A/N I know, I know, I know. The line to shoot me starts right here. If it makes you hate me a little less, I did have some kinda important Real Life business to attend to. And maybe one day I'll tell you what it was, but not right now, because I know you're all totally DESPERATE to read this chapter. I once again apologize for the late update. Oh yeah, I have a day off today, so I'm going to try and get Chapter 26 finished, so then you definitely won't have to wait so long. I really hope you enjoy this chapter! It's very...fluffy.

Disclaimer: You know the drill. If you haven't heard of them while watching TV, they belong to me. If you've seen them before, then obviously they belong to very very rich people.

"I got a letter from my dad."

The piece of cake was suddenly stuck in his throat, and Scotty coughed viciously, looking at his partner incredulously. Lilly folded her arms, leaning casually against the doorframe.

"You got a letter from your dad?" he echoed in surprise. She nodded, moving to sit beside him.

"He wants me to have coffee with him."

"Are you gonna go?"

"No."

Scotty draped an arm around her shoulders. He kissed her temple, hugging his girlfriend into his side.

"OK," he replied. Lilly turned her head to stare at him curiously.

"That's it?"

"Yeah."

A slight frown creased her forehead.

"You're not going to give me twenty reasons why I should meet with him?" she asked in surprise. Her partner shrugged.

"Learnt a long time ago that you don't do anythin' you wanna do, Lil," he chuckled. Lilly draped a leg across his, sliding herself into his lap and pressing a kiss to his lips. Raising a hand to the back of her head, Scotty gently forced her lips apart, his fingers tugging on her ponytail. He almost missed the groan the escaped from the depths of her throat, and chuckled as his partner pushed her chest against his. Scotty broke away.

"Now now, detective. We have plannin' to do."

The blonde detective narrowed her eyes.

"Why is it that whenever I start something, you turn the cold shower on full blast?" she muttered. Scotty grinned, his dark eyes flashing appealingly.

"Because 50% of me is growin' inside you?"

Lilly's face softened, and she kissed him softly.

"Dr Klein said that we couldn't hurt the baby, Scotty."

"I know," Scotty replied, moving her off his lap and onto the sofa beside him. She settled in beside him, looking out at the darkening sky.

"I never answered your question," Lilly said quietly. Her partner looked down at her in confusion.

"Uh...what question?"

"Whether I want a boy or a girl."

Scotty chuckled.

"Right. That question. So?"

"I'm not sure," Lilly answered. Her partner groaned.

"Lil!"

Smirking, the blonde detective stood up, walking off to find a sweater.

"Sorry," she called over her shoulder, "But it's a hard question. And I'm not entirely sure if I have the answer to it."

"Alright, Lil," Scotty replied, just as several sharp knocks resounded from the entrance.

"Can you get that?" Lilly called from the bedroom. Scotty jogged across to open the door. He hesitated, hearing a voice yelling on their doorstep.

"Lillian Rush, you sure as hell got some explaining to do!"

Scotty swung the door open. Lindsey Dunlay stared at him in surprise. He sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.

"I guess you better come in," he said, standing aside to let her through the door.

"I heard Lil got a new man," she stated, "but this? This I did not expect."

Hearing the voices in the living room, Lilly stopped short as she returned from the bedroom. Lindsey turned her head to glare at the detective accusingly.

"If I didn't think Detective Can't-Keep-It-In-His-Pants over here would arrest me, I would kick your ass," she said bluntly.

"Hey!" Scotty exclaimed. Lilly blushed slightly, taking cover behind her boyfriend's defensive stance.

"I meant to call, but..." The social worker rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, I know. You were busy."

Scotty cleared his throat.

"Is there...somethin' we can do for you?"

"Oh, I'm not here on a professional call, Valens," she said in amusement, "I was sorting out, and just came to drop some of Lil's things off."

The blonde detective warily eyed the bag held in her friend's hand.

"What's in the bag?" she asked cautiously.

"An' why do you have it?" Scotty interjected. Catching the smirk on Lindsey's face, Lilly turned to her partner.

"Give us a while," she whispered, her cheek brushing against his. Scotty leant back to frown down at her.

"Lil..."

"Please, Scotty. Lindsey's my friend."

He nodded, taking a step back.

"It was nice to meet you again," he said politely, tearing his eyes from his girlfriend's face to smile briefly at the visitor. Lindsey nodded in surprise.

"Sure."

Hearing the bedroom door close, Lilly turned back to face her friend, eyes narrowing menacingly.

"What's in the bag, Lindsey?"

"Photos, yearbook, prom dress that you never got a chance to wear, because you and Ray were..."

"You kept all that?" Lilly interrupted, feeling heat rise in her cheeks. Lindsey sat down on the sofa, grinning.

"I did. Thought you might want it back when you finally settled down," she said, "although I did think you'd at least call to let me know."

"I was..."

"Busy. Yeah, I know how it goes, Lil."

The blonde shook her head.

"I really am sorry. How much...how much have you heard?"

"I know that you and Valens are approaching the four month mark..."

Lilly breathed a sigh of relief.

"There's..."

"...and I know that you're pregnant."

"Ah."

The social worker gave her friend a sideways glance, smiling craftily.

"So is he good?"

Lilly blushed, and cleared her throat.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she replied in a choked voice. Lindsey chuckled.

"Sure you do. Is he good?"

"Stop it," Lilly said, fighting off a smile.

"Is he GOOD?"

The detective sighed.

"Yes," she admitted. Lindsey squealed in delight, grabbing Lilly's arm.

"I knew it!"

Lilly rolled her eyes, grinning despite her annoyed pretence.

"We're not eighteen anymore, Linds."

"Lighten up, Lil," Lindsey teased. Her friend carefully reached into the bag, gently pulling out the dress. Lilly was taken aback at the wave of emotion that washed over her. As they sat staring at it, Lindsey rested a gentle hand on Lilly's shoulder.

"Try it on," she said softly. Lilly looked at her incredulously.

"What? I can't try it on!"

"Why not?"

"Because it won't fit!"

Lindsey arched a pointed eyebrow.

"Lilly, you haven't changed that much in the last sixteen years. Try the damn dress on!"

The detective sighed in defeat, pulling herself to her feet.

"It won't fit," she protested. Lindsey rolled her eyes.

"Quit your whining and strip."

Maria Valens had always told her children that when someone asked for privacy, you were supposed to leave them alone. Scotty, however, was having real difficulty staying out of the living room. Every now and then, his eyes would flicker to the clock and back again, wondering how long he was supposed to wait. Scotty ran a hand through his hair.

"Dammit," he muttered, tentatively creeping to the door. Easing it open, he took a soft step into the hallway, and cleared his throat noisily.

"Lil? Lil, I'm comin' out now, OK?" he called, not wanting to surprise them. It was Lindsey's voice that replied.

"Come on in, Valens."

Scotty walked into the living room, and stopped short. Lilly turned, a sheepish smile hanging around her lips.

"Hi," she said softly. His eyes widened, roving shamelessly over her figure. Scotty felt his mouth run dry, and swallowed hard. The dress his partner was wearing was gorgeous. Well, Lil's gorgeous wearing that dress. The material fell to just above his partner's knees, a flowing skirt in a vibrant red. Seeing the male detective's inability to form a sentence, Lindsey stood up, smirking.

"Well, I think that's my cue. We need a girl's night, Lil."

Blushing under her partner's heated gaze, Lilly nodded.

"Yeah. Maybe Miller's interested."

"Congratulations, by the way. To both of you," Lindsey added. Scotty nodded dumbly.

"Thanks..."

Smiling as she watched Lindsey disappear down the front path, Lilly turned back to her partner, her cheeks flaming.

"Well, that was..."

"Hot," Scotty blurted. Lilly giggled softly.

"What?"

"You. You look hot, Lil," he repeated, grinning as he took her in his arms.

"Thanks."

He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, and groaned when she raised a hand to tangle in his hair, drawing his lips closer. The red satin was soft under his fingers. His tongue darting out to stroke hers, Scotty slid a hand down Lilly's side, down across the fitted bodice to the curve of her hip. The other found the thin straps across her shoulders, and lowered each one to the side of her arms. He felt Lilly sigh, and she melted into him. She deepened the kiss, her hold tight on his t-shirt. Running his other hand from her hip to her back, Scotty let his fingers linger on the zipper. He dragged it slowly down her spine, smirking at the way she shivered under his touch.

With the dress dangerously close to falling to the ground, they finally broke away from each other, breathing heavily.

"Wow," Lilly breathed, looking up at him through starry eyes. Scotty chuckled, laying another soft kiss to her forehead.

"It's late. Let's call it a night?"

The blonde detective shook her head.

"I have to get some more cat litter from the pet shop."

Scotty rolled his eyes.

"Can't it wait? It's late! I'm sure your cats won't mind," he moaned. Lilly laughed, pecking him quickly on the cheek.

"Go sleep, Valens. I'll be back before you know it."

Breathing a sigh of relief as he let his jeans and t-shirt rest on the chair, Scotty collapsed onto the mattress. He pulled the sheets up to his chest, breathing in the familiar scent of whatever shampoo she used that lingered on the pillows. At least they'd solved the case. Yeah. At least that asshole is goin' to jail for the rest of his life. An' Adam an' Cady can start healin'.

It seemed he'd only been lying there for seconds when a slim figure slid into bed next to him, now fully clothed in joggers and an old t-shirt.

"I remembered that they're closed on Monday's," Lilly said quietly. Scotty grinned, propping himself up on one elbow.

"It's Friday."

Lilly widened her eyes innocently.

"It is?" Her partner's grin grew.

"You just can't get enough of me, can you, Rush?" She smirked.

"Deal with it, Valens." Scotty chuckled, brushing his lips over hers.

"You know, you're wearin' way too many clothes," he said, his voice muffled by her lips. Lilly smiled seductively, her hair splayed out on the pillow.

"So take them off," she murmured. Grinning, Scotty leant over to kiss her deeply, reaching under the covers to slide a hand under her t-shirt to caress the smooth skin of her back. Lilly rolled into him, draping a leg over his and pressing herself against him. This was what she really liked, she realised, the times when they could just be a normal couple. Her partner felt heat flooding to one particular body part, and managed to tear his lips away from hers.

Blinking in surprise, Lilly caught the hesitation on Scotty's face. She narrowed her eyes menacingly.

"Valens..." she warned. Scotty gently removed her leg from his.

"I'm sorry, but it's just...weird. I can't...not when our baby is..."

"It can't even recognize voices yet!" Lilly exploded angrily, lifting herself off the bed, "I don't think it'll care if things get a bit hot in there!"

He sat up.

"Look, it's not as if I don't want to, but..."

"But what, Valens? I still have needs, you know. Just because I'm pregnant, doesn't mean that my entire body thinks sex is wrong!" she yelled.

"Will you just calm down a minute? Listen to me, Lil..."

Lilly glared at him.

"You know what? It's fine. Just don't bother coming to me when your wrist starts to hurt!"

Scotty stifled a defensive growl. This must be one o' those mood swings. If it ain't, then I'm screwed.

"If you could quit yellin' at me for one minute, then..."

"I DON'T WANT TO QUIT YELLING!"

"THEN MAYBE YOU SHOULD GO YELL AT SOMEONE ELSE?"

Lilly stormed out of the bedroom.

"Fine!" she snapped. Scotty rolled his eyes.

"Fine!" he shouted.

"Good!"

"Great!"

The male detective winced as the front door slammed shut. He collapsed back on the bed, closing his eyes. A few minutes later, his eyes shot open at the sound of the front door opening, and closing again. He stared at the ceiling.

In silence, Lilly changed into her pyjamas. Sighing heavily, she slid into bed beside him. Turning her face towards Scotty, Lilly narrowed her eyes. Her partner smirked infuriatingly, and scowling, Lilly pressed her cold feet against his. His breath caught in his throat, and refusing to give his partner a response, Scotty simply sniffed, rolling onto his side. Lilly glared at his back, and copied his action, turning away from him. There was silence for a moment, each inwardly cursing the other. Both detectives rolled into the centre of the bed at the same time. Lilly glared at him again.

"I hate you," she grumbled. Scotty nodded.

"I hate you too."

Sighing impatiently, Lilly rolled back onto her side, her back now touching his chest.

"You owe me breakfast," she muttered darkly. Rolling his eyes, Scotty wrapped an arm around her slim waist, pulling her back into his body. Lilly smiled, and was glad that he couldn't see her face.

"Yeah, I know you're smilin', Rush."

Lilly nudged him with her elbow, though it wasn't as hard as it could have been.

"Am not." Chuckling, Scotty kissed his partner's neck, inhaling the subtle scent of her shampoo.

"OK, Lil." They settled into a comfortable silence, neither of them really knowing why they'd 'fought' in the first place. After a while, Lilly turned her head to the side, pillowing her cheek against his arm.

"Hey, Scotty?"

"Yeah Lil?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

When his eyelids began to flutter open, Scotty realised he was lying flat on his front. He rolled onto his side, rubbing his eyes. Blinking, his gaze settled on his partner. Lilly was sitting cross-legged beside him, a jar of something in her hand. Seeing her boyfriend was awake, she grinned, licking the spoon.

"Morning!" she said brightly. Scotty sniffed.

"Are you eatin'...peanut butter?" he asked sleepily. Lilly giggled.

"Uh huh."

"On it's own?"

The blonde detective rolled her eyes.

"No." She reached behind her, grabbing another jar. "I've got jelly," she finished triumphantly. Scotty laughed.

"There's proper food in the kitchen, Lil."

She leant over to kiss him quickly.

"I was waiting for you to make me breakfast, remember?" she said cheekily. Rolling back onto his front, Scotty buried his face in the pillow, groaning in mock dismay. Laughing, Lilly kissed his neck, resting her chin on his shoulder. She swung a leg over so that she was straddling his back.

"Do I have to?" Scotty whined. Lilly placed the two jars on the bedside table, pinching his arm.

"I am carrying your child," she pointed out. He laughed.

"How long is that goin' to be your excuse?"

"Until I'm not carrying your child."

With a sigh, Scotty stood up, managing to keep Lilly seated on his back. Laughing, she wrapped her legs around his waist, digging her chin into his shoulder. Scotty carried her piggyback-style into the kitchen, his hands under her thighs. Good thing she ain't heavy, he thought.

"So what does Madam desire this mornin'?" he joked. The blonde detective nudged him with her bare heels.

"Toast, pancakes, hot chocolate, juice and waffles."

"Jesus, Lil! Even Vera don't eat that much!"

"Eating for two," she replied. Scotty rolled his eyes, and carrying his partner across to the sofa, dumped her unceremoniously on the cushions.

"Scotty!" she shrieked. "OK, for that you have to put marshmallows in the hot chocolate."

"Lil!" She couldn't help but laugh at the annoyed look on his face.

"You can have some too, Valens," she teased. Lilly laughed harder at his disgruntled reply. Heading back into the kitchen, Scotty failed to stop a smile appearing on his face at the sound of Lilly's laughter echoing through from the living room. Knowing she wouldn't want to be alone for long, the male detective waited, and sure enough, soon felt slim arms slide around his waist.

"I didn't get my morning kiss," Lilly said accusingly. He turned around, eyebrows raised.

"Only because you harassed me about makin' breakfast."

"Harassed you?" she repeated in amusement, "Hardly."

He lowered his lips to hers, resting a hand on her hip. Breaking away, Lilly smiled up at him.

"I'm going in the shower." Scotty grinned.

"Want some help?"

She rolled her eyes, heading back towards the bedroom.

"Don't you have breakfast to make?"

"I can multi-task!" he called.

"No, you can't!"

With a defeated sigh, Scotty turned back to the counter, muttering under his breath.

"Now who's turnin' on the cold shower?"

See? Total fluff. And it's only Saturday morning in FloatingAmoebaColdCase Land, and I have big plans for Saturday night. Including some...dancing. I completely forgot about Lindsey Dunlay, so if her reappearance seems kinda random? It is. Thanks to everyone that keeps reviewing! I will be issuing thank you cards ASAP! Maybe you could leave me another review. Please? Thanks! :D