Chapter 1: Meet And Greet

Fiona heads to the Cafeteria to meet her partner...and things soon get moving along.

Fiona's POV

The Cafeteria...a place to get a bite to eat...talk to people...and maybe get in a fight or two over who gets the last doughnut. It was quite a big place...about 20 rows of tables...and not a single one seemed to be empty. Damn...I prefer sitting on my own...especially because I know fuck-all about these people. Sure, they were fellow officers and all that shit, but I wasn't exactly known for making loads of friends.

To tell you the truth, I wasn't hungry. I hadn't eaten all day...but I suppose I was a little bit too focused on starting a new chapter in my life...turning over a new leaf...and all that stuff. Besides, I didn't see anything on the menu that appealed to me. Everyone else seemed to be eating...but there was one person besides me who wasn't eating...and was sitting by himself. Terrence...my partner.

He looked...lonesome, actually. An outsider, I suppose. He hadn't spoken at all...so he hasn't done anything to 'deserve' being alone. Honestly...I feel kinda sorry for him. I'd been lonely all my life, despite being amongst some pretty nasty characters. I never really connected with anyone...I couldn't talk to people...unless I was giving them orders...or punching them, at the same time. I guess I was like him...an outsider. I was a criminal in a room full of good guys, so I didn't exactly belong.

I walked over to him...he had a seat at a table by a large glass window...looking out into the city streets, below. He had a cup of water from the water cooler...but nothing else, besides that. I looked him over...I guess it was my way of 'getting a first impression'. The light blue shirt he had on fit him well...and it showed off a few things about him. His arms were exposed...as were his noticeable muscles. Looks like he works out...cool. His tail was swaying slowly...showing he was relaxed...not nervous.

Finally, it was time to properly introduce myself. "So, I guess we're partners, then?" I started up a conversation...admittedly quite badly. I guess I liked cutting to the chase. He turned around to face me...his chocolate brown eyes fixed on me. I felt...something...strange. My eyes just...locked with his. What was going on? I barely knew him...but I felt...something. Usually when I meet people for the first time...I don't really feel much. This guy, though...different story.

"I guess so. I'm Terrence...but you can call me Terry, if you like." he spoke...and my ears perked up at the sound of his voice. That accent...not American...not even close. I...I liked his voice. It sounded...soothing...calm...relaxing. So, he's got a nice voice? Cool. "OK...Terry. I'm Fiona. Nice to...meet you." I gave him my name...and he seemed to smile. "That's a lovely name." he told me. Once again...those eyes.

I sat beside him...and I still felt pretty...strange. Did I...have a connection with this guy, or something? "So...I'm thinking you're not from around here?" I asked. That accent was great...but I didn't recognise it. "No. I'm from the UK...London. You'll have to excuse me...I haven't been here long. Not long enough to pick up the accent." he chuckled. British! That's it! You know what? He sounds...like a decent sort of guy.

Terry's POV

My partner, Fiona...she was definitely interesting. Her hair...halfway between light and dark brown. A yellow bow atop her bangs...completing the style. Her fur...red, like a smouldering fire. A cream coloured muzzle and tail tip. Black clothing...no makeup at all. She didn't need any. She was...gorgeous, actually. Those eyes...light blue...looking so innocent. Wow...I'm getting all poetic. Odd for me.

Her voice was lovely, too. Sensual, in a way...as if every sentence was a tease for some attention. "Don't worry. Same story with me...I haven't really been here long, either. No idea where anything is. So...I can relate." Fiona told me. That voice...so...captivating. I've seen some pretty girls in my time...but Fiona was by far the most beautiful. Her body language appeared to be a mix of cool...and rebellious. "Can I...get you some water? If...you'd like some?" I asked...with slight pauses so as not to trip over my own words. I suddenly felt my confidence just go out the window.

"Sure. Thanks..." she told me. I got up to fetch her a cup of water from the cooler...and every step of the way...I felt a feeling. A feeling that she was looking at me...watching me...showing interest. That felt...great...warming. But, it definitely affected my coordination. First, I failed to place the plastic cup beneath the water spout. Then, I couldn't quite get the hang of pushing the button...succeeding on my third try. Wow...I was...different. Usually, I'd just put the cup in it's place...and push the button...and then...the cup is filled. Not a difficult task...but because of that feeling...it became nigh-impossible.

Fiona's POV

First impressions of Terry...he seemed like a nice guy. In fact...he seemed...a little more than just 'nice'. More like...cute? What the fuck? I am I going soft? Guess I am...cos I rarely find many guys 'cute'. He seemed to be...having trouble with the water cooler. Maybe it was empty? Did he know how it worked? Or was he...nah...couldn't be...right? He only just met me. Besides...why would a nice guy like that...want anything to do with a bitch like me?

He's coming back over...cup of water in hand. It's simple...straightforward. So why the fuck am I paying so much attention to him? His steps...they seemed wayward...unbalanced. Wait...he's gonna trip! And then it happened...and it all played out in slow motion. He tripped...with the cup flying out of his hand...straight towards me. His body tumbled forward...getting closer to me, by the microsecond. CATCH HIM, YOU SILLY GIRL!

My eyes were closed as the impact happened...and they shot open to find out the result of his mishap. He was in close contact with me...his chest almost touching my own. I held him around his waist...in an attempt to stop him from smacking his head on the table, or something. I felt my cheeks getting...warm...warmer...red hot. A pink blush descended on them as my eyes were fixed on his. "I...got you..." I stammered...struggling to find words.

"Indeed...You did, Fiona...Um...You can let go..." he stammered, too...which sounded...so cute. I let go...and he was back on his feet. The cup of water had landed perfectly on the table. Bet you a million dollars that would never happen again in history. Actually...that whole event...felt like history. Do I...LIKE him? I mean...REALLY LIKE him? No...no way. I wasn't his type...it would never work. WHY AM I THINKING LIKE A SCHOOLGIRL?! All this 'it would never work'...as if I wanted 'it' to happen. I don't...do I?

"Thanks for the water." I smiled at him, trying my best to get rid of my blush. "No trouble...well...a little bit of trouble...but..." he was stumbling over his words...cutie pie. WAIT...did I just call him a cutie pie?! I mean, I THOUGHT it...but...yeah. It's official. I like this guy. Damn.

Terry's POV

Fiona seemed to be...acting a little awkwardly...just like me. Of course she is...she must think I'm such an idiot! She probably doesn't know what to say cos I couldn't even manage to use a water cooler, let alone make it back to a table with a cup in my hand! Unless...she's got that feeling...the feeling I have. No! She hardly knows me! But...I saw her blush. Only briefly...but I definitely saw it. And that...brought a warm feeling to my heart.

"You should be more careful, you know. You could get hurt." Fiona told me, bluntly. "Yes...I should. Thank you for...catching me." I supposed that was the best I could say, right now. "Oh...No problem, Terry." she twirled her bangs...those lovely locks of hair. Those eyes...I couldn't get over how...beautiful they look. Fiona...she's amazing. No...Focus, Terry! You're her colleague...and you won't be any more than that...right?

End Of Chapter 1