Sheriff Peterson

starter for @galexpeterson

location: the police station

She often did not have to pretend that she had her life together, because she felt confident that she did. However, as she was walking by a display, the edge of her dress caught onto it and she heard the unmistakable sound of a rip. It had her freezing mid step as her hand clutched at it. "You've got to be kidding me." She twisted, hoping to be able to inspect the damage. The hem had come loose on one side and it was hanging unevenly around her ankles. One wrong step could make it even worse. Sydney let out a sigh as she mentally inventoried what she had in her bag. None of which would be helpful. Her gaze lifted, hoping she were near a store when she realized the police station was just down the end of the block. Sydney could only hope that her night in shining armor from New Years Eve was there to help.

When Sydney arrived at the station, she meekly asked for Gale, almost embarrassed to be there for this reason alone. She hadn't said why, not wanting to blow his cover of also being an expert sewer.

"If you sometimes remember to eat something from the vending machine?" Sydney placed a hand over her heart like it was the most chilling thing she had heard in her life. "I'm going to have to start dropping off lunch to the office like once a week just to make sure you're eating more than food from the vending machine." Sydney jested, though part of her was serious about dropping off lunches "I think I could make room for a sheriff." She smiled in his direction, "As long as this sheriff remembers to eat better lunches, anyhow. That's my one condition." @galexpeterson

Sydney was waiting for her next date when someone sat down at her table. She recognized him, immediately. Gale. His rambling caught her off guard, completely and she stared at him for a beat. Her blank stare, followed by the slight part of her lips was the only instant reaction she had. As she realized what was happening, her gaze shifted, looking around the room. No one else seemed to be approaching her table currently. "Well, lucky for you, I think this is my skip round." She smiled warmly in his direction. "Now which one of these women am I saving you from? Or men?" Her brow raised, curiously in his direction with a hint of amusement. @galexpeterson

"Yeah I can't imagine being dealt the cards that he's had to deal with." Jet stated, shaking his head as he looked at the other. "That's part of the reason why I do this." he admitted. "Because I know that if I were him I'd want someone with a lot of patience around; I'm not sure I'd ever open up out of fear of being sent back." he exhaled. "Breaks my heart for him, you know." It was only as they were approaching the cafe that he allowed himself to nod. "This place is fine." he nodded again. "Anything is better than the coffee they keep back there. The stronger the better in my opinion." he wasn't picky; but he did have his preference in coffee, even if it was just black. @galexpeterson

"Weirdly put, but I get what you mean." Gale hummed, eyes cast down to the ground for a moment as they walked, only looking up once they were near the park's exit. "A walk is good. I should partake in those myself more too." He sighed, then stopped once they reached the sidewalk. "Just try to avoid sleeping on park benches." Gale said with a wink, looping his thumbs on his belt. "You have a good evening, okay?" He told the other, waiting for him to walk away before he made his way to his vehicle and finally made his way home. @riverxjackson

"No, I don't think you're doing it wrong." She smiled warmly in his direction. "I'm just checking, is all. I'm guilty of bringing my work to lunch far too many times to count." She admitted with a quiet laugh. "I'm just trying to see if there are any more crazy workaholics out there if it's just me and my sister, living in our own little world." Sydney's words were threaded in tease, a playful smile resting against her lips as she spoke. "Even if you just have to humor me." @galexpeterson

"I don't know what you brought in but I want whatever it is." she spoke, referring to the drink that was on the opposite side of the table. They'd served drinks, sure, and hors d'oeuvres that were undoubtedly the freeze and serve kind that tasted like cardboard. And this wine they'd 'splurged' on was nothing short of boxed wine that was mostly sugar she was sure. In fact she couldn't even confidently say it was wine. "You know it kind of does remind me a lot of musical chairs. Only difference is I actually have a chance of winning this game because I haven't moved yet." she smiled. "Anli." she replied, greeting herself in return. "This your usual way to spend an evening or you feeling as desperate as I am?" @galexpeterson

END.

Sure, at the end of the day, Gale was Josiah's boss but for Josiah he was more than that; he viewed Gale as one of his closest friends and was happy that outside of work he could talk to the other about anything that was on his mind, no judgement. And the same was for Josiah; anything Gale ever needed to talk about Josiah would listen, no judgement and only comment if the other asked. That was just the kind of relationship they had. Josiah was listening intently when they turned to go through the greenlight, instead nearly getting hit in the process. "Every bit of seventy five if not closer to eighty five." he admitted, phone already in his hand. Following the steps to call in the speeding car, Josiah watched as Gale began following. "We're turning left onto Depot Street-" he spoke, listening as the dispatcher spoke. "Yes, it was a white SUV; we're trying to catch up on it so we can get the license plate, but back up would be nice." @galexpeterson

As the other began to speak, Josiah listened, head nodding as the other stated that it was in no way comparable of what they were going through. Not to dismiss it, but because he knew the other meant nothing by it. "Oh I can imagine that has a lot to do with it aside from just how awful the entire experience was anyways." Josiah added. "Which I'm trying to understand and be there for, but, it's one of those situations that I just genuinely don't feel like I can do much." he exhaled. "I feel kind of helpless, but I'm trying." he nodded. "We're trying. And I know that regardless of what our future with children looks like I'm not going anywhere." he admitted, though that confession wasn't something Gale specifically needed to hear. A friend talking to a friend was what that was, truthfully. "You always seem to handle it in a way that no one else even knows there's a problem." Josiah stated. "But you know I've got you covered; take that boy camping. If I could I'd join you." @galexpeterson