Chapter 7 What's in a Name?

Oliver examined a package at his desk while Shane was working at her computer researching a letter. Rita had gone to pick up some mail from another department and Norman had gone to help when Rita had called saying it was twice the amount it normally was. Shane getting frustrated running into a couple dead ends remembered Norman had a book on uniforms that he'd acquired during another investigation. Heading into his area of the office she started looking for it.

"Ms. McInerney?"

"Yes Oliver."

"May I inquire as to what you are doing?"

"I'm looking for Norman's book he got on uniforms in federal agencies during the early 1900's."

Shocked Oliver was speechless for a moment, "Am I to assume that your beloved laptop failed in an endeavor."

"Shocking I know." Shane admitted grabbing a step ladder having seen the book was on a top shelf.

Getting up Oliver was not at all sure she was tall enough to reach it even with the step ladder, Oliver headed towards her.

"Ms. McInerney why don't you let…"

"Oliver I've got it." She said interrupting while stretching to reach the book. He made it over as she managed to grab the bottom of it to shift it slightly off the shelf. "Why would he put such a heavy book up top?" Shane questioned.

"I could have…"

"Oliver I'm perfectly capable of taking a book off of a shelf." Shane said slightly irritated. Right as she said it, she shifted the book into both hands. Heavier than expected she overcorrected her balance and fell off the step stool. Trying to catch her Oliver lost his balance and they both fell to the floor. Having lost her grip on the book it fell a few feet away while Shane landed on top of Oliver. At that exact moment Rita, Norman and Hazel entered with the mail.

"Oh my!" Hazel said with a grin.

Rita asked, "What's…"

With Norman finishing, "Going on?"

Oliver and Shane turned red as she said, "This is not what it looks like." All three that walked in were struggling to control huge grins. Shane tried to get up and Oliver winced. "I'm sorry Oliver."

Norman came over to help them up. Seeing the book on the floor and the space on the shelf he handed the book to Shane as she stood. "Was this the culprit?"

"Yes, I should have listened to Oliver and let him get it off the shelf. Are you ok?" Shane asked watching Oliver rotating his shoulder.

"I landed awkwardly on it. I'll be fine." Oliver said reassuring her. Everyone returned to work with Norman helping Shane find what she was looking for in the uniform book so they could send off the lost letter.

As they were leaving Shane noticed Oliver wincing as he was trying to put on his coat, "Oliver you're not fine. Let me drive you home. I'll take care of dinner; you can rest your shoulder with some ice."

"You don't have to do that, I'll be fine. It's just a little sore."

Rita chimed in, "Maybe you should take him to a doctor on the way home Shane?"

At that point he caved and thought dinner with his girlfriend and an ice pack was a decent plan. "I'm sure that's not needed. I'll rest and we can order something in."

Shane smiled at Rita mouthing 'Thank You' behind Oliver's back on the way out. Arriving at Oliver's house she ordered food for delivery on her phone, before instructing him to sit on the couch. Filling a Ziplock bag with ice and putting a towel around it she put it on his shoulder and handed him a book. "If I'm stuck on the couch, where are you going?" Oliver asked not quite sulking.

"Making you some tea while we wait for dinner." She responded kissing him on the forehead. "I really am sorry Oliver."

"It was an accident."

She found his tea and after boiling the water filled some cups. Noticing he had some Irish whiskey by his wine she grabbed the bottle adding a finger or two-ish into his teacup while finishing hers with copious amounts of sugar. Taking the cups over she sat it down on the table next to him while checking on the ice pack. Settling down next to him on the couch with her tea she commented, "I ordered from your favorite place."

"Thank you. It's really ok Shane my shoulder's not that bad." He told her as he took a sip of tea before sputtering. "What in the world did you put in the tea?"

Shane looked puzzled, "Your whiskey. That's how my Irish nana always made it after someone got hurt or was upset. I assumed since it was on your counter and with a name like O'Toole you were used to it that way."

"Evidently I'm a little further removed from my Irish roots than you are Shane." Oliver said chuckling. "Remember the O'Toole's have been here since the Pony Express times in the 1800s. Besides I'm not at all sure anymore that genetically I'm all that Irish. I occasionally have a bit of whisky with my dad." He said explaining why it was stocked.

"I'm sorry. I seem to be making a hash of taking care of you tonight after being the one to hurt you to begin with." Shane said upset. "I can make you another cup of tea." She said getting up.

He took her hand smiling, "It startled me because I wasn't expecting it. I'm fine drinking the one you made. Sit down Shane. Tell me about where the McInerney's hale from in Ireland. Evidently not that long ago." He said with a laugh.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," he said taking another sip to reassure her while patting the couch.

Sitting back down she answered, "My dad's mom was from County Clare area in western Ireland. She came to America when she was a girl. Even though my dad was never around much after the divorce we kept in touch with her. She died while I was in college."

"I'm sorry." Oliver said squeezing her hand he still held. "Were you ever able to go to Ireland to see where she was from?"

"In high school I was able to take a trip with our school debate team. We went to southern and western Ireland. I'd like to go back again sometime. It's a beautiful country."

"I've never been." Oliver commented.

The doorbell rang and Shane went to get the food. Taking it into the kitchen she asked, "Do you want to eat at the table or on the couch?"

"I'm fine at the table." Oliver answered getting up to move. Picking up the tea he grinned again thinking his dad will get a kick out of the story.

Sitting down to eat Shane asked, "Does the change in your family history bother you?"

"The change in family history doesn't fundamentally change who I've become. It's not even that it changed. It's not knowing what it changed to. By the time I found out about everything my mom and Harvey were gone, there's not anybody to ask anymore. I don't know if I'm explaining well." Oliver sighed.

"I get it after talking to Norman. Until he met his grandmother there was this big question mark. She started filling in some of the details on his mother's side, but he still doesn't really know anything about his father. I've always taken knowing my family history for granted until I met Norman. My dad's side was very Irish and my mom's mostly Swedish."

"That completely explains your coloring," Oliver smiled.

"I know. My best friend growing up was Italian and would get the most beautiful tan in the summer," Shane said wistfully. "Meanwhile the moment I stepped foot in the sun I'd burn to a crisp. My mom was always chasing after me with hats and sunscreen."

Oliver laughed imagining her mother chasing her down. "So, your stalwart determination comes from her?"

"She did teach us to go after anything we set our minds to try," Shane answered. "Although sometimes she regretted it when it didn't align with what she wanted," Shane said laughing.

As they finished, he stood to clean the table. "Nope you sit back on the couch with the ice pack. I've got this." Shane said. He rolled his eyes. "Humor me I still feel guilty for not listening to you."

"It's not your fault you're short Shane."

"I'm not that short just shorter than you." Shane said as she cleaned up. "Did you want some more tea?"

"Maybe more tea less Irish this time." Oliver said with a grin.

"No problem." Shane said laughing. She refilled his cup before sitting back down with him. They talked until it was time for her to leave. Walking to the door Shane told him, "I'll pick you up tomorrow morning."

When he leaned down to kiss her goodbye, she caught a hint of the whiskey. Laughing she said, "Ok maybe I did overdo it with the whiskey. I can smell it."

Oliver laughed kissing her anyway. "I'll see you tomorrow Shane." After waving her off, he went to call his dad to tell him about the Irish lass trying to get him drunk on tea.