All's Fair in Love and War 4

Previously in Love and War

Jo noticed a small box sitting on her desk. She opened it and pulled out a police name badge. She studied it for a minute before a smile broke out on her face and she went into the boss' office.

'Is this for real?'

'Ofcourse it is. '

'You want me, to be acting sergeant?'

'Why do you sound so surprised?'

'This is me, we're talking about. Irresponsible, little Jo.'

'You're a great cop Jo. He told me not to tell you. But it was the Inspector who recommended you.'

'Really?'

'You're that surprised.'

'Yeah, I mean, the Inspector and I have never really got on. It's quite an honour coming from him.'

'Just don't let me down.'

'I won't.'

(Next Morning – Station)

Jo lifted her head up when she heard the front door open and got up when the guy who had entered stopped at the front counter.

'Can I help you?'

'Constable Daniel McKenzie.'

'Senior Cons, I mean, Acting Sergeant Jo Parrish.'

'Nice to meet you.'

'You too. Come through.'

She led him into the station and pushed Tom's office door open a little bit.

'What now, Parrish?'

'New constable's here boss.'

'Alright send him in.'

The door to Tom's office opened ten minutes later (Suzie and Jonesy returned from patrol 5 minutes ago) and Tom led him out.

'Parrish can show you where everything is.'

'Sure.'

'So, this is Mt. Thomas.' Upon getting a good look at the guy Jo realised the exact extent of his good looks.

'Sure is. OK. This is Constable Suzie Raynor, Constable Evan Jones. He said pointing to each of them in turn. Constable Daniel McKenzie.'

Both Suzie and Jonesy shook his hand.

'Nice to meet you.'

'You too.'

'You'll meet our detective later on when he can manage to force himself out of his office.'

PJ's office door flung open as he stormed out, clearing very angry for some reason.

'Is that report done Jo?'

'Yeah, it's here.' She handed it to him. 'Keep your shirt on. PJ. Constable Daniel McKenzie.'

'Yeah whatever,' he took the report and disappeared back into his office.

'And that's our charming detective. PJ Hasham. Don't mind him. He does grow on you.'

'Sure grew on you didn't he?' She heard Jonesy say under his breath.

'Do you want me start with all the things I know about you. I'm sure Suzie would be interested in a lot of them. Some of the things you let slip out that night at Tess' birthday.'

'You wouldn't dare!'

'Wouldn't I?'

(Later that Afternoon)

'Hey Jonesy, you want to take Daniel out on patrol show him round town.'

'Um sergeant. If it's OK. I usually go by Mac.'

'And I go by Jo. And it's fine. And were the hell is Jonesy? Suze?'

'How the hell would I know?'

'Alright I was just asking.'

Jonesy came out of the locker room.

'I heard my name.'

'Take Mac out on patrol, will ya? Show him around town'

'Sure, let's go.' The two of them left the station and Jo turned to Suzie.

'You OK?'

'I'm fine.' Suzie said, though Jo could tell from the tone of her voice that she wasn't.

'Are you sure? I'm here if you want to talk.'

Suzie leant over her desk pretending to get back to work, until Jo thought she heard a sob coming from her direction.

Jo got up and went over to her.

'Suze, what's the matter?'

'Nothing.' Suzie whispered.

'Come on Suze, you don't have to lie to me. Please tell me what's wrong.'

'It's Jonesy.'

'Did you guys have a fight?'

'Not really. We just, had a disagreement.'

'So you had a fight?'

'Yeah. I don't know what happened. We were talking and the next thing we were both yelling at each other.'

'It's not me is it? Me staying with you. I'm in the way aren't I?'

'No. I offered you a place to stay and I'm not going to ask you to move out just to make him happy.'

'Suzie. I know you guys have tried several times to get a relationship together. And you guys are really good together. I don't want to ruin that for you.'

'Please Jo, don't worry yourself. It has nothing to do with you. We were talking. And we realised, well, I guess you could say we want different things from this relationship.'

'I.e.?'

'He wants a commitment. And I want, I don't know. I mean, I want a commitment. But he's talking weddings and babies and I'm not ready for that yet. Not so soon after Brad.'

'Can you see it in the future. Wedding and babies I mean.'

'Yeah, I can. But I don't think I'm ready for it. Not yet.'

'Then tell him that. Talk to him tonight. Tell him what you told me. You want it, just not yet.'

'How do you always know the right thing to say?'

'I've got a younger cousin. She's about 3 years younger than me. Her mum died when she was little. She always came to me for advice.'

Patrol Car – Jonesy and Mac

'So, what do I need to know about everyone?'

'Well, PJ. Once you get to know him he's a good bloke. Especially out of work. Gets a bit edgy on the job sometimes. Boss. You get used to him. Not as grumpy as he may seem. Jo's great. Really nice. She actually listens if you've got a problem. Suzie. Same.'

'You missed yourself.'

'Well I'm just your average great bloke.' Jonesy said with smile.

'Anything else I need to know?'

'Don't mention the old sergeant. Ben Stewart.'

'He part on bad terms?'

'You could put it that way.'

'Fair enough.'

'If you want to get to know everyone better. Come to the Imperial Hotel tonight after work. We have drinks there most nights.'

'The Imperial. I'm actually staying there.'

'OK. I live there. Chris is a good sort.'

'Mmm. Thanks for the invite Evan.'

'And it's Jonesy. Only my grandmother calls me Evan.'

'I can understand that.'

Pub – That night

Jo, PJ, Jonesy, Tom and Mac walked into the pub (Suzie had already left work earlier) and over to the bar.

'Hey guys. Usual?'

'Yeah thanks Chrissy.'

'Chris, Where's Suzie?' Jo asked.

'Parlour. Is she OK?'

'Let me deal with it.'

She walked over to Jonesy and Mac and tapped Jonesy on the shoulder.

'Can I have a word?'

'Sure.' He followed Jo over into a corner.

'What's up?'

'Do us all a favour. Get over your pride. And go and talk to Suzie. She's in the parlour.'

'You girls tell each other everything don't you?'

'She was upset Jonesy. Just talk to her. And I don't mean yell. Listen to her. And then she's more likely to listen to you.'

'I don't even know what happened Jo. We were just talking and next thing we were arguing.'

'Do you care about her?'

'Ofcourse I do. I think I'm falling in love with her.'

'Then don't just give up. Fight for it. Fight for the relationship. If you both want it bad enough it will happen.'

'OK. I'll talk to her.'

'Good.' Jo turned to go,

'And Jo. Thanks.'

'Anytime.'

Suzie looked up from the parlour couch when she heard the door open slightly.

'Can we talk Suze?'

'I don't want another argument.'

'No. Talk. Not argue. Listen to what each other has to say.'

'Sure.' She patted the seat on the couch next to her and he sat down.

'Jonesy. I really care about you. I really do. I want a proper relationship. I really do. But all this talk about marriage and babies. I don't think I'm ready for that. Not yet. Not so soon after Brad.'

'Oh Suzie. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed it. I have no idea how hard it must be to take that step into another relationship. We'll take it slow. One step at a time.'

'Jo's been talking to you hasn't she? Don't deny it I can tell.'

'She said one really true thing. If I want you. I've got to fight for it. Not just give up when it gets too hard.'

'So are we OK?'

'Yeah. Come here.' He pulled her into a hug, which quickly turned to a passionate kiss. Suzie whispered into his ear, as they broke apart. 'Leave your door open. I'll be there around 11.'

They left to rejoin the others.