Back and Forth

Detective Harris was not in a mood. Her case was about to be closed after that moron Franklin threatened to complain for police harassment (she tried her best to be civil during her second visit, she really did…). Not to mention a former cop who apparently used to be a big deal and now couldn't remember what he'd eaten last week. At least he could walk… Again.

Nervously she pushed the hospital door. Peter's sprained ankle had miraculously fixed itself overnight. However by the end of the same day he was having so vivid memory flashes he had blacked out. The young cop found him sitting for a friendly chat with Dr Craig in the ER.

'You can tell me only if you want.'

Peter puffed.

'I… Well, I've seen myself fighting, I've been hit, too, I…' Peter massaged his temple.

'It's OK, Peter, take it easy.'

'...I hear this music, very nice music. I smell the sea… And I'm scared. I'm horrified. Is it normal to remember… feelings?'

'Of course it is. This will speed up the actual recovery, so that's very good.'

'Well…'

This was when Detective Harris entered.

'Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt…'

'It's fine, come in, please.'

Peter livened up significantly when he saw a known face. He had felt very guilty when he dissed such a pretty woman last night. He never comprehended why he did that.

Encouraged by the handsome priest Joanna pulled a chair and joined them. She explored his features while he was talking, and couldn't help but wonder why such a specimen was still single.

'What else is bothering you?' continued Dr Craig.

'It is… it is this scene… I'm dressed with a silk shirt, must have been the summer. I'm at the house of an old man, he's my master.'

'Your what?..'

'Teacher.'

'OK…'

'He…. He has to be the best and kindest man I've known and yet…' Peter's face strained. The scene of him being so angry at the Ancient was the first thing he remembered during his meditation last night. It had been plaguing him the whole day.

'He has been alone, completely alone, all this time…'

The loud voice was practically deafening any other thought Peter was trying to have.

'I… will never forgive you for what you did to him… and to me.'

It wasn't only anger he sensed, it was hatred, pure hatred.

'Ever.'

What had the Ancient done that made Peter hate him? After everything they've been through, after everything the kind, old man had done for him and his father…

Peter's eyes looked at the MD begging for some sort of help.

'Look, Peter, you shouldn't try so hard, it will come.'

'I know it will,' mumbled the younger man. 'I can see it, I can.. feel it… It's like I'm watching a film with me as the lead… But every time I turn, the sound and picture disappear. It's like… I can see it, I can hear it… but I don't want to.'

'The way you're describing it does sound like self-preservation, just as I thought.'

'That thing again.'

'Is this scene happening near the sea and the music you mentioned earlier?'

'No, not at all, these are… Completely different places… No idea where.'

'But you said that while there you've sensed fear?'

'Fear, yes, and shock… A feeling that makes me sick in the stomach.'

'Well, whatever it is, you don't seem to have had the time of your life.'

Peter shrugged.

'It looks like a lot has happened for you in a relatively short time. And your brain is protecting itself. It's probably been overloaded.'

'Right…'

'You know how on the computer we put files in the Recycle Bin?'

'Yes…'

'They're gone, yet they're still there, in the computer, but in a place where they don't bother you.'

'I see.'

'I think that's what's happening. The memories are there, they haven't been erased, they're just… hidden… And, since they seem to be quite intense, this may explain why they were the first thing to resurface in your head.'

'What are you suggesting?'

'Don't push it. Don't force yourself to remember or you may black out again. Go back to work if you feel like it.'

'Doctor.. I don't think I have so much time. I need to remember as much as I can before I get back to the big city.'

'I think your family's help would be of great use here.'

Involuntarily Peter moved. After few seconds of awkward silence he got up.

'I should better go. Detective?'

'I'm here…'

'Let's see the new evidence and bust somebody, shall we?'

'I'd love that.'

Dr Craig didn't even have the chance to object. Before he said anything, Peter and his temporary partner were on their way out. Nobody understood the sudden change.

XXXXX

'You've got to be kidding me!'

'Do I look like I'm kidding?'

'What… Because of his name?!'

Despite being superbly trained into expecting the unexpected, Kermit Griffin was not expecting this turn of events.

'Yes.'

Demonstratively Tara threw a couple of folders on her desk and nested in her chair.

'But you knew his name…' Kermit stopped and considered. '…Only you didn't know… his family name…'

The huge black eyes glared at him glittering with pressing tears and hastily returned to the paperwork.

'Oh, no… Come on!'

Tara lifted an eyebrow.

'Oh, no, no, no…'

'What?'

'You're not doing this to me. Oh, no, no.'

'To you?'

'I should have seen this coming.' Kermit started pacing around the small office. 'Why should I simply deliver you safe and sound here, he's a Caine, after all, there had to be something.'

'There is – he's a Caine.'

'No way.'

'Kermit…'

'I don't wanna hear.'

'Can't I explain?'

'No! You are meeting him, one way or another.'

'But…'

'No!'

Kermit waved a finger threateningly and left. Tara was amused but her mood didn't change.

X

After leaving a tiny village in the debts of huge China, a sixteen-year-old Tara Jahn had been immersed into the whirlpool of the Western World of which she had only heard tales and legends. Surprisingly, the slender girl turned out to be tougher than most men, and she quickly grew into a confident woman with fierce intelligence and inhumane self-control.

When Interpol thought they'd come along a gold mine equipped with an IQ of about 150, they were merely being played by that same IQ. Young Tara had found it easy to win her battles, be it physical or intellectual ones. Her mind allowed her to be always a couple of moves ahead, while her training made men two times her size fear and respect her. Until this day Tara had never lost. She hit before she was hit, and she answered before she was even asked. She had never been dumped, nor had she ever been heartbroken.

Once, once in her life had Tara Jahn left things uncared for, and there was going to be a price to pay.

X

Tara ran fingers through her freely flowing hair. Then she sighed and slowly started putting it back to a tight and tall bun, a style she dearly detested, but which was necessary for her line of work.

How could she let this happen? She had mastered the art of emotional detachment to perfection. How could a complete stranger have such an effect on her?

Decisively she slammed a folder onto her desk and got up. Few of her officers wanted to speak to her but nobody dared approach the chief as she was crossing the squad room like a storm cloud.

'It's still no,' calmly said Kermit without lifting eyes from the computer screen.

'Our operation with the Feds? Cool.'

He looked at her annoyed.

'Sadly this is still on,' sighed Kermit and checked his watch. 'They should have been here by now.'

'Mhm...' Tara pretended to look annoyed. 'So, what do you think of my plan?'

'Hey, you're the strategy genius, I'm only a retired mercenary.'

'I just need to know you'll back me up, that's all I'm asking for.'

'You convince Marsters, don't worry about me.'

Tara nodded and headed for the door.

'And… that other thing…'

'We'll talk later.'

XXXXX

One day earlier

Mayor Blake was going through the necessary daily pile of pointless paperwork that every self-respecting mayor should go through, when the speaker interrupted.

'Visitor, Miss Mayor.'

'Name?'

''Mr Greg Franklin…'

Penny the secretary heard a groan.

'Let the idiot in.'

Franklin found the mayor quite annoyed, tapping well maintained nails on the polished surface of her 150-year-old desk.

'What in 'Do not contact me here' did you not understand?'

'Depends, what part of 'Going back to jail' did you forget?'

He sat and patronisingly crossed legs.

'We've got a problem.'

'What, one insignificant cop? Don't be ridiculous.'

'I didn't mean Harris.'

'I didn't either, she's not even in the picture.'

'I know, it's the other guy, Caine…'

'He's a cop, too, dope.'

'No, he's not.'

'I'm pretty sure he is.'

'Never mind that. This man simply refuses to die.'

'I told you to send more men.'

'Five sentenced murderers get sent to the ER by one cop? I don't think so.'

'Caine's not the problem, he barks but doesn't bite. It's the old man who beat them up.'

'What old man? What are you talking about?'

'He may not have paid you a visit yet but he'll turn up. He's the dangerous one. Remove him and the cop won't be an issue.'

'The Sting never mentioned an old man.'

'What about the hospital?'

'I can't get in contact with Al, security's too tight. Besides, he's also in the ER…'

The mayor considered.

'Look at that, the priest has gone bad...'

'Priest?'

'Never mind that. There are many ways to remove obstacles. Just carry on.'

'Sure?'

'Think how far we've gone, Greg. It's the final lap, you want to give up now? Carry on with the plan, and if the cops keep interfering, we'll just have to get a bit more creative, that's all.'

'I think we should wait.'

'Can your Ferrari fund wait?'

'I just don't want them to link me to the murders and… the rest,' Franklin hissed. 'You know what happens then, right?'

'Don't you dare threaten me!' She looked outside then an idea flashed. 'Did you find a scapegoat as I advised?'

'Sure, he's perfect.'

'Then use him.'

'Thought this was supposed to be an emergency backup?'

'And what is it you call emergency, Greg?'

He sighed.

'OK, cool, I'll play that card. Maybe it's for the better, before this place get swarming with SWAT team and big-city cops.'

'It won't. If they haven't turned up yet, Caine's either on an assignment against captain's orders, or just taking time off. In any case, if nobody turned up after we sent him to the hospital, they won't turn up now. Just carry on.'

Franklin nodded and got up.

'And… is tonight still on?'

'Don't push your luck.'

At last alone the mayor tapped on the floor and took a sip of warm coffee.

'I was keeping you as a desert, Caine… But a main meal? I don't mind if I do.'

XXX

Same time, Sloanville

It wasn't the job, it was the others' glances she feared, the pity, the inevitable flow of How-are-you-s and It's-going-to-be-OK-s.

Detective Janice Morgan slipped into the squad room earlier than her shift was due. All she knew was that they had a new Chief and that she had been taken from Vice. So much the better, the pity at the Vice team was of the worst kind; sad looks, lame patting on the shoulder, a couple of pathetic I-ll-take-care-of-that-s…

She was making herself angrier and nearly missed the stretched hand.

'Hi, Detective Morris, just starting.'

He was handsome. She didn't care.

'Detective Morgan, hi.'

She greeted him with an even tone and took a second too long to notice the change in his expression. He knew! Of course he knew… They all did. They all pitied her.

She should have let him kill her.

Morgan continued the walk of shame to her new desk in the opposite side of the squad room. She was to be right next to TJ, not so bad.

She set to arrange her new corner when the captain's door opened and a disturbingly beautiful Chinese woman emerged. At first Morgan thought she was a victim but then, her appallingly slim waist sported a holstered gun, so… was not…

The woman headed straight for the newcomer's desk.

'Detective Morgan, I presume,' said she with a polite smile and stretched hand.

Morgan got up.

'Det. Janice Morgan, nice to meet you.'

'Tara Jahn… also known as your new Chief,' added she in a low voice.

Morgan nodded and smiled. She didn't know what else to do; letting her new chief know how unreasonably young she thought her to be, on her first day back, was not a wise thing to do.

Tara broke the awkward silence.

'How do you like your new desk?'

'Very well, thank you. It… it's a fresh look at things here.'

'I thought you might like it, it was my idea giving you this corner.'

Morgan smiled and nodded again. Did her new chief even know?

Without saying a word Tara moved a nearby desk, dialled an internal line and returned two minutes later.

'Detective Morgan, would you like to come with me, please?'

Morgan moved unnerved and got up. The squad room was not that full yet and the few cops that were there pretended, quite well, they've heard nothing of their little chat.

The two women went to the back where the questioning rooms were. They stood outside a one-way visible glass. Before anyone appeared inside a middle-aged obese man came to them.

'What you're doing is illegal, Chief. My client will sew your asses off!'

'Will he? In the case of assisting the investigation, voluntarily, he may not.'

The obese man said nothing. The door of the other room opened and a giant red-haired man entered.

Morgan made a step back and quite subconsciously stood closer to Tara.

The uniform in charge ordered the tall man to move, he did nothing. He ordered him to come closer, the man grinned. Next it was Tara's turn. She grabbed the speaker.

'Oh, Ainsley, don't make me come in there, Ainsley!'`

Ainsle Schmidt, a serial rapist and murderer the gang had not been able to catch for months had become Chief Jahn's first case on the new job. The case might have even dropped had it not been for the fact that Detective Janice Morgan, in charge of the investigation from 101st's side, became one of his victims. She had two colleagues with her and a brief hunch made her stray for just a second. They found her an hour later, covered in blood, naked, with one broken arm.

Her tormentor was now before her, again, but completely harmless.

'Show us how you jump in one leg, Ainsley.'

The colossal man started jumping, just barely as he was way too heavy.

Morgan was stunned. She took almost perverse pleasure and watching his humiliation, he was the complete opposite of the terrifying nightmare that had scarred her.

'Look at him well,' whispered Tara. 'He's as docile as a lamb, he can't hurt you.' Morgan nodded. 'He can't hurt anyone.'

'Change legs, Ainsley,' she raised her voice again. The giant obediently did as ordered, the anxiety making him sweat extensively.

'You will pay for this,' hissed the chubby mad on her left side.

'Ainsley, you can stop now.'

The giant stood still.

'Do you know that you're helping us, Ainsley, right now?'

He shook head like a guilty boy.

'Well you are, you are helping, and I'm very grateful to you, Ainsley.' His eyes brightened and he smiled.

'Now, are you happy to help us, Ainsley?'

'Yes, ma'am!'

'Would you do some ballet for us, Ainsley, as part of your help?'

The giant did the best he could, offering a grotesque spectacle of the kind where WWA meets Swan Lake. Morgan cupped her mouth, she was shaking with laughter, her eyes were wet. She gave Tara the most gratitude-filled look anyone possibly could.

'That's enough, Ainsley. Thank you very much.'

'My pleasure, ma'am.'

'Now, if we need you again, would you like to help us, in the same way?'

'I'll be happy to, ma'am.'

Victoriously Tara looked at the tiny, oily ball next to her. She needn't say anything.

'Very good, Ainsley! You know I'm your friend, right?'

'Yes, ma'am.'

'Very good. You may go now.'

The giant turned and was promptly taken to his cell. The fat lawyer disappeared, too.

Still quite stunned, Morgan stood with a silly expression and mouth half-open. Tara took her under the arm and lead her to the exit.

'Now, detective, let me give you your first assignment as a little welcome.'

Tara took a rice paper envelope from her back pocket. It looked big and for a moment Morgan wondered where she fit it since the Chief only wore elegant grey pants and a tight l black blouse with high neck.

'A voucher…' Her eyes glittered. 'The Lotus Garden?' She gaped in disbelief. 'Chief, that's an expensive spa!'

'Oh, I know. They'll be expecting you around 9, and I believe your assignment should last the whole day.'

'But…'

'That's an order detective.' Morgan was at a loss. 'The trial is next week and I want you in top shape, you know, crimes still happening and such.'

'But why?!'

Tara lead her up the stairs.

'I was going to send you straight home but I wanted you to come down here. Now that the shame of the first day is over you can come back, refreshed and confident.'

They stood at the other end of the squad room. Morgan stared at the tall woman beside here. She looked her with warm, understanding eyes, not a sign of pity.

'You understand how I feel… Don't you?'

Tara pretended she didn't hear.

'Which reminds me, you've got another assignment.'

'I do?'

'Once you're done your.. investigation at The Lotus Garden, you will go to the nearest liquor store and get yourself the expensive champagne you've always wanted but always found something better to spend your money on.'

'Mmmm…'

'Then, unless you have it at home, you'll go and get yourself the book you've had in your mind for a while, but never got the time to read as there's always something more important.'

'Indeed…'

'And finally,' Tara handed her a business card. 'You'll find this chocolatier downtown. They keep a box of chocolates with your name on it, those should go nicely with your drink.'

'Are you serious?'

'Perfectly. Make sure to bring me the receipts tomorrow.' Tara winked at her.

Quite speechless Morgan could not believe.

'Come on, come on, off you go.'

Hastily the detective grabbed her coat and bag and danced towards the exit.

'That's a great thing you did there,' hummed Kermit from behind.

'Nonsense,' smiled Tara and hid in her den.

XXXXX

Harris shut the phone. She was staring blankly at the candy shop across the street.

'What's wrong?' Peter was struggling to figure the sudden change of mood. They were few steps from her car with no intention of getting in.

'Candy.'

'What?'

'Care for some gummies?'

Finally he pulled her and barked one last 'What's going on' in her face.

'They caught the murderer.'

He gaped.

'It was the Captain that called. Some young man from Astra. Case – closed.' Harris was staring into the nothing behind Peter as she spoke. After that she blankly headed for the car.

'Coming?'

XXXXX

Most people don't like going back home unless they have made something out of themselves. That problem checked off the list, Special Agent Jordan Maguire had other reasons to postpone her return to China Town. Thus she needed a bit over a year and a half and a coordinated operation to make the final step.

Coming out of the black Mercedes she took a pause to check on the building of her former precinct. How important it looked once, and how small and pathetic it seemed now…

'Coming?'

'After you.'

Special Agent Don Marsters was looking forward to the operation. The fact that he was going to meet in person the infamous Agent Jahn only months after she gave up the realm of Interpol was a joy to be savoured. No, he was not jealous, just twenty-something girls didn't belong at the head of multi-national military activities.

Jordan was mostly oblivious to those feelings. Her problem at the moment was where to look. All eyes were on them as they marched through the reception and entered the squad room.

'Special Agent Marsters,' announced the group leader. Broderick granted him but a glance and disappeared in the stuffy squad room. A minute later he was back, and still numb, opened the door and invited them in.

Jordan bent head and smiled at herself, warmly recollecting all the previous operations that had resulted in the current the cold welcome. She was not deterred, Broderick winked at her as they passed each other, a much needed sign that in 1-0-1 she was still at home.

In the usual snobbish manner of FBI agents, Marsters and his colleagues proceeded, the former seriously annoyed at not being formally welcomed. As he stood for a second to consider, Jordan being a moment too late, he accidentally pushed a blond female detective who ended up with half a coup of coffee on her black suit.

'Watch it!'

'Me watch it? Are you still asleep? Do you know that I can terminate your joke of a career with one phone call? Do…'

'That's enough, Marsters!'

Tara didn't even bother flatter him with the title Agent.

The most of Marsters' determination to laugh at Tara's decline evaporated when her chillingly dominant voice echoed through the room.

She stepped closer.

'Welcome to 101st, Agent! Here we all watch our step and treat each other with respect. If you're not ready to offer even this much to my people, your job here is done.'

'I…'

She stepped even closer. Her voice could cut through glass.

'The officers of 101st Precinct are to be shown the same deference and recognition as any agent of the Bureau. In case you intended anything else,' she came close enough for him to realise that either he was too short, or she was too tall, 'I'm sure there are many other precincts that would love to work with you.'

Marsters gulped. He was as reluctant to mess with cops as the cops themselves, but the very thought of standing in front of his superiors over a failed operation made even his pride falter.

Tara's gaze was beginning to turn him into stone. He turned towards Jody.

'I…. owe you….an apology, detective…'

'Po-well,' was the audible answer. Jody was not in a mood, not for the last 2 years at least.

'Powell! We're quite under pressure here…' He quickly checked Tara's severe stance and continued. 'and I reacted in a manner that doesn't do me justice.'

'Damn right you did!' snapped she.

He took a breath.

'I'm sorry…once again. I'm quite looking forward to working with you.'

Jody sneered and hid behind her desk. It's not that she was terribly insulted, but she really didn't have the nerve to face Jordan now. Just… not now that everybody knew, and she was bound to find out, too… one way or another…She glanced at Morgan's new desk.

Tara moved and made a gesture towards Kermit's office. The Captain had been enjoying the show from the door; he was becoming convinced in his choice of new chief by the minute.

It all seemed unreal from Jordan's position. At no point did she remember any of her police superiors treating Federal Agents like this. But then again, she knew of Tara Jahn, and so far, every bit of rumour she'd heard about her was turning out complete truth.

Jordan's peculiar glare didn't escape Chief Jahn's eagle sight. It was the glare that only a woman could grant to another woman. The not-so-invisible head-to-tow look, the comparison, the inevitable jealousy, and then again… the sparkle that only Kelly and Jody had in their eyes – Tara smiled patronisingly and proudly followed the group.

'The man's got a taste,' she thought while closing the office door behind her.

XXXXX