Chapter Four

Chapter Four

The Jump Street team which consisted of Tom Hanson, Doug Penhall, Captain Fuller, Harry Ioki, and Judy Hoffs was crowded around a table at Billy Ray's BBQ. Tom was glaring angrily into his ice tea, stirring the Sweet 'N Low as if trying to kill it. Judy took notice of his glowering behavior.

"Hanson? You okay?" She asked.

"Dandy as candy," Tom replied frigidly.

"Come on, dance with me," she urged, glancing over momentarily at the other couples dancing, "Please?"

"Ask Penhall."

"His feet are too big and you know it," Judy smiled, "Besides, I want to dance with you."

Fuller, Penhall, and Ioki's eyebrows shot up as Judy grabbed Hanson's hand. Unwillingly, he followed her out onto the dance floor and swung his arms around her petite frame.

"Now, are you going to tell me what's wrong or what?" Judy asked, smiling warmly at her coworker and best friend.

"No."

"Please?" She asked, her brown eyes growing wide – something she knew Hanson couldn't resist.

"Jude…"

"Please, Tom."

"Alright," Tom rolled his eyes, "I hate this case. I mean, the teacher is a real piece of work. He's like the worlds most perfect teacher! He seems to honestly care about his students and is always there for them if they need someone to turn to. He…he seems like the only one at the whole damn school who cares about their thoughts, opinions, and beliefs and challenges them! It's a shame to know that he only uses that gift to abuse girls! I hate it, Judy! The man seems like the only guy a lot of these kids have to talk to and we're about to take him away from them!"

"Hanson, we have reason to believe that he has slept with some of his female students," Judy looked at Tom, her eyes kind and knowing, "I know this is hard for you, but these kids will just have to find someone else to talk to. Someone who isn't a child molester."

"Don't word it that way!" Tom's voice was surprisingly defensive.

"Are you condoning what he's doing?" Judy asked, her eyes growing suspicious.

"No, of course not! What he does to those girls is sick and wrong but have you ever…have you ever met someone that you really connected with? Someone you could tell the world to and know that they'd never judge you or brush you aside as a mere nobody?"

"Yeah," Judy looked down at her feet before meeting Tom's eyes, "I do."

"And that person takes you into his home and makes love to you. It isn't right, you know it isn't right but you still admire this person. Now imagine that person being stripped away from you and you were never allowed to see or talk to him again. How'd that make you feel, Judy?"

"Hanson…don't…"

"You'd be upset!"

"Hanson, imagine if one of those girls was your sister – or me – and he slept with her. How'd you feel?"

"I'd be upset," Hanson said quietly.

"Exactly. Hanson, you've got a good heart and that's what makes you a great cop."

"Thanks, Judy," Hanson grinned as he tightened his hold on her, "You always know how to help."

"What are friends for?" She asked, returning the embrace, "Hey, Hanson, could you do me a favor?"

"Sure thing."

"I left my purse in your car. Could you get it for me please?"

"Yeah," Tom agreed before leading Judy back over to the table and excusing himself.

"Where's he going?" Doug asked.

"To get my purse," Judy grinned.

"But your purse is right here…"

"Exactly," her grin turned evil as she grabbed the salt shaker and began to dump as much salt as possible into Tom's iced tea.

"What are you doing?" Harry asked.

"Payback," Judy sneered.

The rest of the team covered their mouths with their hands to keep from laughing as Tom sat back down across from Judy.

"I couldn't find your purse…"

"Sorry about that," Judy smiled meekly, "Turns out Penhall and his big feet accidentally kicked it under the table."

"Oh," Tom shrugged, "I'm starved, where's our food?" He grabbed his glass of tea and brought it to his lips. Everyone's eyes were on Tom as he was about to take a sip.

"You know what, looks like you're out of tea, Jude," Tom eyes Judy's empty glass of what was iced tea, "Have mine."

"Oh no, that's really okay."

"I insist."

"I'm sure our waiter could bring some more…"

"Why bother him? I'm sure he's busy. Just have mine."

"Hanson…"

"What?" Tom asked innocently, "There isn't something wrong with it, is there Judy?"

"No," Judy lowered her eyes.

"Then take it."

Judy bit her lip as she took the glass from Hanson and set it off to the side.

"Have a sip, Judy," Tom commanded.

"Hanson…"

"Why not? We danced a lot and I bet you're parched."

"I'm fine, really," Judy's eyes were growing nervous and her voice was quickening.

"Drink the tea, Judy," Tom ordered.

"Hanson…"

"Drink the damn tea, Judy," Tom grinned evilly.

"Fine!" Judy snapped as she grabbed the glass of tea and brought it to her lips. Quickly, she took a small sip, "Yum!" She said, putting the glass down on the table.

"Now finish it off," Tom smirked, "The whole glass."

"Tom!" Judy's eyes were growing wider as she lifted the glass once more to her lips and quickly downed the salty concoction. After finishing it off, her lips puckered and she grabbed Penhall's beer and took a quick swig.

"Hey!" Doug glared at her.

"Serves you right," Tom grinned at her, "Next time think of better payback."

"I hate you," Judy glowered.

"You love me."

"I do not!" Judy's voice was defensive and she felt a blush coming one. Silently she prayed no one else noticed.

"Of course you do," Tom simpered, "Everyone does."

"I don't," Doug teased, earning him an ice cube down the shirt from Tom.

Judy sighed as she leaned back against her chair. She took another swig from Doug's bottle of Budweiser as she listened to Hanson and Penhall's laughter and death threats. Of course you do, everyone does, Hanson's words haunted her, mocked her. Everyone does, including me, Judy sighed, especially me.