Chapter 2: I Can't
Jess entered her apartment after a long day at work. "Hey, girls," she said to Emma and Alli who were at the kitchen island; Emma with her math book open and Alli with her chemistry book. Alli was Jess's friend and neighbor. She often watched Emma at night when Jess's regular babysitter, her brother, or dad couldn't take her and Jess had to work late.
"Hey, Mom," Emma said. "Catch any bad guys today?"
"I always do," Jess replied giving Emma a kiss on the head.
"Hey Jess," Alli said.
"Have you girls eaten?" Jess asked walking to the fridge.
"Yeah, pizza, we put some up for you," Alli replied.
"And a tub of chocolate chip cookie dough," Emma grinned.
"That sounds like a healthy meal," Jess remarked sarcastically. "I get paid tomorrow; I'll pay you for the pizza and baby-sitting then."
"I've told you a million times I don't want anything. I love hanging out with Emma and I get so much studying done with her," Alli replied. She was in her third year of her biochemistry degree at NYU with the intentions of going to medical school. "So... Emma mentioned something about a guy… bringing coffee."
Emma giggled: Jess turned around, "How's the homework going?" she asked
"See she keeps changing the subject," Emma stated.
"Hey, I'm the cop here: I won't be interrogated by my nine year old," Jess said, "and, for the last time, Don is just a co-worker."
Both Emma and Alli laughed. "Alright, we'll drop it, won't we Emma?" Alli said.
"Sure we will," Emma grinned.
Jess rolled her eyes; she didn't get the new obsession with her love life or thereof.
"Alright, I'm going to go finish my all night study session at my place," Alli said.
"Good luck on your midterm," Emma said closing her math book. "I'm going to bed."
"I'll be in to tuck you in," Jess said popping the pizza in the microwave.
"I'll have The Sorceress out and waiting," Emma said jumping down from the stool and heading to her bedroom. When she had the door closed Jess turned to where Alli was gathering her books, "So what has Miss Emma Joy been saying to you?" Jess asked.
Alli smiled, "Nothing much Jess. She thinks you need a boyfriend. Emma is worried that you are putting your life on hold for her."
"That is so not what a nine year old should be worrying about and I'm not putting my life on hold," Jess said.
Alli shrugged, "Jess, you are a little. Think about it, when was the last time you were out on a date?"
"Umm" Jess sighed.
"It's been so long you can't even remember," Alli stated. "If you don't want to date that's your choice but maybe you should talk to Emma about this."
Jess nodded and leaned back against the counter, "Thanks again Alli."
"No problem," Alli said walking through the door.
Jess locked the door behind her before heading into Emma's room; she was already cuddled down under the blankets with her lamp on. "You better not have started reading without me," Jess said scooting in next to her.
Emma laughed, "You had three more minutes before I went on ahead." Both knew Emma would wait for Jess; they had started reading The Secrets of the Immoral Nicholas Flamel series together. Now, they were on the third book and Emma always waited for her mom to read with her.
Jess smiled taking the book in her hand, "Emma, before I start reading. Tell me why you are so preoccupied with me having a boyfriend?"
"I don't know," she answered. "I guess I don't want you to be lonely. Madison's mom is always dating and I don't want you to stop your life for me."
"I'm not Madison's mom," Jess told her. "Do you know what I was looking forward to the most when my shift ended?"
Emma shook her head.
"This," Jess said. "Crawling in bed with you and reading. You are all I need."
Emma smiled, "Okay, read chapter eight now please. I'm dying to know what happens next."
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"Hey, Angell," Danny greeted. "What do we have?" he asked approaching the crime scene.
"John Doe," Jess replied.
"Robbery?" Danny asked bending down and opening his kit getting ready to examine the body.
Jess shrugged, "Maybe, I found his wallet empty, no money, no credit cards and no ID. However, if it was a robbery, the thief didn't take his watch or that bling around his neck."
"Maybe he was a stupid thief," Danny smirked.
"I'm thinking it's more likely drugs," Jess said "considering where we're standing."
"Yeah," Danny replied, "but we'll have to wait for the tox results."
"I'll start the canvas," Jess said closing her notebook. "I'll let you know if I get anything."
"Same," Danny said. "Watch out; like you said: this is a bad neighborhood."
Jess gave Danny a smile and a wave before heading out from the crime scene.
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Jess ran their vic's fingerprints through the database hoping for a hit. "What's up, Detective?" Flack said walking by her desk.
"Trying to identify my vic," Jess replied showing him the photo.
"I know this guy," Flack said examining the picture.
"You do?" Jess asked, "How?"
"He came up as a person of interest in one of my cases last year. Something Morris," Flack replied.
"You wouldn't happen to remember which one?" Jess asked.
Flack shook his head, "But I have my notes, I'll help you look through them."
"Wait… if you arrested him, his prints will be in the system," Jess said.
"If I remember correctly, he wasn't arrested," Flack explained. "Just questioned as a person of interest."
"So his prints weren't taken," Jess sighed again. "Okay, help me look through your notes. I'll need you to decipher your writing."
"Funny," Flack stated.
Jess and Don sat in the conference room flipping through Flack's old case notes looking for the case her vic was involved in.
"So how're things going?" Don asked tossing a file to the side.
"Good," Jess replied.
"Emma?" he asked.
"Good," she said.
"I'm going to take my YMCA kids up to watch the amateur basketball game in the park this weekend; Emma and you should come," Don invited.
"Flack, I can't," Jess said.
"Just as friends," Flack pressed on. "I bet Emma would have fun."
Jess flipped open another file, "I got it, his name was Devon Morris. Thanks for your help; I'll think about it."
Don nodded; he was content with that answer. He smiled as Angell got up to leave.
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Jess stood outside the door; she hesitated: she didn't know if she should knock or walk away. She finally raised her hand and knocked on the door.
"Oh Jesus," Don said when he opened his door to see Jess standing there. "What happened?" She looked liked she had just been through a war, her eye was swollen and there was a freshly bruise on her cheek.
"I got my ass kicked," Jess said annoyed.
Flack moved aside to let Jess walk into his place; she entered carefully holding her ribs.
"Go into the living room and make yourself comfortable; I'll get some ice for that eye," Don said.
Jess nodded and made her way into the living room and carefully lowered herself onto the couch; her face wrenched as her bruised ribs sent pain through her body. Don returned seconds later with an ice pack. He sat next to her, "So what happened?"
"Danny and I went to arrest Greg Olsen from the Snakes gang," Jess started to explain.
"I know the them," Don said.
"Olsen killed Devon over sixty bucks owed for drugs. Anyhow, when we went to arrest him, he made a run for it so we couldn't wait for back up. I got to him first and this was the result," Jess said jerking a little as Don tenderly placed the ice to her eye. "I'm sorry to just show up like this…I just didn't want Emma to see me like this; I don't want her to worry about me."
"I don't mind," Don grinned. "But you won't be able to keep this from Emma; these bruises will stay around for at least a week"
"I know," Jess said, "but maybe it won't look so bad tomorrow."
Don took the ice away from her face; he gently brushed a few strands of hair from her face and lightly rubbed his thumb along her bruises. He moved his head towards her: their lips were almost touching. Jess moved back, "I can't," she said jumping up regarding it the moment she did, "Coming here was a mistake, I'm sorry."
