"Histories"
A Crossing Jordan Fanfiction
In the "Strange Bedfellows" Universe
Written by Kate "SuperKate" Butler

"You never told me about her, you know."

Bug glanced up from the magazine he'd been leafing through to find Nigel darkening the doorway between his bedroom and the bathroom. "Her who?" he questioned, tossing the magazine onto the bedside table.

"Detective Framus." The tall man did not budge from leaning against the doorjamb. "I mean, I knew you weren't fond of her, but I never would have thought there was a history there."

Bug rolled his eyes. "History?" he scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "There's no history there. She's just…her, and I don't like her."

"I'm sure that's the only reason, too, pet." Nigel meandered slowly across the bedroom before plopping down unceremoniously on the edge of the bed that Bug had already tucked himself into. "So, when was it?"

"When was what?"

"Your affair with Detec – "

Another eye roll, accompanied by a heaving sigh, cut him off. "Nigel, please. There is no affair."

He arched an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Then that business with the gimlet and the Spock ears and her seemingly intimate knowledge of your fanfictional habits?"

"That's it." Bug reached up and flicked off the bedside lamp, and the room suddenly descended into darkness. "Goodnight, Nigel."

He could practically hear Nigel's grin, too, as he swung his legs up onto the bed and, with the prerequisite amount of squirming and struggling, managed to snuggle under the covers and, eventually, into his lover's back.

"I was only teasing," he finally admitted, nuzzling his face in Bug's hair.

"I know."

"You don't have to tell me."

Bug pressed against the warm body cuddled into his back. "Good, because I wasn't planning on it."

A few seconds of silence passed before either dared speak again.

"…but just one question, love."

"What's that?"

"Am I better or worse?"

"….in what regard?"

Nigel's body shifted against his arse, and suddenly, he was acutely aware of what the other man meant.

"If I tell you that," he decided, his eyes lulling shut, "you might not try as hard."

He could feel the face that was still burrowed into the back of his head spread into a wide smile. "That good, eh?"

Bug paused for a moment – partially for dramatic effect, and partially just to enjoy the companionable, warm silence – and then just sighed into the dark.

Some questions, he decided, were better left unanswered.

"Goodnight, Nigel."

"'Night, love."

Fin.

Disclaimer: Crossing Jordan belongs to NBC and Tailwind Productions, not to me.

Author's Note: Just some fun, because I would love to see what Nigel really thinks of Bug and Roz. Mwahahaha.

"Strange Bedfellows" is the name of my continuity of fics that have to do with Bug, Nigel, and their relationship. This fic doesn't really hook in with the continuity, but it takes place in that world. If you want more of the same, look for my other Bug/Nigel fics.

April 9, 2005
7:13 p.m.