Partners (Phanfic au)

Chapter 3

PJ's eyes widened as his jaw dropped, "You're kidding."

Dan shook his head, "No, Peej, we aren't."

Sighing in irritation, Phil looked over at PJ, "Can we please take a look at your tapes to catch a murderer? Before the public finds out, please."

PJ raised his hands in a defensive position and turned to open the door. Keys rattled and within seconds the door was open. Brown curls bounced as he led the pair to the security room.

"So?" Dan asked, quietly stepping toward the monitors.

"Help yourself. Use anything that may help," PJ said, sweating slightly under the lights.

Phil flopped down in the chair and wheeled over to the monitor, watching the door. The man walked in, heading toward the trench coats.

Eyes narrowed, Lester watched the man snatch a coat and dart out the door. PJ ran out after him, screaming and waving his arms. Minutes later, he returned, defeated.

"Useless," Phil huffed, standing and leaving the room.

Dan rushed after him, "What do you mean useless? It can't be! We need it!"

"You can't see his damn face, Howell! Lay off!" Phil screamed, spinning on his heels.

Taking a step back, Dan bumped into PJ. Dan stood, brows furrowed and mouth hung open in shock.

"Lester, don't talk to your partner like that!" PJ commanded, pushing past Dan to approach Phil.

Dan snatched PJ's sleeve, but found himself without it. PJ kept stepping closer to Phil. The tall, black-haired man narrowed his eyes and stood like stone.

Unmoving, Phil stood in wait. PJ closed the distance between them, poking his finger into his chest within seconds.

PJ found himself without breath, lying on the floor. Blue eyes locked onto him as Phil stared daggers at the man below him.

"Do not tell me what to do," Phil said, calmly taking his foot off of PJ's chest.

Letting out a shaky breath, PJ stood and rushed behind the desk. Phone in-hand, PJ dialed a number and held it to his ear.

Scrambling wildly, Dan hopped over the desk and grabbed at the phone. PJ yanked it away, glaring at Dan. Dan stared at PJ with wide eyes, frowning.

"Please, Peej. Don't do this..." He pleaded. "Phil will lose his job..."

"Good!" PJ screamed back, "He needs to! He's insane!"

"He's not insane!" Dan yelled in return. Out of breath, he turned and rushed toward Phil. He snatched his sleeve and dragged him out of the building. As they walked down the street, Dan shook his head.

Ducking into an alley, Dan asked, "Phil, why?"

Phil's face was stone-cold, "Why, what? He pushed me. Assaulting a federal agent is against the law."

"You're going to lose your job, Phil."

"Frankly, I don't think I will."

Dan slid down the wall of a building and sat on the cement. Staring at his hands in his lap, he let out a sigh, "Phil, this is it. This is the end."

"No, it isn't. Don't be dumb, Howell," Phil shot back. He peeked around the corner and snatched Dan's coat. Dragging him down the street, he headed toward the next block.

"Where are we going?!" Dan squealed, squirming and pushing Phil. "Let go of me!"

"We're going home," Phil muttered, turning to enter the building to his right. "Stand up," He commanded, yanking Dan to his feet.