| "On the Inside" | |||
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Safehouse 1, Lower Manhattan Med/Surg Floor 1630 hours Paige shuffled out of her room, leaving Joshua behind. She was numb from head to toe but especially on the inside. Joshua never ceased to amaze her. He had an endless capacity for, well, being a complete prick. She passed an empty room before coming upon Eric's. Eric was moving around inside, she assumed he had been released as well. She knocked on the door softly and he gestured for her to come in. She did, dropping the heavy duffel bag next to a chair then sliding slowly into it. Eric watched her with his typical blank face. "How ya feeling?" she asked quietly. "I am fine, though sore. And you?" She nodded her head and lifted her casted arm, "broke my wrist," she smiled. "I see that. Is it bad?" She shrugged, "no, just broke. Banged up my head, too. Concussion, seven or so stitches." "That is not good," he said leaning slightly against the bed. "Nope," she replied. "But it did earn me a few days off and actually I was uh...hoping I might spend them with you. Tool about your place for a bit...or something." She took a deep breath after her statement trying to prepare herself for whatever he might say. But he said nothing, clearly expecting more of an explanation from her. Alright, she could do that. "I think we have some things to talk about. Some things I would like to talk about, explain maybe." He looked at her for a long while before finally nodding his head. "It might be good." "I'm sure it'll be a blast," she countered getting up. She shouldered the heavy bag as Eric zipped his own. "You will ride with me?" She nodded. "Can't really drive my car with this cast." He smiled and opened the door for her. Oh god. Joshua was there, just outside the room. His arms were crossed over his chest and he just stared at them without saying anything or moving. His eyes were fixed on Eric, and they glowed with that intensity that was the staple of his being. The one thing that was there all along. That lurking menace in those blue eyes. Always there, waiting, waiting for an excuse to come out and play. She had given the excuse many times. Now it seemed he was waiting for Eric to give that excuse. She waited with her breath held to see what would happen between these two. Eric spoke in that Section 1 neutral tone that offered nothing but words. "You wanted something?" Joshua smiled smugly at Eric. It was a provoking sort of grin. One that could easily be misconstrued as just a regular grin. Though regular is hardly a word she would use to ever describe Joshua. "No. Did you want something from me...Kihn?" The last word drew the smug off his face. Was that a challenge? Her eyes flicked to Eric nervously. Had Joshua waited for just the right time to call out Eric? "No." Eric spoke again in that neutral tone and Paige had to fight back a sigh of relief. Then he did something she wouldn't have expected. He simply turned and walked away. She took a breath and her eyes returned to Joshua who was staring at her again with a very satisfied grin. She moved to take a small step but he countered pushing himself off the wall to stop her. "What?" she breathed out watching Eric's retreating back not wanting to look at Joshua again. "I just wanted to tell you to be careful." She was forced to look at him again. Those searing blue eyes covered in concern and tainted with mild amusement. His lips were pursed slightly and the stubble of his beard pushed slightly through the skin over his face. If she didn't know any better she would say he was pouting. It was a complete 180, zero to 60 and back again, all in a manner of seconds. "I will," she said softly then cursed herself as soon as she heard it. How did he do that? He smiled, "I know you will. I just wanted to tell you anyway." She nodded taking another breath. "I collected your things from the locker room." He handed over a small bag. "Your cell phone and clothes are in there." She took the bag silently. "Know where I'm going?" She looked to him nervously. She had no idea where he was going and she was pretty sure she didn't want to. She was also pretty sure he was going to tell her anyway. "Going to DC, gonna raise a little covert hell down there." "Why?" He shrugged, it was as if they were discussing the weather. "Got to protect you Paige." He fixed his gaze on her sending a small ripple of chills up her spine. "You see, I don't want you two making spectacles of yourself, hogging up all the media. So, I'm gonna go on down to DC and keep everyone busy. Gotta protect my goods, you know?" His goods? Would that be her? And why was it so important for her mission to be kept under wraps? She didn't ask though because really...it didn't really matter. It just didn't matter anymore. One more night, one more mission, and she'd be done with him. Until the next time. She knew there would be a next time. Joshua was like that. That little 'then we're even' comment? That was just temporary. This was just for the chemical intel. Hell, they were just getting the playing field ready for the next inning. Yeah, she was quite certain there'd be a next time. But that was for later. He was in the right now. And it wasn't a good thing to not have your attention focused on him when he was. "I'm fixing on three am. You should do the same." She nodded her understanding. Three am, four, five, didn't really matter to her. "You think you'll be coming back home tomorrow sometime?" What? She suddenly felt very nervous. "I dunno, I guess it depends..." "I want you home tomorrow." He paused as she stared at him. "I want to spend some time with you...not fighting." Oh that. That little thing that kept her tightly in his control. The sex. She could feel her heart rate pick up. The little flashes of memory of That caught her attention, detailed flashes of him when he wasn't Business Joshua. When he was with her, when he was touching her like that, when he was consumed with her, when he was giving himself to her. When he wasn't guarded, manipulating, hurting, when he was himself. That. "Is that ok?" he asked softly. Her attention snapped back to him. "I have to go," she stammered. He nodded his head, a little annoyed. "Three am." And then he simply stalked off. She took a deep breath shaking herself mentally and realizing just how heavy the duffel bag was on her shoulder. Once again, he never ceased to amaze her. He manipulated her so easily, so nonchalantly. He didn't need her to answer. Just by throwing the suggestion out there he knew she would go home tomorrow. He knew. He just knew. He was so hard. So difficult dealing with him, his multiple personalities, his wickedness and his tenderness. The lines had become so blurred that it was hard to see where one half ended and the other began. Black and white simply didn't exist anymore. It was all gray - ten different shades of it, but gray all the same. She left medical and made her way to the garage. Eric was waiting for her, leaning against his truck. He said nothing as she approached and she offered no explanation as to what took her so long. He was a smart boy and it wasn't that difficult to figure out. She tossed both bags in the back seat with a grunt then got into the front seat and buckled her seat belt. Eric took a small breath as if he were going to say something. "Don't," Paige cut him off. "Please...just don't." She leaned her head back closing her eyes. She didn't know if he was going to say something but she didn't have the strength to talk to him. Not yet. But she would have to find some for when they got to his place. She would have to find a lot of strength for that. 'Like it or not..you are exactly like me'. That's what Joshua had said. Well, she guessed she was going to find that out soon enough. No bounce, no play. And it was time to play. Time to play the game. Return |
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