Disclaimer: I don't own these character names, no disrespect is intended.

Author's note: I know the word is misspelled, you'll have to read it to see why. ;)

Conflagaration

Chris is right on time, which means he is fifteen minutes ahead of schedule. She, of course, is running behind schedule, perpetually behind schedule. She gives life to my mother's tired old saying about being late for one's own funeral. Her shower is still running as he taps on the door. I knew eventually their paths would cross, but I can't help but wish it were any day other than today when I've got a hangover the size of Texas.

As soon as I let him in I sense his surly mood. I can always count on him being early, but it's a rare occasion indeed when he's in a less than jovial mood. I can sense there will be fireworks, and not the kind I was envisioning when I asked him over.

We exchange pleasantries, and he ends up with whiskey instead of coffee. I settle for water. The sun is glaringly bright outside the window, and right on cue as I adjust the shades she emerges from the bedroom.

"You said one Dave, and I'm just a little..."

Her voice trails off when she spots him sprawled on the couch, his feet propped up amid the clutter on the coffee table. His spiky hair, piercing blue eyes, rumpled tee and cozy jeans would make anyone lose their train of thought, and she does have an eye for the attractive.

"It's ok," I say softly, inserting myself between them, my hand in a gentle caress on the small of her back, "Can't change what's already done."

I watch as she drags her eyes back to me with an effort. I can see in the depths of them that she wants to stay. She raises up on tiptoes, and as I bend to brush my lips over hers I am already marshaling my thoughts for what will come after she leaves, and I'm left facing him alone. I'm not coward enough to give in to her will this time, and in a flash I'm promising her that I'll be by to pick her up in plenty of time to catch our flight to Indiana the next day.

Another kiss, a wave, and she's gone, leaving only the scent of her shampoo. I turn, dump a stack of newspapers off the couch and flop down, bare feet propped up on the table beside his.

"Well," he says, and he rubs a finger over his nose, "I see you didn't waste any time."

"Meaning?"

"You know what I mean, out with the old, in with the new. Looks like you didn't even give yourself long enough to reflect, let your buttons pop back up again after they were all pushed down." He rests his glass on his thigh, turns his head to look at me.

"I didn't ask you over here to lecture me," I say tiredly.

"Oh this isn't a lecture," he says. "You want a lecture I'm sure I can muster one up for you, I just want to know why." He closes his mouth abruptly as if he had intended to say more but thought better of it.

"She's pretty."

"And?"

"And I like her."

He snorts, "And?"

"Fuck, I have needs Chris." I lift the bottle to take a swallow, and when I lower it he reaches over to take my wrist in his hand. I don't have to look, I know it's red.

"You know," he says as his thumb sweeps over the bruise, "They make padded handcuffs."

I yank my hand away from him, "Who says it's from handcuffs?"

He drains the rest of his drink and stands up, "You said it yourself Dave, you have needs."

"Nice," I say as I watch him go and pour another drink, "This from a man who has a bevy of porn stars in his MySpace."

"Oh no, we're not making this about me." Drink in hand he heads back to the couch. "This whole conflagaration is all about you."

"Conflagration," I say softly.

"That's what I said, conflagaration," he says as he sits back down beside me.

"No, you gave it an extra syllable. I'm just saying that if you're going to hurl an epithet at me you should at least pronounce it right."

"For fuck's sake Bautista," he snarls, "You always have to win don't you. Always have to have the last word. God forbid we ever have a civil conversation any more. You know, I really don't know why the fuck I even came over here in the first place."

The anger has drained out of me now, and I sigh. "I do."

"Ok, well then enlighten me."

I reach over and put my hand on his knee, guide the hand holding his drink down so that the icy bottom of it rests on my wrist. "You came over here because I invited you. It wasn't my intention to expose you to...my proclivities, but I should have known better."

"I'll say," he says, but he doesn't move the glass so I know he's listening now.

"The tables are turned Chris. Usually you're the one listening to me rant and carry on about how life isn't fair. You're the only one I don't have to hold up a façade for. You know how to push the buttons that release the pressure." I turn to look at him. "It's your turn to unleash on me."

He lifts the glass and turns my hand over, carefully sets the glass down on the inside of my wrist.

"I'll bounce back David," he says softly. "A few kicks in the nuts aren't going to make me run for the hills."

I shift closer so that my shoulder rubs along his. "What do you always tell me Chris?"

"That padded handcuffs don't leave a mark?"

I can sense that his good humor is slowly being restored. "You've never told me that before, and even if you had I'd have told you that padded handcuffs are for girls."

"Damn you," he says and he sighs, "I always tell you not to bottle shit up, and that's exactly what I've been doing. I can't let it out on Jess she's got her hands full with the kids. It's not fair to let it out on Rich and the boys, and my time in L.A. is for me to enjoy not talk about all the ways my life is wrong." He smiles at me ruefully. "No one diverts my foul mood like you."

"And that is why you came over here today." I extract my hand and rub my wrist.

"It's not the only reason," he says as he turns on the couch and pulls his legs up under him.

"Pictures of porn stars don't keep a body warm at night, eh?"

"I've got plenty of ways to keep my body warm at night," he says.

"Maybe," I say, turning to face him, "But what you wanted was a conflagaration."

"You sure you have the energy?"

"Try me."

There's plenty of time for talking, and pleasantries, but never enough time for this. Needs get met, but never fully satisfied. It doesn't matter what anyone thinks, it's what we know.

Distribution: TwoIntoOne only.