Kirsty Cotton will never surrender. (bloodonsnow) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-02-16 00:38:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | !complete, kirsty cotton, leonard mccoy |
Who: McCoy and Kirsty
When: This week
Where: His office
What: Meeting and discussing a case
Rating: High
Status: Complete
Trigger Warnings: Professional discussion of rape / beatings (think a police procedural).
McCoy was going through the paperwork in his office. He had the girlâs file in front of him. Heâd only assisted in the surgery, wasnât really in there. His specialty wasnât gynecology. But as Head of Surgery, he was in touch with all the different goings-on in his department. He had been completely briefed when the girl came in, and was ready to give a full report to the woman officer working the case. Unfortunately, when she came to the hospital to meet with McCoy and the OB/GYN whoâd performed the actual surgery, the OB was called off to deliver a baby. McCoy was on his own to give the information to the officer.
He leaned back in his chair, frowning considerably at the case in front of him.
Kirsty Cotton didnât look like a patient in the hospital. No, it was fairly obvious she was a cop, even though she refused to wear dress code business wear. Her jeans were tailored, her t-shirt was tapered, and her motorcycle boots were clean - that shouldâve counted for something. Her leather jacket hid her holstered gun, and her hair was back in a high ponytail.
The beating had been severe, even by Kirstyâs jaded standards, and she was chomping at the bit to find anything on the perpetrator. The asshole had made the girl need cosmetic surgery, not to mention the gynecological surgery - all of which pivoted Kirstyâs interests toward people who knew her and carried a grudge. But getting information on what had happened exactly would help, any little idiosyncratic gestures would help her find the fucker.
Knocking on the door to the head of surgeryâs office, Kirsty stuck her head in. âDr. McCoy?â
McCoy looked up from his notes. He pulled himself up to his feet at the sight of her in his doorway, then reached a hand out toward her in greeting. âThatâs me. You must be Detective Cotton.â He motioned for her to take a seat in one of the chairs in front of his desk.
âI am.â She reached out to shake his hand, sitting down and crossing her legs. âIâm sorry we have to meet like this.â Seriously, he was a good looking guy, and a doctor? But she focused on business first. âYou assisted when she was brought in?â
âIndeed,â he agreed. Absolutely the worst circumstances to meet under. But hey, they were meeting. McCoy sat down in his chair and opened the folder once more. âI did. Unfortunately, the OB/GYN on duty that night has been called away to deliver a baby today, but she and I were able to discuss the case in detail before she left. She knew we had this meeting today, and sends her regrets that she canât be here herself.â
âItâs fine, it means I got to meet a hot guy doctor.â Kirsty winked, shaking her head. âSorry. Jobâs depressing, I try to take my laughs when I can.â
McCoy was a little taken aback. That was very much not expected. But it wasnât entirely unwelcome. He gave her a little smirk, a little, bashful chuckle. Did it just get hot in his office?
âWell, by all means.â He said, then nodded his head once. âTake your laughs.â He didnât mind being the source of amusement for her.
Kirsty grinned in response. âIâm not used to the guy blushing either. Shit, sorry, I shouldnât flirt or sexually harass you when creepy things are afoot. Case first, lame pickups second.â
She leaned forward to look at the paperwork McCoy was looking over.
McCoy gave a laugh at the word âblushingâ and shook his head. âSorry. Canât help it.â He gave her a smile, though. âWeâll have to reschedule the sexual harassment for another day.â
He leaned forward, and started to go over the poor girlâs injuries with the detective, trying to make sure and hit every point that the OB/GYN wanted to make sure were hit. It was a grisly case, the poor girl was abused in a terrible way, with foreign objects used in a way that they should definitely never be used. They were able to repair most to the damage and stitch her up, but she would never be the same.
Kirstyâs brows knit angrily, but she remained her professional composure, taking notes and asking questions where appropriate. She sighed at the photos, biting her lip and eventually looking away, standing up and turning her back on them. âI think I have enough. Thank you, Doctor. Sometimes I think that I have a bad job, then I realize that yours is far worse.â
McCoy cleared his throat. Heâd maintained his composition through their briefing, but when she turned her back on the photos, he was glad to close the folder and tear his eyes away. âA good portion of my job is instant gratification. Or near instant, anyway. I get to see results almost immediately. That helps me, I think, maintain my sanity.â He paused, âif it was my daughter with these scars... I donât know what Iâd do.â
âYouâd want to kill the bastard.â Thatâs what her father had wanted. Her father had tried to hit his brother at his trial, and only Kirstyâs tears had made him stop. âThatâs what any good father would want. How old is she?â Kirsty smiled a little, genuinely interested in his life.
âEight.â McCoy said, giving a little nod. âAnd youâre right. Theyâd have to lock me up or Iâd go bash his head in with a baseball bat.â It wasnât an exaggeration, either. It was a good thing that he didnât go after criminals like this. It would tear his life apart. âLives âcross country with her mother.â
âEightâs a fun age, or so I hear.â Kirsty smiled, looking at the photos on McCoyâs desk. âItâs a shame she doesnât live closer.â The man was obviously an invested father, would obviously see his daughter as often as he could. She couldnât help her detectiveâs mind clicking away at a fast gallop - he seems upset beyond the photos and not because of the divorce either - and her mouth got ahead of her. âWhen did whatever youâre upset about happen?â Could be a fight, or a dumping, or having to dump someone, oh god I hope heâs single.
âYeah, thatâs up to her harpy of a mother.â McCoy said. He would support the woman, he most certainly had to, but he wished she would bring their daughter closer. Then again, that meant heâd have to see her more, and not just Joanna. He was torn.
âWhat?â He asked, glancing up and over at her, a little surprised that she could tell he was upset about something. Well, something other than his harpy of a wife and missing his daughter.
âYou just look upset is all. Your jaw, it keeps tightening and relaxing.â Kirsty smiled a little. âCop. I notice these things. Want to go grab a coffee? Non-business, promise.â She was a confident, self-assured woman, but sometimes she even surprised herself.
âOh, the things you cops notice.â McCoy said, torn between amused and exhausted at the idea. He slipped the paperwork into an envelope, nodding. âYeah, coffee sounds good.â He held the envelope out to her. âYour copies.â
Kirsty nodded, taking the envelope and smiling. âThanks. Do you guys have any good coffee here? Or do you want to go to that Starbucks across the street? You probably canât, huh.â She fished one of her business cards out of her wallet, leaving it on his desk when he wasnât looking or likely to see it. Her cell number was jotted on the back.
âI should probably stick around, just in case.â He lifted his beeper from his pocket as he stood. It was clear, and he glanced at the time quickly. âBut theyâve got fairly good coffee down in the cafeteria.â ...great. Coffee date at the hospital cafe. Smoothe, McCoy.
âGood.â She grinned at him, amused that he seemed so nervous. âYou donât have to be all jittery around me. Iâm forty-three, never been married. So you have way more experience than I do. Iâm practically the innocent ingenue here. Be gentle.â She batted her eyelashes, hoping to make him laugh. Sheâd bet money he had a gorgeous smile.
McCoy chuckled. âYouâll have to pardon me. Itâs been... quite literally years since Iâve gone out for coffee with a beautiful woman.â Well, excluding Neena. Though, he hadnât actually gone to coffee with her. Just drank brandy by the fire. And, of course, heâd had coffee with Anya, but she was one of his interns, and that was a completely different scenario. âSo maybe youâre the one who should be gentle.â
âSee, you beat me again. Iâve never been out for coffee with a beautiful woman.â Kirsty had to tease him, otherwise sheâd pay too much attention to the fact heâd called her beautiful and that would make her blush. He stood much taller than her 5â4â frame, and she couldnât help but note that he looked well built under his oxford shirt. âYou donât sound like youâre around here, where are you from, anyway?â
McCoy gave a laugh. âFair enough.â He moved with her out of his office and turned to lead the way down the hall toward the elevator. âRaised in the south, schooled in the north-east, Iâve been in California for over a decade.â He responded.
âMust be the Southerner I hear. I was born and raised here, so I pick up on accents pretty fast.â She smiled up at him, standing not too close to him in the elevator, but close enough to smell his aftershave. âIs it against the rules if I try to pick you up? I donât want to get you fired.â
McCoy wasnât really used to this kind of attention. He shrugged gently, his neck slightly pink. âYouâre not a patient, so... I donât think itâs against the rules.â He gave a little chuckle. âIâm head of my department. Not likely to get fired by the board unless I do something absolutely terrible.â
âSo weâll be okay unless we have sex on top of one of your patients. Good to know.â She winked at him, laughing at her own boldness. âSorry, donât listen too much to me. Iâve had a pottymouth on me since I was born. Dad always used to say my first sentence was âDad, give me a damn bottleâ. Fibs, but still.â
McCoy was shocked by how forward this woman was. She was beautiful, and he was enjoying her company, though. He laughed and shook his head. âWeâll just have to put that on the list of things not to do.â He said, then led the way out of the elevator toward the cafe. âI wouldnât blame you if you did, though. I get cranky when Iâm hungry.â He teased, then held the door open so she could step into the cafeteria ahead of him.
âYou have no idea. I have a nuclear reactor for a stomach, I swear.â She grinned, walking through the door. It was warm in the room, and she wanted to take off her jacket, but flashing her gun wasnât high up on her list of things to do. âYou must have to have lots of snacks during the day. Canât have you all stomach growly and needing to pee when youâre surger...y...ing.â She laughed at her own made up word, queuing up to get a coffee and a muffin. âMy treat. Youâre putting up with me, after all.â
âI canât say no to that.â McCoy said, nodding. He stepped up beside her in the line and glanced at the menu--though he knew it like the back of his hand. âNo, I make sure that Iâm well fed, rested, and use the toilet before performing surger...y...ing.â He repeated her words after her, teasing.
She couldnât help but laugh at his teasing. âYouâre better than most of the people I work with. We mainline coffee so weâre like jittery dogs. And donât get me started on diet.â She wrinkled her nose. âThe cop and doughnuts thing? Yeah. Itâs not a myth.â
âYou should see the specials here in the cafeteria.â He didnât eat there every day, but McCoy enjoyed having a hot lunch every once in a while. Most of the time he either popped home for a sandwich or brought something from his house to munch for lunch. âSuch healthy food. I think theyâre trying to teach us something.â
âProbably how to fend for ourselves. I make sure to stash dried fruit and nuts all over my desk, like some sort of squirrel. I donât want to be the first scurvy case in the last hundred years.â She grinned at him, ordering her coffee and her muffin and motioning for him to get whatever he wanted.
âYouâd be surprised how many cases of scurvy there have been in the last hundred years.â McCoy said. The girl at the register knew his drink order, and she made it for him with a tinge of pink on her cheeks, then slid it across the counter for him to pick up. He gave her a gentle âcheersâ and a wink as he picked it up and sipped.
Kirsty couldnât help it, giggling to herself. âAnd you say you have no game. You could have that girl without even talking you smooth bastard.â She shook her head. âMustâve been a really bad divorce, she got your self-esteem in it.â
âSheâs just that.â McCoy said, turning to lead her away from the counter. He didnât want the girl to hear him say it. âSheâs just a girl.â And she was, too. McCoy was probably twice her age.
âYeah, well... she took my daughter across the country.â He said, darkly. His eyes narrowed over his cup.
Kirsty saw his eyes and reached out to put her hand over his. âWhich is a bitch and a half move. Youâre a good dad, I can tell just from sitting here. I know when I was a kid, Iâd have done anything to have my mom nearby, and Iâd never really even met her. Not enough to make memories, anyway.â
âItâs not a fair thing to do to a kid.â McCoy said, sounding absolutely bitter. And he had a right to be. He shrugged one shoulder. âWhatever. Itâs in the past. Iâm just making the best out of the situation as best I can.â
âItâs not, and I really hope she knows it.â Kirsty sipped her coffee. âYou know, it pisses me off how most judges just default to custody to the mom. I was raised by my daddy, I turned out okay.â Larry Cotton had been the most amazing man sheâd ever known.
âI knew it wouldnât be fair to her if she was with me all the time. Her mother was moving back to the east coast, and I was working sixty to eighty hours a week, it just wasnât a good situation for a young girl.â Back then heâd been working his way up in the world. Now-a-days he was much more stable. Being Head of Surgery meant that he could make his own hours, pretty much. But the situation had already been decided. Wouldnât be fair to Joanna to uproot her and move her across country again.
âAnd itâd be too hard for you to move over to where she is - lateral job changes donât happen often in your line of work.â Kirsty shook her head. âShe knows you love her though, right? Thatâs important.â Somehow it had gone from flirting to her wanting to hug him. She wondered if he knew that he was a dangerous combination of attractive and vulnerable.
âI tell her every day.â McCoy said, giving a nod. It was probably his relationship with his daughter that made him so endearing. That and the scruff. The scruff was hot. McCoy didnât know it, though. And he didnât flaunt it. He simply didnât think about his appearance, or how it might affect other people. Which was why he showed up to Neenaâs house wearing button-down shirts and slacks when she was a super casual girl. He simply came in his work clothes, not bothering to change for their dates. Maybe that was the reason they didnât click.
âGood.â Kirsty smiled, leaning back. âForty-three and I have no kids, but Iâve got one of the best clearance rates in the state. Itâs a good payoff. Besides, too much shit in my past, Iâd be a crappy mom.â She smiled a little sadly. âKind of jealous of you. I mean, youâre attractive and smart, and youâve got a great kid. Fucker.â Her tone was teasing, but she was being honest.
âSometimes the best moms are the ones who know better from experience.â McCoy said, sagely. Not that he was looking for a mom. Or even looking, really. He had a lot of stuff going on, and... well... getting dumped made him a bit bitter about it all. The whole thing. He was going to take some time to heal up and figure out what he wanted to do.
A little laugh escaped him. âFucker? Me? I guess... thank you?â
âItâs a compliment, promise.â Kirsty warmed her hands on her cup of coffee, amused that she managed to make him laugh. âIâm glad I got you to do that, you know. You seem like you should be laughing more. But I guess not in your line of work, huh.â That and his daughter being so far - he probably needed a hug and a drink.
âNo. Not really in my line of work.â He paused. âOr yours, really.â He added. âIâve just got to find some good stand-up on the Netflix.â Thatâs right. The Netflix. Joanna knew how to use the technology in his condo better than he did. âThat should help.â
âThe Netflix is awesome,â Kirsty teased, grabbing one of her business cards. She jotted down the name of a comedian that she knew was on instant view, and handed it over. âJim Gaffigan. Heâll fix you.â
âJim Gaffigan.â McCoy repeated, accepting the little note. âGot it. Iâll find him.â He could search, Joanna had shown him that much. With a smirk on his face he pocketed the note. âThanks. Itâll give me something to do tonight to lift my spirits.â
âTrust me, I know all about that.â The case sheâd have to investigate further hadnât left her thoughts, even though sheâd been joking with him, the photographs were still burned into her memory even though she was flirting.
âSo. I should head out,â Kirsty sighed, standing up and finishing the last of her coffee. âBad guys to catch.â
âUnderstood.â McCoy said with a nod. He held a hand out to her after tossing his empty cup into the trash. âThank you for the coffee,â he added, shaking her hand once. âPlease feel free to contact me if you need anything else for the case.â
âHey, if I canât buy hot doctors coffee, Iâm not really living, right?â She smiled as she shook his hand, waving a little as she left. It was a small bright side to having gotten the case at all.