Finally.
Eyelids drifting shut, Jim sighed, relaxing slowly into the pillows,a smile curving up the edges of his lips. At last he could sleep, knowinghe wouldn’t have to be anywhere in particular the next morning. Unlesssomething came up, which Jim sincerely hoped it wouldn’t. Shoving thosethoughts aside, he shifted slightly, bunching the pillow up more comfortablyunder his head. 출장마사지
The week had been long and tiring. Chasing leads – and the occasionalsuspect – from one end of the city to the other. Arguing with the stationmechanic about the damage to his truck that occurred during a late nightstakeout early in the week. Avoiding the feds who’d interfered with hiscase in mid-week. Leading an investigation that led to a bust that morningwhich had left him with a few bruises and some aching muscles from thefoot-chase through the train yards.
Why do they always choose train yards? Is there something about themthat just calls to them ‘Hide here’?
Mentally shaking his head, Jim concentrated on relaxing the last fewtense muscles in his body, looking forward to a full night’s rest. As heshifted once more to lay on his good shoulder, the now nearly unnoticeabletrace smell of liniment drifted around him, reminding him yet again tothank his partner for giving his sore shoulder the rubdown it needed.
Don’t think I would’ve slept otherwise, considering how stiff itwas. Maybe I’ll treat him to supper sometime next week when it’s his nightto cook or something….
Those last few thoughts going through his mind, Jim began to float away,carried by the wings of sleep into —
Eyelids flew open in startlement. What the …? Muscles tensed,then relaxed. He waited, listening.
Nothing.
Deciding it had been a fluke, Jim sighed and closed his eyes, pullingthe comforter over his shoulder a little more securely. Below him he heard- or is it felt? – Blair shift in his sleep, muttering a little,then falling back into a deeper rest.
Good. He needs it as much as I do. Maybe more. Now, where was I–
It was louder this time. Loud enough to send Jim to a sitting position,the comforter and sheets dropping to puddle around his waist. He narrowedhis eyes, extending his senses just a little, trying to pinpoint the offensivenoise. When he didn’t hear anything, he started to lay back down again–
Jim winced, rapidly dialing down his hearing – or at least trying to- even as the echo of the low bass noise rang in his ears. Growling, hethrew back the covers and moved to get out of bed. Bare feet hit the coldfloor with a soft slap even as Jim reached for his gray robe at the bottomof the bed. Shrugging into the robe and leaving it unbelted, he descendedthe stairs, muttering softly under his breath about various felines andtheir obscenely annoying attraction to his life.
Why me? Why not Sandburg?
He glanced at his loftmate’s room on his way to the kitchen, hearingthe slow breathing and steady heartbeat indicative of a sound sleeper.
No reaction from the younger man in the slightest. Jim made a face ashe found what he needed on the counter. No, of course no reaction. Hesleeps through everything. He shook his head fondly, then turned backto the balcony.
Yanking open the balcony doors, he glared at the large, fat, orange-stripedoffender sitting on the balcony floor. Reminds me of Garfield. “Don’tyou have somewhere else to be? Maybe with whomever bought you that jeweledcollar?” He waved one hand at it. “Get! Shoo, you overstuffedhairball!”
The cat just stared back at him balefully, licking one paw before openinghis mouth in a wide, unimpressed, very bored yawn that ended – again -in that horrific noise.
Gritting his teeth, Jim said, “Fine. Have it your way.” Witha quick flick of his wrist, Jim threw the ice-cold contents of a largewater glass across the balcony, drenching his unwanted visitor.
Hissing and spitting its displeasure, the cat yowled once more – thistime in high-pitched, affronted disgust – before dashing toward the fireescape ladder and making its way down with a speed belying its large size.
Jim grunted, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest. “I did warn you.”
Five minutes later, once again ensconced in his bed, roommate stillobliviously asleep below him, Jim sighed, closing his eyes, seeing thepromised sleep beckoning to him just beyond sight. With no dangerous casespending or threats from suspects hanging over his head, his dreams wouldbe restful as well, promising even a better night’s sleep. After a goodnight’s rest, he’d be ready to tackle all the bad guys again.
Well, after that and a quiet weekend. Maybe he and Blair would havetime to do a little one-on-one basketball or something like that. Somethingfun. Something relaxing. Something
In the smaller room below the overhead loft bedroom, Blair turned overin his sleep, snuffling softly, never hearing the aggravated scream, muffledas it was by a thick pillow.
– The End –