Hi guys, are you okay?
A new story to you all! I have the pleasure to introduce this creative and prompt partner Emma Rousseau. Thank you so much for this adventurous plot and I am sure they are going to adore this story as much as we loved to write it!
This story is kind of an AU. Kind of because there are some aspects like the name of the characters and some cases that occurred in the series but others like their relationship when Voight's father died and the cases from the different seasons can and will happen sequentially to help the plot evolve.
Happy Birthday TRACY SPIRIDAKOS
Inspirations: For the First Time in Forever from "Frozen" by Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel. Rude by Magic!. Careless by NEFFEX.
Information: The name Hank means Ruler Of The Home.
Mentions of a fatal car accident, idealization and attempt of suicide, anxiety, depression, use of medication, and alcohol abuse. A real restaurant in Chicago.
So what about starting a new adventure? Yes? So what are we waiting for?
"I'm so sorry for your loss, son, your father was one hell of a cop. You must know that though." the grey-haired commander of the 21st district Frederick Alonso, their chief and from the same police Academy as his old man, comforts him.
Officer Henry Voight lost his father, Sergeant Richard Voight, in the line of duty a week before and during this period, he was absent, on a death license to be at Sophia Voight's side, his mother at the age of fifty-one years old and take care of her in her most fragile state, more frightened than ever for her son's safety and life out there after losing her thirty-year time husband. It wasn't, by far, the first time she ever questioned the boys about their career paths; it was honorable yet dangerous having not one but two cops at the family for everyone. However, he is extremely amazed and a bit worried to point out that it was the first time the rude police commander was showing compassion and empathy towards his person.
"I appreciate your sentiments, commander, seriously. I do know he was good as hell. I hope I can be the same as him, keeping his legacy and making him proud." the well-structured man who used to regulate the age of fifty-six years old stands up from his comfy armchair across the heavy oak table and walks to face his tiny but muscled twenty-two years old silhouette.
"He would hope you to be better than him, that would be the greatest way to not only keep but increase his legacy in the department and his pride of having you as his son. I do desire it too. So if you are feeling your head straight to work, go ahead and find your partner." half of his usual harshness has returned in the blink of an eye as he returns to his spot and he excuses himself, grabbing his coat and hat from the couch and entering the district's hall, a bit too quiet and empty as the normality. Yet, he can't find his partner. A few passing by cops stop and greet him, either doing the military condolence or giving him a handshake. He walks toward the balcony to ask the desk sergeant if the man he was looking for had already arrived but his name being uttered and a hand on his shoulder inhibited him from continuing.
"Hank, I heard about your father, I'm truly sorry. Whatever you need help with, please, let me know." the female rookie officer Trudy Platt says, after passing through her already furious supervisor for having the obligation designed to him take her under his wings and train the most qualified and ranked woman from her Academy's class but what he all see its a father's little rich adventurer woman, hesitantly in doing for the rumors that might be created, disseminated, and perpetuated but desiring to hug him as a consolation sign. He acts and concretes her initiative, rapidly but firmly.
"Thanks, Trudy, now go ahead with him before he tries and finds a way to make them quit you." she looks behind her to watch the man complaining with other cops in a circle while pointing at the couple, rolls her eyes, mimics him sarcastically and joins the group after a sentimental smile and a wink, internally praying a sermon isn't waiting for her. He can't contain himself and smiles too at her sarcastic eyes, also feeling sad and pity for her; she deserves better, a bright promissory female police officer being trained by a musty sexist male police officer.
After watching the group leave, he returns to his goal of finding his partner in the now crowded space. Talking to the desk sergeant Rollins is a bit of a nightmare and would probably pass the sentiment he is lazy and is wasting her precious time since she is coordinating the desk officers in attending to victims and suspects in custody personally and through the telephone. He steps back because even though he loves the woman there, he isn't in the mood for work across a table this morning.
"You aren't the only one stepping back so we won't get picked up for a desk job, Hank." there he is. His wanted partner, officer Alvin Olinsky. The man who regulates the age of twenty-two with him served the Army as a sniper in Italy for six months, known by his daily use of the black cap in whatever the occasion and the creator of his nickname Hank once they were back at the Police Academy because his person was always the leader on the workouts, the fake operations, the class, and the hilarious pranks from time to time like he ruled the house. Indeed, he almost ruled the house. Turns out that his definition had a name with the same meaning: Hank, and that following Trudy's first impression, he has a Hank complexion. This being a good or bad thing, the name stuck and he liked it, starting to introduce himself as Hank instead of his real name even his powerful last name. "How are you feeling? Your mother, how is she?"
"Fine. Or as fine as I can be with the circumstances. I guess I'm facing grief better than her. My mom is struggling to move on and accept that his death on the field isn't stopping me in my career choice, in the end, things are going to be okay. But working is a way to me distract myself so you have to work."
"If you say so. However, I'm here in case you need me. Let's get on the street, I have the key car."
"Thanks. Oh, what about you and Meredith? How are things developing?" he smiles as the man blushes at the mention of his best friend's name.
They have been best friends since the last year of high school and she was the only person who helped him once he returned traumatized from the European combat. It is a friendship with a spark of love interest and flirting; one of the sides certainly falls in love with the other but is too insecure and afraid to make a move and it all falls into ashes.
Hank was the only one who knows about his crush - using the current expressions - and he had never met her face to face. He knows her twenty-two physically and mentally form from what Alvin describes and it's all gracefully magnificent: her dark blonde long hair, her dark green orbits that light up in the light, her tiny red lips, her gracious smile, her cute, protective, and gentle personality, her compassion over the things and people she loves especially towards kids and animals. Innocent and calm but would do whatever it takes if her loved ones were in danger. She is the only one who can put a smile on his face whether personally or by telephone, hearing her angelic voice or watching her lips slide up her cheeks. Taking care of kids and animals enthusiastically and patiently, two attributes that he lacks in or doesn't find the right context to feel them in the majority of daily happenings. That's why she is in the final year of the College of Pedagogy at the University of Illinois Chicago; she applied for the College of Veterinary Medicine but at the thought of an animal dying in front of her and she wouldn't have anything to save it bother her so much to the point she gave up.
She lives, during the week, at the campus site, and during the weekends, she goes to her parent's house where they met or he picks her up sometimes. His current problem that is increasing and taking a massive proportion as he approaches her is her conservative progenitor. Every time he goes knocked at the door, he wears his best casual clothes or his best suit to impress the old-fashioned man that treats him like he wasn't a human too and enhances every visit that he can hear his voice uttering specific rudeness words one by one and imitate his gestures like a mimic theater: no, you'll never get your blessing until the day I die.
The University is taking her to the limits with their graduation approximating; altogether, she is passing through a hard familiar time with the discovery of her father's cancer. Concealing all this has been hard; unfortunately due to his job and her studies he can't be by her side as much as he wants but, fortunately, she has been holding on firmly and strongly. She is the strongest woman he knows, perhaps after his mother. He loves her so much.
"Oh, we're okay. I'm trying to be as close as possible to her still giving the personal space necessary for her and not flirting because it isn't adequately fair now. Aside from this, we're fine. She asked about you and when you are going to appear with a lover." he says, smirking playfully as the couple gets inside their patrol car, with him in the driver seat, and he teases his best friend like usual. "When are you finding a love interest? Have you ever had one during your youth? "
"I recognize some beautiful girls in my high school but I was way too concentrated on the school grades and my future with the police…I wasn't a social man, I wasn't invited to any parts and the ones I was, I made up the most insane and absurd apologies to not go or simply say I would rather study. I don't know…someday I will find but it has to be at the right moment and at the right time too and currently…with my dad's death and my career beginning… it's not my cup of tea now. Do you understand?" he asks after his minor vent out about his youth relationships…or the absence of those.
"Yes, I do and please, don't feel forced to get into one rapidly because of our pressure and regret later. Do things on your time and tell us if we're exaggerating it and we stop immediately." the driver man vents out, regretful and embarrassed by pressing his best friend in acquiring a girlfriend like it was a social status in his eyes. His intentions were pure but the tactic to achieve them isn't correct. "I just want you to find a person who can make you happy and loved."
"I comprehend, Alvin, seriously, and I don't think you're exaggerating. You want to me that some that are happening with you and show how hell of an excellent friend I have by my side. Thanks for this. Maybe I should hang out more when my head is straight to it or let the time with destiny guide me in the direction. When it happens, you will be the first one to know without doubts."
"Units from district 21, surroundings, or everyone available, ahead for the Chicago Subway, an armed man entered threatening to commit suicide in wagon twenty-one, full of hostages inside." the dispatch says. They looked at each other, confirming the assistance as Hank picks the radio to convey the information and Alvin turns the sirens and the car on to drive there.
They jump out of the car after badly parking the automobile at the entrance and run upstairs to the platform where wagon 21 held hostage is. The nervous redheaded female security is walking back and forth, brushing and curling her tied hair with her bare trembling hands and checking inside the metallic compartment, shouts out and raises her hand frenetically and happily when she spots the authority.
"Officer Voight and Officer Olinsky, what is happening inside that?" the first man introduces themselves to the desperate woman and points to the closed wagon, waiting for her - named Bailey - to deliver more details about the occurrence.
"It came out of nothing and nowhere. For me, he was just another random passenger entering that wagon when suddenly they started screaming and running away, shouting 'he is armed' or similar until he blocked the doors. I ran there, tried to get it opened and he started to get anxious, exclaiming he couldn't handle the hell and the suffering he was being faced with and was here to put an end to his misery. I don't want anyone to kill themselves but in all the places he could go, why here? At a random wagon in the subway? This is my second day on my first job and it's been a hell of a nightmare! What if I lose my job because I didn't have done the necessary?" the security exclaims, in the edge of tears and sweat from her forehead as the warmth of the weather, the warmth of her uniform, and the nervousness of the situation hit the climax, however, she mentions a noticeable and relevant question: why has this man decided to try to commit suicide in a public place, where authorities' attention would be grabbed easily and could be inhibited by any of them insistently, instead of a private place?
"Hey lady, whatever happens in the end, it isn't your fault, no one is trained to react to a suicide attempt and, if ever trained, no experience is like others, always has an unexpected peculiarity. We are going to figure it out but please don't blame yourself." he gets down ten centimeters minimally to reach eye to eye and his brown orbs got hypnotized by her green orbs. He hadn't noticed it before but now he has and wished he had noticed it before. Although they are temporarily exhausted and frightened, spark his lovely, angelic, compassionate, calm, hopeful, careful and attentive essence. Her gorgeousness. She is perfect. He fell for her instantly. He had the impression he wasn't blinking his eyes, so focused on her enchanting beauty, but her same characteristic was the most powerful collyrium and the most powerful medicine for his general wealth and long-living.
"Maybe he has some kind of connection to the subway. Do you know him or do you have his ID?" Alvin watches in the suburb the scene of the couple rolling out in his front, smirking as the imaginary cupid love arrow injected the chemistry of love circled their heads, admiring their work. The man shakes her head and exits the state of hypnosis when a new voice joins the trio
"She doesn't but I do." an older man joins the trio, his rich arrogantly and superior air fitting perfectly with his 'unattainable police man's salary' outfit: a rich cotton black suit with golden buttons, a white skirt, a red social tie with golden details at the sewing, a divinely and enviously polished black leather shoe and versatile to use as a mirror for the two cops, the untouchable grey hair perfectly brushed to his right side sparking for the over quantity of hair gel, brown eyes, and a mocking degradation smile on his face facing the youngest trio. "I'm Frank Morrissette, the chief of the company responsible for the operation of Chicago's subway and also her employer." he abruptly introduces himself, handshaking the authorities, and turns his attention to his newest anxious employee. "Oh, darling, are you ok?"
"Yes, dad, I am."
"You are unbearably shaking. Let me talk to the officers, go grab yourself a cup of water and some fresh air."
"But don't go way too far." his spontaneity and readiness are misunderstood with second intentions to the older man, humming in disapproval and confrontation. "In case we need more info." he retributes the same reaction, adding tension in the air.
"I understand." she says sweetly and melty to his heart, smiling shyly as she goes away, eyes locked at each other's soul. He watches as she goes.
"Ok, let's get to work."
Two hours later
After much effort, conversation, arguments, patience, promises, late travels, mad passengers, and tension regarding what the aftermath would be, Hank was able to change Alexander Reese's mind to not commit suicide while Alvin contained the unforeseen outside the wagon. They saved a life.
It took ten minutes to convince the man to make the first contact among them and start the negotiation for his life and confirm his hostages' well-being, assuring that a simple or a life-threatening injury could ruin it at all for his accusations.
Snipers were positioned after the fifty minutes of negotiation when the man was convinced to open the curtains and Hank started praying they would be unnecessary.
Ten minutes later, the officers were fully informed about the individual and his suicidal nature: it's completing a year that day his wife, Margot, and their son, Pietro, were killed in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. They were everything he had since his mother died from cancer when he made eighteen. After their death, he spiraled down on cigarettes and alcohol to overcome the blank space on his heart and his grief; was fired from his job for the justiciable cause of appearing highly drunk and harassing the female workers, entering into randomly and stupidly bar fights to entertain himself or get himself killed as he didn't have anything left to live for, he got hospitalized forcefully at a psychiatric hospital by his mother in law who couldn't watch speechless as the man dig himself, there, he was diagnosed with anxiety and depression and suicidal tendencies and was prescribed a psychiatrist accompany and medications to maintain him under control and into life. He used them for exactly nine months when he ran out of pocket to buy the replacement. He did recover but his meltdown was the data. He wants to join her girl and her boy.
An exchange was made: Hank would enter the wagon and take place as a hostage and the civilians would be liberated. The proximity is the key to talking the man down.
Voight had sweat all over his body behind his uniform and his throat aching from dryness for as much as he talked to Alexander once they were alone and he put his weapon down on the floor and cry out in his shoulder all his grief and frustration. Aside from that, he was proud of himself for being able to save his life.
As the man was taken by agents from social assistance to the due treatments, he curls up, hands on his knees, and let out the breath he didn't know was compressing his lungs.
"Good job, buddy. It was tough and you handle it." Alvin comforts the friend by patting his back, proud of his hard work, competence, and coldness over the crisis.
"I need a beer." he says sincerely. The other chuckles.
"I'm paying for a round tonight, don't worry." he looks at his friend, astonished by his proposal. They aren't antisocial but they are by far the hung-out every weekend type of guy. They prefer minimalistic things, drinking at home by themselves or with each other or with someone special like Meredith or Richard.
"Open your wallet because I'm taking the money out of you." he jokes, enjoying the fun and entertaining moment, his rainbow after the chaos.
"She is coming." he says, smirking playfully as he steps down. Voight doesn't understand in principally who he was talking about until an idea hit him, however, he didn't have the chance to process the information or make up his clothes when he hears her angelic voice:
"Officer Voight?"
"Yes, that's me, but you can call me Henry…or Hank… if you want to, of course." He can be natural in many things except in flirting. The woman blushes and chuckles, with shame, by pitting him or indeed liking him is a mystery.
"You are funny." oh, he is taking it as a compliment. "You did a good job inside here, thanks for your service."
"I'm just doing my job, ma'am, and you too."
"I was frightened and frozen…it was awful, I'm not brave as you."
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself, dumb me, Lisa Bailey. Call me Lisa… if you want to, of course." she smiles as he realizes she used his words. They got stuck, the same hypnotic as in the beginning. "Are you free tonight? I want to buy you a drink…as a thank you present."
"Actually, I'm not…"
"Yes, he is free tonight after six pm" Alvin intertwines a second before his friend messes his date up. Hank throws an interrogation look: weren't they hung out that night?
"Ok…that's great." she takes out from her pocket a piece of paper and hands it to her night date partner. "That's my phone number and my address, pick me up at eight pm?"
"Yes, I will."
"Ok, see you soon then." she smiles and nods a goodbye before turning around and going away.
"What were you doing? We had plans for us tonight, I have to rearrange the date's data." he walks two steps forward until a hand stops him to continue.
"After tonight, you are thanking me for intertwining your about to fuck a flirting up because you wanted to hang out with me, mark my words."
Hank hates breaking promises. If he promises something to someone, he is willing to take a walk in hell and be friends with the devil but he makes good.
That was he was so upset and reluctant about breaking his promise to Alvin in letting him alone in exchange for a date with a girl he had just known. But the man insisted that it was no problem and almost had to obligate or drag him himself to the woman's complex apartment and head them both to the South Branch Tavern Grille, hoping for an elegant and shiny night without ripping his pockets out.
He wears his best fragrance and his best black suit - to be suitable for the chicness of the place - given by his dad with the gun holster on his waist belt - you can call him paranoid but he just can't leave his house without his gun. However, he can't be compared to the woman's grace and beauty: suddenly, red becomes his favorite comfort color at the moment his eyes land on her tiny long red dress, bypassing and emphasizing her beautiful curves like oceans in the sea, décolleté on her right leg until the middle of her thigh and another décolleté on her left shoulder crossing up to her chest. He guesses her height is increased by fifty centimeters due to her high heels, even though he feels himself smaller than her greatness and confident in how stunning and eye-catching and breathtaking she was.
It's one of the best investments his salary is being used on.
They are sitting for an hour or so in the restaurant, talking about themselves, their jobs, their hobbies, and passions, their dreams, or any topic emerging into their minds, barely eating the snacks served and drinking a sip of wine very sporadically.
"What do you think about starting a family and having children?" Voight asks randomly when they were talking about their parents and relatives. "I sometimes catch myself thinking of it and I want to, however, not in the short or medium term. I want to stabilize myself at my job in a Sergeant rank to earn an adequate salary to help sustain me firstly and, later, my wife and kids in a dignified quality of life."
"I want a family and two kids: my only demand it has to be a boy and a girl respectively and in this order." he was surprised by her statement but it wasn't a decreasing factor in his love feelings for her; also, he had always idealized two kids and, indeed, two kids, one from each genre, wouldn't be bad.
Little did he know how much her idea would matter a lot in their future together.
Little did they know they were about to test her dream family when they ended up in bed that night.
Their involvement got serious day by day. For six months.
They used to talk every day before, after, and on both shifts of the day for hours. And it still wasn't enough.
They met Alvin and Meredith in an almost or not declared couples dinner so the declared couple could meet and create an impression of the girl Hank was falling in love with. And it worked very well from his perspective: they liked her.
With their approval, he asked her to be his girlfriend the day following. Indeed, he intended to propose to her for a time now whether his friends approved or not his lover, the approval only made him more confident and certain and happier he was making the right decision.
They started to visit each other's houses all day or all night, staying up until sunrise, getting drunk, hooking up, and sleeping side by side. It was right. They were alright. They were never apart. Yes, you can call them reckless. Screw your opinion, they can't be controlled. They were alive. They were young. They were dumb. They were bold. They were never getting old. They were going out, drinking whiskey and wine, and dancing to their song all night long. They were so proud. They were so loud. They weren't dubious. They were adventurers in a new land, fearless, careless, reckless. They were in love, the most powerful and addictive drug the world has discovered. They were willingly being guided by the sentimental heart and letting guards down, praying the other don't push the trigger of the loaded gun hand directed to your heart, shattering for eternity perhaps. They were wasting precious time by living like there wasn't tomorrow, enjoying the journey without destiny in their lives.
At the weekend, they were supposed to meet at another downtown restaurant but she wasn't feeling well: dizziness, vomit, nausea, headaches, fatigue, and acne. She thought her rhinitis was attacking, a breathing disease she learn to live with when she was a child. Until her menstruation ceased the following month. She prayed it was just delayed but a day turn out to be a week and she bought a pharmacy pregnancy test. The result came out: she was pregnant.
"Hank, I need to tell you something. It's serious."
"Ok, go ahead." Her serious tone worried him, making his trembling anxious right fingers travel to his right pocket and hold in his palm the ring's box with the maximum strength he has.
"I'm pregnant. Two weeks." metaphorically, his chin falls to the ground like in cartoons and his head spins around for the shock and surprise in principle, fear in the middle, and euphoria in the end. He is going to be a father! A bit too premature for his age but he is going to be a father! His enthusiastic reaction is contrasting with hers, the girl starts crying copiously.
"Why are you crying? Isn't it a good thing?"
"I'm keeping the baby." she pauses, waiting for his answer that didn't come from his confused mind, so she continues. "I was afraid you would want me to abort it. I understand if you want to walk away from me, from us, so he won't bother your professional development or you aren't ready for parenthood…" he abruptly interrupts her with a kiss, holding her head between his hands.
"I'm not leaving you." he says, breaking the kiss. "I guess the beauty of life is comprehending that it's unpredictable, a surprise little box. Things happen out of the blue, for good or for bad, your only alternative is to readjust your path and move forward with it. This is an awesome surprise. And I want to pass it through with you. I want to build a family with you. I love you. I swear I'm not leaving you." this time, she gets on her fingertips and holds his neck and his right cheek between her hands, crying for happiness and relief.
"I love you too."
Ok, this is the end of the first chapter. More introduction but things will start to blow on the next one. Be aware and be safe out there. See you soon!