Chapter 12: Leading With A Firm Fist

~Ariah~

"Ok so now that you all have your new assignments please feel free to reach out to any of the other leads such as Officer Hall, Morgan or myself or officer Myers, or even Chief Russo. Now get to work y'all." As all the detectives left Ariah was gathering all the other things with the other Elites looking around at the other three she couldn't help but look at Dean and worry a little. Hey Hunter, Jace why don't you guys go ahead out we need to be in P.T. room at two on the nose. Dean go ahead and come with me." She told everyone in a tone that was emotionless. It wasn't out of the ordinary to keep Dean close to her as the assistant. "Dean come in my office with me for a moment." Walking he was caught off guard when she spoke up next. "Shut the door behind you." Not looking at him but putting things away where they go. Looking up she stared at him for a few moments blankly like she was waiting for him to confess his sins or something. "Is something wrong Ari?" He asked looking concerned.

"You tell me. You want to explain why you look like someone kicked your dog or pist in your cheerios. Are you ok Dean? Are you sick. I can't send you home yet you need these hours of the P.T especially with our head boss coming in. Are you nervous or something because we can prep you now to help you out." She was telling him rushing out helpful hints. He looked at her in shock. Here was the queen of the damn mafia. Who was in love and ruling hell with the well known damn devil. He was right when he said he kept her away. She was an angel here she was trying her best to give him the job of his dreams, only not knowing why it was so important to him. This poor woman in front of him has been used so much by the wrong people she didn't deserve to be kept being lied to even by him. She was so strong. He couldn't tell her the truth even if he wanted to because then he would just be another person on her list who used her and her resources while he tried to find Moretti. Dean wasn't so sure he could be another disappointment on her list.

"Ari calm down. It's nothing to do with any of that. I'm just tired and I got some allergies is all as soon as we are done with P.T. I think if it's alright with you I will go home get some Benadryl and take a nap and then I'll bounce back with some rest. I swear I'm fine." He chuckled at her in the way he normally does. "You sure?" "Yup." He said popping the p at the end. He did look exhausted. "Ok well then go ahead and you go get ready as well I got two interviews today to try to replace you. Hopefully you will start training them as soon as possible. So scoot." She playfully shooed him out of there. Hunter leaning in his door frame. "What?" He asked him curiously. "I didn't buckle if that's what your wondering." "I got a key for you to Noah's old office since it's basically yours now we all three wanted you to have it I'm waiting to let you in." Hunter said going to the door next to his. Walking in Hunter cracked the door a little catching Dean's attention. " I wasn't thinking anything like that either by the way. Believe it or not I'm still the same Hunter you got to know this whole time. I got to know a lot about you Dean and all of us on my side of the fence have been are being where you are. I know what kind of guy you actually are and know it's not easy and how hard it is. To look her in the eye and have to hold back so much I know what kind of guilt that eats away at you is. I just wanted to check on you make sure you ok." "If you are so curious. It sucks, I'm not ok, but I will learn to be. It's like a fucking leach is sucking on me. I could never tell her anything even if I wanted to because I can't bring myself to be just another disappointment on her ever going list there. I can't handle to see that type let down look in her eyes after all she has done for me." Dean said sadly putting his head in between his hands running them to tug on his hair.

"Yeah it's not easy and it's a personal hell, but it needs to be done. You can always come talk to me if it gets to be too much. There's the gym bags to take it out on as well. Just know when to reel it in. Get changed soon we need to be out of here by the time she's done with the interviews." Hunter said as he walked back into his office. Vince got on her phone to inform her, her first meeting was here and ready. Hearing the knock on the door she welcomed him in. "Hey good to see you please come in close the door and have a seat. Dylan do you know why I asked you to come in here and talk to me today?" "No Detective Aldermen I don't." He said respectfully. "Are you aware of Dean Myers being promoted to an Elite position?" "Yes I am." "I have gone through the files down in HR and I have narrowed my choice to replace Officer Myers recent position as my and the other Elites personal assistant I have noticed that you have in a long term goal to be promoted to detective is this still something you wish to pursue?" "Yes ma'am it is." "Don't call me that call me Ariah or Ari please." She chuckled to him making him smile.

"Ok well the spot I have opened will be granted for three months only after that I will be promoting the appointed assistant to the detective spot and using the other candidate that is also being interviewed today to replace him and the cycle will keep continuing that way. Is this something you think you can handle or be open to?" "Yes it is a great opportunity. It is something I have been working very hard to achieve for." "I have seen great promise in the work you have done and the potential in you is inspiring. Can you give me a reason on why you think you would be a better candidate for the position then the other officer out there?" Ariah asked him in a tone that was very intimidating. Both Dylan and Kane were worried and in shock during the interview hoping they did not bomb to hard, in the hardest interview of their lives.

Walking out Kane walked up to Dylan who was visibly sweating looking up to Hunter. "Y'all could have warned us about her or something. I've never went through anything that nerve racking thing I've ever been through." Kane said only for Dylan to agree and Hunter chuckle at them. Jace popped into her office. "Well congratulations on making the applicants sweat through their entire uniform." He said laughing at her as he watched her lacing up her workout shoes and fixing her work out cross top. "Well I had to have some fun with it now didn't I? You ready I want the crew to be there early to welcome the other station." "Yeah let's go. Do you know who you going to pick to replace Dean first?" "I do. Let's go." Walking down the hall. "Hall, Morgan, Myers were heading out. Dylan, Kane you're coming with us. Also congratulations Dylan you got the spot and in three months Kane will replace you. Let's move." Ariah said in a emotionless voice walking away. Both Dylan and Kane taking a deep breath, wondering which one of their bosses was scarier to work for. All of a sudden they were not so scared of Reaper.

"Agent Leon it is so good to see you." Ariah said coming up to kiss his cheek which he happily accepted. After being one of the highest paid men on her boyfriends payroll unknowingly. "It is so good to see my star. I'm hoping you will be able to whip these sorry S.O.B.S into shape. I'm getting dangerously close of begging your man to come take care of it, since nothing else seems to work." Leon said pinching the bridge of his nose. "Don't worry I'll try my best. Is he aware that I am his superior?" "Not a damn clue. Let me tell you he thinks of himself pretty high on that damn horse for some reason he thinks he is untouchable you have every right to fire him once he crosses that line. I expect you to be completely professional and hold out for as long as possible." Leon pointed to her who nodded back to him. The door opened as a few other officers came in a little eager and excited. They all looked at her with admiration and even a little adoration.

"Welcome everyone to some extra training. I welcome you and so does the station today we will be working on the P.T. just mixing things up to try to teach us to be better and keep us on our toes and then for the next two weeks you will take a couple of training in lecture rooms by a few of our best Elites. Now I would like to introduce you to the two lead Elites. Elite officer Andrew Johnson, and Elite officer Ariah Alderman. Now for starters we would like everyone to pair off and Johnson and Alderman will pair off and we got an hour of this today. Your leads will go around and correct some of your work around and in the last twenty minutes or so they will show you how it's done. Let's get to it." Walking over to the two Elites Go ahead go around and instruct them when the timer goes off. You will be observed by the stations." "Yes, sir." "Hello officer Johnson. Please call me Ariah." She said holding her hand out for him to stare at it until she retreated her hand back.

"Yes, I know who you are I've read all about you and your fancy rich pants boyfriend. I can't promise I will go easy on you later, but then again you shouldn't expect it in our line of work. So sorry if you get embarrassed to badly. Some of us though have to be the best, and do our jobs properly not all of us have a billionaire boyfriend to fall back on." Andrew spat off. "Wow, that would be so hurtful if you weren't one of the worse Elite officers in the state. Seriously you want to talk a bunch of shit when you only been in your position for two years and have the worse record of cold cases, open cases, and your crime rated section is the highest in twelve counties. It's going to be so much fun to knock you off your high ass horse. It's going to be such a hard fall from your big ass ego to your low ass IQ. Better bring a helmet honey I don't think you can afford to lose any more brain cells being that fucking special." Tilting her head in one of those sweet fake voice walking away to go critique her other officers.

After going over as much as she could in very little time and most of it was on the other officers who got brought in. She had no idea how many people were excited to learn and work with her as they also knew who she was in the underworld. However they work for different bosses. When a buzzer went off she had no idea where the hell Johnson took off to the whole damn time. As she was standing in front of everyone answering questions the others had settled in the bleachers. "Alderman are you ready? How'd they do." "They were actually lacking in some areas that they can't afford to be lacking in and I am concerned but they will be practicing the new techniques we demonstrated earlier they will need to come back next week for at least two hours with the new officers just to make sure they got the hang of it." "Alright then. I'll make sure they are getting the allowed time at the station also. Where the fuck is Johnson." "Don't know he flakes out the entire time." Ariah shrugged crossing her arms.

"I'm right here Agent Decker. Ready to go." "Well are you sure about that you don't wan tot just flake off again, after talking all that shit earlier?" She asked him making the others chuckle. "Let's just get this over with. I'm sure you have a mani pedi to take off to." Hunter and the others getting mad. "Alright you guys pay close attention to how they handle things training like this is a privilege and you should feel proud to be able to be trained by one of the top ranking Elites officer Alderman." Leon said as he went to the edge and took out his phone as well as everyone else. Circling around each other he launched at her first which she easily side stepped and caught him with a right to the side temple. Falling to the floor feeling dizzy and getting back he came to swing his right arm after trying to fake her out she took her right arm and twisted it within his right arm to bring it to his throat and tripping him at he same time pinning him to the floor still holding his throat and taking a zip tie from her shoe to get it his left arm to his right leg after flinging him over to his tummy.

Finding a quick way to cut it from his leg which was starting to bleed now. They went in a boxing style form where he didn't land one single hit but cracked his lip, his cheek, and his nose He came charging at her feeling embarrassed she caught him by side stepping him and punching him in the throat just enough to get the wind knocked out of him locking his arms behind his head and securing his legs in a special way if he tried to struggle or get out he would end up snapping his ankles and pulling out his thigh muscles. "Alright I give I give." He snapped in anger. "Now come on Johnson we still have about ten minutes left you can't let this mediocre princess beat you the great Elite officer Johnson so soon. It's not like you haven't been missing P.T. right?" She teased getting him in trouble. She was going to put him through so much hell for being this damn week. No Elite detective should behave in the manner he has been especially when he is not bringing any results.

"Release him Ari." Leon told her in a tone that demanded authority. "You think your so damn special because you got a couple of good hits in? You will never make it out there against the bigger boys princess." "Well once again you're already wrong because and I'm sure many women have already told you something similar to this I already have. Let me tell you they were so much better then you in ever conceivable way. You are nothing but a little boy trying to play cop. It's obvious you have no respect for your fellow officers here on the force no matter what station they are in. Leon, Dylan and Dean please meet officer Johnson and I in the conference room. Thank you all for coming and working hard don't forget to meet again for lectures." Ariah told everyone while walking off.

"Ok Ariah go ahead you have the floor." Leon told them as the rest of the men sit down. "Ok Andrew can I call you Andrew." "No." "Andrew you have no respect for any of the officers from any stations. I had the fun privilege to go over your station statistics and all of your so called hard work down at your place and I have to say I am beyond disappointed. Today in combat just pushes my worries and concerns even further for the moment you are suspended." "Hold up. You don't have the power to tell me what to do how the hell do you think you are?" "I am your superior I am ranked higher then you I am basically your chief and you will sit down officer and listen to GOD DAMN WORD I HAVE TO SAY because your work in the past two years is shameful and an embarrassment to the damn badge!" She snapped at him that made everyone gulp for a moment.

"Now as I was fucking saying. You will be suspended and your work and cases will be audited by other superiors to find out exactly what you have been doing all this time because obviously it wasn't your fucking job. If anything is found to be out of sorts you will be punishable to the full extent of the law and I will be sure to see it is carried out. If for any reason which I doubt you come up clean you will have to meet a certain amount of P.T. hours for 90days as a probation period and based upon a peer review by Agent Leon and other superiors about your placement. So effective immediately you are suspended without pay until further notice I don't think I need to advice you not to leave town until the investigation on your work for the past two years is completed. Since you know we are still technically the bureau it's not like you'll get very far. See unlike certain lazy ass detectives some of us had to work hard to get where we are and be the best." She batted her eyes at him anger flowing off him in waves he instantly got up and stormed out of the room.

"Dean I want you to go get the paper work started and report filed against him and show Dylan everything you are doing Dylan your training starts now pay close attention hopefully we wont have to be doing all this again." "Yes Ari." Dean nodded and they left. "That was golden I wish I would have recorded the look on his face I can't believe you put him on check like that. I didn't think you had it in you. It was a good call and one long over due. You know Ariah there is no doubt in anyone's mind of why you are the best. Just be careful out there. I can't afford for anything to happen to my best officer. Also your man would literally burn the whole city and then some for you." He whispered with a laugh making her laugh also. "I'll see you around Leon it was great to see you again." Ariah grabbed her shoulder bag and went out the bag door. Walking half down the little short alley way when she was tripped by someone trying to bag her head and slid in front of her.

Standing up she noticed the man in the man attacking her was wearing a mask as another one came up and tried to put a needle in her neck as she threw him over her shoulder by his arm as she took the needle and shoved it back into the attackers neck. Another one came up and slammed his fist into her face he was almost the same size as Xavier the first man was also throwing fist to her. Both men were strong but she was holding her own without a sweat she knocked the other guy to the ground straight into the dumpster. The first assailant was now using a pipe slamming it into her head as he got on top of her. The sound of a gun shot caught them both by surprise as the man fell off from her and the sound of someones shoes approaching her. "It's going to be ok princess. I got you I finally got you. Lets' get you home." He said scooping her up only to hear the sound of another shot and the both fell on the floor. The air getting knocked out by both of them as another gun shot went off for the man protecting her to yelp in pain.

Looking up she could almost see the man trying to take her as he was getting dragged out by Xavier's men. "Angel you ok? Get those fuckers down to my play room. You call the doctor and get him to my place now. Come on baby stay awake for me. It's going to be alright baby girl." Xavier said as he scooped her up in his arms as he hurried into the car. "George home." Not saying a word he got there in record time. For the doctor to let him know she almost got a concussion just needed some more news stitches, and some bruising. "I left some pain meds and some special cream and spray to help with the pain. Giving her a special shot to help her rest and her mind to heal she should be awake by tomorrow she will drowsy for about two days encourage lots of rest and she will be on special bed rest for about a week. Other then that there's nothing we can do for her. She will make a full recovery." Xavier nodding walking out to look at Kane and Grey. "You watch her and let me know if anything happens." "Yes Reaper." After a short drive he was getting antsy getting into the room. "I have been waiting a long time to get ahold of you and you're little friends. You have no idea how much you truly fucked up laying your hands on my queen and sending your damn dogs to pick her up." Xavier growled.

"I shot them point blank, they weren't supposed to lay a hand on her." "You think that fixes your damn hand touching someone that doesn't belong to you Joker?" Xavier yelled. "How do you think she'd going to take it when she learns her dear sweet little Liam is the reason she got fifteen stitches to her head?" Axel asked in a fake sweet teasing voice. Picking up the phone he looked for his contact and hit call. "Boss." "Myers get your ass to the playroom. Tyrese is waiting to play, and we can't guarantee he will last to long if you take your time." "Are you serious right now?" "I don't play games get your ass here." Hanging up the phone. "Where is Moretti?" Ryder asked him as he was using a cattle prod on Liam's testicles. "You know damn well I aint going to give into you." Liam said laughing in his pain. "Well that's ok. We respect the loyalty as it is so hard to find these days. Isn't boys. I'm not to worried thought seeing as we have all the time in the world. Don't give us that look Joker, we are just getting started.