Home?

[freshoffthefarm]

Annie had resisted the overwhelming urge to spend the next week at Clay's apartment just in case he came home. As six days, then seven passed, she honestly thought she was going to come out of her skin if he didn't call her. Every night, she lay awake in her own bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering if, during that last week, something had gone horrendously wrong.

The night of the eighth day, Annie got ready for bed, throwing herself onto it in frustration, knowing that her dreams would be restless, if she even managed to fall asleep.

Comments

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

"My place. I made the bed and all at yours."

[freshoffthefarm]

She wasn't sure, but it almost sounded like a non-invitation.

"You didn't have to do that, but I appreciate it." She turned the car toward the guesthouse. "I'm guessing that you found your fish still alive?"

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

"They're doing just fine. I'm sure they'd love to say 'thank you'"

Which meant of course, he would like to say thank you but it was up to Annie whether or not she would like to join him.

[freshoffthefarm]

"Yeah?"

Annie paused at the stoplight and then flipped a u-turn. "I couldn't remember their names so I gave them new ones. I think they were happy with the choices."

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

"They're very happy fish, though none of them said anything about their new names. What did you decide to call them?"

[freshoffthefarm]

"Sal, Sam and Smokey," she said, utterly serious, blowing through a yellow light. She was two blocks from his house and she couldn't wait to see his reaction.

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

Webb just laughed, "Why those?"

[freshoffthefarm]

"Why not? I'm fond of alliteration." She laughed as she pulled into the driveway and then got out, hurrying up the steps. "I'm here."

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

He hung up the phone and opened the door to his condo, fully expecting to be tackled with a hug.

"hi."

[freshoffthefarm]

"Dammit!"

She stood there as she looked at him and then shook her head, obviously realizing she'd forgotten something.

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

"What's the matter?"

[freshoffthefarm]

"Dinner." She sighed. "I was in such a hurry to get out of there, I totally forgot dinner."

Stepping forward, she threw her arms around his neck, practically tackling him. "I just wanted to be here."

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

Webb hugged her back, "It's alright, that's why Chinese places deliver."

He kind of pulled her into his condo and closed the door, "Thank you for taking care of the fish."

[freshoffthefarm]

Annie laughed as he tugged her along and slid a look at the fishtank, a smile on her face.

"They were perfectly behaved fish," she told him. "Better than children, I'm sure, though I'm never naming my kids Sal, Sam or Smokey."

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

"Well, that's good. Smokey would be worse than Clayton to grow up with."

[freshoffthefarm]

"I like Clayton," she told him with a smile, running her hand over his cheek. "It suits you and the man you became."

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

Poor Clayton Rodriguez.

"Thank you. I think most people thought it sounded too pretentious."

[freshoffthefarm]

She absolutely had to bury her face in his chest to cover the burst of laughter. Unable to hide it when her shoulders started to shake, she shook her head.

"No one would ever call you-" She very nearly snorted her laughter then. "Pretentious."

There were tears in her eyes from trying to stifle her laughter when she lifted her head and she didn't even feel bad about it. He had to know.

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

Oh he knew.

"I'm sure everyone's called me pretentious."

[freshoffthefarm]

"Yes!"

And she lost it all over again, snickering and giggling and not even trying to hide it.

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

"Including you?" He was kidding, he just wanted to know.

[freshoffthefarm]

Annie stopped laughing, mostly, and gave a small shrug. "Called you that? Not where anyone could hear me. But I've thought it occasionally. You're definitely a breed all your own. There's something about you that's... Unique."

Cupping his face, she kissed him. "I love you so much, you make my heart hurt."

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

"I certainly don't want to do that."

He returned her kiss, and tucked some hair that fell into her face behind her ear.

Clay also wasn't sure if he wanted to know what Annie thought was unique.

[freshoffthefarm]

Annie shook her head and let the kiss linger, his touch causing a shiver.

"Did you have a good day?"

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

"I got to really sleep. First time in a month and I loved it."