Both officers looked up taking a minute before realizing who stood over them. "Sir," they greeted both standing together remembering protocol raising their hands to their foreheads quickly.
"As you were, sorry to interrupt your get together I just came to say hello. Officer Reagan can we have a word outside for a minute? Good to see you officer Janko," frank smiled at Eddie following his son back through the crowd of cops stepping outside into the cool air.
"Dad before you start we were just having a beer nothing else happened. She's my work partner," Jamie reminded more trying to convince himself then his father because deep inside he wanted everyone to know she was taken.
Frank burrowed his mustache at his boy listening carefully as Jamie quickly tried covering seeing right through the charade. He sighed when Jamie finished meeting his eyes, a warning that he knew better. "If it was nothing then why was that the first thing out of your mouth? You looked comfortable back there with her…she's very pretty and your with her a lot…"
"It isn't like that dad I just know that's what you were thinking seeing us. "
"It definitely didn't look like you were just partners sitting alone in the back together. I know your by the book Jamie so I don't have to remind you that is against the rules for partners to date. If you do like her and from I saw and hear your spending a lot of time together you have to make a decision." Jamie already knew that but it wouldn't be an easy one.
Shifting, Jamie turned back to make sure no one else was listening to their conversation. "Dad,I.." He sighed unsure how to explain to his father and boss how he felt.
"Jamie believe it or not we all know how you feel about her and I'm assuming she feels the same so I'm wondering what is taking so long for you to ask?" Jamie grinned realizing he should have known that his father knew. He knew everything that happened in his department.
"We're partners and if that changes.."
Giving him a smile Frank cleared his throat stepping closer to his son. "It's scary not knowing what might happen and not riding with her every day but is that more important then letting the person you should be with go because of fear?"
"And she's almost up to making Detective just between us so you won't be partners forever. if you wait to long she might not be there when your ready to ask. " Noding one last time Frank patted his son's shoulder walking past to the awaiting car.
Jamie remained on the sidewalk for a minute his mind going over what his father just said. He breathed out smiling going back to Eddie. Eddie looked up having two fresh beers waiting for him. "Everything okay?"
Instead of sitting across from her Jamie slid beside her still grinning. "Yea everything is good, thanks for the beer."
Eddie raised an eyebrow knowing he was holding back only raising her beer to finish it. The conversation turned quiet with both officers finishing their drinks. The bar began to thin out as it got late forcing Eddie and Jamie to call it a night. "Can I walk you home," Jamie asked softly outside the bar. Curious to know what he was up to Eddie nodded walking beside him.
Eddie gently rubbed her cheek up and down Jamie's arm, "Come on Jamie, talk to me...You just clammed up."
"I know it's just...We were starting out you know?" Jamie sighed. "We were talking things out and getting a feel for how this is going to go, now it's out in the open and my Dad is gonna make a thing."
"So what if he does? Maybe it's a sign we are supposed be together, Jamie. Now we have no choices, we're going to be separated now."
"I know..." Jamie sighed. "I know and that's what is so hard..."
Eddie turned to look at him while still walking eyes trying to find his only they were a million miles away. Jamie stopped suddenly to admit what was going on in his mind, distracted when Eddie not expecting him to stop bumped into him and tumbled forward. Reacting quickly Jamie caught her, holding Eddie tightly as he helped her back up their faces only inches apart.
They locked eyes both smiling, Jamie apologetic for stopping short like that. "You okay?"
"Yea thanks for catching me.."
Jamie kept his arms locked around Eddie's back slowly leaning forward kissing her. Surprised by his initiation Eddie placed her hands on his arms moving her lips against his ignoring her racing heart.
Resisting wanting to continue Jamie pulled back so he could explain. "I know I've been sending mixed signals Eddie and it's only because picturing you with someone else is worrying me. You're a great cop but not riding together every day, hearing your lame jokes.."
Eddie punched his arm teasingly making a face for his comment. "I couldn't get past that, but something my dad said got through to me. Eventually your going to make Detective so we won't be riding together anymore. I don't want to wait until your not around because I'm scared."
"Even if I did see someone else they wouldn't be you. I'm not going anywhere but I also don't know how long it'll be until I make Detective." Eddie blinked hoping in one way to get a promotion soon while her other side would miss riding with Jamie every day.
Jamie smiled recalling what his father said , "don't worry about that okay? What if we start riding with other partners once or twice a week to slowly ease into seeing each other as something more then work partners. "
"Okay. You can still walk me home though," Eddie fell back beside him letting their hands brush but not holding just yet. She hated not being on patrol with him as he hated being without her but this was the only way to find out if they'd met their soulmate.
