Chapter 31
PJ blew in to the station room, soaking wet from the unexpected showers which had hit Mt Thomas the day before.
The Boss having noticed his approach through the window, walked out of his office not in the least bit impressed with his detective.
"Its ten thirty PJ" the Boss stated sternly indicating his watch.
"Sorry," he replied, breathlessly. He was holding his files under his coat to keep them dry and was trying to juggle an almost empty cup of coffee with one hand. He set his files and cup down, shrugging off his jacket. The Boss fixed PJ a stern look before heading back into his office, knowing that technically PJ had nothing to answer for. Maggie grabbed a spare mug from the kitchenette, filled it and handed it to him as he walked past.
"Thanks," he said, winking at her. She smiled, rolling her eyes.
"Looking a bit under the weather there" Ben stated as he caught sight of the dripping detective, giving him a small smirk.
"No, don't worry about the detective," Nick piped up from across the room, a smug grin on his features "Our Margaret's got him covered"
Maggie's head snapped up at the not so subtle innuendo behind the words, shooting him a dangerous glare, which he met with a tooth-bearing grin.
PJ, attempting not to escalate the situation, moved from her side back towards his office.
Nick eyed the dripping Detective, his usual sarcastic tone apparent "Oh come on now PJ, Margaret's a great catch" he called over his shoulder and PJ felt his jaw clench as he sent Nick a withering stare. It had to be the rain, he thought to himself, everyone being cooped up had driven them insane. He stole a quick glance towards Maggie, watching her attempt to sink further in her chair, obviously extremely uncomfortable as to where this conversation was leading. Stifiling a sigh, he ignored Nick as he retreated the rest of the way to his office, slamming the door shut behind him.
"Ah Margaret, don't worry, you'll always have a special place here" Nick stated, tapping his chest near his heart. Maggie shot him another glare in response before walking over to the photocopier, fiddling with the settings before beginning to feed the papers through.
"Oh Maggie" Dash stated as she sided up to her from her desk a small piece of card in her hand "I was getting my films developed the other day and thought you might want a copy of this" she stated handing her the small piece of paper. Maggie stared at her curious, before taking the paper from her. Her eyes widen as she recognized the photo in her hand was of her and PJ dressed up for the charity ball that they had attended. She could not help the small smile that formed as she took in PJ's appearance in the suit and tails.
"It's actually a really nice photo," Dash commented from over her shoulder, giving her a knowing smile. The picture had them both smiling, staring directly into each other's eyes. Maggie nodded before clearing her throat realizing that she was daydreaming.
"Right, thanks Dash" she replied tucking the photo away under the stack of papers in her hand. Dash nodded, trying to suppress her smile as she walked back over to her desk, tapping her pen in thought.
"Hey Nick" Dash whispered as she made her way over to Shultz leaning against his desk while he continued his paperwork. "What do you think is going on with PJ and Maggie?" she asked, the slow pace of the day brining the PJ and Maggie issue to the forefront of her mind.
"I think it's absolutely none of our business" he replied firmly, still not breaking his focus on the work in front of him.
Dash sighed in response before slowly moving back to her desk, a plan forming in the back of her mind.
It was mid-afternoon when Maggie knocked on PJ's office door. He looked up and shot her a smile as she walked over placing a few pieces of paper on his desk.
"Fax came in for you" she supplied as he picked up the papers, eyes scanning before he let out a frustrated growl.
"Not what you wanted?" she commented knowingly and he shook his head frustrated.
"Nope, theory just got blown" he replied, glaring at the fax papers.
"Well at least you can eliminate it," she stated casting him a smile and he shook his head fondly at her optimistic attitude.
"I guess that's one way of looking at it," he muttered rubbing his eyes tiredly and Maggie cocked her head.
"You look tired" she commented and he nodded letting out a small sigh.
"Spent the majority of the night here trying to follow up that damn lead" he spat "That's why I was in St Davids this morning when my godamn car decides not to work" he added darkly.
"Anything else to go on?" she asked, taking her usual seat across from him.
"A few leads but it will be a fishing expedition," he stated, leaning back in his chair.
"Is this another all nighter? Because I think I can offer you a better alternative" she stated casting him a coy smile.
He smiled back at her "Your place?" he asked eyebrows raising suggestively. Maggie laughed, smacking him playfully on the arm.
"Well Dash is just going out to dinner tonight, so we have a couple of hours" she admitted "Probably not to do what you're thinking," she added smiling.
"You know there's always St Davids…" he replied trailing off as he made his way around the desk to her and she stood up so they were close.
"Hmmm we've talked about this," she stated as he ran his thumb over her hand. "I haven't changed my mind"
"So what are you offering me?" he asked, letting the St Davids issue drop, locking eyes with her.
"Hmm dinner, wine…delightful conversation" she stated smiling at him.
A small knock on the door broke their conversation and Ben stuck his head into the office as both Maggie & PJ took a step back from each other.
"PJ a Detective Brendon is on line three says you'll know what it's about" he stated and PJ nodded his thanks as Ben closed the door behind him.
"I've really got to take this," PJ stated as he moved back around his desk "What time tonight?" he asked picking up the phone.
"Six thirty" Maggie replied and PJ gave a brief nod as he pressed the answering button on his phone. She cast him a small smile as she made her way towards the door, allowing him to get back to his work.
PJ had ended up being out of the office the rest of the day and it was just after five, when Maggie was thoroughly distracted, that Dash cast a cautious glance around the station before heading into PJ office, closing the door behind her. Nick watched her out of the corner of his eye, knowing that she was up to something before moving towards the office, certain that Doyle was still wrapped up in the work she was currently completing.
"Dinner, wine…delightful conversation" echoed through the silent office and Dash jumped when Nick opened the door, he gave her a look that stated he had clearly heard the words and stared at Dash. He took in the tape recorder in her hands and her smug smile slowly putting two and two together as he closed the office door behind him so they would not be overheard.
"What do you think your doing Deidre" he stated crossly as he loomed over her.
"I've finally caught them out" she stated indicating to the tape recorder in her hands a self-satisfied smile on her face. Nick did not need her to elaborate on who 'them' was.
"Now you listen here," he hissed menacingly taking the tape recorder from her, "You do not tell anybody about this, especially Maggie and PJ," he warned, fingers punctuating his sentence.
"What? Why?" she stated clearly confused at his behavior.
"Because if they wanted us to know they would have told us" he spat, eyeing her "They didn't, so just leave them alone"
Dash eyed him confused before her mind finally clicked "You already knew" she stated not needing clarification on her assumption "How long?" she asked.
"A while" he replied, eyes still boring into hers "I mean it, not a word" he emphasized warningly.
" But your the one always joking about it...I don't see what the big deal is," she stated andNick clenched his jaw in frustration at the young woman.
"I joke about it so it's not taken seriously. Do you think I'm only trying to save them from the town gossip?" he asked perplexed that she could not see the larger implications "This is serious. If they're found out it can end up in a transfer for either one of them, even both of them," he stated.
"You don't think the Boss would-" she started but was cut off by Nick's heated stare.
"Don't be naive Deirdre" he stated, flicking open the tape recorder and flicking out the tape before handing the device back to her "Not a word" he emphasized before opening the door and heading back to his desk.