Coyote Ugly - Watching the movie for the hundredth time and I noticed (not for the first time) a few subtextual lines between Rachel and Lil. What can I say - it got the gears a whirring. Rating is for a little bit of lovin'. Rach/Lil

"So, Vi," Tammy asked in her usual quick way. "You coming to breakfast with us today?" Looking up from the table she was clearing, Violet Sanford gave a small smile and opened her mouth to reply before being cut off.

"Hasn't she got a kangaroo to go jump around with?" Rachel's level voice was clearly meant to be heard in the quiet bar. Vi closed her mouth and turned towards the dark girl, frowning.

"Why are you so mean to me?" She asked in a confused tone. The Jersey girl had been meaning to confront the girl since she began working at the bar. "I get that you're supposed to be a bitch an' all but you gotta climb out of your tree some time! Or do I have to wait for you to fall?"

"Yeah, just don't try and push me or your boy friend'll have to dig you out of his garden." Rachel's smile did nothing to hide the obvious meaning behind her body language. She would be getting into no fight however, as Violet gulped and looked away. The silence was held for only short moments before Lil walked out from the back.

"Tammy, Al's on the phone." A smile overtook the blonde's features as she jumped up and ran out passed their boss. After watching her leave, Lil turned back. She could tell by the atmosphere that something had happened between two of her employees. But she'd had a bad night and a hard week and other things were at the top of her list.

"Rach, you feel like helpin' me with some boxes once Tammy's done?" Rachel almost had to turn around to look at Lil but she made a point of stopping everything and doing it.

"Sure thing Lil. You know me, I've got all day." Violet scrunched up her face at the scene. If Lil needed help she would offer, but with Rachel there...

It was then that Tammy bounded out of the back room, bag over her shoulder.

"Al's coming to pick me up - he's taking me to breakfast." Vi watched as the blonde went to pour herself a water.

"Well, I've got nothing better to do - I can stay back and help with those boxes too." Three faces immediately turned to stare at her.

"Oh, honey," Tammy hopped back over the bar and hooked Violet's arm in her own. "I don't think they need any help." Vi looked back as she was steered towards the door. "We'll see you tonight guys!"

"Okay, yeah." Violet gave no resistance as they left the bar. Al was waiting outside for Tammy who imediately got on the back of his Harley. Vi waved goodbye as she started the long walk home. Two blocks down, in the freezing cold wind, she noticed the absence of her jacket. Sighing, Violet turned around and headed back.

Luckilly Lil hadn't locked the door yet, so she walked in through the front and out into the back room. Her jacket was hung up by the phone, so that was where she went. It was when she was walking out that the realisation hit her that Rachel and Lil were no where to be seen. It was a few seconds later she hear the first of the sounds.

Thankfully Vi had the good sense to tip toe over to a stack of crates, rather than just walking around them, because what she saw over the boxes more than caught her off guard.

Lil was stretched out on a table, her legs hanging over the side, pants around her shins. Her knees were wedged against Rachel's thighs as the girl stood over her, the brunette's hand pumping between them. Violet watched, breath bated, as the tall girl leaned forward and kissed the blonde passionately. When Lil's hands began to thread through the dark locks, Violet woke up to her surroundings and hurried out.

--

Almost sixteen hours later, Violet found herself avoiding both Rachel and Lil as they prepared for the night ahead of them. She was still prepared to do her job though, when Lil told her to grab a box of Jack, she quickly went to do as she was bade.

Picking it up, Vi almost threw the box over head, so unprepared was she for the lack of weight.

"Careful there J, wouldn't wanna hafta tell Lil you killed her favourite man." Violet froze as she heard Rachel's voice behind her. She turned slowly, trying to keep images of the early morning out of her mind. "Then again, you know better now. Did you enjoy the show?"

Violet gulped and resettled the box in her arms. She decided to play it dumb.

"What - ?"

"There's some frames up on the wall, glass is real good at reflecting." Vi dipped her head, the 'dumb' plan obviously wasn't the best idea.

"Oh. I'm s-sorry, I just - with Tammy - forgot my jacket and - "

"It's cool, Jersey." Rachel cut across smiling, slightly amused by the babble. Her face dropped quickly, however and she took a step towards Violet. "But, can you make it like you didn't see?" As the confident girl's head dropped, Vi raised an eyebrow. "Look, everyone needs something, right? A way to wind down; forget the world." Looking up again, she smiled. "And sometimes Lil's human. Sometimes I am too.

"I'm her thing, the thing she needs when she's had a bad week or if she's forgotten why we're alive at all. Don't take that away from her, Jersey. I haven't worked here for two years just to watch you come in and destroy that woman because you forgot your jacket.

"If you say something; make her uncomfortable - I will kill you." The intensity of her gaze made Violet want to look away but she refused to give in.

"I understand." Rachel seemed to relax. Violet shifted the box in her arms again, hoping the girl would take the hint and make room in the doorway.

"Oh, sorry. Here." Surprisingly instead, Rachel took the box from Vi and walked it over to the bar.

Violet stood dumb struck for a moment longer. It looked as if Rachel was human. And, impossible as it may seem, she really cared for Lil.

Just accept it Vi, she thought to herself. They're obviously happy, so just get over yourself.

And as she walked back out to the bar, that's exactly what she did.