A/N: Another day, another prompt. The prompt this time around was "18 getting jealous" and it couldn't include Krillin's ex Maron. It was a fun challenge and I think this came out quite well! I hope you all enjoy it. Lemme know what you think! ^_^
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MURPH
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The elevator doors slid open and Krillin and 18 stepped out into the bustling SCPD Christmas Party. Funky music was piping into the room, waiters milled around carrying trays of finger food and champagne, people were laughing and dancing. If 18 wasn't swimming with nerves, it would have looked like a fun time.
"You're gonna love Murph."
Ah yes. Murph. 18's eyes darted around the crowded room wondering which of these men was the famous Murph. 18 heard so much about this man, Krillin's partner, that she almost felt like he was the third person in their marriage. Krillin and Murph, Murph and Krillin. On one hand, 18 was glad that Krillin had someone at work who had his back, but on the other, she wasn't thrilled that she was essentially sharing her husband with a strange man. At least now she would be able to put a face to a name.
She followed Krillin through a sea of people, who were at varying stages of drunkenness, as he made a beeline toward his work friends. "Hey guys!" he said, as the group opened up their circle to make way for the newcomers.
"Howdy partner, I was wondering when you were going to show."
"Heh," Krillin laughed, "This look doesn't just happen you know, perfection takes time!"
"Yeah right. You probably threw that suit on thirty seconds before you left the house."
"It was forty five seconds, thank you very much."
18 watched the short interaction with interest. Krillin had been working for the Satan City Police Department for about eight months now, and while she had certainly heard lots of stories about all the crazy things her husband got up to with his coworkers, this would be the first time she had actually met any of them. She shuffled uncomfortably from one foot to the other, waiting to be introduced.
"Murph, this is my wife, 18," Krillin beamed proudly, placing his hand on the small of 18's back. "Babe, this is Murph."
"I am so excited to finally meet you," Murph said, stepping in closer towards 18, to better hear her over the crowd. "Krillin talks about you nonstop. Literally, like all day every day. I'm not even kidding. I feel like I've known you for years."
"Likewise," 18 replied, smiling politely as she helped herself to a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. She skulled down the entire thing in one quick gulp and grabbed another from the tray. She was going to need it. "He didn't mention how beautiful you were, though."
'Or that you were a woman.'
"Oh gee, thanks Krill." Murph elbowed her partner in the ribs and laughed boisterously. "Well I can't say the same about you. You are every bit as stunning as Krillin says."
18's eye twitched involuntarily at the sound of the undeniably gorgeous Officer Murphy addressing her husband with the playful nickname. A nickname that she herself often used! And what was with that borderline flirty touching?
"Thank you." 18 suddenly realized that both Krillin and Murph were staring at her, waiting for her to say something. "What's it like?" she asked as she sipped from her second champagne flute in as many minutes, "working so closely with my husband?" There was a certain tightness to her voice that didn't go unnoticed by Krillin, sparking his attention and putting him on high alert. It was the same tone of voice that wives used to say things like 'it's fine' and 'do whatever you want', which every husband knew meant an imminent code red.
"Oh he's great!" Murph gushed, totally oblivious to the storm that was brewing. "The dad jokes, not so much," she laughed. "But for a rookie, he's a great cop. And strong as hell too, I don't know where he hides in all in that cute lil' bod of his!"
Abort!
"18!" Krillin quickly jumped in, sandwiching himself between his agitated wife and his unsuspecting partner before 18 had a chance to launch herself at other woman. "Why don't we go out to the balcony and have a look at the view. We're at the top of the tallest building in the city you know? I bet we could see for miles from up here," he said before taking her hand and forcefully dragging 18 away.
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"What was that all about?" He asked as they found a quite spot at the far end of the balcony and sat down.
18 turned away from Krillin, pretending that she was taking in the stunning view of Satan City. "What are you talking about?" she asked. "Murph seems nice."
Resting his hand on her shoulder, Krillin gently coaxed 18 back around so he could see her face. "Babe," he began, "I know that tone of voice… What's wrong?"
"Why didn't you tell me your partner was a woman?"
"What?" Krillin's eyes crinkled as he tried to hide his amusement. "I'm sure I did," he rubbed the back of his head in that silly way he did when he was nervous or uncomfortable. "What difference does it make though?"
"She's very beautiful."
"Is she? I mean, I guess. But there is only one woman I have eyes for. You know that, right?" Krillin placed his hand on 18's thigh and gave it a playful squeeze. He'd been so excited to bring 18 here and show her the other side of his world. His job was a huge and important part of his life, but his family was even more important than that. He'd hoped that the merging of the two worlds would be going a smoother than this.
"Don't pretend like you haven't noticed," 18 scoffed, resting her chin in her palms. She looked back inside, through a tall window towards the woman in question, who had now picked up an animated conversation with another couple. She had wavy brown hair that cascaded half way down her back and bright, sparkly green eyes. She was tanned and tall and toned. 18 thought she could have easily been a model if she ever got tired of being a police officer. "Look at her, she's gorgeous."
"Babe," Krillin smiled to himself. He knew what was going on here, and he had to admit, it kind of made him feel like a hotshot. "Are you jealous of Murph?"
"No!" 18 snapped back to quickly, giving herself away. "No," she flicked her hair back over her shoulder, trying to act cool. "Why would I be jealous of you spending so much time alone with a beautiful woman?"
Uh-oh. There was that 'do whatever you want' tone of voice again. Krillin needed to diffuse this situation now, before this whole building mysteriously became a pile of rubble.
"18, this is silly." Krillin looked at his wife and smiled. She smiled back and he could have sworn he saw a little hint of pink tinge her cheeks. "I was so excited for you to meet Murph tonight. I honestly think you'll really like her once you get to know her, and I swear I thought you knew she was a woman!" He really was sure he'd mentioned that.
"Babe, trust me on this okay. Every second I spend sitting in that squad car with Murph, I'm thinking about getting home to you. She wasn't joking when she said I talk about you nonstop."
"Really?"
"Heh," Krillin blushed bright red. "Really. I actually think I might have a problem. I can't help myself. I just love you so much, babe!" He leaned forward and gave 18 a soft kiss.
18 laughed and shook her head as they parted. "You're an idiot."
"That's definitely true," Krillin agreed, then stood up and held out his hand, offering it to 18. "But I'm your idiot and you're stuck with me forever! I promise you, there is nothing to worry about when it comes to me and Murph. She is my friend, and my coworker, but you are the love of my life."
"I know. I'm sorry," 18 apologized, suddenly feeling very silly. Of course she knew how much Krillin loved her, and that he would never, ever do anything that he thought would hurt or upset her. "I was caught off guard. I don't know what came over me."
"Doesn't matter," Krillin smiled. Truth be told, it was kind of a turn on, seeing 18 acting all possessive over him. But that was a thought he would save until later. "We've only got the sitter at home until midnight, we shouldn't waste our precious date night out here. What do you say we head inside and start over, there still heaps of other guys I want you to meet."
"Alright," 18 agreed, feeling much better as she felt Krillin give her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Lead the way, officer."
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A/N: What did you think? Let me know, I'd love your feedback! If you'd like to come along on my writing adventures, or submit a prompt of your own, follow me on tumblr! You can find the address on my profile page!
Until the next prompt (which shouldn't be too far away!) keep the K18 love coming my way!
Big Love
Deadly Beauty
