The artist in thee
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Surprisingly Often.Zemalac said:Does that happen often?Archemetis said:Just a little something I worked up the other day.
The original one had a sligthly different term, if you're interested to know what, here you go:
http://teh-g-man.deviantart.com/art/Minigames-2-116921164
Well, here's a little piece of awesome I did. May you enjoy it.
[http://zapperoni.deviantart.com/art/Blobby-Cubert-116772860]
I love abusing DM privileges.
I love abusing DM privileges.
I finally got around to finish this picture, after two and a half month in the making!
http://spitfiremarka1.deviantart.com/art/Krasnoye-Starzhenye-117321158
Enjoy! Also, I recommend the music I link to in the Artist's Comment for some added atmosphere! x3
http://spitfiremarka1.deviantart.com/art/Krasnoye-Starzhenye-117321158
Enjoy! Also, I recommend the music I link to in the Artist's Comment for some added atmosphere! x3
So I like to think of myself as a bit of a writer. Here's some of my stuff. Be warned, they're walls of text. If you want the links, PM me or something. The first one is about my dad, who was killed when I was 4. And the second one I wrote for an english assignment and it kinda grew into something else. I haven't finished it yet. I got the best mark in the year for my story 
<spoiler=Missing you>
The day was unlike any other
The day you left me behind
I woke up one morning and knew you weren't there
But you worked early so I knew you left
I never knew you wouldn't come back
That day was your last day
By the end of the day you made us all cry
You face was on every paper
I was only little
Why did you leave?
How could you not care enough about me?
You left a little girl who would never be the same
I didn't understand what happened or if you cried
As the years went on I still didn't understand
But I started to understand that you weren't coming back
And I got angry
I hate you so much
You were my best friend and you left me
How could you?
On my first day of school you weren't there
I knew you weren't coming
On my last day of school you weren't there
I knew you weren't coming
On my 14th birthday you weren't there
And I cried silently the entire time
I'm almost grown up now
And you aren't here
As I write this I cry all those unshed tears
That you never shared with me
Daddy, I love you forever and always
And still don't know why you left...
Glass crackles and crunches under my boots as I walk through the halls of this broken home.
I step on something uneven. As I lift my foot I see a joyful scene. Sigh, I bend over and pick up the broken picture frame. They look so happy. Holding champagne and celebrating with their friends and family.
?Fools,? I mutter. I stand up and place the cracked picture and place it on a nearby table.
Do I dare explore more? A flickering light teases my curiosity. I carefully tread down the hallway. I feel something slick on the door jam and lift my hand to the light.
Blood.
My hand creeps to the holster in my jacket to reach for my gun. I turn into the room and pull out my gun.
?Oh God, no!? I whisper?
?I dunno, sir. You see some pretty effed up things in this job but I?ve never seen anything like this before. Kate was first on the scene. She?s over in the squad car. Looks like she?s seen a ghost. But worse,? Says my partner Jake.
Jake and the captain walk over to me and I look up from my trance. Jake sits beside me and puts his hand on my shoulder to comfort and reassure me. Captain Conrad McFadden pulls out his notepad. He?ll want me to recall every gruesome, bloody detail? I just want to forget?
?Kate,? his deep, husky voice began, ?I know this is horrible and you just want to go home and forget all of this but because you were the one to discover the crime scene you have to asked questions like every other witness.?
He looks at me like he understands, but he doesn?t.
?Ok. I walked in, looked around and found them dead, ran out and called you. And now I?m leaving,? I said with so much contempt in my voice I hoped he would melt into a puddle. I don?t like him much. He?s a total sexist and an arrogant bastard, but what can ya do?
I get up and get my keys. They jingle as I separate my car key from the rest.
Insert the key; open the door. Hahaha! All these actions seem pointless when I could end up just like them. Homicide is a dangerous department to be in when you?re putting the scum of the earth behind bars.
Jake leans on my car door. I didn?t realise he was there. I scroll my window down.
?Hi Jake.?
?Hi Kate. Can I get a lift? We both need a drink,? he says in his most sweet and sincere voice.
I nod, ?Get in.?
We speed off, tyres screeching after us.
I?m drinking my 8th Jim Beam and Coke and Jake is beating me. I can?t remember how many he?s had tonight.
?You know, Kate? I?m drink you under the table,? he says. I sway slightly. I never could hold my liquor, ?Why this table? Why not my own? Drink me under my own table. It?s less of a commute to my bed for tomorrow hangover.?
Jake nodded? A lot. I don?t think he meant to nod that much. We both stand up and stagger out of the bar. It?s not that far from the bar to my house so we walk.
We arrived shortly after turning into the wrong street.
?I can?t believe you did that! I can be brown. I can be blue. I can be violet inside!? Jake started singing. I found my key and with two unsuccessful attempts at inserting said key into the door I oped my house up.
?ARK!? I screamed. I fell over when the door opened up. Jake stepped over me and I got up and crashed on my bed.
?What?d think happened hic at that crime scene tonight?? he asked, crashing next to me.
?I dunno and I just wanna forget it tonight. I?m gunna have that image for the rest of my life and I just don?t want it? I replied in my least drunk voice.
?Yeah, that was pretty messed up. Why were you there? I mean, you couldn?t have just thought ?oh this looks suspect. Lets check it out? or anything?? asked Jake. It was a fair question. But I don?t know how to reply.
?I got a call. One of my sources heard about it and I had to check it out. Oh god? I think I?m gunna be sick!? I cried as I stumbled off the bed and into the nearby bathroom. I fell on the floor and supported myself on the toilet. I dry heave for a few seconds then throw up. I don?t think it was from the alcohol though. That image in my head of those poor bodies, splattered across the wall like paint. I had to find out who did this.
Jake came into the bathroom and held back my hair. I rolled off the toilet onto the floor.
?Uh, I think a steam roller ran me over. My head is killing me,? I moaned. Jake giggled and picked me up.
?You never could hold your liquor.?
?Shut up, Jake. You idiot,? I said evilly. I was too tired to argue. Jake dumped me on the bed and I rolled over and went to sleep.
The next morning I woke up wanting to shoot myself because of my mega headache. This day was only going to get worse? Really quickly.
I arrived at work with my 4th cup of coffee. Walked in and the main meeting room was bustling with last nights events. And the murder case.
?So Kate, I hear you got legless over the murder case. What?s the matter? Are you a baby?? said Lt. Barker. I wasn?t in the mood for this. I had a murder case to solve.
?LISTEN YOU PUNK!? I said as I pushed him against the wall. The room went quiet; ? I AM NOT UP FOR YOUR SHIT TODAY! SO ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS STAY OUT OF MY WAY AND YOU WON?T END UP DEAD!?
I walked to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. Sigh I turned on the tap and washed my face.
Jake tapped at the door. ?Drew? C?mon the need us at the scene again.?
I walked out, ?Don?t call me Drew. I hate it. It?s what Mum called me.? I picked up my bag and grabbed my keys, ?Are we going now??
Jake nodded and ran after me.
We arrived at the scene. There were media vans everywhere.
?OFFICER! What has happened here?? asked one vulture.
?We are trying to figure that out ourselves sir. Now could you all please make yourselves useful and leave here. This is a crime scene. Not a circus,? I said to them.
Jake held up the barrier tape and I walked under. He followed me and a CSI detective approaches us. She was a pretty blonde girl with bright green eyes. Jake adored her. From afar of course.
?We?ve searched the scene. Who ever did this was planing it. There was no forced entry and barely anything to find. But, we did find this,? she held up a small evidence baggie. I took it from here. It was strange.
?Good work. Uh, what is it?? I asked
?We don?t know. Isn?t it great?? She chirped.
?Why is it great if you don?t know what is it??
?It?s a clue. We don?t know exactly what it is but a simple luminol test has shown that this has blood on it. We?re betting on our victim?s blood. We also think it?s a razor blade. But it?s been so badly mutilated we?ll have to take it back to the labs to get it analysed.? She explains.
I hand it back to her and tell her to get a rush on that as I walk away. I see another detective that I recognise. He?s not ours though.
?Ah, Mustang. What a non-pleasure it is to see you hear. What does the FBI want with this? It?s a simple, gruesome, but simple murder.? I say with the upmost distain in my voice.
?Kate, well what can I say? You and your lovely personality attract me to all the homicidal nutcase crime scenes. The guy that the FBI think did this is on the ?TEN MOST WANTED? list. So we?re shadowing this case.? Mustang says with a forced, sweet smile.
I come up very close to his face, which isn?t hard in my boots, ?Then stay out of my way.?
I turn and walk away and Jake comes up next to me.
?Wow, so trying to make him spontaneously combust with your mind didn?t work so you tried making him melt with your words. Okay, I understand? he says
?Do you really now?? I ask.
?Yes? He nods furiously, ?? No? then he shakes his head with just as much force.
?OW!! CRAMP!!? He whimpers
I laugh, ?Mustang and I go way back. Unfortunately. We used to date and work together. Then he got a job for the FBI and we tried to make the long-distance relationship work but one day I came up to his place to surprise him and find him in the legs of some blonde. I stormed out and slammed the door behind me and I didn?t talk to him for months. He sent me flowers and gifts on our anniversary. I send them back to him in a cup. I kinda liquefied them.?
Jake looked dumbfounded, somewhat scared.
I walked up the main steps of the house and walked in. This place gives me chills. There are little yellow signs everywhere. Pointing out things that most people over look. There?s the picture frame. I look at it again.
?That?s new,? I say to myself. I reach for my gloves and put them on. There?s a small piece of paper in the corner of the frame. I pick it out.
?I need a bag!? I yell over my shoulder and the blonde woman comes in the house with a baggie and hands it to me.
I put the piece of paper, which, on further examination, is blue card in the baggie.
?Get this to the lab and figure out what it is.?
?Kate.? Jake calls out to me, ?We?ve got one of the victims? sisters back at the station.?
?Ok, I?m coming,? I call back.
I walk out and Mustang comes over to me. I shoulder him out of the way with so much force I hurt myself.
?Ok, that was really rude. And painful.? He says
?That was the point. Didn?t I tell you to stay out of my way?? I walk over to my car and open the door. Mustang slams my door closed.
?Listen here, I have power over you. So you?ll do what I say when I say it ok??
I turn around and stare him straight in the face, ?No, I won?t. I might have a little more respect for you if you weren?t lying, cheating scum. Now get your hand of my car.? I pull the door open again and get him. Mustang is left stunned. I guess he finally discovered what I thought of him.
?What was that about?? Jake asked.
?Nothing. How do we have one of the victims? sisters when we don?t know who our victims are?? I asked. I felt I was being left out.
?Uh, they found out about an hour ago.? He said. ?Don?t freak out ok? When we get there. Cause that wouldn?t help.?
?Uh ok Jake. I won?t.? Why would he say that?
During the car ride to the station, it made me think. What the hell was going through the guys mind when he slay the victims? I mean the guy tore out their insides. It?s something that makes you wonder about the human mind. There are guys on the street who sell drugs to little kids, beat up wives, and cheat on their loved ones and so on. But why? I was gunna get the to the end of this.
I turned into my normal spot and got out of the car. Jake looked at me and I replied innocently to that look, ?I wont!? I dunno why I?m defending myself but hey.
CRASH!
Jake and I look at each other wildly. We both run up the stairs to see a blonde woman passed out on the floor, with half of Officer Livingstone?s stationary on the floor. Livingstone is next to the woman.
?What?s happened here?? I asked
?Well, this is the sister of one of the victims. We asked her to ID her brother, yeah her brother, and she passed out.? He replied.
?How very dramatic of her? I added.
Livingstone rolled her over.
?Well isn?t this a lovely surprise? I said in total astonishment.
?You know her?? Livingstone asked
?Yeah, I do. She?s the woman my ex left me for. Jake, why didn?t you tell me this?? I turned to him. He was like one of those characters you see in Japanese cartoons. Sweating and with one hand behind his head.
?Oh, uh? Well? See?? He stuttered.
?Oh it doesn?t matter right now,? I take off my jacket, roll it up and put it under her head.
?Give her some air and get some water. I need to make a call? I grab my phone and dial Mustang?s number.
?Hello? Roy Mustang here.? He answers
?Hi, Roy? It?s Kate. Get your arse over here and get your girlfriend off my station floor, NOW!? I say
?What? Where is she??
?Here. She?s apart of the investigation? Now I see why you?re here. It?s your girlfriend.?
?No? Well, she?s a small reason. It?s mainly for the killer,? He says
?Yeah whatever, just come and help her,? I say with total contempt and hang up.
?Ugh? What happen?Kate? You?re working my brother?s case?? Shelly asks
?Yes, I am. I?m going to find out who killed your brother? I said and help her into a chair.
?Why?? she asked
?Because it?s my job. See this badge?? I showed her my badge, ?It says protect and serve. I?m protecting the community from the people who killed your brother?
She looked up at me and for the first time I think that she looked thankful. I wasn?t quite sure since I hadn?t seen her for about 6 months. That?s when it all changed?
See, Shelly and I were best mates through high school. We did everything together. She didn?t like Jake though, so I was a best mate to them both separately. Jake and I became cops and she became a writer for a newspaper. One week she said she had to go away for work to LA. I was pretty cool with it and she might catch up with Roy. I planned to go to LA to see him anyway, so I told her that I?d meet her there and that if she did see Roy that she couldn?t tell him I was coming.
When I went to his apartment, I could hear noises. Moans. I opened the door and walked into his bedroom and there he was. Having sex with her. It all changed that day, and I?m assuming for the better?
Jake helps Shelly into an interview room when Mustang comes bursting through the doors. He sees her and runs to her. I roll my eyes and look the other way.
Secretly, I?m heartbroken.
?Mr. Mustang, we need to interview Shelly. I?m afraid you can?t be in there with her. If you?d like you can wait here while we do what we need to?, Jake says.
He nods and we close the door. She sits down and Jake turns the recorder on and gives her rights
?So, Miss Sullivan, do you know anyone who would want to hurt your brother? Was he well liked through the community?? I ask.
?Well, yeah. As far as I know.?
?Ok, who was your brother with on the night of his murder??
?Uh? His business partner I think. She was there to go over a proposal for a big account they were getting.?
?What was her name??
?Alicia. Alicia McDermott.?
?Thanks Shelly, this is great. We?ll call you if we need you again? I say
She nods and wipes the tears from her eyes. As much as I dislike her, I felt sorry for her. Her brother was all the family she had. Her parent?s weren?t exactly the best.
We walk out and he runs into Mustang?s arms. He whispers something to her and she leaves. He walks to me.
?What?d she say?? he asks me
?Do you know who Alicia McDermott is?? I ask back
?No. Her name sounds familiar. Maybe something to do with Matt, listen Kate??
I stop him before he says anything more.
?Roy, don?t. I don?t want you to say anything. I know what you?re going to say. And I don?t want to hear it. I don?t care if you?re happy I?m working this care, or if you know how ?hard? is it on me. I really don?t?. I give good speeches.
?I? Uh, fine. I won?t tell you that. What I was going to say was I?m sorry. And I wanted to take you to coffee tomorrow. I don?t want there to be to much awkwardness in this investigation and I wanted to tell you my side of the story anyway. So I?ll be here to pick you up at 5 o?clock tomorrow afternoon. I don?t wanna hear any argument.? He says. He too is skilled at the art of speeches. I stuttered and just sighed,
?Fine. But if you say anything I don?t like or wanna hear I?m leaving.?
He nods, waves and leaves.
I walked over to my desk and slumped into my chair. I wipe the tears out of my eyes. I can?t believe I?m crying. Jake sits on my desk.
?Kate, you ok? That Mustang jerk getting on ya nerves hey?? He asks.
?Yeah. He asked me to coffee to talk about things. He doesn?t want anything to be awkward between us. Should I go?? I asked.
?Kate, it?s your decision. Frankly, the guy?s an ass and I wouldn?t but it?s you. At least he?s trying right??
?Yeah, I?m not sure though. I think I might go, just to see what he says.?
Jake nods. I look at the case file. I knew Shelly?s bro. We weren?t close, but we got along. I can?t exactly say his death is unexpected.
Bring, bring
The phone starts and I answer.
?Hello, Kate here.?
?Kate? Hi, it?s Dora from the lab. Can you and your partner come down? We want to show you something from that murder scene on Montgomery Drive.?
?Sure, we?ll be there soon. Bye?
I put the receiver down.
?Jake, my dear. We?re going to the lab. Dora, that girl you want to make the kisses with, she?s apparently found something. Or nothing. She just wants to show us something. So c?mon? I say with a grin.
Jake?s expression is sudden horror. I giggle as he tussles his hair. We leave and arrive shortly after.
Jake stops me before the door.
?I look good, right??
?Yes Jake. You look fine. Can we go in now??
?Yes, let?s.?
He strides in. I didn?t know Jake could stride. The things you learn.
Dora greets us with handshakes. She blushes at Jakes touch. Methinks Jakes not the only one who wants to make the kisses.
?So, what?d you want to show us, Dora?? I ask. Jake and Dora suddenly break eye contact and look away.
?Uh, yeah. That thing with the blood? It?s a blade, just not a razor. It?s from a sword. We also traced that card you found. It?s got a local area code. It?s from a place called ?Core Weaponry?? she explains.
?Well the sword would explain how Matt and Alicia were killed. Thanks Dora, keep in touch.? I say and turn to walk away.
?Uh, Dora, a quick word? I?ll be with you in a min, Kate? says Jake.
?Sure, I?ll meet you in the car? I said with a smile.
I wasn?t too unsure about what he was going to do. I open the door and put on my glasses. I look up and someone is looking at me. I squint my eyes as if it helps me see further. He makes a run for it.
?Crap!? I say to myself and jump down the stairs and sprint after him. I grab my phone and call Jake.
?Jake, listen. No, Jake? DAMN IT JAKE LISTEN TO ME! GRAB A CAR?I DON?T CARE! A CAR AND GIVE ME A HAND! I?m in a foot pursuit and need help. I?m running down 42nd street! BYE!? I put the phone back in my pocket and continue the chase. Why do they insist on running? I shout out to him to stop but he doesn?t listen. I hear the sirens of the police car. Jake yes! He gets beside me and I point up to the T-section. He speeds up and the fleer hits his car and I pounce on him.
?Right, why the hell did you run!?? I say
?I ain?t talking to you! I just had a job!? He shouts back at me.
?Fine! You?re under arrest? I say and slap the cuffs on him. I read him his rights as I put him into the backseat of the car. Jake gets out and puts his hands on my shoulders.
?You ok?? he says.
?Yeah fine. Just a little tired. Lets go, I need to get this guy processed before Roy comes and picks me up,? I say
He nods and we leave. I?m buggered.
Two hours later I find out the guy we arrested was looking for Jake. And not me. Apparently, the people after Jake thought he was too close. I wasn?t important enough. Jeez, even the bad guys don?t like me.
I re-apply my makeup and Roy comes in.
?Hey Kate. Ready?? He says
?Yep. Just let me sign out and grab my jacket.? I say. I walk into the staffroom and Jake is sitting there texting someone.
?What?s doing?? I say and walk over to the sign out sheet.
?I?m texting Dora. I asked her out and she said yes. We?re just flirting and organising our date. Apparently, she?s liked me for ages and she was working up the courage and I asked her before she could ask me!? He says, elated.
?I?m really happy for you Jake. I?m gunna go. Roy?s here to pick me up for coffee. I?ll text you and tell you how it goes?
?Ok, but if you need me, just text me and I?ll kick his ass.? He says
?And I?ll come and bail you out of gaol when you do, ok??
He laughs and nods. I wave goodbye and grab my jacket. Roy opens the door for me and we walk out. It?s been along time since I?ve been alone with him. My heart breaks and skips a beat every time I see him.
We?re at his car and just before I get in he stops me.
?Kate, listen before we go, I just wanted you to know I never stopped loving you,? Roy said and he came close to my face. So close I could smell him. His scent hasn?t change. It?s musk and leather. I stepped back and put my hand on his chest. I wasn?t about to do to Shelly what she did to me.
?Roy, you?re in a happy relationship, why tell me this?? I say with a sigh.
?It isn?t happy. Shelly disappears for days at a time. I?m here for work, but I was also looking for her. But when I got to that crime scene and saw you I knew I needed you. C?mon, if we don?t leave now, we?ll miss the reservations,? and gets into his car. I do the same.
When we arrive he opens the car door for me and I step out. He took me to my favourite restaurant. We ordered the wine and talked about everything.
?So, why did you cheat on me with Shelly?? I asked with sheer interest and slight hurt.
?I honestly don?t know. I know that?s no excuse and I know it was wrong. See, the story goes, I knew you were coming and I asked Shelly to help me out. I was going to propose to you and I just dunno. I was practising on her so I wouldn?t stuff up asking you and she was all excited and she kissed me. I was confused. I mean, I loved you and I wanted to spent the rest of my life with you but I was kissed by this woman who I knew had feelings for me and I guess my curiosity took over. I didn?t want it to happen. My heart and my head were saying ?no! It?s wrong!? but it did happen. And every time I looked at her I was disgusted at her and myself. But I settled eventually for her, although I never really did. I hoped that one day you would forgive me,? He explained. I drained my wine glass. I was speechless.
?Roy, I?m so sorry? Can I have some time to think about all of this?? I pleaded.
Roy nods and puts his hand on mine. I rose to leave.
?Where are you going?? He asked. I pecked his head.
?To think,? I reply and put a $20 on the table. I walk a couple of blocks. My phone vibrates in my pocked.
?Hello? Kate here?
?Yes? Kate? It?s Conrad. Can you come down to the County General Hospital? Jake?s in here.?
?Sure, I?ll be there shortly? I said. I hang up and call a taxi.
I run into the hospital and go to the desk.
?Uh, hi. My partner, Jake Lawson was just brought in here. Where is he?? I asked
?He?s in surgery. He was shot twice in the stomach. If you?d like you can wait out here in the waiting room,? the woman behind the desk says cheerfully.
?Yeah, thanks,? I replied sarcastically.
I take a seat in the plastic seats and grab a magazine. What seem like hours pass by when I finally hear something. A doctor calls to the desk clerk and she points to me. The doctor walks over to me.
?Hello there. I?m Dr. McManus. The desk clerk says your Jakes partner?? He asks.
?Yes, Detective Kate Whittam. What happened? How is he?? I hurried out. I couldn?t breathe.
?He?s fine. He was shot twice in the stomach. He?s in his room now, do you want to see him?? he asks kindly. I nod and he takes me carefully by the arm and leads me down to Jakes room.
I see him lying there with the heart rate monitor beep and IV?s attached to his arm. I pull up an chair and cry. Tonight has been so much. I take his hand and just look at him. I see his clothes lying on a chair in the corner of the room. I take out his phone and get Dora?s number. I call her.
?Hey Dora. It?s Kate. Jake?s partner,? I sniffle to her.
?Hi, what?s wrong?? she asks.
?Uh, Jake?s been shot. He?s in room 203 in the ICU at the hospital.?
?Oh god! I?ll be there as soon as I can, bye!? she said.
I also text Roy.
I take Jake?s hand again.
?Hey Jake? I started to cry again.
I get no response.
?Guess what? I went to dinner with Roy. He was going to propose to me. Shelly went to LA to help him with it. Then she kissed him. She kissed him. Can you believe it? I dunno what he wants. I think it?s me, but I can?t figure him out. I?m so confused. Jake, I need you. Please wake up?? I break down. Today has been long and hard on me. And obviously Jake.
"Ugh, I'm up..." He goes to sit up.
?ARG!? and he lay back down.
?Jake, I?ll get the nurse,? I say and let go of his hand. I walk out to the nurse?s station across the hall when Dora comes hurtling down the hall and runs smack bang into me.
?Oh god! Kate! I?m so sorry!? she says.
?It?s ok. It?s a good thing we?re in a hospital. They?ll be able to fix my broken pelvis now?? I said awkwardly.
?He?s in there. Just get him to lie down,? I point to his room and turn back to the nurse?s desk. She patted me on the back and went into his room. I hear a groan of pain from his room.
?Uh Nurse? Jake Lawson just woke up. I think he needs some meds,? I said and she smiled and told me she?d be in soon.
I tap the desk briefly and walk to his room. I look in at the door way and Jake and Dora. Dora is showing Jake a dance she did when she was in school, I think. And Jake is perving on her.
I smile and go to find a coffee machine and snack machine. I see Roy walking up to me and I smile and quickly remember not to.
?Hey Kate. How?s Jake? Are you ok?? He asked and put his hands on my shoulders.
?He?s fine, I?m fine. Where?s Shelly?? I asked
?I would hope on her way back to LA. I dumped her. It turns out she was cheating on me. Now I know how you felt. I?m sorry I inflicted that on you,? he sincerely says to me.
I put my hand on his and he wraps his arms around me in an embracing hug. I feel safe but also completely wrong. Have I moved on too quickly? Am I accepting this? That I do still have feelings for him and that I still want him? Arg? I think I?ll just stay in the hug and mull over that later.
He lets me go and I go and get some coffee. He gets some too and we wait in the waiting room down from Jakes room.
?So, Kate. I wanted to ask you on a date. Do you think that?s ok?? he asks hopefully.
?Why not? But first, tell me, how did you know Shelly was cheating on you?? I asked.
?I read her messages. She reads mine to make sure so I felt justified. I read them and left. I wrote her a text and yeah. Told her I wanted her out of my house before I get back or she?d pay,? he explained, ?I can?t say I?m surprised though.?
?I?m sorry,? I said and I took a sip from my coffee when the nurse I spoke to before come up to us.
?Uh, ma?am? Your friend Jake, he?s asking for you,? she said
?Thanks, I?ll go see him now? I replied
I took Roy?s hand and took him with me. I peeked in through the door and Jake saw me.
?KATE!? he yelled at me, ?This wonderful nurse came in and made the pain go away. And this gorgeous girl here!? He points to Dora, ?She is apparently going out with me! The only thing wrong with this is I got shot! Who shot the Sheriff?? He hums along.
?Jake, we don?t know who shot you. And you aren?t the Sheriff. I?m sorry to say. You?re just my lonely partner,? I faux confess to him and look depressed and pat him on the head.
?Aww, don?t be sad, Katey! I like having you as my partner! It?s fun to watch you run!? He says to try to make me feel better. I laugh at him and then he sees Roy.
?Kate!? He whispers loudly, ?Mustang is behind you!?
?Yeah, I do realise that Jake. I brought him in here with you? Jake??
???
?Uh, ok? I think he?s passed out. Anyway, Dora do you think you?ll be ok with him? I now know I?m gunna have a butt-load of work ?cause of this and I?d better get some sleep,? I ask
?Yeah I?ll be fine. He?ll sleep like an angel and I?ve got tomorrow off so. I?ll call you tomorrow to tell you how he?s going,? she kindly agrees.
?I should be in. If he wakes up tell him I told him to not be such a wimp, It?s just a flesh wound? I laughed and left with Roy following me.
?Oh uh, Roy? Can I get a lift? I caught a taxi here,? I ask, blushing
?Sure, I think I could do that? he said and he put his arm around me and led me to his car.
Driving down the highway, I look at him and he looks at me. I don?t know why I?m taking the chance again. Then it happened. He put his hand on my thigh. And I don?t mean a ?I?m going to feel you up and make the kisses with you? in more of a ?I care about you enough that I don?t wanna mess this up.?
It was scary. I didn?t think I?d be alone with him again. And now he?s asked me out on a date and he?s driving me home. I must be nuts?
He pulls up to my apartment block and we share a moment of awkward silence. We both stare at each other and I take a chance and kiss him. And he kisses me back. We pull away and he looks at me.
?Listen, I don?t wanna mess things up with you again, ok? So lets take it slow? he says softly.
?Ok? I said, ?But after one more kiss? and I kiss him again. And again, he kisses me back.
I say goodnight and get out of the car. Today has been strange. Very strange. Today I was yelling and screaming at him and now I crave him. Damn it?
After a restless nights sleep I head down to the station and Conrad comes up to me.
?So Missy how?s Jake??
?He?s fine, sir. Now if you?ll excuse me I have to find the person who made him un-fine.?
I look at his desk and start rummaging. There is a un-opened letter in the bin. I get it out and look at it. It?s hand written on the envelope. I open the letter up.
?Dear Mr. Lawson,
Our organization is aware of your involvement in the murder investigation of Matt Harrison and Alicia McDermott. We strongly advise you against such involvement if you do not wish harm to you, your lovely partner Kate or your family and friends.
Thank you for your co-operation.
M.?
?Wow, cheerful letter,? I say to myself. I fold it back up and put it in back in its envelope to take to Jake later today. I rummage through a bit more and find nothing. Not a single thing, which frankly, annoys the crap out of me.
Work doesn?t seem normal now that Jake?s not here. After my shift is over which flew by at the speed of, oh, I dunno, a snail, I went straight to the hospital to see Jake.
Dora is asleep by his bedside. I guess she had been there all night. I innocently rocked her shoulder and she startled both of us.
?Ahh!? she screamed
?Ahh!? I yelled, and jumped back.
?Oh Kate, it?s you. Sorry, I?ve been sleep most of the day. Jake has been coming in an out of consciousness all day. His wound got infected, it?s pretty gross? and she made a disgusted face at me. I laughed at her.
?Well, I?ll take over for a while hey? You go and get some coffee and some food,? I said to her. She got up and stretched.
?Thanks. I?ll do that,? she said and walked out.
I took her seat next to her and walked Jake sleep. I read the letter over and over again but it didn?t make sense. Why was the letter only sent to Jake? And why didn?t they send it to me? I mean I?m on the damn letter.
? I hate the bad guys?
Jake stirs and I sit upright to see him. He rolls his head over to the side and smiles at me.
?Hey there you!? he says weakly, ? Where?d Dora go??
?I sent her to get coffee. She looked a bit like you do now, actually,? I said back.
?Listen Jake. I was going through your stuff at the office to get some info and I found this letter,? I got up and handed the letter to him, ?who are they??
He looked though the letter, ?I don?t know. I didn?t recognise the address so I threw it away. Do you think this organization did this?? he asks worriedly.
I sigh, ?It really seems that way. I?ll do some more investigation though. Do you know who ?M? is? He seems kinda creepy,? I said with a shudder.
He shakes his head and sighs; ?I don?t think you or Dora should come by here anymore. If this creep is after me, you shouldn?t be seen with me, y?know??
I give him this look that he only knows to be the ?You?re a bloody moron, why would I do something that stupid?? look. He shies away from me.
?Ok, don?t take friendly advice. But if you end up in the bed next to me, I?m gunna do the ?I told ya so? dance.
I looked at him, ?You wouldn?t be able to move. I?d have beaten you to death with my stick, or other close objects. I?m very quick when it comes to that,? I say with a huge grin across my face, ?And anyway, the thought of you dancing kills me anyway. WITH LAUGHTER!!? I say
?Ha, ha bloody ha. You?re so bloody funny. Friggin? Aussies and their stupid humour,? he mutters.
?Listen buddy, don?t mess with the Aussies. We will own you,? I say with a joking force.
?Oh, I?m shaking in my little Aussie pluggers,? he says back to me.
?You damn well should be! I?ll get Skippy on you.?
He laughs at me and shakes his head, ?What?s Skippy gunna do? Put me in his pouch??
I nod and point to my arm where there is a scar from my childhood, ?See that? I got it when Skippy took me away!? I said with a mock horrified look on my face.
?I thought you got it when you snuck into your next door neighbours yard and got nipped by the wire fence??
?Oh? yea? Did I tell you that story?? I asked
?Nope, just guessed,? he replied sarcastically.
?Ok. There?s no need to been mean about it. I mean jeez Jake. Just shoot me down, why don?t you?? I say and fall back into the chair with my heart over my chest.
Jake coughs and splutters. I spring up looking worried, ?Are you ok?? I ask and pour him a glass of water into a pink plastic cup. He nods and takes the cup from me and sips it down his throat.
?Yeah, since the infection is playing around with my immune system I?ve got a bit of a cough. Nothing to be too worried about,? he croaked.
I let out a non-committal groan and Jake groaned back.
?I?ll go get the nurse, she might be able to help more than I can,? I said
He nodded. He knew he had no choice in the matter, so I left to the nurses? station across the hall. I explained about Jake being in pain and his cough and she left to get him so cough medicine and some more water.
I hear my phone ring so I picked it out of my pocket and saw who it was. It was Roy.
?Hey Roy,?
?Hey Kate. Sorry this isn?t a social call. Your captain tried getting hold of you but couldn?t. They?ve found new evidence in the case. They had to send it to the FBI labs to get it verified; now my boss is riding my ass to get all the information to him. So, do you think I can get the case file from your office?? he asked.
?Sure. Tell your boss you can get it once I?ve added the new evidence. Does Conrad want to see me now? I?m at the hospital with Jake.?
?Ok. Uh, no, he?s coming to see Jake. He wants to know when Jake can come back to work.?
?HE WAS JUST SHOT LAST NIGHT! Selfish bastard. Right, well, can you come here then, cause I may very well kill Conrad if he does ask,? I say furiously.
?Sure, I?ll swing by soon. See you then? he says nicely
?See you? I say and hang up. I storm back down the corridor to Jakes? room. He saw I was ready to kill.
?What?s up with you?? he asks innocently.
?Conrad is coming to see you. He wants to know when you?ll be back at work. Roy is coming down to stop me from committing a felony? I said
?Ok, well the nurse just came in with some sleeping pills so I?ll be pass?? he passed out.
Oh thank god I thought to myself. I slumped into the closest chair and waited for Conrad. Thankfully, Roy showed up just before he did. Roy massaged my shoulders when Conrad came bursting through the door.
?JAKE MY MAN! HO? What?s the matter with him?? He turned to me
?He?s asleep. You know, since he got shot twice and now has an infection,? I stand up in anger, ? You know very well that you don?t just bounce back from this. What nerve do you have to?? Roy pulled me back mid-rant. I was thankful. Conrad looked like he was going to either kill me or fire me. I was hoping for the latter.
?It?s not that. We want him back in action so we can find out who shot him. That guy you brought in said that he was after Jake, yes? Well now Jake isn?t working, they won?t target him,? he explained.
?They?ll still target him. They haven?t finished the job. They want him dead.? I used as much emphasis on the last word as I could.
?Ok, just be careful. I don?t wanna see you in here with Jake. Roy? he says to me and shakes Mustang?s hand and walked out. I turned to Roy and laughed.
?Thanks for restraining me. I just really hate when he thinks he knows everything. When really he doesn?t. Does he really think that just because they put Jake in hospital,? I look at Jake, ?That they, who ever they are, are going to quit trying to get rid of him?? I asked
?I know. Conrad can be ignorant sometimes, but he was just trying to look out for your best interests. I would be too if I was Conrad and you were my detective. But I?d also be trying not to get your attention, cause you?re just too damn cute,? he says and kisses my head.
??Ugh! Guys I?m sick enough. I don?t need to be more sick,? Jake awoke. We stepped away from each other and I blushed.
?Listen, I have to get back to work. Where?s that case? I?ll grab a copy on my way back?
?On my desk. Just ask one of the officers, ok?? I say
?Alrighty. I?ll call you tonight to get some details for our date,? he said and left. I turned to watch him leave.
?Do you think I?m doing the right thing getting back with him?? I asked Jake. He looked at me, ?Why? Don?t you think you are??
?No. Yes. Oh, I don?t know. I?ve been here and been hurt. I don?t know if I should be doing this again? Arg? I?m so confused.?
?What?s your head say?? he asked
?Uh? You?re an idiot?
?What?s your heart say??
?I agree. You?re an idiot?
?What do your feet say??
?What the hell?? I asked laughing
?Well, they lead you, don?t they?? He replied. I think he was actually being serious.
?They say??I?m cold?? I say and shuffle my feet.
He laughs and pats his bed. I walk over and he moves to let me under the sheets and he puts his arm around me.
?Kate, it?s your life. And my feet are cold too. Ha. Ha.?
Jake and I talked for hours. Then we fell asleep.
<spoiler=Missing you>
The day was unlike any other
The day you left me behind
I woke up one morning and knew you weren't there
But you worked early so I knew you left
I never knew you wouldn't come back
That day was your last day
By the end of the day you made us all cry
You face was on every paper
I was only little
Why did you leave?
How could you not care enough about me?
You left a little girl who would never be the same
I didn't understand what happened or if you cried
As the years went on I still didn't understand
But I started to understand that you weren't coming back
And I got angry
I hate you so much
You were my best friend and you left me
How could you?
On my first day of school you weren't there
I knew you weren't coming
On my last day of school you weren't there
I knew you weren't coming
On my 14th birthday you weren't there
And I cried silently the entire time
I'm almost grown up now
And you aren't here
As I write this I cry all those unshed tears
That you never shared with me
Daddy, I love you forever and always
And still don't know why you left...
Glass crackles and crunches under my boots as I walk through the halls of this broken home.
I step on something uneven. As I lift my foot I see a joyful scene. Sigh, I bend over and pick up the broken picture frame. They look so happy. Holding champagne and celebrating with their friends and family.
?Fools,? I mutter. I stand up and place the cracked picture and place it on a nearby table.
Do I dare explore more? A flickering light teases my curiosity. I carefully tread down the hallway. I feel something slick on the door jam and lift my hand to the light.
Blood.
My hand creeps to the holster in my jacket to reach for my gun. I turn into the room and pull out my gun.
?Oh God, no!? I whisper?
?I dunno, sir. You see some pretty effed up things in this job but I?ve never seen anything like this before. Kate was first on the scene. She?s over in the squad car. Looks like she?s seen a ghost. But worse,? Says my partner Jake.
Jake and the captain walk over to me and I look up from my trance. Jake sits beside me and puts his hand on my shoulder to comfort and reassure me. Captain Conrad McFadden pulls out his notepad. He?ll want me to recall every gruesome, bloody detail? I just want to forget?
?Kate,? his deep, husky voice began, ?I know this is horrible and you just want to go home and forget all of this but because you were the one to discover the crime scene you have to asked questions like every other witness.?
He looks at me like he understands, but he doesn?t.
?Ok. I walked in, looked around and found them dead, ran out and called you. And now I?m leaving,? I said with so much contempt in my voice I hoped he would melt into a puddle. I don?t like him much. He?s a total sexist and an arrogant bastard, but what can ya do?
I get up and get my keys. They jingle as I separate my car key from the rest.
Insert the key; open the door. Hahaha! All these actions seem pointless when I could end up just like them. Homicide is a dangerous department to be in when you?re putting the scum of the earth behind bars.
Jake leans on my car door. I didn?t realise he was there. I scroll my window down.
?Hi Jake.?
?Hi Kate. Can I get a lift? We both need a drink,? he says in his most sweet and sincere voice.
I nod, ?Get in.?
We speed off, tyres screeching after us.
I?m drinking my 8th Jim Beam and Coke and Jake is beating me. I can?t remember how many he?s had tonight.
?You know, Kate? I?m drink you under the table,? he says. I sway slightly. I never could hold my liquor, ?Why this table? Why not my own? Drink me under my own table. It?s less of a commute to my bed for tomorrow hangover.?
Jake nodded? A lot. I don?t think he meant to nod that much. We both stand up and stagger out of the bar. It?s not that far from the bar to my house so we walk.
We arrived shortly after turning into the wrong street.
?I can?t believe you did that! I can be brown. I can be blue. I can be violet inside!? Jake started singing. I found my key and with two unsuccessful attempts at inserting said key into the door I oped my house up.
?ARK!? I screamed. I fell over when the door opened up. Jake stepped over me and I got up and crashed on my bed.
?What?d think happened hic at that crime scene tonight?? he asked, crashing next to me.
?I dunno and I just wanna forget it tonight. I?m gunna have that image for the rest of my life and I just don?t want it? I replied in my least drunk voice.
?Yeah, that was pretty messed up. Why were you there? I mean, you couldn?t have just thought ?oh this looks suspect. Lets check it out? or anything?? asked Jake. It was a fair question. But I don?t know how to reply.
?I got a call. One of my sources heard about it and I had to check it out. Oh god? I think I?m gunna be sick!? I cried as I stumbled off the bed and into the nearby bathroom. I fell on the floor and supported myself on the toilet. I dry heave for a few seconds then throw up. I don?t think it was from the alcohol though. That image in my head of those poor bodies, splattered across the wall like paint. I had to find out who did this.
Jake came into the bathroom and held back my hair. I rolled off the toilet onto the floor.
?Uh, I think a steam roller ran me over. My head is killing me,? I moaned. Jake giggled and picked me up.
?You never could hold your liquor.?
?Shut up, Jake. You idiot,? I said evilly. I was too tired to argue. Jake dumped me on the bed and I rolled over and went to sleep.
The next morning I woke up wanting to shoot myself because of my mega headache. This day was only going to get worse? Really quickly.
I arrived at work with my 4th cup of coffee. Walked in and the main meeting room was bustling with last nights events. And the murder case.
?So Kate, I hear you got legless over the murder case. What?s the matter? Are you a baby?? said Lt. Barker. I wasn?t in the mood for this. I had a murder case to solve.
?LISTEN YOU PUNK!? I said as I pushed him against the wall. The room went quiet; ? I AM NOT UP FOR YOUR SHIT TODAY! SO ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS STAY OUT OF MY WAY AND YOU WON?T END UP DEAD!?
I walked to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. Sigh I turned on the tap and washed my face.
Jake tapped at the door. ?Drew? C?mon the need us at the scene again.?
I walked out, ?Don?t call me Drew. I hate it. It?s what Mum called me.? I picked up my bag and grabbed my keys, ?Are we going now??
Jake nodded and ran after me.
We arrived at the scene. There were media vans everywhere.
?OFFICER! What has happened here?? asked one vulture.
?We are trying to figure that out ourselves sir. Now could you all please make yourselves useful and leave here. This is a crime scene. Not a circus,? I said to them.
Jake held up the barrier tape and I walked under. He followed me and a CSI detective approaches us. She was a pretty blonde girl with bright green eyes. Jake adored her. From afar of course.
?We?ve searched the scene. Who ever did this was planing it. There was no forced entry and barely anything to find. But, we did find this,? she held up a small evidence baggie. I took it from here. It was strange.
?Good work. Uh, what is it?? I asked
?We don?t know. Isn?t it great?? She chirped.
?Why is it great if you don?t know what is it??
?It?s a clue. We don?t know exactly what it is but a simple luminol test has shown that this has blood on it. We?re betting on our victim?s blood. We also think it?s a razor blade. But it?s been so badly mutilated we?ll have to take it back to the labs to get it analysed.? She explains.
I hand it back to her and tell her to get a rush on that as I walk away. I see another detective that I recognise. He?s not ours though.
?Ah, Mustang. What a non-pleasure it is to see you hear. What does the FBI want with this? It?s a simple, gruesome, but simple murder.? I say with the upmost distain in my voice.
?Kate, well what can I say? You and your lovely personality attract me to all the homicidal nutcase crime scenes. The guy that the FBI think did this is on the ?TEN MOST WANTED? list. So we?re shadowing this case.? Mustang says with a forced, sweet smile.
I come up very close to his face, which isn?t hard in my boots, ?Then stay out of my way.?
I turn and walk away and Jake comes up next to me.
?Wow, so trying to make him spontaneously combust with your mind didn?t work so you tried making him melt with your words. Okay, I understand? he says
?Do you really now?? I ask.
?Yes? He nods furiously, ?? No? then he shakes his head with just as much force.
?OW!! CRAMP!!? He whimpers
I laugh, ?Mustang and I go way back. Unfortunately. We used to date and work together. Then he got a job for the FBI and we tried to make the long-distance relationship work but one day I came up to his place to surprise him and find him in the legs of some blonde. I stormed out and slammed the door behind me and I didn?t talk to him for months. He sent me flowers and gifts on our anniversary. I send them back to him in a cup. I kinda liquefied them.?
Jake looked dumbfounded, somewhat scared.
I walked up the main steps of the house and walked in. This place gives me chills. There are little yellow signs everywhere. Pointing out things that most people over look. There?s the picture frame. I look at it again.
?That?s new,? I say to myself. I reach for my gloves and put them on. There?s a small piece of paper in the corner of the frame. I pick it out.
?I need a bag!? I yell over my shoulder and the blonde woman comes in the house with a baggie and hands it to me.
I put the piece of paper, which, on further examination, is blue card in the baggie.
?Get this to the lab and figure out what it is.?
?Kate.? Jake calls out to me, ?We?ve got one of the victims? sisters back at the station.?
?Ok, I?m coming,? I call back.
I walk out and Mustang comes over to me. I shoulder him out of the way with so much force I hurt myself.
?Ok, that was really rude. And painful.? He says
?That was the point. Didn?t I tell you to stay out of my way?? I walk over to my car and open the door. Mustang slams my door closed.
?Listen here, I have power over you. So you?ll do what I say when I say it ok??
I turn around and stare him straight in the face, ?No, I won?t. I might have a little more respect for you if you weren?t lying, cheating scum. Now get your hand of my car.? I pull the door open again and get him. Mustang is left stunned. I guess he finally discovered what I thought of him.
?What was that about?? Jake asked.
?Nothing. How do we have one of the victims? sisters when we don?t know who our victims are?? I asked. I felt I was being left out.
?Uh, they found out about an hour ago.? He said. ?Don?t freak out ok? When we get there. Cause that wouldn?t help.?
?Uh ok Jake. I won?t.? Why would he say that?
During the car ride to the station, it made me think. What the hell was going through the guys mind when he slay the victims? I mean the guy tore out their insides. It?s something that makes you wonder about the human mind. There are guys on the street who sell drugs to little kids, beat up wives, and cheat on their loved ones and so on. But why? I was gunna get the to the end of this.
I turned into my normal spot and got out of the car. Jake looked at me and I replied innocently to that look, ?I wont!? I dunno why I?m defending myself but hey.
CRASH!
Jake and I look at each other wildly. We both run up the stairs to see a blonde woman passed out on the floor, with half of Officer Livingstone?s stationary on the floor. Livingstone is next to the woman.
?What?s happened here?? I asked
?Well, this is the sister of one of the victims. We asked her to ID her brother, yeah her brother, and she passed out.? He replied.
?How very dramatic of her? I added.
Livingstone rolled her over.
?Well isn?t this a lovely surprise? I said in total astonishment.
?You know her?? Livingstone asked
?Yeah, I do. She?s the woman my ex left me for. Jake, why didn?t you tell me this?? I turned to him. He was like one of those characters you see in Japanese cartoons. Sweating and with one hand behind his head.
?Oh, uh? Well? See?? He stuttered.
?Oh it doesn?t matter right now,? I take off my jacket, roll it up and put it under her head.
?Give her some air and get some water. I need to make a call? I grab my phone and dial Mustang?s number.
?Hello? Roy Mustang here.? He answers
?Hi, Roy? It?s Kate. Get your arse over here and get your girlfriend off my station floor, NOW!? I say
?What? Where is she??
?Here. She?s apart of the investigation? Now I see why you?re here. It?s your girlfriend.?
?No? Well, she?s a small reason. It?s mainly for the killer,? He says
?Yeah whatever, just come and help her,? I say with total contempt and hang up.
?Ugh? What happen?Kate? You?re working my brother?s case?? Shelly asks
?Yes, I am. I?m going to find out who killed your brother? I said and help her into a chair.
?Why?? she asked
?Because it?s my job. See this badge?? I showed her my badge, ?It says protect and serve. I?m protecting the community from the people who killed your brother?
She looked up at me and for the first time I think that she looked thankful. I wasn?t quite sure since I hadn?t seen her for about 6 months. That?s when it all changed?
See, Shelly and I were best mates through high school. We did everything together. She didn?t like Jake though, so I was a best mate to them both separately. Jake and I became cops and she became a writer for a newspaper. One week she said she had to go away for work to LA. I was pretty cool with it and she might catch up with Roy. I planned to go to LA to see him anyway, so I told her that I?d meet her there and that if she did see Roy that she couldn?t tell him I was coming.
When I went to his apartment, I could hear noises. Moans. I opened the door and walked into his bedroom and there he was. Having sex with her. It all changed that day, and I?m assuming for the better?
Jake helps Shelly into an interview room when Mustang comes bursting through the doors. He sees her and runs to her. I roll my eyes and look the other way.
Secretly, I?m heartbroken.
?Mr. Mustang, we need to interview Shelly. I?m afraid you can?t be in there with her. If you?d like you can wait here while we do what we need to?, Jake says.
He nods and we close the door. She sits down and Jake turns the recorder on and gives her rights
?So, Miss Sullivan, do you know anyone who would want to hurt your brother? Was he well liked through the community?? I ask.
?Well, yeah. As far as I know.?
?Ok, who was your brother with on the night of his murder??
?Uh? His business partner I think. She was there to go over a proposal for a big account they were getting.?
?What was her name??
?Alicia. Alicia McDermott.?
?Thanks Shelly, this is great. We?ll call you if we need you again? I say
She nods and wipes the tears from her eyes. As much as I dislike her, I felt sorry for her. Her brother was all the family she had. Her parent?s weren?t exactly the best.
We walk out and he runs into Mustang?s arms. He whispers something to her and she leaves. He walks to me.
?What?d she say?? he asks me
?Do you know who Alicia McDermott is?? I ask back
?No. Her name sounds familiar. Maybe something to do with Matt, listen Kate??
I stop him before he says anything more.
?Roy, don?t. I don?t want you to say anything. I know what you?re going to say. And I don?t want to hear it. I don?t care if you?re happy I?m working this care, or if you know how ?hard? is it on me. I really don?t?. I give good speeches.
?I? Uh, fine. I won?t tell you that. What I was going to say was I?m sorry. And I wanted to take you to coffee tomorrow. I don?t want there to be to much awkwardness in this investigation and I wanted to tell you my side of the story anyway. So I?ll be here to pick you up at 5 o?clock tomorrow afternoon. I don?t wanna hear any argument.? He says. He too is skilled at the art of speeches. I stuttered and just sighed,
?Fine. But if you say anything I don?t like or wanna hear I?m leaving.?
He nods, waves and leaves.
I walked over to my desk and slumped into my chair. I wipe the tears out of my eyes. I can?t believe I?m crying. Jake sits on my desk.
?Kate, you ok? That Mustang jerk getting on ya nerves hey?? He asks.
?Yeah. He asked me to coffee to talk about things. He doesn?t want anything to be awkward between us. Should I go?? I asked.
?Kate, it?s your decision. Frankly, the guy?s an ass and I wouldn?t but it?s you. At least he?s trying right??
?Yeah, I?m not sure though. I think I might go, just to see what he says.?
Jake nods. I look at the case file. I knew Shelly?s bro. We weren?t close, but we got along. I can?t exactly say his death is unexpected.
Bring, bring
The phone starts and I answer.
?Hello, Kate here.?
?Kate? Hi, it?s Dora from the lab. Can you and your partner come down? We want to show you something from that murder scene on Montgomery Drive.?
?Sure, we?ll be there soon. Bye?
I put the receiver down.
?Jake, my dear. We?re going to the lab. Dora, that girl you want to make the kisses with, she?s apparently found something. Or nothing. She just wants to show us something. So c?mon? I say with a grin.
Jake?s expression is sudden horror. I giggle as he tussles his hair. We leave and arrive shortly after.
Jake stops me before the door.
?I look good, right??
?Yes Jake. You look fine. Can we go in now??
?Yes, let?s.?
He strides in. I didn?t know Jake could stride. The things you learn.
Dora greets us with handshakes. She blushes at Jakes touch. Methinks Jakes not the only one who wants to make the kisses.
?So, what?d you want to show us, Dora?? I ask. Jake and Dora suddenly break eye contact and look away.
?Uh, yeah. That thing with the blood? It?s a blade, just not a razor. It?s from a sword. We also traced that card you found. It?s got a local area code. It?s from a place called ?Core Weaponry?? she explains.
?Well the sword would explain how Matt and Alicia were killed. Thanks Dora, keep in touch.? I say and turn to walk away.
?Uh, Dora, a quick word? I?ll be with you in a min, Kate? says Jake.
?Sure, I?ll meet you in the car? I said with a smile.
I wasn?t too unsure about what he was going to do. I open the door and put on my glasses. I look up and someone is looking at me. I squint my eyes as if it helps me see further. He makes a run for it.
?Crap!? I say to myself and jump down the stairs and sprint after him. I grab my phone and call Jake.
?Jake, listen. No, Jake? DAMN IT JAKE LISTEN TO ME! GRAB A CAR?I DON?T CARE! A CAR AND GIVE ME A HAND! I?m in a foot pursuit and need help. I?m running down 42nd street! BYE!? I put the phone back in my pocket and continue the chase. Why do they insist on running? I shout out to him to stop but he doesn?t listen. I hear the sirens of the police car. Jake yes! He gets beside me and I point up to the T-section. He speeds up and the fleer hits his car and I pounce on him.
?Right, why the hell did you run!?? I say
?I ain?t talking to you! I just had a job!? He shouts back at me.
?Fine! You?re under arrest? I say and slap the cuffs on him. I read him his rights as I put him into the backseat of the car. Jake gets out and puts his hands on my shoulders.
?You ok?? he says.
?Yeah fine. Just a little tired. Lets go, I need to get this guy processed before Roy comes and picks me up,? I say
He nods and we leave. I?m buggered.
Two hours later I find out the guy we arrested was looking for Jake. And not me. Apparently, the people after Jake thought he was too close. I wasn?t important enough. Jeez, even the bad guys don?t like me.
I re-apply my makeup and Roy comes in.
?Hey Kate. Ready?? He says
?Yep. Just let me sign out and grab my jacket.? I say. I walk into the staffroom and Jake is sitting there texting someone.
?What?s doing?? I say and walk over to the sign out sheet.
?I?m texting Dora. I asked her out and she said yes. We?re just flirting and organising our date. Apparently, she?s liked me for ages and she was working up the courage and I asked her before she could ask me!? He says, elated.
?I?m really happy for you Jake. I?m gunna go. Roy?s here to pick me up for coffee. I?ll text you and tell you how it goes?
?Ok, but if you need me, just text me and I?ll kick his ass.? He says
?And I?ll come and bail you out of gaol when you do, ok??
He laughs and nods. I wave goodbye and grab my jacket. Roy opens the door for me and we walk out. It?s been along time since I?ve been alone with him. My heart breaks and skips a beat every time I see him.
We?re at his car and just before I get in he stops me.
?Kate, listen before we go, I just wanted you to know I never stopped loving you,? Roy said and he came close to my face. So close I could smell him. His scent hasn?t change. It?s musk and leather. I stepped back and put my hand on his chest. I wasn?t about to do to Shelly what she did to me.
?Roy, you?re in a happy relationship, why tell me this?? I say with a sigh.
?It isn?t happy. Shelly disappears for days at a time. I?m here for work, but I was also looking for her. But when I got to that crime scene and saw you I knew I needed you. C?mon, if we don?t leave now, we?ll miss the reservations,? and gets into his car. I do the same.
When we arrive he opens the car door for me and I step out. He took me to my favourite restaurant. We ordered the wine and talked about everything.
?So, why did you cheat on me with Shelly?? I asked with sheer interest and slight hurt.
?I honestly don?t know. I know that?s no excuse and I know it was wrong. See, the story goes, I knew you were coming and I asked Shelly to help me out. I was going to propose to you and I just dunno. I was practising on her so I wouldn?t stuff up asking you and she was all excited and she kissed me. I was confused. I mean, I loved you and I wanted to spent the rest of my life with you but I was kissed by this woman who I knew had feelings for me and I guess my curiosity took over. I didn?t want it to happen. My heart and my head were saying ?no! It?s wrong!? but it did happen. And every time I looked at her I was disgusted at her and myself. But I settled eventually for her, although I never really did. I hoped that one day you would forgive me,? He explained. I drained my wine glass. I was speechless.
?Roy, I?m so sorry? Can I have some time to think about all of this?? I pleaded.
Roy nods and puts his hand on mine. I rose to leave.
?Where are you going?? He asked. I pecked his head.
?To think,? I reply and put a $20 on the table. I walk a couple of blocks. My phone vibrates in my pocked.
?Hello? Kate here?
?Yes? Kate? It?s Conrad. Can you come down to the County General Hospital? Jake?s in here.?
?Sure, I?ll be there shortly? I said. I hang up and call a taxi.
I run into the hospital and go to the desk.
?Uh, hi. My partner, Jake Lawson was just brought in here. Where is he?? I asked
?He?s in surgery. He was shot twice in the stomach. If you?d like you can wait out here in the waiting room,? the woman behind the desk says cheerfully.
?Yeah, thanks,? I replied sarcastically.
I take a seat in the plastic seats and grab a magazine. What seem like hours pass by when I finally hear something. A doctor calls to the desk clerk and she points to me. The doctor walks over to me.
?Hello there. I?m Dr. McManus. The desk clerk says your Jakes partner?? He asks.
?Yes, Detective Kate Whittam. What happened? How is he?? I hurried out. I couldn?t breathe.
?He?s fine. He was shot twice in the stomach. He?s in his room now, do you want to see him?? he asks kindly. I nod and he takes me carefully by the arm and leads me down to Jakes room.
I see him lying there with the heart rate monitor beep and IV?s attached to his arm. I pull up an chair and cry. Tonight has been so much. I take his hand and just look at him. I see his clothes lying on a chair in the corner of the room. I take out his phone and get Dora?s number. I call her.
?Hey Dora. It?s Kate. Jake?s partner,? I sniffle to her.
?Hi, what?s wrong?? she asks.
?Uh, Jake?s been shot. He?s in room 203 in the ICU at the hospital.?
?Oh god! I?ll be there as soon as I can, bye!? she said.
I also text Roy.
I take Jake?s hand again.
?Hey Jake? I started to cry again.
I get no response.
?Guess what? I went to dinner with Roy. He was going to propose to me. Shelly went to LA to help him with it. Then she kissed him. She kissed him. Can you believe it? I dunno what he wants. I think it?s me, but I can?t figure him out. I?m so confused. Jake, I need you. Please wake up?? I break down. Today has been long and hard on me. And obviously Jake.
"Ugh, I'm up..." He goes to sit up.
?ARG!? and he lay back down.
?Jake, I?ll get the nurse,? I say and let go of his hand. I walk out to the nurse?s station across the hall when Dora comes hurtling down the hall and runs smack bang into me.
?Oh god! Kate! I?m so sorry!? she says.
?It?s ok. It?s a good thing we?re in a hospital. They?ll be able to fix my broken pelvis now?? I said awkwardly.
?He?s in there. Just get him to lie down,? I point to his room and turn back to the nurse?s desk. She patted me on the back and went into his room. I hear a groan of pain from his room.
?Uh Nurse? Jake Lawson just woke up. I think he needs some meds,? I said and she smiled and told me she?d be in soon.
I tap the desk briefly and walk to his room. I look in at the door way and Jake and Dora. Dora is showing Jake a dance she did when she was in school, I think. And Jake is perving on her.
I smile and go to find a coffee machine and snack machine. I see Roy walking up to me and I smile and quickly remember not to.
?Hey Kate. How?s Jake? Are you ok?? He asked and put his hands on my shoulders.
?He?s fine, I?m fine. Where?s Shelly?? I asked
?I would hope on her way back to LA. I dumped her. It turns out she was cheating on me. Now I know how you felt. I?m sorry I inflicted that on you,? he sincerely says to me.
I put my hand on his and he wraps his arms around me in an embracing hug. I feel safe but also completely wrong. Have I moved on too quickly? Am I accepting this? That I do still have feelings for him and that I still want him? Arg? I think I?ll just stay in the hug and mull over that later.
He lets me go and I go and get some coffee. He gets some too and we wait in the waiting room down from Jakes room.
?So, Kate. I wanted to ask you on a date. Do you think that?s ok?? he asks hopefully.
?Why not? But first, tell me, how did you know Shelly was cheating on you?? I asked.
?I read her messages. She reads mine to make sure so I felt justified. I read them and left. I wrote her a text and yeah. Told her I wanted her out of my house before I get back or she?d pay,? he explained, ?I can?t say I?m surprised though.?
?I?m sorry,? I said and I took a sip from my coffee when the nurse I spoke to before come up to us.
?Uh, ma?am? Your friend Jake, he?s asking for you,? she said
?Thanks, I?ll go see him now? I replied
I took Roy?s hand and took him with me. I peeked in through the door and Jake saw me.
?KATE!? he yelled at me, ?This wonderful nurse came in and made the pain go away. And this gorgeous girl here!? He points to Dora, ?She is apparently going out with me! The only thing wrong with this is I got shot! Who shot the Sheriff?? He hums along.
?Jake, we don?t know who shot you. And you aren?t the Sheriff. I?m sorry to say. You?re just my lonely partner,? I faux confess to him and look depressed and pat him on the head.
?Aww, don?t be sad, Katey! I like having you as my partner! It?s fun to watch you run!? He says to try to make me feel better. I laugh at him and then he sees Roy.
?Kate!? He whispers loudly, ?Mustang is behind you!?
?Yeah, I do realise that Jake. I brought him in here with you? Jake??
???
?Uh, ok? I think he?s passed out. Anyway, Dora do you think you?ll be ok with him? I now know I?m gunna have a butt-load of work ?cause of this and I?d better get some sleep,? I ask
?Yeah I?ll be fine. He?ll sleep like an angel and I?ve got tomorrow off so. I?ll call you tomorrow to tell you how he?s going,? she kindly agrees.
?I should be in. If he wakes up tell him I told him to not be such a wimp, It?s just a flesh wound? I laughed and left with Roy following me.
?Oh uh, Roy? Can I get a lift? I caught a taxi here,? I ask, blushing
?Sure, I think I could do that? he said and he put his arm around me and led me to his car.
Driving down the highway, I look at him and he looks at me. I don?t know why I?m taking the chance again. Then it happened. He put his hand on my thigh. And I don?t mean a ?I?m going to feel you up and make the kisses with you? in more of a ?I care about you enough that I don?t wanna mess this up.?
It was scary. I didn?t think I?d be alone with him again. And now he?s asked me out on a date and he?s driving me home. I must be nuts?
He pulls up to my apartment block and we share a moment of awkward silence. We both stare at each other and I take a chance and kiss him. And he kisses me back. We pull away and he looks at me.
?Listen, I don?t wanna mess things up with you again, ok? So lets take it slow? he says softly.
?Ok? I said, ?But after one more kiss? and I kiss him again. And again, he kisses me back.
I say goodnight and get out of the car. Today has been strange. Very strange. Today I was yelling and screaming at him and now I crave him. Damn it?
After a restless nights sleep I head down to the station and Conrad comes up to me.
?So Missy how?s Jake??
?He?s fine, sir. Now if you?ll excuse me I have to find the person who made him un-fine.?
I look at his desk and start rummaging. There is a un-opened letter in the bin. I get it out and look at it. It?s hand written on the envelope. I open the letter up.
?Dear Mr. Lawson,
Our organization is aware of your involvement in the murder investigation of Matt Harrison and Alicia McDermott. We strongly advise you against such involvement if you do not wish harm to you, your lovely partner Kate or your family and friends.
Thank you for your co-operation.
M.?
?Wow, cheerful letter,? I say to myself. I fold it back up and put it in back in its envelope to take to Jake later today. I rummage through a bit more and find nothing. Not a single thing, which frankly, annoys the crap out of me.
Work doesn?t seem normal now that Jake?s not here. After my shift is over which flew by at the speed of, oh, I dunno, a snail, I went straight to the hospital to see Jake.
Dora is asleep by his bedside. I guess she had been there all night. I innocently rocked her shoulder and she startled both of us.
?Ahh!? she screamed
?Ahh!? I yelled, and jumped back.
?Oh Kate, it?s you. Sorry, I?ve been sleep most of the day. Jake has been coming in an out of consciousness all day. His wound got infected, it?s pretty gross? and she made a disgusted face at me. I laughed at her.
?Well, I?ll take over for a while hey? You go and get some coffee and some food,? I said to her. She got up and stretched.
?Thanks. I?ll do that,? she said and walked out.
I took her seat next to her and walked Jake sleep. I read the letter over and over again but it didn?t make sense. Why was the letter only sent to Jake? And why didn?t they send it to me? I mean I?m on the damn letter.
? I hate the bad guys?
Jake stirs and I sit upright to see him. He rolls his head over to the side and smiles at me.
?Hey there you!? he says weakly, ? Where?d Dora go??
?I sent her to get coffee. She looked a bit like you do now, actually,? I said back.
?Listen Jake. I was going through your stuff at the office to get some info and I found this letter,? I got up and handed the letter to him, ?who are they??
He looked though the letter, ?I don?t know. I didn?t recognise the address so I threw it away. Do you think this organization did this?? he asks worriedly.
I sigh, ?It really seems that way. I?ll do some more investigation though. Do you know who ?M? is? He seems kinda creepy,? I said with a shudder.
He shakes his head and sighs; ?I don?t think you or Dora should come by here anymore. If this creep is after me, you shouldn?t be seen with me, y?know??
I give him this look that he only knows to be the ?You?re a bloody moron, why would I do something that stupid?? look. He shies away from me.
?Ok, don?t take friendly advice. But if you end up in the bed next to me, I?m gunna do the ?I told ya so? dance.
I looked at him, ?You wouldn?t be able to move. I?d have beaten you to death with my stick, or other close objects. I?m very quick when it comes to that,? I say with a huge grin across my face, ?And anyway, the thought of you dancing kills me anyway. WITH LAUGHTER!!? I say
?Ha, ha bloody ha. You?re so bloody funny. Friggin? Aussies and their stupid humour,? he mutters.
?Listen buddy, don?t mess with the Aussies. We will own you,? I say with a joking force.
?Oh, I?m shaking in my little Aussie pluggers,? he says back to me.
?You damn well should be! I?ll get Skippy on you.?
He laughs at me and shakes his head, ?What?s Skippy gunna do? Put me in his pouch??
I nod and point to my arm where there is a scar from my childhood, ?See that? I got it when Skippy took me away!? I said with a mock horrified look on my face.
?I thought you got it when you snuck into your next door neighbours yard and got nipped by the wire fence??
?Oh? yea? Did I tell you that story?? I asked
?Nope, just guessed,? he replied sarcastically.
?Ok. There?s no need to been mean about it. I mean jeez Jake. Just shoot me down, why don?t you?? I say and fall back into the chair with my heart over my chest.
Jake coughs and splutters. I spring up looking worried, ?Are you ok?? I ask and pour him a glass of water into a pink plastic cup. He nods and takes the cup from me and sips it down his throat.
?Yeah, since the infection is playing around with my immune system I?ve got a bit of a cough. Nothing to be too worried about,? he croaked.
I let out a non-committal groan and Jake groaned back.
?I?ll go get the nurse, she might be able to help more than I can,? I said
He nodded. He knew he had no choice in the matter, so I left to the nurses? station across the hall. I explained about Jake being in pain and his cough and she left to get him so cough medicine and some more water.
I hear my phone ring so I picked it out of my pocket and saw who it was. It was Roy.
?Hey Roy,?
?Hey Kate. Sorry this isn?t a social call. Your captain tried getting hold of you but couldn?t. They?ve found new evidence in the case. They had to send it to the FBI labs to get it verified; now my boss is riding my ass to get all the information to him. So, do you think I can get the case file from your office?? he asked.
?Sure. Tell your boss you can get it once I?ve added the new evidence. Does Conrad want to see me now? I?m at the hospital with Jake.?
?Ok. Uh, no, he?s coming to see Jake. He wants to know when Jake can come back to work.?
?HE WAS JUST SHOT LAST NIGHT! Selfish bastard. Right, well, can you come here then, cause I may very well kill Conrad if he does ask,? I say furiously.
?Sure, I?ll swing by soon. See you then? he says nicely
?See you? I say and hang up. I storm back down the corridor to Jakes? room. He saw I was ready to kill.
?What?s up with you?? he asks innocently.
?Conrad is coming to see you. He wants to know when you?ll be back at work. Roy is coming down to stop me from committing a felony? I said
?Ok, well the nurse just came in with some sleeping pills so I?ll be pass?? he passed out.
Oh thank god I thought to myself. I slumped into the closest chair and waited for Conrad. Thankfully, Roy showed up just before he did. Roy massaged my shoulders when Conrad came bursting through the door.
?JAKE MY MAN! HO? What?s the matter with him?? He turned to me
?He?s asleep. You know, since he got shot twice and now has an infection,? I stand up in anger, ? You know very well that you don?t just bounce back from this. What nerve do you have to?? Roy pulled me back mid-rant. I was thankful. Conrad looked like he was going to either kill me or fire me. I was hoping for the latter.
?It?s not that. We want him back in action so we can find out who shot him. That guy you brought in said that he was after Jake, yes? Well now Jake isn?t working, they won?t target him,? he explained.
?They?ll still target him. They haven?t finished the job. They want him dead.? I used as much emphasis on the last word as I could.
?Ok, just be careful. I don?t wanna see you in here with Jake. Roy? he says to me and shakes Mustang?s hand and walked out. I turned to Roy and laughed.
?Thanks for restraining me. I just really hate when he thinks he knows everything. When really he doesn?t. Does he really think that just because they put Jake in hospital,? I look at Jake, ?That they, who ever they are, are going to quit trying to get rid of him?? I asked
?I know. Conrad can be ignorant sometimes, but he was just trying to look out for your best interests. I would be too if I was Conrad and you were my detective. But I?d also be trying not to get your attention, cause you?re just too damn cute,? he says and kisses my head.
??Ugh! Guys I?m sick enough. I don?t need to be more sick,? Jake awoke. We stepped away from each other and I blushed.
?Listen, I have to get back to work. Where?s that case? I?ll grab a copy on my way back?
?On my desk. Just ask one of the officers, ok?? I say
?Alrighty. I?ll call you tonight to get some details for our date,? he said and left. I turned to watch him leave.
?Do you think I?m doing the right thing getting back with him?? I asked Jake. He looked at me, ?Why? Don?t you think you are??
?No. Yes. Oh, I don?t know. I?ve been here and been hurt. I don?t know if I should be doing this again? Arg? I?m so confused.?
?What?s your head say?? he asked
?Uh? You?re an idiot?
?What?s your heart say??
?I agree. You?re an idiot?
?What do your feet say??
?What the hell?? I asked laughing
?Well, they lead you, don?t they?? He replied. I think he was actually being serious.
?They say??I?m cold?? I say and shuffle my feet.
He laughs and pats his bed. I walk over and he moves to let me under the sheets and he puts his arm around me.
?Kate, it?s your life. And my feet are cold too. Ha. Ha.?
Jake and I talked for hours. Then we fell asleep.
here's a few screen shots i took in halo 3
http://www.bungie.net/Online/Halo3UserContentDetails.aspx?h3fileid=41298456
http://www.bungie.net/Online/Halo3UserContentDetails.aspx?h3fileid=37681762
http://www.bungie.net/Online/Halo3UserContentDetails.aspx?h3fileid=28913555
sorry, i would post the image but when i looked down at the preview it would say image could not be found(along with there creepy image could not be found image)
http://www.bungie.net/Online/Halo3UserContentDetails.aspx?h3fileid=41298456
http://www.bungie.net/Online/Halo3UserContentDetails.aspx?h3fileid=37681762
http://www.bungie.net/Online/Halo3UserContentDetails.aspx?h3fileid=28913555
sorry, i would post the image but when i looked down at the preview it would say image could not be found(along with there creepy image could not be found image)
I do believe a necro of this thread is very much in order.
Yesterday I went out and took several senior pictures for a friend of mine. Here are a couple of samples from the set.
The entire set can be found here on my Flickr page.
~Van
EDIT: I did some selective coloring to one of the pics earlier today. Check it out.
Yesterday I went out and took several senior pictures for a friend of mine. Here are a couple of samples from the set.
The entire set can be found here on my Flickr page.
~Van
EDIT: I did some selective coloring to one of the pics earlier today. Check it out.
You link pictures like this:KamachoMcSagget said:
(img)link(/img)
You switch out the "(" with "[" so the forum will recognize it.
~Van
I can't remember how to do spoiler tags, so in no particular order:
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/pyrophotoshopped.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/TF2copy-3.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/Elitesketch.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/3.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/comicfinal-1.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/Minotaur.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/Jake557474208b8e4374-1.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/heavymedicphotoshopped.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/gordonfreeman2.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/airblast-1.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/Jake557473cc22318a91.jpg
Mainly Video game based, plus a few comics
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/pyrophotoshopped.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/TF2copy-3.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/Elitesketch.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/3.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/comicfinal-1.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/Minotaur.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/Jake557474208b8e4374-1.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/heavymedicphotoshopped.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/gordonfreeman2.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/airblast-1.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/jake557/Jake557473cc22318a91.jpg
Mainly Video game based, plus a few comics
Here's a variety of my things:
Prologue?
Long ago there existed an order that ruled the land through magic and might. They were known as the Order of Flight. They were magicians of the highest rank; even new recruits of the Order could easily best any sorcerer in combat. Not only magicians, the Order of Flight were also regarded for their amazing combat abilities. It was said that one Order member had the strength of over one hundred men.
Among the Order of Flight were the Birds of Prey, the highest ranking officers of the army. The Birds of Prey were chosen at birth and immediately taken to be trained. The Birds of Prey consisted of ten members: Hawk, Buzzard, Harrier, Kite, Vulture, Osprey, Falcon, Caracara, Peregrine, and Owl. The highest of all Order of Flight members was known as Eagle. Eagle was ruler until death or until a stronger Eagle was found, and had to be a being that even at birth demonstrated abilities far more advanced then any normal Order of Flight soldier. Besides the Birds of Prey the Order consisted of other guilds that specialized in different magic.
The guilds were different as instead of being chosen at birth, members were accepted by becoming masters at a certain style of magic. There were the Flame Tongues, who specialized in fire magic. The Flame Tongues were also master strategists and many of them became advisors to the king. The Lower Union, masters of death and dark magic. They were disliked because of their secrecy but respected because of the power of their magic. The Lightning Legion, controllers of weather and storms were always too quick to act. They were considered to have minds like lightning and could process things faster they any other member of the Order of Flight. The other most famous guild was the Army of None who specialized, not in magic, but in armed combat instead. Though still magicians, the Army of None was the most dislike by the rest of the Order because of their non-acceptance of magic. They usually ended up as Royal Guards to the king because of their skill with weapons.
After centuries of ruling over the world the Order went underground for reasons no one knew or wanted to find out. But the reason would soon be known; the Order? had a traitor.
Chapter 1?
Crow swung his sword at his master feeling the crash of metal send shocks up his arm. He parried his master?s attack and countered with an upward slice. His master dodged easily and let loose a flurry of slashes that left Crow?s arm numb from the reverberations.
?Okay, that is good for now,? Falcon said. A single drop of sweat worked its way down his rough face falling from his chin down to the packed dirt below. He sheathed his sword and hung his buckler from his waist. Crow hooked his claymore on his back and took of his helmet, which he placed on the ground beside him. ?That was good,? Falcon spoke calm but firm. ?You should go get some lunch. Then meet me back here for more training.?
?Of course, master,? Crow said with a small bow. He was about to leave when he turned back to face Falcon. ?Master, why is it that you weren?t always a member of the Birds of Prey??
?Now is not the time for those questions. They will be answered later in the many months you will spend training with me,? Falcon said sternly.
?Months?? Crow said surprised.
?Of course, you did not think that you would be accepted into the Order of Flight army from just a week of training did you??
?No, but?? Crow stammered.
?I wouldn?t send someone with your level of training to protect our king in battle. That would surely earn me removal from the Birds of Prey,? Falcon stated. ?Now, go to lunch. Do not come back until you have gotten something to eat.? Crow nodded his head and after picking up his helmet, bowed to his master before he walked inside the giant tower that was the Tower of Flight.
Falcon stood there for a moment, thinking about his new apprentice. He looked over his shoulder and saw Dove walking towards him.
?Master Falcon,? Dove said with the traditional short bow. Falcon observed his first apprentice. She had changed so much since the day that they first met. Now, Dove had become the leader of the Flame Tongues, she was also a personal advisor to the king and Falcon trusted her with his life.
?Dove,? Falcon replied with a bow.
?You don?t have to bow to me Falcon. You?re my superior,? Dove said questioningly.
?We are equals Dove,?
?You are a Bird of Prey, I am not, that makes you my superior,? Dove said starting to get frustrated.
?Not if I say that we are equals. That?s an order,? Falcon replied a smirk working its way across his face. Dove just shook her head in annoyance. She knew that Falcon was serious about the order he had just given her and she remembered that when she bid him farewell. They went their opposite ways and Crow returned from lunch just as Dove was out of sight.
?Master,? Crow said with a bow.
?Let us continue from where we left off,? Falcon said, drawing his sword, its blade gleaming in the afternoon sun. He unhooked his buckler shield from his waist, grasping it in his left hand. Crow reached over his shoulder, grabbing the handle of his claymore. He swung it out in front of him and put his other hand on. Falcon looked deep into Crows dark brown eyes, and was impressed to see that Crow had done a good job hiding his emotions.
They stood there, both waiting for the other to strike first. Suddenly, Falcon lunged, hacking at Crow with a grace that none could impersonate. Crow managed to block all of the blows with his much wider blade. Then he swung, striking Falcon?s shield, sending him sliding back through the dirt. They both paused for a moment to catch their breath, but before long, Falcon was back at it. Crow swung downward, and instead of blocking just with his shield Falcon braced it with his sword as well. Crow kept on constant pressure and observed the look on Falcon?s face, which was as emotionless as before. Without warning, Falcon shoved his shield and sword to the side, sending Crow face first towards the ground. He spread his legs apart, creating a larger center of balance and caught himself. Falcon swung his blade at Crows throat, but Crow changed his grip on the claymore and with a twist of his wrist brought it up to defend his neck. Once again, metal struck metal, creating the sound that gives all warriors the urge to keep fighting.
The battle raged on between them for many more minutes and all through it, Falcon never seemed any more tired then before. Crow on the other hand, had sweat dripping down his face and could feel it soaking his hair under his helmet.
It took a long time, but finally Crow let up and Falcon dealt the killing blow, stabbing through Crow?s unprotected neck. Of course the blade did no harm because of the spells on the area that prevented them from killing each other. Crow dropped his sword from exhaustion and tore his helmet from his head, letting it fall to ground next to his sword. He collapsed, breathing heavily. Falcon sheathed his sword and removed it from his waist, placing it gently on the hard ground. He dropped his shield next to it before sitting on the ground across from Crow.
Red Crow
Written by ChromeWarriorXIII
Written by ChromeWarriorXIII
Prologue?
Long ago there existed an order that ruled the land through magic and might. They were known as the Order of Flight. They were magicians of the highest rank; even new recruits of the Order could easily best any sorcerer in combat. Not only magicians, the Order of Flight were also regarded for their amazing combat abilities. It was said that one Order member had the strength of over one hundred men.
Among the Order of Flight were the Birds of Prey, the highest ranking officers of the army. The Birds of Prey were chosen at birth and immediately taken to be trained. The Birds of Prey consisted of ten members: Hawk, Buzzard, Harrier, Kite, Vulture, Osprey, Falcon, Caracara, Peregrine, and Owl. The highest of all Order of Flight members was known as Eagle. Eagle was ruler until death or until a stronger Eagle was found, and had to be a being that even at birth demonstrated abilities far more advanced then any normal Order of Flight soldier. Besides the Birds of Prey the Order consisted of other guilds that specialized in different magic.
The guilds were different as instead of being chosen at birth, members were accepted by becoming masters at a certain style of magic. There were the Flame Tongues, who specialized in fire magic. The Flame Tongues were also master strategists and many of them became advisors to the king. The Lower Union, masters of death and dark magic. They were disliked because of their secrecy but respected because of the power of their magic. The Lightning Legion, controllers of weather and storms were always too quick to act. They were considered to have minds like lightning and could process things faster they any other member of the Order of Flight. The other most famous guild was the Army of None who specialized, not in magic, but in armed combat instead. Though still magicians, the Army of None was the most dislike by the rest of the Order because of their non-acceptance of magic. They usually ended up as Royal Guards to the king because of their skill with weapons.
After centuries of ruling over the world the Order went underground for reasons no one knew or wanted to find out. But the reason would soon be known; the Order? had a traitor.
Chapter 1?
Crow swung his sword at his master feeling the crash of metal send shocks up his arm. He parried his master?s attack and countered with an upward slice. His master dodged easily and let loose a flurry of slashes that left Crow?s arm numb from the reverberations.
?Okay, that is good for now,? Falcon said. A single drop of sweat worked its way down his rough face falling from his chin down to the packed dirt below. He sheathed his sword and hung his buckler from his waist. Crow hooked his claymore on his back and took of his helmet, which he placed on the ground beside him. ?That was good,? Falcon spoke calm but firm. ?You should go get some lunch. Then meet me back here for more training.?
?Of course, master,? Crow said with a small bow. He was about to leave when he turned back to face Falcon. ?Master, why is it that you weren?t always a member of the Birds of Prey??
?Now is not the time for those questions. They will be answered later in the many months you will spend training with me,? Falcon said sternly.
?Months?? Crow said surprised.
?Of course, you did not think that you would be accepted into the Order of Flight army from just a week of training did you??
?No, but?? Crow stammered.
?I wouldn?t send someone with your level of training to protect our king in battle. That would surely earn me removal from the Birds of Prey,? Falcon stated. ?Now, go to lunch. Do not come back until you have gotten something to eat.? Crow nodded his head and after picking up his helmet, bowed to his master before he walked inside the giant tower that was the Tower of Flight.
Falcon stood there for a moment, thinking about his new apprentice. He looked over his shoulder and saw Dove walking towards him.
?Master Falcon,? Dove said with the traditional short bow. Falcon observed his first apprentice. She had changed so much since the day that they first met. Now, Dove had become the leader of the Flame Tongues, she was also a personal advisor to the king and Falcon trusted her with his life.
?Dove,? Falcon replied with a bow.
?You don?t have to bow to me Falcon. You?re my superior,? Dove said questioningly.
?We are equals Dove,?
?You are a Bird of Prey, I am not, that makes you my superior,? Dove said starting to get frustrated.
?Not if I say that we are equals. That?s an order,? Falcon replied a smirk working its way across his face. Dove just shook her head in annoyance. She knew that Falcon was serious about the order he had just given her and she remembered that when she bid him farewell. They went their opposite ways and Crow returned from lunch just as Dove was out of sight.
?Master,? Crow said with a bow.
?Let us continue from where we left off,? Falcon said, drawing his sword, its blade gleaming in the afternoon sun. He unhooked his buckler shield from his waist, grasping it in his left hand. Crow reached over his shoulder, grabbing the handle of his claymore. He swung it out in front of him and put his other hand on. Falcon looked deep into Crows dark brown eyes, and was impressed to see that Crow had done a good job hiding his emotions.
They stood there, both waiting for the other to strike first. Suddenly, Falcon lunged, hacking at Crow with a grace that none could impersonate. Crow managed to block all of the blows with his much wider blade. Then he swung, striking Falcon?s shield, sending him sliding back through the dirt. They both paused for a moment to catch their breath, but before long, Falcon was back at it. Crow swung downward, and instead of blocking just with his shield Falcon braced it with his sword as well. Crow kept on constant pressure and observed the look on Falcon?s face, which was as emotionless as before. Without warning, Falcon shoved his shield and sword to the side, sending Crow face first towards the ground. He spread his legs apart, creating a larger center of balance and caught himself. Falcon swung his blade at Crows throat, but Crow changed his grip on the claymore and with a twist of his wrist brought it up to defend his neck. Once again, metal struck metal, creating the sound that gives all warriors the urge to keep fighting.
The battle raged on between them for many more minutes and all through it, Falcon never seemed any more tired then before. Crow on the other hand, had sweat dripping down his face and could feel it soaking his hair under his helmet.
It took a long time, but finally Crow let up and Falcon dealt the killing blow, stabbing through Crow?s unprotected neck. Of course the blade did no harm because of the spells on the area that prevented them from killing each other. Crow dropped his sword from exhaustion and tore his helmet from his head, letting it fall to ground next to his sword. He collapsed, breathing heavily. Falcon sheathed his sword and removed it from his waist, placing it gently on the hard ground. He dropped his shield next to it before sitting on the ground across from Crow.
Sorry about the quality, crappy scanner.
This is the inked version, I will eventually color it.
These are drawn from the box art of SA2:B
This is the inked version, I will eventually color it.
You've got some good stuff going there. really smooth. The hair doesn't need a lot of (if any) work but the face itself looks a bit flat. Try making more dynamic shadows and fleshing out facial structure more.Fanboy said:I linked this pic in IRC earlier, it's my first drawing using a tablet. I'm still getting the hang of it, so expect better quality later
Hey no problem. Don't kill yourself over it either, it already looks really polished the issues are very minor.Fanboy said:
Here's a quick little half-hour environment I did about a week ago:
I already posted this link, but if you want to check any of my photoshop drawings and works in progress out they're available online on this website [http://maycontaindragons.blogspot.com/].
