T/W:

***
Lex

The ride to my place is silent. I'm still a little surprised at my actions with Steve. Not that I feel as though I'd done anything wrong because I didn't. But it was still unexpected. Speed's barely in the ground and I'm already seeking comfort from his..brother.

Steve pulls up in front of my apartment building, but suddenly changes direction and pulls into the parking lot across the street.

"Would it be all right if I came up?" Steve asks. "I'm not in the mood to go back to my parents' and I really don't want to be." He pauses. "Unless you'd rather be alone yourself?"

"I don't want to be alone, either. Please come up," I say, climbing out of Steve's truck. He climbs out himself, locking the doors and hurrying to follow me.

I slowly unlock the front entrance and Steve comes to hold it open so I can go inside first. A rush of cool air greets me and it's a relief from the sweltering heat outside. We go to the elevator and Steve pushes the 'up' button. We get on and I push the button for tye sixth floor and up we go.

"Damn hot outside," Steve comments conversationally.

"That's Florida for you," I say. We reach my floor and head for my apartment.

"It's a mess in here," I warn Steve as I unlock the front door.

"No problem. I'm sure cleaning hasn't exactly been a top priority for you." I hold the open and we walk inside. Steve softly closes the door behind us.

"Do you mind if I jump in the shower quick?" I ask, kicking off my dress shoes and setting my purse down.

"Not at all."

"Great. Just make yourself at home," I say. "If you're hungry or thirsty, help yourself to anything in my freezer or fridge."

"Thanks." I stand there, studying Steve for a few seconds.

"No, Steve," I whisper. "Thank you."

***

Steve

While Lex is in the shower, I wander around her living room, looking at knickknacks, books and photos. I spot a framed photo on one of the end tables, of..Tim and Lex. I think it might have been an...engagement photo.

They both look so happy together. Tim has his arms wrapped around Lex and she's positively beaming. I feel a twinge of guilt, although I know it's not my fault that Lex is so miserable and unhappy.

I gently set the photo back down and head into the kitchen to get myself some water. Lex comes out of the bathroom, wearing a blue bathrobe, her long, dark hair wrapped up in a towel on top of her head.

"Would you like to take a shower?" Lex asks me. "You've got to be uncomfortably hot as I am."

"I, uh, don't have anything clean to change into," I reply.

"I think I might still have something of Speed's...here. Unless you'd rather not?"

"Uh, sure. Sounds...good." Lex disappears into her bedroom and returns a moment later, carrying a black t-shirt and shorts. She passes them to me and our hands brush against each other. Lex looks directly into my eyes.

"I don't want to sound weird, but God, your eyes so much like...his," she murmurs.

"You think?" Lex nods and steps aside. "Thanks."

"Of course."

***

Lex

As strange as it is to have Steve here, it's kinda...fitting, too. I'm not uncomfortable around him. (Much.) He's just such a nice guy. My cell rings. I grab it and look. It's Mom.

"Hey."

"Are you home?" Mom asks, sounding somewhat frantic.

"Yes. I'm sorry," I apologize. "I should have told you that I was leaving."

"That might have been nice," Mom agrees.

"I just needed to get out of there," I add.

"It's been a rough few days for you, I know," Mom sympathizes.

"No crap," I mutter. I can hear Steve moving around in the bathroom and strangely, it...comforts me. I guess it's just nice not to be so alone in this. I know Mom, Uncle Grant and Eric all mean well, but they aren't grieving the same way I am.

At least with Steve, I feel like he knows more about how this feels.

"Will you be okay over there by yourself?" Mom asks.

'I'm not by myself. Steve is here.'

"Of course. Thanks for calling, Mom. I'll call you later, I promise."

"All right, baby girl. I love you," Mom says.

"I love you, too, Mama." I hang up just as Steve exits the bathroom.

"Thanks," he says. "I do feel a lot cooler."

"I thought you might." Steve holds up his dress shirt and suit.

"Do you have somewhere I can put these for now?"

"Yeah. I'll grab a hanger and a plastic bag. That way it won't get so wrinkled." I go and collect everything, returning Steve. He thanks me and while I hold his suit, he puts the shirt and tie on the hanger. Then he adds the jacket and suit pants.

"I'll hang it in my coat closet," I say taking it from Steve. I go hang it up.

"I won't be staying much longer," Steve says. "I don't want to impose on you. I smile, touching Steve's arm.

"Hey, you stay as long as you want." Steve flashes me a smile and for the first time since Speed's...death, I feel a glimmer of hope.

"I appreciate that, Lex."

****

Steve

I end up staying the night at Lex's apartment. I had called Dad, letting him know that I had made other plans but that I planned on coming back to see him and Mom before I returned home.

Lex ordered in some pizza and bread sticks and we ended up talking a lot about Tim. I'd asked her first if she was okay with it.

"Please," Lex says. "I'd love to hear about what Speed was like when he was a kid."

"He never told you?" I ask.

"Some." Lex's gaze goes to the photo I looked at earlier.

"What would you like to know?"

"What was Speed like as a kid?"

"Kinda serious. And he was always fascinated by science," I tell Lex. She actually laughs a little. Seeing Lex smile; it makes her look years younger.

"Good to know certain things never change."

"Yup."

"What do you do for a living?" Lex asks me.

"Mostly computer programming," I reply. "But I also do websites and some computer gaming."

"Wow. That's hard work." Lex seems genuinely impressed.

"It is," I admit. "But I enjoy it. What about you?"

"I'm a professional photographer."

"Talk about a tough job! Do you enjoy it?" Lex nods.

"I really do. It definitely has it's tough moments, but it's a lot of fun, too."

"Do you mind if I ask how you and my brother met?" I ask. Lex is silent for several minutes and I think I must crossed the line.

"You don't have to answer," I add in haste.

"It's...fine." Lex is fidgeting with her...engagement ring. I realize she's still wearing it. "I collaborated with Speed on a couple of cases. I had some photographs that ended up being useful. "

"Very cool." Lex nods, looking downcast. "We can stop now, if you'd prefer."

"It's not..that," Lex assures me.

"Then what?"

"It's still such a...shock, y'know?"

"Yes," I say softly. "I do know."