*I wrote a second part, partly because I was asked to and partly because I have a couple little story one-shots already in my head. I'll probably write a couple more but I can't promise any type of timeline – sorry about that. Hopefully you like this one though!
Love Bites
A surprised whistle rings throughout the men's locker room. Jamie doesn't realize it's meant for him until Renzulli speaks.
"Woo-hoo, Reagan, those scratches on your back from a girl or did you get in a fight with a mountain lion?" There are more hoots and hollers throughout the room.
Jamie's head snaps up – undershirt in his hands. "What are you talking about?"
His sergeant's eyebrows lift. "The eight scratches down your back. I really hope they're from a fun night, Reagan, otherwise I might just feel bad for ya."
Jamie can't help the slow burn stretching across his face. He puts his shirt on to avoid looking anywhere.
"That girl got you good Jamie! Can you pass along her number, I wouldn't mind a night like that sometime soon." Officer Leaming jabs him in the ribs.
"No, you can't have her number," Jamie says with a hint of venom in his voice.
"Oh, so it's that way. Why didn't you bring her to Janko's party last night then?"
"That's none of your business; it's actually no one's business but mine, so I'd like to just get ready for tour in silence." He turns to face his locker and continues to get ready without looking in anyone's direction. He knows that after tour today he has to tell Renzulli to get him a new partner, but he doesn't want anyone else knowing about Eddie – at least not right away.
He walks out of the locker room to meet up with his partner one last time.
"Is that a bite mark?" Kara looks at Eddie with concern in her voice. "Did a perp get you?"
Eddie doesn't turn scarlet – she's not easily embarrassed – but she does know exactly what mark Kara is talking about and she smiles at the memory of getting it.
"No, a perp did not get me. That is from last night."
"Oh, so you had an even better birthday after you left your party. Why didn't you bring this guy last night? I mean you left with Reagan… Oh my god, did you sleep with Jamie?" The last part is said in a whisper even though the two girls are the only ones in the locker room.
Eddie shouldn't be surprised that Kara figured that out so quickly but she is and for once she doesn't have a quick comeback. Her face is frozen – mouth open, eyes wide – as she searches for her words.
Finally she says, "Please don't tell anyone." They're words that have been strung together since the first secrets came about but what else is there to say.
"I won't, I just can't believe it. I knew you guys had feelings for each other but I also know that he would never have a relationship with his partner, so this has to be a pretty recent thing, right?"
"Of course it's recent; last night was the first time. At the end of shift today we're talking to Renzulli about getting new partners but we still don't want this getting out right away. Cops make fun of each other enough and I don't want to hear any more jokes about how we've been sleeping together for years when we haven't." Eddie looks away from Kara and starts putting on her shoes.
"Your secret is safe with me but just tell me one thing – the sex was great wasn't it." She doesn't leave the sentence with a question, she just wants confirmation.
Eddie can't help but laugh a little. "Yeah, it really was. Now let's get out of here." She grabs her hat and heads toward the door with Kara at her heels.
For once Jamie is waiting for Eddie. The two share a look before walking out of the precinct to their car. Kara faintly shakes her head behind them before going to do some paperwork.
The partners just start driving when Eddie tells Jamie that Kara knows.
"I thought we weren't going to tell anyone right away."
"I didn't tell her. She saw the bite mark you left and figured it out. We did leave together last night and got here at the same time today – I don't think it takes a high IQ to recognize the signs."
Jamie blushes again and it makes Eddie smile.
"Well the guys saw the scratches you left on my back and they didn't even consider you. They must have finally accepted the fact that we weren't sleeping together, which will work in our favor now that we are. Kara will keep this quiet won't she?"
"She said she would and I believe her. It's Renzulli I'm worried about blabbing."
"We don't have to tell him why we want new partners."
"Reagan, he may not have figured it out in the locker room but he sure as hell will when we ask for new partners. There's no sense in lying to him." Eddie can't even believe that Jamie would suggest not telling the whole truth, he is a boy scout after all.
He realizes this too and agrees quickly with her statement. "Let's just leave all this talk for later and enjoy our last day as partners." The words are weighted down with melancholy but they both know that not being work partners anymore will allow them to be partners in a difference sense, a better sense.
Just like last night, Eddie picks up Jamie's hand and kisses his palm and then the partners head off into their last tour.
"Let me get this straight. You two – the most accomplished partners this precinct has ever seen – want to be separated and given new partners, is that right?" Renzulli has a look of disbelief on his face.
The partners being questioned sit in front of Renzulli, who's behind his desk.
"That's correct Sarge," is all Jamie says. Eddie nods in agreement.
"But what is this about? I thought you two were thick as thieves. You don't even…" He doesn't finish the thought and the partners can see the exact moment he realizes why they're asking for a change. He mumbles "the scratches" while shaking his head and Eddie's cheeks finally flush just a bit.
"Ya know I always kind of knew this was going to happen someday. I thought it'd be within the first year of your partnership but when Reagan said nothing was going to happen I wrote it off even though the thought was always there. I'm just glad you two came to me right away. There's nothing more dangerous than partners having romantic feelings for each other.
"I'll ride with you again for a little while, Reagan and Janko you can ride with Baxter for a couple days. I'll come up with permanent solutions eventually but that will have to do for now."
All three of the officers stand.
"Thank you sir," Jamie and Eddie say in unison before turning to leave for the night. They almost get to the door when Renzulli calls after them.
"Reagan, Janko, I hope everything works out for you two, I really do." The look on his face and the tone of his voice are both completely earnest.
Jamie (with a small lump in his throat) smiles at his longtime boss. "Thanks Sarge, we do too."
When they get outside and out of the eyesight of any colleagues Jamie takes Eddie's hand. "Follow me to my place?"
"Hmm, I don't know Reagan, Brooklyn at this time of night?" They both know she's joking but he looks at her until she gives a real answer. "You know I will." She nudges him in the side – something she's done a thousand times but now the move is more flirtatious than playful.
"Good," he reaches his car first and unlocks the door before turning back to her. "Just watch the scratching tonight alright. I don't need any more flack from the guys."
She walks to her car before answering him. "No promises."