Completely random 15 minutes snippet

[dracostella.livejournal.com]

The last of the lights flickered off with an audible click, but Stella did not move; she sunk down further in the plastic seating that's meant to emulate leather.

The bowling alley reeked slightly of beer and smoke even though she had just wiped down everything with the strongest cleaner she could find.

She had discovered several pieces of used gum underneath the table behind Lane 7, again.

She was pretty sure it was the same group of kids that always played on Lane 7. She had confronted them about it once, and they had lied to her face.

Ray backed her up, and asked her if she wanted him to take care of the kids with an exaggerated Italian accent. Stella had laughed and said no, though she was quite certain that her husband had the connections.

Between Ray and her, they could probably reduce the kids to tears if they wanted to.

She laughed a little to herself.

If they wanted to. But they had left that life behind. Together.

Decades of dealing with hardened mobsters and murderers, and now she and Ray are arguing with local hoodlums.

Familiar footsteps came towards her, then warm weight settled next to her, and a rough hand clasped hers.

"You know how I found you in here?" Ray asked.

"Because you could the smell the ammonia on my hands?"

"Nah. Because I was following my star," Ray said.

Stella laughed because it was so corny and Ray knew it.

Ray laughed with her, and kissed her hand.

Comments

[brooklinegirl.livejournal.com]

For some reason, I just really adore glimpses like this into the after-COTW realm. I think that Stella couldn't be *all* bad, because both of the Rays love her. I think that the bowling alley idea is crazy, but the idea of both of them leaving their other lives behind, starting something new together, is sweet. I love this glimpst into their lives, and how corny, but true, their love is. Very, very nice.

[chesamus.livejournal.com]

There used to be a train of thought in Star Trek TOS that Kirk was only validated because Spock approved of him. Since I sometimes waver between seeing Stella as the anti-christ and Stella as truly misguided for dumping Ray, but redeemed by RayV, I like seeing stories that make her more 3D for me. Liked this lot!

[akite.livejournal.com]

I'm with Chesamus, the Stella stories that have been posted on this community since it started have really made me look at the character in a new light. Before, she was always a bitch in my eyes. You're helping me see her as a real person, thank you.

[uselessplayback.livejournal.com]

What they said although, secretly I have a soft spot for theStella. I like to see her get airtime.

[doll-revolution.livejournal.com]

ah, that was just lovely! ^__^

i'm firmly in the camp of "bothrayslovedhersoshemusthaveSOMEthing", so i like to see stories that show her this way.

and you know what? your rayV seemed very rayV to me, so an extra gold star!

[shayheyred.livejournal.com]

I'm in love with these two, the way you've written them. A nice warm thank you for this story.

[ozsaur.livejournal.com]

I've got a thing for post-CotW stories, especially those that address issues brought up by the episode itself. What I mean is: A bowling alley!?! Stories like this make it make sense. It also helps Stella make sense too.