"In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equal groups - the police, who investigate crimes, and the district attorney, who prosecutes the offenders. These are their stories."
Stella stopped, surprised when she heard that familiar voice. She backed up a couple of steps until she was in front of the break room. Peering in, she had to put a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing.
Sid sat on the couch, a tupperware container full of leftovers sitting in his lap. His glasses hung from the chain around his neck, and he didn't even look at his food as he ate. On the table in front of him rested a laptop, and Stella could see the familiar faces of Mike Logan and Max Greevey as they worked on a case. Not wanting to interrupt Sid, she sat in one of the chairs behind the couch, quickly becoming engrossed in the episode.
When the forty-five minute show was over, Sid sighed contentedly and sat up to shut the computer down. Stella moved to get up, her chair scraping along the floor, and the medical examiner jumped, his tupperware flying out of his lap as he yelped in surprise.
"Oh God, Sid, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
Laying a hand over his heart, he glared at her. "How long have you been sitting there?"
Stella smiled sheepishly. "The whole episode. I'm really sorry."
He shook his head, waving her off. "Don't worry about it, Stella. I just had no idea that you were there." He bent down to pick up his container, carrying it over to the sink to rinse it out. "Are you a fan of the detective drama, then?"
She nodded. "I am, actually. I've watched it for years."
"As have I. I just discovered them on DVD, however, and I'm going through the seasons from the very beginning. Not all of their procedures are right, but I like to compare their cases to ours."
Stella smiled. "And I bet you always had a thing for Rodgers."
Sid actually blushed. "I do have to admit a certain attraction to the red-headed medical examiner."
"Though she's not always a red head," the detective pointed out.
"True, but I do prefer it when her hair is that deep auburn. Very stunning. Not to mention her dry wit."
"I always thought there was something going on with her and Lennie."
"So did I," Sid agreed. "I was sad to see him go. I will always think of him as the very heart of the show."
Packing up his stuff, he joined Stella as they moved back out into the corridor.
"So is that what you do on your lunch breaks then?" Stella asked. "Watch old episodes of Law & Order?"
"I do now."
"Maybe tomorrow I'll join you."
Sid smiled. "Detective Bonasera, I'd be delighted."
