A/N: Special thanks to lsr from the Look Again board for providing some helpful, real-life information!
Also, if this story had a theme song, it would be "Lost," by Faith Hill. The words are just perfect.
Disclaimer: Anybody wanna buy 'em for me?
Chapter Thirty-Nine: Amazed
"Okay, before we go upstairs, I have two questions for you, Valens," Lilly said, grinning broadly.
"Go for it," Scotty replied, fumbling with the knot in his tie while gazing into his girlfriend's eyes. The love he saw shining there was practically blinding in its intensity, and he couldn't get enough.
"When was there singing, and why is Kat Miller calling you Man Candy?" she asked, trying to sound cool and icy like she did in the interview room, but failing miserably. At that moment, she was pathologically incapable of keeping the joy out of her voice.
"The singin'…" Scotty began slowly, grinning almost sheepishly as Lilly straightened his tie and let her hand linger there on his chest. "Apparently, last night…I got…kinda drunk…and I guess when I get enough in me…I sing."
Lilly giggled. "Dare I ask what?" she inquired, eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Country, apparently," Scotty answered. Lilly, who had been fussing with his hair, trying hard to eliminate the evidence of their warehouse indiscretions, burst into gales of helpless laughter.
"I'm sorry," she managed to gasp between giggles. "It's not funny…really, it isn't…but…" she trailed off, still laughing. "You hate country!"
"Yeah, well," Scotty shrugged. "Get me drunk enough, guess I'll do pretty much anything. Hell, you got me to dance country," he reminded her.
"Sure did," she replied, looking over at him, tears of mirth sparkling in her blue eyes as she recalled the night in Nashville that had started it all. Remembering the almost obscene number of times Scotty had stepped on her foot that night, she couldn't help a few extra giggles that escaped her lips, and Scotty was absolutely enchanted. Her laughter was music to his ears. He didn't care one bit that it was at his expense. If Lil was laughing, then all was right in his universe.
"And the whole Man Candy thing?" she asked with a smile.
Scotty sighed. "That…car trip. This mornin'. Miller talked some sense into me…and lemme tell you, that woman's got a helluva way of makin' a point." He shuddered as he remembered the sixteen-car pileup she'd nearly caused. "Anyway…she called me a screwed-up piece of man candy."
Lilly looked at him and burst into giggles again, then quickly composed herself and took a deep breath. She couldn't face her boss like a giddy schoolgirl. Finally, she turned to Scotty.
"Ready to go upstairs?" she asked him.
"Not so fast, Rush," Scotty said with a cocky grin. "I got a couple questions of my own, y'know."
"Yeah?" Lilly asked, suddenly unsure of where he was going with this.
"What changed your mind?" Scotty asked her softly, gazing into her eyes.
Lilly broke into another dazzling smile. "Your friend Rosalia…and then Vera," she replied, thoroughly enjoying the complete and utter surprise that flickered over Scotty's face.
Scotty's head began to spin. Rosalia? When the hell…? How the hell…? And Vera? Nick Vera?
A bemused grin lifted the corners of Scotty's mouth, and he leaned against the evidence boxes, blocking her escape from the aisle. "Okay, you gotta explain that one."
"Which one?" Lilly asked, arching a brow.
"Well…both of 'em," Scotty answered, still amazed at the love that radiated from her eyes, and drinking it in like a man dying of thirst.
Lilly grinned. "I was out for a walk last night…to kinda think things over, y'know…and ran into Rosalia. She basically told me I'd be an idiot to let you get away."
Scotty beamed. Rosalia was absolutely the best sister a guy could ask for. And she wasn't even his sister. He had no idea what he'd done to merit that kind of luck, but he knew he'd have to write that woman a helluva thank-you note.
Lilly returned his smile and continued. "And earlier today…after I saw you in the elevator, I went out on the balcony, and Vera came out there…he told me not to give up." She giggled slightly. "He told me he thought I loved you…and after he left, I realized he was right."
Scotty stared at her in disbelief, then burst into peals of hearty laughter. Of all the people in the world he thought would knock some sense into Lilly, Nick Vera was about the last. "Guess I better get that guy some donuts or somethin', huh?" he asked with a grin.
"Donuts at least," Lilly smiled back at him.
They gazed into one another's eyes for a moment, basking in the afterglow of their shared laughter, and then Lilly said reluctantly, "We can't hide down here forever."
Scotty sighed. "Guess you're right. Better go get this over with."
As he took her hand and they headed for the stairs, Scotty's elation was pricked by an undercurrent of fear, and he glanced over at Lilly, not wanting to do anything to burst that bubble, but reality insisted upon intruding.
"I dunno what's gonna happen…with our jobs…" he began, but Lilly cut him off.
"Whatever happens, it's fine," she said firmly, starting to climb the stairs. Their second step, though, she heard Scotty inhale sharply, felt him stiffen, and noticed him clenching his jaw.
"Fakin' an injury's not gonna get you outta this, Valens," she remarked with a grin, but the grin turned to a frown of concern as she realized he really was in pain.
"My legs," he admitted, smiling ruefully. "Kinda…overdid it with the rope last night."
Lilly giggled slightly, her brow still creased with compassion. "Was that before or after the singing?" she asked.
"Before," he replied. "'Cause I remember that part."
Lilly laughed again. "Sit down," she ordered him softly.
"Why?" he asked suspiciously.
"Just do it," she said, taking a seat a couple of steps below him. He eased himself to a sitting position and looked at her with curiosity.
"I'm guessin' that all that rope-skipping is my fault," she said smoothly, "so…I'll make it better."
Scotty could only stare in amazement as Lilly began to caress his thigh, and soon, bliss started to radiate from wherever her hands touched him and spread rapidly throughout his whole body. Scotty closed his eyes and moaned softly while she gently kneaded the tension from his aching muscles. Her capable hands worked slowly down his leg, rubbing his calf, and then moved to the other leg. Lilly was thrilled to the core by his soft moans and the relaxation she saw reflected on his face. She hated not being able to take more time, but they really did have to make it upstairs eventually. Besides, she realized…she could always do a better job later.
Scotty sighed in delight as her hands moved up toward his other thigh, then realized that the relaxation was quickly turning to arousal, and knew exactly what would happen if she didn't stop right then. And they couldn't…not here…not now…Boss was waiting for them, and their squirrely co-workers were bound to get suspicious.
With great reluctance, he gently grasped her wrists and opened his eyes. "Lil," he rasped. "You don't stop this…we don't make it upstairs."
She sighed, and he could tell by the look in her eyes that she hated the fact that they were at work every bit as much as he did.
"Well, hope it's better for now, anyway. " She smiled wickedly at him. "I'm definitely gonna give you a more thorough massage later."
"Can't wait," Scotty replied honestly as he grabbed the railing and hauled himself to his feet. His legs still ached, but they were better. Much, much better.
"Thanks," he said softly, giving her a tender kiss on the forehead. Looking deep into her eyes, soaking in the sunshine of her love for a moment, he took her hand, and added, "Time to face the music."
Lilly nodded and smiled, and they started up the stairs together.
With pounding hearts, Scotty and Lilly faced their boss, who was peering sternly at both of them over the rims of his glasses. Scotty stole a glance at Lilly, remembering the last time Stillman had called them on the carpet, and when she glanced back with a slight smile, he knew she was looking back on the same fond memory.
"You two owe me an explanation," Stillman began, looking from one detective to the other. After another brief glance at Lilly, Scotty steeled himself for the uncomfortable interrogation that was no doubt about to occur, but he was amazed when she beat him to the punch.
"An explanation of what, Boss?" she asked evenly, her eyes betraying nothing. How the hell does she do that? Scotty wondered in disbelief.
"Either one of you want to tell me why the hell you two both requested a transfer, why the hell my two best detectives both requested a transfer out of my squad on the same damn day?" Stillman demanded.
Lilly's eyes widened, and she looked at Scotty, whose mouth had fallen open in shock.
"You…asked for a transfer?" he finally managed, still gaping at Lilly. "You…were gonna quit?" He was utterly dumbfounded. Lilly Rush…had put in to transfer out of cold cases?
Lilly was equally shocked. "Me?" she echoed. "You were gonna leave? You? Where were you gonna…?" she trailed off, unable to finish her question, and the two of them could only look at each other incredulously.
Stillman watched them standing there, staring at one another in shock for a moment, and then cleared his throat softly.
Jerked back to reality, Scotty and Lilly both turned to face their boss, but their minds were spinning so rapidly, still trying to absorb the information, that neither of them could say a word.
Scotty was…gonna leave? Really…leave?
Lil was gonna quit workin' cold jobs? 'Cause of me? Oh, dear God…
Stillman sighed and removed his glasses. "Do you two honestly think I don't know what's goin' on here? Do you think I don't know what happens with my own squad? I've been a detective since before the two of you could tie your shoes."
Scotty and Lilly exchanged another glance. Finally, Scotty sighed in defeat and started to open his mouth. Better to just come clean, get it over with, maybe he'll take pity on you and transfer you someplace good so Lil doesn't have to leave.
"I don't need to know the details," Stillman interrupted sternly. "I don't…want to know the details. But the fact remains that the two of you have been…entangled…in an inappropriate relationship, for far longer than you should have been. Now, department policy is very clear."
"I know, Boss," Lilly said softly. "We screwed up. I'm sorry. We should have told you earlier."
"Yeah," Scotty echoed. "We should've. It was…wrong."
"We just…we didn't know what this was gonna be…until…it was," Lilly finished simply. "But…since we've both filled out transfer requests, I guess one of us'll be shippin' out." Her heart sank slightly despite her newfound joy. One of them…would be leaving. Glancing over at Scotty, she realized with a pang how much she'd miss working with him. The way he could make her look at a case from a completely different angle…the thirst for justice that was nearly as strong as her own…the way he could, even in the worst cases, bring a smile to her face…
Stillman sighed again as he sank into his chair and studied his desk, tapping a pen against it as he pondered the situation. He knew he should have thrown the book at Rush and Valens, but…maybe he was too old, maybe he was too tired, but he just didn't have it in him to suspend either one of them. The squad needed them.
Looking up at the detectives, he said again, "Department policy is very clear…partners cannot be romantically involved in any way, shape, or form. And, after the last couple days, I think you both know why."
Lilly and Scotty looked at each other again, and Stillman noticed, with a tiny bit of satisfaction, that they at least had the decency to look embarrassed.
"So," Stillman concluded. "I've been lookin' through the policy handbook, and it says nothing about romantic involvement within the same squad. As long as the two in question aren't partners…there doesn't seem to be a problem."
The implication of Stillman's words hit both of them, and they exchanged another amazed glance.
"So…me an' Lil…we ain't…partners anymore?" Scotty finally managed, smiling slightly.
"Are you ending this relationship?" Stilllman asked with a slight grin, knowing the answer before either of them said a word.
Lilly smiled shyly at Scotty, and Stillman couldn't help but feel a wave of almost fatherly affection as he saw the love shining in her eyes. Scotty returned her smile with a brief one of his own, then turned back to face Stillman.
"No way in hell, Boss," he said confidently.
"Then, effective immediately, no. You're no longer partners," Stillman announced. "I've been giving some consideration to who you'll be working with from now on, but I'll tell the whole squad as a unit. This affects all of them, too, you know," he continued.
Relief washed over Lilly as she realized that she and Scotty would neither one have to leave the squad, but at the formal dissolution of their partnership, she couldn't help but feel…well, just a tiny bit sad. It was the end of an era; an era that had begun with a cocky grin and firm handshake from him and an I can't believe I'm getting stuck with this guy look from her, and now, this afternoon in Stillman's office, it had just come to an end. Lilly smiled slightly as she realized that she'd miss it.
"So…how's this gonna work, Boss?" Lilly asked. "Do we…still go out on interviews, do interrogations together?"
Stillman smiled slightly and glanced in her direction. "When the situation warrants the two of you and your particular skills, then yes, you'll work together. I'm not gonna keep a running tally, and I'm not gonna let the fact that you two are…involved…affect decisions I make regarding personnel on cases. I've got better things to do."
He sighed and rubbed a hand over the top of his head. "Running herd on this squad is a full-time job in and of itself. You're both professionals. I don't have time to baby-sit you, and I don't expect to have the need. I expect the two of you to conduct yourselves with the same degree of professionalism that you always have. Are we clear?"
Scotty and Lilly both nodded.
"Now…Stillman began again, looking from one detective to the other, "are you two still serious about those transfers?"
Wordlessly, Scotty and Lilly approached Stillman's desk and retrieved their respective transfer requests, Lilly sighing with relief and Scotty breaking into a wide grin as he stuck his letter into Stillman's paper shredder.
Once the whirring of the machinery had subsided, Stillman smiled kindly at the two of them and produced two identical forms from his desk, laying them on the edge of it, facing Scotty and Lilly.
"I'm not gonna keep secrets from IAD," he declared. "You two have to let them know you're involved."
Scotty looked down at the blank form in front of him and swallowed nervously. They were back together, they were happy, they were in love, and he wouldn't change that for anything in the world…and, yet…there was just something about that piece of paper, about scrawling his signature across the bottom, that gave him pause. Signing that form made it…official. Concrete. There was no going back. That signature at the bottom would end their partnership and announce, to people who Scotty felt didn't have any business knowing, the beginning of something entirely new and different. His heart leaped into his throat as he realized that this relationship of theirs was going to require a level of commitment, from both of them, that he hadn't quite counted on. Maybe he'd been naïve, or maybe he'd just been stupid, but he'd been so caught up in the whirlwind of his romance with Lilly that he hadn't really considered the long-term implications. He'd known all along that they'd have to come clean eventually, but the fact that the moment was here, that he was about to reduce their…transcendent love…to a few scribbled lines on a cold, impersonal form…that made him, well…balk slightly.
Lilly, for her part, dashed through the form quickly, then got to the line at the bottom, the one with "Detective Signature" underneath it. She paused for a moment, recalling another, vastly different form that she'd filled out just that morning. It felt like a lifetime ago, and might as well have been, she realized with a slight smile. Signing this form would make her relationship with Scotty absolutely, one hundred percent official. No more hiding. No more running away. She was really doing this. There was no going back once she'd inked her name on that little line.
With a dazzling smile and a surge of joy, she triumphantly scrawled her signature across the bottom, then breathed a sigh of relief and glanced over at Scotty.
He was absolutely dumbfounded. Lilly Rush, who had literally run away from him a mere twenty-four hours ago when he'd told her he loved her, had just dashed through the scariest, most intimidating form he'd ever seen as though it were a magazine quiz. Did she even read the damn thing? Did she have the faintest idea what she was signing, what they were both doing?
But the look in her sparkling blue eyes told him the truth: she'd read every word of the form, she knew exactly what she was doing, and she'd done it anyway without the slightest hesitation. She's kickin' your ass, Valens, his brain informed him, and Scotty smiled, his fear suddenly bleeding out of him. If Lilly Rush could do this, then he could do it. Her smile gave him the confidence he needed to fill out that form, and when he scribbled his name across the bottom, he broke into a wide grin and felt an enormous weight lifting from his shoulders. This was scary, they were heading into uncharted territory, but it was right. No more secrets. No more hiding. No more running away. They were in this.
They handed the forms to Stillman, who placed them in a manila envelope, then smiled at the two of them. Gaining courage, and overwhelmed by curiosity, Scotty turned toward him.
"Boss, can I ask you a question? Off the record, of course."
Stillman nodded.
"When did you…y'know…?" he asked, much to Lilly's alarm. She was as curious as he was…but at the same time, she wasn't at all sure she wanted to know how long their…secret relationship…hadn't been a secret.
"When did I figure out that something was going on between the two of you?" Stillman finished Scotty's thought.
"Well…yeah," Scotty replied, smiling sheepishly.
Stillman sighed. "I suspected as much when you got back from Nashville, but I didn't know for sure until you both came in grinnin' like idiots the following Monday."
Lilly was stunned. "So…all this time…you've known? Last night…when you told me to look at the evidence…you knew? You knew this would disrupt the squad, and you…tried to talk me into it anyway?" she asked slowly.
Scotty glanced at her incredulously, then turned his stunned gaze onto Stillman. Boss had gone to bat for him, too? He couldn't believe it.
Stillman couldn't help but smile slightly as he glanced from one to the other.
"Professionally…this might not have been the wisest move in the world," he began, smiling at Lilly, "but…when love comes…you're gonna regret it if you don't do everything in your power to keep it. And you two are good for each other, there's no denying that. So…we'll adjust."
Lilly's heart soared. Having Stillman's blessing on the relationship meant the world. A wide smile crossed her face, and her eyes sparkled with joy as she gazed at Stillman. "Thanks, Boss," she said simply, her tone conveying far more than her words ever could.
"You're welcome, Lil," he replied, smiling at her kindly for a moment, then cleared his throat. "Could you…give us a minute?" he asked, looking over at Scotty briefly.
Lilly glanced at Scotty with alarm, but agreed, turned, and left the office.
"Close the door," he instructed, and with one last wary glance at the two of them, she obeyed uneasily, heading for her desk with a pounding heart.
After Lilly departed, Stillman turned to face Scotty, a stern, almost paternal look in his eyes. It kind of reminded Scotty of the suspicious look the cats had given him at first. He'd been unnerved by it then, and he was no less unnerved by it now.
"Scotty…" Stillman began. "Lil is…special to me. Not just as a detective, but…personally. I care about her. A lot."
"I know that, Boss," Scotty replied softly, confusion creasing his brow slightly.
"So don't screw this up," Stillman ordered, his voice stern.
Scotty couldn't help smiling. "I'll try my best."
"Because if you hurt her…you're gonna have to deal with me," Stillman finished. Scotty chuckled nervously, but at the glare the boss shot him, he sobered quickly, attempting to disguise the laugh as a cough.
"This is serious, Valens," Stillman said, leveling him with another fierce look.
Scotty wiped the last traces of the grin off his face.
"I know," he replied, looking at Stillman earnestly, "and if it's any help, Boss…I love Lil…with all my heart. And…hurtin' her is the last thing I ever wanna do."
"Okay, then," Stillman replied. With a smile, he extended his hand to Scotty, who shook it, grinning broadly.
"For what it's worth, Scotty," Stillman added, almost as an afterthought, "it's good to see the two of you…smilin' again. You've both had a rough couple of years."
"Yeah," Scotty agreed. They had had a rough couple of years, what with Elisa, and George, and all the rest…but now, all that was a distant memory, washed away in the flood of love he felt for his partner…former partner, he corrected himself. Lilly was his girlfriend now. She loved him, and he loved her.
Scotty's heart soared, and he almost felt like bursting into song. Get a grip, Valens, his brain chided him. This ain't some cheesy-ass musical, this is Homicide.
"So, then…you kinda knew why I was so dead set on takin' Lil to New York," Scotty concluded with a slight grin.
Stillman looked up at Scotty and gave him a withering glance. "I'm not stupid, Scotty."
"I know that, Boss….just sayin'…" Scotty trailed off uncomfortably.
"Get out of here," Stillman said with a smile. "Go take Lil out to dinner or something."
"Will do, Boss," Scotty replied with a wide grin, and left the office with a discernible bounce in his step, making a beeline for Lilly's desk, where he placed a proud kiss on the top of her head. The secret was out. There wasn't any need to hide anymore. Everyone knew, and no one objected. He was almost giddy.
"What was that all about?" Lilly asked, a concerned note in her voice.
"Nothin'," Scotty replied, placing his hands on her shoulders and massaging them gently. "Boss just says I gotta take you out to dinner tonight."
"Really? He said that?" Lilly replied, turning to look up at him. He kissed her cheek quickly, then came around in front of her and perched on the edge of her desk.
"Yeah," he grinned. "He also…kinda…did that whole…dad thing."
"Dad thing?" Lilly asked, mystified.
"Y'know, the thing…where the dad threatens to kick the guy's ass if he ever hurts the girl," Scotty explained, grabbing Lilly's coffee mug and taking a sip.
A flicker of amused disbelief crossed Lilly's face. "Boss threatened you?"
Scotty chuckled slightly, then handed the coffee mug to Lilly, who absently took a sip and set it back down on her desk. "Kinda," he replied. "Said if I ever hurt you, I'm gonna have to deal with him."
Lilly was touched, and she smiled in the direction of Stillman's office, where she could see the boss sitting there, filling out paperwork as though nothing at all had happened. "Good," she replied softly, gazing at Stillman for a moment.
She then turned back to Scotty and met his eyes, which were sparkling with a joy she'd never seen from him before. "You look like the cat that ate the canary, Valens," Lilly remarked cheerfully.
"Well, you look pretty damn happy yourself, Rush," he replied with a grin. He scooted forward on her desk and lowered his head to kiss her.
"Damn, you two…get a room or somethin'," Vera said loudly, entering the office with a large paper cup from Starbucks. Jeffries, who was coming in right behind him, just chuckled softly.
Vera looked at Lilly and Scotty, who were still gazing adoringly at each other, then sighed, shook his head, and set the coffee cup down on Miller's desk.
"Got the wrong desk there, Nick," Jeffries pointed out smoothly, with a raised eyebrow.
"You're right," Vera replied, a touch uncomfortably, as he retrieved the cup.
Miller came in from the kitchen just then, where she'd discovered, with surprise and glee, that a single donut remained.
"Okay, fatass, where the hell's my mocha latte with the whipped cream and the sprinkles?" she demanded.
Vera rolled his eyes and handed it to her without a word. At the curious glances cast in their direction by the other detectives, Miller explained smoothly, "Vera lost a bet. The wager was a real cup of coffee."
"What was the bet?" Scotty asked, frowning in confusion.
Miller and Vera glanced at each other with a brief smile.
"I figured you two would kiss and make up by the end of the day, and he said you'd be at each other's throats for the rest of the week," Miller explained. Turning back to Vera, she added, "Never, ever discount a woman's intuition. Especially mine. I'll toast your ass and have it for breakfast…every single time."
"Yes, ma'am," Vera replied with a toothy smirk.
Scotty and Lilly exchanged a glance, and Miller saw it and deftly changed the subject. "So what'd Boss want?" she asked coolly.
"To talk to all of you," Stillman answered, striding in from his office. The detectives all gathered around. Miller perched on the edge of Vera's desk and sipped her coffee, her eyes sparkling with the triumph of her victory. Vera tossed her a brief glare, then turned his attention to Stillman. Jeffries leaned against a desk, and on the other side of him, Scotty had pulled up a chair next to Lilly, turned it around backwards, and straddled it. Discovering that the positioning of his chair effectively shielded their hands from everyone else's prying eyes, he boldly reached over and took Lilly's delicate hand in his. She glanced at him in surprise, then relaxed and tossed him a secretive smile, her eyes sparkling.
"There's gonna have to be some changes around here," Stillman began. "As I'm sure you all know, Rush and Valens have decided to take their…partnership…in a different direction." Four pairs of eyes glanced over at them, and Scotty grinned broadly while Lilly blushed and looked down at her desk.
Stillman cleared his throat and continued. "Department policy is clear that partners can't be romantically involved, so they're not partners anymore…but this means that there'll be some adjustments for all of us. The only other option would be to transfer one of them out, and I don't think anybody wants that."
Lilly glanced up nervously to discover her colleagues all shaking their heads. It was clear from their reactions that a transfer was the last thing they wanted, and Lilly was touched.
"So…while the pairings for interviews will be as varied as always, Lil, your new partner is Jeffries," Stillman announced.
Jeffries turned to Lilly with a broad smile. "Well, you're a lot better lookin' than my last partner," he remarked smoothly, earning him a slight giggle from his new partner.
Beneath the desk, Scotty squeezed Lilly's hand. "He's right, y'know," he whispered into her ear.
"And, Scotty…" Stillman continued, unable to hide the amused grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. "You'll be workin' with Miller."
Kat looked across the room and met Scotty's stunned gaze, a self-satisfied smile creeping across her face.
"Crap," Scotty griped with a tight smile, and Miller burst out laughing.
"Oh, man, Valens…your ass is toast!" the smirking Vera chortled from across the room.
"Damn right it is," Miller agreed with a grin.
Scotty sighed and rolled his eyes, eliciting more chuckles from the rest of the group. "I'm screwed," he muttered.
Stillman smiled slightly, then turned to Vera. "Nicky…you're on your own for a while…but as you know, I like to mix things up, so it won't change too much for you. I'll make sure of that," he added kindly, and Vera met his boss's eyes with an appreciative nod. He wasn't thrilled about the changes, but the way Stillman knew that and was making the extra effort to keep things as much the same as possible…well, that was just tops.
Besides, he realized, with a twinkle in his eye…Miller would have her hands full keeping Valens…or…Man Candy, as Kat suddenly insisted on calling him, for reasons he couldn't even begin to fathom…in line, and that meant she wouldn't have nearly the time or the attention to devote to the donut supply in the kitchen. Basking in the knowledge of this realization, Vera smirked in her direction, and she leveled him with an icy glare.
Stillman glanced around the group. "These changes acceptable to everyone?" he asked. They all nodded in response.
"Well, then I'll just go get that paperwork filled out so we can all get outta here," he said, turning and heading back into his office.
Looking over at her new partner, Miller smiled slightly. "I'm glad he's gonna mix it up sometimes, 'cause I'm sure as hell not gonna be able to stand you all day every day."
"Likewise," Scotty replied jovially, with a cocky grin.
"You and your damn sex hair and clothes everywhere…" she muttered.
"Relax, Miller," Scotty said, rolling his eyes. "Me an' Lil are gonna keep it professional when we're on the clock."
Miller arched a skeptical brow. "Professional, huh?" she repeated. "Then I don't ever wanna catch you two doin'…whatever the hell it was you were doin' in the evidence room...again, and I mean ever. I do not need that visual."
"Or, y'know…at least hang your tie on the doorknob or somethin'," Vera added with a smirk.
"Keep it clean, "Jeffries echoed. "Or at least…discreet."
"Speakin' of the evidence room," Miller said slyly. "There is one more box."
"We'll let you two take care of that…" Jeffries added.
"We're stayin' the hell upstairs," Vera concluded.
Scotty and Lilly looked at their three colleagues, whose eyes sparkled with mischief as they gazed back.
"We don't see your asses back up here in ten minutes, we're bustin' down the door, so no funny business," Miller warned as they each picked up a box and started to leave.
As Scotty and Lilly passed, Vera elbowed Scotty. "Valens, you dog…you had me thinkin' you were with some hot blonde, and it was just Lil the whole time."
"Lil is a hot blonde," Scotty replied, smiling over at Lilly.
Miller rolled her eyes, Jeffries chuckled softly, and Vera shuddered. "It's like picturin' my sister," he complained.
Lilly headed around the corner toward the hallway, and Scotty hung back. "I'll…I'll be there in a second, Lil," he said, and she glanced at him, confusion creasing her brow, then shrugged and continued on her way.
Scotty pulled Jeffries aside and looked deep into his colleague's eyes. "Thanks," he began. "Thanks...for last night…and this mornin'…I was kind of a jackass."
"No problem," Jeffries replied with a smile.
"So…you and Lil, huh?" Scotty asked, grinning.
"I should be askin' you that," Jeffries retorted.
"Listen," Scotty said soberly. "She ain't my partner anymore…an' I know she's in good hands, but…" he paused, wondering how in the hell he was going to impress upon Will Jeffries the need to look out for Lilly, to protect her, to make sure nothing ever happened to her…without sounding condescending, or sounding like he didn't trust Jeffries.
Jeffries smiled kindly and patted Scotty on the shoulder. "I'll take good care of her for ya, man."
Scotty nodded. "Thanks," he replied with feeling, then turned to go.
As soon as he was gone, Jeffries turned to his colleagues with a smile. "I believe there's the little matter of settling up," he reminded them.
Kat rolled her eyes, then fished in her desk drawer, located the wad of cash, and slapped it into Jeffries' outstretched hand. "This is one bet I don't mind losin'. You won fair and square," she admitted with a smile.
"Age before beauty," he returned, eliciting chuckles from the other two detectives.
"So how come you ain't gripin' about losin' the bet like you usually do?" Miller demanded, looking over at Vera.
Vera smirked. "'Cause I'm the one who got 'em back together," he replied.
"My ass," Kat retorted. "I'm the one who spent an hour talkin' sense into Valens this mornin'."
"I had to listen to him sing," Vera retorted, wincing at the memory.
"So did I," Jeffries pointed out. "But you didn't have to deal with him this morning. That man is one surly SOB when he's hung-over."
"Tell me about it," Miller agreed with a roll of her eyes. "Had to throw away that damn flask."
"He brought his flask?" Jeffries asked, raising his eyebrows, then smiled slightly and shook his head. "Can't believe he pulled one over on me."
"Serves you right," Miller returned.
"Point is…"Jeffries continued, "…I think we all had a part in it. Those two are happier than I've ever seen 'em, and they've got us to thank for it."
"Damn straight," Kat agreed.
"So…who's up for drinks tonight at the Black Sheep? My treat," Jeffries smiled, waving the wad of cash.
"Oh, I'm in," Vera agreed quickly.
"Absolutely," Kat echoed.
"Hey, John," Jeffries called toward Stillman's office. "Black Sheep tonight? I'm buyin'," he said.
Stillman poked his head out of the office and smiled. After the day he'd had, a drink sounded like about the best idea he'd heard in quite some time.
"Sure thing, Will," he said. "Just gotta finish up this paperwork and get you all to sign it."
"Well, we'll wait for you," Jeffries replied, then sat down at his desk, sighed contentely, and continued bantering with his colleagues.
Scotty shelved the evidence box and turned to face Lilly, and, in unison, the two sighed with relief, then both suddenly burst out laughing.
"I can't believe you were gonna transfer," Lilly gasped between giggles.
"Me?" Scotty was incredulous. "Never thought I'd see the day when Lilly Rush quit workin' the cold jobs. "
Lilly sobered slightly. "Me, neither," she replied. "But being here, every day…with you, but without you… I couldn't have done it, Scotty."
"Me neither," he agreed. "Woulda been…just too hard."
They gazed at each other for a moment, and suddenly Scotty began to realize that Lilly really, truly wasn't his partner anymore. He couldn't help but feel just a little sad...after all they'd been through together...how could he say goodbye to her as his partner?
Suddenly, inspiration twinkled in Scotty's eyes, and he extended his hand to Lil. "Well, Detective Rush, it's been a real pleasure workin' with you," he said with a grin.
"Likewise," Lilly replied with a smile, shaking his proffered hand. "It's been…interesting, I'll say that."
Scotty's eyes sparkled with mischief. "I pictured a guy," he said, and fond recollections danced in Lilly's sapphire eyes.
"You got the one girl in the joint," she replied without missing a beat.
"Best thing that ever happened to me," he said, the mischief gone from expression and replaced with warmth and tenderness.
"Me too," she agreed softly. "Course, you're still stuck with a girl," she added playfully.
Scotty rolled his eyes. "That's gonna be a trip and a half," he commented.
Lilly giggled. "One that I, frankly, can't wait to see."
"Oh, sure," he mused sarcastically. "Laugh all you want. But you've got Jeffries…that man is one sneaky SOB, I'll tell you that right now, so watch out."
"Oh, I will," she replied with a smile. "And I'd tell you to watch out for Kat, but I think you prob'ly figured that out on your own."
Remembering their conversation in the car, Scotty couldn't help but shudder. "That woman's gonna keep me in line whether I like it or not."
"Good," Lilly replied firmly. "Someone needs to, and I guess it can't be me anymore."
"You got a better job," he retorted. "You ain't my partner anymore…but you are my girlfriend. And that comes with all kinds of perks."
Lilly smiled and shook her head. That cockiness…when the hell had it gone from being annoying to endearing? She didn't have time to dwell on it, though, because Scotty was pulling her close. He lowered his head and kissed her then…a kiss full of love, passion, and promise. She felt her knees go weak as her heart flooded with love, and she was far from ready for it to end when he pulled away and gazed deep into her eyes, smiling tenderly.
"I love you, Lil," he said softly.
"I love you, too, Scotty," she replied. She turned around and leaned back against him then, laying her head on his shoulder and planting a kiss on his neck, and he sighed contentedly and wrapped his arms around her torso.
Suddenly, Lilly saw the ghostly forms of Tim and Ann. At first, neither one of themlooked in her direction. Ann's arms were wrapped around Tim's neck, a shy smile painting her delicate features, and Tim grinned at her adorably, brushing the end of her nose with his fingertip. They were completely lost in each other's eyes.
"That's kinda sweet, ain't it," Scotty said after a moment.
Surprised, Lilly turned to face him. "You see 'em, too?" she asked in amazement.
"Yeah," Scotty replied softly. "And I knew you would."
Tim and Ann glanced their way just then, Tim still grinning, Ann smiling shyly, and then they faded away.
"They looked pretty happy," Scotty commented.
"Yeah," Lilly agreed, before pulling him close for one more kiss. Her heart flooded with love as their lips met, and she felt happy tears prick her eyes once more. A peace stole over her soul as she realized that this relationship…this was like nothing she'd ever experienced before, and she couldn't wait to see what was around the corner for them. The kiss ended, and they stood there, just basking in the love that shone from one another's eyes.
"We better get back upstairs," Scotty told her reluctantly. "I don't want Miller breakin' down the door. 'Sides, I forgot to hang my tie on the doorknob."
"There's always time for that later," Lilly reminded him with a soft kiss on his cheek. She grinned at him once more before taking his hand and leading him down the aisle of boxes. He laced his fingers through hers, and the two climbed back up the stairs to the squad room.
The End
A/N: All good things must come to an end. I have had an absolute blast writing this story, and I want to thank each and every one of you who took the time to read, review, and enjoy this. If I were to express my thanks the way you all deserve, it would take a chapter in and of itself, so I'll refrain, but I do want to take a moment to tell you all how grateful I am for your comments and feedback; it's done a world of good for my confidence as a writer, and makes me eager to write more stories!
I'm already hard at work on a sequel to this, because I dearly love this little world I've managed to create, and am in no way even close to being ready to leave it. So it shouldn't be too long before the next one!
Thanks again; you all are the best fans a writer could ask for!