He followed the trail of expletives, like breadcrumbs, to the gym. Which was louder, the cursing or the sound of her bound fist hitting the heavy bag, he would never be able to decide.
"You taught cursing at the Naval Academy, right? Because the sailors here for Fleet Week have taken lessons from you."
She looked up mid-punch and saw her partner leaning against the wall, laughing at her.
"Funny. I can't believe that I got sick, shit. You'd think that I'd have learned how to handle that." Each word was emphasized by a punch to the bag.
"Tell me how you've already get used to seeing bloody corpses, this being your first homicide case? For God's sake, Pez, give your self a break! That scene today was near my tolerance level. Are you always so hard on yourself? So you got sick, so what? Who hasn't at one time or another. Things get messy, scenes get downright gross. This won't be the last time you get sick. Face it. And as far as getting used to it, I'd get really worried when you get used to it. "
She continued to punch the bag, trying to avoid his concerned gaze and the question left hanging in the air. Danny grabbed the heavy bag, stabilizing it for her. She continued to pound, cursing under her breath.
Damn, she's got power and terrific form. She's got to be nearly unstoppable in the ring.
"How long you gonna beat yourself and this bag up? Cuz I think it's about time I got you drunk, rookie. I'll even pay for the cab."
Sara stopped her onslaught and considered his offer.
"OK Danny, your on. Give me twenty minutes and find a place where I can store my bike for the night, won't ya?" She tagged his arm with a solid jab and sauntered off to the locker room.
Ouch. Geez, Danny, what have you got yourself into now?
"Call Leigh before we leave." Sara yelled from the locker room door. Danny just smiled and started dialing his phone.
***
"My God, Pez, is there something that you're NOT good at?" She had just beaten him in their third game of pool.
"Keeping boyfriends. That's about it." She took a drink of her beer to finish off her glass and leaned over to the passing waitress to signal for two more.
"Ooo, I hear a story. Talk to Dr. Danny, the relationship guru. I can help."
"I thought you were the Wise Asian Master?"
"I am, but didn't you see me change my hat. So what gives? Can't keep a man? No sugar to warm your bed?" She shook her head at him, hoping that he would talk himself out of the topic.
"Story, Pez. I'm listening"
"Not much to tell. Guys are a bit intimidated by me. Most can't get past the whole badge and gun thing. Ones that do, get sick of the job right quick. Long hours, calls in the middle of the night, they just get tired of it, ya know. Bet Leigh does too. Last guy stayed around a while, if only for the undercover getups I had to wear for Vice."
"Pez," Danny groaned. "The visuals on that will fuel my dreams for a while."
"Hey, you're happily committed to wonderful girlfriend, remember."
"Yah, but a guy can fantasize, can't he?" Danny shrugged his shoulders. She would have blushed, if she tended to do that. But instead, she took a gulp of beer and choked. Grabbing a napkin from the passive waitress, she kept herself from spewing beer out all over her partner.
"That is not something I needed to know, Woo. Keep your fantasies to yourself."
"Come on, Pez. If I wasn't with Leigh, you'd be itchin to get a some of the Wise Asian Master, wouldn't you?" He sat up tall in his seat and raised his eyebrows, nodding knowingly.
"You're full of shit, ya know Woo. Just full of shit."
"Ah. If the audience was paying attention, she didn't deny the accusation." Sara decided that the best defense was a hasty retreat and headed to the ladies room.
Dangerous territory ahead. Time to take a detour.
Sara returned to her seat and decided to take the opportunity to direct the ribbing at him. "Why haven't you asked Leigh to marry you yet? Shit or get off the pot, Danny. Its been how many years, five? Don't know if she'll put up with you for much longer if you don't get with it."
"yeah, yeah. I've been getting all the signals from her and her mother, her friends and everyone else. I'm just not quite ready, ok?" Danny glanced down at his watch, wondering how he could get off this subject.
"Not ok, but that's your problem. Better figure it out soon, that's all I got to say. Now, as much as I love hanging with the old partner here, my empty bed is calling."
"Ditchin me? Getting past your bed time, huh?"
"No. I'm just tired of your sorry mug. I've been looking at you all day. Besides, I've reached my beer tolerance. Any more, we'd have a repeat performance from earlier today." They wandered out to the street and hailed a cab for Sara.
"Nighty night, don't let the bed bugs bite. And just remember not to dream about me tonight." Danny rhymed as she got in the cab.
"Go home Danny. And I'll see you tomorrow," she yelled out the door.
Whew. Disaster averted.
A/N: Just a brief interlude before we get back to the case. Let me say, right now before I get into that chapter, that I have no knowledge about police procedure, departmental organization, gathering or analysis of evidence, other than what I've read in detective novels and have seen on television. Everything I get wrong in that regard is due to sheer ignorance.
A/N2: This is not a Danny/Sara fic, if your wondering. Just a little harmless flirting.