AN: Thanks for all the reviews/follows/favourites they mean a lot. Hope this one answers some questions (but obviously not all!) and rest assured the next chapter of Bombshells IS coming, Jamie is just being a little more well behaved in this fic than in Bombshells atm!
Previously on Fated Meetings:
As the static cleared Jamie breathed a sigh of relief, whatever crisis had caused the extended tour had plainly passed. Once more he and Vinnie thanked the girl behind the counter before they hotfooted it back to the precinct and sign off shift. And both were also secretly hoping for an explanation from Sarge as to just who the mystery coffee waitress was.
Once the end of shift paperwork had been done Jamie went looking for his old partner. He checked through the locker rooms, the motor pool and even checked the small precinct gym, almost laughing to himself as he did so. Then he decided to go with his gut rather than what the clock was saying, he checked Sarge's office.
From two years of riding with him Jamie knew just how much Renzulli hated paper work, but since getting the bump to tour sergeant he knew the papers had started stacking up on Sarge's desk. He struck lucky, Sarge was just packing up the cupboard sized office before heading out. Jamie rapped his knuckles on the door frame before walking into the cramped office.
"Hey Sarge."
"Reagan! Why are you still here?" Jamie grinned at the gentle prodding, there were plenty of days he still missed riding with his sergeant.
"Vinnie and I were grabbing coffee and the girl serving us saw we were out of the twelfth and asked me to give you this." He reached across the almost buried desk and handed Renzulli the note. His Sarge's eyes flickered over it and Jamie was shocked to see the colour drain from his face. He'd never seen Sarge look that grey, the older man sagged back down to his seat gripping the sheet of paper. Oh no, what the hell is going on? It's just a dinner invitation! Then his cop sense started getting snarky, yes, but it's a dinner invitation from a complete stranger who for all you know is an axe murderer Renzulli put away!
"Reagan, I need everything you can tell me about the girl who gave you this. Everything!" His colour still wasn't back to normal and Jamie felt his stomach twist unpleasantly as he realised that his indomitable sarge looked almost … scared.
"Umm, about my age, Caucasian, about 5'4", blonde, green eyes and for lack of a better word – curvy." Yes and completely gorgeous and apparently capable of scaring Sarge. "Sarge what the hell is going on? She asked for you by name and I don't see what in that note would have you looking like all those damn hot dogs just caught up with you!" Jamie forced himself to take a breath and calm down but Sarge was really starting to worry him.
"Reagan come with me, we need to get back to that diner now!" Jamie gave up trying to convince Renzulli to explain what had him so spooked but grabbed his jacket and followed him out of the station.
They snagged one of the radio cars and Jamie drove them back the few blocks to Corronni's diner. A glance sideways confirmed that the silent figure in the passenger seat was starting to look slightly more normal but his eyes were glassy with shock. Pulling up to the sidewalk Jamie climbed out of the car and walked up to the door, he could see through the glass panels that there was no one behind the counter and he couldn't resist the urge to check that his off duty weapon was in its holster under his arm.
Renzulli pushed the door open and the door bell chimed. Jamie heard movement in what he assumed was the kitchen and a voice called out to give them a second. He couldn't tell if it was the same girl from earlier and managed to convey that to the man who was now pacing quickly beside him without speaking. As the saloon doors swung open Jamie saw that it was indeed the same girl backing through them holding a mop and bucket.
She turned to face them and took a second to recognise Jamie in his civvies.
"Officer Reagan? Here for another cup of …" There was an almighty crash as she dropped the bucket she was carrying. Apparently Renzulli wasn't the only one shocked at the sudden reunion as she turned as white as a ghost. Her mouth opened several times but no sound emerged.
"I got your note, Lucy." Jamie could hear the strain colouring his friend's voice. "What I don't know is why on earth you've come back after all this time? Are you trying to get yourself killed!" The volume of Renzulli's voice had risen rapidly throughout the short statement to the point where Jamie could almost say the man was yelling. He'd never heard the man yell before, raise his voice sure but he was almost out and out yelling at the poor girl who still looked to be in shock. What was also confusing was that, now he was looking, Jamie could see that the girl's name tag said her name was Claire. So just why was his usually level headed TO yelling at Lucy?
"Officer Renzulli, I wasn't expecting to… I mean… I… Gemma texted me and said he was in jail. I just wanted to come home!"
"Wait, what do you mean she said he was in jail?" They had plainly forgotten Jamie was even still standing there so he just stood and watched the drama that was unfolding around him.
The girl looked emphatic. "Gemma said he'd been put in jail for assault. She said it was safe for me to…" She broke off as Renzulli grabbed her arm and started pulling her towards the exit, "what are you doing? I'm not…"
"We have to get you out of here, it's not safe. He isn't in jail Lucy. I've been keeping tabs on him ever since you left. He's still out there!"
For the second time that night Jamie watched the colour drain out of the poor girl's face and he couldn't bring himself to question anything as his Sarge pulled the girl firmly towards the exit. He stood rooted to the spot until Renzulli turned back towards him and barked at him to follow. Gone was the man who looked to be in the midst of a heart attack, Jamie recognised the look he was being thrown now. It was the one that meant don't-ask-questions-just-do-as-I-say-I-promise-I-h ave-a-good-reason. And Jamie followed them out only pausing briefly for the girl to flip the open sign and lock the front door.
He trusted his sergeant and if he was this wound up about something – Jamie couldn't stop his hand from reaching inside his jacket to again lay his hand on the butt of his off-duty gun.
AN2: There we are people! So lets have your theories shall we! Just who is the new girl causing a stir!
