International Rescue: The Next Phase


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Re: Playing with Fire [message #533 is a reply to message #532] Mon, 23 July 2012 21:29 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
artisticrainey is currently offline  artisticrainey
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Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
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Wednesday October 24th, the Cliff House, mid-morning....

Elise hummed to herself as she leafed through the piles of papers on her table. They were all her notes for the upcoming Halloween party. "OK, we have chicken wings, bat wings, salad, some sweets, Grandma is insisting on making the cake..." She continued skimming and making notations, idly patting Henry, who had jumped up on her lap. "Well, it looks like we have most of the food all set. Just need to work on decorations and games. And I hope everyone decides to dress up!"

She looked up at the knock at her door. Answering it, she gasped in surprise. "Luke! Is everything all right?"

Luke looked at her with bleary, bloodshot eyes. "Want a dog?" he growled, glaring down at Rommel, who whined.

"You'd better come in and talk to me." Elise led them both inside. Luke held up his hand, commanding Rom to stay on the rug next to the door. The dog let out a sigh and flopped down, his eyes watching Luke's every move. Elise hid a smile. "Why don't you sit down? Can I get you anything?"

"I'd kill for a cup of coffee," Luke replied hoarsely, sitting down on the couch and putting his head in his hands.

"It'll take just a minute," she said. A noise made her turn. "Henry, you behave. Leave the dog alone." The kitten was sidling up to the dog, his hair on end, hissing. Rom merely ignored the tiny creature.

She came back a few minutes later and handed Luke a steaming cup. He took it and drank deep. "Oh, God, I needed this."

Elise chuckled. "Want to tell me what's going on? You look like you haven't slept. You're not sick, are you?" She automatically reached out and felt his forehead.

Luke shook his head and glared over at the dog again. "I didn't. Sleep, that is. The mutt there was upset that I didn't take him yesterday, and didn't give me a moment's peace all night."

She frowned. "That's kind of weird, isn't it?"

He shrugged, sipping at his coffee again. "Sort of. We're partners. He's trained to be with me pretty much at all times. But he's not a fire dog. There was no one missing; he's not trained in this type of situation, so I left him home. Then when I got back, smelling of ash and smoke, he sort of freaked out. Kept me up all night, nudging, licking...I swear, Elise, if you laugh..."

She bit back a smile. "You have to admit, it's kind of cute. He was worried about you!"

"Yeah, lucky me." He muttered and set the mug down on the coffee table. "He's done this once before. On another rescue. It was a flash flood and I didn't want him anywhere near there."

"I don't blame you." She looked thoughtfully at the dog, who was slowly creeping forward, trying not to catch his master's attention. "You know, it probably was the soot that set him off. And, he could probably smell the fire from over here. He was just worried about you, weren't you, baby?" Elise snapped her fingers and the dog trotted over to lick her hand.

"Yeah, I suppose," Luke said grudgingly, still glaring at Rommel.

She laughed and squeezed his hand. "Are you hungry? I could scramble up some eggs or something?"

He looked up. "Really? That would be great. If it's no trouble."

"None at all. Just give me a couple of minutes." Elise wandered off into the kitchen as he lay back on the couch.

"Are you and Nikki still planning on coming for dinner tomorrow night?" Luke called out, closing his eyes.

"And turn down a free meal? Of course we'll be there!" She quickly got out eggs and fried them up, adding some toast to the side. She poured another mug of coffee and made her way back to the living room. The sight in front of her made her freeze.

Luke had fallen asleep. Rommel had crept up next to him, resting his muzzle on the couch under his master's hand. Henry, meanwhile, had gotten over his snit with the dog, and was curled up on top of Luke's chest. Elise smiled and tiptoed back into the kitchen. She put the eggs in the fridge, and munching on a piece of toast, picked up the phone. "Nikki? There's been a slight change of plans. Do you mind if we meet at your place instead?"

Dom plainclothes heartbeat Luke plainclothes

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