Presley Talbert paced the exam room, ready to be released from the ER, Linda came in with her release papers. "I really think you should call Jamie."
"He'll just worry, it was nothing serious." She signed the papers, looking at her friend.
"A parent assaulted you in the parking lot. Don't you think he should worry?"
"It was more like I was shoved against my car, and I fell."
"You busted your head open, you had to get fifty stitches and you have a concision." Linda stared at her. "Danny is here to talk to you about the attack."
She let out a small laugh. "I guess it was just luck of the drawl that out of all the detectives that the NYPD has, I get a Reagan?" Linda smiled at her, putting her arm around her shoulder.
The door walked in, Danny and Maria walked into the exam room. "Did you really think I'd let anyone else handle this. And Jamie is on his way, I already called him."
Presley let out a sigh, she was going to have to explain the whole story to Danny and Jamie. "Might as well wait for your brother, so I don't have to repeat myself."
XXX
Six Months Earlier
"Don't forget class your essays are due on Monday at the beginning of class. We'll have an exam over chapters 5, 6, and 7. Have a good weekend." Presley was looking at her planner, getting ready for her last class of the day.
"Excuse me Ms. Talbert?"
"Yes, Peter." She smiled at the fifteen year old.
"I need some help." He was looking down at the floor. "I can't go home this weekend."
"Why?"
"It's not a safe place."
"Okay." She had to stop and think. "Why don't you meet me in the principal's office after your last class and we'll figure something out.
The young boy nodded his head, and left the classroom, heading towards his last class of the day. She watched as her juniors walked into the classroom, they found their seats, and settled down.
"You have this class time to work on your essays." She sat back down at her desk, not able to get Peter off her mind. She looked up when one of her students approached her desk.
"Ms. Talbert?"
"Yes, Nikki?"
"I'm applying for an internship at the DA's office. I was wondering if you could write me a letter of recommendation?"
"Of course I can." She smiled at Nikki, she was a good kid. "I'll have it ready for you on Monday."
"Thank you. I really appreciate it!" She watched her return to her seat, Presley went back to grading exams from her third hour class. The bell rang, she dismissed her class, reminding them that their essays were due on Tuesday. She walked down to the principals office to wait for Peter Anthony to come in, she had told Mr. Parker what had happened.
They waited for a hour an Peter was a no show, Presley left his office worrying about her student. She walked out to her jeep, unlocking it, she put her purse and bag in the front seat. She shut her door, when there was a knock on the passenger side door, she looked up to see Peter standing there, his eye was bruised and swollen.
She got out of her vehicle, rushing to his side. "Peter, what happened?"
"I went home to get my stuff. My dad caught me."
"Let's go inside, and call the police. They can help you!"
"No! Please!"
"Peter, it's the only way to get you out of there." She led him back into the school, Mr. Parker was getting ready to leave when he saw them coming into the school. The three of them, sat and waited for the police and social worker to get to the school.
The police officers were the first to arrive. "I'm Officer Reagan and this is my partner Officer Janko."
""I'm Presley Talbert." She shook the officers hands and gave them the information, it was a good two hours before she was able to leave the school.
XXX
Eddie and Jamie were back in their cruiser. "The English teacher is pretty." Eddie smiled at Jamie.
"Ms. Talbert?"
"No, Mr. Parker the principal! Yes Presley. She's just your type." Jamie gave her a look, rolling his eyes.
"I really didn't notice." It was a lie, but it was his to tell. He'd have to be dead not to notice her, shoulder length auburn hair, peridot colored eyes, her skin was flawless.
"Isn't this Nikki's school?"
"Yeah, so?"
"Maybe she could give you some information on the English teacher."
XXX
Presley leaned back on her couch, thinking about Officer Reagan, she knew he was Nikki's uncle. He seemed concerned with Peter, and eager to help, he'd given the young man his card as well. She closed her eyes, trying to push her worries from her mind. She keep going back to Jamie Reagan, his baby blue eyes, the way he filled out his uniform.
She groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose, she really shouldn't be thinking about him like this. She rolled off the couch, heading into the kitchen, looking for something to eat. She couldn't find anything that appealed to her, she decided to go out. She walked down the street to a bar, deciding that wings and beer would be good.
She turned from the bar, bumping into a body, she looked up into blue eyes. "Excuse me, I'm sorry." She closed her eyes for a brief minute, she'd just bumped into Jamie.
"Presley? It's Jamie, Jamie Reagan."
"Hi." She looked at him shyly not sure what to do or say next.
"What are you doing here?" His lips were next to her ear."
"I just live down the street, I decided to grab a bite."
"Can I join you?"
She smiled up at him. "I'd like that." He took her hand, pushing through the crowd, finding them an empty table. They drank a couple of beers, and ate some wings, not being able to talk much because it was so loud. Before she could pay for her tab, he paid for her. They made their way towards the door, his hand was at the small of her back.
"Where are you parked?"
"I walked, I just live around the corner." He kept his hand on her back.
"Can I walk you home?"
"You don't have to, I'll be fine."
"I want to walk you home." He smiled at her, his hand still on her back. When they got to her door, she turned to face him.
"Thank you for walking me home." There was a slight breeze, her hair was blowing around. She brushed it back from her face, he lowered his lips to hers. She returned his kiss, leaning into him.
He pulled back, looking at her. "I'd like to go out with you again. Can I call you?" She smiled at him.
"Give me your phone." She took his phone, putting her number in, handing it back to him. "Good night Officer Reagan." She went into her house, shutting and locking the door behind her, leaning against it, her phone ringing.
"Hello?"
"Just wanted to make sure this was you're real number and not a fake out."
She laughed. "You know where I live and work, why would I give you a fake number?"
"So are you busy tomorrow night?"
"What do you have in mind?"
"I'll pick you up at seven, dress casual." He ended the call, she smiled. Saving his number to her contacts.