by Marie and Bridgid

Bud put the phone down and glanced over at Marie and Ashley.  They would be safe from the killer loose in the Glen.  Biebe had done the right thing; the only thing.  The perp’s hands had been around another woman’s neck.  He deserved a 38 slug through the brain.

He walked to Marie’s side.  He thought he could leave her alone.  Well, here with the little one.

“I need to go to work, Hon.” Work that sounded good.  “It’s all over.  They need my help.”

Those eyes looked up into his.  He could be lost in them.  So full of her love and trust.  “Okay, Bud.  You be careful.”  She wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a hug.

Bud pulled her tightly into his arms.  His lips found her hair and then her lips. 

“I’ll be right here waiting for you, Bud.  I love you.”  She tiptoed up and kissed him fiercely one more time.  He held her tight. 

Ashley grinned.  “I’ll be right here too, Bud.” 

He reached over and mussed up the little one’s red hair.  She protested with a pout, but had a sparkle in her eyes.  Bud reluctantly released Marie with one last kiss on the tip of her nose.

“I’ll call you later.”  He strode out the door on his way to the truck.  Siobhan was waiting for him.  A woman cop.  He shook his head wryly as he drove off down the road.

The station seemed pretty vacant without John’s natural warmth there. Siobhan was clearing a desk off for Bud when she realized how hollow things sounded in there without the Sheriffs voice to muffle the echoes. 

Siobhan liked Bud. She respected him for what he did for John during the wedding but aside from that she felt an unspoken rapport with him. He was a big city cop and he’d feel just as out of place in this little town as she did, or so she thought.

When White walked in the office, Siobhan was deep in thought. Her cheeks reddened when she spun around to look at him. Of course she was expecting him but for some reason she was a bit detached, thinking of John Biebe.  

“Hey, hello, Bud….I mean chief.  Can I get you some coffee?”  

Why did that question feel so wrong?  

“Uh, that’d be good.  Thanks.”  This was Biebe’s and Siobhan’s office.  Bud didn’t want to make it seem like he was taking over the place the moment he walked in the door.  It sure felt good to get back to work.  It’d been too damned long.

She handed him a cup of coffee and looked almost like she didn’t know what to do next.  Just how close were Biebe and his deputy?  Or was this from the case alone?  The smell of fresh coffee hit Bud’s senses.  He could use the strong jolt.

 “Why don’t you get yourself a cup and brief me on this case first, Deputy.  I’ve only heard part of what happened from John.  I should know it all.”  Bud pulled out a chair for her, grabbed one for him and moved it to face hers.

“Okay.” she replied and complied. Sitting down across from him she pushed the case file forward for him to look over. “The bottom line is John had to shoot the perp. It was self defense and in defense of a victim, Ahnna but he put himself on admin leave pending investigation.  The territorial police will be here next week to see if…I mean confirm that the use of force was justified but until then, you’re the boss.  

She studied him a bit as he picked up the file and through her experience she detected something that had happened to her often in Philly. “Are you okay, working with me, Bud? I can hold my own you know.”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”  He answered too quickly.  Well, sort of okay and partly full of shit.  Bud wasn’t one to mince words.  Now wasn’t the time to do it. 

“I never had a woman partner before.  I’m an old fashioned guy.”  Bud wouldn’t try and deny that.  “Marie calls me a Neanderthal sometimes.”  He shrugged sheepishly and gave her a small smile.

“I’m used to taking care of women.  That’s my job.”  He took a swallow of coffee.  Then Bud worked through it.

“I trust and respect Biebe, Siobhan.  You’re his partner.  You’ve had his back.  He wouldn’t have a cop who wasn’t capable.  That’s enough for me.”

“Give me a chance.  I’ll do the same.”  He nodded.  “And I’ll try not to be too much of an asshole.” 

She laughed heartily at his last statement.  “Chief, we may have to compete for the crown when it comes to king, or queen asshole but I’ll tell you what. You can keep the title that Marie gave you. I don’t think I’ve ever resembled a Neanderthal woman. “

Turning in her seat to grab the coffee pot, she filled both of their cups even though they didn’t really need it. “Don’t get used to it. Next time you fetch the joe. “

Replacing the pot, she leaned on her elbows and looked directly at him. “Am I going to have to argue with you about which one of us drives the prowler? Our patrol is about to start and I’d really prefer if you drove. I hate that damn Aussie piece of shit car. It can’t get out of its own way. I think we’d do better to run if we had to pursue.”

Pausing for a moment she began to laugh. “I just thought of something. We could peddle it like the Flintstones since we’re both cave people. How fucking funny is that?”

Flintstones?  It took Bud a moment.  Yeah, that was that cartoon based on The Honeymooners.  That had been a great fucking show.  Siobhan had a mouth on her…like a cop.  Bud laughed. 

“I ain’t peddling nothing as long as the damn thing drives.  You’re on; I’ll drive.  If it’s that bad we ought to get the thing souped up at that guy’s shop.  What’s his name?  Colin O’Brien.  I’m not expecting too many high speed chases here in the Glen, but we should be ready just in case we have to run down a perp.  Or more likely a horse.”

“Let’s get out there, Siobhan.”  Bud was ready to go have a look see around the Glen and nodded toward the door.  He never was much of a guy to sit in the office.  Hated doing reports or any kind of paperwork.  It was a necessary evil of the job.  He tucked the file under his arm.  He’d catch up on it tonight and on downtimes. 

Siobhan followed Bud out to the prowler. She had a smile on her face now. She liked Bud White and she knew she was going to like working with him. He reminded her of home and she was missing the streets of Philadelphia a bit. Just a bit.