Diclaimer: don't own, don't sue.

note:Last chapter I forgot to tell you that Detective Ivy Carter is the character i created for my own CSI NY universe - read all my stories in that category, you'll find her.

Los Angeles, few hours later

"So, I was thinking…" Fitz was sitting in front of Brenda, who was serving him, proud but a bit unconfident, the now cold dish of home-made pasta she had done for dinner – a result of both an extremely quiet week with almost nothing to do at Major Crimes (which resulted in Brenda's self-imposed need of practicing her cocking skills) and a full day to end a two years investigation on drug dealers at the FBI (which, on Fritz's side, resulted on another late evening with another cold dinner).

"What?" Brenda was leaning in direction of her two years husband, eyes wide open, like to expecting his statement to be about the dinner – like he didn't know that, deep down she hoped that it was about something work-related….

"Since you only cook when you have a boring day… I was wondering if you might help me… - he coughed, correcting himself – if your unit could help the FBI…"

Biting her lips, the light of curiosity was now turned on in her eyes, as she looked at Special Agent Howard with a quizzically expression. "We're not supposed to join the FBI again, are we?" she was leaning in his direction, almost mimicking him, but she was at crossed arms, like she was impatient – and she was impatient. Last time he asked her a favor, it didn't tuner out so well…

"Do you seriously think that I have not learned something on that occasion? – He smiled, grinning – besides, I ask for your help because I trust your intuition, you know that. Plus – He paused – if I let you work on your own, you'll get to do what you love the most in the world: lying to people you're questioning."

"Oh, please, how can we force them to confess if we stop lying?" she snorted, turning a bit, forcing Fitz to laugh more.

"We're looking for a guy, some Edward Manson the second."

"And what did he do? Or, maybe you can't tell me, right?" she wasn't paying too much attention, looking in her plate and eating normally, with gusto. Actually, Fitz known it was quite the opposite, she was just acting with nonchalance to cover the fact that she was dying to know the whole damn thing.

"C'mon, Brenda, you know what kind of stuff I usually investigate on, right?" Again, he smirked. It was weird – or at least, for someone different from them it could be seen as "weird" - they were eating tranquilly, while talking about crimes and investigations, like it was natural; but, of course, it was natural: it was natural for people like them, or at least, for Brenda (like his sister once said, Brenda wants everything, and with everything, she meant love and work.)

"Drugs" she stated, again calmly, like she was talking about flowers or the weather.

"Yeah, the guy disappeared like, we're with nothing and…" she was looking at him with an anxious expression – anxious because she needed to know everything – when her mobile started to ring; it was a new one, but as close to the previous as the previous one has been to its predecessor (it was with a sense of annoyance that she had found out that the ring tone had been modified a bit) and, with Brenda being Brenda, she had to answer.

"Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson – a pause – yes, I remember that case, Chief, the gentleman robber. We had an identikit, a probable name but no biological evidences or anything else – a pause, signs that Pope, on the other side, was talking - You found him? Where? Wait, what does it mean, we don't have him? You have or you don't have him! – A pause, another one, longer – he has been spotted multiple times? Where? - A pause – What, you sure? – Pause - What does it mean; they don't want to help us? - Pause – Ok, Ok, I get it, they want to help us but with just a little of cooperation… - she left her chair, walking in the room, puffing like an annoyed child as Fritz kept looking at her with amusement (seeing or even only hearing her and Pope annoy the hell out of each other always made this effect to him) – I'm sorry? – She was wide-eyes, as she sat down, Fritz joined her: she looked pale, as she had just had a heart-attack – You want me to go to New York? – she paused again, coming back in possession of her natural shade - Yes, Ok, I understand it, but, it's just that… it's such a surprise and… no, no, absolutely no, I didn't have something in mind for the week-end… yes, I'll be at LAX as soon as possible… Yes, I'll call Gabriel and… What does it mean, "Take someone else too"? What? Are you serious? They give all this power to their CSIs? - She puffed again – No, no, it's not a problem, it's just that… Gabriel is good, he is loyal and everything and… no, he is not a naïve, he is just… young. No, Will, listen, I need Gabriel! What does it mean, "Bring Flynn along"? I need Gabriel! What? Oh, please, not! He isn't my favorite! - she tired her innocent and childish voice, a voice broke by tears, the same voice she had when she saw Kitty's dust into her purse, and Pope gave her a work she needed and wanted – Will, if you'll force me to bring Flynn along, I'll ask Gabriel to come as well. No, I'm not going to ask Provenza, no, I know he doesn't fly, yes, that's why I want Gabriel. Ok, Ok, I know! We have a low budget! It's already a miracle we're leaving for NY and I shouldn't ask for more! Yes! I said I'll be there! No, I don't need you to…. I can call my men on my own, you know? What… no! I'll call them and… ok, ok, I'm going to get ready!"

"Why do I have the impression that you'll not help me?" As she hung up a bit mad and exasperated by the pretenses of the man she used to be in love with when she was younger and naïve enough to believe him, Frits was on his knees, at her side, a grin that was shouting amusement, but his smile… as she looked at him, she saw the shadow of sorrow.

"Oh, Fritzie, I'm so sorry… I can't believe that he has the gut to call me in the middle of the night ordering me to…"

"To do what you'd like to do - he pauses, kissing her quickly – Brenda, c'mon, you have to write this date down! When there are cases with double jurisdiction, you always ask Pope to let you do your work and he always come out with an excuse! Now, for once, he not only allows you to leave, but he let you go with two of your men!"

"It will not take too long… just a couple of days… - she said like she had to convince him to forgive her – I'll be back before you'll realize that I'm gone!"