Under the Grey (L/K)

[michelle]

You write so well that I really want to see the sparks start flying again with Lilly and Kite, even though I really Don't want to see her sink to that level.

For sure, Lilly would not "freak out". You have it perfectly, the way she is kind of cool, but not blowing him off. You know Lilly well. Can't wait to read more.

[TVFan]

This is so good so far jambled! I'm dying to read more!! I think you have stayed pretty true to Lilly. I can't imagine her freaking out either. Your subdued reaction seems right on par.

[tiger_lilly]

I can only agree with michelle and TVFan that you know our Lilly very well. Another great chapter .

[jambled]

This chapter dedicated to the exceptional Pealee, who not only reviews (yay!) but who also gave Kite a place to be when he’s not in Philly. Thanks!

People seemed to get hooked on her, like an improbable drug. Scotty didn’t have to use any fingers to count which of his exes had remained in contact. This was the second one of Lilly’s who had shown up unannounced, and she’d looked about as thrilled as she had last time. Then again, last time she’d ridden off with the guy after exchanging barely a hello.
He looked at his watch for the fifth time in five minutes and forty two seconds. He didn’t think Kite would have obtained a Harley in the last two years, so if they were going anywhere, they’d be walking. He didn’t think Kite’s smooth tongue would work this time. Then again, Lil had said she’d be here soon. He wondered if he should check…
Then she was through the door, arms crossed, eyes downcast. From the look of it, this surprise meeting hadn’t gone as well as the last. With barely a look, she passed the table and went straight for the ladies’ room. Scotty half raised himself from the chair before sitting back down as the door swung shut behind her; he wasn’t going to march into the ladies room to see how she was.
“What’s up?” Jeffries asked quietly, tracking Scotty’s eyes. Kat had something on with her daughter and wasn’t there; otherwise Scotty would have tried to invent some excuse to send her in after Lil. She wasn’t the most open person there was, and he was sure him sharing news of Kite being back in town wouldn’t be appreciated. Then again, she hadn’t held back in telling anyone how she felt about Christina, though she’d used ice queen language rather than words.
“Kite’s back. He just bumped into us in the street.” Somehow, Vera’s ears picked up the news and he leant forward, always ready to hear gossip.
“What? When’d he get back? I thought he was gone for good. Specially after all those awkward hallway meetings.” Vera was referring to all the times Lil and Kite had crossed paths after their break up. The overt politeness and forced smiles had tipped everyone off that it wasn’t the most amicable break up in the world. Scotty hadn’t known exactly what had happened, but he’d known Lilly hadn’t wanted to talk about it at all. Any time he’d started to mention Kite’s name or offer condolences she’d effectively shut him down with a quick change of subject, immediately damping the pain in her eyes. Obviously Kite had hurt her, which had made Scotty want to punch him as soon as he’d crossed the road and walked towards them. Scotty had mentally urged Lil to leave him dead, ignite the same flair of pain in his eyes. Instead, she’d sent Scotty off like an obedient little brother while she hovered with Kite. He’d tried to walk slowly, make out some of the words they’d said. All he’d picked up was that Kite had flown in this afternoon, and that he’d been trying to call Lil. Then Scotty had been too far away, too enveloped in the sounds of the street to be able to hear their soft tones.
“He’s probably filling in for the last DA. He’s still in the same state, it’s not out of the question. The way they’ve been going through them here, they probably want someone as stable as Kite back in the office.”
“No thanks to you.” Vera and Jeffries clinked glasses as they remembered the king hit he’d put on Danner. Scotty kept his eyes towards the door with the woman in the dress on it.

“Crap.” Lilly leant on the sink and directed her curse at the mirror. She stared at her reflection; he hadn’t seen her at her best. Her lipstick was almost all worn off, the cold air had made her cheeks flushed and her hair, although still sitting remarkably well, was long past being due for a hair cut. She couldn’t believe he was back. She’d called him at her weakest; after yet another devastating meeting with her mother, as all meetings with her mother seemed to be. Now he’d suddenly appeared. She knew he could have been sent here; Pittsburgh was in the same state, so they could trade off DA’s if they needed, but it seemed a little too convenient.
Leaning back from the mirror, straightening her jacket, Lil sighed, pushed back some hair. No doubt Scotty had told them all that Kite had appeared. They probably thought she was in here gathering her emotions. Truth was, she wasn’t so much gathering emotions as trying to ignore them. Kite had stirred something in her that she hadn’t felt since she and Patrick were still happy, pre-Christina. He’d been pushy, sure, and he talked a lot and he had a thing about her cats but he’d been secure for a while, stable. Someone to come home with, to fall asleep next to or wake up in the middle of the night and hear them breathing, a reassuring presence reminding her she wasn’t alone. But, like everyone else, he hadn’t been able to deal with the amount of hours she put in to her work. Hadn’t wanted to live as second best to her job. She’d never explained to him the reasoning behind it; that it kept her human, kept her believing she deserved to be out of the neighbourhood where she grew up and in the life she was meant to have. Then again, ever since the woods she’d been increasingly disillusioned about her work. George had unsettled her, made her come to the realisation that this life was it and, like everyone else, she was going to die one day. And that maybe she’d already redeemed herself enough.
Letting herself out of the bathrooms back into the hustle and burble of the tavern, Lilly saw Scotty’s eyes immediately flick away from her. He’d probably been watching the bathroom door ever since she went in. She’d noticed him looking at her at work as well, but she pretended she never saw, not wanting to deal with it. Tonight, outside the door, she’d caught his eyes as they’d been looking her up and down. Guiltily, he’d hastily looked away before following her across the street. She didn’t know what his problem was, why she’d suddenly become his focal interest. She liked him as a partner, but nothing more. As steadfast and thoughtful as he could be, he was Christina’s leftovers. Chris didn’t have a problem taking up with Lil’s men, but Lilly wasn’t going to lower herself to the same level. Besides, Scotty was Scotty; it’d be like sleeping with a brother.
“Scotch, straight.” Lilly ordered her drink, threw a note on the bar. She usually stuck to softer drinks but tonight she needed the alcohol. Rush, I still love you, damnit. Definitely needed the alcohol.
“So, Lil…” Vera started talking as she sat down before trailing off. She forced a smile. No need to share with the whole team how unsettled Kite had managed to make her.
“Kite’s back for a little while until they manage to find a DA who might actually stay around.” She decided to get the conversation over and done with rather than have it hover around them, awkward and unspoken. She knew she was an easy target for the guys because she hated talking about her private life. When Ray had come back they’d all managed to find time to give her the third degree. And the amount of looks she got after she threw Ray out of the interview room…
“What, he won’t be staying?” Scotty asked. Lil shook her head, although she wasn’t entirely sure what Kite’s movements were. She didn’t know what she was meant to get out of their conversation; that he still loved her, sure, but was he going to keep it unrequited or did he want them to become an item again? And if they did get back together, what then? Marriage, kids? A stable relationship that would last longer than she and Patrick had? Kite leaving again because she got home late one too many times? She didn’t even want to consider everything that needed to be thought about. It had been infinitely easier when he’d lived here, when they were in walking distance of each other’s houses, when they hadn’t broken up already.
“Only until they find a DA who’ll stick around.” She repeated herself, drank half the scotch in a few mouthfuls. It hit her immediately, warmed her up.
“Another round?” Vera asked as he motioned to the waitress. Lilly nodded, waved her glass. As long as she could remember Kite’s words, she wasn’t drunk enough.

“Lil, I’ll drive you home.” Scotty had stopped at three beers before switching to soft drink. Usually Lilly did the same; a few drinks to take the edge of the day, then iced waters for the rest of the night. He wondered what exactly Kite had said to her to make her down nine straight glasses of scotch over the past few hours. Even Vera had looked around the table as Lil had ordered her eighth, raised his eyebrows. She was holding it remarkably well, though. The only thing that betrayed her was the feverish look in her eyes and the slight blush in her cheeks. She hadn’t yet stood up yet, and Scotty wasn’t sure how that would go. He’d never seen Lilly truly drunk yet, only mildly tipsy at last year’s Christmas party.
“Right, I just need my…” Lil patted her pockets, lifted up her glass to look underneath and shuffled on the seat as she searched for something.
“You lost something?” Scotty moved around the serviettes on the table, wondering if she’d misplaced her keys. Jeffries waved his good night as he left. Vera had already departed ten minutes ago, and Stillman had gone home straight after him.
“Just… I swear…” She stood up, swayed slightly but regained her balance by resting her hand lightly on the back of the booth. Her eyebrows were furrowed and her tongue came out to lick her bottom lip while she thought.
“What’d you lose, Lil?” Scotty watched her lips, not minding the wait while she formulated an answer.
“My coat, Scotty. It’s cold out.” Scotty looked down to hide a smile. He’d thought she was doing pretty damn well despite the ingestion of all that alcohol.
“You’re still wearing it, Lil.” He looked up in time to see her look down, run her fingers over the buttons.
“Right.” She giggled and Scotty realised he’d never heard her giggle before. She really wasn’t the type; she smiled, laughed occasionally, but he’d never heard the cute burble of amusement that had just crossed her lips.
Scotty shook his head, watched her walk around the table towards the door. The bar had been emptying out since nine; most of the people who were there were professional, blue collar types and they’d all need to be at work early Friday morning. Scotty stepped into the cold air, waited while Lil stepped out behind him. She was only weaving slightly but her hand found his arm as she stumbled on the last step. Scotty half turned and her other arm landed against his chest, fingers small, unfurling to support her while she rebalanced.
“Sorry.” She dropped her hands, offered him a meagre smile. Scotty smiled back, turned to beep his car open. He brought a hand up to where hers had landed. His coat was still warm from her touch and he let his fingers stray over the fabric until he got in the car. Lilly hadn’t noticed; she was too busy contesting the seatbelt. She pulled and it stayed firmly in its place.
“Crap.” She muttered, tugging at it a few more times. Scotty started the car and put it in neutral while he leant across her to pull her seatbelt down. He could feel her breath on the back of his neck as he struggled with it, and it %#$%led his skin, made him shiver. He clicked the seatbelt into place, pulled away from her quickly. It was a struggle to stay professional; he could manage it when she was being Lilly Rush, professional, ice queen, closed book, but right now she was leaning forward so her hair fell over his right knee, trying to do something to his radio.
“There.” She sat back with satisfaction as rock music came from the speakers. It was old school rock; Alice Cooper was singing about sweat and black lace. Scotty shot her a sideways glance as he pulled into the street. He knew she hated show tunes, but he hadn’t pegged her as the rock type. She was tapping her finger on her leg, humming as she looked out the window. As if she sensed his glance, she looked across in time to catch his eye before he turned his attention back to the road.
“Not an Alice Cooper fan?” Scotty shrugged, turned the corner.
“Just didn’t figure you as one.”
“You got me all wrong, Valens.” She paused, laughed, looked like she was remembering something. Scotty could feel his eyebrows drawing together as he looked over at her. She sensed his confusion, offered him a half smile.
“Just something someone said to me once.” She sighed, turned her focus back to the buildings they were passing, the occasional bare tree illuminated under blinking streetlights. Scotty turned down her street, pulled up opposite her house. He looked out her door as she opened it, undoing his seatbelt as he saw a figure stand up on her step. He got out of the car to see more clearly, almost yelled to Lil to stop. She was concentrating on finding her keys in her bag, and it looked like she hadn’t noticed that Kite was walking towards her.
“Hey.” Scotty heard him greet her as he walked around the car and his fists tensed involuntarily. He wasn’t an idiot; he’d seen the look Kite had given her when she’d turned to face him in the street and he didn’t assume their conversation would be their end of their interaction while Kite was here, but he hadn’t thought the guy would stake out her front steps.
“What are you doing here?” Scotty asked. Lilly was staring at Kite, her keys dangling from limp fingers. She startled at Scotty’s loud words, suddenly became reanimated.
“Didn’t expect you…” She sounded similar than she had on the answering machine, though less desolate, and Kite figured she’d had a few drinks at the bar. After than conversation, he’d found a bar himself, nursed a double sour whisky for several hours before deciding to come to her house. He’d knocked for a while before he realised she wasn’t home. Settling himself on the cold steps, he’d decided to wait for her though he hadn’t bet on her partner driving her home. He knew the last thing Lilly wanted was gossip about her private life broadcast over her office; that was one thing she’d been absolutely adamant about. He’d mentioned something about how she looked with her hair down to an ADA once, and it had gotten back to her. She’d found him, eyes blazing, and chewed him out until he felt about an inch high. He’d realised why she was so dangerous in an interview room, apologised with a dozen white roses, and finally, had been forgiven. He didn’t want to get on her bad side again, ever, so he shrugged at Scotty.
“Lil and I didn’t finish talking.” It wasn’t far from the truth. There was more he wanted to say, much more that he wanted to hear from you and he’d wanted to figuratively strike while the iron was hot; the glance she’d given him across the crowded floor had been etched in his mind since their eyes met, and he’d wanted to find out if it meant what he thought.
“You hurt her again…” Scotty had stepped closer to him lowered his voice to void Lil overhearing. She’d slowly made her way up to her door, each step obviously an effort. Kite almost smiled; he’d seen her inebriated only once. They’d both had things to celebrate; he’d won a case that put a killer away indefinitely and she solved a murder that had, at first, appeared unsolvable. They’d been meaning to have a few drinks and go to a little Chinese restaurant near her house, but a few drinks turned into too many before they’d woven their way back to her house and fallen asleep fully clothed. He still remembered the giggle she got when she was drunk. He’d tripped over the edge of a curb and she’d burst out with a giggle as she’d helped him up. He hadn’t been able to help himself; it had been too inviting not to laugh along with her, even as he’d felt the bruise forming on his knee.
“What business is it of yours?” Kite answered just as softly, his tone as dangerous. He wanted to put this guy in his place; working with Lil every day didn’t make him her unofficial bodyguard. The words made Scotty pause, and Kite could see the emotions bubbling beneath the surface. He wondered if Lilly knew her partner had a hard on for her.
Kite heard Lilly finally getting the door open and she flipped on a light inside, illuminating a square outside the size of the open doorway. It dissipated the tension between them slightly, and Kite stepped back. They knew where each other stood, and neither was budging. It was down to Lil now. He turned to look at her, blonde hair haloed in the light from behind her. Her eyes met his, and he could see the internal battle going on; the rationality the alcohol had annihilated was coming up against her better judgement. Kite liked to think her better judgement was what invited him in, but he was probably lucky she’d drank as much as she had. Walking up the steps, Kite was unable to resist shooting a smile over at Scotty, who met him with dark eyes. He stepped past Lilly as she swung the door shut behind him. She waited a moment there, listening to Scotty’s car drive away before she turned to face him.


I know Americans say restroom but in Aus it’s bathroom, so that’s what I’ve written. The Alice Cooper song is Poison as well, in case you don’t guess it. I had a mild infatuation with this song for a while and it’s still in my playlist. Hopefully I got the knee-closest-to-the-passenger right, too. We drive on the other side. And I know this chapter is a bit of a deviation… Scotty’s thoughts and all… I felt I needed to dimensionalise this fic a little, cover the fact that no person is an island. Besides, I wanted a Kite/Scotty confrontation and a tipsy Lilly, okay? So sue me. Besides, Lil isn’t the most sober person when it comes to emotionally charged things she’d rather avoid. And she tends to reach out to Kite when she’s drunk, so…
Please review!

[longislanditalian2]

Great storyline, I like how you portrayed Lilly being drunk and how Scotty is protective over her and how it fits in so well with the story

[tiger_lilly]

Great chapter! Drunk Lilly is love ;D. Nine drinks! That woman is my hero . The scene in the car was great. Well you already know my obsession with angst so even though it is only a one way thing it's still feeding my needs . The awkward scene at Lilly's house was...well awkward and I really felt for Scotty. Can't wait to see if Lilly finally opens up to Kite.

[michelle]

Wow, nine drinks? That's way beyond a little tipsy. I'd cut that back to five, at the most. And five would get Lil pretty darn trashed, I think.

Otherwise, good chapter. Although I missed your usual intense focus on Lilly, either her POV or another's perception of her. But I understand why you wanted to broaden it out.

Looking forward to seeing what drunken Lilly will do. Surely she won't sink to the level of merely throwing up and passing out. lol

[michelle]

These are the most wonderfully descriptive passages:

Snowflake eyes that changed from blue to grey, depending on the weather and her mood. Pale, perfect skin. He’d always been enthralled with the stretch from the swell of her breasts to the smooth sleekness of her stomach; that long, sloping space that he would lay his head on, post coital.

Those deceptively long legs.

Incredible!

[Rhi]

wow this has to be one of the best chapters yet.
I especially loved your drunk lilly bit (including the giggling) cant wait to see what happens next there, and it was interesting to see the whole jealous scotty thing.
personally i'm still a big fan of Kite (i just love Hubris) so im a little conflicted as to whether lilly should get back together with him or kick him to the kerb...

btw love that Lilly likes Alice Cooper

[jambled]

Ok... I kind of thought about it today (I'll admit, my mind wandered in a lecture on criminal deviance) and I realised I'm writing from a uni-student/iron-stomach way of life. nine drinks is totally acceptable, and will probably get you in a pool with your top off, but if you don't drink that often, or that much, it might kill you. I know. *mental head slap*. So my excuses are as follows; She spaced the drinks over a few hours and she actually has a wonderful tolerance to alcohol and could drink anyone under the table. This is fanfic, lol. I am (kind of, sort of, maybe a teeny tiny bit) god. (If you've never called yourself god, please go ahead! It's the ultimate power trip). Uhm... but right, sorry for the unrealistic alcohol assumption. next chap (it's coming, I promise) will duly deal with it. Meanwhile, thank you for all your reviews. I love reviews. They're like little happy pills! so... LII2, tiger_lilly, michelle, rhibee; you guys just got yourselves some karma points! xx.

[michelle]

Jambled, remind me never to go drinking with you!

Looking forward to your next chapter!! As always.

[jambled]

No full blown R-rated scene, but there’s a little smut here. Just warning.

She wasn’t sure why she’d invited him in. It was a combination of the looks in his eyes, the words that were still reverberating around her mind despite the alcohol and the childish desire to let Scotty know she could have a life if she wanted. No doubt tomorrow she’d be regretting it; Scotty hadn’t wasted any time letting everyone know Kite was back at the bar. She was sure he’d feel the need to let it slip that Kite had been invited in, letting everyone jump to the conclusion they’d gotten horizontal. Not that she didn’t want to sleep with him; no matter what image of herself she tried to present at work, she wasn’t an ice queen without desire. But sex opened the way to new intimacies, and she wasn’t sure she was ready to deal. If Kite had come to her with a no-strings-attached package, the way Ray always did, she might be more tempted.
“So…” He was looking at her, gauging the reaction, probably a little surprised he’d actually been let in. She hadn’t been completely unfriendly to him in the street, but she hadn’t exactly let him know he was in with a chance, either. Then, she hadn’t known what she wanted. Even now, when he was standing in front of her in her apartment, she still didn’t know. Lilly gave herself time while she unbuttoned her coat, hung it carefully on the coat rack. She didn’t want to admit to him what an effort it was to stand up straight; the edges of her vision were nothing but a swirling mess and although she could assimilate thoughts, it was taking longer than usual. She hadn’t kept track of the amount of drinks she’d had; her ability to count had petered out. She remembered the number five, but was sure there had been more after that. Not the ideal time for a deep and meaningful.
“I didn’t come for… Well, you know.” He motioned between them and she felt herself laugh, cut it short as she conscientiously walked over to him, avoiding the edge of the rug.
“Really?” She was in front of him, as close as they’d been in the snow. She’d never admitted it to him, then or since, that their first kiss had left her more than a little breathless. She hated that he had that effect on her, but at the same time it was thrilling, like the feeling in your stomach when you know the guy across from you killed the victim, and he finally cracks, tells you the what, and the why, and the how.
“Well…” Lil let herself giggle as she saw him lick his lips, shuffle his feet. Of course, finding someone who left you breathless was only worthwhile if you had the same effect on them.
“I wanted to talk. Without you having to rush off anywhere.” He managed to gather himself and Lil turned, sat herself down on the couch. It was too much effort to remain standing, and she didn’t want him to have to catch her if she suddenly lost her grip on gravity.
“Okay.” She busied herself taking off her shoes; who knew buckles were so complicated? Kite sat down next to her, waited until she’d finally pulled off her second shoe and tucked her feet underneath her.
“I wasn’t lying. I love you, Rush.” Lil looked at her knees, noticed a spot of fluff on her pants, picked it off. She was always good with the small details when she was drunk; picking lint off jackets and making sure she had an even number of ice cubes in her glass became monumentally important things.
“You live in Pittsburgh. You hate the amount of hours I work. I mean, you broke up with me the first time. I know I shouldn’t have stayed outside so long, but it’s my job, you know. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do, and…” Lil let her words trail off. The amount of words she spoke also increased with the more alcohol she drank, and she could feel the edges of her words sliding together, bunching in her mouth as she tried to get them out. Kite absorbed her protests before he spoke.
“I can get a transfer back here. I want to transfer back here. And I know you work, but…” he shrugged, continued, “it’s who you are. And I can accept it now. Two years without you…” Kite looked almost embarrassed as Lilly’s eyes met his. He’d always been better at voicing his feelings than her; he’d always told her how he felt outright, how much he liked her. He’d even handled their break up succinctly. But she sensed this was going to go deeper than all that.
“I’ve lain awake so many nights, just thinking about you. I missed you so much. I need you, Lil.” There he was with the name again. Lilly tilted her head to the side, bit her lip. There were so many places she could go from here; she could offer him more protests, accept his words at face value but move on to all the questions she had, tell him she loved him as well. But it was late, she was tired, he was so close and she was done talking. Lilly moved herself forward over him so he would have had to lean back to avoid their chests touching. He didn’t move and she gave his eyes one long, searching look before letting her lips float down to land on his.
It wasn’t their first kiss, but it had been a long time since he’d held her in his arms. He hadn’t forgotten how smooth her skin was, or how quickly she could undo buttons, but her sudden passion did surprise him. He sensed she wasn’t the same woman he’d left two years ago; time had delivered her back to him a less inhibited version. He sensed it might have something to do with the reason she changed her hair, but he didn’t want to interrupt her to ask; one of her hands was wavering at his waistband, undoing his belt, while the other pushed through his hair, drew his head closer so he could feel her teeth against his lips in her kiss. She got his belt undone, paused to sit up and pull off her shirt. Her hair settled back down around her bare shoulders, slightly more ruffled than before. He rested his hands around her waist, pulled her back down to him. She’d effectively pushed his shirt aside, and he wanted to feel her bare skin against his. Her bra was lacy, light blue, annoyingly arousing as the edges tickled his chest. He closed his eyes, let her entwine herself around him, hair blocking the light, breath warm. Then, suddenly, as quickly as she’d let her weight sink onto him, she was gone. Kite could hear her run into the kitchen before he heard the retching. By the time he arrived, she was drinking water from the tap. Her backbone knobbled her skin, and he could almost count her ribs through her pale sides.
He walked over to her, held her hair back as she swirled water in her mouth, spit it out. Even bent over a sink that she’d just thrown up in, he couldn’t help but admire the way the back of her neck was a slender length of fair skin he wanted to feel against his lips. Finally, she turned the tap off, stood. He reluctantly released the threads of light gold from his grasp as she pulled away.
“Kinda glad you made the run for it.” He said, meaning every word. He’d been thrown up on once in his life; his nephew had eaten too much ice cream, and had brought it back up in a syrupy mess over his lap.
She smiled wanly, moved to the fridge to get herself a water bottle.
“Guess I might have drank too much.” She nodded, drank a few mouthfuls. Droplets clung to her lips when she lowered the bottle and she licked them off. Kite put his hands into his pockets, couldn’t help but drop his eyes to her front, the goosebumps that %#$%led her skin as the cold water chilled her. She took the water with her when she moved back to the couch, retrieved her shirt. Kite leant against the doorway. She sat on the coffee table to do up the few buttons that had come undone when she’d pulled it off.
“So…” Kite half shrugged as she looked up at him, pushing her hair back from her face. She looked suddenly tired, frighteningly pale.
“I’ll sleep on the couch.” He didn’t want to not be here. Didn’t want her to wake up in the morning without him and realise that was how she preferred it. Besides, she might need another human hair clip later in the night. Her look was inscrutable as her eyes perused his. He was sure she was looking straight at his every emotion; the heart she brought to his sleeve, the fervour she aroused in him.
There was a sigh as she stood, swayed, steadied.
“We’re both adults.” He narrowed his eyes, trying to work out the meaning. Her head tilt towards the stairs as she started walking caught him up and he followed her up.
Lilly went straight to the bathroom with her PJs in hand, cleaned her teeth, changed out of her work clothes. She hated throwing up, especially in front of people. To his credit, he hadn’t left immediately, recoiled in disgust. His cool hands holding back her hair had been appreciated, and, as usual, just the right move.
Opening her bathroom cabinet, Lil shook two Panadol into her hands. She thought for a moment, popped out two more. Swallowing as much water as she could physically fit in a stomach that had just been rapidly emptied, she turned off the tap and left the bathroom.
He’d pulled the blanket back on her side of the bed and was unbuttoning his shirt as she walked back in. As impulsive as it had been to invite him in and practically jump him on the couch, Lil knew why she’d invited him to sleep in her bed, and she hated herself for it. Every time she drank, it reminded her of Ellen. Usually, though, her drinking was brought on by Ellen. This time, no mother in sight to blame the excess intoxication on. Her words still came back in times of drunkenness; Least I’m not alone. Cruel words that had irrevocably seared themselves on Lilly’s self conscious. And tonight she’d had the good guy; he was too good, right; standing in front of her, telling her he needed her. She’d grabbed that with both hands, not only because she was lonely but because she needed to show her mother she could be happy, when she wanted to be.
“Alarm for seven?” Lil asked. She turned to see Kite nodding, climbing into her bed in his boxers. She reset the time on the alarm, pulled the blanket over her.
“’Night.” Kite said as she reached to switch off the light.
“’Night.” The room was in darkness, and she could hear him breathing. She turned, reached a hand out under the covers. It found his arm, moved along to tentatively interlock their fingers. She’d invited him here on her mother’s unassuming advice, but it didn’t mean she couldn’t accept his closeness. Slowly, Lilly felt both their breaths lengthening, drawing out to the evenness of the dreaming. Then, all was dark.


You know what, I had a lot of excuses posted for Lilly’s actions. And then I thought about it; it’s not as farfetched as it seems. Out of three men, she’s gotten with two of them pretty durn quickly. And now that Kite is familiar territory… Go with it. Reviewers adored. Oh, and Michelle- you made me giggle with that last post!

[michelle]

OH MY GAWD!! That was the best segment yet, I think.

The "bit of smut" . . . Whew--I'm gonna need a moment (or several) before I comment further.

The abrupt ending to the "smut" brought back a less than savory moment from my own past. Guess we've all been there, huh?

Kite put his hands into his pockets, couldn’t help but drop his eyes to her front, the goosebumps that %#$%led her skin as the cold water chilled her.

Had anyone else written that, I would have thought I was just thinking too much. Since it's you, Jambled, I'm going to say that was the best use of description by what you did not say that I've ever seen. (I'll take another few moments here. Maybe a cigarette. . .)

It found his arm, moved along to tentatively interlock their fingers.

Awwww. . .

On a slightly different note: You need to tell me the secret of how you write so quickly. I've been working on one for two days and don't even have enough to post yet.

Her backbone knobbled her skin, and he could almost count her ribs through her pale sides.

the back of her neck was a slender length of fair skin

Wonderful, beautiful description--as always! (I hope you don't get tired of me quoting you back to you!

[tiger_lilly]

LOVED it. Haha, I KNEW she had too much. I was actually thinking about when she's going to hurl ;D. Never happened to me like that, but pretty close!

I also, like Michelle, really liked the descriptions of Kite's view of Lilly when it happened.

I need more drama.

[TVFan]

Another excellent chapter. It seems those drinks definitely caught up to Lil (as they do to all of us ). Great descriptions and not a smutty one among them.

[michelle]

I agree TV Fan. Jambled does romance scenes very tastefully while still being very descriptive!

[michelle]

Jambled,

Such a good story, I thought it could use a cover picture.

UNDER THE GREY

By Jambled

[jambled]

Yay! Thanks so much michelle!! That kind of describes it perfectly lol! And PS, I will never get sick of you quoting lines back at me. That fact that you take the time to do that is really touching. And meanwhile, with romance scenes, I don't want to overdo it and turn this into a Mills & Boon book. Meanqhile, smut scenes do have their place, but I like leaving it up to people's imaginations! So glad you guys like it. As to writing so quickly... I don't know. Just struck by inspiration at the right time I guess. But I usually only deal with characters, not cases, so that probably makes it easier for me. I probably should try and grapple with a casefile fic but *shrugs*. Thanks so much for your reviews everyone! Next chapter hopefully coming soon.

[michelle]

We are kindred spirits then, as I love learning about the characters far more than the cases. In any TV show I watch--from Cold Case to CSI to House--I never remember the cases, but the character development pulls me in. That's why CC is so much more compelling to me than Without a Trace--the character backstory. You go, Jambled!!

[rabi]

WOW WOW Jambled!!!!
As said multiple times above, this is brilliant! I must say that I just LOVE your writing style. Can totally picture how her behavior will be to come across those situations, just like you wrote.
However, selfish little me hoping that there won't be any triangle drama. Kite-Scotty confrontation was good. And I don't mind a bit his pov, but no romance interest, please. Not in this story. NO offend to those who love L/S pair, I absolutely respect their taste. I'm just sick of that. Well, yeah, you can ignore my humble opinion..... I'll read it anyway whatever you bring.......

The room was in darkness, and she could hear him breathing. She turned, reached a hand out under the covers. It found his arm, moved along to tentatively interlock their fingers. She’d invited him here on her mother’s unassuming advice, but it didn’t mean she couldn’t accept his closeness. Slowly, Lilly felt both their breaths lengthening, drawing out to the evenness of the dreaming. Then, all was dark.

What a fantastic expression......

Can't wait to read more, more, and more.