OLD FEELING

DISCLAIMER

Takes place during "Blinded by a Thousand Points of Light" right before Hanson gets in the car with the guy who killed Aaron. This basically sets up a story that I plan to do later. Belongs to Stephen J. Cannel.

On his street corner, Officer Tom Hanson fidgeted nervously. I don't like this. I don't wanna be out here, he thought to himself. Hearing footsteps, he turned rigidly. He relaxed when he saw a man an older man about six years older than him, who appeared to be an older version of the officer.

"You okay?" he asked.

"I hate this! I don't like this feeling," Tom answered. "People staring at me, getting propositioned…" His breathing hitched nervously.

"Hey, take it easy, kiddo. It's just the one case, right?" the man asked, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah, I know. But---" the older man put a hand up, silencing the officer.

"Gotta go. Don't wanna blow your cover," he said. He ruffled Tom's hair and then took off. Tom quickly fixed his hair. He hated when people did that.

"Who was that?" Officer Dennis Booker questioned, coming up to his partner.

"No one," Tom lied.

"He seemed pretty friendly towards you," Dennis noted. If this knows Hanson, his cover could be blown. And if his cover's blown, the case falls apart, he thought.

"Just a guy who gets his kicks by comin' onto kids," Tom replied. Sorry, man. Gotta lie, he silently apologized.

"You all right?" Dennis questioned.

"I just---I hate being on the streets is all," Tom answered, his voice going soft.

"What? Like you actually have prior experience?" Dennis scoffed. Right. Like Hanson had really been in this situation before.

"Just be glad we're out here when it's warm. When it's cold---you---you get desperate. You'd---you'd do anything for a warm bed and a hot meal," Tom said.

"You really know what you're talking about," Dennis realized in surprise. Man, I wouldn't have figured that, he thought. Just then, they noticed the car they were waiting for.

"Looks like I'm up," Tom stated. He walked up to the car and said a phrase he hadn't uttered since he was fourteen: "I take it you're looking for more than just directions."

"Get in," the man instructed. Tom did as he was told and fervently prayed that he could bust this guy before anything happened.

THE END