Call To Arms (Chicago PD - Fire - MED)

01. First Impression

First days are never easy for me.

Add to that the fact that I make the white rabbit look punctual, and traffic around my house sucks, and one can see why mornings are not fun in my line of work. Today was no exception.

My converse pounded the brakes as I swung into an available spot. I chug the remains of orange juice in my thermos, perching my sunglasses on top of my bun, and hastily unbuckle. I shoulder my messenger bag as I hustle around the back of my 1967 Impala. I open the passenger door, hardly giving a second glance as I pull a box from the back seat and close both car doors.

I march back through the parking lot, Jekyll hot on my heels with his leash dragging behind him. I ignore the odd looks as I manage to pull the door open and he stays on my hip.

I hold my tongue from the cheesy, 'We're not in Kansas anymore' line as my gaze sweeps over my new precinct. Hello 21st District. My tawny optics come to rest on the front desk, as I advance closer to what I assumed to be the desk Sargent, which was confirmed as I read her tag. I opened my mouth for a simple 'Good Morning', but it never passed my lips as her scrutinizing eyes fell on me.

"I was unaware that they let fourteen year olds graduate the academy." There went the last traces of my good mood.

I give a winning smile before saying sweetly, "Now, now. No need to feel threatened. You don't look a day over sixty." Her lips pursed and I could tell, I had poked the dragon.

It was at this time that Jekyll decided he wanted front row seats to my demise as he rose on his back legs, placing his massive front paws on the desk before us. I made no move to correct his behavior as I watched a vein throb in Sargent Platt's forehead.

"Looks like you both lacked some training courses." She said curtly and I leisurely grasped Jekyll's leash as he obediently planted his posterior to the floor.

"My apologies. We'll be getting out of your way then, Sargent. If you would be so gracious as to point us towards the Intelligence Unit?" I request, batting my lashes for effect.

I would come to regret this, but for now, I didn't mind letting my wild side roam. In near slow motion, her finger pointed towards a staircase. I gave another grin, dipping my head before walking over, glancing over my shoulder for a mock wave as she buzzed me in.

Jekyll stuck to me like glue as we peaked the stairs and got our first view of the bull pen. As we were already late, I hung back as I took in the room already teaming with fellow officers. I was prepared to wait until after the briefing, however, the hoarse voice that had been speaking alongside the whiteboard came to an abrupt halt and I felt eyes on me.

Show Time. I pasted a small smile on, nodding to the commanding man and without having to be told I know. Hank Voight. He had a mixed reputation for sure, but who was I to judge.

"Not the best first impression." He said, drawing the attention of the others to where I stood. I set the box on the corner of a desk for the moment.

"Yeah, it took longer than expected to con my way upstairs past the gatekeeper." I reply, receiving a variety of expressions in return. A few were amused with my banter, others remained reserved at my lack of respect.

"Detective Morning, everyone." Voight said, making no comment on my jab. I give a half wave, noting there was a serious lack of estrogen up here. Voight proceed with a speed round of names to faces. "Alvin Olinsky. Erin Lindsey. Jay Halstead. Antonio Dawson. Adam Ruzek. Kevin Atwater. Kim Burgess. Sean Roman."

"You can call me Mais. Jekyll and I look forward to working with your unit." I respond briefly, giving the canine a brief pat to his shoulder.

A chorus of welcomes sounded before attention was drawn back to the white board and array of writing there. "You caught the tail end of this case, but you should join the raid." Olinsky told me before slinking off to his back desk.