Instant Connection

16

Even after arriving home so late, I still manage to wake up before Johnny. Which is actually shocking. I don't know why, but Johnny never really sleeps in often. I release him from my grip, gently climbing out of the bed and taking a seat on the chair I have in my room.

Pulling my laptop out of one of the many bags I will have to unpack at some point. There was no point in even starting last night since it was so late and I was exhausted. And I couldn't leave that hottie in my bed alone any longer. I type in my password and immediately go to check my email. It's been weirdly quiet from Isabelle lately. The last I've heard from her was she said she was going on vacation for a while. She had offered for me to go, but I couldn't do that. I think Johnny's head would explode if I ran off with an international drug and weapon dealer. Plus, this gave me the perfect excuse to go visit my family for a few days and check on Mike, so win win. After I finish clearing out my email I shut down the laptop and slide it back into the bag.

Johnny groans and rolls over, stretching his long limbs. He squeezes his closed eyes tighter before slowly letting them open, adjusting to the light from outside. He makes eye-contact with me and for a second it's almost as if he doesn't recognize me.

"Stella! I didn't know you were coming home today!" He cheers, climbing out of bed, rushing over to me to pull me out of my seat and into a hug.

"We had this conversation last night, Johnny. Remember?" I laugh, hugging him back. We separate and I sit back down.

He thinks for a moment before shaking his head, "No, not really. But, check it out, we are doing a reverse today, you in?"

I lean back in the chair, "Are you actually going to let me be on TAC?"

"Well, I was thinking you could hang out with Charlie in comm." he suggests.

"Dude... seriously?"

"You want breakfast? Let's go get some breakfast!" He quickly dashes out the door and I can hear him practically jumping down the stairs.

I sigh and follow him down. Briggs and Charlie were already down there. Charlie was sitting at the island and Briggs was leaning next to fridge, both having cups of coffee. Johnny was pouring himself a cup.

"Well, well, well. Look who's back!" Charlie smiles.

"Hi, Charlie." I smile walking over to her and pulling her into a hug.

"Hello, Mrs. Tuturro." Briggs teases.

"What makes you think I wouldn't make Johnny take my last name?" I smirk.

"Ey, Johnny Hart! I like it!" Johnny laughs, handing me a cup of coffee how I like it.

"Thank you." I smile to him.

"Johnny Hart or Stella Tuturro, we may need a house vote on this." Briggs nods.

"We are far far FAR away from that Briggs, so maybe don't round up the troops just yet."

"Fair enough. Hey-uh, are you coming today?" He changes the subject.

"I don't know. Someone wants me to sit in comm." I say, looking over at Johnny.

"I'll be in comm, in the nice A/C, not having to smell the TAC team man sweat and you can tell me about your trip." Charlie bargins.

"You had me at A/C, I'm in." I smile, heading upstairs to get ready.

"What was with that face?" Charlie whispers to Johnny after Stella got upstairs.

Johnny scoffs, "What face?"