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Post by Jen on Jul 12, 2004 22:20:49 GMT -5
When Gus and Harley got back to Harley’s house, Buzz was dozing on the couch. Harley walked over and nudged his shoulder and he woke up.
“Oh, hi, did you have fun?” he asked as he rubbed his eyes tiredly.
“Yeah, it was great,” Harley answered, smiling at Gus.
“Good, well Zach is asleep, but he made me promise I would tell you both to come say goodnight when you got home,” Buzz said.
“How’s he feeling?” Harley asked.
“He was pretty tired, he went to bed early,” Buzz replied as he headed towards the door.
“Well, thanks for watching him, Dad. Be careful going home,” Harley said as Buzz kissed her goodbye and waved to Gus before he left.
“Let’s go peek in on Zach, so we don’t get in trouble,” Harley laughed and they went upstairs.
Zach was fast asleep, but Harley leaned over and felt his forehead and kiss him goodnight. She pulled the covers up then they left the room.
“Will you stay tonight?” Harley asked Gus as they walked downstairs.
“Oh, Harley,” he said as they reached the bottom of the stairs, “I want to so badly, but Zach…”
“Zach’s asleep,” Harley said as she ran her hands around his waist under his shirt.
“Yeah, for now,” Gus replied. “Look, I want to be with you more than anything, but I don’t want us to have to worry about Zach waking up. And I don’t want us to have to rush, just in case,” he said as he ran his hands through her hair.
Harley looked down and sighed, “He’s always here, isn’t he?”
“He’s your son,” Gus added.
“Yes, I know and I love him more than anything, but he’s ruining my sex life.”
Gus laughed, “He’s not ruining your sex life, he’s just postponing it. Listen, when the time is right, we’ll be together, I promise,” he said as he kissed her softly.
“I wish you would stay,” Harley said quietly.
“I know,” Gus replied, “but I’m gonna go.”
Harley nodded.
“I love you,” Gus said as he pulled her close and they kissed passionately, but tenderly.
“I love you too,” Harley replied when they broke the kiss and Gus smiled.
“I like hearing that,” he said.
“Me too, and I like saying it,” she replied.
“Sleep better tonight, okay?” Gus said as he kissed her again and opened the door.
Harley nodded, “Good night,” she said as he walked through the courtyard to his car.
Harley watched until his tail lights disappeared, then she went inside, shut the door, and went up to bed with a huge smile on her face.
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Post by Jen on Jul 12, 2004 22:21:53 GMT -5
Things just got worse for Harley after her evening out with Gus and her friends. Zach was still sick and cranky and she had already had a fight with Phillip about taking Zach the next weekend. He of course, had a business meeting out of town and didn’t know when he would be back. When Harley had asked him about switching weekends, he wasn’t sure he would be able to take Zach the next weekend either because he had made plans with Beth to take Lizzie and James on vacation. She didn’t even get to see Gus on Sunday because she spent most of the day taking care of Zach and arguing with Phillip.
When she walked into work Monday morning and saw Gus, her bad mood immediately got better and she flashed him a smile when he looked up at her. She motioned with her head to follow her out of the room, and a few seconds after she left the room, he got up and followed her out into the hallway. When he caught up to her, they went into the filing room, where they usually said good morning, but there were a new officers in there who had the honor of organizing the mess.
Harley searched through one drawer making it look like she was actually doing something, then turned to Gus.
“Did you label that tape?” she asked.
“Um, yeah, but you should probably check it and make sure everything is on there,” Gus covered.
“Let’s go,” she said as she left the room and went down the hall to the observation room with Gus trailing behind her.
When they both were in the room, Gus quickly shut the door and pressed Harley up against it in a deep kiss.
“Good morning,” he said quietly as they broke the kiss.
“It is now,” Harley replied as she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
When she didn’t let go after awhile, Gus ran her hand down the back of her head.
“Are you okay?” he asked quietly in her ear and she shook her head.
“I really could have used one of these yesterday,” she explained. “I had the worst day ever,” she said then went on to explain the situation with Phillip and Zach.
Gus sighed as he kissed her forehead. “We’ll take Zach to a Cubs game or something this weekend, he won’t even notice his dad dumped him.”
Harley pulled back and smiled at him, “Really?”
“Of course! I told him I would take him to a game, why not do it now?” Gus replied.
“So I don’t get you all to myself this weekend?” Harley asked.
Gus thought for a moment, “Well, maybe if you’re good this week,” he teased as he kissed her again. “I hope today is better than yesterday,” he whispered.
“It already is,” she whispered back.
“Cooper! Aitoro!” Franklin yelled as he busted into the interrogation room.
Harley grabbed a tape off the table and made it look like they were doing something.
“What’s up Chief?” Gus asked as he straightened his tie.
“I need to see both of you in my office. Now,” he demanded as he stormed out of the room and headed back to his office.
Harley and Gus looked at each other confused. “I wonder what that’s about,” Harley said as they kissed one last time then followed the Chief to his office.
“What’s up Chief?” Gus asked as he shut the door behind them.
“Have a seat. Both of you,” Franklin said gruffly and they did. “It has come to my attention that your relationship has become more than just professional,” he began, and Gus and Harley looked at each other.
“Where would you get an idea like that?” Gus asked.
“Are you denying it?” Franklin asked and Gus looked at Harley.
“No,” Harley replied as she caught Gus’s eye, then looked towards the Chief. “No, we’re not denying it.”
Franklin sighed as he fell into his chair, “You both know the rules. No fraternizing in the workplace.”
“We don’t fraternize in the workplace, not really,” Gus said.
“Well, that may be true, but that doesn’t change the fact that you two are involved and that affects your work,” Franklin replied.
“How? How does it affect our work?” Gus wondered.
“Because I am afraid that when your minds should be on a case, they are on each other instead.”
“No, that doesn’t happen, Chief,” Harley replied. “When we’re on a case, that is our first priority, it always has been.”
“Well, I can’t take that chance.”
“What does that mean?” Harley asked.
“It means,” Franklin began, “you’re both being reassigned. You will no longer be partners.”
“Oh, come on, Chief,” Gus protested, “That’s ridiculous!”
“Gus,” Harley put her hand on his arm, stopping him from saying something he shouldn’t. “Look, Chief, I understand what you’re saying and why you feel you need to take this action, but I also think you know what a big mistake that would be. Gus and I are the best detective team out there. Yes, we are involved, but that only helps our work. We know each other, we can read each other, we get cases solved faster and better than any other detectives you have.”
“There are rules against these kinds of things, Cooper. I cannot have the two of you fooling around when there are lives at stake!”
“Chief, it’s not like that at all. We know what our job is. Our personal relationship has nothing to do with our work. That is off the job, completely. Don’t do this, don’t put us with other partners,” Harley argued.
Franklin thought it over for a minute, then leaned forward on his desk, “You have one chance, that’s it. I’m watching you, don’t even give me or anyone else in this department reason to think your relationship is anything but professional. If I catch you fooling around even once, you’re reassigned. Or worse,” he warned.
“Thank you Chief,” Gus said.
“Thank you, you won’t regret this,” Harley added.
“I better not. You two can go.”
Gus and Harley both stood up and went to leave Franklin’s office, but Harley turned around before Gus opened the door.
“Hey, Chief, how did you find out about us?” she asked.
“That’s not really relevant,” he replied.
“Did someone tell you?” Gus asked.
Franklin’s silence was his only response.
“Come on,” Gus said and he opened the door for Harley.
When they got to their desks, Gus looked around to see if anyone was watching them. When he saw that everyone was busy, he spoke quietly to Harley
“Who do you think told him?” he asked.
“Well, who all knows about us? Frank is the only one. It had to be him,” Harley replied.
“Come on, I know he doesn’t like me, but would Frank really rat on you to the Chief?”
“I don’t know…who else could it be though?” Harley wondered as Justin and Frank came into the station.
“Hey guys,” Frank greeted as he and Justin went to their desks.
“Hey,” Harley and Gus replied.
“Hey Frank, can I talk to you?” Harley asked as she got up and stood by his desk.
“Sure sis, what’s up?” Frank asked as he looked up at her.
“Umm, somewhere else?” she suggested.
“Okay,” Frank said as he got up and followed her to the hallway.
“Did you say something to Franklin about me and Gus?” she asked quietly.
“What?”
“Franklin just called us into his office and said he was going to reassign us. We changed his mind, but he wouldn’t tell us how he found out. You’re the only one who knows about us and I know you don’t think Gus is right for me, but I can’t believe you would do this!”
“Harley, I didn’t say anything to him. Yeah, I don’t like Aitoro, but that could get you fired! I wouldn’t do that to you,” Frank defended himself.
“Then how did he find out, Frank? No one else knows!”
“How do you know that? You guys are all over each other all over town. Maybe an officer saw you and mentioned it to him, maybe he saw you two himself, I don’t know Harley. But you know what, maybe reassigning you would have been the best thing for him to do.”
“Why would you say that? You know Gus and I are the best detectives this department has.”
“Yeah maybe, but you let your feelings for him cloud your judgment, Harley. Maybe you would be even better detectives with other people.”
Harley turned around and walked away.
“Where are you going?” Frank asked.
“I don’t like you right now,” Harley replied as she went back to her desk.
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Two days later, Harley still wasn’t speaking to Frank. Gus met her for breakfast Wednesday morning, she had her back to him as he walked in the door, so he walked up behind her and massaged her shoulders.
“Hi,” she said with a smile.
“Hi,” Gus said as he kissed her forehead then sat across from her. “Did you talk to Frank today?”
“No. I’m not going to,” she insisted.
“Come on Harley, don’t be stubborn. He’s not the one who told Franklin.”
“No, but he agrees with him, saying my feelings for you cloud my judgment. I don’t want to talk to him.”
Gus reached over and took her hands and kissed them.
“I have something for you,” he said.
“You do?”
“Yes, just think of it as one of your birthday gifts a few weeks early. I think you could really use it now.”
“Ooh, what is it?” she asked excitedly.
Gus reached into his suit jacket and pulled out an envelope and handed it to Harley. She opened it and read it.
“A day at the spa?” she asked, “Massage, facial, manicure, ooh, sounds good to me! Thank you,” she said as she leaned over and kissed him.
“So I already called and scheduled you for Friday. We have the day off, and I’ll watch Zach while you go get pampered,” Gus said.
“You already made the appointment?”
“Well, if I didn’t, you would never have time to do it, so yeah.”
“Thank you,” she smiled as the waitress brought their breakfasts and they ate before going to work.
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Post by Jen on Jul 12, 2004 22:22:48 GMT -5
Friday morning, Harley opened her front door to let Gus in.
“Hi,” she said as she kissed him good morning, “Phillip called. His business trip was cancelled, so he’s picking Zach up around 3.”
“Okay,” Gus said, “Is he still sleeping?” he asked and Harley nodded.
“Yeah, and I have to go or I will be late. Thank you again,” she said as he sat down on the couch and she sat on his lap and kissed him.
“Go,” he said after they kissed for a few minutes.
“I’ll call you when I get home,” she said as she shut the door behind her.
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Harley unlocked the front door and was shocked to see Gus standing in the living room at a small, set table pouring a single glass of wine.
When she walked in, he looked up and flashed her a big smile.
“What are you doing here?” she asked as she looked around the candlelit room.
“I wanted to make sure your relaxing day continued. Phillip said he could keep Zach until Monday so you could have a quiet weekend. And dinner is almost ready, and as soon as it’s done, I’ll leave you alone. Here, sit down,” he said as he handed her the glass of wine.
“What? You’re leaving?” she asked as she sat down on the couch.
“Yeah, well, I thought you would want to spend the evening alone in peace.”
“You are all I thought about all day long. I want to spend it with you,” she insisted as she pulled him down next to her on the couch and kissed him. “This is beautiful, and today was wonderful. Thank you.”
“So are you completely relaxed? Let me see your nails. Did you get a mud bath?” he asked.
“I did,” she answered as she held out her French manicured hands.
“I’m glad you liked it, and I’m glad you’re feeling better, and I’m very glad you made up with Frank. You’re not the same when you two are fighting,” Gus said.
“I know,” Harley replied, “I was just so mad at him.”
“I know,” Gus said as he kissed her cheek lightly, then moved to her mouth until the oven timer went off.
“Let me get that before it burns,” Gus said as he got up and went into the kitchen.
Harley followed him and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind as he took the food out of the oven.
“Do you think that would taste just as good reheated later?” she asked.
“Why, are you not hungry?” he asked as he turned around.
Without a word, Harley shook her head and reached behind him to shut off the oven. Then she grabbed his hand and led him out of the kitchen and upstairs to her bedroom.
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Post by Jen on Jul 12, 2004 22:23:36 GMT -5
When they got upstairs to the bedroom, Harley kicked off her heels and tossed them into her closet, then turned back towards Gus as he came up behind her and kissed her neck. He took her face in his hands and placed light kisses on her cheeks. His arms moved down around her waist and she wrapped hers around his neck as they shared a deep kiss. Harley pushed her tongue through his lips and it mingled with his. Gus’s hands traveled down over her hips and back up under her shirt. When she felt Gus’s warm hands moving over the skin of her lower back, Harley pulled away from his kisses melted into him, resting her head against his chest, enjoying the feel of holding each other tightly.
Gus kissed the top of her head, “I didn’t do this to get you into bed,” he said quietly.
Harley looked up at him, “And I’m not trying to get you into bed because of what you did. At least not just what you did tonight. I love you Gus, for everything you have ever done for me or for Zach. I just love you and I don’t want to wait anymore.”
Gus looked down at Harley, his darks eyes shining from her declaration of love. “I love you too,” he said quietly, “Do you know that? Do you have any idea how much I love you?”
Harley closed her eyes and nodded, then looked back up at Gus, “I know,” she whispered back as she leaned up and kissed him.
She reached down and unbuttoned the cuffs of his shirt then kissed his neck. “Wait here,” she said, “I’ll be right back.”
“What? You just said you didn’t want to wait anymore and now you’re making me wait?” he protested playfully.
“Just a few minutes,” she replied as she kissed him then went into the bathroom.
When she opened the bathroom door and stepped back into the room a few minutes later, Gus had his back to her, lighting a few candles that were around the room. When he didn’t hear the bathroom door open, she came up behind him and took the lighter out of his hand.
“I think there’s enough heat in this room,” she said as he turned around and couldn’t take his eyes off of her.
“Wow. This was worth the wait,” he said as he ran his hands down the sides of her body, grazing the sheer fabric of the blue floral babydoll she had changed into.
Harley reached up and started unbuttoning Gus’s shirt slowly, one button at a time while he stood in front of her, motionless, watching her. After she got to the last button, she slid the shirt off his shoulders and let it fall to the ground behind him. He leaned down and they kissed passionately as Harley’s hand wandered to the waist of his pants. She looked down and undid his belt, then unbuttoned his pants and pushed them down. He kicked them out of the way then went back to kissing Harley. They pulled away only long enough for Gus to pull the babydoll over Harley’s head and toss it away. Gus pulled her close and ran his hands up and down the soft skin of her bare back. Harley rested her head on his shoulder and enjoyed the feel of his hands on her body. With one hand, he raised her head and kissed her deeply as her hands moved down his back and tugged at his black briefs and he was soon free of the tight fabric. He swept her up his arms and carried her over to the bed, he laid her down and climbed on top of her, their lips never parting.
Harley stretched her hands above her head as Gus trailed kisses over her entire body, leaving no part of it untouched. He rained kisses over her chest and flicked at her hardened nipples with his tongue. He grasped the sides of her bikinis and as she lifted her hips off the bed, he slid them down her legs and threw them behind him on the floor with the rest of their clothes. Harley reached up and kissed him, sucking on his bottom lip as his fingers trailed up her thighs and found the moist center between them. He raised up above her and looked down into her eyes where he could see her desire for him and knew he had the same desire in his eyes.
As he finally entered her, their lips met as Harley wrapped her arms around him. He moved inside of her, slowly at first, but soon their movements were fast and intense as Harley rose to meet his hips. As he kissed her neck, Harley closed to her eyes and relished in the moment. She had forgotten what it felt like to have a man make love to her and be thinking only of her. Gus made her feel beautiful and wanted, and it had been so long since she had felt that way. She opened her eyes and met his as he leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. It was a kiss that showed her just how loved she was and she smiled before pulling him back down to her in a passionate kiss. She ran her hands down his back and grabbed his butt, causing him to move even faster. Within a few moments, while Gus moaned in pleasure, Harley cried out as he released inside of her, causing her to climax with him. He moved to roll off of her, but Harley held him tight.
“Don’t let go,” she whispered.
“I won’t,” he replied as he laid down beside her and held her close, kissing her lovingly.
They laid together in silence, touching and kissing each other, for a long time, neither of them having anything to say that could even come close to describing what they had just shared. Gus moved down on the bed and rested his head on Harley’s chest as he ran his fingers up and down her leg that was sticking out of the sheets they were wrapped in.
“I’m gonna love you forever,” he breathed.
Harley smiled as she ran her hand through his thick hair, “I know,” she whispered back.
“Thank you,” she said as he looked up at her.
“For what?” he asked.
“For being so patient with me. I know it’s taken us a long time to get here, and I just want to thank you for giving me the time I needed to realize what I wanted.”
“And what’s that?” Gus asked.
“You. Us. I’m so sorry I pushed you away so much,” she apologized.
“I’m not,” Gus said, “I knew you weren’t ready, and I pushed you, maybe more than I should have. But I fell in love with you when you claimed to hate me, and that makes loving you now so much better.”
“I love you so much, Gus,” she said quietly, “ I had forgotten what it felt like to have a man look at me the way you do and make love to me the way you do. You make me feel so…loved.”
“You are Harley,” he replied as he kissed her softly. “Before tonight, I never made love to a woman,” he confessed, “I mean, I’ve been with women, more than I’m proud to admit, but this, tonight with you, this was so much more than sex. I love you, and I want to be loved by you and I have never felt so close to anyone in my entire life. You make me feel safe, like I don’t have to be afraid of living and loving, and I haven’t felt that way since my dad died.”
Harley leaned down and kissed him deeply, then laid back against the pillows as he laid against her chest. They were both silent as they realized that they had both finally found what they had been looking for their entire lives.
“You’re all sweaty,” Harley teased as she ran her hand across his back.
“Yeah, so are you,” he replied as he kissed her chest.
“There’s forty dollars of lingerie laying over there on the floor,” she said as she pointed to their piles of clothes.
“Forty dollars? Are you kidding me? You didn’t even have it on five minutes!” Gus said as he sat up and looked where Harley was pointing.
“I know!” Harley laughed.
“Did you buy that just for me?”
“Of course I did,” she smiled as she kissed him, “I wanted to look good for you.”
“Oh, baby, you could have came out of that bathroom in a paper bag and you would still look gorgeous,” he told her as he pushed some hair behind her ear and threaded his fingers through hers.
Harley smiled at him, then kissed him quickly, “I’m going to bring the wine up. I’ll be right back,” she said as she climbed out of bed and put on a short silky robe.
“Hurry back,” Gus said, leaning over the side of the bed as she left the room.
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Post by Jen on Jul 12, 2004 22:25:15 GMT -5
Harley rushed downstairs and grabbed two clean glasses out of the cabinet and as she picked up the bottle of wine, she heard a knock at the door. She cringed as she stood in the living room torn between answering the door or ignoring it and going back upstairs. She remembered she told Phillip she would be home all night, so she decided to answer it in case it was him. She put the glasses and wine on the coffee table and went to the door. Frank walked into the house when she opened it.
“Hey sis, I need your help with Marina,” he said as he rushed past her.
Harley looked towards the stairs then back at Frank.
“Uh, okay, what’s wrong?” she asked him.
“She won’t talk to me, I know something’s wrong, but when I ask her, she gets mad and shuts down,” Frank said.
“Well, Frank, she’s a teenager. What do you expect?” Harley asked impatiently.
“I guess you’re right, I just wish she would open up to me.”
“Why don’t you let me talk to her, maybe she’ll talk to me,” Harley suggested.
“Would you really? That would be great. You are the best, sis,” Frank said as he hugged her. “What are you doing ready for bed so early?” he asked.
Before Harley could answer, Gus came down the stairs with only a sheet wrapped around his waist.
“Harley, baby, did you get lost?” he asked, then stopped when he saw Frank standing in the living room with her.
Harley smiled up at him and he slowly came into the living room and stood beside her.
“Gees, Harley, why didn’t you tell me you were…busy?” Frank asked, embarrassed.
“Well…you didn’t really give me a chance,” she replied.
“I think I should go,” Frank said as he went past Gus and Harley towards the door.
“Frank, seriously, I’ll talk to Marina, okay?” Harley said.
“Thanks,” he replied as he opened the door, “Oh, we have to get together to wrap up that Carson case,” he reminded them.
“Oh that’s right,” Gus remembered and looked at Harley.
“Well, why don’t we do that tomorrow? Call tomorrow morning and we’ll work something out, okay?” Harley suggested as she kissed Frank’s cheek.
“Right,” he said as he looked at Gus, then left.
“Sorry,” Gus said as Harley turned back towards him.
She walked over and kissed him neck as she wrapped her arms around him.
“Don’t worry about it,” she said, “Are you hungry?” she asked.
“Starving,” he said quietly as he leaned down and buried his face in her neck, kissing her.
“I mean for food,” she laughed as she pulled away.
“That too,” he said as he followed her into the kitchen.
“So what did you make?” she asked as she looked at the food they had left on the stove.
“Lemon pepper chicken and baked potatoes,” he replied as she got a plate out of the cupboard and put a piece of chicken and a potato on it and stuck it in the microwave.
“Sit down,” Harley told Gus as the timer went off and she got the hot plate out of the microwave.
She grabbed a fork out of the drawer and sat on Gus’s lap. She put a piece of chicken on the fork and fed it to him, then kissed him. The fed each other until the chicken and potato were both gone and as Harley put the plate in the sink, Gus came up behind her.
“What’s for dessert?” he asked as he moved her hair to one side and kissed her neck.
Harley turned around and kissed him, “What are you in the mood for?” she asked.
“How about strawberries and whipped cream and you,” he suggested between kisses.
“We’re out of strawberries and whipped cream,” she replied.
“Then I guess I just get you,” he said as he played with the knot in the belt of her robe.
They both looked over at the kitchen table, covered with bills and magazines and Zach’s toys then looked at the floor. Harley looked up at Gus and then motioned upstairs.
“That’s a shame,” Harley said as Gus took her hand and they left the kitchen, “Whipped cream could have been fun.”
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Post by Jen on Jul 12, 2004 22:26:13 GMT -5
Harley fell onto Gus’s chest as he laid his head back and it fell off the side of the bed. He looked up at Harley, then looked at the bed, realizing they were at the foot of it.
“How did we get down here?” he asked breathlessly.
“I have no clue,” Harley laughed as she pulled him up on the bed with her and they slid under the covers.
Gus let out a contented sigh as he rolled onto his stomach and stretched out. Harley laid on her side, facing him and ran her fingers along the dark skin of his back. She leaned over and kissed him, then climbed on his back and sat on his butt. She gave him a little back massage, rubbing and pushing in all the right places.
“Can I ask you something?” she asked as she pushed her long hair behind her ears.
“Mmm,” was the only response Gus could get out with his face buried in the pillows.
“What’s this mean?” she asked as she ran her fingers over the swirls of his tattoo.
Gus lifted his head off the pillow and turned it to the side.
“I got that when I was in training for the FBI. It means ‘warrior’. I got it because it reminded me of my dad, how he was kind of like a warrior. Fighting the bad guys, you know. And I wanted to be just like him, so I thought having the symbol on my back would make it happen. I was wrong,” he explained.
“You don’t think you’re a warrior?” Harley asked, still rubbing his back.
“No,” he answered, “Not like my dad was. He fought the bad guys, but he did it the right way. Not like me. I used to think my dad would have been so proud if I would have taken down the Santos family, but he would have hated it. I know he would have, he would have hated me trying to take a father away from his son the way he was taken from me. He would have hated me wasting my life hating those people, living only for myself. I’m no warrior,” he said quietly.
Harley laid down on his back and kissed his cheek, “Yes you are,” she said, “You’re fighting the bad guys and you’re doing it right. I mean, look at how far you’ve come. You used to want to jump Danny if you even saw him crossing the street, and now you can actually be in the same room with him without even shooting him dirty looks. You know he’s trying to get his life back too, he’s trying to build a good life for Michelle and Robbie, and you’re giving him that chance. And by doing that, you’re getting the same chance. I think your dad would be so proud of you right now,” she said as she reached out and put her hand on top of his, their fingers intertwining.
“You think so?” he asked quietly.
Harley rolled off his back and pulled him close, “I know so,” she replied as she kissed him.
“My turn to ask you something,” he said with a smile, “Why did your parents name you Harley?”
“Well, my dad actually wasn’t even around when I was born, but he always wanted to name a child after his motorcycle. So when my mom had me, she named me Harley Davidson for my dad because everyone thought he had died in the war,” she explained.
Gus laughed, “Well, we certainly have led interesting lives, haven’t we?”
“That’s very true,” Harley said, “No one can say we’re boring. I want to ask you something else,” she added.
“Uh oh.”
“Stop it,” she said hitting him playfully, “What are you afraid of?” she asked seriously.
Gus thought for a moment, then answered, “Spiders. I hate spiders.”
“Spiders? That’s it? Wuss,” Harley teased.
“Hey! They’re really gross,” Gus shot back, “they’re big and hairy and they crawl all over you,” he added as he ran his fingertips over Harley’s skin like a spider, causing her laugh and swat his hands away.
“Okay, so you hate spiders. Is that all?” she asked.
“No,” he replied, “I am afraid that I am like a new toy to Zach. You know, a kid gets a new toy and it’s all they want to play with for a while, they take it everywhere but then they get used to it, and it’s not fun anymore. I’m really afraid that Zach’s going to put me away in the toybox and forget about me.”
“Really?” Harley asked, a little shocked.
Gus nodded, “Yeah. Cause you know, I’ve gotten kind of used to loving the little guy. I think it would kill me if he got bored with me or whatever.”
“That won’t happen,” Harley replied, “Zach adores you, he really does. And you know kids, they’re very fickle, especially Zach. One day, he’s hanging all over you, the next he’s all over Frank. But he loves you, I know he does. And he’s not going to forget you because you’re not going anywhere, right? At least I hope not for awhile.”
“A long while,” Gus corrected, “I’m not going anywhere,” he said as he kissed the tip of her nose.
“Anything else?” she asked.
Gus hesitated for a bit, he had been keeping this fear to himself for a long time and didn’t know if he was ready to let it out.
Harley could tell he was holding something back. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” she told him.
“No, it’s not that,” he said then took a deep breath. “Sometimes I wonder if the man that I was in the past, the one who wanted revenge and would do anything to get it, is the real me. What if inside I will always be that guy? I’m so afraid that part of me will come out again, and I know if that’s who I am, I can’t be with you, and I can’t even bear to think of that,” he admitted.
“Oh, honey, you are not that man. I know you’re not. You know what you were doing to Danny was wrong, you just told me you know you’re father wouldn’t be proud of the way you lived. You know the difference between right and wrong. You knew that what the Santoses did to your father was wrong and you were just trying to fix it, you just went about it the wrong way. You are not the man you’re afraid of being. You are the wonderful man I am in love with. The man who plays dinosaurs on the floor with my son or sends me thirty-one flowers on our one-month anniversary. You’re the man who saw that there was so much more to life than hate and revenge and you worked so hard to overcome that. And you did.”
“I don’t know what I would do without you,” Gus said as he leaned over and kissed her lovingly. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” Harley replied as she wrapped her arms around him and settled into his body.
They laid in each others arms touching and kissing until they both fell soundly asleep for the night.
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Post by Jen on Jul 12, 2004 22:26:59 GMT -5
Harley woke up the next morning still in Gus’s arms. When she looked up at him, he was still sleeping, but she leaned up and kissed him softly. He stirred and held her tighter, then opened his eyes and smiled down at her.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” Harley said, “I just couldn’t resist those lips.”
“These lips?” he asked as he kissed her mouth, “Or these lips?” he added as he moved his kisses down her neck.
“All of the above,” Harley breathed as he moved down on the bed, laced his fingers through hers and kissed her chest.
“Good morning,” he said as he looked up and kissed her.
“Good morning,” she replied. “I hope you don’t have any plans this weekend because I am not letting you leave this bed until Monday,” she said as she pulled him back down to the bed and snuggled into his chest.
“Sounds like a good plan to me,” Gus replied as he slid his hand under the sheet and across her bare stomach.
Harley rolled over on her side and kissed Gus’s chest. “Have I ever told you how unbelievably sexy you are?” she asked as she ran her fingers along his stomach below his belly button but above the sheet that covered them.
“Tell me now,” he replied as he lifted her chin up with his finger.
“You are so sexy. And it’s so much more than just looking good. Everything about you is sexy,” Harley replied as she looked into his dark eyes. “Your eyes, they are so expressive, sometimes you don’t even have to say anything and your eyes tell me what you’re thinking. And your voice is sexy, and the way you walk…”
“How do I walk?” Gus interrupted.
“I don’t know,” Harley shrugged, “All I know is that when you do, I can’t take my eyes off of you.”
“Really?” Gus said, raising his eyebrows, “What else?” he teased.
“I think that the way that you think is very sexy. You don’t care what others think, you are who you are, and that’s very refreshing. But do you know when you are the sexiest to me?” she asked.
“When?”
“Do you remember the first time we took Zach to the park? And the two of you played catch with your old glove? That touched me so much and I think the way that you are with Zach is so sexy. Because it takes a very special person to have a connection with a child like the one you have with Zach and the fact that you have made it a priority to get to know Zach means so much to me.”
Gus smiled over at Harley, then kissed her softly.
“Do you know that there are nights when I can’t fall asleep because I can’t stop thinking about you? I close my eyes and I see your face and I want to touch you and kiss you. I just want to be with you. I never imagined that I would ever meet someone like you. Someone who sees me and not just my past. Someone who makes me smile and laugh and feel, like you do. And I never thought I would be in love the way that I am with you. Completely, madly in love,” he finished between kisses.
“I think that we are the perfect match,” Harley replied.
“You do?”
Harley nodded, “Yes, because I feel the same way. I never thought I would fall in love again and I really didn’t think it would be with someone like you, but it is,” she replied with a big smile.
Gus returned her smile and ran his finger down her jawbone, “You are so amazing,” he whispered as he leaned in and kissed her.
As they kissed, Harley pulled him on top of her under the sheet.
“I’m glad I opted for the waxing yesterday,” she laughed as he caressed her leg from her knee to her hip.
“Mmm, and here I am all stubbly for you,” Gus replied as he kissed her neck.
“I know, and I have the brush burns all over me to prove it,” she teased as she pulled him back up to her mouth.
“God, I hope that’s not Phillip saying he’s bringing Zach home,” Harley said as they heard the phone ring. Harley rolled over and grabbed it.
“Hello?” she answered. “Hey Frank.”
“Hey sis, I was calling to see when you wanted to work on the Carson case. I’ll let you call Aitoro and then we can maybe work out some time today?” Frank asked.
“Umm, yeah, well…” Harley stuttered.
“He’s there, isn’t he?” Frank asked.
“Hold on a second,” Harley said as she pulled the phone away and turned towards Gus. “We need to work on the Carson case. What time do you think?”
Gus looked at the clock beside the bed, “How about noon? That gives us some more time,” he suggested and Harley put the phone back up to her ear.
“Frank? Is noon okay?” she asked.
“Yeah that’s fine,” he replied.
“Tell him to bring us lunch,” Gus said.
“Can you-“ Harley began.
“I heard him,” Frank sighed. “I’ll see you in a little bit,” he said then hung up.
“So noon,” Harley said as she hung up the phone and rolled back into Gus’s arms.
“Noon, so we can stay in bed for a little while longer,” Gus replied, kissing her shoulder.
“Or we could get in the shower and get...dirty,” she suggested with a naughty smile.
“That could be fun too,” Gus said as he sat up and pulled her off the bed and into the bathroom.
Harley turned the water on and tested the temperature then pulled back the curtain so they could step in.
“Your shower’s kind of small,” Gus noted as he closed the curtain.
“That just means we have to be closer,” Harley replied as she wrapped her arms around him.
She reached up and grabbed a bottle of body wash off the shelf and squeezed some into her hands. They moved so that Gus was standing under the spray of water and rubbed her hands together to make some suds.
“Wait, what does that smell like?” he asked, “I don’t want to be smelling like flowers all day.”
“It doesn’t really have a scent,” Harley replied as she held her hand up to his face so he could smell it.
“Alright,” he said and she ran her sudsy hands over his chest and shoulders.
She moved her hands down his arms, leaving a path of soap suds behind them and joined her hands with his as he leaned down and kissed her. She let go of his hands and pushed him back under the water and helped rinse the bubbles off of his chest. She looked up at him and locked eyes as she wrapped her arms around him and trailed her fingers up and down his back. He had explored her body the night before, it was her turn this morning. Gus ran his hands through her wet hair, his eyes growing dark with desire. Harley moved her hands down and tickled the toned cheeks of his butt with her fingernails as she felt him grow hard at her touches. She moved her arms up around his neck as he lifted her up and joined her body with his. They kissed roughly as he pushed her up against the wall of the shower and thrusted up into her.
Harley tightened her grip around him and buried her face in his neck, muffling her cries of pleasure as they reached the climax of their love-making. She rested her head against Gus’s chest as he lowered her back down to the floor. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead and held onto her tightly. When she looked up, they kissed slowly and tenderly with Gus’s hands tangled in her hair. When they separated, Gus reached for Harley’s shampoo bottle and washed her hair. After they had finished getting clean, they went back into the bedroom and got dressed.
Gus put on jeans and a long-sleeved black button-down shirt while Harley chose a pair of jeans and a pink halter top then they went downstairs for some breakfast.
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Post by Jen on Jul 12, 2004 22:27:52 GMT -5
While they waited for Frank to show up, they sat on the couch together and watched TV, kissing more than watching. Harley had just ran her hand up under Gus’s shirt when the doorbell rang. She sighed and kissed him, then got up and stepped over his feet that were stretched out on the coffee table to answer the door.
She was shocked to see Frank and Justin standing on the other side holding case files and bags of Chinese take-out. Harley motioned for them to come in and they set the files and bags on the coffee table.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Justin began, “I finished up my cases this morning and Frank suggested I come help you guys out.”
“Oh, no it’s great, we could always use another brain on this one,” Harley said as she sat back down the couch next to Gus but far enough away not to arouse suspicion from Justin.
“Should I take my shoes off?” Justin asked.
“No, it’s fine,” Harley replied.
“I see Aitoro has made himself comfortable,” Justin said pointing to Gus’s shoeless feet that were still on the coffee table.
“Do you guys want something to drink?” Harley asked as she stood up, changing the subject.
“Yeah, anything but beer,” Frank replied, “We’re on duty.”
“Okay, Aitoro, do you want something?” she asked as he nudged his knee with her shin causing him to take his feet off the table.
“Yeah, I’ll help you,” he insisted as he followed her into the kitchen.
“I didn’t know Campbell was coming,” he said quietly as Harley opened the refrigerator door.
“Neither did I,” she replied as she pulled a pitcher of iced tea out and Gus got four glasses out of the cupboard.
“Do you think he suspects anything?” Gus asked as she filled the glasses.
“I doubt it, we’ll just have to be careful,” she replied as she leaned over and kissed him.
They each grabbed two glasses and headed back into the living room as the doorbell rang again.
“Oh, that’s probably the Chief. I told him we were working on this case and he said he might stop by,” Frank informed Harley as she went to answer the door.
Frank was right and Chief Franklin walked into the living room.
“Well, the gang’s all here,” he said as he saw Justin and Gus also there. “I didn’t see your car out there Aitoro,” he observed.
“Oh, it’s in the garage,” Gus replied casually and got a look from Harley who got a look from Frank. “The top has a rip in it and it might rain,” he covered and Franklin seemed satisfied with the answer as he made himself comfortable in the easy chair.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Hmmm…” Gus murmured as the five of them labored over the homicide case in front of them.
“What?” Harley asked.
“It’s probably nothing, but this reminds me of a case I had when I was with the Bureau,” he answered.
“You think this is a mob hit?” Harley asked.
“I didn’t say that,” he replied.
“Oh, give me a break, Aitoro. There isn’t a mob in Springfield anymore. Danny’s out of the business and Carmen’s behaving herself,” Frank scoffed as he shook his head.
Harley ignored Frank’s comment, “What are you thinking Gus?” she asked him.
Gus shook his head, “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking…it’s clean. There’s no sign of struggle, he wasn’t beat. One clean shot to the head. In the exact spot where he would die before he felt the bullet. This is a pro job,” Harley replied.
“What else?” Gus asked.
“The marks on his wrists and ankles like he was tied up, but the killer removed the ropes,” she continued. “You think he was killed where we found him?” she asked Gus, both of them in their own little world exchanging ideas as Frank, Justin and the Chief looked on.
“That’s doubtful,” Gus said as he got out the morgue photos from the folder, “What about these, Coop? What are those?” he asked pointing to marks on the victim’s biceps.
“I don’t know…they look like bruises. Do you think he was tied up by his arms too?”
Gus thought for a minute then stood up, “Frank, can I see your tie?”
Frank looked up at Gus confused, “Why?”
“Can I just see it?” he insisted and Frank slipped it over his head and handed it to Gus.
Gus went into the kitchen and brought a chair back with him, then handed the tie to Harley.
“Tie me up,” he said.
“What?” she asked as he sat down in the chair and put his hands behind the back of the chair.
“Tie my wrists together,” he said again and Harley did.
“This is ridiculous,” Frank ridiculed.
“Just relax Cooper, this is why they’re partners. Let them do what they do best,” Franklin instructed him.
After a few minutes, Gus had Harley untie him. He stood up, took off his shirt, and held out his arms for Harley to see. There were red marks on his biceps in about the same place there were marks on the victim.
“You think they had him tied up in a chair?” Harley asked as she compared the morgue photos to Gus’s arms.
Gus shrugged, “Tied up for an hour or two, you could get bruises there, especially if your wrists are bound tightly. Who besides the mob and the CIA ties their victims in chairs?”
“Burglars,” Justin jumped in.
“Yeah, but he wasn’t robbed. His wallet was full of cash and credit cards when we found him. And he wasn’t at home. My guess is he was killed one place and dumped where we found him,” Gus replied.
“Aitoro, do you think this is a mob hit?” Franklin asked.
“I think it’s a possibility, that’s all,” Gus answered.
“Cooper, what about you?” Franklin asked, looking at Harley.
“I think it’s a very good possibility. It’s worth looking into at least. See who this guy hung out with, if he owed anyone any favors, that sort of thing,” Harley said and Franklin nodded before getting on his cell phone and getting an officer on that task. Harley looked at Gus, “You know the crime families around here better than anyone. Who did this?” she asked.
“I don’t think it’s a Santos hit,” he replied, “They know better than to do something like this right in front of us, they know we’re watching them. I think it’s from Chicago. Possibly the Sandovals, but it might go all the way to Salerno in New York. But I don’t think it’s the Santoses, at least not directly.”
Harley couldn’t help but smile at the fact that he for once was not blaming the Santos family for something. Gus saw her smile and flashed a slight one of his own in her direction.
“How do you two feel about some overtime today?” Franklin asked them as he got off the phone. “Davis pulled the files for all the Chicago families. It’s going to take all of us to get through them.”
“If it gets us closer to solving this, then yeah,” Harley replied, somewhat regrettably.
“Okay, I’m going to head to the station and call Chicago, I’ll meet you guys there,” he said as he got up and left.
“I’m gonna go change into something a little more official. I’ll see you guys at the station,” Harley said as she headed upstairs.
“Do you want to come with us?” Frank asked Gus.
“No, I’ll just wait for Harley. I’m going to call some contacts in Chicago too, we’ll just meet you there,” Gus replied and Frank nodded as he and Justin left and Gus headed upstairs.
“Are my shoes up here?” he asked as he walked into Harley’s bedroom where she was changing.
She pointed to the closet, “I think they got thrown in there,” she replied as she zipped up her dark gray pants. “So much for our day in bed,” she sighed as she came over to the closet and looked for a shirt to wear.
Gus kissed her quickly then sat down on the bed to put on his shoes.
“Do you think I’ll be running after any perps today?” she asked as she stood in front of her closet deciding which shoes to wear.
“You don’t usually chase down mobsters, baby, at least not on foot,” he replied as she slipped on a pair of sling-back open-toed heels.
“Ready?” she asked.
“Almost,” he said as he grabbed her hand and pulled her over so she was standing in front of him. She put her hands on his shoulders and leaned down to kiss him.
“I guess we’ll take my car so that rip in your top doesn’t get any bigger,” she teased as she pulled him to his feet and led him out of the room.
“Well, it sounded better than, ‘I wanted to surprise Harley with candles and wine and dinner, so I hid my car’,” he replied as they got downstairs and left the house.
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They didn’t get back to Harley’s house until after ten o’clock that night and headed straight upstairs to bed.
“I cannot believe we put in an eight hour shift on our day off,” Harley said as she kicked off her shoes.
“It’s been a long day,” Gus agreed, “I forgot how boring reading case file after case file was,” he said as he yawned and slipped off his shirt.
They had spent the entire day pouring over the files of the Chicago crime families and they had all agreed it was probably the Sandoval family that was behind the murder, but couldn’t find any solid evidence to tie them to it.
“Especially when you come up empty,” Harley said as she stood in front of her closet and Gus went into the bathroom to brush his teeth.
When he came back into the bedroom, Harley was letting a short, pink satin slip fall over her head.
“Very sexy,” Gus said as he came up behind her and ran his hand up her thigh then slid off his jeans and pulled back the covers on the bed.
Harley flipped the light switch off and they climbed into bed.
“I am exhausted,” Harley sighed as she settled into Gus’s chest and he kissed the top of her head.
It wasn’t long before they were both fast asleep, dreaming about each other. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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Post by Jen on Jul 12, 2004 22:28:21 GMT -5
Monday evening, Gus and Harley walked into Company for dinner and sat down at a booth.
“What time is Phillip bringing Zach?” Gus asked as the waitress brought them menus and they waved to Buzz
“Six-thirty,” Harley answered as Gus looked at his watch.
“I’m going to have to leave before that. I have to meet with the DA at 6:15. Make sure you give him a big high five from me,” Gus replied.
“I will,” Harley smiled, “Blake, Cassie and Reva are supposed to be here at six. I think they want to question me,” she teased.
“Don’t give them too many details,” Gus replied as he leaned across the table and kissed her quickly, “and feel free to exaggerate,” he said with a wink.
“Actually, I don’t even have to,” she replied with a naughty grin.
“You don’t have to what?” Buzz asked as he kissed Harley’s cheek.
“Nothing,” Harley said looking up at him.
“I heard you guys had a busy weekend,” he continued and Harley looked at Gus.
“What?” she asked.
“Frank said you guys were working on a big case Saturday,” Buzz explained.
“Oh right,” Harley sighed breathing a sigh of relief Buzz wasn’t talking about what she thought he was.
“Buzz!” one of the waitresses called out from behind the counter.
“Gotta go,” he said as he went to see what the problem was.
“You know, my bed is going to be awfully lonely without you tonight,” Harley said when Buzz was out of earshot.
“I know, I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep by myself anymore,” Gus said.
“Well, you can come sleep with me anytime,” Harley replied as she reached over and grabbed his hand.
“Oh I will,” Gus replied, “When Zach isn’t there,” he added.
“Dad is keeping Zach Thursday night,” Harley informed him, “he’s taking him to the zoo Friday.”
“Then I am all yours,” Gus promised.
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Harley and Gus were just finishing up their dinners as Blake, Cassie and Reva walked into Company. Harley waved them over and Cassie slid beside her while Blake sat beside Gus and Reva pulled a chair up to the end of the table.
“Good evening, ladies,” Gus greeted with a grin.
“Harley, I haven’t heard from you in days! How was your weekend?” Blake asked with a sly smile.
“Not long enough,” Harley answered simply.
“Well, ladies I would love to stay and listen to this, but I have to go,” Gus said as he nudged Blake to get up and walked around the booth behind Harley.
“Call me later,” she said.
“You bet,” he replied as he kissed her cheek and started to stand up.
She reached up and grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him back down to her in a deep kiss.
“Remember what I said,” he said as he ran his hand through her hair and gave her another quick kiss.
Harley smiled, “Bye,” she said and he waved to the girls before leaving the restaurant with Harley’s eyes following him out the door.
When she looked back at her friends, Reva had joined Blake on the other side of the booth.
“Whew,” Reva said fanning herself, “It’s hot in here,” she teased and Harley blushed a little.
“So…what were you up to all weekend?” Blake asked.
Harley thought for a moment, “Stuff,” she answered with a smile.
“Stuff? That’s all you’re going to say?” Cassie asked and Harley nodded.
“Well, how was the spa?” Reva asked.
“Oh it was great,” Harley answered, “We really need to go there one day, all of us. It is so relaxing.”
Blake, Cassie and Reva all waited for more details but Harley was not giving any.
“Oh come on, Harley! You were never this shy about Phillip!” Blake whined.
“Well…but you had slept with him too!” Harley protested. “And Gus is definitely something I want to keep all to myself,” she continued.
“Well, I saw Frank Friday night and mentioned I was going to call you and he said he wouldn’t if he were me. I’d be interrupting,” Blake said.
Harley laughed, remembering what Frank saw Friday night, “Well, Frank came over at a bad time. The exact time Gus came downstairs wearing only a sheet,” she laughed.
Cassie and Reva both raised their eyebrows at each other and Blake leaned closer to Harley to get more details.
“So what? You came home from the spa and jumped into bed?” she asked.
“Blake!” Cassie reprimanded.
“I don’t think there was any jumping, exactly…” Harley replied. “He made me dinner and all the candles were lit, and we’ve just been getting interrupted a lot lately, so we…took advantage of there being no interruptions. A couple of times,” she added as she took a drink of her iced tea.
“Wait a second, we need alcohol for this discussion, and it needs to be in a bar!” Cassie said.
“Well, Phillip is bringing Zach here soon, so you’ll have to settle for coffee at Company or nothing at all,” Harley replied.
“Coffee!!” Reva called out to a waitress.
“Well, all I have to say is it’s about damn time. What were you waiting for?” Cassie asked.
“Oh look who’s talking, Miss Let’s-Wait-Until-We-Get married,” Harley shot back. “I’m actually very glad we waited as long as we did, because it was just perfect,” she smiled. “I don’t know…I just feel like I’m falling in love for the first time,” she continued.
“Awww,” Cassie, Blake and Reva all said in unison.
“He said something the other night when we were in bed that really should have freaked me out. He told me he was going to love me forever. And you know what, I believe him. I really do,” she told them. “And I’m not scared, I’m actually looking forward to the future with him. He loves me, and I love him and I really think that he could be the one,” she added getting a little teary-eyed.
Cassie put her arm around Harley and gave her a little hug while Blake and Reva smiled across the table at her.
“Sounds stupid right? I mean, me Harley Cooper Spaulding Mallet Spaulding, saying that I think Gus is the one, after I said the same thing about Mallet and Phillip and even Josh.”
“You know, I don’t know Gus that well, but from what I’ve seen he absolutely adores you,” Cassie gushed, “and it’s obvious that you adore him. I mean you just light up when he’s in the room. That kind of love only comes along once in your life, and I think Gus is that love for you. You’ve been there and done that, you know? You’ve learned from the past and you’re ready to let go of all of that and be with Gus. Don’t be afraid of what is so obvious to all of us and to yourself.”
“Okay, enough of the mushy stuff,” Blake said, “So how was he?”
Harley laughed, “I’m not discussing that with you. I will say this…he told me to feel free to exaggerate, but really I wouldn’t have to,” she added, biting her lip and raising her eyebrows.
“Damn…good for you,” Blake said and Harley laughed.
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Post by Jen on Jul 12, 2004 22:28:47 GMT -5
“Hey, do you want to go out to dinner tonight or order in?” Gus asked quietly as he sat down at his desk at the station later that week.
“Oh, shoot. I forgot to tell you, Dad had to cancel the trip to the zoo, he has to be at the restaurant tomorrow, so Zach will be home tonight,” Harley said regrettably.
“Oh, well that’s okay. Can I still come over and we can all have dinner?” he asked.
“Yes,” Harley smiled, “Let’s just order a pizza or something. I don’t feel like cooking.”
“Works for me,” Gus said, “I’ll pick one up on my way over. I gotta go, I’ll see you later,” he said as he grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair.
“Bye,” she said quietly smiling at him.
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“Mommy!” Zach yelled as he rushed down the stairs, “Gus is here!”
Harley lifted up her skirt off the floor and ran down after him, reminding him to ask who it is before opening the door. Zach did, and flung the door open when Gus said it was him. Zach jumped up and Gus almost dropped the box of pizza he was carrying as he caught him.
“Hey!” Gus greeted as he shifted so he didn’t drop Zach. “Wow,” he said as he looked up and saw Harley standing in the living room in a slinky gold dress, “Look at how pretty Mommy looks,” he said as he walked into the living room, set the pizza on the coffee table and Zach on the couch and kissed Harley.
“You look amazing,” he breathed as he ran his hands through her hair.
Harley smiled, “Thank you.”
“So who is the lucky guy who gets to escort you so I can keep an eyes on him and make sure he doesn’t steal you away?” Gus asked.
“Ed,” Harley answered, laughing. “You know, I always did want to marry a doctor,” she teased as she walked past him.
He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close to him, “You’re gonna have to settle for a cop,” he said quietly into her ear and she smiled as she leaned against him.
“So who else is in the wedding?” he asked.
“Zach, why don’t you go upstairs and shut off your video,” Harley suggested and Zach ran upstairs then Harley turned around to face Gus.
“Phillip is with Cassie,” she replied as she kissed him softly on the lips. “Blake and Ross were nice enough not to put me with him.”
“That would have been weird,” Gus said.
“Tell me about it. Do you have a tux? Cause it’s black-tie,” she asked.
“I can get one,” replied as she turned around so her back was to him and lifted up her hair.
“Want to unzip me?” she asked.
“Oh yeah,” he replied as he slowly slid the zipper in the back of her dress down and brushed his fingers against the bare skin of her back as he kissed her neck.
“Mmmm,” Harley murmured as she moved away from his touch, “I better go change,” she said as she quickly kissed him then headed upstairs, passing Zach on his way back down.
While Harley changed, Gus and Zach took the pizza into the kitchen and set the table.
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“Coop, you ready for lunch?” Gus asked as he walked back to his desk at the station.
“Yeah,” Harley replied as she finished up a file and put it in one of her drawers. “What are you in the mood for today?” she asked.
Gus put his hands on her desk and leaned down closer to her, “You,” he said quietly, “I was thinking we could go to my place.”
“Do you want to feed me some week-old Chinese food?” she asked.
Gus laughed, “No. I was hoping we could work up an appetite and then grab some food on the way back here,” he suggested.
Harley tried not to smile too much, so she bit her lip, “Sounds good to me,” she said as she stood up and followed him out of the station.
Justin sat at his desk pretending to be working on a case, but he was really watching Harley and Gus’s conversation at her desk. As he watched Gus lean in closer to Harley and saw her reaction to whatever he was saying, Justin grew angry. There was only one way he would get Harley back, and that was if she got away from Gus. The anonymous letter he had sent to Chief Franklin telling him that Gus and Harley were more than just partners didn’t work, so he would have to do something else. As Gus and Harley walked out of the station, Justin picked up the phone and dialed an out-of-state number.
“Oh, I forgot my purse,” Harley said as they got to the car, “I’ll be right back,” she said as she headed back into the station.
“I don’t care what you have to do, just make it happen, and quick. You owe me,” she heard Justin demand into his phone and then slam it down as she rushed past his desk.
That was weird, she thought as she grabbed her purse, then hurried back outside. Justin usually was pretty calm, but he was definitely fired up about something when he was on the phone.
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Harley and Gus stumbled into his motel room, locked in a kiss after he opened the door. Before Gus could shut the door again, Harley had flung his tie across the room and was working on the buttons of his shirt. Gus shook himself out of his suit jacket and tangled his hands in Harley’s hair as he pushed his tongue through her lips. Harley pulled away to pull her shirt over her head and in one quick movement, Gus had removed her bra and it joined his tie somewhere in the room. They both quickly finished getting undressed and fell onto the bed in each other’s arms.
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Post by Jen on Jul 12, 2004 22:29:14 GMT -5
“That was a good lunch,” Harley teased as she kissed Gus’s chest as they enjoyed the afterglow of their lovemaking.
Gus kissed her forehead as he ran his fingers up and down her arm, making goosebumps appear. “It sure was,” he agreed quietly. He stretched then pulled Harley closer, “I don’t ever want to leave this bed.”
“Me neither, but we really need to get back,” she replied as she kissed him then climbed out of the bed.
Gus stayed in bed and watched her search for her clothes then get dressed. He finally rolled off the bed, but was in no hurry to put his clothes back on. He came up behind Harley and kissed her neck then grabbed the bottom of her shirt and pulled it over her head again.
Harley reached up behind her and put her arm around his neck as he unhooked her bra again.
“Gus, we can’t,” she protested as she put her arm down and he slid the straps of her bra down her arms and it hit the floor.
Gus moved so that he was standing in front of her and kissed her chest. He knelt down and let his hand lightly graze her hard nipples as he moved them down to the waist of her pants and kissed her stomach.
“Can’t do what? This?” he asked quietly as he kissed her stomach and his hand rans over her butt, “Or this?” he asked again as he began to unbutton her pants.
“We can’t,” she whispered, barely loud enough for Gus to hear her, then she gave in and helped him push her pants down over her hips and onto the floor.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Ouch,” Gus whined as he rolled over on his side and faced Harley who had just rolled off of him. “This floor is fine for walking on, but it was not made for this kind of activity. I think I have rug burns on my butt!” he teased.
“Maybe next time we should try to make it to the bed,” she laughed as she leaned over and placed a soft kiss on his right butt cheek, which was already red.
He took her hand and pressed his lips to her palm as she sat up and looked down at him.
“I am so in love with you,” he said sweetly as he looked into her eyes and traced her jawbone with his finger.
Harley smiled down at him, “I love you too,” as she pressed her lips to his finger as it brushed against them.
Gus sat up and kissed her slowly and lovingly then he pulled her close to him and held her in his arms, resting his chin on her shoulder.
He let out a contented sigh as Harley threaded her fingers through his and snuggled into his chest, feeling safer and more loved than she ever had before.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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Post by Jen on Jul 12, 2004 22:30:06 GMT -5
“Good morning, Detective Cooper,” Chief Franklin said as he walked into the station, “Is Detective Aitoro here yet?” he asked looking around.
“No, not yet,” Harley replied.
“Well, when he gets here, tell him I need to see him,” Franklin said.
“Sure,” Harley replied as she looked at her watch wondering why Gus was so late to work.
Fifteen minutes later, Gus finally walked into the station, a half an hour late. He came in looking more unorganized and frazzled than usual.
“What’s wrong?” Harley asked when she saw him literally fall into his desk chair.
“Good morning to you too,” he said half-heartedly as he tightened his necktie.
“Doesn’t seem too good for you,” she observed.
“I slept in a little,” he said, excusing his tardiness, “I didn’t fall asleep until like an hour before my alarm went off and then couldn’t make myself wake up.”
“Why were you up so late?” Harley asked.
“I think I had too much caffeine yesterday, I don’t know,” he replied. “But I know what could make my day better,” he said as he motioned to the hallway with his head.
“Oh yeah, what’s that?”
“A kiss from a beautiful girl,” he answered as he stood up.
“Well, that’s going to have to wait,” Harley replied, “Franklin wants to see you in his office.”
“What did I do?” he asked and Harley shrugged.
“I don’t know, but go see what he wants. Then afterwards we’ll see what we can do about making your day better,” she said as Gus smiled at her, then went to Franklin’s office.
Gus knocked on the door and heard Franklin tell him to come in.
“Harley said you wanted to see me?” he asked.
“Yes, sit down,” Franklin instructed and Gus sat across the desk from him, “I just got a call from the FBI in Washington, DC. They need you to come down and finish up some paperwork.”
“What kind of paperwork?” Gus asked, confused.
“They didn’t say and I didn’t ask,” Franklin replied. “They’re faxing me more information for you, but they said it would be within the next few days, just so you know.”
“Uh, okay, what about the Carson case?” Gus asked.
“Well, Cooper can work with Frank and Campbell on it, and then when you get back you’ll jump in again. I’m sure the station will work just fine without you,” Franklin teased.
“I don’t know what kind of paperwork it could be, I thought I did all that junk a while ago,” Gus thought outloud.
“Well, maybe they want you to sign something about keeping quiet, I don’t know,” Franklin replied.
Gus shrugged, “Whatever. Is that it?” he asked and Franklin nodded.
When he walked out of Franklin’s office, he saw Harley walking down the hallway with some files in her hands. He followed her to the file room and shut the door behind them.
“What was that about?” she asked as she put the files in the correct drawers.
“I have to go to DC to do some paperwork for the Bureau,” Gus replied.
“What? That’s weird,” Harley said, “When do you have to go?”
Gus shrugged, “They’re faxing the info to Franklin sometime.”
“Interesting…” Harley said as she moved closer to him, “Are you still having a bad morning?” she asked.
“Yes, unless you get over here in the next half a second,” he said as he reached over and pulled her to him.
Harley wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “Better?” she asked.
“A little, but not good enough,” he said as he met her lips with his in a deep kiss.
“Now it’s good,” he said as he kissed her forehead and hugged her tightly.
Later that afternoon after Gus and Harley had gotten back from lunch, they were looking over some phone records from the Carson homicide when Franklin came up behind them and waved some papers in Gus’s face.
“Your information,” he said as Gus stood up. “Pack your bags,” he added.
Gus and Harley looked at the paper and saw that Gus’s flight took off in a little over two hours.
“You have to go now?” Harley asked, surprised.
“I guess so,” Gus replied, “Until the 5th. Sunday.”
“Wow,” Harley replied sadly, “You’ll be gone for the 4th.”
“Yeah,” Gus said, “I should go, I have to be at the airport in an hour.”
“Cooper, Frank and Justin are waiting for you in the interrogation room,” Franklin said as he walked past them.
“Yeah, can I have a minute, Chief?” she asked and Franklin nodded as he looked at them.
“Come out to the car with me,” Gus said as he grabbed his suit jacket and tidied up his desk a bit.
“I can’t believe they want you to drop everything and go right now,” Harley said as they walked outside.
“I know. I don’t even really know what they want with me, but it’s one of those things you have to do,” Gus said as he threw his jacket into the front seat of the car then shut the door and leaned up against it.
“I was hoping you would come to the barbeque with me, but I guess not,” Harley said as she played with his tie.
“I guess not,” he replied as he kissed the tip of her nose, “Listen to me, I want you to be careful, okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“With this Carson case. You’re going to be working with Frank and Justin, and I just want you to be careful because these people you’re dealing with, whether it’s the Sandovals or someone else involved, they’re not going to like you looking into their business, and they won’t have any problems coming after you if they feel you’re a threat. And if something happened while I wasn’t here…”
Harley stopped him by putting her finger over mouth, “Okay. I’ll be careful, but Gus, I know what the risks are. I’ll be fine, I promise,” she said as she kissed him. “You be careful too, don’t go finding any cute agents down there,” she teased.
“Not a chance,” he said as he ran his hand through her hair. “I’m gonna miss you,” he said quietly.
“Me too,” Harley agreed as she hugged him tight, “I love you.”
“I love you too,” Gus said and kissed her again.
“Will you call me when your plane lands? Let me know you got there?”
“Absolutely, I’ll talk to you soon,” he said as he got into the car and Harley leaned through the window for one last kiss.
Their last kiss before Gus pulled away was a long one, full of love and anticipation of their reunion six days later.
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Post by Jen on Jul 12, 2004 22:31:10 GMT -5
Gus landed in DC a little after six that evening and called Harley as soon as he got a taxi to his hotel.
There was no answer at her house or on her cell phone and for a brief moment, Gus remembered that he had warned her to be careful. He sighed as the voice mail picked up.
“Harley, hey, it’s me. It’s a little after six and I just got here. I’m heading to the hotel now, but give me a call whenever you get a chance. Bye baby.”
“Wife?” the cab driver asked looking into his rearview mirror.
“Girlfriend,” Gus replied with a smile.
“So not your wife yet,” he suggested.
“Well, I’m not sure about that yet.”
“You’re not sure she’s the one for you?”
“Oh no, I’m sure about that. I just know she deserves so much better than me, so we’ll see if she ever comes to her senses,” he replied with a little laugh.
“You visiting family here?” the driver asked.
“Nope, here on business.”
“So you don’t have the privilege of calling DC home?”
“I used to, but my home’s somewhere else now,” Gus replied as his cell phone rang and he pulled it out of his pocket and looked at the caller ID.
“Hey,” he answered with a smile on his face.
“Hi, I’m sorry! I was dropping Zach off at Phillip’s and didn’t take the phone in with me. How was your flight?” Harley asked.
“It was fine. So Zach’s gone for the night? Of course,” Gus laughed.
“Yeah, he was bummed when he found out you weren’t going to the barbeque.”
“So am I,” he said.
“Damn, I’m getting another call. Hold on,” Harley said.
“No that’s okay, take it. I’ll call you later, okay?” Gus asked.
“Alright, I love you,” Harley told him.
“I love you too. Bye,” Gus replied before he hung up the phone and settled back into the seat.
“Was that her?” the driver asked.
“Yep, that was her,” Gus said with a smile as they pulled up to Gus’s hotel.
He got out and paid the driver.
“Good luck with your girl,” he told Gus.
“Thanks a lot man,” Gus replied as he shook the man’s hand and gave him a good tip before going into the hotel.
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The next day while Gus was filling out paperwork and talking to the higher-ups at FBI headquarters in DC, Harley was on duty at the station working on the Carson case with Frank and Justin. She got up and went to the coffee maker for a refill and Justin followed her.
“So I heard Aitoro had an appointment with the Bureau,” he said casually.
“Yeah, I guess,” Harley replied.
“What’s that about?”
“Um, he said they needed him to fill out some paperwork or something.”
“That’s weird,” Justin said as he picked up the coffee pot, “They usually don’t do that kind of stuff unless they’re going to hire you. Was Aitoro looking for another position with them?” he asked as he poured his coffee and looked out of the corner of his eye for Harley’s reaction.
Harley stopped stirring her coffee when she heard Justin’s comment.
“Not that I know of,” she replied then turned around and started back to her desk.
She sat down and thought about what Justin said. What if Gus was trying to get back into the FBI? Wouldn’t he have told her something like that? She was pulled back to reality when Frank approached her desk.
“Hey sis, have you heard from Gus? What’s going on?” he asked.
“I talked to him last night, but not today, so I’m not really sure…” she replied.
“Are you okay? You seem kind of shaken.”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Harley said, “I just wish we could solve this case,” she added as she grabbed a pile of files and headed down the hallway trying to push the idea Justin put in her head out of her mind.
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Thursday night, Gus met up with a couple of his old FBI buddies and they went out for a drink. As they were catching up, three women came up to their table and asked if they could join them. Gus’s friends were quick to welcome them since they were all single and each of them pulled up a chair and picked a guy to flirt with. A tall, voluptuous blonde sat down next to Gus and introduced herself.
“I’m Renee,” she said sticking out her hand, introducing herself.
“I’m Gus,” he replied, “Look, I have to tell you you’re wasting your time. I’m involved with someone and not interested in anyone else.”
“Oh thank goodness,” Renee replied, “I just got divorced and I forget how to do all this. Maybe tonight will be better if I don’t have to try to impress you,” she laughed.
“Okay, just so we’re clear on what isn’t going to be happening,” Gus said and Renee assured him things would be fine.
Gus and Renee made small talk and after about a half an hour, Gus was ready to go back to the hotel.
“I’m sorry to leave you hanging here, but I’m going to head back to my hotel,” Gus apologized as he finished his beer.
“Oh that’s fine. I think I’m going to ditch them anyways,” Renee said pointing to her friends who were practically sitting in Gus’s friends’ laps.
Gus laughed and thanked her for keeping him company, then stood up and hit his one friend on the shoulder.
“Hey, I’m heading back to the hotel,” he told him.
“So early?” his friend asked.
“Yeah, I’m beat and I’m gonna call Harley,” he replied and his friend made a whipping sound.
“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Gus said as he waved and left the bar.
As soon as Gus got into his hotel room, he kicked off his shoes and slipped into some pajama pants. He fell onto the bed and switched on the TV. As he looked around the empty room, he realized he didn’t know what to do with himself away from Harley. If he was at home, he would be at Harley’s right now and they would probably be getting Zach to bed, then just hanging out talking and maybe watching TV. He looked at his watch and decided to wait awhile before calling Harley so he wouldn’t interrupt the bedtime routine for Zach.
An old episode of ER had just started when he got there, so he watched that while he waited to call Harley. After a few minutes, he grabbed his cell phone and dialed Harley. She picked up on the second ring and Gus settled back into the pillows as he greeted her.
“Hey baby,” he said in a sexy voice.
“Hey you, hold on a second,” Harley replied as she put the phone down on the bed and put her silky slip over her head. “Sorry, I had to change,” she said when she picked up the phone again and crawled into bed. She had just gotten Zach to sleep and was looking forward to hitting dreamland soon herself.
“Oh yeah, so what are you wearing?” Gus asked.
“That pink slip,” she replied.
“Ooh, I like that one,” Gus said.
“I know you do. What are you wearing?”
“Nothing,” Gus answered.
“Really?” Harley said, her eyebrows raising.
“Not, not really. I’m wearing some pajama pants. I save nothing for you,” he teased.
“This isn’t a good conversation to be having when we’re a seven hundred miles apart,” Harley said. “How was your day?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Eh, it was pretty much the same as the past two. Paperwork, paperwork and more paperwork.”
“That’s so weird, that’s all they wanted you for?” she asked.
“I guess,” he replied, “And I just went out with some buddies for a drink, but they were more interested in some blondes than me.”
“Oh yeah? What about you? Did you find any cute agents you’re going to leave me for?” Harley teased.
“Actually, there is a beautiful blonde laying on the pillow next to me,” Gus replied as he looked down at a picture of him and Harley he brought with him.
“It better be a picture of me!” Harley exclaimed.
“Of course it is,” Gus replied, “I miss you so much.”
“I miss you too, I can’t wait until Sunday,” she said, yawning.
“Me too. Are you ready for bed? Do you want me to let you go?” Gus asked.
“No, that’s okay,” she replied yawning again.
“Liar, go to sleep, I’ll call you tomorrow sometime, okay?”
“Alright,” Harley reluctantly agreed.
“Sweet dreams baby, I love you,” Gus said as he ran his finger over the picture on his pillow.
“I love you too,” Harley replied, “Good night,” she said then hung up the phone and fell asleep.
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The next day, Gus was escorted to a different office than usual and met with his old boss’s boss, Charlie Sheffield.
“Aitoro, long time no see,” Sheffield said as he shook Gus’s hand and sat in his desk chair across from him. “How are you doing?
“I’m doing great, actually,” Gus replied. “What’s up?” he asked.
“You’re probably wondering what all this paperwork is about.”
“Yes, I am.”
“Well, it’s all wrapping up your old position with us because we would like to offer you a new one. You won’t be an agent again right away, you’ll have to be on probation for a year and go through some training again, but before long you’ll be back to where you were before,” Sheffield offered.
“Really?” Gus said, surprised. “What department?” he asked.
“Well, definitely not Organized Crime, but you have your choice of any other departments.”
“And this would be in Chicago?” Gus asked.
“No, this position is here, in DC.”
“Oh,” Gus said.
“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime,” Sheffield said. “It’s definitely better than that detective job you have in that rinky-dink town,” he added. “Why don’t you take a couple of days to think about it and let us know?”
“Actually, I don’t need to think about it. I can tell you my answer right now,” Gus replied as he sat up straighter in chair.
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Post by Jen on Jul 12, 2004 22:32:11 GMT -5
Early the next morning, while it was still mostly dark outside, Gus searched above Harley’s courtyard gate for the hidden key. He wasn’t supposed to come back until Sunday evening, but he got an early flight Saturday morning and made it back to Springfield before Harley even woke up. He unlocked the front door then put the key back and walked upstairs quietly. He just hoped she didn’t hear him and would be standing at the top of the stairs with a gun pointed at him. He was relieved to find the hallway empty so he peeked into Harley bedroom and saw her sleeping soundly. He went down the hallway and checked on Zach, he hoped he was still dead to the world and would sleep in today. When he heard Zach snoring lightly, he smiled then shut the door partway and headed back to Harley’s room. He shut the door and quickly stripped out of his clothes. He pulled back the covers and slipped into bed beside her. Her back was to him so he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her shoulder lightly. She easily settled into his chest, then jumped when she realized she wasn’t alone. She turned around in his arms and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw it was him.
“Jesus, you scared me to death,” she said, “What are you doing here?”
“I got an earlier flight,” Gus said as he leaned over and kissed her.
“I’m so glad that you did,” she replied as she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him. “Think you’re getting lucky?” she asked as she ran her hands over his bare butt.
“Thinking about it. I checked on Zach, he’s sound asleep.”
“Yeah, he should stay that way for awhile, I kept him up late last night. Of course, I assumed I would get to sleep in too,” Harley said.
“Well, if you really want me to let you sleep…” Gus teased as he started getting out of the bed.
“Get back here,” she replied as she pulled him back to her, “I missed you.”
Gus sighed, “I missed you too,” he said as he kissed her deeply.
As they were kissing, Harley’s alarm clock went off and started playing the CD that was in it.
Harley reached over to shut it off, but Gus stopped her.
“Leave it on,” he said as he reached over and turned it down a bit, “Background music,” he added then went back to kissing her.
As he kissed her neck, he pushed the bottom of her slip up over her hips and she sat up to pull it over her head. She moved down on the bed and he covered her completely with his body and thrust into her with one swift movement.
After their bodies stilled from their lovemaking, Gus rolled off of Harley and laid beside her on the bed as a new song started. Gus trailed his fingers over Harley’s flat stomach as she traced his lips with her fingertips.
I love the way you stand in my way You won't move 'til you get a kiss And how you tell me that my name It tastes so sweet on your lips I love the way you hold me with your eyes Hold me so tight that I can't move It's like everything I've ever known is a lie And you're the simple truth I know
Is it a dream or is it real? All I know is you make me feel so beautiful, beautiful, beautiful You make me feel so beautiful (Feel like I could fly) Beautiful (Across the clear blue sky) Beautiful (Baby I could cry) You make me feel so beautiful
“You know I spent less than a week away from you and I can’t even begin to describe how much I missed you,” Gus said quietly, “How in the world did I go my whole life without you?” he asked, looking into her eyes.
Harley traced his jawbone then leaned up and covered his lips with hers in a slow tender kiss. “I was wondering the same thing,” she replied as she snuggled into his body until they both fell asleep.
I love how soft you touch my skin Like you're touching the wings of a butterfly I wish we could just lock ourselves away in a room Where there was no such thing as time I've never let anyone get this close I've always been afraid But you break down every wall and yet I feel so safe
Every part of who I am Is so in love cause what I have is beautiful Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful You make me feel so beautiful (Feel like I could fly) Beautiful (Across the clear blue sky) Beautiful (Baby I could cry) You make me feel so beautiful Beautiful... You make me feel so beautiful (When you touch my face) Beautiful (When you say my name) Beautiful (Always find the way) You make me feel so Beautiful
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Post by Jen on Jul 12, 2004 22:32:41 GMT -5
When they woke up a few hours later, Harley rolled over and looked at the clock. She groaned when she saw it read eight-thirty.
“We should get up. Zach will be awake soon,” she said as she rolled back towards Gus.
“Want to shower together?” he asked as he kissed her lightly.
“Yeah, let me go check on Zach real quick,” she replied as she crawled out of bed and slipped on her robe.
After Harley left the room, Gus went into the bathroom and got the water running for their shower. Harley was back in less than two minutes and joined him in the bathroom.
“Still sleeping?” he asked.
“Sound asleep,” she replied as he reached over and undid the belt of her robe then pushed it off her shoulders and pulled her into the steamy shower with him.
Thirty minutes later, they were clean, dressed in their bathing suits and clothes for the day, and downstairs in the kitchen.
“Do you want a real breakfast?” Gus asked. “I’ll cook.”
“Hey, if you’re offering, I won’t turn you down,” Harley replied as she started making a pot of coffee.
“Umm, pancakes? Will Zach eat pancakes?” he asked and Harley nodded. “How about chocolate chip ones? I haven’t had those since I was a kid.”
“If you make Zach chocolate chip pancakes he will love you forever. And so will I,” she winked as she hit the on button on the coffeemaker and gave Gus a quick kiss.
As Gus started making the pancake batter, Harley went to the front door to get the paper. When she came back, she threw the paper on the table and stood behind Gus and put her head on his shoulder.
“I can’t believe Zach is still sleeping,” she said.
“We could have stayed in bed a little longer,” Gus replied as he stifled a yawn.
“You’re gonna sleep good tonight,” Harley replied, “Zach is going home with Phillip tonight. Do you want to stay here?” she asked.
“Absolutely,” he answered as he turned his head and kissed her then she went and poured them two cups of coffee.
“So how was your trip?” she asked.
Gus hesitated as he thought of the job offer, “Oh you know, basically uninteresting.”
Gus wiped his hands on a towel before he took the cup Harley offered him then took a deep breath.
“Honey, we need to talk about something that happened in Washington,” he said as she sat down at the table.
Harley’s face dropped as she heard what he said. She begged herself not to jump to conclusions, but she quickly remembered the last time someone she loved said ‘we need to talk’.
“What happened?” she asked quietly as he sat down in a chair next to her.
“Um, I wasn’t going to tell you, but I don’t want there to be any secrets between us and I know it would be worse if you heard this from someone else, so…”
“Gus,” Harley stopped him, “Just tell me,” she said.
“Apparently they didn’t want me to come to DC just for paperwork. Yesterday they offered me basically my old job back, but with any department I wanted. I mean, I wouldn’t be an agent again right away, I would be on probation for a while, but eventually I would be back where I was before.”
Harley sat silently as she listened to him and thought about what Justin had said told her earlier that week.
“They usually don’t do that kind of stuff unless they’re going to hire you. Was Aitoro looking for another position with them?”
“Did you ask them for your job back?” she asked quietly.
“No,” Gus answered quickly, “This was a complete surprise to me.”
Harley swallowed hard as she stood up and walked over to the sink, “Well, this is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They’ve given you a second chance, how could you not take it?”
Gus stood up and moved closer to her when she said that. “Harley, I don’t think you understand. I already gave them my answer. I told them no.”
Harley turned around and faced him, “You did?”
“Yes.”
Harley breathed a sigh of relief, “Why?”
“Do you really have to ask that?” he asked smiling at her.
“If we weren’t together, would you have taken the job?” she asked.
Gus nodded, “Yes, probably,” he replied and Harley put her hand to her head.
“Don’t do that,” she begged, “don’t give up something you want because of me.”
Gus looked at her in shock, “Harley, you are what I want. Just you. I don’t care about the FBI. I like my job here. I like where my life is right now. Here with you and Zach. I could never leave you for some job.”
Harley bit her lip as he moved closer to her.
“Baby, when they offered me this job, I thought about my life. I thought my life here with you and Zach and a job that I love. And I thought about the life I could have if I took the job, in DC without you, without Zach. It wasn’t even a question,” he told her as he took her face in his hands and she closed her eyes as his thumb stroked her cheek and he leaned in to kiss her softly.
She melted into his arms and held him tight. “Are you sure about this?” she asked after a few minutes.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life,” he replied as he kissed the top of her head.
Harley looked up into Gus’s eyes, “I love you,” she said quietly, “but I don’t ever want you to regret anything.”
“Baby, I won’t. I know I made the right choice,” he insisted as he kissed her again. “Let me finish these pancakes,” he said as he went back over to the counter.
Harley set the table, then stood behind Gus with her arms around him as he scraped the sides of the mixing bowl and wiped the extra batter off the spatula with his finger. He reached up behind him and wiped what was on his finger on Harley’s cheek and let out a little yelp as she jumped back away from him, he turned around, grabbed her and pulled her into his arms. He licked the batter off of her cheek and teased her face and neck with his tongue and lips. Harley laughed as his stubble tickled her face and he buried his face in her neck. When they heard Zach bounding down the stairs, Harley pulled away and wiped her face and neck with a towel.
“Good morning, sweetie,” she said as Zach came into the kitchen.
“Hi, mommy,” he said rubbing his eyes. When he took his hands away he saw Gus and his face lit up, “Gus! Mommy said you would be here until tomorrow!”
“Well, I came home early to go to the barbeque with you. Is that okay?” Gus asked.
“Yeah!” Zach exclaimed as he jumped up into Harley’s lap and she kissed him good morning.
“Are you hungry? Gus is making us pancakes,” Harley told him.
“Mmm...with chocolate chips?” he asked.
“Of course,” Gus answered and Zach quickly jumped off of Harley’s lap and into his chair, ready to eat.
A few minutes later, Gus brought two plates of pancakes over to the table. “Chocolate chip dinosaurs for Zach and chocolate chip hearts for Mommy,” he said as he displayed his cookie cutter pancakes.
Harley smiled at the hearts in front of her, then pulled Gus down for a quick kiss, “Thank you,” she said as Zach giggled and made two of his pancakes fight each other, dinosaur noises included.
“Zach, eat don’t play,” Harley said as Gus went back over to the stove to make himself some pancakes.
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