After many minutes of questions, answers and more questions Maggie and James finally had that drink. They sat at the bar and silently drank as the patrons and staff went about their common routines. She couldn't get the thought out of her head that the man sitting next to her was, quite literally ancient. So many questions, so many answers to be had and still he was a mystery. "You're staring", he said without looking, "in most social circles it's considered rude".
"I'm sorry. I guess I'm still trying to figure out everything". She looked down into her half empty glass. "Well, I find a shiny new penny buys a nice thought now and again". She looked up to see him smiling, genuinely smiling, and something inside kept telling her she could trust him. "Have you ever been in love"? His smile faded, replaced with a look of loss and regret. "I'm sorry detective, tonight has been a rollercoaster of emotions. I'll see you tomorrow at work". And with that James Shepard left the bar and Maggie Sawyer behind. Outside he stopped to light a cigarette. As the thin tendrals of smoke drifted in the light breeze he stared into the night sky. Only one thing was constant in his life, only one thing that was a constant companion in his long days. Loneliness.
The cab ride home was shorter than Maggie hoped for. Home was the last place she wanted to go. She couldn't stop thinking about the bizzare turn the day took. In her hands her phone rang. She looked down and read the name of the last person on her mind. *Alex*. But she definitely needed to vent her thoughts and, why not do it with the woman you almost married? "Hey Alex".
"Hey...um, I hope I haven't caught you at a bad time".
"No, no I was just heading home".
"Okay. So, I've been doing some thinking. I... you know what it's silly, I shouldn't have said anything".
"Well what's silly".
"I'm just...I miss you. And not just as a girlfriend but, as a friend and, I was wondering if you would like to get a drink sometime".
"Alex, I...",
"Not like a date or anything just as two friends".
"Alex, I would love to but, I've got a big case I'm working on right now and I really need to focus on it".
"Oh, okay. I'm sorry".
"It's okay, really. And, I actually need to vent about something, mind if I torture you for a bit"?
"Maggie you know I never mind".
"Alexandra Danvers I'm serious".
"Ok, ok so, what's going on".
"Well, it started my first day on the job when I met my new, sort-of-partner".
"What do you mean sort-of-partner"?
"Well, he's the medical examiner that does a lot of work for the department, kind of like our own personal Batman".
"Is he giving you any trouble"?
"No, actually lately he's been really nice. Not alarmingly nice but, I don't know, I guess I just needed to get to know him".
"Is that where you were tonight".
"Yeah. He took me to this bar and told me about himself, which actually cleared up alot of things".
"Well, as long as your okay".
"Yeah I'm fine. And thanks for calling, I really needed some girl talk".
"Anytime".
"So, how's Kara"?
"Uggghhh, don't get me started".
"What happened"?
"Well, do you remember her boyfriend"?
"Mor-On"?
"Funny, well anyway, turns out he's married"?
"What"?
"Yeah, turns out his parents and finceé weren't as dead as he thought, and now he's back with them and God knows if he's ever coming back".
"How'd she take it"?
"Well, right now she's raiding my freezer...*Alex, you're out of Rocky Road*... anyways, any advice on dealing with a break-up"?
"Kind of close to home isn't it".
"Well that's different, we're still friends and talking with each other".
"Good point...okay, have you ever seen F.R.I.E.N.D.S."?
"The TV show"?
"Yeah, there's this new years episode where Monica Rachel and Phoebe burn momentos from their ex boyfriends, kinda like a cleansing ceremony".
"Sounds great, maybe I can burn the dress Maxwell gave me".
"Wasn't that the dress you wore on our first date"?
"It was the only nice dress I had".
"I'm kidding, burn out the man's memory".
"Thanks Maggie and, it was really great to talk to you again".
"Same here Danvers".
*Incoming Call*
*Gordon*
"Alex I have to go, bye"
*Answer*
"Commissioner, what's up"?
So, what do y'all think will happen?