Rendezvous

Chloé and Bryce

I walk into the precinct and upstairs towards the captain office and I notice a woman sitting in one of the chairs.

She's beautiful but looks a bit out of place.

"Good morning." I greet before Captain Butler walks out of his office.

She looks at me first but then responds. "Good morning." I take a seat next to her.

"I see you looking all lonely, maybe I'll join you."

"Hmph."

"What's all that for?"

"All of what?"

I ignore her question.

"What brings you here today? You waiting for somebody?"

"Actually I am."

I stare at her for a moment because she has a hint of a British accent.

"Oh, really? Who might that be?"

"The Captain."

"Y'all have a breakfast date or something?"

"My aren't we nosey."

"Just checking on the competition; trying to see what I'm up against."

She laughs. "Good, very good."

"What's your name?"

"Chloé..Chloé Castro."

"Really? As In relation to Fidel Castro? The Fidel Castro?"

"He's my grandfather," she drags out

"What?" I smile.

"Yep."

"What was he like?"

"I don't actually know what you mean."

"Is he cool? Laid-back type? What was he like?"

"He's my grandfather so he was nice to me. All that other stuff I try not to let bother me."

"You shouldn't."

"Easier said."

The captain chooses now to interrupt our conversation. It was just getting good.

"Both of you, in my office."

I stand to follow but wonder why he wants to see us together.

We sit next to each other, across from him.

"Bryce, meet your new partner."

I scoff, "But she's a woman, sir."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she says.

"It means that I need someone who can handle themself out there and who can have my back. I know guys three times your size that couldn't cut it."

"I'm not guys three times my size."

"Exactly."

She stands, "Your 'exactly' missed its point. I'm capable of handling mine, yours and the captain's back. I've been trained for this. I'm better than you, sharper than you and smarter than you. If anyone should be complaining, it's me. All you are is a limit of mine out there."

"See? You guys are bonding already," the captain says.

"I refuse to work with her."

"You don't have a choice. This is my team and if you wanna work SWAT you're going to wanna work with Castro. Sounds like you have a decision to make, son. She's on this team. Are you?"