Chapter 13

Julio continued to talk about the evidence they have gathered so far as he sneak a peek at Det. Paige shaking his head at her. Paige knew that she was in trouble but had no way to stop whatever was coming her way. As Nolan finished the Commander turn to her finally acknowledging her.

"Det. Paige please let the team know where you're been. Since you disappear without letting anyone know where you were going".

"I am sorry Commander…Um…I try", close to tears as she struggled to get her explanation out.

"What was your assignment for this case?" as the Commander turn to her with her hands on her hips.

"To get the financial reports on both the victim and suspects. The bank was taking too long so I got a warrant and when to the bank taking a patrol officer with me", with her head down afraid to look at anyone.

"Before you get any further into you explanation do you remember one of the many things we spoke about on your first day", nodding her head she did not know if she should say anything or just listen. The entire room was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

"Everyone please continue working the case Det. Paige and I have a few things to talk about", pointing to her office for Paige to follow her.

"Oh! Not a good move by the rookie. I get she wants to do a good job but that was dangerous and reckless", Amy said to no one in particular.

"She had the right idea but went about it in the worst possible way", getting up to go to electronic Buzz looked to the Commanders' office. The blinds were close facing the murder room but not the ones facing Flynn's desk. "Well she is still alive so far", leaving the room to make his way to RACER.

"Det. Paige can you recall the few times we spoke of how the team is run, and I mentioned no one take on any project on their own without telling each other what is going on. We work as a team always", leaning back in her chair as she set her eyes on the new member of the team.

"Yes Ma'am. I am really sorry. I wanted to have something to show for when the others got back", a little teary eyes afraid what this would mean for her stay in Major Crimes.

"I can understand that but I put safety first when it comes to my team. We are a well-run oil machine and I will not have anyone coming in to upset that".

"I am sorry. I guess you want me to pack up and go back to CID".

"No, Det. Paige I want you to remember that you are now part of a team. You don't do anything yourself unless you are told to do so. You had no idea what you were walking into when you got a warrant and then proceed to go down to the bank on your own without any of the team knowing where you were".

Nodding her head she knew that it was reckless and anything could have happened to her and the patrol officer. So she not only but herself in danger put a fellow officer was well. It was so different from what she did and it just showed her how much everyone else is counting on her.

"There are rules that we must adhere to at all times. It is not only for the protection of the LAPA but for the protection of my team. If the bank managers did not like what you did they could make a formal complain to Chief Pope and this would be blow right out of the water", speaking in a tone that was harsh.

"From now on when you are giving an assignment I expect you to do it. Find Lt. Provenza, Lt. Toa or Lt. Flynn if I am not available. You don't do anything else until we have the proper evidence to move forward as a team".

"Ok", as she took another deep breath.

"If you have ideas it is always welcome because I always went my team be think for themselves. We brainstorm and throw ideas about cases all the time with each other".

"You will not get another chance if this ever happens again. I will gladly put the necessary paperwork in your jacket. You will also have to deal with both Chief Pope and Mason", getting up from her chair.

As Det. Paige move closer to the door, "Det. Paige I am please so far with your work but don't get too far ahead of yourself. You still have a lot to learn so rely on your team to help you become a better officer. They have so much more experience you can learn from".

"I will Commander and thank you for not sending me back. I really love working for you and with everyone else".

"Well make sure you do things my way and the right way. Ask some of the team what can happen when they do things their way without the proper rules in place. I am sure you can get a lot of stories from both Lt. Flynn and Provenza", raising her eyebrow at the rookie.

"Have we come to an understanding?" sitting back down at her desk.

"Oh! yes ma'am we have believe me".

She took a deep breath closing the door behind her. The entire team was looking at her to make sure she did not have any bullet holes in her body. With her head down she made her way to the break room to get some tea to calm her nerves.

"I wonder if the Commander is sending her back to DIC", voiced Julio looking around the room.

"Nay, I think she just got a talking to first mistake and all", Mike voiced with his head down going over fingers prints.

They stop talking as they heard footsteps making their way into the murder room. As she sat down as the team looked to see if she was ok. They were not sure if she wanted to talk about her first experience getting in trouble with the Commander.

"Hey! Are you ok? Flynn made his way to Paige desk after she looked like she wanted to cry.

"Um… I … yes". Standing up she faced the team, "I want to apologize to all of you. I was told over and over that this team operated like a well oil machine and always as a team. I went rouge wanting to show all of you that I am pulling my weight and not disappoint the Commander", wiping a tear that rolled down her cheek.

"Ye god! There is no crying in Major Crimes", rolling his eyes at her.

"Don't mind him we have all screwed up a lot and the Commander always has our back but sooner rather than later you need to learn that anything we do we do it as a team. If you have any questions you ask. There is always a way we go about getting things done", as Mike got back to his computer as it beeped.

"Well I got the message loud and clear now. I will not be doing anything on my own ever again. It could have turn into a legal nightmare if the bank thought I was too pushy".

"There is a system to what we do. It may not make sense at first but the more you work with it the easier it becomes. So just be patient", said Flynn as he made his way to get some tea for his wife to be.

The day finish with a few more clues to their case. Paige felt a lot better after the talking to the team. She now know that moving forward she will always ask for help and never do anything by herself without letting her senior offices or the Commander know what is going on.