Chapter 2
Memories running through CJ's head when driving through the streets of his home city. Memories of both good and the bad. Either way he was man enough to return home and resume his fulfilling career as a police officer. Now, CJ being the bigger man in accepting the consequence to what had led to him being transferred based upon the handwritten signatures on a petition and the submitted half report of his former cop partner's side of the story from their final call in. No, that is not the case.
What made him the bigger man in returning home to Gotham City and being willing to be an active police officer for GCPD, is facing his old former best friend. Just the thought of seeing Barbara face to face gives him an undescribed feeling. In his overall state he has nothing to say or have any sense of regret towards Barbara. In his own viewpoint, Barbara should have stuck with him let alone agreeing with his logic of insurance of safe society and true justice. Remembering that day of him and Barbara falling out with each other just made CJ pull his car to the side of the road. Turning on his hazard button to signal the drivers behind him to go forward, CJ parked his car before rubbing his temple.
"If I dare continue to remember that day every chance my mind wants to wonder of in, 'What If', then I need to start taking high blood pressure medicine because I'm starting to get fucking upset again." CJ told himself this before taking a moment to breathe.
Calming himself down in success, CJ turned the hazard button off before changing the gear shift to drive. Making sure not to get into a wreck when rejoining the street, he made his way to his desired location. Seeing the big building with the sign that reads GCPD in blue bold letters. He pulled up in one of the available parking spaces and parked his car. Once turning the engine off, CJ exited his car and took his time walking up to the building.
"This place is bigger than when I last saw GCPD." CJ told himself this before entering inside.
Did not take much to reach the front desk and informed the woman behind the desk of his transfer appointment. She looked into her computer and told him to wait in the lobby until being escorted to Commissioner Gordon's office.
"Hmm, news travels ahead of time when word gets out about my arrival and reputation." CJ said when sitting down in one of the chairs.
He picked up a magazine to pass the time since he has no clue as to when the not by choice volunteer police officer in the back would come to escort him. Looking through the pages that caught his interest, a woman who had surprisingly volunteered to escort him, approached and stood in front of him. Having her arms crossed in patience to see if will notice her there but sees that he is too eye glued to the updated magazine.
"CJ Commodore Johnson."
CJ broke his attention from the magazine in his hands when hearing his full whole name from the woman as if she knows him personally. He looked up and saw none other than Barbara herself. Barbara had that facial expression that reads, 'What Were The Odds For This To Happen?', as she looked at her best friend while combating that funny emotional feeling within her.
"The planets of the solar system must have aligned for your ass to return home." said Barbara, before making a clicking noise with her mouth in distaste.
CJ looked at Barbara for a brief moment and felt a surprise warm feeling sensation within him when seeing her after all these years. Luckily he had the willpower to shut it down and lock it up.
"Barbara Joan Gordon." CJ threw the magazine to the side and got from his seat and stood toe to toe with Barbara plainly. "I never thought I would see you here working in GCPD. Damn, the sun might have turned cold and died when learning that you work here. Because I'm sure as hell it is not an eclipse."
Barbara frowned at hearing that smart response. "Fuck you."
"You go and fuck yourself. I bet you do that every night before bed. Right or wrong?." CJ shoots back before putting his hands in his jacket pocket.
"You're an asshole then and still an asshole now." Barbara shot back.
"Well, in my situation Barb, I rather be an asshole than be bitching about everything or everyone's actions. Bitch." CJ shot back as well.
Barbara felt anger run through her body. She wanted to so badly punch her former best friend in the face and possibly knock his ass out, but can not expose herself in GCPD or else they would suspect her as Batgirl. And if they did know that she is Batgirl then they interrogate her on who is the man behind the mask of Batman. Calming down as best as she could, she guided CJ to the other section of the building to reach the main place of the police department.
"I'm surprised that Jim let you be a cop." started CJ.
"My Dad did not. He made me be an IT Support pro for the station's IT department." said Barbara.
"Huh, that sounds about right. You are not an ideal police officer anyway. You do not know what it takes to really finish the job." CJ stopped when Barbara stopped to look at him.
"If I was a cop, I would know when the job is done when I booked my crook and not purposely kill them. Unlike you." said Barbara, getting in her feelings.
CJ was calm about it and knew that Barbara would still be on his ass about his method. "At least the people have a much safer street to walk on and not worry about getting robbed or getting shot."
Barbara shook her head. "You're still the same as always. I just hope you have a backup plan once you are done talking with my Dad."
Barbara showed CJ to the door of her father's office.
"No need for a backup plan when I know that I will be wearing the GCPD badge and uniform." said CJ, entering inside the office with the door shut.
Barbara shook her head and sighed sadly. She spoke in a whisper before returning to her work station. "I miss the old you."
"CJ." Jim motioned CJ to sit. "I must say you look almost identical to your old man."
"That is a first. Coming from you that means something." CJ leaned back into his chair. "So about my transcript."
"Getting right into it I see." Jim looked into his computer before giving his full attention to CJ. "Well, since you want to get right into the point, then let me do the same. I'm rejecting your transfer to be one of my cops."
"I…I'm sorry but…come again?." CJ had that look of denial on his face.
"I did not stutter. I'm not accepting you to join my force." Jim looked at the man in honesty. "Giving your reputation on the outside field, you never bring your arrest to the station. Instead you keep killing them."
"So that is what this is all about. Figure as much." CJ relaxed in his chair. "To be honest with you Gordon. Gotham City was not my first option to be transferred here."
"You don't say?." Jim put his hands together and set them on the desk. "What were your options?."
"There were only two cities that were available for me to transfer to. Gotham City. Metropolis. I picked Gotham, because I rather deal with nutjobs than to be seeing some flying guy in blue tights wearing a big ass S symbol on his chest. Which by the way I hope the mayor or the president of the United States has a contingency plan for that man. All it takes is one moment in time in one day for the Man of Steel to snap and lay damnation on the world. Spoiler alert, he will snap if his favorite personal female reporter gets killed. I'm just saying here." said CJ.
"You are not the only one who is thinking about a contingency plan for the man from Krypton. We are getting off subject here. CJ, I know that losing your parents at such a young age has sparked a fire within you. The wrong kind of fire. You can not be a judge, jury, and executioner out there as a cop. We have a system." began Jim.
"Yeah, and that same system that is corrupted as fuck. Victims never see justice when the accuser gets off or spends life in jail…." CJ got interrupted.
"That is justice for the victims." argued Jim.
"But not for the victims that lost their loved ones by the killer. Look at my light, Jim, the same people that were locked up repeat the same crime over and over again. The damn jail system does not give these bastards true punishments for what led them there. What the hell happened to the old fashioned chain gang?. What happened to spending days in the sweatbox?. The prison system has gone fucking soft and giving these inmates a slap on the wrist or treat them like hotel guests. As for me, I had real balls to do what my job description applies. I'm putting the innocent people's tax money at work here. I arrest 'em and I kill'em on the spot. People like you, Jim, 'The Higher Ups', are on my ass for not following the guidelines." CJ quickly saw Jim was about to say something but stopped him. "I'm not finished. The victims that emotionally suffered from the crooks thanked me for doing what needs to be done. Shit, some were sending me gift baskets or fresh baked goods to my former departments as a way to say they appreciate what I'm doing for society. I have a gun for a reason."
"CJ." Jim got up from his desk. "Your little questionable philosophy is not going to fly here. This here…this is my department. We go by the book!. We follow the rules that have been established since 1829. Gotham is not the same city you grew up in."
"How right you are, Commissioner." CJ got up as well before walking back and forth before talking again. "My beloved home city is overrun by serial killers, thugs, gangsters, rapists. Let alone crazy ass mentally ill people who dress up like it's halloween every damn day and they are only active at night. What else am I forgetting?..."
CJ poundered even though he had the answer and just wanted to make a point to Jim's irritation. "Oh, yes, and we got some dude dressed up as a damn bat jumping off rooftops or gliding around the city, and being above the law. Damn, he even has crusaders following his lead and cause. Especially that woman who imitates the Bat."
"Done getting into your emotions?." Jim sat back down in his chair. "Like I said, you are not joining GCPD. So, I hope you took up a good degree during your college years because you are going to have to rely on that upon working in Gotham."
Taking everything that is said to him, CJ nodded in understanding and sees that Jim is not going to budge. The middle aged man is working his best to prevent him from being a cop. However, he had an ace up his sleeve.
"Alright, Jim, I was trying to be respectful with you and such. Instead of doing this the easy way, we are going to have to play the other way. Here." CJ pulled out a folded piece of paper from his jacket pocket before handing it to Jim.
Jim looked at the paper in CJ's. Having a feeling that he has just lost the argument. But he wants the benefit of the doubt. "What does it say on that paper?."
CJ unfolded the paper all the way. "I'm not going to bore you with the formal introduction. I am just going to get right into the whole point. This letter of recommendation/high authority says that Officer CJ Johnson to be fully positioned and transferred to Gotham City's Police Department asap. Failing to do so will result in removal of current position and immediate termination of the police department. That is including relinquishing your 401k, pension, free unlimited healthcare insurance coverage, and including bonus pay. Signed by New Jersey's State Governor."
"You're lying!." Jim spoke in disbelief. "It must be a forgery."
"I do not commit crimes, Commissioner. I punish crime makers. But here, read it yourself. The signature is written in his hand and this paper has the NJ's state governor stamp of approval." said CJ, plainly and trying not to smirk in victory.
Jim took the paper and read it for himself. He read it over and over again, until he submitted what it said. He looked at CJ. "You bastard."
"In my defense, Commissioner, the reason why the State Governor is involve in my affairs is because I rescued his kidnapped granddaughter, who is one of the among children who were abducted by that sick fuck pedophile and was missing for months on end. The governor told me he was super grateful for finding and saving his only grandchild. He told me that I have a best friend in higher office. Whatever I need help in, he will handle the issue. I know you were going to reject my transfer and so I had to think ahead. Like my father told me, be five steps ahead of everyone else and you will win the game that is life." explained CJ.
Jim sat the paper down in defeat. "Fine. You win. I'll get you into the GCPD system and get your badge ready." He looked at the black man in seriousness. "However, you will be working in the evidence locker room and not be out on the field. If I can not keep you from being my cop, then I will just be your boss and assign you to a position."
CJ shrugged. "Works for me. I can not win them all. I will be back to GCPD, once I unpack and settle in my new apartment. Peace out."
CJ exited Gordon's office. Then he walked past Barbara's IT department and exited the whole department. Barbara watched CJ exit out before getting up to go see her father. She can not resist knowing what went on in that office. She entered her father's office to see him pour himself a glass of whisky.
"So, I am guessing that he threw a big tantrum when you told him he is not joining GCPD, yes?." Barbara waited for her assumed response.
Jim picked up his glass of whisky and showed Barbara the paper. "Does this answer your question?."
Barbara took and read on what the paper says while adjusting her glasses. She had that disbelieved facial expression. "Oh, you have got to be fucking kidding me."
"I said the same damn thing in my head, honey. CJ has got one over me. But I positioned him in the evidence locker room and not doing any field work. Barbara, I really hate to put this burden on you, but can you be his evidence locker room partner?. I just need somebody to keep an eye on him, in case he tries to do his own thing and go sneak off and kill suspects." said Jim, taking a sip of his drink.
Barbara sighed. "Me and him have gotten off on the wrong foot." She notices her father's pointed look. "I'm sorry, Dad. I just got in my emotions and shot the first missile at CJ. I…I'm just still holding on to our last conversation and face to face moment. The day he left Gotham."
"What was the conversation about?." Jim asked before sipping his drink again.
Barbara bit the inside of her right cheek while having her eyes looking away from her father. "Sorry, Dad, but it is between myself and CJ."
"I see." Jim sat his empty cup down before refilling it back to more whisky. "Your friendship is still there. You need to go and apologize to CJ and start fresh. I need the both of you to be on the same page and on peaceful emotions with one another."
Barbara nodded. "I will be sure to do just that, Dad. I just let you have a moment to yourself. Bye."
Barbara left and closed her father's door before returning to her work station. Once the hours of her shift were finally up for the day, Barbara headed to the grocery store and got what she needed before driving back to her apartment to start baking her cookies. Taking her sweet time mixing in the ingredients while listening to R Kelly's remix version of 'Gotham City'. That peculiar song literally motivates Barbara to put on her Bat suit and go clean the streets of her home city from crooks and gangbangers. More specifically people who have a character persona.
"My new neighbor is going to love my cinnamon raisin cookies. I just know it." Barbara smiled big when knowing her baked goods were on point.
When done getting her second dozen out of the oven she placed the warm soft cookies inside a medium sized yellow cardboard box. Closing the lid down, Barbara started cleaning up her mess and dishes before getting into some fresh clothes as she does not want to smell like her job. After doing so she picked up her box of home-made cookies and exited her apartment room. She did not have to go further in reaching the neighbor's door since their door is literally in front of her. Six feet from her to be exact.
"Saves me a whole lot of trouble walking." Barbara chuckled to herself when approaching her neighbor's door and pressing their doorbell.
Waiting patiently she started hearing locks on the door being unlocked from the otherside, as she straighten herself up before giving a big friendly cheerful smile with teeth showing. Barbara spoke in a nice cheerful volume as soon as the door began to open.
"Hello, Neighbor. Welcome to Lazy Royal Apart…" Barbara stopped dead when seeing who her neighbor was.
"Hello, to you as well, Barbara." said CJ, looking at her with interest.
The two were both starting to feel that undescribed feeling once again. Along with having a memory of the last time that they have last spoken to one another in private. Ironically it is so happened to be the same apartment that they are currently standing in.
