Back To Work Part 1

"Ahhhhhhhhh! Look who's here!" I enjoyed the greetings from my co-workers when I showed up for my first day back. "Welcome back!" Emma spread her arms wide, and we hugged. "Thanks, it's good to be back."

She led me to a cubicle. "I gave my new sergeant a new desk." Wow, a space to call my own. "Here are the keys to your car. It's in the parking lot." Oh my God, a car. "The DOT will be marking off a parking space this week outside of your apartment house." Wow, a private parking spot. Could this day get any better? "I'll let you get settled in." I nodded as I sat at my new desk. "I can get used to this."

"Hey Sarge. I need you to talk to the DA's office. I need a warrant to search Gillespie's apartment."

"Gillespie, which case is that?" I shuffled through the files on my desk. "Oh here it is. The Donnelly case. Yeah I'll call them right away."

...ring ...ring ...ring "Yes Glimmer."

"I think Lily is coming down with something. Her diaper was kinda green."

"Um, just keep an eye on her. Call me later. Oh, lots of fluids."

"Kat, I want to put twenty-four hour surveillance on Bobby Ramirez."

"Um, what case is that?"

"The Mark Farmer Case." I shuffled through the files again. "Oh yeah, let me look and see who's available. I'll get back to you."

...ring ...ring ...ring "Hi honey."

"Remember, we have that reception Thursday." Oh shit. "Yeah, okay Peeta, I'll put it on my calendar." I'll have to get my green dress out.

"Hey Sarge, who do you want me to work with. Hicks is in court for the next three days."

"Er, I'll have to look at the duty roster. I'll get back to you."

"Katniss." I looked up at Emma, she was holding an arm full of file folders. "Here you go." She dropped them on my desk. "I'm so glad you're here. Bernie was getting kinda slow in the past year. Get back to me when you're done."

...ring ...ring ...ring "What Effie?"

"You have that voice test with Olivia this week." Effie said. Oh fuck I forgot all about that. "Yes Effie, I remember that. Bye." She's a pain in the ass, but damn, she's organized.

"You look a little shell-shocked." I'd recognize that voice anywhere. It goes all the way back to my childhood. I smiled as I turned and looked up. "Daddy!" I got up and put my arms around him. "What are you doing here?"

"Just thought I'd come into the city and see you on your first day as Sargeant Mellark. Maybe take you to lunch." I looked at my desk. "Maybe we'll eat inside today." My dad sat at my desk and smiled. "Dad, was your first day like mine?" He shook his head. "No, worse. I had a moron for a Captain. You have Emma. She'll help you transition from one of the guys, to the boss."

"Things were much simpler when I was a beat cop, and Peeta was just an associate." My father took my hand. "Honey. Things are always simpler when you have less responsibility." He paused for a second. "You're in management, you have a side business, Peeta is a partner, and most of all, you're a parent. Things were always going to change. It's really just how well you're going to handle it. I have confidence that you'll succeed."


About 9 Years Ago

"Wow Katniss, you look exhausted."

"I am Dad. I just worked a double. I should be used to this by now." I've been a cop for four years, but I just can't seem to get used to rotating shifts. "I was supposed to go out with Madge tonight, but I'm just too tired."

"Go get some sleep. Me and your mother are taking your Grandma to Atlantic City with the Elks."

"Have a good time." I left my father and went up to my room. My parents were a little taken aback when I moved back home, but we've stayed out of each other's way. So far.

I laid on my bed without even changing. The sleep was well worth it and deserved.


...bing ...bing ...bing. "Oh God." I reached around and turned off the alarm. "What time is it?" Oh shit. I've been asleep all day. It was worth it. I felt great, and I had the next three days off to recharge.

I showered and dressed. Maybe it wasn't too late to go out with Madge, so I called her. "Hey Madge. You still going out tonight?"

"Yeah. I'll be at The Night Owl. See you there?"

"Yup." I ran down the stairs, grabbed a bite to eat and went off to the bar.

The Night Owl is a local joint. Most of the patrons there on a Thursday night are twenty somethings out to hook up. Well, hooking up is the last thing on my mind. My break up with my last boyfriend didn't go so well. I need a rest, from men, especially after what happened last week with my ex Jessie.


About 9 Years and 1 Week Ago

"Hi Jessie, I'm home." I called out to my boyfriend. He came out just in a pair of gym shorts. He was gorgeous. A sculpted body. Not an ounce of body fat on him, pure muscle. Well that's what you get when you date a pro football player. Grrrrrrrowl!

"Oh, Katniss, I thought you were at work tonight."

"I traded for the night off." I went to the kitchen for a beer. "I thought we could go out for dinner."

"Hey, Jesse! You coming back to bed?" A voice from the bedroom bellowed.

"Who was that?"

"Um, er, ah..." A leggy red-head came out of the bedroom, only wearing only a man's Oxford shirt."

"I know you! I've seen you hanging around outside the Jets locker room. You're one of those fucking groupies!" I screamed out. "You're a star-fucker!"

"Who you callin' a star-fucker?"

"Now, now girls. Let's stay calm." Jessie got between us.

"You stay out of this!" We both yelled and pushed him away.

"Wow, wow, wow!" He went crashing over the cocktail table. "Ow! Oh my knee. Oh shit it hurts!"


Oh Christ, I do hate Jessie!


A/N: I forgot to wish everyone a Happy New Year, so, Happy New Year. :)