STEF*

Working here at the San Diego Precinct has been not only an honor, but also a dream come true for me since the age of 12 when I decided this was the profession I'd pursue. Not only had my father, Frank Foster, worked here, but also my grandfather, Fredrick Foster. When I first received my badge, I felt as if I was walking on cloud nine, and I vowed that I'd uphold the law no matter the cost. I vowed I wouldn't stoop to the level of some officers who decided that following corruption and sliding by were their only means of survival in this city. I not only took my job seriously, but also, I strived to become better and better everyday.

So when Captain Roberts sent me an email that she wanted to meet with me in her office this morning, I was a tad nervous, yet I knew that I had nothing for which to be ashamed. I had nothing to hide, and whatever it was that she needed, I'd do the very best that I could to make it happen.

"Come on in, Stefanie," Captain Roberts is sitting behind her desk with her door partially open when I walk up to knock.

"You emailed me that you wanted to see me, ma'am?" I am already dressed for duty as I start work in half an hour.

"Please close my door and have a seat," she walks around her desk, and as soon as I close the door and have a seat, she continues as she relaxes some, folding her arms in front of her and partially leaning on her desk. "I wanted to see you because they have a new opening on the force for a detective to work in human trafficking, and you were the first person who came to my mind. Now, hear me out before you say anything." She holds up her hand.

My mouth gapes open, and she must notice the look of sheer shock on my face because she laughs lightly, "I thought of you because you are one of the good ones, and you remind me a great deal of your grandfather before he retired. He thought like you, paid attention to detail like you, and when I started on the force, he sort of mentored me before he left."

My face begins to flush as I hear her kind words. My heart also begins to pound with the anticipation, for I had always wanted to eventually become a detective. Ever since I was a little girl, I loved solving mysteries, and would form small search parties whenever someone's bike went missing or even if someone stole something as small as a cake from a lunchbox. My best friend, Jenna, had always teased me of being "Nancy Drew," and to be honest, I was quite proud.

"I think I remember him saying something about that, ma'am," I smile widely as she continues.

"Now, you would need to interview for the position, and also, you will need to formally apply for it. You can do that before you start your shift, ok? And I'll try to get everything moving along. Deal?" She stands from her leaning position, and I stand as well as her hand extends to shake mine. "You're a good cop, Foster, and anyone would be proud to have you on their team."

I shake her hand heartily as I grin, "Thank you, m'am! I'll get on that right away!" As I head to my desk, I feel as if I'm floating on cloud nine yet again, for another one of my childhood dreams seems to be coming true. Plus, I won't have to wear this hot, itchy poly-blend uniform anymore.

"You can't be serious! That's amazing!" Mike, my partner, says around his mouthful of burger.

"It's true. I hope you won't be too disappointed...you know...cause I'm leaving you, and you'll need a new partner," I sip my Coca Cola as I wink. Mike and I have been partners now for over ten years. We dated, or casually dated, in the beginning only because at the time, I was trying to deny who I really was inside. I only dated him because he was an okay kind of guy, and it made my father happy. But as weeks and months went by, I just knew I couldn't continue to lead him on like I was. It wasn't fair to him or myself. I knew I'd be hurting a really nice guy, but the night he walked me to my door and kissed me deeply, my heart wasn't in it for all I could think about was this girl I had met a few weeks ago. We had begun to talk, and I began to feel things inside of me that I should be feeling for Mike.

He took it rather hard at first, but in the end, he said he knew deep in his heart I wasn't into him, or guys for that matter. We remained friends all of these years, and being his partner, I truly did trust him with my life. It was also coincidental that we shared the same last name even though we weren't even remotely related.

"Nah, I'm good, Foster," he nudges me making me snort.

"Yeah, right! You know you'll miss me and all my cheery mornings before coffee," I roll my eyes as he now laughs.

"Be careful working over in human trafficking."

"Why's that?" I turn my body to look at him.

"You may fall in love with one of the women," he teases.

This makes me throw my head back as I laugh hysterically. He got me there. But it's not because I've fallen in love with any criminal in the past, but because it became more and more apparent to him and those around me that I was more into women. When I finally did come to terms with my sexuality, I never really dated anyone. In fact, it was easier for me to sleep around here and there, for one night stands seemed safer than baring my soul. When that first girl after Mike broke my heart, I dove in deeper into my job, and that became my life.

"You know THAT will never happen, Mike!" I slug him playfully.

"On a serious note, I do think you'll be great over there, Stef." He throws his trash into a bag and takes mine as well.

"Why's that?"

"Because you not only have a good eye, but you also pay attention to detail. It can be kind of scary yet rewarding working in that field."

"How do you know all of this, Mike?" I furrow my brow. As far as I knew, he always was just a cop and not a detective, yet he seemed to have an insight he never discussed with me in the past.

"You forgot my brother is a detective in Los Angeles?" He laughs as he quickly throws the trash away and walks back. I watch him thoughtfully.

"Is this something you want to do as well? Be a detective, I mean?"

"I don't know," he shrugs as he looks at his watch. "But we better get back to work. I'm telling you. You'll do well in that field, Stef. I just have a whole lot of faith in you."

I nod as I smile. I wasn't one bit scared but instead, my was excited. I know my grandfather would be proud.