The next day, Chris was arranging her presentation and rehearsing through it in her own head. Presenting a workshop to a group this size was something she had done before but she still felt nervous. Not because she didn't know her stuff, more that she knew her performance here would count toward the referrals they gave her for the TLI's back home.
As the door at the back of the lecture hall creaked open she took a deep breath.
"Hi, come on in," she motioned to the two men in different uniforms and as they took their seats, a steady stream of other law enforcement officers soon followed. She cued the screen behind her to show the opening slide of her presentation and gave herself a pep talk as she arranged her equipment.
"You've got this, you are strong, you are the first female LAPD SWAT officer. You are intelligent, proactive, highly skilled and far from ordinary." She smiled to herself as her words began to sink in, and do what she intended them to do. She had every right to feel proud of her accomplishments.
As she glanced up, she noticed that the seats were almost 3/4 full. She had not anticipated such interest in her talk.
'Woah!' She muttered to herself, 'Glad I am prepared.'
"Well hello everyone, and good morning from sunny Virginia, I am Senior Special Agent Timmins, and I am here to introduce you all to our presenter for this morning's workshop." Chris smiled as SSA Timmins appeared from the front row and addressed the crowd. "It is my absolute pleasure to be able to introduce you all to one of the most exciting presenters we have had in a while. This LAPD officer is a trailblazer. SHE is the first female LAPD SWAT Officer and has a very distinguished service record with LAPD, the k-9 unit and SWAT. Please put your hands together for Officer Christina Alonso."
The crowd clapped loudly as she felt her cheeks go slightly red.
"Thank you SSA Timmins, I was not expecting such an introduction." She added smiling a little embarrassed at the crowd.
"I am very honoured to be here today to talk to you all about my career, and my knowledge of those things that I am passionate about." Chris turned to look at the big screen. As she hit the button on the presentation controls to advance to the next slide, everything went dark. She was suddenly standing in the pitch black as a few confused voices drifted around.
"What happened?"
"The powers out?"
"Oh no!"
'Shit!' Chris muttered. As the backup generators allowed the floor lights to kick in, but nothing else. She could just make out shadows but, nothing more.
Suddenly she felt a hand on her arm, "Don't worry Chris we will get this fixed ASAP." She heard SSA Timmins add.
"Thanks." She answered, not sure what to do now.
"Please remain calm, and make your way out through the exits, if you can. We will restore power and re commence as soon as possible."
"Can I help? I am a qualified electrician from my time on tour." Chris spun around to make out a tall figure, one of the crowd most likely.
"I ah... am not sure what the problem exactly is?" She answered.
He switched on a flashlight and nodded to a box on the wall, "I'll start there and see if I can't get you back up and running,"
"Thanks… ahh?" Chris said not sure who this helpful stranger was.
"Sgt. Michaels," He answered passing Chris the torch. "Would you shine this here for me?"
"Sure," she answered a little flustered.
A few minutes and he had everything back on. ...and that's when she saw him for the first time. As her eyes met his, it sent a shiver down her spine. His smile made her heart race and her cheeks flush. He was handsome, yes, but something about him made her mind go momentarily blank.
"All better," he smiled,
"Thank you, wow, your handy to have about." She fumbled.
"I try to not be your average, common, Joe blow." He laughed.
After watching the handsome Sgt. Michael's return to his seat, Chris got on with what she came here to do. Delivering her presentation felt natural, freeing and really worthwhile, sharing her experiences with other officers. It was safe to say that she quiet confidently wowed the audience. As they stood and applauded her at the end, she felt a rush sweep through her. She had done it. It had been a success and that was the best feeling ever.
She packed up her equipment and organised the other training sessions she would be helping to run with SSA Timmins, as the crowd began to disperse. A few officers from all over came up to thank her and ask her a few questions. Finally, when the last seemed to be gone she thanked Timmins again and waved as he left. Sighing, relieved, she pulled out her phone.
"Hey Deac, all done. God that felt good. Hope all is okay back home." She typed and was just hitting send and sliding it back into her pocket when a voice from behind startled her.
"You smashed that out of the park." Chris spun around to see Sgt. Michael's standing there smiling at her.
"Oh hey, um, thanks," she smiled. "I like sharing what I can and hopefully it makes a difference." Chris turned away grabbing her bag and laptop case.
"I think you left a lasting impression on a lot of officers today. I am sure everyone at home will be proud of you." He added nodding at her phone, with a slight raise to his eyebrows. Chris smiled with a nod.
"Hope so," she almost whispered.
"Oh, let me help," he said reaching to take a bag.
"Oh, it's okay, I got it. Thanks, and thank you so much for your help earlier you really saved the day there."
"No problem." He seemed to shuffle nervously for a second before he spoke again. "Hey, would it be too much if I asked If we could grab a coffee before you go back?" Chris felt butterflies take off inside her. 'Oh god!' She muttered. She had felt that initial attraction yes, but the idea of acting on it at all terrified her. He was handsome, tall, intelligent, and kind, but the idea of opening up to someone again was scary. BUT at the same time, she didn't want to say no, walk away and then wonder what if.