Sunday Snippet: Adventures in Nugget Sitting

It's a drippy, dreary day, which actually doesn't bother me. It's been so dry in Ohio, and the rain might help wash all the allergy-inducing yuck away for a while.

Had a solid work week. I finished up a copy edit and started a new one. I'm wrapping up an extended coaching project and moving into the final stages before sending it out for the next steps. Started a new memoir developmental edit, and I'm excited about working on it with the author. I have a couple of other projects waiting in the wings, but my plate is full for the moment.

Doggo update. I think we're through the hard stuff. Who knew having a congested dog could be so exhausting. It sucks because, unlike when my kiddos didn't feel well, the dog can't verbalize what's making them feel poorly. A lot of trial and error to make sure they're doing okay.

Had an okay viewing week. I got through most of my usual shows with the exception of Lower Decks. I ran out of steam and couldn't get that one in.

Started with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and enjoyed the episode. The ending always make me smile with Hugh and Dottie getting engaged and Jack and Phryne drinking wine from grapes … that she crushed with her feet.

Watched another episode of Foyle's War and remembered most of it. I'd actually forgotten the underlying thread of Rex being in love with Andrew and Foyle's supportive reaction to the information. A very good episode.

Finished up season fourteen of Death in Paradise. I'm kind of curious about Patterson's departure. If he's really leaving the show, I'll be disappointed as he's been with it since the beginning. However, a changing of the guard isn't always a bad thing. I have a fun thought about who could possibly replace him and if it pans out, it would be very cool.

Enjoyed another episode of Poirot. I really do like the episodes that don't involve a murder. The bond robbery ended up being a lot of fun. Poor Hastings being seasick and his denial of it was a fun side thread.

Elementary had another solid episode. I'm enjoying Joan's journey of getting back to supportive interpersonal relationships. The scenes with her and Gregson were lovely.

Caught another episode of Batman Beyond and it's one I didn't really remember so I enjoyed watching. I think I'm almost through the second season and I can't really remember if there are more after this one or not.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Adventures in Nugget Sitting, a sexy short that brings a couple together after a somewhat long wait.

Here's the miniblurb:

Isla Sands, an excellent poker player, loses a card draw and has to babysit the drunken newbie pilot. Between the endless questions, throwing up, and clingy behavior of her charge, Isla takes time to wonder why Riggs Marvelton always does the same for her. And why he never attempts to just kill her and put both out of their misery.

And a sneaky peak…

Riggs grabbed a bucket from the custodial supply locker. "I should leave Isla to deal with Brad." And he would.

But he'd also prepare her for all possibilities. He placed the container close to Berenza's bunk. Close to the spot he used for Isla on more than one occasion.

Isla's frustrated voice drifted from the head. "Dammit, Berenza. Aim for the bowl not the rim." An angry growl followed.

Riggs bit back a smile. "Sucks to have the shoe on the other foot." How many times had he done the same for her?

Okay, really not fair to compare them. Isla handled alcohol better than most. He could count on one hand the times he'd had to overprepare. Usually, he only poured her into the bunk then stuck around to make sure she didn't try to get up and make it to the bathroom on her own.

He doubted she had any idea how long he stayed to keep an eye on her.

Brad did not manage his alcohol intake very well. Of course, the kid had barely reached the legal age to consume liquid spirits. He'd eventually get the hang of knowing when to say enough.

Maybe.

Riggs backed away from Brad's bunk and headed for the hatch. "Good luck, Isla. You're going to have a long night." Exiting into the corridor, he resisted the urge to poke his head into the head.

Isla probably didn't want an audience. Bopper definitely didn't need any more witnesses to his shame. Riggs had after-action reports and fitreps he should be working on.

Passing the head, his lips curved when he caught more retching sounds.

Isla's voice carried when she let out a garbled oath. "Dammit, Bopper. For all that's holy in the universe, keep your head down."

Riggs shook his head but kept on walking. He'd check in with Isla later. Just to make sure she had everything under control. He wouldn't be able to help himself.

Because she mattered to him … even if she didn't have a clue how much.

This is such a fun little short. I love Riggs and Isla and can't wait for them to get on the same page.

 

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: Adventures in Nugget Sitting

It's so weird to be in the last week of the month. Sometimes it felt like August would never end and other times like it flew right by. I'm actually looking forward to September.

Busy week with work projects but I did get some shows watched. I started a new episode of Blue Heelers and so far enjoy the second season.

Caught several episodes of Peter Gunn. There's a marathon next weekend I'll probably end up watching also.

Watched the Tomb of the Cybermen episodes of Classic Who. I'm bummed there aren't a lot of the second doctor's episodes available for viewing.

Also caught another Midsomer Murders episode. I like the new guy. I also need to figure out when they started working for Midsomer Constabulary instead of Causton CID. Probably way back in a previous season and I just missed it.

I'm in the middle of a 77 Sunset Strip marathon. This is one of my favorite classic shows.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Adventures in Nugget Sitting, a sexy short that got a start in a fanfiction writing community.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Isla Sands, an excellent poker player, loses a card draw and has to babysit the drunken newbie pilot. Between the endless questions, throwing up, and clingy behavior of her charge, Isla takes time to wonder why Riggs Marvelton always does the same for her. And why he never attempts to just kill her and put both out of their misery.

And a sneaky peek…

"Oh, no, I'm not letting you have any more alcohol, Berenza." Isla Sands snagged the bottle from the table and tucked it under her chair.

Brad widened his eyes then narrowed them, trying to bring her into focus. "Why the hell not?" He swayed in his seat.

Isla snorted. "Because you have no more brain cells to lose and even though you're having a suck-ass week, what with getting dumped on your birthday and all, you're not blowing off steam anymore." She pinned him with her gaze. "You're taking the rest of us on a whiplash-inducing hopper jump through an asteroid field." She glanced around the table. "Consensus? Anyone disagree?" Okay, the hopper jump ride might be something of an exaggeration but, geez, not by much.

Foley grunted. "Nope. Kid's had enough. He's looking a little green."

Maston backed away from the table. "Damn straight he does. Better call it a night." He scooted down to the next seat for good measure.

Isla groaned. Berenza did appear to be feeling the effects of the alcohol. She should've cut him off earlier.

Not like she couldn't recognize the signs… she'd been in his position more than a few occasions.

And you had a personal savior every one of those times.

She shot a quick look toward Riggs who shook his head when Berenza tried to stand and crashed sideways into the table.

Riggs grabbed the junior pilot by the bicep. "Easy there, Bopper. Better stay put until we get a handle on everything." His gaze scanned everyone in the room, clearly stating what needed to happen without words.

Isla sighed. Figured. Someone would need to be on nugget-watch.

Foley grumbled. "Who gets the honors? An adventure in nugget-sitting isn't at the top of my list of fun things to do." He shuffled a deck of cards, cutting them then doing it again.

Riggs shrugged. "I'm out." He slid a sideways glance toward Isla. "I pulled it last time." The twitch of his lips took the sting out of the comment.

Isla feigned offense. "Hey… I haven't been a nugget for a long time." Which actually didn't mean jack all right now and made benders somehow worse.

Because she should know better.

Riggs smirked. "Which means I should be exempt the next time someone gets stupid drunk, too."

Isla rolled her eyes. "Whatever. But fine. You can sit this one out." She looked toward Foley and Maston. "High cards win? Low card gets stuck with Berenza detail?" When both nodded, she made a grab for the deck of cards.

Foley snatched it up first. "Uh-uh. Let Maston do the shuffle. And he gets to draw first." He waggled a finger in her direction. "You're going last because your luck is a little too on the nose when you shuffle." His quirked eyebrow dared her to argue.

She couldn't. Because she did have an uncanny ability to draw the highest card when she picked first. Which isn't my fault, but whatever.

Her shoulder slumped. "Fine. Let's get this over with." She drew a card after the other two took their picks.

A wide grin spread across Foley's face. "King of hearts." He flipped the card around to show it.

Maston hesitated but showed his. "Ten of clubs." He raised both eyebrows. "What do you have, Sands?"

She heaved a sigh. "Three of spades. I lose." Dammit.

The guys high-fived each other and whooped in glee. Riggs shook his head but stayed silent. Isla nudged Berenza who lifted his head from his arms to give her a bleary stare.

She stood up. "Come on, Bopper. Let's get you headed to the bunkroom." She got a good grip on his bicep and helped him stand.

He wobbled back and forth but got his feet under him. "Why're we leaving? I'm still cele… um… celebrating my birthday." He staggered out of the rec room and bumped into the bulkhead.

Isla shot a look back toward the other pilots. "You guys suck." She wrapped an arm around Brad's waist and guided him to the center of the causeway.

Riggs got up and followed along. "I'll find a bucket you can use if he can't make it to the head." He turned at the next corridor, heading toward the supply locker.

Isla paused. "Thanks. Have a feeling I'll need it." Brad started to sway again and she gripped his arm a little harder. "Come on, Berenza. Time to sleep it off." She guided him around the short turn and started for their quarters.

Brad stopped, covering his mouth with his hand. "Ugh… I need to…" He gagged and his stomach contracted.

Thank the universe they'd just passed the head. "Oh, no. Not here. Let's go." She pushed the door open and managed to get Brad's head aimed in the direction of the toilet.

He expelled the contents of his stomach, heaving several times.

Isla stood back, her arms crossed over her chest. "Good thing I'm not squeamish."

I'm having a really good time writing this one. Isla seeing herself in Berenza's drunken fest will be fun to explore.

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: Adventures in Nugget Sitting

Finally, a fairly lovely week. The weather took a turn for the better with mild temperatures and some sun.

Gotta say The Magicians finale shocked and surprised me. Loved it! The premiere of The Hunters has me intrigued so I'll continue watching to see how things pan out. No episode of Bitten this week, unless I missed the US viewing night. I've seen the next to last episode and some big twisty-turns I didn't expect.

Agents of SHIELD had a great episode. I have to give Brett Dalton credit for being so good at playing truly creepy. He's got the chops to pull it off.

Legends of Tomorrow also had another great episode. And finally, looks like we'll have a new / another villain. Glad to see the potential there.

Loving Wynonna Earp. I'm all caught up and really excited about the potential for this series. Still need to watch the first three episodes of Banshee, which I'm hoping to do later tonight. Also started a new ITV drama, Marcella, and so far, really like it. One of my favorite actors is starring so I'll be glued no matter what. LOL

And finally, I'm getting back into X Company, an excellent Canadian drama about WWII. Loving the second season so far.

And that's it for television this week.

Tonight's post is from Adventures in Nugget Sitting, a sexy short that didn't begin with a prompt that I can remember, but it's an idea I fell in love with—having my main female character finally realize a few key truths.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Isla Sands, an excellent poker player, loses a card draw and has to babysit the drunken newbie pilot. Between the endless questions, throwing up, and clingy behavior of her charge, Isla takes time to wonder why Riggs Marvelton always does the same for her. And why he never attempts to just kill her and put both out of their misery.

And a sneaky peek…

Riggs Marvelton hooked his arm around Isla and hauled her close. "Hey there, Sands. You're weaving again." She never failed to end up in his sights when she went overboard.

He made sure of it.

Isla laughed and stumbled. "I'm weaving because there're two corridors. Not sure which one I should use." She turned, facing him, her arms going around his waist. "You gonna help me get to my bunk?"

What else would he do? He always made sure she got to her rack.

He tightened his grip and walked her backwards. "Yep. I'll get you tucked in and settled down." When her hands moved lower to grab his ass, he let his eyes close briefly.

If only she'd get grabby hands when she didn't have alcohol-fueled lust. Just once, he wanted her to make a move that didn't involve beer or shots.

Isla stopped, her eyes going wide. "Riggs. I'm gonna…" Her hand flew to her mouth.

He made a quick turn and dragged her to the head, shoving the hatch open with his shoulder. Pushing her forward, he barely got her clear of the stall before she dropped to her knees and heaved. Guiding her closer to the toilet, he twisted her ponytail around his hand, keeping it out of the line of fire. He'd done the act so many times he had the motion down to a science, knew just how to grip the mane so it didn't hurt her. She expelled the contents of her stomach and took a shaky breath. Riggs had a wad of toilet paper ready, holding it out so Isla could wipe her mouth.

She glanced up, her eyes teary from the exertion. "Thanks." Her hand trembled but she took the paper and scrubbed her lips before tossing it in the bowl.

Rising up on wobbly legs, she leaned against the interior of the stall. Riggs let go of her hair then flushed, clearing away the foul-smelling bile. He backed out of the enclosure and crossed over to the sink. Dispersing several paper towels, he ran them under cold water than returned to Isla's side.

He offered the cool compress to her. "Here. This will help with the headache."

Isla took the moistened towels and held it to her head. "Just leave me here." She groaned. "I can't move or I'll hurl again." Her shoulders started a slide down the metal wall.

Riggs caught her and swept his arm under her legs. "C'mon, Isla. You know me better than that." He turned sideways and eased out of the stall. "Said I'd get you to your rack and I will." Ducking through the hatch, he started for quarters.

Isla tucked her head under his chin. "Remind me to thank you tomorrow." Her voice drifted off and she went slack.

Riggs shook his head. "Sure thing, Isla." Right, as if.

The hatch stood open when he arrived at the senior pilots' quarters. He carried her through and deposited her on the berth. After arranging her comfortably, he drew a light blanket over her. He placed the cold compress on her forehead then sat on the edge of the bunk. Thankfully, quarters were pretty much empty with only a few of the curtains closed on several racks.

He heaved a sigh and stretched out the kinks in his neck then started to stand.

Isla threw an arm out, catching him by surprise. He glanced down, wondering if they'd be making a mad dash for the head again.

She didn't open her eyes, but she grasped his fingers. "I love you, Riggs. You're the best." Her hand pulled away from his, landing on the mattress.

Riggs exhaled slowly. "Yeah, yeah. I'm awesome." Turning, he trudged out of the bunkroom. "Someday you'll actually realize just how much."

If only.

As an opener, I love the dynamic between Riggs and Isla. They've known each other a long time and I hope that comes through in this scene.

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: Adventures in Nugget-Sitting

Hello!

Okay, gotta say it. I totally didn't see the finale for Sleepy Hollow coming at all. I had a working theory that the sheriff would somehow be a descendant of Crane's. The sin eater? Not so much. Good crap, I love this show.

Let's see, what else? Arrow rocked it, per usual. I've seen a number of 'meh, this felt like a season one episode' on twitter and tumblr, and that's cool, but I like the episodes that slow down a little and focus on, or spotlight, specific characters. I completely see how others can consider it a hot mess of an episode, but I almost always find something interesting that comes into play later or a seemingly insignificant moment that ends up being big later. So yeah, I kinda love what I've come to call 'groundwork' episodes. J Arrow writers… you just keep doing what you're doing.

Banshee still has me looking forward to Friday nights. Lost Girl is changing up the game with everyone and I kinda love it. I also gave Bitten a whirl and well, I'm in. Didn't know if I would like the premise, but oddly found myself thinking about the episodes at random points during the day. Always a sign I'm hooked. J

That's it in television news. Writing has been good this week. Maybe it's the weather, with six to nine inches of snow, the sweeping, shoveling, and blowing gives me time to ponder storylines. LOL Tonight's post is from Adventures in Nugget Sitting—absolutely a working title until the 'real' title reveals itself—and features one of the main characters finally getting a clue about how their behavior affects the other main character.

Here's the tagline:

Isla Sands, an excellent poker player, loses a card draw and has to babysit the drunken newbie pilot. Between the endless questions, throwing up, and clingy behavior of her charge, Isla takes time to wonder why Riggs Marvelton always does the same for her. And why he never attempts to just kill her and put both out of their misery.

And a sneaky peek…

Isla groaned. If Brad threw up one more time she'd find a way to put him out of his misery. Quietly, and preferably without a firearm. A pillow could work. But she'd totally go for the gun if he kept it up.

She sank back against the wall, sliding down to sit beside Brad. He had to have expelled everything in his guts, right? Her head thumped the cool tiles behind her. Doubtful.

"La La?" Brad lifted his head. "Am I going to die?"

La La? "Not from puking." She rolled him over onto his back. "But if you call me La La again, there's a good chance you won't see daylight."

He gave her a sloppy smile. "Okay, La La. You're taking really good care of me."

Isla growled and slammed her head against the tiles one more time then got to her feet. Leaning down, she grabbed Brad's hands and hauled him upward. Tucking her shoulder under his armpit, she started for the door.

Brad draped an arm around her shoulders, his hand dangling over her breast. Trudging forward, she got a better grip and half dragged him, his feet shuffling on the deck. His palm dropped lower and his fingers brushed over her boob.

She jabbed her elbow into his side. "Hands off the goods, Berenza." Death by suffocation started looking like a distinct possibility.

He grunted and rubbed his ribs with his free hand. "Owww. Come on, La La, that hurt." He stumbled but didn't go down.

Good thing, she might have left him if he had. "Yeah, yeah. You're lucky I didn't knee you in the groin, buddy."

Copping a feel? She should've known Berenza would try a stunt like that. An image of her hands palming Riggs's ass took up space in her head. Geez, she had zero room to get pissed.

Propping Brad against the wall, she undogged the hatch to the bunkroom and shoved it open. Grabbing his arm, she hauled him inside and dragged him to his rack, thanking whatever ruled the universe he had the first berth inside the quarters. Nudging him into his space, she bent down, lifted his feet, and pushed them up onto his mattress.

Blowing out a harsh breath, she collapsed on the nearest chair and slouched down. Geez, babysitting nuggets sucked balls. How much longer before he passed out and she could finally be done? Propping her feet up on the table, she kicked back in the seat and closed her eyes.

An image of Riggs hauling her ass to and from the head flashed in her mind. Cripes. How many times had he pulled 'Isla Duty'? And why in the hell did he keep doing it?

"Hey, how's it going?" Riggs popped his head inside the bunkroom.

Isla dropped the front of the chair to the floor and glanced his way. "Oh my God. He's making me batshit." She shook her head. "Seriously, Riggs, why and how did you refrain from killing me every time you got stuck taking care of me?"

He stepped inside the room, his eyes narrowed. "Don't you know?"

Isla snorted. "No, I really don't. Would've been so much easier to put us both out of our misery."

Riggs studied her for several moments, enough to make her a little twitchy.

He heaved a sigh. "Look, Isla, if you can't figure it out, I'm not gonna explain." His head jerked toward the bunks. "You should have plenty of time to ponder while he's in between rounds."

He turned and exited before she could respond.

Slumping back in the chair, she crossed her arms over her chest. Well, didn't Riggs like to give her shit to think about? Then again, hadn't he always? The guy never failed to twist her brain up over something.

And yet, she sort of liked how he made her think about stuff she'd usually avoid. He challenged her to expand her horizons and stretch beyond the status quo.

Why?

She sat up, the answer hitting her right between the eyes.

I always love it when my characters have light bulb moments. Isla has more than one in this story. Good thing she's got Riggs to make her think, yeah?

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flip.

ML Skye