A/N Hey everybody! Enjoy this chapter- it's sort of just tying up loose ends! But it does give a little bit of Lilly-angst (very very slight, so don't worry!).

Disclaimer: If I owned Cold Case, Scotty and Lilly would already be married with two kids.

Lilly replaced the folder on the box, smiling slightly. Scotty took the photo of Katy off the board, handing it to his partner. Her smile widening, Lilly took it from him, sliding it into the box. She put the lid on.

Almost reverently, Scotty uncapped the thick black pen, writing 'CLOSED' on the white box lid.

Lilly sat on the sofa in the break room, her feet resting in his lap. They had enough evidence against James Walker to put him away, and the case had finally been closed

"We need to talk. No, I need to talk," Lilly said suddenly, her voice quiet. Scotty looked at her.

"OK."

Seeing the dread and concern on his face, Lilly smiled. She leant forward to kiss him lightly.

"Relax. No more running," she murmured, "I promise." Scotty nodded.

"Start talking, Rush." Lilly frowned slightly.

"You can't interrupt, OK? I have to get this out." He sat up straighter.

"Got it."

Lilly took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry for hurting you," she said softly, so quiet that Scotty had to strain to hear her, "I don't really know why I did that," she continued with a small, confused frown. Hearing the pain in Lilly's voice, Scotty pulled her onto his lap, linking their fingers together. This talk ain't for me- it's for her.

His partner began to speak again.

"Chris called. She said…" Lilly swallowed the lump that had risen in her throat at the painful memory, and continued, "she said that all my boyfriends leave me because I drive them away, and they never love me anyway. That you wouldn't stick around. So I was all set to let go. Then I realised that part of me didn't want to. Scotty, if I lost you, I'd end up like my mother. Alone."

Scotty hugged her tightly, silently trying to make her understand that he would never leave her. Lilly persisted with her recollection.

"I don't want to be alone." Scotty kissed her cheek.

"I know, Lil." She took a deep breath.

"Scotty, I don't need a hero. I don't knight in shining armour. I need…security."

Scotty guessed that now was not the right time to interrupt again. Instead he stared at the floor. Lilly continued.

"I want someone to make me laugh. Someone to bring me chicken soup when I'm sick and look disgusting."

At that, Scotty scowled.

"You never look disgusting," he muttered. Her cheeks warmed at the compliment, and fighting a smile, she frowned.

"Scotty, no-one can look good when they're sick." Scotty brushed a finger over her cheek.

"You do." Her blush deepened, and she quickly brushed her lips against his.

Scotty smiled.

"My turn. I talk, you listen." Her face falling, Lilly climbed off his lap. She cleared her throat, frowning slightly. Lilly began to pace up and down the room, nibbling on her fingernails. Scotty watched her carefully. Standing, he reached for her hand, forcing her to stand still.

"Lil, stop it," he said gently. His partner sighed, and took a step closer.

"I'm sorry."

"Lilly, look at me." Lilly met his eyes, searching his face. He's breaking up with me, isn't he? That's what he's doing. Breaking up with me. And I'm just going to be left on my…Scotty tapped her on the forehead.

"Ow! Scotty!"

"Stop thinkin' about all the stuff I might be about to say." Lilly's mouth set into a stubborn line. Scotty grinned.

"Lil, what we do, there's a line. The line between partners, friends, and something else." Lilly stuck out her bottom lip.

"You can't have a line between three things," she mumbled. Scotty covered her mouth with his hand.

"I want to cross that line with you, Lilly. I wanna go sailin' over that line." Lilly's face brightened, and she gently pulled his hand away from her mouth.

"I love you," she stated, no trace of hesitance or uncertainty present in her voice. Scotty grinned.

"I love you, too."

The male detective glanced at his watch.

"Lil, I gotta go pick my stuff up from the drycleaners." Nodding, she followed him into the bullpen.

"OK. Will I see you later?" Scotty grinned, turning around to face her.

"Maybe."

Lilly narrowed her eyes.

"Valens…" she warned. He sighed in mock misery.

"I guess. I'll just have to bring some wine, a film, make it bearable." Lilly raised her eyebrows.

"So it's a date?" she teased. Scotty rolled his eyes

"I don't know, Lil. Is it?"

Her face was innocent.

"I just wanted to talk about some old case files," she lied angelically. Scotty laughed, nudging her with his hip.

"Nice, Rush." She pushed him away.

"Go. Don't be too late."

"Later, Lil!" Scotty said with a sexy smile.

"Bye, Scotty," she replied, watching him leave. Chuckling softly to herself, she turned back to her desk.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed her sleeve. The detective turned, her eyes widening in surprise as Scotty hurriedly pressed his lips to hers. Lilly stiffened, before relaxing and bringing her hand up to the side of Scotty's face.

He suddenly remembered where they were, and pulled away, hands lingering on Lilly's hips.

"I, uh, better go," he whispered. Lilly blushed.

"You should." Scotty kissed her quickly, before jogging out of the department.

Lilly turned to her desk, a silly smile spreading from her lips. Before she could be set upon by Miller, Vera sauntered in, a hotdog in his hand. Noticing the shocked faces of his colleagues, he stopped.

"What did I miss?" he asked in confusion.

Stillman appeared at her shoulder. Lilly blushed.

"Not much, Nick," Stillman said, an amused smirk on his face, "Not much." Miller looked at Lilly incredulously.

"Only Lilly accepting a Personal Display of Affection from Valens in front of other people!" Vera groaned.

"An' I missed it? Damn!"

I really would like to get to 100 reviews, but I can't do it on my own! Sniff...