"So ready for your big debut?" Fuller asked Tom, who was sat nervously beside him waiting to see the principle of St Mary's Catholic School for Girls.
"No." he replied shortly, looking harassed as he tried to adjust his clothing. "You're not really making me go through with this are you coach?" he pleaded turning huge brown doe eyes on his commanding officer.
"Give it up Hanson. And don't look at me like that. It doesn't work for my son so it sure as hell won't work for you."
"I thought girls were supposed to be able to wrap their fathers round their little fingers."
"Maybe you're not trying hard enough" Fuller said with a smirk.
"It's cos I'm not your real daughter isn't it?" Hanson said mischievously adopting his practiced girlish tones.
"You ain't pretty enough to be my daughter."
"You're really helping my insecurities here coach!" Fuller began to respond but he was interrupted by the school secretary calling out to them.
"Mr Heyward, Father Mackenze will see you now"
"Damn!" Fuller thought to himself "I had a really good comeback aswell!" as he and Tom followed the short stocky nun to the principles office.
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Being relatively progressive for an all girl's catholic school, St Mary's principle was a priest, Father Mackenzie. He was a few weeks shy of his 45th birthday, medium height with almost auburn hair. He had a pleasant, almost friendly face with round red cheeks. In fact he looked like your stereotypical Irishman, despite the fact that he was New York through and through. He was idly leafing through the enrolment figures for the previous term when Sister Clarence shyly opened the door to his office showing a tall, thin and rather imposing black gentlemen into the room.
"Good afternoon, I'm Adam Heyward, we spoke on the phone."
"Pleasure to meet you Mr Heyward."
"This is Tamara, my step-daughter" he said as he placed his hand on the shoulder of the young woman stood behind him.
"He likes to point that out" she said, her tone bitter. "He's worried people won't figure it out for themselves" she continued as she grudgingly shook the priests hand.
Father Mackenzie had barley acknowledged the young girls presence until he had heard the unexpectedly soft, but too deep voice of Tamara Heyward. His eyes shot up to focus on the young woman in front of him, meeting her soft brown eyes. It was plain to see that these two where obviously not blood related. Unlike her step-father she had olive skin and with those dark eyes and long curly dark hair he could almost have thought her to be of Latino descent, that is if she hadn't been so tall.
"Miss Heyward. Glad to have you here at St Mary's" he said smiling a little too appreciatively at the young girl.
Tom offered his most melting smile while feeling quite unnerved under the scrutiny of the older man. There was something definitely disturbing about the way this guy was surveying him. Quickly disengaging his hand from the priests firm grip Tom took a seat beside his 'father' and sat adopting an air of boredom and disinterest while inspecting his still quite irritating false nails thinking that he'd better be able to get them off or Hoffs was gonna pay. He had a feeling that they were going to make certain things quite difficult.
"So, Miss Heyward, I see from your transcript that you were quite active on the debating team at St Victoria's. I think you'll be quite impressed with the group here at St Mary's." Father Mackenzie's voice brought Tom back from his thoughts.
"That's nice but I don't do that anymore" he replied suddenly deciding he was going to be as insolent as possible, twisting the curly wig round his fingers and snapping his gum. The look this coaxed from the middleaged priest however made Tom feel more uncomfortable still. Had he seen through his cover already?
"We'll see." Father Mackenzie replied.
"You'll do whatever your teachers tell you to!" his 'father' snapped glaring. "I apologise, she's been a bit difficult since her mother passed away."
"Yeah, and you've made it so easy" 'Tamara' interrupted scornfully. "Why don't you just send me to boarding school? Be better for both of us, as you never wanted me here in the first place".
"Can this wait till we get home?" Fuller said his eyes boring into his 'daughter' who just offered him an insolent sarcastic grin." Her grades have taken quite a considerable dive these past few months and it's giving me cause for concern. I thought it would be better if she were in a more positive learning environment."
"Well don't worry Mr Heyward, I assure you that our academic record is second to none."
"I'm glad to hear that. I'm also concerned about the amount of time she has been spending with one of your students over on the boy's campus, Douglas Porter."
"Oh, yes. An interesting young man. I met him this morning."
"I would appreciate it if you could give me some assurance that this friendship will be discouraged at every possible opportunity."
"You can't tell me who I can and can't see." 'Tamara' said in her most petulant tone. "You're not my real father. You have no right ordering me around."
"Now Miss Heyward!" Father Mackenzie interrupted the young 'lady's' outburst in his most soothing and cajoling tone." I'm sure you shouldn't be talking to your step-father that way in front of complete strangers." He then turned his attention to the imposing black man sat across from him. "Don't worry Mr Heyward, we practice strict segregation between both our campuses."
"You can't stop me seeing Douggie" 'Tamara' whined pouting and playing with her hair.
"I'm sure with this being your senior year you'll have far too much studying to be getting on with to worry about seeing your young man" the priest said, trying to defuse the situation offering Tom the most sickly sweet smile he had ever seen. The young officer shifted nervously in his seat while trying to maintain his petulant demeanour. "And if there is anything you're unsure of or you think was missed by your last school I hope you won't hesitate in coming to me for assistance."
"I'll bare that in mind" 'Tamara' answered dismissively.
"My apologies again, father. Only child you see, and her mother spoiled her terribly."
"Oh and you never spoilt me at all while you were trying to get into my mom's pants." Fullers head snapped round and his eyes widened in genuine shock as he glared at his young officer, who just smiled insolently back at him. Tom's smile widened as Fuller dragged his attention back to Father Mackenzie, thinking that maybe this assignment could be fun after all.
"I think we'd better be going." Adam said as he offered the priest his hand. "I'm very sorry for this outburst father."
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure that we can help get your daughter back on track".
"Step daughter!" came the young girl's soft deep voice from behind her 'father'.
"We appreciate you taking the time to meet with us" Fuller said as he stood and offered Father Mackenzie his hand, then turning round and pulling his 'daughter' none to gently to her feet.
"It's been a pleasure to meet you both and we're very much looking forward to having you at St Mary's Miss Heyward. You can collect your class schedule at reception in the morning and if you go to the school store and let Sister Martin know your dress size she'll provide you with the appropriate uniform." he said taking Tom's hand in both of his. " And don't worry Mr Heyward, we will do everything we can to make Tamara feel welcome here."
"Thank you father." he said as both officers left the room, unaware of the priest's eyes following as they went.
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"You wanna tell me what that was all about Hanson?" Fuller snapped once they had reached the safety of the corridor.
"Playing the bitter stepchild Coach, just like you told me."
"I feel sorry for whoever your mom dated while you were growing up!"
"Chased 'em all down the street with 2x4's Captain." he replied in his typically deadpan manner. "I guess you won't be buying me that pony then Daddy"
"You guessed right" Fuller replied trying to hide his smile from his subordinate.
"My real daddy would've" Tom said, his brown eyes smiling despite the sulky expression on his face.
"I'd like to see you try and ride one in that skirt. What did I ever do to you to deserve this?" Hanson replied simply by impatiently pointing out his current appearance.
"Well, technically Tom, that was Hoffs." Fuller pointed out smirking as he walked away. Tom rolled his eyes and followed his superior towards the school store.
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"So how did my girl do?" Penhall called enthusiastically as he spotted Fuller and Hanson entering the bullpen, Fuller impeccably dressed as usual, Tom looking positively bedraggled next to his commanding officer, wig in one hand, large plastic bag in the other and having replaced the smart linen skirt with scruffy jeans. His face also showed distinct signs that he had hurriedly tried to rub away as much of the make up as he could.
"Made sure I wasn't going to win any father of the year contests".
"What's this? We go out on a couple of dates and suddenly I'm your girl?!" Tom said pretending offence.
"No one else will take you on babe!"
"Ok guys, give it rest." Fuller said wearily, he was getting the feeling that he was going to regret this by the time they were through.
"So, did he buy it?" Doug asked turning his full attention back to his friend.
"Believe it or not, yeah,I think so."
"Well Judy did a hell of a job, and you did look awfully pretty."
"You really think so Douggie" Tom said in girlish tones while batting his still mascara coated lashes.
"How did you get on the guy's side Penhall?" Fuller asked in full commanding officer mode.
"No problems Captain. All signed up and ready to start classes first thing in the morning."
"Good. Harry and I are going to talk to Nikki's parents in the morning so we'll fill you in on what we find out when you report back tomorrow. Don't forget guy's this is a homicide investigation. At least try to take it a little seriously."
"Sure thing Coach" Tom said offering his captain his most charming smile.
"What you got in here" Doug asked while grabbing for the bag Tom still clutched in his hand as Fuller made his way to his office.
"Hey, give it back" Tom said trying to tighten his grip on the handle, but Doug was too fast. Penhall's eyes sparkled with laughter as he pulled out the individual sealed plastic packages that contained Tom's brand new school uniform.
"Don't you say a word." Tom said his eyes flashing warnings towards his partner.
"Oh come on, I bet you'll look adorable. I always did like the whole Catholic Schoolgirl look."
"Yeah, well hopefully the principle doesn't."
"Take a shine to ya did he?"
"It was creepy man. He wouldn't stop staring."
"Seemed ok when I met him this morning. You want me to beat him up for you honey, no guy hits on my sweetie and lives" Doug said.
"No, I'll just try and get Daddy Fuller to ground me."
"What did you do to show him up?"
"Accused him of spoiling me to get into my mom's pants" Tom said his eyes dancing.
"Hanson, Hanson, Hanson. I really am rubbing off on you aren't I?"
"Look's that way. Hey, Doug will you do me a favour?"
"Sure, what?"
"Shoot me before the morning!"
"Cheer up honey. Come on, let's go find Harry. He can buy us a pizza and you can drown your sorrows." Doug said putting his arm round his smaller friend's shoulders.
"Not enough pepperoni in this world man!" Tom said as he held up the still wrapped uniform and eyed it with miserable resignation.