"So, how did taking charge of the police station during the blackout make you feel?" Dr. Alexis Jameson asked curiously, the black haired woman pushing up her glasses casually as she looked over her patient. "Uncomfortable," Kate Williams answered shortly, the rangy looking sandy blonde woman sitting in the chair opposite her. "How so?" Alexis smiled slightly. Dealing with Kate was always a challenge, the quiet police officer giving up details only with effort. Still, it was often rewarding work. Kate grimaced slightly. "I don't like being in charge," she admitted after a moment, "I don't like the thought of people relying on me that way." Alexis felt a flash of eagerness, "And why is that?" Kate scowled, "I don't know." Alexis pretended to make a note on the data pad in her lap, in fact just using the gesture to buy herself a bit of time. "Who leads when you're out with another officer in the field?" she asked her curiously. Kate seemed relieved at the change of topic, "Usually whoever is the senior officer, either by rank or by seniority." "So if you were working with Gwen she would be in charge," Alexis noted, "and when you're out with Beth, Jen or your new officer, Jesse, you're in charge." "Exactly," Kate agreed. "And you feel uncomfortable being the one in charge?" Alexis lead Kate back around to her original point. Kate rolled her eyes as she muttered, "You should get a job with the police, you'd do great in questioning." "Thank you," Alexis smiled, "and you're trying to change the subject again." "Heh," Kate sighed softly, looking down at her hands. "I don't... want to lead, because I don't want those lives depending on me." 'Like with her previous partner,' Alexis noted silently. Kate Williams was in many ways a remarkably confident and capable woman, but that death had left wounds to her psyche that she had never dealt with. "Your leadership didn't lead to her death," Alexis gently reminded her, "you did everything right and by the book." Kate shook her head, "Maybe so, but that doesn't mean I can protect them..." Alexis gave her a compassionate look as she gently reminded her, 'They're your fellow police officers, they really don't need for you to protect them." Kate looked off in the distance as she considered that. "I'm the lead officer," she finally said, "it's my responsibility." "Not exactly," Alexis smiled, "but I suspect you know that, deep down." "Humph." Alexis hid a smile at her cranky response. "So how is the new dynamic at the station?" she asked Kate curiously. "Not bad," Kate conceded. "I'll have to try breaking officer Storm of her case of hero worship, though," she added. "Jessica Storm?" Alexis asked. As Kate nodded she continued, "That's the officer from Lowtown, whom you advised." "Yeah, she's sort of blown up how much I helped her in her head," Kate frowned. "You did offer very good advise," Alexis pointed out. Knowing it would be futile to pursue that at this time she continued, "How are you and Naru getting along?" Kate smiled slightly as she admitted, "I think we're getting along better. She's not pushing me so much to reunite with the family and I find it's kind of nice having someone around who's actually related to me." 'A big confession for her,' Alexis noted. The death of Kate's parents coupled with years in foster care had left her very wary of those claiming close ties to her, especially family. The fear of loss was a ongoing theme in Kate's life, it seemed. "Oh look," Kate grinned, "time's up for today." Alexis rolled her eyes at Kate's tone, "We could stay a bit longer..." "No no," Kate bounced to her feet from the chair, "I'm sure you have so many appointments. I don't want to hold things up." Alexis chuckled as she watched Kate head to the door. "Kate?" she gave in and asked. "Yes?" Kate turned to look at her. "How is Gwen doing?" Alexis asked. Kate shrugged slightly, "She's doing pretty well, actually. She and Beth have been dating a few weeks now." "Ah," Alexis paled a bit, then nodded. "Thanks." 0o0o0o0o0o0 Meanwhile, two police officers cautiously made their way down a darkened hallway. Jessica pushed her red hair back, feeling oddly undressed in casual clothes rather than her uniform. "Ma'am?" she whispered. "Jen," the other officer corrected, a slight smile teasing the blonde haired woman's lips as Jennifer Grayson lead the way. "Jessie," she agreed. "What do you think we're dealing with?" Jen shrugged slightly, "Hard to say. Beth got a report on a android incident, but there was no follow up from officers on the scene." "Isn't that unusual?" Jessie asked. "Normally, but with everything that happened the police are spread pretty thin," Jen said as they carefully advanced. Jessie grimaced, well aware of the chaos bellow the city. There was a sound up ahead, glass breaking and other indications of breaking property. Carefully they advanced, using the noise as cover until they could see what was going on. The black haired android was one of the home models, with a less drop dead gorgeous look than some of the sex designs or commercial models. She stood in the middle of the wrecked room, broken chairs and a shredded table scattered around her. "Oh god..." a blonde girl whimpered, pressing herself up against the far wall, trying to get away from the android. "We've got to help..." Jessie started to move only to have Jen stop her with a firm grip on her arm. "We need a plan first," Jen cautioned, quickly assessing the situation. "You're right," Jessie conceded, wondering what tactic the more experienced officer would come up with. Jen checked off her pistol and hefted it into the ready position, "I'll distract the android, you get the kid clear." "That's it?" Jessie blinked. "That's it," Jen nodded, "let's go!" With that Jen burst from cover, moving out to deliberately make the android chase after her. With a soft curse Jessie followed, keeping to the side and hurrying to the crying woman. "Are you all right, miss?" she asked urgently. "I think so," the blonde wept, clinging to Jessie. Jen ran down the hall, the bezerk android chasing her. Turning a corner she wheeled about, targeted and once she was sure they were relatively alone aimed and fired, punching bullets rapid fire through the thing's midsection. The android slowed, staggered a few steps then bonelessly collapsed. "Are you all right?" Jessie asked as Jen dragged the fallen machine after her. "Just great," Jen sighed, noting with some amusement how the little blonde lady has nearly plastering her body to Jessie's side. "Ma'am?" Jen smiled at the girl. "Eh?" the blonde lady suddenly realized what she was doing and let go, blushing. "We'll need to get a statement from you, Miss," Jessie said, looking more than a bit sheepish, "could you tell us what happened?" "Why don't I let you handle it," Jen noted the adoring look the lady was giving Jessie, "I'll haul the culprit out to the car." "Ah, right," Jesse blushed. The blonde looked up at Jesse, batting her eyes, "My name's Cassie Blake, it's very nice to meet you." "Jessie Storm," she introduced herself. "Storm," Cassie murmured, "what a bold name." 'Eeeep,' Jessie whimpered as Jen walked away, humming softly.
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