AN: If you are expecting warm and fluffy bunnies from this story... Don't expect them any time soon. Well, ok. I guess there are a few sweet moments. Adam is nothing if not a sweetheart down deep. Thank you so much for the reviews and follows. Hope you are all having a good Wednesday!

Fire burns brighter in the darkness.

Walking into Adam's apartment was a surreal experience. I'd been in the place how many times? Not like this. I turn on the main light and see that not much has changed. Same couch. Same flat screen mounted on the wall. Same kitchen island. Maybe one too many empty bottles of beer in the trash mixed with a bottle of Jameson. Um…that's not normal. Not going to focus on that. I begin to head down the hall and find myself actually having to stop myself from heading all the way back to his room. Whoa girlfriend. Back that up. So don't want to go in there. Last thing I need is to fall asleep in his bed with the scent of him all around me. Bad, bad idea. I take the few steps back to the spare room and open the door. Futon and workout equipment. Nothing has changed here. I drop my bag on the floor and then lay down on the futon. I know sleep is going to take me fast. I'm physically and emotionally exhausted which means not even my neurotic brain can keep me up.

I can hear something coming from the kitchen. I have no idea what time it is or how long I have been sleeping. But, that really doesn't matter. I get up from the futon and rub my eyes. I walk out of the room and then back down the hallway. I find Adam in the kitchen just cracking a beer. To say he looks tired would be stating the obvious. He looks up as he hears my feet padding into the living area. He holds the beer out to me in offer and I can't refuse. I could use the drink. I walk up and take it as he goes to get another one. I sit down on one of the stools that are around the island and he leans back against the counter. We both just sip at our beers. This was the weird I was worried about. We haven't been alone together since we were a couple. I don't know what to say. I don't…

"How are you doing?"

Well, I guess he does.

"I'm ok. It hasn't sunk in yet."

But, now that he mentions it. Crap. I have nothing but what is in my work bag. Which right now, it holds my service weapon, my wallet, a set of dirty gym clothes and my running shoes. Great. Adam goes to pick something up off the floor and sets a drug store bag on the island. I look up to him and he nods towards the bag. I open it and am shocked. It's everything that I ever use. Right down to the correct mascara and facial cleanser. I don't know what to say. I look back at him and he is just shaking his head.

"Don't sweat it. I figured you might want to be able to take a shower this morning."

"Thank you. What time is it anyway?"

"Almost six."

I scrub my face. I shouldn't be drinking this beer.

"I've got work at noon. When are you supposed to head back in?"

Adam shrugs.

"We are going to pow wow at about three."

"Ok. You don't happen to have a clock or something I can use to wake me up at about eleven?"

"I'll wake you."

"Aren't you going to get some sleep?"

"Don't worry about me. I'll wake you up."

"Ok. Thank you."

"No problem."

I take the shopping bag and head back to the spare room. I set it down next to my bag and lay back down. I should be worried about what has happened. I find myself worrying about Adam. About how he doesn't look like he is sleeping much. How he has a trash can full of empty soldiers. But even that worry can't keep me awake.

I'm waking from the strangest of dreams. I can smell Adam around me but I can feel that I am alone in bed. I feel the light touch of his hand caress my face as he pushes my hair away from my eyes. I can hear my name fall from his lips, but I know he isn't lying beside me. It makes my heart hurt. I can feel the tears want to come to my eyes. I hear my name again. His hand is now traveling down my jaw caressing it with the lightest of touches. I know he is not near because he would normally kiss me now. That doesn't happen. I feel his hand touch my shoulder and he is now gently shaking it. I open my eyes and reality comes back to me. I am staring into his brown eyes that are red and swollen from just waking up. I guess he set his alarm to wake himself so he could wake me. He is in pajama pants and nothing else. I see the look of concern on his face as he looks at me. I realize that the tears that I had felt coming on in my dream are now real as they travel down my cheeks. He wipes them away with the pad of his thumb.

"Bad dream?"

I just nod my head. I can't talk when he is touching me. It hurts too much. He finally stands up once he has wiped away the last one.

"You know where the towels are. I'll see you tonight after work. You can stay as long as you need to, Kim. Till you find a new place."

"Thank you."

Finally, my tongue decides to work.

"You can quit thanking me. I would do this for any of my friends."

I watch as Adam leaves the room, but something that he said bugs me. He said he would do this for any of his friends. We aren't friends. Not in the traditional sense. Would he do this for any of his ex's? Not something I should be questioning. I might not like the answer I would get. I get up and finally get moving.

Walking into work was a relief in some ways. Finally, something to keep my mind off the fire and off of Adam. I change into my uniform which thankfully I had hung up in my locker the night before. I'd have to be purchasing another one after work tonight, but at least I would make it through today. Or I guess I should have thought that through. The shop would be closed. I guess Tay and I will have to take a personal during our shift. I make my way up to the front and find Tay and Platt waiting for me.

"Kim, are you okay?"

I appreciate Tay's concern. I really do. I just don't want to deal with things right now.

"I'm fine. Thank you for asking. I really just want to get to work."

Platt just glares.

"Good. Here's your keys. Get going."

I take them and head for the parking lot. Our patrol is relatively uneventful which does not help with keeping my mind distracted. We are parked at an address for homicide which they wanted us to keep marked for the next thirty minutes when Tay decides to bring things up again.

"Are you really okay? Where are you staying? I'd offer, but I barely fit in my place."

I shake my head.

"I understand. It's not a big deal. I am dealing. It's just stuff, right? I guess that's the way I should be thinking about it."

"And you're staying where?"

She was not going to let this go, was she? Nonchalant. Try to pull this off like it's no big deal.

"Umm… I'm staying at Adam's."

I didn't have to look. I could hear Tay's eyebrows raise up to her hairline.

"Really?! Well, that's awkward."

"It's fine."

"For now. Are you staying there again tonight?"

Oh, I can hear her opinion in that question.

"That's the plan."

"How long are you planning on staying?"

"I don't know, Tay. Could we please not discuss this? I have enough on my mind."

"Ok. Just try not to sleep with him. Unless you want to?"

Ugh. I drop my forehead on the steering wheel and I can hear Tay laughing. That is so not funny.

Post note: I like Tay. I think she would have a ball with this situation. :)