by Sorcha
Editor: Anglofans
Disclaimers and Acknowledgements: I don't own FAKE or any of the characters, Sanami Matoh does and would probably laugh if she caught me in her playground, since I'm not making money in any way, shape or form here. Soundtrack for this one: "It Just Won't Quit" by Meatloaf, "Kokomo" by the Beach Boys and "Somewhere in the Night" by Barry Manilow. Quoted song is After Midnight by Mercedes Lackey and Leslie Fish.
My beta, Anglofans, moved up in the world, see editor credit above.
JJ was the last one on the plane to Jamaica, the flight crew closing the door after him. He worked his way up the aisle, checking the numbers overhead, and mentally cursing the security guard who had almost made him miss the flight. Then he saw Rose sitting on the aisle, staring across the empty seat out the window. As JJ stopped beside him, Rose looked up startled.
"Hi. Sorry I'm late," JJ said. Rose was silent, a carefully blank look settling on his face. "What? Did you think I wasn't coming?" JJ teased.
"Well, yes," Rose said reluctantly.
JJ blinked in surprise. "What made you think that?"
JJ saw a moment of frightened need flash in Rose's eyes, but it was lost as he stood for JJ to take his seat. Rose was silent for the brief taxi down the runway. JJ's attention was captured by the scene out the window. No matter how many times he flew, take off was always a magical moment. JJ loved the way the ground dropped away, like the world's largest amusement park ride. The lights of the city formed geometrical patterns, turning the chaos of the city into sparkling order.
After they got too high to see the earth, clouds hiding the midnight ground broken with scattered clusters of brightness, JJ looked over. Rose seemed caught between irritation and unhappiness. Instinct and empathy were two things that went into the makeup of a good police officer. Both were telling JJ that some talking needed to be done right now. Rose was acting uncharacteristically emotional.
"Berkley." Rose caught his breath at the unaccustomed familiarity of JJ using his first name, but nodded his head to show he was listening.
"Why did you arrange this?" JJ asked gently.
Rose looked around, meeting JJ's eyes as he whispered "I... I'm not sure." He looked away, covering the brief flash of longing JJ was sure he glimpsed.
"Want to hear why I agreed to come?" JJ reached over and took Rose's hand. "I came because I wanted to see what you're like. You intimidate me and you surprise me, and that's interesting." Time to stop being serious. "Besides," he added, with a sidelong grin, "you're one hell of a kisser."
Rose's mouth twisted in a sardonic smile. "I guess that's always nice to hear." He relaxed, but pulled his hand back. With that small bit of control established, a glint of humor replaced the bleak look in his eyes. "You'll just have to wait until I show you what else I'm good at."
JJ grinned in anticipation. "I can live with that."
By the time the pair landed and retrieved their luggage, they were deep in conversation regarding the merits of steel drum band music. As they emerged into the bright sunshine, Rose stopped abruptly. He scanned the area, noting, not for the first time, the way the crowd seemed to follow some primal herding instinct. People moved not so much in the steps of a dance but like a school of fish. JJ, looked back, confusion on his face.
"Wait." Rose briefly held up a hand while he thought. That taxi will do. Mentally choosing a driver standing third in line, Rose began to move through the crowd, a still-confused JJ following in his wake.
They reached the cab at the same time as a woman with two small children. As she turned to scold the smallest one, Rose smoothly cut in front of her, opening the door and handing his bag to the driver. After a searching look, JJ climbed in the taxi.
When he had given the driver the hotel address, Rose settled back in his seat, feeling satisfied. JJ's voice interrupted his reverie almost immediately.
"What was all that about?"
Rose looked over. "What?"
"You looked like you were surveying a crime scene back there. And why did you get in front of that woman?"
"Because this was the cab I chose." At JJ's frown, Rose continued, an edge of irritation creeping into his voice at having to explain. "It's a game I play sometimes." He could see that JJ was trying to understand, and that annoyed him even more. Rose had simply acted out of habit, choosing some inconsequential prize and claiming victory.
Rose wasn't sure if he was feeling old or just tired from his recent sleepless nights. He certainly had no desire to explain further. "I'm going to take a nap when we get there," Rose said, dismissing the conversation. "We've got tickets to a dinner show tonight, a calypso thing."
JJ still looked concerned, but seemed willing to have the subject changed abruptly. "Not me, I'm going to unpack and then check out the beach. I don't really need as much sleep as most people anyway. Six hours a night and I'm fine." Rose was not surprised.
The taxi arrived at the hotel, and the pair checked in. The porter carried their luggage as they exited the main building to a small boardwalk behind the hotel. Rose was glad he had spent the extra money for a bungalow on the beach when he saw JJ eyes widen and a happy grin light up his face. As Rose tipped the porter, JJ moved through their accommodations, exclaiming in delight over the opulent bathroom and making appreciative noises upon discovering the well-stocked kitchen.
True to his word, JJ quickly unpacked and headed off to the beach. Rose stood on the back deck and watched him move toward the water, admiring the way the sunlight illuminated JJ's perfect skin and well-toned body. Idly, Rose wondered if JJ went to a tanning salon. His breath quickened as he thought of running his hands over that body, curious how JJ's skin would taste when he was warm from the sun.
He would never get any sleep if he continued this line of thought. He shivered in pleasure, finding the anticipation almost as enjoyable as action would be. Taking a deep breath and not thinking about the night, Rose went inside to take a nap.
JJ slid his key card into the door of the bungalow and walked carefully into the living room. He had tried to shake all the sand off before coming back, but the stuff seemed to stick like static. JJ doubted Rose would be amused to find him shaking sand all over the carpet like a puppy. Silently, he moved into the bedroom to get some clean clothes to wear after his shower. Seeing Rose sleeping in the king-size bed stopped him just inside the doorway.
Leaning against the doorway, JJ crossed his arms, unknowingly mirroring one of the Commissioner's favorite poses, as he regarded the man lying on top of the bed. How different he is from my Dee-sempi. JJ thought. He's not open at all, except for that one moment on the plane. And I'll bet he's mad at himself for that. Even in slumber, Rose looked self-controlled, lying on his back. He hadn't even taken off his clothes. The only concession to sleep seemed to be a softening in his face. When Dee-sempi talks I feel warm, even when he's mad at me. With Rose, it's more like playing chess, trying to guess how he thinks. I suppose the biggest thing is how he never seems to need anything or anyone.
Pushing away from the door, JJ went to the chair beside the bed, wanting to be closer. Man of Mystery, he laughed to himself, picturing Rose in a super hero cape. JJ studied the sleeping form, realizing he was thinking of waking Rose to kiss him again. He took a deep breath, feeling a physical reaction at the memory. Head bent, eyes tracing the other man's face, he summoned the feeling of Rose's mouth over his, deliberately inviting the resulting rush of emotion. Playing with danger again, are you Adams? he chided himself, even as a sly smile graced his face. Well, we all have our vices.
"I wonder what yours are?" JJ whispered softly.
JJ stood and walked carefully over to the dresser to pick up his camera. Not many people outside his family knew he had a love of photography, beginning from when he volunteered for his school newspaper. Dee knew of course, and Drake. He supposed Rose would before this week was over. JJ probably spent more per year on his semi-hobby than he did on food.
Adjusting for the dim light, he turned and snapped a few pictures of Rose's sleeping form, grinning as he imagined Rose's reaction if he were to find out. Satisfied, he traded the camera for some clean clothes and went to take a shower.
Close window to return to Author's Index
Return to Dryer Space