A/N: I'm Sorry I'm Sorry I'm Sorry I'm Sorry I'm Sorry I'm Sorry I'm Sorry. Did I mention I'm Sorry? No? Well I am. I guess I kinda hit a bit of writer's block (with this story anyway), between that and end-of-summer day trips…well you get the point. Don't feel bad, I haven't updated another story in like, two months. I hope you like this seeing as you've waited soooooo… long. Well, I won't make you wait any longer.
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When they got back, Stillman called them both into his office. He turned on Scottie.
"Valens I'd like to know where you got the grounds for that arrest this morning," he informed the younger man. Scottie winced as Lil shot him a semi-sympathetic glance from behind Stillman. Scottie sighed, ready to face the music. But before he could, Lil spoke.
"It was me. I made the arrest." Scottie's jaw dropped as Stillman turned on Lil.
"Okay Rush. Where'd you get the grounds?" Stillman demanded with a sigh.
"Well, he'd sold the guy the necklace."
"He said he got it from his mother's attic, Rush."
"I recognized him."
"Oh are we arresting everyone you know now?" Stillman demanded. Scottie, his shock turning to sympathy, muttered, "Lil…" But, Lil ignored him.
"He's the guy who raped me 23 years ago." Stillman just stared at Lil and sighed.
"A day's suspension and the rest of today. I'm sorry Lil, but my hands are tied. The sheriff will probably think I'm being soft, and maybe I am. I don't care what you tell the team but I need to know stuff like this. I want both of you off this case. I'm really sorry Lil."
"I understand."
"But…"Scottie cut in.
"She's your partner Valens. Do you honestly think you can remain objective? Even I wanna pound the guy." Something in his voice told Scottie he suspected that something was up between Lil and Scottie, but Scottie ignored it.
"But…"
"No Valens. If you don't want me to suspend you as well, drop it."
"Scottie, please," Lil muttered. That was the end of that conversation. But as Lil was grabbing her things to leave, another one started as Scottie dragged her to the observation room.
"What the hell was that Rush?" he demanded. Apparently he'd gotten over his shock. Lil sighed, having expected this reaction.
"That, was me saving your ass. Scottie, he went easy one me because of the attack. I think he was mainly pissed I hadn't told him before this. You'd have gotten a week. Maybe three days if you'd actually told the full truth. I made the decision to take the heat for you and if you don't want to get me in even more trouble, then please keep quiet."
"We needed you on this case. Now we're both off it. How's that supposed to help us?"
"Scottie, we both we know that he would have done that even if you'd been the one suspended, so sorry if I'd rather be suspended for a day than see you out for a week."
"Well next time keep quiet. I can handle my own mistakes. I don't need you to baby me."
"Nor do I need you to baby me. I can make my own decisions Scottie and taking the heat was one of them. I'm not going to break from a little pressure. And I'm not about to go crazy and kill myself because life isn't easy. I'm not Alyssa Scottie." She froze, her eyes wide. "I didn't mean that," she muttered, turning and leaving. Scottie stood, for the second time that day, frozen in shock. The only thought he had as he watched her go was, There goes dinner. That night Lil Rush fell asleep with only her cats for company again, refusing to admit how much she'd grown used to falling asleep in Scottie's arms.
LSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSThe next day when Lil woke up at nine, she knew instantly that something was wrong. Then she remembered that she had off today, to put it lightly, and she relaxed. She sighed, getting up to feed the cats. That's when she realized what was missing. Her cats. Olivia and Tripod should have woken her up long ago. They were as good as any alarm clock out there. Getting up she went to look for them. Calling for them, she walked into the kitchen. On her counter she found it. A picture next to a piece of white paper. The picture was of herself and Scottie walking out of the office the previous day. The note sent chills down her spine. It was short but the implication was inescapable.
His does pissed off so well. Drop the case or he'll have a good reason to be pissed off and you won't be quite so lively.
P.S. The cats say 'meow'.
Lil took a deep breath, calming herself. She wasn't worried about her physical well-being, this guy was most likely used to little girls and would underestimate her (though she would do her best to not do him the same favor), but, if he had other copies of this picture then he might be able to get her and, more to the point, Scottie fired. They were holding hands, and though that wasn't exactly an intimate gesture, paired with photo's of Scottie's things at Lil's apartment, it might be enough to convince Stillman that it was more than friendly visits. There was only one problem with the guy threatening her. She wasn't on the case. She couldn't do a darn thing about laying off the case. Not that she would have. She sat down, taking another deep breath, and tried to work out what to do. Should she talk to Stillman, maybe tell him the truth, that she and Scottie were dating? Had been dating, Lil reminded herself, ruefully? Should she talk to Jeffries or Vera, trying to talk them off the guys trail? She shivered in disgust. Hell no. Should she try to deal with it on her own? She smiled half-heartedly. Of course not. If Scottie, Stillman for that matter, found out they'd chew her up thoroughly. Scottie was mad enough at her. Then she realized what she had to do. This guy was using her to get to Scottie. Scottie had pissed him off during the interrogation. In fact, judging from the note, it was possible that the guy hadn't even realized that Lil was one of his earlier victims, simpley that Scottie was with her. This guy wasn't so much going after her, but Scottie, and that thought scared Lil like she had not been scared in 23 years. She knew exactly what she had to do, who to call, and she only prayed he answered. The phone rang and on the second ring her prayer was answered and he answered.
"Hello?"
"Scottie it's me. I think there's something you need to know."
"Sure thing. What's wrong?"
"The guy broke into my apartment last night."
"WHAT! God Lil. We have to get you out of there."
"No Scottie. I was home when this guy was here. If he'd wanted to kill me he'd have done so. Actually I think he was after…"
"Yeah?" he pressed when she was silent.
"You."
"Me?"
"Yeah. He knows we were together and he's using me to get to you."
"Were? Lil if that's true then if he doesn't get what he wants he'll go farther then breaking and entering. You're staying with me."
"Scottie… I'll be fine. You don't need me imposing on you."
"Lil that hurt. I…" there was a pause as, she assumed, he looked around. His voice was low as he said, "I love you Lil. And I'm sorry I blew up at you yesterday. Please… do this for me. I couldn't bear to lose you." Lil sighed, hearing the pain in his voice.
"Scottie I can't. You can hang out here, but I'll be fine. I know how to protect myself" He sighed.
"I guess I can't make you do anything you don't want to. But don't think I won't take you up on that offer."
"Thank you Scottie. I'm gonna call Stillman. I think right now it would be better if he didn't realized I'd called you first, if you know what I mean." Her tone was half teasing, but it also had a serious note to it that for some reason made Scottie smirk.
"Ya think?" he teased. Then his tone turned serious. "Lil, keep your gun with you. I'll see you after work." She grinned, trying to remain annoyed with his over protectiveness. She was able to keep her tone serious when she said, "But I hate carrying it. I'll be fine I promise."
"Lil…" She grinned at the fear it Scottie's tone.
"Joke, Valens. Joke. I'll see you. And I promise to be a good girl." She hung up, a grin on her face. It was now, her focus no longer on the phone, that she heard a quiet scraping on the basement door. She frowned, having heard that sound before. She grabbed a knife from the drawer, just to be safe and slowly made her way to the door. Her suspions were confirmed when she heard a soft mewing. Olivia. She opened the door, hugging both her cats, glad they were safe.
LSLSSLSLLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLLSLSLSSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLLFinally done with this piece of crap…I mean chapter. I've decided the hell with weither or not this story gets kicked and here's your responses. Consider it a treat for waiting SOOOOO...long.
Nix707- Yeah, like I said, that whole I update, you update deal…shot to hell. Hope you like this as well. Wow. Six reviews from one person. LOL.
Annica-Here's the next update. I THINK I'll have the next by next week. HOPEFULLY by Tuesday. If my teachers don't load me with HW. LOL...Grrr.
Mellie- Okay, seriously your english is FINE. I don't want to here that again. And does this count as soon? NO? I'm sorry.
kawaii-peach14- I don't like Jessica Simpson that much either, but like I said, the song forced me to put it in the chapter. Sorry you had to wait so long.
givemecookies-The wanting to smash him...you're supposed to. And in response to your review of Fairy Tale... My parents choose my name, not me. :-)
Tiantian Wing- Grr... I almost did the Taintain thing AGAIN! good thing I double checked myself. And does this count as a roadblock?
Oh, and has NOBODY figured out where I got Laura's name? It's really not that hard... I thought.