AN- Sorry it's taken so long to post anything, the real world is a little demanding at the minute. I promised I would post this for BonesBird as she asked me to. It's a one shot and it's smut overload as always. Spoilers 1/02 Carrier.
After chasing round trying to round up sailors and returning them to the ship in the middle of the plague outbreak no one really slept much. Brody and LaSalle at least got to go home but Pride was living at the office so he spent more time working than the others. He needed a break and he needed sleep but her also needed this case done. He didn't want his town hit with the plague. He got LaSalle and Brody to chase down as many sailors as they could until they were all either returned to the ship or in hospital being treated.
Brody noticed how tired her boss was looking and she wished she could help. He loved this town and he would do anything to protect it but the question was who would protect him. He made sure both LaSalle and her went home and didn't pull to many all nighters. When there was a gap in the case she stopped him and asked him when he lasted had a rest or someone look after him. He just shrugged his shoulders and gave an involuntary wince as his shoulder protested.
"My point exactly, when did you last sleep?" Brody asked him as she came behind him at the kitchen table.
"The other day I think, not sure" he replied just as he felt Brody place her hands on his shoulders.
He tensed at the contact but soon relaxed as he felt Brody work the knots and kinks out his shoulders. Even when LaSalle walked in she continued and for his part he didn't miss a beat as he spoke to LaSalle about the case. They ended up having a three way conversation all the while Brody was giving him a massage. He had to admit it felt good but now was not the time to think things like that. When Brody felt the last knot work its way out she keeped her hands on his shoulder a little longer than needed. She kept moving her hands a little backwards and forward but never actually doing anything until she felt her finger graze his neck and his head lean a little towards it. LaSalle was busy pouring coffee when it happened and she was glad. This was definitely something she would have to do again when there was no one else around.
After LaSalle poured the coffee out he came and sat at the table to show them something so Brody let go of Prides shoulders and sat down next time to see whatever it was LaSalle was showing them. They sat and talked and drank coffee for a bit longer before a beep came from the main office indicting a phone signal had been picked up on a missing sailor. LaSalle and Brody's went and checked it is out and finally managed to round up the missing sailor who they thought was responsible for the plague.
It turned out to be a dead end as the sailor just baked as he kept saying. LaSalle and Brody were going round in circles till the last salior was back on board and accounted for. Pride in the mean time was trying to narrow down who was responsible for making the plague in the first place. After going over the ships log and crew compliment he had the answer. With backup from LaSalle and Brody they went and arrested the man before he could get away and infect more people with the plague.
It was Pride who cornered the doctor as Brody and LaSalle were across the bridge. A one point Pride had the man up against the edge of the river until LaSalle shouted to him. Pride was so angry he was tempted to push him in and say he stumbled and fell. When he heard LaSalle's voice he looked up and across the river to be meet by the site of LaSalle and Brody standing watching him both had the weapons drew. He looked at LaSalle first since it was him that had shouted his name. He could see the look on LaSalle's face to just cuff his ass and chuck him in the car to save paperwork. Yet when he looked at Brody's face he saw something different.
She normally kept herself under wraps and never let her emotions show but now, now was different. He saw concern, compassion, trust and something else, something he wasn't sure if he was seeing. It was the look on her face that made him back away from the edge and throw the doctor over the front of the car till he cuffed him. On the other side of the river LaSalle and Brody lowered their weapons and holstered them before getting back in car and radioing for the bridge to be lowered again. Once lowered they drove across and parked behind Pride as they waited for a car to pick the doctor up and one to take away the car with the remaining batch of the plague virus in.
LaSalle was not a blind man, he has seen the visual exchange between Pride and Brody over the water while he was stood watching. Even though it was him who shouted he knew it was whatever he saw on Brody's face that made him pull back. When they parked the car up behind Prides car after driving across the bridge LaSalle sat still while Brody got out the car. Pride had dumped the doctor in the back of his car and was now standing leaning against the side of the car just looking out at nothing. As Brody walked up to him he heard the footsteps and turned to see who was coming over. Seeing Brody he couldn't help a small smile creep up his face.
"You okay now?" Brody inquired as she approached Pride.
"Truthfully no, but I will be in time" Pride replied.
Well she hadn't expected that much honesty but she was glad he had told her. If it wasn't for the fact they had a suspect sat in the car behind him she would have loved nothing better than to gather him in her arms and hold him. He looked so drained and tired, much more than normal anyway. Just as she put that thought to the back of her mind 2 vehicles pulled up. One tow truck to take the car and the other a police car for the doctor. Pride took the doctor from his car and uncuffed him to pass over to the police to cuff. Placing his cuffs back he watched as the doctor was taken away and the car was placed on the tow truck and driven away. He didn't get back in his car straight away but went back to leaning on it again. Brody looked at the car LaSalle was sitting in then back at Pride.
Stepping up to Pride she stopped squarely in front of him and waited for him to meet her eyes. As soon as he did she stepped forward and pulled him to her engulfing him in her arms. She felt his resist knowing LaSalle was in the car next to him but then he remembered earlier when LaSalle was happy to have a conversation when she was giving him a massage. He literally slumped against her, all his strength and fight gone. Her heart melted when she felt him give in and rest his head on her shoulder. He slowly slid one arm round her waist and the other up her back holding her tight as if she might disappear if he didn't hold on.
"Don't let go" he whispered in her ear.
"I won't, not until you want me to" she told him as she placed a kiss to the side of his face.
They stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity just holding each other. She tried to pass as much of her strength to him as she could. LaSalle watched out the wing mirror as Brody wrapped her arms around Pride and he saw the way he hesitated before literally dropping forward and in to her arm's. He knew his boss was worn out and running on empty but until he saw for his own eyes he didn't realise how bad he was. He would never let anyone see this side of him, even he had never seen it until now. He presumed this was what his wife had dealt with, this side of him. The side he locked away and only let out when he had to, if he had to. He knew there was no hurry now, the case was done so he sat back in the seat and closed his eyes, maybe he could catch 40 winks.
Pride only noticed how long they had been standing like this when he felt how cold the face next to his was. As he moved his head his cheek brushed hers and he felt the coldness against his.
"Your freezing. How long we been standing here?" As Pride stood straight but didn't remove his arms from round her.
"No idea, was a little busy. How you feeling now?" As Brody brought a hand up and ran her fingers down his face.
"A lot better now I have you to make me better. Thank you for this " as he bent forward and rested his forehead on hers.
"You never have to thank me. How about I go wake LaSalle up and we head back. We can continue this later" as she pulled back and placed a kiss where her head and just been resting against his.
"How do you know Christopher will be asleep? Okay he will be after the past few days. You go wake him and I will meet you back there" as he kissed her head and let his arms fall away.
He watched her walk to the car and looked up to the sky, thanking whoever had sent her to New Orleans and into his life. He waited till he saw her wake LaSalle and the car pull away before he got in his and drove back, following the car in front. On arriving back they quickly set about doing the computer paperwork and printing it off so they could finally go home and crash out. It wasn't even dinner time but they were all ready to go home and sleep till morning. Brody finished first as always and disappeared up stairs. Neither man knew where she was going as they were still working away.
Brody came up and after looking down at Pride she saw he was still working. Going into his room she looked around at the bags and boxes and the bed come couch. How could he live like this? Looking round she finally spotted a bag and and went round gathering clothes together before chucking them in. When she was sure she had what she needed she came back downstairs and carried the bag to her car. Both men were still finishing reports and gathering them from the printer to notice what she was doing.
When she came back LaSalle had just sat back down and Pride was at the printer. She sat at her desk and shut everything down then cleared the desk of files. She watched as LaSalle stuck everything in order, stapled it and stood to put it on Prides desk on top of her report.
"That is me done, you need me for anything King?" LaSalle asked his boss as he watched his boss sit back down.
"If you're all down go home, get some rest. How about we meet at the boat tomorrow? Can put some stuff on the grill and relax, maybe you can get some fishing in Christopher " Pride suggested.
"Sounds good to me, meet you there tomorrow then. Good night king, night Brody" as he headed out the office doors to go home.
"You not going home yet Merri? You were first finished" as she stapled all his reports together and put the 3 lots together before putting them all in a folder and filing them.
"Can't leave till your done can I since your bags packed in my car ready and waiting. So now you're finished you can lock up and we can go home" as she came and stood beside him at his desk and looked down at him.
Without standing up he pulled her till she was standing between his legs and he leaned against her resting his head on her stomach as he placed his arms round her. This was definitely a new side to Pride she had never thought she would see. He had never seemed an intimate person who needed physical contact to show how he felt but after these past few hours she was finding the complete opposite. Bringing one hand to his back and the other hand to his hair she ran her fingers through his hair and was happy to just hold him.
"Can we do this? Can we be more than colleagues?" Pride asked as here as he lifted his head and looked up but didn't move to far away so his chin was now resting against the waistband of her jeans.
"If you want something bad enough you work at it. We have managed today so how about we take each day as it comes and see how we go. Anyway what's this about a boat? It's it habitable?" As Brody had an idea if it was.
"Sure it's habitable, been a while but yes. You want to go she her?" As pride sat back and looked up at Brody.
"To right I do, I love boats" as Brody started to get all excited.
"Well help me lock up then and we can go" standing from his desk and digging the keys out his pocket.
The place was soon locked up and they were both sat in Brody's car heading out to Prides boat. When they arrived Pride unlocked it and took Brody's hand to help her on board. Taking her down below he showed her round and she was pleased to see that it was fully stocked even though Pride said it had been a few months since he was here. She made sure to check the bed looked big enough to have a good snuggle on as that would be what they would be doing later. Maybe after a few hours sleep she could find a better use for it but they were both drained and needed sleep.
After a quick tour Pride set about making dinner telling her to go sit as he would bring it up when he was done. Sitting on deck she watched the water flow past her and was so relaxed she nearly fell asleep till she heard Prides voice.
"Dinners ready" as he appeared through the little door carrying 2 plates.
Taking her plate she was pleased to see it was one of her favourites, gumbo. She set about attacking the meal like she hadn't eat in a week. All Pride could do was laugh as he watched her eat. Since their first proper meeting he knew she had a love for food but it was only when he could sit like this or at the office he got to see how much she loved food. She was soon finished and sat back with a content smile on her face. She closed her eyes and let the sway of the boat relax her again as she waited for Pride to finish.
"You're not asleep there are you?" She heard Pride ask her.
"No, just relaxing. The motion of a boat, be it moving or moored is so tranquil" as she opened her eyes and looked at Pride.
"Well let's go back down and pass out, I haven't felt this drained in a while" as he picked the plates up and stood up.
Brody stood and followed him down and watched as he dumped the plates in the sink and went over to the bed. Wow, he really must be tired as he never left a dirty kitchen or dishes in the sink. She stood and watched as he stripped back his clothes and dumped the whole lot on the floor.
"You going to stand there all night or you going to join me, I promise I don't bite" as he climbed in the bed and patted the space next to him.
Since she had expected to be going home she hadn't brought any other clothes other than her emergency bag in the boot of her car. She walked over to the bed and started to take her clothes off put placed her nicely folded over the chair. When she got to her underwear she looked at Pride and then shrugged as she unclipped her bra and after putting it with her clothes she climbed in to bed next to him.
"How about I get to hold you since that's what have done for me to day. You have no idea how much it meant to just let go and be held. You gave me the strength to make it through the day. You do know you're the reason the good doctor is still alive and not swimming. If it wasn't for you I would have threw him in. The way you looked at me made me stop, made me realise what I was doing. When I saw your face I calmed instantly, you're only the fourth person ever to be able to do that. One is my mother and you can probably guess who the others are. You bring out the best in me" as he pulled her closer to him and wrapped her tight against his chest.
"Thank you for telling me, it means a lot to know you have that much trust and faith in me. I have always been here but it's taken you a while to notice it" as she cuddled into him sliding her arm round his waist with her hand resting just above the waistband of his boxers.
"I always noticed you, just not like this until recently" as he placed a kiss to the top of her head.
"Let's get some sleep, you need it more after not getting any for at least 2 days. Don't tell me it's not that long cause I know you will be lying" as she placed a kiss to his chest.
As they both snuggled in to each other they fell asleep quickly due to exhaustion, the rocking movement of the boat and the fact they very both safe in each other's arms. When Pride woke a few hours later he was a little disorientated till he got his bearings. He was so used to sleeping at the office he expected to wake up in the back office alone. He had to admit waking up with a near naked woman in your arms was definitely a good reason to be awake. He knew he should try and go back to sleep but the temptation was just too much, especially when she breathed and her breast brushed his chest.
He let the arm round her shoulder drift down till he was making small strokes up and own her back. With the arm round her waist he bought that hand up and ran it down her side as he moved slowly inwards as his fingers brushed the edge of her breasts. Brody stirred at the movements on her back and chest and moved a little till she remembered where she was and who she was with.
"Your so supposed to be asleep, not playing" as she moved so she was up on her elbow looking down at Pride.
"I was but now I am awake and I found this amazing naked woman in my bed and her body was screaming for my attention so I couldn't ignore it" as he ran a fingertip over one of her nipples since he had better access now she had moved causing it to peak at his touch.
"Well this naked woman is not going to complain" as she lowered her head and kissed him.
The kiss quickly grew to heated and passionate as there hands started to skim each other's skin and feel and touch to see what places caused just the right responses. Things got moving very quickly as they both made light work of removing the others remaining underwear. Soon they were both naked on the bed with the the bed covers kicked off. Pride pushed Brody on to her back as he hovered above her. He sat forward a little so his hard member rubbed her most sensitive folds.
"Don't tease me. I don't want foreplay tonight, just you, all of you" as she bucked her hips up causing him to slide in just a little.
That was all it took for him to thrust forward and finally take her. As her pushed further till he was in completely he stilled and looked down at Brody. Seeing them big chocolate brown eyes staring back at him full of lust and passion nearly made him lose to control. He started slow at first but she meet him every step and soon they were matching each other's pace as they both screamed each other's name when they came to the full peak of ecstasy. Pride noticed he was slipping so to save crushing her he moved to bring her back into his arms on their sides. He was not letting go now he had her and she felt the same as she curled up at his side spooning him linking hands and legs together. They soon fell asleep again still entangled together.
It was Brody who woke first that morning with the feeling someone was watching her. She reached for her weapon but realised she wasn't at home. Feeling Pride still pushed up against her back she opened her eyes completely to see the sun shining and one very happy looking Chris LaSalle looking down at her and Pride. She did a mental check to make sure she was covered with the sheet as the last thing she needed was to be flashing at LaSalle.
"Jesus Chris, you scared the life out of me. Lucky I don't have my weapon, I could have shot you. What time is anyway?" As she looked at Chris and felt Pride move behind her.
"It's just gone 10:00. I take it you 2 didn't get much sleep last night then since you're both still in bed" LaSalle asked them both looking at Pride since he saw he was awake.
"Christopher I suggest you go fish or something before I shot you as I do have my weapon her under my pillow" as he watched LaSalle laugh a little more and turn to leave.
"There's coffee on the bench and some beignets, hurry up before they go cold" LaSalle said as he left to go back up on deck.
Pride tightened his grip around Brody's waist and she felt his morning erection pushing her in the back. Wriggling free she got out of bed and went and closed the hatch doors before climbing back into bed.
"There is no way I am letting this go to waste, not after waiting so long for it" as she straddled Pride and he slid inside to the hilt.
He let out a moan and she quickly covered his mouth with hers to silence him. They did not need LaSalle to hear what they were doing. She eased back to sitting and slowly started to set a pace that Pride matched until he felt her quickening and get closer to completion. He took control now and flipped them both over, never breaking contact as he picked the pace up. He felt her inner walls start to contract so to save her screaming crushed his lips to hers just as she started to moan. Her orgasm hit her and her inner muscles contracted causing Pride to lose what little control he had left and with a couple more thrusts he moaned his release into Brody's mouth as he kissed her.
He collapsed to the side of Brody as they both lay sweating and panting.
"Well that's 2 wake up calls I didn't expect today" as Brody rolled on to her side to face Pride and saw him smiling at her.
"We better get up or he will come looking again, you know what he's like" as Pride reached across and kissed her before kicking the sheets off and getting up.
Brody rolled on to her front and watched as Pride walked to the small bathroom. He appeared 5 minutes later looking all fresh and clean wearing just a pair of boxer shorts. She smiled as he passed to go get his bag of clothes. Deciding now would be a good time to get up she did and made her way to the bathroom. Once inside she had a quick wash with the limited water the the boat had but was clean and refreshed when she came out with a towel round her. She found her bra on the chair and also a clean pair of boxer shorts.
"Thanks you, could you go to the car and grab my bag out the boot please then I can get ready for the day in case something comes up"as she chucked the car keys at him from her pants pocket.
He caught the keys and opened the hatch doors before stepping out and going to retrieve the bag. When he came back in with it she opened it and pulled a pair of blue jeans and a top out before getting ready. While Pride sat eating his beignet and drinking his coffee he watched Brody get ready. He was surprised at how quick she could get ready, most women he knew took forever. When he thought about it more he presumed it was the job that had down that. Phone calls at silly hours so quick wash and ready then out the door. He wondered if she took a lot of time when it came to days off and special occasions? He supposed he would find out soon enough.
When she was ready she came and joined him at the little table and picked her coffee up. She needed coffee before she needed breakfast. Once she had drank half the coffee she could face eating a bit of breakfast. Picking up the beignet she made quick work of eating it as food was a passion of hers. When they finished they decided to face Lasalle and his smart ass comments as no doubt he would have them. Pride grabbed the cool box and carried it up while Brody carried the food for lunch which could be put on the grill and slow cooked .
They found LaSalle happily fishing which he seemed engrossed in until he caught sight of them both.
"Afternoon, nearly. You get any sleep last night or just fancied sleeping in late?" LaSalle said laughing.
"Some of us did work nonstop the past few days so needed a lie in" Pride answered as he looked at LaSalle.
"Only teasing you King, You needed the break and at least you had good company" as he winked at Brody.
Brody knew better than to rise to the challenge so ignored him, it would save a childish argument. She sat down and started to read using the cool box as a foot still while Pride started the grill. They were all lost in their various activities when they heard LaSalle talk. Brody looked up and saw he was still fishing. She watched as he talked to fish in the river.
"Come on baby, come on, you know you want it" as he looked down at the water.
Pride came round from the grill and looked at LaSalle then Brody. He bent down and nudged her feet so he could open the cool box and get some bottles of beer out. When he was bent down Brody couldn't help but ask.
"Is he really talking to the fish like Barry White?".
Pride bent lower and answered her question.
"It's called foreplay Brody, every good fisherman knows how to tease with the best of them".
"So does that make you a fisherman because you did a good job teasing me last night or this morning whichever it was" as she saw Prides go a little red before he recovered.
"That was only a little teasing, wait till I show you want my hands and mouth can do, now that's foreplay" Pride responded before standing up and walking back to the grill after passing LaSalle his beer.
Brody just sat speechless, she couldn't believe he had just said that. Just the the tranquility was broken with Prides phone ringing. It was his work ringtone and both LaSalle and Brody knew. They both started to pack up as Pride hung the phone up.
"And back to work" Pride told the pair in front of him.
With that they finished packing up and headed out to do the job they all loved. 3 friend, 3 colleagues boat most importantly a team no matter what had changed between 2 off them.