Thanks for all the reviews I hope to make this story quite Flashpoint-like.
SRU Headquarters
Toronto
1845 local
"Babycakes, come on, what's wrong?" Spike asked, or more like pleaded. He quickly pressed something at the side the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) robot but it failed to move. "Come Babycakes, you were perfectly fine earlier on today, what's happen?" Spike was speaking to his robot as if it was a real pet or even a human being.
"Spike..." Winnie started but he ignored her, lying on the ground next to Babycakes and pressed another set of buttons. Despite this, the robot still failed to move even one millimetre
"Spike..." Winne tried again and finally her boyfriend stood up. "What?" Spike finally responded, beads of sweat pouring down his forehead.
"Spike, I'm so sorry, I was trying to clean..."
"You were trying to do WHAT?"
"Honey, there was some dirt on Babycakes so I tried wiping it off. As I was wiping it.. her some nuts and bolts came loose but I placed them back."
"Oh my gosh oh my gosh," Spike spun around and crouched down to his pet robot. "OH MY GOSH!" He yelled then picking up Babycakes and ran off to a side room. "Spike!" Winnie called. "Honey..."
"Hey, Spike, we're about to..." Ed Lane started just before Spike closed the door. "What just happened?"
Her face showing signs of regret for what she did, Winnie recounted her actions and the conversation to Ed. "Hah, well typical Spike always showing his care for his girlf...I mean his dear robot," Ed remarked.
"Spikes had times like this," Jules added, arriving with Kira.
"He'll get over it. Join me for a drink ladies?"
"I've go to see how Sadie is doing first, maybe catch you two later," Jules replied. Within minutes, the rest of Team One disappeared, leaving Winnie all alone. Dropping her earphones, she headed over the side room where Spike ran to. "Spike?" she called, trying the door. It was locked. "Darling? Look I'm so sorry I touched Babycakes when I wasn't suppose to. Is she alright?" Winnie only heard the sound of drilling and clicking. "Spike, I'm really sorry dear, forgive me? Please?" Again her boyfriend failed to answer. "Spike..."
Forty five minutes later
Elephant & Castle Pub
"Hey, you made it Jules," Ed called, shifting his seat to give Jules a place. "Everything ok at home?"
"Yeah, Sam is whiz in feeding and putting Sadie to bed," she replied.
"Oh thank goodness you're here," Kira said, her hands and arms holding several drinks. "I've been buying drinks for the umpteemth time."
"Rookie's privilege right Team Leader Callaghan?" Ed commented.
"Rookie priviledge, but you shouldn't force it on Kira. I..." her sentence was cut off but a cell phone ring.
"Winnie, we're off duty..." Ed answered.
"Sarge, sorry to disturb you," Winne sounded a little frantic. "But Spike is still in the side room with Babycakes and hasn't answered me."
"Ok, I'll be back at the barn."
"You ladies have a good time," he said, throwing a couple of notes for his drinks.
SRU Headquarters
A few minutes later
"Spike, please talk to me," Winnie pleaded. "I'm really really sorry that I touched Babycakes. Hey, I made your favourite ham and cheese sandwich." Just then Ed re-entered the building.
"Sarge, thanks goodness," Winnie said, "he hasn't responded at all."
"Spike, what's with you?" Sarge called then knocked on the door. "Spike? Don't be a child , come on it's just a robot..."
The door burst open to show a red-faced Spike. "Yes, Sergeant Lane, Officer Scarlatti reporting. No Sergeant Lane, it's not just any robot!" Spike placed emphasis on the last two words. Barely glancing at Winnie, he yanked the sandwich of her plate and stormed off.
"Spike..." she called and proceeded after him.
"Winnie, relax, it's just one of his moments," Ed said. "Lock up, everything will be fine tomorrow."
SRU Headquarters
The next morning
0845 local
"Morning boss," Jules greeted Ed.
"Morning Sarge," Kira greeted him using his rank.
"Morning you two, Team Five has extended their duty for another thirty so you have extra time," Ed replied.
"Good, I need to sharpen my marksmanship," Jule said. "And Kira, why not join me?" The two female SRU officers head over to the gun range.
"Morning, Sarge," Winnie greeted him, her voice softer. She still had a disappointed look on her face.
"Our tech geek with combat skills in yet?" Ed used his favourite description of Office Scarlatti.
"Haven't seen him, boss," she replied.
"Ok. Winnie don't need to look glum. It's not like you really committed any offence."
"I might have broken my rel..." Just then Spike ran into the office panting.
"Morning," he called then raced away.
"I got him," Ed said then literally blocked the Constable in the hallway. "Hey," Ed began. "Hey!" He waved both his hands in front of Spike.
"Yeah...morning boss," Spike repeated.
"Are you a child or a grown man and a SRU officer? Knock it off will you? It's just Babycakes and Winnie wasn't trying to destroy it. Now, tell me, what's her status?"
Spike shuffled his feet, looked down for a while then said, "yeah boss sorry. No Babycakes is kaput—her motors are spoilt and some sensors are out of order. But I called a guy in who's coming over for some spare parts."
"Good, now go apologise to your girlfriend," Ed said. "That's an order, Constable." Soon enough, he watched the couple hug and make up. A few minutes later, a man in dark overall entered and he and Spike moved over to the broken robot.
"Oh", the guy said immediately, "this is a pretty old model."
"I didn't call you down to describe her age," Spike grumbled. "Do you have the parts?"
"Yeah I do, but not with this kinda of model. And given the motor chassis, well, I have to take it in for re-calibrating."
"Take it in?! You only have to change the screws!"
"Look, officer, I'm telling you flat, I can change it now, but it wont move as it is. Only a detailed repair will. Max two weeks."
"What am I to do without my Babycakes for two weeks!" Spike cried.
To Be Continued.
NB: Nothing wrong with Spike crying.