#gone 2012

“Yeah, so it’s okay?”

Molly smiled at her unsurely, but nodded. After that, Jill didn’t bother to wait for the detective to come walking up to her door and bounded out of it and ran to the police car, sliding into the passenger seat effortlessly.

He was startled, but smiled easily at her.

“Well, since we’re all set to go, can I make the place a surprise and not let that be triggery for you?” his smile faltered slightly.

She only raised an eyebrow at him. “Triggery?” but he just kept looking at her hesitantly. “No, I’ll be fine. A surprise, huh? Sounds interesting.”

He only answered with a quick wink and then he was driving off. She was surprised at the destination, seeing an old but well-furnished and taken cared of building. Before she could stop observing and get out herself, Detective Peter Hood had gone around to her side and opened the door for her, even offering her a hand. Humoring him, she accepted his hand and allowed him to lead her inside.

They were quickly seated and she wouldn’t admit she thought he’d take her to Starbuck’s or something, and that this alternative was rather a nice surprise; cozy and homely inside and Fred Astaire’s Dancing Cheek to Cheek floating in the background and adding a sort of relaxed but welcoming atmosphere that made her feel more than comfortable . The waitress came in and her companion was recognized and ordered his “usual.” Jill thought about her choice and decided to do something different.

“Hot chocolate, please,” she gave an awkward smile to the older lady, who wrote down her order.

When they were left alone, she could feel his stare boring into her and she looked up and frowned at him.

“What?”

“Sorry,” he apologized with a half-grin. “Probably a nosy observation, but I hadn’t thought you’d order hot chocolate.”

She shrugged uncomfortably. “I’m…trying to cut back on coffee. I drank a lot of it…then, trying to keep…nightmares away.”

His warm smile made her reluctantly relax, and she couldn’t help sharing his infectious cheer.

When their order came, she was amused and surprised once more to see his “usual” was actually also a cup of hot chocolate.

“Thank you, Detective Hood.”

“Just…Peter, please?”

He sounded so hopeful that she couldn’t help the large smile that grew on her face as she repeated his name.

“Peter, then.”