That day had started like any other day. Emma had woke up at 5:30 that morning feeling a little groggy but ready to get to the gym. She started each day at the gym and never missed when she had a shift that day. She felt the extra weight training and cardio helped relieved the normal stressors of being part of the NYPD and used it as her only vice after she quit drinking. She crawled out of bed mumbling and walked to the kitchen and drank a glass of water and grabbed a banana. Throwing on her running gear, and grabbing her duffel bag and keys she headed out the door. It was early August and still very dark at that hour. Getting in her new, white Toyota Tacoma she cranked up the radio trying to wake herself up before she arrived at the gym.

Telling herself she "crushed it" while subtly fist pumping, Emma finished her workout and turned off the music on her iPhone as she went towards the locker room to shower and change into her uniform. The shower wasn't the best but she could feel her shoulders relaxing under the hot water. When was done she walked to her locker and began to get ready for her shift at 8. She always loved walking out in her uniform when she left. She could feel the eyes on her and knew those eyes were either filled with intimidation or lust. She thrived on it. She knew what she looked like. Emma knew that she wasn't ugly and she knew that the ladies loved looking at her. Her blonde hair in a tight pony tail and her crystal blue eyes brought out by the uniform. She put on her cliché aviators and headed toward the precinct.

Walking outside, the first she thing noticed were the clouds were dark and promised rain which meant she was in for a humid day. New York may be up north, but this weather definitely reminded her of her life in south. She was raised in Florida, went to basic training for the United States Army in South Carolina, and her last duty station was in San Antonio, Texas. And by the coolness and the stickiness of the air, she knew a storm was brewing.

She had been out of the military for about 5 years after serving 2 tours in Iraq as a combat medic. It wasn't a time she liked to talk about and quite frankly, she tried to forget about it. Trying to forget those times is what lead to the drinking. She had spent her first 6 months back from Baghdad in a bar every night. She tried to drown her nightmares and mask her scars. Her last deployment, Emma was a staff sergeant and had soldiers under her and in her care. She looked at them as they were her own family. Remembering the faces of the parents she had to tell that their children weren't coming home haunted her. She felt she had failed. Failed her unit. And even fail her country. On paper she was a hero. The medals she had earned provided evidence of her heroism. But nothing could take away feeling like a failure. That's why she moved to New York and joined the NYPD. She had anonymity and a chance to clear her conscience.

Some things about the military never left her. One was her manners. Always saying "yes maam" or "no sir" although she'd claim it was a southern thing. She never lost her accent and most New Yorkers assumed she was a dumb redneck or adorable. She didn't mind either way. The second was routine. She couldn't leave the house without making her bed. Each pocket had a purpose. Dinner was at the same time every night provided she didn't have to work late. She went to the same store every morning for the same two items. She always got two Monster Assault energy drinks and two fruit salads for breakfast and lunch. Emma debated whether she should get a third drink since she had stayed up late the night before watching the American's women's soccer team qualify for the next round and didn't get enough sleep. The one constant she always had in life was sports. She watched most sports and kept up as closely as possible. She always made any team she tried out for. Soccer and basketball in high school and the military or softball for the police league. Sports came easy to her and she was always grateful growing up in foster care that any new school she went to had had some sort of sporting event she could attend or join.

By the time Emma reached the station and gotten her assignment she could feel the energy kicking in. Her normal partner had called out today so Emma would by herself on patrol. She knew being by herself wasn't bad but would prove for a boring day. Emma put her stuff in her locker while grabbing her badge and gun. She debated on whether she should grab bad weather gear but decided against. She thought to herself, if it rains I'll just jump in the cruiser- what's the worst that could happen? Soon she would see that the day would not be that boring after all.

The morning had gone by without incident but rather slowly. Emma was walking around Central Park mostly just monitoring things and letting her presence be known. When all of a sudden she heard it. The most horrific scream coming from a secluded area in the park towards the back. She quickly ran over to investigate the source of the scream. All she could tell about the noise was that it was female and it was real. Upon approaching the scene she saw a woman on the ground knocked out. Her blouse was ripped and skirt hiked up. She had blood trickling from her lip and her temple. Just next to her was a man who had claw marks on his neck and buttoning his pants. Emma looked at him and he began to run.

"Stop! Police!" Emma yelled as she began to chase him. "Police! Stop!" she yelled again.

Realizing this man wasn't about to make it easy on her she began to radio for back up. "This is Officer Swan badge 1369 requesting back up. The location is the far northwest corner of Central Park with the suspect on the run. Description of suspect is male about 6 foot wearing khaki pants and red and grey flannel. Repeat, the location is the far northwest corner of Central Park with a perp on the run and the man about 6 foot wearing khaki pants and red and grey flannel. Also requesting a bus for a female victim with lacerations and possible concussion and sexual assault."

Emma let go of the radio and started running as hard as she could. Suddenly, the sky had opened and the rain began to poor. As a terrific bolt of lightning flashed, she was stunned when this man suddenly stopped, turned around and punched her in the face while a knife was in his grip. Emma had not expected this move and could feel her begin to swell immediately as she fell to the ground and was kicked, hard, in the ribs. Emma was sure she felt something crack.

"Fuuck!" She screamed out in pain. Now she was angry. And now the bastard was going to pay. She ran even harder to catch up with him and when he was within her reach she tackled him to the ground. She was going on pure adrenaline by now. The mud had them sliding across the grass.

"You bitch! You broke my fucking ankle! This is police brutality!" he yelled and screamed just repeating the same thing over and over again.

Emma just scoffed and began to read him his rights as she put the cuffs on. It was then that she heard the proverbial whoop, whoop to let her know that she had help. Great, she thought, now they get here.

She recognized the two men who came to assist her. They were her friends, August and Neal. Never had she been happier to see the two.

"Hey Swan! What happened to your face?" August asked and Neal started to apprehend the suspect and re-Mirandize him and take him to the squad car.

"Bastard sucker punched me" Emma said. Her drawl had come out more than normal so August knew she was quite upset. Looking at her, you could tell. Emma was soaked from the rain. Her eye was swollen shut and she had blood coming from somewhere on her face and she was favoring her ribs. "Has anybody assisted the victim?"

Assistant District Attorney Regina Mills stomped through the station clearly on a mission. Anybody who recognized the sound of the clicking heels quickly ducked for cover and made themselves scarce. Her associate, Alex Cabot, closely behind. Both women had a stern look on their faces and did not look happy at all.

The door to the interrogation flew open and as Emma turned her to look at the intruder she heard, "What the hell were you thinking? Do you have any idea what you have done? You could've ruined this whole investigation"

Emma was in the process of putting her shirt back on when the door open. She stood there in her wife beater after taking off her bullet proof vest so she could asses the injury she had to her ribs from the harsh kick she had received. Emma looked at Sergeant Olivia Benson who was taking her statement and was suddenly refueled with the anger she felt from earlier. Emma looked back at Benson with an unreadable and confused look.

"Who the fuck is this bitch?" Emma asked as calmly as could. She could feel her normally calm demeanor slipping away with each second that passed.

"I'm ADA Mills and I'm the one prosecuting this case which you could have tainted with your careless and reckless behavior, Officer Swan."

Quickly, Alex decided to step in and defuse the situation. "Officer Swan, the suspect you apprehended goes by the name Ryan Blackburn. He's a suspect in more than 21 rapes, 4 of which include minors. The detectives here at Special Victims have been collecting evidence and putting together a profile based on the pattern of his victims and the DNA left in his victims. We have been after Mr. Blackburn for the better part of a year."

"And now Blackburn is claiming police brutality because of your antics and could possibly walk! All this work and all these hours would be wasted due to your carelessness, Officer. Would you like to explain what happened to your face and perhaps why you're in here half-dressed when you should be typing up your DD5 so we could prep you for trial?" Regina practically yelled, slightly distracted by the sight in front of her.

"Fuck this. I'm not working with her," she looked at Benson, "you have my card and information Sergeant so you know where to find me." Emma started to leave while buttoning up her shirt, but stopped shortly of the door and turned to look at Regina, "Almost a year you say?"

"Yes!" Regina hissed.

"Wow, you must be great at your job. Oh, and you're welcome." Emma said smugly as she walked out the door.

Regina looked at the other two and just rolled her eyes. "That is the most insufferable officer I have ever met. Who is her commanding officer? I have a whole list of things I will be discussing with him about her. I really hope this perp doesn't walk because of her."

"ADA Mills you should know that there was no 'police brutality' as Blackburn said" Benson said using air quotes. "Officer Swan approached the suspect after hearing a scream and that is when the chase began. While it was pouring rain, the perp turn around with a knife closed in his fist and sucker punched Swan. That's what happened to her face. She didn't have a shirt on because she took off her bullet proof vest to show me where she had gotten kicked. The bruises indicated at least cracked ribs but Swan refused to go to the EMT because she stayed with the victim until they got to the hospital where I found her and brought her back to the house. Everything she did was by the book and won't impede on your case. Really, we should be thanking her and trying to work together. She's good police."

Regina scoffed and walked out the interrogation room just as angry as she had walked in leaving Alex and Benson alone together.

Alex walked over to Benson and gently squeezed her hand, "I'll see you tonight? I was planning on cooking steak and asparagus with some wine. It'd be a shame for you to miss such a fine meal…" she said seductively and left swaying her hips perfectly.

Benson licked her lips and watched her leave. She couldn't wait for dinner…

When Emma returned to station she was greeted with a round of applause. Her face instantly turned red and she tried to wave the other officers off to get them to stop. She sat at her desk and flipped her computer on to write her DD5. The faster she got it done, the faster she could get the attractive brunette off her back. She couldn't believe how disgustingly rude this ADA had been. She had dealt with her fair share of douche bags in the military who had power trips but never to this caliber. And never had they been this hot. She hated that she was attracted to the fiery ADA. She hated that she had the most beautiful coffee colored eyes she had ever seen. She hated that she thought her hair was perfect. She hated that she just wanted to shut her up by pushing her up against the closest wall and ….

"SWAN! MY OFFICE! NOW!" her commander yelled.

Fuuuuuuuuck she thought to herself. Could this day get any worse? She got up and coolly walked into her CO's office. Knocked and sat down as he told her to. "Sir?'

"First, I want to say congratulations on your first successful apprehension of such a heinous crime. Secondly, when we are done speaking you WILL be going to the hospital to get checked out. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. The only butt I want is yours seeing a doctor. You will bring me a note because I know you Swan and you will say you went but I'll catch you down at Firehouse eating a sub while watching the game. Not today. You will comply. Thirdly, upon your return you will finish typing your DD5 and make sure ADA Mills receives it. Also,…"

"Sir, I'll type it and I'll even go to the doc" she interrupted "but I ain't fixin to work with Mills. I'll give my report to Sergeant Benson, or even the blonde lawyer but I'm not fixin to have to see that woman ever again. Sir."

"I guess I missed the part where you had a choice…" he said looking up and acting like he was rewinding the conversation to see if a choice had indeed been given her. What a smartass she thought. "Ya, no, I didn't. Because you don't. Now, go the hospital. You'll more than likely be on desk duty if your ribs are that bad or until your eye heals. And start getting ready to work with ADA Mills. You two will be spending a lot of time together."

"Yes sir" was all she said as she walked out his door. How was she going to work this insanely hot devil woman? She didn't know if she had it in her. She grabbed her jacket and thought, I'm going to need another Monster…