"You get to the dry cleaners in time?"

            Sully looked up at Liz from the bench in front of his locker.  She was fastening the keepers on her gun belt and her hair still hung down around her face.  "Yeah, just managed to get there with everything else."

            "Guess we need to watch the clock better next time."

            "Yeah."

            "I'll let you get dressed."

 Liz moved to the mirrors to put her hair up and Sully went back to getting dressed.  As he looked up he saw Davis watching him, a smirk on his face.  Sully glared at him before standing to put on his own gun belt.  He decided to get out of there before Davis gave him the third degree.

It didn't take long after they'd climbed into the squad for the questions to start.  "What were you two doing that you had to watch the clock?"

            Sully didn't answer for a moment, concentrating on traffic.  Finally he said, "It's not what you think."

            "Oh?  Then what is it?"

            "We had lunch together."

            "Reeeeaaaallyyy? Very interesting.  She call you?"

            "No, I called her."  Sully smiled at the look of shock on Ty's face. "What?"

            "You called her?  What happened to taking it slow?"

            Sully shook his head.  "You really do have a one track mind, don't you?  We're just friends, Davis.  I was out running errands and decided I wanted company for lunch so I called her.  She was free so she joined me."

            "What were you two talking about that you lost track of time?"

            Turning the corner, Sully remained silent until Ty thought he wasn't going to answer.  Just when Ty was going to prod him again Sully replied, "Not that it's really any of your business, we talked about a lot of things, mostly about our marriages."

            This dumbfounded Ty.  "You talked to her about Tatiana?"

            "A little but more about marriage in general."

            Before Ty could ask anything more they were interrupted by the radio.  *55-Charlie, 55-David*

            Ty keyed his lapel mike.  "55-Charlie."

            They heard Faith reply, "55-David."

            *Structure fire, 175th and Amsterdam.  Structure fire, 175th and Amsterdam*

            "10-4."

            They heard Faith answer before Central gave the time.  Ty reached to flip on the lights and siren as Sully grumbled, "It's gonna be one of those days."

            The structure on fire turned out to be a three story apartment building. 55-David was on scene first and Ty and Sully saw Faith talking to a woman out on the sidewalk in front of the structure.  They hurried over to her.     

            "What have we got, Faith?"

            "This lady says most of the tenants are out and the fire started on the second floor.  There are one apartment with an elderly lady on the first floor and a third floor apartment with a single mom and two kids that she's unsure if they got out."

            Sully looked around as they could hear the sirens of the fire crews approaching.  "Where's Liz?" 

            "She went in to see if she could check the first floor apartment."

            Ty and Faith were both surprised when Sully took off, heading in the front door where black smoke was rolling out.  "Sully!" Ty yelled but his partner didn't even pause.  He turned back to Faith.  "Let's gather all the residents together to try to get a head count."

            Inside the building Sully could barely see two feet in front of him.  He pulled out his flashlight as he called, "Magnuson!  Can you hear me?"

            He was startled when he heard her holler from about ten feet in front of him, "Sully, I'm here!  Help me with this old lady."

            He moved forward and found Liz struggling to walk a very ancient looking woman down the hall.  Sully picked the lady up in his arms and found she was heavier than she looked.  "Steer us out of here."

            Liz took his flashlight from him then grabbed his flashlight loop on his belt to keep them from being separated.  She pulled him around obstacles, calling out directions as they went.  After what felt like an eternity they found themselves back at the front doors.  As they exited a group of firefighters rushed past them, dragging hose with them.  The fresh air made Sully and Liz both start to cough  as they brought their elderly victim over to Kim and Doc.  Sully laid her gently down on the gurney then stepped back out of the way.  He looked over at Liz.  "You okay?" he asked between coughs.

            "I'm fine, thanks for the help."

            Doc scowled at them both.  "You both should take some oxygen."

            Liz just waved him off before walking over to Faith who was talking to some more of the tenants.  "Anyone else still inside?"

            "We think there's still a mom with two kids in an apartment on the third floor.  We haven't found them outside and someone else had seen them upstairs about half an hour before this started."

            Sully had joined them and heard Faith's response.  "I  take it fire knows?"

            "I told the lieutenant the minute they arrived."

            They watched the fire crew work.  About ten minutes later two fire fighters came out carrying two children.  They hurriedly passed them off to the other paramedics on scene before heading back in.  A little later a different firefighter came out carrying a female but he by-passed the paramedics, yelling for someone to get a stokes and a tarp.  As he laid the female down in the stokes the officers could see she was badly burned on one side of her body. When they started covering her up, Liz turned back towards the building and saw the look on Sully's face.  He looked on in horror at the tarp covered body but his eyes were distant, as if he weren't truly seeing what was in front of him.  Liz gently tugged on his arm.  "Come on, John," she stated gently.  As they passed Faith she whispered out of the side of her mouth, "Find Davis."

            Liz steered Sully back over to his own squad, pushing him down to sit on the push bumper.  Sully shook himself as if to clear away what ever had been clinging to him then looked up at her.  "I'm okay."

            "I know but you and I could both stand to be farther away from the smoke."

            Ty came rushing over, a concerned look on his face.  "What's wrong?"

            "We just needed some fresher air.  I'll be right back." Liz gave him a look that said "Don't leave his side" as she walked away.  She soon returned with a bottle of water.  She took a hit off it then extended it to Sully.  "Here, John, drink this."

            Sully protested but Liz ignored him, pressing the bottle into his hand.  He finally took a drink and actually felt better.  He finished off the bottle then gave her a sheepish look.  "Sorry, I didn't mean to drink it all."      

            "That's okay, I wanted you to drink the rest.  I'm gonna go find Faith.  You stay here."

            "Yes, ma'am."

            Liz gave him a smile before walking away again in search of her partner.

            An hour later they were all able to clear the scene.  Sully and Liz both wanted to change uniforms since they smelled of smoke so both units headed back to the house.  Faith and Ty went to write the fire report while their partners changed.            Though he still looked a bit shaken, Sully insisted he was fine.  After they'd changed, Sully and Liz were talking quietly by the stairwell, waiting for their partners, when Detective Madjanski came around the corner.  It was obvious he was looking for someone and when his gaze settled on Sullivan he had found his prey.  "Sullivan."

            Scowling, Sullivan replied, "Great, my day from hell just got worse.  What do you want?"

            "I've got a question for you about a collar you made last week."  Detective Madjanski had walked over to stand beside the male officer, still not paying attention to the other officer standing there. 

            Sully saw Liz duck her head, as if avoiding looking at the detective.  "John, I'll talk to you later."

            Madjanski finally registered Liz was there when she spoke.  He turned to her, a stunned look on his face.  "What are you doing here?"

            "I work here."

            When Liz started to move away Madjanski reached out to stop her, grabbing her upper arm.  "Wait! Where are you going?"

            Liz finally looked up, glancing over Madjanski's shoulder at Sully before meeting the detective's questioning gaze.  Sully swore he saw something pass between the two before Liz growled, "To find my partner. Let go of me,  you don't know me."

            With that, she jerked her arm from Madjanski's grasp and walked away.  Sully shoved past Madjanski to follow her, giving the detective a withering look as he said, "You have a way of pissing people off, don't you?"

            Madjanski opened his mouth to reply but stopped himself.  He seemed to forget he wanted to talk to Sully as the big officer walked away, trailing his coworker.  The detective looked at the floor, not moving for a moment before he seemed to shake off whatever was bothering him.  He headed up the stairs without glancing back.

            Sully caught up to Liz outside of the locker room, grabbing her arm to stop her before she went in.  His face registered his surprise when he could feel she was shaking.  "What was that all about?"

            "Nothing, let me go."  Liz finally looked up at Sully, her eyes pleading. "Please."

            He gently released her arm, a dubious look on his face.  Liz gave him a trembling smile before slipping inside, leaving him staring at the door.  It was only when he heard his partner call out to him that he walked away from his post.

            Faith had gone to get a soda when she ran into Bosco.  He had just finished raiding the vending machines and appeared to be heading back upstairs but he stopped when he spotted Faith.  He gave her a small smile in greeting.  "Hey, Faith."

            "Bosco."  Faith moved around him to buy a soda. When she straightened up she found he was still watching her.  "Did you need something?"

            "How's it going with your new partner?"

            "Fine. Why?"

            Shrugging, Bosco replied, "Just wondering."

            Faith opened her soda slowly before asking, "How's Anti-crime?"

            "Fine."

            They stood in an awkward silence for a moment, looking at each other.  Faith broke the silence first by saying, "I gotta go find my partner."

            Bosco nodded.  "Yeah, I gotta get back upstairs." 

            They looked at each other again before going in opposite directions, neither one stopping to look back.

            Sully could feel Ty watching him as he drove.  He looked over at his partner, a perturbed look on his face.  "What is it now?"

            "You sure you're okay?"

            "Yeah, I'm fine."

            They fell silent again.  After a while Ty cleared his throat.  "You gonna go out with us tonight?"

            "I don't know.  Where are you going and who's gonna be there?"

            "We're just gonna go to Haggerty's, us and the fire crew."

            "I think I may just go home and go to bed."

            Ty shrugged. "Suit yourself but I think Liz would want you to go."

            "I'll think about it."

            Grinning to himself, Ty turned to look out the window.

            Faith was wrapped up in her own thoughts so she wasn't paying attention to how quiet her partner was.  Liz was driving again and stared intently at the road, not looking at Faith. When the progression of her thoughts came back to what Sully had told her just before they left the station, Faith asked her partner, "Liz, you okay?"

            "I'm fine, why?"

            "Sully told me you had a run in with one of the detectives."

            "I wouldn't call it a run in."

            "What would you call it?"

            "A case of mistaken identity." Silence settled back into the car.  A couple of blocks later Liz spoke again.  "I saw Bosco coming from the vending area while I was talking to Swersky right before you came up.  You two talk?"

            "I wouldn't call it talking."

            "Oh?"

            "More like just looking at each other."

            "How did it make you feel?"

            Faith stared out the windshield for a moment before stating quietly, "Sad."

            Switching subjects, Liz asked, "You still gonna go out tonight with me, Walsh, and DK?"

            Faith shrugged.  "I don't know.  Maybe."

            "I think it would be good for you to go."
            "I'll let you know."

            "Okay, that's all I ask."

            Faith and Liz were the last ones to arrive at Haggarty's later due to a late arrest.  They found Sully talking to Doc while Walsh, DK, Ty, Alex, and Jimmy were already playing darts.  Faith sat down beside Doc as Liz wrapped her arm around Sully's shoulders.  "Glad you decided to come."

            "Yeah, Davis talked me into it.  We were beginning to believe two weren't gonna show."

            Before Liz could reply two arms wrapped around her from behind.  "Where have you been, Red?" Walsh called out, kissing her on the cheek.

            For once Liz seemed to be at a loss for words so her partner came to the rescue.  "We had a late call and paper work to do," Faith answered.

            "Well, we need one more for darts, come on!"  Walsh picked Liz up and threw her over his shoulder, carrying her away before she could protest.  Those left at the table laughed at the sight before continuing their conversation.

            "Was that your shoplifter?" Sully asked Faith as he motioned for the bar maid to come over.

            "Yeah, a fifteen year old stole a forty from a liquor store.  You should have heard the lecture Liz gave him, he was in tears before his parents came to get him."

            "She's probably had a lot of practice doing it over the years and learned from one of the best in the business."

            "Who's that?" Doc asked.

            "Lt. Swersky, he was her first partner and the king of lecturers."

            "That he is and I know we've both been on the receiving end  a few times," added Faith.

            "Haven't we all been on the receiving end one time or another?" stated Doc, causing his companions to smile.

            Sully raised his glass of soda.  "Here's to getting our asses chewed by the best!"

            Doc and Faith raised their glasses too.

Davis was surprised when Liz plopped down in the chair beside him because he thought she was playing darts in the other room with Walsh, DK, and Alex.  "Penny for your thoughts," she said as she took a sip from her glass.

            "Not worth much nowadays, don't you figure in inflation?"

            "Okay, how 'bout a nickel?"

            "Better."  Ty raised an eyebrow at her.  "I thought you and Alex where kicking the guys' butts in darts."

            "We were and we did."

            "Ouch, that can't be good for their egos since they haven't beaten you yet."

            "They'll get over it.  You still haven't told me what you were thinking about though I guess it has something to do with Sully."

            "Why do you say that?"

            Liz nodded to where Davis' partner was sitting at the bar talking to Doc and Faith.  "Because you've been watching him like a hawk all night."

            "Is it that obvious?" Davis glanced at Sully before turning his attention back to the woman beside him.

            "Naw, I'm just an observant person."

            "And a good listener from what I hear."

            Liz blushed but then grinned at him.  "I try and you're stalling."

            Ty shrugged.  "Guess I still worry about him."

            "That's understandable."  Liz put her hand on his arm, giving it a gently squeeze.  "Look, I won't pry but I want you to know you're not alone in all this."

            "I'm not?"

            "No, and you know it.  But I'm not suggesting you talk to me about it, there's someone else in your department you've known longer than me who you could talk to."

            "Really?  Who?"

            "Swersky."

            Shaking his head, Ty answered, "Lieu?  I don't think I'd be comfortable doing that."

            "If you tell Mike you want to talk off the record he'll keep it that way, I've never known anyone who keeps his word like he does.  He's a good man and understands more than you think."

            "I don't know, I still don't think I could talk to him."

            It was Liz's turn to shrug.  "It's just a suggestion but he's been in your shoes before so he could give you some support."

            Before Ty could answer DK sat down next to Liz while he heard his name being hollered across the bar.  He could see Alex and Jimmy waving him over.  Ty looked at DK.  "What do they want?"

            "Someone else to play darts with them since Liz and I both dropped out," DK answered before he took a sip of his beer.

            "Oh." Ty stood before looking back at Liz,  "Excuse me but the bucket crew awaits me."

            "By all means, go kick some butt."

            "Will do."

            Liz and DK watched him walk away.  When DK turned to speak to her, he realized Liz had been watching him.  "What?  I got dirt on my face or something?"

            "Naw," Liz answered with a grin, "I was just wondering why you never asked her out?"

            "Who?"

            "Alex."

            DK looked decidedly uncomfortable.  "Why do you think I would?"

            Liz laid her hand on DK's arm that rested on the table between them.  "Don't worry, it's not obvious.  I've just learned to read people over the years, one of the habits of the job."

            Trying to shrug nonchalantly and failing, DK sighed.  "Guess I was too worried about ruining a good friendship."  He took another sip of his beer then grinned.  "That and I didn't want to expose us to the damn gossip at the station."

            "They have that in the fire department too, huh?"  When DK looked at her he could tell that Liz was teasing.  "I know they do, I've been the subject of it a few times in both the fire department and the PD."          

            "Oh yeah?"

            "Yeah.  When Billy and I worked down on Pitt Street there were a couple of rumors going around about us."

            DK sat back in his chair.  "Really?  How come?"

            Shrugging, Liz said, " I'm sure there were lots of reasons in their minds.  I just learned to ignore it."

            "Well, my station is quite the soap opera and I just didn't want to add Taylor and me to the storyline."

            Liz chuckled.  "Billy's filled me in on some of the things that's gone on at your station."

            "Like what?"

            "Mostly Doherty's sagas and all the go arounds with Kim."

            "Those two are pieces of work."

            "At least they keep you entertained."

            DK laughed.  "That they do."  DK set his beer down on the table, spinning it with his fingers.  "You and Davis looked like you were having a pretty serious discussion when I walked over.  Sorry if I interrupted."

            "That's okay, we were pretty much done."

            "Are you sure?" The skeptical look on his face harmonized with the tone of his voice. 

            "Yeah, I got my point across."  Liz winked at him causing DK to laugh again.  Doc, Sully, and Faith came back to the table to join them.  Sully motioned to Liz's pop and DK's beer. 

            "You guys want another round?"

            DK shrugged.  "Sure."

            Liz shook her head.  "Naw, I'm good for now."

            Sully motioned for the waitress to bring another round for the table.  Doc leaned back in chair as he asked Liz,  "How do like working in the 55th precinct?"

            "So far it's been a very positive experience," she replied, smiling at her partner.  Faith smiled back but didn't say anything.

            "Even dealing with Christopher?" Sully asked smoothly, trying to hide a smile.

            Liz gave him a sideways glance.  "Don't even go there, Papa Bear."

            "Papa Bear?" echoed Doc, looking highly amused at the sour look on Sully's face.

            Sully pointed at him.  "Don't even think it, Doc, or I'll start calling you Gramps."

            Doc put his hands up in surrender.  "Okay, okay.  I know better than to risk getting parking tickets for the rest of my career."

            "Smart man."

            "He can be at times," added DK. The howl of laughter from the group could be hear throughout the whole bar as they continued to hurl barbs at each other.

            Alex was looking at the selections on the jukebox when she heard a female ask,  "Anything good on there?"

            She turned to see Liz standing there, drinks in hand.  Liz extended the beer to her and kept what looked like a soda.  Alex took the beer with a small smile.  "Naw, same old.  Thanks."          

            Liz acknowledged the thanks with a nod as she leaned against the jukebox.  After looking things over for herself she smiled too.  "You're right, not a lot to chose from.  You guys give up on darts?"

            "The boys got tired of me beating them, with a little help from you of course."

            "They just can't handle losing, can they?" They shared a smile of knowing before Alex motioned for Liz to follow her to a booth.  They slid in, remaining quiet for a moment.  Finally Liz spoke again.  "Is there something you want to know, Alex?"

            "I, uh, no.  That is," Alex stammered for minute, for once not sure what to say.  If it had been one of the guys she was talking to it would have been a lot easier but she wasn't as good talking to women, except Kim.  Finally she just blurt out, "Liz, what made you become a cop?

            Liz looked puzzled.  "Why?"

            "I'm trying to figure out how you survive being a female in this environment."

            "You having problems?"
            "No."  Alex played with her beer.  "It's just I look at your personality and you just don't quite fit what I expect of a female cop."

            "How so?"
            "Well, nothing against Faith, but you seem too nice to be a cop.  You don't yell that I've seen, you don't have an attitude like a lot of the women cops I've met." Alex smiled, "You don't mind directing traffic at fire scenes."

            "Why should I?  I get to watch all those sooty guys in turnouts and get paid for it."

            Alex  was surprised by her answer but returned Liz's grin. She now realized Liz had a naughty sense of humor she'd never displayed. "I've also noticed that the bigger the group the quieter you get.  Most cops fight to be the center of attention, look at Bosco."

            Liz turned serious.  "Well, I've never hung out with Bosco so I can't agree or disagree with you.  As for being the center of attention, I've never been comfortable being there.  I've found the quieter you the more you learn about people, sometimes they forget you're there."

            "I can't imagine anyone forgetting you're around."
            "Thanks, but I know they can. But you, on the other hand, are very hard to forget."

            "Moí?" Alex splayed a hand across her chest. 

            "Yeah, you."  Liz smiled again.  "You're not afraid to state your mind and you'll defend your point of view to very end."

            "Is that a complement?"

            "Yeah, it is.  Sometimes I wish I was as fearless as you, maybe a few things in my life would be different."

            "Like what?"
            Liz just shook her head.  "Too many things to go into."  She gave Alex a measuring look.  "I heard you had it rough when you came over to the squad."

            Alex stiffened slightly. "Yeah, it wasn't easy."

            "Looks like they accept you now."
            "Took a little time but they do."  Alex frowned at her.  "Who have you been talking to about me?"

            "Don't worry, it wasn't just about you."  A large smile crossed Liz's face.  "Walsh has been filling me in on his life for the last few years and you've become a big part of that.  I'd also heard of you before that due to your law suit."
            "That made me a bit notorious."  Alex now looked decidedly uncomfortable.

            "You did what you had to do." Liz reached across the table to place her hand on Alex's arm. "You did the right thing no matter what the others say."

            Alex was astonished.  "You think so?"

            "Yeah.  I've been in your shoes when it comes to that, Alex.  Maybe some day I'll tell you about it."  Liz slid out of the booth, smiling again.  "But now's not the time for that.  Come on, let's go challenge the guys at something."

            "Any certain guys?" Alex asked as she stood.

            Liz stopped short, this time she gave Alex a puzzled look.  "Whadda you mean?"

            "Don't play dumb with me, Officer Magnuson.  You getting a soft spot for any one in specific?"

"Why do you ask?"
           Alex grinned.  "Because I think a certain firefighter is developing one for you, and I don't mean Walsh."

            Liz looked down in embarrassment but replied,  "I wouldn't be adverse to the idea."

            "Figures you wouldn't give me a straight answer."  Alex grabbed her beer with one hand and Liz's arm with the other. "Come on lady, the games await."

            Liz let Alex drag here into the other room, laughing.

            Around 1:30 AM Faith started yawning.  "Sorry, guys, but I'm gonna call it a night."

            Liz stood.  "Me too though this has been a lot of fun."

            The women were surprised when Walsh and DK stood too.  "We'll walk you out," Walsh stated. 

They said their good nights with Liz giving Sully a hug from behind.  He smiled and patted her arms before glaring at Ty and the look on his partner's face.  Liz was surprised when DK grabbed her arm and tucked it into his while Walsh did the same with Faith.  They were all laughing and chatting as they went out the door.

When they reached Liz's car Walsh said, "Thanks for coming tonight."

            "After the day we had it was nice," replied Faith, a small smile on her face.

            "Yes, it was," agreed Liz as she extracted her arm from DK's to point at Walsh.  "So help me if you ever pick me up like that again," she scolded but her smile tempered her words.

            "You've been threatening me with that for 12 years so I'm not worried."  He reached out to hug her.  "Drive safe."

            "I will."  She turned to DK.  "Thanks for the conversation."

            He smiled at her.  "Anytime.  See ya' tomorrow?"

            "You bet."
            The men called out their goodbyes as they head back to the bar while Liz and Faith climbed into the car.   As Liz pulled away from the curb Faith commented, "I think he likes you."

            "Who?"

            "What do you mean, who?  DK."  In the dim interior Faith could see Liz was blushing.  "You like him too, don't you?"

            "He's very nice."

            "Nice?  Would you go out with him if he asked?"

            "I don't know."

            "Why not?"

            "Because it's been fifteen years since I went on a date."
            Faith's mouth dropped open.  "You haven't dated since you got divorced?"

            "No."

            "Why not?"

            "Haven't found anyone I was interested in."  Lowly she added, "And I've been too scared."

            Faith shook her head.  "You, scared?  You don't strike me as someone who gets scared easily."

            Liz shrugged.  "Some things scare the hell out of me."

            They were quiet the rest of the way to Faith's street.  When Liz pulled over to drop her off, Faith stated, "You should really think about dating again if DK asks you. He's a good guy."

            "I'll keep it in mind."

            Faith just rolled her eyes.  "See you tomorrow."

            "Good night, Faith."
            Liz watched Faith until she made it safely in the building before pulling away.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~