Wow, am I annoyed - I wrote all my review responses and then the internet had a fit. Great. Let's see if I can remember what I wrote... (:s)
ambercsiny - Don't worry - I know how life can get! So, have you finished school, or have you got a few more weeks before you can enjoy the summer?
Aphina - LOL, we're as bad as each other! I've been watching random episodes trying to coax my muses back to writing on this, and I think it's finally working!
demolished-soul - LOL, I don't think this chapter is what you're expecting! And Aiden is alright - there's a reason she's not appearing so much, but she's gonna be back soon!
LexiLoLo200 - I can't believe you read it so quickly! I'm glad you like it, and thank you for sticking it out!
TVjunkie323 - I love going back and rereading this sometimes because it's nice to see that I've grown as a writer. I'm glad you like Taylor too! As for the other story - that's the main reason for the lack of updates on this fic. I can't stop writing on the other one (which has got to be a good thing!)
SydneytheDoucheBagSlayer - Thank you for that! It definately cheered me up to read that! Hopefully, someone will actually pay attention?!
yellowpea - Thank you again for you opnions, both in the review and the pms. They have been noted.
Madison Bellows - I love dorky Taylor -she's much fun to write. And the supply closet is up there with the elevator! So much fun can be had in them!
Raisin Cookies - Thank you for your review - I noticed the same thing, which is actually kinda worrying!! Despite my disappearance, I haven't abandonded this story, I promise!
Emma Callan - I am definately going to continue on, so don't worry! And I'll keep my fingers crossed that the show writers read it and whisk me away to LA!
sparkyCSI - I didn't think I had, but never mind! I do write for me... when I can convince the muses to concentrate on one thing!
First time Reviewer - Don't worry - I know what it's like! And I will be honest, the reviews really bummed me out, but I also think you might be on to something! Thank you for reviewing,
Maraena - I think it is one! And they won't be dragging me down any more!
meadow567 - LOL, I actually hadn't thought of that. Pregnant Lindsay... we shall see!
Delko'sGirl88 - They called me back and said that I was second choice and the other person had changed their mind - did I still want it? Did you get your job?
Trizzy - LOL, I liked the 'Frizzy'ness, it was just another reason as to why your reviews make me smile (and now I'm picturing hip hop moves, although I think I'm actually just remembering scenes from Step Up!
Nienna Tinehtele - My friend bought a brand new car, went to the store, came out and it wasn't there. Now, admittedly, she had the genius idea of leaving the window down, so it was her own fault. They found it burnt out three days later! They're not going to put me down any longer! Thank you!
miss wizard of oz - Gah, it's really annoying! More so because they've clearly done it under another account! Ah well, they'll grow up one day! I hope!
RK9 - You know something, I have really started to wonder why I like the pairing. My faith in it is also waining, but that's to do with things on this board, rather than the show (:s) I hope your muses have cut you a break, and if you need me to read over anything I'd be more than happy to!
A/N: Okay, it's time for a much overdue fluffy chapter. A little Flack/Taylor time. Now, in my opinion I suck at smutty stuff, so I'm sticking to my strengths and not writing it. I'll leave it up to your imagination!
Right, there are big thanks to my beta who had this chapter twice due to my inability to decide whether to post it or not. Thanks to Aphina for batting the ideas around and telling me to go for it anyway. And then, there's the dedication - to meadow567. The banners and flags are flying!
What The Eyes Can't See
Chapter 223: But you are all I really want in this life
Taylor rolled over with a small sigh as she heard Flack on the phone. She didn't open her eyes until she registered what he was saying.
'I'm sorry, Nancy, but she's really ill. She's puking her guts up everywhere.... no, I hope she'll be better tomorrow too... yes, I'll either ring myself or get her to. Bye.'
Taylor propped herself up on her elbow. 'Puking my guts up?'
Flack grinned. 'I have plans.'
Taylor frowned. 'What kind of plans?' she asked suspiciously.
'Well, I realised that you and I have had no real time together,' he told her. 'So, whilst I take Riley to school, I want you to get dressed. Because tonight she's got detention and that gives us all day to spend together.'
A smile grew on Taylor's face. 'I like what you're thinking, detective.'
'I'm not just a pretty face,' he told her proudly.
'No, you have a very pretty body too,' Taylor agreed.
Flack dropped the phone on the bed and jumped on it, crawling over to her so that he was on all fours above her. 'I hope you like me for more than my body,' he muttered into her ear.
Taylor shivered at the feel of his warm breath. 'Not really,' she told him.
'I suppose that's a good thing,' he whispered, tracing kisses down her neck. 'Because I have so many ideas how to use this body today.' He planted a final kiss on her collar bone and climbed off the bed.
Taylor opened her eyes and relaxed her back. 'Are you kidding? You can't just leave me there.'
Flack wiggled his eyebrows. 'Just wait until I get back.'
Taylor grabbed his pillow and flung it at him. 'Meanie.'
---
'WHAT HAVE U GOT PLANNED THEN??' Taylor text him as soon as she heard the front door close.
Seconds later her phone beeped at her. 'ULL HAV 2 W8 N C.'
Taylor frowned, biting at her lip. 'NOT EVEN A LITTLE CLUE??'
'NOPE.'
Taylor laughed and pushed back the covers. The shower was quick, and she was done, hair dried, make-up on and fully dressed by the time Flack got back. 'Well, detective. What do you have planned?'
Flack let out a low whistle as Taylor rose to her feet. She was dressed in a simple white, high halter-neck dress. He quickly shook his head and produced a small box from behind his back.
With a small smile, Taylor took the box and undid the small yellow bow. Inside was a simple pair of silver twist drop earrings. 'Don, they're beautiful,' she told him. 'What did I do to deserve this?'
'Can't a guy buy his fiancé a present for no reason?'
'You can buy me as many presents as you want,' Taylor grinned, wrapping arms around his neck, her fingers playing with his hair as she leant up and kissed him. Finally she pulled away and looked up at him. 'So, what's the plan?'
'Can't you just relax and be surprised?' he asked her, although he was grinning.
'Well,' she responded, coyly. 'I was merely wondering if we had a strict time schedule? Or whether we had some time to spare?'
'And what do you have in mind?' he asked.
Taylor grinned and nodded her head in the direction of the bed.
---
'It's a good job that I didn't book that table,' Flack muttered into Taylor's hair.
They were both lying on top of the sheets, allowing the cool March breeze to caress their bodies. Half entwined with Flack, her head resting in the nook of his shoulder, Taylor shifted and looked up at him. 'I have an idea,' she murmured.
'Mmmm?'
'Let's not go anywhere,' she told him. 'After all, I am sick and I really should spend the day in bed.'
'I like that idea,' he agreed, tightening his embrace. 'We don't spend enough time in bed.'
'Oh, I'd agree with that,' Taylor nodded, shivering slightly.
'You cold?' Flack asked, rubbing his hand up and down her arm.
'A little,' she admitted. And in a quick movement, she was straddling him, her hair falling loosely onto his bare chest. 'So, I've been thinking.'
Flack let out a groan. 'Please tell me they were dirty thoughts.'
'Pervert,' Taylor chided him. 'I was thinking, maybe we should put an extra layer on our walls, line the gap with salt, and effectively make a soundproof, ghost proof room. What do you think?'
'I think that's one of the best ideas you've ever had!' he exclaimed, moving, rolling them both other. There was a flurry of sheets, and a squeal from Taylor as they went careering off the bed and landed on the floor. 'Maybe we need to work out how to soundproof the floor as well,' Flack groaned.
'I think it might be time to get a carpet down on it,' Taylor laughed as she flopped down onto him.
'And decorate it.'
Taylor nodded. 'Something other than bare walls would be nice.'
'I thought we agreed our room was low on the list of priorities,' Flack frowned.
'Hey!' Taylor objected, bringing her hands up under her chin. 'You're the one who brought it up!'
'That's true,' he admitted. 'Can I bring up the idea of turning the basement into a games room?'
'You can bring it up, but you know what the answer's going to be,' Taylor laughed. 'I hardly see you enough, what with work, kids, ghosts and that damn PS3! I can't believe our phones haven't gone off!'
Flack grinned. 'That's because I turned them all off,' he announced proudly. 'I'm off, your sick – I wasn't going to risk it.'
'Do you know how much I love you?' she asked him.
'Enough to christen the floorboards?' he asked, wiggling his eyebrows.
Taylor leant over. 'We already christened the floorboards,' she whispered in his ear.
'Remind me how that was again?'
---
'I am starving!' Taylor exclaimed. The pair had finally emerged from the bedroom to investigate what there was in the fridge. Peering under Flack's arm, it was evident there was very little.
'Why is it, when there's sweet FA in a fridge, there's always eggs?' Flack asked, pulling them out.
'Pass,' Taylor shrugged before hoisting herself up onto the side and leaning back against the side of the fridge. 'But where there are eggs, there are omelettes. Now whisk!'
Flack rolled his eyes as he ducked into a cupboard and pulled out a bowl.
From her position, Taylor let out a very contented sigh. Watching Flack whisk, wearing only a pair of boxers and a wife beater was a very nice sight. 'We're going to have to do this more often,' she told him.
Flack looked over and nodded. 'We are. Although we're going to have to stock the fridge beforehand if we do. See, this is why I was going to take you out.'
Taylor shrugged. 'Well I like the idea of eating something simple that you've made yourself. I prefer wearing your shirts whilst I eat it,' she told him, wrapping the pale blue fabric around her. 'You know, we never celebrated your birthday?'
Flack shrugged. 'We never celebrated yours.'
'Well I was in a coma. That's a pretty good reason,' Taylor told him.
'And you were being held up in a bank,' Flack returned. 'We'll just make sure they get celebrated in style next year.'
'I know, but I still feel like we should do something to celebrate.'
'Tay,' Flack sighed as he scraped the omelette onto a plate. 'Shut up and eat,' he ordered, passing her a fork.
'This is good,' she announced, waving the fork at him.
Flack glanced at the clock as he took a mouthful. 'Yeah it is,' he agreed. 'And we need to eat up and get in the shower. We need to leave soon.'
'Why does time always pass so quickly when you're having fun?' Taylor pouted.
'To make you appreciate it more,' Flack shrugged.
---
Taylor stuck her head around the door of the teenager's still dark room. 'Riley?' she called, rapping on the door. 'It's one. Get your ass out of bed!' The previous night, after spending several hours at the lab, Riley had come home and straight to her bedroom. Despite spending the majority of the day in their own bed, Taylor and Flack had done the same. Now, it was past midday, Flack had gone to work, and Taylor was impatiently waiting for the teen to rouse so the pair could hit the shops and buy some things to decorate her room.
The lump in the middle of the bed grunted and rolled over.
Forcing a smile, Taylor strode into the room and wiped the curtains back, sending bright light streaming into the room. 'Up!'
'It burns!' Riley cried, grabbing a pillow and dumping it over her head.
'Riley, we're supposed to be going out and choosing some paint for your room. And some bed sheets. And a few other things,' Taylor declared, her hands on her hips. 'So unless you really want to stay in bed all day, I suggest you get your ass out of bed and in the shower.'
'Screw you!'
Taylor's head snapped up. 'What was that?'
Moving at lightning fast speed, Riley sat bolt upright in bed. 'Nothing!' she declared, her bright blue eyes, hidden behind panda eyes, were wide and alarmed.
'Suck on my popsicle!'
Taylor's eyes snapped to the closet. 'Riley,' she started as she moved over to the aforementioned location. 'What's in there?'
Riley was in front of the closet in a shot. 'Nothing!'
'I didn't do anything' the voice proclaimed, before it was followed by a squawk.
'Move it, kid,' Taylor frowned, as Riley moved to one side, her head hanging. She pulled open the door and found, swinging upside down on a coat hanger, a bright red parrot. Taylor slowly turned her head to look at Riley. 'What's that?'
'Michael Jackson?' Riley offered.
'Michael Jackson?' Taylor repeated.
Riley nodded sheepishly. 'He does a very good impression of Thriller.'
'And what is Michael Jackson doing in your closet?' she asked, then mentally frowned at her choice of words.
'I found him,' she muttered.
'You found a parrot in your closet?'
'That's another fine mess you got me into,' it squawked, tilting its head to peer at the pair of them with its black beady eye.
Taylor let out a sound somewhere between a laugh and her own version of a squawk.
'I found him the day before yesterday,' Riley admitted.
Taylor frowned. 'So, the detention you got for skipping school. This is what you were skipping school for?'
The parrot looked at her, cocking its head. 'And we would have gotten away with it, if it wasn't for you pesky kids!'
Riley nodded. 'Can I keep him?'
Taylor glanced over at the bird as it started singing the chorus to Earth Song. 'Riley, it's got a band. It might belong to someone.'
'But if it doesn't?' Riley asked hopefully.
Taylor exhaled. 'We'll see what Don says.' She looked at the teen, who for the first time, actually seemed happy. 'Get dressed. I'll see if I can find somewhere for Michael Jackson... couldn't you call him something else?'
Riley shrugged. 'He seems to answer to Mikey.'
Taylor sighed. 'I'll see if I can find somewhere for Mikey to sleep. He can't stay in a closet.'
Axellia's second note: For the record, this was written and sent to my beta before the late, great Michael Jackson died. I wasn't going to post it, but realised that I could get my muses to cooperate and it was either this, or delete the chapter altogether and wait an unspecified amount of time for the urge to write to return.
Lot's of notes today - you can skip to the end if you want!
AxN3/ Thank you to everyone who has been sending supportive words in their reviews, emails and pms! It's really meant a lot to me to see how much y'all still like my epic baby!
AxN4/ Thank you for continuing to read and review - so long as the hits go up, I will keep writing!
AxN4/ Thank you to everyone who has added me to their favourites and alerts!!
AxN5/ (Nearly finished!) I just thought I would say that the worldwide karma worked - I have a more permenant job which I can't wait to start (I just have to wait for the police check to come through!)
AxN6/ Alright, so it's not a note, so much as a brag - and I'm soooo excited about this! I also appreciate that this may be lost on the majority of you (namely the non-Britts, so bear with me!) BBC Radio 1's Chris Moyles of the Breakfast show is bringing his Roadshow to the nightclub I work in. It's gonna be recorded for TV and Radio. And the best bit - I've been asked to finish the night off!! Which, by all rights means, Chris Moyles is gunna be my warm-up act!!! Woo hoo!