Cause he's a well respected man about town, doing things so conservatively

sixwordstories

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 02:10:06 GMT

sixwordstories

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:22:23 GMT

theatrical_muse 241 [locked]

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:32:45 GMT

(Spoilers for 8/17/08 - Logan's last episode...sorta)

Sacrosanct? Right. I believe the answer to that would be: uphold the truth, speak for the victims, and be the man I want my sons to be. Right?

I don't know. I guess if I were a different kind of captain I might say something like, "Trust my detectives. Do all I can to have their backs." I'm not that captain, though. I'm the captain...the captain that knows what can happen to us when we turn on each other. When there's betrayal in the ranks, when there's a liar and a cheat - we all pay.

I don't try to be a hard ass. I don't argue with my detectives just to argue, or because I don't trust them and believe them. I argue because they're my detectives, and I know what can happen to them if they step out of the lines. My squad isn't perfect. Far from it.

However, I'd like to keep the detectives I have. It's my ship and while I may not always like my crew members, I like how we sail. If I have to make them hate me to keep them around, well then...I guess I'll be hated.

195

theatrical_muse 236 - Respect [locked]

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 02:19:25 GMT

(Spoilers for most recent ep of L&O:Criminal Intent)

Doesn't really matter, does it? I mean - what respect means to me doesn't matter. What matters is how others use or or don't use it.

I can respect myself and respect those around me...I can attempt to teach my kids respect. My parents ingrained it in me, after all. I tell my boys how they are supposed to treat women. While I'm at it I should tell them not to be guppies, like me. Not to be fools.

One might imagine that a man in my shoes would learn how to spot a lecherous woman from miles away. The kind of woman that wants the gullible men. The nice guys as we're called. There's that phrase - nice guys finish last. Those women eat it up. And I'm not one to argue that it isn't true. I like to see myself as a nice guy. The good man. But maybe she's right...

"-and some of them are just fools."

I could hate her, sure. A part of me certainty does. At the same time, though, I hate myself. Once more, Danny Ross is made a fool of. Once more he tries to do what's right. And what happens? I'm shown that it doesn't matter.

It's why the respectful man, such as myself, sits alone every night with a beer and microwavable dinner.

cause he gets up in the morning,
And he goes to work at nine,
And he comes back home at five-thirty,
Gets the same train every time.
cause his world is built round punctuality,
It never fails.

And hes oh, so good,
And hes oh, so fine,
And hes oh, so healthy,
In his body and his mind.
Hes a well respected man about town,
Doing the best things so conservatively.
"Well Respected Man - The Kinks

217 (w/out quote and lyrics)

theatrical_muse 235 - Show us where you live

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:22:13 GMT

(The following use of Wheeler is not the Wheeler in theatrical_muse or any other comm, just the one in my head from canon. FYI for those unaware, in my head Ross and Wheeler have a very father/daughter feel to their friendship outside of work. Minor character spoilers for last nights episode of Criminal Intent.)

Danny was well into his second beer, feet propped up on the coffee table, remote in hand, and half asleep. Then the buzzer went off. He blinked awake and groaned. He'd barely been home an hour - despite it being almost 11pm - who would bother him?

He got to his feet and softly padded through his living room, which also served as the main area of his apartment. With no wall separating it from the front door it was a short walk. He leaned against the buzzer.

"Yes?" He addressed his phantom guest while trying to sound intimidating. He heard a familiar chuckle.

"Hey Cap."

He started to give his usual 'Wheeler is here' sigh, but then he remembered he hadn't seen her in six months and a true smile came to his face. He chuckled back as he hit the buzzer again and let her in the door downstairs. "Come on up." He went to the kitchen and grabbed a second beer then returned to the door and opened it in time to see Megan Wheeler round the corner. Half leaning into the hallway he held up the beer. She nodded with a huge look of relief on her face and picked up her pace.

"Thank you," she said , graciously, but taking it from him swiftlike. She took a sip right away as he had already removed the cap. Then she followed him inside where he led her back into the living room and they took seats. He muted the TV and looked at her.

"Good to see you," he said a bit stiffly.

"You, too." She nodded and smirked as she sipped at her beer again. The requisite, 'let's try and act civilized as though we are boss and underdog'. He nodded and sipped from his own beer and cleared his throat a bit. He glanced over at her again and her smirk had become a full on grin. He smiled and shook his head.

"How are you, Megan?"

"I'm good," she said. He studied her and nodded. He could tell she meant it. "What did I miss while I was gone?"

"Oh, well.." he threw his feet back up onto the coffee table and thought this over dramatically. "You mean apart from Logan getting a new partner who felt it was her duty to be a pain in my ass on a level to supersede Logan or Goren? Or Goren on suspension? Or maybe you mean your good ol' Captain playing a bit of risk under the tails of his boss..?" He drew his hand around in the air. "Any of those interest you?"

"Hmm, not so much," she shook her head and kicked off her shoes, then curled her feet under herself. "I'm more interested in these rumors I've been hearing all the way across the ocean about you and a certain Doc." Her brows crept up with another smirk and he shrugged innocently.

"Haven't a clue what you mean. You really shouldn't listen to gossip."

"Right," she laughed. "I'll just keep asking til you tell me." He rolled his eyes, certain that she would. And something caught his eye. On her hand. He blinked and tilted his head slightly.

"And you? Have any news to share?"

She froze mid sip and looked at him, then glanced down at her hand, then back up. She swallowed her beer and gave a sheepish smile. "Oh yea, I'm getting married."

(because in my head, she told him before he called her out at work)

574

ooc meme

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:15:45 GMT

Because Danny's the Meme Stealing Pimp:

(or maybe I am? ....)

Reply to this post with anything you'd like and I'll tell you why I friended you and two things I love about how you play your muse. The only catch? You have to repost this as well.

the_bigshow 2.17.D - Wildflowers

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 22:21:44 GMT

(A week or so following this post [and continued RP away from post] - forgive the authors of that post, they were drunk and hyper when writing. Oh and..you know..they had just met... ::points to icon:: Uh huh. Totally met him ::grin::. Liz referred to is obviously dr_liz_rodgers)

Photo prompt 3
Danny sighed and leaned back in his chair. It had been a long work week and he really wanted to go home. However he was stuck there. Being the boss. He scratched his head and looked at his computer. He pulled up a website he'd been lingering over for the past week and smiled.

His night out - or in as it ended up being - had been...well, interesting. He hadn't been Captain Ross whatsoever that night. Instead he was reminded of a kid he used to be. Danny. HandyDanny at that. Of course if that name ever found him again, he'd never talk his way out of it.

He smirked and leaned forward to his keyboard. He looked over the pictures of the website and within a few clicks had an order and his credit card number keyed in. He leaned back again and stretched his arms over his head. The website promised 24 hours.

Little did Liz know a wildflower bouquet was sent to her apartment door with a note.

Enjoyed sampling the finer things in life with you.

181

the_bigshow 2.13.1G

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:02:58 GMT

"Ain't there one damn song that can make me break down and cry?" - David Bowie, Young American

Danny laughed into the phone as his sister finished relaying her latest mishap. It never stopped amusing him how much trouble she could get into doing nothing at all. Although at times he did wonder if it was all still stories from her wild imagination.

“And how 'bout you, Little D?”

“How about me, what?” He leaned forward to drink from his beer before setting it back down and leaning back to the couch again. His feet stretched out further on the coffee table and his arm reached over his head briefly.

“What's been going on? You haven't called me in ages, no one knows what you've been up to.”

“Ah, Bri. You know me. My life is dull.”

“It is not. How are my amazing nephews?”

“They're fine.”

“Uh huh. And that job?”

“Why do you have to say it like that? That job. It makes you sound disapproving,” Danny rolled his eyes and ran his hand over the back of his neck.

“Because I do disapprove. That job stole my little brother.”

“Excuse me?”

“God, Danny, you just don't see it do you? You give too much to your job. I understand why. I mean, that is who you are. I expect nothing less from you. I just wish you'd exert that beautiful part of you to something more. To the rest of your life.”

He sighed. “Look, if you're going to lecture me on how my job killed my marriage-”

“I'm not,” she snapped. He stopped speaking quickly, not used to the unusually tense tone.

“I'm going to lecture you on how your job killed you. My Danny – my Little D – always knew how to laugh and enjoy every moment. He knew how to come to his family when he was sad or needed a Band-Aid. He knew there was always time for something more.”

“He was a stupid teenager.”

“No. You know I love you, honey. I love you for who you are now. A strong and wise man. You are...a great man. But I want you to be a happy man. And if you can't be happy all the time I want you to be okay with sad, and let people help you. I want-”

“Stop assuming you know my life, Bri. Face it, you live in California and breeze around New York every few months thinking I'm still your kid brother. I'm not. I've got shit to deal with, I've got a squad room to run, and kids to look after.”

“And emotions to pretend you don't have,” she said simply. He opened his mouth to retort, but had nothing. He shook his head and bit on his lip. He blinked. He had to say something before she thought she had won the argument. “Danny. Please.”

“I don't want to,” he said quietly after a long silence.

“Why not?”

“Emotions...hurt.” His feet fell to the floor and he leaned over. His hand gripped the phone harder as his eyes closed. He really hated discussing those words, but...it was Brianna.

“I know they do...but doesn't locking them in hurt more?”

Another long silence followed before he replied, “What is it you suggest I do?”

“You can start by just telling me what you're feeling lately,” his sister said gently.

“I...” he sighed and leaned back again, letting his eyes raise to the ceiling. He bit on his lip again and considered it, then closed his eyes and let himself speak. “Depressed.”

589

theatricalmuse 226

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:04:14 GMT

Name three things that you're looking forward to in the near future and why.

1. A nap. Is that one I really have to explain? I'm a hard working man who gets little sleep during the night. Endless cups of coffee only get me so far through my day. Not that blood and the like don't keep me awake, they do. Naps, though, naps are wonderful. Kick off the shoes, lay back on the couch, turn on the news - and just catch a few sheep. Before waking up and going over paperwork.

2. The leftover pizza sitting in my fridge next to my beer. Again, I'm not sure this needs an explanation. There has to be a certain process between waking up from the above luxurious nap and getting down and dirty with paperwork. And that would be leftover pizza and beer. A couple slices, a couple beers, catch up on the news - then get some work done.

3. Vacation. I told the boys we could go on a road trip this summer. A real road trip. And I told Jeremy I'd teach him to drive. They both have their own maps and iteneraries of what they want to do and we're going to pick and choose what will actually get done. Depending on the direction we're going in. I think we'll start off by heading west. Not too far west, though. We'll only have two weeks.

228

OOC

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:31:09 GMT

That's right, Danny is a sexy bastard. Check the new header, baby.

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:52:14 GMT

Slacker Kid

High school was a place you showed up occasionally, but you didn't really leave a mark.

You hated rules, authority, and structure. In fact, you still do.

Who Were You In High School?

Me? No..no, I was never a slacker. Never.

TBS 2.8.1 A

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:22:10 GMT

ooc: for polkadotsnplaid

They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but that is not always true...

Danny heaved a sigh as he studied the door before him. That door that had so much meaning and memory and...gave him such a mix of feelings. A damn piece of wood. He took a deep breath and sighed, before reaching out and knocking.

When the door opened, a tall man greeted Danny with a big – obnoxious – smile. “Hello Daniel,” he said warmly. Danny gritted his teeth. How he hated that man calling him Daniel. Or speaking to him at all.

He gave a slight nod. “Hello...Todd.”

“It's been awhile, hasn't it?” Todd reached out a hand in offering and Danny witheringly shook it.

“It has,” he nodded. “Is Micah ready?”

“I believe so, come in.” Todd stepped back as he welcomed Danny into the home that had once been his. Danny stepped in and shoved his hands deep into his jeans pockets. He stood in the foyer and glanced around. He was in framed pictures with Danny's family. Danny's sons and ex-wife and...Todd frozen and smiling. Looking happy and perfect. He swallowed the resentment and glanced at the alien.

“I expected Nancy to be here this afternoon.”

“She would have been, but Jeremy needed her to take him clothes shopping.”

“I see,” Danny nodded slowly. He glanced around again, looking for his younger son. “And...Micah?”

“Yes, of course. We were just playing a rousing game of chess and he went for his shoes.” Todd stepped away and called into the house, “Micah, buddy, your Dad's here!” Todd turned back to Danny with that smile. “That boy is smart..he's really going to be something, isn't he?”

“He already is,” Danny said. A slight smirk was on his lips as he nodded. He looked up with relief when his son came running up.

“Dad!” Micah jumped at his father with open arms and Danny hugged him. He nearly wanted to stick his tongue out at Todd and say 'na na na boo boo'. He didn't. Instead he smiled at his son.

“How're you?”

“Good. Can we go to the history museum? Please! We haven't been in so long and Germ's not with us to whine and complain the whole time!”

“Now, now, son..don't call Jermey that. We've discussed this,” Todd spoke up behind them. It took Danny all the restraint he had to not hit the man on the spot. Teeth clenched once again, he nodded.

“Yes, we'll go. Get your jacket.” As Micah did what he was told, Danny glanced at Todd. “Always...a pleasure,” he said tightly. Todd grinned and nodded like a dumbass.

“Let's gooooooooo!” Micah called. He grabbed his father's arm and pulled him out the door. Danny happily followed, leaving that house and that man far behind them.

480

TM222 - Sleeping on the couch

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:55:04 GMT

The late night news was a dull buzz before him. The apartment was otherwise dark and quiet. Two or three empty beer bottles sat on his coffee table along with a partially consumed bag of cheddar popcorn. And a popsicle stick from the stash of the boys' frozen sweets.

His jacket and tie from a long day of work were draped over the chair to the left of the couch. His briefcase in the chair, and his shoes beside it. The cell phone that never ceased to ring him with bad news was buried somewhere under the clutter on the coffee table. It hadn't rung since he arrived home.

Home had been late. As always. Hours past his detectives leaving and he'd still been in his office hammering away. Looking for things to keep him there. Keep him busy. The work he'd brought home tipped sideways and spilled over on the table in front of him. Pictures, reports, files...everywhere.

The watch on his wrist softly ticked its way through the night. In his white undershirt and a pair of jeans, he had one arm draped over his face and the other falling off the couch. A leg was out straight while the other leaned up in a curve against the back of the couch. His stubble was far past 5 o'clock and his curls were wilder than ever.

His breaths were shallow and soft. His chest rose and fell. He twitched slightly and rolled over to face the back of the couch and let out a brief sigh. The lightest of snores were coming from him.

Here the Captain slept.

271

tbs 2.5.1 - Bad Moon Rising

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:16:53 GMT

Danny sighed as he shut his office door with a heavy slam. Long day. As always. He flicked the shades on his windows shut and moved behind his desk. Frustrating cases, meeting with the Big Guys...such things did not lead to a pleasant day. He glanced at his computer and leaned forward to it. With a few clicks he got himself to the website his son had shown him. He turned up the volume on his speakers as the streaming radio filled his office. A smile spread to his lips as he realized what was playing.

Hope you got your things together. Hope you are quite prepared to die. Looks like we’re in for nasty weather. One eye is taken for an eye.

He grinned and turned the volume up, then leaned back in his chair and kicked his feet up. He started singing along, "Don't go around tonight, well, it's bound to take your life, there's a bad moon on the rise." He even tapped his hands to his knees.

Oh yes, this was a much better way to spend his day. He already felt himself relaxing. He sang along with the song until it faded out, then waited for the next one to start. He laughed when it did and immediately began singing along. "Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world, she took the midnight train going anywhere...Don't stop believing, hold on to that feeling.."

He didn't really care if anyone heard him or not. He didn't think about that. He didn't think about the job, about his life, about his kids, or about Nancy and Todd. He didn't think about Abby, or Liz, or Wheeler. He definitely didn't think about Goren and Logan. He just...relaxed.

226 (without lyrics)
ooc: second set of lyrics, "Don't Stop Believin" by Journey

tm220 - magic potions

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:47:09 GMT

Magic potion? Right. I call it beer. Makes everything better.

Okay, I'll take this serious. If I had a magic potion I'd be able to help the victims. More so than we already do. I'd be able to bring them back, take away their pain, and all those other things guys like me dream about. Kids wouldn't be killed, kids wouldn't be killers, our jails wouldn't be filled near capacity, the morgue wouldn't be overflowing, and we'd have all the answers.

But there's no such thing as magic. Especially not a magic potion. We can't fix everything, we can't find all the answers, and we can't make everything right. I do the best I can every day, and it's never enough. When the day ends someone's child is still dead, someone else's child is still being shipped off to jail. My own children still have two parents that can't do anything but argue anymore. They still have a putz living in their mother's house. At the end of the day I'm either still at my desk trying to find work to do, or I'm home on my couch with a beer and the news.

It's my life. Without magic. I'm dealing just fine.

203

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:47:04 GMT

1. Think of the first word that comes to mind when you think of me.
2. Go to http://images.google.com and search for that word.
3. Reply to this post with one of the pictures on the first page of results -- don't tell me the word.
4. Put this in your own blog so that I can do the same

Logan, if you post pictures of your ass, there will be a stack of paperwork on your desk for the next month.

2.3.1 G - Do no remove under penalty of law

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 23:02:31 GMT

Danny pushed the hotel room door open and flicked the light on. Jeremy whooped and took a flying leap onto one of the beds. Danny rolled his eyes and Micah carefully walked in the room, looking around and evaluating it.

“This is awesome,” Jeremy said, his arms behind his head. He was sprawled out on the bed. “Five days of no school! Five days of no Mom! Five days of-” He glanced at his fathers raised brows. “Five days with my great Dad?” Jeremy grinned his father's grin. Danny shook his head and smiled.

“I just like that we're in Philadelphia for five days,” Micah said. He sat down on the edge of the bed his bother was on and opened up the book he had brought with him. “Do you realize how much historical significance this city has for our country?”

“Do you realize how much of a complete dork you are?” Jeremy shoved his foot at Micah.

“Hey,” Danny called out. “Leave your brother alone. And just wait Mich, you're going to get to see a lot this weekend.” Micah nodded and went back to his book. Danny carried in the suitcases and shut the door. He grabbed the phone book and started going through it. “Pizza, Chinese, or cheesesteaks?”

“Cheesesteak!” Both boys shouted without glancing up. Jeremy was leaned over the side of the bed while Danny called the order in. When Danny hung up, Jeremy popped his head up.

“Hey Dad, remember how you always told us this thing was real? Is it really?” He pulled at the tag hanging off the side of the mattress. Danny walked over to see what Jeremy was pointing to. “Do no remove, under penalty of law,” Jeremy read. He looked up at his father again.

Danny nodded. “Oh. Yes. We've got a guy pulling 10-12 for tearing those off all over the City,” Danny said dryly.

“Seriously?” Jeremy blinked up at him, wide eyed. Micah fell back on the bed laughing.

“You dumbass,” Micah barely managed to get out. Danny couldn't help but laugh, too.

Captain Danny Ross
Law and Order Criminal Intent
347

tm216 - Impossible

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 04:40:10 GMT

Danny was buttoning the crisp blue, freshly pressed shirt up his chest when his phone rang. With his shirt halfway open over his white undershirt, his black slacks in place, and the cuffs of his shirt hanging open, he went to answer it.

“Ross,” he said, moving back to the bedroom to finish fixing himself up.

“Daniel,” an all too familiar voice said.

He closed his eyes. “Hello Nancy, how are you?”

“I'd like you to take Jeremy out tonight to talk.”

“Can't.”

“You...can't? You can't take your son out for dinner to discuss the possibility that he's using drugs?” She asked it so calmly, but he heard the anger clearly.

“The plan was for me to see him this weekend. I have plans tonight.”

“More important than your son?”

“No. Not at all.”

“Work again? What is it this time?”

“It's...not work.”

“Then it's something social? A date?”

“Does that matter?”

“If you're choosing that over our son, then yes it does.”

“Nancy,” he said slowly and tightly, “These problems will not be any worse or any better by tomorrow evening. I will pick him up from school and he and I will spend the entire afternoon together. He's got school tomorrow anyway, I can't keep him out late.”

“Fine. Go out. What does a bit of drugs in your son's room matter, right? Todd will be more than willing to speak to him man-to-man.”

“Wouldn't he have to...I don't know...be a man first?”

She sucked in a breath and he could just see her mouth opening and closing as she searched for the right words. “Daniel...you're....just...impossible.”

“Sorry to let you down...again,” he said.

Captain Danny Ross
Law and Order: Criminal Intent
285

::eyeroll::

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:53:15 GMT

Because the voice in my head - you know the one, she thinks she owns me and my thoughts - wants me to do this. Just lyrics are acceptable if you want to spoil the fun that way.

Warning: By posting this up you are subjecting yourself to other peoples tastes in music. First rule of Play List is do not get offended by the music people share with you. Your cup of tea is could be someone else's leafy water.
Warning: By posting this up should be willing to seek out the same meme on your friends list and give them some music too!

01. How it works: Place this post up in your journal.
02. Fellow friends list members [and their writers too] are to then in turn comment to your post with music that reminds THEM of YOU.
03. Said music is shared via an upload that you can download, or a link to lyrics for the connection challenged that reminds them of you.
04. When you comment leave the song title and artist in the subject line so that if someone else thought of the same song they don't have to send it to you again, ;)
05. With enough people and enough variety of songs you should end up with a lovely playlist inspired by those that know you pretty well. [or so you hope]
06. Download and enjoy!

tbs2.1.E - Do as I say, not as I do

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:34:09 GMT

Danny was still buzzing about the big Giants win. He'd just gotten home from watching the game with the guys and was sitting down with a beer, when his phone rang. He glanced at the called ID and sighed. It figured she'd let the air out of his big night.

“Hi Nancy,” he answered.

“I've been trying to reach you all night.”

“It's Superbowl Sunday,” he said. “I wasn't here.”

“You weren't answering your cell phone, either.”

“Again, I was watching the Superbowl. Sorry, Nan, now that we're divorced you don't get interrupt the game,” he chuckled.

“Daniel,” she said, completely unamused. “Don't you want to know why I called?”

“I'm sure you have good reason,” he rolled his eyes.

“I do. Todd was in Jeremy's room yesterday, fixing the doorknob, and he found...he found pot.”

Danny blinked. “First of all, what was he doing snooping in my son's room and secondly, how do you know he didn't plant it?”

“Come on, Daniel. Be serious here.”

“I am! You want me to believe my kid is doing drugs on the word of Todd?”

“He wasn't snooping. He moved the rug out of the way and the bag was underneath it.”

“Shit.” Danny set his beer down and leaned back, rubbing his eyes. His head hung back on the couch. “Did you ask Jeremy about it?”

“He said it wasn't his, that he was hiding it from a friend.”

“Of course.”

“You need to talk to him.”

“And tell him what?”

“What do you think? Tell him he's punished. Tell him drugs are bad. And don't tell him you know from experience. Those boys are not to know your history there.”

“I see. Not only am I their ass of a father, but now I'm their hypocritical ass of a father? Want me to use the old 'do as I say, not as I do' line?”

“If need be,” she said. “You can pick him up from school tomorrow.”

“Thanks,” he hung up and shook his head. So much for celebrating.

Captain Danny Ross
Law and Order: Criminal Intent
341

TM213 - Enough Sorrow

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 17:41:23 GMT

The end of the year was particularly rough on him. It seemed things were falling around him beyond his control. Things had been looking up just months before. He was getting used to his job, he had a good relationship forming, his kids weren't hating him most days, even his ex-wife was starting to cut him a break.

But then work got rougher. Wheeler left. Abby started to lose patience. Wheeler went missing. Abby walked out of his life. The cases got harder and they stayed in his mind longer. The..something that he had started with Liz...was still unknown to him, and he was starting to believe he'd never know what it was. The holidays were difficult as he tried to please his boys and his ex and everyone else. Work rattled him too much that last month of the year. He did what he knew not to. He let it get to him. He let it get to his life.

He knew that he was turning a leaf – hopefully in the right direction – before everything started to fall. He didn't want to stop that. He didn't want to lose hope like he once had. He didn't want to give in to the dark thoughts he kept in. He knew he had the potential for unfiltered happiness again. He'd had it once.

This all was running through his mind as he had a beer after work one evening. Barely two weeks into the new year, he'd yet to make a resolution. That wasn't something he had done in a very long time. But this year...this year he wanted to. This year he wanted things to be better. He didn't want to think so much, doubt so much, or fear so much.

There had been enough of that. It was time. Time to move on.

And so, when he lifted his bottle to his lips, he smiled. He smiled because it was better than frowning, and because it was the first step that he could take in his new year.

Captain Danny Ross
Law and Order: Criminal Intent
343

rotm1.89.1 - Electric Blue

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:47:11 GMT

Are you hiding somewhere behind those eyes? I just freeze everytime you see through me. Electric Blue - Ice House

locked.

Seeing Abby again. I don't know. She was beautiful as always. And I don't know. What we had was...good. It was simple and good and things fell in place with us on their own. Until they fell out of place. Until my job got in the way. Our coffee was simple. And good. I've missed her.

But there's Liz. I haven't seen much of her lately. We've both been in our own places, and she's...well I'm not sure. She has things going on. Whatever it is we have – or don't quite have – isn't falling into place. It isn't simple. It's complicated and unknown. I enjoy being around her, though. Things can be good. But I'm not sure that it's right. I've had so many doubts going into it, but I've stuck through. I couldn't stay away.

She seems to have things to deal with. So often when I'm with her, I don't feel like she's there with me. Maybe I do the same thing sometimes...in fact I'm sure I do. Even so – maybe our timing isn't right. Maybe neither one of us is ready to actually give this a fair shot.

When Abby sat across from me at the coffee shop, I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She barely looked away. We talked the entire time, we drank our coffee, and she and I were the only people in the room. At that table. Just the two of us without baggage.

Liz and I aren't there. I'd like us to be, but we aren't. I see the way she sees past me, seeing something – or someone – else. I want to be able to hold her attention. I want it to be right.

I don't know.

Captain Danny Ross
Law and Order: Criminal Intent
290

TM211 - Old Acquaintance

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 04:03:49 GMT

locked.

Danny stood on one side of the glass and looked over his options. Tried and true chocolate. Simple vanilla. Orange sherbert. Mint chocolate chip. That chocolate chip cookie dough crap that Jeremy loved. So many choices and he didn't know what he wanted. He pulled his hands from his jeans pockets and tucked one under his arm. His other hand scratched his head. He'd been so out of it over the past couple weeks that now something as mundane as buying ice cream was just too demanding for him.

“I've always been partial to butter pecan,” a voice said beside him. He turned and found his ex, Abby, standing beside him. His hands fell to his side and he just stared at her. She gave him a half smile. “Hi.”

“Hi,” he said quietly, pulling up a small smile. They stared at each other in silence for a few beats, then she broke the eye contact and pointed to the ice cream cooler.

“Can't decide?”

“No, I don't know what I want,” he shook his head and turned back to his choices. “And I'm starting to wonder if I even want ice cream.” He shrugged and shoved his hands back into his pockets. He took a moment to glance at her again. Her hair was pulled back simply and she wore a deep red sweater and black pants. Over the sweater was a black jacket and gray scarf. He looked to his feet, not wanting to be obvious in looking her over. She took that time to look at him in his jeans and thick blue sweater. Over the sweater he wore a light jacket, beige in color. She bit her lip with a smile and reached out to tug the elbow of his jacket lightly.

“Where'd you get such an ugly jacket?” He raised his eyes and smiled back to her.

“Ugly?”

“Just a bit,” she chuckled lightly.

“This happens to be a great jacket,” he informed her. “It keeps me warm and it's very casual.”

She laughed more then. “And something my father might wear.”

He shook his head, smiling still. “Gee, thank you. And how old is your father? In his seventies?”

“Around there, yes.” They both laughed and faded into silence again. “Well..good luck with your ice cream.”

“Thanks,” he nodded. He was staring at her again. He wasn't sure what to say exactly, but he wanted to say something. He blurted out, “I'm sorry...the way things ended.”

“Don't be. I'm the one that-” she shrugged and crossed her arms over her chest. “I'm sorry, too.”

“Have you been well?”

“Yes, I have. You? How are the boys?”

“I'm alright, the boys are good. The same as always,” he said.

“I'm glad.”

“You're on break, aren't you? Winter break?”

“I am,” she replied. “Somewhat. I still find myself going to the office to work on teaching plans.”

“Dedication.”

“Yes.” Silence fell between them again. “Well, it was good to see you Danny. Really good.”

“You, too.” He stood there and watched as she started to walk away. “Abby,” he called after her, before he could stop himself.

“Hm?” She turned around.

“I don't really want ice cream. How about some coffee?”

She smiled. “Coffee would be good.”

Captain Danny Ross
Law and Order: Criminal Intent
543

rotm1.87.3 - Santa?

Tue, 25 Dec 2007 02:11:17 GMT

Danny heard an odd noise from down the hall. This confused him. He blinked out of his sleep and considered it. The boys weren't there. His ex-wife was dropping them off in the morning so they could spend the free day together, even though it wasn't a holiday for them. In other words he was home alone. Or so he thought...

He threw the covers off of himself and pulled out of bed. He heard another thud. Someone else was definitely in his apartment. He slipped into his closet and pulled his gun from the lock box, then silently padded down the hallway in his sweats and tshirt. As he turned the corner from his hallway, he held his gun up and fingered the light switch. There was a dark form before him. He hit the light and blinked. It was Santa. But obviously...not.

“Freeze,” he said evenly. The man jumped at Danny's voice and turned to face him.

“Oh. Uh...hey, don't shoot.” Santa held his hands up with a light smile.

“You're breaking and entering. I'm a cop,” Danny informed the intruder.

“You kidding me?” Santa looked around then back to Danny.

“Of course I'm not kidding you. You broke into my home and unless you leave without touching a thing, I'm going to arrest you.”

“Come on, pal, just doing my job.” Santa hoisted a large red bag over his shoulder.

“What's in the bag?”

“Presents.”

“Out. Now.” Danny started to step towards the man, but Santa didn't move.

“You don't believe me, do you?”

“I believe you're a nut job, yes.”

“But I'm not.”

Danny rolled his eyes. “Fine, you're Santa? Well I'm Jewish. Wrong door.”

Santa blinked this time. “You are?” He pulled a pad from his pocket and looked it over. “Isn't this 502?”

“No, 504. 502 is across the hall.”

“Oh. Oops,” Santa rubbed his brow. “Not the first time I've done that, but it never stops me from feeling like a fool, you know?” He turned and went for the door. Danny just watched. “Sorry for the fright sir, and I hope you had a Happy Chanukkah.” He pulled the door open and Danny still watched him.

“Really, guy...go home. Get out of the building before I take you in.”

Santa turned around and looked Danny over. “What did you say your name was?”

Danny rolled his eyes. “Captain Danny Ross.”

“Yes...right. I think I recall your name.” He shook his head. “Unfortunately I couldn't fit you in her stocking. But do give her a call. It's been awhile since she heard from you, hasn't it?” Santa started to leave again and Danny walked to the door.

“Who?”

Santa looked over his shoulder. “Why, Liz of course.”

Danny groaned and rolled over in his bed. He sat up and looked around, waking from his dream. He scratched his head. “Ugh,” he lay back down and pulled the covers up. He made a mental note to not eat fried eggs before bed anymore. That...and call Liz.

Captain Danny Ross
Law and Order: Criminal Intent
512

MCS open RP

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:08:21 GMT

(open thread for detmike_logan, detmeganwheeler, detectivebear, or dr_liz_rodgers)

Danny sighed at his desk and looked out of his office at the bullpen. It had been a rough couple of weeks, and he was having trouble concentrating on his work. He couldn't stop thinking of the teenagers from the week before. The images that bounced around in his head were overwhelming, so he got up and walked out of his office. He went to the break room and poured himself a cup of coffee.