| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
“What?” Yoyo asked, puzzled.
“Oh come on. Jacky called you and wanted to talk, right? You can tell me.”
“It’s between Jacky and me.”
Ray has on his hurt expression at the moment. “Oh…so now I’m on the outs?”
“Ray…”
“Don’t ‘Ray’ me.”
“Ge, give Sis Yoyo a break,” Mandy said.
“You’ve just met her today and you’re siding with her already?” Ray asked.
“I thought she’s your best friend.”
“She is. But I’m your brother.”
Charmaine smiles. “I guess you lose either way so don’t bother.”
Ray gives Charmaine a look. “Now you’re siding with them too?”
“Was I ever on your side to start with?”
“Whoa! I never knew you could stab me like this.” His voice exaggerates even more. “How could you?”
Mandy rolls her eyes. “How funny.” Then she realizes something. “Is Jacky ge going to join us for breakfast?”
Ray snaps his attention away from his coffee. “Jacky ge?!”
“What are my supposed to call him then?”
“Jacky?”
“Yea,” Jacky answered, having just entered through the half-opened door. “What’s going on?”
Ray turns around quickly. “Whoa! Speaking of the devil.”
“So now I’m the devil?”
“Okay, since you’re here. Tell me what you guys talked about last night.”
Jacky has on a puzzled expression. “What do you mean? You were there, remember?”
“No. I meant when you called her downstairs.”
Jacky looks at Yoyo. “You told him I called you?”
Yoyo stands up from the dining table. “What? He’s smart, okay?”
Jacky grabs a chair and sits down next to Ray. “I didn’t say he isn’t.” He looks around the room. “Where’s Kevin?”
“Probably still sleeping,” Ray said.
Jacky glances at his watch. “At this time? I thought you guys have work.”
“Nah. We’re doom nowadays. Since everyone’s taking care of holidays stuff and not caring for renovations or whatever.”
“Since he’s not around, want to talk about Ekin?”
While the guys are talking, Mandy hands Jacky a cup of coffee.
“We have to wait for Mr. Huo before he accuses us of hiding stuffs from him again,” Ray reminded Jacky.
“Come on, man,” Jacky urged. “Forget it. It was just a misunderstanding.”
“Forget it? If you could forget, why didn’t you help Cory?”
“Wallace is the victim. Cory chose to be with Ruby. No one forced him to.”
Ray flashes out his usual mischievous look at that time. “Are you sure? You mean Ruby hasn’t manipulated the whole situation or brain-washed him?”
Jacky gives Ray a high five. He couldn’t help it. At that time, Kevin rushes into the apartment.
“Bad news, guys,” Kevin informed them.
Everyone turns their attention to Kevin.
“I can’t come to Jan’s with you guys.”
“I was expecting that anyway,” Ray said before turning back to his coffee. “Couldn’t get away from your aunt, huh?”
“Not just that.”
Ray stops stirring his coffee and turns back to Kevin. “Oh? What else?”
“Shirley’s coming over to visit.”
“So your aunt decides to grab you and head back home for Christmas after all?”
“Something like that.”
Ray goes back to stirring his coffee. “At least it’s better than sticking around here and stare at…”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“The weather isn’t that good in Guangzhou. Hopefully it will let up soon,” Jacky said, changing the subject on purpose to cover for Ray’s almost slip.
“Strange year, huh?”
Jacky nods. “Strange indeed.”
Mandy looks at her watch. “Oh! Charm, come on! We have to run! Or we’ll be late.”
“Take the day off,” Ray said.
Mandy looks at Ray.
“What?”
“Never mind.” Mandy stands up and walks to the living room. She grabs several folders that was lying on the coffee table and heads for the door.
Charmaine follows her after mumbling a goodbye to the others.
“Remember to lock the door for us!” Mandy yelled from the hall, knowing too well of the guys’ habit of leaving doors open.
“Got it!” Kevin yelled back.
When the girls are gone, the rest looks at each other for a bit before anyone speaks up.
“So….what now?” Jacky asked.
“I should be asking you that question,” Ray said.
“I know what I’m doing. Just asking you guys.”
“What are you doing then?”
“Meeting Lieutenant Ma at the station”
“You mean you called him last night?”
Jacky wrinkles his face. “No! Do I look like I’m suicidal?”
Ray shrugs his shoulders. “Who knows? Maybe.”
Jacky stands up. “All right, I’m leaving.” He turns to Yoyo. “I’ll drive you to work.”
“No, wait.”
“You want to take her then?”
“No. Did you talk to Cory yet?”
“Why should I?”
Jacky walks towards the door after clearing the table. Yoyo follows closely behind. Ray looks to Kevin. Kevin just shrugs his shoulders.
*****
It is just 10:30 in the morning but the local police station has already looked so chaotic. Everyone’s walking around or rearranging things accordingly. It is as if they’re doing spring cleaning though it is actually winter.
“Could you get that file upstairs?” Joey asked.
“All right,” Brad said.
Joey smiles. “Thanks.”
“No problem. I’m heading up there anyway.”
Joey turns her attention back to George.
“I don’t know why we’re cleaning this place up for,” George said. “It’s only the holidays.”
“You know why. So get to work!”
“Yes, Madame!”
Joey couldn’t help but laugh at George’s pose.
George relaxes again. “Anyway, are you sure the big man’s coming today?”
“How should I know?”
George gives Joey a look. “Madame, you’re the boss here.”
“All I know is we have to be presentable for a guest’s arrival.”
“Hmm….you mean Kenneth didn’t tell you?”
“No.”
George gestures his right hand. “Did love do this to you?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean you’re so in the happy-go-lucky mode lately. It’s unbelievable.”
Joey wrinkles her face. “You want me to yell at everyone at the station every five minutes to get to work like before or something?”
“No. But…I don’t know. I’m not used to this.”
Before Joey could reply, her cell phone rings. She gestures for George to be quiet. “Hello?”
“Kenny around?”
“Jack?!”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Are you out front or something?”
“Whoa! Closed. I’m actually on my way there. Why?”
“I thought you’re working.”
“Not anymore.”
“They fired you already?”
“Was that a joke, Detective Meng?”
“Take it as whatever you want it to be.”
“Anyway, I’m serious. Is Kenny around?”
“No. Not at the moment. He’ll be back later. Why?”
Jacky wrinkles his face. “You’re either married or you have a boyfriend. Which one is it?”
“Uh…”
“I’m right, aren’t I? Who is it?”
Joey looks to George. “Uh….”
George takes the hint and leaves Joey to continue her phone conversation.
“Well?” Jacky urged.
“I’ll tell you later. I have to go again.”
“Okay. I’m coming in.”
Joey hangs up on him before he could probe any further.
*****
Jacky steps through the double doors just in time to see a mysterious figure lurking around in front of the room in the back. He must be lost. Or maybe he’s up to something. Jacky walks briskly up to the guy.
“May I help you?” Jacky asked.
The guy jumps – literally. He turns around and faces Jacky.
“You look familiar.”
“Uh…” The guy managed.
Before Jacky could say anything else, the door across the hallway opens and George rushes out. He stops short when he sees Jacky.
“Hey!” George called out, surprised. “When did you come back?”
“Last night,” Jacky answered.
“Oh...well…” Then he realizes there’s a guy standing near Jacky. “Hey! I thought you got lost or something. You managed to find this place just fine.”
The guy waves the bag in his hand. “I guess I’ll just drop this off with you?”
“No way! Come on in. Maybe you can help us. We’re moving stuffs around right now. We’re short on people too since it’s the holidays.”
“Sounds familiar,” Jacky commented.
“Busy at your station too?”
“You bet.”
“Let’s go in before Madame Meng sends out a search party for us.”
“She’s expecting me?”
“No. I meant him.”
“Oh.”
“But you can come in too, of course. The more help, the better.”
Jacky follows George in with the other guy tagging behind them.
As soon as George moves out of Jacky’s vision line, he could see the station – looking somewhat chaotic and the atmosphere is totally the opposite of his last visit six months back. It was really hectic – considering the cases they had to solve – and nerve-wrecking. But this time around, although it’s chaotic, it looks like they’re getting ready for some sort of gathering.
“Don’t tell me they’re getting ready for Madame Meng’s wedding,” Jacky said to George.
“No way!” The guy exclaimed out – who has kept silent for the most part. “I didn’t hear Ken talking about it.”
Jacky turns to the guy at that moment. “You mean…she’s actually dating Kenny?”
“Not Lieutenant Ma,” George clarified.
Jacky turns his attention back to George. “What?”
“I’m sure we all remember the scene where the hero saves the beauty from about six months back.”
“You mean…”
George nods. “Exactly.”
Jacky smiles. “No wonder…I was just teasing her on the phone earlier. Didn’t realize it’s true.”
“So that was you earlier?”
“Uh…sorry to interrupt but I need to get back to my work too,” The guy jumped in.
George turns to the guy. “Sorry. Just thought you’re free today, that’s why he sent you in the first place.” He turns to the people in the room. “Guys!”
Everyone stops what they’re doing and looks at George.
“Anyone know where Madame Meng disappeared to?”
“She’s in the break room,” One of the officers said.
“Thanks. You all may proceed.”
As if released from the spell, the others scatter back to work.
“You’re in charge now?” Jacky asked.
“Temporarily,” George said.
“Since Kenny isn’t around?”
George nods.
They walk to the break room together with the other guy still tagging behind them.
George turns on his mischievous expression as soon as he sees her standing next the coffee-maker, waiting. “Your messenger’s here to deliver your lunch since your significant other couldn’t make it – I’m guessing.”
Joey turns upon hearing George’s voice. Her expression turns a bit shocked as soon as she sees Jacky.
“Hey, sis,” Jacky said. “Missed me?”
“I thought you were just kidding about being here.”
“Do I always joke about my whereabouts?”
“No.” Then she directs her attention to the guy behind Jacky and George. “Hey, Hawke.” She walks towards him. “Sorry for bothering you.” She takes the lunch bag from him.
“No probs,” Hawke – the guy – said.
“I’m guessing that’s a nickname,” Jacky said to the guy.
Hawke smiles. “Definitely. It’s Ricky’s doing.” He extends his right hand towards Jacky. “Hawick Lau.”
Jacky extends his hand also. “Jacky Chu. You mentioned Ricky, so you work at Weekly Fiery too?”
Hawick nods. “Sure do.”
“What do you do actually?”
“I’m a photographer – mostly for Ricky’s team.”
“Is that supposed to be good or bad?”
Hawick lets out a light smile. “A mixture of both.”
“I understand why.”
Hawick clears his throat quickly. “Anyway, gotta run. I’ll see you all around.”
“Definitely.”
“Thanks, Hawke,” Joey said.
Hawick already turned to leave so he just waves his hand as he continues on his way.
Jacky turns back to Joey. “So…seems like things are going well for you, huh?”
Joey shrugs her shoulders.
“Oh, right. What are you doing this Christmas? Is Kai Tai going back to Guangzhou to celebrate with his family or stay here with you?”
“You know about the gathering?”
“Of course.”
“Oh, that’s right,” Joey said in her teasing tone. “How could I forget? Connections, huh?”
“Very funny. Wait a minute! Why are you shifting the focus on me? What about you?”
“I’ll probably go with Kai Tai to visit the relatives.”
Jacky grins. “Great to know then. Want to go together?”
“We’ll see.”
With that, they walk out of the break room together with George tagging behind. They could see Kenneth as they’re making their way back to the table in the center of the room. Kenneth has a surprised expression on his face as soon as he spots Jacky.
Jacky walks towards Kenneth. “Just the person I’m looking for.”
“Why are you here?” Kenneth asked, his expression passive.
“Visiting.”
Joey walks up to the guys, sensing tension building up. “Jack, stop messing around. Why are you here actually? Some new case?”
Jacky turns to Joey, smiling. “A case, but nothing serious.” He pauses and turns to Kenneth again. “Depending on Lieutenant Ma’s final decision.”
Joey looks from one guy to the other. “What is going on here?”
Kenneth turns to Joey briefly. “Personal business.” He turns to Jacky again with his passive expression. “You want to go to my office and talk about it or outside?”
“I thought you guys have to welcome a guest?” Jacky reminded him. “How about afterwards?”
Kenneth glances around the room a bit before focusing his attention back on Jacky.
“Well?”
“Afterwards is fine.”
“Great then. Let’s get back to work, everyone.”
George, who has walked up to them at about the same time as Joey, has remained silent as they were talking. Now, he takes a step forward towards Jacky.
“Who died and put you in charge?” George whispered to Jacky.
“One of your supervisors from upstairs,” Jacky whispered back to George before straightening up and turning his attention on Kenneth and Joey again. “Didn’t mean to give you two orders, of course. What can I do to help you both? Clean up?”
“You’re really staying until the guest arrives?” Joey asked.
“Come on, it’s the holidays. I want to see some excitements.”
“This isn’t a playground in case you haven’t figured it out,” Kenneth snapped, irritated.
“Hey! Just because…just because you…”
Before Jacky could come up with a word for whatever crime Kenneth’s guilty of this time, the door opens with a loud bang. Everyone turns around to look. Brad rushes in and lets the door bang closed. He rushes forward to the group standing in the center of the room. The other officers in the office go back to their moving and cleaning routine.
“What happened?” Joey asked, alarmed.
“I know…what…what…” Brad stuttered out.
Brad couldn’t continue, but crashes down into a chair and tries to get his breathing pattern back to normal. George runs to the break room to get Brad a cup of water with lightning speed. After Brad gulps down the water, he seems to be fine again. He exhales deeply before beginning again. The others have been waiting patiently the whole time.
“I know who we’re greeting today,” Brad blurted out at last.
Joey looks to Kenneth and then Jacky.
Brad, seems to not catch any of the staring at all, continues on. “Anyway, you know how I found out?”
“You were upstairs,” George said. “Of course it’s easy to find out.”
“Not only that, but…”
“Get to the point already,” Joey said impatiently. “Who is it that we’re supposed to greet today?”
“Whoa!” Jacky teased. “Madame Meng is back, everyone.” He slips his right hand around Joey’s shoulders. “Calm down, sis. You’re scaring the kids.”
“Jack!” Joey yelled out.
“What?!” Jacky asked innocently.
“Hands!”
Jacky takes his hand away. “My bad!”
As if needing to make up for his guilt, he edges away from Joey to give her some space. Then he hops onto the table, sitting at the opposite corner from Brad’s chair, and dangling his feet back and forth with his hands gripping the table’s edge.
Brad and George watch intently as the two interact. George couldn’t take it anymore. He bursts out laughing out of nowhere.
“Anyway, as I was saying…” Brad continued.
Jacky cuts him off. “You know who’s coming.”
“Exactly.” He has his mischievous expression on all of a sudden. “Anyone want to guess?”
Jacky shrugs his shoulders. “I don’t know. Who? The boss’ daughter?”
Brad stands up abruptly. “How in the world did you know?”
Jacky is as surprised as Brad. “I’m right?”
“No. Closed though.”
“The boss’ niece?”
“Right on.”
Joey wrinkles her eyebrows. “What?! We’re getting ready just because some spoiled brat decides to visit for the holidays?”
Jacky extends his right hand at Joey. “Whoa, sis! Take it down. You usually don’t talk like that, especially at work.”
“I mean come on. Everyone has been working half of the day just for this?”
Jacky’s expression turns serious. Of all the times he knows Joey, such frustrated words only come out during those days when they were still in training. She must really be mad. Jacky doesn’t blame her since she’s looking after her officers after all. But what Jacky’s a bit taken back about is how she is lately – more talkative and expressive than before. Since that day. The day Benny died. The day their group of threesome got broken – forever. Maybe Kai Tai has that effect on her? Jacky’s serious expression turns into a calm one.
Jacky smiles. “Did love do this to you?”
“I asked her that same question earlier!” George exclaimed out.
“What was the answer then?”
“No answer. It’s a rhetorical one. We all know the answer already.”
Jacky nods his head, getting it.
“So…since we have time, you guys want to bet who the boss’ niece is?” Jacky asked. “Spoiled brat or not?”
Kenneth walks away from the group at that time. “We’re not like you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?!” Jacky yelled after Kenneth.
Joey sits down at a chair next to Brad. “Knock it off already.”
“It’s the holidays, sis. Relax.”
“Crime doesn’t stop.”
“Still…don’t make the situation worse.”
Joey looks directly at Jacky. “How could you maintain such composure in every single situation?”
“To be honest, wasn’t planning to act this way. But found out that you’re madly in love right now, so I’m happy for you.”
“Why are you always avoiding the question?”
“I’m not.”
“You’re always pointing it to somewhere else, like you just did.”
Jacky licks his lips once. “Honestly, I was here to argue with Kenny. But that can wait now.”
“What happened?”
“Personal matters. I’ve been yelled at once too many times yesterday. That’s the reason why I’m back too.”
Joey wrinkles her eyebrows. “What is going on here? What did you do?”
“Being someone’s boss.”
Jacky sees that Joey’s even more confused by now, but she doesn’t want to ask. How could she when Madame Meng is supposed to be sharp and alert? Madame Meng would never ask brainless questions.
“I’ll tell you later,” Jacky said.
“Being all mysterious again?” Joey asked.
“I need to leave some respect for Lieutenant Ma, right?”
Joey gets up from her seat at that time. “Fair enough.” She walks away from the guys after retrieving her lunch bag that she has set down earlier when she sat down.
“So…is Kenny still sore about losing to Kai Tai or…” Jacky began, turning his attention to Brad and George.
“What are you talking about?” George asked, puzzled.
“Come on. You mean you don’t know?!”
“It’s kind of obvious not to know,” Brad admitted.
George looks from Brad to Jacky and back. “What?”
“Kenny likes Jo,” Jacky said, lowering his voice.
“What?!”
Everyone in the room turns to look at him, including Kenneth and Joey – who had stopped in front of their office door and turn back to look at him.
George lets out a nervous laugh. “Sorry! We’re sharing a joke.”
Everyone resumes their tasks.
“Really?” George asked, lowering his voice again.
“You’re so late, man,” Jacky said. “Where have you been?”
“Like I want to pay attention to that.”
“You mean you wouldn’t root for them?”
“I like them, but not together,” Brad jumped in.
“Exactly,” George agreed.
“Wow. Interesting. Want me to tell Lieutenant Ma that?”
“Don’t you see it too?”
Jacky nods. “Yea. But thought you guys would side with Kenny since you’ve been working together since forever.”
“Kai Tai is more mature and can take care of Madame Meng better,” Brad said.
Jacky smiles. “That I must agree.”
“You mean he doesn’t have to get past the bro-in-law’s approval? Since it’s such a piece of cake now?”
“We’ll see. Maybe I’ll give him a hard time later.”
“Sure.”
“Don’t believe me?”
Before Brad could continue, they hear a creaking sound from the front door area.
Brad winces and turns to see at the same time. “Someone needs to do something about that door.”
“Whoa!” George exclaimed out in shock.
“Exactly,” Brad chimed in.
“Oh come on, haven’t you guys seen girls before?” Jacky asked.
“Not anyone like her,” Brad said.
“Not too often either,” George added.
“Yea. And not around here either.”
“I’m telling sis to fire you all,” Jacky warned.
“Madame’s pretty, but she’s kind of…”
“…taken,” George finished.
“And not to mention we’ll never live up to her expectations.”
“Big deal,” Jacky mumbled.
“And you don’t know how gorgeous she is ‘cause you’re always thinking of Jan,” Brad said.
Jacky wrinkles his eyebrows. “What does that got to do with anything?”
“Your perceptions are blinded,” George explained. “Or at least tainted. Whatever word you want to use. But you can’t get past Jan anymore.”
Kenneth has somehow approached the front door already with Joey right behind him. It seems the guest has arrived. Jacky has already gotten off the table and is standing in between Brad and George to observe the situation.
“Still time to bet if she’s a spoiled brat or not,” Jacky whispered to Brad and George.
“I don’t care,” George said. “If she as much as lay her eyes on me, I’ll die happy.”
Jacky’s face even more wrinkled than before. “You guys are just too much.”
Jacky could hear Kenneth and Joey speaking to the girl politely. It must be her, Jacky thought. She’s quite pretty, but her face looks kind of cold or somewhat serious. If she smiles, it’ll be better for everyone here, Jacky thought. Kenneth and Joey seem to finish with whatever they’re saying in a few minutes’ time and are heading back to the three guys with the girl following behind them.
“Here she is!” George said excitedly.
“Pick me, pick me, pick me,” Brad chanted, praying under his breath.
“All we need now is a sign that says ‘I’m desperate’!” Jacky said loudly.
Brad and George seem to be tuning Jacky out and focusing all their attention on the girl.
“Apparently, we’re not just welcoming a guest today, but a new…” Kenneth began to explain.
“You mean she’s working here with us?” Brad jumped in, cutting Kenneth off.
Kenneth nods.
George’s expression turns to indescribable happiness.
“I guess you guys have to lock them up from now on,” Jacky said.
“What are you talking about?” Joey asked, confused.
“Green…ahem ahem.”
Joey smiles, getting it. “Don’t worry. The boss will make sure they stay away.”
“Good then.” He turns his attention to the girl still standing behind Kenneth and Joey. “So…Miss…uh…”
Joey steps aside to leave room for the girl to stand. “This is Michelle Yip, everyone. And this is…” She gestures her hand to each person as she introduces them. “Brad, Jack, and George.”
Jacky steps up to shake Michelle’s hand. “Nice to meet you. And just in case you get confused sometimes by nicknames, let me clarify.” He lets go of Michelle’s hand before turning to the other two guys. “Brad is also known as Desperate #1 and George as Desperate #2.”
Brad and George send Jacky an evil eye for blowing their covers.
“Jack!” Joey scolded. “That’s not funny.”
“Says you,” Jacky muttered.
“So…what are we doing now?” Michelle asked, her serious expression still present. “I mean…can I get started, Madame Meng?”
“Just call me Joey. And we’re just rearranging the office right now to find a space for you. Short notice so you’ll have to share desk with…uh…” She turns to the guys.
“Me!” Brad jumped in.
“Guys!”
The guys simmer down finally, seeing Joey’s stern expression.
Joey turns back to Michelle, putting on her friendly smile again. “Sorry about that. They’re usually not like this. But I think you can use this table in the center for now as your base. Then we’ll have your desk ready by this afternoon. You can go ahead and come with me. We’ll get the paper work out of the way first while the others are cleaning up. Sounds good?”
Michelle smiles finally. “Thanks, Madame Meng.”
The girls leave together to go to Joey’s office while the guys remain standing there with Brad and George still gawking at Michelle.
“I wonder how she looks in a dress,” George pondered dreamily.
“Deadly gorgeous,” Brad chimed in.
“I don’t have to wonder how she thinks of you now,” Jacky said. “Ridiculous!”
George turns to Jacky. “Stop bursting our bubbles, will you?”
Kenneth turns to Brad and George. “Guys! Stop it. Get back to work.” Then he turns to Jacky. “Want to take care of the other thing now since the guest already arrived?”
Jacky shrugs his shoulders. “Whenever you’re ready.”
Kenneth turns to Brad. “Tell Joey I’ll be back later.”
“Got it.”
Kenneth and Jacky leave through the front door and head down the hallway back to the double door in front of the station. Brad and George didn’t bother to ponder about their meeting, but still stare at Joey’s closed door as if hoping a hole will suddenly appear somewhere on the door, revealing Michelle’s image to them.
© Tuesday, February 19th, 2008
Re-posted: Friday, October 16th, 2009
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*Author's Note*: Two new characters has appeared in this chapter. Just want to say Hawick has already appeared in Part I, but could anyone guess who he is? Check Chapter 67 of Part I!