"Reunion" Chapter 1

[SueWalsh]

(this story takes place about 8 months after the final episode)

"You're kidding!" Detective Ron Harris looked up from his typewriter in surprise.

"It's all right here. Read it for yourself. The 12th is reopening. I feel bad for the poor saps who get assigned there. Word is that place is a real toilet!" fellow Detective Jack Rogers said, dropping a piece of paper on his desk.

Harris ignored the other detective and grabbed the memo. When he finished reading, he turned toward the letter of resignation he'd been writing, yanked it out of the typewriter, and tore it up.
********************
"C'mon Major. Lunchtime." Stan Wojeciehowicz motioned to his partner, a police trained German Shepard. For the past six months the twosome had been working together on Roosevelt Island.

"Wojo, hold up! You've got a phone call. Line 2." called Captain Hardaway.

"Thanks."

Wojo walked back to his desk and picked up the phone. "Wojeciehowicz."

"Wojo! Have you heard the news?"

"Harris? Hey! What news?"

"The 12th is reopening! Seems that developer went bankrupt midway through things. The city bought the building back and we're back in business! I already applied for my transfer."

"Wow. That's something. Does Barn know?"

"He's a deputy inspector now, Wojo. I don't think he cares."

"Of course he cares! He's Barn!"

Harris laughed. "Yeah, you've got a point there. I'm gonna call Dietrich. What time you off?"

"Six."

"Good. Meet me at Roarke's Tavern, over in the Village, okay?"

"Okay."

Wojo hung up, his mind filling with memories of the old 1-2. For a moment he hesitated, remembering how run down the building had been, but suddenly he jumped to action. The 1-2 was where he belonged.

"Hey, Captain Hardaway, got a minute?"
********************
"...and the boys came marching in..."

Deputy Inspector Barney Miller looked up with a sigh and braced himself.

"Hey Barney-oh, excuse me, Deputy Inspector." Inspector Frank Luger said cheerfully as he entered the tiny office. "Hey! Look here, you've finally got a window that looks out at something!"

"If you can call a dumpster and a parking lot something, yes. What can I do for you, Inspector?"

"Well now, what would you say if I told you the old inspector is retiring?"

Barney took his glasses off and sat back. "Really? Congratulations, Inspector."

"Yeah well, I decided it's time. Kliner and Foster did it right, I'll tell ya, went out with a bang, ya know Barn? And poor Brownie, rest his soul...." he stopped and took out his handkerchief, "I decided now is the time for the old inspector. The wife you know, she wants to travel and all...anyway Barn, I wanted you to know that I've recommended you as my replacement. I can't think of anyone I'd rather have fill my shoes." He reached over and punched his shoulder.

Barney groaned silently. "Well uh, thank you, Inspector. I'm flattered, really."

"I knew you would be, Barn." Luger stood up, "Oh before I go, can you believe they reopened the ole 1-2? Yep. Seems the whole historical landmark thing went down the toilet. Guess everything old is new again,
eh Barn?"

Barney just nodded, trying to absorb what he'd just heard. The 12th is open again? The 12th...the ole 1-2..MY precinct is open again! That means they'll need a captain! His spirits sank. And I'm a deputy inspector on the train to Lugerville. He sighed and said goodbye to Luger, then reached for the phone and dialed.

"Hey Fish, you free for lunch?"
*************************************
Barney trudged up the stairs of Fish's Brooklyn walk-up and knocked on the door. A moment later Fish opened it.

"Hi Barney."

"Hey Fish. Sure I'm not intruding?" he asked, following him inside.

"Not at all. Bernice went to get her hair done. I ordered from the Deli around the corner. Should be here any minute. Sit down, sit down!”

“How is Bernice?”

Fish sighed. “Bernice is Bernice, Barney, but I’ve learned to live with it.”
Barney laughed, knowing full well that Fish adored his wife.

“So tell me, is it really true Barney? Is the 12th really back?"

"It certainly is. Got a copy of the memo before I left Manhattan South. Can't believe it myself. How did you find out?"

"Well I may be retired but I still have connections you know."

Barney chuckled. "Boy Fish, those were the days, weren't they? Remember Chano? And Nick....god…you know, I still miss him."

"So do I. I even miss his coffee."

"What? Fish, that man made the worst coffee I've ever tasted!" Barney exclaimed as the doorbell ring.

Fish stood up to answer it. "You've obviously never tasted Bernice's."

Barney laughed as he reached for his wallet. "How much do I owe you?"

"It's on me, Deputy Inspector." Fish waved him off and sat down, handing him one of the wrapped sandwiches he was holding.

"Do me a favor, don't call me that."

"Something wrong? I thought Deputy Inspector was what you've always wanted?"

"So did I. But you know what? It wasn't. I sit in a cramped, messy office and push papers around all day. At least as a Captain I sat in a cramped messy office and did something! I know, I know, maybe I didn't make much of a difference, but it felt so..so much better than this!" Barney crumpled the sandwich wrappers in his fist.

Fish studied him. "Why don't you ask for a demotion?"

"What? I'd have to be crazy? I mean with the pay cut and all, and besides, what would the department think, a deputy inspector asking such a thing? I mean I..I couldn't!” he paused, “Could I?"

"You won't know till you try, Barney."

"Fish, you must have had plenty of opportunity for promotions. Why did you stop at Sergeant?"

"Cause that's where I wanted to be. And where I'd still be if it weren't for that fool retirement age thing! Bunch of nonsense!"

Barney grinned. "I know Fish, I know."
******************
At 6:30 Wojo walked into Roarkes, grinning when he spotted Harris and Dietrich sitting in corner booth.

"Hey Wojo. Punctual as always I see." Harris grinned and held out his hand.

He shook it, smiling sheepishly. "Good to see you guys again."

"I know, it's been too long." Dietrich smiled and offered him a beer.

Wojo hung up his coat and sat down. "How's Washington Heights?"

Dietrich looked at his watch. "Well it was still there when I left."

"How's Canine Patrol?" Harris asked.

Wojo shrugged. "It's not so bad. Major and I get along good. How's Queens?"

Harris made a face. "Don't ask."

"He loves it." Dietrich teased.

"Listen," Harris leaned forward, ignoring him, "I don't know aboutyou guys, but I put in to be transferred back to the 12th. It won't be the same without Barney, but it's where I want to be. And God, anything's better than Queens!"

"I put in too." Wojo replied, "I feel like that's where I belong, you know? We really had something special there."

"Amen." Harris smiled. "What about you, Arthur?"

"Course I did. You know, rumor has it they have a Mr. Coffee now?"

"Hey! My coffee wasn't so bad!" Wojo protested.

"I know. Nick taught you everything he knew." Harris said, laughing.

"After all this time, I still miss him. And Fish. And Chano. I wonder where he is now?" Wojo asked.

Harris shrugged. "I haven't heard from him since he left to take care of his mother in Miami. I miss his rants."

"Yeah, I learned all the Spanish swear words from him." Wojo chuckled.

"Sounds like an interesting guy." Dietrich said.

"He sure was." Harris replied.

"Hey, you still writing?" Wojo reached for the menu.

"No man. Haven't been in the mood, you know. No inspiration. It's like my muse left me."

"Would your muse go by the name the ole 1-2 by any chance?" Dietrich asked.

Before he could answer a voice interrupted.

"Mail Call!"

They looked up and grinned. "LEVITT!"

Sargeant Carl Levitt grinned back. "Thought that would get your attention."

"Hey man, good to see you!" Harris exclaimed.

"Yeah, how's Brooklyn?" Wojo added.

Levitt shrugged as he sat down. "Wouldn't know. I was transferred two weeks ago."

Dietrich looked up from the menu. "Really? Where to?"

"The 120th."

"Staten Island?" Wojo exclaimed, " Wow, I thought Roosevelt Island was bad."

"Really? Try Queens." Harris said dryly.

"Listen, I heard about the 12th. Think I have a chance of being reassigned there?"

Wojo nodded. "Probably as good a chance as any of us."

Deitrich agreed. "Of course you do realize there's a chance you could wind up back in uniform."

To their surprise, Levitt shrugged. "I don't mind."

Harris's eyes widened. "Excuse me? This from the same Levitt that did everything short of kissing Barney's feet to get in plainclothes?"

"I know, but...I don't get what it is, but it's just not what I imagined it would be."

"Oh? You were expecting glamour, excitement and good pay?" Dietrich asked.

"No, not that. I guess...I guess what I really wanted was the chance to work with you guys, and by the time I got the chance, it was too late."

Silence fell over the table, then Wojo looked up and grinned.

"Maybe not."
********************************
"Harris?"

Ron looked up as Mike Lowell, his captain, called out to him.

"Yes, Captain?"

"Can I see you for a moment?"

Harris walked into the office and sat down, waiting as Captain Lowell closed the door and picked up some papers from his desk.

"These just came for you. There your transfer papers. As of Monday you're to report to the 12th."

Harris tried to hide his glee. "Thank you Captain."

"It says here you requested the transfer? Mind if I ask why? The 12th is not
one of the classier joints in the department, you know."

"I'm aware of that, yes. It's not personal, Captain Lowell. It's just something I had to do."

Lowell sighed. "You're a good cop, Harris. I hate to lose you." he handed over the papers.

"Thank you sir."

He'd barely made it back to his desk when the phone began to ring.

"Detective Harris."

"I got it!" Wojo's excited voice filled the line.

"Hey man me too! Just got the word."

"All right! Have you heard from the others?"

"Not a word. Better keep your fingers crossed."

"I will. I wish Barn was coming back."

'"Me too. I so hate having to break in a new Captain. Took me 8 years to get Barney just the way I liked him!"

Wojo chuckled. "Yeah. It's not gonna be the same."

"Hey who knows? Maybe he'll make a habit of stopping by all the time, you know, like Luger used to. Someone's gotta carry on the tradition."

"No, we caught that in time, remember?"

Harris laughed. "See ya Monday, Woge."
********
Early Monday morning Harris walked into the squad room and looked around.

"Oh my God it really hasn't changed."

Wojo walked out of the men's room in time to hear him.

"They never got past the basement before the guy ran out of money."

"Hey Woge. I'm not surprised," he walked over to the coffee machine, "coffee?"

Wojo tried not to laugh. "That hasn't changed either."

Harris made himself a cup of tea and stood by the captain's office, stirring it. Barney's name was still on the door.

"I wish the Captain would get here. It's gonna take awhile to break him in."

"Morning!" Levitt breezed in and clocked in on the peg board.

"Morning Carl," he smiled as Dietrich walked in behind him, "Arthur."

"Hey. Any coffee on?" Dietrich replied.

"Yes…if you want to call it that." Harris grinned.

Dietrich walked over to the machine and stared at it. "Hey, I thought we'd at least rate a Mr. Coffee by now."

"Look at this place! What that guy spend all his money on?" Levitt exclaimed.

"Who knows?" Wojo looked up at the ceiling. "You know, we gotta be crazy to have come back here. It's too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter,
the bathroom's disgusting, the windows don't open...."

"Yeah, but's it's home." Dietrich smiled and took a seat at his old desk. Wojo nodded and sat down at his, his baseball already back in it's place.

"Anyone know who the new Captain is?" Dietrich asked.

Just then the door flew open. "Good morning gentlemen-" Lt. Scanlon stopped and stared.

Harris snorted. "Well it was."

"Well well well. Isn't this cozy. Now I know why they sent me here." Scanlon sneered.

"Pardon me, Lieutenant?" Dietrich asked.

"It's Captain now, Dietrich." he looked around at their shocked faces. "That's right. Those fools downtown decided I needed a change. Let's just leave it at that, shall we?"

"You got demoted." Harris said matter of factly, looking like he'd just tasted something vile.

"I prefer to think of it as a change in career focus. I'm now Captain Scanlon, 12 Precinct."

The phone rang.

"12th Precinct, otherwise known as hell. Sergeant Harris speaking." His face lit up.

"Barney! Hello! Oh things are just lovely here. You?"

"Is that Miller?" Scanlon asked. "Well you just tell him this is MY precinct now and it's gonna be run right for a change."

Levitt swallowed hard. "I'm think I'm gonna be sick."

Harris nodded. “Yeah Barn? No, unfortunately you aren’t hearing things.”

“Let me talk to him!” Scanlon reached for the phone. “Miller? Miller now you listen to me-what’s that? The office door?” he turned to look at it and frowned. “As a matter of fact it does, but not for long. What do you mean don’t be so sure? Miller? Miller!”

Wojo looked away, trying to hide the smirk on his face as Levitt busied himself with brushing imaginary dust off his desk.

Scanlon slammed the phone down. “He hung up on me! I never did like that Miller. He was too soft. A cop has to be tough. Tough as nails. Now Miller…Miller was all wrong…soft as jello.”

“If you’re so tough, why’d ya get demoted?” Levitt blurted.

“I told you I was NOT demoted! It was a change in career focus!” Scanlon growled, turning on his heel and storming into the office, slamming the door behind him.

The squad room was silent for a moment. “Classic case of denial.” Dietrich said finally. “An inability to accept the truth . He’s using anger as a way to compensate for his reduction of authority and projecting his frustrations.”

“I coulda told ya that!” Wojo retorted.

“In other words he’s ticked off about getting demoted and taking it out on us.” Levitt added.

“Didn’t I just say that?” Dietrich walked over to the coffee pot and poured himself a cup. “Tastes just like Nick’s.”

Wojo sat down at his desk and reached for his baseball.

“You guys think maybe we made a mistake?” he asked, staring at it.

Harris shook his head. “Like I said, anything’s better than Queens!”

Before anyone else could respond the squad room door swung open.

“MAIL CALL!” called a very pleasant voice.

The detectives looked up in surprise as a young female officer began handing out their mail.

“We have mail already?” Harris exclaimed.

“Your old precincts must have started forwarding your mail right away.” She smiled as she handed him a few envelopes.

He smiled back, but before he could say anything Levitt stepped in between them.

“Sergeant Carl Levitt. Anything for me?”

“Hmm…Levitt…let me see…nope, afraid not. And I’m Officer Emily O’Malley.”

She smiled, her blue grey eyes twinkling. “It’s nice to meet you Sergeant. You’re a real legend downstairs!”


Levitt blushed deep red and began to stammer. “Well I…um..yeah…I mean..”

“Don’t mind him, he’s harmless.” Dietrich smiled and took his mail. “Thank you.”

Wojo watched her from his desk. God she’s pretty, he thought, taking in her chestnut hair pulled back in a neat braid and trim yet womanly figure. Sure looks better in that uniform than any of us ever did!

“You’re quite welcome. Let’s see…Wojeciehowicz …”

“Right here!” Wojo sprang to his feet and hurried over, smoothing out his tie. “Uh..hi. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too. Here you go.” Emily looked around at the detectives surrounding her and grinned. “My they grow them tall around here, don’t they?”

Levitt puffed out his chest and drew himself up to his full 5’7 inches. “Yep, sure do.”

Harris bit his lip to keep from laughing.

“So how did you get assigned here?” Dietrich asked.

“I requested it when I found out it was being reopened. My uncle worked out of here for years. I’ve heard so many stories about this place, I just couldn’t pass up the chance to work here.”

“Oh yeah? Who’s your uncle?” Wojo asked, unable to take his eyes off her.

Emily laughed. “Oh you know him quite well. In fact Uncle Phil calls you the son he never had.”

“Uncle Phil?” Harris’s eyes widened. “Fish?”

“The one and only. My mom’s his baby sister. He never did quite forgive her for marrying an Irishman.” She grinned.

“Have we turned into a social hall?” Scanlon interrupted, bursting out of his office. He stopped in front of Emily and stared down at her.

“Well who do we have here? The new secretary? You’re sure a lot prettier than Levitt!”

Emily’s eyes flashed. “I’m Officer O’Malley, sir.”

He waved her away. “Yes yes, well run along Officer O’Malley and go file something.”

She thrust his mail at him. “Here’s your mail, Captain. Would you like me to tell you where I think you should put it?”

“Ah, a feisty one. I like that.”

Emily turned on her heel and left without a word. Scanlon watched, leering at her.

“I think I’m gonna like it here after all. Gentleman, shall we get to work?"

The detectives grumbled under their breath in reply. Scanlon looked around the room and then headed back into his office. "That's better."

Once the door slammed shut Harris let loose."Can you believe that man? You'd think all those years in I.A. would have taught him something!"

"Yeah well this is Scanlon we're talking about. What a jerk." Wojo glared at his baseball.

"He's obviously acting out in an attempt to make up for some hidden shortcoming." Dietrich offered. "Classic symptom of insecurity."

"Oh believe me Arthur, ain't nothing about that man's shortcomings that's hidden!" Harris exclaimed.

"She ought to report him," Wojo said suddenly. "That'd get em out of here.
She's got plenty of witnesses."

Harris got up and walked over to make himself a cup of tea."That's up to her, Wojo."
Wojo shook his head "I'd gladly do the paperwork for that one!"

"Harassment in the workplace is vastly under reported. Mostly because of fears of reprisal." Dietrich replied. "In many cases the victim is blamed, or labeled a troublemaker."

"Yeah. It's not easy being a woman police officer, not even in these enlightened times," Harris mused. "Fish's niece. I wonder why he never mentioned her?"

"You know Fish. He never talked much about himself, aside from Bernice," Wojo smiled. "She seems real nice though, huh?"

"Yeah. You know, might be nice, having a woman's touch around here," Harris joked, dunking his teabag.

"Hey what did Barn have to say?" Wojo asked, suddenly remembering the phone call.

"Oh yeah. Well I can tell you he was not pleased to hear that Scanlon's taken over."

"Big surprise. Anything else?"

"Captain Congeniality took the phone away before he could say much more."
Harris sighed and walked back to his desk.

Wojo snorted. "Look at it this way, he'll probably give you some great material for your next book."

"Hey that reminds me, did I tell you guys I've started a new book? This one's an erotic thriller. 'Killer Precinct'" Harris looked delighted.

"Congrats. Erotic, huh?" Levitt chuckled.

"Yeah, I thought I'd take my writing in a whole new direction."

"Does that mean it has, you know, dirty parts?" Levitt asked hesitantly.

Harris sighed. "Yes Carl, it has dirty parts."

"Oh? How’d you get your inspiration back?" Wojo asked, grinning.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Harris said with a smug smile. "A true artist never reveals his muse."

"Why'd you stay on at the department if you're writing again?" Dietrich asked. "Seemed like you were all but ready to hand in your resignation when this place closed."

"I decided to give Queens a shot. But I don't mind telling you I had my letter of resignation all typed up when I heard this place was reopened. How could I not come back? I got my best material from this hellhole!" he smiled.

"You never did tell me who was gonna play me in the move version of Blood on the Badge." Wojo said, fiddling with his typewriter.

"That's because I couldn't decide between Sylvester Stallone and Shemp from the Three Stooges." Harris smiled sweetly.

"Ha ha. Nice to see you sense of humor hasn't changed." he gave up trying to fix his typewriter."I don't suppose we have any typewriter ribbons around here."

"Are you kidding?" Harris looked up as the phone rang, "12 Precinct, Harris. Yeah..when? Got it."

He hung up. "We got a disturbance at the-" he looked at his notes again, "Fill Your Belly Deli on 34th. Where do they come up with these names?"

"Well?" Dietrich stared at him.

"What?"

"Aren't you gonna tell the Captain?"

"Hell no. I'm not going in there. You tell him. C'mon Carl." Harris stood up and went to get his coat.

Dietrich watched them go and then stood up himself, walking toward the Captain's office. "Okay,I'm going in. Cover me Wojo."

Wojo just shook his head.

[Ireneparalegal]

Don't think because there are no posts that no one is reading/viewing this. I read it. I so love to read and your writing skills are exceptional. Keep it up and have fun.

[SueWalsh]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Don't think because there are no posts that no one is reading/viewing this. I read it. I so love to read and your writing skills are exceptional. Keep it up and have fun.

Thanks Irene! I'm glad you're enjoying it!!

[Already Gone]

This is really good Sue I can't wait to read the next chapter. I enjoy your writing.