AN-This is another in my sex list. I wrote this for the amazing Shin, who has put up with me for several months now. I have learnt a lot from her and now can't wait till season two starts so we can become even more emotional involved in the lives of the characters we write.


As he sat as his desk watching her he knew there was something bothering her. She had been distracted all day and she hardly bugged Christopher at all. At the crime scene that morning she had seemed fine and had gone about doing her job, yet as soon as she got back she had retreated and had hardly spoken. Every once in awhile she would sit chewing her bottom lip or the end of her pen, staring off into the distance. He had no idea what was wrong, she was fine when they went to bed the night before. He should have known when he woke up and found the bed empty and her ready eating breakfast that something was off. She was never up first and she never made breakfast unless he wasn't around. They hadn't really had time to talk, and at the rate things were going they wouldn't be able to till they got home. Going back to work he knew when they got home he would have a talk with her and find out, but for now their case needed solving.

Sitting staring off into space she knew this was not helping solve the case but since she got up that morning and the realisation had hit her, she hadn't thought of anything else. She had managed to push it aside when they were at the crime scene but now while the computer ran its checks and they waited on Loretta in autopsy, her mind was back to full throttle overthinking. She had no idea how this could have happened, she was always so careful. This was not getting her anywhere as there was nothing she could do, well not at that moment in time there wasn't. Taking the pen back out her mouth that she hadn't realised she was chewing, she put it on the desk and start to type on her keyboard to see if she could speed up solving the case. The quicker she solved the case the quicker she could resolve the issues she was having one way or the other.

After all four agents had ran checks and collaborate the information they had had four places to visit. The morgue to see Loretta, the house of the dead sailor, the dead sailors parents house and lastly the commanding office of the there dead sailor.

"Christopher, Percy, you take the parents house and then the CO, Brody and I will go see Loretta and then go to the dead sailors house." Pride called out as he stood from his desk and went to get his weapon out the filling cabinet.

There was a flurry of activity as all four agents got their jackets and gear as well as Brody and Percy taking their weapons out there desks. They all headed out the doors leading to where LaSalle and Pride and had parked their cars. Splitting up, LaSalle and Percy got into LaSalle's truck while Pride and Brody got in Pride's truck. As Pride climbed in the driver's seat he glanced to his right and saw Brody doing her seatbelt up. After putting his seatbelt on, he watched as LaSalle put his truck in drive and pulled out through the black gates, turning right before he followed behind and turned left.

Driving to the morgue, the silence in the car was deadly. Brody never spoke and spent the whole ride looking out the side window. They were at work and they had always managed to keep work and pleasure separate. There was only one occasion when the line had been crossed and that was due to the fact he had been hurt. He couldn't stop her barreling into him as he stood at the ambulance being checked over and cleaned up. It was the only time he wrapped his arms around her and held her while at work. She needed to know he was okay and if that was what it took he went with it. Now though was different. He had no idea how to start the conversation in case he was wrong, but then again he would rather have her mad at him for being wrong than not caring at all. As he parked the car up outside the morgue he reached across and stopped her getting out the car by placing a hand on her arm.

"Merri, what's wrong? You haven't been yourself all morning." Letting his thumb skim back and forth over the sleeve of her jacket where his hand rested.

Brody turned to look at Pride when he spoke, hearing the concern in his voice. She looked at him and she could see he was worried, but she had no idea how to tell him what was wrong. Lifting her hand up she placed it on top of his and smiled as best as she could. She knew he would see through it, but it was worth a shot.

"Nothing's wrong, I'm fine. Let's get in and see Loretta or she will be wondering where we are." Squeezing his hand and then let go as she made a quick exit out the car.

She was lying and he knew it, yet she was too quick for him and she had evaded the question. Getting out the car he followed her into the morgue and down to see Loretta. He would find a way to catch up with her and get to the bottom of what was wrong, but not right now. Following her through the doors and down to see Loretta he had no choice but to wait till later to speak with her.

As they stood talking to Loretta he saw his sharp as tac Brody come back, asking the right questions and smiling the smile he loved so much. When they had all the information they needed Brody bid Loretta fair well and darted out the door, leaving Pride stood still watching after her. Loretta looked between the door and the stark still Pride.

"Was it my new perfume or did you two have a fallout?" Loretta asked as she saw the look on Prides face.

"Loretta, I have no idea what's going on. She has been like this all day and I can't get her to talk to me." Looking at Loretta as he spoke. "I am at a loss want to do, I tried talking when we first got here, but she fobbed me off and got out the car like a bat outta hell, just like her exit there. Looks like I am going to have to wait till we get home, she's just pushing me away. I better go after her and get back, sooner we're done the better, thanks, Loretta." Giving his friend a brief smile as he turned and headed out the door.

When he arrived back at the car he found Brody leaning back against the hood looking down the street. He didn't say a word but came and sat beside her, sitting right up against her so their legs touched. Taking a chance he slid his arm around her waist and rested his hand on her hip, gently getting her to lean into him. It worked as he felt her move a little and rested her head on his shoulder. He stayed still, didn't move, didn't speak, just held her close as they looked down the street. He knew they had work to do and a house to look over but for now this was what was needed. She needed this and he was happy to let her take whatever comfort necessary. Turning his head a little to face her he kissed her temple and rested his lips on her head. Feeling her snuggle a little closer, he brought his other hand over and slotted his fingers through hers as he held her hand. Neither spoke as they sat there, watching people go about their daily lives. All that mattered at that moment in time was the person sat beside them.

When Brody finally moved she looked up at Pride and smiled as he watched her. Leaning in she placed a kiss to his lips and moved back again.

"Thank you, I know we don't do this but I just needed grounding. We need to talk later and we will, but now we have work to do." Placing a kiss to his cheek and standing up.

Seeing her stand up he nodded his head and stood up to join her. Things were by no means perfect, but he knew she would talk to him, and she had at least told him in a roundabout way there was something wrong. Getting in the car he drove them over to the dead sailors house and were given access by local NOPD. They did a sweep of the house and took away a laptop and a memory stick which they would give to Patton when they got back. There was no evidence of anything untoward in the house so they left and headed back to pass the laptop and memory stick to Patton and hope that LaSalle and Percy had had more luck.

Again the drive was silent as Brody looked out the window and thought over her options. She knew she would have to tell Pride something as she had said she would. On saying that if her gut was right then she would have to tell him anyway. This was one time she hoped and prayed she was wrong. When they arrived back at the office she was so lost in thought she didn't even realised they had stopped and parked up. It wasn't until she felt a hand in hers that she shook her head out of her daze and looked at Pride.

"We are not getting out this car now till you tell me what the hell has got you so occupied. It has to be major for you to be like this." Turning in his seat to face her.

Taking a few deep breaths, she looked down at their joined hands and back at his face. His face was full of concern and she could see he was serious about not getting out till he knew what was wrong.

"Come on, it can't be that bad, whatever it is..." But he stopped mid-sentence when she spoke.

"I think I'm pregnant." Not daring to look at him when she said it.

If the car was silent before it seemed the universe had stopped spinning when she said them four words. He was rendered speechless and he just sat there slack-jawed looking at her. Finally, she looked up and saw the way he was sat with his mouth practically hanging open and the look of total shock on his face. It took his brain a few minutes to process what she had said as his thought process caught up. He finally managed to move his mouth as he licked his lips and finally found his voice.

"Are you sure? Have you check or tested or anything? What makes you think you could be? We have been so careful every time. How could this have happened? No wonder you have been preoccupied. How long have you been thinking about this? Why didn't you say something earlier? Oh hell, come here." Seeing the huge tears rolling down her cheeks.

Reaching over he opened his arms and she moved as best as she could into them. Burying her head in his shoulder he felt her crying as he held her and stroked his finger through her shoulder length hair. He had never expected this to happen, they had made sure to be careful. Doing the job she did was not part of parent making material, he knew that and they had had never ever discussed children. He always presumed that she didn't want kids as she never mentioned them, plus she was always the one who insisted on protection. Placing a few kisses to her head he felt her sniffle against his neck before she sat up.

Letting go of her, she sat up and wiped her cheeks over with the back of her hands. Looking over at Pride she sniffled a little before she spoke.

"What the hell are we going to do Dwayne? I can't be pregnant, not now. We haven't even discussed having a family." Giving him a pleading look.

"Let's take this one step at a time. I take it by the fact you think this is possible then you're late. So how late is late?" Taking her hand in his as he spoke.

"A week, I am never this late. A day or two maybe but never a week." Looking up and seeing him watching her.

"Right then, let's not jump to conclusions. There may be a perfect explanation for this. Stress plays a major factor and so does a few other things. How about we call in and pick up a test on the way home and settle this once and for all. If you are then we will deal with it like we do everything else, hand in hand together. If you're not then we can all relax and see how things go. That sound good to you?" Squeezing her hand.

"Sounds like a plan, but what if I am..." Stopping as she felt his lips brush gently over hers.

"We will manage, I promise." Resting his forehead against hers.

They stayed like for a minute or so, drawing strength and energy from each other. It was Brody who moved first as she sat up and ran her thumb over Prides knuckles where their hands were still joined. Looking between there hands and his face she smiled a little.

"We better get in there, Percy and LaSalle will be wondering what we are doing out here." Nodding her head towards the big doors leading into the office.

"Come on then." Bringing their joined hands to his lips and kissing the back of her hand before letting go.

Getting out the car they walked in to find the place empty. Looking around they finally found both agents in interrogation. Instead of interrupting they stood and watch as LaSalle let Percy lead the interrogation. Since no one knew they were there and the place was silent Pride slid his arm around Brody waist and pulled her to his side as he watch through the glass as Percy had the man they were questioning chasing his own tail with the lies he was telling. Feeling Pride pull her closer, she had no problem with leaning on him a little as they stood. She was pleased to see the new member of their team was taking to the team well and was an expert at getting information out of people. Sure enough after ten minutes of questioning Percy had a part confession and a name for an accomplice. Cuffing their man again, they marched him out, no doubt to hand him over to be charged.

Pride and Brody stood and looked at each other before Pride moved a little so he was stood in front of her. Lifting his hand up he brought it to her hair and moved her fringe a little so it wasn't sitting in her left eye. Cupping her cheek with his hand he kissed her forehead.

"I love you, you know that right. No matter what happens later never ever forget that." Kissing her head again and pulling her to him as he gave her a bone-crushing hug.

"I know you do, I love you too." Kissing his neck where her face rested in the crook of his neck.

"We better go help out since this is my office and we both work here as well." Letting her go and stepping away.

Separating from each other they walked out of the observation room and headed across the courtyard. They entered the office in time to see NOPD taking the suspect away and LaSalle and Percy gearing up to get out and round up there others suspect.

"You two got this or want us to go while you write up the reports from the interrogation?" Pride asked LaSalle who was about to pick his jacket up.

LaSalle looked across at Percy who he saw had sat back down smiling. He gathered by that she was happy to let Pride and Brody go round this up. Looking at his Boss he smiled and sat down as well, holding out a piece of paper with the address on. Brody stepped forward and took it, glancing at it before she put it in her pocket. Moving to her desk she grabbed her bag and came to stand at the doors where Pride was waiting for her. Heading out together they hoped it would be a straightforward pickup.


AN2-This was supposed to be a one-shot, but my brain had other ideas. I hope to get the other half up in the next day or two.