Utterly Unexpected
Chapter 1: New Day, New Start
Hello my dear friends, I have decided to embark on yet another journey and present to you another new story from my side. I am excited about it and hopefully you guys feel the same after having read the pilot chapter. Enjoy and let me know what you feel. :)
The clock struck six and Jay Halstead rolled over in his bed silencing his alarm. It was almost as though he was waiting for the alarm to grant him permission to wake up. The first thing that appeared on his face was a broad smile. It is was a new day. It was a new start. It was the first day. He was going to become a cop.
He got down from his bed and headed into the shower, overjoyed by everything around him. He couldn't contain his smile as he brushed his teeth and saw himself in the mirror. The only thought that traversed his mind was: dreams do come true. On that positive note he left for the district well aware that he was at least half an hour early. Yet, he couldn't stop himself.
As he entered the threshold of the building, he felt strongly a sense of belonging and purpose. He finally felt as though what he would do would matter. He walked to the front desk, his bag pack on his shoulder. An elderly woman welcomed him. Perhaps welcome wasn't the accurate term. She spoke, "You're early for a rookie."
Jay looked at her and replied politely, "Ma'am, I am excited and thrilled to begin the job."
"Excitement and thrill are going to get you nowhere on the job," the woman replied curtly.
Jay nodded slightly and responded with the same politeness, "I am aware of that Ma'am."
"Then you must also be aware that this could be your first and last day," the woman continued seriously.
Jay let a moment pass then answered, smiling mildly, "Yes."
"Your name please?" the woman asked, shuffling through a list.
"I am Jay Halstead Ma'am," he answered promptly.
"Let me see," the woman said, scanning the pages as though she didn't want to find the name. A moment later she voiced, "Well, your name's there rookie."
"I am happy to hear that Ma'am," Jay answered, relieved.
"Now, since you showed up so early, you'll have to wait in the briefing room," the elderly woman informed.
"Copy that. I am so happy to be here," Jay acknowledged.
"Only time will tell if you're staying," the woman responded quickly.
Jay let the information sink in then spoke, "Yes."
"And it is Sergeant Platt," the woman added.
"My apologies, Sergeant Platt," Jay said.
He turned towards the right when her voice stopped him once again, "It's on the left."
"Right," he agreed, embarrassed.
In the briefing room, Jay was alone. No one had come as of now. He took that opportunity to look around and observe his surroundings. The briefing room was a large one, with several rows of benches all enveloped by glass panels and sliding doors. He looked out and saw officers bustling about, their gaits and demeanours exuding purpose. This is what he wanted. A sense of direction and purpose.
Finally, officers and rookies began walking in, the rookies eager to begin and the officers dreading their jobs as training officers. Jay was seated at the front bench. Two seats were empty beside him. Suddenly a woman came and sat next to him, bubbling with enthusiasm and energy. She spoke, "Hi, I am Kim Burgess."
"Nice to meet you. I am Jay Halstead."
They shook hands briefly and silence fell between them. Burgess spoke again, "Being here is a dream come true."
Jay turned towards her, unable to contain his smile, "Yeah, I feel the same."
Before they could continue, another figure appeared and sat on the remaining seat on that bench. He was a tall, lanky man who undoubtedly could have a way with the ladies. He sat beside Kim, looking around. He looked at his neighbours and said, "I am Adam Ruzek."
They shook hands with him and realised soon enough, Adam too was grateful to be here. It was a good start. Finally, Sergeant Platt walked into the room, carrying a few files. She scanned the room quickly and began her speech, "Welcome to 21st District rookies. For a year all of you will undergo a training period that will decide whether you're fit to be an officer. Take this training seriously, because we do."
The rookies nodded promptly and it appeared as though all of them understood the gravity of those words. Platt continued, "Each of you will be assigned a training officer who will guide and teach you the works of a police officer. Your T.O's will evaluate you at the end of each day. Their judgement is the last call. So listen to them and learn from them."
The T.O's in the room had most likely heard this speech several times, but the rookies were completely involved and couldn't wait to prove themselves. Platt continued, "Now I am going to assign you your T.O's."
She listed a few names then spoke, "Kim Burgess will be riding with Kevin Atwater. Adam Ruzek will be riding with Vanessa Rojas. And finally, brace yourselves, Jay Halstead will be riding with Hailey Upton."
The moment that sentence echoed in the briefing room, hoots and cheers were heard all around. The rookies were perplexed but the others seemed to know what was going. Jay Halstead turned around, wondering what the commotion was about. He looked back and his eyes fell on a woman with blonde hair, her hands crossed over her chest, her face displaying no particular emotion. She looked at him for the briefest of moments and reverted her gaze back to Platt. The cheers and hoots had subsided, allowing Platt to conclude, "Be safe out there. Dismissed."
Everyone got up, ready to begin a new shift. Jay wished the other two rookies good luck and walked towards his T.O. She had already exited the briefing room and was having a word with two other officers. He wasn't sure whether he should interrupt but he went ahead anyway. He spoke politely, "Good morning Ma'am. I am assigned to ride with you."
Hailey turned to look at him, letting a moment pass before speaking, "You think I didn't hear that?"
"No Ma'am," Jay replied.
"Then get the equipment and set up the car," she said flatly.
"Yes Ma'am," he obliged.
Before he left she added, "And get my coffee. No cream."
"Copy that," Jay nodded and headed towards the equipment room.
"You've got to stop doing that Hailey," her co-worker Vanessa Rojas pointed out.
"Yeah, cut them some slack Hailey," Kevin Atwater agreed, another one of her co-workers.
"Guys, I know what I am doing," Hailey justified.
Kevin and Vanessa exchanged a knowing glance. Hailey spoke again, "I'll see you after shift. Be safe."
The three of them parted. Hailey headed towards her patrol car, hoping that the rookie had done everything correctly so far. He was standing beside the vehicle, with two bags, each full of gear and equipment. Seeing this she asked, "Are you going to carry this with you when bullets come flying at you?"
"No Ma'am," Jay replied.
"Then put it in the trunk," she said.
He obeyed her orders immediately and returned. She began, "Rule number one: This is my car so my rules. Do you understand?"
"Yes Ma'am," Jay replied.
"Rule number two: You're going to listen to everything I say, without exceptions."
Jay nodded. She went on, "Rule number three: I won't tolerate incompetency or casual attitude. Do you follow?"
"Yes Ma'am," Jay was quick to answer.
"The next points are not rules per say, but I want you to understand them clearly before we start."
He looked at her intently. She spoke, "I am not your partner. I am not your friend. I am not your girlfriend, I will not be holding your hand."
Jay smiled faintly but controlled himself. She went on," I am your training officer and you're my rookie. Are we clear?"
"Yes Ma'am," Jay responded.
"You have to get me my coffee for 365 days," she added in the same tone.
"Understood," Jay said.
"My only goal is to break your spirit and send you packing," she continued further.
He looked at her puzzled for a moment. She elaborated, "This job is not for everyone. Weakness of any sort is not permitted. Either you prove yourself or you go home. It's as simple as that."
That seemed fair. He nodded in agreement. She extended her hand, "Keys."
He handed the car keys to her and waited for her next instruction. She spoke, "I always drive."
He nodded, not wanting to argue or oppose her. She said, "Get in."
On that note they hit the streets. The enthusiasm Jay had come with was slowly subsiding after his encounter with his T.O. He had not expected such treatment, but what had he expected anyway? He had known from the start this job would be taxing and challenging. Yet, he hadn't anticipated the intensity. He turned to look at Hailey beside him. She was as calm as a lake and didn't seem to be agitated. Why would she be? He dared to speak, "May I ask you a question Ma'am?"
She answered without looking at him, "There's no certainty I'll answer it."
He nodded then spoke, "What were all the hoots and cheers about back in the briefing room?"
She glanced at him quickly then spoke, "That's none of your business rookie. You need to focus on the job and not on these extra activities."
Jay knew asking the question was a risk, but the answer he got confirmed that it was a mistake. Hailey spoke, "Halstead right?"
"Yes Ma'am. Jay Halstead," he replied.
"Okay, Halstead. You need to bring your A game today. You don't want this to be your last day," she said.
"Yes Ma'am. I am ready to prove myself," he answered, his confidence wavering slightly.
"Good, because I only train the best," she added flatly.
The rest of the morning went in more nervousness and stress. Jay wanted to keep it together but her words and comments were getting to his head and ruining his focus. He realised in a while, it was all part of the job. One would have to deal with all kinds of people. To be able to do that calmly one had to establish a balance within oneself. Jay was far from it.
The rest of the shift went by in the same manner. They attended a few basic calls and handled mediocre situations, Jay doubting himself all the while. He was scared. Hailey instructed him, perhaps too harshly and that affected his performance. By the end of the day he was certain he was going to be washed out of the programme. On the way back to the district, he couldn't help himself, "Am I going to be thrown out?"
"I am glad you asked this," Hailey said.
She was going to enjoy even this? He couldn't believe her. She spoke, "Self-doubt and underestimating yourself on the first day is a normal reaction."
Was she praising him? He couldn't believe her. She went on, "If you felt confident throughout, I would have probably thrown you out."
"Thank you," were the only words that came out of his mouth.
Once they reached the district she instructed him on how to finish things off and wrap up the day. He obliged dutifully, utterly glad that she had not rejected him on the first day itself. He finished the paperwork and headed home. On the way out he met Burgess and Ruzek. They spoke for a moment and decided to meet at the bar later.
Jay entered the bar an hour later. He was told this bar was for cops and most of them came here for their drinks. He spotted Ruzek and Burgess at a table and headed towards them. On his way his eyes fell on a familiar face, one that had made him nervous the whole day. He spotted Hailey Upton at a table on the far left, again with the same two co-workers' he had seen in the morning. This time he got a good look of her, a good look of her as a person. The whole day she had been in uniform. Instead of the bun she had tied in the morning her blonde hair was in a ponytail now. Her gaze at her friends allowed him to see the intense blue of her eyes. She looked like a completely different person. With this thought he moved on and joined his friends. As he sat, Kim asked, still full of energy, "So how was it Jay?"
"Oh! Terrorising," he said.
"Really?" both his fellow rookies were shocked.
"You'll bet."
"What happened?" Adam asked.
"She's a tyrant," he said, finally being able to express this aloud.
Both Kim and Adam burst out laughing, aware that it was a serious problem for Jay but unable to control themselves.
"Great. You guys find this funny," Jay said, sipping his beer.
"We don't," Kim said, composing herself.
"Was it so bad?" Adam asked, still unable to understand how such a thing was possible.
"It was. She has a way of scaring the hell out of you," he provided.
"Ouch," Kim said sympathetically.
"You'll be fine brother," Adam assured him.
"I really hope so," Jay said, unsure of that statement. Then he changed subjects, "How was your first day?"
"Mine was good. Atwater is cool and I think we'll be fine," Kim said, waiting for someone to ask her that.
"Mine was fine as well. Rojas can be serious but she appreciates humour and likes to keep the atmosphere cool," Adam said.
"Awesome guys," Jay said, happy for his friends. He added, unhappy for himself, "I am screwed."
Both his friends reassured him and they continued with their varied conversations. After a long while Jay saw Hailey getting up, probably ready to leave. He saw her bid farewell to her friends and head towards the door. He excused himself, "I'll be right back guys."
"Oh! Trying to butter her outside work? Good job Jay," Kim said playfully.
He rolled his eyes and went after her. She had already left the bar. As he stepped out, the first thing that struck him was the cold. He looked around and saw her on his right. He walked a few paces and called out, "Ma'am?"
Hailey stopped short and turned around slowly, wanting to make sure she had heard it right. Jay was standing in front of her. She looked at him and waited for him to speak. He mustered up enough courage and voiced, "I just wanted to say thank you."
"For what?" she shot back.
"For…For not firing me on the first day and believing in me," he said, wondering what the hell was wrong with him.
"Look, Halstead. I am doing my job," she said.
"I know. I know," he agreed.
A moment went by. He spoke again, "I guess I just wanted to say it means a lot and I am grateful."
Hailey shrugged her shoulders. He added, wanting to make sure she understood him properly, "I really want this job. I have been working for this my whole life. I will prove myself and I won't let you down."
She looked at him then said simply, "Okay."
He held her gaze for a moment as well then looked away. She spoke this time, "Like I told you earlier today, I am not your friend, nor your partner."
He tried to understand how those words would fit in this context. He eventually did, or at least he thought he did. After having uttered them she waited a moment then turned on her heel and left.
He looked after her and couldn't help but feel that something about her was relatable. She might be a tyrant, she might be strict and tough but there was something utterly human about her as well. He could sense she was hiding something behind that solid wall of arrogance and superiority. He couldn't pinpoint what that was but he felt as thought this training period with her might just be meaningful and insightful, because no doubt she was good at what she did. She was a good cop, he had gathered that after just one day.
Perhaps, it would all be worth it in the end.
This the end of the first chapter. Do share your thoughts friends. It is a new story and I have some ideas for it. I would love to get feedback. Thank you for reading. :)