A/N: Date night! For everyone except Careese of course :D (BTW I've only written one and it's Chapter 50 of Body Count)

Credit to opheliablack for the M Word "Maverick". #RidetheMaverick

As always, enjoy x

Chapter 50: Maverick

Friday 2nd December 2016, 8.41pm, 8th Precinct

For Jocelyn Hope Taylor-Carter-Nichols-Reese, it was one of those nights where everyone else in the world had plans; her husband was tasked with befriending a gastroenterologist who was their latest Number, her son was out with his girlfriend, blissfully unaware that she was no longer on speaking terms with his dad, and her partner was dog shopping at the local pound with Vonnie. Her only hope for company was a dark-haired misanthrope who didn't answer her calls and a Police Captain who still didn't trust her.

"Carter." He greeted, already on edge from the broken promise about being home two hours before. "What more do we know about the Morrows case?"

"Accidental murder during a home invasion robbery. The witness is the 7-year-old nephew who was found hiding under the bed. I suspect he's on the autistic spectrum so I think he should be treated with more consideration."

"Duly noted."

She couldn't read his tone but felt he was dismissing her so he could go home. "We have a duty of care to him, he's still a child who's gone through a traumatic experience. And if I'm right…"

He sighed, because she wasn't letting it go anytime soon. "Fine, I'll ask Laz to call the educational psychologist."

"Great." She noticed a new family portrait with Scout at the centre and smiled. "Nice dog, the kids must love him."

"Her." He corrected her, suspecting she knew more than she let on but lacking the evidence to prove it.

"Goodnight Captain." He nodded in response, still no closer to figuring her out and with no information to give the higher ups in their meetings, which meant he was failing at a simple task.

With her work tucked away for at least a night and an early Saturday hair appointment, Joss saw A Diva's Christmas Carol and Thai food in her near future but her scowling friend had other plans.

8.49pm, L'emphase, Chelsea, Upper East Side, New York

Although Zoe hadn't eaten bread in years, when the caramelised French onion soup arrived she gleefully broke the roll with her hands and slathered butter on each side. Finch appreciated her growing appetite and glowing skin as she entered her second trimester with relief that the morning sickness was over. With Arjen the Dutch sperm donor thousands of miles away and Harold's artful conversation just across the table, she seemed to have found the perfect combination for getting through her pregnancy alone. What she hadn't given much thought to was life after childbirth, not that she cared that night.

"…The Manhattan Philharmonic Orchestra is playing on the Saturday before Christmas and I went to the liberty of arranging a balcony. I'd be honoured if you'd join me." Finch offered.

"Harold…I'd love to." Zoe wasn't used to men being thoughtful; fun, exciting and unpredictable but never thoughtful.

For a moment, Finch felt how it might have felt with Grace, but it would never taste that sweet nectar again, so Zoe Morgan was like saccharine, an artificial substitute.

9.29pm, The Keigler Bar, Park Slope, Brooklyn

Although her banjo player with the magical hands was nowhere to be found that night, Shaw didn't mind sharing one of her haunts with Carter even if she'd missed her chance to curve a straight and narrow line. Because of the company, Shaw drank dark liquor instead of the Russian vodka she was used to but that didn't stop the shots from flowing as they played foosball. "Where'd you learn?" She asked, as Carter was leading 5-2.

"On the base. And Tay used to love foosball and air hockey and pinball until he got too grown to be seen with me in public."

Shaw liked it when she talked about her cub because there was something unguarded and warm about her mama bear voice. "When was that?"

"6th grade." Joss downed another shot which could have been the cause of her openness. "That's when it got tough. It's hard being a single mom when your son hits puberty. It's hard period." Shaw had nothing to refer to or insightful to say so she said nothing. "I don't know how I'm gonna tell him I cut Paul off."

"Tell him you cut him off." Shaw said simply, sneaking in a goal because she was distracted. "Score!"

"Cheater, cheater, pumpkin-eater." They both laughed because it sounded so silly. "I don't know how to answer when he asks why."

Because Shaw never felt guilt she didn't realise what her friend was feeling. "Tell him you had enough. That's what I do when I cut 'em off. Or I just ghost, either way I find someone new."

Joss smiled because she saw what life was like on the other side and realised maybe she cared too much about what other people though and felt and that needed to change. "I never thought I'd say this; but maybe I should take a leaf outta your book."

With those words, Shaw thought if Joss "Hot AF" Carter took a leaf out of her book, all her dreams would come true at once.

11.48pm, Douglass Hall, Emory University

At this point, it was routine; Taylor was ready to leave as soon as the ending credits to Poetic Justice started running because his girlfriend would always ask him to go eventually. Zahra's roommate was out again and wouldn't be back until breakfast time because the pre-Med student never spent a Friday night at home. "Why are you leaving?" She asked, as he put on his jacket.

"Because." He said, not wanting to state the obvious.

"But what if I want you to stay?"

Although she felt comfortable uncovering her hair in his presence, it was obvious she wasn't ready to take her clothes off. "You don't."

"But…I do." Zahra said, making an otherwise statement sound bold and poignant.

He shook his head and said something that had been on his mind for weeks. "You…still flinch, sometimes. So…I should go." Zahra had never considered her mind and mouth could say one thing but her body would betray something different. But it was true and that made her want to wrap herself up in the tightest cocoon and retreat from the world. "Hey," He said, getting her attention as she's drifted off to a faraway place. "It's the worst fight scene ever but it's a pretty good movie."

"Yeah."