Chapter 3: The Cosy Coffee Shop

Whilst feelings of attraction grow between Fiona and Terry, there's still the matter of investigating Senator Bryce. Their first case is a tough one...and it won't be a walk in the park, that's for sure.

Fiona's POV

The next morning, I walked to CCPD HQ and got there at 9AM, sharp. Strange for me, because I was usually late to everything. After all...it's taken me years to come back to this place. Since me and Terry were partners, and all, we had our own office...not a glamorous one, like the Chief's...but at least it had four walls.

Terry was already there...so I guess he must wake up, early in the morning. To tell you the truth, I never get up earlier than 8AM...I never have...never will. "Hey, Terry." I waved to him as I walked through the door to our office. He turned around to face me...almost dropping a file he had in his hand. "Hello...Fiona." he greeted me. I saw a light blush on his muzzle...which was really cute.

"Whatcha got, there?" I pointed to the file, turning the conversation towards the job, in hand. "Oh...this is the file about Senator Bryce. We've got a photo and his address...but nothing more." Terry answered. Hmm...judging by what little we have...maybe there's nothing going on with him that's criminal? Then again, no one is what they seem on the outside...until you check. "Well, it's worth looking into. Only one way to find out what he's been up to. You thinking what I'm thinking?" I asked.

"Tail him?" Terry suggested...bingo. "Yep. Obviously, we've gotta find him, first...but that'll come, eventually." I told him. Eventually...what a great word, huh? I suppose we could wait for him outside his place...but maybe we'd arouse too much suspicion. No one likes a pair of cops following them around, even if they haven't done anything wrong. Kinda reminds me of when I used to get tailed by cops...but I always gave them the slip, soon enough.

"Would you...like to go out...for a coffee, I mean? You know...we might see him?" Terry asked...quite awkwardly. Was he...asking me out on a date? Sure, it wasn't a REAL date...but...a friendly date? "Sure. Why not? Since we haven't much to go on...It couldn't hurt." I shrugged...playing it cool. On the inside...I was feeling...happy...buzzing, actually. Spending some time with Terry would be great! Damn...it's happening, again!

Terry's POV

We found a coffee shop around the corner from CCPD HQ...kinda handy, really. I didn't really like the coffee that came out of the machines in this place...it tasted...off, like they were using sour milk. I assumed the coffee shop would at least know how to make a decent tasting latte...that was the basics. The place had a red and white striped awning out front, with large, glass windows. It even had a bell that rang when you opened the door...how quaint. Reminds me of my youth, when going into any shop...you'd hear the jingle of a bell.

"There's a spot..." Fiona pointed to a table by the window, looking out onto the street. The tables had their own vases...and a chequered cover over the top...classy. "What'll you have?" I asked her. She paused...looking at the menu above the counter. "Umm...maybe...a latte...with whipped cream...and chocolate sprinkles?" Fiona soon chose something...and she had good taste. That was exactly what I wanted, too...interesting. "I'll have the same. Make it easy on the staff..." I chuckled, awkwardly, disguising that we had the same taste in coffee...just in case she thought I was weird, or something.

Fiona's POV

Whilst Terry went up to the counter to order our lattes...I just stared out of the window...looking at all the people. Honestly...I was scared of being recognised. I used to be a real bitch. Kidnapping, robbery, assault...all second-nature to me. I just hoped nobody here knew about my past...I couldn't bear being confronted with it, even after all this time. Was I being paranoid? Yep...but could you blame me?

Then, I thought back to what Amy said, yesterday. "...Maybe you should...ask him out? Who knows? He might be single...". Her voice echoed in my head...and I wish it would just fuck off...but no such luck. Come on, Fiona! Get your act together! All you gotta do is bring up the topic of being single...and see what he says. Now, what's so hard about that?! Everything, actually. Not just the asking...but how do I deal with the response? If he's taken...what do I say? Do I pretend I don't care? What if he IS single? Then, what do I do? What if he asks why I brought it up?

Shit! He's coming back over here! Act natural...cool as a cucumber. "The coffee will be ready, soon." Terry smiled at me...and boy, did I feel warm inside when I saw him do that. I couldn't help but smile, back at him. He sat across from me...and we made eye contact. Suddenly, acting natural became almost impossible. Those eyes of his...those chocolate brown orbs...they're...amazing. I tried not to look in his direction...but that was hopeless, too.

"How about you tell me a little about you...while we wait?" Terry asked, wanting to know more about me. Fuck...FUCK! What do I SAY? Um...um...THINK, DAMN IT! "Well...I uh...oh, gosh...I dunno. Errr..." I just kept stalling...desperate to find something to tell him about me that wouldn't put him off. "What music do you like? Sorry...random question...I was just wondering." he apologised...sooooo cute! I wanna pinch his cheeks and cuddle him like a teddy bear! Where did THAT come from?! I HAVE gone soft, haven't I?

"I like a bit of everything. Rock, pop...techno...you name it." I gave a generic answer...which wasn't exactly helpful to him. "I'm into 80's music...I'm an old guy, so it's my era, really. I can't move in my apartment for all the albums." Terry chuckled. Sweet! I liked 80's stuff, too! Wait...AN OLD GUY? "How...old are you? No offence, of course...but you said you were...an old guy?" I asked...trying not to hurt his feelings. Not everyone likes to talk about their age.

"I'm 48, this year." he answered. 48? Seriously? He looked...early 30's! Maybe a little younger! Wow...never knew that. Did it put me off him, considering he's 20 years older than me? Fuck, no. "You look really young, actually." I complimented him...and he smiled. "Thank you...It's not often I get a called young.". That blush of his was back in full force. Awww.

Pretty soon, the coffee arrived. The waiter brought them over, placing them down in front of us. "Thank you. They look delicious." Terry thanked him. I just nodded and smiled at the waiter. Terry was right...it did look delicious...like him. Whoa! Steady on, Fiona! Latte...with whipped cream...and chocolate sprinkles. Even a cherry, on top...just for good measure. It was still pretty hot, though...so I'll have to wait until it cools to try it, for real. Amy's voice echoed in my brain, again. "he might be single...he might be single...he might be single..." It was stuck on a fucking loop!

"Are you...single?" I blurted it out...immediately slapping myself mentally for saying that. FOR FUCK'S SAKE! I'VE DONE IT, NOW! "I am...I have been for...some time. What...er...what about you, Fiona?" he asked me. He's single...SINGLE! And now...he's asking me! "Yeah...I am." I tried my best to answer in a normal manner. Deep inside me, I felt like jumping for joy! YES! HE'S SINGLE! "I would have thought someone as...gorgeous as you would have had a boyfriend." he told me...and that blush was back. Me...gorgeous? He...thinks I'M gorgeous?! Oh...I gotta calm down...and fast.

Then, from out of the corner of my eye...I saw something. Senator Bryce! Standing in the square...handing out flyers. That guy...he looked so fucking smarmy. So...cheesy. So...full of bullshit. "Terry! Look who it is!" I told him, pointing at Bryce. "We'd better move...shame about the coffee, though." he chuckled, getting to his feet. I grabbed two disposable coffee cups with lids and emptied both cups into them. "There...now let's go!" I grabbed him by the arm...and felt his soft fur. It felt sooooo good!

End Of Chapter 3