#the irony of having donuts but no donut pillow made me laugh

[all-thestories-aretrue]

Ironically, I need a donut pillow but I have donuts.

[itsmyescape-xangelx]

Video Games + Hangovers

Note: Thank you to everybody who gave my first fic so much love! I’m back with another established MacRiley fic. I’ve turned it into a series so this is Part 2 of “They say the world was built for two.” You can read it below or on Ao3. Hope you guys like it!

The cab pulled out of the driveway as Bozer walked towards Mac’s house. Despite Bozer’s irritable mood, a small smile tugged at his lips as a few more memories from the night before started coming back to him. The team thought it’d be a good idea to hold a game night since they’d have the next day off from work. A day off that was long overdue if Bozer said so himself. All of his friends were pretty competitive when it came to game night, but things got hilariously heated when Russ and Desi started fighting over the title for best bartender.

During their last mission, Desi and Russ had went undercover as bartenders. While Russ was more skilled at serving good drinks, people were mesmerized with Desi’s bar tricks like throwing up and catching bottles that were sometimes lit with fire. With the type of show Desi had put on it was easy to believe she was a bartender, but one sip of the drinks she made quickly cleared that misconception. Except for Desi, apparently. She thought her drinks were pretty good and really took a liking to playing bartender even after the mission was successfully completed.

Which is why last night everyone was forced to taste the concoctions Russ and Desi brewed up to see who, in fact, was the more skilled bartender. Desi’s drinks, if you can call them that, did not taste the greatest, but damn did they get you drunk. Soon they were all having too much fun playing mixologists and serving their drinks to one another that the competition was completely forgotten. They all shared an Uber home because none of them were in any shape to get behind the wheel.

Game night was a lot of fun, but the hangover and the pounding in his head this morning, not so much. He would much rather be at home right now, but he needs his car for work tomorrow. So here he was on this bright and early day, picking up his car instead of sleeping in his comfy bed with the curtains drawn shut.

When Bozer texted earlier to see if it was okay for him to drop by, Riley said she’d leave the door unlocked for him. Bozer closed the front door behind him and as he walked towards the kitchen, he called out to his friends. “Hey guys! I-.”

Before Bozer could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by someone shushing him. For a second, the agent thought something was wrong and his instincts immediately put him on guard. That was until he turned toward the living room and saw Riley chilling on the couch facing the TV. She didn’t even turn to greet at him. Rude.

Sporting her favourite lazy day tights and an oversized Metallica t-shirt, Riley looked perfectly at home with a controller in hand, laying on Mac’s couch. Correction. Mac and Riley’s couch now. Riley moved in a few weeks ago after about a year of dating Mac.

When Mac and Riley first announced they were moving in together, Bozer couldn’t help but smile, not only because he was happy but because of the irony of the whole situation. When Riley first came into their lives, she had fit in so quickly and perfectly with the group that he had once offered her to come live in the same house she now lives in. Back then Riley had refused saying she was looking for a place that would be just hers, a home. And now she had found one with Mac in that very house. It’s funny how things came full circle.

However, happy was not the word he’d use to describe his mood right now. “Why are you shushing me?”

“Would you be quiet.” Riley whispered yelled, still not bothering to turn back to look at Bozer. Once Riley had a controller in her hand, there was barely anything that could force her attention away from the screen.

Bozer wasn’t sure what was going on, but he whispered back, just to be on the safe side. “Good to see you to Riley. I’m fine, thanks for asking.” Bozer remarked with a little sass and sarcasm.

“Hmm,” was Riley’s only reply as she continued playing.

“Can’t believe a game is more important than turning around to greet your best friend who’s come bearing donuts.” Bozer whispered as he pocketed his car keys that were sitting on the counter and then walked toward her. He still didn’t understand why they were whispering.

Oh. Never mind.

Bozer now stood by the fireplace, staring at the couch. The couch on which both Riley and Mac were laying. Well Riley was laying on the couch, Mac was comfortably laying on top of her, peacefully sleeping. Riley was slouched against the armrest with her legs spread across the edge of the couch. Mac was settled between Riley and the back of the couch, probably to avoid crushing his girlfriend, with his legs tangled with hers. Mac used Riley as pillow by laying his head on her stomach and wrapping his arms around her. MacGyver, always improvising. This allowed Riley to rest the controller in her hands on his back while he slept, and she played her video game.

Riley finally paused her game and turned towards Bozer. Her game face was quickly overtaken by a questioning smile as she whispered, “donuts?”

Bozer gasped, putting one hand over his heart and raising the box of donuts with the other. “Oh wow, really? You pause the game for donuts but not me, your best friend, your elder brother? I am deeply offended.” Then held up a hand before Riley could counter his claim of being the older sibling and whisper yelled, “for shame Miss Davis. For shame!”

Riley couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s theatrics but quickly stilled, trying not to wake her boyfriend up from his nap.

Both of them stared at Mac as Bozer questioned her. “I’m guessing sleeping beauty here is the reason we’re whispering?”

Riley smiled and bent down to place a kiss against his hair. “He’s sleeping off his hangover, like I’m sure you did too.”

“Yeah.” Bozer huffed out. “Last night will definitely be memorable for a long time. That is, what I can remember of it.”

Bozer and Riley began laughing again as they remembered their antics from the night before but were trying to be quieter this time. But both of them stopped as they heard Mac’s voice come out a little hoarse and muffled against Riley’s stomach. “I thought sleeping beauty was supposed to be awakened with a true love’s kiss?”

Riley’s smile widened while Bozer shook his head. “Did I miss the memo where we decided we’re just not doing greetings anymore? Hello to you too, Mac.” Bozer said with just a bit of exasperation but the smile on his face told them he wasn’t really upset. Mac’s only reply was a wave of his hand before wrapping it around Riley again.

Riley chuckled, “you’re awake.”

Mac still looked groggy but managed to open his eyes just enough to look up at Riley. Riley put the controller onto the coffee table and slid down the couch, pulling Mac up towards her. “I can totally fix the kiss thing, beautiful.” Mac couldn’t help but huff out a laugh at that before bending down to kiss her.

Bozer had never seen Mac let anyone take care of him like this until he and Riley finally got together. Even then, it was slow going. He was really glad to see Mac let Riley in a little more each day and vice versa. He was truly happy for them, but it didn’t mean he had to stand here to witness all this.

“Aww true love’s kiss.” Bozer teased. “Well, I got my car keys, so I guess I’ll be going?”

Mac and Riley both looked up at Bozer, looking just a tiny bit embarrassed. Riley spoke up first as Mac went back to staring at his girlfriend. “Sorry Bozer! It’s just nice to finally have a day to ourselves. And thank you for the donuts!”

Bozer just smiled. “Yeah, yeah. I get it. I’ll leave you guys to it.”

“Thanks, Boze!” Mac replied without taking his eyes off Riley.

As Bozer turned to walk out, the last thing he saw was Mac get more comfortable as he kissed and nuzzled into the crook of Riley’s neck. Riley ran her fingers through Mac’s hair and stroked his back as she also closed her eyes, settling in for another nap.

Bozer couldn’t help but smile as he closed the front door behind him and walked towards his car. He was truly happy seeing his two best friends show one another the love, care and respect they deserved. Moreover, he was thrilled that they found it with each other because if there is one thing Bozer knew for certain, it was that Mac and Riley’s love was the forever kind.

And they were definitely on the right track, another nap was an excellent idea.

[fal-carrington]

Are you with me?

Pairing: F!Avery x Mc

Rating: Angst, fluffy

Disclaimer: The characters belongs to PB.

Summary: After the Vinyls disaster, with her career and her contract with Overnight Records in jeopardy, Tessa has a date with more bottles of wine than she would have wanted on an ordinary night. But when an unexpected surprise comes to her door, perhaps that terrible night hasn't come to an end yet.

“Do nothing, did you hear me? Don't talk to anyone, don't post anything on social media, and don't go outside!” Tessa cringed as she heard Fiona's shouts on the other end of the line. "Listen, kid, you gave me a big mess to fix up so... Just don't make things worse, okay?" Fiona sighed, as if trying to pull herself together, and hung up.

Tessa tossed her cell phone across the rug and leaned her head against the couch seat, trying to get her mind in place. But it was incredibly hard to try not to think of anything other than the events of that night. If only she had tried to control herself before jumping on that... that snake. Tessa bit her lip, clenching her fists and taking another sip of her cheap wine, feeling the bitter liquid come down her throat.

As hard as she tried, her anger at Jaylen didn't abate, Tessa thought of all the times she'd been kind and nice to her. Really trying not to give the media the much-acclaimed fight they wanted so badly. And now finally they got what they wanted. A real fight. Fiona's words were very specific when she said that this event was supposed to bury the hatchet between them, but now... Now Tessa had really screw up and ruined everything.

That was her first big award event, her first opportunity to do a big show in front of a lot of celebrities she admired her whole life and now she felt like an big idiot. More than anything, what Avery should be thinking now? Tessa ran a hand through her caramel hair, tears streaming from her eyes as she thought of the singer.

Avery should be hating her now, this was her big night. Avery had won in her category, it was her dream coming true, that night should be about her, but Tessa didn’t thought about that. Now everything was on the line, she could lose everything. Her career, her contract with Overnight Records, her publicist, and... Avery.

The mere thought of losing her made Tessa's heart sink, suddenly her career didn't matter as much as losing that british that always manage to make her heart race faster when Tessa saw her. Avery hadn't spoken to her since the event, Fiona and Ellis had rushed Tessa so fast into the limo that the last thing she saw was the heartbroken look Avery shot her. It was painful.

“I'm an idiot.” Tessa sobbed, running a hand through her hair once more. Never in her life the thought of ever be dating the pop star, Avery Wilshere crossed her mind. But here she was, just the night Tessa and Avery went public with their relationship to the media... Everything had gone into space.

Of course she had called Shane, maybe he was the only person she wanted to talk to at this moment, but her best friend didn't answer her calls. Tessa laughed to herself with irony at how it seemed to be a nightmare. Her head was heavy and suddenly the room began to spin, her stomach rumbled angry, maybe she also shouldn't have drunk so much alcohol, but she didn't care anymore.

Tessa cringed and lay back on the carpet, trying to make that sensation stop, she brought the half-full bottle close, ready to take another sip, when the doorbell rang.

"Go away!" She moaned against the pillow, but whoever it was, kept insistent ringing the bell.

Tessa moaned after the insistence continued, she scrambled to her feet, grabbing the couch and nearly tripping on the way to the door. After a fight against the doorknob and the door locks, she finally managed to open it. Her eyes finding the last person she expected to see that night.

Avery.

She was stunning, as always. Making Tessa’s heart almost jump out of her chest just looking at her. Avery had replaced her glamorous dress with a white shirt under a leather jacket and jeans. Her blond hair and those blue eyes... those dreamy blue eyes. The singer's expression went to shock in mere seconds upon seeing Tessa's condition.

The singer's caramel hair barely caught in a bun with a few strands of hair falling, her cheeks flushed and her green eyes usually bright, were empty and red from crying with that smudged pencil mark. She wore nothing more than a sweatshirt set, her old hoddie from her university.

"Hi." Avery said, still in complete shock, and yet, she tried to hide it. She was so considerate about Tessa’s feelings. Her eyes were full of sympathy and something else, maybe love? "Oh my dear god, Tessa..."

"... Evening." Tessa managed to answer, leaning against the doorframe, to stand upright. She managed to get away from the door, she went inside to find the lost bottle. Avery followed, closing the door behind her.

"Are you drunk?" Avery asked looking at her warily. Tessa stumbled to a chair, where she sat with difficulty. She noticed that Avery left a pink box on the sink. That wasn't the way that it should be, usually if she was sober enough, she would be embarrassed to let Avery see her like that, but Tessa wasn't sober to care.

"I had one or two... Drinks." Tessa said looking at Avery, admiring her features, maybe this was one of the last times she would see her. How beautiful she was.

"I brought donuts." Avery said opening the box. “I didn't know whether or not if you had eaten anything, Fiona took you out of the event so quickly that I didn't even have time to—” She stopped pacing, looking into Tessa's blank eyes. "I'm so sorry. Really. If I had known, I would have tried to do something.”

“It's alright… Alright.” Tessa gave her a drunken smile. "I'm screwed, and there's nothing you can do about it, let it alone."

“I won't let it go, Tessa!” Avery said with her hands on her hips and a serious look on her face. “Do you know the severity of what happened today? What did you do ?! Your entire career is at stake! Everything you have built so far, you can lose! ”

"... My song, she took my song and said it was hers." Tessa grunted staring into the void, making Avery's shoulders drop at the words.

“I know how much this song means to you. I know it hurts, but Tessa, you have to understand that—” Avery said those words carefully, and Tessa already knew where it was going.

"...Just do it already." Tessa grunted again, raising her tearful eyes to Avery, who raised her eyebrows. She was hurt as hell, and Avery was being kind and gentle again, but that only made the situation even worse.

"Do what ?!" Avery asked without understand.

“Oh, please.” Tessa scrambled to her feet, staring into those perfect blue eyes. “I know why you’re here. Fiona or Ellis talked to you, didn't they? So do it already. Cut the chase. This will hurt, but I think it's something I'll have to get over, right?”

"What are you talking about ?!" Avery asked.

"You're here to break up with me, aren't you?" Tessa said running a hand through her hair, watching Avery's pale expression. “It makes perfect sense, because the amazing pop star, her majesty in person—” She gestured to Avery. “Why would you ruin your image by being with a crazy chick who went at the stage to attack America's poor sweetheart? It doesn't sell well to anyone, much less to you.” The shock on Avery's face changed to anger in just seconds at hearing those words.

“Listen to me now, Tessa Dorian.” She pointed a finger at Tessa, causing her to cringe. “I won't take your words to the heart because I know you are deeply hurt and drunk. I may be a celebrity, but I'm still a person with feelings. And most of all, I'm your girlfriend now, and everyone knows that. And no matter what Ellis or Fiona will say, I'm not going to break up with you.” Avery said, kneeling down, searching for her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I ruined your night." Tessa said obviously upset. “I ruined everything for us.”

"You didn’t and doesn’t matter now." Avery shook her head with a half smile. “You and I are real. I know that, and I won't let anyone get in the way and ruining everything between us.” Avery took her hands, wiping a tear that ran down Tessa's cheek. "So please, love, have a little faith in us, as I have."

“Do you promise?” Tessa tilted her face, touching her forehead against Avery's.

"I promise." Avery said softly and firmly.

[allondonboy]

Medicine for the Soul

Chapter 1 - Allegro molto appassionato: solo (AO3)

Summary: After Jeremiah's death, Alex thinks they've put down their violin for good. In their first year of college and with a lot of prodding from Kara, Lucy and Maggie, they pick it up again and discover that music really is medicine for the soul. a.k.a. the completely unwarranted college, music, and nb!Alex AU.

Notes: With many thanks to Sky @icoulddancettothisbeat for betaing and brainstorming with me. If you're interested, the versions of the Mendelssohn concerto I've been listening to are by David Garrett and Julia Fischer. Title inspired by Nathan West's tattoo because it's awesome. Chapter titles come from the arrangement of the concerto for flute because that's the one I've got.

@onefootone this is the nb!Alex college au you asked to be sent the link for, hope that’s still okay :)

They hear segments of songs everywhere, and it aches inside their chest.

They try and soothe it by playing playlists on loop, moving between genres and composers and bands in the desperate hope that merely listening will fill this void.

But no. The humming, yes, more, but every time they dare to murmur a line of lyrics a shot of anxiety cuts it short because what if people hear?

They crave it, Alex craves the freedom of playing, bow in hand, fingertips dancing on the strings with just enough pressure to get that note – there, but right now there’s an internal battle inside them between this craving and the crippling fear of being judged.

Three days later and Alex is kneeling in front of their bed, staring at their violin case. Shut.

They run their hands over the top and let the memories flood over them.

“I want a sticker, I want a sticker like that, Dad!” Alex bounces on their toes and gestures excitedly to the cellist just disappearing into the auditorium with a case covered in tour stickers and, more importantly, one saying May the Fourth be with you.

Jeremiah keeps hold of Alex’s other hand as they’re shepherded through to the foyer with the other early arrivals.

“Tell you what, Al,” he says, ruffling their hair. “For every year you keep playing, I’ll get you a sticker.”

A week later, Alex comes home to find an envelope on the table with their name on, and their shriek of excitement at their very first sticker makes Jeremiah laugh and Eliza beam and they both look on proudly as Alex gives them a mini recital.

Alex picks at the corner of that sticker, then presses it down where the adhesive has failed from being moved from case to case. It’s faded now, and half covered by Utah Youth Orchestra 2004. Fifteen in all: ten from Jeremiah, handed to them religiously on the same date every year, and four for each year they were in the UYO.

The final one sits at the head of the case and Alex feels a familiar lump lodge itself in their throat as they turn their head to trace the familiar words.

“I’m so proud of you, Alex.” Jeremiah picks them up and spins them round. Their usual protests of “I’m eleven, Dad!” don’t feature as they grin up at him and hug him tight.

“Thanks,” they say somewhat abashedly, and blush. Jeremiah tries to ruffle their hair but they dance out of the way with a laugh. He reaches into his back pocket and slips out a familiar envelope.

“Here. An extra one.”

I play the violin. What’s your superpower?

The irony.

A burst of anger courses through Alex and they shove the case to the back of the bed, curling up on the floor, fists pushing into the floor, then their eyes, then wrapping around their biceps to squeeze out the pain, the memories.

Alex forgets about their violin for a busy five and a bit days until a laundry crisis has them hunting for socks in every nook and cranny of their half of the room. Under their bed they find three (where the other one went they have no idea), and their slightly crushed music folder.

If found, please return to Alex Danvers stares up at them in Alex’s childish scrawl, and they flip it open to see a page of technical exercises with pencil scratchings all over it. They slide it out and a grin slips across their lips before they can stop it. They settle on their bed, socks forgotten, and lean back against the wall with a pencil in their left hand, fingers tapping out patterns as they run their eyes down the notes.

They get half way down the page and toss it aside, flicking through the folder and letting their grin turn into a full-blown smile at what is pretty much a comprehensive history of their musical career. When they get to the end of the books at the back of the folder their heart shudders and they swallow, mouth suddenly dry. Carefully, they extract the book and run their fingers over the title, slowly opening it up and seeing another Alex Danvers in neater handwriting, then they turn the page to the start of the piece.

At the site of the familiar notes Alex’s heart squeezes again and they’re back in Abravanel Hall watching the soloist, slack-jawed, as she plays notes Alex can only dream of reaching let alone mastering with such warmth.

“Alex?” It takes Jeremiah a moment to notice the lack of small child behind him and he heads back along the row to put a hand on Alex’s shoulder.

“I want to sound like that.” It’s a whisper and he almost doesn’t catch it, but then he does and he folds out the seat again to sit next to them. “She sounded like magic.”

“You can sound like that, if you put the hours in.”

Alex nods slowly. “Lots of practice. More than for surfing, maybe.”

“You can still surf, Al.”

“Of course I can still surf,” Alex scoffs, giving Jeremiah such a dirty look he has to fight to keep a straight face.

Alex’s heart is playing tug of war between happiness and sorrow, and they rub at their eyes with one hand as they take in the markings they’ve left all over the concerto. Despite having made them more or less ten years ago they can remember making the vast majority of them.

Aim HERE! is written above a particularly fast passage.

Freefall! and an arrow mark one of their favourite runs.

Soft, slow are framed by a mass of notes about phrasing.

The third movement is entirely blank, and Alex gives it no more than a cursory glance before setting the music down.

“I did some research, Dad, and I think this is the best one to get,” Alex says as they spin on the computer chair. Jeremiah leans down and scrolls through the description.

“Have you spoken to your teacher about learning this?” he asks, and Alex shrugs.

“If she doesn’t want to teach me to play it I can teach myself. Just needs lots of practice, right?” they say and look up at him with such wide eyes Jeremiah can’t help but smile.

“Budge.” Alex hops out of the chair and lets their dad sit down. “Remember that she’s the expert. If she thinks you’re not ready, work with her. This is a really famous concerto, Alex. I don’t think there are many nine-year-olds who’d be able to play it.”

The next day, Alex wakes up to an orchestra playing itself in circles in their head. They groan, hear Lucy groan in reply, and cover their head with their pillow in an attempt to go back to sleep.

They give up after ten minutes of a concerto so familiar they catch themselves humming it as they grab their running clothes and change, deliberately selecting a Bare Naked Ladies playlist on their phone as they head out.

Mendelssohn was not going to ruin the day before it had even started.

Alex’s teacher whistles. “Mendelssohn in E Minor? Alex, that’s - ”

“I can do it.” Alex has their hands deep in their pockets and their shoulders back, chin jutted out almost defiantly as their teacher sighs and puts down the music.

“I’m not saying you can’t, but pieces like this require a certain level of…experience. Musical maturity.”

“I’ll get experience, then. And Mom says I’m mature for my age.”

Their teacher laughs. “As true as I’m sure that is, this isn’t a piece you can just pick up and play. From where you are now, this is going to take years.”

Except their teacher doesn’t know that you should never hint to Alex Danvers that they can’t do something – especially not nine-year-old Alex Danvers with a steely glint in their eye.

The run doesn’t help. Or, it helps in every way except getting the Mendelssohn out of their head, and Alex starts to curse their irritatingly good memory as they make their way to labs, fingers absently starting to tap out the notes on their thigh until they notice and dig their nails into their palm instead.

It’s a long day. A frustrating day, because 9-to-5 labs and basic lab safety means no listening to anything other than the whirr of the fume hoods and the gurgle of the rotary evaporator (shit the gurgle of the rotary evaporator) while Mendelssohn drives them to snap at anyone who tells them that their solution shouldn’t be that colour. They know it shouldn’t – it’s not their fault that down down up down trill and slide, down is being drilled into their head without their permission.

It appears their face says it all and Lucy silently hands them a fresh cup of coffee once they’ve shrugged out of their lab coat and packed Lucy’s stuff into their bag so she doesn’t have to lug it down to ROTC training.

“Donuts?”

Alex nods grimly. “Donuts.”

Lucy claps them on the shoulder and jogs off, leaving Alex to jab headphones in their ears and storm off to the library, music uncomfortably loud and yet still not distracting enough.

Their seat in the library is thankfully empty. Disregarding whatever pecking order there might be in the communal study spaces, Alex had already stared down several, surprisingly less stressed older students who had dared to sit at the table they had claimed as theirs on the first day of classes.

Their seat is free, but their table is decidedly not. Alex ignores the prickle of irritation on the back of their neck as they take in just how much of the surface space is being taken up by the other person’s sprawled textbooks, and subtly shifts them towards the centre of the table as they unload their notes.

The girl makes an apologetic noise and tugs her notes further towards her, and Alex wastes no more than a glance on her before they settle back to get started on their report.

Alex is annotating a graph when their phone bleeps, and they see the screen flash once before it goes dead. They curse under their breath, causing the girl to briefly flick her eyes up to theirs, and then they’re fumbling in their bag for their charger – damn.

They were in such a hurry they didn’t grab it from their desk, and now they’ve got nothing filling their head to soak up distractions like a sponge, and speaking of distractions –

“Fuck.” They drop their head to the table and this time the girl looks up properly just as Alex lets out a quiet groan as their brain picks up the concerto.

Again.

--

Alex stares at their violin.

It’s beautiful. Sleek wood, carrying a scent that reminds them so much of home, looking just like it did the last time they put it away.

Alex’s hand shakes as they pick it up and give the A string an experimental twang. They wince at the resulting soggy thwump that is most definitely not an A, and carefully wind the tuning peg until the string sits somewhere in the region of the right note – they’ve never had perfect pitch, not like Kara.

They quickly tune the other strings, thankfully not quite as bad as the first, and apply resin to the now pretty old horsehair of their bow after the customary puffy sneeze as the resin case releases a cloud of dust.

Alex tucks the violin under their chin and takes a deep breath. They explore the strings with their fingers as their hand falls instinctively into the right position and they straighten their back, drop their shoulders, close their eyes.

They bring the bow to the strings, slowly, carefully, and pull a note out of the violin so hesitantly that for a moment Alex thinks they’ve missed the violin altogether.

But no – it’s there, just quiet, wobbly, like a new-born foal trying to find its feet for the first time.

Alex feels their face relax into what Jeremiah jokingly called their ‘practice frown’, and they play a couple of scales and arpeggios more confidently, fingertips deftly finding the notes with only a couple of slips and it feels incredible. Liberating.

Alex huffs out a sigh and frowns harder, reaching way back into their memory to find the shorter pieces they used to play – ah.

The violin is back up instantly and their fingers are flying through a series of jigs they had fallen in love with once their teacher had convinced them that practicing the same concerto over and over again was a sure-fire way to never finish learning it.

“You’ll get bored if you only practice this and your scales.”

“No I won’t.” Alex is almost bouncing as they pack their music away, eyes shining after a particularly productive lesson.

“You will, Alex.”

“Nope!”

Three lessons later they arrive, and fidget when their teacher asks them how much practice they got done.

“Um,” they begin, and she gives them a knowing smile.

“I looked out some of my old favourites for you,” she says, and reaches into her tattered bag to pass them a bundle of well-thumbed books. “Have a flick through those when you get home, and choose a couple that you want to learn. We’ve got to keep a busy mind like yours entertained, after all.”

Alex blushes and nods, slipping the books into their bag.

“I don’t want to stop playing the Mendelssohn though,” they say, getting their violin out.

“Think of it instead as furthering your musical education. When you perform, you want to bring together all your technique and all your understanding – and remember when I said you needed musical experience for this piece? This is what I meant. Dabble in other composers, try out different styles. You might find something you like more.”

Alex pffts, causing their teacher to laugh.

“Evening, Danvers.”

Alex nearly drops their violin at Lucy’s voice. They go to shove it back in the case but remember at the last second that it is in fact a very precious instrument, so they put it down firmly instead. Lucy pauses as she grabs her towel and waves a hand in Alex’s general direction.

“You don’t have to stop on my account,” she says, but Alex is already unclipping their shoulder rest and loosening their bow, and before Lucy is out the door the violin is back under their bed and they’ve reburied their face in their pillow.

[munchkinxcop-blog]

Erin Lindsay -The sound of the alarm waking her up, she moved out of her position against CJ and reached to the night stand, searching for her phone to silence it.  Sitting up and opening her eyes, she found her phone was not there, but the noise was coming from somewhere close.-  Oh hell.  –She sighed, leaning her head back and curling back against him, trying to ignore the alarm in hopes it would silence itself since she had no clue where the phone was.-

C.J. Luciano    - not even bothering to move as he felt her move, not quite awake enough to. Able to register the movement but still not up nor opening his eyes, arm still slipped around her tight and feeling her warmth against him with the side of his face pressed to the pillow without a hope of getting up from that noise alone.-

Erin Lindsay -Clearly, the noise was not stopping, which was not allowing her to go back to sleep.  She bit her lip, looking at CJ’s closed eyes.-  Hey baby?  Keep your eyes closed.  –She didn’t know if he was awake or not, but finding the phone had to happen, immediately.  Trying to move from within his tight hold on her, she kissed the corner of his lips and whispered.-  Hey, you gotta let me turn that thing off.

C.J. Luciano    - hearing just that last sentence as he grudgingly moved his arm from around her. Grunting softly in response as he let her out of his hold to go find whatever it was that she needed to find as he heard the sound of his own phone from somewhere in the room but not quite able to register anything else in that state as he slipped back off immediately.-

Erin Lindsay -The noise stopped from her phone and instantly started on his just as she moved from his hold.-  What the hell?  -She asked as she moved off the bed, turning on the light on the night stand and finding her phone on the floor.  She remembered having left it on the end of the bed when they went to the rooftop, but had never remembered to move it.  Once she had her phone in her hand, she read the alert on the screen, then looked over at him.-  You gotta answer your phone… CJ?  -She went over to where his clothes were and found his phone there with Voight’s name on the caller id.  Neither of their alarms were going off.  Moving over to his side of the bed, she shook his arm.-  CJ… you gotta wake up… answer the call…

C.J. Luciano    - finally waking up as he felt her at his arm, looking up towards her blankly for a moment before glancing down towards his phone. Barely managing to make out the name. Sliding over to accept the call, he did just that. Sleep still obvious in his voice as he rubbed his eyes. Asking 'Hello' as he listened to the familiar voice on the otherside of the line. Knowing this was particularly dangerous since any inclination that the two of them were together meant obvious trouble. Finally managing to open his eyes, he glanced absently over towards her.-

Erin Lindsay -Instantly wide awake, she caught his look and nodded her head.  Looking to the clock, she sighed, 4:32 a.m.  She knew that if Voight was calling at this hour, it wasn’t to say good morning.  She went quickly to her dresser and pulled out her bra, tshirt and jeans, glancing back at Luciano as she got dressed.  Her heart was racing as she grabbed a pair of socks and her boots, sitting on the end of the bed, careful not to make a single sound as this was the first time the two of them were in the same place when a call like this had come in.  Once she had her shoes on, she looked over at him again, a questioning look as she had no idea what was going on, but had the gut feeling it would require taking quick leave of her apartment.-

C.J. Luciano    - hearing the rough voice was perhaps the last thing he wanted to hear at this point in the morning as he watched Erin get ready, already knowing what was up. Ending the phone call with Voight with a confirmation that he would be there and that he would try to get ahold of Erin. A funny bit of irony there since she hadn't picked up her phone. He ended the call and pulled himself up from the bed.- there was a break with La Raza. Another murder. He thinks he has something from sniffing around. -he told her as he stretched resulting in his hands against her ceiling.-

Erin Lindsay -The moment CJ hung up the phone, her eyes were on his, waiting.  A small grin forming to her tired lips, she leaned her head to the side.- Oh? And we’re back on the case? –She skipped the disheartened look she normally would have gotten at the sound of another murder, and went straight to the personal side of things.  Walking over to him, she put her hands against his chest, looking up to him as he stretched to the ceiling.-  Ya know, I really hope you have some way of getting ahold of Erin.  She’d want to know this.  –She nodded, placing a quick kiss to his chest.-  Is this a grab and go thing, or do I get to drink my coffee at home, since I’m now fully awake and fully dressed and there is no chance of us getting to go back to sleep.

C.J. Luciano    Go drink your coffee, hun. -he assured her, pressing his lips to her forehead as his eyes found hers.- I'm going to take a to-go cup. I'll get there a few minutes early and work out the small shit. Take your time. -he told her honestly, covering it up  so she could atleast get a bit of peace before the day begun which already sounded like a promising kind of hell.-

Erin Lindsay -A smile came to her lips as he offered to go in without her and let her take her time.-  How did I get so lucky? –She asked, looking up at him in what promised to be the only moment that would be like this for the entire day.  Lifting her hand up to the back of his neck, she tugged him to her.-  Good morning.

C.J. Luciano    - smirking softly at her question as he only wanted her to get what she needed that morning. Feeling her against the back of his neck as he leaned forward. Pressing a soft kiss to her lips.- Good morning. -he stated in return, kissing the tip of her nose.- I’m going to at least pretend to be grumpy about this. Kind of puts me in a bad spot since now I have to call my mom, wake her up at the crack of dawn to get the kids ready since I probably won't be back in time. I'm not really that pissed off about it but I feel like something should be said. Can't take us off a case and throw us back on just when it's convenient.

Erin Lindsay -Accepting his kiss with her own, she heard his next words and shook her head.-  Maybe we’ll get lucky and go in for an hour and he’ll turn us loose for the rest of the day.  –She dreamed out loud as she moved her hand from his neck, down his chest as she stepped away from him, shrugging her shoulders.-  Or we’ll go in now and be stuck until midnight.  –Nodding her head, she scrunched her nose.-  It’s definitely that kind of day already.  –She walked out of the room, to the kitchen and turned on the light.-   Hey, hun?  No to go cup this morning… someone forgot to fill the coffee pot last night?  -She bit her teeth together, frustrated that she couldn’t send him out the door properly, though at this time of morning, the coffee wouldn’t have even started yet.-

C.J. Luciano    Eh, that's fine. Can get it on the way. -he stated honestly, just managing to get his clothes all together at that point and make sure he didn't forget anything along with his car keys.- just think, if we lived in like Lexington Massachusetts or some shit, we could allow ourselves the opportunity to be fat, donut eating cops. -sighing, he could only imagine as he approached the door.- one can dream.

Erin Lindsay Instead, we have to work out every day and survive on caffeine and banquet dinners.  –She teased as he met her at the front door.  She tilted her head to the side, looking up at him with her pout evident.-  I’ll see you soon… I won’t be long now that there’s no coffee.  –She assured, knowing she’d need to be long enough for it to be believable that she had to be ‘contacted’, yet not so long that he was having to deal with whatever break there had been in the LaRaza case on his own.-  

C.J. Luciano    Make a fresh pot. Take your time. -stressing that last bit as he raised a brow, watching her with a nod. Knowing she wouldn't leave him out to dry for too long.- lemme' get them lips, woman. Make it worth my while. -he teased as he leaned forward, clearly expecting his goodbye kiss.-

Erin Lindsay -Shaking her head lightly, she brought her lips to his, then paired it with a smack to his ass.-  Yeah, take my time, because Voight always blows our phones up at 4:32 a.m. –She laughed as she turned to the door, unlocking it and pulling it open for him, then turning and looking up at him.-  One more, for luck?

C.J. Luciano    Voight can blow me. I'm telling you to take your merry old time. -he stated in response, glancing down towards her in time for her to ask for another. Making him smirk lightly as he leaned forward, fusing his lips back to hers for a lingering moment. Pulling back only to kiss the tip of her nose and then her forehead.- if he hadn't have taken us off this case yesterday in the first place...

Erin Lindsay You know what, maybe I should go in first.  If you go in there with that… blow me stuff… -She clenched her teeth together, shaking her head.-  It won’t be pretty and you’ll end up the one suspended.  I can be ready in five minutes.  Let me go do that and you go to the coffee house and bring us coffee?  -Ultimately trying to save his ass, she couldn’t bear the thought of him and Voight coming to blows.-  

C.J. Luciano    I'm fine, Erin. -he assured her, locking eyes with her, giving her one last quick kiss before he was on his way before she could tell him any differently.- I love you. -he called from the hallway just before he could close the door, closing it behind him as he made his way down the hall and to his car. Slipping within where he started everything up, taking a moment for the car to warm up before he was pulling out and on his way.-

Erin Lindsay Stubborn.  –She whispered as he left the apartment.- I love you too.  –She said, though she was sure he didn’t hear her.  She went to the coffee maker and started a pot of coffee, as CJ had told her to.  While the coffee brewed, she went to the bathroom to brush through her hair, putting it up into a ponytail.  Ten minutes later, she was sitting on the sofa, drinking a cup of coffee, wondering if CJ would be able to keep his temper under control of if she’d be walking into a war zone by the time she got there. C.J. Luciano    - getting coffee ultimately for them both, he slipped into the station to see that he was one of the first ones there and everyone else was assembling slowly as well. He slipped the cup onto Erin's empty desk, leaning against the edge as he silently drank his coffee. Voight seemed wide awake overlooking the room over the fully written on white board, prepared to give his presentation to about a dozen half asleep detectives. He checked his phone, assuring his mother was up and knowing the plans.- Erin Lindsay -Picking up her phone, she sent a text to Voight.  ‘I’m up and on my way.’  She didn’t get a response, but she didn’t much expect to either.  Finishing her cup of coffee, she poured another in one of her to go mugs, then headed out the door.  She finished the cup on the way to the station, parking in her usual spot and going in the back entrance.-  You realize it’s still dark out there, right? –She asked Luciano as she sat down at the chair at her desk, picking up the cup of coffee and nodding her head in thanks to him.- C.J. Luciano    Yeah, probably just as dark as it is on the inside of my eyelids. Not that I'd know or anything...-speaking just loud enough to draw a few laugh's that he ultimately wasn't seeking, having to remain standing up knowing he'd fall asleep otherwise as the room began to fill in and Voight began his talk about the things he ultimately already knew and predicted the day before but now with the additional twist of the body turning up and the evidence from that.- Erin Lindsay -Once Voight began, her eyes instantly glanced up at CJ as he leaned against her desk, bringing the coffee cup to her lips again.  It was clear to her now that she hadn’t missed anything, but she couldn’t help but wonder what would come out of CJ’s mouth.  Setting the cup down, she watched Voight as she looked over the board from her seat.-  You were right.  –She whispered to where only CJ could hear her, sighing as she shook her head.- C.J. Luciano    - humming in agreement, nothing too loud as his eyes still followed Voight on the board. An unnecessary death, that part angered him but he had to remember that he took Erin off of cases to protect her. Of-course he wound up going with her, he couldn't be too bad at this even with everything considering though he was cranky and really wanted to. Rubbing his hand over the side of his face where the stubble had thickly grown in over the course of the night as he had not been able to shave, he waited until the end of the interview to ask what he had been thinking about the body from the day before and if forensics had been able to clarify anything for them about the body. Specifically, the bullets used.= Erin Lindsay -As he asked his question, Erin’s eyes went straight to Voight’s, knowing that CJ had been the one to rule out the group of spectators as the shooters due to the pieces they were carrying at the time.  Voight confirmed that CJ had been correct in what he had seen, but that a CI provided him with information that it was in fact the very same group, but the guns had been stashed long before CPD had arrived on the scene.  Erin shook her head.-  I knew it.  –She whispered, glancing up to the ceiling.  Voight continued to explain that they had an address and names, and everyone was to go suit up immediately to go take the group down.  Standing up from her desk, she fully expected Voight to stop her, but he instead nodded to her and CJ both, explaining what was up with the early wake up call.  It was all hands on deck.- C.J. Luciano    - hearing the call for vests, he could only look up towards the ceiling. Knowing he wasn't nearly awake for it.- and now it happens. Today is the day I get shot in the ass. -he predicted quietly to himself, slipping behind his desk to grab his own vest and pulling it on. Grunting as he did so and yanking it clean down though the thing always had a way of being a little too short for him as he reached for his gun. Tucking it into his belt as well as his badge.- Erin Lindsay -Turning around, she grabbed her vest, pulling it on and strapping it to herself.  Leaning her head to each side, she continued the attempts to wake her body up, though after three cups of coffee, she’d be wired any minute.  Opening the drawer of her desk, she pulled out her gun, holstering it, then her badge, and keys.  Looking over at him, she bit her lower lip, nodding her head to him.-  If you get shot in the ass, I will be laughing mine off.  Just so ya know. C.J. Luciano    It's gonna' be like Forrest Gump. 'I got shot in the Buttocks.' -quoting one of his favorite movies as he finished up his coffee cup, tossing it into the trash not far behind his desk as he slipped from behind his desk.- 'Lieutenant Dan! Ice cream.' -he added, adding his best Forrest Gump voice and accent if only to entertain himself.- Erin Lindsay -Shaking her head, she finished off the cup of coffee and did the same, then leaned against her desk, waiting for the go ahead from Voight.- Really?  Ice Cream?  Lieutenant Who? –She cocked her head to the side, looking over at him giving a shrug to her shoulders.-  Yeah, no clue.  At all.   C.J. Luciano    Have you ever watched Forrest Gump? -he asked, searching her face with his eyes and hoping she was kiding. Just hoping as they got ready at the stop before the stairs.- please tell me you've watched Forrest Gump... Erin Lindsay -Looking over at him, she shook her head and turned the corners of her lips into a frown.-  It’s not a romantic comedy, is it?  Then no.  I’ve heard of it, if that makes you sleep better at night.  –She laughed, tapping her hand to his vest covered chest as Voight released the team and gave cross streets of where to assemble.  Walking past him, she turned and smirked.-  Now who’s the slow poke?  Can we go already? Geez.  I’m ready to go back to bed already. C.J. Luciano    that's the worse thing you could have told me before 6, Lindsay. -he told her matter of factly right as they were released and outside, making their way to their car as he heard her response.- I'm the big slow one. You are the little fast one...we've discussed this before. Know your role. -he reminded her as they made their way to the car and he held his head back to yawn.- Fuck. Erin Lindsay Sorry? Not sorry.  –She laughed as the coffee was kicking in, right on time, and they were approaching the car.  Once the car was unlocked, she looked over at him, taking immediate notice to how tired he was, but not being able to really say much about it.  Getting in the car, she looked over, knowing already that he would be fine, but still showing concern for him.-  Hey, you gonna be okay for this?   C.J. Luciano    Yeah. Worse comes to worse I just get shot in the ass. -he teased once they slipped into the car and he closed the door to the car after slipping within, reaching for the belt as he glanced over towards her. Giving her a slow nod.- I'm just a complete baby about getting woken up so...bare with me. Erin Lindsay -Starting the car, she looked over to his response and nodded her head.-  It’s okay.  –She buckled her seatbelt, then put the car in reverse and headed out in the same directions as the other vehicles, wondering how much better his mood might have been had she taken the first call from Voight on her phone instead of waking him to answer his.-  Maybe we’ll get to go back to bed after this.   C.J. Luciano    Maybe. -he stated, a tone of hopefulness in his voice as this should, potentially, land them with the rest of the day off should they be able to nail this. Scratching his hands over the side of his face as he watched her backing out before following the others. He reached out to tune the radio as a way of giving himself something to do.- Erin Lindsay -Cutting her eyes at the stereo knob as he controlled it, she let him have it this time without a word from her about it.-  Tonight maybe you should get some rest, stay at your place, go to bed early?  I’ll stay at mine, go to bed early, get some sleep?  -She looked over at him, trying to gauge his response, knowing that their relationship could be quite exhausting with the hours they were keeping.- C.J. Luciano    Whatever you want to do, hun. -he stated, smirking lightly since he wasn't going to fight her on this one. If she wanted her rest then he'd let her have it. Watching the radio as he tuned to a classic rock station.- If that's what you think is best then that's fine. Probably wouldn't kill us to get a little extra rest. Erin Lindsay I don’t know that it’s for the best, but maybe.  –She added, second guessing her original thought, honestly never wanting to be away from him, but knowing how difficult the back and forth was, and the late nights and early mornings.  Making the last turn that would lead them to the cross streets that Voight had given them, she reached over and touched his hand with hers.-  This station.  Never again.  –She smirked.- C.J. Luciano    - letting her figure out what she wanted to do that night herself, watching that last turn being made as he felt her at his hand. His own giving hers a gentle squeeze. Smiling softly.- we'll see about that. Erin Lindsay -Pulling up the car into the arrangement with the others, she released his hand and nodded her head.-  Yeah, we’ll see alright.  –Looking over one more time, she tilted her head to the side.-  You awake now? C.J. Luciano    - speaking through almost closed eyelids, answering her question quite ironically as he nodded his head. Opening his eyes as he rubbed his face, watching from between his fingers as everyone began to file out.Reaching out for the car door, he followed up himself. Watching the sun finally beginning to pain the horizon in a shade of purple as they waited for a small bit of briefing.- Erin Lindsay -Trusting his nod to be truth, she got out of the car, joining the rest of the team as they received the plan from Voight.  There were two exits to the building, both of which would be covered.  The rest of the team would split in half, bombarding each entrance.  Erin looked over at CJ, then back to Voight, continually waiting to be yanked, as it had almost become normal, but as he went on it was clear that they would be going in the back.-  Let’s get ‘em. –She gave a small nod, unholstering her gun from her side.- C.J. Luciano    - getting the go ahead, he reached for his gun a moment later as well. Glancing over the building as per usual they were the ones actually going in. Reading into his surroundings as he led the way down the thin alley way to the side of the building towards the back. Always assuming that head position, knowing she had his back as they approached they approached the door. Glancing up, he spotted a bit of what appeared to be cigarette smoke leaving one of the far windows bringing him to glance back down towards her.- Erin Lindsay -Standing behind the building with him, she took only a moment to flash back and wish she would’ve just taken these same guys down when she spotted them the day before, but they didn’t have enough then to do it.  She watched as he looked up, then looked down at her, bringing her eyes to lift to where his had been.  She nodded her head, understanding him well without a word spoken.  Over the radios Voight’s voice could be heard commanding his team to go.-   C.J. Luciano    -hearing the go ahead, his gun was already drawn as he reached out to grab the door handle. Locked, giving her a nod to take the step back, he kicked the door in. Pushing it open just as it went to rebound and entering.- Erin Lindsay -Taking a step back, she took the moment to look up at the window he had been eyeing before, then looking down the alley.  Given the home they were intruding upon, one could not be too careful.  It was already known the occupants would more than likely be heavily armed, and by no means afraid to kill a cop.  The crashing of the door brought her head back around to follow steps behind him, hand bracing her wrist beneath.- Going 2nd floor –She spoke over the side mounted radio, communicating with their team that they were at the staircase and leaving the first floor to them.- C.J. Luciano    - hearing Erin call for the 2nd floor, he was already bounding up it somewhat quickly. Gun drawn and waiting for further instruction as he reached the next landing and up one more series of steps where another door awaited them.- Holy doors, Batman...-he muttered under his breath.- Erin Lindsay -Hot on CJ’s heels, she stopped at the top of the stairs.  On the floor below, the team was clearing rooms one by one, sounds of ‘clear’ coming from below, indicating to her that the men they were looking for were all collected in the room with the window that they had seen from outside.- Get it while its good… -She knew with the breaking open of the doors downstairs, there was the possibility that the residents already knew they were there, but then again with all the damn doors in this place, it may have been more sound proof than one would think.- CJ Luciano    - watching the door carefully, C.J.'s gun drawn to the door. He couldn't help but think that this was a horrible scenario. What if there was a large room behind that door? They didn't have the time to worry as his boot landed into that door as well that instead led them down a long hallway of more doors. Yet more doors to kick in. How exciting.- Call this in, we definitely can't clear all these by ourselves. -he told Erin as he kept his gun drawn and looking down the hall where he could hear voices distinctly.- Erin Lindsay -Nodding her head, she brought the radio to her lips, speaking in a hushed tone to call in for back up assistance, to which she was responded a 10-4 and officers in-route.  Looking to CJ, she gave a glance to him, paired with a slight nod of her head indicating that it had been handled.-  Five minutes.  –She said quietly, knowing they were in close proximity to the suspects they were after, based on the voices coming through closed doors, also indicating said doors were not as soundproof as they might have preferred.-   CJ Luciano    - hearing her speak, he exhaled a deep breath. Caught between stupidity and his job as he so often did. Knowing that if he kicked in that door where the voices came from, there was no guarantee he could hold it on his own. Not to mention the other rooms still could have been filled. Not wishing to bring that on Erin specifically as he kept his gun drawn.- shouldn't be long now then. -he whispered, gun aimed towards the door where he was almost expecting someone to pop out.- Erin Lindsay -With the first floor completely cleared, a filing of detectives followed one another up the staircase to join Erin and CJ.  Erin turned to look over her shoulder, motioning a two-fingered hand gesture to Dawson and Halstead to take the other side of the door that voices could be heard behind.  Voight coming up behind CJ and commanding that there wasn’t time to wait for additional units and to go.  Erin braced her gun tightly in her hand as she stood just behind CJ, prepared to file into the room behind him along with that of Dawson and Halstead.- CJ Luciano    - listening to Voight give the go ahead, as long as he wasn't the first one getting his head blown off as they entered. The lead man kicking the door in where no less than about a dozen men stood behind. Gang members. Sitting within a room of money, narcotics and guns. The screams echoed through the room. Hands up, guns down.- Erin Lindsay -Filing into the room, her eyes swept the room, in awe of how many people were in the room before them.  They were outnumbered, but at first glance one could presume they were cooperating, though Erin knew this would be too good to be true after these same assholes had been the ones at the last scene they had been on the day before.-  Keep your hands up, UP! –She called out as one of the men let their hands fall slightly.- CJ Luciano    - keeping his eyes on about 3 guys of his own, a fresh pack of snow falling right from his hands. It was almost too easy. Too compliant. Something had to be up as the instruction for everyone in the room to fall to their stomachs with hands behind their back. The most difficult part of this would be now by far. Cuffing or atleast for now, plastic ties considering the volume of people they were working with.- Erin Lindsay -With Voight and Olinksy joining them in the room, the numbers were still not in their favor.  The look to CJ’s face would tell Erin everything she already knew.  Something wasn’t right.  As the men in the room started to lower themselves to the floor, Erin kept her gun drawn, reaching into her vest for straps to assist with the restraint of the very guilty suspects.  There wasn’t time to go through all of the things that could go wrong, leaving them to only operate on instincts all around.- CJ Luciano    Can I suggest one or two of us start cuffing while we keep eyes? -speaking to Voight who would ultimately make the call. Something about that moment told him to keep a few eyes on everyone. Call it instinct or sheer paranoia, he was going with it as he usually did and waiting for Voight's response. Wondering why that had gone so easily.- Erin Lindsay -Voight’s voice rang out through the room, in a way only his could, barking out the order that Luciano and Dawson start cuffing, accepting CJ’s suggestion.  Holding out her hand to CJ, she passed the straps she had already withdrawn to him, an uneasy feeling resting in her stomach as she took a stance beside Voight, speaking in a low tone.-  Something isn’t right.  –She confessed, met with a nod to his head, agreeing, but relying at this point on the officers that would be arriving in less than two minutes.-  Stay down.  –She commanded at one man that looked as if he would be the one to make a move.-  I will put a bullet in your head.  –She threatened, drawing attention that he may need to be handled first.- CJ Luciano    - hearing him speak, he tucked his gun into his holster where he took the straps and approached the man that Erin was currently barking at. His hand found the man's head from the back, pressing him down low onto the floor, knee pressed to his lower back as his hand lifted to pull in his wrists and tie them off. Keeping him down incase he'd jump with his knee as he got that one down, watching as Dawson worked on his as well before they were approaching the next.-

Erin Lindsay -With too many weapons around the room, varying from guns to shivs, she stepped forward, on her way to position herself at the table, as Ruzek did the same from the other side.  There were just too many of them and not enough back up yet.  In a flash, one of the men lifted from the ground and knocked the gun from Erin’s hold, drawing her into a choke hold as he grabbed a knife from the table behind himself and replaced his arm at her throat with the blade of the knife instead, claiming that they were walking out of there.  Erin’s eyes stayed as calm as possible as she felt the blade to her throat as he started towards the door with her.-  You don’t want to do this.  –She warned, the man pushing the knife harder to her skin, bringing Erin to lean against him, holding her breath.-

CJ Luciano    - he had drawn his gun but was too late as he looked down the barrel towards them both. Teeth gritted and it was now almost impossible to react as a cop would react for a coworker but now as his girlfriend was in danger. He watched the man moving backwards, keeping his gun aimed on him. He was quite the bit taller than Erin fortunately, something that wasn't difficult to do but he was noticing. Voight opened his mouth to negotiate just as he always did, stalling at the door as if to state his terms but C.J. had grown tired of the games and especially with Voight and his shotty calls. With the gun aimed right at the forehead of the guy, he fired. The man was distracted, looking to Voight before the bullet could collide with his forehead and leave nothing but the thick spray of blood and bone matter. He dropped just as the room began to shift before he called into the air.- If anyone else fucking moves I'll blow your brains out just like your friend.

Erin Lindsay -Staying still as Voight negotiated, Erin’s eyes held on Voight’s not noticing that CJ was taking matters into his own hands.  When the shot was fired, the man instantly dropped behind her, leaving her to lunge forward the second his grip had loosened on her.  There was a stir in the room that could easily turn into mayhem, but CJ had already made it clear that he was not fucking around.  The entire team had guns drawn as sirens rang outside of the house from three patrol cars arriving on the scene.  Voight’s eyes shot to Erin as she nodded her head.- I’m good.  –She said as he instructed her to go down and bring patrols up.  She stepped out of the room, taking a moment to catch her breath before descending the stairs to be met with six officers coming into the house.-

CJ Luciano    - glancing over towards Voight, he knew he had very well just risked his position with the squad but he'd do more than risk it before the day was through. His anger was palpable in that moment. He had put them in yet another bad situation without waiting for back up and now they stood and watched the others as back up filled in and the ratio evened out; one person to a cop getting cuffed and left within the filled room.-

Erin Lindsay -Staying outside of the room, unarmed as her gun still laid on the floor inside the room, she watched as each person filed out with their own personal escort.  Leaning against the wall, she was reminded of the conversation she had with CJ the night before on the roof, this standing as the exact proof as to why she couldn’t risk getting pregnant if she was going to wear the badge.  As cop cars filed out for the precinct, she stepped back into the room, bending down and lifting her weapon from the floor and holstering it in place, her eyes making no contact yet.-

CJ Luciano    - not yet putting away his gun until the room and all it's hiding spots had been cleared and everything examined. He tucked his gun away as they did so, now almost asking the question of now what? They'd need the coroner for the man that C.J. had shot and it probably wouldn't be long until the media got a hold of it. The room needed to be peeled up for the evidence that was clearly everywhere in abundance. Stacks of money, drugs and guns everywhere. But where to start, he walked to one of the windows. Pushing it open for a bit of air.-

Erin Lindsay -Voight stepped out of the room, radioing requests for what remained in the room.  Erin looked over at the body and shook her head.  This was one of the only times that she would not feel any remorse for a dead body, knowing that she had warned the man and he had made his own choice to go down in that manner.  Stepping over to the window where CJ stood, she leaned with her back to the wall beside the window and whispered to him.-  Thanks.  –Her word was simple, though it was laced with a million other things she wanted to say, but couldn’t with Voight just outside of the room.-

CJ Luciano    Don't thank me, Erin. No reason to. -he stated in return as he looked out the window. Reaching in his pocket. Feeling like he had earned a cigarette after that as he brought it between his lips and reaching for his lighter as the room began to fill with the different cop divisions.- I know you would have done the same. -he stated honestly, as it was a damn shame for female cops to be facing this sort of thing constantly.- just be thankful you are short otherwise that shot would have been difficult. -he teasingly reminded her though his normal spark was gone, just sheer anger taking over.-

Erin Lindsay -Nodding her head to his reasonings, she knew that he was right.  She would have taken the shot as well, even in the most stressful of situations.  His anger was apparent in his mannerisms, bringing her to want nothing more than to embrace him in that moment.  It may not have been looked upon as inappropriate, though she resisted the urge to become a girl in his arms, as she knew it would become.  Standing back, her eyes caught the glance of uniforms filling the room with cameras and bags.-  Whataya say we get outta here and you can have that as soon as we get outside? –She asked, taking a step away from him, knowing that now they were released to fill out massive amounts of paperwork over the situation, as well as a sure fire meet and greet between CJ and Hank.-

CJ Luciano    - nodding, he needed the air as he kept the unlit cigarette between the corner of his lips as they exited the building. Slipping outside where he lit up fairly quickly in order to ease that intense anger that even had his hands shaking. If he saw Voight again, he might just take his head off or atleast try as he was pretty sure he was probably feeling the same towards him for the attention that would come from this.-

Erin Lindsay -Leaving the residence just behind CJ, she dared not say a word.  Standing outside with him as he lit his cigarette, she bit her tongue as to not say a word.  She knew his mind had to be in a million places, none of which she could pinpoint from his actions.  As he smoked, she withdrew the keys from her vest, unstrapping the side of the vest and releasing some of the tension it held on her small frame.  She was still without words as she let him do what he needed to do, for once without saying a word to him.-

CJ Luciano    - left within that silence, not even noticing what she was doing as he smoked his cigarette. Momentarily pacing a few steps before he was turning around. Eyes to the ground after they had found a spot to stand near their car. Thumb passing over his bottom lip when the cigarette did not occupy his lips before he was taking another drag and repeating. He'd get nowhere complaining to her, knowing her relationship with Voight ran deep but he wanted to scream in his face about how incompetent he had been lately. Someone had to say it, right?-

Erin Lindsay -Moving to the car, she leaned against the hood, watching officers make their way in and out of the residence as she just watched her partner, obviously working through things in his mind.  The silence between them was deafening as she tried to hold her tongue.  Moments like these had happened between the two in the past, after a job much like this, but always a different scenario.  Erin had learned over the last few months not to mess with him in this state as there was not much that would come from it, and now with the two of them in their relationship, she wouldn’t dare.  Lifting herself from the car, she unlocked the doors via remote, opening the driver’s side door and mentioning her intentions to him in a kind voice. -  Listen, take as much time as you need.  –She slipped into the car, leaning her head against the headrest and sighing, letting herself finally feel the full effects of what had happened inside the house that sat just down from the car.-

C.J. Luciano    - hearing her statement, he nodded. He didn't want to even bother her with this. To even breathe his air was to catch his wrath in that moment as he remained outside of the car. Chain-smoking and still pacing as people began to catch wind of what was going on. Ultimately, he slipped into the car after about 15 minutes. Still pissed and accidentally slamming the door as he reached up for the seatbelt. Giving it a hard yank to snap it into place and possibly only getting more pissed off when he had to look at her and see what had just been risked.-

Erin Lindsay -With her head leaned back against the headrest, her eyes closed tightly, the flashes of all that had gone down within the residence just down the street burned in her mind.  She relived every single moment of it, like a slow motion movie in her mind.  The slamming of the door beside her jolted her from her position, bringing her to turn to him, his rage written clearly on his face, almost daring her to speak.  Reaching forward, she turned the key in the ignition, then buckled her seatbelt as she let her eyes drift to him again.-  Talk to me?  -She asked in a quiet, raspy tone, sighing afterwards.  The gravity of everything weighed on her, but she knew the same had to be true for him as well from a different perspective entirely.-

C.J. Luciano    I...-beginning before promptly closing his eyes again, reaching up where his fingers squeezed the bridge of his nose. Taking in a deep breath before he glanced back over towards her.- Are you alright? -he asked, his immediate surge of frustration having happened as he hadn't even asked her and was too consumed with his own emotions.-

Erin Lindsay -Nodding her head, mostly for his benefit, she spoke quietly.-  I’m good.  More worried about what’s going on inside of your head right now.  –She knew that he would end up in Voight’s office, and that it hadn’t been the most pleasant of places as of late, since she was a card-carrying member.  Transferring the topic back to him would be easier, because if she said to him half of the things that she was feeling, it would surely send him back out of the car to chain smoke another half pack before he would cool down again.-

C.J. Luciano    Don't be worried about me. -he stated as she had her own things to worry about at that point, something he'd nurture when he wasn't ready to kill someone. He rubbed his hands through his hair with an aggravated sigh, glancing out of the window before he shook his head.- I just don't fucking understand anything. Anything. What the fuck is going on with this unit? Do you know because I can't figure it out.

Erin Lindsay -Erin had wondered the very same thing in recent days, but she held no great secret answer for him.  There was nothing that she knew at this point that he didn’t know.  What she knew was that a half hour before, she had a knife to her throat and faced death in the face before having blood splattered around her in a shot that saved her life.-  I don’t.  I think Voight wanted to move in before we were found out.  –She said, her tone slightly defending Voight’s motives for not waiting for back up, even if it had turned out the way it did.-  No one knew how many would be in that room, CJ.

C.J. Luciano    Oh come on, Erin. -he stated, furrowing his brows as she spoke and still managing to defend him. He had saw that coming yet it still managed to surprise him how blinded by affection she was to not be able to recognized what he had just done. If only he seemed to care as much as she did.- You just have a knife to your throat for a bunch of fuckin' guys that will be back on the streets tomorrow. All because he just had to have them at 4 in the fuckin' morning. I understand the risks this job has but for fucks' sake...you have to realize. -he stated, watching her for the conclusion of that sentence. She had to realize that this was wrong.-

Erin Lindsay -She had known better than to try to talk to him in that moment, but it was too late now and they were engaged in a conversation that neither of them had any business having in their current mindset.-  What I know is that we went in and did our jobs.  –She swallowed hard, the words tasting bitter in her mouth with the proof of CJ’s words lying against her neck to be seen for the next few days.-  He had information, CJ, and you know… information expires if we don’t move sometimes.  We’ve been after them for how long now?  Two weeks?  Three?  How many dead did we have to find before moving at four in the fucking morning?  –She asked, repeating his phrasing to him, sighing and looking down at her folded hands-  We just did our jobs.  Everyone’s going home and that means… it means no harm.

C.J. Luciano    Oh? 2 weeks? a 2 week case is worth your life? The life of more fucking gang members and more fucking dealers is worth your life? You really want to go there? -he asked, raising a brow since if she really wanted to pursue this path of conversation, snorting slightly at her last sentence.- with no help from Voight. Again. I can't work in a fucking unit where I can't trust it's leader. He's lost my trust, he's lost my faith.

Erin Lindsay -Turning to look at him as he threw question after question at her, she shook her head through each one of them.-  I’m not doing this.  –She stated, turning off the car and throwing the keys in his direction.-  Nothing happened.  We took down fourteen men and one didn’t make it out of there.  It is what it is, CJ.  –She unclicked her seat belt and reached for the car door, pulling the handle and opening the door, but hesitated to leave the car before finally raising her voice to him.- So it’s a cut, not a hickey.  And I’m just fucking fine.  –a blatant lie, but the fact was, she did trust Voight, even if she knew something was off with him.  She wasn’t about to jump on the bandwagon CJ had gotten onto, even if she doubted so much in Voight at that moment.-  

C.J. Luciano    - feeling the keys hit his chest, clearly appreciating such an action as he watched her leaving the car. He shook his head at her suggestion.- you're not fucking fine. Don't play this shit with me, Erin. I'm not fucking stupid. There is no way you are fine right now. You are too blinded by affection to see that he just made a mistake that almost cost you your fucking life and god knows how many more of us all because he didn't want us standing out in a hallway and waiting for one of them to fucking come out. No, just have to go down and die in a blaze of glory. Right? -he asked, knowing her answer. She'd never not blatantly defend Voight and he knew it. He knew when it came to him that no one else would ever compare but tossing the keys back into the cupholder. He shook his head.- I'm done talking about it. You wanted me to talk about it and look where it gets us. If you don't want me to talk about what's pissing me off then maybe you shouldn't ask as far as your precious Voight is concerned. -he remarked as he turned his head to look out of the front window, slipping his fingers under his nose blood had begun to stream from his nostrils from his blood pressure being up as high as it was in that moment.-

Erin Lindsay -His words thrown like daggers cut through her in ways that she could not vocalize to him.  Her mind was clouded by lack of sleep and the near death experience that had happened moments before, but she couldn’t quite bring herself to calm him down when she felt so much in that moment herself.  She kept her hand on the door handle, ready to just walk away from the car, let him leave her there, she would figure out what came next but he was pissing her off in such a manner that she couldn’t put words together that wouldn’t have personal repercussions.  It wasn’t until he made his last statement that she was ready to fire back, hitting her hand to the steering wheel.-  My precious Voight?! –There was not much more that she hated than when Halstead or Ruzek would make statements like this, but to hear it from CJ, it hurt.-  I don’t know what the fuck.. –she turned to look at him, catching a glimpse of the blood coming through his nose.  The sight alone brought her to reach across, surely looking as if she were going to hit him, but instead, she wiped the edge, holding her finger up in front of his eyes.-  CJ… what… is going on?  

C.J. Luciano    - flinching just slightly as she touched him as he was expecting a closed fist. His past relationship had earned him a good left hook for much less then what he had just said to her and it was only natural for him in that moment as he watched her. Hand slipping up to his nose to catch the blood leaking from his nose as he watched her. Reaching into the glove compartment for the napkins they luckily had in abundance before he opened the door with his clean hand. Slipping out so he didn't bleed within the car as he pressed his bloodied hand to the napkin and in turn his nostrils.- It's my blood pressure. -he returned, a physical symptom of his blood boiling at that moment.-

Erin Lindsay -In the time they had been assigned partners, she had never seen him react to anything in this manner, to have a physical ailment show itself.  Getting out of the car, she went around to where he stood, standing before him, speechless for a moment.-  We have to get your blood pressure down then… what do you need?  Anything.  Should we go to Memorial? –She honestly had no idea what to do, but the fact that she had apparently angered him so deeply that he could actually bleed from his nostrils, meant she had taken it too far.  The things that had happened on the case were no longer important, images of the knife to her throat gone, for all she could see was her boyfriend in that moment, so infuriated that his body had to lash out against them both.-

C.J. Luciano    No, I'm fine. -the suggestion of the hospital wasn't one he was too keen on nor would he need it. He had been getting these everytime he got to a different level of anger since he was a child. There was nothing to help, it just had to take it's course. Leaning back against the car where he had to quickly replace the napkin from the sheer amount of blood leavin his nose. Using a fresh one that would stain just as quickly. It was the idea of losing her that had translated to sheer anger, especially for this. He closed his eyes as he leaned his head down, only able to wait until it was done at this point.-

Erin Lindsay -Feeling helpless was not her strong point, but in this moment, that was exactly how she felt.  Not caring if there were any more uniforms around, she stepped closer to him, needing to help him to calm down if that was what it was going to take.  She took it completely personal that she had caused this reaction, even if it wasn’t entirely her fault directly.  Lifting her hand to his abdomen, she looked up at him, keeping her voice low as she whispered.-  I’m sorry.  I don’t know how it got this far, but listen.  I love you.  –Never looking around at all, she kept her eyes up on him.-  I know what happened in that house, okay?  I know.  And I also know that the one person that I trust completely is the one person that took care of it.  I’m here right now, because of you.  And it wouldn’t have been worth dying for.  It wouldn’t, okay.  –Her voice stayed as calm and even as it would have if she had been talking to a victim on a crime scene.-  But you’ve got to calm down.

C.J. Luciano    - hearing her speak and telling him to calm down, he closed his eyes. Not sure whether those words were genuine as he hoped they were or she was just agreeing with him for the sake of agreeing with him. He also knew his girlfriend a little better then that and she would stay with her beliefs regardless of any bloodflow from anywhere on his part.- I can't lose you, Erin. -revealing the true meaning for his anger right then and there. Motivated out of sheer fear that something Voight did could make him lose her. With his eyes to the ground, he shook his head at the thought. He wasn't sure he'd be able to do it. Naturally he'd have to go on but only as a shell at that point as she'd take everything of his with him.-

Erin Lindsay -With the true reason for his increased blood pressure, she swallowed hard, nodding her head.-  I know.  I do.  –She stepped into him, taking his free hand and lifting it to her face as she looked up at him.-  You can’t get rid of me so easily.  –Giving him a half smile, she kept her hand to the outside of his, holding his hand firmly to her cheek.-  You see, you did this.  You made sure that we walked out of there.  Because there is absolutely no partner in this world that is better for me, at work, and at home.  You won’t lose me.  Okay?  -Making a promise that she literally could not hold up, given their line of work, she needed him to truly understand that just because it was close, and it had been very close, that if she was pushing beyond it, for his benefit, she needed him to do the same.  They couldn’t react to a near-death experiences like most people did.  They had to deal with it and move on, which his nose bleed was greatly helping her to have to force past it in that moment, as her concern was completely turned on him and not the mark to her own neck.-

C.J. Luciano    Don't lie to me, Erin. -he stated upon her promise, raising a brow. Feeling her pressing his free and clean hand to her cheek. His thumb passing over her jawline as they clearly couldn't really care less who saw them in that moment. Still, he didn't appreciate the concept. He couldn't afford to stand on that as he truely didn't know what he would do if he ever lost her and that mark on her neck would initially prove to make him pissed everytime he saw it.-

Erin Lindsay -Their moment had gone from something that could be partners caring for one another to something much deeper as his thumb traced her jawline.  She nodded her head, knowing that her words had only fed him more in the wrong direction.-  Then let me put it this way.  As long as you are there, I’m not afraid.  I know you’ve got me.  –She said, honest words that she could live by.-  Listen, you’ve got to believe me when I say this.  I love you, and it took so long to find this, and then admit to it all, there’s no way life would tear us apart.  This, you and me, we’re long haul, CJ.  I’m sure of it.  –Every word spoken was truthful, and she hoped that a dose of deep love for him and hope for their future could somehow pull them out of this.-

C.J. Luciano    I know. I know we are. -he stated, the word "longhaul" sticking with him in so many ways he wasn't sure he could begin to comprehend. All he knew was that he wasn't done with Voight for how badly this could have done for this reason exactly. It could have taken her away from him and his future, yet another thing stolen from his kids and he wasn't sure he'd be able to take this one laying down. Something had to be said.- and I love you.

Erin Lindsay -Hearing him agree that they were in fact long haul brought a truthful smile to her lips.  Had this been in any other scenario, would the words have been so easy for her to say?  Probably not.  She would have mulled them over, weighing them to feel them out, judging herself all the way through, but in this moment, she had meant them and he apparently felt the very same thing.  His I love you fell to ears that so needed to hear it after her violent outburst in the car.-  Then let’s call this what it is, a shitty start to a day that can only go up from here.  –She added, nodding her head and releasing his hand, dropping her hand to her side.-  And now you get the added bonus of me owing you my life, not a bad deal, I’d say.

C.J.Luciano    - shaking his head, clearly not in the mood to joke about it as he didn't want to owe her anything nor should he have had to. Changing yet another napkin from underneath of his nose as his eyes slipped up to watch her.- horrible deal. -he remarked, glancing back towards the car with a modest sigh. Clearly in no rush to get back.-

Erin Lindsay -The tone of his voice indicated that her attempts were failing, which was putting her into a mood of epic frustration as well.  Stepping away from him, she leaned against the car beside him, eyes to the ground.-  Okay then.  Horrible deal.  –She nodded her head, not believing that he thought it was a bad deal for her to owe him her life, but if that’s how he felt, she was refusing to argue it.-

C.J.Luciano    I shouldn't have to. -he explained, watching her walk off knowing she had probably misunderstood what he was getting at which of-course had to happen now at all moments in intense moments of frustration. Obviously that wasn't what he was getting at but he lacked the willpower to explain right now and get them further off-track.- you ready? -he asked, reaching for the car door, knowing he had a little something at the station to cool him off a bit and these raging nerves of his.-

Erin Lindsay -Shaking her head no, she looked over as he reached for the door.-  You go.  I need air.  –She stated, stepping away from the car, knowing the keys were still inside the cupholder where he had placed them earlier.  She couldn’t understand what he was talking about and knew that driving to the station in silence was not going to get either of them anywhere.  She nodded her head, not waiting for him to say another thing to her.-  I’m fine, just go.

C.J.Luciano    I'm not going anywhere. -he stated as he looked over towards her like she was slightly crazy. Just slightly. At the mere suggestion that he would "just" leave her anyway. He didn't really want to go back to the station anyway but now that was even more confirmation of the obvious as he glanced down. Knowing he wouldn't get anywhere if he couldn't cool down and knowing even more that he couldn't cool down if he didn't stop saying stupid shit. Resolving to keep his mouth shut as the vicious circle ensued.-

Erin Lindsay -It was clear to her that he was not going to leave, bringing her to wonder why in the world she would have thought that he might have.  She bit her lower lip, glancing up to him and nodded her head.-  Can we just walk then?  -She wasn’t sure that the two of them walking together at the time was the best idea, but if he wasn’t going to leave her, then she wasn’t going to walk away with him standing there.- We don’t have to talk, at all if you don’t want to.  

C.J.Luciano    If you want. -he answered, not sure why they had to but her suggestion about not talking went either way with him. It's not that he didn't want to talk to her, he just got tired of constantly saying the wrong thing. Leaning up from the car, checking his bleeding that had slowed somehow but not coming to a complete standstill.-

Erin Lindsay -Looking over at him, she sighed again, shaking her head.  He was in no condition to walk with his nose still bleeding.  She had just needed space, but there was no way to do it without causing a further problem.-  I don’t know what I was thinking. –She confessed, walking to the car and reaching out to open the passenger’s side door, reaching in for more napkins.  Standing beside him, she held them out to him, her eyes now locked on him.-  We can go back, or we won’t.  You have to tell me what you want because I really am having a hard time reading you right now.

C.J.Luciano    If you want to take a walk, then do it. I realize I'm not a whole lot of fun to be around right now. I'll be here but...keep your gun close to you. -he reminded her, knowing he didn't need to but by sheer force of habit he did so as he wiped his nose. Leaning back against the back of her car. Her question falling on deaf ears as he had no idea what he wanted either.-

Erin Lindsay -The words he spoke to her rubbed her entirely the wrong way, bringing her to take a deep breath, pressing her lips tightly together not to say a word.  If he honestly thought she only wanted to be with him when he was fun, he couldn’t be more wrong about it.-  Yeah, I think I will.  –She slammed the car door beside him, stepping to the sidewalk that ran beside the street, turning around and looking him square in the face.-  I didn’t sign on for fun, CJ.  Our job isn’t FUN.  This, -she motioned between the two of them with her finger-  isn’t all about fun.  It’s about the real shit, and this, today was real.  –Turning on her heels, she walked a few feet away, patting her side to let him know that she was in fact still armed-

C.J.Luciano    That is not what I'm trying to fucking say, Erin. -he stated honestly, watching her walk off as he bit back a growl, closing his eyes at the reminder to just shut his mouth again. There was a metal sign not far from him, smaller than him height wise and marking out parking. He drove his fist against it, just needing to get it out in that moment. The dent it left being a deep one, hand throbbing with a pleasant sort of pain as he slipped back into the car. Grabbing another napkin as the bleeding picked up again but content to leave her alone as they both needed a time out.-

Erin Lindsay -The sound of his hand hitting against the street sign rang out, causing Erin to cinch her eyes closed for a moment, but not daring to turn back around.  She picked up her pace a bit, walking faster as she turned the corner, continuing to walk down the street until she found herself standing before the house where the entire scene had originally played out.  She froze there for a moment, looking to the upper half of the house, her hand lifting to her neck.  Things had gotten so out of hand with CJ, she couldn’t make left from right of it.  They should have been embracing, glad they had made it out of this one alive, and instead were fighting.-

C.J.Luciano    - starting the car as he waited, trying to relax as a familiar throbbing began in his temples. Closing his eyes and just trying to take it easy as she took her walk and her time off. Tuning the radio as the nose bleed finally ceased and he bagged up the bloody napkins until he could throw them out once they reached a trashcan.-

Erin Lindsay -Finally bringing herself to look away, she continued past the house, turning the next corner, then the next, bringing herself full circle back to the car.  As she approached, she could see CJ sitting within the sedan.-  That’s an improvement.  –She said to herself as she walked to the driver’s side door, opening the door and sitting in the driver’s seat.  Without a word, she buckled her seat belt and put the car in drive.-

C.J.Luciano    -Watching her slip back into the car, he was tying off the bag to the bloodied napkins. The volume of the radio up and not bothering to turn it down unless she wanted it, it atleast cut into the awkward silence of the car as he finally leaned his head back against the rest. Rolling the window down for some air.-

Erin Lindsay -Continuing her vow of silence, she pulled the car out onto the street, purposely avoiding the street the house sat upon to find an alternate point to turn around out of the neighborhood.  Her eyes stayed forward, not daring to look in his direction.  Looking only to the clock on the radio, she brought her eyes back to the road, praying Voight would cut them all loose once they returned to the station so they could get the sleep he had robbed them of.-

C.J.Luciano    Erin, I'm sorry. My frustration makes it difficult for me to convey what I'm feeling but it wasn't what came out. -he stated honestly as he looked over towards her, hating any kind of silence between them as he rubbed his now bruised knuckles over his face. Exhaling within his hand.-

Erin Lindsay -Nodding her head, she wasn’t sure yet if she should respond or just internalize everything from 4:32 that morning or if he actually wanted to talk now.  Glancing over at him as he sighed within his hands, the marks evident on his hands, brought her to give a sigh of her own.  Those marks, she held herself fully responsible for.-  It’s fine.  –She whispered, continuing to drive them back to the precinct.-

C.J.Luciano    - shaking his head as it wasn't fine, but he wasn't going to protest. His mouth had already gotten him in enough trouble today, rubbing his hands over his tired eyes and not even bothering to watch where it would land them as he just sat back with not much other option. Hand slipping to the back of his head.-

Erin Lindsay -The silence between them was actually deafening to her, but she wasn’t ready and she was fairly certain he wasn’t either.  If she induced nose bleeds and punching signs, then it was really better off that she stay silent so she didn’t cause him further physical ailment.  The next few minutes were done in silence until she parked the car outside of the station, looking over at him.-  Listen.  You’re going to end up in his office, I know this, but can you please just know that despite all of this between us today, I know you did the right thing and I’m thankful for it.  –Moving her hand to his thigh, beneath the cover of the vehicle from outside eyes, she spoke softly.-  I lashed out and I’m sorry.  I’m scared that you’re going to say something to him and then it will be the clash of the titans in there and then I lose you as a partner.  Our minds work together like no other, and I never feel fear when you’re close by.  Just protect us in there, okay?

C.J.Luciano    - feeling her hand against his thigh was for whatever reason exactly what he needed to feel in that moment as he glanced over towards her, he nodded. Understanding but he wasn't sure how he could avoid that. Voight wasn't a guy who took criticism well and he wasn't exactly filled to the brim with patience right now.- I'll do my best, hun.

Erin Lindsay -Knowing that was the best she could expect from him in that moment, she nodded her head, tightening her hand against his thigh for just a moment before withdrawing her hand completely.-  I know you will.  –She assured him, though just sitting in the lot, her nerves were tightening within her as she had been in that office far too many times in recent days.  She was well aware that her filter was much better than CJ’s in this regard and that Voight would take a lot more from her than he probably would from CJ.-

C.J.Luciano    - He nodded softly, feeling her lift from his thigh as he reached for the car door. Knowing he had to go while the going was good, reaching for the bag at his feet that he tossed into the nearby trashcan and closing the door. Waiting for her not too far from the door.-

Erin Lindsay -Getting out of the car, she caught up with where he was waiting for her, walking with him to the building.  An instantaneous headache set in as the approached the main doors.  She wished she could take his place, stand in for him, but she also knew it was completely out of their hands.  Opening the door, she stepped through, pausing to wait for him.-

C.J.Luciano    - humming the Imperial March or the Darth Vader theme aloud as they entered the station, not even bothering with Platt that day. Merely not in the mood as they made their way up the steps. He was hardly at his desk for a minute before the sound of his last name being called from the office filled the void, slipping up, he walked willingly into the room. Closing it behind him before being guided to take a seat.-

Erin Lindsay -Finding no humor in CJ’s musical choice for the day, she only shook her head at him.  Once at their desks, Voight’s voice barked out into the bullpen, causing her to look up in his direction, then to CJ’s.  She paused only a moment before going back to the forms on her desk, where she had to detail out the incidents that had occurred on site that day.  Every few moments, she glanced to the shut door, interrupted by Ruzek in her ear, telling her he had done the right thing.-  I know.  –Opening her desk drawer, she withdrew a few aspirin, popping them into her mouth and returning to the forms on her desk.-

C.J.Luciano    - Returning a few minutes later with nothing seemingly big happening, he came back to his desk with a pack of papers in his hand. Hands slipping them against the top of his desk at he sat down. Leaning back and glancing over towards Erin, not seeming to suggest anything was wrong before he reached for a pen. Knowing he had to help her with the accident reports but quiet for the most part.-

Erin Lindsay -Her eyes shot to him as he walked out of Voight’s office, the look to his face giving away absolutely nothing.  As he sat and returned to the papers before him, she did the same, though could not help the interest in what had happened within the closed walls of the office overlooking them.  Completing one form, she stood up, walking over to his desk and laying it in front of him.-  This one needs your signature.  –She said in a blank tone, presenting him with her account of the shooting.-

C.J.Luciano    - tucking away the papers he had brought out with him, it was a conversation they needed to have in private as he reached out. Signing off on it, one of the rare few moments he had to use his actual first name as he glanced back up towards her.- anything I can help with?

Erin Lindsay -Shaking her head no, she took the paper from him, holding it in her hand.-  That’s the last one, just have to turn them in.  –She added, stepping away and moving back to her desk to tuck the paper in with the others, closing the file folder and holding it in her hand.-  Dawson said Voight’s turning us loose after everything is turned in, so you could turn it in if you want to, get me out of here a little sooner?  -She gave him her trademark half-smile as she held up the file folder in his direction.-

C.J.Luciano    Yeah, here...I'll take it. -he stated, knowing they'd have to file this fairly quickly as he stood up. Keeping the papers tucked away. His application to file had gone through and he had been approved to take us a job as a detective for the local FBI building. It bore Voight's signature, permission. Should he choose to take it, it was his but he clearly wasn't about to open up about that now as he slipped off to turn it all in.-

Erin Lindsay -Releasing the folder to him, she nodded her head with her smile remaining.  Lowering her head, she reached into her desk to gather the things she would take home with her for the day, more than pleased that the team was being released, given the events of the day before it was even 9 o’clock.  Standing up, she got the last few things situated that needed to be handled, ensuring she could walk away without any loose ends.-

C.J.Luciano    - he returned a few moments later, packing his own stuff up as well as pulling his jacket on. Assuring he had his phones and his keys before he was making his way out of the door and down the steps, placing a little distance between the two of them to at least make it look convincing though he would wait for her in the parking lot to figure out what came next.-

Erin Lindsay -As she walked out of the unit, she heard her name called from Voight, turning to hear him tell her to get some rest.  She nodded her head, calling back.-  See you tomorrow.  –She made her way to the parking lot where she found CJ at his car parked beside her own.  She unlocked her car from a distance, reaching for the door handle as she looked over her shoulder to him.-  A day off, aren’t we lucky?

C.J.Luciano    Mmm...-he seemed to grunt in response, not in her earshot as he found his own car. Unlocking the door, figuring they could use the time out and would work it out when they got the chance as he slipped within his car. Not feeling too lucky at all as he started it, getting his window rolled down and his radio tuned as he waited for the rest of the cars to leave the lot.-

Erin Lindsay -Watching as he got into his car, she was almost in shock that he had nothing to say to her at all.  Standing stunned for a moment, she got in the car, turning it on.  There had been no conversation of what was next, so she was left to only assume they were going their separate ways.  As the other cars filed out of the lot, she did the same, turning left and heading to her apartment.  The entire morning had been fucked, so why shouldn’t the rest of it be too, she thought to herself as she drove towards the highway.-

C.J.Luciano    - not trying to ignore her, he watched her pull out of the parking lot. Reaching for his phone where he shot her a quick test; "What do you want to do?" he sent, clearly not wanting her to text and drive but curious at this point as he bought himself a few minutes, lighting up another cigarette which seemed to be a theme for him in his attempt to quit.-

Erin Lindsay -Hearing her phone as she approached the highway, she glanced at the screen, pressing the speak to text button.-  I want to take a shower. –She pressed send, placing her phone back in the cupholder where it had been before, pulling up to the light before the onramp and grabbing her phone to shoot another text, realizing her first may not have sounded too inviting.-  You need one too.  My place or yours?

C.J.Luciano    - raising a brow as that first text came through, unable to know what that means before the follow one came up. Releasing a light sigh as he took another drag of his cigarette.- we can do your place. -he stated, since she had gone through enough that day and the least he could do was let her get a chance to get settled down in her own home.-

Erin Lindsay See you there. –She responded, putting her phone back again and making the turn onto the highway, to which it would be a fifteen minute drive to her apartment building.  She put the window down, lighting her cigarette and leaning back in the seat a little, finally relaxing a little.  The shower was needed, immediately, to attempt to wash away the events of the morning that haunted her mind.-

C.J.Luciano    - blatantly passing her on the freeway, he made sure to give a friendly honk as he exceeded her speed limit and continued on. Arriving a few minutes later as he slipped into the parking lot alongside her empty spot, giving her a few minutes to catch up as he slipped outside of it and waited while leaned up to the back of his car with cellphone in hand.-

Erin Lindsay -Watching him pass her on the highway, she could only shake her head with a laugh.  Any other day, she might have considered racing him, but she let him have this one.  As she pulled into the parking garage, she parked her car in her spot, getting out and grabbing her things.-  You think you’re something, huh? –She asked, fixing her key in her hand as she walked to the door to the building and pulled it opened.-  

C.J.Luciano    I know I'm something. -he responded honestly, eyes still on his phone before he trailed behind her. Taking his good old time to approach the door, eyes slipping up from his phone as he slipped within.- this game is fucking murdering me. -confessing that his very serious look and regard to his phone was all a facade.-

Erin Lindsay -Watching him finally join her, she met his eyes as they went through the door and started towards her door.-  A game?  You’re playing a game?  -She asked, not really pegging him for the gaming type.-  If it’s that flappy shit, I swear, we’re through.  –She teased as they got to her door, putting her key in the lock, opening the door and stepping through, leaning against the door frame, blocking his entrance.-  So?  You can’t come in until you prove it’s not.

C.J.Luciano    You really think you can block my entrance right now? -he asked, raising a brow as if to say she needed to think about that since he was clearly quite bigger than her, raising a brow. He turned his screen around to show her that in reality it was a matching memory game. One picture different than the other only the pictures were of nude pinup models making him smile softly.- it's a real game and I'm stuck.

Erin Lindsay Oh you have got to be shitting me.  I could’ve gone my entire life without seeing that.  –She turned, releasing the door and walked straight through the living room to her bedroom, shaking her head.-  If you start some coffee, I might not get pissy for your naked memory game.  -She called out to him as she slid her boots from her feet, placing them in the closet before walking to the bathroom and starting the shower.-

C.J.Luciano    Already was walking there when you said it. - he stated honestly as he arrived to her coffee pot, dumping out the remains from earlier before starting a fresh pot, somehow navigating through her kitchen as she was in the other room and he exited out of the game. Tucking his phone into his pocket as he went venturing after her. Remaining within her bedroom where he idly slipped his fingers through his hairs. Hearing the water running.-

Erin Lindsay -A smile came to her lips as their minds were on the exact same thing.  While waiting for the water to warm, she undressed, leaving her clothes in a pile to the floor.  Stepping underneath the water, she couldn’t wait for him.  She had to get the disgusting feel off of her skin from work.  Pulling her hair down from the ponytail she had worn that day, she slid the elastic over her wrist, letting the water wash over her.-

C.J.Luciano    - slipping into the bathroom, his hand was already at his shirt. Eager to get in there with her as he never could pass up the opportunity. Pulling his shirt off where he slipped it onto the counter, mindful that he didn't have a change of clothes as he pulled his jeans down and off. Taken his time in consideration their entire morning had been a rush and it felt nice to be able to take his time for one thing even if he really was tempted to rush through.-

Erin Lindsay -Reaching for the shampoo, she started shampooing her hair, not sure if he had decided not to join her or not, but needing to get everything off of her, immediately.  As she leaned her head back, rinsing her hair, she caught a glimpse of him through the glass door, bringing a small smile to her face.  Once her hair was clean, she went for the soap, lathering it on her hands and washing her body.  She would get done before he got in, so that he could enjoy the same cleansing she had.-

C.J.Luciano    - slipping into the shower not long after, spotting that she was almost done as his arm gently slipped aroud her waist. Pressing his lips to the side of her neck, his own silent apology for the day's event as he gave her a gentle squeeze. Not trying to trap her for too long but too selfish to let go immediately.-

Erin Lindsay -As he came into the shower, she was in his arms before she could say a word to him.  Moving her hands to his upper arms as he wrapped his around her waist, she leaned her head to the side, closing her eyes as she stayed in the moment with him, knowing that in each other’s arms was the only thing that would make the day get any better.-

C.J.Luciano    - keeping his lips lingering to her skin, arms still tight around her waist as he leaned his chin against her shoulder. Rubbing his hands gently over her stomach as he felt her against his upper arms suggesting that she was happy to feel him there in that moment which was the only encouragement he needed.-

Erin Lindsay -Standing before him, she kept her eyes closed as she leaned her head against him, finally breaking the silence that had been between them since she got into the shower.-  Hey.  –She whispered, as if to start the day over again entirely.  Not moving from his grip, she lifted one hand to the side of his face, turning her face to his and offering him a small smile.-

C.J.Luciano    Hey, babygirl. -remembering his nickname for her as he met her smile, one that could brighten up any room as he watched her. Managing a soft smile as he kissed her cheek.-

Erin Lindsay -The nickname still stunned her, brightening her smile even more.  As he kissed her cheek, she couldn’t help but be stunned by the difference a short drive had made for both of them.  Turning in his arms to face him, she met his eyes with hers as the smile did not fade.-  So, a day off.    –She repeated from earlier, this time with an entirely different tone about her.-

C.J.Luciano    Mhm. -tilting his head slightly as he tried to read what she was after with such a statement as his arms remained around her waist even as she faced him, nodding as his lips briefly tightened. Pressing to one another.- I don't know if it's technically a day off at this point. If I have to wear pants at any given point, it's not a day off.

Erin Lindsay Then no pants.  –She grinned as she bit her lower lip and nodded.-  I want a day off with you.  No phone calls.  No text messages.  No emails.  No interruptions.  We’ll order in lunch and dinner, and no one wears pants at any given point in time.  –Her grin turned into another smile as she turned on a playfulness that only he ever got to see from her.-  Whataya say? We just drop off the grid for the rest of the day, completely unplugged.

C.J.Luciano    Hey, as long as something doesn't come through from my mom or my kids then I'm all yours. -he stated honestly, giving her a slow nod at the idea as it seemed plenty appeasing for them both after the day they had had and they both needed a little time to defuse.- you got whiskey in this place, right? 'Cause otherwise, I might have to take a trip. It's one of those days...

Erin Lindsay -Nodding her head, she agreed to his terms, knowing that he couldn’t be completely unplugged for those reasons, but those weren’t the ones she wanted unplugged from.  As he followed with his question of whiskey, she nodded her head.-  I’ve got what you need.  Don’t worry.  It’s well stocked.  –She said honestly, with a hint of flirtation, as this was taking her mind off of everything from before, which was a very good thing.-  Are we drinking it at ten in the morning?  

C.J.Luciano    Don't tempt me. -he stated honestly as it literally felt like one of those days but he shook his head at the suggestion.- just saying, a little later when it's an appropriate time to daytime drink. -he explained, slipping his hands up the slick skin of her back.- until then you are stuck with me being miserably sober.

Erin Lindsay -Nodding her head, she agreed that today would more than likely involve drinking, as they had both had a rough day and needed to unwind from it, but for now, she was in the best place for unwinding with him.-  I’m pretty sure being stuck with you is the best fate ever.  –She lingered on the word ever before slipping her hand behind his neck, tugging him down to meet her lips.-

C.J.Luciano    -hearing her statement, he was sure glad she thought so as he leaned in at her willing and pressed his lips softly to hers. Meshing against the build of her bottom lip and finding his place per usual to keep himself meshed perfectly to her.-

Erin Lindsay -Without a word from him, she had brought him easily into her, a place all his own.  Moving both of her arms around his neck, she drew herself in close, taking her rightful position in his arms as she pressed into the kiss, tilting her head to the side as she moved one hand into his hair.-

C.J.Luciano    Mmm...-he hummed pleasantly against her lips, always loving the way she felt on his lips and genuinely within his arms. Locked in perfectly. Anywhere his body dipped, hers gave and vice versa. Coming together perfectly as one hand slipped up to the side of her face. Affectionate as he stroked over her jawline.-

Erin Lindsay -Getting lost in moments like this were easy for her, as he was hands down the best man to ever walk into her life.  As his hand came to her face, she sighed into the kiss, literally falling a little more in love with him with each pass of their lips.  Keeping their kiss gentle, she slipped her fingers down his hair to his neck, lightly massaging the back of his neck as their lips stayed bonded to one another.-

C.J.Luciano    - one of the most enjoyable parts about kissing her, besides from the actual act itself was the knowledge that it was natural. Neither of them did it because they expected it out of the other but they genuinely enjoyed it. He relished in these moments of staying close to her as he felt her massaging the back of his neck. Leaning further into her kiss if only to demonstrate how that felt to him as his own calloused fingertips traced down the side of her neck.-

Erin Lindsay -Continuing to massage his neck, then moving her hand down to his shoulder, she did the same motion of her fingers, wanting to make sure that he was and stayed completely relaxed with her as the two stood in the shower, washing the day away in a much different manner than she had planned.  As his hand fell to her neck, she lightly nipped at his lip before drawing him back in for another long exchange from her lips.-

C.J.Luciano    - feeling her against his bottom lip, he smiled softly into the kiss. Mouth returning eagerly to hers after she had drew him back in, giving her a gentle tug. Always quite amused how they could never get too far into their time together without these intense make out sessions which made him feel like he was in middle school again but not able to love it any more than he did.-

Erin Lindsay -Moving her hand back to his upper arm, she gripped his muscle in her hand as she pulled back from the kiss, her eyes set to his as she smirked.-  These.  Are my favorite part.  –She nodded her head, turning her head to place a kiss to his now damp skin.  Lifting her head back to his, she held a half-smile to her lips.  Drawing her lower lip in between her teeth, she looked up at him, shaking her head.-  You have two choices.  You can get your shower and I’ll get us some coffee, or you can kiss me again and we’ll never get out of this shower.

C.J.Luciano    Is that really a choice you think I should be making? Think about it, you know which one I'm going to go for. I'm a guy. -he reminded her, as if she could have forgotten with him naked as the day he was born infront of her as his lips gently returned to hers.- have to make up for you refusing to look at me in the shower last night anyway. -he reminded her with a wink.-

Erin Lindsay Because we needed to shower without having sex.  We are not going to be those people, ya know, the ones that can’t be adults because they are too busy being love-sick teenagers.  –Her mouth dropped slightly as she looked up at him, closing her lips together and forming a pout as she nodded her head.-  We are those people.

C.J.Luciano    - raising a brow at her explanation, looking at her almost like "who wants to break it to her?" Luckily watching her formulate it on her own, he nodded his head.- Yup, we are love-sick teenagers who have JUST gotten past the dry-humping stage, you know? Where it's like "Hey, I know how this works now. Let me try to break it" kind of thing. -leaning forward, he kissed her pout.- just accept it, hun. There are worse things to be in this world.

Erin Lindsay Hey, I pride myself in being an adult, who can keep her shit together.  –Her pout remaining to her lips after his sweet kiss to them.-  You ruined me, CJ Luciano.  Ruined.  –She accused teasingly as she flirted with the man before her.  Reaching her hand to his, she laced her fingers in his and let her pout give way to a small grin.-  So, think we could break it?  I mean, it’s worth a try… isn’t it?  -She asked convincingly as she gave a slow nod to her head.-

C.J.Luciano    Nooo, don't break it. I need it to function otherwise you won't like me anymore. -he teased, shaking his own head as she nodded in complete opposition. His hand slipped to the back of her neck underneath of the wet curtain of her hair.- I used to pride myself in the same shit but then I fell in love...well, I fell in lust with THEN I fell in love with this gorgeous woman in front of me and it was all over from there.

Erin Lindsay -Unable to hold back a laugh as he asked her not to break it, she could only imagine what it would take to try to do so.  As his hand slipped between her neck and her hair, her laughter faded, as his words turned into something that held no humor at all in them.  The honesty from his lips brought a sigh to hers.-  Why don’t you tell me a little more about that?  -She nodded her head, stepping into him again, her face lifting so that her eyes could meet his once more-

C.J.Luciano    Tell you a little more about what exactly? -he asked, raising a brow to see exactly what she wanted detail on. The lust part or the love part, his hand passed down over her spine before tracing back up to where he had been, tender fingers massaging into the muscle tension he found to the back of her neck.-

Erin Lindsay You expect me to think when you are doing that? –She asked, her eyes falling closed as she leaned into the feeling at the back of her neck.- I so love you.  –She whispered, finally closing the full gap of their bodies and turning her face to rest against his chest.-  Let’s just do this, all day.

C.J.Luciano    and I love you, darlin'. -smiling softly as he felt her at his chest, kissing the top of her head as he felt the warmth of the water against his back still running warm and comforting within their private shower and the little piece of heaven within created from the chaos of the day.-

Erin Lindsay -Staying close to him for several more long moments, she finally lifted her face from his chest, giving him a soft smile as she placed her hands against his chest.-  You shower.  I want you to feel just as amazing as I feel right now, and part of getting you there, is for you to be clean, and relaxed.

C.J.Luciano    You going to leave me now? -he asked as that was what she seemed to be suggesting for his sake of showering. Raising a brow as he waited for her answer, hands gently passing up her hips.- Because if you help me, we can cut time down in half, right? Sounds convincing...

Erin Lindsay -Slowly, she nodded her head, indicating that she was going to be leaving, but as his hands passed over her hips, her nod switched directions and she lightly shook her head back and forth.-  You drive a hard bargain, Mr. –stepping in closer, she moved her hands to his upper arms, taking a deep breath-  If I stay, you’ll actually shower, get clean, and get out?

C.J.Luciano    Scouts honor. -he responded honestly but he obviously wouldn't make it that easy on her. Would he ever? No, she knew better as she grasped his arms. Biceps playfully tightening underneath of her grasp. He gestured her towards the bar of soap.- better get at it.

Erin Lindsay I better get at it?  This is 50/50.  You said help, not do.  –She smirked as she looked up at him with a flirtatious smile.-  I mean, you said you wanted me to help you, not do you.  –She couldn’t contain the bite to her lower lip as she turned around, leaning over and picking up the soap, taking her time to stand back up just to be a tease.  Returning to him, soap in hand, she grinned.- Tada.  Get to your fifty.

C.J.Luciano    Nope, you first. I'll give you top fifty, I'll take the bottom. -he stated, figuring he was being a gentleman about it and not giving her anything below the waist. Crossing his arms across his chest, he made it evident that he wasn't moving or letting her have her way about this one.- We can sit here all day...but your landlord might get a little pissy about the water bill but hey...all day.

Erin Lindsay -The bite instantly returned to her lip as it was clear he was not budging on this one, despite her flirtation attempt.  Her eyes locked in on his as he crossed his arms, drawing a pout to her lips.-  You’re going to just stand there, like a statue?  -She crossed her own arms, not caring about the stupid landlord, but he’d be sorry when the hot water ran out.-  Fine.  I’ve got all day.  Do you have all day?

C.J.Luciano    All day. -he stated honestly as they had already accomplished that much as he watched her. Smirking softly as his arms slipped from his chest but still not budging as he at least slipped underneath of the shower head. Brushing his fingers through his hair as he waited for her to give in as she so normally did to him and his persuasion.-

Erin Lindsay That’s not fair.  –She stated, commenting on his new stance, the water running over him while he ran his hand through his hair.  The internal struggle commenced, and she knew he absolutely wanted that, hence the reason she was going to argue, just a little bit longer before the inevitable.-  I mean, we could sit in here and talk… I could probably sit against the wall and take a nap… Voight did tell me to rest, so I should probably do some of that today… we’re gonna have a hard time getting to the coffee pot though…

C.J.Luciano    Oh yes. Sit here and talk. Talk about the weather, last week's game...anything else while we are at it. -he commented honestly as he glanced over towards her with a light smirk, tracing his hand down his face before glancing back over towards her.- Yeah, that coffee pot is kind of a lost sauce right now. I could use a good nap anyway. Maybe that's what we should be doing.

Erin Lindsay -As he turned the game into something that sounded more serious, she stepped close to him, shaking her head no.-  We should not be doing that.  –She brought her hands together and lathered the soap within before setting it to the edge and bringing her hands to his chest, moving her hands up and down, her eyes set on his.-  You’re mean, ya know that?  Threatening a girl with no coffee and making her sleep… shame on you.

C.J.Luciano    - watching her lather up before giving in, he smirked softly with the full dimple effect in full view. Leaning forward to press an apologetic kiss to her lips.- have to keep you on your toes. -he reminded her honestly as his own arms slipped back around her waist where they rightfully belonged.-

Erin Lindsay And the truth comes out.  You had no intentions of making me sleep… -She shook her head at him, running her hands up to his shoulders, then down his arms and back up again.-  You’re a cheater.  That’s exactly what you just did.  You cheated.  Knowing I’d give in.

C.J.Luciano    No, I intend to make you sleep just in my own way. -he teased with a sly smile as he technically couldn't make her do anything and she knew it. He didn't pretend otherwise so why should he? No, he knew exactly who he was in a relationship. Her hand couldn't be forced unless she went willingly.-

Erin Lindsay -Slipping her hands up to the back of his neck, she lightly massaged as she continued in her mission to cleanse him, though with limited reach as she did not want to leave her position in his arms.-  I’m sure you won’t have much of a fight on your hands either.  –She assured, knowing that neither of them had a full night of sleep the night before.  Bringing her hands down his chest again, she slipped them around him, pressing herself against him so that she could attempt to wash his back without him letting go of her.-

C.J.Luciano    No, never do. -he stated in response, knowing she was speaking about one thing and he was speaking about a completely different one but it still worked as he gave her a soft smirk. Feeling her slipping from his chest to his back as his head found the side of her face. Gently nuzzling his face against her with a soft and content sigh.-

Erin Lindsay -Feeling him against the side of her face, she let out a sigh of her own as she moved her hands down into his fifty percent, sliding her hands over his ass.  Moving the last of the suds on her hands, she brought her hands to his hips, moving her hands up his sides until the soap ran out, but she couldn’t bring herself to move.-

C.J.Luciano    - feeling her passing over his ass and going above the line of duty before slipping up to his hips and sides, he smirked softly as he picked up his head. Pressing his forehead to hers with a quick smile.- I love you...and I love the way you tolerate me. -he told her honestly, pressing a quick kiss to her lips.- I can take it from here. I'm going to have to start leaving some bodywash here so I'm not stuck smelling like lavender and vanilla but...

Erin Lindsay -Feeling the all too short kiss to her lips, she sighed as he spoke, surprised he would be willing to let her go to finish off the job.-  Should I take offense to the fact that you don’t want your girl to wash you head to toe, or to the fact that you don’t like the way I smell?  -She asked playfully, tilting her head to the side as she waited for an answer from him, her forehead still pressed lightly to his.-

C.J.Luciano    Has nothing to do with that. Just don't want to make you do anything you don't want to do. -he pointed out honestly with a raised brow as he had let her off the hook but she wriggled back on.- By all means, it's yours if you want it. -pressing another kiss to her lips but just enough to make her want the kiss more, knowing exactly what he was doing.-

Erin Lindsay -Another kiss, that ran all too short, followed by a sigh of longing that only he could draw from her.-  And what if I want to service you for once?  You spoil the shit out of me and what is it that I do for you?  Give you a hard time and keep you up all night almost every night.  –Desperately trying not to kiss him again, determined that she would get him completely washed first, though the need for more was already surging through her body at a rate she would soon not be able to control if they stayed in such close proximity to one another.-

C.J.Luciano    I spoil because I love you and you deserve to be spoiled. Not because I expect any form of payment in return. -he returned with a soft smirk as he watched her, leaning forward to press his lips to her bare shoulder. Still rubbing his hand up over her back.- But like I said, it's all you if you feel the need.

Erin Lindsay I’m not paying you… -She began, unable to complete her thought.  Her eyes falling shut the moment his lips touched her shoulder, she felt his hands at her back and felt herself on the very edge of being unable to hold back any longer.-  You’re making this very, very hard for me, CJ.  –She whispered, not sure yet if she was hoping he’d go on, or stop.-

C.J.Luciano    Good thing I wasn't talking about money. -he stated honestly, pointing out that forms of payment did not mean monetary or financial gain at all nor was he suggesting it, hearing her whisper within his ear as he shook his head slightly.- Just entertaining myself until you figure out what you want to do.

Erin Lindsay -Ignoring the monetary talk, as she really was too focused on other things at the moment, she moved her hand to the side of his neck, dragging her lower lip through her teeth as she played a quick game of pros and cons in her mind.  Gnawing at her lip, she finally stepped back and reached for the soap again, staring down at her hands as she could not look at him, once again.-  We have to get this crazy teenager thing under control. –She stated, but continued into a ramble.-   It’s not… normal?  Shouldn’t the newness have worn off and we should be… wanting our own space?  I don’t want space at all.  I want you, all of the freaking time and it literally makes me insane.  It’s like this, I seriously think about it about once every eight seconds.  And right now, it’s about every two.  –She confessed as she finally set the soap down, turning back to him and immediately catching his eyes, bringing her to sigh.-  And all you have to do is that…

C.J.Luciano    - raising a brow as he watched her step back and seeming to work something out in her mind, he had to laugh softly at her suggestion about this not being normal. It was so natural that it was almost criminal and she was confessing to that herself. It brought him to tilt his head as she looked back up at him.- and what exactly is so wrong with that, Erin? I'd say I'm sorry but I'm not. I'm never going to stop being as attracted to you as I am. I really don't see the harm in it. Both adults, not hurting anyone. -giving up another shrug of his shoulders as he idly glanced around.- it's in private...but if it's an issue for you then...I don't know what to tell you...you might be with the wrong guy.

Erin Lindsay An issue? –She asked, pausing still in her previous position.-  The only issue is that you are there, and I am here, telling you how much I want you, all of the time, and yet, you are there and… -Tilting her head to the side, she let a small grin form to her lips as she stepped forward, not making him come to her at all.  With soapy hands, she placed them on either side of his face, not caring in the slightest about what her original task had been.  There was something that felt almost a challenge about his words, that she needed to find another guy.-  You are the only, I mean only, man in the world that will ever love me the way you do.  And you will not find another that loves you as fiercely as I do.  So just shut up and kiss me already…

C.J.Luciano    Yeah, that's better. -he stated as she mentioned that he was the only man who would ever be able to love her like he did. Something he knew to be true and had told her himself. Hearing her return the challenge, he also knew that to be true as his eyes blatantly detoured towards her mouth before she could even finish the sentence. Having been on his way there anyway as his mouth sought out hers. No shyness or hesitation in that kiss as his mouth fused to hers.-

Erin Lindsay -As the last word left her lips, his lips were on hers, showing that as usual, the two were on exactly the same page.  With their lips joined to one another’s, she moved her hands from his face to his neck, tilting her own head to the side as she longed to bring the kiss deeper, as she had been craving it for what felt like an eternity at this point.  Moving one hand into his hair, she fisted a handful, holding him close and figuratively proving to him that there was not a single other she would want to be with in that moment, or in any other moment either.-

C.J.Luciano    - feeling her within his hair as his hands found her hips, exhaling softly at her lips as he began to back her against the shower wall. She had definitely found his achilles heel to get him going in that moment and she was now in for it by her own doing. His tongue tracing over the part of her lips, his own not to subtle way of asking for entrance within her mouth.-

Erin Lindsay -His hands at her hips guided her to the wall, instantly bringing on the deeper desires from within her.  Parting her lips instantly to him, she breathed him in as her tongue met his.   She moved her free hand down his chest, with a well determined purpose, pausing only long enough for her to turn her wrist as she wrapped her small fingers around his hardening cock.  Keeping her grip soft, she barely grazed over him, increasing her hold with each long pass down his length, determined to service him in any way she could.-

C.J.Luciano    - slipping his tongue within the confines of her mouth where his tongue eagerly rolled over hers, becoming acquainted with her taste as it revisited him. Never able to go too long without it upon his lips and engulfing his senses. Feeling her hand against his cock, he inhaled a deep breath from his nostrils while his mouth remained glued to hers. Making the feeling of it obvious that he felt her and enjoyed such a touch as his mouth lingered to hers for a moment before trailing from the corner of her lips.-

Erin Lindsay -As his lips drifted from hers, she leaned forward from the wall, placing a kiss to his shoulder, the place she would never let fully recover from her.  In the place she had left her first mark on his skin, she would leave another now.  Not ceasing with the stroking of her hand, she brought her soft pad of her fingertip to his tip as she moved her lips from his shoulder to his neck, then to his ear as she whispered into his ear.-  Tell me what you want.  –In this moment, she absolutely did not want him to give her anything that remotely sounded like turning the question around on her.  She genuinely wanted to know what he wanted, as her new mission was to make him forget his own name.-

C.J.Luciano    - hearing her question as his mouth had been busy roaming over her neck, it was a loaded question at best as his hand slipped from her hips. Guiding itself between her legs where his fingers passed against her core. Parting her for his touch as he passed against her, fingers pooling with her moisture.- this is what I want, right here. -he confessed, a primal answer but an honest one without any cover-ups necessary as his mouth passed over her collarbone.-

Erin Lindsay -Immediately letting her hold on his cock go, she could not focus at all as his fingers were brought between her legs, paired with the feeling of his roaming mouth.- All yours. –She whispered, knowing the words would hold double meaning in this moment.  It was his, and had been for a time now, but also that for her, it was about what he wanted.  She let him give to her so often, she wanted to give back.-

C.J.Luciano    Mmm..-he hummed, those words appealing to the territorial man that he was and never denied being as his fingertips slipped around her entrance. Teasing within her before back out, not allowing himself entirely within her in an almost painful act of self control. His teeth nipping over her shoulder as he took in a deep breath. Having gone all but a few hours without her like this but it seemed entirely too long for his tastes and he had nearly mourned her in those hours.-

Erin Lindsay -The tease at her senses was almost too much to handle, but she had fully decided to be all him in this and if what he wanted was to make her insane, then she would not utter a single complaint, even if she truly wanted to grab his wrist and force him deep within her.  Leaning her head against the wall behind her, she forced her lips tightly together as to avoid biting the lip as she normally would have.-  I don’t see how this is what you want… -She dared to ask him in statement form, only wanting to ensure it was truly for him.-

C.J.Luciano    Stop thinking, Erin. Just allow yourself to feel. -he told her as she was about a minute shy of blowing his confidence all together and sending him out of this bathroom pissed off and with a hard-on. He never walked into anything without a plan to and what he was doing now indeed had a plan to it as they both knew he could never allow himself to slip right within her without helping them both a bit. Attempting to tease her despite her complaint as his two fingers slipped deep within her.-

Erin Lindsay -Asking her to stop thinking was like asking her to stop breathing, but she would attempt do what he said, to the best of her ability.  Not thinking lasted about four seconds before a thought crossed her mind, his hand. Her lip instantly within her teeth as she attempted to hold her mouth closed, not to show him that she couldn’t stop thinking.  Trusting that he was in no pain, she brought her free hand to join the other at his neck, bringing him to her where she could lock her thoughts away in his kiss.-

C.J.Luciano    - watching her as he felt her at his neck before he pressed his lips back to hers. Full lips molding to hers as his fingers reached their limit within her, rotating out until slipping back in with the pleasant flow against his fingers.- This is always what I want. I want you more than anything but I care way too much to cause you any unnecessary discomfort. I don't see how you can't see that this is what I want...-he finally whispered against her lips.-

Erin Lindsay -Her words in broken breaths, she whispered- I get it. –The rotation of his fingers within her was something she could not recall him doing before, leaving her to feel completely weak in the knees as she relied on his hand to not let her fall.  Her expression said all of the things her words could not in that moment as her lips stayed hovered at his, unable to formulate another kiss to his lips.- Fuck. –She sighed, turning her face to the side and leaning forward to his chest, her arms now wrapping around his neck for support as she could feel herself teetering on the edge.-

C.J.Luciano    - not sure whether she was just giving in because of the moment or genuinely understood, he was fine with weird as he felt her against his chest and the grasp of her arms around his neck. His free hand at her waist as his fingers worked upwards within her. Fingertips curling once within her before he would rotate back out. His lips finding her cheek as he eagerly sweeped within her. Free hand slipping down to cup one side of her ass.-

Erin Lindsay -The added closeness courtesy of his lips to the side of her face and his hand to her ass, she brought her lips to the forbidden area of his neck, almost unable to control herself as she could feel the familiar swell building within her.  Quickly turning her face, she met his shoulder instead, sucking at his flesh as if it would keep her on the edge longer, not allowing her to fall from it, but as the surge came forth, her teeth sunk into his shoulder, paired with the higher pitched emissions that would lead into intermittent breaths as her walls contracted against his fingers within her.

C.J.Luciano    - feeling her at his shoulder only brought his fingers quickening within her, recognizing her body language well. He knew what was happening and was working to push her over the edge that she was teetering over obviously. Not giving in as his pace only seemed to quicken as did his intensity as he eyed the task ahead. Teeth trailing over the lobe of her ear.-

Erin Lindsay -The edge was the most brilliant torturous place in the world, and it seemed CJ fully understood that as he increased his pace to get her off the edge to a place she so desperately needed to be and he seemed so intent on bringing her through to the other side.  Her bite to his shoulder only increased in strength as she came closer and closer until finally she lifted from her claimed place on his skin to lean her head back against the shower wall as her body gave way to all that he had done, bringing her to release against him, glazing his fingers within her as her mouth dropped open, the sounds from within echoing through the bathroom.-

C.J.Luciano    - pulling back from her ear just in time to watch her face as she came. Knowing most shyed away from such intimacy but for him there was no shame for him. Watching her cum was quite literally the most beautiful thing in the world to him. Knowing he had the ability to bring her such pleasure and happily so as his fingers slowed to a stop once he was sure she had cum for him entirely. Giving into her own taste for that peace period as his lips found hers once more with a light smile at the accomplishment.-

Erin Lindsay -Sensitivity scorched within her as he withdrew from her, the motion alone causing her to tremble at his touch as she came down from the high he had taken her on.  Feeling his lips to her own, she was barely a giving participant at first, breathing through him as she moved her lips only slightly for a moment as the lingering aftermath slowly began to subside to a point that she could actively give of herself to him once more.  Slipping one hand from behind his neck up into his hair, she kept her grip on him lighter than before as she noticed he was taking it slower with her, proof that he knew her well.-

C.J.Luciano    - those few moments when she wasn't able to kiss him suggested that he was doing everything right by her as he felt her within his hair. Fingers stopped while still deep within her before he slowly withdrew his fingers. Smiling softly against her lips.- Ready to go hop out? That counter of yours looks perfect. -he remarked honestly, gesturing towards the sink counter which would accommodate them a bit better than the shower currently because of their height difference.-

Erin Lindsay -Her body still pressed to the wall by his own, she gasped lightly in the kiss as his fingers vacated her, almost immediately followed by his relocation suggestion.  Nodding her head, she was still silent as she reached over, turning off the water that had once again been wasted by them over the course of their relationship.  Returning her arm behind his head, she held to him as she stole yet another kiss from his lips, knowing that after the variations in vocal tones he had brought from her, her voice was surely shot.-

C.J.Luciano    - pressing his lips back to hers despite her sudden mutish tendencies. Mouth pressed firmly back to hers before he was pulling back, nudging his nose to hers before he bit his own bottom lip as his free hand landed on her ass. Giving her a playful smack followed by an even more playful grunt.- I fuckin' love you.

Erin Lindsay -If there was anything that could end her silent streak, it was the slap to her ass that brought forth an instant vocal reaction, followed by his words that would bring out an instant smile as she completely believed him, feeling the very same way about him.-  I so love you.  –She brushed her nose to his, lightly biting at his lower lip as she whispered in her low-toned raspy voice.-  Say it again.

C.J.Luciano    I. Fuckin'. Love. You. -he stated, making sure to accentuate each syllable as he met her eyes, pressing his lips back to hers to borrow her bottom lip from her teeth for his own usage. His hand curled to grasp her ass now where his palm had just landed with a visible smack. Grasping her firmly, making sure she felt him in that moment.-

Erin Lindsay -The smile to her lips only became wider, easily showing her teeth as his words came through loud and clear to her, loving every moment of it.  His grip against her ass naturally brought her to lift her leg, curling her ankle behind his knee.-  I’m going to live the rest of my life with your hand print to my ass, aren’t I?

C.J.Luciano    Best believe it. -he stated honestly upon her question, watching her with a light laugh.- Maybe if you didn't have such a nice ass then I wouldn't have to grab it constantly. -he remarked honestly, kissing the back of her shoulder before nudging her onwards towards the sink.- march, soldier. -he stated, suggesting that he wanted her to walk.-

Erin Lindsay -Having been reliant on him for so long for stability, feeling him step aside and command her to the sink, she gave him a look of almost uncertainty, then put one foot in front of the other.-  Oh, so you can look at your handiwork? –She asked in regards to the red mark that was surely in the perfect shape of his hand to her ass.  She shook her head in a laugh as she stepped out of the shower and walked to the sink, leaning her back to the countertop as she tilted her head to the side.-  Take your time, really… -She teased-

C.J.Luciano    Yup. -giving them a few feet of space between them where sure enough, his hand print was burned into her ass in a shade of red that made him smile, only realizing he was staring when she leaned back into the counter and spoke to him. Following a moment later where he approached her, he smiled softly the smirk of a man who had been caught in the act.-

Erin Lindsay Mhm, that’s what I thought. –She spoke as he joined her at the sink, shaking her head lightly.- I should just get it tattooed there if it’s staying.  –She teased, reaching forward to his hand, linking her fingers with his in a way that she wanted to do most days when walking into the station  or to the parking lot.-  You can get a matching one, right here.  –She lifted her opposite hand to the spot on his shoulder that was almost always bearing her mark since day one.-

C.J.Luciano    Oh, I can? Maybe I want a giant "property of" tattoo on you. -he teased as he felt her free hand link with his own, his free hand at her hip while she touched his shoulder and he was backing her up against that counter where she would ultimately wind pulled up ontop of it and he was counting down those few moments before he would land her there. Her time was incredibly limited.-

Erin Lindsay -The property of joke just made her think of boyfriend caution tape, bringing her to nod her head.-  I’d do it.  Not like anyone but you would ever see it.  –She tugged at his hand, turning it over in her hand as she looked down then back up at him as she lifted his hand in hers to her own lips, placing a soft kiss to the bruises that she felt responsible for.-  We’re a mess, ya know that?  -She asked, knowing they both wore the day on their flesh, proof that it hadn’t been all a dream.-

C.J.Luciano    - feeling her against his hand and the bruises of his knuckles, still sore from his own doing as he heard her question bringing him to nod his head as there was no doubt of that in his mind.- Oh yes, we are. -he stated in honest agreement, especially when they started spiraling like that. Working off of one another on the way down until the eruption would happen. He had a feeling that this would be what caused them unhappiness at times being together as their behavior was so similar in those moments.- I wouldn't change anything though about us. Nothing.

Erin Lindsay -Not wanting to draw too much focus to the day, she could easily agree with him.  They worked well together both in private and in the field, but ultimately, they shared many of the same character flaws that had reared their ugly heads that day. For the sake of teasing, she tilted her head to the side with questioning eyes.-  Nothing?  You wouldn’t change anything?  You wouldn’t wish me a little taller or a little less argumentative?  Maybe a girl who could cook you gourmet food after sex, or one that followed the ‘rule book?’  -The grin to her lips showed her playful demeanor as she turned focus from their bruises and markings from work to something a little more personal about their ‘home’ life.-

C.J.Luciano    I like you short, I like you brimming to the top with attitude. I don't care about food, I can cook if I want food and I'm not sure what rule book we are talking about here. -he confessed honestly as his arm slipped around her waist, pulling her up onto the counter where he stood between her legs.- I love your Napoleon Complex. I'd never be able to take a woman who just let me have my way constantly. -he confessed honestly as he just needed to be challenged in his life as his mouth found the column of her throat.-

Erin Lindsay -His words brought her trademarked half-smile to her face as he squashed any minor insecurity she may have had, his words being marked on her in a way that she would never let doubt creep into her mind when it came to any of those things.  Her mind drifted to the original joke, that he’d be through with her a week, leaving her to wonder if he had been surprised by the Erin he got in private, or if he had her pegged all wrong.  That would be for another day, as he lifted her to the countertop, prompting her to part her thighs to him, distracted immediately by his lips on her skin again.  Leaning her head back, her throat vibrated a satisfied sound before bringing her to whisper to him.-  I like how you do this… make me want you in no time flat.  –Her confession brought her to lift his hand in hers to her own thigh, as if she could draw him closer by the sheer force of his hand.-

C.J.Luciano    I'm not really doing anything. -he reminded her, and that mere suggestion was a beautiful thing. It spoke to their chemistry as it didn't take a whole lot in these moments to get either of them going. It just seemed natural; primal. Tracing his tongue back down the column of her throat until his lips found the center of her chest. Feeling his cock pressed to her inner thigh with no shame at all.- not to disappoint or anything but.

Erin Lindsay -There was more he was doing than he was stepping up to take credit for, but Erin let him be cute about it, if that was how he wanted to play it.  She knew he had to know what he was doing, and just how to do it every single time.-  Yeah, you’re doing nothing at all.  –She whispered as his lips ventured down to the center of her chest.  Taking a deep breath, she gripped his hand that she still held within hers.-  I say you do a lot more of nothing then, and maybe we’ll get nothing done today at all.  –She teased-

C.J.Luciano    I'm not. -he stated in response, feigning innocence though that smirk suggested otherwise as he felt her at his hands.- It's just in times like this, you almost seem too patient so I have to tease you otherwise...-shrugging his shoulders as his hands slipped up her side.- then what's the fun in it?

Erin Lindsay -Releasing the hand she had held, she met his smirk with her own half-smile, tilting her head to the side.-  I’m too patient?  What do you want from me?  You want some aggressive sex kitten, you might be with the wrong girl.  –She said, copying what he had said to her earlier in that he might not be the guy for her.  She knew she had her aggressive moments, but in general she wasn’t that sex-crazed girl that was going to tackle him in an instant either.-

C.J.Luciano    That's not what I'm saying. -he confirmed, shaking his head at the comment as it wasn't even remotely like that.- I just...As painful as it is right now not getting any relief, i can't just put it in you without atleast making you want it or...atleast seeming like you do. Times like this it's like you've gotten something, my dick is about to fall off and we could probably sit here discussing the theory of evolution if I let us. Just a little enthusiasm, please? -he asked, raising his brow as he tilted his head.-

Erin Lindsay -Looking to his eyes as he spoke, she was a little caught off guard by his words.  She had tried to be playful, giving his own words back to him, but there was actually some underlying truth in what he was getting at.  It struck her wrong and she could only shake her head lightly, putting her hands against his chest and pushing him back from her as she processed the things that had been laid upon her.-  Because I’ve gotten something… -Sighing, she had no idea what more to say, though her head was jumbled with thoughts.-  Are you calling me selfish?  How long have you felt this way?

C.J.Luciano    - taking a step back at her urging, only able to think at how ridiculous this looked. He heard her questioning before shaking his head.- no, that's not what I'm saying, Erin. You are just not making me feel very...I don't know, welcomed at the moment. It's probably just me. I've had a long day and I'm feeling for whatever reason extremely insecure and I just need to get it out of my system and stop being a fucking girl. Just certain things make me wonder if you think that the way we are around each other is wrong. The whole unable to keep our hands off one another thing...like what you mentioned earlier...

Erin Lindsay -Realizing that this wasn’t about her being selfish or not, and more of a personal thing going on with him made it very easy for her to lose the attitude and see things more clearly.-  What’s going on between us isn’t wrong, CJ.  It’s the most right thing I’ve ever done in my life.  I just never want to make you feel the way you feel right now.  I want you, all of the time, and you know this.  Maybe I just have a hard time showing it sometimes? –She knew the effort had been put in, on multiple occasions, to show him how much she wanted him, but if he was going through something, she was not going to fight with him and would instead try to rectify it.-  Come here.

C.J.Luciano    I don't think it's you, I think it's me being unable to see it. -he confessed upon her question as it now made him think. Not sure of it though entirely as she stated for him to approach. Stepping back to where he had been as he glanced down towards her.- see how fucking annoying I am when I get in these modes?

Erin Lindsay -Lifting her hands to either side of his face, she brought her forehead to his, forcing his focus to her eyes.-  The whole unable to keep our hands to ourselves thing, it’s just that I want to know that we are functioning in the relationship and that we don’t let ourselves get so wrapped up in the physical stuff that we forget who we are to one another.  The physical side is there, and always will be there.  It is safe to assume that most minutes of the day, I want you.  But the times when we are just being close, flirty, talking, I like those too.  –In that moment, she wasn’t sure that she was helping matters or not, but she really wanted him to understand the depth she felt in their relationship.-  You aren’t annoying.  If anything, you are worrying me.  Like I did something to make you feel unwanted, or something, when it couldn’t be further from the truth.  I want all of you, all the time.  I want so much that I can’t even tell you yet, words that are terrifying, but you bring them out in me.  So put the doubts to the side and know that your girlfriend is crazy about you, both naked and dressed.

C.J.Luciano    Nothing to be worried about. Just days like this, need a little push in the right direction. A little extra something and I'll be fine otherwise I get annoying. Just how I've always been. -he stated honestly, as much as it sucked for him to admit that he had those days like anyone else did yet he seemed to hold himself above that standard as he felt her forehead on his. Meeting her eyes before giving a soft nod to suggest he understood.-

Erin Lindsay -The honesty in his voice was something that did not go unnoticed.  He was always reassuring with her and in this moment, she needed to be that for him.-  I love you, insecure moments and all.  They make us human.  -Slipping her hands from the sides of his face to the back of his neck, she kept her eyes to his.-  So you tell me, what comes next here?  -She thought it was fairly safe to say the mood had been highly altered, but she knew it wouldn’t take much to get her back on track, though she didn’t know how quickly he would be to maneuver back into the mental state of intimacy again.-  

C.J.Luciano    only have so many options right now. -he pointed out, gesturing down as while his mind might not be there in that moment, his body was and his head would follow soon after he could carry on.- I'd like to continue if you could help me out with that.

Erin Lindsay -A simple smirk came to her lips as she nodded her head against his.-  I think that’s something I can do.  –Her mind was elsewhere entirely, worrying though he had told her not to, but the fact that he was so raw with her, opening himself up to her in a way they had not ventured into before, she would make sure that it was not a bad experience for him.  Pushing her hands against his chest, she pushed him back just enough that she could slip from the counter and stand before him, her hand to his neck as she pulled him to kiss her for a long moment before her lips trailed off his lips to his neck, following a well determined path down his chest.  Her fingers wrapped around his cock, lightly stroking as she made her way down, dropping to one knee, then the other as she wrapped her lips around his thickness, slowly leaning into him as she took in more of his length.-

C.J.Luciano    - pressing his lips back to hers eager enough to feel her even as she slipped down from the counter. Not too sure what what she had in mind but he was quick to find out as he watched her slipping down him, her hand around his cock nearly making him jump from the mere sensitivity until he watched her slipping infront of him. The feeling of her mouth against him drawing a soft groan from his lips as his hand found the side of her face. Teeth finding his full bottom lip as he glanced down to watch this sight and refusing to look away.-

Erin Lindsay -Down on her knees, before him, she cut her eyes up to him as she took pleasuring him very seriously.  Taking only a little more at a time, then bringing herself back, her tongue flicking against his tip each time, only to take him in once more.  Her hand stayed at his base, moving upward as her mouth came off of him each time.  Letting go of the softer side, she sucked against him as she withdrew him from her mouth, lightly blowing against his tip before taking him in again, the bite to his lower lip being all the confirmation she needed to keep going, as it was clear he was back in the mindset to enjoy her once more.-

C.J.Luciano    Fuck...-he groaned softly as he watched her taking him in, hand slipping up to brush his fingers through her hair. Collecting it to keep his vision unobstructed, having taken no time at all at her urging to get him right back where he needed to be and throbbing in the most pleasant of ways within her mouth and knowing she would most likely be able to feel it.-

Erin Lindsay -With her wet hair gathered in his hand, she could feel the pulses through his cock in her mouth, bringing her to smirk as she released him from the moist confines of her mouth.  Licking her lips, she brought her eyes down from him, tilting her head to the side and taking him into her widened mouth once more, pushing further as she wanted to bring forth a lot more than just an expletive from his lips.  Sucking against him harder, she came off slower, lightly using her teeth against him, careful not to hurt him.-

C.J.Luciano    - fingers tightening within her wet locks despite that brief break that only seemed to intensify the sensations. Feeling the touch of her teeth, a gentle scrape that had him shaking his head playfully.- brave. -he teased, tongue trailing over his bottom lip as he glanced down towards her. Wondering if her intentions here were to make him cum because she was doing a great job at it should that be the path chosen while his free hand slipped over her shoulder where the marks of his bites were engraved into her skin.-

Erin Lindsay -Feeling the touch from his hand to her skin, she paused for only a moment, taking back to him.  His hand still in her hair gave her the impression he wanted her to continue, his words giving her the same.  Lifting her free hand behind his thigh, she pressed her fingertips into his skin, using her hand to pull him deeper within her as her mouth came forth on him again, all in one motion.  Without the ability to hold it back, a small moan emitted from her lips against his cock as she felt the tip of his cock hit the back of her throat.  Leaning back from him, she glanced upwards, then gave him a small grin before repeating the same action, a little deeper each time, though unable to take in his full length.-

C.J.Luciano    - spotting her grin, he was breathless by that point. Without a doubt close and that smile of hers only seeming to bring him somewhere else. Whether it be his attraction for her or his sheer love that needed to see her smile and know what she was happy in this life. Feeling his cock slipping deeper into her throat, his breath hitching in the back of his throat as his fingers tightened within her hair.- I'm gonna' cum. -he admitted outloud, the simple rules of courtesy dictating he tell her as he grew closer to the edge.-

Erin Lindsay -His words were absolute music to her ears as she had the satisfaction of knowing that she was the one that was bringing him to this point.  Without a response to him, she did not pause for even a moment.  Releasing the base of his cock, she brought her other hand to the back of his opposite thigh, now relying fully on her mouth to get him there as she kept suction without coming off of him at any point, her hands gripping tightly at his skin.  Picking up the quickness of her oral strokes, she made it clear that his threat was precisely what she wanted for him.-

C.J.Luciano    - feeling her not hesitate for him in the slightest or shy away from the inevitable, it only made him closer along with the grasp of her hand to his thigh where she'd be able to recognize that familiar body tension as it surged through him. Giving it only a moment or two after the warning as his fingers tightened again within her hair, a deep groan leaving his lips as it all transpired. Cumming within her mouth shamelessly as his free hand slipped to the back of her neck, just needing something to hold onto for that moment.-

Erin Lindsay -His body reacting to her actions was in itself the single most amazing thing to Erin.  He had never permitted her to this extreme in the past, but did not attempt to stop her at any point in this moment, leading to the culmination of his release into the depths of her mouth.  Pausing with him at the deepest point she could handle of him, she made the split second decision to take it within her fully.  She continued sucking against him until the point his cock stilled, finally bringing her to loosen her tired jaw and remove her hands from his thighs, taking a deep breath before biting her lower lip as she glanced up at him leaning her head back against the cabinet behind her.-

C.J.Luciano    - the fog was intense after he had cum, feeling it through his entire body as well as a surge of nothing short of gratitude for her in that moment. It was a strong high that was quite literally his addiction in this life as he watched her slipping him from her mouth and leaning back. He could only smile softly as she leaned back, his hands slipping down to offer her help back up.- best way to get me out of my head right there. -he teased with a light laugh.-

Erin Lindsay -Lifting her hand to his, she accepted his offer for assistance and rose to her feet before him.  His words brought out a light laugh from her own lips and a nod to her head.-  Mhm, I aim to please.  –She teased back, tightening her grip to his hand in hers as her eyes sought him out.  Stepping into him, she smiled up at him.-  I love you, and I will always give you what you need, CJ.  Always.  –She assured, placing a kiss to his chest before lifting her face to look up to him again, a playful grin crossing her lips.-  And I’ll save the debate about evolution for times when we aren’t completely naked.  

C.J.Luciano    and I love you. -he stated in response, feeling her kiss to his chest before he glanced down towards her. Rolling his eyes gently as he reached down, grasping her ass per usual.- now brush up those teeth so I can kiss you and not feel disgusted with myself. -he requested, pressing a kiss to her forehead and the tip of her nose. Hands slipping over her cheeks and down her neck before finally releasing her so she could do just that.-

Erin Lindsay -With a smile to her lips, she felt the kiss to her forehead and nose, things that made her love him even more.  Unable to hold back, she harassed him.-  Get out.  –She teased, pressing her hand to his chest and pushing him away from her with a shake to her head as she turned to the sink behind her.  Turning on the faucet, she glanced over her shoulder at him, laughing as she prepped her toothbrush.-  Go on with you.  –She added as she brought the toothbrush up to her mouth, watching his reflection in the mirror.-

C.J.Luciano    I'm being exiled from the bathroom. Fine, never liked it here anyway...wait...-walking to the bathroom door where he hung halfway in and halfway out, watching her, raising a brow as he caught onto something.- are you afraid of me watching you brush your teeth? -he finally asked, sounding somewhat amazed by the conclusion he was drawing after seeing one another naked several times over.-

Erin Lindsay -Having never brushed her teeth in front of him, she held the tooth brush in the side of her mouth as he started to leave, but caught his reflection as he paused in the doorway.  His question brought a laugh to her lips and the truth to her eyes as she lifted her finger, pointing at him.-  GOOO.  –She managed to command, even with the toothbrush tucked in her cheek.-  

C.J.Luciano    You fuckin' are! -he stated in a tone of amusement, ultimately slipping into the bedroom after grabbing a towel and drying off the rest of him. Amused by this small fact as he checked his phone briefly. Seeing he had nothing. Nothing at all. A pleasant first as he slipped the phone back onto her sidetable and waiting for her to finish up so he could get his boxers from the bathroom.-

Erin Lindsay -Making quick work of brushing her teeth, before he could sneak up on her, she finished up at the sink.  Reaching into the linen closet, she took out a towel, wiping first her face, then drying her body, finally wrapping her body in the towel.  Stepping out of the bathroom, she leaned against the door frame as she lifted her finger, motioning for him to come to her.-  I think you owe me a kiss.

C.J.Luciano    - slipping his own towel over his shoulder as he heard her speak, glancing back to spot her still at the door frame. Smirking softly.- yeah? you think? -he teased as he approached her, hands slipping at her sides as he approached her. Leaning in to press his lips softly to hers where his own mouth enveloping her bottom lip.-

Erin Lindsay -Watching him come towards her, she couldn’t help but smile until the moment his lips met with her own.  Lifting her hand to the back of his neck, she brought herself close to him, taking firmly to his upper lip as he held his ground on the lower that he thought belonged to him.  Slowly withdrawing from the kiss, she placed another quick kiss to his lips, then snatched his towel from him with a laugh on her lips.-  No pants, don’t forget.

-September 24, 2014