Are You Ready For Love
Author's Note: Almost done, right now, I have at least this chapter and another one left, maybe another after that, depends on how much I write on these.
Disclaimer: Yada, Yada, Yada
Chapter Title: You Had Me From Hello
Chapter Summary: New Years
Well,you had me from "Hello"
I felt love start to grow the moment I looked into your eyes
You won me, it was over from the start
You completely stole my heart
And now you won't let go
I never even had a chance you know? You had me from "Hello"
You Had Me From Hello, Kenny Chesney
(On With The Chapter)
Lorraine sat on the front porch of her parent's house watching the snow fall. Caleb was inside taking his nap, she had told her mom to call for her when he wakes up. That's when she saw the car coming down the drive ways towards her. Through the snow she could barely make out that the driver was female. She knew she recognized the car, but it couldn't be who she thought it was. Darrah was in Italy for a while, why would she be back now?
When the driver got out she was even more confused. It was her friend Darrah. What was she doing back from Italy? Darrah walked through the snow and walked unto the porch. Her medium brown hair was pulled back into a pony tail and she was wearing a baby blue sweater and blue flare jeans.
"Hello," Darrah said knocking the snow off her shoes, her voice lifting in a soft southern accent.
"Umm Darrah, how come you're not in Italy," Lorraine asked her.
"Took time off for Christmas," Darrah told her sitting down.
"How are things down in Mississippi?" Lorraine asked her.
"My dad's sermons are as boring as usual," Darrah told her.
Darrah Jones was Lorraine's partner at work. She had grown up in Liberty, Mississippi. Her dad was a preacher and her mom was a day care runner. She had lived pretty much the same past as Lorraine. Only she had done it to rebel against her father, him being a preacher and all. She had gone to the parties, drank the alcohol and did the drugs. Then when she got into her last year of high school she decided she wanted to shape up and become a cop. Lorraine still didn't know why.
But they had met at the Police Academy and instantly became best friends. Darrah had been there to help Lorraine when Caleb's father had taken off. Darrah had never met the guy, but she told Lorraine that if Lorraine and she were ever walking down the street and she saw her, to point him out and he would be shot on sight. They were now both twenty three. And where Lorraine didn't want a relationship, Darrah couldn't keep one. Every time she thought she had met the guy she was supposed to be with the rest of her life after a few months, they would get up and take off.
"Still not into the church scene," Lorraine asked with a smile.
"Of course not," Darrah said looking offended. "So how are things with you?"
"Good, got to see Caleb again," Lorraine told her with a smile.
"Does he still want me around all the time," Darrah asked with a grin.
Caleb acted as if Darrah was his second mom, when Lorraine wasn't in the room, he was following Darrah everywhere.
"He asked about you the other day," Lorraine told her.
"Good, I'm glad he still loves me," Darrah said with a laugh.
"Of course," Lorraine told her.
"So how's the, and I quote "partner that reminds you of an overgrown ape," Darrah asked.
"Souta's good," Lorraine told her.
"First name basis now," Darrah asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, we reached an understanding," Lorraine told her.
"What kind of understanding," Darrah asked.
"We're both parents for one, we both miss our children, and he can actually be smart if he wants," Lorraine told her.
"Really, anything else you want to tell me," Darrah asked her.
"Well, what do you mean," Lorraine asked her.
"Like when you want to tell him you see him as more than a friend," Darrah told her.
"What do you mean, Souta is just a business partner and a friend," Lorraine told her defensively.
"Right, is that why you have a sparkle in your eye when you talk about him, and a blush on your cheek, the last time I saw you with that look is when you got pregnant with Caleb, and I hope this time it doesn't wind up like that," Darrah said crossing her arms.
"I do not have feelings for Souta," Lorraine said stubbornly.
Although Lorraine couldn't fight the feeling that maybe Darrah was right, maybe she did have feelings for Souta and that's why she told him about her past. She hadn't told anyone besides her best friends about how she was as a teenager and now she just told a man she barely knows about it. She only hoped that Souta didn't think less about her after she told him. She really didn't know how he would react to it. Lorraine looked up at Darrah and smiled.
"Okay, maybe I do, but I'm not going to tell him about it, now what about you?" Lorraine asked.
"What about me," Darrah asked her.
"Well you seem happy, and I haven't seen you happy since, what was his name, Doug I think," Lorraine said looking at her.
"Yeah, that was his name, and yes I'm happy," Darrah told her.
"What's his name," Lorraine asked.
"Chris, and he's amazing, I mean he has big beautiful blue eyes, curly blond hair, and my god, the way he kisses," Darrah said leaning back in her chair.
"How much does this guy mean to you already, you've only been in Italy for four months," Lorraine asked her.
"I met him on the flight over, we've gone to dinner a few times, and he treats me like a princess, always buying things for me, always saying sweet things to me, he's just a regular prince charming," Darrah told her.
"Sounds nice," Lorraine said.
She couldn't help but feel as if Darrah was leading herself into a trap. She knew guys that acted like that and then went back on it. Christian, Caleb's dad acted like that. She forced a smile and looked at Darrah.
"I'm glad you finally met someone like him, but Darrah you know your track record, don't go too far with him unless you're sure of how he feels," Lorraine warned her.
"Too late," Darrah said looking at her biting her lip.
"You mean already, after only a few months, Darrah, come on you're smarter than that," Lorraine said annoyed.
"Sorry, it's just he's so sweet, and as I said a good kisser, I couldn't help it, but don't worry, I think he might be it," Darrah told her.
"Darrah, I don't mean to be mean, but that's what you always say," Lorraine told her softly.
Darrah looked at her and Lorraine actually saw tears in her eyes. Lorraine knew that Darrah was always hurt. She would give all the love she has in her and the guys would just turn away. Darrah had always wanted some one to love her for who she was. As a kid it was always because they saw her as the sweet preacher's daughter. In high school people liked her because she was the party girl. And now guys just used her as a passing fancy, and Lorraine really felt sorry for her. Lorraine didn't understand why guys didn't like her though, she had long straight brown hair, brown eyes, and a tan complexion, she was a really pretty woman, and guys just treated her like crap.
"Lorraine, I know my track record isn't that great, but I mean it, this guy is different. I just feel safe when I am with him," she told her.
"Then for your sake, I hope it last," Lorraine told her encouragingly.
"Thank you Lorraine and I hope you can tell your ape you have feelings for him," Darrah said with a laugh.
"Oh thanks a lot," Lorraine told her laughing along with her.
"Just calling it how I see it, but I better go, or else I miss my flight back to Italy, I just heard you were in town and I wanted to see how you were doing," Darrah told her.
"I'm fine, go back to your man," Lorraine told her.
"Don't need to tell me twice," Darrah said as she stood up and hugged her. "Bye Lorraine."
"Bye Darrah," Lorraine said as she walked off in the snow.
Lorraine sighed when Darrah drove off. She couldn't help but feel as if Darrah's relationship was doomed. But it was good to see her again; Darrah had been transferred to Italy after a few months of working there for a special case. It was good she left when she did though. There had been some trouble in the office with her and another detective named Rico Melendez. Lorraine laughed softly when she thought of Rico. He went by the nickname Rico Suave after the song. He and Darrah had gotten drunk one night, and him thinking she was his pregnant fiancée Mia, had slept with her. After that everything in the office had changed. Soon after she went to Italy, Rico had been transferred to L.A. She kinda missed having mister Suave around. The office was boring without him. Then she had been transferred to Interpol. Lorraine sighed and stood up. She walked inside and called to her mom that she was leaving and made her way to her car.
She needed to do something before she died of boredom and she had no idea what that was.
(Meanwhile at Alex's house)
"Alex, where the friggen hell is my gun?" Jigen asked as he was putting his shirt on.
"What do you mean?" she asked him.
"I mean, where is my gun?
"Someone took your gun," she said shocked and walked over to him.
"Obviously," he told her. "I had it last night at dinner, and now I don't."
"I wonder who would take your gun," Alex asked him.
"I don't know," he said.
Alex knew he was pissed; his gun was like a kid to him. He treated that gun like most people would treat their babies. Alex wanted to know who stole his gun. That's when they heard the gunshot from outside.
"I think I know where your gun is," Alex said peering out the window.
"Where," he asked walking over to her.
"Right out there," she said and pointed out the window.
Jigen looked out the window and saw Zander with his gun shooting at some targets.
"I'm going to kiss that kid," Jigen said as he put his hat on and walked out the room.
"Oh great," Alex muttered and walked out behind him.
Jigen was muttering under his breath as he walked across the yard to Zander. The minute he gut behind him he popped him upside the back of his head.
"What the hell," Zander said turning around. "Oh hi Jigen."
"What the hell do you think you're doing firing off my gun without asking me about it first," Jigen asked pissed.
"I found it on the base of the stairs, I'm thinking Arista wanted to use it on my mom, I decided I would try it out," Zander told him.
"Listen kid, I don't let anyone touch my friggen gun, not even Alex," Jigen told him.
"What's so special about it," Zander asked him as Alex reached them.
"I just don't let people use it," Jigen told him taking his gun and putting it in the holder on his belt.
"Fine," Zander said rolling his eyes.
"Zander, be lucky he didn't shoot you with it, he doesn't miss a shot," Alex told him pulling Jigen away.
"Friggen kid," Jigen muttered walking into the house.
"Calm down Jigen, at least no one stole it, he just wanted to see what it shot like," Alex said.
"He's lucky I didn't show him," Jigen said as he sat down on the couch.
"I know," Alex said shaking her head.
"Alright, I think I'm calm now," Jigen told her after taking a deep breath.
"Good," Alex said and kissed him.
"I can't believe you're actually with this dirt bag," Alex heard from the doorway.
"Mom, get lost," Alex said from the couch not even looking at her.
"I never thought I would live to see my daughter sink so low as to have a dirt bag gunman as a boyfriend. I mean turning down someone like Bryan Grayson for this loser, did you hit your head or something," Arista asked her.
"Are you nuts, I would never in a million years be with Bryan Grayson," Alex snapped.
"That's not what you said a few months ago," said a voice behind Arista.
Alex looked up and saw a man in the doorway. He had steel calculated blue eyes, and light brown hair. He looked the type to be a man of business. Alex couldn't help but shiver when she saw him.
"Bryan what are you doing here, I told you to stay away from me," Alex said to him scooting closer to Jigen.
"I couldn't help but come see you, especially after your mom called," Bryan said walking into the room.
"You called him," Alex said incredulously to her mother.
"Of course I called him," Arista said.
"Alex, I'm disappointed you never returned my calls," Bryan said coldly.
"Why would I? Not after what you did to me," Alex told him.
"What'd he do," Jigen asked her.
"Yeah, what'd he do," Alvin said walking into the room.
"He got me drunk a few months or so ago, and after I blacked out, I can't even remember what happened, I just remember waking up next to him naked. He, well you can figure out what he did," Alex said tears coming to her eyes.
"He took advantage of you drunk," Jigen asked, you could feel the anger coming off him.
"Yeah," she said nodding leaning on him.
"Bryan, get out of my house, and don't bother coming into work Monday," Alvin said looking at Alex.
"As you once said, I invited him, he stays," Arista told him coldly.
"Then you better get him out of my sight unless you want a corpse were he is standing," Jigen said putting an arm around Alex and glaring at him.
"Come on Bryan," Arista said and walked out the room with him.
"You okay," Jigen asked her.
"Yeah, I'll be fine," she said taking a deep breath.
"I'm going to make sure he's gone alright," Alvin said and walked out.
"Thanks dad," Alex said.
"Of course," he said right before he walked out the room.
"I can't believe that guy had the nerve to show up here," Jigen muttered.
"I'm okay Jigen, don't worry about me alright," Alex said forcing a smile.
"Okay, how can you be okay, that guy had the nerve to show up here knowing what he did to you," Jigen asked.
"He claims I didn't tell him no, that I was perfectly okay with it," Alex said softly.
"Okay with it, how can you be okay with it, the guy practically raped you," he said, he was getting angrier by the second.
"Well, that's not what he says, I guess he has to say that to himself so he can sleep at night," Alex replied.
"Well, if you'd let me, one draw of my gun and I can change his gender," Jigen told her.
"No, you're not going to jail on my account," Alex told him.
"Alright, I was just saying," he told her.
"I know, but no way," she said.
"Fine," he said and kissed her.
(Later On In Washington DC)
Fujiko was just getting out the shower when she heard Lupin and Goemon talking. It seemed as if Lupin was fine with her being with Goemon, unless of course it was just shop talk.
"Well need to talk to Jigen about this, but I don't know how he would react with him being in New York with that rich woman," Lupin was saying.
"Her name is Alex," Fujiko heard Goemon say as she got dressed.
"What are you guys talking about," Fujiko said as she walked out the room to see them sitting on the couch talking.
"Well, there's this Diamond micro film in San Francisco, California that supposedly shows you how to make coal into diamonds," Goemon explained.
"Really?" Fujiko asked interested.
"Don't tell me you want it to make diamonds," Lupin whined.
"Hey, I'm a girl, and diamonds are a girls best friends, even Marilynn Monroe knew that, and she was insane," Fujiko said.
"Oh great, now we are going to have to deal with you and a micro film, damn," Lupin muttered.
"Come on, we got to get a hold of Jigen before we do any job," Goemon told them.
"Alright then," Lupin said, and they walked outside to the car.
(NYPD)
Lorraine got out of her car and walked into the police station. She didn't know why but she wanted to see how things were going at her old job.
"Hey Lorraine," she heard someone say behind her.
Lorraine turned around to see a Puerto Rican, and African American man behind her.
"Rico," she gasped and ran forward to hug him.
"What are you doing here, I heard you were working on the Lupin The Third case," he asked hugging her back.
"Home for Christmas, you?" she asked him.
"I'm here working on a case that has made me travel everywhere, Mia is getting pissed," he told her.
"And you're not scared of going home," Lorraine asked with a giggle.
"Oh I'm terrified, Mia is going to kill me," he said with a laugh.
"How are things with you guys by the way," she asked him.
"Good, we're married, the twins are beautiful," he told her.
"That's good," Lorraine told him.
"How's Darrah," Rico asked.
Lorraine looked at him and smiled. She knew things between him and Darrah were weird when she left, but she also knew that Rico had actually had feelings for her before what happened between them. They used to be best friends then things got all weird.
"She's good, she has a boyfriend," she told him.
"Is this one going to stay," Rico asked.
"I dunno, I've never met him, but the way she describes him, he seems too good to be true," Lorraine told him.
"They usually are with her," Rico sighed and sat down on a bench.
"Yeah, I don't see why things have to be so hard with her and guys. She's a great girl, guys just like to use her," Lorraine said angrily.
"Hey, she'll find someone," Rico assured her. "Now what about you, are you still single?"
"Well, yeah," she told him.
"Anyone in your life at all," Rico asked.
"Well," she said slowly and smiled.
"Who is it?"
"Well, he's my partner, and he's not good looking, but he seems to be a really nice guy, and smart, I dunno, I just like him," she told him with a smile.
"Well congrats, and good luck," Rico told her.
"Thanks," Lorraine said. "And I'll tell Darrah you say hi."
"Thanks," he said.
"Of course, what are friends for," Lorraine asked him.
"This," he said before hitting her with a snow ball.
Lorraine laughed and soon they were in a snow ball fight.
(Meanwhile and Ravens)
"Aria, come on, what's wrong," Zenigata asked looking at her.
"You're going to be leaving soon and I don't want you to," she pouted looking at him.
"I don't want to either, but it's my job and if it happens, there is nothing I can do about it, but what I can do, is let you stay up all night and watch the ball drop," he told her with a grin.
"You would do that," she asked him.
"As long as you don't tell your mom, there is a TV. in the bedroom she let me stay in, and tonight you can come up there and watch the ball drop," he told her.
"Thank you daddy," she said and hugged him.
"No problem, now come on, your mom is yelling for you," he told her picking her up and carrying her down stairs.
"Thanks for convincing her to come downstairs," Raven said leading them into the kitchen.
"Of course," he told her.
"Souta, I've been meaning to ask, how come you're still single," she asked him.
"Raven, you know with my job, it's hard to start a relationship, or even keep one," he told her.
"True, but you don't have anyone you would like to be with," Raven asked him.
"There is no one I know well enough to consider it," he said, then thought about it.
"Really, then what's that look about," Raven asked with a smile.
"Aright, so there is one person I wouldn't mind dating," he told her.
"Really, what's her name," Raven asked.
"Why do you care," he asked with a smile.
"Because, I want to make sure my ex is happy, is that such a bad thing," Raven pouted.
"No, actually that's a good thing," he told her. "Ok, her name is Lorraine; she's my partner on this case."
"So you see her everyday," Raven asked him.
"Well everyday that we're working, right now Lupin is hiding and not doing anything so we took time off to see our families," he told her.
"What's she like," Raven asked.
"A lot like you actually. She's smart, funny, bad tempered sometimes, can be nice, and she's a mom," he told her.
Raven raised an eyebrow at this.
"And single," he added at her look.
"You should go after her," Raven told him.
"Maybe," he said before they walked into the kitchen and ate dinner.
(Meanwhile at Alex's)
"I still can't believe you took of with his gun," Alex said staring at Zander.
"Come on, that was hours ago, get over it," Zander muttered.
"Well, I'm shocked he didn't murder you," Alex said.
"Maybe he's nicer than what you think," Zander said.
"Wrong there kid, I just didn't want to deal with the body," Jigen said looking at him.
"Look I'm sorry, I didn't mean you, just stop looking at me like that," Zander said.
"Like what?" Jigen asked.
"Like you want me dead," Zander said. "It's very disturbing."
"Fine," Jigen said. "I didn't realize I was doing that."
"Well you were," Zander said.
They were all sitting at dinner. Arista had left with Bryan hours ago and they couldn't be happier about it. Amber was sitting at the other end of the table watching the conversation in mild amusement. Alvin was shaking his head at how stupid his girlfriend's son was, and Alex was keeping Jigen calm.
Soon they were all done eating and walked out the room. Jigen walked into Alex's room with her and kissed her.
"How you feeling," he asked her.
"I'm okay Jigen," she told him and kissed him back.
"I'm sorry if I keep worrying about you, I just can't help it," he told her with a smile.
"I know, and I don't mind it, like it actually, it shows that you care about me," she said with a grin of her own.
"Of course I care about you, I love you Alex," he told her.
"I know you do, and I love you too, but I need to ask you something," Alex told him.
"What's that," he asked her.
"Why do you seem so nervous about our relationship?" she asked him.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, yesterday when I told you I loved you, you seemed so nervous, I mean scared actually," she told him.
"It's nothing," he told her with a smile.
"Come on, it has to be something, what has you so terrified of love?" she asked him.
"I'm not terrified of love," he told her.
"Not buying that for a second. What happened?" she asked him.
"It's a long story," he told her sitting down.
"Well, I'm a good listener," she told him.
And with that Jigen told her the whole story about what happen in Spain with Reina. When he had finished Alex was looking at him in shock and just a little of horror written on her face.
"She tried to have you killed," she gasped.
"So it would seem," he said with a sigh sitting down.
"No wonder you don't like getting into relationships," she said sitting down in front of him and taking his hands in her own. "Don't worry, I will never do that to you."
"Good to know," he said with a smile and kissed her.
"I love you," she said when they broke the kiss off.
"I love you too," he replied.
"Aw, how sweet," said an annoyingly familiar voice from the doorway.
"What are you doing here," Alex said looking at the doorway with a frown.
"Didn't mean to interrupt," Lupin said walking into the room. "But we need to talk to Jigen about a job."
"Great," Alex said sarcastically and got up and walked away.
"What now," Jigen asked.
"Well the job is in the states, you can be happy about that," Lupin replied with a smirk.
"What is it Lupin," Jigen asked annoyed.
"Well in about two weeks a micro film is going to be transferred to San Francisco and it tells you how to make coal into diamonds, now this would make every diamond we swiped worthless, so I was thinking about destroying it," Lupin explained.
"Sounds good to me," Jigen replied.
"Ok then, umm you guys do know that Zenigata is in town don't you," Lupin asked him.
"No, but I don't think I need to worry about it," Jigen told them.
"Right," Lupin replied.
"I got an idea, until you have to go to San Francisco how about you guys stay here," Alex asked them.
"Sounds good to me," Fujiko said looking around.
"Why don't you guys talk about this "job" and I show Fujiko to a room she and Goemon can stay in," Alex asked them.
"Alright," they replied and Alex and Fujiko walked out the room.
"I still can't believe it, you and Jigen already in love?" Fujiko asked her in surprise as they made their way down the hall.
"Well yeah, is that a bad thing?" Alex asked.
"No, not at all, it's a good thing, a really good thing," Fujiko replied.
"You think so," Alex asked her.
"Yeah, maybe he'll be happy, if you notice, his eyes always look so sad," Fujiko told her.
"I don't usually see his eyes, they're always covered up," Alex told her.
"Oh, you should in the morning before he puts his hat on, or does he always wake you up with his hat on?" Fujiko asked.
"He wakes me up, I know he has brown, almost black eyes, I just wish I could see more of them," Alex told her.
"Well you will, I just can't believe he admitted he loved you, he's not lucky when it comes to love," Fujiko said softly.
"So I've heard, he told me about that dancer, that was awful, how can someone do something like that," Alex asked her.
"I dunno, but I do something's like that to Lupin," Fujiko replied guiltily.
"So I've heard," Alex said laughing.
"You have huh?"
"Yeah, you would never guess it, but he's actually very talkative," Alex told her.
"Hm, never knew that," Fujiko said.
"Well, here's you room," alex said standing in front of it.
"Thanks Alex," Fujiko said putting her luggage down.
"No prob, now I got to go the baboon his room, and keep his hands off me," Alex muttered.
"Good luck," Fujiko yelled to her.
(Later on at Raven's)
"Daddy, I'm here," said a little girls voice from the door way.
"Hey, come on, and sit down, then you can watch the ball drop," he told her, not wanting to say she has to wait three hours for it to drop, he had a feeling she would have to be woken up before the countdown.
Aria climbed up on the bed and sat down beside her father leaning on him. After a few minutes she fell asleep. Zenigata chuckled and covered her up picking up a book. He would wake her up around eleven forty five so she can watch the ball drop like he promised.
Three hours later Zenigata was shaking a very asleep Aria awake.
"Hmm," she said looking at him.
"The ball is going to drop soon, I thought you wanted to watch it," he told her with a smile.
"Alright," she said crawling into his lap and sitting down staring at the TV.
A few minutes later they heard people counting down from ten as a big silver ball slid down a pole in Time Square.
"Five. . .Four. . .Three. . . Two. . .One," they heard and the ball fell.
A second later confetti shot into the air along with fire works. As people sang the chorus to the song "Auld Lang Syne," Zenigata laid his daughter down to go the sleep and shut the TV and light off. The New Year had come and gone, and he was glad to be able to watch it with his daughter. At least it was one holiday he had been able to spend with her in the last five years.
Well there you go. That was the fifteenth chapter for Are You Ready For Love; probably the second to the last. I'm not sure yet. I hoped you liked it. I personally think this is the best. I'm not sure.
J. Lucy Daisuke, thanks for your review. It was unexpected but badly needed. It means a lot to me. You know that, and I hope you update yours soon.
Psycho-Katrina15, thanks for reading the chapter. I know you wanted to review but can't, and I hope you liked this chapter. More of your favorite character Lorraine, and some Darrah and Rico in there.
Thanks all,
LunasStar