Got it Bad

March 20, 1849

Gerald brought the drinks back to the table. "That call was a cluster. I got stuck digging through garbage in the gangway with HPD looking for shell casings."

"What happened, exactly?" Phoebe asked. Since the call was in the city of Hillwood and HPD had their own crime scene techs, she didn't respond to the scene.

Arnold sighed. "The target usually hangs out on the stoop in front of that house on the odd side of the street. Someone, or more likely several someones, came down the gangway between the houses from the alley in back. He stuck the gun around the corner and fired without looking. If he had looked he might have seen that his target wasn't even there. Instead he shot a mother who grabbed her three-year old to run back into the house after the first round was fired. The bullet went through her leg and hit the child, but they didn't realize that they kid was hit until a few minutes later because they thought the blood was mom's."

Phoebe covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh no! Is the kid okay?"

"He will be, I guess," Gerald said. "They found a second kid, a five-year old, that had been hit in the leg too. But that was a few hours later, when HPD executed a search warrant and went into the house."

"And nobody saw anything?" Phoebe asked.

"Officer Wilson was in front of the house when it happened," Arnold replied. "She saw the muzzle flashes and ran into the gangway, but she saw four people running away. And chasing four possibly armed suspects into a dark alley with no backup is a good way to end up shot. How long were you on scene?" Arnold asked Gerald.

"About two hours. You?"

"Helga and I were stuck there for five. HPD had to call in a bunch of off-duty guys to relieve us. State pulled most of their guys out once the crowds dispersed. Speaking of, where is Helga?"

"She's out with Samantha tonight," Phoebe answered.

Arnold felt a little twinge of, what was it? Jealousy? Am I jealous of a 12-year-old for spending time with Helga G. Pataki? Arnold shook his head. Helga's my friend. Besides, she said she doesn't date. Why did I just go there with this train of thought? What is going on right now? Uh oh, they're staring at me. Arnold realized Gerald and Phoebe were looking at him oddly. "Uh, what?"

"Phoebe wanted to know why you asked, but you just sat there staring into space." Gerald frowned. "Is this a Ruth- "

"Ah-aha, no. No, it's not," Arnold interrupted. He scratched the back of his neck and blushed.

Phoebe looked confused. "Who's Ruth?"

"She's this girl that Arnold had a crush on in the fourth grade. He's showing some symptoms."

Phoebe smiled broadly. "Well, I could always talk to Helga for you."

"Uh, no, no. That's quite alright. She's just a friend, is all. We're just… you know, friends. Good… good friends." It's really hot in here, he thought.

Gerald rolled his eyes. "Yeah, you said that already."

"Man, what the hell is going on with you?" Gerald asked after Phoebe left for the night.

"What do you mean?" Arnold was hoping he meant something else.

"Don't play dumb with me. Are you into Pataki or what?"

"No. I mean, I don't think so. I guess I don't know."

"Man, you're outta your mind. That chick is crazy."

Arnold sighed. "Yeah, she is. But not quite the way everyone thinks."

Gerald glared at him. "Well you need to convince me, because she's a royal pain in everyone's ass around the office and one of the rudest people most of us have ever met. Are you saying she doesn't treat you the same way she treats the rest of us? Because I've seen her be pretty harsh on you."

Arnold couldn't deny it was true. When they were alone in the car it was one thing. But whenever anyone else could see them, Helga was short with him, berated him, treated him generally like crap. Arnold had a really hard time reconciling the Helga he got to see in her softer moments to the aggressive, cold freak show that she showed to world.

"She's… complicated. She acts differently when no one is around. But when the people around the office can see her, she throws up this crazy, angry persona. I don't know why she does it."

"Listen man, there's no denying she's a good cop. She's got numbers that put most guys to shame. But I'll be damned if I'm gonna let my best friend get involved with a woman that does nothing but shit on him."

Arnold bristled at that one. He has no idea what she's like. And his girlfriend is Helga's best friend. He shot an angry look at Gerald. "In case you forgot, Phoebe is pretty close to Helga. She clearly sees something there too. I'm not sure how I feel about Helga, to be honest, but I do know you're not giving her the credit she deserves. And no one else in that department does either." Arnold stood up and grabbed his jacket.

"Where are you going?" Gerald asked.

"For a walk. I'm done with this conversation." Arnold stormed out of the bar and into the night.

"Man, that boy's got it bad," Gerald muttered to himself.

A/N: Guest: There were a string of shootings that took place, with multiple victims and ultimately one fatality. Eventually most of the suspects got picked up on warrants, but it took months. Helga is indeed bold, but standing on that corner by herself isn't boldness, it's duty. She was assigned to stand a post and she did it. Simple as that.

Nep2uune: If you had met me six years ago, you'd say the same about me. Actually, you'd probably still say it if you met me today. Most people don't believe it when I tell them what I do for a living. People can surprise you with their career choices. Rhonda fancies herself a leader, so she may have the personality traits needed to be successful. And don't forget, Rhonda did play tackle football with the boys in the show and if I recall she made a few touchdowns. And she wouldn't have much authority as Captain if she hadn't worked her way up through the ranks first.

Ajay: That was my second shots fired call. It was definitely one of the worst I've responded to so far, and I've been to six or seven (they're not actually that common here; all but one were related to the same gang dispute, which was a drug turf thing). Rhonda and Nadine won't have huge roles in this story, but I'm working on part two and they will have much bigger parts, particularly Rhonda.

Kryten: Honestly, Farscape frightens me for that reason so I avoid it. I've been under pressure from many people to watch it. I may get to it soon.

Nettie: Ask and he shall receive. The story is completely written. My posting schedule is entirely dependant upon my editor. She does it out of the kindness of her heart so I don't pester her TOO much. This one hasn't been reviewed. The next few will have to wait until she gets to them.