I've sort of lost the will to write lately. Hence no updates in like what? 6 months? Yep. I suck. Hello all new readers/alerters/favers. This author dude sucks.

Chapter 6: Smooth Criminal

"Tag." A voice attempted to penetrate his mind. "Hey Tag…" It tried again but still failed. "Earth to Murtagh!"

It took Thorn coming over and clapping him hard on the back to break him from his thoughts. With distant, glazed over eyes, Murtagh turned to look over at him. "What Thorn?" There was an irritated tone to his voice as he said it.

Thorn crossed his arms and shook his head. Worry for his friend furrowed his face. "Dude. What's up with you? You've only been here an hour." He glanced at the clock for a second before looking back. "Tough morning?"

Murtagh ignored the question and straightened up. He avoided the man's eyes as he turned slightly and leaned back on the counter. "Can I ask you something Thorn?" He asked slowly.

The oddly serious tone that suddenly took over his friend's voice worried him more than the irritation. "What?"

Murtagh didn't say anything for a long while. He dropped his eyes to the floor and spoke in a whisper when he finally did. "What do you think of me?"

"What?" Thorn asked, caught off guard.

"We've been working together for a few years now." He tilted his head slightly, thinking. "What do you think of me? Like… what's your impression? Boring? Stunted? Socially inapt?"

"Uh… I don't…"

"Never mind." Murtagh shook his head and turned away. "Forget I said anything. I'm taking my break."

"Dude! What's wrong with you?" Thorn called after his retreating form. Murtagh didn't answer as he left Thorn alone at the counter with a customer. He turned and smiled at the customer.

"Hey Thorn."

Thorn looked over as the brunet came walking over, seemingly right on time, as always. "Hey Eragon. Be right with you." He turned back to customer, handed him a receipt, and smiled. "Thanks. Have a nice day." He waited until the man left before turning to Eragon. "Hey Eragon…"

Eragon smiled as he slid onto one of the stools at the counter. "You already said that."

Thorn stepped closer and leaned on the counter. "Did something happen last night?" He asked in a soft tone.

"Uh…" Eragon stammered slightly. "What do you mean?"

"Did Tag… say something?"

Eragon shrugged. "No… not really. Why?"

Thorn sighed and straightened back up. "I think we broke him."

"Broke?" Eragon tilted his head, wondering what the redhead meant. "Seriously?"

Thorn nodded. "When I got here a few minutes ago, he was asking me what I thought of him… like my impression of him and shit. Like boring."

Eragon sighed and shook his head. "Where is he?"

"Break room." Thorn said with a nod of his head.

Eragon nodded slowly as he slid off the stool, intent on finding Murtagh and apologizing. He knocked softly on the break room door as he eased it open. "Hey Tag."

Murtagh sat on the edge of the couch. He was leaning forward, his elbows propped up on his knees. He said nothing and made no movement to suggest he heard his name being called.

"I… uh… want to… apologize." Eragon said slowly as she stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. "For last night. I think I drank too much… or something." They both knew that was a lie. But he said it anyways. "I didn't mean to… kiss you… like that."

"I'm married." Murtagh said softly, still not lifting his head.

"I know."

"I have a wife."

"I know."

"I'm not…"

"I know." Eragon said loudly, interrupting him. "I swear I do. I won't… do that again. I promise."

Murtagh looked over at him and opened his mouth to say something. But it never came and instead he nodded his head slowly.

"I just… stopped in… to apologize. I have to meet with Saph to discuss business… stuff…" He said slowly. "So I'll see you later." Murtagh didn't answer and Eragon slipped out.

-X-X-X-X-X-

"So what happened after you guys left? Dish!"

They sat at the table in his kitchen. Eragon leaned heavily on the counter and sighed. "I think I messed it up again."

Saphira tilted her head to the side, concern lacing her voice. Eragon had a knack for screwing things up recently. "What'd you do now?" She slipped off her stool and walked over to his fridge.

His eyes followed her. "Pushed him too far too fast. I… sort of cornered him and kissed him." He said slowly. "And his mother was in the other room."

She forgot about her mission to get something to drink and let the fridge door shut ease shut on its own. "Oh Eragon."

He sighed. "I know, I know. I just kept hearing your voice in my head, egging me on."

"Oh honey… don't blame this one on me." She walked towards him and leaned against the counter beside him.

He shook his head. "I'm not… that's not what I meant… I just… maybe I'm the problem. Maybe he is straight and Arya's just not the right girl."

Saphira smirked. "If that's the case, better call the doctor. You need a sex change pronto."

It took a second for the comment to sink in. When he did, Eragon shook his head. "Oh yeah. Can you imagine?" They both laughed.

"So how was it?" She asked slyly and elbowed him.

"If his mom hadn't interrupted… I think I could have broken him worse."

Saphira smiled. "Thorn's certain Arya's wrong. But he's not completely convinced Tag's actually gay… or at least attracted to men. I personally think he's into you, even if he doesn't know it yet."

"But…" Eragon bit his lip and looked down at the table top. "I've only known him a week. Sort of… if you count the stalking."

"So? You're in with his best friend and his daughter. You've even got his mother on your side."

Eargon smiled at that and looked up at her. "She made it pretty clear that she doesn't care for Arya at all and never has. And last night… when she was getting into her care… she told me to be patient with him."

"What does that mean?"

Eragon shrugged. "It doesn't matter if he hates me though."

"He doesn't hate you. Just back off a bit. Maybe work on that book of yours."

He rolled his eyes and slipped off his stool. "Real slick, aren't you?"

"That deadline is coming up fast."

Eragon waved her off and headed into the living room. "I have it under control."

"Oh… really?" She followed a step behind him. "How far are you?"

Eragon considered lying to her. But he knew she'd be able to read him if he did. "I have the title. Well… an idea for the title… more like a word… I'm thinking something with black."

Her mouth dropped open. "You've got to be kidding me. Eragon! This isn't just your life you're ruining."

"Don't worry yet. I'll make the deadline without a problem… I think…"

"ERAGON!"

-X-X-X-X-X-

Eragon spent the next couple days holed away in his loft, staring at the black screen of his laptop in vain. Writer's block was something that had never happened to him before. Only one thing in his life had ever come easy to him and now it eluded him when he needed its distraction most. All he could think about was Murtagh. And damn… the man had smelled good and his lips had tasted so good and he just wanted to see him again.

"This really is all your fault." He said to a snapshot of Saphira pinned to his fridge by a magnet. He eased the laptop closed and pushed it away. Clearly, yet again, he wasn't going to get anything done. Maybe he could get an extension on his contract. Or maybe he could dig out something he wrote back in high school and tweak it. He smiled to himself. "Oh yeah. That's a good idea. Recycling. Saph would get a kick out of it."

He was still pondering Saphira's reaction to recycling when his phone rang. He was surprised to see Gasey's name pop up on his caller ID. "Hey!" He said with a smile as he flipped it open.

"Hi. I wanted to ask you something." She said quickly over the line.

"Sure kiddo. Shoot."

"Do you like my dad?"

Eragon nearly fell off his stool. "Uh… why?"

"Because I thought you did. I thought you and dad had fun together but you haven't come over all week and daddy's been moping around. Did you get in a fight?"

Eragon sighed and leaned back as far as he could without losing his balance. "Sort of."

"About what?"

"Just… stuff."

"What stuff?" She pressed.

"Stuff." He said firmly. The kid may understand more adult things then someone her age but this was something she didn't need to hear. Murtagh would probably kill him over it anyways.

"Well… come over here and say you're sorry."

He laughed. It was such a kid thing to say. Too bad it wasn't that simple. "I already did."

"Then you don't like him very much." She sounded sad.

"Now wait a minute…"

"You fight, you apologize, and vanish."

"It's not that simple Gasey." He said with a sigh. He rubbed at his forehead and leaned on the table. This conversation seemed to be going nowhere. He couldn't explain it to her without really explaining it to her. And he knew that wasn't an option at the moment.

"Yes it is!" She insisted.

"Gasey…"

"He likes you too, you know." She said quickly, interrupting him. "Grandma even said so."

"Grandma, huh?"

"Yeah."

"What did she say?"

Gasey paused a moment. "A lot of stuff. She always says weird stuff about daddy."

Grandma certainly does say weird things, Eragon thought with a smile. "Yeah? Like what?"

She paused again and her voice dropped to a whisper. "Like daddy should stop pretending."

"Pretending what?" Now that's a plot twist worth investigating, he thought with a smile.

"I don't know. She always stops after that." She said over the phone with a sigh. Clearly she wished her grandmother wouldn't stop. "But I think it has to do with mom. Grandma doesn't like mom very much." Her voice had dropped even lower, barely a whisper.

"Yeah… I noticed that."

The line was silent for a moment. "So do you like daddy or not?" She blurted out quickly.

"Very much."

"And me?"

"Of course!"

"Then come for a visit. Please?" A whiney tone entered her voice. "Today?"

"Today?"

"Yes! Please?"

Eragon sighed as he leaned back slightly and turned his gaze upwards. He had wanted to give Murtagh a few days to cool off. That had been Monday and it was Thursday. But he didn't exactly seem mad on Monday. More like confused… maybe a bit lost. Eragon smiled and nodded his head even though he was alone. "Sure."

Her squeal rang loudly over the phone. "Really?"

"Yeah. Give me an hour."

-X-X-X-X-X-

There was a big smile on his face as he spotted the ten year old at the counter. "Hey Gasey."

"Eragon!" She jumped off her stool and jumped on him, hugging him tightly. "Have you been working on your book?"

He hugged her back and released her. "Uh… sort of."

She smiled knowingly. "You haven't!"

He shook his head. "Nope. Don't tell Saph!"

"Oh no!" She said in a serious tone and shook her head. "If she grounds you, you'll never be able to come over to play!"

Eragon laughed at that and sat down at the counter beside her. "So what are you working on?" He asked, leaning over to peak.

"Social Studies. We have a test on the presidents tomorrow."

Eragon wrinkled his nose. "History was never my favorite subject."

"Me neither." She said, flipping through the pages in her book.

"Hey Eragon." Thorn smiled at them and leaned across the counter. "Can I get you something?"

"Uh… sure." He thought for a moment. "Iced tea and... a big slice of chocolate cake to share with the squirt here."

"Sure thing."

Gasey let out a giggle as she found the page she was looking for and went back to studying her textbook.

Thorn returned a moment later with the order and two forks. "Enjoy."

"Thank you." Gasey said with a smile as she picked up a fork and began picking at the cake.

"Loading my daughter up on sweets to ruin her dinner, huh?"

Eragon looked up slowly as Murtagh appeared in front of them. He noted how the dark eyed man was looking at his daughter and not at him.

"Yes!" Gasey said with a wide smile.

"You better finish studying, alright?" Murtagh said with a smile. "Don't let him distract you."

Eragon waited until Murtagh was out of earshot before leaning closer to Gasey. "He doesn't seem very happy to see me."

She shrugged. "He smiled."

"At you."

"Maybe at both of us."

"Whatever. Give me this." He snatched the book from her and held it out of her reach when she tried to get it back. "How about I quiz you."

"Okay."

For the next hour, Eragon skimmed the chapter on presidents and shot question after question at her. She shot back a right answer to each until Eragon got to the end. "Well… I think that's it. You know everything."

She beamed. "Good. Because I don't want to get grounded either."

Eragon rolled his eyes as he flipped the book shut and slid it across the counter towards her. "Saph can't actually ground me, you know."

"She's your boss."

"She's my editor." Eragon corrected.

She shrugged as she stuffed her book into her backpack. "Same thing."

"It is not!"

"Is too!"

"Arguing with a kid now?"

Gasey gawked up at her father as he interrupted them again. "I am not a kid!" She said sourly, crossing her arms.

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

Murtagh stuck his tongue out at her.

"And I'm the kid."

"Yep." He leaned on the counter and smiled over at Eragon. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure." Eragon said slowly.

Murtagh looked back over at Gasey. "Tell Thorn I'm taking a break when he comes out."

Gasey nodded and bent over to pick up her backpack again.

Murtagh smiled and shook his head. "Come on."

Eragon slipped off his stool, feeling a bit of déjà vu as he followed the dark haired man to the small break room. He had no clue what to expect. Maybe he should have said no or made some excuse that he had to leave. This was probably a bad idea. Murtagh no doubt was still made at him. He should give the man more time to cool off. Or maybe he should apologize again. Or maybe…

Murtagh scratched at the back of his neck as he heard Eragon pull the door shut. He suddenly felt nervous and he tried to keep his hands from shaking. "I'm… glad… you came today."

"You are?" Eragon felt a small glimmer of hope as he stared at the man's back. But this time, he reasoned with himself, he'd keep his hands to himself.

"I missed you... uh… seeing you… shit." Murtagh let out a sigh and shook his head. He felt tongue tied.

Eragon smiled. "I missed coming. I figured I should stay away because… I thought you wanted me to."

"I thought I did too. But I can't…" He turned slightly but still wasn't facing Eragon. "I can't get you out of my head."

"You're in my head all the time." Eragon admitted.

He was silent a minute. "I'm married." It was his only excuse now.

"Not happily." Eragon waited for the second excuse. When Murtagh was silent for several minutes, he stepped forward. "Tag?"

Murtagh started to turn and then seemed to hesitate. "The more I'm around you… I feel like… I'm having trouble… controlling myself…"

"Stop trying."

Murtagh finally lifted his eyes to meet Eragon's. "Fuck it." He couldn't explain the feelings he had. Whenever he was around the brunet, he honestly felt better, happier. And as much as he wanted to deny it, he couldn't. He was physically attracted to Eragon. His mother's innuendos were right all along. The phrase mother knows best popped into his head. He suppressed an urge to sigh at the thought at her gloating and pushed her from his mind. "I like you. A lot." He said slowly, turning his attention back to Eragon.

Eragon smiled widely. "I know."

Murtagh rolled his eyes. "You don't have to sound so smug about it."

"Sorry… but can you blame me?"

"Stop talking. Please."

Eragon tilted his head to the side, still smiling broadly. "Make me."

Murtagh hesitated a moment. Despite the little confession, he was still having an internal battle with himself.

Eragon helped him along by taking a big step towards him. "Tag…"

Before Murtagh could lose his nerve closed the remaining distance between them and reached for Eragon's face, guiding their mouths together. The contact was gentle, timid, at first. After the fallout of last time, Eragon was determined to let Murtagh move at his own pace.

The years of being with Arya had damaged him in more ways than one. In his early teen years, Murtagh wouldn't think twice about grabbing some pretty young girl, throwing her up against a wall, and ravishing her. He'd tell her she had the prettiest eyes and that all the other girls meant nothing. She was special. She made him feel things he never felt before. He'd flirt and smile and make them swoon. And just like the girls before her, Arya had fallen for it. But as the years progressed, she got increasingly impatient with him. Foreplay was a waste of her valuable time. Kisses and gentle caresses were despised. In and out and as long as she got off, that's all she cared about.

As thoughts his wife flooded his mind, Murtagh faltered. He released his grip on Eragon and pulled back. "I don't… I haven't… done this before." He stuttered slightly at he said it.

Eragon smile as he pushed against Murtagh's chest. "You're doing fine."

Murtagh felt his last fears melt away as he stumbled backwards onto the couch and pulled the brunet down with him. Their mouths found each other again as he grabbed Eragon's hips, forcing the younger male to straddle him.

Eragon's fingers found the hem of Murtagh's shirt and in a fluid motion pulled it over his head. Murtagh retaliated by ridding Eragon of his as well. "Your hands are cold." Eragon said as the cool fingers moved along his sides.

Murtagh relaxed back against the couch with a laugh and let Eragon take him for a ride. It wasn't exactly an ideal place for such an encounter and deep down, Murtagh knew that. But he had shoved his better judgment aside the moment Eragon smiled at him.

So when the door to the small room opened, Murtagh was beyond paying attention to anything but the man in his lap.

"Hey Murtagh, Nas just called and she… wants… you… uh…" Thorn quickly dropped his gaze to the floor and backed out of the room. "Let me know when you're done." He pulled the door shut.

Murtagh jumped up, practically shoving Eragon off. "Shit…"

Eragon stifled the urge to laugh as he watched Murtagh panicking. "Hey… it's okay."

"Fuck! FUCK!"

Eragon pulled himself up into a sitting position and laughed. "Calm down. Who's Thorn going to tell?"

"I have to go explain."

"Explain what? Tag?" Rolling his eyes, Eragon slipped off the couch and bent down to pick up their discarded shirts. "At least put your shirt back on." He quickly tossed Murtagh's shirt at him.

Murtagh caught it and slipped it on. "Thanks." He mumbled.

"One more thing?"

"What?" Murtagh practically growled as he turned around.

"You look hot."

"Uh…"

Eragon smiled at the flustered expression he knew he would get. "For real. You're flushed. Take a few deep breaths." Eragon pulled his own shirt on and smiled. "It's all good."

Murtagh sighed as he opened the door. Thorn stood behind the counter and smiled as he walked over. "Thorn… let me explain."

"Explain what?" Thorn said with a knowing smile. "I saw nothing."

"Nothing…" He repeated.

"Yep."

Murtagh nodded slowly. "Right… uh… Nas called for me?"

"Oh yeah." Thorn nodded. "Wants you to run the deposit to the bank for her. She can't make it in today." His smile widened as he caught sight of Eragon walking towards them. "Hey Eragon."

The brunet inclined his head at the redhead, acting as if the man hadn't just caught them making out. "Thorn."

Murtagh turned slightly and pointed towards the front door. "I'm running to the bank."

"I'll go with you." Eragon said quickly.

Murtagh rolled his eyes. "Fine."

Gasey smiled as she looked up at Eragon. "Did you and daddy make up?"

Eragon smiled and nodded. "Yep."

"So then can we go out again like we did last weekend?"

"If you make sure your dad gets enough sleep."

"Hmm…" Gasey tilted her head to the side and then nodded. "Maybe you have to come over again and rub him."

Thorn's mouth dropped open as he looked at Murtagh. "What?"

"Back rub, Thorn."

"Damn." Thorn cursed and shook his head. "Now I really do have to take Saph to the ballet."

Eragon laughed.

"Why?" Gasey asked, tilting her head to the side.

"Because I think I just lot a bet."

Eragon laughed. "Can't believe you bet against us."

"About what?" Gasey asked.

"Uh… I didn't think your dad and Eragon would be friends." Thorn answered with something close to the truth.

"Why not?"

"Because he's stubborn."

"I am not. Stop lying to my daughter." Murtagh grabbed Eragon's arm as he walked past. "We'll be back in a bit Gasey. Enjoy the ballet Thorn."

"Yeah, yeah." Thorn grumbled. "You're lucky I saw nothing."

"How can you see nothing?" Gasey tilted her head to the side, watching him.

Thorn shrugged. "By not seeing it."

'You're weird."

"So are you."

-X-X-X-X-X-

"Can we… talk about this?"

Murtagh shrugged as he pulled the car to a stop in the bank parking lot. He switched the car off and pulled out the key. "I guess we have to." He said softly, leaning back.

"Are you… okay?"

"Okay?" He laughed sharply. "I'm cheating on my wife with a man. But other than that, I'm great."

Eragon smirked at the sarcasm he heard. "We could forget about it."

Murtagh sighed. "I don't… I don't think I can… when you are around."

"I could keep my distance."

"Is that what you want to do?"

"Do you want me to want to?"

"No… I like having you around. Gasey does too." Murtagh added quickly. "She was so upset when you didn't come."

"She was?"

"I was too."

Eragon shrugged. "I thought… I should give you some space. I thought you wanted that."

"I thought so too."

"And now? What do you think now?"

"I don't… I just…" Murtagh looked down at his hands on his lap. He was feeling tongue tied again. The feeling wasn't very fun. "Ayra's the only person I've ever dated. And that was ten years ago."

"There's not like an official rule book or anything Tag." Eragon said with a laugh. "We can… go slow… if you want this."

"I think… I do… but…"

"I can be discreet. No one has to know. She doesn't have to know." Eragon didn't say her name but they both knew who he was talking about. He wasn't exactly sure how he felt about the situation but if this was the only way he could be with Murtagh, he'd bite his tongue for the moment. One day, he had faith that Murtagh would get tired of the sneaking and lying and would leave his wife.

"Okay. I'm going to take the deposit in. I'll be back."

"I could be good for you…" Eragon said softly once Murtagh disappeared into the small bank building. "For you and Gasey. You wouldn't have to work so hard to support our family because it should be a partnership. You could quit the factory and Gasey could stay home with me after school and I could work on my stupid book that's never going to get written."

-X-X-X-X-X-

"For the last time, mom… it's not a date." Murtagh rubbed at his head as he sat down on the edge of his bed. His mother had arrived only a few minutes before to play babysitter again and she was already on his case.

"Oh come on!" She plopped down beside him. "You went out with him last night, the three of you spent the day together, and you two are going out again tonight. How is this not a date?"

"It's not. We're friends. And keep your voice down before Gasey hears."

"Friends?" She laughed softly and shook her head. "Have you seen the way that boy looks at you? Sweetie… he's in love."

Murtagh turned away from her, attempting to hide his smile. "If I say yes it is… will you be serious for a moment?"

"Serious?" She pouted slightly but nodded. "Damn. Okay. I'm being serious. Serious!" She repeated, opening her eyes wide. "Serious." She said in a deadpan voice.

He rolled his eyes. "Mom!"

She laughed. "Alright… so what? Are you worried about me? What I'd think?"

He shook his head. "Not really."

"Good. Because you better know by now I'd love you no matter what. And I've pretty much known you were gay since you were like nine."

"Mom!"

"Is it Arya?" She asked, ignoring his outburst.

He shrugged. "You've said it a million times. I only married her because she was pregnant. I wouldn't miss her if she left."

"Do you think she would leave?"

"Don't sound so hopefully." He laughed dryly. "But I'm not so sure. I think she'd fight. Maybe…"

"For what? For Gasey? She doesn't want that sweet little girl."

"No… she doesn't. But she'd enjoy dragging me through the mud. She knows how much Gasey means to me."

"Is she really that spiteful?"

He didn't answer.

"Well… you'll have to find out sooner or later. How long do you think you can keep this a secret? How long will Eragon stick around?"

That was something Murtagh didn't want to think about. The thought of loosing Eragon now terrified him almost as much as telling Arya he was leaving her. "I don't know… but I think… I might…" He stumbled over the words and looked up at the ceiling.

"Spit it out already."

"I think I could fall for him… hard."

"Honey… you already have. "She smiled at that. "So you're afraid of yourself then?"

When he shrugged again, she smacked him in the back of the head. "Ow… shit mom! What was that for?"

"You're stupid and you're pissing me off!" She snapped. "You deserve to be happy, Murtagh. Really happy. You're only twenty-six. Stop acting like you're fifty. Grow some damn balls and get over it. If that boy can make you really happy, then go for him."

"Gasey…"

She waved him off. "Gasey loves him. And I can tell you he'd make a better parent than that woman ever could."

"Maybe…"

"No maybes." She persisted. "He would. No doubt about it, sweetie. Everyone who loves you… they won't care as long as you are happy. And I've never seen you so happy. Not in all the years you've been with that witch."

Murtagh leaned back slightly and let out a long sigh. "Thank you." He didn't exactly feel any better though.

"After everything that woman has put you through…" She shook her head slowly. "I can see how torn up you are about deceiving her. My poor little Taggy. Think about filing for divorce. And do it fast… before she gets wind of any of this. Take that sweet little girl and that new pretty boyfriend and run."

He rolled his eyes. "That's your advice for everything. Up and run."

"Do you honestly think she'd notice?"

He was silent for a moment, considering. His lips curled into a smile and he let out a laugh. "If I agree to think about it… will you go away and let me get ready?"

She smiled widely and bounced up. "Stay out as long as you boys want. Gasey and I will be fine for the night."

"Thanks mom."

"For what?"

"For not letting up on me all these years."

"Mothers know best. Always." She said softly, meaning every word. "Tell Eragon I said hi. And I'd like to see him again and talk to him, alright? Next time the three of you play family, invite grandma along."

"Get out mom."

"Going."

-X-X-X-X-X-

Author's Notes: GAH! This chapter sucks. Because I can't write intimate stuffs. Messed up as I am. Oh well. I always say people shouldn't read my shit.