Chapter 89: Disappointed

Gus was desperately gasping for air as her phone started buzzing wildly. The pair groaned, Flack looked at his phone which was oddly silent. "Broussard," she said panting.

"Gus?" Mac questioned, hoping there was nothing wrong with her as well.

"Mac? What's up?"

"It's Reed, he got beat up."

"Crap, I'm on my way!" Gus said, looking around at the scattered covers and clothes all over the bedroom. Flack was already sorting out her clothes and trying to figure out if he needed to come too.

"No, don't come, I am here with him now. He's going to stay at his parents, but meet me first thing, I think we might have a break," Mac protested.

"With the Kings and Shadows? Because if so, we need to be careful Mac."

"Not really with them, we'll talk about it say at 0700 hours?"

Gus glanced at the clock, groaned inwardly and said, "see you then, tell Reed to chin up." Gus clicked off and started pulling her clothes back off.

"You gonna fill me in, sunshine?" Flack asked, still unsure as to what all was going on, checking to make sure his phone was functioning.

"I need a drink first," Gus said padding off to the dining room.

"Glad you finally hung blinds in there!" Flack called, admiring her unclothed figure.

Gus came back with two tumblers, words pouring out of her mouth, "Reed got rolled, but it may not have been from Kings and Shadows, which is just confusing. Mac doesn't want me to come, and I hope Reed didn't get beat up because someone saw him talking to me on campus!" Gus took a big swallow, Flack followed suit and studied her and the situation.

"Probably not, if it had anything to do with you, Mac would have had you come down to the scene. You don't have to be responsible for everything bad in the world, ya know."

"I know, I am not saying I am, but Reed was really jumpy when I talked to him, and maybe someone saw him talking to a cop and..." Gus trailed off and shrugged.

"Well good thing you don't really look like a cop," Flack said, catching her in a kiss on her wrinkled forehead, "if anyone saw, they probably thought he was having a fight with his girlfriend. Now what time to you have to meet Mac?"

"0700," Gus said, draining her glass.

"Then catch some sleep and worry about it in the morning," Flack stated, setting her glass on the nightstand and pulling the covers up over them.

"You're right, as usual," Gus huffed.

"Goodnight, sunshine," Flack said, dropping her a quick kiss before rolling over.

Gus walked in to the lab first thing, not shocked to see Adam, Sheldon and Mac already there are sorting through evidence. Mac was holding a piece of film up to a lamp light, Gus caught him saying, "the stain is radioactive." She walked over, nodded at the trio and studied the piece of film.

"So what is it?" Sheldon asked.

Adam replied, "Scorpion venom. And the reason it is radioactive is that it because it is tagged with Iodine 131."

Sheldon bursting out with, "a synthetic compound used to treat brain tumors in cancer research."

Mac looked at Sheldon and Gus, "And who do we know that is in that world?"

"Eddie Williams," Sheldon and Gus both replied.

"But Eddie isn't a member of Kings and Shadows," Sheldon said.

"Which is surprising considering his father is chief of surgery," Gus added. "So what was he doing in the hedge maze?" Mac asked.

Sheldon and Gus looked at each other and shrugged, "I don't know, but I would love to hear what he has to say," Gus grumbled, dialing Flack's number, "hey, blue eyes, consider this your wake up call," she said as Flack croaked a hello on his end.

"How did you get here so fast from Queens?" Mac asked as Flack came strolling in, whistling shortly after Gus called him. Gus felt the color rise in her cheeks as Mac shot his eyes over to her. Mac studied Gus and then looked back to Flack who was standing nonchalant with a trademark smirk on his face, waiting to be informed of what was going on.

"Gussie!" Mac growled at her as he stepped around her to brief Flack.

"What?" she asked innocently, following after them. Mac didn't respond, filling Flack in on his belief that Eddie had killed his roommate instead of helping him, like Brian had asked, not wanting to be exposed in Reed's article. Gus gave Mac a petulant look when he told her to just observe, but didn't push the point.

"So what is his motive? Is it just some newspaper story?" Flack asked, shaking his head, not believing it could be as simple as that, but having known he had seen people killed over less over the years.

"What do you think, Gus?" Mac quizzed her.

Gus chewed on her lip thinking how Brian had been helping Eddie, who would have needed him around except... "Grief policy! The university must have one, with his roommate killed, Eddie could go squirt some tears at his academic advisor and pull a free 4.0, just what he would need to get into med school".

Very nice," Flack said, with a grin.

"Exactly what I was thinking," Mac replied stoically.

"Am I still just observing?" Gus asked. Mac gave her a 'don't push it' look and opened the door and gestured Flack inside.

Gus had to hold back a snort as Eddie exclaimed, "you really thing I killed Brian?"

Oh please honey child, she thought, you would do anything to follow in daddy's footsteps. She really lost it at Flack's reply of, " I know it's crazy! Detective Taylor and I were looking at each other scratching our head's thinking Eddie has no reason to stick a blade in his roommate." Flack certainly seemed in a better mood today, Gus mused, thank god.

Mac started whipping out the evidence, knowing he had Eddie under his thumb, he leaned back in his chair saying, "Dad's going to be very disappointed." Gus shook with silent laughter.

"It is kind of sick to be so amused, sunshine," Flack said, coming out of the room and catching her wiping her eyes and chortling.

"Sorry, but it was funny, now let's get working on the paperwork."

The next morning, Flack and Gus were being overly flirtatious outside the canteen in the lab, Flack caught sight of Mac coming and gestured to Gus, who jumped away.

Mac came down the hallway, clearing his throat, "Gus can you get a warrant rolling on this? All the evidence is lined up and I assume you have your paperwork done," he asked, case file in hand.

Gus nodded looked at the clock, and her face fell, "Er yeah, Mac, but..." she looked at him with wide eyes.

"What is it?" Mac asked her, knowing she would already be tracking down a judge if it wasn't something serious.

"I was going to, um..." she looked down at her feet, "Reed called, he wanted me to come to Brian's funeral with him." Gus looked up sheepishly, not knowing if Reed had also called Mac.

"Right, it is today. Flack can you handle this then?"

"Sure thing, boss. Will you be back for afternoon staffing, Gus?"

"Should be," she said, walking off to gather her jacket. She dropped her badge and holster in her tote and was walking out when Mac asked if she wanted a ride. "Guess so," she said, climbing in.

Mac was silent until right before they got to the church, obviously Reed had called and given him the details as well.

"Reed seems to be opening up," Gus said at the same time Mac asked, "Flack isn't living with you is he?"

"I thought we agree you were gonna lay off me, us, for a while?" Gus grumbled at him.

"It was merely a question."

"The answer is no, he is not, but yes he does stay over sometimes. Last time I checked, I was an adult as is he and neither of us have curfews."

"I still think you are playing with fire," Mac said quietly, getting out of the truck.

"Have you ever considered why this is such a touchy issue for you, Mac?" Gus asked, trying to keep her voice down as they walked into the church.

Mac didn't answer, moving to stand near the back. Gus shot him a glare, found Reed in the crowd and went to sit next to him.

"Thanks," Reed croaked as Gus slid in beside him.

"No problem, I think this is part of those family obligations I keep hearing about," Gus said, handing him a fresh pack of tissues.

At the end of the ceremony Reed looked at her, eyes still red and filled with tears, Gus could feel her heart breaking just like it had so many times in her life. "Can you come to the cemetery with me?"

"Of course, sugar, though I need to tell Mac."

"He came?" Reed looked up with his big puppy dog eyes filled with wonder.

"Yeah, he stood at the back" Gus gestured.

"I'm gonna go say hi."

"I'll meet you out front."

Gus stood back as Reed talked to Mac, feeling further crushed when Reed asked about where Claire was buried.

He had never asked and she didn't have the heart to tell him her body had never been found. Reed walked off, with a sullen nod back towards Gus.

Mac slowly turned around, giving a wistful look to Gus hugging Reed, caught her eye, nodded and walked back to the vehicle. This was all so much harder than he thought, Reed finding them, Gus being here, working with him...

"You didn't tell me," Reed said sniffling.

"I know, I'm sorry, I couldn't...you didn't ask," Gus fought back her own tears.

"I get that, it just sucks, you know. I had all these expectations and they keep getting dashed!" Reed shook his head with sad disgust, "being an adult really sucks, ya know."

"I know, kid, believe me, I know" Gus said, looping her arm through his, "you still want to go to the cemetery?"

Reed just nodded, as Gus flagged down a cab to take them there.

Gus took Reed to lunch, stifling the urge to buy them both about ten rounds of drinks and flew in to the precinct just in time for the afternoon staff meeting for the precinct.

The meeting was the usual boring round up of crime numbers and arrest numbers and percentages and political bull. Gus felt her eyes glazing over, but forced herself to pay attention so Flack couldn't make fun of her. Shifts for the next month were handed out, not like they mattered to homicide, but it was nice to know what you were supposed to be working on the off chance you had a slow week.

"Broussard, you get to stay here," the captain said as the other detectives were filing out.

Gus groaned wondering what now. "This better not be another undercover assignment!" Gus muttered.

"Even better Broussard, there's a deputy looking for you so you can get served on said case."

"Whoo hoo!" Gus snarked, not watching where she was going before she entered the pit. She stumbled on the last stair and went sailing, ending in a heap at the deputy's feet. "Detective Broussard?"

"Yep," she answered lifting out her hand above her head.

"You've been served, have a nice day."

"Yeah, you too," she said falling back on the ground.

"That's a good look for you, Broussard."

"Bite me Thatcher" Gus said closing her eyes and willing the ground to swallow her.

Chapter 90: Served

Flack walked into the pit, giving Gus a look she didn't notice as she was too busy buried in the paperwork of he subpoena, cursing under her breath. "three days, they are giving me three days warning for a trial that is probably going to take forever. They have been sitting on this damn thing for as long as possible. Freaking Feds, I cannot even believe it!"

"They are the Feds, sunshine, they do what they want."

"Whatever, look, I gotta go see Mac about this, but we'll catch up later, I'll cook you dinner."

Mac wasn't in his office, wasn't in any of the main labs, wasn't in the canteen. Grumbling and not knowing how to proceed with having testify in the undercover federal case she didn't want any part, Gus called him.

"I'm in the ME's office," Mac said, short when answering his phone.

"Of course," Gus said, trying to not snap at him for having a life. "Mac, I just don't know what to do about this damn case and I have to be at court in three days for god knows how long."

"You'll be fine," Mac said, only half paying attention.

Gus couldn't believe that was Mac's response, obviously he had other things going on and she could bet they had something to do with a certain British doctor. "I'm not so sure about that, hence why I was coming to you. I sort of feel like I am being fed to the wolves or set up or something here, Mac."

"It will sort itself out, look I need to let you go", Mac said, catching the warning and demanding look from Peyton; they had dinner reservations, and she while she understood the demands of work, she hated changing plans unless they were absolutely necessary.

"Fine, bye then, if you have a chance maybe we can talk?" Gus was trying to not sound needy or hurt, but she was a little both. She rarely reached out for help from him and she certainly was not used to him not giving it, though she guessed she had to learn how to share, she just wondered if Peyton had gotten the same memo.

Stella caught Gus in the hallway as she was angrily pacing back and forth. "Hey, rough day? I heard about Reed and his friend."

Gus stopped pacing and looked at Stella, happy to see her friend, it felt like some distance had grown between them lately, given Stella's stance against partner relationships. "Yeah, it was a rough one and then I got this lovely summons. How about you, I heard you had an interesting shoplifting case?"

"Yeah, we did, I should have called you in, she was a DV vic for the longest time, I think she could use some counseling to say the least. But I knew you were busy and..." Stella hesitated.

Gus looked at Stella's eyes, which seemed to be flickering with pain. "How was the case for you?" she asked.

Stella took a deep breath, "harder than I would have liked. I guess some things you just can't let go of."

"You're a survivor Stel, not a victim, remember that," Gus stood there, her hands full of files, unsure of what to say next.

Stella broke the silence first, "I'm sorry if I have been neglecting you Gus. I've been worried about Lindsay and I know you had something going on but I didn't want to pry," Stella rushed the words out, her curls bouncing with emphasis.

"I'm sorry too, Stella. I feel like I have withdrawn recently and there was some stuff, but there is always stuff."

Both women smiled at each other, the distance narrowing. "So what all do you have there?" Stella asked gesturing to Gus' full arms.

"All my notes and files on the UC case I did, plus some research I had done. I have to be in court in three days and I don't know what they are going to ask me or what I should say," Gus juggled the folders.

"Why don't you bring this stuff into my office and we can look through it?" Stella said, taking some of the burden from her.

"That would be great, if you are sure you have the time. I was trying to get Mac to help, but he was otherwise indisposed." Gus finished the last word, it feeling sour on her tongue, she grimaced unconsciously.

"Peyton?" Stella asked, the weight of the name conveying something much deeper. Gus just nodded, Stella returned a wistful glance, "I guess he had to get a life some time," she said, trying to add a smile to the end. Gus snorted and followed Stella into her office.

"So what are you worried about, I imagine you are no stranger to a courtroom," Stella asked, sitting on the edge of her desk.

"I know, I have testified a million times. But this seems different, like I am under attack or something. They held on to the summons forever, which was unnecessary, and the only feedback I had gotten on the case was that it was going to settle out of court and now this," Gus shrugged, sitting in a chair facing the desk.

"Is there something going on that isn't in these files?" Stella questioned.

"Not anything specific. Just a gut feeling. I have the idea that the owner of the brothel was better connected than anyone thought, I also have a feeling that a lot of people that used its services thought they were above the law."

"Or the law itself?" Stella interjected reading between the lines.

"Pretty much. I know I am going to get put up there for the mere test of my loyalties. It is all a political game, but it feels like a mine field," Gus blew her hair out of her face, and then started twirling it around her finger.

"Probably a good thing Mac was busy, he would have told you to tell everything."

"Probably so, I know he doesn't play the political game at all," Gus shrugged, "but it was something I got used to. It seems all New Orleans is is one big political game."

"Well then you are most likely better at the game than anyone you are going to face in the courtroom. You'll be fine."

"That's what Mac said, but at least you listened to me first," Gus pulled a wry smile.

"You want to go grab some dinner?" Stella asked, patting Gus on the arm.

Gus lit up, "that would be great," then her face fell, "but I can't."

Stella noticed she looked like she was wrestling with something. "What? Hot date?"

"Er um...Flack is supposed to meet me at my place so I can cook dinner," Gus tried to not trip over the words, but she could feel her self flushing.

Stella sat in the chair next to Gus and turned it towards her, "look, let's pretend I am not your superior right now and have a little girl talk. Don can wait, he won't wait in the cold, he's a smart guy."

"Well no, he wouldn't he would let himself in," Gus' eyes grew wide realizing what she had just given away.

"So I take it you too are together together and have worked through whatever was going on between you two?" Stella was torn between concern and bemusement.

"You could say that, I think...I hope," Gus sounded so concerned that Stella wanted to wrap her in a hug.

"What's going on, Gus?"

"I don't know, I am so worried about screwing things up with him or screwing things up with other people and I am just really really laughably bad a relationships," Gus could feel her muscles tensing.

Stella doubted that was the truth, but didn't doubt Gus' belief. She decided to let her off the hook for the evening, "look, I am certain you will figure out as you go along. Flack's a patient guy who seems to be pretty taken with you. Why don't you head home and try to forget about work and being cops. But I expect you out for drinks some time very soon and I want the full story!"

"Deal," Gus said, gathering her files up and then stopping to give Stella a hug. "Thanks," she said before walking out, leaving Stella to chuckle quietly to herself.

Gus stopped by the market on the way home, determined to cook a real meal, having subsisted on far too much take out recently. Thank god she had still been hitting the gym and had also been working out calories in the bedroom, otherwise she would feel like a blimp right about now.

She finished at the market and headed home to start cooking, feeling oddly fine with being domestic. Taking care to set the dining room table, after she uncovered it from all the junk that had collected. Gus stepped back to surveyed the candles flickering away and was determined that the evening was going to be better than her day had been.

Gus was happily cooking away in the kitchen, music filling the apartment, when Flack came in. She didn't notice the door shut, due to the slamming of the oven door at the same time.

Flack froze in his tracks upon setting foot into Gus' place. Somehow, in the brief time she had been here, she had managed to transform the dining room from its ordinary everyday status as an intermediary place to dump everything to a cozy yet romantic oasis.

Flack sniffed at the air, reveling in the scents wafting from the kitchen. A slow smile spread across his face as he heard her humming along to the music playing on the stereo. Flack crept to the kitchen door, peering in at Gus stirring something at the stove, her hair curling in the heat the kitchen was emanating.

Without turning or stopping her stirring Gus spoke with a smile in her voice, "don't just stand there drooling, dawlin', grab an apron and help!"

Flack was more than happy to oblige, though he did swoop in to kiss her on the neck first.

Two days later, Gus was fretting over paperwork and files in preparation for the trial about to start the next day.

"You'll be fine," Flack said, trying to convince her to come to bed before he had to be on shift without her.

"Everyone keeps saying that, and I am trying damn hard to believe it!" Gus said, sorting through the time line of the case.

Flack responded by shoving files off of the coffee table and pulling her into his lap, "give it a rest, Gus, you aren't on trial, you are just a witness, not an attorney."

His words had a warning tone behind them, one that reminded Gus a little too much of Mac. She wiggled off his lap and picked the files back up with a huff, "but it is like I am on trial, as far as I know I am the only witness and this thing could blow up huge!"

Flack looked at her and realized she was narrowly focused on the trial, he sighed helping her to pick up a few loose papers, "look, I'm gonna be on crazy shifts the next coupla weeks while you are in court, I think I am gonna stay at home until you are done."

"Fine, whatever," Gus said brushing him off as she read through the transcript of her debriefings for the hundredth time.

"Gus"! Flack's voice was weighted such that she looked up at him and drew herself up to standing.

"Sorry," she replied, biting her lip in worry.

"Look, don't worry about this, just answer their questions in as few words as possible. And try to get some sleep, that's partially why I am going to stay at home, so I won't be waking you with my phone going off at all hours. Enjoy a normal schedule the next coupla weeks, would ya?" he lifted her chin up and gave her a sweet and gentle kiss, "I'll miss ya, sunshine, love you," he said, softly.

"You too, blue eyes," Gus replied giving Flack a quick hug before shoving him towards the door, before she gave in to the tears that were threatening at the corners of her eyes.

Chapter 91: Throw Me Something

Gus spent the next week subpoenaed and locked out of the courtroom but still on edge. She felt lost not being in the field, not knowing what was going on during the trial and feeling pretty isolated with Flack not at her place every night. Her saving graces were talking with Lindsay who was waiting to testify in Montana, and felt as much on pins and needles as she did and catching up with some old friends in New Orleans, particularly her old friend Billy, aka T-B, who was disgusted by the fact that she was planning on staying in New York during another Mardi Gras.

"Child, what do you think you are doing staying up in that big bad cold city for another Carnival? I could let you slide last year, so many people did not come, though it was the most poignant Mardi Gras ever, I cried like a little baby when they stopped Rex to toll the bells...but you have missed Carnival, Jazz Fest, and two Decadences, I cannot allow you to ignore your roots, cher, so you just need to get your luscious behind on the next plane down here," he drawled through the phone line.

"William Brooks, I am a officer of the law now, I cannot just go traipsing off to the bayou every time there is a party."

"Party, party, I know you did not just call the greatest free show on earth a 'party'. Who are you and what have you done with my Gus? You love Mardi Gras, you bleed purple, green, and gold. You make king cakes from scratch, you know every word to every Carnival song ever written, without you Zulu may as well cancel their coconut order!" he practically wailed through the phone.

"Billy, I love you and yes I do love New Orleans and Mardi Gras but I have to testify in a trial and cannot get away. No way, no how, otherwise I would be there in a New York minute, I swear on Marie Laveau's grave!" Gus could hear his pout clear as day, "stop pouting Tibs, or you will need Botox." He snorted in derision. "I swear, I will come visit you the next chance I get!"

"You better mean it this time, I don't care how hot New York's finest is, though god knows I wish you would send some of that hotness this way, the SWAT team has been looking a little long in the tooth lately. If you aren't charming them all yourself, that is?"

"Well actually..." Gus tried to hide the grin in her voice.

"What? Did you find someone, even being all butch cop?"

"Er, um sort of, he's a detective, he's kinda my partner."

"The tall one with the blue eyes and that devastating jawline in those pictures you sent me from that little Christmas soirée?"

"Um, yeah he and I are kinda..." Gus paused not wanting to say it out loud and still not knowing how to define it.

"Oh my good lord, are you in love?" Gus could feel herself blushing to the roots of her hair, but did not utter a sound. "You are, aren't you? Augusta Broussard, in love! I feel like I should put an ad out in the Times- Picayune or something. Well, not only do you have to come, but you have to bring this fine gentleman friend with you. Oh I could have so much fun with him..." the glee was clear in T-B's voice.

"You better watch it, I carry a gun now you know!" Gus protested "I am shocked you have not shot yourself yet," he joked back.

"Har. Look, I have to go, but do have a wonderful time without me. And send me some good throws and a Moonpie or maybe a Hubig's pie or maybe both."

"I suppose I can oblige, even though I really think you should just sneak on down here. New Orleans misses you. I miss you!" TB laughed before hanging up.

Gus hooked her phone back on her belt, leaning back on the hard wooden bench outside the courtroom, trying to ignore the stares of her fellow hall mates who were looking at her like she was an alien. "What else is new?" she sighed, hoping to get called soon so this damn case would be done and over with.

The next day, Gus was fighting with the vending machine trying to acquire a coke, having given up on the disgusting swill masquerading as coffee when she heard a laugh behind her. She gave the machine one more kick, cursing as she noticed the hole forming in her pantyhose.

"Wow and I thought I was having a bad day," a male voice said, still with laughter in it.

Gus turned to see who was laughing at her and met eyes with what could only be an attorney. Gus rolled her eyes, "Pu-lease, honey, if this damn machine doesn't spit out caffeine for me soon, someone is going to get hurt".

"Well let me see if I can have better luck, we wouldn't want anyone getting hurt," the sandy haired male said moving in far too close to Gus for her liking.

Instead of giving the machine a quick kick or punch as Flack or Danny would have done or trying to figure out the mechanism like Mac, Sheldon or Adam would have done, the slick lawyer just slid in another crisp dollar and pushed a button freeing two cans of coke. He handed Gus one and said, "this should prevent grievous bodily harm, I hope."

"Maybe, but I don't do diet coke," Gus replied, handing him back the can, "thanks anyway."

"Funny, I thought all women did," he retorted switching cans, a self-assured smile playing across his face.

Gus fought the urge to gag, why was it all attorneys seemed to suffer from personality disorders? She had known about three she hadn't wanted to smack and this one was definitely climbing to the top of the smack list.

"Baby it is bad enough that y'all are trying to pass off this as real coke, there is no way I would force myself to drink anything that tasted way worse instead of a couple of extra minutes in the gym," Gus said, popping open the tab on her drink and taking a long drink.

"I like that, you've got spunk. Mark Muller, nice to meet you," he stuck out his hand, Gus felt obligated to shake it, even if she shuddered as she did so.

"Augusta Broussard," she said, not smiling.

Mark didn't seem to notice, "so what are you doing stuck here, get booked with assault on other innocent machinery? I could help you work out a plea deal if you want, I tend to think I am pretty good attorney."

Gus did another eye roll, "nah, just a run of the mill subpoena for a case at work."

"What kind of work do you do that a subpoena is run of the mill? You don't look like a lawyer." Gus barely hid her snort, "nope. Psychologist turned cop".

"Don't look like a cop either, shrink I might buy," Mark still hadn't stepped back, and looked ready to pounce. Gus couldn't move back as she was up against the vending machine and now someone was at the machine next to her. "You don't have any cop gear on you, too bad, I find handcuffs pretty sexy on a woman."

"Didn't think I needed it, but I guess I was wrong," Gus sneered. Mark either ignored it or was enjoying it, Gus couldn't tell which. "Well, gotta go Mark, got a bench with my name on it to sit on until they finally decide to call me up," Gus said, ducking under his arm that had been placed near her head.

"Hey wait, you can't leave so quick, I just bought you a drink" Mark quipped, catching the sleeve of Gus' suit jacket.

Gus swung around staring the man down, trying to ignore the buzzing in her ears and a memory of a day in the halls of Orleans Parish court and a fight with her no good ex-fiancée. "Um, actually you didn't," Gus said jerking away and storming down the hall, her heels clacking angrily against the marble.

Not one to be shot down by any female, Mark Muller took easy but long strides in her wake, figuring she was one of those play hard to get types. "Slow down there girl, before you snap a heel off," he called to Gus' back.

Gus would have kept going, but she was at back at her courtroom. She spun on her heel and crossed her arms, tapping a foot.

Mark took a slow leer up and down the woman in front of him, black skirt suit nipped at the waist, glasses not hiding big green eyes, hair pulled into a messy bun, she was a total wet-dream librarian and Mark has already discovered this kitten had claws, and he had to say he liked it.

"Look, you are right, I didn't buy you a drink, but I would love to," he said, a business card appearing like magic in his hand and into Gus' before she had time to react.

Gus didn't even glance at the card, betting he had spent hours perfecting that little trick. "I don't think that is going to happen," Gus said steadily and steely.

"Never say never, right? Just keep the card there, kitten," Mark said tapping Gus' hand. Gus did not reply. "Well, luckily this is my stop. See ya' around," Mark said, disappearing into the very courtroom Gus had been sitting outside of for the past week.

"You are freaking kidding me!" Gus muttered to herself in disbelief, taking a careful look at his card and realizing Mark was some junior associate for the very high priced defense firm George had hired to bail him out of the brothel mess.

"I wonder if that counts as witness tampering," Gus said, throwing her can in the nearest trash can with more force than necessary, resulting in spraying herself with the left over drink. "Great, just great," she grumbled, wiping the sticky substance off her blouse and storming off to the restroom.

Gus dialed Stella, begging her for a drink that night. "Would love to, Gus, but I am working tonight. Mac finagled the night off, to spend with Peyton I assume. Very un-Mac like though if you ask me, didn't think he was into such things".

"What? What things?" Gus said half-listening, trying to blot the coke stains out of silk in the restroom.

"You know the whole hearts and flowers crap. I am going to assume that a certain detective must be working tonight as well, hence why you are wanting a girl's night."

"Stella, apparently I have grown stupid in the part week, I am a little confused, must be all the attorney's hot air," Gus sighed into her phone.

"Hon, it's Valentine's Day, you know the disgustingly saccharine made up holiday."

"Oh god, is it?"

"Yes, it is, February 14th, same day every year. I take it you aren't the hearts and flowers type either?"

Gus grimaced at herself in the mirror, "no, and I doubt you are either, that's why I like you. Please tell me Flack isn't!" Gus pleaded sticking out her tongue to her reflection.

Stella snickered, "you never know with Flack. How about tomorrow night, I am supposed to just be on call unless I catch a case. Meet me at Blue Moon's at say 7?"

"Works for me. Good luck tonight!"

"Thanks. Try to not have too much fun hanging around the courthouse!"

"I won't, no fears there. Bye Stella," Gus hung up and leaned against the cold mirror. How did she miss it was Valentine's Day? Besides the fact that it wasn't a big deal in New Orleans, other than maybe some heart shaped beads thrown if there happened to be a Carnival parade on that night. She hadn't spoken to Flack much the past week, seeing as he was going in to work about the time she was done going stir-crazy at court and she had been guiltily enjoying having her place all to herself, not that she didn't like having him around, but a girl needed her space.

Gus prayed she hadn't forgotten some horrifically romantic plans she was supposed to partake in, but surely she would have made a note of them...right? Shaking her head and hoping for the best, she flounced back to the bench that she was pretty sure now bore a permanent imprint of her ass.

Chapter 92: Friendly Chat

The next evening, Gus sat at the bar of the Blue Moon waiting on Stella. She knew from her text messages back and forth with Flack that they had caught a case, but it seemed to be stalling, so Stella would most likely need a margarita or two. She had also learned that despite his sudden romantic tendencies that Mac had ended up working as well and that Danny had learned of his relationship with Peyton and was none to pleased to discover he was the last to know.

"I am missing all the good stuff, I tell you, Juan," Gus said to the elderly bartender, trying to not suck down her drink before Stella got there.

"You three women amuse me, with your thoughts on the 'good stuff'. Other women they come in here and talk about shoes and purses and hating men. You come in here with dead bodies and blood and well...still the hating men, but usually for much better reasons," the bartender laughed, setting a basket of tortilla chips in front of her.

"Takes all kinds, I suppose," Gus said laughing back, digging into the hottest salsa.

"Where is the little one, with the sad brown eyes? I have not seen her in a while. In fact I have not seen much of any of you."

Gus shrugged, "Lindsay, she's in Montana, old case. And me, I guess life's been busy!"

"Too busy for my famous margaritas, that is very busy indeed. I was beginning to think you found some hot Latin thing at one of the new trendy places and had replaced poor old Juan."

Gus leaned over to pat the man on the cheek, "bless your heart, Juan, there is no replacing you or your margaritas." Gus looked at the clock, sighed and took a big drink, Stella was now very late.

Gus finished her drink, slow as she could, still holding out hope that Stella would show. She tried calling her, but the line kept going straight to voice mail. Finally she called Flack, hoping he would have some clue.

"'Lo," came a barely slurred voice, no one else would have even noticed it.

"Tell me you didn't steal my drinks date, blue eyes!" Gus snickered at Flack.

"Wha'? You had a date with Hawkes, he didn't say anything," Gus heard Flack turn away, "Hawkes, did you stand Gus up? Bad move!" She didn't catch a response.

"Not Sheldon, Stella!" Gus cried.

"Stel? Nah, she took off with her panties in a bunch after Hawkes tried to look at a cut on her face."

"Cut on her face? What happened?" Gus questioned, feeling even more left out now.

"Mac solved our case, I think he used one of your tricks."

"Tricks?" Gus paused, trying to keep up, looked at the bartender and hissed, "Juan, how much tequila did you put in here?" The bartender just gave her a serene grin.

"Apparently our killer was the sister of the guy who was killed but it was about money, it was because she was a little woo hoo," Flack made a whistling noise and Sheldon laughed at his 'crazy' gesture.

"Woo hoo? Is that a technical term? I missed that in the procedure manuals," Gus dripped with playful sarcasm.

"Stop it," Flack growled at her in a way that made her go weak in the knees and funny in the stomach and made her once again question the proof of her drink.

"So y'all have no clue where Stella is?"

"Nope, can't say I do. Though she's be acting all funny the past two days, thought it might have something to do with the big V, but I don't think so. Speaking of which, I didn't screw something up there did I? 'Cause I had to work and there was no getting out of it, but Casanova over here seems to think you might have appreciated some grand romantic gesture."

Gus pulled a face, "God no, I was worried I had missed something. Tell Shel, wait don't tell Sheldon anything, what are we broadcasting us now?"

Gus voice was a little strangled, Flack felt the hairs stand up on the back of his neck. "Sunshine, I ain't broadcasting anything, but sometimes you can be read like a book and Hawkes brought it up, not me!"

Gus took a deep breath, "sorry, I guess I am on edge, it's been a week, I still haven't been called up and yesterday an attorney for the defense tried to pick me up."

"Did he know you were a witness?" Flack said, suddenly feeling more alert.

"Maybe not at first, until I introduced myself, but I would hope if he is worth the inflated price tag he is getting that he has some clue of the witness list. But then again maybe he is so low on the totem pull he is really just a paper runner and is just supposed to sit there and look intimidating, though in fact he really looked far more like attorney Ken doll."

Gus felt the words pour out of her in a gush and suddenly realized how much she had missed having Flack by her side everyday. Romantic or not, Flack was firmly ingrained as her partner and she was used to being able to bounce things off of him.

Flack had felt the same thing himself earlier, standing by the observation mirror why Mac was going in for the kill and had to ask Hawkes to explain things to him like he was five. Had Gus been there she would have most likely picked up on the possibility of the woman's condition earlier and would have gone into detail about it without making him feel stupid. He loved that about her, how she could get on anyone's level without making them feel less then. The team did try always to include him, but sometimes they spoke their own language and he felt like he needed a translator.

"Attorney Ken doll, huh? Do I have to beat the boys off you with a stick, Broussard?" Flack joked through the phone line, but feeling the fist of jealously clench in his stomach.

"No worries there, blue eyes, you know I can handle myself," Gus smirked, sensing Flack might be a little jealous and finding it oddly endearing. "I think I am going to ring off and see if I can find Stella, seeing as I have been stood up!" Gus tried to keep her tone light, but in reality she was worried about her comrade, as this was very out of character for her.

"Let me know if you need any help. Or if maybe you want to, I dunno, get together or something," Flack was trying to remain nonchalant, but could tell by the snort Hawkes had given him that he as doing a poor job of it. Obviously the former ME had been spending too much time with Messer.

"Detective, are you missing me?" Gus said, chewing on her lip and trying to contain her grin.

"Hey you got a nice place and it is close to work, that's all," Flack said, trying to maintain the slightest semblance of his tough guy act.

It was Gus' turn to snort, "yeah right, my place, that's what you are missing. Am I too assume that since I haven't been there to do all the paperwork that you are most likely working all weekend?"

"I think I have Sunday off, but..." Flack trailed off... "I'm taking the kids from the center to play hockey with Danny," Flack volunteered "and then we were going to hang out and then I was probably-"

Gus cut him off "I don't need your itinerary, blue eyes, I swear. Have fun and hopefully this stinking trial or at least my part of it will be over soon and we can get back to...well as normal as we can be."

Flack took a deep breath, letting Gus' words sink and evaluating their genuineness, "I hope so. Look, I can do without sleep, why don't we catch breakfast on Sunday morning before I have to meet the kids?"

"Hey now buddy, part of the reason you haven't been staying over is so I can sleep, so I am not letting you go without it," Gus said, not wanting him to go any more sleep deprived than he was usually when working cases, but also wanting nothing more in the world to just see him for the briefest of times.

"You sure?" he wasn't sure if this was a trap.

Gus sighed and smiled, "yeah babe, I'm sure. I love you."

"You too, sunshine."

Gus tried Stella several more times and finally gave up calling and found herself knocking on Stella's door. Her friend answered only after she banged persistently. Disheveled and clad in a huge, fuzzy robe, Stella swung the door open and stared vacantly at Gus, but did not make movement to let the younger woman in.

"Stel, what's going on, you stood me up!" Gus said studying her normally all together colleague, had Stella been crying?

"Just a bad day, sorry, I forgot about meeting you, I should have called," Stella said, still not moving back or making any allusions to hospitality.

"You wanna talk about it?" Gus asked, quietly, trying to not let too much concern sound in her voice, knowing it would cause Stella to shut down.

"Not tonight, I just really want to be alone," Stella replied, her body tense and standoffish.

Gus nodded, knowing the space Stella in was not a good one, one she had been in too many times herself, but also knowing how much she hated when people tried to push their way in. "Maybe this weekend then?" Gus asked, not wanting to pressure the other woman.

Stella just gave a small shrug, "Yeah, maybe so." Gus turned to leave when Stella called out, "Wait, Gus, I'm just...in a bad space right now. You know, hormones or something. Maybe we can go shopping this weekend?"

Gus turned back, plastered a hopefully not too fake smile on her face, she had been hoping for something for substantive. "That sounds great! Saturday?"

"Sure, see you then?"

"Yep, night Stel, call me if you wanna," Gus turned out and walked quickly away, but dreading going back home alone.

Court recessed early on Friday, something that did not shock Gus in the least, nor had she been called, something else that did not surprise her in the least. What did come as a shock to her was the call she received on Friday afternoon from Deputy Commissioner Brown.

"Er, hello, sir, how can I help you?" Gus fought getting tongue tied, trying to imagine why such a high level of administration would be calling her, and figuring there was no way it could be good.

"Detective Broussard, I was just calling to see how you are doing, wondering if you are missing the field yet?"

"Um yes, I believe I am, Commissioner."

"Well you never know how long these pesky trials can go, do you?" the man's voice was deep, and only a hair away from foreboding.

Gus felt her hackles rise, "No, no you don't."

"I assume you haven't been called to testify yet?"

"No, sir not yet, just a lot of waiting."

"And you are prepared for the stand? Ready to make the department look good?" While phrased as questions, Gus had the feeling they were anything but, so she remain silent. "How long have you been out in the field, Detective, you were originally hired on as staff psych, correct?"

"Yes, sir, I was, but it was decided that my talents were better utilized in the field."

"Rather unorthodox, isn't it? Though I've heard that you may be unorthodox in a number of ways."

"I am not sure what you have heard sir, but I do believe I do a damn good job as a cop and I try to play by the rules," Gus tried to not snap at her superior, but she desperately wanted him to get to his point.

"No doubt you are, your collar rate is impressive, I must say. And your evaluations are all impeccable. The only mar on your record at all is that unfortunate incident involving a civilian after that bombing last year and several accident reports."

Gus groaned, she had hoped the ghost of her punching Mr. Smith would not come back to haunt her, but she was curious as to why it was now.

"Not to worry detective, have to say I was a bit of a hothead back in the day myself, just don't usually see such aggression in beautiful young females. Of course we don't have that many of you on the force so..."

"Sir, not to be rude, but is there something I can assist you with?" Gus felt her patience running out and her eyebrow starting to twitch.

Commissioner Brown gave a chuckle, "straight to the point aren't you? I was just checking in, wanted to make sure everything was going well for you, that the attorneys weren't giving you too hard of a time. But I am sure you will be fine, given your background I know you can handle...let's call them delicate situations with the proper finesse."

"There is nothing to finesse, sir, I really only have minimal knowledge of the situation. I can only testify to my observances," Gus said each word through clenched teeth.

"But you are very observant, aren't you Detective, hazard of the job I suppose," the man still sounded jovial, a chuckle in his voice, but an undercurrent of warning.

"There are many hazard to the job, sir, but I don't think being observant is one of them," Gus tried to lighten her tone, giving a half-hearted chuckle at the end.

"I just want to make sure you don't get pushed around, don't say things you don't really mean. While I am sure you can take care of yourself, I just wanted to let you know there are people looking out for you, higher up."

Gus leaned her head into her hand, she wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a threat.

"Brass has their eye on you. And your partner..." he gave a pause, Gus blew her hair out of her face. "Two legacies, rising star partners, could almost be a television show. Though if it was they would probably have you sleeping together by now."

Gus turned the phone away to take a sharp intake of breath without him hearing. "Sir?" she interjected again.

"Right, right, sorry about that. Just wanted to make sure you are on the right track for your career, make yourself look good, make the department look good, make your partner look good and so on."

Gus could feel some things clicking into place, her instincts of who just might have been clientele of the brothel and then this 'friendly' little chat…

"I do thank you so kindly for your concern, sir," Gus drawled it out in a low purr, hating herself once again, "but you don't have to worry about li'l ol' me. I was just a pretty face in the right place at the wrong time, I suppose," she giggled, trying to not gag herself.

The Commissioner leaned back in his desk, a grin spreading across his face. He had been concerned that the young detective might try to stick her nose into places it didn't belong and end up in a world of trouble if she landed a lot of very important people in some very hot water. Now he was sure she either didn't know anything or if she did, she was going to keep it to herself. Of course based on what he knew about the way things worked in New Orleans, he wasn't surprised she was smart enough to keep her mouth shut.

"I am glad to hear that Miss Broussard. If you need anything, be sure to give my office a call, I'll have Audrey make a note to actually put you through. Take care, and give my best to your partner. His pops and I used to be pals back in the day."

Gus gulped and tittered out, "Sure thing, thank you so much for checking in on me, y'all sure do know how to make a girl feel part of a team." Gus hung up the phone and tried to not hurl it or her stomach contents.

Commissioner Brown hung up the phone and beckoned his sweet young secretary over for a quickie before he had to meet his wife for dinner. George always did have the best goods in his stable, too bad he was going down.