Author's Note: Sorry it's taken so long to get going again with this but the muse ran off and left me :( Still, all back now and I'll be trying to do at least 1 chapter per week, more if I can :) Still don't own it, so please don't sue :)

As always, please review to let me know if I'm doing ok :)

6. Uneasy

Monday dawned clear and bright, the air feeling warmer than it had for months which signalled spring was finally taking hold. The last of the residual snow had gone and buds could be seen now, fighting to make themselves known to the life giving sun.

Jamie woke early, the erotic dreams of Eli amplified by the kiss she had given him the night before. His mind had easily conjured up a night of passionate dreams, which meant he hadn't had much in the way of restful sleep. He dressed quickly and went for his usual run, trying to get his traitorous body to stop wanting to turn around, head back to Eli's place, burst into her room and make love with her all day. He ran harder, wanting to clear his mind but as he ran, painful memories began to resurface. Memories of Vinnie swirled in his mind, the blood pouring from the wound in his neck. The half smile on Vinnie's face as the dying man reassured his partner, knowing there was no way Jamie could save him. A growl rose in Jamie's throat as hot tears flowed down his cheeks, his anger and grief still threatening to overwhelm him. He pushed himself to go faster, his lungs burning for air as he gasped back his sobs, the pain growing more intense until he stumbled. He fell to the ground, his hands and knees landing heavily against the tarmac. Blood welled from the scrapes as he remained on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably as more memories surfaced unbidden.

)()()()()()()()(

An hour after leaving the apartment, Jamie walked slowly back inside and headed towards the bathroom, hoping Eli would not yet be up so he could tend his wounds in peace. Unfortunately for him, his luck wasn't holding up and he came face to face with Eli at the entrance of the bathroom. Without saying a word, she motioned him into the bathroom and started getting a few items from the cabinet under the sink.

"Strip," she ordered in a no-nonsense tone. He drew in a sharp breath, panic rising in his chest at whether he'd be able to control himself while she tended his wounds, which she seemed intent on doing.

"I..." he stammered, searching for an excuse to refuse without letting on to her that he was attracted to her.

"Jay, you can keep your underwear on but I need the sweat pants off to clean your knees," she told him calmly, expertly hiding her own reaction to the prospect of seeing him nearly naked.

"Eli..." he began, deciding suddenly that honesty was probably the best policy in their rather unique situation.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to molest you or anything," she told him, her heart sinking at his obvious reluctance to be near her. She silently berated herself for the impulsive kiss the night before; not only had she found out he had no attraction to her, but she'd lost the easy friendship that had grown between them. "Look, if you're worried about last night, it was just a simple kiss goodnight between friends."

"That... that's good to know," he replied, a lump rising in his throat as he realised his assessment the night before had sadly been correct. Without another word, he stripped off his bloodied clothes and perched himself on the edge of the bath, refusing to meet her eyes so she wouldn't see the fresh tears that threatened to flow. She tended his wounds silently, cursing herself for her big mouth and quick words as she felt him shiver slightly as her fingers made contact with his bare legs.

"Perhaps I'm wrong..." she though to herself, desperately wanting to admit that she had feelings for him and dreamt of him each night. But with him refusing to meet her eye, she knew she had to bide her time and see if he gave her any signals, subtle or otherwise, of his possible interest. Certainly, his body seemed to be enjoying her ministrations; he was getting an impressive erection and seemed to be trying to hide it from her.

"There you go, good as new," she smiled up at him as she applied the last piece of dressing to his knees. Her breath caught in her throat as he smiled in return, his eyes still red from crying earlier. She wanted nothing more than to reach out and hug him, but wasn't sure it would be appreciated after her reckless kiss the night before.

"Thank you, Eli," he smiled back, slowly getting to his feet and grabbing his soiled clothing. With a shy glance, he moved past her and headed for his room, hoping she hadn't noticed how aroused her smile and touch had made him. "Think icky thoughts," he chanted in his mind, trying to find some vision that would make his passion subside so they could head to work.

)()()()()()()()(

Jamie and Eli arrived at the bar and let themselves in, knowing they would have the place to themselves for at least another hour, maybe more. Eli went straight to the office to check on the cash boxes, as Jamie checked the exterior doors and windows, then went on to view the security tapes. Thankfully, the hidden cameras that he'd installed were still in place and untouched, which mean Eoin had not yet found them.

Once the usual checks had been made, Eli joined Jamie in the main bar and they counted the tills together, each feeling slightly uneasy at the closeness of the other. Both were distracted by their own private fantasies and, at first, didn't hear the rear door of the building open.

"Jay, did you hear that?" Eli asked, the scrapping noise she had heard getting louder.

"Yea, I can," he replied quietly, drawing the gun Eoin had given him and holding it expertly. She slipped her own weapon out from beneath the counter, tucking the slender stiletto dagger up her sleeve to hide it from sight. They padded silently through to the back of the bar, down towards the offices and both noticed the fire door was open just a crack. Hearts pounding, the pair pushed open the door of the office and stopped in stunned amazement at the sight that greeted them.

Leaning against the desk was Eoin Moran, looking exhausted with blood covering his white shirt. Beside him stood Felix McManus, Eoin's number two and his best friend since childhood. At their feet lay a body, bullet holes riddling his chest. With a gasp, Eli realised that the dead man was none other than Keven Santiago, head of the Santiago/Aneletto syndicate and Eoin's main rival...