Ch 3 - Crush
The next morning, Jess knew he'd meet with hellfire if he tried opening the bedroom door, so he just let her sleep in. He checked in with the team and headquarters, making sure everything from the past few days was dotted and crossed. Then, as was after all long term cases, the day was his.
By eleven o'clock, he knew something was up…Ang had always said she was a sound sleeper….but never this late. He raised his arm to the door, and stopped himself…He was waking a friend, not going after a perpetrator…He lowered his elbow, turned his wrist, and gave a two knuckle tap….
"Come in" came a clear voice to his surprise. He opened the door to find Lu sitting up on the bed, surrounded by folders and catalogs, speedily tapping away on her home laptop."
"I thought you were….." he stammered.
"Asleep…with my bar utterly destroyed…no way…I've been up since 6, you slugabed…"she teased, waving a hand over her paper kingdom.
Jess, who had been keeping busy for nearly the past 5 hours himself, could barely manage a reply. He could talk down sociopaths, take down psychopaths….Isobel knew him capable, and he had great rapport with his team…but when it came to this particular woman….more often than not, he found himself completely tongue-tied….
"When's the door arriving?" he replied, again finding his voice.
"Can't get it in today, no matter who I went for….So it will have to be tomorrow…Guess we're going to have an 'open door' policy today….sounds better than no door….at least it's supposed to be in the 60's, so the only thing that will be cold is the beer…" she smiled brightly, eyes lifted toward the agent…then jolted them back down in a more stern expression, as though looking over something she'd forgotten in one of the pages…"The company is going to install it, so you and Clint are off the hook…"
"You know we'd be happy to do it…" Jess replied, wondering if he sounded as much like a schoolboy trying to please the teacher as he thought…
"I've already called our felons, set them on cleaning detail as soon as they're out of class…"
"They're still in school? Don't they have to be…."
"They've been left back like a half dozen times…not been the best students…but they've started to turn around some. Ray's headed for college, as you know, and the other two probably trade school…if they'd just stay focused. Jason especially is a wiz with any engine…even fixed the motor in the dishwasher once a while back…" she smiled again, this time, not raising her eyes.
Just as Jess parted his lips to say something, his phone rang.
"Hello…Hi Tali…No, she's fine….she's right here….Ok, hold on a minute…" he turned to phone over to Lu…."Apparently, it's for you…"
She grinned, shaking her head…knowing she was about to get a dressing down from the pre-teen who was every bit her mother…and father's….daughter…
"Hello…yes Tal, I'm fine…yes, your dad's taking great care of me…Yes I'm sure Eve missed seeing me this morning, but I….No, I was going to stay….I'm sure grandma will be fine if I don't…Tal….I…"
The line went click.
"Ugh….." she lifted her hand to her face.
"I take it we have our marching orders." He laughed.
"I am to report to the house at 13:00 hours…apparently the sofa downstairs has already been set up and Marilou is expecting me…."
"Well, we don't want to disappoint 'Marilou' now do we…"
She eyed him over her reading glasses, knowing full well she would get no help in staying in her own home from him. With a long sigh, she resigned herself to her fate, once again kicked him out of the room, gathered her work pile, and prepared an overnight bag….
"The Weekend!" she demanded, stepping out of the bedroom, overnight and computer bags in tow…."NOTHING MORE! And I'm Going to work…."
"Yes Maam.." he waved a two fingered salute behind her…If Tali allows it…he smiled to himself.
As they arrived at the Skye family home, Tali jumped into action, starting with a giant, gentle hug, even before her aunt got out of the car. She then gently and gingerly escorted her to the door and into the living room, insisting she sit then lay down on the sofa….and accepting no protests.
"Tali," Marylou interrupted…"Why don't you get Lulu a cup of chamomile tea…?"
Tal glanced at her grandmother, then back at her aunt.
"Yes, I would love some." Lu replied.
"Ok, fine….but you stay right there while I'm gone!"
Lu lifted up both paws in a begging motion. "Woof!" she replied, teasing. Tali gave her a disapproving sneer, and stepped out toward the kitchen.
"Why don't you and I go 'help' so this young lady can actually get some rest?" Nelson winked at his son in law and shortly the two of them followed the young girl's path…
"Nelson knows that kitchen almost better than I do….but somehow Tali always falls for his 'where's this' routine…" Marilou whispered as they became the last two in the room.
"I really hope this isn't too inconvenient for you…I could have handled myself at home just fine…but Tali…"
"Worries about her second mom incessantly….and will not be turned away….no matter how hard those boys try…." She laughed, hearing the ruckus her husband was causing in the other room.
"Second….Marilou…you know I'd never try to replace Ang….I never could…I mean…."
The older woman put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I know. But it's good that she has another, female influence, in her life…You aren't replacing her…just…standing in…" She squeezed her shoulder and finished with 'it is a good thing' in Kanienʼkéha, her native tongue, which Lulu was beginning to understand…
Lulu gave a glance toward the kitchen….there had been more than enough time to make a cup of tea, and the girl hadn't yet returned, so she decided to take the opportunity to sit up, grab her computer, and get back to reassembling her business.
Business….again….Marilou thought…these two were so busy being the same, they didn't see how in sync they truly were….Even Nelson, hard headed as he could be, didn't need an boulder dropped on his head to find his life-mate like these two did….Well, unlike Mother Nature…sometimes Human Nature, needed a little push.
"You know, Tali is not the only one you're good for…"
Lulu just froze.
"What are you talking about…?" she struggled to laugh.
"You know…seems it's obvious to everyone but the two of you…"
"Marilou….do we need to take you down to see Dr. Marshall? I think you're losing it."
"No…I'm in complete control….not losing a thing…but you keep waiting and one day you may lose your chance…"
"Now I know you're gone!...Clint and I were close in college, but we both told you we're simply friends…nothing more…."
"That would be a lovely match too….but that wasn't the son I was referring to…"
Lu could feel her eyes opening to dinner plates, but she managed to keep them down to the size of saucers…
"Mam….Marilou…."
"Now don't you try to lie to me…I've seen you two together…we all have…You're sweet on him….you're good for him…and you're good to him…"
"But Ang….."
"Wouldn't want to see either of you alone for the rest of your lives…" the matriarch insisted. "Yes, he will miss her…and probably love her for the rest of his life….but that doesn't mean that she's the only one he has room in his heart for…"
"Of course…he's got a daughter…" Lu excused. Marilou just frowned.
"More room than that….and you know it…he's a strong man…with a strong…big…heart…."
Lu wanted to argue back, but she couldn't….she looked pleadingly in Marilou's eyes…trying to find the words to dissuade her….but they wouldn't come.
Jess stepped through the doorway, mug in hand, and carefully placed it on the coffee table in front of her. "There you go…."
"I take it the boss is now otherwise occupied…" she smirked, trying to pretend the room hadn't been closing in on her just moments ago.
"Nelson is taking her and Eve on a trip into the mountains…we should have a couple hours of peace…" he smiled back.
"I'll leave you two be then…" Marilou smiled knowingly, rubbing the younger woman's shoulder as she slipped out of the room.
Again, Lu opened her mouth to only silent words….
"So….what were you two discussing…."
"Oh…you know….chick stuff…"
Jess looked back at her with 'really?' written all over his face. 'Chick stuff' was not a topic Marilou would find of interest….then again…neither would Lu….
After Nelson and come back from the ride with his granddaughter, Clint took his niece to a far corner of the rear yard so she could practice with the long-strung slingshot he had made for her. This second outing gave Lulu just the opening she needed to get back in the Jess's car and have him get her to the Heartlight.
"Be back before midnight, or I'm sending out the scouts!" Nelson warned.
"They'll probably all be with us already!" Lu teased back.
As she predicted, the rest of the team had already gathered at the bar. Lu tried to protest. They were patrons…friends…Not employees…They had just come Back from their jobs…But one look from Kenny and the others, and she knew it would be a losing battle from the start…and she didn't have energy to waste…
By the time 5 o'clock came around, Lu was astounded. Everything outside the door had come in right on time, including the liquor order she had placed before the trouble had started. She discovered along with his PTSS, apparently Crosby was also borderline OCD, since she had never seen her cabinets so organized. Sheryll's incredibly stylish touch found a home, in the front tavern room, with tables and chairs reorganized in a way that not only offered better access for the wait staff, but more room for the visitors and a more pleasing overall aesthetic, while still not losing any potential headcount.
"Woman…you are a Miracle worker!"
"Eh…" Sheryll brushed off the compliment with an aire of nonchalance. "I just do what I do…" They both shared a quiet chuckle when Sher noticed her conversation partner's attention had left the 'office' area…the one portion of the bar she had insisted remain completely the same.
"So when is one of you going to pop the question…?"
"What?!" Lu near shrieked, gathering all the room's attention their way… "No, as I said…this table stays As Is!" She covered.
As the regular hum returned, she pulled Sheryll by the arm back to her. "What?!" she near whispered.
"Not THAT question….just when is one of you going to ask the other out…" Lu lowered her jaw to speak. "And don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about."
No one was letting her get a word in vertical today!
"I…I'm..."
"Waiting for him to make the first move…your hair will be white before that…."
"Darlin', don't let the dye job fool you….I've been on the bottle since I was 23!"
"Impressive….but not the point…" Sheryll insisted, not to be deterred.
"I can't…he's my best friend's widow…widower…I look at him…and then think…I think of him…and then…Look!"
"Listen," Sheryll said, sliding herself into the other side of the office booth, a higher note of gentleness in her voice. "I get you don't want to step on toes…but…Listen…we've all seen you…Both of you….It's a good match…he's really a good man…and trust me, I would not be setting him up with some stupid bimbo, so I'm expecting a lot from you here…."
"Well, I hope I'm up for the task" Lu responded with marked sarcasm. They both cracked up.
"Seriously…think about it...I'll do whatever you need to help you…I just want to see you two…try…" With that, Sheryll gave a short smile, and walked back to help Hana with the glassware.
Kenny walked into the middle of the room, carrying a box of pretzel baskets. "Hey Boss…"
Lu and Jess both looked his way…Ken sheepishly pointed in her direction. Jess gave a grandiose wave of dismissal.
"Where do you want these?"
"20 go under the bar over there….The rest in the magnificent edifice you've created from my storage closet…" she smiled. He smirked and mocked her with repeated bows as he stepped backwards from her presence and stepped away to deliver the merchandise.
Jess shortly followed suit, carrying a container marked 'salt and pepper shakers', and placing it inside the door of the closet.
"You all are really doing a fantastic job….I don't know how to thank you…"
"Well, we did it for her and not you….but if You want to thank us, I know how you can..." Kenny grinned like the canary's cat. "Ask her out…."
Mild enjoyment turned to stern disbelief. "Kenny…this is not a time for joking…"
"No…it's a time for rebuilding…which is what you and Lulu should be doing…." He was a bit freaked, looking into his superior's eyes…He knew he was totally pushing it…but something gave him the strength to press on…"Listen, I know I never met her…but from everything Clint's told me, you really loved your wife…that's plain…She must have been one incredible woman…."
"She was." Jess answered curtly, his expression unchanging.
Kenny was desperate trying to figure out what to say next…Damn Clint..he was supposed to be the one having this conversation….not futzing around with a ball, string and his niece…Chicken!
"Listen, Clint himself would tell you if he were here…like he was supposed to be!" Kenny's hand flew to his mouth…he should Not, have let that slip….
"Supposed to be…." Jess's dark expression went midnight.
Kenny knew it was now or never. The words just started rambling out. "He...we…Let's face it…we all can see it…and it's beyond time…Again, I didn't know her…never met her…but I can't imaging Ang wanting you to spend your life alone…"
"I'm not alone!" Jess commanded.
"Alone with Tali and Clint's folks then…She'd want to see you happy…with someone…and I've never seen anyone else catch your eye in the slightest…And Lu doesn't just catch your eye…"
A haze seemed to surround Jess as Crosby continued on…"What are you trying to say…."
"No….I mean…what do I mean…I mean you don't just like looking at her…She grabs all your attention…The way you talk together…the way you are together…I know you have a shared history somewhere…"
"We went to school together…" he steamed.
"School…right…college…I knew it…" Kenny knew he was running out of road…"Listen…there's no trap being sprung here…we're just trying to give you both the opportunity to think about it…"
Beyond exasperation, Jess spat "Think about what?!"
Kenny ran his hand through his hair…"Asking her out…you like her…you just don't see it…what you also don't see is…."
"What?"
"She likes you too…"
Jess did what he could to hold his stare…but it softened despite him…He looked toward the door of the main room, then back at his teammate…Kenny just nodded.
And Clint….was in on this too?
By 9 that night, the bar was hopping, but it was obvious Lulu wasn't her regular self. Most of the bar knew some part of what had happened the night before, and put her exhaustion on the event, allowing her to keep her secret controlled, but not her location. By 10, staff and patrons alike were pressing her to go home and rest. She insisted the boys were there, and she needed to look after them, but Jackie insisted, holding one by the ear, that she had no problem keeping them under her thumb…She tried multiple other excuses, but was quashed at every turn. She finally turned to Jess.
"I guess that leaves me only one option…"
"Your chariot awaits, madam…"
With a final look to Jackie, then around the room at all the expectant faces, she nodded her assent. A raucous cheer filled the room.
"Geez, who knew you were all so hot to get rid of me!?" She responded as laughter ensued.
The ride home was quiet…the cabin strangely tense…neither knew the conversations the other had had…or how the subject of the hour might be broached.
Out of the emptiness, Lulu burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" he smiled.
"Sheryll and I were talking earlier and I…well, somehow I misunderstood her and…." She began to laugh all over again…
"What?" he pressed jovially.
"I thought she was trying to tell me I should ask Clint out!" She finally doubled over in hysterics. "Can you imagine?"
"Well, there were those rumors about the two of you in law school…" he teased.
"Don't start that up again! You Know I adore him…but it just…never clicked with us…" she shrugged, reliving happy memories of a simpler time…good friends….really…good friends…
"So what was she trying to tell you?" he inquired.
Her bubble of laughter slowly dissipated. "Always the FBI agent…?"
He smiled back, trying to keep the conversation going. "Inquiring minds, want to know…"
She looked over at him, was quiet for a few beats, and answered…
"She said I should ask you out…."
The radiant giddiness melted away…quiet tension resumed…
After a few moments, Lulu tried to push out a giggle again. "I told her it was nutz…we're…friends…"
Another few moments….
"Kenny told me the same thing…."
She stared at the dashboard…then at him…He glanced back.
"He said…he said Clint was the one supposed to have the conversation but…"
"The slingshot…"
"The slingshot…"
Time ticked past as Lulu, bemused, tried to assemble her thoughts. She then dropped her head in her hands and let out a cry.
Stunned, Jess grabbed her shoulder. "What's wrong?"
"It's a conspiracy!" She shouted, laughing again…. "Marilou was trying to convince me of the same thing when you all were in the kitchen…"
He gave her a sidelong look… "Chick stuff, huh?"
She lifted her chin in defiance and glanced back. "Yeah! Chick Stuff!"
The quiet slowly returned, but this time it was a bit lighter…Lulu's gaze drifted out the window…slowly tears began to litter her eyes.
"You ok…"
"I….I don't know….I…"
Jess held back this time not to rush her…He turned toward the dirt road that led to the house, but pulled to the side so she could possibly gather herself. If Tali found her returning in this state, there'd be hell to pay….
"I've always had a crush on you, you know…." Lulu couldn't believe the words had actually left her lips…but after they had gone, she was surprised to find she had no regrets…
"Lu…I…"
"It's ok…I knew you only had eyes for Ang…right from the start…so I…just stayed back…"
Jess didn't know what to say. Memories started coming…and he was seeing them in a whole new light…This wonderful friend…this awesome woman…this…
"You were an incredible pain in the a$$!" he finally burst out laughing. She couldn't help but join him.
"Well, I couldn't beat the match that was made…so I might as well join it…" she chirped. "I gave you both your private time too…but…I still needed my…."
"Family"
"Jup!" She smiled, chin sinking. "The two of you…and Clint…you were all I had…I know I pressed for too much sometimes….I just…."
"All these years…you never said anything…"
"You were married…Ang was…" She still couldn't find it in her to say it. "It was never a good time…and while she never haunted me…I always thought I would be…."
"Betraying her…" he completed her thought…
"According to Marilou, that may not be the case….but…I don't know…"
Silence once again resumed…
"Well, maybe there's one way to find out…" he suggested. Lu blinked, then looked back at him, wiping her eyes at last. "What are you doing…Saturday night…"
She tilted her head as they responded in unison…"Working"
"Well, maybe we can speak to Jackie and the others, and get you the night off…maybe?"
"And then what…?"
"We figure it out from there…."
Lu just stared straight ahead. Was this really happening? He was here…asking her out…pinching herself would be too obvious…but she really couldn't believe how this day had gone…
Well, he had after all already spent the night at her place…
"Figure it out from there…sounds like a solid plan…"
"There's only one…"
"Don't worry…I know…all plans subject to change when 'one ringie dingie' happens…."
"One ringie…." He couldn't even finish the statement. "So I take it that's a yes…."
She took a deep breathe.. "Yes, that's a yes…and you don't have to worry about Jackie…" Jess raised his eyebrows. "I'm the boss…I tell Her I'm taking the night off!"
Jess smiled wide as he turned the car back on the road and traveled the short distance to the house.
As they pulled up, a young woman just under five feet tall was standing on the porch waiting for them; arms folded…finger tapping at her elbows…
There was going to be hell to pay after all…and he loved it!
