Like a warm drink it seeps into my soul

Please just leave me right here on my own

Later on you could spend some time with me

If you want to, all at sea

Jamie Cullen – All at Sea

Although he'd suggested Irish coffee, they'd found themselves in a familiar bar drinking just Irish.

In a funk over the Danny situation, he'd spent the first few rounds of Jameson glum and murky. She'd listened attentively as he recounted his side of the saga; Danny, Lindsay, Danny skipping work, his suspicions that Danny had perhaps cheated on Lindsay, Rikki and Ruben Sandoval and Ollie Barnes. Shaking his head and tiredly protesting "He's my friend Jess but I've still got responsibilities. It's like a rock and a hard place!"

Nodding sympathetically she'd periodically interjected, as a friend then a colleague, with words of agreement and advice. "You did the right thing today Don, we'd all have done the same. Danny will get over it, it'll take time but he'll get there".

They'd drunk in thoughtful silence.

"It's hard to loose someone. After my Mom died, I didn't ever think things would be okay again but…" she'd started then shrugged, almost embarrassed by her revelation. Lacing his fingers through hers, he'd gently probed "How old were you?'

"Eight. She was driving me to my soccer game after school and a truck hit us. I don't remember much about it; just crying out for her and it starting to rain". Her bottom lip quivered a little and he'd pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her temple, "Just a little kid huh? I'm sorry Jess".

It wasn't often that she spoke so candidly, the alcohol loosening her tongue. She'd leant into him, watching as the bartender refilled their glasses. "I was fifteen and it was cancer. We knew it was going to happen but still...I really miss her".

She'd known he was referring to his Mother. He kept a photograph on his dresser; a tall dark haired woman tightly embracing a small boy, of around five or six, at a ball park. Despite the young age of the boy, the dimples and eyes were unequivocally those of Don Flack.

Originally taking him to be just another stubborn, arrogant cop, it'd always fascinated her to discover another of his layers. He had both boyish charm and fiery passion. He stayed close to his family and a tight group of friends but was out going enough to find common ground with most. Usually so sure of himself, he sometimes wavered and craved assurance. He looked up to the intelligence of the crime lab but wasn't as dumb as he sometimes made out, reading fervently and soaking up information like a sponge.

She'd watched him swirl the amber liquid round the glass, fading from tough detective to weary young man. Rubbing small, comforting circles on his back, soothing "I'm sorry too Don".

They'd drunk in amiable silence until he'd grinned slyly; breaking the melancholy, "So tell me about this girl's school you went to. There were uniforms, right?!"

o-o-o

She sat astride him in his favorite easy chair, skin glistening and gloriously naked save for his tie that hung loosely around her neck. With his hands planted firmly around her hips, he crooned along with the radio, words slurred from the whiskey. "You're a terrible singer Flack!" she scoffed, gently stroking the stubble on his jaw.

He scowled, mockingly, as she giggled; tickling him, then teasing him with kisses. Writhing against her touch he laughed out loud, grabbing her hands to restrain her. Lazily trailing his lips along her forearm, he halted at her wrist, "What's the deal with all this Jess?"

Leaning forward, her lips grazed his shoulders, temporarily distracting his questioning, "What's the deal with all this Jess, what?"

"With this", he lifted her wrist to his lips.

"And this", he fingered a delicate patch on her hip.

"And this", he dipped his head to kiss her side; allowing his lips to trail back across the swell of her breast, his tongue pausing to tease the puckered nipple, and then continue up her sternum before coming to rest in the hollow of her throat.

Shivering at his touch, she moved closer to his body, snaking her arms around his neck. He rested his forehead against hers relishing the intimacy, before adopting his most serious tone and pressing "Well?" She leant back, regarding him for a moment before jeering, "Your cop voice isn't going work with me buddy!"

He narrowed his eyes, in one last attempt, before pouting, "Okay, what's the deal with all this Jess, please?" Brushing her lips to his she chided, "Better".

"This one", she held up her wrist, "is the same as my favorite bracelet. It was my Mom's, and my Grandmother's before that. It's too precious to wear all the time so I have this one instead"

"Good thinking Detective", his hands gently turned her wrist over so he could fully examine the ink, although he'd done it countless times before.

"This one", she leant back exposing the small bird on her hip, "is a homing pigeon. So no matter where I end up, I always make back it home".

Rubbing his thumb over the bird, he echoed, "A pigeon?"

"Oui, un pigeon voyageur" she blushed, "I was maybe a bit crazy with that one. I was young though!"

"Un pigeon voyageur" he stumbled softly, "I think it's cute". Laughing she kissed him, murmuring "We might need to work on your French".

"And this one," she twisted a little to display the full extent of the intricate Mehndi design that swirled across her ribcage and ended just under her breast. "This one is my favorite" he nodded deviously, dipping to languorously cover the area with his lips.

"I'd never have guessed" she retorted dryly but moaning in pleasure at his touch. "I saw women with the designs when I was India, they were amazing; so beautiful", she beamed dreamily at the memories. "My Dad flipped at the wrist though, so, I went for somewhere a bit more discrete for this one".

He snorted, thinking out loud "If your old man was pissed at a tat, I'd hate to hear what he'd say about you dating a cop".

"What's to say my old man doesn't already know that I'm dating a cop?!"

Her words sobered and surprised him. They went on dates, they slept together, they had a change of clothes and toothbrush at each other's apartment, she'd told him there wasn't anyone else and he knew there weren't any other women but they had yet to define the 'arrangement'. He hoped that they were 'dating' but as she always seemed a little detached, couldn't be sure.

Her cheeks flushed and she began to hastily clamber from his lap. "I just thought…sorry! I think it'd be best if I headed home now".

Grabbing her wrists, he pulling her back roughly, staring at her a little open mouthed. Her cheeks continued to burn and she wrapped her arms around her body awkwardly, shielding her nakedness.

He began to fight a wide grin as he nodded "We're dating Jess," before letting it take control. Cupping her chin in his palms and kissing her deeply, he assured tenderly, "We're dating".