"Yeah.." Jacob murmured quietly as he regarded Ashley quietly for a moment. He was certain many of his regulars were going to be complaining about him being gone for so long, but honestly at this point he didn't much care. Licking his lips he sighed a bit. "I can get away until the marks disappear though.."

Jacob bit his lip and closed his eyes he hadn't meant for that little thought to slip out. Knowing the other man would want to know just why and he wasn't certain how to politely put it. "It'll be harder to get customers looking .. used already. Or attract those who like leaving marks and going too rough.."

Ash did indeed look curious about that statement, but he frowned a little, understanding what he was saying when he explained it. "O-oh.. mm." He blushed a little, it was strange to talk about that, he wanted to tell Jacob to forget about it, but if only it was really that easy. That was the man's income, he didn't want to be so selfish to tell him he couldn't do his job.

"You.. can stay here with me.. if you want. but... it's really not that entertaining. I'll probably just be doing paperwork the entire time." He grunted, looking over the piles again.

Jacob frowned a bit and leaned in again to embrace Ashley and gave him another gentle kiss. He knew his own job choice wasn't at all liked by Ashley, what lover would like their partner sleeping with others; for money or otherwise? It was needed money though, he would need to return to his own work when he could. Though he wouldn't blow off Ashley for it no matter his financial situation.

"Only you can claim me as your own," Jacob told him quietly trying to get that frown off of Ashley's face. He didn't want to upset him at all, they've already had a too stressful day with everything that happened earlier.

He looked at that paperwork, it would be rather boring but he'd be sitting around at home as well if he didn't work. Partying was his way of getting a lay without obligation, he always hooked up each night he went clubbing and it wasn't something he was about to do. That wasn't work, but was recreational something he would save for Ashley only.

Ashley's expression softened at the kiss and he smiled at Jacob gently after those words. He liked knowing that. He was relaxed again, reaching one hand to flip through a few papers again with a small sigh. "I don't want to do this anymore." He whined, tired of work, he'd been spoiled with all of those days off, and it was hard not to want to spend time with Jacob while he was there rather than slave away and the work he'd missed just the past few times.

He supposed it'd be best if he just did it however. Then he might have more freetime soon to actually spend with his lover. Shifting, he gave in and picked up the pen again so he could lean forward and work on filling out paperwork and reading over others, making a small pile of files he'd have to do during the next day when the hours were decent again.

Jacob smiled consolingly. He'd never had a desk job, but he could only imagine how tedious paperwork can become. It was why he'd never even tried to get such jobs, he couldn't keep still long enough for it. Knowing him, he would have been wooing every man in the office for some fun. Jacob retreated back to the couch leaving the man to do his work.

Ashley worked well into the morning, nearly jumping right out of his skin when the first call of the morning came at five in the morning, fumbling to answer it quickly after it rang three times. He spoke to someone, a brief conversation, but he was a little nervous afterwards.

"Jacob.. You're gonna have to go now. My boss is coming, and I don't think he'll like it if I let someone stay in here with me all night." He said, getting up on his crutches carefully to stretch, glancing to see if his companion was even awake still. He was sure he was going to get some lecture about relationships in the work-force or soemthing stupid like that if his boss had heard about what happened in the meeting room. And he was sure some rumor or something had spread fast.

"Hmn..? Alright," Jacob said sitting up a bit straighter and stretching. Amazingly it seemed he didn't move around too much but he had been dozing on and off, however not enough for Alex to have taken over. Standing up now he looked at Ashley a little concerned. "I hope I didn't get you in trouble.."

He leaned in to kiss Ashley briefly and smiled at the man looking a little tired. "Call me later when you are able? Even if I'm Alex by that time.. I'm sure he'll be wondering if you are okay."

"I'm sure it'll be fine... I'll probably just get lectured. "He smiled a bit at him, leaning into that little kiss to linger a little longer. He didn't want to let him go off back home, but he couldn't very well hide him in his little office until his boss was gone, who knew how long that could be?

"I'll try to call this afternoon... I should have just about everything done by then, unless they dump more on my desk."

Jacob nodded and with a small sigh and a lingering look that told that he didn't like saying good bye when it came to Ashley. He left though and on the way down he called a cab to pick him up and take him home. He wished there was something he could do for Ashley, to make up for his job choice, he knew it bothered him.

At home he made himself food and sighed a bit. This place was too lonely without anything to do in it.

With Jacob gone, Ashley moved to get coffee for himself and his boss, taking a thermal mug with him to fill it up and close it, taking enough for two cups back with him to pour and be ready for the man to walk in, clearing off most of his desk quickly so it looked more organized, hiding some of the piles beneath his desk, sitting back up as the man walked in.

"Good morning, Mr. Furgison." He managed out, his nerves unable to be hidden. The man sat on the couch with his coffee. They spoke for a while, and as he'd been expecting, the situation earlier came up.

"-But sir, Andrew and I aren't dating."

"It doesn't matter. He's your Supervisor, it's just not allowed. If it happens again, I have to say I don't think you'll be getting another chance. Oh, and that other man--he's not even working here. If I see him again, I'll personally throw you both out."

"But--"

"Do you like your job, Mr. Jordan?" Ashley gave a quick nod, swallowing thickly. "Then I suggest you don't argue and just do as I say."

"... Yes, Mr. Furgison." He managed out again, feeling relief when the man finally got up and bid him 'good day' before leaving him alone--he imagined he'd already bitched Andrew out if he'd found him that morning anyway.

After Jacob had eaten he washed up and with nothing better to do sat down to watch television. After a while though he fell asleep on the couch to the sound of the television. With a sigh his body shifted a bit just as Alex was waking to the sounds of the television. He looked around at his apartment startled. What happened..? How'd he get back here.. He couldn't even recall getting into that room.. Alex swallowed thickly. Had he failed at helping Ashley at all?

Ashley worked into the early after noon, exhausted and wishing for sleep by the time he thought to call Jacob again, imagining bynow he must have been Alex. He pulled his cell phone back out, looking at the scuff mark on it from dropping it earlier before he called the number he'd still had labeled just Jacob, maybe he'd change it? He wasn't sure. He didn't usually call Alex anyway...

Alex fidgeted all day knowing that somehow he'd failed in his attempts. He must have collapsed again! How he'd gotten home he'd had no idea but he felt so horrible. When the phone rang again he cursed as he jumped, why hadn't he thought of phoning and apologizing already? He answered it when he'd seen Ashley's name flash across the call display.

"Ashley?! Oh gods.. are you alright?" Alex cried once the answer button was pressed. "I'm sorry.. I tried to help.."

"Alex? Alex, it's okay.. You did help. Well... you got there and Jacob helped, but nothing happened, I'm fine." He didn't feel it was neccessary to tell Alex just what had happened, what he would have come in on if he'd been able to get in as himself.

"Are you okay? You had me worried.. Jacob fell asleep at my work and you didn't wake up. I guess it's because your guys' body needed rest."

"Really..?" Alex mumbled staring at the floor, a little more relieved to hear Ashley's voice. He'd been worried that the worst had happened. He still wished he hadn't collapse.. had managed to do something.. He chewed on his lip, god he was such a coward...

"I'm okay.." Alex said in a quiet voice. He nodded idly and remembered that he was on the phone with Ashley. "That's usually what happens after I collapse.... I didn't think I would have turned to Jacob... I was so worried..."

"Don't.. worry too much about me, Alex. I hold my own pretty well now." He chuckled a bit, working on a little more paperwork as he sat there with Alex on the phone again. "Thanks for trying to help, though, Alex. I was... sort of surprised when Jacob told me you'd pretended to be him."

Alex closed his eyes and nodded slightly again this time it was more to himself. "It was.. the only thing I could think of.." Alex confessed slowly opening his eyes again and fidgeting with the clothing that Jacob had put on him. "I.. I had figured .. you'd be safe if I stepped in.."

"I... I wouldn't have let him get to you, Alex." He replied gently, sighing out. "I hung up then because i wanted to protect you, I didn't think you'd actually come after me." He gave a weak laugh, shaking his head to himself slightly.

"What's another time with that ass for me.." Alex muttered more than to Ashley. He was just wanting to save Ashley from that fate. Generally he was rather used to it by now..

"Mm... One time too many." He didn't care if Alex was getting used to that, he didn't feel he should have to. "Hey, I take it you'll be fine now? I've got a meeting coming up soon, so I have to go get ready. I'll uh, try and see if I have time to call later and talk to whoever's awake." He chuckled and said his goodbyes before hanging up to get his things together and push his door shut and close the blinds a moment so he could change his shirt after finishing off a glass of water.

He was in and out of meetings with clients and doing paperwork the rest of the afternoon. He never did get a chance to call back, falling asleep leaned over his desk late that night, his work floor dark as everyone had seemed to head out for the night. He shifted as he started to wake, hearing footsteps into his room bu when his eyes opened, he didn't see anyone. He'd probably just dreamt it after the eventful day he'd had, slowly sitting up in his seat and rubbing at his face.

Alex sighed and hung up after the other man had. He'd only been trying to help.. he hadn't wanted the other man to go through with that experience again. Chewing his lip he sighed and returned to watching tele, he'd nothing better to do with his day...

Jacob woke later in his bed, finding himself curled in the fetal position. He wondered idly what happened to the boy to put him there. He sighed and sat up, looking across where the mirror was once more uncovered. Presumably by Alex when cleaning up because the place was neater than he'd remembered it. He stretched a bit and looked around, wondering if Ashley had managed to call.

Looking around his apartment though he sighed. He doubted he'd be seeing Ashley again tonight by the amount of work the man had yet to do that morning. Stretching he went to eat and considered going down to work. It would be something to do anyhow.. He'd hide the worst of the marks in a small tank rather than going around almost topless like he usually did. He kept glancing at his phone as he got ready, half wanting Ashley to phone and ask him to come over.

Ashley stretched slowly, his gaze falling upon his phone. He wanted to call Jacob... maybe they could get food? But by the time his phone said it was, he imagined Jacob had probably already eaten. It was probably for the best, he had so much to do yet, giving a sigh as he got up, startling himself with his own reflection in the large mural of a mirror, almost taking a fall into his desk had he not caught himself with his crutches.

He was far too paranoid again, he swore he'd seen someone behind him, but looking back, there was really no one there. Was he really so scared of Andrew that he'd see things? Hobblign out of the room to the lounge again, he got himself a soda and some m&ms, putting them in a sack to carry back with ease, stumbling when he thought he saw the lights flicker in his room, on and off, on and off, then on again. Approaching the room cautiously, he looked in and found it empty and the light was still on, what the hell was wrong with him?

Finally, he heard footsteps again, away from his room and he turned to look out, but the man was right there already. It scared him so bad, he literally jumped and gave a startled scream, covering his mouth as he fell back against his desk, knocking a pile of papers over. He'd probably scared the poor man just as bad as himself, as it took him a moment to react again, helping Ashley back up. It was the security guard from downstairs making his rounds.

"J-Jesus.. you scared me. I Think i had too much coffee today." Ash muttered, flushtered as he sat down in his chair, letting the guard get his papers from the floor from him. Maybe it'd be best if he had someone there--or just went with Jacob for the night? He wondered if it was too late to get a hold of him...He'd said he wasn't going to work until those marks were gone, but he also knew he really did need to make money. Once the guard was gone, Ashley pikced his cell back up and called Jacob's, feeling slowly calmer as he leaned back in the chair and breathed normally.

Jacob was just heading out the door when his cell began to ring. He paused and grabbed it from the table and smiled a bit as Ashley flashed across the screen. Flipping it open he closed the door and remained in his apartment. He was glad Ashley had phoned him, even if he had resolved himself from going to work.

"Hello," Jacob said as he answered and move to sit down as he spoke with Ashley. "You didn't get in too much trouble from your boss had you?"

"N-No. Not really." He was glad to have gotten a hold of him, just hearing his voice calmed him down a bit. "Hey.. Could you come here for a while? I'm kind of.. freaked out being alone here."He swallowed slowly, chewing on his lower lip. He felt like such a baby, but he'd let the guard downstairs know Jacob was coming, knowing the man wouldn't tattle on him for bringing Jacob in at night again.

"Yeah sure," Jacob said getting up once more slipping on a light jacket to cover his attire, not wanting to change again but had to hide his attire so he could slip out quick enough before attention was grabbed that he was a worker not a customer. "I'm on my way now, once I can call a cab."

He opened and closed his apartment door and with brief goodbyes to Ashley he headed downstairs and slipped out the door before anyone had a chance to wave him down as he phoned for a cab and was soon on his way to the Imajinks building and back up to Ashley's office once more.