tibetanmethod | (no subject)

(no subject)

When he wakes up, his head doesn't hurt. His first thought:

There was tequila. My head doesn't hurt. That's strange.

Cooper's head moves on the pillow. He sees wrappers scattered on the nightstand. When he looks the other way, he sees a blonde head.

His eyes close.

His second thought:

...oh, damn.

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...good. She's not being serious.

Cooper takes a sip of coffee. Puts the mug down on the counter.

Says, simply, "Lilly, that's not the issue. I'm not opposed to a one-night stand. And as for your virtue -- that's none of my business. You're more than capable of making your own decisions, and in situations like this, that's all that matters."

"Exactly," Lilly says cheerfully.

She has another sip of the coffee. It's damn good. And hot.

Kinda like Cooper himself, last night.

"So why are you all weird this morning then?"

There's...not really a good way to put it. And he's aware of how it would sound:

I wouldn't have done this under other circumstances -- only I'm not sure what circumstances happened in order to have me agree to this.

Finally, Cooper says, "I shouldn't have agreed, last night, and ordinarily I wouldn't have. Things look different this morning than they did yesterday evening. I can't explain how, or why, because I don't know. Which isn't to say that I didn't enjoy myself, because I did. Very much. But it wouldn't be a good idea to do it again."

"If you say so."

Lilly shrugs.

"It was an unexpected move from you, yeah, so I get that. I'm not offended."

Also pretty likely to get laid again shortly by someone else, so.

"And I'll always be able to treasure the memory of the face you make when you're, you know. Thinking of Tibet."

"Lilly," Cooper says, "Tibet was the last thing on my mind."

He's so literal.

"Cooper? I knew that."

"Oh." His expression clears. "That's an interesting choice of euphemism."

"All my choices are interesting."

She pauses.

"I suppose it's not really fair of me to use that look if you're not going to get to have sex with me again. Sorry, Coop."

He half shrugs, comfortably, and picks up his cup of coffee again. "There's no need to apologize, Lilly." And sips.

And wonders to himself how he can resist come-ons again, and what made last night different.

(It'll come to him, eventually.)

"But I do feel a bit sorry for you," Lilly points out. "That was only the sampler platter, really."

She grins, taking another sip of her coffee.

"It's your life, though. Just don't get all stiff and weird now though."

She pauses.

"Uh. Stiff manner."

Cooper just looks at her for a moment.

And then says, calmly, "I'll do my best, Lilly."

It'd be better, somehow, if she didn't joke about it. More...adult. But she is joking about it.

And that just brings it home, doesn't it.

It might, for Cooper. Whether Lilly is nineteen or ninety, she'll always be joking.

Especially when to her, this doesn't look like something she particularly needs to be serious about.

"Shiny. Then we're good, Coop. No worries."

Lilly's the dead girl, not the federal agent.

But he smiles, a little, and says, "Good to hear."

He drains his cup of coffee. "Think I ought to head back. I'll see you around, Lilly."

Though maybe not for a few days.

"See you later, Coop. Thanks for the coffee."

It's in deference to the fact that he really does look a little distressed that she waits to add "and the orgasms" until he's shut the door behind him.

It had to be said, though. Lilly is all about being polite to her one-stands.

His tie is on the floor by the bar. He picks it up on his way out the door.

Once he's back in his apartment, he picks up the phone.

"Yes. I'd like to leave a message for Miss Horne, please."

"Tell her that Dale Cooper can't make the appointment this afternoon, and I send my apologies."

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

He could take this to Harry. He might. But there's Josie to consider, and --

"Damn," Cooper says aloud to the empty apartment, and goes to take a shower before heading to the station.

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