Roll Away Your Stone 1/18

[whedonist]

Series: Secret
Story: Roll Away Your Stone
Chapter: Tell Me A...
Rating: R - there be some lovin' below
Pairing: Nikki/Nora
Disclaimer: All bow to Nancylee Myatt. I'm mucking about in her sandbox...no harm no foul. Also, thank you Dirk…for uh, ya know, putting up with my sh!t.

Author’s Inane Ramblings: Hello all…or a few of you, I can never really tell how many of you are actually reading, but there are some of you out there, this much I know, so at any rate – how’s life been? February and March were insane and April’s not looking much better, but I did manage a nice week off where I ran my sixteen year old nephew up and down Manhattan and then all over Pittsburgh, so that was awesome. P & P also has my submission for the Epic Proportions challenge which I’ll post to LJ after it goes up on Ralst’s site, my guess is sometime mid-April.

Now as for the story, hmm, I’m not sure what to say…this takes place way after my last story, Stuff & Nonsense, and a little less than year after the pilot. I think I do okay keeping you lot up to speed on the time jump. Lastly, all of my fics, are usually inspired by songs, *professed audiophile here*, this set of stories is no different. The series title is inspired by Missy Higgins’ song – “Secret”, the title of the story – Mumford and Sons – Roll Away Your Stone. I’d recommend both of them, if you haven’t already heard.
Other than that…read and enjoy. =0)

Ch. 1 – Tell Me A…

“Niiiikkkkiiiiii,” my girl wines from the passenger seat of our new car, a Porsche Cayenne that Nora’s affectionately named Bruce, “Tell me where we’re going.”

I laugh, loudly, wanting to make sure that Nora hears the enjoyment I’m getting out of having her cuffed and blindfolded next to me. “Sugga,” I purr and run a soothing hand up and down her left thigh, “Relax, we haven’t properly celebrated your birthday for two years.” I leave my hand on her upper thigh. “If you remember rightly, it was right after we came back from my first trip to Virginia. Let me have my fun.”

She huffs and puffs, but ultimately, shuts up to let me drive to our destination. While where we’re going isn’t exactly how I would have pictured spending Nora’s thirty-fourth birthday, seeing her face when she sees the people from work, her mother and Bobby…it will at least be entertaining for me.

Bobby and I have been coordinating this since early December. Mrs. Delaney wanted to plan a little something special for Nora, as well as Nora’s brother, Patrick, who is coming back to New Orleans. Bobby’s picking him and his business partner up from the airport as we head to the restaurant.

“Nik,” Nora says, “since you won’t tell me where we’re going, can you at least tell me what we’ll be doing?”

“Birthday festivities. Why can’t you relax?” I ask. I know very well why she can’t relax; it’s not something my partner is ever really good at, more so over the past few years. Living the way we live, It makes it kind of hard…too many secrets and too many lies.

“I just…” She huffs again and pouts, “Are the handcuffs really necessary?”

“Not entirely,” I admit and run my free hand down her cheek, “but I just don’t know if I can trust you to keep the blindfold on.” Deciding that my touch is soothing, I begin to play with the hair at the nape of her neck, letting my nails skim over flesh.

Her breath hitches and she says, “If I promise to not take the blindfold off?”

“Hmm,” I draw out the decision, “I don’t know. The last time I had you blindfolded and told you not to remove it, you did the exact opposite.”

“But you…” she stammers and even in the low light the car provides, I can see the frustration raise the color in her cheeks, “Reba jumped on my chest! I didn’t know our cat had a thing for boobs!”

I can’t help but snicker. It’s true. I went downstairs to put the surprise dinner together and bring it up to Nora, but our cat, thank you Darius, thought she’d take advantage of her mistress.

“Yes, well,” I manage through my fit of giggles, “it seems Reba is more like her mommy than we previously thought.”

“Oh, don’t even. Darius gave that cat to YOU Nik, not me. I’ll take full responsibility for Mister, but Reba’s all yours.” She slumps back in her seat as I pull the car into the parking lot and find a space to park the Porsche.

“Now, will you be a good girl and let me un-cuff you?” I ask leaning over and whispering in her ear.

Her body shudders a little and she nods. I lean in and kiss her neck as I undo the cuffs. “You sit tight. I’m going to come around and get you.”

She gives off a low growl.

I shake my head. She’s just too cute for words sometimes. I take one last liberty and nip her ear lobe before stepping from the driver’s side. As I come around the rear end of the Cayenne, I see Bobby pull into the lot. He’s all grins.

Giving him a nod of recognition, I reach the passenger side to get Nora out, but she’s already standing outside the car, arms folded across her chest and her tongue firmly planted in her cheek. I grin. The blindfold’s still in place.

“You couldn’t wait could you?” I ask stopping right in front of her.

“You love me anyhow,” she says confidently.

Who can argue with that?

“True, but it’s not nice to take advantage of a lady’s affections, Ms. Delaney,” I chide jokingly.

“Good thing I don’t know any ladies.” She sticks her tongue out at me and I have half a mind to swat her ass, but I know Bobby and his charges are coming.

“You’ll pay for that later, sugga.” I lean in and quickly press our lips together. “I love you, Nora, but for now, let’s go.” I take her arm and lead her towards the front of the parking lot and to the entrance of the restaurant. Bobby and two men, one I assume is Patrick and the other…I draw a blank on his friend’s name. Bobby’s told me a few times, but it just doesn’t want to stick.

I smile and give the men a little wave looking the two new ones over. One has very short cropped dark blonde hair and the same eyes as Nora. I think I’ll call him Patrick. His back is rigid and he looks and moves like a Marine. With a broad chest and by the way the sleeves of his dress shirt are straining, he’s very in shape.

The other man is trimmer, lithe with jet black hair, razor cut and shaggy. His clothes are more in fashion and by the Prada shoes he’s wearing, he knows good footwear. He smiles at me too; it transforms his pouty lips and lightens his face. His dark brown eyes catch a little light and I like what I see.

I bring my index finger to my lips and ask for silence. The hostess takes us to the back of the room where I had reserved the large dining room.

“Nora, I’m going to take the blindfold off, but I have on rule,” I warn her.

“What would that be ba…?”

“That,” I say quickly, covering up for her near slip, and trail off. I, instead, whip the blind fold off and give her a light shove into the room as the group yells, “Surprise!”

“Holy Shii…” Nora’s surprised voice trails off as she sees her mom off to the right and she quickly recovers, “Sugar!”

“Now,” the man I’ve identified as Patrick booms behind Nora, “Is that anyway to greet your brother you haven’t seen in ages?”

Nora whips around and her beautiful green eyes grow as large as saucers. “Patrick?”

“Hey, Huggy,” Patrick says not giving Nora a chance to respond before he has his arms around her.

Finally, Nora reacts and wraps her arms around Patrick’s waist.

Mrs. Delaney comes up next to me as the group of guests gets in line to say hello to the two guests of honor. “Thank you, detective. Bobby told me you helped put everything together.”

I smile over at my lover’s mother and nod. She still doesn’t know about Nora and me. She has no clue her daughter’s in a committed relationship with another woman, but one day I hope my Nora will see fit to tell her. For now, I just enjoy seeing Nora shocked and happy. I have my own personal celebration planned for when we get home.

---

I stand off to the side as my friends, Bobby and mother mill around, getting along and laughing together. There are more cops here than anything so it makes mingling a little easier. And truth be told I’m still a little shocked. I can’t believe Nikki and my brother put this together.

And Patrick.

He’s talking with Nikki and I can’t believe he’s here. I’m just…floored.

My mom’s on her best behavior though. That’s a plus. I think she’s just happy to have three of her four kids in the same room at the same time. It hasn’t happened since dad passed.

“Happy birthday Nora,” Patrick’s friend, Chris offers as he comes up from leaving the small group of people talking with Bobby. “Sorry we haven’t had much chance to talk, your mother seems to be pumping me for information on her son.”

I grimace. “Sorry about that. She’s…well, she’s our mom.”

“It’s okay. Patrick had warned me about it. It’s nice to meet you all finally. He talks about you a lot.” Chris takes a sip of the drink in his hand I look over at my brother. We still haven’t had a chance to sit and talk much with everyone interrupting, but Nikki just got pulled away by Ben to settle an argument over something he and Dan have been carrying on about for the past half hour.

My older brother turns my way and winks. He looks good. San Diego has treated him well.

“Are you gonna tell your little sister what warrants you coming home for a visit?” I ask him folding my arms across my chest.

He shrugs. “It’s not a visit. We’re moving back,” he answers.

We?

“Who’s we?” I wonder out loud.

“Chris and me. I’ve retired from the Marines and Chris needs a change of pace. So we’re going to open up a business out here. I thought it was time to come home,” Patrick says smiling over at Chris.

“But…hell Pat, I thought you’d die in uniform,” I half tease him. Although it’s true. My brother loved being in the service. He served two tours in the Persian Gulf then went to San Diego to train new recruits. The last time we talked he was telling me about how much fun it was to break down the new guys.

He shrugs and offers me an easy smile, “Sometimes things change. It was time.”

My eyes narrow at him and I sense that there’s more to the story. Usually there is and it’s just a little overwhelming to hear that he retired.

“Okay,” I give in and hold my hands up, “It’s not like it won’t be good to have you home. Maybe then ma can stop harassing me and start harassing you more.”

“She still on you to get hitched?” he asks and then explains to his friend, “I think it has to do with her urge to plan another wedding. She’s been after Nora for years.”

“Ah,” Chris says smiling, “Why?”

“I think it’s ‘cause she thinks getting married will get me off the streets,” I grumble.

Chris gives a short bob of his head. “For a parent, I can see that, but if you’re anything like your brother, she should just give up.” The man gives me a wink and laughs. He’s different, nice enough, but there’s something about him that I can’t put my finger on.

I look over at Nikki and lock eyes with my lover. She gives me a wink and then jumps back into her conversation; it looks like she and Georgia are ganging up on Charlie. I should go over there and save him.

Charlie’s been such a good friend over the years. Nikki and I usually make it to dinner once or twice a month with him and his wife. Considering he’s known about Nikki and I for over a year now, it’s good to have him in our corner. It also makes the other cops jealous ‘cause he tends to give our bodies priority if he can.

“Huggy,” Patrick says touching my arm.

I break away from staring at my colleagues, well mostly Nikki, and shake my head. “Sorry, what did you say?”

“I was just asking how long you and Nikki have been partnered. Bobby says she’s a good cop. You two also seem close.” Patrick wiggles his eyebrows and my eyes narrow. His hands go up immediately at my look and he says, “It’s good though. You always tended be the loner of the Delaney clan.”

“Hey, I have friends,” I gripe a little too defensive.

“I’m not saying you didn’t…” His lips press together. “I mean…you keep a very tight group of friends.” He turns a little towards Chris and fills him in, “When we were growing up, Nora always seemed to only have one or two people around her.” He smiles at me, trying to take the judgment out of his words. I see what he’s saying, but it’s really none of his business and so help me if Bobby let anything slip, I will have his hide hung on my living room wall.

Chris lays a hand on my arm and commiserates, “It’s okay, I’m not much of a social butterfly either. Less drama and hassle.”

“Thank you. At least someone understands.” I point at Patrick and give as good as I get, “Unlike Mr. Social Butterfly here. He was always bringing girls home. One sometimes two at a time.”

Chris’ eyebrows hike in surprise, “Really?”

I nod an affirmative and take pleasure in the way my brother shifts under Chris’ scrutinizing gaze.

“You’ll have to tell me about this sometime,” Chris leans in and whispers.

“Hey, hey, none of this,” my brother points between the two of us, “I’m not moving home to be ganged up on by my runt sister and you, Mr. L.A. Music Mogul.”

I turn a raised eyebrow to Chris and he blushes, ducking his head. “What is it that you do?” I prod.

“Uh, I work for Sony Records, but I’m on leave and wanted to try starting my own label,” he says gently.

“Oh, that’s interesting. Nikki’s cousin is pretty involved in the local music scene, some jazz, rap and zydeco. I’m sure he’d be willing to show you around,” I offer. I’ll have to give Darius a heads up, but he’s usually up for more exposure and Chris might be able to help him there.

“Really, that would fantastic. I’m flying a little blind down here, but Patrick’s been very convincing that this was the city to find fresh talent,” Chris says grinning at my brother.

I take a sip of my drink and tilt my head sure that I’m missing something.

---

“Make sure you lock up Bruce,” Nora calls over her shoulder. I shake my head and watch her walk towards our home, arms full of the still wrapped presents she got for her birthday. I look at the Cayenne and try to figure out why, when we went shopping and bought the second car, she insisted on calling it Bruce.

I grab the last two bags and shut the trunk. Some things about Nora, even after four years of knowing her, remain a complete mystery. The naming of the vehicles being chief among them.

I let it go as I step inside our home and am greeted by a very happy Mister. He gives a soft woof in greeting and I say, “Hello to you too.” Setting the bags on the kitchen counter, I look around and wonder where Nora went. I hear the water run upstairs and have my answer.

Tossing the keys, my badge and small purse in the catch all basket on the kitchen counter I stoop down and scratch the mutt behind the ears. It took us a good six months of testing each other’s boundaries, but now Mister and I are on good terms…as long as he keeps out of the closet and doesn’t chew up any more of my shoes.

“Why don’t we go and see what your mama’s up to?” I suggest to the dog. I toss my coat on the back of a kitchen chair and make my way upstairs. Mister following behind.

“Nora, sugga?” I call out.

“Be right out,” she calls from behind the closed bathroom door. I shrug and go around the other way to our bedroom.

Mister hops up on the bed, dislodging Reba from her spot among the pillows. I snicker as the cat gives off a plaintive meow before jumping up to the window sill. “Hey, you shouldn’t let him push you around,” I tell her and stop short when I see what’s laid out on the bed.

My mouth screws to the side and I snort.

A hastily written note covers Nora’s favorite toy. The note reads, “put me on.”

I begin kicking off my sneakers while I hook one finger in the leather harness and lift it up. Had I known I would be committed to a woman that seems to enjoy strap-ons I may have thought twice, but I sigh knowing that it’s a little too late. Well, that and I can’t say I mind, Nora’s surprising adventurous streak in the bedroom keeps me very entertained.

I hear the shower shut off and wonder what exactly she has planned for tonight.

I shrug and drop the harness. It’s her birthday and while I was thinking something a little more…no…something with less accoutrement, I will more than happily give in to whatever is going on in that pretty little head of hers.

The bathroom door opens as I’m shimmying out of my pants. My button down blouse open, its tails getting in my way as I bend down and step from my jeans.

As I right myself, I stop short and peruse my lover’s damp, naked body. She’s still beautiful, filled out slightly, her hips are a little rounder, but Nora Delaney is still the finest specimen of woman that I’ve had the pleasure of looking at. A faint scar runs across her left thigh. A perp about a year ago thought it’d be fun to try and slice her open. I broke a very nice pair of Fendi heeled boots when I slammed him against the building he was trying to duck in and then into the pile garbage on the alley floor. I should try to talk to the designers about making a pair of heels that will hold up when you jam the heel in between the shoulder blades of a serial rapist.

All in, the loss of the shoes was worth it.

“Nikki, I’d tell you to take a picture, but there’s no way in hell, even if you beg, will I pose nude for you,” Nora teases and tosses the towel she was using to dry her hair towards the bathroom.

“I do believe,” I murmur and step up to her, pressing my panty and bra clad body against her still warm damp naked one, “that I’m entitled to look.”

Nora leans in, closing the distance between our lips, and slips her tongue between my parted lips. I rest my hands on her hips and let her steer us. Hands tangle in my hair and she whimpers as I pull back needing to catch my breath. She tastes like mint and herself. I lick my lips and lean down to kiss my way back up her neck.

“You’re wearing too many clothes,” she whimpers.

I couldn’t agree more. I feel the clasp on my bra free as her fingers run along the skin underneath the strap. The straps on my shoulders fall loose and I lean back and let her remove the garment. The next trip her hands take are to my waist, hooking her fingers around the band of my panties, she tugs them down and I step out of them.

“Now, that’s so much better.” Nora smiles at me, smirking a little as she leads us back towards the bed. “Can I?” she asks, biting her lower lip and looking between me and the harness and toy lying on the bed.

I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and nod. Her face lights up and she helps me into the harness, centering the toy to make sure the end that fits between my thighs is nestled properly. She blindly works the buckles, securing the leather around my hips while her mouth does some amazing things to my breasts. Her tongue darts out, swirling around my left nipple.

I hold her head in place as she sucks the nub in her mouth, nipping it lightly. Groaning as she releases the flesh, I tilt my head back and give her access to my chest. Her mouth blazes a path up to my neck and then back down to lavish the proper attention on my right breast.

Her hands finally come into play and they slide around the swell of my hips and down to cup my buttocks. She grips my ass tightly and pulls our hips together, the dildo pushing up against her stomach while the end between my legs presses against my clit.

“Fuck,” I moan.

“Hmmm,” Nora hums, “that was kinda the idea.”

Her words spike the tension building between us, but as she drops to her knees, the sight of her looking up at me through her tousled hair ‘causes my stomach to drop. I smooth her hair back and scrape my nails across her scalp. She presses into my touch and smiles wickedly.

I tilt my head to the side as she wiggles her eyebrows.

Just what exactly is she doing?

She answers my questioning look as she nuzzles my hips, kissing along the bone and nipping around my belly button. I watch wide eyed and more turned on than I have a right to be as her tongue licks up the shaft of the purple silicone penis then covers the head with her mouth. Nora pulls more of the phallus into her mouth and starts a slow bob.

My eyes cross and my knees grow weak as my arousal ratchets up and slicks the insides of my thighs.

This is certainly new.


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