Betty sauntered into Jennifer’s cubicle and plopped herself onto the cheap padded folding chair.

“That damned dog is at it again.”

“Moxie?  The Pit?”

“The one and the same.”

“Thought you were gonna shoot it the next time it peed on your lawn?”  Jennifer asked smirking.

“No, uh-uh.  It didn’t pee!  It destroyed my purple cabbage plants!  And I really liked those.  It was the one hedge plant that was not too difficult to keep alive,” Betty grumbled.

Trying to hide her smile, Jennifer failed miserably, and simply nodded to commiserate.  She looked up a minute later when Betty still hadn’t said a word.

“My purple cabbage plants?  I love them?  Got nothing to say to me, Holden?  You went with me to Home Depot to pick them up.”

Jennifer scratched her chin and recalled the laborious work of loading the shitload of pots into Betty’s truck.  Pulling a complete blank on the appropriate response, the Fury stroked Jennifer’s mind.

“Uhm, maybe you can pick up some roast beef?”  Betty gave her a withering sidelong glance.

Jennifer’s light brown face dissolved into giggles more befitting a teenager than a twenty-eight-year-old cop.  The laughter rippled through her body releasing the long held tension of the past week.

“The image of you chasing that damned dog with a broom then picking the cabbage plants up and making a stew!  I’m so sorry!  I just —”

“Yeah, just shut up smart ass!  Wait ‘til you get your own little piece of land…you’ll see!”  Betty grumbled and leaned back in the rickety chair watching Jennifer with a peculiar glint in her eye.

“At least I’m doing some real work,” Jennifer said puffing out her meager chest.

“Like I’m not?  Just taking a breather from the multi-precinct sting on Frank Gerimo. The mob boss a/k/a The Dandy?  It’s a pain in the ass.  So many fingers in that pie that it’s hard to get a real handle on the deets, you know?”

“I heard about the sting but I didn’t know you were on our precinct’s team.”

“Yeah, there’s three of us — me, Yearwood and Clift.  Being that we’re the most senior detectives in this house who are actively working cases.”

“Hmm.  Good to know.” Jennifer’s attention wandered back to her case.  Her eyes were on the monitor when Betty’s next volley came.

“I heard you reamed Babs good today.  Any particular reason why?”

Jennifer turned away from her monitor; all her merriment instantly gone.  She stared defiantly into Betty’s eyes as a subtle shift happened within Jennifer’s mind.

“I don’t have to answer to you,” Jennifer said in a low voice.

“Yeah, ‘ya kinda do.  I’m the closest thing to a partner you have and besides, we’re friends.  Or, so I thought.  What’s going on with you, anyway?  You’re…different.”

When Jennifer’s eyes narrowed, Betty pulled back and warded off Jennifer’s angry look by putting her hands up in defense.

“Whoa, I mean in a good way.  You’re focused, observant and your instincts are squarely on point.  Everyone’s saying that.  But, this good stuff seems to be coming at the loss of the sweet girl we all knew and loved.  Leaving us with a royal bitch — that’s why I’m asking about the Babs thing.  You know the women on the force have to band together to hold our own. You going after Babs gives the boys something to use to justify treating her like shit when she won’t date ‘em.  It’s not her fault she’s hot.  But, in this macho man’s world we call the 84th Precinct, her being beautiful is a felony especially if she doesn’t pick one of them.”

The Fury backed down.  Betty’s reasoning was sound.  Babs’ femininity had not gone unnoticed.  However, the obstruction of not getting a name from the sizable database seemed incomprehensible to the Fury.  It had shot out venom uncaring if the receiver was male, or female.  The Fury realized that the world had changed a great deal since it had last visited and it would have to tread more carefully. 

It viewed the woman in front of it differently.  This Betty-female seemed to be an ally.  The Fury allowed Jennifer’s natural soft response to flow.  It pulled back, ever watchful, but now properly chagrined and wiser.

Jennifer blinked and looked at Betty with a faint air of confusion coloring her eyes regarding their proximity.  Blinking once more, Jennifer inched back looking down at her keyboard to collect herself and her thoughts.  Jennifer recalled their conversation perfectly but had no idea where the flash-fire rage had come from nor where it had gone.

“Look, I know I shot off at Babs but this case has gotten me all twisted inside.  I feel so…helpless!”

Betty put a reassuring hand on Jennifer’s shoulder.

“Jen, I know.  The Barnes case is a rough one for anyone but being your first solo case, it must suck!  She was mutilated, raped and sodomized.  It’s as if he hates women, or something.”  Betty’s soothing tone touched Jennifer.

“I suppose that’s it.  I just couldn’t find the words…”

“Yeah, that’s ‘cause you’re busy trying to find her killer.  That’s your job and you’re doing a damn good one.  Just remember, the rest of us are here to help.  We’re not blocking you.  In our own way, we all love each other — and you.  Now, here’s what I think you need.”

Jennifer looked over at Betty with a hint of worry in her eyes.

“What?”

“A drink,” she said with a broad smile.  “You’ve been working too hard.  I’ll buy your favorite.  What’s it again?  Uhm…don’t tell me — a Lemon Gingerini, right?”

Jennifer laughed, her regular snorting loveable laugh. 

Betty let out the breath she didn’t know she had been holding.

“Yeah, that or a Georgia Peach.  But now, not sure if that’s what I want.”

“Whatever you’re hankering for, the first one’s on me.  Shall we?  It’s quitting time.”

“But it’s only 4:30…”

“What time did you get in today?”  Jennifer’s cheeks turned red.

“About 4:45.”

“Yeah.  A.M.!  Saw that when I clocked in.  So, you’re pulling twelve hour days, drinking double shots of straight caffeine and chasing it with Red Bull.  You’ve had this case for only eight days.  At this rate, you’ll be dead in a week.”  Betty got up and clapped Jennifer on the back.  “Let’s go, workaholic.  What are your next days off?”

“I have the next three days off.  But, I’ve got to go apologize to Babs…”  Jennifer said as she shut down her computer.

“You’ve got a three-day weekend?  Lucky B!  Anyway, I’ve already talked to her on your behalf.  She knows we’re cool.  We all see what’s happening.  You’re like a rookie in some ways, and this being your first case?  It’s your baby.  She gets that.  Just don’t go ape-shit on her again because then you’ll have some real problems like your evidence going MIA.”

Both women sniggered as they left the bullpen.

***

Showering, Jennifer felt better.  The cloud of fuzzy vagueness left her and she felt whole again.  She looked over at Betty two showerheads down who was soaping her broad back.

“Thanks, Feinster.” 

Betty’s response was to swat water at her.  Jennifer smiled and left it alone.  She shut off the water and grabbed her towel.  Trudging over to her locker while drying her hair, she bumped into Babs along her route. 

The Fury poked its awareness out a bit then nudged its host to override Jennifer’s natural reticence.

“Hey, Babs.  Glad I ran into you.  I wanted to apolo —”

“Forget it.  I did.  Feinster explained,” Babs said waving her hand dismissively as she shouldered her way into a beige cashmere mock turtleneck.

“We’re headed to Cody’s on Court for a drink.  Wanna join?” 

Popping her head through the neck, Babs tilted her head to the side.

“You’ve never invited me to join you in anything before.  What gives?”

Jennifer shrugged.  “Do I have to have a reason?”

“Yeah, you do.  I’ve known you for three years and you’ve barely acknowledged my presence.  So what you yell at me today.  That should make it even more of a pain for you to invite me anywhere…so, again.  What gives?”

With another nudge from the Fury, Jennifer began speaking more freely than she ever had sighing all the way through her little monologue.

“If you really must know, I’ve been avoiding you.  You…kind of scare me.”

A look of incredulity suffused Babs’ face.

“Me?  Why ever for?”

Jennifer, exasperated, said, “Look, let me just get through this.  If not, forget about the invite.”

Shocked, Babs pulled her head back and a bit of starch crept into her voice.  “What are you, bipolar, or something?”

The Fury pulled back totally and allowed Jennifer to handle it since the doors to communication were now open.

“Sorry, I’ve been on edge lately.  I swear it’s gotta be that damned caffeine.”

“Yeah, don’t forget the Red Bull chasers.  I’ve been hearing how you have them for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  That stuff’s gonna kill you…”

“Thanks, Mom.  But, what I was saying is you’re so…gorgeous, and I’m not.  I’m shaped like one of the guys.  I figured hanging around you would just emphasis what I don’t have.” Jennifer finished and looked down while playing with the hem of the white towel covering her.

Babs looked at Jennifer with a knowing smile.

“I guess I should have worked it out that it was something like that.  But, I never figured you’d be one of those.  Usually that comes with jealousy and bitchiness, but you?  You just stayed out of my sight and were mousy.”

Babs wrinkled her nose and grinned.

“That’s kind of sweet, in a totally nerd-geek way.”

Babs paused thoughtfully, sat on the bench and began pulling her jeans over her well-toned legs.  Pursing her lips, Babs looked up at Jennifer.

However, Jennifer didn’t notice.  She was lost in her own thoughts.

“Jen, why don’t I help you out?”

 Jennifer lifted her eyes to meet Babs’ clear green ones.

“What do you mean?  You can’t help me.”

“Sure, I can.  Why don’t I give you some tips on how to make the most of what you do have?”

“I don’t have anything!”

“Yeah, you do.  Look!”  Babs pointed.  “You’ve got great legs, a flat stomach, strong toned arms and you’ve got a cute face.”

Jennifer pursed her lips as one eyebrow rose.

“No really!  You do!” exclaimed Babs putting her hands up to ward off the evil eye Jennifer was directing at her.  “You just need a new haircut.  That chignon is old and tired looking, some makeup to emphasize your eyes, add a nice lip gloss along with some blush and we can create the illusion of cheekbones.  ’Cause, yeah — you don’t have any solid bone structure.” 

With a wry grin, Jennifer fake punched Babs’ arm.

“So, you’re saying fake the funk?”

“Doesn’t every woman?”

“But, you don’t have to.”

“What I’m saying is you think I have green eyes.  I don’t.  You think I am a full C cup.  I wasn’t always.  And do you know how hard I work out to keep my waist and hips tight?  And, waist trainers and body shapers practically every day.  If I didn’t, I’d be a cow with blonde hair and regular brown eyes.”

Jennifer’s eyes widened and her mouth formed a perfect circle.

“And you better not tell anybody!  Or else, I’ll know it was you.  You’re the only person I’ve ever told about the contacts and the boob job.  But, I am a natural blonde.  I just help it out some,” Babs grinned.

Jennifer gave her a genuine smile but one more thing popped into her mind.

“Your secret’s safe with me but there’s one thing I gotta know.”

“What’s that?” she asked in a wary tone.

“What’s your real name?  Don’t think I’ve ever heard it.”

“Barbara Strickland.”

“Officer Strickland?”  Jennifer snorted.  “You sure as hell don’t look like an Officer Strickland!”

Laughing right along with her new friend Babs said, “Now you know why everyone calls me Babs!  Before we head out to Cody’s, I’m going to put on a new face for you so you can test out my idea.  Game?”

Jennifer stiffened a bit.  Make-up wasn’t her thing and she didn’t want to do it at all.  But the Fury nudged her.

With an exaggerated sigh Jennifer asked, “Do I really have a choice?”

“Nah, not really.   You’re cool with it?”

“Hmmm.”

“Meet you at your locker in 6 minutes.”

“Six?  Why not 5?”

“Cause it takes me a minute to put my face on — I’m that good.  And you probably need 5 minutes to get dressed, right?” 

Impressed, Jennifer whistled and raced back to her locker.  Grinning to herself, Jennifer realized it was kind of cool to have girlfriends.

***

Walking into Cody’s was a welcome relief.  Jennifer wanted a drink more than she realized.  She glanced back at Babs and smirked.  Just walking, doing nothing out of the ordinary, Babs was getting oogled from the moment she stepped into the crowded bar. 

Looking across at Betty, Jennifer shook her head.  Although out of uniform, Betty still walked and moved like a cop.  Even in black skinny jeans with a matching black ribbed T-shirt a very cool looking smooth oval black stone on a black leather cord finished off with cute brown shoe boots and a warm-looking fur lined brown suede jacket Betty looked as if she could eat a box of nails and spit them all out with accuracy on the dart board twenty feet to their right.            Snickering, Jennifer followed the tough tall blonde and the dainty platinum blonde as they slid through the narrow parting of bodies on their trek to the bar.

The Fury watched as the host observed her friends.  Fury Abatu stilled when it recognized the obsidian amulet the one called Betty wore.  The demon wondered if the lady cop knew what she wore.  The demon couldn’t see into Betty’s mind; the amulet protected all who wore them from basic intrusion by dark forces.  Furrowing its brow, Abatu sniffed the air cautiously.  It sniffed a second time to be sure.  It did not catch any scent other than that of sweating humans.  The sweet fragrance of magic with its hint of spicy musk was nowhere to be found in this establishment.  Fury Abatu chided itself.  It knew that in this time true witches were far and few in between.  Relaxing, it turned its attention to the crowd.

Abatu began to get excited at the number of men present but it simmered down.  Tonight was not for the Fury’s pleasure; it was for the new host to relax and unwind.  The Fury knew that all of the newness was stressful for its host.  But stress was the last thing the host needed.  Stress sped up the depletion of the host body.  Abatu needed the host had to find Kyma’s killer before the host was killed or became too depleted.  Or else, Abatu would have hell to pay in trying to explain the debacle to the Dark One…

Finding seats at the bar, the three women cased the place before settling in and getting comfy.  Jennifer turned to the barman feeling lucky to be alive realizing that the urge for a strong drink was still very much with her.  Jennifer knew if she drank another fruit-filled girly drink, this lifetime,e she would hurl.

“What can I get for you ladies?”

“What’s strong, packs a mean punch, and will leave me breathless?”

The rugged looking bartender smiled broadly.  “Other than me?”

Betty and Babs snorted.

“Gotta use that pick up line some time,” muttered Babs under her breath.

Jennifer realized her innocent request was misunderstood but didn’t bother to clean it up.  Instead, she tried again.

“The drink I’m looking for shouldn’t be a girly frothy sugar bomb.  I want a hard liqueur; something manly with a kick.  Got something like that?”

“Sure do.  Ever heard of Jägermeister?” 

Jennifer shook her head but her curiosity was piqued.

“Nope.”

“It’s a German herbal liqueur with fifty-six herbs and spices.  It’s seventy proof — that’s thirty-five percent alcohol by volume — and it packs that mean hook you wanted… the left and right.  That strong enough for you?” he asked.  With his elbows on the bar, he leaned over and smiled right into her blushing face.

“That should do it.  What would you put with it?  Or, do I take it straight?”

“You could do it straight, with no chaser, but a better harder way would be to have a Jäger Bomb Shooter.”

“I’ve heard of those!” blurted Babs. “They had those at a Christmas party I went to a few years back.  These brolic cops from the 73rd precinct invited me and Feinster but we arrived after these Jäger Bombs were served.  Those cops were reduced to mere stuttering hunks of flesh.   The only sober one told us that they each had two and a half of these things and were toast!”

Raising an eyebrow, Jennifer asked the obvious.  “So, what’s in it?”

“Half a glass of Red Bull with a shot of Jägermeister dropped in — glass and all,” the bartender said with a disarming smile while he tickled the inside of Jennifer’s arm.  She jerked back not realizing how close he had gotten.

Fury Abatu pulled back again and was pleased it was becoming so efficient at manipulating the host without the jerkiness that had made the host’s friends take notice.

The bartender smoothly pulled back.

“Sorry I startled you.  When women talk about German muscle drinks I get turned on.”  He winked and said to all three ladies, “Would you all like to try one?  First round’s on me since this is a new experience for you.  If you don’t like it, I’ll get you something more to your liking.  Deal?”

Betty elbow-nudged Jennifer under the bar and used her eyes to indicate that Jennifer should continue flirting with the hot bartender.

“How often do you get turned on?” Jennifer said turning on a brilliant smile that she felt would make her friends proud.

The make-up was making her feel bold.  Even to her own eyes Babs’ deft handiwork made her look twenty times better.  The ripped T-shirt showing off her modest cleavage amplified by stuffing tissue in her bra helped the illusion immensely.  The finishing touch of slicked back mousséd hair gave Jennifer a wild-child rocker look emphasized by her shimmering gold and charcoal smoky eyes.  Jennifer was the picture of a chic and fiercely hot feminine beauty. 

It was a combination she could get used to; except the part about figuring out how to master all of the techniques Babs seemed to execute without thought.  Jennifer pushed the thought out of her mind and refocused on the bartender.

“Well, not that often.”

“Why is that?  Such a handsome guy not getting turned on?  Should I even ask why that is?”

“It’s not that often that a real woman who knows what she’s about comes in and speaks German…”

The sparks were undeniable.  Jennifer felt them and so did the two ladies on either side of her.

The Fury was pleased that the host took direction well.  With shock, Fury Abatu realized that the host had a streak of recklessness within her, deeply suppressed, but accessible to the demon.  Abatu understood keenly that pulling the host’s suppressed tendency to the fore would take a lot of work.  However, Abatu knew it would have the time to get this host right where it needed her.  The Fury grinned and allowed itself to ease back from active controlling of its new host.  Abatu knew that very soon the host’s simpering soul would no longer be a factor in its machinations.

Betty and Babs both cleared their throats.  The spell was broken and the bartender and Jennifer broke eye contact.

“Right.  Three Jäger Bombs coming right up.”  Jennifer’s hand shot out and stopped him before he moved away. 

“You’re not such a good barman.”

“Why’s that?”

“You never told us your name…”

“Forgive me.  I was sidetracked,” his gaze dropped to her cleavage and slowly came back up to meet her eyes.

“The name’s Chad.”

Cracking an involuntary smile Jennifer’s snorting laugh bubbled out of her.  “Chad?  I thought only porn stars were named Chad!”

His eyes darkened a bit but then they twinkled as he smiled deviously.

“Why don’t you wait for my shift to end and I’ll show you first-hand what a real Chad is like.”

Her friends both ooh’d at his challenge, elbowing Jennifer as they waited for her response.

“This feels so high school right now.  Are we really having this conversation?”  Jennifer crossed her arms across her chest and let her eyes drift away from Chad to survey the throng of people to her left.

“Sounds like you’re being coy, but that’s okay.  Why don’t I get your drink and maybe you’ll reconsider?”  His disarming smile flashed and all three women watched him saunter watching his firm butt move in his snug Levis.

“Damn, it’s hot in here.  Don’t ‘cha think?”  Jennifer said averting her eyes and fanning herself.

“Uh, no.  It’s not the bar, it’s you.  Jen I had no idea you rolled like that!  And that pick up line?  The best!”

“Agreed!” Betty chimed in as she high-fived Babs.

“I’m going to the restroom and take this stuff off.  Clearly it’s getting me all twisted up and —”

“Nope, you’re not going anywhere and you’re not washing your face.  You look gorgeous like I said you would.  Now deal with it.  You’re pretty.  Men like you.  Suck it up and be a woman Holden.”

Betty pushed Jennifer back onto her barstool and nodded in agreement.

Suddenly unsure of what to do with her hands, Jennifer pulled the torn T-shirt in an attempt to cover herself up.  It didn’t work.  With nothing else to do with her hands, she folded them on the bar and tried to think of something that would disarm Babs and stifle any further girl bonding…she hoped.

“Babs, so what’s your story?  I never see you dating any of the guys...”

“’Cause I don’t date in-precinct. “  She was facing the main room with her elbows resting on the bar.

Betty, still facing the bar, nodded sagely but said nothing.

“So how do you keep them at bay?  With your looks, it must be difficult.” Jennifer said.

“It’s easier now since I’ve set a precedent.”  Jennifer snorted and swiveled to face her.  “What kind of precedent?”

Babs turned her head and smiled enigmatically, “The kind that makes the guys leave me alone.”

“What?  You told ‘em you like women, or something?”

Laughing, Betty clapped her on the back and said to Babs, “Just tell her what happened with Yearwood already.”

“Yearwood?  The one that’s been bugging me for over a year?”

“The one and the same.”

Jennifer’s ego deflated as the realization hit that Yearwood was going after prey with smaller assets.  She pushed her apathy aside and plunged forward.

“So what happened?”

“I was relatively new; had only been in the precinct ‘bout 8 months.  They were buzzing around me like bees, but Yearwood?  He was the worst.  He invited me to lunch, dinner and everything in-between.  But I had heard that he was a tad…odd.”

A knowing smile crept over Jennifer’s face and Betty nodded.

“Two years went by and he was asking me out to dinner after shift.  At that point, I was sure the guy would never stop asking until I shut him down completely, right?  So, I asked him flat out, ‘So, what will we do while waiting for our entrees to arrive?  Read the death notices?’  I’ve never seen anyone turn that shade of red before!  If only I had a camera — Man!  He was livid.  He stuck his finger in my face and sputtered!  He had no words.  No comeback.  No nothing!  He just kind of growled at me then stalked away.  He hasn’t approached me for a date since.”  Babs finished with a nod and a taut smile that showed no teeth.

“You really said that?” a bemused Jennifer asked.

She shrugged and looked over at Betty.  “Didn’t I?”

“Yup, she did.”

Jennifer looked perplexed.  “How would you know?”

“I was coming on shift and heading to the lockers.  He had cornered her right there.  It was late, like eleven o’clock.  I was a bit late coming on shift.  So, I got an earful,” she said grinning.

Just then, Chad arrived with the three drinks in hand.  He placed a drink in front of each woman with flair and pushed a napkin at each of them.  When it was Jennifer’s turn to receive her napkin he said, “Just in case you can’t stick around, there’s something special about yours.  You may not want to lose it.”  He winked and went to take another order further down the long bar.

With shaking hands Jennifer picked up her napkin.  Sure enough his number was written on the back.

“Very well played on his end.  Ball’s in your court now.  What are you going to do?”  Babs asked, taking her first chug at the Bomb.  She made a face as she swallowed the potent drink.  Betty grabbed hers, took a sip and screwed up her face.

“Whoa!  That’s too strong for me.”

“Wuss!” goaded Babs.

Absentmindedly, Jennifer picked up her drink and gulped away while thinking about Chad and what she should do.  In less than a minute, her drink was done. With a soft burp, Jennifer put the empty glass down and thumbed the corner of her lips.  Oblivious to her friends’ astonishment, she wondered if she was up to trying the whole dating thing again.

“What the hell?  Where did you put all that?  Why aren’t you reeling?”  Betty asked, flabbergasted.

“What?  It wasn’t that strong.”  Jennifer said.  Deep within Jennifer’s mind the Fury smiled with wicked delight. 

The Jäger Bomb was now the Fury’s new favorite replacing the Green Fairy; a cocktail mixed with Absinthe that the Fury Abatu’s Grisette hosts used to imbibe in Paris a century, or so, ago.  Pulling back from the heady memories the Fury refocused.  It would make sure to boost this modern-day host’s tolerance levels so more of the Bombs could be consumed in a night.  For tonight, one was this host’s capacity.  The Fury was already having trouble trying to keep the host’s brain sober.

Jennifer looked at her friends and did an internal check.  She felt…fine.  The room had a bit of an extra reddish hue that made everything seem more alive.  She looked over at Babs and Betty and smiled.

“I’m truly fine.  Not even a bit tipsy.”

“Prove it.  Stand up and spin around,” said Betty with a smirk as she hiccupped.  Jennifer got up and did as she was told.  She even added a hand flourish and a bow after doing a perfect pirouette.  Her little dance performance generated catcalls, whistles and applause from those around them.  Jennifer blushed and took her seat.  She stuck her tongue out at both of her friends.

“Told ‘ya.”

“So, does that mean you’re ready for round number two?” said Chad in a sexy voice as he too clapped.

“You know, I think I’ll take her old usual — a Lemon Gingerini.  Can’t hang with this, Chad,” Betty pushed her Bomb towards him with an apologetic smile.

“Same here,” said Babs.

“At least you drank a quarter of it,” he smiled at the curvaceous blonde.

“Yeah, and the room’s spinning ever so slowly,” Babs giggled.  “I’ll have a club soda with a twist of lime.  I’m done for the night.”

Chad’s eyes came back to Jennifer and rested on her for a moment.

“So…what about you?”

“I’ll go along with my friends and I won’t do another one — but, none of the girly stuff.  What else you got up your sleeve?”

Chad crossed his thickly muscled arms across his chest and stroked his chin as he thought.  “You like whiskey?”

“Dunno.  Should I?”  She asked with a come-hither look.

“Yeah, you should.  Let’s go with a Hurricane.”

“Hmm…sounds good.  What’s in it?”

“Light rum, dark rum, passion fruit syrup and lime juice.” 

Betty and Babs both perked up.

“That has a bit of sweetness to it,” ventured Babs.

“Yeah, but the light and dark rums are going to pack a wallop…” finished Betty.

“Perfect,” cooed Jennifer warming to her role.  She figured that would be the best way to deal.  Nothing in her life was normal anymore and her friends were encouraging her to do different things.  She mentally shrugged.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Two Hurricanes and a Lynchburg Lemonade later, the Fury was at her limit with the host’s alcohol tolerance levels.  The last drink had surpassed the host’s threshold and the Fury was trying to hold the host’s body’s reaction back but to no avail.

“Oh, God, Jen, you’re looking green.  We need to get you to the bathroom right now.” Babs said with urgency.

At that moment, Jennifer’s stomach started to roil faster.

“I don’t know what happened.  I was fine just a minute ago.”

“That Lemonade with whiskey did it.  We tried to warn you, don’t mix liquors — that’s the biggest drinking no-no.  You’re going to be so hung over tomorrow.  Good thing you’re off,” muttered Betty as they half-dragged Jennifer to the bathroom.

As soon as they got there Jennifer stumbled into a stall and retched up everything.  Babs looked over at Betty winked and said, “Perfect timing.”

“I see you’ve been down this road a couple times before,” Betty said giving Babs an appraising look.

“Maybe, and it seems like you have, too.”

“A time or two.”

Betty sized up the petite blonde and dove into the topic that had been on her mind all evening.

“But what are we going to do about the rookie?” Betty said angling her head towards Jennifer who was still hurling in the stall.

“She’s coming out of her shell.  We’ve got to be there so she won’t go down the wrong path.  The boys won’t hesitate to lead her by the nose if they sense she’s a loose cannon,” Babs said with a thoughtful look in her eye.  “But what I don’t understand is why all of a sudden?  And sometimes, she seems so bipolar.  Have you noticed?”

Betty’s back stiffened.

“She’s not bipolar.  She caught a case that would have been rough for anyone.  Barnes was messed up bad.  You didn’t see the body as it was found.  You only got her clean sterile body fluids.   Back off of Holden, Strickland.  She’s actually doing pretty damn well for what she’s been through this week.”

Babs looked at Betty sharply and realized her gaffe when she saw the fierce protective look in Betty’s eyes.

“Look, sorry.  I didn’t mean anything.  I know you’ve worked with Jen for a few years on various cases.  I just meant she seemed stressed.  This girl’s night out was a good idea.  And, I’m glad you guys invited me.”

Betty nodded her head towards Jennifer’s stall, “No, she invited you.” 

Babs licked her lips trying to assess what was going on.

“You got a problem with me?” she asked Betty in a low guarded tone as she faced the bigger woman.

“Not really.  I just don’t know much about you ‘cept what I hear from the boys.  You keep to yourself and use your gams and other assets whenever you need a promotion.”

Babs flushed deeply.  “Ah!  And there it is.  Right, should have figured you’d believe that.  Not that it’s any of your business – but, that’s not true.  You of all people should know that if they can’t get a piece they make stuff up to appease their own tiny little egos.  Every damn promotion I’ve gotten was through my own sweat and hard work.  I’ve got a fucking Master’s in Forensics.  I can run rings around almost all of them in my department.  If they actually gave me more serious work I could really show them what I can do!  You of all people should talk.  Don’t they call you a butch behind your back?”

“Why you little cunt!  How dare you insult me.  I should –”

In the stall, Jennifer heard the grating rumble of Betty’s anger getting ready to boil over.  With her stomach emptied, and the squeamishness abating, Jennifer caught the last bit of Betty’s response to Babs.  Jennifer was touched but she couldn’t have her new friend eaten alive by the Mother Hen that was Betty Feinster. 

Jennifer chose to flush the toilet at that moment halting the escalating tension.  They both turned as Jennifer walked out of the stall.

“Feeling better?”  Betty asked as she shoved Babs out of her way.  Betty pushed a stray lock of Jennifer’s straight black hair off her forehead and pushed it behind Jen’s ear. 

Jennifer looked up into Betty’s face and realized for the first time that she had missed out on some good times because of her own phobias.  She vowed not to do that again.

“I’m good — better.”  Jennifer nodded as she amended with a wan smile.

Babs came up behind them and cleared her throat and directed her question to them both, “Need a ride?  I’ve got to split.  I’m on duty in the morning.”

Betty looked at her with disdain and was about to say something but Jennifer jumped in.

“No, I’m cool Babs.  Thanks for the offer.  I’m not too far.  I can actually walk home from here.”

“Betty?”  Jennifer’s eyes pleaded with Betty to be nice.  Betty sighed.

“Yeah, thanks.  I could use a ride to the Railroad down by the Barclays Center.  Left the car at home today.  You’ll be okay, Holden?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, with her first big fat hangover looming,” Betty said as she peered at Jennifer. 

Jennifer knew Betty was pondering leaving her unattended in the bar while still inebriated.

Abatu stepped in and spread its finger-like claws over Jennifer’s mind.

Unbeknownst to Jennifer, the demon’s touch sent a flood of strength and confidence surging through her mind and body. 

Jennifer smiled up at Betty with a gleam shining out of her eyes as the idea formed more clearly in her mind exactly what she would without her chaperones.

“Hangover, or no, I have some unfinished business to handle.”

Babs snickered and Betty looked confused for a moment, then she colored as realization dawned and the bigger cop turned crimson.

“Uh…oh.  I, ah, forgot about Chad.  Didn’t think he was your type…”

“I’m not even sure I have a type.  So, why not see if I like his type and I’ll go from there.”  Jennifer smiled, reached over to hug Betty’s stiff rugged 5’11” frame.  Then, she grabbed Babs’ shorter curvy 5’5” frame and hugged her as well.

“I’ll be fine you guys, really.  Text me your number, Babs.  Get my number from good ‘ole Betty here then I’ll text you both when I get in.  You’ll get it in the morning since I can see you’re practically dead on your feet, Babs.”

“I’m beat all right.  If you’re sure…?”

“Positive!  Now shoo, both of you.”

Jennifer coaxed them both out of the bathroom.  When they left, Jennifer washed her mouth and was shocked to see that her eye make-up was still pretty much intact.

Damn, she’s good with this stuff.

She took a deep breath and prepared herself to seduce a man for the first time in her life.

Next Chapter: Chapter 5