Harper's Adventure

Slow and Easy

Zane limped down the stairs and cursed every couple of steps. He was hurt. "Easy. Take it slow." Charlie coached and let Zane lean on him. He finally got to the bottom.

"Okay. I'm down the stairs. I feel that we should celebrate." Zane smiled. Charlie shook his head.

Anders walked up and took Zane's other side and they practically carried him to the living room. "Zane!" Harper was up and hugging him.

"Ouch! Damn it. I think that there is a broken rib. Easy. Harper, are you okay?" Zane groaned and tried to breathe.

"Sorry." Harper let go. "Sorry, Zane. Well, okay? No. I..." He cleared his throat. "Things are fucked up, huh?"

Anders laughed. "That's my man."

Charlie shook his head. "Eloquent."

"So, you're a vampire?" Zane asked Harper.

"Sit before you fall down." Charlie suggested. He helped Zane to a chair and stood by him. He was still guarding.

Harper told him the story about Anders getting shot and Charlie filled in some blanks. He finished the story because Harper and Anders weren't really there for that part.

Charlie helped turn Harper and helped Anders when he woke up. "Well, all of us were there for that. He looked like shit when he woke up. Pale and dead. All he worried about was Harper."

"Hey. I know a good thing when I have it." Anders smiled at Harper who hadn't left his lap. Anders wouldn't let him either. "I could never find another person that would put up with my shit."

"Damn right." Harper smiled.

Zane had a thought. "Oh, I have that information you needed on those shell companies. I have to get back to the office and finish reading those reports. You and Pierce were onto something. I'm sorry that I didn't get to finish them. Smith called and..."

"Hey. I think you have earned a couple of days off. I can work on it from here and I'm getting a new phone later. Anders has to promise not to crush this one." Harper smiled at Anders, who chuckled.

"You love it when I crush your phones." Anders defended himself. Harper laughed. He really did love that.

"Well, I can help from bed. I have some people to call in the morning and I have another call to return and I need to check our messages at the office." Zane started.

"Do you have an off switch or a take a vacation switch?" Charlie asked.

"No. He doesn't." Harper answered. "He needs a good distraction. Someone to keep him preoccupied." He smiled at Charlie.

"Damn it, Harper." Charlie cursed. He didn't want to hear from Anders. He knew that Anders would give him shit. He deserved it.

Anders laughed. "You're screwed, my friend and may I say, it is about time."

"I know." Charlie smiled at Zane. "None of this is on purpose! Does it have a name?" He knew that Anders knew.

"I don't know but it's powerful, huh? Here you were all making fun of me, now look at you!" Anders smiled.

"I hate you!" Charlie glared at his friend.

"We are screwed, huh?" Zane had to ask.

Harper laughed. "Oh, yes! Look at us. I hate Anders and I can't get enough!" He smiled at his boyfriend...  fiancé, when Anders asked.

"I think it's time to get you back upstairs and into bed." Charlie stopped. "To rest. I meant to get some rest and heal. Feel better." He cleared his throat.

"Smooth." Anders smiled. Charlie flipped him off and chuckled.

Charlie helped Zane back upstairs to bed. Charlie crawled in with him. "Thanks for staying with me." Zane said after he got in a comfortable position.

"Couldn't stop me, I'm afraid." Charlie smiled and kissed Zane softly. "If you weren't hurt..."

Zane groaned. "Soon. If it wasn't for broken ribs. I'm pretty sure they are broken."

"Hey, lay still and sleep. Get better and we will discuss terms." Charlie promised.

"I can't wait. So, where are we going on our date?" Zane asked and listened to Charlie talk. Zane was sleeping dreamlessly before he realized he closed his eyes. Charlie smiled and smelled him all night. He couldn't think of a better place to be.