chapter 14

They pulled in at a Mexican place.

"Mexican? For breakfast?"

"You wanted grease," he reminded her.

She was a little concerned about getting in and out of the car; Sean would give her another boost, she was sure, and she didn't know how to handle that at the minute either. But luckily he headed for the drive through alley. He ordered some breakfast burritos and coffee for them both. They collected their food, paid and headed off for a day in the office chasing down contacts and information.

Jo

Jo sat at her desk and munched her Mexican breakfast. She had never considered Mexican as breakfast food, but it was pretty good. She caught herself watching him all day. She liked the way he walked; he was almost pigeon toed. He turned his feet in a little when he walked, but he was so athletic he could move very quickly when he needed to. She felt like smacking her head on the desk when she kept glancing up at him. He's my partner. It was becoming her new mantra. She checked out his ass when he bent over. She imagined squeezing his biceps… I mean… damn…
He's my partner.

They spent the day together. His gruff, gravelly voice was so distinctive she could hear him talking and she caught herself listening for him.

Jo was a very touchy feely person. She had learnt a long time ago that people were friendlier when she touched them. It had become such a habit for her that now, she was unaware that she did it. But she had become so physically aware of Sean that she would catch herself patting at him. She would be mortified and blush, but that made it worse. She patted everyone, the fact that she blushed when she did it to Sean was like a giant sign pointing out that he was different. Different to her.
He's my partner.

D

D was amazed when he walked into the office on Thursday. Sean's truck was already in the lot. He must have gotten up at the crack of dawn to beat me. What's up with that?

Of course, that meant Jo would be in, as well. D stopped and leaned in the door to say good morning to her and check on his old partner. He looked from one to the other. He still had her wine in his car.

What the fuck? Oh, don't tell me! No wonder she wasn't at the safe house last night. She was with him? Sean, my man, what are you thinking? Look at him, dressed decent and clean-shaven, too. But what's with the face? Looks like he got punched.

Jo looked different, too. Dressed down from the last two days, less make-up and her hair was loose on her shoulders. She looked younger, softer like this. Not like a cop at all. Especially when she caught sight of D and instantly blushed.

Greeting completely forgotten, Demetrius just stood there, coffee in one hand. His mouth was half open and his brows just kept creeping higher up his forehead as he glanced back and forth. He had no clue what to say.

Sean

"What?" Sean barked at his friend. That look on his face spelled real trouble. He looked at Jo. Her face was beet red and she looked like she wanted to hide under the desk. Shit, nothing like being obvious, woman. No wonder he looks stunned. Might as well just stand on the desk and announce we slept together.

He decided to continue aggressive, maybe D would take the hint and back off. "You gotta problem?" He leaned one elbow on the desk and hunched forward over his arm. His other hand was on the arm of his chair, elbow in the air. It flexed the muscles of arms and chest, making him appear even bigger than he was.

He watched Jo's face out of the corner of his eye. She seemed surprised by his behaviour, too. Almost as much as D.

Demetrius took a deep breath. "Just stopped to say good morning. And tell Jo I have her wine in my car. Whenever she wants it back. Candace can't drink it. She did appreciate the gesture, though."

He turned to the little blonde. "I tried to bring it back last night, but you weren't home." The question he didn't ask was apparent in his eyes.

Sean cut him off before she said anything. "Later, D. We got stuff to do." He looked at Jo. "Phone call? Before they leave for the day?" He picked up his burrito and stuffed it in his face, deliberately ending the conversation.

Jo

The time difference between Sydney and LA meant Jo really couldn't reach anyone until closer to 2pm LA time. Sydney was 17 hours behind. She read up on files and information they had gathered here that she had not seen yet.

She was going to have to drink the coffee from the vending machine. She debated whether it was better than nothing; it was a toss up. In the end she decided to make a trip to the Starbucks again.

"Sean, I'm going to hit Starbucks... did you want anything?" She looked at him and waited for his response.

"Real coffee? Hell, yeah." He never lifted his head from the pile of papers on his desk.

"Venti...black... right?"

He grunted something at her and she hurried off. She needed the fresh air; if you could call the outside air fresh. At least she was away from Sean. For fuck's sake woman, pull yourself together.

She eyed off the cakes and bikkies in the cafe but they were all too big for her and she hated throwing away good food. Share it with Sean. No...no,no. It would just make her fat anyway. She got the coffees and headed back to the office.

Sean

He kept his head down until she left, then sighed. It was almost a relief to have a moment by himself. At least until his former partner walked back in. And sat at his former desk.

"So. You gonna tell me what's up?" He stared at Sean. "And what happened to your face?"

"Nothing. I'm good." He mumbled, not looking up, still.

"Sure. You always come to work with a shiner after having a strange woman in your house. And don't tell me she wasn't there. I saw her when I walked in. She wanted to crawl under the desk and hide." He slapped the desk. "I don't care, man. You need a good lay. But your partner? Shit, Vetter! Think about what you're doing."

Sean's head snapped up and he snarled. "I did not sleep with her!" He scowled at D. "Not that it would be any of your business if I did."

D lifted his hands and leaned back.

"Okay, okay. Sure looked like it from her reaction, though."

Sean sighed. "I took her to Mamacita's for lunch. We had a small accident and I had to go home to change. We sat on the beach... tried to play some ball. She's a good catch. Ended up dumping her in the surf." He lifted one hand. "Don't ask, I know I'm a jerk. We had some tequila. Anyway, we were both exhausted and fell asleep on the couch. That's all, D. I swear." He looked pained.

"I can't believe you took her with you." D shook his head. Sean sighed.

"Me either, D. It just happened... not like I planned it." Sean rubbed his hand over his head. "I don't know what the fuck is wrong with me. I keep seeing her in my head. The way she moves and all her little weird habits. I actually like her, D. I tried real hard not to, but I do." He looked at D like he was asking for help; an explanation.

D just looked at him, shocked beyond belief. His friend was beginning to come to life after all this time? He was delighted, and yet... why did it have to be a woman they worked with?

He was worried Sean had subconsciously picked someone who he knew wouldn't be permanent. Or was he still trying to punish himself? D knew he hadn't done anything with the house. Was this just another way to prove to himself he wasn't worth any woman's affection? Because she would finish her job and leave?

"Are you sure you're ready for this? You know she's gonna go home when this is over, right?" D frowned, as well. "That's not gonna fuck you up again?"

Sean shrugged. "I have no idea what I 'm doing. I was hoping you would." He laughed. "Now what?"

D shook his head. "I guess go for it, if you think you can handle it. She's definitely worth a try."

They both looked up as the lady under discussion appeared in the doorway.

FF_2154210_ - 6/06/2011 03:15:00 PM