Title: Enjoy the moment
author: Cindy Ryan
pairings: Valerie/John
spoilers: all
Valerie Stahl kept surprising John Kennex that day; including agreeing to go back to his apartment. John had almost not asked knowing she'd been through hell with the kidnapping and losing her partner. However, when she'd smiled at him the words came out of his mouth unbidden. Valerie had leaned over and kissed him and that was more than enough to unravel what little self-restraint John had left.
Hours later with dawn coloring the sky John lay awake watching Valerie sleep in his arms. He couldn't help but think what his aura would look like now to Mia. She'd been right and that weirded John out on more levels than he cared to admit. Still some part of John's jaded soul found comfort that what Mia believed was true. The universe did find a way to work things out.
Valerie stirred in John's arms but didn't wake. A frown crossed John's face as he took in the new bruises that were appearing on her shoulders and arms. She was a tough lady; one of the best cops they had. Still John felt an overwhelming need to protect her along with guilt for not being there when she had needed him.
One thing kept nagging at John. One thing he hadn't been brave enough to ask her. The words of the clone kept echoing through John's thoughts 'You must be very important to her to be an emergency contact." Why him of all people? Sure they flirted, were co-workers and on good days friends. John could finally admit to himself he hadn't been the best person since he'd come back to work. Was just now starting to let people in. So why had Valerie had him as her first call?
When Valerie awoke an hour later John did ask. After kisses and more sex, he asked. Smiling Valerie had reached up and caressed John's left cheek as she replied.
"I knew you'd be there for me if I ever needed you."Stahl stated solemnly. "And you were."
John swallowed hard and caught Valerie's hand in his and squeezed it. If he let himself he could fall hard and fast for her. Dorian would say he'd done that already; maybe that was true. For now John just wanted to live in the moment and enjoy the fact that somebody cared about him.