Cop Karaoke

**This bonus scene for Royce and Sawyer occurs between the Zero Hour and the Matrimony and Mayhem trilogies.

Royce leaned against the bar and scanned the crowded bar. Three-fourths of the precinct seemed to have turned up for the joint celebration at their favorite haunt. “You almost have to wonder who’s patrolling the streets,” he said. 

Sawyer leaned in and kissed his cheek. “You and Ky are well loved. We want to celebrate both your promotions.”

Mendoza had promoted Ky to take over as the major crime unit’s supervisory sergeant, and that alone was worth celebrating. Royce thought his new position was more of a lateral move than an upward climb, even though he’d added instructing and administrative tasks to his supervisory role. Some would even say it was a step backward, but Royce looked forward to working with the young cadets. And having set hours and being home more was a perk he’d never take for granted after years of getting called out of bed to solve one heinous crime after another.

Royce looked over at his husband and winked. “How long do we have to stick around? I don’t want to be rude, but we’re still newlyweds, and there are other ways I’d prefer to celebrate right now.”

Before Sawyer could answer, Mendoza and Rigby stepped onto the small stage at the far end of the crowded bar. Joe turned down the sound system as the chief lifted the microphone from the stand.

“I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight to celebrate Sergeants Locke and Chen.” The room erupted into applause and whistles. “Commissioner Rigby and I put our heads together and came up with a slightly different way to celebrate than the usual pool and darts.”  He passed the microphone to Rigby, who smiled evilly.

“We’re calling it Cop Karaoke,” she said. The reaction in the room was a mixture of groans and cheers. “We think it’s only fair that Locke and Ky kick things off.”

Royce hung his head as everyone cheered their approval. He met Sawyer’s smiling eyes and said, “You’re not getting out of this either.” Sawyer shook his head and drew a cross over his heart. “And I’m going to need another beer.”

Sawyer held up two fingers to Joe, who responded with two ice-cold bottles. He gave one to Royce and the other to Ky, who sat three stools down. Ky lifted the beer to toast him, and Royce repeated the gesture. Then they tipped the bottles and took long drinks before placing the bottles on the long bar.

Royce tilted his head toward the stage, and Ky joined him as the gathering went wild. Some cheered them on, while others suggested songs they could sing. Luckily, the bar had an extensive catalog, and it only took Royce a few minutes to pick the perfect tune.

“You two can decide who goes first,” Rigby said before gazing at the crowd. “The rest of you will have your names drawn from a hat. As you entered the bar, I wrote your names down, so don’t even attempt to slink away.”

Her announcement received more groans than cheers, but Royce felt immeasurably better by the news. He and Ky did three quick rounds of Rock Paper Scissors, and once he lost, Royce headed up on the stage and waited for his song to start. The gathering cheered loudly when the music for “Sex on Fire” by Kings of Leon began. Royce kept his eyes glued to his husband while he sang his heart out. Maybe their private celebration would be delayed, but it would be just as intense as the song implied.

The gathering at Joe’s went wild when he finished his performance. Royce high-fived Ky as he exited the stage and tipped an imaginary hat to the chief and commissioner. Sawyer pulled him in for a big hug when he reached the bar.

“That was so freaking hot,” he said into Royce’s ear.

A shiver of want snaked along his spine, and he kissed Sawyer hard. They pulled apart when Ky’s song started. He’d gone with Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing,” and it was impossible not to sing along. Holly’s name was chosen next, and she sang Reba McEntire’s “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” another tune everyone knew. Rigby performed “Cracklin’ Rosie” by Neil Diamond. Royce smiled, recalling how much his Aunt Tipsy loved Neil Diamond and that song in particular. Diego wowed everyone with his rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” and Tara made everyone laugh when she sang “I Kissed a Girl” by Katy Perry. Blue brought the house down with “Love Shack” by the B-52’s, and Mendoza chose “Put You in a Song” by Keith Urban.

Royce leaned into his husband’s embrace and said, “That song is about unrequited love. Too bad the person who needs to hear it isn’t at the bar.” He scanned the room for Abe Beecham, hoping he’d arrived late, but the big man wasn’t there. 

“Not our business,” Sawyer reminded him.

The performances stretched for at least an hour before Sawyer’s name was drawn from the officer’s cap. Royce kissed him for good luck and blatantly ogled his husband’s sweet ass as he crossed the room.

Sawyer looked through the catalog for a few minutes before he burst into laughter. It took him a moment to give his selection to the emcee. He continued to snicker for a few moments on stage, then pulled himself together and gave the guy a thumbs up. The entire room burst into catcalls and whistles when “Hot For Teacher” by Van Halen came on. Sawyer had many talents, but singing wasn’t one of them. He more than made up for it with a smoldering gaze meant only for Royce, who cupped his mouth and loudly cheered. His man swaggered over to him after the song ended and claimed a hot kiss, earning even more whistling. The night continued until Topher closed everything down with a jaw-dropping performance of “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin, complete with air guitar.

Royce looked at Sawyer. “Did you know the kid could sing like that?”

“Nope,” Sawyer said. “Makes you wonder what else Toph is hiding.”

Royce thought back to the conversation he’d had with Topher about his awakening sexuality and the complicated feelings he had for a guy who happened to be his sister’s best friend. He figured the brawny guy had a lot of loving saved up, and Royce hoped he got to act on his feelings soon.

At the night’s end, Royce thanked everyone for coming out to help them celebrate. He’d had a few beers too many, so Sawyer got behind the wheel. Before he pulled out of the parking spot, Royce pulled a small gift box from the console between their seats.

“I was going to give this to you on my first day of the academy, but it seems fitting to do it now.”

Sawyer took the box from his hands, opened the lid, and pulled out a coffee cup. The parking lot lights made it easy to see the mug. Sawyer laughed, then read the words out loud. “Hot for teacher.” He looked over and smiled at Royce. “Hell yeah, I am.”