The amber glow of dawn seeped through the thick curtains that hung over the open windows. Slowly your eyes began to open, and your ears became enveloped with the gentle orchestra of serenading birds, your hands found your eyes and softly rubbed the remaining sleep away. Your morning of serenity was not long lasting however as it did not take long for Jim's bellowing snores to invade your peace and quiet.

"Jim..." You groaned, nudging him harshly in the arm, but to no avail. "Jim!" You called out a bit louder, this time shaking him by the shoulder until his eyes shot open, they darted around the fading darkness before landing on you.

"What is it, what's wrong?" He said with squinted, confused eyes.

"Nothing's wrong, it's just time for you to wake up for work. Come on and get your lazy ass up so I can get some breakfast on." Jim groaned, rolled onto his side, and nestled his head back on the soft and slightly drool stained pillow.

"Five more minutes, I've got a hard day today." He said in between loud, obnoxious snores.

"Jim." You rolled him onto his back and patted his chest with a forceful vigour. "Wake up, for once in your life you aren't going to be late for work."

"I'm never late for work." He pushed himself up to a seated position and reached into his bedside drawer for a morning smoke. "I'm the chief I make my own hours." He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and ran a calloused hand through his messy hair. You rolled your legs out of the bed and stood with a spirited stretch and a yawn. "I'll come through for breakfast in a minute, let me just finish this cigarette and I'll come and help."

"To be honest I'd prefer if you just stayed out of the way, I was planning on doing more than just putting a few things in the microwave." Hopper pulled the cigarette from his lips and exhaled deeply.

"But you always make breakfast, let me be useful for once."

"You would be useful if you would get your ass out of bed and stayed out of my way. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day you know, and I plan on having something a little more substantial that some burnt toast. You're always useful Jim, even if it isn't exactly in the nutrition department."

~*~

Written by Aaron.