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The thing about stakeouts was that they were incredibly boring for ninety-nine percent of the time spent in whatever location he was holed up in, and the one percent of excitement usually only lasted long enough to tackle someone when the time was right.
So, ten minutes tops.
Lou loathed stakeouts. Absolutely hated them. Especially when he was doing them alone, which happened more often than not. Sitting for hours in his car waiting for the very tiny chance that someone might show up was not his idea of a good Friday. He’d rather be anywhere but here.
But this Friday, this stakeout, things were a little different. Sure, he was still stuck in his car watching a rundown house in the middle of the San Fernando Valley, wondering if his suspect was going to make an appearance tonight or next week. Sure, this was probably a great waste of his time.
But tonight he wasn’t on his stakeout alone.
Earlier that afternoon, Lou had been at his favorite deli, stocking up on food to eat while stuck on his stakeout. Everyone that worked there knew him, as it had become a favorite location of his during and after his bitter divorce from his ex-wife, and was already working on his order before he could even get the words out of his mouth. While he waited for his large order to be pulled together, he stood off to the side and read over some of the notes that had been passed onto him.
“Detective Ransone?”
Having Evan Buckley of all people not only recognize him, but also remember his name, wasn’t something he had been expecting. Lou and Buck had only spoken a few times over the few years their paths had crossed, all but one of those times in a professional setting. It had been at least six months since the last time one of those paths crossed. He’d heard from the professional grapevine the firefighter’s relationship break down due to the Greenaway situation, though he could have figured it out simply from spotting Taylor Kelly at a scene not two days prior, walking up hand in hand with her cameraman.
“Firefighter Buckley,” Lou said, giving Buck a nod of acknowledgement. “What brings you to the Valley?”
Buck shrugged, shifting a cloth bag with purchases to one shoulder. “I’m temporarily working out of Station 107 in Chatsworth, since they’re down a shift due to the flu. One of the guys there recommended this deli to me, so I figured I’d grab something before sitting in traffic on the 405. You?”
Lou glanced around the tiny deli. No need for anyone to overhear him talking shop. “I’m heading out to cover a stakeout as a favor. I’ve always found good food passes the time faster.”
Buck nodded. “Aren’t stakeouts boring? Especially alone?”
It took Lou a moment to answer as he was called to pick up his order. “Generally, yes. But I’m used to it.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Buck checking his phone. “If you want, I can keep you company. My plans fell through and I’m not back on shift for a few days.”
“It’s twelve hours of staying up, Buck,”
“I can make it!”
Lou agreed to Buck joining in only requiring him to let Athena know, and that was only because if something happened to him, she’d skin Lou alive and her husband would probably finish the job. Buck didn’t blink an eye at the request and sent off the text without a single complaint.
The first two hours went well. While they were focused on Lou’s task, they shared stories and old incidents, talked about some of the funniest things they’d walked into on calls (Buck kept count of the dick calls, Lou was both impressed that he did and embarrassed for half of the human race).
The third hour was a little more solemn, with their conversations turning more towards relationships or the failures of such. They didn’t get too detailed, but it was clear to Lou that the end of his relationship with Taylor was still weighing down on him. He didn’t bring up her new partner, just in case.
By the time midnight rolled around and the midway point of their shift, It was becoming quite clear to Lou that Buck was going to fall asleep. He kept dozing and jerking awake. He didn’t call attention to it, instead keeping the now broken up conversation going with lighthearted jokes and brief anecdotes.
Two in the morning brought a request for proof of life from Athena, which was returned with a picture of Buck completely conked out in the passenger seat of the car, Lou’s jacket draped over him as a quick blanket. The smiley face emojis sent in return were worth it.
Even if Buck had only made it just over half way through the stakeout, coming off of a full shift at a fire station he didn’t usually work at, it didn’t bother Lou. Having someone else in the car made the time pass, especially since it was clear that his suspect just wasn’t going to make an appearance that night.