Fic: I'll be the one (4/7)
Title: I'll be the one
Fandom: Murder Call
Characters: Tessa Vance, Steve Hayden, Dee Suzeraine, Lance Fisk, Imogen 'Tootsie' Soames
Prompt: 064. Fall
Word Count: 1544
Rating: G (K)
Summary: She was vibrant; the air around her was crackling with life and gravity seemed to move that blasted man ever closer... [A series of ficlets set after "Aftermath". Based on the Deadline/Suspect novel by Jennifer Rowe.]
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. They belong to Jennifer Rowe, Hal McElroy and Southern Star. I make no profit out of this.
I'LL BE THE ONE
PART FOUR
Set three years after "Aftermath".
“Who’s that with Tessa over there?” said Dee suddenly, her intrigued tone drawing everyone’s attention to the target in her line of sight.
Tessa was standing at the bar waiting for their drinks, one black high-heeled shoe on the footrest, one hand tucking her curly hair behind an ear as a wide grin crossed her lips. She was half turned towards a broad-shouldered, brown-haired man leaning casually against the bar next to her, flashing white even teeth. The man said something and Tessa broke into a chuckle that carried across the rowdy bar to the table where they sat.
“I don’t know,” said Tootsie, a small secretive smile playing on her face. She raised an eyebrow in Dee’s direction and Steve did not like the conspiratorial shine in the pathologist’s grey eyes.
“Ruddy handsome, he is,” quipped Dee, giving a lopsided grin. “Reckon she’ll have company tonight?”
Tootsie chuckled as a slightly affronted look crossed Fisk’s usually stoic features. “I don’t think Detective Vance would appreciate you slandering about her private matters, Constable,” he rebuked, taking a slow sip of his aquavit.
“Well, I ain’t conjuring up any fantasies, Sergeant,” defended Dee. “Come on! Aren’t you the least bit curious? This is Tessa we’re talking about!”
“No matter,” said Fisk calmly, looking at his subordinate carefully, “You should give her some privacy.”
“Oh Lance,” smiled Tootsie, speaking in a very condescending tone, “You can’t deny us the chance to wonder.”
“Yeah, Tessa’s been single for like...forever!” exclaimed Dee, making a wide gesture for emphasis before taking a slug of her beer. Then she leaned closer to all of them, voice lowered. “Seriously, when was the last time that woman got herself laid?”
Dee’s direct tone had the usual effect on her prim and proper boss. Fisk stuttered for a few moments, trying to come up with a reply while Tootsie only laughed, half throwing her head back.
“I’d-I’d hardly call it forever, Constable-“
Steve let Fisk’s stuttering reply disappear to the back of his mind while he turned back to appraise the scene at the bar. The man had moved a step closer and Tessa only needed to lean a bit forward to stick her face all over him.
She was laughing, looking down on occasion as if shy. A rosy tint covered her cheeks. The wild hair was barely touching her shoulders, almost looking like it stood on end. Golden light from the bar reflected on her smooth skin, making her beautiful blue eyes sparkle. The wide smile split her face in two, brightening her features and covering the dark circles he’d seen earlier at the office.
She was vibrant; the air around her was crackling with life and gravity seemed to move that blasted man ever closer-
Steve quickly quenched the jagged spark knifing through his stomach, and looked away with his jaw locked. Instinct was telling him to stay put, even if all he wanted to do was get up and get out.
He’d never expected it would be this hard. He’d thought-Well, he wasn’t sure anymore what he’d been thinking. In fact, it would be better not to think on it at all. He was too damn old to be getting carried away by some idiotic belief that-
Steve’s fingers clenched around his beer.
So Tessa was having a good time with some guy. What did he care? It was none of his business. He was just her partner. Good friend too, probably, but nothing more. Nothing to warrant the kind of stuff running through the back of his head-
“-your sex life!” Dee’s indignant exclamation broke through Steve’s mind and he forcibly willed his brain to get into the situation again. Apparently, they had somehow jumped from Tessa’s personal life to Fisk’s. Once Steve realised that, he figured he really didn’t want those pictures in his head.
“God, Dee!” he said, slightly disgusted. “Would you keep it clean, please?”
Dee opened her mouth, taken aback slightly, and her entire attitude suddenly toned down as she shifted awkwardly on her feet. “Geez, sorry. Everyone’s a prude tonight.”
“Not everyone,” Tootsie said, still smirking, to which Fisk raised a shocked eyebrow. “Oh, come on, Lance. Humans weren’t meant to be some sort of heartless machines. When life’s offering you opportunities, you should grab them-“
Steve pushed back from the table suddenly, halting Tootsie’s statement.
Realising how it might look by the stunned expression on the others’ faces, he muttered as calmly as he could, “Sorry. Been a long day. Think I’m gonna head home.”
“Hey, weren’t you Tessa’s ride?” Dee asked, glancing back to the bar where Tessa was still chatting with the other man.
As if noticing the attention given her way, Tessa glanced towards them, towards him, and Steve’s insides churned uncomfortably at the confusion in her eyes. He wanted to walk out right then and there, and was about to when he noticed motion in the corner of his eye.
Back at the bar, Tessa gave the other guy a blushing smile, flustered, and muttered something before picking up the drinks she’d been waiting for. Moments later, she was at their table to set them down.
Steve couldn’t help notice the guy giving Tessa long, dark, delighted looks as she walked away, as if he’d just won some major prize and was going to savour every last bit of it.
“You leaving already?” she asked Steve, who stood impotently by the table, locked in a state of raging emotions.
“Yeah.” With some difficulty, Steve nodded towards the guy at the bar. “You got someone to give you a ride home?”
Tessa glanced back at the bar, blushing once more as the man grinned at her, then withdrew her eyes embarrassedly. “No.”
“But you got his number, right?” Dee interjected gleefully, waggling her eyebrows suggestively. “Gotta hand it to you, Tessa. You know how to pick ‘em.”
Chuckling awkwardly, Tessa tucked a strand of hair behind her hair in that damnable cute way of hers. Steve’s fists clenched at his sides.
“Anyway,” Steve said, his tone even as he gave everyone a courteous nod, “I’m heading off. See you guys tomorrow.”
He didn’t wait to see if Tessa followed or not. In the short second their eyes had met, she’d looked stunned and self-conscious all at once. The picture hadn’t sat well with him. Although his steps were slow, deliberate, he knew he was running. Knew he couldn’t wait to get away. And as the cold evening air hit him, he realised how hot he was; how he bristled with emotion.
Steve hated the feeling. The last time he’d felt that way, it’d ended in a divorce.
…which was definitely not something he wanted to associate with this situation right now.
“Hey, Steve?”
Hearing her voice call out to him, Steve groaned beneath his breath. He didn’t turn around to face her, though, just narrowing his focus to the curb in front of him. “Yeah?”
She caught up to him, a little out of breath, and kept up with his long strides. “You okay?”
Damn that worried voice. It only antagonised him further, but this, damn it, this wasn’t the time and place for it. They were still in cop territory. Steve knew how fast gossip travelled; knew some of it was already out there.
“Yeah,” he said as calmly as possible, not meeting her eyes. “Just tired. Too many all-nighters lately.”
Tessa chuckled lightly. “Sorry ‘bout that.”
Steve shrugged. “Led us to our merchant, eventually. Case solved.”
“Still, I am sorry.” She was staring at him, observing him; he could see it in the corner of his eye. After all these years as partners, he knew the look well. Usually appreciated it, but not now.
He continued to walk forwards to where he’d parked the car. Just a few more metres left. Thankfully, she didn’t say anything more.
The ride to her apartment was conducted in silence, and though she hesitated before getting out, she eventually got out with a stilted “Good night.”
As the door closed behind her, Steve felt he could breathe again…but just as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he realised how wrong that felt. How wrong the entire ride had felt. They weren’t supposed to be like that. It wasn’t them.
They’d been partners for more than three years. They’d gotten comfortable with each other, seen each other’s weaknesses, seen each other’s strengths, and they’d saved each other’s lives more times than he could count.
She was supposed to give those smiles to him.
Steve felt the fight leave him as he leaned forward, resting his head on the steering wheel. Inhaling deeply, he tilted his head and looked up to where Tessa’s apartment was still dark. He stared until the lights came on, as if waiting to see if she’d look down, to check if he was still there, in pain, unable to tell her what was on his mind, pushing the distance between them.
She didn’t.
With a sigh, Steve left.
But if he’d stayed a moment longer, he’d have seen her face behind the curtains. He’d have seen her look down at where his car was still standing.
And he’d have known she knew.
PART THREE
PART FIVE
Fandom: Murder Call
Characters: Tessa Vance, Steve Hayden, Dee Suzeraine, Lance Fisk, Imogen 'Tootsie' Soames
Prompt: 064. Fall
Word Count: 1544
Rating: G (K)
Summary: She was vibrant; the air around her was crackling with life and gravity seemed to move that blasted man ever closer... [A series of ficlets set after "Aftermath". Based on the Deadline/Suspect novel by Jennifer Rowe.]
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. They belong to Jennifer Rowe, Hal McElroy and Southern Star. I make no profit out of this.
I'LL BE THE ONE
PART FOUR
Set three years after "Aftermath".
“Who’s that with Tessa over there?” said Dee suddenly, her intrigued tone drawing everyone’s attention to the target in her line of sight.
Tessa was standing at the bar waiting for their drinks, one black high-heeled shoe on the footrest, one hand tucking her curly hair behind an ear as a wide grin crossed her lips. She was half turned towards a broad-shouldered, brown-haired man leaning casually against the bar next to her, flashing white even teeth. The man said something and Tessa broke into a chuckle that carried across the rowdy bar to the table where they sat.
“I don’t know,” said Tootsie, a small secretive smile playing on her face. She raised an eyebrow in Dee’s direction and Steve did not like the conspiratorial shine in the pathologist’s grey eyes.
“Ruddy handsome, he is,” quipped Dee, giving a lopsided grin. “Reckon she’ll have company tonight?”
Tootsie chuckled as a slightly affronted look crossed Fisk’s usually stoic features. “I don’t think Detective Vance would appreciate you slandering about her private matters, Constable,” he rebuked, taking a slow sip of his aquavit.
“Well, I ain’t conjuring up any fantasies, Sergeant,” defended Dee. “Come on! Aren’t you the least bit curious? This is Tessa we’re talking about!”
“No matter,” said Fisk calmly, looking at his subordinate carefully, “You should give her some privacy.”
“Oh Lance,” smiled Tootsie, speaking in a very condescending tone, “You can’t deny us the chance to wonder.”
“Yeah, Tessa’s been single for like...forever!” exclaimed Dee, making a wide gesture for emphasis before taking a slug of her beer. Then she leaned closer to all of them, voice lowered. “Seriously, when was the last time that woman got herself laid?”
Dee’s direct tone had the usual effect on her prim and proper boss. Fisk stuttered for a few moments, trying to come up with a reply while Tootsie only laughed, half throwing her head back.
“I’d-I’d hardly call it forever, Constable-“
Steve let Fisk’s stuttering reply disappear to the back of his mind while he turned back to appraise the scene at the bar. The man had moved a step closer and Tessa only needed to lean a bit forward to stick her face all over him.
She was laughing, looking down on occasion as if shy. A rosy tint covered her cheeks. The wild hair was barely touching her shoulders, almost looking like it stood on end. Golden light from the bar reflected on her smooth skin, making her beautiful blue eyes sparkle. The wide smile split her face in two, brightening her features and covering the dark circles he’d seen earlier at the office.
She was vibrant; the air around her was crackling with life and gravity seemed to move that blasted man ever closer-
Steve quickly quenched the jagged spark knifing through his stomach, and looked away with his jaw locked. Instinct was telling him to stay put, even if all he wanted to do was get up and get out.
He’d never expected it would be this hard. He’d thought-Well, he wasn’t sure anymore what he’d been thinking. In fact, it would be better not to think on it at all. He was too damn old to be getting carried away by some idiotic belief that-
Steve’s fingers clenched around his beer.
So Tessa was having a good time with some guy. What did he care? It was none of his business. He was just her partner. Good friend too, probably, but nothing more. Nothing to warrant the kind of stuff running through the back of his head-
“-your sex life!” Dee’s indignant exclamation broke through Steve’s mind and he forcibly willed his brain to get into the situation again. Apparently, they had somehow jumped from Tessa’s personal life to Fisk’s. Once Steve realised that, he figured he really didn’t want those pictures in his head.
“God, Dee!” he said, slightly disgusted. “Would you keep it clean, please?”
Dee opened her mouth, taken aback slightly, and her entire attitude suddenly toned down as she shifted awkwardly on her feet. “Geez, sorry. Everyone’s a prude tonight.”
“Not everyone,” Tootsie said, still smirking, to which Fisk raised a shocked eyebrow. “Oh, come on, Lance. Humans weren’t meant to be some sort of heartless machines. When life’s offering you opportunities, you should grab them-“
Steve pushed back from the table suddenly, halting Tootsie’s statement.
Realising how it might look by the stunned expression on the others’ faces, he muttered as calmly as he could, “Sorry. Been a long day. Think I’m gonna head home.”
“Hey, weren’t you Tessa’s ride?” Dee asked, glancing back to the bar where Tessa was still chatting with the other man.
As if noticing the attention given her way, Tessa glanced towards them, towards him, and Steve’s insides churned uncomfortably at the confusion in her eyes. He wanted to walk out right then and there, and was about to when he noticed motion in the corner of his eye.
Back at the bar, Tessa gave the other guy a blushing smile, flustered, and muttered something before picking up the drinks she’d been waiting for. Moments later, she was at their table to set them down.
Steve couldn’t help notice the guy giving Tessa long, dark, delighted looks as she walked away, as if he’d just won some major prize and was going to savour every last bit of it.
“You leaving already?” she asked Steve, who stood impotently by the table, locked in a state of raging emotions.
“Yeah.” With some difficulty, Steve nodded towards the guy at the bar. “You got someone to give you a ride home?”
Tessa glanced back at the bar, blushing once more as the man grinned at her, then withdrew her eyes embarrassedly. “No.”
“But you got his number, right?” Dee interjected gleefully, waggling her eyebrows suggestively. “Gotta hand it to you, Tessa. You know how to pick ‘em.”
Chuckling awkwardly, Tessa tucked a strand of hair behind her hair in that damnable cute way of hers. Steve’s fists clenched at his sides.
“Anyway,” Steve said, his tone even as he gave everyone a courteous nod, “I’m heading off. See you guys tomorrow.”
He didn’t wait to see if Tessa followed or not. In the short second their eyes had met, she’d looked stunned and self-conscious all at once. The picture hadn’t sat well with him. Although his steps were slow, deliberate, he knew he was running. Knew he couldn’t wait to get away. And as the cold evening air hit him, he realised how hot he was; how he bristled with emotion.
Steve hated the feeling. The last time he’d felt that way, it’d ended in a divorce.
…which was definitely not something he wanted to associate with this situation right now.
“Hey, Steve?”
Hearing her voice call out to him, Steve groaned beneath his breath. He didn’t turn around to face her, though, just narrowing his focus to the curb in front of him. “Yeah?”
She caught up to him, a little out of breath, and kept up with his long strides. “You okay?”
Damn that worried voice. It only antagonised him further, but this, damn it, this wasn’t the time and place for it. They were still in cop territory. Steve knew how fast gossip travelled; knew some of it was already out there.
“Yeah,” he said as calmly as possible, not meeting her eyes. “Just tired. Too many all-nighters lately.”
Tessa chuckled lightly. “Sorry ‘bout that.”
Steve shrugged. “Led us to our merchant, eventually. Case solved.”
“Still, I am sorry.” She was staring at him, observing him; he could see it in the corner of his eye. After all these years as partners, he knew the look well. Usually appreciated it, but not now.
He continued to walk forwards to where he’d parked the car. Just a few more metres left. Thankfully, she didn’t say anything more.
The ride to her apartment was conducted in silence, and though she hesitated before getting out, she eventually got out with a stilted “Good night.”
As the door closed behind her, Steve felt he could breathe again…but just as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he realised how wrong that felt. How wrong the entire ride had felt. They weren’t supposed to be like that. It wasn’t them.
They’d been partners for more than three years. They’d gotten comfortable with each other, seen each other’s weaknesses, seen each other’s strengths, and they’d saved each other’s lives more times than he could count.
She was supposed to give those smiles to him.
Steve felt the fight leave him as he leaned forward, resting his head on the steering wheel. Inhaling deeply, he tilted his head and looked up to where Tessa’s apartment was still dark. He stared until the lights came on, as if waiting to see if she’d look down, to check if he was still there, in pain, unable to tell her what was on his mind, pushing the distance between them.
She didn’t.
With a sigh, Steve left.
But if he’d stayed a moment longer, he’d have seen her face behind the curtains. He’d have seen her look down at where his car was still standing.
And he’d have known she knew.
PART THREE
PART FIVE