There was nothing good on TV. But she watched it anyway. She needed something to pretend with.
It was just an ordinary night, and it had been an ordinary day. she had, in no way, done something that had screwed up everything. She'd even ordered pizza as if to convince herself of that.
The rain lashed against her windows, seemingly in agreement with her miserable mood, acting in counterpoint to the gunfire on TV. It was some silly action movie that was all explosions and little plot. Strangely comforting in its predictability.
Tears fell in a steady rhythm on her face, she ignored them, even as they streamed down onto her cheeks and neck. She couldn't, wouldn't, hold them back. Slowly, painfully, they stopped, drying on her cheeks as she threw her mind into the movie.
Some time later her doorbell rang, shaking her from her almost desperate immersion in the movie. She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand and stood up. A chill draft made her shiver, then hesitate about going over to the door. she was dressed in a large t-shirt with panties underneath.
She shook her head, it was late, whoever it was would simply have to deal.
As she moved towards the door some stupid small part of her hoped that it was Jane. That he had decided to, in the abandonment of reality, follow her home and finish what she started in her office.
That fantasy lasted until she opened the door.
It was the pizza guy.
Damn.
She paid him with a tight smile on her face, taking the pizza she no longer felt like eating and as soon as she could, shut the door.
What a foolish thing to believe. She hesitated by her door, contemplating whether or not it was more expedient to put it in the fridge.
This wasn't a romance novel. This wasn't some silly little soap opera. The tough heroine doesn't always get the prince. She knows that. and for some foolish moments she forgot, let her hope overwrite reality.
She carried the pizza to the kitchen. There was no point in eating it now, she didn't feel hungry at all.
"Pizza tonight? Good I'm starving."
She damn near jumped out of her skin, whirling around to face the intruder. Only to be struck dumb.
Patrick stood there, soaked to the bone by rain. Yet the mere sight of him made things low in her body clench almost uncomfortably. The sopping fabric clung to him like a second skin, the unruly blonde curls had been tamed, they lay slick against his head. but his eyes, his eyes were what kept her captivated. They sparkled with amusement.
"Cat got your tongue?" he questioned.
Her breath whooshed out of her lungs, allowing her to draw a sharp breath, "Patrick? What are you doing here?"
Jane advanced on her, that cat like gait in no way diminished by the water dripping onto her floor. "I think you know why I'm here. Don't you Teresa?"
She didn't even realise she'd been retreating till her back pressed against the smooth polished metal of her fridge. Her fingers clutched the pizza box like a lifeline. He smiled a very wicked little smile, the kind he got before everything in his con fell into place.
"you started something today Lisbon."
She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. He tugged the pizza box out of her unresisting hands and put it aside on the counter. She was hovering between joy and despair. Was he here because he felt the same? or because he wanted to needle her? to mock her and keep this chink in her armour open for availability when he needed something from her?
Whoever said love was grand was an asshole.
Love was a dangerous painful thing. made worse when the one you loved was dangerous man.
Authors note: thank you all so much :D i'm glad you're enjoying it.
Please continue to let me know what you think, it really lifts my spirits :D
as for the disaster, it seems to be under control, but you never really know with things like this, so tomorrow could bring worse news. Anyway i'm safe for tonight and that's what matters :D I'll try to get the next chapter up soon.