We're getting there :) Some essential case stuff, not sure how I feel about it but want to put it up so I can get on with the next two chapters which I'm really excited about writing :) I hope you enjoy and feel free to leave me any thoughts in a review :)

Chapter 12

The man in front of them, about to pick up the drugs they had dropped was none other than former Captain Trent Lawrence. A decorated and highly respected former police captain, who had had a hand in training every police officer who had been through the academy.

The minds of the undercover officers raced as they tried to come up with a way to get through this unrecognised. They knew they needed to act quickly as Mathew was still heading head first into danger. They knew they couldn't arrest him straight away as they needed hard evidence that proved he was in fact involved and how deep he was involved. They knew if they busted him now he would easily talk his way out of it, say they were just some overly eager undercover kiddie cops desperate for a big bust.

Hanson made a snap decision to follow Mathew into the near darkness. Penhall stood back astonished, hoping desperately Tom knew what he was doing. He obediently stayed by the car, just as Hanson's eyes had beckoned him to. Ready to get back up if everything went to shit.

Tom was sure this guy wouldn't recognise him. It might have been an arrogant move but he was so sure he wouldn't. He had grown up considerably in his few short years at Jump Street. He barely even recognised himself. A combination of maturity and Police field work had filled out his lanky frame and his now unkempt hair was nothing like it had been, he considered as he was forced to brush it out of his eyes thus proving his point. His eyes were also different. He detested the similarities he saw between his eyes and the eyes of the men he went to prison with as well as so many of the people he had busted. He knew others saw it in his eyes too, saw he questioned his choices, saw he was no longer an innocent kid that thought he could save the world. Even if the former captain recognised Tom's face, he knew that if he looked into Hanson's eyes he would see it wasn't him. As the Tom Hanson that was those 5 years ago, was no longer.

Finally after what felt like the longest 20m walk ever, the two arrived at the man's van, Tom cleared his throat to make their presence known as the man bending down stashed thhe coke they had hid into his pocket.

"Don't flatter yourselves, I knew you were waiting for me, you must know I'm not that thick boys. Or maybe you're that thick." He said with his back still turned. For once Tom let Mathew take the lead as he tried to blend into the background. He realisied that the ex-cop had only let himself be so exposed because he didn't see the teenagers as a real threat. He therefore also realised that if he made Hanson they were all in deep shit. He suddenly regretted his brash decision of storming after Mathew.

"Good system you got going here," Mathew said ignoring the insult that had been directed at the boys.

"Nice you think so, but you don't know the half of it," he said smirking as he finally turned to face them. He looked surprised for a brief moment, as if he was expecting someone else to be standing there.

"Well, why don't you show us then, because we were sick of those scum dealers using us. We know we can be of more use so we decided to tell it to someone who would listen,".

"What makes you think I'm going to listen?"

"Because you're smart, and smart people are always willing to consider new and innovative ideas," Mathew was playing on Lawrence's ego just like he had seen Tom do previously. He was such a smart kid Tom smiled as he felt himself swell with pride. The feeling however was quickly replaced with shame as he realised how sick it was to feel proud of teaching someone how to manipulate someone else.

"I disagree, I think it would be smarter of me to get the three of you out of my way right now," he said suddenly becoming more irate. Tom looked clearly frazzled when he realised he had referred to three of the men, "That reminds me, I've been meaning to ask where your brother is McQuaid,".

'This guy knew too much, how did he know who they were? Thought Doug hopelessly as he heard the ex-officer yelling for him.

"Why didn't you ask him to come over? It's very rude of you to not to introduce him to us," he said as three intimidating men got out from the back of the car. 'Shit' thought Hanson 'Was not expecting that'. Everything had gone downhill, very quickly.

The man waved his gun around like it was nothing as he pointed at one of his men to go retrieve Doug. Hanson still kept quiet his earlier confidence that he would not be recognised had almost completely diminished. He looked on uncomfortably as Doug was dragged over by one of Lawrance's lackies. He had obviously put up a fight as his knuckles were red and swollen. It was also obvious he had lost, but whether he was defeated willingly Hanson couldn't be sure. In either case Tom was strangely relieved to see that his face was unrecognisable.

Lawrence raised his voice as he continued, "Now boys, tell me what the fuck you were thinking when you decided it was a good idea to disobey my direct orders!"

"Honestly we were thinking since you're direct orders were written on an old napkin they could be seen more as guidelines," Mathew retorted quickly.

'Oh god just shut up' thought Tom. This was not time for sass, it was apparent Mathew was not so great at reading a situation. His comment was met with a forceful slap across the face from Lawrence's pistol. He fell momentarily to the ground, 'oh for fuck sake' mouthed Hanson. He could feel his thoughts were becoming more desperate and scrambled, he knew he was going to have to step in.

"Come on man, what's your problem? Why won't you let us help you out? We could be a big help! Because what you've got at the moment it's great but we were talking about it yesterday and what if you set up a bunch more like this, more kids, more schools more dealers, more money, " Hanson knew he would love to hear his own genius talked back at him just as much as a teacher loved to hear you quote them in an essay.

"Just give us a chance man, were willing to do anything,"

Lawrence stared into the eyes of the teenage delinquent in front of him. At first something had put him off about this kid, he had a strange nagging feeling that left him unable to reply. But as the kid looked into his eyes all he saw was desperation and hunger, this kid was pleading with him. 'He may just have what it takes' he thought as he laughed.

This reaction caught Hanson off guard, he immediately feared the worst, he knew he had been recognised, it was over.

Lawrence pulled Hanson closer with the hand he had now wrapped around Tom's shoulder and neck. He then brought his own forehead to rest on Tom's. "Come on man!" Tom pleaded again his desperation obvious.

"You arrogant little shit," he said cruelly.

"It's all over' Tom thought, 'this is it' he felt every fibre on his body stand on end. His heart was beating fast even though time seemed to be suspended in the thickness and importance of the moment that was about to come.

"Remember this moment Tommy! Because when your 40, rich, sitting on some beach with your trophy wife on your arm I want you to remember the man who gave you your start!" Lawrence smiled at the completely bewildered boy in front of him. "This moment right here is the start of a beautiful partnership," Lawrence was still staring intently into Tom's eyes before he pulled him into an awkward hug. Tom's body remained tense. He saw Doug's expression of absolute confusion show signs of relief and so he allowed himself to feel some of it too.

After he was released he stood there still completely baffled as to how he had managed to fool him, how the hell did this highly intelligent and master manipulator ex-cop fall for his desperation? 'I'm obviously better at putting up walls than I thought' was the reasoning that occurred to him. Because all he could see when he was staring into that man's eyes was the kindness they had once shown a young Tom.

He was transported to a day in the academy when he was finding it particularly hard to ignore the absence of his father. He recalled thinking that the Captain had an amazing ability to see past the walls Tom had put up over the years. This man could see through his eyes into his mind, see the desperation he felt about needing to live up to his Dad's memory as well as the hunger he had for revenge. Both these things the Captain had told him would make him a great cop. The time he had taken to speak with Tom had meant so much at the time. So Tom didn't understand how Lawrence was not also consumed by the memories of their shared past. He supposed it just hadn't mean as much to him.

"So you're telling me you do want our help?" he questioned cautiously.

"Yeah well, I'll have to talk to the boss first," he said a tad uncomfortably, "But he trusts my judgment so it should be fine," a knowing smile crept onto his lips. "Alright then, we better let these boys get home to do their homework" he said to his men laughing as they all got into the car to drive away. The one who had captured Doug dropped him uncaringly to the floor before leaving. Mathew and Hanson rushed over to him. Tom quickly realised he was playing up his injuries in order to avoid being focused on and hence recognised.

"You had me scared sick Doug!" Hanson said feeling incredibly guilty that Doug's wellbeing really hadn't crossed his mind until just then.

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They had dropped Mathew home and were on the way back to Hanson's apartment with some Pizza when they started arguing.

"What the fuck is up with you?" Hanson yelled.

"Oh Just having some trouble dealing with the fact in the last two hours I've had a gun held to my head and saw my partner walk off on some sort of suicide mission," he yelled just as loudly back trying to ignore the fact Tom's mouth was now just as accustomed to such curses as Doug's, if not more so.

"What? Doug McQuaid isn't afraid of a little violence now is he?" Hanson taunted no softness in his voice.

"Grow up Hanson," Doug said, now sounding bored and tired. He knew his friend's good mood the day before had been too good to last.

"Don't bother come over tonight," Hanson returned in an equally as tired tone.

"Why not? So you can sit in a dark apartment and drink your problems away?" Tom couldn't deny it. That's what he was going to do, he really hated how pathetic it sounded when Doug had said it out loud though. But if he was honest he didn't care because he really just wanted to be left alone. And more than that he really wanted a drink and he had noticed that over the last few days Penhall had been avoiding drinking around him. Like he didn't want to encourage the alcoholic or something. Tom knew tonight would be the same. But it had been such a long day and he didn't want to be sober anymore. He didn't care how pathetic it was, he just wanted to get hammered and pass out in front of some terrible late night television. So he ignored Doug's question and the subsequent scoffs he made at Hanson's silence and drove him home. Not even breaking his muteness to say good bye.