Title: Experimenting with A Different Format.

Rating: M (Language & Situations)

A/N: Dick Wolf owns LOCI characters, all others are mine. NO LINKS BETWEEN THIS CHAPTER & REALITY ARE INTENDED.


Two months later…

Assembled in Flo's living room, she, Tynie, Liza, Kiki, and Annalise share smiles. "I'm glad everything's tamed out, ladies. We needed a break from almost always wondering when shit would go south, and I have it on damn good authority, the same is true for Elsie's household. Jessie called my baby's line, before I came out here, saying most of their family respected why Elsie was afraid to trust them. They understood, James and Audry played mind games, to the point Elsie was terrified of doubting what those two said. Now, Elsie feels, she can go to her relatives, before calling us out. I made sure Jessie understood we'd still take those calls; especially if anyone in her family gets sick, has bank or car issues. You may not like it, but Tyler heard it, and told me it was the best way to respect Elsie's wishes. He let the rest of our family know, so if you're texted on it, or you get asked to speak privately about it, you now know what's driven that." Damian announces. "In a way, you and Tyler were both right. We've heard his end, but yours surrounds not letting Jessie leave what inspired it, on a voicemail. You know what family history backs my going there, too. Now, I can see someone in our family putting me, Lori, Taia, Jack, Burt, Markus, and Jeremiah on last string for the new call out system." Tynie deems. "How'd she know my next move?" Annalise ponders. "Hell if I know, sis. Sadly, given that group's medical histories, it's justified." Flo replies. Standing at her left, Ted reneges "Annalise, I don't want you guys worried about handling any business, that isn't direly urgent. Sorry that rhymed, but it's why I'm taking over your idea, and delaying your first round of drinks." "May Flo forgive me for hijacking control of her kitchen. It's just, I'd much rather do that long enough to get our drinks, than leave you at risk of an ER visit you can avoid." Damian appeals. "He'll need help, so we can check the status of our drink stashes, and update the restock list." Kiki discovers. "Split it with me, sis?" Tynie goads. "Sure." Kiki dubs. "Ted, it sounds like cleanup just got made our turf." Liza guesses. "I'm your backup, guys." Annalise intends. Accepting it with a short nod, Ted and Liza witness Damian's idea start coming true, before Ted's is fulfilled. Barely three minutes later, Bill sends word he owes Damian a favor, for how far he's taken being a part of the meeting with Flo. "Ted, I just realized. I haven't told you guys how I'd prefer any favors our relatives claim they owe me to get cleared, yet. If you would, let them know, it's as easy as them either giving me a Sapporo, or understanding I'm taking one from their stash, behind their backs." Damian decrees. "I'm on it." Ted elicits.

Proving himself, Ted's distracted as Kiki, Tynie, and Damian, serve most of the drinks. Sleekly putting the last one on a nearby end table, Tynie sees Ted store his phone, from the corner of her eye. Taking her seat, she lifts her glass, and soon notices it's created a chain reaction. "Guys, here's to us having fun, on a first run of a new meeting system." Tynie toasts. Smiling through nods, everyone by her sips their drinks with her, as quietness envelops the room. Allowing that to remain, until after cleanup's over, Kiki prays "I hope our conversations don't embarrass my baby too much." "Don't worry about that, sweetheart. Today's meant for fun, even though a storm forecast changed our plans, so just relax and enjoy it as best you can. Alright?" Ted discourages. "Yeah." Kiki cites. Gently kissing her, Ted stands back, affording his wife a chance to recline in her seat. Moments after it's taken, Tynie glances his way, and gets a wondering smile. "I'm just curious about why you won't take a seat, to join us. You'd tell me to do that if the tables were flipped, so why make it unequal?" Tynie proposes. Realizing she's made a damn good point, he sits by his wife, whom sees her cousin's gaze move forward. "Alright Flo. Since we're in your house, how do you want the meeting to go on?" Damian interjects. "Well, we could discuss how we've felt about the way our loves have been. I mean, across the board, with no concerns over our vernacular." Flo hinders. "Care to demonstrate, so we have a baseline, sis?" Liza challenges. "I'm willing to, but I'm afraid it'll embarrass Ted and Kiki." Flo stalls. "Sis, there's a work around. We all heard Ted tell Kiki not to worry about embarrassing him, so she'd feel free to have a good time. We've used how each other's advice has come out as examples before, too. Now, in the interest of full equality, we can do it with Ted's." Annalise conjures. "Hell, for all we know; this is a universal meeting format." Tynie sustains. "I can see it being that way, too." Damian concurs. "OK, guys. Bill's been the absolute best man I've ever known, and loved, from day one. He's gorgeous, as in, in my view: he's God in human flesh. Every time I look in his eyes, I get lost in them, and his voice.. Ohhh damn. It's so deep, authoritative, and sexy, I can't help but get turned on. My desire's definitely emphasized by how he provides for and protects me, how he romances me, his muscles, and the size of his cock. I swear, it's nine inches long by four inches wide. He makes damn sure it rocks my world to it's cores, every time we make love, too." Flo expounds. "I've always wondered why it takes you a bit to snap into reality, after discussing stuff with Bill, during family meetings, sis. Now I know, I can tell you, it's almost identical to my relationship with Tyler. The main differences are: our sexual persuasion, the fact his python's nine and a half inches long, and I had to adapt to it when we started out. He was my first, in several years, because I never found a decent man who'd date a gun dealer. Now, Tyler's my only, and I couldn't be happier. He tells me every day, our happiness is mutual." Damian simplifies. "We're glad for that, brother." Kiki regards. "Sweetie, are you still happy with Ted?" Liza prods. "Absolutely! I just wanted to use one voice for many, in that answer." Kiki verifies. Sorry, I misunderstood." Liza laments. "It's fine, sis. Now, I'd like to know if you're still happy with my grandpa." Kiki stipulates. "I'm ecstatic, actually. He's been my life's center since we started, but we believe, we're eternally indebted to Tynie for making it possible." Liza amends. "Sis, no one I played matchmaker for, owes me shit for it. I was glad to do it, and I'm even happier to learn, you guys are still proud of the results. Our family's endured an imperial fuckton of examples why, since I started doing that, too. Here's the thing, I'd rather not be quoted to anyone else I played matchmaker for, until you're face to face in private. You can blame my restriction, on us never knowing when our phones will update, too." Tynie balks. "Hell, that's reasonable." Annalise renders. "Definitely." Ted assents.

Presuming that's her cue, Liza begins explaining specifics, which are on par with the ones Flo and Damian gave. In the midst of it, Liza fawns "How his tattoos accent his muscles…ohh damn." "I feel the same way about Bill's, sis." Flo concurs. "So do I, with Tyler's." Damian adheres. "We figured that, guys." Annalise deems. Simply nodding, Kiki, Tynie and Ted silently prove her right, Liza taking it a chance to finish her statement. Acting on that, she becomes one of many people, who hear Kiki keep the trend of how spouses are discussed. Grinning widely in the process, she's kissed on the cheek, moments before she's done. Deftly aligning his lips to her left ear, Ted whispers "I'm honored, to know you weren't ashamed to brag about me that way, baby. Yeah, I know you didn't expect it to happen in front of Flo, but still." "Guys, I just found out. My baby's not sure it's a good idea for him to follow our lead, because he's in charge of event security. So, I'm going to ask him to wait until he's not in that post, to talk like we've been." Kiki deceives. "Smart move, sis. Aside from the phone and storm related questions, there's one on us facing criminal activity. I wish there wasn't, but I can set up Ted's chance to talk like we are, when I get home." Tynie indemnifies. "Ohh, that's right. Frank, Russ, La'Tario, and Bobby stayed home, so our houses wouldn't be easy targets." Damian recalls. "That's also why Mack, Davin, my baby, DaJuan, and JT are doing our restocks right now." Annalise notions. "Guys, I'll text Burt on it later. If anyone asks, my decision's meant to keep us from having issues with the fire marshal." Ted discourages. "Fair enough." Tynie concedes.

Deeming it the segue to her turn, Annalise describes how she feels about Dean and his tattoos. After participating in a similar question and answer session to the others, Tynie gets her chance to continue today's chat trends, and takes it. Ironically enough, right after she's done, Ted's texted by Burt. Examining the message, Ted learns Burt has a meeting set for his house, tomorrow at two. "Barring emergencies, I'll be there." Ted replies. Using family norms to end that conversation, he looks around himself, while updating all the people he's near. "Does Burt want me to bartend for it, brother?" Tynie offers. "Taia and Felicia have it covered, and have DaJuan ready to act as head of security." Ted negates. "Ok. Sorry, I wasn't sure." Tynie regrets. "It's alright, sis. Now, I'd like to find out how Flo wants this meeting to move. Damian was right, to advise we leave it in her hands, since she is the lady of this house." Ted states. "Tynie, that leaves me curious. Do you mind bartending for us, with my help?" Kiki ponders. "I'd feel better if we had Liza's backup, sis. You didn't know yet, but it's so we avoid an ER trip." Tynie obstructs. "If Annalise, Ted, and Damian don't mind making our next meal, I'll do it." Liza quantifies. "Flo, now, I'm wondering. Is there anything you don't want us cooking?" Annalise asks. "My veal, because last I saw, it was frozen solid." Flo explains. "Guys, and by that I mean Ted and Annalise, I just got an idea. If it's alright with Flo, we could go from cleanup on drinks, straight into figuring out what to make for the next meal." Damian purports.

Before Flo can answer that, her text alert goes off, due to a message from La'Tario. Examining it, she reports "Alicia just changed our plan, guys. Now, instead of anyone having to cook, a few of us will have to answer my door for a Dio Rio's delivery, in an hour. She felt it was fairest, because of how today's agenda was formatted. Dean agreed, but he insists on returning the favor, in Burt's meeting." "I'm not comfortable with that, sis. Burt's hosting more people than you, so it'd be safer if Dean and I split his idea, 50/50." Tynie rebuts. A matter of minutes pass, before Flo alters "Bobby's taken lead on your concern, sis. He felt it was best since you had to file for a new ATM/Debit card yesterday." "Will you let him know I'm not disputing that?" Tynie coaxes. "Sure." Flo cites. Upholding her word, she treats this conversation's end like any other family texted one. Just after they hear Flo's phone click into place, the trio slated to get this round of drinks, gets up to do it. Distributing them, Tynie, Kiki, and Liza reclaim their seats, in another chain reaction. "Who knew we could have this much fun during a meeting?" Kiki implores. "I have a feeling we recently prayed to the answer to that, sis. Damian's format was genius, too!" Tynie retorts. "I can't take full credit, sis. Tyler advised the original split, and Burt modified it so we don't risk issues with the fire marshal. Given the facts, we just got a new one because the old one got removed from office, and we don't know how petty the new guy is, it was the right move." Damian refutes. "We owe them." Kiki murmurs. "Honey, I'll settle it. You'll learn how I did it, when the time's right." Ted soothes.

As another dose of irony would have it, Ted's text alert sounds, a matter of seconds later. Fielding why, he finds out Tyler and Burt don't want what they did considered debt worthy, because they believe it defames this format's meaning. Accepting it; Ted finishes the chat like he did the last one. "In their defense: we don't need bank issues over, using our urgent loan system too much. As I understand the restock end of our agenda, that's part of it, so this is best." Flo advises. "You just explained why I didn't argue their decision, sis." Ted contends. A few minutes later, DaJuan lets himself and JT into the house, causing Ted to rush their way. "We're just here to do the delivery end of this restock, brother." JT sates. "I know, but I promised Dad I'd help you guys, the minute you got here." Ted replies. Practically leaping from her seat, Tynie rushes to the door. "Bill didn't know, I'd consider that reminder grounds to take an unarmed guard post. It's fine, but if you guys need more help bringing stuff in, I'll have to call in an unowed favor from Damian." Tynie self-exonerates. "Sis, I'd rather join them and ask Ted to explain it to Bill, later." Damian prefers. "They've got a new deal, guys." Ted assures.

Scurrying to enforce his end of it, Damian eventually turns his back on Tynie, as she locks the house. Reassembled in Flo's living room, DaJuan, JT and Ted are soon diverted, by the meal delivery arriving. Hustling to deal with it, they don't see Tynie, Kiki and Annalise get up to gather drinks, yet Liza and Flo do. Serving everyone, that group trails those ladies in enjoying it all, by minutes. As it comes time to clean up, Liza and Flo resolve it, with DaJuan's help. "DaJuan, we shouldn't have taken food from these guys." JT mopes. "I'm glad you two ate with us, actually. We can't predict what traffic will be like later, so it definitely beats you having to wait God knows how long to have a meal." Flo contests. "As a bonus, you spared me the risks of damaging her fridge, by trying to fit the leftovers in it." Kiki adds. "Trust me, guys. Flo's traffic concern, makes risking Kiki's fridge replacement one coming true, one of the last things we need today." Annalise compels. "She's right, guys." Liza teases. Quietly discovering that's true, DaJuan and JT leave the topic as it stands, allowing a new silence to envelop the area. Basking in it, Flo's houseful of people share smiles, right before all their phones go off. Scoring his, Damian he finds a system standard text alert. "I hate to do this, guys. It's just, Channel 22 WeatherWatch says we're less than three hours away from having a serious thunder storm. It's supposed to come with winds in excess of twenty miles an hour, so we'd be safest ending this meeting, and heading home." Damian regrets. "Thanks for the heads up." Liza ingratiates. "Anytime." Damian retorts.

Leaving their seats, most of the people in Flo's house begin living out family tactics for honoring Damian's advice. Trailing them, Kiki locks up, while her husband keeps an eye on her and Flo. Over an hour goes by; before Bill enters the house, secures it, and provides an update. "Dad, I'm glad Taia delayed our next meeting. We all know storms bring out the worst drivers, so Felicia was right to recommend we wait until our family sends word they're all home safe, to go about our night." Ted digresses. "Dad, had I known you were on your way home, I'd have stayed by the door to let you in. I'm sorry." Kiki apologizes. "It's alright, sweetie." Bill soothes. Embracing him, albeit carefully because he's armed, Flo kisses her husband. Dispelling it, she fawns "I love you, hottie." "I love you too, sugar." Bill swears. Closing the gap between them, Kiki reuses those moves on Ted, whom responds similarly to his father. Humming an elated breath, Kiki hears her father in law's text alert sound, yet doesn't see him field why. "Guys, I just got word. We won't be able to resume our plan until Wednesday, because a non-urgent travel ban's slated to be issued, at eleven tonight. Suffice it to say, Damian was right to set our restocks the way he did." Bill re-terms. "Tyler had a hand in it, babe. Damian told us, it was based on us not knowing when the weather will change, or how severely. Tynie swore we found out, was justified, because we can't predict when our phones will update, too." Flo recollects. "Was that all you guys discussed, baby?" Bill challenges. "No. We agreed not to recap the other specifics around each other, unless it's linked to a medical emergency. Annalise basically suggested it, so none of us would get too embarrassed by our conversation topics." Kiki intrudes. "Sounds reasonable to me." Bill reckons. "Dad, we may have to intervene on JT and DaJuan. They actually regretted eating with us, when there was plenty Dio Rio's to go around. Mom, Annalise, and my baby had to convince them it was Ok, and I'm worried, another member of our family will have to repeat that." Ted forestalls. "I'll get it settled, when the weather calms down, son." Bill reassures. Just after he says that, Kiki's text alert goes off, her rushing to uncover the cause. "Dad, Tynie beat you to it. She felt it was fairest, since you let us move our meeting here on such short notice. Bobby's about to put her phone on the charger, so she can relax, now she's home safe. He'll get updates on the rest of our family, after that, though. If you want, I'll have them sent to me, claiming your phone needs to charge, too." Kiki educates. "That'd be great, sis." Bill condones.

Abruptly nodding, Kiki proves her most recent word, and gets more news. Due to the impending travel ban, Tia changed the plan, so everyone shares good night wishes with news they're home safe. Sending understanding, and her house's good night message in her reply, Kiki holsters her phone. "We heard, baby. I'm not sure you meant for it, but Tia was right to consolidate those messages, because of the news from Dad." Ted rationalizes. "That's true." Flo mutters. Kissing her, Bill distracts his wife, as his son and daughter in law take the same opportunity.

Cautiously stepping back, all four of them briefly hug, and head to their areas. Secluding in them, Flo dotes over her husband, until his firearms are secured. Loosely wrapping his arms around her from behind, Bill pines "You didn't have to do that, baby." "Lover, it was the least I could do. After all, you made it so I could intimately brag about you, without worrying about it going public." Flo rebuffs. "Was it fun, babe?" Bill dares. "Hell yeah." Flo attests. "Good. I'm glad, but you may get mad at me for speaking that way, about you." Bill debates. "I'm not, but I'd love to share the recaps." Flo disclaims. Leaning into him as well, she inspires him to invite "Go ahead and give yours, babe." Slowly breathing, she grants his request, using much deeper specifics than earlier. Intently listening, Bill closes his eyes, as her remarks awaken his carnal side. Feeling that evidence develop against her hips, Flo purrs "Damn baby." Gently necking her, he goads "Keep going, sugar." Complying, she eventually compels "Tell me what you want me to do now, sexy." "Angel, promise me, you'll speak this way more often. It's been really damn hot to hear, and I guarantee it'll inspire me to redefine, rocking your world. Then, explain your desires, so I can give my all to satisfying them. We'll revisit my recap and desires, later." Bill gruffly explains. "Sure thing, gorgeous. I'd like you to free me, face me, kiss me, get me naked, and strip for me." Flo lustily replies.

Delicately releasing her, Bill walks around her, and bestows a hot kiss. Breaking it off, they exchange a defiant smile, right before he continues gratifying her intimate cravings. Enchanted by how it blends, Flo periodically mewls, and waits until her spouse stands tall to hungrily kiss him. Grabbing his ass as well, she feels his hardness worsen against her pelvis, as he makes the pose mutual. Ending the most recent affection, Flo rolls her hips a few times, making Bill grunt. "Did I hurt you, hottie?" Flo worries. "No, sweetheart. I loved it, and want you to do it, again." He defies. Stealthily kissing his collarbone, she upgrades granting his latest wish, to grinding herself on his erection. "Damn, baby. Yeah, keep it up." Bill groans.

Encouraged by how he sounds, Flo obeys, until she whimpers "I'm so close, and we haven't even fucked yet." "Just let go, beautiful. I'll make you cum a lot more, before our night's over." Bill coaxes. Rushing to kiss his chest, she leaves a hickey, as her body submits to his dare. Growling at it, he soon feels her lips retreat, then leans in for another passionate kiss. Ending it, like they did the last one, Flo's liberated of the most recent embrace. "Thank you, baby." She sultrily honors. "I should be thanking you, beautiful. You just gave me, a fantasy I've thought about, all day." Bill rebuts "I was happy to, love. Now, what would you say, to my having you assert being my sexy badass while we make love?" Flo proposes, with yearning in her eyes. "It'll be my pleasure, baby." Bill affirms. Kissing a bit more slowly this time, he leads her to their bed, witnessing her overtake it's center. Splayed out, Flo bats her eyes at him, causing him to hover her. Cupping her right hip, he feels her arms loosely drape his neck, while he enters her. Dedicating himself to gratifying her intimate desire from that point, Bill hears his wife moan, mewl and wail. Growling, groaning, and grunting, Bill's inspired to keep his wild tt pace, by her hands roaming his back and periodically clinging to it. Eventually succumbing to a much fiercer orgasm, Flo throws her head back, and yells a mix of her love and his name. Trailing her in those respects, yet only by moments, Bill's guided to lay out against his wife. Recuperating that way, they share a soft spoken love vow, and a gentle kiss. After it ends, Flo brags "Sexy, that was… oooh Lord." "You were just as exquisite, babe." Bill praises. Grinning like a pair of idiots, these two bask in their afterglow, remaining oblivious to the rest of the world. Some time later, Flo inquires "Gorgeous, are there any more fantasies you want to get tonight?" "Yeah. I want you to lay out on me, spread eagle, with your hands on my chest. Then, I'll tell you how I explained our passions earlier, to see if it excites you like you did me. If the answer's yes, I want you to stop at nothing to make me cum so hard, I howl the entire time." Bill depicts. "Ooh. As you wish, lover." Flo slurs. Carefully maneuvering into his desired pose, she flips her bangs out of her eyes, and locks them with Bill's. Using it as a cue, he regales her as promised. Towards the end of that, his resurrected arousal, gives Flo a strong cue to begin gratifying his orgasm related desire. Devoting all her strength and focus to it, Flo's intimate sounds are a bit louder this time, which is also true for her husband. Stealthily groping her bosom, Bill feels his wife's hands trail down to his hips. Grasping them, Flo uses this leverage, to bring out a mutually intensive climax, which makes them both howl. Breathing heavily, they slowly meet eyes, smile, and aim to recover.

As soon as they succeed, Bill assists his wife, in essentially becoming his human blanket. "Baby, you were.. Holy fuck." He gleams. "Babe, you were divine, too." She elates. Delicately kissing him, she vows her love and devotion, seconds ahead of him. Sleekly reaching up to tuck her sweaty bangs away from her eyes, Bill asks "If you could have our night continue any way you wanted… what would it be?" "It's easy, gorgeous. I'd start off, by hoping you'll forgive me for not being able to grant your lingerie-related fantasies until after the travel ban's lifted. Then, I'd ask if our latest orgasm hurt you, and how to fix it. After that, I'd ask to share in massages, and have you lead from then on." Flo answers. "Beautiful, you don't need to be forgiven for issues that are out of your hands. How wild our lovemaking got didn't hurt me, it helped relieve how pent up I've been today, and left me in awe of your power. There's an immeasurable difference, but I'd prefer we share the massages and the decision on how our night extends from them." Bill objects. "You've been penting up today?" Flo worries. "I was about to ask, if we could fuck, when Tynie called to change your meeting venue. She couldn't have known, but she was absolutely right to do that, because of the nature of your discussions." Bill confesses. "Baby, promise me something. Promise me, if it ever works out that way again, you'll have me get you off. I don't want any slutty bitches getting glimpses of your hot, enormous, cock. Lord knows what it would inspire them to do, let alone how many STD's they have, and which ones. I'd much rather not have you risk getting those answers, when I can just as easily enjoy satisfying you." Flo requests. "You've got it, baby." Bill assents.

Greeting her with still another kiss, he guides Flo to lay by him, then rolls her onto her stomach. Repositioning himself to make good on his promise for a massage, Bill eventually hears his wife moan in relaxation. Cautiously lying out at her left, he watches her move, to return the favors she was given. Enjoying them, Bill watches his wife take her rightful place at his side. As it happens, both their phones go off simultaneously, Bill rushing to find out what drove it. Skimming over a new system standard news alert, he declares "Stay as you are, baby. Everyone in our family's fine, the storm just lead authorities to reset our non-urgent travel ban, so it starts in an hour." "Damian and Tyler are fucking saints. I believe, you remember why I say so, too." Flo recoils. "I do, and I agree." Bill absolves. Realigning his phone to it's charger, he lays back, and feels his wife nestle up. "Thank you for giving me that seriously hot display, baby." Flo gratifies. "Anytime I can, I will, sugar." Bill ascertains. Smiling to each other, these two relax in this pose for a while, before Flo leaves the bed. Curious, her husband trails her, then gets a briefly passionate kiss. "Nothing's wrong, baby. I just realized, it wouldn't be feasible for us to sleep on top of our blankets, but I'm not sure if we'll need all of them." Flo states. "We can just use the sheet, and pull up more if it becomes necessary, baby." Bill recommends. "Sounds good." Flo accedes.

Kissing yet again, they make this one a bit longer, then live out Bill's latest advice. Deftly assuming her prior snuggled up pose, Flo hums another elated breath, vows her love, and receives the latter part in return. Awaiting slumber like that, neither Flo nor Bill knows, they've just finished out an across-the-family trend. Secretly realizing they'll find out what the family needs, when it's needed, these two forfeit to sleeping, before long. While they snore through the latest raging storm, Bill and Flo have a different discovery, run through their minds.

Aside from the storms, and changed meeting venue: today's experiment with a different format, brought out some great results.