Do you remember the time I knew a girl from Mars?
I don't know if you knew that
Oh we'd stay up late playing cards
Henri Wintermans cigars
Though she never told me her name
I still love you, girl from Mars
Ash - Girl From Mars
She was a rebel: The ink on her skin. Rarely carrying a purse; if it didn't fit in her pocket, or more recently his pocket, then she didn't need it. Dropping out of college to travel the world then join the force. Dating a cop; a younger, yet higher ranked cop.
She was compliant: Adhering to and enforcing the law; thriving in the rights and wrongs. Filing paperwork on time. Playing by the rules of sport; never carded or sent off the field.
She was spontaneous: Suggesting a day out at the coast but turning it into a three day road trip. Nonchalantly announcing, after the appetizer plates were cleared, that she wasn't wearing panties; smirking at his open mouth stare.
She was a creature of habit: Ordering rare steak then chocolate espresso cake in Gino's without glancing at the menu. Doing laundry on Tuesday. A midnight snack, whether she was working or out or home.
:-:-:
He stirred from his nap, satisfied and body pleasantly aching, expecting to stretch out and pull her into his arms. Yawning widely he propped himself up on elbows, growling at her absence before pulling on wrinkled shorts and padding towards the kitchen.
From the doorway he watched her pull open a cabinet door, stretching on tiptoe to see the contents. Crossing the room silently, he slipped an arm around her waist, laughing softly against her ear then lifting a box of cookies from the top shelf; holding her close until she twisted, thanking him with a kiss. Munching thoughtfully on a Thin Mint as she poured a tall glass of milk, he chuckled "You're a real creature of habit Jess, you know that?"
Taking a huge gulp then cramming a cookie into her mouth, she scowled defensively, mumbling through crumbs "I can't help that my tummy always gets hungry around now!"
She always used 'tummy' when referring to her own stomach; although it was a babyish word, he thought it sounded sweet coming from her lips. Her 'tummy' was more than sweet though; lean and toned and dusty gold.
Stooping to lift her cotton tank top, he brushed his lips across the soft, warm skin before moving up; savoring the minty-chocolaty-milky taste on her tongue. "I know Jess, you tired yourself out earlier and now your 'tummy' needs a little snack!" he teased, kissing away the glower she shot him.
She hopped onto the countertop, drawing him into the V of her legs and linking her ankles behind his knees. Passing the milk glass back and forth, they snacked; talking about nothing more than the cookies their Mothers once baked. "Lemony ones" she sighed happily at the blissful memory. "Oatmeal raisin," he sighed with equal fondness, "best cookies out there."
"Hey" he asked suddenly, "Did you and Stel' have dinner tonight? I didn't know you girls were friendly?"
He'd known Stella for a lot of years; had never forgotten the day she walked into his, a lowly Third Grade Detective's, crime scene and balled him out. To this day he was still in awe of her, and still a little intimidated by her. He'd kissed her once, after a drunken dinner, but they'd both agreed that it was weird and settled for friendship instead.
He caught the flicker of guilt in her eye before she breezed, "Nah, not so much, but we were tying up a few loose ends on a case and it just so happened we were both hungry."
Cocking an eyebrow, he pried "A few loose ends?"
"Mm-hmm"
"Something I should know about Jess?"
She knew he was close to Stella; that he looked up to her and deeply respected her. Until that evening however, she hadn't had particularly much to do with the CSI, other than the occasional coffee as they reviewed cases and small talk if they passed in the hallway. Although they'd run the Rooney case together, she wasn't completely sure why Stella had then chosen to approach her with the Philip II coins; maybe it was just connected to her prior dealings with Stan Travado, during a period attached to an Organized Crime task force. Whatever the reason though; Stella was his friend and, providing things didn't break the rules, she was happy to play a part.
As they discussed hooking George Kolovos over dinner, the two women agreed to keep the deal quiet; not to blatantly lie, but not to go out of their way to mention it to him. Stella had given her a knowing look, "You know what Don's like Jess," then cocked a smug eyebrow, "a little better than the rest of us from what I hear."
Nodding, "Mm-hmm, Stella told me some very interesting things about you Don Flack" she snaked her arms around his waist, gently tickling his back.
Disentangling her arms, he stepped back, sub-consciously adopting his skeptical scowl and puffing out his chest; the way he did when he was about to question a perp.
She frowned, folding her arms, "Fine! If you want to know, I'll tell you Don...but only if you're going to listen as my boyfriend."
His jaw tightened a little and he raised an eyebrow, "Pardon?"
"You heard me. If you're going to be Don Flack, my boyfriend, then I'll talk but if you're going to be Don Flack, First Grade Detective and technically my superior officer, then this conversation stops now. Your choice buddy."
He pursed him lips then sighed, hopping up on the countertop beside her and muttering, "I've got a feeling I'm not going to like this."
She ran down the events of the night; providing as much information as she felt would satisfy him, but skipping over a few of the finer details. "So all in all, it's not a big deal; Stella's maybe just...in a bit deep. But dinner was good; a really yummy Greek place, we should go sometime." She added the last sentence enthusiastically, smiling and nodding.
He eyed her, "Nuh-uh, don't try and change the subject again Jess" before dropping his head, circling it back and forth and silently counting to ten.
"Remember Don; you're being my boyfriend just now, not a cop". Her tone was light but with subtle warning.
Sighing, he plopped down from the countertop to stand squarely in front of her. "I don't like it Jess."
She opened her mouth to protest but he silenced her with a raise of an eyebrow.
"You're both smart women and more than capable of looking after yourselves; but I don't like it. Travado's a numb nut, getting caught up with an Embassy is crazy and hooking Kolovos to get to Diakos is just damn right dangerous. As your boyfriend," he emphasized the word with a dry smile, "and therefore completely impartial in the area of law enforcement; I'd suggest that you leave well alone, suggest you tell your new friend to leave well alone and suggest that the whole thing shouts 'leave well alone!' And I say this as your boyfriend Jess, because I care."
Placing a tender hand on his cheek, she grinned, "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Snorting a little, he couldn't stop himself from continuing, "But, as a cop..."
She silenced him by claiming his lips with hers, "Shut up Don, you were doing well"; her tongue meeting his making him, as it always did, forget his mind.