A/N: HEY GUYS! HOPE ALL IS WELL!
JOANNRBB – I THINK DYSON IS JUST WORRIED ABOUT LAUREN & JUST TRYING TO DO HIS JOB
COLDPLAY REVIEWER – AW COME ON, YA HAD TO KNOW THAT WAS AN ERROR SINCE I USED IT IN MY LAST STORY…YET FOR SOME REASON IT DIDN'T EVEN REGISTER TILL YA BOUGHT IT UP, THANKS! I CORRECTED ALL THAT
KK – SORRY BADGE WAS SUPPOSE TO SAY 1182 SINCE LAUREN'S THROWING ACCURACY IS 82%...MY BAD TOO MUCH GOING ON LATELY
L LEWIS447 – HMM...I WONDER WHAT YOU'RE THEORIES ARE. HOPEFULLY IT'S NOT WHATEVER YOU'RE THINKING LOL BO BEING HIGH WAS SO FUNNY GLAD YOU LOVED LOL SORRY ABOUT NAKED DYSON BUT CAN YA BLAME LAUREN FOR WANTING TO BE SURE ESPECIALLY TO PROTECT BO…NOW LET'S SEE…WERE ANY OF YOUR THEORIES CORRECT? :P
CHEEKYMADOM – THANKS
KOGADUCK – THANKS! I LOVED HIGH BO LOL
SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT, WAS TRYING TO POST YESTERDAY BUT COULDN'T SINCE THIS WEEK HASN'T BEEN SO KIND TO ME….BUT THIS IS WAY LONGER THAN MY USUAL CHAPTERS TO MAKE IT UP TO YOU GUYS…HOPE YOU LIKE! AS ALWAYS, ALL ERRORS ARE MINE…& THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT, GUYS! I'M HOPING YOUR REVIEWS WILL LIFT MY SPRINTS LIKE THEY ALWAYS DO.
R/R & ENJOY!
Lauren's POV – 8 Hours Later - Outside the City
"I can't believe you got me climbing this shit when we can just take the trail up. I haven't climbed this thing since we were last here together back in high school." Dyson's whining makes me smirk as we climbed up this rock to the top to get to our destination which is still a mystery to Dyson as to why as he climbs up with a bit of a struggle with unhappy grunts and whining here and there.
"Clearly, you're out of shape since you got that Captain position almost a year ago, Thornwood." I taunted him to give him that extra motivation he needed to get to the top because the last thing I need is for him to lose his grip and fall to the ground since we have absolutely nothing but chalk with us...well, equipment wise...I mean, he wouldn't die since this rock is for beginners but, he'd still break a lot of shit.
"I am not out of shape! How the hell are you still so good at climbing this thing without any equipment, just chalk and chalk, ALONE...i mean come on, you couldn't have at least brought a rope too...you know; to accompany the lonely chalk!?" He asked, while I was now waiting for him at the top.
"Simple, I always find a way to work out at least thirty minutes a day. I've advised you to do the same on multiple occasions; just like I've also told you to cut back on the donuts and other junk; multiple times. But nooo, you always say the same thing. 'As long as I have abs, I'm good.' Which I'm not sure if you've noticed but your abs are barely hanging on these days."
"Shut up and help me up, Lewis. I still don't see why you drove us around the city for hours and now we climbed this rock and for what? What does all this have to do with Bo?" Dyson almost angrily grunted out as we settled on the edge of the cliff which gives us the perfect view of the city.
"First off, you forgot to mention that we got lunch too which was my treat, you're welcome by the way. Secondly, you're right, we did drive around the city for hours and I'm sure you noticed that we paid special attention to the bad parts of the city. Lastly, we're here so I can finish off my explanation with an exclamation point, so to speak…Dyson, what do you see when you look at our ci-"
My phone interrupted my question with a text from Kenzi. "Are you guys there yet? I called her and when she asked why, I basically just told her you were in trouble with D-man simply because sometimes the right thing can still be the wrong thing especially when it comes to the law which is true, I didn't lie to her. After she heard my answer, she said she understood and wanted to tell him herself and left her place about thirty minutes ago to meet you guys there since we both figured you were done the tour of the city by now."
"Yeah, we just made it to the top. Thanks Kenz, for everything…even cleaning up after Dyson and locking up the Dal." I replied back as quickly as possible to turn my attention back to Dyson to finish up what I have to say before she got here.
"Its Kenzi again, isn't it? She's been texting you all day…" I chuckled at Dyson's rightfully suspicious tone. "Have you forgotten that we're females and best friends? We talk a lot, it's what we do. Anyway, back to my question…what do you see when you look at our city, especially from here?"
Dyson looked at me before looking back at our city in all its nightlife glory. "Lights…?" His answer came out sounding more like a question since he's obviously very confused about my question. I'm watching him from the corner of my eye; he's trying to figure out my cryptic question as I'm looking at our city.
"…Yeah and each one of those lights are a representation of something happening right at this very moment. Some people are having dinner with family, working, doing homework or sleeping and whatever else while others are being abused, killed, robbed and god knows what else…Dyson, how many do you think that are currently harming, killing or even worse, killing a person's sprint to live right now, are people we've caught but, eventually they just got loose again and likely not for the first time due to a flawed system. Dyson, did you notice that the cop killings stopped the week before I met Bo? Of course you did, we were the ones that were called to Taft's drunken car accident into the river early that morning. We all knew Taft was the one behind the killings but we just didn't have enough evidence against that mad scientist to put him away for good. But, thanks to that car accident, we didn't lose any more cops than we already have like your partner Hale or Lachlan…"
My phone goes off again with another text alert; most likely from Kenzi again which I decided to ignore to continue what I had to say. "…Dyson, you remember the night you ditched our dinner plans almost two years ago because you met some girl?" Dyson grinned, "Of course…how could I forget, don't tell me you're going to try to use that night as a guilt trip to save your gir-"
"I really needed you that night. I wanted my longtime best friend that night because I lost a patient during heart surgery. I know you just thought I just wanted to catch up but, I really needed you. I was already at the restaurant when you texted me to cancel. That was the breaking point for me; I broke down and left the restaurant in tears. During my tearful walk back home; I almost got hit by a truck but the mythological vigilante saved me."
I felt Dyson grab my hand as my gaze stayed the city view. "Lauren, I'm so sor-" I turned my gaze towards Dyson to look him in the eyes. "I'm not telling you this to get an apology. You didn't know and it's not your fault. I just wanted to show you that the city we protect, isn't as protected as it should be, especially from repeat offenders who get more vicious and confident every time they escape the law…The vigilante…if one indeed exists; picks up where we left off because our hands are tied. You know this to be true; every dead criminal's scene that we've been called to or heard of...every single one of them; they were all looking at the death sentence if they were found guilty which never happened. At best, they just got a slap on the wrist. The victims deserve better than that, we deserve better than that for risking our lives every moment of every day. How many times have we ended up injured or at Jenny's Bar trying to drink our sorrows away...more times than we go there to celebrate our victories, that's for damn sure…"
I feel my phone going off again. Again, I chose to ignore it for now. "…Dyson, if a vigilante exists…for all the reasons I stated and more. I won't help you bring that person in. That person is the reason more cops didn't lose their lives, victims got justice and we could all finally sleep a bit better at night. If you want to arrest someone who took the law into their own hands; then arrest me by all means. I have lost patient records, done searches without warrants, treated my girlfriend as a patient and more."
"Well, if you arrest her then you'll have to arrest me too since I'm guilty of much of the same, husband dearest." We both looked behind us towards Ciara. "Ciara…what are you doing here…?" Dyson asked, completely shocked and confused.
"Kenzi told me you were about to arrest Lauren for essentially doing the right thing. Babe, I get it, I really do…you're just trying to do your job and yes according to the law; sometimes the right thing can still be the wrong thing. Dyson, you of all people, especially in your position should realize that almost nothing in life is black and white. There's always an exception to every rule or at least there should be. So, if you want to arrest Lauren for doing the right thing then you'll have to arrest me too because on the nights that you work late, I help out at an underground clinic and when I say help, I mean that I help run the clinic. Now, if you're about to ask why…it's simple, many can't afford proper healthcare for a variety of reasons and I, along with Lauren took an oath to heal those who need it…Lauren, I'm sorry for being the reason you almost got hit by a truck." Dyson's eyes practically popped out of his head as his jaw practically hit the ground in complete shock at his wife's confession.
I shook my head no. "If you heard that then clearly you've been here for a minute or so…The truck was neither of your faults; besides, some brave Samaritan or "vigilante" as Dyson for some reason wants to call the person, saved my life so it's all good. For some reason, according to your husband; anyone who does anything dangerous without a badge, even for the greater good is a "vigilante"…Oh and besides…you know Dyson can't control himself around women. I mean he tried to flirt with Bo when he first met her and thought she was just my friend."
Flashback – 1 month ago - 5th precinct
"Hey babe, I thought I'd bring you lunch since you mentioned you forgot to pack your lunch today." I looked up from the case file on my desk to see a gorgeous looking Bo as always. She's in her favorite black pantsuit…looking sooo…professionally yummy with her slightly curled hair flowing down perfectly passed her shoulders.
"Thanks babe, I assume there's enough for two?" I rhetorically asked as I grabbed her hand, tugging her towards the break room. As soon as we got in the break room, I went in for a kiss since I noticed we were alone in the break room…at least for the moment...
Bo giggled after the kiss, saying it feels like we're in high school, trying to sneak in kisses wherever we could. I chuckled and grabbed her ass with both my hands giving her a nice squeeze during our second kiss, making her moan. A moment or two passed before we decided not to push our luck in the corner of the break room anymore and decided to sit down and eat lunch.
"Excuse me but Lauren, I'm very hurt…I've seen your drop dead gorgeous friend here numerous times now and you still haven't introduced her to me. Hello, I'm Captain Dyson Thornwood, at your service." Bo and I looked away from each other to look over at Dyson, whose practically staring at Bo, mainly her breasts. I'd be uncontrollably jealous if I didn't know how he was and if he wasn't married to Ciara who would kick his ass if he ever did anything more than harmless flirting and staring every now and then.
Bo openly scoffed and rolled her eyes at Dyson causing me to chuckle. "I thank her for not introducing us since you seem like a wannabe player. Does your wife know that you come on to other women…especially other women that are your co-workers; girlfriends? Hello, I'm Bo McCorrigan; Lauren Lewis's girlfriend and I am also a lawyer in case your wife ever needs a divorce attorney…"
Dyson cleared his throat uncomfortably as he struggled to find something to say, making me want to burst out laughing as Bo glared at him a moment longer before lovingly turning her attention back to me. "Bo, Dyson actually didn't mean anything by it; he's just a harmless flirt, right Dyson?" He nodded while hastily mumbling out an uncomfortable apology before making a quick retreat.
"I'm sorry; I know he's your best friend. But I don't like him, especially because he's married and still flirting with other women. Maybe it's because I'm currently representing a soon to be ex-wife who was cheated on during her marriage."
I chuckled, "I remember, Mrs. Wilson, right?" She nodded with a smile as if she was surprised that I remembered. "Bo, don't be surprised because I do take a very personal interest in everything you say or do and don't worry about Dyson, he's…an acquired taste and makes horrible first impressions especially with women for obvious reasons. Though, you may have just scared him enough to straighten up…you were really hot putting him in his place with that glare and all." I winked at her, making her blush before I fed her a grape.
Present
"LAUREN!" I chuckled at Dyson's horrified expression as he looked between me and Ciara. "Oh come off it sweetheart. Everyone, especially me; knows that you're a flirt and you know that I'm okay with that as long as you never physically or emotionally act upon your flirtatious ways because then I'll have to go against the Hippocratic Oath that all us Doctors and other people with medical titles have to take."
Since Ciara is talking to Dyson, I took a moment to check my phone. As I suspected, both alerts were texts from Kenzi. "Is she there yet? Was he completely shocked to learn of her nightly activities? I know you hate playing dirty by using his wife against him but as you can see she more than consented. I mean she's telling him herself! Now, there's no way he can do anything to you or us without having to do the same to his own wife! Good call! Btws, I just told her you were in trouble with Dyson, she just assumed that he found out that you helped out at the secret clinic."
"Why haven't you replied to my other text?! What is going on? Btws, I got in touch with Evony and Tamsin, they're prepared to make Dyson look like a vigilante himself if they have to; to save us all. They said all they would have to do is tell Dyson the truth which is that he's a fairly new Captain and yet everyone around him, including you; his bestie and his wife; Ciara, myself, even Tamsin and Evony…we all know Dyson and if the courts knew how we all "bend" the law or so to speak then it looks like he's allowing it to happen since we all have known him for a while at least and what kind of Captain can claim that he/she (in our case; Dyson) knew nothing about anything when it's practically everyone he knows; one way or another…dirty as hell yes but the courts would definitely believe that he's letting all his friends and wife do whatever we want like we're above the law…This is a very last resort tactic, of course…Get back to me ASAP! Hell, get here ASAP! Bo is literally whining and pining for you and playing with your stethoscope saying 'spill on aisle 3, spill on aisle 3' then saying 'Ow!' because she had the stethoscope in her ears when she spoke into it. I think you need to get here and cut the morphine feed or something before she really hurts herself or something…answer me or get here SOON!"
I sent Kenzi a quick text, telling her I'll be there soon and to protect Bo from herself. "…So hubby dearest, what's it going to be…arrest us both or let it go…you know for a fact that the law isn't always in the right. We're doing what's right and you know it. The system is flawed; did you know that people basically have to lie to get a decent amount in food stamps these days? So, what's it going to be…loyalty to the law or loyalty to what's truly the right thing to do? Remember Dyson; on your police academy application…you put down that you wanted to become a law enforcement officer to do the right thing and help those who can't help themselves…was that a lie? Has the man that I fell in love with been replaced by a man in a suit that got sucked up into the crazy politics that you always despised and wanted to change by becoming a police captain?"
Dyson chuckled and shook his head. "You know, before you showed up, I was going to tell Lauren that I was going to let everything go because she more than made her point and it took her all day to do so. But, then you showed up and made me realize even more than Lauren just did that I've lost myself somewhere down the road after I became Captain…So, thank you both...But Lauren…your friend should still be very careful…there's eyes everywhere…and Lauren, I'm hurt that you clearly had a dirty little backup plan in case you couldn't convince me on your own, but I understand…Honestly, I would have done the same….eventually, if I was in your shoes, so no need to apologize."
I nodded and matched Dyson's smile in thanks. "Uhh…why do I get the feeling this is not just about the clinic and a few missing medical records and stuff…?" Poor Ciara, she looks very confused as she looks back and forth between the two of us like Dyson did earlier when I told Ciara that he flirted with Bo.
Dyson and I both chuckled as we all took the trail down to our cars. "Trust me babe, you wouldn't believe us if we told you." Ciara still looks at us, slightly annoyed because she wants to know the whole situation... "Ciara, trust me…you don't want to know…it's very complex and confusing, even for me and my genius level IQ."
She shook her head and held her hands up in surrender. "Never mind, if you can't easily comprehend whatever it is then I sure as hell won't." I chuckled along with Dyson. Thank god Ciara is so gullible at times…"Thanks for coming to save me from your hard headed husband though."
"HEY!" We chuckled at Dyson's offended tone. "No problem, you are my friend and my role model after all." The two of them got into her car before I got into my own.
"Hey Lauren…?" I looked back towards Dyson before I got into my car. "I'd like to meet your friend and apologize properly and also thank her…for everything…." I smiled at Dyson with a nod before I got into my car to head to the clubhouse feeling beyond relieved as I drove in the opposite direction of Ciara and Dyson. This has been the longest and most stressful and intense two days of my life…and I'm a cop AND a doctor!