Disclaimer: Dick Wolf, blah blah blah.

Title: Hurricane Katrina

Chapter 25 – So Emotional

Characters: Goren, Eames, Deakins, Logan, Barek

Rating: K+

A few days later Goren and Katayeva went to the funeral for Caroline Martin. It was well attended by family and friends. Captain Martin had a lot of support from his law enforcement colleagues. There was a large contingent from Mrs. Martin's library.

Caroline Martin had left two passages she wanted read aloud at her funeral. The first, Death is Nothing, written by Canon Henry Scott-Holland, was read by her sister. The second was authored by the deceased and read by her son and daughter. She had titled it Lucky.

I am a very lucky person. I know anyone listening to this does not think so, but I know better.

Until my recent illness I enjoyed excellent health, free from aches and pains, free from limitations on my activities. I have always lived in a nice home, been well-cared for, have never wanted for any material possession. Most importantly I have known great love. Ray Martin was a gift in my life. I have been blessed with wonderful and interesting children. They have grown into better people than I would have ever thought possible. I have also been blessed with wonderful friends, who enriched my life. I cannot imagine what my life would have been without them. I only hope I have returned the favor in some small measure.

I went from being a college dropout to having a Masters degree. I had a career that I loved and enjoyed every day.

If love was enough, I would still be here.

Goren glanced at Katayeva standing next to him. He could see her eyes tearing up. He felt his own throat tighten. He gently touched her arm to guide her back to their car. They left the cemetery to return to work, riding back in almost complete silence.

"Wow…I really let that get to me, didn't I?" said Katayeva, wiping her eyes with a Kleenex, "I'm sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry for," he replied, looking at her, "Both readings were very moving, even if you'd never met the deceased." Goren patted her shoulder.

"Thanks, Goren."

When they arrived back on the eleventh floor, Deakins asked about the funeral.

"It was uh…quite moving, Captain," answered Goren, "There were a couple of readings that were very emotional."

Katayeva nodded her agreement. Deakins thanked them both for attending the funeral.

"Oh, before I forget. The Chief of D's got a call from Captain Martin, who told him that he appreciated that the Major Case detectives handled his wife's investigation with such sensitivity. The Chief of D's was very pleased."

Fortunately Deakins' phone started ringing and he ran to answer it.

Goren whispered to Katayeva, "Go splash some cold water on your face. I've got it covered here."

She's not the hard ass cop she thinks she is. Thank heavens.

Katayeva headed for the ladies room. She returned a little while later, looking more relaxed. Goren placed a mug of steaming tea on her desk. Tension Tamer.

"Giving me a dose of my own medicine?" laughed Kat.

Goren just shrugged. Then the two detectives got down to the paperwork.

Tomorrow would be Katayeva's last day at Major Case. Tonight her colleagues were taking her out to dinner.

Around 5:30 p.m. Goren, Logan, Barek and Katayeva left for Kelsey's restaurant, walking the three blocks. Deakins had said he would meet them there. Alex was coming also.

The food was good, the conversation easy and friendly. There was plenty of good-spirited banter among the detectives. Everyone was trying everyone else's food. They sat at a large round table, Goren between Alex and Kat. As dessert started to wind down, Mike Logan suggested a drinking contest, doing shots.

"What kind of shots?" asked Katayeva.

"It's your party, you get to choose," grinned Logan.

"OK…vodka. Smirnoff."

"You got it," replied Mike, as he signaled for the waiter.

The guys had already had a couple of beers apiece with dinner, Barek had a glass of red wine. Alex and Kat had iced tea, Lipton's, not Long Island.

"I'll just watch you all make fools of yourselves," laughed Alex, "I'm just coming off pain meds and alcohol is still out for me."

After three rounds of vodka shots, Logan decided they should be on the dance floor. Katayeva danced with Goren, Logan and Deakins in turn.

After six rounds, Mike Logan thought he should be singing into a microphone. He managed to get Katayeva to sing Rod Stewart's Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? with him. They were pretty good, considering. After that Captain Deakins took his leave. His wife Angie had arrived to drive him home.

The party continued, as did the vodka shots. After nine rounds Goren and Logan were having trouble speaking. They weren't too steady on their feet either. Barek had reached her limit at seven. But Logan had continued to push Katayeva.

Much to everyone's surprise, Katayeva didn't seem to be feeling the effects of nine vodka shots at all.

"I…I know why you picked vodka," slurred Logan, "Because you're Russian."

"I knew you were a brilliant detective, Mike," grinned Katayeva.

Goren was just holding his head in his hands.

"Bobby," whispered Alex, "You mixed beer and vodka. You know better than that."

"I..I …uh had beer?…"

At that moment Katayeva's husband, Jack Kennedy, walked into Kelsey's. He was there to pick up his wife.

"God help us if Major Case is called out tonight," teased Kennedy, looking at the group.

"Hey, man, have a drink," said Logan.

"No, thanks. I'm driving," demurred Kennedy, "So, honey, how many did you have?"

"Nine. Vodka. Shots."

"Your head hurting yet, Kate?"

"Yeah, it's starting now," Katayeva nodded.

"Hey, Kennedy. How come.. ummm she can outdrink big guys like us?" asked Goren.

"You're drinking vodka. She's Russian. It's genetic. I think it runs in their veins. She and her family can outdrink anyone doing vodka. If you want to get her drunk, just give her two glasses of red wine. That'll do it."

"Oh…hey, that's…that's cheating…" said Goren.

Alex just rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Anyone need a ride home here? Goren? Alex?" asked Kennedy.

"If you could drop Bobby and me at his place and help me get him upstairs," said Alex, "Otherwise I don't know if I can manage him."

"No problem, Alex. How about you two, Logan?"

Barek answered for Mike, "We go in the opposite direction, we'll take a cab, but thanks for the offer."

Kennedy and Alex got Goren out the door and into his SUV. Katayeva and Alex climbed in. They left Bobby and Alex at his apartment, after Jack helped her get the big detective upstairs.

Alex managed to remove Bobby's suit jacket, tie and shoes. Then he just fell back on the bed. She joined him there and pulled up the blankets.

Jack Kennedy drove his wife home.

"You're really going to miss those people, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I think I will."

Katayeva fell asleep on the ride home. Jack just lifted her out of the car and carried her upstairs. He woke her briefly to have her take a couple of charcoal capsules before he tucked her into bed. That would help quell any hangover. Then he climbed into bed next to her.

Never do vodka shots against a Russian.