Chapter Four - The Consequences
"I can't believe you two. You're both on the squad, and you know that there is no dating between co-workers." Hank's lecture had only just started. They were back at the station now, and Hank had allowed Tyler to change into uniform before grilling him and Val about their relationship.
"There's nothing in the rulebook about dating co-workers, as long as it doesn't interfere with our work it should be fine."
"Tyler, just because it's not in the rulebook doesn't mean it's not a rule. You know that if you're gunna be in my squad then you have to abide by my unwritten rules as well as the written ones."
"I didn't know it was an 'unwritten rule' until today, I don't see what the big deal is anyway." Val felt awful. Here she was, standing there letting Tyler take the rap for her asking him out, while she was staying quiet.
"Who asked who?"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Tyler, tell me, who asked who. I have to know."
"I asked Tyler, ok Hank? It was all my fault. If you're gunna be mad at anyone be mad at me. I can't let you stand there and place the blame on Tyler because it wasn't his fault."
"Val, it's both your faults. You asked him, he said yes. That makes the blame fall on both of you. I can't tell you how disappointed I am with you both. If your relationship affects anything, and I do mean ANYTHING to do with this squad then you are both off - for good."
"Hank, you can't do that, only Alex can do that, and I'm sure he'll understand, as long as nothing interferes with our work then it should be fine." Val pleaded with Hank.
"Only Alex can do what." He walked in, followed by Jamie. Jamie grabbed Val's arm and steered her to one side, as the tirade between Tyler and Hank continued, only this time Alex was there too.
"Erm, Val can I borrow you for a sec?"
"Not now Jamie, I've got things to sort out." She made to go back to the argument, but Jamie kept hold of her arm.
"It won't take a minute. They seem to be doing a pretty good job without you anyway. All I need you to do is give me Caitie's number."
"Oh, it's oh-nine-two-six-one-five-seven-eight-one-nine-three."
"Thanks, I'll let you get back to the argument now." Jamie hurried off into the squad room, muttering something about an important phone call. Val hurried back to the trio just in time to hear Alex's verdict.
"As long as they don't let their relationship interfere with their work I don't see the problem Hank. I'm not going to kick them off the squad because of it."
"But Alex, they're dating, and working together, and especially in a job like this, isn't that a hazard?"
"Not really, unless they have to treat each other, but that shouldn't happen, there's another two people on the squad to deal with that. It's a bit like when they have to treat family members. They don't and let the rest of the squad deal with it."
"Thanks for understanding Alex. I promise that Val and my relationship won't interfere with our work."
"As long as I have your word."
"You do, believe me, you do. Both of our words, in fact." Val's hastily added comment seemed to satisfy Alex, and he nodded his head and went back into the station.
"Val, where were you? I nearly lost the argument and Hank nearly had us thrown off the squad."
"Sorry, Jamie dragged me to one side and wouldn't let me go until I gave him Caitie's phone number."
"Wait a minute, why would Jamie want Caitie's phone number? Are you telling me he's skiving off the squad to ring her?"
"How am I supposed to know Hank? I'm not his keeper. Go find him yourself if it bothers you that much."
"I might just have to do that. But I'll do it later. Right now you two have to clean the ambulance. Get to it. Now." They walked off towards the shed where the cleaning tools were kept.
"Man, I didn't know Hank would take it that bad. I'm sorry Val."
"Yeah, talk about slave driver. Still maybe we could get him to laugh and he'd feel better."
"I dunno, he's pretty steamed." They heard Hank's vague shout.
"Hey, you two, stop talking and get those cleaning things. C'mon, hurry up, we don't have all day."
***
"Jamie glanced around the squad room to make sure there was no one else there. Then he punched the numbers in on the phone, saying them out loud to himself as he did it.
"Oh...nine...two...six...one...five...seven...eight...one...nine...three. Hello, is Caitie there please?" He waited as he could here the voice shouting.
"Caaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiitiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, there's someone on the phone for you."
"Coming mom." She picked up the receiver "Hello?"
"Caitie?"
"Jamie?" she sounded shocked, out of breath, yet happy. "What are you doing...how did you get my number?"
"I'll explain it all later, but right now I've gotta be quick. Will you agree to meet me?" She hesitated. For a moment he thought she was going to say no.
"Sure. Where abouts? And what time?"
"Erm, say about nine o'clock, thats an hour after I finish my shift, so I should be available then, and say Eddie's pizza house, is that ok for you?"
"But Eddie's shut down years ago - there'll be no-one there."
"I know, thats the idea."
"Ok, sure, Eddie's at nine it is."
"Great." just then Jamie heard Hank calling him, and he sounded pretty annoyed. "I've gotta go, see you then."
"Ok sure, see ya." But it was too late. Jamie had already put the receiver down and had ran to the toilets, and was just emerging from the toilets, pretending to do his flies up as Hank came round the corner.
"Jamie, have you been making personal calls using the squad room's phone?"
"No, I have no-one to call."
"Not even Caitie?"
"No, if I had any reason to call her then I would do it at home."
"Well, I just heard Val telling Tyler that you asked her for Caitie's number."
"Yeah, my friend wanted it, thats all." Meanwhile Caitie was still standing by the phone, holding the receiver in one hand, and covering her smile with the other.
"Caitie, is there something wrong? You've been standing there for ages."
"Oh, no, nothings wrong, Kenny just told me some gross news about his dad's pancreas. About how it's full of bile and blood or something like that. I wasn't really listening. I switched off so I wouldn't be totally freaked out by it."
"Are you ok dear?"
"Yeah, I'll think of something to get him back later. By the way, I'm going out at about eight-thirty, I dunno what time I'll be back." She put the receiver back on the cradle and went up to her room. It was time for some major outfit and make-up changes.
