Chapter 8: Stay Away From the Nutria, Sheldon

Despite plenty of invites except one from Don, Gus noticed with great disappointment, she spent Christmas in New Orleans, celebrating with Billy and his mother, Buela given a well deserved vacation to spend with her family on a trip to Disney World.

"Sounds nothing like a vacation if you ask me," Billy remarked, shuddering at the thought of all those children and few places to drink as they sat down for the traditional New Year's Day spread.

"William Brooks," Miss Loretta admonished before turning to Gus, "since clearly my son is not going to give me grand-babies before I die, what about you Augusta, any chance on you finding a man to impregnate you anytime soon?"

Gus choked on her drink as Billy beat her on the back. "Mother, please do not kill my best friend at the dinner table. Though she does bring up a good point. Any suitors, Augusta?"

"I have been covered in god knows what in a FEMA trailer and dank basement for the past however many weeks and y'all want to know if I have any suitors? I am not on the market, thanks," she said, going to make herself another drink.

"There are some lovely gentlemen that come to visit at Poydras House and some eligible doctors, I could inquire," Loretta started in.

"That won't be necessary, thank you," Gus seethed.

Billy looked at her with raised eyebrows, "are you sure? Not even for a little romp? Must be getting awfully lonely up there under the eaves. Not to mention I haven't seen any letters from Detective Flack during mail call, or that other one, what was his name?"

"I am not talking to you about Doyle, it was a one time thing, that is all, end of story."

"Augusta Broussard, I am not sure I wish to hear such unladylike things," Loretta clutched at her pearls.

"Oh please, mother, you die for such stories to tell those old biddies!" Billy teased.

"Though your point is made, Gus, no more questions about Doyle. Detective Flack is still fair game though. I can't believe he didn't come after you the last time you hightailed it out of town. Should I expect him to turn up on the doorstep this time?"

Gus rolled her eyes, "I highly doubt it, Billy. I am not so sure he shares my feelings, or if he ever did."

"He proposed to you, twice, girl, what more do you need?"

"And then I ran away and ruined any chance at happiness, and I didn't even try to fight for him, and then I slept with Doyle and then Jess got killed and Don fell apart and then I tried to fix him but I wasn't, I was nothing more than an easy lay and I made things worse and I don't know why he would ever want me back anyway-" she broke off realized she was ranting.

"Well that explains why you have moped since you got here, no wonder you have depleted my liquor cabinet!" Billy said.

Loretta looked at the woman crumbling at her dining room table. "William, I think perhaps I should head back and give you two a chance to catch up."

Gus decided now was the time to open her latest letter, this one from Sheldon, hoping it contained cheery news.

Gus,

First off, pardon the chicken scratch, half the reason I think I went to med school in the first place was because my handwriting is so horrible that I had to become a doctor.

How are things with you, I feel like we haven't talked in a while. I am sure you have been pretty busy since you have been down there, and I know you tried to explain a lot in your letter, but know I don't think you are 'the worst friend ever' or any of that other stuff you tried to say.

I am settling into my new place, though it is hard being back in a studio. It is convenient to work though and was easy to furnish, not to mention the rent control. In some ways it feels like I am taking a step back, but I also realized that before I was living outside my means.

I know you know how much of a pay cut it is going from professional grade to detective grade. I think I am starting to figure out what is truly important in life, something I feel I was sadly losing sight of. Nothing like having to sleep on your boss' couch to bring you back to reality. I've mostly been busy with work, but isn't that the way it always is? I am still volunteering, but I have cut back those hours some, as I also finally realized I was not doing my best at either and that was something I could not live with.

The biggest thing going on around here is that Stella took down ADA Hansen. Yes, you read that right. I don't know if you know about the Reyes case or not, the murderer of Christine Reynolds, but Stella figured out that Hansen planted a cigarette lighter at the scene. She was pretty torn up about it, not wanting Reyes to get away with murder, but you know Stella, she wasn't going to rest until she nabbed Hansen.

Turns out his wife was cheating on him and he wanted the lab to do the dirty work of uncovering who she was sleeping with. Which of course we did, because we thought a killer had left the lighter and you know how we all are about our jobs. This wouldn't have been an issue except then the guys turns up missing and I end up having to take apart Hansen's car trying to find this guy, ending in a wild goose chase in the Catskills. As a reward for my great efforts, and yes you do detect sarcasm, I got to dismantle a snow blower which it turns out Hansen had used to kill his wife's lover. Stella not only got Hansen for evidence tampering, but also for murder. I, however, only got the distinct impression that I may not want to ever get married.

I don't know how much you have kept up with everyone while your away, but I do know that Danny seems to be struggling a bit. I almost feel bad for pushing him so hard when he was in rehab. I suggested he try acupuncture but he looked at me the same way he did when you suggested he take up meditation.

Adam isstill a little irritated at Haylen getting hired by the FBI, though I still can't figure out if he is more angry at her being gone or that he wasn't hired. I think Lindsey is also worried about Danny, but she won't say much about it. She did bring Lucy by the lab the other day, I can't believe how fast that little girl is growing and yes, I am aware how many development classes I have taken, but it still is quite the shock.

I took Stella out for margarita's after this Hansen debacle, she says hello by the way, and she mentioned how lacking the lab was down there. Maybe we should all use some vacation time to rescue you? I doubt you would let us. Mac probably wouldn't either. He says hello as well and to to call him when you have a minute to ensure that and I quote his 'niece hasn't been eaten by an alligator or one of those hideous nutria'.

I can't say I blame him for being concerned, those nutria are horrible scavengers (you should have heard Adam's scream when I switched his phone wallpaper to a photo of one when he asked what a nutria was). Don grunted something at me when I asked if he wanted me to say anything to you, I think it was hello, but I am not sure. Look, I know it isn't any of my business, but maybe you should think about giving him a call, his snark quotient is decreasingly rapidly and I am a little concerned he may be missing you more than he is letting on.

That is about all that is going on around here right now, though I promise to keep in touch and to also consider your generous offer of visiting. Stay away from the nutria!

Wishing you the best, Sheldon

Chapter 9: Chin Up, Danny

"Billy, I thought you left SWAT!" Gus exclaimed after he got done interrogating her about everything that had happened since they had last caught up.

"Seriously, sugar, I figured you hadn't called me because you were living this amazing life in New York, busy being in love and fabulous."

Gus slumped in her seat, "oh how I wish that would have been the case, Billy. Nope, I was busy being a wreck like always."

"Now sugar, you really need to let go of all this 'I'm cursed' mumbo jumbo. Nobody has used the voodoo on you. Yes, your parents died, yes your aunt died, yes you had to kill your professor in self-defense, yes New Orleans and Katrina blah blah blah! Over four years later and I am tired of hearing about that bitch, let alone living it. Were we all cursed?" Billy paused to glare at her and finish his drink.

"Lord knows I have nearly as many issues as you, sugar, but it is time we both worked through them and let ourselves be happy, otherwise, what is the point?"

"You done telling me to get off my high horse, Tibs?" Gus asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I think so. But seriously, darling, what do you need to leave here and get back up to that man of yours and win him back?"

Gus shrugged, "I don't know." She was telling the truth, she really didn't know.

"Well figure it out, sugar, you are not getting any younger," Billy said, landing a kiss on the top of her head before heading to bed.

Gus yelled after him, "thanks for the support, Billy, can always count on you."

Detective Colston finally checked back in with her midway through January. "How are things going, Broussard?"

"Slow, sir," she admitted, emerging from a pile of files and evidence bags.

"Figured as much," he said, though he was looking admiringly through the work she had manged to get done. "Just keep up the good work for the next couple of weeks before everything goes haywire for Mardi Gras. At least I don't have to explain how everyone loses their minds for that."

Gus blew her hair back, "no, sir, you do not." She paused for a long beat, "you know this would move a lot quicker if the people who were actually worked here were here."

Colston didn't even attempt to hide his laugh, "ain't that the truth in general. As far as I can see, you have already been a miracle worker, so just keep at it and try to not inhale too much mold. Have a good one, Broussard."

"You too, sir," Gus called to his back before taking a break to read her latest letter, this one from Danny.

Gus,

I gotta say when Linds first handed me these envelopes, I shoved 'em in my nightstand and forgot about 'em. I am not really a letter writing kind of guy. But some stuff has been going on and I really kinda wish you were here to give me some of that shrink talk, yeah, yeah, you ain't a shrink, I know. I just don't wanna worry Montana about it all, because she has enough on her plate with work and Luce and keeping my ass in line.

The thing is...it seems Shane Casey is back again. A couple of weeks ago, I decided to take Doc up on his suggestion of trying acupuncture, don't you dare smirk at me Broussard, and my badge, wallet and grandfather's dog tags went missing from my locker. I didn't think much of it at first, until we found the dog tags in a pawn shop during this case we were working. I ran prints and found Casey's and, well, I kinda freaked out. Lindsay is telling me not to worry, but I really think it is just her trying to not worry. I don't have to tell you how wackadoo Casey is, but I can't figure out what it is he wants with me. Crazies are your department, not mine. Any guess with what the hell he is playing at?

He'll probably kick my ass for telling you this, but we worked this Lingerie League football case and Flack didn't even notice of all the girls fawning over him in the scraps of lace they like to call uniforms. Yeah, I know, a few years ago I would be making some knuckle head comments about hot girls prancing around in their underwear, but that was before I got married and became a father. Of course we had a girl, if that isn't the big guy looking down at me and laughing, I don't know what it is.

But back to Flack, I don't know what to tell you, BB, he is a mess without you, he has been one since last time you decided to visit the swamp. You two need to just put all the crap of the past however longaside and just friggin' kiss and make up, just make sure to close the blinds in the interview room first, I can tell you first hand how mad Mac gets when you don't do that first. Seriously though, Flack about took my head off with this whole badge thing, and why I guess I know it is a big deal, I'm not used to him losing his cool with me like that, I want my old friend back and I mean that for both of yous.

Alright, I gotta go, Lucy is going to be crying in her crib any second and I am on morning duty. Take care of yourself, BB and don't forget about us up here.

Chin Up,

Danny

Gus sat down, trying to absorb all of what Danny had said and hinted at in his letter, carefully formulating her response.

She could only imagine what Shane Casey wanted with Danny, the man had been fixated on Danny since he had tried to frame Hawkes however long ago. She was worried for her friend, about the whole situation, but if she was reading between the lines correctly, Danny hadn't looped many people in on the situation and Gus was not about to narc on him.

As for everything Danny had said about Don, well, Gus couldn't hide her pleasure at the fact that he hadn't looked twice at hot girls in next to nothing nor could she deny she was a mess without him as well.

Dear Danny,

I'm glad you found the envelopes and put them to good use. I am sorry you had to though. It sounds like so much is going on and yes, I do really wish I was there to help you through in person. You have helped me with so much over the past four plus years and I don't feel as though I have gotten to return the favor as often.

I completely understand you not wanting to burden Lindsay, but you have to remember a couple of things. She is your wife and life partner, she knew what she was signing up for when she married your sorry ass; let her be your rock. Second, for such a small girl, Linds has the strength of an army, stop being so afraid to lean on her, she isn't going to break! You should know by now how much stronger we must be because of our chosen professions, and we are really the stronger sex as it is, getting treated like we are glass does not put you on our good side. And I know you don't want to get on Lindsay's bad side, my liver barely recovers when you are!

Listen to Sheldon as well, and I did not smirk, not even the tiniest bit. I just want you healthy and whole.

As for Casey, I think being overly cautious is the right call. He has fixated on the team ever since he crossed our paths, and he seems to have some special connection to you. He is a psychopath, pure and simple, Danny and that is not something to mess with. I know you aren't really one to bring other people into your business, but you may have to loop some other people in on this, like Mac, maybe? Yes, he will probably give you his judgmental and disappointed stare, but as someone who has received thousands of those over the years, I can tell you they will not kill you. He might if you don't report your badge missing, though. Shane is up to something, I can't even hazard a guess as to what, but please watch your back!

Lingerie Football, pardon me while I throw up a little in my mouth, it is only a 50-yard field and they can't punt, huh? Yeah, bet you cried a river when you got called out to that scene, even if you are an old married father. Thanks for the photos of Lucy by the way, I hope she has liked everything I have sent her, I have to spoil her so she doesn't forget who Ti Gussie is before I get back! She will be quite the looker, Messer, so I hope you have your shotgun shining skills ready and waiting.

This is me not saying anything about Don. Don't shake your head at me, Danny Messer. I am working on putting the crap aside, believe me, but it is two-way street and I am not sure Flack really even wants me back. I can't blame him, I may not be made of glass, but I sure as hell am broken. Thanks for trying to keep my hopes up, though, I do appreciate it. Take care of yourself, Dan-O.

Love ya,

Gus

Gus sighed before sealing the envelope on her letter back to Danny, despite her advice to him, she didn't have any clue how to fix her own messes.