Title: Midnight Shift: Chapter Thirty, Try Elsewhere
Rating: PG-13 [language]

Summary: Robert takes care of things around the house. Jimmy and Summer spend time together, Queenie too.





After a long day of mending fences, Robert entered the house without the same intentions as his wife. He did not want to mend his relationship with her; he wanted to end it. There was absolutely no reason to stay. Alternatively, more precisely there was no reason for her to stay. This was his home, his property. He would ask her to leave. She could go live with her good for nothing sister for all he cared.

Their children, however, complicated the whole matter. Without a doubt, he wanted to raise them himself, but he also realized that was foolish while he was on the road, in a band. He supposed if it came down to it, he would leave the band to care for his children. Family meant more than music.

He thought.

Entering the house, he stopped to pull off his dirty boots. Standing near the door, Robert listened to the sounds of the house, trying to ascertain where his wife and children were. Considering avoiding his wife for a moment and just finding his children, he pushed that thought aside. He would confront Maureen first, start the dialogue, play with the children second.

Finding her in the kitchen, Robert paused. Watching her slip plates back into the cupboard, he waited, not wanting her to start throwing dishes. He leaned on the entrance to the room, trying to find the moment to speak. As she turned away from the cupboard, her eyes went to his. For a brief moment, he remembered precisely why he married her. He felt the brief spark, but it did not remain at all. A coldness filled his eyes. He might love her as the mother of his children, but he no longer loved her as his mate.

“Maureen, we need to talk.”

Her eyes held his, “What happened between you and Shirley?”

“That doesn’t matter.”

“Did you threaten legal actions against her?”

“Yes, but it doesn’t matter right now.”

“Why?”

“Maureen, drop it.”

“But, Rob, she’s my si–”

“Drop it,” he stated darkly.

Maureen stepped forward, reaching for him, “Robert, what–”

He evaded her grasp, “No.”

“Baby, what’s wro–”

“No,” he repeated and took a step back. “No baby.”

“What? I don’t understand.”

“I do–”

“Daaaaaaddy!” Carmen ran into the room, throwing her arms around his waist. “KARAC BROKE MY HORSE!”

His eyes held Maureen’s for a long moment before looking down at his daughter, “Did he? Why don’t you show me and we’ll see what we can do about it?”

The little girl pulled back, her small hand slipping into his, and tugged him towards the other entrance of the kitchen. Robert paused briefly, his eyes informing Maureen their conversation was certainly not over. Her eyes followed him, confusion and concern filling her face. He did not give her a second glance.

Squatting in the other room, he looked over the plastic horse. Karac had not merely snapped off the legs of the horse, but its neck as well. Robert frowned and looked around for the young boy, motioning him over from the edge of the room. With big tears in his eyes, the child crept forward.

“I sowwy, papa,” he muttered.

Robert slipped his arm around the boy, “Why did you do this, Karac?”

“I no know,” Karac replied.

“Did Carmen make you mad?”

He shook his head and buried his face on his father’s shoulder. Squeezing him tightly, he kissed the top of the boy’s head before pulling back. Glancing at his eldest child, he motioned her over, slipping his other arm around her shoulders. He hugged both children.

“Karac, what do you say to your sister?”

“I sowwy, Car-Car,” he mumbled.

“Carmen?” Robert looked to the young girl.

She glared at her younger brother and said nothing.

“Carmen.”

“It okay, Karac,” she mumbled.

Robert kissed her forehead, “We’ll get you a new horse, Carmen. In fact, let’s go get our shoes on and the three of us will go into town.”

“WREALLY!?” both of the children exclaimed.

He nodded, “Let’s go find your shoes.”



Snuggling against Jimmy’s bare chest, Summer sighed contently. They had spent all day in the hotel room, naked, and mostly in bed. A soft bark drew her attention away from Jimmy and her eyes widened. They had not taken Queenie out since that morning. She slowly pulled away from her lover and headed towards the closet.

“Summer?” Jimmy mumbled.

“Go back to sleep,” she instructed.

He did not respond, but did not roll out of bed either. Retrieving a dress quickly, she pulled it over her slight frame. Squatting, she pushed aside Jimmy’s black leather boots and reached for a pair of sandals. Noticing an unfamiliar black case, Summer itched to reach and open it. Queenie bounded into the bedroom and tackled the young woman before she could do that. Worried that the dog’s excitement might wake Jimmy, she quickly scooped the puppy up and hurried out of the bedroom with her.

With the purple lead attached to her collar, Queenie strained to hurry down the hall to the elevator, practically dragging Summer along. They reached the lobby and headed out quickly. Though she did not know where to go herself, Summer followed her happy puppy around the hotel and into park. Queenie yipped at other passing dogs, sniffed whatever she could, leading Summer into the vast park.

Turning over, Jimmy reached for his girlfriend. Finding the bed empty, he sat up and glanced around the room. His eyes landed on the open closet and he quickly threw back the blanket. Moving to the closet, he looked down at the black box and pushed it further back in the closet before closing the door.

“Summer?” he called softly, stepping out into the living room. “Summer?”

Seeing neither her nor the puppy, Jimmy suddenly realized where his golden girl was. He returned to the bedroom and quickly dressed. Leaving the hotel room, Jimmy headed to the elevator. Stepping into the lift, he tried to figure out how to locate Summer. The city was vast as was the nearest park. Not only that but his young love would not know her way about, she likely would not know of the dangers of the city.

“Please let me find you quickly, sweet love,” he muttered to himself and left the elevator, heading to the front desk. “Have you seen a young blond woman with a puppy recently?”

Directed out the hotel, Jimmy traced the same route he walked Queenie earlier that day. He headed directly into the park. Stepping into Central Park, he sighed. With a park as vast as that one, locating Summer and her dog was going to be next to impossible. He nearly decided to wait right there, but realized Summer might not know how to get back to the hotel.

“Gods,” he muttered and headed into the park.

Following the path with little reason why, Jimmy got increasingly anxious the further into the park he got. His dark eyes looked around, searching out his golden girlfriend and her puppy. He stopped, thinking he found her. However, as the blond turned around, he frowned and continued.

Ten minutes down the path, he sighed and turned. Worry clouded his thoughts and darkened his gaze. Lapsed in a post-lovemaking stupor, he had lost his girlfriend. He would call the authorities, have someone sweep the park. He was a damned fool to–

“JIMMY!” a squeal interrupted his thoughts.

Arms circled his neck and lips touched his cheek before he could fully turn towards the voice. His eyes softened as he realized the arms and lips belonged to Summer. He quickly embraced her fully, holding her tightly to him. Queenie barked and tugged on his pant leg.

“I thought I lost you,” he muttered into her hair.

“Lost me? I just took Queenie on her walk,” Summer declared. “We’ve been so… busy today, poor baby was anxious.”

“Summer, you could have… you could have…”

“Let’s go back? She’s got to be hungry now too. And so am I. If our night is going to be as busy as our day has been…”

Jimmy instantly smiled, “Then let us return to the hotel, my princess.”

Curled up on the couch a few minutes later, Summer waited while Jimmy ordered dinner. She glanced over at the puppy, happily eating kibble. Queenie glanced up when Jimmy dropped the phone on its base, wagged her tail, and went back to eating. Shaking his head, he sat on the couch next to Summer. She quickly shifted closer to him. His arm slipped happily around her shoulders and he kissed the top of her head.

“I did not like waking without you beside me,” he declared.

“I’ll try to not do that again,” Summer responded.

“Wake me next time, princess. I will walk the dog with you.”

“Yes, of course,” she smiled. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course, my darling.”

Her large, innocent blue eyes went to his, “There’s a black box in the closet.”

Jimmy stared at her, not saying a word.

“What is it?”

“Summer, you do not need to–”

Before his response could finish, a knock sounded at the door. A flash of relief shined in his eyes and Jimmy quickly got to his feet, hurrying to answer the knock. The door swung open and he stepped aside, grateful to see a different person pushing the tray. Tipping the polite young man a moment later, he motioned for Summer to join him for the late meal. She skipped over to the dining table, slipping into the chair he had pulled out. He kissed the top of her head before sitting beside her.

“So about that black box?” she spoke up.

Jimmy lifted the silver dome, “Bon appetite.”

Her eyes darted down to the plate, widening, “What… what is that?”

“It’s a lobster,” he responded carefully. “Do you not like it?”

“How do I… How do I eat it?”

He chuckled, “I’ll show you how…”



Carrying his sleeping son into his room, Robert eased Karac into his own bed. He kissed the boy’s forehead and tucked the blankets around him. Silently leaving the room, he closed the door, staying just outside the door for a moment to make certain the boy remained inside. After checking on Carmen, he headed towards the suite he shared with Maureen. Pausing, he reached for the handle and opened the door. His blue eyes scanned the room, relief filling his vision when his wife’s form did not.

Heading into the room, his eyes landed on his suitcase, still unpacked. For a long moment, he tried to decide if he was going to unpack or not. The longer he stared at the suitcase, the easier his decision became. He was going to unpack – so he could repack.

As Robert stepped towards his suitcase, Maureen entered the room, “Rob?”

“Maureen,” he stated darkly, tossing the suitcase on the bed.

“Are you finally unpacking?”

“You could say that.”

“But?”

He pulled out the soiled clothes and tossed them in the laundry hamper, “I am not staying.”

“The band has already called?”

“No,” Robert responded, quickly.

“Where are you going?”

“Away from here.”

“Taxes?”

“No.”

“Then why?”

His eyes went to hers, “You.”

Maureen stared at him for a long moment, “What did you just say?”

“I am leaving here because of you.”

“What? Why?”

He turned away from her, “I cannot live here, with you. It is not right.”

“What? Why not? You’re my husband.”

“I cannot. I will leave in the morning.”

“What about the children?”

Robert sighed, “I would like to take them with me, but as I do not know yet where I am going, I know that is not logical.”

“What are you saying, Robert?”

“I am leaving in the morning. I will send for the children as soon as I can. Do not try to stop me, Maureen.”

She stared at him, without blinking. A moment later, she launched at him, her hands slapping at him. Robert’s fingers calmly caught her wrists, holding her away from him. Her angry eyes glared at him, her lips curled into a snarl. She growled obscenities that Robert completely ignored. He did not know how he was keeping so calm, especially in the face of her anger. She twisted about, breaking her wrists free from his grasp. Before Robert could catch her again, her right hand darted out and slapped him.

“How dare you. How dare you bloody come here and tell me–”

“Would you rather have a cold lawyer tell you?” he responded coolly.

“You took me on a holiday!” she seethed.

Robert did not flinch, “And have we engaged in marital relations since I have been in England?”

“Because you were shagging my sister.”

“I most certainly was not.”

“She told me.”

He blinked and leaned forward, “I did not have sex with that woman. Not once since you and I wed.”

“But she said–”

“I don’t bloody care what she said. I did not sleep with Shirley.”

Her eyes narrowed, “But you said something happened in France and she said–”

“Shirley is not the issue. The issue is you. I don’t love you. I will not stay in this marriage any longer,” Robert declared.

“You can’t leave m–”

“I am. There is nothing you can say or do. I am leaving,” he turned away.

She remained silent for a moment, “Who is she?”

Robert said nothing but continued over to the closet, pulling the door open. His hands closed over random shirts, tossing them onto his suitcase. Maureen snatched up one of the shirts and quickly tore it apart. Robert watched silently as she reached for a second shirt and did the same. When she reached for a third, his arms circled her from behind. She screamed and squirmed, trying to break free from him, but Robert held her tight. Soon her screams became sobs and she went limp in his arms.

As he released her, Maureen crumbled to the floor crying. Robert looked down at her for a moment before stepping away. While he felt bad for her, if he helped her, he might lose his nerve. He took a step away, intending to leave the bedroom and go directly to his car, to leave. But hearing her sobs…

He was not heartless. He could not just walk away.

Robert squatted next to her, “Maureen, I’m… I’m sorry. This is how it has to be.”

“How… how could you?” she muttered.

He touched her shoulder softly, “It was not something I planned, something I left here searching for. It just happened.”

“I gave you two children and did everything you fucking needed to take care of yourhome,” she cried.

“I know, Maureen. I know. I never meant to hurt you…”

“Then why, Robert? Why?”

“I fell in love.”



Slipping out onto the balcony, Jimmy smiled. His eyes landed on Summer leaning against the railing, staring out at the park. Lit from the soft light of their room and the ambient light of the city, she looked unearthly. He was afraid to reach out and touch her, to break the illusion. She was his perfect angel and he… he never wanted to lose that.

Glancing over her shoulder, Summer smiled at Jimmy, “Hi.”

Slowly approaching her, Jimmy kissed her softly, “You are so beautiful.”

She quickly flushed, her eyes dropping, “Thank you.”

He kissed her again, “What are you doing out here, beautiful princess?”

“Just looking at the park. It’s much larger than I thought.”

His arms slipped around her from behind and he placed his chin on her shoulder, “It is rather large. You could probably get lost in it for days.”

“Good thing you found me before then,” she commented.

He hugged her tightly, “Very much so. Would you like to go walk through the park with me?”

“Right now?”

“But of course. It’s a lovely night,” Jimmy replied.

She wiggled out of his arms, “I’ll get my shoes.”

A few minutes later, they walked hand-in-hand into Central Park, the puppy left sleeping back in the suite. Summer had not been too certain about that, but Jimmy seemed very sure it would be fine. As they stepped into the park unencumbered by the puppy, she believed, able to focus on enjoying the park for what it was, not what the puppy needed it for.

They strolled down mostly dark paths, under dark trees, and pass unoccupied benches. Jimmy led her onto a small bridge. They stopped at the crest of the curve, turning to look down the waterway. Standing beside her, his hand covered hers and he shifted closer.

Lips near her ear, Jimmy whispered, “Can you hear the crickets?”

“No,” she responded instantly.

“Close your eyes, princess.”

Doing as he instructed, Summer’s eyes fluttered close and she tried to breathe as softly as possible. Having spent many nights listening to crickets while growing up, she certainly knew what they sounded like. If Jimmy was hearing crickets right then...

“I don’t hear anything, Jimmy. Frogs, yes. But no crickets.”

Moving behind her as he had been on the balcony nearly an hour before, his arms wrapped gently about her waist, “You can’t hear them?”

“No,” she claimed.

He sighed, “Pity. Perhaps we should try elsewhere then?”

Her eyes fluttered back open, “No. Let’s stay here. It’s beautiful.”

Smiling Jimmy kissed her ear, “As you wish.”

They remained on the bridge, embracing, for nearly twenty minutes. Summer turned in Jimmy’s embrace and kissed him softly. His dark eyes looked down into hers and he smiled. He still could not believe she was there in his arms, finally. She was completely and utterly his, had not mentioned Robert at all in hours – not that he expected as much when they were making love. He had won her over. She looked at him with love and affection.

“What are you thinking, Jimmy?” Summer asked softly.

He smirked and kissed her, “That I am so lucky to have you in my arms right now.”

“I don’t know why you think that.”

“Because it’s true, princess. It’s very true.”

“There is nowhere else I would rather be…”

“Except?”

“Let’s go back to the hotel,” she winked.

Jimmy nodded and kissed her quickly, “Whatever my princess desires.”