A/N: Not many chapters to go now! Thank you charley vandra, Shelle007, and Katrina Connors! I hope you enjoy this latest installment! I'm sorry it's been awhile-I'm in a transition between jobs and it's hard!

CHAPTER 34: A Fateful Day

I walked back to the cafeteria with only five minutes left to spare for dinner. I snuck over to the buffet line and picked up some food before being waved over to the table with Stiner, Mullers, and Manson.

"Where in the world have you been?" Manson asked, blinking up at me. "We thought maybe you sat at another table."

I didn't know how much to divulge at this point in time. Perhaps I'd play it by ear. I wanted Lieutenant Harris to set the precedent for how he/we would behave in front of the squadron.

"I had to talk to Lieutenant Harris," I replied, sitting down and immediately beginning to cut up what looked like mashed chicken. "I wanted to apologize to him for embarrassing him today."

"I thought that was pretty funny," Stiner commented. "Finally he gets to be embarrassed, instead of us. That really kicked ass."

My eyes went to the table as I flashed a closed-mouth smile, saying nothing in reply. I no longer wanted to pretend like Harris was the enemy.

While I was contemplating how the evening would unfold, Gertrude approached me at the table holding a note.

"Your parents sent over this message," she said, shaking the note in her hand but not offering it to me.

"What's it about?" I asked, staring up at her from my seat at the table.

"Seems to be important," she replied. Gertrude really sucked at divulging completely. She stuck out her hand, presenting me with the piece of paper. "Here. I hope you're not in too much trouble."

I took the note from her, looking up at her with confusion. Mullers, Stiner, and Manson could only stare at me. What was Gertrude talking about?

I didn't have to wait long to find out what my parents wanted. The note was to remind me of the court date for the conversion charge that Travis was suing me for. Shit—that was tomorrow! All this hubbub with Lieutenant Harris had made me forget about my own life and problems. Not only that, but I'd never gotten to follow up with Harris's lawyer 'friend' who'd turned off the lights in his office when Harris had knocked on the door on Thursday night.

"What's the note about, if you don't mind me askin'?" Mullers asked.

"It's a reminder of the date I'm being sued," I replied. Mullers eyes got wide as I kept explaining. I leaned back in my chair, sighing. "Yeah, I took my ex's car and he's trying to sue me. He's probably mad that I got to escape staying in jail and came here instead."

"Did you steal it?" Stiner said, her interest piqued. I remembered when Lieutenant Harris asked me this question when I was in the cell over at the police station. I'd told him something about getting permission, but obviously taking it for good like I did wasn't something my ex wanted me to do.

"I guess," I said, shrugging. "But he's an asshole, so there's that."

"Wow, April, you just blew my mind," she commented. "What made you want to be a cop?"

"It was this or sit in jail," I muttered, embarrassed.

"I had no idea that you…" Manson trailed off. Mullers saved me from more embarrassment.

"So, when's the date?" she asked.

"Tomorrow," I said with a frown. "And I haven't done one damn thing to prepare for this. I'll probably have to move out of my apartment for a couple of months to pay for the stupid lawsuit. I don't even have a job right now."

"What time is the hearing?" Manson asked. "Will you even be able to leave the academy to go to it?"

"The hearing is at 9 am," I said. "I hope I can go. I don't even have a lawyer representing me, so if I don't go, I'll definitely lose."

It figured, right when things began to look up for me, they came crashing down again.

"You gotta problem?" Harris asked me, stooping down as he looked at me with irritation and concern. I had been sitting glumly on a gym mat by myself, fidgeting while I watched pairs of cadets practicing hand-to-hand combat on the mats. "You're the only one without a partner."

"Yeah," I said, sighing. "Remember that lawsuit thing I was telling you about the other evening, the one you had a lawyer friend for?"

"Right," he said. "What's that got to do with this?"

"The hearing is tomorrow."

"What time?" he said. "You gotta fill out a release form so that your absence from the academy is excused."

I peered up at him, not yet used to the soft tone he was using with me.

"It's at 9 am. So I can go?"

"Course you can," he said matter-of-factly. "I'm sure you'd rather be here than listening to some guy spewing crap about you in front of a judge. I know I would."

"That's true," I said. "It just sucks—and I don't even have a lawyer to represent me so I don't have to go."

"Then it sounds like you don't got much of a choice, if you wanna win the case. We can talk about this later—just make sure to have documentation of your hearing so we can submit the proper paperwork, okay?"

"Okay," I replied, attempting to smile. It didn't work.

I was finally paired with Brookstone, whose mascara ended up rubbing off on my shoulder somehow. Of course her stupid waterproof makeup would stay there forever. It was awkward doing hand-to-hand combat with someone so ditsy. Neither one of us wanted to actually hit each other, so we pretended to punch and kick while we talked about totally off-topic stuff. I did notice that Mullers was holding her own against Beaner, who she'd been paired up with by Captain Callahan. Bordeaux at first lost to Captain Callahan and then was paired with some other male cadet who he quickly beat.

By the time the hand-to-hand combat practice was over, I was exhausted and anxious. I had to take care of this lawyer thing, or at least have some kind of defense for tomorrow. Otherwise, I might as well not even show up because I'd just lose anyway.

On the way back to the dorms, I walked slowly enough that everyone else passed me and I was the last student leaving the gym. I got back to my room and sat in bed, seriously annoyed. Gertrude hadn't returned from her squadron's activities yet, thankfully.

I let out a loud sigh as I picked up the note again. Why hadn't my parents hired me a lawyer or at least given me a recommendation or two? I was certainly old enough to do it myself, but my parents knew lawyers and they had the money to do it, whereas I did not. I had literally twelve hours to spare before the hearing, with no lawyer and no real defense. Would my goofy parents be there to watch me from the audience and give me a little wave when I walked in? I needed nicer clothes—how was I going to get to my apartment?

I'd probably have to quit the academy after this hearing, because how ever much I was being sued for I had to get out and earn. Lieutenant Harris would probably call the whole thing off after that, and I'd be left just as I was, except that much poorer.

Suddenly I heard some comments from out in the hallway as loud footsteps quickly approached.

"Lieutenant Harris—what are you doing in the girls' dorm?"

"I have a newspaper clipping from what you did the other night—wanna see it?"

"Do you need something, Sir?"

"How does your shoulder feel?"

Unintelligible grumbles replied to each of the comments being thrown out. Was Lieutenant Harris coming to talk to me? I couldn't help but smile.

"Oops!" I heard from inside the hallway, a high-pitched squeal of a woman's voice. "I dropped my towel!"

"Ho-ly shit!" Harris yelped, having apparently seen whatever the sleazebag had revealed. "Cover those up—you tryin' to give me a heart attack?!"

I shook my head at the desperation of whoever that was as I heard a knock at my door.

"Come in," I said, smiling once again.

Harris opened the door looking disturbed.

"Jesus—you sure got some… interesting people living here," he said, making a face at the hallway. He shut the door behind him and moved into the room, looking relieved.

"I've been thinking about your hearing tomorrow. Lemme ask you a couple of questions about this so-called car."

"Okay," I said. "Did you get a hold of that lawyer?"

"Just a second. All I wanna know is where the car is now. Did you return it to him?"

"No, it's at my apartment, I think. They arrested me while I was at home."

"Wait—you tellin' me they didn't tow it away?"

"Right. It's still sitting in my apartment's parking lot."

Harris gave me a big smile.

"That's it, Carnegie. That's the ticket."

"What's the ticket?"

"You return the car, and he'll drop the lawsuit."

I blinked several times with confusion.

"Really?" I asked. "That's it?"

"If you want, I can go with you to the courthouse tomorrow. I presume you don't have a ride there or back to the academy, am I right?"

"Right," I said. "I need better clothes too, but those are at my apartment."

"I'll take you there tomorrow morning at 7:30. Don't wanna be late for the hearing. You got keys to the car?"

"Yeah."

"Does it run?"

I nodded.

"Good—'cause you'll be driving that. I'll drive the squad car there. We'll rendezvous at the courthouse."

He seemed confident but I wasn't exactly sure.

"Is this actually going to work?"

"If it don't work, I'll speak on your behalf. Believe me, your ex won't know what hit him."

"Thank you so much," I blurted. "You don't know what that means to me."

He gave me a little nod of the head but said nothing.

After sleeping in the outfit I would be wearing tomorrow morning, I quickly shut off the alarm I'd set for 6:45 am so as not to awaken Gertrude. Harris was to meet me at his car at 7 and then we'd be heading back to my apartment so that I could change and get the car.

Gertrude had interrupted Harris and me as we talked in the dorm room the night before, but thankfully we had discussed the specifics of tomorrow morning. Once she'd arrived, towering over Harris, he had quickly left after muttering unintelligibly. Afterward, I was purposely as vague with Gertrude as she was with me in explaining why my male squadron leader was in my room.

When I arrived at his car the next morning, he was grimacing.

"Let's get a move on," he muttered, looking uncomfortable in his dress uniform. He wore a formal-looking police hat as well as a black tie and white dress shirt under his uniform, which had Lieutenant's stripes on the arms and shiny gold buttons down the front. Over his uniform, his sling was quite obvious. I wondered how he was able to dress himself with the use of only one arm. I figured he must have had to wake up far earlier than I had, to be so spotless and clean-shaven. My appearance, on the other hand, was scruffy, being as I'd slept in the outfit I was currently wearing. He didn't look impressed.

"Put your seatbelt on," he mumbled gruffly.

"Good morning to you too," I replied sarcastically.

"I had to get up at five thirty for this crap," he growled, shifting the vehicle into reverse by leaning awkwardly over it to reach it with his left hand. "And let's just say I'm not happy about it. Why did you have to go and steal a car, anyway?"

"You're the one who volunteered to do this," I said as he backed up the vehicle. "You could just as well drop me off at my apartment and go back to the academy, or just leave me stranded here to lose the case and quit the academy."

"Listen—I said I'd do this," he grumbled, shifting to go forward. "But I didn't say I'd be happy doing it."

"You know, this is the first time we're really going to be totally alone since we talked in the supply room, and you want to spend it being angry. I can think of better things to do, but okay."

His head turned sharply to face me and after a couple of seconds of staring at me, he exhaled loudly, letting his shoulders relax somewhat.

"For one, I could have done your tie for you," I added. "I don't know how you managed to get dressed with one arm."

"Talent and experience," he replied, turning to face forward again. "Or it might just be a clip-on." I could see a little smile on his face at the statement. Most likely as a way to avoid talking to me, he then flipped on the radio. Of course it wasn't music; it was some kind of news station.

"….under way in the case against a former Mayor involved in a string of burglaries committed in the Wilson Heights district…. A verdict is expected sometime today. Stay tuned for the latest updates."

Wow. We'd caught the tail end of a statement about the very trial where Lieutenant Harris had testified. It didn't take long for Harris to react to the information.

"Great," he scoffed. "If he gets off, I'm the next one under the magnifying glass; mark my words," Harris muttered, shaking his head. "If that happens, my goal of being commandant of the academy will be done. Hell, my entire career in law enforcement will be over."

"Your Honor, Miss Carnegie has the keys to the Corsica right here and she is willing to give the car back to the defendant."

As he stood behind the defendant table in his dress uniform and sling, Lieutenant Harris held up the key ring containing the Corsica's keys and shook them. I saw Tony shifting uncomfortably in his chair at the plaintiff's table and I couldn't help but grin a little.

"This, of course, should lead to a dismissal of the lawsuit, being as the property is back in the plaintiff's possession. No instance of conversion has thus occurred."

Tony sighed loudly, more out of frustration than relief. That made me nervous. Would this defense work? It didn't sound like Tony wanted the car. I didn't blame him, really. It was a piece of crap.

When I'd gotten to the courtroom, Harris hadn't even given me the chance to speak for myself, except to say to the judge that I was present. He'd just snatched the car keys off me, stood up, and boldly recommended the trade. Hell, even Tony hadn't gotten a chance to speak.

"Is the vehicle drivable?" the judge asked.

"Yes, it is, your Honor," Harris replied. "Miss Carnegie even filled it up with gasoline on the way over. It's parked just outside the courthouse."

After Tony went out to inspect the vehicle, he resentfully agreed to drop the lawsuit in exchange for his stupid Corsica. I was secretly thrilled but kept my face neutral for the time being. Finally, this was all behind me! The case was dismissed and I strode out of the courtroom, my head held high, as Lieutenant Harris walked beside me, his baton tucked under his left arm. Never again would I speak to that asshole Tony, let alone touch his crap. That part of my life was over.

"April?"

I turned my head to see Tony behind me, jogging to catch up with me. It figured; I would be forced to speak with him one more time, at least. Lieutenant Harris continued walking so as not to appear suspiciously close to me.

"I was just curious—why'd you bring that injured hero cop to this?" he asked me, looking awkward as hell. "He's the one who killed that burglar guy at the pawn shop the other day, right?"

"Yes, he is," I replied. "Why do you ask?"

"Because normal people get attorneys or you could have just come by yourself like I did," he said. "I wanted the money for that hunk of junk out there—not the car. You bringing that… famous cop made it weird to say no."

I didn't know what to say to that. Evidently having Lieutenant Harris there had been a smart idea. I suppressed a grin.

"Goodbye, Tony," I muttered.

"Wait—aren't you—"

"Goodbye," I interrupted. I sped up my pace and was soon far enough away from Tony that I wouldn't have to talk to him again. Thankfully, I didn't have to wait for anyone. My parents hadn't bothered to show up at the courthouse, which was a good thing. None of my siblings either. At least Thaddeus Harris had been there for me. He made me win this case.

As soon as I exited the courthouse, I heard a light honk and saw where Lieutenant Harris was waiting in the squad car. I picked up my pace and jogged toward it, hoping that we'd be long gone before Tony left the building.

"You were amazing," I said as I opened the door. "Thank you so much."

"Did you expect any less?" he said arrogantly. The satisfied grin he gave me following his statement made me forget about his inherent ego. He drove past the courthouse until we were on the main drag through town.

"Tony just admitted to me that your being there and sticking up for me was the reason he took the car back. He said he actually wanted the money for the car."

"Never underestimate a cop in full dress uniform," he remarked. "Especially one with a heroic injury. Anyway, it's now nine-thirty. According to my calculations, D-squad is most likely at the obstacle course right now. Breakfast is over."

"If you'd be willing to take a little more time before heading back, I'll buy us some breakfast," I said. "It's the least I can do."

He seemed to be game for that.

"And then?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"Are you saying you'd stay away from the academy even longer than that?" I squawked. I'd never expected him to be okay with playing hooky.

"It'd have to be a good reason," he admitted.

I gave him a playful smile as I reached over and touched his leg. He watched my hand as it rested on his thigh, his eyebrows quirking up when he heard me speak. That was a good sign and I grew bolder as I watched him stare at my hand.

"Would, uh, sex be a good reason?" I asked.

His eyes shot up to mine and he licked his teeth before grinning at me.

"You a mind reader?"