No Words

I don't remember closing my eyes but there is the alarm. I feel like crap and the mirror confirms that I look like it too.

An hour later I walk into the squad room and run smack into Gregorio. "Good morning to you too Christopher!" She exclaims. "I'm sorry, Tammy, I was distracted. " "Looks like you were distracted all night." Tammy chimes in." I thought we were working on that" she adds alluding to my past misadventures.

"Christopher, I need to see you for a minute" I hear King's voice say.

A quick jaunt up to the conference room and King turns to me. "So how did it go" he asks? I can't tell you King. He got up and walked out" I respond. I explained to King that my father told me that he wanted me to come home and take over the business. Then I told him how I reminded him I had a career. My father had ranted on how I missed all of the holidays with the family and the special events in their lives. After I said my peace, he simply stood up and left.

"How did that make you feel Chris" King asked looking me dead in the eyes. "Honestly, King, I don't have the words to say". "Well let me know if you want to talk. My door is always open".

I walk back down the stairs with King close behind.

Two weeks later King calls a formal team meeting. "It's that time of the year for the Marine Corp Ball. I bought a table for us. The Secretary is coming and we will be working with her security detail however there are a couple of extra seats at the table. Then he says "Gregorio, Chris, I need you to go down to NOPD and check on an arrest that they made. They have a young navy seaman down there and we need to check the charges and evidence they have on him."

"Well, Christopher, what's going on with you, you haven't said five words since we left the office." Tammy startles me. " Just thinking" . "Hey wasn't that your father I saw in the office a couple of weeks ago?" " Yes, Beau LaSalle, oil man!" "You say that like you all have some bad blood between you." "You could say that I guess. I'm not his errand boy and he's not happy".

"Nothing like family to give you problems" Tammy remarks.

As we walk into the station, I see a couple of officers I worked with while at NOPD. "Hey LaSalle, do you know my new partner, Frank Smith?" "No". "Hey Frank, come over here". After a short introduction Jackson says "this is Percy's partner". Suddenly this conversation has my complete attention.

We were at the morgue last week and ran into that motor mouth agent you have and Agent Percy. Frank thought she was a looker and started asking who she was. I could tell him what a good officer she was but since you know her maybe you could give him a little insight especially if she is still single or is dating".

Shit, I know my face did not just turn red. Tammy was standing right behind them, flashed her classic smirked and nodded her head and started walking down the hall toward booking.

I tried to calm myself and told them that Percy was one of the best partners that I had ever had. She's smart and knows her shit. "And sexy" Jackson asks? I rolled my eyes at him and told him that I don't look at Percy that way. She is an expert with pistol and I don't doubt that she could kick my ass well in a one on one fight. "So give us the scoop LaSalle just what is she into"? "Well she really likes sports, more than any woman that I have met and she likes the 'Nola music". "Hey Smitty, why don't we try to get some tickets to the Pelicans' scrimmage next week? Maybe she'll be open to meeting some of the new players".

Back in the car, Tammy had the nerve to ask what else I told the others about Percy. "Pete's new partner wants to ask her out and wanted to know about her". As I told her, she rolled her eyes. "I don't get it Christopher, that didn't bother you? You're really going to stand by while she dates other men when we both know that you are in love with her". "Look Tammy, this is none of your business, Percy and I are fine. We talked it out and we are fine".

"Like hell you are" Tammy says with a raised voice. "You didn't see her freak out when we thought you were dead last month. You don't sleep in the next room and hear her crying in the early morning hours. I told you last year that I thought you were a couple. I see that look on your face when she comes into the office first thing every morning with that perfume she wears. I see you look at her and that look of want goes over your face real quick before you purse your lips and rub your chin like you do. When was the last time you had a date with a woman that you wanted. Not one of your little tarts. This is me you're talking to LaSalle. I know love Chris so don't try to fool me".

Thank goodness we're back at the office. I can't wait to get away from Tammy.

It's just about quitting time and I look up to see Sabastian approaching my desk. The new roommates have departed and Sabastian reminds me that we are going to move a dresser from King's upstairs to the new apartment. Oh, shit, I thought I was done with her for today.