Unconventional Omegas

Omega # 1 – Russell Agnew

Part 2 – Sugary Sweet

Rain… Yeah, rain kind of sucked when you were stuck at work in the middle of the night and you worked for the BCPD. Don't get Russ wrong, he liked the rain well enough; liked the sound of it gently striking his window panes, softly lulling him off to sleep, at home. His apartment didn't have any leaks. Here, it mimicked the rainy outside, all the dripping, with containers sat precariously around the office catching the invading water.

Russ couldn't figure out why the office leaked so badly! They weren't even close to the top floor! The offices above them didn't leak! And Milt's office, just next door, didn't have trash bins sitting around catching wayward water either!

Speaking of the Alpha, it'd been a good solid week since he'd came back from his week of leave. He'd gotten to remove the sling three days into his 'retreat'. It had been a very slow uneventful week; a week that he hadn't spent actively avoiding Milt, no matter what anyone said or thought on the subject. They've just been so busy… with nothing… Well, it wasn't as if Milt hadn't tried at first, but after the first few times of being rebuffed he backed off, seemingly giving Russ his space, but the Omega could feel the other man watching him from across the way, eyes staring into him with intent accuracy.

Thinking of the Alpha made him want to turn around and look across the hall into that glass faced office, but he resisted the urge, choosing instead to busy himself with finishing up a noise complaint report. As he was putting it away, he turned to find Holly at the fountain straining to catch the stream with the large blue water cooler bottle. Rushing to her aid always came easy; Omegas were kind of programmed that way. All for one and one for all, banding together and helping where and when they could, unless there was an Alpha involved. Then you could forget it. Omegas were biddable and all up until you threatened their offspring, or when an Alpha of high caliber came along. Russ could honestly say he'd never seen anything quite as vicious as Omegas fighting over the same Alpha. It was a prime example that Omegas could easily be killers, just like the rest of everybody else.

"Oh, hey… Holly," he said as he moved forward to take hold of the bottle that was already a third full. How long had she been standing there struggling to get it that full? Now he felt a bit guilty that he hadn't noticed sooner… "Seriously, what, we can't afford water?"

"Well, the snack budget's really tight, and uh… everybody's really tearing through those single serving coffee packets… So yeah, I had to make the hard call," she responded, surrendering the water bottle to him.

Walking back into the thick of their desks, where everyone not him was preparing to head home for the night, he caught the sound of the Alpha's voice echoing in the hallway just outside their door. It stopped him in his tracks and drew his attention to where Milt was directing some movers carrying what might be some of the ugliest art panels he'd ever seen, but then again he'd never claimed to know much about art.

"Look at that," Russ said aloud to Holly as he watched Milt wave his hands about in almost comically exaggerated motions. Surely he didn't think 'jazz hands' were helping the poor guys get those panels through the doors and into place quicker? "Milt gets original art and we get counterfeit water… un-believable…" he grumbled turning away, missing the Alphas attention shifting from the paintings to his retreating back. Holly didn't. Watching Milt watch Russ, she got a confused look on her face before turning away, assuming that Russ was still avoiding Milt for whatever reason, and Milt wasn't angry so it must be nothing… The art looked nice!

~ MILT X RUSS ~

On the Commander's orders, Font and Russ grabbed up their rain gear and headed out of the office to investigate the naked dead guy in the woods. Whereas Russ wanted to just breeze on by Milt's door, having no desire to deal with the Alpha and the rain, Font stopped. Milt's assistant, not the pretty redhead from when Milt had first moved in, but a lovely brunette (Russ was starting to think the man changed assistants like day of the week underwear…) didn't even look away from her computer as Font reached for the door.

"Hey, psst," Russ said in a hushed voice, drawing Font's attention away from the door.

"What are you doing?" Font asked him clearly confused. They had orders, yeah, but you'd think the guy knew him well enough to know that Russ had a tendency to glaze over 'those' kinds of orders. "Guzie said to get Milt's help."

"No, she said to see if he was busy," Russ explained, trying to be as convincing as possible. He really didn't want to deal with the Agent… not right now, not yet. But he wasn't avoiding him, mind you! "Look at him… That Mine Craft world is not going to build itself," he added, leaning to peer into the Agent's office. Milt had his chair turned so the back was facing them, none the wiser to their little 'conversation'. "Let's go. We got a murder to solve!" he tacked on, already walking away, knowing Font well enough to know that he'd more than likely follow after him without Milt.

~ MILT X RUSS ~

Milt could have sworn that they were on good terms when Russ had left for the clinic in St. Joseph. Russ had even been joking around, all easy smiles with a teasing edge. But they hadn't talked since he'd been back. It has been almost a whole two weeks since they had that conversation in Milt's car. They had felt close then, but whatever space had been dissolved by Milt knowing Russ' secret had easily been replaced. Replaced by what, Milt had no clue. If anything the distance seemed more, and Russ even went as far as to avoid him now, where he was once confrontational.

Milt wanted to march over there and sweep the Omega off his guard, demand his attention. Something… Anything… The fact that Russ had pretty much laughed off his advances so far didn't sting quite so much as serve as a reminder that he needed to try harder. The Omega didn't know him, was wary of him. He had to play things differently. He had to present his intentions differently. Unlike most Omegas Milt was pretty sure that Russ wouldn't be into grand gestures or even open proclamations of intent. Milt was pretty sure the other man would run as quickly as he possibly could in the opposite direction if even a word was breathed about bonding or a potential relationship. Now was a pretty good indicator of that. Russ ran from his problems and things that generally made him uncomfortable.

No, Milt was going to have to be sneaky. He'd have to play everything just right. Of course, his Alpha nature wouldn't let him cheapen this. His gestures would have to stay small yet intimate. His intentions needed to stay veiled and under Russ' radar until the Omega was comfortable being what he was, at least when he was with Milt. In this game, he had to let Russ think that everything was on his terms.

Flexing his fingers holding his iPad, he watched the reflection of the Omega in question arguing in front of his office with his old partner. Font looked ready to enter, but something Russ said gave him pause. Milt imagined that there was probably a case and they were told to involve him, but Russ never seemed to intent on following 'those' kinds of orders. Instead the older detective seemed to win the argument, just turning and walking off, Font soon trailing behind.

Russ was really determined on avoiding him…

It took Milt no time at all to figure out which case came up, and Guziewicz didn't seem too pleased to find that Russ had blatantly refused her order to 'see if Milt was busy'. Donning his rain gear Milt made for his SUV, happy that his arm was well enough that he didn't need the sling. That would have been a hassle to try and work out…

~ MILT X RUSS ~

A long night in the cold driving rain… with Milt being Milt… being his annoyingly super useful and disgustingly know-it-all self… and a naked dead body, found them all in the office bright and early the next morning. Milt was still being Milt… But Russ was fine with this, at first, because he didn't have to deal with him. He and Font had been given orders by Guize to go see Meredith about the water type found in the lungs, on Font's suggestion about narrowing down where the drowning might have happened. But because Russ was Russ and the Universe didn't seem to think it had showed him enough 'love' in his life recently, things went to crap real quick.

Russ knew Font suffered from migraines, but generally the Beta would just try to power through. That was before they had the ever so gallant and helpful Milt there to swoop in and save the day with soft words and reassurances. To Russ, Milt seemed far too eager to swoop in and save the day this time…

"The man said he could power through!" Russ tried, but Milt just leveled him with a look, clever eyes shining. It made Russ' teeth hurt.

"The man needs his medicine, Russ," Milt said, something lurking behind his overly caring, stupid defiantly, not attractive Alpha face. All Russ could do was stare. This guy was a total piece of work.

"Thanks," Font said between them breaking the moment, thankfully!

Walking away, Milt decided to live up to what Russ had come to expect from the Alpha, a goody two shoes who stuck his nose in Russ' business…

~ MILT X RUSS ~

"Look, if someone reaches out, it doesn't make you lesser to take their hand," Milt began, voice soft and maybe a bit reprimanding. He didn't know if Russ just lacked the Omega empathy sometimes or just kept it buried under so much bullshit that it rarely found its way to the surface, but the man's disregard for people sometimes was alarming. Maybe it wasn't disregard, not really; maybe he just had to play it tough to keep himself safe, and it just came on too strong.

"You wanna hold my hand now Milt, that it?" Russ bit back, walking ahead of Milt at a steady pace. For a moment, just a moment, Milt thought about saying yes. He wondered what Russ would do, what he would say.

"Metaphorically," he responded instead.

"Bite me. Metaphorically," Russ gripped back. And oh, Milt would love nothing more than to not so metaphorically bite him. He just didn't think Russ was there yet.

"Oh, okay, so I see. You're either too prideful or too stubborn… Or is it the Omega thing? Being that way doesn't make you seem weaker when you ask for help, and asking for help doesn't make you any more or less what you are," Milt said instead, voice lowering even though they were alone in the hallway. "Or you just don't like me, which is fine. But you shouldn't let it get in the way of accepting my help on your cases," he continued before Russ could turn and say anything. He could tell his words were bothering the other man, but that was a good sign. Caring didn't make you Omega; caring made you human. He didn't however expect Russ to turn on him so quickly, voice even and low.

"You're right. On the other hand, I don't know you. I don't know why you were sent here, because you won't tell me. And bringing that up, right now? The Omega thing, really? You know, it's not that I don't like you, Milt. I just don't trust you," Russ said keeping his voice hushed and eyes steady on Milt's face. Milt found it hard to keep eye contact at that point.

And what really could he say to that…? A whole lot of nothing…

~ MILT X RUSS ~

Russ all but forgot about the conversation when they entered Meredith's lair. He'd known the little Alpha far longer than he'd ever let on. Way before he was a cop… But those were closely guarded secrets, secrets that went hand in hand with his second gender, which Meredith was fully aware of. Watching how well the two Alphas got on made Russ a bit nervous, if not jealous. Meredith had a bad habit, not really a new one, of teasing him viciously. And he wouldn't be himself if he didn't rise to the occasion every single time.

Russ and Meredith's banter often made people caught in the crossfire uncomfortable, and it seemed Milt was no exception. The Agent kept pulling faces at Russ and Meredith's exchange. The fact that Meredith blatantly flirted with the other Alpha was weird and disturbing for Russ… He didn't even want to imagine how that would go down. Poor Milt, Alpha Alpha that he was, wouldn't stand a chance. Russ, never having experienced it first hand, always imagined Meredith to be a little into power plays and leather… Russ tried to repress the horrified shiver the thought brought on.

As if sensing his uneasiness, Meredith smirked at him, picking up the saw and getting to work. She knew he wasn't overly good with this part of the job… Yeah, he was a cop who wasn't overly fond of gore… sue him… He just didn't like the smell of death and blood, and watching the little Alpha cute into a man as if he were a Thanksgiving ham made him queasy. Russ was too preoccupied trying to keep from being openly ill to notice Milt's attention drifting to him worriedly.

"Guys, this isn't water… this is Maple syrup," Meredith said, all serious, completely different than when they'd first came in.

~ MILT X RUSS ~

Meredith, the ME, Milt was surprised to find, was an Alpha. She didn't hide it. It rolled off her in waves, and he found himself glancing at Russ, who acted as if they hadn't had an exchange just minutes ago. The Omega and the new Alpha swapped barbs like they did this every day, and Milt sensed that there was more there than work history. Mind you, he wasn't jealous; he was sure Meredith was a wonderful person, but clearly not enough for Russ…

He also took Meredith's flirting at face value. It wasn't that she was interested in him, per se, more like interested in the way Russ responded. The Omega looked uncomfortable, and Milt was sure if he could find a plausible excuse and didn't want to know the results so badly he would beat a hasty retreat. Then as Meredith started her work, cutting open the victim, Russ went pale and fought with the urge to turn away. It was a sign of weakness the other probably fought with viciously.

Milt had never met an Omega who could stomach this kind of thing, and seeing the normally brusque Russ Agnew flinching away from the scene of a dead man being opened up was alarmingly grounding. For all of Russ' bravado and the role he dedicated so much time to perfecting, he was still what he was. Not saying that Betas and Alphas wouldn't flinch away from a bit of mutilation, but Omega's just never seemed to have the stomach for it, preferring clean deaths and means of murder. Despite his denials, Russ was proving to be more Omega than Milt had originally believed. And watching the man now, Milt could feel it, the itch to comfort and provide support, to shield Russ from the smirking eyes of the other Alpha who found his squeamishness too amusing. He was sure that Russ wouldn't appreciate anything from him right now… and possibly no time in the near future either… but there would come a time, Milt was sure of it. Until that time, Milt would try his best to coax out Russ' Omega side and convince the man that he could trust him, even if Milt still refused to tell him his reasons for being sent to Battle Creek.

After Meredith confirmed that their vic had been drowned in syrup, Milt was about to turn to follow Russ back up to the bullpen as he did indeed make his hasty retreat, but Meredith called out to him once Russ was out of earshot.

"I think we need to have a talk," she breathed a sigh, removing her gloves and the shield mask.

"Oh?" Milt questioned, not sure what the other Alpha could need to talk to him about.

"I need to know right now if you're serious about pursuing him, because if you're not, you need to back off," Meredith said coming around the table to stand before Milt, very much the Alpha she exuded as she stared up at him with hard unrelenting eyes. Gone was the flirting and teasing, leaving behind a fierce woman who cared for Russ far more than Milt had guessed.

"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about…" Milt tried to say, but stopped as her eyes grew sharper.

"Don't pull that crap with me," the little Alpha seethed through bared teeth. "I know you know what he is. I can smell your interest over the constant smell of death that clings to this place. I'm surprised no one else has called you out on it, but Betas can be short sighted like that. And just because you seem willing to keep his secret doesn't mean crap to me. Russ has trouble trusting people, as I'm sure you've noticed, and your attentions could break him. I refuse to stand here and let that happen. So answer my question."

Milt stared down at the other Alpha, hackles bristling at her interfering and instance. And gods help him but he couldn't hold up the mask that everyone bought into so readily. All his instincts saw was another Alpha with an interest in what was his. A vicious little smile curled the edges of his lips, quirking them up sardonically. "I don't see how any of this is your business."

"It's my business because I say it is," the little woman huffed, not backing down under the face of the predator that lurked just below Milt's friendly façade. "I've known Russ for a long time. God knows I'm one of a handful of people who know him well enough to know how close to the edge of broken his sits. He's always struggled with being Omega or not Omega enough. And if you're just fucking with him, you need to back off and find another target." Meredith held his stare, unflinching under the harshness she found there.

Milt slowly allowed his features to soften, sensing a familial worry here and not a rival. Almost wearily, he regarded her now. Meredith seemed to sense the shift in demeanor, because she relaxed the stiff line in her shoulders, eyes softening a tiny bit around the edges.

"I'm… I guess you could say I'm in for the long haul…" Milt finally relented an answer, words honest and eyes tired but sincere. He really didn't feel like lying, and if he played his cards right, he might have an ally in the ME. "But it's not going well…"

Meredith's face softened even more at his answer, and then she looked at him like he was a complete idiot. "Well of course not, he's a cranky bastard. His issues have issues."

~ MILT X RUSS ~

It stung a little that Holly didn't think Russ could handle telling a woman that her husband was dead. Yeah, he was probably the least likely one you'd pick to deliver bad news, something about his face and lacking empathy… Instead of arguing, he conceded to get Milt. He hadn't talked to the Alpha since the substance used to drown their vic was revealed to be syrup. This time it wasn't Russ' fault. He wasn't avoiding the Alpha; the Alpha was avoiding him.

Milt hadn't followed after Russ when Russ had left Meredith's den of death but stayed behind for some reason. When the Alpha did finally resurface from the depths of hell, he didn't even glance in Russ' direction, just headed straight to his own office looking lost in thought and a bit tired. He could feel the Alpha watching him, but every time he glanced in Milt's direction the man seemed to be preoccupied and looking elsewhere.

Russ didn't knock as he entered the FBI satellite office, drawing Milt's secretary's attention to him. She smiled prettily at him, and it made him feel a twinge of guilt for not knowing her name. In his defense, it would be nice if the plaque on the desk had her name instead of 'ASSISTANT TO: SPECIAL AGENT CHAMBERLAIN', further convincing him that Milt went through assistants like normal people did underwear.

"Detective Agnew, Milt is free if you want to go on in," she said, smile still on her face, her voice pleasant and welcoming. It only made him feel worse about not knowing her name.

"Ah…uh…thanks," Russ, tired, a flush creeping up his neck. The other Omega just kept on smiling as he passed her desk and entered Milt's office. The Alpha didn't even look up at his entrance.

"Still wanna hold my hand, Milt?"

~ MILT X RUSS ~

The ride to Eddie Floss' residence was silent, Milt still trapped in his own thoughts, and for once Russ didn't seem to feel the need to try and question Milt in the silence that stretched between them. He still couldn't believe he'd shown the Alpha ME that side of himself. He'd dropped the mask and all but snarled at her.

Her persistence on the subject about what he wanted with Russ made sense now. She'd told him a bit about their past. How when Russ presented Omega he had been terrified of what would happen to him, of how it would change his life. How she'd helped him hide it for weeks by getting him suppressants. She didn't go into too much detail, but he could tell she cared for the Omega in her own a roundabout way, her sharpness with him the only way she could show it, the only way he'd accept it.

She'd gone so far as to tell him that she'd never had designs on Russ, something about it being too difficult to persuade the Omega into seeing things in that way, and Russ really wasn't her type. She liked easy and amiable. Milt kind of doubted that.

She also told him that she was there to help, if he needed her. Russ needed someone like Milt for Russ' own sake. He needed stability and someone reliable and strong to lean on. No suppressant was good for long-term use, and she was sure Russ abused his, which were probably even more dangerous because there was no clue where he got them.

That thought alone made a surge of worry tingle up Milt's spine. God only knew where Russ procured his suppressants. And suppressants weren't something that Milt had ever really put thought into. He knew several Omegas who used them, but he never really knew that much about them. Like how many different variety there were and how several of them had different functions and focuses. He'd spent the hour after leaving Meredith researching suppressants. During the hour he'd felt eyes on him on and off, knowing it was Russ. He powered through, wanting to finish before he approached the man again. When he'd glanced across the way into the BCPD he'd easily spot the dejected slump of Russ's shoulders and found a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips, knowing without a doubt that it was because of him. And yeah, he really was the devil…

Talking to the victim's wife went smooth enough; Russ stayed pretty silent through the whole thing, looking uncomfortable and at anything but the weeping Omega woman. The talk turned up one possible suspect, Julio McFarland, leader of the syrup cartel, something that Milt hadn't even thought existed.

Now they were sitting out in Milt's SUV, Russ smiling beside him in a manner that rubbed Milt the wrong way. The smile itself was a wonderfully beautiful and rare thing, but the reason for the smile grated on Milt's nerves. They were staking out McFarland's syrup warehouse since there warrant was denied.

"Why are you smiling?" Milt questioned, already knowing the answer, voice flat, the true Milt lurking just under the surface.

"Am I?" Russ all but beamed, before shifting to glance into the passenger side view mirror like the smirky ass he was being. "I'm just wondering if this is the first time you've ever been turned down for something."

"You do realize my failing to get the warrant affects you too," Milt says, face closed off from emotion, voice almost hollow. He really hadn't expected to be turned down like that, and it bothered him that Russ was getting such a kick out of his failings.

"No, I'm upset about it, but I'm a complex person capable of many emotions," Russ said, meaning it as the jab at Milt's own personality.

Milt thought about bringing up what was on his mind now that Russ was talking to him like normal. No time like the present, except the present was a stakeout and the person they were watching decided it was time to leave. Thing tumbled downhill from there… Watching Russ climb the chain linked fence was a sight to behold, and Milt found his thoughts drifting far off from where they should be. For someone who proclaimed to be 'too old for this' Russ was pretty spry. Yeah, and then things went to hell…

~ MILT X RUSS ~

Russ wasn't a baby, but his leg hurt like a bitch. He made sure his protests were known as Holly changed the bandage for him. She had this small little smile, eyes soft, as she cleaned the bite. Her hopeful little glances weren't as lost on him like people thought. No, he saw them, he ignored them, pretending to not notice, and he felt immensely guilty for it too. He wanted to be honest with her, tell her that he wasn't the man she thought he was. That in the eyes of a lot of people he wasn't a man at all… But he kept his mouth shut, afraid he'd tell her the truth if he even opened it to breathe.

He couldn't give her the future an Omega like Holly deserved.

Omega-Omega pairings were still frowned upon, even in this day and age. Which it was fine, most Omega never found themselves drawn to the same second gender like that. There was something in their biology that drove them to pair off with Alphas, and in some rare occasions, Betas, people that could protect and provide for them. He was pretty sure the only reason she felt anything for him at all was because his own scent was hidden under layers of fake Beta and suppressants. She felt safe with him because he was a cop, but he was sure if she caught his full uninhibited Omega scent she'd realize that her feelings weren't romantic but friendly and companionable.

The Commander's chastising voice, never failing to make him feel like when they first met and he was still pretty green behind the ears, broke him away from his guilt over Holly and brought him back to the case at hand. Then it had come to him. They could do a sting operation!

The fact that Milt agreed with his plan, even going so far as tweaking it and making it better, surprised Russ. After that point it was easy to get Guzie on board when he turned to her with what she called his 'puppy dog eyes' and sincere words. He knew they had won when she gave him the face he recognized as 'why do I bother arguing with you' look. She really did spoil him, and sometimes he wondered if it had something to do with biology and her somehow knowing deep down what he was, because yeah, he got away with a lot.

With Milt on board, with his FBI lackeys, things went pretty fast, and Russ would be lying if he didn't catch himself having fun working on getting everything setup. There wasn't any time for awkward conversations about how Milt knew and tried to get Russ to understand he was on his side, for which Russ was grateful. Every time the two of them made it two steps forward they ended up taking ten steps back… Russ blamed Milt and his inability to keep his trap shut when it really counted.

And Milt proved him right, again… The man that everyone else seemed to think of as Saint Milt was a total douche. A really attractive douche… that looked really good in blue and glasses… but a douche nonetheless…

~ MILT X RUSS ~

Today was really not Milt's day. He just kept sticking his foot in his mouth when it came to talking to Russ. He hadn't meant to say those things to Russ and definitely not in that way. He would even go so far to say he regretted them the moment they left his mouth. Sitting across from Russ, dressed down for their undercover syrup operation, he had let his mouth get away with him. He could tell the moment his words hurt the Omega, even if he tried to pretend he didn't. And Russ tried to hide it, like Russ always did, how Milt's words cut too deep, too close to home.

Milt didn't apologize. Couldn't… Russ would get defensive, always expecting the worst from people, and maybe he had every right to. What did Milt know about the Omega, except for what were in his files, which had already been proven as partially wrong, and the fact that he was terrified of being found out for what he was. From what he'd gathered so far, from the man himself and those around him, Russ may not have had the best upbringing and lacked the support needed growing up that he should have gotten.

Then there was no time for apologizing as the owner came to their table, and they started their plan into motion. Milt tried to ignore how Russ stared at him for a second longer as he talked with the owner before the man's face slipped into a more neutral expression. And Milt wondered for a moment what they looked like sitting across the table from one another, casual and seemingly relaxed, though it was not the time or the place for such thinking. He wondered though, if they came across as 'together', in the way he desired, and not the business and the muscle, how Russ described them.

~ MILT X RUSS ~

Russ was tired of getting shot at… He knew it was inevitable, just a part of the job. But no one else got shot at half as much as him… or hurt during every single case… Maybe it was his bad luck. That would explain why he always had Milt tagging along after him. Speaking of the Alpha, at least this time he wasn't there to hurl himself into the line of fire… Russ could live without that ever happening again, like ever…

But hey, they got their warrant. So what if McFarland wasn't their guy in the end, the guy was a shady bastard and the deserved to sweat a little.

Another upside to being shot at, and Milt's concern that came afterwards, Russ just about forgot what the man said over breakfast. It was hard to find reasons to like Milt when he turned around and said things like that. No one else ever saw that side of the Alpha, and Russ was beginning to wonder if he reserved the cold eyes and steely voice just for him. He thought Milt should probably share that side with others. Just imagine how they'd see him then. Like Russ saw him: the devil…

But like he said, almost forgot. The words still stung, and Russ wished they didn't affect him like they did. It was just Milt. Milt didn't know anything about Russ. He didn't know anything about his life. He just thought he did. If he'd care to ask, Russ might open up, but Milt didn't ask; he assumed. Which was totally different than what Russ did. Russ did ask, but Milt stayed tightlipped. So Russ made guess, picked at his character, and made an effort not to believe a single lie the FBI Agent tried to pass as truth.

Yup, Milt was still a douche. A douche that maybe cared about him more than Russ thought he should. A douche that maybe, just maybe Russ cared a little bit for too. But he was a douche nevertheless. And gods forbid, the Omega side of him was already thinking that Milt might just be his Special Agent Pain-in-the-Ass.

And if he may have touched Milt a little too much during McFarland's interrogation, surprising the Alpha, who kept his mouth shut but Russ saw the pleased look that settled on his face, he didn't care. It was almost like it bridged that gap between them, as Russ' hands settled on Milt's shoulders solidly. The one Russ had created after Milt knew, even when he wished Milt didn't. It was an apology, a forgiveness, and acceptance. And maybe it was the closest Russ had felt to another person in a long time.

Sitting in Milt's office waiting for the outcome of the tests, found them in comfortable silence. Neither said anything, anticipation on catching their murderer. Russ was thankful for the silence, and the fact that Milt didn't bring up breakfast, or the interrogation. The phone rang, breaking the silence, and bringing bad news. Now it was all up to Russ…

~ MILT X RUSS ~

Milt wasn't surprised to learn about Russ' suspension. He was however surprised to see the man waltz into his office, sans tie, with a manila folder. Happy, but surprised. Just because Russ was suspended didn't mean that they couldn't discuss the case.

"Hey there, Russell, I'm glad you're here," Milt greeted, before glancing down at his keyboard. "So, I re-interviewed the widow, which was unfortunately not helpful, but I did start the process of… Why are you staring at me like that?" Milt trailed off, finally noticing the look on Russ' face as the other man did this odd little sway shimmy thing that was far too distracting. It was the look of a man who knew something that Milt didn't but wasn't too happy about it. The movement however was just distracting… plain and simple… If Russ wanted Milt to concentrate on what he was saying, he needed to stop… moving…

"Edward never went to McFarland's warehouse. He was drowned in a vat of syrup in his own sugar shack. His wife did it. He was abusing her," Russ said seriously, finally standing still, causing Milt's eyebrows to make their ascent into his hairline.

"Do you have proof?" Milt asked, and of course Russ did, in a way. And Milt believed him.

"No legal records, but plenty of hospital records," Russ answered somberly, handing over the file in his hands. "Broken ribs for 'falling off a horse'." Using air quotations on the obvious mistruth of how exactly Nyssa Floss had gotten injured. "Eight stitches in her lip from slippin' on the ice, and that's just from the last six months. We never searched his own sugar shack because she was never a suspect, and she said he never came home. I guarantee you that the syrup we find there will match the syrup in his lungs." Milt was impressed. This was a workable theory, and the more Russ talked while he flipped through the medical records that Russ brought in, it all kind of made sense.

Russ paused, after his explanation of the who's and why's, but Milt didn't look up, still scanning the files, pleased that Russ, even after being suspended, had brought them to him, not the BCPD, but to Milt himself. It said a lot, in its own way.

"I'll, ah, I'll go alert the papers so they can get your photo ready," Milt heard Russ say, knowing the man was being sardonic, but his tone made Milt smile, which he hid before he looked up at the man who had just turned as if to leave.

"Where did you come up with this theory?" Milt found himself asking, causing Russ to stop and turn back to him.

"Can't tell you that," Russ said quickly, almost sheepishly, as he rubbed at the stubble on his chin. Milt leaned back in his chair, trying not to show his amusement, while also trying not to focus too much on the expression Russ was wearing as he declared his sources off-limits. Then he started doing the little sway back and forth thing again, and Milt found it was still very distracting… Then Milt got an idea.

Reaching into his inner breast pocket, he took out his wallet as he stood. He tried to keep the smirk off his face but knew a little probably shined through, as he pulled the single bill from his wallet.

"You're going to pay me for a tip?" Russ asked, confused and forever cynical. Milt tried really hard not to let his amusement show… He really did. If the Omega took the money, Milt would be one step closer. Like he said, the fact the Omega came to him in the first place was a good sign!

"You were suspended from the BCPD, not the FBI. I'm hiring you as a consultant," Milt responded, using his 'Milt' voice, the one that always got to Russ. "We should do this thing together," he added, finding it really hard to keep a straight face. He wasn't mocking Russ mind you; he was just majorly amused by the situation he'd found himself in. First there was the unwarranted (read: not unwanted) touching in interrogation and now here Russ was, standing before him and looking at him like he couldn't be serious. Milt was more relieved really, because he'd said some things, and really, Russ had every right to still be angry, but here they were. Yup, here they were… Milt could make this work and fluster the Omega in the process. He liked Russ flustered.

For a moment there, as Milt held out the bill and Russ stared back, the Omega looked amused.

"For a dollar…?" he said, amusement quickly turning to insulted. To Milt, it was all quite adorable.

Milt, for lack of a better word, was smitten. In that moment he knew, without a doubt, that he was utterly and irreparably smitten with this grumpy, rough around the edges, but secretly sensitive Omega.

~ MILT X RUSS ~

They found their man, well, woman. Just as Russ had said, the beaten Omega finally stood up for herself. And it was just as Milt had said as well, they did it together.

And together they found themselves in the Commanders office with two confessions. Russ believed that Nyssa was guilty, but he knew how Guize worked, and knew what outcome she'd likely want to go with. He also knew that Nyssa Floss had suffered enough.

"Two confessions?" Guize questioned, peering up at them through her glasses. "So one of them is lying."

"She's lying," Russ started, even though he didn't believe a single word that came out of his own mouth. "Omegas that take abuse, keep on taking abuse. And she was half the size of her husband." He knew full well what an Omega pushed to the edge can accomplish, size difference or no.

"And backed into a corner," Milt broke in, much to Russ' irritation. "Dad's just taking a fall for her, just like he did when it happened. She seemed sincere to me." He was using the Milt voice again…

"Everyone seems sincere to you because you're a gracious man," Russ said, glancing jerkily at Milt before looking back a Guize. He didn't need to see the 'Milt' face along with the tone of voice…

"Thank you, Russ," Milt responded, as if he was really touched by Russ' comment, and maybe he was.

"See," Russ said, looking over at Milt, easily catching his eyes before continuing, "you thought I was being sincere." Out of the corner of his eye he saw Guize looking up at him with her 'play nice' expression, and he knew she found the whole commentary amusing. Milt didn't; he seemed a little peeved, if anything.

"Look, even if she didn't kill him, she's not just a victim here. She tried to frame someone," Milt tried in protest.

"She made a lot of bad choices," Guize said sagely. "She's long since paid the price."

"So we'll just keep investigation until we find…" Milt trailed off in a weird, oddly cute mumble of protest as Commander Guziewicz wads up the daughters confession, confusing the poor by-the-book Alpha.

"We've got a dad who wants to go to prison to protect his daughter," Guzie said regarding both of them for a few seconds each before continuing. "I say we let him. I like that ending better." She finished as she threw away the crumpled confession and got up leaving the two of them standing there; Russ somber, because he knew this would be how it ended, and Milt so adorably confused that Russ found it hard to stay somber. Confused was a good look on him.

Milt watched her go before turning his confusion on Russ. "Wha- So she doesn't care about the truth?"

"She cares deeply about the truth," Russ answered, voice patient and soft, "but she cares even more about justice." Then he left, just like that, knowing that Milt's mouth still hung agape in a confused attempt to try to understand what just happened, and Russ could only wonder what it was like for the guy who thought everything had to be perfect and by the book.

And yeah, confused was definitely Russ' favorite look on the Alpha.

~ MILT X RUSS ~

Rain… Yeah, rain kind of sucked when you were stuck at work in the middle of the night and you worked for the BCPD…

Here he was again, with an overwhelming feeling of déjà vu. He'd gotten reinstated after the case closed up nicely, poor beaten Omega woman going free for something Russ really couldn't blame her for. Sometimes there was only so much you could take before you snapped.

But like he said, here he was again, standing in the hall outside the FBI's glass doors with Font; once again with a case and an order to 'grab Milt' and check it out. Total déjà vu.

Seriously though, they could handle a case of missing headlights in the high school parking lot! If they needed Milt for this, then they weren't cut out for their jobs.

"Woah, seriously," Russ asked incredulously. Font just looked at him like he seriously wasn't pulling this again. Like it hadn't turned out well for them last time…

"Come on, we got this," Russ said with certainty, his conviction winning his partner over once again. If he needed Milt for this, then maybe he should just out himself as an Omega and try for the easy life!

~ MILT X RUSS ~

Like déjà vu, Milt watched Russ and Font in the reflection of his iPad. He knew Russ coming to him about the previous case with the abused Omega information was a step in the right direction, but once again it was two steps forward and five steps back in progress. He was also pretty sure that Russ didn't believe it was the father either, but something, maybe the empathy that Milt thought he lacked, sided him with the other Omega, which, in the long run could be a good thing.

Milt hoped there'd come a time when the Commander didn't have to make the suggestion or order for Russ to get Milt, but Russ would come to him anyway. Maybe he was a bit spoiled by Russ' attention. Perhaps he expected too much after the time they'd worked together on the last case. He was certain he was making leeway in his plans to woo the unruly Omega, but now… Well, he wasn't one to doubt himself…

Nope, FBI Special Agent Milt Chamberlain wasn't a quitter, and that's probably half the reason he was here in Battle Creek in the first place, so if Russ wanted to put that distance back between them like last, time he'd have to find time away from Milt to do it.

And suddenly he remembered that he'd never gotten the chance to talk to Russ about his suppressants. That in of itself was looking to be an uphill battle, but Milt was determined to talk to the Omega about it, finally feeling he had a firmer foot in the subject.

With renewed purpose, resolve and vigor Milt rose from his chair, placing his iPad on his desk before grabbing up his raingear and exiting his office.

"Goodnight, Agent Chamberlain," Rebecca, his newest assistant, bade him as he walked by.

"Goodnight, Rebecca," he greeted back, his customary 'Good Guy Milt' smile coming easier than usual to his face, and maybe even feeling a little less fake and forced. And if there was a pep to his step, she didn't comment as he added, "Why don't you head on home? It's going to be a long night."

After all, he had to stick to Russ long enough that the Omega realized that Milt wasn't going anywhere anytime soon!

~ Fin ~