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Sleepless in New York
By Ann

 

I stride down the steps to the precinct below. A couple of hours of tossing and turning on the cot in the crib is enough rest for me. I can't wait for Alex to get back from her conference; three consecutive nights of sleeping upstairs is way too much for me, but there's no way I can sleep at home without her in our bed.

On the bright side, I've almost completed the paper work that has been piled up on my desk for the past month. If I burn the midnight oil tonight, I should be able to finish the remaining reports; however, I'm not sure the scolding I'm going to get from Alex when she gets a look at the circles under my eyes from lack of sleep is worth the effort I'm exerting to finally have an empty inbox.

Oh hell, who am I kidding? I'd have black circles whether I worked on these reports or not. I wouldn't be able to sleep at home either, and I'd probably wind up cleaning the apartment from top to bottom and back again. Alex is going to gripe at me regardless, so I may as well get something productive done.

Half-way into my report, I glance up at the clock on the wall. Three o'clock in the morning on a Friday night, well, technically Saturday morning, and you're still at your desk. You're pathetic, Olivia.

Too bad the conference lasts for five days instead of four; then Alex would be coming home today. This is the first time in three years that we've missed being together on our anniversary. Maybe I can call her tonight from our bed, and we can engage in a little phone sex. Now, that would be productive.

The secondary object of my thoughts begins to ring, and I almost jump out of my chair. Glancing around to be sure no one saw my very uncool reaction, I grab the receiver.

"Benson," I answer in a professional tone.

"Detective, this is Officer Jones. I'm calling from the Empire State Building where we currently have a little situation that I think you can help us with. Some kook has made her way up to the observation deck and has handcuffed herself to one of the telescopes. She's threatening to kill herself if anyone but you walks out of the elevator."

"How in the hell did she get up there in the first place? Didn't the elevators quit running at midnight?" I ask as I grab my coat from the back of the chair.

"Actually two o'clock, ma'am, but the operator said she identified herself as a police officer and even had a warrant to search the observation deck," the officer explains.

"What was she searching for, and better yet, who is she?" I ask while placing my gun on my belt and my cell phone in my pocket.

"I'm afraid the operator didn't look too closely. She just let her go on up."

"Okay, I'm on my way. Don't step foot in that elevator until I get there," I order, hanging up the phone and racing to the door.

Arriving in front of the building, I pull next to the curb and jump out of the car. I stride through the doors and look around to find . . . no one? Reaching for my gun, I remove it from its holster as I make my way to the opened elevator.

What's going on here? Where's Officer Jones? Stepping into the elevator, I place both my hands on the gun and keep it pointed downward.

I punch the observation deck button and watch as the doors slowly close. Inches from closing, I spot a security guard as he steps around the corner with a smile on his face.

"Hey!" I yell to the man, but the doors shut and my voice echoes into the elevator.

Hesitating, I move my hand to hit the open button but decide to check out the top floor instead. The security guard can wait.

It takes forever for the elevator to finally reach its destination, and the doors open with a ding announcing my arrival. I pull the gun to my chest as I peer out the door.

Looking left and right, I don't spot a thing so I extend my arms outward and keep the gun in front of me as I step from the elevator. I walk forward sweeping the gun side to side as I make my way to the front of the deck, but there's still no sign of movement.

Could this be a setup? Have I done something to warrant a hit being put out on me?

My mind continues to run different scenarios through my head as my pulse begins to race. I allow the gun to lead the way as I whip my arms around the corner and allow my body to follow.

My mouth drops open, and I automatically lower my weapon when I spot a small table with a red cloth sitting in the middle of the deck. Two lit candles cast a soft glow on the clear wine glasses.

I jump out of my skin for the second time tonight when I hear, "Hello, lover. What took you so long?"

Turning around, I sigh in relief and release the pent up tension when Alex steps into view. She walks forward and gently kisses my lips as I place my gun back in its holster. Gun-free, I put my arms around my love and deepen the kiss.

Alex manages to temper the passion we've built as she gently releases my lips.

"Hey, there," she says in a sexy voice.

"Hey, yourself," I reply with a grin.

Time stands still as we stand in each other's arms enjoying the closeness.

Finally, I'm able to ask, "How did you manage all this?"

Smiling, Alex takes my hand and leads me to the table where, for the first time, I notice the covered dishes and silverware. I pull out her chair and walk around to take my seat.

Alex uncovers our plates to reveal my favorite dish, spaghetti and meatballs, and I immediately grab my fork and dig in as if I hadn't eaten in days. Come to think of it, I'm not sure I have.

"Honey, slow down, it's not going anywhere," Alex says with a chuckle.

I force myself to eat more slowly and repeat my question from earlier.

"How did you manage all this?"

Grinning, Alex continues to nibble on her food and explains, "Well, I found out the fifth day of the conference concentrated solely on inside trader legislation which I don't think I'll need to prosecute sex offenders and rapists, so I decided to come home early."

"And?" I add with a raised eyebrow.

"And, I cooked up this little scheme. Uncle George pulled some strings and arranged for everything. I told him it was our anniversary and how much you loved 'An Affair to Remember,' and since he's a fan of the movie himself, he thought this would be a great idea. He even agrees with you that they should have at least changed the meeting time in 'Sleepless in Seattle.' If you notice, I moved the time to four a.m."

"Yes, I did, now, what about the police officer and the warrant and the handcuffs?"

"You didn't recognize Sergeant Robbins' voice?" Alex asks in a teasing voice.

"Sergeant Robbins from the front desk? Well, I'll be damned; I had no idea it was him. I'll have to think of nice way to pay him back," I answer as I mentally plot my revenge.

Alex reaches across the table and takes my hand. Rubbing her thumb over the back, she says, "Don't be too hard on him, Olivia. He knew he was helping me re-enact part of your favorite movie."

"Yeah, well Deborah Kerr didn't show up with guns blazing," I point out.

"Olivia, she didn't show up at all. I knew you'd come," Alex answers with a smile.

Grinning, I tease, "Cary Grant never used imaginary handcuffs and warrants either."

My expression quickly changes to one of shock when Alex reaches into her coat pocket and pulls out a pair of handcuffs along with an official looking document.

"Who said anything about imaginary? Although, I thought we'd use the handcuffs later," my lover purrs.

Taking the document from her hand, I begin to read and find myself flushed after the first couple of lines. Hmm, I wonder if it's too soon to ask her to head home. I can hardly believe the specifics outlined in the search as it details the exact procedure Alex plans to follow in her very thorough search of my body.

When I get to end, I'm squirming in my seat, and the last part describing the search of a particular cavity has me squeaking, "Check!"

Alex's laughter fills the upper atmosphere of the city, and for the first time since she's been gone, I look forward to being sleepless in New York.

The End

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