Summary: In which, Don Flack likes kareoke; there is a pointless battle, Lindsay is confused and Sheldon is hungry.
Challenge; some of the highlighted words spell out a CSI:NY epi that is indirectly linked to this chapter. See if you can't find out what it is...
Adam gave George and Stella apologetic looks "I'm sorry the prints were too degraded as was the blood sample"
The two women shared a look of dismay, they thanked Adam for his attempts and then left the lab. They stood outside the door in silence, both deep in thought.
Stella glanced at George "We better head back to the scene. We're going to have to look even harder"
George rubbed her head "I...thought we had him there"
Stella grimaced "He's not gonna get away with this" she sighed and ran a hand through her curls "I'm going to the morgue. Maybe the tox screen will be ready"
"That might be a wait, its pretty busy down there. I'm just going to look over witness statements. Page me if something comes up?" said George
They started walking down the hall and parted ways at a fork in their path with Stella taking an elevator to the mortuary and George taking one to the homicide department.
She found her partner Jamie sitting at her desk a weary expression on her tanned features "Anything?" she asked George
The other detective briskly shook her head and took a seat at her own desk, she looked with relief at the fresh coffee Jamie had brought for her and drank some gratefully. Then she settled back into her chair.
"Okay, lets look at it like this. He's a sucker for a good deal if we can just hold him on something, anything...a parking violation...we can get him to talk" said George
Jamie rubbed her tired eyes "Thats good but what then? We haven't got a bloody chance at stopping him from skipping town if he feels threatened. What if even that doesn't work?"
George bit her lip and held up her copy of the case file "We're just going to have to look at it all again"
"Great" muttered Jamie sarcastically, she opened up her own case file and like George began to read through it.
An hour later the two detectives were still at a loss and were both unable to focus as well as they normally could due to lack of sleep and hunger but they were determined to keep going.
"We need to try something..." started George only to trail off when she saw Jamie's face "What?"
She looked over her shoulder towards the end of the floor and saw Don marching in the very suspect she and Jamie had been trying to hold. Stella followed as he manoeuvred the furious looking man past other criminals and detectives in the busy place and towards the interview rooms.
Jamie had already got to her feet and grabbed her case file looking much more cheerful "Thank God for your fiancé"
George watched Jamie head in the same direction that Don, Stella and her suspect had just gone in and swallowed, she shook her head and got up following after them.
Twenty five odd minutes later Don had a full signed confession from his suspect, he went into the viewing room right outside the interview room where Stella, George and Jamie had been watching the whole interrogation through one way glass.
"Got him. Scumbags going away for 25 plus. At least" he said brightly
Jamie and Stella smiled, both showing relief that the suspect was behind bars.
"You did good Flack" said Stella "I cannot believe you were after the same guy...I mean we've been trying to get him..." she cut herself off "But he's done now. Thank God."
Jamie smirked "I wouldn't thank his holiness just yet, we've got shitloads of paperwork to do"
"Yeah but eat first" yawned Stella
She glanced at George "You coming?"
George shook her head, Jamie and Stella then left leaving behind the couple.
"Only in New York right?" he said, referring to the coincidence of their sharing a suspect and being unaware of it
She shrugged and attempted a smile "It was lucky you found him"
"Luck had nothing to do with it" he said and looked at her carefully "You would have got him"
"I know that. I'm happy for you and I'm proud of you" she said firmly "I just...it feels like an anti-climax"
He put his arm around her "Next one's all yours" he said, trying to cheer her up
She rolled her eyes "Gee thanks"
"Hey..." he kissed the top of her dark curls "Lets go out and celebrate our collar. Tonight. Kareoke"
George half smiled "Aiden's babysitter can't be there tonight. You go out and celebrate. I'm heading home"
He went to kiss her but got her cheek instead, not noticing he smiled "See you later alright?"
She gave him a quick smile "Yeah. Later"
Then she made her way out of the room.
"Deep breaths. For gods sakes you need to chill" said Ronnie trying to calm down her sister, oblivious to the looks she got from the others present in the staff canteen
Sheldon put down his sandwich "Ros?"
"Yeah she just lost a client for the PR firm" said Ronnie abruptly turning off her cell and placing it down on the table then smiling at her brother in law
"Apparently its all 'my fault' because the client found out about me and Don working in the NYPD and was not very interested after that. If you ask me..." she paused to write something down in her notes
"...If you ask me, Ros doesn't need to represent the kind of client that acts really suspect around police" she muttered
Sheldon smiled to himself and went back to his sandwich "Why aren't you working in the lab?" he gestured at the stack of books she had covering the small table
"Adam is playing 'Going To California' super loud and I can't concentrate. Whenever its not busy I always make sure to get the hell out of there before he turns on his 80's metal" she explained
"I thought you were a fan?" he said
"Well I am but he also plays really whiny indie music Coldplay-style crap. Freaking irritating. Anyway I like the smell of food while I work"
Sheldon arched an eyebrow "Speak of the devil..."
"Yo ho" said Adam affectionately, coming over to the table with a milkshake
"Sup skank?" said Ronnie with equal affection
"Why aren't you in the lab?" he asked, sipping on the milkshake
"Because its more peaceful in here" she said pointedly "I just wanted a change of scenery. I'm heading back now"
She slid back her chair in order to stand up but had obviously misjudged the space between her and Adam because she knocked into him and his hand was unsteadied, sending milkshake pouring over her head and down her blouse.
"Argh!" she growled and shot upwards nearly knocking over her chair too
Sheldon looked agape while Adam tried to contain his laughter and appear suitably sorry for the accident.
"Uhm...dute, I'm so sorry...that..." Adam began only to be stunned when she grabbed Sheldon's sandwich and threw it at him
The lab tech groaned as he was hit in the face by bits of salad, mayonnaise and tuna "Oh what the hell?" he protested
She wiped her hands smugly "Now we're even"
"But that was an accident! What are you ten?!" he retorted
By now the rest of the room had given up on the pretence of not watching and were quietly snickering while Ronnie and Adam squared up to each other. Sheldon meanwhile simply mourned the loss of his lunch.
"Apologise. Now" ordered Adam, he grabbed a bottle of ketchup from the table and held it threateningly at Ronnie
Sheldon, sensing what was happening wisely moved away the books and himself. Ronnie sneered "You haven't got the-AIEEE!"
She squealed as Adam squirted ketchup at her face and then grabbed the mustard bottle and retaliated.
"You guys, thats enough, seriously" shouted Sheldon
His pleas fell on deaf ears as the two lab techs continued their squabbling much to the hilarity of everyone else.
"Woah! You! Put that down! Right now!" called Don coming into the canteen
Ronnie flushed and put down her 'weapon' and Adam did the same.
Don stalked over to them and shook his head "Shit, I know its Friday but goddamn...keep it together! Get cleaned up and get back to work"
"He started it" muttered Ronnie
Adam grumbled under his breath "She did"
"Ah grow up!" snapped Don and pointed out of the room "Get outta here!"
The two lab techs meekly obeyed and headed off to a round of applause for both them and Don who had brightened the day of several tired workers apart from a still hungry Sheldon.
Silent movies often had the ability to cheer Lindsay up with their exaggerated acting and thin plots but that evening she was unable to focus. She had tried going to the gym, reading and even a glass of wine but she was still restless.
She gave up on the movie, went into the shower and re-dressed in her work clothes. It was Friday and she should have been enjoying her long weekend but she decided instead to put in some overtime, hoping to keep her mind off something that had been troubling her.
Just as she was heading out of the door she received a phone call from Stella and suddenly her plans were changed once more.
She put on a simple but pretty dress and then left her apartment, taking a taxi downtown.
"Hey, you made it!" grinned an obviously tipsy Danny, he patted the seat beside him "Pull up a pew Montana"
He, Stella, Gavin, Don and his partner Jennifer Angell were gathered around a table at a dimly lit kareoke bar and had all clearly enjoyed several drinks before Lindsay's arrival.
She sat down hesitantly and smiled thinly at Stella "Just a quiet drink you said?"
Stella smiled sheepishly "Well, I could hardly say no"
"I'm next!" said Don, getting up
Lindsay noticed that the kareoke machine was now free and she winced "Oh my god"
"He's gonna sing...and...he blows...dude cannot sing" slurred Danny into her ear
She smiled uncomfortably and tried to put some space between them "Well, I'm glad I didn't miss this" she said to Stella but the woman was preoccupied with her husband.
Jennifer gave Lindsay a sympathetic look "You wanna switch seats? I don't mind, I wanna film Flack with and put it on YouTube for all the guys at work to see"
Lindsay smirked "How sweet"
Jennifer snickered "Yeah, I know"
"Run that for me again" said Mac
Ronnie did as he'd asked, repeating a clip on the lab computer and separating a specific section for him to view up close.
He peered at the screen "You were right, she's the one carrying the gun. Which means there were four accomplices"
"Thanks" he said "Print it out for me and send it to my office" Mac looked at his watch and then over at Adam who was working while listening to his headphones
"You two can go after that"
"Sure?" asked Ronnie, stretching
Mac nodded then noted her outfit which consisted of a thin white tank top and then at Adam who was wearing a snugly fitting red woman's sweater.
"Need I ask about yours and Adam's choice of clothing?" he added
Ronnie shook her head and winced "Nope"
He half smiled then lowered his voice "Have you heard from Stella? She said she would be in here to get the paperwork for her case. I wanted to talk to her"
Ronnie frowned "She was here then she left. Gavin called and she went out with him and my brother" she sighed "Sorry"
Mac waved his hand dismissively "Don't be. Its just work. I'll see you Sunday evening bright and early"
She watched him go and sighed again wearily.
George checked her watch and then looked over from the couch at the house phone then at her son, happily playing with his toys while her dog Atticus lay beside him.
"I'm not going to be one of those thats always checking up on their boyfriends" she said out loud
Atticus raised his head as if to disagree but of course said nothing.
"Well whatever. He can stay out. I'm not his mother" she smiled at Aiden "I am yours however. You gorgeous boy"
She got up and scooped her son into her arms "Lets have a night in. You get the fancy formula milk and I'll have a little wine okay? None for you till you're at least sixteen" she giggled and pressed her lips to Aiden's soft dimpled chin
Then she gasped as she heard him say his first word, she held him close and cheered, dancing then she remembered she had to call his father and that now she had good cause to.
"Run DMC!" called Lindsay, now getting into the spirit of things as Don asked the room what he should sing on the kareoke machine
This got a lot of boo's from the rest of the people in the restaurant but they were shouted down by Stella and Jennifer who cheered Lindsay on then looked back at the stage where Don was beginning his song. He picked up the mike for the kareoke machine and Danny proceeded to do an impromptu drumming on the table.
"Love is a battlefield!" wailed Don
"Oh my god. These are detectives?" smirked Gavin
Stella elbowed him playfully "These are detectives off duty. They are otherwise very well behaved"
Jennifer let out a loud scoff at this "Yeah fucking right" she grinned at Don "Take it Flack!"
Don waved from the stage and swayed as if he was dancing but failed miserably, Danny laughed loudly as Don tried a high note and nearly knocked over the glasses already on the table. Lindsay watched him amusedly and squeezed his shoulder.
"You might want to sober up about now"
"I will now you're here pal" he chuckled
"Are you saying I'm boring?" she said with mock offence
"Ha! No I mean you're...very calming. You make me feel...calm" he grinned and then proceeded to knock back another beer
Lindsay flushed then shook her head dismissively, she turned back in her seat to look at the stage and was surprised to find Don was now singing a new song and was joined by a petite dark haired woman and a taller brown haired man.
"I don't wanna close my eeeyeees" crooned Don while his co-workers cringed
"I don't wanna fall asleep" sang his sister, giggling through her line, Danny got up and whooped but was pulled back down by Jennifer
Adam laughed through his line too "Coz I miss you babay"
Then in a poor reflection of harmony the trio sang "And I don't wanna miss a thiiiiing"
Leaving Don and Adam to finish the rest of the song Ronnie came off stage and when she got to their table Danny greeted her by pulling her onto his lap.
"I love you" he whispered and hugged her
Ronnie grinned "How loaded are you? I bet you don't even know who I am right now" she teased
"How could I forget you?" he replied sweetly
He stroked her hair then paused, sniffing and then smirking "Do you know you smell like strawberry milkshake?"
Lindsay looked away as they kissed, Jennifer misread her reaction and put on a mock-nauseated expression.
"Christ, what is with all the couples?" she gestured to Gavin and Stella who were now having a private discussion, then at Danny and Ronnie who were kissing and giggling then with a smirk at Don and Adam who had their arms around each other as they sang
Lindsay shrugged "I guess we should hook up" she said dryly
Jennifer laughed "Maybe in another life but I'm spoken for"
"Hey Jen, hey Stellaaaaaa!" said Ronnie sliding from Danny's lap and onto the seat beside him
Stella smiled at her friend wryly "That never gets old" then she returned her attention to Gavin
Ronnie then greeted Lindsay enthusiastically and Lindsay tried to match this enthusiasm in her own greeting but fell short when Danny leaned over to Ronnie and murmured something in his girlfriends ear.
"Ah you guys we might head off we're picking up Danny's brother Louis from the airport and evidently I have to drive" apologised Ronnie
Jennifer, Stella and Gavin both murmured noises of complaint
"But you just got here" said Stella
"Well we gotta fly. Beat that traffic" she blushed as Danny continued to murmur in her ear
Jennifer rolled her eyes as she watched the couple "Yeah thats why you're leaving early. To beat the traffic" she said with over emphasised sarcasm
Danny scoffed at Jennifer and bid his goodbyes, squeezing a quiet Lindsay on the shoulder then heading off, his arm wrapped around Ronnie's waist. She cast a wistful glance at Don and Adam who were now singing 'Careless Whispers' then she allowed herself to be lead out by Danny.
As George placed Aiden in his crib much later that night she had already reasoned that what her son had done wasn't quite his first word but it was pretty close. She smiled and watched him drift off to sleep then she quietly inched out of his room and was just making her way to her bedroom when she heard a loud clattering down stairs.
She groaned as Aiden began to cry not a split second later and then trudged back to her son's bedroom.
Downstairs Don tossed some money at the unamused cab driver who had basically had to carry him inside because he continued to fall over. The cabbie then left while Don slammed the front door shut and went into the kitchen clattering around then stopping when he realised he had no idea why he was there. With drunken shrug he lurched into the lounge and crashed out on the sofa, falling asleep instantly and snoring loudly.
A/N: This post somehow didn't go up as scheduled but here it is...a few hours late but here nonetheless! Thanks Aphina, you're always supportive and thanks to everyone else who has put me on their favourites list.
As for this chapter...I will not be going into any detail about the characters but I will say that each chapter will be centric to one specific character as the fic goes on. Also; all the titles are that of songs.
Hope you enjoyed it and if you can; drop me a review.
Thanks.
