Conversations in Real Time

by Nicholas J Finch

  I'm glad to hear that Daniel is doing well, considering.

  But I just have to ask - does he simply attract trouble regularly?

  Let him know I'll be around to talk, when and if he needs me.

  Thanks again for notifying me. I very much appreciate your consideration.

  James Caldwell

  bikergeek has signed in

  bikergeek: James? Roland told me you'd be online.

  surfdudecop: Dan!! I am so glad to hear from you. I've been worried to death. I was going to find whatever hospital you were at if I didn't hear from you today. And trust me, I know how. So, are you okay? What have the doctors said?

  bikergeek: I'm good.

  surferdetective: You sure? It was a dramatic experience. I wish you'd never had to go through anything like that.

  bikergeek: Yeah, not really what I'd think of as typical Oxford. Los Angeles maybe, but not here.

  surfdudecop: I wish I was there. Are you resting? Or having nightmares? And don't lie to me. I've been through stuff in my life, so I know about nightmares.

  bikergeek: I wish you were here too. And yeah, I'm resting. Got my own mother hen remember?

  As for nightmares...

  God, JC where do I start? I don't do very well with guns.

  surfdudecop: Somehow that doesn't surprise me. Want to talk about it?

  bikergeek: I dunno. You know me, I don't sleep much, but now I don't really sleep at all. And I'm not taking those damn pills they gave me.

  surfdudecop: Would it help knowing I'm watching over you? Just imagine me there holding you close, soothing way the nightmares…

  bikergeek: Actually, yeah that does help. *smiles* Thank you.

  surfdudecop: I wish I was there. And I'm so sorry that I'm not. But I want you to go lie down for me, okay? Just close your eyes and imagine my arms around you, protecting you. Get some rest, and when you wake up I'll be here, just like you were for me.

  bikergeek: That sounds...

  Yeah, that does sound like a good idea.

  surfdudecop: Please try to rest for me. Sleep is important, Daniel. Remember telling me that?

  bikergeek: Every time I close my eyes I see that gun in my face. Rest is one thing, sleep is something else.

  surfdudecop: *cups cheeks* When you see that image, I want you to focus on me instead and think of my blue eyes...

  bikergeek: I can almost feel your hands on my face if I concentrate. I'll try what you say. For you.

  surfdudecop: Good boy. Now go lie down, and remember I'm watching over you...

  bikergeek: I know you are. We're thousands of miles apart but I know it's true. I'm going. Thank you, James. Thank you for understanding and not treating me like a five year old or something.

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  * * *

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  bikergeek: JC? You still around? Please be around and not busy right now.

  surfdudecop: Dan, I'm here. What’s wrong?

  bikergeek: Bad dreams. Just wanted to see if you could talk. I'm shaking and I just thought maybe talking it out...

  surfdudecop: Dan, I only wish I could pull you into my arms and hold onto you for real, so I want you to imagine that I can, okay. Imagine me holding you.

  bikergeek: God, I wish you were here too. I can imagine how it would feel. I can. But I wish it were real. What's real is too real. What happened to me. James, it won't go away. I've tried to force it but it won't go away.

  surfdudecop: *soothes hair back gently* Tell me about the nightmares.

  bikergeek: He died in my arms. The guy who was behind the counter, the jeweler. James they shot him, and I couldn't help him. *enjoys the touch of your hand in my hair* I've always had a weakness for being touched like that.

  surfdudecop: I have a feeling your hair is as unruly as I imagine. I wish there was something I could say to make it easier for you, but I can tell you I've been there, and it does get easier. With time it gets easier. Trust me on that.

  bikergeek: I tried so hard. I really did. I swear I did. And I thought they'd kill me for it.

  surfdudecop: And it means everything that you tried. You know most wouldn't have bothered. That makes you a good man, Daniel. Believe me. *runs a soothing hand down your back*

  bikergeek: How long before I stop seeing it? Before I stop seeing you lying there instead of him? *presses closer into your arms*

  surfdudecop: Probably as long as it'll take for me to stop seeing you instead of the owner. *holds closer*

  bikergeek: Wait. You see me? *slips arms around you*

  surfdudecop: *deep breath* Yes. Since I got your Professor's email. Which was very nice of him, by the way. But yes, since then I've been seeing you lying on the floor bleeding, dying right in front of me. *tightens grip*

  bikergeek: *drops head into shoulder* I'm sorry, James. I'm so sorry.

  surfdudecop: *kisses top of head* No, don't be sorry. I just want you to rest.

  bikergeek: *nods* I'll try. I feel better just being here like this, with you.

  surfdudecop: Me too. Now back off to rest. One hour at least. And remember I'm holding you, and watching over you.

  bikergeek: It feels good just to know that. It really does. If it was real it would be perfect.

  surfdudecop: *tucks into bed* Should I sing you a lullaby? I warn you, my singing voice is not that good. *grins*

  bikergeek: *laughs* We'll skip the lullaby then. Just stick to the piano, okay?

  surfdudecop: Think Brahms Lullaby in your head, and I'll be the one playing it.

  bikergeek: Yeah. *smiles* I will. I want you to play for me for real one day, and that's a nice thought to go to bed on.

  surfdudecop: I'll be here when you wake.

  bikergeek: I wish you didn't ever have to let go. Night JC.

  surfdudecop: Me too Dan. *tucks into bed and kisses forehead* Sleep now.

  bikergeek: *snuggles down* I will. And thanks.

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  * * *

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  bikergeek: Hey JC, I know its late over there but it's morning here and before you go to bed yourself, I wanted to you to know I didn't really have too much of a bad night. I kept thinking about you being here, your arms around me, hearing that lullaby. And I wanted to thank you for that.

  surfdudecop: I'm still up. Too much paperwork. I'm glad you got some sleep.

  bikergeek: I still see it all when I close my eyes, but thinking about you made it easier to bear.

  So, do I need to nag you into getting some sleep now too?

  surfdudecop: *grins* I'm fine, but paperwork doesn’t write itself. Only a few more and I'm on my way home.

  bikergeek: *gently takes the pen from your hand* You're working too hard. I know it's late...

  surfdudecop: *mock glare* Fine. I would rather talk with you anyway to be honest.

  bikergeek: Don't you glare at me. I'm sure the offices and labs are all empty and you've stayed behind again rather than go home to your cats, who by the way, are probably going to pounce you for food when you get there. *takes your hand in mine*

  surfdudecop: My cats emailed you didn't they? I knew they were seeing someone behind my back! *smiles and rubs a thumb over hand* I'm going home, I swear...

  bikergeek: *laughs lightly* Your cats worry about you, but not as much as I do. *reaches up to brush the hair from your forehead* I'm sure you must be tired. I really wish I could see those blue eyes of yours right now.

  surfdudecop: *leans into your touch* I am tired. We've been going through old cases trying to find that one piece of new evidence. Some of these files are 25 years old.

  bikergeek: *smiles gently* After 25 years I think they can keep for a few more hours. You work so hard. You need to stop now and then, just for a little while.

  surfdudecop: Okay, okay. I'm heading home.

  bikergeek: Don't make me call Nellie!! *grins*

  surfdudecop: Now that's just mean. *grins* Okay, I'm going
now.

  bikergeek: When you get home, I'll still be here, waiting. If you don't want to go home to an empty place just think of me there already, waiting for you okay?

  surfdudecop: Actually that's a great idea. I'm going, so I'll see you when I get home.

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  * * *

  surfdudecop has signed in

  surfdudecop: You there Daniel?

  bikergeek: Don't tell me, hideous Los Angeles traffic? Right?

  surfdudecop: Yep. Two hours to get 35 miles at midnight. A big rig turned over. Total nightmare.

  bikergeek: Just 35 miles? Now see that's where a bike has its uses! I hope no one was hurt.

  surfdudecop: No one was hurt. A speeding bike cut off the semi. *eyebrow*

  bikergeek: Hey, what's with the look? The rider was an idiot. I'm not that reckless. Mostly...

  *grins wickedly*

  I just dodge round a few obstructions now and then.

  surfdudecop: One day I would love for you to give me a ride.

  I mean...

  Well, you know what I mean. God, I'm tired

  *headdesk*

  bikergeek: *blushes* I know what you meant, and what you didn't. And you need to be in bed, Lieutenant!

  surfdudecop: I wish you were there waiting for me...

  Okay after I feed the screaming she demons, I swear I’m off to bed.

  bikergeek: They emailed me earlier. Turns out they've both got a craving for tuna tonight if that's any help?

  surfdudecop: *eyes cats* Tuna, huh? So that's your demand? Hey, Dan I think they like you better. *smiles*

  bikergeek: I have a certain charm then? I'm more a dog person actually, but four legs and fur is four legs and fur...

  Now are you going to bed, or should I be confiscating your pen, your reports and whatever books you've got lying around?

  Wait.

  Be afraid.

  I think I've started channeling Nellie!

  surfdudecop: What reports would those be? *hides them* I promise I'm done for the day. See I'm heading to bed...

  You going to tuck me in?

  bikergeek: Yes. I want to be there, to curl up around you and make sure you get some sleep too.

  surfdudecop: *smiles tiredly* I'll go to sleep with that thought in my mind and dream of you.

  bikergeek: Now that's what I was hoping for. I just need more and more now to know that you're okay, that you're still with me.

  surfdudecop: *pulling you into my arms* I'm not leaving. And I'm fine. Honestly. Now I'm going to go to sleep. See you when I get up.

  bikergeek: *smiles and rests forehead against yours* Sweet dreams JC, and know that I'm there with you, like you were for me last night.

  surfdudecop: That helps. *yawn* I'm going to get some rest. I'll let you chat with the cats *grins*

  bikergeek: As much as I might need to hone my 'feline', I'd rather just sit and watch you sleep *tucks in and softly ruffles that fair hair* Sleep well.

  surfdudecop: Night.

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  * * *

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  surfdudecop: Before you even ask me, I got paged into work.

  bikergeek: Just tell me it was for a big break in one of those 25 year old cases, and worth disturbing a night's sleep for.

  surfdudecop: More like an IAB meeting...

  bikergeek: Don't tell me that idiot Farragut's still riding your ass?

  surfdudecop: Actually no. It's more about IAB investigating Liza for spreading rumors about me. Irony is such a bitch.

  bikergeek: *laughs out loud* No repercussions on you I hope?

  surfdudecop: I think Farragut would love to try, but no. I told my boss why I left New York so they can’t say anything about that, and let alone with the anti-discrimination laws here now...

  bikergeek: Farragut needs to get himself a life by the sounds of it. I know you never really told me about leaving New York but I'm glad they can't touch you for your sexual orientation. It’s not like you've ever hidden it.

  surfdudecop: My supervisor didn't like the fact that I wasn't strictly hetero, and after a few incidents we mutually decided it was time for me to leave.

  bikergeek: It WAS amicable wasn't it?

  surfdudecop: Yes. We both agreed it was a good idea for me to move on, so I came on out to sunny Los Angeles. Can't say I miss the winters!

  bikergeek: Yeah I'm sure the sunshine does wonders for that pale skinned complexion and those freckles JC!! *chuckles*

  surfdudecop: I got more freckles. In unique places too. *smirk*

  bikergeek: Wanna share that information or make me guess? *eyes friend*

  surfdudecop: Where my freckles are? *snicker*

  bikergeek: Yeah, where are these interesting freckles?

  And don't give me that dirty laugh, especially if you're at work right now.

  surfdudecop: I'm hiding behind my desk and a fort made of paper work. But let’s just say, despite there being very few private areas on the beach, my porch is very private with high walls.

  bikergeek: Oh, I get it *grins* but that must make it difficult to get lotion in all those hard to reach places.

  surfdudecop: Well I could always use some help… *eyebrows waggle*

  bikergeek: I have soft hands.

  surfdudecop: Really? How soft?

  bikergeek: *gently touches cheek and strokes thumb over cheekbone*

  Very…

  *rests other hand on knee, drawing slowly over strong thigh*

  surfdudecop: Very soft. *reaches over and cups cheeks, your beard scratching my hands* I really want to kiss you right now.

  bikergeek: *whispers* I wouldn't stop you if you did…

  surfdudecop: *leans forward taking your mouth in a slow deep kiss*

  bikergeek: *holds breath and surrenders* I can't believe we're doing this but I want you so badly.

  surfdudecop: *licks path along jaw line and sucks earlobe into mouth* You like? Want more?

  bikergeek: *gasps and shudders* Yes. God, yes.