At All Costs || Jerrie

Chapter 16 (Part 1)

Jade
My eyes shot open as the wailing siren ringtone went off, filling the dead silent bedroom with its ear-piercing sound. A groan left my lips. It was times like this when I questioned whether I made the right career choice or not. Slightly annoyed for being woken up, I reached out my arm to get my phone from the bedside table.

"Officer Thirlwall" I greeted tiredly.

"Tiffany & Co down at 145 Sloane Street is under armed robbery. I know you're not supposed to work, but we're in desperate need of back-up. The robber has threatened to kill the owner and you're the only one who can convince him not to do it" a ton of emotions laced Jesy's usually calm and collected voice as she delivered the news.

"Oh-oh, what do you know about the situation?" I asked as I began to wake up.

"Just that he's doing this all alone, he doesn't have any back-up, and that he and the victim used to be married. She's his ex-wife."

"Ex-wife? Oh, this can get very messy...Do you know anything else?"

"Bushy has him on the line. She's trying to talk to him, but he won't listen, let alone talk to her. We need you, Jadey."

"Bushy?" I laughed, couldn't help but find the name funny. Y'know, sleepy me found e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g funny, even the lamest of "knock-knock-jokes".

"Lauren got a little drunk the other night and gave herself the name. But it doesn't matter now. An innocent life is at risk of getting ripped away" Jesy said, not happy with me for picking up the least important piece of information.

"I'm on me way, Jess. Keep talking to him, distract him as long as you can. Don't let him hang up the phone, at least not until I get there, okay?"

"Got it. Please, hurry."

"I'll be there before you know it."

With that said, I hung up the phone. Suddenly not tired anymore, I removed the duvet from my body and rolled out of the comfortable king-size bed I shared with my girlfriend. Up on my feet, I fetched my uniform from the closet. As silently as I could, so Perrie wouldn't wake up, I put my uniform on.

Once I had everything I needed for the mission - gun, handcuffs, baton, walkie-talkie - I walked up to the bed. Gently, I stroked strands of blonde hair from my girl's face. She scrunched her little nose up, but didn't wake, fortunately. She'd keep me from going if she woke up and saw me wearing my uniform.

Knowing time doesn't freeze for anyone, I leaned in for a kiss. I connected my lips to her forehead, figured a kiss to the head wouldn't wake her from her sleep. I let the kiss linger, didn't want to end it too quickly.

Saying goodbye properly was extremely important to me, considering there were no guarantees I would come home at the end of a shift. Everyday I got to see Perrie after work was a gift, a gift I treasured from the bottom of my heart. But even if Pez didn't hear or feel my kiss goodbye, at least I would die at peace knowing I said my goodbye before I left her side.

"I love you so much, Perrie" I whispered.

With a heavy heart, I separated my lips from her pale skin. I grabbed my pillow and placed it to her stomach. Like that it'd feel like she still held her arms around me, like she didn't sleep alone.

"Nanite, me love. Hopefully I'll see you after work."

I kissed her one last time, this time on her cheek, then I walked out of the bedroom. After I had locked the front door and hopped into my car - my own, the Range Rover - I began the journey to the crime scene.