thinkingaboutbetterdays

[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

family time. ( don flack x reader )

gif belongs to me

It had been a tough few weeks for the detective and a rough couple of months for your small family of three. He had back-to-back cases, and ever since your son joined the soccer team, he was excited to tell his father everything about it, but after missing two of his games, only seeing the recordings you sent to his phone, a silent divide formed between a disappointed son and a guilt-ridden father. So when he saw the date of his next game on the calendar in the kitchen, Flack took the afternoon off and arrived home in time to help you load the car and drive to the game.

Your son's excitement was infectious, and while you carried a small backpack with three water bottles, he dragged Don towards the field. After checking in with the coach, you both joined the other parents on the side-lines as the group split up in preparation for the game.

You smiled at your broad shouldered husband as he stood at the fence. He was too excited to sit down.

As the game started with the blow of a whistle, he cheered your son's name, and you glanced at the other parents who were either glued to their phones or not looking at the kids. It was the same thing every week, but the kids had improved over the last few training sessions, and your son was more confident within the group.

Don eventually joined you on the stands after the third person picked up the ball and ran to the goal before being reminded by the coach that this was soccer and not football.

"It's actually an improvement."

He chuckled, "They're doing great. He's doing great." A sigh left his lips, "I'm sorry I missed it before."

"He understands. It doesn't mean he doesn't feel let down now and then. He's very proud of you, you know." You smiled softly, placing a hand on his arm before jumping to your feet when your son ran with the ball towards the goal. "Get it on video!"

Don quickly took out his cell phone as he stood, recording the moment. His lips curved upward as you cheered, calling, "You'll get the next one, baby!"

When you returned to his side, he handed you his phone so you could watch the video, and raised an eyebrow at your husband, who had slowly turned the camera to you, and your son became a background feature.

You raised an eyebrow at the detective, who smiled bashfully. "What? Am I to blame if you're so distracting?"

You shook your head, turning to record another video, and Don smiled softly as he tugged on the belt loops of your jeans, bringing your back to his chest. He kissed your head as you watched the game together, and cheered when your son scored a goal.

He kissed your cheek as the coach chatted to the team, and after nearly an hour, the kids raced to the hot dog and burger table afterwards.

Your son, however, raced over to you both as you followed the team. Don released your hand as your five year old jumped into his arms and laughed as he excitedly recalled the game.

"Yeah, buddy, I saw. You were amazing out there."

"Quick, grab a hot dog before they're all gone." You smiled as Don set him on the ground, and the five-year-old sprinted to the table.

Don took your hand as you both followed at a slower pace, and you rubbed his arm when he sighed. He had enjoyed every second of his afternoon off, but his job guaranteed that he'd miss other games, and for a father as proud as he was, it was difficult to accept.

"I wish I could be around more."

"Hey," you looked up at him, "he knows this is where you'd rather be. But he's also really proud of you. Okay, so you can't make every game or every parent-teacher conference, but you're there in every other way. If he needed you, he knows you'll be there in a second with SWAT."

Don cracked a smile, "And a riot van. And maybe some snipers."

You giggled, leaning into his side as he placed his arm around your shoulders. He kissed your head, and you smiled as the coach approached with your son.

"Hey, glad you could make it." He shook your husband's hand. "Kids were on fire today. At least they stayed in the lines this time."

"Have you found someone to coach next week's game?" You asked.

"Not unless you want the job."

Don chuckled, sobering when you raised an eyebrow at him. "No offence, sweetheart, but you can't coddle them all the way to the goal."

"Well, maybe you should do it then." You suggested.

Don turned to the coach, "Same time?"

"Time and place." He replied. "You in?"

"Yeah, I'll make it happen."

You looked at your husband as the coach discussed a few details before leaving. "You'll make it happen?"

"I'll get the day off, one way or another."

You smiled softly, nodding as you knew that once his mind was set on something, he could make it happen. He would be here next week, whether his boss agreed or not.

"You'll really be here, dad?"

"Absolutely." Don ruffled his hair.

Your son turned tail and ran towards the team, and their heads turned as he relayed the news, their matching grins revealing their excitement at the idea. You had overheard your son talking about his father and his job, and he had all the other kids falling out of their chairs in anticipation.

"You do realise they all think you're practically superman, right?"

He placed his arm around your shoulders, "I can handle it."

You playfully rolled your eyes, smiling when he turned your chin and kissed you. When you pulled away, you waved your son over, and he walked underneath Don's other arm, heading to the car as he chatted away happily, and after stilted conversations the past week, Don was enjoying every second. Things were already back to normal, and come hell or high water, he would make it next week to coach the soccer game.

That night, the two practiced in the front yard, and you watched from the stairs as Don lifted your son onto his shoulder when he scored a goal, cheering loudly, much to the five-year-old's amusement. If he could choose, Don would spend time with family as much as he could, but the city of New York needed good cops like him, and as much as he joked about it, you knew he would never be happy in a desk job. Crime was continuous, and there would be other times when he was called away for a case, but for now, you could all savour the moment.

[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

the dna god. ( greg sanders x reader )

Gif belongs to me

From across the hall, he could see you while you worked. Greg checked his watch, counting how long you had rerun the same experiment and judging by your frustrated expression, reaching the same results. After the third time, he crossed the hall and you looked at the lab-tech who sent you a small smile.

"What's up buttercup?"

You shook your head when he grinned and leaned back in your chair with a sigh. "You're good at DNA, right?"

"Good? I'm the DNA God."

You playfully rolled your eyes with a smile, "Fine, DNA God. Explain this to me." You nodded to the results you had been questioning for over an hour and Greg rested a hand on the desk as he leaned over, his brow furrowing when he saw the replicated results.

"What's the problem?"

"The DNA matches a woman who has been dead for two hundred years."

Greg raised an eyebrow, whistling as he stood up straight. "Casper's mom?"

"Want to hear the best part?" Greg nodded. "She is buried out of State. Five hundred miles North East."

"You're messing with me, right? How could two-hundred-year-old DNA show up in a crime that occurred yesterday?"

"I was hoping you could figure it out, DNA God." You sighed, "I'm officially out of ideas."

Greg thought for a moment, slowly nodding. "What are the stakes?"

"Stakes?"

"Well, if I figure it out, I should win something."

"Being a God isn't enough for you?"

"No." Greg crossed his arms with a grin. "If I win, you have to go out for dinner with me."

After a year and a half, since joining the lab, you had downplayed Greg's flirting, returning it but never agreeing to go on a date knowing he was a well-known flirt. But right now, you need his help and his skill.

"Fine. But I choose where we go."

"Deal!" Greg exclaimed. "Now go, don't distract a God at work."

You held your hands up as you walked away, smiling as you shook your head. "Wouldn't dream of it."

You walked out of the room, looking at Greg through the glass as he got to work, and smiled softly as you headed down the hallway. He may be a serial flirt, but he had a good heart, and you knew that when it came to DNA, he was the best in the lab.

A few hours later you were observing as Nick fired bullets into the water and jumped out your skin when you felt a tap on your shoulder. You turned to find Greg's amused gaze, removing your headphones as you stepped into the hallway with him.

"Sorry." He chuckled.

"Please tell me, you have some good news."

Greg grinned as he walked away and you followed, shaking your head at his need for dramatics. You approached the desk he had been glued to for the past three hours as he explained the tests he had run. You took the results he gave you fresh from the printer and your brow furrowed as you read the determinations.

"The sample was tampered with."

You met his gaze, "I placed them in the box in the trunk myself."

"Yes, but you weren't alone. There were dozens of officers, detectives, and CSI wandering around."

You shook your head, "Are you sure about this?"

Greg pressed his lips into a thin line and you held your hands up. "Right. Sorry." You sighed as you looked at the readings again, "I have to take this to Grissom. He'll want to talk to you."

You stepped forward to kiss his cheek, catching him by surprise. "Thank you, Greg."

"Anytime." He smiled as he watched you go, "What about our bet?"

You turned in the doorway, "Pick me up tonight at six." His head turned, following you through the glass as you walked down the hallway toward Grissom's office.

He took a seat on his chair, spinning around as he fist-pumped the air. He had tried several times to ask you out and each time you conjured plans out of thin air to get out of it. But tonight, he fully intended to blow your mind. He had a reputation around the lab, but tonight he would show you that he had changed. When it came to you, Greg Sanders was strictly a one-woman man.

[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

blackmail. ( lord charles ashfordly x reader )

gif belongs to me

There were a lot of things in your past you preferred no one found out. When you married Charles, you grew more paranoid that someone in your past would turn up. For over a year, life was peaceful. But now, when you were finally starting to settle into your new role of Lady Ashfordly, your past was catching up.

It started with phone calls, the person on the other end only talking when you answered. A week after the phone calls started, it got closer to home, eyes watching your every move. One night you were walking the dogs, heading back to the Hall when you saw a man watching you, hiding behind the greenhouse. You saw him running towards you and quickly rushed into the house, slamming the door. He hit the door, and you locked it, backing away.

"What's all the noise about?" Charles walked out of the study, and you looked out of the letterbox to make sure the man was gone, turning to your husband with a sigh. "Is everything alright?" He asked.

You nodded, giving what you hoped was a reassuring smile. "Yeah, just got a little spooked that's all."

Later that night, you received a phone call as you were heading to bed. You lingered on the staircase as Charles answered it, receiving no answer. You knew he was getting irritated by the calls, and you knew he would do everything he could to protect you if you told him the truth, but you also knew that his reputation was the one your ex was determined to ruin.

That night you lay restless until three in the morning. You needed a plan to find your ex and get rid of him, and you would not let him get his hands on a schilling of Charles's wealth. You knew the risks you were taking in finding him, but to protect your husband, you would do anything.

So the next day, you acted as if nothing was wrong, you weren't planning to contact your ex, and it was just another day in Ashfordly Hall. But Charles had plans of his own, and he knew someone who could help. As good of an actress you were, you weren't good enough, and he knew something was on your mind. He left in the afternoon to go to the Aidensfield Arms to speak to Oscar, who was surprised to see him at such an early hour. It was rare when he left the Hall to go to the local pub, but his visits had always been at eight pm, and he only stayed for one or two drinks before leaving again. So an unexpected visit immediately had Oscar curious.

"Ah Oscar, just the man I wanted to see. Can I have a word in your ear about something?"

Oscar led him to the snug and closed the door. Oscar was a damn good policeman, and he knew that if anyone were able to see what was going on underneath police noses, it would be Oscar Blaketon.

"How can I help you, My Lord?"

"I've been receiving phone calls at all hours. The phone has been ringing non-stop for the last couple of days. Only when I answer, the person hangs up. I took it to Sargent Merton, and so far, there's been nothing done about it." He explained.

"Okay..." Oscar trailed off, unsure how to respond in a way that didn't unleash Charles's wrath. "so how can I help?"

"Last night, my wife was out walking the dogs as she does every night. However, she claims something spooked her outside. I saw her running into the house, practically bolting the door shut. This morning she was on the telephone, asking about hotels."

"So you think someone is harassing her, sir?"

"Well, that's what I would like you to find out. There is something she isn't telling me, and I want to know what it is."

Oscar nodded, "Leave it with me, and I'll see what I can do."

When Charles left the snug, Gina was on the telephone, turning to the two men. "There's been a break-in at Ashfordly Hall. That was Alf on the phone."

There were two police cars and a motorcycle outside the Hall when he arrived, and Charles examined the door that had been forced open, a frown on his lips as he followed the voices to the study where he found you sitting with a blanket over your shoulders.

"What happened?" He looked at the three policemen, approaching the armchair where you were sitting with your knees to your chest. Doctor Summerbee stepped aside when you lifted your head, revealing a bruised cheek and a cut on your forehead.

"One of your gamekeepers called the station, Sir. He spotted the door and called it in. He went upstairs when he heard arguing and was struck over the head with a vase. He's been treated at the hospital." Mike explained.

"Still think it was a wrong number, Sargent?" Charles looked at Merton, who apologized.

"If it's alright with you, I would like to ask some more questions?" Mike spoke up, stepping forward as he tried to defuse the tension in the room.

Charles looked at you, and you shook your head. "I didn't see his face. He was wearing a helmet."

"A motorcycle helmet?" Phil suggested.

You nodded, looking up at Charles when he moved to stand beside your armchair, placing a hand on your shoulder. You took his hand, resting your cheek against your hands, a small smile on your lips. The village was shocked when you were first introduced as Lord Ashfordly's wife; the age difference between you both was the talk of the village for over a week. But a moment like this proved just how much you cared about each other, regardless of it all.

"If that's all, gentlemen, I want my wife to get some rest."

"Of course, My Lord."

They walked out, and Phil sent you a small smile which you returned. Although he had hit on you when you first arrived in the Aidensfield Arms, having no idea that you were married to the infamous Lord Ashfordly, he was the first person you forged a friendship with. He and Gina were the most welcoming people in Aidensfield.

Charles looked down at you when you lifted your head, meeting your eyes, reaching out to touch your cheek, thinking better of it when he saw the bruise.

"What's so dreadful that you can't tell me?" He asked quietly.

You looked away, slowly standing up, wincing from your bruised ribs. "I'm going for a bath." You walked out of the study, not looking back. You closed the door, closing your eyes briefly as you gathered the strength to go upstairs. You knew what you had to do, and where you had to go. If you succeeded, then this would all be over, once and for all. And Charles wouldn't suffer from a mistake you had made when you were a teenager.

The next morning you set out in the early hours of the morning, not appearing at breakfast. Little did you know, Oscar had anticipated this move after hearing about the attack from Mike when he came to the pub last night after his shift.

He followed you out of Aidensfield without you being any the wiser. You went to Whitby, and when he saw you get into another car with a man behind the wheel, Oscar followed until he was spotted, the man shooting at his windscreen. He found the nearest telephone box and called the police station. If he was right, you were now a hostage.

Charles never slept that night as he stayed up, concerned about your safety. Oscar came hours after you were taken, and the former Sargent left with a key to a storage locker you kept. He later found photo albums and old trophies and certificates from your school years. But one photograph stood out, recognizing a man - well, he was a boy at the time - in the photograph. It was the man he saw in Whitby.

He returned to the Aidensfield Arms to find the doors locked, which was odd, considering it was only six o'clock. He called for Gina, but when the door opened, he saw the barrel of the gun before the face of your ex as he dragged him inside with the other hostages. You were sitting with your hands tied on the floor beside Gina and David. Oscar received the same treatment, shoved down beside David.

"You told them!" Your ex roared.

You shook your head, "I didn't! I swear -" You closed your eyes when he grabbed your cheeks in his hand, fingers pressing into your skin, possibly enough to leave bruises.

"You're lying!"

Your head whipped to the side when he backhanded you, and your eyes widened when he aimed the gun at Oscar when he spoke, "She didn't tell us anything. But they will find us soon enough. And it'll be a hefty prison sentence for you."

"Shut up!" Your ex dragged you up from the floor, holding you against him as he aimed the gun at you, pressing the metal into your cheek. "One more word, and she dies."

He threw you beside Gina, and she used her shoulder to help you sit up straight. Your ex left the room to the snug, checking that the door was locked.

"What's all this about?" Oscar whispered to you.

You looked away for a moment. "We dated in school. He was an art student, you see. So he made money selling a few paintings here and there. Not a lot, but enough to get by." You told him, keeping your voice down, so your ex didn't hear. "One time, he asked to do a painting of me..." You cleared your throat, and Gina and Oscar understood.

"What?" David asked, being shushed by Gina and Oscar.

"Nude." You explained.

David nodded, understanding.

"Shortly after that, we broke up. We were always fighting, and you can see how violent he is." Gina nodded, frowning. "So I fled and moved to Whitby. I found a job in a bakery, and I met Charles and..." You smiled softly at the thought of him. "I thought the past was finally behind me."

"Until he started calling," Oscar said.

You nodded.

"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Gina asked.

"He was blackmailing me. He still has that painting, and if it got out that Lord Ashfordly's young wife had posed naked..." Oscar nodded in understanding. "How is he?"

"Worried," Oscar told you.

Gina looked up, gasping when your ex walked in with Phil at gunpoint.

"Caught this one sneaking in the back."

"I wasn't sneaking. I only came in for a pint."

"No talking!" Your ex hit him over the head with the handle of the gun, and Phil fell to the floor, dazed.

Your ex aimed his gun at him, and you shouted for him to stop. "You don't have to hurt him! There's no need for any of this! It's me you want, so let them go!"

"They are a part of this now. Just remember," He knelt in front of you, grabbing your cheeks in his hand, "if they die, it'll be your fault." He kissed you forcibly, and you tried to pull away, only able to turn your head when he released you.

"You're disgusting," Gina spoke up.

"Gina," Oscar warned.

Phil staggered to his feet.

Your ex aimed the gun at her, and you moved in front of her when he fired, taking the hit. "Oh my god!" Gina exclaimed. "Y/N!"

Phil turned your ex around, punching him, knocking him to the floor. He shook his hand, kneeling beside you, and rushed to call an ambulance. He untied the others, and he kept the pressure on your wound as you waited for the ambulance.

"You just hang in there, alright?" He sounded a lot more confident than he looked.

"I'm sorry -"

"Hey, none of that." He said.

"Tell Charles, I'm sorry."

"Tell him yourself." Phil smiled down at you, hearing sirens outside. Gina unlocked the doors, and Tricia rushed inside with Mike on her heels.

Charles was informed by Phil, who had taken a police car to the Hall after you had been taken in the ambulance. Mike had found the painting your ex had used as blackmail and Phil had taken it to the Hall. The poor constable had no idea where to look. Charles had driven to the hospital, where he waited outside the room where your surgery was taking place. He had bought a newspaper to pass the time and had been waiting for three hours when Gina arrived.

"Mind if I take a seat, Your Lordship?" She asked, pointing to the chair beside him.

"Not at all."

She sat beside him. "How's it lookin'?" She asked.

"The Doctor has assured me that everything is going well so far. It won't be long now." He said.

"She moved in front of me, you know."

"Oscar told me she had, yes."

"I hope that creep gets put away for a long time after what he's put her through."

"That's the plan," Phil told her, walking towards them. "How is she?"

"Doctors say it's going well," Gina told him.

She stood up with Charles when the Doctors walked out.

"The bullet broke apart inside, leaving fragments. That's why it took so long to get it out. But everything looks great. She will be taken to the ward, but unfortunately," He glanced at Phil and Gina before looking at Charles, "Only one visitor at a time for the moment."

"It's okay. We can see her later. Can I give her something to eat when she wakes up?"

The Doctor nodded, and Gina took a muffin you favored from her bag and handed it to Charles, who thanked her. The couple left, Charles walking to the ward where he sat for another hour until you began to stir.

You turned your head, looking at him when you heard the newspaper rustling as he folded it. "Hi." You said weakly, your voice cracking, a small smile on your lips.

Charles flagged down a nurse, requesting water before sitting closer to you. "I knew there was more to it."

"I'm sorry."

He turned and thanked the nurse when she placed a jug of water by the bed. He poured a glass and held it for you as you took a sip. "What were you thinking?"

You sighed as you glanced away for a moment. "I knew if the painting was discovered, it would be a scandal you could do without."

He wiped a tear that had fallen down your cheek. "The important thing is that you're alright."

You leaned into his hand, closing your eyes.

He spent the last hour of visiting hours telling you what happened while you were in surgery before you made him leave to get some rest.

The next day Phil stopped by bright and early in the morning, and you were eating toast and sipping tea in bed. "There she is. How are you feelin'?"

You smiled at him, "Sore. But with room service like this, I'll never leave." You tore a small piece of toast and looked at him when he appeared awkward in your presence. "You've seen it, haven't you?" You popped the last piece of toast in your mouth and dusted your hands, sipping your tea.

Phil nodded.

"Is it as bad as I remember?" You asked.

"Great muse. Bad painting." He said.

You laughed lightly, looking at Charles when he walked into the private room he had arranged after your surgery. "You're looking better this morning." He commented.

"Mhm." You hummed. "I'm thinking of making breakfast in bed a rule from now on." Phil said his goodbyes, and you looked at Charles when the door closed, "Seriously, though, you did burn it, right?"

"Broke it down and threw it in the fireplace." He assured you, taking your hand.

You smiled at him, glad that it was finally over. "Thank you."

"My pleasure." He kissed your hand, holding it in both his hands, elbows resting on the bed beside you. "Although if there are any more villains in your past, I'd like to hear about them now, before they turn up in Aidensfield."

"Deal."

[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

wee small hours. ( fox mulder x reader )

gif belongs to me

You turned in bed, feeling the space beside you, opening your eyes with a sigh when you saw Mulder wasn't there. You got out of bed, putting on one of Mulder's shirts before going downstairs. You found him in the living room, hunched over the coffee table, with a dim light coming from a lamp to read papers he had scattered on the table.

"Come back to bed." You whined, walking over to him, wrapping your arms around his neck, and kissing his cheek.

"Sorry, I couldn't sleep. I wanted to re-read the report. Something didn't add it up in my head, but it turns out it might be nothing." He said, placing an arm around your waist and looking up at you. With a fond smile, you pushed your fingers through his hair, sitting on his lap when he pulled you closer.

He smiled toothily, but you could see he was exhausted. You placed a hand on his cheek as your lips met. "Come back to bed." You murmured against his lips.

Mulder pulled away, resting his forehead against yours. "This is why I don't work from home."

You playfully rolled your eyes, standing up. It was then Mulder realized what you were wearing. "Is that my shirt?"

"Maybe..." You smiled knowingly, walking backward to the doorway. "You better be upstairs in five minutes." You walked out and went back to bed. You felt arms around your waist a few moments later, pulling you into his chest. You giggled when he nuzzled his head in your neck.

You knew he would do whatever it took to solve a case, but you ensured he took care of himself whenever you could. And a good night's rest was well deserved.

As you turned, resting your head on his chest, and listening to his heartbeat, you were reminded that he was home and safe.

[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

where do we go from here?

( sonny crockett x reader )

gif belongs to me

"Well, when do you expect her to be back?"

Tubbs glanced up from his paperwork when Sonny rose from his chair, pointing at the telephone as he spoke firmly with the person on the other line.

"Now, you listen to me. I am not signing a damn thing until I talk to her. You got that?" He slammed the phone harshly, and Tubbs knew it had to do with the divorce. Sonny didn't say anything, but he sensed there had been a strain on your marriage for months.

You weren't the arguing type, so there wasn't a big fight that led to this outburst in the office. And despite the problems, the news of the divorce was shocking to everyone.

Since arriving in Miami, Ricardo has gotten to know you well, and he knew that while you voiced how worried you were about Sonny, who would come home but was lost in his head, there was still a lot of love between you both. Some days, you could break through, but most of the time, Sonny didn't want to burden you with the toll his work took at times and instead, all you could do was watch him slip away little by little and it had taken its toll on your marriage.

The papers were hand-delivered to his desk one afternoon, and Sonny had been itching for a fight ever since. When he came home, he confronted you about it, and you were equally surprised that the lawyer had made it so public after requesting to send them to his boat.

Sonny knew it had to be your mother's doing. She was never fond of his profession and frequently quipped that he got paid to party and behave in 'unbecoming' ways. You always reprimanded her, but she only called you a fool for believing he could be faithful.

When you returned to your desk after lunch, you read the message left on your desk and sighed as you knew Sonny would keep calling until you talked to him alone without lawyers - something your mother had warned against.

"You'll thank me one day." She said when she had her lawyer write up divorce papers on your behalf. "You need someone you can trust. Someone who has your best interests in mind."

It had been three months since the papers had been sent to the precinct, and the only emotion you felt was grief - mourning the end of your marriage. You spent most evenings looking at old photographs, wondering where it went wrong.  

When you arrived at the precinct later that day, Sonny was in the briefing room, and you thanked Trudy when she told you that you could wait at his desk, offering to make some coffee. She approached the room twenty minutes later as it began to empty, and you swallowed the lump in your throat when you saw Tubbs approaching his desk.

"He's not having a good day. So go easy on him, okay?"

You nodded, and Tubbs sighed as he sat down. Sonny approached you after Trudy told him you were waiting and you bit the inside of your cheek.

"Do you have time to talk?"

Sonny raised an eyebrow, "Oh, so we can still do that?" When you glanced down at your shoes, he sighed, apologizing softly before leading the way into the briefing room. He closed the door behind him.

You turned to him with a sigh, "I can come back if you don't have time to talk right now."

"I got plenty of time. I take it your mother doesn't know that you're here?"

You shook your head, "Or my lawyer. And can we stop with the biting remarks, please?"

Sonny nodded slowly, "Alright, as long as you admit she put you up to this."

"I don't think you were unfaithful." You began, "That isn't why I want to divorce you."

Sonny raised an eyebrow.

"You give little pieces of yourself to everyone. But when you came home, you weren't my husband. You shouldered everything alone and pushed me away. I thought, hey, maybe this is what he wanted all along."

"The things I see every day change me. I'm not denying that. But I came home because I wanted to be there - not because of some piece of paper. You're my wife, of course, you're the first person I want to see. I never talk about it because I don't want you to see the world the way I do. Not because I don't trust you enough to confide in you."

You looked away, rolling your lips. "Well, it didn't come across that way."

Sonny sighed, "And for that I'm sorry."

You shook your head, lips parting to brush it off when he continued, "And don't say it's fine. Why do you always do that? Like the things you want don't matter. Or that you didn't want to trouble me by asking. You know, your mother has been the sharpest thorn in my side for a long time, but she did get one thing right. You shouldered a lot because you didn't want to add more stuff to my plate."

"That was my choice."

"Doesn't matter. You got fired, found a new job, and worked there for three months before I knew about it. You kept the house going with the threat of rising bills and even sold your old car to make it through until a new job came along. I mean, what kind of husband was I? I didn't even notice."

"I didn't want you to." You stepped forward with teary eyes when he leaned against the wall, looking at his shoes. "When you walked out the door you needed to be focused. Not worrying about me."

Sonny shook his head, "I should've noticed." He sighed as he met your teary gaze. "If it's what you want, I'll sign the papers. I won't stand in your way."

You opened your mouth to speak when there was a knock on the door, and Tubbs poked his head inside.

"Sorry, but we got to go. We've got a meeting in forty minutes."

You nodded, "Okay." You walked towards the door, "Be careful."

"Always am," Tubbs smirked.

You smiled softly as you left, glancing at Sonny. Ricardo looked at his partner as they watched you leave the precinct.

"Everything alright?"

"I agreed to sign the papers," Sonny explained, causing Ricardo to turn his head, shocked. "No more fighting."

"Are you sure that's what she wants?" Sonny raised an eyebrow, and Ricardo elaborated. "I saw the way she was looking at you. She doesn't look like a woman who wants to get divorced."

"Oh, yeah? And what did she look like?"

"Someone who thinks they're doing the right thing."

Ricardo's words stayed with him all day, and after briefing their lieutenant on the developments on their case, Sonny drove to your house and knocked on the door. He didn't realize how late it was until your mother answered the door in a robe.

Sonny opened his mouth, but your voice interrupted the glaring contest between them.

"I know you keep strange hours, but that's no reason to keep the rest of us awake."

"Go back to bed, mom."

"I'll call the lawyer -"

"No lawyers." You sighed. "Just go."

She pressed her lips together in disapproval before walking away, and you wrapped the blanket tighter around your shoulders as you let him into the house.

"Sorry, did I wake you?"

You shook your head, but he knew he did. Sonny inwardly sighed when he saw the clock on the wall, stating it was two in the morning. "Is everything okay?" You asked, closing the door and turning to the vice detective who was beginning to feel like a stranger in his own home.

"Yeah, well, actually," He rubbed the nape of his neck bashfully. "I wanted to talk, but it's late, and I shouldn't have woken you up."

"I wasn't sleeping." You nodded to the living room, and he led the way.

"I see your mother has taken up residence in our house. Should I be worried about her summoning demons to attack me?"

You playfully shook your head, failing to mask your smile, which only made his smile grow. "She's been here for over a week."

"Has the gates of hell opened up in our backyard?"

You smiled as you sat down on the sofa together. "What's on your mind, James?"

Sonny sighed, resting his arms on his knees, and rubbing his hands together. "The papers..." He trailed off, and you patiently waited for him to continue. "I brought them with me." He set them on the coffee table and turned to face you fully, rapping his knuckles against the papers. "If you are absolutely sure that this is what you want, I'll sign them right here, right now, but if there's even the slightest chance, the smallest doubt in your mind, that we can work things out, I'll tear them up."

You stared at the table for a moment before meeting his gaze. "What do you want to do?"

"Whatever it is that will make you happier."

You swallowed the lump in your throat, lowering your gaze to your hands.

Sonny dragged his eyes away from you to look at her, his gaze hardening. "Now, you stay out of this."

"Well?" You looked at your mother in surprise when she charged into the room. "Tell him to sign them."

You glanced between them as Sonny stood, your mother looking down her nose at him.

"How dare you talk to me like that?"

"This whole thing was concocted by you. It reeks of you." Sonny barked. "This is between her and me. No one else."

"She needs someone better. If you were a half-decent man, you would sign them."

"I don't want someone else."

Both heads swiveled in your direction as you stood.

"We talked about this -"

"No, you talked." You shook your head, "You talked so much I began to believe it." You glanced at Sonny, who had fallen silent, knowing your mother was a dominating force in your life, and you were finally taking a stand. "If you had paid attention over the years, you would have noticed that he isn't a good man. He's a great one. And the only reason it got this far is because we didn't talk." You turned to Sonny, "We tried to protect each other, and it made us grow apart. But he was always faithful, always relieved to be coming home, even when he goes through hell at work."

"Coming home to you is the best feeling in the world, darlin'."

Your mother sighed heavily. "There's no way I can convince you to change your mind?"

You shook your head, and she waved her hands in the air in surrender. "Alright, but -"

"Goodnight, Mom."

She glanced at Sonny before meeting your unwavering gaze and nodded in acceptance as she left the room. You exhaled as you sat down, looking at Sonny as he joined you on the sofa.

"Are you okay? I know that was difficult for you. But, honey, that was the hottest thing since that swimsuit you wore on our honeymoon."

You smiled, shaking your head.

"I'm serious." Sonny chuckled.

"So was I. But we can't go on the way we did before."

Sonny nodded in agreement. "I agree. I won't go into particulars about work, but I won't shut you out either."

You smiled softly as he took your hand. "And I won't hide things either."

"Good. Because I want to know everything, what you had for lunch, or if that co-worker you dislike is a bigger pain in the ass than usual."

A giggle left your lips as he leaned in, placing a hand on your waist, and you wrapped your arms around his neck. "Deal."

You caught a glimpse of his megawatt smile before your lips met, closing your eyes as you leaned into his embrace. Sonny pulled back moments later, resting a hand on your cheek.

"I love you. A lot of things will change, but that will always stay true."

You smiled softly, "I love you too."

Hit with sudden exhaustion, Sonny sighed, looking up at you with a smile when you stood, holding out a hand. He took it, standing as he picked up the divorce papers. He tore them in half, then quarter.

"In case you change your mind."

You smiled as you walked backward, biting your lip. "I won't."

Sonny shook his head with a smile when you took his hand, leading the way to your bedroom upstairs and for the first time in months, you fell asleep in each other's embrace.

In the morning, you knew your mother was awake and avoiding Sonny before he went to work, and you were thankful for the peace and quiet, knowing she would have plenty to say when he left.

"You have time to grab lunch together?" You smiled at his suggestion, knowing how unpredictable his schedule could be.

"I'll make time."

You nodded, "Alright. But I pick where we go."

"Deal." He chuckled, checking his watch, then looked at the clock on the wall. "I better get going." He stood up while finishing his coffee, and your smile grew when he kissed you goodbye.

"Bye."

"Bye." You bit the inside of your cheek as you held your mug in your hands, watching him pick up his car keys.

You giggled when he strolled over again, stealing another kiss before he left. "You're going to be late!"

"Eh, what are they gonna do?"

You shook your head when he winked at you. You smiled into your coffee as he left and sighed as you looked at your wedding ring. You predicted that your mother had more to say before you left for work, and you were proven right when she tried to 'talk some sense' into you.

"You know, Mom, you don't need to be here. I'm sure your friends are missing you at the squash court." You dismissed as you checked your hair in the bathroom mirror before fetching your coat, and left for work.

Tubbs was sitting on his desk, hanging up the telephone when you arrived, and if the smile Sonny wore that morning wasn't enough of an indicator, your smile was as you greeted him.

"Mrs. Crockett. You are looking stunning as always."

"Ricardo, is he free?"

"For you, mama, always." Ricardo teased. "I'll go get him."

You thanked him with a smile and waited at their desks as he went to find Sonny. The blond detective walked away from the interrogation room, checking his watch, and Tubbs shook his head when he suggested joining you both.

"Go. But you better bring me something good."

Sonny patted his shoulder as he approached you, and you turned with a smile, closing your eyes when Sonny kissed your cheek.

You left the precinct hand in hand, and Ricardo smiled as he put his hands in his pockets while he watched. Sonny hadn't said anything that morning regarding the divorce papers, but Ricardo knew that you were moving forward. Together.

[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

miami bound. ( ricardo tubbs x reader )

gif belongs to me

Saying goodbye to Ricardo was difficult, more so now that his brother was murdered and you realized you had lost sight of his mortality - his life in danger more often due to his line of work. You knew he had to leave to find the answers and revenge he wanted and there was nothing you could say to stop him. And when you thought of his older brother who welcomed you into the family with open arms once Ricardo made it clear that it was different with you - that you weren't just another fling - you couldn't find the words to convince him not to go after his killer. 

You did not know how long he would be gone but you knew that it was something he needed to do alone and Ricardo delayed his vendetta for a night, spending it with you making sure you knew exactly how he felt about you. You weren't to mention his departure to anyone or tell them where he was, and you knew it would be difficult but if it would help him let go of his rage then you would support him however you could.

You drove him to the airport and stayed with him at the gate until the plane was ready to depart. "Be careful." You told him softly. "If they find out that you're undercover under false pretences -"

"Now, you don't worry that pretty little head, mama." He rested his hands on your arms and kissed you deeply, pulling away moments later. "I'll be back as soon as I get Calderone."

You knew there was nothing you could say to make him stay, so you sent him a smile and placed a hand on his cheek. "I love you."

"And for that, I am a very lucky man." He mirrored your smile, turning his head to kiss your palm when it was announced his plane was boarding. "I'll call you when I land."

You pressed your lips together, holding back the tears forming in your eyes as he picked up his suitcase and walked away. He looked back and you sent him the best smile you could muster. Ricardo returned it and boarded the plane. You prayed then that this wasn't the last time you would see him.

Ricardo stayed true to his word and called you when he landed and every night from his rented apartment which was the size of a cell. You knew he was starting to lose hope the longer he stayed in Miami but instead of begging him to come home you helped him find his drive again and a few weeks later he called you after meeting Sonny for the first time, informing you about their temporary partnership and eventually their failure to apprehend Calderone. Several days later he called you at work to ask you something that would change your lives forever.

"I've been offered a job here in Miami working Vice." You glanced around the diner as you held the phone to your ear before taking the telephone into the kitchen where it was more private as the chef was having his smoke break.

"A job?" You echoed, a frown forming on your lips.

"I won't be able to walk back into the station in New York and act like nothing happened," Ricardo told you. "And not a lot of people will hire a cop that disappeared at the drop of a hat."

"You want to take it, don't you?" You bit the inside of your cheek anxiously, wondering what this meant for your relationship.

"I do." Ricardo began. "But only if you come with me." Before you could reply he continued, "I know things haven't been easy with me being gone." He confirmed what you already knew; you weren't the only one who felt the strain in your relationship since he left. "You'd love it here. It's so full of life." Ricardo licked his lips, "If you say no I will book onto the next plane to New York and we'll forget all about it."

You sighed, "I can't just leave my job." You spoke quietly when the chef returned to the kitchen.

"There's plenty of restaurants here." He said in an attempt to sway your mind.

"I'll think about it."

"Baby -"

Your boss approached the kitchen and you knew you would have to call him later. "I'll think about it. But I have to go."

Ricardo sighed when you hung up and set the phone down on the nightstand, lifting his gaze to the apartment he was renting that was slowly draining away his spirit. From the bad paintwork to the bikers next door, he was missing you more and more each day he spent in Miami. He wanted a fresh start, and he wanted to give you a life you could never have in New York.

Two days passed and Ricardo tried calling you at home and at work when he could, however, he was told you weren't working that day, or you never answered the phone. When he and Sonny returned to the station he saw a message was left for him and Ricardo lifted the message off his desk, immediately interested when he saw your name written down.

"What is it?" Sonny asked, looking over at him as he leaned against their desks.

"My girl," Ricardo began as Sonny raised an eyebrow in interest as he had spoken openly about you. "she's coming to Miami."

"That's great!" Sonny smiled.

Ricardo looked at the clock on the wall, then checked his watch. "Is that the time? She's already here."

Sonny tossed him his car keys and Ricardo left the station, heading to the car. He sped through the streets to the airport and Ricardo found a parking spot before heading inside when he couldn't see you waiting outside. You were walking off the plane that had been delayed by ten minutes, and as you made your way through the crowd, you spotted your boyfriend trying to find out if your plane had landed from a stewardess.

"Ricardo!" You called out to him and he turned, a grin forming on his lips as he thanked the stewardess, before making his way through the crowd to meet you.

You placed your bags down and giggled when he wrapped his arms around you, leaning into his chest as he kissed you. Ricardo pulled away moments later and placed a hand on your cheek. "You have no idea how badly I missed that."

"I may have some idea." You smiled up at him, closing your eyes when he leaned down to kiss you one last time before bending down to pick up your bags.

You had your fears about making such a big change, taking such a big leap, but as Ricardo drove through the streets, both of you catching up properly, you looked over at him and knew that it was a chance worth taking just to be with him again.

[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

Miami Vice.

Ricardo Tubbs

╼ miami bound.

Sonny Crockett

╼ where do we go from here?

[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

what his world spins around. ( warrick brown x reader )

gif belongs to me

The sound of a cell phone ringing caused you to stir, your body always waiting for the sound due to how often it rang in the middle of the night. You groaned when Warrick shifted beneath you and lifted your head as he reached across to the bedside table where his cell phone was charging. He removed the charger, answering the call from Catherine who informed him about a new case.

He placed his arm around you, sending you an apologetic look as he asserted that he would be at the crime scene. You wrapped your arms around his waist as he ended the call, pouting when he spoke.

“I gotta go.”

“No.”

His chest shook as he chucked. “You know I gotta go.”

“I don’t care.”

“Yeah, you do.” He pressed a kiss to your head, closing his eyes as he lingered for a moment. It wasn’t common for your nights to pass without interruption, but you understood why he had to leave. That didn’t mean you liked it. “I’ll make it up to you.” He placed a kiss on your head, meeting your gaze when you lifted your head from his chest to meet his gaze. “I promise.”

“You better.” You closed your eyes when he placed a hand on your cheek, kissing your pouted lips. You leaned in, reigniting the kiss and after a few moments, Warrick pulled away.

“I really gotta go.” He placed a chaste kiss on your lips and you reluctantly moved to your own side of the bed, allowing him to get out of bed. Warrick approached the dresser, and you pouted as he got dressed. “I’ll see you later.” He glanced at the alarm clock after pulling his shirt over his head, “Tonight.” He corrected, seeing it was two in the morning.

You pulled the sheets to your shoulders and laid on his side of the bed which was warmed by your bodies, looking at the CSI when he bowed to kiss you goodbye.

“I’ll see you later.” A smile formed on his lips when you beckoned him closer with your finger, placing another kiss on your lips, allowing himself to linger.

Warrick tucked his cell phone into the back pocket of his jeans as he headed to the doorway, resting a hand on the door as he looked back at you. “I love you.”

“I love you too. Be careful.”

Warrick sent you a smile, and your eyes followed him as he left. You sighed as you buried yourself in the sheets, closing your eyes, although you knew sleep wouldn’t come easy while Warrick was out in the field.

At the end of his shift, Warrick changed his shirt and closed his locker with a sigh, relieved to be heading home. Ecklie was a bigger nuisance than usual, and he needed to put miles between them before his temper boiled over.

The drive was enough to slow his racing heart, and weariness began to take over as he grew closer to home.

Warrick parked in the driveway, fetching his bag from the backseat before walking towards the house. Music filled his ears as he opened the door, and he gently nudged the door closed with his foot, placing his keys in the bowl on the sideboard.

He headed towards the source of the music, a smile forming on his lips when he saw you.

The wooden floored kitchen was gleaming, and you were singing into the handle of the broom handle, rubbing the wax into the floors with the cloth at the end of the handle.

"Am I interrupting something?"

You turned to your fiancée, "Yes, actually."

Warrick chuckled. "Sorry." He held his hands up, "I'm gonna hit the showers, then I expect some of that loving you're singing about."

A rosy blush coated your cheeks as he left. Warrick's odd hours meant he walked in unexpectedly, and you had been caught on numerous embarrassing occasions, much to his delight.

You were sitting on the sofa in the living room when he returned some time later and turned to your fiancée when he joined you, placing his arm around your shoulders.

You smiled when he turned your chin, giggling when he murmured, "I really need some sugar, mama."

"I'll need to go to the store -"

"Not that kind." He smirked.

Warrick kissed you leisurely, placing a hand on your cheek as he deepened the kiss. You smiled against his lips, wrapping your arms around his neck as you shifted, tucking your leg beneath you.

You toyed with his hair at the nape of his neck as you broke the kiss, meeting his gaze. "Tough case?"

"And it's just begun." He sighed.

You stood, taking his hands with a smile. "Come on, you look tired."

Warrick followed you out of the living room, down the hallway to the staircase. You playfully smacked his hands away when he squeezed your sides, giggling as you jogged upstairs.

"I thought you were tired?"

Warrick shrugged as he followed you into the bedroom, unbuttoning his shirt. "I'm not exhausted."

You shook your head when he smirked. "You are an incorrigible flirt, Warrick Brown."

He raised an eyebrow, taking off his shirt and tossing it onto the floor, his eyes scanning you from head to toe. "Can you blame me?"

The jeans and sweater you wore were hardly awe-inspiring, but to Warrick, you could be wearing a dirty sack, and he'd still look at you as if you were a million bucks.

You took off your sweater, tossing it at the CSI who caught it, giggling as you moved towards the bed. Warrick pulled you down, leaning on his elbow as he kissed you hotly.

There was no greater feeling than coming home to you. Your presence was enough to lift his spirits, and although he knew Ecklie would still be a headache later, work was far from his mind as you wrapped your arms around his neck.

Right now, he wanted a distraction, and you were the greatest in his eyes. And you did it so effortlessly. Ever since you inherited the three bedroom house in the suburbs and moved in together, Warrick frequently remarked that he didn't know how he survived without you for so long. His past relationship was messy, and his work often left him scarred in some way, but you were the perfect balm for all his wounds, supporting him every day in small ways that came naturally to you that left him in awe.

Despite his past, Warrick was confident when he proposed to you, knowing that everything he went through led him to you, and there was no greater feeling than living by your side and for Warrick that was all he wanted to do - be with you for the rest of his life.

You treated his son with warmth, and Warrick spent most of his free time preparing one of the bedrooms for him to sleep in when it was his custody time. While his ex was frosty towards you, you remained civil and Warrick dreamed of the day he would wake up, not because his phone was ringing due to a case, but your child wanting changed or because they were hungry.

You were everything he never knew he needed, and he couldn't imagine life without you now that you were in it.

[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

rumors. ( rupert ashfordly x reader )

gif belongs to me

PC Rowan's first impression of Rupert was unfavourable. Your relationship with Rupert did not leave you blind to the way he flaunted his status to avoid charges. When he was brought in for drunk driving you were frightened that his luck had run out - that the city copper was not as enamoured with his status as the others were.

You were stunned the following morning rumors had spread that Rupert had an affair with Julie, that he was the father of her baby. You were aware of the whispers when you walked around the village, the pointing, and the sympathetic glances thrown your way. But that paled in comparison to your father's reaction, shouting about how he knew the son of a lord was nothing but trouble and how he had foreseen this moment in which your heart broke.

You knew there had to be some explanation. You knew Julie's father was as strict as yours was and knew there was a mistake made. Your first instinct was that she had lied to conceal the father's true identity. The village was stunned as your relationship with Rupert had tamed the wild heir to the Ashfordly fortune from his drinking and partying ways, or so many had believed.

You were walking home, a bag of groceries in your arms, when Rupert found you, driving alongside you as he called your name.

"Come on, let me drive you home!" He ducked his head down to meet your gaze through the window.

"I'm fine." You replied, despite being drenched to the bone.

Rupert parked the car, and you turned to the blond when he approached you. He ran a hand through his damp hair as he looked down at you. "I would never - you have to know that. Please, tell me you know that."

You sighed, slowly nodding. "I know."

His shoulders slouched in relief, "Let me drive you home. Come on, you'll catch your death out here."

A short while later, you looked over at the blond as he drove, thinking about how your father would react if he saw Rupert. 

"You can't drive me home. He'll kill you on sight."

Rupert sighed, "I'll park as close as I can." He glanced between you and the road as he drove, "You believe me, don't you? I swear I never touched her - it's you I want to marry for god's sake! I can't even look at anyone else. They all pale in comparison and -"

"You want to marry me?"

Rupert paused for a moment before nodding his head. "Yeah, I do." He took your hand and sighed in relief when you didn't pull away, bringing your hand to his lips. "I love you - more than anything. When we met, I thought it would be brief. A one-night fling. But...you're incredible and beautiful and intelligent, and I regret everyone I've been with before."

Due to his lifestyle before you started dating, he had slept with girls he met at parties and knowing you had never been with anyone before - you had boyfriends, of course, but they never went further than a kiss - made Rupert wish he had met you sooner. Then maybe his reputation wouldn't be coming back to haunt him.

You placed a careful hand on his cheek and met him halfway, lips meeting tenderly as he kissed you. "I love you too." You whispered when you pulled away moments later. "Don't worry. We'll get through this."

Rupert brought your hand to his lips, "What did I do to deserve you?'

"Well, you did stop the Sanders boy from kissing me." You recalled with a smile.

Rupert scowled as he remembered the night you met at a party and talked for a while until his friends dragged him away and he couldn't find you again in the sea of people. He was leaving in defeat when he saw you trying to fend off the Sanders boy who kept placing his arm around you and smirking about sneaking upstairs.

Rupert had grabbed his tweed jacket and held him against the wall. "She's not interested."

"Whoa! Fine! Relax!"

He walked away and quickly found another girl more welcoming of his attention, making you grimace.

Rupert turned to you, "Do you want a ride home?"

That night your father was watching from the window, infuriated that you were driven home by Rupert Ashfordly - a boy known for a trail of one-night stands and poor decisions that made people think he was a spoilt rich heir. Rupert still flaunted his wealth, but now it was to make you smile at how pretentious he used to be and would always make you giggle.

Although it had been eight months since that night, your father had never warmed up to Rupert, and you often lied about where you were going, so he didn't try to stop you. On your first date, Rupert had tried his usual routine, showcasing his wealth whenever he felt he was losing your interest. You stopped him when he offered to buy a necklace you had seen in a shop window, and the blond was floored by your bluntness and suddenly felt weary. You were the first person who wanted to see him, the real him that was hidden beneath his insecurity of not being enough - nothing without his money. And keeping up appearances left him drained, and all he could do was nod.

Rupert had been in love with you ever since that night. A few weeks later, he saw you talking to a boy who was also your neighbor and swiftly parked beside you.

"Need a lift?"

You pointed to the butcher shop, "I have a few things to get first."

"I can wait."

You knew from the way his eyes darted to the boy beside you that he was curious and introduced the two. "I'll be right back." You went inside to buy meat for your mother and came outside, saying goodbye to your neighbour before leaving in Rupert's car.

"So...who is he?"

"We went to school together. We're neighbours." Seeing the way he drummed his thumb on the steering wheel, a nervous tick of his, you added, "Just neighbours."

"Well, we never talked about...what this is exactly -"

You raised an eyebrow, "Are you asking me if I'm seeing other people?"

"Well, are you?"

"No!" You frowned as you turned to him, "Are you?"

Rupert shook his head, "I just assumed that -"

"I've had boyfriends before. Two, in fact. But we've never... you know. I'm not like that. I assumed we were dating. Exclusively. Is that okay?"

"Yes! I just thought that you weren't - I mean, we never talked about it -"

"I want to be." You sent him a small smile, and he mirrored it, completely relieved by the conversation.

"So we're dating?"

You nodded, "Yes."

Rupert nodded, "Excellent."

Your smile grew as you turned your head to look out the window.

You knew how difficult it was for Rupert to express himself, put his feelings into words, but you understood him better than anyone else cared to. And when he heard the rumor he believed that future, the white dress, the travelling, and the family was all torn away.

There was a party the next day at Ashfordly Hall, and Rupert picked you up down the street, driving to the hall. You knew he hated the stuffy events, as his father did, but being of high society, they had to play the part. So you were there to help Rupert survive the night.

He held your hand as he led you through the hallways to the entertaining room. You held his arm with your free hand as he greeted and introduced you to his father's associates before walking to the drinks table where his friends were drinking.

"What did your father say?" You asked, referring to the rumors.

"He doesn't know. I haven't told him and no one else seems to have the guts to do so either." 

You pressed a kiss to his cheek, and he smiled, resting his free hand over your hand that was holding his arm. You paused in your tracks when one of the butlers informed Rupert that his father wanted him at the door and you bit the inside of your cheek, suddenly filled with unease.

When you saw Julie's father, Mr. Neagle outside, you understood why there was a shift in the air, and tightened your hold on Rupert. "There he is! The bastard that ruined my daughter's life!"

"It wasn't my doing." Rupert replied. "I have her, why would I want some boring schoolgirl who -" You gasped when Mr. Neagle punched Rupert in the jaw, sending him stumbling back.

"I suggest you leave. Now. The police are on their way." Lord Ashfordly warned.

"Stay away from my Julie!" Jack Neagle left to his car while you looked at Rupert, a frown on your lips when you saw the blood on his right eyebrow.

You took out the handkerchief from the breast pocket of his suit and glanced at his father when he turned, knowing he wanted to talk to Rupert alone. "I'll go get some ice."

When you returned PC Rowan had arrived and Lord Ashfordly was recalling the events. "The man just turned up and went berserk. Came banging on the door, making absurd accusations -"

"Hello, Miss L/N."

"PC Rowan." You greeted before turning to Rupert, "Here,"

Rupert held the ice you had wrapped in the handkerchief, and turned to his father, "I swear to you, father, I never even touched her." He lowered his hand and you took the ice, holding it around the cut on his brow, grimacing when he winced.

"It's going to leave a nasty bruise."

A couple arrived and Lord Ashfordly greeted them, sending them to the butler who gave them champagne.

"I must say that doesn't sound like Jack Neagle, was he drunk?" Nick asked.

While Lord Ashfordly replied, "I have no idea. Just sort the fellow out and make sure it never happens again."

When his father headed to speak to the guests who arrived, Rupert looked at Rowan, "I'm telling you it wasn't me." He looked down at you, "I have her after all."

You playfully rolled your eyes, "Flirt when you're not dripping blood everywhere." You turned to Nick, "Goodnight."

Rupert smiled when you walked away, and followed you into the hallway. Nick observed as his hand rested on your back, your head turning to smile up at him. His first impression of Rupert aside, he knew what love looked like and in that moment it was all he could see.

"Don't tell me all you wanted were my good looks?" Rupert jested.

You raised an eyebrow, feigning an innocent expression. "What good looks?" You walked away and he chuckled.

"Oi! Come back here!"

You looked over your shoulder, giggling when he caught up to you, wrapping his arms around your waist, bringing you to his chest. You tilted your head up, sharing a smile before he leaned down to kiss you.

"God, I love you."

You placed a hand on his cheek, smiling softly, "I love you too." 

You didn't know it then but Rupert was planning to leave Aidensfield and he had made plans to travel the way you dreamed of. At first you were stunned when he told you a few days later. But the next morning you were sneaking out to meet him down the road. It would be a fresh start, and the thrill of seeing life outside of the village - a life with Rupert - was too good to turn down.

[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

eight days of hell. ( reese wilkerson x reader )

gif belongs to me

When you started dating, Reese noticed your relationship with your sister was different than the one he had with his brothers. You didn't actively seek to cause each other bodily harm and being the oldest she looked up to you, taking clothes from your closet without retaliation and you always walked to and from school together on days you didn't have clubs after school. You were a package deal and Reese knew and respected it.

When you first introduced them he could see how wary she was of him, and Reese was worried that her reaction could spell the end of your relationship but when you explained that she felt as if he would try and drive a wedge between you both, Reese sought out to prove that he wouldn't.

Soon it felt like the two of them forgot you were there as they chatted. You were sitting in your room when your sister entered, wanting to dress up in your clothes and you left to get snacks, returning to find Reese sitting with clips in his hair.

You held your hands up when he met your gaze, "Don't worry. I'll keep your secret. I admit I like being one of the two people you share your sweet side with." You handed him a soda, biting the inside of your cheek. "A lot."

Reese sat straighter, smiling at you before your sister stole his attention. He held the stuffed bear she handed him like he would kill anyone who would harm it, all because he knew how important it was to her. You had grown up together and when you went to high school you noticed a shift in him, even if he still had a tendency to beat up other kids.

You knew he had a softer side after seeing him beat up kids who were talking about his brothers and knew he was protective of his family. He could be a brute, but he was a good guy and as you watched him nod along as your little sister chatted happily at having his full attention, you fell a little more in love with him.

There was a six-year age gap between you and your little sister, and when you started high school she was still in elementary school. Due to the demanding nature of your parents' jobs, you were frequently left to babysit and it led to a strong bond between you both. While you had gone on dates, you considered Reese your first boyfriend and were anxious about introducing the two but they bonded quickly much to your relief.

Reese walked with you after school to walk your sister home from middle school and when you had clubs after school he continued to escort her home. Which is how he found out about the troubles she was having at school.

There was a boy from her gym class that purposely singled her out in dodgeball, or took her lunch. When he asked why she didn't want you to know, she told him that you would talk to the teachers and it only made things worse. So Reese taught her a few moves to knock the boy off his feet, to provide enough of a threat that he would back off.

You were stunned when you learned she was caught fighting and as you paced the floor of your bedroom, voicing your concerns to Reese, you noticed that he had been suspiciously quiet.

"No." You turned to him, jaw hitting the floor. "You didn't."

"It wasn't -"

"Tell me you didn't tell my sister to beat up that kid."

"She punched him once. I wouldn't class that as beating him up."

"Reese!" You glared at him as he stood up from your bed. "He has a bruise on his jaw! She could've been suspended!"

"Hey! He started it when he singled her out. He was taking her lunch. Trust me, it's the only language he understands. He won't bother her again."

You stared at him in stunned silence for a moment. "I-I want you to go."

Reese sighed, picking up his backpack from the floor. "Fine. I'll see you later."

You shook your head, turning to watch him head to the door. "No." You swallowed the lump forming in your throat. "I don't think we should see each other anymore."

Reese halted, hand holding the door ajar, "Wait. Are you breaking up with me?"

"I'm sorry."

"B-But...he was bugging her. I was helping! I helped!"

You shook your head, "No, you made things worse." When he opened his mouth to speak, you closed your eyes as you held back tears, "Please...just go."

Reese shook his head as he walked out and you wiped a tear that fell down your cheek. You heard your little sister calling on him and followed her downstairs, catching up with Reese at the front door.

"Where are you going?"

"Home. I'll see you around, okay?"

"This is because of me, isn't it? Because of what I did." She sniffled.

You shook your head, "No, of course not."

"You're lying! I heard everything!"

You sighed when she ran upstairs and looked at the door when you heard it close and found Reese was gone. You walked to the living room, hiding by the curtain as you watched him walk away, rubbing your arms as tears fell down your cheeks.

When your parents got home you were grounded for two weeks, your little sister for three, and received the cold shoulder from all of them. Your parents were disappointed in you for bringing Reese into her life, encouraging violence, and you felt all the progress, all the times Reese had won them over by cooking dinner, fade away.

"I warned you about that boy, Y/N. And now look." Your father scoffed. "I mean what were you thinking?"

Your little sister didn't knock on your door to steal your clothes and you preferred to spend time in your bedroom more and more to avoid the cold shoulders you were receiving. You shared classes with Reese, but when he saw you he looked away or headed in the opposite direction even when he knew he'd be late to class.

On the eighth day, you were at your locker when Malcolm approached you. He bent down to help you pick up the papers that fell out of your backpack and you quietly thanked him.

"I don't know why I'm helping you."

"So why are you?" You took the papers he held out to you as you both stood up.

"Because you look as pathetic as Reese does." Malcolm shook his head. "You need to talk to him."

"I can't."

"Why the hell not?"

"Because I've -"

"Hey, you're Y/N, right?"

You turned to find a boy you recognized from one of your classes. "Yeah."

"Your little sister beat up my little brother." His jaw ticked as his eyes narrowed and you knew this was about to get ugly real fast.

"I'll see you later, Malcolm."

You closed your locker and tried to put as much distance between you and Reese's little brother as you could to avoid him being pulled into the confrontation you had been dreading.

"Hey! I was talkin' to you!" You turned when the boy grabbed your backpack and sucked in a breath when he stood too close for your liking. "No, one messes with my brother. He's sensitive."

You could feel your hurt and frustration bubbling over. "Please, he was harassing her. He got what he deserved. Less actually. He's so sensitive he has to pick on a girl smaller than him."

"Are you calling him weak?"

You swallowed the lump in your throat when he threw your backpack on the ground. You took a step back when he stepped forward and felt someone step in front of you, acting as a protective wall between you and the other boy.

You would recognize that hair anywhere.

"Reese." You gasped.

"Your little brother is an idiot who needs to bully a girl because he's such a dork." Reese squared his shoulders and you bit your tongue harshly.

"Reese, don't."

Reese ignored your quiet plea to back down. "It seems to run in the family."

Chuckles traveled down the hallway and you watched wide-eyed as the other boy glared at Reese who was smiling, irking him further.

You covered your mouth with your hands when the two started throwing punches and students chanted, "Fight! Fight!" over and over.

You met Malcolm's gaze as the two boys fought on the floor, "Do something!"

"Reese is kicking his ass!"

You looked back at the brawl and realized he was right. Reese backed off when the principal and several teachers arrived to break up the fight. Your jaw hit the floor as he got detention for a month and his reaction was to grin.

You picked up your backpack off the floor and followed a teacher to the principal's office. You were already in your parent's bad books, so you weren't worried about their reaction. The bruise forming on Reese's cheek? Very much so.

Reese was taken inside first and you pretended to look for something in your backpack to avoid looking at the glare from the boy he'd been fighting with. The door opened, and you sat straighter when Reese walked out, the other boy heading into the office next.

You stood up when the door closed and approached him, biting your lower lip worriedly. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, he did this thing with his fist, like he didn't know how to punch properly. Everyone knows to keep your arm and fist relaxed just before the moment before impact. He was tight before relaxing his fist. It was like being hit by a cloud."

You shook your head, "Still managed to cause a bruise or two."

Reese touched his cheek when you pointed it out, shrugging. "He'll need at least sixteen stitches."

"I'm sorry." You exhaled shakily. "I thought that you were a bad influence, but I know that you were just trying to help. You taught her how to defend herself and that's not a bad thing. I'm an idiot. I know I don't deserve it, but can you forgive me?"

His brow furrowed for a moment before it relaxed, realizing you wanted to get back together. A small smile formed on his lips, as he nodded. "I want a week's worth of kisses."

"I'll give you two." You stepped forward, wrapping your arms around his waist. Reese smiled as you nuzzled your head into the crook of his neck, feeling your hands clutching the back of his shirt.

"Deal."

You tilted your head up and closed your eyes when he kissed you. A few moments later the door opened and Reese pulled back when your name was called.

"We're having a minute here."

"Do you want another week of detention?" The principal asked as the other boy made a quick exit.

Before Reese could say something that would make matters worse, you spoke first, "No, he doesn't. He'll be busy." You looked at your boyfriend over your shoulder as you walked away and sent him a small smile before entering the office.

Reese knew that his parents would ground him for months for fighting again but he would do it all over again. The smile on his lips had replaced the frown that seemed carved onto his features for the past eight days since your breakup, and as she told him his punishment Lois knew he didn't care. Not when he got you back.

And she'd take the goofy smile on his face over the way he lay staring at the ceiling after your breakup - when not even Malcolm and Dewey's attempts to cheer him up with crazy schemes worked.

On the first night of his punishment, Reese sneaked out of his bedroom window, and you knew he had planned to surprise you as he often did.

You snuck up behind him as he walked down his driveway and when he heard your giggles Reese quickly fought his reflexes that told him to flip you over his shoulder.

You wrapped your arms around his neck when he turned around and smiled at the look of surprise on his features.

"You snuck out?"

"I figured, hey, I'm already grounded. Might as well enjoy it."

Reese shook his head, his smile growing as he leaned down to kiss you. "I missed you."

When anyone brought up your breakup, Reese always said, "The eight days of hell? Yeah, what about it?"

Even years later when you had graduated and lived in your own apartment, he answered the same way because that's how he titled your short breakup, and underneath were pictures of him waiting for it to end with your forgiveness. While your relationship with your parents remained strained after moving out to live with Reese, you grew close with your little sister who spent more time sleeping on your couch than at home.

You knew that Reese's intentions were good and the boy harassing your little sister never did so again - a win in your book. Your parents disagreed but you had let your fears of their reaction almost cost you something great before and while you left home with a backpack full of clothes, you never looked back with regret.

Those eight days without him were pure hell and neither of you intended to endure it again.

[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

before time runs out. ( charlie davis x reader )

gif belongs to me

No one knew that the house was being watched until it was too late. And no one understood how someone could be abducted in broad daylight without anyone seeing anything. Jean had gone out shopping, and Mattie was working, which left you alone in the house that had become a crime scene.

Charlie was the first to arrive when Lucien called after Jean told him to hurry home. The blood smeared on the wall, angling down the slope of the stairs that led up to your bedroom, which had the worst damage. A lamp and a table were knocked over, and the mirror had been broken. As Charlie looked around he couldn't think like a Senior Sargent should in a situation like this, in a kidnapping case, because this wasn't the average case to him, nor to the team who you had grown close with since you moved in with Jean.

Charlie hadn't known much about Jean until you were introduced for the first time, and to learn she had a niece had come as a surprise at first but Charlie quickly grew enamored with you. It had only been two months since your first meeting and faced with never seeing you again, Charlie was struggling to function.

You were the first person he confided in about his family, about his mother and his younger brother who depended on him to put bread on the table for a long time and it was that night as you traded secrets that he fell in love with you.

And as he stared at the blood on the wall, Charlie felt as if he couldn't breathe, knowing it was likely your blood, and the thought of you being hurt, or worse dead, made his blood turn cold.

"Davis!" Lawson called and Charlie broke out of his trance, swallowing thickly as he headed downstairs to where Lawson was talking to Lucien and Jean.

He was sent to retrace your steps but every lead led him nowhere and it became clear that your kidnapping was a moment of opportunity, not planned out. It was Lucien that suspected the link to an old case and as Charlie dug further into the suspect at the time of the murders, he felt ready to scream, knowing the danger you were in - if you were still alive.

Two days went by and Charlie spent every hour at his desk, or in the streets, looking for any sign of the car that had been sighted after the kidnapping. And Blake and Lawson could see the toll it was taking on the Senior Sargent who had been stationed in Ballarat for nearly a year now.

Lucien had a hunch late at night and had called Charlie to meet him after calling Lawson and the trio met at the building with dozens of officers to back them up as they formulated a plan to get inside. Charlie walked around the building despite Lawson calling him to come back, the Senior Sargent heard the sound of water coming from the back of the building. He walked over and found a pond, and drew his weapon, firing a round before he could blink and the man's body fell forward into the water, lifeless while you screamed, thrashing around.

Charlie rushed over to you, as Lawson gave out orders, and Blake followed the sound to where you were, arriving to find Charlie kneeling beside you as he removed the blindfold from your eyes and untying the rope around your wrists.

"Charlie?"

"I've got you." He tossed the rope aside, his arms instinctively wrapping around you as you cried on his shoulder. "Oh, I've got you." He breathed out in relief.

Not wanting to intrude too soon, Lucien merely observed the interaction for a few minutes before making his presence known to you both as Charlie helped you stand. You looked at the Doctor when he spoke, and Charlie reluctantly stepped away when Lawson called out to him, while officers pulled the body from the pond.

Your eyes followed him with concern, hoping the shooting wouldn't land him in hot water with Lawson while Lucien looked at your wrists.

"Come on, let's get you home." He said gently.

Charlie looked over at you and your eyes met as you glanced over your shoulder at him as you walked to Lucien's car. You hoped that he would stop by later, but knew with his line of work the work never ended.

But you were thrilled when he did.

"Charlie!" Jean sent him a smile. "This is a surprise."

Charlie had changed out of his uniform, and when he entered the kitchen, you were unable to look away. The house felt suffocating since you had returned, the memories of your kidnapping haunting you in every room, and despite your aunt's best efforts, you feared the house always would. But seeing the one person you needed made breathing a little bit easier.

"I thought I'd stop by on my way home..." he trailed off, glancing at Mattie who had answered the door and let him in. "I hope I'm not intruding." He looked at Jean who shook her head.

"Of course not!" Lucien replied. "Fetch a glass and you can join us in the living room." He led the way out of the kitchen, and Charlie stiffened when he sent him a knowing wink, straining a smile as Jean and Mattie followed him to the living room, leaving him alone with you.

"I wasn't sure you would stop by -"

"How are you feeling -"

You both laughed off the overlapping sentences, and Charlie stepped closer, glancing over his shoulder before meeting your gaze as he stood next to where you were standing at the sink.

"I wanted to check on you." He said, closing his eyes as a sigh left his lips. "I was losing my mind thinking that I would never see you again and I needed to make sure that you were -"

"Hey." You touched his arm gently, "I'm here." You sent him a watery smile, "You found me. You saved me."

"How are you feeling? What did Lucien say?" He asked, referring to the bandages around your wrists.

"They'll heal." You lowered your hand, looking at your wrists for a moment. "You know, it's the strangest feeling." You met his gaze as you continued, "This was where I felt safest. And now it...do you mind if we step outside?"

Charlie shook his head, placing a hand on your back as he followed you outside to the porch, faintly hearing Jean calling and asking where you were going.

Lucien sent her a smile, "Leave them be."

You took a seat on the steps and Charlie closed the door, shrugging off his jacket as he approached you, placing it over your shoulders as he sat beside you.

"Better?" He asked.

You nodded slowly. "How long was I gone? Since I got back Jean hasn't spoken a word about it but...I lost track of time."

"Since the car was spotted fleeing the scene of the crime, and we found you...two days, eighteen hours and forty-two minutes." He replied. "Trust me, I kept count."

You looked over at him, "How are you feeling? You did kill a man."

Charlie lifted his gaze from the ground, meeting your teary eyes. "I can live with this one." He shook his head as he inched closer. "I was out of my mind. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat...not until I knew you were okay. I tried to keep believing that you were because the thought of finding you dead -"

You placed a hand on his cheek and he closed his eyes, and you leaned your foreheads together, feeling his hand on your back. "I know. The thought of never seeing you again, never getting to tell you...it was unbearable." He lifted his head, meeting your gaze as you continued. "I love you, Charles Davis. And the thought of seeing you again was the one thing that kept me going."

Charlie placed a hand on the nape of your neck, relief at finally hearing the words he had wanted to hear for a while now, and adoration as he said, "I love you too. I only regret that it took being kidnapped for me to tell you. I was so sure time had run out." He blinked, keeping the tears prickling his eyes at bay as he slowly leaned in to kiss you tenderly.

"I'm here." You murmured when you broke apart moments later, keeping your eyes closed as you clung to the feeling of his lips that descended seconds later. At that moment, you forgot about the neighbours as you moved closer until you were chest to chest, pouring everything you had into the kiss, left breathless by the passion.

You savoured the feeling as it reminded you both that you were home, you were safe and you had finally confessed the feelings you had harboured for each other for a while now - relieved you had gotten the chance.

And as he pulled you closer, deepening the kiss, Charlie sought comfort in your kiss as it sunk in that time hadn't run out. He had saved you seconds before it did, and here you were in front of him, as beautiful as ever.

"I love you." He whispered as he broke the kiss.

"I love you too."

Charlie smiled softly, and you mirrored his smile, resting your head on his shoulder as he placed an arm around you, holding your hand on your lap as you both looked out into the night, wanting to be alone for a little while longer before heading inside.

[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

getting it right. ( mike bradley x reader )

gif belongs to me

He had been unlucky in love. Jackie was his lowest point, and he wasn't letting himself get hurt that way again. You spent many nights trying to make sense of his changing moods. He was eager to spend one minute with you, and the next, he would be too busy working, but Phil would tell you otherwise. Phil Bellamy was a romantic, and he and Jenny were betting on the two of you getting together the moment you entered the bar for the first time. The look on Mike's face said it all. He was smitten.

So why did he keep pushing you away? Lately, you had run out of excuses for him and had started giving him some of his own medicine, claiming you had plans and turning him down. Mike became quiet at work, having a lot on his mind, and Phil was determined to get you both back together. Because despite your actions, it was what you both wanted. You were miserable without each other, and he had to get Mike to see that you weren't Jackie, and wouldn't wait for him forever.

"'I'll talk to her," Mike said, looking between Phil and Gina, who smiled at him.

"Here she comes." Gina nodded to the door, and Phil and Mike turned around. Their hopeful expressions crushed when you walked in and talked to a man. It took seconds to conclude that you were on a date.

"Hello, Gina. Phil." You greeted, approaching the bar. Your smile faltered slightly when you saw Mike. "Mike."

He smiled awkwardly, "Y/N."

You turned to the barmaid with a smile, "White wine, please, Gina."

"And I'll have a pint." Your date said, placing a hand on your back, and smiling down at you.

You looked at Phil, and he pointed to the snug. You looked at your date and placed a hand on his arm. "I'll be right back."

He nodded, watching you leave with Phil into the snug. Phil closed the door and turned to you while you took a seat, knowing it wasn't going to be a short conversation. "What are you doing?"

"Well, I was having a nice night until you brought me here. What's the problem?" You asked.

"What about Mike?"

"He's made it clear he isn't interested. So...this is me trying to move on." You stood up, "And it's none of your business."

"You're right. It isn't my business. But you're my friends, and I don't want to see you get hurt." Phil said.

"Mike's a big boy, Phil. He can take care of himself." You walked to the door, and Phil caught your arm gently.

"Just talk to him, will you?" He pleaded.

You sighed, considering it. With a roll of your eyes, you nodded and left the snug, Phil following. Your date smiled at you, although confused by the look on Phil's face, trying to decide if he was flustered or frustrated. You took a seat at the bar and took a sip of your wine.

"What are you three talking about?" You asked.

"I was just telling Gina what a lovely place she has here."

You smiled at him before looking at Gina when she spoke, "So how did you two meet then?"

You shared a look with your date, both of you laughing lightly at the memory. "I was visiting family in town, and I was walking out the door when we crashed into each other."

"I was doing my rounds, and I was going to check on Sally, who just had her baby when this man suddenly knocks into me, dropping a flower plant all over my shoes." You laughed, your date smiling as he sipped his pint.

"I was heading that way anyway, so we walked together, and I asked her to have dinner with me. It was the least I could do."

"Your car still in the garage?" Gina asked.

"Yeah, Bernie hasn't got the right tires, so he had to order more in. He said it would be ready tomorrow, though." You told her.

She nodded, and you looked at Phil and Mike, who sat two stools apart from you and your date. "So boys, anything exciting happen today?"

"I was at Ashfordly Hall, doing the parking," Phil complained.

"Take it up with the chief, Bellamy." You giggled into your hand when you saw Jenny and Dennis enter; Jenny sat beside Mike, and Dennis ordered their drinks.

"Did you catch the burglar?" Gina asked Mike, who had taken a sip of his pint.

He shook his head, "Not yet. He robbed the Morlan's last night."

"CID get all the interesting jobs," Phil said.

"You got the promotion?" You asked Mike in surprise.

He looked at you, nodding. "Three days ago, it was official." He told you.

"Congratulations!" You smiled at him, knowing how badly he had worked on his Sargent's exam. You had even spent a few nights quizzing him. Sadness hit you at that moment. You were friends first, and a part of you hoped that you could go back to that, but he felt so pushed away that he couldn't tell you that he got his promotion.

"Thank you." He smiled.

You stared at each other for a moment before you looked at Jenny, who was smiling at you knowingly. You looked away and sipped your wine when your date stood up, checking his watch. "I better get going, I've got an early start tomorrow."

"Oh? What do you do?" Gina asked.

"Construction." He told her. "He's got us on the site at four o'clock. It's coming together, but I don't know if I can handle four more weeks of this." He looked at you, "Want me to drive you home?"

You shook your head. "No, you go ahead, I'll get a taxi."

"Okay. Goodnight." He kissed you for a moment, and Mike sipped his beer, aware of the sympathetic stares in his direction. Your date left, and you took a sip of your wine, looking at Gina when she nodded to the snug. You shook your head, sighing when Jenny left her stool to lead you into the snug with Gina following, closing the door.

"Save your speech, Phil already beat you to it." You told them.

"No speech. Just concerned, friends." Gina told you. "Look, I know how it was when Phil and I first broke up -"

"We weren't dating. We kissed, and that was it. So if you excuse me -"

"The way you were looking at each other said otherwise," Jenny said when you reached for the door.

You sighed and turned to her. "He isn't interested, so drop it."

You turned when the door opened, Mike entering after hearing everything. Jenny and Gina smiled as they left, and you walked away from the door, rolling your eyes. "How much did you hear?"

"Enough." You turned around to look at him when he touched your arm gently. "You think I'm not interested?"

"You kept pushing me away. Then a few days later, you had all these plans, and I couldn't do it anymore. Because I knew that you would put back up your walls again, and I felt like I was never going to get through. Look, Jackie was a disaster. But I'm not Jackie, and I can't wait for you to realize it anymore."

"And your date?"

"I was trying to get over you." You admitted quietly.

"Did it work?" He asked, tentatively taking a step forward.

"No." You whispered.

Mike placed a hand on your cheek, leaning down to kiss you. When you pulled away, you could see your friends leaning over to see through into the snug, and you looked up at Mike, who turned his head to look at them before looking at you with a smile when Gina, Jenny, and Phil cheered.

You bit your lip, smiling up at Mike, placing a hand on the nape of his neck when he leaned down to kiss you.

"I promise that I will get it right this time."

You bit the inside of your cheek, "You better."

Mike chuckled, licking his lips. "Will you take a walk with me?"

You nodded, walking out of the snug with his hand on your back, and said your goodbyes as you left the pub.

Once you were outside Mike shed his jacket and draped it around your shoulders, smiling down at you before taking your hand as you headed to the police house. As you walked he expressed his regret for hurting you, and hated that it took losing you to realize that he was. You caught up on his new post at CID and laughed at the way your friends could barely contain their excitement at seeing you leave together. As you walked you realized it was a chance worth taking, and you were sure that like the other two chances you had given him, you would never regret it. This time you would both get it right.

[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

a new case. ( fox mulder x reader )

gif belongs to me

The shrill sound from the telephone caused you to groan. You lifted your head from his chest, squinting to read the time on the clock.

2 am.

Only one person called at a time like this; Dana Scully. And it always ended the same way, with Mulder leaving for a case. You groggily shook the agent beneath you, and he groaned in response. "The phone is ringing."

"I'm not here." He mumbled.

You got out of bed, causing him to groan, and he turned to see you quickly leaving the bedroom, his shirt flowing around your thighs.

You picked up the phone from the kitchen wall, sighing in relief when you caught it in time. "Hello?"

"Hi, Y/N. Is Mulder awake? We have a new case."

You smiled when arms wrapped around your waist, lips on your cheek. "Yeah, he's right here."

You handed him the telephone, and he smiled as he took it. "It's for you."

"Really?" He feigned surprise, and you playfully pushed his shoulder, leaving his arms to make coffee. His eyes followed you, a smile on his lips. "Hey, Scully."

After a few minutes, he hung up the telephone, and you turned to him when he wrapped his arms around your waist, holding out a cup of coffee. He kissed your forehead before going upstairs to get dressed.

You followed minutes later, leaning against the doorway as he got dressed. There was one downfall to dating Fox Mulder. The job that took him miles away from you.

"You're leaving, aren't you?" You asked as he got dressed.

"Caught a case in Nevada." He said, buttoning his shirt.

"You just got back." You stated.

"I know..." he sighed, looking defeatedly at his tie.

You walked over to him and tied it for him. "Be safe."

"Aren't I always?" He smirked.

"Your wife keeps me updated. I know what happens on cases."

He chuckled, "By wife do you mean Scully?

"Mm. Your work wife keeps me informed of your activities on cases. Mostly for someone to talk to. Being married to you sounds extremely frustrating." You titled your head to the left, and he tilted his head to the right, leaning closer.

"Is that right?"

"Mm."

"Having second thoughts?" He asked.

"No. Lucky for you, I am one of the few that can put up with you." You smiled toothily, and he mirrored your smile, leaning down to kiss you tenderly.

"I'll be back as soon as I can." He told you, picking up his duffel bag that he always had prepared for times like this. He took your hand as he led the way out of the bedroom, heading downstairs to grab his car keys. You smiled when he placed his arm around your shoulders as you approached the car parked in the driveway, kissing your cheek.

"I know. I love you." You placed your hand on his cheek, the engagement band on your finger cold against his skin.

"I love you too." He kissed you passionately before reluctantly getting into the car.

You wrapped your arm around your waist, waving goodbye with your other hand as he drove away, already counting the minutes until he was coming home.

[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

pregnancy hormones. ( phil bellamy x reader )

gif belongs to me

Everyone told you that life with a policeman was tough. The long hours and the confidentiality he had to maintain were isolating. Especially in a small village like Aidensfield. In the early days of your relationship with Phil, you wore rose-tinted glasses, naïve, to what life with a policeman was like. It wasn't until a year later, when you moved in together that cracks began to show. Life was different when you saw how often Phil had to rush off when Blaketon demanded it, and you quickly grew tired of it, but you believed it was just an adjustment period, and decided to wait it out. And things did get better.

For a little while at least.

Phil took time off work, and one evening he took you out for dinner in Whitby. That night you got engaged on the beach.

Less than two weeks later the cracks returned and you could no longer ignore them, wondering what married life would be like. You loved Phil, adored him, but could you be a policeman's wife?

Phil was floored; completely taken aback when you suggested taking a break and moving out to figure out what you wanted. He had tried to convince you to stay, and when you tried to explain how you've been feeling, and why you became resentful of his job, voices became raised and Phil slammed the door as he left for work.

He never told you what happened that day to change his mind. But he encountered a married couple whose relationship had gotten so explosive the husband was violent and the wife was having an affair. All you knew was that when he returned that day he agreed to give you space to figure things out, and you could see and hear the pain he was feeling - believing this was the end of the road.

You placed a hand on his arm, "I think we both could use some space. All we ever do is fight, and this will give us time to regroup. We'll be better for it."

Phil swallowed the lump in his throat, nodding softly. "Yeah,"

You kissed his cheek, closing your eyes as you let yourself linger for a moment. "I love you."

Again, he nodded, not trusting his voice. You picked up your suitcase and Phil waited until the door closed and your car drove off before finally letting himself break down.

He didn't understand what 'taking a break' meant. Were you still together? Were you still engaged? Were you planning on seeing other people?

For a few days, you didn't leave your parent's house except for work, and you weren't sure if it was because you were afraid of seeing Phil again - unable to forget the way he looked at you when you left. Like you had torn his heart out and stamped all over it.

After two weeks you settled into a new routine, and you started going out with friends again. You had seen Nick often and he asked how you were, and when you asked how Phil was you knew he was lying about how well he was doing. When he asked what your plans were, if you were getting back together, you told him the truth. You loved Phil, but you didn't know if you could be a policeman's wife.

"Well, think of it this way." He said. "You're not a policeman's wife. Your Phil's wife."

And for two days, you had mulled over his rephrase until you had fallen ill. On your third day of bedrest, your mother had taken you to Whitby to a doctor. You were stunned, thrilled, and more confused than ever by the news. And on the fourth day, everything seemed to fall into place. Everything you were feeling could be attributed to hormones.

You looked at the engagement ring around your finger. Y/N Bellamy still had a nice ring to it. You were contemplating how to approach Phil with the news when the doctor from Whitby arrived, wanting to check in to see if the pills he had prescribed had helped with morning sickness.

You were saying goodbye when Phil arrived, and from his expression, you knew there was nothing peaceful on his mind.

"Who are you?"

"Frank Henderson." The doctor held his hand out but Phil merely eyed it.

"Phil Bellamy."

"Right, well," The doctor knew who the father was, and knew it was time for him to make a quick exit. "I'll see you next week."

You bid him goodbye, before looking at Phil when he spoke, "Who the hell is that?"

"Lower your voice." You chastised him. You caught a whiff of his breath and knew why he was acting so strange. "You've been drinking."

"You made it sound like a temporary arrangement. I didn't realise that meant you'd be seeing other men."

You shook your head, "It's not like that -"

"So what is it like then?"

"Phil, please -"

"No! Explain what it's like. Help me understand!"

You hesitated for a moment, feeling tears prick your eyes before you forced the words out. "He's a doctor."

You watched as he processed the information. "Doctor?"

You nodded, "I really think you should come inside." You stepped aside. "Come on."

Phil stared at you for a moment, his eyes scanning you for what he wasn't sure. Signs you were ill. Drastic changes, subtle changes since he had seen you.

He followed you to the living room and you were relieved your parents weren't home, attending a play in Whitby. "Do you want tea?"

"No, no," He shook his head, "Is it serious? You and this doctor?"

"Phil -" You sighed.

"No, I want to know. Just tell me whatever it is you're hiding from me."

You closed your eyes, "I'm pregnant." When you met his gaze his blue eyes were wide, the news stunning him into silence. "And before you say anything, it's yours." You sat on the sofa and looked up at Phil as he sat next to you.

"Pregnant?" Phil mumbled to himself.

"I started feeling sick and my mum took me to a hospital in Whitby. Frank prescribed me something to help me balance out the hormones and help with the sickness." You continued, looking at your hands sitting on your lap, "I didn't know when I left. I was so confused, Phil. I didn't know what I wanted. We rarely saw each other, and when we did we were arguing and I-I just needed to take a minute and think."

He noticed you still wore your engagement ring and lifted his gaze to your features. "And did you? Think, I mean."

You nodded, turning your head to meet his gaze and he braced himself for further heartache when you spoke, "I want to be your wife." Phil froze. "I want to marry you more than anything in the world. I miss falling asleep beside you and I miss waking up with you. I miss you more than I can say and I know that I've hurt you, and I understand if you can't forgive me but I just want you to know how much I love you."

Phil placed a hand on your cheek, wiping away your tears. "I love you." You closed your eyes when he kissed you, running your hands down his arms when he pulled away moments later. You smiled, looking down when you felt his hand on your stomach. "A baby. I can't believe we're having a baby."

A short while later you left a letter for your parents, explaining that you had reconciled with Phil and were moving back in together. You looked over at Phil as he drove, and he noticed your stare, reaching over to hold your hand.

"Second thoughts already?"

You shook your head, "No. I'm picturing you rocking a baby to sleep."

"Not just any baby. Our baby." He reminded you.

You smiled when you saw his grin. "The proud father."

"And soon-to-be proud husband." He brought your hand to his lips, kissing your knuckles.

"There's no rush you know. We can wait for a few months like we planned. If you don't mind seeing me waddle down the aisle instead of walking."

Phil chuckled, shaking his head, "I would marry you if you were wearing a potato sack. It ends in the same place at the end of the night."

You giggled, leaning your head on his shoulder. "One baby is enough for now, Mr. Bellamy."

"Just stating a fact, soon-to-be Mrs. Bellamy."

Your laughter was a sign that you were leaving your pregnancy woes behind you. This was a new exciting chapter of your life and neither you nor Phil could wait for the arrival of your child.

[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

gala. ( donald davenport x reader )

gif belongs to me

The three siblings observed as you paced back and forth between the kitchen and the armchair where you checked your bag for the hundredth time to ensure you had the essentials while rattling off the ground rules you and Donald had set for the night.

You repeated the steps so often, that even Adam could recount every rule and every digit of your contact numbers for emergencies. You tucked your lipstick into your bag and looked at the eldest Davenport with a small smile.

"I've been rambling, haven't I?"

The three siblings yelled, "Yes!"

You zipped your bag closed as Bree approached you and the brunette speedster placed her hands on your shoulders, meeting her gaze with a smile. "Don't worry. Tonight will be amazing! You look incredible! And as always, Mr Davenport is lucky you have such low taste in men."

You shook your head softly, sending her a smile as you squeezed her arm gently, knowing she was attempting to ease your nerves. It was the first time you had attended such a high-profile event as Donald's wife and while your husband admired himself upstairs in the room of mirrors, you tried to push down how anxious you were about the gala, but the three bionic siblings saw through it easily.

"She's right. We've got the numbers in case there's an emergency - which there won't be." Chase added, leaving the sofa to approach where you and Bree stood. "We know how important tonight is to you. We promise not to let Adam screw it up."

"Hey!" The eldest Davenport whined.

You sent the three siblings a smile, "If you need anything, and I mean anything, you call that number and I will be here as soon as I can."

"We know." Bree sent you a smile.

"Okay," You looked at your husband as he walked downstairs. "I don't like to brag -"

"Since when?" The three teenagers countered.

Donald pursed his lips as he sent them an irritated glance, approaching where you stood while Bree and Chase rejoined Adam on the sofa.

"How do I look? Wait, don't tell me. No, I change my mind. Say it." He pointed to himself, "I look incredible."

You smiled as he stood in front of you, adjusting his tie. "After spending five hours shopping for a three piece suit, I hope so."

Donald raised an eyebrow, smiling as you flattened your palms against his chest, smoothing imaginary wrinkles.

"You always look handsome. But you look especially dapper tonight, Mr. Davenport."

"And you look breathtaking as always, Mrs. Davenport."

"Oh, no, they're doing it again." Chase grimaced.

"I think I'm going to be sick." Bree groaned.

Adam chuckled, "Dapper Davenport."

You smiled softly as Donald rested a hand on your lower back, turning to the three siblings. "Everyone is clear about the rules for tonight?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I rambled." You informed him and Donald nodded with a small smile, knowing you tended to do so when you were nervous.

"Tonight is going to be great. A night away from those three and champagne and did I mention no kids?"

"Hey!"

You giggled as you leaned into your husband's chest. "You did. I love them though."

"I know you do. But they're annoying."

"We can hear you." Adam complained.

Donald glanced at him, "Good." You smiled when he kissed you tenderly. "Ready to go?"

"Jackets?"

Donald smiled as he left your side to collect the jackets from the hooks near the door. "Got them, dear."

You playfully glared at him as you followed him to the door, turning to look at the three teenagers. "Have fun." Donald held your jacket as you put your arms in the sleeves.

He shrugged on his jacket as he followed you outside, opening the door moments later. The three bionic teenagers were still on the sofa, and you smiled behind your husband as he said, "But not too much fun! In fact, no fun!"

You shook your head as you pulled him away towards the car, and Donald held your door open as he said, "Maybe I should have cameras set up to record to my phone."

"They'll be fine." You assured him.

"We've been married for over a year. You know that's a lie."

You giggled, straightening his jacket as you leaned into his chest. "Who is more nervous now, Mr. Davenport?"

"If the house isn't a pile of rubble when we come back it'll be a miracle."

You kissed him tenderly and Donald closed his eyes, his hand rising instinctively to pull you closer. When you broke apart moments later you bit your lower lip, suppressing a smile at the way the tables had turned, feeling much more relaxed about attending the gala.

"Don't think about what they're doing. Think about how great I look in this dress."

His eyes flickered across your body and a smile formed on his lips, "You do look incredible. You always do."

You smiled, pecking his lips. "I love you."

"I love you too." He placed a lingering kiss on your lips before breaking apart, realizing you would both be late. You smiled as you got into the car, observing your husband as he closed the door and rushed around the hood of the car to get behind the wheel.

It was the first night you would be without the three bionic teenagers in months, and while you were anxious about leaving them alone, you were both thrilled to have time alone. Donald may be surrounded by people praising his latest developments, but it was the proud smile on your lips as you admired him that cemented his achievements - more meaningful than any trophy he could ever be given.

You were chatting to other wives when Donald approached you and led you to dance. You smiled at your husband as he twirled you under his arm, bringing you into his chest as he swayed.

"I feel like I haven't seen you all night."

"The conversation looked intense. I didn't want to intrude." You smiled softly, nodding to the group of tech moguls Donald had been debating with for over half an hour.

"In the future intrude away. I'd take you over, well, everyone. Any day of the week."

Your smile grew as he pulled you closer and you rested a hand on the nape of his neck, kissing him tenderly. "Do you think the house will still be there when we get back?"

"Trust me, those three are the last thing on my mind."

A giggle left your lips as he spun around, and you danced to the small orchestra that was performing unable to look away for even a second, wondering how you had gotten so lucky to find a man like Donald Davenport.

[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

honey bunch. ( gil grissom x reader )

gif belongs to me

Before you started dating the team had noticed the tension between you both, and wondered when and if you would ever get together. After placing bets and pulling their hair out waiting for the answer, it was Catherine who saw the way Gil smiled down at you when you showed him a reconstruction as he listened to you excitedly explain your findings. And she knew from the way you turned to meet his gaze, the smile you sent his way, that you were finally dating.

They were relieved when the tension was replaced with light flirting. Gil often slipped and called you any nickname he could think of at the time.

You always referred to him as Gil at work, but lately, you wanted to find a term of endearment that showed how you cared about him. You hadn't expected it to be so difficult.

For over a week you changed the nickname from Sweet Pea to Sugar, and you were determined to find the perfect nickname. You didn't understand how Gil could do it so easily and you feared that he would feel as if you didn't care about him as much as he did you.

"Gilford!"

Gil was following Nick and Warrick to watch their experiment when you called out to him. Warrick and Nick chuckled as they looked at you and Gil wet his lips, shaking his head as he met your mischievous gaze.

"You won't believe what I found."

"My birth certificate? Because last time I checked, my name was Gilbert."

You merely sent him a smile, "Come on," You nodded to the desk you were working at, recovering waterlogged photographs. "You'll be really impressed. Well, more than usual."

"What's impressive is your humility." Warrick jested.

"Don't worry, babe, you'll be as great as I am one day." You turned on your heel and Gil looked at the two amused CSIs. Ever since your relationship became public knowledge, the tension around the lab was released with flirting energy and now and then you would become bolder.

Gil fell into step beside you and you sent your boyfriend a smile. "I'm expecting my mind to be blown."

"Have I ever let you down?"

Gil shook his head, "Did you have to call me Gilford?"

"Do you prefer Gilly?"

"I prefer Gil."

"I thought I was only supposed to call you Grissom at work?"

"I think we've passed that stage when you ran down the corridor, shouting Gilford."

You smiled as you approached the computer and Gil pulled up a chair beside you. "Okay, Gil," You glanced at him with a grin, "I reconstructed the photographs recovered from the water."

"Okay..."

"Are you ready?"

"You've been spending too much time in the lab with Greg."

You smiled as you showed him the first photograph you recovered. A group of sophomore students smiling together. "That's our victim." You pointed to a blonde girl who was standing between two guys with dixie cups. "And this," You zoomed into the guy on the right. "is our tech mogul."

"This had to be taken the night of the murder," Gil stated, seeing the victim was wearing the same clothes as the body.

You nodded in agreement. "I reconstructed more." You clicked on another photograph, enlarged it, and cleaned the pixels a little to reveal the transaction happening in the photograph. "There's our tech mogul. Recognise the other one?"

"Our drive-thru king." Gil looked at you when you turned on your chair, facing him.

"I looked into his high school and college records. He's an MIT graduate."

Gil shook his head, "How does an MIT graduate end up working at a drive-thru? And what does it have to do with our victim?" He tilted his head thoughtfully, "Unless she took the pictures."

"She blackmailed him?"

"He would've lost everything. He would make a lot of money."

"Been featured in the biggest magazines." You slowly smiled. "Mind blown?"

Gil stood up, mimicking his mind being blown and you giggled as you walked out of the room with him. "Come on, you could use some time away from the lab." He pointed at you when you opened your mouth to speak, "Do not call me Gilford."

You pouted, "Gilly?"

Gil raised an eyebrow at you and you suppressed a smile as you walked down the hallway. "Can I call you honey bunch?"

He sighed, tilting his head to the side as he considered it before slowly nodding. You grinned excitedly, and he shook his head with a smile.

"Where to first, honey bunch?" You placed your hands on your hips and Gil shook his head as he stopped by the elevator, entering when it was empty.

"We have the element of surprise on our side. We'll stop by his office."

"Ooh, straight to the dragon's lair. Cool." You stood next to him and he glanced at you.

"You really need to spend less time with Greg."

You giggled when he pressed the button for the garage. You were surprised when he took your hand, turning your head to meet his gaze. "I know why you are trying to find a nickname for me. And while I appreciate the thought and effort you've been putting into it, I don't need one. I know how you feel about me without needing words."

"How?"

"Your eyes." He stated with a smile. "They're portals to how you feel or what you're thinking. I don't need to hear it, when I can see it."

"Being so easy to read probably doesn't make me a good CSI."

Gil shook his head, "You're great at what you do. You're passionate about it. You're always excited to see where the evidence takes you."

You smiled softly, glancing at the ground when the doors opened and you stepped into the garage. "You know what I'm thinking just by looking into my eyes?" You turned, standing in front of him, "What am I thinking right now?"

Gil held your gaze for a moment before a smile formed on his lips. "You want to say that your work isn't the only thing you're passionate about." He paused, "And yes, you can still call me honey bunch."

His smile grew when you kissed his cheek before walking to a car, and Gil tugged your hand, leading you to the right one. You smiled when he tilted your chin, kissing you tenderly.

[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

tick boy. ( freddie benson x reader )

gif belongs to me

Sam was well known for her temper, and after years of trying to break through to her, you were pleasantly surprised when she decided to turn over a new leaf one day. You had no idea why, nor did you push for answers, because it had been proven never to work, and you were too thrilled at the prospect of her getting into fewer fights.

You were a year older than Sam and Melanie and due to an absent mother, you adapted at a young age to look after the twins who couldn't be more different. You dropped out of high school and worked two jobs to pay off the credit cards Pam had taken out and to take care of your younger sisters. Despite your efforts to keep her on the straight and narrow, Sam frequently got into fights, and when you tried to break through with her, she only became resentful and you took the brunt of her anger.

You knew Sam viewed Spencer and Carly's apartment as a sanctuary, and rarely let the worlds cross, granting her that space she craved. When you took an extra shift at one of your jobs, you agreed to let Melanie go to a sleepover and stopped by Spencer's apartment to speak to Sam who hadn't answered your texts or when you tried to call.

You knocked on the door, sending Spencer a smile when he opened the door.

"Oh, look, it's the one person who actually knocks instead of just walking in." He looked at Freddie and Sam who were sitting at the dining table with Carly. "Unlike some people."

You thanked him when he gestured for you to enter and you sighed when Sam stood up from the table.

"What are you doing here?"

"You didn't answer my texts, or when I called you. So you left me no alternative."

"Did you ever think that I didn't care?"

You took a deep breath, licking your lips as you reached into your bag and took cash out of your purse, holding it out to the blonde. "For dinner. Try to order something filling like pizza." You tucked your purse back into your bag. "And Melanie's at a sleepover."

"Didn't I just say I didn't care?"

Used to her jabs, you didn't react, only raising an eyebrow. "Got your keys?"

Sam took her keys out of her pocket, dangling them in front of you. "Happy now?"

You nodded, looking at Carly and Freddie, "Bye, guys." You sent the two a smile which they returned, and you called goodbye to Spencer as you left the apartment.

"I don't understand why you're so mean to her all the time," Freddie spoke up as Sam pushed the money into her pocket and re-joined the table.

"She acts like she's my mom. I don't need someone watching over me."

"Yeah, 'cause you do fine on your own." He scoffed, shaking his head when Sam glared at him as he left the table. "I'm going to start setting up."

Despite her attempts to keep her anger in check, you always received the brunt of it even when you were trying to be supportive. Sam didn't want to be babied, so you gave her as much space as you could, but when you tried to treat her as if she was responsible she came close to biting your head off. There was so many things you kept your sisters sheltered from, wanting them to be normal teenagers without the worries you had, but the weight of it all was starting to become too much.

A week later, Sam returned back to her old ways, and you stopped by the apartment after the trio had returned home from school and were upstairs getting ready to begin their show. After Spencer let you in, you went upstairs to find Freddie at his computer, while Sam and Carly took a drink of water, getting ready to begin.

You knocked on the door and Freddie opened it, sending you a smile. "You don't have to knock." He stepped aside to let you in and you thanked him, looking at Sam when she approached.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to give you these." You took out keys from your jacket pocket. "The door was repaired. New locks."

"Great. Now go." Sam took the keys and you shook your head when she turned away.

"I'm working late tonight." You took out some cash from the pocket of your jeans, holding it out to her. She took it and walked away.

"Thank you. Now bye!"

You sighed, sending Carly and Freddie a small smile, "Good luck tonight."

As you turned to leave, Freddie saw the weight on your shoulders, only made worse by Sam's attitude. A frown formed on his lips when the door closed and pursed his lips when Sam clicked her fingers, yelling to get his attention.

He looked at the blonde, shaking his head as he walked to his computer.

"What's the matter with you?"

Freddie didn't speak as he ran a few checks to make sure everything was ready and Sam waved a hand in front of his face to gain his attention.

"I don't understand why you're always so mean to her."

Sam rolled her eyes, "Urgh, this again."

"You were pretty cold." Carly chimed in. "All she is trying to do is look out for you."

"Well, I don't need her to," Sam replied. "Now are we gonna do the show or not?"

Several hours later you returned to the apartment, covered in chilli, and wishing you could lie down and wake up believing the day had been a bad dream. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. After knocking your bag into the fryer, your phone was broken and the keys didn't work on the lock.

You walked upstairs where the trio was relaxing after filming their show. Freddie looked up when you opened the door without knocking and heard Sam grumbling under her breath. His eyebrows raised when he saw the chilli sauce on your hat and shirt.

"What are you doing here?"

"Just give me your keys."

Sam raised an eyebrow at your tone, "What? No please?"

"Sam..." Carly quietly scolded.

You put a hand on your hip, sighing as you looked at Sam. "I've had a really crappy day, and I just need your keys to get into the house then I'll be out of your hair."

"What happened to your keys?" She took her keys out of her pocket and held them out to you.

"I dropped them in the fryer at work along with everything else that I own." You sighed, not wanting to take out your rough day on her, "I'll see you at home."

When you walked out, Sam followed and Freddie quickly chased after her, sharing a glance with Carly as they followed you both to the living room.

"Does this mean you can't check in on me every ten minutes?"

You paused with your hand on the door handle and heard Carly mutter, "Oh, no."

You turned to your sister who was grinning and shook your head. "You want me to leave you alone?"

"Yes! I'm not twelve years old."

Sam almost missed catching the keys you tossed her way.

"Fine." You walked out of the apartment, closing the door a little harsher than normal. Sam's eyebrows rose at your outburst, while small it was bigger than anything you had ever shown before.

"Why do you always push her away?" Freddie walked towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Sam asked.

"I'm going after her."

You were leaving the building when he caught up to you and when you heard him call your name, you ducked your head to wipe a tear from your cheek before turning to him.

"Are you okay?"

"Of course." You sent him a smile that was not as believable as you hoped it would be. "Great show tonight."

"You watch it?" He asked with a smile.

"I can't always watch it live, but I've seen every episode." You sent him a genuine smile, "You're great at what you do." You took out your cell phone and held it up, "Since you're great at tech stuff, what do you recommend?"

"Whoa." He took your phone, examining it. "What happened to it?"

"I knocked it into the fryer. I had it propped up on my bag so I could watch the show, and when I turned, I hit the bag with the handle of the mop and, well," You took your phone when he held it out to you, "You get the picture."

"I'm sorry." He frowned.

"Why?" You tilted your head, "You weren't twirling like an idiot, were you?"

Freddie smiled softly, shaking his head. "No, but," He sighed heavily, "you had to grow up fast. And I know how hard you work to keep the three of you together."

You looked away, sitting on the wall and he took a seat beside you.

"She does care, you know. Even if she behaves differently - why do you have beans in your hair?" His chuckle elicited a smile from you.

"The guy I was working with tried to carry a pot and tripped over his shoelaces and next thing I knew I was drowning in chilli. Where is it?" You reached behind your ponytail trying to find it.

"Here I'll get it."

You turned your head, and Freddie removed the bean from your hair carefully and you turned around when he declared that he had found it.

"Thank you." You sent him a small smile. "For the bean, and trying to make me feel better."

"Did it work?"

"A little." You rose from the wall and met his gaze when he stood up. "Thanks, Freddie."

"You know, we're filming some scenes for the next episode tomorrow. You can stop by and watch if you want?" He put his hands in his pockets to hide that he was crossing his fingers, wishing you would agree.

"I don't know..."

"The world won't crumble if you let go once in a while."

"Sam doesn't like me in her space. Or anywhere." Seeing his features falter, you sent him a small smile, saying, "I'll think about it. Night."

"Goodnight." He sent you a smile and a wave which you returned when you glanced back over your shoulder as you walked away.

When you walked around the building out of view, Freddie grinned, walking into the building. "She'll think about it. Yes!"

When Sam returned home an hour later, you washed the sauce out of your hair and scrubbed your uniform while Melanie did her homework in her bedroom. You lifted your head when the door opened and Sam entered.

"Hey," You greeted softly.

"Hey," She replied.

You placed your shirt into the sink filled with warm water, "I'm sorry about earlier. I had a bad day and I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I'm sorry."

Sam put her hands in her pockets as she approached the kitchen. "Actually I want to apologise too. I have been giving you a hard time - more than usual - since you got this new job and I'm sorry. I know you're just trying to look out for me like you always do."

"What?" You asked, sensing her hesitation and leaned against the sink, crossing your arms.

"It feels like you don't trust me not to make a mess of things. Like I'm a screw-up, or you want me to be more like Melanie." She gestured to the hallway leading to the bedrooms.

You lowered your arms, frowning as you approached her. "What I want is for you to go to school and enjoy being a teenager. I don't think you are a screw-up. Look at you, you've got a web show with your friends that's really successful and, okay, you still get into trouble at school, but your grades are better. And that's all I want. For you to have options."

"Does it suck?" She asked. "Getting As and working in a place that sells chilli in little hats?"

You nodded slowly, "A little." You sighed, "But I get to be with you guys." You sent her a small smile, "And I'm really proud of you."

Sam looked away, trying to recall the conversations she had with Carly and Spencer. Carly encouraged her to try harder to get along with you, while Spencer helped her see things from your point of view because he understood it the most. He knew how hard you were working and keeping a clean house while raising twin teenagers seemed impossible, but he admired how you did it all without complaint but silently harboured resentment for your absent mother.

"Do we have any ice cream?" She asked.

You nodded, "Got some yesterday." You turned to continue scrubbing your shirt while she got the ice cream out of the freezer.

"Want to watch a movie?"

You looked at her for a moment, wondering where her new attitude had come from. Deciding to enjoy it while it lasted, you agreed and she handed you a spoon before heading to the sofa. You shared the ice cream as you watched a movie and for the first time when you showed interest in her life, she didn't shut you down. You felt the strain of the week fade away as you laughed together.

The next day you were more energetic as you walked into the studio quietly, sending Freddie a small smile when he looked at you while keeping the camera focused on Sam and Carly. You walked closer when they stopped filming and Sam grinned eagerly as she approached you.

"Did you bring it? Did you?"

You revealed the sandwich in your bag and the blonde took it, moving away to eat it. "Four ham sandwich." She cooed. "I've missed you."

"Do you need to be alone?" Carly asked.

"Yes."

The brunette shook her head, smiling as she looked at you. "You don't happen to have more of those, do you?"

You took out two more and she grinned as she took one, thanking you before sitting next to Sam. You smiled at Freddie when he thanked you, accepting the sandwich.

"You didn't have to."

"I know. But I wanted to thank you." You glanced at Carly who was engrossed in conversation with Sam, before meeting his gaze again. "I had an interesting conversation with Sam last night and I had a feeling it had something to do with the people in this apartment."

"You worked everything out?" Freddie walked away to place his camera down and you followed, nodding.

"I realized that I've never actually told her I was proud of her before." You sighed, "I was too busy running around trying to keep everything together and it never occurred to me that she didn't know." Shaking your head, you took a step back, "Anyway, you probably don't want to know all the details. I just wanted to thank you for yesterday."

"You're always looking after everyone else, I wanted to remind you that you need to look after yourself too." You smiled softly when he cleared his throat, "D-Do you want to stay and watch for a while?"

"I have work later, but I can stay for a while."

"Cool. You'll get to see me do my thing."

"You don't have a thing!" Sam called out.

Freddie glared at the grinning blonde and you suppressed a smile. You approach the bean bags and when you were about to sit on the floor so he could take the bean bag, Freddie told you to sit on the bean bag.

You shook your head, telling him to sit down and go back and forth until your sister yelled, "Will someone sit down?"

"We'll both sit." You shared the bean bag with Freddie and despite your efforts, the bean bag made you both lean into each other. You were soon distracted by your sister proclaiming her love for the sandwich you made and shook your head, missing the way Freddie glanced at you. But Carly didn't.

After luring him downstairs under the pretense of getting drinks for everyone, the brunette confronted him about his crush on you. While Melanie was known for being girly, and Sam was known for being the exact opposite, you were known for being responsible due to the years spent looking after them in your mother's absence. And for the past few months, Freddie had become more and more intrigued by you.

"Sam will freak out when she finds out!" Carly whispered.

"You can't tell her!" Freddie argued. "She'd kill me! For real this time!"

You looked at the two when they returned, seeing the strained smile on Carly's lips and the way they kept glancing at each other. Shrugging off their weird behavior, you thanked Freddie with a smile when he handed you a drink.

When the trio returned to filming for their show you occupied a barstool next to Freddie's computer and smiled when Carly and Sam put on their hats, getting into character. Your gaze drifted to Freddie as he fired up the camera, pressing his lips together as he pushed a button on both sides of the contraption he had built around it. Carly tried not to roll her eyes at the extra flair he put into it but quickly fell into her role for the sketch. Your eyes drifted to Freddie more than once as the two teenagers tried multiple times to make it seem more natural.

There was something different about him when he was working behind the scenes and a smile tugged at your lips, paying more attention to him than the sketch being acted out.

After thirty minutes Freddie switched off the camera and you clapped your hands, whistling as the girls removed their hats.

"If you're going to sit there could you act less like a soccer mom?"

You jokingly rolled your eyes at your sister as you stood up, "Just for that, I'm not going to tell you how great it was."

"Really? You think so?" Carly asked.

You nodded, "Definitely. I loved the little jig at the end."

"It's given me a craving for barbeque." Sam said.

"Really? I was getting salsa."

"How could you possibly crave salsa?"

Freddie glanced between you and Sam as you bickered back and forth and a smile tugged at his lips when she flicked your forehead and you retaliated.

"You know I miss the days when we didn't talk."

"You love me." You grinned, picking up the stool and pressing the button for the elevator with your elbow.

"It's hard not to." Freddie halted like a deer in headlights when all eyes turned to him, not realizing he said it out loud. "Because you're so much nicer than she is." He gestured to Sam who glared at him and he took the barstool from you, using it to keep distance between them.

You caught your sister before she could snatch the barstool and hurt Freddie, nodding for Carly and Freddie to take the elevator down. "We'll take the stairs."

After that day, you stopped by the apartment every week to watch them film the web show or give keys to Sam until you got a replacement set, and give her money for dinner when you wouldn't be home. When you missed a recording session due to work, Freddie knew he wouldn't survive until next week and suggested going for lunch at the sandwich shop where you worked during the hours they spent at high school.

"Finally a good idea comes from you. Free food!" Sam punched his shoulder and Freddie rolled it, wincing from the force.

Carly wanted to point out that he wanted to go there just to see you but kept it to herself knowing Sam wouldn't react well to finding out her friend was in love with her older sister.

Sam texted their orders and when they arrived you placed their drinks on the table before returning to the kitchen to get their food. You were arranging the tray when a waiter rushed into the kitchen and informed you that teenagers were arguing outside. You knew Sam was involved and walked out of the kitchen.

You recognized the older girl glaring down at Sam. She was two years older than you and you recognized her from high school. You stormed over when she knocked over their table and their drinks. Sam shot to her feet, demanding that she pick them up.

You stood next to your sister, crossing your arms. "You heard her. Pick them up."

"Y/N L/N?" She cackled. "What are you gonna do? Dance with little pompoms?"

You hit her hand away when she tried to grab your shirt, and pulled Sam aside when she swung her arm, causing her to miss. You felt someone grab your arms and glared as another held back Sam as the older girl stole someone's smoothie and approached you, ripping off the lid.

You kicked it out of her hand before she could pour it over you and elbowed the member of her crew holding you in the ribs, breaking free from their hold. You turned to your sister who was trying to stomp on the girl's foot but she didn't let her go and you grabbed her hair, and the back of her shirt, pulling her away from Sam.

"Leave her alone!" You pushed her towards the door and she stumbled, hitting the window and falling to the floor. You ducked when Sam shouted, and the blonde grabbed a tray, using it to knock another girl from the bully's crew to the floor.

You were lifted off the ground and squirmed to break free, groaning when the leader of the crew squeezed tightly, hurting your arms and ribs.

"Hey!" Sam jumped on her back and you broke free, helping Sam push her towards the door. She slid on the smoothie and fell on a member of her crew who was trying to stand.

"This isn't over Puckett!" She barked, before leaving the sandwich shop.

"You know, it's moments like this when I'm proud to say we're related." Sam put her arm around your shoulders as you watched the retreating bullies.

You looked at the smirking blonde, "It did feel good."

"Are you okay?" Freddie asked as he walked over with Carly.

Before you could answer, your boss called out your name and you sighed, leaving to speak with him in his office. When you walked out. you went to the kitchen to retrieve the sandwiches you had made for them and hid them under your jacket as you left the sandwich shop.

"There will be other jobs." You glanced at the three who were having different reactions. Freddie was concerned and Carly looked guilty that intervening had cost you your job while Sam looked thrilled.

"Hey, they had it comin'." She rubbed her hands together, "You brought the food, right?"

You rolled your eyes, revealing the sandwiches hidden under your jacket. "What is this my first day?"

"I knew there was something buried in you that proved we're related." Sam took her sandwich and you handed Freddie and Carly theirs, falling into step with Freddie who was less eager to tear open the packaging.

"Don't worry," You sent him a smile, "I left cash in the kitchen." You looked at Sam when he turned his head, "Don't tell her."

Freddie chuckled softly, nodding. "Deal."

"Hey, we're going to Carly's, want to come?" Sam asked, looking over her shoulder.

"I'm good." You smiled softly. "I'm a little tired."

The blonde nodded, accepting your answer, and continued walking with Carly. Freddie turned to you when you carried your jacket draped over your crossed arms. "What are you going to do now?"

You shrugged, "Find another job. There's always something."

You sent the trio a small smile, "I'll see you guys later."

Freddie frowned when you walked away. Carly stood next to him, "Does she seem okay to you?"

"She's fine. She released her inner Puckett." Sam mumbled between bites of food.

Freddie took out his cellphone and while he typed away, Sam noticed that he hadn't eaten his sandwich. Feeling her gaze, he gave it to her before walking away.

"Where are you going?" Sam called, shrugging when he didn't reply before walking with Carly to her apartment building.

You were nearly home when Freddie jogged, catching up with you. The door was jammed, and you tried kicking it, turning when he cleared his throat. An amused smile was on his lips at some of the similarities between you and Sam.

"Need some help?"

You stepped aside, eyebrows furrowing, "What are you doing here?"

"I felt bad about your job, so I thought I could help you find another. I-If you want?"

You covered your mouth with your hands when he tried to use his shoulder to bash the door open and rushed to his side when he groaned. You stifled a giggle when he clutched his shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

"What is that door made out of?"

"You're not supposed to do it like that." You took his hand, "Come on." You led him around the house and explained that Sam never closes the window when you ask and Freddie gave you a boost, watching as you climbed in, unlocking the back door. "Ta da!"

He chuckled as he entered the kitchen, closing the door.

"Here, this should help." You walked to the freezer, took out an ice pack, and held it against his shoulder.

"T-Thanks."

You sent him a smile as he held the ice pack, turning to take drinks out of the fridge, walking to the living room. "You really don't need to stay and help. I'm sure there's much more exciting things to do."

"Nope."

You looked at him, sitting on the sofa, placing the bottles on the coffee table. You shook your head when he smiled, unable to suppress a smile as he sat next to you.

"Okay, so, first, we need to find something that matches your skills." He said, taking out a notebook a pen from his backpack, opening to an empty page.

You thought for a moment, "I once hung someone by their shirt at the market when they tried to steal my ham."

Freddie raised an eyebrow, and you glanced at him as you took a sip from your soda, seeing the slight tilt of his head. "What?"

"I sometimes forget that you're related to Sam."

"In my defense, I'd already lost vegetables to a grandma, so I was pretty steamed."

Freddie shook his head, "Okay, so strong. That's an advantage. What else? You're kind, patient, and you're smart. Hard working. Good at solving problems."

You were surprised by how many good qualities he could list so easily and quickly. Freddie noticed the way you picked the label on the soda and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's just...do you really think that?"

"Of course. I mean, taking into consideration everything you have accomplished over the years, growing up faster than you should have, you are all those things."

You smiled softly, thanking him. You looked at the growing list he was writing down.

"Is flexible a strength?"

"Uh,"

"I was a cheerleader in high school for a year. And I did gymnastics."

Freddie scrambled to say something when his mind could do nothing, but provide images of you practicing in a cheer uniform. "Flexible is good." He cleared his throat, taking a long sip of his soda, the pain in his shoulder long forgotten.

"Hey, thanks for doing this. I want you to know that I do appreciate it."

Freddie sent you a smile, "Anytime. You are always helping everyone else. I want to do something that helps you."

You mirrored his smile, "Did Sam ever tell you about the butter sock?"

He nodded slowly, "She said you came up with the idea."

"Pam was gone for a week. Sam and Melanie were five at the time. We were behind on rent. So the landlord came around. He tried to put his hand through the letterbox to reach a latch on the door. I took one of the socks out of the dryer, and when I was looking for something to put in it, I saw Sam licking the butter." Freddie shook his head, and you smiled at the memory. "I put the stick of butter in the sock and used it to hit the landlords hand when it got stuck in the letter box. He broke free and said he'd be back the next day. By that time, we were already gone. And the butter sock was born."

A frown formed on his lips when he realized how young you were and already looking after your siblings. "Were you scared?"

"If I was, I don't remember. I remember the way they hugged me afterward. I stayed with them all night when they were asleep to make sure the landlord didn't return." You looked away, shrugging softly, "I did what I had to do to protect them."

His cell phone rang and he groaned when he saw it was his mother. Freddie glanced around, worried she was watching as he reluctantly answered, grimacing when she shrieked in his ear.

"I expected you home over an hour ago! Where are you, Freddie?"

"Uh," He knew he couldn't tell her the truth. His mother didn't like the Puckett family as a whole thanks to Sam. "Out."

Deciding to give him privacy, you took the ice pack to the kitchen, returning it to the freezer. When you entered the living room, Freddie was arguing with his mother, gesturing with his hand. You bit the inside of your cheek when your eyes met, and he sighed as he ended the call.

"I better go before she sends the military to find me." He said, sliding his notebook and pen into his backpack, zipping it as he approached you.

"I get it." You smiled softly, "Thank you for helping me today." You walked to the front door and opened it.

"Sure, now it opens." He grumbled.

You shook your head, giggling, "Remember, don't talk to strangers, and if you get lost, use the maps on your phone."

Freddie laughed sarcastically, and you smiled as you leaned against the doorway. You bit your tongue to suppress the smile on your lips as you said goodbye and watched him walk away before closing the door.

A few hours later, while walking to clear your head, you saw Spencer in the street, and sensing you could use a break, he invited you to his apartment. As he let you inside, Spencer invited you to stay for dinner. You thanked him and offered to help, catching up with the eldest Shay. You found common ground with him easily as he had taken care of his sister for many years due to their mother leaving and their father's job that kept him away from home.

You looked over your shoulder when the trio came downstairs for a drink after their web show ended and greeted them with a smile. When Sam asked why you didn't go upstairs, you explained that you stopped by after spending an hour looking for a shirt Melanie wanted you to buy for her and met Spencer who invited you to dinner.

"Wait, you're having dinner here?" Freddie looked at Spencer when you nodded, "Can I have dinner here?"

"If your mom says it's okay, I don't see why not -" Freddie was running across the room by the word 'if' and out the door before he finished.

You looked at Sam when she spoke, "What are you doing to that boy?" You tilted your head in confusion, shaking it as you continued setting the table for dinner.

Freddie returned with a grin, announcing that he could stay for dinner as Spencer plated the spaghetti, and you turned to place the plates on the table.

"Uh-Uh, I am not sitting next to you. You will steal my food." You pulled Freddie into the chair beside you before Sam could sit down.

"You have more than me."

"No, I don't."

Freddie looked between you both as you bickered back and forth, mimicking each other. Sam took your plate, and you rolled your eyes as you took her plate that she argued had less spaghetti.

"Happy now?"

"Very."

"We're all relieved." You muttered under your breath, and Freddie coughed, covering his mouth with his arm as he tried not to laugh.

Sam glared at him. "What?"

"Nothing." He replied quickly.

You glanced at Freddie, a smile on your lips, and he mirrored it as he gathered spaghetti on his fork.

After dinner, you insisted on washing up, which led to Sam complaining that you were making her look bad as she never offered to help.

"I would help, but I'm so full." She slouched on the sofa, and you shook your head.

You gathered the plates, and Freddie stepped over to help. You cleaned the dishes while he dried, and you had a feeling he only did it to be next to you, not that you minded.

"Did you see the show today?" He spoke up.

"No, I was looking for a shirt for Melanie. Apparently, not having it would end the world as we know it." You smiled softly, "I spent an hour getting tips from a stylist about how to change my wardrobe. She even told me to cut my hair. Can you believe it?"

"Clearly, she can't be trusted because your hair is, well, it's..." Freddie trailed off when you turned your head to meet his gaze. "I like your hair."

"Thank you."

You wiped down the table as he put the plates away, and you smiled when he said you made a good team. "I can show you the episode if you want?"

You nodded, following him to the computer. He put on the show recorded earlier. Halfway through, he turned the camera after Sam interacted with him, and seeing his smile made you smile.

"The camera loves you." You bumped your shoulder with his and Freddie chuckled.

As the episode ended, the door opened and Mrs Benson entered. "Freddie!"

"Hello, Mrs Benson." You greeted politely.

"Y/N. You're here a lot lately." She commented before looking at her son. "It's time for your tick bath."

You raised an eyebrow, looking at Freddie when he stammered. "I-I don't need a tick bath." He met your gaze, "I don't."

"Come on, let's go." Mrs Benson walked away, pulling him out of the apartment.

For a few moments, the room was silent until you spoke, "She really is like that. I thought my memory was exaggerated."

"I know." Sam snorted, a grin on her lips, "She makes me glad that I've got you."

From Sam, it was the grandest declaration of love.

You smiled as you sipped your water. You moved to sit on the sofa as you caught up on the movie they were watching and halfway through, Freddie returned.

You suppressed a smile at his grouchy expression when Sam started teasing him. "I don't have ticks!"

You nudged your sister's shoulder gently as you stood up to put your glass in the sink. "I think he's suffered enough."

"Finally some compassion." Freddie typed on his phone, approaching the kitchen, standing next to you. "I think I found the perfect job for you." He glanced at you when you leaned in to look at his screen and realized it was similar to a dream he had. Except you were kissing. And in his bedroom. "It pays well. You won't need two jobs anymore."

"I don't know...I mean I didn't graduate."

"Doesn't matter. Training is provided. It's a great opportunity."

You bit your lip thoughtfully, not noticing the way it immediately captured his attention. "Okay.'

Freddie blinked out of his daze, "Good. Because I already sent in an application."

"You did what? When?"

"Yesterday." He smiled sheepishly. "But look, they want to interview you next week."

Your eyebrows raised when he showed you the confirmation message he received, and you threw your arms around his neck. Freddie placed his hands on your back, smiling when you thanked him, squeezing him tighter.

"You're welcome."

You pulled away, "I'll have to go shopping. Oh, what do I wear?" You mumbled as you walked to pick up your bag and jacket. You thanked Spencer for inviting you to dinner, saying goodnight before you left.

Sam stood up as Freddie tapped his phone against his hand, a smile on his lips that faltered when she approached him. "That was, uh, pretty nice of you. To help her out like that."

Freddie tried not to shrink back and kept his back straight. "She could use a little help."

Sam nodded in agreement. Freddie flinched when she patted his shoulder and the blonde left to catch up to you.

Later that night, she walked out of her bedroom, approaching your room when she saw the light was on, finding you were dumping clothes on the ground in pursuit of an outfit for your job interview.

"What are you doing?"

You turned, placing a hand on your chest when she spoke. You sighed as you gestured to the closet. "I have five outfits, and none of them are nice enough."

Sam looked around as she walked into the room. "There has to be something here."

You shook your head, "Maybe I should go back to the sandwich shop and ask for my job back."

"Those guys are jerks. Freddie said this job earned more than both of these jobs. Listen to the nerd."

You glanced at her with a smile, "Did you just compliment him?"

"Did I fall off a bull? Of course not."

Your smile grew when she approached the closet. Sam began to look through the clothes before deciding the answer was obvious. Melanie kept up to date with the latest fashion, and Sam recalled what Freddie told her earlier. It was time they stepped in to help more.

The twins returned, begrudgingly calling a truce for the night, and Melanie stepped forward with clothes she believed would work for your job interview.

You looked at the twins who had barely bickered all night and smiled softly, thankful that they were helping.

By the time the interview date rolled around, the group was more nervous than you were, and when you entered the Shays apartment, agreeing to meet Sam there afterward, you kept your smile small as you greeted them.

"What happened? Did you get it? Did you?" Sam was like a hurricane as she rushed over to you, and you glanced around before smiling brightly.

"I got it!"

You jumped up and down, smiling when she hugged you. When she stepped away, you looked at the group with a smile, "Dinner is on me tonight!"

You giggled when Spencer stepped forward to congratulate you, hugging you as he said, "I knew there was a reason you were my favourite."

Carly joined the hug, then Freddie and Sam. As you left the apartment, Sam looked at Freddie when he followed without going across the hall to speak to his mom. "Don't you need permission first?"

"Once we get there, I'll send her a text saying we're somewhere else."

"Livin' on the wild side." Carly teased.

You met Melanie at the restaurant and took a seat at the table, smiling softly as she congratulated you.

"Thanks. But I owe it all to Freddie, he got me the interview."

"All I did was tell them how great you are." He replied.

You sent him a smile across the table and picked up the menu. You bit the inside of your cheek, glancing at him as he looked at his menu. Sam looked between you both when you lowered your head, missing the way Freddie sneaked glances at you.

Later that night, you were approaching the point where you would go your separate ways with Spencer, Carly, and Freddie. Sam noticed the numerous glances you and Freddie stole at each other and brought Melanie into her conversation with Carly. You scooped your ice cream, looking at Freddie when he hung back slightly to walk beside you as Sam planned.

"They seem to be getting along," Freddie commented, nodding at the twins.

"For now, at least." You smiled, "Thank you again for getting me that interview. What did you tell them anyway?"

"I told them the truth." He shrugged, "I said you were hardworking, and you could do anything you set your mind to. I told them how kind, compassionate, and caring you are."

You smiled softly, placing a hand on his arm as you stopped walking. Freddie turned, and you kissed his cheek. "Thank you. It's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me."

"Anytime."

"Ew! Don't kiss him, he has ticks!"

Freddie glared at Sam. "No, I don't!"

The two quickly fell into an argument, and you walked alongside him as they went back and forth. He glanced down when you looped your arm with his, continuing to eat your ice cream.

"Then why do you need baths, tick boy?"

"Because my mother is crazy!"

You shook your head, giggles leaving your lips. A short walk later, while the Shays went one way, the Puckett twins went another, you turned to Freddie and bit the inside of your cheek.

"Goodnight, tick boy." You kissed him briefly, lingering over for a few seconds before stepped back.

You sent him a smile before walking to catch up with your sisters. Freddie grinned as he watched you walk away. Carly noticed he was frozen in place, a broad grin on his lips, and walked over to pull him away.

"Come on!"

"How is she related to Sam?"

Spencer shook his head at the dazed smile he wore. "How many times has your mother called?"

Freddie quickly took out his phone and groaned when he saw the texts and calls. "Oh, man!"

"Welcome back, tick boy." Spencer patted his shoulder with a smirk as they approached their apartment building but the siblings noticed that the smile on Freddie's lips hadn't faltered since your kiss.