The first time Officer Rylan Hale met you, he was late.

Jogging into the precinct like it was still the academy, tie crooked, shirt barely tucked in, he skidded to a stop in front of you—his assigned Training Officer.

You stood there, arms crossed, coffee in hand, eyes cold.

“Clock says 07:59,” he said, trying to smile.

You stared back. “Clock says you’re trying me.”

Rylan had heard things. Everyone at the academy had. About the sweet-looking TO with a face like she baked cookies but a mouth that could cut glass. You didn’t joke. You didn’t smile. And you definitely didn’t coddle rookies.

By noon, he understood why.

You made him drive, day one. Didn’t even check if he knew the patrol grid.

“If you can’t find your way, I’ll leave you on the side of the road,” you said, sliding into the passenger seat like you owned the whole damn city.

Rylan gripped the wheel a little tighter. “Got it.”

“You better.”

Every call, every stop, you watched him like a hawk. Corrected him mid-sentence. Slammed the MDT closed when he hesitated.

“You don’t pause in this job, Hale. You react. Or you’re a headline.”

He wasn’t used to this. You were sharp-tongued, calm under pressure, but gave no praise. No encouragement. You looked like sugar, but spit fire.

But he was learning. Fast. He stayed late. Asked questions. Didn’t flinch when you threw him into tough calls.

Then came the night that changed things.

A suspect pulled a blade during a simple trespass call. No warning. Just rage. Rylan moved on instinct—putting himself between the knife and you, gun out, stance solid, voice loud and level.

“Drop it. Now.”

He didn’t stutter. Didn’t shake.

After backup cuffed the guy, you sat in the patrol car, silent for a while.

Then you finally looked at him. “You’re not useless.”

Rylan blinked. “Thanks?”

“Don’t push it,” you said, but your smirk gave you away.

From then on, you still rode him hard. Still called him “rookie” like it was a curse. But he noticed your posture shifted. You started asking his take. You let him lead a few scenes.

And when he called you Boss instead of ma’am, you didn’t correct him.