Not mine not making money so sorry Uncle Charlie. OK I didn't really care for Kim a whole lot, didn't watch much of season 7 to be honest. So I put her (Kim) in here how I saw fit and to make her work. Sorry for Smarty Shippers normally I am to but this just fit a lot better. I am planning more it's just taking a bit to get from here to there. I know how I think I want to end it but it just might change. So any ideas would be great thanks. Best wishes and please review.
Kate carried a file to the group and sat down in a chair. She'd joined the group a few weeks before. They were in need of another agent and she was tired of working in Cyber crime. It was boring she wanted up and working with people trying to make a difference instead of hoping she typed in the right term to find some type of crime. Her and Sam had become good friends and Vivian too. She and Sam had even spent Saturday together. Jack well Jack was the boss so she didn't try to figure him out quiet yet. Danny well he flirted harmlessly especially after her first no. Martin well he seemed standoffish. She liked Martin a lot but knew better than to say it out loud. She had heard him talking to Danny one morning that he had started dating again.
"Hey." Martin sat a mug of coffee in front of her.
"Thanks." She grabbed it. It was early and she needed her caffeine fix fast.
"Bad night." He joked.
She swallowed the hot liquid. "Something like that. The couple next door had twins. One starts soon they both are crying all night."
"Earplugs."
"What?"
"Buy yourself a set of earplugs it'll work trust me. The first few months I lived here had the same thing happen to me."
She laughed. "I'll give it a try. How about your evening?" He shrugged. "That bad?"
"No. She called the date off. Something about work."
"Oh." Kate sat her cup down her smile suddenly gone. "To bad."
Martin looked at her curiously. She'd been laughing seconds before now she almost sounded sad. But he didn't get a chance to think about it as Danny came breazing in. "Looks like someone had a good night." He commented causing Kate to look up and roll her eyes.
"When doesn't he? Sometimes I think he's faking half of his stories." Martin nearly choked on his coffee.
"Hey you alright man?"
"Fine." Martin gasped looked at Kate who merely grinned at him.
"I miss something."
"Nothing. Martin need a refill?" He shook his head as he tried to regain his breath. She shrugged and stalked off.
"What's up with her?"
Martin shook his head. "She asked how my night went and I told her Kim called it off."
Danny rolled his eyes and sat down. "Martin do I have to teach you everything? Don't ever mention the other woman to a woman who likes you."
"Huh?"
Danny stared at the ceiling. "Martin. I'll make this simple. Kate likes you alright. Not as a friend that she keeps pretending. But likes." He waited to see if it would catch up, Martin still looked confused. "She wants to be the one dating you." Danny blurted out making sure she or anyone else had returned.
"What?"
Danny smacked his head with his hand. "Martin. Think for a second. For a Harvard guy you can be so dumb." He shook his head. "Getting lunch all the time. Refilling your coffee constantly. Little things? Come on Martin wake up and smell the coffee."
"She never said anything."
"She's not going to as long as you keep throwing Kim around." Danny stood up. "Personally I like Kate better. I'm going for coffee."
He walked into the room and found Kate leaning against the counter. "Hey." He smiled at her when she looked up.
"Oh hey Danny."
"You ok?"
"Sure why wouldn't I be?" She made a show of looking for something in the cupboard.
Danny rolled his eyes. "Do I have to explain everything to you people?"
She looked at him perplexed. "Excuse me?"
Danny sat his cup down hard. "Ok. I'm going to say it plain. Martin is an idiot. Harvard educated, pig headed, stubborn, fun loving, kind, can't ask for a better friend or boy friend, but still an idiot." He crossed his arms. "Now. If you want a chance with him I suggest you become a tad bit more obvious than the little things you've been doing. The boy can't see the forest through the trees."
Kate blushed. "That obvious?" Danny grinned. "I'm sorry I tried not to be with him and Kim."
"Don't be. She needs the competition." She raised an eyebrow at him. "Listen we both met her what do you think about her?"
"I don't trust her Danny. I don't want Martin hurt and I worry that that is what she's going to do to him."
Danny nodded. "Then don't let it. Work your way into him. Besides I've heard she's leaving for a few weeks. She's gone, he's alone. Who knows what could happen." He winked and walked out.
There were no new cases so they spent the morning on paperwork. Martin stretched. "I'm going for lunch." He passed the pad around as everyone scribbled what they wanted. Martin left, and Danny rolled over to Kate.
"So what's your plan?"
"Danny if I had one I wouldn't tell you." She flipped her paper over and continued to type.
Danny sighed. "Must I do everything?"
"Danny let them go. Things will work for themselves." Vivian said leaning against the desk behind her. Kate turned to see Sam join them.
"You mean you all knew about how I like Martin?"
"It's plainly written on your face." Sam said grinning. "You two get along great. I mean you two spare all the time it's like you both have feelings for the other and just don't know how to let it go."
They stopped as Martin walked back in. "Hey Danny you didn't put anything down."
Danny rolled his eyes and jumped up. "I'll come with you."
Danny watched Martin closely. "So?"
"So?" Martin turned the car into the parking lot of the restaurant and stared and Danny.
"So do you like Kate?"
"Of course."
"No Martin not. Oh yeah she's a great friend, we watch football Friday nights together and she tells a great joke. You two spare all the time. It's like the two of you are feeling each other out afraid that the other one doesn't like you."
Martin shifted uncomfortably in his seat gripping the steering wheel. "So."
Danny resisted the urge to strangle his best friend. "Do you like her enough to date her?"
"Danny I'm dating Kim."
"No you went to dinner with her once. She canceled last night. That doesn't count."
Martin shifted again. "Yeah I do. Kim was just easier to go with."
"Huh?"
Martin shrugged. "Didn't feel like there was any pressure of making it work. If it didn't it didn't no big deal."
"So you would want it to work with Kate?"
Martin nodded. "Yeah but you know my track record so far." He unbuckled and pulled out the keys. "Come on I have to make another stop."
Danny followed, a sly grin on his face. Who said that love didn't need a little push every once in awhile from a good friend, and he was just the one to play cupid.
Danny looked at Martin perplexed when they pulled out of the supermarket. "Just trust me alright." Martin said looking at his friend. Danny raised both hands as if in surrender.
Sam had decided it had gone on long enough. She was going to corner Danny and they were going to do something about Martin and Kate. She'd never liked Kim even though they'd met once. Granted Martin and her had been friends from high school and now were sort of dating two dates doesn't really count. But there was something about the woman she couldn't put her finger on.
"Ah lunch." Vivian said sighing as the boys sat the bags down.
"I thought I was going to die of hunger." Kate laughed.
"Oh Kate here." Martin handed her a package.
She looked confused and opened the bag laughing. "Thanks Martin." Everyone stopped and looked. She lifted out a box of earplugs, they looked at him and he shrugged. They had all failed to miss the sticker he'd put on it, of a single rose however she'd seen it and gave him a smile and wink when he sat down.
Kate sighed as she sat down on her couch. It was Saturday afternoon and she was spending it alone again. She curled up on the couch and tried to find a movie or something on. NO doubt Martin was probably on the phone to Kim, but the sticker on the earplugs had given her a little hope. The next morning she'd gone out of her way to stop at his favorite donut shop and buy him a few of his favorites. He'd taken her there when they'd gotten an early morning case and neither had had time to get anything to eat. He hadn't stopped grinning all day when he found them and a small smiley face was drawn on the bag.
Her phone rang and she jumped. She shook her head she was crazy to think that it was Martin. "Hello?"
"Kate?"
"Hi Danny what's up?"
"Kate I was wondering doing anything tonight?"
"No why?" she was worried about what was coming next.
"Well I was wondering if you'd like to come to dinner with me."
"Danny." She sighed.
"Just listen a minute alright." Silence. "I have a friend who wants to go out on a date but would feel better if I brought someone. So."
"So you want me to be that someone."
"Yes." It was working. He wasn't really lying. They both wanted a date each other and wouldn't ask so they did need him to.
"Sure Danny what time and where?"
"About seven at that Italian place near work. You know it?"
"Sure seven. See you then Danny."
"I'll pick you up."
"Ok." Click.
Click. Danny grinned rubbing his hands together. "One down Sam one to go."
Sam took a deep breath and dialed. "Hi Martin got a minute?"
***
Kate finished putting the last touches on her hair. Nothing spectacular, just donw and a little curl. She usually had it up and out of the way at work. She checked the clock only six. She had gotten ready way to early. She shook her head and sat down at the computer checking her emails that should take awhile. The phone rang at a quarter till. "Hello?"
"Hey Kate it's Danny."
"Everything ok?"
"Yeah listen. I'm not going to be able to pick you up. Just go ahead to the restaurant at seven. There's a reservation there under Taylor ask for it. I'll meet you there ok?"
"Sure." She sighed and flipped her computer off. She'd better leave if she wanted to make it in time.
She stood nervously in the door way. "A reservation for Taylor." She said and followed the waiter. He lead her to a booth and sat a menu down, slightly bowing he walked off. She played with her drink as the time clicked on. Well Danny and his friend were late. But she had nothing else to do so she waited.
Martin sighed. Sam had called she'd be late to go ahead to the restaurant. He wondered what Kate was up to and wished he'd followed with his impulse and invited her out so he wouldn't be stuck playing babysitter. He followed the waiter and stopped short when he took him to the booth. "Kate?"
"Martin?"
Martin sat down and ordered a drink. "What are you doing here?" They said at the same time. "Ladies first please." He laughed.
"Danny said he wanted me to sit in on a date with him. A friend who wouldn't ask someone out."
"Really Sam gave me the same story." He grinned. "I think we've been set up."
Kate laughed. "Looks that way."
"You look nice." Martin said after a few minutes of silence.
"Thanks so do you."
The ordered. "You know I was thinking on my way in I wished I had asked you out so I wouldn't get stuck here." Martin said grinning.
"Really?"
Martin nodded. "Guess I got my wish."
"Mine too." She said softly trying to hide her blush.
"Why don't we after this go someplace else? I know a small coffee shop where we could talk some more."
"I'd like that."
The meal was eaten with easy conversation, the topics of work left out completely. On the way there Martin removed his jacket helping Kate put it on before leaving his arm around her shoulders as they headed towards the coffee shop. "Remind me to thank those two on Monday." Kate commented.
Martin grinned. "Yeah they do deserve something don't they?"
All to soon Martin stood at her door saying good bye. "I had a really nice time." Kate felt like a high school kid on her first date.
"Yeah I did too. Hey how about we go out again?" Martin said peeking up at her.
"I'd like that."
"Really?" She nodded. "Alright how about lunch tomorrow?"
"Sure." They stood in silence again.
"I should be getting home then."
"Oh alright." Silence. "Night Martin." She stood up on her tip toes and kissed his cheek before ducking in.
Martin stood at the elevator a goofy grin on his face. He was so going to have to thank those two come Monday.
*-*-*-*-*
Martin sipped on his still too hot coffee as Danny and Sam walked in, they both continued talking but watched Martin from the corner of their eye. Kate walked in and smiled at the two then at Martin. During lunch on Sunday Martin and Kate decided a good way to get back at the two.
Martin grinned when he heard the chatter stop between his two friends and felt them watching him. "Oh Danny missed you on Saturday." Kate said on cue Martin continued to work on his papers. "What happened?"
"I ah, well ah."
"Sam you missed ours too. Everything go ok."
"OH a yeah just a change of plans is all."
"Right." Martin stood up still sipping his coffee.
"I was so bored Danny and I felt silly sitting there all by myself I ended up leaving."
"YOU WHAT?" Danny shouted then quickly blushed when everyone turned. "You left?" Kate nodded.
"Yeah so did I." Martin commented looking at Sam and Danny who stared open mouthed at them.
"Hey Martin need a refill?" Kate asked standing shooting him a knee melting smile.
"Yeah sure I'll come along." They walked off towards the coffee. "How long?" He said with a smile.
"Two minutes tops." They leaned against the counter and watched the clock.
At a minute fifty both Sam and Danny burst in. "YOU LEFT!"
Martin and Kate started laughing. "Sure isn't that what you wanted? Kate and I had a great time. Even went out again Sunday. Have a date tonight to if all goes well here." Martin stood up dropping an arm across Kates shoulders. "You two should really try to find a new way to get two people together. The whole Italian restaurant was so yesterday."
"You mean so Saturday." Kate laughed walking out.
"I told you it would work." Danny said tagging not far behind. "love just needed a gentle shove."
"More like a plate of spaghetti to the face." Sam commented sitting down.
"Seriously thanks for all the hassle guys." Kate said giving them each a hug. "I had a good time." She winked at Sam. "Sam Jack asked us to check out some local store houses." She grinned at Martin before leaving.
Danny waited until the elevator doors closed knowing Sam was plying for details. Danny rolled over to Martin. "So?"
"So." Martin flipped over another page of numbers.
"So?"
"Do we have to go through this every time you want to know something? We sit here ten minutes asking so till you finally ask your question. Just ask."
"We do not."
"Do to." Flip.
"So?"
Martin looked up at Danny and didn't move. "I am not falling for it again. Either ask or drop it." He flipped another page.
"How did the date go?"
"Why couldn't you have just asked that instead of so?"
Danny sighed. "It's not as much fun. What happened?"
Martin shrugged and pretended to be interested in the numbers. "Nothing much."
Danny groaned. "Tell me or I swear I will hound you till you put in earplugs and bury your head in cement."
Martin leaned back. "Dinner, coffee. Lunch my place, dinner hers. Dinner movie tonight." He squinted at the ceiling. "Yeah that sounds about right."
"That's it? Dinner this lunch that. That's all I get? Nothing more? Come on I helped."
"So?"
"So."
"So." Martin grinned at his friend standing. "So that's all you get."
Danny stared at his partners retreating form. He'd set them up and now they left him dangling. "Marty!" Martin stopped and turned, Danny ran and caught up with him. "I had better be god father to your kids for all of this." Martin laughed as they waited on the elevator.
