Disclaimer: They don't belong to me. I wish they did - oh, how I wish they did...
Graham's full name was decided by the much-missed Fran in her excellent Swamp Thing/Tremors crossover fanfic Thieving Las Vegas.
I've adopted (and expanded) it as it makes perfect sense...
'I'm OK sir, honest.' Graham, still huddled in the blanket, leaned against the wall while Arcane ran him a hot bath. 'I can do it.'
Arcane glanced at him, one eyebrow raised.
'It's all right, old man. Least I can do.'
'... thank you. And thank you for rescuing me.' He shuddered. 'I... I was afraid of what they were going to do to me...'
'Why would anyone want to do anything to you, Graham? No, it was me they wanted. Though why they thought they could use you as a weapon against me is quite beyond me.'
And yet you still came... 'Yes sir.' Graham said meekly, too tired to even try to argue.
'There.' Arcane swished a hand around in the water and stood up, reaching for a towel. 'That should do the trick.'
'Thank you sir.'
Several seconds later, when Graham had made no move, Arcane sighed exasperatedly.
'Well, come on – get in.'
'But... you're still here, sir.'
'Such wonderful powers of observation. Get in, Graham.'
'But...'
'Get in.'
Graham shuffled over to the bath and tried to climb in without revealing too much of his body, and finally managed to settle himself in the tub, knees drawn up. Arcane watched him coolly, then patted his shoulder.
'Well done, old man. Now, are you safe to be left? You aren't going to fall asleep and drown, are you.'
'No, Doctor Arcane. I promise.'
'Good show. I need to get back to the lab – this has thrown my schedule right off.' He straightened. 'I'll see you there later. Unless... do you need to rest?'
'I... I'd like that, sir.'
Arcane scowled, then obviously relented, although with very bad grace.
'Oh very well. Better than having you tripping over things or dropping beakers. I'll see you tomorrow. First thing.'
'Yes sir. Thank you.'
He watched as Arcane left, then finally relaxed, stretching out in the hot water and resting his head on the end of the bath. He closed his eyes with a sigh. Of course it was too much to expect any sympathy from the Doctor...
The memory of big and ugly trying to fuck his mouth came back with a sick shock of fear, and he flailed upright, gagging, clamping his hands over his mouth.
shit shit shit... That was going to give him nightmares for days. He pulled himself upright and dripped over to the washbasin, grabbing for his toothbrush and scrubbing hard enough to make his gums bleed, then almost drowning himself in mouthwash before stumbling back to the bath to scrub every inch of his body, trying to wash away the memory of the other thug's hands all over him. Forced to stop, eventually, when it became too painful to continue, he dragged himself out of the water and wrapped himself in a voluminous towel, patting gently at raw, smarting skin.
He turned to scrutinise himself in the mirror, not at all happy with what he saw. At best he could only be called plain – at worst... well, he wasn't grossly ugly, but... Thinning hair on his head, thick hair on his body, kind of a shapeless sort of face... He swallowed past the sudden lump in his throat and rubbed at his eyes.
He had to face it. His unrequited love – and lust – for the Doctor was going to stay unrequited. Arcane liked beautiful things, and beautiful women. Graham didn't stand a chance. He was useful occasionally, nothing more.
Miserably he half-heartedly finished drying himself, dropped the towel and dragged himself off to bed.
He dreamed of being tied naked to a chair while a vast parade of vague forms pointed and laughed at him...
'Sir?'
Graham jolted awake with a gasp of fear. Someone was in his room! He rolled onto his back and yanked the duvet up to his neck – and then realised that the voice belonged to sergeant Scott.
'Oh shit...'
Scott frowned and stepped back a pace.
'I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to startle you.
Graham took a deep calming breath, swallowed hard, then eyed the man.
'Wh... what are you doing here?'
Scott smiled self-deprecatingly.
'Overstepping my bounds, obviously. I'm sorry sir: you didn't answer your intercom and I have standing instructions to make sure you're OK. It seemed best to me to visit in person.'
'Oh... OK... Well, I'm fine.'
'I can see that.' Scott saluted again. 'I'll leave you in peace, sir. Perhaps later, if you have a few minutes, we can discuss the matter of your personal guard?'
Graham stared, bewildered, then remembered. Arcane had agreed he should have armed protection.
'Sure. Maybe lunchtime?'
Scott nodded.
'Shall I come collect you, sir?'
'Well, I'll be with Doctor Arcane...'
'No problem, sir. He's already authorised it. I'll see you at 12.30.' He smiled. It was a very nice smile, Graham noticed. 'Have a good day, sir.'
He saluted again and headed for the elevator, leaving Graham staring after him, bemused...
'And about bloody time!'
Graham cringed. Apparently whatever the Doctor was working on right now wasn't going too well.
'Sorry sir.'
'Just get me a replacement homogeniser. This one's blown a fuse.'
'Right away, Doctor Arcane.'
Grateful that – knowing Arcane's propensity for mistreating lab equipment – he'd made a point of ordering spares of everything, Graham made his way swiftly to the store, found the homogeniser and returned to the lab with all due speed, setting up the machine then moving out of Arcane's way. Today seemed to be his day to simply listen to the Doctor's meandering thoughts and fetch and carry anything Arcane wanted...
He jumped when the intercom sounded, answering it when Arcane snarled at him to get a move on. It was Scott, announcing his imminent arrival. Moments later he stepped out of the elevator and smiled at Graham.
'Time for our meeting, sir.'
Arcane looked up from the row of test-tubes and frowned.
'What meeting?'
Scott saluted.
'I have a meeting scheduled with Mr Graham, sir, to organise his security.'
'Well he's busy right now. It'll have to wait.'
'Sir, you already authorised it.'
Arcane scowled.
'Did I? Remiss of me.' He glowered at his flinching assistant. 'You'd better go then. Back here in half an hour – no later.'
'Yes sir. Thank you, Doctor.'
Scott guided Graham to the staff restaurant and sat him down with a mug of coffee and a chicken sandwich, then swivelled a chair around and sat on it backwards, arms resting on the back.
'How are you doing, sir? Any after effects?'
'Apart from the nightmares?'
'Ah. Yes. That's to be expected, I suppose. It was a very unpleasant position to be in.'
Graham flushed red and lowered his face.
'It was bloody embarrassing.'
Scott patted his shoulder kindly.
'No-one blames you, sir.'
Graham took a swallow of his coffee, nearly burning his mouth, then eyed the sergeant, desperate to change the subject.
'So, what about this guard?'
Scott pursed his lips.
'I'd suggest lieutenant Yiu. He has martial arts training in addition to being a fine marksman – and he's a nice guy. Friendly without being too forward.' He held Graham's gaze, perhaps a fraction too long. 'Unfortunately my duties prevent me from taking on the task myself.'
Graham stared at him, then nodded.
'Yeah, that's a shame. I'd feel safe with you.'
Scott blinked – but Graham seemed to mean it quite innocently. Maybe.
Unfortunately. Scott smiled. He was a funny little sod, but rather cute in his own way. Nice eyes. Not to mention his other... assets. The sergeant's mind drifted of its own accord, wondering what Graham would be like in bed... He shook himself. He'd really better check that Arcane hadn't claimed ownership before trying anything himself.
'I'll have him report in now, so you can meet him. If that's OK with you, sir.'
'Sure.'
Scott reached for his radio, and a few minutes later lieutenant Yiu approached their table, snapping to attention and saluting.
Graham relaxed. Yiu was much smaller and less intimidating than the sergeant, lean and wiry and with a slightly dangerous air that was somehow belied by his seemingly permanent half-smile and the amused glint in his eyes.
'Sit down, lieutenant.'
Yiu seated himself and smiled at Graham.
'Hello sir.'
'Uh, hi...'
Yiu swung his attention to Scott.
'OK sir. How far should my duties go?'
'That'll be up to Mr Graham. Basic duties are to ensure daily that his suite is safe, to accompany him while in the complex and to make sure he's sufficiently well guarded should he need to travel off-base. To that end, call on extra hands as needed. As in the Doctor's case, you shouldn't enter the labs or other working areas unless requested to do so – you don't want to get in anyone's way or disrupt the work.'
Yiu grinned.
'Yes sir.' He eyed Graham, his head tilted to one side. 'Happy to be working on your behalf, sir.'
Scott glanced at his watch and growled, then smiled at the assistant.
'Time to be getting back to the lab, sir. Don't want to incur the Doctor's wrath.'
Graham pouted.
'Wouldn't be the first time...' He rose to his feet, immediately followed by Yiu. 'Thank you, sergeant.'
'Only doing our job, sir. Go safely now.'
Yiu walked at Graham's side back to the labs, seemingly relaxed, but it didn't escape the assistant's notice that he kept a keenly alert lookout all the way. At the main entrance he saluted and took his position at the door. Graham hesitated.
'You don't need to hang around, you know. I don't know when I'll be finishing. I can always call for you later.'
'Oh, that's OK sir. I'll take my turn at main guard duty with the others, and meet you here when you're ready. Although I will check over your suite later, just to make sure everything's OK.'
'Um, right. Well, I'll see you later then. I'll probably need to make dinner for Doctor Arcane this evening...'
'Then I'll escort you to the kitchens and back, sir, when you're ready.'
'Thanks...'
Bewildered and bemused, Graham made his way back down to the Doctor's lab. Arcane scowled at him.
'I notice you didn't bring me back any lunch, Graham...'
Sighing silently, Graham got back into the elevator.
Yiu watched as Graham deftly employed knives, pans and a variety of ingredients to create another culinary masterpiece.
'That looks extremely good. What do you call them?'
'They're nothing special. Roast beef wraps with horseradish mustard and a salald of mizuna leaves and cherry tomatoes.'
Yiu made an appreciative sound.
'Do you cook for him a lot?'
'Yeah.' Graham answered without looking up from the finishing touches. 'I like cooking, and this way at least I can make sure he eats something.'
Yiu chuckled.
'Gets caught up in his work and forgets, yes?'
Graham grinned.
'Yeah.'
'He's lucky he has you to look after him.'
'It's an honour. He's a great man.' Graham slipped the meal into the insulated box and turned to Yiu. 'All ready.'
'Then let us return and make sure the great man doesn't faint from hunger...'
Yiu accompanied Graham down to the lab and watched as the meal was unloaded, then saluted and headed back up to ground level. Arcane watched him go, frowning.
'Who was that?'
'Lieutenant Yiu. He's my guard.'
'I see.' Arcane eyed his assistant thoughtfully as Graham set his meal down on a convenient cleared space on the bench. 'He seems... very pleasant.'
Graham grinned enthusiastically.
'He is, sir!'
'Oh.... Good...'
The afternoon passed in relative peace. Arcane restricted his insults to the occasional verbal jab when Graham was perhaps a tad slower than the Doctor really wanted, and the current experiments proved fruitful, so he was in a good mood come six o'clock, clapping his assistant on the shoulder cheerfully.
'A good day's work Graham. I think we can call it a day there.' He grinned. 'What's for dinner?'
'I... I haven't thought yet, sir.'
'I'm fancying something... Chinese tonight.'
'I'm sure I can find something nice, sir.'
'Good. Well, chop chop old man! I'll be in my quarters.'
'Yes sir.' Graham said wearily to the Doctor's departing back. It would be nice to be able to get some of my own work done, one of these days...
Who was he kidding. His main purpose was to assist his Doctor, he recognised that. He sighed, resigned, and headed for the kitchens.
Yiu was waiting for him at the entrance, and fell easily into step as they walked across the complex.
'Successful day?'
'Yeah – not bad.'
'Good... and what are you planning to make the good Doctor tonight?'
'He wants Chinese.'
'Ah. Perhaps I can help, there?'
Graham nodded pensively.
'Advice is always welcome.'
'And after you've fed him, perhaps we could eat together? I'd be very interested in hearing what you're working on at the moment. Not in any detail, of course, sir – just what you can tell me.' He grinned. 'If nothing else, it would be good to know if it poses any personal danger to you!'
The Szechwan Chicken was well-received, but Graham didn't linger to hear the Doctor's comments...
It felt very strange to actually sit with someone else and eat at a table: sometimes Graham felt he'd not had a proper meal in months. And Yiu was very pleasant to talk to.
'So, duty first. Are you engaged in anything that could be considered dangerous at present?'
Graham shook his head.
'Doctor Arcane doesn't trust anyone to handle anything really dangerous or important – he does all that himself. And my own research is very mild stuff. Not that I get much chance to do any.'
Yiu inclined his head.
'So you have your own projects too?'
'Yeah, when I can fit them in. But I'm primarily Doctor Arcane's assistant. His research always comes first.'
'That must be frustrating.'
'Sometimes. But it's an honour to work under Doctor Arcane.'
'He's a most impressive man.'
Graham grinned and nodded.
'A genius.'
'What do you do to relax?'
'We don't get much time for relaxation.'
'But you must get some time off, surely?'
'Doctor Arcane is totally dedicated to his work. Though occasionally he goes out to dinner with a lady-friend.'
Yiu kept his expression impassive. Sergeant Scott would be most interested to hear that – if only from the angle of providing security for Arcane and any such companion. 'You aren't invited?'
Graham's expression and 'no...' was wistful. Yiu nodded, carefully noting the information for later scrutiny.
'That seems a little unfair, after all you do for him.'
Graham shrugged.
'Goes with the job. I'm really not much more than a technician.'
'But without you he wouldn't be able to function. Well, nothing like as efficiently, anyway, would he?'
'Well, true...' He frowned pensively for a moment. 'Lieutenant Yiu...'
'Please, sir, call me Tony. It's shorter!'
Graham chuckled.
'OK, but then you should call me Graham. When I'm off duty, anyway.'
'Mr Graham. OK.' He quirked an eyebrow. 'Just out of interest, what's your first name?'
'Graham.'
'Graham Graham?'
Graham sighed.
'Yeah. Family tradition – I'm really Graham Graham the Third. My folks weren't very imaginative.'
'I like it. It has a certain noble simplicity.' Graham stared, blushing faintly, but Yiu seemed serious. 'So what do you do when you have a moment to relax – other than try to catch up with your own research, that is?'
Graham eyed him warily. Should he tell the guard? If Arcane ever found out... Ah hell, why not? He kept his voice very low.
'Give me your word you won't tell the Doctor?'
Eyes widening, Yiu nodded.
'I swear.'
'I... I play guitar. Though I'm not very good.'
Yiu nodded understandingly.
'Acoustic?'
'No – electric.'
The guard stared, having difficulty reconciling the reserved, somewhat nervous assistant with a musician of any sort, let alone a guitarist.
'I see... You play pop music? Rock? ... country and western?'
Graham blushed a deep red.
'Heavy metal.'
Yiu's eyebrows climbed.
'Mr Graham, you are a dark horse indeed!'
'There's something about the power of the music, that deep throbbing beat... it just... I dunno, it just gets right down into me...'
'Favourites?'
'Sabbath, Deep Purple, Rainbow – Zeppelin, of course.'
Yiu grinned.
'The classics.'
Graham grinned back.
'Yeah...'
'Ever thought of getting a band together?'
'God, no! I'm nowhere good enough to even dream of that!'
'Just for fun then.'
Graham sighed and smiled.
'Yeah. Because it feels good.'
'Good for you. And your secret's safe with me.' Yiu glanced at his watch. 'Do you have anything else planned this evening?'
'No.' Graham ran a hand over suddenly weary eyes. 'Need an early night, I think.'
'A wise decision. I'll escort you back...'
Yawning, Graham stepped out of his suite – to be confronted by a fully-dressed and cracklingly awake Yiu. Startled, he stepped back a pace. Yiu saluted him with a grin: Graham's jaw dropped.
'You've... you have't been out here all night, have you?'
Yiu laughed.
'No, sir. I have the room next door. We've installed a small alarm that will alert me when your alarm goes off. That way I can be ready to accompany you wherever you need to be without delay.
'Oh. Well, good, I guess.'
Yiu nodded.
'Breakfast, sir?'
'Um... I really ought to get down to the lab...'
'Wouldn't you work better if you have a little protein and caffeine first, sir? You can always take some breakfast down to the good Doctor afterwards.'
'Yeah... yeah, I think I will.'
Yiu clapped him lightly on the shoulder.
'Good man.'
Arcane scowled as Graham exited the elevator.
'This tardiness is simply unacceptable, Graham.'
Graham grinned at him and slid hot buttered croissants, a flask of freshly brewed Perugia, and a small plate of scrambled eggs with smoked salmon out of the insulated container, arranging them artfully on the workbench.
'Yes sir. Sorry sir. Breakfast sir.'
Taken aback, both by his assistant's cheerfulness and his complete disregard of the rebuke, Arcane dithered for a moment, unsure of what to say next. Then the aroma of the meal hit his senses and he was too busy trying not to drool to think of anything apt as a follow up.
'Well.... this is a surprise, I must say.'
'Lieutenant Yiu suggested I might work better with some protein in me first thing. I thought you might appreciate it too.'
'Uh... good thinking, old chap.' Lieutenant Yiu again? Was Graham developing some sort of a crush on the man?? Unthinkable!
Arcane seated himself, flipped open the fine lawn napkin Graham had thoughtfully provided, and took a sip of the coffee.
Perfect. He nodded at his assistant.
'You're forgiven. We still have a lot to get done today though...'
'I know sir. Don't worry – I'm all yours. Until you want lunch, anyway.'
Arcane glanced surreptitiously at his assistant, frowning. Graham was uncommonly happy this morning, actually humming quietly and tunefully under his breath as he worked. What had brought this on? By rights he should still be feeling the after-effects of his treatment at the hands of Woodrue's thugs. And Arcane's insults had had practically no effect, sliding off the man like the proverbial water off the proverbial duck's back.
It was unsettling. It was a reversal of the normal state of the universe. Arcane didn't like it.
'Oh, will you stop that infernal noise and go and get me some lunch, dammit!'
'Sure, sir. Anything in particular you fancy?'
There were a number of possible answers to this, including 'your balls on a silver platter', but Arcane felt more like leaving Graham free to create and then finding fault with the results.
'Surprise me.'
'OK sir. I'll be back in a bit.'
Yiu was, as ever, waiting for him at the elevator exit.
'Lunch time?'
Graham nodded, grinning.
'Yeah.'
Yiu smiled back.
'Good. I'm hungry!'
'I gotta make the Doctor's lunch as well.'
'Of course, sir. But surely you can eat first. You'll be more creative after refuelling.'
'Well, yeah, that makes sense.'
'Do you mind if I join you?'
'Course not!'
Yiu grinned and ushered his charge to the staff restaurant...
'You have a very busy life, Graham. No time for any romance?'
Graham sighed and rested his face in his cupped hand, stirring his coffee disconsolately.
'Never really met anyone I fancied enough to try chatting up. And I'm hardly the greatest catch in the world.'
'Oh, I don't know. You're fit, intelligent, loyal, hardworking – a great cook!' Yiu's eyes twinkled. 'I think you'd make a great partner for the right person. I'm not sure Doctor Arcane is the right person though.'
Graham heaved another sigh.
'All I am is a verbal punching bag to him. A gofer. Not even a sounding board, more like an echo chamber.'
Yiu watched him closely, touched by the sadness in his eyes. He kept his voice very soft.
'It's never easy when you love someone who doesn't return the feeling.'
Graham shrugged, lost in his own misery.
'And he never will...' Suddenly realising what he'd let slip, he flushed deep red and stuttered. 'I... I mean... he... I...'
Yiu laid a calming hand on his wrist.
'It's OK, sir. I know what it's like to love and admire someone so intensely. It's nothing to be embarrassed about.'
Graham hid his face in his hands.
'Oh god. Is it that obvious?'
'Actually you hide it quite well. But I do feel so sorry that he doesn't reciprocate. Is there anything we can do to make it easier for you?'
Graham eyed him warily.
'Like what?'
'Well... I am supposed to look after you, sir. After hours as well as on duty...'
Graham stared uncomprehendingly. Yiu reached out and stroked a finger down his cheek, absently noting he needed a shave.
'And to tend to your... needs...'
Graham swallowed, and it wasn't lost on Yiu that he unconsciously leaned into the gentle caress. Then the assistant pulled back, lowering his eyes and colouring again.
'I... can't... I mustn't...'
'Why not, Graham?'
'I'm... I mean, I...'
Yiu briefly cupped his face in a strong, capable hand.
'I'm not pushing sir. The offer is there, any time you want to take it up.' He gently pulled his hand away, gazing into large, startled blue eyes. 'I know what it's like to be lonely.'
Graham nodded, expression oddly wistful, then sighed and shook himself.
'Better make the Doctor's lunch.'
Yiu smiled.
'What do you have planned?'
Arcane glowered at his assistant.
'About bloody time! Where the hell do you think you've been?'
Without speaking Graham unpacked the Doctor's lunch, placing the plate of wafer-thin grilled duck with water chestnuts, finely sliced orange, shitake mushrooms mixed with wild rice in a honey and ginger dressing in the usual place on the workbench – then looked up at the Doctor. Arcane was startled to see a touch of sullenness in his expression.
'Sorry sir. Lunch took a bit longer to make than normal.'
'It had better be bloody worth it!'
Graham gestured at the plate. Arcane seated himself with a scowl and shoved a forkful into his mouth.
Almost moaning orgasmically as the exquisite combination of flavours exploded on his tongue. He closed his eyes, the better to savour the meal.
Then remembered he was supposed to be annoyed with his assistant. He put his fork down and glared at Graham.
'Not up to your usual standard, is it Graham?'
Stony-faced, Graham reached out for the plate.
'If you don't like it, sir...'
Arcane slapped his hand away.
'Leave it. It's too late to organise something else now, and I need to eat. Just... go and make yourself useful in the botany lab.'
Yiu accompanied him, frowning at the surly expression on his face.
'Sir – are you OK? Did the Doctor not like his meal?'
Graham snarled something inarticulate, then halted, rubbing at his face.
'Ungrateful bastard.'
Yiu nearly dropped his rifle.
'Uh, sir...?'
Graham reddened and bit his lip, flinching and pulling his head down between his shoulders.
'Shouldn't have said that...'
'No-one heard but me, sir. And I'm not going to repeat anything I hear.'
Graham nodded absently, then resumed his trudge over to the botanics section, Yiu keeping pace at his side. For a while they walked in silence, then Graham glanced at his guard.
'I'm not really useless, am I?'
'Not from what I've seen and heard, sir, no. Anything but.'
'Then why does he...' His voice trailed off as he frowned, deep in thought. Yiu waited patiently to hear what came next, but Graham was silent. At the botany lab he sighed and turned to Yiu.
'You'd better wait here. We're working on some weird stuff at the moment: I've been immunised, but you haven't...'
Yiu saluted him crisply.
'Yes sir. I'll remain in position until you order otherwise.'
The lieutenant watched, a little sadly, as Graham made his way through the airlock, then positioned himself at the entrance, alert for danger and waiting until his charge reappeared.
It gave him several hours to ponder on the enigma that was Graham...
Arcane laid aside his fork with a satisfied sigh. That really had been exceptionally good. Perhaps he had been too hard on Graham...
Then again, it appeared Graham's attention was wavering. It needed to be solely focussed on Arcane and the work they were trying to accomplish here. It was vital work, world-changing work, and any outside influences must be nipped in the bud.
But he had been a little harsh, hadn't he? Graham did try so hard to do everything he wanted...
Arcane growled to himself. Graham was very well paid to put up with his boss's caprices and eccentricities, and he had the benefit of having his name attached to the greatest scientific mind of the century. What more could he possibly want?!
'Perhaps a little kindness and appreciation?' whispered a tiny voice at the back of his mind. He told it to shut up. Kindness and appreciation weren't part of the job description.
Graham remained at the botany lab for the rest of the day. When he finally emerged at six he looked a little happier, and Yiu offered a grin with his salute.
'Good day, sir?'
'Yeah. The digitalis hybridisation programme's looking good.' He grinned at Yiu's blank expression. 'We're workin' on developing digitalin to be used as a weapon.'
'Oh. Um, good.' There was a moment's silence, then, 'Do you need to get back to the Doctor's lab now?'
'He hasn't called for me... but I guess I'd better check in anyway. I should give him a status report.'
'Certainly, sir.'
'Then I guess I'd better make dinner.'
'And join me for your own afterwards?'
'Yeah – if Doctor Arcane doesn't need me for anything...'
It was ten before Graham reappeared, looking tired and irritable. Yiu laid a hand on his shoulder.
'You OK sir?'
Graham glanced back over his shoulder, growling.
'Made me clear up. And wash every beaker in the place.'
'Ah. He's in a bad mood then.'
'Punishing me again.'
'What for? Wasn't he pleased with the progress report from the botanics lab?'
'Oh yeah, that was fine.' He shrugged miserably. 'He doesn't need a reason to make me suffer. He enjoys it. Bastard.'
Yiu patted his back.
'Come on. I'll make us dinner.'
Graham shook his head.
'Thanks, but I just want to get to bed. Got no appetite now.'
'OK sir.'
Yiu called the elevator and accompanied Graham up to his suite. At the door the assistant paused, gazing at Yiu uncertainly – then shook his head.
'See you tomorrow.'
Yiu saluted.
'Sleep well, Graham.'
Minutes later, in bed, Graham scowled at the ceiling, feeling very hard done by. Why did Arcane have to treat him so badly? Why did he put up with it?
And why hadn't he invited Yiu to spend the night...?
© 2009 Dec 30th Joules
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