m_findlow

Title: Chatterbox
Fandom: FAKE
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG.
Length: 1,000 words
Content notes: none
Author notes: Written for Challenge 53 - Silence at fandomweekly
Summary: Dee's new temporary partner is driving him nuts.

Dee resisted the urge to groan at JJ's incessant chatter. This was cruel and unusual punishment, even for Dee.

'Don't get me wrong, Ted's a nice guy, but man he just never stops complaining about stuff, y'know? It's the traffic, or the attitude from the cabbie, or not being able to find a park anywhere nearby, or the weather. Do you have any idea how draining it is to listen to that kind of endless whinging?'

Dee sighed. He did, as a matter of fact. He tugged the crumpled box of cigarettes from his pocket and pulled one out, raising a hand around his lighter to protect it from the autumn breeze. It was a nice day for just enjoying the fresh air but JJ had him on edge. As he sucked on the the first drag, that little semi instantaneous buzz of nicotine barely made a difference to his demeanor. He sucked long and hard on the filter, hoping that a bit more might make JJ less annoying. At least he wasn't physically all over Dee, not out on the streets anyway. Dee made sure that he had his police badge clipped to his belt and his hand in his pocket, tugging back the edge of his jacket so that everyone could see the shiny NYPD crest. JJ wouldn't dare make a scene somewhere people knew who and what they were. Even he wasn't that stupid.

'You know what else, Dee? I don't know about that partner of yours. He doesn't seem your type, if you know what I mean.'

Dee didn't know what JJ meant. He liked Ryo. No, actually, he loved Ryo, even if he didn't seem to love Dee back. Not yet, anyhow. That was a work in progress. Damn the Badger for having him temporarily reassigned to this Special Branch project, whatever it was. Dee made a point of not asking about it. He didn't want anyone to think he was jealous he hadn't been chosen, Drake filling the second posting alongside Ryo. He also didn't want to hear that Ryo might be enjoying it and not want to come back into the 27th Precinct Detective fold. He'd already wasted his breath on the Chief, demanding to know why he was splitting them up and why he hadn't been asked to join. "Cause you're a lazy ass, Laytner, that's why," had been the short response.

'Maybe Ryo will become Special Branch permanently,' JJ said. 'That'd mean we could continue being partners. Wouldn't that be great? You and mean a team again, Dee!' He broke their unspoken protocol and clutched Dee's arm affectionately.

God he hoped not. 'You know, JJ, you don't have to be partnered up with someone.'

'W-what?' JJ stumbled over the word almost as much as his feet, coming to a stop.

'You could work solo. I did for ages. It's not so bad.' The whole point of having a partner was so that you made sure the other stayed out of trouble. JJ definitely needed someone for that but Dee didn't want to be it. JJ had only one real partnership in mind and that one required a bed and no clothes.

'Oh, no. I couldn't ever not have a partner and now that we're back together I just know that this is going to work out. I'm going to have a word with the Chief to see if he can make this permanent. After all Ryo doesn't care who he works with, I'm sure. I can tell the Chief how close we were at the academy and how we compliment each others skills and everything. I'm a great shot and you're great with, well, all that other stuff. Do you remember those three mile morning runs we had to do every day? Nobody could beat us. We were the dream team!'

Dee did remember. They'd been the bane of his academy days. He only ran fast for two reason, firstly to get it over with as quickly as possible, and second, because JJ was always right there behind him. "I'm coming for you, Dee!" he taunted, and that was enough to keep Dee moving. He didn't want to find out what happened if JJ ever caught up with him.

'Don't you just love New York in the autumn?' JJ asked, changing the subject again. 'The weather is nicer and the trees are so red and the chilli on the chilli dogs tastes better and...'

God! Did JJ ever shut up? He hadn't stopped for the past hour since they'd left the Precinct. It made him miss that companionable silence he often shared with Ryo. He always seemed to know exactly what to say and when to say it without mincing words. He'd forgotten however that JJ could talk under wet concrete and their new partnership had only spurred him into an even more cheerful chattiness.

'I can't wait for it to get cold enough for the skating rinks to open. Dee!' JJ gasped. 'We can go skating on our lunch break! Won't that be great? And afterwards we can go to that stall that sells the hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts and-'

Dee spotted the alleyway and shoved JJ roughly down it, pinning him to the rough brick wall and kissing him hard. When he broke it off, it was all he could do not to wipe his mouth with the back of his hand.

JJ blinked and stood there utterly speechless. His cunning plan had worked a treat, silencing JJ completely. Kissing him was a sacrifice well worth making.

Dee smirked. 'What, nothing to say?' Dee stood back and wandered back out on the street, a mute JJ trailing behind him. His phone beeped and a message came up. "Special Branch assignment wrapping up tonight. Guess I'll be back at the Precinct tomorrow. Ryo."

Dee smiled. Ah, peace at last, and he was getting his old partner back. New York really was beautiful in the autumn.