Author's note: Sorry it's been so long, but work, school, and Renaissance Festival have all conspired to keep me away.
Disclaimer: second verse, same as the first
Chapter 2
Sarah felt justified in all her late night cramming as Voss smiled at her and said "Very good Pezzini, Woo. It's nice to have a team that understands how important it is to keep the scene's integrity intact while dealing with a situation. Send Krader and Meyer in next."
As Voss turned back to reset the room, Sarah flashed Danny the victory sign. Voss was very critical. From her, that was overwhelming praise.
Danny tipped his head and held the door for her. As she passed through, he called down the hall "Hey Krader, you and Meyer are up!"
"You could have waited until I was in the hall to do that, I feel like I've been at the range all day" Sarah complained while digging a finger in the ear Danny had shouted into.
"C'mon Sarah, don't be such a sissy. Besides, it's Friday, you always go to some loud bar and end up ruining your hearing for the night anyway."
"True, but I usually get a few beers in first." Sarah sighed, taking her finger out of her ear.
"Since I have already taken care of one of your weekend rituals, it seems only fair that I help with the remaining ones. Let's go have a few beers and you can try to kick my ass at pool." Danny said "But can we please make it a quiet bar? I happen to enjoy conversations that don't begin with WHAT?!! I can't hear you!"
"Now who's the sissy?" Sarah laughed "Ok, we can go to Dave's, they have a good blues band playing on Fridays. They never crank that up beyond bearing."
"Sounds good. You're buying the first round, right?"
"Don't push your luck Danny…" Sarah mock-scowled at him "You're lucky I let you ride with me on my bike."
"Riding with you on that deathtrap IS pushing my luck. Maybe we should take the subway." Danny said, prudently moving several feet back.
Sarah spun around "I can't believe you said that! I am a great driver. Take the subway my ass."
"It was just a suggestion, relax Pez." Danny grinned at her "You are too intense. Ever considered meditation? How about switching to decaf?"
"The only thing I'm considering switching is my plans. I must be insane to put up with you." Sarah said as she reached her locker.
"Pez, you wound me." Danny clasped one hand over his heart.
"Think it's fatal?" Sarah laughed.
"No, more's the pity. If I was dying, I wouldn't have to study for that Criminal Law test this weekend. I still need to go to my locker. You want to wait here or come with me?" Danny asked
"I'll follow you over in a minute; it's hard to get the helmets out of the top." Sarah said, tugging on a black helmet.
"Ok, see you in a few." Danny headed for his locker as the first helmet sprang loose. "Where it's safe" he muttered under his breath.
Sarah seemed not to hear him as she fought with the second helmet. Danny retrieved his coat and stashed his notes without Sarah showing, so he headed back to her locker. He was just in time to see her brace one foot on the side of the locker and pull with all her weight on the helmet. Apparently that extra leverage had been all she needed. The helmet came free and Sarah ended up on her ass. He covered his mouth in an attempt to stop the laughter, knowing full well that he was going to pay dearly for it, but failed.
"You are buying the first round" each word was bitten off clearly and concisely, in a tone that promised violence.
After getting his laughter under control, Danny agreed, discretion being the better part of valor at that moment. Wordlessly, Sarah thrust the helmet at him and started toward the exit. Danny was actually pleased to put it on since he could grin all he liked behind the faceplate without her knowing.
As she swung her leg over the bike, she glared at him, "Just stop it." Sarah pulled her helmet on and started the bike.
"What did I do?" Danny's voice was pure innocence behind the helmet.
"Give it up Danny, I can tell that you're still grinning behind that thing. So cut it out and get on the bike." She added as he got on the back of the bike "By the way, you're up to two rounds." Sarah pulled out of the parking lot over Danny's protests and proceeded to cut through traffic.
After several
illegal hand signals, profanities, and one suggestion to stay on the "Path
Train," (authors note: it means stay in
"Hey Danny, let go, we're here." Sarah said, her good humor restored by the ride.
Danny let go of Sarah's waist and pulled his helmet off. "You should see if you can test out of the combat driving course Pez. They can't possibly have anything to teach you."
Sarah headed for the door, swinging her helmet by the chinstrap. "Sure they do, I saw on the course description that they teach you how to load and shoot a shotgun while driving. I don't know how to do that."
Danny gave her a speculative look, not sure if she was kidding or not, as they entered the bar. By silent accord, they headed for the pool tables at the back. They had their choice of tables this early in the evening. Settling on the one in the far back, they put their helmets and jackets in the small booth next to it.
"You want a draft
or a bottle of
"Bottle would be fine," Sarah said as she wandered to the wall to select a cue stick.
Danny flagged down a waitress and made the order, then followed Sarah to the wall. After picking out a stick for himself, he said "Your break."
Sarah made the break and said, "I was surprised you could come out tonight. Your girlfriend has been keeping you on a tight rein lately."
Danny made a disgusted face, "If she knew I was out with you right now, she'd be hysterical. Ever since I introduced you to her at the academy picnic she has been jealous of you."
"Why in the Hell is she jealous?" Sarah exclaimed.
"Hey, she thinks I'm so hot everyone wants me." Danny tried to play it off
"Danny, be straight with me, I don't want to mess up your love life. Would it help if I talked to her?" she asked.
"No, I think it's just that you're a very strong and beautiful person, and you and I connect on more levels. The fact you have never wondered what I look like naked, much less seen me naked, won't matter a bit." Danny shrugged.
"How do you know that?" Sarah asked, willing to lighten the subject, while making a mental note to take Danny's girlfriend aside for some serious girl talk.
"Know what?"
"That I've never seen you naked?" She gave him an evil smile.
"What!?!" Danny raked the felt with his cue stick and totally botched his shot.
"Just kidding, although with all the times we have ended up asleep over our books at each others apartments, it is surprising that it hasn't happened." Sarah looked at him thoughtfully. "You are good looking, and you have a great personality. I like being with you more than anyone else, and I feel closer to you than anyone since my dad died. I don't know why it hasn't become sexual between us, but it hasn't."
"Two Newcastles," the waitress came between them with her tray. Danny paid her and handed Sarah her beer.
After taking a long swallow of beer, Danny said, "As much as I'd like to take advantage of that interruption and change the subject, I won't. I have to admit that I feel the same way about you. It's still your shot by the way."
Sarah leaned over and took her shot, asking over her shoulder "Do you think we'll ever be partners for real?"
"We are partners Sarah, it doesn't matter what happens when we graduate. You know we'll be paired with training officers when we get out of the academy. Eventually we could be assigned together, but until then we will be partners on our own time. I will always be there for you; you will be there for me. Nothing will come between us Sarah, I swear by my ancestors." Danny looked at her, his face as solemn as his voice.
Sarah held out her hand, "Partners." The word was heavy with agreement on many levels, and seemed to hang in the smoky blue air.
Danny took her hand, "Partners." He gazed into Sarah's eyes, and knew they were both committed. A chill ran down his spine. He felt like he expected to feel giving wedding vows, as if God was right there witnessing his vow.
For a long moment, neither one of them moved, locked together in silent communion. By that same accord, they moved apart and returned to the pool game. For a long time the only sound was the crack of balls on the table and the band playing.
When the waitress came around again, Danny bought two more Newcastles. The intrusion of the waitress broke the silence.
As Sarah accepted her second beer, she said "I suppose this means the next round is on me."
"You better believe it." Danny grinned. "I am going to get completely drunk; stay until they kick us out, and then we are going to breakfast. Confucius says puking on empty stomach is bad joss."
"Sounds like a plan to me." Sarah laughed