Page 81 of Rookie Days

“Well, here’s something I would never have predicted,” she declared. “My favorite rookie and the amazing Dr Fox getting together.”

Ellie noted a look of genuine curiosity on her face when she glanced at her. Like a good profiler, she assumed that they had officially crossed into the personal, and that it must be okay to joke a little.

“Aren’t I the only rookie on your team?” she asked.

“Lucky you, uh?” Quinn snorted. “So, you and Janet.”

“Yes,” Ellie nodded, smiling. She sure did like the sound of it.

“How did it happen?”

“Bumped into each other at the beach. We had coffee. I got to know the real woman behind the myth.”And I fell in love with her.

“Is it serious between you two?”

“What did Janet say?” Ellie prompted, stomach fluttering in anticipation.

“I didn’t ask. Been too busy to socialize lately.”

“Oh, of course, yeah.”

“So?” Quinn insisted. “You two serious or what?”

Ellie glanced at her again as she turned into the station lot, and allowed herself an amused chuckle of her own.

“You sound really protective, you know?”

“Yeah, and you sound just like my wife,” Quinn grumbled in reply. “Sorry.”

“No, no, I’m only joking.” Ellie parked up and she turned to face her. “I understand feeling protective of your friend. That’s cool. And I don’t mind telling you. Yes, it’s serious between us.”

“Awesome.” Now Quinn was grinning from ear to ear.

“Yes, it is. I’ve never felt so… Good. Happy.”

If her lieutenant guessed the other word she’d been about to use, she was sensitive enough not to hook it out of her.

“Are you scared too?” she asked instead, prompting Ellie to laugh.

“Terrified.”

“Hey.” Quinn clasped her shoulder warmly. “I felt just the same with Lia. Must be a good sign. Congratulations, rookie.”

Ellie let out a groan, more to settle herself after this intimate chat than because she really minded the term.

“When will you stop calling me that?”

“Who knows? Maybe never.” Quinn smirked. “Lieutenant’s privilege, and you should be glad I didn’t opt for‘Baby cop’.”

As they crossed the parking lot, Ellie’s phone rang. Blocked number. She answered with a curt,‘Detective James’,and broke into a smile when she recognized the voice of her caller.Talk of the amazing Dr Fox, and there she is…

“Hey Jan. How are you? Uh...What?”

Quinn fixed her with a question in her eyes as Ellie stopped walking and listened hard.

“Yes. Yes. Thanks. I’ll be right there.”

“What’s going on? Janet okay?”