Ragged Rainbows

The alarm went off; Drake hit the button on the clock and began to shuffle out of bed. Normally it took him several more sessions with the snooze bar to even begin to crawl out of bed and it was several minute before he realized he was even getting up. It figured he didn’t want to go to work today; afraid of what he’d find. But he certainly couldn’t stay in bed anymore. He had to go, had to see what had happened at the precinct. He leaned over the bed and pressed a kiss to JJ’s cheek. His hand played a little with the blue hair, still mussed from yesterday and last night. The incident with the truck had bled over into the night after they got home. JJ needed a good release and by God Drake did his best to give it to him. He seemed to have succeeded, as he brushed JJ’s hair out of his eyes the lighter man moaned and rolled over; his voice was that of a totally relaxed JJ. JJ didn’t make noise in his sleep when he was stressed. The blonde was sure he was bothered since he asked to be hit last night. But he seemed to have calmed down.

“Hopefully we can sort this out without him resorting to harming himself.” Drake knew JJ wasn’t the type and had only been giving into the sexual delirium last night. He gave JJ another kiss, got up, dressed, and was out the door. JJ’s presence was medicinal to Drake, and as he drove farther away from the man, the layers of his defenses peeled away and his anxiety slowly unleashed. Last night he was tasked with comforting JJ, he wasn’t allowed any time to deal with his own feelings about it.

‘It couldn’t be real… it just couldn’t…’ Drake told it to himself the entire drive to work. The whole drive was spent so methodically yet to Drake it was little more than a dream. Nothing, not even the awful drivers could sway his attention. Good God, was he going to be forced to say goodbye to his partner? That just couldn’t…Drake could see his brother’s smug look in his mind when he told him the news. It would all end up being more evidence for his family to guilt him out of homosexuality. No. It wouldn’t happen like that, he’d never allow it.
Sure, when it all came down to it, he’d still see JJ at home. But it was the principle of the matter. The Police Department couldn’t just split partners up in the middle of a complex operation. Not for reasons this petty. The problem, Drake knew, was that the people in charge certainly didn’t see his and JJ’s situation as ‘petty’. For an instant the whole scenario played out in his mind, form the beginning to the end, conferences, interviews, complaints, meetings with the uppers, all ending in the grand finale of ‘We’re the PD and we can do what we want’ anyway. The thought was more than dismal and exhausting in and of itself, he could scarcely think of the action taking place. He didn’t want to.

He remembered, years back, when he was still relatively new to the Detective force. He had heard some rumor floating from the 24th precinct about a couple who got split from being partners for the same reasons as he and JJ. If he remembered correctly they were more than adamant in their fight to remain partners. Hell, that was the only reason the story had made it that far probably, most of the PD had been talking about it. Hushed, of course, but it was obviously the biggest story of the time. He hadn’t paid that much attention, not giving a damn what other people did in their private time, hell if they were a better team for it then more power to them.
He racked his memory for a while, trying to remember something about the results… he wished he had played into those rumors more… he never would have guessed in those days that that story would suddenly be important to him in any way. He thought and thought, tried to relive the time but to no avail. It didn’t matter he supposed, but before he could get back to thinking about the now he was reaching for his cell and calling some number…whose number?

“Spencer.”

“Ted.” Drake was grateful for the members of the PD answering the phone in such a way; it saved him the awkward moment of not knowing who was on the other line.

“Yo, Drake.”

“Hey, let me ask you something. You remember a story from years ago… We had just started on the force; it was a case involving some cops form the 24th precinct?”

“Huh? That was years ago. Could you um… could you be a little more specific, buddy?”

“Urgh, it was about a couple who were partners and the PD separated them for it. They were fighting to stay partners and…”

“…And?” Ted’s voice indicated the story wasn’t ringing any bell

“…And that’s all I know. I was hoping you might enlighten me on the rest.”

“Oh.”

“You at the office?”

“Yeah, I’m guessing you want me to run a search?”

“Please?”

“Alright, but I’m not promising anything. And if I get busted I’m naming you off.” Ted’s voice indicated that level of drama would probably make his day.

“Fair enough, thanks.” Drake closed the phone before getting a response from the redhead. For the remainder of his commute he was silent and he focused his thoughts and his hope on Ted’s ability to get some information. Drake knew that however that case ended would have a rather large bearing on how easy it would be for him and JJ.
He was at the precinct and up the stairs rather quickly, he didn’t usually go that fast, for a moment when he reached the fourth floor, he wondered whether he had even clocked in or not, it didn’t matter. He found Ted in his and Marty’s office sitting in front of his computer.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

“Did you find anything?”

“Sean Moore and Michael Turner were separated 6 years ago on terms of inappropriate conduct in a work facility and a few strikes on Public Displays of Affection.

“Okay.”

“They appealed.”

Drake was silent, though he had traveled in to stand by Ted, he looked at his computer screen, even though he knew the case file he had up was not the one under discussion

“They fought with the PD protocol groups and it went to court.”

“I don’t remember hearing about that.”

“Didn’t think you would, I didn’t either. It was kept really hush-hush.”

“Figures, what happened.”

“Police Dept. won hands down. Moore and Turner were separated as partners and in less than a year they were transferred to different precincts.”

“What!?”

“I don’t know, I guess they didn’t want them leaving their partners to do the work while they were with each other.”

“That sounds ridiculous.”

“No, it’s got some grounds if you think about it; they over-reacted yes, but what-if? I mean if a team spends too much time as a couple and not enough time as a police team... the department had to intervene."

"..."

"Dude... Drake… Did something happen?"

Drake took a step back and ran a hand through his hair. “This can’t be happening.” he sighed.

Ted’s eyes were on him when he lowered his gaze. He wore a look that was pleading and sympathetic at once. Drake sighed again.

“There was an official write-up made. They are going to separate JJ and I.”

“…What the fuck!? They can’t do that in the middle of this case! We’re so close!” Ted was out of his seat in challenge.

“Yeah, that’s what JJ and I thought too. ..but it seems,” He tapped the top of Ted’s computer monitor, the picture from the case he had brought up about the 24th detectives was on screen. “the PD has other plans.”

Ted relaxed a bit. “They can’t be serious.”

“My words exactly.” Drake patted Ted’s shoulder “Thank you for looking that up for me.”

“Is there anything I can do? Marty too, he’d want to help you two.”

“What? Gee uh, thanks but I don’t think there’s anything you can do that JJ and I aren’t already--”

“I mean testimonies man, we’ll tell them how you two are on the field and we’ll back you two up. And you know Ryo and Dee will be all over it too.” Drake was silent.

“Come one man. You guys need help.”

“I think… We may just take you up on that.” And with that Drake left.

He was just outside his and JJ’s office when he heard the telltale clacking on the granite floor. He looked up to see the chief as he returned to his office, armful of files in one hand and a sagging bag of Krispy Kremes in the other. He had his keys in the lock when he seemed to feel Drake’s gaze and looked up as well. There was a short pause where they locked eyes and then Chief Smith suddenly looked guilty, downward and trudged into his office. The motion resembled an ill-behaved child who knew he was going to be punished. Drake looked around in disbelief; the chief never looked apologetic to his subordinates. He expected others to have caught that and be staring too, but the precinct itself was suddenly full of condescending eyes. Everyone was silently jeering at him behind their closed lips.

Just quit it with him! Find a nice girl and it’ll all be over.

Ever heard of fuck buddies? You might be taking this a little too far.

It’s not like you two can have a steady relationship.

Just leave him, it was just for fun anyway, your job’s not worth it.

He’s probably already ratting you out, saving his own ass. And you’re trying to save ‘us’ you’re pathetic!

Gays don’t have happily-ever-afters, don’t you know that?

Drake groaned audibly and entered his office, slamming the door shut.

“What the hell was that?” He knew it was just his mind ad-libbing for everyone outside but still. This was going to be harder than he thought. He had to calm down…this wasn’t going to be any easier with his own rendition of peoples thoughts weighing on his mind. He rubbed his temples, in an effort to sooth his overactive imagination into submission.

“Is it true, Sir? There are officers coming to separate them?”

Drake snapped his head up. A voice from outside his mind? He slumped against the door frame. This wasn’t his day, apparently. He removed his suit blazer and draped it over his chair. He sighed deeply, and pulled the chair out to sit.

“I just hope to get this over quickly.” Drake identified the voice and turned to peek out of his door. Commissioner Berkeley Rose was addressing a desk clerk, it looked like innocent conversation.
“But they will resist, surely?”

“Yes, but if we’re lucky it won’t take much effort to squelch that. Once they see we mean business I hope this will all go smoothly; and swiftly for that matter. The last thing I need in here is another scene.. I hope they don’t make too much fuss about it.”

Drake felt his back straighten; a spark of electricity ran down it, leaving a shiver in its wake. His eye widened in appall, he shuddered and tried to close the door. “Too much fuss.” The words were muttered darkly.

“But the officers from Center are real envelope pushers. Their notorious for blowing things up; Hell, almost all the news reports regarding the police force has their stamp on it.” The clerk continued.

“Well, there is the courtesy 2% they leave alone.” Berkeley joked, his eyebrows rising in emphasis. The clerk chuckled

“And what about Parker and Adams?” Drake stiffened, leaning closer to the doorframe to listen.

Berkeley was silent for a moment as he shifted his weight. He lowered his gaze as well, like the Chief had. “I just hope it’s over soon, for both their sakes; the faster the better.”

“It was you.” Drake’s words were a half whisper out of his mouth. His eyes narrowed, as if to accuse a nonexistent witness. “You ratted us out, you bastard.”

“Once we get things established it will be just a simple process of filling out the paperwork and cross checking to finalize.” Berkeley continued “My hope is to have this all over and done with before the serial is wrapped up.”

Fire was burning through Drake’s veins. He clenched and unclenched his fists in an attempt to keep himself cool; a vain attempt, he was already aware. A haze was dropping over him and he felt the familiar numbness taking place of his anger.

“Well, I hope the CI unit the best of luck. I know that’s going to be a tough one for them to handle.”

“Thank you, Bennett. We’ll need it.” Berkeley bade the man goodbye and turned to leave.

Drake was already moving, before he fully thought it through. He was aware of his intent but surprised himself when he suddenly slammed his fist into the Commissioner’s face. There was a resounding smack that satisfied him. Rose stammered backward, looking up, holding his face both in surprise and in rage. “You piece of shit!” Drake’s fist met with Berkeley’s face again, sending them both careening onto the floor; Berkeley under Drake’s weight and Drake under his own inertia.

“Hell, I knew you never liked us. But I never expected this from you. How can you when you’re—one of ” Drake didn’t finish his sentence, Berkeley began defending himself. He was good too, much to Drake’s chagrin. He was ducking left and right and blocking with his forearms, Drake had to really strain to get around. He knocked Rose’s glasses off, watching them shoot across the floor somewhere. Berkeley himself was glowering up at Drake, teeth bared and all the fury in his eyes was burning. Drake didn’t care; this man had made JJ cry. He was aware of the crowd forming, people yelling, but he didn’t care, better for them all to have a show. The bastard earned it.

“Parker.” The commissioner growled again. Drake only then realized he had been speaking to him this whole time.

“How could you?” Rose looked oddly, his brows furrowed together. Drake’s hands laced around his neck and shook. “How could you!?”

“Drake!! Drake, man, cool it!” a familiar voice was at his ear. Strong arms wrapped around his torso and arms in an iron grip.

“Get the fuck off me! I’m gonna kill him!” Drake was thrashing to get out before even identifying the person. The arms just got tighter and another pair joined them, making it harder to press forward. The weight of two people dragged him down and forced him backward. He grunted audibly when he noticed he was making distance backwards. Rose looked smug as a small crowd helped him to his feet. Drake suddenly found strength.

“I’ll get back with him, do you hear me!? We’ll stay together, just you watch you fucking rat bastard!!” He was lightly aware of the ‘oh’ of passers-by. People had crowded all around.

“Drake! Be quiet!” Ryo’s voice was soft in his ear but the fervent tone was not lost to him. The blonde felt another set of hands latching onto his shirt, dragging him back towards his office. He relented, seething at Commissioner Rose the whole way. As he was dragged off he slowly got a panoramic view of the whole hallway. People were standing in every nook and alcove, trying to get a view. All eyes were on him, save for the small group huddled around the Commissioner, whose eyes never left his body. The commissioner wore a subdued yet feral glare. A door slowly closed and Drake was grateful for the frosted glass that could shut the world out. They were in Ryo and Dee’s office. Dee, Ryo, and Marty still had tight holds on him and proceeded to drop him on the floor. Drake didn’t move at first, his co-workers moving around him with surprised awe. There was a moment of silence, perhaps of deliberation on how to begin his chastisement.

“Dude! What are you doing!?” Ted was suddenly in his face; his expression was thunder-struck. He seemed both impressed and shocked. “You have any idea what he could do to you for that!?”

“Do you have any idea what he’s done!?” Drake was yelling before he fully registered what Ted had said to him.

“Drake--” The other three started together in attempt to correct something. Drake didn’t know what.

“Parker!!” that old booming voice sounded, vibrating the walls. The men of the CI unit looked up slowly, “come with me.” The Chief’s face was a smidgeon disgruntled but other than that, dead-pan. Drake knew he was in for it without being told, and made to get up. Chief Smith turned and left without a look in the others’ directions. “I am going to give you the same talk I gave your partner.”