The Art of Being Right

Station Confrontations

A couple of hours later and the pair were preparing to leave for the station. JJ had got changed again - this time into her uniform - and Wilson had retrieved the leather jacket he'd leant her the night before.

Shrugging it on the two of them left the house, JJ climbing into her own car while Wilson fetched the Harley.

They pulled up outside the station just before two; to find a small huddle of officers already outside waiting.

"What are they standing around out here for?" He asked as he followed her to the main building, every pair of eyes turning to look directly at him.

"Everyone wants their first look at you. You're the new kid around here." Wilson only rolled his eyes.

"JJ, how're you doing?" A voice yelled from the other side of the entrance hall they found themselves in. Wilson turned to see a short, stocky man with dirty blonde hair dash from behind the custody desk, straining slightly to put one arm over her shoulder.

"I'm fine Rex. Nothing a good nights sleep couldn't fix." She glanced back towards the desk, before stepping forwards.

"Rex, this is Wilson. Spence called in a favour from the city and got us a little extra help on the disappearances." Then she turned to Wilson.

"Wilson this is Rex Naylor. He's one of our detective inspectors." Rex extended a hand and Wilson took it, sizing him up almost instantly.

Rex was no taller than 5ft 7, at the most. His face was covered in frown lines despite the fact he only looked around 30. The way he held himself - chest out and chin up - suggested a serious issue with believing himself superior to everyone else, especially any newcomers.

In fact, Rex seemed to have noticed Wilson looking him over, as his eyes darkened and he tried to make himself look a little taller. Wilson almost laughed - it was going to be fun pissing this guy off.

"No offence," Rex said gruffly, "but I didn't think we needed anymore help on this case. We've got it under control."

"Rex, don't be like that." JJ sighed, shaking her head and glancing to Wilson anxiously, not knowing how he'd react to the attempt at intimidation.

"Look, I'm not saying anything about your department's abilities." He said, trying to be civil, "All I'm saying is I was called in, and I'm going to the job I was sent here to do." Wilson spoke calmly; the last thing he wanted was an argument on his first day. Not that the confrontation scared him, but because he hadn't the time or energy to fight.

"And all I'm saying," Rex took a step forwards upon emphasising his words, "is that you might as well just head back to the city. We don't need you." A few other people stood in the surrounding area had moved in to listen in on the discussion that was going on.

JJ cringed internally - if it came down to a fight she had no idea how Wilson would handle himself, or how Rex was going to play.

"Look, I'm not causing any trouble. Just let it go."

Rex didn't step back. He stared straight at Wilson, despite the obvious height difference, glaring.

"You listen to me," he said aside, his voice no louder than a whisper, "when Spence isn't around, I'm in charge. So long as you're here, if I say jump you say how high, you don't question me or my authority." He smirked as Wilson shook his head with a laugh,

"You might be able to get away with doing what you want in the city, but here, you answer to Spence, and to me."

"Oh I really don't think I do." Wilson drawled, much to the surprise of the people around them.

"You're just the new guy who'll be gone in a few days. You have no idea what I'm capable of."

Wilson laughed again, and ran a hand through his hair steadily.

"I know enough about you to know I don't need to worry about it." He retorted, tone even.

"Bullshit, you don't know anythi-"

"I know you still live with your parents, not for expense reasons or because a family member is ill - you do it because you can't stand the idea of going home to an empty house after your shift ends. You're the workplace bully; the newest officers run scared and the more experienced ones know not to cross you. It's most likely you took on this kind of personality when you stopped growing, around the age of nineteen no doubt. You're below the average height for a man your age and I'm assuming the bad attitude is your attempt of compensating for that, or maybe something else," Wilson sniggered, the left corner of his mouth pulling into a triumphant smile, "and you don't like it when you're not listened to. So me turning up and refusing to run from you has upset the 'natural balance', as you might say." Rex had turned a deep shade of red, jus fists clenching into tight fists at his sides.

"Shut up now," he hissed, "or I'll shut you up myself."

"No you won't," the taller man chuckled, clearly enjoying himself, "because here's the dirty little secret." He leaned forwards so his face was mere centimetres from the shorter man. He paused before grinning again.

"You're," Wilson whispered slowly, "Scared. Of Me." He stepped back, a smug look on his face, "You know who I am, you know what kind of a reputation I have. And that terrifies you, because you know I'm not just going to buckle like everyone else."

There was a stunned moment of quiet as JJ fought the smile creeping onto her features. There was something about the city boy that made her laugh; he was different.

"Wilson, we better go. Spence will be waiting for us in his office."

A/N: I know this is the second update today but I thought I'd make up for missing a day.

Okay so I'm not sure how many people have still kept up with this story but if you managed it thanks! I know it's pretty long and I hope no one finds this too boring, 'cause that would suck. But you can win them all right? Anywho, I'll try keep updating as often as I have been doing, although tomorrow's might be a little late seen as I'm stuck at an open evening until 10ish. Any reviews or comments are welcome, I want to know what you guys think of it so far.

~Holly