i can kill you in 70 different ways and not leave a single trace of evidence behind
bob floyd had always been fascinated by science. it was the art of discovery and learning. he loved all branches of the subject, but chemistry and physics were his favorites
one was based in learning how things worked in the world. how things reacted to each other, with each other. and what they were composed of and how to break them down. the other was based on learning how the world worked on things. how those things reacted to the circumstances and conditions around them.
biology snuck in at third place later when he got to ninth grade.
and the human body was such a complex yet simple thing. a near perfect combination of his two loves.
and then later his sophomore year of high school he went on a field trip to the local crime lab when his science class was doing a unit on DNA.
and that is when he found his true love.
forensics
======
and thank you to @desert-fern for giving me this idea! 💜
BBC Merlin CSI where a group of sorcerers investigate the deaths of powerful magic users: Mary Collins, Edwin Muirden, Nimueh, Sidhe Elder, Aulfric, Sophia, Sigan (his spirit), etc.
I want a BBC Merlin-ish Grissom-character saying "the dead don’t speak for themselves, we speak for the dead.”
Then this magic CSI trace these deaths back to the mystical emrys. They share their results to the magic world. Magic world rise up in revolution, because "WTF is Emrys even on our side??”
And then Morgana uses their findings to make her case against this elusive but suddenly very real Emrys.
Will that force Emrys into showing up or will that make him hide himself even more? Will that finally make the prophetic magic sect allow themselves and their message to be known?
CSI Rogers and Barnes: The Serious Cereal Serial Killer Episode 16: Is This Thing Rolling...
Co-written with @icanfeelastormbrewing
Part 2
Warnings: Bad Language words.
Please read Part 1 first.
“I’m not trying that on, you seen the price tag?” Bucky glared at Katie who narrowed he eyes as she held up the Midnight Blue Soho Double Breasted wool suit.
“You are so trying it on Barnes, you’ll look amazing in it.” She insisted. “Trust me, Sam will love it”
“Sam can wear it if he loves it.” Bucky shook his head. “Doll face, it’s almost five hundred bucks!”
“It’s a Paul Smith” she shrugged “You want quality, you gotta pay. Trust me, a good suit is an investment Bucky.”
Bucky considered this for a moment before he cocked his head and a teasing grin spread across his face “Yeah, I suppose. And I can always use it for the next wedding.”
“You’re not getting married in that.” Katie shook her head. “You need a tux.”
“I’m not getting married, you are.” He looked at her and she rolled her eyes, well used to his constant teasing about he and Steve’s future by now.
“Just try on the goddamned suit.”
“Cranky much?” he mumbled.
“May I remind you that I am hungover and you dragged me out here to help you but you keep bitching about everything I suggest. I should be dying on my sofa indulging in indecent amounts of sugar.” Kate narrowed he eyes at him.
“Technically it’s not your sofa. You might have moved in, but…”
“Err, it belongs to Steve and he belongs to me, ergo it’s mine.”
“You know I could argue against that but if I ask him he will probably say of course I’m hers with that stupid goofy smile on his dumb face.”
Katie smirked “Exactly.” She thrust the suit at him “Go. Try. NOW!”
Bucky took the suit “Vicious.”
Leaving Katie glaring at his back he headed into the changing room and quickly stripped before pulling on the suit. And, in all fairness, he had to hand it to Katie, it was smart, probably the nicest one he has ever worn to be fair. It felt good, decent quality and was tailored exceptionally well. Dare he admit it, he looked pretty damned good. He opened the cubicle door and walked out of the changing room to get Stark’s opinion, finding her stood not far away looking at something on her phone, frowning.
“You ok?” he asked, and she nodded, not raising her head, her eyes fixed on the screen.
“Yeah was just looking at some photos that Tony put of the bachelor party on facebook…” she took a breath and looked at Bucky “How did Steve really get that black eye? I can tell he is lying to me.”
Ah, crap… should have seen that one coming Barnes.
He let out a sigh “Ask him”
“I did, and now I’m asking you.”
He groaned, knowing full well he wasn’t going to get out of this. Fuck you, Steve, fuck you.
“Fine, I’ll tell you if you promise not to freak out.” He looked at Katie who nodded.
“Promise”
“Why don’t I believe you? And if you say anything to Steve I’ll bug your bedroom and post the recordings on my Instastories”
“I said I wouldn’t flip out at you.” She looked at him “That’s all I’m promising, but seeing as we’re making threats, James, if you don’t tell me I’ll also post a video. The one I got of you singing into a wooden spoon the other morning to The Sound Of Music”
Bucky felt his mouth drop open in horror. “You wouldn’t.”
“Try me bitch.” She shook her head “It will go under the caption of Bucky Von Crapp, seeing as you sounded like a strangled cat.”
Bucky rolled his eyes, as he began to recall the events of the previous night.
“Be your bachelor party next.” Bucky grinned at Steve as they stood at the bar in the compound.
Steve rolled his eyes “Just don’t.”
“Come on punk, you know it ain’t that far-fetched.” Bucky grinned and turned to order their drinks. Just as he was paying he heard Steve muttering to the side of him.
“You gotta be shitting me.”
Frowning he turned to look at Steve, whose jaw was twitching. His nostrils flared as he’s glared at something, or someone. Bucky followed his eyeline and saw a tall, slim, dark haired man dressed in a white button down and black slacks, stood with a group of other guys.
“Am I supposed to know who that is?” he turned back to Steve, a puzzled expression on his face.
“I wish I didn’t know who it is. It’s Ward.” Steve replied simply.
Bucky’s frown deepened as he looked back at the man, then turned once more to Steve “As in Stark’s douchebag ex Ward?”
“In the flesh.”
Bucky took the beer from the bartender with a thanks and looked Ward over again “He looks like a dick.”
Besides him Steve picked up his beer, “If it looks like a dick…” at that point Ward let out a huge laugh, “And sounds like a dick…”
Bucky snorted and watched as a slim, bottle blonde woman in a tight skirt and very revealing top approached Ward. Ward smiled and looped an arm round her, giving her a kiss.
“Wait…is that who he did the dirty on Stark with?” Bucky looked at Steve.
The Captain nodded.
“Talk about a down grade.” Bucky shook his head “She ain’t a patch on your girl Stevie.”
“I know, thanks pal.” Steve gave a small smile then sighed “If Tony sees him….” He glanced around for the man in question to see him stood with a few other members of the Batchelor Party, looking the other way.
“Why is he even in here? I thought Pepper vetoed him after the incident on the karaoke night?” Bucky asked.
“She did. But Happy isn’t working is he? He’s over there drinking with Tony, and Pepper aint here either so… “ Steve took a breath and frowned “I don’t get it, why would he want to come here anyway? And how would he know he’d get in…unless…he found out about the party somehow…”
“Probably just a coincidence.” Bucky offered.
“I don’t believe in coincidences Buck.” Steve looked at him. Bucky held his gaze for a moment before he turned back in Ward’s direction and took a deep breath as he saw the man in question’s eyes flick towards them. A sly grin spread across Ward’s face and he said something to the woman who nodded as he began to head towards them.
“Well, looks like we’re about to find out.” Bucky muttered. Steve turned to him, followed his gaze and the rolled his eyes, turning back to the bar.
Ward stopped at the other side of the bar, placing his order before he remarked. “Rogers.”
Steve didn’t even look at him when he replied “What are you doing here Ward?”
“Same as you, having a good time with some friends.” He gestured back to the group he had been with “ I see it’s Tony’s bachelor party. Pepper, I presume?”
Steve continued to ignore him.
“Give him my regards.”
At that, Steve turned his head in Ward’s direction just long enough to shoot him a filthy look before he picked up his drink.
“Come on Rogers, you still bitter at me?”
Steve swallowed a mouthful of his beer “Bitter isn’t exactly the word I would use” his voice was flat, unemotional, and Bucky knew that was far more dangerous than when he displayed out and out anger.
Time to step in.
“Look, jack ass…” Bucky pulled himself up to his full height and glared at Ward. “Why don’t you go and talk to Tony yourself. Sure he’d be thrilled to see you after what you did to his sister.”
Ward looked down at Bucky, there was a few inches height difference but it didn’t bother the Sergeant in the slightest. He knew if it came to it he could handle his own.
“And you are?” Ward raised his eyebrows.
“Barnes. Sergeant James Barnes.”
“That’s quite a mouthful Sergeant.” Ward mused. “And, speaking of mouthfuls. How’s Katie doing Rogers?”
Steve gripped his beer bottle tighter, an action Bucky saw in the corner of his eye. “Don’t you even mention her name asshole.”
“Are you ever gonna man up and ask her out?” Ward shook his head and at that Steve turned to face him.
“I’m warning you. Stop talking about her.”
At his words a smirk spread across Ward’s face. “Oh my god, you finally did…you two are…you’re together.”
Steve simply stared at him as Bucky grinned, unable to stop himself from speaking the childish insult that had cropped into his head.
“Well I know which one of you got the short straw, I mean you didn’t exactly trade Stark in for a better model did you? Certainly not from the looks of your poor man’s Dolly Parton over there anyway.”
To his delight the smug grin on Ward’s face slipped and a flash of anger was noticeable in his eyes.
Steve lay his a hand on Bucky’s shoulder “Leave it pal, he’s not worth it.” But it was too late, Ward has bitten back, rising to Bucky’s jibe.
“Don’t you dare talk about my fiancé that way.”
And at that Steve snorted “Fiancé? Seriously?”
Ward glared at him “You got something to say Rogers?”
“Nothing at all.” Steve chuckled. “I wish her luck, she’s gonna need it.” With that he picked up his bottle “Come on Buck.”
Steve turned to go and Bucky looked Ward up and down one more time, smirking, before he to made to follow Steve.
Crisis averted.
“Hey, Rogers? She’s a good fuck isn’t she?”
Crisis re-emerging.
Steve stopped, his shoulders tense and he took a deep breath, but didn’t turn round.
“Does she still do that thing with her nose? You know, just as she’s about to come? That little twich?” Ward continued, letting out a little groan “Man even thinking about that now does things to me…I kinda miss it.”
At that Steve spun around, blazing with anger ready to go for Ward but he was too late. Bucky had already shoved the asshole hard in the chest.
“You’re really starting to piss me off.” He growled as Ward stumbled back a few steps. Bucky clocked that some of his friends were now walking towards them, and was distracted slightly when Ward shoved him back. Bucky then spotted the swing that was coming his way and ducked. Unfortunately Steve, who was stood behind him, took the punch straight to the left side of his face. The Captain staggered a few steps backwards before he righted himself and then drew his right fist back and smacked it straight into Ward’s nose. Ward dropped to the floor, blood billowing down his shirt as Steve shook his fist out, flexing his fingers.
Bucky blinked as Ward lay on the floor, the force of Steve’s punch knocking him out cold and he turned to his friend, raising an eyebrow a little “I had him on the ropes.”
“I know you did.” Steve looked at his friend before he sighed “Suppose we better call 911 so they can get him on a gurney…”
Katie blinked as Bucky finished his tale. “So it was Ward?”
Bucky nodded “You understand why he didn’t want to tell you now, yeah?”
“I guess so” she bit her lip.
“I gotta ask, what the fuck did you ever see in him?” Bucky shook his head “Tony’s right, the guy is a shitweasel.”
She snorted “Trust me, I have no idea.”
Silence fell between the two of them and Bucky took a deep breath “You’re not mad are you?”
“Mad? No, I just think you’re a pussy for dodging the punch and letting Stevie take it Barnes.” She teased, smiling at him.
He shrugged “First time for everything.”
“Suppose I’ll have to thank you both for defending my honour.” She smiled, before her smile turned into a dirty smirk “But your thanks will be a little less physical than Steve’s.”
Bucky groaned “Gross.” He then looked at her, narrowing his eyes “You promised not to tell him I told you.”
“No I promised not to go mad.” She stated.
Bucky looked at her, contemplating her words before he realised that was in fact what she had said. He let out a growl of frustration and shook his head “Whatever.”
At that point they both heard a low whistle and turned to see Sam striding through the men’s boutique towards them.
“Well look at you sergeant Barnes, you’re gonna kill all the ladies” Sam grinned, raising his hand and extending his finger and thumb in a gun motion “Pew pew!”
Katie turned to Bucky, smiling “Told you he was gonna love it.”
Bucky rolled his eyes before he smirked and turned to Sam “Not the ladies I’m after.” And with that he gave him a quick peck on the lips.
“Aww you two are so cute.” Katie clapped her hands together.
“Piss off Stark” Bucky shot back.
“Now who’s cranky?” she laughed “I tell you you’re cute and you get all pissy!”
Bucky shook his head “I’m gonna get out of this suit.”
“Need any help.” Sam quipped and Katie arched an eyebrow.
“Guess I’ll be right there at the opposite side of the store, pretending I don’t know you two.”
“Now you know how I feel around you and Stevie.” Bucky looked at her.
Katie laughed “You know, the 4 of us should go out again soon.”
“Yeah, but without the element of surprise this time.” Sam shot her and Bucky an accusatory look
“Well it’s all out in the open now. But I kinda miss the sneaking around…it was a little exciting.” Katie shrugged.
“Seriously?” Sam looked at her and she snorted.
“No, it was hell.” And then she grinned “Although the secret sex was good.”
“Tell me more girl.” Sam wiggled his eyebrows and Bucky shook his head.
“Trust me you don’t want to know”
“Oh, trust me I do.”
“And on that note, now I’m really gonna go get changed.” Bucky nodded towards the changing rooms “Then we can drop you home so you can die on the sofa.”
“Actually I need you to drop me off at Momma Rogers’” she said.
“Oooh you having lunch at Sarah’s?” Bucky smiled, knowing full well that he’d end up with an invite when he dropped her off.
“Yup, and I can’t wait.” She said, “I need food. My stomach feels like its eating itself.”
*****
Steve walked into his Ma’s, stamping his feet on the mat, ridding his boots of the light dusting of snow he’d picked up since getting out of the car.
“Ma?” he gave a shout as he unwrapped the scarf from round his neck and began to undo his thick, blue quilted Canada Goose jacket. She emerged out of the kitchen into the hall and beamed at him, but her smile slipped and she nodded to his face.
“I thought the days of you coming home with a black eye were well behind you.” She stared at him “What the hell did you do?”
“Things got a bit messy at Tony’s stag party” he shrugged as his mom gently reached up to cup his cheek, tilting his face round so she can see it better. “Don’t fuss ma.”
“Shut up Steven.” Sarah’s voice was as stern as her face “I’m your mother and I’ll fuss if I want to.”
Steve rolled his eyes as her hand dropped back to her side. “Has Star seen this?”
“We live together. Of course she has.”
“Hmm, bet she didn’t like it either.” Sarah shot back “Good job you’re a fast healer. That would look a right mess in the wedding photos next week.”
“He came off worse, trust me.” Steve shrugged off her comment.
“You’re a Captain in the NYPD Steven, fancy brawling in a bar like some school kid.” His mother shook her head.
“I know ma, but…well it had to be done, and I don’t wanna talk about it anymore.” He urged, hoping she would take the hint and drop it but of course she didn’t.
“What do you mean it had to be done?” she pressed and Steve knew he wasn’t going to be able to fob her off so decided to tell her the truth.
“Ward showed up last night at the compound. He was saying vile things about Katie. Really vile”
“So you punched him?” Sarah deadpanned.
“No, I mean yes, after he took a swing at Bucky…look, it’s really not a big deal.”
Sarah narrowed her eyes “I really don’t like that boy. Tony isn’t particularly fond of him either.”
“That’s because he’s a prick.” Steve shrugged.
“Language Steven. But yes, he is a prick. Now, let me get you some tea.”
Steve followed her into the kitchen and she filled the kettle and Steve started rummaging in the fridge for a snack.
“You know it’s funny his name is Grant.”
Steve emerged with a piece of pie that he had found and looked at her “What do you mean?” He took a bite of the pie which turned out to be cherry. It was good.
“I mean you both share the name and couldn’t be more different from one another.” His mother mused.
Steve swallowed his food. “Well, not all the ladies called Sarah are as pretty as you…or make as good a pie as you.”
Sarah smiled at her son, shaking her head. “Shut up Stevie.”
He chuckled “What you making for lunch?” he asked as he checked his watch to see it was almost 1. Kate had text him about 15 minutes ago to say they were leaving the store in Brooklyn City centre so she shouldn’t be far off.
“I take it that means you’re staying then?” Sarah turned to look at him and he grinned, as she shook her head, smiling to herself “Oh, and where is Star by the way?”
“She’s gone shopping with Bucky for a suit. Told her to meet me here if that’s ok? She shouldn’t be long.”
“Of course it’s ok. You’re always welcome here, you know that.”
Steve smiled, swallowed the last of his pie and took a deep breath. He knew that he didn’t have long to do what he needed to do before Katie arrived so he had to do it now. “Er, Ma, before she gets here, I err, I wanted to talk to you.” He said, his hand gently rubbing the back of his neck.
“Yeah?” she asked, not looking at him as she reached for 2 mugs in the cupboard.
“Yeah…” god his palms were sweaty, this shouldn’t be as nerve wracking as it was, it’s his mom…
Sarah turned to face him, a mug still in her right hand and she frowned at the expression on his face. “What is it son? What’s wrong?
“Nothing’s wrong. Quite the opposite actually.” He took another deep, shaky breath and smiled at his mom. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking these last few days especially, and, well, with Katie living with me for the past few months it’s kinda hit home just how good it feels, ya know? And I want it all the time…so before I came here, I went to ask Tony for his blessing to ask Katie to marry me.”
At his words he watched the mug slip from his mother’s fingers and it hit the tiled floor and smashed. He had expected her to react in some way but not quite like that. “Ma you ok?” He watched as she brought a trembling hand to her mouth.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m ok Stevie…it’s just…” she blinked “I’ve been waiting for this day to arrive for so long.”
Steve couldn’t resist teasing her “I didn’t say he had given his blessing.”
His mom looked at him, arching an eyebrow “Would it make a difference to you if he hadn’t?”
“Not really.” He shrugged, smiling softly.
“But he has right?” Sarah looked at him “Because I know Howard and Maria would be as happy as I am right now.”
Steve smiled softly. “Yeah. He did. Long Story, but…let’s just say I know Howard would be happy too. But don’t get too excited, she hasn’t said yes yet.”
Sarah scoffed “Oh hush, like she’s gonna say no!”
He smiled softly before he looked at his feet before he glanced back at his mother “So, Ma, I was…I was wondering if I could have you ring?”
Sarah smiled, her eyes shining as she gave a nod “Of course you can son.” She walked towards him and cupped his face “It’s been waiting for you for years.”
Steve smiled, the lump that he had earlier felt in his throat in Tony’s study was back again as he looked at his mom. “You know, there was a time I thought I’d ask you for it for Peggy.”
Sarah shook her head and with a simply shrug stated “I always knew it would be Star’s”
The sentiment hit Steve like a tonne of bricks. First Howard, now his mom. The man he had long since come to regard as a father and his mother had both spotted what he had failed to see for almost a decade.
“Ma…” he managed to choke out, his eyes filling and Sarah smiled.
“I know son. And it makes me so happy to know you’re happy too. Finally.” She leaned up to give him a huge and kissed his cheek. “I’ll be right back.”
She left the kitchen leaving Steve to his own thoughts. He’d had a few doubts, not about marrying Katie, but whether or not it was too soon, but that fact that neither Tony nor his mother had commented on the fact that they’d only technically been together for 3 months. In reality they’d been with one another for much longer, having been best friends and dare he say it, completely and utterly blind to what was in front of them. There wasn’t a woman in the world that would ever come close. He smiled to himself, suddenly his eye didn’t hurt anymore. After speaking to Tony and his ma, and most importantly Howard’s message he felt like he was living his life how he should be. He had everything he has ever wanted, and more.
Sarah walked back into the room and handed him a black velvet ring box. He opened it, smiling as he took in the ring which sat nestled in the ruby red silk inside of the box. It was a large oval shaped diamond, with a pave set slim band. It was delicate enough to suit his girl but also big enough to be flashy, which he knew she wouldn’t care about but he did. There was something in his ego that wanted Katie to have a decent rock on her finger. But the main thing about it was the sentiment. This had belonged to his great-grandmother, then his grandmother, and now his mother, passed down the Roger’s side of the family for generations until it reached his Pa. He looked at his mom, his eyes straying to her ring finger where she still wore her simple wedding band having stopped wearing her engagement ring some 5 years or so after his father had died. When he had asked her why, she’d sighed and simply said that on what would have been their 10th wedding anniversary seeing it had made her sad as it reminded her of the day his father proposed. He hadn’t pushed her to explain, he understood.
“You know it was pretty unheard of to have a diamond that big back when your great-grandfather bought but, well, you know the Rogers side had some connections so to speak.” She said and Steve snorted. He had a feeling if he dug far enough back into his father’s side of the family he would uncover all sorts of Irish-Italian mob members, which was the reason he had never bothered.
“I forgot how pretty it is” Steve smiled “It’s been years since I last saw it. But I remember how I used to play with it when I was little and you held me in your arms when I was sick.”
Sarah smiled fondly “Yes you used to like to roll it around my finger.”
“It was soothing.” Steve said, his eyes on the ring as it sparkled in the light of the kitchen. “I liked how it shone under the light.”
“Maybe one day your kids will do the same to Star.” Sarah said, a little suggestion in her tone and Steve looked at her.
“I’d like that Ma.” He confirmed and she took a deep breath.
“Well, I hope it happens soon.” The looked at him pointedly “I’m getting old Steve and I want to be able to run around after my grandkids.”
“Behave!” Steve laughed, shutting the box as he looked at her, smirking “There’s plenty of life in the old dog yet.”
Sarah narrowed her eyes at him “Cheeky.”
At that point they were interrupted by the bell ringing followed by the opening of the door and Katie’s voice drifted up the hallway. “You’re such an ass Barnes, I ain’t rung the bell at this house for 9 and a half years!”
His best friend’s laugh hit his ears “ I like the sound it makes.”
Steve glanced at his mom, panic flooding his system as he curled his hand around the box.
“I’ll go see them in…buy you some time.” She nodded. As she walked out of the kitchen he heard her greeting Katie as he hastily stashed the ring box in his coat pocket where it was hanging on the chair back
“Oh, err…” he heard his mom stop and Bucky spoke.
“Sorry, Mrs R, this is…”
“I know who he is James, Sam worked with Steve long before you came back from Russia. I just didn’t know he was your Sam.”
“Sure am, Mrs Rogers. Nice to see you again.
At that point Katie walked into the Kitchen, pulling off her hat and her scarf, her cheeks pink from the cold. Steve smiled and opened his arms. “Hey sweetheart, you feeling better?”
She stepped into his embrace, taking the soft kiss he offered “Much, be even better still when I’ve eaten.”
He smiled and looked up at Bucky as Katie stepped back to take off her coat. “Get a suit, jerk?”
Bucky dropped his jacket onto a chair “Yeah and a pair of shiny shoes your girl insists are in fashion.”
Katie rolled her eyes “He looks good in it right Sam?”
“He sure does but…”
“Don’t say it Sam!” Bucky warned, and Steve had a feeling he knew what was coming next. And sure enough…
“He looks better out of it.”
Katie looked at Steve “See what I’ve had to put up with? Had to pretend I didn’t know em.”
“Welcome to the grossed out by another couple club, doll face.” Bucky looked at her and she rolled her eyes as Sarah laughed.
“They can’t still be that bad James.”
“The tales I could tell you about these two from the last week or so alone are NOT suitable for a Mom’s ears Mrs R.”
“Shut up Bucky.” Katie and Steve shot back in synergy.
“And they do that. Talk at the same time, say the same thing…” Bucky rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, it’s kinda freaky.” Sam nodded in agreement.
“You can shut up too Sam.” Steve looked at him.
“Hey don’t look at me. I do what he does…” he pointed to Bucky “only slower.”
Bucky glanced around, spotted the smashed mug on the tiles and pointed to it “What happened there?”
Steve looked at the mug, recalling the reason why it had smashed and was desperately trying to think of an excuse when his mom came to the rescue.
“Oh, I was making a tea and along came Stevie with his black eye and my mug slipped.” She looked at Bucky “By the way, James, Steve says you were involved too. Seems like the pair of you are back to being troublesome teenagers again.” She looked at Sam “I’d keep an eye on your boyfriend Sam. He needs to be put in check some times.”
Steve and Katie share a glance at Sarah’s use of the word boyfriend. It was a term Bucky hadn’t actually used when referring to Sam.
“He’s not my, we’re not…” Bucky trailed off as Sam glared at him.
“Well this is awkward.” He mumbled as Sarah narrowed her eyes
“You can’t lie to me James Barnes. You love this young man.”
And just like that Steve found himself smirking at the fact that someone was ripping into Bucky’s and not his relationship for a change
****
Of course Sarah wouldn’t dream of allowing Bucky and Sam to leave without being fed so the 5 of them ate lunch and then before the two men headed off to spend the rest of the afternoon together. As usual, Sarah insisted that Katie and Steve leave her to clear up so they retired to the living room and curled up on the sofa. The fire was on, giving the room a cosy, warm feel and Katie was sitting snuggled up to Steve, curled under a blanket.
After about 10 minutes her attention turned from the TV to his face. Steve could feel her eyes on him and he turned to face her as she sat up and her fingers gently caressed his eye and cheekbone.
“Does it hurt?” she asked him quietly.
“It did, not anymore.” He replied honestly.
“Good, close your eyes.” She instructed. Steve arched an eyebrow at her but did as he was told. She kisses his eyelid and around his bruise tenderly, her breath warm on his skin “Really Stevie” she took his face in both her hands and tiled it left, then right “ I’m so jealous of your eyelashes”
He laughed and opened his eyes, his hand running up the outside of her arm where it rest over her shoulder.
“Thank you.” She looked at him
“For what, doll?”
“For punching Ward.”
Steve looked at her, shaking his head “Fucking Bucky.”
“That’s Sam’s job” Katie said making him chuckle a little “Don’t be mad at him, I pushed him into telling me.”
“Should have figured you would.” He shrugged.
“Why’s that?”
“Because you can be persistent when you want to be sweetheart.” He smiled gently. “And you’re welcome. I’d do it again in a shot, you have no idea how good it felt.”
“My hero.” She smiled, “Guess not all superheroes wear capes, huh? Mind you, I’m not sure Superman would go around punching Lois Lane’s ex…”
“For the record, Superman does wear a cape, but that aside, even Superheroes have bad days doll.” Steve shrugged.
“You know, that’s a kid’s bedtime story.” She looked at him and he shot her a cheeky grin.
“I can read it to you tonight if you like?”
“How about you read it to me now Captain?” she arched an eyebrow as he looked down at her. Grinning he sat back against the cushions and pat his leg, gesturing with his head.
“Come here Doll.”
Katie moved so she was straddling him, her hands smoothed up his chest to his shoulder and his fell to her hips. Both of them threw a glance to the door of the room, conscious Sarah was in the kitchen, but there was no sign of her, Steve could hear her humming to a song vaguely in the kitchen and knew she would be in there for a while. He leaned up, pressing his lips to Katie’s, his hands moving and splaying on her back, pulling her closer.
Somehow it felt different to him. It was the first kiss they’d shard since he asked Tony and his ma those two important questions and it was almost like there was more to it, even though he never thought that would be possible. It struck him that the decision he had come to about asking her to share the rest of his life with her meant he would never kiss anyone else but her again but he didn’t care he didn’t want to.
He pushed up against her and she let out a soft sigh at the contact and rocked her hips slightly. An involuntary grunt slipped from his lips and the kiss grew frantic, for the moment the pair of them forgetting where they were until they heard a plate clatter in the kitchen. Both paused, their eyes opening as they looked at one another before they let out a soft laugh each, the ridiculousness of the situation not passing them by. Both in their 30s, acting like a pair of teenagers.
“How long has it been since you made out with a girl in here?” Katie teased.
Steve hesitated, in all honesty he had no idea. It had been a long time. “Erm, maybe 20 years, a little less?” he shrugged and Katie frowned.
“What, you mean you and Peggy didn’t…”
Steve shook his head “It wasn’t really something she would have done. She was too…proper I suppose is the word.”
Katie cocked her head to one side as if she was considering something before she shrugged “Her loss.”
“Can we not talk about her doll?” Steve said gently. He really didn’t want to think about anything like that. His hands moves and slid up and down the outside of her thighs and he smiled “It’s you and me now. No Peggy, no Ward…and I intend on keeping it that way till the end of the line.”
Katie smiled and her hands moved up to cup his cheeks, fingers scratching in his beard. “I love you Captain.”
Steve leaned up pressing his lips to hers gently before he pulled back, sliding his nose along hers as he whispered to her softly “Love you too doll.”
While writing this I remembered that Will is from Texas so I tried to incorporate some generic southern twang but IDK! Enjoy!
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Will lifted the thumbprint off of the broken shard of glass, holding the tape under the light to make sure the transfer stuck. Laying in onto the tracing sheet, he ran his finger over it to secure it in place.
“Anything interesting?” Jackson asked from the doorway, his badge catching the strong fluorescent lights overhead.
“Nothin’ anyone’s gonna to write a book about,” Will joked, peeling away his rubber gloves and tossing them into the trash, next to the work bench. “What can I do for you, detective?”
“I came to see if you started on my case yet?” He wore a brilliant smile that only served to charm the forensic scientist and convey how desperately he needed his evidence processed.
“Which is that again?” Will asked, sliding his chair to the stack of boxes piling up in the workspace.
“Beckendorf. C,” Percy told him with a somber note to his voice. Will raised his brow at the infliction, but didn’t press. Muttering the last name to himself, Will moved alphabetically past the As to the Bs.
“Here it is,” Will announced tapping an unopened box from Major Crimes. “I haven’t gotten to it yet, I’ve had a shortage of hands and too many cases to get through.”
“Is there any chance you can bump it up your ‘to do’ list?” Will hummed, slicing through the seal on the box and removing the case file. Looking through it, he shook his head.
“Even if I could, I wouldn’t be able to finish the report. The autopsy hasn’t come through, which means the shrapnel from the… explosion, is it?” Percy nodded. “The explosion hasn’t been removed and sent over yet.”
“Great,” Jackson sighed, running his hand through his hair, sweeping it out of his face. “Do you know what morgue he was sent to?” Will pushed his chair over to his computer, typing in the case number into his system.
“The one downstairs, actually,” Will mused. Bodies got sent anywhere and everywhere depending on the day; Percy was lucky the body wasn’t sent to the Bronx or Jersey.
“Great! So you can go and get that report fast tracked then!” the detective cheered, tapping his hand on the doorframe. Will leaned back in his seat.
“I’d love to, Jackson, but that ain’t happenin’.”
“Come on, di Angelo hates me. He will literally move it further down his list to piss me off.”
“What’s so important about this case? You know we can’t just magically move cases around at the beck and call of the precinct.” Percy shifted from foot to foot, a serious look overcoming his usually positive attitude.
“I have a personal stake in this case and I’d like to solve it as soon as possible.” Will bit his lip, watching his friend beg him for help.
“This is an abuse of power,” Will groaned, standing up and snatching the casefile as he rose. “I can get in serious trouble for this, Percy.”
“I love you so much, Will,” the detective said with a smile curling on his lips.
Will scrunched his nose up as the elevator door dinged open, flooding him with cool air and the anticipated unsettling smell of the mortuary. He hadn’t gone completely numb to the smell but it had lost its edge.
“Hey,” Will announced his presence as he walked into the office. Luckily di Angelo hadn’t been cutting into a cadaver at the moment but rather searching through files in the small room near the back. Nico turned around at the sound of Will’s voice, a surprised but content expression settled on his features.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” Will shrugged walking over to perch himself on the desk.
“Visitin’.” Nico’s skepticism came in the form of a huff and a side eye as he continued to rummage.
“You wouldn’t happen to have any ulterior motives?” Will tucked the file behind his back, playfully hiding it from the other’s sight.
“Absolutely not, sugar.” Nico made a face at the endearment, the southern nicknames always worked best to make him blush.
“Sure,” Nico said, shutting the drawer and allowing Will to pull him by his hand into the other’s arms.
“Can’t I just miss you?” Will asked innocently, before kissing Nico sweetly. While the kiss was meant to distract his husband, in the moment, Nico managed to steal the file out of Will’s hand instead. “Cheater.”
“Hate the game,” Nico countered with a laugh. He opened the file, skimming over the contents of it before handing it back to Will. “Yeah, this is Jackson’s case. It’s like…” Nico looked up at the ceiling as he counted in his head. “Like number eight on my list right now, what about it?”
“Is there any way you could bump it up?” Nico tipped his head to the side, his arms crossing in front of his chest.
“So Jackson is using you against me? Low.”
“It’s important to him, Ni.” Nico rolled his eyes.
“So are all the other cases I have going on. I have so many bodies piling up in here it’s practically like the underworld.”
“Does that make you… Charon?”
“I see myself more as Hades, thank you very much,” Nico corrected him. Will looked at him with big eyes, hoping to use love to his advantage. Nico glared at him, his straight face not budging under the pressure of Will’s look.
“Please, sweetheart?” Nico held his stare for a few more moments before sighing.
“I’ll bump him to five.”
“Three.”
“Four, and that’s it.” Will smiled at him, slipping off the desk and landing his feet back on the floor.
“Thank you,” he said, kissing him again.
“Only for you, sunshine.”
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“I got it bumped to number four,” Will told Percy over the phone once he had arrived back at his office.
“You’re magical, Solace,” he praised, thankingly. Will gave him a light laugh, rolling his eyes although he knew the detective couldn’t see him.
“Yeah, yeah, but Nico wants you to know that if you, and I quote, ‘ever use my husband against me to complete your own agenda, you will find yourself visitin’ my morgue in a bodybag’.”
“Lovely,” Jackson noted. “Understood. Thanks, again.”
“This is where most people would say ‘anytime’ but this is never happening again.”
“Nice talking to you too, Will. I swear, di Angelo is rubbing off on you. You’re sounding like him more and more each day.”
“Goodbye, detective.” Will hung up but not without a shake of his head as he did.
Summary: After an assignment gone wrong and a near death experience, Bobbi Morse was only supposed to be assigned to the NYC Crime Lab for a few months. However, being deemed unready to return to the field, a few months quickly become many and she worries they might never let her back on the force. Trying to prove herself fit for the field, she must work through what happened that fateful night as well as another curve ball thrown her way. A curve ball in the form of a new assignment: a rain-soaked murder case with evidence leading down an all too familiar path.
