[[ downtown lexington, kentucky ]]

[itwasjustified]

[ "it's not like a change of scenery would hurt." ]

"And that's the only skyscraper -- and I use that term loosely -- you'll see while you're here," Raylan says, pointing out Fifth Third Bank, its black glass and blue detail standing out like a nun in a strip club against the empty skyline.

The city built out, not up; Lexington sprawls to every border of Fayette County, and Fayette County is Lexington.

"It's really just a big town that thinks it's a city," he adds, and points toward the corner of Limestone and Barr, where his office is, before they hang a left off Main to double back toward Ramsey's Diner.

Comments

[itwasjustified]

"No, I'm not questionin'," he's quick to explain. "I'm more impressed than anything else."

[notenlightened]

"Of course," she quickly adds.

"And you're right, it is impressive."

It certainly says something about the kind of man Charlie Crews is - or a testament to the power of Zen.

(Not that she believes, or anything.)

[itwasjustified]

A slow nod.

"Twelve years."

A pause.

"I don't know if I could carry a badge again after somethin' like that."

[notenlightened]

"He's not like any other cop on the force," Reese murmurs.

Which is to say she both respects and doesn't understand him.

[itwasjustified]

Raylan tilts his head, trying to catch her eyes, and quirks an eyebrow.

"Does he wear a hat, too?"

[notenlightened]

"No hats."

Reese's mouth quirks at the corners.

"Though I doubt he'd pull it off as nicely."

[itwasjustified]

He removes his napkin from his lap and wipes his hands; crumpling it, he sets it on the table.

"You're gonna make me blush over here."

[notenlightened]

"Am I?"

Reese openly grins, letting her spoon fall to the plate with a quiet clatter.

"I'll believe that when I see it."

[itwasjustified]

"Uh-oh."

Palming the check, he offers a small smile and a nod to the server.

"Why do I get the feeling you'll be a woman on a mission for the rest of this visit?"

[notenlightened]

"Why'd you have to go and say it like that?"

Reese crosses her arms over her chest.

"Now you're just going to be all paranoid."

[itwasjustified]

Eyes flicking to the check, he pulls out his wallet and takes out a few bills.

"But just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you."

[notenlightened]

"One thing you should know about me, Raylan, if you haven't figured it out for yourself by now - "

She pushes herself up out of her seat, winding her way around the table, her hand casually slipping down to rest on the top of the Stetson.

When she leans down toward him, a smirk barely curving her lips, it's perched just so on top of her head.



" - I'm unpredictable."

[itwasjustified]

He looks up; his mouth opens, but for a second, he can't manage a damn word.

"You know," and he's drawling, quiet and laconic as the day is long, "you might pull that off better than I do."

[notenlightened]

"You think?"

Her gaze tips upward, right to the place where the brim is barely visible in her periphery, nose scrunching up.

"I don't know. Think my head's too small," she confesses, as he picks it up and off, turning her wrist to set it down on his head.

"There."

Her voice is soft.

"Definitely much better."

[itwasjustified]

If Reese is paying any attention at all, she's sure to see the faint redness creeping up his collar.

"Thank you."

He clears his throat quietly and stands, gesturing toward the door.

(He hasn't forgotten his promise of jogging routes and coffee shops.)

[notenlightened]

Did we say Reese is looking smug? Because Reese is looking smug.

"No, thank you," she murmurs, slipping on her sunglasses and stepping out into the Kentucky air.