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Seventeen Days of Gold Chapter 10 The clock radio came on at 6AM. I sighed, not wishing to be awake just yet, and laid there, listening to the music. Apolo didn’t budge, but I sensed he was awake too. I know he wanted to stay near me for the night due to all the excitement that previous afternoon, but I felt comforted having him close to me as well. “Hey…you awake there?” I inquired, propping myself up on my right elbow and nudging his hip slightly. He yawned and twisted his body in a stretch, shifting around to look up at me. “Yeah, unfortunately.” He replied, looking at me thru heavy eyelids. “How are you feeling?” I said, gingerly touching his shoulder. He winced, and I quickly pulled away, apologizing. That answered that question. “How 'bout you?” He asked, pulling my hand gently to his lips and kissing the fingertips that stuck out from the bandages. “Still hurts like a son of a bitch.” I said after a pause, distracted by his actions. He placed my hand against his cheek. “Thank you for staying with me last night. I don’t think I could’ve slept otherwise.” “Anytime that you need me." We stared into each other’s eyes, and I slowly traced my fingers across his lips. I wanted to hold him, save him again, to see that look in his eyes that said he needed me…needed me more than just as a bodyguard. The look that I see right now, I thought, as I leaned closer to him, until our lips touched. Softly...slowly...I began to get lost in the kiss when suddenly there was a knock at the door. We both jumped up, and I nearly knocked Apolo to the floor. Pulling out my gun, I stole toward the door as I could hear the click of the card being inserted on the other side. I grabbed the handle as it started to turn, and yanked the door open to throw the intruder off balance. “Oh for Christ’s sake!” I said, as Yuki stumbled into the room. “Why didn’t you lock the door?” He asked, regaining his balance. I shrugged and walked back to the couch, plunking myself down next to Apolo. My head was pounding too much to answer. “Careless.” Yuki said, pursing his lips with disapproval. “'Sup, guys?” Said Shani, poking his head around the corner, followed by Rusty. I gave a weak smile, jammed my gun back into the holster and rested my forehead in my right hand. I had gotten up way too fast, sending my brain spinning. I tried to clear my head, as Shani and Rusty inquired into our well-being. "I hurt." Was my simple reply. All three expressed a bit of concern until I explained that getting startled so early in the morning caused my dizziness. Shani and Rusty apologized, offering to buy me an extra orange juice for breakfast. "You stay here all night?" Asked Yuki, suddenly. I looked up at him. "Um...yeah..." I began, not too sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing that Yuki was alluding to. "I couldn't sleep." Apolo offered. "I asked her to stay." Yuki just hmm-ed and nodded his head. Rusty and Shani spoke excitedly to Apolo about all the crap that had been on television last night and this morning. Although Apolo was happy to see and talk to them, their chatter was making my headache that much worse. Eric dropped by to examine Apolo's shoulder, and the room grew suddenly silent as we all anticipated the prognosis. Although still swollen and obviously painful, Eric noted no sign of infection and instructed him to apply the salve every four or five hours and to rest the arm. "But I'll be OK to race tomorrow, right?" Apolo asked. Eric thought for a moment while re-wrapping the wound. "We'll have to see how it looks tomorrow morning." He said finally. "There's a chance you may pull the stitching apart if you strain it too much." "And if you avoid using the arm, it will throw you off-balance and slow you down." Rusty interjected. Eric agreed. "I'm racing tomorrow." Apolo stated, frowning. Eric looked at Yuki, a glimmer of pride passing between them at Apolo's statement. "I've got to clear you for tomorrow." I said, snapping back to reality. "We can't leave our rooms under any circumstances for 24 hours." "We can't leave?!" Apolo exclaimed. "Not today." I replied. "But I've got to get official clearance for both of us after that. It shouldn't be a problem...well, for you anyway." I added under my breath. Apolo looked at me strangely after that comment, but I cast my eyes back down at my hand. Shani and Rusty broke the awkward silence by announcing they were heading down for breakfast, and Eric followed. Yuki volunteered to order room service, and I waited in Apolo's suite until the food arrived, quietly watching Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries to pass the time. I nibbled at my food until I had enough in my stomach to handle my next dose of Darvocet. I left Apolo and Yuki to take a shower. As difficult as it might be, I needed one. I kept my left hand outside the curtain or above my head the whole time, thankful that the hotel supplied a moveable showerhead. The warmth soothed my aching body, and I turned my face to the spray, letting my tears rinse away with the water. I called and left a message for Chuck as soon as I got out. Searching for something easy to put on, I opted for my shorts and Powerpuff tank top once again. I could feel the painkiller overtaking me again and checked in on Apolo and Yuki to announce I was going to lie down for a while. Apolo was already taking his chances with the shower, and I thought ruefully it would be much harder for him than it was for me. Too bad I couldn't help him. I slept fitfully, and Yuki woke me up a few hours later to let me know that he was going back to him room for a while and that Apolo was currently napping. I rose and followed Yuki, quietly locking the door behind him; much to his delight I was certain. Returning to my room, I paused to gaze at the sleeping Apolo, feeling a pang in my chest at the longing I felt...and the inevitable loss. The ringing of my cell phone swiftly interrupted my thoughts. I dashed back, snatching it up to answer Chuck's call. Copyright material TMS2003 Chapter 10, pt. 2 Return to Home Back to Chapter 9, pt. 2   page created with Webpage Designer (NS)