Log: Lil and Bishop (Backdated: Jan 5)

[x-diamondlil.livejournal.com]

Backdated to January 5th.

Bishop and Lil make up for their missed New Years Eve date.


Choosing an appropriate outfit for a night out that included an unknown location from a limited wardrobe was a harder task than Lil had imagined. She hadn't brought many clothes for clubbing, which was what Bishop had suggested, but the dress she'd purchased for New Years could work. Chic enough for dancing, fancy enough for a nice dinner... Tossing caution to the wind, she slipped it on and added a pair of black ballet flats that had her regretting the fact she owned no heels for a moment or two. Hair down, Lil added a purple smokey eye and full rosy lips before grabbing her purse, filling it with the necessary date accessories. The Amazon was fairly certain she'd forgotten plenty; having been out of the game for far too long but could do little about it as she walked out of her room and downstairs to wait for Bishop.

Bishop shot Lil as smile as she came downstairs. He had expected to wait a minute extra because the plans were mostly spur of the moment. "You look great." He said encouragingly, opening the front door for her as they headed out. He didn't have any reason to linger around the mansion and he didn't particularly care to, either. He needed to go out and unwind just as she did.

"Damn right I do," Lil shot back, flashing him a smile as she walked to his car, keeping a comfortable distance between them. She wasn't going to cling, wasn't going to push or force anything. It was about relaxing and having fun. He had his reasons for missing New Years; good ones even if they weren't completely clear yet but she was willing to believe him when he said it was because of work. "You don't look so bad yourself, I guess."

A button up shirt and some nice jeans weren't quite on the level of Lil's outfit but Bishop was decent with looking good when he went out. He got the car door for her as well. He knew she didn't care for it when he did that but sometimes he liked to. "As long as you guess." He shut her door and climbed into the drivers seat. Within a moment they were off.

Lil's smirk grew as she watched him drive, occasionally letting her gaze move to the scenery whizzing by but it always can back to him. "So, where are we going?" the blonde asked, crossing her legs comfortably in front of her. Oh, the benefits of dating a tall man - legroom. "Or is that something else I have to 'guess'?"

"Just a little jazz club I know in the city. Nothing most people have heard of." That was one benefit to what he had done before. He knew things about the city not many others did, like all the best little places to go for anything a person wanted. "It has good music and good food. Some dancing if that's your kind of thing, too."

She hadn't been dancing in ages - for good reasons - but she did enjoy it. Beaming at the former cop, Lil reached over to squeeze his arm affectionately. "Sounds great," she said and truly meant it. "I don't know much about jazz and you do realize I am a 6 foot four white girl, yeah? I'm not the most graceful swan but I'm up for a spin or two if you are."

Bishop smiled to the tall woman as she took his arm. "You're tall and white!?" He said with mock shock. "Why didn't anyone tell me? Now I'm going to get laughed out of here." He said it playfully as he parked outside of the club. Nothing outside hinted that they had arrived.

Her hand moved from his bicep only to punch him in the arm for his little remark. "Very funny. I'm trying to be nice and give you warning that I have little rhythm so we don't get laughed and pointed at for something other than the fact that we look like we just strolled out of Brobdingnag," Lil laughed.

"They don't laugh at me here. I'm sure they'll treat you even better." Bishop said with a reassuring smile before stepping out. He met her at the passenger side of the car so they could head in. The place had quite the atmosphere, the stage right against the dance floor, a little balcony for eating, and old style clothing for the staff. It was very much a place people didn't just stumble across and the pictures of famous jazz artists lining the wall implied why.

Arms wrapped comfortably around his, Lil stayed close by him, beaming the whole time as the walked inside. "Nice place," she said, just above a hush. Much better than clubbing; they'd be able to talk here, to relax and enjoy each other instead of screaming over the maddening din of a busy club. She was very glad she'd selected the outfit she had considering the feel of the jazz house.

He walked with her direct to a table and got her chair for her; it was that kind of place. He smiled back to her once he sat. "I'm glad you like it. I don't get to come here often so it's usually a treat." They were greeted nearly immediately by a server and he ordered them a bottle of cognac. "It's one of their specialties." He offered in explanation.

"I defer to your expertise," the blonde said with a little flourish of her hand and another dazzling smile. No one had taken her to a place like this in ages and Lil was suddenly feeling very young. "You're lucky I still haven't been shopping yet or you probably woulda sent me right back upstairs to change because this is definitely not a place my usual 'club wear' would be suitable for."

"What's your usual club wear, then?" Bishop asked through a laugh, leaning his chin against his hand and propping his elbow up on the table. "That dress isn't exactly something you'd find on a librarian to begin with."

"Not this, that's for sure," Lil replied with a flirty smirk, leaving the rest up to his imagination as she ran her hands over the purple scrunched material covering her stomach. "This is tame though, I'll tell you that. Club wear... is a lot more flashy. And usually includes quite a bit of glitter."

"I hear glitter is one of the things to have at the mansion." Bishop said with a little laugh. "Maybe when we get back you can try a few outfits on for me. Just so I can appreciate how lucky I really am." He spoke in a tone to match her smirk. Lil was always a fun person for him to flirt with.

"That will depend on how much cognac I drink," the blonde teased back, tossing the long curls over her shoulder with a smile. "I thought you'd like this one though," she said running her fingers along the plunging front of the plum dress. "I'd picked it up for New Years and since this is our little beginning of the year celebration, I figured it was still game to wear."

Bishop didn't have any problem watching as she ran her fingers down the neck of the dress. "It is and I definitely like it. It fits in really well; I'm sure it will be good for dancing too." When their cognac arrived he poured them both a glass, hers more full than his; he was driving, after all.

She snorted her amusement in a most unladylike manner before lifting her glass in a toast. "To new friendships and whatever they may bring," Lil said, affording him another sincere and dazzling smile. "And a happy and healthy New Year."

With a tap of their glasses and a drink, Bishop returned her smile. "Did you make any resolutions?" It was a tradition that he never participated in. When something needed changed he just did it.

One shoulder rose and fell as was Lil's habit. "Nothing big. Just try to move on and get my life going again. Nothing I haven't been doing since December, really." Drunk dialing Maddy had set her back some, but she was determined not to make the same mistake twice. Out of sight, out of mind. "How about you?"

"I don't do the resolutions." Bishop took another drink and took a moment to look across the table into Lil's eyes. He smiled to her and enjoyed the moment. "Drink as much as you'd like. I have to go slow because I'm driving." It was sincere but a little playful as well.

The Cheshire smirk popped back into place. "I'm beginning to think you want to get me drunk, Your Excellency," she laughed then took a healthy sip of the cognac to show she wasn't completely against the idea. Lil had no intention of getting sloppy but they both could use a little to help relax them. "Any reason why? You don't do resolutions, I mean."

"If I have a problem I just take care of it when it comes up. Some people use New Years to keep doing what they shouldn't be, I think." He took a sip with her. "But I don't think I have many problems to work on so I wouldn't really have anything to change anyway." He smiled back widely.

A little bubble of laughter escaped her again as she listened, nodding her agreement while enjoying his company, the cognac and their conversation. "Everyone has something they want to change, though, Bishop," Lil said. "Even it's something small and insignificant. Taking up a new hobby or devoting more time to I don't know what - fly fishing," the blonde chuckled. "New Years resolutions are a chance to take on new challenges as much as to fix something."

"I don't. I'm more than happy with most of my choices. If not, they're over and done with." Bishop tried to live life that way but he tended to oversimplify the complexities he had to deal with. It was for his sanity, he figured. He didn't have any flaws that he was ready to fix and he devoted his time to where it needed to be for the most part. "What do you have planned for your moving on?"

Lil's smile became a little less bright and she reached for her glass for a sip to cover it. "Oh, you know..." she started when the mask was back in place. "Working hard here - with my training. Do what I can and hopefully make a few friends along the way." She's never been one to surround herself with others, not like that and had few people to depend on because of it. However, the blonde knew as much as she'd like to believe herself a 'lone wolf' it was far from the truth. "Get back in shape for now and head on from there."

"If I can help you with any training just let me know." He wanted to be helpful. He also didn't want to bring up her husband or anything surrounding that on what could be considered an actual date. He knew she was still very much interested in him and Morgan had warned him about being the other man.

"You already are with the shooting lessons," she answered, the tenderness coming back into her features. How long had it been since she'd been on a date? Too long... and Lil was beginning to feel like a teenager with a crush once again. "And I appreciate that. A lot. If you run into Scott though, remind him he's gotta a restless giantess on his hands?"

"I'll let him know during our next session." Bishop laughed softly. "Did you want to get into boxing or wrestling lessons too? I'm not sure if you need them but I do them sometimes." The excuse to roll around with Lil was just part of the motivation. He wanted to help her live a happier life too.

Lil's eyes sparkled as she smiled at him over the rim of her glass. "I could always use a refresher course or two," she replied with a light rose coming to her cheeks. Wrestling lessons were always a good way to get closer to someone.

"I could always use a partner more my size for a challenge." Bishop smiled back playfully. "I'm sure you wouldn't be intimidated by more or let me win either." He often had the opposite problem, people had something to prove against him and fought too roughly. Lil would probably be one of those people.

"Consider it done. We'll get together and train a bit sometimes before or after our shooting lessons." If they were still doing that - the pair hadn't been back to the range since that initial lesson and Lil wasn't sure if he wanted to continue teaching her or not. Sipping the cognac again, the blonde let her gaze wander around the club, catching the eyes of a few others who were stealing peeks at the couple but for the most part, everyone seemed to be minding their own business. "I really do like this place," Lil said again when her attention had come back to Bishop and she gave him another beaming grin.

"Sounds like a plan." He watched her as she looked around and returned her smile. "I do too. I think you'll give me a good excuse to come out to it more often." It was early in the night but he was curious how she'd feel about the idea of more dates with him. Bishop got the impression so far that she'd like the idea.

"I might let you bring me here again," she teased. "Cognac's good and the music. Maybe after some dancing and a little food I'll have a more definite answer for you."

"Which would you prefer first?" Bishop shot back with a smile.

Lil's eyes blazed with amusement across the table again. "I wouldn't mind seeing some of your moves," the blonde replied with a smirk. "But if you want to eat first, that's fine with me too." Food was never something she turned down but the idea of being wrapped in Bishop's strong arms, even for only a song or two, was too good to pass up.

Bishop laughed and stood, offering her one of his big hands. "Is that a challenge? Think I don't have moves?" He was playful as he smirked down to her. He was better at dancing than the average person and, with the right person, he enjoyed it quite a bit in doses.

Taking his hand, Lil slid from her chair, pressing close before they even got to the dance floor. "Don't put words in my mouth. I fully believe you've got moves I've never seen," she purred in his ear and even nuzzled his jaw briefly before putting space between them for propriety's sake.

He laughed softly as she nuzzled and then, as they reached the dance floor, Bishop pulled Lil to him for the dance. It was jazz so not too slow and this particular song was fast paced. He enjoyed the quick songs, being able to enjoy being a bit rowdy but appropriately slow. The spins and little tosses were fun for him and he imagined new for her.

The blonde's own laughter sounded gleefully as she was swung about, following his lead to the best of her limited ability. Bumping and grinding or a slow, simple sway was much more her pace but Lil was definitely enjoying herself despite the many missteps. "I gave you fair warning," she reminded him.

With a laugh Bishop took her hips to guide her more than he usually would. "You're doing fine. If you never practice then of course you won't be able to keep pace with me." He spoke somewhere between teasing and challenging. Despite not being the best dancer she was still more than pretty, however.

She placed both hands on his shoulders and kept her gaze firmly fixed on their feet so as to keep from stepping on his though the smile never disappeared. "Well then, I might just have to hire you for dancing lessons as well, Your Excellency."

"I'd like that. First lesson, never look at your feet. They aren't going anywhere." Bishop up his hand under her chin to lightly raise her face so she could look at him. He smiled to her sweetly and danced with her for a few songs gladly before they went back to their table to eat.

~*~

Lil didn't want the night to end. As juvenile as it sounded in her head, the whole evening had been perfect. The cognac and food wonderful, the music enjoyable and the company could not have been better. Even her dancing had improved somewhat. Smiling brightly at her date while they drove back to the mansion in a comfortable quiet, the Amazon checked the clock in the dashboard and silently counted down the minutes to midnight.

"I had an amazing time tonight, Bishop," she told him as they pulled onto Xavier's grounds. "So much so, I think I will let you take me there again sometime."

"I'll look forward to that." He replied with a smile, putting the car into neutral and the brake on to talk with her for a moment. "It was good to have a dance partner and a reason to be out and have fun with someone. Usually it's just training or drinks to unwind with coworkers."

"Even when your dance partner keeps stepping on your feet?" Lil laughed, turning in her seat to face him while continuing to steal glances at the clock. "I did have fun, though. Thank you for it. Things have been a little rough when it comes to my settling here; I appreciate all you've been doing for me."

"Anything I can do to help. I've been here for a while and I still haven't really settled and made any really close friends." Bishop noticed Lil glancing at the clock and after a moment he had to ask about it. "Are you waiting for something to happen?"

"Tradition," she replied with an impish smirk, inching a little closer to him as she tossed her hair over her shoulder. "This is our raincheck for New Years, yes? I believe I owe you a kiss when the clock strokes midnight."

Bishop laughed softly and nodded. "I thought it was going to be alone in your room." He said teasingly as he shifted to lean in and help her close the distance, glancing over and noticing it was close to midnight already.

A light rose came to her cheeks as Lil beamed at him. "I believe I explicitly said there was gonna be no anything in my room or yours. Besides, we'd never make it there in time." Her gaze flicked from his eyes to his lips and back, making her own smile spread even more.

With a laugh and a smile he nodded. "Now we wouldn't." He leaned in for her and just a second before midnight he gave her lips a soft, sweet, but not overly passionate kiss. He wanted it to be kind, gentle, and memorable. He also wanted to catch her just a little by surprise, he wasn't one to be too predictable.

Her own chuckle melted into a soft, contented purr when she pressed into the kiss, taking what he gave and adding her own gratitude and affection to it as she opened for him, deepening the union that continued for several long moments until she was forced to pull away. "Happy New Years, Bishop," Lil whispered with a soft, happy smile.

"Happy New Year, Lil." He returned her well wishing and soft, happy smile. "I haven't done a celebration in years. Thank you." He rested his hand on hers softly for a moment, giving a little squeeze before pulling it back.

"Thank you," she replied, stealing another peck before nuzzling his jaw again. "I'm glad we got to do this, even if it is a few days late."

"I am too." Bishop ran his fingers through Lil's blonde hair for just a second, laughing as she nuzzled in. He decided to steal one more short, affectionate kiss before he walked her inside for the evening.