Flood

I knew the waves were icy, when I felt them all retreating,
Went to take a dive in the deep end,
Oh, what was I thinking…

The smell which filled Lilly's nose when she turned her key in the door of her apartment that evening was most welcome and she wanted to melt into Miley's arms when she emerged from the kitchen space, wearing Lilly's cooking apron, and wielding a wooden spoon. "Good evenin'. Where've you been all day? I missed you." Miley said, ever charming, and with an adorable smile.

"I got called away." Lilly replied, somewhat breathlessly, for Miley's hair was tumbling lusciously about her shoulders, her blue eyes were bright and so friendly.

"That's okay. It gave me time to get some stuff done and cook you up some dinner." Miley said and waved the spoon in the direction of the kitchen.

Lilly smiled and lowered her kitbag to the floor, "Thanks. That's really sweet of you."

"So, where'd you go?" Miley asked, floating back to the stove to stir the contents of a saucepan.

"There was an emergency." Lilly sighed, moving her hands to her eyes where she rubbed them tiredly. "A building started to collapse in one of the worse affected areas." Dark images crossed her mind as she remembered the decline of the mortar and the ceaseless rush of flood water that swirled in the basin of the town. It had grown filthier and stagnant in places. She was not looking forward to when it would eventually drain and leave behind the sludge, and the remains of the lost victims.

"Oh." Miley paused in her ministrations and fixed worried eyes on Lilly. "Were there any casualties?"

Lilly shook her head, "No, but we had to do a sweep of the area anyway and make sure the crews at street level were safe."

"Sounds tiring. You weren't due back on until later tonight, were you?"

"Nah. But, it's okay. It's kind of what happens in this line of work. It means that I have tomorrow off though." Lilly grinned, "So, I get to have a good night's sleep and then I can help you out with whatever you need."

Miley smiled in return, "I managed to get a lot done today, so if you want we can just hang out and take it easy."

"I would love that." Lilly replied eagerly and then bit her tongue. She had to curb this enthusiasm before she landed herself in trouble. She had already said too much that morning. Lilly's cheeks burned, but thankfully Miley didn't seem to notice as her full attention was once more on her cooking. "Oh," Lilly cleared her throat, "I've just remembered… Joannie might be coming round later for a couple of drinks. I hope that's okay?"

Miley chuckled, "Lilly, it's your flat."

"I know, but she can be a bit… loud, sometimes."

"I think I can cope." Miley said good-humouredly. "Now, you go sort yourself out and dinner will be ready in five."

Lilly was still smiling as she moved into her room and saw the bed, perfectly made up and everything in sight straightened out or placed tidily. She changed into some fresher clothes and when she stepped back into the living area, she found Miley already sitting with a plate of food laid out for Lilly. "This looks great." Lilly said as she took her place. "What is it?"

Miley smiled shyly, "It's an attempt to make my dad's famous catfish stew, but without the catfish. I had to use a substitute fish."

"Sounds interesting." Lilly replied and lifted a little off her plate on her fork, "I've never had faux catfish stew before." She carefully transferred the food to her mouth and had to smile at the effect the flavours had across her palate. "Mmm… Delicious."

"Do you really like it?" Miley asked, leaning forward in her seat and Lilly laughed lightly.

"Yes, Miley, it's really good."

"That makes me very happy." Miley sighed as she rested back against her chair, "My ex-boyfriend used to hate my cooking."

"How?" Lilly asked, her brows creasing together in annoyance towards the man she had never met, "This is really good and he shouldn't have discouraged you."

"It's okay. Everyone has different opinions."

"Well, some people are also just plain mean." Lilly grunted and she glanced up when Miley laughed.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Sticking up for my culinary abilities, you're like my little knight in shining armour or something."

"Yeah, well, when the clock stops on my working day it doesn't mean that I switch off. Once a hero, always a hero." Lilly supplied in return and Miley's smile only grew.

Soon Lilly had ploughed through the majority of her food and was scraping up the dregs with the edge of her fork. "Easy Lilly." Miley said, amusement twinkling in her sapphire eyes, "There's still some more and I can even freeze it for you to enjoy another time."

"That would be great." Lilly almost moaned, "I think this is the best meal that's ever been cooked in my flat."

Miley blushed, "You're just being nice again."

"Nope." Lilly shook her head easily and rose to take Miley's plate, "I'm just honest." She gave Miley a wink whilst she maneuvered around the table to sort out the dirty crockery in the sink. A tap on the door brought a mildly dissatisfied noise from Lilly's throat, "That's probably Joannie."

"Do you want me to let her in?" Miley asked and Lilly sighed.

"I think you're gonna have to. She already knows I'm here."

Miley merely laughed before flitting to the door and releasing the latch to reveal another brunette. Joannie's eyebrows disappeared beneath her fringe for a moment, but then she regained her cool composure, "Millie?"

"It's Miley!" Lilly barked from the kitchen and she quickly caught Miley's eye, "Sorry, it's a Joannie thing to get people's names wrong."

Joannie only smirked, capturing Miley up in her gaze once more, "Sorry. Hello Miley, it's great to see you again." Joannie offered Miley her hand and Lilly had to remind herself to return to the neglected dishes. Surely her co-worker couldn't say anything too insulting to her new friend.

"It's good to see you too." Miley smiled pleasantly and stepped aside to allow Joannie past her, where she moved to the table and put a bag containing beer down in the centre of Lilly's kitchen.

"What? We don't have to work tomorrow!" Joannie smiled brightly and Lilly felt her own lips curl into a grin; it was contagious when Joannie was in a good mood. "Here, let me crack some open." Joannie reached into the bag before expertly choosing the correct drawer which held the bottle opener. "Do you drink beer, Miley?"

"Sure." Miley replied and wandered back over to take the proffered beverage.

"So, how are you finding bunking in with Lilly?" Joannie asked, taking a sip of her drink, "Is she treating you right?"

Lilly scowled in Joannie's direction as her cheeks flared red, whereas Miley merely smiled serenely, "She's been great. I couldn't have asked for a sweeter host."

"Yeah." Joannie sighed, "Lilly's a sweetie alright. She's always there for me, rain or shine. If ever I get into a mess she comes out and picks me up. That's why she's number one on my speed-dial." Joannie rested her hand on Lilly's arm in a friendly manner, but Lilly recognised the glint in Joannie's eye; she was pushing to see how far Miley cared for her. Lilly knew this game, and she didn't like it.

"Well, it doesn't take a genius to work out that Lilly's a very dependable and kind person." Miley replied simply.

"Oh, she's a lot more than that." Joannie continued, "She'll always go beyond expectations to get her friends out of sticky situations. I remember this one time I was passed out and I didn't even know where I was. Lilly drove all over town searching for me. How long were you out for? I reckon it was about six hours?"

Lilly swallowed, her throat was very dry, "I don't think it was as long as that… You're exaggerating, Joannie." She dared a glance at Miley then, yet she couldn't interpret anything from the fleeting moment her eyes fell upon Miley. The other woman was quiet, her vision looking inwards as she reflected on her thoughts.

"I think it was." Joannie replied in a low voice and when Lilly met her eyes again she saw the admiration which Joannie held for her. She never forgot any good deed Lilly had completed for her throughout their rocky friendship and she was always quick to return the favour.

Lilly cleared her throat, leaning past Joannie to reach her beer, which she helped herself to. When she lowered the bottle, however, she found Miley watching her, with eyes that housed awe and it made Lilly uncomfortable. They were meant to be equals. Her stomach sunk; it would never work between them and she was kidding herself trying to win Miley's heart. She should have just walked away after she had put Miley in the ambulance.

The blare of Joannie's phone brought Lilly out of her internal contemplation, and her friend shifted awkwardly as she reached into her pocket to read the message. "That was Ollie… Apparently he's having an impromptu party tonight. Are you game?"

Lilly shook her head slowly, "I'm tired. I'm gonna stay in and relax." Her voice was still hoarse and Joannie only shrugged, quickly gulping down the rest of her drink.

"I'm going. I'll see you at the station though." She turned to flash Miley a bright smile. "See you around Miley. Perhaps next time I'm here we can get to know each other a little better?"

"Yeah, that would be nice." Miley replied softly and Lilly felt a wave of anger flare through her.

"I'll let you out." She said and escorted Joannie to the door, stepping into the hallway with her and closing the door carefully behind them. "What are you doing?" Lilly asked, her eyes flickering backwards and forwards over Joannie's features, trying to read the thoughts of the woman who seemed to enjoy pushing her into corners.

Joannie sighed, "Lilly, please don't be mad at me…"

Lilly ran her fingers through her hair, "Joannie, I'm exhausted. Can you please explain to me what went on in there? Why did you even came round if you were going somewhere else?" She kept her voice low, the sudden rage seeping out of her as easily as it had come.

"I'm trying to protect you, Lilly." Joannie said, "I love you, okay? You're my best friend, almost family, and I have to look after you, sort of like an older sister defending the younger, sensitive one, whose heart always ends up broken."

"She's not going to break my heart."

"Lilly, she will never have your heart. She's straight." Joannie reached out to rest her hands lightly on Lilly's arms.

"You think I don't know that?" Lilly mumbled, "I'm just enjoying spending time with her, that's all. Soon she'll walk out of my life and we might have a friendship out of it."

"But you'll always wish it was something more." Joannie reflected, "I haven't seen you bend over yourself backwards because of someone else in so long. I just needed to know whether it was for the right person."

"And you had to come and see for yourself that it's not her." Lilly nodded, "I know."

"Lilly…"

"No. It's okay." Lilly forced a smile and the attempt was uncomfortable, "Seriously, I'm fine. It'll only be a couple more days at the most and then I'll be on my own again – living my happy life, and not clogging it up with false dreams." She paused to meet Joannie's eyes once more, "Thank you for looking out for me."

"Just take care of yourself, okay?"

"Of course." Lilly watched Joannie as she retreated down the hallway, listening to her footsteps on the stairs until her ears could no longer trace the sound Joannie made as she moved through the building.

Lilly rolled her eyes, trying to shake off the destructive thoughts now ringing in her mind like irritating jingle bells. Joannie's visit that evening had been a wake-up call that Lilly didn't want to face, yet she knew that for the sake of her own feelings she had to. Letting herself back into the flat, her eyes unconsciously sought out Miley, and found her tidying away their used dishes into cupboards in the kitchen.

The door clicked shut behind Lilly and Miley glanced up to meet her eyes, "Hey."

"Hi." Lilly muttered and made her way to the couch in the lounge, where Miley joined her and handed her the beer she had left on the counter. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." Miley said, with a small smile that didn't meet her eyes.

"I'm sorry about Joannie." Lilly said suddenly, almost cursing her need to apologise, but the thought of upsetting the beautiful woman before her was almost too much. "She can be a bit intense sometimes."

"It's okay." Miley soothed, "What are you apologising for anyway? That someone cares for you? That's a great thing to know, Lilly."

"There's a difference between caring for someone and being weird." Lilly replied and her lips curled into a half smile.

Miley nearly smiled with her, but then her brow creased into a small frown, "Was my being here tonight a problem?"

"What?" Lilly asked softly.

"I mean, when I opened the door she looked confused as to why I was here… Did she want to only see you tonight?"

"I- no… I don't think you…"

"Can I ask you something?" Miley was fidgeting with her fingers and Lilly managed to close her mouth, to nod her head rigidly and watch as the other woman blushed. "Are you two, like… Are you dating?"

"Dating?" Now it was Lilly's cheeks that burned fuchsia.

"Yeah. She couldn't take her eyes off you and you're really close."

"Joannie's not…" Lilly took a gulp of air. "I am… Miley…" It was difficult when her brain wasn't transmitting the right words to her mouth. "How did you know I'm gay?"

"I found your book." Miley was chewing her lip, as she watched Lilly with apprehensive eyes, "I couldn't help it. I flipped it over and landed on a chapter where two girls were… Making out."

"Okay…" Lilly released a whoosh of air from her chest. "Well, Joannie's not gay. She's just my friend and she gets very protective of me."

"But, why is she being like that with me around?" Miley's lips pursed together in a pout and Lilly wanted to destroy the distance between them, to feel the sensation of Miley's lips against her own. She looked like she was a good kisser, that she really knew how to please someone with her mouth. Lilly blinked, it was time to erase these thoughts because they would only lead her to ruin.

"She's like that with any attractive woman I spend time with."

"Is she jealous?"

Lilly laughed, "I've never asked. Perhaps she is." Her eyes sparked brightly when they collided with Miley's once more. It was amusing because Sarah had landed on the same conclusion when Joannie had watched Lilly interact with the medic for the first time. "I'm sorry if she upset you." Lilly finished on a serious note.

Miley shook her head, "She didn't. It takes a lot more than that, Lilly."

"Well alright, I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was gay in person."

Then it was Miley's turn to laugh, "What difference would it make?" She was shaking her head, her eyes bright and warm again, "The sky's still blue, birds still sing and, Lord knows, the rain will still fall. You're Lilly – the same person I met when you saved my life a couple of days ago. And you become more wonderful in each minute I grow to know you further." Lilly had to break their gaze because she couldn't handle the intensity radiating from Miley. Then she was aware of the delicious feel of Miley's soft palm slipping into her hand. Miley was shuffling near her across the couch, and the smile she wore was almost dazzling as Lilly met her eyes once more. "Thank you so much for taking me in."

"I couldn't leave you out in the cold." Lilly sighed, her breathing becoming quicker as her heart gulped the oxygen from her blood in its erratic rhythm.

"Apparently not." Miley's voice was low whilst her eyes flickered over Lilly, "Soon you'll understand just how much it means to me." Her tone was definite as Miley inflicted a promise between them that Lilly had to believe.