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a-tired-bitch · 7 years

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You Should Know Better Pt.11

23 Parts: I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - VIII - IX - X - XI - XII - XIII - XIV - XV - XVI - XVII - XVIII - XIX - XX - XXI - XXII - XXIII

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Summary: After discussing his failing marriage, Joe and Dustin get dispatched to a house party for the second time.

POV: Joe

Characters: Joe Merriweather, Dustin Ayers (Italics), Ryan (Indented Italics), Natalie Jankoski (Indented Normal)

Word Count: 3800ish

Author’s Note: xXx

Quote: “After all, they do say the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else and I, for one, can attest to that."

“I don’t know how you do it, Merriweather, I really don’t.” Dustin blurted through the silence. The man who was speaking was Dustin Ayers, a long-time friend, and colleague of Joe’s. “Doesn’t it burn you out? Don’t you get sick and tired of it?” Dustin questioned as his sights traveled up from the coffee cup and over to his partner who was resting against the counter with his arms crossed over his chest and his attention focusing on the only two parked vehicles outside the gas station.

For a moment, silence filled in as an answer to the question as Joe continued to stay in his reverie – his thoughts elsewhere while exhaustion quickly began to seep in. It may have been nine days since Joe took a break from teaching, but that didn't mean he wasn't still continuing to fulfill his obligations to his students.

With a lack of an answer, Dustin snapped his fingers in Joe’s face in an effort to grab his attention. “You there, partner, or are you really starting to burn out on me right here and now?” He joked, returning to his coffee, and pouring in more creamer than he probably needed to.

Shaking out the cobwebs, Joe absently pushed himself away from the counter, finally pouring coffee into his silver thermos. “You’re going to have to explain what ‘it’ is because I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He muttered, uninterested in where the conversation as fatigue began to set in.

“You can be a real smartass, I hope you know that, Merriweather...I hope you know that.” He jested before finally taking a small sip from his cup. “But you know, the whole teaching and policing thing, doesn’t get a bit overwhelming at times? I mean, shit, if I was in your shoes with what’s going on in your personal life right now, I would be down for the count.”

Discarding the trash, Dustin took his turn leaning against the counter while bringing the cup back up to his lips. “The whole two professions thing. I mean, you have two jobs that deal with what may be the most dangerous species on this planet – the human species – and having to deal with that issue that involves, probably the most apex predator out of that species – which is women.” There was a small pause as he took another sip and laughed to himself. “You are just something else, my man, dealing with all this bullshit, that bullshit, and your own bullshit.”

With a line of strained, yet somewhat genuine chuckles falling from his lips, Joe shook his head as he glanced over to Dustin. “It’s safe to say that I’m a smartass that is capable of dealing with mass amounts of bullshit, I guess.” He deadpanned, which only added to his scathing sarcasm.

Motioning for Dustin to follow, Joe began walking towards the front of the store. “No, but on a semi-serious note, it does get overwhelming at times, but I don’t know which takes the gold for being most overwhelming. Yeah, we’re out here protecting and serving the community while risking our lives for people we don’t even know and who may, in fact, not even like us, but let me tell you this: teaching those who might one day replace the both of us, that’s something else.” Giving the cashier a friendly nod and tipping his thermos from brow level as a sort of homage, Joe opened the door and stepped outside.

“Aye, Jimmy, thanks for the complimentary coffee.” Dustin cheerfully called out, as he neared the exit. “We’ll be back tomorrow night, so, make sure you brew up another pot.” Stepping up his pace and catching up to Joe, Dustin joined his partner outside and resumed the conversation. “What about Claire?”

“What about her?”Joe snapped, annoyance flashing in his eyes.

“Well, how are you two doing or not doing?” Dustin questioned, stepping up beside his cruiser and sitting against the hood. "I see you aren’t wearing that wedding band anymore. About time, if you ask me."

Joe was glad he was in front of Dustin still, his back not showing the pained wince on his face as his failed marriage was brought up. It wasn’t that the topic was hard to speak about, well, it was, but it was the fact that Joe couldn’t disclose everything without having more questions arise and his ego cut down.

With a sigh escaping his lips, Joe placed his thermos on the hood of his truck and turned around, leaning against it and letting his hands rest on his duty belt.

He winced again, running a hand across his cheek as he looked at his surroundings, Joe finally responded. “You’re right, I took it off because things have officially come to an end for Claire and me. Don’t get me wrong, I kept it on for as long as I possibly could, hoping that she would come back, but it never happened, and she wants nothing to do with me. When we get the time, the papers are being finalized sometime this month.” Letting his hand drop, Joe glanced at his ringless finger. “Last time Claire and I had a solid conversation was a few months back when she was packing up her things and last I heard from friends and family is that she’s living with someone in the next town over. I don’t know who and I don’t really want to at this point. The only thing I can do is speculate.” Joe paused, gliding his tongue across his bottom lip before tearing away a piece of skin. Shifting uncomfortably, Joe took a second to himself. “And that right there, tears at my heart, more than I would like it to.” He shook his head, disappointed in himself and the actions of his soon-to-be ex-wife. “But yeah, I can only assume that she’s doing fine. I mean, come on, she has to be, right?” Joe asked, directing the question to himself. “She has to be.” He whispered, zoning out.

Humming as a response, Dustin sipped from his cup yet again, attempting to give himself some time to think about the situation and what else he should say.

"Been there, done that, so, I know it isn't an easy thing to do, but tell me, Joe, how are you really doing? How are you really handling this? And don't lie because I'm going to know." Dustin offered a weak scoff at the end in an effort to lighten up the situation.

"We got together when I was thirty and then married when I was thirty-four, so, our marriage lasted sixteen or so years. I'm not going to lie and say it's great when it's not, but I'm actually doing fine. In all honesty, this whole thing was bound to happen since we were having too many issues. Not to place the blame on her or anything since most of it is my fault, but I think one of the bigger issues she and I were having was the fact that she ---."

Interrupted by the sound of the radio crackling to life, Joe returned to reality. Warily, Joe looked at Dustin, seeing the fleeting sadness and pity in his eyes.

It was the noise disturbance call that had come over the radio, and Joe threw his head back, letting out an annoyed sigh, as he realized that it was the same house they visited earlier for the same exact reason.

“Well, this was a nice little therapy session before heading back to work." Walking around his car, Dustin began to ramble. "You know, I understand it’s Spring Break and all, but come on, it’s one in the morning and these kids are still partying. Like really? Come on. We warned them just, what…” Dustin glanced down at his watch. “Two, maybe three hours ago to keep quiet and they are still going. Not to mention that you know the host of this party." Dustin shook his head and 'tsked'. "I mean, shit, if I was that Ryan kid and I saw my professor come knocking on my door, I would sober up right away, no matter how old I was. That's like double the embarrassment right there. Don’t get me wrong, you can be one of the nicest people around, but when you have to be, you can also be one of the sternest and scariest.” Opening the driver side door, Dustin looked over at Joe who was already sitting in his truck. "One last thing before our session expires - best advice I can give you is to buck up and go fuck someone else. After all, they do say the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else and I, for one, can attest to that."

"Buck up and fuck?" Joe asked, smirking.

"Buck up and fuck," Dustin repeated, laughing as he finally sat down in his cruiser.

The party was still going strong when the officers returned to the offending house.

Flashing the blue lights once and bringing the siren to life, the revelers who were lounging around the front yard scattered like mice, either running back into the dwelling or into the cover of darkness.

Parking and stepping out of his truck, Joe strolled up to Dustin's cruiser and lingered beside it, waiting for his partner to exit the vehicle.

"You know, back in my day, when the cops showed up to a party we tried our best not to cause any more disturbances because for one, even though we were immature little shits that loved to get piss drunk, we were still somewhat courteous of the old people around us. In the town I lived in, the copper stoppers weren't the ones who dished out the punishments. You know what they would do? They'd drag your ass back home and let your parents deal out the punishments.” Dustin chuckled, shifting on his feet. “Let me tell you, after the second or third 'punishment’, I learned my lesson." Reliving a part of his teenage years, he stepped up next to Joe, following his line of sight and staring at the house.

"'Back in my day.' You talk like you're some old man when you're only thirty-nine. If anyone should be talking like an old man, it's me." Joe scoffed, side-eyeing his younger counterpart before walking away.

Feeling the vibrating thump of the bass and hearing the occasional burst of raucous laughter filter out of the house, Joe and Dustin walked in sync up to the door, exchanging a quick glance.

"Hell, the kids aren't going to answer the damn door - musics too loud and they're probably too drunk," Dustin complained, slamming the side of his balled-up fist against the door, pounding out a knock. "And it's not like we can look inside, damn windows are covered up." He said, his tone nothing but annoyance and aggravation. "Damn drunken degenerates." He muttered, slamming his fist against the door again.

Pacing along the front porch, Joe couldn't help but laugh at Dustin's displeasure. "You were once a 'damn drunken degenerate' ." Joe chuckled, grabbing his flashlight and tapping the glass of the window with it. "If they don't answer the front door, you just go through the back door. I know their back there, I smell the alcohol and weed from all the way up here, and, you know, I can hear them as well;."

After a moment of pacing and unanswered knocks that resulted in tensions rising, the door finally opened and a male attempted to stagger out before Dustin lifted his arm, blocking his path.

"Whoa, partner, did you just take a bath in a keg or is that just your natural scent?” Not waiting for an answer, Dustin continued. “Tell me, pal, where you heading off to?" He glanced over to Joe then back to the drunk. "Whoa, you're Ryan, right?" He pointed with his other hand, leaning back a bit. "Well, if you don't remember from when we came here earlier for the same exact issue, I'm Deputy Ayers and that right there is your professor and a very ticked off Sergeant Merriweather." Cocking his head in Joe's direction, Dustin lowered his arm and stood in front of Ryan, continuing to block his path.

Turning on his heel, Joe began to saunter back towards his partner, taking his sweet time. "Yeah, Ryan, where exactly are you headed off to?" Joe repeated, tucking his flashlight back into its holster. "A better question is: why are we back here? What didn't you understand about that last go-around?" Leaning against the railing, Joe crossed his arms and shook his head in disappointment. "The hardest part about communication is listening and apparently you have issues with that, whether that be in or out of class."

It was almost as if everything passed through one ear and out the other since the only reply was a wide-eyed Ryan who leaned against the doorframe. His drunken trance came to a quick end at the sound of the deputy's hearty laugh and his slow approach."Hey, Joe!" Ryan exclaimed, shaking his head out and standing straight - or at least attempting to do so, but it was clear he failed as he began to lean to the right.

"It's not a time to be buddy-buddy, son," Joe warned, resting his hands on his belt.

"You all...You all are here for the, ugh, the music, right?" Ryan glanced inside, telling someone to lower the music. "Problem solved, right?" Staggering a little, he held himself up against the door, and Ryan looked at Dustin, tilting his head back as his eyes tried to focus.

Approaching the duo, Joe scanned the inside of the house, his eyes landing on former and current students. "No, the problem isn't solved." He rested his sights on Ryan yet again. "Like he said, where you off to? It would be stupid for me to assume that you were going to drive somewhere, right?"

Digging his hands into his pockets, Ryan focused on the ground, his sights resting on the polished black boots on his officers. "It wouldn't."

"Would or wouldn't? You may be too drunk to know the difference." Dustin chided before pushing past Ryan and entering the building, resulting in the place becoming almost dead quiet and most of the occupants retreating to various rooms, couches, and some moving quickly into the backyard.

Turning on his heels, Ryan spoke up. "Hey, you can't come in without a warrant."

Taking a step forward, Joe placed a hand on Ryan's shoulder and pulled him back to face him. "He can. He's got probable cause." His face was as stern as his voice, his eyes boring into Ryan. "Not only is this the second noise complaint, but the smell radiating from your house resembles something of a grow house.” Glancing inside, Joe eyed a woman who he knew for certain was under the legal drinking age. “And I know for a damn fact you have some underage kiddos in here too."

Before stepping inside, Joe whispered, "would have known that if you listened in class." He smiled, standing next to Dustin and looking around the alcohol infested area. "Now, listen, both of you," Joe made eye contact with both Dustin and Ryan. "I know I said I don't give special privileges, but since Ayers and I are on the last stretch of our shift and really don't feel like processing anyone this late at night, I'm going to let this slide."

"Wait, what?" Dustin questioned, faking his shock by what Joe had just said. "Second time coming out here and we're not gonna bust nuts and take names?" He joked, walking off and picking up a ping-pong ball before tossing it into a cup, which resulted in an array of laughter erupting from the kids on the couch next to the table. "Looking at a champ." Dustin joked, striking a pose before walking off and opening up a pizza box.

Scoffing, Joe walked away, glancing into the kitchen area and then down the hall. "What we're gonna do is break up this knock off version of Beertober fest. See, typically, everyone gets a ticket, the cars that are parked out front get impounded, folks go to the drunk tank and since the property is a rental, the landlord gets a notice from the city, but as I said, end of shift means I want to get out and go home." Joe explained, stepping back in front of Ryan and shutting the door.

Vigorously nodding his head as if that helped with sobering himself up, Ryan was relieved by what Joe proposed to him - well, it wasn't a proposition, it was more or less a command. "Thank you, Merriweather. Seriously, thank you." Ryan said genuinely as he reached his hand out, offering the man a handshake which was granted. "You know Chris and Nat are here, you see them yet?" Ryan asked out of context.

"Oh?" Joe tilted his head at the surprise discovery. "Are they now? That's nice I guess. Hope they aren't causing as much trouble as you are." Running a hand along the nape of his neck, he turned and scanned the area yet again in search of the two students. "This is what we're going to do..." Joe began, walking away, glancing into the kitchen again. "You're going to round everyone up." He walked towards the sliding glass door, peering through the blinds. "And we're just going to take the keys of everyone who can’t drive home. Those who are sober can drive and hopefully be willing to chauffeur their friends and acquaintances home. As for the stragglers, they are stuck here for the night."

Eyeing Chris who was in the backyard, Joe searched for Natalie who had to be somewhere in the back. "And if I get bored enough tomorrow morning, I'll be back, waiting to charge your friends with a DUI if they leave and are still drunk."

Tossing his head back as he laughed, Dustin pointed at Ryan. "Trust me, there is no 'if I get bored'. He will be back." He smirked before, chomping down on a chip. "I'll round up the cattle." He stepped over to the people sitting on the couch. "You heard the boss man, give 'em up." He motioned for their keys, snapping his fingers impatiently.

Spotting Natalie, Joe clenched his jaw as his eyes tracked her as she drunkenly wobbled around the backyard.

Uttering a noise of displeasure, he turned around and walked over to the speakers, ripping the cord out from the outlet. "This stays off for the rest of the night too." After a moment of making sure his words registered with the inebriated host, he went back to the door and slid it open. Stepping out, he addressed the crowd, “Everyone needs to get inside right now and if you decide to be rude or not listen, the hangover won’t be your biggest regret in the morning. Now, come on, move it.”

Natalie froze, cringing at the voice that broke through the noise as if it was aided by a bullhorn. Despite being nine sheets to the wind, that voice almost sobered her up. Not having the courage to turn around, she walked forward, attempting to blend in with a group of girls.

"That means you, too, Jankoski. Don't try to hide from me because I already saw you." Joe said, calling her out as his eyes bore into the back of her.

Classifying the drunks from the sobers and taking the keys from the intoxicated, Joe let those who were keyless inside as the small line filtered down which ended with Natalie.

"Good evening, ma'am. Or should I say good morning since it's two in the fucking morning now." Joe muttered, his annoyance rising. "Keys. Where are they?" He said, motioning for her to give them up. "You're not driving that's for damn sure." He waited for her to hand them over, but the only thing he received was a shrug.

Joe rolled his neck, groaning. "So you were smart enough to get a ride?” Relief washing over him as she nodded. "At least you listen." He muttered, jiggling the keys and lanyards that were in his hand. "Well, I don't trust a bunch of drunk guys so, you’re going to come with me.”

Letting her stumble into the house, Joe slide the door closed, his hand gently around her upper arm, ensuring she wouldn’t topple over or anything.

After a moment, he found Dustin who was examining all the keys in his hands.

"Yeah, there's no way they are going to figure out which keys go to what person in the state they are in." He whispered, looking around at the kids again. "A few of them are sober and are good to go, but it looks like Ryan is going to be having a sleepover tonight." He grinned, facing Ryan again. "Hand them over, Mr. Hey-you-can't-come -in-without-a-search-warrant." He said sternly, before walking away into the kitchen with all the keys in his hand.

Chuckling, Joe gently pushed Natalie towards the door. "I'm calling a unit to stay in the area. So I strongly advise you to follow the rules we laid out...If you remember them, that is.” As he exited, he patted Ryan on the shoulder and winked.

Dustin caught up to Joe on the porch. "What's up with her?" He pulled up on his belt and looked at the girl. "She sick or something? You know her or something?" He pulled out his flashlight and shined it on her face. "Oh yeah, she's definitely going to be sick," Dustin muttered, clicking the flashlight off, not wanting to be in the splash zone of any potential throwup.

"I know most of those kids in there." Joe chuckled, guiding Natalie to his truck, his hand still around her arm. “I know her, yeah, and she may very well be sick." He walked around to the passenger side of his truck. "You know how you said ---."

"Ahh, Merriweather ’s banging the mom. Gotcha. Gotcha. Don't even have to explain it all to me." Dustin joked, unaware of the connection. "Taking her back home to mommy so you look like the knight in shining armor. Classic. Against protocol, but I gotcha. Smart thinking." Patting the back of his partner, Dustin aided with helping the girl into the passenger side of the truck.

Joe left it as that. No verbal response. No explanation. No story. Nothing. If Dustin was going to assume that this was some daughter of a hook-up then so be it.

"You're not coming back here tomorrow, right?"

"Nah." Joe chuckled, shutting the truck door and walking around the front. "I'm off tomorrow." He chuckled again, returning to the driver side door.

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