Flip the Colleague [Flip Zimmerman]

Ch 11: Leverage

Within two weeks, Sara had returned to Chicago, quit her retail job, and begun packing for the move. You, meanwhile, were busy hunting for a new place for the two of you while juggling work - and kicking ass at it. Chief Hopper had clearly noticed your drive, assigning you real cases instead of leaving you stuck in the filing room. Finally, you felt like a bona fide detective. Your next assignment even came with a new partner, transferred in from another state.

As you waited for the coffee to finish brewing in the breakroom, you pulled out your phone to scroll through the latest texts from Flip. You did this often, every hour it seemed, whenever you missed him. The messages were short, but they were always sweet—and steamy. Phone sex had become a routine, and you took pride in knowing just how good you'd gotten at making Flip cum with nothing but the sound of your voice.

Weeks had passed since you'd told him you loved him, and while Sara was adamant he loved you too, you remained skeptical—at least until you heard it from his own lips.

You poured your coffee and rounded the corner of the breakroom when—BAM!—you collided with someone, sending the hot liquid flying. "Oh shit! Ahhh... fuck, that's hot!" you hissed, shaking your hand to get the scalding coffee off.

"Oh!! I'm so sorry. My fault. Are you okay?" a man's voice said. You looked up to see a tall, sleek-looking guy hovering over you, hands suspended midair as if he wanted to help but wasn't sure if he should.

"Uhh, yeah. I'm okay. Just a little third-degree burn is all." You said, slightly annoyed.

He smiled, a crooked grin tugging at his lips. "I'm actually looking for Chief Hopper and thought maybe he'd be back here in the breakroom. But I see he's not... unless... you're Chief Hopper?" He pointed at you teasingly.

"Ha! Yeah, I think I've got a few more years before I'm chief of anything," you replied, tilting your head up to meet his smirk. He was definitely cute - not exactly your usual type, but not not your type either. "Nice to meet you," you introduced yourself.

His eyes lingered on yours as he shook your hand deliberately, a faint, confident smile playing at his lips. "Jack Ryan. Nice to meet you, too."

A voice called out from down the hallway. "Oh hey! Good, good... you two met each other. One less thing I gotta worry about." Chief Hopper appeared, as disheveled as ever, hair slightly mussed and tie crooked.

"This is your new partner. Be sure to show him the ropes and whatnot," he said, gesturing vaguely around the room. "Glad you made it into town safe, kid." He patted Jack on the shoulder. "Go ahead and get settled, and let her know if you need anything."

Before either of you could reply, Hopper grabbed a doughnut, smirked, and added casually, "Today is about coffee and contemplation," before wandering back into his office, leaving the two of you alone in the breakroom.