<strong>Joe and Brian leaving Dennys.</strong><br/><br/><br/><br/>It had only been an hour before Brian pulled into the parking lot. Joe was hunched over the table with his cheek plastered against the table top. It didn't surprise Brian too much when he walked into the diner and saw Joe in such a position. He stopped before the table and glanced to the empty cup of coffee. He hadn't expected the man to drink only one cup. Bringing his hand against the cop's back, he exclaimed, "Rise and shine!"<br/><br/>Joe's eyes snapped open in startle before they squinted beneath the diner lights. So he was still at Dennys...with a tired breath, the cop sat up in his seat as Brian took a seat across from him. "I thought you might have been through five cups of coffee by now," Brian said.<br/><br/>Resting his back against the booth cushions, Joe ran his hand across his face and then back through his cropped hair. "Naw, sugar makes me..." He waved his hands and Brian couldn't help but copy the gesture himself.<br/><br/>"Yeah, yeah, I know. How are you going to stay awake then? Will I have to elbow you all night?"<br/><br/>Joe rested his elbows upon the table and lowered his face into his hands. "I'll be all right once I get some food in me."<br/><br/>"Yeah right. You'll just be sleeping even more. Maybe you should take the car back to the precinct. You shouldn't be driving around when you're tired. And of course I don't mind having to elbow you awake every once in awhile."<br/><br/>Joe crossed his arms and stared at Brian. "You sure?"<br/><br/>"Come on, Joe. We've been partners for years. You sleepin' is just another day."<br/><br/>"All right," Joe finally agreed. He reached into his back pocket and removed his wallet, dropping three dollars for the coffee. He then scooted out of the booth and rose to walk with Brian out to the parking lot. "I honestly hope nothing goes wrong tonight. That way, I can sleep in my own damn bed once my shift is over."<br/><br/>Brian made a disappointed face. "By the time my shift is over, my wife will already be awake."<br/><br/>"Who wants to sleep next to your fat ass any way?" Joe teased and laughed at his own joke.<br/><br/>Brian gave a witty smile. This was his moment to shine. "You've done it for years,<em>Dear</em>." Brian then looked across the parking lot to see Joe standing there just before entering his car. He looked so dumbfounded. His comeback had hit home, and now Brian was roaring with laughter as he stole into his vehicle.<br/><br/>Joe smirked. It had been a rare thing when someone had something he couldn't counter. He would surely get him back.