Call To Arms (Chicago PD - Fire - MED)

08. Bombs Away

Before my big night, I had to survive a day of big changes.

With Jay benched for the foreseeable future, Voight had called in for a replacement from the bomb unit. To be paired with Jekyll and I. Joy.

Grin and bare it Mais.

So, as I made my way to the bull pen, and spotted a tall profile in Voight's office, I had to relax my posture as I took a seat at my desk and the Beauceron settled on his bed beside me.

I fiddled through the never ending case files for several tense moments until I heard the door open, and rose my head, smile pasted as I surveyed my new partner.

He was certainly an attractive specimen. Strong jaw. Styled black hair. Turquoise gaze. I forced my cheeks to not flame at this realization as I held out my hand as he and the Sargent approached.

"Mais Morning. This is your new partner, Officer Finn Paxton." Voight introduced gruffly.

"Welcome." I said hoarsely, offering a less confident grin now as our hands clasped.

"It's a pleasure." He said, tone suave. He had nice hands. Callused and steady. They had to be if he was used to handling explosives. Finn appeared young, his face clean and free of stubble. Realizing I was holding it too long for comfort, I retract my hand and avert my gaze. 

"I can catch you up to speed on our caseload if you'd like?" I offer, indicating to a spare seat alongside my own desk. 

"Sounds good." He stated, as we both move that direction. Jekyll rising like a leviathan from the depths of my desk, standing stiff legged as he inspected the new male on his turf. I snap my fingers and he returns to his bed as I pull out the necessary documents. 

To my credit, I manage to relay our information for each without stuttering or getting lost staring into those ocean eyes of his. He followed along, nodding and even jotting down some notes for himself. A man who was more than just muscle, but a brain too. 

The weight of Jekyll's large head pressing on my foot reminded me that he had been cooped up in here for hours and could probably do with a walk. The resounding snarl from my stomach, announced fuel was in order too. 

"Hey, Jekyll could use a walk about and I'm craving a hot dog from the stand down the way. You want me to get you something?" I offered with a smile as I stood, snagging some bills from my purse. 

"I'm good thanks. Wasn't sure what was around so I packed my own." He stated, and I had to withhold my awe at the adorable sentiment. He was like the new kid at school. But I was determined to not let him wallow in the bathroom alone. 

"Then bring it with. Believe me, you need to take the chance to stretch your legs every chance you get. You don't want to catch splinters from riding the bench too long." He nodded in agreement and I hook up Jekyll as we leave the precinct. 

Moseying down the street, the black and tan dog sniffing at trees as we walked, I kept up a steady stream of conversation. We exchanged pleasantries and the basics of our experiences in the academy programs we had chosen.  

Why was I trying this hard? Maybe it was the guilt eating away at me that my last partner and I hadn't exactly been close before he'd ended up in a hospital bed. I would like to avoid that if at all possible. 

Upon arriving at the stand, I order one plain hot dog, lather it with ketchup, and we find a quiet bench to sit on as he pulled out his sandwich. We were just beginning to share embarrassing date stories in new cities when Voight came over the radio. 

"We've got a possible explosive planted on a disgruntled employee. Saddle up now!" He snapped, the urgency in his tone making my hair stand on end.