Chapter 9

Dash let out a frustrated screech that echoed throughout the silent station, before following with an aggravated thump. The Boss, who had just entered the main area, shot a glance in her direction. He shook his head at the young constable, her brows knitted in irritation, frustration evident as she stared at the blank computer screen.

"Assaulting the computer will not make it work McKinley," the Boss stated sternly as he shot his young constable a professional glare, moving towards the kitchenette. He gave a nod in appreciation as Maggie handed him his coffee, made exactly to his taste, as she moved back to her desk with her own cup.

The silence was again broken with an echoing SLAM from the detective's office. The Boss shook his head as he made his way over to PJ's office door and stuck his head in.

"Assaulting the computer will not make it work PJ," the Boss repeated as a very aggravated detective followed him back into the main area.

"When will the computers be working" he demanded, irritation clear in his tone.

"The technician said in about another half an hour" the Boss responded tersely, patience wearing thin as the detective continued to stare at him as though he was the reason that the computers were faulty.

"It worked fine before he decided to upgrade the system" he replied, bitterly and the Boss eyed him warningly.

"It will be fixed soon, PJ. Until then make yourself useful. Or even better, you can take Doyle's initiative and do what they use to do back in the old days and grab a pen and paper and write" he responded, motioning to Maggie who had been conscientiously writing at her desk.

PJ let out an irritated sigh as the Boss returned to his office. He glanced down at Maggie as she continued to write and felt a small smile tug at his lips as he walked towards her desk, leaning in a little closer then was normally appropriate.

She felt him move towards her, positioning himself behind her so that he could read over her shoulder, his arm bracing himself against her desk. He was close and she could feel his body heat, as she tried to focus on what she was writing but somewhat failing.

He turned slightly, and their eyes met, the corners of his mouth curled upward in a smile that shifted her thoughts from pro-active community plans to other fun. She really had to stop going there, she admonished herself and she felt her cheeks burn as she noticed the smug glint in his eye. Caught out.

"Hey," he said, as he sided up beside her, cockiness in his stride that had not been there a few minutes prior.

"Hey," she returned softly, having put her pen down, ignoring his smug smile.

"What are you working on?" he enquired, although only half interested in the answer.

"Paperwork" she responded "The same thing that has been cluttering your desk since the dawn of time" she added teasingly.

"Creative piling" he replied jokingly, not breaking his gaze from her.

"If you just did a little bit a day…" she started but broke off at the sound of PJ's groan at the familiar speech. With his proximity however, she could feel his breath on her neck and she bit her lip trying to keep her thoughts from wondering.

"So any plans for tomorrow night?" he asked casually, although subtly eyeing her reaction.

She felt her breath hitch slightly and shook her head "No, no plans" she replied, trying to keep her tone light.

"Tomorrow night, Movie? My place?" he asked offhandedly, keeping his eyes trained on the paperwork sprawled across her desk.

"Sure" she replied, fiddling with the pen in her hand "What movie?"

He scrunched up his face in thought before giving her a small smile "That would ruin the surprise" he replied mischievously.

"Lunches!" Adam yelled as he placed the cardboard box onto the counter as Nick followed him into the station. The declaration slightly startling both of them out of their conversation.

PJ moved slightly further back, aware that while Dash was currently preoccupied, Nick would definitely notice his proximity to Maggie. She gave him a small smile, as she closed the writing pad she had been working with and swiveled her chair as she rose.

"At least give me a hint," she whispered as she rummaged through the cardboard box, grabbing out her lunch and juice.

He shook his head as he started back towards his office "Get outta here, you crazy Russian!" He quoted, eyes sparkling.

Maggie felt her whole face distort in confusion and she shook her head "What?" she mouthed silently as he had already crossed the station. He shrugged his shoulders in reply as he opened his office door, returning to his solitude.

She shook her head at his antics, before taking a quick bite of her sandwich as she wrote down the quote swirling in her head. She would have to ask Dash about it she concluded before turning back to the work in front of her.