OOM: 3x02. It's a police investigation...

[the_gene_genie]

He wasn't at all keen on this dating agency idea when she suggested it. Seems a bit dodgy to him - for one thing, dating agencies are for tossers. For another, it's quite likely that a murderer is prowling around this one. And lastly, he doesn't really want her going on dates with any of them. Even the ones who are not murderers. Especially not them, really. She'd be more likely to see them again.

But there is more to it than that, of course. He doesn't like putting any of his team at unnecessary risk, and this seems like it's inviting it. Potentially meeting a killer in his arena, on his hunting ground, rather than on their terms. She's probably right though; it'll cause a proper ruckus if they go around interviewing all the blokes registered there, and might scare the murderer off. He's not having that. Not after what happened to all those women. So he does the only thing he can to keep her safe; he gets in there and takes one for the team.

Which is why they're in his office, with an application form each, and he's pouring them a drink. Everyone else has gone, except Shaz.

This is more how it used to be. He likes it.

Comments

[lady_bols]

And she is tired of his preening and tired of the façade. Really, some days, it's like it's all a big game to him. She despairs of ever finding a way through the morass of his issues. (When did she start wanting that? When did that appear on her list of priorities? Note to self, she thinks, write this one out again. Get your head on straight, and move passed it.)

'You know how many replies you're going to get? None.'

And she will be secretly relieved.

'Just off home, Guv.' Shaz's voice is flat and emotionless.

'Bye, Shaz.' Alex turns back to him, perplexed. 'What's the matter with that girl?'

[the_gene_genie]

He ignores the question. No replies? None?

...Christ, now he's a bit worried. That'd be embarrassing. Mind you, no one needs to know if that happens. It's not like he can back out of joining up now. Anyway, she's wrong. He knows plenty of birds who like a plain-speaking bloke, and are happy to see him right when he comes ‘round.

He nods minutely to Shaz, but she's already turned away, so he picks up Alex's application instead.

‘Favourite film – Thelma an' Louise. Never ‘eard of it.'

[lady_bols]

'Hasn't come out yet,' she murmurs.

[the_gene_genie]

'Favourite drink – Sauvignon Blanc, but only from the south island of New Zealand.'

And she had the nerve to raise her eyebrows at his stipulation of where bitter should come from.

[lady_bols]

'Where does Shaz live?'

If he's not going to take an interest, then she'd best.

[the_gene_genie]

‘No idea, never asked her.'

Not her babysitter, or her dad.

‘An' I've told you more than once, Bolly. Nelson Mandela is a terrorist.'

No doubt about it at all.

[lady_bols]

'History will prove you wrong, Gene. I'm going to talk to her. You all right to close up by yourself?' She's standing as she asks, leaving her application in his hands.

It's as if she's being drawn along by some unseen force, compelled to follow the young woman, even as it takes her away from this rare opportunity, a moment's peace and quiet with him.

[the_gene_genie]

'Night, Bolly,' he says, with added exasperation.

He can't deny that he's a little sorry to see her disappear so fast though. It felt just like it used to. He'd forgotten how much he missed it.

And then he sees her response to the last question. His hand, carrying his Scotch, pauses on its way to his mouth, and he feels a bit guilty – somehow, reading this when she's not in the room feels a bit like prying. Less like a police investigation, and more like snooping in someone's knicker drawer when they're out.

But there's not a chance he's not going to read it. So he does, and his heart sinks a bit. There's nothing there that he wouldn't expect, really. She's the sort of woman who would value all that stuff in a bloke – and on reflection, he thinks he could tick at least a few of the boxes. Not that he's looking to be anyone's husband,but y'know. He'd still be interested in something, if she was.

This list though – it doesn't have any of the other things that he'd list as his main attributes. It sounds like she wants a nice...well, that's it. A nice bloke. And he's not, it doesn't matter which way you twist it. She's always telling him he doesn't listen. And she might say she wants a bloke who can ‘acknowledge their emotions', but that probably she means she wants them to cry or something, not shout louder and hit things. People.

He sets the paper down and finishes his drink, deflated. It's always going to be this way. She's white wine from New Zealand, he's bitter from Central Manchester. Worlds apart. He doesn't know why he bothers holding out hope that that'll change.