"I'm telling you, I think they're more than friends," Ethan tried to convince Curtis.
"Uh uh, I told you, I'm not discussing this with you any further."
"Why, because Kate's our boss?"
"Yeah, and because Megan's scary."
Ethan smirked. "All I'm saying is, whatever's going on, they look happy."
Curtis gave in, whispered: "Mmhmm. I never seen Megan with that look on her face before."
"What look?"
"You know…that 'I just got lucky. Real lucky' look."
Ethan turned beet red. "You're right. We shouldn't be talking about this."
"Shouldn't talk about what?" Megan asked as she joined them. Curtis had tried to warn Ethan with his eyes, but failed.
"Nothing! Not…anything."
"Yeah, right. Come on guys, we don't keep secrets around here."
"Oh we don't?" Curtis asserted.
Megan smiled.
"We were just…uh…" Ethan tried to make something up.
"Go on. Say it." Curtis mocked him.
"Well, we were… were just discussing how you and Dr. Murphy…"
Megan raised her eyebrows, but continued to grin.
"…look…happy…lately."
Megan looked back at Curtis, who turned to his work, trying his best to look innocent.
"How astute you are, Ethan. Curtis, thoughts on this?"
Curtis fumbled with the pipette in his hand.
"Easy tiger," She offered as she patted him on the shoulder. "Good observations, Ethan. Yes. We are very happy."
Ethan smiled. "I knew it! I could have sworn I saw…"
Megan glared at him, letting him know there were still boundaries.
"…nothing. I didn't see anything. Just the smiles on your faces, that's it."
She dropped a bag in his hands on her way out.
"Run a potassium scan on that," and she left.
Curtis turned back to Ethan and shook his head.
"What?"
The deputy medical examiner laughed heartily as they both got back to work.
Megan sat at her desk as she pondered this latest case. Something about it just didn't feel right, though it rarely did. The man had been found in his bathroom with his pants around his ankles and semen on the floor, but he was no longer hanging from the belt. Someone had cut him down and left him there. Or, someone had made it look like auto-erotic asphyxiation after catching him cheating or masturbating to something they didn't approve of, but there was no jealous girlfriend…or boyfriend…to be found.
Her phone beeped, and she was glad to have a distraction from the headache that was starting to form at the bridge of her nose.
You okay? It was Kate.
Fine, just a bit frustrated. Why do you ask?
I walked by a few minutes ago and you looked like you might need an aspirin. Or a shot of whiskey.
Megan smiled.
I could use either. Or, you could have just come in and helped me temporarily take me mind off things.
You're a tease.
I'm serious.
It's the middle of the day. There are too many people around. Speaking of which, you want to tell me why Curtis suddenly can't make eye contact with me?
Megan sighed. She hoped Kate wouldn't be pissed.
He and Ethan sort of asked me about our situation, and I kind of confirmed their suspicions.
They asked you? How terribly unprofessional.
Ok, they didn't really ask so much as insinuate. It's ok, they're harmless, as you know. They're good guys. And I think they're happy for us.
Kate didn't respond for a few minutes. Megan squeezed the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger.
I see. That's nice of them.
I thought so.
I'm sorry I can't help you right now. Maybe if you learned how to multitask, you could help yourself.
Megan blushed.
As you said, there are people around.
Not under your desk. Though, if it were possible, that's where I'd like to be.
Megan felt herself tingling between her legs.
What would you do?
Just as she contemplated maneuvering her hand under her skirt, Todd burst into her office.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Megan looked at him for a few moments, trying to remain calm.
"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm working. What are you doing here?"
"You're dating your boss? Your female boss? That's a great example to set for our daughter."
"Wow, Todd. I didn't realize you were such a homophobe. And I would really take a good look at your own example before you start pointing a finger at me."
"I'm not dating my boss, Megan. It's unethical."
"No, you just date clients and witnesses. That's much better."
"You have no proof of that, you never did. The judge agreed."
"That doesn't mean it's not true."
"Regardless, Megan, what is this about?"
"What do you mean what's it about? I didn't intentionally go after my boss. You can't always help who you fall in love with."
"You're in love with her? Jesus Christ, Megan. Were you always a dyke? Is that why the sex was so…"
"Todd! You cannot come in here and just start insulting me!"
"I'll say whatever the hell I want to! I do not want our daughter thinking…"
"Excuse me, what is going on? I can hear you from down the hall," Kate interrupted.
"You stay out of this," Todd barked.
Megan's jaw dropped, knowing that wasn't going to fly.
"I beg your pardon? This is my office. If you're going to cause a scene, I'm going to need you to leave."
"This is between me and my wife."
"Ex-wife," Kate corrected.
Todd smirked, then laughed. Kate was certain this was the most unappealing man she had ever encountered. She couldn't fathom what Megan had seen in him.
"Right. Well good luck with her. If you're lucky, she may actually put out for you every once in a while."
"Get the hell out." Kate snarled.
Todd moved toward the door, but paused to look back at Megan. "We'll discuss this more later."
"I don't see what there is to discuss. I stay out of your business, you stay out of mine."
He looked back and forth between the two women, appearing resigned for the moment, and left.
Kate closed the door and stepped into the office. She walked up to the desk slowly, watching as Megan's hands trembled and she fought very hard to hold back her tears.
"Bastard," Megan whispered through gritted teeth.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You didn't do anything."
"I just…what can I…"
She went around to the side of the desk and thought about reaching out to touch her, but both were aware that there were many curious eyes watching them now from the outer office.
"Come," Megan said as she shot up from her desk. Kate followed her down the hall, towards the bathroom. Ethan and Curtis looked on with fascination, until Kate shot them a look that could have burned a hole through steel.
Once inside, Megan put her hands on the cold, gray countertop and leaned against it, sniffling, wiping away the few stray tears that had managed to escape. Kate couldn't stay away any longer. She wrapped her arms around her and hugged her tightly, until Megan finally let go and hugged back.
"It's alright. He's just…"
"He could try to keep me from seeing Lacey," Megan mumbled into Kate's blazer.
"He could try, but he couldn't actually do it. You're not an unfit mother, Megan. He may have won custody on some bullshit, sexist technicality, but you're not going to lose your visitation rights over being gay. The law protects you."
"I know…I just…don't want her to get hurt anymore than she already has."
"The best thing you can do is continue to be yourself, show her that you're not afraid to be as fearless and passionate as you are, in your professional and personal life. I don't care what Todd or anyone else says, you are an unbelievable role model for any young girl. Lacey is so lucky to have you."
Megan wiped the tears from her eyes and finally got herself under control. Kate handed her a tissue. After wiping her eyes and throwing it away, she wrapped her arms around Kate again. When she pulled back, she kissed her briefly on the lips.
"Thank you."
"You're not in this alone. It's going to be alright."
"You're right," Megan nodded. "Okay. Back to work."
Kate smiled as she opened the door for her. Ethan and Curtis quickly popped their heads back down as the two returned to their offices.