A/N: Sorry it's taken me a while to post this chapter. Things have been absolute hell in my life recently. Anyway, here's the next chapter. R&R. Enjoy.

On the Corner of First and Amistad

Chapter Three: Work

Michael grinned in triumph as he entered the house. It was almost six o'clock at night and Michael had been observing Dwayne as he worked while trying to find a job. Although Michael was one of the best Guards in the Afterlife, he had found that watching over Dwayne and filling out applications was much harder than expected. Every time he thought something bad was going to happen, he'd freeze up and go completely still. Those around him thought there was something wrong with him, but he paid no heed. He had a job to do and it was easier for him to keep his mind's eye on Dwayne than to astral project himself. Doing so took too much energy and was too risky, even for a Guard such as himself.

Luckily for him though, Dwayne left the building at around three and headed straight home, which allowed Michael to relax. With Dwayne safe at home and out of danger, he'd be able to focus on job hunting. And, much to his surprise and pleasure, he had been successful. The coffee shop that Dwayne took him to yesterday hired him on the spot, something that surprised Michael immensely. But, the manager was in and she liked the look of him and how he acted. That and they were short of staff at the moment and needed the extra help. Granted, he'd only be working three days a week and whenever they were short staffed (which didn't happen often, the manager had told him), but something was better than nothing. Plus, he'd be able to drink as much coffee as he wanted free of charge.

Dwayne looked up at him from his chair and smiled. Michael tried not to think about the butterflies that were suddenly riled up and flutter about in his stomach. He tried to squash the feeling though; he didn't need to lose his cool when around his charge.

"Hey, Mike. How're you doing?" Michael took his shoes off and sat down on the couch, his grin widening.

"Pretty good. You?" Dwayne nodded and shifted in his seat as he folded his newspaper up and placed it on the coffee table.

"I'm okay. John called a few minutes ago. He'll be coming for the rest of his stuff tomorrow." Michael nodded and his grin shrank a little bit. He definitely didn't like John.

"So, what's with the grin on your face? Did you have any luck finding a job?" Michael's grin returned full force and he sat up.

"Yeah I did. At the coffee shop you took me to. It's only three days a week though: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. And they might call me for more if they need the help, but Deb, the manager, told me that that's highly unlikely." Dwayne nodded and looked thoughtful for a minute before he nodded again.

"You know, my friend, Dave, needs an assistant during the day time. Monday through Friday and you'd be able to make it to the coffee shop in time for your shifts there. How about I set up an interview with him tomorrow?" Michael stared at him a bit confused. The thought of working in Dwayne's company appealed to him because he'd be able to keep his eyes on Dwayne, or so he told himself. But an interview tomorrow? So soon?

"Don't I need to fill out an application or something?" Dwayne grinned and picked up a packet that Michael hadn't noticed off of the coffee table. Handing it to Michael, Dwayne spoke up, obvious pride in his voice.

"There's your application. Fill it out and then give it to him tomorrow. Tomorrow's Friday, so he probably won't start you until Monday."

"How do you know he'll even hire me?" Dwayne stood up and headed for the stairs.

"Oh, he'll hire you. Trust me on that one." Michael nodded and looked over the application before he got up and rushed over to the stairs, a thought in his head.

"Hey, did you want me to make dinner tonight?" Dwayne paused at the top of the stairs and looked down at him, surprise evident on his face.

"You can cook?" Mike smirked.

"Why yes, Mr. Johnson, I can. And I've been told that my culinary skills are to die for." Dwayne grinned and he laughed.

"Well then, Mr. Mizanin, surprise me."

…

Dwayne sat in the study on his laptop, working on a few projects. Well, at least he was trying to work on them. The smells from the kitchen had floated up stairs and he couldn't help but breathe them in and exhale them, smiling. And, of course, that brought Mike back into his mind.

How could he not think about the younger man? He was beautiful, gorgeous, with blue eyes that put John's to shame. And he had the body to match those lovely eyes and his voice. Just hearing his voice stirred Dwayne's spirit. The best part of it all was that Mike was living underneath his roof. Mike was accessible, and it would be so easy for Dwayne to take what he wanted. If he had been that kind of man, that is.

However, he wasn't that kind of man. Dwayne wouldn't lift a finger to harm Mike, not when he had such bright blue eyes. Although Mike was no angel, he wasn't tainted or impure. Not that Mike had gone into detail about his past relationships, but Dwayne got the feeling that the younger man wasn't one to whore himself around. Besides all of that, he barely even knew Mike. After all, they had just met yesterday and it was weird enough as it was. If he jumped the younger man, things would take a turn for the worse, and he couldn't handle that. Not right now, when John was still in his life and he was still under repair. Having someone else living here aside from himself, being around someone new and younger, made Dwayne feel just a little bit better.

Just a little bit, though. He still wasn't up to one hundred percent. Hell, he wasn't even up to fifty percent yet. But he was getting there. Slowly, but surely.

A knock on the study door jerked him out of his thoughts and Dwayne looked up. Standing in the door way was Mike and he looked pleased with himself. Leaning back, Dwayne couldn't help but think that he liked seeing Mike in a good mood. Somehow, he figured that the younger man wouldn't look right when he was a bad mood or upset or angry. Then again, he could be wrong; if yesterday told Dwayne anything, it was that Mike could be a spitfire when he wanted to be.

"Dinner's ready. I hope you're hungry; I made stuffed shells." Dwayne smiled and he stood up.

"I love stuffed shells. My mom used to make the best stuffed shells…" He stopped talking and looked down. Dwayne didn't want to think about his mom, not right now, all things considered. Sighing, smiling sadly, he got up and followed Mike down stairs and into the dining room.

…

After dinner, Michael and Dwayne went to the living room and watch some TV. Dwayne was quiet and focused on the show they were watching, but Michael wasn't really paying attention to it. He as more worried about Dwayne. His file had told Michael that Dwayne was close to both of his parents, but the words written down did little justice to describe the pain and sadness that was still affecting the man. And he had every right to feel pain and to be sad, but Michael wanted to be sure, be reassured even, that Dwayne wasn't going to do something. Even he couldn't see everything.

Deciding to take a chance, Michael reached out and, very gently, placed a hand on the larger man's shoulder. When his hand made contact, he could see the other still for a split second before he looked back at him. Dwayne's dark eyes connected with his own and for a moment, he was at a loss for words. But as his eye continued looking into Dwayne's dark ones, Michael felt enough courage build within him to speak.

"I'm sorry… If there's anything I can do to help you in any way, please tell me." Dwayne studied him for a moment before he smiled and reached up to pat Michael's hand.

"Thanks, Mike. I appreciate that." They fell back into a comfortable silence until it was time for them to get ready for bed.