#thef2ll

FINGERS FIDGETED AND FUMBLED, WHICH SHE KNEW was only giving away to her own inner anxiety, but that's all it was; the anxiety. That lingering sensation in the back of her mind, screaming. Regardless of there being no fault of her own that could have held her under any sort of liability. It wasn't just this, though, the particular conversation was only a minor setback to everything else going on inside her head. She's almost distracted, her focus teetering until eyes slowly gaze up at the woman in front of her again. But the statement in itself does cause even the slightest bit of tension that warrants defense, brows furrowing. ❝ What reason or… reasons, for that matter, would I have to lie about? It was an accident. ❞

she hesitates, frustration taking over her body and that's never a good sign. breathing deeply, inhale and exhale letting go of all that bullshit before taking a seat finally, she needed to walk away. her head tilting to the side, nat eyes off the woman before speaking. "lady, i'm fine okay? i got this..." she doesn't need help. she's never needed it.

ALWAYS ONE TO ACT ON INSTINCT ABOVE ALL ELSE , it shouldn't be a surprise that he has ended up here . duffle bag slung over his shoulder , spine straight as he stands tall , red - rimmed eyes bright despite clear weariness . it isn't nerves that claw at his chest , but rather excitement that only mounts upon the first click of the lock . and when he finally lays eyes on @thef2ll , lips pull into a wide grin . " yeah see , that bakery down the street from the district had this special on those little chocolate things you like so much . " he lifts an arm to display a paper bag , held delicately despite the clear disfiguration indicating something dented it ( and dented it hard ) . " and i couldn't mail them , they wouldn't get to you in time to actually taste good . " opposite arm is cradling a bouquet that he now gestures to with a nod of his head . " then there's these . when we were walking down racine you had said they were nice . so when i saw them again — i mean , that's gotta be a sign , right ? ........plus , platt is on my ass about taking some vacation and — it's your birthday . " there's barely a beat before he continues , shoulders rising and falling in a single shrug as if it's the most obvious thing in the world . " so yeah , i'm here . happy birthday , stel . "

NATALIE REMAINED QUIET AS SHE LOOKED AT THE SUPERINTENDENT, a hint of sadness behind her eyes. She was tired, emotionally exhausted from everything. There was some hesitation even in just the way she stood there when the blonde stepped forward, eventually closing some of the distance between them. Eyes wandering over her face for a brief moment to gage the next move, that silence still lingering. Their fingers brushed, as if to be somewhat comforting before they both began to lean in a bit closer. Natalie's bottom lip nearly quivered in that moment of anticipation, until Stella changed the course of her direction by placing a light kiss upon cheek instead. Head bowed in defeat, the want to scoff just resting without being fully released. Of course, everything involving the brunette was always one sided or maybe the detective was just still attempting some semblance of professionalism. Not that she could entirely blame her. ❝ You can drop the act, you know? ❞

⁽ ¹ ⁾ @thef2ll / ⁽ ² ⁾ scandal sentence starters ... put another glass of scotch on top of it and just deal with it.

“I’m not jumping to conclusions.” Tim replied as he stopped what he was doing, his trace still running as he looked at the other. “I’m simply saying that we can’t rule out the fact that maybe she had something to do with it.” Joint investigations weren’t really something Gibbs enjoyed, and even more so when they were with people the team didn’t know that well. But when their case turned out to be related to Stella Gibson’s case, a joint investigation seemed to be the only other option. “We can’t rule out anything right now.” 

HEAD LULLED AND ROLLED A BIT AFTER THE QUESTION, shoulders scrunching in a stubborn sort of manner as she remained silent for a moment. Lips pursed, she could easily have asked the other to leave and she knew that she should. But there was a part of Natalie that didn't want her to. A conflict of interest, one might say. ❝ No. ❞ Natalie says with some attitude to tone, moving towards the cupboards and procuring two glasses before opening the freezer. Few cubes of ice placed in each glass and then pouring a generous amount of whiskey for the both of them. Handing one to Stella, she takes several steps back and leans up against the counter. ❝ Sorry, it's not the fancy stuff you're used to. ❞ As if she knew the detective's whiskey of choice. ❝ I'm not always such an asshole, you know? ❞