AUTHORS NOTE: So if you read Lee's (alternativerocker) latest Serendipity chapter you'll know she mentioned how Stuart and Ewan had moved to Edinburgh to open a nightclub. Well I politely asked if I could write the story to go with it because we all know that S/E are my number one Taggart couple even if half of the pair isn't a real taggart character! I hope you enjoy this little chapter fic!
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but Ewan. I don't even own the storyline! That belongs to Lee. I'm just the ghost writer ;)
[Midnight Phonecalls]
Rolling over in the bed, Stuart reached out to pull Ewan closer to him but he froze as he realised he was clutching to nothing. Opening his eyes, he searched around the room to see that it was pretty empty. The bright red glare of alarm clock said it was only half past four in the morning and seeing as they both had arranged to have the night and today off he knew there was no way that his lover was at work. Sliding his feet out from underneath the covers, he grabbed hold of one the tee shirts lying on the floor and started to move towards the door.
He could hear voices downstairs so he slowly inched downstairs, his hand holding onto the banister as his heart raced. Who would Ewan be talking to at this hour of the morning? If it had been something about work, he'd have woken Stuart up to let him know that he was needed and Stuart would have sleepily murmured for him to go but be real quick because he was already missing him.
"It sounds like a good idea," Ewan's voice said and there was a momentary pause meaning that he was on the phone to someone. "I can't wait to see you either," Stuart felt his jaw tighten as he listened to the words. What was his partner up to? He had slunk away to have a phone conversation and this was what Stuart had the misfortune of hearing? As a detective he knew not to condemn someone without all the facts but at that moment it was pretty hard not to do just that! "No. I haven't told Stuart. Are you having a laugh?"
Now that last sentence was a slap around the face and he couldn't help but move up the stairs again, quietly. Staring at the empty space where his husband normally slept, he felt suddenly sick as he ran to the bathroom to throw up. Why would Ewan be having an affair? It didn't make any sense! Where did he find the time to have an affair? The pair of them were either together or they were always working and he knew that Ewan wouldn't throw off time off work just to have an affair. His eyes widened as he thought about it. Would he though? Maybe Ewan really loved this guy and would do everything he normally wouldn't.
Another round of vomit joined the original in the toilet, tears streamed down his face as he thought through the scenarios in his mind. How the hell could this be happening? He understood that Ewan was once a wild child and enjoyed being around the town but Stuart had really hoped that the simple silver bands they both wore on their wedding finger would put an end to that. He knew that Ewan had never cheated on him before their marriage but why do it afterwards? He sighed. He knew Ewan had give up on the religion years ago but he'd thought that his husband would understand the sanctity of wedding vows!
There was a slight rap at the door and he looked up to see Ewan stood there holding a glass of water. "Are you okay, baby?" He asked kneeling down next to him and handing him the glass of water, his free hand rubbing his back as he pouted. Ewan didn't like seeing Stuart ill as it rarely happened but he was always there to comfort him through it.
"Yeah," he said forcing a smile as he looked over at Ewan. "Are you okay? I was shocked to wake up and find out that I was sleeping alone." He teased and Ewan looked down at the floor sheepish before looking back up at him, his smile crooked.
"I was a little peckish so I went down to raid the fridge and then I heard you throwing up your guts so I thought I'd play the charmer and bring you a glass of water," however, Stuart didn't hear the end of the sentence. He found himself focusing on the fact that Ewan had lied to him. He closed his eyes, his hand grabbing onto his stomach tight as he rocked forward on his heels. "Oh my, are going to be sick again?" Ewan demanded to know and Stuart shook his head.
"No." He said a little too curt causing Ewan to stare at him in shock. "I'll be fine." He promised taking a sip of the water as he reached out to flush the toilet. "You can go off back to bed. I'll just brush my teeth and I'll follow you through," he promised forcing himself up making sure that he dodged Ewan's arm as he tried to help him up.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Ewan said having noticed that Stuart had made sure that he didn't touch him. Stuart turned round, a huge fake smile plastered onto his face as he nodded.
"Now why wouldn't I be okay?" He said realising that his voice was a little high. "It's probably just a little 24 hour bug. Don't you worry your pretty little head about it! You just go back to bed and I'll be through in a few minutes." He said motioning for him to leave as he grabbed hold of the door as a gesture that he wanted to close it behind him. Ewan gave him a strange look before leaving. Stuart closed the door, his hand turning on the lock as he pressed his forehead against the smooth wood.
His eyes were closed as the first tear squeezed it's way free, his hand grasping to the door handle as if it was the only support that he had. His shoulders shook with the tears that he shed, his world crumbling around him as he indeed came to the horrible conclusion that his husband, the love of his life, was having an affair and he'd had the audacity to lie to his face. He didn't know how he should react. Should he go crazy? Should he storm out of here to Jackie's house and cry on her shoulder?
No. He moved to the sink, his hand trembling as he reached for his toothbrush, and stared at his reflection. He would stay here and wait until he caved. It couldn't be that much longer before he did. Ewan would remember that he loved Stuart and would feel guilty. He'd have to come clean then and then Stuart would have the heartbreaking decision of whether or not he would want to continue in a relationship where there was no trust. He thought of little Ronan and already knew the answer. He just wished he knew what had forced Ewan to cheat in the first place.
Maybe it was his job. Had Ewan finally reached breaking point? It happened to most police officers. He knew that from watching all the older ones explain that they were going through a divorce. Partners just couldn't nudersand the hours that they worked but he actually thought he'd found someone special in Ewan because he also had the same weird hours. It was apparent that he'd been deluded. He had fallen for the ganglord's charms and it had done nothing but lead him to heartbreak just like he'd been warned.
Rubbing away at his tears, he finished with his teeth and put everything away caring for Ewan's OCD. He found himself chuckling. Typical Stuart action just to care about everyone despite the fact that he was being taken advantage of but the idea of leaving the bathroom a mess to annoy Ewan seemed somewhat childish so he just continued putting everything away. Once that was done, he headed back to the bedroom.
"Hey, I thought you'd got lost," Ewan mumbled sleepily and Stuart smiled through his sadness as he shook his head.
"Now why would I get lost when my whole world lies in this bed?" He said climbing under the covers, turning on his side so that his back faced Ewan and closed his eyes. Ewan snuggled up against him, his arm wrapping around his middle but Stuart wriggled free causing Ewan to stare at him in the dark. "Sorry. It just doesn't help my stomach," he lied forcing a smile and Ewan nodded in an understanding manner before motioning for Stuart to cuddle up to him. Stuart stared at him for a moment before lying back down, his head resting on Ewan's muscled chest as his arm wrapped around him so that he kept close.
"I love you, Stuart and I'll take care of you." Stuart just nodded his head, his eyes closing tight so that his tears wouldn't betray him. When he heard Ewan fall back asleep, he pulled away do that he could roll over, his back facing Ewan and with that done, he cried himself to sleep. His heart breaking.
TO BE CONTINUED...
