The LAPD Ball Part 4
Natalie's viewpoint
The Ball was going wonderfully well, Ana and I were having a great time and it certainly appeared that Jane and Maura were as well.
The guys in Major Crimes had been incredibly welcoming, we'd all had plenty of opportunities to dance with each of them and they'd all been perfect gentlemen. Ana joked that they knew that their balls hung by a slender thread if Jane or her saw them doing anything wrong, but deep down I knew she was joking, they were gentlemen behaving like gentlemen.
Our table had attracted a lot of attention, with most of the LAPD's senior officers wandering by for a chat. Even Chief Pope has stopped by, although I could tell he was more interested in what both Brenda and Sharon were wearing than what Major Crimes were up to.
I couldn't blame him I suppose given how great they both looked, I knew the gossip about his prior relationship with Brenda and rumours of his apparent interest in Sharon, but he seemed to take their polite rebuffs to his tentative offers to dance with good grace.
Unfortunately the same couldn't be said for a number of others. I had turned down several offers of varying politeness and one man had been rather rude when Ana had informed him that she wasn't interested in dancing with him and that she was restricting her dances to friends. When he pointed out that he was a lot better dancer than a bunch of Major Crimes geriatrics I'd thought either Julio or David were going to sort him out then and there. Brenda however had caught both their eyes and shook her head, letting us deal with it.
Fortunately Ana had contented herself with pointing out that she danced with men, not boys and that she really didn't need to deal with his feelings of inadequacy. She'd then turned and pulled me into her side and introduced me as her girlfriend, a woman who was more of a man than he'd ever be. I'd just happily leaned in and given her a deep kiss, making it emphatically plain that he didn't stand a chance. At that point he got the serious hint and left.
Brenda had laughed at that point and pointed out to David and Julio that Ana and I had long practice at putting down unwelcome attention and this way the young officer had to front his fellow officers and explain why he had returned empty handed. Julio however was still feeling aggrieved.
"But Chief, you heard what he called us" Brenda nodded and smiled.
"But Julio, which would you rather be, a Major Crimes geriatric dancing and partying with beautiful women like Ana and Natalie here, or a humiliated young man who'll be nursing his rejection in front of his friends for the rest of the night?" Julio nodded slowly, before conceding the point as Ana and I smiled at them.
"So Chief, your suggesting I should take advantage of the opportunity rather than getting angry" Brenda's smile got even wider.
"Exactly Julio" He smiled at her before turning to us both.
"Ana, I haven't really done much formal dancing, but do you mind chancing me treading on your toes and risk a dance with me?" Ana looked at me and I smiled and disentangled my arm from around her waist, letting her know I was happy to let her go. Ana looked at him and tilted her head slightly as she asked the question.
"Certainly Julio, but why me, Nat's a better dancer than me and she'd do a better job of dancing with you, especially if you're a bit of a novice at it" He looked at me and smiled a little sheepishly.
"No offence Nat, but Ana's more my height, I'd feel kinda awkward dancing with you and I'd not be sure where to look" The sheepish look on his face made me burst out laughing.
"I completely understand Julio and thank you" I turned to Ana. "He's all yours Tsarina, but be gentle with him, it's his first time" Ana just grinned back at me before grabbing a blushing Julio's hand and leading him towards the dance floor.
By now the band had upped the tempo a bit and the dancing was a lot less formal, so I had no qualms that Julio would be fine and both of them would have fun.
I'd wandered off after a waiter for a glass of water and was on my way back to the table when I overheard Buzz and Michael chatting. I heard them mention Brenda and Sharon, causing my ears to perk up.
"Is it just me or do the Chief and the Commander seem different tonight?" Buzz leaned in and spoke quietly, causing me to have to strain to hear. Michael turned to answer him.
"What do you mean?"
"They seem kinda closer tonight, I thought it was just me, but the more I watch, the more it's there" Michael nodded.
"I've been picking up a different vibe between them over the last week of two, but it's way stronger tonight"
"I thought I was imagining all the eyesex, but now I don't think so" Michael spluttered into his drink.
"Eyesex?! What the hell?" Buzz smiled quietly.
"Yeah, when two people keep staring at each other and holding the contact for longer than they need to, it's called eyesex. Watch the two of them for a while and tell me I'm wrong"
I smiled to myself. From what I've seen Buzz may not say much, but he also doesn't miss much either, he also seems to spend a lot of time just people watching.
Michael thought about it for a while, then nodded into his drink.
"Yeah, maybe. They do seem kinda closer than they have been, not a bad thing really, The Chief was in a shitty place when Howard left. She's a lot better and the Commander had a lot to do with that. If the two of them are getting on better that's a good thing" I saw a smirk pass over Buzz's face.
"Getting on better? Hell, if they get on much better than tonight I think they'll be changing their Facebook status" Michael frowned.
"I didn't think either of them were on Facebook" Buzz just smiled and shook his head, whether it was at Michael completely missing the point or something else I couldn't tell, before he held up his empty glass.
"I need another drink"
I watched them for a wander off in search of a waiter, leaving me grinning at Buzz's comment when a female voice came from behind me.
"Would you dance with me, now you're free?" I turned to see a powerfully-built brunette standing there, looking at me with a frankly appraising look in her eyes. She was wearing a fairly plain black dress and near flats, almost as if she preferred to downplay her femininity. I knew the type, a bit butch, forced to dress in a more feminine manner than she'd normally like to meet tonight's dress code. I smiled politely.
"Well, I wouldn't call myself exactly free. We haven't met" I held out my hand. "Natalie Dearing" As we shook I could feel the hardness and strength in her hands, but she was being gentle, like she didn't want to break me.
"Angie Knott, you're the new media person, I've heard of you" She smiled but her eyes were roving a little too blatantly for my taste. I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt.
"Nothing bad I hope?" She dragged her eyes up and looked me in the eyes for the first time.
"No, you live up to the reports"
"Which part of the LAPD are you from Angie?"
"Oh, I'm at the academy, I teach there" I nodded.
"I haven't had a chance to visit the academy yet, what do you teach" She shrugged, as if it wasn't important; her eyes were wandering again.
"I'm a physical trainer, I get the recruits into shape and teach unarmed combat" I smiled, it figured, plus it explained the physique and the hands.
"Do you enjoy the challenge?" She shrugged in response.
"It's ok I suppose, it's a job. She frowned a little, realising I was distracting her. "So, you want to dance?" Her impatience was starting to show.
"Thank you, but tonight I'm restricting it to my partner, my friends and my work colleagues"
"Hey, I'm a work colleague, we both work for the LAPD" I sighed gently to myself, Ms Knott was either obtuse or deliberately ignoring what I was saying, probably the latter.
"True, but for tonight I'm restricting it to my colleagues in Major Crimes" Her smile slipped a bit, not happy that I was turning her down.
"Oh, you think you're too good to dance with me?" I shook my head.
"Not at all, but you obviously waited until my partner wasn't here before approaching me. If all you wanted was a dance, I might possibly have been interested, but if you don't have the good grace to ask me in front of her, rather than waiting until she was gone then the answer is no" She looked at me for a second, her smile long gone.
"Fine" With that she turned and walked a few steps away, before she spotted Jane standing at the table, sipping a beer between dances. Maura was out on the floor with Provenza, who was an unexpectedly good dancer. Maura was obviously enjoying it, laughing as Provenza twirled her around with one hand over her head.
I watched as Angie looked Jane up and down, obviously liking what she saw and moved towards her to talk. I thought she may well be biting off more than she knew, Jane didn't take a back step to anyone and if Angie let her eyes rove over Jane the way they had with me I couldn't see it ending well.
Indeed, I could see Jane's smile falter as Angie's eyes raked over Jane's body, her jaw tightening as her temper started to build. I decided that I should probably save Angie from a far less gentle let down than I had offered, as subtlety wasn't exactly Jane's strong suit.
Walking towards them, I saw Jane see me and a wide smile break out, which I happily returned.
"Hello Jane, you promised me the next dance" Jane happily leapt for the escape hatch.
"That's right I did, you'll have to excuse me Angie, I have a prior engagement" I noticed a fairly unhappy look cast my way before she nodded and stepped back.
"Maybe I could have the next dance then?" Jane smiled, a strictly professional smile, not her usual radiant one that could light up a room.
"Possibly, but I have commitments with several of the other guys in Major Crimes, plus my girlfriend will want a dance next" With that she nodded to Angie and walked to me. "Have a good night" I nodded to Angie as well, catching a very sullen look directed towards us both.
"I believe I promised to let you lead Jane" She just smiled at me, a real one this time.
"Thanks for the save" I laughed as we stepped out onto the floor.
"Jane, that's what friends are for"
We'd danced through two songs, Jane really is a good dancer, we'd spun and swayed together and it had been great fun, but I noticed that Maura had returned to the table and I wanted to make sure Jane was there to protect Maura from someone like Angie.
I needed to visit the bathroom anyway, so after we returned to our table I excused myself and made my way to the ladies. Smiling to myself I noticed there was a queue for the Gents, but not the Ladies. To be expected when men at the Ball exceeded women three to one, but something I appreciated none the less.
A few minutes later I emerged to find that the band had taken a break, leaving the room considerably quieter. As I walked back towards Major Crimes table I saw Andy Flynn and Commander Taylor standing together having what appeared to be a heated argument.
As I drew closer I could hear what they were saying, drawing me to a stop just out of their view while I shamelessly eavesdropped as Taylor mocked Andy, his voice loud and obnoxious.
"C'mon Andy, the only reason your table's attracting any attention is because it's full of dykes" Flynn's voice was flat, but I could tell he was starting to get angry.
"Oh and here I was thinking it was cause it's full of beautiful women" Taylor's voice was pure venom.
"So what, they're all rug munchers Andy, when did the LA in LAPD turn into Lesbians Anonymous? Those four lesbo sluts are putting on a floor show out there in front of everyone" Andy shrugged.
"They're not doing anything wrong out there, just having fun with their partners. Last time I checked being gay isn't a crime, not anymore"
"That doesn't make it right. Hell, Johnson's husband left her, probably cause he couldn't get her to put out and now she's best friends with FIDs bitch queen and everyone knows the rumours about her"
"I don't know what the hell you're talking about, as far as I know they've both been completely professional, which is a hell of a lot more than some people I could name" Taylor's voice had started to rise.
"What are you insinuating Flynn?" Andy's voice if anything became even flatter and colder.
"I'm not the one smearing other officers with no proof. Besides even if it was true, so what, they've both behaved a lot more professionally than some I could think of. If I wanted to follow your lead and smear someone, let's start with you" Taylor interrupted him, putting his hand on Andy's chest.
"Think carefully Flynn, be very careful what you say" Flynn angrily batted away Taylors hand and shook his head, I could see he was one of those people who became colder the angrier he got and he was pretty cold right now.
"Oh really? Tell me, did Goldman pay you off or did you rat us out for free to get the Chief fired?" Taylor just barked a harsh laugh.
"Honestly Flynn, I don't know what the hell you're talking about" Andy folded his arms and stared at Taylor with what looked like contempt on his face.
"Whatever, it failed, Goldman's dead, you're out of Major Crimes and the Chief's still here" Taylor's reply was laden with satisfaction.
"For now, but sooner or later Miss Atlanta'll be gone, her dyke girlfriend in FID with her, I'll still be here and I'll remember this little conversation. There'll be a reckoning Flynn, sooner than you think" Andy wasn't backing down.
"Rather than making threats and spreading gossip, maybe you should spend a little time cleaning up your own mess"
"What the fuck are you talking about Flynn" Taylor was leaning a long way into Andy's personal space, and I could see this was going to end badly for him, so I stepped forward and forced myself into the conversation.
"Commander Taylor, what a surprise" He started at my voice, turning to take me in where I stood there, my hands on my hips. "I didn't realise your all too well-known issues with women were clouding your judgement, but I will point out that Major Crimes has a significantly higher success rate in both closures and convictions than Robbery Homicide
Taylor went to speak when I quickly cut him off.
"Now we both know that's due to the quality of the team that makes up Major Crimes…" I smiled and nodded at Andy. "However if you want to personalise that, if it's down to who leads that team perhaps you should get your own house in order" Taylor's face had settled into an ugly leer.
"And what exactly are you trying to say Dearing? What the fuck would a useless bitch like you know about policing" I smiled, knowing that would piss him off even more.
"I know that Robbery Homicide has a higher percentage of open and unsolved cases than Major Crimes, even though Major Crime's tasked with the more difficult and complex cases, suggesting that though your cases are easier, you're still failing to close them. You've a larger team than Major Crimes but they're less capable of closing cases. That sounds like a failure of leadership to me" Taylor's face was ugly.
"You stupid bitch, you haven't any idea about real policing, I was a cop when you were still sucking on your mommy's titties" He sneered at me. "Looks like nothing's changed, your still sucking on titties"
"Honestly Commander, is attacking my sexuality the best you can do? You'd better come up with a better defence than that when Professional Standards comes calling" Taylor took a step towards me and I saw Flynn take a half step to block him.
"What the hell do you mean by that?" I shrugged.
"Given Robbery Homicide's closure rate seems to have gone up in the past year but your conviction rates dropped badly since you took over, it suggests your division isn't doing what it's supposed to, get convictions. Something that Professional Standards will probably take an interest in"
"They won't find a thing, my team's clean and you're bluffing" I shrugged again.
"Am I, maybe? But when you also look at the rate of Officer Involved Shootings that Robbery Homicide has had in recent years, particularly since you took over, they might decide that there's something wrong with the culture in your division. It looks like a division that closes cases but can't get convictions and which is happy to shoot first and ask questions later"
"You're stepping into how real police do their job, that's dangerous ground for an ignorant civilian like you. No one would believe anything you have to say anyway" I nodded slowly, seemingly conceding the point.
"You may be right; after all I'm not a cop with all your years of experience, I'm simply the one who has to explain to the media why your division is getting its cases thrown out of court for lack of evidence" He smirked at me, a very ugly look on him.
"We'll that's your job Miss Dearing, I suggest you do it and leave the police work to me" I smiled at him, which got a curious look from Andy.
"Yes it is my job and it's funny, doing that I get to talk to the media a lot and it's amazing the stories I hear from them. You certainly had an interesting manner when it came to female journalists" Taylor was suddenly silent.
"It was fascinating really, when I took over many of this city's top female journalists told me how relieved they were that they didn't have to deal with you anymore. Now I'd assumed that was because you were a police officer and I was a media professional, but no. They were so pleased because they didn't have to put up with your latent chauvinism and blatant sexual harassment" Taylor's voice rose as he rushed to defend himself.
"You have no proof of that; there's been not a single complaint about my work. It's your word against mine and no one will believe a self-serving dyke like you" I laughed.
"Again with the attacks on my sexuality? I'd almost think you have issues with lesbians, but I know that it's really that you can't stand attractive women in positions of authority, not that you're not a nasty, bitter homophobe though" I shrugged. "As for my word against yours, it's funny, most of them thought it was just an individual problem you had with them, but I heard the same thing from one reporter after another, it seems you managed to piss off almost every female journalist covering crimes in this city"
"So fucking what, there wasn't a single complaint from any of them" I laughed at his indignant reply, sticking the knife in.
"Of course there wasn't, because you told them that if they caused trouble you'd cut them off from LAPD media conferences, interviews and other access. But you're gone now and they have someone else to deal with. An ignorant civilian as you put it, someone who now provides them with a professional media relationship with the LAPD. Not only that, but I get to put them in contact with each other so they can talk over their issues, specifically their issues with you"
Taylor was very, very silent. I smiled sweetly at him, as I thrust the knife a bit deeper
"Perhaps you're right, no one will listen to 'lesbo slut' like me, on the other hand when eight or ten of this city's top female journalists file a formal complaint about your behaviour, I doubt that will be so easily overlooked. Especially if they don't get satisfaction I have no doubt that they would be more than happy to go public. I can imagine that Chief Pope really doesn't need a coordinated cross-media story about sexual harassment and discrimination in the LAPD" Andy was openly grinning at Taylor's predicament, while Taylor's complexion was getting redder and redder. I decided to give the knife a final vicious twist.
"But what would I know; I'm just the media manager, the one who'll have to defend you to the media. I'd try of course, but I'd probably advise Chief Pope that if push came to shove, getting rid of you to make the whole issue go away wasn't such a bad thing. Especially if those same journalists filed a civil claim against you for sexual harassment and discrimination. In that case I'd suggest that the LAPD settle; you retire early and the law suit goes away, after an appropriately grovelling public apology"
Taylor stood there, obviously aware that his career was at risk. I looked at him, realising he was a bully at heart, threatening and powerful to those he could dominate, busy undermining those he couldn't, but too weak to stand up against a real threat.
I suddenly felt nothing but scorn, tired of having to deal with him, I turned to Andy Flynn.
"As you can see Andy, Commander Taylor has bigger things to worry about than settling scores in the distant future" I offered him my arm. "I believe I still owe you a dance"
Threading his arm through mine, he smiled at me.
"That you do"
With that we walked away from Taylor and headed back to Major Crimes table. Part way there I pulled him to a stop and leaned in to kiss him on the cheek.
"That was for defending us back there Andy, I appreciate it, we all do. It was very brave of you to go up against a senior officer like that" He smiled at me for a moment.
"Hey, it was my pleasure and I'd do it all over again, even if you didn't have that pretty impressive ace up your sleeve. Besides, Taylor and I have had some bad blood going back to when the Chief first arrived. He set me up to fall, just so he could hurt the Chief. He didn't care that I'd lose my job; I was collateral damage to him, so long as he could get at Brenda" I nodded as we started walking back to our table.
"Well, Taylor now has much more important things to worry about than going after you, but I still appreciate you defending all of us. Thank you"
"Natalie, that dance you promised is all the thanks I need" I laughed.
"Andy, under that hard exterior you're a real softie" He leaned in and smiled.
"Hey, keep that to yourself, can't have that getting out or my rep's busted"
"Andy, your secret is safe with me"