Author's Note: Hello! Second story for the 5D's fandom! Personally, I'm shocked that there aren't more stories about the series; I think it's great. Also, I gave Trudge a non-Japanese name, so heads up for that. Please review!
Much love, Princess Kanako x

Title: A Splash of Colour

Author: Princess Kanako

Pairing(s): Trudge/OC

Date Edited: 26/12/14

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's or any of its affiliates; they belong to Kazuki Takahashi

Claimer: I do own Scarlett, a few plot ideas, and any OCs that pop up along the way.

Genre: Drama, Romance, Suspense, Humour.

Summary: Officer Trudge's life was grey, bleak and meaningless. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw it. Something bright. Something warm. Something he'd almost forgotten about. A splash of colour. (Previously known as To Trudge Towards The Light)

Scarlett picked up the files and charts and retreated into the office behind the reception area. Setting them on the desk, she was about to reach for her now-cold cup of tea when her phone buzzed quietly in her pocket. A quick glance revealed it was her brother.

"John!" Marguerite's voice was hushed as she walked toward the back of the small office.

"Scarlett!" Her brother's voice boomed in her ear as he answered her. "Got a minute to talk?"

"Sure, just a minute though, I'm at work. Are you okay?"

"Great! I've got news. You'll be getting a nephew soon!"

"Oh John, that's wonderful!" Scarlett felt herself near to tears and quickly turned her face away from the phone while she blinked away the moisture that had suddenly sprung to her eyes. "How's Toni? Is she taking it easy?" she asked after she was able to get her emotions under control.

"Of course, I'm keeping an eye on her. Is everything okay?" Her brother's voice was suddenly concerned. "That bastard's parents aren't giving you any more trouble about Fi and Gina? Is Anya still in Amsterdam?"

"No, I'm fine. The girls are good. They will be so excited to hear you're coming home." She sighed before answering his last question. "I haven't heard from Annie. I…hope that means no news is good news." One of the floor nurses appeared in the doorway, waving a hand to catch her attention.

"I've…I've got to run John." Scarlett nodded at the nurse who disappeared as she said good-bye to her brother.

Trudge stared at the papers lying on his desk. He had been aware of course, but had been doing his best to ignore it. Had it come in the first weeks since Scarlett had left Domino, he would have answered yes in a heartbeat. But now, with the months that had elapsed and no word from her, he found himself unsure about her feelings for him. Through conversations with her grandmother, Trudge had heard of the difficulties she had faced when she had gotten home. He had reached out to her on several occasions, but she had refused any offers of help or support from him. Though Mrs. Jones had assured him that Scarlett's feelings for him hadn't changed, he had come to suspect that the elderly woman was seeing something that wasn't really there. In the end, he assumed that perhaps his relationship with her had been nothing more than a friendship that had turned into a romantic affair that was doomed to end when the vacation was over.

Thirty minutes later, he was gathering up the papers and printed copies of the emails that he had sent to Mina and the Riker family, accepting their invitation to travel to Europe and attend the Police conference. His phone buzzed.

"Trudge!" Luna's excited voice sounded in his ear. "You're not going to believe this - Akiza got engaged!"

"Say WHAT?"

Trudge sat down in his office chair, curiosity evident in his voice. He hadn't even know Akiza was seeing someone. They talked a few minutes longer before Luna said good-bye, assuring him she would be in touch again as soon as she could with some more details. Just as Trudge was about to turn away from his computer he saw that he had a new email. No doubt it was the tox results from the strange case they'd been working on for the last week, he thought with a grimace. Deciding it could wait, Trudge picked up his phone from where it rested on his desk and papers in hand, quickly left the office.

"Okay, I sent it." Fiona quickly exited the email account screen and returned to their elementary school home page. Their Aunt Lottie appeared in the doorway, a laundry basket loaded with t-shirts and socks in her arms. Her eyes didn't miss Georgina moving quickly away from where she'd been looking over her sister's shoulder, or the slightly guilty look on her face.

"What are you two doing?" she asked mildly as she set the basket down on the coffee table. "Remember our discussion about using the computer?" Two heads nodded and Georgina sidled over to her, reaching into the basket to gather a handful of socks.

"We were looking at Science Fair projects. Our science teacher gave us the name of one that she said had good ones. She won't let anyone do a volcano and she didn't like my idea of a jet rocket pack made with pop bottles and baking soda either." Fiona looked at her aunt from her seat in the chair. "She put some other ideas on her school page. Can I look at them?" Scarlett looked from one twin to the other, wondering what was up. She suspected from the look on Georgina's face that they were up to something. Deciding to wait before quizzing them further, she gestured toward the basket of clothes.

"Not right now Fiona. Turn that off and come help your sister gather up all your t-shirts and get them folded. Why don't you tell me about school today?" Scarlett smiled as she reached for her tea cup.

(The next morning in Domino)

Trudge picked up his coffee and went to his study. It was barely 5:30 a.m., and he'd been awake since 4:00. The thought of going in to the Lab and possibly ruffling feathers of the night shift team held little appeal, so instead he had laid there, staring at the ceiling, mulling over the case that he was due to testify for later that day.

While Scarlett was enjoying a hot shower, Trudge stretched out on the bed, a case file in his hands. Fifteen minutes later, he couldn't recall more than five words from the article he had just read. Instead, his mind seemed set on listening to the shower running, while images of Scarlett rinsing the soap from her long tresses teased him. When he felt he could stand it no longer, Trudge set his book aside, intending to knock on the bathroom door and offer his help. Before he could put his plan in motion, the shower became silent. The sounds of the dark-furred Lab snoring softy in the hallway mingled with the muffled movements of Scarlett finishing up. Trudge was sitting on the bed, when she walked into his bedroom several minutes later, her skin and hair fragrant with coconut and lime from her shower and shampoo. He remained quiet, enjoying the sight of her wearing nothing but a thick towel, ending mid-thigh and tucked in the hollow between her breasts. Her dewy skin glowed in the low light of the single reading lamp beside the bed and Trudge found himself holding his breath as he imagined what might happen were he to slip his fingers into the knot of her towel and slowly undo it.

"Did you enjoy your shower?" Judging by the startled expression on her face, Scarlett hadn't expected to see him until after she had changed.

Scarlett yawned and opened the wooden screen door that led into the attached garage. Rosie bolted out, her nails digging into her feet bared in her flip-flop style slippers. Grimacing, she followed Violet into the chilly morning air and clicked open the metal screen door leading to the backyard. The metal rattled loudly as Rosie hurtled past it, intent on chasing the early morning sparrows visiting the backyard feeders. The kettle was boiling when she got back inside, signalling that her tea was ready to be poured into her waiting mug. Standing at the sink, she watched the two dogs out the window, but her mind was miles away in Domino.

"Can I help you with anything?" Trudge's husky voice startled her and Scarlett almost dropped the bottle of coconut scented lotion she pulled from her bag.

"Chris! I didn't see you there. I'm sorry. I'll just get these things from my bag and change in the bathroom." She gathered up the t-shirt and her unmentionables, turning quickly when she heard him move to the side of the bed.

"No worries," he answered easily. "I don't mind." For a long moment they regarded each other. Scarlett felt her face grow warm as she felt his gaze travel over her from head to toe, almost as tangible as a caress. "Would you like me to lotion your back?" he finally asked softly, the timbre of his voice sending shivers zinging along her skin. The clothes slipped through her fingers, slithering into a silken pile at her feet. With a small nod of his head, he beckoned her to join him on the bed.

Mutely she offered the bottle of scented lotion, obeying his instruction to sit down in front of him. At the first touch of his warm hands on her skin, Scarlett closed her eyes. His touch was warm and gentle, caressing her shoulders and arms as the heady scent of coconut surrounded them. Trudge's breath was warm on her neck when he leaned closer, moving the heavy curtain of hair aside from where it had escaped the clip on top of her head.

Or did he let it loose? she wondered fuzzily. As his hands travelled over her shoulders to stroke some of the creamy lotion across the smooth skin bared by the towel, Scarlett was sure he must feel her trembling beneath his sure touch. When one of his fingers slipped between the shadowy hollow and loosened the knot of her towel, she put her hand up to cover his.

The familiar log in screen appeared on Trudge's i-pad, and he set his coffee down before entering his password. As the screens changed and loaded, he picked up his cup, taking another disinterested sip. The house was quiet, almost too quiet, he thought. He had gotten used to the sound of water being lapped noisily from a bowl and the comforting click-clack of nails on the floor as Violet trotted by or the skittering sound made by Rosie. Maybe Luna was right, he thought, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the list of emails. A dog would be company, if he could find the right one. Surprised that he was even contemplating such an idea had him shaking his head as if to rid it of the thought, but then he stopped in surprise as his eyes fell across a familiar looking name in his Inbox - Scarlett Jones. Surprised that she would choose his work email as a way of contacting him, Trudge found himself hesitating before tapping the screen. He frowned when he saw that there was no subject. As soon as he began to read, he understood why.

Dear Mr. Trudge,
How are you? Is it hot in Domino? Have you been catching a lot of bad guys?
We wouldn't bother you unless it was REALLY important. We're worried about Auntie. She's always moping around and sighing and when Fiona woke up really late one night, she heard her crying. We were hoping you could help us. It's really obvious that she misses you, and we think you miss her too. It's really sad to see her like this. Can you help us?
Sincerely,
Fiona and Georgina

P.S. I think Auntie will let you stay at our house when you come over. We will clean our room and you can sleep in there and we can sleep in the living room in our tent. Rosie is staying with us, but we will make sure she has lots of toys to chew up so she doesn't ruin any more of your stuff.

Trudge read the email several more times, a smile creasing his face. Scarlett's nieces seemed to share some of her directness when going after something. Setting his coffee cup on the desk, he sat down and began to compose a carefully worded reply, wondering if the girls had figured out a way to receive his reply without involving their aunt.

"May I?" Trudge asked huskily, his fingers stroking Scarlett's soft skin. She leaned against him, her damp hair rubbing against his bare chest as she nodded.

"Tell me if you want me to stop," he said quietly. Again her hair rubbed against his chest as she shook her head no. He felt her hand leave his to travel up his arm and slip around his neck. As she tilted her head to one side to allow his wandering lips to nibble her earlobe, he became aware of her other hand stroking his cotton-knit covered thigh.
He carefully undid the towel, pushing the damp cloth away from her skin. He didn't miss the shudder that ran through her at the touch of his hands against her soft curves.

"You're shivering," he murmured. "We need to get you out of this damp towel."

"What are you suggesting, sir?" Scarlett asked, turning into his arms. Trudge felt her hands slide up his chest, her slim fingers tangling in the silky mat of hair.

To be continued...