Variations on a Theme

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Summary: This will be a collection of little drabbles clustered in fives and centered on a theme. ThunderBlink drabbles, of course.

Chapter 2: Sleeping Arrangements

John was tired… that kind of tired which you can feel in your bones and the only thing you feel yourself capable of doing is to drag yourself to bed and sleep at last.

The only problem was that John's bed was full.

He looked on at the scene before him with quite desperation… and a suppressed yawn.

From her place on the bed on which she was comfortably sprawled out, Zingo raised her head at the noise and John gave the canine an accusing look. "You too?"

Zingo didn't seem to get the message as she promptly rolled on her back displaying her belly with open invitation. The movement only slightly disturbed the little boy who was lying spread-eagle on the bigger part of the bed, effectively covering John's usual spot and a good portion of Clarice's, as the evidence showed.

John shook his head with a small smile then quickly discarded his jeans and west, ignoring Zingo in the process.

When he was ready, he sent the dog down and carefully lifted up Jamie. With the seven-year-old pressed against his chest, he lay down and pulled the blanket over both of them. The boy didn't even stir, John observed amused, then glanced on his left and winced. In her sleep, Clarice was practically balancing on the edge of their bed arms holding onto the tiny form of Lily, who had snuggled up against her.

With his free arm, John reached out and gently nudged Clarice. Clarice only woke enough to shift closer to John and murmur something John couldn't really make out, then she settled right back to sleep.

With Jamie lying on him and Clarice and Lily tucked safely in his arms, John closed his eyes with a satisfied sigh. That was just what he needed.

Then Zingo jumped on his legs and curled up in the hollow between them…

"All right," John started as he walked up to Clarice, who – for all intents and purposes – looked like someone who was just lounging on the couch. John knew better. "Up you go," he told her, indicating that she should stand and follow him.

"Excuse me?" Clarice cocked an eyebrow questioningly over her book.

"You heard me," John shrugged, starting to turn. "Come on."

"No."

John sighed and turned back to her. "If you think that I'll let you sleep on this couch again, think again."

"I'm not sleeping on this couch."

"Really? You just happen to carry your pillow and blanket around." He indicated said items lying on the other side of the couch.

"I… I have nothing to say to that."

"Look, it's a really commendable gesture that you give up your bed for the refugees but you need a proper bed, too. I happen to have one."

"Yours," Clarice pointed out.

"Does it matter? It's big enough for the two of us."

"I don't think that's such a good idea."

"Come on," John ignored her. "I know your neck is killing you."

"All right," Clarice sighed resigned. "You sold it."

John smiled.

(post season finale)

Marcos was on his way out to relieve whoever was on watch. He couldn't sleep so he thought that he might as well do something to divert his attention from his heartache.

He half expected John to be outside, ever watchful and ready to protect the people under his care. So, when he spotted his friend lying close to the entrance, he stopped surprised. He didn't have to look too long, either, to realize that John wasn't alone on the narrow yoga mat. Clarice was securely tucked away in his arms.

The image of John shielding Clarice from the storming bullets popped into his mind and he shivered. He didn't think that he would forget that scene any time soon. He let a small smile creep on his face, though. It was just so John to shield Clarice even in his sleep, with them turned to the wall, John wrapped around Clarice, his broad back hiding her from the outside world. She was safe with him.

He was happy for them.

Even when everything seemed to be falling apart… when his life was in pieces, it was nice to see his friends finding comfort in each other.

He looked around before continuing his way outside and grabbed a spare blanket to lay it on the sleeping couple.

"Clarice," John looked up from his papers questioningly at his girlfriend when she walked into his tiny office. "What are you doing?"

"Oh, don't mind me," she told him offhandedly as she threw a yoga mat on the floor. "I just thought I'd sleep with my boyfriend for once… or at least in the same room," she shrugged tossing her pillow and blanket on the floor, too.

"I'm that bad, aren't I?"

"Yup," Clarice nodded as John reached out to pull her closer and rest his head on her stomach.

"'M sorry."

"Hey, I'm not reproaching you or anything," she cupped his cheeks to make him look up at her. "I just stated my desire to actually see you before I go to sleep. As I said," she kissed lightly before leaving his arms to make her 'bed', "Don't mind me."

"You can't sleep on the floor," John told her exasperatedly as Clarice lay down. "You're practically lying under my desk." It was really ridiculous, he thought.

"Watch me," Clarice said before turning in for the night.

John shook his head and turned back to work, intent to make some progress in his work. It wasn't long before he gave up, though.

He scooped his girlfriend up from the floor and walked back to their room.

Clarice stretched lazily as she turned around to snuggle up to John, ready to spend a couple of peaceful minutes in his arms before she'd face the day.

As soon as her hand reached the body lying next to her, though, she stopped.

"You're not John," she remarked with disappointment in her voice.

"No," came the sleepy reply. "But those are my boobs."

"Oh, sorry." Clarice withdrew her hands with a frown and lay on her back. "What are you doing here anyway?" she asked her unexpected bedfellow. " And, where is John?"

Lorna turned on her back, too, and let out a huge yawn.

"Last time I saw him, he was a smartass about putting down babies in their own bed for the night. I wonder how he managed."

"You left him with the baby?"

"Course I did," Lorna shrugged. "He and Marcos wouldn't shut up about Aurora needing to sleep on her own. I told them to make it happen then."

There was a long silence after that, which Clarice broke at once.

"I have to see that." she stumbled out of bed and rushed out of the room. Lorna followed her at a more measured pace.

"Her own bed, my ass," she scoffed with an amused smile when she laid eyes upon the two men who were sleeping in her and Marcos' bed, lying on their sides and facing each other… with baby Aurora sleeping between them.

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