Chapter Seven: Slam

Jordan walked into the morgue whistling and holding a carrier full of coffees. Today was a good day.

"You're in a good mood," Seely commented as he passed her in the hallway.

"Yeah, man. Garret is back, and the Switzer's reign is over!" she answered happily.

"Well, Dr. Macy hates me, so there's nothing for me to be glad about. And I thought you liked the morgue Nazi?" he remarked disdainfully.

"I do! I love Kate," Jordan replied. "I just like having Garret be the one in charge…he's not as demanding and strict, you know."

Seely rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right."

Jordan smirked as he left. In the break room, everyone else was setting out their own snacks and drinks.

"Jordan! I'm so glad to see you!" Lily yelled as she practically threw her arms around Jordan.

"Yeah, it's great to see you, too, Lily," Jordan said once she had recovered. "Are you coming back to work, or just for Garret?"

"Oh, I'm here to stay. It's all worked out. I just wanted to make my first day the same as Garret's…kind of like my Welcome Back present for him," she said blithely.

"He'll appreciate it. Though I'm not sure he'll flip over all of this," Jordan said, gesturing to the make-shift party. "You know he doesn't like to draw attention to himself."

Lily huffed. "Yeah, I know. But it's not just for him. It's for all of us. To put the past behind us and move into the future, with a fun start!"

Lily looked so pleased with herself that Jordan didn't have the heart to disagree. She quickly dismissed herself to check into her office for a moment.

When she opened her door, she found Woody sitting in her desk chair.

"You know, stalking is against the law," she said playfully.

Woody smiled. "Want me to arrest myself?" he asked suggestively.

Jordan pretended to think it over. "Hmmm…I think maybe I should do it for you," she concluded as she walked up and wrapped her arms around him.

After a not-so-short kiss, Woody eased her out of his arms. "Better head back…don't want to miss Garret's big entrance," he said.

"Yeah, his big meltdown is more like it," she said, laughing.

Back at the break room, Nigel had music blaring out of his boom box.

"Could you turn that racket down?" shouted Kate, putting her hands over her ears.

After Nigel complied, she looked at him incredulously. "You call that music?" she asked.

"Nigel calls anything with a beat music," Jordan quipped as she and Woody reemerged.

"That's not true! Lindsey Lohan isn't music, and it has a beat!" Nigel answered hotly.

The all gave him a "whatever" look.

"When is Dr. Macy supposed to be in?" Bug asked. Clearly, the party atmosphere was not his thing.

"Not soon enough," Kate replied. "I cannot wait until he is back in charge."

"Hey," Woody said. "I thought you liked rules."

"Rules, yes. Having to make everyone—especially Jordan—follow them, no."

Everyone in the room laughed, and Jordan had the good grace to look mildly ashamed.

"You see, there's you're problem. Jordan won't follow the rules, so it's easier if you just give up." Everyone turned towards the door, recognizing Garret's voice.

Jordan was the first one to him. Wrapping him in a tight hug, she said, "Welcome back, boss."

Garret hugged her back, but not without rolling his eyes first. "I see you've made all of the necessary provisions for this," he said, indicating the food.

Lilly stepped up next. "We just wanted you to know how happy we were that you're back…and well…and that we missed you!"

"And that you're in charge from now on!" Kate cut in quickly.

There was a moment where everyone held their breath, waiting to see how Garret would take it.

Finally, he smiled. "I guess a little bit of partying couldn't hurt anyone…and thanks…I missed you all, too."

Then everyone cheered, Nigel turned his radio back up, and the party began.

The impromptu bash went on for almost a half an hour before the phone rang in Garret's office. How he could hear it over the noise was anyone's guess. He wanted to think that it was his training and experience as Chief ME. Garret excused himself and went to answer the incessant ringing.

The others continued to talk and eat until Garret came back. Nigel noticed his grim expression first and turned off the music. Everyone else started to protest until they too noticed the mood change.

"Hey, Gar. What's going on, man?" Jordan asked. Her eyebrows knit together in concern.

Garret sighed. "I need everyone to get ready. There's been a plane crash. At least 20 dead."