Probable Cause

I don't ask for much from people, but I must insist that you suspend disbelief while reading this story or it won't work for you.

Warning: Btw, some of the parts in this story can get pretty graphic so if you don't like that kind of thing don't read it. Rated T just to be safe.

Disclamer: If I owned Jimmy Neutron I wouldn't be writing cheesy fanfics. I'd be vacationing in Aruba somewhere.

Chapter One: The Blonde Detective

251 77th St.

February 17 11:46am

New York City in Manhattan's upper east side. This is probably not only the most richest and most exclusive area of the city, but probably the whole country. Old money lives here, and also dies here. Not much of note really happens here. Mostly robberies, muggings and the like. Not a big deal for the Major Case Squad. But an incident was going down involving some of New York's finest. It seems that a robbery/murder suspect was hiding out there trying to avoid capture totally oblivious of the fact that he had been tracked down and his days of freedom were numbered and that NYPD detectives and a task force were at his front door battering ram in tow with weapons drawn to serve him with an arrest warrant.

"OK, we've spent a lot of time tracking this guy down." said Det. Belle. "I don't want to spook him and have him start running."

Detective 1st grade Tom Belle who everyone just called "Belle". He's been with the department for 15 years. He's 38 years oldand was born in Brooklyn. He's seen it all and has become hardened by years of police work. He comes from a long police tradition. His father and brother were both career cops and he has followed in thier footsteps. He's sees himself as "the worlds biggest cynic", and has a rather dry since of humor. He also has a soft spot for his partner though he rarely shows it.

"Is everybody in place?" asked his blond partner Detective 2nd grade Cindy Vortex. Age 31. She's been a cop for 12 years moving up fast in the ranks and is considered to be among the best in the department earning many commendations. She worked in the narcotics and homicide divisions before being transfered to the Major Case squad. Noted for her ability to remember small details that most other investigators would ordinarily overlook, she also has the ability to get information from people by using any means she sees fit. Although some of the methods she uses may be considered "questionable" by some, her response: "At least I get the job done."

"It's your call." Belle nodded. "Announce our presence."

"NYPD!" she yelled as she pounded on the door. "We have a warrant for your arrest."

There was no response.

"I know your in there. I can here you breathing." she said. Still no response, but there was a loud commotion coming from the inside.

"He's trying to make a run. Break it down guys!" The task unit broke down the door just in time to find two individuals inside the room. Police caught and arrested the first one with no problem but the other one had a head start and made his way towards the kitchen and jumped out of an open window onto the fire escape.

"Out the window!" Belle yelled.

"I got 'em!" Cindy then ran to the kitchen and jupmed out of the window.

"Hey wait for backup!" screamed Belle.

Underneath the fire escape, there was a back alleyway where the man thought he could easily escape into the city. Cindy soon caught up to the man, however, as he found himself trapped in a cul-de-sac and had no other direction to go.

"Freeze!" Cindy instructed, "Turn around and let me see your hands. Do it slow!"

"It's not what you think, blondie."

"Where have I heard that one before? Just put 'em up! Now! Don't make me shoot you!"

"I really think you need to see this." the man said as he turned and reached into his jacket pocket. Big mistake.

BANG!!

A single shot fired from Cindy's weapon and hit the man directly in the chest causing him to instantly drop to the ground in a heap.

"You OK? We heard a shot." Belle said as he and several other officers came running to the scene.

"Yeah, I'm fine. The guy was reaching for something in his jacket. Probably a gun. I had to shoot."

"How many times do I gotta tell you to wait for backup?" Belle then went over to the man who was by now barely conscious and knelt down beside him and started searching him.

"What did you find on him?" Cindy said as she approached Belle.

"He wasn't reaching for a gun." then he paused. "He was reaching for his shield. He's a cop!" He held up the bloody shield for her to see.

"What?!" Cindy freaked. "Oh, my God!"

Belle checked for vital signs, "He's still breathing."

Cindy hastly made a call her police radio that she wore on her waist. "Shots fired and officer down! We need a bus at 251 east 77th Street. Repeat, shots fired and officer down, 251 east 77th Street!" Shortly, the sounds of ambulance sirens where heard blaring in the distance making thier way to the scene.

"Don't worry Cindy." reassured Belle as he took her gun away, "The ambulance is coming. He's gonna make it...I think."

Cindy walked over to the nearest curb and sat down. "Damn..."

Major Case Squad. One Police Plaza, 11th floor, New York, NY, 3:17pm

Back at headquarters, Cindy and Belle were in their boss's, Capt. John Wakefeld, office. Cindy was being read the riot act. Not an uncommon occurrence for her to be sure, but this time things were different.

"...and this isn't the first time that you've been cited for violating departmental procedures, Vortex."

"Alleged violations, Captain." Corrected Cindy.

"Questionable interrogation techniques? Unauthorized undercover assignments. Coercion. And now this? Shooting a cop!"

"I did what I thought was right at the time. Anyway, I was cleared of those allegations and you know it." she argued.

"I suppose you thought you were right this time too?"

Cindy let out a frustrated sigh. "Look, I'm sorry, but I don't think did anything wrong. He ran out of the building through the ally. I caught up with him. I told him to stop and raise his hands. He reached for something which could have been a weapon. I fired my weapon to protect myself. He never identified himself as a police officer. What else was I supposed to do?"

"I was there Captain, I saw everything. I'll testify on her behalf." said Belle.

"And why did he run?" Cindy reasoned, "He could have just as easily ID'd himself before jumping out the window. Besides, the doctors say he's gonna be fine."

"Be that as it may, I'm getting a lot of heat from IAB and the Chief of D's about this and you know what rolls down hill."

"So what are you saying?" Cindy asked.

"I'm...recommending that you be suspended until an investigation is concluded and this whole mess is straightened out." Wakefeld said with some reservation.

"Suspension?! You can't do that!" she protested.

"I'm sorry, but it's for your own good."

"With all due respect, Captain, how could you possibly know what's best for me?"

"Easy there, Cindy." Belle said.

"You are many things, Detective. Infuriating, exasperating, stubborn and smart among them." Wakefeld continued, "For what it's worth I think your a damn good cop. But I have to go by the book this time. My hands are tied."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Cindy took off her gold shield and weapon and threw them on the Captain's desk.

"What are you doing?" asked Wakefeld.

"I quit!"

"Think about what your doing." said Belle.

"I have for a while now." Cindy cut him off, "After all of myself I've given to the department, all the arrests I've made, the time and effort I put into this job and I get treated like this? Forget it, I'm done. I don't need this."

"You know what the worst thing is?" she turned her attention to Wakefeld, "Is that you don't believe me."

"Vortex, I..." Wakefeld began.

"You'll have my letter of resignation on your desk tomorrow morning." Cindy started to leave the room, but stopped and turned to look at her soon to be former boss.

"Oh, and by the way, thanks for the complement."

I'll bet your asking: How in the world did Cindy Vortex wind up in th NYPD in the first place? If your dying to know, read on.

So, wadda you think? Should I go on? Only the reviews will tell.