Title: The Time Between
Copyright: 2002
Author: emmastark
Rated: PG
Disclaimer: All original TAT characters belong to Stephen J. Cannell and
Universal. This story is written for fun, not money.
Archive: Yes
Warning: Light
slash.
Comments: Please
Summary: An answer to the challenge: In three hundred words, using the
following quotation, create a story or a PWP. “Man has only one instrument that
serves two functions, and it always gets him in trouble.”
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The Time Between
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“What was I supposed to do? Play parchesi with her?”
Murdock put on his sunglasses so Face wouldn’t be able to see him glare.
“It was Hannibal’s plan.”
Murdock leaned back into the ‘vette’s smooth, leather seat. A breeze, rising off the ocean, salty and moist, ran over his skin.
“There was no way I could have known...”
Murdock reached across the seat and grabbed Face’s shirt. Blue silk crumpled in his hands. “I got two words for you, muchacho,” he said. “Decker’s niece.”
Face pulled away. “It wasn’t my fault. She looks nothing like him! Well, she ~was~ wearing green, but you couldn’t expect me to...”
“Keep it in your pants?” Murdock asked.
Face’s eyes narrowed and his hands, which had been fluttering in front of him like birds, moved with sudden, careful grace. Reaching for sunglasses (casually) and slipping them over already shuttered eyes.
The two men sat there in the car together. The sun set, splashing gaudy pinks and oranges across the sky and water, but neither of them removed their sunglasses. Neither of them spoke.
When the night had deepened and the stars had come out, Murdock let his glasses slide off his nose. He put his hand on the seat between them. “Decker looked kind of Christmas,” he said softly, “didn’t he? Red face an’ those green cammies.”
Face’s breath escaped in a warm puff of laughter against Murdock’s cheek. His hand found Murdock’s hand.
Later (and this wasn’t the first time, in the years they’d been apart), they ended up resting in each others’ arms.
When the sun rose again, Murdock was still awake. Staring out at the horizon.
Face’s cheek was nestled against his neck. His leather jacket covered them both.
Murdock’s hand lay against the small of Face’s back. Possessively. Skin to skin.
He bit his lip against the aching want within him, and wished upon the fading morning star.
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~fin~