Chapter 5: Sleeping until Christmas

Even though it was dark, Woody could tell the room was just what the concierge had promised. They were facing an open tree line, away for other tall buildings and the prying eyes or the parking lot and no balconies to climb down. He rolled his shoulders telling himself he could breathe a little easier. At least for a few hours.

Jordan wasn't that comfortable. She dropped her hobo bag on the bed, but didn't take her hand off the gun in her pocket. She had visions of a SWAT team storming the room at any second.

Woody didn't stand on ceremony. He kicked off his shoes, rubbed his scratchy red eyes and asked her if she wanted the bathroom first as he fell onto the bed.

Proving Pavlov's theory, Jordan's skin began to crawl with the feel of a hundred sweaty hands. Since she had been dancing at the club it was all she could do to get back to wherever she was staying and stand under a scolding shower until her skin began to boil. That night was no exception.

She looked longingly at the bathroom door but didn't move. She would have to take off her clothes. He'd be right outside a thin locked door, knowing she was naked...and remembering what she had done.

"Jo, are you alright," Woody asked.

The reality of her situation never failed to come up and bite her when she least expected it to. The last few weeks had take more than an emotional toll on her. There were prices to be paid for the information she needed. She'd seen things and done things that could change her forever if she let them. The old Jordan would have laughed these feelings all off. The new Jordan struggled with them every second of everyday.

With that she grabbed her bag. For a second Woody thought she was going to leave. Maybe she the same thing was going through her head. But with a small sigh she trudged into the bathroom and shut the door silently. Woody was left trying to figure out what had just happened.

A half hour later Jordan came out with her damp hair dripping in the collar of her clean shirt. The bed was turned down invitingly, the pillows fluffed; the lights dimmed and Woody was snoring softly...from a chair in front of the door.

He knew she'd try to leave. After tracking her earlier she shouldn't be surprised. The bed looked too tempting. How long had it been since she's slept in a bed she didn't have to wonder how clean the sheets were. It was all she could do not to climb between them and sleep until next Christmas. It was all she could do not to wake her sleeping body guard up and do whatever it took to forget...

The fantasy was dashed almost as soon as it surfaced. Even if The Chambers hadn't happened...and it did...there was Lu. Wide awake, Jordan opened the curtains and looked out on the predawn world that could be seen from her height. It felt safe enough to open the window.

"It's a five story drop straight down. I don't think you are even that crazy..." Woody voice was clear. He was about as "asleep" as she was.

"I just wanted some air," Jordan said. "It's been so long since..." Whatever she was going to say was changed in mid-stride. "Even highway exhaust smells fresh when it comes from an open window. Are you sure you don't want the bed?"

"I'm fine Jordan," Woody assured her from his spot.

Jordan listened to the light breeze going through the pines. She slipped her gun stealthy under the pillow before she climbed under the covers. Woody saw her actions but didn't say anything. He was almost relieved she was armed.

"Good night Jordan."

"'Night."

The next morning Jordan sat straight up in bed. The room was as dark as a tomb. The open window was now closed and the drapes drawn tightly against the daylight. She peered over the door to see Woody was no longer sprawled out in front of it. Was this it? Did he leave to make room for the police? Jordan scrambled out of bed and grabbed the handle of her bag. Before she could get out the door, Woody waltzed out of the bathroom rubbing his hair dry with a towel.

"Morning. Or should I say 'Afternoon'. I think its close enough..."

Woody pointed to the clock on the night stand. It was indeed after twelve. She'd slept for over ten hours.

"You needed it..." Woody said as if to answer the question that was written all over her morning face.

Jordan looked around the room and noticed that while she was dead to the world, Woody had been busy. Two empty paper cups of coffee sat on the local section of the morning newspaper.

"There's a breakfast sandwich left. I don't know how good it is..." Woody pointed to the bag of take out on the empty chair. By the grease congealed on the sides of the bag it looked like his breakfast run happened hours before.

"You're up early." she mumbled. Instead of answering, Woody rubbed his neck. Jordan wondered how much, if any, sleep he did get.

She wasn't too far off base. Woody slept for a few minutes but couldn't let himself shutdown completely. He hadn't been able since this nightmare started. His body only turned off when it needed to be recharged. He spent his time constructively.

With her sleeping soundly not more then ten feet away he couldn't stop thinking about the case and what JD's murder had done to them all. Granted there was no love lost between the two men, but he didn't wish him dead.

Out of their lives forever maybe...but not dead.

The fall out had taken its toll. His relationship with Lu was history. Garret was sitting on a fence that would drive any man to drink. And he himself was one false move away from the penalty bench or worse...

His quick "vacation" had raised a few flags. Woody was forced to swallow his pride and call Cal for a favor. Cover. That was all he needed. If anyone asked Woody was spending some quality time with his estranged brother somewhere out in the sticks. Woody found himself, sleepless in Washington instead of his walk up in Boston. His original plan was to come in, get her, and go home where he knew she was safe. Only Jordan didn't seem like she wanted rescuing. While Jordan was dead to the world he started to do some investigating himself.

"Don't you think it's about time for you to tell me what's going on," Woody said leaning against the door.