A/N: I had my last test for a while today… it will get better now. Thanks for all bearing with me, I don't know what's wrong with me and this story ( Steph – I haven't forgotten your comment about my "choppy" writing, and I try to work on it), but… well, let's say I'd be very grateful for every counsel how to write a love story.

"No means no. No, I won't forget about Friday. And I really hope you'll be there, too."
Eddie bit her lips. This could be her last chance to sort things out with Jamie.
"Eddie?" Jamie sounded nervous.
"Oh… okay, yes." She couldn't help smiling. "But… you need to trust me, Jamie."
Ed laughed. "I knew it! Say hi to the golden boy from me." He pulled over for their lunch break. "Tell him I'm taking care of you."

Eddie rolled her eyes. "Talking about Friday…"
"Give him the phone."
She sighed. "No."
"Give. Him. The. Phone." Jamie's voice was dangerous now, and automatically Eddie felt goose bumps running down her skin. She had heard that voice only twice before. From the look on people's faces they were as shocked and scared as she was about the sudden and dark power in the young man.
Eddie stayed calm. "Jamie, don't."

She heard him inhaling deeply. "Please, Eddie."
"No." She couldn't stop her smile from widening, though. She didn't want Jamie to see her as weak or a victim, but still… hearing him worrying about her, caring about her, warmed her from the inside more than the sudden spring could do.
"Let's talk in the evening, okay? I'll wait for you. But right now you've got to trust me, Jamie."
"Eddie… look out, on the right! Sorry, I've got to go. Today, okay? Promise me."
"I promise. Take care." She bit her lips before she could add "I love you" and quickly hang up.

"You promise? What do you promise, officer?" Ed sneered.
Eddie whirled around. "Did you overhear me? What's wrong with you?"
Ed shrugged. "You're my partner. If you have a private talk on duty I wanna know why and with whom."
She glared at him but didn't say a word. There were no words to reason with that idiot, and she couldn't really use her fists in public.
Ed grinned knowingly. "I see. So you're planning to make me jealous, don't you? That won't work, Janko. I like you but not that much."

Eddie jerked. "Jealous? Ed, what on earth are you talking about these days?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about." The grin was gone. Ed Rickers straightened up to full size, as if he just remembered he was representing the force of the NYPD, and should be a role model, at least an example of civility and helpfulness. He would have looked impressive indeed, despite the beer-swollen stomach, if Eddie didn't know that it was a lie. Ed didn't want to represent anything than himself. There might have been a time when the people of New York City mattered to him, but that time was long gone.

"Friday. I heard you accepting an invitation you know you can't take. You already have a date for this day, remember?" He came closer, his breath smelling of cigarettes and coffee. "I asked you first."

"And I didn't say yes." Eddie stood her ground. A part of her wondered what had happened to her partner that had made him the person he was now, and another part was wondering if the same change would be happening to her, sooner or later. Or to Jamie.

The thought of Jamie's kindness and compassion turning to cold ignorance made her sick. She couldn't imagine what tragedies would be needed to make that change happen, but whatever it was… she knew she would do everything to protect Jamie from it. So much he had already lived through and still was one of the best people she had ever known.

"You didn't…"
"I didn't." Eddie turned around and threw the empty cup away. "Let's go on. We don't get paid for eating."
Just as she wanted to open the door, Ed caught up and pressed her against the car on the way. "You don't tell me what to do" he hissed.
Eddie tensed but he was already on the other side, getting into the car as if nothing had happened. Rubbing her hurting knee Eddie got in as well. The physical pain passed quickly, but she still felt his body against his, and another's – her stomach cramped at the old memory, and Eddie closed her eyes. She was over this, it had been one time… one time too much, but she had lived through it and ended it and one thing was sure – it would never happen again. Not like this, not with Robert. And it definitely wouldn't happen with Ed.

"You can't do that, you know." Her voice was almost calm.
"What do you mean now?"
Eddie took a deep breath. "Harassing me like that." She looked over at her partner to see any reaction.

Ed laughed. "You're one of those, I see." He shook his head sadly. "Such a strong woman who won't let anybody help her or hold her because she can do anything alone… except for when little Jamie Reagan comes up, with his pretty face and his, like, one year of experience and a dead partner trailing behind him, and you're falling down and are all damsel in distress. That's pathetic, Eddie. You are a disappointment for all cops." He cursed under his breath as a young man ran across the street. "Follow him."

Eddie frowned. "For what reason?"
"Cause I said so!" Rickers nudged her against the door as she didn't open it fast enough. "Do you think that was the guy's handbag, all leather and red?"
"Damn it!" Eddie started to run. Why hadn't she seen that?
"That's what I meant" Ed panted behind her, "you're a… disappointment… for all… cops."

The man disappeared into a small side street that she knew would open up for a crossing.
No use in calling Ed to speed up. Eddie ran faster.