Cruzin' For a Bruzin'
It's not a barrel of laughs when it's time for a new partner especially when your first is your best friend and mentor. It's always hard to adjust to something new but when you have mixed feelings and your instincts are telling you that there is just something not right with the new guy, then those feelings and instincts often prove correct.
The new partnership had been up and running now for six months and although it had been sticky at the start the rough patches were beginning to smooth out but there were still some jagged edges sticking through. For starters, the way Cruz used his uniform to get a girl's number was one of the things that Jamie didn't like about his new partner but when an old friend returns to New York he finds it reveals the true character of the guy who is supposed to have his back.
"Are you coming for a beer later?" asked Vinnie as he finished getting ready for the early tour.
"I'm not sure. I got some family stuff I got to deal with," shrugged Jamie as he pulled on the winter jacket over his uniform.
"Like what?" scoffed Vinnie.
"Hey, I got a nephew who's having a birthday this weekend. I got tricked into helping with his birthday party!" laughed Jamie as he thought about Jack.
"Hey man! I meant no disrespect, i hope i get to have a big family like yours one day but you is gonna end up an old fuddy before your time! C'mon man! One beer!" smiled Vinnie.
"Listen, if i get everything done in time, i'll join you later, ok?" smirked Jamie as he closed his locker. Vinnie smiled and slapped his partner on the back as a sign that that was a reasonable plan. "C'mon! Sarge'll be eating the paperwork if we don't get to roll call!"
While Sergeant Renzulli was doling out the morning briefing an old friend was walking in the front of the precinct. She made her way to the outer office of the squad room and waited patiently with Moria, the squad secretary.
"What's this i hear about you becoming a grandma, again?" smiled Toni as she leaned against the desk in front of the squad room window.
"Ahh! Macy has been in touch! Yep! She's due next month! I can't believe that she's on number 5!" sighed Moira as stood up from her desk and moved to the filing cabinet.
"How does Peter feel about it?" asked Toni as she passed a file to Moira.
"He's over the moon! They can afford it after that lotto win! What about you? You got a guy in your life yet?" smiled Moira as she turned back to her desk. Toni shrugged and turned away.
"Now you listen to me young lady! You're old man is getting worried about you. You've been out of town for a few years and you come home without a fella on your arm. You have to learn to trust someone, honey." Sighed Moira as she sat back down again.
"I know you mean well but i guess the ex did more damage than i thought. I'll find someone, when i'm good and ready!" replied Toni. Just as she was about to say something else, the roll call was over and the officers slowly made their way out of the squad room.
"Reagan! Cruz! Hold on a sec!" called Renzulli's voice as he held back two of his officers.
"Yeah Sarge?" asked a voice that Toni recognised as being Jamie Reagan.
"You boys'll be assisting Major cases this morning. They need back-up on a ride-around with some hood. You're to report to Detective Reagan in plain clothes," instructed Renzulli as he hand each officer a file too read.
"Backing up your brother never usually ends up with a good result, if i remember rightly!" teased Toni as she stuck her head in the door.
"Well, look who's here?!" smiled Renzulli as his delight to see his daughter showed.
"Hey!" she beamed as she hugged her father. "How you been?"
"I'm good! I'm slowly being poisoned but i guess i got a stronger stomach than she realises!" joked Renzulli as he pulled back from the embrace and letting her turn to Reagan.
"Still in the bag, Reagan?" she laughed as he took her into a bear hug.
"Like i'd be anywhere else! Someone's gotta keep an eye on the Sarge!" he laughed. They moved apart but kept an arm around each other as they turned towards Renzulli and Cruz.
"You must be Cruz?" smiled Toni as she held her hand out to the new officer.
"Tha's me. How do you know these two?" Smirked Vinnie.
"Ah! Long story! But the short of it is, this is my best friend," she said as she nodded to Jamie, "And this is my old man!" indicating towards Renzulli.
"Hey! Eyes off Cruz!" snapped Renzullli as he watched Vinnie eye up Toni. Toni could feel Jamie tense up at these words and watched him as he shuffled uncomfortably next to her.
"Not looking, Sarge! Promise!" he grinned. The grin felt more like a leer to Toni as she slipped her arm down from Jamie's back but felt his grip get a little tighter.
"Right! You two! Get those files read, get changed and get over to major cases," instructed Renzulli as he took his daughter's hand and pulled her into the squad room. Jamie and Vinnie exchanged looks and nodded their acknowledgement of their orders. "So, how long you back in town?" he asked his daughter.
"For as long as possible, i hope," sighed Toni as she took a seat. "I'm here to ask a favour. Do you still have your painting crew?"
"Yeah, sure! You need some work doing?" he asked as he poured her a cup of coffee.
"Just want the apartment freshened up. A bit of a change. You able to do it this weekend?" she asked as she took the coffee. Renzulli smiled, hugged her and placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Anything for you, Oni!"
"So, what's the story? She's cute" smirked Vinnie as he got changed.
"She's out of your league," replied Jamie as he pulled his jacket off and hung it up in his locker.
"I'm sure i can be in her league, if i tried hard enough. Got her number, Reagan?" laughed Vinnie. Jamie was trying to control his temper. Why was he feeling this way? He'd known Toni for years. "So, how bout it? Can i get her number?"
"No. No i'm not going to give you her number. And don't think about going to her old man either" retorted Jamie as he felt his temperature rising.
"Slow your row, bro!" quipped Vinnie as he continued to change not taking any notice of his partner. Jamie knew he had to get his head together he was about to assist his brother on a job. He needed to be alert because if anything went wrong, it would be his fault.