Kira sat at her desk at the firm while reviewing a case that Tom was considering taking on when the phone rang. She answered it and for a moment she wasn't sure if she was dreaming or not. After a moment's of hesitation she told the woman on the other end of the line that she'd love to come in for a second interview. She had applied for the job at the Public Defender's office last month and after her interview she was certain that they had decided to hire someone else. But here they were asking her to return for a second one. Could she really be close to getting the job that she'd first wanted so many years ago?
She knew that working as a Public Defender wasn't usually high on other's list of things that they wanted to do but for her it was. She wanted to help those who couldn't help themselves. Especially those who were innocent of the crimes that they were accused of but couldn't afford a lawyer willing to prove their case. Taking the job if offered would be something that she wouldn't have to even think about. She remembered how proud Ben had been when she had told him of her desire to help those who couldn't afford a good attorney. If she was able to become a Public Defender it would be her way of honoring Ben in the best way possible. And she swore that she'd use the money he'd left her to do some good in the world.
She reached for the phone before looking at the clock. She wanted to share her news with someone but at this time of day he'd likely be out in the fields. Perhaps it was for the best. No sense in jinxing herself just yet. She'll wait until he's able to come into the city this weekend to tell him. By then she'll have had her second interview, thus have a better idea of where she stood (hopefully).
Now, she just had to stay busy until Friday when she was to go in for her meeting.
Kira did her best to not squirm with excitement as she sat across from the man assigned to interview her once more. He was higher up on the food chain, so to speak, than the assistant that she'd previously interviewed with. After answering several questions Kira watched the man set the stack of papers in his hands aside and steepled his fingers as he focused on her.
"Finally, there is one thing that we need to address. If you were to accept this position, you must know that this office can't match what you are currently pulling in, in the private sector. This will be quite a step down. Are you sure you are prepared for that?"
"I'm not interested the pay, Sir. I'm in it to help provide assistance to those in need."
Paul White did his best to hide his surprise. The woman in front of him actually seemed to be sincere in her devotion. Most who came through his office were only looking for a place to stop off at on their way toward greater and better things. It appeared that the young attorney before him now was doing things in reverse. Looking at her resume, he'd be lucky to get her for the office. So who was he to try to talk her out of taking the position. And if she burns herself out from being passionate in her pursuits, at least it will benefit the office in the meantime.
Kira walked out of the office grinning from ear to ear. Monday she'll hand in her official notice to Tom and Michelle. Then two weeks later she'll be settling into a new office and new job. Finally, she'll fulfill the promise and desire that she'd first told Ben about when she decided to pursue a career in law. She'd like to think that she'd made Ben proud of her today.
Kira adjusted her messenger bag on her shoulder and started to turn toward the elevator when she heard a voice calling out her name. Turning, Kira lowered her brow as she tried to figure out who called out to her. Scanning through the crowd in the hall as people moved past as they made their way to various offices and courtrooms she finally saw the source of the voice and couldn't help the look of surprise that sprung to her face.
Weaving his way down the hall was Brent Baxter. Her friend from college. She hadn't seen him since graduation; he'd left to attend his and she'd decided to use that time to leave her apartment while everyone was busy.
When Brent got close his smile broadened. "It is you! What are you doing here?"
"I just accepted a position with the Public Defender's office." Kira took in the fact that Brent was wearing the uniform of a beat cop. "I'm surprised to see you back in Atlanta, though."
"With the way that my family have been so supportive, especially after my Aunt Mary met you," Brent chuckled as he remembered trying to pass Kira off as a girlfriend when his aunt visited him. "Well, I didn't see any reason to not come back."
Kira joined in the laughter at the memory as well. "And joined the force, to boot."
"First step to eventually becoming a detective." Brent winked before asking, "So what made you decide to come back? Last I heard, you had joined up with a stunt crew. Getting into the courtroom is a far cry from that."
"It's a long story."
Jebb pulled up at the roadhouse that he was supposed to meet up with Kira. Glancing around the lot outside of the bar and eatery he saw that Kira had ridden her motorcycle out. After pulling off his helmet, Jebb headed off in search of his girlfriend. When he got inside he scanned the tables and bar; he honed in on Kira after hearing her laughter. At the bar he spotted Kira sitting next to a dark haired man and she seemed to be enjoying herself.
Jebb's face darkened just a bit. Who the hell was that guy sitting with Kira at the bar?
Jebb walked over and set his helmet on the bar in front of Kira as he wrapped an arm around Kira's waist as he eyed the other man.
"Jebb, I was wondering what was taking you so long." Kira noticed the look on Jebb's face and worked really hard not to laugh at him for it. "Oh, you remember me mentioning my neighbor during college up in Massachusetts? Turns out he moved back to Atlanta, too. Jebb, meet Brent."
Brent stretched out his hand and said, "Nice to see you again."
"Again?" Jebb tried to think back. Had he met this guy before?
"Yes. You'd come up to check on Kira. I was her neighbor across the hall."
Oh yes. Him. Now Jebb remembered. "What are you doing here?"
No, he reckoned he didn't sound all that friendly at the moment but hell! What was he supposed to do when he walks in here and finds Kira getting along so well with her friend from up North.
"Kira and I ran into one another at the courthouse earlier today. Figured I'd catch up while waiting for my date to get off of work."
"Courthouse?" Jebb eyed Kira. He wasn't aware of any cases that she was helping Tom or Michelle with that would have her out at the courthouse this week. Though considering that Kira met Brent while she was away at law school, he could only assume that he was there in some legal capacity, too.
"I was going to wait until later to tell you but do you remember when I went in for an interview last week for that job out of the Public Defender's office?" Jebb nodded before she continued. "Well, I was called in for another interview today. I got the job."
Jebb briefly forgot the other man's presence for a moment as he saw Kira's face light up at her news. He gave her a hug and gave her a kiss to congratulate her. "That's great! You've been wanting to get that job for a long time."
When Jebb once more caught sight of Brent he remembered that he'd been at the courthouse today. Does that mean that he's a lawyer like Kira? After all, she met him in college. Was he attending law school, too? Does that mean that Kira will be working alongside him day in and day out now?
"You said you two met at the courthouse..."
Kira did her best to not roll her eyes at Jebb's subtle display of jealousy. "Brent's a cop. He was there to give testimony in a nearby courtroom when I was there for my interview."
"Oh." Jebb wasn't sure what else to say.
"Do me a favor, order me another drink. I'll be right back." Kira moved away from the bar and headed toward the bathroom; leaving both men behind at the bar. Jebb waved the bartender over to order himself as well as Kira another whiskey while trying to ignore her friend that he suddenly was alone with.
Brent shook his head as he could tell that Kira was intentionally letting her boyfriend stew just a bit longer in regards to the fact that he'd walked in on her sitting at the bar with him; a man that Jebb didn't know from Adam. "It's good to see she's back to her old self again. I was worried about her when we finished college."
"Yeh, well you weren't the only one."
"I know. I'm glad that the two of you are back together. She wasn't the same when she dumped you." Jebb's face crunched at the mention that he'd been dumped. "To be honest, seeing her today was the biggest surprise that I could have gotten." Brent glanced at his watch and was stunned to see that it was already so late.
"Something wrong?" Jebb wondered if the man had the audacity to be keeping track of how long Kira took in the bathroom.
"Just that I didn't realize that it was already so late. Kevin's going to wonder where I am if I don't head out soon."
"Kevin?"
Brent eyed around them to make sure that no one was paying them or their conversation any attention before he replied, "My date."
"Date?" Jebb suddenly felt like he was the subject of some weird joke. Maybe Kira was trying to get back at him for his tendency to not trust other guys where she is concerned. "You...?"
Brent chuckled a bit. "You can't even say it, can you? Yes. My date is another man. Why else do you think that Kira feels so comfortable around me? Trust me, you are the only guy that she's ever been interested in romantically. Neither one of us are the other's type."
Jebb didn't know how to respond. As far as he knew, he'd never known anyone who was gay. But hey, it was the eighties. So maybe he shouldn't be as surprised. Jebb tried to figure out something to say that wouldn't make him sound like a complete ass. Fortunately, a disturbance from across the floor saved him.
"He's lucky that Kira is in a good mood." Brent busted out laughing when he realized that some yahoo decided to try to put the moves on Kira on her way back from the restroom. "He'll be able to see with both eyes on the way home tonight. Though it does look like he'll be leaving here with a limp."
Jebb couldn't help but join in. "That's my girl!"
When Kira made it back to the bar she reached for her drink while asking what the two men were laughing at.
"Just glad that neither one of us have the tendency to make you mad," Brent snickered. "Well, I'd better get out of here and meet up with Kevin. Call me if you want to get together with the two of us for dinner. Oh, and my Aunt Mary is in town if you want to see her again."
"I'll think about it. Though I doubt that she'd be eager to see me." Kira winked as she remembered her night of pretending to be Brent's girlfriend for his aunt's benefit.
After Brent left Jebb had to ask what that was about. Kira gave a brief rundown of the favor she'd done for her old friend to help him come out of the closet, so to speak. Afterwards, she asked Jebb what he thought of her friend.
After a moment of being a little uncomfortable he had to admit that he seemed to be a good guy. He remembered that he'd been concerned for Kira while up North and had likely looked after her when Jebb, himself, couldn't be there with her. Now that she was back in Atlanta full-time Jebb knew that she needed someone in her corner when he wasn't around. Preferably someone who knew Kira well yet, most importantly, not a threat to him with his relationship with her.
"He seems like a good guy." Jebb finally said honestly.
"Good. Because he's my best friend and one of the few people that I genuinely like. And he's offered to help me learn some of the ins and outs when it comes to having to deal with the cops when working on cases."
Kira could almost read Jebb's mind. She knew that if Brent was straight then he'd never feel comfortable with her being friends with him. But now, he'll have to step out just a bit from the small-town, social norms that he was used to.