Chapter 4

"You sure you're alright Reagan?" Renzulli asked for what he believed to be the 5th time that hour, even he had to admit that him asking was becoming tedious, but he honestly couldn't help it. The kid looked so… lost. He'd been like that since Eddie had gone; he'd always known that they'd had a strong and extremely close relationship, but he never would have realised that his partner's abrupt disappearance, that was ultimately for an undercover op, would affect him this much. In all the years that he had known Jamie, he had never been like this, even when his ex, Sydney, had cruelly left him for a job on the other side of the Atlantic, he didn't look anything like this; in fact he had looked slightly relieved, as if he'd had a burden lifted off his shoulders. He'd completely supported Jamie's relief, as he had quickly come to the conclusion that someone who could just up and leave so quickly for a pay check, really couldn't be worth it. But this look, this demeanour, was a totally different ballpark, he had planned to get Jamie out of this funk that he seemed to have going on, but he was quickly realising that the task was easier said than done.

"You've asked me that five times in the last hour Sarge and every time, the answer has been the same. So I am going to say it for the last time - I'm fine." Jamie snapped at Renzulli, much harsher than he had intended to. "Sorry. I didn't mean to go off on you like that." He added remorsefully. It was misplaced anger he reminded himself, but the question was: who was he really angry at? The obvious answer would be Eddie, for just leaving him high and dry with no warning whatsoever; but he'd done some soul searching over the past few weeks and he'd realised that there was actually some internalised anger at himself, for not spotting the crystal-clear signs sooner.

A few days after she had left, he had made the assumption that she had gone deep undercover and obviously couldn't contact him, his later conversation with Renzulli had confirmed that. He had tried to extract more details about the undercover from his beloved sergeant but was cut short when he found out that Renzulli knew no more information than he did. Jamie, never known for being a quitter, did not give up the search, even using his usually-forbidden contacts in the department to find even a small scrap of intel on Eddie's location, but alas, the lips of the NYPD were tightly sealed and everyone knew that once they were closed it was almost impossible to open back up again. For one of the first times in his life, he had no idea what to say or even what to do; so he shut down and turned off his emotions in an effort not to get himself hurt again, it was a classic Jamie Reagan coping mechanism, one that he had to admit wasn't working as well as it used to.

After tour, Jamie changed and walked out of the precinct, alone and with nowhere to be, as seemed to be the norm nowadays. He had always been a fairly friendly person, going for drinks if he was invited, but he usually liked more quiet events with a few of his close friends. With Eddie that all changed, she was the life of the party and loved to be surrounded by people all day, everyday. She had told him once that the reason that she loved to surround herself with lots of people, was because it made her forget how truly lonely she really was. Other people had families and siblings, nieces and nephews to surround themselves with when they got home. But it was always on the ride home or when everyone began to leave, that the hard reality always set in - there was never anyone waiting for her when she went home. Jamie had initially felt bad for her but soon realised that that was her coping mechanism, that was how she got through every day and every night to keep herself sane.

Jamie closed his eyes for a moment as he laid his head back on the headrest in his car, he opened his mirror and looked at his face. He looked sullen and worn out it was almost as if he had aged a couple of years over the past month. 'Live a little Reagan' Eddie's voice ran through his head and he chuckled, even without her here she was still influencing his actions. Although, maybe she was right, Eddie was doing her job, and as much as Jamie was worried about Eddie, he knew she was a very smart and capable cop, he was sure that his girl would succeed in anything that she did. Eddie wouldn't want him to be moping around feeling sorry for himself or her for that matter, she would kick his ass up and tell him to move on, face the next battle in life and she would come back to him before he knew it.

So that's what he did.

"Good luck with that." Jessica Williams said to Eddie, whilst pointing at the rota sheet. Eddie glanced up to check it and saw that she was on bar duty.

"What's wrong with it?" Eddie asked even though she knew the answer to her question.

"The bar can get a little crazy if you know what I mean." She whispered to Eddie as if it was some well kept secret. "Hey I know this is only your first time since training, so if you need any help newbie, just holla."

"Thanks I'll be sure to take you up on that." Eddie replied with a small smile on her face.

During the first few weeks of working at the restaurant she had to undergo 'training' so that she could work in each part of the place. The bar section had been her favourite as she learnt how to make cocktails, make mixed drinks etc. she believed that they were useful skills to take back with her and maybe use a little at home.

Not long afterwards, her shift started at the bar and Eddie quickly realised that Jessica really hadn't been exaggerating, there were so many calls and orders to remember that she soon felt slightly overwhelmed, after about an hour she started to get the hang of it. The crowd began to wind down a little and she saw a fairly young couple laughing together and she felt a small pang in her heart, oh how she missed Jamie. She soon forgot about it though when she saw the woman go to the bathroom and she saw the man bring out a small bag of some kind of powder and pour it in the woman's drink. Anyone else may have missed it but Eddie however, saw it and confronted him.

"Hey, lady what are you doing? She's not done with that!" The man exclaimed when Eddie took the drink away.

"I think she is." Eddie said gravely. She wasn't letting anyone get away with a crime like that - consequences be damned. "I saw what you just did there, so I suggest that you should probably leave before I call security."

"What are you talking about I didn't do anything. You're crazy." He grabbed Eddie's wrist, squeezing it.

"Security!" Eddie shouted as she tried to get him off her. In the commotion the man grabbed Eddie's arm and knocked it against a glass which shattered onto the floor.

The whole restaurant went silent.

"Marcus what the hell are you doing?" The woman reappeared from the bathroom with a look of disbelief on her face.

"Ma'am this man tried to roofie your drink." Eddie said before Marcus could get a word in.

"That's not true, she's a pyscho." Marcus growled.

"Really, then what's this?" Eddie said reaching into his pocket and revealing the bag of drugs. The woman was shocked and had tears streaming down her face, security was again called over and Marcus was escorted out, he was still cursing and screaming at Eddie but she didn't care. She was only focused on consoling the woman and trying to calm her down.

"I don't know what to say, I'm so grateful." The woman said while wiping her eyes.

"You don't have to say anything ma'am, I'm just glad you're safe." Eddie smiled.

"Please call me Jasmine." She said as she returned the small smile.

As Eddie turned around she saw Lily and a younger man enter from the back room of the restaurant and her smile quickly disappeared.

"Mom!" Jasmine turned around to her mother and went to hug the younger man. She quickly started describing what had just happened while the younger man walked up to Eddie.

"I heard what you did." He said. "Thank you for saving my sister, it means a lot." And then he walked away.

Eddie carefully picked up her bag as she tried not to hurt her wrist any further, she inspected it and now saw that it had bruises that were a kaleidoscope of different colours. She had no idea if she was going to keep her job or not, but based on the death stare that Lily had given her, she wouldn't place any bets on her coming in the next day. She opened the door and nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw a figure leaning against the wall.

"What the hell?" Eddie said breathlessly, still trying to slow down her beating heart.

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you." The young man from earlier grinned. "In case you hadn't realised I'm Jasmine's brother."

"I figured." Eddie opened her mouth to continue but awkwardly closed it when she realised that she had nothing else to say.

"So… how's the wrist?"

"It's a bit battered and bruised but I'll power through."

"What you did out there was pretty badass I must admit."

"All in a day's work." Eddie offered a smug smile.

He returned the smile for a moment before turning serious again. "You're definitely going to keep your job, don't worry about that. If it were up to me you would be getting a promotion, but my mother is a little on the harsh side so.."

"Thanks." Eddie looked down for a second before adding. "So do you have a name or what?"

"Its Will. You?"

"Emily."

"Nice - I'll see you around Emily." Will turned round and gave her a 100 watt grin and then walked away.

Eddie released the breath she didn't even know she was holding, this was it. She'd found her way in.

A/N: Hope you. enjoyed this chapter, if you did please, please review I really do appreciate them. Thanks a bunch x