Kat's Last Day

26 Weeks To Go

"You know that your Mom is going to kill me. She is going to freak out. My God Katniss. Are you sure you want to join the force?"

"Yes Dad."

"You got accepted to law school. Are you sure you wouldn't rather go there."

"No Dad. This is what I want to do."

"Okay, you have my blessing."

"Thank you Dad."

"Listen Everdeen. You stand on this corner. You don't leave this corner. You write a ticket to anybody who makes an illegal left turn. Got that?"

"Yes Sargent."

"Remember, don't leave this corner until we pick you up."

"Yes Sargent." Oh shit. Only nineteen and a half more years of this.

"Congratulations Mellark. You've earned this Gold Shield."

"Thank you Chief. I'll do my best."

"Detective Mellark. Welcome aboard."

"Thank you Captain. I'm glad to be here."

"I'll introduce you to your new partner, Charlie Mancuso. He's an old timer and you'll learn a lot from him."

"Thanks Captain. I'm looking forward to working in homicide."

"Katniss. I'll see you at Charlie's retirement party."

"Yeah, I'll be there."

"Listen, I'll decide in a couple of days who your new partner will be."

"Can I make a suggestion?"

"Sure. Who do you want?"

"Gale Hawthorne. He's in Bronx Narcotics."

"He's good?"

"Yeah. We'll always have each others back."

"I'll look into him."

"I know Kat. I know. The Yankees played like shit last night."

"Here we are. Apartment Three-A."

"Mr. Wilson. NYPD. We need to talk to you."

BANG!

"KAT ARE YOU ALRIGHT?"

"I don't know!"

"10-13! 10-13! Officer down. Shots fired. 137 West 17th street third floor. We need a bus!"

"Gale I think I'm okay. The vest caught it."

"Oh shit. Thank God."

"Gale! Go after them. I'm okay. I'll stay here."

"Kat. Thank God you're okay."

"Thanks partner."

"Peeta's going to kill me."

"Gale, why?"

"I promised Peeta I would keep you safe."

"That's funny. I promised Madge the same thing."

Gale and I are going over our last case together. Since Logan rolled, Gale and the team have been working with the squad, Major Case and OCB firming up the case against the Bazarov family. Bank fraud and the Bradley murder are just the tip of the iceberg. "I'm going to miss you Kat."

"Gale. We see each other all the time off the job. I'll even see you over Christmas."

"I know. But it's not the same as working together. You and I are together for forty plus hours a week. You're the person I depend on most in this world. Madge never worries when we're together."

"Come here." I embrace Gale. Sore boobs and all.

"Darrin, take care of Gale." He just nods. I shake his hand. Gale was right, he doesn't talk at all.

My next stop is the Captain's office.

"Hey, a little going away gift." I dump ten one-pound bags of M&Ms on her desk.

"I'm supposed to be giving you something. Not the other way around. Ten bags!"

"They were on sale in CVS. Close out Christmas red and green." We laugh and open a bag.

"Emma, how long were you on leave?"

"Three months."

"That's it."

"Things were different then. If I were out too long I'd be walking a beat in Tottenville." Tottenville! You can't get any further away from Manhattan than Tottenville and still be in New York City.

"I'm worried."

"Don't be. Your job will be here when you get back. And you'll probably be a Sargent."

"No. That's not what scares me. What happens if I don't want to come back? What happens if I like being a stay at home mom and I resign?"

"So you become a stay at home mom. Big deal. Your income isn't really needed. You can live on what Peeta makes."

"I know. But I got thirteen years in. I'm only seven from my pension. I'd really like to complete my twenty. And I love being a cop. My dad was a cop and his dad. It's a family business"

"Listen Kat. You'll have plenty of time to think about it. Up to a year. Think hard and long. You might surprise yourself with the answer. What does Peeta think?"

"I'm not sure. We've never spoken about it. I can tell by the law school catalogs that he leaves around the house that he wouldn't be too sad if I resigned."

"My husband was the same way for awhile. Then he got used to my work." I half smile.

"Listen Kat. I want you back but do what's best for you, Peeta and the little one. Come here." We get up and embrace.

"Emma. I can't think of a better boss...or friend."

"I think they have something for you in the conference room." We get up and walk to the conference room. All the detectives are there and a boat load of uniforms from downstairs. It looks like they called for a pot luck because there is a little bit of everything there.

"Congratulations!" Everyone cheers as I walk in the room.

"Thanks guys!" It brings a little tear in my eye. I grab a cupcake. Oh man I am so hungry.

"Here, this is for the little one." Connie hands me a gift bag.

"Oh guys, you shouldn't have. Thanks." I open the bag and it is an assortment of onesies.

"This one says 'My Mom is a Cop' and this one says 'Future New York's Finest.'" Connie points out. "And this one has the NYPD patch on it."

"There is also one for ESU, Mounted and the Bomb Squad." Carol says.

"Oh thanks so much. They are adorable. I'm going to miss you guys." I hug both Carol and Connie. "I'll probably stop by and I'll definitely see you at the shower."

They give me another hug.

"Listen Mellark." The desk Sargent brings me a bag. "This is from me and the guys downstairs." I open the bag that cotains a bottle of great scotch. "In six moths of course."

"In six months... Of course. Thanks guys."

I walk over to Emma. "I personally hope you return but you need to do what is best for you. Okay?"

"Okay." I hug Emma. She has been a great boss, mentor, sounding board and most importantly, a friend. "See you at yoga?"

"As long as Jacques gives the class, I'll be there." I knew I could count on her.

Gale helps me stand on a chair "Everyone, thank you very much. I love you guys. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!"

I get a big cheer, hugs, kisses and hand shakes all around.