Springboard #19: Mellowing out

[nickhart]

Well, it used t' be with a beer (or somethin' stiffer) but that's not the case anymore. I dunno, usually by the time I get home I'm calmer than I was at the office. Neo (that's my ferret [Yes, I named him after the Matrix character]) tends t' know when I'm on edge, so he keeps me entertained the minute I walk in the door when I'm particularly on

Comments

[followedhimdown]

...you have a ferret.

[followedhimdown]

It's fine. John and I still see each other every day. He's not letting me out of his sight. And the guys on the task force aren't so bad.

[nickhart]

Okay, sorry if I'm bein' rude or somethin', but that just sounds kinda cute. But it's a partner thing, I know. I know the feelin' of wantin' t' protect yer partner.

[followedhimdown]

*laughs*

What can I say? My partner's not just my partner, he's been my best friend for the last eleven years.

What about you, who do you hang with?

[nickhart]

Rest of the department. We tend t' rotate 'round though, dependin' on the case and our particular strengths. So we're all pretty tightknit as a whole.

[followedhimdown]

Sounds peachy. Are you guys just as dateless and antisocial as we are?

[nickhart]

Uhm... I'm the black sheep of the department, I guess, but that's fer another reason.

[followedhimdown]

Do tell. Antisocial and dateless, or just antisocial?

[nickhart]

More the latter than the former. I ain't avoidin' people just... *he sighed, knowing there was no two ways to avoid it* The last girl I was datin' was killed.

[followedhimdown]

Immediately sobers.

Shit, I'm sorry. I was just teasing.

[nickhart]

Yeah, I know. Don't worry 'bout it. It's somethin' that's come up a lot lately, and I've been dealin' with it a lot better now than I did then.

[followedhimdown]

I've lost two of my family members early. I know how it goes.

Smiles grimly.

I was just talking to my partner about how we're both antisocial and dateless and I can't remember my last date, and neither can he.

[nickhart]

Geez. Sounds like yer more overworked than I am. That's no good at all.

[followedhimdown]

I don't think it's so much overworked, as I just haven't bothered. Or found a guy that holds my interest. Or one that seems to be interested in me.

[nickhart]

Yeah, all of that'll d' it. You'll be surprised 'round here. Might find someone. I've met up with a girl a couple of times already that I met online. Might happen t' ya, too.

[followedhimdown]

Laughs.

Ah, all the cute ones are always out of the game.