Chapter 7 Parents and commissioner

It had been two months since Emily, Tracey, and JJ had resigned from the NYPD. They had completed the arrangements for the wedding and spent a lot of time with Ellie and Vanessa visiting museums and other attractions around the city. Morgan had visited on a few occasions trying to get the trio to come back to the NYPD, but the answer was still no.

"I'm back, where you are, girls," Emily shouted on returning home. She had been taken out by a security company with a job offer for her—Emily hands over two large cake boxes over to Vanessa and Ellie she had brought back for them.

Tracy looks on, amused at her wife. "What? I got them to take me to that new desert restaurant by time square. It was Devine, and I had to bring the girls some back to try." Emily smirked. "They offered me a job in their close protection division, money was excellent, but I can't see myself in a pants suit wearing sunglasses dealing with famous idiots all day. I said I would think about it." Smirked Emily

"You mean you are going to let them wine and dine you again before you turn them down." Tracey scolded

"I thought you might like a posh meal out on them." Smiles Emily giving her wife a little wink

Tracey smiled. "I think I can be persuaded to a nice free meal out, and the pants suit would look good on you, sweetie," Tracey tells her wife thinking it would look better on the floor of her bedroom, though.

"What are we going to do about jobs? I know we don't need to work. We have plenty of money, but none of us could handle being a stay at home parents." Tracey asked

"I've been offered a full-time commission and permanent regular job with the squadron. I'm thinking about it but have to talk to Elizabeth about it first." Answered Emily, "what about you, sweetheart?" Emily asked

"I don't know yet, I'm still thinking about it, but I'm enjoying all this time at home with the girls," Tracey answered

EJ

Captain Rossi and Lt Strauss sat in front of the NYPD police commissioner. They had been summoned to his office this morning to explain the crime stats for his precinct. That had worsened over the last two months, and the 35 precinct was always top of all the city precincts. They now had fallen into the bottom 4 of all 77 precincts.

"Explain to me how your crime stats have fallen so badly over the last two months, please, Captain Rossi?" The commissioner asked

Dr Spencer Reid was New York city's youngest ever commissioner. He was ridiculed at first for his age and child-like looks. Many senior members of the NYPD had found him to be ruthless. His genius IQ, along with his eidetic memory, had embarrassed many of them for trying to waffle their way through meetings. After eight years, all attendees to meetings with the commissioner made sure they knew the facts and figures and double-checked them.

"Explain the resignations of officers Tracey and Emily Prentiss and Jennifer Jareau to me, please? I looked at their arrest records and conduct over the past five years. They hold the top three slots for arrests in the whole department. Whilst Jareau's and Emily Prentiss conduct is not the best, and I looked into the reasons and rules they broke. I noticed a lot of their suspensions and infractions are because they broke the exact letter of the law. I pulled the records for the remainder of their platoon and found a large discrepancy in how punishment was dealt with. Care to explain that captain Rossi?, it would seem Lt Strauss has issues with Jareau and Emily Prentiss." Commissioner Reid asked. "I have four letters of complaint about the actions of you, Lt Strauss, from the parents of the four children Prentiss and Jareau saved. If they are not reinstated to the NYPD, they will let the press know about your conduct in trying to further your career, not giving a dam about their wishes."

"It would seem two of my officers have been singled out, sir. Sir Lt Strauss followed the rules, and the patrol guide said she is not at fault here. They also hold the record for suspensions, sir." Rossi speaks up to protect his Lt

"Fix it, captain, before we lose three exceptional officers to the private sector. That is all." Reid tells them.

EJ

"Thank god for that!" JJ sighed. Her cast had been finally removed after two months.

Emily and JJ had finally gotten rid of their purple casts at their hospital review, and they had some physiotherapy to complete. Both women now had child-like smiles on their faces, feeling much lighter.

"Morning ladies, I just thought I would pop in and see how your all getting on?" Derek Morgan laughed.

"Fine, thanks, Sar...Derek, especially since we got those dam cast off our arms." Emily replied, "why are you here? we're not coming back."

Morgan smiled and just opened the door and allowed a group of adults and children to enter. All four women looked puzzled at the entering group of people.

"They wanted to all thank you personally for saving their children in person when they heard you were both at the hospital." Smiled Morgan

The four girls all came shyly across to Emily and JJ, and both hugged their legs and said thank you for saving us. Both ladies knelt and reciprocated, hugging them all tightly. Tears streamed down both their face—neither Emily nor JJ were prepared for the meeting. Morgan looked on smiling at the scene, hoping his plan to get Tracey, Emily and JJ to return to the NYPD would work.

The parents of the children all came across and thanked them for saving their children and if they could ever do anything for them to let them know.

"We are sorry saving our children cost you all your jobs. We have written to the commissioner stating our concern, losing experienced officers over their superiors promotion aspirations. We looked at arrest records through a freedom of information request. We feel somewhat responsible for your Resignation." One of the parents explained

"If we are honest, this has been coming for a while, and this episode just brought it to ahead. Thank you so much for being so supportive. We all appreciate it. Please don't worry about us; concentrate on your girls, we will be fine." JJ smiled at the assembled group of parents.

After all the parents and children had left, Tracey turned to look at Morgan "nice try, sarge, not gonna work." Morgan smiled "can't blame me for trying. Come back, please. At least come in and talk to the Captain and Lieutenant." Morgan almost begged

EJ

In the car, on the journey back to the apartment block every one was silent, all lost in thought after meeting the four children again and Morgan's plea. Emily and JJ were conflicted about returning to the NYPD, and both lived for the job helping people was their life. Returning to the same precinct with Strauss was unthinkable. Emily had mulled the idea of joking about the aviation unit or E.S.U, but she loved being a patrol officer helping people. JJ was also busy deciding where to go if she returned.

JJ looked up eventually and noticed Elizabeth had pulled the car over outside the 35 precinct

"Sweetheart! Why are we here?" JJ asked her fiancée

Emily and Tracey join them outside the car. "Now listen to me and don't interrupt." Elizabeth waits until she gets acknowledgement from the others. "Good. Now get in there and sort it out. You three live for helping others. Don't let that witch take your jobs away from you. There are 76 other precincts to choose from; now go, I will wait out here and please don't get arrested." Elizabeth points to the main doors

The three former patrol officers all sigh and start towards the upcoming meeting with the wicked witch of the 3-5

EJ

They sat in captain Rossi's office with Lt Strauss and Sgt Morgan, and the atmosphere was very aggressive with Strauss being present.

"You do know IF, and I mean IF we decide to return, it won't be at this precinct. She'll make sure we are split up for sure. We never have or will ever do our job to get our 10 minutes of fame or gain promotion. None of us wants promotion; we are happy exactly where we are, we DON'T CARE about crime stats like you do." Emily smiled at Strauss, knowing she had found the real reason for needing them back.

Emily turns to look at JJ and Tracey to see they have realised the real reason for Strauss needing them back.

"What would it take for the three of you to come back to the 35?" Strauss almost begged, she hated sounding this needy, but this problem needed rectifying.

" written confirmation that our partnership will not be broken up. Our medical equipment and M4 for our RMP are granted, including the drugs. We still have physical therapy for a few weeks before we're fit to return." Emily states their request

Rossi smiles and hands over a letter from commissioner Reid, stating their partnership can only be terminated by themselves or if they fall below the accepted standard of the NYPD assessed by their C.O only. JJ took the letter and passed it to Emily to read.

Looking at Strauss, "we only ask to be judged like the rest of our platoon are not to the exact letter of the law. You know, sometimes rules need to be bent or stretched but never broken. Cards on the table we don't like you because if you see a chance to further your career, you will walk over any of us to achieve YOUR goal. Let's face it myself and Emily are extremely good at our jobs, leaving us alone to work. We will accept any punishment for rules we have broken, but only if we get a fair shake of the stick." JJ tells Strauss in no uncertain terms.

"Can I take it to you three are returning to the NYPD?" Rossi asked, "your brand new RMP stocked as you requested has been authorised by commissioner Reid. It would seem he is a fan of your exploits as he has just authorised it immediately from the instant message I have just sent." Welcome back officers, he hands back three shields

EJ

Emily and JJ stand outside the commissioner's office after being summoned two weeks after meeting at the precinct. They both sat in their dress uniform, wondering why they had been called.

"Officers, you can go in." The secretary told them.

They both stood to attention and saluted after entering. Commissioner Reid indicated for them to sit.

"I don't like being manipulated; you both resigned knowing you both had a large percentage of your precincts arrest. Therefore damaging their standing her at 1PP, your captain and lieutenant would then come and ask you to return. Thus allowing you to insist on your new RMP with full medical kit and your M4's. I agree that having a paramedic on the scene will help save your brother officers with almost instant medical care. But your approach is wrong in many ways circumventing the chain of command. I am putting you both on notice, and you are on my naughty list. You will both wash all your precincts vehicles on your day off and clean Lt Strauss car inside and out. Should any smells or anything funny happen to her car, I think you get the idea." Reid smiled

"YES, SIR!" Emily and JJ replied.

Reid makes them sit through the breakdown of the latest crime figures from their precinct. Looking into the commissioner's eyes, he enjoys putting the girls through hell. An hour and a half later, Reid finished his monologue,

"That will be all, don't let me see you again unless it is for a well done. If you pull this crap again, you will be getting writers to cramp from all the parking tickets you write. Do I make myself crystal clear?" Reid tells them, glaring

"Yes, sir," Emily replied

"Sir," JJ answered

"Dismissed."

Emily and JJ leave Reid's office after the doors are closed behind them. "That is a bulldog disguised as a nerd. I was waiting for the spanking and the dunce hat. How the hell did he know?" JJ asked

"I thought we were very sneaky about our little plan; at least we don't have to wear those dam teddy bear suits. At least we can have fun with Morgan while we wash the cars.

EJ

Emily and JJ stood in the parking lot of their precinct, following the commissioner's order. They had washed 14 RMPS so far and had valeted Strauss car. Morgan had a good idea why they were standing washing police cars on their day off, and he had made sure he had given them a garden hose as the pressure washer was somehow broken. He was far from amused that Emily and JJ were wearing their fire turn out gear. They had been issued it because they had to do a set amount of rides alongside the ambulances to keep their paramedic's qualifications up to date.

"What the hell!" JJ looked puzzled as an NYPD command truck parked up in front of them

throwing the keys to Emily "commissioner said you both volunteered to wash them." The driver smiled as two other trucks drove in.

"Thanks", Emily smiled. "It's going to take us hours to do with this hose."

"I have a cunning plan." Smirked JJ

After 40 minutes, an FDNY water truck arrived with a hydraulic platform. JJ waved them over and showed them where to park.

"Thanks, guys, your all lifesavers. We will get these washed a lot quicker now." Smirked JJ

"Anything for fellow firefighters." The fire Captain smiled

Due to Emily and JJ being New York City registered paramedics, they were also on the register of the FDNY for insurance purposes. With the added water pressure, they were moving along rapidly now.

A Hispanic couple ran into the parking lot carrying their daughter, screaming, "SHE'S CHOCKING, PLEASE HELP!"

Emily and JJ ran to the couple and grabbed the girl. Emily laid the girl on the floor and looked into her mouth or saw the end of a hot dog sticking out her throat. JJ had grabbed the medical bag out of their new RMP. Emily laid down behind the girls head and grabbed the end of the hot dog with some long forceps; JJ sat straddling the girl's belly and pressed down on her throat. Emily managed to remove the inch long piece of hot dog, and the girl gasped for air. JJ moved and positioned herself to the girl's side and rested her against her body.

"Take small breaths, sweetie. Your throat will be sore from Emily removing your hot dog. You do know you should chew your food before trying to swallow such big pieces?" JJ smiled and gently stroked her back.

"Thank you, you both saved my little girl." The father gushed and kissed both women on their cheek's

JJ explained they needed to take Gabriel, their daughter, to the hospital to be checked out if any small fragments had entered her lungs. The mother paled and explained they couldn't afford insurance.

"Don't worry about the cost. Just go in the ambulance and get Gabriel to check out by the doctor. We will cover the cost." smiled Emily. JJ phoned and spoke to the hospital and arranged for payment.

Only Emily and Tracey's very close friends knew they had a lot of money, and they owned the apartment building they lived for instance.

The fire captain had called an ambulance that took Gabriel and her family to the hospital. Smiling, both women returned to the task of washing vehicles.

JJ motioned to the gate " Em, look."

Emily turned to look at the gate to see at least ten people walking in with buckets and sponges from the building the family had run out from.

"Which cars can we help you, two officers, with?" The leader asked, "every good deed deserves another. We heard you phone the hospital to cover their hospital costs. Where do you want us to start?"

"At the end, please, we will meet in the middle." A natural shell shocked, Emily answered. Both women smiled and carried on cleaning

EJ

Back at 1 Police Plaza, the commissioner watched Emily and JJ on the NYPD camera system. He sat watching the events unfold smiling,

"Who needs police outreach programs, you just need two extraordinary officers, and they help without even thinking about it." He smiled to himself

He had been watching Emily and JJ since he became commissioner. Their records as partners were unsurpassed. Their knack at getting into trouble was also unsurpassed within the NYPD. He smiled and spoke to the chief of patrol sitting opposite

"I think they are enjoying this punishment too much. I think a sponsored Teddy bear wash here at 1PP should remind them it's a punishment. They can bring their FDNY help chief. It might help mend bridges." Reid laughed.

"Yes, sir, I will get it arranged." The chief smiled and left to inform their captain.

Next up: Teddy Special and Overdoses