Authors: pprbckwrtr & docwho2100

Nikki's P.O.V.

Enough delay, I need to get into the scene and focus, it would help if I quit thinking back to the talking to I received this morning. Or maybe it was a dressing down. My Daddy can be very direct and the disappointment was thick in that room this morning, everything they said just seemed to drip with it, at least that's the impression I left with as I headed here.

Here.

Here is where I need to be, here and focused.

"Nikki?"

"Oh, hey Nora." Okay maybe that was not as strong a greeting as normal. Focus Beaumont. "Make the rounds yet?"

"Just the landlord."

"Oh? You got to him already? Did you get what we need?"

"Only a first pass, might be good to give him another once over, I left him on the porch, I think he was a little happier out there."

"I think I might be happier out there."

"You can join Harris, I think he's really focused on clearing the backyard of any evidence."

I smile at that, not sure why Nora's words make me feel better, but they do. Somehow most of what Nora says and does always just makes me feel better. Maybe it is that natural syncing people say good partners develop. Maybe it is the way she can smile with her lips just a little off center in an expression that just sucks me right in. Maybe it is... the fact I am in love with Nora. Alright enough of that, I really need to stop getting distracted, I think Nora just said something... or maybe I need to say something...

"Dan's collected some of the uniform's prelim work. It seems only this part of the duplex is rented out right now and no one in the area has heard anything."

"Or is admitting it."

Nodding to indicate the possibility, "So far only the landlord has been identified as a potential interview. Again, not sure how much the neighborhood has been canvased yet."

"We could do a walk around the property and street."

Is Nora offering me an escape from the scene waiting in the bedroom and kitchen?

We usually do cover the same ground as the uni's, something that Dan is always saying separates us from a lot of other detectives; some calling it thoroughness, others wasted effort. I wonder now and then if other officers might resent me, us, for the tactic we take. I know it's a habit I've developed since becoming a detective; I find it harder and harder to rely on others work. Being burned with the Fisher/Cordone case just pushed that home for me. I'm kinda use to it though; I've always had to work twice as hard to prove myself; Nora is someone who seems to get that about me.

"Definitely, but wanna tackle the bodies first? Make the morning a complete winner." Okay Nik, level down the sarcasm, god I hope it didn't leak out too much in my tone. "Shall we?"

Nora's P.O.V...

"Good a time as any," I answer. I can hear the stress in my partner's voice but for the time being I'll chalk it up to the scene we're about to enter. I watch as Nikki pulls on her gloves and moves to the far side of the room, guess that leaves me the body. I pull on my own gloves and step toward the bed. "Hey, Charlie."

"Well this gal really wanted to kill herself." Charlie's voice is devoid of emotion as he hands me a small bag. "So far looks like she probably was sitting on the edge of the bed, rigged a pulley system to pull the trigger."

I give the body a quick glance, I'll never get used to the damage people are willing to inflict on themselves. I let out a slow breath as I look at the bag, seeing it contains a few small white squares covered with flecks of blood. "Okay?"

"What we can find so far of her jaw, a few molars. I should be able to use these and get some prints to get you an ID. It might take a little time."

"Thanks Charlie," I step up and pat his shoulder, he immediately reaches up and grips my hand, squeezing it. Our eyes meet and I can see his normal chipper expression missing; you know I hate that about this job. Not so much the scene, but how it affects those who have to clean up the mess after someone else's stupidity.

I step back as Charlie stands. "I'm gonna check on the progress in the kitchen. Give you gals a few minutes here and then I'll come get the body ready for transport."

After he leaves, I bend down to examine the shotgun as Nikki continues searching around the room. "Nora," she calls to me, a touch of fear in her voice.

"Yeah," I look up to see her holding an envelope in one hand and a necklace dangling from the other. "What is it?"

"It's addressed to you," she practically whispers.

"Me?" I look from my partner to the woman on the bed. A name flashes through my head as my eyes slide closed. "What's on the chain?"

I can feel Nikki's eyes on me as she answers, "St. Christopher." A band tightens around my chest as I crouch down to remove the woman's sock. "Nora?"

A sob escapes as I reveal the daisy chain tattoo around her ankle. My legs give out and I land on my ass with my head swimming. After what seems like forever I can feel Nikki's hand running through my hair. "Who is she?" she asks quietly.

I take a deep breath before my voice croaks out an answer. "Carrie." I turn to look at her, she deserves to know the truth but how the hell do I tell her. "We used to..." I can see the disbelief in her eyes but before anything can be explained Dan enters the room.