This used to be "Staying There Tonight" but I changed it completely pretty much when I revised it.

Summary: Lillian wants to know why Red doesn't like her.

I Promise

By: Milify-Star

"Well now, there's bank in Kentucky that I think we should hit it up. We'll be getting at least seventy thousand." John talked business with his boys as Lillian came through the door of the apartment. The crew had moved out of the hotel and into a rented apartment for a time being.

"Hello, sorry to interrupt." She walked in and eyed their plans on the table.

"Hey," Johnny got up from his seat at the kitchen table and went to give her a kiss, "What're doing here?" She didn't usually stop by. She didn't really like feeling like she was in the way but she liked seeing men talk business.

"Just wondering if you all wanted some dinner?" She held up a bag of hot diner food. Everyone at the table nodded. She looked at John who sighed.

"Alright, break for dinner." He motioned her to the table.

"Evening boys." She greeted as she fed the food to the wolves. They all nodded to her.

"Hey Lil." They had all grown on each other like family since Lillian was with Johnny so much. It was taking Red a bit to warm up to her since he was John's right hand man and they had all seen what happened with Billie. Lillian walked into the room John and her shared when she came over. Johnny followed her and leaned against the doorway as he watched her take down her hair and kick off her heels.

"Like what you see?" She leaned back onto the bed.

"Mm hm." John nodded.

"Then what are you waiting for?" She asked alluringly.

"For you to tell me why you're really here." He responded. Lillian sat up and looked at him.

"Seriously? You want an explanation over me?" John pretended to weigh the options but Lillian glared at him. He came and sat next to her, pulling her legs into his lap.

"Listen doll, I know you, you don't just come here to do nice things not to mention that Red scares you." He massaged her calves.

"He does not scare me. He just doesn't like me and I don't want you to feel like you're in some sort of feud. And if you must know," She moved her legs so she could straddle him. "I came over because I haven't seen you in days and I miss you." She grabbed his face and kissed him eagerly. John wrapped his arms around her and kissed her back until they heard a throat clear. They both regretfully turned to see Red. "He's busy." She told Red who put her under an unwavering glare but otherwise ignored her.

"We need to finish up, Johnny, some of the boys want to go out." Red stood, waiting. The last time he'd left them, Lillian had successfully persuaded public enemy number one to forget about his money.

"Okay." John turned her head to him and brought her lips down to his. "I have some business to finish." He kissed her again before moving her off of him. Lillian just watched under Red's glare. It was like he was daring her to try anything.

"I'll just wait here, quietly."

"You do that." Red encouraged before shutting the door.

An hour and a half later, John slipped into the bedroom to see Lillian reading one of his books. She didn't even acknowledge his presence, not even to stroke his ego and take a peek when he started to undress, she wasn't happy. He crawled next to her on the bed and began to kiss her jaw, but she shrugged him away.

"This is the best part."

"Lillian, you missed me, remember?" He persevered and started on her jaw again.

"Missed is past tense." She reminded him. He leaned back and sighed. There was one thing he knew she couldn't resist.

"Look, we're well planned out, extra careful, cunning bastards who will never get caught; the man would have to be everywhere all the time to catch us. They don't have the smarts to catch us and they never will. That takes skill, but it also takes time." He told her seriously. There was very little that made her melt than when he got serious with her, even if she would never admit it. She finally looked at him. "They'll never get us and even if they do they can't hold us for long, so I'm coming back to you."

"Okay." She nodded in understanding.

"Now come here." He smirked as she tossed the book away and straddled him, continuing what they had earlier.

"You know, you are very sexy when you get serious." She told him between kisses. John looked at her surprised.

"Really?" He said no more as she kissed him again.

-JD-

Lillian woke up before John. She quietly got up and put on her robe before sliding out the door. She walked into the kitchen to see Red sitting at the table reading the paper.

"Good morning." She greeted him cordially.

"Morning." He mumbled. Lillian looked through the cabinets and refrigerator and pulled out food for breakfast.

"You know," She began as she started cracking eggs, "I know that you hate me but I was thinking, we don't have to be friends but we could be friendly." She suggested. She didn't receive an answer for a moment. "Yes? No? Maybe?"

"I don't hate you Lil." He said finally.

"Are you sure?" She thought back to everything he ever said to her. It was fine at first but after two weeks he was cold to her.

"I'm sure." He looked over at her. "It's not you. It's that John's getting serious again. You aren't the first girl. Before you there was Billie. He loved her. He almost got caught trying to be with her. You know how long we've been here? We have an apartment Lil. He won't say it but it's because he loves you and he wants to see you." He stood and came up to Lillian who was standing shocked in her place. "I don't mind you but I'll be damned if we get compromised because he can't keep it in his pants."

"I won't let that happen." She finally choked out. "I promise."

"Then I promise to be friendly." He held out his hand and she grasped it and shook.

"Red I promise, really."

"I believe you." He went back to his paper. "I'm just looking out for him, same as you."