Okay . . . i am officially about to burn something down . . . and to prevent that I have worked up a massive update for this. I know, its not the others but hey, this one is a lot more relaxed than my others . . . well, for right now anyway. So here we go. Thank you all for the support and the reviews on the other stories . . .
One Point to Another
Atley was worried when he didn't hear from Ripley by noon the next day . . . and Donnie had agreed that they needed to check on the two idiots. Because they were both well aware that it would take a damn SWAT team to separate them if something went bad. So he'd loaded them into his precious Vette and they'd started the trek to Sphinx's apartment. And had narrowly escaped two accidents because of the downed transformer and dead traffic lights.
Which is how he ended up here . . . in the parking garage of Sphinx's apartment; staring face-to-face with his newest arch nemesis. He sighed, glaring at the door to the steps. They had five flights in total to go up . . . and he knew that if the two of them weren't dead in that apartment then they were going to wish they were by time he was finally up there. Because his leg was already aching at the thought of trying to climb these concrete monsters.
Donnie shook his head, looking to the steps with this depressed look on his face. Finally he looked down to Atley and sighed.
"Okay . . . how are we going to do this? I mean, I could try to carry you . . . but that's gonna get awkward if we run into anyone. Not to mention a pain in the back for me . . . Are you sure we have to do this?"
Atley turned, nodding resignedly. Neither wanted to . . . but the others had no clue what was happening-and if they could fix it they wouldn't need to- so that left them to do this. As usual. He moved, grabbing the railing and pulling himself up and onto the first step before bringing his bad leg up beside his good one. It hurt but it was doable . . . and it saved Donnie's pack mule services for extreme measures. Donnie nodded, moving to walk up with him when the emergency lights cut off and the regular fluorescents buzzed to life. He and Donnie shared a look before turning and going to the elevator as fast as they could.
As they pressed the button and the doors opened, Atley sighed and grinned. It was days like this that he knew God loved him . . .
Donnie watched Atley pick the lock to Sphinx's apartment far quicker than he would have. Which meant that he'd done it before . . . he sighed, shaking his head as he watched the man straighten and push the door open with a self satisfied smirk. He turned, nodding into the apartment before limping inside. And Donnie had to shake his head again. Sphinx was going to kill them for this . . .
He looked to the couch, expecting to see Ripley on it and was shocked to see it was empty. He turned to Atley who shrugged and started towards the kitchen, grabbing a can of coke from the fridge before groaning.
"Oh! He got dressing and macaroni and cheese? I got shitty Chinese food . . ."
Donnie rolled his eyes, looking down the dark hallway as he quipped back to Atley.
"You wanted shitty Chinese food. And Junie sent a guilt note with the casseroles so don't bitch too much."
Atley grinned, coming to stand beside him and stare down the hallway. He looked up to Donnie before nodding to the bedroom.
"Good ol' Junie . . . Well? Go on . . . I've already been shot and operated on for the month. The next near fatal injury is all yours, brother."
Donnie rolled his eyes but started down the hallway slowly, pushing the barely cracked bedroom door open wider. And felt his heart crawl into his throat as realized what he was seeing. Sphinx was spread out across the massive bed with Ripley curled around him. And though both were still fully dressed he knew he would be hard pressed to remember a more naked moment for either of them. Sphinx's face was completely relaxed . . . and he looked a hell of a lot younger than he was as his nose rested against the crown of Ripley's curls. And Ripley was spread across his chest, burrowed into the crook of his neck as her hand rested over the man's heart; idly playing with the edge of the bandage over his wound as she slept. But what killed him was the sleepy little smile on her lips as she sighed and nuzzled closer to him.
He looked back, motioning Atley to come and see while the man just rolled his eyes and limped down the hall. Grumbling quietly the whole time.
"What the big oaf let her have the bed while he slept on the floor? Because that would probably be the nicest thing he'd ever fucking don-Oh shit!"
Atley pushed the door open more, looking at the two of them on the bed before turning back to look at Donnie.
"When I told his dumb ass to make her happy this isn't what I meant! Otto's gonna kill him! Then he's gonna kill me for suggesting th-MMRPH!"
Donnie reached out, shaking his head as he covered the other man's mouth as Sphinx moved. Both held their breath as the large runner stretched. Donnie saw the man was waking up and thought fast, grabbing Atley and diving in the open closet . . . praying they hadn't been spotted as they heard the bed creak. But as Sphinx padded right by them-hair in disarray as he yawned and scratched his chest- they both let out a breath. Until Donnie moved and hit Atley's leg and the man almost screamed.
He glared, smacking him hard enough that Donnie winced before Ripley's voice made both of them freeze.
"Sphinx?"
The sound of the toilet flushing and running water told them where the man had gone. Just like the sounds of his light footfalls told them he was on his way back. Donnie looked down to Atley, finger to his lips as they watched the other man pass by the closet. And heard him sink back into the bed. Donnie sighed, hearing the two of them settle back into bed before Atley moved and tried to peak out of the door. He glared at him, jerking him back with a look that promised more pain than being shot before Ripley's soft, quiet voice filled the room again. She was obviously still half asleep . . .
"You okay?"
They shared a look before edging deeper into the clothes as they heard someone move. Suddenly the door was open and Sphinx was in his closet, grabbing a sweater from one of the top racks and carrying it back to the bed; holding it out to Ripley as she smiled up at him. They watched, fully able to see now that the door was open, as the girl pulled the thick black thing over her shoulders and smoothed it out before she settled back into the bed; sighing contentedly now that she was warm.
Sphinx laid back down and reached out, tugging her back into his chest before settling back into the covers. And Donnie knew that neither of them were actually awake. Because Ripley's soft little yawn was followed by a sleepy chuckle from her bedmate . . . before she rolled over and burrowed back into his chest. Sphinx's hand went to her hair, moving through it lazily as she sighed against him. And by the sound of her voice when she spoke again she was almost completely asleep.
"I'm glad we're okay . . . I missed you . . ."
Atley and Donnie glanced at one another as Sphinx's face darkened, raising a brow in unison as they turned back to the two. Only to be surprised as he reached out and touched her cheek, tracing it with his fingertips before smirking down at her tiredly as he nodded to her once.
Donnie watched Sphinx look the girl over before closing his eyes and playing in her hair as they laid there together. He sighed, settling into the clothes as he prayed that they would go back to sleep quickly . . . . or Atley was going to die . . .
Sphinx lay beside Ripley, running his fingers through her wild curls as she sighed against him. Her eyes were getting heavier and he knew she would be asleep pretty quickly. He had thought she was asleep until those few words from her lips . . . . and though he wasn't sure what he wanted from her-from this- he knew that the thought that he'd made her worry or doubt had left a cold feeling in the pit of his stomach. Just like her little admission had left a wave of fire and contentment in its wake.
He could live with the way they were . . . and just being friends-being whatever this was- was probably best for both of them. He'd had plenty of casual flings-one night stands and dalliances-but he hadn't ever really wanted to be in a relationship. Too much room for collateral damage and too much heartache. So to actually want more-and know that he wasn't going to act on it- was odd. And damn right heartbreaking . . .
She sighed, snuggling into him and he had to admit that he could get used to that. To seeing her wanting his touch. He'd seen flashes of it before . . . and neither of them had really wanted to name it for fear of making it tangible. But now . . . now he wanted to see if they could name it. But he couldn't take the chance. He didn't have anything to offer her. Not really. He wasn't going to talk with her or hang on her every word the way someone else would. He wasn't going to be gentle or loving-because he honestly wasn't even sure he was capable of it- and he would never be able to give her the things she would deserve.
And he knew himself well enough to know he was greedy enough to keep her even if it would break her down piece by piece and chip by chip. And while he would love to see how long he could keep her, he couldn't fathom actually doing anything to tarnish her. Which is exactly what would happen if he touched her. So he would make do with this-the way they were. Because Atley was right . . . even having her as a friend was far more than he'd had before her.
Now he just had to convince himself that it would be enough . . . .
Atley watched Sphinx's breathing even out and-after a few tense minutes- grabbed Donnie and made a break for the door. He had no clue what the hell had happened last night but it was obviously none of anyone's business. Even his for once. He pushed the larger runner out in front of him, reaching back to shut the door to the apartment before they made a very hasty retreat to the elevator. And as they shot inside, he had to slump against the wall from the pain in his leg and the spinning his head was doing. Donnie was sliding down the wall, obviously in the same boat he was as he tried to steady his breathing.
Finally, as the elevator dinged that they were passing the second floor Donnie looked over to him; dazed.
"Did I just see that? Because that is not how we left the two of them . . . Hell, she wasn't ever going to talk to his ass again and now they're . . ."
Atley shook his head before letting it lull back against the wall. He sighed, before starting to talk. But he still couldn't wrap his mind around it.
"I chewed his ass for being such a jerk. I never expected him to . . . You don't think they . . ."
Donnie shook his head, going to stand as the doors opened. And Atley was shocked to hear what left the man's mouth.
"Nah . . . She's no virgin but she's not really all that interested in sex and shit either. I doubt that even whatever is going on with them would shake that . . ."
"Say what? When . . . who? How the hell do you know that?"
Donnie rolled his eyes, helping his stand to his feet before letting him lean on him to get back to Vette. God his leg was killing him now . . .
"We talk, Jackson. And you don't know shit about that, either. But I mean are you really surprised? She's eighteen . . . and well, she looks like that. Plenty of guys have probably tried."
Atley sank into the seat of his car, face darkening to a point that he almost looked murderous. And Donnie knew that he might've taken to the kid like family but she had been formally adopted as a baby sister by one Atley Antifreeze Jackson. Who was obviously very devout in keeping an eye on her. He chuckled, going around to the other side as Atley grumbled and slammed the door.
"Yeah and failed . . . she's supposed to be too damn smart for some pimple faced Casanova. I mean hell . . ."
Donnie shook his head, starting the car.
"Well that where the eighteen part comes in. And Junie and Otto already know about some of this. Seems they caught her coming down from the loft yesterday morning. She went up to check on the big guy and got made into a life-sized teddy bear. Something you can never breathe a word about to anyone. I gave that kid my word this would stay between us. And you're a part of the us now. An invisible silent part that will stay that way if he wants to stay in the know. You feel me?"
Atley nodded, sighing as he leaned back into the seat.
"Oh I feel you. And the same will go for you . . . Anyone asks us, we don't know shit about shit. And if this turns into something we stay out of it unless its to help. Agreed?"
Donnie nodded, reaching across to shake Atley's outstretched hand once before turning back to driving. After a few minutes he sighed.
"Lets go get something to eat, man. I'm about to die . . ."
Atley nodded, grinning and Donnie knew he was going to want to hit him for whatever he was about to say.
"Yeah well, coming out of the closet can be a strenuous ordeal."
Donnie groaned, reaching over and smacking him before starting towards the café.
God he hated Jackson sometimes . . .
Two days and one night later found Ripley putting her things from Sphinx's apartment in her washer . . . and she couldn't understand why she kept glancing back over her shoulder and expecting to see him standing or sitting close. She sighed, running a hand through her hair before slamming the lid of the washer down hard. After the initial shock of waking up together they'd settled into a pretty easy routine.
She'd cleaned up his kitchen and fixed them a late lunch before they'd settled in together on the sofa and watched TV. And had given up on the gore fest around midnight to play cards until well into the morning. He'd taught her some odd form of poker-that she still beat him at after she'd gotten it down- and she'd shown him how to play war. And even though he refused to sound off with her, he was actually pretty good at the childish game . . . Actually, he'd slaughtered her . . . taking back a good portion of his money as he'd repeatedly pulled faster and faster. The jackass.
She turned, going out of her laundry room and through her living room to the stairs; totally ignoring the few things she needed to tidy up in favor of climbing the steps to sleep . . . Because for some reason she was extremely tired and weary . . . and she kept thinking about how different the past few days would've been if she hadn't pulled away in his kitchen. She knew-on some instinctive level- that he'd meant to kiss her if she'd let him. And now she was wondering why she hadn't . . .
Oh sure, her last relationship had been so damned drama filled and toxic that she honestly didn't want another. But as she went to crawl into the freshly changed bed she couldn't help but wonder why she was mad at herself for not acting the way she wanted to. She sighed, snuggling deeper into the mountain of covers as she tired to go to sleep. She was just being stupid. She'd probably imagined the whole damn thing . . . and if she hadn't whatever might've happened was probably due to the drugs in his system.
She turned, burying her head into a pillow and closing her eyes. He barely tolerated her the rest of the time, had totally dismissed her after the other . . . and even though they were supposed to be better now she wasn't going to be stupid. She was going to make sure she didn't get too deep this time around. And sitting here whining to herself about stupid shit wasn't going to do that . . . She should consider herself lucky he agreed to be her friend.
Why would he want anything to do with a snot-nosed stupid kid like her anyway?
Sphinx sighed, shifting on his couch before growling and rolling over. The damned thing was comfortable but he had gotten used to having Ripley snuggled beside him while they lounged and watched TV. Or in the chair across from him while they played cards . . . and she did her weird victory dance around the living room. It was hard for him to fathom that when she'd first sunk into the leather beside him he'd been uncomfortable with her closeness, and more than slightly unsure of how to act with it. But now he noticed its absence . . . and he was not pleased.
He growled, shifting again as he tried to close his eyes. She'd cleaned his apartment again while he'd dozed so he didn't have anything to do to occupy himself. And he couldn't seem to turn on the damned television without finding something that reminded him of her or that she would like. And he wasn't even going to think about why he wasn't in his bed . . . because when he'd tried to lay down before her scent kept hitting him a little harder every breath he took . . . Not to mention the damned thing seemed far too big and cold now that she wasn't curled around him like she had for the past two nights.
He sighed, pulling the pillow over his head and groaning into it. Why in the hell had he ever even noticed her? And why was he tormenting himself with this? He'd promised the girl he would be her friend-as much as he could- and he would. And friends are all they ever would be. He knew it was best and yet he still couldn't seem to quell the desire to put his ass in the Malibu and drive to see her. He was used to her presence now-her chatter and soft smiles and gentle touches- and damnation if he didn't want them now.
He tossed the pillow, going to stand and get dressed. He knew with his arm that he shouldn't but he was going out . . . and by God he was going to find something-or someone-to drown some of this want in. Even if it killed him.
i know . . . i know . . .