Trooper Station: Wednesday

[pieandcoffee.livejournal.com]

"Diane it's approximately 10:35 AM on December 26th. Instead of the usual station brew I treated myself to a cup of joe from the Perk and a muffin from JGOB. Total was three dollars and fifty-one cents not counting tip. Spent most of this morning doing paperwork and trying to get details on the rash of burglaries that happened yesterday. The matter appears to be resolved however the troopers are currently doing a search pattern to find a green haird man wearing a Santa Claus outfit.

I know Diane. It takes all types."

[open]

Comments

[light-a-spark.livejournal.com]

Roy frowned as he found Dale in the lobby that morning. "Didn't I tell you to take the day off?"

[pieandcoffee.livejournal.com]

"You did," Dale replied. "However with the burglaries yesterday I thought it'd be prudent to come into work."

[light-a-spark.livejournal.com]

Roy nodded in agreement, opting for not even trying to argue. "Look in the top left drawer," he said, motioning towards the desk.

[pieandcoffee.livejournal.com]

"Did you do anything on the holiday?" Dale asked as he pulled open the drawer.

[light-a-spark.livejournal.com]

"Just visited some friends, not that it isn't anything I wouldn't do on a normal day," Roy replied with a shrug. "It's not my holiday."

It didn't mean that there wasn't a wrapped gift (http://www.islandnet.com/~rescuetees/rtcom/images/glassware/gw53-l.jpg) in the drawer with Dale's name on. "What about you?"

[pieandcoffee.livejournal.com]

"Roy," Dale said examining his gift. "This is perfect. Not only will its insulating properties keep my drink warm but it will also let people know that I work for law enforcement. I also have a little something for you."

And in another drawer that Roy probably didn't look at, Dale pulls out what appears to be the perfectly baked cherry pie.

"I supervised the baker over at JGOB to make sure this was done right."

[light-a-spark.livejournal.com]

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, but Roy managed not to laugh out loud.

"Now that's what I call a useful gift," he smirked. "Just tell me you didn't spend the whole of yesterday terrorising the bakers on the island," he joked.

[pieandcoffee.livejournal.com]

"Well of course not. Yesterday everyone had the day off yesterday," Dale said with a smirk.

Now the day before? That was a completely different story.

[light-a-spark.livejournal.com]

"Mmmmm," Roy eyed Dale warily, clearly having his suspicions. Then he shrugged. "So will you be joining me for a slice?"

[pieandcoffee.livejournal.com]

"Well only if you wish to share," Dale replied. "This is your pie, Sheriff. Perhaps it is best you share it with someone close to you or just yourself."

[light-a-spark.livejournal.com]

Roy raised an eyebrow as his staff had always been the people he'd consider himself close with. "I wouldn't be so cruel as to deny you the chance to taste this particular pie."

[pieandcoffee.livejournal.com]

"Well I'd be lying if I didn't say that more than one pie was baked," Dale said jovially. "Just because its a gift giving season doesn't mean you can't treat yourself."

[light-a-spark.livejournal.com]

Roy grinned. "Excellent point. I still think you shouldn't let me eat this alone."

[pieandcoffee.livejournal.com]

"Well I'd be honored, Sheriff," Dale said with a grin.

After all how could he turn down pie.

[light-a-spark.livejournal.com]

"Good," he grinned and motioned towards the rec room down the hall. "After you, Agent Cooper."

[neverfaithful.livejournal.com]

Faith leaned in the doorway sometime in the mid-afternoon. Hey, her other Wednesday tradition.

"Sorry about last week," she said abruptly. "Some shit came up. Had to skip town."

[pieandcoffee.livejournal.com]

"These things happen," Dale said in a calm manner as he looked up from his paperwork. "And I appreciate the phone call. Were you able to take care of everything? And please tone down the language."

[neverfaithful.livejournal.com]

"I was kinda worried, since probation means you're not supposed to leave town," she shrugged. "There was some pretty messed-up stuff going on. Can't send a new Slayer, they'll freak out, hey, Faith, you've seen plenty, so it doesn't matter if you freak out. Good times."

Faith sat down on the nearest chair, frowning. "Yeah. Swearing. Sorry."

[pieandcoffee.livejournal.com]

"Given our unique situation on this island, I'm prepared to make allowances if need be," Dale replied. "Except for swearing of course. Did you have a good holiday?"

[neverfaithful.livejournal.com]

"Didn't celebrate," she said. "Was off staking some kids that got vamped. Just got back this morning. Not like I had anyone to go deck the halls with anyway, so it's no big."

[pieandcoffee.livejournal.com]

"What about your friend that you came to the island for?" Dale said raising the eyebrow. "It's important that you find some connection with other people, Ms. Lehane. They can help support you."

[neverfaithful.livejournal.com]

"I don't need support," she said, wishing like hell she could smoke. "And Dawnie's got Mr. Amazing Hands. Think she probably took off for the holidays, anyway. B might be putting in her semi-annual pretend-I-care-a-thon."

[pieandcoffee.livejournal.com]

"No one is an island, Faith," Dale said gently as he placed a wrapped package (http://www.amazon.com/Siddhartha-Hermann-Hesse/dp/0553208845/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198729765&sr=8-1) in front of her. "We all need support from time to time."

[neverfaithful.livejournal.com]

"It's cool." Faith lifted a shoulder. "Can rely on yourself, you know? I ... you got me a Christmas gift?"

[pieandcoffee.livejournal.com]

"It's not a sign of weakness to ask for help, Faith," Dale replied. "And yes, for some reason I thought you'd like this."

[neverfaithful.livejournal.com]

"It's not that it's weak," she admitted. "It's ... that it's easier. If you don't expect people to help, it don't hurt or nothing when they don't ... come through."

She unwrapped the book, looking at it curiously. "Is this a Buddhist kinda thing?" she asked.

[pieandcoffee.livejournal.com]

"That's a risk everyone has to take," Dale replied. "And yes it does have a lot to do with Buddhism. I think you'll like it though as it is fictional and a good read."

[neverfaithful.livejournal.com]

Faith nodded. "Yeah. It ... sounds kinda cool. Thanks." She chewed on her lower lip. "I ... kinda forgot the whole Christmas thing was going on, and I didn't really get stuff for people, yet?"

[pieandcoffee.livejournal.com]

Dale held up his hand and shook his head. "And none is expected. I prefer to give than receive."

[neverfaithful.livejournal.com]

If he were anyone else, Faith would give that remark the reply it was bending over and begging for. As it was, she had to bite her lip and remind herself: parole officer.

"Thanks. That's ... most people aren't like that."

[pieandcoffee.livejournal.com]

Dale shrugged it off. "There are people in the world you can trust Faith. It's not an easy task to do and people can let you down, but you can't let that stop you. We're all connected whether we like it or not. And if someone lets you down? At least you made the effort and that counts more than you think it does."