Coming to Grips

[Archer Keating]

"If that was it, I didn't do a very good job, huh? I'm still here." He was trying to joke but it came out sorta flat. Archer was still warring with those two sides of him; the part that was overjoyed that Chase was back and the other part that was now afraid to believe it was for good.

"It's not an attitude. Just .. never mind." He reached the kitchen door in time to see Chase looking for what could only be his cigarettes. He could have said a lot of things but instead Archer shuffled toward an end table that was, surprisingly, the only non-cluttered flat space in the place. There was a wooden box on it, black and polished to a shine. There wasn't even any dust on it. Archer opened it with a thumb and then scooped out the contents. He let the lid close with a soft thump and turned to head back to Chase.

"Don't rush the dead part."

He extended his hand, palm up. Lying on his hand was a pack of cigarettes, unopened and the brand that Chase preferred. There was a lighter there too.

"I don't know what to do with you. Part of me wants to beat you up for leaving, for not letting me know what was going on before it happened. The other part wants to kiss you and just be glad you're back and not think about the part where you might have to disappear again."

[Chase Benjamin]

[Archer Keating]

"Yeah. I didn't know what to think, Chase. There was nothing." Call it a new nervous tick, his hand rubbed over his face again as he plopped down on the couch. He watched Chase with the cigarettes; glad to be watching it. Glad that the purchase of the cigarettes had not been just a foolish notion.

"Because I was afraid someone bigger and badder had killed you for real this time." He did want to hope that Chase would always come back but Archer had enough people in his life not come back that sometimes faith was a struggle. He waved off the return of the pack of cigarettes. He had purchased them for Chase. He didn't smoke himself. Archer then actually found a slight grin for the blondie comment. "I'm going to need more convincing but you're not up to it right now. Just .. smoke and rest, Chase." The smile was finally growing by the time he had finished that statement. "By the way. How the hell did you get in here? We have a security system."

[Chase Benjamin]

[Archer Keating]

His voice was soft. "They made you; they could make someone else that could .. you know .. beat you." Beat meant, of course, kill. And Archer was afraid that could happen. He knew that Chase didn't think so and he wanted to believe him but there was that doom and gloom part of Archer that couldn't quite swallow that Chase was the biggest and baddest.

Archer didn't mind the turn in the conversation. "I'm the guy who can kick your ass right now." And he poked Chase in the arm to prove the point; but he didn't poke it too hard. He wasn't sure where the injuries really were.

"Yeah, we won't tell them. After the fight, well it was hard to sleep anywhere. They need to know this place is safe." He grinned, ignoring the part that even he had nightmares sometimes if he didn't self-medicate good enough. Of course, now that Chase was back, Archer might not need to do the whole booze and drugs routine but after having been in the routine for so long, might be hard to break that quick. He ran fingers through his hair before letting his hand drop to his lap. "You prolly could use a shower. We got a first aid kit downstairs I can go get for you."

[Chase Benjamin]

[Archer Keating]

They'll be safe here. Those words coming from Chase in his current condition didn't instill hope in Archer. He knew that Chase would try but damn, he wasn't in any condition to pay up on that promise. Archer just nodded rather than fight the issue or point out the obvious. And the tales of what had transpired in the last six months with the crew and Archer could remain untold until Chase was feeling better.

Archer shot a look at Chase when Archer's hand was caught and then tugged enough to bring him in closer. It was easy to lean into Chase but Archer didn't want to lean on him. Eye to eye and with a hand around the back of his neck, Archer's smile grew a little wider. His reply was easy and on the way out when Chase silenced it so effectively. The pressure of lips against his own, the mingling of their breath; it brought back all the good memories and made Archer not want to fight it or off a smart remark. He didn't push Chase away like one small part of him wanted to do. His free hand came up to curl fingers around Chase's neck to hold on for dear life itself. He could feel that Chase meant it. Chase didn't do things half way. Archer meant every second of it too but there was more. There were months of desperation and loneliness, hopelessness. He didn't want to care so much but couldn't help it. He kept the kiss going as long as he could and only when their lips finally parted did he whisper, "Maybe you need to be babied a little bit."

[Chase Benjamin]

[Archer Keating]

Nope. Point not made. Or rather, Point Dodged.

Archer found himself leaning right against Chase but didn't move. It felt nice and Chase wasn't grimacing so Archer wasn't going to chance moving. His forehead rested against Chase' as Archer took in slow deep breaths. The fingers caught tight to the back of Chase's neck didn't move either. He kept that hold as if that alone would keep Chase right where Archer wanted him.

He chuckled a soft laugh. "I'll find a way." A little drawing back let Archer catch Chase's gaze. His own eyes held Chase's. There was some teasing that entered his tone. "You can do the impossible. So can I."

Archer eased down so he could rest his head on Chase's shoulder but still careful of leaning too heavily on Chase. Archer didn't want to push it too much. "Did you get them, Chase? Are they going to leave you alone now?" He didn't want to ask but he had to know. He had to know if Chase was going to be left alone to just live his life. They couldn't take back the years that were taken away from them but if they could be left alone, they could look forward.

Hell, there were tons of opportunities. The garage was taking off. They could move if Chase thought it best. Archer didn't really care too much other than wondering if the crew would make it on their own. There was a part of him, larger than he wanted to admit, that was loyal to the crew too. He knew he shouldn't abandon them but on the other hand, he couldn't take it if Chase disappeared again.

[Chase Benjamin]