Finding her own way.
Being the only cousin to one Trudy Platt came with a lot of headaches. The Platts are a difficult breed, luckily she only shared the name, not the bloodline. Being adopted has its benefits. Not that she wasn't happy or grateful that her parents took her in, but sometimes, you know you just don't really belong. Out of the small Platt family, though, Trudy she only met once or twice, but Trudy didn't seem to treat her differently. She actually was the only "family" member to always send her a card for her birthday.
So when life got too complicated, Darla made the choice to leave the ranch and make her life in the big city. Enrolling into college late, but better than not doing it. Her long term goal was to become a ER Nurse at one of the major hospitals in Chicago. She had a nice little studio apartment, mostly online classes, now she just needed a job that she can do that doesn't interfere with her plans and keeps food and shelter available. Which is what has brought to her "cousin's" district. She wasn't looking for a hand out, but Trudy always knew shit. If anything she could at least point her in a direction that doesn't completely suck.
Taking a deep breath, Darla walked into Trudy's district. There was so much noise, and everyone was talking loudly. It was a sight to see, it was a hell of a lot different from her small town sheriffs office.
Spotting Trudy, Darla took a deep breath and approached. "Excuse me, Sgt. Platt?" she asked.
Trudy looked up from her computer, and was shocked to see who was standing in front of her. "Darla, what the hell are you doing here? You OK?" she questioned the young woman.
"Yes, I'm fine thank you auntie, I'm here because I enrolled in school, uh at Chicago Community College, I got into the nursing program. I'm actually here, now, to see if you have any idea where I could find a job. You always know everything about your city." Darla was nervous, Trudy was either going to help, or yell. With her, you never had a freaking clue.
Trudy looked her "niece" over, Darla was never one to lie, or cause problems. After a few moments, "Burgess- Roman, you two watch my desk. I'm taking my niece upstairs." she announced. "You coming kid?" she said.
Darla, having no idea what was happening, just looked a little confused. "Yes ma'am." Quickly falling behind Platt.
The look of confusion passed through Burgess and Roman. "Kim, did you know Platt had a niece?" he asked his partner. Kim, still in stock, "No freaking clue." The pair watched Platt and the newcomer go up the stairs to the Intelligence Unit.
At the top of the stairs there was a group of cops around the whiteboard discussing cases.
"Hank, you got a minute?" Trudy asked when she hit the top of the stairs.
Looking over at his old friend, he noticed a tiny woman behind her. Big blue eyes, strawberry blonde hair, maybe 5'3 tops. After a quick assessment of the person behind Trudy, "Yea my office."
Trudy walked past the rest of the Unit, Darla kept in step not sure what the hell she was doing up here.
Once they were all in Hanks office he motioned for Trudy to shut his door. "What's up Trudy, who's this?" he asked.
One of the first things that Darla noticed, he was not a gentle man. Just like his voice, it was rough, he was a strong build. Silvering hair. He made her nervous.
Sitting still in the chair, Darla looked at Trudy looking for a hint of what she should do or say.
No worries, Trudy took care of it. "Hank this is my niece Darla Platt, she's new to the city, and needs a job, you need a receptionist, you can trust her."
Hank looked her up and down. Rude, you don't have to stare at me. Keeping her displeasure to herself. Instead she turned on country charm. Momma didn't raise no fool.
Extending her hand, "Pleasure to meet you, sir."
Hank looked at her for another moment, smiled when he took her hand. "Pleasures all mine." Dropping her hand gently. She was beautiful. That little country twang. She made the man in him pay attention. "So, you need a job? Have you answered phones before?" He knew he was going to hire her, Trudy vouching for her was enough for him, but he needed to know a little bit about what he was getting into.
Smiling at him. "Yes, I need a job, going to school online for nursing. No, sir, I haven't answered phones before, but once I learn the system, it can't be rocket science." she stated.
Trudy couldn't hide her smile and her remark. Even though she wasn't a Platt by blood, the girl gave it just like she does. She looked over to Hank and raised her eyebrow kind of saying that was a stupid question.
Hank couldn't help but chuckle. "No, you're right, it's not rocket science." Taking a moment to collect his thoughts. "Here's how this goes, 1. What you see and here in this Unit does not leave this Unit. Not even to your aunt. Am I clear?" He waited for her response.
Blinking rapidly. Shocked that he was abrupt. "Yes Sir." she said.
Nodding his head again, "2. You do what I say, no questions. 3. Never lie to me, you tell me everything so I lie for you. Do I make myself clear?"
Darla just nodded again. "Yes sir." she said nervously. What the hell did her aunt get her into? Is he always this scary? Just looking at him, yes, yes he was always this scary.
Looking at Trudy, Hank asked, "You good with all this Trudy?" Platt looked between her niece and her friend, "Yea, I'm good." Facing Darla, "You do me proud kiddo, I don't vouch for anyone, family or not." she stated.
This was not news to Darla. "Yes ma'am. I won't." Outside her parents, Aunt Trudy was the person that was always honest with her, treated like she was family. The other "cousin's, uncles, aunts" were more concerned with money and status. Even Platts father Robert, didn't really acknowledge her often.
Getting off his desk, Hank stood up, "I'll introduce you to the team, and then you start tomorrow morning 8:30am, I'll get you $15hr to start. Sound fair."
Smiling and standing from her chair. "Yes Sir."
"Darla, you don't need to call me sir. Sgt. or Voight is just fine." he stated, gently putting his hand on her shoulder leading her out the door.
"Sorry, sir, I mean Sgt." she corrected.
Opening the door to the bull pin. Everyone turned to see if they just caught a new case.
Hank took command of his unit. "Listen up, this lovely lady is Trudy's niece, Darla, she will be our new receptionist, do not give her a hard time. She is not your maid, got it." Mostly saying this to Ruzek.
A bunch of "Copy, bosses went around."
Darla noticed that Sgt. Voight didn't take his hand off her shoulder, which seemed out of place, and looking around the room, the others noticed this behavior as well.
The first person to introduce themselves was Kevin Atwater. Extending his hand, "Hey, I'm Kevin, pleasure to meet you, you got any stories about Platt here?" she said laughing.
Shaking his hand. Darla smiled kindly, "Pleasure, and none that I'm willing to risk my life saying" she said winking.
In order, she met Jay Halstead, Hailey Upton, Erin Lindsay, Adam Ruzek, Alvin Olinsky, and finally Antonio Dawson.
Extending his hand to her, "I'm Antonio, pleasure to meet you, don't worry about these knuckleheads, once you get to know them, they aren't too bad." He was trying to put her at ease. Most of them were pretty good cops, and could tell she was a little nervous.
Laughing at his observation, "Figured as much, figured I would occasionally bring food and throw it at them to keep them calm" she joked.
Everyone in the unit laughed at the joke, even aunt Trudy. She was first to remark, "Well I've had your food kiddo, so you bring some of that homemade fried chicken and potatoes I'll kiss ya."
Turning to her aunt. "Deal auntie."
Darla really enjoyed cooking, comfort food was her bread & butter.
After a few more minutes of banter, Hank got her attention. "OK, everyone back to work. Ms. Darla, no need to dress formally, jeans and casual shirt would be fine. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow."
"I understand, thank you again Sir, I'll do my best to not disappoint you." she stated.
However, the look that Voight gave her made her squirm. "No more of this sir shit, got it buttercup?"
Crap, sorry habit, manners. My daddy taught me. "Gosh, I'm sorry, Sgt. Voight, I'll make sure to get that down" she looked like she was about to scurry out.
Hank really liked that he flustered her. "Don't worry about it. Just remember, Sgt. or Voight. or Sgt. Voight, maybe in time, Hank." he chuckled darkly at her.
Only able to nod. Darla stuck close to Trudy on the way out of Intelligence. Making their way back to her desk, she noticed both that Burgess & Roman were staring at her. It didn't pass Trudy when she got down the stairs.
"You two, stop staring this isn't a freaking museum" she snapped. The two moved like lightning out the door to start their patrol.
"Thank you auntie, I know that you don't put yourself out there for anyone, I'll do my best to make you proud of me."
Trudy looked down at her, sighing because her gut told her that she was making the right decision. "I know sweetie, but I need you to know, I love Voight, he's a great cop, but keep out of his way. Understand. Just do your job, keep your nose clean, and don't lie to him." she looked at her niece. Needing her to understand, Voight was an intense man.
Darla watched her aunt. It wasn't that she was afraid of Sgt. Voight, but she was warning her that he was not a man to cross. Nodding her understanding, "I understand, I'll do my job and stay out of his way. I promise."
Sighing her relief, in a rare bit of affection, she gave Darla a hug. "OK kiddo, see you in the morning, get home, rest up. You have a busy day." with that quickly dismissing her.
Taking the hint, Darla waved her final goodbye, headed out the door towards her truck.
By the time Darla was pulling into her apartment's garage, her brain was fried. She just went to get information on a job, and ended up working upstairs in the Intelligence Unit. Most of the unit seemed really cool. However, Sgt. Voight was definitely on the intense list. Man looked wound tight. Remember his office, there was a picture of a pretty older woman. Must have been his wife. I wonder if she has metal for dealing with him? Snickering at her little joke. Hazard pay?
Looking at the clock, 5:30pm, dinner time. Well I'm going to order me some takeout, take a shower, and just watch some TV tonight before bed.
Once fed, cleaned, and in her jammies. Darla turned on the TV, sat back relaxing. Eventually the news put her to sleep.
Hank was in his office, pulling a report on Ms. Darla Platt. He tried to convince himself to make sure he knew who was coming into his Unit, but if he was being honest, he was generally curious about the woman.
Her sheet was non-existent.
DOB: 01/21/1991
SEX: F
MARITAL STATUS: S
**Closed Adoption**
*Finalized on 3/2/1991*
PARENTS:
MOTHER: JULIE PLATT
FATHER: ERIC PLATT
ADDRESS: 135 RANCHER ROAD, ARTHUR NEBRASKA, 02111
*CURRENT LEASE INFORMATION:
4300 Illinois Street, Chicago, IL 03211
Hank was surprised to see that she was from Nebraska. He didn't know Trudy had family out that way.
But who knows everything about everyone, really. He himself has many dark secrets.
He was looking forward to getting to know Ms. Darla Platt. She was beautiful. He hasn't been around beautiful in a long time.
Smiling at his dark thoughts, he closed his eyes, thinking of the big blue eyes staring back at him.