A/N: So. This is happening. It's been a long time, guys. But I needed to write, and wasn't ready to dive into new things, so decided on revising this. It'll be longer, better. I hope you enjoy it as much as you did originally.
Disclaimer: I do not own Cold Case or any of the characters.
Nick Vera felt like his day had started off great. Not only were the Phillies heading to the playoffs, he'd managed to snag the last jelly donut from the box before Miller got a look-in. They had no cases, and Nick felt sure he could spend the day slipping his own paperwork onto someone else's desk. Probably Valens'. He chuckled to himself. Yup, his day was definitely off to a great start.
With a bounce in his step and sugar on his lips, Nick started back to his desk. He'd made it two steps before his eyes sharpened in on the woman just inside the department doors, clutching her purse close. Her long dark hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her eyes darted nervously around the room.
"Ma'am, can I help you?" Nick said. The woman startled slightly, looking towards him uncertainly.
"Are you a detective?"
Vera nodded. He gestured towards his desk, and after a moment's hesitation, the woman took the seat beside him.
"What can I help you with?" The woman said nothing for a long moment. Vera felt unease settle in the pit of his stomach. He leant forward slightly then said, "Ma'am, I'd like to help you if I can."
She nodded slowly, her eyes flicking to his before resting on his tie.
"My daughter was murdered back in 2003. The police believe I killed her."
She spoke quickly and quietly, to the point, and Nick sat back in his seat, regarding her with shrewd eyes. Her fingers clenched and unclenched around the strap of her purse.
"I'm guessin' you didn't?"
Dark eyes returned to his, "No. But I think I know who did."
Detective Lilly Rush walked into the department, the chill from outside still biting at her face and fingers. Glancing around, she removed her coat, hanging it over the back of her chair and tucking her scarf into one of the sleeves. She ran a hand over her hair, loose flakes of snow melting in her hand.
Seeing an empty cup on Vera's desk, Lilly looked around, frowning slightly. Where is everyone? As she turned towards the break room, a cup of coffee was unceremoniously shoved under her nose. She blinked.
"Mornin', Lil," said a familiar voice. Lilly wondered at the coffee, trying to think if once again she'd forgotten her own birthday. Taking the cup from her partner, she offered a smile.
"Morning, Scotty," she replied, then added, "Thanks. For the coffee."
"No problem. Black, one sugar, right?"
Lilly nodded, lifting the cup to her lips and taking a grateful sip. Perfect. Seeing her partner looking at her with an odd look on his face, Lilly raised a questioning eyebrow.
"What?" she questioned. Scotty shook his head, gave an awkward chuckle. He shoved his hands into his pockets.
"Nothin'. Sorry. Boss wants to see us."
Lilly frowned, taking another sip of coffee and then set it down. "Already?"
Scotty nodded. "Vera caught a case. A cold one."
Intrigued, Lilly quickly set her gun in her drawer, and together they walked the short distance to Stillman's office. Their boss looked up as Scotty knocked on the door.
"Morning, Scotty. Lil."
"We got a case, boss?" Lilly asked quietly, taking a seat. Stillman passed a file to Scotty, who leant against the wall to flip it open.
"Ten year old Katy Jones," Stillman said, "Found dead in her home on January 19th, 2003."
Sitting up and taking the file from Scotty, Lilly frowned slightly, "Suspects?"
"Her mother. No charges, but prints were found at the crime scene."
Scotty shrugged, "Fair enough. It was her house, right? She got an alibi?"
Stillman hesitated, and Lilly felt the weight of his gaze rest on her. "Of sorts. Claims she was passed out upstairs."
She looked up, eyes narrowing.
"Junkie?"
Stillman shook his head, "Alcoholic. There had been reports of neglect, child endangerment."
Scotty winced inwardly, and watched as his partner slid a mask of careful indifference into place. After a beat of uncomfortable silence, Lilly cleared her throat, ignoring her partner's concerned look.
"Father in the picture?"
"None listed on any records. No sign of a man living at the house at the time of the murder."
Lilly felt her heart sink, but pressed on. "So what do we think? Mom did it?"
Scotty shook his head, "If she did it, why'd she bring it to us?" Stillman hummed an agreement, but didn't miss the doubtful glance Lilly sent her partner.
"Where's the case at now?" she asked.
"Been cold a long time. Never enough to charge the mother, investigating officer died a few weeks back. The mother, Miss Charlotte Jones, is in with Vera now."
Scotty straightened up, folding his arms, "What do you want us to do, boss?"
"Run some more checks, see if you can find anything about the father," Stillman instructed, "I also want you to follow up on the mother's background. Maybe the original team missed something."
Lilly nodded, a pit growing in her stomach and unable to shake the feeling that she should have just stayed in bed. She wished Scotty would stop looking at her like...that.
"Let's get to it," she said, standing. Scotty quickly moved to get the door, earning a small quirk of the lips from the blonde who suddenly looked like a heavy weight had settled on her shoulders.
Nodding to his boss, Scotty pulled the door closed behind him. He followed his partner to the break room, hesitating in the doorframe as Lilly stared into a near empty box of donuts. When she gave no acknowledgement of his presence, nor selected a donut, Scotty stepped towards her.
"You alright?"
Lilly jumped, turning to look at him. She swallowed, then nodded.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" It was a stupid thing to say, and when he moved closer to stand at her elbow, Lilly wished she hadn't said anything at all. Scotty scoffed lightly, realizing too late that this was dangerous ground to tread.
"Come on, Lil."
She took a step back, fixing him with what she hoped was an icy glare.
"I'm fine, Scotty."
Frustration brought spots of pink to his cheeks, his dark eyes flashing with temper.
"Why can't you admit that this case is going to get to you?"
"Nothin' to admit, Scotty," Lilly said quietly, her soft voice laced with warning, "I'm fine."
"You still gonna be fine when we interview the alcoholic mother who let her child get beaten to death 'cause she was passed out drunk?"
She stared at him, and the anger in her eyes nagged at him less than the hurt. Scotty swore softly, running a hand over his face.
"Shit, Lil, I'm sorry."
"Forget it," Lilly muttered as she pushed past him. Watching her retreat to her desk and torn between following her and not, Scotty cursed again.
Great, he thought. He'd managed to piss off his partner, and it wasn't even nine o'clock. With a sigh, Scotty refilled his own cup of coffee, steeling himself for what he was sure would be an uncomfortable day. Better get used to the doghouse, Valens. You sure know how to land yourself there.