Almost everyone had left the office for the evening. Tao was at his computer and Flynn was walking the halls, trying to piece things together. Sykes didn't know what was going on but she knew something was really bothering the Lieutenant.

"Sir?" she approached him gently.

"Yeah Sykes, what is it?"

"I don't know Sir, you just seem bothered by what's going on here. I was wondering if I could help."

Andy smiled at the younger officer. She'd certainly come a long way from the early days when her blunders had put everyone on edge. After being beaten, there seemed to be a new seriousness to her.

"Yeah, I guess you could say I'm bothered. This case is hitting a little too close to home."

"I don't understand, Sir."

"No, you wouldn't. Everyone else knows this so you should do. I'm an alcoholic, Sykes."

She seemed surprised at the news. "I didn't know that, Sir."

"There's no reason you should. I'm recovering. Been sober a long time, but it's always going to be there. This guy we're dealing with, I've been the guy face down in the mens room too many times. It just kind of reminds me how lucky I am that I always woke up the next morning."

Sykes nodded her understanding, then looked at him a little more closely. "I hope you don't mind me saying, but it seems to be more than that."

Flynn looked up at her quickly, and Sykes stepped backwards a slight bit.

"Sorry Sir," she started, "I'm pushing it and it's none of my business."

"No, no," Flynn quickly said, "you're pretty perceptive. I am struggling with something here and I don't know what it is. Maybe you can tell me what you think is going on and it might help me focus."

"Um, okay..." she said, not sure where this was going.

"Talk to me Sykes, what do we know of this guy?"

"Well Sir, he's a detective so he's obviously got some years under his belt. He was here with his badge and gun, so it was using his status for some reason. He didn't want anyone to know what he was doing, he didn't even tell his partner, so he probably wasn't on the up and up."

"Right, the partner thing. You've had partners Sykes, don't you talk to them about everything?"

"Well yeah. You need to develop trust with your partner, so you talk and share stories. They teach us that in the Academy."

"Okay, so what does that say that his partner doesn't know what he's doing here. He wasn't on vacation."

"And he had those DMV runs in his hotel room. You know Sir, Lt. Provenza says the condoms are just in case, and we can't prove it either way, but I've never known a guy to be packing unless they have someone specific in mind."

Flynn nodded, "You're right about that, Sykes. The condoms suggest there was sexual activity or at least the expectation of sleeping with someone. There's something missing here and I can't put my finger on it."

"Sir, can I prod a bit?"

"Sure Sykes, what are you thinking?"

"Well, you said this was hitting close to home and I get the whole drinking and passing out thing, even though we know this guy was poisoned. But what else about this is personal for you? Did you go after someone in another jurisdiction or did you keep your partner in the dark about anything?" Sykes stopped, wanting to make sure she hadn't crossed the line.

"Keep talking, go on."

Clearing her throat, she continued, "Well, um... did you ever set your partner up or mislead them? Maybe when you were drinking you did things you shouldn't have done? Perhaps you used your badge to attract the ladies?"

Flynn chuckled. "We keep coming back to sex."

"Sex is a pretty big motive, Sir, and I just think those condoms meant something more than just being prepared."

"Mrs. Elkins. A lot of roads lead to her," Flynn pondered out loud. "So here's what I'm thinking. What if Adams was using this case for personal interest and set Elkins up. She didn't have any information in the files. I'm wondering if the reason they can't find the people responsible for the computer theft is because Adams didn't want them found."

"You're thinking Det. Adams is a dirty cop?"

"Don't know if he's dirty, but he sure as hell isn't above board, is he."

"No, Sir."

"Thanks Sykes, I'm feeling better about this. We're on to something here. Elkins, sex, poisoning and fraud are tied up somehow."

"You thinking Mrs. Elkins poisoned Det. Adams?"

"Nothing says she even knew him outside of her computer being stolen. He had his eye on her, though. We just need to start asking more questions. This was great, Sykes. I'm glad you came out here to talk."

"Thank you, Sir. I wasn't sure I'd be welcome. You seemed pretty distracted."

"Sometimes I need to mull for a bit, and it helps to have someone bounce ideas around. You know, you've really come into your own with this squad."

"Yeah, well I guess getting a beat down brings with it some pity."

"Respect, Sykes, not pity. No one here pities you."

"You sure? It just seems everyone treats me different. The Lieutenant isn't on my case anymore. The Captain doesn't watch me like she used to. Even you don't seem to be paying me as much attention."

"And that's a bad thing?"

"Well... I don't know. I mean, I don't want any special favours, but I also don't want to be treated like I'm part of the furniture."

"You think we're doing that?"

"Sometimes."

"Sykes, you ever talk to anyone after your beating?"

"What do you mean, like a shrink?"

"Yeah, or one of the counsellors here."

"I had a couple of sessions, the mandatory ones that said I was fit for duty."

"And you are, that's not a question. But I'm just wondering if maybe you don't have to talk this one out a bit. You were only a few months on a new squad that didn't really welcome you, and you put it on the line line no one I've ever seen. Something you don't know is not that long ago I was attacked. It was pretty brutal and my attacker was going for the kill. It took me awhile to get my head on straight after that, but I did and you will too."

"Thank you, Sir. I know it takes time being accepted, but it just seems things went from dislike to disinterest. I'm not looking for extra attention, you know, I'm not some delicate flower."

"No, you sure aren't that," Flynn chuckled.

"I don't know what it is. I guess I'm like you, Sir, I just can't put my finger on what's missing. And I'm focused too much on myself, I'm sorry. We should be about the case." Sykes tried to shake it off, and started to turn away.

"Sykes"

"Yes, Sir?" she said, looking up again.

"The Captain doesn't watch you because she trusts you. Provenza doesn't give you grief because you impressed him enough to shut him down. I don't laugh at what you say because you haven't been needling Provenza like you did initially. Sanchez still says you're the best gun he's ever worked with and Tao likes someone else who knows about technology and the latest gadgets. You've earned your spot with us, just like the Captain told you would happen. Now that you've cross that hurdle, you have to get to know us personally and we've got to get to know you like that. The rest of us have been together so long we know each other's quirks. We're all in this together and you'll start getting it figured out eventually."

"I... I don't know what to say, Lieutenant," she stammered.

"It's all about being partners, like we were talking about. The trust is there. We've got your back and you never have to question that."

"Thank you, Sir, that means a lot."