All My Regulars (Calvin)

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

Molly was still in school and Cora was in the back working on a batch of cupcakes for a retirement party that was later that day. The shop was mostly quiet considering the time of day it was, the occasional customer sliding in for a cake or a cup of coffee or a snack to go. Erin herself was flipping through a book she had been told she might like, not really paying much attention to what was happening outside the shop. Nothing ever really happened outside the shop.

It had been a couple of weeks since her last run in with Cal. Erin was a little surprised when the man hadn't shown up at the bakery, knowing he had made a habit of not staying away for long. She didn't care for him to visit, so really it was a relief that his presence didn't grace the small bakery/cafe. He would only annoy her, and the wound on his arm would only serve to remind her of the shoot out she and her daughter were nearly a part of. Molly kept asking about him, wanting her mom to send cupcakes to the station for him to say thank you, but Erin wasn't keen on the idea of inviting him back into their lives. She didn't like Molly getting attached to the man. He was dangerous and had it not been for Cal, Molly might not have run back to see what was going on. She was sure she wanted to watch her hero in action which had clouded her already poor judgement. Molly was still grounded for her inability to listen lately, and despite her punishments, Erin knew that Cora was secretly giving Molly a cupcake or cookie now and then which drove her up a wall. She loved Cora dearly, but sometimes she got frustrated with the way the woman interfered with her parenting.

The bell on the door jingled and a familiar face came in. The man who walked in was a regular. He came in almost every day for a coffee and some sort of baked good, usually not a cupcake. There was something off about him but Erin could never put her finger on what it was exactly. He was thin, gaunt almost, and a little pale. His hair was long dark and his eyes were an ice blue. He seemed like the kind of guy who touched children, and Erin was glad he timed his visits for when Molly wasn't there. She tried not to judge him, though. He'd never done anything to sound her alarms other than give her a weird sort of feeling. "Nice day." He commented as he came to the counter and Erin smiled politely and shut her book, sliding it to the side. "I haven't been out since this morning. Is it warm yet?" She inquired and he gave an almost bashful smile. "Yes. Very. You should make time to go out. You shouldn't be cooped up in here, you know.." She shrugged her shoulders giving a kind smile. "I'll step out a little later when my daughter gets off the bus. What can I get for you today?" He seemed almost sad at the change of conversation. "Small coffee and.. the bran muffin. Please." Erin nodded and grabbed the muffin before getting his coffee. She set the items on the counter and starting ringing it all in. "That will be $3.75" She said as the bell chimed. The man at the counter started digging in his pocket for his change as Erin's eyes moved up to see none other than Calvin Hagan himself. Her stomach churned and she wasn't sure of the emotion she felt. Not really annoyed, but certainly not glad. The long haired man handed her a five and looked over his shoulder at the man in the police uniform, and immediately his demeanor changed. He nearly hunched over, practically cowering from Cal as though he were some sort of predator. Erin gave him his change and then man quickly grabbed his items and made for the door, skirting around Cal and actually leaving. Normally he stayed.

"Ah, the prodigal police chief returns. And what do I owe the honor?" She teased, gripping the counter and looking him in the eye, ready for his sarcasm and sass. How quickly would he piss her off today?

[CALVIN HAGAN]

The only reason Cal was in his captain’s uniform was for the stupid ceremony to pin another damn medal on him for “heroism in service to the city.” He didn’t like the attention the uniform got him with all the gold accents on the dark navy blue. Plus he had to the wear the hat—he had been ecstatic when he was promoted to detective because he wouldn’t have to wear the stupid hat. Now he was stuck back in it for ceremonies. By early afternoon, Cal needed a break from all the congratulations and he knew exactly where to go: Cora’s. It was the one place he could count on people not wanting to shake his hand or thank him for his service. In fact, he might even get a dirty look, which would balance his day out just fine. He had avoided the place since the shooting. It was obvious the only reason Molly had disobeyed her mother and rushed to the shoot out she’d almost been a part of was an attachment to him. Cal liked the girl, which meant he didn’t want her getting hurt because of some loyalty to him. He also knew it wasn’t his place to undermine Erin’s authority over her. Yeah, he liked to piss off the overly sensitive baker, but even he knew it was wrong to get between a mother and her child. His sister would wring his neck if he’d encouraged his nieces and nephews to act like Molly did. She’d actually come close a couple times. So it was better to put some distance between him and Molly, at least until things settled down again and he could have a one on one conversation with her.

After today, though, he needed a sugar fix. The cake at the reception had been one of those God awful grocery store cakes with the cheap block icing that tasted like five pounds of sugar spun into something resembling cream. He had a sweet tooth, but that crap was enough to make him cringe. He needed the real stuff and Cora’s would have just what he needed. Gladly he abandoned the hat at the station and started his walk for the bakery. It was one of those spring days that made one wonder when winter had ended and spring had begun. There were birds and he looked at them with shock. He felt like he hadn’t seen a bird since midsummer. Cal wasn’t a “smell the roses” kind of guy, but today had him vaguely appreciating the nice weather. The sun shining and warm air felt great after such a long dark cold. He still had a hard time believing that darkness had something to do with that old tree in the middle of town. By the time he reached Cora’s he was actually in a pretty good mood, the ceremony a long way behind him in his mind. He walked in and actually gave Erin a smile when she looked up. Maybe he was delusional or it was the break he’d taken from seeing her and Molly, but Erin looked prettier somehow. He was distracted from reluctantly admiring her by a very strange man, however.

The man hunched and gave Cal a nervous look over his boney shoulder as the police captain slowly made his way to the counter. Cal gave a curious look in return, not liking the way the guy cowered from him. Thankfully the guy skittered away, but it left Cal wondering about him. He watched the guy practically run across the street as if desperate to get away from him. “Ah, the prodigal police chief returns. And what do I owe the honor?” Cal turned back to Erin at her teasing and he smiled. “I’m not the chief, I’m a captain, but I appreciate you thinking so highly of me.” His smile grew, obviously teasing her in return. “And I’ve returned because of your pretty face. Oh, and my crippling sugar addiction.” He gave a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders as he reached the counter and gripped it as she was, leaning against it slightly. “I’ll have the usual: cupcake and coffee. Surprise me with the flavor.” His smile returned and he couldn’t tell if Erin was annoyed or not with his earlier compliment. He turned and looked back out the plate glass windows of the storefront, checking for the strange man he’d seen when he walked in. Of course he was nowhere in sight…He turned back to Erin with an inquisitive look. “You know anything about that guy? The one who was in here when I walked in?” Cal didn’t know him, but he didn’t like him. There was something very fishy about the way he’d been acting…

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

"I'm not the chief, Ikm a captain, but I appreciate you thinking so highly of me." Ern smiled in return but it was obvious her heart wasn't in it. It was a forced, polite smile and she uttered a little "Ah." To show she'd been mistaken. "And I've returned because of your pretty face. Oh, and my crippling sugar addiction." Pretty face? She cocked a brow, her look incredulous. She knew as well as he that he was there to torment her and eat her aunts insane cupcakes. "Your too kind." Her words were bordering sarcastic, but she was being genuinely nicer than she normally was during one of his visits.

Cal gripped the counter, his posture mirroring hers, and she watched him confidently. "I'll have the usual: cupcake and coffee. Surprise me with the flavor." It was his usual. Erin moved away to get his coffee and as always grabbed a cupcake from whatever section was fullest. Sometimes she offered the last cupcake from a section if only to clear the way for all new ones. Cal nver complained about her choices though, and if he dared to she would tell him he could choose his own damn flavor next time, because like it or not, there would definitely be a next time.

"You know anything about that guy? The one who was in here when I walked in? Erin set the plate on the counter knowing Cal wouldn't bother with a to go contaner. He would just take the cupcake out and eat it there, and she didn't like wasting the to go materials on him. "Him? He's just a regular that comes in. Usually sticks around and drinks his coffee." She didn't add the fact that he usually watched her while he did that. It creeped her out a little, but she told herself he was harmless. She could take a little guy like that if she had to, but he was far to meek to try. "Why? Want me to get his number for you next time he drops by? Which will most likely be tomorrow." She smirked at her playful insinuaton. Erin herself had nothing against gay men, but she had the burning supiscion that Cal wouldn't appreciate her hinting at that.

[CALVIN HAGAN]

Erin placed Cal’s cupcake before him and he noticed it was a pink strawberry one today. He wondered if she was mocking him, but he knew her system of grabbing from the fullest section or the section they were looking to refill. It didn’t matter anyway—he loved the strawberry cupcakes. He pulled the cupcake closer to him and took a hefty bite out of it. Why bother sitting at a table when he was talking to Erin? “Him? He’s just a regular that comes in. Usually sticks around and drinks his coffee.” His brow furrowed, peeling more of the wrapper away carefully, his arm still resting against his stomach awkwardly like it was in a sling, as he hummed a soft, “Hmm…” That couldn’t be all of the story. There had to be behaviors that he was paranoid or something, especially with how he went out of his way to avoid Cal. Or maybe he had a guilty conscience from the things he was considering doing. Either way, he didn’t like it, not when there were two women and a young girl in the shop he was frequenting. Cal wondered if he shouldn’t make it a habit to come around the same time every day, see if he could chase the guy off…or observe him to see what he was up to. He scratched his chin as he considered before taking another big bite out of his cupcake.

“Why? Want me to get his number for you next time he drops by? Which will most likely be tomorrow.” The way she smirked made him wrinkle his nose as he frowned and swallowed his mouthful of cupcake. “If I were gay, I’d have much better taste in men than that creep. As it happens, I’m not gay. Not even a little.” It wasn’t that Cal was a homophobe he just didn’t like the thought of two men hooking up. In fact, it made him a little nauseous. But it wasn’t his business what people did in their spare time and he didn’t mind being around gay men. They were usually pretty funny. It was just when they started hitting on him that things got awkward. Strangely enough, two women together was hot. “If you do happen to get his number, though, pass it my way. It’ll make it easier to track him down when I’m investigating him for rape or cannibalistic murders or something. Did you see the way he just skirted around me? He practically ran across the street to get away. I don’t like it.” He had a grumpy sort of look on his face, biting into his cupcake again as Erin placed his coffee in front of him. The guy just rubbed him the wrong way.

Cal’s green eyes came to Erin’s again and he gave her a serious look, pink frosting stuck at the corner of his lips. “You call me if he ever bothers you. Here’s my card.” He reached into the pocket of his uniform jacket, pulling out a card and pushing it across the counter. “And don’t blow it off. Guys like that always have something to hide.” The more agitated he got, the more his Boston accent came out. Usually it was hardly noticeable, but it came to the surface again when he wasn’t paying attention. Right now, it was getting mildly noticeable. “D’you know his name?” Erin didn’t look like she appreciated this line of questioning and he spread his hands and arms out to his side in defense. “What? I’m tryin’ to make sure you and Molly are safe.” He gave a roll of his shoulders before bringing his cupcake to his lips again. “So I’m a cop; sue me.” His arm rested against his flat stomach again, trying to avoid making his shoulder hurt like it was prone to do these days.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

As expected Cal wrinkled his nose at her suggestion and it managed to satisfy her, even though she was frustrated that he ate at the counter. He did it to annoy her, so she did her best to ignore it, but if continued she might end up refusing him service. It really was unsanitary. What if another customer came in? It would look bad to havehim standing there stuffing his obnoxious mouth with a cupcake and she would be damned if he hurt their business with his disgusting, spiteful habits. "If I were gay, I'd have much better taste in men than that creep. As it happens, I'm not gay. Not even a little." she was pleased that he felt the need to defend himself, the silly boy.

"If you do happen to get his number, though, pass it my way. It'll make it easier to track him down when I'm investigating him for rape or cannibalistic murders or something." Erin frowned at him. Yes the guy was a bit creepy but she assumed he was just socially awkward. "Don't be rude." She scolded as though talking to Molly and not this adult man. "Did you see the way he just skirted around me? He practically ran across the street to get away. I don't like it.". Erin rolled hereys at him, realizing not only how silly he sounded, but looked shoving the princess pink cake into his mouth. "You call me if he ever bothers you. Here's my card.". This was getting ridiculous and the girl put her hands on her hips as he slid th card on the counter. "And don't blow it off. Guys like that always have something to hide. D'you know his name?" He was getting noticably annoyed and so was she. He even had an accent now! "What? I'm tryin' to make sure you and Molly are safe. So I'm a cop; sue me.". Sometimes she wished she could sue him! For annoyingness.

"He doesn't even come when Molly's here, that's first of all." She started, laying into him. "Second of all he probably had an issue with the police and avoids them. If they were anything like you, I can't really blame the guy." She snapped, feeling her mama bear instinct kicking in. "Third, he's harmless. Just a lonely guy who comes in for a little human contact. Can't fault him for that. I mean, it's not much different than what you do...come in here and hang out whil stuffing your face. Maybe Molly and I need protecting from you, hmm?" She raised a brow knowing this all wouldn't go over well with Cal, but nothing she ever said really did.

[CALVIN HAGAN]

“He doesn’t even come when Molly’s here, that’s first of all.” Good. Cal would have to beat the guy to a bloody pulp if he found out this guy was trying to get his boney hands on Molly. “Second of all he probably had an issue with the police and avoids them. If they were anything like you, I can’t really blame the guy.” He could tell Erin was getting heated and he just snorted at her comeback. She could dislike him all she wanted, it didn’t change the fact that he was a good cop. “Third, he’s harmless. Just a lonely guy who comes in for a little human contact. Can’t fault him for that. I mean, it’s not much different than what you do…come in here and hang out while stuffing your face. Maybe Molly and I need protecting from you, hmm?” Cal scowled at her insinuation. “It’s the quiet ones you always have to look out for, hasn’t anyone ever told you that? Because it’s true. He may seem harmless, but guys that flinch at cops like that never are. And I’ll have you know Molly’s got nothing to fear from me. I have seven nieces and nephews running around in Boston and they happen to think I’m awesome.” He took a sip of his coffee, taking the moment to calm himself. Damn, this woman was an expert at getting him riled up. When he lowered his cup, he stuffed the last of the cupcake into his mouth and noticed she actually looked a little surprised. “What? I thought it was obvious I have a lot of experience with kids. Molly reminds me a lot of my oldest niece, Jocelyn. Did you think I was a pedophile or something?” He snorted, washing the last of his cupcake down with a gulp of coffee. Looking at Erin again, he frowned at the way her face suggested she had thought he was a pedophile. “Don’t answer that.” His voice was an angry grumble, not happy with ever being thought a pedophile. Why was it always assumed a guy was a baby rapist when he was nice to kids?

“And anyway, I hope I’m not that creepy. If I am, you should let me know. That could explain why I’m still single.” He knew he wasn’t that creepy. That kind of creepy was the kind that grew in a dimly lit basement being punished by your mother for whacking off so that any kindness from a woman made you think they were in love with you. His kind of creepy was reserved to fantasizing about a woman who verbally abused him every time they saw each other. Of course, he would keep that tidbit to himself. He heard footsteps in the little hallway behind Erin and when he looked he could see Cora walking out, her hands stained all kinds of pastel colors. She looked at him and gave him an almost impressed smile. “Wooow, look at the captain in his uniform!”[/b] Now Cal’s smile faded and instead he grimaced at Cora and took a long drag of coffee. “Did you come in here dressed like that to woo two pretty ladies?”[/b] He gave her an unamused wrinkle of his nose before looking away with a frown like an embarrassed kid. “No, they made me wear it for the ceremony this morning. Pinned another medal on me for my work at the shoot out. And getting shot. Again.” Cora came over and leaned on the counter with a heavy sigh. “It must be so hard to be you.”[/b] He could tell she was busting his balls and he actually smirked at her comeback. “You get shot and see how you like it.” Cora gave another sigh and got her elbows off the counter. “Even though a medal is tempting, I think I’ll pass.”[/b]

“So do you know anything about the creepy thin guy that comes in here every day?” Cora gave him a curious look, her mouth pouting a little as she thought. “The one with the long black hair? Sharp nose?”[/b] Cal nodded, glancing at Erin to see how she would react to him asking her cousin about the guy. Cora shrugged her shoulders and reached for the now empty plate sitting on the counter. “Just that he comes in here every day. He doesn’t say much and he’s not rude. He never stays long if I’m up here.”[/b] That tipped him off. Erin said he always stayed to drink his coffee. So the guy did have a thing for Erin… “Why, want me to get his number?”[/b] Cora was grinning when Cal looked up again and he shook his head at the repeated question. “You two hang around each other too much. No I don’t want his number.” He was now certain the guy would want Erin’s, though. Cal didn’t like the thought of that one bit.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

“It’s the quiet ones you always have to look out for, hasn’t anyone ever told you that? Because it’s true." Erin rolled her eyes at Cal. Was he being serious? Was he really going to slap that stereotype on this poor guy? The guy was pasty white and like seventy pounds soaking wet. He'd always been nice to Erin. What was he going to do? "He may seem harmless, but guys that flinch at cops like that never are. And I’ll have you know Molly’s got nothing to fear from me. I have seven nieces and nephews running around in Boston and they happen to think I’m awesome.” The girl raised a brow and gave the officer an incredulous look. He had nieces and nephews who liked him? She wasn't sure she could believe such a claim. “What? I thought it was obvious I have a lot of experience with kids. Molly reminds me a lot of my oldest niece, Jocelyn. Did you think I was a pedophile or something?” The thought had crossed her mind, though she admitted after what Cora had said, it hadn't in some time. She made no move to say she thought otherwise, though she was pretty sure he probably wasn't. Not definitely sure, just pretty sure. “Don’t answer that.” He grumbled and part of her wanted to grin. "And anyway, I hope I’m not that creepy. If I am, you should let me know. That could explain why I’m still single.” Erin actually did crack a little bit of a smile now. In a way she almost felt bad for Cal, but he was a gruff pain in the ass. It wasn't surprising he couldn't get a girl. Erin herself couldn't see herself with Cal, but then again she wasn't into arrogant cops. "I won't answer that either." She teased coyly, her head cocked to the side.

“Wooow, look at the captain in his uniform!” The girl turned to see Cora coming out from the back, her fingers a rainbow of colors. “Did you come in here dressed like that to woo two pretty ladies?” Erin loved the way Cora got Cal to frown as though her were a little boy. “No, they made me wear it for the ceremony this morning. Pinned another medal on me for my work at the shoot out. And getting shot. Again.” Erin rolled her eyes as Cora slid next to her on the counter. “It must be so hard to be you.” “You get shot and see how you like it.” “Even though a medal is tempting, I think I’ll pass.” Erin chuckled and slid her elbows on the counter, folding them under her as she leaned, glad that Cora had come out. Cal didn't seem nearly as infuriating when she was there.

“So do you know anything about the creepy thin guy that comes in here every day?” Or maybe he was still infuriating. Erin openly rolled her eyes at him, not believing he was still going on about this poor little weirdo! She felt like she was in high school again, and Cal was the quarterback and this kid was the class nerd. “The one with the long black hair? Sharp nose?” "Oh, will you give it a rest?" She complained softly, glowering slightly at the man in uniform. “Just that he comes in here every day. He doesn’t say much and he’s not rude. He never stays long if I’m up here. Why, want me to get his number?” That made Erin's smile return. She loved Cora. “You two hang around each other too much. No I don’t want his number.” Erin giggled and shook her head. "I tried telling him that guys harmless." Erin explained to Cora, looking back at Cal. "Seriously, leave the guy alone. He's probably got a little crush on me or something. Who cares? If it makes him happy to come in here and spend a few dollars everyday while looking at me, what harm is it? I'm a big girl, I can protect myself from the little weird guy, okay?" She insisted, standing straighter. "Now don't you have more awards to collect for being a superhero?" She teased, cocking a brow.

[CALVIN HAGAN]

Of course Erin thought Cora picking on Cal was hilarious. She was giggling and Cal felt like pouting, even though part of him was in awe at hearing Erin actually giggle. He didn’t think he’d ever heard her do that before. “I tried telling him that guy’s harmless.” His eyes met Erin’s when she looked back at him, his eyebrows lowering over his eyes. “Seriously, leave the guy alone. He’s probably got a little crush on me or something. Who cares? If it makes him happy to come in here and spend a few dollars every day while looking at me, what harm is it? I’m a big girl. I can protect myself from the little weird guy, okay?” Yeah, she said that now, but when little creepy guy came in with a gun or a knife one day to kidnap her pretty little ass, what then? He doubted Erin knew how to disarm a man wielding a knife or gun. Just the thought of it made him uneasy, but he held his tongue and took a sip of his coffee.

“Now don’t you have more awards to collect for being a superhero?” He grinned wide, mock surprise written all over his face. “First you think I’m the chief of police and now I’m a superhero? Erin, I had no idea you thought so highly of me. Or maybe you show your adoration through scorn like the little boy who picks on the girl he likes on the playground.” He gave a sage like nod. “It’s okay, Erin. I get it. You just don’t want anyone to know how much you really like me.” She rolled her eyes, Cora grinning between her cousin and Cal, and it only made Cal give a wide, genuine smile of his own. Erin was a pain in the ass, but he found it easier to joke with her these days. He wouldn’t say it to her face, but he liked her. She could throw all of his shit right back at him and he respected her for it. “But as much as I hate to bust your bubble, I have to go ream out one of my detectives for performing an illegal search.” “Oh, what was he searching for?”[/b] “Evidence of an assault. Unfortunately you can’t just go digging in a guy’s car even if he did leave the doors unlocked.” “But did he find it?”[/b] “Yes, but that doesn’t make it legal.” Cora waved her hand. “Rules schmules. If he found what he was looking for, then the guy was guilty.”[/b] Cal looked impressed. “Wow, Cora, you should have been an attorney.” Cora scoffed, her hands turning upward as if he had just proved a point of hers. “Right?”[/b] Cal grinned, shaking his head as he walked out. “It’d make my life easier. Oh…” He turned back to look at the counter when he reached the door. “And Erin, do not throw that card away. You never know if I’m right about that guy.” It was obvious she didn’t take his warning seriously, but he didn’t have time to argue with her. He simply waved as the door swung shut behind him.

As he walked away, he caught sight of a face that made him stop. Across the street, hidden in the shadows of an alley, a pale, thin man with long black hair and a sharp face watched him. Cal’s eyes focused on the man, throwing a warning his way—don’t mess with her. The honking of a horn caught his attention, however, and he was forced to look away for the source of the noise. Apparently someone wasn’t paying attention at the stoplight. Nothing worth his time. When he turned back to look at the man in the alley, ready to confront him, the man was gone. He scanned the sidewalk up and down, but it was like the man disappeared into thin air. Maybe he couldn’t explain it, but Cal had an awful feeling about this guy. Perhaps he would come by to walk Molly and Erin home tonight…

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

“First you think I’m the chief of police and now I’m a superhero? Erin, I had no idea you thought so highly of me." Her look was an incredulous one. Surely he wasn't serious.. "Or maybe you show your adoration through scorn like the little boy who picks on the girl he likes on the playground. It’s okay, Erin. I get it. You just don’t want anyone to know how much you really like me.” She gave him a dramatic eye roll. The very thought of her liking him was absurd. "Dream big, Cal." She grumbled, hating how amused Cora was by the exchange between them. “But as much as I hate to bust your bubble, I have to go ream out one of my detectives for performing an illegal search.” “Oh, what was he searching for?” “Evidence of an assault. Unfortunately you can’t just go digging in a guy’s car even if he did leave the doors unlocked.” “But did he find it?” “Yes, but that doesn’t make it legal.” "Rules schmules. If he found what he was looking for, then the guy was guilty.” “Wow, Cora, you should have been an attorney.” "Right?” Ugh, why did Cora need to eat his shit up like this? She rolled her eyes again, folding her arms over her chest in annoyance as Cal finally got the hint and started to leave. “It’d make my life easier. Oh…” The man turned and looked directly at Erin who was scowling slightly. “And Erin, do not throw that card away. You never know if I’m right about that guy.” She scoffed and once more rolled her pretty, brown eyes. "Yeah. Okay."

Finally the man was gone, and Erin was left feeling aggravated as usual. There was no such thing as a pleasant visit from Cal. "I think someone likes you." Cora teased in a sing song voice and Erin's eyes grew as she huffed at the woman. "Oh, don't you start!" "What? I call it like I see it, sister. That man likes you." "If he liked me so damn much he would leave me the hell alone because obviously the feeling isn't mutual." Cora was grinning, a soft chuckle purring from her throat. Erin shoved her hands on her hips and gave her cousin a sour look. "And what's so funny!" She demanded and Cora held her hands up defensively, still grinning like a Cheshire cat. "I didn't say anything." "You didn't have to. You think I like him, don't you!" "My lips are sealed." "I do NOT like him, Cora!" She insisted as the woman retreated to the back. Erin let out an annoyed sound throwing her fists at her side like a petulant child, no different than her daughter did in the middle of a tantrum. "I DON'T!" She called after Cora, turning back towards the counter pouting now. The thought of her and Cal. Ugh. It was absurd. Angrily she grabbed the mans card and shoved it into a draw, out of sight but not on her.

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. Molly came to the store after school as usual, gushing about a birthday party she'd been invited to. They hit a little rush around six and by seven they were closing up shop. By half past seven Erin and Molly were getting their coats on for the walk home, Molly's spelling list in her mother's hand. "Graduation." Erin said to the little girl as they were walking out. "Graduation. G-R-A-D-U-A-T-I-O-N." "Good! Now spell Mounta--" "CAL!" Erin looked up surprised at her daughters outburst. Sure enough the office was back and she felt the familiar frustration bubble deep in her belly. Why was he torturing her? "You're not dead!" Molly gushed, her normal energetic self. "How's your arm? Why are you all dressed up like that? Did you send that guy to jail?" She was all but jumping and the scowl Erin wore showed she wasn't nearly as pleased to see Cal. She knew immediately why he was there. "We're plenty capable of walking ourselves home, Cal." She told the man softly as she approached, not wanting him with them. This was the only time she got to spend with Molly one on one and she didn't like Cal barging in on it. By the time they got home it was getting ready for bed and doing some light chores. They still got to talk, but there were no distractions on the way home, like television or the computer.

[CALVIN HAGAN]

Cal was uneasy the rest of the day. All he could think about was the creepy thin man and Erin how she was being so stubborn about not needing protection. He tried to look up priors on the guy, but with such a vague description and no name, there wasn’t much he could do. What if something happened to Erin? What would happen to Molly? Was Molly in danger too? He hated the thought of it. He’d had a pretty traumatizing childhood and the last thing he wanted was for any other kid to go what he went through. Just the thought of Molly having to fend for herself like he did, possibly selling drugs too to make ends meet for his family…that resolved him to walking the two home. No way was he going to give that man a chance to harm either Erin or Molly. He never left the office that early, but he wasn’t getting any work done thinking about Erin so much. The officers in his unit watched him with wide eyes as he swept out of the station once he’d locked his office door behind him. He offered no word of explanation.

His hands were shoved in his pockets as he made his way to Cora’s. Hopefully he would catch them. Erin wouldn’t be glad to see him, but maybe she would be relatively nice like she had been that afternoon. Seeing him two times in one day, though…he wasn’t going to bank on it. Just as he was reaching Cora’s, his long legs carrying him quickly toward the shop, he saw Erin and Molly’s figures moving away, the street lamps lighting up their faces. Good! He hadn’t missed them! He moved a little quicker, wanting to make sure he was walking beside them to ward off the creepy thin man if he was still hanging around. Just as he got close, Molly’s eyes met his and her whole face lit up. “CAL!” He grinned back at the little girl, but one look at her mother’s face, made his smile fade some. Yeah, she wasn’t happy. “You’re not dead!” That brought his eyes back to Molly and he snorted. “How’s your arm? Why are you all dressed up like that? Did you send that guy to jail?” “Arm’s fine, got an award, and yes the guy is in jail.” It was the quickest way he could answer all her questions. “We’re plenty capable of walking ourselves home, Cal.”[/b] He sighed and took up stride next to her. “Yeah, I know, but I have a good excuse.” Before he explained, he looked around to see if he caught sight of the weird man. Nothing yet…

He looked back at Erin, seeing her big brown eyes were fixed on his with annoyance. “Hear me out, okay?” he said quietly, hoping Molly would be able to hear less. He didn’t want her to be scared. “When I left the shop this afternoon, I saw him standing in the alley across the street. He was just watching, Erin. Tell me that’s not weird.” Hopefully that would wake her up to the fact that this guy could be dangerous. Of course Molly’s big eyes came to his curiously. “Who?” Cal forced a smile and shook his head. “Nobody you need to worry about.” His voice was calm and reassuring. He looked back at Erin. “And I bet you didn’t keep my card.” Again he pulled out a card from the inner pocket of his jacket and handed it to her. “I’m serious, call me if you see him. And don’t get so defensive. I’m just trying to help.” Telling her not to get defensive was probably as effective as baptizing a cat, but he hoped she saw he wasn’t trying to make her mad.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

“Yeah, I know, but I have a good excuse.” Erin glowered at him and then huffed, her step picking up as she walked down the street with her daughter in tow, her spelling sheet crinkling slightly under her rough grasp. “Hear me out, okay?” The last thing she wanted was to hear him out, especially while Molly was with her. She didn't need Cal rubbing his crazy off on her daughter any more than he already had. “When I left the shop this afternoon, I saw him standing in the alley across the street. He was just watching, Erin. Tell me that’s not weird.” The woman's teeth grit impatiently at his idiotic tale, ready to tell him off already. “Who?” Erin ran a hand over her face. "No one, Molly." She said at the same time that Cal assured her the same thing. “And I bet you didn’t keep my card.” Erin stopped, glaring at Cal, appalled by everything he was doing at the moment. He reached into his pocket and pulled out another card and offered it to her. “I’m serious, call me if you see him. And don’t get so defensive. I’m just trying to help.” "No, I'm serious, you need to back off." This had gone far enough.

Erin grabbed the card from Cal's hand and crumpled it before throwing it on the ground in frustration, knowing she was littering, and not liking to do so, especially in front of Molly, but too angry to think properly at the moment. "Did it ever occur to you that maybe the guy isn't stalking me? That maybe he freaked out when he saw you because he has beef with you?" She insisted, putting an arm around Molly and pulling her closer. "You probably arrested him once and roughed him up a little and now he's freaked out about you, acting all skiddish when you came in. Why is everyone a suspect?" She insisted, though the question was rhetorical and she didn't want or expect an answer. "I put your card in the register at work and if I have any problems I'll call 911, because that's what you do in an emergency. You don't scrounge around for some paranoid cops number so he can rush to your protection off the books." She felt Molly's eyes on her, knowing she would need to explain once Cal left them alone. If he left them alone.

Erin grabbed Molly's hand. "Leave it alone, Cal. There's enough bad stuff in this world without you creating demons and planting seeds of fear in my mind. And Molly's. I don't know what your obsession is with trying to keep us safe, but I assure you we're just fine, and we don't need you." She turned and tugged Molly along. "Good night." She growled over her shoulder, hoping that was the end of it.

[CALVIN HAGAN]

“No, I’m serious, you need to back off.” Why was Erin being so god damn stubborn? Cal watched as she snatched the card from his hand and crumpled it up before throwing it on the ground. When his eyes came to hers, it was obvious he was angry and frustrated. She could be in serious danger and she was treating him as if he was just some paranoid crazy man. He had experience with this kind of thing! He’d been on the force for over fifteen years! Why didn’t she trust him? “Did it ever occur to you that maybe the guy isn’t stalking me? That maybe he freaked out when he saw you because he has beef with you?” His brow lowered over his green eyes heavily. Of course he hadn’t because he’d never seen the guy before. “You probably arrested him once and roughed him up a little and now he’s freaked out about you, acting all skittish when you came in. Why is everyone a suspect?” He shook his head, about to retort that he would remember a man like that coming across his path. Cal had a good memory for faces, particularly odd ones like the weird thin man. Of course she cut him off again before he could get a response out. “I put your card in the register at work and if I have any problems I’ll call 911, because that’s what you do in an emergency. You don’t scrounge around for some paranoid cop’s number so he can rush to your protection off the books.” He was getting more livid by the second. This woman was so infuriatingly stubborn! Why did he even bother?

Erin grabbed Molly’s hand and Cal looked down at the little girl. She looked worried and he sighed gently. He hadn’t meant to frighten her…just to keep them both safe. “Leave it alone, Cal. There’s enough bad stuff in this world without you creating demons and planting seeds of fear in my mind. And Molly’s. I don’t know what your obsession is with trying to keep us safe, but I assure you we’re just fine, and we don’t need you.” He didn’t understand why he wanted to keep them so safe either. Probably because Molly was such a kind little girl and he didn’t want anything bad to happen to her; he wanted to keep Erin safe for Molly’s sake. The mother started to drag her daughter away, Molly’s eyes looking to Cal’s worriedly. He wasn’t going to let Erin have the last word just so Molly would like him less.

“Did it ever occur to you that maybe I know what I’m talking about? I’ve been doing this for over fifteen years, I know what to look for in a stalker. All I’m asking is that you don’t blow this off, okay? Be prepared. If not for your sake, then for Molly’s.” The look she offered and her response made him sighed heavily and angrily, turning away from her in frustration. “Fine! Do what you want, Erin! If you’re going to be insistent on ignoring me just because it’s me talking, then I give up.” He was obviously fuming, but when his eyes came to Molly’s he offered a weary look. God he hoped he was wrong about this awful feeling in his gut. With that he turned away and huffed off, too frustrated to keep arguing. He shoved his hands in his pockets and refused to look back even though he could feel Molly’s eyes at his back. Later he would regret letting her see him arguing with her mother.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

“Did it ever occur to you that maybe I know what I’m talking about?" Of course he had to have the last word, and Erin was all but shaking with her aggravation. Why did he need to be so infuriatingly stubborn? "I’ve been doing this for over fifteen years, I know what to look for in a stalker. All I’m asking is that you don’t blow this off, okay? Be prepared. If not for your sake, then for Molly’s.” The look she shot him with would have buried him six feet under if looks could kill. Erin hated that he was dragging Molly into this, planting the seed of fear in her young mind. She pulled the girl closer still, trying not to hurt her considering how tense she was at the moment. She wanted to physically harm Cal for being such a complete ass hat.

"Whatever, Cal. Why don't you go find someone innocent to arrest or something." She snarled back, dragging Molly along again, who was dragging her feet. “Fine! Do what you want, Erin! If you’re going to be insistent on ignoring me just because it’s me talking, then I give up.” Finally! She didn't give him the satisfaction of a retort, knowing he wanted the last word and being a big enough person to walk away from him.

Erin was walking quickly and she could feel Molly pulling a little at her hand, not quite keeping up. "Molly, please stop dragging your feet!" She insisted and the little girl sighed loudly, pulling at her mothers hand, stopping her. Erin turned and gave her a hard look, and Molly shot one right back. "What's going on!" She insisted and Erin shut her eyes, taking a long deep breath. She knew this would happen! "Nothing, Sprinkle.. Cal's overreacting because some guy who comes in all the time ran off when he came in for a cupcake this afternoon." Molly bit her lip and looked nervously at her mom. "Well.. what if Cal's ri--" "He's not!" Erin snapped and Molly flinched, not used to her mother snapping like that at her. Erin sighed again and her face softened. "Listen," She said softly, "Nothing's going to happen. This guy's been coming into the shop for a long time. He's never done anything too weird. He's just a lonely guy, and you know how I told you to be nice to everyone?" Molly nodded slowly, trying to understand. "Cal thinks he has bad intentions. He thinks the guy wants to hurt me. He's judging a book by its cover, and it's not fair of him to do. We never judge people for being a little different, right?" Molly nodded again, but she felt unsure deep down. If Cal felt he was bad, maybe he was. "Maybe you could be extra careful just in case though." She offered, fearing her mothers backlash, and for a moment Erin looked as though she might lash out, but she stopped herself. "I promise I'll be careful if you promise not to worry." Molly thought about it for a moment and then nodded. "Alright." She sounded a little unsure, but it was good enough for Erin. She didn't need Molly having nightmares over something so foolish. "Okay, good. How about tonight we watch a movie? Your choice." "Really?" They never watched movies on school nights. "Mhm." "Can we stop at a Redbox?" Erin gave a soft laugh and nodded. "Alright. Redbox it is."

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