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(no subject)
Dec. 3rd, 2020 03:03 pmBy the time he gets home, the bleeding above John's eyes has mostly stopped, thanks to Nikita's handiwork. He doesn't think Karen will be too concerned, she's long since gotten used to the things they put themselves through, the strange lives they lead, and he's walking, he's barely bleeding at all, and he knows he doesn't have a concussion.
He also hasn't been shot, so he'll call tonight a win, relatively speaking.
Still, he thinks he ought to prepare Karen for when he arrives, just in case, so he sends her a text when he's nearly home.
a little battered, but I'm fine. home soon.
By the time he reaches the apartment, he barely even has a headache, which is also due to Nikita's help. He thinks Karen will be grateful for that. He certainly is. While they don't share all their secrets with anyone in Darrow, they've collected a small group of people they can trust with some things and that makes a big difference.
"Hi," he calls when he unlocks the front door. Bear comes to greet him and John rubs the dog's ears before he moves deeper into the apartment. "Karen?"
He also hasn't been shot, so he'll call tonight a win, relatively speaking.
Still, he thinks he ought to prepare Karen for when he arrives, just in case, so he sends her a text when he's nearly home.
a little battered, but I'm fine. home soon.
By the time he reaches the apartment, he barely even has a headache, which is also due to Nikita's help. He thinks Karen will be grateful for that. He certainly is. While they don't share all their secrets with anyone in Darrow, they've collected a small group of people they can trust with some things and that makes a big difference.
"Hi," he calls when he unlocks the front door. Bear comes to greet him and John rubs the dog's ears before he moves deeper into the apartment. "Karen?"
[august 22]
Aug. 2nd, 2020 11:37 amAs with so many things have been when it comes to his life with Karen Page, the wedding arrangements -- minus the debacle with the florist -- fall into place with relative ease.
They find a quiet section of the library, one of the oldest parts of the building, they're told, with towering dark wood shelves stacked with old books, and beautiful arches over stunning windows that let the afternoon light pour inside. The replacement florist they've found drapes trailing vines over the old wood tables and stashes fresh bouquets of flowers in pale pink and dark green around the space.
Surprising no one, John is dressed in a suit, but he's taken the time to find one even Finch would approve of. It's tailored perfectly to his frame, expensive looking without being ostentatious, which fits right in with the rest of the decor. The library, too, is something Finch would approve of and although John and Karen don't talk about it much, they both know. They chose this place for a reason, one that will remain private between the two of them -- and Root, likely -- and one that doesn't need to be spoke aloud to be acknowledged.
They've paid to have this part of the library kept private for themselves and their guests. John paid a little more, too, to be allowed the food and alcohol, not to mention Bear, and the ability to stay as long as they all want. It's a small party, but it's still a party, and John doesn't want anyone to feel as if they ought to rush out because they're technically in a public space.
As is tradition for them, it seems, the ceremony is quick and quiet in its way. What matters to John more than anything is that it's legal, because Karen already knows how he feels, she already knows everything about him that is of any real importance, and so the vows themselves expose little else. They're not doing this for an audience, but for themselves, and John doesn't think he needs to say anything more. They stick with the legal script, opting out of writing their own vows. Another thing, he thinks, that don't need to be said out loud to be known.
The food is incredible, the drinks even more so, and they've opted out of a DJ or band, not wanting to be too disruptive. Instead they have a wireless speaker and a playlist set up on John's throwaway phone, the one that doesn't matter if it's lost or hacked, so he has no problems leaving it exposed during the wedding.
It's intimate and quiet and everything he and Karen could have asked for.
They find a quiet section of the library, one of the oldest parts of the building, they're told, with towering dark wood shelves stacked with old books, and beautiful arches over stunning windows that let the afternoon light pour inside. The replacement florist they've found drapes trailing vines over the old wood tables and stashes fresh bouquets of flowers in pale pink and dark green around the space.
Surprising no one, John is dressed in a suit, but he's taken the time to find one even Finch would approve of. It's tailored perfectly to his frame, expensive looking without being ostentatious, which fits right in with the rest of the decor. The library, too, is something Finch would approve of and although John and Karen don't talk about it much, they both know. They chose this place for a reason, one that will remain private between the two of them -- and Root, likely -- and one that doesn't need to be spoke aloud to be acknowledged.
They've paid to have this part of the library kept private for themselves and their guests. John paid a little more, too, to be allowed the food and alcohol, not to mention Bear, and the ability to stay as long as they all want. It's a small party, but it's still a party, and John doesn't want anyone to feel as if they ought to rush out because they're technically in a public space.
As is tradition for them, it seems, the ceremony is quick and quiet in its way. What matters to John more than anything is that it's legal, because Karen already knows how he feels, she already knows everything about him that is of any real importance, and so the vows themselves expose little else. They're not doing this for an audience, but for themselves, and John doesn't think he needs to say anything more. They stick with the legal script, opting out of writing their own vows. Another thing, he thinks, that don't need to be said out loud to be known.
The food is incredible, the drinks even more so, and they've opted out of a DJ or band, not wanting to be too disruptive. Instead they have a wireless speaker and a playlist set up on John's throwaway phone, the one that doesn't matter if it's lost or hacked, so he has no problems leaving it exposed during the wedding.
It's intimate and quiet and everything he and Karen could have asked for.
(no subject)
Dec. 13th, 2019 02:48 pmSome people, John knows, would call this pretending.
It isn't. Not even close. John has done plenty of pretending in his life, he's been many men with many different names, and he's kept himself at a distance from dozens of people who could have cared for him. He knows what it's like to pretend. None of what he's doing now is pretending, but it is a little funny, all things considered, to be preparing for a relaxing weekend at Kagura not long after he and Karen have disposed of Patrick Brady's body.
He doesn't regret the man's death. Carolyn and her child are safe because of it. John doesn't ever imagine he'll want to change that.
It's the weekend before the last weekend before Christmas, which means Kagura isn't quite as busy as John knows it's going to get. He manages to secure a room for them, one with a rather large jacuzzi tub, along with a well stocked mini bar, and a hell of a view looking out down the mountain and over Darrow spread below them. They're also close to the hot tub, which John had made sure of when booking the room.
The tram has never been his favourite part of this trip, however. He's not bothered by heights, he's just very aware of how limited their escape routes are should anything go very wrong and when he glances at Karen, he can't help but smile just a little.
"They need to install another tram," he says in a low voice as they rattle up the mountain. "Or three."
It isn't. Not even close. John has done plenty of pretending in his life, he's been many men with many different names, and he's kept himself at a distance from dozens of people who could have cared for him. He knows what it's like to pretend. None of what he's doing now is pretending, but it is a little funny, all things considered, to be preparing for a relaxing weekend at Kagura not long after he and Karen have disposed of Patrick Brady's body.
He doesn't regret the man's death. Carolyn and her child are safe because of it. John doesn't ever imagine he'll want to change that.
It's the weekend before the last weekend before Christmas, which means Kagura isn't quite as busy as John knows it's going to get. He manages to secure a room for them, one with a rather large jacuzzi tub, along with a well stocked mini bar, and a hell of a view looking out down the mountain and over Darrow spread below them. They're also close to the hot tub, which John had made sure of when booking the room.
The tram has never been his favourite part of this trip, however. He's not bothered by heights, he's just very aware of how limited their escape routes are should anything go very wrong and when he glances at Karen, he can't help but smile just a little.
"They need to install another tram," he says in a low voice as they rattle up the mountain. "Or three."
(no subject)
Nov. 6th, 2019 03:55 pmJohn has been looking for Patrick Brady for the past six hours.
The call had come in then, Carolyn Brady begging for an ambulance, sobbing through a raw and ragged throat. John hadn't needed to see her to know Patrick Brady had nearly choked his wife to death tonight, and while she's still alive now, he knows it's time to move. For months now, he's been trying to do this the right way, he's been trying to get Carolyn to leave, to press charges, to ask for a protection order, but she's been resisting the entire way through. John understands. He knows it isn't easy for a woman to leave a situation like the one she's in, especially with a child in the picture, but he's been trying not to draw too much attention to himself.
He's been trying to do things the right way.
That ended the second he heard that call. John trusts the first responders to help Carolyn and her daughter, and he goes out on the hunt, pausing only long enough to collect the weapons he needs and to text both Karen and Root on his secure cell phone. He wants them to know where he is, what he's doing.
Three years ago, he wouldn't have been the sort to check in, but Darrow has changed a lot of things for John Reese.
He's been tracking Brady this entire time and he only now has a trail. He's kept in touch with both Karen and Root, knowing he might need either of them at a moment's notice, knowing they can do things he can't. Kara would have called him an idiot for relying on others, she would have called it a weakness, but John knows better now.
And as he carefully and quietly approaches the loading dock where he'd finally seen Brady disappear into just five minutes earlier, he pauses and takes in his surroundings. Waiting for one or both of the women he knows best.
The call had come in then, Carolyn Brady begging for an ambulance, sobbing through a raw and ragged throat. John hadn't needed to see her to know Patrick Brady had nearly choked his wife to death tonight, and while she's still alive now, he knows it's time to move. For months now, he's been trying to do this the right way, he's been trying to get Carolyn to leave, to press charges, to ask for a protection order, but she's been resisting the entire way through. John understands. He knows it isn't easy for a woman to leave a situation like the one she's in, especially with a child in the picture, but he's been trying not to draw too much attention to himself.
He's been trying to do things the right way.
That ended the second he heard that call. John trusts the first responders to help Carolyn and her daughter, and he goes out on the hunt, pausing only long enough to collect the weapons he needs and to text both Karen and Root on his secure cell phone. He wants them to know where he is, what he's doing.
Three years ago, he wouldn't have been the sort to check in, but Darrow has changed a lot of things for John Reese.
He's been tracking Brady this entire time and he only now has a trail. He's kept in touch with both Karen and Root, knowing he might need either of them at a moment's notice, knowing they can do things he can't. Kara would have called him an idiot for relying on others, she would have called it a weakness, but John knows better now.
And as he carefully and quietly approaches the loading dock where he'd finally seen Brady disappear into just five minutes earlier, he pauses and takes in his surroundings. Waiting for one or both of the women he knows best.
(no subject)
Aug. 18th, 2019 03:45 pmTwo things currently take up most of John's mental real estate, one far more agreeable than the other, but he can't simply ignore the less welcome thought, because to ignore it would potentially put someone's life in danger. And the two are more entwined than he would like, because while he surveys a young woman with her significantly older husband, a man whom John has heard numerous rumours about, he can't help but think that he and Karen will eventually be in a similar situation.
Not the same situation, not by far, but they're engaged now, and with a twenty year difference between them, he knows people might look at him the same way they look at one Patrick Brady. He's not the same. Not by far. Because Patrick Brady, from what John has been able to gather, has an addiction to gambling, is deeply in debt, and may have a tendency to take it out on his young wife when he gets particularly stressed about the amount of money he owes.
John doesn't like men who hit their partners. He doesn't like anyone who hits someone they claim to love, but he looks at a man like Patrick Brady and all he sees is Peter Arndt. He looks at a woman like Carolyn Brady and he sees only Jessica.
So he's thinking about Karen and the ring she's wearing now, the ring he'd bought her, and he's following Patrick Brady through Petros Park with the casual experience of a man who knows exactly what he's doing. And when he sees a familiar face, all he does is lift his hand in greeting and smile. He isn't doing anything out of the ordinary, after all, and anyone who knows him well enough will be able to simply fall in step beside him and help bolster the guise of being just a regular guy taking a walk in the park.
Not the same situation, not by far, but they're engaged now, and with a twenty year difference between them, he knows people might look at him the same way they look at one Patrick Brady. He's not the same. Not by far. Because Patrick Brady, from what John has been able to gather, has an addiction to gambling, is deeply in debt, and may have a tendency to take it out on his young wife when he gets particularly stressed about the amount of money he owes.
John doesn't like men who hit their partners. He doesn't like anyone who hits someone they claim to love, but he looks at a man like Patrick Brady and all he sees is Peter Arndt. He looks at a woman like Carolyn Brady and he sees only Jessica.
So he's thinking about Karen and the ring she's wearing now, the ring he'd bought her, and he's following Patrick Brady through Petros Park with the casual experience of a man who knows exactly what he's doing. And when he sees a familiar face, all he does is lift his hand in greeting and smile. He isn't doing anything out of the ordinary, after all, and anyone who knows him well enough will be able to simply fall in step beside him and help bolster the guise of being just a regular guy taking a walk in the park.
(no subject)
Jul. 22nd, 2019 03:13 pmHe'd had to get the entire door replaced at the end of it.
The blast from Root's shotgun had sent pellets into the door itself and the wall, which the landlord had tsked and sighed over, wondering how such a horrific attack could happen in such a relatively safe building. John had assured him over and over it was simply a case of mistaken identity and that the shooter was in custody -- he's a police officer, after all -- and with Karen's support, they'd managed not to get kicked out of their home due to endangering the lives of the other tenants with their ways.
"We're lucky we're as respectable as we are," John had murmured to Karen as the work had been done, doing his best not to smile.
But here they are now, with a new door, the wall patched and repainted, and John has come up with a new plan to ask Karen to marry him.
It's a little more complicated than the last time, but not much more so. When they both left the apartment in the morning, John had kissed Karen goodbye and promised not to be home late, then doubled back as soon as she was out of view and returned to the apartment to prepare for the evening. He's taken care not to make anything in the living room or kitchen look out of the ordinary, not wanting her to guess at his intentions too early, but the bedroom is covered with vases of flowers of all kinds.
And then he cooks. He spends all day cooking and preparing. It's one thing John knows how to do that he doesn't get to break out often, but his mother had taught him how to cook a long time ago and he's happy to get to use these skills now, preparing a thoughtful and delicious four course meal for Karen, from soup, to starter, to main and then dessert.
The ring is in his pocket. The flowers are in the bedroom. He's ready for this.
The blast from Root's shotgun had sent pellets into the door itself and the wall, which the landlord had tsked and sighed over, wondering how such a horrific attack could happen in such a relatively safe building. John had assured him over and over it was simply a case of mistaken identity and that the shooter was in custody -- he's a police officer, after all -- and with Karen's support, they'd managed not to get kicked out of their home due to endangering the lives of the other tenants with their ways.
"We're lucky we're as respectable as we are," John had murmured to Karen as the work had been done, doing his best not to smile.
But here they are now, with a new door, the wall patched and repainted, and John has come up with a new plan to ask Karen to marry him.
It's a little more complicated than the last time, but not much more so. When they both left the apartment in the morning, John had kissed Karen goodbye and promised not to be home late, then doubled back as soon as she was out of view and returned to the apartment to prepare for the evening. He's taken care not to make anything in the living room or kitchen look out of the ordinary, not wanting her to guess at his intentions too early, but the bedroom is covered with vases of flowers of all kinds.
And then he cooks. He spends all day cooking and preparing. It's one thing John knows how to do that he doesn't get to break out often, but his mother had taught him how to cook a long time ago and he's happy to get to use these skills now, preparing a thoughtful and delicious four course meal for Karen, from soup, to starter, to main and then dessert.
The ring is in his pocket. The flowers are in the bedroom. He's ready for this.
(no subject)
May. 10th, 2019 02:20 pmTechnically they're working, but on a day as nice as today, John doesn't think he can be blamed for enjoying himself more than he usually does when he's undercover. Nearly everything in his life is far more enjoyable when Karen is there with him, but work is still work, and he would always rather just be spending time with her than working.
Today, though, it's better than it usually is, because it really is just like spending quality time with her. They're in the park, the sun is high, the air is warm, and the man they're keeping under surveillance hasn't actually done anything wrong, which might be a first for John in Darrow. They're here to keep an eye on him because John has heard there are some people, some criminals, who have an idea to go after this man's young son. The rumour is that the attack would be for ransom and John has a strong feeling that's most likely.
The man and his pretty young wife clearly have money, though they're not over the top about it. They're still here, after all, playing in the park with their son, the little boy squealing as he goes down the small, toddler sized slide. He's cute and happy, the family is clearly enjoying their time together, and John hates the idea that anyone might want to hurt them over a bit of money. They're well dressed, the car they drive is expensive without being flashy, and John knows this man has not only earned every cent he has, but puts a significant amount of his income back into the community.
He's a good man who doesn't even know he's a target. This is good work.
Leaning toward Karen, John is about to ask her if she's noticed the green car idling across the street from the park, but just as he does, there's a loud pop from nearby. His hand is on his gun in an instant, but before he draws it, he sees where the sound has come from. A couple not far away are opening champagne, sitting on a blanket with a picnic spread out, the both of them laughing and kissing, even as they try to pour their drinks.
Between them on the blanket is a ring box, a simple diamond set in rose gold resting inside. The sight of it makes him smile, even as his chest tightens.
Today, though, it's better than it usually is, because it really is just like spending quality time with her. They're in the park, the sun is high, the air is warm, and the man they're keeping under surveillance hasn't actually done anything wrong, which might be a first for John in Darrow. They're here to keep an eye on him because John has heard there are some people, some criminals, who have an idea to go after this man's young son. The rumour is that the attack would be for ransom and John has a strong feeling that's most likely.
The man and his pretty young wife clearly have money, though they're not over the top about it. They're still here, after all, playing in the park with their son, the little boy squealing as he goes down the small, toddler sized slide. He's cute and happy, the family is clearly enjoying their time together, and John hates the idea that anyone might want to hurt them over a bit of money. They're well dressed, the car they drive is expensive without being flashy, and John knows this man has not only earned every cent he has, but puts a significant amount of his income back into the community.
He's a good man who doesn't even know he's a target. This is good work.
Leaning toward Karen, John is about to ask her if she's noticed the green car idling across the street from the park, but just as he does, there's a loud pop from nearby. His hand is on his gun in an instant, but before he draws it, he sees where the sound has come from. A couple not far away are opening champagne, sitting on a blanket with a picnic spread out, the both of them laughing and kissing, even as they try to pour their drinks.
Between them on the blanket is a ring box, a simple diamond set in rose gold resting inside. The sight of it makes him smile, even as his chest tightens.
(no subject)
Sep. 5th, 2018 02:50 pmThey've gotten good at this and John has to admit, it feels good to have a partner in crime, so to speak.
Technically they're doing the opposite of crime. Their methods aren't always legal, admittedly, but neither of them have a problem with that, and the end result is always what it should be. Together, they put bad guys away. And John loves every moment of it.
There are times, of course, when he's concerned for Karen's safety. He would have to be crazy not to worry about her when there's the possibility of bullets flying, but she's proven time and again just how resourceful she is. And he worries about her less than he would have expected. In fact, he tends to feel safer when Karen is with him. She's a reminder of how much he's changed, how much his life has changed, and a reminder of what Carter had told him was worth fighting for.
Tonight it's not the simple surveillance it usually is for them. They have a tendency to go out for dinners just to put themselves close to the right people, to overhear the right conversations or clone the right phones. Tonight they're both dressed in black, moving quietly through an alley, because John wants to check out a local building he's been hearing rumours about.
He'd like to get inside, but tonight, the primary focus is figuring out what kind of security they're facing.
"I've heard a lot of talk about this place," he says, keeping his voice low as they walk. "As a place to move drugs and weapons mostly, but there could be more going on. There almost always is." He doubts he needs to tell Karen that sort of thing, she's seen plenty of it herself.
Technically they're doing the opposite of crime. Their methods aren't always legal, admittedly, but neither of them have a problem with that, and the end result is always what it should be. Together, they put bad guys away. And John loves every moment of it.
There are times, of course, when he's concerned for Karen's safety. He would have to be crazy not to worry about her when there's the possibility of bullets flying, but she's proven time and again just how resourceful she is. And he worries about her less than he would have expected. In fact, he tends to feel safer when Karen is with him. She's a reminder of how much he's changed, how much his life has changed, and a reminder of what Carter had told him was worth fighting for.
Tonight it's not the simple surveillance it usually is for them. They have a tendency to go out for dinners just to put themselves close to the right people, to overhear the right conversations or clone the right phones. Tonight they're both dressed in black, moving quietly through an alley, because John wants to check out a local building he's been hearing rumours about.
He'd like to get inside, but tonight, the primary focus is figuring out what kind of security they're facing.
"I've heard a lot of talk about this place," he says, keeping his voice low as they walk. "As a place to move drugs and weapons mostly, but there could be more going on. There almost always is." He doubts he needs to tell Karen that sort of thing, she's seen plenty of it herself.
(no subject)
Sep. 5th, 2018 02:15 pmThis, he thinks, has to be a decent bachelorette party.
Maybe not for the average bride, maybe other people out there want strippers and sashes that read BRIDE-TO-BE and phallic decorations, but Peggy had made it very clear to John that she wanted none of that.
So he'd rented out a bar. An entire bar. The guest list isn't particularly extensive, they don't need the entire bar, but he'd seen no reason not to do it anyway. It means they have the entire place to themselves, they can control the music, and the bartender has only them to serve. And John has paid a flat fee for the bartender and the serving staff, plus given them a significant tip, so they're attending the party perfectly.
The bar is nice, with comfortable chairs and several pool tables, as well as a well stocked jukebox that he thinks has just about anything someone might think to play. Maybe not Dutch, she probably knows songs none of them have ever heard before, but there's probably plenty on the jukebox she'll still enjoy.
There are appetizers, lots of them, covering just about any option a person could want. The same goes for alcohol.
All in all, for someone not all that inclined toward attending parties, he thinks he's done a fairly good job capturing something Peggy will enjoy. And that's the point of tonight, giving her a party to celebrate her future and everything that's to come with people she enjoys spending time with.
Maybe not for the average bride, maybe other people out there want strippers and sashes that read BRIDE-TO-BE and phallic decorations, but Peggy had made it very clear to John that she wanted none of that.
So he'd rented out a bar. An entire bar. The guest list isn't particularly extensive, they don't need the entire bar, but he'd seen no reason not to do it anyway. It means they have the entire place to themselves, they can control the music, and the bartender has only them to serve. And John has paid a flat fee for the bartender and the serving staff, plus given them a significant tip, so they're attending the party perfectly.
The bar is nice, with comfortable chairs and several pool tables, as well as a well stocked jukebox that he thinks has just about anything someone might think to play. Maybe not Dutch, she probably knows songs none of them have ever heard before, but there's probably plenty on the jukebox she'll still enjoy.
There are appetizers, lots of them, covering just about any option a person could want. The same goes for alcohol.
All in all, for someone not all that inclined toward attending parties, he thinks he's done a fairly good job capturing something Peggy will enjoy. And that's the point of tonight, giving her a party to celebrate her future and everything that's to come with people she enjoys spending time with.
(no subject)
Aug. 7th, 2018 02:38 pmIt's funny, John thinks, that somehow, without even really trying, he's become the man in the suit all over again. That's not what they call him in Darrow, because the ski mask has become a necessity, the city being smaller than New York and given his current position as a rather well respected and properly feared homicide detective. When he goes out at night, based on information passed to him from his girlfriend -- the girlfriend he lives with now, making all of this vigilante stuff so much simpler -- he has to hide his identity or risk losing that job. That cover. He's not ready to move on from John Riley just yet.
So now he's the man in the ski mask, but it amounts to the same thing. He doesn't have any super powers, but there are people out there on the street who fear him all the same and they're right to. When he's wearing that mask, there are no rules, and the man in the ski mask doesn't take all that kindly to the criminal element that keeps trying to rise up in this city.
Darrow isn't home, but it's still where he is now, where there are people he loves. He'll do whatever he needs to in order to protect it.
Tonight he's working on a tip from Karen that a few men working for a prostitution ring were planning on moving some girls. She'd sounded uncertain as to the age of the girls, had told John it was likely they were at least eighteen based on what she'd learned, but there was enough of a hesitation in her voice that he'd read into it what he needed to. These girls might be eighteen, but there were probably others who weren't.
And either way, it was kidnapping. Forcible confinement. Prostitution.
The only good thing about working in Darrow, he's found, is there's nowhere for these scumbags to go. They're stuck here, the same as everyone else, which means when he finds them, they can't run.
Tonight he's waiting by what looks like an abandoned warehouse. He's found himself a dark shadow, his illegally obtained firearm lying against his thigh, his thumb on the safety. He's waiting, watching for movement, for a sound, but when it comes, it's gunfire. Not what he was expecting.
John sprints from the shadow, his mask securely in place, and heads for the building.
So now he's the man in the ski mask, but it amounts to the same thing. He doesn't have any super powers, but there are people out there on the street who fear him all the same and they're right to. When he's wearing that mask, there are no rules, and the man in the ski mask doesn't take all that kindly to the criminal element that keeps trying to rise up in this city.
Darrow isn't home, but it's still where he is now, where there are people he loves. He'll do whatever he needs to in order to protect it.
Tonight he's working on a tip from Karen that a few men working for a prostitution ring were planning on moving some girls. She'd sounded uncertain as to the age of the girls, had told John it was likely they were at least eighteen based on what she'd learned, but there was enough of a hesitation in her voice that he'd read into it what he needed to. These girls might be eighteen, but there were probably others who weren't.
And either way, it was kidnapping. Forcible confinement. Prostitution.
The only good thing about working in Darrow, he's found, is there's nowhere for these scumbags to go. They're stuck here, the same as everyone else, which means when he finds them, they can't run.
Tonight he's waiting by what looks like an abandoned warehouse. He's found himself a dark shadow, his illegally obtained firearm lying against his thigh, his thumb on the safety. He's waiting, watching for movement, for a sound, but when it comes, it's gunfire. Not what he was expecting.
John sprints from the shadow, his mask securely in place, and heads for the building.
(no subject)
Jul. 7th, 2018 11:28 amIn the end, they'd settled on Karen's apartment rather than John's.
He'd pointed out that she has a better view, being two floors higher, and he'd liked how the light had come into the living room better on her side of the building. They're not things one might expect of John Reese -- or even John Riley -- but when it had come to deciding which apartment to live in, he'd done his best to set aside his CIA training or anything that told him one would be better than the other based on tactical advantages.
That's not what he wants his life with Karen to be about.
They're still spies, of course, in their way. They still work together on the sorts of cases the police department can't or won't take. He trusts her with his life on that end and he's glad to have her, to know they have that kind of transparency between them. But he still wants this to be their home together. Something separate from the jobs they both do.
So he's moving boxes out of his place, to the elevator, and then into hers. It's not a difficult move, he doesn't have many belongings and they don't need his furniture, but he's had to decline help from two neighbours now, telling them he's just about done, when in reality he just doesn't want them touching his boxes of weapons. Or spy equipment.
All the boxes are labelled books. Only one of them contains books of any kind.
He'd pointed out that she has a better view, being two floors higher, and he'd liked how the light had come into the living room better on her side of the building. They're not things one might expect of John Reese -- or even John Riley -- but when it had come to deciding which apartment to live in, he'd done his best to set aside his CIA training or anything that told him one would be better than the other based on tactical advantages.
That's not what he wants his life with Karen to be about.
They're still spies, of course, in their way. They still work together on the sorts of cases the police department can't or won't take. He trusts her with his life on that end and he's glad to have her, to know they have that kind of transparency between them. But he still wants this to be their home together. Something separate from the jobs they both do.
So he's moving boxes out of his place, to the elevator, and then into hers. It's not a difficult move, he doesn't have many belongings and they don't need his furniture, but he's had to decline help from two neighbours now, telling them he's just about done, when in reality he just doesn't want them touching his boxes of weapons. Or spy equipment.
All the boxes are labelled books. Only one of them contains books of any kind.
(no subject)
May. 11th, 2018 09:31 pmJohn is in trouble.
Not that he would admit he's in trouble. It's true he's been stabbed and there's a great deal of blood trickling down his leg to pool in his shoe and soak through his sock, but nothing important in his thigh has been cut. If it were, he wouldn't be walking right now, he'd be face down and he'd be dead.
The only problem is that he's being followed and he's leaving a relatively easy to follow path behind him, consisting of that blood that keeps dripping down his leg.
It was supposed to be recon and nothing more. That had been his intention. Get into the warehouse, check out what was going on, see what he could when it came to the illegal weapons that were coming in and going out, then get out. Then call in an anonymous report and get the police out to the warehouse with something they can actually go on.
That had been the intention.
But then one of them had snuck up on him. He's not the sort of man who is easily snuck up on, but here he is, bleeding from a relatively deep wound just above his knee. And now they're following him.
All he needs to do is get closer to a more populated area of the city. He has his gun on him and he'll use it if it becomes necessary, but then he gets tied to all this as Detective John Riley and he'll have a fair bit of explaining to do.
Just a few more blocks, though. He can make it.
Not that he would admit he's in trouble. It's true he's been stabbed and there's a great deal of blood trickling down his leg to pool in his shoe and soak through his sock, but nothing important in his thigh has been cut. If it were, he wouldn't be walking right now, he'd be face down and he'd be dead.
The only problem is that he's being followed and he's leaving a relatively easy to follow path behind him, consisting of that blood that keeps dripping down his leg.
It was supposed to be recon and nothing more. That had been his intention. Get into the warehouse, check out what was going on, see what he could when it came to the illegal weapons that were coming in and going out, then get out. Then call in an anonymous report and get the police out to the warehouse with something they can actually go on.
That had been the intention.
But then one of them had snuck up on him. He's not the sort of man who is easily snuck up on, but here he is, bleeding from a relatively deep wound just above his knee. And now they're following him.
All he needs to do is get closer to a more populated area of the city. He has his gun on him and he'll use it if it becomes necessary, but then he gets tied to all this as Detective John Riley and he'll have a fair bit of explaining to do.
Just a few more blocks, though. He can make it.
(no subject)
May. 11th, 2018 09:19 pmThere's been an uptick in gang activity around one particular area of the city in recent weeks and while Detective John Riley can only do so much when it comes to fighting back, John Reese, accompanied by his wonderfully proficient friend Dutch, is capable of doing so much more.
The restaurant they're currently in is upscale, one of the nicer places John has been since his arrival in Darrow. The people at the tables around them have money, he can see it in every move they make, in every word they say, and John had told Dutch to dress the part and she certainly hadn't let him down. They're here as if they're on a date, both of them looking quite impressive if he does say so himself, but he also knows they're both armed to the teeth.
And they're both going to need to be. There's nothing at all John has seen here tonight that will lead to legitimate arrests, but he's heard enough in passing conversation to know there are two men in particular they just can't let go. Neither of them are particularly well connected, which means teaching them a lesson isn't going to backfire on them, but they're both despicable enough that they can't be left untouched.
John is sure Dutch would be inclined to agree.
He smiles at her over the table and nods toward the empty bottle of wine. It's nothing more than a prop, they're both on the same glass they'd started dinner with and John's had barely two sips, but he picks the glass up and gestures with it every so often, giving the impression that he's been drinking. No one looks at them more than once and if they do, it tends to be appreciative more than anything.
"The pair sitting over there near the door," he says, flashing Dutch another smile. "We're going to need to leave not long after they do. I think they need our attention."
The restaurant they're currently in is upscale, one of the nicer places John has been since his arrival in Darrow. The people at the tables around them have money, he can see it in every move they make, in every word they say, and John had told Dutch to dress the part and she certainly hadn't let him down. They're here as if they're on a date, both of them looking quite impressive if he does say so himself, but he also knows they're both armed to the teeth.
And they're both going to need to be. There's nothing at all John has seen here tonight that will lead to legitimate arrests, but he's heard enough in passing conversation to know there are two men in particular they just can't let go. Neither of them are particularly well connected, which means teaching them a lesson isn't going to backfire on them, but they're both despicable enough that they can't be left untouched.
John is sure Dutch would be inclined to agree.
He smiles at her over the table and nods toward the empty bottle of wine. It's nothing more than a prop, they're both on the same glass they'd started dinner with and John's had barely two sips, but he picks the glass up and gestures with it every so often, giving the impression that he's been drinking. No one looks at them more than once and if they do, it tends to be appreciative more than anything.
"The pair sitting over there near the door," he says, flashing Dutch another smile. "We're going to need to leave not long after they do. I think they need our attention."
(no subject)
Jan. 11th, 2018 06:57 pmIt's been a strange week.
A tough one, really, if John's honest, and at least half of that is due to the amount of paperwork he's had to do. There's been an increase in activity since New Year's Eve, since people have had their power swapped, for lack of a better explanation, and it's not that everyone who has found themselves with new powers is bad, it's just that many of them are confused. And most of them don't seem to know what to do with themselves.
Even if they're not purposely committing crimes, it makes for a few more reports than there might have otherwise been, which means more paperwork for John and that's hardly his favourite thing to do in the first place. He's already had to fill out two separate incident reports for people who had accidentally smashed windows in stores without understand their newfound strength. No charges have been laid and both times the person had offered to pay for the shattered window, but it still needs to be written up among many other things.
It's a far cry from where he's come from, that's for certain.
When John leaves the precinct that night, he's weary, more tired than he'd like to admit, but he still takes the long way home, patrolling darkened alleys and the seedier parts of Darrow. It's probably a bad idea, probably one Karen would give him hell for, but he can't just leave it all alone, no matter how tired he is.
It's when he's heading back toward home, passing by a secluded bit of trees that he hears rustling and growling. It gives him pause and he stands there, not far away, his hand on the butt of his service weapon. Then out of the trees pads the largest wolf John has ever seen and he's so stunned, so taken aback by the sheer size of the thing that he doesn't even think to draw his gun.
Which is a good thing, it seems, because within moments the wolf begins to shift into a decidedly human shape.
A tough one, really, if John's honest, and at least half of that is due to the amount of paperwork he's had to do. There's been an increase in activity since New Year's Eve, since people have had their power swapped, for lack of a better explanation, and it's not that everyone who has found themselves with new powers is bad, it's just that many of them are confused. And most of them don't seem to know what to do with themselves.
Even if they're not purposely committing crimes, it makes for a few more reports than there might have otherwise been, which means more paperwork for John and that's hardly his favourite thing to do in the first place. He's already had to fill out two separate incident reports for people who had accidentally smashed windows in stores without understand their newfound strength. No charges have been laid and both times the person had offered to pay for the shattered window, but it still needs to be written up among many other things.
It's a far cry from where he's come from, that's for certain.
When John leaves the precinct that night, he's weary, more tired than he'd like to admit, but he still takes the long way home, patrolling darkened alleys and the seedier parts of Darrow. It's probably a bad idea, probably one Karen would give him hell for, but he can't just leave it all alone, no matter how tired he is.
It's when he's heading back toward home, passing by a secluded bit of trees that he hears rustling and growling. It gives him pause and he stands there, not far away, his hand on the butt of his service weapon. Then out of the trees pads the largest wolf John has ever seen and he's so stunned, so taken aback by the sheer size of the thing that he doesn't even think to draw his gun.
Which is a good thing, it seems, because within moments the wolf begins to shift into a decidedly human shape.
(no subject)
Jan. 5th, 2018 03:35 pmThe city of Darrow has been a bit of an interesting place to be since New Year's Eve, a little more dangerous than it's been in the past. John doesn't blame any of the people who have been affected by the changes, he can't even begin to imagine what it must be like, how hard it must be for them to adjust, but it does mean there's a bit more danger that's come with the chaos.
People take advantage of chaos. There are always people who do.
So John is out patrolling more often. He's picked up a few extra shifts on Karen's encouragement and while he knows she doesn't need taking care of, it eases his mind a little that she doesn't mind that he's out here.
It's unusual for a detective to be out on the street like this, but John has always preferred it. And he's really only a detective because the Machine decided he ought to be and John doesn't consider himself above the activities of the regular officers. So he's out on the streets and he knows he shouldn't be alone, it's not the safest route to take, but John isn't worried about his own safety.
Maybe that's why he gets cornered. It's a robbery gone wrong, a few masked men who think they can abuse an elderly shop owner into giving them all the money in his register, but John enters at just the right moment. Or the wrong one, he'll think later, when he's recovering from his injuries. It's not that they take him by surprise, he's aware from the start how many of them there are, that there's three behind the counter, one behind the door and one in the back room, but five against one just aren't very good odds.
They're worse still when he's hit from the side with a length of pipe and even though he tries to shift away at the last second, he still takes the hit on the back of his neck, hard enough to knock him down.
Karen might have encouraged him to pick up some extra shifts, but as he collapses on his hands and knees, he has a feeling this isn't quite what she had in mind.
People take advantage of chaos. There are always people who do.
So John is out patrolling more often. He's picked up a few extra shifts on Karen's encouragement and while he knows she doesn't need taking care of, it eases his mind a little that she doesn't mind that he's out here.
It's unusual for a detective to be out on the street like this, but John has always preferred it. And he's really only a detective because the Machine decided he ought to be and John doesn't consider himself above the activities of the regular officers. So he's out on the streets and he knows he shouldn't be alone, it's not the safest route to take, but John isn't worried about his own safety.
Maybe that's why he gets cornered. It's a robbery gone wrong, a few masked men who think they can abuse an elderly shop owner into giving them all the money in his register, but John enters at just the right moment. Or the wrong one, he'll think later, when he's recovering from his injuries. It's not that they take him by surprise, he's aware from the start how many of them there are, that there's three behind the counter, one behind the door and one in the back room, but five against one just aren't very good odds.
They're worse still when he's hit from the side with a length of pipe and even though he tries to shift away at the last second, he still takes the hit on the back of his neck, hard enough to knock him down.
Karen might have encouraged him to pick up some extra shifts, but as he collapses on his hands and knees, he has a feeling this isn't quite what she had in mind.
(no subject)
Dec. 1st, 2017 10:21 amNot many people know it about him, but John had grown up on a farm. His adoptive mother had run one, a small plot of land in comparison to most, after his father had been killed in action and John doesn't always associate it with the happiest times of his young life, not after losing his father, but at the same time there are still good memories.
His mother had been happy, after all, as happy as he imagines she could have been, given their loss. And even as a child, that had meant the world to John, as he had often been focused on the happiness of others. That has never really changed, he's still like that, but with Carter's help over the years, he thinks he's gotten a little bit better at allowing himself some moments of happiness.
Which is why he finds himself at the stables every so often. He tends not to ride, because it's been years, but sometimes even just being in the company of the horses reminds him of his childhood, of a time when he was happier than he is now, and he thinks he's lucky to be able to experience that. After everything that's happened to him, it's certainly unexpected.
He's stroking along the flank of one horse in particular when he sees a man ride in with a beautiful horse and he wanders in their direction, admiring the animal. His mother would have known all the reasons why the horse was superior to others, but that's never been John's area of expertise. All he knows is the horse looks sleek and well fed and he offers a faint smile to the man.
"Beautiful horse," he says as he approaches. "Is he yours or are you just taking him out for a ride?"
His mother had been happy, after all, as happy as he imagines she could have been, given their loss. And even as a child, that had meant the world to John, as he had often been focused on the happiness of others. That has never really changed, he's still like that, but with Carter's help over the years, he thinks he's gotten a little bit better at allowing himself some moments of happiness.
Which is why he finds himself at the stables every so often. He tends not to ride, because it's been years, but sometimes even just being in the company of the horses reminds him of his childhood, of a time when he was happier than he is now, and he thinks he's lucky to be able to experience that. After everything that's happened to him, it's certainly unexpected.
He's stroking along the flank of one horse in particular when he sees a man ride in with a beautiful horse and he wanders in their direction, admiring the animal. His mother would have known all the reasons why the horse was superior to others, but that's never been John's area of expertise. All he knows is the horse looks sleek and well fed and he offers a faint smile to the man.
"Beautiful horse," he says as he approaches. "Is he yours or are you just taking him out for a ride?"
(no subject)
Nov. 26th, 2017 05:55 pmLately he's had a lot to think about.
It's been some time since Finch's disappearance and John has dealt with it better than he could have expected, although he knows he has people like Karen and Dutch to thank for that, but it's left him with a lot of unfinished business. The team needs some kind of structure, a place to really begin again, and for so long he's felt incapable of doing that. Finch had been the leader and John had been his loaded gun. It doesn't register as an insult to him, he knows what he's good at and where he excels, but now he's left in a position where he has to do more. He has to be better.
So he's trying.
It's not going to be easy and it's not going to happen overnight, but he is trying. Having spoken with Peggy and Dutch both, he has an idea of where he wants to go, but that, too, is something that will take some time. He'll have to spend weeks or maybe even months scoping out possible additions to the team, people who are more than just good with computers, and see where they can go from there.
Today, though, it's his day off from work and for once he wants nothing more than to get a sandwich from the place he likes near his apartment and then to actually allow himself a day off. It's just luck when he spots Lila down the block a little and he raises his hand to wave at her, then gestures for her to join him.
Maybe if he's lucky, he's just found a partner for lunch.
It's been some time since Finch's disappearance and John has dealt with it better than he could have expected, although he knows he has people like Karen and Dutch to thank for that, but it's left him with a lot of unfinished business. The team needs some kind of structure, a place to really begin again, and for so long he's felt incapable of doing that. Finch had been the leader and John had been his loaded gun. It doesn't register as an insult to him, he knows what he's good at and where he excels, but now he's left in a position where he has to do more. He has to be better.
So he's trying.
It's not going to be easy and it's not going to happen overnight, but he is trying. Having spoken with Peggy and Dutch both, he has an idea of where he wants to go, but that, too, is something that will take some time. He'll have to spend weeks or maybe even months scoping out possible additions to the team, people who are more than just good with computers, and see where they can go from there.
Today, though, it's his day off from work and for once he wants nothing more than to get a sandwich from the place he likes near his apartment and then to actually allow himself a day off. It's just luck when he spots Lila down the block a little and he raises his hand to wave at her, then gestures for her to join him.
Maybe if he's lucky, he's just found a partner for lunch.
