Lending a Helping Hand [Erin]

[CALVIN HAGAN]

Calvin Hagan needed to get out of precinct. With the darkness leaving there was a lot of partying going on in the guardian community, and with partying came trouble. There had been a report of a seemingly drunk leopard waltzing down a street in Trail Oaks the night before and other reports of an underage young man running from the cops and literally disappearing. The gargoyles on top of city hall had magically reappeared which had confused a lot of citizens. Hell, there’d been a guy lying out on his roof butt naked in the sun despite the cold weather. Basically, it was busier in the precinct than it had been in months. Everyone was buzzing, all of his people officially back and with the sheer volume of people he’d had in his office all day discussing the sensitivity of some of these guardian cases and new duties, he was exhausted. He wasn’t much of a people person and he needed a few minutes alone where no one could catch him. It was his thought to walk to Dylan’s for some coffee and just mellow out a little. There was a table in the very back where he could hide from prying eyes and avoid any of his subordinates if they happened to walk in. Not many of them would actually come over to talk to their hardass captain, but some of them might and he didn’t want to have to talk more than necessary.

As he walked down the street though, a strange sight caught his eye. There was a young girl struggling with an armful of containers, all nine by twelve sized and some full of something—he couldn’t tell from where he was standing. All he could tell was that some of those containers were going to go right over her head if she kept leaning the tall tower back the way she was. Though he wasn’t in the mood for people, he couldn’t just let the girl fend for herself. He jogged up beside her and immediately reached for some of the containers on top. The girl looked startled and he gave a friendly smile. “Sorry, you looked like you needed help there,” he commented softly, trying to ease the girl. She looked like she was about the same age as one of his nieces if not a little younger. The girl actually looked a little tall for her age. But unlike his niece she gave him a wary look and a step back. “My mom told me not to talk to strangers.” He couldn’t help but give a slightly wider smile, reaching into the inside pocket of his coat. Still balancing the containers on his arm, he produced his shield and showed it to the girl in front of him. She looked at it, read it, and looked back up at him again, more relaxed now. “Your mom’s very smart for telling you not to talk to strangers, but you don’t need to worry about me. I’m a police officer.” The girl looked at the shield again and then handed it back with a small appreciative nod. “Okay, I believe you. But I don’t need help.” Cal shook his head. “You’re about to send half of these containers tumbling down the street. Are you walking far?” The girl bit her lip and then glanced ahead down the length of the sidewalk. “Sort of…” He gave another small smile and took the containers from her, giving her a couple empty ones to hold but taking on most of the burden. “Where to?” he asked, his gentle smile easing the hard lines of his face and the girl actually returned it. “Cora’s Cupcakes.” Ah, so that’s what was in the containers. He would have to refrain from buying anything…with the sweets he ate, he was lucky he didn’t have diabetes already.

As they walked the girl introduced herself as Molly and he told her his name was Cal. She was a sweet ten year old girl but a little shy. Cal was used to it since he had three nieces and two nephews back in Boston that he’d grown close to over the years. He knew how to be around kids though his normal sullen and ornery demeanor wouldn’t give that away. Molly explained that her school had put on a bake sale and her mom, who worked at Cora’s, had made a lot of cupcakes for them to sell. While they had sold a lot, obviously there were some left. “I told her she made too many, but she said we sold out too soon the last time. Now I’m stuck carrying all of it home.” Cal couldn’t help but smile again—the hard life of a ten year old girl. “You’re not stuck anymore since I’m helping you.” She smiled and he returned it. At last they came to the doors of the cupcake shop and he held the door open for little Molly.

The smell that hit him as he walked into the shop was divine. Vanilla and sugar and chocolate and flour…there were so many sweet and comforting smells here. He couldn’t stand to look at the treats in the display case. It was amazing he had any self-control in this shop, but it was an art he’d perfected over long, long years as a recovered drug addict working as a cop. Sweets were his safest addiction, though…Molly distracted him by calling out to her mom. Cal moved to the counter of the empty shop, placing the containers there. He could hear Molly talking to someone but he was momentarily distracted by a message on his phone. His assistant asking where he was…with a heavy sigh he ignored the text and put his phone back in his pocket. Couldn’t he get a few minutes’ peace and quiet? “…but a police officer helped me bring them home. He’s over there.” Cal lifted his eyes to introduce himself to Molly’s mother, already reaching for his shield in case the woman needed proof he wasn’t some pervert trying to get close to her daughter. He could understand parents being suspicious these days.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

It had been a busy morning at Cora's. Not because there had been a lot of customers, but because they had a lot of orders to go out for that weekend and the baking was beginning today. Erin spent the better part of the morning baking different sized cakes which she would be arranging into two separate wedding cakes. Cora was handling the third and the regular orders for the day. By early afternoon Erin was ready for a nap, but the work had just barely started. She was grateful that her daughter was staying late at school for the bake sale, knowing she would be neglected if she were there at the shop. Molly was a great little helper, but when Erin was decorating cakes it was hard for her to focus on what the child was saying, and Erin liked giving Molly her full attention when she spoke. By 4:30 when she arrived she would have both cakes frosted and should be mostly through with getting the fondant on. They would be decorating tomorrow for sure.

Erin genuinely loved working with her aunt Cora. Of course Cora wasn't really her aunt, but she had cared for the young woman for the last decade as her own, and she was family which meant she received some sort of title and Erin felt weird about calling her cousin Cora once removed. It had a stupid ring to it. But she enjoyed her work at the bakery. The hours were long, and she often crashed hard when she got home, but she got to spend time with her aunt and her daughter was more than welcome on the premises. In fact it was almost a treat for both Cora and Molly to have her there. Cora spoiled the girl with attention and sweets, and though Erin tried to keep Molly sugar free, Cora always found a way to sneak a cookie to the girl and Erin was never really angry. She was glad that everyone got along as well as they did.

"Mom?" The familiar voice pulled Erin from her work and she immediately looked up at the clock on the wall. How had it gotten so late so quickly? Sitting up the young woman smiled at the tall, lanky girl as she bounded to the back. "Hey Sprinkle Nose." She teased and immediately received an eye roll from Molly as she tossed her backpack in the corner. "How was the bake sale?" Molly came back over and leaned against the table. "Good, we sold a lot of stuff and made like $700 or something." She explained as she reached for a scrap of the fondant. Erin swatted the girls hand away, who giggled and shoved the bit of icing she managed to sntach into her mouth quickly, savoring it. "
"We had lots of extra cupcakes, but a police officer helped me bring them home. He’s over there.” Warning bells immediately flashed in her mind. A cop helped Molly home? Why would they do that? Did she need assistance? Why hadn't she called her to help her? Or asked another parent? It was good she found a police officer she supposed.. "You should have called me, Molly. That's why you have your phone." She reminded, not wanting to buy her daughter a cellphone, but liking the piece of mind that came with being able to reach her at all times.

Erin got up from her spot and wiped her hands on her apron before emerging from the back of the bakery to the counter where she saw a gentleman messing with his phone. He was the only person in the shop at the moment, so it was safe to assume that this man, who wasn't dressed as a policeman, was the one who had escorted her child home. She cleared her throat and the man looked up. Molly giggle beside Erin and the woman looked down at her daughter. "His name is Cal." She said softly, looking at the policeman and biting her lip once more. "Do you have homework, Sprinkle?" She asked in a soft, authoritative voice and the girls shoulders sunk as she let out a sigh. "Yeees." She grumbled, pushing off the counter. "Thanks for helping me, Cal!" She chirped, waving to the man before disappearing into the back once more to do as she was told.

Once Molly was gone Erin smiled hesitantly at the man. "Thank you for helping Molly back to the bakery." She offered, not hiding the fact she was looking him over. "You didn't have to do that.. but she said you're a cop?" She tried to be nice and gracious, but she was ready to attack if she had to. She wasn't comfortable with strange men helping her ten year old home, even if they had good intentions.

[CALVIN HAGAN]

Cal was still putting his phone away when the sound of a woman clearing her throat made him look up. Shit…this woman had some of the biggest doe eyes he’d ever seen. He was a sucker for doe-eyed women, especially ones as pretty as Molly’s mother. At least, he assumed that’s who she was since the girl was trailing at her heels. He was stumbling on all of the words of greeting that popped into his head. Good thing Molly saved him by giggling, drawing her mother’s gaze away from his. “His name is Cal.” Cal’s face eased into a smile at the way Molly bit her lip and spoke so shyly. She was a cute kid, there was no denying that. “Do you have homework, Sprinkle?” The nickname caught his ear and he wondered how Molly had earned it. He’d probably never have a chance to find out. Molly’s shoulders visibly slumped and he smiled down at his feet. He remembered his sister making sure he always had his homework done and was keen to send him off to do it when she needed a private word with someone. “Thanks for helping me, Cal!” His hazel green eyes lifted again and he smiled and waved to the girl before she scurried away. It must have been nice for Molly’s mom to have such a good kid. He imagined his sister felt differently about him at that age.

With Molly gone, Cal’s eyes moved to the mother’s again, giving her a small and almost forced smile. “Thank you for helping Molly back to the bakery.” He shook his head as if to wave off the comment, but he could see she was uncertain about him. She was a smart woman if she was nervous. “You didn’t have to do that…but she said you’re a cop?” That was his cue to pull his shield from his inside pocket. “Uh, yeah…” He produced the leather pouch his shield was in and handed it over the counter to the woman. “Captain Calvin Hagan. You can just call me Cal. I was just on my way to get some coffee and I saw her struggling with all those containers. It looked like she was about to lose half of them so I just offered to help.” A small smile quirked up his lips as he remembered the girl’s initial reaction. “You taught her well. I had to show her my badge before she would let me help her. She’s a smart kid.” The woman handed his badge back and he tucked it back into his pocket. For a moment they were quiet and he tried to think of something else to say. Pretty women always tripped him up—he wasn’t used to making polite small talk. When he looked back up he gave another mildly strained smile. “So do you guys have coffee here? It would save me an extra trip on the way back to the station.” When she confirmed they did, he just requested a cup of black coffee. It was all he needed to get him through the rest of the day.

The woman turned her back and he felt awkward. How was it he could talk to kids so easily and he couldn’t do the same with adults? Why did he have to have a reason to talk to them to be able to communicate? He’d been faced with his own introverted nature several times over the years and awkwardness was nothing new, but right now it frustrated him. He watched her moving around behind the counter before he put on a smile again. “Molly didn’t mention your name. Well, she called you mom but it’d be weird if I called you that.” His smile grew and he silently commended himself on his joke. It wasn’t often that he actually pulled off funny.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

Erin saw him immediately pull for something in his pocket and instinctively she braced herself. "Uh, yeah…” What he pulled out was a wallet, which he handed over. “Captain Calvin Hagan. You can just call me Cal." Erin opened the wallet and saw the badge nestled inside. She studied it for a moment and then looked up at him as he spoke. So he was a captain? "I was just on my way to get some coffee and I saw her struggling with all those containers. It looked like she was about to lose half of them so I just offered to help.” Though he smiled she remained torn, grateful that he'd helped her, but also slightly perturbed that he'd walked her home. She didn't know this man and neither did Molly. But she had taught her to trust a policeman.. Still he wasn't dressed in uniform, even if he was a man of the law. “You taught her well. I had to show her my badge before she would let me help her. She’s a smart kid.” She bit her lip, knowing how intelligent Molly was. She'd raised her. Erin handed the badge back and offered a small smile before looking over her shoulder towards the back where the girl was probably nibbling at scraps of fondant. "Well, thank you." She said softly, not really looking at him, but at the back.

Erin turned back and smiled a little at the man, not sure what he wanted. Should she say more? Talk to him about Molly? Maybe she should give him something as a thanks? She didn't want to seem ungrateful, but she was still unsure. Always unsure.. “So do you guys have coffee here? It would save me an extra trip on the way back to the station.” She suddenly felt a little stupid and smiled more, nodding. "Oh! Uhh, yeah. Yeah we have coffee." She bit her lips and then turned around, nearly tripping as she made her way over to the coffee machine. She poured him a to go cup and then made her way back to the counter. “Molly didn’t mention your name. Well, she called you mom but it’d be weird if I called you that.” She suddenly felt awkward as she often did with men, but he was probably just being polite. She was actually a little surprised he wasn't telling her how dangerous it was to have Molly walking home. It wasn't as though she walked the whole way, but the bus didn't let off that close to the bakery, so it was a small hike for the kid once she got off. It had taken Erin some time to trust that her daughter was capable of handling the walk safely, but now she knew that it wasn't likely for anything to happen to Molly on the way over.

"Yeah, don't call me mom." She smiled a little, looking down at her hands. "Erin." She finally said, reaching a hand out. "Erin O'Brien. Um.. anyway thanks for helping Molly. If I'd known she had all those cupcakes I would have come picked her up. Oh! Why don't you take some? They're no good to us anymore anyway. Here.. everything's on the house." She grabbed a couple of the containers and pushed them over to the cop. "Actually, take as many as you want. Bring them to the station. It's the least we could do since the police department keeps the city safe." She offered, not wanting to be overly friendly with the man, but not wanting to be rude and unappreciative, either.

[CALVIN HAGAN]

“Yeah don’t call me mom.” Cal let his smile widen, amused by her response. He paused a minute to see if she would actually give him her name. “Erin.” Just when he was thinking he wouldn’t get a name out of the pretty lady, she gave in and even extended her hand. He took it and gave it a light shake, nodding his head in thanks. “Erin O’Brien. Um…anyway thanks for helping Molly. If I’d known she had all those cupcakes I would have come picked her up. Oh! Why don’t you take some? They’re no good to us anymore anyway. Here…everything’s on the house.” Cal’s eyebrows arched in surprise watching as Erin grabbed some containers and slid them over the counter to him. His hands instinctively grabbed hold of the containers, still not sure if she was serious. “Actually, take as many as you want. Bring them to the station. It’s the least we could do since the police department keeps the city safe.” He looked down at the containers, a refusal on the tip of his tongue, but then…they were cupcakes…really, really good cupcakes. The words stuck in his throat as his inner fat kid restrained him from turning the delicious treats down. With a hard swallow he finally gave another smile and pulled three containers toward him. “I’m sure the squad will appreciate the gesture. That is…if I don’t eat them all myself.” He said that in a teasing manner, but the captain was seriously considering how many cupcakes he could smuggle away for himself. A kind smile crossed his face as he lifted the containers with one arm and grabbed his coffee with the other hand. “Thanks for this.” He raised his to-go cup of coffee toward her before moving to the door as if the cupcakes balanced on his arm weighed nothing. “I’ll bring the containers back.” His assurance was spoken as he walked out the door and he meant what he said even if Erin was giving him an uncertain look. He had a way of making people suspicious so he didn’t let it bother him. Besides, he couldn’t just take her containers and run…

__________________________________________________

It was around the same time of day the next day before Cal could escape the station. He was shocked he hadn’t developed diabetes overnight. The man had eaten about four cupcakes in the privacy of his office before he set them in the break room for others to take. Of course he got the obligatory jokes that his new girlfriend had made them, but the stern look he gave silenced all of those comments. Word spread that they were Cora’s cupcakes, though, and by the time Cal went to clean up the containers, there were barely crumbs left. He kept them in his office until he could slip away and finally he was able to. The man tried to keep his stern face on with the containers tucked under his arm, but he caught the sly eye of the receptionist. It was hard to maintain a reputation as a hardass when you brought cupcakes to work. The day was brisk, but he was grateful for some sunshine. It had disappeared for months and then one day it mysteriously returned. He knew it had something to do with the Tree of Enlightenment splitting open, but he thought the end of the darkness would be more…dramatic. The beginning had certainly been dramatic enough.

As he neared the shop he suddenly wondered if he looked too disheveled. He wasn’t known for being nicely dressed and he always had scruffy cheeks. His tie was straight enough, though, and his shirt was tucked in…why did it matter? He was just dropping off a few containers. To a very pretty lady…but that shouldn’t be on his mind. When was it ever on his mind? He swung open the door to the shop and was met by the sight of mother and daughter playing rock, paper, scissors. Erin shot out paper and Molly rock, making the girl groan while her mom triumphantly covered her hand. He didn’t know what the exchange was about but he found himself smiling before he was caught by two pairs of eyes. Molly’s eyes immediately brightened while her mother didn’t appear quite as delighted to see him. “Hi Cal!” the girl greeted enthusiastically, hurrying over toward him. Cal couldn’t help but smile wider. “Hello Molly.” “You came back!” “I did. I wanted to make sure your mother got her containers back.” He didn’t often give warm smiles these days, but he couldn’t help it with Molly. It had been a long time since anyone was genuinely glad to see him. His hazel green eyes lifted to Erin once more as she instructed Molly to go off and do her homework, much to the consternation of the girl. She trudged off though with a last smile at Cal and the man returned it. Molly was a good kid, he’d decided.

When his gaze came back to Erin he stepped forward and handed the containers to her. “Thank you again for the cupcakes. They were a huge hit at the station.” He tucked his hands behind his back when she took the containers, his face suddenly serious. “Unfortunately, I’ll have to launch an investigation on this establishment. The station has come to a general agreement that the use of illegal substances helped to make these treats. That is to say we believe there’s crack in the frosting.” It became very evident with this statement that he wasn’t being serious at all despite his authoritative tone and stern face. He cleared his throat in an attempt not to laugh.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

"...then when she shut the drawer the bang snaps exploded and Mrs. Jefferson shrieked!" Molly said giggling and Erin had to do her best not to chuckle at the pranks one of the boys in Molly's class pulled. She felt bad for Owen's parents, wondering how wild the little boy was at home if he was so willing to be naughty at school. "Well that wasn't very nice of him to do, Molly." The girl rolled her eyes. "Mooom, it was just a joke. He got an after school detention, though." "Well I hope you know that's not acceptable behavior, even if it's funny." She let a small smile slide, looking over at the little girl leaning on the counter as she stocked the paper cups by the coffee station. "I could never do that. I'd be too scared." She admitted and Erin felt a sense of pride. She'd raised the kid right; her greatest accomplishment. "Good. Oh, don't forget to scoop Ollie's litter box when Julie takes you home. The bathroom's starting to smell." The girl openly groaned but Erin didn't budge. "But mooooom..." Her stern glance made the girl pout. "Hey, we had a deal. You promised you would help take care of a cat if we got one. Don't make me regret saying yes." The pout grew and then suddenly her eyes brightened. "I'll play yah for it!" Erin pursed her lips to the side and thought it over for a moment. Rock, Paper, Scissors was how they had always settled things in the O'Brien household because it was fair. "But if you win you'll be shirking on your responsibility." "But if I lose I won't." Her grin broadened and Erin knew immediately she had won. She knew her mother was right, but she knew she had her wrapped around her finger as well. "Fine." She grumbled, moving to the counter and putting her palm out and sliding her other fist on top of it, her daughter mirroring her actions. "Two out of three. Rock, paper, scissor, SHOOT!"

Molly and Erin each won two rounds and it was down to the last match. Both girls gave each other dirty looks and Molly did the countdown just as the front door opened. Erin's hand went straight out as Molly's balled into a fist and her mother slid her palm around the girls hand, giving it a light squeeze as a triumphant laugh escaped her plush lips. "I won fair and square, now no more arguing." Her eyes moved to the patron who walked in as her daughters did, her smile fading a little as her stomach twisted strangely.

“Hi Cal!” Why was Molly so fond of the man? Erin was suspicious of him, not liking her daughter to feel so comfortable around a man she didn't know, a man Erin didn't know. "Hello Molly.” “You came back!” “I did. I wanted to make sure your mother got her containers back.” His smile was kind and she offered a bashful one back in return, nipping the inside of her bottom lip as he approached with her containers. "Thanks. You didn't have to, they could be disposable." She offered a little bashfully since they were the Glade reusable but semi disposable ones. "Hey," She said, her voice suddenly kinder and obviously directed at the little girl who was far too excited for their guest. "I need you to finish that math worksheet and study for your spelling test tomorrow." She instructed and Molly huffed and rolled her head back a little. "But I know the words already." She whined and Erin's set lips told the girl not to mess with her. "Fiiiine.." She grumbled heading back around the counter, her shoulder slumped dramatically. She looked over her shoulder at the officer who had helped her the day before and gave him a small smile. "Bye, Cal." She offered before disappearing.

When Molly got her cute butt in the back, Erin's eyes went forward once more, catching the man in her gaze again as he slid the containers on the counter. "Thank you again for the cupcakes. They were a huge hit at the station.” She was about to brush it off when his face grew grave, making her uncomfortable. “Unfortunately, I’ll have to launch an investigation on this establishment." Her stomach twisted uncomfortably, unsure why that would be necessary. What was wrong with their cupcakes? "The station has come to a general agreement that the use of illegal substances helped to make these treats. That is to say we believe there’s crack in the frosting.” She stared at him for a moment, finally seeing that he was teasing and trying not to laugh. She didn't find his joke nearly as funny as he did, but she pushed a bright smile on her face to be polite and even offered a chuckle for him though her heart wasn't entirely in it. "You're funny.." She teased, not meaning a word of it. The smile faded a little though she tried her best to look cheerful. "Really though, it was my pleasure. I'd rather the cupcakes be enjoyed than thrown out." She told him, "And I assure you everything we use is legal. Sinful, perhaps, but legal." She gave her own soft smile, crossing her arms over her body almost protectively even though he was a cop and there was a counter separating them. There was a giggle from behind and Erin turned a sharp eye on the doorway, seeing Molly crouched down. The girl disappeared the second her mothers cold gaze fell upon her though, making Erin shake her head and look back bashfully at Cal. "She doesn't meet a lot of men." She explained softly. "She's not used to the attention." She blushed at the amount of personal information she was giving out, furrowing her brows and unsure why she even offered that to him. It wasn't his business, and she didn't need to make excuses for her child. Shaking her head she took a deep breath and gave him a more friendly smile, treating him like the customer he now technically was. "So can I get anything for you or did you just drop the containers off?"

[CALVIN HAGAN]

Erin smiled and Cal finally let his own smile show, pretty proud of himself for making the lady smile and even chuckle a little. He thought it was a joke worth more laughter, honestly, but he would take what he got. His humor was a little rusty. “You’re funny…” The way she said it sounded almost sarcastic but he shrugged it off, giving a simple, “I try.” “Really though, it was my pleasure. I’d rather the cupcakes be enjoyed than thrown out. And I assure you everything is legal. Sinful, perhaps, but legal.” Cal smiled wider and was about to make a comeback when a soft giggle caught his attention. His eyes shifted quickly to find little Molly crouched in the doorway eavesdropping. He grinned wider, genuinely amused that she was so interested in their conversation, but Erin obviously didn’t feel the same. Molly ran into the other room when her mother’s eyes fell on her and Cal couldn’t blame her. A look like that from Erin and he would have done the same. But when the woman looked back to him she looked almost bashful. “She doesn’t meet a lot of men. She’s not used to the attention.” Cal’s eyebrows rose, surprised to hear this bit of news. It was obvious Erin was already regretting what she said by the confused look on her face and the flush that crept into her cheeks, but Cal was glad for the information. So she was single…He shouldn’t have cared, but he couldn’t help but take note. Erin was a beautiful woman—surely she had guys hitting on her all the time. So why didn’t she have anyone? He suspected Molly had something to do with that. A lot of younger guys didn’t want to be strapped down by a kid, even if the kid’s mom was hot. Still, a girl needed a man in her life when she was growing up. It made him wonder who Molly had to look up to…

“So can I get anything for you or did you just drop the containers off?” And just like that she brushed off her earlier statement. He couldn’t blame her, but the man was a police captain—he made a lot of observations and rarely forgot them. “Yeah, I’ll have a cup of coffee if you don’t mind.” His eyes wandered to the case beside him, the beautiful sweet treats calling to him from inside the glass. He could hear their sugary sweet voices… “Eeeeat meeee…Eeeeat meeee!” A frown started on his face and he began to rationalize getting one. He couldn’t just get a cup of coffee and go, could he? It only cost like $2…and this was Erin’s bread and butter! And Cora’s! Besides, who came to a bakery and just bought coffee? He looked back at Erin and nodded his head at the cupcakes. “I’ll have a cupcake too. You can surprise me with the flavor.” So much for being strong. These days he could look at a pound of coke in the drug lock-up at the station and not even crave a sniff. It was a different story around sweets. Just because of his extreme love of sweets he put no stock in the saying, “You are what you eat.” He was far from sweet, he just liked to eat them.

His eyes wandered around the shop and he noticed a few things had changed since the last time he was in there. The biggest change was the woman standing behind the counter and the girl hiding in the back, though he assumed they had both been around longer than he had. Every time he came here before, though, it had been the pretty Cora Brady greeting him. “So is Cora still around? The name’s the same so I figure she still owns it but I haven’t seen her around in a while.” As he looked at the woman across the counter from him, he actually noticed something peculiar and his brow furrowed curiously. “You know…you two kind of look alike. Are you related?” It had just occurred to him but it would make sense that Erin would work in the shop all by herself if she was related to Cora. Cora was a laid back kind of gal, but even Cal knew this store meant a lot to her and she wouldn’t trust it to just anyone.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

“Yeah, I’ll have a cup of coffee if you don’t mind.” She pushed a closed mouth, professional smile on her face and packed from the counter, turning and heading towards the coffee. Once looking away from the man she furrowed her brows, mouthing the idiotic words she'd said and wondering why she had told him that. She shouldn't excuse Molly and he didn't need to know her personal life. Plus, he didn't care. He was just a cop coming in returning some containers and getting a cup of java.

“I’ll have a cupcake too. You can surprise me with the flavor.” She turned and looked over her shoulder, acknowledging she had heard him and pushed that same little smile on her plump lips. She suddenly felt stupid, hating when she crossed a boundary. Of course Cora was an open book with her patrons, laughing easily and talking about anything and everything, often going into too much personal detail, but that was part of her charm. Erin hadn't been raised that way, and though Cora hadn't either, she had always been more rebellious. Erin was a rule follower and always had been. She'd strayed from her straight an narrow life for Molly's sake, but she still instilled the morals she believed in, even if they did come off as a bit snobby.

Erin slid the coffee on the counter and then went to the refrigerated case, pulling out soft brown cupcake with golden frosting swirled on top and large salt crystals glistened on the frosting. The sticky toffee cupcakes with salted caramel buttercream had been one of Erin's favorite cupcakes since Cora had her try it last year. She was just placing the to go container down when Cal began talking, his eyes roaming over the shop. “So is Cora still around? The name’s the same so I figure she still owns it but I haven’t seen her around in a while.” He'd been in twice in the last couple days, how could he assume she'd been missing? This was the first time Erin had seen him, or remembered seeing him. Maybe he'd been in before and she had been too busy to remember. "We're doing the desserts for a big Valentines Day benefit, and she's been going over to the company to plan out the menu and how they'd like everything decorated." She explained, excusing the woman for being here and there. "Plus she's usually in the back baking these days since we've become more popular." No one would be able to tell how successful the business was by walking in since the shop was often dead except around the weekends. It was their big party orders that kept them more than afloat. His eyes came back to hers and she fixed a pleasant look on her face. “You know…you two kind of look alike. Are you related?” Her smile faltered and her lips pursed lightly. She looked down at the counter as her head shifted defiantly to the side a little. "Not that it's any of your business, but yes. Cora is my mother's cousin." She explained, knowing she didn't need to but also letting Cal know his probing wasn't invited. Her large, dark eyes came up to meet his once more but only briefly. She moved to the register and punched the buttons on it. "Your total comes to $5.25." She told him, looking him confidently in the eye. If he thought she would continue to dish out free goods because he was a cop and walked her kid home, he had another guess coming.

[CALVIN HAGAN]

Cal watched as Erin cocked her head to the side a little, thinking she was being cute. He couldn’t deny that it worked. “Not that it’s any of your business, but yes. Cora is my mother’s cousin.” His brow furrowed and she suddenly wasn’t as cute anymore. Me-OW, this woman was cattier than he’d taken her for and it made him frown a little. He could take being snapped at if he was being rude—which most of the time he was. Cal wasn’t t the nicest guy in the world and he didn’t pretend to be. In this case, though, he was genuinely trying to be nice and curious and this lady had the nerve to give him attitude! So much for being nice! After he’d helped her kid home too and brought back her containers! Her reaction was uncalled for and it brought out his rebellious side. The man didn’t stand for catching unnecessary flack and the older he got the less tolerance he had for it. He’d changed a lot since his younger rebellious years, but his vengeful side wasn’t one of the pieces of his personality that changed. Cal hadn’t given her a good reason to be irritated with him before, but now he would give her one. His eyes followed her as she moved to the cash register and punched in his order. It was cool that he didn’t get these free—he hadn’t expected it anyway, so he didn’t let it bother him.

“Your total comes to $5.25.” The way she looked at him with that confident and defiant dark-eyed gaze only provoked him more. He held her gaze as he reached into his pocket and produced his wallet. His thumb slid his card out before he handed it over. He didn’t crack a smile once even though his eyes were fixated on hers. It was obvious she’d offended him and he wanted it that way—his whole squad could vouch for his inability to hide his irritation. If she was uncomfortable by his gaze, she didn’t indicate it and he took his card back when she handed it to him. Finally he looked away to replace it in his wallet and tuck his wallet away once more. “Thanks.” At least he could say that for getting his stuff together. He reached out and slid it across the counter toward himself. Unexpectedly he undid the paper bag his cupcake was in and pulled out the plastic to-go container. With pursed lips he popped it open and was practically in heaven just looking at it. Oh, the things he was going to do to this cupcake…He pulled it out of the container and leaned over the counter so his torso was held up by his elbow and forearm.

Once more Cal looked at Erin’s face and bit back a smirk at the displeasure he saw there. He tore off the bottom of the cupcake and popped it in his mouth, slowly chewing. He hummed a sound of satisfaction and nodded his head as his eyes slid closed. That was a good cupcake. Even better was when he bit into the top half of it and tasted that delicious salted caramel frosting. If he could marry a cupcake, he would buy a ring for this one. When he had enjoyed his second bite he looked up at Erin again with curiosity. “I have a question for you, Erin.” His mouth was still half full of cupcake and he finished chewing before swallowing. It was obvious she was getting pissed. “Do you snap at all of the customers who try to make small talk with you or just the ones you think won’t retaliate?” He let the question hang in the air for a minute as he took another bite, but then held up his finger as if something else had occurred to him. Of course he finished chewing until he actually spoke and lowered his hand back to the counter below his chest. “Or is it just the men who come asking questions that you’re rude to?”

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

Erin could tell she'd offended Cal but she wasn't about to worry herself about that. He'd been nosy and he deserved to hear what she'd said. It wasn't any of his business if she was related to Cora or not. She took his card and ran it through the machine, charging his purchase and feeling his eyes on her. She didn't like the way he glowered in her direction, but she was a mother, and she was an O'Brien, so she was used to dirty looks and brushed it off. When she was through she handed his card back, looking at him defiantly, almost challenging him to say something. “Thanks.” He told her and she offered a cool "You're welcome." in return.

Erin expected the exchange to be complete. What she didn't expect was him opening his cupcake container and making a meal of it right there on the counter. She sighed and turned and looked down the counter towards the glass case, considering all the things she could and should be doing instead of standing here waiting for this man as he began to enjoy his snack. He leaned onto the counter on his forearms and she couldn't help but find his posture rude. Hadn't anyone told him that position was inappropriate while eating? Did he not see the tables and chairs available for customers to dine in? She knew he was trying to irritate her, but all she could do was stand there and let him, watching as he devoured the entire bottom of his cupcake. Her nose wrinkled slightly in disgust. Was he for real? He took another bite and then his eyes moved to meet hers and she pursed her lips slightly in return.

“I have a question for you, Erin.” She raised a brow and still looked disgusted, finding it inappropriate to talk with your mouth full. Her ten year old had more manners than this man! “Do you snap at all of the customers who try to make small talk with you or just the ones you think won’t retaliate?” She narrowed her eyes at him, finding him more and more rude by the second. She opened her mouth to talk but he held a hand up to stop her, eating some more and she stood there, clearly fuming. “Or is it just the men who come asking questions that you’re rude to?”

She had not been rude. She had let him know that he had crossed a boundary, which was well within her rights. to do. "I hardly snapped at you." She started, her voice cool and collected. "And if anyone was rude it was you. You asked a personal question without cause or invitation. Just because you came in and helped my daughter and I gave you cupcakes doesn't mean we're friends, captain. I don't know you and there are more appropriate questions you could have asked if you were interested in knowing more about me. My relationship with the store owner isn't your business or concern and I told you in the best way I knew how that I found the question probing and inappropriate." She looked him in the way making it more than clear she wasn't in the least intimidated by him, despite who he was in regards to the city. "Then instead of understanding my stance you took offense and by doing so continued to act unkindly, so honestly the only person who can be accused of acting rudely is you." She gave him her severe mom look, the one she had mastered over the last ten years. "Now that being said if you choose to enjoy our treats I would prefer you do so on the tables provided. That's what they're there for and it's much more sanitary than here at the counter where I conduct business."

[CALVIN HAGAN]

Cal was satisfied with the fuming look on Erin’s face. Good! Now she knew what it felt like! “I hardly snapped at you.” Cal lowered his head and looked over his eyebrows at her in disbelief. Really? Clearly she had. “And if anyone was rude it was you. You asked a personal question without cause or invitation. Just because you came in and helped my daughter and I have you cupcakes doesn’t mean we’re friends, captain. I don’t know you and there are more appropriate questions you could have asked if you were interested in knowing more about me. My relationship with the store owner isn’t you business or concern and I told you in the best way I knew how that I found the question probing and inappropriate.” His eyes were fixed on her with bitterly amused disbelief and a smile to match. Was this woman for real? His simple question about Cora had infuriated her that much? “Then instead of understanding my stance you took offense and by doing so continued to act unkindly, so honestly the only person who can be accused of acting rudely is you.” He snorted, shaking his head at the glare she gave him, assuming it was very similar to the look she must have given Molly. The only difference was he wasn’t intimidated by it. He took another bite of his cupcake to prove that look had no effect on him.

“Now that being said if you choose to enjoy your treats I would prefer you do so on the tables provided. That’s what they’re there for and it’s much more sanitary than here at the counter where I conduct business.” Cal glanced back at the tables and then looked back at her, still chewing the cupcake in his mouth. He swallowed and shook his head a little, his mouth turning down in an exaggerated contemplative frown. “Nah. If I sit over there I can’t continue being rude, which you’ve already pegged me as. I figure I’ve gone this far, why not continue? Now…” He put the last of his cupcake in his mouth and savored it, tugging a napkin out of a container on the counter and wiping the excess frosting on it before dropping that and the plastic container his cupcake had been in into the paper bag Erin had provided. Cal could tell the pretty little lady was getting irritated with him pausing to shove cupcake in his mouth and he almost regretted he couldn’t continue to do this. He washed down the last swallow with a sip of coffee before looking in her face again. “Did my question really bother you that much? All I was doing was making an observation and verifying if I was right or not. It’s what I do for a living and I’m very good at it.” He sucked his teeth for any excess cake not being polite about it and grinning inwardly at how disgusted she looked. “I think the problem here is that you were being far too sensitive about your personal space and decided that being rude was the best way to retaliate.” He held his hand up as if to silence her protest. “And let’s be honest, you were rude. Telling somebody it’s none of their business when they’ve simply asked an innocent question is rude.” His hands braced on the counter as his eyes came to hers once more. She didn’t like being told she was rude which made him enjoy even more. The way she talked made her sound like a snob and he’d never much cared for snobs. They always thought they were so much better than everyone else…

“You probably need to loosen up a little, Erin. Getting so defensive about me asking whether you’re related to Cora is a pretty good indication of that. It’s not like I was asking for your phone number and home address.” Cal took another sip of his coffee, enjoying the bitter taste on his tongue. It matched well with his sassy attitude right now. His eyes squinted at her and his brow creased as if something had just occurred to him and it concerned him. “Am I bothering you with my fair points?” he asked. The answer was written all over her face, but he felt the need to rub it in. She was far too sensitive and it only provoked him.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

Erin watched as he turned to look at the tables and then back towards her, shaking his head. Was this serious?! “Nah. If I sit over there I can’t continue being rude, which you’ve already pegged me as. I figure I’ve gone this far, why not continue? Now…” Yep. This was seriously happening. She couldn't believe that a grown man was doing this, and a police captain at that! He was beyond being rude, he was being a disgusting pig in his actions, both with eating there at the counter and by personally attacking her. “Did my question really bother you that much? All I was doing was making an observation and verifying if I was right or not. It’s what I do for a living and I’m very good at it.” She was about to answer but she suddenly felt nauseated by the way he sucked at his teeth. She couldn't believe this was actually happening. “I think the problem here is that you were being far too sensitive about your personal space and decided that being rude was the best way to retaliate.” He held his hand up as if to silence her before she could say anything. “And let’s be honest, you were rude. Telling somebody it’s none of their business when they’ve simply asked an innocent question is rude.” She could hardly believe a cop was lecturing her about being rude. It wasn't a crime and she had every right to do as she pleased! He of all people should know that. “You probably need to loosen up a little, Erin. Getting so defensive about me asking whether you’re related to Cora is a pretty good indication of that. It’s not like I was asking for your phone number and home address.” She was more than frazzled and wanted him out of her shop, but had no idea how to do it. He wasn't going to leave willingly and he was the police. “Am I bothering you with my fair points?”

Frowning she very briefly pondered what to say to him. "It doesn't surprise me all that much that you would think your points are fair. I'm sure you have this strange complex where you assume you're right even when you're not. I mean, you are a police officer and let's face it, guys like you are often caught in the act of corruption. And here I thought Scriptor Bay was a nice place where that sort of thing didn't happen, but I have been shown the error of my way, thanks to you." She held her hand up to him in the same fashion he'd been doing to her, making him stop talking before he had the chance. "And before you go on about not being corrupt or whatever illogical rebuttal you intended to spit at me, remember you came into my store and began lecturing me because you decided I was being rude to you. This is my store. Right now, the owner isn't here, which makes it mine in this very moment and you came in and attacked me because you didn't like something I said. I asked you to eat at the tables and you told me no, and now I'm asking you to please remove yourself from the premises. If you refuse to do so I'll call the police station and ask that their captain be escorted away, and don't think I won't captain. Your role in the community doesn't mean I need to respect you, especially when you show none for patrons of your city. I trust you remember where the door is." She didn't have to defend herself any further. He was wrong as far as she was concerned, and she was tired of dealing with him.

[CALVIN HAGAN]

“It doesn’t surprise me all that much that you would think your points are fair. I’m sure you have this strange complex where you assume you’re right even when you’re not. I mean, you are a police officer and let’s face it, guys like you are often caught in the act of corruption. And here I thought Scriptor Bay was a nice place where that sort of thing didn’t happen, but I have been shown the error of my ways, thanks to you.” Only one of Cal’s eyebrows cocked up as he looked across at Erin, frowning now. Because he was acting like a jackass automatically made him corrupt? That didn’t make any sense. It also had nothing to do with him always being right—it wasn’t his fault that was the case. Her arguments didn’t make much sense and he was trying to find a connection before she held up her hand to stop him, mimicking him. “And before you go on about not being corrupt or whatever illogical rebuttal you intended to spit at me, remember you came into my store and began lecturing me because you decided I was being rude to you.” He didn’t decide anything, it was a simple fact that she was rude. “This is my store. Right now, the owner isn’t here, which makes it mine in this very moment and you came in and attacked me because you didn’t like something I said. I asked you to eat at the tables and you told me no, and now I’m asking you to please remove yourself from the premises. If you refuse to do so I’ll call the police station and ask that their captain be escorted away, and don’t think I won’t captain. Your role in the community doesn’t mean I need to respect you, especially when you show none for the patrons of your city. I trust you remember where the door is.” Cal actually snorted, shaking his head. This woman had no clue what kind of power he had. Not to worry, he would explain. “Erin, I give respect where it’s earned. So far, you haven’t earned it outside of raising a good kid.”

He grabbed his coffee cup and turned towards the door with a small lift of his cup. Before he left though, he stopped and turned back to the pretty young woman. “And by the way, you could call my employees if you wanted to, but it wouldn’t do you any good. I know, I know, you’re thinking, ‘This guy is so full of crap,’ but I assure you I’m not. Ask them to come collect their captain and they’ll stammer and make some excuse to take their time in getting here. Unfortunately my officers are afraid of me, but not without good reason. But there’s no need to call them today, however. I have to get back anyway.” He gave a mockingly friendly smile as he stepped away. “Bye Molly!” he called over his shoulder to the girl sheltered in the back. “Bye Cal!” The small, youthful voice made him smile genuinely to himself as he walked out. “Erin.” He nodded back at her as he pushed the door open. It wasn’t the last she would be seeing of him. He was going to make it a habit to come back every day just to irritate the piss out of that little brat. The man despised snobs and Erin was a perfect example of one, always looking down her nose at him. Well, if that’s what she was going to do, he might as well give her a reason to do it.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

Cal snorted and shook his head, annoying Erin further. It was so like a cop to be arrogant. “Erin, I give respect where it’s earned. So far, you haven’t earned it outside of raising a good kid.” Though she should have been proud at the mention of Molly it only infuriated her further. She hated that he knew her child and she would need to talk to Molly later about who she could and could not talk to and Calvin Hagan was certainly one of those "not" people. Luckily he grabbed his coffee and turned to leave which pleased her. She could at least get him to leave.

“And by the way, you could call my employees if you wanted to, but it wouldn’t do you any good. I know, I know, you’re thinking, ‘This guy is so full of crap,’ but I assure you I’m not. Ask them to come collect their captain and they’ll stammer and make some excuse to take their time in getting here. Unfortunately my officers are afraid of me, but not without good reason. But there’s no need to call them today, however. I have to get back anyway.” Was that a threat? She felt her blood boil that he though he could do as he pleased and harass her just because he was the police captain. He wasn't the highest ranking officer there, and there would be someone he had to answer to. If she had to be in touch with the police chief she would, and a restraining order would certainly do the trick. “Bye Molly!” He called out before leaving and a chill ran down her spine. She didn't like him talking to her child, and it angered her more when she heard the sweet "Bye Cal!” from the back of her aunts store. "Erin.” He said as he left, a chill running through her again from her own aggravation.

Erin stood for a long moment trying to collect herself and calm herself down. The nerve of him! She snatched his garbage which he so kindly left on the counter and threw it out, then proceeded to wipe the counter down. When she was finished she took a deep breath and made it to the back room, sitting down next to Molly and folding her arms on the table, resting her head in her arms. "Hows the homework coming along, Sprinkle?"

----------------------------END----------------------------