new york wolves } { of promotions and unexpected vacations

[flack]

Flack: [is gathering all the basketballs together after practice and putting them on the racks. He stares at the rack for a moment before picking one up, giving it a few test bounces and passing it to Derek] Got time for a quick game?

Derek: [catches it easily] Depends on if my boss doesn't mind me being late.

Flack: Won't take long. There's something I wanted to talk to you about.

Derek: [nods, and there's a bit of relief in his shoulders because he hopes this is what he thinks it is. Even if it's still not good news] Alright. First to ten?

Flack: [nods] Sounds good. [it will probably be Derek, let's be honest, the older Flack gets, the easier Derek can run circles around him]

Derek: [and Derek doesn't even use his extra special gifts either, but yeah, you're getting old, Flack] So what do you want to talk about?

Flack: I would have rather you heard it right from me, but on account of most cops being worse than old ladies when it comes to gossip, I'm sure you've probably heard by now that I'm getting transferred to take Montgomery's old post at the twelfth.

Derek: Yeah, I heard something about that. [totally stealing the ball from him and shooting because nope, he's not happy about that still]

Flack: [he noticed. He jogs off to grab the ball bouncing it a few times before checking the ball in] I wanted to know if you wanted to come with me.

Derek: [blinks, confused] Well, yeah, but there's no crime lab in the twelfth for me to transfer into.

Flack: No, but there is an empty slot for a homicide detective.

Derek: [bounces the ball before going to try and dribble in] And what happened to the "Officer Hale's anger management issues continue to be a deterrent from promotion" schpeal that I've gotten the last two years has changed?

Flack: [sighs] Lindsay vouched for you, says you've been doing good work with her. The anger issues are still a concern, and they'll be watching you pretty closely, but I feel like with the right partner, we might be able to manage that.

Derek: And let me guess, you have just the right partner in mind for me. [shoots and misses]

Flack: Kate Beckett.

Derek: [yup, that gets his attention] Kate? Seriously?

Flack: [nods] She hasn't had a partner for a while that wasn't Castle, and while he does good police work for a bestselling author, given recent events, I'd rather have her out there with someone who can carry a gun. Castle knows you, Kate knows you, she'll buck considerably less if it's you, and I know it's someone you can work with.

Derek: [he thinks a moment. Getting into the detective side was what he needed to be able to have access to the information he needed to find the Argents. It was the next step, and it was being handed to him on a platter. With someone who he knew he could actually work with. Kate seemed to understand him better than any other partner he had since the acadamy.] Alright, yeah. If you can do it, I'm in.

Flack: [nods] Alright. They're good people there. I think you'll like it.

Derek: Well, you're usually right when it comes to things like that, so I've learned not to doubt you.

Flack: [smirks a bit] At least someone's learned there's a method to my madness.

Derek: You're the only reason I even took the test to become a cop in the first place. Otherwise I'd probably be on the other side of the bars at this point.

Flack: [eyebrows go up at that] You've got Laura kicking your ass into line. I'm sure you would have been fine.

Derek: [you don't know how many times Derek's altered logs to keep his uncle out of trouble, Flack. No, you don't want to know] Yeah, maybe. [he shoots, he scores]

Flack: [no he really doesn't. please keep that information from him as long as you possibly can] It'll take a couple weeks for the paperwork to get processed through, but I'm sure you'll hear from your CO once you're good to go.

Derek: [one day he's going to get caught and it's going to be BAD on everyone.] I think I can manage a few weeks. I may actually have vacation time I can try and take.

Flack: That's not a bad idea. Take a breather.

Derek: My sister would probably agree with you

Flack: That doesn't surprise me. She's a smart girl.

Derek: She is. I just wish she worried less about our lives and had one of her own.

Flack: She gets out every once in a while, doesn't she?

Derek: Blue moons.

Flack: That's a shame. She's a great girl.

Derek: Yeah, I know. She just takes on a lot of work.

Flack: [he nods] Maybe with your sisters in college things'll start to lighten up on her end.

Derek: I hope so.

Flack: [and eventually Derek sinks the tenth basket, thoroughly kicking his butt. Flack huffs and swipes a hand against his forehead to brush away the sweat] I think I did better that time.

Derek: You'll get there in another few years. Just keep practicing. [smirks] So, you'll sign off on this vacation request while you're still my boss, right?

Flack: [nods] Yep. Just get it on my desk by tomorrow.

Derek: Will do. [and he will be taking a long trip to Atlantic city to just get lost in being a faceless, nameless young male]

Flack: [excellent plan. Have some fun while you're there]

Derek: [oh, he will. it's the only time he gets laid]

Flack: [that Flack does not need to know]

Derek: [no one needs to know] See you in a few hours then. [going to head home to shower and ask permission from the alpha for a AC vacation]

Flack: See you then. [and they go their separate ways]

Derek: [and hey look, he's home for dinner Laura]

Laura: [glances up as she's putting plates on the table] Hey, you're just in time.

Derek: Good. Do I have time for a shower so I don't suffocate everyone?

Laura: Yep. Bang on Malia's door on the way there for me?

Derek: Sure. [and does that as he's heading into the bathroom]

Laura: [and when he reemerges Laura and Malia have set the table, and she's putting dinner down in the center.] Peter, food!

Peter: [and he's going to make his way back into the kitchen] Smells delicious.

Laura: Thank you. [and with that they are all going to settle down to eat. Yay food!]

Derek: So um, Flack is giving me a vacation before he leaves.

Laura: [eyebrows go up and she nods] Hey, that's great. It's good to take some time off every once in a while.

Derek: Will you be okay if I take a week off away from the city then?

Laura: Yeah. Should be fine.

Peter: Is there a reason?

Derek: Flack is getting transferred to the twelfth.

Laura: Big promotion, apparently.

Derek: [looks at his sister] And speaking of promotions...

Laura: [turns to him eyebrows raised]

Derek: Flack is taking me with him. As a detective.

Laura: [her face lights up] Hey, that's great!

Peter: [leans back, smiling and nodding] Congratulations.

Derek: He's going to be pairing me with Beckett. If he can get me transferred.

Laura: See? I told you it would work out.

Derek: You did, and I will not doubt you anymore.

Laura: Good.

Derek: [grins and goes back to eating his dinner]

Laura: [and they all settle into eating, while across New York City, Cora is snuggling up with a potential future boy and watching Doctor Who]