| "Daylight Dreaming" | ||
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May 29, 2008 0830 hours "Jordan," Joshua spoke softly, "why don't you come back to Paige's for awhile?" "That's alright," she replied with a tired sigh. "I just wanna sleep in my own bed." Her head was leaning back on the seat and she turned it lazily towards Paige. "Are you sure? I've got room," Paige said quietly. She really didn't have room for everyone unless someone volunteered to sleep on the floor. But Paige was willing to do that. She didn't believe any of them should be alone. "No, it's alright. We'll get together later, looks like it's going to be a nice day. Maybe we'll take the boat out." Jordan said with a little mischievous smile. Paige grinned, "some la cervasas as well?" "But of course. I'll call you later." Jordan pushed the door open as Joshua pulled up to her house. He then got out as well. "Make sure you call me," Paige reiterated. "I will. Night Baz," Jordan said grabbing the bag that was at her feet. "Night Jordy," Baz said from the front seat. Paige watched as Joshua walked her to the door. He was talking to her but Paige couldn't hear what he was saying. Jordan safely in her apartment, Joshua returned. He looked tired and Paige imagine they must all look like hell. Joshua more so though as he was the one that drove the whole way home. He got in and made his way to Paige's place in silence. Paige continued to stroke Brian's hair as the boy slept soundlessly with his head on her lap. He had slept for about an hour than had woken up marveling at the darkness that surrounded them on the ride. He had talked with Joshua quietly while the others tried to rest. It was good because at least it gave Joshua something to do besides drive home in silence. They mostly talked about video games, of all things, and Paige wondered where Joshua got his knowledge of them. Brian had just fallen asleep again not a half hour ago and Paige could only think of crawling into her own bed and finally getting some sleep. They pulled into her apartment complex and Joshua parked the truck next to Paige's mustang. "We're home kids," Joshua announced softly. They pulled themselves from the truck as Joshua lifted Brian gently from the back seat. "C'mon kiddo," he said as the still sleeping boy wrapped his arms around Joshua's huge shoulders. "Just leave the stuff here, I'll come back down and get it," Joshua said. Paige led them to her apartment unlocking the door and turning off the alarm. The apartment was just as she had left it. Baz's bag was still by the larger sofa, rumpled clothing still half hanging out. Michael the Fish swam silently in his bowl hiding behind a large leaf of his plant as he felt the vibrations of their movement. The blinds across the sliding glass doors were pulled shut and blocked out most of the invading sun from the outside so the apartment was essentially...well...gloomy. Paige sighed. Why would she think the apartment was gloomy? Joshua laid Brian down on the smaller couch and smoothed a blanket over him. Brian mumbled something of a protest before returning to his dream world and Baz settled on the big couch. Joshua left the apartment to retrieve the rest of the bags, mostly weapons, still in his truck. It wouldn't be the wisest thing to leave them out in the open, one never knew who was about. "You okay?" Paige asked him sitting next down next to him. "Paige, my dear," Baz said with a playful grin, "I am alive, I am tired, and I have this more than comfy couch to sleep on. I am more than okay." Paige grinned, "I'm so sorry about all of this." "No, no reason to be sorry. I knew when I signed on with you guys that weirdness would be a major factor. Knowing that...well, things don't seem all that bad. We got out of it." He took her hand in his and squeezed it gently. "We got out of it," he said again softly. Joshua returned a minute later laden with bags. Paige got up to help him arrange them near the dining table. "This guy still alive," Joshua said tapping Michael the Fish's bowl softly. "Yeah," she said pulling his hand away, "don't tap his bowl." Joshua snorted and went into the bedroom as Paige kicked the bags around to put them under the table. He returned with a blanket and tossed it at Baz. "Don't say I never do anything for you," he quipped. "Oh, I wouldn't," Baz replied taking off his sling and settling down. "I wouldn't dream of it," he muttered before closing his eyes. "I guess that just leaves us," Joshua said with a shrug. "Brian won't be freaked out waking up in a strange place?" Paige shrugged. "He'll see Baz. He'll be okay." Joshua shrugged again. "I'm beat." "Me, too," she said as they both walked to the bedroom. Paige stripped off her clothes. Well, not her clothes. Carter's actually. He had brought them from his house and given some to her and some to Baz. It was nice gesture. Then again, Carter was a nice man. Paige sighed with the thought. Poor Carter. "What?" Joshua asked pulling off his shirt. "Nothing," Paige mumbled pulling on a tshirt and pair of sweat shorts. She crawled on to her bed pulling on the covers and laid down with an exhausted sigh. Joshua pulled on a pair of shorts and sat down on the bed next to her. The room was dark but there was enough light fighting through the blinds and curtains of her bedroom window that she could still see him. He sat silently, his shoulders slumped and his head down. He spoke quietly after a moment. "You guys are free now. Finally." "What do you mean?" Paige asked. "I mean from Section. From us. You guys are finally free with Madeline...gone, now." "Not really," Paige said propping herself up on her elbow. "There's still Oversight." Joshua shrugged. "Just a source of income. We'll still keep tabs, protect our investment. But you guys won't have to fear Madeline anymore." "I guess that's a good thing," Paige said turning over his words in her mind. They wouldn't have to fear Madeline but he never said anything about himself, or Michael, or Section for that matter. That fear would still be there. It would always be there. "It is a good thing. A very good thing. A huge step forward for the SIA. You guys are on your way now to becoming your own thing, your own organization, self sufficient, on your own." He turned towards her. "You're almost on your own now." There was such a sadness to his voice. And it could have been exhaustion, could have been, but Paige believed it had to be sadness. She reached up and pulled him down towards her. She wrapped her arms around him as he lay with her back to her chest and held him. "I'm not on my own Joshua," she said softly kissing his shoulder. "I don't think I'll ever be alone again." They were silent for some time as Paige felt sleep pulling at her. "You've never held me before," he whispered. "Really?" she mumbled back. "All the times we've been together, slept side by side...you've never once held me in your arms." "Is it a problem?" she asked squeezing him gently. "No," he squirmed, settling into her arms more. "It feels good. It feels...safe." An interesting choice of words, she thought. Safe. He felt safe in her arms. Something she didn't quite feel when the situation was reversed. Something he said himself she would never find in his arms. Was it fair? No. But it was what it was. She smoothed his hair away from his neck and kissed it gently. "Go to sleep, Joshua." But he already was. She could tell by the rhythm of his breathing that he already was. She held him closely, listening to him and staring into the darkness as she waited for sleep to come to her. Return |
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