Where it all began …

"This is a joke, right?" Cali muttered under her breath.

Erin stifled a laugh from the next table over.

As they sat in yet another boring training session in an extremely outdated classroom led by an old and tired retired sergeant who droned on and on, Cali gave her companion a side glance.

She had heard through the grapevine about the infamous Intelligence team from the 21st, and she surmised she was seated next to the leader of the wolf pack's daughter. Her reputation preceded her—rumor had it top agencies like the DEA and FBI were attempting to poach Detective Erin Lindsay from the Chicago police force.

Cali's own desk sergeant Theo Brooks had spoken in hushed and revered tones when it came to his 21st counterpart Trudy Platt and her connection with the legendary Hank Voight.

When the instructor said it was time for a break, Cali almost jumped to her feet. She sidled up next to Erin as they strode out of the room.

"Think we will actually learn about policing techniques from this century?" Cali joked as they entered the common area where the vending machines and local cafe were.

"I doubt it. Downey wouldn't know what a TASER was if it buzzed him in the ass," Erin remarked, stepping into the order line.

Cali laughed and nodded in agreement. "True. Do you think he even realizes we drive cars with bluetooth and power windows?"

Erin shook her head. "I'm positive his car hails from the 1980s. Just like his clothes."

Cali stuck out her hand.

"I'm Cali McDermott by the way," she introduced herself. Erin shook her hand.

"Erin Lindsay."

They ordered their coffee and headed to one of the cafe tables.

"What district are you from?" Erin conversationally asked as they peered at other officers puttering about.

"The 45th," Cali replied.

"I worked a robbery case several weeks back with Detective Stan Johansson," Erin said, looking at Cali, who tried not to spew her coffee. She swallowed hard, her eyes welling.

Johansson thought he was god's gift to every woman, and he had suggestively brushed up against her on more than one occasion when they were working on the same case.

"He called me 'babe' every chance he got," Erin stated. "He's the one who is a pig."

Cali couldn't help it, she choked with laughter this time. Erin handed her a napkin with a rueful smile.

"Babe, why don't you let me help you with that," Cali mocked when she finally could speak. It was Erin this time who dissolved into giggles.

Officers at the table near them eyed them curiously. Erin attempted to stop her giggles, but when she shared another look with Cali, they both broke into another uncontrollable fit of laughter.

"Hey, babe, it's me," Cali said, balancing her cell on her shoulder as she pulled on her boots. "Nothing earth-shattering. Just call me whenever you have a free minute."

Erin frowned at Jay as she hit her cell button to silence it.

"Do you think I can't tell the difference?" she demanded. Jay held up his hands in surrender.

Erin stalked off and brought up her cell to her ear to listen to the voicemail.

"Can you meet for dinner tonight?" Erin asked Cali over the phone as she stood on the stairs, still simmering over Jay's arrogance and difference of opinion.

"Sure," Cali replied as she walked into her own district station. "You OK?"

"I'll be fine once I get a couple of drinks in me," Erin snapped.

"Babe," Cali said with a sigh, knowing Jay must have pissed her off. Again.

They were enjoying drinks at O'Bannon's on the southwest side when Erin broached the subject again about Cali joining the 21st.

"Bullet number 17, you'd save Jay's life," Erin pointedly stated, "because if I stay, I'm gonna kill him for being a moron."

Cali shook her head and tipped her glass toward Erin.

"Counterbullet number eight, being away from him might kill you," Cali replied matter-of-factly.

Erin sighed and rolled her eyes.

"You headed to this firearms and TASER seminar in Milwaukee next month?" Cali asked Erin at their next girls' night out.

Erin took a bite of her breadstick and nodded.

"I'm pretty sure it's mandatory for anyone needing to re-up their certification," she said. "You?"

Cali nodded.

"Anyone else from your team going?" she asked as she forked a mushroom in her salad.

Erin shrugged.

"Even if they were, I wouldn't want to room with any of those punks anyway," she flippantly replied, as she glanced at Cali, who was staring at her intently.

"You fishing for a hotel invite, babe?" Erin kidded. Cali grinned.

"And if I am?" she snarkily retorted.

Erin winked.