[Next Morning] [Nine-Nine]
The elevator doors slid open, and before Rosa or Terry could take a second step, the bullpen erupted.
Applause crashed through the room, loud and unrestrained, echoing off desks and glass walls like a victory parade held indoors. Jake was already on his feet, clapping above his head, face split into a grin so wide it looked like it might dislocate something.
"YES," Jake announced to no one in particular and everyone at once. "This is what justice sounds like. Hear that? That is the sound of giggle pigs crying into their tiny rave backpacks."
Rosa stopped short, eyes narrowing as she took in the scene. Terry blinked, surprised, then smiled despite himself.
Jake stepped forward and pointed at the others. "Let's acknowledge Diaz and Jeffords. They worked undercover for months and not only did they get eighty kilos of drugs off the street, but they also seized weapons worth millions. Every single suspect is in handcuffs."
"Suspect in handcuffs... Title of your..." Boyle pointed a finger at Rosa and was about to say: 'Title of your sex tape.' But Rosa's single glare was enough to stop him.
"Not now, Charles," Jake noticed what Charles was about to say. "We are having a moment here."
Boyle clapped enthusiastically, nodding far too hard. "Oh, sorry. It was beautiful. I read the report twice. Once for the procedure and once for the emotional arc. I couldn't help myself."
Amy smiled, proud and relieved, stepping closer. "You dismantled the entire distribution hub. The seizure alone is going to ripple through the city for months."
Terry rubbed the back of his neck, bashful but pleased. "We just did our jobs."
Rosa shrugged. "They got sloppy."
Hitchcock leaned back in his chair. "Still can not believe Ruiz did not make it."
The room quieted just a fraction, not because of Ruiz's name, but because, for the first time, Hitchcock was listening to something other than food and sleep. It looked like a miracle.
Scully frowned thoughtfully. "Yeah. Someone really went at him. Gutted him like a pig over money."
"Speaking of pig, do you think it's possible to fit an entire pig in a really big micro-oven?" Hitchcock asked Scully.
There was another moment of pause as both of them stood up.
"There's only one way to find out," Scully said with a serious expression.
"You are thinking what I am thinking?" Hitchcock asked.
Scully nodded. "Let's buy a pig and a big micro oven and check it out ourselves."
With that, both of them exchanged a handshake.
Everyone sighed and turned their focus toward Rosa and Terry.
Rosa's jaw tightened for half a second before she masked it. "That part was not our bust. According to the witness, someone assassinated him and then they tried to shift everything to another location. My guess is it's his right-hand man, Lopez. Luckily, we got him before he could escape."
Amy nodded slowly. "It closes the loop."
Jake cleared his throat loudly, clapping again as if to push the moment along. "And let us not forget the cherry on top. Deputy Chief Wuntch took a very public loss this morning."
That earned another round of applause just as Captain Holt stepped out of his office.
He waited for silence without asking for it. It came quickly.
Holt clasped his hands behind his back, eyes sharp, posture immaculate. "Detectives Diaz and Sargent Jeffords."
Rosa and Terry straightened instinctively.
"I had complete faith in this task force," Holt said evenly. "And it gives me great satisfaction to confirm that faith was not misplaced. The confiscated narcotics, the recovered weapons, and the arrests represent an unequivocal success."
He paused, just long enough.
"It was also deeply gratifying to watch Madeline Wuntch attempt to undermine your work during the morning meeting at the Commissioner's office, only to be forced into silence by the facts."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "She looked… tired."
Jake pressed a hand to his chest. "Sir. Please. I can only feel so much joy before it becomes medically dangerous."
Holt ignored him. "Well done. Both of you."
Terry exhaled, the tension finally leaving his shoulders. "Thank you, Captain."
Rosa nodded. "Appreciate it."
Near the back of the bullpen, Ray stood with Elle beside him, both of them quiet observers. Ray's expression was neutral, but his eyes followed Rosa for a moment longer than necessary.
Elle noticed. She always did.
"It was you?" She whispered.
"I've no idea what you are talking about," Ray whispered back.
Jake clapped one last time. "Alright, Nine-Nine. Let us bask in victory, file our paperwork, but before that... A surprise from Officer Raymond White, that'll save our lives in the upcoming days..." He pointed at the mess hall.
Charles, who had slipped out during the praise from Holt, was standing where the old coffee machine was. But instead of that old machine, there was a big box.
"No way!" Amy gasped and so did everyone.
"Rosa and Terry, please do the honors," Jake said, pointing at the object.
Rosa and Terry exchanged a look and walked over to the counter.
Then Rosa grabbed the top of the box and ripped it open with efficient violence while Terry pulled the machine free, grunting slightly at the weight. The bullpen leaned in as if witnessing a sacred unveiling.
The machine gleamed under the fluorescent lights. Chrome. Black accents. Buttons everywhere. Two bean hoppers sat proudly on top like twin cannons.
There was a beat.
Then Boyle sucked in a breath like a man seeing God.
"Oh," he whispered reverently. "Oh wow."
Jake squinted at it. "Okay. That is either a coffee machine or a time machine."
Boyle stepped forward, hands hovering but not touching. "This is a Jura Giga Five. Dual grinders. Dual boilers. Two separate bean hoppers so you can blend beans or keep them pure. Twelve programmable drinks with full customization. Temperature, strength, grind, foam density, milk ratios, everything."
Amy's eyes were wide, already scanning the interface. "It has independent thermoblocks?"
Boyle nodded furiously. "Yes. Which means simultaneous brewing and steaming without temperature loss."
Rosa blinked once. "It makes coffee."
"Not just coffee," Boyle said sharply. "Perfect coffee."
Terry leaned back, impressed despite himself. "That looks expensive."
Jake laughed. "How expensive can a coffee machine be?"
Boyle slowly turned to him. "Retail price is about five thousand five hundred dollars."
Silence detonated.
Jake's smile froze. His eyes widened. He looked from the machine to Boyle and back again. "I am sorry. You said five thousand five hundred American freedom dollars."
Amy covered her mouth. "Ray."
Jake spun toward Ray. "Raymond White. Did you just casually drop more money on coffee than I spent on my first car?"
Ray shrugged lightly, hands in his pockets. "The precinct was suffering and Starbucks costs money."
Jake slapped a hand on the counter. "We were inconvenienced. Not financially ruined."
Hitchcock squinted at the machine. "Does it make regular coffee or just weird foam nonsense?"
"It makes regular coffee," Boyle said patiently, but it sounded like a talking parrot. "And espresso. And cappuccino. And flat whites. And custom blends. And it has eco modes so it uses much less power."
Holt's eyes sharpened. "Eco modes."
"Yes, Captain," Boyle said eagerly. "Reduced standby consumption and optimized brewing cycles."
Holt stepped closer and examined the machine with open approval. "Acceptable."
Scully leaned in. "Can it make hot chocolate?"
Boyle nodded. "With milk frothing."
Scully placed a hand over his heart. "We do not deserve this."
Jake dragged both hands down his face. "Ray. Buddy. Pal. This is insane."
Ray smiled calmly. "You all better keep up the good work.'
Amy walked up to him, genuinely touched. "You did not have to do this."
"I wanted to," Ray replied simply.
Terry crossed his arms, smiling. "On behalf of the Nine-Nine. Thank you."
Rosa stared at the machine, then glanced at Ray. "If this thing breaks, I will hunt whoever touches it."
Jake nodded solemnly. "We will form a guard rotation."
Holt cleared his throat. "Detective Boyle."
"Yes, Captain."
"You will oversee operation, maintenance, and access protocols."
Boyle nearly fainted. "I will not fail you."
Jake clapped his hands together. "Alright. First brew. Ceremonial honors."
Everyone looked at Holt.
Holt did not hesitate. "I accept."
Boyle moved like a man defusing a bomb, carefully powering the machine on. Lights flickered to life. The grinders whirred softly, rich and precise.
The first cup poured smoothly, dark and fragrant.
Holt took it, inhaled once, and took a measured sip.
The bullpen held its breath.
Holt nodded. "Remarkable."
Cheers erupted.
Jake threw his arms up. "We are back, baby."
Near the back, Elle watched Ray as the noise swelled around them.
"You bought them a five thousand dollar coffee machine," she said quietly.
Ray kept his eyes forward. "I've more money than I can spend in this lifetime, so that much is nothing; besides, they work hard and deserve it and Rosa will be less cranky after work."
---
[Saturday Morning] [Ray's House]
Amy and Gina decided to move in with Rosa and Ray.
Ray finished carrying the last box up the stairs and set it down just inside the third-floor hallway. He straightened, rolled his shoulders once, and exhaled slowly.
"That's the last of it," he said.
Gina stepped out of the room, which she had already claimed like conquered territory. She wore oversized sunglasses indoors. She looked around with clear approval.
"I just want it on record," she said, "this house has excellent bones, high ceilings, intimidating silence. Strong 'rich but emotionally complicated' vibes. But we have to do something about that silence part."
Amy walked out of her room, holding a small notebook she was using to keep track of her belongings. She glanced between the rooms again, as if verifying that reality had not shifted while she was not looking.
"This still feels very fast," she said with a nervous expression.
Ray nodded. "It is fast."
Rosa leaned against the railing, arms crossed, watching them both with an amused expression. "Fast does not mean wrong."
Amy smiled faintly at that. "I know. I'm just excited. Like it's really a big deal."
"Well, since we are all done with the moving," Ray said as he took off his shirt with a smirk. "How about a pool party? Rosa makes some awesome barbeque and I make some mean drinks."
---
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