Hello! I am back with yet another fic! I decided to give y'all some fluff this time as a treat. I wanted to finish this before yesterday's ep but I got tripped up on one of the sections. So this just kind of ignores canon a lil and takes a path of its own. Enjoy!
JT
Gil tries to contain himself for about the hundredth time that night. He should have known she wouldn't listen to him. It's in the Whitly's nature to go against everything he says. The second he knew that Jessica had an invitation to a charity discussion with their latest suspect he should have pulled the plug. It was absolutely absurd to send her in there with nothing more than a wire taped to her to catch anything duplicitous that might be said.
He should have known.
When they heard glass breaking and the connection drop his team rushed in. It was on Dani's insistence that he stay behind. It was driving him absolutely crazy not to know what the hell was going on in there.
So he paced.
Finally, after what seemed like ages the door opened. She steps out, looking all the same if not slightly more disheveled than when she walked in. He notices she walks with a slight limp, he makes a mental note to wave down a paramedic the second he gets the chance. But it disappears once her eyes meet his.
It feels like the air is sucked out of his lungs as she walks to him, a half smile on her face that masks the fear and exhaustion lying beneath. He wants to ask her what happened in there. He wants to know what the hell went wrong. But all he can think about is that he could have lost her.
That sound could have easily been Wilkes knocking her unconscious, dead before Dani and JT can even reach her. Another missed opportunity. Their window slammed shut for good this time.
He doesn't think.
She opens her mouth to speak but he just presses his lips to hers, pouring all of his fears and hopes into those few seconds that he loses himself. He'll be damned if he loses her before kissing her one more time.
But he isn't losing her. She's alive and he can feel her heart thundering against his chest as her hands hover between them, unsure of what to do. Then he remembers everything that happened. Her fears and boundaries that he definitely just crossed way too quickly.
He pulls away just as she starts to respond and her face almost makes him laugh, her eyes are blown wide, jaw clenched but then she smiles. That warm, effusive smile that digs deep into his chest every time he sees it.
"Don't scare me like that again." For a second he wants her to tease him, that it wasn't her fault that things went south.
"Yes Lieutenant." She answers with teasing smirk. Back on her game just as quickly as he threw her off. And god help him.
The sound of a throat clearing makes him remember just where they were. JT stands just a few steps behind her, hands in his pockets. Jessica blushes, her jaw dropping open as she stammers for words once again.
"Mother!" Malcolm's call saves her from whatever she was going to say, her motherly instincts taking over as she rushes to him, despite her hurt ankle. He shakes his head with a small smile as he watches her go.
"So," JT strolls up, rocking back and forth. "You two?"
"Not a word."
"I didn't say anything!" He casts a look to the two Whitlys, Jessica fussing over her son like she wasn't the one in a hostage situation just minutes ago. "Just didn't know you two were a thing."
"We haven't been for a long time."
"Well in that case, don't let her slip away."
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Dani
"Do not." Jessica's voice dips with the warning, her threatening tone lacing through the words.
"Don't what?" Gil smiles, mirth sparkling in his eyes. She's seen that look hundreds of times in Malcolm, she's more than familiar with what follows.
"Whatever you were thinking, do not."
"I wasn't thinking anything." He puts his hands up in mock surrender and she almost falls for it.
Almost comes a little too late when the jet of water hits her straight in the chest soaking her blouse. "Are you serious?" She tries to be angry but when he tilts his head back laughing it sends blush rushing up her neck and to her cheeks. "I am going to kill you. I didn't bring any spare clothes."
"At least I know my murder will be solved if Malcolm's on the case."
"Hilarious." She drawls, trying to suppress the shiver that rolls up her spine.
"Fine, take it off."
"What?" She stammers for a second. Just as quickly, she recovers, a smirk forming on her face. "I thought we'd at least wait until after dinner." She watches his eyes go wide when he realizes what he'd said, his head turning as he chuckles nervously. She bites the inside of her cheek as she undoes the buttons, tilting her head in a tease.
He is right behind her though, shucking off the turtleneck he's wearing and tossing it to her instead. "There. Now you have something dry." She presses her tongue to the inside of her teeth rolling her eyes at him but puts it on nonetheless.
"How do I look?" She does a little spin for effect, feeling the heat in her cheeks rise once again as he looks her up and down.
"You look beautiful." He's about to walk towards her when there's a knock on the door. They'd been expecting their food to arrive any minute, she'd just hoped he would've taken a little longer. Gil steps back leaning against the counter. "This isn't over."
"Promise?" She flips her hair over her shoulder before going to answer. She swipes her purse from the table along the way. She doesn't even look up when she answers the door. "Hi, ok so that's $29 and-"
"Gil, I thought you were cutting down on the takeout since we order so much at the precinct-"
The two of them stop at the same time realizing that they weren't talking to who they thought they were. Jessica looks up from her purse meeting Dani's confused gaze. Why was she here and why did she have their food?
"Ms. Whitly." Dani seems just as shocked as she was. Eyes falling to the very recognizable turtleneck she was wearing. "What are you doing here?"
Jessica has to bite the sarcastic remark before it slips off her tongue.
It is not helped when she hears Gil slide up behind her. "What's taking so long?" It only takes a sideways glance to know that he is definitely still shirtless. He goes rigid when he spies Dani and from the look on her face she's almost certain the poor girl is ready to bolt. "I'll go get a shirt." She mentally curses Gil as he dips into the safety of the bedroom and away from the awkward questions.
"How long have you two been…" Jessica frowns when she realizes that her tone doesn't sound nearly as interrogating as she expected. Rather a little guilty, she partially wonders if she ever found out that Jessica had overheard their conversation all those months ago.
"It's new." As in literally under a week, she thinks to herself. She'd hoped that they could keep this under wraps as much as possible. "We didn't want to tell anyone until we were certain."
"Not even Malcolm?"
"No." She sighs. As much as she loves her children, they're equally nosy and while they want the best for her, she knows Malcolm is still looking to get revenge on her for when she meddled with his first date with Eve. "I just," She casts a look to where Gil had disappeared to, the fear and sadness momentarily taking over. "I don't want to mess this up again." Not for herself. Not for her children who cherish him like a father. Especially not Gil who she's slammed the window shut so many times. Every single time he just gave her that same understanding smile. Even if it hurt.
"Well," Jessica snaps her gaze back to Dani, remembering that she wasn't just lamenting to herself. "He looks happy."
Gil chooses that time to come back while she's still locked in her own thoughts. It's all she can do to excuse herself to the kitchen and leave them to talk. She finds the bottle of bourbon they'd planned on opening later trying to quell her shaking hand as she pours two glasses. All of her ease has disappeared, replaced with the knot of tension pulling her further into herself.
She's just about to go check when she feels to arms wrap around her from behind. "What's wrong?" He asks dropping a kiss to her cloth covered shoulder. Of course he could tell something was wrong just from her standing there. He's always known her better than anyone. "Talk to me."
She spins in his arms, her hands coming to rest on his chest. She bites the inside of her cheek. "Are you happy?"
He drops his head, shaking it with the same soft smile that makes her heart skip. "Of course I am." One hand moves from her back brushing the hair that had fallen across her face. "I'm happier than I've felt in a long time. I'm with you."
"Even if-"
"Yes." He stops her before she can ramble off any scenarios. He's not letting her push him away, not this time. His thumb strokes her jaw and her eyes fall to his lips. "Even then."
Finally he kisses her, and it tastes like a promise.
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Edrisa
"Are you certain there'll be nobody here?" Jessica grasps Gil's arm as they step into the restaurant. By all means, it was perfect. Out of the city, away from prying eyes of photographers looking to get a shot of her, far from the legacy of her name. Just a nice, fancy restaurant for a first date.
That thought send a whole new wave of anxiety through her.
Gil had asked her to dinner, officially, to celebrate his closing of a case and her sealing the deal on a new realtor's space. Finally they have some time to themselves again, maybe for the first time in weeks they can see each other for more than fifteen minutes for a quick meal before she's called off to a meeting or Malcolm calls him for an update on the case.
He seems to sense her unease as he slips his hand over her's giving it a gentle squeeze. "Just me and you." She softens at his smile, her hand reaching up to trace his jaw. For a moment she thinks she could say the three words that have been stuck on the back of her tongue ever since they've started this again.
"I-" Her breath catches, choking on the words once again. She quells the frustration before it can even cross her face, instead pushing away from him. "I have to go to the restroom. Will you get our table?"
"Yeah." If he caught what just happened, he doesn't let on. She steadies herself by focusing on each step. Gaining back her control with each careful stride. That is, until her eyes fall on a booth across the room.
It's the laugh that draws her attention. A sound she's become familiar with the more the woman hangs around Malcolm. Her laugh has been something that made her son smile brighter than she's seen in years. It's instantly recognizable.
Edrisa.
She's sitting with a group of women, from what she can tell they're sisters. Similar in appearance enough to be related at least. They're so caught up in each other that Edrisa doesn't see her. If she's quick enough she can just slip right into the bathroom and be back to Gil where she requested a private booth.
She's so focused on the group of women she doesn't see the waiter round the corner talking to a coworker. Not until she crashes into him, wine glasses tipping from the tray and spilling all over the front of her dress. The force knocks her to the ground flinching as the glass sprays across the floor around her.
"Jess, oh my god!" Gil runs up to her, careful of the shards to help her back to her feet.
"Ma'am I am so sorry. I didn't- I wasn't-" She barely hears the rambling apologies when she can see that the person she was trying to hide from is now looking straight at her, along with everyone else in the damn restaurant.
"I'm fine." She dismisses with a hand. "I'm going to clean up." She knows her tone betrays everything. She hasn't caused such a scene since smashing the camera of the man who tried to sneak pictures of Malcolm while he was sitting on the swings with Gil only months after Martin's arrest.
The quiet of the bathroom is a welcome change as she steps in front of the mirror. She's an absolute scene. Hair rumpled, face flushed with embarrassment. The dress that she spent hours trying to pick out by herself all but ruined. The stickiness of the wine already making her uncomfortable.
What if she can't do this?
The knock startles her out of her thoughts. She shuts her eyes gathering herself, "I'm fine Gil. Really, I'm not hurt."
The door opens slowly and the person in the doorway isn't him. Rather Edrisa who swallows heavily before stepping inside. "Do you need help?"
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure, cause yknow wine stains even black clothing- which is, awful, right? Like, how dare it? Isn't that the fundamental rule of black?"
"Edrisa-"
"You should probably start blotting, that looks like expensive velvet." She passes her a cloth napkin that she must have snagged from the table when she got up. "That'll clean up better than the paper towels. Trust me."
Jessica wants to put up a fight but just sighs, accepting the help. "Thank you." She carefully blots the stain, eyes falling on the woman who rocks back and forth looking like she wants to ask a hundred questions but is barely refraining. "Before you ask, yes. We're dating. No, it hasn't been for long. This is our first actual date. Yes, we were trying to keep it secret."
"I knew you two were together!"
"What?!" Jessica's head snaps around, her tone coming out angrier than she intended.
"No! I mean- No!" Edrisa stammers. "I didn't know know but I knew. You know?"
"No."
"Well, it's like. It's like in the movies. It couldn't be more obvious that the two people who've known each other for decades are going to be together in the end but it's this will they won't they. It's the miscommunication and the boundaries. He's a widower. But there's all this tension."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"You'd have to be blind not to see how you look at each other." She smiles tilting her head. "You're head over heels for each other."
"Are we really that obvious?" Edrisa gives a half shrug and Jessica lets out a breath of frustration. "Well, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't tell Malcolm."
"Oh! Yeah, totally. I mean, wouldn't want it getting out before you're ready."
"No, we wouldn't. Not yet at least. It's new and I don't want to mess this up. I just want to keep everything discreet."
"One hundred percent. My lips are sealed." The silence falls between them and for a moment Jessica wonders if she's going to tell her something else. A thought passes across the woman's face before she waves it off. "Well I should get back to my family. Have fun! Don't do anything you wouldn't want your kids to hear about." She laughs and Jessica just chuckles nervously. "Right. Going. Bye!" Jessica follows her out the door relieved to see Gil standing there with a worried look on his face.
"Sir." Edrisa nods at him passing him, but as she's about to round the corner, she spins around giving him a double thumbs up with a wide grin and a wink.
"Do you think she'll tell?" Gil asks once he's certain she's gone back to her family.
"Honestly? I have no idea."
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Ainsley
"Gil." Her warning comes out huskier than she intended it to. She's trying to focus on the paperwork in front of her, stacks of royalty agreements, press issues, and editor's notes scribbled on the words of her own writing are enough to drive anyone mad. She partially wonders if this is how he feels when pouring over case files.
He hums against her neck and her control almost snaps. His arms wind around her torso scooting her closer to him on the couch.
"Don't you have a case to work on?"
"Just finished." She feels him smile and she sighs putting down the file she was studying. "Not my fault you look so good in glasses."
"They're reading glasses."
"Doesn't matter. You still look good." She bites her tongue, cheeks blushing with the compliment but she leans further into his touch. "Take a break."
"We've taken 3 breaks in the past 2 days."
"Are you complaining?" She tilts her head, pretending to think about it for a minute. That only encourages him more as he trails his kisses down her chest.
"Gil," She tries again but all of her will is gone the second he hits that spot on her collarbone. "You're horrible." She pushes him back using the momentum to swing a leg over his lap so she's straddling him. His wide eyed look of wonder is enough to make her laugh before she captures his lips with hers. Her hands rest on the back of the couch while his slide down her thighs pulling her impossibly closer.
She begins tugging at his turtleneck that he has carefully tucked in. "We should move." He whispers in between kisses and it's her turn to split into a wicked smile.
"I dismissed everyone this morning. We're all alone." His jaw drops and she tilts her head back with a laugh.
"Who's horrible now?" But his lips attack her neck again and she just laces her fingers through his hair letting the sensation take over.
She's ready to lift his shirt over his head when the sound of the door opening and shutting calls her attention. They both freeze, chests heaving trying to catch their breath. "Mom?"
Jessica lets out a stream of curses under her breath at the sound of Ainsley steadily approaching. She pulls herself off his lap, quickly fixing the buttons that she didn't notice he'd managed to snap open on her blouse. Gil does the same, tucking in his shirt where he can and taking a file to drape over his lap. She runs her fingers through her hair and picks up the file she was working on as if nothing had happened at all.
"There you are! You won't believe what happened today! Oh, hey Gil!" Her eyes bounce between them for a moment, but if she suspects something she doesn't let it show. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm helping your mother with her book."
"You're letting Gil read it?" Ainsley pouts, reminding her of when she was little and she didn't get what she wanted. "You told Malcolm and I we'd have to wait until it was released."
"I believe I told you I didn't want you reading it at all, but nevertheless. What's happened today?"
"What do you mean?" It takes Ainsley half a beat to remember she came home for a reason. "Oh. I just got the word that they want to kick off Joseph Lassley after the whole incident. You remember, right?"
"Yes?"
"Well they want to give me his spot! I'm going to be the head reporter!" Jessica jumps up going to hug her daughter.
"Oh, darling, that's wonderful!" She squeals. "I'm so proud of you!"
"Congratulations Ainsley."
"Thanks Gil." She beams practically bouncing back to the door. "I have to go. I just stopped by to tell you in person, didn't feel like over the phone news." She hugs Jessica again and she squeezes her daughter back just as tightly. "I have to go tell Malcolm."
"Go! We can celebrate tonight!"
"Belluci's?"
"Whatever you want, darling."
"Can Gil come?" Jessica looks back at him and he seems shocked at the request but nods with a soft grin.
"I'd love to." The look of adoration makes her chest feel so tight that it hurts.
"Awesome. Love you. I'll see you later." With that hurricane Ainsley is gone. She lets out the breath she was holding turning back to Gil again.
"That was close."
"Um, Jess?" Her eyebrows furrow when she realizes he's looking at her chest. Her blouse is slanted, having missed one of the buttons in an effort to get them back together quickly.
"Shit." She casts a look towards the door, fixing the buttons while she does. "Do you think she noticed?"
The scream is distant but loud enough to still carry into the home. "MALCOLM HOLY FUCK."
"I'll take that as a yes."
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Malcolm
"Jess if you pace any more you're going to burn a hole into the floor." Gil leans against the table, eyes watching her as she walks from end to end.
"He's late." She checks the clock again for confirmation, and yes, Malcolm was officially half an hour late. "I told him that tonight was important and that I needed to talk to him."
"Can you blame him? The last time you said dinner was important was to harass him-"
"Don't finish that sentence unless you want to sleep on the couch tonight." Gil raises his glass in mock surrender sipping on the scotch. "Why are you so worked up about this? You know he'll be thrilled. I mean when he was a kid he basically begged me to move in."
"It's not about how he's going to react. It's just," She sighs finally settling in a chair. "He's the only one we got to tell for real. Everyone else figured it out."
"For a profiler, he's shockingly unobservant when it comes to family."
"Oh trust me, I know." She smiles with a small laugh. "I thought for sure he was going to catch us that day in your office."
"I can't believe we did that."
"Oh, poor JT." She laughs, the tension in her chest finally easing a little. It's enough that she misses the door opening.
"Mother, sorry I'm late. But on the bright side, I've got this beautiful 14th century broadsword that-" He stops, his eyes falling on Gil. "And Gil's here." He glances between the two of them with a suspicious look. "This isn't some kind of intervention is it?"
"Not exactly." She straightens herself, feeling the anxiety bubble in her stomach all over again. Everything up to this point had been amazing. Sure when they were apart, Malcolm tried to help them get back together, but what would he think now? Would he be upset? Hurt to know that he learned last?
"Mom, is everything ok?" Her expression softens, he only calls her mom when he's worried about her. She's given him far too much to worry about lately. She takes his hand in hers with a reassuring smile.
"Your mother and I wanted to talk to you. And this is something that's important to us."
"Ok you're both acting weird now. I'm used to her. Please don't turn on me too, Gil."
"Malcolm." She sighs because she knows this is how he acts when nervous. He can't stop talking, a habit he's picked up from the medical examiner she's noticed him lingering around lately. "Sunshine,"
"Oh god, she brought out Sunshine. I'm in trouble."
"No, kid, you're not in trouble we just-"
"Gil and I are together." She finally blurts out, before pursing her lips together. Malcolm's head snaps towards her with a mixed look of wonder and disbelief.
"Like, together together?"
"Yes."
"Is it serious?"
"Well I hope so considering he's moving in." She tries for the joke but Malcolm just short circuits, leaning back in his chair running a hand over his chin.
"How long?"
"2 months."
"2 months?"
"Well, kid. Your mother and I wanted to make sure it stuck this time before we told you."
"Does Ainsley know?" The two of them pass a look and they can practically see as the dots connect in his head. "Oh my god the couch. She called me and was talking about Gil, and the couch. She didn't make any sense. Oh my god."
"We wanted to tell you for so long. But it didn't feel like the right time."
"Is that the bet that Dani and JT have going? If you two are together?"
"Not exactly."
"What? What do you mean?"
"It's more like when you'll figure it out."
"They know?"
"Well they figured it out the same way Ainsley did."
"WHAT?"
"Not like that! JT saw me kiss your mother after the Wilkes case,"
"Dani was a few days later. I stayed the night at Gil's and I answered the door thinking she was our takeout."
"Did everyone find out before me?"
"Well we were sure Edrisa was going to accidentally let it slip." Jessica shrugs.
"Edrisa knows?"
"We ran into her at a restaurant where some said it would be safe away from anyone we could run into." She shoots a playful glare at Gil who raises a brow at the challenge.
"How was I supposed to know the Tanakas were in town?"
"Oh my god." Jessica turns her attention back to her son who looks as if he's going over every single interaction he's had for the past 2 months in his mind.
She swallows heavily, taking his hand again and getting serious. "Are you ok with this?"
The question seems to snap him out of his spiral. His eyes finally fall on her with a clarity and hope she hadn't seen for a long time. "Ok with this? This is like, something I thought about since I was 12. Gil's basically my dad. And if you're happy, that's all that matters to me. Are you happy mom?"
"Oh Sunshine," She chokes back the tears building in her eyes, her free hand tracing over his jaw. She wonders how the hell she got so lucky. "I'm very happy."
He turns his attention to Gil. "Are you?"
The look on Gil's face almost takes her breath away. "I haven't been this happy in a long time."
"Good." Malcolm smiles and Jessica is certain her heart is going to burst right out of her chest. "Now, when are you going to propose?"
"Malcolm!"
"Am I getting a little brother or sister?"
"I am fifty two!"
"So was Janet Jackson."
"You're unbelievable."
"Oh I'm just getting started. I've got twenty one years of meddling pent up and ready to unleash."
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Martin
The sounds of wheels sliding across the linoleum breaks Martin's deep focus, he abandons his latest project with a wide grin. "TV time already, Mr. David? I felt like I had a good half hour in me still!" The man doesn't answer, only moving to set up the equipment with the same boring monotony as he did every day. Honestly, you'd think the man could show a little more life.
It no longer matters when the TV powers on, just in time to see his daughter's smiling face, with a warm greeting that feels especially for him. He bristles, the same sense of pride that fills his chest any time he can see his children in their element consuming him. He can't help but shift in glee, scooting closer to the screen.
"Is she wearing L'agence again? You know, that's her mother's influence right there. I was always more of a Brioni man, myself. Italian. Swear you've never felt something so soft in your life." Ainsley picks up her papers, tapping them against the desk, signaling she's diving into the latest news. "Shh, she's starting"
"Why don't we start off tonight on a good note? Lighting up the social circles and buzzing all around New York, daughter of John and Carrie Milton, Jessica Whitly is engaged! You may know Jessica Whitly as she was the ex-wife of the Surgeon and is my mother." She grins, and he swears he can see Jessica in her. The mischievous glee of knowing that his world is falling apart sparkling in her eyes. "Tabloids were lighting up after spying Ms. Whitly with a ring on her finger, and it is with great pleasure that I'm the one to confirm the rumors. Ms. Whitly is engaged to the head of major crimes, Lieutenant Gil Arroyo. The two of them met during the arrest-"
"Turn it off."
"Martin," Mr. David approaches, ready to apprehend if necessary. It won't be, he can control himself.
"Turn it off!" He snaps. He blissfully does and Martin revels in the silence, if only for a moment. "How could she not tell me? Me? I didn't even know she was seeing anyone again!" He pushes the chair back pacing from end to end, or as far as his rope would let him reach. "I had to find out by a broadcast. The news." He scoffs, noticing that the man across the room's shoulders are shaking with laughter. "Did you know about this?"
"Yes, I received the news about a week ago."
"A week ago." He falls back onto his bed with a sigh. "My boy didn't even tell me! And I really felt like we were connecting again! "
"Martin,"
"And my girl! Oh you know her mother set her up to do that just to get at me. Ainsley would never stoop so low as to address tabloids. They're so beneath her." He rakes a hand through his hair, "and Mr David, Et tu, Brute. Leave me alone, I'd like to suffer in peace."
"I guess I shouldn't tell you I got the invitation in the mail yesterday."
It's all he could do but turn his face to scream into his pillow.