Mama's Boy
Title: Mama's Boy
Author: Twilight
Summary: Fifth story in my summer writing project. Missing scenes from Cypher featuring Davis Lash. BTW the stories are continual, but you don't need to read the previous to understand what's happening in this one...but it would be helpful :)
Feedback: Always welcome
Notes: Originally posted to Sentinel Angst
*`*`*
"I could be you."
I watched as Dr. Anthony Bates sat up in his leather chair, shifting a fraction, the smooth cowhide groaning in protest. The man took off his glasses, rubbing a hand up and over graying blond hair. "David...I had to go to school for a very long time to be a physiologist and I spent years at Quantico training in my field."
He thought he was sooo smart. Always talking about how he trained here and studied for that...but what the hell did he know?
Nothing, that's what.
Sure had nice wheels though. What a sweet ride and he dressed to the nines. Where did he think he was? Not too many people to impress in this place. Except maybe that pretty brunette that worked the C Block. She's a fine thing, slim body and perfect ass...I could be her too.
"David?"
I waited a few seconds before looking up...make him think I'm thinking about what he said.
"Lets talk some more about your mother. I know you've told your story before, but since you're pretty new here, I want to hear some more about it...see if I can help you work through some of those memories.
Memories...all alone in the moonlight...
"David?"
I've got some memories all right...good ones.
Every time I close my eyes I can see her face.
See how she looked at me with disgust and then fear.
I can still hear her garbling as she tried to get her head above water and I can still see her eyes bulging as I held her under and then she stilled.
I was the last thing she saw...my mouth twisted in a smile and I felt fucking incredible...top of the world, mate.
I bet she thought she’d never see me again...but I'm a patient man.
Moved to San Francisco but that didn't help her any. Old bat didn't even know I'd been watching.
Watching and waiting, ever so patient.
She struggled sure, but as she took in a lungful of water, she knew.
She knew she’d done me wrong and I was just rectifying her errors.
Fat cow begged, all done up in a fluffy white robe, ready to get in her bath...she likes them hot and that's what she got.
"David. I can’t help you if you won't talk to me."
Hmm...I think I picked the wrong hospital to check into. This guy never shuts up.
It should be safe now anyway. It's been a couple months and the cops haven't come looking.
It was the perfect place to hide really, but I think it's time to check out.
"I think I need to see the nurse...I got a stomach ache."
"Okay, David. Let me call over to C Ward and see if they can fit you in."
The doctor smiled as soon as the pretty brunette answered his call.
It's almost too easy.
"Linda is sending someone to get you. We'll talk more tomorrow."
"Yeah...soon."
So...I started out again…easy.
The guy in the wheelchair was surprised when a nurse stopped to buy a penny bag, but even more surprised when I dragged him into my shiny new car.
Oh and Linda's taste in music...questionable at best.
My wig slipped as I pushed him into the trunk and his eyes went all big, but I could tell he was stoned.
Probably thought I was a really bad trip.
I could have done better.
But what the hell, I've been a carpenter, a doctor...that was a hoot, a bartender, a waitress, oh yeah...a gardener...umm...a taxi driver, and now a nurse.
I've lost count, but me and Adam...we're going to be the best of friends.
*`*`*
"So I was thinking...I don't mind the company." Jim sunk into the dinning chair, dishing out a helping of the lasagna Blair had just sat on the table.
They had spent the day finishing up paperwork and Blair managed to get some grading done. The past week had flown by, but he got Jim in to his lab for some testing, which turned out to give his friend a major headache...so dinner was a peace offering of sorts.
His mother used to make him lasagna whenever he came home to visit her or for special occasions, so it was one of his favorite comfort food. They even had it on Christmas, which was a bit strange since technically they’re Jewish.
Blair took a quick gulp of red wine, fiddling with his napkin. "Are you saying you don't want me to find my own place?"
Jim passed him the salad, getting up to pick out some dressing from the fridge. "All I'm saying is that I don't mind. I kinda like the company." He came back with a bottle of ranch and a bottle of honey mustard, holding them out.
Blair grabbed the ranch, squirting a glob on his greens. "I don’t know, man. I've been on my own for a long time."
Jim nodded, "it's just a suggestion, Sandburg, not a proposal. If you don't have anything lined up you can stay. The rents cheap and the rules are many." Jim smirked, digging into his pasta, sniffing the cooling sauce and noodles before scooping them into his mouth, closing his eyes.
Many rules? Many, many, many rules.
But Blair didn't complain, knowing that Jim was still having a hard time keeping his senses under control and it was his home after all and if Jim didn't want cups on the coffee table or shoes by the door, he would go along with it.
Blair took a bite of his salad, thinking over Jim's offer. He didn't have anything lined up, true but he didn't do too well with roommates. He'd been through several back in his dorm days and he liked his privacy...living with a sentinel would mean he probably wouldn't have any.
Of course it was a unique opportunity to study the embodiment of his life work up close and personal.
What if they didn't get along? Sure, the last couple of days have been good, despite the house rules.
"Umm...can I think about it?"
Jim scooped out another ladle full and plopped it on his plate, tearing off another piece of bread to sop up the sauce. "Sure...take your time."
They finished dinner and Blair found himself washing instead of just leaving the dishes for when ever. Jim dried and stacked the plates, putting the leftovers in a bowl.
"That was great, Chief. Thanks for taking the time to make it." He dried his hands and tossed the damp towel over the drainer. "I'm going to change and then we can hit the rode. Traffic is going to be a heavy near the arena."
Blair finished the glass salad bowl, carefully placing it back in the cabinet above the sink. "Cool, man. I'm ready when you are."
He wandered to the living room and looked around. The apartment was nice, a little plain, but nice. It was close to the U and the neighborhood was really cool...near the harbor and lots of little shops and markets near by.
Maybe he could give it a go...talk Jim into painting the walls or something.
It might just work out.
"Ready." Jim stood in the doorway, Blair jacket in his hand and he smiled. "I want to get a good spot in the lot...something near the exit."
Yup...it might just work.
*`*`*
"What do you think of this one?" I spun around, admiring myself in the full-length mirror. "No, no you're right...makes my hips look huge."
I flung the soft wool skirt onto the bed and pulled out a beaded evening gown. "Hmm...I don't know. I little frumpy, I think." The garment landed in the heap of clothes spread out over the floor of the bedroom.
"What do we have here?" The clothes hangers squeaked across the rod as I pulled a black dress from the back of the closet and held it up against me. "Hmm..." I tossed the dress and shifted some boxes, finding some black pumps and matching purse. "This is perfect, don't you think?"
I turned to her, taking in the huge brown eyes, tears streaming down and around the yellow scarf, her mouth moved behind the binding, but I didn't want to hear her voice...not yet, anyway.
She struggled on the bed, twisting from side to side, and kicking out her bound legs as I moved closer; dropping down to sit on the edge, tucking a few strands of red hair behind my ear. My fingers reached forward to caress the thick black mane of the frightened woman. She turned her face from me as I ran my hand through the silky soft hair. "I don't think I can do with a dye job this time."
She sobbed around the obstruction in her mouth as I gently turned her head and kissed her cheek. "Shhh...don't be sad baby...I'm just gonna clean you up. Mama will take care of you. Shhh."
I moved the gag and she screamed, but no one would hear her. Her house was at the end of the block and the Kimmers, her nearest neighbors, went to bingo on Saturday nights. "I'm just going to clean you up and then we can go see the ducks. I used to have a baby duck...he was so soft and tiny. I could wrap my finger around his little neck...it was so fragile."
I grabbed hold of her arm, dragging her screaming down the hall to her bathroom. "I would still have him too, if mama hadn't found him." Once I was through the door I dropped her to the floor, reaching forward to turn on the tap.
The sounds of running water filled the room, steam rose and curled away through the vent in the ceiling. I took my time unbuttoning her cream colored blouse, my excitement building as she tried to move away from my roaming hands. I slowly unzipped her skirt; pulling the slip away with it before picking her up and putting her in the filling tub.
"Shh...It'll be okay soon, baby. I just want to help you get clean."
Reaching into my pocket, I used the first of my vials, forcing the liquid drug between clenched teeth, rubbing her throat to help her shallow. She continued to splash and scream, but I waited, taking up the bath sponge and her lilac body wash, running the soapy sponge up and over her belly, gently washing under her breasts and arms. She froze as my hand moved lower, washing between her legs and that's when it happened.
She stopped moving and pulling away, her eyes clouded with tears and fear but full of resignation.
Beautiful.
She knew...
I grabbed a towel and lifted her lax body from the water, pulling the plug. It only took a few minutes to dry her off, tie her up and make my way carefully down the steps, looking both ways before sprinting to her car, dropping her body into the trunk with a thud.
The early morning traffic was light, and as I drove I made a mental list. I knew that once I got her to my house, I had the whole afternoon to play. We could visit the duck pond then and still get back to her place by the early evening, clean up a bit and pack.
The specialty store in Chelsea came into view and I pulled over, waiting as a truck backed from a parking spot right up front.
The shopkeeper greeted me and thoughts of owning my own shop flittered through my mind. "Can I help you sir?"
"Umm...yes. I need a wig for a very special occasion. I'm looking for dark black, cut into a bob."
"Oh, yes sir. I have a few. Is it for your wife?" The elderly man moved among the shelves, pulling out lined drawers. "I have some lovely human hair wigs."
"Yes. That would be good."
"How about this one?"
I reached forward, fingering the soft strands. "It's perfect."
"Good...good. Let me wrap it for you." The shopkeeper went back to the front, ringing up my purchase and carefully wrapping the wig and placing it in a box. "May I have your name for our registry?"
"Sure." I pulled out my wallet and laid the money on the counter, reaching for the box. "Billy...Billy Bright."
*`*`*
Blair held the elevator door with his foot, resting the box he was carrying on the floor, wiping his sweaty forehead with the back of his hand.
"Thanks, Chief." Jim hefted the small desk through the opening, sitting it near the back with the other boxes piled along the elevator wall. "I think we can get the rest in one more trip."
Blair nodded, pressing the button for the third floor. He was totally and utterly exhausted, having not slept very well since seeing his first dead body, tossing and turning on the sofa for the past few nights and then there was the funeral coming up and Blair couldn't help but wonder how long she would have been decomposing in her tub had not the call come in about a prowler.
As the car ascended he tried to get the image of Susan Fraiser from his brief glimpse out of his head. For as long as he lived, he would never forget the look on her pale lifeless face, the sightless staring eyes and opened mouth... A shiver shot up his spine and Jim shot him a look.
"You okay, Blair?"
"Yeah." The doors parted and Blair stuck a box against one, stopping them from closing. "Just tired I guess. We've been running the whole day."
They worked in silence, putting his desk and chair in the hallway, talking turns picking up boxes and putting them in the apartment living room. Once all the boxes were taken care of, they moved the desk to his new room and Blair looked around at his new home. He managed to get a futon bed from a friend and his chest of drawers made it through the fire. The desk was a gift from his mom when he started at Rainier and he was glad that it made it too.
"How about I make some lunch?" Jim backed out of the room, lifting the newly installed curtains to give Blair an illusion of privacy.
"Sounds good, man. I'll just see what I can finish in here." He sank to his bed, eyeing the boxes lining the walls. When he told Jim that he would like to take him up on the offer to rent the room, he still had mixed feelings.
The past couple weeks had been great and what little reservations he had dissipated when he got back to the loft the other night after the jags game. Jim was getting ready for bed, checking the doors and windows and before he climbed the steps, he turned and told Blair good night.
And he couldn't get that out of his head.
He hadn't had a single soul to say good night to since Lisa and Jim was a great guy, most times and he wanted Blair to stay.
Really wanted him to stay.
"Lunch is in ten." Jim called from the kitchen and Blair stood, opening a random box, deciding what to take out and what to pack back up and store.
He found a few pictures in frames and put them on the end table near the lamp, angling the one with his mentor and a Peruvian tribe from an exposition he took in his senior year.
"You coming?"
"Yeah..." He stepped out of the room. "Hey man, you're working late tomorrow, right?"
Jim carried two plates, the savory smell of steak, peppers and onions made Blair's stomach rumble.
"Yeah. Why, you got a hot date?" Jim smiled and then sobered. "Just remember house rule number eleven, Chief."
Blair smirked, taking a huge bite of his sandwich, drippings ran down his hand and he grabbed up a napkin, wiping his mouth as he chewed. "Mmhmm."
"I mean it, junior. No nooky in the apartment."
*`*`*
I watched them from across the crowded dance floor, their bodies swaying only inches apart. She would reach forward now and again, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into a different kind of dance involving lips and tongue.
Never taking my eyes from the couple, I looming closer with each beat of the drum, inching forward, dancing with a few other single women in the middle of the floor. The lights were dim and the bar was noisy, body's pressed against my back and chest, but I went with the flow, reaching up to adjust the jet black wig.
My skirt was longer than I would have liked, hiding my bigger knees, the silky material slid easily over freshly shaved legs, and the top was tight, showing off my new curves.
The song ended and the couple next to me moved apart before the next one began. She looked right at me, smiling a little as she pushed through the crowd heading for the line to the bathroom. I watched as the younger man sidled up to the bar, ordering a few more drinks, joking with the bartender, tucking a few strands of wavy hair behind his ear.
I thought about joining my newest friend for a drink, the stool next to him was empty, but instead turned toward the restroom, getting in line right behind her. She was pretty and slim, her wavy dark hair and olive skin enhanced by the subdued lighting. She reminded me of a doll his grandmother used to have. Used to display over the fireplace when I was a kid, a China doll.
The line moved up and we made it through the door together. I waited near the sink as she went into the restroom, checking my makeup, studying her in the mirror as she washed her hands and applied another layer of pale shimmer lipstick.
Waiting a beat before leaving, I found them at the bar, talking and kissing, drinking something with little umbrellas. Before long they headed for the exit, but I wasn't in a hurry. I knew where they were going and I already had the place scouted out...knew how to get in undetected.
I stepped out onto the sidewalk, walking briskly to the parking lot across the street. Her jeep was only parked a few down from my car and I smiled as Blair opened the door for her, dotting a kiss on her forehead.
She was interesting.
Worked in a lab at Rainier, spent her days playing with the primates, but I really took a liking to Blair. I had spotted the kid the night I made the 911 call for my dear friend Susan. The younger man showed up with a brut of a cop, looking a little scared and certainly a bit squeamish. Poor kid made a beeline to the porch once he got a look at my handy work.
I followed them back to the station, a risk but worth it, and had a nice talk with the officer out front in the lobby. It's amazing the kind of information you could get just by asking.
The kid was cute, charming, funny and apparently very smart. Gave one heck of a lecture on some tribe. I wasn't really paying attention to what was said, instead listening to the cadence of his voice and taking in his body movements.
It was intriguing to learn that Blair was working with the police for his doctorate and that his partner, Ellison ended up lead on the Frasier case. I planned my next move the second I found out, calling a reporter to leak some information, hoping to shake some things up, putting a bug in the ear of the department head, offering my expert help if needed, making a call to my previous doctor, letting him know that Cascade's finest were interested in his skills.
It was almost too easy...
I slowed my car, pulling in a few seconds behind them, waiting until they where in the building before going around to the bakery's side entrance and climbing up the fire escape to the roof. I could climb down onto the ledge outside the loft window or swing down to the terrace and stand along the wall with the plants, hiding in the shadows, but the blinds on the bay doors were pulled, so I quickly opened the window of the loft bedroom and slid in, sitting on the floor between the bed and desk, easing forward to see into the living room just as keys jingled in the lock and the front door opened.
I had spent the last few days watching, followed the kid home last night. The cop wasn't there, working late, but Blair was there and he spent most of his evening in the living room, working on his laptop, writing in a journal.
I stayed in the shadows of the terrace until he went to bed and when I was sure that Blair was asleep, I quietly slid through the opened balcony door and moved around the apartment, checking all the windows and doors, climbing the steps to the loft. I only looked at the cop's things, really only interested in unlocking the window along the large bed.
I walked softly over the hardwood floor, scanning the bookshelf and music selection by the stereo, pocketing a few tracks before going into the kitchen and opening the fridge and a few drawers. I made a trip to the bathroom, finding a pic with a few long strands of curly hair and shoved it in my coat before moving to the partly open curtain that led to the small room under the loft.
Blair slept curled in a ball under a heap of blankets, hair fanned out over the pillow and hand resting near his face.
And that's when I decided.
I could be Blair.
Talking from below brought me back to the here and now and I slid a little closer to the edge of the loft, my view clear of the couple kissing and cuddling on the couch.
She whispered something in his ear and then straddled his lap, unbuttoning his shirt and pressing the fabric back before lifting her own dress up and over her head. From my angle, I couldn't see much of Blair, but from the sounds he was making I knew he was becoming aroused.
Blair kissed and fondled her breasts and I could tell she was shoving her hand down the front of his pants. At some point the pants were tossed over the back of the couch and they both lay down, Blair pulled the blanket draped over the back of the couch over them. A glint of something metal caught my attention and I leaned closer, trying to make out what it was.
A nipple ring?
My hand drifted to my own chest and I wondered if I could do something like that to myself. I pinched the pebbling nub through my lacy shirt and decided that I could…already thinking about were I could go to get the piercing.
Moans drifted to my ears and I looked down to see Blair's face, see his eyes close as the china doll moved down his body, head disappearing under the blankets and Blair's mouth dropping open.
She was making him dirty, but that was okay...
I was going to help Blair get clean soon enough.
After a while, she moved back up his body and rested on his chest. I couldn't hear everything that was said, but the action stopped and she stood up quickly and pulled on her dress.
When the door caught on the chain, I got up and scrambled out the window and down the escape, miffed that I wouldn't know what was going to happen next, but not wanting to get caught...at least not yet.
Now…time to visit my dear friend Dr. Bates.
*~*~*
He shifted in the wooden desk chair, searching through the piles of papers and books on his desk.
Afternoon sun poured in his window, dust particles floating in the streams of light, making the room with its rows of shelving holding varies artifacts look more like a somber museum instead of an office.
Finding the article he was looking for, Blair booted up his laptop, mind still running in circles over the case he was helping Jim with.
He had screwed up big time at the victim’s funeral, giving always the surveillance efforts to the suspect and even days later he felt Jim was still pissed. They had watched the tape from the reporter Hass last night and Jim figured out the suspect was really a man, which totally blew Blair away.
How many transsexual serial killers have you heard about?
Something still seemed off and Blair was determined that he was going to figure it out…make up for his mistake.
The old desktop phone rang and he pushed his computer back to answer. “Hello? Hey Chris. Tonight would be great. Yeah…I’ll pick you up at seven. Bye.”
“Chris?”
His head shot up and then he was standing, moving rapidly across the room, surprised but pleased. “Lisa.”
He grabbed her up in a huge hug, swinging her smaller frame around before putting her back on her feet.
“Whoa.” She smiled, pushing her wire rimmed glasses up, brown eyes sparking and black hair falling forward over her petite shoulders. “I’m happy to see you too, but I like to keep my feet on the ground, if you know what I mean.”
“What are you doing back? Sit.” He led her across the floor to the chair beside his desk, pushing some papers over to lean against the edge, holding her slim hand tightly in his. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I’m just stopping by on my way to a symposium at UCLA, but I needed to tie up some things here and I wanted to see how you were doing. What happened to your apartment?” Her hands moved as she spoke and Blair smiled, thinking that was the one thing they had in common.
“Long story, Lee. I’m at a new place now, working with a detective for my doctorate.”
She jumped up and pulled him into a hug. “You really found one?”
“Well…” he held her in is arms, suddenly feeling a bit sad, sorry that they hadn’t worked out. “Let’s just say it looks promising.”
“Wanta take a walk?” she asked, taking his arm and leading him toward the door.
They walked slowly through the halls of Hargrove, stopping from time to time to chat, giving Lisa a chance to catch up with people she hadn’t seen in almost a year. The sun was bright as they descended the steps to the courtyard, stopping to sit under an old maple tree across from the fountain.
This was one of their favorite places to meet on campus. The fountain was nice to look at and the bubbling sounds of water always seemed to relax them after a hard day of classes, teaching and being taught.
People milled about talking and laughing. Some sat on the concrete walls of the fountain, some at the benches or along the lush green lawn of the court yard. “So how are you really, babe. You’re looking really great…and who is Chris? What happened to Melanie?”
“I’m good, Lee.” He shifted back, resting against the trunk of the tree, eyes scanning the crowd talking and laughing near the fountain. Casually he asked, “You been seeing anyone new?”
“I’ve dated a few people, but no one special. Hey, you want to go to dinner? My flight is at seven, we can maybe grab something near the airport.”
A ball rolled across the grass and a man hurried over to pick it up, his blond hair pulled back at the base of his neck. “Sorry.” He scooped up the ball and turned away quickly to rejoin a group of people waiting on the other side of the walkway.
“No problem, man.” Blair watched the retreating figure before tuning back to Lisa. “I would love too, but I need to be back by six.”
Part Two
Author: Twilight
Summary: Fifth story in my summer writing project. Missing scenes from Cypher featuring Davis Lash. BTW the stories are continual, but you don't need to read the previous to understand what's happening in this one...but it would be helpful :)
Feedback: Always welcome
Notes: Originally posted to Sentinel Angst
*`*`*
"I could be you."
I watched as Dr. Anthony Bates sat up in his leather chair, shifting a fraction, the smooth cowhide groaning in protest. The man took off his glasses, rubbing a hand up and over graying blond hair. "David...I had to go to school for a very long time to be a physiologist and I spent years at Quantico training in my field."
He thought he was sooo smart. Always talking about how he trained here and studied for that...but what the hell did he know?
Nothing, that's what.
Sure had nice wheels though. What a sweet ride and he dressed to the nines. Where did he think he was? Not too many people to impress in this place. Except maybe that pretty brunette that worked the C Block. She's a fine thing, slim body and perfect ass...I could be her too.
"David?"
I waited a few seconds before looking up...make him think I'm thinking about what he said.
"Lets talk some more about your mother. I know you've told your story before, but since you're pretty new here, I want to hear some more about it...see if I can help you work through some of those memories.
Memories...all alone in the moonlight...
"David?"
I've got some memories all right...good ones.
Every time I close my eyes I can see her face.
See how she looked at me with disgust and then fear.
I can still hear her garbling as she tried to get her head above water and I can still see her eyes bulging as I held her under and then she stilled.
I was the last thing she saw...my mouth twisted in a smile and I felt fucking incredible...top of the world, mate.
I bet she thought she’d never see me again...but I'm a patient man.
Moved to San Francisco but that didn't help her any. Old bat didn't even know I'd been watching.
Watching and waiting, ever so patient.
She struggled sure, but as she took in a lungful of water, she knew.
She knew she’d done me wrong and I was just rectifying her errors.
Fat cow begged, all done up in a fluffy white robe, ready to get in her bath...she likes them hot and that's what she got.
"David. I can’t help you if you won't talk to me."
Hmm...I think I picked the wrong hospital to check into. This guy never shuts up.
It should be safe now anyway. It's been a couple months and the cops haven't come looking.
It was the perfect place to hide really, but I think it's time to check out.
"I think I need to see the nurse...I got a stomach ache."
"Okay, David. Let me call over to C Ward and see if they can fit you in."
The doctor smiled as soon as the pretty brunette answered his call.
It's almost too easy.
"Linda is sending someone to get you. We'll talk more tomorrow."
"Yeah...soon."
So...I started out again…easy.
The guy in the wheelchair was surprised when a nurse stopped to buy a penny bag, but even more surprised when I dragged him into my shiny new car.
Oh and Linda's taste in music...questionable at best.
My wig slipped as I pushed him into the trunk and his eyes went all big, but I could tell he was stoned.
Probably thought I was a really bad trip.
I could have done better.
But what the hell, I've been a carpenter, a doctor...that was a hoot, a bartender, a waitress, oh yeah...a gardener...umm...a taxi driver, and now a nurse.
I've lost count, but me and Adam...we're going to be the best of friends.
*`*`*
"So I was thinking...I don't mind the company." Jim sunk into the dinning chair, dishing out a helping of the lasagna Blair had just sat on the table.
They had spent the day finishing up paperwork and Blair managed to get some grading done. The past week had flown by, but he got Jim in to his lab for some testing, which turned out to give his friend a major headache...so dinner was a peace offering of sorts.
His mother used to make him lasagna whenever he came home to visit her or for special occasions, so it was one of his favorite comfort food. They even had it on Christmas, which was a bit strange since technically they’re Jewish.
Blair took a quick gulp of red wine, fiddling with his napkin. "Are you saying you don't want me to find my own place?"
Jim passed him the salad, getting up to pick out some dressing from the fridge. "All I'm saying is that I don't mind. I kinda like the company." He came back with a bottle of ranch and a bottle of honey mustard, holding them out.
Blair grabbed the ranch, squirting a glob on his greens. "I don’t know, man. I've been on my own for a long time."
Jim nodded, "it's just a suggestion, Sandburg, not a proposal. If you don't have anything lined up you can stay. The rents cheap and the rules are many." Jim smirked, digging into his pasta, sniffing the cooling sauce and noodles before scooping them into his mouth, closing his eyes.
Many rules? Many, many, many rules.
But Blair didn't complain, knowing that Jim was still having a hard time keeping his senses under control and it was his home after all and if Jim didn't want cups on the coffee table or shoes by the door, he would go along with it.
Blair took a bite of his salad, thinking over Jim's offer. He didn't have anything lined up, true but he didn't do too well with roommates. He'd been through several back in his dorm days and he liked his privacy...living with a sentinel would mean he probably wouldn't have any.
Of course it was a unique opportunity to study the embodiment of his life work up close and personal.
What if they didn't get along? Sure, the last couple of days have been good, despite the house rules.
"Umm...can I think about it?"
Jim scooped out another ladle full and plopped it on his plate, tearing off another piece of bread to sop up the sauce. "Sure...take your time."
They finished dinner and Blair found himself washing instead of just leaving the dishes for when ever. Jim dried and stacked the plates, putting the leftovers in a bowl.
"That was great, Chief. Thanks for taking the time to make it." He dried his hands and tossed the damp towel over the drainer. "I'm going to change and then we can hit the rode. Traffic is going to be a heavy near the arena."
Blair finished the glass salad bowl, carefully placing it back in the cabinet above the sink. "Cool, man. I'm ready when you are."
He wandered to the living room and looked around. The apartment was nice, a little plain, but nice. It was close to the U and the neighborhood was really cool...near the harbor and lots of little shops and markets near by.
Maybe he could give it a go...talk Jim into painting the walls or something.
It might just work out.
"Ready." Jim stood in the doorway, Blair jacket in his hand and he smiled. "I want to get a good spot in the lot...something near the exit."
Yup...it might just work.
*`*`*
"What do you think of this one?" I spun around, admiring myself in the full-length mirror. "No, no you're right...makes my hips look huge."
I flung the soft wool skirt onto the bed and pulled out a beaded evening gown. "Hmm...I don't know. I little frumpy, I think." The garment landed in the heap of clothes spread out over the floor of the bedroom.
"What do we have here?" The clothes hangers squeaked across the rod as I pulled a black dress from the back of the closet and held it up against me. "Hmm..." I tossed the dress and shifted some boxes, finding some black pumps and matching purse. "This is perfect, don't you think?"
I turned to her, taking in the huge brown eyes, tears streaming down and around the yellow scarf, her mouth moved behind the binding, but I didn't want to hear her voice...not yet, anyway.
She struggled on the bed, twisting from side to side, and kicking out her bound legs as I moved closer; dropping down to sit on the edge, tucking a few strands of red hair behind my ear. My fingers reached forward to caress the thick black mane of the frightened woman. She turned her face from me as I ran my hand through the silky soft hair. "I don't think I can do with a dye job this time."
She sobbed around the obstruction in her mouth as I gently turned her head and kissed her cheek. "Shhh...don't be sad baby...I'm just gonna clean you up. Mama will take care of you. Shhh."
I moved the gag and she screamed, but no one would hear her. Her house was at the end of the block and the Kimmers, her nearest neighbors, went to bingo on Saturday nights. "I'm just going to clean you up and then we can go see the ducks. I used to have a baby duck...he was so soft and tiny. I could wrap my finger around his little neck...it was so fragile."
I grabbed hold of her arm, dragging her screaming down the hall to her bathroom. "I would still have him too, if mama hadn't found him." Once I was through the door I dropped her to the floor, reaching forward to turn on the tap.
The sounds of running water filled the room, steam rose and curled away through the vent in the ceiling. I took my time unbuttoning her cream colored blouse, my excitement building as she tried to move away from my roaming hands. I slowly unzipped her skirt; pulling the slip away with it before picking her up and putting her in the filling tub.
"Shh...It'll be okay soon, baby. I just want to help you get clean."
Reaching into my pocket, I used the first of my vials, forcing the liquid drug between clenched teeth, rubbing her throat to help her shallow. She continued to splash and scream, but I waited, taking up the bath sponge and her lilac body wash, running the soapy sponge up and over her belly, gently washing under her breasts and arms. She froze as my hand moved lower, washing between her legs and that's when it happened.
She stopped moving and pulling away, her eyes clouded with tears and fear but full of resignation.
Beautiful.
She knew...
I grabbed a towel and lifted her lax body from the water, pulling the plug. It only took a few minutes to dry her off, tie her up and make my way carefully down the steps, looking both ways before sprinting to her car, dropping her body into the trunk with a thud.
The early morning traffic was light, and as I drove I made a mental list. I knew that once I got her to my house, I had the whole afternoon to play. We could visit the duck pond then and still get back to her place by the early evening, clean up a bit and pack.
The specialty store in Chelsea came into view and I pulled over, waiting as a truck backed from a parking spot right up front.
The shopkeeper greeted me and thoughts of owning my own shop flittered through my mind. "Can I help you sir?"
"Umm...yes. I need a wig for a very special occasion. I'm looking for dark black, cut into a bob."
"Oh, yes sir. I have a few. Is it for your wife?" The elderly man moved among the shelves, pulling out lined drawers. "I have some lovely human hair wigs."
"Yes. That would be good."
"How about this one?"
I reached forward, fingering the soft strands. "It's perfect."
"Good...good. Let me wrap it for you." The shopkeeper went back to the front, ringing up my purchase and carefully wrapping the wig and placing it in a box. "May I have your name for our registry?"
"Sure." I pulled out my wallet and laid the money on the counter, reaching for the box. "Billy...Billy Bright."
*`*`*
Blair held the elevator door with his foot, resting the box he was carrying on the floor, wiping his sweaty forehead with the back of his hand.
"Thanks, Chief." Jim hefted the small desk through the opening, sitting it near the back with the other boxes piled along the elevator wall. "I think we can get the rest in one more trip."
Blair nodded, pressing the button for the third floor. He was totally and utterly exhausted, having not slept very well since seeing his first dead body, tossing and turning on the sofa for the past few nights and then there was the funeral coming up and Blair couldn't help but wonder how long she would have been decomposing in her tub had not the call come in about a prowler.
As the car ascended he tried to get the image of Susan Fraiser from his brief glimpse out of his head. For as long as he lived, he would never forget the look on her pale lifeless face, the sightless staring eyes and opened mouth... A shiver shot up his spine and Jim shot him a look.
"You okay, Blair?"
"Yeah." The doors parted and Blair stuck a box against one, stopping them from closing. "Just tired I guess. We've been running the whole day."
They worked in silence, putting his desk and chair in the hallway, talking turns picking up boxes and putting them in the apartment living room. Once all the boxes were taken care of, they moved the desk to his new room and Blair looked around at his new home. He managed to get a futon bed from a friend and his chest of drawers made it through the fire. The desk was a gift from his mom when he started at Rainier and he was glad that it made it too.
"How about I make some lunch?" Jim backed out of the room, lifting the newly installed curtains to give Blair an illusion of privacy.
"Sounds good, man. I'll just see what I can finish in here." He sank to his bed, eyeing the boxes lining the walls. When he told Jim that he would like to take him up on the offer to rent the room, he still had mixed feelings.
The past couple weeks had been great and what little reservations he had dissipated when he got back to the loft the other night after the jags game. Jim was getting ready for bed, checking the doors and windows and before he climbed the steps, he turned and told Blair good night.
And he couldn't get that out of his head.
He hadn't had a single soul to say good night to since Lisa and Jim was a great guy, most times and he wanted Blair to stay.
Really wanted him to stay.
"Lunch is in ten." Jim called from the kitchen and Blair stood, opening a random box, deciding what to take out and what to pack back up and store.
He found a few pictures in frames and put them on the end table near the lamp, angling the one with his mentor and a Peruvian tribe from an exposition he took in his senior year.
"You coming?"
"Yeah..." He stepped out of the room. "Hey man, you're working late tomorrow, right?"
Jim carried two plates, the savory smell of steak, peppers and onions made Blair's stomach rumble.
"Yeah. Why, you got a hot date?" Jim smiled and then sobered. "Just remember house rule number eleven, Chief."
Blair smirked, taking a huge bite of his sandwich, drippings ran down his hand and he grabbed up a napkin, wiping his mouth as he chewed. "Mmhmm."
"I mean it, junior. No nooky in the apartment."
*`*`*
I watched them from across the crowded dance floor, their bodies swaying only inches apart. She would reach forward now and again, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into a different kind of dance involving lips and tongue.
Never taking my eyes from the couple, I looming closer with each beat of the drum, inching forward, dancing with a few other single women in the middle of the floor. The lights were dim and the bar was noisy, body's pressed against my back and chest, but I went with the flow, reaching up to adjust the jet black wig.
My skirt was longer than I would have liked, hiding my bigger knees, the silky material slid easily over freshly shaved legs, and the top was tight, showing off my new curves.
The song ended and the couple next to me moved apart before the next one began. She looked right at me, smiling a little as she pushed through the crowd heading for the line to the bathroom. I watched as the younger man sidled up to the bar, ordering a few more drinks, joking with the bartender, tucking a few strands of wavy hair behind his ear.
I thought about joining my newest friend for a drink, the stool next to him was empty, but instead turned toward the restroom, getting in line right behind her. She was pretty and slim, her wavy dark hair and olive skin enhanced by the subdued lighting. She reminded me of a doll his grandmother used to have. Used to display over the fireplace when I was a kid, a China doll.
The line moved up and we made it through the door together. I waited near the sink as she went into the restroom, checking my makeup, studying her in the mirror as she washed her hands and applied another layer of pale shimmer lipstick.
Waiting a beat before leaving, I found them at the bar, talking and kissing, drinking something with little umbrellas. Before long they headed for the exit, but I wasn't in a hurry. I knew where they were going and I already had the place scouted out...knew how to get in undetected.
I stepped out onto the sidewalk, walking briskly to the parking lot across the street. Her jeep was only parked a few down from my car and I smiled as Blair opened the door for her, dotting a kiss on her forehead.
She was interesting.
Worked in a lab at Rainier, spent her days playing with the primates, but I really took a liking to Blair. I had spotted the kid the night I made the 911 call for my dear friend Susan. The younger man showed up with a brut of a cop, looking a little scared and certainly a bit squeamish. Poor kid made a beeline to the porch once he got a look at my handy work.
I followed them back to the station, a risk but worth it, and had a nice talk with the officer out front in the lobby. It's amazing the kind of information you could get just by asking.
The kid was cute, charming, funny and apparently very smart. Gave one heck of a lecture on some tribe. I wasn't really paying attention to what was said, instead listening to the cadence of his voice and taking in his body movements.
It was intriguing to learn that Blair was working with the police for his doctorate and that his partner, Ellison ended up lead on the Frasier case. I planned my next move the second I found out, calling a reporter to leak some information, hoping to shake some things up, putting a bug in the ear of the department head, offering my expert help if needed, making a call to my previous doctor, letting him know that Cascade's finest were interested in his skills.
It was almost too easy...
I slowed my car, pulling in a few seconds behind them, waiting until they where in the building before going around to the bakery's side entrance and climbing up the fire escape to the roof. I could climb down onto the ledge outside the loft window or swing down to the terrace and stand along the wall with the plants, hiding in the shadows, but the blinds on the bay doors were pulled, so I quickly opened the window of the loft bedroom and slid in, sitting on the floor between the bed and desk, easing forward to see into the living room just as keys jingled in the lock and the front door opened.
I had spent the last few days watching, followed the kid home last night. The cop wasn't there, working late, but Blair was there and he spent most of his evening in the living room, working on his laptop, writing in a journal.
I stayed in the shadows of the terrace until he went to bed and when I was sure that Blair was asleep, I quietly slid through the opened balcony door and moved around the apartment, checking all the windows and doors, climbing the steps to the loft. I only looked at the cop's things, really only interested in unlocking the window along the large bed.
I walked softly over the hardwood floor, scanning the bookshelf and music selection by the stereo, pocketing a few tracks before going into the kitchen and opening the fridge and a few drawers. I made a trip to the bathroom, finding a pic with a few long strands of curly hair and shoved it in my coat before moving to the partly open curtain that led to the small room under the loft.
Blair slept curled in a ball under a heap of blankets, hair fanned out over the pillow and hand resting near his face.
And that's when I decided.
I could be Blair.
Talking from below brought me back to the here and now and I slid a little closer to the edge of the loft, my view clear of the couple kissing and cuddling on the couch.
She whispered something in his ear and then straddled his lap, unbuttoning his shirt and pressing the fabric back before lifting her own dress up and over her head. From my angle, I couldn't see much of Blair, but from the sounds he was making I knew he was becoming aroused.
Blair kissed and fondled her breasts and I could tell she was shoving her hand down the front of his pants. At some point the pants were tossed over the back of the couch and they both lay down, Blair pulled the blanket draped over the back of the couch over them. A glint of something metal caught my attention and I leaned closer, trying to make out what it was.
A nipple ring?
My hand drifted to my own chest and I wondered if I could do something like that to myself. I pinched the pebbling nub through my lacy shirt and decided that I could…already thinking about were I could go to get the piercing.
Moans drifted to my ears and I looked down to see Blair's face, see his eyes close as the china doll moved down his body, head disappearing under the blankets and Blair's mouth dropping open.
She was making him dirty, but that was okay...
I was going to help Blair get clean soon enough.
After a while, she moved back up his body and rested on his chest. I couldn't hear everything that was said, but the action stopped and she stood up quickly and pulled on her dress.
When the door caught on the chain, I got up and scrambled out the window and down the escape, miffed that I wouldn't know what was going to happen next, but not wanting to get caught...at least not yet.
Now…time to visit my dear friend Dr. Bates.
*~*~*
He shifted in the wooden desk chair, searching through the piles of papers and books on his desk.
Afternoon sun poured in his window, dust particles floating in the streams of light, making the room with its rows of shelving holding varies artifacts look more like a somber museum instead of an office.
Finding the article he was looking for, Blair booted up his laptop, mind still running in circles over the case he was helping Jim with.
He had screwed up big time at the victim’s funeral, giving always the surveillance efforts to the suspect and even days later he felt Jim was still pissed. They had watched the tape from the reporter Hass last night and Jim figured out the suspect was really a man, which totally blew Blair away.
How many transsexual serial killers have you heard about?
Something still seemed off and Blair was determined that he was going to figure it out…make up for his mistake.
The old desktop phone rang and he pushed his computer back to answer. “Hello? Hey Chris. Tonight would be great. Yeah…I’ll pick you up at seven. Bye.”
“Chris?”
His head shot up and then he was standing, moving rapidly across the room, surprised but pleased. “Lisa.”
He grabbed her up in a huge hug, swinging her smaller frame around before putting her back on her feet.
“Whoa.” She smiled, pushing her wire rimmed glasses up, brown eyes sparking and black hair falling forward over her petite shoulders. “I’m happy to see you too, but I like to keep my feet on the ground, if you know what I mean.”
“What are you doing back? Sit.” He led her across the floor to the chair beside his desk, pushing some papers over to lean against the edge, holding her slim hand tightly in his. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I’m just stopping by on my way to a symposium at UCLA, but I needed to tie up some things here and I wanted to see how you were doing. What happened to your apartment?” Her hands moved as she spoke and Blair smiled, thinking that was the one thing they had in common.
“Long story, Lee. I’m at a new place now, working with a detective for my doctorate.”
She jumped up and pulled him into a hug. “You really found one?”
“Well…” he held her in is arms, suddenly feeling a bit sad, sorry that they hadn’t worked out. “Let’s just say it looks promising.”
“Wanta take a walk?” she asked, taking his arm and leading him toward the door.
They walked slowly through the halls of Hargrove, stopping from time to time to chat, giving Lisa a chance to catch up with people she hadn’t seen in almost a year. The sun was bright as they descended the steps to the courtyard, stopping to sit under an old maple tree across from the fountain.
This was one of their favorite places to meet on campus. The fountain was nice to look at and the bubbling sounds of water always seemed to relax them after a hard day of classes, teaching and being taught.
People milled about talking and laughing. Some sat on the concrete walls of the fountain, some at the benches or along the lush green lawn of the court yard. “So how are you really, babe. You’re looking really great…and who is Chris? What happened to Melanie?”
“I’m good, Lee.” He shifted back, resting against the trunk of the tree, eyes scanning the crowd talking and laughing near the fountain. Casually he asked, “You been seeing anyone new?”
“I’ve dated a few people, but no one special. Hey, you want to go to dinner? My flight is at seven, we can maybe grab something near the airport.”
A ball rolled across the grass and a man hurried over to pick it up, his blond hair pulled back at the base of his neck. “Sorry.” He scooped up the ball and turned away quickly to rejoin a group of people waiting on the other side of the walkway.
“No problem, man.” Blair watched the retreating figure before tuning back to Lisa. “I would love too, but I need to be back by six.”
Part Two