Detective Graces's set-up reminded him of the old crime-drama shows he used to watch as a kid. A cliche cork board hung in the office of the homicide unit with a few pictures and notes both he and Flair had taken the last couple of days regarding the pair of murders that had taken place.

"Well, if effort was part of the grade, I'd give you an 'A'," Captain Reigns commented, leaning against one of the desks with a fresh coffee in his hand.

Graves took a step away from the bulletin board, sheepish smile on his face. "I've always wanted to do this, Cap," he admitted.

The rest of the homicide unit surrounded Graves and Flair; Captain Reigns sent out a text to everyone shortly before to tell them to meet for Graves briefing of what he found so far. All were present, except the ever tardy Detective Dean Ambrose.

"Should I start without Dean, sir?" Graves asked his superior.

Reigns shook his head. "Goddamn, Ambrose. Yes, get started. If he shows up, he shows up."

Graves cleared his throat. He shot Flair a quick look; They each nodded, signaling to each other everything was ready to go for their presentation.

"So," Graves began after he cleared his throat. "Two murders took place over the weekend; One of them was a woman in her late twenties, the other a college student, age nineteen. Both of them were slain in similar fashions: throat cut almost all the way through, massive blood loss, id's stolen, and no other trace of DNA on them," Graves gestured at two crime scene photos on the board behind him. "Other then, of course, semen. Both died late into the night, between midnight and three am, but the first victim was found inside a dumpster behind Murphy's bar. The second was found outside Pete Gas Station a few blocks from said bar." Graves took a step to the side to show the other side of the board.

Flair took off from where Graves left off. "So far, we have reason to believe three people may be in someway connected to the murders. Firstly, Buddy Murphy, owner of Murphy's Bar. He was last seen with the first victim shortly before her death. He was paying her for sexual favors, recording them, then selling them to pornographic websites."

"Sounds like my kind of party," Detective Ambrose interrupted, walking into the office for the first time that Monday morning.

Charlotte's lips tightened into a firm line. "Ambrose, so good of you to finally join us. Too busy getting rid of evidence?"

The other detectives snickered at the comment. Ambrose chuckled himself, adding a slow head shake as he did.

"Naw, I was spreading my DNA in some Irish coffee, if you catch my drift," he replied coolly.

Flair shook her head. "I don't under-"

"I was fucking Becky from forensics, you happy?" Ambrose rolled his eyes. "Anyway, continue with your school project."

Flair shook her head, but instead of stooping herself to Dean's level, she turned back to the cork board.

"Secondly we have the second victim's boyfriend, Tyler Bate," Charlotte explained. "He told us that he and the victim got into an argument shortly before she was murdered. However, he has a solid alibi from his roommate, Trent Seven, saying he didn't leave after the victim left," Charlotte gestured at the final head shot on the board. "Lastly, Pete Gas, owner of the gas station we found the second victim behind. He was asleep in his office during the time of the murder; Camera footage solidifies that claim."

"Finally, we have pathology reports saying each victim died from the same type of blade," Graves announced. "Whether or not if it was the exact same blade is unknown What we do know is, they were both killed almost exactly the same way. The first murder being different because the woman was found inside a dumpster. But, we have reason to believe it's the same person going after the same kind of type of person: Young woman, early to late twenties, revealing clothing, and moments after engaging in relations with a male."

"With a male?" Ambrose echoed.

"Hence the semen found in their stomachs," Flair added, a little extra zap behind her words.

"Have any arrests been made?" Detective Dallas chimed in.

Graves shook his head. "Not at the moment."

"Why not?" Ambrose asked.

"We... Uh, have no reason to connect any of these men to the crime, other than mild association with the victims. There would be no logical reason for Murphy to be on that side of town and there is no video evidence from the night of the first murder to pin anything on Bate. So far, we have almost nothing to go on."

Ambrose scanned the room quickly, exchanging looks with the other detectives. "So, why are we having this meeting?"

"Captain wanted us to brief you on what we have so far," Flair said.

"Which is almost nothing." Ambrose clarified.

Flair nodded her head slowly. "Basically."

"What kind of blade was it?" Detective Axel asked.

"Toothed; Most likely a saw of some kind," Flair confirmed.

"How the hell can the killer know either of the women just had sex?" Detective Dashwood asked.

"Dude scouts out his victims first," Ambrose answered. "Finds the one he wants, sluts in this case, and waits for them to be vulnerable. The first one was stepping outside to have a smoke and the kid was heading down a dark alley. Both had belly's full of cum and weren't afraid to flaunt their shit and he decided to take them."

Graves nodded his head. "That's right. Good work, Dean."

Ambrose shrugged his shoulders but, in an act that surprised his co-workers, didn't add a snarky comment to go with it.

"So now we just wait for another murder to happen?" Dallas asked.

"Or for a witness to step forward. Or for pathology to find somthing else," Flair turned to Reigns. "Paige says she is working hard on finding traces of anything else in both victim's stomach acid."

Reigns nodded his head. "Ok, good. Good work so far. But we aren't done until this s.o.b. is in prison. Ok? Dallas and Axel, as you were. Dashwood, I still need to speak to you. And Dean?"

Ambrose smirked. "Yeah, Ro?"

"IA would like to see you." Reigns said.

Ambrose scoffed. "For what? I just got here."

Reigns waved his phone in the air. "Sent her an email about your relationship with Becky from forensics. How about we be on time to meetings next time, huh?"

Ambrose shook his head. "If you hadn't hit a growth spurt in high school, I'd kick your ass right now."

Reigns, Flair, and Graves shared a laugh as Ambrose threw a half-serious middle finger over his shoulder when he stepped out of the office.

"You both are doing good work," Reigns told Flair and Graves. "Stay on top of this. We need to catch this guy, ok?"

"Yes, sir," Flair and Graves both said.

Reigns dismissed himself and returned to his office.

"Diamond Cutter's?" Graves asked Flair. "Go over our notes, have some breakfast. Figure this shit out."

Flair nodded her head. "Yeah, that sounds fine. Let me call Bay quick; My phone was vibrating the entire fucking presentation."

"Aww, I bet she wanted to show you the block tower she made with JJ," Graves chuckled, laughing a little harder when Flair gave him the finger and pulled out her phone.


For the third time in four days, Detective Ambrose ventured to the third floor to meet with the new internal affairs lady. This time would be interesting, since Dean never had to meet with IA about work relationships before.

"Detective Ambrose for-"

"Yeah, yeah, you know the drill," Miss Holly waved Ambrose ahead when he approached her desk.

Ambrose chuckled. "Wow, I feel crushed, Molly. I really thought we had something special."

Molly cracked half a smile. "If you can go a month without a trip up here, I'll buy you dinner."

Ambrose chuckled dryly. "No way that's happening. Thanks anyway, Molly."

Molly waved her hand again, showing Dean the way to the office he might as well start paying rent, he'd been there so many times. Ambrose popped open the door, ready for the hateful glare of the newest woman in his life to hate him.

The newest member of the Stamford City Police Department glanced up from her paperwork. He smart glasses rested on her nose and her stunning light blue eyes gave off a hint of frustration with Dean's presence. He did admit her more conservative outfit of a black jacket buttoned up with a black blouse underneath that showed no cleavage was a nice change and, for better or worse, she once again wasn't wearing her diamond ring on her left hand.

"Detective," the small woman said sharply.

"Miss," Ambrose addressed the woman, sitting across from her desk in his unofficially reserved seat.

Alexa removed her glasses. She took a moment to rub her eyes and, from the looks of it, it was on account of being annoyed.

"Why do you insist on pushing my buttons, Detective?" She asked, folding her hands on the top of her desk and making eye contact with Ambrose.

Ambrose bit his tongue to silence a snicker. "It's not my intentions, miss," he said.

"Ok..." Alexa typed a few things on her desktop computer. "Then why did Captain Reigns, Head of Homicide, email me very recently with a complaint about something you said?"

Ambrose shrugged. "Dunno." He muttered.

"So you didn't say, quote, 'I was spreading my DNA in an Irish coffee'. Then when asked to elaborate, you said, 'I was... 'effing' Becky from forensics.' You do realize there's no record of you filing for a relationship notice? You understand I can suspend you for this?"

Dean scoffed. "That's such bullshit. Dashwood's fucking the pathologist, and she isn't getting in any trouble."

"Language, Detective," Alexa warned. "Secondly, Miss Knight works for the hospital. Detective Dashwood does not need to tell me she's dating someone who doesn't work for Stamford Police."

Dean shook his head. "Fine, whatever," he grumbled. "What do I need to do? Fill out a form that says I get my dick wet in my spare time?"

Alexa closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. "Yes, you need to have yourself and Rebecca Lynch fill out a relationship form. It should only take a few minutes."

Miss Bliss handed Dean a piece of paper, to which he took with an eye roll.

"Thank you, Detective," Alexa said. "Now, please refrain from using foul language in my office. I do not appreciate it."

Ambrose shook his head. "Fine. I apologize. Is there anything else you need from me?"

"You still haven't filled out your paperwork regarding your last visit to my office," Alexa said. "When will you have that finished?"

"Is this about what I said the other day?" Ambrose asked. "The thing about your sleazy ex-fiance? Because I wasn't trying to intrude, ok? I honestly think you deserve someone better than a guy who rents hookers, films it, then posts it on the internet."

Alexa sighed. "Detective, please do not bring up my personal life in the office. What happens in my own time is my business and my business alone."

"I know, and I respect that. I'm just saying you deserve a nice guy." Ambrose said.

"And you think that person is you?" Alexa asked.

Dean snickered. "You kidding me? I'm a piece of sh... Trash. Read my file; It's all there. I'm just saying you're way too nice to settle for losers like the other guy."

Alexa's lips lifted into a small smile. "I appreciate that, Detective. Thank you, for the compliment."

Dean gave her a wink, following it up with a smirk. "Anything else, Miss Bliss?"

"Fill out the form and hand it back to me by this Saturday, preferably before the court house opening," She said, smile still on her face.

Ambrose nodded once. "Yes, ma'am. By the way, love your ear piercings. I don't know a lot of suits that have cartilage piercings."

Alexa's small smile grew a little bigger, though not a full grin yet. "Thank you, Detective."

After a firm, yet gentle, handshake, Ambrose dismissed himself from the IA office, grin crossing his face and betraying how he now felt about the woman who is supposed to be his mortal enemy.


Later that day, Graves returned home with his partner following close behind. In the living room sat Nikki, her twin sister Brie and her husband Daniel, and Bayley sat crossed legged on the floor with JJ sitting in her lap and a copy of Green Eggs and Ham in her hands while she read to him.

"Hey, guys," Corey greeted the room.

"Ugh, you're back?" Bayley groaned. "I was just getting to the good part."

"Good to see you too, baby," Charlotte chuckled with an eye roll. "Come on, you gotta give JJ back to his mama."

"Well, actually, you can watch him for a little while longer, if you want," Nikki spoke up. "Brie and I were just discussing talking you into taking him for a little bit so we can go out for a drink. I'll pay you for your troubles."

Charlotte began to agree, but Bayley jumped in. "No need! I can babysit for free, no problem." The energetic woman exclaimed, not noticing the eye roll from her lover.

"Great, sounds good," Nikki looked at her step-brother. "Roman texted and said you were supposed to head out with the guys?"

Graves shrugged. "Yeah, but I was gonna call it an early night, ya know? It's been a long day-"

"No, you're going out," Nikki ordered with a smile. "You could use a beer," she turned back to Bayley. "I won't be out late; Midnight at the latest, ok?"

Bayley nodded her head. "Absolutely ok!" She looked down at JJ. "C'mon, let's show Charlotte your favorite toys."

Charlotte groaned. "Wish me luck? I'm gonna need it." She told Graves.

"Nah, you'll be fine," her partner replied. "Worst case scenario, Bayley decides to keep JJ and we have to wrestle him from her. You'll be fine, Charlotte."

Charlotte said goodbye to her partner, then made her way into the living room. Graves returned to his car, wished his step-sisters and step-brother-in-law safe travels, then hopped in his Impala and began his drive back to Stamford.


King's Landing, since Murphy's would be inappropriate at the moment, is the bar the homicide unit decided on for that night. Graves, Ambrose, Reigns, and even Dashwood sat around a table drinking beer and shooting the breeze. A little while after Graves arrived, their old friend Seth Rollins made his presence known. He had been a patrolman at one point, much like everyone else, but he transferred to forensics instead of being promoted to detective.

"Shit, it's good to see you, Seth," Ambrose said to his friend. "I feel like we barely have time to talk anymore. You and your fuckin' nerd buddies trying to find hair in blood or spit in jizz, it's just odd."

"That so, boyo?" Becky chuckled, having returned from the restroom.

Dean muttered something incoherently under his breath and pecked Becky on the lips. She offered to buy the next round, and left for the bar.

Captain Reigns chuckled at Ambrose, who was staring at Becky's posterior as she walked away. "You really committed, huh?"

Dean shrugged. "Bound to happen sometime, right?"

"Not you, man," Graves said. "You were never supposed to settle down with anyone. Then you got married, then divorced, now you got a new girlfriend."

"Hey, being a boyfriend is a lot like being married, ok?" Dean said in his defense.

"Does she wake you up with head and let's you cum anywhere you want?" Reigns asked.

Dean nodded his head. "Yup, pretty much."

"Then it's nothing like being married," Reigns said, getting a laugh all around.

"Yeah, but I would know, wouldn't I? Jackass," Ambrose punched Reigns in the shoulder to show he was playing along with the jokes.

"Anymore room for an old friend?" Detective Dana Brooke, assistant head of Vice, approached the table to a small cheer from the others.

"Shit, Brooke it's been a while," Graves said, giving the short buxom woman a hug. "Where'd they got you now?"

"Vice, second in command," Brooke clarified. "Captain Hart is about to step-down and retire, so I'll be taking his place very shortly."

"Congratulations," said a few of the detectives.

Dean nodded his head in Dana's direction. "Hey, Brooke, how's things-"

"Not a snowball's chance in Hell, Ambrose," she cut in, to a few laughs from the others. "I'm a committed woman now, in case you forgot."

Dean shook his head. "No worries, just making small talk. How is the old ball and chain?"

"Zack's doing fine," she confirmed. "Just about to open his fourth gym in Greenwich."

"Did he really give you a promise ring?" Dashwood asked.

Dana showcased the ring on her left hand. "Yep. He promises he'll propose for real, once his business gets settled."

Becky soon returned with a tray of beers. She had seen Dana arrive and ordered one extra for her.

For the next few hours, the detectives took turns telling stories and making jokes. Dean stayed close to Becky's side most of the night, arm secured tightly around her waist. Graves, from what he could see at least, was the alluring gazes he continuously caught from Brooke every so often; He decided to put an early end to his drinking after realizing she was in fact checking him out.

"Well, fuck, I best be gettin' home," Ambrose announced shortly before eleven. "Ol' red here has to get to bed or she'll be late for work, because you nerds have a schedule and shit."

Becky feigned offense with an eye roll, but pecked Dean on the cheek. Ambrose said goodbye to the group a moment after and left the bar. Reigns was the next to go, saying his wife would have his head if he was home later than eleven. Dashwood ventured to the other side of the bar where Paige was chatting with a few people. Rollins bid a farewell to Brooke and Graves and headed out too.

"So," Dana cooed, tracing her index finger down the length of Corey's arm. "Just the two of us."

"You're committed, Dana," Corey reminded the woman. "I'll see you tomorrow, ok?"

Graves exited the bar for his prized Impala. He slid into the driver's seat and nearly jumped out of his skin when Brooke slid into the car next to him.

"Jesus, Dana," Graves muttered.

"I'm not putting the moves on you, Corey. I need a ride home." Brooke clarified. "Zack isn't answering his phone, which means he's probably asleep."

Corey nodded his head. "Alright, but nothing stupid, ok? I got a lot on my mind as is."

Dana nodded her head. "Sure. No worries, Graves."

And the drive to Dana's home was just that; No funny business happened the entire way. Graves was really proud of himself for resisting the urge to go home with Brooke. His pride did die soon after when he found himself in Dana's driveway, hand full of her bleach blonde hair, while her head bobbed in his lap.

"Fuck," Graves muttered under his breath.

Brooke sat back, brushing her hair out of her face and swallowing hard. "Thanks for the ride, Graves." She thanked with a wink.

"Just remember the five dollars next time," Graves asked.

"You would prefer that over my other form of payment?" Dana asked.

Graves shook his head. "I don't do relationships. You of all people know that."

Brooke shrugged. "Well, thanks anyway. See you tomorrow, Graves."

Graves wished his high school and college on again, off again sweetheart a goodnight. When he witnessed her enter her home, he pulled out of the driveway and headed for the city limits.


Dean and Becky were in a similar situation. Dean, reading over the form given to him by Alexa Bliss, held Becky close under the covers in their post coital state.

"'What department are you and your partner in'?" Dean chuckled. "Uh, murder and nerd."

Becky swatted Dean's chest, but kissed the spot she hit right after.

"Question two: 'When did this relationship begin'? Fuck, do we say one year?" Dean asked.

Becky nodded. "Be honest, lad. No 'arm can come from that."

Dean filled out the answer like Becky wanted. "Question three: 'How regular to you perform oral sex on each other'?"

Becky sat up. "It does not say that," she grabbed for the paper, but Dean caught her and brought her against his chest.

"I made that one up," Dean admitted, kissing Becky on the lips.

"Aye, I know," Becky said, returning Dean's kiss.


Graves walked up the front path to his home. He unlocked the front door, threw on the light, then recoiled in surprise when his partner jumped off the couch, hair in a frizzled mess.

"Graves!" Flair announced.

Corey saw Bayley peek her face over the edge of the couch while, from his perspective, tried to discreetly put her shirt back on.

Graves chuckled when the two ladies began to leave. "You didn't get her pregnant on my couch, right?" He jokingly asked Charlotte.

She threw him a dirty looked as she passed; Bayley refused to make eye contact, but thanked him for letting her watch JJ.

After a final lock and alarm check, and making sure JJ and Nikki were safe in their beds, Graves allowed himself to go to bed as well. As he undressed for slumber, he glanced out his bedroom window that faced the front yard. Standing in the road, facing the house, was a silhouette of a person. Graves, heart skipping a beat, grabbed for his gun and clicked the safety off. When he returned to the window, the figure was gone. Graves, paranoia setting in, did three more lock and alarm checks before forcing himself into an uneasy sleep.