Chapter 19: Thanksgiving Throwdown - Part 1
POV: Kole Martinez
Shaw's Bar had been transformed for Thanksgiving with the kind of chaotic enthusiasm that made the Nine-Nine's celebrations legendary. Mismatched tables pushed together created a sprawling dining surface, while decorations that ranged from elegant to ridiculous reflected each squad member's contribution to the collective effort. The familiar dive bar hummed with family energy—not just cops unwinding after shifts, but chosen family gathering to celebrate gratitude and survival.
First Thanksgiving since transmigration. First time bringing Jessica to meet the squad properly.
Kole arrived with Jessica twenty minutes before the official start time, both carrying side dishes and nervous energy about the evening's social dynamics. Jessica had insisted on making homemade cranberry sauce, while Kole contributed store-bought stuffing that he hoped wouldn't reveal his complete lack of domestic skills.
"So this is your work family," Jessica said, surveying the decorated bar with obvious delight. "It's exactly what I imagined from your stories."
My stories. Carefully edited versions of squad dynamics that omit supernatural abilities and borrowed identity.
"They're... intense," Kole warned. "But good people. Just prepare for some very direct questions about our relationship."
And prepare for me to lie through my teeth about who I really am.
Jake arrived first with Charles in tow, both carrying enough food to feed a small army and radiating competitive energy about who could make the most impressive contribution to the feast.
"Martinez!" Jake called out with exaggerated enthusiasm. "And the famous Jessica! We meet again under less official circumstances."
Jake's fishing for information. Already.
"Detective Peralta," Jessica replied warmly. "Thank you for including me in your family dinner."
"Family dinner," Charles repeated with obvious emotional investment. "That's exactly what this is. Welcome to our very complicated but very loving chosen family unit."
Charles treating Jessica like a potential new family member. The pressure is real.
Within minutes, the bar filled with Nine-Nine personnel and their significant others. Amy arrived with Teddy, her boyfriend whose presence immediately shifted the social dynamics toward uncomfortable competition. Rosa entered alone, as expected, but gravitated toward conversations with surprising social engagement.
Terry brought his wife Sharon and their daughters, who immediately surrounded Jessica with enthusiastic questions about teaching and California and whether she liked their dad's cooking. Holt and Kevin arrived precisely on time, bringing wine and intellectual conversation topics prepared in advance.
Everyone bringing their authentic selves and chosen family members. This is what belonging looks like.
"Jessica," Rosa said with characteristic directness, "you're dating Martinez? You okay? He's weird."
Rosa cutting straight to the point. Of course.
Jessica laughed with genuine delight, completely unfazed by Rosa's intimidating reputation.
"I like weird," she replied simply. "Normal is overrated."
She likes weird. If only she knew how weird.
Charles immediately launched into protective interrogation mode, positioning himself between Jessica and any potential threats to squad harmony.
"What are your intentions regarding Detective Martinez?" he asked with the intensity of someone conducting a background security check. "Are you planning to relocate permanently to New York? Do you understand the demands of law enforcement relationships?"
Charles interrogating Jessica like she's applying for family membership.
Jake attempted subtle intelligence gathering through casual conversation, but his efforts were about as subtle as a marching band.
"So Jessica, what brought you to education? Always wanted to teach, or did you consider other careers? Like... I don't know... government work? Intelligence? Corporate espionage?"
Jake thinks Jessica might be a spy. This is either paranoid or hilarious.
Amy assessed Jessica with polite but analytical attention, clearly evaluating potential competition while maintaining social courtesy.
"Kole's mentioned your teaching innovations," Amy said diplomatically. "It sounds like you're quite successful at reaching difficult students."
Amy's being professionally courteous while mentally cataloguing Jessica's qualifications.
Terry's daughters claimed Jessica immediately, drawn by her natural teacher energy and genuine interest in their school projects and holiday plans. She settled onto the floor to examine their drawings with focused attention that suggested professional habit rather than adult condescension.
Jessica in her element. Natural with kids, authentic enthusiasm, exactly what I expected from watching her character.
Except this isn't her character anymore. This is just Jessica being herself.
Holt and Kevin engaged Jessica in sophisticated discussion about educational pedagogy and public policy, clearly impressed by her thoughtful responses to complex questions about childhood development and institutional reform.
"The intersection between socioeconomic factors and learning outcomes is particularly fascinating," Kevin observed during a conversation about Jessica's inner-city teaching experience.
"Fascinating and heartbreaking," Jessica replied honestly. "You see kids with incredible potential who just need stable support systems, and then you see how few resources are actually available to provide that support."
She fits. She actually fits with everyone, from Terry's kids to Holt's intellectual discussions.
Which makes this feel more real and more terrifying simultaneously.
The evening progressed with characteristic Nine-Nine chaos—multiple conversations overlapping, friendly arguments about football teams and cooking techniques, the particular warmth that came from people who genuinely enjoyed each other's company despite professional stresses and personality conflicts.
This is what I wanted when I transferred here. This exact feeling of belonging to something bigger than myself.
Built entirely on lies about who I really am.
Teddy's arrival disrupted the social equilibrium with immediate effect. Amy's boyfriend carried himself with aggressive confidence that suggested deep insecurity about his place in Amy's life and social circle.
Teddy treating this like competition instead of celebration.
"Martinez," Teddy announced, extending his hand with crushing grip strength, "Amy's told me about you. New transfer, impressive credentials, making quite an impact at the Nine-Nine."
Alpha male posturing. Of course.
"Nice to meet you," Kole replied politely, neither escalating nor backing down from Teddy's obvious power play.
"What's your background? Military? Special training? You've got that look."
What look? The look of someone wearing a borrowed identity with supernatural abilities?
"Police academy, standard training, nothing special."
Teddy's expression suggested he found this explanation inadequate.
"Huh. Amy mentioned you've been solving cases with unusual efficiency. Photographic memory, excellent physical condition, tactical awareness—sounds like specialized training to me."
Amy's been discussing my abilities with her boyfriend. Information security concern.
Jessica watched this exchange with amused interest, clearly recognizing Teddy's territorial behavior for what it was.
"Kole's naturally observant," she said diplomatically. "Good at reading people and situations."
Jessica defending me against Teddy's interrogation. Sweet and unnecessary.
Jake enjoyed Teddy's obvious frustration with visible satisfaction.
"Martinez is just talented," Jake said with false helpfulness. "Some people are naturally good at police work. Right, Charles?"
"Exceptionally talented," Charles agreed enthusiastically. "Almost supernaturally talented, you might say."
Charles making things worse by being helpful. Perfect.
Rosa muttered from across the table, "Santiago, your boyfriend's the worst."
Rosa expressing everyone's collective opinion.
Amy's embarrassment was visible as Teddy continued his attempts to establish dominance through career comparisons, physical challenges, and increasingly desperate demonstrations of his own accomplishments.
"Arm wrestling?" Teddy suggested when conversation failed to establish his superiority. "I've been hitting the gym pretty seriously lately."
Teddy challenging me to arm wrestling at Thanksgiving dinner. This is peak insecurity.
"I'm good, thanks," Kole said politely.
Jessica leaned over and whispered, "Smart. Don't humiliate the insecure guy at Thanksgiving."
She gets it. She understands the social dynamics without needing explanation.
The evening's warmth was interrupted by Kole's phone ringing with the distinctive tone that meant emergency dispatch. Around the table, every detective's phone buzzed simultaneously—all hands call, immediate response required.
Work emergency during family dinner. The timing is brutal.
Jake answered first, his expression shifting from social to professional within seconds.
"Multiple grocery store robberies in progress. Coordinated hits, professional crew, high-value targets."
Coordinated robberies. On Thanksgiving. Who robs grocery stores on Thanksgiving?
"The twist," Jake continued, reading from his phone, "they're specifically targeting Thanksgiving turkeys. But get this—the turkeys contain high-end electronics. Someone's been using holiday food as smuggling containers."
Electronics hidden in turkey boxes. Only in Brooklyn.
Terry sighed with the resignation of someone whose family dinner had just been sacrificed to criminal activity.
"Terry's family understands, but Terry's not happy about it."
Professional obligation versus family celebration. The eternal law enforcement conflict.
The squad began gathering their things with practiced efficiency, transforming from family gathering to tactical unit within minutes. Jessica watched the transition with fascination rather than disappointment.
"Go," she said to Kole before he could apologize. "This is important."
She understands. Actually understands without resentment.
"I'm sorry. This isn't how I wanted the evening to go."
"It's exactly how it should go. People need help, and you help people. That's who you are."
That's who you are. If only she knew who I really am.
Jessica insisted on staying to help clean up with the non-law enforcement family members—Kevin, Sharon, Terry's daughters, and the various significant others who understood that police work didn't respect holiday schedules.
Jessica integrating with my found family while I respond to criminal emergencies.
The life I'm building feels real enough to break my heart with its fragility.
As the squad prepared to roll out, Kole watched Jessica laughing with Terry's daughters while helping Kevin stack plates and listening to Sharon's stories about previous interrupted holiday celebrations.
She belongs here. She fits with my family like she was meant to be part of this.
All built on lies I can never take back.
"Martinez," Jake called from the door, "you coming?"
Duty calls. Time to leave warmth behind for cold November streets and absurd crime.
Time to be Detective Martinez instead of just Kole.
"On my way."
Jessica kissed his cheek as he passed, whispering, "Be safe. I'll be here when you get back."
I'll be here when you get back.
Promise and threat wrapped in five simple words.
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