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 started thoughtfully at Harry's retreating back. She had to stop this. The banter was, though she was ashamed to admit it, fun and it was always interesting to see what Harry would incorporate into his speech, but this back-and-forth verbal thing wasn't her cup of tea. Harry was too frustrating and Diane was now having to constantly remind herself that she hated him, and that was not a place she wanted to be.

John gave her a knowing look over across the room and Diane stared him down. Why was everyone giving her these shit faced looks? It was as if they were in on a joke that she was the butt of. Or maybe they just saw something in Harry that she didn't, the reasonable side of her mind argued. But, the I-hate-Harry part of her said, I won't forgive him for his involvement with Kirkendall, and those stupid things he said to me. This inner turmoil thing was harder then the romance books said it was.

Diane ran her hands against her wool swathed thighs and got back to the load of paperwork on her desk. When she was starting to get it decently cleared off, she heard the door swing open, and footsteps crossed over to her desk.

"Diane?"

She looked up to see detective McGregor.

"Oh, hi, I didn't see you."

"It's no problem. I was wondering if you'd like to go out and get some coffee with Amanda and I?"

Diane glanced at the papers lying around her, then returned her gaze to Dez. She needed to get out and get her mind off of Harry anyway. This would also give her a chance to get to know the new detectives.

"Sure. Just give me a moment."

The coffee shop was little and had Spanish decor. Diane sat with her legs crossed at the table next to Amanda, and next to her was Dez.

"What kind of a name is Dez anyway?"

"It's not. My real name is Dana, but Amanda took to calling me Dez and I suppose it just caught on."

Diane nodded.

"So where are you two originally from?"

"I'm from Vallijo, and she's from Santa Clara. It's the bay area in California."

"How'd you two meet?"

"We were in the same collage class. Psychology in Human Behavior. Ass of a teacher. One day we all just got together with our boyfriends and double dated. We've been friends since. Now I'm married and everything's different, but we're still friends." Amanda leaned over the table when she spoke, and Diane then noticed the glittering ring on her index finger.

"I'm engaged, and it's so hard getting used to not living with Amanda anymore," Dez piped up.

Diane took a sip of her white mocha.

"So, tell me what's up with you and detective Denby, Diane?"

Diane nearly spit out her coffee. She looked up to see Dez and Amanda watching her with expectant looks on their faces. She cleared her throat and dabbed her lips with a napkin.

"What makes you think there's something up? He's just my partner."

"Any reason he aggravates the hell out of you?"

Diane debated what she would tell them. It really wasn't a good idea to get into the whole Jill mess, so she might as well just tell them what Harry was like when he was drunk.

"Some personal involvement with my ex partner and her ex husband."

"Jill and Don?"

"How do you know about...?"

Amanda snorted.

"Things fly around pretty fast, especially since I'm friends with someone on the narc squad."

"Oh." Diane blinked a few times. "And there were some things that Harry said to me in a bar...I'd rather not discuss it."

"Was he drunk?"

"Oh yes."

"Was he an alcoholic?"

"Big time. Don got him on coke too."

"Wow. Doesn't seem like the type to me."

Diane eyed Amanda carefully.

"That's because he's civil to you. And you haven't heard him drunk and philosophical. I have learned to keep a dictionary around me when I'm done talking to Denby."

"So he's a prick to you?"

"Hell yes."

"One of these days he'll just come out and say it." Amanda's words were under her breath, but Diane caught them.

"Hmm? Say what?"

"It's not important."

"No, I'd really like to know."

McKinley sighed.

"That he's in love with you. Anyway, if you'll excuse me, I have to run to the bathroom.

Continued in Part 6.