Hiya people - believe me when I say the time I've had isn't much at all, but this is just for fun and SHOULD be undated regularly - like really regularly - if I have anything to do with it. May not always be in character so I can update more often - but this is just for the holidays. After it will be my two stories for as well as I can. Luv ya. ;-p

Oh and: None of this is mine or will ever be mine except from in the daydreams that I have. (Well apart from the plot - all my idea. YAY!)

COLD CASE

"Hey Lil', have a good Easter, yeah?" Scotty called to her as he walked past toward the door.

Friday before Easter and none of the squad was working Easter Sunday. Usually Lily would be the first to jump at the chance to work, but this year Stillman refused to let her. She thought it ironic that he thought it would help with the problems last year, when it clearly wouldn't. 'Easter's about new beginnings. I want you to take some time off and come back refreshed.' It was the same every year - what did he expect her to do differently to change? She audibly sighed. Times like this, she really could be like George…

"Lil? Hello, earth to Lily."

"Hmm?" Lily looked up to her partner, confused. "Didn't you leave already?"

He laughed. "No."

"Yes you did. About five minutes ago."

"No, I was going to, 'till you ignored me."

"Sorry. What did you say?"

"I said have a good Easter."

"Oh. Okay. I'll try." She smiled, before glancing back down at the papers in front of her.

"That's it?"

"Hmm?"

"Aren't you gonna wish me a happy Easter or somethin'?"

"Oh, yeah. Sorry." She stilled for a few seconds before looking around on her desk.

"Lost something?"

"No-" She stilled. "Yeah." She opened her draw. Now was a good a time as any. "Happy Easter Scotty." She said, producing a small gift in deep red paper. She had intended to give it him at Christmas but backed down. Fortunately it was nothing seasonal.

He looked at her hand as if he were offended.

"What are you waiting for? Take it."

"Lil', I aint got you anything." He said taking it from her.

"I didn't expect you to - it's Easter."

"So why d'you get me something'?"

"Are you always this grateful Valens?" She stood abruptly. She needed to get a little distance. Walking briskly to get herself a cup of coffee, Scotty followed.

"Lil' I feel bad now."

He still held the parcel a little way away, as if he was uncomfortable with it, she noticed.

"Scotty, it isn't going to bite, okay? If you don't want it don't open it."

"I just don't think I deserve this."

"Neither does half of the PD. But you have it now. It's yours." She hastily walked back to her desk and dropped in the chair.

"So the whole police department knew about this and didn't tell me?"

"Why would they? No one thought I was going to give it to you anyway."

"What? Why not?"

"Maybe because I'm the unfeeling, Ice-queen." She avoided his gaze, concentrating only on the paper work in front of her.

Minutes went by.

"Lil', when I said that-"

"Just leave it Scotty."

"Lil' you need to know this."

"NO. I don't like excuses. It can't be undone, so don't even try. We were both screwed up."

"I think we both still are."

Silence washed over the room. It was so quiet, that Lily even thought that Scotty had left. She looked up and she couldn't see him.

"Damn you George, I'm not like you." She muttered to herself.

"Bloody well right you're not."

She jumped violently. She may have even gone for her firearm if she hadn't known that voice.

"Jesus Scotty. What the hell are you trying to do to me? Where did you get to?"

"You're not on duty tomorrow. In fact you're off all over Easter. I checked."

"And? Stillman just decided to play father and send me home, bored stiff."

"So you've got nothing on this Easter?"

"Why, should I have?"

"Well, if you've got nothin' to do…"

"Easter is a time for family Scotty. All holidays are. If you haven't noticed I'm lacking a little in that department."

"I'm just saying. If you need to hang out…"

"I thought you were going to you parents' house."

He smiled.

"You're not suggesting I go with you?"

He shrugged, still smiling.

"Scotty I can't go spending time with your parents. What would people think?"

"I don't care what people will think."

"What about my cats? I can't just leave them to fend for themselves for a week."

"My mum's got seven, she won't mind a few more."

"My cats aren't exactly what people welcome. And, they aren't car-trained, you know."

"Neither are hers. Any cat that wonders through, she takes in. I swear, she must have stolen half of the neighbourhood pets."

"Scotty, they're strangers."

"They're not strangers, they're my parents."

"And brothers, and sisters."

"Those too. Come on Lil', they've been wanting me to bring someone for ages."

"As in girlfriend Scotty. Not your partner from Philly PD."

"That could be arranged." He laughed.

"That's not even funny Valens."

"Look, my family aint perfect, and I'm not gonna pretend that they are. But it's gotta be better than sitting at home on your own."

"What if I like being on my own."

"You just said you'd be bored." He argued.

"I'm not good with parties."

"It's not a party. You just sit round a room telling stories. Drink some alcohol. You just do what families do."

"I don't have any stories to tell."

"None?" That earned him a glare and he shook his head to erase what had been said. "It doesn't matter. Once you're there, they'll just love you okay. You'll learn so much in the first five minutes that you'll feel you've been in the family for ages."

"What if I don't know how to be in a family, huh? You ever think of that?"

"Then you'll know by the time this is over. If you don't wana see them again, you'll never have to. This is my gift to you. Come on, what do you say?"

Gift? Damn him. The whole guilt trip is bound to come. Why did I give him that stupid gift anyway?

"That isn't fair."

"What, and it was so right for you to spring this on me?" He held up the present as in proof.

"I told you, if you don't want it…" She shrugged, turning back towards the desk. Like inspiration, a thought struck her. "Then again, I would have complete access for all your little secrets." She whipped back round to him to see a waver in his assurance. "You, know, I think I might take you up on that."

"I'm not forcing you or anything. And it would be crowded. You wouldn't know where you'd be sleeping."

"Now, Valens, are you trying to talk me out of it?"

"Of course not. Why would I do that? I just thought you might want to know all the information. You know, help you make a well-informed decision."

"Hmmm. Well, you've got a point there. Okay, carry on…"

"Erm, well. The cats. The, uh cats would have to be in carry-boxes or whatever those things are called."

"Hmmhmm, hmmhmm. And?"

"Well, there's only one loo, and A LOT of people."

"I can deal with that."

"Erm, my ma, she, uh…"

"Come on Valens, spit it out."

She was having way too much fun with this.

"Spanish, she speaks Spanish. A lot of Spanish. And, can it with the Valens, too. You say that there and half the room would turn."

"Okay, no Valens, when are you leaving?"

"Your serious?"

"Hey, why not? I've always wanted to meet that brother of yours anyway." She smirked.

"Are you joking Rush? You better be joking right there." Now, he was definitely anxious.

"Well, lets hope all that beer's gone by the time we get there then, because when I'm drunk, I'm unpredictable. And, anyway, what's it to you?"

COLD CASE

New chapter tomorrow. A DEFINATE PROMISE. Unless of course if you think this is a big load of…waste of my time. ;-p