Sully smiled when he saw Davis flinch because he had slammed his locker shut.  "Problems, Davis?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

            Davis started to shake his head but stopped.  "No."

            Putting her hair up as she walked by, Faith looked from Sully to Davis.  "You look a little green around the gills, Davis.  What time did you guys leave last night?"

            Davis gave her a blank look which made Sully chuckle.  "We left around 3:00 AM.  I had to pour princess there into bed," the older officer replied, still smiling.

            "What were you drinking, Ty?  You look like hell," stated Liz as she walked over to the sinks.

            "Boilermakers," answered Sully,           

            "No wonder you look rough," added  Faith.

            "Does him in every time."

            Liz frowned. "Sounds like you better give them up, Ty."

            "I tell myself that every time but still I drink them."

            "You taken any pain relievers?" Faith asked. 

            "Yeah, as many as I can.   They  should kick in soon."

            "I hope they do, for both your sakes," stated Liz as she walked out the door.

            "Come on, Davis, the sooner we start the sooner the night will be over."

            "God, I hope so," groaned Ty as he pushed up from the bench.  Faith and Sully grinned at each other behind him as they all headed to roll call.

            Lt. Johnson had assigned housekeeping duties and since it was Walsh's turn to drive he was in charge of cleaning the cab of the engine.  The lieutenant had assigned DK to help him and they were washing the inside of the windshield when DK decided to bring up a subject he wanted to talk to Walsh about.  "Billy?"

            "Yeah?"
            "How close are you and Liz?"

            Walsh stopped rubbing to look at DK.  "We used to be really close. Why?"

            Continuing to rub the window DK tried to sound nonchalant as he said, "I'd like to ask her out if it wouldn't upset you."

            Grinning, Walsh slapped him on the shoulder.  "Hell no, it wouldn't upset me at all.  That would be great!"

            DK felt himself relax.  "Do you think she'd say yes?"

            Walsh was silent for a moment, a thoughtful look on his face.  "I'll be honest, I'm not sure."  At DK's worried look he went on, "It's not because she doesn't like you,  I can tell she does.  She still a bit skittish on the whole dating idea, she hasn't been on a date in fifteen years."

            "Really?  She hasn't dated anyone since her divorce?"

            "No, she said she hasn't found anyone she's been interested in enough to try it."

            "Think she'd be interested enough in me to try?"

            Walsh shrugged.  "You won't know until you try.  I wish I could be more encouraging but that's one area I can't predict with her.  I do know she's worth trying though."

            "Oh yeah?"

            He tried not to but Walsh blushed anyway.  "Not in the way you might be thinking.  She's a great friend with a generous personality and a wonderful sense of humor once she gets to know you.  To top it off she's a great cook.  What more could you ask for?"

            "You don't have to sell me on her, I'm already interested, brother."

            Walsh just grinned as he went back to wiping the window.          

            "Looks like it's a roller," Liz stated as she parked the rmp. 

            Faith nodded in agreement as she started to get out if the car. She was amused by the grin on her partner's face and the red head's eagerness to help with traffic, it was such a switch from being with Bosco.  Even Lt. Johnson had commented on that fact to Faith the day of the traffic accident they had worked together.  "You wanna grab cones or should I?"

            Liz motioned to the trunk with a hand.  "Why don't you and I'll start directing traffic to get the congestion out of here."  With that she trotted off towards the intersection where the cars were honking.

            Watching her go, Faith was still thinking about the differences between her partners as she went to get the traffic cones. If she'd given Bosco the option he'd have taken the easier route of getting cones and gripe the whole time. She'd said something to Liz about it after Lt. Johnson's comment and had to laugh when Liz gave her a wicked grin and stated, "Who wouldn't love working traffic where they could watch men in turn out gear!"  Faith found herself smiling as she put the cones out.

            They had finished the overhaul and were gather up the gear when Walsh nudged DK.  "Give me the K12 to put away and go find Liz."

            "Is she still here?"

            "Yeah, I just saw her head towards her squad with some traffic cones in her hands."

            "Should I ask her now?"

            Walsh smiled.  "No time like the present.  Do you think you'll find a better opportunity?"

            "No."

            "Then get going!"  Walsh took the equipment from DK's hands and gave him a little shove.  DK trotted off, searching for the officer they'd just been discussing.  He found her putting traffic cones away in the trunk of her car and DK's luck was good because Faith was no where in sight.

            Liz smiled at him when she saw him walk up.  "Hey, DK.  How's it going?"

            "Fine now that most of the work is done."

            "Cleanup always sucks."

            "Yeah."  He helped her stack the cones before deciding to broach the subject he had come over there for.  "Can I ask you something?"
            "Of course you can.  What's on your mind?"

            He waited for her to look up at him from her organizing before asking, "Liz, would you go out to dinner with me?"
            Liz froze for a second and DK saw a swirl of emotions cross her face before she blushed, her face turning almost as red as her hair. "You mean go out on a date?" she asked quietly.

            "Yes, a date."

            Just when he thought she wasn't going to say anything Liz smiled.  "Yes, I would like to go out to dinner with you, Derek."

            "You would?"

            "Yes, I would."

            DK grinned.  "Great! When are your next days off?"

            "I'm off Thursday and Friday."
            Thinking for a minute, DK stated, "I'm off Thursday also.  Could you go then?"
            "Sure."

            "Say about 6:00 PM?"
            "Okay."  Liz reached in her pocket and pulled out a business card, shutting the trunk so she could write on the lid.  She handed him the card.  "That's my address, home phone number, and cell phone number on the back.  Call me if something comes up and you can't make it."

            "Believe me, nothing will.  Do you have a piece of paper and can I borrow your pen?" Liz pulled her notebook out of her pocket and handed it to him along with her pen.  He quickly wrote his address and phone numbers down before handing both items back.  "Here's my address and phone  numbers so you can call me if something comes up. I know you're subject to call in more than I am."

            Liz shook her head.  "I won't answer my phone that day," she stated, her grin turning impish.

            Just then they heard the air horn blast on the fire engine.  "That's my cue to get a move on. See you Thursday."

            "See you then."

            DK was grinning from ear to ear as he ran towards the engine.  As he swung up in the cab Walsh called out, "Well?"
            "She said yes."

            "Alright!"  When they passed Liz's squad Walsh hit the air horn, causing Liz and Faith to jump before they waved in return, Faith having rejoined her partner as DK was trotting off.

            As the engine pulled away Faith turned to her partner.  "What was that all about?"

            Liz didn't answer right away, instead asking, "Can you drive for a while?"

            "Sure."

            It wasn't until Faith was pulling away from the curb that Liz said, "DK asked me out."

            Faith shot her a surprised look.  "He did?  And what did you say?"

            "Yes."

            "Good."  When Liz looked at her Faith grinned.  "I told you he liked you."

            "Guess you were right."           

            Faith could see Liz was nervous about the prospect of dating.  "I was and I know it'll go great. Don't worry."

            "Easy for you to say, you're married."

            "I'm still right."  Silence settled into the squad but both women were smiling.

            DK had endured some good natured ribbing all the way back to the station but his smile hadn't dimmed any.  After they'd stowed their gear away and everyone started trooping upstairs to get cleaned up, Walsh pulled him aside. "How did Liz react when you asked her?"

            DK shrugged.  "Well, she didn't answer right away and seemed a bit embarrassed but she finally just said yes."

            "Good."  Walsh became serious.  "DK, I want you to promise me something."      

            "What's that?"

            "Be patient with Liz. Believe me, it'll be worth it."

            "Okay."  DK looked a bit puzzled but he didn't question Walsh.  "Come on, let's go clean up."

            They headed towards the showers.

            Sully found Liz sitting in front of her locker after Faith and Ty had left for the night.  "Hey, aren't you Faith's ride tonight?"
            Liz shook her head but didn't look up at him as she replied, "I'm hanging around to give Mike a ride."

            Sensing something was wrong, Sully sat down beside her.  "What's going on?"

            Finally looking at him, Liz gave him a puzzled look.  "Why?"

            "You've obviously got something on your mind."
            "DK asked me out."

            "Oh."  Sully frowned.  "That's a good thing, isn't it?"

            "Yes, no-" Liz flung up her hands.  "I don't know!"
            Watching her, it dawned on Sully what the real problem was.  "You're scared, aren't you?"  Liz nodded and Sully reached over to take her hand.  "I realize it's been a long time since you've dated but it's gonna be fine, you'll see.  You like him, right?"
            "Yes."
            "And you two can talk to each other easily enough, I've seen that myself."
            "He's very easy to talk to."

            "Well, then just think of it as another night out at Haggarty's if that will help you relax."  He gave her hand a squeeze.  "You said that day at lunch you wanted to start moving forward with your life, here's one way to start.  I can't think of a nicer guy for you to start with either."

            "He's right you know." Liz and Sully whipped their heads around to find Lt. Swersky standing behind them, having come in to the locker room without them knowing it.  The lieutenant smiled.  "You do have to move on and there's no time better."

            Lt. Swersky sat down on the other side of Liz, taking her other hand in his as Sully stated, "You should listen to us old timers, we know what we're talking about."

            "At least you think you do," retorted Liz, smiling.

            "Hey now, none of that!" cautioned Lt. Swersky but he was grinning.  "I don't know this DK fellow very well but I know Lt. Johnson thinks very highly of him which makes him okay in my book."

            "Alright, alright!" cried Liz, blushing again.  "I give!  I realize I'm being foolish, just bear with me, okay?"
            "I have all these years so why should I stop now?"  Swersky quipped.

            Liz swatted him on the arm.  "Thanks, guys.  Michael, hurry up and change or your taxi will leave without you."

            "Fat chance of that happening," Swersky stated as he moved towards his locker.

            "You gonna be okay?"  Sully asked.

            "Sure.  Thanks."
            "Anytime."  Sully patted her leg before getting up.  As he left the locker room he could hear Liz and Lt. Swersky exchanging barbs like an old married couple, causing him to smile.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

            Two days later Faith asked her partner, "You're getting nervous again, aren't you?"

            Liz looked over at her partner who was driving.  "Why?"

            "Because you're getting quiet on me again."

            "Sorry."  Just then Liz's cell phone rang. When she looked at the number displayed she frowned.  "I wonder who this is?" She hit the answer button.  "Hello?"
            Faith saw her partner smile as she said, "Yeah, it's good to hear from you."  "No, I'm at work."  "No, I'm in the squad."  "Of course not, Faith's driving." "What?  Do you think I'm steering with my knees?"  "Hold on."

            Liz held the phone out towards Faith.  "Faith, holler hello to Billy."
            Amused, Faith called out, "Hi, Bill."
            Putting the phone back to her ear, Liz said, "There, believe me now?"  "You are impossible.  What do you want?"  "No, I won't back out."  "Promise." "I've already heard that lecture from Sully and Swersky."  "Yeah, sitting on a bench in the locker room the other night.  I felt like I was the corned beef between two big pieces of white guy bread making a happy family sandwich."

            Faith found herself giggling at the image in her head at Liz's words.  Liz had told her the day before about the conversation  with the two men and Faith had echoed their sentiments.  Her partner had just rolled her eyes, just like she was doing as she talked to Walsh.  "Look, I gotta get back to work.  I promise to let you know how it goes though I'm sure DK will tell you before I do."  "Okay, talk to you later."  "Bye."

            Liz hung up and started to giggle herself.  "I think he's almost as nervous as I am."

            "Why?"

            "Because two of his good friends are going out together and he wants it to go well."

            "That's understandable."

            Liz's phone rang again, making her jump.  Again she frowned at an unfamiliar number.  "Hello?"

            Faith had a good idea who was calling because the tone of Liz's voice changed.  "Hi."  "No, out in the squad."  "Yeah, she's here." 

            Liz extended the phone towards Faith again.  "Say hi to DK."

            "Hello, DK!"

            Both women were chuckling as Liz put the phone back to her ear.  "No, Billy called right before you did and we went through the same routine."  "Yes, we're still on.  I'm looking forward to it."  "No, it's been relatively quiet." "I will, you too."  "Bye." Liz was smiling as she hung up.

            "You've become mighty popular," teased Faith as they pulled up to where they were going to eat.

            "Please, I can't take anymore teasing right now."

            "Alright, no teasing until we're done eating." 

            Liz just shook her head as they got out of the car.