David insisted on examining the damaged fender, which got the attention of the players, who stopped running laps to check out the fender too. With a loud sigh, Pete told the story of Cindy and her excuse that the car got in her way. There was no way that he was going to bring up the "toe incident".

"What an idiot!", "How does a parked car get in someone's way? "Did it come to life and jump in front of her?" Pete expected comments along this line, but the next question caught him off-guard.

"Hey Coach, how about letting us fix it in auto shop? We ran out of cars to learn on."

Now, Pete was caught in a quandary. The thought of his beloved car being used to teach auto-body repair terrified him. How to get out of this without insulting them or hurting their feelings? Most of all, he didn't want to discourage the teens. Too many of them had been let down before by adults they trusted.

"Hold off on those plans. I have to work out things with my insurance and the girl's parents. It may be that the work has to be done by a professional in order for the insurance to pay for it. If not, then we can talk to your shop teacher." That seemed to accept that, for now.

As he got into the car, Pete paused halfway in and motioned, with his thumb, toward the track. "Hey! Don't think this gets you out of finishing your laps."

Once David was buckled in, Pete turned the key to start the car. He loved the sound of the powerful engine roaring to life. He knew that David loved it as much as he did. The boy often begged for rides in the mustang and frequently urged Pete to drive fast. Pete was sure that this would be David's last ride in the car and decided to give the child an exciting ride. This meant taking the highway. It was the longer way to the boy's home, but it gave them more time with each other.

Pete intended to talk to David about the way things are now between him and the boy's mother during the ride to his home. He was about breach the subject when he decided that he needed a wardrobe change before her returned the boy to his mother. Her objection to him wearing anything with a reference to the LAPD was another sore spot. She often accused him of trying to guide David into a career as a policeman. An eleven year veteran of the LAPD, Pete was well aware of the dangers of the job; He had come way to close to dying several times. He would never encourage anyone he loved to become a cop and he did love David.

"Are we going to your apartment? I thought you were taking me home." David had noted the change in direction and he seemed pleased about it. Pete understood why.

"Yeah, I need to change clothes. Besides, it might be better if you gave your mom a call to let her know that you are safe and will be home soon." Pete debated with himself as to whether he should tell David to not say that he was calling from his house.

"Do I have to? She's going to yell at us." Pete didn't miss the "us" part of the boy's concern.

"She's going to yell at us either way. " That much was certain. "I'll call her, if you want."

Pete pulled the mustang into his regular parking spot and cut the engine. He looked around wondering if he could find a safer spot. He left the car where it was. There didn't seem to be anything safer than where his car was: in the middle of a line of cars. His passenger hesitated to leave the safety of the car to get closer to a phone.

"C'mon David. It will be alright." Pete's attempt to reassure David didn't seem to work. His key was barely in the lock when they both heard the phone ring. There was an audible groan from Pete's left.

"It's her! I know it is. Don't answer it Pete, please." A part of him grew angry as the boy seemed to cower at the sound of the phone. What had Judy been saying to the boy to make him that afraid of her calling?

"I have to answer it. Work could be calling." Pete opened the door, ushered David in first, and answered the phone. "Malloy" He wasn't in the mood for pleasantries. "HI Mac. Yeah, I just go home. What's up?"

"Val Moore called me a few hours ago. He wanted to know if we could switch the training report meeting from Friday to Tuesday. Can you have everything ready by then?"

One of the responsibilities of a training officer was to file a monthly evaluation of the probationer they were working with. Those reports were then reviewed by the Chief Training Officer, who would go over the report with the Training Officer. Any questions and concerns were covered before the CTO met with the head Watch Commander. Together, they would meet with the Captain and brief him of the rookie's progress or lack thereof.

"Maybe." Pete hated to leave it open but he was missing six out of ten reports.

"Maybe? Is that what you want me to tell the Captain? If I can switch around my schedule, you can too." Mac rarely became annoyed with Pete, but his tone of voice was a dead give-a-way this time.

Three less days to prepare his report didn't exactly thrill Pete. He sighed as he began to calculate exactly how much time he needed to get that report ready for the captain and who he had to prod into turning in their reports. A few more would surely be at the station waiting for him, but experience told him that Ed Wells would not have his ready.

"Tell the Skipper that I'll have it ready on Tuesday; So much for the rest of my days off." Pete grumbled, feeling justified in being exasperated at some of the training officers. Chasing around fellow officers, nagging them to do their paperwork, isn't the job he signed on for.

"I'll let him know. The meeting is at two. " Mac hung up the phone without even a goodbye.

Putting the receiver down, Pete told David to help himself to something to drink while he changed his clothes. The fact that he had a date later occurred to him as he took off his sweaty jeans and t-shirt. He definitely needed a shower. David was already watching television so Pete took a quick shower and put on one of his better suits. This way, he would be ready for his date whenever he finished what else he had yet to do today. He was coming down the hall and tying his tie when the phone rang again.

David jumped as the phone range; He really didn't want to talk to his mother. Not that Pete could blame the boy; he didn't want to talk to her either. Pete mentally braced himself as he answered the phone.

"Hello?" Pete glanced at David once more as he waited to find out who was calling this time.

"Malloy? It's Murphy, from the station. Can you work the PM watch today? We're short-handed. I heard about your toe, so I'll put you on the desk." The sergeant chuckled softly.

"Very funny, Murphy. The answer is no. I will be in later to pick up the training officer reports so if you see any of them make sure to remind them that I needed those reports yesterday." Pete wasn't sure if the question was serious or not, but he had no intention of working today. "See you later."

He did recognize this as omen it was. Murphy's comments confirmed what he knew this morning; Hhis toe and Mrs. O'Brian was now the latest joke at the station. The officer removed his off-duty weapon from the lock box and hooked it onto his belt. His intention now was to take David home to his mother. The way Pete saw it, calling would result in both of them being yelled at twice. He turned off the television and motioned for David towards the door. Again, the phone rang….