Author's note: I told myself the Hartley stories were finished. I even started writing other really good stories when my writer's block kicked in. Since so many people requested it, I just had to give my fans what they wanted. Happy Reading everyone. n4m.
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The atmosphere in the police station crackled with celebration. Officers in the hub talked excitedly, anticipating the arrival of the heroes of the hour. When the elevator opened, a chorus of cheers rang through the air.
Sean Reilly was taken aback by the commotion. He knew that people were happy about the takedown of one of NYC's biggest crime syndicates, but he wasn't expecting the ridiculous fanfare. Still clad in his bullet-proof vest, he was shaken by many of his fellow officers. Even Lieutenant Adams, who was a stodgy old coot, was grinning from ear to ear.
"Congrats on that Morelli sweep my boy," he said to Sean, slapping him soundly on the back.
"Thank you sir," Sean said, coughing slightly. "But I couldn't have done it without my partner." He turned to grin at Angie Hartley who breezed into the midst of the melee.
"Detective Hartley," Adams boomed. He grasped her hand. "Good work. I take it the injury wasn't too bad?"
He indicated the slightly bloodied bandage on her upper right arm.
Angie shrugged. "No, not too bad sir. Bullet just grazed me. I'll live. You should have seen the other guy. I believe he's having a nice stay in the morgue at the moment."
Lieutenant Adams grinned. "Well, that's what I like to hear. Anyway, good jobs kids. We owe a lot to you and your team. Take the rest of the week off. Recuperate because I want both of you fresh next Monday."
Sean nodded. "Thanks sir. Now how 'bout a raise?"
"Don't push your luck, Reilly." Adams winked and walked away to greet the other members of the team.
Sean turned to Angie. "Well how do you like that, Hartley? We're a couple of regular heroes now."
Angie grinned. "Yeah, funny I don't feel all hero-y." She walked into her office with Sean on her heels. "Help me outta this damn vest will you? My arm's starting to burn."
Sean obliged, undoing the vest and tossing it on the chair facing her desk. "You just told Adams it wasn't that bad."
She shrugged again. "I didn't want him to make a damn deal is all. I'm a big girl, Reilly. I can handle a boo-boo."
Sean laughed. "Whatever, Ange. The real question is how is Connor going to handle it?"
Angie waved the question off. "Like Connor doesn't have risks in his job? He knows what I do." She laughed at the incredulous look on his face. "It's okay, Reilly. I had a good luck charm." She reached under her blue NYPD t-shirt and pulled out a thin sliver chain. At the end was her engagement ring. "Safekeeping," she said, unhooking the chain and sliding the ring on her finger.
"Besides, Connor would kill you if you lost that," Sean said, taking off his vest.
Angie scoffed. "Whatever. Connor will do no such thing." She eyed the ring. "But just in case, I'd better give him a helluva blowjob tonight to ease his mind about this injury deal."
Sean smirked. "Don't act like it's such a chore for you to give him head."
Angie grinned. "Who said that? I'm just putting a little something extra in there to shut him up. Anyway, what are your plans tonight?
Sean shrugged. "Dunno. Now that I'm a hero and all, the City is mine."
"Okay, stud. How are things with Nina by the way?"
He shook his head. "A gentleman never tells."
Angie punched him lightly on the shoulder. "And you'd better be a gentleman, ass."
"Oh don't worry, she's definitely getting the royal treatment tonight."
"And on that note, I'm out of here." Angie grabbed her black pea coat and gloves. Sean helped her into her jacket.
"You not sticking around for the celebration," he asked.
"Nah," she grunted. "I'm going home to fuck the shit out of my guy. Talk to you later." He shook his head at his mouthy partner.
Sean thought about returning to the party, but a sudden wave of exhaustion overtook him. It was time to call it a night, he thought. All he wanted to do was curl up next to the most beautiful woman in the City.
Just thinking of Nina got his heart racing. They had only been seeing each for a little over two months or so, and it wasn't exactly official; but Sean couldn't remember a time when he'd felt this happy.
As if on cue, his cell phone began to vibrate. Without even looking at the screen, he flipped open the phone to answer. "Hey there Pretty," he said, using his special nickname for her.
He smiled at her laughter. "How did you know it was me?" she asked.
"Well, you always call when I'm in a good mood just to make it much better."
"Aww, Sean you're so mushy."
"Don't tell anyone. What's up?"
"Nothing. I was just calling to see how everything went."
"Good, we got him."
"Great," she said.
Sean heard echoing noises in the back. "What are you doing, Pretty?"