JONDY
I woke up early the next morning - I had crashed on the couch - Syl and Tinga drove me away. The fold out was only built for two.
The couch was comfortable and I had had the best sleep since before I can remember. I lay awake, pondering the mysteries of my universe before realising that I had been in Seattle for almost a week. I had planned to only be here three days.
Realising that lying down would not help my relevation, I decided to use all the hot water before Zane decided to.
I paused in front of the bathroom mirror. My hair. I hadn't noticed it until now. The red dye had faded a lot - my hair was pretty much back to it's natural light brown colour. It was now just past my shoulders.longer than I'd worn it in years.
Since coming back to Seattle, I've felt more like myself. Like those years at medical school I felt like I was hiding a part of myself.
I slipped down the hall, my footsteps making no noise on the carpet floor, giving into a moment's weakness. It might have been the revelation about my hair or the one about how long I'd stayed in Seattle.
Zack lay on the bed in the guest room, stripped to the waist.boxers.sound asleep. Zack was a gorgeous man. Beautifully sculptured chest and that tattoo on his shoulder.
Zane and Krit were sprawled out on a mattress on the floor. I climbed onto the bed; I swear now it was so many unfulfilled heat cycles, my feline DNA was ruling my head.
I ran my hand up his spine, gently, so not to wake him up. It made him stir a little; my hands were cold. I gently and slowly tilted his head towards me. He looked a lot younger when he slept.
"I love you," I murmured, tracing his face. "I understand why you did what you did. And.I forgive you. I-I love you so much." I leant down, gently kissing him. Softly, so not to wake him. His eyes fluttered and I slipped off the bed and down the hall, so fast, my feet hardly touched the carpet.
ZACK
I woke up as a hand slipped along my back. I shivered slightly; the hand was icy cold. I settled down again; that limbo between sleep and awake that I rarely achieve; asleep but aware of my surroundings. Hands tilted my face to the right. Scents assaulted my senses; Jondy. She always smelt beautiful - like flowers and something uniquely her. She traced my face, her touch so gentle it felt like I was dreaming.
"I love you. I understand why you did what you did. And.I forgive you. I-I love you so much." I was about to let her know I was awake when she kissed me. So soft; it was so gentle I thought for a second I had fallen asleep again.
I just lay there for a second and then opened my eyes. She was gone - only a crease in the sheets where she sat and the lingering scent of her perfume remained with me.
"Jondy," I said in the quietest of whispers. "I love you."
JONDY
Everyone slept late that morning. I was up; and after my confession to a sleeping Zack, there was no way to go to sleep. I set up my laptop and got myself a can of cola. Caffeine is always good.
I jammed the disk into my laptop. Either I work on this and help save Evie and close down these bastards for good or I procrastinate about Zack. While the latter sounded more appealing at this hour, it was more practical to work on the disk.
It wasn't until eleven that anyone else made an appearance. Logan came out, trailed by a barely awake Evie.
"Morning, baby sister," Logan yawned. "Have you been up long?"
:"Since six," I grinned.
"You should've helped yourself to breakfast," Logan said, reaching into the fridge. It's an old custom with Logan and I; even now, after I've known him for years, I never ever get my own breakfast. I'm quite happy to raid the fridge for a midnight snack or make lunch for everyone. Dinner, I'll help myself to when it suits me. But breakfast is when I am a 'proper' guest. Who usually ends up doing the washing up, no matter who's turn it is.
"S'okay, I kept myself alive with cola," I shrugged.
Logan chuckled. "Well, I'll make pancakes and scrambled eggs now."
"Excellent." I suddenly noticed that my other non-sleeping half is AWOL.sleeping almost twelve hours in one night. "Maxie still asleep?" I asked, smirking.
Logan nodded, mirroring my smirk. "Yeah. Twins this time, we think. Max is going to tell you all soon, so act surprised. I warned her one of you would work it out pretty quickly."
"Mmm, of course. But I'm a doctor, I'm meant to pick up these things," I said, draining my drink.
"Daddy?" Evie yawned from the chair in which she was slumped, half dozing. "I'm going to go get dressed. Alec promised to take me to the park, to teach me to roller-blade."
"Yeah, we've decided to make it a family day out," Logan said, pouring the first pancake onto the stove. "Are you joining us Jondy? Picnic?"
I shook my head. "Nah, sooner I work out this disk, the sooner you can get rid of me."
"Jondy, you're family, you are always welcome here," Logan said, going to the fridge. "Neither Max or I ever want you to feel you have to leave in a hurry."
I smiled at him and turned back to my laptop.
*~*~*~*~*~* I sat on the picnic blanket, holding my camera up. Alec was teaching Evie to roller blade, while Logan and Tinga got lunch set out.
"Smile Alec!" I called, snapping the picture. I only work in black and white prints - less busy, less complicated, esspecially when you photograph people . . .
"Take another photo, Aunt Jondy!" Evie called, just as she fell backwards onto the pavement. I caught the fall on camera, bursting out laughing as she slipped - she really did inherit the Cale's co-ordination - or lack there of.
Max sent me a filthy look, as she went to make sure Evie was okay, even though Evie was laughing too.
"Come on, Evie," Krit stood up, releasing Syl's hand. "Let the professional show you how it's done." Krit motioned for Rain to stand up as well and they walked across the skateboard area - basically, a huge rectangle of smooth concrete.
Alec sprawled out next to me. "Like photography, huh?"
"Yeah, nice past time," I said, snapping one of Syl putting her sunglasses on. "Where's Zack?"
Alec had a funny smile on his face. "Meeting us here. Logan did a trace for the X8. Zack went to check it out with Zane."
"Cool," I said, swinging the camera around and snapping Alec.
"So, black and white or colour photos, Jay?" Alec leaned closer. I snapped another photo in his face.
"Black and white. It's clearer, but still has the whole 'message' thing. And it's less complicated, especially when you photograph people."
"Doesn't make them any less complicated, Jay," Alec said. "You know Max and Logan's wedding photos, right? I think you took them?"
"Yeah, I did. They're in black and white."
"Exactly. But Max is still smiling so much and Logan. . . with black and white, you can add stuff you think - or hope - is there. Same with people."
I pulled the camera away from my face. "Why are you going all deep and meaningful on me, Alec?"
"Because. . . you and I, we aren't going to go there. There's no way I'm getting into a relationship while Zack's not only all over you, but still * that* possesive."
"He's not all over me," I said, rolling my eyes and smiling. And taking another photo of Syl and following her gaze. . .
"Syl, what the flying squirrel is Krit doing?" I demanded, snapping some photos in disbelief.
"He's skate boarding, J," Syl said. "Learnt back in '12, I think. He's really good at it."
"So, a man behaving like a little boy turns you on, S?" I said, snapping her photo.
"Gotta get my kicks somehow," Syl grins back. "Speaking of kicks and yours, heres Zack."
I threw my sunglasses at her and turn back.
"Children, children," Logan says. "Lunch, whenever you wish to eat."
"We have cake," Zane said, as he came over. "Chocolate cake."
"Oooh, powers of observation," Max teased. "How.?"
"Nope, dead end," Zack said, sitting down next to me. "You decoded that coloured disk yet?"
"Oh yes," I said sarcastically. "The several hours I spent translating it paid off and now all the answers - and I know where Sandeman is and the meaning of life."
Zack tugged my hair. "Yeah, yeah."
I shook my head and whipped the camera up, taking a photo of Zack. In black and white.
*~*~*~*~*~ Okay, so originally I was aiming for 11 chapters. Nope, there is A LOT more. But I'm more motivated when I get reviews - I'm aiming for 45+ with this chapter, so be a dear and review! Also, this is dedicated to Jzshiri and to the ducks, I tell you, the ducks!
Hehe, also, visit my site - http://www.twisted-logic.com !
Review! * sugar, sugar . . . ohhh, honey honey.. . . you are my candy girl and you got me wanting you . .. * I wuv that song!
Oh, and I swear there will be some M/L for you shippers! But Jondy and Zack are needing more of a push in the right direction!
I woke up early the next morning - I had crashed on the couch - Syl and Tinga drove me away. The fold out was only built for two.
The couch was comfortable and I had had the best sleep since before I can remember. I lay awake, pondering the mysteries of my universe before realising that I had been in Seattle for almost a week. I had planned to only be here three days.
Realising that lying down would not help my relevation, I decided to use all the hot water before Zane decided to.
I paused in front of the bathroom mirror. My hair. I hadn't noticed it until now. The red dye had faded a lot - my hair was pretty much back to it's natural light brown colour. It was now just past my shoulders.longer than I'd worn it in years.
Since coming back to Seattle, I've felt more like myself. Like those years at medical school I felt like I was hiding a part of myself.
I slipped down the hall, my footsteps making no noise on the carpet floor, giving into a moment's weakness. It might have been the revelation about my hair or the one about how long I'd stayed in Seattle.
Zack lay on the bed in the guest room, stripped to the waist.boxers.sound asleep. Zack was a gorgeous man. Beautifully sculptured chest and that tattoo on his shoulder.
Zane and Krit were sprawled out on a mattress on the floor. I climbed onto the bed; I swear now it was so many unfulfilled heat cycles, my feline DNA was ruling my head.
I ran my hand up his spine, gently, so not to wake him up. It made him stir a little; my hands were cold. I gently and slowly tilted his head towards me. He looked a lot younger when he slept.
"I love you," I murmured, tracing his face. "I understand why you did what you did. And.I forgive you. I-I love you so much." I leant down, gently kissing him. Softly, so not to wake him. His eyes fluttered and I slipped off the bed and down the hall, so fast, my feet hardly touched the carpet.
ZACK
I woke up as a hand slipped along my back. I shivered slightly; the hand was icy cold. I settled down again; that limbo between sleep and awake that I rarely achieve; asleep but aware of my surroundings. Hands tilted my face to the right. Scents assaulted my senses; Jondy. She always smelt beautiful - like flowers and something uniquely her. She traced my face, her touch so gentle it felt like I was dreaming.
"I love you. I understand why you did what you did. And.I forgive you. I-I love you so much." I was about to let her know I was awake when she kissed me. So soft; it was so gentle I thought for a second I had fallen asleep again.
I just lay there for a second and then opened my eyes. She was gone - only a crease in the sheets where she sat and the lingering scent of her perfume remained with me.
"Jondy," I said in the quietest of whispers. "I love you."
JONDY
Everyone slept late that morning. I was up; and after my confession to a sleeping Zack, there was no way to go to sleep. I set up my laptop and got myself a can of cola. Caffeine is always good.
I jammed the disk into my laptop. Either I work on this and help save Evie and close down these bastards for good or I procrastinate about Zack. While the latter sounded more appealing at this hour, it was more practical to work on the disk.
It wasn't until eleven that anyone else made an appearance. Logan came out, trailed by a barely awake Evie.
"Morning, baby sister," Logan yawned. "Have you been up long?"
:"Since six," I grinned.
"You should've helped yourself to breakfast," Logan said, reaching into the fridge. It's an old custom with Logan and I; even now, after I've known him for years, I never ever get my own breakfast. I'm quite happy to raid the fridge for a midnight snack or make lunch for everyone. Dinner, I'll help myself to when it suits me. But breakfast is when I am a 'proper' guest. Who usually ends up doing the washing up, no matter who's turn it is.
"S'okay, I kept myself alive with cola," I shrugged.
Logan chuckled. "Well, I'll make pancakes and scrambled eggs now."
"Excellent." I suddenly noticed that my other non-sleeping half is AWOL.sleeping almost twelve hours in one night. "Maxie still asleep?" I asked, smirking.
Logan nodded, mirroring my smirk. "Yeah. Twins this time, we think. Max is going to tell you all soon, so act surprised. I warned her one of you would work it out pretty quickly."
"Mmm, of course. But I'm a doctor, I'm meant to pick up these things," I said, draining my drink.
"Daddy?" Evie yawned from the chair in which she was slumped, half dozing. "I'm going to go get dressed. Alec promised to take me to the park, to teach me to roller-blade."
"Yeah, we've decided to make it a family day out," Logan said, pouring the first pancake onto the stove. "Are you joining us Jondy? Picnic?"
I shook my head. "Nah, sooner I work out this disk, the sooner you can get rid of me."
"Jondy, you're family, you are always welcome here," Logan said, going to the fridge. "Neither Max or I ever want you to feel you have to leave in a hurry."
I smiled at him and turned back to my laptop.
*~*~*~*~*~* I sat on the picnic blanket, holding my camera up. Alec was teaching Evie to roller blade, while Logan and Tinga got lunch set out.
"Smile Alec!" I called, snapping the picture. I only work in black and white prints - less busy, less complicated, esspecially when you photograph people . . .
"Take another photo, Aunt Jondy!" Evie called, just as she fell backwards onto the pavement. I caught the fall on camera, bursting out laughing as she slipped - she really did inherit the Cale's co-ordination - or lack there of.
Max sent me a filthy look, as she went to make sure Evie was okay, even though Evie was laughing too.
"Come on, Evie," Krit stood up, releasing Syl's hand. "Let the professional show you how it's done." Krit motioned for Rain to stand up as well and they walked across the skateboard area - basically, a huge rectangle of smooth concrete.
Alec sprawled out next to me. "Like photography, huh?"
"Yeah, nice past time," I said, snapping one of Syl putting her sunglasses on. "Where's Zack?"
Alec had a funny smile on his face. "Meeting us here. Logan did a trace for the X8. Zack went to check it out with Zane."
"Cool," I said, swinging the camera around and snapping Alec.
"So, black and white or colour photos, Jay?" Alec leaned closer. I snapped another photo in his face.
"Black and white. It's clearer, but still has the whole 'message' thing. And it's less complicated, especially when you photograph people."
"Doesn't make them any less complicated, Jay," Alec said. "You know Max and Logan's wedding photos, right? I think you took them?"
"Yeah, I did. They're in black and white."
"Exactly. But Max is still smiling so much and Logan. . . with black and white, you can add stuff you think - or hope - is there. Same with people."
I pulled the camera away from my face. "Why are you going all deep and meaningful on me, Alec?"
"Because. . . you and I, we aren't going to go there. There's no way I'm getting into a relationship while Zack's not only all over you, but still * that* possesive."
"He's not all over me," I said, rolling my eyes and smiling. And taking another photo of Syl and following her gaze. . .
"Syl, what the flying squirrel is Krit doing?" I demanded, snapping some photos in disbelief.
"He's skate boarding, J," Syl said. "Learnt back in '12, I think. He's really good at it."
"So, a man behaving like a little boy turns you on, S?" I said, snapping her photo.
"Gotta get my kicks somehow," Syl grins back. "Speaking of kicks and yours, heres Zack."
I threw my sunglasses at her and turn back.
"Children, children," Logan says. "Lunch, whenever you wish to eat."
"We have cake," Zane said, as he came over. "Chocolate cake."
"Oooh, powers of observation," Max teased. "How.?"
"Nope, dead end," Zack said, sitting down next to me. "You decoded that coloured disk yet?"
"Oh yes," I said sarcastically. "The several hours I spent translating it paid off and now all the answers - and I know where Sandeman is and the meaning of life."
Zack tugged my hair. "Yeah, yeah."
I shook my head and whipped the camera up, taking a photo of Zack. In black and white.
*~*~*~*~*~ Okay, so originally I was aiming for 11 chapters. Nope, there is A LOT more. But I'm more motivated when I get reviews - I'm aiming for 45+ with this chapter, so be a dear and review! Also, this is dedicated to Jzshiri and to the ducks, I tell you, the ducks!
Hehe, also, visit my site - http://www.twisted-logic.com !
Review! * sugar, sugar . . . ohhh, honey honey.. . . you are my candy girl and you got me wanting you . .. * I wuv that song!
Oh, and I swear there will be some M/L for you shippers! But Jondy and Zack are needing more of a push in the right direction!
