I own nothing. Blah blah blah. However I was recently told that I PWN. Whatever that means. :) Just kidding, they explained it to me, and coming from them it was a compliment. I later explained that no, I do not in fact speak 'gamer.'

Just an aside, a person asked me why Josef was wearing a dark green shirt, as opposed to red or purple, in the last chapter, my short answer, because green hides blood stains better than any other color. Josef likes to be prepared. :) Sorry that was supposed to be funny. Ah well, moving right along...

I SHOULD BE ASLEEP

"So you're not worried in the least that I'm a danger to you," Josef said to her, thinking she was already asleep.

"No," she said, yawning. "Why would you save me first? And remember, we talked about how overly trusting I am," she said, remembering that night.

With a start, she gasped, "Blues... I bet they haven't even been open since, well since..."

"Blues is fine. I called Jeremy (A/N: The Bartender that Josef admitted to calling to ask about how Minx was.) to let him know he should take care of the day to day operations when I realized you were missing. I called him again today to let him know you were fine, but that I'd get back to him when I knew when you'd be returning. He said everything's under control, take as much time as you need."

She immediately relaxed against him. "Josef, do you mind if I stay here tonight. I don't really want to go back to my apartment right away." Or ever, really, she thought, but I'll deal with that later.

His cheek against her hair, he replied, "Stay as long as you like. I'm just glad you're home." He didn't know exactly why he said 'home,' but that's how he felt, and he didn't have the energy tonight to analyze it. I'm sure Mick will break it down for me later, he thought, rolling his eyes.

Sitting with Minx wrapped tightly into his arms, Josef listened as her heartbeat slowed.

Waiting until he was sure she was in a very deep sleep, Josef carried her to his bedroom. A misnomer of course. No one actually ever slept here, but it was a necessary pretense. One that he was admittedly grateful for tonight. He pulled back the soft red comforter to reveal the burgundy silk sheets and laid her gently down.

On the off chance that she woke before him, he laid a pair of gray pajama pants, one of his undershirts and a red button down on the chair next to the bed.

Quickly scrawling a note, he paused to reread what he'd written. Josef thought about crossing out the last line, it was a bit telling, and he wasn't sure she was ready to hear how strong his feelings were. Nevertheless, he folded it, stood it up and made sure her name was visible.

Surveying his work, he nodded. Then he turned to kiss her softer than a breath on her cheek.

Exiting the room before he could change his mind, he ambled to his freezer. Breaking the seal, he stepped in, and removed his shirt and trousers.

Laying down, he thought, It's been so long since I've felt this way, not since... Sara.

At the thought of Sara's name, his still heart dropped. Am I betraying her by feeling this way about Amiah? And if I am, what can I do about it.

He could think of nothing that he could change. While his feelings for Sara ran deep, he could not let go of Amiah; he could not hope to survive the loss of her smile.

With that thought, he turned over restlessly and settled in for the day.

I SHOULD BE ASLEEP by Emerson Drive

I should be asleep instead of keeping
These late hours I've been keeping
I've been pacing and retracing
Every step of every move
And even though I'm feeling so right
I'm so happy
Still I know I should be asleep
Instead of dreaming about you.

A/N: The next chapter will be Minx's thoughts upon waking. This story has a lot of introspection, and for that I apologize. I hope it's not turning anyone off the story in general. Don't worry, though.

You never know when things are gonna get a lot better, but if you did, you'd know that it will happen in the next few chapters. (winks)