Lights and Virtues

And all I ask... (Identity Challenge, U)

2009-06-04T09:19:38Z

Title: And all I ask...
Character(s)/Pairing: Gibbs, Abby
Rating: U
Word Count: 100
Challenge: 116. Identity
Spoilers: Minor for 5.07 Requiem, very minor 6.25 Aliyah

He finished the knot smiling at the approaching footsteps. Turning, he held out the bottle. Abby's eyes flitted from him to the glossy wood in the moonlight.

"Can't take her out until she's been christened. Bad luck."

"You don't believe in bad luck."

"Call it tradition then."

"Gibbs, I wouldn't know what to say. She's your..." Abby trailed off feeling suddenly awkward. "Are you sure you want me doing this?"

He tilted his head quizzically, "Who else?"

She shrugged, looked at her shoes, "Maddie?"

His arm settled around her shoulders, "I'm sure, Abby."

"Look after him, Kelly, he needs it."

Prompt #035. click, click, boom

2009-01-08T11:51:05Z

Prompt Set 2: #035. click, click, boom
Flavour: CSI
Character(s): Sara Sidle
Rating: T
Word Count: 100
Spoilers: Nada

He slid a single bullet into the chamber, spun it, snapped the gun shut.

He stroked the muzzle down her cheek, "Let's try this again, sweetheart."

She sat rigidly still. The gun clicked beside her ear. Her eyes flicked shut and open as the chamber whirred behind her head.

"Wrong answer," he breathed against her ear.

Her jaw clenched. Another click, another whirr. He crouched in front of her, tilting her chin up with the barrel.

"Tell me how you want me."

She deliberately turned away.

Pain exploded across her cheekbone and her eardrums.

Heat, weight, noise...

Gentle touch.

"Sara?"

Prompt #026 inner geek

2008-12-10T07:04:49Z

Prompt Set 2: #026. inner geek
Flavour: CSI
Character(s): Gil Grissom, Sara Sidle
Rating: U
Word Count: 100
Spoilers: Nada

Grissom's eyes snapped up at the soft knock on his doorframe. He quickly tucked his reading material out of sight and lowered his glasses.

"Hey, sorry... I didn't mean to interrupt."

He folded his hands on the desk, "You're not interrupting. Come in."

She sat across the desk, "I could come back later, if you're..." she gestured at the Journals spread over his desk.

"Ecklie is adamant."

She sighed, "Okay." She blinked, the corner of her mouth quirking.

"Sara?"

She glanced up, amused, "X-Men 350?"

His eyebrows rose, a protest on his lips.

"I know that cover."

He smiled, "Really?"

Shiner (Shine Challenge, U)

2008-12-10T06:11:45Z

Title: Shiner
Character(s)/Pairing: Abby, McGee, Tony, Kate
Rating: U
Word Count: 100
Challenge: #115 Shine

"Urrrh! This is never going to work."

"No, Abby, you can hardly even tell."

She scowled at him.

"Tell what, Probie?"

"Nothing. Morning guys."

"Morning McGee, Abby."

"Hey Kate, To--" she broke off at the collective gasp.

"Abby, your eye!"

"Hardly even tell?" she socked McGee's shoulder, "I told you--"

"Probie, what did you do to her?"

"Nothing!" Abby and McGee chorused, "Some drunk idiot tried to dance with me."

"Been nice knowing you, Probie-san."

"What?"

"You took her to the party. Gibbs is gonna kill you."

"But I didn't do anything!"

Kate shook her head, "Tony's right. You're doomed."

Prompt #007 Tabula Rasa (Blank Slate)

2008-12-05T23:48:51Z

Prompt Set 2: #007. tabula rasa (blank slate)
Flavour: CSI
Character(s): Sara Sidle
Rating: T
Word Count: 100
Spoilers: Nada

The layout room was a sanctuary of sorts, a quiet oasis from the bustle of the rest of the lab. Sara set the cardboard box on the end of the opalescent table and plunked herself down on a stool. Eyes closed, she rested her forehead on the table for a few breaths before sitting back. Carefully, she spread Jenna Taylor's life across the glowing surface, seeking patterns, connections, some reason for her death.

Hours later, Sara stood surveying the answer. Order from chaos. Answers, yet still senseless. Another murderer brought to account. Everything documented, Sara re-boxed the evidence for trial.

Any port (Power Outage Challenge, T)

2008-12-01T10:15:28Z

Title: Any port
Character(s)/Pairing: Abby, Gibbs
Rating: T
Word Count: 100
Challenge: #16 Power Outage

"No, n-- awwww!" Her lab whirred down to silent darkness. "Come on... come on... backup?" Thunder roared.

"Abs?" a flashlight beamed across her back.

"I almost had him. I was so close... and then this," she threw out her hands.

Gibbs rested a hand on her shoulder, "You get anything before we went down?"

She scowled, "He was covered in boat-wax."

"You mean his clothes?"

"Inside his clothes."

"You work on a boat, Abs, wax ends up all kinds of places."

"Arms, hands... how 'bout your butt, Gibbs?"

"Depends what you're doing, Abs," he kissed her on the cheek.

Prompt #018. Denial

2008-12-01T09:51:47Z

Prompt Set 2: #018. denial
Flavour: CSI
Character(s): Gil Grissom, Catherine Willows
Rating: T
Word Count: 100
Spoilers: Nada

Catherine folded her hands on the table, studying her breakfast companion. It took Grissom only moments to realize he was being scrutinized. He arched his eyebrows at her.

"You're holding out on me."

"Oh?"

"Come on, Gil. I've known you too long for you to pull that crap on me."

Grissom tented his fingers, returned her gaze mildly, "What is it you'd like to know, Catherine?"

"Who is she?"

"Who?"

"Changing habits, mood," she arched her own eyebrows, "weight loss? Either there's a new woman in your life, or you're on drugs."

He smiled, shook his head, "Unfounded theories, Catherine."

Nobody's Perfect (Perfect Challenge, T)

2008-11-25T06:07:04Z

Title: Nobody's Perfect
Character(s)/Pairing: Abby/Gibbs
Rating: T
Word Count: 200
Challenge: #113 Perfect
Spoilers: 3.17 Ravenous

"Gibbs!" She skidded past the evidence counter and flung her arms around him.

"Hey, Abs."

She backed up to give him a worried look, "What's wrong?"

He managed a half-smile, shrugged, "I screwed up."

"How? You caught the serial-killing sick-o before he killed again."

"Nothing to do with the case, Abs."

She cocked her head, "Yeah?" she rolled up a chair, sat, crossed her legs, "Dear Abby is in."

He laughed, shook his head.

"Come on. 'Dear Abby...'"

He leaned against the wall, "Dear Abby, I was supposed to take this girl out for her birthday. I had it all planned, reservations, perfect present and everything, then I caught a case and was in the field the whole night. I know she's upset. What I don't know is how to make it up to her."

"Dear Mystified Marine, you're a dope. She was upset because she thought you forgot. Which you didn't. If you'd been a little less sneaky with the present she wouldn't have been upset with you at all."

"Wouldn't she?"

"Gibbs... 'Dear Abby' remember?"

"Dear Abby, think she'll forgive me?"

She stood, snuggled against him, "Dear Mystified Marine, you really are a dope."

He held her close.

Prompt # 021. sedated

2008-11-24T22:59:58Z

Prompt Set 2: #021. sedated
Flavour: CSI
Character(s): Sara Sidle, Gil Grissom
Rating: T
Word Count: 100
Spoilers: Nada

It was surreal seeing him like that: IV tube snaking up from his hand, wires disappearing under the blanket. He might be stoic, even reticent, but never fragile. He'd been a pillar of strength in her life since she'd met him. It didn't matter if he was aware of it, in fact, she was nearly certain he had no idea.

She sucked in a steadying breath, pushed away from the wall, eased into the chair beside the bed, and carefully curled her fingers into his palm.

*

"Sara?"

She raised her head groggily from the bed, "Hey."

Grissom smiled gently, "Hey."

Careful what you say (Foreign Language Challenge, T)

2008-11-20T23:40:11Z

Title: Careful what you say
Character(s)/Pairing: Abby, Gibbs
Rating: T (for language gaff)
Word Count: 100
Challenge: #14 Foreign Language
A/N: ASL may not be exactly "Foreign" but it is a different language.

Abby nearly choked on her Caf-Pow, swallowed, coughed, and signed an emphatic "What?" as she caught her breath.

Gibbs raised his eyebrows and signed slow and deliberate, "You hungry?"

She put a hand to her mouth as she nearly fell over laughing.

"Abby--"

Abby spoke as she signed, still giggling, "That is really not what you just asked me."

"Yeah, it is."

Abby regained her composure, "The second time it was."

"I signed the same thing."

Abby shook her head, "That's one you don't repeat for emphasis."

He sighed, "Okay, what did I ask you?"

"Different kind of hungry, Gibbs."

Prompt # 003. Slow Sucicide

2008-11-20T23:32:25Z

Prompt Set 2: #003. slow suicide
Flavour: CSI
Character(s): Gil Grissom, Sara Sidle
Rating: T
Word Count: 100
Spoilers: Spoilers 3.22 Play With Fire

"...by the time you do figure it out, it really could be too late." And she walked away.

Every time he caught a flash of her grin, or saw her laughing with the others, he felt a twinge he could not be part of that. Every time he had to meet her gaze with cool detachment, it was harder than the last. Every time he let her walk away not knowing how he wished things could be different, it broke his heart a little more. And every time her words returned to haunt him, he drowned them out with work.

Prompt # 004 Ooze

2008-11-17T09:13:06Z

Prompt Set 2: # 004. ooze
Flavour: CSI
Character(s): Sara Sidle
Rating: U
Word Count: 100
Spoilers: Nada

She pulled the wader straps up over her shoulders and glanced back through the trees. The rest of the team was out of sight, but not earshot. Sara studied the river up and down stream. Shouldering the metal detector, and her gauntlets, she squished her way up the marshy bank.

"Bingo," she grinned, flagging the spot before exchanging the metal detector for gauntlets. Ten minutes later, however, the smile had faded as she came up with another handful of muck.

"Looks like fun."

Sara used the inside of her elbow to push her hair back, "Why don't you join me?"

An old game (Baseball Challenge, U)

2008-11-17T03:55:00Z

Title: An old game
Character(s)/Pairing: Abby, Gibbs
Rating: U
Word Count: 100
Challenge: #28 Baseball

"Gibbs, I don't think I'm ready for this."

"Abs, you'll be fine. Just follow my lead."

"That's not what I'm worried about, Gibbs."

He settled a hand on her shoulder, "Then...?"

"I can't hit. What if I strike us out?"

He grinned at her, "Just remember the stance I taught you, and keep your eye on the ball. You'll do fine, Abs. Besides, you throw a mean curve. CID doesn't stand a chance." He studied her, "What's really bothering you, Abs?"

"Colonel Mann..."

"What about her?"

"Should I go easy, or...?"

"NCIS doesn't throw softballs, Abs."

Abby grinned, "She's toast."

Conversations in the car-park (Distractions Challenge, T)

2008-11-14T03:40:02Z

Title: Conversation in the car-park
Character(s)/Pairing: Abby, Gibbs
Rating: T
Word Count: 100
Challenge: #59 Distractions
Spoilers: 6x03 Capitol Offense

Gibbs shrugged into his overcoat on the way to the parking lot. What? He pulled the plastic tube from his breast pocket, "Abby..." he pivoted, but the lab lights were off. He tapped the tube against his palm, surveying the lot, and smiled. Abby's car was still there. He leaned against the fender, crossed his arms.

"Gibbs!" she bounced up and hugged him. He returned the hug.

"Caught the cupcake thief?"

"Not yet."

"So, you still need my DNA?"

She grabbed for the swab, but he held it high out of reach.

"I have other ways, Gibbs."

"Yeah?"

"You betcha."

Prompt # 048 Death

2008-11-14T03:29:27Z

Prompt Set 2: # 048. death
Flavour: CSI
Characters: Sara Sidle
Rating: T
Word Count: 100
Spoilers: Nada

Sara snapped photos, moving with long-practiced care to capture every placement in detail. Something flickered on the edge of her awareness. Something outside the familiar chaos of a crime scene. She lowered the camera slowly. There was something off, but she couldn't place it. She surveyed the scene. Warrick, Greg, and Grissom inside the tape; Brass and several uniforms outside the yellow boundary; beyond them, curious citizens. Nothing out of place. Her lips tightened in a cynical smile. Nothing except the girl whose life was cut short in this lot. Sara lifted the camera again, a shield against the brutality.

Staying over (Tired Challenge, T)

2008-11-13T04:45:24Z

Title: Staying over
Character(s)/Pairing: Abby /Gibbs
Rating: T
Word Count: 100
Challenge: #89 Tired
Spoilers: 4x11 Driven (if you squint really hard)

"Gibbs..."

He turned at the hallway. She held up his cell phone.

"You don't want me answering this half asleep in the middle of the night."

He leaned over the sofa back and she clapped the phone into his hand. He covered her hand with his, held her eyes, "Abs..."

"I hate this Gibbs! You haven't done anything wrong. You're not some creep with wandering hands, and you're not intimidating!"

His eyebrows rose.

"Okay, you are, but not like that. Not with me."

"We'll get through this, Abs."

"Promise?"

He pulled her close, planted a kiss on her head, "Promise."

Moments (Distractions Challenge, T)

2008-11-10T22:16:04Z

Title: Moments
Character(s)/Pairing: Abby /Gibbs
Rating: T (suggestiveness)
Word Count: 100
Challenge: #59 Distractions

He turned from the dresser. She hovered in the doorway running a thumbnail down the doorjamb grain.

"Abs?"

Her head snapped up, "Nothing! Why would you--" She trailed off at his look.

He crossed the bedroom, "Abby... what are you afraid of?"

She shrugged, "Anthrax, beach volleyball, Barney--"

He laughed softly, pointed to the bathroom door, "Shower. And if I hear a thud, I'm coming in to check on you."

"Yeah?"

He nodded gravely.

An impish grin flickered across her lips, "Promises, promises, Gibbs."

He swatted her behind as she passed.

She whirled aiming a finger and glower at him.

Prompt # 049. writer's choice : ego

2008-11-10T22:03:14Z

Prompt Set 2: # 049. writer's choice : ego
Flavour: CSI
Characters: Sara Sidle, David Hodges
Rating: U
Word Count: 100
Spoilers: Nada

"I know what this is about."

Sara turned at the door, eyebrows raised, "It's about trace from the Montrose crime scene."

Hodges smirked and shook his head, "Not that," he gestured dismissively at the microscope, "This." His finger moved significantly from her to himself.

Sara's brows came down, eyes narrowing, "What 'this' would that be, exactly?"

"Your animosity towards me. You're jealous."

She coughed quickly to hide the snort of incredulity.

"Oh, not just of my scientific genius. Everyone here resents that. Except Gil. He appreciates having an intellectual equal to confide in. And you resent that more than most."

CSI #011 from whence we came

2008-11-08T07:59:53Z

Prompt Set 2: #011 from whence we came
Flavour: CSI
Characters: Unspecified
Rating: T
Word Count: 100
Spoilers: Nada

Flashing lights and yellow tape draw crowds. A morbid curiosity to see what has been done to one of us, by one of us.

I pass through whispers, questions, speculation, sometimes shouts and shoving. They all want answers. I have none to give. Not yet.

But they stand back, well back, when black vinyl on the gurney rolls by. They shy and shift, dispersing back to homes, to jobs, to life, and leave us to our work. Hours later, when the streets are silent, the curious gone, our task has just begun. The lone Denali sets out for the lab.

Passing in the night (Lost Challenge, NCIS)

2008-11-08T06:32:56Z

Title: Passing in the night
Character/Pairing: Abby Sciuto, Director Shepard
Rating: U
Challenge: #61 Lost
Word Count: 100
Spoilers: 5x06 Chimera
A/N: Because the episode just kinda... ended.

Abby scowled at the screen, "Come on... where are you?" Her fingers danced across the keyboard. "C'mon.... Ducky?"

The screen remained static. She glared. "Right, you. It's on."

Abby scowled at the persistently blinking message. "What do you mean, 'No feed'? It's right..." she stared at the screen, "there." Black smoke rolled from the jagged hulk of sinking scrap metal.

"No," she breathed, then in growing desperation, "no, no, no, no, NO!"

Abby flew up three flights, nearly flattening two security guards outside MTAC.

"Director--"

"Abby..."

"No..."

Shepard nodded silently.

Abby stumbled backward into the railing smothering a sob.

Ships that pass (Politics Challenge, NCIS)

2008-11-07T09:54:24Z

Title: Ships that pass
Character/Pairing: Director Shepard, Commander Skinner
Rating: T (Jenny is less than pleased)
Challenge: Politics
Word Count: 100
Spoilers: 5x06 Chimera
A/N: Because the episode just kinda... ended.

"The hell did you just do!" Director Shepard rounded on Commander Skinner, "My people were still on that ship!"

"I followed protocol. If the Chimera was ever to be breached this was always the contingency. In the interest of National Security I must remind you--"

"Screw National Security, I'm holding you for murder! My agents were still on that ship."

"Director Shepard, you signed--"

"Get security up here, now!" Shepard snapped, then to the Commander, "If I were you, Commander, I'd get myself a damn good lawyer."

"Director Shepard, the United States Navy never had a ship called Chimera."

Fraternization (NCIS)

2008-11-07T09:33:44Z

Title: Fraternization
Character/Pairing: Gibbs/Abby
Rating: T
Word Count: 1,439
Spoilers: Inspired by 4x11 Driven (but only if you squint really hard)
A/N: It's really hard to describe sign language!

The elevator chimed and Abby entered the squadroom.

"Hey, Abs. What's cookin'?"

"Hiya , Tony," she grinned. She flicked a look at the desk beside the stairs. "Where's Gibbs?"

Tony swirled a finger and pointed to the landing above, "With the Director." He folded his hands on the desk, "So... what brings you up here this morning?"

"I've been summoned by Her Directorship."

"Yeah?" She nodded, and Tony arched his brows and leaned forward conspiratorially, "You might want to give them a while before you head up," he winked.

"Tony, wash your mind out with soap." She crossed her arms sternly.

"Well, she seemed awfully hot about something..."

Abby smirked, "You just think she's hot, Tony."

"Abigail Sciuto, bite your tongue."

Abby glared at him, "Don't call me that."

"Oh, looks like you're clear." Tony nodded to the balcony where Gibbs was headed for the elevator. Abby aimed a stern finger at Tony, then scooted for the stairs.

She paused just outside MTAC, "Gibbs," she raised a hand in greeting, but he didn't so much as glance in her direction, merely jabbed a key and watched the panel as the doors rolled shut.

She stood, blinking at the elevator doors for several seconds before remembering she was due in the Director's office.

- - -

Abby stood just inside the door, smiling uncertainly. Director Shepard sat on the edge of her desk, surveying her. Abby shifted and her platform boots creaked loud in the silence.

"You wanted to see me, Director?" Abby prompted, "Because I might've misunderstood. If I'm interrupting, I can go back to the lab, there's lots more..." she trailed off as Shepard raised her eyebrows.

"Evidence can wait, Abby."

"Okay, yeah. It'll be running for another six hours anyway..."

"You received the memo about NCIS dress code, correct?"

"Yeah, Gibbs said he'd sort it out with you. He did sort it out..."

"And you think this is appropriate attire for the workplace?"

"What's wrong with--" she glanced down at her outfit, "Oh! Lab coat. I left it in the lab, but I do wear it. I wear it whenever I'm working with any evidence in the lab. And gloves. I always wear gloves. Even outside. But not latex. You can never be too careful about sun expos--"

"Abby," Shepard cut her off, "this is not about lab coats or gloves."

Abby's expression slipped a notch, "No?"

"No."

"Then..."

"Sexual Harassment."

Abby blinked at the Director. "Sexual Harassment? Okay, yeah, some of the guys in Human Resources have wandering hands, but it's really not an issue unless we're doing trust falls in team building workshops."

"Not Human Resources, Abby."

"Then-- You don't think Tony... Tony's harmless. Maybe a flirt, but he'd never--"

"Abigail," Abby flinched slightly at her full name, and Shepard clicked the small remote sideways at the plasma screen on the wall.

Security clips of her lab flicked across the screen and Abby stared, dumbstruck.

Shepard clicked the remote again, freezing an image.

"It's not--"

Shepard sighed, shook her head, and began again more gently, "Abby, I know how charming Jethro can be, believe me, I know. But this," she gestured at the still, "it is completely inappropriate."

"But--"

Shepard smiled, "You don't need to explain."

"But it's not--"

"I understand, Abby, I do. It is very difficult to say 'no' to Jethro. Though you don't appear to have done much to discourage him. Which is why I asked you up here. I've spoken to Gibbs about this, and I'll be keeping an eye on the pair of you. I just want you to know that I can file a complaint on your behalf and there won't be any need for awkward questions."

"No!" Shepard's eyes snapped to Abby, brows raised, "I mean... that won't be necessary, Madam-- Director Shepard... Ma'am. I'm sure Agent Gibbs will take your warning to heart and behave himself."

Shepard grinned at her, "You have such faith in him."

"And I'll try harder to discourage his inappropriate advances" Abby forced a smile, "and if none of that works, there's always the security footage."

"Yes, there is."

"So... we can see how things go before filing any formal complaints?"

Shepard crossed her arms and studied Abby.

"If there are any further incidents, Abby, I'll do everything in my power to have you reassigned somewhere safely out of his reach," she smiled, "How does Hawaii sound?"

"I hope it isn't necessary, Director Shepard."

"So do I, Abby." Shepard circled around her desk and settled into her chair, "You can get back to your evidence."

"Thank you, Director." Abby veritably fled the office.

Shepard watched her go, sighed, and returned her gaze to the still on the plasma. "She's hardly your type, Jethro."

- - -

Abby fought the tears all the way to the elevator, where she hammered the down arrow until the doors rolled open. She slapped the third button down, bouncing as the doors rumbled shut. As soon as the car jolted to movement, she wrenched the emergency stop, kicked the wall, and banged it with her fist before sliding down to hug her knees in a corner. She tipped her head back, knocking it softly against the paneling. She only stayed there a moment before shooting back to her feet and kicking the wall again.

"He didn't do anything wrong!"

She twisted her palms hard over her eyes, sniffing back the brewing sobs, and thumped the wall again.

Abby finally reactivated the elevator and retreated to the solitude of her lab. She'd barely regained her composure when her office phone rang.

"Lab."

"Abigail? Are you quite all right?"

She shut her eyes, "What's up Ducky?"

"I tried to raise you on the vid-link, but you weren't answering. Are you certain everything is alright?"

"Didn't hear the vid-link."

"I could use your assistance down in Autopsy."

"I'm a little swamped up here Ducky."

"I appreciate that, Abby, but I really don't think this can wait."

"Vid me."

"It isn't something I can 'vid' you."

"I'll be down as soon as I can."

"Very well, but don't be too long about it, will you? It might result in head-trauma," and he clicked off.

Abby blinked at the receiver. Head trauma? Her eyes went wide. No... maybe? She hung up and headed to the elevator wondering.

Ducky met her at the door to Autopsy.

He surveyed her with some concern, "Oh, my dear girl," he moved toward her, but she backed off. He stopped at once "Abigail, what--?"

She shook her head, "Nothing, Ducky, what couldn't wait?"

He motioned her into Autopsy.

"Ducky, enough with the mystery. I've had all the guessing games I can take today. What couldn't wait?"

"Me."

She backpedaled hard, "Ducky--"

Ducky caught her arm pulling her up short, "One more step back and you're in range of the security cameras again," he told her sharply under his breath, "Yes, I think you'll find this fascinating, Abigail..."

She stared from Ducky to Gibbs and back and forth again as Ducky plunged on into one of his rambling anecdotes.

Abby swallowed hard, lips trembling.

Gibbs placed a closed 'a-hand' over his heart, thumb curving and straightening. Eyes on hers, his hand shifted, thumb across his fingers, to run small circles over his chest.

Her hands flicked in quick response, "Never say sorry, Gibbs."

He stepped closer, his hand moving toward her shoulder. She flinched, eyes seeking the security camera. He dropped his hand. "She threatened you."

Abby shut her eyes hard.

"Shhh," he wrapped his arms around her.

"Gibbs--" she tried to pull back, he held her tighter.

"We know exactly where the blind zones are down here, Abs," he murmured against her hair.

She hugged him back so hard he staggered.

"Abs," he gasped.

She eased up with a tiny chuckle, "And you call yourself a Marine."

"Hey, even Marines need to breathe."

"Gibbs, I don't think I can do this."

He sighed, kissed her temple, "We'll manage, Abs. Somehow."

Ducky cleared his throat a discreet distance away and they sprang apart. "I'm afraid we must complete this ruse before anyone becomes suspicious."

Gibbs nodded, and Abby beckoned Ducky closer to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Ducky, you're the best."

"You know, this reminds me of a time during the War, when I was called upon to be a liaison between... but perhaps that is a tale for another day. You intimated you were quite busy up in the lab." He handed her a specimen jar.

"What's this?"

"The item you will no doubt find quite fascinating, and which I have been expounding upon while you were... otherwise engaged."

More Archivin'

2008-08-17T11:29:05Z

Title: Unintended
Flavour: Mothership
Characters: Jack McCoy
Word Count: 100
Rating: T

Jack woke in the dark, shifted, and froze. He squinted down at the tousled dark head asleep on his shoulder. He dropped his head back and shut his eyes hard. Oh God...

Several shaky breaths passed before he moved again. Carefully extricating himself from her sleeping embrace, he slipped out of the bedroom.

The bottle trembled as he filled a glass. It was this case. It brought it all back. He wasn't thinking straight. Jack downed the Scotch in one gulp and leaned against the counter.

"Claire's dead," he reminded himself brutally.

She would never understand. And why should she?

Title: Pocket full of Mumbles
Flavour: your choice
Characters: see above
Word Count: 100
Rating: U

He stared up at her from the clandestine press clippings, serious and reserved. The only thing to change over the years was the young woman standing beside him. She sighed, eyes drifting shut, remembering the time when it had been her.

They used to amuse each other coming up with press statements that told the reporters absolutely nothing while still sounding tantalizingly newsworthy.

She shook her head sharply, blinking back the tears. This was all the connection she could ever have to that life; a box of meaningless press statements hidden back in the closet.

She packed them away tenderly.

Title: Company
Flavour: Mothership
Characters: Jack McCoy, Claire Kincaid
Word Count: 100
Rating: U
A/N: Set immediately after House Council.

"You should take the next one. I wouldn't be very good company." Jack watched her until the elevator doors closed and sighed. How could Mark have changed so much? What could drive a man to such blind obduracy? He shook his head, smiling wryly. That cut both ways. Jack wanted to believe he'd been solely motivated by justice, not some lurking desire to get one up on the C student whose briefcase he wasn't fit to carry.

His steps slowed in the garage, "Claire..."

"Good company or not, you look like you could use some. Buy you a drink, Counselor?"

Drabble Archivin'

2008-08-17T11:24:45Z

Title: Lost
Flavour: Mothership
Characters: Jack McCoy
Word Count: 100
Rating: U

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound..."

Jack McCoy stood numb beside the lacquered casket. His eyes wandered the crowd, throat tightening. How many had actually known her? He wondered if he'd really known her.

"T'was Grace that taught my heart to sing, and Grace my fears relieved..."

He remembered how she could make him smile with a word or a look. He should have found her. It shouldn't have ended that way.

"I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now, I see."

He had only begun to see the gaping hole she'd left in his life.

Title: Haunted Eyes
Flavour: SVU
Characters: Olivia Benson, Elliot Stabler
Word Count: 100
Rating: T

Elliot put a hand on her shoulder, "You've picked up a shadow, Liv."

Olivia glanced over her shoulder. Big brown eyes peered over the tattered, grey bunny-rabbit.

Olivia knelt on the bottom stair, "Sweetheart, what's wrong? You should be sleeping."

"Not sleepy," she mumbled.

Olivia sighed, sat on the stairs and held out a hand to the girl. She approached shyly; then curled up on the detective's lap. Olivia smoothed her hair, "We found your daddy. He's coming to take you home."

The girl shot out of her arms; pressed herself against the wall hugging her bunny.

Alarm bells blared.

Title: Veneer
Flavour: Mothership
Characters: Claire Kincaid, Jack McCoy
Word Count: 100
Rating: U
Author's Note: Set during/after "Bitter Fruit".

Claire closed another file, moved it to the growing stack to her right, ran a hand through her hair, and glanced up.

"Jack," she gasped. How long had he been standing there?

He gave her a half smile, "Planning to stay all night?"

"Paperwork won't do itself." She reached for another file. He gently stopped her hand.

"Claire--"

She jerked her hand back. The sob took her completely off-guard. She shook her head fiercely. "I'm fine, Jack."

He sat on the corner of the desk, tenderly smoothed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, "She nearly hit you too."

Sacrifice

2007-03-04T11:14:53Z

Title: Values
Flavour: Mothership
Characters: Claire Kincaid, Jack McCoy, OC
Word Count: 100
Rating: U

"Claire; still indentured to the State?"

"Steven. Still trying to set the criminals free?"

"What criminal? My client is innocent."

"You're dreaming."

"You know that's not what I dream about."

Claire crossed her arms, backed up against the desk. McCoy arched an eyebrow.

"What can we do for you, Mr. Sudnik?"

Sudnik passed across a sheaf of papers, but his eyes never left Claire.

"You know, that offer's still open. Any time you want to trade up... corporate jet, corner office, car service..."

"And work for you? I'll keep the fabulous hours and unparalleled pay scale of the DA's office."

Title: Adversarial
Flavour: Pick your favourite
Characters: Unspecified ADA
Word Count: 100
Rating: U

"Still working for the great state of New York?"

"Still trying to set the criminals free?"

"Just searching for justice."

"You're on the wrong side of the aisle for that."

"You're getting cynical in your old age."

"And you never change. File all the motions you want, the case is rock solid. You have no legal grounds to challenge the evidence."

"Your talents are wasted in this office."

"So where should I be?"

"You know, that offer's still open. Any time you want to trade up..."

"What, and give up the perks, the fabulous hours, and the unparalleled pay scale?"

Title: Why?
Flavour: SVU
Characters: Olivia Benson
Word Count: 100
Rating: U

"And how does that affect your social life?"

Olivia barely suppressed a snort of laughter, "Social life... right. Doctors are on call at all hours too, but..." she cleared her throat, "our work; it's not something to talk about over dinner or drinks." She stared out the window, but she wasn't seeing the world. "What we do either makes them uneasy, or it turns them on," she settled her shoulders, "which turns me off."

"If this job is such a burden, then why do it?"

"The day I have to ask that question is the day I quit this job."