The Half Of Us
Distraction is the name of the game. Ryan/Jenny, post-Under the Gun.
"I'm home!" Jenny hip-checked the door closed behind her. "And you're looking at Marlowe Academy's newest English teacher!" She paused. The TV was humming quietly in the living room, but the apartment was dark and quiet. "Kevin?" Jenny called, frowning. There was no sign of her boyfriend. Jenny stuck her head into the living room and saw Kevin sprawled out on the couch, a half empty beer on the table and his arm draped over his eyes.
"Oh, Kevin," Jenny's heart broke as she watched Kevin doze on the couch. Something had happened at work. Jenny dropped her purse on the armchair and crouched down beside Kevin, laying her hand against his cheek. "Kevin, wake up."
Kevin's eyes were dark and tired as they focused on her. "When did you get home?"
"Just now."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep on you."
"It's fine, Kevin, don't worry-" Jenny caught Kevin's arm as he pushed himself up to make room for her. "Just scoot a little."
Kevin moved so he was on his side and Jenny lay down beside him, looping her arm behind his back. "There. Lots of room," she grinned.
"And what if you fall, huh?" Kevin raised his eyebrow.
Jenny grinned up at Kevin and draped his free arm around her waist. "Don't let go."
"I won't."
"Neither will I," Jenny promised, her heart fluttering at the seriousness of his tone. "Rough day?"
"Not one of the better ones," Kevin admitted. "How was your movie?"
"Well, I was right, you would have hated it, but I quite enjoyed it," Jenny grinned. "Bianca burst into tears about eight times – second trimester hormones are no fun, apparently. She was telling me that her fourth period class is probably traumatized by now." Jenny laid her head down on Kevin's shoulder. "So what ruined your day?"
"Well, it turns out that the doodle in Carver's sock was a treasure map, like Castle thought, and he got killed over it. One of the people going after the map was Beckett's training officer, the one who turned bounty hunter. Beckett had to arrest him tonight." Kevin sighed. "Last year it was Esposito and Ike, this year it's Beckett and Royce – it makes me wonder what my old partners are hiding."
"Kev, I thought you said Ike was cleared."
"He was," Kevin frowned. "I just realized I really don't like secrets."
"I'm sure that none of your old partners are hiding anything from you, Kevin. And in the interest of being truthful, I'm not really from Minneapolis. I'm from a little town-slash-suburb about twenty minutes outside it. Whenever I tried to explain that to people after we moved here I just got a blank stare so I rounded up," Jenny smiled.
"Fair enough," Kevin laughed.
"You know that watching the news is only going to make you feel worse than you already do. It's just past eleven on Thursday – there has to be a comedy on somewhere. I'll even take one of the crime shows, because even when they're depressing they always get their guy." Jenny reached behind her for the remote and found a Big Bang rerun.
"We always get our guy too, Jen," Kevin managed to look offended, though Jenny detected a sparkle of amusement in his eyes.
"Yes, but that's because they have you. And you're their lucky charm," Jenny shrugged it off.
"Jenny, we talked about this," Kevin warned.
"Talked about what?" Jenny asked, blinking innocently as she bit her lip.
"Leprechaun jokes, Jenny," Kevin tried to glare at her.
"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm a proud leprechaun." Jenny grinned.
"Sassy."
Jenny snapped her fingers. "Shoot, I was aiming for smartass."
"Okay, smartass, what's your next idea to distract me?" Kevin challenged playfully.
"That depends," Jenny paused thoughtfully. "Are they working?"
"Yeah. A little."
"What do you think about a dog?" Jenny asked, laughing.
"They're pretty hairy," Kevin said, deliberately misinterpreting her.
Jenny rolled her eyes and leaned in, adopting a stage whisper. "Would you believe that I've been home for almost half an hour and my boyfriend hasn't kissed me yet?"
Kevin shook his head. "He hasn't? You have a terrible boyfriend."
"Well…he has his moments." Jenny winked.
"I bet he hasn't even congratulated you on your English gig yet," Kevin grinned and leaned in, kissing Jenny. Jenny's breath disappeared as Kevin kissed her and she leaned into him. His heart beat strong and reassuring under her hand and Jenny sighed into the kiss.
"Hi. Congratulations on your new title of Art-slash-English teacher."
Jenny blinked, a goofy smile stretching across her lips. Still, she did her best to sound perturbed as she teased Kevin.
"That's it? That was barely a peck. Hardly a kiss at all."
Kevin's grin turned wicked and he leaned in, staring down at Jenny. "Would you believe that my girlfriend's been home for almost half an hour and she hasn't kissed me yet?"
"Now that's a shame," Jenny smirked. She tilted her head up and kissed Kevin, drawing back after a moment. Jenny raised her eyebrow.
"Yeah, too short," Kevin agreed.
Jenny woke up to Penny laughing at Leonard and Sheldon, and almost rolled off the couch as she stretched.
"Whoa!" Kevin grabbed her and started laughing. "Careful."
"Thanks," Jenny stood up. "I'm exhausted, and I have a feeling I'm not the only one who has to be at work early tomorrow."
"Oh, I can't wait to see how much paperwork Royce landed us with." Kevin's face scrunched up with distaste. "I think I might just stay out here."
"No, you aren't." Jenny shook her head and shimmied out of her dress before setting off down the hallway. "Better hurry before I let the dog have your half of the bed."