Chapter 27 - Partners

They climbed the four steps at the building’s entrance, and Jon pulled open the door, holding it for Cate to enter first. He followed her down a long, nondescript hallway. They stopped at the end and Cate pulled out her keys and unlocked a door.

When they stepped inside and flicked on the lights, Jon saw the long, narrow room was almost completely empty – no chairs, tables or desks. A floor-to-ceiling projection screen covered one of the short walls.

A large hutch holding a computer and multiple video monitors stood against the wall opposite the screen, beside a large metal storage locker. Video cameras were mounted on the ceiling at all four of the room’s corners, and a projector hung from the ceiling over the hutch, pointed at the screen.

“Welcome to the FATS room,” Cate said, watching Jon survey the classroom. She had explained to Jon this morning what the Firearms Training System, or FATS, was. Like most students, he had been excited to learn he was going to spend the afternoon basically playing a great big video game.

Jon hadn’t been able to keep a grin from creeping onto his gorgeous face as Cate explained that FATS uses interactive video technology to allow law enforcement officers to practice “high incident” decision making in a safe environment. And when he had heard there was a “laser gun” involved? Well, he couldn’t contain his glee.

Cate smiled at the memory of his reaction. All men are just great big boys with more
expensive toys….

Cate dropped her bag on the floor next to the hutch and switched on the computer and monitors. As they started to boot up, she moved to the cabinet.

She unlocked the door and took out two familiar-looking Glock handguns. She handed one to Jon and shoved the other into the holster on her hip. Then she stepped back to the computer, keying in her user ID and password. Jon slid his training gun into his holster.

“Go ahead and put on your vest,” Cate directed, her attention still on the computer.

Jon picked up the vest by the shoulder tabs and lifted it over his head, managing to don the armor with only minimal struggle. He watched as Cate stepped away from the computer and pulled her body armor out of its carry bag. She kept her attention on the monitor as she quickly strapped it on, oblivious to Jon’s observation.

Wow, Jon thought. He had immediately found Cate attractive, and seeing her play “tough chick” was a turn-on, but he found her absolutely drive-a-man-to-sin sexy the way she looked now.

Her black body armor fit her like a glove, and it had her last name and badge insignia embroidered on the chest in bright gold thread. When she turned back to the computer he saw her thick auburn ponytail trail down between the “L” and the “I” of the word “POLICE,” emblazoned in white capital letters across the vest’s back.

Add the gun and handcuffs, the great body and the amazing eyes, and Jon saw in Cate the making of one hell of a fantasy. He felt himself smile naughtily. I REALLY need to figure out how to get her to wear that for me in private…and maybe with a garter belt instead of cargo pants….

Remembering his pledge to behave himself, Jon forced himself to look away from Cate. He pulled the training gun from his holster and studied it.

It was obviously real, but the barrel was filled with an electronic device that looked sort of like a large battery with a small glasslike button on the end. He was reminded of a television remote control, and assumed the gun worked the same way with the video screen as his remote did with his TV. Point, shoot, change channel.

Cate worked the computer for a couple minutes, starting the programs that ran the projector and the video recorders. As she waited for the programs to initialize, she quizzed Jon about basic tactical movement technique. Jon remembered Cate’s instruction from Tuesday, when he had watched her via CCTV. Don’t point your weapon at anything you don’t intend to shoot.

Satisfied that Jon could articulate the basics, Cate then directed him to demonstrate. “Show me how to move at the ready position,” she ordered. Jon held the weapon in both hands, arms extended and elbows locked, muzzle of the gun pointing toward the side and at the ground as he moved a couple steps forward.

“Not bad.” Cate appraised, trying not to let her eyes linger on the deliciously bunched muscles of his forearms. “Here, follow me.”

Cate drew her weapon and held it at a low ready position, angled to the ground, then smoothly and stealthily paced toward the screen at the opposite end of the classroom. Jon watched her for a few steps, then followed, matching her step for step.

“Remember, when you’re working with a partner or a team you don’t want the muzzle of your gun to cross over any point on their body – foot, leg, torso… Not that you plan to shoot them, but you don’t want to take the chance. Things can happen really fast,” Cate reminded him as they moved slowly down the length of the room.

She reached the screen and stopped, then looked at Jon. “And you always want to keep the muzzle pointed at the ground until you engage – none of that ‘Charlie’s Angels’ bullshit.”

Cate bent her arms at the elbow and brought her weapon up by her cheek, muzzle pointed straight up at the sky, in the classic campy pose. “It may look cool on film, but it’s dumb as hell.” Jon smiled at the sneer in her voice.

“If you wanna watch somebody do it right,” Cate continued, dropping her weapon back to the ready position, “watch Keifer Sutherland on ‘24.’ He does tactical movement better than any actor I’ve ever seen.” She grinned slightly. “Looks good doing it, too.”

Jon laughed. “Oh, so I have to compete with Jack Bauer for your attention now?” he teased. “Guess I’m screwed.”

Cate chuckled. “Well, I don’t think anyone can compete with Jack Bauer – after all, he’s saved the world how many times?” She gave Jon another little grin. “But you’re doing pretty well so far. I think I can whip you into shape. You’ve got potential.”

“Well, I have had movie roles in the past where I had to handle guns.” Jon pointed out, bragging just a tiny bit.

“Oh yeah, I know.” Cate answered. She gave him an amused smile, hoping she didn’t sound too bitchy or sarcastic in her response. “I saw you waving that pistol around in ‘The Leading Man.’ Don’t you ever let me catch you twirling a weapon – even a training gun or a prop – around by the trigger guard like that. BIG no-no.” Cate gave him a stern look.

“But that’s what my character did!” Jon protested defensively, but with playfulness in his voice. “He was the asshole, not me! Besides, I did other movies with guns, too. They couldn’t have all been that bad.”

“No…” Cate admitted. “You did okay in ‘U-571,’ when you and the boys were taking the U-boat. Before you got your ass blown off the ship.” She grinned. “And don’t even get me started on that vampire movie. What the hell was that thing you were carrying around there? A gigantic staplegun? Hidden in a surfboard?” She giggled. “But it did match your Samurai sword.”

Jon couldn’t help but laugh at Cate’s critique. He didn’t mind her having a giggle at his expense. “Okay, okay. But you gotta admit, I did have good hair in that movie,” he teased, his eyes sparkling.

Cate glanced heavenward and sighed dreamily before she could stop herself. “Yeah…you did look good in that one…” Suddenly she realized what she had just said, then clapped her hand to her mouth, gasping slightly. Oh shit…I said that OUT LOUD? She felt her cheeks flame.

Jon’s eyebrows arched and he gave Cate a shit-eating grin. Her spontaneous compliment was welcome proof that Cate was truly beginning to relax around him. Even though they had enjoyed some teasing banter yesterday and today, she hadn’t made any open admissions of her attraction to him, just subtle acknowledgements of his flirting.

“Why, thank you,” he chuckled gently, seeing her embarrassment. He gave her a goofy grimace. “I had to make up for that crappy script somehow,” he kidded.

The projector overhead whirred to life and the screen lit up. Not a moment too soon…. Cate looked over her shoulder at the image on the screen, grateful to turn her flushed face away from Jon for the moment. She walked back to the other end of the room, Jon following.

Cate tapped a couple keys on the computer’s keyboard, then stepped back from the hutch and unholstered her FATS weapon. Jon watched as she moved forward to the center of the room, then pointed the gun at the floor-to-ceiling screen.

A series of circles appeared across the screen, and she aimed at one and pulled the trigger. Immediately a small “X” appeared in the center of the first circle. Cate registered “shots” in each of the remaining circles, then turned to Jon.

“Your turn,” she said, smiling slightly. She moved back to the hutch and hit a button on the keyboard, and the circles reappeared, empty.

Jon stepped forward to where she had stood and aimed the gun at the first circle. He imitated what he had watched Cate do, registering hits in each of the circles, then lowered the gun to his side and looked back at Cate.

She punched a series of keys again, then turned to face him. “Good,” she smiled. “Now you’re sighted in. Time to play.”

Cate slid her FATS gun into the holster on her hip and pointed to the screen, which was now filled with a huge video still of a dark city alley.

“So, here’s how this works. I will give you a short description of the scenario, from the perspective of the officer--you. Then I’ll start the video. You will act based upon what you see in the video. If a person appears, you will speak to him or her and respond to anything he or she says to you. If necessary, you will issue commands and draw, aim, or fire your weapon, based on the situation that unfolds.”

“If you see anything on the screen that you could use as cover, like a car, a tree, a dumpster…” Cate pointed to the dumpster in the frame frozen on the screen. “…you will crouch, kneel, hit the ground, et cetera, to 'take cover' behind it. If you want to shoot around it, lean or rise up like you would to move around the cover object, then shoot at your target on the screen with your FATS weapon."

"When you fire, you will see a red circle appear on the screen where your bullet would strike. Once you fire, the video will stop. But keep in mind…you may not even have to draw your weapon, let alone shoot, depending on the scenario. This is a test of your situational judgment, not target practice.”

She paused to ensure Jon was following her, then continued. “About the only thing you can’t really do is walk around. Even though the video will make it appear that you are walking or running in whatever direction, if you actually move you’ll just run into the screen or the walls.”

Jon chuckled at that, and Cate gave him a wry smile. “Obviously. But you’d be amazed how many students really get into this and next thing you know they run smack into the wall. Brandon even had a guy knock out a tooth when he dove for ‘cover.’”

“Wow. It’s that realistic?” Jon asked, surprised.

“Well, not really. But students are like puppies. Sometimes they just get a little overexcited and pee all over themselves.” Cate answered, cocking her head to the side and giving Jon a little grin. “So stay calm, okay Puppy?”

Jon heard the tease in her voice and responded with a mischievous little smile of his own. “Okay. Just be sure you don’t do anything to get me excited,” he warned.

“Not today, Rock Star.” Cate answered. “Today it’s all business.” Damnit.

She took a breath and looked at the screen. “Okay. Here’s the scenario. You are a patrol officer who responded to a robbery in progress call at a local laundromat. When you arrived on the scene, there was no suspect in sight, but a witness said she saw a man flee from the laundromat into the alley. You and your partner, whom you will see on the video when it gets rolling, approach the alley. Ready?”

Jon nodded. “I think so.” He faced the screen and waited for the video to begin. Cate watched him take in and blow out a long breath, shake his arms and hands a little, then focus on the screen, concentrating.

Cate clicked the mouse, then watched Jon closely as the video started. He looked a bit uncomfortable at first, as all students did, but he quickly got into the scenario. Well, he IS an actor… Cate reminded herself.

The video progressed, showing a man stumbling into the frame from the right side of the alley. Jon reacted, his hand going to his weapon as he verbally engaged the “man.” He correctly determined the man not to be a threat and ordered him to get out of the way while he continued his search for the suspect.

Cate nodded, impressed. Jon was doing quite well for his first time through FATS.

The scenario continued, the video finally revealing the suspect hiding behind a dumpster. The suspect brandished a handgun then started running, the perspective of the video making it appear that the officer was running too, in pursuit. In a fluid movement, Jon drew his weapon and yelled out “STOP! POLICE!”

Cate felt a little shiver down her spine at the sound of that familiar, gorgeous voice barking the command. She watched Jon as he shuffled slightly in place, holding his weapon at the perfect ready position. The suspect on the video screen whirled and raised the handgun to point at the camera.

Jon immediately brought his pistol up, aimed, and fired four quick shots. Four small red dots appeared on the screen, then the video stopped.

Two of Jon’s shots had struck the suspect in the chest. Jon stood frozen, holding his aim toward the screen, his body tensed and alert. Oh my….. Cate thought, appreciating the view before speaking.

“Okay. Good.” Cate clicked the mouse and text appeared on the video screen. It read “Four shots; two strikes. Fatality. No collateral injuries.”

Jon lowered his weapon and turned to look at Cate. “Does that mean I got the bad guy?” he asked. He looked a little surprised, but rather pleased with himself.

“Yep.” Cate smiled. “Actually, you did quite well. Come over here and see.” She gestured to the video monitors lined on the upper shelves of the hutch. Each of them displayed a video feed captured by one of the four cameras mounted in each corner of the room.

Cate clicked a few icons on the computer, then a playback of the video of Jon performing the FATS scenario started. Jon watched and listened silently as Cate pointed out things he did well and a couple minor things he could improve upon. By the end of her critique he was smiling.

“That was pretty cool,” he grinned. “Do I get to do more?”

Cate laughed. “Yes, you get to do about a dozen more scenarios. They get more challenging as they go on.” She paused for a moment. “I’m actually pretty impressed at how you handled that first scenario. Most students are a little freaked out or self-conscious.”

“Yeah, well….years of acting class kinda beats that self-consciousness thing out of you.” Jon smiled. “Once the video rolled, it was pretty easy to get into.”

He was secretly proud that he had earned Cate’s praise. After her kicking his ass at DTs and him shooting for shit on the range, he was beginning to worry that she would think he was hopeless.

Cate nodded. “Okay, let’s do round two.” Jon grinned and moved back to the center of the room while Cate selected another scenario from the computer menu.

Time passed quickly as Jon completed a dozen training scenarios on the FATS system. After each session, Cate gave him a critique of his performance, using the video playback. Though he wasn’t successful with every scene, Jon definitely felt he was learning and that the practice he was getting would prove invaluable in preparing for his movie role.

Best of all, he was thoroughly enjoying his time with Cate. She was serious but relaxed in her teaching, keeping the mood light. Every time Jon’s eyes met hers, she gave him a little smile, causing his heart to beat just a bit faster. Their unspoken attraction still simmered under the surface of their interaction, but today it was under control.

“Let’s try a partner scenario, then we’ll wrap it up,” Cate said, glancing at her watch. She clicked the mouse, then stepped forward to stand beside Jon in the middle of the room. “Okay with you, Partner?”

Jon grinned broadly. Partner…. he loved Cate calling him that. “Sure thing. Just don’t shoot me.”

Cate laughed. “Same goes for you, Buddy!” She quickly outlined the scenario for Jon – response to a bank robbery in progress -- then they waited for the video to begin.

The scenario started and they quickly got into role. Cate had chosen one of the more difficult scenarios, so there was a lot for them to do. Both Jon and Cate yelled commands at the screen, ducked behind imaginary objects, and moved around the room, working in tandem. The scene erupted into a shootout, and Jon and Cate both hit the ground, laying side-by-side on the floor while they fired off a barrage of “shots” at the multiple robbers.

The video stopped as the shots registered, and Cate turned her head to look at Jon. She saw that he was breathing hard, his lips slightly parted, adrenaline obviously rushing as he held his aim on the screen. She smiled. He really got into this.

Cate dropped her FATS gun to the floor and pushed herself up to a kneeling position, her leg brushing against Jon’s as she moved. Noticing her movement, Jon followed, climbing to his feet, then offering his hand to Cate.

Cate picked up and holstered her gun, then reached out to grab Jon’s proffered hand. His grip was firm and warm, and she felt a little charge go through her body. He hauled her to her feet and she stood facing him. They exchanged a little grin, then Cate turned to go back to the computer so they could review their performance.

But before she moved away, she couldn’t help herself… and reached down to give Jon a light smack on the ass. “Good game,” she said casually, then quickly moved to the computer.

Jon was caught completely off-guard by Cate’s gesture. He felt a surge of excitement at the contact, and at the playfulness in her voice. He turned to look at her back, as she was busily clicking away at the computer.

Jon hesitated a moment, then walked slowly over to stand beside Cate, awaiting the critique of his performance. He couldn’t keep a satisfied smile from his lips as he moved close enough to brush his shoulder against hers.

Feeling the contact, Cate turned her head to look at Jon. Her heart melted at the sight of his sweet smile, and she gave him one back. They regarded each other for a moment, then Cate turned back to the video monitors.

She started her critique, and Jon tried to pay attention. He got most of what she said, but found himself watching her lips as she spoke, not hearing all the words. How he wanted to taste those lips again. But today he was content with the closeness he and Cate shared. For the moment, it was enough.

Cate finished and looked back at Jon. Seeing the same adorable smile on his lips, she knew he hadn’t heard most of what she had said. But she decided to give him a pass this time. How could she not? Just LOOK at him….and he had done well on all the other scenarios today.

Cate swayed slightly to her right, bumping her shoulder against Jon’s. “C’mon,” she said softly. “Time to close up shop.”

Jon nodded and leaned toward Cate, returning her shoulder-bump. “Okay,” he answered.

Cate handed him her training weapon and directed him to put the guns back in the cabinet, which he did as she started to shut down the computer and video equipment.

Hearing the rasp of the Velcro as Jon undid the side tabs of his vest, Cate looked over and watched Jon pull the armor over his head.

His navy t-shirt was damp where the vest had covered it, and it clung to his chest. Cate gazed appreciatively at him for a moment, then removed her own vest and stowed it in its carry bag. After ensuring all the equipment was shut down and the locker was secured, Cate and Jon left, locking the door behind them.