So this is my first time writing anything but I'm really enjoying it so far :) So I will be super surprised and excited if anyone reads this ! And even more grateful if anyone reviews ! Anyway I hope you enjoy and I hope I've got the characters ok... also early stuff is mostly introductory but it gets more emotional and angsty I promise :)

Chapter 1

… Heh …

Before Fuller had even finished telling them about the case Tom and Doug were already having a silent but argumentative conversation using their eyes. Tom, looking at his partner with an expression that would frighten anybody who didn't know him better and Doug glaring back with his trademark puppy dog eyes. Then as they walked out of Fullers' office, their usual bickering began.

"No.", Tom said flatly, finally verbalising what his eyes had been telling Doug for the last 10 minutes.

"But Tommy!", Doug whined.

"Don't use that tone with me young lady", Tom retorted in his usual sarcastic manner.

"Am I going to have to dump you at an old peoples home and trade you in for a younger model?".

"You wouldn't dare", he countered fake hurt in his voice.

At this point Doug new he had won the battle of whether they were going under as the McQuaids. The truth was Tom loved this cover almost as much as his partner but always protested half-heartedly out of habit.

As always, the urban legend of the McQuaid brothers circled the halls long before the boys set foot into the school. The fake transcripts of the undercover officers had been sent to the schools' office earlier that week. Teacher's nervous whispers were overheard by students and rumours of the reign of terror the misfit brothers held over previous schools were retold so frequently they were soon accepted as facts.

The woolly and imposing older brother was followed by his smaller and much more reserved brother through the front entrance of Grandvale High. This particular school was not in a bad area and was filled with extraordinarily ordinary kids. Mathew Benton was an exception. To the school, he was just a kid that had been going through a rough time with the recent death of his father and had apparently let his grades slip a little. But to the police department he was the first and most easily accessible step towards taking down a large drug empire. And that's why the officers were there.

"It must be true, he's huge, he has to have been held back a year," was the first audible whisper they could hear. "And look Tommy does carry a gun, you can see it bulging from his jacket pocket". Tommy laughed as he heard this and remembered the garbage Penhall dumped in his car that he had shoved into his pocket a few minutes prior.

Just like a scene in a cheesy 80's movie both the men continued to strut down the corridor. Doug eyed everyone who dared meet his gaze giving them a look that told them he wasn't going to take anyone's shit. Tommy followed not making eye contact with anyone. He walked in his usual laid back manner, showing his obliviousness to his own attractiveness. This fact of course only making him more irresistible. As he leant on his locker he was approached by a sweet looking girl, who started a conversation with him.

Doug leant on the locker behind him, loving every moment of watching his partner squirm. Even when playing a Mcquaid, Tom always seemed oblivious or at least genuinely confused about the effect he had on females.

"… I'm sorry but I ah, already have a girlfriend.".

"That's no problem; you seem man enough to handle two women.". Doug bit his finger to hold in a laugh, generally the girlfriend line was enough.

"Nice you think so, but I'm sure my girlfriend would not agree with you.", he said as he laughed uncomfortably and ran his hand through his hair in a way that even Penhall thought was adorable.

"Alright, but if you ever change your mind, call me.", she said smoothly, staring into his eyes as she ran her hand down his shirt and slipped a piece of paper into his pocket. "Or you could introduce me to your brother.".

Doug finally interrupts, "I think you should listen to my brother before someone sees you with us and tells your daddy, who will most likely ground you for a month, ok then, bye bye now.". He said as he waved her off condescendingly.

Now the pressure was off, Tom was basking in the attention that he wasn't accustomed to receiving as Tom Hanson. He couldn't help wondering why his real jail sentence didn't seem to have the same effect on women.

"Let's go introduce ourselves to Mathew shall we, before I have to arrest you for taking advantage of a minor.". Doug teased.

"Not funny Doug.". Hanson said shooting him a cold look as they began to walk towards the cafeteria.

"Tommy man, when are you finally going to accept it.".

"Accept what?" he questioned, even though he knew what Doug was about to say.

"That good girls like bad boys and bad girls like bad boys?"

"Then who do good guys, like you and I get Doug? Huh?", he said choosing not to accept Penhall's words of apparent wisdom. "And it's too bad anyway … I've got an image to live up to, remember? Boy scout Hanson.".

"That's ok little bro, just enjoy it while it lasts, because… "

"We're the Mcquaid brothers, Heh!". They shout in unison beginning to rough each other up.

'Yes, I sure will', Tom thought. Feeling fleetingly scared about how much he enjoyed playing this character. One that asserts respect for the wrong reasons, turns heads as he walks down a corridor and doesn't have to live up to anyone's expectations. Over the years Tom found he was good at playing pretend, easier to hide your own feelings that way. 'Maybe a little too easy' he thought.