Hobbes and JJ

[JJsMoll]

“Can we get out a' here now?” JJ impatiently demanded to know. “And who’s that f****r over there think he’s starin’ at?”

“That’s Max” Hobbes smiled in his direction as the hot latin with the mop of curly brown hair leered at her over the top of his shades. “One of Bethy’s new boys. Why do you always ask questions you already know the answer to?” She laughed, “Look at you. You’re like a little kid, practically bouncing on your heels.”

JJ stood behind her and slid his arms around her middle and growled into her ear, “Woman, you keep makin' fun of me, yer gonna suck all the fun outta this.”

“For who?” she teased. “Cuz I’m already having fun” Hobbes decided she should probably stop pushing his buttons “I’m sorry. I really am looking forward to 'our date'. I can’t imagine what you have up your sleeve at this hour.”

He bit lightly at the top of her ear, “That’s more like it. Let’s go. I already cleared it with Bella.” He took her hand and led her out the back entrance. “Take it easy Mac.”

Hobbes said goodbye to the 'chocolate mountain' at the door as JJ dragged her along, “Hi Mac! Bye Mac! JJ slow down! If my short little legs don’t move fast enough for you, just throw me over your shoulder like you usually do.” They got to his car and he opened the door for her while she bit her lip against another comment, this time about his new Ferrari. “Nice wheels. You miss the Rover?” She'd never liked that thing anyway.

“Nah, besides this suits me, don't you think? Sorry you didn’t get the first ride.”

**************************************************************

“Lovely to meet you too, Billy”

“You don’t have to wait for us. I’ll make sure yer locked up before we go.”

“Sure thing Jackie. Give my regards to yer da.” He tipped his cap to Hobbes and shuffled off.

JJ answered the question on Hobbes’ face, “You know my da has ‘interests’ in horse racin'. Billy used to work for him.” He took her hand and led her further into the barn. "C’mon."

They walked the long corridor between the stalls, most of which were empty. They stopped at a few so she could pet and fawn over some of the occupants that were being spelled there post-season, until they came to the last stall, which housed a beautiful chestnut bay.

JJ watched Hobbes give him an apple from the bin next to the stall,"You like him?" She nodded, smiling at the horse eating from her palm. "He’s mine…well, part mine anyway, I have partners..."

"He is not! You bought a race horse?" Looking at the horse and stroking his head, she tried to think what the shape of the white marking on it reminded her of. It dawned on her and she suppressed a giggle as she looked at JJ’s chest. "What’s he called?"

JJ looked smug and rocked back on his heels. “Hobbes’ Choice”.

Hobbes whipped her head around to look at him with her mouth agape "Get the f*** out!" She laughed and pretended to look underneath the horse, "Is he a gelding?"

He looked at her sideways, "Ha Ha…F*** no! He’s a thoroughbred and he’s goin' out to stud when his career’s over. Now say goodnight to the horse. We’re not done yet."

***********************************************
Hobbes took a long hot shower and got dressed for work. She put fresh sheets on the bed then noticed her cell phone on the table next to it. She checked her messages. Five missed calls. One from Charlie. Four from JJ. “Shit.” She called Charlie back but got voicemail. “Hi. It’s me. I’m returning your call from last night. I’m working tonight…are you? Talk to you soon sweetie.” She hung up and stared at the phone. "Ok, best to get this over with." She hit the button and called JJ. “Hey, it’s me”.

"Where the f*** have you been!? I called you four times last night! You were with that psycho weren’t you?"

"F*** you. If you’re referring to Max, if he’s a psycho, what the hell does that make you? Call me back when you’re ready to be civil." *click* Pissed, she paced back and forth in her room. ‘The Killers’ blared from her hand and she looked down at the phone.

"Well?"

"Where are you?"

"I’m in my apartment. I didn’t get your calls because my phone was in my room and I was on the couch. I’m sure K appreciated being woken up every 15 minutes last night. I’ m surprised she didn’t throw the phone at the freakin' wall."

"Okay, okay. I’m downstairs. Can I come up?"

Hobbes sighed hotly, "Yeah, fine." Less than a minute later she heard the knock on the door. When she answered, she was surprised to see that he looked like he hadn’t been to sleep yet. "Hey."

"Hey." He walked straight into the room and started pacing without looking at her as he clenched and unclenched his hands. "Look, I’m gonna try to say this as nicely as I possibly can. That little stunt…what you did…" His jaw was clamped so hard she could see the veins in his neck. The one in his temple throbbed. "That was you in the lounge last night wasn’t it…with him." It wasn't a question, but he stopped and looked at her, waiting for her to say something.

She tilted her chin up at him in defiance. "Yes. And I knew it was you outside the door."

"Woman!" His neck reddened, his face contorted and he was breathing heavily, visibly trying to keep his anger in check. "Why?"

"I don’t know! Because I needed to get out of my own head for awhile. Because I like Max and he doesn’t ask anything of me..." She held up hand when he tried to interrupt. "...don’t say it. I know what he is. But he’s also very sweet…with me. But mostly…you’ve been acting like I’m some sort of trophy you need to win away from Charlie. This is not a game..."

"F*** Woman! Is that what you think? That I’m playin' games with you? Why would I waste my time? Why would I..." He smacked himself in the chest, "...put up with this crap…this endless f***in' torture... if I thought it was a game? Do you have any idea how close I came to kickin’ that f***in’ door in? If you wanted to hurt me because of how I’d hurt you…good on ya. It worked."

They stood in the middle of the room staring at each other as the seconds almost audibly ticked by. Finally, he closed his eyes and with his head back, blew out his breath, his hands unclenched and at his sides. His shoulders slumping, he moved to the couch and sank down. “I can’t do this anymore. I’m done. I told you I love you. I’m sorry it took me so long to say it, but it’s always been true. Outside a' Kinks yer the only woman I’ve ever said it to and meant it for more than one night." Something in his voice sent her to him and he wrapped his arms around her, his face against her stomach. "But I mean it. I can’t do this anymore. You let me know when you’ve made yer decision.” He dropped his arms and stood. Then without looking at her, he walked out the door.

Hobbes closed it behind him and then slumped against the wood, her legs refusing to hold her up. The tears she’d not wanted to show him came coursing down her face, her shoulders shaking in huge wracking sobs. When her phone rang, she ran to pick it up. “JJ…I…oh…Hi K…no, it’s nothing…what’s up? ..."

***********************************************************

Hobbes poured more vodka into her glass and searched her purse for a cigarette, finding none. She picked up her phone. "I wonder if it’s too late to call him. God! I hope it’s not too late period." Then she thought about the feel of his fingers as their hands touched and as she touched her lips, the mind-blowing kiss and smiled to herself as she punched the speed dial button.

"Hey…" she practically whispered. "It’s me. Did I wake you?"

"No, I was up." After a long pause, "It’s late. You okay?"

"Yeah, yeah I am. Can I see you? Can you come here?"

He wanted to think he heard the smile in her voice, but forced himself to proceed with caution,"Now?"

"Yeah now. It’s important."

"You remember what I said?"

"Not on the phone, but yeah, I remember."

"Gimme fifteen minutes."

When he knocked, she let him in and took his hand to lead him to the couch.

"Okay, so tell me. What was so urgent?"

Now that he was here she didn’t know how to do this.

"I wanted…no, I needed you to know that I talked to Charlie tonight..."

JJ fought to keep his voice level, "Yeah…and?"

"Shut up and let me finish." She took a deep, calming breath before continuing, "This is not how I envisioned this." Another gulp and her glass was empty. "I should get you a drink." At the counter in the kitchen he reached around her and stilled her hand, crowding her, keeping her focused. "I told Charlie I’ve reached a conclusion..." Behind her, JJ held his breath and waited expectantly. "It’s you…it’s always been you…" He turned her around and took her in his arms. "It’ll always be you." Cradling her tear-streaked face in his hands, he rained kisses all over it while she laughed relieved, joyous laughter. "Say something dammit!"

JJ paused and looked into her eyes, "Woman, I am sayin' it!" He lowered his head and their parted lips met for the most tender kiss they’d ever shared.

to be continued...

From Archive: The Beginning

JJsMoll (Sheri Young) -- All Material Related to JJ Moffet, Hobbes Winslow Moffet, and all other referenced characters depicted by JJsMoll on All For One-One For All ©2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

[JJsMoll]

Hobbes and JJ came into the back entrance of the Pub to start their shifts. He pulled her to him, with a hand on her ass, to give her a mighty snog. He whispered something wicked into her ear, which made her giggle, before going to his post at the door. With a sigh, she pivoted on the ball of her foot and went to the bar to ask Doug to toss her an apron. “Carefully” she laughed.

“Catch it this time.” Doug crooked a finger at her to come closer and leaned over the bar. “See those two in the corner? They’ve been checking you out since you walked in.”

“Of course they have. This is good stuff.”

“Your obvious charms notwithstanding,” his hand on her wrist, rubbing lightly with his thumb “I thought I’d give you a ‘heads up’ Go take their order.”

Hobbes gave him a wink “Thanks sweetie. I'm on it.” She crossed to the corner table and was stopped in her tracks as four of the bluest eyes she’d ever seen pierced her to the core. "Now I know how that damn deer felt" she thought as she looked from one to the other. One’s were azure, the other sapphire, she decided. Both men were in their mid to late thirties, blond and built like… “Do you two do some sort of a twin act or something? ‘Azure Eyes’ just stared at her. ‘Sapphire Eyes’ gave her a smirk. “Can I, uh get you anything?”

‘SE’ took her in stem to stern, his elbow on the table,fingers stroking his chin and running his thumb across his lower lip. “That depends. That guy with his tongue down yer throat earlier yer boyfriend?”

Hobbes arched a brow “One…none of your damn business. Two…” as she looked him up and down, “Who are you interested in, me or him?” ‘Azure Eyes’ chuckled and turned his head away.

‘SE’ grabbed her arm and pulled her onto his lap. “Nice…spirit…as well as beauty.” He said this last like it had three syllables, with a burr that matched JJ’s.

“Uh, thanks.” She tried to get up but he held onto her. “If there’s nothing I can get you…”

'SE' had an arm around her waist while the fingers of his other hand toyed with the new bracelet on her wrist. “Nice bauble. He give that to you?” The smirk was back. “You must be good.” Nuzzling her hair he said against her ear “I swing a bigger bat.”

Hobbes finally succeeded in pulling away and jumped off of his lap as if stung. “Who the f*** ARE you??”

‘SE’ held out a small white card with just a phone number embossed on it. “Give him this… and tell him Streak’s here.”

She took the card and stared at it, as who she supposed was “Streak” and ‘Azure Eyes’ stood up.

As ‘Streak’stood in front of her, he tilted her chin up to look into her eyes and ran the tips of his fingers along her jaw, “Until we meet again…Hobbes.”

The two men walked out the back entrance of the Pub, leaving her staring open-mouthed after them.

************************************************

She looked up to see JJ standing in the doorway in his boxers with his arms folded "I’ll call you back." She flipped her phone shut. "I was just coming in."

“What was that about?”

Hobbes tried to brush by him, “Nothing. She just wanted to tell me she was alright.”

JJ blocked her exit, his hands on her arms “You had to do that in private? Yer a terrible liar.”

She gave him a resigned sigh “I know. You’re right,” then shrugged his hands off and walked back into the bedroom to sit on the bed “C’mere. I need to talk to you.”

“Woman...”

With a deep breath she plunged in, “What does the name ‘Streak’ mean to you?”

JJ looked like he’d just been punched in the gut “What did you just say?!”

***********************************************

Momentarily distracted by his ringing mobile, he went to grab it from the pocket of his discarded pants.

Cellphone in hand, he glanced at the number before picking up.”F***!” To Hobbes he barked, “Find it. It’s important.” He hit a button on the phone, “What is it?”

“I’m sorry to disturb you Jackie…I know it’s late and all…”

“What’s wrong old man? Has something happened to Hobbes’ Choice?”

“No sir. It…It’s yer Da. He’s here.”

JJ’s expression grew stony, his eyes faraway, the only indication something was wrong, his clenched jaw.“I’m on my way.” He snapped his phone shut and pulled on his pants.

“J? What are you doing?”

“I have to go out for awhile.” He pulled a sweater over his head, “I just have to go check on somethin',”and shoved his feet into his shoes. “I won’t be long.” He kissed her quickly and grabbed his keys

“What?! J... It’s the middle of the night! At least tell me where you’re going!”

He turned and looked at her before closing the door.

*********************

JJ drove as calmly as he could to the track, resisting the urge to just punch it and get this over with. He needed the time to think. He reached over to the jacket he’d discarded earlier in the night to get a cigarette and saw Hobbes' bra and sweater lying on the floor of the car and smiled briefly at the memory. Stopped at a red light he pounded the flat of his palms on the steering wheel. “F*****K!! SH**!! GOD DAMN IT!! SON-OF-A-MOTHERF*****G…WHORE!! WHY IS THAT BASTARD HERE!?” The car behind him honked its horn and he stuck his hand out the window and flipped him off.

He roared away from the intersection then just as he neared the track, pulled over and took several deep breaths. He smoked another cigarette while he let the ice form in his veins until he was ready to start the car and drive to the gate where Red waved him in. He drove around the paddocks to the big barn, threw the Ferrari into "park" and got out.

Once inside, Billy came out of the office, wringing his hands. “I’m awfully sorry about this Jackie. He made me call you…”

Streak stepped out from behind Billy, grinning at JJ. “Junior! Good to see you!" He embraced JJ and clapped him on the back. “Long time bra. How's tricks?"

JJ hugged him back, but there was no feeling in it. "Streak, how ya doin' man? Surprised to see you. Where's Senior?"

Streak laughed, “I knew that'd get you out here in a hurry. Been waitin' on you for two days. Didn't yer woman give you my message? I like her, by the way. She's got sass.”

JJ didn’t care for the other man’s tone or the look in his eye when he talked about Hobbes. “So is he here or not?”

“He is.” Since JJ obviously wasn't going to take the bait he cut to the chase. “He's waitin' at his hotel. Let's go. I'll drive.”

********************************************************

They pulled up to the hotel and Streak handed the valet his keys, “Keep it close.” Outside a suite on the top floor he knocked and they were admitted by one of Senior’s boys that JJ didn’t recognize. “This must be the guy Hobbes saw with Streak”

Streak jerked his chin at the man, “You know he’s gonna have to pat you down. You carryin'?”

JJ put arms up, “You know I am. It’s in my back.” ‘Azure Eyes’ reached around and took JJ’s Glock and pulled the clip.

“Let me introduce you. This is Connor . He’s on my crew.” He pointed around the room. That’s Dex and Fitz and, of course, you know Seamus and there’s John.

JJ only nodded at Seamus. “John, how ya doin'?”

John rose to embrace him with genuine warmth. “Good to see you Jackie. Been too long. Would you like a drink? Dex get him a drink.” Dex handed him a glass as an older man, shorter, stockier than JJ, his dark hair graying at the temples and slicked back off of his high forehead, came out of the bedroom.

“Jackie my boy!” The man effused as he held his arms up for JJ to walk into. After a long hug, Jackie Sr. kissed his son on both cheeks, then smacked him lightly on one. “You look good laddie. Your new life agrees with you.”

JJ nodded as he stepped back, “You look good too, Da. Why didn’t you tell me you were comin'?”

“I've found the element of surprise works best with you son. Sit down, let's talk.” He noticed Connor holding JJ's Glock. “Did you bring a gun to a meetin' with me?”

As he took a chair, “Whose son would I be if I didn't?”

“Good boy. Connor give my son back his gun.” Connor handed the Glock back to JJ, minus the clip. Sr sat down in a club chair.. “So. How’s the car? Is it the right color?”

“Yeah Da, it’s perfect.”

“And yer girl? Do I finally get to meet her?”

JJ glanced up at a smirking Streak. “Yeah Da. We’ll have dinner. Is this what you got on a plane for? What're you doin' here?”

“So it’s like that is it? You in a hurry? I can’t talk to my son like a father before he forces me to act like his boss?” He paused as he took a sip of the drink Dex had handed him. “I'm having misgivin's about the progress of our wee endeavor.” A hand held up before JJ could protest, “I know yer tryin'...you want to do things yer way, but openin' day is fast approachin', and there has been fair little change on the line for Hobbes' Choice.”

“What d’ you want from me? I’ve done everythin' you’ve asked me to do. His trainin' is goin' well. He will be ready, Da. Too much press too soon will hurt us. It will be better if he's thought to be a long shot. But he’s got what it takes to win. I can't guarantee it, but he will make a good showin' and his stud fee will triple when they see him run. That was the plan.”

“A f**kin’ rose harness and us in the f**kin’ winners circle will do that too.” Seamus interjected sharply.

“Yer more worried about keepin' yer hands clean,” Streak snorted derisively.

Sr silenced Streak with a look. “Things have changed. With the death of that other horse…what was it’s name? I can never remember…” He snapped his fingers for someone to tell him.

“Barbero,” John offered.

“Yeah, that’s right Barbero. Hobbes’ Choice is from the same bloodline. And he’s already a winner. With Barbero out of the picture, his stud value should increase dramatically. We need to make sure that happens.”

“There are ways to ensure our pony crosses first.”

"OUR"!?” JJ roared at Streak. “You keep yer hands off what is mine!” He looked to John and Sr. “Do you really want yer face on the cover of Racing News, or the New York Times? Even if everythin' is straight, there would be an investigation just because of who you are. We would be avoided like the f**kin’ plague with breeders, bloodlines be damned!”

“Jackie!” Seamus spoke to him as if he were an unreasonable child. “Horse racin' is as crooked as every other f**kin’ business. We just want to level the field a bit.”

“Are you f**kin’ deaf? We don't have to do it that way to make money!”

John glanced at JJ then leaned over to Sr. “We can always step in if it becomes necessary.”

Sr. looked at his son for a long moment as he made a decision. “Alright Jackie boy. You are the majority owner, I'll give you til the first race. Then we will revisit this subject.” He stood and the rest of the boys followed suit. “We’ll talk again…soon. We’ll have dinner next week. Streak, take my son back to his car.”

“Sure Da.” He embraced his father again before going to the door.

“Streak…a moment please...” JJ gave his father a look, but went out the door and waited in the hall while Streak hung back. “Keep an eye on him.” Sr said only loud enough for Streak to hear. “If it looks like he doesn’t have everythin' under control…You make sure I’m the first to know.” His eyes cold, Streak nodded and left the suite.

Streak drove him back to the track. As JJ got out of the car, he flicked his cigarette away and leaned on the door frame "You lay a finger on her again and I will kill you."

Streak stared straight ahead as he peeled out of the lot, spraying gravel.

to be continued...

From Archive: The Beginning

JJsMoll (Sheri Young) -- All Material Related to JJ Moffet, Hobbes Winslow Moffet, and all other referenced characters depicted by JJsMoll on All For One-One For All ©2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

[JJsMoll]

JJ paced the apartment for a few minutes, wondering how long he should give her to cool off. “This sucks. No wonder she used to get so pissed.”

“To hell with this. I’m not waitin'.” He knocked back the last of his drink and grabbed his keys. He got to the garage and walked to his parking space. No Ferrari. He stared at the empty space for a few seconds. He was just about to head back upstairs and demand to see the security tapes so he could rip a new one for whoever’d had the balls to steal it, when he noticed Hobbes’ car was still in her space. He looked at the keys in his hand and noticed for the first time that they were hers.

“Okay…fine…no problem…so she’s drivin' my car…no big deal” He put his hands on his head and twisted, cracking his neck and tried not to think about the fact that she was probably stripping his gears, as he unlocked her door.

He adjusted the seat and lit a cigarette. As soon as he started the engine, her “Killers” cd came blaring out of the stereo at full blast. He jumped and dropped his cigarette. “I f**kin’ HATE those guys!" After ripping the cd from the player and tossing it into the backseat, he reached around under the passenger seat, hoping to find the cigarette before it set the car on fire. He leaned down to pick it up and noticed the envelope. He pulled out the photographs and his stomach dropped. Photos of Hobbes…some so close-up they had obviously been taken with a high-powered zoom… getting out of her car... in front of their building…talking to K…in front of his old apartment…

He threw them on the passenger seat and tore out of the garage on his way to the pub.
**********************************************************************************************************
Hobbes and K looked at the photographs and then back at JJ, then at each other, both swallowing hard.

"Um…hey baby."

"Woman…" He growled and then barked, "What are these? Where the f**k did they come from? Kinks? Somebody better start talkin'."

"Jacks sit down. Let us explain."

"Us? What do you know about this?"

"Um…well…" K looked at Hobbes.

"Okay let me make this simple…I ask, you answer…Where’d they come from…"

"Streak. On my windshield."

JJ rubbed a hand over his face, his jaw tight. "When? Hobbes? How long have you had them?"

"A few days before…you know…"

"Jesus Woman! …why didn’t you tell me?"

"I…"

"Damn it Jacks…she was scared!"

"That’s all the more reason to tell me! So I could do somethin' about it!"

"That’s what she was afraid of!"

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"I knew you’d kill him."

JJ pinned his wife with a glare,"Yer right. I would have. Instead he tried to kill me."

Hobbes looked as if she’d been slapped. "You have no idea how guilty I feel..."

"What’s yer excuse Kinks? You know this isn't the first time yer bein' stupid almost got her killed! Remember Lorenzo?"

K's face grew ghostly white, "So what? We were just supposed to let you kill Streak?"

"You two are gettin' pretty f**kin' good at keepin' secrets." He snarled at K, "Yer specialty if I remember correctly."

"F**k you Jacks! We were just trying to protect you" She whipped her head around to see Ellis touch his ear bud. "Don't you dare! I won't have him summoned like I'm some kid in the principals office."

Hobbes put her hand on her husband's arm "JJ! I made the decision not to tell you. And K backed me up. I was going out of my mind!"

JJ ignored her "Still keeping secrets from {Cassius} too? He grabbed the pictures and brandished them at K. "This has you all over it!"

"If you’d gone after Streak, everything you have now would be gone. All of it. She loves you enough not to let that happen. We both do. The question is…what are you gonna do now?"

**************************************************
Hobbes stepped off their elevator and headed straight for the bar.

JJ tossed the photographs onto the coffee table Would you mind pourin' me one too? She plunked a glass down hard and splashed some scotch into it then poured her glass full. She drained half of it and gasped as her eyes watered. "What do you think yer doin' now?"

"Getting drunk."

"That’ll help. You want to talk or you wanna get sh**faced?"

"I’m getting drunk so I can talk. I am absolutely furious with you right now."

"Yeah…I’m real thrilled with you at the moment." He waited for her to move then poured himself a proper drink. "You should have told me about these..." The vein in his temple throbbed as he looked down at the pictures. "It’s the same as if you lied to me."

"Why aren’t you hearing me!? I didn’t lie to you, I tried to protect you."

"I’ve told you, I don’t need you to protect me. I need to protect you."

"Don’t you think I wanted to tell you? How easy would it have been to do that? Just tell you and have you put your arms around me and tell me it’ll be okay? Have Tarzan thump his chest and say he’ll protect Jane…then have you go off half-cocked like you always do. She paused for a breath. As she continued, her voice softened and fresh tears started to fall. "You’ve worked so hard baby… How could I let you throw everything away because of me? And then…after…I felt like it was all my fault."

JJ closed his eyes, sighed heavily then closed the distance between them to put his arms around her. "It wasn’t yer fault. Don’t say it…don’t think it. But Kinks should have known better.

Hobbes pushed back from him, anger rising again, "You are one stubborn sonofabitch you know that? Why do you think I turned to K with this? She’s the only other person in this world that I know always…ALWAYS has your best interest at heart."

"She should have come to me even if you didn’t."

"Why? Her reasons were the same as mine. She was there for me when I needed her. Sometimes smart people do stupid things JJ. But usually with the best of intentions. You seem to have lost sight of the fact that this isn’t about me or about K. It’s about Streak. She didn’t try to hurt you…he did. And you treated her like garbage. Him you’re ready to welcome back with open arms."

"She still should have come to me…"

Exasperated, she threw up her hands, "Oh my God! Why does everything turn into a pissing match between the two of you? Jesus…Okay she was wrong! I was wrong! You were wrong! We’re all wrong. But the fact remains that we didn’t start any of this. Just accept the fact that we did what we did because we care about you, not some sinister plot to deceive you.

"Yer just gonna keep talkin' til I give in aren’t you?"

Hobbes opened her mouth, started to speak then stopped and blinked. "Yes…and don’t make me laugh. I’m gonna make you see reason if I have to hold you down and pummel it into you." She evaded his hands as he reached for her."

"You can hold me down and pummel me if you want."

"This isn’t funny. You owe your best friend an apology."

JJ finally grabbed her around the waist, "Okay okay. Holy hell Woman…I can’t fight you both." His lips found her neck while she pushed on his shoulders, but it was a token effort and they both knew it. "Why are the women in my life such pains in my arse?

"Because you’re lucky. And who else would have you?"

JJ raised his head, "Good point. Are we done here?" He'd already gone back to her neck.

"Yeah…for now. I don’t have any more fight left in me. Tell me you’ll call her tomorrow."

"I will." He scooped her up and carried her into the bedroom. "Let the pummelin' begin."

****************************************************************
Hobbes arrived at the Federal building and looked at the directory in the lobby to find the correct floor. She found what she was looking for and took the elevator upstairs. Entering the government issue outer office, she was greeted by the government issue receptionist.

"May I help you?"

"Hobbes Moffet. I'm here to see Mr. Ross. He's expecting me."

"Please have a seat. I'll let him know you're here."

Hobbes sat down and crossed both her arms and her legs. Twenty minutes went by. She looked at her watch. She knew she'd been on time when she got there. He was just trying to make her nervous. "Forgets who he's dealing with. I know this game." Another ten minutes went by before she was escorted into Palmer's office.

"Hello Kitten." Palmer rose to greet her and then shut the door. "Nice to see you. Have a seat."

"Cut the crap Palmer. If this is an official visit then don't call me Kitten."

"I'm sorry, did I give you the impression this was an official visit? Do you see anyone else in the room? Are we being recorded?" His startling blue eyes twinkled at her as he settled on the corner of his desk in front of her.

Hobbes narrowed her eyes at him. "Probably. And if it's not official what am I doing here?"

"I thought we should have a chat before it comes to that. As friends."

"Friends? Since when are we friends? Especially after what you pulled the other night."

Palmer's voice was full of smarmy charm as he spread his hands in mock innocence, "Gee Kitten, I was hoping that in light of our past relationship you'd want to come in and tell me what you know. And as far as the other night goes, I'm the one who ended up with a split lip remember? Besides...you must've been thinking the same thing or you'd have brought a lawyer. But if you want to play it this way..."

"I want to know what you have that could possibly connect New Ayr Downs with illegal bookmaking."

"Remember the last time I was in town? Aside from the spectacular exit you tried to make from my life I mean." He paused to make sure she did remember. "The bar where your friend Kristine was seen collecting a debt has been under surveillance for months in connection with that investigation."

"Connect the dots Palmer."

"Miss Scott does that for me. She's the link between our investigation and your spitting the word husband's little enterprise.

"Didn't Ash tell you? The track is in my name."

"Oh Kitten.I thought you were smarter than that. That's a technicality and you know it."

"Our legal system is based on technicalities. And I have no record and no history of involvement with the organizations in question."

"Nice smokescreen Kitten, but I don't think it's gonna fly." His East Texas twang rolled off his tongue as he folded his arms across his chest and his long legs at the ankle.

"Palmer, it's obvious to me that you don't have a thing you could bring to a Federal grand jury and you're hoping if you push someone's buttons, either mine or JJ's, that we'll give it to you. Did you always have so little respect for my intelligence or is this the result of being left bare-assed on my living room couch?"

Palmer's composure slipped just a notch and his jaw tightened as he moved away from the desk. "I think we're done here. For now."

"You're damn right we are." As she walked to the door she threw over her shoulder, "Oh and Palmer...when my book comes out? Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. And don't call me Kitten."

Hobbes walked out of his office to find JJ sitting in the reception area.

"What are you doing here?"

*******************************************************************************

John was lost in his own musing for a moment "That will go a long way toward healing the rift between you won't it?"

"That's one way to look at it. Look, John...I assume Da told you what I want. I want to buy him out. He's always known that. But this whole thing...if I'm gonna make a go of this...for myself...for Hobbes...It needs to happen as soon as I can manage it. The horse is one thing...I'm not lookin' to dissolve that partnership but...I don't want him havin' any part of the track.

"Again... 'off the record'...Jackie Sr. has made some decisions I don't agree with... but your father loves you. Sr. bought the track for you. He kept half of it to stay close to you. Not because he doesn't trust you, but to stay in your life."

"Sorry John. Not buyin' it. I'm sure in his own twisted way he gives a s**t whether or not I live or die, but I don't believe he trusts me. He thinks I'm gonna f**k this up. The irony is I'd be doin' a lot better if I didn't run into him around every corner. What's it gonna take? I know he didn't put you on a plane without givin' you a number."

"You are your father's son." John took a pen out of his inside breast pocket and looked up at JJ before writing a figure on his napkin and sliding it toward him.

JJ let out a long low whistle. "I knew it would be more than his share is worth, but that's a little over the top isn't it? I assume this is negotiable?"

"I don't think so. You want to buy. He doesn't want to sell."

"I'll get it somehow. I have no f**kin' clue how."


To be continued...

From Archive: Nothing's Easy

JJsMoll (Sheri Young) -- All Material Related to JJ Moffet, Hobbes Winslow Moffet, and all other referenced characters depicted by JJsMoll on All For One-One For All ©2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

[JJsMoll]

Streak stepped off the elevator in his new apartment and went to the kitchen for a beer. Flipping the cap, he looked around. He still hadn't gotten used to the fact that he actually lived there. It was certainly the nicest place he'd had since he'd left Sr.'s house all those years ago. Some days he saw it as a sign his life was turning around. Days like today he wondered if it had been a good idea. Everywhere he looked he was reminded of her.

He walked into what had been the guest bedroom. Now it was his bedroom. He switched on the light and sat on the bed. The same bed. He hadn't had the chance to ask her if she'd left it for him to remind him or because she didn't want it anywhere near her.

He dropped his head, dangling his hands and the beer bottle between his knees.

"I am a bloody f**kin' hypocrite."

Some minutes later...

"Fuck this" He pulled out his phone. "Hey, it's Streak. O'Malley's?...Meet you in fifteen."

A few minutes later, Streak walked into the dark bar. He stopped for a beer and then slid into the booth in the back across from Jared.

"Hey."

"Hey. Shocked at the sight of his friend's bruised jaw and the cut on his cheek, "What the hell happened to you?"

"Stupidity." He looked at the question mark on Jared's face then ran a hand over his own, wincing at the pain of his split lip. "Long story. I wouldn't even know where to start."

Jared shrugged. "Suit yerself."

Streak dug his cigarettes out of his jacket pocket, "You mind?" Jared shook his head. As he lit one he said around it, "Okay...I've got this friend and he's got this friend...a really good friend...they're practically brothers...Anyway the first friend catches the second friend just as he's about to get his ashes hauled in living technicolor by a third friend..."

"So he's gay..."

"What? No! The third friend is a woman."

"Not that there's anything wrong with that... Okay...then what's the problem?"

"He's married...in fact, and here's where it get's really hairy...the third friend is the second friend and his wife's best friend..."

Jared held up a pen and his bar napkin, "Do you think you could draw me a diagram?"

"Funny..."

"So is the first friend wondering if he should tell the second friend's wife?"

Streak chuckled as he held up a finger, "Ah there's the rub. He probably wouldn't even if he could. He wouldn't want to hurt her... but more than that...now that he's gotten past the anger at his friend for bein' a stupid f**k...he understands how it might have happened. See the first friend is very...ah...close... to the second friend's wife. In fact, if his feet were held to the fire he'd probably say he was painfully, woefully, completely cow-eyed in love with her." He drained his beer.

Jared blew out a breath, "Wow brother. I'd say yer friends have quite the moral dilemma on their hands."

"Ya think? I'm gettin' another beer, you want one?"

"Yeah thanks. One question. Does yer friend look as bad as you do?"

"Worse." He got up and went to the bar for two more Skullsplitters. "Hey Mickey. How's it goin'?"

"Hey Streak." He tilted his chin at him, "JJ been pounding on you again?"

Streak turned back to the booth with the beers. "Nice to see you too."

"You know that guy?"

Streak looked over his shoulder, "Yeah...that's Mickey. Friend a' Junior's. Why?"

"What's his story?"

"Other than he owns this place, I've no idea. What's up?"

"Listen...I tended bar a lotta years...I know how easy it is to develop a... sideline. I'm not sayin' I ever did but, I know what a deal looks like."

"Yeah...so?"

"So I was in here the other night. JJ came in, talked to Mickey for about three minutes and left."

Streak's jaw became tight. "So..."

"It looked like JJ passed him an envelope and then Mickey slid him something in return, twice."

"I don't know what that was, but it wasn't what yer thinkin'. No way. I'll ask Junior. I'm sure there's a perfectly innocent explanation."

Jared looked at him skeptically, "Unh huh..." then shrugged. "I just thought I should mention it."

"Absolutely. But if you knew Junior you'd know how crazy that was... So...you gonna tell me the name of that goldmine you found where all the women're hidin' or not?"

****************************************************************

As soon as JJ got back to his office he went into his bathroom. He splashed cold water on his face and then examined it in the mirror. "I don't look that bad." His eyes were wild but he convinced himself he just looked like he needed sleep. His jaw was swelling up, but he could live with that. As long as he could come up with something to tell Hobbes.

"Hobbes. Shit!" Going back to his desk, he fished his cell out of his jacket and punched a number. Before it rang once he clicked off and left his office. Thankfully the outer office was dark and he didn't have to deal with Mrs. F's disapproval...or anyone else's.

JJ walked into the Pub and looked around for his wife. He didn't see her and his stomach flip-flopped.

"Hey Viggo... you seen Hobbes?

"Hey JJ. Yeah...she's upstairs in Neon.

"Thanks man"

Viggo leaned over the bar and called after him, "Hey! What happened to your face?"

JJ took the stairs two at a time then stood inside the dimly lit interior of Neon, letting his eyes adjust to the light until he spotted her delivering an order across the room. As he watched her go back to the bar, the knot in his stomach moved into his throat and his pulse started to race. By the time he'd crossed the room, she was leaning on the bar while Doug said something close to her ear, making her laugh. Doug brushed a knuckle across the top of her nose and turned to help a customer.

JJ gave Doug a murderous look, but said to his wife, "Hey."

Hobbes turned around, surprised, "Hey baby"

He pulled her into his arms "Come home with me. Right now."

"Now?"

"Baby please...just do it." He held her tightly, desperation in his voice.

"Okay...let me tell someone I'm leaving and grab my purse. You want to pull the car up?"

"Yeah...hurry."

He walked away from her and she stood there for a moment confused by his behavior then shook it off and went downstairs. She told Viggo she was leaving and waved to Zen before going in to the lounge to get her purse.

She waved to Mac and Mase then hopped into the car.

"Okay. I'm all yours. What's the rush?"

"Do you love me?"

"You know I do." Confused, she put a hand on the back of his neck,. "More than my life. You're making me nervous. What's this about?"

"I just...I just need to be with you right now. Is that a crime?"

"No...it's just...nothing. Nevermind. I missed you today."

He worked his jaw and stared straight ahead as he drove. "I missed you too."

They drove the two short blocks to their garage in silence. When he parked, he got out quickly to help her from her side.

He took her hand as they walked "How was yer day? You talk to Kinks?" They stepped in to the elevator.

"Not today, no. I left her a couple of messages. If she doesn't call me back I'm going over there tomorrow to make sure she doesn't have her head in the oven."

"What? What the hell does that mean!? "

"Whoa...it was a joke. Okay, not in the best of taste but..."

"Yer right, sorry baby" He brought her hand to his lips

"You're being very wei...J! What the hell happened to your hand?"

He dropped hers and flexed his own "It's nothin' I slammed it in my desk."

She looked up at him in the light of the elevator "What happened to your face?!"

"Nothin'...it's no big deal."

"What the hell do you mean 'it's no big deal'? She followed him in to the apartment waiting for an answer, followed him as he went to the bar and poured three fingers of scotch, and watched as he drained half of it. "Somebody hit you. Will you talk to me please?"

He ran both of his hands over his face, rubbed his eyes, and up into his hair "Baby...I have had a really sh***y day..." He reached for her, pulling her close, "I need to take a shower and then I need to be with my wife. Can you just let this go?"

"You know I'm gonna get it out of you eventually. Why don't you just tell me? Why do you always think you have to carry everything around by yourself?"

JJ took his glass into the bedroom so he wouldn't have to look at her as he lied. "It was Connor okay? No big deal. It's over."

"Connor hit you?" No such luck as she rushed after him. "And you obviously hit him. Desk drawer my ass. Why? Was it about K?"

"Yeah...it was stupid. I was in a bad mood because of a phone call from Da. He just pushed my buttons. It's over."

She took his hand and kissed his knuckles "So you defended K's honor? That is so sexy..."

His head was pounding "Speakin' a' sexy...I'm gonna take my shower. Why don't you put on that black thing that makes me mental, put on some music and put a match to the fire in the livin' room.

"Oh my...I think I'm having a date with my husband..."

He swatted her ass before turning toward the bathroom, "Go. I'll be right out.

Hobbes went to the living room and lit the fire and poured herself a glass of wine, then took it into her closet to find 'the black thing'. She shook her head as she looked around. "I really am spoiled. This closest is bigger than my first apartment." She changed her clothes, dabbed perfume on her pulse points and touched up her lip gloss. She twisted her hair into a loose knot and stuck a couple of chopsticks in it and then pulled some tendrils loose, framing her face. When she was satisfied with her appearance she took her glass of wine back out to the living room and rifled through the CDs.

JJ stood in the shower under the hot water, his hands on the wall, letting the spray hit him from all directions, and tried to focus on what was waiting for him when he got out, instead of the colossal mistake he'd almost made. Kinks was in pain. What was his excuse? Too much wondering...too much a lot of things...but that was the one thing Hobbes wouldn't be able to forgive. Her biggest fear. He'd sworn to her...He could probably f**k Bethy in the foyer of the Court and she'd forgive him... but not that.

"F**k this. It didn't happen." He turned off the water and grabbed a towel and stepped out. He put on his robe and toweled his hair before wiping the steam from the mirror to take a hard look at himself. "Streak's right...you need to get yer shit together." He fumbled in the pocket of his discarded pants and came up with the small glassine envelope that was still half full. "Startin' now." He dumped it in the toilet and hit the handle and watched it swirl around the bowl. "Zeus my ass." He gulped the remainder of his scotch and left the bathroom.

************************************************************************************
"Enough." JJ glared at Streak across the table and lowered his voice to growl, " Can we change the f**kin' subject before Hobbes gets back?"

"Yeah. I have some information for you. You want it now or wait til tomorrow in yer office?"

JJ shrugged, "Now's fine. What is it?"

"Those pictures I showed you last week? The one's of the guy who looks just like you?"

"I don't see it, but whatever...yeah. What'd you find out?"

"He signed for his winnings using a British passport. The name was O. T. Punch."

"What the f**k kind of... Yeah...and?"

"And nothin'. I can't find out a thing. I went through the channels I have access to and they couldn't find anyone with that name in their databases. Do you think it's time to call in yer friends next door?"

"No." As he cupped his hand around the flame lighting his cigarette, "Not yet. Has he been in since those pictures were taken?"

"Didn't I say I'd tell you? No. But given his pattern I'd say he's due in the next day or so. Or maybe he won't come back at all. Maybe he's just a small time grifter."

"This feel like that to you?"

"No. Not really."

***************************************************************
Streak was in his office when his phone rang. It was the direct line from the Security Ops Room.

"What's up Specs?"

"Oh good, you're there. That guy you had me looking for is back. We've got him at window number 9."

"On my way." He called JJ's office line and got no answer. He put the phone down and headed to the SOR, dialing his cell on the fly. "Hey. Get yer ass to security. Mr. Punch is back." To Specs he said, "Okay, I'm here. Show me."

Specs pointed to a monitor where the man was pocketing his winnings. "Right there."

They watched as he stopped at a table and picked up a discarded betting slip and wrote something on the back of it and held it up to the camera with a smirk."Take me to your leader."

"Oh sh*t. I want a printout of that." As JJ walked in the door, he tossed over his shoulder, "You gotta see this."

"What the f**k! What the hell does that mean?"

"Just a guess, but I think he wants to talk to you."

"Who the f**k is this guy? What the f**k would he want with me?"

"How should I know. Maybe he doesn't want you specifically...but he said 'leader'. That's you pal." They watched as he leaned against a pillar and folded his arms, then pushed off the pillar and paced before turning to the camera and putting his hands on his hips and then pointed to his watc. "What d'you want to do?"

"Go get that clown. Bring him to my office."

Streak jerked his head to one of the security officers in the room, who followed him out to the concourse and the betting windows.

"Ya know... he kinda looks like you."

"Clean yer glasses Specs."

He watched as Streak approached the man and held out his hand. Whatever Streak said to him made him laugh and he turned to the camera again and waved. JJ tracked them as they left the concourse and then headed back to his office.

He walked in to find the man sitting in a chair across from his desk and Streak standing near the window watching him.

JJ extended his hand as the man stood, ""JJ Moffet. What can I do for you Mr...Punch was it?"

"I think it's more a question of what we can do for each other." He settled back into the chair and put his hands behind his head.

"Yeah? How's that?"

"We have a lot to talk about." The man gave Streak a pointed look, " Alone, if you please."

"I don't f**kin' think so."

JJ moved behind his desk and reached behind him to remove his Glock then placed it on the desk before he sat down. He looked at Streak and nodded.

"I'll be right outside."

After the door had closed, JJ demanded, "Okay...what's this about?" His leg bounced on the ball of his foot beneath his desk and he watched the other man with hooded eyes while he lit a cigarette.

"Good idea." As he reached inside his pocket, JJ put his hand on his gun. "You're a suspicious f**ker. I like that. He held up his cigarettes. "I'm not armed. Your boy there already frisked me anyway."

"I wouldn't let him hear you call him that if I were you. Could we get to some sort of point here?"

"First, just so we're clear...Are you John Gerard "Jackie" Moffet, Jr. son of John Gerard "Jackie" Moffet and Fiona Elizabeth Faraday Moffet married 12/1/67?"

"Alright...who the f**k are you?!"

With a lopsided smirk, the man reached into his right breast pocket, "Just papers my man." He tossed a folded document in front of JJ. "That's me."

As JJ unfolded the piece of paper, a worn photograph fluttered to the desk.

"Baby Boy Faraday. Mother: Fiona Elizabeth Faraday. Father: Unknown.
Born Princess Royal Maternity Hospital Glasgow 11/1/67 WHAT THE F**K IS THIS!?"

A moment was spent nonchalantly blowing smoke rings toward the ceiling. "A copy of my birth certificate." JJ sat back in his chair, staring at the photograph of his mother. "Mum was a looker wasn't she?" He sucked his teeth, "Kinda flighty. She's no longer with u, by the way. Don't know if you knew that."

JJ put his hands on his head and squeezed, "What the hell am I supposed to say to this? How do I know this is even real?"

The man shrugged, "Check me out then." He began to toss the other things from his pocket onto the desk. "My passport... the real one," he winked. "Driving license, National Health card..."

"One Two? Yer name is One Two? What the f**k kinda name is that?"

"No idea. Picked it up in the orphanage. Don't remember being called anything else. I like it. And I have to say, I'm disappointed you didn't like my joke."

"One Two Punch. I get it. Yer a f**kin' riot whoever you are."

"It's Faraday actually. See, says right there. Same as Mum's."

"And yer tellin' me yer mother is my mother?" JJ lit a cigarette with the end of the last one, "Let's assume I believe any a' this sh*t...that makes you what? My half-brother?"

"That's how it works...yeah. Ain't that a kick in the pants?"

JJ ran a hand over his face. "What're you doin' here? Lookin' for yer inheritance?"

HE laughed, "Not bloody likely. If you're anything like me, all Mum left you with is a deep mistrust of women."

JJ raised an eyebrow, "So what d'you want? A job?"

The man called One Two leaned forward, "Would you believe me if I said I just wanted to meet my little brother?"

"No."



From Archive thread: "More Than My Life"

JJsMoll (Sheri Young) -- All Material Related to JJ Moffet, Hobbes Winslow Moffet, and all other referenced characters depicted by JJsMoll on All For One-One For All ©2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011