Chapter Text
"Man how much longer do we have to do this?"
One of the four guys lugging a large bag between them complained. The night air was frigid and unforgiving. The group had been walking for what felt like hours. One of them took note about how far they walked because they were nearing the project housing areas. The roads were becoming more eeiry because of lack of lighting.
One would think that a group of young men lugging a large bag thru the streets would draw the attention of residents or passersbyers. It would probably draw attention anywhere else that wasn't New York.
"Until we get the confirmation." The leader of the pack said matter of factly.
"Raf we're almost done with this just be chill." The guy, beside the one who had orginally complained, whispered to his friend. He only got an eyeroll in return.
The group continued for awhile longer, coming across an alley behind a rundown looking Chinese restaurant. It was pitch dark in the alleyway. The leader motioned for them to stop. He looked at the message he received and motioned for them to enter the alley.
"All right boys drop it here and let's go."
The four boys dumped the bag down near the large trash bin. And they headed back the way they came.
"So are we ever going to find out what the hell was in that bag?" Raf questioned once more.
"Strictly need to know Rafael. Now let's get back so we don't miss the entire party." The pack leader said not giving any further information.
The temperatures were dropping in the city that never sleeps. Which according to researchers meant that serious violent crime was on a decrease. And while Detective Hope Mikaelson, after her 7 years on the force, could attest to the fact that the quantity saw a dip in statistics, the 'quality' sure as hell remained just as heinous if not more so.
There was truly no upside but being able to actually finish 4 out of 6 days a week, without busting her ass working overtime, made her her more appreciative of the season changing. Even though she absolutely hated how frigid the air became on winter nights.
Tonight was a Friday night, a relatively quiet Friday night. She needed it to remain that way until she was done with her shift at ten. Four more hours till she was free for a nice relaxing weekend, hopefully.
Four hours of getting thru mind numbing paperwork. She hated filling out reports, it was the most annoying part of her job. But she needed to keep her Captain off her ass and keep their ADA of her ass.
Speaking of her Captain.
"Mikaelson." She heard her Captain call from her office.
"Oooh you're in trouble." Her partner Kaleb teased. She rolled her eyes good naturedly.
"You will be too if you don't finish your reports." She shot back, laughing at the disgusted face he made at his unfinished paperwork.
She got up and headed across the squad room to her captain's office.
"You summoned me Cap?"
"Yes. I just got word from the Desouza case, he was found guilty." Her Captain informed her.
Hope had felt relief bloom in her chest. She hated the man and wanted to see him pay dearly. It was a tough case. Michael Desouza had been decorated second generation officer, spotless record. Model cop really. Just loved beating the hell out of his wife every chance he got and used his connection to the NYPD to keep it all off record.
A smug bastard that tormented and traumatized his family for years. Did everything in his power to keep it that way as well. It was hard to even prove a history abuse due to him taking her to different hospitals when he went to far. Cosplaying as the officer called in for the disturbance.
"How much did he get?" She inquired.
"Twenty two, eligible in fifteen."
Fifteen wasn't enough for the twenty years he spent beating his wife. Stealing her youth from her and stopping her from chasing her dreams and degree. It would never be enough, she only hoped prison would be as unkind to him as he was to her.
"He deserves more, Samantha deserves more security and closure." Hope said angry that justice was yet again just not enough.
"Hey you got her justice in the first place. Plus Alex is using her organization to get Sam a new life for her and her kids and on top of that our ADA got the entirety of his pension and two million out of the department. Threatened them with and I quote: a civil suit that would leave no DV accusation made against an officer unchecked. And would rain hellfire on the entire force and IAB." Her Captain tried to ease her worry and anger. She understood Hope's passion and drive better than anyone, reminded her about herself in the earlier years of her career.
"Glad Cabot and Saltz came thru and I'm happy Sam is going to get an honest shot at restarting her life. It just.." Hope trailed off.
"Sucks? Ninety five percent of the time every aspect of this job sucks. Learn to enjoy the remaining five, where we get convictions or some form of justice and healing for the victims." Hope watched as her captain gave her, her patented Benson stern stare down.
"You're right Cap, it's just frustrating sometimes."
"And always will be. I orginally called you in here to praise you on a job well done-not to give you a teachable moment."
"Sorry Cap."
"You only have about four hours left. Why don't you take off and take our friend at the DAs office to a celebratory dinner."
"You sure? Because I don't mind finishing up my shift." Hope offered politely, but being unable to hide her smile and excitement.
"Would you like me to rescind my offer detective?"
"Not at all Captain Benson. I'll see you on Monday." Hope was halfway out the door as finished speaking.
"You're still on call till ten so no alcohol till then." Olivia called after her shaking her head at the dramatics.
Hope made her way to her desk grabbing her jacket and a pile of her finished reports.
"All right guys if all goes well, see you all on Monday." She bid the rest of the squad a farewell.
"Why do you get to leave before me?" Kaleb whined in disbelief.
"Mom likes me better." She teased. "Call me if there's anything, allright?" She told him. Not wanting him to go to cases on his own.
"If it's needed." He promised.
Josie Saltzman loved her job. She did really. Just not on days where she spent more time doing paperwork than time spent in a courtroom getting justice.
Today had been one of those days. Only one court appearance and the rest of her day she was chained to her desk. The letters were starting to dance across the screen. Her brain misspelled the word affidavit twice in a row and autocorrect not doing it's job to fix it, had her ready to delete everything and throw her computer out of her fourth story office window.
Just as she started seriously contemplating doing just that there was a knock on her door.
"Come in."
Josie watched as Hope made her way into her office.
"Please tell me you're not here for a warrant detective." She looked at Hope with pleading eyes. She did not need more work or to kiss any ass on a Friday night.
Hope couldn't but laugh as she watched the look of horror Josie gave her.
"More of a social call Jo, pack up your stuff we're going to dinner."
"But I thought your shift was over at ten it's 6:30?" Josie asked confused.
"Must you question my every move counselor? Benson let me go early, I'm still on call till ten though. So what do you say me, you and your favorite Italian place?"
"Extra breadsticks and you're paying?" Josie upped the ante.
"Why do I have to pay? I am but a humble civil servant."
The two continued their playful banter as Hope helped Josie clean up her office and they left her office. Heading to Josie's favorite restaurant Nonna Bianca.
"So dessert?" Hope asked while eyeing the dessert menu.
The pair had enjoyed a feast. Both tearing into two servings of breadsticks a piece. And gobbling down their food like people that haven't eaten in days. Which with how often they skipped meals while overworking themselves, it was a pretty description.
"Do you even have more room?"
"No. But the coffee semifreddo looks so good. Halfsies?" Hope gave Josie her best puppy dog eyes.
"Ok fine. But we're getting it to go. I need to walk off this pasta." Josie made a show of clutching her food baby.
"Deal."
A young man made his way out of the back door of his father's restaurant. Cursing as he felt the cold air hit him mercilessly. He rolled the trash bin filled to the brim to their deposit in the dark alley. He was in the process of throwing the bags away, when he heard soft whimpers. Writing it off as a stray he continued the task at hand.
The noise kept growing louder and escalated to human sounding groans of pain. Deciding to check it out and make sure the person got the help they needed. Using his phone he flashed the light in the surrounding area trying to discern to see what's going on.
Seeing nothing but a large travel bag out place for where it's from. Feeling uneasy as he moved closer to said bag. He was sure there was where the noise was coming from.
He reached for the zipper after fumbling to get the head, he started to slide it open. Desparetly trying keep the light steady in his other hand he couldn't make out anything because black garbage bags being situated on top.
Just as he was about to move one out of the way something grabbed his arm. When he looked down seeing a hand he dropped his phone, screamed and ran.
"Dad!"
"God I don't know when was the last time I enjoyed a stroll thru the city and just enjoyed.." Josie trailed off not being able to adequately describe what she was feeling.
"Existing? Not aware of everything that could possibly be going wrong, but just being happy in the moment." Hope added helpfully.
"Exactly, our jobs make us so cynical. But it's nice to be remembered there's good left to enjoy." Josie continued.
Sometimes it felt like she was drowning because all the terrible shit she was exposed to on a daily. Hope and Lizzie were the only things keeping her head above water some days.
"I don't say this enough, but thank you for being one of the good things in my life." Josie whispered, stealing a glance at the shorter woman. Watched as the street lights illuminated her face beautifully.
Hope was taken aback by the statement. Not that she felt it wasn't true. Just the cord it struck inside her.
"You going soft on me Saltz?"
"I just missed this I guess, I missed-" Josie trailed off leaving the us unsaid.
Hope pulled on her arm making them stop mid stride.
"I missed this and us too." Hope told her gaze unwavering. A lot braver than the young ADA.
"I-" Josie started just as Hope's phone went off.
"Duty calls." Josie smiled softly.
"Hoping that the scum of New York would chill out for four hours was a rather ambitious desire." Hope joked internally cursing the fact that crime truly had shit timing.
"Mikaelson."
"We have an unidentified and unresponsive female dumped behind SU's takeaway, naked in a bag." Kaleb informed her. "You need me to pick you up?"
"I am actually about three blocks away I'll meet you there."
"All right."
Hope hung up and turned to look at Josie apology written all over her face.
"I'm s-"
"Don't be. I had a great time tonight. Me and the coffee semifreddo will be waiting at home." Josie reassured her.
"It better be. I'll keep you posted." Hope promised dropping a kiss to her cheek. Running away in the direction of the crime scene.
"Be safe." Josie called after her. "Please."