“Z-Y-G-O-T-E, Zygote,” said Lindsay as she laid the letters down, using the “T” of Danny’s “tickle”.
After Flack had bankrupted everybody out at Monopoly, the five of them (Marty had joined them) had turned to playing Scrabble.
“Zygote? What the hell is one of them?”
“Ten, twenty, forty points, that’s what zygote is,” counted Lindsay, as she told Flack, who had asked the question.
Flack frowned. “Is that even a word?”
“It’s the cell formed by the union of two gametes,” explained Lindsay.
Flack and Taylor looked at each other and shrugged. “H-A-T, hat,” Flack laid his tiles down. “Eight points… damn.”
“Q-U-I-V-E-R-S,” smiled Taylor. “That is a triple word score with a seven letter bonus, and that makes… 144 points.”
“Damn,” said everyone else, unanimously.
“Scrabble queen, eight years running,” Taylor informed them, puffing her chest out.
“Did anyone tell you, you are a complete geek,” laughed Flack, wrapping his arms around her.
Taylor grinned. “From the age of four to eleven, I was the Spelling Bee regional champion too. Should have won the nationals too, if it wasn’t for Marie Makers. I still think she cheated!”
Danny let out a chuckle, which was turned into a yawn. “Well, we’ve established that Taylor can spell, Marty is thankfully good Operation, I can whup your asses at Clue-”
“I think you’ll find you cheated,” Lindsay declared.
Danny pulled a face. “I was merely detecting.”
“Reading Taylor and Marty’s cards in the reflection of the window constitutes as cheating, Messer,” Lindsay corrected him.
Danny shrugged. “I’m a CSI. I’m supposed to follow the evidence, and if the evidence just so happens to be in the reflection of the window glass, then so be it.”
Lindsay rolled her eyes. “You’re just sore because I caned you at Trivial Pursuit.”
“Montana, you just know some random crap,” Danny retorted.
“It’s called general knowledge, Messer. Suck it up, you sore loser.”
“So, Flack,” said Danny changing the subject. “What are we doing for you birthday?”
Taylor turned to face Flack. “When’s your birthday?”
That question brought fits of laughter to Danny. “You don’t know your boyfriend’s birthday?”
The word boyfriend made both Flack and Taylor freeze. “Uh, it’s the fifteenth, and I don’t know yet,” said Flack, quickly recovering.
After Flack had bankrupted everybody out at Monopoly, the five of them (Marty had joined them) had turned to playing Scrabble.
“Zygote? What the hell is one of them?”
“Ten, twenty, forty points, that’s what zygote is,” counted Lindsay, as she told Flack, who had asked the question.
Flack frowned. “Is that even a word?”
“It’s the cell formed by the union of two gametes,” explained Lindsay.
Flack and Taylor looked at each other and shrugged. “H-A-T, hat,” Flack laid his tiles down. “Eight points… damn.”
“Q-U-I-V-E-R-S,” smiled Taylor. “That is a triple word score with a seven letter bonus, and that makes… 144 points.”
“Damn,” said everyone else, unanimously.
“Scrabble queen, eight years running,” Taylor informed them, puffing her chest out.
“Did anyone tell you, you are a complete geek,” laughed Flack, wrapping his arms around her.
Taylor grinned. “From the age of four to eleven, I was the Spelling Bee regional champion too. Should have won the nationals too, if it wasn’t for Marie Makers. I still think she cheated!”
Danny let out a chuckle, which was turned into a yawn. “Well, we’ve established that Taylor can spell, Marty is thankfully good Operation, I can whup your asses at Clue-”
“I think you’ll find you cheated,” Lindsay declared.
Danny pulled a face. “I was merely detecting.”
“Reading Taylor and Marty’s cards in the reflection of the window constitutes as cheating, Messer,” Lindsay corrected him.
Danny shrugged. “I’m a CSI. I’m supposed to follow the evidence, and if the evidence just so happens to be in the reflection of the window glass, then so be it.”
Lindsay rolled her eyes. “You’re just sore because I caned you at Trivial Pursuit.”
“Montana, you just know some random crap,” Danny retorted.
“It’s called general knowledge, Messer. Suck it up, you sore loser.”
“So, Flack,” said Danny changing the subject. “What are we doing for you birthday?”
Taylor turned to face Flack. “When’s your birthday?”
That question brought fits of laughter to Danny. “You don’t know your boyfriend’s birthday?”
The word boyfriend made both Flack and Taylor freeze. “Uh, it’s the fifteenth, and I don’t know yet,” said Flack, quickly recovering.
* * *
“So, uh, I guess we need to talk,” said Flack, scratching his head as he stared at Taylor’s pyjama clad back.
Taylor was standing in front of the window, watching the snow as it fell to the ground. There was another blizzard setting in for the night. She sighed. “Do we have to?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Flack came to stand next to her. “Not if you don’t want to. But it might be easier than having a repeat awkward moment.”
“I know, it’s just,” she sighed again. “Once you’ve got what you want, that’s when you’ve got something to lose, and what’s scarier than that?”
“Not having it at all?” Flack frowned. “I guess I kind of assumed things. I think it was my fault, anyway.”
Taylor turned and peered up at him. “What do you mean?”
Flack looked sheepish. “I happened to call you my girlfriend earlier today, when we went into the lab.”
Taylor smiled shyly. “I kind of like you being referred to as my boyfriend.”
“So, does my girlfriend have any suggestions as to what we can do for my birthday?”
“Let me cook a meal for us all. You’re still at physio, and on medication, so it’s not like we can go out,” she suggested.
Flack , who hadn’t yet actually experienced her cooking, smiled. “Sounds like a plan. What are you going to cook for me?”
Taylor shrugged, “I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I’ll let you know.” She broke out into a huge smile, “Wow... I have a boyfriend.”
Flack shook his head. “You are a geek, you know.”
Taylor was standing in front of the window, watching the snow as it fell to the ground. There was another blizzard setting in for the night. She sighed. “Do we have to?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Flack came to stand next to her. “Not if you don’t want to. But it might be easier than having a repeat awkward moment.”
“I know, it’s just,” she sighed again. “Once you’ve got what you want, that’s when you’ve got something to lose, and what’s scarier than that?”
“Not having it at all?” Flack frowned. “I guess I kind of assumed things. I think it was my fault, anyway.”
Taylor turned and peered up at him. “What do you mean?”
Flack looked sheepish. “I happened to call you my girlfriend earlier today, when we went into the lab.”
Taylor smiled shyly. “I kind of like you being referred to as my boyfriend.”
“So, does my girlfriend have any suggestions as to what we can do for my birthday?”
“Let me cook a meal for us all. You’re still at physio, and on medication, so it’s not like we can go out,” she suggested.
Flack , who hadn’t yet actually experienced her cooking, smiled. “Sounds like a plan. What are you going to cook for me?”
Taylor shrugged, “I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I’ll let you know.” She broke out into a huge smile, “Wow... I have a boyfriend.”
Flack shook his head. “You are a geek, you know.”
* * *
It was the fifteenth already. Flack had gone to the Danny’s and the two of them were going to go to the gym. Flack was doing much better, and had been going to the gym daily for the past week to rebuild his stamina up.
Taylor, meanwhile, was taking the opportunity to go shopping. She still hadn’t found Flack a present. Something which was driving her mad. What exactly did you get your boyfriend of one week? He already had a guitar (which he refused to let her listen to him practice). And clothes, CDs and scents all seemed a little impersonal.
“I know what you could get him,” came Maddy’s voice causing Taylor to jump as she was trawling through the aisles in a department store.
“Do I even want to hear this suggestion?” Taylor asked warily.
“Underwear.”
Taylor rolled her eyes. “Underwear is a pretty boring suggestion,” she told her.
“Not for him – for you,” Maddy said, looking at her with an expression which said duh!
“And that’s going to benefit him how?” Taylor asked, half of her attention on the crowds around her.
“Sometimes, Tay, your naivety surprises me. It will benefit him when he takes it off!”
“Maddy, the guy is injured. Only two weeks ago he pulled his stitches loose.”
“I can tell you some neat little tricks if you want!”
“Maddy!” she exclaimed. The three people in the isle jumped at her outburst, giving her a strange look. Taylor gave them apologetic smiles before quickly vacating the store.
“Try this store,” said Maddy, reappearing by her side.
Taylor looked up. Ann Summers. “What is this place?” she asked looking at the lingerie in the window.
“Best store to come out of the UK in my opinion,” Maddy told her with a smirk. When Taylor entered, she wasn’t surprised, especially when Maddy led her to the back of the store where all the… kinkier items were shelved.
Taylor took one look at the bondage gear and turned to leave, but stopped when something caught her eye. She picked it up and grinned. She had found Flack’s present. She bought that, with a new set of fancy underwear, and left heading straight to pick up some groceries.
Taylor, meanwhile, was taking the opportunity to go shopping. She still hadn’t found Flack a present. Something which was driving her mad. What exactly did you get your boyfriend of one week? He already had a guitar (which he refused to let her listen to him practice). And clothes, CDs and scents all seemed a little impersonal.
“I know what you could get him,” came Maddy’s voice causing Taylor to jump as she was trawling through the aisles in a department store.
“Do I even want to hear this suggestion?” Taylor asked warily.
“Underwear.”
Taylor rolled her eyes. “Underwear is a pretty boring suggestion,” she told her.
“Not for him – for you,” Maddy said, looking at her with an expression which said duh!
“And that’s going to benefit him how?” Taylor asked, half of her attention on the crowds around her.
“Sometimes, Tay, your naivety surprises me. It will benefit him when he takes it off!”
“Maddy, the guy is injured. Only two weeks ago he pulled his stitches loose.”
“I can tell you some neat little tricks if you want!”
“Maddy!” she exclaimed. The three people in the isle jumped at her outburst, giving her a strange look. Taylor gave them apologetic smiles before quickly vacating the store.
“Try this store,” said Maddy, reappearing by her side.
Taylor looked up. Ann Summers. “What is this place?” she asked looking at the lingerie in the window.
“Best store to come out of the UK in my opinion,” Maddy told her with a smirk. When Taylor entered, she wasn’t surprised, especially when Maddy led her to the back of the store where all the… kinkier items were shelved.
Taylor took one look at the bondage gear and turned to leave, but stopped when something caught her eye. She picked it up and grinned. She had found Flack’s present. She bought that, with a new set of fancy underwear, and left heading straight to pick up some groceries.
* * *
“Marty, what are you doing here?” Danny asked in surprise as he opened the door. Both he and Flack were about to leave his apartment for the gym, when there had been a knock at the door.
Marty pushed past him. “You have to let me at your kitchen,” he told him, heading straight there, several brown paper grocery bags under his arms.
Danny and Flack followed him. “What are you doing?” Danny asked him as he watched Marty lay the various items of food out.
“Saving our lives,” Marty told him as his head disappeared into one of Danny’s cupboards.
“By cooking?” asked Flack in confusion.
Marty stopped, placing a giant saucepan on the counter. “You bet,” he told them, completely serious.
“Um, you’re going to have to explain that one,” Danny told him.
Marty sighed. “Taylor can’t cook.”
Danny burst out laughing. “Are you kidding me? That is why you’re here?”
“No, you don’t understand,” Marty pressed. “The girl can burn water.”
“She can’t be that bad,” Flack said, jumping to her defence.
“She decided to cook a meal one night. The pie was frozen on the outside, burnt on the inside, and the saucepan with the sweetcorn in it had to be thrown out because it was well and truly stuck to it. I still, to this day, cannot explain how that happened,” Marty added, looking momentarily puzzled. “Seriously, just let me cook.”
“Won’t she be a little hurt when you turn up with the replacement meal?” Flack asked.
“She won’t know,” Marty explained as he began to chop the onions up. “She thinks I’ve gone to the gym with you guys, so once I’ve transferred the food to the gym bag in my car, I can sneak it into the apartment. All I will need then is five minutes to make a swap.”
Flack frowned. “Is she really that bad.”
“Do you really think I would be going to all this trouble if not?” He looked at Flack. “You’ve just got out of hospital. Are you that desperate to go back?”
Marty pushed past him. “You have to let me at your kitchen,” he told him, heading straight there, several brown paper grocery bags under his arms.
Danny and Flack followed him. “What are you doing?” Danny asked him as he watched Marty lay the various items of food out.
“Saving our lives,” Marty told him as his head disappeared into one of Danny’s cupboards.
“By cooking?” asked Flack in confusion.
Marty stopped, placing a giant saucepan on the counter. “You bet,” he told them, completely serious.
“Um, you’re going to have to explain that one,” Danny told him.
Marty sighed. “Taylor can’t cook.”
Danny burst out laughing. “Are you kidding me? That is why you’re here?”
“No, you don’t understand,” Marty pressed. “The girl can burn water.”
“She can’t be that bad,” Flack said, jumping to her defence.
“She decided to cook a meal one night. The pie was frozen on the outside, burnt on the inside, and the saucepan with the sweetcorn in it had to be thrown out because it was well and truly stuck to it. I still, to this day, cannot explain how that happened,” Marty added, looking momentarily puzzled. “Seriously, just let me cook.”
“Won’t she be a little hurt when you turn up with the replacement meal?” Flack asked.
“She won’t know,” Marty explained as he began to chop the onions up. “She thinks I’ve gone to the gym with you guys, so once I’ve transferred the food to the gym bag in my car, I can sneak it into the apartment. All I will need then is five minutes to make a swap.”
Flack frowned. “Is she really that bad.”
“Do you really think I would be going to all this trouble if not?” He looked at Flack. “You’ve just got out of hospital. Are you that desperate to go back?”
* * *
Everything seemed to be going to plan. Taylor had the radio up full blast, singing along to The Feeling’s Fill My Little World. The bolognaise was simmering nicely, the spaghetti had just gone in, and the garlic bread was on a baking tray, ready to go into the oven as everyone arrived.
“You all ready?”
Taylor whirled around in surprise to find Marty standing in the doorway, gym bag in his hands. “Pretty much.”
“Anything I can do?” he offered.
“No, I’m all good,” Taylor assured him.
“Well, why don’t you get a shower and get ready before everyone arrives. If all that needs to be done is keeping an eye on the food, I can do that,” Marty suggested.
Taylor smiled thankfully at him. “Thanks, Marty, but don’t go picking at it.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he promised.
Taylor smiled and bounded out of the room for the shower. Marty lifted up the lid to the pan of the bolognaise, tentatively licked the spoon after he stuck it in. As he fought back the gag reflex he placed his bag on the counter and pulled out his replacement. “I really wouldn’t dream of it,” he muttered, replacing everything and hiding her food in the cupboard under the sink.
“You all ready?”
Taylor whirled around in surprise to find Marty standing in the doorway, gym bag in his hands. “Pretty much.”
“Anything I can do?” he offered.
“No, I’m all good,” Taylor assured him.
“Well, why don’t you get a shower and get ready before everyone arrives. If all that needs to be done is keeping an eye on the food, I can do that,” Marty suggested.
Taylor smiled thankfully at him. “Thanks, Marty, but don’t go picking at it.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he promised.
Taylor smiled and bounded out of the room for the shower. Marty lifted up the lid to the pan of the bolognaise, tentatively licked the spoon after he stuck it in. As he fought back the gag reflex he placed his bag on the counter and pulled out his replacement. “I really wouldn’t dream of it,” he muttered, replacing everything and hiding her food in the cupboard under the sink.
* * *
Half an hour later and there was the first knock on the door. All ready, and clad in a smart black halter-neck dress, Taylor bounded to the door, giving Flack a kiss as she let him and Danny in.
Both guys were wearing smart trousers and a smart button down shirt – no ties – Flack in dark blue, and Danny in black.
“Can I offer you guys some non-alcoholic wine?” she asked them as she ushered them into the kitchen. Feeling the food was now safe, Marty had left it in Taylor’s hands as he went to take his own shower.
“Non-alcoholic wine?” snorted Danny. “What is the point of that?”
“That Don is on medication and can’t drink. So if he can’t why should he watch the rest of us do so?” Taylor informed him. Danny started muttering comments under his breath about why should everyone else suffer just because Flack was dumb enough to get blown up, but was stopped by Taylor smacking him upside his head.
Not long later, Mac, Stella, Lindsay and Hawkes appeared and Taylor ushered the seven of them into the living room where she had set up the dining table, going all out with fancy plates and matching napkins to the table cloth.
“Wow,” said Stella. “You pushed the boat out, didn’t you?”
Taylor shrugged sheepishly. “I’ve not really had the chance to use any of this. And the plates are actually Marty’s.”
Every eye turned to Marty as each silently asked, what on earth are you doing with such fancy plates?
“Impresses the ladies,” Marty shrugged.
“Do you want any help serving?” Lindsay asked as everyone sat down.
Taylor shook her head. “I’m all good.” She dished up the food and sat down.
Mac picked up his glass. “Happy birthday, Don.”
After everybody had toasted, they started their meal. Taylor watched them expectantly. She had spent all afternoon in the kitchen. “What’s the matter?” she asked as no one seemed to want to swallow the food, let alone take another bite. As no one would tell her what was the matter, Taylor took her own mouthful. To say it was terrible was an understatement. Taylor flushed, “I’m sorry.”
Stella was up on her feet collecting the plates. “Don’t worry. Let’s see what we can rustle up.” Taylor bit her lip as she collected some plates and followed Stella into the kitchen.
“I thought you were going to replace it if it was this bad,” Danny shot at Marty.
“I did!” Marty cried, “I don’t understand it. She can’t have been left alone with the food for longer than five minutes. I told you she couldn’t cook.”
In the kitchen, Taylor fought the tears. Stella watched her as they listened to the conversation carrying in to them. Stella placed the dishes on the counter. “I’ll be right back,” told her, squeezing her shoulder.
As Taylor scraped the food into the trash, she could hear Stella whispering a telling off to Marty and Danny. She dumped the plates in the kitchen sink and opened the cupboard underneath to get the washing up liquid, spotting the bolognaise she had made. She pulled it out and stared at it, before she took a mouthful. It was actually worse than the one Marty had replaced it with.
Taylor couldn’t understand it. She knew she wasn’t the world’s best cook, but she didn’t think she was that bad.
“Are you alright?” Flack asked her. Taylor didn’t turn around. She just focused on the running water. She heard him take a few steps towards her then stop, “Taylor,” he started hesitantly. “Is something burning?”
Taylor sniffed. Something was, and as she turned to the oven, she knew exactly what it was. The garlic bread. Grabbing an oven mitt, she pulled them out, the smoke billowing into the kitchen. They were cremated. As she placed the tray down, the fire alarms began blaring.
Looking through the smoke to the remains of the meals, Taylor burst into tears and pelted into her bedroom, and into her bathroom, where she slammed the door behind her, and sank onto the toilet lid.
Less than a minute later, there was a knock at the door and Flack stuck his head around it. Taylor turned her back to him, facing the bath. “Go away,” she said miserably.
He didn’t. Instead, he walked over to her and crouched down in front of her, “It wasn’t that bad.”
“It was, Don,” she wailed. “It was dreadful.”
“Yeah, you’re right. It was,” Flack agreed.
Taylor stopped crying and turned to face him in disbelief. “It’s not funny,” she scowled at his smile.
“It kind of is,” he told her.
“Flack, I spent ages in that kitchen trying to cook you something special for your birthday. And I couldn’t even do that right. I didn’t even know it was your birthday – I’m a lousy girlfriend.”
Flack smiled at her. “A lousy cook, yes, but you’re not a lousy girlfriend.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Come on,” he told her as the alarmed stopped. “Let’s forget about this and go out to a restaurant.”
Both guys were wearing smart trousers and a smart button down shirt – no ties – Flack in dark blue, and Danny in black.
“Can I offer you guys some non-alcoholic wine?” she asked them as she ushered them into the kitchen. Feeling the food was now safe, Marty had left it in Taylor’s hands as he went to take his own shower.
“Non-alcoholic wine?” snorted Danny. “What is the point of that?”
“That Don is on medication and can’t drink. So if he can’t why should he watch the rest of us do so?” Taylor informed him. Danny started muttering comments under his breath about why should everyone else suffer just because Flack was dumb enough to get blown up, but was stopped by Taylor smacking him upside his head.
Not long later, Mac, Stella, Lindsay and Hawkes appeared and Taylor ushered the seven of them into the living room where she had set up the dining table, going all out with fancy plates and matching napkins to the table cloth.
“Wow,” said Stella. “You pushed the boat out, didn’t you?”
Taylor shrugged sheepishly. “I’ve not really had the chance to use any of this. And the plates are actually Marty’s.”
Every eye turned to Marty as each silently asked, what on earth are you doing with such fancy plates?
“Impresses the ladies,” Marty shrugged.
“Do you want any help serving?” Lindsay asked as everyone sat down.
Taylor shook her head. “I’m all good.” She dished up the food and sat down.
Mac picked up his glass. “Happy birthday, Don.”
After everybody had toasted, they started their meal. Taylor watched them expectantly. She had spent all afternoon in the kitchen. “What’s the matter?” she asked as no one seemed to want to swallow the food, let alone take another bite. As no one would tell her what was the matter, Taylor took her own mouthful. To say it was terrible was an understatement. Taylor flushed, “I’m sorry.”
Stella was up on her feet collecting the plates. “Don’t worry. Let’s see what we can rustle up.” Taylor bit her lip as she collected some plates and followed Stella into the kitchen.
“I thought you were going to replace it if it was this bad,” Danny shot at Marty.
“I did!” Marty cried, “I don’t understand it. She can’t have been left alone with the food for longer than five minutes. I told you she couldn’t cook.”
In the kitchen, Taylor fought the tears. Stella watched her as they listened to the conversation carrying in to them. Stella placed the dishes on the counter. “I’ll be right back,” told her, squeezing her shoulder.
As Taylor scraped the food into the trash, she could hear Stella whispering a telling off to Marty and Danny. She dumped the plates in the kitchen sink and opened the cupboard underneath to get the washing up liquid, spotting the bolognaise she had made. She pulled it out and stared at it, before she took a mouthful. It was actually worse than the one Marty had replaced it with.
Taylor couldn’t understand it. She knew she wasn’t the world’s best cook, but she didn’t think she was that bad.
“Are you alright?” Flack asked her. Taylor didn’t turn around. She just focused on the running water. She heard him take a few steps towards her then stop, “Taylor,” he started hesitantly. “Is something burning?”
Taylor sniffed. Something was, and as she turned to the oven, she knew exactly what it was. The garlic bread. Grabbing an oven mitt, she pulled them out, the smoke billowing into the kitchen. They were cremated. As she placed the tray down, the fire alarms began blaring.
Looking through the smoke to the remains of the meals, Taylor burst into tears and pelted into her bedroom, and into her bathroom, where she slammed the door behind her, and sank onto the toilet lid.
Less than a minute later, there was a knock at the door and Flack stuck his head around it. Taylor turned her back to him, facing the bath. “Go away,” she said miserably.
He didn’t. Instead, he walked over to her and crouched down in front of her, “It wasn’t that bad.”
“It was, Don,” she wailed. “It was dreadful.”
“Yeah, you’re right. It was,” Flack agreed.
Taylor stopped crying and turned to face him in disbelief. “It’s not funny,” she scowled at his smile.
“It kind of is,” he told her.
“Flack, I spent ages in that kitchen trying to cook you something special for your birthday. And I couldn’t even do that right. I didn’t even know it was your birthday – I’m a lousy girlfriend.”
Flack smiled at her. “A lousy cook, yes, but you’re not a lousy girlfriend.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Come on,” he told her as the alarmed stopped. “Let’s forget about this and go out to a restaurant.”
* * *
Several hours later and Flack and Taylor had returned home – Taylor feeling much better. Marty had gone to work and so they had the apartment to themselves. Admittedly, they could have gone to Flack’s, but the restaurant they had ended up in was only a few blocks from hers. As Flack settled down in bed, Taylor disappeared into the bathroom.
Flack looked up as she walked out, and his jaw dropped. The item Taylor had bought earlier was, as the packaging described it, a naughty nurse outfit. It certainly showed off a lot of cleavage, and was so short that she would have definitely classed it as a top rather than a dress. It showed off the black lacy number she had bought at the same time, and there was no chance of it covering the stockings and garter belt. Calmly, Taylor walked over to the bed and pulled back the covers. “Well, how is my patient this evening?”
“I thought that I had to wait until I was back on desk duty?” Flack asked, staring at her appreciatively.
“Well, that is why I am here,” Taylor told him. “I think it’s about time you had a complete medical to see if everything’s alright.” She glanced down at his boxers. “Hmmm, it would appear that everything is in working order.” Keeping her face all business-like, she climbed on the bed and straddled him, before reaching into her pocket.
Flack’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?” he asked her as he looked at the small foil packet.
Taylor smiled coyly at him. “I do believe, Mr Patient, that the nurse is the one in charge here.”
Flack looked up as she walked out, and his jaw dropped. The item Taylor had bought earlier was, as the packaging described it, a naughty nurse outfit. It certainly showed off a lot of cleavage, and was so short that she would have definitely classed it as a top rather than a dress. It showed off the black lacy number she had bought at the same time, and there was no chance of it covering the stockings and garter belt. Calmly, Taylor walked over to the bed and pulled back the covers. “Well, how is my patient this evening?”
“I thought that I had to wait until I was back on desk duty?” Flack asked, staring at her appreciatively.
“Well, that is why I am here,” Taylor told him. “I think it’s about time you had a complete medical to see if everything’s alright.” She glanced down at his boxers. “Hmmm, it would appear that everything is in working order.” Keeping her face all business-like, she climbed on the bed and straddled him, before reaching into her pocket.
Flack’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?” he asked her as he looked at the small foil packet.
Taylor smiled coyly at him. “I do believe, Mr Patient, that the nurse is the one in charge here.”
* * *
Lindsay waved goodbye to Taylor and Flack from her seat in the taxi, and waited for it to drop Sheldon off before it finally took her home herself. She paid the driver and got out, finding Danny jumping up and down on the spot, trying to keep warm. “Nice evening,” she said briskly. Danny stared at her, a somewhat evil glint in his eyes. “Danny?”
His response was to shove a handful of snow down her collar. Lindsay screamed and tried to dodge around him so she could grab her own handful of revenge. She was prevented from doing so by Danny, who wrapped his arms around her. “Not a chance, Montan-argh!” The weight of Danny made the two of them slip on the ice, backwards into the pile of snow which had been swept clear of the doorway.
Before Danny could work out which way was up, Lindsay had managed to stuff a handful of snow up his top, which was now on display as his coat had fallen open. Lindsay was on her feet and running for the stairs before Danny could get to his feet. He caught her up, however, as she struggled to open her front door – she was laughing so hard that she couldn’t hold the key straight.
He went to grab her, but before he could, another snowball hit him in the face.
Lindsay finally managed to open the door and burst into her apartment. She made it three feet in before the door slammed shut, Danny leaning against it, his arms folded across his chest. “For a girl, you don’t play fair.”
Lindsay turned to face him. “Play fair? This coming from you?”
“Do as monkey says, not as monkey does.”
Lindsay’s gape turned into hysterical laughter. “Monkey?” she gasped. “You just called yourself a mon-”
She was prevented from finishing the sentence by a flurry of snow in her mouth. “Payback’s a bitch,” Danny smirked.
“Daniel Messer,” Lindsay scolded. “You got me all wet!”
Danny grinned, wiggling his eyebrows. “Oh really?”
Lindsay looked at him, spat out her tongue, and began walking off.
Danny watched her butt as it moved away from him, and then as she slowly pulled her coat off and draped it over the back of her sofa, followed by her sweater. Danny let out a groan, leapt over to her and spun her around, pushing her against the shelves, sending books flying everywhere, “Stop taking your time, Montana.”
Lindsay looked at him innocently. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Danny pressed his lips against hers, before, in one quick movement, removed her dress from her. “That’s how it’s done,” he told her, his hot breath in her ear sending shivers down her spine.
“Good effort, Messer, but you missed some key items.”
Danny didn’t need telling twice.
His response was to shove a handful of snow down her collar. Lindsay screamed and tried to dodge around him so she could grab her own handful of revenge. She was prevented from doing so by Danny, who wrapped his arms around her. “Not a chance, Montan-argh!” The weight of Danny made the two of them slip on the ice, backwards into the pile of snow which had been swept clear of the doorway.
Before Danny could work out which way was up, Lindsay had managed to stuff a handful of snow up his top, which was now on display as his coat had fallen open. Lindsay was on her feet and running for the stairs before Danny could get to his feet. He caught her up, however, as she struggled to open her front door – she was laughing so hard that she couldn’t hold the key straight.
He went to grab her, but before he could, another snowball hit him in the face.
Lindsay finally managed to open the door and burst into her apartment. She made it three feet in before the door slammed shut, Danny leaning against it, his arms folded across his chest. “For a girl, you don’t play fair.”
Lindsay turned to face him. “Play fair? This coming from you?”
“Do as monkey says, not as monkey does.”
Lindsay’s gape turned into hysterical laughter. “Monkey?” she gasped. “You just called yourself a mon-”
She was prevented from finishing the sentence by a flurry of snow in her mouth. “Payback’s a bitch,” Danny smirked.
“Daniel Messer,” Lindsay scolded. “You got me all wet!”
Danny grinned, wiggling his eyebrows. “Oh really?”
Lindsay looked at him, spat out her tongue, and began walking off.
Danny watched her butt as it moved away from him, and then as she slowly pulled her coat off and draped it over the back of her sofa, followed by her sweater. Danny let out a groan, leapt over to her and spun her around, pushing her against the shelves, sending books flying everywhere, “Stop taking your time, Montana.”
Lindsay looked at him innocently. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Danny pressed his lips against hers, before, in one quick movement, removed her dress from her. “That’s how it’s done,” he told her, his hot breath in her ear sending shivers down her spine.
“Good effort, Messer, but you missed some key items.”
Danny didn’t need telling twice.
* * *
Several hours later, and both Danny and Lindsay were extremely content. Danny was lying on his back, his arms under his head staring at Lindsay, who was lying next to him, her head propped up as she used her free hand to play with Danny’s hair.
“Why do we have to keep with all the secrecy?” she asked, breaking the comfortable silence.
Danny sighed. “Why does it have to be anybody’s business?”
“When we can’t get a cab home together,” she pouted. “I might want to show you off to the world. Or is that the problem? Are you embarrassed about me?”
Danny furiously shook his head. “Don’t be stupid.” He sighed again. “I’m just not ready – I don’t want to jinx what we have.”
“This really has nothing to do with me?”
“No!” Danny told her firmly. “Well,” he grinned. “Maybe I wouldn’t mind keeping you to myself for a little while longer.” He reached up and pulled her to him. “Call me selfish,” he whispered. “But I want to keep you my dirty little secret.”
Lindsay rolled her eyes, “Quoting pop songs? Such the romantic, aren’t we?”
“Shuddup,” Danny grinned. “You love it really.”
“Why do we have to keep with all the secrecy?” she asked, breaking the comfortable silence.
Danny sighed. “Why does it have to be anybody’s business?”
“When we can’t get a cab home together,” she pouted. “I might want to show you off to the world. Or is that the problem? Are you embarrassed about me?”
Danny furiously shook his head. “Don’t be stupid.” He sighed again. “I’m just not ready – I don’t want to jinx what we have.”
“This really has nothing to do with me?”
“No!” Danny told her firmly. “Well,” he grinned. “Maybe I wouldn’t mind keeping you to myself for a little while longer.” He reached up and pulled her to him. “Call me selfish,” he whispered. “But I want to keep you my dirty little secret.”
Lindsay rolled her eyes, “Quoting pop songs? Such the romantic, aren’t we?”
“Shuddup,” Danny grinned. “You love it really.”
* * *
“This is me,” smiled Stella. “Thanks for walking me back, Mac.”
“It’s never a problem,” Mac smiled.
“You want to come up for a drink? A coffee to warm up, before you head back?”
“What about Frankie?” Mac asked carefully.
Stella shook her head. “Frankie has no say over who invite for a drink.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Oh, well, Frankie doesn’t come to mine – he won’t be here.”
Mac glanced down at his watch. “I shouldn’t. I have to be at work in the-”
“So do I,” laughed Stella. “Come on, Mac. It’s just one cup. Besides, when was the last time we sat down and had a chat?” Mac stared intently at her, and finally nodded. Stella gave him a friendly punch on the arm. “See, that didn’t hurt, did it?” The two were about to enter when Stella’s phone rang. “Hello…. Hi, Frankie…. What? Now…? No, I can’t…. sorry, maybe tomorrow…? Yeah, you too.” She put her phone away and smiled at Mac. “You coming up, or are you going to stay out here all night?”
Mac sighed and looked away. “Actually, I think I will go home.” He turned and walked away before Stella could respond.
Stella exhaled deeply and pulled her cell back out, “Frankie? Change of plans. I’ll be there in twenty.”
“It’s never a problem,” Mac smiled.
“You want to come up for a drink? A coffee to warm up, before you head back?”
“What about Frankie?” Mac asked carefully.
Stella shook her head. “Frankie has no say over who invite for a drink.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Oh, well, Frankie doesn’t come to mine – he won’t be here.”
Mac glanced down at his watch. “I shouldn’t. I have to be at work in the-”
“So do I,” laughed Stella. “Come on, Mac. It’s just one cup. Besides, when was the last time we sat down and had a chat?” Mac stared intently at her, and finally nodded. Stella gave him a friendly punch on the arm. “See, that didn’t hurt, did it?” The two were about to enter when Stella’s phone rang. “Hello…. Hi, Frankie…. What? Now…? No, I can’t…. sorry, maybe tomorrow…? Yeah, you too.” She put her phone away and smiled at Mac. “You coming up, or are you going to stay out here all night?”
Mac sighed and looked away. “Actually, I think I will go home.” He turned and walked away before Stella could respond.
Stella exhaled deeply and pulled her cell back out, “Frankie? Change of plans. I’ll be there in twenty.”
Originally posted 03/08/2006