Chap 2
Carter makes a quick call to grace letting her know that Shaw was joining them and they would be there soon.
No problem joss I'm at the dress shop a couple of stores away.
Great we'll meet you there.
See you soon . grace ends the call
Grace was browsing , looking at jewelery, shoes and hand bags . As she studies a fendi clutch a very nice but unhappy looking man enters the shop . something about him makes her red flag start to wave but she ignores it figuring he is there to buy a gift for his mother or sister and continues to browse.
Maria where's Jean? came his gruff voice
Okay Grace thinks he knows the clerk.
She's getting lunch Bruce, maria answers in an exasperated tone
when is she coming back?
Maria just stared at him.
When ?! he raised his voice.
In an hour maria lied hoping he would leave. Just then Jean entered the shop looking at her phone not seeing Bruce .
JEAN ! she looks up with a start.
Bruce, what are you doing here ?
Grace watched the couple noting him getting louder and jean looking nervous.
OUTSIDE ! I want to talk to you !
No! I told you I'm done I'm sick of your B.S. jean exclaims getting loud herself.
Please don't not in here Maria implored.
Bruce leave ! he grabs Jean by her wrist "OUTSIDE NOW ! he yanks her toward the door.
Grace makes her way to the front of the shop.
Miss shouldn't you call the police she asks the other store clerk
I'm sorry you had to hear them ma'am, but she'll just bail him out later . I just keep my head down and stay out of it.
Well I can't states Grace and exits the store Seeing that the man now has Jean by both wrist and is shaking her furiously .
Let go ,let go damn it bruce jean sobs ,people on the street ignoring the couple.
you're not leaving me Jean Bruce yells.
I'm tired of your shit, let-s- Bruce slaps her across the face the red hand print appearing instantly.
Leave her alone ! shouts Grace
Mind your fuckin' business lady commands bruce as he returns his attention back to the crying store clerk. see what happens when you don't listen to me?
I've called the police grace informs him stepping closer.
Look I told you to mind your business he hissed . she's nothing without me he begins to shake jean again even harder.
The next thing he knows Grace hit him over the head with her purse again and again until he lets Jean go.. through graces' barrage he manages to grab her and gets in her face
"you're gonna wish you hadn't done that. he draws back to strike grace when someone grabs his arm
"DON'T YOU HURT HER !" screams Jean
What he tries to shake her off,but all the rage jean had been holding came boiling up like lava and she punched Bruce dead in his right eye.
You Bitch ! he cries not thinking he let Grace go.
At that moment Shaw and Carter turn the corner to witness Grace and another woman hitting and kicking a strange man
Joss went to break it up but Sam stopped her smirking at the spectacle "this is the best entertainment all day." joss looked at Sameen in amazement
"Stop!" the cop in her yelled "what the hell is going on ?" watching the ladies step back
He's an abusive bully spat jean and i'm sick of his shit !
he was hurting her Joss so I stepped in.
these bitches are crazy bruce whined to Joss . Jean reached out and slapped him again Joss had to grab her.
"It's true miss, Maria said coming out of the store"he's hurt her before.
joss let jean go as they heard sirens and soon officers appeared they took statements from Maria Grace and Jean before putting Bruce in the the back of the car.
Jean turned to grace "thank you , he had me so afraid, I'm such a knucklehead for letting him do those things to me.

No no sweetheart. Grace said giving her hand a squeeze he's the knucklehead.
Jean started to tear up 'It wasn't until he grabbed you that I woke up. I didn't want him to hurt you or anybody else
Do you need any help asked Joss
nah, I'm going to go down and press charges and get a restraining order.
Good , here's my card, call if you need anything my name is Detective Carter
Hey I heard of you. you were in the all the news papers, but you're not a cop anymore?
but she is still a detective said shaw
jean read joss's card "cool you opened your own agency turning to sam you her partner?
You could say that answered Sam.

Bye ladies and thanks again Grace you're my hero! jean exclaims leaving with the officers to file those charges.
Let's get to Ralphies' I'm starving. informs Shaw.
Gee Sameen you're so sensitive teases Grace
"What ? I eat when I get upset." explains Shaw," I drink when I get upset" states Carter "and Grace , you look like you could use a drink" Joss observes.
"Nice moves though with your purse there, Grace" Shaw teases
Coming from you Sameen, that's a compliment , smiles grace
The trio head for the pub .

Hello ladies the trio are greeted by Ralphie's owner Emma Ralph. emma inherited the pub from her dad Arnold when he passed 2 years ago he owned the place for almost 30 and Em practically grew up there.

Are we havin' food or drink ? Em questions
"Both!" Shaw and Carter answer in unison in all seriousness.
Emma laughed "Long day ? Damn it's only 2:45 . the ladies seat them selves at a table .

Em, yells Shaw the place is quiet.
Yeah it will pick up soon...the after work crowd em replires as she walks from the other end of the bar to get their order.
What can I get ya ? grace goes first
I'll have a turkey burger with swiss and grilled red onion. I want your bleu cheese burger medium orders Sam w/everything. Joss decides I'll take the same except make it well.

And to drink ?
3 shots of Patron !
Oh , no not for me. refuses Grace
Oh hell yes for you ! Shaw insist
Em puts the shot glasses in front of them and pours the Patron. Joss and Sam shoot theirs immediately. Grace just stares at her glass.

C'mon Grace it will take the tension out . They encourage
Huh she sighs and shoots her drink. "Argh ! this stuff will kill ya !"
Nah, just put hair on your chest . teased Sameen
All laugh with the exception of Grace .
I'll go put your burger order in ladies smiles Em as she heads to the kitchen.
Carter let's play pool while we wait.?

"What the hell Shaw, I feel like taking some of your money."
Shaw just huffs in response then yells after Emma, "3 more shots of Patron when you come back !" As they move to the pool table in the back.

I'll rack 'em ! Sam blurts out. As Joss chooses her cue
I haven't played in a long time Grace states gesturing towards the table.
'We'll go easy on you ." promises Joss
First I need to head to to the 'ladies'...come with me Sam. Grace asks of her broody friend.
Wwhat, you can't handle it alone ? " exclaims Sam
'C'mon ...women always go together" says Grace tugging on Sameen's arm.
Joss laughs at Shaw's dismay ,but Sam relents.
"Don't start without me Carter." calls Sam. "Wouldn't dream of it ." scoffs the detective very amused as she watches the duo disappear into the ladies room.

The bells above the pub door chime getting Emmas' attention .
i thought I told you never to come in here again.

"Mr. Reese ?"
John taps his earwig
"Finch."
We have a new number. Emma Ralph . informs Harold
I know that name she has a pub near 161st .She's a friend of Joss',she and Grace were meeting there for lunch today."
Miss Shaw was bored so she joined them but I doubt even she could eat for 3 hours, Mr. Reese."
" I'm on my way Finch" he hurries to Ralphies' hoping Joss isn't in the middle of anything dangerous. and thanking god it wasn't a game day.

A/N :I forgot to mention the reference to Christie Love in chapter 1 is from a 1970's t.v. show about a black female detective in L.A. call 'Get Christie Love' I always thought of Joss as Christie Love and John as Action Jackson ( ya know if Action Jackson Looked like Spenser for Hire ( an '80's tv show) LOL