Copyright © 2004 Susanne Shaphren. All rights reserved. 

Frank Dawson tossed and turned for the tenth time in five minutes and finally gave up all hope of getting a decent night's sleep. He clobbered the alarm clock so it wouldn't go off at six, hit that tiny button so hard that it was unlikely the alarm would ever ring again.

Jennifer was all curled up on her side of the bed like a carefree five-year-old dreaming of Fairyland. Nothing at all like the snarling tigress she'd been the night before.

"Real smart cop; aren't you? Figured if you waited till the night before to tell me, I'd just smile sweetly and say it was the dandiest idea I ever heard of. Well, it sure as hell isn't dandy! What you oughta do, Frank Dawson, is march right in and tell the Department to shove their brilliant little plan where the sun doesn't shine."

"Your mother would drop dead if she heard that kind of language coming out of your mouth."

"My mother isn't married to a cop. It's hard enough to kiss you good-by never knowing if it's gonna be the last time I see you. I sure as hell don't need the extra grief of worrying about what kind of trouble your new partner is buying for you."

"Jen, be reasonable. It's not like it hasn't ever been tried before. Let's at least give this thing a fair shot. Just a couple of weeks to see how it works out."

"What happens if some punk gets the drop on you and you have to count on your new partner to bail you out? That bitch would probably be so scared ..."

"Brandi's had excellent training."

"I don't trust her."

"Never would have guessed. Jen, you worry too much."

"Just remember how terrible I look in black and how hard it would be for somebody my age to get used to somebody else in your half of the bed. Hey, Frank, do us both a favor. Let one of the young single guys be the first to try this great experiment."

"Too late. The paperwork is all approved. Trust me. There's absolutely nothing for you to worry about."

"Sure. For your sake, I hope it all works out fine." Jen had abandoned the argument but not before she'd made it perfectly clear Frank could just forget any ideas he might have about kissing and making up. For the first, and hopefully the last time in their long and happy marriage, Jen pretended to have a splitting headache.

Maybe Jen was right. A couple of glowing reports from other departments didn't mean it was time to run out and dump a system that had worked for years. Getting used to patrol duty without Riley would be almost as tough as the prospect of facing nights without Jen. Still, Brandi deserved a chance to put all that training to good use, a chance to prove herself worthy.

Frank stumbled to the kitchen and started the coffee, hoping that a steaming mug and the morning sunlight would be strong enough to wash away the bad taste of the argument.

Bright blue eyes peeked out from the tousled blonde mane; Jen readily accepted the coffee he offered.

"Thanks. Guess this means you've come to your senses and decided to apologize for last night."

"Just means I decided to get an early start on the day." Frank reached over and grabbed for his wife's model-thin waist. "There's still plenty of time before I have to shower ..."

"Read a book. Man your age better save his strength in case that new partner wants to romp."

"JENNIFER!"

"Have a nice day, Officer Dawson. Just remember to take every possible precaution out there."

Frank had witnessed enough domestic fights exploding into nightmares to know there wasn't ever a good excuse for a guy who could easily pass for a quarterback to haul off and hit somebody barely five feet tall who couldn't pass for 100 pounds soaking wet and wearing a cement overcoat. Just didn't look right. A real man knew enough to slowly count to ten and head for an icy shower.

Besides, how could he possibly stay mad at a wife who cared so much about his safety? Still ...

Heaven help the poor turkey who decided to push things to the wall and test Officer Frank Dawson's professional cool this fine morning.

Good thing there was no opportunity for small talk. Just meet his new partner, report for roll call, pick up the gear and hit the street.

Like any other rookie, Brandi was ready and eager for action. She didn't seem the least bit flustered by all the crooked smiles and dumb remarks like "Where the blazes does that female plan to pin her badge?"

Her long tawny hair caught the glint of sunshine as her deep brown eyes alertly scanned the area. Frank wished Jen could have seen what a professional his new partner was, performing her duties as though she'd written the rule book. Never once doing anything that might be interpreted as trying to distract him. Never once putting them into any jeopardy.

Brandi even managed to coax a smile out of the liquor store owner who'd just been through his fourth 211 in as many weeks.

"She's sure a lot purtier than Riley. Friendlier too."

Ordinary morning. Routine calls. If anything, a bit slow. Frank couldn't really blame Brandi for voicing her displeasure at being cramped into the compact patrol car that fit the City's tight budget far better than it did officers' bodies. She'd have plenty of time to get used to the discomfort. Till she did, a break every once in a while wasn't going to hurt anything ... not even Lt. Spit and Polish, who turned rigid discipline into an art form, could possibly object.

Brandi was the closest thing to a perfect female Frank had ever met. Beautiful, soft, warm and smart enough to know how to keep her mouth shut most of the time.

Jen had made it all too clear she didn't approve of the new setup, but she could hardly complain about the money he'd save by brown bagging it in the park. And just wait till she found out he was cramming in some extra study time too. He'd be more than ready the next time there was a chance to take the Sergeant's exam.

Frank didn't pay much attention to the trio that settled in nearby. They were ragged and a bit dirty, but nothing about them seemed suspicious. Not even a hint of something wrong to make the tiny hairs at the back of his neck bristle. His partner didn't seem to agree. She obviously didn't care for the newcomers one little bit. Frank realized he'd never be able to concentrate on his studying until he gave in and checked it out with her.

Brandi's hunch paid off. The trio was holding enough to finance a trip around the world. Frank's partner assisted in the drug bust like she was a ten year veteran, not a first day rookie.

There may have been more than a few senior officers who would have slanted the report differently, but Frank Dawson made sure his new partner got full credit for the arrest. Fair was fair after all.

Jen sounded great on the phone, soft and purring like there hadn't ever been an argument. Everything was just fine until Frank mentioned his idea of bringing Brandi home to celebrate.

"Isn't it bad enough that you spend the whole shift with her. Why do you have to bring her home besides?"

"Just want the two ladies in my life to be friends; that's all. How about it, Jen. Just this once?"

"What should I serve?"

"Leave that to your judgment, Beautiful. See you soon."

Jen was the perfect hostess, making sure Brandi had everything she could possibly want, listening patiently to Frank ramble on and on about the day's events.

Watching Jen's eyes, Frank could tell she was impressed by his partner.

"Well, Brandi, I guess I owe you an apology. Sounds like you and Frank make a pretty good team after all." Jen leaned down to run her fingers through Brandi's tawny fur and was rewarded with a big sloppy kiss. The great experiment seemed to be a rousing success on the home front too.

Jen's loving expression made it clear Brandi was the only cop in this house who would get treated like a dog.

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