A/N: This takes place the next morning after the coffee date. (I was cleaning out some folders on my laptop and came across these chapters. I wrote them shortly after the original airing of the episode and then life got busy and I never got around to posting them, completely forgetting about them in the meantime. Hope you enjoy it.)
Mouse took the stairs to the office of Intelligence two at a time, whistling as he went through the bullpen, headed to the basement.
Last night had been a good night. The best night that he had in a long time. He actually slept. Which was unusual because most nights he stayed up either mindlessly playing video games or just staring out his window watching traffic while nursing a bottle of beer. Sleep never came easily to Mouse since his return from Afghanistan. It was just easier to stay awake than to close his eyes and relive nightmares.
"Well, somebody's happy." Jay mused.
Mouse turned, taking steps backwards. He raised his hands in the air, "It's a beautiful day, man!" a broad smile on his face.
Ruzek chimed in and said in a sing-song tone, "It's a girl."
"I hope so. It'd be sweet to see Mouse have someone." Burgess said, heading to the breakroom.
"Hey, guys." Nadia waved, taking a seat at her desk. She pulled out some files and began filling out paperwork, quietly humming.
Ruzek was the first to notice. He balled up a piece of paper and threw it at Jay, hitting him on the forehead. Jay opened his mouth to retort but Ruzek held up his finger to his lips, signaling Jay to be quiet then nodded towards Nadia. Jay looked towards her and then back to Ruzek, shrugged his shoulders and mouthing, "What?"
Ruzek rolled his eyes and headed to the break room and Jay followed shortly after.
"What is wrong with you, Ruzek?" Jay asked, annoyed.
Ruzek leaned on the counter, arms crossed. "What a lousy detective you are."
"Still not following you"
Ruzek sighed loudly, "The song she was humming!"
"Okay?" Jay slowly said.
"Dude! The song Mouse was whistling? It's the same song that Nadia was humming!"
"So?"
"Jay, that's not coincidence!"
"You're thinking that they're together or something?"
Ruzek held his hands out, "Do I have to say more?"
Jay scoffed, "You gossip worse than an old lady at Bingo night."
"Excuse me, Detective Halstead?" They both turned to see Nadia standing at the breakroom door.
"Yeah?"
She hesitantly said, "Could I talk to you for a second?"
Ruzek made a straight beeline out the door, unsure of how much of the conversation she had heard.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.
A moment of awkwardness passed between the two. Jay wasn't sure if she had heard the conversation or not.
"Just, never mind. What can I help you with, Nadia?"
She smiled, looked over her shoulder and closed the door. "It's Erin's birthday tomorrow. I want to throw her a surprise party."
Jay raised his eyebrows, "Erin isn't big on surprises."
"Everyone deserves a birthday party!" she smiled.
"I've got a cake on order for tonight. I just need to pick it up. Can I borrow your car? I'd ask Erin but I don't want her asking questions."
Jay chuckled, reaching into his pocket for the keys, "Yeah, sure. Here, take the keys now. I won't need it."
"I've got a card that I'm having everyone sign. Can you write a little something in it later on?"
"Yep, no problem."
"What's no problem? Erin asked, suspiciously, as she came into the room and walked to the coffee pot.
"It's all under control" Jay said, slipping out of the room.
Erin narrowed her eyes towards Nadia, "You better not be planning me a surprise party."
"I'm not!"
"I know where you live." Erin said, nodding and turning away.
Nadia knocked on the basement was typing at his computer with his back to the door. "Yo!"
"Hi, Mouse."
He whipped around in his chair, smiling widely at the sound of her voice. "Hi!"
He stood as they both awkwardly tried to find some words. He went first, "I had a good time last night."
"Me too."
He drew in a breath of air, "We should…do it again sometime?"
"I'd like that." She smiled, pulling a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Wanna catch a movie tonight?"
Her smile faltered, "I'd love to but I have to study..."
He nodded, "Maybe…tomorrow night?" He cringed inwardly, kicking himself for maybe rushing things.
She bit her lip, shaking her head. "That's actually why I came down here. I'm planning a party for Erin's birthday tomorrow night. I'm picking up the cake tonight." She handed him a card and pen, "I'm getting everyone to sign this birthday card for Erin.
He took it from her but hesitated, "You know, I haven't been part of the unit for that long, I'm not sure what to write."
She smiled, "It's the thought that counts. Just sign your name and 'best wishes' or something."
He opened the card, glancing at others had already written.
"Does Lindsay know you're planning this?"
She gently nudged his shoulder, "Of course not! That's why it's a surprise party."
He nodded, "But its Lindsay…"
"Okay, okay." she gave in, "Erin probably knows something is up but she's getting a party whether she wants it or not. Everyone deserves to have a birthday party."
Mouse chuckled, handing the card back to her, "She's going to love it, Nadia. You're a good friend."
She smiled, turning to leave. Mouse watched her disappear from the doorway and then she popped her head back in, "Hey."
"Yeah?"
"Maybe this Friday we can catch that movie?"
"Sounds good', he smiled.
- end of chapter two -