Intro Notes: I've never really done a collection before, but I figured I would give it a shot. I've been busy with several prompts for the fic meme at mentalistprompt over on LJ, and while everything I write there will be posted to my LJ writing archive (for_the_coast) first, I wanted to post them over here as well. Especially as I'll probably also be starting the alphabet meme in the next few weeks, as if I could possibly ever be in need of yet another fic project ;)
This will be a collection of drabbles and short stories, all less than 1,000 words in length. Everything else I write will still be posted separately.
In other news, on the off chance that any of you are actually waiting for Watershed to be updated, I have only one more thing to add: SOON, I promise (you heard it here first).
Disclaimer: Not now, not ever.
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Title: drop in the ocean
Rating: K
Category: Jane/Lisbon
Genre: Romance-ish
Spoilers: General. Set in the future, but it's not specific.
Word Count: 358
Notes: Written for chizuru-chibi at mentalistprompt's fic meme. Prompt was: Jane/Lisbon - A windy day.
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She waits for him on the beach.
It's only the third time she's been here, and it will be the last.
The first time, she gagged when she saw the face on the wall, then she held him while he cried. The second time, her hands were covered in paint as she listened to stories of his past; of his daughter, his childhood, and eventually, his wife. She sat patiently as the paint fumes cleared, until long after he was done talking. She waited until he was ready to leave.
This time, she helped sort things into boxes. Some for storage, some for Goodwill, and some for his new apartment in Sacramento; the latter being the most important, and also the most difficult.
He won't be coming back here either, so she decided to give him a few minutes alone. However long he needs.
She doesn't mind waiting.
Time passes slowly without him, and she finds herself drawn closer to the tide. Before her, the salt water rises and falls against the shoreline, lapping at her bare feet; the steady rhythm soothes her. Behind her, the house stands tall in all of its haunting grandeur.
He had been happy here once. He'd built a home and a family, and he'd loved them.
She never worries about being the second. The fact that he is comfortable and secure enough to share them with her tells her everything she needs to know.
She notices the moment he joins her, senses him approaching even as the sand masks the sound of his footsteps. He looks different now; not older or younger, but more relaxed. Peaceful.
"Are you ready?" she asks eventually.
It's late and the temperature has dropped ten degrees in the time she stood alone, but all she feels is the warmth of his hand as he links their fingers together.
"I am," he whispers in reply.
But they stand together at the water's edge until long after the sun goes down and the tide ebbs away. Moonlight shines against the waves as the ocean breeze shifts directions.
The wind whips gently through her hair. She doesn't seem to notice.
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