Sorry for the delay. Real life got busy and I got sucked into another fandom. :) I have this one back on track though so look for frequent updates.
Title: Boundaries
author: Cindy Ryan
pairings: Chris/Merri
notes and summary: see part one
Chris awoke to find himself awkwardly tucked on the sofa. The awkward position discomfort vanished when Chris's sleepy brain realized Merri was in his arms and sound asleep. Memories of the night before slowly returned. Chris was happy with how things had went. Granted they could've went much, much better. All things considered Merri was asleep in his arms and hadn't slapped him for saying how he felt.
As beginnings went Chris was hopeful for this one. Glancing at the clock on the wall Chris realized he could go back to sleep. One plus about being in a safe house under protective custody there was no time clock. With a yawn Chris straightened the blanket that covered them and then pulled Merri back against him. She didn't stir and Chris smiled settling back and lowering his head. Within minutes he was asleep.
Merri awoke her internal clock in-tune to her alarm clock even when she didn't set the alarm. She gently untangled herself from Chris's arms and stood. After watching her sleeping partner for a moment she pulled the blanket back up over his shoulders and went to the bathroom. After stripping off her clothes she turned on the shower and stepped in.
She was grateful that Chris was still asleep. It gave Merri time to think. Time to try to sort out her scrambled thoughts. Merri leaned back against the glass wall of the shower letting the water and steam wash over her. One thought kept reoccurring. One that made a silly smile appear on her face no matter how much she fought it. Chris was in love with her. Merri knew he didn't come to this realization lightly. She had seen that last night when he told her. He had struggled with this; not wanting to upset their friendship. But in the end he couldn't keep it all bottled up. Merri was glad he didn't.
Still Merri knew military regs. Knew they couldn't stay working together if they became involved. The team would break up. Merri had been an agent long enough to know teams changed frequently. People got transferred, got promotions etc. Still this group had been a pseudo family to Merri since she'd arrived in New Orleans. Even if she or Chris got a new job Merri knew the group would still be close; still see each other.
Was she really considering a future with Chris LaSalle? If Merri was honest with herself she had felt something for Chris but she'd been afraid to even look at it. Afraid to upset this family that had formed. She had been the happiest here in New Orleans than she'd been in a long time. If she looked close at that happiness Merri knew most of that happiness had been being partnered with Chris. As she finished the shower and shut the water off Merri felt better physically and emotionally. She dressed and dried her hair realizing that being stuck in a safe house might be a blessing. If she and her partner had come to this realization in normal terms it may have taken them months to talk things out. Smiling Merri dried her hair and finished getting ready.
Chris had been half way through fixing breakfast when his cell phone rang. He juggled it for a moment as he stirred the eggs before seeing King's name on the caller id. He put the phone between his right shoulder and chin and answered.
"LaSalle."Chris greeted.
"How are you guys holding up?"Pride asked.
"Haven't killed each other yet."Chris quipped. "Anything to get us out of here?"
"Maybe. Austin had a group of friends in highschool."Pride replied. "One is Klain, met him this morning. The other is David Mokus who runs the gym in the ninth ward. Mokus did prison time."
"For what?"LaSalle asked as he transferred eggs to one of the plates.
"Gun running."Pride explained.
"Well that sounds like somebody who'd have enough connections to get his hands on a sniper rifle."LaSalle commented as he plucked toast out of the toaster.
"Maybe on my way to talk to him."Pride stated. "Oh and Patton got a lead on the Colorado number registered to a Regan Norris. She's originally from here trying to tie her to Hackett."
"Merri and I can dig on that angle."Chris offered.
"How are things with you two, really?"Pride asked quietly.
Chris glanced behind him to make sure he was still alone.
"I told her last night."Chris confided.
"And?"Pride prompted.
"She's still talking to me."Chris replied with a grin.
"That's definitely progress, Christopher."Pride commented. "Remember she's been through a lot the last few weeks...kid gloves."
"Believe me I'm not blowing my chances by moving too soon. Can Patton send us the updated case file?"LaSalle asked.
"Will do. Hopefully this will be over soon."Pride replied.
"Hope so."Chris agreed. "Talk to you later."
A few minutes later Chris's phone beeped signalling an email. He glanced and confirmed it was from Patton. It felt good to have something to work on. More than anything Chris just wanted Merri to be safe. They had to figure this one out, not solving this wasn't an option.