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SCOREBOARD
PERALTA      ZAPATA
35                  44

"For the last time, the best cop movies, Training Day, Lethal Weapon, and Fargo. End of discussion," Amy announced.

"Wrong," Jake scoffed, "Die hard is the best cop movie of all time. One cop heroically saving the day while everyone else stands around and watches. It's the story of my life."

"I finally agree with you on something and you ruined it," Natasha laughed.

Jake nearly fell out of his chair as he turned to face her with wide eyes.

"You like Die Hard, seriously," Amy scoffed.

Natasha glared at her. "Yes. It was my father's favorite movie, we watched it together all the time. Problem Santiago?"

"N-no, no, of course not. I think Die Hard is great actually," Amy smiled awkwardly.

"Don't be a pushover Santiago," Natasha advised.

Jake was still watching Natasha in shock, only now a grin had formed on his face.

"And you need to stop being creepy," Natasha hit him over the head.

"Are you half-Jewish by any chance?" Jake looked up at her hopefully.

"Are you looking to get seriously injured today?" Natasha replied.

"You'd think that would make me stop but it's actually doing the opposite," Jake smiled.

Natasha gave him a blank look before she pushed him out of his chair.

The team laughed as Jake scrambled off the floor.

"Nice one," Rosa gave her a high five.

"Anyway," Jake cleared his throat, "Back to the best cop movie."

"I like Turner & Hooch. Tom Hanks, reluctant friendship with a dog. That hits me where I live," Charles said.

"No," Rosa shook her head, "Robocop. It's got everything I like, gratuitous violence."

Jake turned to her when she paused. "Oh, I thought you were listing things."

"I was. I'm done."

"Okay," Jake turned away from her.

"Let's talk Bad Boys," Gina smiled, "That's the perfect cop movie. Mr. Smith, lookin' fine. A hot cup of tea Leoni. Come on."

Terry rolled over to the group. "Francois Truffaut's Breathless."

Everyone gave Terry blank looks.

"What?" He scoffed, "Terry likes foreign films."

"M'kay. There is a correct answer to this question, though. So gather around for the greatest cop film of all time. Please refrain from texting during our presentation."

Everyone gathered around Jake as he opened up a video on his computer.

"All right, so there's Hitchcock. And there's an old hooker. There it is!"

Everyone burst into laughter as they watched Hitchcock get kicked by the hooker.

"Come on, guys, that happened four years ago," Hitchcock frowned as he stood by them.

"Shh, this is the best part," Jake points, "Takes the wallet and here she goes!"

Everyone's laughter grew louder as they watched the hooker kicked Hitchcock down once again.

Natasha had tears in her eyes at this point. "Send that to me."

"Tell me what your favorite part of Die Hard is first," Jake requested.

Natasha rolled her eyes before leaning against his desk. This video of Hitchcock was more than worth it.

The rest of the team began making their way to their own desks at the mention of Die Hard.

Natasha was sure this was the longest she'd smiled at Jake Peralta since she'd known him. She liked talking about the movie, it reminded her of her father.

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"Peralta, where are we on the Adams street burglary?" Captain Holt asked at the morning briefing.

"We are very close, Captain. Aside from a complete absence of evidence, suspects, or leads. So, in conclusion, not at all close," Jake smiled

"And the Vickers street aggravated assault?"

"Stalled out, and the Calloway robbery also remains unsolved. Due to a lack of solving it by me."

Gina grimaced. "Sounds like someone's in a little bit of a slump."

"I'm not in a slump," Jake scoffed.

"You're not?" Amy laughed and pointed to the whiteboard, "Scoreboard."

Natasha was currently in the lead with nine points over Jake.

"We are never going on a date," Natasha smirked at jake.

"Oh, yes we are! Because I don't slump, people. I opposite slump. I p-muls. That's 'slump' backwards, and it's what I do. I p-muls all over this bitch!"

Captain Holt rolled his eyes. "Dismissed."

"Slump," Amy laughed.

"P-muls!"

"Dumbass," Natasha corrected.

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"Hi, Rosa, Tasha. Oh, I like your shoes. They're a really pretty-"

Rosa cut her off. "What do you need?"

"Color," Amy trailed off, "Okay. You know how every year the precinct does that Junior police program seminar?"

"That thing where we try to get a bunch of loser kids to become student snitches?" Rosa's face scrunched up in disinterest. 

Amy frowned. "No, the thing where we try to get at-risk kids-"

"Losers," Natasha corrected.

"To sign up to become Junior police officers."

"Snitches," Rosa corrected, "What about it?"

"Captain specifically asked me to run it this year. I signed you both up to do it with me. Here's the info."

Natasha frowned as Amy shoved a portfolio into her hands. "I don't want this."

"Now I gotta read something?" Rosa rolled her eyes.

Gina walked over to the three. "Greetings. Fine. I guess I can help you with those at-risk kids."

At least with Gina this might be kind of bearable, Natasha thought to herself with a smile.

Amy scoffed. "I don't need your help. It's nothing personal, it's just you're not a cop, so I'm not really sure you could help."

"Okay. No hard feelings. But I hate you. Not joking. Bye."

Natasha dumped the portfolio in the trash.

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"Natasha," Captain Holt called her into his office.

"What's up Captain," Natasha closed the door behind her.

"I would like your help in getting Peralta out of his slump," He explained.

Natasha laughed. "So, you basically want me to help Jake win our bet."

"This is serious Natasha. Peralta is a good detective but if I want to make this precinct the best in Brooklyn then I need all my detective at their best. I've decided to keep him off the field to force a breakthrough but I believe you will be better at getting through to him."

Natasha scoffed. "I barely know the guy Captain, wouldn't Terry or Boyle be a better choice for this? Besides, what am I supposed to do? Santiago wants me to help her out with those at-risk kids."

"I believe a simple pep talk of sorts will make quite the impact. He told me how much your advice helped him during the Podolski case."

Natasha sighed. "Fine, I'll talk to him."

Captain Holt raised a brow at her.

"I'll go talk to him now," Natasha corrected with a huff.

"Thank you."

She made her way to Jake's desk. "Get up."

"What?" Jake looked up at her, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Get up," Natasha repeated slowly.

"Why? I-"

"Before I make you," Natasha advised him.

Jake jumped out of his seat. He followed Natasha into the evidence room.

"Alright, what's going on?" Jake huffed as Natasha came to a stop.

"You need to get it together," Natasha glared at him, "I said you were a good detective and I'm never wrong. You're not ruining that. So, get out of your head and-"

Jake sighed. "Did the Captain put you up to this? Because he already gave me this stupid rabbit's foot and I don't need more-"

Natasha glared at him. "Don't cut me off again. Now, listen to me. The only reason I'm doing this is because I actually think that you're a good detective okay? And good detectives shouldn't be stuck at their desk all day, that's for Scully and Hitchcock."

Jake gave her a small smile. "Thanks Tasha."

"Besides, winning the bet isn't going to be as fun if you make it this easy. Not that you've ever been hard to beat so far actually" Natasha smirked.

"Oh, it is so on!" Jake promised.

"Close a case and maybe I'll believe you."

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Rosa and Natasha stood off to the side with their arms crossed as they watched Amy.

"Okay, this is the Junior police program. Aka 'Mission Possible'," Amy played spy music as she danced.

"Stop doing that," Natasha demanded.

"Okay," Amy came to a halt immediately, "Now, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to get your life back on track."

"Narc!" Gina coughed as she walked in.

Natasha tried to stifle her laugh while the kids did not. 

Amy paused. "Hey, Gina. What are you doing?"

"Oh, hi, Amy. Since I have nothing to offer, and since I'm not a cop, I thought I'd just show up and learn."

Amy turned to Rosa and Natasha. "Do you wanna help me out here?"

"Nah, I think I'm good," Rosa shook her head.

"I'm enjoying this too much," Natasha smiled.

Amy sighed before turning to the kids. "I know you think getting in trouble is cool. But let me show you what can happen if you continue down this path. 'Hey, yo, I'm an at-risk kid, and I think it's cool to sell drugs.'"

"Hold up why does the kid selling drugs sound like he's black?" One of the kids called out. 

"He's not," Amy shook her head.

"Well, why not?" Gina smirked, "Are you saying that black people can't sell drugs?"

Her eyes widened. "No, I'm not saying that."

"We have a black President. Why can't black people sell drugs?" Another one of the kids scoffed. 

"I'm so confused," Amy frowned.

"Black people can sell drugs!" Gina chanted, the kids following suit.

"Black people can sell drugs! Black people can sell drugs! Black people can sell drugs! Black people can sell drugs! Black people can sell drugs!"

Captain Holt chose this moment to check in on the Junior police program seminar. He watched the kids chant with shock before Amy gave him a shaky thumbs up.

He turned his gaze to Natasha, who gave him a reassuring nod, before walking away.

"Can't we just lock them up in holding until 12," Natasha suggested.

"But that's the whole seminar," Amy frowned.

"Exactly."

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"I did not think getting these kids to sign up would be this hard," Amy sighed.

The three women had decided to take a breather outside.

"These kids don't wanna listen to you," Rosa scoffed, "You're like smart and articulate."

"So are you!" Amy frowned before pausing, "Why am I offended by that?"

"They don't identify with you because you're not from the streets. I am. Follow, watch, learn," Rosa led them back into the seminar.

"All right, listen up. I know you think you're badasses. But deep down, you're scared. How do I know? Because I've been that same scared kid. And if you don't get your crap together, I'm gonna end up busting you and throwing you in jail. Got it?" Rosa glared at the kids. 

"Remix, yo!" One of them smirked as he held up his phone.

♪ Throwing you in jail
Throwing you in jail
Got it?
Throwing you in jail ♪

Rosa watched with wide eyes. "What's happening?"

"I think they're laughing at you," Amy explained slowly.

"That's never happened before. I don't like it."

Natasha rolled her eyes. These kids were giving her a headache and she was very close to throwing them out the precinct. She pushed past Amy and Rosa.

"Hey!" Natasha called out, making everyone quite down, "That is it. None of you are allowed to talk anymore."

The kids scoffed and went about talking amongst themselves, the room slowly filling with loud chatter once again.

Natasha watched them with wide eyes. "What just happened?"

"They didn't listen to you," Amy's eyes darted around the room in fear.

"But, everyone always listens to me," Natasha frowned, "I don't like this."

Before they could try anything else Jake threw open the door. "Hey guys, just need to borrow Tasha for one second."

"What? No!" Amy frowned as Jake grabbed Natasha's arm and dragged her out.

Rosa and Amy turned to face the kids slowly.

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"I have never been happier to see you," Natasha sighed.

"Finally warming up to me, huh?" Jake smirked.

She rolled her eyes. "Where are we going?"

"Well, the evidence room is busy so we need to go somewhere a little more private."

"I am not going into the men's bathroom," Natasha planted her feet to the ground, pulling Jake to a halt.

"Oh, come on! This is the only place we can talk in private," Jake begged.

"We don't need to talk. Ever again," She shrugged

Soon enough, Charles had joined them by the door to the men's room.

"Hey. What's going on?" Charles grinned, "Oh my God, are you guys-"

"No! Don't even think about it," Natasha glared at him.

Jake smiled. "Charles will keep talking about it unless you come inside!"

She huffed before nodding her head to the door.

"Well, I'm not allowed to leave my desk, so we have to meet in here," Jake explained.

Charles grinned. "So what you're saying is that this is kind of a-"

"No, for the last time, Charles, we don't need a clubhouse," Jake sighed.

"Why am I included in this?" Natasha groaned.

"I figured you'd want as much time as possible to prepare for our date," Jake smirked.

"So the slump is over?" Natasha smiled, deciding to let his comment go for once.

Jake nodded his head. "I need you to make these calls for me. Don't let Holt see you. But if my hunch is right, the slump is over. Come through for me, Boyle."

Charles nodded his head. "You know I will."

Charles made his way to the door before rushing back over to the two.  "I'm just saying, put a couple leather chairs in here."

"Go!"Jake and Natasha huffed.

"Never make me come in here again," Natasha grimaced as she looked around the men's bathroom.

"Hey," Jake grabbed her arm before she could leave, "Thank you."

"For what? You solved the case."

"Yeah, but I wouldn't have done it without you or Captain Holt. For someone who threatens me in every conversation we have, you give really good pep talks," Jake smiled.

Natasha laughed. "C'mon, the scoreboard needs updating."

"But I'm not even sure if the slump really is over," Jake frowned.

"Well, I am."

The two made their way to the briefing room where Natasha added one point to Jake's score.

"I'm catching up to you."

"Not really but okay."

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"Detectives. I see we got eight recruits for the Junior police program. Outstanding," Captain Holt smiled.

"Thank you, sir," Amy gulped, "But, as important as your praise is to me, it should actually go to Gina. She's the one that got through to the kids."

"Yes, I am amazing. And I only ask for one thing in repayment. A 600% raise."

"Or I can give you a zero percent raise and make you my personal assistant, which is what I'm doing. I think you have hidden talents, which will make you surprisingly good at the job."

Gina's eyes widened. "No, I have no talents."

"You start Monday. Natasha, nice work with helping Peralta out of his slump."

Natasha gave the man a smile before he turned and walked into his office.

"Ugh. Constantly getting Holt's approval is the worst," Gina groaned as she held her hand out to Natasha for a high five.

"Yes. I can only imagine," Amy glared at the two.

"Excuse me while I bask in Amy's jealousy," Gina smiled.

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"Hey, sarge. I assembled the castle for you. Here it is," Charles smiled as he wheeled in the children's toy.

"Oh, my God," Terry paused, "What happened to all the princess flourishes?"

"Well, they were destroyed, so I turned it into a princess police station. You know, some jobs take brains, some jobs take muscles, some jobs take dainty little fingers. Did I ever tell you I had to wear a woman's wedding ring?"

"Thank you, Boyle. I appreciate it," Terry smiled.

"You're a good dad. Don't put so much pressure on yourself. Oh, check this out! Working siren."

Charles flipped a switch on the castle which left everyone with a ringing in their ears. The sirens he'd installed were ear-piercingly loud.

"I'll fix that! I'll fix, I'll fix that," Charles promised but he couldn't be heard over the blaring sirens

Charles and Terry jumped away from the princess castle when gunshots rang across the bullpen.

The castle was no longer blaring loudly —the bullets embedded in it made sure of that.

Charles and Terry turned to see Natasha standing by her desk with her gun drawn.

She slowly brought her gun down. "Sorry, reflex."

"Dope," Rosa smiled at her.

"That was awesome!" Jake cheered. 

"You had to put a siren," Terry glared at Charles.

"I-I can fix all of this," Charles stuttered.