"It won't happen again, Sarge I promise," Ponch said over the phone as he and Jon stepped onto the elevator. They were on their way to check in on Grossie, who had gotten into an accident a few days ago.
Jon bit his lip in an attempt to keep from laughing, as he was sure he could hear Joe on the other end saying 'it better not.' Or perhaps that was just his mind knowing exactly what his sergeant would be saying in this moment.
Ponch gave Jon an apologetic look, as he kept the phone to his ear listening to Joe. He mouthed the words. 'sorry, I didn't expect this to go on for so long.'
Jon only shrugged. "I mean, if he can't lecture you in the office, why not do it over the phone." He looked away, so Ponch couldn't see his poor attempt at holding in a laugh. When he glanced back, Ponch was still giving him the 'you didn't just say that to me,' look. A look he got far too often.
"Okay, okay I get it, Sarge," Ponch said trying to cut Joe off. come on, you're dragging this out...Ponch sighed quietly, hoping Getraer didn't catch it. "Uh...what? No, Sarge. I'm still listening." Ponch leaned against the elevator wall. He made an attempt to adjust the phone in his hand, but instead accidentally hit the button to hang up. "Oops." Or maybe it wasn't an accident after all.
"Everything okay?" Jon asked, as the elevator stopped to let another person on.
"Yeah, yeah Getraer's just-" Ponch stopped, his eyes widening as his sergeant stepped in. Could this day get any worse? "Uh, hi Sarge," Ponch waved innocently.
Getraer glared a moment. "Getraer's just what?" You thought I didn't hear you? I know what you're about to say.
Ponch smiled. "A nice sergeant?"
Getraer rolled his eyes. "Don't think this is over, Poncherello..." he started as the elevator began to go up again.
And just when I thought I was getting a break from all of this. Jon thought, looking up to the ceiling a moment. "Sarge, I'm sure it was an accident. I mean, you know Ponch...he's always dropping his phone," Jon offered up an excuse as quickly as he could.
Ponch nodded, glancing at Jon a moment. Thanks, partner.
Getraer rolled his eyes again, as he crossed his arms over his chest. "You expect me to believe that you hung up by accident, during a phone call you didn't want to be a part of?" He glanced to Jon a moment. Trying to cover for him as usual. Unbelievable.
Ponch nodded. "Yes, sir..." he looked down to the floor a moment, faking embarrassment.
Getraer opened his mouth to say something, when suddenly they felt the elevator stop. He turned, ready for the door to open, but it didn't. "Are we even stopped?"
Jon and Ponch looked at each other, then nodded.
"I can't feel it moving, so I'd think that means we're stuck, Sarge," Ponch replied quietly. He wished it wasn't true. Stuck in an elevator with Getraer was bad enough. But stuck in the elevator with an angry Getraer? I don't think it gets any worse than this.
As if to prove him wrong, the lights went out. He rolled his eyes. At least he can't kill me in the dark...uh, at least I don't think so?
Jon reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone and turning the flashlight on. He hadn't paid attention to where it was pointing in the dark it was hard to tell, until the light came on followed by an angry "Hey!" from an even more angry Joe Getraer.
Jon pointed it down at the floor. "Sorry, it was an accident."
"I'll remember that if I lose my eye sight because of you."
Jon and Ponch glanced at each other, then back to the door. "I wonder what happened?" Ponch inched closer to the door, then pulled out his own phone, shining the flashlight on the buttons. "Door open?" he asked, looking back.
"No, what if we're not even on a floor yet," Getraer replied.
Don't say that! Ponch took a deep breath, trying to keep from losing his lunch. We'll live...we'll live. Even if we're stuck in the middle...omg...what if we die!? He took another deep breath, his hand starting to grow shaky, making the light dance across the buttons, instead of stay in one steady beam.
"Would you hold that still, you're going to give me a worse headache than I already have!" Getraer complained.
"Sorry, Sarge," Ponch replied quietly, trying to steady his hand. "Do you think this button works?" he asked, pointing to the emergency call button.
"It should." Try to relax, Ponch. Jon thought, he glanced to Getraer who was now in the corner of the elevator, leaning against the wall. I bet he doesn't like elevators. He thought, shaking his head. Of course he would have to be the only one to keep from panicking. He inched closer to Ponch.
Ponch pressed the button. Nothing happened. He pressed it again. Nothing. "It's not working, Jon!"
"You barely gave it a chance," Getraer said from the other side of the room. "Just like you didn't give me a chance to finish talking to you-"
"Do we really have to go there, now?"
"Yes!" No respect for authority figures...Getraer rolled his eyes.
"Guys, please!" Jon cut in. "I'm going to call for help. Just be quiet." You're going to make me lose my mind.
Ponch nodded, and took a deep breath again, leaning against the wall. "Shut your flashlight off if you can't hold it still." he heard Getraer say. This day was a nightmare.
Jon tapped his foot, waiting for his phone to make the call. I know the service is crappy here...but really? he rolled his eyes.
"Are they not answering?" Ponch asked quietly, trying to keep from showing any sign of fear. I'm not scared...I'm just...uncomfortable. Yeah.
Jon sighed. "It's not-" he started, then suddenly they could hear the sound of the jazz radio station playing again. The sound they had tuned out in the beginning, but now sounded so sweet to their ears. Because if the elevator music was on again...that meant that...the lights came back on.
"Oh thank God," Getraer sighed in relief as the elevator began moving again. I never thought I'd be this excited to hear elevator music.
A/N: This story is a gift to JediJelsa777!