Disclaimer: Don't own anything you recognize…just a fan!

Author's Note: Inspired by the end of episode 9 where Travis is telling Wes that he lived in many temporary homes and how he liked having his own apartment because it was his. Also, inspired by my listening of way to much angst filled country music lately.

"Ugh…what time is it?" Travis Marks groaned to himself as he tried to find his alarm clock.

Travis liked that this was his routine every morning…he liked that he had something in his life that was permanent. The apartment was his and his alone…he could stay there…he didn't have to move it wasn't temporary.

"Good…I got time," Travis said to himself after looking at the clock.

It's not that he wasn't a morning person it was just that if he had time to lie in bed…he was going to take it. Wes wouldn't...he thought to himself. He thought of his partner in his hotel room, lonely…and in a temporary place. Wes, he thought to himself, was probably already awake and dressed watching the news or something.

"Damn you, Wesley Mitchell," he said to himself before getting up.

He knew where he belonged…Travis on the other hand had lived his life in many temporary homes. Had many adoptive moms and many adoptive siblings but none of it was what he truly wanted he always longed for something that was more than that.

"Clothes, clothes, clothes," he said to himself after getting out the shower and putting a towel around his waist.

He saw two suits hanging in the back and once again though of Wes…and then his phone rang. He looked at the phone; it showed the name of his partner.

"Wes, what's up?" Travis said after picking it up.

"Well…don't you sound chipper this morning," Wes said.

"I'm standing here in a towel, Wes; do we have a case or something?" Travis said holding up the towel.

"Didn't need that visual but yes we do, just got called in. I'll be there in 10," Wes said.

Travis quickly got dressed and ready to go; he was brushing his teeth when Wes knocked on the door after Travis had buzzed him in.

"Ready in a minute," Travis said finishing his teeth and opening the door at the same time.

"10 minutes is 10 minutes," Wes said.

"Oh, here you go again," Travis said grabbing his stuff. "I'm ready, let's go."

Wes walked out of the apartment and Travis followed after locking up, they bickered about being late for the case. Travis rolled his eyes as Wes rambled on and on even as they got to the car and got inside. He probably would have slapped him by now if he didn't…well…he didn't know.

"Wes, I'm sorry OK?" Travis said. "I will never be late again."

"You say it, but you don't mean it," Wes said pulling into the crime scene.

Travis smiled a little; it was the game that they played…it was theirs. They both got out of the car and walked to the scene; they pulled out their badges at the same time.

"Mitchell," said Wes.

"And Marks" he said pointing to Travis. "R and H"

"About time…you guys get lost or something?" one of the other responding officers that they knew asked them.

"Relax Cooper, tell us what's going on," Wes said.

"Tommy Wilson fell out the window of his second floor apartment," Officer Cooper said.

"Anyone home at the time?" Travis asked.

"Just the kid," Cooper said pointing to a young boy of about six sitting with one of the female officers on the scene.

Travis left Wes to get the rest of the details and he walked over to the young boy, the female officer who he knew of but not well smiled at him. She left Travis alone with the boy for a little while, he was playing with a dirty stuffed giraffe, and he was way too young to know what was going on.

"Hey there kid, I'm Travis." He said to the boy.

"Wesley," the young boy said looking up.

"See him over there," Travis said pointing to Wes. "That's my friend Wes."

"He has the same name as me?" Little Wesley said smiling

"Yeah...but I'm sure you're cooler than him," Travis said smiling.

"When is my dad coming back?" Wesley asked suddenly.

"I don't know kid," Travis said sadly.

Little Wesley continued playing with his stuffed animal as Travis sat next to him in silence. He knew exactly what would happen to this kid, an orphanage, a temporary home and he didn't want that to happen to him.

"Wesley?" a woman came upon the scene and approached them after speaking with the officers.

Travis tensed up a little and stood up to greet the woman.

"Angela Williams," she said sticking her hand out. "Wesley's aunt."

"Detective Travis Marks," he responded shaking her hand. "My partner, Detective Wesley Mitchell is over there.

Wes saw Travis talking to someone and came over to introduce himself. She seemed like a nice person that would give the little boy what he deserved which was a nice place to live…a permanent home. Angela and little Wesley walked hand in hand to talk to the officers. Wes and Travis finished up what was required of them at the scene and they headed back to the car to get to the precinct.

"Well, that was an open and shut case," Wes said. "We didn't have to do to much…it was a nice change and he has a home.

"Yeah….a permanent home," Travis said smiling.

They both got in the car and rode back in silence. There was so much that Travis wanted to say to Wes but this wasn't the time or place and he knew that. They reached the precinct and got out of the car. Wes held the door open for Travis, like he always did…they reached their desks and sat down to work on their report.

"Thanks, Wes," Travis said smiling at his partner.

"For what?" Wes said shuffling through his papers on the desk.

"Nothing...just thanks," Travis said.

"Ok then," Wes said. "You're welcome"

Hope you enjoyed it!