Story: Professional Status (all chapters)

At the bar in a women’s only club, one woman sat drinking alone.  She looked around the busy club, at the women enjoying themselves while she just sat by herself.  Her self-loathing was disturbed by some laughing behind her.  Looking over, she saw three women in their mid to early 40s sitting in a booth laughing.  She wondered what the joke was and how nice it would be to have friends to joke with.  She watched the woman in the middle, although a little firmer than her other two friends and aging looks, the girl at the bar still found her attractive.  The shoulder length brunette looked up at that moment and their eyes locked.  The woman at the bar smiled and nodded.  The older woman accepted that and went back to her friends.  The woman at the bar returned to face the bar, occasionally looking back.

The woman on end of the booth noticed the looks from the bar and leaned forward.

 
“Has any one else noticed that girl checking us out?”

 The middle woman laughed, “I don’t think so Sarah.”

 “She looks cute and lonely, sitting there by herself, I should see if she wants to join us.”

 “Don’t you dare, Sarah,”  the middle woman groaned.

 
But Sarah was out of her seat.   As the woman at the bar got up from her seat, she bumped into Sarah.

 “Oh excuse me.”

 Sarah smiled, “You’re not leaving already…. It’s only 10pm.”

 “Well…” started the woman.

 
“I’m Sarah, and my friends and I were wondering if you would like to join us.  That is unless you are waiting for someone.”

 
“No…. I’m alone…. I’m Casey.”

 
They shook hands and Sarah held Casey’s hand a little longer.  Sarah gauged the woman was about 30 ish, short honey blonde hair.  Casey looked deliciously fit, but her complete figure was hidden under a leather jacket.

Sarah and Casey returned to the booth and she was introduced to Rachel on the far side and Helen, the woman that Casey was a bit more interested in sitting in the middle.  Helen shifted a little to allow Casey to sit in and was trapped by Sarah on the other side.

“You ladies sounded like you were having a good time,” Casey chuckled nervously. 

“I know we can be a little loud,” Sarah replied.

“You can be,” corrected Helen.

“So what brings you out tonight Casey?” pushed Sarah.

“Jeez Sarah give the girl a chance before grilling her,” laughs Rachel.

“Actually just want to make some friends.  I’m new in town, transferred so….”

Helen smiled, “so what do you do for a living?”

Casey thought about it before answering, “I…. work for the local community.”

Helen nodded accepting that was all she was going to get out of her on that subject.

They chatted and laughed for about 30 minutes.  Sarah noticed that Casey was more into Helen than her and Rachel.  When Casey headed to get the next round of drinks, Sarah set upon Helen.

“Helen she is so into you, and I’m so jealous,” groans Sarah.

“She is not, you are imagining it.  My god she’s probably half our age.”

“Don’t knock it, if it’s offered,” laughs Rachel.

“I’m not offering or accepting anything.  I’m out with my two friends to have a good time, not to score.”

“Oh for god sake Helen, when was the last time you really let your hair down?  Just go with the flow, she seems really nice.”

Helen shrugs, it has been years since she had been with a woman.  She didn’t tolerate fools and was not into one night stands.  Helen was however growing tired of this side of her life.

“Well she’s coming back so c’mon Rachel, let’s hit the dance floor.”

Helen eyes widened and grabbed Sarah, “Don’t you dare leave me alone.”

Sarah pried her friends hand away and they headed off.  Casey sat back down with the drinks.

“Was it something I said?”

“No Casey, they just wanted to go dancing.”

“Oh well… did?”

“I don’t dance,” Helen growled out, then apologized. “I mean thanks but I don’t like dancing, my feet end up aching.”

Casey smiled.

“That sounded so old and lame.”

“Nah, its ok, I’m not much of a dancer either.  Too many people invading my personal space makes me feel a little claustrophobic.”

There was an awkward silence when someone stood next to Casey.

“Ummm it’s your turn on the pool table, your money’s up.”

“Oh…….” Casey didn’t want to leave Helen.

“You go,” offered Helen.

The woman stands over Casey, “Your partner will need to play.”

“Please tell me you play pool, please?” Casey looked over to Helen almost begging.

Helen nodded and they moved towards the pool table.   As they picked up their cue sticks,  Casey leaned into Helen’s ear. 

“I am really bad, do you think they would make me drop my pants if I don’t hit a ball down?”

Helen smirks and points to sign on blackboard stating that was the rule of the table.  Casey groaned and lined up the white ball to break first.  Casey miss-hit and the white ball only just touched the main set.  The opposition laughed.

“I’m in deep shit,” Casey said as she returned to Helen.

When it came to Helen’s turn, she showed that she was a skilled pool player and sent down a few balls.  Casey eventually hit one ball down much to her excitement. 

“Lucky, now you don’t have to drop your pants, ” Helen said shaking her head. 

“Yeah…. Isn’t that disappointing?” Casey winked at Helen.

Helen won them the game and they all shook hands.

The next challengers were up and so increased the flirting between Helen and Casey.  Their slight touches, brushes passed each other, Helen stepped back at one stage and Casey put a hand around her waist.  Casey wondered if she was going too far but when Helen didn’t pull away, she left it there.

They won again with Casey only getting a ball down.  The next challengers were drunk, loud and slightly abusive.  Helen felt it was time to leave but didn’t want to disappoint her young friend.  Casey went to hit a ball when Helen stopped her.

“Hey try and hold the cue stick like this, ” instructed Helen.  “Just relax your grip,” Helen said as she leaned over Casey.

“Aaaahh cmon just hit the shitting thing, ” complained one of the opponents.

Casey hit the ball and it went in.  

“Woo hoo….. I can’t believe it….” she laughed, hugging Helen.

“Aaawww nice to have mummy show you things.”

Casey’s demeanour changed instantly as she faced the woman.  Helen grabbed Casey.

“Ignore it and have your next shot.”

Casey lined up and as she went to hit the ball the woman spoke up again, “What else does your mummy show you?”

The ball miscued and the opponents laughed.  Casey shook her head.

“C’mon girls, this is supposed to be a friendly game” urged Casey.

The girls scoffed and continued to pick on them.

“Can’t you find someone your own age,” they teased looking at Helen.

Casey threw the pool stick on the table and walked over to have a piece when Helen grabbed her jacket and pulled her back.

“C’mon they’re not worth it, let’s get some air.  Game is yours girls, enjoy your night,” spoke Helen nicely.

Casey grabbed their drinks and followed Helen outside.  They stood next to table and Casey looked away sheepishly.

“I’m sorry, I don’t usually get that way.  I don’t like fighting.”

“Hmmmm, well don’t let them spoil our night.”

Casey was pleased that Helen was enjoying her company and they chatted a little more.  Helen confided that she worked for the government and enjoyed her job, it was challenging.  Casey stepped into Helen’s personal space and boldly grabbed her hips.

 “I’ve enjoyed your company from the moment you walked in and sat down with your friends.”

“What…. all that time, jeez,” Helen said, her eyes widening.

“I thought you might have been with one of your friends.”

“No….”

“No…. anyone?”

“No….. anyone,” confirmed Helen.

Casey closed the gap, their lips almost touching.  Casey then made first contact and pressed her lips to Helen’s.  Helen relented and let Casey take charge.  Their kissing intensified with each snatch until they were devouring each other.  They were like two hungry teenagers set upon each other for the first time, neither holding back, neither breaking the moment.  Helen’s hands wrapped tightly around Casey’s waist moaning when Casey’s tongue invaded her mouth, dancing, touching.  Helen sucked hard feeling Casey’s hand s tighten on her forearms.  Only a slight clearing of the throat broke the moment, Helen stepping back quickly.

Casey looked sheepishly at Sarah.  Sarah smirked at both.  Although it was dark, Casey could sense Helen’s embarrassment.

“I’m just going to the toilet,” announced Casey. “Be back in a minute.”

Once Casey had left, Sarah hooted: “Oh my god, that was so hot!”

“Oh don’t be dramatic, it was only a kiss,” Helen replied, still embarassed.

“A kiss?  That was more than a kiss, that was intense.  You were full on into each other, I mean neither of you came up for air.”

“Sarah,” pleaded Helen.

“That was hot, I was watching for at least five minutes.”

“Ok ok….we got carried away.”

“Hmmmm, you are taking her home right?”

“Just cos we kissed, doesn’t mean..”

“Oh Helen this girl is into you, she wants you and by damn if you don’t take her home you deserve to have a boring life.”

“Sarah, this is not me.”

“Exactly, so do something different, be daring…. fuck sake Helen, try having a good time.”

“Sarah I don’t know….it has been so long since I’ve done it.  I’ve probably all dried up down there.”

“If that is how she kisses, your banks will be bursting if you two actually go for it.”

“I can’t do this.”

Sarah laughed, “Enjoy I’m going home.”

Casey walks back with two drinks and see’s the exchange.

“Oh, are you guys leaving?” she asked in a noticeably disappointed tone.

Sarah looks at Helen to make her point.

“Sarah is leaving, I’m going to hang around a little while longer.”

Casey smile beamed, “That’s… great.”

Sarah left.

Their moment of passion ceased back to idle chit chat.  The mood was almost lost when Helen looked at her watch again.

“Look if you want to go home, I’m ok with that,” Casey said.

“I know it’s only gone 12am, but I’ve had enough of the loud music and drinking,” laughed Helen.

Casey nodded not sure of her next move.  Helen looked at her disappointed friend and thought she looked adorable with her pout.  Helen took a deep breath.

“If you like…. ummmm did you want to come back to my place?”  Helen asked, trying to control her breathing.

Casey holding her composure put her drink down, “Yes…. I would like that.”

They left the club, their hands brush so Casey boldly holds Helen’s as they flag down a taxi.  Helen’s mind was racing, she’d never been picked up by anyone before, and why was this young girl fixated on her?  She was uncertain and felt a little over anxious at the next stage of the night, which was moving into morning.  Sex…. what if the girl was expecting some woman of the world in the bedroom? It had been so long and she was beginning to feel tired.  What if she fell asleep?  Her mind was bought back to reality when Casey leaned into Helen’s ear.

“Are you ok?”

“Ummm yeh, why?”

“Cos you just squeezed my hand really tight and I will probably need that hand later,” Casey smirked at her.

Helen blushed and was aroused at the same time.  She was so gorgeous and polite but her intentions were clear.  It wasn’t going to be just a sleep over. The taxi dropped them outside a 5 story apartment block and Casey noticed the smell of the sea in the air.

“Are we far from the beach?” she asked.

“Just a 5 minute walk.”

Helen opened the door to her top floor apartment and they both entered.  Casey looked around at the quaint apartment, feeling rather homey like.

“Ummm make yourself at home, can I get you a drink?”

“Ummm cold water would be perfect, I’m so over alcohol.”

Helen headed to the kitchen.  Casey took off her leather jacket and put it over the couch.  She opened up the curtain and sliding door stepping out onto the small balcony.  She could see lights off in the distance flashing.  Helen came up behind her.

“There you are.   Thought you had done a runner on me,” she teased as she handed over her drink.

Casey took a sip, “Hmmm I was just admiring the view, although dark its endless,”  she groaned feeling stupid.

Helen touched her arm, “The flashing lights are the shipping lane.  It’s a lovely view during the day.”

Casey knew then and there she wanted this woman and put her drink down along with Helen’s.  Casey rubs Helen’s arms and encourages them around her body dropping her lips first onto Helen’s neck, nibbling, gentle kisses placed just to the exposed part of Helen’s shoulder. 

Helen’s hands rubbed up and down Casey’s back and across her behind squeezing it.  Casey moved to Helen’s mouth and plunged back into the passionate kissing they were displaying at the club.  This time the balcony was full of moaning sounds as their arousal built up.  Casey’s hand found skin under Helen’s shirt, rubbing across the plump breast, squeezing it lightly.

Helen broke the kiss and leaned her forehead against Casey as they both caught their breath. Casey sensed hesitation and removed her hand.

“Helen, are you ok?”

“Yeah, I’m just visualizing someone out there in the other apartments with a telescope spying on us,” Helen laughed.

Casey hugged Helen.  “It’s after 1am, do you think anyone would be doing that?”

“I wouldn’t put it passed them.  Come on, let’s spoil their night,” Helen murmured, grabbing Casey’s face.

Helen took Casey into her bedroom.  It was the first time a woman had been in her bedroom since she bought the apartment 5 years ago.  Now it was about to be christened.  She could see Casey’s desire, the way she looked at her. She knew that there was no going back and she doubted Casey could be held back.  At this point her own desires didn’t want her to be held back either.

Helen turned the light on and Casey, with little warning, was on her, devouring her neck, hands removed her shirt from her pants and playing underneath.  Helen didn’t hold back either, hands reaching under Casey’s shirt behind her shoulders pulling her hard to her body.  Their bodies rubbed against each other, it was Helen’s hand that made the first move, rubbing down the front of Casey’s slacks, between her legs.  Massaging in and around her crotch.

Casey broke for air and gasped at her touch.

“Yeah” she replied with laboured breath.

Casey started to unbutton Helen’s shirt, nibbling at her neck hard. She opened her shirt and was about to unclip her bra when Helen backed away and pulled her shirt around to cover herself.

“Sorry…. Can we turn the light off?”

“Why…..” Casey frowned.

Helen looked down and Casey sensed her embarrassment.  Casey flicked the switch turning the room back to darkness.  She felt Helen move up to her again.

Helen didn’t want to turn the young woman off.  She grabbed Casey’s hands and returned them to their job of unclipping her bra. Their lips joined again as Casey’s hands removed Helen’s shirt and bra. Her hand massaged and caressed Helen’s plump breast, teasing the nipple.  Helen grabbed Casey’s t’shirt and pulled it over her head dropping onto the growing heap of clothes.  Casey bra was easily and quickly discarded as Helen became more confident in her craving.  She immediately took Casey’s small breast in her mouth, sucking it, rolling her tongue across the nipple.  It produced immediately response with a shiver.  Helen could feel the young woman’s goose bumps.

“I’ve got your attention,” coos Helen.

Casey grabs Helen face and kisses her all over, “You never lost it Helen.”

They eventually crash onto the bed, clothes discarded and rolled under the sheets until Casey pinned Helen and massaged between Helen’s legs.  Helen closed her eyes, anticipating her embarrassment when she will have to bring out the lubricant like she usually does when she’s alone.  Casey’s finger disappeared into Helen and both groan from the wetness that is discovered.

Helen finally relaxed now that her body had not let her down and Casey went to work touching, exploring, inserting and re-inserting.  Every part of Helen was alive and waiting to go off.   Casey wanted to taste this woman now but when she went to move down Helen grabbed her.

“I’m not ready for that.”

“Ok.”

Helen’s head went back and hips lifted as Casey worked her slowly then harder, a finger changed to two.  The force was harder, quicker.  Helen started going over the edge. She grabbed Casey and kissed her. Casey pushed her thumb against Helen’s spot and she exploded with loud moans, groans and a final cry.  Helen’s contractions trapped Casey’s hand at first, and then she slowly removed herself.

Helen body quivered when Casey touched her.

“That was…..” paused Helen, “Hmmmmm.”

Casey bit her earlobe, “That was one hell of an explosion.”

They giggled and wrapped themselves around each other kissing, fondling, massaging.  Helen ignited the next charge rolling her young lover over and biting playfully at her neck. 

Casey moved away and chuckled, “That’s tickling.”

Helen silenced her with a kiss, slowly, easy.  She lowers herself down and pushes Casey legs wide. 

A smirk hid in the dark “Hmmmmm I wonder how..”

Helen silently slipped inside Casey’s hole and brought instantly reaction.

Casey grabbed Helen, hips raised to meet the momentum, “Oh wow…”

Helen felt those goose bumps return and was encouraged, “My dear woman you are so wet, there is just so much.”

Casey lifted and snatched a kiss, her body shaking.  

Helen worked inside Casey, pulling out  just to rub at her clit producing different vocals.

“Oh yeah…. Right there.  Oh please.”

Helen worked around then felt the young woman give all of a sudden.  She wrapped her arms around pulling Helen down hard on top of her.  Another wave ripped through Casey from only a slight movement of Helen’s finger.  Casey bit down on Helen as her last climax was freed from deep down.

Helen rolled off and onto her side.

“Did we get it all?”  she asked as she brushed back the girl’s hair.

“Hmmmm ummm… oh boy I’m still riding that one,” Casey replied, taking a little more time before she rolled back against Helen.

They kissed for a little while longer before returning to throes of passion, the intensity lifted to the next level for both.  Helen felt more youthful than she had in ages and now was testing the young woman’s flexibility.  Casey’s leg rested up against Helen’s shoulder while she was being fingered, riding Helen’s rhythm.

“That’s it……” encouraged Helen. “Take it all.”

Casey’s pussy swallowed three of Helen’s fingers, finally clamping hard as another orgasm ripped through her.

Casey stirred and looked at the clock on Helen’s side reading 5:12am.  She dressed and looked down at her sleeping lover.  She didn’t want to leave without  saying good bye, but she didn’t want to wake the woman either.  She sat on bed next to Helen who woke up and looked at her through sleepy eyes. 

“What’s wrong?” she asked, seeing her dressed.

“Nothing, just I should go.”

Helen looks at clock and groaned, “Doesn’t even feel like I’ve been to sleep yet.”

Casey chuckled, “Hmmm well you got at least two or so hours.  I didn’t want to leave without saying good bye.”

Helen sat and pulled the sheet up tighter to cover her modesty.  It was now light and she felt even more self conscious of her aging body.  Casey leaned in and kissed her softly.

“I really had a great time.”

Helen rolled her eyes, “Your mother definitely taught you manners.”

Casey sat forward and touched Helen’s tired face, “She also taught me not to lie.”

Helen fell for the sentiment and sat forward grabbing Casey and launching at her lips, kissing her with all the energy her body could muster.  Casey did not back away, returning the passion.   With a little help from Helen, she was out of her shirt and pants and back in bed naked with Helen.  They explored and released each other’s sexual tension for over half an hour.

Casey dressed again and stood above Helen laughing, “Ok lets try take two on me leaving.”

Helen nods, blushing at her over-eagerness and prowess to this young woman.  “Well I had a great time too Casey, you were very invigorating.”

Casey blushed and bit her lip, then reached into her pocket and pulled out piece of paper.

“I don’t want you to feel any pressure but here is my mobile number.  I would love to catch up again, maybe go out for dinner.  Ummm so yeah just ring it.  If you want…. No pressure,” she repeats herself.

Helen smiles, “That’s sweet, we will see.”

Casey leaves and Helen picks up the paper with the number on it and scoffs not believing this young woman would hand over her number so easily to a stranger.

Helen got an extra few hours sleep before getting ready for work.  She put on her blue shirt uniform clearly identifying her as a police officer and faced the mirror to do up the buttons.  Her eyes widen as she looked at her neck. Bruising was appearing up her neck line.  She swore and did up her shirt buttons high, but some bruising could still be seen. She cursed herself again and put on her police jacket making sure the collar sat up and covered her neck.

Helen sat down outside a café where her two friends from the night before were waiting eagerly. A coffee was placed in front on Helen.  Sarah reached over and lifted Helen’s sunglasses.

“Uh oh did someone have a late night?” laughs Sarah

Helen didn’t say anything, her smug look was communicating enough.

“Oh Helen you vixen, so what was she like, leave nothing out,” Rachel said while starting on her breakfast.

Sarah groaned, “For fuck sake will you say something.”

“It was nice.”

Both girls’ mouths dropped, “Nice?”

Helen nodded and started to eat when Sarah pulled back her jacket collar exposing a bruise.

“Hey don’t,” Helen puts collar up. “Ok… it was terrific, I was a little hesitant at first but she was so accommodating to me,” her words sounding corny.

“How was she accommodating?” pushed Sarah.

“She was gentle and..”

“Hello,  bruises?”

“And passionate as well.  We got a little over enthusiastic in some moments,” Helen laughed as she reminisced.

Rachel scoffed,  “I wish some sweet, young thing would pick me up.”

Sarah laughed,  “You don’t have what it takes, not like old reliable Helen.”

“Hey, enough of the old.”

“So was it one night or is this going to turn into a full on romance?” asked Rachel.

Sarah laughed, “Yeah did she leave you her number?”

Helen didn’t answer but instead produced piece of paper with a number on it.

Sarah snatched it,  “No way….. no fucking way, she gave you her number!”

“Damn Helen,  you must of made quite an impression,” laughed Rachel.

They all giggled like teenagers that had just scored a date with the most popular kid in school.

“When are you going to ring?” asked Rachel.

“I don’t know, it was a lovely night and she probably just gave it to me because she felt sorry.”

“Well you won’t know until you ring,” pushed Sarah.

Helen groaned and finished off her coffee, “I can’t believe this, I’m 43 years old and I’m carrying on like an adolescent wondering whether I should or shouldn’t contact someone.”

Rachel smiled, “Imagine being on the other end, waiting if will or won’t she call.  I hate being on that end.”

“When do I call her,……like  now?”

“No…. you don’t want to seem desperate, crowding,” advises Sarah.

“Well after work, catch up for a drink.”

“No…. then it would seem like an after thought at the end. No you ring her before lunch,” instructed Rachel as an expert.

“Who thought one night could have this much of a stressful aftermath,” groaned Helen.

“How old is she?” Sarah asked curiously.

“I have no idea, we didn’t exactly exchange ages, thank god.”

“Well as long as the most important things got exchanged,” laughs Sarah.

“What?” asked a confused Helen.

“Lots of sexual fluids, did she go down?”

“Ok you know I’m over this discussion so can we please talk about something else,” Helen looked at them both desperately.

Rachel and Sarah looked at each other then Helen,  “No…….”

Helen drove up to the police station, called Waterfront.  The station was mainly a water patrol serving the surrounding harbour, water front estates as well as neighbouring suburbs and main alfresco type tourist places.  She looked out over the large harbour as it always had a calming affect on her.  She recalls starting out as a constable quickly rising through the ranks of senior constable.  She was one of the first female scuba divers in the police force when the Waterfront station opened up 20 years ago.  She had trained numerous officers and after a bad accident 10 years ago was no longer allowed to dive.  Instead she worked her way up to ranking sergeant of the station.  The officers answered to her, and she answered to the captain of the station.

Helen made sure her jacket collar was up, took a deep breath and opened the door to the station.  The young girl at the counter immediately got to her feet.

“Morning Sergeant… um how was your weekend?”

“Morning Constable Jones, it was ok,” holding a back smirk.

“Oh that’s ummm…. That robbery report I,” stammered the constable nervously.

Helen looked at her intensely knowing the report was not ready and usually she would have berated her incompetence but instead said, “Ok constable I’ll let you off for the time being, but I want it by lunch time, got it?”

“Yeah, Sergeant.”

The ground floor of the police station consisted of a meeting room, a few interview rooms, lock up cell for criminals, staff change rooms and lunch area. Upstairs were the offices of Helen and the captain and main meeting room for senior police.  Helen entered her office and put her things away.  She looked at mirror eyeing off her neck, the bruise getting darker. 

“Stupid, careless woman,” then smirked as she remember the morning romp. 

She was disturbed be a voice.

“Morning Helen, how are you?”

Helen looked around, “Hello Charlie, what have you got for me?”

Charlie was 38 years old, senior constable and a good friend of Helen.  He was the only one that had the privilege to use Helen’s name rather than title.  After all he was the one that saved her life.

“Nothing, just noticed you looking ….. radiant actually,” he smirks.

Helen didn’t change her expression.

“Anyway things have been rather quiet around here and I thought I’d take the new recruits out on a dive this afternoon.  Provide the Sea Nautilus is not called away.”

Behind Helen’s view was the harbour, and tied up to the wharf was one of their patrol boats the Sea Nautilus.  It was large enough to handle the rough open seas if it needs to leave the harbour.

“I’ll get back to you Charlie.”

“Ok…. So… back to the radiant look.”

“Goodbye, Charlie.”

Helen looked at this transfer list identifying an Officer C Mitchell to be starting in her station tomorrow.  As yet no details have been passed on after two days of researching. Helen went down to the front office.

“Constable, why do I still have no idea who suppose to be transferring to my station?  Who is C Mitchell? Why do I not have any records?”

“Umm, trying to track down in the system, there is a number of C Mitchells. I am working on it Sergeant.”

“Fine….” Growled Helen.

She hated not being in control and hated the Police bureaucratic system.  Helen closed door to her office and sat at her desk.  She pulled out the piece of paper from her jacket pocket and looked over the numbers.  She picked up the phone and started to dial then hung up.  She picked up the phone again but put it down.

“Oh for Christ sake just make the damn call you silly cow, ” she berated herself.

Her heart was beating at the thought of talking to her, if it was indeed a legitimate number. She dialled again and waited.  After a few rings a voice answered.

“Hi…. Ummm it’s Helen.”

There was a pause,   “You…”

Helen blushed at no immediate response.

“Hi Helen, how are you, glad you called,” came the excited voice.

Helen shook her head in disbelief, “I’m good, a little tired.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean,” she said with a nervous giggle.  “I really had a good time.”

“So you keep saying.”

“Well your tone sounds disbelieving that’s all.”

Helen smirks, the girl was trying to read her tones.

“To tell you the truth I’m a little surprised that’s all.”

“Why…how come?” her mouth muffled.

“What’s wrong with your voice?”

“Sorry was cleaning my teeth, I said why?”

Helen put hand over the receiver so Casey couldn’t hear her snigger, “Someone my age doesn’t get hit upon by someone your age.”

“Hmmmm indeed, well if I waited for you to hit on me, I’d probably be your age in waiting.”

They both laughed, Helen felt that feeling in her stomach. She was so charming and delightful.

“I guess, well I’m ringing to ummm see if you want to come over for dinner, ” the words poured out before Helen realized it was what she wanted.

“I would love that Helen, what you want me to bring?”

Helen’s mind ran at all the things she could bring, sexually speaking.

“Hello?” the voice snapped Helen back.

“Umm, just yourself, 7.30pm?”

“Ok…. See you then, looking forward to it.”

After the call Helen dropped head in her hands, thinking,  “This is not happening to me, I am not this lucky.”

Before end of shift Constable Jones handed over information about the transfer.

“Umm, I don’t think there is going to be a transfer because Callum Mitchell is 52, captain in a little country town station and no plans to transfer to any city and Cameron Mitchell is on leave overseas with no transfer in the system.  I think it was a mistake Sergeant.”

Helen moaned, “Well only tomorrow will tell constable. I’m heading off for the day, make sure the next shift is briefed and make sure Charlie has our police craft back in one piece.”

Helen left towards her car noticed the police water craft was pulling into the wharf.  She heads down and greets the crew.

“All ok?” asked Helen.

They all nodded.  Charlie finished tying everything up then closed and secured the storage pit which stored extra scuba tanks and anchor rope, in base of the boat.

“Knocking off early Helen?” he quizzed.

“Yeah feeling little tired. Thought I’d go home and curl up with a good glass of red wine,” her eyes letting off a different story.

Charlie laughed,  “Well gee,  it must be a good glass of red.”

Helen grinned, “It hasn’t disappointed me thus far, night Charlie.”

Charlie grinned, “Yeah, night Helen.”

At home Helen changed into something casual then whipped up her famous bolognaise sauce. She had a glass of red already on the go to help calm the nerves of her anticipation.  Sarah had bugged her most of the day with details but Helen kept this moment, tonight to herself.  She put the water on boil when there was a knock at her apartment door.  She took another mouthful of red for good luck.

Helen opens to find Casey standing in jeans and long-sleeved shirt.  Casey walks in unsure whether to kiss her or hug her.  Helen was unsure as well, instead ushered her into the kitchen. 

“Do you want a beer, spirit, red wine?”

Casey grabbed Helen’s glass and tasted the wine, “Hmmm this will do.”

Helen grabs another glass and pours, her hand slightly shaking.  She hands it to Casey.

“Umm, no I’ve got my glass” and mischievously drinks from Helen’s, which was now her glass.

Helen’s heart felt like it was going to pound through her shirt,  “Umm, so what did you get up to today, work?”

“Hmmm, nah,  I’m on leave. I went to the gym but then I had to leave immediately.”

“Oh are you sick?” showing concern for her younger friend.

Casey turned her neck to the side and pulled her shirt from her neck exposing bruising.

Helen laughed, “Ohhhh well..”

“Hmm yeah, you really went to town on my body, Helen,” Casey laughs and takes another mouthful.

Helen scoffs,  “What me? Hang on a minute young lady,”  she unbuttons a few buttons on her shirt and exposes her neck line also showing marks.

“Well that obviously didn’t come from me,” jokes Casey.

“You know damn well it did.”

“Perhaps we should avoid those sensitive areas in the future,” encourages Casey.

Helen played the words ‘in the future’ and stopped stirring the sauce.

Casey nuzzled her cheek against Helen’s, before kissing it, “I have not stopped thinking about you Helen. Do you have any idea how distracted my day was?  I wasn’t even sure you were going to ring, see me again,” huffed out Casey.

Helen turned the sauce off and touched Casey face, then they fell against each others lips in slow, searching kiss.  Helen was besotted with Casey’s genuine words and interest in her.  The kissing intensified further with tongues invading each other, hands exploring under shirts.

They broke for a moment, Casey spoke first,  “I’m hungry.  But at this point I’m hungrier for you Helen.”

Helen took sauce off the stove and grabbed her young lover pulling her to the bedroom. She faced Casey and took to her lips again, lifting and pulling Casey’s shirt off, followed by bra.  Helen fondled Casey’s breasts before drawing one in and sucking at it.  She could see the bruises left on the young girl’s chest from the night before.

Helen stepped back a little astonished at herself,  “I never realised I had inflicted this much on you.  I’m sorry Casey.”

Casey eyes narrowed and grabbed Helen’s waist,  “Tension and passion does tend to take over during these moments.”

Casey starts to unbutton Helen’s shirt and removing it.  Casey looked intensely at Helen breasts before grabbing Helen’s face and kissing her tenderly.

“Please don’t turn the lights off, you have nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about,”  Casey’s hand massaged and caressed between Helen’s legs.

Helen bit her lip,  “Casey,  I don’t have a body like yours. I’m a little more rounded in areas so I don’t feel comfortable.”

Casey grabbed Helen’s hands and squeezed them,  “Woman… you are beautiful, you have nothing to be ashamed of.  And well I did get a peek at you this morning while we romped about.  I kinda know what you’ve got.”

She reached in quickly and massaged Helen’s pubic hair. Helen rested against Casey, feeling the wetness leak from her.

“Casey…. You are driving me insane.”

“Let’s share our insanity.”

Although the sun was setting, her room was still light with the drapes open.  Casey lay down on Helen’s bed and waited for company.  Helen nervously undressed and crawled up onto the bed and over Casey.  Casey handled her, kissed her, stroked her depths. Casey rolled her over and kissed her while Helen’s hands played around with Casey’s pants eventually getting them down and off the young woman.  Helen confidently wrapped a leg around Casey trapping her. 

Helen’s hands stroke up and down Casey’s back. Casey slipped down and flicked her tongue over Helen’s nipples, sucking and massaging.  Helen body was giving in easier than before.  The touch of Casey just burst her banks, and when Casey touched her inside Helen groaned louder, her hot hole swallowing Casey’s fingers.  Casey pushes deeper with 2 fingers.

Helen senses were distracted and immediately brought back to reality when she felt Casey’s tongue inside her.

“Casey……. I don’t think, ” but Casey had alleviated that thought with a reassuring touch of her hand, she grabbed Helen’s forearm as she increased her tongue movements.

Casey explored Helen’s wet abyss, tasting her completely.  Her tongue and her mouth moved to all parts of Helen, she moaned as she attached to Helen’s very swollen clit.

Helen continues to clutch Casey’s hand as her body’s control was with Casey’s mouth.  She couldn’t remember feeling this much pleasure from oral sex. The moment hit her hard, she felt the release deeply and cried out clutching Casey harder.  Casey felt the sensation through her own body and knew one touch would send her over but she restrained. 

Helen continued to breath deeply, surprised at the sudden rush.  The light headiness and then the realization that Casey was still resting on her pubic region.

“Ummm you haven’t gone to sleep?” she asks nervously.

“Hmm,  no,  I’m just savouring the moment of being between your legs and listening to you howling,” she looks up cheekily.

Helen blushed and grabbed the woman up and on top, “I don’t howl thank you very much,” as she kissed Casey, tasting herself. 

The kissing became slower, deeper. Helen made her move in wanting to return the pleasurable favour and started to move down, kissing and biting down until Helen was playing with Casey’s fur patch.  She touched it, stroked it lightly causing shivers from Casey.

Casey’s aroma was coming through clearly. It excited Helen so much that she was able to turn on this young thing to the point of almost begging.  She parted Casey’s lips and looked briefly at it.  So pink, so sticky and gave up any further thoughts and went straight to work on pleasing Casey.

Casey rolled about. Helen chased her clit around, licked at her opening before penetrating.  Helen licked loudly, swallowing loudly.

“Oh heck….. Oh my god, Helen!”

Helen pressed her full body weight to keep Casey pinned when a slight disruption from a knock at the front door.

“No….” whines Casey.

Helen ignored it as her lover was so close.  Helen unfortunately terminated when she heard her name called through the door.

Helen wiped her face and looked at the disappointed woman,  “Wait there,  I’ll be back to finish.”

She felt bad at the pained looked Casey was giving her,  “And…. hold that thought,” she snatched a quick kiss and got up putting her gown on.

Casey groans as her urge quickly dies.

Helen rushed to the door wanting to get rid of the person,  surprised to find it was Sarah crying. 

She allows Sarah to cry on her shoulder and saying over and over again “She cheated on me, I don’t want to live anymore.”

Helen walked back into the bedroom and sat next to Casey,  “Sarah is outside and very upset.  I need to be with her so can we…. or I finish this off another time?”

Casey eyes drop disappointedly.

“I mean finish this off tomorrow?”

“Yeah ok…..” Helen hugged Casey and watched her to get dressed.

Sarah was sitting on couch drinking her scotch when she saw both Helen and Casey emerge from the bedroom.

“Oh Helen, why didn’t you tell me you had company?  Look I should go.”

Casey spoke, “No it’s ok…. I have to get my things ready for work.  I hope you feel better soon, Sarah.”

Helen walks to the door with Casey. 

“I’m sorry,” she whispers to Casey.

Casey shrugs unable to hide her disappointment.  Helen grabbed Casey and gave her a quick, yet passionate kiss.

“I’ll call you tomorrow, I promise.”

Helen returns to the seat with Sarah who bursts into tears, “I’m sorry… I didn’t know you and her were….. I just.”

“Shhhh, enough is enough.  I’ve had enough of you going back to your girlfriend only to have her screw you over again with someone else.  It stops today Sarah… you and Jules are over, it’s finished.”

“She keeps coming back.  She keeps saying she is sorry, I love her.”

Sarah shared Helen’s bed and they talked most of the night, but Helen was reluctant to discuss her and Casey and whether their relationship was serious. 

Helen left for work the next day.  She rang Casey a few times but the phone eventually rang out.  She was just outside the Waterfront Police Station when she tried again but found the phone was switched off and a voice message could be left.

“Ummm hi, it’s Helen.   I’ve been trying to get you this morning.  I wanted to apologise and if you want let me make it up to you tonight.  So call me… please.” Helen hung up. She didn’t like the feeling of being in an emotional limbo state of mind.  Now her day had started out like crap, how it ended would depend on whether Casey would return her call.

Helen entered the office foyer with little acknowledgement of the constables on duty and went straight up to her office.  The female constable came out to the waiting person.

“Ummm I’ll just see if she is ready to see you.. We have had trouble getting your file.  We thought you might have been Callum Mitchell.”

“No… that’s my father”

“Cameron”

“is my brother  and my younger sister Cally is currently a cadet.”

The office constable made a look 

“Yes I know, my parents like the letter C….. you should hear it when mum yells at us, trying to get the right child’s name is a laugh.”

Helen was brooding in her office, she had a meeting in half an hour with captain and Charlie and the photocopier had eaten her duplicate reports.  There was a knock at the door and Helen barked for the constable to enter. 

“Ummm Sergeant, there is..” starts the woman

Helen looks up and snaps “Constable Jones why doesn’t anything work around here, the photocopy has jammed,  eating my report, the computer won’t print out the multiple copies I need. I have a meeting in 20 minutes and no milk for coffee. What the hell is going on here?”

Jones cleared her throat “Ummm, I’ll get those reports printed now, oh and that transfer officer, well she’s here, she’s real.”

“What…. You told me it was a mistake.”

“Well I had no paper work.  She is from the country and her paper work must have got lost.  I’ve sent for her file again, she is down stairs waiting.”

“Jeez,  I can’t deal with this at the moment.  Just show her around, organise her patrol partner and I’ll send for her when I finish my meeting.

Helen was addressing her captain and Charlie and a few other senior officers over the latest increase of crime around the café and restaurant regions.  Increase in muggings and complaints of lack of police presence in those areas to be addressed.

Captain addressed the group when Helen’s phone went off.  She looked at the number and breathed.  She apologized and got up from the meeting room and outside.  She headed outside on the balcony that overlooked the harbour.

“Casey”

“Hi Helen”

“Oh I was getting to think that you were angry and avoiding me.”

“No…. just waiting to start my new job, but there has been a delay so thought I’d call you.  How is Sarah?”

“She will live, look I can’t talk, I’m in a meeting but I am going to make it up to you.”

“Well…. you don’t,” starts Casey.

Helen in a rush “Casey, it is not an option, it’s what I’m going to do. I’ll call you later today. Bye.”

The meeting had all but ended. Helen was talking to Charlie about the new person starting.

“This whole system shits me” groans Helen “one minute I’m getting an officer then it’s cancelled. I’m getting a transferred officer but nobody can tell me who he…. Well she is.”

“Do you know where she is from?” asked Charlie. “Assign her to sea patrol.”

“She is from the country is all I know.”

“Hmm no boats….. no water.”

“I have no idea what to expect.”

They stoped outside Helen’s office when her eyes focused on the young officer.  The woman got to her feet and walked over to Helen and Charlie.

“Hello, I’m Casey Mitchell, I’m your transferred officer,” she said, holding her hand out as she shifted uncomfortably under Helen’s gaze.

Charlie sensed Helen’s sudden change in disposition and grabbed Casey’s hand instead. “Hi,  I’m Charlie, senior constable and in charge of the diving team.”

Casey shook his hand, eyes back to Helen.  Helen’s eyes darkened.

“Charlie, that will be all, ”  Helen commanded, making sure Charlie got the message to leave.

Charlie was amused by the behaviour of both girls.

“Constable Mitchell, my office.”

Helen closed the door and paced the floor for a few moments.

“Helen…. I didn’t..” Casey tried to say something but Helen cut her off.

“I am Sergeant Taylor…. You will address me by my rank, is that understood?”

“Sure… ok.”

Helen paced the floor, her stomach sick, her heart broken.  

Her voice hoarse, “This is unfair, why didn’t you tell me that you were an officer?”

Casey stood confident,  “Sometimes when you try to meet someone, telling them you are a police officer tends to put them off.  They don’t feel comfortable, thinking they have to watch what they do…. it can be a relationship killer.”

Helen just listened her brain still adjusting to the fact her young lover was now her constable.

“But things now aren’t so bad….. and I do like you in a uniform Helen….. not as much as I like you out,” compliments Casey.

“Excuse me constable, do I need to remind you of my rank.  You might be all laid back in the country, but down here we show respect for senior officers.”

“I’m sorry…”

Helen’s head still was still spinning and she needed some time to take this in.

“I have nothing of your service record to look at. Who you are…. Tell me about yourself, profession wise constable.”

Casey couldn’t understand why Helen was treating her like this but followed her orders.

“Ok I’ve been in the force for about 4 years, 2 years out in the country of my home town and decided it was time for a sea-change.  My family has a proud tradition of being in the force from my grandfather, father, my brother and my younger sister is now a cadet.”

Helen listening, wanting to ask the million dollar question: “How old are you?”

Casey laughed then caught it as she noticed serious look of Helen,   

“26 years and 3 months.”

Helen finally collapsed in her seat doing the numbers. She had just been exchanging sexual pleasures with someone 17 years her junior.

“This is so absurd, so ridiculous…. not to mention embarrassing,” she groaned.

“I don’t understand.”

Helen got up,  “You are the average age of the rest of the staff in this station.”

“So?”

Helen couldn’t understand why Casey wasn’t seeing the picture.

“Cas….. Constable…. this is very awkward for me and I would appreciate if you kept our little indiscretion to yourself.”

“Umm Sergeant, I don’t understand, what indiscretion?  If you are meaning what’s been happening between us you don’t have to worry, I don’t discuss my personal relationships.”

Helen breathed out.

“So umm sergeant, what time will I be coming over tonight?” Casey asked innocently.

“What… are you kidding me constable?”

“You said that you were making up last night to me, and it wasn’t an option.”

“Jeezus, I thought you would have realized by now that it stops.  Here and now it ends between us.”

Casey frowned, her heart breaking,  “but…. Why…”

“Oh my god, are you really this much of a fool?  I’m your commanding officer, I am in charge of you….. you answer to me.”

“Yeah, I get that but only during working hours, there is anywhere between 8 to 12 hours of non working time.”

“NO CASEY…. I cannot and will not fraternize with my staff, it sets a bad example of leadership.  Not to mention I am 17 years older than you   child.”

Casey eyes narrow “Please don’t refer to me as a child.”

“You know what I mean.”

“That’s not fair, you haven’t even given me a chance to show you… to prove that I...”

“It doesn’t matter, I have to maintain a level of professional status in my position. Being involved with one my officers is just not possible….. ever.  You may return to your duties Constable Mitchell.”

Casey closed the door to Helen’s office, her senses numb.  She thought by going out with an older woman would mean no hang ups but it seemed not to be the case.  As she made her way towards the lunch room, Casey bumped into Constable Sam Jones.

“Hey don’t sweat it, the Serg always like to grill the new ones.  She likes to display her authoritarian prominence.”

“So,  she’s not usually like that?”

“Yeah, she is always that way.  She doesn’t tolerate insolence and expects the best from us.  She can be nice…. I think.  Don’t worry,  just stay out of her way, do your reports and you will stay under the radar.”

Charlie popped out of the change room,  “Staying under the radar doesn’t get you promotions Sam, staying under the radar means you are not pulling your weight.  Helen notices you more if you try to go unnoticed.  However I don’t believe you will ever go unnoticed from Helen.  Why is that Casey?”

Casey dropped eyes and shrugged.  She pushed passed into the lunch room and grabbed a drink.

Charlie persisted “What did you do to dear old Helen to make her all cagey?  What is special about you Casey?” he grinned.

Casey shrugged,  “I guess cos I’m a Mitchell, she may find it intimidating because of my father.”

Charlie laughed,  “Helen doesn’t get intimated, she is the intimidator.  Nope….. you had her dangling and I want to know your secret honey.”

“Leave her alone Charlie,” Sam interrupted. “He’s just playing you,” he added for Casey’s benefit.

“Say…. how would you like to go out on the harbour patrol boat?  We were going to take it out for an hour, check on some boat licences.”

“Ummm I’d like that.”

“Ever been in a boat?”

“Yeah, my brother and I used to fish in the river, in our tinnie.”

Charlie sniggered.

“Don’t go Casey,” said Sam “and stop it Charlie.”

“Quiet constable, come Casey let me show you the open harbour.”

Charlie and another officer walked down to the wharf outside the Waterfront station.  Charlie fit her with thin life jacket as part of the safety equipment.  Casey stepped in and stood next to the canopy.

“Ok hold on, this boat has rockets for engines.” Yelled Charlie as the boat roared off.

The boat started to ride some of the waves, rocking as it went.  Charlie tapped his friend to look at Casey.  She was turning pale.

“Lets bring the boat round again, that should do it.”

It wasn’t long till Casey was leaning over the side throwing her guts up.

“You ok Casey?”

She didn’t respond.

They pulled back to the wharf. Sam was waiting and helped tie up the boat.  They helped Casey out of the boat, she was dry retching, her legs like jelly collapsing underneath her.  Sam held hold her up.

“That was cruel boys,” berated Sam.

“Hey, put it down to initiation into water patrol.”

Sam walked Casey into the station.  Helen came down the stairs just in time to see the mess.

“What the hell happen to Mitchell?” she asked.

“Umm, she was learning about the water police,” Sam said as Casey rushed into the change room, retching again.

Casey regained her land legs and changed her wet uniform.  She sat with Sam at the front desk to help out with phone inquires.

“They usually do that to new staff?”

“Hmm, especially if they never been out before.”

“I’ve had such a fragile day, this is really sending me over the edge,” she said as tears start flowing.

“Hey,  hey Casey…. They were just being boys.”

Charlie was in the men’s change rooms when Sam burst in.

“You fucking tosser,” panics Sam. “She just lost it at me, she’s sick of the force and ran out.”

“She’s just being dramatic.”

“No Charlie, she headed to the boat. I think she is going to do something stupid.”

Charlie looked at his friend and they ran out of the room and out of the station towards the boat.  Sam got down to the wharf and they walked up and down.

‘What the fuck did she do?  Where did she go?”

“She can’t swim Charlie, I saw her jump in.  Fuck, the sergeant is going to fire us for this.”

Both boys stripped out of their uniforms and dived into the water.  They dived down again trying to find her, the water was murky.  Sam stepped back and looked over her shoulder to see someone walking up to her.

“They fell for it?” asked Casey.

“Yep,” laughed Sam.

They slapped each others’ hands, “Gullible bastards!” laughed Casey.

Casey picked up the clothes of the semi naked officers and both girls returned to the station and waited in the front office giggling.  The boys returned and sneered at the two girls, they bodies dripping wet and shivering.

“Oh dear, I’m so emotionally fragile, ” whined Casey sarcastically followed by laughing.

Charlie sneered, “That was not funny.”

Sam replied, tears in her eyes, “No you’re right Charlie, it was fucking hilarious.”

“No, it most certainly is not!” boomed a voice from above the stairs. “Get dressed both of you and I want to see you all in my office in 10 minutes.”

They all stopped laughing, “So much for under the radar,” said Casey.

They all listened to Helen berate them over their childish behaviour.  The sergeant made a point to Charlie about showing more leadership rather than foolishness.  She lectured them on how they were supposed to be responsible members of the community and show some professionalism and respect.  If they carried on like it again they would be suspended.

Helen looked directly at Casey,  “I don’t want to be talking to you again over this, do I make myself clear?”

They all nodded.

“Are we clear?” spoke Helen louder.

“Yes… sergeant.” they spoke as one.

Casey crashed home on the couch.  She felt a physical and emotional wreck.  She needed to call Helen, to explain about the day and how she felt.  She rang her mobile number but it didn’t answer.  She tried a few times but then it gave a switched off message so she gave up.

To be continued 

The next morning, Casey put on the utility belt and hat she had been issued and was almost out the door of the Waterfront station with her patrol partner Paul when a voice from top of the stairs called to her.  She took off her hat and walked slowly upstairs into Helen’s office.  Helen closed the door and stood behind Casey not saying anything at first.  Then, gathering her thoughts, she moved to the front and stared at her constable.

“You tried to ring me last night, numerous times.”

“I needed to speak to you, why didn’t you take my call?”

“Because I didn’t and you know why.  I don’t want you ringing me at home. I don’t want you to come over to my apartment.  This infatuation you have with me is over.”

“You think I have an infatuation? Don’t flatter yourself,” snarled Casey.

Helen eyes widen at the retort but she let it slip.

“Please don’t do it again.  It is over…… don’t make me put a bar on your number.”

Casey looked Helen in the eye, no longer submissive, “Will there be anything else Sergeant Taylor?” Casey hissed.

“No… you can go.”

Casey eyes started stinging as she left for her patrol car.

A few months went by and Casey had integrated with her colleagues and was staying under the radar as far as Helen was concerned.  One afternoon, Casey was having lunch with Sam when a woman walked up to her.  She pulled off her glasses as she approached.

Casey jumped out of her seat to greet her,  “Hey Sarah, how you doing?”

Sarah glared at her and then at Sam.

“So this is the new girl?” spat Sarah.

“Huh, what?”

“I really thought you were a nice person, and then you had to go and screw it up.”

Casey panicked and grabbed Sarah by the arm dragging her away from Sam.

“What? Are you too embarrassed for your new girlfriend to hear the truth about you?”

“Sarah, I don’t know what you are talking about, and Sam is not my girlfriend.  She works with me.”

“I thought you were different, you seemed like a really genuine person.  Helen was really starting to get comfortable and you just had to break her.”

“Sarah,  I haven’t done anything wrong. It was Helen’s choice not mine.”

“Oh, so standing her up for dinner a few months ago was her choice?”

“I didn’t stand her up, we never went out to dinner, Sarah,” Casey’s voice quieted.

“That’s bullshit. She told me how you were supposed to show up but you didn’t and you haven’t called her since.  You’re a real piece of work honey,”  Sarah said as she strode off leaving Casey in a daze.

Back in the station Casey pulled her t’shirt off and threw it hard into her work locker cursing under her breath.  She pulled her jeans off and slammed them into her locker as well.  She put on her slacks and was buttoning her shirt when the door to the change room opened and Helen walked in.  Casey glanced over, eyes narrowing.  Helen could feel the coldness and dropped her head in shame.

Helen spoke: “Casey I can explain.”

Casey slammed her locker closed and grabbed her utility belt, “Don’t’ bother…. I don’t want to hear it,” she hissed at Helen as she went past, slamming the door to the change room to highlight her animosity.

Casey finished her night shift and checked her pigeon hole.  There was a message in it from Helen asking her to call her at home.  Casey scoffed at it, crushing the piece of paper before throwing it into the bin.

A knock woke Casey and she groaned.  She had come off night shift at 3am and it was just after 7 am.  Casey growls and opens the door to be greeted with a police officer.  Her eyes took time to adjust.

“Sarah..”

“Uh huh…. get dressed we’re going for a drive,” she ordered.

Casey left the door open,  “Bugger off, I’m not in the mood for any of your games.”

“Casey I’m sorry….. I couldn’t help but believe Helen.  She told me last night and I feel so terrible.  So I’m going to make it up by taking you out to breakfast.”

Casey went back to her room and crashed on the bed,  “I’ve only had a few hours of sleep,  Sarah.”

Sarah sat on the bed,  “Don’t make me use force,  sweetie.”

Casey smiled and opened her eyes,  “Really, like what?  Police brutality”

“That can be arranged.”

Casey sat up,  “Look Sarah…”

Sarah took out her hand cuffs from her belt,  “Don’t make me cuff you and drag you out in your nightwear.”

Casey laughed, “You’re kidding?”

Sarah grabs one of Casey’s hands and cuffed it tight.

“Alright, alright, let me get changed.”

“See, nothing like a bit of persuasion,” Sarah smiled. 

Sarah and Casey sat down for breakfast outside a cafe.

“I didn’t know you were in the police force too” Casey said through a yawn.

“Hmm, I didn’t know Cameron had such a sexy younger sibling,”  Sarah flirted subtly.

“I wouldn’t say that.  He doesn’t approve of my sexual preferences.”

“Yeah… your brother is a bit of a tosser, sorry but he is.”

“That’s ok….. I think that too,” they shared a laugh.

“Casey,  I really am very sorry.  Helen was very naughty.”

“She lied, it’s a little more than naughty.  God knows what else she has told you.”

“Oh nothing, except you’re great in bed, ” she finished off quickly.

Casey choked on her coffee,  “Heeeeyyyyy!”

“Helen and I have been friends for a long time, it’s only natural we compare notes.”

“Jeezus….” Casey stammered, embarrassed.

They chatted for a little while longer.

“Well I think I’ve boosted your ego enough for one day young constable Mitchell, ” Sarah said in a formal voice.  “I’m having a party Friday night at my place, I’ll expect you there.”

“Yeah right, I don’t think so.”

“Why?” Sarah asked, almost sounding hurt.

Casey got to her feet, “Well, why do you think?  Helen.  She has made it quite clear we can’t socialize out side of work.”

“Well that’s her problem not mine and not yours either.  I want you there and you best be there little miss,” Sarah pinches her chin.  “Don’t make me send the boys in blue around to get you.”

Casey stared uncertain, “You wouldn’t dare.”

Sarah put her glasses on and smirked not offering a comment one way or another.

Casey walked into the station for the afternoon shift when Sam caught her.

“Sergeant wanted to see you as soon as you get in.”

Casey begrudgingly climbs the stairs and knocks on the door.  Helen on the phone waves her in and tells her to close the door.

“No problems sir, I’ll pass that on,” Helen said into the phone.  “Yes sir, ok thanks.”

“Have a seat,” offers Helen nicely.

Casey just stares at nothing in particular, ignoring the invitation.

Helen huffed, “Casey…. I’m so sorry that I lied about us to Sarah.  She just kept on at me about you.  I just…”

“Forget it, Sergeant, you did what you had to do to protect your professional status. Your reputation is more important than mine.”

“That’s not true, Casey.”

Casey wouldn’t look at Helen, her eyes started to sting again.  Casey was feeling like an idiot for allowing Helen to keep getting to her.  Helen was ashamed moved toward Casey but Casey stepped back quickly.

“Don’t…. if you have finished using me as your personal fun bag can I please report for duty?”

Helen could only nod.

Friday night arrived and so did Casey at Sarah’s place.  She was let in by someone and eventually an excited voice yelled out.

“Caaaassey!”

Casey felt arms circle her hard,  “I was about to call the boys to go find you.”

Casey laughed and broke free, “Hi Sarah,” she said, hugging her while she nervously looked around.

Casey mingled through out the night, meeting more people than she could even remember.  Every time she thought someone was hitting upon her, Sarah could come in and drag her away.  Casey went outside for some air, the house was too crowded.  She noticed a figure sitting at an outside table.

“Hi, ” Casey said, unable to identify the person in the dark.

“Hi Casey,” came Helen’s quiet voice.

Casey drained her beer, the alcohol calming her, “Sergeant, didn’t know you were out here.”

“It was getting over crowded and noisy.”

“Parties are like that.  It’s why you go….. to have fun,” said Casey flippant.

“I think I’ve forgotten how to have fun these days.”

“Well, I can’t help you with that, Sergeant.”

“Casey, you don’t have to keep calling me that,” growled Helen. “We are off duty.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Good…. Then you can just bite me.  You can shove your fucking emotional mind games up your ass Helen,” berated Casey. 

“Casey, please stop.”

Sarah came outside and sensed the tension.

“Uh uh uh, you play nice Casey or do I need to take to you with the cuffs again?” she teased.

“Why don’t you show me what you can do with your police baton instead?” Casey answered, leaning in to Sarah, smirking.  “I need another drink.” Casey announced as she headed back inside.

Sarah looked at Helen,   “Why you out here?”

“Why did you invite her?”

“Because I felt sorry and I felt like such a bitch for chastising her.”

“Look, I said I was sorry,  Sarah.”

“Fine, just move on from it.  You and Casey, it’s over right?”

“Yeah,  I guess.”

“Well good.”

“Why good?”

Sarah smiled, “Just come inside and have fun.”

Casey was in deep discussion with another girl when she felt arms around her waist and a peck on her cheek.  Casey looked around and her lips were captured by Sarah in a stolen kiss.

“I was about to ask if you wanted a drink, but I’m happy for the kiss,” Sarah flirted openly.

“You kissed me, ” Casey flirted back.

“Noooo…. I’m not the type to go around kissing young girls.  I could be arrested.”

Casey smirks,  “I can arrange that.”

Helen watched as the two flirted.  She wondered how long it would take before Sarah went after Casey.  Helen felt a pang of resentment that Sarah could just carry on so quickly.  After another hour Helen decided to call it quits and searched for Sarah.  She wasn’t inside, so she went outside and found Sarah locking lips with Casey.

“Well that’s just great,” snaps Helen.

Casey separated quickly, falling over in a drunken state.  Sarah stood her up and helped her to a seat.

“I’m going, enjoy the rest of your evening.”

“Helen…..Helen wait up,” Sarah called as Helen stomped off.

Helen got to her car where the tears started to sting.

“Helen,  you said it was over, now is it or isn’t it?” pushed Sarah.

“Like you care, just screw her I don’t care any more!” spat Helen as she slammed the door of her car and sped off.  Tears of hurt and confusion flowed freely.

Sarah went out to find Casey sitting with hands in her head.

Sarah touched her head, “Hey it’s ok, she will get over it.”

She pulled Casey up and back to her lips.  Casey backed away but with Sarah’s persistence and Casey’s drunkenness they kissed hard.

The party had ended and it was only Sarah and Casey left.  They were on the couch kissing and fondling each other under their clothes.  Casey stood and looked at her watch.

“I should go.”

“Hang on a minute country girl, you’ve got to finish what you started,” Sarah wrapped her arms around Casey, kissing her softly. 

Casey pulled back, “It was terrible what we, well what I did in front of Helen.  It was in bad taste.  I’m not that type of person.”

“Will you stop worrying about it?  She doesn’t care, she told me that she wasn’t interested in you.”

Casey dropped her head and Sarah held her, “You have to let her go, come on I know just how to help with that.”

Casey steps back stumbling, face showing the pain, “Why won’t she love me back, why can’t she see it’s not about uniforms or rank.  It’s about feelings, emotions.”

Sarah growing tired of Casey whining, “Helen doesn’t make time in her life to love anyone.  It’s about the job, it’s about the status.  She won’t love you Casey, it is a lost cause.”

Casey got angry and the two argued more, Sarah forced herself on Casey and they struggled.  Casey was thrown to the wall and found herself turned on by Sarah’s heavy handed tactics. They go at each other hard before Casey stepped back.

“I’ll have sex with you Sarah, but that’s all it will be, that’s all I can give to you.”

Sarah grabbed Casey’s wrist, “Woman, that’s all I fucking want,” dragging her to the bedroom.

Casey awoke the next morning feeling like shit.  Her head hurt, her body felt like it had been beaten up, which it had been considering Sarah did nothing but fuck her hard all night.  Her pussy felt so tender, not surprising since Sarah had fucked her with not only her hand, dildo but also her police baton.  Casey dragged herself into work and collapsed at the front counter with Sam.

“Damn girl, you look like Frankenstein’s bride.”

Casey groaned,  “I was with Frankenstein’s bride.”

The front door opened and both girls faced the person entering the station.

“Hello, Sergeant,” said Sam.

“Sergeant,” Casey greeted her softly.

Helen nodded but didn’t meet their gaze and disappeared up stairs.

“I swear to god,  it’s a mid life crisis for her,” Sam insisted.

Casey let Sam go and have lunch while she managed the front enquires.  She kept thinking about the previous night with Sarah and the whole horror.  Swinging her seat around and looking up she could just see Helen in her office on the phone.  She looked tired, washed out.  Casey fantasized at what she would do to help Helen, give her a massage, cook her dinner, what would she like.  She stopped the day dream when she noticed Helen looking at her.  Casey quickly swung back around to the front and answered the ringing phone.

Helen watched Casey work from her office.  She was angry at Casey and even more furious with Sarah. 

Later that day, Casey walked into the lunch room to make herself a coffee and saw Helen by the kettle.  She was about to leave when Helen spoke.

“You don’t need to leave Casey. Fix yourself a drink”

Casey nodded and continued, hoping Helen would leave but she didn’t.

“So you enjoy the party?” she asked.

Casey nodded.

“Did you enjoy Sarah too?”

Casey glared over at her, “If you want to ask something, then ask it.”

“It’s none of my business.”

“Fine… whatever,” Casey went to leave then faced Helen.  “I can’t do this Helen. I can’t keep doing this dance with you.”

“I know……”

Casey put her cup down and walked over to Helen, “I know it’s hard for you, I get it.  You keep pushing me away but I’m not getting any further away from you.  I guess you have to get used to me being here, and in your life.”

“Casey, please, don’t…”

“Don’t what…., don’t talk to you, don’t look at you, or don’t love you?”

“Yes….”

“Fine! then why don’t you arrange for my transfer today.  Then we can be as far away from each other as you like.”

“Casey, I don’t… last night…. It was hard for me to watch you two being together.”

“Yes, I slept with Sarah, and it was a big mistake. I’m sorry and I’m paying for it very much now.  But she’s not you….. and she can’t have me, not in the way that you have me.  I’m stuck Helen, it’s your move.”

Casey went back to her desk as Helen returned to her office.

For the next few weeks, Casey and Helen were civil to each other.  Casey even occasionally flirted subtly but Helen never participated. But the little twitch from the side of Helen’s mouth was enough encouragement.

Sam was sitting at the counter when a police officer from another station walked in.

“Where’s Sergeant Taylor?” she demanded.

“Umm, she’s out at the moment.”

“Right…. What about Constable Mitchell, is she in?”

“Yes…. Why?”

The woman leaned over the counter, “None of your fucking business constable, where can I find her?” she growled louder.

Sam swallowed nervously, “She’s getting dressed, in the change room, over there.”

Casey did up her pants and put on her blue shirt when the door slammed open and closed with a click.

Casey looked over, then up to the ceiling.

“Great, ” she hissed.  “Sarah, what are you doing here?”

Casey continued doing up her shirt as Sarah came to stand next to her.

“Why don’t you return my calls?  What’s wrong, am I not good enough for you?”

Casey closed door to her locker, “I told you that night, it was only going to be sex.”

“Well thanks, but didn’t you think I might have wanted to catch up again.  I would like to show you a good time again?” Sarah touched side of Casey’s face.

Casey backed away, “Sarah,  I have to start my shift.”

“You can’t blow me off, you know how I feel about you baby,” whined Sarah.

Casey was starting to feel uncomfortable by Sarah’s unwanted attention.

“Look I have to go, ” Casey headed to the door but Sarah slammed her against the lockers.

“Just fucking listen to me for a minute, ” yelled Sarah.

Sam could hear the commotion and was concerned at the yelling.  She knocked on the change room door.

“Is everything alright?” she asked, trying to push the door open, but finding it locked.

Sarah had her baton up to Casey’s throat, pushing against her airway hard. 

“I’m sick of you girls screwing me around. You get what you want and discard me like some old used up rag.”

“Sarah… stop, ” breathed Casey, her face going blue.

Sarah slammed her baton into Casey’s stomach, doubling her over. 

Sam tried the door again. She could hear the officers growling and the sound of a locker being slammed hard.  Just then, Helen came through the door with Charlie.

Sam grabbed Charlie, panic in her voice:  “Something bad is happening in the women’s locker room.  Another officer is in there yelling at Casey, I can’t get in.”

Helen tried the door, command in her tone:  “This is Sergeant Taylor, open this door now.”

Casey had tears in her eyes as she looked at the gun pointed at the side of her head,  “Please don’t, ” she whimpered.

Helen heard Casey’s pleas,  “Open this door right now!”

Helen turned to Charlie,  “Break this bloody thing down.”

Sarah re-holstered her gun and slammed her fist into Casey’s stomach and then across her face just as the door was kicked in.  Casey fell to the floor, hands covering her face.

Charlie restrained Sarah as she struggled, “Get the fuck off me.  Helen, get this ogre off me!”

Helen looked at Sarah in disbelief then looks down at Casey, her face bleeding,  “What the hell have you done,  Sarah?”

Sam grabbed a cloth and held it to Casey’s nose.  Helen grabbed Sarah’s gun and baton.

“Charlie put her in an interview room. I’ll deal with her after.”

“Helen, don’t be ridiculous. Come on, Casey was being unreasonable, she knows I love her. HELEN!” Sarah screamed as Charlie dragged her off.

Both Sam and Helen brought Casey to her feet and helped her sit on the bench, her entire body trembling. 

“Shall I call an ambulance?” asked Sam.

“What……. no way, I fell over, I’m ok, both of you leave me alone.”

Sam left, but Helen remained, pacing the floor.

“What happened?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t bullshit me,” Helen’s tone broke up.

Casey wiped her face,  “Sarah and I had a little disagreement.”

Helen looked closely at Casey’s face and the indent on the side of her forehead,  her eyes widen in recognition.

“She held a gun to your head.”

“What…. no.. don’t be ridiculous,”  Casey pushed passed Helen and started to clean the blood from her face.

“Casey…. I need to know.  Did she hold a gun to your head?”

Casey looked at Helen through the mirror, as tears started to fall, “Yeah … she did Helen,   I thought she was going to kill me.  I didn’t know what to do,” Casey choked out the words, having trouble breathing.

Helen grabbed her shaking shoulders,  “Shhh,  take some breaths and tell me everything.”

Casey looked into Helen’s eyes, “Why, what would be the point?  She’s your friend, and you will protect her. ”

Helen touched Casey swollen face,  “You, Constable,  are my concern at this point, what do you need Casey?”

Casey removed her shirt and got a clean one out, “a change of underwear.”

Helen closed the door to the interview room where Sarah was sitting quietly

“Helen,  I can explain, it was just a bit of rough housing.”

“You assaulted one of my officers. You put your weapon to Casey’s head for christ sake.”

Sarah scoffed,  “Is that what she said, she’s so full of it.”

“There’s a mark on her forehead where you shoved your gun.  Jeez,  Sarah what were you thinking.”

“Oh come off it, the girl has been playing both of us. I just wanted to scare her a little.”

Helen shook her head.

“Helen, please I’ll apologize.  I’ve been under a little stress.”

Helen sat down and grabbed Sarah’s hand. “I should have picked it up sooner.  You are not well Sarah.  I spoke to Jules.”

“Don’t… ok don’t bring her into this.”

“Jules told me that she’s been with someone for nearly 6 months.  That you have been making threatening phone calls, stalking them both.  You need help.”

“I don’t need help,” spat Sarah. “I’m just going through some stuff but it won’t happen again Helen, I promise.  Just cut me some slack.”

“I would if you had only given Casey a little chin music but you held your gun to her head, I can’t ignore that. So this is what I’m going to do for you. Right now,  you and me are going to see a doctor.”

“Or what….. what are you going to do?” Sarah rises from her seat becoming menacing towards Helen.

Helen stood up also eyeball to eyeball, “Or I will have no choice but to charge you for reckless endangerment with a weapon.  Don’t make me take you in Sarah, not like this.”

Sarah through her hands in the air, “You’re suppose to be my friend.”

“I am, that’s why I’m in here talking to you and not internal affairs,” She said grabbing Sarah’s hand.  “Please, let me help you.”

Late that night Helen sat in front of the TV drinking.  Her mind was numb, turning over the afternoon’s events.  A knock at her door disturbed her for a moment, but she ignored it until a voice spoke out.

Helen opened the door, finding Casey.

“I wanted to know how Sarah was doing…..and I kinda thought you wouldn’t have eaten so I brought Chinese,” she added, holding up the takeaway.

Helen didn’t respond, so Casey walked in and made her way to the kitchen.  She got out two bowls and divided up the food.  She faced Helen in the doorway.

“So what happened?”

Helen looked away, tears forming, “Umm,  I took her to the doctor and they admitted her for psychiatric treatment. I’m her friend I should have seen it coming, but I was so wrapped up in myself,” Helen broke down.

Casey went over and wrapped her arms around Helen and held her tightly while she sobbed,  “She’s going to be alright, you’ll see.”

The girls returned to share Helen’s couch and sat out straight on opposition ends, their legs resting against each other while eating and talking.   Helen talked about her career as an officer, the accident where she sustained a punctured lung and was no longer able to dive. Then, she dropped a bombshell on Casey.

Casey stopped mid bite,  “Huh, you were married?… When? How long?”

Helen laughed,  “In my mid to late 20s, for 8 years.”

“What and then you just switched teams, converted?”

“Casey you make it sound like a religious choice.  I knew that Gary wasn’t the one, and it took me a little time to realize I had no interest in men at all.  Since then, I’ve only been in one serious relationship and 2 short term relationships and now….” Helen slightly grinned, “one fling.”

Casey wasn’t happy with being referred to as a fling but accepted that was all she was going to be to Helen.

“So come on let me in on the Mitchell story, police’s proudest family tradition.”

Casey shrugged, “Like the article in the police gazette says, my grandfather, father, brother and my sister, three generations.  No big deal.”

“Uh huh, why did you join the force?” asked Helen.

Casey put her bowl down and looked at her oddly,  “Well,  I would have thought that was obvious, to keep up the Mitchell tradition.”

“That’s the only reason?”

“What other reason is there Helen, when you are told right from an early age that to make your father proud you had to join the force like him and his father.  I’d already disappointed him when I told him I was gay, I didn’t want to make it any worse by ruining a family tradition.”

“Didn’t you want to be anything else?  Didn’t you have any other aspirations?”

“No…. there was no point.  I was to become a police officer, so that’s what I am.”

“Do you like it, the role?”

Casey drew a breath and shrugged,  “More or less.”

“Well now that you are not under the control of your father, have you considered looking at doing something else?”

“What something other than the police force?  No way.  It would devastate him.”

“It’s your life, Casey not his.”

“To be all honest, I never really thought about it.  Look I should go,  I just wanted to make sure you were all right. It’s all part of the fling service,” smiled Casey.

Helen dropped her eyes, “I’m fine, thanks. I shouldn’t have said that.”

Casey left and Helen went to bed thinking about Casey.  Still unable to make her fit into her life, she soon drifted off to sleep.

Casey and Paul had finished their patrol and were writing up their day reports.  Casey fixed herself a coffee when Helen walked in.

“Heard we had a little accident?” growled Helen at them both.

Casey dropped her head,  “It’s only a little ding, ” animating the size with her fingers.

“It was his fault, we were in pursuit and our lights and siren were on. He didn’t give way….. it was unavoidable, ” defended Paul.

“He must have missed my L plates, ” joked Casey but Helen didn’t change her attitude.

“I’ll get some quotes” huffed Casey.

Helen nodded.

Later towards the end of day, Casey went to Helen’s office with the report of incident and quote for repairs to the police car.

“Thank you, Constable Mitchell,” Helen said,  not looking up.  When Casey didn’t leave, she asked,  “Is there something else?”

“Yes…. Do you have time to talk?”

Helen took a breath and asked her to close the door.

“What’s on your mind?”

“What we talked about last night.   Doing something other than being a police officer and I couldn’t think of anything. I mean I stayed up, looked on university sites, apprenticeships and nothing caught my attention.”

Helen nodded, “Well, after 20 or so years of being told what your career is going to be, you can’t expect to have some idea after 6 to 7 hours Casey.  Just think about it some more, there are other careers within the police force as well.”

“But that’s just it Helen, umm Sergeant, I know the most absolute thing.  I don’t want to be in the police force.”

Helen frowned but let her continue.

“I think….. I want to resign from my position.”

Helen sat still showing no emotion, “Casey don’t rush into any decisions, take some more time to consider your options.  Let me arrange a meeting with the police counsellor.”

Casey smiled, “No Helen, it’s not just about finding what I want to do with my life, it’s also about finding myself.  I can’t do that while I’m still working as a police officer.”

Helen got from her seat and paced the floor feeling a little anxious,  “Why don’t you take some leave, give you more time.”

Casey got up and walked over to Helen, “You see the more you say take time, think about it, it makes me want to walk out the door today and not come back.”

“Casey…”

“But…. I’m giving you two weeks notice…. Then my career as a police officer will cease.  I really want to thank you Helen for making me look hard at myself.”

Casey left and Helen slumped into her seat in shock.  She felt a sense of loss and watched Casey walk down stairs to the front desk.  Helen felt like there had just been a death, like something important to her was gone and not coming back.  Helen was distracted for the remainder of her shift.

TBC 

The two weeks went slowly for Casey but much too quickly for Helen.  On Friday, her last day of work, her group had gathered at a local bar for drinks and to celebrate.  Casey thanked all her friends and was looking forward to her new adventure, which would begin in Thailand.

Casey mingled after the speeches, then leaned across the bar to order another drink.  Helen paid the bartender.

“Thanks, Sergeant.”

“I’m not your sergeant anymore,” she smiles.

“No, I guess not,” Casey replied.

“What’s this about Thailand?”

“Oh well,  I’ve decided to take a trip overseas. Amnesty Missions is looking for people to teach English to the children.  Thought I might give that a go for a few months,” she explained.

“Wow…. When are you leaving?” Helen asked, trying to not to show her disappointment.

“Umm, this Sunday.  Just got my passport and ticket today.  One way so there is no changing my mind.”

“One way?….”

“Yeah, I couldn’t afford the return ticket, so I will have to work for it.”

“Casey what if it doesn’t work out?  That is very irresponsible of you.”

Casey was not impressed by Helen’s remark.

“What if you get into trouble? Or if you need help?  Anything could go wrong.”

“It could, it may,  but in the end,  its my life, my risk,  Helen.”

“I know you are feeling lost, we all get that way but running away won’t resolve anything.”

“I’m not running away.” Casey said, getting angry.

“Well of course you are.  You didn’t give much thought into your decision, you just rushed into it.”

“Look I’ve been getting this crap from my father and brother all week, don’t you start.”

“Well maybe you should listen to them,” presses Helen.

Casey shakes her head: “Stop…. It’s my life, my decision.”

“Well you made a wrong decision.  By you running away from your family issues, personal issues, you only have to return to it.”

Casey scoffed.   “My family issues are none of your business and I’m not one that runs from personal issues.  Plus I doubt I will be ever coming back to those issues anyway.”

Casey turned her back and rejoined her friends while Helen left.

On Saturday night, Casey was on the phone when someone knocked at her door.  Opening it, she let her visitor in.

“Yes… I have, ”  answered Casey speaking into the phone as she waved Helen inside.

“Yes…. I’ve had the last of my shots today Mum.  Yes….. I have the tablets,”  Casey rolls eyes at Helen.

Helen smiles and waits in the main room.

Casey went into her small kitchen and put a kettle on, continuing her conversation.  “Mum I told you, I will call once I’ve settled in. There is no need….”

Helen watches Casey reasoning with her mum on the phone.  She laughs when Casey holds the phone out and nods her head from side to side.

“Mum…. MUM will you listen… I’m not yelling…. please stop crying.”

Helen finishes making the coffee for them and watches Casey holding back her own tears.

“Mum I’m going to be fine.  I really have to go. No don’t call me at the airport…. Fine I will call you from the airport…. Mum the battery on my phone is going dead sorry talk to you later, love you too.”

Casey puts the phone down lets out a little moan.  “Half an hour.   She has been lecturing, crying, …. Arguing.”

Helen nods,  “She’s scared.”

“I’m going to be fine. So are you here to yell and lecture me too?”

Helen shakes her head and takes a sip,  “No, …. I want to apologize for yesterday.”

They sit next to each other on the couch.  “Helen I need to do this.  I have been feeling so lost, so restless.  I just need to get away.  If that constitutes running away then so be it.”

Helen puts arm around her,  “You just need to find your niche. I only wish you didn’t have to go so far to find it.”

“Oh is someone going to miss me?” Casey leans against Helen in fun.

Helen didn’t answer.

“Look I’ll send you an email… let you know I’m fine.”

“Did you mean what you said, that you were not coming back?”

Casey thinks about it, “Well I don’t know, I might meet someone and want to settle down overseas.  I don’t know…. The future is not written for me yet Helen, nothing is for certain.”

Helen looks over at Casey, her expression relaxed,  “I will miss you Casey.”  Helen’s words falter unexpectedly as she gets to her feet.  “I just wanted to say good bye, I wanted us to part on good terms.”

Casey stood,  “Stay a bit longer.”

Helen faces Casey and touches her face, “You be careful.”

She kisses Casey lightly, but rather than walk away like she had planned, she snatched her lips again and again. Casey melts and wraps arms around Helen as they devour each other.

Casey arched her back and touched Helen’s head, stroking it as Helen worked in and around Casey’s pussy. She worked at her opening, her tongue darting in and around.  She stretched open Casey’s lips and flicked tongue at her spot.

Casey’s body writhed with pleasure, “More… more….that’s it, that’s the spot.”

She groaned loudly as her orgasm surfaced and spilled.  Helen cleaned up Casey’s little mess and then collapsed next to her.  She watched Casey’s breathing returned to normal and her eyes open. 

Casey turned to Helen.

“Was that my going away present?”

Helen smiled and touched her cheek,  “Hmmm, something like that.”

They kissed and cuddled for hours until Casey eventually fell asleep in Helen’s arms.  Helen stroked, and kissed her head then closed her eyes.

Helen woke to the sound of her mobile phone.  She gently rolled Casey away and grabbed her pants.

Hearing someone talking in a low voice, Casey switches on her lamp.  She watches Helen get dressed.

“What’s up?….. Where you going?”

Helen puts her top on and sits on bed,  “I’ve been called into help with search and rescue.  The storm has hit early and all staff being recalled to active duty.”

“Oh…. Is it that bad?”

Helen smiles,  “Not your concern anymore.  Please take care, look after yourself.”

Helen leans in and pecks Casey on the cheek before heading to the door. 

She faces Casey one last time,  “If you get into any trouble, or you need help just call me…. anytime, day or night.” With that said,  Helen left.

Helen drove into work, occasionally wiping away the escaping tears.

Hours later Casey arrived at the airport.  The storm was in full force with cyclonic winds causing havoc.  Casey noticed the departure board reading most flights delayed, a few cancelled.  She rocked up at the customs desk and they processed her bags.

Helen was run off her feet. Her station was busy, injured people were seeking shelter in the interview rooms.  Some looters were being detained.  Helen spoke to Charlie who was out in the harbour pulling people to safety from their over turned boats.  She told Charlie to head in, the harbour was getting much too dangerous.

Helen looked out the window of her office. The rain was pelting down, the wind bending trees over.  Her thoughts were away with Casey.  She picked up the phone and dialled.

Her only answer was the voice mail of Casey’s mobile telling her to leave a message. 

“Hi… ummm no doubt you are out of this storm.  I just wanted to say that I’m sorry things didn’t work about between us.  I’m sorry I let my work, my pride get between us.  I am so sorry I let you go, ” Helen stuttered.   “I was falling in love with you.”

Helen hung up the phone and headed downstairs to the front desk.  She got on the two way radio, waiting on Charlie’s report.  The door of the station opens and closes quickly, revealing a woman standing there soaking wet.

Sam got up immediately,   “Casey…. What are you doing here?”

Helen finishes her call and just stares in disbelief at the wet, shivering woman.

 “Ummm hi…. I’m very cold and wet, ” shivers Casey

“I have a set of clothes in my locker Casey, ” offers Sam.  The phone starts up again and Sam answers it.

Casey goes into the change room and starts peeling off her clothing.  Helen soon follows, handing Casey a towel.

“Damn it’s bad out there,”  Casey said.

“Casey what are you doing here?  You’re supposed to be on your way to Thailand.”

“Yeh I know…. It’s been delayed and well,  seeing on the news how bad it is out there.  I knew I had left you a person short.”  Casey didn’t look at Helen for the moment

“Casey…. I hope this hasn’t got anything to do with my phone message,” groaned Helen.

Casey stripped off her pants and put on Sam’s cargo pants and long sleeve sweater.  She wiped her hair.

“My phone along with all my other gear is on its way to Thailand.  I’ll catch up with it,” Casey confirmed.

Helen’s face doesn’t change.

“I know I’m not staff, but its chaos out there so just let me help.  Then I will go, be out of your life…… if that’s what you want.” Casey leaving the question opened

Helen steps forward grabbing Casey’s sweater and pulled them together. Helen kissed Casey avidly breaking only when the door to the change room opened.  Sam walked in and stopped short.

“Umm ,oh sergeant…”

Helen stepped back blushing,  “Yes constable…. what is it?” she growled, unable to face her constable.

“It’s the Sea Nautilus, just letting you know it will be at the wharf in 20 minutes.  It has injured passengers.”

“I’ll be out in a minute.”

Helen heard the door shut and ran a nervous hand over her face.

“What…. does that mean…. Helen?” asked Casey

Helen avoids the issue, “I need to get back to…”

Casey blocks Helen’s quick exit,   “No…. not until you tell me…. What does that kiss mean?”

“I need to get back,” urges Helen.

“NO…. not until you talk to me Helen… please.”

“Casey, it means… I can’t discuss it now please.  When this is crisis is over we will talk I promise.  I have to go.”  Helen leaves the change room.

Casey wasn’t convinced and calls after her,  “No you won’t… you will run away again.  You always run away from me.”

Helen nods but keeps on her stride.  Casey sees to some minor first aid and answers calls and helps the paramedics move the badly injured people. Sam finally cornered her when the radio crackled and Charlie was almost in.  Because there was no power the wharf had no lights for the boat to see.

“I’ll take the spot light down and wave him in, ” Casey calls out.

“That’s not Casey?” exclaims Charlie.

“Sure is,” Casey called back.

“You are one bloody stupid git, you could be sunning yourself on the beach and you are still here, you need your head read.”

Casey grabbed the large spot light when Helen appeared next to her,  “Put on this jacket, it is slightly buoyant.”

“I’m not planning to go for a swim, I can’t swim.”

Helen touches her cheek,  “All the more reason.”

Casey put on the bright yellow jacket, put the hood up and headed to the door.

“Casey….. be careful out there.”

Casey smiles,  “Yes, sergeant.”

Casey struggled down the ramp to the dark wharf.  She could see a boat coming in slowly and turned on the light swinging it from side to side. Sam looked at Helen as she watched Casey head down to the wharf.

Without looking at her Helen spoke up,  “Don’t you have anything better to do than watch me,  constable?”

Sam left the office and headed towards the lunchroom.

The boat nudged the wharf as Paul threw a rope to Casey.  She tied down the first one and then the second to balance it level with the wharf. The boat still rocked up and down with each wave that hit it from the side.

She helped out four people with various injuries. A child was crying and shivering.  Casey took off her yellow jacket and wrapped up the young child.

“You’re safe now,” she whispered to the child.

Charlie got out last and hugged Casey,   “You’re a bloody wanker,  Casey.”

Casey punched him playfully,  “C’mon it’s cold and wet, we can argue about it inside.  It’s bad on the water?”

“Can’t see anything, there is so much debris and worse than that, the lights are out.”

They helped the injured people up to the station when Charlie growled, “Shit shit, I have to go back down. I left the two portable radios in the boat.  I need to put them on charge.”

“Get them inside, I’ll get the radios,”  Casey said, running back to the boat.

She just about to step in when the boat rocked up, hitting the side of the wharf hard and dropping back down again, followed by loud thud. The water was turbulent, swishing up between the boat and the wharf.

Charlie made sure the passengers were treated then goes up and reports to Helen.  He eventually returned to the station finding Sam answering calls.

 “Where’s Casey?” he asked.

Sam shrugged,  “I thought she was with you.”   Seeing the look on his face, Sam hung up the phone.  “Charlie?”

“She went back to the boat to get the radios, but that was like 20 minutes ago.”

Charlie looked at Paul and they both grabbed their spot lights and a radio and bolted from the station to the wharf.  Charlie looked in the boat and called Casey’s name. Paul walked up the wharf flashing his light into the water also yelling.

Charlie’s radio crackles: “Is she there?” Sam’s called in panic tone.

“No,” Charlie answered and headed in the other direction down the wharf.

Helen sipped her coffee looking out only to see lights flashing on the wharf.  She called down the stairs to see what they were doing,  but got no response.  Sam didn’t know what to say, and Helen all of a sudden had an uneasy feeling.

The boys returned to the boat and flashed the lights in, something catching Charlie’s eye.  He jumped in and touched the red stain on the side of the boat.  He leaned over not seeing anything.

“Oh fuck…. Oh fuck, no,”  Charlie stepped back and fell against the storage pit,  latching it down tightly to stop any more water from getting in.  His radio crackled.

“Charlie what’s going on down there?” asked Helen.

Charlie looked at his radio and swallowed,  “We can’t find Casey.”

Helen held the radio away from her mouth, her mind trying to get around Charlie’s words.

“What do you mean you can’t find her?  Why would she be out there?” panic crept into her voice.

Charlie shook his head,  “Because she went back to the boat for me, to get the radios I left behind.”

Helen breathing quickened,  “How long?”

“20-25 minutes ago,” he answered.

“Have you looked the full length of the wharf, she has a yellow buoyant jacket on.  You should be able to see it.”

Charlie stalled,  “Um she took it off and wrapped it around a little boy we bought in.  She didn’t have it on her Helen.”

Helen thoughts raced, knowing that she couldn’t swim.  “Have you checked along by the pylons on the wharf?  She may be hanging on.”

“Helen, I believe she hit her head and went overboard.  There is blood, a lot of blood.”  Charlie’s breath quickened, his stomach felt sick. “Paul and I going to take the boat out, will search the..”

Helen voice remained calm,  “No Charlie.   It’s too dangerous. I will not risk anyone out in that weather.”

Charlie cursed,  “Helen…. I will find her, I can find Casey.”

“No… come inside.”

“Helen...”

“That’s an order senior constable, return to the station.”

Helen put down the radio and looked over at Sam.  Tears welled in Sam’s eyes and she looked down, breaking contact with Helen.  The sergeant returned to her office and sat down, her thoughts numb.

Charlie raced upstairs to Helen’s office,  “Helen… I want to go out, I want..”

“No Charlie, when the weather improves then you can go and look for her.”

“Helen, I’m so sorry.”

Helen watched out the window to the sea and said nothing further.

It had been 3 hours since they lost contact with Casey.  Sam continued to monitor the phones.  Charlie gave Helen a coffee and sat in her office.  Neither said anything at first.

“In another few hours, she would have been in Thailand,” Helen said in a low voice.

 “I know. Why did she come back, Helen?  It wasn’t like it was a crisis we couldn’t handle,” Charlie lashed out, getting angry at no one in particular.

“She came back to give me one last chance, and I told her I would discuss it when all this was over,”  Helen’s eyes watered.

Charlie frowned and then he got it,  “Helen I had no idea. Oh, this is just awful.”

Helen shook her head, “It’s not your fault, you have nothing to feel guilty about.”  Helen wiped her eyes.

Ten hours had passed since Casey had disappeared.  Helen stood on the wharf with her portable radio.  Charlie and other search crews had been out on the water for 2 hours searching.  Helen was tired, all she wanted to do was go to sleep but knew the moment she closed her eyes she would see Casey.  Then she would have to admit that she was gone.

“Ummm Sergeant, thought you like some soup,” a voice appeared next to Helen.

“Thanks,  Constable Jones,” Helen’s voice strained.

“Still no word from Charlie.”

Helen held up her portable,  “I know, I’ve been listening.”

Charlie and Paul watched for anything in the water that looked like a body.  Suddenly, Charlie spotted something floating up ahead and slowed the boat.  Helen was sitting on the bench when the radio crackled.

“We pulling up on a body now, stand by,” Paul’s voice came through,

Helen closed her eyes and waited.

“Ummm negative, it’s a male.  We will keep searching.”

Helen turned to Sam,  “Your shift has changed over constable, you can go.”

“I’m not leaving until they…. find her.”

Two more hours had passed when the patrol pulled up and Helen helped secure the boat.  They removed the bag with the body and Charlie looked at Helen, devastated.  Helen nodded.

“She’s either caught under something or washed out to sea.  Her body will surface in a few days.” Helen said bravely but then collapsed on the bench. 

Charlie put an arm around her,  “I’m so sorry Helen, I’ll never forgive myself.”

“I was going to tell her that I was falling for her, that I wanted to take a risk and be with her.  I was going to tell her once this was over.  This is like some terrible, horrible dream that I can’t wake up from.  I want to wake up and be that first morning we were together.  I wanted to feel that way again, but if we don’t find her I never ever want to feel that way.”   Helen finally broke and sobbed into Charlie.

Paul came back down,  “Ummm,  I’ll just fuel up and we head out again.”

Charlie nodded.

Paul stepped into the boat and heard a faint knocking sound from side of the boat.  He peered over the side to see if the boat was rubbing against the wharf, when the sound came again.

“Charlie, come here.”

Charlie stepped in the boat and waited.

Helen stood up “What….”

This time a sound came from somewhere deeper and a louder bang.

“No way……”

Charlie all but ripped the hatch off the storage pit and looked in but it was too dark.  He called to Paul for a torch and looked around.  Towards the front of the boat lying on some old anchor ropes he could make out a dim sillouette.  Charlie climbed down the narrow pit and crawled along until he reached the person. 

Shining the torch, he breathed a sigh of relief,  “Oh Casey,  you are a sight for sore eyes.” 

Casey grimaced and groaned.

“She’s here….. she’s bloody well down here!  We need emergency assistance,” yelled Charlie.

Helen waited anxiously as Charlie raised Casey’s limp body up.  Paul grabbed her and stepped out the boat.  Helen looked at her bloody, swollen face, her clothes wet and stained with blood.  Her body cold, shivering.

“Get her inside,” ordered Helen.

Paul carried Casey’s weak body into the lunch room and put her down on the couch.  Helen wrapped a blanket over her

“Casey….. Casey…. You’re safe.”

Casey opened her eyes and looked around the room.  “Oooh my head, ” she said, trying to sit up.

“Shhhhh, you’re going to be all right,” cries Helen, looking around at the staff gathered around them and swallowed nervously at their attention.

“Bloody miracles, ” growled Charlie.

Casey finally focused on Helen,  “So I have to fall down and knock myself out to finally get your attention?”

Helen cried: “Not anymore sweetheart, never again,” grabbing her hand and kissing it, not letting it go until help arrived.

Helen stood back as the paramedics took Casey off to hospital.

Two weeks later,  Casey was leaning over the balcony of Helen’s apartment.  She was enjoying her new home now that Helen had finally come to terms with their love.   It was dark, the distant sound of a ship’s horn echoed as it travelled down the channel.  Casey noticed the lights in the apartment went off, signalling it was bed time.  She didn’t move, enjoying the peace and quiet.  She felt a hand under her shirt stroking up and down her back.

“You ok?  You been out here a while, ” asked Helen.

“Hmm, its so peaceful, ” Casey turned around and gasped

“Helen you are, oh my god naked,”  Casey stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her unclothed partner.

Helen laughs and kisses her,  “Hmmm I know, it’s such a nice night to do something kinky.”

Casey still didn’t let Helen go,  “Ok, lets go to the bedroom.”

Helen pushes Casey back,  “There is nothing kinky about a bedroom.”

Casey looked about the district, various apartments lights were on.  Her attention taken back when Helen pulled off Casey’s shirt exposing her.  She licks hungrily at each nipple.  Casey’s skin goose pimpled letting Helen know that she had successfully turned on her young lover.

“Helen, what are you doing…? What if someone out there is watching us through a telescope?”

Helen smirks and pushes the hesitant woman to a seat and drops down removing her pants.  Her hand rubs through Casey’s patch, separating her lips and sinking her tongue in.  Casey bucks up and grabs each side of the balcony railing.

Helen surfaces,  “Well if anyone is watching, we don’t want to ruin their night.”

She dropped her head down into Casey’s crotch again and went back to loving her.