Author's Note: This chapter contains mentions of song lyrics and the artists that perform said songs, for dialogue purposes only. I think they are within the guidelines. If not PLEASE PM me and I will edit them out!! Clearly the songs: The First Cut is the Deepest & Help me Make it Through the Night do NOT belong to me and I am in NO WAY trying to profit from said songs!!

"Come on darlin' you've got to dance at least one dance with the groom," Prescott said as he took the champagne flute out of her hand and led his ex-wife to the dance floor.

"Why the hell can't people stop taking my champagne and let me drink in peace," Malinowski mumbled as she let herself be taken to the dance floor. "I thought you had a new wife. Why don't you go harass her, Prescott?"

"Because right now, she's busy harassin' that guy you're gonna end up marryin', whether you want to admit it or not. Side's", he continued with a wide grin, as he held out his arms,"just 'cause I married Danielle, doesn't mean I have to give up one of my favorite pastimes, does it darlin'?"

Malinowski answered with a sigh and placed her hands on his shoulders. She felt too drained from events of the day, as well as the amount of liquor she had consumed, to argue with anyone about anything. She listened to the sound of the band, as the lead singer began singing the words to one of Malinowski's favorite songs.

"Damn it Sam, who am I gonna sing this old stuff with, now that you're officially another woman's?"

Prescott chuckled softly, as he glanced a few feet from them, to where the new Mrs. Prescott and McCoy were dancing.

"The Irishman's not one for song? Another strike against that horses ass," he replied with a chuckle, before leaning close and singing, "…I would have given you all of my heart, but there's someone who's torn it apart and she's taking almost all that I've got."

"Sure, now you say that, after you've gone and married another woman," Malinowski joked, before joining him with the refrain to The First Cut is the Deepest.

As she softly sang, Malinowski found herself thinking about how extraordinary it was to be in Sam Prescott's arms...at his wedding reception..no less. While it still felt like a natural olace fo rher to be, as well as a safe and secure place, it was clear the passion they once shared had been replaced by mutual respect and deep feelings of friendship.

As she looked discreetly over her his shoulder at McCoy, Malinowski suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of sadness, as well as regret. Part of her wondering if the couple had thrown away any chance of finding their way back to one another...

"You know you want make things right with him, so why don't you use the good sense God gave you and go talk to the horses ass, " Prescott demanded, as she gave her a quick spin.

"Because, the first cut is the deepest," she countered, not wanting to have yet another conversation about her relationship with Jack McCoy.

Prescott sighed, as he took another glance towards at the couple that had moved closer.

"Damn woman, that stubborn streak always did you more harm than good. Thank God you have people like me and Cohen to look out for you."

"Hey, that reminds," Malinowski snapped, suddenly alert as she recalled the fact the last time she'd seen the best man, he was about tip McCoy off to her reasons for being with Mike LaSalle. "Where the hell is that traitor, Cohen? We have unfinished business."

Prescott smiled to himself, pleased at the opening she had inadvertently given him.

"Why, he's right there. Take a look."

As Malinowski looked one way, Prescott turned her other way, at once releasing her and grabbing his bride out of McCoy's arms.

"Damn it Sam," Malinowski she said under her breath, as she was pushed into McCoy's arms. "Nothing personal Jack," she said breathlessly, as she looked up at her startled lover,"but I always hated it when Sam did things like this."

McCoy smiled reassuringly down at her, pausing to help her steady her balance.

"No one likes being tricked," he said, thinking of Galiano's stunt,"even with the best of intentions. You know, we can sit this one out if you'd rather not..."

Malinowski shook her head and slipped her hands onto his shoulders.

"Why waste a wonderful song?"

"You know, the original Stevens version is the best,"he replied with a raised eybrow and a hint of a smile.

"Actually, the Sheryl Crow remix is the best."

"If you say so," he said dutifully, as he tentively pressed her closer.

"Since when," she asked with a smirk.

"Since the only thing I want to do right now is dance. Not fight, not debate, just dance."

"Deal. Well, deal if you'll sing with me. You know if I'm singing I can't be swinging," she pointed out, returning his smile."That includes verbal swings, as well."

McCoy also knew from pervious experience Malinowski singing often meant Malinowski had been drinking…drinking enough to melt away her inhibitions.

"Reason enough to give into your request," he said softly."I still want you by my side, just to help me dry the tears that I've cried..."

Malinowski smiled up at him, knowing a peace ofering when she heard it.

"I do you know," she said softly, as she met him half way. "I still want you by my side. I hate where things have ended up with us, Jack."

"My fault," he said as he ran a hand through her hair, his own alcohol consumption helping him to put his pride aside, as he thought about how much he'd missed performing such a simple act."Should have never let you throw me out…should have talked to you and made you listen…"

"Maybe, if I hadn't implied…my clean shave routine was a bit much…,"she countered, unable to suppress a giggle."God, I'm so sorry Jack," she said as she tried to control her laughter. "Just thinking about the look on your face when you opened your eyes and saw that blade…"

McCoy chuckled as well, feeling more relaxed than he had in weeks. More relaxed and more hopeful.

As the song ended the couple politely applauded, looking at each other quizzically as the next selection began.

"One more time, counselor? How often do you get two slow dances in a row," McCoy asked as he eyed her sheepishly.

Malinowski listened to the first few bars and bit her lip, as she pressed herself against McCoy.

"Dangerous lyrics, Jack. I'm not sure your daughter will approve."

"My daughter left hours ago. Shambala offered to drop Becky off at the train station. After they get more ice," he added as he raised an eyebrow. "You realize if Liz or myself had tried something like that, Becky would have had us charged with assault or child endangerment, depending on her age."

"I thought you didn't want to fight," she countered, as her face flushed with embarrassment.

"I don't, so maybe we better break this up before you date feels threatened," McCoy countered in a tone mixed with amusement, as well as curiousity, as he began rubbing the small of her back."what happended to LaSalle?"

"I ditched him the second he became expendable."

"Which was when?"

"The moment I realized there was no danger that you… when I realized there was no chance of Vanessa showing up on your arm," she bluntly as met his amused gaze with wide, innocent eyes."What can I say?," she bazenly admitted. "I'm a petty, jealous, conniving vixen when it comes to you and other women, so either deal with it or walk away, McCoy."

"For the record, I haven't seen Vanessa since that damned banquet,"he said simply.

"You didn't jump into her bed when I gave you the chance," Malinowski asked as her lips rested against the back of his ear.

"Jumping into a scotch bottle made more sense at the time. What can I say? I guess I'm a one woman man, despite my reputation," he replied as he closed his eyes, drinking in her perfume debating how long he could play the gentleman. " Beside, weren't you the one that wanted to sing; not debate.'

"With this one," she said lifting his head, so she could look him straight in the eyes."With this one; don't sing it if you don't mean, Jack."

"That's not just the liquor talking, counselor,"he asked, suddenly intrigued and more than a little aroused, by the turn the evening was taking.

"Try me and find out," she coyly replied.

McCoy grinned as he prepared to accept her challenge, leaning close as he whispered.

"Come and lay down by my side, till the early mornin' light. All I'm askin' is your time. Help me make it thru the night."

"I don't care who's right or wrong, I don't try to understand. Let the devil take tomorrow. Lord, tonight I need a friend," she countered, as she discreetly slipped her leg between his.

"You know, it's a long train ride to Islip," he said softly.

"Very long."

"I bought the original Kris Kristofferson version were it it first came out. I still have it on a cassette in my bedroom at the apartment. What do you say we get out of here and finish the last verse at my place?"