The Rush
Chapter Two: Trouble's Brewing
Seajae sat across from Dr. Crystle. She was a fortish woman with jet black hair with streaks of grey. She wanted a cigarette more then anything in the world. Absently she turned her ring around her left finger. This wasn't what she wanted to do this morning. Or any morning.
"How do you feel about the shooting?"
"How am I suppose to feel?"
"I can't tell you how your suppose to feel."
"I shot a child."
"A child with a dangerous weapon." Seajae looked at the woman. There was something about her that made her feel...safe but wary.
"Thats what everyone tells me. That I saved my partners life. That she would of killed him if I hadn't pulled the trigger."
"Do you think they're wrong?"
"I never have ever second guessed a decision like I do this one."
"You did your job. IAD says so."
"IAD wasn't there." Seajae continued to figet with her ring.
"I read your jacket. You are by the book with a regless side. But you do your job and you do it well." The woman crossed her legs. "You've had a breakdown once. Do you feel any of the signs?"
"What your calling a breakdown was me dealing with a bad situation." Seajae looked at the floor. "One of my best friends was nearly killed. I started working a little harder to make sure it didn't happen again and things got a little,,,,,intence."
"You lost a child."
"Yeah. And nearly lost my husband." Seajae stood up and went to the window. "I know what I did...in theroy is by the book. But in my mind."
"You see the child?"
"Yeah. I see a young girl who wanted to feed her baby."
"Did you look at her file?"
"No."
"Well I did. She had a juvie record as long as your arm. DCF was about to take Owen away. I'm surprised Cole Lambert didn't tell you."
"Well even if she was a hardened criminal she was still just a child."
"So your going to let this guilt interfere with work or your family are you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Your a smart woman Seajae. You know everything has a cause and effect. Have you neglected your family or work because of your guilt?" Seajae looked up at Dr. Crystle.
"I don't think I have. I really don't think I have. I mean I get up in the morning and feed my kids and clean my house and do what I need to do and I go to work. I do what I need to do there and I come home."
"How about your sex life? Has it suffered any?"
"No." Was all Seajae said and she turned to look back out the window. The night of the shooting Bosco made love to her like it was the first time. He showed her that the cold feeling she felt was nothing to be ashamed about. And every night since then she would crawl into bed and he'd be there for her.
"Is it comfort sex or is it normal" Seajae didn't turn around. This wasn't what she thought she would be talking about.
"Comfort sex?"
"My husbands a thirty year ventren of the NYPD. I know he's had a bad day when he crawls into bed and wakes me up."
"If that be the case for us we'd spend the other sixteen hours a day in bed." Seajae looked out at the city. "My family and my job mean the world to me. I thought about quitting after my mother in law died but Bosco made me see that I need my job as much as I need my family."
"Your captian, luitenants, and sargents all have nothing but praise for you Seajae. Your the cop that they want covering thier backs That's a lot to carry on your shoulders."
"It's all I ever wanted."
"But you got more then you wanted when you fell in love." She knew the doctor was right. Seajae wanted to be the best cop she could be. That's all she lived for until Bosco. Then came the kids. Now her plate was full. Maybe overflowing. She crossed her arms over her chest and turned around.
"I love my life. I love my job. I do them both with all my heart. I have friends who love me and stand behind me. I'm me because of them." The doctor smiled.
"You are strong and you are good at everything yu do Seajae. Don't let anyone tell you anything different." She stood up. "Go be who you need to be. And don't let it overwhelm you. You said it...you have family and friends who are there for you. Just make sure you utilize them."
"That's it?"
"You need more."
"I thought you might...anylize me more."
"Maybe someother time. You know how to get in touch with me if you need to. I'm signing off on your shooting. Just take it slow getting back into the swing of things." Seajae got her coat.
"Thanks." She walked to the elevator and pressed the botten. Things were ok. It wasn't as bad as she thought. She was going to meet Bosco and they were going to meet Peggy and Carlos for lunch and get Owen taken care of. Getting into the elevator she smiled. It was going to be a good day.
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"Damn it. Not another one." Sully looked up to see Bosco once again covered in mud. "Bosco your leaving a trail."
"Hey it's spring time in New York." He walked the prisioner up the steps.
"Your not on duty for another three hours."
"Tell that to this jag off stealing purses in the park." Bosco's phone rang. "Yeah."
"Where are you?" Bosco stopped and closed his eyes.
"Damn it baby I'm sorry." He pushed the man into a holding cell. "I was with Jimmy and Joey at the park with the kids and a guy snached a purse."
"Of all days you had to chase him. Bosco...."
"I know. Can you handle it without me?" Seajae looked at Peggy and Carlos sitting at the table.
"This was your idea."
"You could convince geese to walk south for the winter. I'll catch up to you at work."
"You owe me Boscorelli. Are the kids ok?"
"Yeah. Jimmy was taking them back to the house."
"And that's suppose to comfort me?"
"Maybe. I love you sunshine."
"I love you too." Seajae took a deep breath and headed back to the table.
"Everything ok?" Peggy asked.
"Ducky." Seajae smiled. "I talked to Cole Lambert yesterday. He's willing to speed up your foster care application."
"That's great. How did you get him to do that?"
"Well he's got a baby that needs placing." Seajae took a drink of tea. "Claudia Jackson's son Owen. He's three months old half hispanic half caucasion." Peggy looked at Carlos. "I know this is short notice and well I have all the baby stuff you need." Seajea became nervous. She hadn't spent the kind of time she wanted to with these peticular friends and she was feeling guilty. It was a lot to ask of them.
"She's the woman you shot?" Carlos looked at her.
"Yeah."
"You don't want him?"
"I have a lot on my plate. It's not that I don't want him.....but he's so perfect." Seajae pulled out a picture. She put it in front of Carlos and Peggy. She watched then both, wishing they would say something. "I'm sorry....I guess...." She wanted a home for Owen so bad she hadn't considered thier feelings. God she wished Bosco was here.
"Seajae....." Carlos looked at her. "He...he is perfect. You know we want to start a family. We would love to be his foster parents but......"
"But if your trying to have a family its hard to do that with a baby around." Seajae put money on the table and stood up. "I'm sorry. I should of realized. Thanks for listening."
"Seajae." Carlos stood up. "It's not that we don't want to...."
"I understand. We need to do this more. Lunch I mean. " Taking her coat she turned toward the door, then turned back. "Thanks again." She turned and left.
"What was that?" Carlos looked at his wife.
"It's not like her to not to listen."
"Should I call Cole or do you want to do it?"
"I will." Carlos took his phone out of his pocket. "After I call Bosco." Something was going on with Seajae and he figured her husband should know.
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Seajae took a deep breath. She walked slowly down the street. It had been awhile since she felt such disappointment . She was so sure Carlos and Peggy would jump at the chance to take Owen. By the time she cooled down she was nearly at the station. Taking the steps two at a time she went in. Bosco was leaning agaist the sargents desk. Sully behind him.
"So should I ask how lunch went?" She looked at him.
"Not well."
"Well if you would of stuck around Carlos said it would of gone much better." Seajae stopped going up the steps.
"What do you mean?"
"Carlos and Peggy are at Cole's office right now. Seems he called them after you left his office the other day and asked them to take him. They went to pick him up."
"Why didn't anyone say anything?"
"Maybe if you give people a chance to talk." Sully looked up from his paper work. There was a fight brewing and he didn't want to be here when it hit full throttle.
"You guys want to take this in someones office or maybe the locker room. Your scaring the bad guys." Bosco looked at Sully. "I mean it Bosco. I won't have you two fighting at my desk. Now shoo." He waved his hand. Seajae turned and headed upstairs.
"I'm not though with you Boscorelli." Bosco said to her retreating form.
"Get in line." She turned into her office as Doyle came to Bosco and handed him a radio.
"Trouble hoss?"
"Yeah. I married it eight years ago. You'd think I would learn by now." Bosco took his radio and started out the door. Sully cleared his throat. Bosco stopped and turned around. "You have something to say old man?"
"You know betther then I do you don't go out there with things between you Bosco. I hate to be the one to say something might happen to either one of you and leaving with.....stuff between you isn't always smart." Bosco knew Sully was right.
"I'll catch up with you Doyle." Bosco turned and headed upstairs to his wifes office. She was behind her desk. She was staring at a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. "Your not thinking of smoking one are you."
"With the kind of day I had wouldn't you?"
"Never had the urge." He took a step in the office and closed the door. "Seajae.....I'm sorry about not taking Owen."
"He's going to a good home. That's all that matters."
"Why didn't you give Carlos a chance to talk to you?"
"I guess I was just expecting the worst. I've been doing that a lot lately."
"Are life isn't all tragedy."
"Have you been living the same life I have?"
"Seajae we have everything we ever need. We're healthy. We have friends and family who love us." He went around the desk. "And we have eachother." He kissed her then. He knew she was stressed. When things didn't go her way that's how she got. Feeling her relax he broke the kiss. "I love you Seajae. Just rembember that when things tough." He kissed her again as his radio crackled and dispatch echoed though the office.
"55 David...MVA.....Arthor and New Hope." Bosco broke the kiss.
"Let's have dinner. I gotta go." He keyed his radio. "55 David ETA two minutes." Seajae watched him go. She was a lucky woman. Maurice Boscorelli had come into her live when she needed him the most. He was right. When all else failed they had each other. The phone rang and Seajea picked it up.
"Boscorelli."
"Shrink clear you for duty?"
"Yes Elliot. Now it's your turn. You might not be so lucky." Seajae threw the pack of cigarettes and lighter back into her desk. "You miss me?"
"Kinda. It's nice have Liv back too." Seajae smiled.
"I'll forgive you."
"You really ok?"
"I think I'll make it." She looked at the picture on her desk. It was taken the night She and Bosco went on thier date in Hawaii. "We still on for dinner Saturday?"
"You bet. You need anything you know you can call."
"Thanks Elliot." She hung up and Captian Swertzky stuck his head in her office.
"Bosco needs you at his MVA."
"Me?"
"Yeah. He didn't say why." Seajae got her coat and got up to leave. "Seajae?"
"Yeah Boss."
"Be careful out there." Seajae looked at him.
"You don't think I can handle it?"
"I know you can handle it. I also know what it's like after a shooting. You second guess yourself. " He smiled and left. Seajae knew everyone was trying to help with thier advice but the more they said the worse the tight feeling in her gut got. Would she freeze the next time someone pulled a gun on her? Seajae shook her head and headed out to her car.
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"I need a vacation." Doyle looked at Bosco.
"I hate to tell you that we just came back from vacation and it's all down hill from here."
"Just once Doyle can you not be the logical one." Bosco was writing notes when Seajae pulled up. "She isn't going to like this at all."
"It's her job Bos. She doesn't have to like it." Seajae came to the back of the car where Bosco and Doyle stood.
"You boys looking for a real cop?"
"When you find one send him here would you." Bosco saw Seajae's smile didn't quite make it to her eyes. "The driver of the car ran when he got hit hard from behind. The trunk popped open and well....." Bosco moved and opened the trunk. A woman lay wrapped in a white gown.
"Car stollen?"
"Yep."
"Did you call in CSI?"
"On thier way." Seajae looked at the woman. She couldn't be more then thirty. Brown hair. Blood stained white dress. "We checked for ID. Nothing we could see."
"We'll wait till CSI to turn her. The dress looks new...maybe a wedding dress?"
"Second wedding?" Doyle looked at her hands. "No rings."
"If she was on her way to get married she might not have her engagment ring on. Or he could only afford the band." Seajea looked at Bosco. She hated to think a woman on her way to her wedding was murdered and stuffed in a trunk. "Did anyone get a look at the guy?"
"No. The guy stopped on a dime and the SUV hit him. The trunk popped up and the guy was gone." The CSI team pulled up.
"Tell them I want a report ASAP." Seajae took one last look at the woman and turned back and headed to her car. Bosco followed.
"Seajae are you ok."
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"You seem tence." He put his hand on her sholder and she shrugged it of.
"I'm fine." She took two steps toward the car. Bosco stepped in front of her.
"You may of fooled t he shrink but your not alright baby. You've been up and down so much the last few days. Tell me what the hell I can do to make things right."
"Bosco I'm fine. I'm a big girl and I can handle it just fine."
"Handle what?"
"This, my life. I'm fine." She got into the car and started it. "Tell them I'll be in my office when they're done." Without looking at him she backed up and headed down the street.
"What crawled up her ass and died?" Doyle watched Seajea drive away.
"I don't know but if what happened before when she got stressed out like this happens again...God Doyle I couln't take it."
"Well we just have to make sure she doesn't loose it." Doyle watched the CSI team go to work. "She'll be okay Bosco......I know she'll be ok." Bosco knew the younger man was trying to comvnce himself.
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When the captains waiting at your office door when you come back it isn't a good thing. Seajae knew this to be fact. Capitan Swertsky stood at the top of the stairs. She didn't like the look on his face.
"My office now." He didn't sound any better then he looked. Seajae wondered if Bosco called and told him of her little anti social behavior. Knowing her husband would never do that she followed the older man into his office. There were two other men sitting around his desk.
"Didn't know there was a party. And me without a party hat...." Swertsky shook his head.
"Seajae......Hanna Rawlings....Claudia Jackson's mother is suing you and the department for the wrongful death of her daughter." All the blood rushed from Seajae's face. She looked at the captian and tried to read him. "This is Don Jaiden from risk managment and you know Austin Anderson from the union."
"I'd like to say nice to meet you and nice seeing you again but I find it hard to do either." Seajae licked her suddenly dry lips. "I was cleared by IAD and the department shri.....physicatrist."
"This is not a criminal suit.....its civil now. But the department is willing to defend you because we've cleared you of all wrongful doing."
"Great. Thanks." Seajae was shaking. Nothing ever hit her like this. Nothing. She looked at Dan Swertsky. A man who had been there for her and gave her a home and job when she was ready to quit.
"I'm telling you both that Sgt Boscorelli is one of the best officers I have. Her and her husband have done nothing but good for this neighborhood and this department for the last eight years." He could see she was at braking point. Her brown eyes empty. He wished he'd called Sullivan up here before he told her anything. "Seajae......"
"I need to go now." She reached for the door.
"Seajae.....please..." Swertsky stood up. "You need to calm down."
"I'm fine." She opened the door and went out. The capitain followed.
"Seajae...." Se went down the steps. "Sullivan don't let her leave." Sully came out from behind the desk. Seajae looked at him. He knew better then to mess with her. Swertsky looked at his desk sargent. "You let her walk out of here."
"Was I suppose to takel her?"
"Yes. Get Bosco and Doyle back here...now and find McKenzie and Davis....we got big trouble and I mean big."
"Yes sir." Sully picked up the phone and watched the capitian follow the path Seajae took only momments before.
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Jimmy Doherty was polishing the ladder truck outside the fire house when he saw Seajae tear out of the police station across the street. By her expression and the way her fists wer balled up at her sides Jimmy knew touble was brewing. Then seeing the capitain follow he knew things had just gone from bad to worse. Fear rose in his throat. When Seajae was in trouble they all came together.
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Swertsky caught up with Seajae at her car. She started to open it and he slammed it shut again.
"I'm not going to let you run away from this Seajae."
"I'm not running."
"You hauled ass out of there pretty fast to not be running."
"I've been a cop for fifteen years. In all that time I've shot a dozon or so people. None of them have sued me. I didn't want to kill that child Dan. But I did and I wake up every morning wishing I hadn't. Now along with the normal feelings of guilt I have to deal with this."
"You are intitled to feeling the way you do about the shooting. But Seajae....it was something you had to do. There was no other way. And the department and the union are behind you in this. If you would of stuck around you would found out that we are going to fight this." Bosco and Doyle pulled up. Bosco got out of the car and went to his wife. She was pale and unsettled. "Bosco take your wife home. When you come in tomorrow we'll figure a way to make this go away."
"What go away?" Bosco looked at Swertsky.
"Seems Claudia Jackson's mother came out of her drug induced coma just in time to file a law suit agiast the department and Seajae." Bosco looked at Seajae and then at Doyle. The younger man knew the look and he headed inside.
"What are you doing out here."
"I needed air." She looked at Swertsky, chalanging him to say differntly. Her arms crossed her chest and she leaned on the car trying to look calmer then she felt.
"Do you need to go home?" He knew she had a case to start on and she wouldn't want anyone else handling it.
"Maybe if I just took a break." Doyle came back down and handed Bosco Seajae's pack of cigarettes. "I don't need them." She wanted one bad. Three months ago she vowed it was the end of her addiction.
"If it will help."
"Bosco...."He knew she wanted to quit for him and the kids. It was her only weekness. Her only vice. It was something she fell back on when things got tough. He handed her the pack.
"Just brush your teeth before you come to bed." She smiled.
"Why don't the two of you take a dinner brake and talk. I'll hold the CSI reports on your hit and run. Please Seajae. We're all here for you. This doens't make you any less of a cop." Swertsky patted her shoulder and turned to go back into the station.
"Dan." He turned back.
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry. I should of stayed and talked it out."
"You did what you need to to protect yourself. Fourtunatly I knew how you'd react. Take you time at dinner." He turned again and headed back to work.
"Come on." Bosco lead her to his car. Doyle got into the back seat and the three of them took a long needed break.
Chapter Two: Trouble's Brewing
Seajae sat across from Dr. Crystle. She was a fortish woman with jet black hair with streaks of grey. She wanted a cigarette more then anything in the world. Absently she turned her ring around her left finger. This wasn't what she wanted to do this morning. Or any morning.
"How do you feel about the shooting?"
"How am I suppose to feel?"
"I can't tell you how your suppose to feel."
"I shot a child."
"A child with a dangerous weapon." Seajae looked at the woman. There was something about her that made her feel...safe but wary.
"Thats what everyone tells me. That I saved my partners life. That she would of killed him if I hadn't pulled the trigger."
"Do you think they're wrong?"
"I never have ever second guessed a decision like I do this one."
"You did your job. IAD says so."
"IAD wasn't there." Seajae continued to figet with her ring.
"I read your jacket. You are by the book with a regless side. But you do your job and you do it well." The woman crossed her legs. "You've had a breakdown once. Do you feel any of the signs?"
"What your calling a breakdown was me dealing with a bad situation." Seajae looked at the floor. "One of my best friends was nearly killed. I started working a little harder to make sure it didn't happen again and things got a little,,,,,intence."
"You lost a child."
"Yeah. And nearly lost my husband." Seajae stood up and went to the window. "I know what I did...in theroy is by the book. But in my mind."
"You see the child?"
"Yeah. I see a young girl who wanted to feed her baby."
"Did you look at her file?"
"No."
"Well I did. She had a juvie record as long as your arm. DCF was about to take Owen away. I'm surprised Cole Lambert didn't tell you."
"Well even if she was a hardened criminal she was still just a child."
"So your going to let this guilt interfere with work or your family are you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Your a smart woman Seajae. You know everything has a cause and effect. Have you neglected your family or work because of your guilt?" Seajae looked up at Dr. Crystle.
"I don't think I have. I really don't think I have. I mean I get up in the morning and feed my kids and clean my house and do what I need to do and I go to work. I do what I need to do there and I come home."
"How about your sex life? Has it suffered any?"
"No." Was all Seajae said and she turned to look back out the window. The night of the shooting Bosco made love to her like it was the first time. He showed her that the cold feeling she felt was nothing to be ashamed about. And every night since then she would crawl into bed and he'd be there for her.
"Is it comfort sex or is it normal" Seajae didn't turn around. This wasn't what she thought she would be talking about.
"Comfort sex?"
"My husbands a thirty year ventren of the NYPD. I know he's had a bad day when he crawls into bed and wakes me up."
"If that be the case for us we'd spend the other sixteen hours a day in bed." Seajae looked out at the city. "My family and my job mean the world to me. I thought about quitting after my mother in law died but Bosco made me see that I need my job as much as I need my family."
"Your captian, luitenants, and sargents all have nothing but praise for you Seajae. Your the cop that they want covering thier backs That's a lot to carry on your shoulders."
"It's all I ever wanted."
"But you got more then you wanted when you fell in love." She knew the doctor was right. Seajae wanted to be the best cop she could be. That's all she lived for until Bosco. Then came the kids. Now her plate was full. Maybe overflowing. She crossed her arms over her chest and turned around.
"I love my life. I love my job. I do them both with all my heart. I have friends who love me and stand behind me. I'm me because of them." The doctor smiled.
"You are strong and you are good at everything yu do Seajae. Don't let anyone tell you anything different." She stood up. "Go be who you need to be. And don't let it overwhelm you. You said it...you have family and friends who are there for you. Just make sure you utilize them."
"That's it?"
"You need more."
"I thought you might...anylize me more."
"Maybe someother time. You know how to get in touch with me if you need to. I'm signing off on your shooting. Just take it slow getting back into the swing of things." Seajae got her coat.
"Thanks." She walked to the elevator and pressed the botten. Things were ok. It wasn't as bad as she thought. She was going to meet Bosco and they were going to meet Peggy and Carlos for lunch and get Owen taken care of. Getting into the elevator she smiled. It was going to be a good day.
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"Damn it. Not another one." Sully looked up to see Bosco once again covered in mud. "Bosco your leaving a trail."
"Hey it's spring time in New York." He walked the prisioner up the steps.
"Your not on duty for another three hours."
"Tell that to this jag off stealing purses in the park." Bosco's phone rang. "Yeah."
"Where are you?" Bosco stopped and closed his eyes.
"Damn it baby I'm sorry." He pushed the man into a holding cell. "I was with Jimmy and Joey at the park with the kids and a guy snached a purse."
"Of all days you had to chase him. Bosco...."
"I know. Can you handle it without me?" Seajae looked at Peggy and Carlos sitting at the table.
"This was your idea."
"You could convince geese to walk south for the winter. I'll catch up to you at work."
"You owe me Boscorelli. Are the kids ok?"
"Yeah. Jimmy was taking them back to the house."
"And that's suppose to comfort me?"
"Maybe. I love you sunshine."
"I love you too." Seajae took a deep breath and headed back to the table.
"Everything ok?" Peggy asked.
"Ducky." Seajae smiled. "I talked to Cole Lambert yesterday. He's willing to speed up your foster care application."
"That's great. How did you get him to do that?"
"Well he's got a baby that needs placing." Seajae took a drink of tea. "Claudia Jackson's son Owen. He's three months old half hispanic half caucasion." Peggy looked at Carlos. "I know this is short notice and well I have all the baby stuff you need." Seajea became nervous. She hadn't spent the kind of time she wanted to with these peticular friends and she was feeling guilty. It was a lot to ask of them.
"She's the woman you shot?" Carlos looked at her.
"Yeah."
"You don't want him?"
"I have a lot on my plate. It's not that I don't want him.....but he's so perfect." Seajae pulled out a picture. She put it in front of Carlos and Peggy. She watched then both, wishing they would say something. "I'm sorry....I guess...." She wanted a home for Owen so bad she hadn't considered thier feelings. God she wished Bosco was here.
"Seajae....." Carlos looked at her. "He...he is perfect. You know we want to start a family. We would love to be his foster parents but......"
"But if your trying to have a family its hard to do that with a baby around." Seajae put money on the table and stood up. "I'm sorry. I should of realized. Thanks for listening."
"Seajae." Carlos stood up. "It's not that we don't want to...."
"I understand. We need to do this more. Lunch I mean. " Taking her coat she turned toward the door, then turned back. "Thanks again." She turned and left.
"What was that?" Carlos looked at his wife.
"It's not like her to not to listen."
"Should I call Cole or do you want to do it?"
"I will." Carlos took his phone out of his pocket. "After I call Bosco." Something was going on with Seajae and he figured her husband should know.
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Seajae took a deep breath. She walked slowly down the street. It had been awhile since she felt such disappointment . She was so sure Carlos and Peggy would jump at the chance to take Owen. By the time she cooled down she was nearly at the station. Taking the steps two at a time she went in. Bosco was leaning agaist the sargents desk. Sully behind him.
"So should I ask how lunch went?" She looked at him.
"Not well."
"Well if you would of stuck around Carlos said it would of gone much better." Seajae stopped going up the steps.
"What do you mean?"
"Carlos and Peggy are at Cole's office right now. Seems he called them after you left his office the other day and asked them to take him. They went to pick him up."
"Why didn't anyone say anything?"
"Maybe if you give people a chance to talk." Sully looked up from his paper work. There was a fight brewing and he didn't want to be here when it hit full throttle.
"You guys want to take this in someones office or maybe the locker room. Your scaring the bad guys." Bosco looked at Sully. "I mean it Bosco. I won't have you two fighting at my desk. Now shoo." He waved his hand. Seajae turned and headed upstairs.
"I'm not though with you Boscorelli." Bosco said to her retreating form.
"Get in line." She turned into her office as Doyle came to Bosco and handed him a radio.
"Trouble hoss?"
"Yeah. I married it eight years ago. You'd think I would learn by now." Bosco took his radio and started out the door. Sully cleared his throat. Bosco stopped and turned around. "You have something to say old man?"
"You know betther then I do you don't go out there with things between you Bosco. I hate to be the one to say something might happen to either one of you and leaving with.....stuff between you isn't always smart." Bosco knew Sully was right.
"I'll catch up with you Doyle." Bosco turned and headed upstairs to his wifes office. She was behind her desk. She was staring at a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. "Your not thinking of smoking one are you."
"With the kind of day I had wouldn't you?"
"Never had the urge." He took a step in the office and closed the door. "Seajae.....I'm sorry about not taking Owen."
"He's going to a good home. That's all that matters."
"Why didn't you give Carlos a chance to talk to you?"
"I guess I was just expecting the worst. I've been doing that a lot lately."
"Are life isn't all tragedy."
"Have you been living the same life I have?"
"Seajae we have everything we ever need. We're healthy. We have friends and family who love us." He went around the desk. "And we have eachother." He kissed her then. He knew she was stressed. When things didn't go her way that's how she got. Feeling her relax he broke the kiss. "I love you Seajae. Just rembember that when things tough." He kissed her again as his radio crackled and dispatch echoed though the office.
"55 David...MVA.....Arthor and New Hope." Bosco broke the kiss.
"Let's have dinner. I gotta go." He keyed his radio. "55 David ETA two minutes." Seajae watched him go. She was a lucky woman. Maurice Boscorelli had come into her live when she needed him the most. He was right. When all else failed they had each other. The phone rang and Seajea picked it up.
"Boscorelli."
"Shrink clear you for duty?"
"Yes Elliot. Now it's your turn. You might not be so lucky." Seajae threw the pack of cigarettes and lighter back into her desk. "You miss me?"
"Kinda. It's nice have Liv back too." Seajae smiled.
"I'll forgive you."
"You really ok?"
"I think I'll make it." She looked at the picture on her desk. It was taken the night She and Bosco went on thier date in Hawaii. "We still on for dinner Saturday?"
"You bet. You need anything you know you can call."
"Thanks Elliot." She hung up and Captian Swertzky stuck his head in her office.
"Bosco needs you at his MVA."
"Me?"
"Yeah. He didn't say why." Seajae got her coat and got up to leave. "Seajae?"
"Yeah Boss."
"Be careful out there." Seajae looked at him.
"You don't think I can handle it?"
"I know you can handle it. I also know what it's like after a shooting. You second guess yourself. " He smiled and left. Seajae knew everyone was trying to help with thier advice but the more they said the worse the tight feeling in her gut got. Would she freeze the next time someone pulled a gun on her? Seajae shook her head and headed out to her car.
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"I need a vacation." Doyle looked at Bosco.
"I hate to tell you that we just came back from vacation and it's all down hill from here."
"Just once Doyle can you not be the logical one." Bosco was writing notes when Seajae pulled up. "She isn't going to like this at all."
"It's her job Bos. She doesn't have to like it." Seajae came to the back of the car where Bosco and Doyle stood.
"You boys looking for a real cop?"
"When you find one send him here would you." Bosco saw Seajae's smile didn't quite make it to her eyes. "The driver of the car ran when he got hit hard from behind. The trunk popped open and well....." Bosco moved and opened the trunk. A woman lay wrapped in a white gown.
"Car stollen?"
"Yep."
"Did you call in CSI?"
"On thier way." Seajae looked at the woman. She couldn't be more then thirty. Brown hair. Blood stained white dress. "We checked for ID. Nothing we could see."
"We'll wait till CSI to turn her. The dress looks new...maybe a wedding dress?"
"Second wedding?" Doyle looked at her hands. "No rings."
"If she was on her way to get married she might not have her engagment ring on. Or he could only afford the band." Seajea looked at Bosco. She hated to think a woman on her way to her wedding was murdered and stuffed in a trunk. "Did anyone get a look at the guy?"
"No. The guy stopped on a dime and the SUV hit him. The trunk popped up and the guy was gone." The CSI team pulled up.
"Tell them I want a report ASAP." Seajae took one last look at the woman and turned back and headed to her car. Bosco followed.
"Seajae are you ok."
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"You seem tence." He put his hand on her sholder and she shrugged it of.
"I'm fine." She took two steps toward the car. Bosco stepped in front of her.
"You may of fooled t he shrink but your not alright baby. You've been up and down so much the last few days. Tell me what the hell I can do to make things right."
"Bosco I'm fine. I'm a big girl and I can handle it just fine."
"Handle what?"
"This, my life. I'm fine." She got into the car and started it. "Tell them I'll be in my office when they're done." Without looking at him she backed up and headed down the street.
"What crawled up her ass and died?" Doyle watched Seajea drive away.
"I don't know but if what happened before when she got stressed out like this happens again...God Doyle I couln't take it."
"Well we just have to make sure she doesn't loose it." Doyle watched the CSI team go to work. "She'll be okay Bosco......I know she'll be ok." Bosco knew the younger man was trying to comvnce himself.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
When the captains waiting at your office door when you come back it isn't a good thing. Seajae knew this to be fact. Capitan Swertsky stood at the top of the stairs. She didn't like the look on his face.
"My office now." He didn't sound any better then he looked. Seajae wondered if Bosco called and told him of her little anti social behavior. Knowing her husband would never do that she followed the older man into his office. There were two other men sitting around his desk.
"Didn't know there was a party. And me without a party hat...." Swertsky shook his head.
"Seajae......Hanna Rawlings....Claudia Jackson's mother is suing you and the department for the wrongful death of her daughter." All the blood rushed from Seajae's face. She looked at the captian and tried to read him. "This is Don Jaiden from risk managment and you know Austin Anderson from the union."
"I'd like to say nice to meet you and nice seeing you again but I find it hard to do either." Seajae licked her suddenly dry lips. "I was cleared by IAD and the department shri.....physicatrist."
"This is not a criminal suit.....its civil now. But the department is willing to defend you because we've cleared you of all wrongful doing."
"Great. Thanks." Seajae was shaking. Nothing ever hit her like this. Nothing. She looked at Dan Swertsky. A man who had been there for her and gave her a home and job when she was ready to quit.
"I'm telling you both that Sgt Boscorelli is one of the best officers I have. Her and her husband have done nothing but good for this neighborhood and this department for the last eight years." He could see she was at braking point. Her brown eyes empty. He wished he'd called Sullivan up here before he told her anything. "Seajae......"
"I need to go now." She reached for the door.
"Seajae.....please..." Swertsky stood up. "You need to calm down."
"I'm fine." She opened the door and went out. The capitain followed.
"Seajae...." Se went down the steps. "Sullivan don't let her leave." Sully came out from behind the desk. Seajae looked at him. He knew better then to mess with her. Swertsky looked at his desk sargent. "You let her walk out of here."
"Was I suppose to takel her?"
"Yes. Get Bosco and Doyle back here...now and find McKenzie and Davis....we got big trouble and I mean big."
"Yes sir." Sully picked up the phone and watched the capitian follow the path Seajae took only momments before.
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Jimmy Doherty was polishing the ladder truck outside the fire house when he saw Seajae tear out of the police station across the street. By her expression and the way her fists wer balled up at her sides Jimmy knew touble was brewing. Then seeing the capitain follow he knew things had just gone from bad to worse. Fear rose in his throat. When Seajae was in trouble they all came together.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Swertsky caught up with Seajae at her car. She started to open it and he slammed it shut again.
"I'm not going to let you run away from this Seajae."
"I'm not running."
"You hauled ass out of there pretty fast to not be running."
"I've been a cop for fifteen years. In all that time I've shot a dozon or so people. None of them have sued me. I didn't want to kill that child Dan. But I did and I wake up every morning wishing I hadn't. Now along with the normal feelings of guilt I have to deal with this."
"You are intitled to feeling the way you do about the shooting. But Seajae....it was something you had to do. There was no other way. And the department and the union are behind you in this. If you would of stuck around you would found out that we are going to fight this." Bosco and Doyle pulled up. Bosco got out of the car and went to his wife. She was pale and unsettled. "Bosco take your wife home. When you come in tomorrow we'll figure a way to make this go away."
"What go away?" Bosco looked at Swertsky.
"Seems Claudia Jackson's mother came out of her drug induced coma just in time to file a law suit agiast the department and Seajae." Bosco looked at Seajae and then at Doyle. The younger man knew the look and he headed inside.
"What are you doing out here."
"I needed air." She looked at Swertsky, chalanging him to say differntly. Her arms crossed her chest and she leaned on the car trying to look calmer then she felt.
"Do you need to go home?" He knew she had a case to start on and she wouldn't want anyone else handling it.
"Maybe if I just took a break." Doyle came back down and handed Bosco Seajae's pack of cigarettes. "I don't need them." She wanted one bad. Three months ago she vowed it was the end of her addiction.
"If it will help."
"Bosco...."He knew she wanted to quit for him and the kids. It was her only weekness. Her only vice. It was something she fell back on when things got tough. He handed her the pack.
"Just brush your teeth before you come to bed." She smiled.
"Why don't the two of you take a dinner brake and talk. I'll hold the CSI reports on your hit and run. Please Seajae. We're all here for you. This doens't make you any less of a cop." Swertsky patted her shoulder and turned to go back into the station.
"Dan." He turned back.
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry. I should of stayed and talked it out."
"You did what you need to to protect yourself. Fourtunatly I knew how you'd react. Take you time at dinner." He turned again and headed back to work.
"Come on." Bosco lead her to his car. Doyle got into the back seat and the three of them took a long needed break.