After all, well, isn't this
Just a momentary thing
It's not like it's permanent
Or any heavy thing

- Momentary Thing by Something Happens

Cully didn't expect that Gavin's lips would feel so soft when she kissed him.

It wasn't planned or anything. He was being the usual charming self. Who would've thought that he'd entertained a crowd of people at a party with musical spoons? He was full of surprises and such a dork. When his hand touched her shoulder to guide her outside after the party was over, she tried not to shiver.

They both were friends – well, more of acquaintances. He was her dad's detective sergeant. She met the young sergeant when she was only 19 years old. He must've been only 24 years old at the time, and according to her dad, one of the youngest detective sergeants he'd ever met. Throughout the years, her family became very close to him.

They flirted a lot throughout the years.

And now, six years later during a moonlight stroll at a training ground in Mercy Park, watching him clumsily trying to climb jungle-gym ropes, gave her butterflies in her stomach. He wanted to show off his skill to her, that he could climb the ropes. She laughed when he got his foot tangled in the rope and it made him fall flat on his back. When she helped him up and brushed the dirt off his jacket, she saw he looked down at her with his gentle blue eyes. She quietly said, "You've proved one thing; you're no Tarzan..."

She didn't realize that she wanted to kiss him for a long time, but she also didn't realize that she stood at her tippy-toes, put her hand on his chest, and her lips met his.

For a split second, she thought she made a mistake because he didn't react. Maybe it was a mistake; kissing a handsome man who was older than her and also her father's subordinate. But then again, so what? Why she couldn't kiss him? She was an adult, she was sober, he wasn't exactly drunk…

Or maybe it was a mistake? He was after all a little bit tipsy. Did he consent to the kiss? Maybe she shouldn't kiss him!

Before Cully could stop the kiss, she felt his hand touched the back of her neck and he deepened the kiss. She could feel his tongue, and she could taste the champagne he had drunk before. She lost herself for a moment there…

Her brain caught up with her heart, and she realized that she needs to stop herself from being lost in the kiss. Cully pulled away from him, and it surprised him as he blinked from the euphoria. Her hand was still on his chest for a moment, like she didn't want to let him go. His hand however retracted to his side, like he was surprised that they stopped kissing.

She needed to neutralize the situation so she smiled and said, "Here, let me show you how it's done." She walked away from him to find more secure ropes and then started to climb, while he watched and smiled. Cully thought that Gavin had a nice smile.

The moment she saw the dead body was the moment she thought that it was a sign. Maybe it was a mistake to kiss Gavin. It wasn't the first time she saw a dead body or even saw someone being murdered right in front of her eyes. But the moment of happiness she experienced a few minutes ago vanished and she felt like someone threw a bucket of cold water at her head. Cully managed to hold her composure as she bit her lip so she wouldn't scream.

She calmly climbed down the rope and told Gavin that there was a dead body on top of the landing. He managed to turn serious and climbed the ropes fast to see the body. It seemed the poor victim was hanged. Everything after that was a blur as she walked away from the ropes and sat on the grass and tried to breathe. She could see Gavin made several phone calls via his mobile, and when he was done, he walked hurriedly towards her.

"Cully..." He crouched in front of her. "I called the unit, the forensic team, and your dad. They are coming as soon as possible." Gavin touched her shoulder carefully. When she didn't flinch, he sat next to her on the grass but still maintain contact. "Are you okay?" He murmured.

She shook her head. "No..." Gavin put his arm around her and pulled her closer. "That poor man..."

"It's Tony. He was at the party..." Cully closed her eyes and shook her head. "I'm sorry. It's my fault that I dragged you here."

"Gavin, you didn't know."

"Your dad is gonna be pissed."

Cully snorted. "Yes."

Gavin tightened his embrace as she shivered from the chilly weather. She was going to say that she saw something before they climbed the rope... before they kissed. But she decided against it and just let him wrapped his arm around her. It felt good and warm. She decided that she'd tell her dad about it later. Right now, she just wanted to sit on the grass with him. For several minutes they didn't say anything. Gavin still had his arm around her and he breathed evenly. He needed to be sober right now, especially waiting for the police squad to come. Cully watched his eyes droopy, fighting against sleepiness. After a while, he murmured. "What a night, huh?"

"Yeah..." Cully replied quietly. They heard the sirens from the distance and they sighed. "Should I stay?" Gavin stood up and helped her on her feet. When Cully was going to take a step back, he was still holding her hands.

"Cully, I -"

Cully cut him off. "I don't feel talking right now, Gavin. Not after..."

Gavin nodded. "Okay."

She looked down at their intertwined hands. "I just want to go home."

He closed his eyes briefly and then nodded. "Yeah." He looked up and saw several police cars approaching. "I will tell one of the uniforms to take you home."

"I'm not leaving my car here."

"I will take your car and bring it to your flat." He looked at her eyes. "It's for safety." She wanted to protest but he shook his head. "Your dad is going to have my head if nobody escorts you home." He then grimaced. "I can already hear what he's gonna say: 'What were you doing here, Troy? How could you, Troy? You are dead, Troy.'" Cully couldn't help but chuckle a bit, which made him smile. "There you go. You'll be fine." He kissed her on the cheek.

Cully gave him her car key and their hands touched briefly again which made him pause. He looked at her for a moment and then left her as he approached his colleagues who just arrived. He ordered everyone to secure the area and told a constable to take Cully home. Knowing that Cully was the daughter of the Detective Chief Inspector, the female constable nodded. Cully watched Gavin giving orders and greeted Dr. George Bullard.

The female constable greeted her. "Miss Barnaby. I'm instructed to bring you home."

Cully nodded and followed the constable to the police car. She glanced at Gavin who was still giving orders and instructions. She saw some of the officers climbed the ropes, approaching the victim. She looked away and climbed into the car.

Gavin thanked his lucky stars that one of the constables was able to get his clothes from the locker and brought them to the crime scene. There was no way he would face his boss with last night's clothes. The inspector also took his sweet time since he called him last night - it was already morning and Gavin managed to wash his face in the river. George rolled his eyes when he saw him tying his tie in a hurry but he didn't say anything.

When the birds were chirping and the sun was shining, Gavin saw his boss walked across the garden. His face was taut and Gavin knew that he was in trouble.

He was going to greet him but Barnaby already cut him off and signaled him to follow. Gavin's stomach rumbled; he hadn't had his breakfast, and he regretted that he had plenty of drinks. Judging from his boss' face, he could see that Barnaby also had a hangover. They walked towards the jungle gym where the body was found. "Did you see anyone else here last night?"

Gavin was familiar with Barnaby's interrogation tone and it made him nervous. "Er, no."

"Did you hear anyone?"

"Er..." Gavin hoped his nervousness didn't betray him, because there was no way he'd say that he kissed the boss' daughter last night. Now he understands how crooks feel whenever Barnaby interrogated them! The man was scary.

"Not happy, Troy."

"I know, sir." He felt defeated.

"Having to question you and my own daughter as possible witnesses makes me very unhappy!"

Gavin was ready to receive Barnaby's wrath, but luckily George interjected. "Looks like his body was dragged out of the stream and along here." He gave Gavin a knowing. Of course, he saw the sergeant kissed Cully's cheek in a more intimate manner.

Gavin frowned and looked up at the landing, "You saying he didn't hang himself?"

"That's right. You know what beats me is, why drown him and then string him up? You can't be killed twice, can you?" George sounded weary. "These were found in his pocket." He gave Barnaby an evidence bag. "They're in capsule form, so the water hadn't quite dissolved them."

"What are they?" Asked Barnaby as he inspected the content of the evidence bag.

"At first glance, the same antidepressant drug - tenzine." George nodded and then returned to his work.

Barnaby nodded back and then turned his attention to his detective sergeant. "This definitely has something to do with the clinic. Troy, do you have Cully's car key?"

"Yes, sir."

"Right. Give it to me." Barnaby extended his hand. "I'm going to her flat and bring the car."

"It's okay, sir. I promised to return the car."

Barnaby's hand was still extended as he looked at his sergeant sharp. "No. I will take the car. I need to ask some questions to my daughter."

"Sir..."

"I don't know what happened last night but I need to see her." Gavin opened his mouth but then closed it again. "I don't like the idea of my daughter finding a dead body with my detective sergeant while doing god knows what -"

"There was nothing going on, sir. We were just playing around..." Gavin trailed off as he didn't want to reveal that they kissed last night. "I was a bit tipsy." Barnaby raised his eyebrow but didn't say anything. His sergeant sighed and gave the car key to him. "I'm sober now."

"I need you to go home right, get some rest, and get some shower. After that, I will call you and we can meet up to interview some people." Barnaby gave Gavin his own car key. "Take my car. I will see you after lunch. Get sober, Troy." Without adding anything else, he walked away from the crime scene.

Gavin's shoulders slumped as he exhaled. He wanted to bring Cully's car and see her again... But alas, that won't happen. He walked into the car and passed George who muttered under his breath loud enough for him to hear what he said. "Troy, you're a Muppet."