Warning: I don't have a beta-reader (yeah that hasn't changed either) and as English is not my main language I'm bound to make mistakes. I hope it's not too bad and you'll bear with me.

If you don't like, don't read. Flames will probably be ignored; constructive critics and other reviews are always very welcome. Read and enjoy.

So here we are with chapter 11. The party is in full swing as people enjoy their time, some more than other obviously. After that we'll go back to a little smut if you're all still interested.

Edit: I corrected the chapter as it seems I kept writing Rochelle (the first name of the actress) instead of Nichelle.

Disclaimer: Don't own, just playing around so don't sue… Belongs to CBS Studios, Sony Pictures Television and many others.


"We have every right to create our own destiny, but none to interfere in someone else's." Martin Rubin. ;)


Annie and Nichelle sat on one of the benches nursing a cold glass of white wine. The men had deserted them to go play Frisbee toss with a group of children and by the look of it, they had more fun than the kids trying to score the highest mark. They looked fondly at them before concentrating their gaze again on Street who was helping the younger children create giant bubbles. Lauren was mixing once more all the ingredients to create the precious liquid and she laughed at everyone's eagerness for the supply.

"So what do you think?" Annie finally asked after a moment of silent contemplation.

"I don't know she seems nice enough." Nichelle said taking another sip of the cold beverage.

"She's laughing an awful lot every time he says something. And I saw her blush on several occasions."

"I didn't say she wasn't interested." She countered. "I'm saying he isn't… or at least he is playing it cool if he is."

"Luca seemed so sure they would hit it off."

"You know matchmaking is an art, maybe we're crap at it." She burst off laughing and lightly elbowed the pretty blonde. A large smile broke on Annie's face.

"Yes maybe. I'm not giving up on this right away."

They watched as Chris joined the group and said something to Lauren, both women laughed and stared at Street. They watched as the brunette seemed to toss something in the mixing bucket. The redhead discreetly moved a little back pulling the children close with her. In an instant, Chris tossed a balloon full of soapy liquid towards Street and it exploded on his chest.

"What the heck Chris?!" His hands rubbed at the fabric and rapidly foam and bubbles formed there. "I thought you said balloon fights were going to be too messy."

He moved resolutely her way and she took a few steps back still laughing at her good joke.

"I said finger painting was too messy." She reminded him. "Water balloons were a bad idea because we don't want the children to spend the whole day drenched."

She turned her gaze towards Annie and she winked at her.

"Look at the mess you made." He looked down at himself and dramatically pulled at his shirt to show off the damage.

"I can get the water hose if you want, poor Street." She mocked him with a pout and he had to bite the inside of his cheek to prevent bursting out laughing.

He was still advancing with a grin and she decided to stand her ground. She saw most people were staring at them but she honestly didn't care at the moment. They were known at SWAT for their bantering, most people wouldn't see anything out of the ordinary. Now that the party was fully under way and they had eaten most of the food, it was finally time to relax and enjoy some fun time like their guests. She watched as he was rubbing more vigorously his T-shirt and collecting part of the foam in his palm.

"You wouldn't dare." She challenged him with narrowed eyes, almost daring him to do something in retaliation.

"You would be so disappointed if I didn't do anything." He countered, raising one eyebrow.

"I didn't bring a change of clothes." Street laughed knowing she had at least a couple of shirts stashed in his dresser and probably at least one pair of pants.

"You can borrow one of my shirts." He turned toward their captive public. "Hey so what should I do, guys?"

Chris looked around and saw most of their colleagues cheering. She giggled as most of them were clearly telling him to go ahead. She saw Hondo and Deac encouraging him too and she braced herself for his revenge. When he took the last step, she closed her eyes and laughed harder. To her surprise, she only felt a wet contact on her nose. When she opened her eyes, Street was grinning at her his index finger still slightly covered in foam. Her hand rubbed her face and she removed the bubbles in good humor.

"Hey guys, I'm a gentleman." He told the crowd who was partially booing him for his good action.

"You're just too chicken." Rocker yelled at him. "Luca told us how Chris has been bossing you around for two weeks."

Both their gazes went to the older officer who immediately raised his hands in apology. They looked at each other and grinned before nodding. They both rushed towards Luca and grabbed him, taking him to the large water bucket containing the remainders of the Pool prize search. In an instant, he was sitting in the water surrounded by inflatable balls and toys. Everyone yelled and cheered once more, applauding the younger couple. They fist bumped with satisfied smiles and bowed to the cheerful audience. Deac rushed toward their friend and helped him out, barely able to contain his laughter.

"They work well together." Nichelle noted with a huge smile. "They both decided in an instant what to do with Luca."

"They sure do." She turned around and saw Hondo had joined them again. With all the action taking place on this side of the yard, most children had deserted their game to see what was happening.

"They are often partnered on the field. They're good at nonverbal communication." Annie sipped at her wine and watched her husband's efforts to help Luca whose face had turned a deep shade of red.

"You not say…" Nichelle said pensively as she watched Chris pulling at the hem of Street's t-shirt and telling him something that made him shake his head in disagreement. The young brunette's mouth tensed before saying something else, her hand still clutching his shirt. They suddenly both turned around and disappeared in the house.

"They're best friends, they always banter with each other like that." Annie added. "Ask Hondo."

She turned her head towards her boyfriend and he absentmindedly nodded when he heard his name, laughing at Luca's and Deac's antics.


"What couldn't wait..." Street hadn't finished his sentence than her lips were on his and for a moment he couldn't think straight. He felt as she pushed him towards his bedroom and he froze. "You're not serious?"

"Of course not now." She pressed another kiss to his lips. "Go change your shirt. I saw you talk with Tan earlier he was all flushed afterwards. What did you tell him?"

"Oh that." He quickly went the bathroom, discarded his t-shirt in the hamper and splashed fresh water on his chest to remove the remaining soap. "He asked me if I took you to the private dressing room during his wedding."

"What?" Her eyes grew wide at his statement. "What did you tell him?"

"I just repeated his question then he lost his nerve and retreated saying it was a stupid idea." He explained while he rubbed a towel over his chest. "He just said something about jumping to a stupid conclusion, but he didn't elaborate at all. So I don't know how he guessed about us."

She followed him in his bedroom and watched as he grabbed a fresh t-shirt and slipped it on.

"So what about Tan? You said you saw him with the others during Luca's call." She wondered and Street nodded in confirmation. "What do you think? His asking you that doesn't really fit with our matchmaking theory. So what is he breaking protocol? Damn I need to talk to him."

"Are you crazy?" He grabbed her wrist when she moved resolutely to the door.

"Of course I will be discreet. I have a much better poker face than you do. I'll have him talking in no time."

She placed a kiss on his lips and cautiously opened the door to check who was present. She immediately noticed that Nichelle and Hondo were at a table nearby and the young woman's eyes seemed glued to the house.

"Damn Nichelle is looking our way." Chris pursed her lips in displeasure. "We should fake a fight."

"Again?" He sighed. "It's becoming tiresome…"

"Oh come on, humor me." She smirked at him. "No seriously, looking angry shouldn't too hard to achieve between their meddling and spying and Tan who gets suspicious…"

"It's not all bad. I saw you liked Lauren and you must admit she's kind of cute." She turned narrowed eyes his way and he laughed as he pushed her. "Perfect now you really look angry."

She opened the door with force and rushed outside, Street bit his lips to hide his smile and simply shook his head and he walked back to the children and Lauren.


"I have a question to ask you and promise me you'll listen to me without laughing." As usual when Nichelle was serious like that, Hondo focused all his attention on her. He raised an eyebrow and waited for her to continue. "Was there ever anything between Chris and Street?"

Hondo chuckled at her question and took a swig of his beer.

"Oh that we would all love to know." He simply answered with a smirk. "Why are you asking?"

"I don't know I just got a vibe."

"You know they are very close…"

"Yeah but that's not how 'friends'…" She air quoted the word. "Touch."

"Touch?" He leaned back and looked intently at her. "You mean like today?"

"I mean like five minutes ago. They just disappeared in the house together."

He looked at the backyard door for a moment with a pensive stare. Years back, he had wondered about the same thing especially considering all the efforts Chris had put into getting Street back in SWAT. But it had seemed the distance grew again and then Molly had been in the picture. He hadn't really noticed anything out of the ordinary, but maybe he was so used at seeing them that he didn't see things for what they were. His eyes rested on Nichelle. Suddenly he saw movement on his peripheral vision and an angry looking Chris left the house. He laughed at the young officer's expression and he felt Nichelle's stare on him.

"So maybe I read it all that wrong." She finally conceded.

"Maybe not. Don't feel bad." He caressed her hand tenderly. "I never could find out for sure. Chris had a bad experience dating a cop many years back and she vowed she wouldn't do that again. Not to mention that members of the same team should not fraternize, not that it is usually an issue. The only thing I will add is that they are not saying anything and as long as they don't I won't ask and I won't push. After all right now it would be Deac's problem and not mine."

He chuckled and Nichelle smiled.

"One thing is sure, if their relationship has changed, you can throw as many women and men at them, nothing will happen. I guess we'll have to wait and see."


"Hey Tan." Chris' voice made the young man startle. He turned surprised eyes on her and mustered the most confident smile he could.

"Hey Chris. Great party, Street and Luca told me how you helped them organize everything in two weeks that's very impressive. I certainly didn't expect something as professional as this. We should have asked you to organize our wedding vows ceremony. You're one hell of a party planner. If you ever choose to leave LAPD you have found the perfect reconversion!"

"I certainly would have been cheaper than whoever you used if I believe Bonnie." She chuckled happily, blushing a little at the nice compliment. "So you're enjoying yourself?"

"Yes it's great. You even thought about the entertainment for the kids. That was a genius idea. I know that at least Annie and Nora were raving about the activities."

"Oh you have to give credit to the right person for that. Street was the one in charge." She laughed. "He's still a big kid himself so he was the best to organize that. I just vetoed some activities the moms wouldn't have approved."

"Well it's pretty cool. As I said I'm very impressed. Now the main problem is going to be that no one will be able to top that. You set the bar very, very high."

"Oh I plan to top this party with mine." They both chuckled.

"Any idea what the theme is going to be?"

"Yeah but I'm not telling, don't want anyone to steal my ideas. Hondo is next and then it's going to be someone from 50 David or Deac and Annie. I might do the one after that… we'll see I suppose. Bonnie was set on a party in the spring if I understood right."

Tan nodded as he looked at his wife who was talking animatedly with Nora.

"As long as we don't go with a tropical theme again, I'm all for it." The young man looked at Chris as she was drinking an alcohol free beer. She turned her gaze to him again and smiled. He had totally lost his nerves with Street earlier and as curious as he was, he knew he would never be able to ask Chris about it.

"What? I feel like you want to say something." Tan gulped and took a swig of his own bottle while shaking his head. "Come on I know you. Something is bothering you, you'll feel better if you tell me."

"Okay…" He took a deep breath. "Do you really like Julian?"

"Julian?" She frowned as she considered how best answer that question. "He's nice enough but I've talked to him three, four hours tops. He's good looking and he seems considerate. I don't dislike him, but I would need to know him better to decide if I actually 'like him'."

She air quoted the last words and chuckled.

"You made quite an impression on him and on Bonnie's family. I think she's now imagining that you could date him and more."

"Yeah she mentioned something earlier about having a double date together. So you and I would be what? In-laws? From what I understood Bonnie sees Julian almost as her brother." Chris laughed at the idea and her friend nodded with an awkward smile. "So do I have to understand that your wife and maybe other people are trying to couple me up with him?"

"Something like that…" He finally admitted with a sigh. "I only discovered the whole ploy a few days ago. And I'm totally not part of it. You know I respect you too much to help them in any way. Whatever my feelings are about Julian, I don't think he's the right person for you."

"Now that's an interesting statement." She turned completely to him and tilted her head. "Care to elaborate."

"You will think I'm an idiot."

"Try me? I'm known to be very patient with idiots." He sent her a quizzical look when she winked at him.

"At one point I thought that you and Street had something going…" She burst out laughing and he soon followed her suit, relieved she hadn't taken it the wrong way. "I know it's crazy. I almost asked him earlier… Well I think I did… He probably thought I've lost it completely."

"And how did you come to that conclusion?" She wondered with a bright smile.

"Well during my wedding Street convinced me to give him the key to a private room. It seemed he used it because Luca keeps saying he disappeared on him… but Bonnie has been trying to figure out with whom he was for weeks with no success." Tan explained and Chris just nodded as he talked. "And when Luca said you had looked quite flushed… and I don't know I suddenly had the mental image of the two of you together."

"Wow okay I didn't know you had fantasies about your colleagues."

"Oh please don't remind me. Yeah I know, you were with Julian most of the time and Street could have chatted up a waitress… Or maybe he just wanted to escape Bonnie's friends for a moment." He finally said blushing a little. "I felt bad when I saw she had placed him with Anna and Jenny. I certainly wouldn't blame him for running away from them and seek some peace."

"Now it seems Luca has found him a new prospect." She quipped with a nod in their direction. Tan followed her gaze, looked at the two couples, and grinned.

"He certainly looks very happy about it… Poor Street." He shook his head and made a grimace. "I guess they'll go on throwing single women at him as long as they haven't found one that sticks or until he tells them to shove it. And we know that won't happen before a very long time."


Annie checked her watch and sighed. Many guests had already left as it was getting late. They had agreed they would meet quickly at the end of the party to decide their next course of action and the girls were late. Deac had come a little earlier to wonder when they were going to go home and she had used the excuse of their children still wanting to play to win a few more minutes. She knew Melissa was in the kitchen to help Luca, Street and Chris to put everything back in order, but she had promised she would discreetly escape to join them outside. She was about to stand up to go look for her friends when she saw Nichelle and Bonnie make their way to her. She sighed happily and waved them over. She saw in the distance that Deac was chatting with Hondo. He had their youngest daughter sleeping in his arms while the older children were playing yet another Frisbee toss game.

"Sorry I was chatting with Nora and didn't see the time fly by." Bonnie explained sheepishly. "Thank God Nichelle has sought me out, I suppose you guys need to go home…"

"Don't worry the kids are still playing and the men are chatting away." She pointed at the table and waved as Tan was joining the two other men. "See we have more time ahead of us before they'll want to leave. Once they start talking, there's no stopping them. We'll have to pry them away."

"Is Melissa going to join us?" Nichelle wondered as she sat down.

"Yeah in a few. She told me Luca wanted to spend the night at her place but for that the house needs to be in order." Annie explained with a grin. "You can imagine Chris and Street don't want to finish the tidying up by themselves."

"Oh I'm sure that wouldn't sit well with Chris." Nichelle laughed. "Well they did a wonderful job. I met so many nice people today, usually job parties are so cringey but I had the best time ever. It's such a great idea to organize those. Hondo is actually impatient to host the next one. I'm not allowed to spill the beans but I promise it will be a blast. He has already started his list of things to buy and to do. His pops is all excited about helping."

"Damn you're lucky." Annie worried at her lower lip. "I still have no clue what theme to choose… Okay let's forget about that for now and let's concentrate on our little project. So what do you girls think about Lauren? You can be honest Melissa isn't here yet." She added maliciously and the other women giggled.

"I talked to her a little. She seems incredibly nice." Bonnie said with a fond smile. "And she's very pretty too. She looks like a perfect candidate, but then I did a pretty awful job with my selection at the wedding."

"I don't know…" Nichelle said. "I'm sorry I don't see any spark. She sure seemed smitten, but I thought he was rather reserved. At no point did he seek her out; it was always her who made the first step. I don't think he's interested."

"I think you're writing her off a little fast." Annie interjected with a frown. "I saw them speak together several times and they both seemed to enjoy those moments. And the kids absolutely adored her, they're both so good with children. I think they would be a great match. They need to meet again and it might do the trick. There were too many people present today. Something more intimate needs to be arranged so that they can really talk and learn more about each other."

"That's the plan." Annie turned her head and saw Melissa mischievously smiling at her. "Luca thought we should organize a dinner at my place just for the four of us."

"Are you not afraid he might refuse?" Nichelle chimed in. When her friends all stared at her, she simply shook her head. "I'm sorry but if he is not that interested I don't see how you can convince him to have dinner with you guys."

"Why do you think he's not interested?" Melissa wondered with a frown.

"Okay I'm starting to think you know something we don't." Annie looked at the other woman with narrowed eyes.

"Nothing against your niece Melissa." Nichelle put her hand on her arm with a smile. "But I don't think he's into her. I mean… he didn't flirt at all with her… What! I'm just saying what I saw. Don't shoot me for that."

"So what we should give up? And what if you're wrong?" Annie challenged her and she simply shrugged. "Melissa don't listen to Nichelle. I think you should organize that dinner. Worst case scenario nothing will happen but you will at least have had a nice evening all together. And who knows they might hit it off in a smaller committee."

"I agree." Bonnie chimed in. "With all his colleagues present he was not going to start flirting with someone he just met. You've seen how they're all teasing each other. He needed to be discreet. I wouldn't judge his interest in Lauren from what we've seen today. Not to mention that they were all busy with the food, the beverage and the children. And Chris held a tight rein over everyone."

"I'm sure she did." Nichelle chuckled earning her more suspicious glances from her friends. "You're right of course. Let's see if a nice dinner brings them closer. You'll tell us of course."

"Definitely." A bright smile was on her face again until her eyes fell on the house. The other women turned around and saw how Chris was gesturing towards Melissa. "I have to go I think. Be careful on your way home."

The three women embraced Melissa goodbye and she rushed to Chris' side. Both women disappeared in the house again.

"Remind me not to ask Chris' help however desperate I become with my party." Annie chuckled. "I think Melissa and Lauren are a little afraid of her."

"And maybe they should be…" Nichelle quipped, Bonnie and Annie stared at her but she just smirked and kept silent.


Tan checked quickly where Bonnie was as he was making his way towards his colleagues. He saw that she was walking arms in arms with Nichelle and they joined Annie at her table just when he reached Deac and Hondo. He saw Deac's wife was pointing their way with a bright smile and she quickly waved their way. He finally sat down heavily and the other men stared at him with perplexed eyes.

"I spilled the beans to Chris." He admitted with a heavy sigh. "I need out of this conspiracy. At this point any idea you have is very welcome."

"You confessed? Well better you than me." Hondo chuckled disbelievingly. "How did she react?"

"She laughed! To be honest she had guessed it by herself. And don't ask me how I have no clue." He admitted with a shrug.

"Well at least she found the whole situation amusing." Deac said looking down at his sleeping daughter. "I suppose we should be happy about that."

"Or she's preparing something…" Hondo added.

"Seriously there's no way she won't spill the beans to Street. We need out and quickly." Tan looked back at their wives as they were also animatedly talking a few tables away. "It's easy for them to organize and plan their little matchmaking we're the ones to see them every day. Bonnie already told her about a double date with Julian and us. Can you imagine the nightmare?"

"Aren't you exaggerating a little the situation?" Hondo chuckled at the expression of pure horror on the younger officer's face. "You said yourself she was laughing at the whole idea."

"I don't know, I found the whole conversation a little eerie. And totally unlike Chris. I'm sure she's up to something. I know I will watch my back."

Hondo and Deac looked at each other before turning their gazes Tan's way.

"You're so calm I don't get it." The younger man said nervously.

"We all know Chris. There's no stopping her, if she has decided to come after us, she will." Hondo explained.

"It's pointless to worry at this point. Let's just hope she'll be kind." Deac added with humor.

"You don't think groveling will work?"

"I think she knows you're part of the conspiracy, but does she know we're part of it?"

"You forget Street saw the last video call, if they compare their data we're all doomed." Tan reminded them and they all exchanged worried glances. "There is no way they are not going to talk about that together right?"

"Okay so you said groveling…" Deac started. "This sounds like a really good idea now that I think of it."

"Yeah what can we offer?"

"You guys I don't know, but I can offer certain things as a team leader." Deac smirked at them.

"Of course you play it solo." Hondo shook his head and giggled.

"I have four children I have to think about them."

"I shouldn't have warned you." Tan said standing up. "Well I'm going home if I can pry Bonnie away from your wives."

"Are you going to warn them?" Hondo wondered.

"And miss all the fun when they'll go after them?" Tan chuckled. "Certainly not, I'll just make sure I'll be far enough. See you guys tomorrow."

"Now that's a way of seeing it! Will you warn Annie?"

"Are you joking?" Deac replied. "You reap what you sow."

"Amen!"

"Exactly, and I will enjoy every second of it!"