Disclaimer: Don't own Gambit; do own pretty much everyone else.
A/N: Please read and review?
07
"It's no good, Fallon's way too clever," Lance griped for the millionth time that afternoon. "I swear he must be psychic or something. He always knows when we've got a stakeout planned."
"Its more likely he's got someone keeping tabs on us," the more practically minded Gus pointed out. "Give it a rest man, you've still got hours 'til your date."
"Its not a date," Lance cut in. "How can it be a date when I don't even know her name? She just told me where she'd be, that's all. She might not even be there."
"So our mystery lady rang you at five am to let you know where she wouldn't be tonight?" Gus pointed out. They were driving their unmarked patrol car through the city streets, Gus behind the wheel. Lance, shades on and seat so far back he was almost horizontal, had never looked so uncomfortable to his colleague. The unflappable Lance Hozack, squirming over some pretty chick, was excellent theatre. "Still as your partner I have to tell you that I flat out refuse to carry your lazy ass tomorrow after you've been out having fun on a school night."
"Gee thanks for the support man," Lance rolled his eyes. "So how does the boss expect us to nail Fallon anyway?"
"Who knows," Gus speculated in good humour, "Maybe your new girlfriend could help?"
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She was leant against the wall, head back, hand out holding a bottle of Bud. Wisely she had her thumb over the top to stop anyone dropping date-rape substances in it. She didn't look tired after the night before. In fact she looked ready for another night of the same, dressed to kill and eyes full of mischievous intent. Lance wished he felt the same. She'd probably slept all day, where as he'd been in work all day after only a few hours sleep in the morning. Still he'd known the hours would eat into his social life when he'd signed up to the police. There was nothing for it but to pop some more caffeine pills and try and have his cake and eat it. She smiled when she saw him, drained her beer and came forward to meet him.
"I'm glad you came," she said over the volume of the music, "Come dance with me?"
"Wait," he replied, holding up his hands to stop her. "I don't even know your name."
"Maybe I'll tell you if you're good," she teased, taking one of his in hers. Her palm was warm and smooth, her slender fingers interlocked with his. Lance shook his head as she started to lead him towards the nearest dance floor. He planted his feet firmly and held onto her hand tight. Casually he swung her around again until she faced him once more.
"Maybe you'll tell me now, and then I don't have to pretend to be good?"
This time when she smiled it was a much darker expression, tainted with something close to intrigue. Somehow it seemed more honest, less forced. She'd been toying with him before, Lance realised. Now he'd taken that small thing into his own hands he'd become interesting to her. She came to him willingly, and let him take her other hand too.
"Its Ella," Blaze lied, once more falling back on old form, "Now can we go dance?"
"Well I could murder a beer…" Lance teased, glancing towards the bar. Blaze laughed and took her date onto the dance floor determinedly. You never know, she pondered, this might even be fun. Hold the phone vote Gambit; you've got some serious competition.
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"What time is it?" Lance asked as they staggered to the bar again many drinks and four blistered feet later.
"Its only early Cinderella," Blaze laughed, looping her fingers through his belt and shaking back her curls flirtatiously.
"I have work tomorrow," he admitted shamefully. "We can't all be students and travel the world you know."
"So call in sick," she suggested as he ordered two more bottles Bud as a last drink of the night.
"I wish I could," Lance refuted her plea. "Ella I'm sorry…"
"Don't be," Blaze took her beer and saluted him with it. "Cheers." Lance echoed her and they both drank. Arms around each other and beers in hand they wandered to the exit and out onto the street. They finished their drinks sat on a curb waiting for a taxi. Blaze leant against Lance's shoulder. He put his arm around her as she lifted her face to his. They kissed quickly, then more deeply, drinking in their fill of each other's taste. Lance stoked her cheek, held her close and kissed her again. Blaze pressed her body against his and swore to herself that for tonight this was not the end. Her mind was made up even before the taxi came to a stop and they climbed in.
"Where do you want dropping off?" Lance asked, holding her hand and gazing deeply into her big brown eyes.
"How about your place?" Blaze replied coyly.
"Shit," Lance was shocked, "You don't move slow, do you?"
"Life's too short," Blaze answered honestly. She knew that better than most people. "It's your call Lance." In response he kissed her again, harder this time, He'd be an idiot not to.
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Lance woke the next morning later than he would have liked to for work. Still he lay in bed a little longer, watching the redhead next to him breathing in and out, right there on the pillow. He felt elated, unleashed and free. When she finally opened her eyes and her face lit up with a smile, it was as though the sun had just lurched over the horizon. He stroked a curl away from her cheek and kissed her soundly.
"Go back to sleep," he told her. "I'll wake you before I leave."
"You're not throwing me out?" she mumbled, yawning and nestling closer to him.
"I'll trust you," he joked. "If and when you leave, the door will lock itself behind you. Stay as long as you want okay? Bathroom's through there," he indicated with a finger. "There might be some food before its use by date in the refrigerator. Just promise me one thing?"
"What?" she asked hazily, stroking his chest hair with one hand.
"That you'll let me take you out to dinner tonight?"
Blaze frowned for a second. Today was a big day for her too; she also had to go to work. She never liked making plans for after a job, it seemed like tempting fate for something to go bad. Then make sure they don't go bad, she chastised herself. "Sure," she smiled. "Leave directions before you go, make sure I can find it? I'm going to have to go home at some point to change."
Lance grinned and nodded. They embraced again, fondling each other's lips, pressing naked flesh together. Then he got up and left her, returning only briefly to make sure she was sleeping before going to work. As the door slammed behind him, Blaze opened her eyes and pushed herself out of the bed. It was time for her to get to work too.