Mike doesn't get enough love in the fandom.

I thought I'd try my hand out at this. Perhaps it'll be a couple chapters, perhaps it'll be a story. In any case, let me hear some feedback.

His clock said 2:15 in the morning. Mike blinked twice, trying to figure out what had woken him. Had something scratched at the window, a branch? Something nudge the trash cans, an animal? Or worse, had something as dangerous and stupid as a human tried to break in, perhaps?

Buzz, buzz.

No, he was relieved to hear that it had been his phone that woke him. That relief turned into curiosity as he realized it wasn't his phone-phone, but his…work-phone. He turned on his side and picked it up on the fourth buzz. "Yeah?" His normally gruff tone sounded more so like a grizzly bear than ever.

It was the Vet, naturally. "I've got a job for you…tonight." Pause. "Right now, actually."

Mike sat up in bed, trying to shake the last bit of sleep from his mind. "Right now?" He sounded skeptical.

There was no hesitation in the man's voice. "Within the hour. I've got a client who requested a sharp eye. I thought of you." A bit of flattery mixed with the offer.

"How much?" Mike got to the point.

This was where the Vet hesitated. "Three hundred tonight…and five hundred each day afterwards."

Mike felt a bit insulted. Two hundred minimum for who knew how long doing what? Depending on the day, the idea of 'day afterwards' wasn't terribly enticing yet either. Still, clearly the person was in desperate need – and poor finances – to request an immediate…helper. "Doing what?" He shifted so his feet touched the ground.

"Female client needs a bodyguard tonight. Given the time," there was the faint hush of his voice, suggesting that he had checked it, "I'd say no more than six or so hours. Past that…well, she'll explain, if you're interested."

Female. Heh. Mike had a soft spot for helping women in distress. Call it part of old habits and chivalry. "Bodyguard against who?"

"A violent ex." His mind went back to his fair share of domestic calls he had been pulled into, one in particular. His lips thinned. "Well?" The Vet prompted. "This is a time-sensitive request."

Mike stood with a grimace, his muscles protesting. He growled, "What's the address?"

Should I continue?