The Jake Peralta Series

The First Date

Jake Peralta was sitting across from me at an uncomfortably small table in a quaint little bar located near his local Precinct (99th). He was grinning, not really saying anything just yet. This was a welcome surprise after the ride here in his fancy car that smelt like old cheese. On the way to the pub, he had not stopped talking. At all. How had I come to be on this date in the first place?

"You know, I think you are really pretty," Jake said suddenly, smile still intact.

"Thank you... you don't look too bad yourself," I responded, taking a sip of the glass of water that had been plonked down at the table a few minutes after we had come in and sat down.

"And your dress looks... lovely."

I was wearing a nice blue dress and a long black cardigan over my shoulders and arms. I smiled in response, thankful that I wasn't dressed too badly.

"Well this is going terribly," Jake exclaimed with a grimace.

"Trust me... you're doing fine," I promised him, placing a hand on his for a sort-of comfort. He was back to grinning now. He seems to like smiling which is a desirable quality. Not enough people smile anymore.

Jake and I had met on the previous Monday after I had called into my local precinct to report that the college kids down the hall were getting out of hand. They were having parties every goddam day! "Some people have work and need to sleep!" I had hissed loudly, aggravated by the fact that the college goers couldn't stand one single night without having a raging party.

The constant parties going on had left me with minimal sleep and therefor, I looked like a complete mess. My hair was vaguely presentable but not nearly as presentable as I would usually have liked it to be, my makeup was sloppy and there were hideous bags under my eyes from the lack of sleep. I had tried to reason with them but they simply did not care. They had no respect for their neighbours.

Jake Peralta had taken my shoulder, mentioned to his co-workers that he'd take this one, and led me over to a desk in the middle of the room. Step by step he filled out the paperwork, asked me questions and did whatever else he needed to do.

Afterwards, when he was walking me over to the door, he told me that the issue should hopefully be resolved within the week and that if push comes to shove, he'd come and check it out himself. I thanked him and turned to leave.

All that day I had wondered about the nice cop and what his name was. I had not thought to ask when I was all riled up earlier.

Two days later, there was a knock at my door. I opened it and was surprised to see Peralta himself standing awkwardly in the doorway. I let him inside and hurried to the kitchen, where I got him some coffee.

"I sorted out those kids by the way," he'd said, leaning against the kitchen bench, watching as I poured him his coffee and handed it to him, which he took gratefully.

"Thank you. Hopefully I will be able to sleep for more than half an hour a night now. I apologise for my appearance. I was too tired to make myself look reasonable this morning as I am sure you can probably see."

"You look alright to me... I'm Jake Peralta by the way," he stuck out his hand for me to shake.

"Jasmine Sanders. Pleased to know your name. I had been wondering what it was. I didn't ask on Monday."

"Jasmine," he parroted. I merely smiled, taking a sip of my own coffee.

"Hey look, I was wondering if you would maybe like to come have dinner with me... as my date?" I had not been expecting to hear that come out of his mouth... In fact, I almost choked on my coffee. I barely even knew this guy. He could be anyone! That is what dates are for though, aren't they? To get to know another person better? I smirked a little, which seemed to relieve him a little.