Title: Cold Case – Hope Lives

Summary: Detective Lilly Rush finds a little more than the truth when the Squad investigates an unsolved murder.

Pairing: Lilly Rush & OFC

Rating: M for F/F sexual content.

Disclaimer: No profit or copyright infringement intended during the writing of this story. All characters other than original remain the property of creator Meredith Stiehm, Jerry Bruckheimer TV, Warner Bros TV and CBS Productions.


Chapter 2

Kat looked up from her desk and smiled at Lilly, "Is there something I can help you with?" Observing Lilly for the past two days after her friend Connie's appearance, the younger woman knew the blonde detective would eventually approach her during a quiet moment to ask questions.

Lilly sat down on the end of Kat's desk and asked, "So what's Connie Cooper's story?"

Kat's brows rode upwards, "Why the interest?"

Smirking, the blonde answered truthfully, "I'm just intrigued is all."

"No surprise there. Connie has a habit of sparking women's curiosity, either through jealousy or by questioning their own sexual desires."

A red blush crossed over Lilly's face, "Uhm ... no. It's neither of those reasons for me."

"Yeah Rush, have it your way. Before I met Connie I never contemplated a romantic tryst with a woman either, but she changed my mind."

Lilly was aghast, "You mean you and her?"

"No, Connie doesn't date curious or bi women. I didn't stand a chance, so why you asking?"

"I was just inquisitive is all."

"Then I suggest you call her and ask her your questions then get over your girl crush."

Standing, Lilly countered, "I don't have a crush."

"Can't say I'd blame you if you did," retorted Kat before Lilly headed to her desk.

Scotty and Nick entered the bullpen with Scotty announcing, "We got an address on that owner of the Taurus that matches the description given by Palmer."

The two female detectives jumped up and Lilly said, "Let's go see what he's got to say for himself."

-0-

I was placing the last of my completed paperwork into Captain Sorrell's in-tray when my desk phone rang. Rushing over to my office, I answer, "Violent Crimes, Detective Cooper speaking."

"Hello Detective Cooper, Detective Rush here."

My heart races a little faster at the softly spoken words, "Can I help you Detective?"

"No, you've already helped enough."

"I beg your pardon?"

"We just closed the Brenda Walker case and handed over the doers to ADA Curtis Bell."

"That's great news and I appreciate the courtesy call."

Lilly hesitates for a moment, "Listen, the guys want to know if you'd like to join us for a celebratory drink at Jones' Tavern."

Having shied away from social interaction for the past six months, I am loath to start now, "Thanks for the offer but."

Before I can finish, Lilly interrupts, "Her father Ronald will be there and he'd like to meet you."

My resistance takes a nose dive, "Okay, what time?"

"Six thirty."

"See you there." I hang up and check the time, there are two hours to go. I busy myself with one of the ten remaining cases and pick up on a statement made by a store assistant that throws doubt on the validity of the testimonial. Grabbing my black leather jacket off the back of my chair, I take a drive to the witness' home.

-0-

After questioning Sharon Taylor for over an hour, I am rewarded for my persistence. The sixteen year old coughs up the fact she had given her boyfriend Lucas Ames information regards the store where she worked. She had discussed the security system bypass code, but thought Ames incapable of using the data to enter the store in the early hours of the morning, let alone savagely beat the owner Reginald Wallace to within one inch of his life.

I leave the Taylor residence and drop into the DA's Office to speak with ADA Alexandra Thomas. I explain the new evidence and she organises a search and arrest warrant for me.

Taking the paperwork, I organise backup and within two hours, Lucas Ames is arrested, evidence collected from his mother's house and a confession secured. I am currently at Central Booking waiting for my prisoner to be processed into the system.

-0-

Entering the well known cop bar on Chestnut Street, I scan for the Homicide detectives. A smile comes to my face as I spot the attractive blonde in conversation with a grey haired man I recognise as Ronald Walker.

Approaching the table I say, "Hello everyone, sorry I'm late, but I just closed out a case." Extending my hand towards the man in his late fifties, I add, "Mr Walker, it's good to meet you."

To my surprise, Ronald stands and hugs me, "Thank you for helping the detectives find the bastards who took my little girl and wife."

Overcome with the emotion of the man, I embrace him tightly, "I'm happy they located them." I step back and wipe the tears from my eyes and detect the other detectives are in a similar state. After all these years of dealing with death, it is always the loss of someone's child that hits me the hardest. I notice the two near empty pitchers on the table. "My round," I offer before heading to the bar to collect my emotions. I am surprised when Valens appears at my side.

"How's it going?" he asks.

"Good thanks Detective Valens and you?"

"Great and call my Scotty. I was wondering if you'd like to catch dinner some time."

I smile nicely while paying for the beer, "I'm flattered, but I don't date."

Scotty's brows do a high jump up his forehead, "What, like you never date period or just don't go out with other cops?"

"The former and if I did, I still would have to decline."

"Oh, is there something wrong with me?"

"No offence Valens, but I'm a lesbian."

"Ah, okay then I don't feel so bad now." He picks up one of the pitchers.

I giggle, "No, your male ego is still intact."

Taking a seat next to Ronald, I refill everyone's mug and listen to the conversation. Answering when spoken to directly, I prefer to remain in the background. Several times, I glance towards Lilly and catch her looking my way. Discretely, I check out the black pants suited blonde then shake my head. The woman sure knows how to wear a suit, but I'm also very aware that she is straight and there is no way I have any intention of encouraging a private tête-à-tête with her.

Ronald Walker leaves a short time later and dinner is ordered by those left behind. Once we eat, Nick asks if anyone is up for a game of pool. I end up partnered with Kat and we wipe the floor with the other pairings.

It is ten-thirty and I have avoided any one on one interaction with Lilly and am relieved when she leaves with Scotty, Will, John and Nick.

Kat returns to the table with two whiskies and I ask, "So what's the go with Rush?"

Taking a sip of her drink, Kat gives me a crooked smile, "You noticed the sly looks then?"

"They were hard to miss."

"I told her to speak to you if she had any questions about you."

"She knows I'm gay, right?"

"Yes she does."

"Good, that saves the need for an explanation."

"I also told her you don't date bi or curious women."

My heart sinks at the memory of my last failed relationship and I scull done the burning liquid. "You got that right."

"By your reaction I gather there's more to that statement."

"There is, but now is not the time to discuss it."

"Okay, so tell me why you went to Violent Crimes?"

"After seven years with Narcotics, I'd had enough and working with the Task Force allows me to work solo if I chose."

"I notice you have taken up that option."

"Yes, for the past six months." I get up from my chair and go to the bar to order more whisky. I return to my seat and glance at the look of question on Kat's pretty face.

"You dating anyone?" she asks.

"Nope and don't plan on it anytime soon."

"Does that have anything to do with having no partner?"

"Very good deduction Detective," I retort whimsically.

"Oh sounds to me like a relationship gone bad."

"You could say that." After copious beers and whiskies, I feel the need to disclose and Kat had always been a good sounding board. "When I joined the Task Force five years ago, I was partnered with a Jamie Tyler and we became good friends. About a year back I started dating a Beth Williams, another detective on the team then six months ago Jamie was shot while we were chasing down a suspect on a home invasion case. It was pretty bad and he was in ICU after surgery to remove a bullet from his spine."

"Holy crap!" exclaims Kat. "What happened to the perp?"

"I shot him and he's now on remand for the attempted murder of a cop and two others murders."

"Jesus!" gasps a head shaking Kat.

"I left the scene and went to pick up Jamie's wife Jackie from their house while he was being rushed to Hospital. When we arrived at the waiting room Beth was there along with Captain Sorrell. She appeared devastated and hugged Jackie on greeting. I noticed the embrace was more than one between friends and when I dropped Beth off home the next morning I questioned her about her relationship with my partner's wife. She eventually confessed to being in an affair with her."

"Damn Connie, I'm sorry."

I huff and shrug my shoulders, "It got worse. She was in a ménage de trio with Jamie and Jackie."

"Oh girl, you have got to be kidding me?"

"I wish I was, but once Jamie had recovered, he admitted it was the truth."

"No wonder you aren't dating and how the hell could anyone cheat on you? You are the whole enchilada."

"Apparently I'm not, but thanks for the compliment."

"What happened next?"

"I requested a transfer out of the unit, but Captain Sorrell suspected what was going on and transferred Jamie and Beth instead. Because I was the Senior Detective and on the promotion list, the Captain was reluctant to lose me."

"Well at least there was some sanity throughout the madness."

"As far as I know, the three of them are still together. So Detective Rush can look all she wants, I'm not interested."

"Fair enough Connie," agrees Kat.

Kat and I spend another two hours catching up before pouring ourselves into a taxi and going home.

-0-

Stumbling into the kitchen, I curse the flashing answering machine light. "Fuck you Beth," I mumble under my breath before accidently pressing the play button instead of delete. I groan at the message: "Hello Connie, Lilly Rush here. I was wondering if you would like to grab a drink some time. You've got my number."

"I certainly do have your number Detective Rush," I say loudly. Ignoring the fact it is way past 2am, I punch in the blonde's number on my cell.

A groggy albeit sexy voice answers after three rings, "Hello Connie."

I forego all niceties and get straight to the point, "Listen Detective, you are the second person to ask me out in less than seven hours and I'll tell you the same thing I told Scotty, I don't date."

"Err okay, sorry to bother you, goodnight."

I stagger into the bathroom then ungraciously fall into bed naked.

-0-