This story originally appeared in the 1999 charity fanzine "Taste of Forever." It's been polished up a tad, but is otherwise the same. Hope you enjoy! ===================== Partners By Cindy Ingram Posted October 2000 ===================== The metal drawer slammed shut with a resounding clang, affording Don Schanke the first real sense of satisfaction he'd had in weeks. As statements go, it was a small one, but it helped ease the knot of tension that had been twisting tighter and tighter inside him since Joe Stonetree's replacement had been announced. It had also attracted the attention of the precinct's other occupants, as evidenced by the sudden drop in the room's noise level. Glancing up, Schanke found every eye in the bullpen focused on him. "What's the matter?" he shouted, glaring around the room. "You people never saw anybody clean out a desk before?" A renewed buzz of activity greeted his question as gawkers quickly discovered a burning interest in other matters. Make that *two* statements. He was on a roll. Sighing, Schanke turned back to his desk -- his soon-to-be ex-desk, that is. "Man, oh, man, I can't wait to get out of this place," he muttered. Yanking another drawer free, he upended it over an empty box, letting gravity handle the packing for him. "Yesterday wouldn't be too soon for me!" "Or for the desk, I bet," a voice interjected cheerfully, startling him even as a familiar blond head peered over his shoulder. "In fact, I'd say it's counting the minutes until it escapes the clutches of the abusive Detective Schanke." "Geeze, Nick! Give a guy a heart attack, why doncha?!" Nick shrugged in mute apology as he settled himself on the edge of the desk in question. It was clear, however, from the unrepentant grin tugging at his lips and the amused twinkle in his blue eyes, that he wasn't *too* sorry. Schanke glared back. "You're late, you know," he added sourly. "The shift started fifteen minutes ago, or so 'Captain Incompetent' was quick to let me know the second I set foot in the place." He leaned over to pull out another drawer but stopped as Nick frowned in mock reproach and shook his head. "How can you say that, Schank?" Nick teased. "Anyone would think you don't approve of our new captain." "*Your* new captain, if you don't mind. As soon as this shift ends, I'm outta here, remember? After that, ol' Dave Gleason will be nothing more than a momentary blip on the Radar Screen of Life." "Mmm," Nick mused, his tone noncommittal. "I think he holds you in similar esteem. He's probably in his office right now crying his eyes out because you're transferring to the 96th." "Har-har," Schanke replied sarcastically. "As far as I'm concerned, Davey-boy can kiss my --" "Uh-uh. Careful, Schank," Nick chided. "You wouldn't want to bruise my tender ears." Ignoring the playful admonition, Schanke studied his partner's face. Nick's good humor was starting to rankle. He seemed to be taking this whole thing awfully well -- maybe a little too well. Schanke searched the other man's eyes for signs of hidden resentment or hurt feelings. Maybe it was a mistake not to have told Nick about the transfer sooner. Then again, he'd counted on Nick to understand -- at least to a point. "Look, Nick," he began hesitantly, "I'm sorry I kept you in the dark until the transfer came through, but I didn't even know if they'd approve it, and I didn't see any point in both of us getting worked up about things. I mean, short of sabotaging Stonetree's promotion, it's not like you could have done anything to change all this. You know that if there'd been any other way, I'd have stayed here with you, buddy. But I've been butting heads with Gleason off-and-on since our Academy days. I should've known it wouldn't be any different now." Nick's face turned solemn as he nodded in acknowledgement. "Yeah, I know, Schank. I guess you've noticed I've had a few run-ins with him, too." Schanke frowned. "What are you talking about? You? The pride of the department? Metro's crime-fighting wonder boy? You're telling me he's got it in for you, too?" Sinking down beside Nick, he snorted and shook his head. "Though on second thought, why should I be surprised? You're just the kind of guy Gleason would really be gunning for. I guess I was just so wrapped up in my own problems with him I didn't notice you were having a tough time, too." Heaving a sigh, he rose to his feet, his voice low and earnest. "Look, Nick, you gotta watch your back with this guy. I mean it! My only regret about leaving this place is that I won't be here to watch it for you." Nick didn't reply, but rose, too. They stood there staring silently at each other. Then Schanke groaned. "Aw, geeze, I was trying not to get all maudlin about this. But the truth is ... I'm really gonna miss ya, partner." Nick shook his head. "I doubt it." "Aw, c'mon, Nick! Gimme a break here, would you? I said I was sorry I didn't tell you!" Schanke wasn't sure whether to be hurt or offended that Nick would doubt his sincerity, especially now. "I'm telling you, I'm gonna miss you!" he insisted belligerently, shoving his finger in Nick's face. "And you'll miss me, too, whether you'll admit it or not!" His almost ex-partner snorted softly. "Nah ... not a chance," he countered. At Schanke's wounded look, Nick grinned. "Since I'm coming with you." His grin widened at the other man's open-mouthed shock. "Wha --? You put in for a transfer?" Schanke asked, staring at his partner in disbelief. "Yep," Nick answered, folding his arms and nodding for emphasis. Schanke's eyes narrowed. "Yeah, like they're really gonna put it through," he grumbled sarcastically, then stopped at Nick's smug expression. Nick laughed. "They already have," he said as Schanke gaped at him yet again. "You're kidding! They have? Honest? Man, that was fast!" He shook his head in amazement, then frowned. "Wait a minute. When exactly did you put in for this transfer?" "Oh, about the same time you did." Nick shrugged, his tone nonchalant. "What?!" Nick shrugged again. "And they *gave* it to you? Just like that?" "Just like that," Nick agreed, his grin returning full force. "But ... how did you know? I mean, how did you figure out that I'd put in for a transfer? I didn't say anything because I didn't want ... well, it wasn't only what I said before. The truth is, I know how much this place means to you. Just as much as it means to me. I didn't want you to have to leave it just to stick with me, you know?" "Hey ... " Nick's voice was quiet, his face solemn. "We're partners. Right?" Schanke stared at him for several beats as a corner of his mouth curved into a lopsided grin. "Yeah," he finally answered, nodding his head. "Yeah, we are." The grin widened as he leaned over and grabbed a carton off the floor. "And as luck would have it, seems I've got an extra box on my hands." He offered it to Nick. "In case anyone needs it." Nick grinned back at him, eyes twinkling warmly as he accepted the box. "It just so happens I do. Thanks." "Completely my pleasure," Schanke replied expansively. "Partner," he added, with a meaningful waggle of his eyebrows. Laughing, Nick moved to empty out his own desk while Schanke gleefully rubbed his hands together. "Man, oh, man ... this is gonna be great! I'm tellin' you Nick, we are gonna set the old 96th on fire. They won't know what hit 'em over there. Criminals will quake, Cohen will worship at our feet, and old gutless Gleason will be eating his heart out for being stupid enough to let us go --" "Schanke?" Schanke's head swiveled around. "Yeah, Nick?" Nick pointed toward Schanke's half-emptied drawers. "Better get busy." "Oh. Yeah, right. Wouldn't do to spend any more time in this hell hole, now would it? If we hang around too long, the head demon is bound to come to his senses and realize what he's losing. We'd better get while the gettin's good." Nick laughed, shaking his head in mock resignation as he set to work clearing out his desk. Schanke turned back to his own task, mulling over the developments of the last few moments. It had gone even better than he'd hoped. He hadn't really counted on Nick putting in for his own transfer so early in the game. He had expected to spend a little time working solo at the 96th, until Nick's application could be approved. But he'd never doubted for a second that Nick would file one. After all, Schanke hadn't gone to all the trouble of getting on the new captain's bad side just for the fun of it. He'd known which way the wind was blowing the second Gleason had set foot in Stonetree's old office. Davey-boy didn't like any cop who got better press than he did, which made Nick the number one man on Gleason's hit list. The run-ins had started right away, and unless Schanke missed his guess, his partner had been thaaat close to taking off. But he knew Nick was too proud -- and too stubborn -- to ever request a transfer on his own account. He'd be more likely to resign first. Nick certainly wouldn't like it if he found out Schanke's only reason for transferring was to get Nick out of the line of fire, so to speak. That's why he'd had no choice but to make it look as if his sole motive was to save his own professional butt. It was ironic, really, to realize how far he would go to keep Nick as his partner. Especially considering how much he'd hated the idea when Captain Stonetree had first put them together. The only reason he'd gone along with it then was because he'd known it would irritate Nick even more. But what could he say? The guy had grown on him. And while he never would get used to all his eccentricities, Nick was still a damn fine partner. Even with that maddening habit he had of disappearing into thin air, somehow, he always managed to be there when Schanke needed him. Yep, a man could do worse than having Nick as a partner. Much worse. Of course, this meant he would have to bend over backwards to score points with Captain Cohen and do everything he could to make a good impression, especially with those recent reprimands Gleason had added to his record. It wouldn't be easy, but old Donald Schanke could suck up with the best of them. And it was worth it as long as he could keep his partner. One thing was for sure, though. He could never let Nick find out the truth. Then he'd *really* be insufferable. ======= Finis Obviously, this was my feeble attempt to explain the change in precincts and captains between first and second seasons and why Schanke would show up at a crime scene wearing his Moose pajamas. Thanks for reading! Comments, complaints and lavish words of praise to: "Cindy Ingram" =================================================== My FK fiction page: http://people.mn.mediaone.net/nancykam/cific.html =================================================== What's another word for thesaurus? ("Say good Knight, Gracie." -- G. Burns)