otherways September 16, 2004

[lvpd_sidle]

Everything was the same as she had left it.

There was a message on her answering service from Gibbs, reminding her not to come into work for the remainder of the week. There was also a friendly suggestion that she speak to one of the trauma counselors at the lab, but it was given with the expectation that she would refuse.

She glanced at the door, but it was silent.

Might as well stay busy. Who knows if.... she cut the thought off, changed into comfortable clothes, and began cleaning her kitchen.

Comments

[saint-aequitas.livejournal.com]

There's a sudden thump outside, followed by a muffled curse.

Someone starts pounding on the door.

[lvpd_sidle]

She drops the bottle of cleaner and almost sprints for the door, bumping into two end tables on her way, cursing under her breath.

It'd better be him. It'd better goddamned well be him....

She opens the door.

[saint-aequitas.livejournal.com]

He's disheveled and bleary-eyed, the scruffiest he's ever looked; one fist still raised to take aim at the door.

"Not too late t'wish ya a happy birthday, am I, aingeal?"

[lvpd_sidle]

"No." Somehow, she's able to speak around the lump in her throat. "Though do I want to know why you look like you had a fight with a bush and lost?"

That might be something of an exaggeration.

[saint-aequitas.livejournal.com]

Actually, it's probably an understatement.

"Been runnin' 'bout a day now for work. Finished up th' job, made for th' airport, caught th' first flight out, gave th' cabbie this address, an' here I am."

[lvpd_sidle]

"Well come in before my neighbors have a heart attack--"

A man comes thundering up the stairs, bellowing. "San Francisco PD! Back away from her before I smash you through a wall!"

Gibbs has always had something of a dramatic flair. He shoves Murphy against a wall, an arm under his throat.

He is rather surprised when Sara shoves him away, looking furious. "Gibbs, what the fucking hell is your problem?"

[saint-aequitas.livejournal.com]

"Go dtachta an diabhal thú!"

May the devil choke you!

Murphy is too tired and too stressed to take this well.

"This how ya welcome all th' tourists, then? Or am I just luckier than most?"

[lvpd_sidle]

"Received a call that a maniac was trying to break into your apartment, Sidle. Considering what happened today, I wasn't taking any chances."

"As if I would have opened the door if that were the case. Did it occur to you to call?"

A sheepish silence.

"Didn't think so." She takes Murphy by the arm, linking their fingers together. "Murphy, the wannabe hero is my supervisor, Gibbs. And Gibbs, this is my fiance."

[saint-aequitas.livejournal.com]

Bit awkward, isn't it?

[lvpd_sidle]

Just a bit, yes.

Gibbs has the grace to look embarrassed before the rest of Sara's statement processes. "Fiance? Since when? Why haven't we heard of him?"

Sara rolls her eyes. "What you don't know about my life would surprise you."

[saint-aequitas.livejournal.com]

"Since 'bout a minute before ya smashed me into th' wall, that's fuckin' when."

Followed by a short laugh at Sara's comment.

[lvpd_sidle]

"You got engaged a minute ago?"

"Please excuse Gibbs; normally, he doesn't given Smecker a run for his money in the oblivious jackass department," Sara says sourly. "Yes, fiance. As in the man I will marry. I do have something resembling a social life, you know."

"Well shit," Gibbs sighs, glaring at her earlier comment. "How're we supposed to know if you don't tell us?"

"And have a repeat of the tabloid incident?"

There's affection in there. Somewhere.

[saint-aequitas.livejournal.com]

"Meant t' do it at Christmas. Decided I couldn't wait that long, figured her birthday was a good time.

He shrugs.

"Not m'fault work got a bit hectic."

[lvpd_sidle]

"Oh." Gibbs looks from one to the other. "I hope you aren't rushing things, considering what happened--"

"--I'm not. I've been sure for a while. Thanks for your concern, Gibbs. I'll see you in a week."

"Right." Pause. "Sorry about what happened earlier--I'm protective of my team."

[saint-aequitas.livejournal.com]

"...Suppose I can forgive ya this time."

He turns towards Sara. "An' what's he goin' on about, then?"

[lvpd_sidle]

"Drive by shooting at a crime scene. None of us got hurt." This time. As you damned well know. Smartass.

"And I think that's my cue to leave." Gibbs heads back down the stairs, a last comment floating up. "Can't say I envy you the choice of ladies!"

"Oh fuck off!"

[saint-aequitas.livejournal.com]

He manages not to laugh until after they close the door.

Barely.

[lvpd_sidle]

"I think this time he's getting a boa constrictor in his office," Sara says placidly, a plotting look on her face.

Of course, plans for revenge are shelved for a proper greeting.

[saint-aequitas.livejournal.com]

Nothing wrong with that.

[lvpd_sidle]

She laughs softly, against his neck. "Hi. Welcome to San Francisco. Call it Frisco and the natives will shoot."

[saint-aequitas.livejournal.com]

"I'll keep that in mind, then."

[lvpd_sidle]

"And you need to reacquaint yourself with soap, water, and possibly a razor while you're at it."

Germ-phobic fiance, stage right.

[saint-aequitas.livejournal.com]

He nods. "Lead th' way, aingeal."

[lvpd_sidle]

"Did you bring anything? All I have are girly things." She smirks, remembering the tiara.

[saint-aequitas.livejournal.com]

"Was in a bit of a rush t'make it here. Sad t'say, what ya see is what I brought."

[lvpd_sidle]

"..........great. While you're showering, I'll run to one of the shops on this street and get you something respectable enough to do proper shopping."

[saint-aequitas.livejournal.com]

A nod, followed by a rather long yawn.

"Sorry." Sheepish grin as he speaks.

[lvpd_sidle]

"Hey," gentle voice, "it's all right. Go get cleaned up. I'll be back."

[saint-aequitas.livejournal.com]

Another nod as he lets himself be steered in the right direction.




By the time Sara returns, there is a naked (but clean) detective lying on her bed, legs hanging over the side.

[lvpd_sidle]

"Oh boy, you are so lucky I'm not malicious to those I love," Sara snickers to herself, setting the bags of clothing (jeans, undergarments, socks, shirts) to one side. A smaller bag of toiletries gets taken into the bathroom before she comes back.

It's a little bit of work for her to tug the blanket out from under him and cover him back up, but she manages.

A few minutes later, she joins him under the covers, and sighs.

Home.