2 Chapters in 1 night plus an episode of Major Crimes ... just a little bit of silliness... please R&R chapters to follow...
The drive had been long and Rusty had began to test her patience, often asking too many questions about trivial things including what flavor the moon would be if it could be one? How someone discovered milk, and what were they doing there? And why some animals spit at you when they approach.
Truth be told, he often did this to see how long she could last before losing her cool and he would then burst into a fit of laughter, often declaring this was a new record. She was aware of his questioning behaviour but every single time she fell for it; truth be told she was happy he was speaking to her, no longer being the closed off, angry teenager who refused to trust her.
Pulling into the large open driveway, they made their way towards the beautiful white wood home which displayed two large glass windows at the front, a beautiful 2nd floor balcony and an expansive wooden decked patio complete with swing chair. She had always promised herself she would one day buy a beautiful house in the country, but every year a new career opportunity rose and her dream was delayed and now with her current role as Captain of Major Crimes and carer to Rusty, she wouldn't be slowing down.
The team had left the office early that afternoon to begin their journey to the country side, by the time Rusty and herself had arrived, the rest had been standing outside, the bickering of Flynn and Provenza could be heard from the other side of yard, their voices echoing through the dark open space.
"I don't care…" Provenza's grumpy voice dropping another octane as he shook his head furiously moving around the side of the vehicle.
"You are just too stubborn … you know you are wrong" Flynn's voice raising above the older mans as he came to stand in front of the car.
"You haven't stopped this entire trip, I was ready to leave you at that rundown diner miles back!" the car door slamming behind Provenza as he removed his overnight bag,
"Oh course you were, but this is my car … you wouldn't have got far unless you were planning to walk?" Flynn's voice clearly irritated by the other mans attitude.
Making her way across the stone driveway, overnight bag and handbag in hand, Rusty trailing behind her, she stood beside Buzz and Sanchez waiting for Flynn and Provenza to notice her arrival. As the exchange of words continued without a breathe, Sharon's patience was running even thinner; it had been a long day and an even longer drive and all she wanted was a hot bath, a glass of wine and the peace and quiet of her own bedroom.
Clearing her throat she tapped the older Lieutenant on the shoulder, pulling them from their disagreement, "Excuse me Lieutenants, I hate to interrupt your passionate debate on world affairs, but I believe we are all here, shall we go in?" an evident smirk crossing Flynn's face as her remarks verbally slapped the other man across the face, Provenza's face looking even more sour then before; as his mouth opened to respond it was too late.
She had not bothered to wait for his response instead leading the way into the guest house, the smell of the fireplace and fresh flowers hitting them upon entrance, giving the house a homely feeling.
A well-groomed middle aged man in jeans and long sleeved t-shirt greeted them, a smile gracing his slightly wrinkled features.
"Welcome to the Ranch, I am Tom" his hand extended out to shake hers, she had noted how oil stained they had been, obviously from working hard on the land.
"Thank you, this place is really lovely" a smile graced her face as she turned back to her team who were busy looking around, eyes darting, mentally claiming the bedrooms towards the upper and lower back of the house.
"Make yourselves at home. Kitchen is stocked, wines in the fridge, let me know if there is anything you need?" his body moving towards the door as he spoke, "and good lady, your room is upstairs on the left."
As if they were all on year 7 camp, everyone appeared to make a dash for the bedrooms, voices of "claimed" and "mine" being heard. All she could do was shake her head, as she reminded herself some boys never grew up.
Making her way up the second floor she heard a door slam, the evident clicking of a lock as a TV was switched on loud. She had been pretty sure that had been the room allocated to herself as the lone woman and Captain of the group. Turning the door knob she instantly noticed it was locked, her knuckles coming up to wrap against the wooden door; the old mans voice yelling over the top of the TV
"This is my room. Go away" … her face had dropped, she was not in the mood to play games tonight.
"Lt. Provenza get out of that room, you are bunking with Lt. Flynn" her voice raised as she began to get irritated.
"No way! No way! I had to sit in that car all the way here listening to that man. If I have to spend one night in the same room as him, or anyone I may smother them in their sleep!" the TV volume once again getting louder.
"Hey old man get your ass out here" Lt Flynn had made his way up the staircase in search of the older man and the last remaining bedroom.
There was no response, and whilst she couldn't be bothered dealing with it tonight, this way not the last he would hear of this.
Watching the silver haired man walk in front of her and into the adjacent room and back out towards her, a somewhat disappointed look on his face.
"Captain, you have that room, I can sleep on the couch downstairs" his eye contact lingering a little longer then it once did. She had noticed lately how his eyes would often linger, his touch more often and his personality more cautious and flirty then when they first met.
She shook her head to get her mind back on track. And as much as she appreciated Lt. Flynn's nature of late she had remind herself of professionalism.
"Wait, Lieutenant!" her voice soft as usual when she was speaking one on one to someone, "you don't have too. We are sharing a room. Not a bed. I think two adults can manage that?" the tone had left her lips a little more flirty then usual, which probably didn't help by the fact the usually serious faced Raydor was showing a tell tale smirk.
A smile graced his lips with surprise, a look of slight confusion evident on his face, all he seemed to do was stand across the passage and stare at her; her voice echoing back to him in a low, professional tone, "Lieutenant!" his mind evidently snapping back to reality … the smile disappearing from his face….. as she crossed into the vacant bedroom switching on the lights, her voice bouncing off the 4 walls…
"Are you coming?"