JR SWAT 1: The Basics

Close to an ending...

Thursday morning....

After such a hectic start of the week, the guys were glad that the last couple of days have ran smoothly. One or two calls sporadically, but mostly it had been slow. For today, Hicks had ordered everyone to get all their documentation finished and any and all case files completed. Twenty Squad was gathered in cubicles, each working with a laptop and a mountain of paperwork and folders.

"Excited for Saturday?" Deacon asked, sliding his chair a bit backwards, in order to catch a glimpse of Hondo, trying to avoid the plastic divider between the cubicles.

"Hell yeah!"Hondo immediately answered, excited. He slid his chair back as well.

"Nervous?" called Tan from the corner cubicle, on the opposite side.

"Me? Nah! I'm ready for that pink cake!" Hondo called even more excited than before.

"Oh my Lord! Annie had me waiting over 25 minutes in the pastry shop, picking and choosing." Deacon lamented, grabbing his forehead in a dramatic fashion, while the others giggled. "I mean, does it really matter if the sprinkles are sticks or spheres?"

"It makes all the difference!" Luca said sarcastically, provoking giggles.

Deacon just shook his head and sighed.

"She got the cupcakes down already, D?" Hondo asked.

"Are you kidding me? She's had the ingredients ready since last weekend!" Deacon informed, "She's so excited, she has all the kids helping out. Even Lila, who isn't a big fan of baking!"

"How's Matthew doing with his punishment?" Street asked, sitting in the cubicle next to Tan's.

"Meh! He's a teenager! So...complaining every day! But, he'll get over it." Deacon said after a heavy sigh.

"You really came down hard on him?" Tan asked.

"No, but it's important that he understands that he can't just up and leave like that. Besides, a few days without his games shouldn't be that hard."

"D, your boy's a gamer! It is hard!" Hondo snapped.

Deacon smirked, then turned to Hondo. "How's Marv doing with his punishment?"

"Well, I was surprised his momma didn't come down that hard on him, to be honest. Coz where I come from, we do whooping, slaps, pulling hair, anything! But...I think doing community work  should do the trick."

"Is he working with Nichelle?" Luca asked.

"Yeah, she's actually helping Miss Rita. Juan, the handyman, is out of town for this week and they need to fix up a conference room in the center for a program that's starting next week."

"What's it about?" Street asked curious.

"I 'ont know. Miss Rita says she hasn't received much details. She got a call from Police District for a meeting about an important pilot program that could bring in tons of charity funds. She called Nichelle to see if she can help her work out the details of formalizing the non profit and if they could use a space. You know ma baby is all bout helping out."

"Sounds good." Luca said nodding.

"Nichelle and Miss Rita are so sweet. They really do help a ton!" Tan added.

"Yeah, she is. Nichelle told me yo boy Chen was looking to complete hours too. Offered to tutor Chinese immigrants studying to get their visas."

"Yeah." Tan responded. "On Monday, I had a chance to talk with his mom. Lady was very humble and nice, reminds me of my mom. Kid has just been through a lot, you know? Missing his father and brother is tough." Tan lamented.