Chapter 3: Attraction

Hatti decided that she enjoyed Bull's company. While he had a very loose grasp on art in general and what constituted "good" art in at least Hatti's mind, he was a great listener. "What was your favorite piece do you think Mr. - Bull," she internally chastised herself for making the mistake again. For the longest time the only people she talked to were not the sort you were on a first name basis with. Her father on numerous occasions had told her that respect took you a long way and that immediately calling someone by their first without asking was taking far too many liberties. "I liked the one with the shoe. Reminded me of a shoe I found in our front yard when I was a kid. To do this day I still don't know who it belonged to," he smiled, looking pleased with his answer. Hatti quelled the desire to laugh, "I see," she hummed. The two entered the rather cavernous elevator, Bull smashing the button for the eighteenth floor with the side of his fist. Hatti folded her hands in front of her and closed her was something about the weightless, dizzying feeling the it provided that she enjoyed and wanted to savor. Bull had started to hum "The Girl from Ipanema" which in her mind was appropriate elevator music. They stopped a few times to pick up either court goers or someone from the Records Department she only vaguely recognized. Finally they reached their destination and both Hatti and the bald Bailiff stepped out into the hallway.

Another nice thing about walking with Bull was that people gave them a wide berth, Hatti felt as though she didn't have to look where she was going. They turned a corner, walking beside the glass revealing the Cafeteria. Just up ahead she saw the shoeshine stand and so if she remembered correctly around the right corner were some payphones. Speaking of- "Hey Hatti!"
Hatti stopped walking just in front of the ADA, "Yes Dan?" she didn't linger on her ability to say his first name. Dan sat with a newspaper in his hands which he folded and flattened on his lap, an elderly sort of gentleman shining his already perfect shoes. Bull offered something between a smile and a grimace in his direction, she wondered just how long they'd known each other. "So, how was your date?" Dan smirked in a self-satisfied manner, reminding her of a cat with a freshly caught mouse. "It wasn't a date," came Hatti's terse reply, "And it went marvelously," she shot her fellow Bailiff an appreciative look and Bull beamed at her in return. Dan wrinkled his nose at them, "Please, spare me any details."
"Oh come on Dan, it was great! " Bull admonished, "I got to see a painting of a shoe, and Van Gogh's three bedroom scenes-"
"Woah, maybe I should have gone, sounds kinky," his shoes finished Dan sprang from his chair, "Put it on my tab, K?" he patted the older man on the cheek and winked at him. Hatti found his behaviour slightly odious but couldn't deny actually liking the idea of him joining their little walk and talk. "You would have enjoyed it," she commented calmly. As he approached she caught a whiff of his cheap cologne, the smell catching her by surprise and causing her to hesitate before adding, "There were quite a few naked statues."
Dan grinned, "You read me like a book," he bumped his shoulder (or as close as he could manage) against hers. Hatti had never really been fond of physical contact unless she was the one to initiate it but decided it wasn't the worst experience. "Only because you are a picture book," she returned with a sly smile, Dan for his part put on an expression of mock outrage, complete with hands on hips. Bull watched their conversation like a spectator at a ping-pong match, mouth hanging open as it usually did.

In the moment of silence that followed Hatti almost expected something insane to happen. Like Harry skating down the halls or the arrival of a gorilla wearing a helicopter beanie. Instead she found her blue eyes meeting Dan's brown, and something clicked. Mind you it was a small click. Completely insignificant. Hatti by all means should have just ignored it and returned to her friendly banter with the Attorney, but for some reason her brain lacked cutting words. He was...rather handsome wasn't he. Dan's soul searching gaze turned confused and he shot a worried glance at Bull, "What is- is there something in my eye? A hair out of place?" he ran his fingers first across closed lids then through his dark, greying hair.
Hatti blinked stupidly, opening her mouth. Ugh, how plebian of her to lose all semblance of control! "No I-" Hatti was then saved, or perhaps condemned by the sudden excited squeal of:

"Danny!"

A tall brunette wearing far too much leopard print rushed over with hands out on either side of her as if for balance. She nearly bowled over the Attorney, meeting his pale lips with her colored ones, cupping his face with both hands. Dan cradled her hips and eagerly returned the kiss. Hatti likened the motion to digging for gold. She watched with a blank expression, not entirely sure how to feel about it. Should she be embarrassed? Angry? Bull clearly didn't either and he shared an eye roll with his fellow Bailiff. Liplock released Dan gasped for breath, wiping lipstick off his mouth with pale fingers and bending at the waist to grin at the new woman. "Katherine Hopkins." He looked at Hatti as he said it, like he'd just remembered she was there. It took a moment for her to realize he was introducing them. "Come on Danny," purred the woman, tugging at his tie with her pointer finger, "All my friends call me Kitty." Bull chuckled, only to find no one else joining in- it petered off rather quickly. Hatti cordially extended a hand to the new woman to shake, only to find her offer ignored. Katherine draped an arm over Dan's shoulder and came close to his face as though she was going to kiss him again, "So… how about tonight? I've learned a few new tricks, since we last 'talked'," her eyes narrowed to punctuate her suggestive statement. Was this really happening? Hatti at least thought that Fielding's dates would have the sense not to proposition him with two people standing so close! Dan oozed charm as he ran his hand through the other woman's dark hair, tilting his head. "Actually... I can't."

"What?"
"Pardon?"

Both Hatti and Katherine spoke at the same time with equal amounts of disbelief. She allowed her surprise to settle and she cleared her throat, hoping her face wasn't turning red. Dan adjusted his tie with both hands, and continued to adjust it as he spoke. "I have something else planned," he explained. Katherine pouted, "Tomorrow?"
"Nnnnope. And before you ask, not the day after either," the Attorney casually flipped Katherine's hair and stepped back. Hatti swallowed, suddenly aware of soft chocolate shaded eyes focussing on her again, "Miss Digger. Shall we?" he gestured to the double doors. What an...odd occurrence. The short Bailiff allowed a tight smile, "Of course, Mr. Fielding," she curtsied awkwardly. Katherine er, Kitty looked confused and marginally annoyed, "But- Danny! What?"

He was already through the door. True to form he didn't hold it open for Hatti, she rolled her eyes and followed him.

Behind her she heard Bull say, "I'm available."

Hatti lead a drunk man towards the courtroom, silently musing over the sudden attraction she felt for Dan. It wasn't as though she hadn't found him handsome before, she did after all, have a thing for tall men, and those well dressed now that she thought about it. It was just that… before it had been a friendly observation. Like how she felt about Harry or Mac (and to some extent, Bull). Somehow Dan was different, if only she could figure it out.
Trying hard to ignore the rancid smell of the man held at an arm's length in front of her, she forced herself to remember Dan's cologne. It was sharp like nail polish remover but by far she preferred it to the stench of regurgitated alcohol. "Hey, you ain't half bad sweet cheeks," slurred Bil (short for Bilius if you can believe it) Bloke, stumbling none too inconspicuously in order to touch her. Hatti shook him sharply which snapped his head straight, "Eyes forward please," she said tersely. "I was jus' sayin'." the man pouted.

They entered the courtroom where the previous defendant was being "helped" back the direction she'd just come from. Hatti guided Bilius to the bench, depositing him in the space between Dan and Christine who perused already checked files before beginning. Hatti took her place beside Roz, gaze not leaving the tall ADA. Her fingers traced a circle on the outside of her thigh, lost in her own mind.
"So you like him I take it." Startled by the quiet voice the blonde Bailiff nearly jumped. Instead, she turned her head to Roz, the owner of that voice. "Mr. Bloke?" she joked half heartedly, watching the man grovel before an unimpressed Harry. He was balding, sweaty, unshaven, and had two chins when he opened his mouth to whine. Thinking those things were disgusting wasn't exactly a good start to a relationship.

Roz snorted, which she hoped meant that the stoic woman was amused. "Nah, he's way out of your league," she glanced at Hatti who tried to hide her own mirth.

Dan's voice rose as he argued with Christine, the file flapping back and forth as he made his point. "I assume then, that you are referring to Mr. Fielding."

Roz shrugged, "Unless you have a thing for Harry." Hatti hesitated. Mr. Bloke started waving his arms and both Bailiff's tensed in preparation to restrain him, only to be beaten to the punch by Bull. Dan leaned backwards away from the man's grimy swinging hands, disgust showing in every line of his oddly handsome face. "How did you know?" Hatti asked after she felt sufficiently sure the situation was under control. Roz's face remained emotionless as she said, "I saw you in the lunch line yesterday, checking out his butt." Hatti's eyes widened. Had she done that? Lost for words she adjusted her gaze to the floor. "I don't blame you," Roz continued after a pause, "It's not bad. If only it didn't come with a personality," suddenly one corner of her mouth upturned in a genuine smile, eyes still emotionless in comparison. The pale Bailiff chuckled as quietly as she could manage, "The worst part of this, I admit, is that I... I believe it's worth it. Do you think that makes me stupid?"

Roz watched Dan with her mouth still stretched into a smile, only Hatti noted that at that moment it could be described as almost fond. She wondered at that, but didn't dare voice the internal question. Roz was a deadly weapon when she wanted to be, and no matter how well trained Hatti was, there was no way she was going to misstep! "Nah," Roz admitted, "tasteless, but not stupid."

With that it seemed the conversation was over. Hatti silently mused over her co-worker's sudden talkativeness and realized she had nothing. Harry banged his gavel and the next case went underway.

Dan had never before felt nervous about asking out a woman.

Well, except maybe Christine. Good ol' Christine who worked with and drooled over every day. Whose apparent prerogative was to see past other's imperfections and find the good person inside. At the very least he'd been able to rescue his feelings by saving her from choking and guilting her into a...date? Sort of. He wrinkled his nose in remembrance, the confession of his burgeoning feelings and how she seemed to really understand him in that moment...BUT, that wasn't the point. The point was that he desired the elusive Hatti Digger and her quiet snarkiness.

Finishing up the final case with "attila the nun", Dan rushed back to his desk to pack his files. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Hatti begin her march out of the courtroom and he quickened his pace. Snapping closed his briefcase he started after her, easily catching up to the short woman. Hatti stopped and turned to face him, having noticed his presence. The smile that tugged at her mouth was familiar and oh so kind it nearly made him turn around and make a run for something less real.

"Dan," she greeted, "I wanted to thank you earlier for turning down that other woman's...offer."
"I- what?" How on earth did she know? Dropping Kitty had been surprisingly easy in comparison to his plans. With practiced fingers Hatti began to remove the thick outer layer of her uniform, leaving her in a white, long sleeved button up shirt, and draped the dark fabric over her arm. It fit her nicely and Dan found himself helplessly staring at the gentle curve of her heavy frame and the push of her breasts on the fabric. She looked soft and warm and just… Hatti.

"I assumed you were turning her down for my benefit. It was a rather uncomfortable situation," The Bailiff admitted, when she shrugged her shoulders seemed to disappear in her thick, poofy, hair. She thought he was being friendly? If Dan had no control over his otherwise tumultuous emotions he might have laughed right then.

For a moment they only stared at each other, her oceanic eyes met Dan's and his courage yet again fled for the hills. He idly scratched at the collar of his shirt, fighting the urge to mess with his silken tie as he often did, "Yeah, uh, you're welcome." The short Bailiff nodded. Again silence. "It was...nice talking to you," Hatti finally said, thick eyebrows drawing together in confusion at his out of character silence.

"Hold it," he took her arm, which again made her tense up. She nearly made move to hit him (he thought she must have a good amount of muscle to do her job) which would have been a poor start, but stopped herself mid swing. "So uh, Hatti I was-" he cleared his throat. Why was this so hard anyways? Perhaps it was the certainty of it. With other women, if he asked and they said no he considered it a challenge- make what you will of his morality. With Hatti there was no amount of badgering that would change her No into a Yes.

"Would you like to go out to dinner with me?"

Dan stared blankly at the Bailiff. Those words that he'd been trying to say for the past five minutes had just come out of Hatti's mouth. He floundered for a moment before he uttered a swift, "Yes, yes sure!" he released her arm and hugged himself awkwardly, "Tomorrow, six? I'll pick you up."

Hatti smiled brightly, "It's a date," she searched the pocket of her jacket and found a piece of paper, Dan offered her a pen. Against the wall she wrote her address and apartment number then passed it to the Attorney. "Goodbye Dan," she waved a hand and walked off. With his pen. Dan watched her for a moment then, with a burst of energy, spun on his heel and began a half dance-half walk in the opposite direction.

If this inspires people to read some more, the next chapter is over four-thousand words :D

Reviews are appreciated, especially critiques!