Everybody Loves a Parade
by
Disclaimer: Story mine. Characters sorta. Picture #3
Written November 14, 2008
"Oh, c'mon Cap'n," huffed an exasperated Reilly Andrew, "It's two days before the big Thanksgiving Day Parade! You can't expect me to train a Newb in time!"
"First off, Reilly, you're the best mounted cop we've got," he said looking the petite blonde up and down. "If you can't get her trained no one will. Secondly, she's not a Newb. She's a transfer from 3rd Precinct's Horse Division; she's ridden with their team for the past three years."
Green eyes narrowed suspiciously, "So, why the sudden transfer?"
"Dunno, why don't you ask her," said the Captain pointing at a tall, gorgeous, raven-haired woman just entering the precinct. When he caught Reilly staring, he said, laughing, "Pick up your jaw Andrew, it's not a very attractive look for you."
No sooner had she complied than the blue-eyed beauty knocked on the Captain's open doorframe. "Officer Parker Quinn reporting for duty, sir," she said standing ramrod straight.
"At ease Quinn. I'd like to introduce you to your new partner, Officer Reilly Andrew. She'll get you settled in and show you through our drill for the parade."
"I'm looking forward to it, sir," Parker answered, looking at the green-eyed woman sitting in his office.
"Nice to meet you Officer Quinn," said the petite blonde rising from her chair.
"Parker," she said flashing a dazzling grin, "or better yet, my friends call me 'Par'."
"Alright Parker, you can call me Reilly," she said with a smile of her own. "Let me give you the grand tour
After showing Parker around said, "Let's mount up. We can discuss the various parade maneuvers while we patrol."
"Lead the way."
It was a routine patrol, and they had time to take their horses through their paces. Parker showed an innate ability to anticipate Reilly's commands and proved that she would indeed be a bonus to the team come Thursday's parade.
"So, Parker, why'd you transfer from 3rd?" asked Reilly as they headed back to the station.
Parker searched the other woman's face for a long moment before answering. "Bad breakup with my partner."
"Your… police partner?" Reilly asked hesitantly.
With a rueful chuckle, Parker said, "That too. She and I hooked up back in the Academy. No one really knew of course. It was on its last legs anyway, but when I caught her cheating with our downstairs neighbor I called it quits." She shook her head at the memories. "I tried to keep it out of the station, but after that, we just couldn't work together. It was too dangerous, so I asked for a transfer to keep either of us from getting hurt - on the job."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Reilly said, reaching out to clasp the other woman's hand.
"It's ok… it's been a couple of months. I'm pretty stubborn when I want to be," she smiled over at the petite blonde. "But I just couldn't take the risk of either of us or another officer getting hurt because of our problems." She squeezed the hand that was still in her own.
Looking down at their still joined hands Reilly blushed. "Um… well, we're back at the precinct. We'd better go in and file our shift reports."
Thanksgiving morning dawned clear and cool. Both women found themselves and their team more than ready to dazzle the New York crowds. They performed their precision drill-work flawlessly to the applause of the onlookers.
When they finished the parade route they brushed down their horses and loaded them into the trailer for the ride back to the station. Stepping out of the trailer Reilly said, "Oh, look. There goes Santa."
"Yep," Parker drawled.
"You know, my Mom always told me to make a wish when Santa went by…" the petite blonde said wistfully.
"Really?" she asked, turning to gaze down at her companion. "What did you wish for?"
Reilly didn't answer; she just gazed into crystal blue eyes.
"Oh," the raven-haired woman chuckled. "I think I can guess your Christmas wish." She wrapped her arms around the smaller woman and lowered her head for a gentle kiss.
When they broke from the kiss, Reilly sagged into Parker's body. "I was afraid to say anything," she whispered. "I didn't want to rush you into anything."
"It's not a rush Reilly," Parker soothed. "I told you that it was over for a while. I'm ready. In fact, I think I've been waiting for you for my whole life."
"Oh, Par," Reilly breathed and drew the other woman down for another lingering kiss.
Story by: Akiela Xal
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