Chapter 28: Eric, the hero/Eric, the dog watcher – Part 2

"The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day, runs through the world and dances in rhythmic measure." – Rabindranath Tagore

"For mercy has a human heart, Pity a human face, And Love, the human form divine, And Peace, the human dress." – William Blake


"Hey Donovan, did you miss me?" Vaughn asked the dog and the dog gave a resounding "woof" in response.

Eric poked his head in the room, "Yeah, you could say that he missed you, he'd sit by the front door of my apartment just about all day. But, then I just gave him some beer and pretzels and we got along fine."

Vaughn smiled up at Eric, "Thanks for watching him for me Eric."

"You bet. We had a great time…how are you feeling?"

"Ah, I'm tired right now, but Syd takes good care of me…"

"Yeah, I'm sure she does," Eric smiled as he looked over at Sydney.

"Hey, what's that look for?" Sydney asked as Eric looked at her.

"I know exactly what kind of 'taking care' of you're doing…" he smiled devilishly at her.

"Now, now, Eric. Any more of that talk and I'll have to kick your ass right out of here!"

"Please do," Eric answered.

Vaughn laughed quietly at their interplay. "Don't make me pull the car over kids…"

Eric smiled at Vaughn.

Vaughn got serious, "Eric, I wanted to apologize…"

"What for?" he asked seemingly oblivious.

"I think you know what for. I'm sorry I acted the way I did when you came to the hospital…I…well…I wasn't myself…I wasn't used to people, even ones that I know really well and consider my best friend."

"Hey, really Mike, there's no need to apologize. If anyone should, it should be me. I was a total ass…I shouldn't have come in there like I did…I didn't realize…really, it was my fault...And I should have come back again to see you…I just didn't know if you…you know…"

Vaughn stuck out his hand and Eric took it gripping it in a friendly way.

"Eric, really, thanks again…for everything…"

"It was my pleasure, what are friends for?"

They spent a moment just looking at each other. Eric added, "I brought your hockey shirt…I'm sure Syd can help get you in that after she's done getting you out of this…" he pointed to Vaughn's tee shirt and turned and gave Sydney the devilish smile again.

"I'm telling you Eric, you are this close," Sydney made the gesture with her hand.

He smiled and said, "Well…listen, I should let you rest. I just wanted to stop by with the clothes and Donovan. I'll come back soon though and bring some of the hockey games I taped for you and we can sit back and watch the games with a few beers, talk about women, and the-"

Sydney cleared her throat loudly. "Excuse me? I'm still in the room you know, and he'll be having NO beers, Eric, no beers – zip, nada, zilch. Not right now…beer and pain medication do NOT mix. Oh, and call before you come over, so I know when I can vacate the premises of my own home…"

Eric smiled, "See Mike, you just gotta know how to play the ladies…you should be taking notes!"

Sydney moved over to the bed and grabbed Weiss' arm. "Out! Now!"

Eric moved to the doorway and Sydney hugged him before he went out. "Thanks Eric."

"You bet, Syd." He waved to Vaughn, "I'll see you later Mike…bye Donovan!"

Sydney walked him out. She came back to a rather shocked looking Vaughn. "Syd?"

"What's up honey? Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine…why isn't Donovan going home with Eric?"

"Because he's staying here…"

"You're letting me bring my dog?"

"Yeah, I've cleared it with all the other occupants, and they said it was ok, so…now you'll have someone else to keep you company…"

Vaughn smiled at Sydney, "You really know how to take care of a guy, and make him feel right at home."

"Well, this is your home now," she stated factually.

"It is?" he asked in wonderment.

"You bet it is, so I hope you like it."

"I like anywhere you are…except hospitals."

"Well, I got you out of there didn't I? It wasn't as soon as I would have liked, but I got you out…"

"Yes you did, come here."

She moved over to sit on the bed and kissed him. Donovan had settled next to Vaughn on the bed and his tail was wagging happily as Vaughn scratched his ears. He seemed deliriously happy that he was with his master again.

"You know Vaughn, I'm not sure you loves you more, me or the dog."

Vaughn looked down at Donovan who made eye contact and licked his hand. "Hmm…that's a tough one Syd. Isn't the more appropriate question who I love more?"

"Yes, I suppose it is…" she smiled at him with dimples blazing.

He looked up at her seductively. "Well, maybe you should show me you're side of the love story and then I can decide for myself."

"Well, that means that we're going to have to boot your very happy puppy off of the bed. However," she said as she left the bed for a moment and went out into the hall. "I did have Francie and Will pick this up," she came back in with a doggie bed. "For just such an occasion."

Donovan looked at the bed that Sydney had brought in. She placed it by the door of her bedroom.

"Go ahead boy," Vaughn said to Donovan. He happily bounded over to it and spent several minutes squirming, trying to find the perfect place to settle. Sydney smiled as she watched and Vaughn laughed happily. She turned back to him and took her place on the bed once again.

"Well Syd, if there was any question, I think we just answered it. Donovan was just as happy with his new bed as he was to see me…so…I guess we know which one of you loves me more…should we sort out who I love more?"

"Absolutely Mr. Vaughn…in just one second." She bounded out the door quickly and Vaughn heard her yell goodnight to Francie and Will in the living room. Then in a flash, she was back in the room and she locked the door hurriedly. She bounded over to the bed, shedding articles of clothing along the way. Once she was over to the bed, she uncovered Vaughn and carefully took off the tee shirt and boxers she had just helped him into a short time ago. She turned off the lights, save one soft light in the corner and sauntered sexily back over to the bed. This time, she did not sit on the edge next to Vaughn, but crawled under the covers…