5 Minutes Alone (Tag: JJ)

[Trevor Paige]

Today was a good day.  The sun had crept out from its winter hiding spot behind the clouds taking the chill out of the air.  The harsh Montana wind gave way to a gentle breeze as Trevor strolled through the park.  He'd just dropped off a good bit of cash to one of his suppliers before replacing that (and a little more) by collecting the cash from a lost bet.  He now had more money stuffed into his jacket pockets than a 16 year old should.  Instead of catching a cab back to the Academy right away he opted to take a detour through the park.

Trevor was a smart kid.  He knew how suspicious his activities looked and usually went out of his way to not attract attention.  Lately, though, he was getting sloppy.  Persuading people to part with their money was just so easy.  And talking his way out of trouble never failed.  An astute member of the Kalispell community would definitely have been able to sense something odd about the boy's behavior.  Something wasn't on the level with how he interacted with certain, less reputable members of society.  Trevor didn't care.  Eventually he'd have a meeting with the accountant hired by his parents to launder any money Trevor made but until then he'd just continue stashing his cash in his dorm room.

Hands went into pockets as Trevor strolled along.  He naturally gravitated toward the less populated areas of the park.  He liked people well enough but he sometimes tired of them and wished to be alone.  Heading down an isolated path through the bushes he actually started humming to himself.  Life was so sweet right now he could taste it.

[JJ Johnson]

There was nothing JJ hated so much as an arrogant little punk wandering around on his turf. He'd heard the rumors for some time now, that there was some kinda smug little bastard dealing business between the Academy and the town, mostly involving the students and illegal substances of one kind or another. The various higher-ups had dismissed it as rumors, or as something "that they can handle in house." Yeah, like that was gonna last much longer, with the way things were going. Soon all those little punks would be at JJ's mercy, at the mercy of the local law. No more security officers coming to save you from the big, bad policeman.

Said big bad was currently on duty too. He wore the blues, filling out his uniform nearly to the point where it looked like one strong flex would cause the fabric to rip and the various accessories to pop off and fly to the ground. His partner had taken one section of the park; JJ, another. They were to walk through and meet in the middle, then do another sweep. They usually ended up rousting out Kalispell's few homeless people or finding a student or two that had sneaked out late. Sometimes they found a junkie to beat up, which was always fun. Of course, none of those people would dare show themselves to the light of day. They'd be hiding somewhere, like one of those paths off the beaten road.

Which was why Officer JJ Johnson stalked the same path as Trevor Paige, and also why his face split into an almost feral, sadistic grin as soon as he saw the boy. "Hey there," he called, his voice overly friendly. "Weird choice of path to be walking," the officer continued. "And shouldn't you be in school?" hell, it could be a Saturday, not that JJ would've cared. He didn't even know what time it was; he left details like that to his partner.

[Trevor Paige]

A cold chill shot up Trevor's spine at the sound of the voice. Even though it came from behind him, the authority in the words was audible. He knew from the word around there were a couple local cops that should be avoided. Since Trevor didn't know one from the other he felt it better to avoid them all. Slowly the boy turned and cast a sideways glance toward the police officer. He then cracked a smile and nodded faintly. "Yes sir." He answered shyly. "I like the quiet path through and... uh... it's Sunday..." Trevor trailed off at the end. He didn't like the look of the broad cop in front of him. Maybe it was the way his uniform seemed just a hair too tight. Maybe it was the predatory grin on the officer's face that told the boy 'protect and serve' was a long way from his mind.

"I'll just go home immediately, officer." Trevor said quietly, carefully moving around the large man in hopes of ending any sort of trouble before it could start.

[JJ Johnson]

Quiet path? What kind of sixteen year old boy took the quiet path when there were girls rollerblading around here? At least, JJ thought there were; he definitely saw a few jogging that he'd definitely rather be leering at then dealing with this kid. Not that such thoughts were enough to pull him away from his duty. Oh no, JJ instead stood resolutely in front of the kid, only grunting and narrowing his eyes as Trevor rightfully corrected him involving the day. Sunday; JJ should've remembered that. He usually got Sunday off, but instead they had him working extra because of "complaints" or some bullshit.

Trevor might've gotten away with it, if JJ hadn't remembered that he should be off and, well, he hadn't already been a little suspicious of the kid. He extended an arm out to the side and would literally push Trevor back a few steps if he had to, smirking the entire time. Oh, this was definitely part of the job that he absolutely loved, especially since at least half the kids this age were from the freak academy just like him.

"What's your rush?" he asked. "Don't you want to enjoy this nice day? Or do you have a reason to head home? You know," the smirk turned back into that predatory smile, "suspicious activity is enough to give me probable cause. I could pat you down to search," his eyes raked Trevor's body then, giving the kid a good look. Cute kid, a little young, but that just normally meant that everything was nice and tight...

[Trevor Paige]

Trevor didn't expect to get away so easy. Even though, the push caught him off guard and his foot slipped out from under him. He managed to regain his balance before spilling onto the ground but the move caused the boy's heart to begin pounding in his throat. "How is walking through the park in the middle of a Sunday suspicious?" He shot back defiantly. For a moment he forget there was an envelope with nearly five grand in fresh, crisp $100 tucked into his jacket.

He stood facing the cop squarely. It was a completely non-threatening stance, though, as Trevor wouldn't dare try anything physical with a cop, let alone one of this size and such palatable aggression. Still, though, he was a proud individual who wouldn't beg or allow himself to be intimidated. Yet. Anger and fear hid just behind the still calm and collected facade he was now struggling to maintain.

[JJ Johnson]

JJ snorted. He was used to people protesting, usually using logic and reason that would work with most normal people. This was no exception, though for some reason, JJ couldn't help but want to believe the kid a little more than most. That just made him more suspicious though, not that he could really get that much more suspicious than he already was.

"That's the point," he nearly growled, "it's Sunday afternoon and you're, what, eighteen? Like hell you're out here for your health," he began eying the kid again. "Besides, now you're harassing a police officer, so that's definitely probable cause," JJ just had to figure out what to do with the excuse now that he had it. He supposed what made the most sense was to  get the kid into the right position for a good pat down. The cop began looking about, figuring that there had to be an area around here that would work well for that. Maybe one of those trees over there...?

[Trevor Paige]

"I'm sixteen, sir." His tone took on just a faint trace of defience. Trevor noticed the accidental inflection as he was positive did JJ. Trevor's mouth snapped shut in response as he took a couple slow, tentative steps backward. If he had to run he wanted as much distance between himself and the officer as possible. A crack in Trevor's unflappable attitude had started to show. His eyes shifted to the left and right, quickly scanning for the best escape route possible.

"I'm not meaning to cause any problems, sir. I promise." Trevor's voice probably came out a bit meeker than he'd hoped but the slow, stinging sensation of panic was beginning to creep in. His mind reacted before his body wished to as he'd meant to turn tail and bolt into the bushes lining the isolated trail. It didn't work. His heel dug into a patch of grass still damp from the recent winter and Trevor lost his balance.

It was an embarrassing scene as Trevor landed on his rear, jarring himself in the process. He grimaced and let out a low groan of pain once he'd come to a stop, a hand moving to his lower back where his tail bone had cracked against the ground. "Damn it." He hissed through clenched teeth, the pain shooting up his back temporarily pulling his attention away from the muscled predator in front of him.

[JJ Johnson]

Sixteen? Damn, that meant the kid wasn't legal, though what JJ had been planning wouldn't have strictly been legal anyway. Wouldn't have been the first time he'd done it either. The department was willing to look the other way if they got something out of it, and as long as JJ was discrete enough to hide it. He usually was.

He did get off on watching Trevor squirm, backing away and looking nervous. The kid took a tumble, and JJ stood there, watching and looming. Not causing any problems his ass; this kid was getting more suspicious by the moment. Where were all the insults? Teenagers usually reacted to JJ with either terror or insults, with some being polite. JJ guessed that this guy sort of fell into the polite category, but he was polite in a way that just made the cop suspicious.

"alright, unless your ass is busted, it's time to get up here and submit yourself to a search," ordered JJ, pointing at the ground in front of him. He figured if nothing else, he could cop a quick feel, maybe check the kid's wallet or something. If his hunches were right, he might even get another arrest, which would just make his day. It had been a while since he'd gotten to molest, beat up, or otherwise incarcerate a student, after all. Definitely gonna be a good day.

[Trevor Paige]

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Trevor rarely swore, even in thought.  His mind instantly turned to the enveloped cash in his jacket. The situation was quickly getting out of hand and being timid wasn't going to get him anywhere. Neither was laying on the ground in front of this gorilla in a police uniform.  With a bit of fire creeping into his eyes Trevor climbed to his feet.  "A search?"  He said sternly even as he winced some from the pain shooting up his back.  "Did they not get to the Fourth Amendment when you were getting your G.E.D.?"

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Now he'd done it and Trevor knew it.  The cop had stirred something within him.  Anger wasn't an emotion common to Trevor.  The alien sensation flushed his cheeks slightly as he faced the much larger man.  "I can make it worth your while to forget this ever happened."  He said vaguely.  The second to last thing he'd ever want to to do is part with money earned.  The absolute last thing he wanted was to run afoul of the law any more than he already had.  

[JJ Johnson]

JJ didn't remember the fourth amendment, at least not immediately. Given that the way the kid spat it out him, he guessed it had something to do with personal rights or some shit. He did have a retort ready: "Probable cause, twerp," he practically growled. "You're actin' suspicious, which means I can search you for all kinds of stuff."

And JJ was already getting ready to just that. He wished he had gloves or something; that would really make a good impression: slip one on with that reassuring snap. Classic. However, JJ had to settle for "helping" get Trevor fully upright and in a standing position. He'd ready the kid a little more, and was moving to do that when Trevor spoke again.

This time, the words froze JJ. He looked up at Trevor, not immediately saying anything. The kid wasn't a drug addict; that much was readily apparent. He might be a drug dealer, but JJ didn't care as much about them. As far as he saw it, they were just taking advantage of the weak; that was how nature worked. Wouldn't stop him from arresting them, because that meant they were stupid enough to get caught. Still, he wasn't about to prosecute someone for it. The kid was acting suspicious, sure, but that could've been for anything...

"Are you attempting to bribe an officer of the law?" JJ asked, his voice a little hard with just enough curiosity throne into the inflection to make it clear that it was, in fact, a question as opposed to anther thinly veiled threat. What did the kid mean? Dropping his pants? Giving JJ a cut? Paying him off? So many possibilities, each with their own benefits...

[Trevor Paige]

"Two grand to act like this never happened." Trevor answered way too quickly for someone of his age. It sounded almost as if he'd done this before or, at the very least, was well-versed in street haggling. "Cash, right here, right now." The boy was adamant on his offer as he carefully went about straightening his jacket and shirt. The initial shock of the situation had begun to fade and Trevor was beginning to regain control of himself.

Despite his outward calm, blinding anger and paralyzing fear conjoined to roil just behind Trevor's cool, calculated gaze. Nary a trace of emotion could be seen in the dark brown eyes that regarded the cop. "You lay a hand on me and it'll bring down a world of shit the likes of which you can't imagine." It wasn't a threat coming from the boy. It was the statement of facts. Dirty cops didn't just go messing with the children of multi-billion dollar CEO's and get away with it. "Unless you're willing to go all the way and put me in a body bag, you're looking at an investigation that would have every skeleton in your closet knocking on the door to get out." Trevor's eyes narrowed as he focused on JJ, hoping like hell that mutant power of his would work. "You don't want that. So what you're going to do is accept my offer." Trevor's voice was low but stern. "You turn the other way, an innocent kid goes home, you keep your badge, your life, and you make some money."

[JJ Johnson]

Two grand? JJ's eyebrows rose at that. Usually people started lower than that and worked their way up to four digits. JJ had taken bribes in the hundreds before, written them off as business expenses or fines or something. But two grand? Right away? That was real money right there, especially as it was apparently in cash that could be handed over right now. However, if the kid could immediately think of two grand, then that meant that he had more on hand, more on hand meant that he could give more to JJ; you didn't start with the highest amount you were willing to give, after all.

Just as JJ was opening his mouth to demand more, the kid continued. Lay a hand, and hell would come, which meant two things: This kid had influence, and he was actually afraid of JJ laying a hand on him. You didn't act that tough if you weren't worried about it, or if you couldn't back up your claims. Was he willing to go all the way? he hadn't yet, at least not as a cop. He'd done some crap like that when he'd been in the military, sure, but that had been more sanctioned and following orders. Why the hell go through all that paperwork and bullshit anyway? He could just take the offer...

"What about four thousand?" said JJ. he'd normally have been a little more subtle, yes, even JJ could be at least a little subtle, but something kept making his brain fuzzy, and that fuzziness was going to make it difficult for the big lug to be subtle about something. He still had enough togetherness to try that, at the least.

[Trevor Paige]

Trevor was about to counter with another low offer but a light bulb flashed in his mind. There may be a way to flip the situation and not just make it out unscathed, but actually come out ahead. "What sort of future considerations would five grand get?" He asked, now feeling firmly in control of the situation. "All you gotta do is have selective amnesia when necessary and answer a phone call here and there when I need help." Oh, yes. Trevor was now like a shark smelling blood. "I'll even tip you off to any local crime I see so you'll look like a hero."

He looked very much like a 16 year old kid. The expression on his face and the way he withdrew a rubber band wrapped yellow envelope from his jacket was the demeanor of a well-traveled man. "You scratch my back, officer, I'll scratch yours." He tossed the envelope to JJ and calmly started forward to move past the officer. Trevor didn't need a response. He knew the deal was too for the dirty cop to pass up. "There's much more where that came from." Trevor said as he went to step around JJ, silently hoping like hell the cop didn't stop him.

[JJ Johnson]

"Five is more than four..." said JJ, his brows crinkling. It was hard to say whether this was because of the fact that he had to do math or because he wasn't sure what Trevor was offering. The deal sounded good though, profitably good. If JJ got in deep enough, he could probably get some more money on the side. The kid also offered extra incentive: ego stroking. Sure, it meant that JJ would effectively be someone's hired thug, but he could deal with that. Wouldn't be too hard to fudge that paperwork. Hell, the only way this deal could get better is if the kid dropped his pants and called forth a few hot hookers from the bushes.

The envelope appeared, it got tossed, and JJ went to it. He bent over, opened it, and rifled through. Sure enough, there was five thousand in there. Even JJ could count that high. And he would've gone through with a deal like this even if he hadn't been almost completely under Trevor's influence. He did turn and look at the kid though.

"Don't you need a way of contacting me or something?" he asked. Though he did have his name badge on, showing the name "Johnson," and while there were several of those on the force, there was only one that was likely taking bribes and being the sort that would give in to something like this.

[Trevor Paige]

Trevor continued walking, not bothering to turn around. "I'll get a hold of you when I need you." It sounded ominous and, in Trevor's mind, a pretty cool way to end the situation. In truth, Trevor simply knew police stations had directories where you could leave a message directly with an officer's voice mail. It'd be easy enough to contact the cop whenever he needed to.

Underneath it all, Trevor couldn't wait to get far enough away from the cop. After he dared a glance over his shoulder he took off in a dead sprint. Barreling out of the park and onto the sidewalk leading to where he'd parked his SUV, Trevor didn't stop of even slow down until he had pulled the vehicle's door closed with him safely tucked inside.

"Holy shit." He breathed heavily, resting his forehead on the steering wheel of the Mercedes. Trevor stayed just like that for a long while. Finally his hand came up and started the SUV. Pushing back into the driver's seat he pulled down the sun visor and flipped down the vanity mirror to check himself. He wasn't crying, that was good, and the rosy hue in his cheeks had faded some. He smoothed out his hair as best he could with shaky hands and flicked the SUV's turn signal before guiding the vehicle out into the street.