"Yo! Brigatti!"

Toni startled and swiveled her desk chair to the right, barely batting away a balled up piece of paper heading towards her face. "Oh, real adult of you, Winslow." Shaking her head, she glared at the blond detective heading her way. "Do you need something or are you just unable to control your inner child?"

"Haha, very funny. Can I help it if you're daydreaming at your desk and didn't hear me call your name the first three times?" the detective smirked, leaning one hip on Toni's desk.

Feeling a blush creep up her neck, Brigatti leaned back in her chair. "I was not daydreaming, Winslow. I was thinking." She glared pointedly at the man's hip; one eyebrow arched but the detective ignored her look.

"Well, don't exhaust yourself with the effort, Brigatti," Winslow said while he sorted through her cup of pens on the corner of the desk. Finding a nice fat one, he grinned and tucked it into his shirt pocket. Rolling her eyes, Toni began to leaf through some papers on the desk but stilled at Winslow's next comment. "I heard your buddy Hobson is stirring up trouble again."

Slowly looking up, Toni tried to appear casual as she tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. "What do you mean?"

The young detective shrugged. "I have a friend in animal control. He told me that earlier today they had a call about a dog attack. Seems like a mom and her kid were about to be attacked by a pit-bull when Hobson, who just happened to be getting out of his vehicle right there, intervened and saved the day."

"So how is that stirring up trouble?"

Winslow leaned forward. "Come on, Brigatti. He just happened to be there?" Shaking his head, he stood. "Maybe Scanlon was on to something after all."

Toni threw an angry look at Winslow. "Scanlon wasn't on to anything, Winslow. Hobson's just a...a... good Samaritan. A…a boy scout."

"Of course he is."

"Whatever," Toni said, waving her hand dismissively. "I have tons of paperwork to catch up on. Why don't you go find something useful to do and quit bugging me. "

"Don't worry; my shift is over. I'm outta here!" Chuckling, Winslow left.

Barely waiting until the man was out of sight, Toni pulled out her Rolodex and looked up the extension for animal control.

Trying to seem casual, Toni inquired about the incident. The animal control officer now on duty only had sketchy details as the report hadn't been completed. Toni offered to finish up the report, saying she had to go ask Hobson a few questions regarding another incident. The other officer jumped at the offer.

You're nuts, Toni. As if you don't have enough of your own paperwork to do, you go and volunteer to do the follow-up for the animal control people. Toni shook her head and took a last swig from her coffee cup then tossed it in the garbage. The last person he wants to see is you. Grabbing her purse and keys, Toni left the station.

She thought about how they had parted yesterday. Hobson's goodbye had had a ring of finality to it. Like he was saying Have a nice life, Brigatti. She tried to tell herself that she was only going over to finish the report in order to do a fellow officer a favor, but she knew she was only kidding herself.


Pulling up in front of McGinty's, Toni couldn't resist peeking in the visor mirror. She tucked her hair behind one ear, then flipped the visor back up, annoyed at herself. Jeez, Toni, you're only going to get a statement from the guy. It's no big deal, just police business. Grabbing the file folder she had picked up from animal control, she skimmed its contents, concern furrowing her brow when she saw that Hobson had been seen in the ER. Ignoring the fluttering in her stomach, she took a deep breath and exited the vehicle. She tried to slip past the photographers who seemed to have materialized out of thin air. Apparently they had recognized her. She muttered a brisk "No comment" when a microphone was thrust into her face, and avoiding the other reporters, she stepped into the bar.

Toni paused inside the door and surveyed the room. It looked like the publicity from the last few days had been good for business, she thought wryly as she noted the crowded bar. For early evening, it was busy. She was about to stop a passing waitress to inquire about Hobson's whereabouts when she spotted him in a large group by the bar. He appeared to be in one piece, she was relieved to note.

He had his head lowered, shaking it, but laughing at the same time. Curious, Toni started making her way towards the bar. She couldn't remember ever seeing him laugh like that. Shoot, every time she saw him, it was in the middle of the crisis of the week.

She lost sight of Hobson as the crowd shifted a bit, but she was able to hear him say, "Yeah, well, I really appreciate all you guys stopping by. I…I can't believe you all took the time…and well, it means a lot to me."

Elbowing her way forward, Toni was able to get a little closer. She spied Hobson leaning back against the bar, his right elbow leaning on top of it. The people around him seemed to come from all walks of life. Some were dressed as if they had just come from the office; others were dressed in jeans and t-shirts. Toni had never seen any of them before.

"Hey, I don't know about these guys, but it's da least I can do since you saved my kiester last year." An older gentleman raised his beer. "To Gary Hobson!"

Many in the crowd were nodding their heads, some calling out agreement. Toni noticed Gary duck his head, his face turning red. She had to smile at his obvious embarrassment.

"Yeah, man. If it weren't for you, I'd probably be dead by now. Though I sure didn't like it when you told me I couldn't play basketball any more. Man, I liked to kill you about then!" The man smiled to take the edge off the words.

Toni turned to the speaker, a tall young black man, and wondered what he was referring to. When she turned back, Hobson was speaking to a man and woman on his left. She wasn't close enough to hear what they were saying, but saw the man stick out his hand. Hobson shifted a little to shake hands with the man. Nodding, Hobson smiled and said something, giving the woman a friendly wink. Before Toni could get over her surprise at that, the woman stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. The couple turned to leave. Hobson watched them, a relaxed smile on his face.

As though feeling her gaze upon him, Hobson turned, his eyes finding hers instantly. The smile faded. A look of wariness replaced it. His eyes never left her as she twisted and turned to get through the throng of people.

"Hey, Hobson."

"Brigatti." A short nod.

"This is quite a crowd you got here," Toni said, looking around the room.

Gary gazed around the room too. "Mmmm. Yeah, that it is."

"It's seems like they're pretty good friends of yours."

"Sorta."

"Um. Is there somewhere we could go talk, Hobson?"

"'Bout what?"

Toni sighed. This wasn't going as she had hoped. "I, uh, I just need to ask you a few questions about the incident today with the dog."

He crossed his arms, one eyebrow raised. "Isn't that a bit out of your area of expertise?"

"A little," she conceded, "but a report is a report."

"How come the animal control officer isn't doing the follow up? I figured I'd go down to the station tomorrow and finish it then."

"Well? See? I saved you the trouble," Toni said lightly.

"Fine." Gary tilted his head towards the kitchen doors. "Let's go into the office where it's a little quieter."

Toni followed him, the din of the kitchen almost louder than the bar. Before heading into the office, Hobson approached one of the cooks. "Ya got any extra burgers cooking?"

The cook nodded. "Sure, boss."

Hobson turned to Brigatti. "Ya hungry?"

She shook her head, though her mouth practically watered at the smell from the burgers on the grill.

"Look, Brigatti, I'm starving, and I don't really want to chow down in front of you."

"Okay, whatever. A burger sounds fine."

Hobson nodded and held up two fingers to the cook, then pointed into his office.

Gary closed the door behind them; the sudden quiet a relief after the all the noise. He motioned to a chair in front of the desk. "I'll be right back. I'm just gonna grab a drink. What can I get you?"

"Anything diet would be great. Thanks."

Toni sat idly for a few minutes, studying the pictures on the wall. The desk was strewn with papers and she reached over, intending to clear a small area for them to eat. She glanced at a couple of them, amused at Hobson's nearly illegible scrawl across the bottom of some. Mostly, they appeared to be invoices, a few bills and letters from vendors.

"Find anything interesting?"

Toni jumped back, almost toppling her chair in her haste.

Hobson entered bearing a tray loaded with a drinks and two hamburger baskets with chips.

"I was just, uh…um..." At a loss for words, she finally just shrugged, giving an impish smile. "Sorry. I'm just being nosy. It's the detective in me."

"Uh huh." He didn't seem amused as he handed her a basket and set her drink on her right. "It's Diet Coke."

"Thanks." She began to eat; glad she had taken Hobson up on her offer. She hadn't realized how hungry she was.

Hobson ignored his dinner and instead began putting away his business papers, slapping invoices in one folder, bills in another.

She swallowed a bite of burger. "Hobson, you don't have to put all that stuff away. I said I was sorry I was looking at it. I was bored."

He glanced at her, but continued straightening the desktop.

"Listen, I have a very short attentions span. What can I say?" she joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Hobson braced both arms on the desk, looking down for a few seconds. "No! You listen, Brigatti! I have just had my whole life splashed across the front pages and all over the news." He lifted his head, his eyes blazing. "My phones were wired. My parents' phones were tapped. Even Chuck. Chuck! Way out in Hollywood was questioned!" Hardly pausing to take a breath, he continued, pointing one finger at Brigatti. "And one of my dearest friends in the world had to sit here while your officers ransacked my home and my place of business. So, forgive me, will ya, if I don't turn cartwheels while you paw through my stuff!"

He sat heavily, his right thumb and first two fingers rubbing his eyes.

Toni was too stunned to move for several seconds. Recovering, she pushed her basket away and stood. "I said I was sorry, Hobson." She started to head for the door, but turned back. "And for your information, I was not pawing through your papers! I was trying to make room for us to eat! And so what if I happened to see your signature and stopped to wonder how anybody could possibly even read it!" She turned towards the door, but paused, her back to Gary.

"I'll drop the file off with animal control. You can go see them in the next day or so to finish the report."

Hobson sighed. "Wait, Brigatti."

Toni's pride told her to keep on walking right on through the door, but she turned towards him, arms crossed, chin raised. "Yeah?"

He stood, gesturing towards the chair she had vacated. "Please sit. I'm sorry for…for going off like that."

Toni didn't answer right away, her stubborn pride warring with her foolish attraction to Hobson. Her glance flicked to Hobson and she groaned silently. Damn him and his puppy dog eyes!

"Please?" He reached over and pushed her meal closer to her side of the desk. His gaze raised to hers, pleading.

"Fine." She sat, but couldn't bring herself to eat the burger.

"I am sorry, Brigatti. I…I guess I just…just. Aw, hell. I don't have any excuses." Hobson's elbows were propped on the desk, the heels of his hands rubbing his eyes. Dropping his hands, he began to pick at his dinner. "I've been acting like an ass ever since you got here." His eyes lifted briefly.

Toni's anger melted away. She guessed if anyone had a reason to be stressed, it was Hobson. "Yeah, you have, Hobson but I'm starving and you won't drive me away from a free meal that easily." She picked up her burger and took a big bite.

He smiled, then chuckled and popped a chip in his mouth.

They ate, making only small talk; each being careful to keep the tone light.

Toni took a sip of her drink and noted Hobson absently rubbing his left shoulder. "Is that where you got bit?" She pointed her chin towards his shoulder.

Hobson looked at his shoulder, still rubbing it. "No, that's where I got the tetanus shot." He grimaced and rolled his left sleeve back. "He bit me down here." Examining the bandage, he made a face at the dried blood staining a large portion of it. He pulled his sleeve down and sipped his drink. "Are you done eating?"

Before she could answer, there was a knock at the door.

"Ah, excuse me, Mr. Hobson?"

A man Toni recognized as the bartender poked his head in the office.

"What do you need, Tom?"

Tom looked uncomfortable. "There's a couple of reporters out here looking for you."

Hobson's eyes darted beyond the man. "What did you tell 'em?"

Looking back over his shoulder, Tom shrugged. "I just told them you were busy."

Hobson nodded. "Okay. Thanks for the heads up."

"No problem, boss."

After he left, Hobson sat for a moment, his mouth cupped between his thumb and first finger of his right hand, lost in thought. He stood and crossed to the door taking a quick peek towards the bar. "Uh, Brigatti? Do you mind if we finish that report upstairs?"

Toni shrugged. "Doesn't matter to me, Hobson."