciating. 'kay, thanks. Bye!"

"Sure we can" he answered her with a grin.

 

[momoftwins13]

Corrine beamed at Luke, wanting to hug him but knowing she couldn't. Instead she winked at him. "I'm gonna go grab a few things off of my desk, then go home and pack for Rook and myself. Can I meet you at your house in like an hour or so?"

At his affirmative answer she again gave him the I LOVE YOU sign and headed out. She grabbed her folders for the outreach program and headed home. She ignite he probably shouldn't even bring any work but she wante to keep at the program and get it up and running.

She jumped her in jeep and headed home, where she called her friend who owned the house. They confirmed it was empty and told her they were welcome to it, so he began to pack. Clothes, dog toys, dog food, Bowl... She mentally checked off her list.

Once she was done she drove over to her friends an picked up the keys before driving to Luke's. she was now dressed in a flowing white sundress that hugged her curves and showed off her body.

She knocked on the door and waited.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Luke sat at home, waiting for Corrine. He was dressed in faded jeans and a tight shirt clinging to his body, accentuating his muscles. He'd packed a bag with swimwear and informal evening wear in case they wanted to go out.

As he sat there petting and talking to Rookie he cast his mind back to last week. This time last week he'd suspended Grimes and chewed Fox out. He shook his head in disbelief at the whirlwind romance he was a part of. It struck him that they'd have to arrange to pick up Zoe on friday. He called his ex and told her to pack swimwear for Zoe on friday. A puzzled "sure" followed, befor he hung up.

Then she knocked on the door, and he and Rookie bounded for the door, both eager to greet her. As Rookie leaped around them he swept her into his arms and kissed her. "Ready when you are, Fox."

 

[momoftwins13]

Corey couldn't imagine anything better than being greeted by Luke and Rookie when she got home. She grinned and ruffled Rookie's ears, imagining coming home to Luke every day. It was a nice dream. She hoped someday it would come true. She leaned in and kissed Luke deeply like she had wanted to do all day.

Some day they would have a public relationship as well. Of that she was positive. She shut the door behind her and smiled.

"Are you ready? I thought of something. What about Zoe?" She asked. He informed her of the plans and she nodded. "Sounds like we're good then. What vehicle do we take? I can drive if you want... Top off?" She grinned playfully at the entendre.

Rookie had seen a suitcase and was bounding around playfully. He knew that meant a trip and if the dog liked anything it was car rides. She glanced at him and grinned.

"Wanna ride?" She asked and the dog barked, jumping on the door in his universal "out" signal.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"Now when you say 'top off'..."
He grinned at her. "Your car sounds fine."

He nodded at Rookie bouncing around, his eagerness obvious.
"Looks like we're not the only ones looking forward to this. Zoe's gonna love him.
She is totally unafraid of dogs. She sees a dog twice her size and she shouts 'doggie' and we have to physically restrain her."

Looking at her, he added "And she's gonna love you. I'm sure of it."

He couldn't resist putting his arms around her waist.

"And just so you know, I've put you up for a commendation for your actions yesterday. They need to ask around to verify what I told them, and then there's the paperwork, but I wouldn't be surprised if you were rewarded for conspicuous gallantry soon. Lord knows both the precinct and the police as a whole needs its heroes."

"And that's what you are, whether you know it or not. A foxy hero!"

He bit her playfully in the neck before letting her go.

"Time's a'wastin! Shall we?"

 

[momoftwins13]

Corrine blushed right red when Luke said she was up for commendation. She smiled and thanked him softly. "But you would have done it for me too... I love you" she kissed him again, unable to get enough of him now that they were alone.

They headed outside and he threw his bag in the back of the jeep while Corrine quickly lowered the top. Rookie leaped in and sat in the bag tail wagging, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth, ears perked up in anticipation.

They climbed in themselves and were in the way. It was about an hour and a half drive to the beach. Country music played on the radio and Corey's hair blew in the breeze as she drove. They chatted about generic stuff until she pulled into the driveway of the small bungalow beach house.

"It's not fancy," Corey told him. "But it's cozy and quaint and there's two bedrooms".

Rookie jumped from the back and immediately ran behind the house where he heard him splashing in the ocean. Rollin her eyes she whistle loudly and he came running back, soaked, jumping on Corey and getting her white dress filthy and dripping wet.

Corrine merely stood there scowling at the goofy dog, as Luke developed a smirk on his face.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"You know I asked him to do that while we waited for you?"

Her dress wasn't soaking wet, only in places. Those places clung to her, revealing that the dress got almost transparent when wet. It was enough to give him a tantalizing look at her body.

Dropping his bag he advenced on her, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Now that you're already wet..."

He didn't finish the sentence, but he lunged for her and caught her. He ignored the flaring pain as he hoisted her up in his arms and started walking towards the ocean, a playful smile on his face.

 

[momoftwins13]

Luke dove and caught Corrine around her waist. She squealed and tried to free herself but knew she couldn't too much because of his ribs. "LUKE! Your ribs you dumby!" She squealed.

And yet he continues on until they were at the ocean, Roomie jumping and barking by their sides. The dog dove straight into a wave, at the same time Luke tossed her. Corrine came up sputtering, the water pouring from her body.

"You ass!" She cried. But she was smiling. Her dress was virtually transparent now and nothing could hide her blue thong and white bra beneath it. She walked out of the ocean, wringing out her hair.

"You're lucky you're hurt ... That's not fair" she said softly but with a grin. She walked slowly his way until she was close enough to grab him quickly and hug him, getting him almost as wet as she was.

She pulled away laughing.