Chapter one

Molly's was doing pretty well, everyone was getting along like they had been friends for years. Rafferty had secured her place at Fire House 51 but something was still weighing heavily on her shoulders. She was sitting comfortably at the back of Molly's nursing an almost empty beer bottle. One singular thought kept running through her mind and just when she shrugged it off and had another swig of alcohol, the thought returned and she was back to thinking. Thinking and drinking, she had been doing a lot of that recently.

Herrmann was wiping down the bar and couldn't help but notice Rafferty deep in thought. He drop the cloth he was using, walk out from behind the bar and over to where the Paramedic was sulking. "Can I get you another beer?" he said way too chipper. Rafferty just shook her head only glancing up to make eye contact for a split second before returning to her train of thought. "You know I can also offer you an ear if you've got something on your mind?"

Rafferty was about to speak when Shaye walked into Molly's and smiled at her best friend who was busy behind the bar. She sat down and they began to talk and joke as Dawson poured Shaye a drink. Herrmann noticed that Rafferty had zoned out and looked over to where her gaze was suddenly drawn. To his surprise he spotted Shay talking with Dawson, he turned back to face Rafferty with a curious grin. Rafferty missed his look and just let her eyes slide back down to her beer. "Actually I will take another beer, thanks Herrmann." She finished off her drink and handed him the empty bottle. Herrmann just smiled and took the bottle from her hand.

"You got it." And with that he turned around and walked back behind the bar.

Dawson immediately notice the smile on Herrmann's face as he put down an empty beer and grabbed a fresh one out of the fridge. "Why are you smiling like that?" Dawson curiosity was peeked, she glanced over at Rafferty and could see she wasn't smiling, so what did Herrmann find so funny?

"No reason, life is just…" he didn't finish his sentence. Instead he just turned and walked back over to Rafferty leaving Dawson even more curious, however she quickly moved on when a customer approached the bar.

Shaye on the other hand was now staring in Rafferty's general directing. Contemplating weather or not to join her. They were friendly but Shaye was watching not to cross any lines. She watched Herrmann put the drink on the table and return to the bar as the brunette barely reacted. Giving the slightest nod of acknowledgement before she returned to whatever she was thinking about. Shaye figured it must be… something, so she rose from her bar stool and walked over to her partner.

"Drinking alone?" Rafferty's head shot up, she hadn't even realized Shay had walked over. She was smirking but in a friendly way and without an invitation she sat down at the table effectively joining her for a drink. "That's never a good sign."

"Key word ALONE." her comment was so quick she didn't even think about it, the tone had come off far harsher than she intended and yet Shay was still determined to be friendly.

"I see. It's one of those nights is it?" She just shrugged off the tone trying to engage in a real talk with her new college. "Are you ok? I mean you don't have to talk to me… but if you wanted… too…" Shaye rambled suddenly feeling a bit nervous.

"Sorry." Rafferty's eyes were locked on her drink but the sincerity was clear. Still, Shay was unclear as to why she was suddenly apologetic.

"What for?" she chuckled, like there was no tension at all.

"Everything." This time Rafferty looked up and locked eyes with Shay and Shay realized it was a general apology for all the issues they have had till recently. She also notices Rafferty starting to slur slightly.

"How much have you had to drink, Rafferty?" she smiled attempting to lighten the conversation a little. Rafferty smiled back too her surprise, then looked back at her drink.

"A few." She responded before reaching into her jacket for her keys, she didn't grip them quit right and they dropped out onto the floor. "Dam…" she reached down under the table brushing her hand along the ground for her lost keys. Shay didn't mean to but she couldn't help but stare and giggle at the poor attempted of motor control.

"Maybe you shouldn't be driving?" Shay asked. Rafferty looked up at shay half under the table. She was about to ague when she spotted her keys, grabbing them and quickly returning to an upright position.

"Maybe I will catch a taxi." She gave up and dumped her keys on the table. They landed with a sharp thud and a second later Shay snatch them up off the table.

"Don't be silly, I'll take you home." There was a pause that seemed to last forever and Shay began to think that the offer was a line crosser.

"Fine." Rafferty finally said, there was no gay comment or rudeness just friendly cooperation between colleges. The two weoman got up and left Molly's.

Herrmann and Dawson where cleaning behind the bar when Shay and Rafferty left together, Herrmann noticed and he couldn't help but chuckled to himself. Dawson heard him laugh and looked over. "Seriously what's so funny?"