Title:

Author: fbi-woman

Rating: T/PG-13 – I haven't quite decided how high of a rating I'll need yet, so this is temporarily just a precaution.

Type: Cold Case, Lilly/Ray

Spoilers: Up until the end of Season 4

Disclaimer: I own nothing and I'm not claiming to (though I wish I did own them). This is an original story based on a TV show.

Summary: It seems Ray just can't stay away from Philly… what brings him back this time? Lilly/Ray

A/N: First off, I'm a fairly new Cold Case fan with a horrible memory so there may be some canon errors: I apologize for that in advance. Secondly, I'm a HUGE L/S shipper, so not only can I not believe that I'm writing something other than LS, but I'm shocked that my first Cold Case fic has ended up being something other than LS. But when I saw them kiss goodbye, I just couldn't help myself.

Lilly Rush was only ten steps into her solitary walk home from work when the low rumble of a motorcycle engine stopped her short. Philadelphia was a big city; the sound of engines constantly filled the air. Why should this one be any different? But she instinctively knew it was, and a chill of apprehension spread through her body, bracing her for the unknown. After a blissfully justice-filled afternoon, she had wanted nothing more than to curl up with her cats and enjoy a night of sleep free from swirling thoughts, but that was clearly not in the cards as the bike drew to a halt beside her. Turning somewhat reluctantly, she came face to face with the characteristically disheveled yet handsome man she had kissed goodbye (several times).

He smiled, sending a wave of banished feelings to crash against her indifferent facade. It cracked instantly, to her dismay, but she was determined to hold it in place with her own two hands if necessary. She was done with the hurt: done with the fleeting comfort that always left her alone and heartbroken in the end. This time would be different, she vowed. This time she would keep him out.

"Don't tell me you're in trouble again", she said, trying valiantly to disguise that she was happy to see him.

"Hey, that is one mistake I am definitely not making twice. I'm done with shifty deals."

"Uh huh."

"I'm serious! I really straightened up this time."

She scoffed. "I'll believe that when I see it."

"Okay, come on then, let's go for a ride."

"Can't," she replied a little too quickly, "I've got an early morning tomorrow, need to get home."

"It won't take long, I promise, and I'll take you home after. I just want to show you something."

"What?"

"If I tell you, then you won't need to come", he answered cheekily.

This was such a bad idea. Why was she even considering it? She should just toss him a wave and keep walking. He'd be on to another city in a few days anyways, so why bother opening pandora's box? Yet somehow she found the helmet in her hands and a leather seat beneath her. One ride: that was it. She could handle that… right? But as she wrapped her arms around him and the soft scent of his aftershave came to her attention, Lilly suddenly had significant doubts that she could disentangle herself as easily as she had hoped.

The cool air whipped across her face as they sped through the darkened streets, and she couldn't help but relish the feeling of youthful freedom it brought her. Gone were the days when they could just take off to Tennessee, but she still loved the rush. Not that she would ever admit that aloud, even in solitude. It was one of many secrets that remained concealed from everyone but herself… and Ray, she realized. A small jolt of panic suddenly coursed through her veins. She had no walls to protect her from Ray. All of the things she refused to share were locked away in her past. But Ray had been there. He had seen it all; blood and tears, fear and joy. Everything. There was no hiding. She was the expert of wearing a mask, but in minutes he had all but shattered it, and now she scarcely remembered how to live without it. How could she forget how to be herself? Or is this person she was now: this empty 'ice queen' image she had given herself?

Her thoughts were interrupted when the bike came to an abrupt halt. Looking up, she saw nothing but an empty parking lot and what appeared to be an abandoned garage. This couldn't be where he was taking her.

"Why are we stopping here?"

He took off his helmet and hopped off the bike with a grin. "This is it."

"What?"

"You're looking at what will soon be 'Ray's Custom Bikes & Repairs'."

She continued to stare at him blankly. This couldn't be happening. No way. "Did I miss something?"

"Lilly, this is it. I'm back in Philly."

"Yeah, for how long this time?" she asked, rolling her eyes. "Why'd you bring me all the way out here to tell me that?" She knew she was being a little harsh, but with no walls and no where to run, she didn't know what else to do but fend him off.

His smile faded. "I mean it. I'm staying this time."

"Sure. For a month or two."

"I bought this place, Lilly! I just got back from California this morning, and you were the first person I wanted to tell, and you don't even want to believe me. You think I'd come all the way here just to lie to you? You should know me better than that."

"I do. I know you well enough to know that you come running back here whenever you want me to bail you out of something."

"Oh, like you did last time?"

Shit. There was no good comeback for that one.

"Besides, I already told you that's not what this is about."

"Come on Ray, when was the last time you stayed anywhere for more than a year?" Why should I believe you?"

One look at his expression and she realized he'd honestly thought she'd be happy, or at least pretend to be happy, and she'd shut him down from the moment he spoke. He was excited about this, and she hadn't even given him a chance. Why was she so uptight about this? Why was she lashing out at him? Her responses had hurt him more than she'd intended, that was clear, and guilty remorse tugged at her heart.

"Because we're supposed to be friends and you're supposed to know that you're the one person I could never lie to", he said quietly.

She opened her mouth to start a frantic backtrack, but her words were drowned by the sound of the engine coming back to life. Looking back over her shoulder, she kept her eyes glued to the little garage until it was out of sight.