Bryan and Marissa are down in the File Storage Room on the 21st Floor of the Federal Building.

Bryan: What are we looking for again?

Marissa: We need the court reports from the Manashi trial from 2006.

Bryan: And we need this why?

Marissa: Because it ties into the Beckmer-Slate case we’re working on. Can you look in that big white box over there and tell me what it says?

Bryan: Wait....what does a human trafficking case have to do with a corporate fraud case?

Marissa *scrutinizing a file box filled with legal-size manila folders*: You’ll be surprised Anderson at how two unrelated things can add up to be the most explosive thing and the glue that ties all the pieces together.

Bryan: Hmmm....kinda like you and Marcus Grant, right?

Marissa: What? What did you say?

Bryan: You know what I’m talking about here? There’s more to the projected story between you two. You two suck the air out of a room when you’re together. I thought you and Santoni were bad, but you and Grant are far worse. Hey, I think I found the box.

Marissa *walks over to Bryan*: Don’t be ridiculous Anderson. There’s no “story” between Grant and I. I knew him from the neighborhood. We went to high school together, and even back then I hated his guts. It’s no big deal.

Bryan: Yeah right. I was there when you first went to see him, remember? You looked like you wanted to pass out or throw up. Come to think of it, you looked like you wanted to do both at the same time. I’ve never seen that look on your face other than when you’re drunk off your ass. Come on, what are you not telling me?

Marissa: What I’m not telling you is that you are certifiable crazy if you think there’s anything, or was anything going on between myself and Marcus Grant. The man is a criminal. Call me crazy, but somehow I don’t see how a relationship would work between us, given that we’re on opposite ends of the law spectrum.

Bryan: I’ve seen crazier.

Marissa: I bet you have. Now lets see if we’ve got the right box. Holy crap! Look at all these folders! It’s going to take us forever to get through these.


Bryan: You cared about him didn’t you?

Marissa: What? Who?

Bryan: The Easter bunny. Dammit woman! I’m talking about Grant. You cared about him back in the day, and then he did something that fucked it up. Admit it.

Marissa: Drop it Anderson.

Bryan: What did he do?

Marissa: I said drop it. Now, can you stop yapping and start looking at these files? I’d like to get outta here by seven o’ clock tonight. They’re having that thing to celebrate Santoni’s promotion and I don’t want to be late.

Bryan: I forgot about that. You know rumor has it that he asked Julie to move in with him, right?

Marissa: You need to stop listening to office gossip Anderson. You should know better. Remember the one about us having sex in the stairwell at the Hyatt during the Christmas party?

Bryan: Yeah...that was a good one. I was all set to let that one continue too until you ruined it by proving you weren’t even at the party. Sharon Markley was all set to let me hit it after she found out. You know I’ve been after her for a while now. Plus, she envies you.

Marissa *rolling her eyes*: She does not! Does she know how pathetic my life really is?
Sharon Markley is welcomed to you. Lord knows I’ve been trying to pawn you off since you became my partner. Can you grab those two folders at the side there? I think they may be the ones we want. What does the label say?

Bryan: Depositions. And I’m the best partner you’ve ever had. Not to mention the most handsome. Moyner’s a good man, but I figure he had to be to make up for the lack of looks.

Marissa: You’re mean.

Bryan: I’m honest. You should try it. Would save you a whole lot of time from denying that you still have feelings for Grant.

Marissa: I don’t feel anything for Grant.

Bryan: Then you should. It would drive Santoni nuts.

Marissa: Santoni is practically a married man. Didn’t you just say he and Julie were moving in together?

Bryan: I said it was a rumor. You still have time to go claim him.

Marissa: I don’t want to claim him. I’ve moved on.

Bryan: To Grant, right?

Marissa: No! What is with you today? Are you the 3D version of Match.com?

Bryan: I’m just trying to get you laid.

Marissa: Please don’t. I can do that on my own.

Bryan: You’re not doing a good job so far. Paul Campbell from Forensics gets more action than you, and you know he’s like a hundred and twenty years old.

Marissa: I’m fine. Now, can we drop the subject and get on with these files? I swear Anderson sometimes you’re worse than my mother.

Bryan: That's not a compliment.

Marissa: Wasn’t trying to be complimentary.

Bryan: In that case, fuck you.

Marissa *smiling*: Now there’s the Anderson I know and love.