This came from a dream I had a few months after "Endgame."

LOCI characters belong to DW.

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“Lieutenant, Captain Ross is here to see you,” Sloan said through the doorway.

“Thank you officer. Show him in,” Lieutenant Van Buren replied.

“Lieutenant, thank you for taking the time to see me.”

“Please, please sit down. Can I get you coffee, a soft drink?” Van Buren asked.

“No thank you."

The two shook hands and got down to business.

“As I said over the phone, I need your advice and a recommendation. Detective Logan’s partner has rejoined the Joint Task Force and I need a replacement,” Captain Ross explained.

“I see. You want me to help with the selection,” Van Buren replied.

“Your experience with Logan would go a long way in helping me out. I have to say, from what I’ve heard, his first partner was less than a wise choice and Wheeler, well she and Logan were starting to get in stride and she takes this temporary position. I’m afraid if I don’t find him a suitable partner, he’ll want out,” Ross told her.

“So Mike has found a home over at Major Case?” Van Buren asked graciously.

“Yes and I need him. Given everything that’s happened with my squad, I can’t afford to lose another detective.”

Van Buren hesitated then replied, "Oh...the Brady case and Detective Goren. I understand."

"He's back, but...I'm still concerned. Now with Wheeler leaving, I need to get a handle on the situation," Ross said.

Van Buren knew about Ross. He’d played the necessary cards and slapped the right backs to get promoted to Captain over at MCS, and now he was a man desperate to get things under control.

“How can I help?” she asked all ready knowing the answer.

“I want you to think of someone who would be a good match for Logan. Anyone from your department look good for the job?” Ross said.

“You want to raid my department? After all those years I tried to get Logan back?” Van Buren replied coolly.

“Well, not necessarily from your department. Perhaps another unit you’ve worked with.”

“And what do I get in return?"

Ross had heard about Van Buren. She was smart, tough and continually passed over for promotion.

“The assistant Chief of Detectives is a very good friend of mine. If everything works out…” Ross answered.

A chill went through Van Buren. “Captain, I play by the book. But since you asked, how about making sure Logan never gets sent back to Staten Island?”

Ross nodded, “Thank you Lieutenant. I’ll see my self out.”

Lieutenant Van Buren rubbed her temples as she looked out across her squad room. But as soon as Ross told her what he wanted, a name came to mind.

Marci Walker began her career working vice. She jumped that ship after five years and went to the narcotics division for two. She joined homicide and settled into the 2-7 in 2005. Marci was divorced with a teenaged son who lived with his father and stepmother in Connecticut. Like the other women on the force, Marci had endured her share of sexism. She fought through all that and emerged with a reputation as a savvy policewoman with an arrest rate as high as any man in the department. Marci worked hard. She had to. For at 5’10” with shoulder length blonde hair and aquamarine eyes, she was drop dead gorgeous. Normally, Marci downplayed her looks, pulling her hair back in a ponytail. She wore little makeup and dressed casually in slacks, white blouse and a navy or brown leather jacket. When necessary, she’d manage to look like she just stepped from a fashion magazine. Even with all that going for her, she was still well liked and respected. Marci was a good listener and she was genuinely good with people. She had a bawdy sense of humor and a hearty laugh. She could drink any man under the table if she chose and occasionally lit up a cigarette. Judging by the hours she kept, Van Buren was certain she didn’t have much of a social life. The only male in her life appeared to be her son. Lieutenant Van Buren leaned over Marci’s shoulder and whispered, “I want to talk to you.”

“Are you serious?” Marci asked.

Van Buren replied, “Yes. Now it’s only a temporary assignment, but still a good one for you. I’m not telling you will get the job, I’m only recommending you.”

“Uh…Lieutenant, I'm not sure. But thank you,” Marci replied.

“Marci, just think about. I won’t get back to the Captain for a few days, okay?” Van Buren said.

“Who would I be working with?” asked Marci.

“Mike Logan.”

“Oh great. Now I do know!”

Van Buren laughed then said, “You’d be fine with Mike. He’s good.”

“I know, but…just let me think about it some more. I’ll let you know in the morning.”

“Pick up the damned phone. I know I said I would be working late, but something’s come up. We need to talk,” Marci pleaded.

Between the two, they worked odd hours. Their chances of being together were always subject to change. But he soon returned the call.

“So what’s so important?” he asked. “For Christ’s sake Goren, I’ve been recommended for Major Case,” Marci replied.

“What? Major Case, who?” he asked.

“I’d be partnered with Logan, temporarily. I’d love to join Major Case, but I’m worried about the two of us. You know what happens when we’re in the same room together,” Marci replied.

“Yeah…I know. So come on over. I’ve missed you.”

Sounds interesting. Are you going to keep going with this?

Thanks, but I don't think I could continue without getting banned from this board...if you get my drift.

Whoa. I would love to see this continued but if not, I still love it. I wouldn't want you banned. Very interesting scenario though. Great job.

Too bad, it has great possibilities, but not worth getting banned over.
There are other places it could be continued... hint, hint, if your muse returns....

Hi Peyton,

That MAKES it sound interesting, if I wasn't already interested.

Peyton did post a Part 2 in a separate thread.

But nothing ban-worthy in it.... darn it! But still very good.