Luckily, no one but Stockwell gives me a second glance. He all but drags me into his office, pushing me into the chair and proceeds to scream at me for ‘fraternizing with the suspects’; to which I casually point out that I was fucking Brian long before he became a suspect. God, if looks could kill… “You’re going to burst a blood vessel, Jimmy…” I find myself pointing out, only to cause him to turn an even deeper shade of purple. It’s slightly worrying how much he looks like a blackcurrant right now. I get the feeling I should probably run for the hills before he explodes and I get the blame. “Taylor! I’ve told you before about ‘fucking’ with my suspects!” he hisses, getting dangerously close to hitting me. I swallow down the lump in my throat before I offer a cocky smile, “Only cause it ain’t you…” I point out. I know I’m treading dangerous waters but I have to remind him I’m higher up than he is. He’s just the chief. I’m the CSI. I’m the closest thing to a Fed you’ll find in Pittsburgh; and I get paid at least four times more than Stockwell does. I can almost hear his teeth grinding together as he slams his fist onto his desk, the letter opener falling off the edge and embedding itself in the carpet, my eyes widening as I look up at him. “GET OUT!” So, naturally, I turn and leg it out as fast as I can. Hey, he didn’t need to tell me twice, you know. Everyone else in the office is silent, eyes on me. I glance about before cracking a cheeky smile, causing a few laughs to erupt about the place as I leave the building, heading towards Liberty Avenue. The diner is just as I remember. Busy and loud. The door ‘pings’ as I enter, looking about and, upon finding my target, I make a beeline for it. “Debbie!” I say loudly, the woman’s gum snapping as she turns to me and shrieks in an abnormally loud voice. “SUNSHINE!” Well, if no-one had noticed I was here, they sure did now. As did most of Pennsylvania. I grin widely and duck my head shyly. “Hey Deb, is my old job still open?” My head jerks up as my apron’s thrust at my chest, name tag and all. “I had a feeling you’d come back,” was all the explanation I received when I cocked a brow at her. “Table 6 needs waiting.” I’d reapplied to PIFA before I came home and, thankfully, had gotten in. Which meant I was now juggling two jobs and school. How exciting. Note the sarcasm. But still, I had to finish school; granted I had my CSI qualifications, but I planned on doing some freelance work on the side which, as I’ve found out, you need an Art degree to do. Hence the school. And my ‘official’ work wage is cashed straight into my college fund (I curse my father for that), so the diner is just really for normal money, I think of it as ‘pocket money’. Juvenile, I know, but it’s true. I slid my jacket off, slinging it through into the back before tying my apron round my waist. I knew from experience how hot the diner could get when you were waiting, so I was glad my shirt could be unbuttoned. With three buttons undone, part of my chest could be seen but that ensured more tips for me. Taking a deep breath, I grabbed a tray, my pad and a pen, and darted for the table, all smiles and happiness. The door pinged. “Hey Ma!” Oh great, it’s Michael. “Hey Deb.” And Ted. “Hiiiiiiiiiii baby!” and Emmett. The latter grabs me in a bone crushing hug (he must have been getting lesson’s from Deb), and I almost drop my tray. “Hey Em,” I manage to squeak out. I’m sure my lips are turning blue from lack of oxygen, so I’m almost thankful when his arms are prized off me by someone. Three guesses who it is. “Hey Sunshine…” I turn quickly, a bright smile lighting up my face. “Bri!” Five months away but I can still see why I fell in love with him. His hair has that ‘just-fucked’ look and his suit is immaculate. It’s obvious he’s on his way to work. “Coffee?” He nods at me and I shuffle off to get it, sidestepping a bear’s outstretched hand in the process. “Hey Justin, did you know Stockwell’s going for mayor?” My jaw drops as I spin round, coffee sloshing everywhere. “No way!?” He can’t. I know first hand what he’s like. He will turn Liberty Avenue into a police state. It’s one thing putting up with it at work, but in the only free ‘safe haven’ for gays? For him, it’ll be Christmas come early. Forcing us to have sex in our homes? Somehow I don’t see that going down well. I frown in thought of having to have sex in Deb’s house…or my mom’s. Eww no, I’d rather not. “He’s going for Mayor? But why? Is ‘Police Chief’ not enough?” Well at least Michael and I see eye-to-eye for once. “He’s a fucking homophobe. He hates gays. He’s doesn’t deserve right to be mayor. All his cops are corrupt and ‘phobes!” Now wait just a goddamned minute! “Hey Mikey,” I say, coming up behind him. “All cops are ’phobes? That’s bullshit! I’ll have you know most of Jim’s cronies are closet cases or just out gays!” He sneers at me in that ’I’m-all-knowing’ way and I just want to throttle him. “Oh yeah, and how do you know that?” He’s challenging me, so, naturally, I smirk and slide my badge out my pocket and throw it onto the table, folding my arms. It slides past Ted, whose eyes widen, Emmett who gasps before stopping in front of Mikey who just stares. “Because I am one, you retard!”