“Mind and Heart; Body and Soul”

by Kazroo

Part 4

"SOUL"

As the new day's light streamed into Jane's bedroom, only one figure was on the bed. The sheets and blankets were everywhere, including over the head of whoever was in the bed. With a start, the figure in the bed sat up, and pealed back the head cover. The mussed blond mane of John Clayton was revealed. His eyes darted around the room, searching for Jane. In the distance, he heard a voice, but it wasn't Jane's. As he listened longer, Jane spoke.

"I thought you had class this morning, Kiddo?"

"I did. I'm already back."

"What time is it?" Jane inquired, then spied the clock, not waiting for an answer.

"God, I'm late."

John slipped on his pants, and emerged into the livingroom. Nicki noticed him.

"Oh, hi John, how are you?" Nicki said, trying not to look too shocked as a half-naked man walked out of her sister's bedroom.

He walked up behind Jane wrapped his arms around her waist, and put his head on her shoulder. Only then did he answer, "Jane says I'm fantastic."

Jane went beet red, and turned her eyes to give John a 'why did you say that' glance, but all she saw was a wall of blond. When she looked back, her sister was smirking.

"I'm sure," Nicki commented.

Hoping to avoid a barrage of questions she really didn't want to answer now, Jane turned to face John.

"I've gotta get ready for work. Are you going to stay here?"

"I'll come with you."

"That's not a good idea."

"Why?"

"Well, you know I wouldn't mind, and Sam wouldn't mind too much, but there are still a lot of cops who wouldn't want to see you."

John's eyes were sad.

"It just wouldn't be safe for you."

He looked like a little kid who'd been chastised. His chin was against his chest, with his eyes looking up at Jane. She put two fingers under his chin, and lifted his head.

"How about you go back to your aunt's house, and wait for me. It won't be that long today."

"You riding a desk?" Nicki chimed in with.

John got the most puzzled look on his face.

"Why would you ride a desk?"

"It's a figure of speech," Jane answered.

That didn't clear it up for John.

"It means I won't be outside today."

"I'll wait here," John declared.

"OK. I'm going to shower."

Jane left Nicki and John alone.

"Would you like some breakfast?"

John lowered his brow, and tilted his head in question.

"OK…are you hungry?" Nicki rephrased.

John nodded eagerly. Nicki walked into the kitchen expecting John to follow. She turned back to see him still standing in the same place.

"The food's in here," she called over her shoulder.

There was some semi-warm coffee left from her breakfast. She poured herself a mug, and placed it on the counter while she got the sugar and milk. John leaned over the mug and sniffed.

"Smells good, doesn't it?"

John flicked his eyes to Nicki and then back at the mug several times. He picked up the mug and took a sip. John quickly spit it out. Hit by some coffee spray, Nicki spun and said, "What? - is this your first taste of coffee? - yeah, some of us like lots of sugar in it first."

Nicki stirred in the milk and sugar, and tasted it to make sure.

"OK, try it now."

John looked suspiciously at the mug, and moved his glance back to Nicki.

"Really," She assured.

John took another sip, and grimaced.

"Now it's too sweet for you, isn't it? Maybe we should try something else."

Jane came out of the bathroom, and found an empty livingroom.

"Nicki? John?"

"We're in here," Nicki answered.

Fully dressed, with badge and gun for the first time in weeks, Jane was confidently ready for her first day back after the suspension. She stepped into the kitchen, and John turned and walked right into Jane's personal space. John and Jane had one of those moments, eye to eye, where the world around them disappeared. Jane finally broke free.

"I have to go. You'll be here when I get back?"

John nodded.

"Good," Jane said to John, and then, "Good luck," she said to Nicki as she slipped out of the room. Jane left the apartment, and John hurriedly made his way to Jane's bedroom window. Nicki chased after him.

"I thought you were staying," Nicki said to him as he perched in the window opening. He looked down, and watched Jane leave the building. Nicki came up close behind him, and saw Jane leaving.

"You just…wanted to see her," Nicki smiled.

"And so begin the boring days," Sam smiled across the desks at Jane.

"Yup, but this one is almost done."

"Half days fly fast. I had a full day of this."

"And I would have been here a full day if I didn't have to sit on the couch downtown. Remember -you volunteered."

That was Jane's parting shot, and she left for home.

"How was John today?"

Jane got an evil look from Nicki.

"What?"

"I know for sure I'm not ready for kids. He lunged at the TV like a cat watching the nature channel bird special. I finally had to turn it off. We've determined a long list of foods he won't eat, and he won't sit still."

"Nicki, what did you expect?"

"I don't know. I've never been around him this long."

"Jane, you're home," John said as he raced into the room.

After checking her eyes to see her mood, he kissed her, and tried to peel her shirt off.

"Whoa, big fella."

She re-established eye contact.

"Later. It's been a long, slow day for me." She then whispered, "and we're not alone."

"So?"

"So, that is something we do alone."

"Oh… Can we go be alone?"

"Not right now, John. I need to eat, and maybe even take a nap. You can hold me," Jane said, holding out her arms.

John wrapped around Jane, and they clung tight.

"I like this too."

"So do I, John. So do I."