A/N An old fic that I never posted because at the time I wrote it, I couldn't for the life of me think of a title. I don't think that there is anything in it that would cause it to run au.
Separation Anxiety
Chapter 1
Andrea had such a feeling of deja vu walking into the squad room. Eying the eight layer monstrosity in the corner, she asked. "Did you guys break up another wedding?"
Provenza tried his best to make his tone appropriately snooty as he informed her. "It's not a wedding cake. It's a divorce cake."
"Ah!" Andrea caught on. "So the groom didn't topple over in transport. He's suppose to be sprawled out at the bottom of the staircase. I wondered why the bride's foot was sticking out like that."
"You want a slice?" Sykes asked.
"I could eat." Andrea agreed. "But first I really need to talk to the Captain."
"Take a number." Flynn grumbled.
Andrea glanced over at the Captain's office and winced as she recognized the party deep in conversation with Sharon. "Ouch. Closed door meeting with FID. Do I ask or should I be trying to maintain plausible deniability?"
Provenza rolled his eyes. "That's the second FID guy to come in today for a coffee consult."
Since she had to wait, Andrea saw no harm – except to her waistline – in indulging. She let Amy cut her a wedge while listening to Flynn grumble.
"As soon as word got out about the Captain's divorce, the vultures started circling."
"I know how you guys feel about FID, but they exist for a reason." Andrea's eyes couldn't help but drift towards Sanchez as she spoke.
Flynn clarified exactly what he meant by vulture. "We had ourselves an actual Pope sighting. Haven't seen hide nor hair of the guy in how many years, but out of the blue he showed up to tell us what a great job we're doing and to marvel that Provenza was still alive."
"He's a vulture." Andrea agreed.
Looking like a puppy dog in a pet shop window waiting for someone to pick him, Flynn kept throwing glances in the direction of Sharon and her former colleague from FID.
After taking another bite, Andrea poked at Flynn by asking. "Has Judge Grove been by yet?"
Tao answered instead. "He has. Yesterday. Rios happened to get here right after him. She sent him packing. She doesn't want Stroh to be able to argue that there was as much as a hint of any ex parte communication."
Eyes narrowing, Provenza pointed out. "A good lawyer never asks a question she doesn't know the answer to."
Andrea smiled. "Why Louie, are you calling me a good lawyer?"
When Provenza just scowled, Andrea stole another quick glance towards Andy before answering. "I may have mentioned Sharon's divorce to him in passing."
Provenza wasn't above name calling. "You little shyster, you."
Andrea shrugged. "Judge Grove is one of the fairest, most conscionable jurists you will ever meet – which is why Rios didn't want him getting into a position where he might have to recuse himself. He would never allow himself to be unduly influenced, but the subconscious mind ..." Hobbs trailed off demurely.
" ... is unconscious." An unamused Provenza provided for her.
"This cake is fabulous." Andrea took another bite before asking. "Gavin?"
"Gavin's gay!" Andy protested before suddenly looking unsure. "Isn't he?"
Yanking Flynn's chain was too easy. Andrea tipped her head towards the seriously over the top cake. "I meant the cake. Was Gavin responsible for it?"
"Oh. Yeah." Flynn answered less animatedly.
Entering the squad room, Rusty took a look through the open blinds of Sharon's office and rolled his eyes. "Seriously? That clown again?"
Rather than check in with Sharon, Rusty tried to get Flynn's attention. "Andy, can I talk to you a sec?"
"Sure kid. What's up?"
Clearly uncomfortable with all the eyes now on him, Rusty added. "Not here."
As soon as Andy was gone, Sanchez turned to Andrea. "I guess you're not Team Flynn?"
"What makes you say that?" Andrea asked.
"Well … because you told Judge Grove." Sanchez pointed out.
"Judge Grove was going to find out eventually whether I told him or not."
"True." Sanchez conceded.
Andrea took her time flaying a forkful of frosting from the cake before adding. "But if I was really Team Grove I wouldn't have said it in front of Rios and then as soon as Judge Grove left tried to make a wager with her on whether he was headed directly over to ask Sharon out or if he would stop for flowers on the way ..."
An irritated Provenza barked. "How diabolical!"
But Sanchez sounded impressed. "Don't ever go to the dark side and start working for the defense."
tbc
