First Impressions
Series Title: Partners In Crime
Chapter Title: First Impressions
Author: Diane
Pairing: Nathan/Haley
Category: AU
Rating: Teen Rated
Disclaimer: Nope, I don’t own a thing!
Spoilers/Warnings: None as it’s AU. Future chapters may contain scenes and language of a violent and/or sexual nature. Each individual story will be clearly marked.
Summary: Quickly glancing at the piece of paper he held in his hand, he added, “I’m supposed to be meeting a Harry James.”
Author's Notes: I've always wanted to write an AU NH!cop story and while I've had a first chapter on my hard drive for well over a year, I was struggling to write more. After writing Close Proximity for a recent LJ challenge, I found myself feeling inspired for it all over again and decided that instead of writing it as a chapter fic, it might be better suited (and easier to write) as more of a series and this piece is the first instalment. The scenario in Close Proximity takes place further along in the story.
Just a heads up, I'll be working on this in between working on my other fics so there may be considerable delays between updates. If that's an issue, you may prefer waiting until the series is completed before reading it.
“Good morning, Sir. How can I help you?” The police officer standing behind the front desk politely asked the man who’d just walked up to him.
“I’m Detective Nathan Scott,” he informed the other man as he opened his wallet and flashed his ID and badge at him. “Today’s my first day here and I’m supposed to be meeting a...” Quickly glancing at the piece of paper he held in his hand, he continued, “... Harry James.”
“Right.” Officer Mitchell bit back the smirk he could feel tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Uh, you need the third floor. You’ll find the stairwell just through those double doors over there since the elevator’s broken.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Following the directions he’d been given, Nathan soon found the department he needed and immediately noticed the hustle and bustle as he entered the large room. Having said that, it was still a far cry from what he was used to back in LA.
“Hi, can you point me in the direction of the Chief’s office?” he asked the young woman sitting at the nearest desk.
“Why?”
“Excuse me?”
“Why do you want to see him?”
“I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
“Well, if you don’t tell me who you are and why you want to see him, then I won’t bother letting him know, especially since he won’t see anyone who refuses to give their name.”
Nathan blew out a long breath. “Fine, the name’s Scott... Detective Scott and today’s my first day here.” He frowned when the person laughed. “What’s so funny?”
“N-Nothing... So you’re Scott, huh? We’ve heard all about you.”
“Yeah, I’ll bet. Now, why don’t you run along like a good little secretary and tell the Chief I’m here?”
The redness that crept up her face made him realise he’d just made his first enemy in the small town he’d been forced to come to. Just what he needed. No doubt his new Chief would be a bastard who was merely waiting to throw his ass to the wolves at the very first opportunity so he figured he could count two new enemies. Not bad going for his first day.
“Fine, I’ll go and tell him.”
He followed behind and waited outside the door while the petite brunette informed the Chief of his arrival and a few moments later he was being ushered into his office. As soon as he saw his new boss, he knew he was going to have to be on his best behaviour if he wanted to keep his job.
“Scott, I’m Chief Brian Durham,” he drawled in his deep Southern accent, holding out his hand for the younger man to shake.
“It’s good to meet you, Sir.”
Gesturing with his hands, he said, “Take a seat.”
Nathan did as asked and sat down opposite the older man who looked like he was fast approaching his sixties if he wasn’t there already. His gruff manner clearly told him that he’d have to watch himself and that he was most likely someone who wouldn’t take even the slightest bit of crap from his officers.
“So, I was reading your file and it makes for interesting reading. Anythin’ in here you want to dispute?”
“No, Sir.”
“No, I didn’t think so. I’m sure you’ve been read the riot act several times already so I’m not going to repeat it. But what I will say is this, I don’t take crap from anyone. I expect all of my officers to do their jobs without bitchin’ and moanin’ about it. You have a problem, you come and see me seein’ as I’m the Chief of this division.”
Nathan nodded. “Yes, Sir.”
“Good. Now, I see you’ve already met your partner.”
“Huh? No, no I haven’t met him yet.”
“Him? Your partner ain’t a him, it’s a her.”
Shaking his head, Nathan replied, “No, it’s a him. The name I was given was a...” He straightened out the piece of paper in his hand and read the name again. “... Harry James.” His eyes widened when the other man burst out laughing. “Chief?”
“You’ve got the wrong name, son.” Turning his head towards his door, he called out, “James?”
“Yes, Chief?”
Beckoning her in further to his office, Brian Durham couldn’t stop the uncharacteristic smile from spreading across his face. “Nathan Scott, meet Haley James. Your new partner.”