Roselle

Fifteen Over

Words and stuff…

Thanks for the invite to play. I had a great time writing this one. Instead of action adventure this time, I got to write something kinda cute and romantic. I hope it works for everyone.

This one is for my love, my heart – I have waited years for a woman to look at me the way you look at me. In your eyes I see how much you love me, when you say ‘I love you’ there is an expression on your face that I cannot even begin to fathom. So thank you my dear sweet woman for loving me the way you do. Happy Valentine’s Day darlin’. Brutus and I miss you like crazy.

We met about seven years ago working at the same hotel. Did I mention she has the most amazing gray eyes, an intelligence that blows me away and a quirky sense of humor? I think she’s fecking beautiful. She also reads and was brave enough to once tell me that O’Malley in LLE had no redeeming qualities at all. God I love this woman. Grins.

Slainte all.

“What are you doing?”

“Speeder. Siren. Ticket. Does any of this sound like your job?” Came the answer.

Gary looked over his sunglasses at his partner. “It’s Valentine’s day. You’re pulling over a floral delivery van.”

“Who happens to be doing fifteen over the limit.”

“Mac, give me your cell phone. I’m calling your ex so I can bitch at her.” He held out a beefy hand.

“Gary, drop it.” She muttered and then called in the license plate number of the speeding van to dispatch.

“You are doomed you know. You shouldn’t be tempting the wrath of the fates.”

Mac looked over at her partner. “Are you sure you’re not a voodoo princess?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” He asked as he opened the cruiser door.

“Your wife is the one with the voodoo Louisiana family, you however are all freaking redneck. How is it you don’t want to tempt fate?” Mac answered as she read the computer feed back. “No wants or warrants.”

He stepped out of the cruiser and waited for his partner. “I know better and so should you. You’re the Irish one. Family just off the damn boat and all.”

“Fifty years ago. I’m not off the damn boat.” She muttered loud enough for him to hear as she eyeballed the driver door of the van.

“I’m telling your mom you said that.” Gary shot back.

“Yeah well she likes you better anyway.”

Gary watched his partner carefully as she made her way to the driver’s window and went through the process of identifying the driver and writing out the ticket. Tall and lean, with bright red hair cut short to curtail the unruly nature, and the ever present bulky outline of the bullet resistant vest she was a sight to see. He did have to shake his head at her black and white linear thinking. She was so going to pay for giving a ticket to a messenger of love on the most important days of love. He allowed a sneer to cross his face as she walked back.

“Quit making faces at me.” She demanded as she pulled open the door and sat in the cruiser. “Speeders are speeders.” She buckled in and closed her door watching as the van pulled back into traffic.

“You are truly screwed.” He said with a grim expression. “I could call Steph and ask her to get you some sort anti hex potion.”

Mac pulled into traffic. “No thank you. Now could you clear us so we can call an end to this day?”

**

Mac walked through the division house and dropped off her tour log, ticket copies and vehicle keys. The shift sergeant as usual counted the ticket copies and stopped dead cold at the last one. He lifted an eyebrow at her. “You gave a ticket to a messenger of Cupid?”

Mac blinked. “What?”

“It’s Valentine’s day. You gave a ticket to a florist delivery driver. I’m not putting this in.” He stated with conviction.

“Fifteen over Sergeant Nix.” She defended.

“Never mess with Cupid MacDermot. You don’t get credit for this one. You got a beef with that take up with the Lieutenant.”

“I think I’ll do that.” She muttered and signed off of shift.

Gary walked up next to her and handed over his radio log and time sheet. “You coming over for dinner tonight?”

“Nope. I told Steph she didn’t have to feed me. I’ll make it up to her next time…I’m bringing steaks and good beer, not that cheap shit you drink.” She grinned as he hung his head.

“You still drinking that poor man’s crap Langston?” Nix asked as he glanced at the paper work. “And your radio log has two calls not cleared. Fix it or you don’t go home.”

Mac chuckled and nudged her partner with her shoulder. “I’ll see you in two days. Call me if you still need help painting the house, but not before noon.”

“You got it, Mac.”

She grinned and walked away. Halfway to the Lieutenant’s office she noticed several officers looking at her funny. Then there was the sudden silence that happened as she walked through the hallway. After she passed the conversations would start again. It was weird.

Finally she got to the Lieutenant’s door and knocked lightly. She waited until the voice beyond the door called her in. She opened the door and stepped in. Right away she knew something was up by the frown on his face.

“Sergeant Nix…” she began.

“Has already called me and explained why he’s not going to put in the ticket, and Mac I agree with him.” He pushed back in his chair and looked at her. “You’re single, you don’t understand. I am not pushing luck with the fates or spirits or whatever else you might believe in. It’s like giving a public intox ticket to a leprechaun on Saint Pat’s day.”

“You are kidding me, right?” She was dumbfounded and it showed.

“Are you sure you’re not adopted?” He wondered out loud. “Never mind that, I know your family. On Valentine’s Day you don’t ticket flower delivery. End of story.”

“This ain’t right, but whatever.” She caved finally.

“Get out of here Mac.” He ordered with a half smile. It was rare that a MacDermot gave in and he was enjoying it.

**

Mac looked around the bar and had to shake her head. It was still early on a romantic day, which meant the bar would be really slow for most of the night since this holiday fell on a weekday this time. She played with her beer bottle as she tried to decide whether or not she would play a round or two of single pool. Practice was always good, as someone had once told her.

As she was looking over at the green felt covered tables the bartender placed a beer down in front of her. Mac blinked in question. “I didn’t order this.”

“Nope,” Jennifer the bartender answered with a smile. “But that damn cute woman down at the end of the bar did, and she ordered it for you.”

Mac looked down the length of the bar and had to hang her head. “Oh shit.”

“Okay what did you do now?” Jennifer laughed out loud as she waved off another customer.

“I gave her a ticket.” Mac groaned out loud.

“And she’s buying you a drink?” Jennifer asked then held up a finger. The universal signal for ‘hold that thought’.

After Jennifer walked down the bar Mac looked up and lifted her drink as a thank you. She also in a moment of insanity waved the woman over. A second later she wondered why the hell she had done that.

“So, Officer MacDermot do you have your ticket book on you tonight?” the redhead asked with a laugh in her voice as she sat down in the stool next to Mac.

“I actually have it in my car.” Mac admitted with a rare shy smile. “Right next to my sidearm and vet bill.”

“Cat, dog, rabbit or hermit crab?”

“Joint custody dog. She’s a really cute mutt.” Mac answered with a grin. “So to what do I owe the drink?”

“Well I hate Valentine’s day. It’s a bitch at work, so you giving me the ticket let me just take fifteen minutes to not feel any pressure.”

Mac blinked. “How late were you to deliveries?”

“Half hour to an hour and a half.” The woman admitted.

“And you’re buying me a drink? Are you insane?”

She smiled and the smile reached her eyes. “Possibly. I own a floral shop even if my parents keep saying I don’t ever have to work. Who knows?”

“How’s Saint Patrick’s day go for you?” Mac asked after a drink of her beer.

“Depends on what they want. Saint Pat’s kills me for carnations. Why is that? What is it with carnations?”

“They smell good and they umm are safe.” Mac admitted as she cast a sidelong glance at the woman she’d ticketed. “So, Miss Hasted, Victoria J…why do you buy the cop who gives you a ticket a drink?”

Victoria laughed. “Because you actually gave me the ticket and…you look freaking fantastic in uniform.”

Mac nearly spit her beer out. “You have got to be kidding me.”

“No, I’m not. And I really, really hate Valentine’s Day. I know it’s a huge money maker for me and my shop and the girls who work for me, but damn when you don’t love anyone other than family it really sucks.” She answered bluntly.

Mac laughed. “Three years six months two weeks and three days…the last time I sent flowers.”

Jennifer wandered back around. ‘You two want anything else?”

Mac looked at Victoria and asked the question with her eyes. The answer was a slow nod. “Two more, Jen.”

“Cool.” Jennifer answered as she blended back to get the drinks.

“We should keep her.” Victoria said as she finished off the last of her drink.

“Yeah, cause she knows the number to the cab.” Mac snickered.

Victoria laughed. “So you ticket those going slightly over the limit…and you don’t drive if you’ve had too much.”

“Slightly?” Mac drawled slowly and arched an eyebrow. “Fifteen Miss Hasted.”

“I’m not good with math? Ok, so it was fifteen but I’m going to pay for that one.” She laughed.

Mac shook her head as Jennifer brought back the drinks. “No, you’re not. My shift leader isn’t putting it in. Something about you being the messenger of Cupid or something like that.”

“Maybe I should buy him the drink.” Victoria chuckled. “Don’t tell me, older, heavier and not nearly as cute.”

“Correct on all counts. How did you know?” Mac wondered out loud.

“You work Central Division right?” Victoria asked with a half smile.

“How’d you know that?

“Is it Nix?”

Mac nodded. “Yeah.”

“He’s my uncle. Messenger of Cupid? Great now he’s going to want free roses for life.” She groaned and sipped on her drink. “You ever hate dealing with family?”

“Definitely. I come from a large Irish cop family. You can’t swing a dead cat without meeting a cop that knows my family.”

“Which means you can’t get away with anything right?” Victoria laughed as she nodded. “It’s the same with my uncle and he used to try and scare my dates.”

“My dad still does but it’s my mom my dates usually ran from. She can be intimidating.”

“You’re being diplomatic aren’t you?”

“Hell yes. She has spies everywhere. Take Jennifer behind the bar for instance. She’s a sucker for cinnamon cookies. Every week she gets a box of home made cookies and in turn she rats me out.” Mac raised her voice just loud enough for Jenn to hear.

“I don’t rat you out.” Jennifer’s voice called down from the far end of the bar. “She tortures me till I sing.”

Mac leaned over the bar. “You rat me out every time you shite.”

Victoria pulled Mac down to her seat. “You’re going to get us kicked out. How many have you had?”

“Not nearly enough if you’re still here talking to me.” Mac grinned like a twelve year old. “Jenn won’t kick me out…I scare all the bad guys. I just have to flash my badge and they go poof.”

“Poof? Did you just say poof?” Victoria snickered around her drink.

Mac nodded. “Yup. As in suddenly gone with a smoke trail and everything.” She couldn’t help the sly playful grin that crossed her lips.

“You are definitely scary, yes I would run I’m sure.” There was no mistaking the sarcasm in Victoria’s voice.

Mac lifted her left eyebrow and beer at the same time. “You sound so serious, I might have to chase you just to prove it to you.”

“Chase me? That oddly sounds like a lot of fun.”

“I don’t know…I am a cop you know. No fun, all work and terribly stoic.” Mac was half kidding half serious.

Victoria watched Mac for a long minute. “I take it you’ve heard that before.” It was not a question.

“Yeah, but it’s not all that important.”

“Sure it is. You made the statement so at some point you’ve heard it and I’m just guessing but I’d say it was the woman you last sent flowers to.” Victoria’s voice was even without judgment.

Mac leaned in close. “Are you always this observant?”

“My uncle’s a cop and you get pretty good at reading people when you sell them flowers. After a while you can tell if those things are for funeral’s, for a first date, for love. So yes, I would have to say I am.” Victoria shrugged but she didn’t move away.

“I’ll have to keep that in mind.”

Victoria smiled. “Please do.”

“Does this mean I can ask you to dinner sometime?” Mac sounded mostly shy.

“Ask me sometime, or have dinner sometime?” Victoria teased.

“Yes.” Mac grinned as the butterflies took nest in her stomach. She almost couldn’t look at the woman sitting next to her.

“That depends. Who’s your favorite cartoon character?”

“What?” Mac blanked mentally.

“You heard me.”

“Yeah, but I’m not sure what…”

“Just answer the question flatfoot.” Victoria smiled and waited.

“Dudley Do Right.”

“Hmm…interesting. Favorite flavor of ice cream?”

“Vanilla bean or strawberry banana.”

“Movie?”

Mac hung her head. “Promise not to laugh?” she asked shyly.

“I promise.” Victoria answered softly with all sincerity.

“Chicken Run.” Mac did not raise her head until Victoria lifted the cop’s chin with a soft finger.

“I don’t like pie. I don’t want to be a pie.” The florist quoted in a perfect impression.

“You like that movie?” Mac was amazed.

“Oh yeah. I have six nieces and nephews. I love animated stuff.” She had to admit. “Favorite flower.”

Mac shook her head. “To send?”

“To receive.”

“Don’t have one really. I’m the one sending them.” Mac shrugged her shoulders.

“Again, interesting.” Victoria stored the answer away in her mental file. “Favorite part of a woman’s body?”

Mac noticed the mischievous tone of the woman’s voice. She leaned in close to her ear. “Her eyes.” Her breath whispered lightly on warm skin.

Victoria nearly moaned. “Really. Why?”

“When a woman is looking at you, really looking at you…you can see the truth or the lies.”

“I’ll have to think about that but I think I like the reasoning.” Victoria had to lean back and take a sip of her drink.

“Your eyes are gray with little flecks of some other color I can’t figure out.”

“Hazel. What’s your favorite day of the week?” Victoria smiled.

Mac thought about it for a second. “Mmm, the day you have dinner with me?”

“You have a food fixation do you?”

“Depends on the food and the woman I’m sharing food with.” Mac answered honestly.

“Oh, and charming too. Uncle Nix didn’t tell me you were charming.”

“Excuse me?” Mac asked with a confused frown.

“Don’t worry, he only talks about the cops who he likes and well he does talk about the one’s who piss him off.” Victoria answered.

“Which am I?” Mac smiled.

“Both.” Victoria grinned. “He likes you, say’s you’re an ‘old school’ cop.”

Mac nodded. “I am. My grandfather was a cop, my Da was a cop, and my sister and my brothers are cops.” Mac looked full on at Victoria. “I am a cop and someday my kid will probably be a cop.”

“You have a kid?” Victoria teased.

“In five years yeah sure.” Mac grinned. “If I’m lucky she’ll look like you.”

Victoria had to smile. “Oh you get points for that one. And since you have a food fixation…favorite food.”

“Cooked? No really I have a high metabolism so I eat a lot, I can’t afford to be picky. You? Favorite food?”

“Breakfast.” Victoria admitted with guilty pleasure.

“I make a mean French toast.” Mac boasted with a grin.

“A very handy talent to have indeed. But can you dance?”

Mac’s face fell. “You just had to bring that into this huh? I dance badly and before you ask, I sing badly.”

Victoria laughed softly at the admission. “That’s okay I can’t skip stones and I’m told I snore. I don’t believe it for a minute but that’s the information I’ve been given.”

“Break up the love fest long enough to tell me if you want another drink.” Jennifer interrupted with a half smile. “Mac tell your mom I’m out of cookies.”

“You tell her. I’m sure you have her on speed dial.” Mac answered then looked at Victoria. “Another drink?”

Victoria checked her watch and reluctantly shook her head. “I wish I could but I promised to have dinner with my mom. I really do have to get going.”

“Jenn set me up one more but sadly Victoria will not be staying.” Mac offered a mock pout.

“Suck that lip back in Mac, it so doesn’t look good on you.” Jennifer ordered and turned her attention to Victoria. “Very nice to meet you, come back in sometime.”

Victoria smiled after draining the last of her drink. “Thank you. Don’t rat her out too badly.”

“I’m innocent, I was set up.” Jennifer tried to defend herself. “Okay, I can see that’s not working. I’m getting you another drink and trying to think up a lie you’ll both believe.”

“I like her, she’s funny.” Victoria looked at Mac as Jennifer walked away muttering to herself.

“Yeah she is. Thanks for the drink Miss Hasted, Victoria J.”

“Your welcome Officer MacDermot and thank you for the non speeding ticket.”

“Keegan.”

“Hmm, Keegan MacDermot. I like it.” Victoria smiled as she pulled on her light jacket. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

“Yes it is, happy day I mean.” Mac clarified after seeing the confusion on Victoria’s face.

“Definitely a charmer. I’ll see you soon Officer MacDermot.”

Mac watched as the woman walked out of the bar. She turned her attention back to the beer bottle currently sweating in front of her. She couldn’t help the smile that crossed her lips.

“Cupid’s arrow just shot you in the butt didn’t it?” Jennifer placed a tall glass of something dark on the bar surface.

“Isn’t that supposed to be in the heart?” Mac asked. “And what in the hell is that?”

“It’s called a hardship, I’m trying new drinks. You get to be the lab rat.”

“I’m not drinking that.” Mac was definitely scared.

“It’s free.” Jennifer reminded her.

“It’ll probably kill me.” Mac shot back.

“I’m too scared of your mom to kill you.” Jennifer admitted with a sly smile. “You like her don’t you?”

“My mom? Of course I like her.”

“No you ass, Victoria.” Jennifer rolled her eyes.

Mac looked toward the front door of the bar. “Yeah,” she almost whispered. “I do like her.”

“Good for you. I have a good feeling about this one.”

“Your feelings have gotten me into way too much trouble if you don’t mind me saying.” Mac reminded the bartender.

“I was twelve. God, are you ever going to get over it?” Jennifer sighed out loud.

“According to my mom I’m still grounded.” Mac grumbled.

“Well I didn’t think you were going to get caught.”

**

Mac walked up to Sergeant Nix’s spot and deposited all the shift paperwork for the day. She instantly didn’t like the way he was eyeballing her. “You got something you want to say Sergeant Nix?”

“I ain’t your secretary.” He said as he deposited a small flat package on the desk. “I have a shot gun. You hurt her and you’ll be seeing me.”

“Nix, I hurt her and I’ll hand you my gun personally.” She answered dead serious.

“Long as we have that clear.” He looked over her paperwork. “You’re good, but use all black ink next time.”

“Langston’s fault.” She grinned as her partner walked up and went through the ritual.

“Whatever it is, I didn’t do it. I can’t believe you’re still mad at me. I didn’t know the can was there.” He explained for the millionth time.

“Do you know how long it takes to wash oil based paint out of hair?” She asked with a completely insincere smile.

“Nix, can I put in for a new partner? I’ll even take a rookie.” Gary joked.

“Nope, you’re stuck with her. Now get out of here. I got things to do.” Nix answered in his usual gruff manner.

“You coming to dinner?” Gary asked as they weaved their way to the exit.

“I think I might already have plans.” Mac answered honestly.

“You either do or you don’t.” Gary was confused and it showed.

“I’ll take a rain check. Give Steph my love.” Mac smiled as she always did when she spoke about Gary’s wife.

“You know, if I didn’t trust her I’d get nervous about the way you smile at my wife.” He joked as he walked past an officer with a cuffed suspect.

“Yeah I’m all about breaking up the second best marriage I’ve ever seen.” Mac arched an eyebrow.

“The second best? Ouch, hit me right in the heart why don’t you.” Gary mimicked an arrow hitting him.

“Hey my parents rate number one.”

Gary thought about it for a minute. “Okay you got me on that one. They’re my hero’s.”

Mac laughed. “You are so full of shit. Get outta here. See you tomorrow. Keep it low my friend.”

“You too and what’s up with Nix? I thought he was gonna shoot you or something.”

“Nah, small misunderstanding. We’re good.” Mac answered with a non-answer.

“Good. See you tomorrow Mac.” Gary grinned and broke left to his car.

Mac walked to her car and after getting in ripped the brown paper off the package. She had to laugh. She felt something melt near her heart. In her hand she had a copy of Chicken Run and the first season of Dudley Do Right. The note didn’t have a name just a phone number.

Fishing her cell phone out of her pocket she dialed and waited. “Have dinner with me.” She said when the connection was completed and a familiar voice answered.

“That depends.” Victoria’s voice rang in her ear.

“On what?”

“Do we get movie night afterwards?”

“Funny you should ask. I seem to have two movie type things in my hand right now.” Mac managed to sound amazed.

“Then pick me up at the shop in two hours.” Victoria answered.

“Where is the shop?”

“You have the address on the non speeding ticket.”

“You’re going to make me go back in and talk to Nix?”

“Look at your ticket book flat foot.” The voice on the other end laughed.

“Oh, yeah. I’ll be there.”

“Good. Now let me go back to work, I’m fixing up these hideous flower things for a wedding.” Victoria admitted with a giggle. “The colors are awful.”

“Laughing at the customers is bad for business you know.” Mac said and then hung up. “I think our colors will be much better.” She mused out loud to no one in particular.

The end for now.

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