And another S.W.A.T. and of course STRIS fic. The little voice in my head got joined by other voices over at Twitter and so I'm posting more.
So this is also established but secret STRIS and I would say this is definitely takes place Gossip. Let's say it's a parallel piece. This was actually written before the other one but I was ready to can it, before changing directions after discussing with friends. This will mostly definitely end in smut so the rating will go up.
Warning: I don't have a beta-reader (yeah that hasn't changed either) and as English is not my main language I'm bound to make mistakes. I hope it's not too bad and you'll bear with me.
If you don't like, don't read. Flames will probably be ignored; constructive critics and other reviews are always very welcome. Read and enjoy.
Disclaimer: Don't own, just playing around so don't sue… Belongs to CBS Studios, Sony Pictures Television and many others.
"We have every right to create our own destiny, but none to interfere in someone else's." Martin Rubin. ;)
Annie Kay was vigorously brushing her hair. The party at their place that day had been a blast. The team was finally reunited now that Chris and Luca were back from Germany. It had felt good to entertain them all. It had seemed like in old days, an easy evening with a good barbecue and many friends. She put the brush back on the dresser and grabbed her hand cream. She stood up again and looked at Deac who was already in bed, engrossed in his book. She pressed a good amount of cream in her left palm and rubbed it consciously over her hands and fingers.
"So what are we going to do about Jimmy?" She finally said, as her husband seemed ready to ignore her standing just a few feet from him.
"What should we be doing?" He wondered surprised by her question. The young man had spent a few days living with them after he had left the hospital and Annie had become quite fond of him and worried his wellbeing. Only his daughters had seemed to have taken even more interest in the young officer, both shadowing him the whole time he had been there.
"I talked with Luca and we both think that we should help him… you know… find the right person…" She finally added.
"Oh that was you were talking about." He chuckled shaking his head. "You should know better than meddling in other people's affairs."
"Come on. You've seen Jimmy while he was living with us. The kids were crazy about him and so was he. He loves family life and he longs for it…" Annie pleaded, but her passion was only met by a disbelieving grin. "What? You don't believe me?"
"Sure I believe you…" His grimace made her shake her head.
"Don't patronize me… you think Luca and I are wrong trying to meddle."
"I think some have already tried meddling and poor Molly Hicks paid a heavy price. The poor girl is still heartbroken and you want to throw another unsuspecting woman his way… I wouldn't…" He tried to school his features and not laugh as he was saying this.
"So she wasn't right for him…" She shrugged as she stared back at him. "I think her being your boss's daughter definitely didn't help. We have to find him someone more…"
She stopped a moment to find the right description of the perfect candidate. Deac looked at her fondly. He couldn't default her motivation and it came from a good place. Now just looking at her trying to find the right words made him want to her hug her tightly. She was adorable as she gestured, her eyes unfocused.
"Someone?" He pushed in order to bring her attention back to him and reality.
"I don't know… someone else…"
"Now that's a description we can start something with." He laughed quietly and looked at her fondly.
"You're not helping David." She finally said as she sat on the bed next to him. "So maybe I don't have a precise idea who would be best for him, but should that stop us from trying?"
"Damn right it should." He nodded forcefully with a chortle. "We don't even know why things didn't work out with Molly. Street is a complex person with an ever more complex history. He has been through shit and back when most of us were barely figuring things out in life. I'm not even sure I understand half of what makes him tick. And even with your great instincts, I don't think you do."
Annie sighed and looked at her husband with a affectionate smile.
"I just want to help. I just feel we can do something to make his life better." She finally said. "So maybe I don't get everything about him, but knowing what he needs is also a good way to start."
"What happened to 'someone else'?" He couldn't resist making fun of her and as expected a shocked and playful expression appeared on her face before she fake-slapped his chest.
"David?" She sounded outraged and it was damn right cute. "Are you using my words against me?"
"Hey I'm a cop that goes with the territory. Anything you say can be used against you." He kept his voice stern and schooled his features as if confronting to a suspect. "That's one of the sacred rules of law enforcement."
"That's abusing my Miranda Rights, I don't remember waiving my rights. And you're being a wise-ass, sorry to say that." She crossed her arms in front of her and settled more comfortably on the bed. "We were talking about Jimmy. Let's go back to that before you say something else that will send you spend the night on the couch."
"Okay." He raised his hands in defeat and studied her. "The only thing I'm trying to say is you can't force things. He just broke up a yearlong relationship. He might not willing to move on with someone new just now. And he's had a pretty shitty year, especially with the whole liver donation to his Mom." He reminded her. "You guys should leave him alone."
"We only have his best interest at heart…" Deac chuckled at that.
"Just remember what Thomas Edison said…" He reminded her.
"What?"
"'A good intention, with a bad approach, often leads to a poor result'."
"You're inventing this." She slapped him again and Deac laughed.
"No, one of the instructors at the Academy kept saying that to the recruits and he was very right. But I have another one for you if you want 'Hell is paved with good intentions'!"
"David!"
"Stop slapping me." He took her hand in his when she once more went for another smack. He lovingly brought it to his lips and smiled up at her. "If you're really serious about this, you need a good plan and a perfect execution. And still this won't warranty success."
"Then help us." She pleaded with hopeful eyes. Her fingers intertwined with his and she used her most seductive smile to entice him.
"You know this isn't using fair means." He felt his resolve weaken under her pleading glance. He put his book on his nightstand and concentrated on his wife.
"I have a quote for you too 'Everything is fair in love and war'." She cheekily pursed her lips, very satisfied with her retort.
"Oh you're so clever…"
"Yes I am." She nudged his hip with her foot, slowly massaging him through the bedsheet.
"I see your means are getting less and less fair."
"Anything to help a friend." She feigned innocence and grinned at him once more.
"Okay let's imagine I'm ready to help you." He said very carefully. Helping Annie and Luca was probably the best way to control whatever they had planned for Street and limit the damage coming his way. He saw the glee in her eyes and sighed. "I'm probably completely crazy just considering it. But I warn you I want complete veto rights on everything."
"Of course you want that." She clapped her hands. "Okay this seems like a fair request, let's roll with that. Now we can't fail, you and Luca are the people who know him best."
"Oh no the person who knows him best is Chris." When he saw the calculated glint in her eyes, he immediately raised his hand. "Oh no, we're not bringing Chris into this. It's madness enough I am part of it. You leave her out of it. However much she loves us, she would have our heads for that."
"Well it's probably better. We actually discussed finding someone for her too." She finally conceded. His eyebrows widened in surprise. "Hear me out. She hasn't been in a relationship since this whole debacle with this couple, Kira and Ty. It's time for her to move forward. She's like Jimmy in dire need of a significant other in her life. We need to find her someone nice who will love her as she deserves it. And not use her like those…"
Her hand moved in frustration as she thought about the whole throuple fiasco. It had driven a wedge into her relationship with Chris and Deac knew Annie had hated that time and agonized over the situation.
"We love them and that's why I think we need to help them along…" Annie seemed so sure of herself he almost doubted his own reservations.
"Can we clarify what 'Helping along' really entitles?" He said forming invisible quotation marks with his fingers. "We can't just spring perfect strangers on them. For that they have dating apps and they are both rather knowledgeable in that field."
"Right." She tapped a finger on her lips as she was thinking. "Well I already talked to Luca and Bonnie is in too… She already has someone perfect for Jimmy she's one of her besties. She so wanted them to meet at the wedding but as that didn't happen… But she totally thinks they're perfect for each other."
"Oh okay…" Deac grimaced and settled heavily against the headboard, raising his eyes to the sky. "You realize that introducing good friends as future relationships can majorly backfire. You can lose both in a heartbeat if things go south… And I have to work with them every day."
"Yeah, yeah but Bonnie is ready to take a chance with that." She added excitedly. "You know Victor and her want to organize a belated wedding vows ceremony in a couple of weeks. She thinks it's the perfect moment and I agree with her. She already showed her friend Anna his pic and she's completely aboard!"
"Most women are usually completely on board with dating Street, that doesn't say much." He joked. "Didn't you tell me at least two nurses had tried to get him to call them? If I remember your words 'they are perfect for him'." He imitated his wife's sweet voice as he said the last words.
"Don't mock me." She fake-slapped his chest again and he chuckled. "So I was wrong… well I don't know he might have gone out with one of them… But since he has been back at his place we can't be sure…"
"So you think he might have found someone, but you still want to meddle?"
"He didn't bring her here, so it might not be serious…" She explained her voice hitched a notch.
"Or maybe it's early days and inviting her to meet us all might be a little overwhelming?"
"Yeah maybe…" She finally conceded. "But is a nurse a good match for a SWAT officer? I mean you guys have crazy hours and so do nurses. They would never see each other and I'm not even talking about starting a family…"
"Oh wow wow wow." He whooped and raised a hand to stop her. "Start a family?"
"Yes if not what's the point?" She wondered. "We want to find the perfect match, soulmates if possible... For both of them…"
"And for that you rely on Luca who has to be the most oblivious person I know and Bonnie who doesn't know them that well?" An amused smile appeared on his lips as he was assessing the situation.
"Well there's also me and you of course. You know them so well." She cajoled him. "Your insight is invaluable."
"Yeah but my brain must be addled, because I'm helping you." He laughed. "I'm not sure they are going to be very thankful if they realize what we are doing…"
"No need to be obvious. We'll start with Victor and Bonnie's belated ceremony now that they have found a venue." Annie explained with an eager smile. "She told me most of her single friends were quite attractive and could be possible matches for them. If this doesn't work out, we'll see what we do next."
"So sit back and observe. That's the motto of the first round."
"Exactly." She nodded vehemently. "Even if they don't find anyone at the party, it might give us an insight on who they liked or disliked. Luca and you can fish for information afterwards…"
Deac burst out laughing at that comment.
"Yeah that would be very, very natural coming from me." He shook his head amused by his wife's idea. "No I'll pass, but I guess Luca will be up for it especially with Street. He can be quite nosy. But I can't picture any of us grilling Chris about things like that. You have to wait until she comes to you and that doesn't always happen."
"Okay one out of two is already a good start." She nodded and clapped her hands excitedly. "So we have a plan."
"So it seems." Deac conceded.
Annie clapped her hands and jumped into his arms to kiss him thoroughly, her body flush against his. Well if that was the payment for helping her, he was more than eager to help along.