Confrontation - Chapter 1Odd Day
Title: Confrontation - Chapter 1Odd Day
Author: hf_pocus
Pairing: Mike/Vicki
Rating: G
Spoiler: none
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters created by Tanya Huff . All characters mentioned belong to Tanya Huff. I make no profit - this is for fun
Summary: This is a continuation of Confrontation. Mike is contemplating and confused and Vicki is contemplating and confused on Mike’s behavior
Mike sat staring at the cases on his computer . What the hell was it he was suppose to be doing again? Organizing, filing, catching up on paper work. Damn that Fitzroy he thought to himself slamming his hands on the keys. The computer beeped back then the image on the screen froze.
“Shit!” he grumbled a bit too loudly then quickly looked about to see if anyone had noticed. Some gave him just an odd look but he just smiled, an uneasy smile, and pretended to go back to his work again.
Lost in his own thoughts he did not notice Vicki when she came in, walked over with a coffee in each hand, and stood before him at his desk, a small smile on her face.
“Morning.” she said her voice more perky than usual
Mike did not look at her, did not even glance at her out of the corner of his eye, just kept his gaze focused on the screen. Odd she thought must be something super important to distract him like this. She entertained the thought of sneaking a peek, tip toeing behind his chair and looking over his shoulder, since he hadn’t noticed her yet. But she knew that she could get him in trouble if a certain superior or, anyone else for that matter, saw her peeking over his shoulder. She shifted a bit on her feet the hot cups of java becoming uncomfortable to her hands.
“Ahem” she cleared her throat loudly. Finally Mike glanced, looking at her as if he never knew her or seen her before in his life. “Uh…Mike to earth. I come bearing…coffee?” Vick held the two styrofoam cups up and offered another smile. Mike just looked back at the computer screen.
“Jesus Mike.” Vicki sighed, confusion knitting her brows. “ I know I have been a little distant lately but…I mean really and these are hot and fixed just how you like it so.” she placed one cup on his desk. “Drink it, Juan Valdez is somewhere on a donkey and counting on you.”
“Ha, ha. Very funny.” Mike mumbled glancing at her.
“Jesus, Mike is it something I did because I am beginning to feel all hurt and neglected here.” she grinned as broadly as she could but Mike would not budge. “Okay…” she sighed, lifting the flap to her own cup and taking a sip.
“I think I need to get out of here.” Mike said abruptly standing, swiping his jacket off the back of the chair. “I suddenly feel the need for some air.”
Vicki‘s mouth dropped slightly, now feeling not only confused but stunned. “ Was it something I said?“ she whispered to herself. “You want me to join you or are you strictly in need of fresh oxygen all by your lonesome?” she playfully called after him.
Mike, did not look back at her just headed straight for the door. Vicki starred at the coffee, thought of grabbing it but decided instead to leave it and catch up with Mr. Sunshine.
Mike moved briskly breathing in the crisp spring air. Daytime, he had never really put much thought into it. What it would be like to not ever have the sunshine, to hear the birds, to watch the hustle and bustle of the people on the street.
“Damn Mike.” Vicki said jogging up behind him catching her breath. “ You and those legs can sure move. If I didn’t know better I would think you were actually trying to put distance between us.” Vicki chuckled but Mike just sighed. He looked around him, at the buildings, at the sky, taking the daylight in.
“Have you ever wondered what it would be like to only be up at night?” Mike asked finally making eye contact with her.
“Oh damn it I knew it. This is about Henry isn’t it?” Vicki turned from him throwing her hands up
“Well have you Vicki?” Mike asked again.
“No Mike I haven’t . The strange and out of the ordinary cases I have been served up lately have taken up quite a bit of my time.” she snapped narrowing her eyes at him. “Please Mike let’s not have this same damn argument again.”
“Who is arguing? I asked you a question, that’s all.” he snapped back.
He looked away from her. His mind instantly flooding with thoughts of Fitzroy and the feelings that had oddly overcome him when he was at his apartment. He could not shake it and knew that it was some sort of weird attraction, perhaps something Fitzroy was in complete control of, maybe even Vicki’s emotions as well. Not that right at the moment her feelings for Fitzroy meant a hill of beans to him. He was too confused about his own, never had he felt strange sensations for a man, but could you even call Henry a man? Could you? Damn it!!! The words shot through his head like a bullet from a gun. What kind of undead trick was this?
“Why else would you be thinking of asking me a question like that, Mike? There is only one reason I can think of and I told you we are working together, nothing more.” Vicki starred at him her mouth twisted in annoyance at the corners..
Mike felt foolish, what the hell is going on in my own head? He asked himself as he brought his gaze back to Vicki. His attraction to her was undeniable, it always had been, how could he not be? She was pretty, determined, a bit too strong willed but he always liked her stubborn nature even though he often pretended it irritated the hell out of him. She never gave in and never backed down. Even when it came to Fitzroy her loyalty to him was fierce. Could he, should he, tell her he went to see Fitzroy in another last ditch effort to reason with the creature? To reason with Fitzroy to leave her alone and … just leave her alone. Should he tell her the erotic chills the man/vampire gave him? Should he call them erotic chills? Confusion was overwhelming him. He couldn’t not right now, just not right now.
“I was really just thinking out loud, Vicki.” he smiled soft at her, his eyes warm with affection. “Really, I was.”.
Vicki studied him for a moment and that look that he was hiding something from her flashed in her eyes. Her lower lip twitched for a second as if she was going to say or ask him something he did not want to hear or answer but she sighed instead and quickly glanced a t her watch. “I have to go. A client to see and …” she sighed again glancing down the street as she shoved her hands deep into her jacket pockets.
“And…” Mike smirked “Not hoping for a ghost or some other case of a super natural nature?”
“Haha, funny.” she grinned cocking her head to the side. She held his eyes to her for a brief moment, softly searching his. “You know Mike…” she cut the words off , dropping her eyes to the sidewalk, sighing heavily as she ran a hand through her hair. “ Don’t worry…okay? I got to go.” She turned quick on her heels.
Mike watched her as she walked away. A tinge of guilt filled him. Maybe this was all a vampire trick, maybe the trick is on her and I. He did worry even though he knew Vicki could handle herself., there was no doubt about that, even around Fitzroy. Still he could not help but wonder how much of it was her own will or if she even had the same experience he did. A small smile crept across his face as he thought of the electric wave that ran through him, the sensational heat, when he had sat only inches away from Fitzroy.
The sound of a car horn being laid upon and someone yelling obscenities brought him out of his reverie. This is ridiculous he thought, I have to get back to work.
***
The day had finally come to an end Although she had spoken to a few clients, traced some leads to begin her day with tomorrow, Vicki could not shake the way Mike had been acting. She knew he was not fond of Henry but there was something odd today. Something different in his eyes. She could not quite place it and had never actually seen a look like that on him before. Wow Mike has another side, how interesting and intriguing. Learn something new everyday, the only thing was, she didn’t learn anything. Even the question had been strange. Had Mike been contemplating the life of a vampire? Had he?
Hmm….was Mike about to become a mystery?
She leaned over her desk and turned the desk lamp off.