A/N New chapter. the everyone cept Kat are in this one...including lilly! hope you like...
Scotty strode through the Philly Police department building with one thought stuck in his head. 'Just get up there and do it' he kept telling himself. 'No one will think any less of you, all you have to do is talk to Stillman and it will be over'.
"Daddy" called Luca, running to catch up with his father "can you slow down?" he asked.
Scotty stopped in his tracks, turning around to see the little boy running after him, his toy truck in one hand and teddy bear trailing behind him in the other.
"Sorry bud" he apologised "how bout I carry you?" he asked, lifting the boy up into his arms.
"Is this the way to Lilly?" asked Luca, wiggling around in Scotty's arms to get comfortable.
"Yeah" chuckled Scotty. "Just up that lift" he said, pointing ahead "but we have to see my old boss first, then you can meet Lilly"
Luca pouted at him "do you have to have a meeting?" he asked.
"Um, sort off" nodded Scotty, "But your allowed to come" he added in.
"Really?" asked Luca, his face lighting up "cause at home I wasn't allowed in you or mummy's meetings"
"Well, things are different now" replied Scotty, smiling at the boy who nodded in agreement. "Shall we enter?" he asked playfully, punching at the elevator button.
"We shall" nodded Luca, in his best tough-man impression.
"Hey Will, you watch the game last night?" asked Nick, walking through the office towards his desk.
"Nah, I only got the last 10 minutes" he replied "Was it good"
"Are you guys still talking about baseball?" asked Lilly, grinning as she joined the two detectives.
"No" smiled Nick, "What would give you that idea?" he asked sarcastically.
"Well Stillman wanted to see you two in his office" said Lilly. "So you better get moving" she added, walking into the break room in search of something to drink.
"Never changes, does she" smiled Will, shaking his head as Lilly walked off.
"There's something that has changed" replied Nick, tugging at Will's sleeve. He pointed at the man emerging from the elevator.
"You look like you've seen a ghost" laughed Will.
"Would you shut up and look" snapped Nick. Will's laughing stopped short as he saw Scotty approach them.
"Hey" nodded Scotty in greeting, shuffling his feet nervously.
"Long time no see" replied Nick "How've you been?" he asked.
"Good" nodded Scotty "This is my son, Luca" he introduced "Luca, this is Nick and Will"
"Hi" waved Luca "I'm four and this is my toy truck. When I'm older I'm going to drive a truck like this one but a bit bigger" chatted Luca.
"That's a cute kid you got there" smiled Nick before bending down to Luca's level "Nice to meet you" he said, shaking Luca's hand.
"So what brings you up here?" asked Will.
"Umm, I have to talk to Stillman" replied Scotty.
"You decide that the high life wasn't for you" joked Nick, but he immediately regretted it as Scotty's face fell.
"Let's just say I didn't decide" said Scotty with a tight smile.
Nick and Will looked at each other, neither quite sure what to say to Scotty. Instead they were interrupted by Stillman coming out of his office.
"Scotty" he greeted, holding his hand out to shake.
"Boss" nodded Scotty in return, accepting the shake "Did you get the message?" he asked.
"Yes, Marie told me this morning. If you want to come through to my office, we can talk now" he suggested.
"That would be good" nodded Scotty, trying to pick up Luca the toy truck and teddy bear.
"How about we take Luca for you" suggested Nick.
"That okay with you bud" asked Scotty, looking down at the boy.
"But you said I was allowed in this meeting" complained Luca.
"I know mate, but you'll be bored" reasoned Scotty.
"How about you come with us into the break room and we'll see if we can find you some chocolate" suggested Will, grabbing Luca's attention at the word chocolate.
"Okay" he nodded excitedly, grabbing onto Will's hand and following the two men into the break room, teddy bear trailing behind him.
"So, what brings you up here?" asked Stillman from behind his desk as Scotty sat nervously in front of him.
Scotty drew in a deep breathe "Daniella's left, me" he explained, speaking the words allowed for the first time. His chest stung a little as he said the words, absorbing the fact that not only had he lost his house and belongings, but his wife, the mother of his child.
"Geez, Scotty. I'm sorry" said Stillman, running a hand over his head. "What happened, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Nah" replied Scotty before explaining his situation, right up until he had walked through the door this morning,
When he had finished Stillman lead him to the break room to get Luca and a cup of coffee. They had discussed the possibility of Scotty returning to his old job, or any that was available. Stillman had reassured him though, he had no problem with Scotty returning, and in fact they would need a new detective soon he had added. Firstly he had to clear it with the boss but Stillman was adamant the job was a good as his.
"Daddy" yelled Luca, jumping up off the lounge into Scotty's arms.
"I met Lilly" he squealed excitedly.
"Did you" smiled Scotty, ruffling the boy's hair. He turned around to face the blond standing near the coffee machine.
"It's good to see you again Scotty" she smiled "what brings you here?"
Scotty stood back a minute letting his gaze wash over her for a minute. It had been such a long time since he had last saw her. Her hair was still long and straight, though it was tied back in a messy ponytail, reminding him of when they had first met. His eyes travelled down her body till he saw the reason while Stillman would need another detective soon. Then he panicked.
"Daniella's redecorating the house this weekend and she didn't want the paint fumes hurting Luca with his asthma, so I told her I'd bring him down to met you guys" explained Scotty hurriedly, grabbing onto Luca's hand "we're headed back tomorrow" he added in before exiting the room with an apologetic glance towards Stillman.
He headed towards the elevator, before climbing in and hitting the emergency stop button half way between floors.
Things had just gotten a whole lot worse.