Mike waited until the hot, short gasps for air against his hand slowed down a bit before releasing the grasp and leaning back. It took Steve another few seconds to fully come too, his green eyes filled with both, utter terror and massive confusion.
Maybe the young Inspector thought he was here to wake him from a nightmare, stopping him from yelling at the images tormenting his soul tonight. But instead, much to Mike's dismay, it was a far bigger problem.
Squatting down in front of the couch, Mike put a finger on his lips, shh'ing his partner in hopes that nobody would know they were up. When he was reasonably sure that Steve was awake enough to remain calm, he reached for his revolver, before motioning for the young Inspector to do the same.
Just a few minutes ago, as he was tossing and turning in bed, he'd heard the unmistakable noise of patrol car engines starting up and leaving their assigned spot. His gut feeling told him that something was going on that deserved his full attention.
As he got out of bed, Mike briefly glanced down his entrance way, only to find it deserted except for the Galaxy parked in the driveway.
Tiptoeing his way into the darkened living room, he listened for any unusual noises indicating foul play, but could only hear his partner's heavy breathing from the couch, obviously caught up in a nightmare. Mike had briefly considered returning to bed, but the nagging voice in the back of his mind ordered him to stay alert.
And for good reason.
No two minutes after the patrolmen had left their spot, he could hear the faint noise of footsteps against the concrete stairs of his entrance way. A little rushed at first, but then slowing down and becoming increasingly quieter. It was then that Mike decided it was time to drag his backup out of dreamland.
By the time both detectives positioned themselves on either side of the front door, all outside noises had died down except for the faint wailing of sirens off in the distance. Mike looked up at his partner, seeing his own worry reflected in those troubled green eyes, before nodding faintly.
Taking in one last deep breath, he reached for the door handle and pulled it open with one hand, raising his .38 with the other.
His trained senses cued in on his surroundings in the fraction of a moment, as Mike took in the chilly early morning air, the quiet street ahead, the few lights turned on in the houses across from his, the deserted walkway- and something lying in front of the door.
Motioning for Steve to reappear from behind his hiding spot, Mike crouched down, allowing his eyes to adjust to the dim light.
"What is it?", his young partner asked nervously, staying upright to give him cover in case of an unexpected attack.
"Sunglasses.", Mike breathed worriedly, and reached for the napkin in his pajama pants to grab them, "Where have we seen those before?"
Behind him, he could hear Steve inhale sharply, before taking a step back and running a hand through his hair.
"We saw them last night, Mike. Those belong to Johnnie DeSoto."