Clear Blue Sky

Evelyn stared at the computer screen in front of her, mentally groaning. Jesus, what do these guys do with their tech out in the field? Standing up she grabbed the tablet and headed towards the bullpen. Walking through SWAT HQ was always a treat for her, 90% of the men either leered at her like she was meat or her personal favorite talk to her like she was supposed to get the coffee.

Keeping her eyes forward she could see the person that was causing her current brain melt. "STREET! Seriously, do you purposely destroy your tablets, for sport?" Shoving it at him. "I swear to all that his holy, next one you break, I'm gonna make you eat it."

Looking down at her, "Sorry, Evie! It's just I," looking around he could see that Luca and Tan were laughing at him. Even Rocker hid his smirk.

Glaring at him, "You just what? Hmmm?" Crossing her arms at him, she looked up at him, "If you weren't my friend, I'd kick you, really hard."

Snorting at her, "That actually sounds terrifying. You're terrifying you know that, right?" he was only half joking. Looking down at her, he couldn't help but smile at her, she was 5'0, strawberry blonde, with the biggest baby blue eyes, "I thought country girls were supposed to be all sweet." He teased.

Dropping her arms to the side, a part of her really wanted to punch him but the better part of her knew that would just end up breaking her hand, "And here I thought you L.A boys were supposed to be good with tech. Seems like we're both disappointed."

Luca held out his fist for her to bump, "That's my girl!" Luca liked her from the moment he met her, she was sweet, and her accent was sexy as hell, but after the first couple months here, he realized that she wasn't looking for anything or anyone, she just wanted to work. Which was fine with him, eventually he'd wear her down and she'd let him take her on a date.

Bumping his fist, she smiled at him, "Thank you Luca." Turning her eyes back to Street, "I'm serious Jim, I will hurt you. Tech is your friend; you do not need to hurt me so." Giving him the biggest puppy eyes, she could.

She didn't get to wait around for his response, her phone went off, looking at the text, her eyes bugged out, "Sugar honey ice-tea." She muttered to herself. Without even a goodbye, Evelyn ran towards Jessica's office, not seeing the look that Rocker gave her as she darted by.

Rocker watched as the little red head darted up the stairs, he watched as she headed down the hall towards the boss's office, his eyes following her as disappeared behind the wall. Mentally he was kicking himself, he barely could find it in it to talk to her. Half the time she was around she was doing her job, the other half; Street or Luca were occupying her time. Turning his attention back to the bullpen, he was grateful that no one seemed to notice that he watched her.

Street snorted at Luca, "Did she really say, Sugar Honey Ice-Tea?" he asked his friend.

Shrugging his shoulders, "Yea. That's what it sounded like. You know she doesn't curse too much." It was one of the reasons Luca liked her so much. She really wasn't like the girls here in L.A. Turning his attention to Rocker, "What does that even mean?"

Rubbing his chin, "I think it's a long way of saying shit. I mean spell it out man." It was the most logical explanation he could think of.

They guys shared a look, eventually they busted out laughing, Street wiping his eyes, "I love her. She's hilarious."

Standing outside Jessica's office, she gently knocked waiting for her to give permission.

"Come in."

Opening the door, Evelyn walked into the office to find Hicks, Mumford, Hondo, and Jessica standing around. Feeling nervous, "What's going on Captain?" she asked. Her nerves starting to act up with all of them just staring at her.

"Hey Evie, so, I needed you here, Mumford's team is about to do a raid on the K-town posse," looking at both Hicks and Hondo. Turning her attention back to Evelyn, "They have a high-tech security system, only way to get into the vault with the drugs is to have the code, or to hack it." Jessica took a second to gather her thoughts, "You'll need to make entry with 50 Squad." Watching the look that passed over her face, made Jessica feel sorry for the girl.

At first, she thought that they were punking her, but Jessica doesn't goof around, Hicks, kept his eyes locked hers, turning towards Hondo, then finally staring at Mumford. "Oh, OK. I….. " looking at Jessica, "There is no other way?" asking with a little fear in her voice.

Shaking her head, "I'm sorry Evie, no." Not wanting to let her get too far in head, "That's why Hondo is here, he's going to go with you, he's your personal escort for the mission, he will not leave your side." Hell, he's the one that volunteered for it.

Her eyes fell to him, "OK." Trying to keep herself from panicking, she smiled at him, "I've always wanted a personal guard." Turning her attention to Hicks, she could see he didn't want this either, "I'll do my best commander, and I will listen to bossy of there. I promise."

Hicks smiled at her, "I know you will Evie, listen to Hondo and he'll get you in and out safely." Turning his attention to him, giving him a pointed look.

Jessica could see the tension was rising, "Mumford get the team ready, Evie, come with me, I'll get you ready."

Falling in step with Jessica, which was hard, she was 5'8 and had really long strides, "Jessica, I'm scared. The closet to the field I've had to be was when it was over, any advice?" asking as they reached the locker room.

Jessica grabbed some pants, shirt, and boots for her, she had them ordered when Evie first started, knowing at some point there might be a need for her to go out on a direct mission. "Yea. Always stay within a foot of Hondo, when he stops you stop, when he moves, tap his shoulder so he knows you're behind him, and if he tells you run, duck, whatever, don't think just do it."

Quickly stripping and putting on her tac uniform, it felt so weird, as she finished lacing up her boots, she could see Jessica smiling down at her, "What?" she asked.

"You look good ready to go out there. Let me braid your hair so you don't have to worry about it getting in the way and you can get the helmet on." Jessica efficiently braided her long hair and handed her the helmet, and the bullet proof best.

After putting it on, Evie smiled up at her friend, "So, after this, and your paperwork's done beer? Please."

Leading her out to the motor pool, "You got it Eve." Jessica could see 50 squad was standing by Black Betty, even 20 Squad was out there watching her walk out.

Luca was pissed, she wasn't trained for this, "Captain, there has to be another way."

Holding her hands up, looking at the SWAT teams, "You don't think I tried to find another way. I'm not happy, but Evie, is more than capable of this, and we need her."

Evie watched as they all looked at her, "Relax, I get a bodyguard," pointing to Hondo coming out in his full gear, "Plus, I don't know if you know this, I've run courses with Deacon in the event that I was needed in the field. So, stop freaking me out." Looking at Hondo who smiled at her, "Ready?"

Putting his hand on her shoulder, "Let's do this Dixie." Turning towards his team, "We got this." Looking at Mumford, since this was his show, "Ready?"

Nodding his head, "Round up, Stevens, you drive." Extending his hand towards Evie, he helped her get into Black Betty. A small tinge of doubt passed through, he liked the girl, she was very sweet, but he knew that Hondo wouldn't let anything happen to her.

Evelyn went towards the end of the bench, watching 50 squad sit around and get situated, sitting across from her was Mumford, next to him Rocker. Her eyes locked with his and all she could do is offer a small smile. Keeping her hands folded in her lap, she didn't want to shake anymore than she felt like she was already doing.

As they took off, she felt Hondo put his arm around her, turning her head she could see he was smiling at her, it helped. Driving towards their target, she listened intently to Mumford give the details on what they were all supposed to be doing, but as he got to her, she blinked and took a deep breath.

"Evie, you are his shadow, do not lose him, where he goes you go. Got it?" he asked her.

Trying to sooth her dry throat, she couldn't really speak, but nodding wasn't going to work for him, "Yes sir." It came out all hoarse.

Reaching behind his back, he pulled out a Glock 9mm. Checking the chamber, and the clip, he put the safety on, and handed to her, "Only in an emergency, you got me?"

Slowly reaching for the gun she held it for a second, then looked at him, understanding that he was trying to let her know that she may need it, putting it in the holster, "I understand." Wiping a tear that escaped, "Thank you."

Rocker was trying to keep his cool, he didn't want anyone but him to protect her, but he understood it was his team's mission, he was just happy that it was Hondo that was with her, no one would protect her better than him. Leaning over, "You got this Evie."

Smiling at him, "Thanks Rocker." Her eyes locked onto his blue eyes, she could feel her heart beat a little faster, she had a huge crush on him Donovan, but with his divorce from Val, and well being 100% out of her league, she never would do anything to bring it to his attention, she wasn't ready to make such an ass of herself.

Pulling up, she watched the guys lock and load their guns and file out of the truck, she could feel her body starting to shake with the nerves, but not wanting to speak, she grabbed her tablet and slung her the backpack on and followed Hondo out there back, the jump down from black betty seemed farther than she imagined, but that wasn't going to slow her down, she kept up with him, slightly tapping his shoulder as Jessica instructed her to as she followed him through the building.

Rapid gun fire had her biting her inner cheek, she wasn't use to a full assault on a target, but she wanted to work for the LAPD when they came to her Vanderbilt recruiting for Tech Analysts. Letting out a sigh, she followed Hondo, keeping in time with him, he was impressive to watch, but soon she could hear in the radio that they secured most of the men that were in the warehouse, she could see the vault and Mumford and Rocker waiting for her.

Attaching the her tablet to the keypad, Evelyn carefully and quickly starting to get into the program, it was a beast, having a randomly generated algorithm, punching a few keys, she could see that the gears were starting to spin, "I'm in…" as the door opened, she could hear the guys in the vault start to shoot, ducking, down, "Jesus," taking a deep breath, she shut it down, the vault was now offline, "I shut it out, no one can put in the master code to lock you in." She said to the team.

Mumford looked down at the girl, he could see that she was terrified, but keeping it together, "Rocker, Flash bang," turning his head slightly to keep the sound from coming back on him, looking at Hondo, "Watch her." With that he and the rest of 50 squad entered the vault and subdued who they could and shooting who were not giving up.

Crouching behind Hondo, she held on to his shoulder, mostly because if she didn't, she would be shaking. A warm hand touched hers, raising her eyes she found his dark ones giving her a nod.

"50 David to all D team, Code 4. Suspect in custody, several suspects down."

Hondo stood up straighter, finally feeling like he could relax, turning towards here, "You good Dixie?" he asked.

Letting out a long breath that she didn't even know she was holding, "Yea. Can I step out or am I still needed?"

Hondo shrugged his shoulders, "Mumford, is Evelyn cleared to head out?" he asked by the vault door.

"Yea, we got what we need, we're heading out, Cortez gave us all clear." He said walking out with the rest of his team. As he passed Hondo he could see the relief on her face, "You did good, thank you."

Rolling her neck, she smiled up, "You're welcome." Following the guys out towards the detectives coming to investigate this raid, and everything else that happens with an op, she grateful jumped back into Black Betty and sat quietly in the back thinking about how different her life has become.

Never in a million years did anyone think a small-town Tennessee girl would be working for the LAPD SWAT department as their tech analyst, but it was definitely the best decision that she made to come out to L.A.

By the time they hit HQ lot, the adrenaline was leaving her body, as she made her way to jump down, she felt arms lift her and place her gently on the pavement. Looking up to find Rocker smiling at her, "Thanks."

"So, how'd you like your first mission?" he asked her as they headed into HQ.

Snorting, and taking off the helmet, "Scary as heck. Simulations are not the same. But I mean, if I have to do that occasionally, then I will, but if not, that's fine too." She tried to smooth down her hair, feeling that it was frizzy.

Rocker nodded at her, "Yea, real bullets hurt. I'm glad that you were able to do that for us." He could see that Jessica was headed this way, "Boss is coming."

Jessica walked right up and pulled her into a hug, "You did great Evie, how are you?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

"I could really go for that beer, let me change and you buy me dinner?" she teased.

Jessica laughed, "Yes, of course, I'll meet you at Carl's in an hour," looking at Rocker and Mumford, "Great job." With that she headed towards her office to finish up what she needed to do to get out of there.

Mumford laughed, "Dinner on the boss, how'd you manage that?"

Before heading towards her locker area, she smiled, "Because Jessica and I are friends outside of work." Reaching into the holster, she carefully handed him back his gun, "Thanks for that."

Putting back in his holder, he looked down at her, "You did good kid, we'll make you a SWAT officer yet." Heading towards the showers he left Rocker and Evie standing there.

Shaking her head, she looked up at him, "That would be a polite no thank you. You tell him that for me. I personally do not find joy in getting shot at." Pointing to the door, "I'm going to shower, thanks for having my 6 or whatever it is you guys say."

Rocker laughed, "You got it Evie, have a good night." Turning to head towards the shower himself, he couldn't help but want to slap himself for not seeing if she wanted to get a drink with him sometime. Heading towards the shower, he didn't even wait for it to heat up, eventually he would get around to really spending time with her, if he could ever get over being terrified of being rejected.