A/N-To my readers I deeply apologize for not realizing that there was apparently a posting error when this chapter was apparently posted without its ending. Again I apologize for the mistake and hope you enjoy this reposted and now complete chapter. ~A

You Had to be There - Chapter 4

Alvarez took his ladies arm and looped it through his as they walked through the doors of the Schraeger mansion. Nicole looked stunning in her shimmering pale blue evening gown. Her hair was piled on top of her head with tendrils hanging down to her shoulders. The diamonds her grandmother left to her were stunning, although Eddie had told her on more than one occasion that she would look stunning in a gunny sack. He knew he looked good in his tux.

While he was more than happy for Walsh and Schraeger, Nicole had drilled into his head that this was an opportunity to network She had finally admitted to having known Casey in school, but had explained that she had been sworn to secrecy about Casey's identity by her old school chum. The pair were going around trying to schmooze with the upper crust, only to find themselves surprisingly snubbed. Even people who were friends of her parents seemed to be pretending not to know them.

Alvarez used his finely honed detective skills (he eavesdropped), to overhear that some of the families had lost a load of money a few months back. One of their own Carlton Overstreet III had convinced several of his fellow bigwigs to buy into some very expensive and very fake investments. When the case had come up, Nicole had apparently made the totally wrong call of handing it off to one of the ADA's a young man who had actually stepped up to the plate and indicted the embezzler to the tune of twenty five to thirty years. Unfortunately, the guy had skipped bail, and was in the wind.

Apparently several of the people here this evening who were friends of the elder Schraeger's blamed Nicole because she had sent in the second string so to speak instead of taking the case herself. Not that she really could have changed the fact that the thief had skipped town while out on bail, but people needed someone to blame for his escape, so they blamed Nic.

Eddie decided he was going to get his wife out of here as soon as they were able to congratulate the happy couple. He was going to take her home pamper her a little bit with a foot massage, bubble bath and a bottle of wine. Then he would tell her what the real deal had been. His wife was tough she would bounce back that didn't mean that he wouldn't protect his vixen as much as he could.

Meanwhile Eric Delahoy entered the rather crowded party with the lovely Dr. Monica Crumb on his arm wearing a royal blue form fitting Asian inspired dress. Her hair had gotten longer and was slicked back into a long ponytail. The embroidery in the dress was mimicked in her long earrings, which was the only jewelry she wore. Eric wore his best suit and was very proud of Monica.

Leo Banks followed his partner through the door with Bridget following him in a slinky bronze dress. Leo felt his shoulders automatically stiffen at the sight of the crowd. He spoke loud enough that the foursome could hear. "I don't think this is quite what Schraeger had in mind when she said, "Just a few people."

"She did say her mom had different ideas about what a little gathering meant," Bridget added, as he leaned into her husband and gave him a supportive hug. "It's cool babe, think of it as an adventure."

"No supply closet sex here," Monica hissed.

"Spoil sport." Banks and Delahoy said in unison.

Bridget giggled while Monica just rolled her eyes. "No offense gang, but we got a babysitter for the evening." said Leo with a twinkle in his eye. "So lets get this party started, even with the stuffed shirts in attendance." The group all chuckled even though Eric's was a little forced. Monica ran her fingers lovingly through his very curly hair, scratching his sensitive scalp delicately with her long fingernails, he leaned into her gently, he whispered in her ear, "You are my rock, lady."

The couples went into the large living area where the main party was going on. The two detectives went around finding people they knew and even some who they were vaguely familiar with and introducing themselves and their ladies.

Cole leaned against the wall next to the bar sipping his ginger ale. He had already seen Alvarez and D.A. Brandt. Although neither one seemed to be having a good time, they made small talk with him for several minutes. Before excusing themselves to go look for other detectives from Second Squad, as well as people from the D.A.'s office and the court system. Henry sighed.

He looked around at all of the people and felt…alone. These men in their suits and cigars, the women with their evening gowns and jewelry. Their talk of investments, money market ventures, art, real estate and of course the main topic of conversation was Overstreet. Henry being the punctual type had been one of the first people here, so he had been privy to quite a few of their conversations and yet he had heard not one conversation about the real reason for the party…the happy couple. He found that rather sad and shaming, and began to wonder if some of the things that Frank said about these people were true. Worse yet he began to wonder if he should just go back o Navane Granger.

They worked day in, day out to put bad people behind bars and yet bad people continued to exist. He looked around and realized that there were at least three groups of people here, who's conversations had implicated in their own cases of tax evasion, embezzling and fraud. He wondered if it would do any good to try to arrest these men. He sighed again as the mood he was in continued to drag him down.

Lately the only thing that kept him willing to get out of bed in the morning let alone coming to work was the possibility of seeing Allison. Her smile, her spirit, they filled up the squad room. She had told him at some point in the beginning of their partnership that she was an atheist. He had seen her appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around her. She had supported a mother who's child was missing, and wept tears of joy and relief right along with the family as the child was returned. She had sat with and comforted an elderly woman who's husband had died of a heart attack as they waited for the bus to come and take the body away.

She may not believe in God but she knew right from wrong, she was a good woman, a compassionate woman. He looked up to see the back of a woman in a scarlet dress, he was a man, and even from the back this woman had a stunning figure. The dress was very form fitting, a beaded bodice with only one shoulder led down to a short train. The beading in shades of red, gold, copper, and silver led down the back of the dress to the train and were set to look like flames.

As the woman started to turn Henry looked up her hair was long, dark, and wavy and was held back off the bare shoulder with a flame beaded comb. The face was even more stunning than the dress because it was one he knew by heart. The deep dark eyes, the high sharp cheekbones, and those lips. Allison.

Recognizing him, she gave him a smile and walked towards him and that was enough to take his breath away. The beading in front was denser over Allison's breasts and up over the shoulder leading to the back of the dress. It then led down to her left hip and down the sides of a thigh high slit in the dress. When she took a step the slit swished open to reveal Allison's impressive legs and a scarlet stiletto with four inch heels.

When she finally reached him and stepped forward to kiss him on the edge of his mouth, he stopped breathing for a moment. "Thank goodness I found you. I feel like chum in a shark tank." That instantly made him look around and sure enough there were more than a few lecherous gazes aimed at the beauty beside him, and more than a few jealous stares aimed at him.

"You do look gorgeous, not that you don't usually look gorgeous, cause you do…all the time. It's just…" He was blushing, Henry knew he was blushing but he had to say this before he lost his nerve. "They may think they're sharks, but you are not chum." he said, drawing a breath to calm himself before saying, "You are a flame and they are the moths drawn to you." He said indicating her in the dress with his hand, "And with you're permission ma'am. I'm the lucky bastard, who will get to escort you. Pardon my language." Allison just laughed throatily as she looped her arm through his.

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Estelle was growing a little aggravated with her daughter, such an ungrateful child. After all didn't she know that when she got over this phase she was going through, the connections she was making at this party would serve her well in the future when she took over from her father. Really this whole aggravating nonsense about only inviting workmates and friends was ridiculous.

The fact that the only thing that everyone at the party seemed capable of talking about was the dreadful Overstreet affair was also a little disturbing. After all the party was supposed to be a party not a commiseration. People were supposed to notice the food, the drinks, and the decorations, oh well Estelle understood the whole business. Or at least she understood what it was to be a businessman's wife.

Her daughter was going to give her a migraine I mean she had been in this phase for how many years now? She really had to talk to that child psychologist again. Were these things supposed to last for decades?

Estelle's rather morose thoughts were interrupted when someone from Casey's work. Was it her sergeant, lieutenant or was he a captain now stood up and using a spoon was tapping the side of his glass to attract the attention of the guests. Jason and Casey stood nearby gazing at each other, and the other guests rather sheepishly as, oh what was his name Green, no Brown began to deliver a toast.

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"I had the honor of being there when Casey and Jason first met. It was an unfortunate meeting in that Jason had lost his previous partner, Kowalski." There was a few seconds pause at the mention of the officer and the mood turned a little somber. Then the captain continued, "Just as unfortunate at that time, Jason was trying to sell some food to an innocent victim… er customer?" After several chuckles and a few confused looks, he continued. "Casey when she was introduced to her new would-be partner was dressed… well… very…"

Jason fake coughed and supplied, "Sexy."

"That'll do." said Brown gratefully. "Needless to say from that rough start, they blossomed into one of the finest partnerships I've had the pleasure of working with. It wasn't until fairly recently that we discovered that their partnership was becoming more than work related. We have had the pleasure of working with this couple, and now we'll get to see them as an engaged couple and hopefully we'll soon here about them as a married couple. To Casey and Jason, live, laugh, work, and love. Congratulations!"

The young couple smiled happily at each other and holding hands kissed each other passionately as everyone cheered. Everyone except the half dozen men in FBI jackets who made their way through the crowd toward the happy couple. When they reached the pair, Jason and Casey looked up dazedly at the men. The man in front introduced himself with the statement, "Assistant Director Collins, these are Federal Marshals. Jason Walsh you are under arrest for the murder of Andrei Mihaylov. You have the right to remain silent, if you give up that right…" as Collins continued to read the Miranda. One of the Federal Marshals put a stunned Walsh into handcuffs. Casey and Brown immediately began protesting Jason's innocence and demanding answers. Collins handed them a copy of a very legitimate looking arrest warrant as they escorted a pale-faced Walsh from the party.