Walk the Distance Part 3
Disclaimer: I don't own TW or anything associated with TW. I'm merely borrowing it for my own amusement. Don't sue me.
Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed my story. Oh, and you get two chapters today only because I'm trying to keep up with the chapters I posted on another board.
Feedback: If you could see me now, you would see me on my knees begging for feedback. Good? Bad?
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Sadie sat on the subway car lost in her own thoughts. It had been a week and a half since she saw Maurice at the hospital. He never came back and he ignored her calls. He couldn't ignore her much longer.
"Officer Logan. I'm the new transfer from the 29th," she said to the desk sergeant.
"Lt. Swersky says to go up and meet him in the roll call room. Need someone to show you?"
"I can manage on my own, but thanks." Sadie walked around until she found the room.
Maurice was in for one big shock. Sadie figured it was sick joke on Connors part transferring her to the 55. Oh, well the 55 had to much better than the 29th. After getting everything settled she was shown to the locker room.
"Here's your locker, right next to Yokas. She'll be glad not to be the only female around here," he said. "See you in roll call."
"Thanks." She quickly opened her bag and began to fill her locker.
"Hi."
"Oh, hi. You startled me," she said to the young man who now stood beside her.
"Sorry."
"No harm no foul. Sadie Logan. Just transferred."
"Steven Gusler. I'm the resident Deputy Doofy around here."
"How so?"
"No one takes me seriously."
"I'm sure that's not true."
"Yeah, well. I better get ready."
"Nice meeting you." Sadie started to get changed. Officers began to fill the room. She got odd looks from all of them as if they were asking who she was.
She knew from stories Maurice had told her that he was usually late. She took that opportunity to go and sit in the roll call room before he could see her. If he wanted to ignore her then he deserved the shock.
Lt. Swersky stood in front and waited for things to settle. Sadie kept her eyes up front. Swersky went through his usual spiel. Before dismissing everyone he said he had a special announcement.
"We have a new officer. I'd like you all to meet Officer Logan. You'll be riding with Gusler. I'd like you all to welcome her. That's all. Keep your eyes and ears open."
Sadie sat up and looked for Gusler, the young man she met in the locker room. Sure enough he was sitting directly behind Maurice. A few officers greeted her but her eyes remained on one. Gusler stood up and made his way over to her as did Faith.
"Be careful out there Gusler," Faith said as she walked past Sadie.
"Ready?" he asked.
"In a minute. I'll meet you out there." She turned away from where Maurice was sitting to watch Gusler leave. She smiled awkwardly as he stood up and walked to her. "You shouldn't have ignored me. I tried to tell you."
"What happened to the 29."
"Transferred. Part of the whole reason I did that stupid undercover gig. Call me when you want your answers." Sadie turned her back and walked away.
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Bosco watched Sadie turn and walk away. He was being childish and he knew it. Wasn't about to deny it. Nope, he was pulling the same stuff he did when he was a boy when one of his friends made him mad. He ignored them, just like he was trying to ignore Sadie. Ignore the source of the problem, poof problem gone.
Things weren't as simple now as they had been when Bosco was a boy. He truly loved Sadie. Ignoring her wasn't working because she was on his mind 24/7. The last few nights found him waking drenched in sweat from nightmares that she had actually died in that alley.
Faith was trying to have conversations with him throughout the beginning of their shift. He couldn't concentrate. Just seeing Sadie in roll call this morning made his heart beat faster. It wasn't until then did he realize just how much he missed her.
"I take it you didn't know about her transfer?" Faith said as she stopped at a light.
"Haven't talked to her since that first night in the hospital."
"You are ignoring her?"
"She lied to me."
"She loves you."
"55-Edward requesting to go 10-63," Sadie's voice came over the radio.
"10-4 55-Edward."
"Let's take our lunch now too," Faith suggested.
"Yeah, fine."
Bosco hoped he wouldn't run into Sadie and Gusler. The sector was big, surely they wouldn't go to the same place. It wasn't that he didn't want to see Sadie, it was just that the more he saw her the more he wanted her. Call it stubbornness, but he wasn't about to go back to things they way they were. He shook his head when they pulled up and saw 55-Edward's RMP outside the little pizza joint. An ambulance was also parked alongside.
"This is my favorite place, don't argue." Faith got out and entered.
"I hate you," he muttered.
"You love me. I'm the only one who puts up with your garbage," she joked.
"Not when you pull this crap."
"Bosco, Faith," Gusler called.
"No, Faith," he said evenly.
"Grow up." Faith pulled a chair up next Gusler.
He walked slowly to the table keeping his eyes off Sadie. She sat on the other side of Gusler. Paramedics Kim Zambrano and Alex Taylor were at the table as well. Bosco pulled a chair up between Faith and Kim.
"Hi." Sadie pried herself away from the conversation she was having with Alex.
"So, Sadie. When did you quit FDNY?" Alex asked.
"My twenty-first birthday. Joined the academy that day."
"You got your degree then?"
"Yep. Finished it in three years. Kinda amazing considering I was a full time firefighter and student. Got my associates degree in Criminal Justice. I kind of wish I had followed through and gotten the Bachelor's though."
"You were FDNY?" Faith asked.
"Yeah. Joined when I was 18. Alex's dad was my Captain."
Great. Yet another thing I'm just now finding out about, he thought. He couldn't help but notice the interaction between Sadie and Alex. It was like they were best friends or something.
"Why'd you quit?" Kim spoke up.
"I always wanted to be a cop. Just wasn't old enough. Alex and I knew each other growing up. We'd always dress up as cops and firemen for Halloween. Alex and I thought I'd be fun to both be firefighters, at least until I was old enough to join the force."
"Then Sadie and I got stationed to different houses. Lost touch after that," Alex added.
"It's great to be back in the same old groove with Alexandra." Sadie smirked.
"Yeah, just like old times, huh, Murielle?" Alex shot back.
"No one calls me that."
"You let Kenny Farmington."
"When I was twelve! Besides, everyone girl wanted Kenny including me. I wasn't about to tell him no."
Bosco let a small grin show on his face but quickly dropped it when Sadie looked up at him. Alex noticed also and starred at him.
"What?" Alex questioned.
"Nothing."
"Did anyone warn you about this one?" Alex asked. "He's got an attitude like you wouldn't believe. Good, guy I hear. Don't fall for that face though, Ty tells me he's got someone. Pretty serious. Might even be love." Alex smiled at Sadie then looked at Bosco and dropped the smile. "I'm just teasing."
"Yeah, whatever," Bosco mumbled.
"Bosco . . . ," Faith began.
"We better get going," Kim said as she stood. "Nice meeting you Sadie."
"Yeah, same."
"Wanna go for a drink after work? Catch up?" Alex asked.
"Loved to, but I don't drink. A late night breakfast would be good."
"You still eat like a pig then?"
"Guilty."
"Meet me outside at the end of work. Oh and Bosco, lighten up will ya?"
The remaining four finished their meals in relative silence. Faith tried to pick up some kind of conversation as did Gusler. For their parts Bosco and Sadie tried to steal glances at one another.