Origins Unkown

chapter 2

The car ride was quiet. She tried to think of something to say to him that wouldn't make both of them uncomfortable. He spoke first.

"So are you gonna take a break? Take some time off? You've earned it you know?"

"I know but if I sit at home, I just hear about it on the scanner or the T.V. I would go crazy." She said with a chuckle.

"How do you know unless you try? You could go out of town?" He said smiling.

"So I could deal with these things there, no thank you. What about you? Don't you have time off available?" She asked, taking the focus off her.

"I do, but someone has to take care of you." He said smiling. Before she could respond, he slammed on the breaks, jumped out of the car and went around opening her door.

"Thank you." She stepped out of the car and looked around cautiously.

"Please don't do that. We're here to relax remember?" John said rolling his eyes and turning to stalk to the bar.

"Sorry, habit." She said, taking off two steps behind him. The bar was dim lighted and noisy with the sounds of rock music. The patrons of that establishment were very much into the Goth scene.

"Why do you keep coming here?" She asked him as they sat down at the bar.

"Cause the beer is cheap and the music is loud." He said shortly.

"Oh well then. Let's drink then. I want to get smashed!" She said downing her first shot of tequila. John smiled and downed his too. Shadow kept to liquor, while John nursed a couple beers.

"John, I think I'm officially drunk. Will you please take me home?" She said slurring her words and trying to stand.

"Sure thing Shadow." He stood up, paid their tabs, and grabbed her waist with one arm and trotted her out to his mustang. She crawled in and buckled up. She closed her eyes because when she had been drinking, car rides made her sick. When she dared to peek, she was being carried up her stairs.

"Put me down. I can walk. Besides I have to dig my keys out." She wasn't sure he understood her until he set her down gently on the ground in front of her door. She reached in her jacket and pulled out her house keys. She jammed the key in the lock and opened the door.

"Thank you, John, for bringing me home." She said facing him in her doorway.

"You're welcome, Shadow, anytime." He turned away and before she could stop herself, she grabbed his arm. He stopped and half turned towards her. She stepped around him into the breezeway, suddenly a little more sober. She never intended to do it, but she kissed him. Long, hard, and with as much passion as she could conjure up in her half-drunken state. John broke away first.

"Do you think this is a good idea?" He asked in a breathless whisper.

"Yes." She stepped passed him back into her apartment and started to strip off her clothes as she made her way to her bedroom. She really expected John to leave, but then she felt his strong hands on her shoulders.

"If we do this, are you going to regret it tomorrow? Are you going to request a new partner?" He asked slowly pushing her jacket the rest of the way off her arms.

"No. No weirdness, no new partner. I just want to feel close to someone. I want you to make love to me. I know you can. I know you want to, and I want you to. Please don't go all noble on me, John." She said whispering, almost pleading. She turned to read his face and he surprised her.

"Okay." He cupped her face with his hands and kissed her softly, exploring her mouth with his tongue. She started unbuttoning his shirt and pushed it off. She started on his belt next, but found it a pain to get off.