CHAPTER TWO: Haymitch

I grumble getting out of bed when my alarm starts to go off at seven. Working the late shift last night and then an early shift today, after getting home past two in the morning, is really an awful set-up. I go through with my normal morning routine of a shower and downing cup after cup of coffee then jump in my cruiser to head off, back to the station. When I arrive, I'm greeted by my partner, Brutus, offering me a steaming, hot cup of coffee, knowing how rough this morning will be for us.

"You get that lil' lady back home safely last night? She seemed like a feisty one." He asks with a smile playing on his face as we head for our meeting to get briefed for the day.

"Oh, you have no idea. She reminds me of myself when I was younger and I'm not sure that's a good thing," I reply while laughing and we both shake our heads at that thought. "She's new in town and actually lives in my apartment complex. I have a feeling we're gonna have to keep an eye on her. She lives by herself, and, with that northern accent of hers, I doubt she really knows anyone around here. If I had a daughter, I wouldn't want her on her own like that." I half inform him and half speak those thoughts to myself.

"What? Are you gonna play daddy, now? Haymitch, I've known you for a long time but never saw you so protective before." Oh, wonderful, he's got jokes and its not even ten in the morning yet.

"Like you have room to talk. You play gran-daddy to Ryan," I grumble back.

"We all play our parts in those kids' lives. This station is like its own family unit in and of itself. We barely know this girl, is all I'm getting at, but good for you, look after her," he whispers back as we take our seats in the meeting.

"Good morning everyone!" Our chief greets us from the front podium.

"Mornin' Chief Crane," everyone replies in unison. You can tell some of the squad that worked last night is still trying to wipe the sleep from their eyes. We all can't wait until the heavy vacation weeks are over and we're back to our full occupancy of officers.

"This morning's briefing will not take much of your time. There are no ongoing investigations, as our big case was solved a couple days ago and there are no heads-up to give right now. Just be on the lookout and keep your eyes open. Officer Abernathy and Officer Kelly, it is my understanding that you both still need to finish your paperwork from last night, correct?"

"Yes, Sir," we both respond

"Alright, let's get to work everyone, keep this community safe!" With that everyone's dismissed and head their own ways.

After the meeting, Brutus and I head back to our desks to finish our paperwork but we soon get interrupted by one of the rookies coming over.

"Haymitch, who was the girl here last night?" He asks, trying to wear the most innocent face that I just want to smack off of him.

"Bryan, don't go there," Brutus threatens knowing that I'm now protective of the little fireball.

"What? I'm just asking, as it's my duty to the community to know of risky people and those that get in fights are known to have on-going problems with such matter," he haughtily replies.

At this, I stand up ready to knock him out. I can't stand arrogance and he just radiates it. "Officer Embers, do not make me explain this again. She was a victim, not an instigator, and she is not an 'on-going problem,' you got that? She's just a young girl who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and if you come across her and harass her, I guarantee she will get the upper hand on you and I hope I'm there to watch." With that I turn to Brutus and say, "get him out of my face before I knock him out."

Brutus stands there with a grin while Bryan pales before their eyes. "Bryan, go do something useful, plus, I warned you not to tread those waters, you never listen. That's something you might want to learn as a rookie, so I suggest you to get your head outta your ass and go do somethin' productive that wont get you punched in the face… for once." I smirk at my partner's loyalty to my crazy antics and sit back down to continue with the paper work. I decide that it's still too early to make my follow up call to Katniss, as to make sure she's still okay and to double check that she does not want to press charges before we release the drunk back to the streets, so I continue with random desk work until Brutus is ready to hit the streets for a while.

Returning to the station after a slow day, I realize I should make that call into Sweetheart before my shift ends. Being a cop, though, a slow day is a good thing. Brutus and I just had a few traffic stops and parking tickets.

"Uncle Haymitch!" I hear my name called as I walk into the building and turn around looking for the source of the voice.

"Hey there, lil man!" I exclaim while picking the small boy up and spinning him around. We're really not blood related but, like Brutus says, we're all a big family, regardless. After such a long day, this kid's face is just what we needed to cheer us up.

"Where's Uncle Brutus?" he asks as I put him back down.

"Ask, and you shall receive," calls Brutus from behind us. "Where's your brother, Ryan?" he asks the boy after greeting him with a hug.

"He's at his desk. We just got here and Miss Clove is picking me up soon," the little boy chirps.

"Hey, Mitch, I was just going to look for you. The list shows you never made a follow up call to your vic from last night, did you want me to do it for you as your shift is nearin' an end or are you going to do it?" Speak of the devil.

"Well hello to you too, Cato. All work is no fun, my boy… but I'll call Sweetheart."

"You know I have to. No time for fun." Cato grumbles, mostly to himself. I know I shouldn't have joked; working so much is a touchy subject for him. He much rather spend the time with his brother, but they also need the money. He's a good kid.

"I know, I know. I'm sorry I went there. Let me go make this call and we'll walk Ryan out to meet up with Clove for you."

"Thanks, Mitch." He pauses then quirks his brow in my direction. "Wait a second, did you just call your vic, Sweetheart?"

Brutus laughs at this and explains, "Yes, in fact, he did. Seems Mitchy here, got attached to the girl and wants to play dad. Says she reminds him of himself."

"Sorry I asked," Cato laughs at my partner's explanation and continues, "I gotta get going and meet up with Luke for our briefing. Ry," he says turning to his little brother, "you be good for Clove and get your school work done. I'll pick you up at the end of my shift, alright? Love you bud!" Cato picks up his brother in a hug and kisses the top of his head before walking off.

"Come on, kid," Brutus says. "Let's go get us a snack while Haymitch makes his call"

"Hello?" A soft, tired voice responds picking up the phone.

"Sweetheart, its Haymitch." I can hear a rustling and a grunt through the line and I figure she must be in the process of unpacking.

"Hello, Haymitch. To what do I owe the pleasure?" She answers as her snarky self.

I smirk to myself and think she really could be my daughter if I had ever settled down and decided to procreate. "Just making my follow up call to make sure you're alright. Also, I believe they'll be releasing your wonderful drunk tonight or tomorrow morning and wanted to double check that you don't want to press any charges before that happens."

I listen as she sighs into the receiver. "I'm fine, Haymitch, really. No, I don't want to press charges, just let the poor man go but I promise I won't play so nice if I meet him again." I smile and take her words as a definite threat that I'm okay with.

"Alright. Suit yourself. I'm about to get out of here and I'm sure to see you around. Good luck getting yourself situated and if you need help, you know where to find me."

"Thanks again, Haymitch. Have a good night." She hangs up and I start to wonder what her story is, but she doesn't seem like the type open for sharing. I get up and meet up with Brutus and Ryan and we all go to walk out of the building together but are stopped by Chief's wife running after us.

"Mrs. Crane, you ok?" Both my partner and I look at each other wondering what has her flustered.

"Oh, yes gentlemen, I'm just fine. I just wanted to catch you both before you headed out to give you this flyer. Hubby and I are having a BBQ this weekend and wanted to make sure you knew about it." She hands each of us a flyer then turns and bends down to kiss Ryan hello and assures him that Cato got the memo, as well, and that she better see the both of them there, too.

"Thanks Mrs. Crane, we'll be sure to be there."

"Great!" she exclaims. "Oh, by the way, you're more than welcome to bring a friend! I better get going to get the rest of these handed out. Good night guys!" She runs off and I think we're all thinking the same thing… 'How on earth does Chief keep up with that woman?'