A/N: First and foremost this story is set in the future by about 5 years. Other than that, enjoy!
It was a brisk fall day as she made her way into the 12th precinct. Walking across the lobby she took a deep breath waiting for the elevator. It was her first day and she was determined not to let her nervousness show. This was the day she had been waiting for. The day she had been training four years for. The day she would join the NYPD as an official detective. The elevator ding broke her thoughts as she entered the bull pen of the 4th floor.
There were other detectives moving about the room, some were carrying folders, some were at their desks doing paperwork or researching a lead on their computers. A man stood outside an office looking around. He wore a nice suit. She estimated him to be in his early fifties. He glanced around the bull pen before his gaze landed on her. She watched intently as he studied her trying to remember if she was apart of his team or not. Taking a deep breath she met him half way across the bull pen.
"Good afternoon sir," She stated. "I am Dayna Tyler."
"Ah you're the new recruit," His face broke out into a smile. "I'm Captain Montgomery," He held out his hand. Dayna quickly extended her own hand. "I've been expecting you. Did you make it here ok?"
Dayna laughed silently to herself. That question was never expected to be answered honestly. "Yes I did sir. Thank you sir."
"Very good. Let me show you to your desk," Captain Montgomery nodded behind him indicating he wanted Dayna to follow him. As they passed by some other desks, Dayna noticed they were paired off in twos. "Each detective is assigned a partner. We keep the partners desks together to minimize unneeded traveling." Dayna nodded as she glanced at the desks. Detective Beckett's was positioned across from a Detective J. Esposito.
"Your desk will be here." Captain Montgomery pointed to a desk across from an unoccupied desk. Scanning the piles of paperwork, Dayna noticed a name plate half buried under the papers. She can make out 'Detecti-' before the rest of the words are cut off.
"I'll leave you to get set up," Captain Montgomery half smiles before turning and heading back into his office. Dayna drops her bag and reaches for the blocked name plate ready to lift it up only discover her new partner's name has been screwed down to the desk. Confused she pushes some of the papers out of the way and reads 'Detective K. Ryan'. Dayna tries to imagine what her new partner will be like if they are paranoid enough to screw their name plate down.
"Something interesting detective?" A male voice interrupted her thoughts making her jump slightly. The chuckle quickly informed her this new person is not an immediate threat. Dayna turned around slowly and came face to face with dazzling blue eyes.
"I'm Detective Kevin Ryan," He smiled extending his hand. "And you are?"
"Dayna. Dayna Tyler," She said returning his hand shake.
Ryan smiled and looked around the bull pen. "How about I show you around before we get started?" Dayna nodded before following him. Their first stop was a room with many doors.
"This is the break room. There is plenty of space if you want to eat in here. You'll notice many people, from all floors, come through here to use our espresso machine. You are welcome to use the machine, just make sure you clean up after yourself." Dayna nodded as she glanced around the room. "You can put something in the fridge if you would like. Just be remember that if your name isn't on it, it will be considered up for grabs."
Walking down the hallway, Ryan pointed to a room. "That's the conference room. We only have that one. If you need to consult with someone about a case and this room is being used, you can always use the break room. The other detectives will understand."
"Captain!" A voice called out as footsteps quickly approached. Dayna looked around Ryan to see a woman approaching Captain Montgomery's office. She appeared to be in her late thirties and very beautiful for a detective standards. Dayna wonders if this was her first profession choice. She watches as the detective discusses something with the captain. There is something familiar about her but Dayna can't put her finger on it.
"That's Detective Beckett. She's one of the Captain's favorites. I'll introduce you to her when she comes out," Ryan said after noticing Dayna observing his colleague. Hearing high heels click against the hard wood floor, both detectives looked towards the Captain's office to see Detective Beckett exiting the room.
"Beckett," Ryan called out. "I'd like you to meet Detective Dayna Tyler."
Beckett smiled approached them. Something told Dayna the other woman was very pleased with the results of her meeting with the Captain. "It's nice to meet you Dayna. If you need any help, let me know. Welcome to the family."
"Thank you ma'am." Dayna watched as Kate made a face.
"You don't have to ma'am me. I'm not that old yet." Dayna nodded and watch the other detective walk away.
"Let's continue our tour," Ryan gestured back to the bull pen.
"May I ask you something?" Dayna said pausing in the hallway.
Ryan turned to look at her and shrugged. "Shoot figuratively of course."
"Why is your name tag screwed to your desk?" Ryan smiled as he started walking again explaining how his first year was. How the other detective initiated him and that included hiding his name plate. Dayna held back her laughter but her smile gave her away.
"Don't laugh Detective," Ryan warned. "You'll be their new target."
Dayna shrugged as she walked to her new desk. "I'm sure what these detective do, won't be anything compared to what was done when I was a kid."
"Older brothers?" Ryan asked sitting down at his desk.
Dayna bit her lip as she opened her desk's bottom draw. "Something like that."