sakon76

Texture 2/6
by K. Stonham
prereleased 17th May 2008

The car's interior still needed airing out, but at least its exterior was decent, Jason thought as he got in the driver's seat and adjusted it back to fit his height. Maybe if he rode all day with the windows down.... He paused, registering the fit and mold of the seat. For a twenty-year-old car it was damn comfortable.

Maybe just another reason, he thought as he ran a hand across the steering wheel's grip, that she was called "Old Faithful."

He turned the key and the engine roared to life, his eyes flying wide. Holy crap. There was power in this baby!

"Oooh," he murmured appreciatively, feeling the vibrations through the leather like the best kind of massage. "You and I are going to go a long way, baby." The engine roared in response and he noticed how deep a note its hum was. "You're not a lady at all, are you?" he asked. "More like a jungle cat."

Loving the patrol car already, Jason pulled out of the police lot, eager to start the day.

*

"So," Fanzone asked him that afternoon, stopping by his desk, "how's Faithful treating you?"

Jason grinned up at his boss. "If I ever wanted to marry a car, that one's it."

Fanzone arched an eyebrow, looking like an overweight, balding Vulcan. "That good, huh?"

"Yeah." Jason set his pen down and leaned back a little in his chair. "Question: if the car's all that, why was he sitting looking like crap out in the yard? Why hasn't someone been driving him?"

"Him?"

"You heard the roar of that engine?" Jason asked. "That car ain't no chick."

Fanzone smirked. "Tell you a story, kid. When I was a rookie, that car saved my life. It's done that for a bunch of us. It's the toughest sucker in that yard. That's why it ain't ever been scrapped--we keep quiet about how long it's been here, 'cuz it's way past retirement age. The rookies--stupid kids like you who don't know better yet--get it because mistakes, and sooner or later they will happen, even to you, end up a little less serious when that car's involved." He paused to take a drink from his mug. "I don't know if Faithful's haunted, or just lucky, but you respect that car and she'll take good care of you. Got it?"

"Got it, boss."

"Good. Keep your nose clean." And with that, Fanzone wandered off.

Jason leaned back further in his chair, thinking. "That car ain't a Christine," he finally said to himself. "No way."

*~*~*

A/N: I have no idea about cop procedures. And I needed a boss figure, so I nicked Captain Fanzone from Animated because I like him.