Log: Bishop and Lil

[x-diamondlil.livejournal.com]

Lil heads to the pool after her morning work out and runs into Bishop, prompting their first conversation since they broke up.


She knew better than to expect to find the pool empty given how many people lived in the mansion. However, Lil certainly hadn't thought she'd run into him there.

The blonde woman considered fleeing for a moment, just leaving and coming back later instead of having to face him and whatever would be said but her stubborn pride refused. She didn't run. Avoided yes, but didn't run. Swallowing hard, the blonde woman dropped her towel to the bench, revealing the dark green bikini she'd selected for her swim then walked to the edge and sat down. Her feet dangled in the water with green eyes following his muscular frame as he cut through the water with powerful strokes. Dark skin glistening, strong arms coming up before slicing through the surface...

Lil blinked hard and gave herself a shake that caused her ponytail to swing. Best not to dwell on those thoughts because they certainly wouldn't lead to any place good. She'd come here to cool down and that was exactly what she was going to do. Sans ogling Bishop. If she could.

Once he caught sight of her, Bishop finished up his lap, grabbing the edge of the pool and holding himself up as he shot her a friendly smile. "And you're a perfect example of why I swim at the mansion's pool." He thought leading with a compliment might go a long way since their last talk wasn't exactly amazing.

Her smile was soft but genuine. "I don't doubt it," Lil replied, flipping her foot to kick a little spray of water in his direction. Her stomach was still in knots but the former cop's opener had soothed some of the tension. He was talking with her - and seemingly flirting as well. "Though, I'm pretty sure you got some other reasons, too."

"I'm usually here anyway for training and a few other things, too." Bishop splashed back just a bit with a hand as he hung onto the side of the pool near Lil. He knew she would be nervous and he was being mindful about things he could do to help her relax and salvage a friendship.

"Yeah, I kinda forgot you came up here on Saturdays," she told him honestly, wiping off the water. Sure, she was getting in the pool in a few minutes but for now, she was enjoying the way things were, even if it was still a little awkward. Lil's legs hung in the water, moving back and forth slowly as she smiled at Bishop, still trying to control the images and fantasies that were rolling around in her brain. "So, um, how've you been?"

"Same as always. Working and sleeping sometimes." Bishop said that with a slight smirk. He wanted to be casual and playful. He didn't want to stress Lil anymore than he had to, considering she moved to the mansion to escape exactly that.

"Such a life," the Canadian said, clicking her tongue playfully. Green eyes continued to wander the lines of his body, remembering but willing herself not to touch. "'Bout the same for me. Harry's at night, training during the day but I get my beauty rest in, fortunately."

"I'm not sure you'd be able to skip enough sleep to ruin that." Bishop fired back comfortingly, splashing a little water across her legs again.

Her grateful smile shifted into a look of surprise when he flicked the water again. "Lucas!" Lil scolded and kicked so a spray hit him in retaliation.

Bishop splashed back again playfully. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did you come to the pool to just look at the water?" His tone was teasing and his grin backed that up.

"Ain't anything in the room better to look at," came the sharp reply as she kicked another, larger wave at him. Lil was still smiling, bright and honest and was clearly enjoying the impromptu little water fight.

"Cut me deep." Bishop responded playfully. He pushed himself up at the edge of the pool, gripping Lil by the hips and lifting her off the edge as he fell back, taking her into the water with him. Since he was already wet and she was dry, he could easily do the most damage by simply dragging her into the pool.

Lil gave a little shriek as she was pulled of the ledge and into the water before being dunked. She should have expected it really, but hadn't thought he'd go so far so soon. When then broke the surface again, coming up for air, the blonde woman still in his arms, Lil laughed and splashed him in the face. "That was a horrible and mean thing to do." Her smile belayed the fact that she certainly more amused than angry... and quite aware of how close they were to each other.

Once Lil was in the water Bishop released her; he didn't want to get too close if it would be difficult for her. "Isn't the first time I've been called horrible or mean." He said with a smirk. "It's the price of winning."

At the loss of his hands, the blonde's smile faded some and she took the measure to back up a bit further from him, leaning against the wall of the pool, facing him. Obviously, she was reading his signs wrong, allowing her imagination to get carried away. "I'm sure you have," Lil teased, sticking her tongue out at him.

Bishop didn't move to correct when he saw her reaction. She tended to get his intentions wrong and he reminded himself to simply accept it. When she teased back he splashed her again playfully, just a little.

Lil wrinkled her nose but didn't retaliate this time. Instead the blonde woman merely kept smiling softly and took a hold of the ledge behind her then kicked her legs out to float. "Anything else interesting going on?" she asked, trying to keep the conversation going as casually as possible.

"Just work and this." Bishop knew she was trying to keep everything usual but he wasn't feeling it anymore. Things were becoming awkward and his instincts always told him to be quiet when the mood changed. It was a technique from police work he couldn't ever shake.

She pulled her legs back in to touch bottom then took a few steps away from the wall, mentally collecting herself. Lil didn't like the silence, not unless it was because mouths were too busy doing other things. This? She's rather escape and with much dignity as possible. He was starting to close off and rather than get emotional, she could play it cool. "Always the same," the blonde woman said then nodded towards the lanes. "I'm going to go do some laps."

"I'll be around." Bishop wanted to leave the offer open. He still liked Lil and, even though they weren't on the same page at the moment, he felt things could pick up for them in the future some day. If nothing else, she'd be a fun friend to have and he always needed more of those in the mansion.

A small, awkward smile and little nod of her head was all she offered him as she moved off to the lanes. Before ducking under the ropes, however, Lil paused and looked back over her shoulder at him. "I could still use those shooting lessons."

"Just let me know when." Bishop returned Lil's small smile. He didn't know any way else to respond to her sometimes, things between them just seemed to be able to shift from one way to another so quickly that it was hard to predict and he didn't like being without that control.

The grin grew a shade brighter, touching her eyes. "I will," Lil promised. She didn't know when, of course - when she'd have the courage, when she'd be able to put Vikks' suggestions out of her head - but she was certain she would. Relationships, even of the platonic nature, were special and though she was no closer to sorting out her situation with Madison, Lil was reluctant to burn any bridges. "It was nice talking to you again, Lucas. And seeing you," the blonde added with a flirty wink before ducking under the floating divider and kicking off the start of her laps.