MAIN The Sound of Da Police

Disclaimer: This plotline - and, frankly, the whole story - was inspired by Flatcap90210's Growth-XX. Especially the police station segment.

The police station was pure chaos.

It was understandable of course. The graveyard shift in Villeton was generally pretty quiet. There were rumors that Shannon in dispatch was brushing up on her Spanish, but no one had ever caught her.

Still, the guardians of law and order didn't exactly have time to appreciate the irony.

Except one.

Who was starting to really regret that he quit smoking.

"Yes, ma'am. No ma'am. We're doing everything we can, ma'am."

Someone knocked on his open door. Just below where it said CAPTAIN CARNELL.

Carnell didn't look up. He just held up a finger. "We're doing everything we can, ma'am. Yes, we'll keep you surprised if any developments. I will, ma'am. Yes, good night."

He hung up with the exact manner of someone who was trying not to slam it, and didn't let go right away.

Kaida could almost hear the plastic creaking from across the room.

Carnell let go of the phone, collapsed into his chair, and squeezed the bridge of his nose.

Kaida asked, "The mayor?"

"Who else?" He sighed. "Did you vote for her?"

Kaida smiled. "I plead the fifth, chief."

"Smart." He sat forward. "What's up?"

"New reports. Outskirts of Smithville."

Carnell said something he definitely could not have used on the phone to the mayor, then, "We don't have the manpower for this. If we're really, really lucky, these things are just ergot poisoning."

"Also, coffee. "

"What?"

Kaida bought her left hand into view, walked up to Carnell's desk, and put the mug down.

"You're a lifesaver," he muttered. "Remind me to nominate you for promotion."

"For bringing you coffee? "

"For still being here. With-" He waved a hand at the bullpen. "I think that counts as conspicuous gallantry. I know your shift ended two hours ago."

"Yeah, but this way, me and Carr get overtime." She walked to the doorway, and paused with one hand on the doorframe.

"Something wrong?"

"Chief...what happens if we can't get this under control?"

Carnell leaned back in his chair and looked at the ceiling. "Then we get a state of emergency, and the Guard pays us a visit, and I need to start looking for cardboard boxes."

He looked at Kaida. "Maybe I'll buy a boat."

Shouts outside.

Kaida turned around. Two cops were just coming through the front doors. One had his arm over the other's shoulder. His other hand hung limp at his side.

Kaida and Carnell looked at each other.

Then they hurried into the bullpen.

Pic: Donna Hanscum (Briana Buckmaster) from Supernatural.