Sully was just arriving at work, going to head up the stairs, when he heard a motorcycle approaching behind him.  He turned in time to see the bike turning sidewise, skidding to a stop.  Reflexively he jumped to the side though the bike was still a good ten feet away.  Just when he was going to start yelling at the rider they pulled off their helmet to reveal a grinning Liz Magnuson.

            "Something the matter, Sullivan?"

            "Jesus, Magnuson, you gave me a heart attack!  You always drive like that?"

            "You oughtta see me in EVOC, I kick butt."

            Liz parked the bike, pulling out the key and putting it in her pocket.  Sully was surprised that after she grabbed her helmet, Liz linked her arm through his, starting to pull him towards the door.  He let himself be lead inside, replying to Liz's small talk.  He was surprised again when she squeezed his arm once they were inside the door then pulled her arm out, seeming to be content with walking beside him.  They entered the locker room to find Faith and Ty already there, calling greetings to them as they headed to their respective lockers.

            "You two come to work together?" Ty asked, wiggling his eyebrows at Sully. 

            "No, I wouldn't live through riding with Evil Kenivel," Sully replied as he pulled on his pants.

            "What?"

            Sully was pulling on his shirt when Liz came round the corner. "You never know, you might like it, John," she teased as she headed to the mirror to put her hair up.

            "Like what?" Ty asked as he joined her at the sinks to wash his hands.

            "Riding my bike."

            "You ride a motorcycle?"

            "Yeah, something wrong with that?"

            "Uh, no."  Ty looked up to see Liz grinning at him.  "You just never struck as the kind to ride a bike."

            "What kind do I strike you as?"

            Ty could tell she wasn't going to let him off the hook easily.  Sully slapped him on the back as he walked by.  "Careful, partner, you're treading on thin ice."

            Putting his hands on his hips, Ty replied, "I don't know you well enough yet to say."

            Liz nodded.  "Okay, I'll give you that."  She headed out the door after Sully.

            Faith walked up, chuckling.  "She let you out of that one, Ty."

            Ty grinned.  "Yeah, she did.  Did you know she rides a motorcycle?"

            "Found out last night when we walked out."

            "She's full of surprises, isn't she?"

            "Yeah, she is."  They walked out together to head to briefing.

            Magnuson surprised them again as the end of briefing.  Sgt. Christopher was back from his days off and he called out to Liz as she and Faith were getting ready to go.  "Officer Magnuson!"

            "Yes?"  Liz stopped, turning to face him.

            "That's yes, sir," Sgt. Christopher stated, crossing his arms.  Liz didn't reply, she just looked at him, her face blank.  Finally Sgt. Christopher couldn't take the silence any longer, "Did you hear me, officer?"

            "Yes, I heard you."

            "Well?"

            "Only those that have my respect have earned the right for me to call them "sir".  I don't know you and what I do know of you leads me to believe it will be a long time before you hear that term of respect out of me."  Liz rested her hands on her belt, standing in the most neutral stance she could.

            "I could write you up for insubordination for what you just said," Sgt. Christopher spat, starting to turn red with anger.  He was so focused on Liz he didn't realize that Yokas, Davis, and Sullivan were still in the room plus two other cops and Lt. Swersky had paused in the doorway.

            "Go ahead and try, it won't get you very far," Liz replied.  "I'm senior to you in more ways than you know and you'll just bring trouble down on yourself.  You treat me fair and I'll do the same."

            Sgt. Christopher's face had gotten redder and his hands had balled into fists.  He opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Lt. Swersky calling, "Magnuson, may I see you please?"

            "Yes, sir," Liz answered without turning around.  She gave Sgt. Christopher one more long look before turning on her heel to follow the lieutenant out the door. 

            It was only then that Sgt. Christopher realized there were still others in the room.  "Get to work!" he barked, turning back to gather up some paperwork.  The others tried to hide their smiles as they shuffled out of the room, snickering once they got out.  Faith, Ty, and Sully saw Lt. Swersky and Liz talking off to the side.  Surprisingly it didn't look like the lieutenant was chewing her out, instead it looked like he was pleading with her.  Liz had her head bowed but finally looked up at him and nodded.  Lt. Swersky put his hand on her shoulder as he said one more thing to her then he walked away from her and the others, heading to the desk area. 

            Liz walked over to her partner.  "Got our radios yet?"

            "Uh, no."

            "Let's grab 'em and get out of here before I get myself into more trouble," Liz stated, pushing a strand of stray hair out of her eyes.  "Hell of a way to start the day."

            "We enjoyed it," Sully retorted.

            "Hopefully you don't get a repeat performance."  She walked away to head to the equipment sergeant. 

            "Quite the woman you have for a partner, Faith," Ty stated as he watched her go.

            "Yeah, full of surprises."  Faith headed after her partner.

            Faith glanced at her partner who had been awfully quiet for the first few hours of duty. Liz was slouched in her seat, gazing out the window at the passing scenery.  Faith pulled over, putting the squad in park.  "You okay?"

            Liz jumped as if startled.  She turned to Faith, a sheepish look on her face.  "I'm sorry, Faith. Second day on the job and I'm already getting moody on you."

            "Wanna talk about it?"

            Sighing, Liz turned even more in the seat so she was looking directly at Faith.  "I knew I was going to have problems with Christopher even before I met him. Lieu warned me about what he was like and asked me not to make a fuss but I couldn't help myself.  I've been sitting over here kicking myself because I let Mike down."

            "I doubt he feels that way."

            Liz turned to face forward again.  "He just hides it well but I know.  When you've known someone for fifteen years you can tell."

            "I know what you mean.  My partner-I mean my ex-partner and I were like that.  I could always tell what he was thinking and he hated that."  Faith put the squad in gear, glancing over her shoulder before pulling into traffic. 

            "Men usually do."

 Faith glanced over to see Liz was finally smiling again. "Ain't that the truth."

They started giggling, unable to help themselves.

            Ty glanced at Sully over his sandwich.  "Hey, what's buggin' you?"

            Sully looked at him in surprise.  "Nothing. Why?"

            "You're quiet and add that to your normal grumpiness it makes you sullen."  At Sully's glare he shrugged.  "Well, it does."  Ty took another bite of sandwich as he watched his partner eat.  When he swallowed his mouthful he asked, "What do you think of Magnuson now?"

            "Huh?"

            "Yesterday you thought she was hiding something.  After that scene with Christopher I think she's okay in my book."

            "Yeah, she's okay.  Too bad she and Yokas got a call so they couldn't join us for dinner, I'd like to find out what the stuff with Christopher was all about."

            Ty grinned.  "Ah, the woman has you intrigued."

            "What's that supposed to mean?"

            "Exactly what I said.  That's why you've been quiet tonight, you've been thinking about her."

            "So?"  Sully raised an eyebrow.  "I like Magnuson though I don't feel things add up with her.  Guess I'm gun shy about women with secrets."

            Nodding, Ty took a sip of his soda.  "Okay, you got me there.  But maybe you can find out her secret tonight at Haggarty's, she said she'd come when I asked her earlier."

            "Yeah?" At Ty's affirmative nod Sully shrugged.  "Maybe I'll come after all."

            Ty just grinned before he went back to eating.

            Faith was escorting their prisoner in while Liz stopped off at the desk for a message so she was by herself when she ran into Bosco and Sgt. Cruz.  They had just come down the stairs from the Anti-crime office and were discussing something so they almost literally ran into Faith.  Bosco looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there at the moment. 

            "Officer Yokas."

            "Sergeant."

            "Hey, Faith."

            "Bosco."

            Just then Liz joined her partner.  "Faith, something wrong?"

            "Uh, no."  Faith looked away from Bosco to glance at Liz.  "Liz, this is Sgt. Cruz and Maurice Boscorelli.  Bos, this is my partner Liz Magnuson."

            Bosco extended his hand to Liz.  "Nice to meet you."

            "Like wise."  Liz shook his hand but just looked at Sgt. Cruz.  "Sergeant."

            "Hey."  The two women sized each other up but neither extended a hand in greeting. 

            Liz turned back to Faith.  "Lieu wants us to get Sally here processed because he has a project for us."

            "Okay."  Faith turned back to Bosco.  "See ya'."

            "Yeah."

            Faith didn't have to turn around to know Bosco was watching her as she and Liz walked their prisoner away.  When they were out of earshot Liz asked, "Are you okay?"

            Not looking at her partner Faith replied softly, "Yeah.  What's the special assignment the lieutenant has for us?"

            "Nothing.  I made it up because things looked awkward when I came on the scene."

            "Thanks."

            "No problem."

            Faith stared out the window, watching the scenery slowly roll by.  From time to time Liz glanced at her but didn't say anything.  Faith's mind kept going back to seeing Bosco with Cruz and the look of unease on his face at seeing her.  When the car came to a stop she pulled her attention back to the present, looking over to see her partner watching her.

            "Wanna talk about it?" Liz asked quietly.

            "Not really."

            Liz nodded.  "Okay.  I realize that you don't know me yet and wouldn't be comfortable confiding in me but I promise anything said between the two of us stays that way; I'm not a spy for Swersky.   I'm not going to push you to talk but I want you to know I am a good listener."

            Faith pushed a strand of hair out of her eyes.  "I'll keep that in mind."

            Liz smiled at her then put the car in gear again.  As she pulled into traffic she asked, "Are you going to Haggerty's tonight with the rest of us?"

            "I hadn't decided yet."

            "Well, it I think you should come along, it might distract you for a while."

            Faith shrugged.  "I'll keep it in mind."

            "That's all I ask."  The squad fell silent inside again.

            At the end of shift Faith followed her partner into the locker room.  As they walked through the door Liz took the hair pins out of her hair and shook her head, causing her hair to tumble down around her face.  Momentarily blinded, she didn't see Officer Steve Gussler walk out of a stall and she ran into him, knocking them both back a step.  Liz scooped her hair away from her face as she smiled at the red faced young officer.  "Sorry about that."

            "That's okay," Gussler mumbled, not looking her in the eye but more so over her shoulder.

 Faith found herself grinning at his reaction. "Steve, have you met Officer Magnuson yet?"

            "No, ma'am."

            Faith rolled her eyes as she glanced at her partner, who was now grinning even wider.  "Liz, this is Steve Gussler.  Gussler, this is Liz Magnuson."

            Liz extended her hand to Gussler, which he shook tentatively.  "Nice to meet you, Steve."

            Gussler turned even redder.  "Same here, ma'am."

            "You can call me Liz."

            "Yes, ma'am."

            Liz patted him on the shoulder before heading to her locker, letting him slink away to his own locker.  Faith tried really hard not to laugh at him, knowing how insecure he could be.  As Liz was pulling off her shirt and Faith reached for her jeans, Sully and Davis walked in. 

            "Hey, Liz, you're still coming with tonight, right?" Davis called to her.

            "Wouldn't miss it," she answered, her head buried in her locker.

            "How 'bout you, Faith?  You coming too?" Sully inquired as he pulled off his tie while opening his locker.

            "Yeah, I am."  Liz popped her head back out of her locker to grin over at Faith.  Faith just shrugged before finishing getting dressed in her street clothes.

            Ty was headed towards the bar to buy the next round when Jimmy, DK and Walsh walked in.  They joined Ty and ordered themselves a round as they looked at the rest of the cops over at the table.  They saw a red head leaving the table, her back to them.  Walsh stopped, a frown on his face, as he watched her leave. Jimmy elbowed Ty.  "Who's the red head?"

            "Yokas' temporary partner.  She's a nice lady."

            The bartender deposited their drinks on the bar and they each grabbed two to carry to the table.  Just when they reached the table the red head returned.  Walsh almost dropped the drinks in his hands in surprise.  "Beth?"      

            Liz's face lit up with recognition.  "Oh my god, Billy Walsh!"

            Walsh quickly put his drinks on the table to engulf her in a bear hug.  When he pulled back to look at her he said, "How many years has it been?  Six?"

            "Try eight, handsome.  You're looking good."

            "Thanks, so do you." 

            Before he could speak again Liz turned to look at the other two newcomers.  "Hi, I'm Liz Magnuson."

            DK stood to shake her hand.  "Derek Kitson. This here is Jimmy Doherty."

            Liz reached down to shake Jimmy's hand.  "Nice to meet you."

            "Same here," replied Jimmy as he tried to casually give her the once over.  Liz caught him at it, rolling her eyes but still smiling.  Jimmy gave her a sheepish grin in return.  "So, you two know each other?"

            Walsh was smiling now.  "Yeah, we go way back."       

            Liz grabbed Walsh's drink along with her own.  "Sorry, guys, but I'm gonna kidnap this one for little while.  We shall return," she stated before walking away.  Walsh was looking puzzled but he followed her over to a corner table.  The others went back to their conversations as they watched the duo sit down.

            Walsh sat with his back to his friends, frowning at Liz.  "Okay, I'm confused.  Did you change your name?"

            "In a manner of speaking."  At Walsh's bewildered look she laid her hand on his arm.  "Liz is just another version of my first name and Magnuson is my maiden name."

            "Maiden name?  Are you divorced?"

            Liz nodded, looking down at the tabletop.  "It's been final for a year now."

            "Why?  Did you or Jeremiah leave?"

            "Miah left.  I guess he decided he wanted a trophy wife instead of one that was a cop."

            Walsh enveloped her hand with his. "I'm sorry."  They looked at each other for few minutes in silence.  Finally Walsh said, "He left because of what happened, didn't he?"

            Liz didn't answer but tried to remove her hand from his.  Walsh wouldn't let her and he could feel the slight tremble Liz tried to hide.  Finally she whispered, "Yeah."

            Walsh glanced over his shoulder at the others before returning his attention to Liz.  "Do they know?"

            Liz shook her head.  "I don't intend to tell them either."

            It was Walsh's turn to look at the tabletop.  "I'm sorry I didn't contact you when I found out."  He looked up, his face wearing a look of shame.  "I didn't know what to say."

            "Most people didn't."  Liz squeezed his hand.  "I didn't know what to reply either.  Look, how 'bout we change the subject.  How's the family?"

            Walsh gave her a grateful smile. "They're great. Mandy's still as wonderful and Little Billy is getting so big."

            Liz smiled.  "How old is he now?"

            "He'll be ten in a few months."

            Liz shook her head.  "I can remember when he was a baby.  Is he as cute as his old man?"

            Walsh had the grace to blush.  "Mandy thinks so."  Liz released his hand to take a sip of her drink so Walsh did the same before asking, "So, where are you living these days?"

            "In Yorkville, 85th and York.  Got myself a little brownstone with my divorce settlement."

            "Sounds nice."

            "You have to come up and see it some time."  She reached out to touch his cheek.  "Damn but it's good to see you."

            Walsh reached up to hold her hand in place with his.  "It's great to see you too."

            Liz smiled as she glanced over his shoulder.  "Looks like we better get back to the others before the rumors really start to fly.  They're beginning to look a little suspicious at us like I'm trying to seduce you or something."

            Walsh grinned.  "At one time I would have let you."

            This time Liz blushed as they stood.  They joined the others, Liz sitting down between Walsh and DK.  Jimmy inclined his head towards Walsh. "So, Billy, how do you two know each other?"

            "We worked together in the Lower East Side years ago."

            Jimmy raised an eyebrow.  "Oh yeah?  What station were you at?"

            "Fort Pitt."

            DK snickered at Jimmy's look of surprise; he already knew where Walsh had transferred in from.  Sully gave Liz a questioning look.  "What precinct did you work in, Liz?"

            "The 7th precinct." She smiled at Walsh.  "Those were the days."

            Walsh nodded in agreement, "That they were."  He and Liz slowly steered the conversation away from them in the next few minutes, grinning at each other when they finally did so.

            Sully and Faith sat watching Walsh and DK trying to beat Ty and Liz at darts with Jimmy refereeing.  Faith chuckled when Liz leaned in to blow in Walsh's ear while he was concentrating on a throw.  "Wow, I never expected Liz to come out of her shell like that," she said as Walsh totally missed the dartboard with his throw. Walsh turned around to attack Liz, tickling her unmercifully.  DK finally came to Liz's rescue, pulling Walsh away as the whole group laughed.

            Sully sat his pop down, looking at his companion.  "She been pretty quiet in the squad?"

            Faith nodded.  "Yeah.  She has a way of asking me questions that gets me talking and I don't even realize she hasn't said anything.  I learned more about her tonight than I have the last two days."

            "Do you trust her?"

            Faith frowned at Sully.  "Is there a reason I shouldn't?"

            Sully shrugged.  "Not that I know."

            Faith leaned her chin on her hand.  "I know she's a damn good cop and I can trust her to watch my back, she proved that at the domestic yesterday."

            "What do you think she's hiding?" Sully asked as he played with his glass. 

            "Is she?  Why do you think she's hiding something?"

            Sully lifted a hand to count on his fingers for emphasis.  "First, she knows an awful lot about us but doesn't tell us much about her.  Second, Walsh called her 'Beth' when he saw her tonight.  Third, from what little she's told us, I've figured out there's a gap of about six years in her career she hasn't told us about.  And fourth, why is she floating if she's got fifteen years in?"

            "Maybe she needed a change," Faith answered.  "As for the rest, I don't know what to tell ya."  She smiled as she watched Walsh reach out to quickly tickle Liz as she went to throw.  Surprisingly, it didn't throw Liz off because the dart hit the bull's eye, ending the game.  Sully and Faith watched as the two hugged then Liz gave DK a quick consolatory hug, which left the firefighting grinning.

            Sully chuckled.  "Think she and Walsh got something going on?"

            Faith looked back at Sully.  "They may have in the past but I doubt it now.  He's married and, despite Liz not telling me much, I get the impression Liz wouldn't have an affair." 

            Sully watched the group get another round of drinks before heading back to their table.  "You're probably right."

            Faith smiled again as she watched the group too.  When she saw DK gently place his hand on the small of Liz's back she nudged Sully, "I think another firefighter may be interested in her."

            Ty rejoining them cut off any response Sully would have given her.  

             Walsh stood, stretching.  "Well, I gotta get myself home before my wife divorces me." 

            Faith rose too, grabbing her purse.  "Me too or Fred will kill me."

            Liz stood to hug Walsh.  "See you later mi cher 'tit chou," she said with a grin. 

            Walsh blushed but answered back with a grin of his own, "You bet, mujer del fuego."  Liz laughed out loud, reaching out to ruffle his hair before she sat back down.  Faith and Walsh headed towards the door, calling out goodbyes to the rest of the gang at the pool table.

             "Do I even want to know what you just called him?"  DK asked as he watched Walsh go out the door.

            "You'll have to ask him."

            DK turned his attention back to her. "Okay, but what language was it in?"

            "Cajun."           

            "Cajun? He echoed, a puzzled frown crinkling his forehead.  "Where did you learn that?"

            "From my grand mère," she replied, grinning at his reaction.

            "From your who?"

            "My grandmother.  She's from Louisiana, down near Baton Rouge."

            "So you've got some Cajun in you?"

            "Yup, that's the side the red hair comes from."

            "I thought you maybe had some Irish in you."

            "I do on my dad's side, that's where my freckles come from."

            "An Irish Cajun, that's quite a combo."

            Liz gave him a large smile.  "So I've been told," she said, winking at him.  DK laughed as Sully rose from his chair across from them. 

            "I'm gonna call it a night."

            Liz gave him an impish grin.  "Want a ride home?"

            "No thanks, I wanna get there in one piece."

            Liz shook her finger at him.  "Don't you trust my driving?"

            Sully shook his head. "I saw you arrive at work this afternoon on that bike, enough said."

            "You ride a motorcycle?" DK asked, not able to hide his surprise.

            "A Harley," Liz stated. She stood, extending her hand down to DK, "It was nice talking to you, DK.  We'll have to do it again some time."      

            DK grasped her hand, smiling up at her, "I'd like that."

            Liz reached under the table to grab her helmet then turned to Sully.  "Come on, Papa Bear, I'll walk you out."

            Sully waved goodbye to DK and was grumbling to himself as they went outside.  "Are you going to call me that from now on?"  He asked Liz as they walked down the sidewalk.

            "Does it bother you?  If so, I'll stop," she answered, pushing a strand of hair out of her eyes.

            "Naw, it doesn't bother me, I guess."

            They stopped next to her fire engine red Harley Davidson motorcycle parked beside the curb. Liz set her helmet on the seat before turning to face Sully.  She crossed her arms, looking up at him with a very serious look on her face.  "John, your off tomorrow, right?"

            "Yeah.  Why?"

            "How would you like to come over to my place for dinner?"

            Sully stuffed his hands in his pockets.  "Are you asking me over as coworker or as a date?"

            Liz gave him a small smile.  "How 'bout as a coworker hoping to become a good friend?  You'd be saving me from having too many leftovers."

            "We can't have that, now can we?" Sully replied with a small smile of his own. 

            "Does that mean you'll come over?"

            Sully nodded,  "Sure.  Need me to bring anything?"

            "Naw, just yourself," she said, shaking her head.  She reached into her pocket and pulled out a piece of paper, extending it to him.  "Here's my address and phone number in case something comes up though I hope nothing does."

            "Nothing should."  John put the piece of paper in his pocket.  "Thanks."

            Liz smiled again.  "Good night, John."

            "Good night."

            Liz put her helmet on before straddling her bike.  Sully stood on the curb, watching as she started it up.  He gave a small wave when she nodded to him then opened the throttle and took off.  Sully watched her go until she was out of sight before heading home himself.

~*~*~*~*~*~