Title- Dry Bones Author- garretelliot and jtbwriter
Disclaimer- Believe me if we owned them you'd know it!
Author's Note- Well I promised you a sequel to Her Kind Of Town and here it is. This one is completely co-authored by garretelliot and jtbwriter. We hope you enjoy it and please read and review. With very special thanks to Miri(aka VampyreHeart).

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Wren Morgan stepped off the elevator, searching for her best friend, Sarah Matthews. It was Sass' first day back at work and Wren wanted to take her to lunch. The past few weeks had been hard on everyone. The stress of worrying over Garret's professional problems and Woody's physical condition had worn all of them pretty thin. Sarah, not surprisingly, seemed to be showing it the most. Dealing with after effects of her ex-husband's attack as well as trying to bolster Garret's spirits and verbally kicking Woody's butt over his physical therapy and his treatment of Jordan was draining her energy.

"Sarah, you can't keep this up, you're going to make yourself sick." Garret said, catching the petite, raven-haired woman by the arm as she headed toward the door for yet another trip to Woody's apartment.

"Garret, I have to, that boy hasn't the sense of a turnip. Jordan can't take much more of his feeling sorry for himself and shutting her out." She replied, letting him pull her down on the sofa. "Now that he's at his apartment, he won't open the door or even talk to her on the phone!"

Surprising her, Garret nodded. "I know sweetheart, but I think he needs a little tough love this time, okay? If it doesn't work, promise me you'll stay out of it and let Jordan handle it."

Sarah saw the love and concern in his eyes. "Yes, boss man. I promise." She smiled at him then giving him a kiss, she got up and grabbed her car keys.

It was then, she had told Wren, that she knew what she had to say to Woody as she confronted him about his recent behavior.

"Woodrow, you are acting like an idiotic jackass who's stayed at his pity party way too long." She told him, eyes blazing with frustration. "You have got to get over yourself and stop breaking Jordan's heart. I thought you loved her!"

"Sarah, you don't understand, I'm barely able to walk, let alone do my job, I can't let Jordan waste her life on someone who…" Woody didn't even get to finish his lame response. He sat round eyed as the normally sweet tempered little Southern ME harangued him like a Boston fishwife.

"Waste? Since when is loving a waste. For an intelligent perceptive man you are being particularly dense. You've sat on your ass for the last eight weeks feeling sorry for yourself and expecting everyone else to come along for the ride. Well guess what buddy. We don't want a ticket on this train." Sarah marched over to the door and grabbed her purse and keys. "You need to get off the cross honey, someone else could use the wood." She turned and stormed out of his apartment, leaving a somewhat embarrassed and rueful detective in her wake.

Sarah's tirade had done the trick, after she'd left; a very contrite Woody had called Jordan and asked her to come over. The next morning Jordan and Woody showed up at Garret and Sarah's apartment looking more relaxed and happier than either of them had since Woody was shot eight weeks before; on Jordan's hand was the engagement ring she'd worn prior to Woody's attempt to end things and on her face was a smile to rival one of Sarah's most dazzling.

"I tell you, Wren, when I saw that ring, it made me realize that I have to work harder on getting my head straight. Woody wasn't the only participant in a pity party. Garret says he'll wait as long as it takes, but I'm tired of this limbo." Sarah had given Wren a blow by blow the next day.

Garret and Jordan had talked in his study for almost four hours while Woody and Sarah kept each other company. When the two came out, their friendship was completely restored and Jordan finally knew the entire story of why Garret had covered up the Moreau evidence.

In the intervening weeks, Garret's professional woes began to disappear. The DA had decided not to press charges against him and the medical review board had given him a written censure and probation for six months.

Woody's physical condition had improved to the point that he was already on limited duty. Pending his doctor's final approval, he would return to full duty the following Monday.

Things were going very well and Wren had her fingers crossed for Garret, who had a meeting today with the governor about the possibility of full reinstatement to his job. Taking Sarah's mind off the meeting was Wren's ulterior motive for today's lunch date.

The only problem in Wren's world today was Nigel. She could tell the man liked her but he just never acted on the attraction. Flirtation and blushes were cute and fun to a point, but she was more than ready to find out which side of the bed the man slept on. She just hadn't yet decided how to accomplish her goal.

Seeing no one at the reception desk, Wren wandered down the corridor in search of Sarah; as she passed Lily's office, the grief counselor greeted her.

"Hi Wren."

"How's it going, Lily?" Wren had quickly come to enjoy the quick wit and biting humor Lily only showed around her friends.

"It's been slow today, only three admissions and two notifications. I may just take the afternoon off." Lily fell into step beside the blonde.

"Cool, wanna check out the new boutique around the corner from my apartment? I saw a Prada bag in their window that would make an angel weep." Wren asked.

"Sounds great, I could use something to take my mind off Garret's meeting today. I'm so nervous." Lily bit her lip. "What if they don't reinstate him?"

"The governor wouldn't be that stupid. Garret will be back in no time." Wren said confidently. "And then we can throw a major party because 'Satan' will be leaving the building." The two women grinned at the thought of Slokum's departure. "Is Sarah working a case?"

"She stole one from Sydney, but don't let Slokum know. He 'suggested' in morning briefing that she take today easy." Lily smiled.

"He doesn't know our Sass at all, does he?" Wren laughed at the obliviousness of the diminutive dictatorial creep. "Speaking of, where is the worm?"

"At the meeting with Garret and the governor." Lily answered.

"Well let's go grab a coffee and start on these doughnuts I brought before anyone else realizes they're here." Wren held up the boxes in her hand. "They're from Romano's bakery."

"Yummy." Lily hummed. "I'm so ready for a break. I hope you got chocolate iced."

"Is the Pope Catholic?" Wren answered with a grin as the two women headed for the break room. "Four chocolate iced, custard-filled, that we will naturally not share with anyone but Sarah and Jordan, since men cannot truly appreciate the intricacy and majesty of chocolate. I got them crullers." Wren grinned,

About fifteen minutes later Nigel, Bug and Woody entered the break room where Lily and Wren sat chatting.
"Hi Wren." Woody said as he leaned over her shoulder and snagged a cruller.

"Hello Woodrow and you're welcome." She grinned up at him. "Hi Bug." As she turned to Nigel her eyes began to sparkle and her smile grew wider and the blush creeping up her cheeks was noticeable to the entire room. "Hello Nigel."

"Hello Wren." Nigel blushed and busied himself with pouring coffee. Bug rolled his eyes and then batted them at Lily who slapped his arm while Woody tried not to choke on his doughnut.

"Hey Woody, did the P.D. open an office here or something?" Wren teased. "I mean every time I come here you're hanging around. Do cops not work in this town?"

"I'm on police business, darlin'." Woody tried to mimic Wren's sweet Southern drawl and failed miserably. "The Captain decided that limited duty for me meant playing errand boy. I brought in a gun from a murder scene in Southie. We're hoping Nige can match it to the bullet in the victim." He grabbed another doughnut with a grin. "I'm just waiting on Sarah to get the slug out of the guy."

"And hanging out with Bug and Nigel, playing video games on the big screen in the computer room is just a plus, right?" Wren teased looking at Lily.

"Too much testosterone must cause them to want to blow things up." Lily took Wren's cue and jumped in, laughingly harassing the blue-eyed detective.

"It wasn't a video game," Woody defended, grinning. "It was a traffic accident simulator."

"Right." Wren smirked, eyes sparkling. "Just stick to that story, Woodrow."

"Someone might buy it." Lily grinned, getting up to get another can of juice.

"Hi guys. Got one of those for me, Flower?" Sarah said to Lily from the doorway. Sarah had taken off her scrubs and looked as fresh as when she first came in. Lily smiled at the nickname the newest ME had given her.

"Sure thing, Sass." Lily slid another can off the shelf and tossed it to Sarah who expertly caught it then popped the top off in one smooth move.

"Ooh, someone got doughnuts." Sarah started to reach for a cruller only to have Wren hand her a chocolate iced one from the bottom box. Woody looked longingly at it, then turned to Wren.

"No fair Wren, hiding the good stuff." He mock pouted and gave her a sad eyed look.

"Don't turn those puppy dog eyes on me, pal. It won't work, I used to own a basset hound." Wren laughed. "Besides there is only one left and it belongs to your fiancee."

"I think I'll just stick to the crullers." Woody decided.

"Smart man, you already understand that coming between a woman and her chocolate is deadly." Wren joked. "Your wisdom grows daily, grasshopper."

"Woody, your bullet is on Nigel's desk and I don't think a match is going to be any problem. It looks nicely intact to me." Sarah sipped her drink and looked over at Lily with a raised eyebrow, deflating a little when Lily shook her head; there had been no call from Garret yet.

Wren's cell phone rang and she stepped into the hall to answer it; Nigel's eyes followed her as Woody spoke. "Thanks Sarah. Nige, can you get me that match before lunch?" Nigel said nothing. "Nigel?" He tapped Nigel's shoulder.

"Sorry, what was that?" Nigel finally answered.

"You, bullet, ballistics." Woody said.

"Sure thing mate, I'll have it before lunch." Nigel sat up straight as Wren came back in the room.

Woody picked up the sports section of the paper while Wren pulled Sarah to the corner to ask her how Garret had been that morning. Suddenly Woody chuckled out loud.

"What's got you in a good mood, Woody?" Sarah asked coming to peer over his shoulder at the paper.

"The Sox won last night and the Yankees lost so now Boston's two games out of first and the Yanks are five games out." Woody replied gleefully.

"Oh I thought maybe you were talking about a real team like the Braves." Sarah teased, causing Woody to sputter his coffee.

"You're a baseball fan?" Woody asked incredulously.

"Does Yogi Berra mix his metaphors?" Sarah answered. "I've been a Braves fan since we couldn't win a game if the other team didn't show."

"Sarah, I hate to tell you this but your team hasn't been any good since they lost Maddox, whereas when Nomar vamoosed, Damon just picked up the slack." Woody grinned cockily.

Noticing the flash in her friend's eyes, Wren stepped in. "Hold it there, Woodrow, them's fightin' words. How would you like to see the Boston Bullies play the boys from 'lanta and maybe put a little money where your mouth is?"

"I wish. They're playing at Fenway this weekend, but the tickets were all sold out. I could get some at the park from a scalper but with Jordan working for that little.." Lily shushed him as Slokum appeared around the corner, stopping at the door of the break room.

He looked around at the group with a disdainful expression. "Dr. Macy will be returning to work on Monday in his same position," He began, frowning at the smiles that appeared on each face. "However I will be staying on as managing director for the duration of his probation. He and each one of you will still have to answer to me during that time. Just because the powers that be have seen fit to overlook his actions and capitulate to the anonymous complaints of some employees, neither he nor any of you will be getting a free ride."

Slokum stomped off as everyone began hugging the nearest person and Woody began whistling 'Happy Days Are Here Again'.

When everyone had settled down Wren looked at Woody. "So do you think you can handle a trip to Fenway to face the humiliating defeat of your Sox?"

"I told you the tickets are sold out, Wren." Woody pouted.

"But I have an in with the Braves. That phone call was from my buddy Lonnie Jackson who works in the front office and he's got tickets waiting for me at 'will call'." Wren grinned. "So are you up for playing bodyguard or are you gonna let the Sox fans clobber Sarah and me for pulling for our boys?"

"What makes you think I won't help them?" Woody smirked.
Sarah piped up. "Cause I'm cute, sweet and your fiancee will hurt you if you kill her wedding coordinator."

"I don't know about that, Jordan's a Sox fan too." Lily interjected.

"Well, Wren we could always give the other tickets to some street bums." Sarah grinned.

"No, no we're your guys, right Nige?" Woody said quickly. "Well, I've always been a cricket man myself." Nigel said.

"That's all right, darlin'." Wren patted his cheek. "I'll rescue you from the lingerin' effects of your deprived childhood and teach you the finer points of the hanging curve ball." She turned to Lily, not failing to notice Nigel's slow sexy smile. "You in, Lily?"

"I don't know, I had something tentative but I think I'd rather hang with you guys." Lily answered.

"Bug. You're coming, right?" Sarah asked.

"Well I suppose, if someone will help me figure out the game. It just never made any sense to me." Bugs looked hopefully toward Lily.

"Lily, I can't be trusted to keep my mind on an explanation during the game and Wren will have her hands full with Nigel. Could you teach Bug?" Sarah took the opportunity to nudge the two together.

"Sure, if Bug doesn't mind a somewhat confused explanation. I'm not clear on some of the finer points myself." Lily had no clue what Sarah had in mind.

"I wonder if Max would come?" Sarah said.

"Absolutely, but I think we should put you guys on opposite ends of the row. Max is very serious about his Sox." Woody said.

"Max is a big teddy bear." Wren dismissed his comment.

"Did she just call him a teddy bear?" Woody asked Nigel, who had a look of disbelief on his face at the idea of anyone thinking Max Cavanaugh was harmless.

"A sweetheart. Max wouldn't hurt a fly." Sarah agreed with her friend.

"Especially not if it batted big green eyes at him and called him 'Hon'." Jordan said walking into the room. "Max thinks you are cute and charming."

"He only says that cause it's true." Sarah joked.

"That's Sass, no conceit in her family, she got it all." Wren told the room at large as everyone laughed. "You and Max wanna join us for the Sox-Braves game Saturday, Jordan?"

"Sounds great, but how'd you score tickets?" Jordan asked.

"A guy I used to date in college works in the Braves front office and he knew I was in Boston. He called a few minutes ago and offered me as many as I wanted above the visitor's dugout close enough to see the seams on Julio Franco's uniform." Wren told her. "I think Lonnie's hoping to convince me to start up where we left off, but I've kinda got other plans." She cut her eyes toward where Nigel sat talking to Woody.

Suddenly Woody caught sight of his fiancee over Nigel's head. "Jo, come here, I'm the bearer of even better news"

Jordan purposefully sashayed over to the young detective, then plopped herself on his lap.

"What could possibly be better than Sox tickets?" She smiled suggestively.

Woody blushed, obviously thinking something more personal, then a familiar voice stole his thunder.

"Watching you two finally get married so Jordan will stop hitting on you at work." A gravelly voice intoned from the doorway.

A cheer arose as Garret stepped into the room. Sarah immediately slipped into his arms and Nigel announced, "Drinks after work on me!"

An impromptu celebration broke out, as down the corridor, Slokum slammed his door shut, turned on his computer and began to type furiously.

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A/N- So give us a review and tell us what you think.