Liquid Courage

Syn

R

I do not own these characters.

Summary: Daisy comes over to Roxy's on Christmas Eve.  But what for?

Notes: Written for sakuracorr for my Holiday Ficathon Project.

 

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"Daisy, Daisy Adair," Roxy drawled as she opened the door of her apartment.  Her lips twisted into a sour smile. "What do I owe the pleasure?"

 

"It's Christmas!" Daisy said brightly, holding up brightly wrapped present. "I thought you could use a little holiday cheer!"

 

"I don't need cheer," Roxy said, leaning against the doorframe.

 

"That frown on your face says differently," Daisy said, shaking the box. "Come on!  Let me in!"

 

"I don't think so," Roxy said, one eyebrow lifting in Daisy's direction.

 

"Come on!  It's Christmas!"

 

"You said that."

 

"So let me in!  Or I won't give you your present," Daisy said in a warning, wheedling voice.

 

"Where did you steal it?" Roxy shot at her, but Daisy just smiled.

 

"Please?" she went on in her slightly whining voice. "Just let me in."

 

"Why?" Roxy asked her distrustfully.

 

"Because..." Daisy said, taking a deep breath. "George and Mason are driving me crazy.  I needed to get out of the house for a while."

 

Roxy looked at her blankly. "So...you came here?"

 

"Yeah," she said, almost apologetically.

 

"I can't stand you.  You can't stand me either."

 

"Now that's where you're wrong, Roxy.  I do like you.  You're very forceful and you have good fashion sense," Daisy said breathlessly.

 

"That's good to know.  But that doesn't mean I like you any better," Roxy said, moving to shut the door.

 

"Roxy, please?  It's Christmas Eve.  Just let me hang out for a few hours," Daisy pleaded, her cornflower blue eyes growing wide as she shook the present again. "Just a little while, I promise."

 

Roxy, the sour expression still on her face, opened the door wide and jerked her head.  Daisy smiled and walked past her into the apartment.  She stopped and looked around, her eyes wide, the white Christmas lights reflected in her eyes. 

 

"Beautiful tree," she said as she put her bag and the present she'd brought on the couch. "I've never been in your apartment, you know."

 

"What a shame," Roxy said caustically.  Daisy ignored her sarcasm and looked at the pictures on the walls.

 

"You really DO have good taste, you know," she said. "Very feminine.  For a cop."

 

"Cops can be feminine," Roxy said defensively. "I'm all woman inside, girl."

 

"Of course you are," Daisy said, turning her thousand-watt smile on her. "With a gun."

 

"So...I made eggnog," Roxy cut across her, walking into her kitchen. "Want some?"

 

"Alcoholic or non?" Daisy asked, following her.

 

"What do you think?" Roxy said with a lift of her eyebrow. Daisy sighed.

 

"I don't do well with alcohol," Daisy winced. "But if it's only one cup..."

 

Roxy nodded and poured them both a steaming cup of hot eggnog.  She tossed a sprinkling of nutmeg on top both of them and passed a mug to Daisy, who took it tenderly in her slender fingers.  She took a sip and licked her lips.

 

"It's good."

 

"Thanks," Roxy said, leaning back against her kitchen counter and taking a large gulp herself. "It's an old recipe."

 

Daisy nodded and they both stood together, drinking the eggnog in awkward silence.  Roxy finished one cup and poured herself another.  She filled Daisy's empty cup up without asking if she wanted more.  Daisy didn't comment as she lifted her cup to her lips again.

 

"Cary Grant used to make delicious eggnog.  The man was a wonderful cook," Daisy said conversationally, taking a deep drink of the hot, creamy liquid. "He did everything wonderfully, actually."

 

"Is this another "I did that celebrity" sex story?" Roxy said. "Because if it is, I'm not interested."

 

Daisy looked at her over the rim of her cup, the steam curling around her nose. "Jealous?"

 

Roxy looked at her hard. "Do I look like I give a fuck if you've fucked every movie star from here to Hollywood?"

 

"Well, you seem like you're harboring some sour grapes," Daisy said, sighing.

 

"What I'm really wondering is if those little stories of yours are even true," Roxy said, finishing her hot cup in one gulp.  The liquid burnt a path down her esophagus, warming her chest.  She poured herself another cup immediately.  The alcohol was already beginning to make her head swim slightly.  The warm room had a soft edge to it and little sparkles of light were dancing in Daisy's light blonde hair.

 

"Are you saying I'm lying?" Daisy said, affronted.  She drained her cup of eggnog and glared at Roxy. "Why would I lie?"

 

"Who knows?" Roxy said with a shrug, pouring Daisy another cup.  Daisy took a quick swig. "To make yourself seem important?  I've seen your kind a billion times.  You're insecure so you cover it up with lies."

 

Daisy's looked at her, hurt blossoming in her cornflower blue eyes. Seconds later, the expression was forced back and she smiled brightly at her again. "That just proves you don't know a thing about me, Roxy."

 

"Don't I?" Roxy said, finishing her next cup.  The creamy beverage sloshed hotly in her stomach and the room was uncomfortably warm. She poured herself another large cup and moved past Daisy, who closed her eyes as Roxy passed. "I guess I'm just an idiot then."

 

"I didn't say that," Daisy said, following her out of the kitchen and into Roxy's living room.  The Christmas tree lights were soft, sparkles of white like snowflakes swimming in Roxy's vision. "But then again, I don't know YOU all that well so you might be."

 

Roxy turned back around and faced her. "Do you want me to shoot you?"

 

"That old chestnut?" Daisy said, mischief sparkling in her gaze.  She giggled. "No thank you.  Besides, you won't get your present if you do."

 

Roxy sat down on the couch with a sigh.  Daisy collapsed next to her, taking another long drink of her eggnog.  Roxy was feeling pleasantly warm and had a feeling she was in danger of getting tipsy soon.  "So what is it?"

 

"Open it up, silly!" Daisy giggled, thrusting the present at her.  Roxy took it and tore the paper off with a loud rip. "It's a music box."

 

Roxy looked at the packaging and smiled.  It was a pretty silver music box, very feminine but hard somehow. "Thanks, Daisy.  Your present is under the tree, by the way."

 

Daisy looked genuinely surprised. "You bought me something?"

 

"Of course," Roxy said.  Daisy didn't move to go get the present, however.  She took another drink of her eggnog and blinked sleepily at Roxy.

 

"You know," Daisy began, leaning close to her.  Her breath was sweet and spicy like the eggnog as she said, "I really admire you, Roxy."

 

"You do?" Roxy said, looking into Daisy's eyes.  Her stomach swooped slightly.

 

"Yeah..."

 

Daisy kissed her softly, mouth closing on hers.  She tasted like the eggnog and strawberry lip-gloss.  Roxy was too stunned to move for several moments and then, her head swimming, she kissed her back; tentatively at first and then with growing confidence.  Daisy's mouth was soft and dark as their mouths moved over each other's.  Roxy angled her head, tongue sweeping into Daisy's mouth on a moan. 

 

Their tongues met, dancing between each other's lips.  Roxy's hands were suddenly on her slender waist.  She felt Daisy put her hands on her shoulders, fingering the soft ends of her black hair, which curled over her shoulders.  The warm feeling in her stomach spiked as she deepened the kiss even further.

 

They were a tangle of limbs, soft lips and tongues. Daisy thrust against her, her tongue heady with the lingering taste of the eggnog.  Roxy moaned slightly and just as suddenly as she'd kissed her, Daisy drew back.  Roxy stared at her in surprise. 

 

She realized suddenly, as she looked at Daisy Adair, her tumescent lips drawing into a soft smile, that she really didn't know her very well at all.  Or maybe she didn't know herself as well as she'd thought...

 

"See?" Daisy said softly, her eyes drooping to half-mast. "You don't hate me..."

 

"Why did you come over tonight?"  Roxy demanded, her heart hammering in her chest.

 

Daisy, however, didn't answer. 

 

"Night Roxy," Daisy said breathlessly as she stood and strolled out the front door.  It closed behind her with a muffled click.

 

Roxy stared after her, her head swimming from the alcohol in the eggnog.  She shook her head, the world spinning around her as she did so.  She looked up at the clock on the wall.  It was well past midnight and officially Christmas. 

 

She didn't think she'd had a more memorable one, not in all her long years.  Roxy sighed and stared at the closed door.

 

"Goodnight, Daisy Adair," Roxy said softly, taking another drink of her eggnog.

 

(end)

 

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