Basement – Hallways

[Tony]

Continued from: Basement – M.E.'s Office with: Tasha

“Stuff is good,” Tony told her in an agreeable tone of voice as they passed into the corridor, walking beside her now instead of just behind. If someone appeared from the opposite direction then he would slip back behind her, not wanting to cause a fuss or get in someone else's way – more so if they were wheeling a body to the morgue as was so often the case in this part of the station.

He had no clue what to get either of the injured cops, knowing them by sight and to a degree Marcus through his friendship with Tasha. Tony however had never been terribly good at making friends and instead had rather faded into the background when in a situation with more than one or two people. There were exceptions, such as Mike and then Tasha but those were far and few between.

“We must get our Holy Grail, coffee that actually is drinkable.”

[Tasha]

Tash’ couldn’t help but laugh at his ‘stuff is good’. It was simple things like that which made her admire Tony all the more, the ways he could act so calm and approachable even with something like friends being involved in an accident looming overhead. Not only that, but the murder of a priest was a lot to take in; after all, it was enough to shake anyone’s faith in humanity itself to think of someone sinking to such a level, and not only that, apparently enjoying such a vile act. Tasha almost let a shudder race down her spine.

“So long as we don’t encounter any murderous rabbits or livestock-flinging Frenchmen along the way, then I have no doubt we’ll find our prize.” She smiled, knowing Tony would catch the references. It was a movie she herself enjoyed, and never got tired of, her favourite of the company’s work by far. In fact, as she let little snippets of scene and dialogue enter her mind, she found herself wanting to go home, curl up with a mug of hot chocolate, and watch that very DVD.

But that would have to wait until later.

[Tony]

They all had his Aunt to thank for his calm approach to life. Tony knew he would be little more than a shadow of his current self if it hadn't been for his wonderful relative who had all but raised him single handedly from a young age. She had installed in her young charge a sense of stillness, of quiet thinking and an ability to handle pressure to the best he could. The murder of the priest had indeed shocked Tony, inside at least but he remained confident that something, somewhere would happen to level the playing field. He believed in some kind of Karma, that for every bad act a good one would even it out and that overall humanity was good. Even the best had sickness in them.

“I promise if we reach a wizened man I shall go first. I've been studying for the three questions, I now know the capital of Assyria,” Tony replied, easily recognising her references and responding in kind. Like Tasha, Tony was a fan of that movie, finding the gentle mocking humour appealing. As they walked he found himself humming a few snatches of song, one not from that film but related by cast and oddly appropriate nevertheless. “Always look on the bright side of life...”

[Tasha]

Tasha couldn’t help but show a smile and at least laugh a little. If in doubt, quote the might of Monty Python. It was as good a philosophy as any, and Tasha briefly entertained the thought of printing that onto some kind of label and slapping it on her locker, or perhaps on the door to the break room. Who knew, maybe it would help some people lighten up a little, or get them through the day without a single thought about violence towards one’s co-workers.

“Well that’s good to know,” she told him, smiling at him, and laughing to herself as he hummed and mumbled one of the better known songs from the company’s movie career. She hummed along with him briefly as they walked, stifling a fresh laugh as one of the lab technicians passed them by and did a double-take at the humming duo.

[Tony]

He always believed that – as his aunt used to like to say – you could always attract more flies with honey and Tony used that in most of his day to day activities, being softly spoken and kind no matter how tense he might be feeling under it all and the odd homicidal thought towards some of his more brash co-workers. Tony didn't doubt that some saw him as a bit of a wet blanket or doormat but he lacked the will to care. It made life much easier than those he saw almost explode on a day to day basis.

If his calm and light mood could help others, then so much the better and even better still if it was for people like Tasha whom he honestly cared for. Tony half lifted his hand in greeting to the lab technician as they passed him, for once not too embarrassed by being loud enough to actually be noticed.

“Could be worse,” he remarked as the song slowly wound down. “At least they aren't on wooden posts somewhere...”

[Tasha]

Tasha never thought of Tony as any such thing, and would quickly correct anyone, and quite bluntly, should they ever say such a thing in her earshot. Tony was her best friend both in and out of work, and she wouldn’t put up with anyone saying so much as a single bad word about him. She might seem placid and easy-going otherwise, but that most definitely changed when she had someone she cared about to defend, verbally or otherwise… though she knew she would be far from useful in anything even remotely close to a physical altercation.

“Hmm… true.” She smiled again, tucking back the right side of her dark hair, after it tumbled over her shoulder. It wasn’t in her way at all, but it was still a habit to tuck it now and again, especially if she was talking. When she was alone, or quiet in any way, she didn’t mind if it partially obscured her face at all, but conversation was a different matter.

[Tony]

Tony always felt as if he was very lucky – especially for a shy person – to have two best friends, even if the two weren't really friends with each other. He knew better than to try and force Tasha and Mike to get along and interact, to be friends. Tony himself had been the victim of such forced events too many times to inflict it on someone else. It wasn't that the two hated or even disliked each other. They just seemed different people, interested in different things.

“So, now we've gotten back to looking to the bright side of life, we shall make it even better by adding caffeine to the mix,” Tony commented softly with a smile after letting the silence linger on comfortably between them for a few moments. The conversation may have been random and littered with British cult references but it worked between them.

[Tasha]

One best friend was enough for Tasha. If people were lucky enough to have more than one, then she felt happy for them, but she wasn’t about to want more than what she had, especially when what she had suited her just fine. She could go off on some spiel about how Tony was more than enough best friend for anyone, but she had never been a fan of corny feel-good speeches… in movies, they worked; not so much in real life. When it came to Tony’s ‘right-hand-man’ as Tasha called Mike, the M.E. didn’t exactly dislike him. His clothing sometimes hurt her eyes, but he seemed like a nice enough guy. She just didn’t know him all that well.

“Monty Python and caffeine,” Tasha said, smiling up at him as they turned the corner, the stairs ahead of them, as if awaiting their approach. “Some might say that’s a dangerous mix, but you know what?” Her head tilted slightly to the side. “I think I’m prepared to risk it… I’m feeling adventurous all of a sudden.”

[Tony]

Tony couldn't understand how a man with such... special dress sense could still manage to date a vast number of women. Not that he was particularly concerned about finding out Mike's secret. There was only one woman he wanted to impress in that fashion and if he ever did, Tony was determined he would on his own terms and on his own merit. Otherwise it could quickly descend into one of those cheesy 'rom-coms' where the hero has to be pretend to be something other than he was in order to win and keep the girl.

“Adventurous eh? I think I am going to have to agree with you concerning that feeling. Today I think I'm going to live on the edge... I might even get a shot of flavoured syrup in my coffee, really talk a walk on the wild side.” The pair reached the stairs and started to move up them, getting ever closer to the break room.

Continued in: Break Room with Tasha