The Adult Denby Fanfic Site

Simplicity

AUTHOR: Amanda J Frechin.
DISCLAIMER: The usual. I don't own the characters from NYPD Blue, but I own Amanda (sound familiar?) Dez, and Kelli.
FEEDBACK: To Amanda J Frechin

"Diane, Denby called. He said he's on his way. Just had to stop by the doctors." Danny was sleepy and his voice sounded hollow.

"What? He's coming in?"

"That's what he said." He yawned and mussed his blonde hair.

Diane was shocked. Maybe he was more dedicated then she had previously thought. She angrily pushed her hair back with the hand that wasn't holding her purse. Damn him! He was getting to her. She didn't want him to see redeemable in her eyes. And she didn't want those feelings of guilt popping up when she was around him.

"Something going on between you and Harry Denby?" Diane hadn't noticed detective McKinley had come in.

"Uh, no. He was shot yesterday and he really shouldn't be coming in but that's Harry." Diane lied through her clenched teeth.

Amanda shot her a look that said she didn't quite believe her, but Diane didn't care. Diane was sick of hiding things from everyone. So what if she couldn't stand Denby? It's not like it affects her ability to be a good cop. Or did it? Had she been so mad at Denby that she had done the exact opposite of what he had asked, only to have him end up shot? She didn't have time to dwell; any dreaded minute now, the beast would be coming in.

"Oh, Harry. What happened?" Diane could hear Dez McGregor around the corner by the stairwell.

"Got shot. Some perp decided to skid out of Diane's way and into mine. The prick was a surprisingly good shot."

"Oww, damn. They giving you anything?"

"Just some generic pain killers. But not much, I'm still able to function."

"You know, I think you should go home and get some rest. You don't look to good."

Harry laughed and the sound grated on Diane's frazzled nerves. She could just picture the smug son of a bitch, leaning back on the heels of his black Italian leather shoes, his arm in a sling and eyes piercing into Dez's seductively. Shit! She had to keep her mind off of Denby, even for negative thoughts. She heard him reply.

"Yeah well, thanks for the comment, and I'll keep it in mind, but I think I'll stake it out."

"Your mistake. Whatever. Anyway, Amanda and I are off to a bank shooting. See you."

"Goodbye detective McGregor."

Harry strode in, looking normal, despite the sling, and Diane couldn't figure out why Dez had thought he looked bad. Well, the woman had obviously never seen the man drunk. Diane noticed that Harry's stride was a little shaky.

"You sure you're not on a lot of pain pills? You walk like you're trashed."

He gave her a bemused look.

"What Diane? You think I'm on the road to visit the land of recidivism?"

"Denby, stop. You know that's not what I meant."

"You stop, Diane. I think you're waiting for me to be insidious."

"Been keeping appointments with the dictionary, Denby?"

"Yes. Websters is the eternal psychiatrist."

"Mmm."

"'Mmm?' Not in the mood for friendly chatter, are we?"

"Not with you."

"You still angry about working with me?"

"It still presents a problem, yes." Why was she telling him this?

"Problem is a bleak word for challenge."

"I don't get you."

"What do you mean?"

"How can you just...? Never mind, you'll just come back with a witty rebuttal anyway."

"Oh, come on. The only thing you need to do to 'get me' as you put it, is to fast forward through the lousy parts of my life."

She raised her head to level her eyes at him. Why was he so evasive? Another part to the insufferable Harry.

"I'm nothing if not redundant. And I also repeat myself."

"I haven't noticed that yet."

"Oh, you will. As soon as I get through the 'P' section of the dictionary."

Diane couldn't help but laugh. At least he makes fun of himself.

"All right, I'm going to enter territory I swore I'd never cross, but what were you before you were a cop?"

He leaned on the edge of her desk.

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean."

"I was a great deal many things. But nothing you could stake a profession to."

"But an education?"

"You know the answer to that one, Diane."

"So you weren't just being a glib prick?"

"I've never been called that before."

"There's a first time for everything."

"Indeed."

"So?"

"So what?"

"I'm not playing who stole the cookies from the cookie jar with you."

"I majored in Philosophy my under grad, then Literature, then for my PhD psychology. I have a way with Freudian slips."

"Wow. Impressive."

"To most people, yes."

She shot him a look. That didn't quite make sense, but she didn't push it.

"What about you Diane? Did you practice innocents in your schooling days?"

"I'd rather not talk about it."

"Tell me, what makes your problems so much bigger then everyone elses? Is it because they're yours?"

"Don't start, please, don't start."

"All right, I'll leave while I have my dignity. Or at least while I look like I do."

Continued in Part 5.