golden.

Meg had walked into the bar taking the only available seat next to a guy who seemed to talking to a group of friends. She was waiting for own co-worker to meet her there. The young woman fiddle with her phone as she waited after she had ordered her drink. A simple beer was the most the Meg ever got. Though, that was enough for her. As the bartender passed it to her the man caught her once again. She knew him but from where?

 She recognized him from when she would visit her brother and bring him lunch from time to time at the station. “Hey, you’re detective-” she started as his friends started to file out. She only paused to look at man carefully as she tried to remember the name. “You’re Detective Monroe, right?” She finished. Pleased, that she had been able to remember. Typically she was horrible with names but she just hoped that the other wouldn’t think she was crazy for starting up a conversation with him.

@gabemcnrce​

Gabe was meeting some friends at the bar. It was a rare image for him to hang out with others that didn’t work at the station. He had been neglecting them for far too long and they finally enticed him out to the bar with the promise of free drinks. However, every good night had to come to end. His friends got up to leave and they said their goodbyes as another person took the seat next to him. He was going to leave as well when he heard a voice speak up next to him.

“No one really survives desk duty.” She smirked. Anyone who could come off desk duty early did as soon as possible. If you didn’t there was something more going on. “That’s what happens. I bring a few things home sometimes and finish them there. It’s just a lot easier.” It wasn’t ideal but it happened. “A big relief. New kitchen, added the bathroom to the master bedroom. Adding another bathroom and i’m considering another room.” 

closed starter for @gabemcnrce​

“Definitely taking a wild guess here and assume you haven’t had anything but a redbull and maybe a granola bar all day. So, I’ve brought you lunch. They gave me an extra meal for some reason and neither me or Cass will eat it,” she said, lying about the part where the sub shop had given her extra food. She definitely ordered it for him, knowing it was his favorite. 

“It happens to the best of us don’t worry.” Jenna knew that for a fact. There were times she slipped behind. “Better not be. They will put you on desk duty if you can’t keep up with your paper work. I suggest trying to get it in during the day. There’s a sweet spot during the day where no one will bother you. You just need to figure it out.” Jenna liked to do hers during lunch she would send her partner to get lunch and do hers then. “Well, we are almost done remodeling the house which is a great feeling.” 

they’ve had cases like these before. cases involving children were always tough, especially for cooper and he was no stranger to them. he’s been a detective for quite some time now, so this wasn’t anything he wasn’t used too. he just always had a hard time grasping onto the fact that children could really die so young and in such horrific ways. it was one of the cons to being a detective. he laughed a little when gabe told cooper he could see that he was already drinking “sorry. i need it tonight.” he was glad that gabe was someone cooper got close to within the unit. to have someone to protect and watch over. gabe was a good detective. smart and determined. “thank god, because the bar tender is a friend and she can make just about anything. especially if i’m the one telling her to.” cooper said smirking, and then winked at the bar tender. he took a sip of his scotch and let the alcohol burn down his throat. taking a deep breath, cooper looked at gabe nodded his head “scotch i is then.” he kind of informed the young brunette behind the bar, and smiled at her, mouthing a thank you. “me too. so… detective rayburn. the blonde who basically took over our case…, well she’s my ex. her name is nora. i dont think she said her name but yeah. she’s my ex.  jenna knows and i’m pretty sure the rest of the unit knows. i dont know about sarge though.” clearing his throat, he sighed “that’s why i’m drinking scotch. it’s been a hell of a fucking week and i’m so glad it’s the fucking weekend.”

–

“Don’t worry, it’s not just you. She always has an opinion about something or someone that can be improved or adjusted to her needs.” Miss Johnson had said a few words about her grandfather needing to have better customer service skills and that sometimes Katie’s attire didn’t was to city-girl like. Being in Pine River the Thompson quickly got a handle on those in the community who were intrinsic, particular, and just needy. However, over the years from her upbringing and community, Katie quickly learned how to master the art of conversation with just about anybody.

“Oh don’t get a big head now. I was just starting to think you were humble and honest,” she smirked as she took a seat next to him. Extending the leash so Oscar could sniff around, she leaned back into the tree taking in the fresh air and serenity this town continued to offer in new ways. “Were you working on something?”

“ somehow that does not shock me in the slightest. ” he rolled his eyes at the thought of the miss. johnson correcting and commenting on everything. the amount of times she had commented on his personality or his tone of voice was enough of an indication that she was one who shared her opinions with anyone that would listen. “ you know, you’re really lucking i’m nice to her and bite my tongue. ” gabe said with the shrug of his shoulders. 

“Rookie mistake. Never leave the paperwork for the last minute. Then the captain will come and yell at you.” She nodded. Jenna had been there before. Learned that the hard way in California. She knew not to wait but got caught up in a case and moving up ranks. Let it get to her head. “What else is going on? Anything else?” 

the case that homicide was working on was rough, they finally closed it and cooper just really needed a drink. he always needed a drink but for this he needed scotch. beer just wasn’t doing it for him tonight. usually it’s whiskey but cooper needed something stronger. when he saw gabe walking towards him and cooper formed a small smile on his lips “i already started drinking without you, but the beer isn’t cutting it. please tell me you like scotch?” cooper questioned the kid, and then waved the bar tender down. gabe reminded cooper so much of his younger self, and gabe often times felt like a little brother to him “alright Monroe. tell me. you want scotch, whiskey, dirty shirley?” those were the drinks that he knew some of the young ones would drink and cooper laughed a little “the bar tenders a friend so she can get you whatever you’d like.” he told him turning his head to finally face him now “after this case, i say we go with something strong which is why i ordered scotch.” 

@gabemcnrce​

It was normal for Maddi to hangout in Gabe’s apartment until he got home, besides he had the better cable package than she did - and most of the time her brother’s apartment had been a mess, and she’d help him out by cleaning the place up a bit for him. Career day was the next day at school, and her brother was the perfect canidate to come and speak to the class of eager fourth graders, he was a detective after all. 

Just as she was done putting the dirty close in the hamper, she heard the door knob turn. “Listen, before you say no, you have to hear my entire propistion for you.” She exlaimed, not even giving him the time to get through the door. “I need you to come wow my students for career day tomorrow. I will buy you lunch.” 

gabe was letting himself into his apartment after a long shift at work when he heard the voice from inside. it should have startled him but he could immediately recognize the voice of maddi and it was not an uncommon occurrence for him to come home to her hanging out there. “ well that sounds enticing. ” he said quietly with sarcasm lacing his voice as he continued into his apartment shutting the door behind him.

–

“Oh and am I bothering you? I thought you were supposed to be super stoic and unshakeable guy,” she smirked. Katie had really come to enjoy getting to know Gabe. Sometimes it felt like she was pulling teeth with him, but the small progress she did made with him from time to time became incredibly insightful. Hiring Gabe was a necessity as she was looking for something new to add to the monthly events that provided variety of options to get more people out to the vineyard.

 It was upon her own discovery that she learned Gabe was actually incredibly talented and has fostered a love for painting. He was pretty direct so it made sense that he could instruct a painting class at the vineyard. Who didn’t love to paint and have a nice glass of wine with it? “I mean Miss Johnson definitely thinks you could smile more, but no, everyone loves you,” she smiled before shifting her weight as her dog began to sniff the ground around them. “What are you up to anyways? I can go if I’m disturbing your peace to much. Just thought I’d say hello.” 

the comment from the brunette earned nothing more than a roll of the eyes. although he acted annoyed most of the time, gabe actually was enjoying getting to know katie while working with her. it was nice to have someone who wasn’t taken aback by the sarcastic tone he had for once. not only that, but she was also able to give it back to him, which made interactions much more entertaining, in his opinion at least. honestly, somehow she could get him to break away from his facade and was probably was one of the only people who could do that.

Jenna understood it completely. There were plenty of times she said just 10 more minutes and that turned into an hour of work. She had gotten better over the years but sometimes she was definitely distracted. “Fine? What’s going on?” She raised an eyebrow. Jenna knew that meant more. 

What: closed starter for @gabemcnrce​

 Where: The Black Rose 

 Cooper was supposed to meet up with Gabe at The Black Rose after work. He had known Gabe, he had known Gabe ever since Cooper had transferred from Brooklyn to Pine River. Sure Gabe was a little younger than Cooper, but he was a good detective. The first detective Cooper interacted with before he was partnered up with Jenna. He was already placing the bottle of beer to his lips when Cooper spotted Gabe. Sitting up better, he turned and faced the kid “Monroe, please tell me youre in the mood for drinking tonight.”

“Hi, Gabe.” She greeted the other as she set her menu down. “It’s okay. It happens to me all the time. Don’t worry about it.” Jenna knew how distracting their work could be. “So, how are you liking it lately?” She just wanted to check in on him. This wasn’t anything formal and she didn’t even have the say in what happened. It was just her being nice. 

–

With a day off the middle of her six day stretch with a bunch of holiday related festivities and weddings every weekend until the end of the calendar year, Katie was happy to be able to just decompress and have her phone off for the day. She enjoyed herself a nice strawberry crepe at the café, got her nails done, and now was taking a long walk with her four-legged pal Oscar. She had come up on a few miles when she spotted a familiar figure situated under a tree. It was the lovely Gabe Monroe. What a character he had on him. Brooding most hours of the day with a small flicker of humor sprinkled every now and then. Learning that he was an incredibly talented artist, she convinced him to teach classes at the winery twice a month. It was one of the newer events and the most recent class had a waitlist due to its rising popularity. 

As she approached him with a smile on her face, the moment she heard him speak, she became incredibly unamused. Just to annoy him, she found herself tapping his foot repeatedly with her own. “Dude you honestly have horrendous people skills. How the heck are you even a detective?”

gabe let out a sigh when he realized who was standing in front of him. he knew katie wasn’t going to leave him alone and any chance he had for alone time was gone. though, he was secretly relieved when he saw that it was katie and not a random stranger but he would never actually show that. however, as he felt her foot start tapping him he rolled his eyes and put his phone down next to him looking up at the other. “ can you stop ? ” he questioned annoyance lacing through his tone as he abruptly moved his foot. 

GABRIEL MONROE

gabe wasn’t one to talk about anything that may be considered a feeling in the slightest. instead he much preferred the idea of simply making music and that was what he intended to do right now. nothing was wrong, per say, but he was just feeling overwhelmed with the recent phone calls he was forced to have with his dad. there wasn’t much the two would ever agree on; but, they did agree they did not want to talk to each other unless completely necessary. so, he grabbed his phone and set out for to take a small run to push past those memories and emotions that were threatening to come up. as he reached the spot where he’d designated as his own rest stop upon moving here he let out a small smile. honestly, he wasn’t sure why he liked it so much but he figured it helped that no one was ever there so he could relax. he pulled out his phone and sat down at the base of a tree. he was trying to enjoy the peace and quiet the spot brought when he heard someone walk up to him. he hoped they would continue past him and leave him unbothered.