Chapter Text
One - I CANNOT Be Alone With My Thoughts
Jake sat down in the captain's office, smiling at him with his signature, "I don't give a fuck, but I sure look like I do" smile.
"Peralta. You are probably wondering why I have called you into my office."
"Not really, I just assumed that I did something wrong."
"That is... incredibly sad, and not the reason why you are here."
"Oh, then do tell."
"I would like you to go on a 3 week stakeout."
"Ooh! With who?"
"Nobody. I assume you can handle it since you were in solitary confinement at certain points of your jail sentence. Diaz would not stop mentioning it in meetings."
Jake nodded, "Cool, Cool, cool. So.... three weeks? Psh- that's nothing! I could do it for longer! It's just... do you really trust me? Ya know..."
"If you do not think you can handle it-"
"NO! I can do it. I'll make you proud, cap.
"I was assuming you would just do satisfactory work. Not nearly enough for pride."
"Thought it was worth a shot! So, when does the stakeout begin?"
"Tomorrow."
"Oh. God. Tomorrow. Well- Amy and I have this thing, and..."
"If you do not want to do it, I can ask Detective Diaz."
"I can handle it. I'll just cancel my plans."
"Good. I will ask Sergeant Jeffords to help you get to your location."
"Cool-io."
"Yes... very... cool...io."
Jake couldn't even enjoy the fact that captain Holt said "coolio", he was too busy wondering about how this stakeout would go.
_____
The next day, as Jake sat in the passenger seat of Terry's minivan, he wondered for the fifteenthousand, ninehundred and thirty second time today (probably more, but who was counting?) if he was cut out for this. He knew he was, but what about Amy? And Charles. God, Charles would die. Or eat raw eggs all three weeks. Honestly, Jake didn't know which was worse.
"Jake." Terry said, after a good ten minutes of silence.
"Terry."
"Are you sure you can handle this?"
"Yes. I am the most confident that I have ever been."
"More confident than the day that you killed that spider?"
"That had me floating on air. But yes, even more confident than that. Trust me, sarge. I'll be fine."
"If you're sure."
"More sure than anything."
"Well, we're here. Get ready."
"Oh, um... cool. Cool, cool, cool, cool, cool."
Terry got out of the van, and opened the door for Jake.
"And they say chivalry is dead." Jake chuckled.
Terry smiled, confidence boosted. Jake knew that was all he needed to do to get Terry off of his ass. And if he stayed there - he didn't like the ass metaphor, but it was there now - Jake would give him a Mango yogurt.
A few minutes after Terry left, Jake felt his skin grow clammy and cold. He clawed at his arms slightly, before remembering the article Amy had sent him about bad habits, and how detrimental they were to your health. Fuck it. It didn't matter. He was fine doing it. It was only a few weeks. He looked at the stakeout equipment. That would keep him busy for at least an hour or two. He didn't have to be alone with his thoughts. He COULDN'T be alone with his thoughts.