Chapter 12
You don't love me at all, but don't think that it bothers me at all.
You're a bad-hearted boy-trap, babydoll, but you're...
You're so damn hot.
You're so damn hot – Ok Go
The case, as it turned out hadn't been related to the poker game or even the occupants of that apartment. A psychologically disturbed man had gotten into it with one of his neighbours and decided to bring a shotgun into the matter to solve things, only alcohol and guns didn't mix. The perp had gotten off at the wrong floor and blown a hole through Joel Ivey instead.
So now Anna was sat with Don in what he claimed to be the best pizza place in time, he'd all but pulled her out of the lab and away from her paperwork. "What is it with you and Danny and claiming each pizza place you go to serves the best?" she asked as she bit into the cheese slice she held.
Don shook his head, washing down his own with a gulp from his bottle of beer, "I don't claim anything, I know this place serves the best, Danny just likes to try and prove me wrong." Don told her with a nod of his head, "Now you can go back to him and tell him he's wrong as well."
Anna shook her head, "Nope I'm not getting in to the middle of your weird little thing and besides Danny hates to hear he's wrong." She chuckled, making Don Laugh as he nodded in agreement.
As the silence fell between them Don allowed himself to really look at the woman in front of him. On her first day Don had known she was different, and the way he'd watched his best friend instantly fall for her had only proven him right. If he'd been honest, Don hadn't seen someone like Anna falling for Danny, they were completely different but seeing the chemistry between them it made sense.
Don was happy Danny was finally happy. It'd been too long since he'd seen his friend smile in the way he had been over the last few weeks. It was obvious how deeply the two cared for one another, even to an outsider; Don had to wonder how long it would be before they admitted their true feelings for one another.
"Speaking of Danny where is he tonight?" Don asked, Anna smiled as she wiped her fingers on a napkin,
"Case is running into overtime, he's not too impressed but what you going to do." She joked, making Don laugh again,
"He's a good guy you know." He said after a moment, his face serious when Anna looked back at him, obvious surprise at the change of topic stretched over her face, "Danny, he's a good friend, my best actually I just thought you should know."
"I know he is, and you don't have to worry about me Don," Anna told him quietly, offering him a sincere smile to which he returned before pushing his plate away and grasping his beer. Leaning forward on the table he looked at Anna,
"So, on a lighter note, what's Australia like? Is it true what they say about having to solve crimes in bikinis and swim suits?" he asked in all seriousness, his eyes widening in surprise when a balled up napkin hit him squarely in the face. Anna laughed and shook her head,
"Too much Baywatch Donny boy, Australia isn't just one giant beach you know. I bet you think we all live in huts out on the shore as well don't you?"
"You don't?" Don looked disappointed, making Anna laugh again. Don smiled and leaned back in his seat taking a long swig of his beer before he spoke again, "So you miss it? You lived close to the beach right...how you getting used to being here?"
Anna blew out a small breath, not answering right away as she looked out the window and into the city, her eyes watching as the people scurried past. "Well the people are a hell of a lot friendlier in Oz, the entire lifestyle there is just so relaxed, the people laid back so much so that it was a pain at times trying to get things done. As for New York it's busier, more vibrant, it's so full of life and variety, and most people just don't have time to stop but I like it." She said with a small shrug, "I miss Australia and I do hope to return one day but for now I'm happy where I am."
"Well we're happy to have you here..." Don told her with a nod, clinking there bottles together. As he watched Anna take a swig of hers, he paused holding his own just in front of him as he smirked and added, "Even if it is only so we can make fun of that weird accent of yours." He said, laughing out loud at the look on Anna's face as she slammed her bottle down on the table.
After another couple of beers the two packed up and left the pizza place, both laughing as they stepped out onto the street almost immediately colliding with another group of people.
"I'm sorry." Anna said as she looked at the woman in front of her, the woman smiled brightly and waved her off,
"Don't worry about it, besides he should have been watching out he's tall enough," she commented looking Don up and down. Anna chuckled, her eyes narrowing slightly when she looked at Don and caught the expression he wore. "I'm Grace."
Anna turned in surprise, and laughing slightly she took the woman's outstretched hand and shook it, "Anna." She replied introducing herself. Grace smiled and nodded,
"The new criminalist at the lab, Australian and dating Danny Messer right?" Anna laughed,
"Well either your psychic or somebody in that lab's slipping you information." She said, already knowing who it was by the way Don shifted slightly. Rolling her eyes she looked back at Grace who shook her head,
"You'd think for a cop he'd be more subtle." She teased, sticking out her tongue playfully as Don narrowed his eyes in her direction and opened his mouth to talk,
"Don't just blame me, most of your info comes from Adam!" he said, looking at Anna as he lifted his hand and crossed his fingers, "Their like this," Grace shook her head as she pushed Don's hand down. Looking at Anna, Grace pulled out a card from her bag,
"Look I know what it's like being new in this city; you ever fancy getting away from the boys club give me a call okay I know all the best places in this city, places none of the tourists know about."
Anna smiled brightly as she took the card and held it tightly between her fingers, "I think I'll just do that, thanks." She said gratefully, happy in the knowledge it looked like she was on her way to making a new friend. Grace nodded, her own smile bright as she looked at Don,
"Catch you later Detective, Anna call me." She said, her hand resting on Anna's arm in a friendly gesture before she left, sharing a not so subtle look with Don. Anna waved Grace off, hiding her smirk when she watched Don's eyes trail after the woman who'd just followed her group into the diner.
"Subtle." She commented, nudging Don playfully in the stomach when it didn't appear he'd be snapping out of it anytime soon, "You've got it bad dude." She shook her head, then laughed again when Don looked down at her, looking confused,
"What?"
'Looks like a late one, call you tomora'
'Have fun, stay safe' Anna sighed as she pressed send on her phone. It looked like another cold night alone, it was scary for her how used to Danny's presence beside her in bed she'd become. Anna knew she was falling quickly; she wasn't scared to admit it. There was no point in denying her feelings, not to herself anyway.
Pulling her apartment keys out her pocket Anna fumbled to get the right one, gasping when two strong hands grabbed her shoulders and span her around. There in front of her stood a beaming Jason, "There she is, how've you been gorgeous?" he asked, not waiting for a reply as he wrapped his arms around her small frame.
Caught off guard by the out of the blue hug, Anna awkwardly patted Jason's broad back, not feeling to comfortable being in his arms.
Doing her best not to appear rude she began to pull back gently, grateful when Jason let her go. "Hey Jason." She greeted him with a small smile, caught off guard again when his hand gently brushed some of her hair from her face, his eyes fixated on the bruises there,
"What happened doll, did that boy-friend of yours do this? If he did I swear to god I'll..."
"Jason calm down okay. Danny had nothing to do with these, what happened is my business okay." Anna cut him off mid rant, her hand pushing his away. In the couple months she'd known Jason he definitely had some boundary issues, and at times it made her feel uncomfortable.
Jason stuffed his hands into his pockets and sighed, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to presume." He said apologetically, seeing sincerity on his face Anna smiled and let her hand rest on his arm. Jason looked down at it, his body immediately heating up from her small touch. It was killing him, this slow torture, he knew what she was doing, and teasing him, making him want her, she'd been doing it for weeks. Maybe it was time to make his move, looking back up at her he smiled.
"No harm done." She told him, thankful to see him smile. Pulling her hand back she crossed her arms, "So what are you up to tonight?" she asked.
"I'm just having a few drinks, watching the game...you wanna join?" Jason asked nodding back to his apartment where the beginnings of the game could already be heard.
Anna pulled a face, she was looking forward to a shower and an early night but looking at Jason and seeing the look on his face she smiled, "Sure why not, but only till half time then I need to leave. I'm on the early shift tomorrow."
Jason smirked as he began backing up, satisfied when Anna followed. Holding one hand over his heart, he held the other up, "I promise to let you go half time ma'am." He said seriously, moving aside so she could step into his apartment. Anna shook her head,
"I won't need your promise to let me go Jason," she chuckled, removing her jacket as she stepped inside. Jason let his eyes trail over the back of her body, his eyes resting on her backside for a moment, thinking of how sexy she looked as she moved, he didn't think he wanted to let her go, not until she gave up this game she was playing.
Jason's smirk got wider when Anna turned towards him, raising her eyebrows expectantly. Chuckling he moved into the apartment, kicking the door closed behind him.
Okay so I'm posting this a hell of a lot sooner than I first intended but...what the hell I want to get the ball rolling on this story and get you guys to the juicy stuff!
For the record as well I always pictured Anna as looking like Isla Fisher. I love the actress and thought of Anna instantly when I looked at her. Little bit of info for ya's there : P
Donna...again THANKS! Talking out plotlines with me, you keep me sane...well as sane as an insane person can be so thanks x
Sch – Thanks for the review hun! So glad you liked the chapter! Your continued support means the world to me.
Sam – Same to you as well hun your support with this story is amazing keep it coming :P