Part 31 (1/2)

”Nothing s.e.xual about lying on top of a man?” She glared at Jack.

Kiku smiled. Replacement scowled at her.

Kiku pulled the sheet a little tighter around herself. ”I honestly did come out to check on him, but, I agree, you can't lie with someone like that and have it not be s.e.xual.”

”Thanks.” Jack turned back to Replacement. ”Nothing happened.”

Wrapped in the sheet, Kiku walked with little steps back to the bedroom. She gazed over her shoulder at Jack. ”I am sorry. That is also true.” She shut the door.

Jack and Replacement stared at each other. Replacement's face began to scrunch up.

Jack c.o.c.ked his head. ”You and I are stopped, remember?”

”It's my fault, I suppose,” she muttered as she walked over to the couch to sit down.

”Why?” he blurted out.

Shut up, you idiot.

She frowned. ”You're right. I'm not fair to you. I'm sorry.”

Nod your head.

Jack pressed his lips together and nodded.

”Go sleep in my room.” Replacement held her hand out toward her bedroom.

”No. I got the couch-”

”Yeah, right.” Replacement rolled her eyes. ”I'm not leaving you out here alone. Go.”

I'm not getting her a gun.

Jack dipped his head, turned, walked to her bedroom, and shut the door.

Damocles As Jack opened his eyes, he stared at the ceiling. When they had moved downstairs, Replacement picked out a simple, single bed for herself. She'd originally gone for the cheapest, but he got her the super comfortable one instead. After sleeping on it himself now, he didn't want to get up. He was exhausted but he knew he couldn't just lie there.

I got that one call from Ilario and nothing. Where is she? Paolo was only told to come to Darrington. Told to come.

Jack tossed the comforter off as he leaped out of bed.

d.a.m.n. My clothes are in front of the couch. Great.

He opened the door and peeked out. Someone was making breakfast, but he could see Replacement at the computer so he closed the door and grabbed a blanket off the bed.

I should have just sprung for her own apartment.

After he wrapped the blanket around himself, he walked over to the couch. Kiku looked up from the kitchen and smirked. Replacement spun around in her chair and, after she closed her mouth, a satisfied grin spread across her lips.

”Morning,” he mumbled as he grabbed his clothes before he shuffled into the bedroom.

After he pulled on his pants, he headed straight for Kiku.

”How are you feeling?” He looked at her now black eye.

The swelling had gone done considerably, but a long, deep bruise caused him to wince just looking at it.

”I feel well. Would you care for some breakfast?”

”Love some.”

Jack glanced at the stove clock: 11:45 a.m.

”Don't worry, we both slept in.” Kiku smiled.

Replacement's keystrokes got even louder. ”I didn't,” she called over her shoulder.

”Have you eaten?” he asked.

Replacement nodded.

He looked at Kiku, who shook her head. ”I waited for you.”

Replacement's mouse banged against the desk.

I'm surrounded by way too much estrogen.

Jack bowed his head and, just as his eyes began to close, he saw Kiku do the same. With one eye open, he stared at her. After a moment, she opened her eyes to look questioningly at him.

”Would you like for me to say grace, Officer?”

”Sure...I didn't know you...I say grace, but I didn't want to force you.”

She closed her eyes. ”G.o.d, I thank you for this food, and I ask that it make our bodies and minds strong. Give us the grace to accept the trials that come our way. In Christ, I ask this.”

Replacement spun around in her chair. ”That was nice.”

Jack leaned closer to Kiku. ”She rates prayers. That was actually a big compliment.”

”Thank you. I spent two years in a Christian orphanage in Korea.”

”How old were you?” Replacement asked.

”Nine.”

”I guess we're more alike than I realized,” Replacement said.

As Kiku nodded, Replacement turned back to the computer to continue typing.