1/14/14

Valerie stood there for a moment, looking at the handwritten note. Ten digits lay on the paper, what could only be John's phone number. She shook her head and pocketed the note. She had no idea if she would actually call him. Dating a coworker, said her mother, was never a good idea. But then she thought of how happy she is to see him everyday; how her name in his voice echoes in her head; how handsome he is when he pulls out his gun; the dreams she's had of him that make her blush just thinking about them… Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea. She smiled at that thought.

John's heart was racing as he walked away from Valerie. Part of him couldn't believe he had finally done it; he gave her his number. Then his heart raced continued to race for another reason. This meant he would have to answer the phone, talk to her about something other than work. He wasn't sure he could do it. What if he wasn't as interesting as she expected him to be? Writing his number down had been the easy part, he hadn't stopped to think through the rest.

John's elevated heart rate was not lost on Dorian. Nor was the partial erection in his pants. He waited until they were out of the department to ask a question he knew the answer to.

"So," he began, and left it there.

"So what, Dorian?" John asked.

"So," he said. "What's got your body all worked up, man?"

"Goddamnit Dorian, I told you not to scan me again. A man deserves some privacy," he said angrily.

"No," the android replied. "You told me not to scan your balls. And I did. Your balls get to keep their secrets, though I could hazard a guess and almost certainly be right…"

"Feel free not to," John said and Dorian smiled.

"So…" Dorian said again.

"Fuck, Dorian," John said. "I gave Stahl my number. Are you happy now?"

"Much," he said and paused. "When you and Detective Stahl have your first child will you name him after me?" John pulled over and slammed on the breaks.

"Very funny. Not a word to anyone in the department," he said, his heart pounding with anxiety at the thought of Richard finding out his secret and the humiliation he would face if she didn't call.

"I wouldn't dream of it. This is our secret, John. Thank you for trusting me with this."

"It wasn't voluntary," John replied with an edge to his voice. But when he pulled back onto the street Dorian caught a proud smile flit across his partner's face.