Carlton Lassiter couldn’t help but smile as the voice on the other end of the phone told him exactly what he wanted to hear. He looked down onto his desk at the warrant he had been itching to serve. This would be the final step toward closing a case he and his partner had been slaving over for the past month. A hard worked case culminating with an arrest. A great way to end the week, in his opinion. And as it just so happened, everything was in place just as it should be. Not only was the entry team assembled and ready to go, but a field officer had just called him to confirm that his suspect was indeed home- whatever “home” could be in what was officially an abandoned house mostly surrounded by empty lots. Perfect opportunities didn’t come around like this all that often.
“Thanks. We’re on our way.” He replied as he hung up the phone. “O’Hara! Get your gear on! We’re rolling out!” He looked over at Juliet’s desk, where she was busy studying the blueprints of the house. He was sure she had most likely memorized the layout by now, but he would never begrudge an officer for being careful and taking another look. In the bullpen, the rest of their entry team was assembling and getting ready to go while the Chief watched over their progress. His partner looked up at him and stood quickly, gathering the map and hurrying over to the waiting team.
“You heard him.” Juliet called out to the team. “Everyone has their assignments. Let’s go!” She gave a confident yet excited smile and nod towards Chief Vick just as Lassiter led everyone out and to their cars. There was a time when Juliet would have been somewhat excited, yet much more afraid of going into a situation like this. However, she had her partner to thank for helping her build her confidence- and competence in ways she never thought would happen so soon.
Juliet read over the warrant again on their way to the home while Lassiter drove and went over the plans in his head once more to make sure he had every detail accounted for. Dawson and Miller would lead the entry team along with himself once the perimeter had been set up. There would be a team headed upstairs to clear the second floor while another team cleared the first floor. He and O’Hara would remain on the lower level to begin their search and, if they were lucky, apprehend their suspect almost immediately. One could say that smooth operations like this didn’t happen often, but one would be wrong. Lassiter had learned over the years that there were already far too many variables that were beyond his control. What he could do was make sure to take control over the variables he could via the use of careful planning and organization. In the end, an operation like this, when carried out well, should in fact look like it ‘just happened’ that way, with everything falling into its previously assigned place just as it should. He checked his watch and nodded in approval. They were making great time, and assuming everything went well without any unnecessary delays, he and his partner should be done in time for lunch. Thoughts of a closed case and a relaxing weekend filled his mind, and he wondered what could possibly make it go smoother. Well, maybe if he treated his partner to lunch, she would agree to take on most if not all of the paperwork for this? That would certainly brighten up his weekend another notch.
“You’re all set with the plan, right?” Lassiter asked to confirm while they were stopped at a red light. Part of planning and organization was making sure that his partner was as organized and prepared as he was.
“Of course.” Juliet nodded, unsure if she should be slightly annoyed or slightly amused. “We actually drew out the plan together with the Chief, remember?”
“Yeah, but Spencer was hanging around making the usual ass of himself, being a distraction and I’m just making sure that…”
“I’m good, Carlton.” Juliet confirmed with a smile. “Honestly. He was just happy that the name he gave you turned out to be helpful. You still actually solved the case, though. Remember? And now we’ve got to close it out so we can take the next step.” She cheered silently at the lack of response from Lassiter- usually the sign that she had won the argument. The two of them rode the rest of the way mostly in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Lassiter felt confident that everyone was prepared as well as they could be. O’Hara went over the plans once again in her head, detail by detail, over and over. Regardless what she had told her partner, she still felt the pressure and need to make sure everything went as it should. As they made the final turn towards their destination, Juliet whispered to herself once more- Go in fast, do your job, DON’T screw up.
O’Hara and Lassiter looked at each other one last time once they arrived and nodded, each one confirming their readiness to move forward while the perimeter team took their positions. This would be a sweet arrest indeed. Lassiter could almost taste it. Not only would they shut down what had been confirmed as a crack house, but they were about to apprehend the local “boss” behind it all. It would only take a little more positive fortune for this guy to start talking in hopes of a deal- and then who knew what amounts of valuable information they might get towards an even bigger catch. It was actually the bigger catch that they were really interested in, and something that Lassiter had been working much harder towards. All in good time, however. Even Lassiter had learned along the way to be satisfied with the small fish as a step to the prize.
Both Detectives cautiously stepped out of the car and Lassiter approached the already assembled entry team while O’Hara lagged behind, prepared to make her entrance shortly after the first three. She watched as the first group, including her partner forced their way into the home. It was always a relief to see them make it all the way in with no immediate or shortly delayed gunfire or signs of a struggle. Things seemed to be going well. As soon as she received the signal, she made her own entry with the rest of the team, who quickly split up according to their assignments and proceeded to clear their given areas of the house. No one else seemed to make any overt notice of it, but they all had to be thinking it. The first thing that hit Juliet as soon as she crossed the threshold was the sudden realization that something had been missed in their information and planning. This was not just a crack house. It was also a meth house, and by some god-forsaken awful chance, they had happened to hit it right as meth was being actively cooked. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks as the strong chemical fumes assaulted her nose, throat, and eyes all at once. She did everything she could to keep her wits about her as she was forced to blink back the stinging tears, and swallow against the metallic taste that had appeared in her mouth. The overt smell of ammonia and other chemicals was not nearly as bad as the way the fumes had begun their attempt to overtake her almost immediately. She somehow managed to clear her head long enough to see her partner straight ahead, standing at the doorway of what appeared to be the kitchen area of the home. Right. This new surprise wasn’t a detail they could get hung up on now that they had forced entry. Lassiter met eyes with her and motioned for her to approach him. He was clearly covering someone with his weapon, and as she stepped into the kitchen, she momentarily forgot her discomfort in favor of excitement at seeing that the man now laying face down on the floor was indeed the man they had been seeking.
“That was fast. Good job, Partner.” Juliet congratulated while she holstered her gun and reached to get her handcuffs.
Lassiter grinned. “Hey, I’m hungry. And this place stinks. We’ll have to limit everyone’s exposure to this place as much as possible for now, and we’ll need to get a haz-mat team out here asap.” He motioned towards the man on the ground. “Cuff him and let’s get out of here.”
Juliet nodded confidently. She had full trust of her partner to keep the suspect covered while she approached and secured him, so the task was really just one of those things she had done over and over again in her work. She also knew better than to say anything about the look in her partner’s eye. He was clearly disturbed by this new ‘meth house’ development, not to mention annoyed that this would also likely delay his lunch. Perhaps if she treated him to a good burger, she wouldn’t have to endure the rest of the day with a cranky partner? She smiled, catching herself in thought. Clearly the first step towards avoiding a cranky partner was to secure this guy quickly and smoothly. As she bent down to cuff the man’s wrists, however, she felt something she was not accustomed to. The high level of fumes within the home had finally begun to take real effect on her, and she only managed to get one wrist cuffed before the dizziness overwhelmed her. She suddenly felt herself beginning to sway involuntarily. That slight sway was all the suspect needed to pick up on an opportunity and act on it immediately. Before Juliet knew what was happening, she felt herself hitting the ground as the suspect shifted his body and swung his arm out, effectively throwing her aside. Immediately upon feeling the sudden impact of her back on the hard floor, she heard Lassiter shout for the suspect to stop, then heard him rushing forward, putting himself between them.
When she finally managed to open her eyes, she saw her partner bending down in an attempt to physically force the suspect back into compliance, but the man was too fast and apparently had no intention of being overtaken so quickly a second time. He quickly rolled out from under Lassiter’s grasp, then thrust his hand into one of the door-less cabinets under the sink just as the Head Detective came after him again.
“Carlton, watch out!” Juliet almost managed to finish yelling out her warning before the suspect’s hand re-appeared, this time holding what appeared to be an open coffee can containing some sort of liquid. The man’s hand did not even pause as he flung it straight at Lassiter. The can itself hit the Detective high in the chest, but the liquid that had begun to fly and splash out of hit him most directly in the face.
“AAAARRRGGGGHHH!!!!” Lassiter screamed in a way that Juliet had never before heard him, and had never imagined she would. It was a sickening, pain filled sound that was matched in its shocking nature only by the sound of him falling back onto the ground to commence writhing in pain. Whatever the liquid in the can was smelled vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it. That didn’t matter. She realized, as her mind focused back onto the situation and her adrenaline began to surge, that she didn’t have the time or luxury to worry about that at the present moment. The suspect sprang back to his feet and stood over Lassiter for a few seconds. He reached to the counter, apparently to grab something that was out of O’Hara’s line of vision. Without another thought or care that she was still laying on the floor, Juliet drew her weapon and fired at the suspect, hitting him directly in the chest. Her view of the blood splatter and the man collapsing to the ground seemed to go in slow motion as she realized what she had just done, finally pulled back into full reality by the appearance of two of the officers that had been on the entry team. They had heard the struggle and gunshot, and had come over to assist.
“Secure him and call for medics NOW. Suspect is down, officer down…what the hell are you waiting for?! Go!!” Juliet ordered, her full attention now directed towards her partner, who was still writhing in pain on the floor.
“Carlton…my god what did he do to you??” She tried to assess his condition, completely unsure of what to do or what had even just occurred. The fact that Lassiter would not even hold still long enough for her to begin to look him over was not helping matters. She coughed against the fumes continuing to attack her and shook her head. What the hell is wrong with me? She wondered. It shouldn’t be taking her this long to assess her own partner’s medical emergency. Just get it together, O’Hara. Do your damn job. She ordered herself, trying to clear her head and regain some composure while blinking against the painful tears in her eyes. THAT’S IT! Her eyes were stinging and watering, and Lassiter appeared to be clutching at his own eyes.
“Carlton, I need to see your eyes.” She announced, expecting that her partner would comply. Instead, he continued to keep his fists over his face, and even when she practically forced his hands down, he was completely unable to open his eyes for her. She was reminded of training sessions they had attended where pepper spray had been involved. That stuff HURT and STUNG like crazy, but Lassiter had always been very tough at fighting through it and at least cooperating with whoever was around to help provide relief. This time was completely different, and was to Juliet a REALLY bad sign.
“Carlton, I have to flush your eyes out. This is going to hurt, but we’ve gotta do it.” She stood back up and turned the handle on the faucet, only to find that nothing came out. Of course nothing would come out. The stupid house was abandoned. DAMMIT, O’HARA!
“SHIT! Stewart, help me get him up. Carlton, there’s no water in here. We’re gonna help you stand and walk you outside to the car. Ok? Let’s go.” The officer assisted Juliet in taking Lassiter out and onto the lawn beside the blue Crown Vic, then popped the trunk open and grabbed the water while O’Hara grabbed her phone and began dialing poison control.
“It hurts!” Lassiter cried, as if begging Juliet to do something about it. “O’Hara, it’s burning!”
Juliet held the phone to her ear while motioning to Stewart to begin opening the bottles. “This is Detective O’Hara with the SBPD.” She spoke when the line was answered, then commenced explaining the situation while simultaneously trying to keep Lassiter still. She then motioned for Stewart to begin flushing Lassiter’s eyes until she finished her call and got into position to take over.
“Thanks, Stewart. I’m good now. Ok, Carlton, we need to keep flushing with water as much as we can. Open your eyes, unless you can open them yourself for me, ok? You’ll be fine. I promise.” She swallowed hard against the mixed feelings that came with watching her partner struggle against the pain as she began emptying the water bottle onto his eyes. As soon as it was empty, she grabbed a second and began all over again. By the time half of the water in it was gone, she noticed that Lassiter was struggling much less, and seemed to finally be able to relax a bit. She finished emptying it, then looked down at him.
“Feeling better already?” She asked with a smile. Lassiter took a deep breath and gave a weak nod. He managed to open his eyes slightly, only to tense up- once again in pain and agitation.
“Ok! Ok! More water!” Juliet understood. She opened another bottle and poured it over her partner’s eyes, following it up immediately with yet another one. Once that was empty, she noticed that she was out of the stash that Stewart had brought over, and the officer had since departed to offer assistance inside the house. She stood up and looked around at the police cars nearby.
“I’m going to get more water from Miller’s car.” She informed, “We need to keep the water going until the medics get here.” She took one step away, but was stopped by her partner’s desperate plea.
“O’Hara! Please don’t go!” He was sitting up now, his voice was hoarse, pained, and panicked. She didn’t know if she would ever get over hearing him like that. She stepped back and knelt directly in front of him.
“Carlton, I’ll be right back I promise. I just have to get the water…”
“Don’t go! Please!” He wrapped his hand around her arm in a panicked vice grip. Juliet had seen him injured and in emergency situations before, but had never seen him panic like this. She didn’t think he was capable of panicking. To see him doing so right now, along with his profusely watering eyes and their shocking bloodshot appearance, it was all she could do to keep her own composure. “O’Hara, I can’t see.”
“Of course you can’t see, you’ve just had that stuff thrown at you and you can’t even open your eyes and…”
“O’Hara, please!” He begged, tightening his grip on her arm. “This is different. Something’s wrong! O’Hara, I can’t see!” Juliet swallowed hard to rid herself of the lump in her throat and helped Lassiter lay back down on the ground.
“Ok. I’m not going anywhere. We’ll just keep up the water until the medics get here. They’ll know what to do.” She surrendered and called out to the nearby officer as the pain was once again evident on Lassiter’s face. “Miller, bring me all the water bottles you’ve got.” He quickly complied, and within seconds, Juliet was once again pouring one after another water bottle onto his eyes. She forced herself to concentrate on her task, and filled her mind with the sounds of the entry team communicating to each other as they finished securing the home before beginning a search to identify the chemical with which Lassiter had been hit. Her mind also fought the intruding thoughts of the man that now lay on the kitchen floor, having been taken down by her own gun. He had been reaching for something. She couldn’t take the chance of a repeat attack. But while trying to get the faucet to work, she had taken a look at the counter. There were tools present that could have been used as weapons. But there were also some towels. A water bottle. A set of keys. He wouldn’t have gone for any of those harmless items…would he? What were the chances he was just trying to flee? Why was she suddenly worried about this guy while she was busy administering first aid to her partner for what this guy did to him?! The feverish pace of her efforts kept the feelings at bay just enough, but the thoughts kept coming. Just do your damn job, O’Hara! Juliet was barely aware of the ambulance sirens as they arrived, nor did she stop to wonder if the moisture on her face was from the water bottles or from her own tears.
“Detective, the medics are here.” She heard someone say and felt a hand on her shoulder trying to coax her away from her partner. “They can take over now, and they can see you now too.”
“I’m fine.” She insisted. “Carlton, I’m gonna let the medics take over. They’ll take care of you now. I’ll be right here.” She was relieved when she stepped aside and heard no further arguing or begging from Lassiter, but resisted when one of the medics tried to examine her. Without the demands of her first aid efforts, the floodgates opened to the emotions that came with such a catastrophic raid…all because she had screwed up.
“I said I’m fine!” She insisted again, this time more harshly.
“Detective,” The medic replied with his own insistence, “I’m told you were overcome with the fumes. You’ve experienced exposure to a toxic environment.”
“Everyone in there was too, I’m no different.”
“No offense, but there’s at least 50-100 pounds of difference, Detective. You’re so much smaller than everyone else on the team, you were the most affected. I can see the signs on your face. Please let us check you out.”
“I said I’M FINE!” Juliet cried out, stepping back from the medic’s hand. The last time she had been pestered by a medic like this, she had been rescued by the strong and supportive arms of her partner. This time, he was the one on the ground, and she couldn’t help but notice that she was still the weak one, in tears, unable to keep herself together. Not even for his sake.