A/N I've been thinking. Dangerous, I know. Lilly and Scotty have sorten taken on a life of their own, and have already decided to write major (as in MAJOR) events for later chapters. So this is going to be a trilogy, with this as the second part, and 'Better This Way' as the first. And yes, the final part is already underway. But on to current events...

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, per se. Just the circumstances they find themselves in. And I may have exaggerated their stubborn streaks. And their ability to forgive. And a couple of other things.


The rest of Friday passed in a blissful blur for everyone except Lilly and Scotty. Friday meant they couldn't hide under the pretence of working. Friday meant that at some point, they would have to go home.

His mind was working at around 150 miles an hour. In the break room, Scotty had pushed all the furniture back against the wall, leaving a space in the middle of the room. He paced around the room, glaring at the floor.

"Shit!" he exclaimed in frustration, kicking out at the furniture.

A chair went skidding across the floor, colliding with the far wall.

"Work ended three hours ago," a voice said from the doorway. Scotty turned quickly. Stillman raised his eyebrows at the lopsided chair. The young detective looked away.

"Didn't know you were still here."

"So I take it. That bad?"

Scotty righted the chair, sighing heavily as he sat down.

"Am I ever gonna get this right, boss?" Stillman chuckled.

"Think you're doing a pretty good job so far."

"Are you crazy?"

Stillman shrugged, sitting down beside his detective.

"You always knew it wasn't going to be an easy ride."

"Why do I bother?" Scotty snapped.

"You bother because you need her. And just as much, she bothers because she needs you."

"Lilly don't need anybody." His boss sighed.

"Yeah? Tell me, Valens, when was the last time Lilly let off steam in front of me? Or Jeffries?" Scotty thought for a moment.

"She hasn't. Ever."

"Exactly. Now when was the last time she let off steam in front of you?"

The younger man looked away, beginning to see his boss' point. Stillman continued, determined to make Scotty see.

"When was the last time you lost your temper with a suspect?"

"I…haven't. Not since I've…"

"Not since you've been with Lilly. Do you see my point? You know Lil, Scotty. If she wanted out, she would have gone by now."

"Yes, boss."

Stillman chuckled.

"Now stop feeling sorry for yourself. I'm fed up of having my Homicide department turned into the set of The Jerry Springer Show." Scotty felt an embarrassed smile tug at his lips.

"Has she gone already?" Stillman rolled his eyes.

"What do you think?"

The detective nodded.

"She's still here. I'll, uh…"

"You'll put the furniture back. Then you'll go and wait for her at home. The home, I would like to point out, neither of you have barely set foot in for the past week."

"Go an' wait for her. At home."

Stillman shook his head.

"And Scotty?"

"Yeah, boss?"

"This is your last chance. Keep your domestics out of the office, or I'll be forced to separate you."

"Yes, boss."

"Good. Now go home."


Scotty sighed, his fingers massaging the cat's fur. Olivia purred contentedly, rubbing her neck against his stomach. Tripod gazed at Scotty, seemingly seeing straight into the detective's heart.

"I've really screwed up this time, right, cat?" Tripod gave a soft miaow.

Lilly froze as she walked into the house. Scotty looked up from his place on the sofa. They stared at each other. Why am I surprised to see him? It's his house too, Lilly thought. As Scotty stood up, the two cats leapt off his lap, racing off into the bedroom.

Lilly looked at him in surprise. Was he…stroking my cats?

"Hey," Scotty said nervously.

"Hi," she replied guardedly. The male detective watched as his partner shut the door. Lilly turned to face him, folding her arms over her chest. She raised a questioning eyebrow, determined to keep her mouth shut and to not let her heart control her mind.

"I'm sorry, Lilly," Scotty began quietly, "for what I said. What I did." His partner blinked, removing her coat and shoes. Feeling the silence being sent in his direction, Scotty sat down on the sofa with a weary sigh, holding his head in his hands. Hearing him curse under his breath, Lilly glanced over her shoulder. Her face softened at the resigned slump of her partner's shoulders.

Moving slowly, Lilly sat down beside him, curling her legs up beneath her.

"I miss you," Scotty said in a low voice. Lilly felt a single tear slide down her cheek at his simple words. Reaching out, she gently brushed a finger over the three scratches on her partner's cheek. Scotty flinched, but wasn't sure whether it was from the sudden pain, or the surprise of her fingers touching his skin.

The male detective looked up. Lilly met his eyes, her fingertips lingering over his cheek.

"You should put some ice on that," she whispered. Scotty looked away.

"I'm sorry," he replied hoarsely. She was thrown back to that time in the precinct lobby, when they'd fought over Christina, when it seemed that their partnership was doomed. That time when they'd ripped each other to shreds. Lilly placed her palm against his face, turning his head towards her.

Seeing the regret and self-hatred in her partner's eyes, Lilly realised that being angry with Scotty was just as pointless as being mad at herself. Stifling a sigh at the sheer stupidity of their stubborness, she brought his lips down to hers, stroking his cheek.

Breathing a sigh of relief against her mouth, Scotty wound his arms around Lilly's waist, pulling her towards him. All the pent up need and love bubbling over, he kissed her hungrily, knowing that it would never be enough. Breaking away, Lilly rested her forehead against his.

"I hate this," she whispered.

"I'll make it up to you. Make up the week that we lost," he replied softly. His partner nodded.

"I'm sorry." Scotty cracked a small smile.

"What are you apologizin' for? I'm the jackass." She nodded again, smiling slightly as she fiddled with the buttons on his shirt. Noticing the doubt brewing in her eyes, and hating himself for putting it there, Scotty raised her chin to look his partner in the eyes.

"Look, Lil, you gotta know that I didn't mean anythin' of what I said. I was just...I lied about all o' that shit, about us bein' a mistake. I can't think of anywhere else I wanna be...except here with you."

With a certain triumph brewing in the pit of his stomach, he watched as Lilly smiled in relief, the fear receding from her face. She kissed him again, her nose bumping against his. Guess I ain't the only one who missed this, Scotty thought.

Her fingertips nudged across the three scratches on his face, and Scotty couldn't help the slight wince that graced his features. Lilly fell back, and feeling her cheeks turn pink, she quickly looked away. Did I do that? I really didn't mean to hurt him. I just wanted…I just wanted him to stop talking. Scotty leant forward again, frowning as his partner tensed.

"Stop," she whispered.

As he brushed a hand over her arm, Lilly glanced up at her boyfriend's face, and flinched. Blinking in realisation, Scotty breathed an audible sigh of relief. He placed his hands on her shoulders, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Lilly, look at me."

The blonde detective did, her eyes clouding with guilt at the bruise on Scotty's cheek.

"I hurt you," she said in a small voice. Her partner shook his head, pulling her into a hug.

"Nah, Lil. Anyway, I sorta had it comin'. But you know I didn't mean it right? Lil? You know that, don't you?"

The worry in his voice made Lilly giggle against his chest, and she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Scotty, I'm tired," she said softly. He kissed the top of her head, and took her hand in his, leading her towards the bedroom.

"Me too."

As they entered the bedroom, Scotty tugged on Lilly's hand, forcing her to stop. She looked back, her blue eyes shining happily.

"So we're…OK?" he asked seriously. The smile he got in return was enough to make up for the missing week. He was so wrapped up in her smile, he almost missed her reply.

"We're together, aren't we?" Scotty grinned.

"That we are." Lilly's smile faded, and she stepped back into his warmth.

"I don't do relationships real well, Scotty, but...I know a good one when I find it," she said slowly, frowning, "and I know that...not being with you...just kinda...sucks." The male detective chuckled, planting a soft kiss to her forehead.

"I love you too."


Neither of them could describe the feeling that came from falling asleep in the others arms. It was as if they'd never been separated, slipping so easily back into their routine.

The luminous digits on the bedside clock read 1:17. Scotty was woken by Lilly's moans. She thrashed around in the bed, tangling the sheets around her legs. Tears poured from under her eyelids, even though they were clamped shut.

"No! George, no! Please, don't hurt him! Not Scotty!"

The male detective sat up, looking down at his partner in concern. This ain't good. She ain't had a nightmare for weeks. She writhed around, sweat beading on her brow.

"Scotty…" she whimpered, colour draining from her face. Lilly's voice began to rise.

"No, George, no! Please don't! Not him!"

Scotty placed his hands on Lilly's waist, trying to calm her frantic movements.

"Lilly!" he said gently. She sat up suddenly, her eyes snapping open. The clear blue orbs took a moment to focus. When she finally fixed on his face, everything came flooding back, and Lilly gave a small sob, collapsing into his arms.

As her slim body shook, Scotty stroked the back of Lilly's head soothingly, feeling her fingers clutching at his vest.

"I'm here, baby. I've got you," he whispered. Tears dropped from her cheeks onto his chest.

"We weren't talking, and he killed you, and I never got a chance to say goodbye," she sobbed.

"It's OK."

Pulling Lilly into his arms, Scotty lay down, his arms looped around his partner's body. Lilly sighed shakily, tears running silently down her cheeks. Wiping her eyes, she shuddered, burying her face in his shoulder. Scotty held her tightly, waiting as her body went still, and her ragged breathing evened out.

Lilly finally gave a last shudder, and fell into a fitful sleep. Scotty kissed her forehead, cradling her body against his. When he finally spoke, his voice was hoarse from emotion, tears pricking at the back of his eyelids.

"It'll take more than that to take me away from you, Lil."


Later that night, Scotty awoke to an empty bed. Feeling fear rise in his stomach, the detective quickly stood up. He ran a hand through his hair, and headed out of the bedroom.

The house was still in darkness. Scotty moved further into the living room, breathing a sigh of relief as he saw the white-blonde head resting against the sofa arm. Scotty sat down beside her. Lilly turned her face towards him, and he felt his breath catch in his throat. She looks like…she looks like she did when…after…with George.

"Hey," she whispered in a broken voice. It was their password.

"You need me, just say…hey, an' I'll be there."

Scotty nodded. Hearin' you loud an' clear, Lil.

"You want me to stay wit' you?" he asked gently. Lilly nodded, already starting to feel better now that he was with her. She slid forward, allowing him to lie down behind her. Scotty pulled Lilly into him, their hands clasped together in front of her stomach. They lay on the sofa in silence for a while, just savouring each other's warmth.

Eventually, Lilly squeezed Scotty's hand.

"Love you," she breathed. Her partner kissed her cheek.

"Love you too."


Well, at least they're talking to each other. Parker and I are spending the week up in NYC, so maybe no updates? I'll be expecting lots of reviews, though! Maybe you should, uh, just click that little button? That's it...yeah, that one...Good reviewer!