Interlude - Comfort

Home : Stories by Catw00man : The Storm Series : Interlude - Comfort

Summary: After Junior’s less than stellar performance at Sonoma he’s needing a little comfort. Will anyone be around to offer it?

AUTHOR: Catw00man
EMAIL: catw00man@cryptoffic.com
RATING: NC-17
SERIES: Storm Series - Interlude
CHARACTER: Jeff Gordon/Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dale Jr. POV
CATEGORY: Romance
COMPLETED: July 2, 2005
WORD COUNT: 4,871
DISCLAIMER: I own NOTHING and am affiliated with NO ONE mentioned here. Not the drivers, not the teams, no one. This is all fiction and fun. In other words...NOT REAL, NOT REAL, NOT REAL. ;-)
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Alright, this fic definitely needs to be classified as a possible AU “interlude” because it may never fit in the actual Storms story line. But after Sonoma, and after finding the unbelievably hot picture of Jeff from the Player’s magazine (see above) Junior demanded I write this. So, this takes place in the Storms universe, it just may never be part of the “official” story line.
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Mooresville, NC: June 26th, 2005

Sometimes I really wish I could be someone else.

And this just happens to be one of those times, I think as I slowly make my way from my mom’s house to my truck, weaving only slightly, under the cover of darkness. It’s late, and I know I’ve probably had too much to drink, but I wanna go home to my own house, to my own bed, and hopefully…to him.

I feel a smile tugging at my lips as I think about how much I’d love it if he was waiting for me. It wouldn’t be the first time. But after the day we’ve both had, I wouldn’t be surprised if he just went on to his own home.

I yawn as I finally reach my truck and pull open the door, glancing back towards the house. I can see mom standing at the window, and I know she’s worried about me. She hates it when I when I drink and drive, but honestly, I really only had a few beers, and she knows there’s no stopping me once I decide to go home. I just need to get away from the world for awhile. Go some place safe where it doesn’t feel like the walls are closing in. If only I’m not alone….

I shake my head at this thought and climb into my truck, flipping on the lights and cranking the engine. I smile as I hear the roar of the V8 engine beneath me, as I slowly back out of the driveway, and begin the short drive to my own personal sanctuary. Unfortunately though, I can’t seem to get the crappy day’s events out of my head.

It’s been hard on us both lately, and California was no exception. But what can you expect? The Champion and an Earnhardt, out of the chase right now. Of course they’re all gonna give us hell. I just don’t know how much more of this I can take when it feels like my own team is sabotaging me. I mean, we had a perfectly good tranny in the car last year, why did they have to screw with it? And sometimes it feels like I’m out there all by myself. I mean, there I was playing musical gears and no one could be bothered to tell me Mike was there? Are they trying to kill my chances?

I snort in irritation and grip the wheel a little tighter. I know none of that’s the case. We’re just falling apart right now and are gonna have to find some way to stop the bleeding. I just wish I knew what to do. How to handle things better. How to make things right. And I just hope I’m not alone tonight.

But he’s probably still being harassed by someone in the media or in deep conversation with his empire of a team to get things turned around. Which I know he will. Even with all the pressure they throw on him, he still carries it like it’s nuthin’. Just like Dad did. And sometimes I really envy him for that.

Honestly, I just really miss him right now. With our damn schedules the way they are I haven’t really got to see him since last Monday. Damn, has it really been a week? I sigh as I do the math in my head and realize tomorrow--this morning--makes it a week. This really, really sucks.

Sometimes I really, really wanna be someone else.

I mean, the whole weekend was hectic as hell. Reporters practically every ten feet wanting to know when things are gonna turn around. As if I know! Sometimes I don’t even know what to say anymore, and I know I have to come off looking like an idiot, but what do they expect of me? I just drive the car. That’s all I can do.

Finally I turn off of the highway and onto the back road that will take me to my refuge from the outside world. Almost home. Thank God. And my mind suddenly turns back to the events of the weekend.

I got to California early to record some lines for some PIXAR movie and was hoping he’d be able to make it out early too. But he couldn’t. And when he finally did get there he had to go tape some crap at his vineyard. I can’t help but smirk at the thought. If the world only knew that nowadays he’s as comfortable chugging beer in the back of my truck as he is sipping on wine and champagne. I smile even more as I know that that side of him, who he really is, is mine. Oh, he still plays “Mr. Perfect” for the world, but for me…for me he’s just Jeff. And that’s more than I could ever ask for.

I just wish we had more time.

I slow the truck as I finally reach my property and hit the remote to open the automated gates. Then I pull onto my drive, and frown slightly, as I remember how we couldn’t even seem to get more than a minute or two together all weekend…and none of it was alone. It all started when he went and took the damn pole and had to deal with all that shit. Then, once the race finally did roll around, it seemed like we both got bit by the “new and improved” transmissions. I don’t know what hurt worse, drivin’ around 14 laps down with a car that was actually fast, once they fixed the gears that is, or watching him lose a lap, gain it back, only to fall off at the end. I still don’t know exactly what happened to him, considering neither one of us could seem to break away from the media storm following our every move after the race. The most we were able to manage was a brief glance across garage, our eyes locking, even as he continued to smoothly give the reporters everything they asked for. He really is so much better than me at that. I just wish we could have had five minutes alone to talk.

But we didn’t.

After that crappy-ass race we both ended up having to go our own ways, him swallowed up by crew chiefs and teammates, and me running back home to be consoled by one of the few people who really understand me. But now there’s only one person I want to see…and judging by my empty driveway, it looks like I’m in for one more disappointment in a day full of nothing but.

I sigh as punch the button to open my garage door and drive slowly inside. I can’t believe how much I’m actually starting to wish for the off season, wish for the way things were before. Back when it was just the two of us and my family and friends. Back when we didn’t have to fly all over the country and have to exist with only a glance or slight touch here and there. I never really thought things would get so busy. And it’s just gonna get worse. The chase is coming. And whether I make it or not…he’s gonna, and I’ll see him even less.

I sigh deeply again as I kill the engine and open my truck door. Slip out of the truck and make my way slowly to the door, opening it and heading to the kitchen without even turning on the light. As I open the stainless steel fridge, I squint against the bright light and grab a bottle of Bud from the door. Then I turn to make my way upstairs, twisting off the lid of my bottle and tossing it on the counter as I pass by. I take a long drink of the cold, slightly bitter alcohol as I make it to the second floor and walk to my dark room. I start to make my way over to my bed, ready to just collapse and pass out when--

“What took you so long?”

The words freeze me in my tracks, and I instantly reach for the light switch by the door. That’s when I see him squint slightly at the sudden light as he sits, no, lays across one of the armchairs in my bedroom. He has his legs thrown over the arm of the chair and his arms are crossed, but that’s not what makes my mouth suddenly go dry and sends heat coursing through my body.

It’s his eyes.

Eyes that are looking at me like he wants to devour me whole. Those two blue storms that are always pulling me under, causing me to drown completely, to lose myself totally. I lick my lips as my eyes finally lock onto his sultry, crooked smile that always makes me weak in the knees. He’s here. He’s really here, looking like that, and it’s just not fair. I swear, I can barely even form a thought.

“Well?” he says as his smile grows a little broader and his eyes continue to bore right into me. That’s when I finally let my gaze trail down his chiseled jaw and across his form fitting black T-shirt down to his tight faded jeans. I run the tip of my tongue across my teeth as I smile and move towards him.

“You coulda let me know you were comin’,” I tell him as I stalk across the room, already undressing him with my eyes. He turns toward me then, moving to his side and uncrossing his arms. Then he props his chin on his hand and just watches me, slowly wetting his lips in the way he knows I can’t resist.

“What, and miss seeing that look on your face?” he replies with a smirk and I can already feel my jeans growing painfully tight. Then I see a glint in his eyes as he continues, “Where else would I be, Dale?”

I feel my heart melt at his words because I know he means every one. That and I always turn into a puddle of goo anytime he says my name like that. The way it just rolls off his tongue in a way I’ve never heard from anyone else. And I finally cross the room, setting my beer down on the table by his feet and kneeling down in front of him.

He leans forward immediately, placing his hands on either side of my face, and kisses me, softly moving his lips against mine. And I can smell the musky scent of his cologne and faint traces of cigarettes he probably smoked while he was waiting for me. I’m immediately lost in his touch, his smell, the feel of his firm lips against mine.

“Jeff,” I murmur against his lips as I feel him turn towards me, sliding his legs off the arm of the chair and finally pulling back enough to maneuver his legs to either side of me. I look up at him, as he traces my cheekbone with his right thumb, sliding his hand down my face and letting it come to rest at the back of my neck, while his other hand slides across my collarbone and shoulder, then down my arm. Meanwhile, I can do nothing but get lost in his ever-deepening stormy-blue eyes, and wait…just wait for that storm to grow out of control and consume us both.

“So, were you at your mom’s or Kelley’s?” he asks me softly as he seems to study my every movement, every breath. I feel his thumb, tracing across my jawline, and I scoot a little closer, running my hands up his shins, over his knees and finally resting them on his thighs.

“Mom’s,” I reply simply, not even surprised that he reads me so well. He knows after a day like today I need my family around me, and I never should have doubted he’d be here. He’s always here, every second he can be, and I can’t imagine my world with out him. I run my hands up and back down his thighs, savoring every single moment as I give his legs a squeeze, and try to draw this out a little more. “I didn’t see your car when I pulled up…trying to hide from me?” I ask with a smile, immediately earning one in return.

“I parked the bike on the side of the house,” he says with a sultry grin, knowing I love the way he looks on his Harley. I don’t know what it is, but something about seeing him straddling that bike sends chills running down my spine and I can’t help but lick my lips. As I watch him, I swear I can see the desire in his eyes grow at my actions as he replies, “I thought you might like a surprise.”

“You know I do,” I tell him as I lean forward to meet his lips again. And this time I taste him as his tongue slides past my parted lips to tangle with mine. Slight traces of tobacco and beer mixed with the overwhelming taste that is just him. He’s the ocean and a hurricane all wrapped up in one, barely restrained, pulling me under, and I want nothing more than to be consumed completely by his touch.

Both hands now, sliding down my arms to cover my hands on his thighs. Feel him take my hands in his and give me a tug and I follow his lead, standing just as he does. I feel him squeeze my hands again before finally releasing them and sliding his up under my shirt. I throw my head back as his strong fingers run possessively over my body and I can’t help but tremble as his searing lips attack my neck. I moan deeply as I feel his breath at my ear and his lips tugging at my earlobe.

“Missed you, Dale,” I feel, as well as hear, his soft words against my skin and my entire body trembles in response. Hands, sliding around my sides and up my back, pulling me closer. Fingers massaging the muscles of my back, as he continues to place open-mouthed kisses along my jawline and neck. “Been too long,” he murmurs, and his words are followed by a low moan as I run one hand under the back of his shirt and thrust my hips against his.

“Yesssss, Jeff,” I gasp as he presses himself against me. He nuzzles my neck with his face and all I can do is sigh and pull him closer. “Too long,” I moan against his skin. It’s always too long when we’re apart, I continue to myself. And I want to say more, but I can’t…not when he’s touching me like that. “Jeff….”

“I know,” he moans and begins pushing me, moving with me as I back towards the bed. Finally we cross the short distance with him running his hands over me and kissing me the entire time. “Dale,” he whispers as he slides his hands under my shirt again and pushes it up and over my head. “Nothing but you,” he says and suddenly pulls me down with him, onto the bed behind me. I fall onto the soft rumpled covers and can’t help but return the grin he’s giving me as I once again let myself get pulled into the tumultuous blue depths of his eyes.

Hands running over my bare chest as he raises himself up over me, and like so many times before I find it hard to breath as I give myself over to him completely. I watch in awe as he pulls his shirt off, tossing it to the side, and reach up to run my hands over the newly exposed flesh. He throws his head back at my touch and my eyes are drawn to his strong jaw, the smooth skin of his neck, and I have to taste him. I grab his arms suddenly, pulling them from underneath him and causing him to fall forward onto my chest. Then I reach up, trailing one hand up his arm to the back of his neck and pull him down to my waiting, hungry lips.

“Uhhhh, Dale,” he moans as I lick and suck at his skin, so rich and warm. But then I’m the one moaning as he squirms against me, deliberately thrusting his hips against mine and I can barely control the heat and desire that courses through my body. Hand running down my sides, lightly caressing. Then down to my waist as I feel him shift his hips so he can slide his hand between us.

“Fuck, yes,” I breathe as he strokes me hard through rough denim and I don’t know how much more teasing I can take. I know all too well how he can drag things out, excruciatingly building my desire again and again until I lose all sense of myself and I become a writhing, screaming mess, unable to even remember my own name. But as much as I love him torturing me endlessly…there’s no way I can handle it tonight. It’s been to long since I’ve felt his touch. I need him. I want him. And I don’t want to wait.

“Please, Jeff, I need…” but he’s already working at my jeans, unfastening them and tugging at the zipper. “Yesssss,” I hiss as he slides down my body, pulling down my jeans and boxers as he goes. Hot lips and wet tongue making a fiery trail down my body pausing only to run over my throbbing cock, and I’m screaming his name in mindless desire.

Finally he pulls away and I open my eyes to see him standing at the end of the bed, slipping out of his own jeans and I tremble with desire. I can never, ever get enough of him, and I just want him to let go and unleash his out of control whirlwind of passion over me. To draw me in and make me feel that amazing connection I’ve only ever felt with him.

I feel the bed depress and see him crawling over me again, and my eyes instantly lock with his raging blue ones as his slick hand suddenly begins to stroke me with agonizing slowness. I moan his name again, and see that crooked smile I adore, more than he’ll ever know, cross his face. Finally, slight pressure and an amazing feeling of fullness as he pushes two slippery fingers inside me, and I can’t even form words.

But he knows.

His eyes tell me everything. My same desire and want is reflected back at me in his eyes. And I know he can’t hold back much longer. But he would. Just like the first time, he would fight back the storm. But I don’t want him to. Not tonight.

“Jeff…want you,” is all I can manage and I watch as he stops biting his lower lip and slowly pulls his fingers from me. Hands under my knees, and I use my own to slide further down the bed as he lifts my legs up, resting my calves over his shoulders. Damn, I’m so glad I’ve gotten this limber. I throw my head back and moan as I feel his hands at my hips, pulling me closer, closer….

“Oh God, Dale,” I hear him groan as he finally pushes inside me and all I can do is cry out unintelligibly in response. Shit, I love this so damn much. He pushes into me again, thrusting so very deep, and as I meet his eyes I feel complete, whole, connected and so very loved.

“More, Jeff. Give me more,” I rasp at him and, as always, I see the instant he let’s go, the instant he loses himself in me. Harder. Faster. I feel him thrust deeper and deeper. Filling me in more ways than he can even know. The familiar feel of his fingers, interlocking with mine, and I squeeze his hand tightly as he strokes me harder, faster with his other hand. And I can’t hold back. Not anymore. I squeeze his hand again. See him raise his head, sweat glistening down the side of his face, as he meets my eyes with his own again.

And that’s all it takes.

“Jeff!” I scream, and I gasp, as tremors over take my body. Drowning, suffocating, surrendering everything, and all I see is blue. So fucking intense. So damn much, but still I won’t look away from his swirling eyes. And he draws me in, even as aftershocks wrack my body and I continue to meet his pounding thrusts. More, more, so much more until I see him gasp. Feel him squeezing my hand as his eyes widen slightly, growing impossibly darker.

“Dale, yes, oh God,” he cries out and I feel his free hand griping my hip tightly as he begins to tremble. And suddenly he freezes, lips parted slightly as he sucks in a breath, and I feel warmth flood me as I watch him find his release…in me.

Slowly he lowers my legs from his shoulders and I feel a familiar, pleasant soreness I know I’ll never get tired of. Then he gently pulls from me and crawls up my body, kissing a trail up my chest, and lies down at my side. I slide one arm around him, underneath his, and pull him close, causing him to rest his head on my shoulder. He curls around me, nuzzling my neck and I sigh at his touch.

“Mmmm, Dale,” he murmurs against my skin and I feel him relax against me. I reach up with my free hand and run my fingers through his short hair. I love it when he’s like this, when he completely gives in to me. When he lets me hold him, take care of him, because I’ve always gotten the feeling no one else ever has.

And I want to be the one.

But after a few more moments I feel him shift against me, sliding up the bed and pulling me to him. I give into him immediately, knowing instinctively what he wants and rest my head against his chest. It’s only a few moments and I feel him sliding one of my long curls through his fingers and I’ve never been so content. All the frustrations of today melt away, just like they always do, and nothing matters but being here with him.

I don’t even know how long we lie that way as I just relax and concentrate on nothing but his rhythmic breathing. I feel his fingers run through my hair at the nape of my neck and I melt into him. It’s just never been like this with anyone else, and I can’t ever remember being so happy.

“You wanna tell me about it?” he says softly, and I can’t help but smile because I know he’s not pushing, he never does. He wouldn’t mind if I didn’t say a word. But he knows me, and he knows I need to talk. I just wonder if he knows he’s the only one I ever talk to. Before him I’d hold it all inside…even with my family. But with Jeff…with Jeff I can share anything, and I always do…because he actually understands.

“Yeah,” I breathe against his skin as he continues to alternately run his fingers through my hair and massage my neck. I close my eyes at his touch and take a deep breath. I need to get this out. All the frustration of the day. I need someone to listen who actually gets it…because he’s in the same position.

“The tranny was shot from lap one,” tell him as his strong fingers begin to rub my neck. “Lost first, second, third. All on the first damn lap. I couldn’t even get outta the way.” And still he doesn’t push as I just let myself get carried away for the moment in his touch. Finally I sigh again and even I can hear the dejection in my voice as I continue. “I swear Jeff, all season it’s felt like my own team has been against me. The team swap, the shitty cars. I mean we had a perfectly good transmission before. Why the hell weren’t we running that? It’s like they’re trying to sabotage me!”

I feel his fingers threading through my hair and I instantly feel myself relaxing again. How is it that he can always calm me down with nothing but a touch? I lay still for another few moments, relishing his nearness before finally tell him what honestly hurts the most. “Sometimes I just feel like I’m so alone.”

“You’re not alone, Dale,” he tells me softly and I feel his words work their way straight to my heart, because I know everyone is true. I nuzzle my cheek against his warm skin and wait…wait for him to tell me what I so desperately need to hear.

“I’d love to be able to tell you it’s all gonna work out. But you know better than that.” His hand slides comfortingly across my shoulder before resting on the back of my neck again, thumb sliding over my skin. “You’ll do what you have to. Take it all one step at a time, one race at a time. The points, the chase, none of it means shit right now. Right now, you just pick up and move on, go to the next race and do your best with what you have. And if it doesn’t turn around in Daytona, then you move on from there.”

And for the millionth time I can’t even begin to understand how no matter what happens, he never lets it phase him because I know his words are meant for himself as much as they are for me. Here we are. NASCAR’s “biggest” stars, a breath away from being locked out of “the chase” and still, it’s just another race. Just another week with another around the corner. I know from experience how much he can’t stand to lose. But still…still he can look at the big picture, put it all in perspective. No matter what the world thinks. No matter what the fans say. He just worries about himself and lets all the rest roll off his back like it’s nothin’.

Finally, I need to know his side. I need to know what happened to him. I want to hear everything, every detail. I want to be here for him, just like he is for me. “Tell me what happened,” I murmur softly against his skin and reach across his chest to intertwine my fingers with his.

“Mmmm,” he sighs as he squeezes my hand and for a moment I’m not sure if he’s going to tell me. But after another minute I feel him take a breath before he finally speaks. “Pretty much up and down all day. Led and the car was awesome, could just run away from the field,” and I can hear him getting lost him his own words, the way he always does when he talks racing. He makes you see it, feel it, and sometimes I feel like I could listen to him talk for days.

“But then third gear stuck, didn’t break, just stuck. Surprisingly they were able to fix it in the pits and we got back on the lead lap. But it didn’t last. It jammed again at the end and it was over. Just rotten luck I guess,” he says and I fully expect him to be mad, disappointed, pissed like I was. But he’s not. No, once he gets away from the track, it’s always the same. He just lets it go.

“So we’ll try again next week, just like you will Dale,” and as always, he puts it all in perspective as only he can. We move on, something I’ve been told before, but only now understand because he doesn’t just say it. He lives it. And he makes me believe it. Even if I don’t make the chase, even if the entire world comes down on me and rides me for not living up to my name, even if I finally can’t take it anymore and try another team…it’s not the end of the world. I’ll just keep going, keep trying, and find a way to make things work out because nothing else matters.

“We’ll be fine Dale. Just like we always are.”

Except him.

Except us.

“Yeah,” I tell him softly and snuggle against him even more. He’s running his fingers through my hair again and I can feel myself drifting, relaxing, and I know I can’t stay awake much longer. I squeeze his hand once more with my own and want to tell him, want to let him know how I feel. But I’m fading fast at his soft caresses and I tell myself again, it can wait. I’ll tell him later…when it’s the right time. When everything is perfect and we aren’t having to comfort each other over a crummy weekend, I’ll finally tell him…

Tell him that I love him.

~~Fin~~

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Catw00man - catw00man@cryptoffic.com