The guys from the Squad were in their dress uniforms. They had just come from the funeral of a former Chief of the FDNY.

"Hey, I heard some of the guys from the 86 saying about going out to Haggarty's this evening." DK said

"Why don't we join them?" Jimmy asks

"Sounds good to me." Walsh says

"Why don't we get there around 8?" DK suggests

The guys all nod in agreement and head off. It was one of their nights off and they didn't have to work tomorrow either. A rare break for them. It would be great to get out and hang out.

Walsh pulls up in front of his house. He gets out of his new Explorer. This time he chose silver. He had gone ahead and gotten all the amenities. He lived alone, didn't have to worry about bills, why not?

Walsh showed up just after 8. The party was going strong. There were guys from the Squad, and Engine Company 86, Engine Company 78, Rescue 3; there were a lot of guys there.

Walsh was greeted by DK who immediately handed him a bottle of beer. It was loud in the bar so he barely heard DK's greeting.

"Everyone's here." DK said

Walsh looked over and even saw Lt. Johnson there.

"Wow even, Lieu's here." Walsh said

He made his way through the crowd. He noticed a lot of guys that he had gone to the academy with including Bobby Crosby from Engine 78.

"What's up man?" Walsh asked

"Not much, how you been?" Crosby asked

"Good. You?" Walsh returned

"I've been alright. Haven't seen you since the fire you helped pull Taylor and Gamble out of." Crosby said

"Yeah it's been a while." Walsh said

He kept looking around seeing more people that he knew and wanted to talk to. He parted from Crosby and made his way to Tommy Foley from Rescue 3.

"Hey, how's the body?" Tommy joked

"I'm doing well. How about you?" Walsh asked

"I'm doing well!" Tommy said over the music. "I'm out of beer though." He said

"This round's on me." Walsh said as they walked over to the bar and got a round

They walked back to the pool tables and decided to play. Walsh broke and sunk a couple solids.

"Looks like you're striped." Walsh cracks

"Yep, looks that way." Tommy Foley laughed.

The party was getting a little louder. Walsh looked up to see Taylor walk in. Crosby and Danny Gamble went over to her. Crosby handed her her first round. Walsh continued to shoot. Finally, it was Foley's turn.

He knocked ball after ball in and Walsh realized that he was about to be beat.

"I bet that you can't sink that 8 ball in the corner pocket, shooting from behind your back." Walsh said

Tommy looked up. It wasn't going to be an easy shot because of the position of the 8 ball, but he was game.

"If I do you have to strip down to your boxers and get up on this table and dance." Tommy said

"But if I win you gotta get up on the bar and dance to whatever song I pick from the jukebox, in your underwear." Walsh smiled

The guys around them all laughed as Foley and Walsh shook on it.

Tommy figured that he had it in the bag. And he lined up his shot. He closed his eyes as the cue struck the cue ball. In what seemed like slow motion the ball danced across the table and made contact with the 8 ball that ricocheted off the bumper and into the corner pocket. The guys around them clapped.

Walsh climbed up on the table and began to strip down. The other guys throwing dollar bills at him as he did so. Walsh looked over to the jukebox where Jimmy had just dropped a quarter. He was at the mercy of Jimmy's selection- and he knew he was in trouble.

"Billy! This one's for you!" Jimmy yelled as he raised his bottle up high.

Soon the intro to the song started. Walsh's face turned red.

I'm a desperado underneath your window.
I see your silhouette.
Are you my Juliet?
I feel a mad connection with your body.
Shake your bon-bon, shake your bon-bon, shake your bon-bon.

Everyone laughed as Walsh had to dance to it. And it looked painful for him. But everyone was getting enjoyment out of it.

Jimmy, Lombardo, DK, Tommy Doyle, Crosby, Sweet, Taylor, Gamble, Lt. Johnson, Bobby, Kim, everyone was getting into it and laughing. Some of them were even mocking the song singing along- drunk firefighters singing along to Ricky Martin.

The song ended and everyone cheered for Walsh. He threw his hands up and proceeded to get down from the pool table. Tommy Foley handed him his shirt.

"A little public humiliation." He laughed as Walsh dressed again

Soon Walsh had another round brought to him and it was back to party time. Walsh leaned up against the bar and looked around the room. He was looking to see where Taylor was.

He found her. She was dancing with Gamble. She was stumbling. It was well after 11 and everyone was on at least their 8th round. Taylor had done a few shots with the guys from 78.

He knocked back a few shots with the guys as well. Jimmy and DK walked over to him.

"Thanks." He said to Jimmy

"You're welcome." Jimmy grinned

"This place is rocking." DK said

"Yeah." Walsh agreed, "I'm definitely gonna be feeling it tomorrow."

"But you needed this." DK said

It was the first time that he had gone out and had a few drinks since he broke up with Sara. And now, just before Thanksgiving, it was a great chance to get a few drinks in. There were plenty of people around that he could have a good time with. And he was making the rounds.

Soon last call was announced. The guys started to trickle out of the bar. Walsh looked around and noticed Taylor leaving. He also noticed Danny Gamble leaving just after her. He made his way towards the door, but was soon stopped by Crosby.

"Hey, try not to make it so long next time." Crosby said

"You know my number." He said as he brushed on.

He walked out into the chilly November night. He looked both ways up and down the street, but didn't see Taylor or Gamble anywhere. He headed off towards his own house.

He walked in the front door, turning and locking it behind him. He dropped his keys on the counter and turned out the light before walking upstairs. He walked into the bathroom and grabbed a bottle of Tylenol. He took two of the red and yellow pills.

He made his way to his bed and just crashed. The red numbers on his alarm clock read "2:40"

He mumbled into his pillow, "I'm getting too old for this." He turned off the light and faded off to sleep.