"I guess I was wrong
I just don't belong
But then, I've been there before
And everything is alright
I'll just say goodnight
And I'll show myself to the door
I didn't mean to cause a big scene
Just wait 'til I finish this glass
Then sweet little lady
I'll head back to the bar
And you can kiss my ass"

- Garth Brooks ("Friends in Low Places")

Kendall Novak is not sure why she is following her co-workers to Sullivan's. She doesn't really know them. She doesn't really like them. But she is lonely. The lab has become empty since she and Adam Ross have been split into two different shifts. She misses their antagonizing relationship, their friendly banter. It does not help that he has been sent out to the field more often either. She misses having him as an ally in a lab full of petty differences.

Without him around, she fades into the background. She goes to the lab everyday and does her work quietly. No one really notices her anymore. So she is surprised when one of the techs invites her to go out with them tonight after their shift is over. Kendall knows that Mac Taylor's team will be at Sullivan's tonight as well. So Adam will be there. She accepts the invitation.

She scans the room once they enter the bar and sees Lindsay and Don sitting together near the back, deep in private conversation. Unfortunately, the other techs notice as well just as Lindsay reaches across the table and pats Don's hand. They scoff from the bar. Really? She gets dumped by Messer so she moves on to his best friend? How desperate can a girl get? She needs to get a life. Move back to Montana. Get over herself. Really. Have some self-respect. Not that Don isn't nice to look at…

Kendall sips her beer silently as she drowns them out. She does not know Lindsay very well, having only worked a few cases with her. But from what she has experienced from their little interaction is that the young CSI is polite and charming. Not at all arrogant or demanding. Very sweet and honestly nice, almost to a fault. But before Kendall can voice her opinion, the door to the bar opens again. She watches as Sheldon Hawkes walks in, followed by Stella and Mac. She suppresses a sigh. Maybe he is not coming after all.

She feels a twinge of jealousy as Don pours the three newcomers glasses of beer. She suddenly realizes that she longs to be part of a team as close as them. She wants to be a part of their team. But she does not feel comfortable joining the table. It is not that they have ever made her feel unwelcome. In fact, it is the complete opposite. Ever since her first day, they have embraced her. But since Adam moved on, Kendall does not feel as confident around them unless there is a case to talk about. So she stays by the bar, only half listening to the techs gripe.

Then he walks in. With Detective Angell. Kendall frowns. She can't compete with that, a tall dark haired beauty. They are laughing, sharing a private joke as they pass the bar. But Adam spots her as he takes a seat next to Stella. And he grins at her. She feels her heart flutter. He motions for her to join them at their table. She is torn. She feels obligated to stay with the techs at the bar, but then she hears one of their snide comments.

Why is Adam Ross looking over here? He's such a loser. And a kiss ass at that. Like he thinks that he even has a chance with any of us. Like he has a chance with any woman. He's such a dork. With his comic books and stuttering. Kendall's eyes widen and her jaw drops at the unprovoked attack, as though dragging Lindsay's name through mud wasn't enough for them. She sees red as her blood pressure rises. How dare they?

She finishes her drink and whips her head at the group. She is tired of listening to all of their bitching and moaning. She is sick of hearing their slanderous words about perfectly nice people who have done absolutely nothing but be kind to them. If they think that Danny Messer would want to hook up with any of them after hearing all of the crap they have spewed for the last month, they are certifiably delusional. Lindsay Monroe is a better person than all of them combined. She is compassionate. She is thoughtful. She is caring. Maybe that's why Danny chose to be with her and not them. Have they ever thought about that? Do they even think at all? Oh, and Adam Ross may be a dork, but he is a better friend and tech than any one of them on his worst day.

She turns and leaves the flabbergasted group at the bar. There will be hell to pay tomorrow morning, but right now, she does not care. She needs to get away from them. She prepares to leave, but is surprised to find that she has caught the attention of the table she longs to join. There is a look of shock on all of their faces. Was she really that loud? They call out her name and wave her over. She walks sheepishly to them. They smile at her. It looks like she could use a refill, Don says as he fills her empty glass.

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A/N - Like it? Hate it? Reviews help and keep the muse happy.