Extra day of weekend meaning I get one more day to push things off=Yes! No Cold Case today so I am ready to snap.
The undercover case had been long, dragged out. Things hadn't gone right at the beginning and it had started edging in the wrong direction. They had barely managed to pull the reins together and it had taken longer than it should have to gather the proper evidence again, get back on track. But they had finally succeeded.
Saccardo leaned inside the elevator as it began to move up. It stopped and the doors opened, revealing the woman he'd thought about while undercover, the woman who stopped suddenly, astonishment flickering across her face. She looked as striking as ever, her hair pulled back roughly in a way that seemed to make her even more beautiful.
"Hey, Cagney," he called. He somehow found himself acting relaxed, although he had been completely taken by surprise at her appearance, a strange feeling running through him. She was here, in front off him.
She recovered herself quickly, stepping in and pressing the button to her floor. He leaned back, trying to prolong the moment, trying to absorb in the real Lilly Rush to replace the artificial one in his mind, the one that couldn't quite mimic the fluidity of Lilly's movements, couldn't exactly match the allure of her facial expressions.
He had thought about her a lot during the undercover sting, but had practically given up on ever being with her again. It had been a long time. She hadn't picked up when he'd called to tell her that he was coming back and that had been his verification that she had moved on, as she deserved to.
"Didn't know you were back," she said. He stopped. It meant she hadn't seen his call, something she confirmed after a second.
She was still stunning He could see it in her still, that fire inside her, surrounded by the ice she shrouded herself with. Her eyes flashed to him; they were the same, powerful, guarded, and still able to strike him with a single look and he could feel that contentment that seemed to wash through him around her, the desire to protect her from anything hurtful, to make sure she was always happy. But he respected that she could take care of herself, was stronger than anyone else he had met.
"Still lookin' smokin' hot," he commented casually, moving closer to her. It was easier to utter the innuendo than to tell her seriously what he thought. She shot him a look, fighting a smile, and he found himself grinning, the effect her smile always had on him, her eyes narrowing angelically. Lilly spoke, a wry look on her face.
"Haven't changed, huh, Saccardo?" she said. He grinned, listening to the sound of her voice. There was a brief pause.
"You moved on." He wasn't sure how he knew, but the look that crossed her face and the hesitancy left no doubt in his mind. The elevator doors opened and Lilly stepped out slowly away from him.
He leaned against the elevator again, feigning indifference. If she was happy, that was fine. But still. He wasn't the type to give up easily, not when she was concerned. He found himself calling out, "Hey, Rush. I still got a chance?"
He wasn't sure why he was asking. Maybe it was meant to confirm that she had really moved on, maybe it was actually him looking for any way to let the stubborn part of him that loved her too much. Either way, he was ready for the rejection.
But she paused. Thinking about it too long, so that the elevator doors slid shut. Saccardo stared at the doors.
The pause could have been for his benefit, so that she could let him down gently. But she had looked thoughtful, strained as if she had to make a decision. Which meant he might have a chance. He shook his head at himself, aware that he was twisting things to suit himself, but he fixed a half grin on his face, unashamed.
Next chapter features the one and only Christina. Of course, this takes place after Cold Case ended (I restrain myself from ranting),so that means that there will be another little character. (Awwww. Yeah -_-). Onwards!