Scottie sat at his desk, reading the 49 report, his mouth the same thin line of determination that he had seen on Lil's face just 20 minutes earlier. He read, trying not to think about the fact that this was his girlfriend's report he was reading. But then, he comes across notes like Victim broke down in questioning, couldn't recall much, though not for lack of trying, or simply realized just how little they'd had to go on, and his heart breaks for the amazing combination of brains, beauty, guts, and hidden innocence that is Lily Rush. Sure, he'd been hurt by Alyssa's suicide, even more so when he'd interrogated Maurice, but, he was a big boy, he'd handled it (with help from Chris). Lil had been ten. No ten-year-old should have to go through that, let alone one as trusting and loving as he now knew Lil to be underneath the walls that her life had created for her. Then, on top of that she'd grown up poor, living in a household with a mean drunk. It wasn't far. And if all that wasn't enough, nine years ago, he could only assume that Chris had stolen her older sister's fiancée. Lil didn't deserve any of it, and though Chris had helped him through a hard time, and he didn't have a clear reason to openly despise her as Lil did, he found himself pissed at Lil's little sister.
"I thought we already had a case," said Jeffries, nodding towards the folder in Scottie's hands. Scottie quickly closed the folder, flipping upside down on his desk so Jeffries couldn't read the name on the tab.
"Uhh…there might be a connection." When Jeffries tried to take the folder from his desk, Scottie slammed his hand down on it, shaking his head. Jeffries frowned, but Scottie didn't care if the curiosity killed him (figure of speech), he wasn't finding out. If Lil wanted it quiet Scottie was going to keep it that way. However, over at her desk, Lil sighed, and said, "It's okay Scottie." Scottie let go of the folder.
"There ya go Elvis." Jeffries frowned, but the smirk Lil tried unsuccessfully to contain was what he'd wanted, and he didn't explain. How could he? Instead, he blinked back his tears, making his way to the observation room he now thought of as 'his and Lil's'. Closing the door behind him, he leaned against it, trying unsuccessfully to collect himself. The door pushed gently against him, but then closed again, and he sighed.
"Scottie, please let me in," came Lil's soft voice from the other side of the door. The pain in her voice made him open the door, and she slipped in. Angrily, he wiped away tears from his eyes, not wanting to add to her worries. Too late.
"Scottie…" In a strange twist on the way things should have been, she pulled him into her arms, holding him.
"Oh god, Lil," he murmured, trying to stop the tears. She put a finger to his lips murmuring, "Shh…". She pulled her finger away, replacing it with her lips. The kiss was quick, yet deep and full of passion, and Scottie got the message. "As long as I have you, I'm going to be okay, okay Scottie?" He bit his lip, savoring the kiss, and nodded. Her next kiss was a lazy, sort of 'as-long-as-I-have-you-in-here', and he smiled against it.
"Shall we go see what Elvis made of my 49?" she teased nodding towards the door.
"Poor Jeffries is stuck with that nickname, isn't he?" She laughed, nodding.
"Yes I believe he is."
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"Ya sure you want to do this?"
"Scottie, we're not even interviewing suspects yet, and you're already asking if I'm okay?" Lil teased good-naturedly. Truth was she was touched. Scottie grinned sheepishly.
"Sorry," Scottie half-truthfully apologized, pulling into the parking lot of Unlimited Pawn. Then he turned serious, "For all we know Lil, we're walking into a fire fight with our perp." He debated before adding, "I need to know you're okay."
"I know Scottie, I'll be fine. I promise." Scottie sighed.
"I'm sorry Lil. I know you're a big girl." This time his apology was sincere. She smiled at him, leaning over and planting a quick peck on his cheek. "Let's get this over with, babe," Scottie murmured, smiling at her. They got out, Lil grabbing the necklace (obtained from Laura) where it sat, in an evidence bag, next to the hair clip that she'd discarded after work yesterday. The door dinged ominously behind them as they entered. The person behind the counter smiled at the happy couple. But when instead of going for the aisles, they headed directly for him, his smile disappeared.
"Can I help you?" he asked. Lil nodded.
"Rush, Valens. Recognize this?" she demanded, holding up the clear plastic evidence bag. When he held out his hand she tipped the necklace into it. No reason to protect chain of custody at this point. He looked at the necklace, frowning.
"Can't say I do Officer."
"Detective. Take a good look." He did.
"I'm sorry, I don't recognize it."
"You sold it to a nineteen-year-old girl yesterday. Yesterday for crying out loud. You can't expect me to believe you don't remember."
"Why are you asking me about it?"
"It was hers originally, but it was taken in an attack. Who sold it to you?" Lil demanded, frustrated.
"If I don't remember the necklace, I can't remember who sold it to me, now can I?" Just then a man who was easily 6' 3" walked it. Lil froze, her eyes wide.
"Wait a minute," the storeowner was saying (though Lil was casting the new customer nervous glances, and Scottie was sending her concerned ones so who was listening?). "Hey John," he called, turning the customers attention to him. "Didn't you sell me this necklace a few years ago?" The guy thought about it.
"Yeah, I think so. Why?" Scottie took one look at the look of anguish on Lil's face, and pulled out his handcuffs.
"You've just won a free ride to the police station," he said, cuffing the guy. Sure it wasn't protocol and he might get in trouble for it, but he didn't like the pallor of Lil's naturally pale face. Scottie shot her a look that was a cross between a joking 'told-you-we'd-have-our-suspect-when-I-was-through' and the concern that was overpowering him. She just drew a ragged breath, and followed him out of the shop.
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A/N: I realize that this is short, but hopefully, I'll have the next one by tomorrow. (That's HOPEFULLY Annica :-). As always Lil, Scottie, Jeffries, Vera, Stillman, and Elvis are their own people, thank you very much. Don't belong to me. Please Review. And has anyone figured out where I got Laura's name yet? Oh and to Mellie and Tiantian Wing, I'm sorry. I'm doing this without a beta (my usual beta isn't a Cold Case watcher-don't know what's wrong with her), and if I make any type-o's I'm sorry.
Annica:I know isn't Scottie cute! How's Thursday for you?
Tiantian Wing: I'm so sorry about screwing up your name! And tell me about the cocktail line, Lil was obviously so bothered by the fact that she said that... And did I mention I was sorry?
peach-fan14:I thought it was cute too, that's why I left it.
givemecookies: LUV the name, but I've mentioned that b4. Thanks Btw.
Mellie Erdmann: Sorry about mis-spelling your name. And tell me about having tons of nicknames, I'm never sure ifmy friends aretalking to me...