AN: Late. So, here you go another chapter.
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The Nine-Nine was buzzing with its usual energy, filled with the hum of keyboards, muffled phone calls, and the faint clatter of mugs in the breakroom. It was an ordinary day, at least by the standards of this chaotic precinct, and everyone had settled into their respective routines. That was, until the door to Captain Holt's office swung open with an almost comical flourish.
He walked out with a stack of breakfast pastries in his arms. With a grin spreading across his face, he tossed a bagel into the air, sending it sailing across the bullpen with uncanny accuracy.
"A bagel for you, a donut for you," Holt called cheerfully, his voice practically humming with happiness.
Ray, standing by the coffee machine, paused mid-pour, his half-filled cup suspended in his hand. His eyebrows shot up in disbelief. 'What the hell? Did Wuntch die? No, it's too early for that.'
Holt, happy? Delightfully so? Ray couldn't remember the last time he'd seen their usually stoic, poker-faced captain show this kind of emotion. It was… unsettling, and yet, in a bizarre way, strangely contagious. Ray watched as Holt's smile grew wider, tossing snacks like he was participating in a parade float for the first time.
"What's going on?" Jake asked, his curiosity piqued as he watched the captain toss out snacks like it was a parade float.
Holt tossed him a donut, still grinning. "Take a guess, Peralta," he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief. His smirk was almost too broad to be real, as if he had just won the lottery. No, scratch that—this was a win of higher stakes than any lottery.
Jake caught the donut in mid-air, his grin matching Holt's. "You finally decided to retire and make me the Captain so that I can give us all a raise?" He tore the packet open and took a bite.
"That's a good dream. But no," Holt said. "It's something far more satisfying. For once, someone outsmarted Wuntch."
The words hung in the air for a beat, and Rosa, who had been sitting at her desk flipping through case files, looked up sharply. Her eyes narrowed with suspicion, and she leaned forward slightly, her interest piqued.
"Wait. You're telling me Wuntch got outplayed?" Her voice was a mix of disbelief and curiosity, as if the concept of Wuntch being bested was as strange as discovering a new planet.
Holt's grin deepened. "Yes. Wuntch was finally outwitted, outplayed, and outmaneuvered." He paused for effect, savoring the moment, before dropping the real bombshell. "You all remember the case Amy and Ray were working on, the one they went undercover for investigating the cartel and recovering that important data?"
The room fell silent as the mention of that case stirred some memories. Jake stopped mid-chew of his donut, and Rosa flinched a bit. That night, they stopped human trafficking and captured major drug shipments thanks to Ray and Amy.
Holt continued, his voice even but tinged with satisfaction. "After weeks of effort and countless hours on the line, that data was finally deciphered. But just as things were about to wrap up, Wuntch swooped in like a devil spawn and stole the case right from under us, as she always does."
Rosa's lips pressed into a thin line, and her fingers tightened on the edge of her desk. "Of course she did," she muttered, rolling her eyes. "Typical Wuntch. But… what happened next?"
Holt's grin shifted into something more triumphant. "It seems the universe had other plans. Someone—somehow—managed to steal that data right out from under her nose. Wuntch, who always has a firm grip on everything, was made a fool of. The data vanished."
The silence that followed was thick, each person processing what Holt had just said. It was almost too delicious to believe.
'Reacher... Haha!' Ray leaned forward slightly, his expression neutral, though a spark of satisfaction flickered in his eyes. "So, Wuntch is the one with egg on her face this time? Can't say I'm mad about that."
"I'm not mad either," Jake said, grinning widely. "It's about time someone put her in her place."
Holt cleared his throat, returning to his usual professional demeanor, though the glint of satisfaction never left his eyes. "Indeed. But the real reason I'm so pleased is that an internal investigation has been launched into how this happened. The department is finally questioning her methods and everything she's done. It seems she's not as untouchable as she thought."
Amy, who had been listening intently, spoke up, her voice steady but laced with a hint of disbelief. "Wait, an internal investigation? For real? They're actually questioning her?"
Holt nodded, his gaze steady. "Yes. For once, there's accountability. Wuntch's actions have attracted the attention of those in higher places, and they're beginning to wonder just how many of her actions have been… less than ethical."
Jake snorted. "What's next? Are we going to get a parade for the good guys who finally beat her?"
"Not quite," Holt said, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "But the fact that Wuntch is under investigation, and that we have proof she's not invincible, is a significant shift. This could change everything."
Across the bullpen, Gina, who had been listening with a raised eyebrow, smirked. "Well, about damn time. She's been a thorn in our side for years. I think it's only fair she gets a taste of her own medicine."
"Too bad it wasn't us who took her down," Rosa grumbled, though her lips twitched with a small, approving smile.
Ray glanced around at the others, taking in their reactions. There was a sense of quiet satisfaction in the air, a shared feeling that justice, for once, was served in the most unexpected of ways. But as much as they were enjoying the moment, the matter wasn't entirely resolved.
"Any idea who managed to pull this off?" Ray asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
Holt's face hardened slightly. "I'm afraid not. Whoever did this was careful. But whoever it was, they've thrown a wrench into Wuntch's carefully crafted plans."
"Could be anyone," Rosa said, her eyes narrowing with a mix of caution and curiosity. "It might even be someone inside the department."
"Or a rival cartel," Amy suggested. "One of the many we've been investigating." She had a rough idea who might have done it because she was with Ray during the mission and she saw Ray confronting Reacher. But she didn't ask or reveal anything as promised.
Ray rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Whatever it is, Wuntch is finally getting a taste of her own medicine. And, frankly, I'm enjoying the hell out of it."
Terry walked out of the elevator. He looked around at the gathered group, taking in the atmosphere. "What's all the fuss about?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at Holt's happy demeanor.
Jake grinned broadly and held up his donut. "The Vulture might be a thorn in our side, but for once, it's Wuntch who got a taste of justice. Someone just stole her precious data right from under her nose, and now she's under investigation."
Terry raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "Seriously?"
"Seriously," Holt confirmed, his voice steady but carrying a quiet pride.
Terry smiled, shaking his head. "Well, it's about damn time someone took her down a peg. She gives Terry weird shivers."
"Of course, she gives shivers. She's a devil spawn afterall," Holt replied as he threw a donut at Terry.
Terry caught it. "Oh, Terry loves a good coconut donut."
Hitchcock and Scully shuffled in at that moment, looking confused but eager for the gossip. A few minutes ago, they were busy eating jumbo burgers. Now, they looked interested.
"Did we miss something?" Scully asked, his voice thick with suspicion.
"Yeah," Hitchcock added. "Are we celebrating a win or just messing with Wuntch?"
"Both," Rosa said with a smirk, her usual edge softening just a bit. "It's a win for us, and a nightmare for her. I'll take it."
Holt nodded in agreement, the victorious gleam in his eyes still present, though he quickly returned to his professional manner. "Now, let's not get too comfortable. The investigation into Wuntch will take time, and there's still work to be done. But for today, I think we can allow ourselves a brief 30 seconds of satisfaction." He looked at his wrist watch.
30 seconds later...
"Alright," Holt said. "Back to work, everyone. We've got cases to close."
...
[Noon]
Ray and Elle were out on their usual patrol. They got the Western Avenue this time.
Ray's gaze shifted to the rearview mirror, his grip tightening on the steering wheel as his eyes locked onto the black minivan that had been shadowing them for the past few blocks. It had stayed a safe distance behind, just close enough to catch their attention without looking suspicious. But in a world like this, where every detail mattered, it was enough to make his skin crawl.
First Emma's penthouse, and now here. Ray's mind raced as he tried to make sense of it. 'Who the hell are these people?' His hand hovered over the gear shift, his thumb rubbing against the leather, but he didn't make any sudden movements. He didn't want to tip his hand too early.
Elle, sitting beside him, noticed his change in demeanor almost instantly. She'd been looking out the side window, but her eyes darted to the rearview mirror as well. The tension was palpable, even if Ray wasn't showing it just yet.
"You see that?" she asked, knowing exactly what was on his mind.
Ray exhaled slowly. "Yeah, I know. But there are other cars on the road, and it ain't illegal to drive a minivan. So, we can't just stop them without probable cause."
Elle glanced back out the window, her eyes narrowing, considering their options. "So, what's the plan?"
Ray tilted his head slightly, eyes still on the road ahead, the minivan now making a slow left turn behind them. "You hungry? Wanna grab a hotdog?"
Elle raised an eyebrow, her expression one of utter disbelief. "You want hotdogs in this situation?" She gestured vaguely toward the minivan. "That's a minivan. There could be a machine gun for all we know."
Ray gave a side nod, a hint of a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "Hotdog sounds good as a last meal."
Elle shook her head but couldn't help but laugh. "You're something else, you know that?"
Ray's smirk deepened. "I've been told that."
The minivan stayed with them.
They made a few more turns, the vehicle behind them always in tow. It wasn't the first time Ray had been tailed, but it felt different this time. The way the van stayed back, never getting too close but never giving up, suggested someone who was cautious, patient, and who knew exactly what they were doing.
'This is gonna be fun.' Ray thought as he pulled up at the hotdog stand.
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