K-9 Trials

[Mattie Chappel]

"Oh, no...no, that's not what I meant." Mattie shook her head with a smile. "No, I mean that the job itself is mostly routine, you know, domestic squabbles, disagreements that seem to be too complicated for adults to deal with, minor vehicle accidents, traffic stops..."

Contrary to what they displayed on TV and in the movies, law enforcement, heck, any of the emergency services, was just going from one repetitive task to another, and dealing with the public was challenging to say the least, although often entertaining and enlightening.

"Don't get me wrong, there's those moments of sheer terror, but if that was all it was, I'd go mad!" She looked at him across the table, raising an eyebrow. "You should come ride with us sometime, see what it's like on the 'mean streets'."

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

Kev glanced at Mattie for a moment when she explained what she had meant, oh way to go to get that one wrong he thought as he grinned. “It’s still pretty action packed from the view of a guy who just argues from behind a desk all day. The most I get to see is a defence lawyer throwing a tantrum and a judge telling them off.” He joked not that he wanted to see vehicle accidents or domestic squabbles but it had to be interesting at least in a strange sense.

Then again strange took on a whole new meaning with what could come across his desk sometimes so he was pretty open minded as to how a traffic stop could get interesting in five seconds. Then again for him arguing in court was usually at the end of a lengthy trail of paperwork, asking questions and reading over the fine print in everything just in case something had been missed. Not exactly excitement central.

“Yeah I can see how that might be scary.” He said as he grinned glancing across at Mattie for a moment as if he had just won the lottery. “Really? I mean are you sure?” He asked her grinning, “The mean streets sound fun and only if you’re okay with it but I swear I’d be on best behaviour.”

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

"You'd better be, or I might have to shoot you!" Mattie laughed, then took a drink before adding, "But you can't hold the shotgun, and you have to wear body armor...it's not that bad, though, unless it's a hundred degrees out...or raining...and as long as you don't need to bend over and tie your shoes...I suggest loafers!"

There was another laugh as she looked at him, getting a little more serious. "It's a totally different world," she commented, "to go out to the neighborhoods, to go into their houses, see the way they live...the way they choose to live."

Poverty wasn't necessarily a choice, she knew, but filth was, and sometimes it was surprising the squalor people lived in. Of course, she didn't care about the competent adults, but it was the children and the elderly who were stuck with what they could get that bothered her...but at least she had some power to intervene.

"I'll talk to my supervisor if you're serious, and make the arrangements." She grinned at him. "You know, there are all those forms and disclaimers to make the attorneys happy! At least we know Koda approves."

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

“Woah, yes Ma’am best behaviour I promise.” Kev said chuckling as he frowned. “You wouldn’t trust me with the shot gun, I swear I know how to use one... point it and pull the trigger right?” He asked chuckling still as he did know how to use a gun he just had a profession where it wasnt exactly needed. “I’d take the body armour, do I get my name on it?” He asked excitedly grinning as he nodded making sure to remember that, loafers and doomed if it was raining or a hundred degrees out.

Really it sounded a lot less fun to do that every day rain or shine. Kev nodded as he listened to her, he saw a few things through work but he rarely did house visits to people. It was amazing the resilience of the human spirit at times, just like the kids in the hospitals to be so thankful and to live as they did it was heart breaking but as they had said, it was safer than what he thought would be the safer option in the shelter.

“Oh I am, trust me it would be great to see what you do first hand.” He said nodded, “But only if you’re okay with it, I don’t want to be any trouble for you.” He said knowing that the last thing he wanted was to get her into trouble or cause her an issue. “We love our disclaimers and glad Koda approves. If you want and you’re not sick of court, you could always come by and sit in if you wanted to? I know it’s not as exciting but we get air conditioning?” He said as if that made it worth doing.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

"I don't mind at all having you along," Mattie told him, "and yeah, you got the shotgun part right, not nicknamed 'scatter gun' for nothing!" She laughed as she looked over at him, glad for the chance to relax, and that he was so comfortable to be with. In fact, she thought that she'd really enjoy having him around, and that it might even give him a new perspective on some things.

"Court...sure..." Not that the thought really thrilled her, but she'd do i because he was offering and it was only fair to give him a chance to show what he did. Besides, she might actually learn something.

"So long as I'm not the one on the hot-seat, I'm glad! And I can see how you do, see if I want you for my defense the next time Koda mauls some poor innocent perp holding his wife hostage or something!"

She gave him a quick wink then blushed and glanced down as the waitress came to take their order. "I'm not driving, so I'll have a beer...and whatever sort of pizza?" She looked at Kev with a raised eyebrow -- they had already discussed what was off limits!

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

“Oooh scatter gun, sounds good to me but yeah i’ll leave any shooting to you because I’m not likely to scatter anything in the right place.” He said chuckling, honestly he could be more of a hindrance than a help. The navy had taught him to shoot but it was basic training and as a lawyer there was little need to use a gun only words though he had been deployed a couple of times but even then it wasn’t something he was made out to do.

Kev smiled as he glanced at her when he mentioned court, yeah not the most exciting prospect for a cop he was sure given it was usually work related. “No never, I swear if it isn’t an official visit then there’s no way you’re in the hot seat.” He said with a grin as he nodded, “Well just so you know I’d happily defend you or Koda any day besides we all know the bad guys did it anyway. It might be an innocent until proven guilty but if you and Koda decide then we’ll make sure the person gets time or some sort.”

He knew better than to promise a result as the slightest thing could make or break a case, a signature missed, the wrong date or time on a piece of paper. It all mounted into one big headache to prove for and against but it was worth it in the end he hoped. Kev chucked when she winked and blushed as the waitress came over.

“Just a soda please and any pizza that doesn’t involve anchovies, zucchini or vegetarian options.” He said with a grin, “Is that okay with you Mattie?” He asked her wanting to make sure in case he had missed anything as ordering something she didnt like, well it was going to get off to a great start if he did.

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

"Sounds perfect!" Mattie nodded agreement, although she added, "pepperoni and sausage, too..." She was in the mood for hearty, and they had certainly earned it.

Once the waitress left, she looked over at Kev. "We made pizza when I was a kid, piled high with all kinds of things...and lots of cheese. Haven't made it recently, it's hard to get the stupid dough to spread out on the pan...it keeps shrinking." Then she chuckled. "Never did try tossing it, though, so maybe that would have worked better? Well, until it hit the floor, then Koda would be happy!"

She laughed and shook her head. "I really should try some of those things...tacos, lasagne...man, Mexican spaghetti! Haven't even thought of that in ages! With her dementia, Mom is pretty stuck in her ways, and it's easier not to fight...and not to have to do a lot of cooking."

But maybe she needed to take the initiative and try more variety.

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

Kev grinned as she added to their order, well that made for a good hearty pizza or death by cheese pepperoni and sausage but Kev didnt mind that at all. “All good then.” He stated as he listened to her talk about making pizza as a kid.

“Never made a pizza before, love eating it but as a kid my parent’s weren’t the cooking type. More a let the chef do it sorts.” He explained with a slight grin, he was serious about that much he had no idea how to cook until he joined the military and then he had a crash course in survival that didn’t include ordering in pizza. “Can’t blame Koda for that, I mean anything that hits the floor he has instant rights on and anything that doesn’t too.” Kev said laughing.

“Yeah I can see how tossing dough might be an issue but then shrinking too, doesn’t make for a big pizza at all.” He said thoughtfully listening to her talk about the tacos, lasagne and spaghetti. “I can imagine it’s tough but you should try those things. If you wanted I can see if I can make some and drop it by, can’t promise miracles but edible should be okay.” He said grinning.

“Or I can just keep picking you up and taking you out places if you want? Give you a bit of a break, good food and well yeah if you wanted.” Kev offered knowing it must be difficult living with a parent that has dementia. He had no idea what it must be like or anything close to it but if he could help her out he would do.

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

"That'd be nice, if it's not a bother for you," Mattie replied, a bit of a blush accompanying her smile. While in general the offer would be a little awkward, it somehow didn't seem that way with Kev, he was easy to be around, like an old friend, so it didn't feel like patronizing of pity. And, she thought, it would be nice ti spend some adult time with someone who wasn't a complete adult and not a cop.

"Heck, I don't mind doing the cooking as long as I don't have to make sure Mom doesn't..."

She fell silent and shrugged, getting a respite from further comment as the pizza arrived. "Man, that smells good!" She hadn't realized how hungry she was until the food had actually been put in front of them.. Grabbing a piece, she took a bite, savoring the combination of flavors. "Sooo good! The Italians really know what they're doing with food!" It was a nice treat after a long day!

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

“Not a bother at all for me, happy to do that besides I get to spend more time with you so it’s all good.” Kev said grinning at her seeing her blush, she was cute and beautiful and amazing and he had the idea that maybe she just didnt realize how amazing she really was. Kev was glad to be spending time with adult people, not anyone he was trying to put away or argue with or trying to figure out a game plan for a case in three months time. No Mattie was fun to be around, easy to talk to and things were just the sort of easy that came with friends.

Kev glanced at Mattie when she didnt finish what she was going to say though the pizza arrived and he smiled. “Hmmm it really does.” Kev said having no idea how hungry he was, the smell of food did that though he was sure jumping in a river, foot golf and the day had a lot to do with it too. Kev took a piece of the pizza as he took a bite. “Soo good, yes they do. I think I’m in love with pizza.” He said grinning as the taste was amazing.

“And about what you said, let me know what I can do to help and I’m there okay.” He said not sure what she didnt want to have to make sure about but he could try to help out where he could.

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

"Yeah, sure." Smiling, she nodded, feeling confident for the first time since her family had been taken from her that this was the right thing, it was the time to let someone in, and this was the man for that. He was thoughtful and sincere, and even a little cute, not that that counted for much!

And it was a relief to finally have that. She knew that she'd been isolating herself, that she needed respite from caring for her mother, and that she'd been resisting. Now, it was time.

"Feel free, though, to step back if you need to, just in case you get in over your head." After all, her mother could be pretty intimidating and overwhelming, especially the first time meeting her, if she was in one of her 'phases'. But that was for another time, for later, after she had some confidence that Kev was interested in being a friend to her.

She took a bite of pizza then shrugged. "Time for something good," she mused, "and this pizza is danged good! Oh, and you know that I'll make you take Koda for walks, too, you know that, right?"

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

Kev enjoyed being around Mattie, he knew it would seem strange to say but she was normal and she didnt seem to have an ulterior motive for anything. She was gorgeous, funny, smart, caring and so much more. He just enjoyed being around her and with her even despite their dip in the river and hospital visit he was still glad he was there with her.

“Thanks but when I say I’m there Mattie, I mean it. Anything and anytime just call and I’ll be round as soon as I can. Bar court or anything work that I cant get out of but if I can I will.” Kev wasn’t trying to be all super hero but then he could see her mum was a huge part of Mattie’s life and maybe getting away all the time wasnt going to be possible so hanging around with her and her mum. It was just as good he figured though he had no idea what to expect.

Kev wanted to be her friend and maybe more depending on where things went but that was for later, slow and steady he figured. No point in jumping off the deep end like so many did and find out too late that things weren’t what they first were, no he had a few bad eggs along the way so slow and steady was a good thing.

“Yeah you are right there. Pizza needs to be in the top five heaven foods even top three.” Kev stated taking another bite, it was like comfort food. A food wrapped in a hug that practically gave you a blanket when you needed one. It was a lot from a pizza but he was getting that feeling. “Hey no problem, me and Koda are like peas in a pod... you know apart from the scratching and licking our butt but in every other sense sure.” He said as he laughed, “Only one thing is that I think Koda might be a lot better trained than me so Koda could be taking me for a walk, not that I mind though.” He added grinning.

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

It was all Mattie could do to get a napkin to her mouth in time to catch the results of his comment about butt-licking, and as it was some of her current bite of pizza nearly came out her nose!

Under other circumstances she might have shriveled under the table in embarrassed horror, but he'd been so dead-pan and sincere that it made it all the funnier, and she was comfortable enough with him that it didn't matter that she almost spit pizza on the table.

Then, the whole circumstance of the thing, the release if pent-up stress, got to her and she dissolved in a fit of laughter that would make on older woman pee her pants!

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

Kev chuckled when he watched her try to get the napkin to her mouth in a hurry. Normally talking about that kind of thing on a date or a meeting or just going out for pizza was a big no no but it was nice to just be able to talk. Not that he did anything like he said but he hoped Mattie knew that unless she was laughing because she thought he would.

It was nice to just watch her laugh as he laughed along with her, “Hey I’m just saying, Koda and me are alike but not too alike. I also don’t pee on lamp posts or anything like that so I am house trained too.” He added watching her as he grinned. “No training required.”

Mattie was a lot of fun and he was enjoying spending time with her. Spitting out pizza or otherwise. “Food okay over there?” He asked laughing lightly as he took a bite of the pizza slice he had and tried not to choke on it as he laughed.

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

Napkin still to her mouth, eyes watering with mirth, Mattie could only nod to his question. He certainly knew how to bait her, whether he was aware of it or not!

It was good, it was cathartic, after so long, to have a reason and a chance to just laugh, although she could have done without the risk of aspirating hot sausage out her nose!

Finally, she had to turn away -- just looking at him made her start to giggle again -- and she was able to regain some of her composure. Lowering the napkin then wiping her eyes, she turned back.

"If you dig up the begonias you know I'll have to take you to the pound?" she dead-panned. "Or change out pizza and cold cuts for generic-brand kibble for a month..."

Kev Allison,