Early Bird Shift [open]

[jay]

Cody was expecting Marcus to ignore his hand, and his greeting. It was only natural reaction when some new guy was holding hands with your ex-wife, estranged or not. Cody felt his own confidence increase when Blake took his hand relaxed herself. So far so good. It would have totally ruined the whole thing if she had pulled away from him or made a fuss about his just reaching over and taking her hand. Maybe if they could convince Marcus that they were a solid couple he'd go away without too much of a fuss. Doubtful, but stranger things have been known to happen.

Cop type. Cody hated stereotypes like that. Yes, it did take a certain type of person to be able to put up with their significant other holding such a demanding job, but that was a single character trait, not an entire personality. "People are just full of surprises these days," he growled, jaw clenching tightly. This was going south fast and it would take all Cody had to hold onto his temper to keep it in check.

Cody felt his upper lip drawing back in a sneer as Marcus started trash-talking him. And the way the other man looked at him made Cody want to land a right hook on his nose. Clearly Marcus thought a mere cop was below him and any standards he still held for his ex-wife. After all, wouldn't that somehow reflect on his greatness? Yeah, Cody himself could be an arrogant ass... at least his was only jokingly. This guy was testing the limits of Cody's patience in every way possible.

When Blake tightened her grip on his hand as she made a reply to Marcus, Cody looked at her and smiled reassuringly. He tried to act as if her answer was not new news to him. So that was the deal. A more sophisticated version of wham, bam, thank-you, ma'am. Cody thought he might puke he was so disgusted with this guy. What kind of ass does that to a woman, then shows up unexpectedly and asks her to come away with him again? Did he really think she was that stupid?!

When Marcus practically demanded to see his son, Cody stood up from his chair. He drew himself fully into his 6'2" frame and glared hard the other man. "Sir, I think it's about time you left," he said sternly. "The lady has made it clear that your presence is not welcomed and I would hate to have to start off the morning by making a rather public arrest for harassment." Every line on Cody's set face said he wasn't joking. He may technically still be off-duty, but that was not stopping him from making a citizen's arrest and dragging this guy's sorry hide to the station to cool his heels in a holding cell for a few hours.

[lucky]

Blake looked over at Cody when he said that everyone was full of surprises. She swallowed and saw by the expressions on his face that he was getting angry. And fast. She quickly looked up at Marcus who getting angry as well. Marcus, just go. She said. Marcus looked at her and smirked. Just then Cody stood up and that was when Blake noticed how tall he was. She quickly placed her hands in her lap and looked away.

She looked around the cafe as Cody began speaking to Marcus. Blake saw Susie who mouthed to her: "What's going on?". She just shook her head and told her not to worry. She looked over at Marcus when he began raising his voice. Harassment?! This is outrageous! Blake, tell her boyfriend to sit and chill. Marcus shouted, his accent getting thick with his heated words.

Blake looked at him and shook her head. She wouldn't mind it if Marcus was stuck in jail for a couple of days. Or weeks. Or months. Or even years. But they had nothing to put him in jail for for long. Just then she saw Marcus raise his fist and start to swing at Cody. Blake jumped out of the booth and grabbed onto Marcus' arm that was going to swing. Marcus snarled and back handed her, making her fall to the tile floor. Blake squealed and looked up at him through her hair that had fallen in her face. I'll take care of you when I'm done with cop boy. He hissed.

[jay]

Cody's fists clenched tightly when Marcus told Blake to " tell her boyfriend to sit and chill." Clearly this arrogant ass didn't think Cody had the guts to arrest him. Well, just let him try. Cody didn't go through years of training to be bested by some arrogant weasel of a photographer. He did have his gun strapped tightly in the department-provided holster, but Cody desperately hoped it wouldn't come to him having to draw it. What a crap morning it would wind up being for everyone, whether directly involved or not, if it came down to that.

"Alright, sir, I'm only going to tell you one more time to move along," Cody barked, as if he was giving an order to a lower-ranking officer. "I think you've caused enough ruckus for one day." Cody was more than prepared to grab the man by the arm and forcibly remove him from the diner if he continued to carry on. What he wasn't expecting was to be swung at...

Cody dodged instinctively to avoid the blow, but it never came. Blake had practically launched herself at her ex to stop him from striking Cody. It was very brave of her, if a bit stupid. When Marcus back-handed Blake and sent her sprawling to the floor, Cody lost it. He took that half second Blake had bought him and the other half second Marcus took to hiss at her and unholstered his gun. Raising it to level with Marcus' chest, Cody held the firearm steady with both hands. "Don't move," he commanded sternly. "Or, so help me God, I will blow you to Kingdom Come, you sick bastard."

[lucky]

Gasps rang out across the cafe as Blake was thrown to the floor by the momentum of Marcus' back slap. Susie had seen the whole thing and accidentally dropped a coffee cup. It shattered. At the sound of that the manager came running out of the kitchen. He stopped right when Cody pulled out his gun and pointed it at Marcus' chest. Susie gulped and stood still. Thank goodness she was on the other side of the room.

Blake gasped quietly when Cody pulled out his gun. He even said that he would shoot Marcus and he called him a sick bastard. A small smile appeared on her face for just a second when she heard Cody call Marcus that. He was right. Oh, so very right. It just took the guts and nerve for someone to say it to his face. Marcus chuckled and looked at the gun. I like your little toy copper. He said and began slowly lacing he hands together on the back of his head.

Blake touched a hand gently to her cheek and felt something wet. She moved her hand away and looked at it. There was a little bit of blood on it. But there was also fresh tears. She hadn't even realized that she was crying. Maybe her eyes were just tearing up because of the pain in her right cheek. She definitely knew it would be a bruise in the morning. Blake hung her head and sniffed.

[jay]

Cody was hyper aware of everything going on around him. It was a serious thing when someone on the force had to draw their weapon. There would be so much paperwork for this later, especially since Cody hadn't started his shift yet. But, there really was no choice. Marcus had shown significant hostility and aggression and had even assaulted Blake in the process, that ought to land him at least overnight in the holding cell. Plus, if he was only here on business, Cody would see to it that he was escorted out of town. Maybe even get Blake to take a restraining order out on him for herself and her son.

A grim smile crossed Cody's face when Marcus laughed and called the gun a toy. "Don't tempt me, pal," he muttered, removing the safety on his weapon before moving one hand to retrieve the handcuffs from his belt. "You're under arrest for attempted assault on an officer, and public assault. You have the right to remain silent. Should you ignore this right, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You also have the right to an attorney." As he spoke, Cody inched around to place the handcuffs on Marcus' wrists. He made sure to keep the gun aimed directly at Marcus the whole time. "If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you. Do you understand your rights, sir?"

As he was speaking, Cody heard a sniffle from floor level. He didn't dare take his eyes or gun off Marcus in order to check Blake, but he was concerned for her well-being. Marcus had hit her pretty hard. "Susie!" he barked, expecting nothing less than immediate obedience. "Come over here and take care of Blake. Everyone else just stay where you are. This matter will be resolved shortly."

[lucky]

Marcus rolled his eyes as Cody began giving him his rights. He heard this all before. Some from TV and some from when he was a teenager. He let Cody cuff his hands behind his back before he looked down at Blake. His ice blue pupils narrowed as the woman sat on the floor. That was his woman until this stupid cop got in the way. Oh well, maybe next time. When Cody asked if he understood his rights he just rolled his eyes before answering. Yeah, yeah. I understand. He said, his words heated.

Susie had been quietly cleaning up her mess when Cody yelled her name. It was very loud and it had made her jump in fright. She nodded when he told her to check on Blake. She dropped everything and ran around away from Marcus then knelt next to Blake. "Are you ok Blake?" She whispered. Blake nodded and sniffed once more before she took Susie's offered hand. She slowly stood up and brushed herself off. Susie led her away and into the kitchen.

Once there the manager and cook cleaned her wound and dressed it. Blake thanked them and gave them each a hug before she hopped off the counter she was sitting on and walked over to the cook's window. She watched as Cody kept a gun pointed at Marcus as he led him out the door. She then turned away from the scene as hot tears began cascading down her cheeks. Today had been an awful day. Well, since Marcus walked through the door. But spending her break talking to the ever flirty cop, Cody, had made her day. She smiled softly at his name before taking the offered handkerchief and dabbing at her eyes.

[jay]

Cody finished putting the handcuffs on Marcus and then gripped the other man tightly by the upper arm. His gun was still drawn, but the safety was back on and the muzzle was pointed at the floor. However, Cody left his thumb resting on the safety, just in case it became necessary that he shoot. He didn't think it would, but better safe than sorry, right? Especially since this guy was clearly hostile.

When Marcus confirmed that he had understood his rights, Cody hauled on his arm. "All right, hot shot," he growled, tugging the other man towards the door. "Time to take a little ride." As he pulled Marcus out through the door and toward his own civilian car, Cody took a second to look back. They had already whisked Blake into the kitchen, no doubt to patch her up. Hopefully she was ok.

"All right, folks," Cody announced from the doorway. "I hate to bring even more inconvenience to your morning, but I'm going to have to ask you all to stay here. There will be other officers arriving shortly to take statements from you all. I appreciate your cooperation so far, and I hope it extends to the officers who will be here soon."

With that, Cody left, allowing the door to close sharply behind him. Time to take this scum where he belonged...

ooc: Not really sure where this can go now. =/