What I Own: A bowl strictly used for soup (and sometimes ice cream), three Starbucks travel mugs and a ridiculous amount of K-cups.
What I Don't: Rookie Blue. Nope, that's right. Not mine.
Author's Note: Well, this happened. It kind of came to me when I was attempting to fall asleep and wouldn't leave me alone until I wrote it. This is kind of, sort of in order, though there will be very little fluff. Not beta'd because I am impatient and do what I want. I know this isn't everyone's cup of vodka, what with McCollins and all, but I kind of dig it. Also? Gail and Luke and Traci and Steve. I LIKE TO HAVE FUN, OKAY? Your reviews and alerts will be rewarded with sneak peeks of the stories of your choosing and extensive babble and praise. Seriously, reviews make me smile like Missy in Maui. It's true. ANYWAY! The song for this chapter is Glycerine by Bush because hi, have you heard it? Yeah. If you are interested in Andy's dress, feel free to google Jenny Packham teal dress and I am SURE you will see it. Kate Middleton does it justice. This one is for Janeycakes because all kinds of reasons. Rated M for fucking language and adult situations. If you can't buy smokes or serve in the armed forces, you can just go away right now. Happy reading y'all, I hope you enjoy.
The wedding had been nothing short of breathtaking. Elegant and perfect in nearly every way, nothing less than what would be expected for a Peck. I could practically see Superintendent Peck seething when Gail chose to skip the obviously prewritten vows in exchange for a touching, slightly rambling, off the top of her head spiel that was just… so very Gail. Traci and I, somehow, managed to keep our composure as we stood to Gail's right, although I know it took an incredible amount of willpower not to laugh when our blonde friend charmingly referred to her now husband as 'Detective Douchebag.' I am fairly certain it was only the glare form the immaculately coiffed Superintendent sitting in the front row that kept us calm.
As joyous of an occasion as the wedding was, there was still a bit of a sense of melancholy about it, not always but certain moments, the absence of two of our own was nearly palpable. Luke, of all people, managed to give a shockingly eloquent toast about absent loved ones and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Except, perhaps, for the parents Peck but at this point I was pretty sure that removal of tear ducts was part of the requirements for rising up in the TPS ranks as quickly as they did.
The alcohol had flowed freely for the last hour and the heat generated by nearly two hundred bodies combined with the champagne I'd drank had me more than a bit flushed.
Catching Traci's eye from across the room, I gave a small wave before slipping out the back door of the inn. The ocean air was cool on my skin and I shivered as I headed down the path towards the now darkened gazebo next to the clearing where the ceremony had taken place.
It was dark now, save for the twinkling of the lights that sparkled in the windows of the building down the path and the bright, white light of the moon that shone serenely down on the ocean below.
My heels clicked on the wooden floor as I crossed to the edge of the gazebo closest to the ocean, closing my eyes as I focused on the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks below instead of the familiar, slightly haunting music that was barely audible through the open windows.
"Andy." The word was barely a whisper, and I spun around, eyes wide. I hadn't seen Nick come out here, come to think of it, I had barely seen him at all since the ceremony. Hell, we hadn't seen each other aside from work for nearly a month, not since I'd shown up near tears on his doorstep and practically begged him to sleep with me. At least that was what it seemed like in hindsight. The memory sent a chill down my spine and I tugged my essentially useless wrap tighter around my shoulders as I fought to find my words, my throat gone suddenly dry as images flashed through my mind.
"Nick. It's been... you look good." I felt my cheeks flush despite the cool ocean breeze and my ridiculous babble was rewarded with an almost blinding smile. It was true, he really did look good, black shirt, immaculately cut black suit and a teal tie which was more than a bit odd, but I didn't question. In essence, he looked… perfect and my fingers itched to slide through his hair.
"You look more than good, McNally. That color suits you." I could feel his eyes trailing over me and, once again mentally cursed. Gail, being Gail, had been very picky about the dresses that her attendants wore and the teal silk and lace confections were absolutely stunning.
"Thank you, it's all Gail's doing." Dropping my head slightly, I brushed at an imaginary piece of lint on my skirt as though removing it was a life or death decision right now. I froze, however, as familiar fingers brushed, ever so gently across my cheek and tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet warm brown eyes that flickered with… desire? My tongue darted out over dry lips moments before Nick's arm tightened around my waist pulling me tightly to him as our lips met. My gasp was muffled against his mouth and my arms twined, almost instinctively around his neck, my fingers sliding, finally, into his hair.
The kiss was intense and passionate, fueled by not only alcohol and the night, but also an undercurrent of need, of thinly veiled desire. I allowed myself to be led to the far corner of the gazebo, and it was there, drenched in shadows, I felt familiar lips trail down my throat and fingers brush across the lace tops of my stockings as the hem of my dress inched closer towards my waist, a quiet groan vibrating against the heated skin of my neck.
I couldn't stop him, nor did I want to, as I shifted my hips towards his hand, gasping as I squirmed for much needed contact.
He froze, lifting his head to meet my eyes, calloused fingers gently brushing over my cheek.
"You sure, Pretty Girl?" The words were husky and low, sending a chill of anticipation racing down my spine.
I didn't think, it wasn't needed. I just felt, lost in the moment, in the feelings that coursed through me as I nodded.
"Yes." A single word, one little syllable was all it took and his lips were back on mine, hands sliding over skin and silk. Everything else slipped away: the night, the memories, the soft tinkling laughter of our friends mingling with the delicate music just yards away and we lost ourselves easily in each other.