"You go upstairs and shower, then hit the hay, Nik," said Simon. "I'll wash up in the guest bathroom and take care of things down here with Sage."<br/><br/>In truth, he was glad of some time alone with Sage. He wondered what his friend and master would have planned for him tonight. He almost ran for the guest bathroom and washed quickly, but thoroughly. Then he returned to the kitchen where Sage sat with their food. He glanced up the stairs and heard the shower running. Nik was getting ready for bed. To say the very fact of being alone with Sage rejuvenited him would be like saying the Mona Lisa was "a nice painting." He was thrilled and hoped he was ready for anything.<br/><br/>"I... think we're alone," he said. "May I join you, Master?"<br/><br/>He couldn't resist a smile as he thought about the way things had changed over the last few months and how for the first time in his life he was alive. Maybe Sage would let him eat at the table. Maybe he would make him kneel and wait. It didn't matter. Whatever it was, Simon would do it. Simon would love it.